The Great High School Love Game

by Marcia Carrington

  “Okay Carrie, what lesson?” Amy asked.

  “That to be kind, sometimes you’ve gotta be cruel,” Carrie countered.

  “What does that mean?” Amy said, looking bamboozled.

  “Gimme your cell phones, now,” Carrie demanded. Amy and Jake looked at Carrie, even more mystified.

  “Why?” Amy asked.

  “Just hand ’em over,” Carrie stated, and Amy and Jake did as she requested, to their uncertainty. Before they even had a chance to understand what she wanted of them, Carrie quickly rushed outside of her bedroom, and locked both Amy and Jake inside.

  “Carrie, what’re you doing?” Amy asked.

  “Something I should’ve done long ago,” Carrie said, talking outside of her bedroom door. “Now you and Jake can talk, really talk, without those other two around,” Carrie said with glee, referring to Chad and Francine. Carrie was thoroughly delighted with what she accomplished, and smiled audaciously. Amy repeatedly banged on the door, the thought of being alone with Jake not the best feeling in the world for her.

  “Let me out, Carrie, let me out! You can’t do this to me — it’s Christmas Eve!”

  Carrie paused for a second after hearing Amy, and chuckled.

  “No Amy, nada, won’t let you out. Not even ’cause of that — that excuse isn’t good enough, anyway. Oh yeah Amy and Jake, just letting you know, don’t even think of escaping through the bathroom windows, as these are locked. You can also forget about the phone in there. Sorry to say, you’ll just have to put up with each other for a while. I know it’s gonna be hard, but you’ve got no choice. Have a great time!” Carrie said, utterly satisfied with her actions. James found Carrie outside of her closed room, and looked a little flustered.

  “Where’re Amy and Jake? Chad and Francine have nearly sent me nuts asking where they are.”

  Carrie rolled her eyes, and sighed.

  “Look James, it’s a loooong story. I’ll tell you everything in the kitchen,” Carrie said, as they quickly walked into that room.

  * * * *

  Amy and Jake, to their sheer misery, were now all alone in Carrie’s bedroom. They were not exactly comfortable being together in the same room, but, especially so Amy. Amy was seated at Carrie’s dressing table, and had her back facing Jake. Jake sat in an armchair close to Amy, and looked up at her from time to time. He noticed her back was arched unnaturally, and Jake watched her with much anxiety. Jake thought he would try to talk to Amy, thinking it would break the tension that existed between them, and cleared his throat, to Amy’s annoyance.

  “Amy?”

  “Yes,” Amy replied coldly, without turning around to face him. “What do you want?”

  Jake was hurt by Amy’s coldness, but, continued on in spite of this.

  “So, how’s it going with Chad?” he asked. Amy turned her head around to face Jake, and squinted her eyes angrily at him.

  “Why do you wanna know?” Amy replied, with much bitterness.

  “Well, just out of interest,” he said quietly.

  Amy looked at Jake, and shook her head.

  “Now I know why you’re asking. You wanna compare me and Chad and me and you, don’t you? Or Francine and you? Or maybe, just maybe, you and Jane?” Amy spat, turning towards Jake.

  Jake shook his head when he heard the name Jane being mentioned.

  “Who?” Jake asked.

  “Don’t act dumb with me, Jake,” Amy said, biting her lips with determination. “I know exactly what was, and still is, going on.”

  “What do you mean?” Jake said, looking at Amy, utterly confused.

  “When we were together, we were never alone — Jane was your other girlfriend, waiting for you when you weren’t with me,” Amy said, glowering at Jake.

  By this time, Jake was more puzzled than ever before with Amy’s talk.

  “Amy, who’s Jane?” Jake asked, shrugging his shoulders, his forehead creasing.

  “Oh, so take me for an even bigger idiot than you think I am,” Amy replied. “Wow, you’re doing well.”

  Jake arose from the armchair, and moved towards Amy, looking at her with a solemn expression.

  “Amy, I’d never take you for an idiot,” Jake said softly.

  Amy was slightly touched by Jake’s admission, and wanted to give in to him like nothing else in the world, but knew she had to be strong, and not melt again when she was with him. She just could not be taken in by him again.

