“But, Coach!” Rage seeps from every pore in my body as I look at him, challenging his demand. “You can’t do this!”
“I can, and I will.”
“So what? I sit with some sophomore for a couple of minutes a week and help them with their homework?”
“Try an hour a day, three days a week.”
“What? You’ve got to be kidding me! When am I going to practice?”
“She said her schedule is pretty flexible. She would be open to meeting after your practice.”
“Ugh! What about my friends?” This is my senior year. I thought this was the year I got to take it easy and enjoy myself. I’ve busted my ass for the last three years, and now I have to play teacher.
“You’ll have plenty of time for your friends if you don’t tutor her, considering you won’t be playing. You can kiss those scholarships and scouts goodbye. Then what are you going to tell your mother?”
Those scouts and scholarships are my only way out of this town. “Fine! I’ll do it, but I won’t like it.”
“I never said you had to enjoy it. There’s no practice Monday, so you can start then. I’ll let her know to expect you in the library after school.”
Taking up my backpack, I storm out of Coach’s office. I threw the door wide open with enough force to put a hole in the wall had it not been cinderblock. I need those scholarships. Without them, my mom would never be able to send me to the college I’m desperate for: Southern Mississippi.
Chapter Three
It’s Saturday evening. My homework’s done, chores are finished, and I even managed to spend some extra time on my algebra trying to get ready for my tutoring session on Monday.
I have a list made up with questions and examples of things I don’t understand; looking over my flashcards, Olivia’s words ring loud and clear in my mind. I really am one of those studies all the time students, but I need scholarships if I’m going to be able to afford my dream school.
It just doesn’t seem fair my parents should shoulder the responsibility of my college education; they’ve been through enough, and soon they’ll both be retiring. They have plans to travel the world together, and I don’t want my school to get in the way.
A hard knock on my door pulls me away from solving for x as Mom sticks her head in, a big dopey grin on her face. “Any big plans for tonight?”
“Nope. I thought I would help you and Gramps outside a little more. I know there is a large party checking in tomorrow.”
“Don’t be silly, sweetheart. We have everything done. Go out and have some fun. Make some new friends.”
“I hear the bowling alley is the place to be on Saturday nights.” Gramps opens the door wider, coming in to sit on my bed as I close my textbooks. “From what Bill tells me, all the cool kids hang out there.” He waggles his eyebrows, and I can’t help but laugh. I love the old man more than he probably knows. “Come on. I’ll let you drive Ole Blue.”
My eyes go wide at the prospect of driving the 1957 Chevy pickup truck. Gramps has spent years restoring it to its original beauty. The truck’s painted a deep royal blue with a stark white grill guard and bumpers. It has polished chrome door handles and a buttery, soft camel tan leather interior. He let me help him reupholster the seats one summer, and ever since then, I’ve loved refurbishing antique pieces.
“But you don’t let anyone drive her! Not even Gram has been behind the wheel.” He bumps my shoulder with his. “Let me tell you a little secret,” his voice drops to merely a whisper, “you’re my favorite.” He chuckles, pushes up off the bed, making his way over to Gram, who is now standing next to Mom.
“You know you would be lost without me old man,” she says as she pats his chest.
He places a delicate kiss on her head. I can't help but smile, watching my grandparents’ interaction. They have been married for forty-five years and still look at each other as though they were newlyweds. I hope one day to be as lucky.
“Besides, I know all the fellas will die when they see you pull up in this.” I roll my eyes and try to stifle the laugh rising in me.
“Great! Now even my grandpa is trying to pimp me out.” Rolling off of the bed, I let out a deep-seated sigh, “Fine. I guess I’ll go. A girl from choir told me about it and said she would be there.”
Mom smiles, “Oh, good. So you’re making friends at school then. Remember to be back—”
“By eleven. Yea, yea. I know the routine.”
“Well, I was gonna say by eleven-thirty smarty pants. Now get out of this house and have some fun.”
I quickly change out of my pajamas and throw on a pair of leggings, a loose grey T-shirt and distressed denim jacket, a pink baseball cap, and white tennis shoes complete my look. I’m not looking to impress anyone but maybe make a few friends. My hair has its natural wave to it since I let it air dry after my shower earlier, and some light pink lip gloss helps to add a little color to my face. I climb behind the wheel of Ole Blue and wave goodbye as I make my way into town.
*****
“I still can't believe Coach is making me tutor some sophomore this semester. He said it was either tutor or be benched in the spring.”
“Hey, look at it this way, dude, maybe it’ll be a hottie, and you’ll finally score a home run with her. You never know. It could all be worth it.” Marcus waggles his eyebrows when he says home run, but it shouldn’t surprise me, his mind is always in the gutter.
“Dude! Can you keep your mind off sex for like ten seconds?”
“Nope! Why do you think I’ve got different girls at different schools?”
I roll my eyes at him, but before I can respond to him, Olivia lets out an ear-shattering squeak and runs over to some girl in a pink baseball cap. She gives her a quick hug and then pulls her over to our group, making the introductions for everyone.
“Guys, I want to introduce you to Presley Donovan. Presley, this is everyone worth knowing at school. There’s Trey, Marcus, Brice, and Heather. Trey and Brice play baseball, and Marcus is the quarterback. Heather is a cheerleader.”
Olivia leans into Presley, whispers something in her ear, causing her to giggle, and once again, I’m suddenly infatuated with her. She looks around at everyone and gives a shy wave.
“Hi there.”
Heather speaks up in her natural snotty tone, “Hey, you’re the quiet new girl, right?”
Presley squares up her shoulders, quickly putting Heather in her place. I know from experience she’s got some attitude in her, but she comes across in a quiet and unsuspecting way. “I’ve never really been described as quiet, but yea, I’m the new girl.”
The guys cock their heads, eyes wide, and look at me in awe. I’m glad to see Heather has probably met her match.
“So, where are you from? Your parents must really hate you if they moved your right before your senior year?” Trey chuckles, but Presley doesn’t look phased.
“I’m kinda from all over. My dad’s Army, so I’m used to moving around. He’s stationed overseas right now, which is why I’m here. My mom wanted to be closer to my grandparents. They own the dude ranch outside of town.”