The rest of the morning was a blur for Steve. He had to leave Gwen after English class to go to his math class. Gwen’s schedule called for History in the room they had just used, so she remained behind as he wandered into the hall. His hesitation prompted Charlotte to offer her help, which Steve gratefully accepted.
“I hope you realize that I’m risking my reputation for you, Steve. Half the school thinks I must be a dyke because I’m thin, smart, sarcastic, and have never been seen with a boy. The latter is not by choice, I might add. I’m afraid I like boys better than they like me. I don’t have Gwen’s figure. In fact, I never knew that Gwen had Gwen’s figure! Anyway, I’m not a dyke, so don’t believe anyone that tells you differently, okay?”
“I know better than to believe crap like that. I won’t listen to anyone bad talking one of my friends, Charlotte. I value loyalty in others and try to be loyal to my friends in return. You’re an attractive girl, so why no dates? Think guys are intimidated by your brains?” asked Steve as they walked through the halls.
“Hey, Steve! Don’t tell me that you’re hanging with that scarecrow now,” joked Billy Marsh, the football team’s center.
Billy was a big, likable kid that carried more than a few extra pounds. Steve and he had become friendly over the weeks they had practiced together on the team. Steve worked to conceal his irritation at Billy’s insensitive remarks.
“Billy, my class room is here. Charlotte was kind enough to show me how to get here and I appreciate her help. To answer you’re surprisingly cruel comment, I’m going to be hanging with Charlotte quite a bit. Is that a problem? I happen to think she’s a very bright, friendly, nice girl. I want you to walk with her to her next class and use that time to apologize for being such an ass. I’ll be seeing her at the class meeting later today and if she gives me anything but a glowing report about how contrite you were, I’ll be doing a prostate exam for you every time you snap the ball to me,” threatened Steve quietly as he stopped by his classroom door. “Show some pride, for God’s sake, and treat the lady with respect.”
Charlotte was amazed to see Billy Marsh blush at Steve’s remarks and even more surprised when he hurried to catch her as she walked toward her classroom.
“Charlotte, I was being a jerk. I know I was and I’m sorry. I’m not good at talking to girls the way Steve is, so I try to make a joke of everything. I’m just not smooth with pretty girls like you. I really didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. I wish I was more like you instead of a ball of lard like I am,” revealed Billy.
Charlotte stopped in her tracks and turned to Billy. “Did you just call me pretty, Billy? We’ve been in the same class for twelve years and you’ve never said a single nice thing to me, even after I helped you pass that biology test two years ago. I thought you hated me, or thought I was gay or something.”
“Naw, I know you’re not gay. I was just too shy to say anything that might let you know that I liked you,” confessed Billy.
“But why would I ever think that you liked me? You’ve never done anything but call me names, like scarecrow. Believe me, that isn’t the way to get a girl to like you.”
“That’s why. If you knew that I really liked you, you’d laugh at me. Heck, you’ve called me “fat boy” all through high school. I know girls don’t go for guys like me, so I pretend that I don’t care. If I asked you on a date, you’d tell everybody what a lame clown I was, so I settle for our little name calling battles. I’m really sorry for being such a jerk to you Charlotte. A nice girl like you deserves a lot better,” added Billy as he turned into his classroom, leaving Charlotte to her confusion.
Steve’s third class was quite far from his math classroom, so he asked a random guy if he could direct him to it.
“I’m in that class. I’ll walk you there,” interrupted an attractive red headed girl that had been standing nearby. “I’m Rachel Burdick. I saw the football game Friday and you were amazing, Steve! You’re so tall and strong. Everyone thought we’d never win a game this year until they saw you play. Now we might win the league.”
The red head was still talking to Steve when they reached the physics classroom and walked in together. Gwen had been turned in her seat so she could chat with her friend Mark when she saw Steve and Rachel walk through the doorway laughing.
“Hey, Gwen! I guess you must know Rachel. She’s in my math class and this physics class, too. Rachel, you know Gwen, don’t you?” asked a clueless Steve as he wandered into the room and took a seat near Gwen.
“Hello, Gwen. I was just telling Steve how pleased I am that he’s going to our school. The football team looks way better this year and he’s the biggest reason why,” gushed Rachel.
“I feel the same way, Rachel, and told him so Saturday night while we were dancing,” replied Gwen with a fake smile. “He’s very modest and a bit naïve at times, but he sure can dance, as well as play football.”
“You were dancing with Steve Saturday night? I went away with my family Saturday morning and got back late last night. I guess I missed more than I realized,” reasoned Rachel.
“Not a problem,” chirped in Charlotte. “Just search YouTube for Dave Kite’s page. To be more specific, search for “Lady in Red”. I just did that very thing. The dance is on there, along with Steve tossing Gwen in the swimming pool yesterday. Both videos have a lot of hits, but the swim suit issue appears to be headed for immortality. You really should watch both videos!”
Gwen flashed her friend a smile as she considered the situation. Rachel was a beautiful red head with a great figure and she dressed to show it off. Steve had to have noticed. Was this the beginning of the end? Could she keep Steve’s interest with so many beautiful girls trying to reel him in? Relationships weren’t easy!
It was just before one PM when Ms. Walker called the class to attention. “As you all know, I’m your class advisor. I won’t take too much of your time. I just want to cover the basics this afternoon. Every year, the senior class picks a project and raises money for it. At graduation, the school board and principal will dedicate the project and place a plaque with the class year on it for recognition. Last year the seniors bought a new score board for the football field.
“I’m not here to dismiss their efforts, but at the time it struck me as a bit shallow. Can’t we come up with some cause better than a scoreboard, or a few new computers? Then it came to me as I was reading over the list of students in this year’s senior class. I’m going way out on a limb with this, but we’ll either set this place on its ear, or we’ll go up in flames. I want to raise money for the hospital, and I’m not talking about a heart monitor or a few stethoscopes. I want this class to start a fund to expand the hospital!”
“Ms. Walker! That would take hundreds of thousands of dollars, at least!” protested Ed Miller, the class president. “The most any class has ever raised is about four grand. That wouldn’t be enough to pay an architect to draw up the plans.”
“You’re quite correct, Ed. We can’t raise enough, so why try? Maybe we can buy the baseball team new uniforms. That would be nice, wouldn’t it? That’s the suggestion I found in my mailbox this morning. You kids decide. Would you like to start something that would make a real difference to this community, or work to help some sports team feel better dressed?”
“Ms. Walker, I’m for your idea 100%,” declared a surprisingly assertive Charlotte. “I want to be a doctor and the hospital we have here is way too small. They have trouble recruiting good staff because they have so few beds. Doctors have to split their time between here and Benson General in the next county. I think we should start a fund, and be the first donors, for a children’s wing. That’s what the area really needs! That’s how we can do the most good for this community!”