  “But you did. Luckily I was spared more bad stuff from you.”

  “Oh yeah, how’d that happen?” Jake said, becoming angry with Amy’s constant accusations.

  “I’m glad I found that letter when I did.”

  Jake stood bolt upright when he heard this, becoming more mystified than ever.

  “What letter?” Jake asked.

  “Have I gotta tell you again? The letter where Jane said she missed touching you, the sound of your voice, that hot look in your eye. All that stuff. She must’ve sent you so many of them, I mean, you can’t remember them all,” Amy said defiantly.

  With this latest accusation, Jake threw his arms into the air, even more bewildered by what Amy was saying.

  “I wish I knew what you’re talking about, but you’re not making any sense,” Jake replied. He was outraged Amy thought he was carrying on with someone else, when Amy was always the only one for him. Amy, though, was still scowling at Jake, believing she had the upper hand over him. Jake thought for a moment about the letter, and everything Amy had told him, and asked Amy, “Where’d you find this letter?”

  Amy grinned at him, and curled her lips.

  “It fell out of your pocket the day you left me to go to ‘basketball training. But you had training of another kind going on that day – you were in a hurry to leave me,” Amy said sarcastically.

  Jake frowned at this, and scratched his head, ignoring Amy’s words.

  “Huh? I never leave anything like letters in my pocket,” he said, again confused by what Amy was telling him.

  “Oh, that’d be right,” Amy said.

  “What do you mean?”

  “You’re not as sneaky as you thought.”

  How this letter got into Amy’s hands, and what this letter was, and who wrote it, was now on Jake’s mind. Jake nervously paced around the room, and Amy watched him, still disbelieving of him. He frantically wracked his brain trying to find a possible explanation for it, and something that would make sense to him, and Amy. Suddenly, a thought came to his mind, and he froze in excitement.

  “Come on, wait a sec. I was at basketball practice that day, so my parka would’ve been hanging in the locker room. Maybe one of the guys on the team did it as a joke. Yeah, that must be it,” Jake said, smiling.

  Amy watched him blankly, and shook her head.

  “Sorry Jake, you’re not very convincing — still don’t believe you.”

  Jake again leaned over Amy, and sighed, but she moved away from him.

  “Look Amy, you’ve gotta believe me. I’d never do anything to hurt you. Seems like all this’s been a big joke. Don’t think the guys wanted anything bad to happen,” Jake said, tenderly.

  “But it did,” Amy said, tears beginning to well in her eyes, to Jake’s further puzzlement. “I want you to leave me alone,” Amy wheezed, grabbing some tissues from the dressing table to dab her eyes. Seeing Amy in this state, and how she would not give in to him, Jake realized it was better to leave Amy alone, and moved away from her. He felt he was getting nowhere fast with her, as everything Amy said made no sense whatsoever to him.

  Jake dejectedly walked into the bathroom, watching Amy with head bowed. Amy watched him as he went into the bathroom, and he closed the door. After she was alone, Amy burst into tears, these streaming down her sad face, and looked into the dressing table mirror.

  “Why was I ever with Jake?” Amy pleaded with herself. Amy dabbed her eyes again with a tissue, and slumped onto the dressing table. After several minutes of crying, Amy finally recovered her self-cont
rol, and sat up straight. Amy thought of Chad, and all the support he had given her since she broke up with Jake, and smiled wistfully. “Everything doesn’t matter, ’cause Chad’s with me. He’d never do anything to upset me, never,” Amy said, looking in the mirror.

  * * * *

  Carrie was in her roomy, bright kitchen, checking on the food and drinks for her friends. The caterers had done a wonderful job tonight, and she smiled at the waiters who were in the kitchen. They were preparing some more snacks for everyone, as Carrie’s friends had devoured the first few platters. After giving everything the once-over and feeling that all was running to order, Carrie passed out of her kitchen. After walking out of there, something happening on the veranda caught her attention, and she stopped in her tracks. Carrie intently listened in, and heard Francine and Chad talking on the veranda.

