Bobbi and Chip

“Congratulations!”

Bobbi pulled open her locker door and turned to greet a girl she didn’t know. “Thanks,” she said, smiling.

“I’m Cari Taylor,” the girl said, shifting the books she was carrying. She was a pretty, fragile-looking girl with blond hair, even lighter and finer than Bobbi’s, and a warm, friendly smile. “I have science lab sixth period too. I’ve seen you there.”

“Yeah. Right,” Bobbi replied. “I’ve seen you too.”

“I just wanted to say hi and congratulations,” Cari said with a shrug. Then she added, “That accident must have been scary.”

“Yeah,” Bobbi said. “It was.”

“Well, see you tomorrow.”

“Right. See you.”

The long corridor was emptying out as kids headed for home or after-school jobs. Bobbi could still hear the ringing applause in her ears, the cheers, the shouts, the pounding of the drums echoing off the walls.

Wow! I just feel so great! Bobbi thought, pulling some books and a binder from the top shelf of her locker. I feel as if I could fly home!

A few other kids, kids she’d seen around school but didn’t really know, called out congratulations as they passed by. Maybe Shadyside High is an okay place, Bobbi thought happily.

During her first weeks in school, she had wondered if she’d ever get to like it. The kids all seemed so snobby. They all seemed to have known each other their whole lives. Bobbi wondered if she’d ever fit in or find friends of her own.

But that day had erased all of her worries. It was going to be a great school year, Bobbi decided. Great. Great. Great. Everything was great.

Still in her cheerleader uniform, she looked up and down the hall. Seeing that it was empty, she performed a high leap, landed, and did a cartwheel that nearly carried her into the wall.

Having gotten that out of her system, she collected her books, stuffed them into her backpack, and humming to herself, headed out the back door to the student parking lot.

Even the weather is great today, she thought, stopping to take a deep breath. The afternoon sky was still high and cloudless. The air felt warm and dry, more like summer than a day in autumn.

Near the fence, two girls sat on the hood of a car, talking to a boy in a maroon and white letter jacket. Beside them, another car revved up noisily. Two boys were puzzling over a bike with a flat rear tire, scratching their heads and scowling.

Beyond the student parking lot, Shadyside Park stretched out, still green and vibrant. A broad, grassy field with an empty baseball diamond set in one corner led to thick woods.

I wish Mom and Dad were home, Bobbi thought. I can’t wait to tell them the news.

I’m still in a state of shock, she told herself. It was such a surprise. I never dreamed that Miss Green would name me captain!

The other girls must have been shocked too, Bobbi realized. Especially Kimmy.

Kimmy.

She hadn’t stopped to think about Kimmy. But now the thought descended on her like a heavy cloud, bringing her back to earth.

Had Kimmy come over to congratulate her? Bobbi struggled to remember. She had been surrounded by everyone all at once. But no. She didn’t remember Kimmy being one of them.

I’d better call her or something, she thought.

Just then a hand touched her shoulder, startling her out of her thoughts.

“Hi.”

She stared into a boy’s face. He was handsome, with friendly dark brown eyes that crinkled at the corners, a shy smile, and lots of unbrushed brown hair that seemed to be tossed around on his head.

“Hi.” She returned the greeting.

It was Chip Chasner, quarterback of the Tigers. She had seen him a lot during outdoor practices. He was friendly with the other cheerleaders, but he had never said a word to Bobbi.

He fell into step with her as she crossed the parking lot. He was broad shouldered and tall, especially in his shoulder pads and cleats.

“I just wanted to say, way to go,” he said shyly, his dark eyes smiling at her.

“Thanks,” she said, suddenly shy too. “I was really surprised. I mean, I didn’t think they’d pick me. Since I’m new and all.”

“We haven’t really met. I’m Charles Chasner,” he said. “But everyone calls me Chip.”

“I know,” Bobbi replied, feeling her face grow hot. “I think you’re a really good player.”

“Thanks.” He beamed at her. Her compliment seemed to make him forget his shyness. “I’ve watched you too.”

“Tough game Friday night,” Bobbi said, watching the two boys dispiritedly walk the disabled bike away.

“Yeah. Winstead is always tough,” Chip said, waving to a couple of girls who had just emerged from the building. “They’ll probably cream us.”

Bobbi laughed. “Wow, you’ve sure got confidence,” she said sarcastically.

“No. Come on,” he replied. “I’m pumped for the game. But you’ve got to be realistic. They went to the state finals last year.”

“How’d you learn to throw the ball so far?” Bobbi asked, stopping at the edge of the parking lot, shifting her backpack on her shoulders. “Just practice a lot?”

“Yeah.” He nodded. “My dad and I used to practice throwing in the backyard. We still do, when he has the time. He’s working two jobs these days, so it’s kind of tough.”

“My parents both work all the time,” Bobbi told him. “But I’m usually at cheerleading practice or studying, so I wouldn’t see them much even if they were home.”

“I guess my dad got me my first football when I was five,” Chip said, leaning against the parking lot fence. The wind ruffled his thick, brown hair, his dark eyes studying Bobbi as he talked. “He loves football, but he never had a chance to play. Always had to work. So I guess he wanted to do his playing through me.”

“That can be a lot of pressure,” Bobbi said thoughtfully.

