First Impressions.
1116 Words
"one, two, three... g...o... wild cats... go..." the cheerleaders performed their number, graceful bodies moving in rhythmic flow, their beautiful dentition peeking through their dazzling smiles. Cheerleaders will make you question your physique and body flexibility.
The crowd went into a frenzy when someone caught the ball, the red hair peeking out of the helmet was a dead giveaway. It was Archie, my Archie; well... not mine yet. He sprinted with the ball, dodging the players from the other team, I was almost out of my seat in anticipation as he raced towards the goal post.
I had never missed any of Archie's game, attended like a devoted wife yet I was oblivious to their star player who never as much as spare me a glance. "Maybe I needed to join the cheerleading squad," I thought silently.
Suddenly, a burly player appeared from his left side, away from his vision line. I sprang from my chair with such agility I didn't know I possess.
"Archie...!" I screamed, "look to your left".
I became conscious that everyone was staring at me. I quickly sat down.
"Way to go Al" I whispered to myself.
It was too late, the other player charged headlong onto his stomach. Archie threw the ball with all the strength he could muster before the wind was knocked out from his lungs. The ball sailed silently, the court went still; I could almost feel the slow motion. We watched as the ball sailed smoothly into the goal post and a loud shout erupted from the crowd. Almost immediately, the referee blew the final whistle. We won! We won!.
In minutes the ball pitch was filled with students running from all direction. Our players were being celebrated and tossed here and there. I could see Mr Pitt smiling ear to ear. This win was really important to our school because our opponent was our biggest rival.
I sighed as I grabbed my pink fluffy bag to go home. I needed to submit my French essay tomorrow else Miss Cher was going to feed me to the vultures.
Suddenly, a shadow blocked my path. I looked up, it was the big player who ran into Archie minutes ago.
"Hey! loudmouth," the big guy said to me grinning. His teeth were stained yellow and I wondered if he was even a teenager. "Meet me at the parking lot, we've got a lotta business to settle" his eyes raked all over my body before leaving.
I was shaking, I looked towards the crowd on the field and they were all busy climbing all over Archie and his teammates to spare me a glance. No one was paying attention. I swallowed hard as I glanced around I didn't see anyone.
Then Mr Pitt passed me his bald head shining like glass. I quickly grabbed his hand.
"Good evening coach" I called out to him, flashing my best smile.
"Good evening" he answered back smiling. He was in a very good mood.
"Heading home right now?" I asked trying to match his quick strides. (would you slow down).
"Yeah sure," he replied stopping for the first time since we started conversing. "Where are you headed?" he asked.
I bent down trying to catch my breath while making a mental note to become more serious with gym activities. I was not fit. Before I could speak out, a group of boys had dragged Mr Pitt away from me and I was left with my mouth hanging open.
I tried to calm my raging nerves as I looked at the crowd trying to find a familiar face but everyone seemed to be busy taking selfies with Archie or locked in a kiss. Someone even opened a drink and poured its foaming substance all over our team. The world did not care.
I walked stealthily towards the parking lot, that was the only route home trying to control my breathing and at the same time staring cautiously at the darkness where the light did not reach. I was angry; angry at the world, angry at my parents, angry at my school, angry at Mr Pitt and angry at Archie. I saved him from being on the hospital bed right now and what do I get? "Total f*****g ignorance" I cussed under my breath still staring cautiously around me. I had with me a ruler which I saw on the floor somewhere.
As I reached the end of the parking lot the darkest and most quiet side, almost close to the gate, I regretted for the first time why I never continued with my Taekwando lessons or Karate lessons. I could have been throwing punches now. I could feel the tears flowing towards my cheeks, my heart was beating so fast I was afraid I would die of a cardiac arrest instead.
"YO! " a voice called out from the darkness. It wasn't the big guy. This was a different person.
I turned around in fright trying to see where the voice was coming from, ruler pointed in front of me. I looked like a frightened witch trying to cast a spell. I almost laughed at the description.
"Seriously, all you got is a ruler" another voice laughed at me. They were almost close to me.
"But when you was warning Archie, you sounded so gaadam confident; now see how you shaking like a scared cat" the first voice mocked me. I heard hearty laughter emanating from the darkness. They were very close.
Then, I ran.
It wasn't the most brilliant of ideas but I was scared to death, tears falling like rain on my cheek and a heart whose heartbeat I was hearing. So I ran towards the school, shouting and screaming. Hands frailing in the air like some voodoo witch. I was a sight to behold.
I hit something hard, and that was all I could remember.
When I came back to consciousness, I saw concerned pair of eyes staring at me. I quickly sprang up, ruler pointed in front of me ( I wondered how I still had it). "Get away from me" I shouted pointing the ruler at them inching backwards.
"It's okay" a voice I knew so well said to me, he was slowly walking towards me, his hands in front of him, asking me to be calm. "I won't hurt you okay"
I slowly relaxed and started bawling. He strong hands wrapped me, his masculine scent exploding in my nose he kept whispering "everything will be fine".
Here I was, in the arms of the boy whose game I never missed. Hair tousled, left shoe missing and a ruler in my hand.
So much for first impressions.
- Writer