  While Carrie was not a person who ever eavesdropped in on private conversations, in this case, she felt it was just too irresistible not to. Carrie had done this a few times tonight, but, had heard nothing important come out of Chad and Francine’s mouths. She still suspected they were up to no good, and this impression only became stronger the more thought Carrie gave it. Carrie looked around to see that no one else was in the vicinity, and quickly hid behind a curtain, listening in to their conversation with much anticipation.

  “To us,” Francine said, smiling brightly at Chad, and saluting him with her drinking glass, “We make a fantastic team. Look what we’ve done during our time together,” Francine said. She smiled at Chad, and he returned her warm grimace.

  “Yeah, we’ve split up Amy and Jake for good. Don’t think they’ll ever be together again,” Chad said proudly.

  Francine smiled at Chad’s comment, and tipped her head in approval at him.

  “Our letter to Jake from ‘Jane’ made sure of that,” Francine said.

  Carrie was thunderstruck after hearing this, and temporarily lost her balance, unable to believe what she was hearing. At the same time, Carrie was not surprised, and happy that her plan to get to the truth had finally shown results.

  “Oh my god, so I was right. Jake never would’ve done anything to hurt Amy; something else really was going on,” Carrie realized, her face registering with shock. There was a table next to where Carrie was standing, and, in her haste, she accidentally bumped into it. A vase which was on the table fell sideways onto it, and made a noise. Carrie was upset this happened, and cursed herself; the last thing she wanted was to be discovered by Chad and Francine.

  Francine’s head swiveled around in surprise after hearing this noise, and she felt as if her stomach jumped inside her. The last thing they needed was their cover to be blown. “What’s that?” Francine said, eyes wide with wonder. Chad had never felt as at ease before, and looked at her casually.

  “It’s probably nothing. You’re getting jumpy.”

  Francine felt a little insecure, and a strange rumbling settled in her stomach.

  “Can you check?” Francine said, a little alarmed. “Maybe someone’s listening in on us.”

  Chad looked at Francine in disbelief, and rolled his eyes.

  “Okay Francine,” Chad said reassuringly, walking inside from the veranda. Chad looked around to see what was going on, and saw the vase which had overturned on the table, and quickly straightened it up. He looked around for a moment, and saw nothing suspicious going on. Chad, though, did not notice Carrie hiding behind the curtain, as the curtains hung to the floor, disguising Carrie’s presence very well. Carrie held her breath until Chad went back outside onto the veranda, and breathed a sigh of relief he had not seen her.

  “Everything okay?” Francine asked, eyes full of dread.

  “As great as can be,” Chad said, nodding his head. “Don’t worry, a vase just fell on the table, that’s all,” Chad replied.

  “Oh God, I feel better now,” Francine said, breathing a sigh of relief.

  Chad smiled at her, and nodded his head.

  “Don’t worry, you’re with me — you’re safe,” Chad said softly. After hearing Chad’s soothing words, Francine regained her self-control, and smiled at Chad, dreamily leaning over the veranda rail.

  “Know what Chad?”

  “What?”

  “I feel like I’m on top of the world,” Francine said.

  “So do I,” Chad said, with a pensive smile.

  “We finally have exactly what we always wanted — you have Amy, and I have Jake. Doesn’t everyone deserve a happy ending?” Francine said vibrantly, to Chad’s happy agreement.

  Carrie sniggered at Francine’s comment, and shook her head at the degree of Chad and Francine’s trickery. Her eyes, though, were wide with excitement; as if she was the bird who had finally caught that elusive worm.

  “Well, what can I say about you two – you’ve just given me everything I need to know, and you gave it to me on a silver platter. Everyone deserves a happy ending – but I have plans for you, Chad, Francine, and, you’re gonna find this out very soon,” Carrie plotted, eyes full of passion.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  “Carrie, what’re you doing?” James said, his face afire with irritation.

  Carrie had unexpectedly emerged from behind the curtain where she was hiding, and had startled James in the process. James thought maybe she had lost the plot trying to reunite Amy and Jake, while letting almost everything else slip around her.

  “Shut up James.”

  “Why Carrie? Everybody’s been asking where you are,” he appealed to her. “I can say you’re in the kitchen only so many times; it already sounds old. Have you gone crazy or something? What’s up this time? Where are Amy and Jake?” James fired.

  Carrie frowned, and put her hand on his mouth.

