Meet The Coach

Lesson 2: Smile. It's free.

Lesson 2: Smile. It's free

"Bree." I ignored her whisper. "Bree!" She whispered again fractionally louder. I paid her no attention. I felt a poke in my bare forearm. I didn't respond and continued my tidying. I rummaged through a box, it was filled with bedroom ornaments that I was sure I wouldn't use. Wait, where has my memory jar gone? "Bree!"

I sighed. She wasn't going to give up.

"Why are you so persistent?" I complained. I turned and scowled at her. She was standing beside looking like she was about to burst.

"I have something to tell you," she said.

"Well, no s**t Sherlock... why else would you call me?" Sarcasm dripped in my voice causing Sandy's eyes to roll.

"Well sorry, your lack of attention made me think that you didn't know," she said in the identical tone to mine.

Wasn't I supposed to be shy?

"Don't you have a home to go to? Oh, wait, its next door."

"You are so mean to me! And look at all I've done for you! You should be ashamed of yourself," she complained. This time I rolled my eyes at her - she's so melodramatic.

"You've sat here for the past half an hour staring at the wall. Please enlighten me and tell me what you've done." I think I should be nicer, she is my first friend here... "What did you want to tell me?"

"What's this?" She asked holding my... memory jar.

"I was looking for that! It's my memory jar." I sighed in relief, I hadn't left it behind after all.

"Memory jar?" She repeated, passing it to me.

"Yes, memory jar," I said with a nod. I peered down at it and the folded pieces of papers inside. I was practically holding my life.

"What's that?"

"It's when I have a good or special moment and I don't want to forget it. I write it on a small piece of paper with the date and put it in here," I explained. I shook it in my hand, the rattling of paper met my eyes but instead happy days resonated in my mind.

"Ooooh! Have you... entered one about the 'coaching' thing?"

"Why would I do that? That's neither good or special." I gave her an incredulous look. She not serious, right? "It's more like a burden."

Sandy sighed sadly then gave me the puppy dog look. She was already beautiful with her wavy dark hair and bluish eyes. Jutting her bottom lip out and somehow widening her eyes, she looked ten years younger, she looked like the child you just couldn't say no to.

"Fine," I surrendered knowing that Sandy didn't have to spend her time on me. She didn't need to befriend me. So I owe it to her to be nice, right?

I rummaged through the cardboard box that was near my feet, finding my little trinket box that contained small, colourful papers. I grabbed a pen and wrote a little entry. "Met the coach :S' and then added the date from two days back. I folded it in half and half again and placed it in the jar.

"Happy?" I asked.

Sandy beamed and nodded. "Yes."

*

"Lesson two: Smile. It's free," Sandy said to me just after making me scowl.

"Anyone can smile, if it comes from the heart that's when it matters," I answered, plastering a big fake smile on my lips. It, of course, didn't meet my eyes

"Okay, little Miss Cynical, Grumpy and Smartypants! C'mon, you agreed to this, didn't you?"

"Regrettably..." I mumbled which earned me the look. "Yes. Yes, I did," I amended.

"Exactly. Now please, be a good sport, okay?"

"Fine."

"Good. Look, he's coming this way with Clara! As he walks past flick your hair over and catches his gaze. Then face me and smile. Got it?" Sandy instructed in an authoritative voice.

"Yes, Coach." I gave a little salute to show that I was serious. She smiled.

Being in the middle of the corridor, I faced Sandy as she leant on the lockers, she started a casual conversation as the duo approached. As ordered I flicked my hair as they walked past. Possibly the tips of it brushed Carter because of its unfashionably long length. I turned my head slightly and as Sandy anticipated I was able to catch his gaze before I diverted towards Sandy. I gave her a wide smile and answered her question absently.

After a minute, I was patted on the shoulder. I saw that Sandy had begun frowning, which was unusual.

Well, this can't be good. I turned around. A thin-lipped Clara and a weary-looking Carter confronted me. With menace in her eyes, she glared at me.

"Can I help you?" Her eyes narrowed more.

"Who do you think you are?" She snapped. Her arms flung up and sat on her hips.

"Why do you care?"

Her nostrils flared and her face was impersonating a tomato. Well, things are about to get interesting. "Stop flirting with my boyfriend you jealous w***e!" She shrieked.

I felt I drop for her spit on my cheek. I wiped it off. "First of all, say it don't spray it. Second of all, I'm not flirting with your boyfriend. I don't go around trying to act dumb, twisting my hair around my finger or fluttering my eyes or whatever in his presence," I informed her, giving a little sardonic laugh before I continued. "And finally, why would I be jealous of you? I mean he's nothing special I suppose. I don't want him."

