Being There (3 page)

“It was stalk at first sight.”

The more I pour over the images, I see more of me and Nev and Drew, and that makes me miss the old days. I would never want to relive those times, but I miss the freedom I felt back then, when things were so much simpler. I miss my two best friends who made me laugh every day, and were always there to offer whatever it was that I needed. I thought I knew everything back then and that I had all the answers, when in reality it was just my invincibility that let me feel that. I must be feeling overly sentimental because I post yet another comment on Facebook before moving on to the rest of the images in my box.

“People come into your life for a reason and they’re not always meant to remain forever.”

The last image I pull out causes me to catch my breath because I remember when this picture was taken, I just haven’t looked at it in a while. It was from when Drew and I first became friends. We both look so young in our semi-formal attire, wearing the biggest grins anyone could imagine. He had his arm around my shoulder as if staking his claim, but he had just met me a few weeks prior. I remember our first conversation well because I thought I was going to have to kick his ass on the spot.

“All right everyone, listen up,” a raspy voice, belonging to Coach Pierce yelled trying to get our attention. Everyone called her Coach P, and she was quite intimidating, all two hundred, red-haired pounds of her, and yet there was something about her that I liked. “Everyone did a great job out there today, unfortunately, we only have fifteen openings on the team. So, if you hear your name, head to the back room for your locker assignment and jersey. If you don’t hear your name, I’m sorry, but maybe we’ll see you next year.”

Everything about her demeanor screamed that she wouldn’t take crap from anyone because her voice was one that commanded a room, and I liked that about her. I’d only been to tryouts, so that had been the extent of my exposure to the legend that was Coach P, but it was enough that I respected the hell out of her. I pretended not to listen as I heard her yell random names, crossing my fingers that I heard mine soon.

I promised myself I would get out of my shell in tenth grade since my freshman year was spent flying below the radar, getting good grades and overall just blending in as much as possible. I was never one to make waves and being a relative unknown, the chances of me making the varsity team were slim, at best. I was pretty good at soccer since I had played for years, but it was through a recreational league and trying out for the high school team meant a level of seriousness and commitment that I had yet to engage in. The girls at tryouts were beasts and would do almost anything to make the team, and I knew that most of the upperclassmen were sure to get it.

Coach continued to call names while I sat on the bleachers with a knotted up stomach, wishing I had someone to keep me company. Instead, I was thumbing through the emails on my phone hoping for something to distract me from my impending fate. Still, I was proud of myself for showing up since even trying out for anything was out of character for me.

I was never much of a social butterfly, and the few friends that I did have were pretty much like me, I guess. Bookworms, nerds, and geeks made up my dysfunctional group, but we worked. None of us were really into parties, so that scene was beyond me and I didn’t date either, but not for a lack of trying. I figured the only way for me to get out there and broaden my social arena was to try out for a team sport. That whole “
no I in team
” mentality had me doing the unthinkable, and my friends were pretty supportive, but my parents were another story.

My parents, Chris and Annette, were just plain shocked when I announced I was trying out. The wannabe hippies thought
I
was crazy. These were the same people who named me Prudence Cassiopia. (
Seriously!
)
Pot, meet kettle
. To say they were a little anxious about my plan was an understatement. My decision to even tryout led to numerous discussions about organized sports and how they don’t allow you to think for yourself. They equated athletes with Neanderthals because they saw it as competition.
Which it is
. I just happened to be of the mindset that healthy competition is good for you.

In the end, since I was their only kid, and to tell me what to do would go against their parenting style, they relented. That’s the way all decisions went in our home. We would have a debate, share ideas, and in the end, the choice was always mine. Unconventional would be the best word to describe them. I suppose in some regards, I kind of raised myself. (
Think Christian Slater in Heathers, just not so creepy
.)

“Prudence Howard,” the sudden sound of my given name echoing across the gym brought me out of my thoughts. I had
never
gone by that name and in fact tried desperately to make people forget that it
was
my name. But no such luck because every class roster and legal document had that damn name attached to it.