  “They might hear us,” Carrie said, indicating with her head about Chad and Francine, who were still together on the veranda. “Keep it down. Anyway, you’re asking too many questions,” she said, to which James rolled his eyes. “By the way, I know you can’t survive without me,” she said. James smiled slightly at what she said, but Carrie pulled him away, and they walked together down the hallway.

  “Okay, I’ll do what you say — but you’ve gotta do something for me, like telling me what’s going on now?”

  Carrie threw back her head, wanting to torture James; she loved seeing him desperate for information.

  “All I can say is something very important’ll be happening soon,” Carrie proclaimed.

  “Like what?” James said, looking at her with uncertainty. “Oh, dumb me, I thought I’d find out,” James said.

  “James, do me a favor, and look after everyone. Tell ’em there’s a problem in the kitchen, the range blew up — anything. Give any excuse, anything you can think of — you can wing it,” Carrie said, to which James rolled his eyes. “You’ll find out soon enough, anyway.”

  James shook his head in disappointment.

  “Okay Carrie, whatever you say,” James said, throwing up his arms in defeat, leaving Carrie to go to the lounge room. “Again,” he murmured after walking off. James had learnt not to push Carrie at times like these, even though he tried, because she definitely had a mind all her own. When she wanted to do or say something she would do it, but, in her own time. Maybe that what made her what she was — come to think of it, James did not want her any other way.

  In excitement, Carrie returned to her bedroom and unlocked the door. She was expecting to see Amy and Jake were at least speaking, but, was disappointed with what she actually witnessed. Carrie found Amy crying, and slumped on her dressing table. She looked around for Jake, who was nowhere to be seen. Carrie knew he could not get out from anywhere as the bedroom was a fortress, and was barred shut. Carrie tapped Amy softly on the shoulder, and asked her,

  “Amy, what’s wrong? Where’s Jake?”

  Amy sleepily arose from the dressing table, without facing Carrie.

  “In there,” Amy replied, referring to the bathroom. Amy felt she had never cried so much before, and dabbed her eyes
again with some tissues.

  “Why? Tell him to come out.”

  Amy looked up at Carrie, her eyes red, and puffy from crying.

  “Why Carrie?” Amy asked, stalling to not speak again to Jake.

  Carrie looked at Amy, and pouted her lips stubbornly.

  “Tell him to come out, now,” Carrie commanded authoritatively, with Amy surprised at how Carrie spoke to her. Amy knew when Carrie spoke in this way, she meant business; while Carrie could be sweetness and light most of the time, she could also be as hard as nails. Amy quickly got up from her seat, and brought Jake out of the bathroom. Jake looked at Carrie with a forlorn expression. He told her, his head bowed,

  “Thanks for trying Carrie, but your plan didn’t work.”

  Carrie’s eyes lit up after Jake said this, and she smiled cheekily from ear to ear.

  “Wouldn’t be so sure if I were you,” Carrie said.

  “What do you mean?” Jake said, looking hopeless. “Amy and I haven’t exactly made up.”

  Carrie paused for a little, and smiled at Jake. He was confused by this, and shook his head.

  “Not for long if I’ve got anything to do with it,” Carrie said with gusto.

  Amy could not understand what Carrie meant, and lightly touched her on the shoulder, gaining her attention.

  “And what’re you going to do, Carrie?” Amy asked. Carrie paused again, waiting for Amy and Jake’s undivided attention. After she gained this, they each watched her and squinted their eyes in bewilderment.

  “I’m gonna do something nobody’s done for both of you before,” Carrie said.

  “And what’s that, Carrie,” Amy said, becoming more frustrated with Carrie.

  “I’m gonna tell you the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” Carrie was aching to spill the beans to Amy and Jake about Chad and Francine, and felt as if there were a million butterflies flying in her stomach. Amy and Jake, though, watched her in amazement.

  “The truth? What do you mean by the truth? You know the truth — Jake was with Jane behind my back — the letter said it all,” Amy said. Jake was disappointed Amy would still believe the worst in him, and looked down at the floor. Carrie took a deep breath before continuing, and focused her eyes on Amy. Amy watched Carrie, a little angry with what she was saying.