Now, if any of my old friends saw me now they'd be shocked. The bitchiness was a sudden trait apart from the normal cynicism. Maybe it was there all along, I just decided not to let it out.

"Puh-lease, that's what they all say," she challenged, taking a step closer to me. I took a step back.

Gosh, personal space, please!

"They all say? Wow, your man has a lot of ladies after him, why do you think that is? Well never mind. I mean, if he can't stick to you, that's your problem, right? So here's a solution, why don't you grab a pinch of hope, sprinkle it on Carter and wish he won't cheat on you!"

Sandy chuckled. Carter frowned, it was pretty evident that he hated the amount of respect I bestowed upon him. Clara began shaking in rage.

Maybe I should shut up. Being shy is easy. "You're a b***h," she stated.

"And I care about what you think because?" I cupped my ear showing I was waiting for her response. She didn't say anything. "Exactly. Now grab a chair and wait for me to care."

Clara huffed. I smirked, waving my fingers in goodbye. She ordered Carter to follow her but he refused, in need of exchanging words with me. She stalked off.

"Well, well, well... Bree, I'm impressed. The kitten became a tiger, eh?" He said, his deep voice crooned over every syllable.

I shrugged. I placed my hands on my hips and arched an eyebrow. "Can I help you?"

"You certainly can. What's with the sudden confident facade? Scared you'll crumble under my charms?"

I gave a lopsided smile. "Psht. Do me a favour and get that head of yours and take it out of your ass? It's a wonder how girls find your cockiness attractive."

"Says the girl who said, 'you can't afford me' don't be a hypocrite, it's not attractive."

Damn, he's good. "Oh, so you want to find me attractive?"

"Do you have a problem with that?" I raked my brain in search of a comeback.

"Oh, well at least I'm right about the cheater part. It's sad how you bring hopes and dreams up and crush them down into ashes, all without shame... You have guts, I couldn't be such a dick." I smirked when his jaw dropped. His eyes widened in shock and he stepped back.

Yeah, I went there.

The bell went indicating the end of lunch and the start of another lesson. Luckily I already had my books. "Well, then I'd love to stay and chat. Bye." I said I gave him a little wave and a cheeky wink. Silently, I followed Sandy until we were out of his earshot.

"Where did that come from?" Sandy questioned.

I shrugged. "I wasn't too much of a b***h, right?"

"Just don't mention the cheating part that's a little touchy... Otherwise, I'm so proud of you! You nailed that!" She cheered. She gave me a side hug, which still managed to squeeze the air out of me.

I frowned. Guilt started to churn in my stomach. I could be nicer, no I should be. Well, not too nice, just nice enough to change his ways? Yeah, as if.

"I don't think I'm cut out for this role Sandy. I know your brother can be a bit... but he surely deserves to fall for someone nicer, right?" I said.

Sandy furrowed her eyebrows. "Oh hell no! You are not backing away now! C'mon, it'll be okay. You'll be able to do it."

"I don't think so." I pursed my lips. "Plus even if he did 'fall' for me. I don't want anything to do with him."

"You say that now." I scowled. Even though Sandy wasn't explaining herself but I knew exactly what she meant. If we were 'meant to be' I'd fall for him either consciously or unconsciously. If two people are meant to be together either one way or another it will happen. I just don't want to fall. Not again.

*

I chucked my bag on the linoleum flooring before entering my bedroom. I threw myself onto my bed in the most unladylike fashion possible. My eyelids drooped but I knew I couldn't even nod off even if I really want to. I stretched my limbs, inhaling deeply as I softly lifted myself up. I eyed the door leading to my balcony. Maybe he's out right now?

I walked to the door like a sloth and opened it. The warm air tickling my bare neck and arms. I walked forward not daring to look to my right. Yet a sixth sense told me I was being watched. Oh God no.

"What do you want?" I asked him, turning to the right and seeing him, proving my suspicions correct.

"Just enjoying the view," he said, smirking. I rolled my eyes.

"Pervert." I looked away from him, far too lazy to alter my leaning position.

There was silence. I wanted to tell Carter to get lost but remains of my earlier guilt stopped me.

I hope he gets bored.

The silence ensued until I heard the shifting of his movements. I smiled. Thank God, he must've gone away.

Then I heard footsteps come towards me. My smile vanished. Oh no. I looked to my right and saw that Carter had joined me. I cursed under my breath.

"What the hell are you doing on my balcony? Do you want a restraining order?" I exclaimed. I ran my hand through my hair.

"To accompany you. You look rather lonely," he said simply. His lean physique matched the leaning position of mine. He wasn't serious, was he? I thought he had a life.

I kept my body relaxed to show him I wasn't affected and I wasn't. Honestly. He was as attractive as my ex-boyfriend. And that says something.