“Cassi,” I corrected Coach P as I made my way toward the locker room.

The short walk had me regretting my decision to join.
What in the hell was I thinking doing this?
I was in the middle of castigating myself as I opened the door to a room of chattering girls that fell silent the moment I entered.
Oh fucking fantastic, I’ve joined a team with those girls.

One girl scoffed disgusted with my presence, and she was not at all happy to see me. I guess there’s one in every group and Katherine Smith was the soccer queen bee. She was acting like an animal marking her territory with her bitchiness and my defenses were up immediately.

“So, who are you?” She fumed as she sized me up and down, but really, what was there to size up? I was a damn sophomore and it was obvious she was trying to make some sort of statement.

“Cassi Howard,” I said righting my posture and lifting my chin a little higher. I hoped I looked more confident than I felt. Taking in a deep breath, I mentally repeated,
my mantra for the day
.

Fake it ‘til you make it. Fake it ‘til you make it.

“I thought it was Prudence,” she stated with a smirk, and it was obvious she knew it would annoy me. “So what are you, a freshman?” The look of annoyance she was giving me was enough to make me a little braver.

“Sophomore, and it’s Cassi,” I corrected her, “Coach just called my name and told me to head back.”

“Well,
Prudence
,” she sneered in irritation with my presence, “I’m Kat, team captain, and you had better be good, because if you’re in here, that means I have someone out there with experience who didn’t make the team and I will not spend my last year in a losing season.”

Quite the fitting name that girl had, Kat because this bitch had claws and for whatever reason, they were aimed for
my
jugular. No doubt I would be on the receiving end of her ire, unless I proved myself. I was never brave or outspoken, although I always wished I was, and I knew that was the opportunity to make or break my place on the team. Summoning whatever was left of my backbone; I opened my mouth to speak when Coach’s sudden presence was felt all of a sudden. She walked in carrying a box and it only took her a second to look around the room and know something was up. She let the box fall to the floor with a loud thud before she looked at first Kat, then me.

“Did I interrupt something?” she asked coolly. There were many things I was, but a whiner wasn’t one, so I just kept my mouth shut and shrugged nonchalantly.

“Actually, Coach,” Kat started in a saccharine tone, “I was just telling
Pru
here about the annual Booster Club Gala. I think it would be a great way to get her feet wet by having her be our entertainment chair for the event. That way, she can learn the ins and outs of our organization.”

I couldn’t believe it. The stupid bitch didn’t even know me and decided to put me on the spot, not to mention that she was intentionally referring to me as Prudence, just to make her point. However, Coach looked as though she was onto the game Kat was playing because her eyes lit up before she spoke.

“Kat, I think that is a great idea,” then turning to me finished, “don’t worry, you’ll have everything you need, and there will also be someone from the boys varsity team to help out as well.”

“Well, it was just a thought Coach, unless you want someone more experienced,” Kat interjected quickly, trying to sound innocent, but I knew the thoughts that were flitting through her senseless brain. If I weren’t so irritated, I would have laughed at the look on her face because it was apparent that she didn’t think her little ruse through. I may have been new to the team, but I knew the position was one that the upperclassmen should hold. Having a lowly sophomore from her team, work with a senior from the boy’s side would be sure to raise some questions about her abilities as team captain. This was supposed to be her show and if things didn’t go well, that wouldn’t look good for her.

Coach P looked at me, then turned to Kat, “I think you are right, Smith, this is a great idea, and from what I’ve heard, Howard is perfect for the job.” She turned to walk back to the box she had dropped and gave me the smallest of a smile.

Yes
, I thought to myself,
I like Coach P
.

A few days and numerous rounds of phone tag later, I had arranged to meet my committee counterpart from the boys’ team. I had been surprised that I would be working with another sophomore, but even more shocked that it was Drew Alexander. When he entered the room, he carried himself as though he was expecting me to ogle him. His swagger made me aware of his ego and if that didn’t, his casual demeanor sure did and I didn’t know whether to laugh at him or be flattered. Instead, I ignored his act, because let’s face it; I was not exactly versed in all things guy.

“So, I guess we’re partners,” he said raising his eyebrows.

What an idiot.

“I guess so. I’m Cassi,” I said as I stuck out my hand, hoping to show that I was not at all impressed by the likes of him. Instead of shaking my hand, he looked at it like I had a disease and it was apparent manners were lost on this guy.

“Yeah, I know who you are,
Prudence
,” he said my name as though he knew it would annoy me.

Why does everyone in here insist on calling me by my given name, I’ve gone by Cassi for years?
“It’s Cassi, and how do you know my name?” I watched as he looked at me with amusement before he grinned.

“You do realize that we have lived in the same town since we were kids, right?”

If it wasn’t so annoying, I might have thought it nice that he knew who I was. Thing is, I had always been a wallflower, and there he was making fun of me. I thought I had done pretty well going relatively unnoticed throughout my academic career, but apparently not. My friends and I made up an odd group, and I felt like he was making a joke at my expense, which only caused me to become more defensive.

“Yes, I know who you are, I’m not an idiot,” I started, “I just figured I’d introduce myself. I mean it’s not like we really
know
each other and I thought it would be nice to be polite.”

He cocked his head as though studying me before deciding his next move. “Well then,” he stuck his hand out, “I’m Drew, and I guess this is a first.”

“First?”

He nod his head with confidence, “Normally the seniors are in charge of this, but Trevor assigned me as the guys’ lead and I know you’re a sophomore too, so how did you get sucked into it?”

“Don’t ask,” I warned in irritation.

He looked around the room like there was something hidden from him before continuing in a whisper, “So any idea what it is we’re supposed to do?”

That was my cue; time to reveal the neurosis that was my organized-freak nature. Clearly a type A personality, of which I always attributed to my flighty parents, I knew that the moment he saw what I had in my bag, I would scare him away. I slowly pulled out the color-coded binder and watched, as his eyes grew big with confusion. “Whoa! I thought we were just in charge of entertainment,” he said, fear lacing his tone. “What the hell is all of that?”

I was utterly embarrassed but the cards were on the table, and I had to explain. “We are, but I like things ordered, so I asked for all event details so that I could see what’s going on and plan accordingly.”

“Okay,” he dragged out as he exhaled.
Loudly
, I might add.

I jumped in quick to respond, seeing panic take over his features, “I can do this myself, if you have other things to do.” I was trying to be polite, hoping that he would see I was not as scary as I seemed but without a second thought, he jumped up.

“Great!” He spoke up excitedly as he was leaving the room.

I slumped in my seat, knowing the planning was going to be a handful and I was going to have no help. But just as he was about to exit, he looked over his shoulder and smiled, “I’m just kidding.” He walked back to the table and leaned on the edge, no doubt planning to insult me again. “I’m not sure I trust your judgment when it comes to music anyway. I think you
need
my help.”

I rolled my eyes and I pushed a list over to him, which contained DJs, bands and music genres. “Well, here’s where we need to start then. What type of music do we want?”

He took the list and started back for the door as I watched, “You coming or what? We have places to go, so let’s get a move on.” I decided to follow his lead out of the doors, not knowing much about my partner, other than the years of rumors attached to his name, let alone where we were heading next.

I had known
of
Drew for years, but as kids, we never ran around in the same circles, but his reputation always preceded him. The legend that was Drew Alexander had only grown the older we got. Depending on the source, he was either a sixteen-year-old legend who could get any girl he wanted, or he was a complete asshole who treated girls like trash. Needless to say, I had never been one to champion one idea over the other, because there was no way we were ever going to be among the same group of friends anyway. But suddenly, I found myself tasked with working with the lothario extraordinaire and, despite my nuance of superiority, he made me a little nervous and I wasn’t sure what to do with that. I didn’t have the feelings of butterflies in my stomach or any of that crap, it was more concern that if he pissed me off, I might have to hit him and that would do nothing but cause me problems. I was just going to have to suck it up and work with him for this event and then we could go our separate ways.