Chip’s expression hardened. “I can handle it,” he said softly.

“I just meant—” Bobbi started, surprised by his abrupt answer.

“Are you going out with anybody or anything?” Chip interrupted.

Caught off guard by the change of subject, Bobbi hesitated. “No,” she finally managed to reply. “Are you?”

He shook his head. “No. Not anymore. Want to meet me after the Winstead game?” He stared at her intently. “We could go get a pizza. You know. Hang out with some other guys?”

“Great,” Bobbi replied. “Sounds good.”

“Well, okay. Excellent.” He glanced up at the clock over the back door of the school. “I’ve got to practice,” he said, pushing away from the fence. “After the game, wait for me outside the stadium locker room, okay?”

He didn’t wait for her to reply. Instead, he slipped his helmet on and began jogging toward the practice field across from the baseball diamond, taking long, easy strides.

What an amazing day! Bobbi thought, watching him as he ran. So many good things happening at once!

She shook her head, somewhat dazed by it all. Her next thought was: I’ll probably be hit by a truck on the way home.

♦ ♦ ♦

The next evening, a warm, almost balmy Thursday night, Bobbi finished her dinner, then hurried to Jennifer’s house to study. Since the accident, she and Jennifer had become close.

Unlike some of the other girls, who wanted to shut the accident out of their minds and forget it had ever happened, Bobbi had visited Jennifer in the hospital every day. Bobbi had been touched by her new friend’s bravery and serenity. Soon she and Jennifer were talking easily, sharing their thoughts and feelings as if they had been longtime friends.

Bobbi parked her car on the street and made her way up the smooth asphalt drive. Jennifer lived in a sprawling, modern ranch house in North Hills, the wealthiest section of Shadyside.

What a contrast to Fear Street, Bobbi thought wistfully, her eyes taking in the manicured lawns, raked clean, and the well-cared-for houses.

The streetlights flickered on as Mrs. Daly opened the door to her. “Oh, hi, Bobbi,” she said, looking tired and drawn in the pale porchlight. “Jennifer’s waiting for you in the den.”

Bobbi eagerly made her way across the carpeted living room with its low, sleek furniture of chrome and white leather and into the small den, closing the door behind her. “Did you talk to Kimmy?” she asked Jennifer, skipping any greeting.

Jennifer was seated in her wheelchair, between two red leather couches that faced each other. She was wearing navy blue sweats, the sweatshirt sleeves rolled up above her elbows. Her red-brown hair was tied behind her head in a single braid. She had a textbook in her lap.

“I talked to her,” she replied, her face expressionless. Slowly a smile spread across her full lips. “She’s coming back.”

“Oh, good,” Bobbi said, breathing a long sigh. She dropped her backpack on the checkered tile floor and plopped down in the red couch on Jennifer’s right. “I can’t believe I didn’t even notice that she had run out.”

“You were a little excited,” Jennifer said dryly.

“But I should have known Kimmy would be upset,” Bobbi insisted, rubbing her hand against the smooth leather of the couch arm. “But I didn’t see her. I didn’t see anything. It was all so . . .” She didn’t finish her thought.

“Anyway, I talked to her,” Jennifer said, wheeling herself closer until she was right in front of Bobbi. “She’s not a happy camper, but I got her to come around.” Her mouth fell into an unhappy pout. She avoided Bobbi’s eyes. “Kimmy and I used to be so close. But not anymore.”

“I’m really sorry,” Bobbi said quickly. “If it’s my fault, I—”

“No, it isn’t,” Jennifer interrupted. “You didn’t do anything. Really.”

“How did you get her to come back on the squad?” Bobbi asked.

“I told her we needed her. I said, ‘What would happen if Bobbi fell and broke her leg?’ ”

“And what did she say?” Bobbi wondered.

“She asked if I would put that in writing!” Jennifer replied.

Both girls burst out laughing.

“Kimmy isn’t your biggest fan,” Jennifer said.

“Well, duh,” Bobbi replied, rolling her eyes, imitating her little brother, Sean. “Well, duh” was Sean’s favorite expression.

“Well, I’m glad she’s not quitting,” Bobbi said.

“Really? Why?” Jennifer demanded, closing the textbook on her lap and tossing it onto the couch opposite Bobbi.

“Because . . . because it would make me feel really bad,” Bobbi said with emotion.

Jennifer snickered. “Having her around might make you feel a lot worse, Bobbi. She won’t talk to you. You know that. And she’ll probably try to turn the other girls against you. I’m sure she’s been on the phone night and day with those two pals of hers, Debra and Ronnie.”

Bobbi sighed and pulled both hands back through her hair. “You know, it’s only a cheerleading squad. It’s supposed to be fun.”

“Tell that to Kimmy,” Jennifer said softly. She shifted her weight in the wheelchair. “Ow.”

“Are you okay?” Bobbi asked, leaning forward, preparing to jump up if her friend needed help of some kind.

“Yeah. Fine.” Jennifer forced a smile. “Let’s change the subject, okay?”

“Yeah. Okay.” Bobbi settled back on the couch. “Do you know Charles Chasner?”

“Chip? Sure.” Jennifer’s smile broadened. “Chip is a real babe. I’ve had a crush on him since third grade. He’s cuter now, though.”

“He asked me out for tomorrow after the game,” Bobbi confided.

Jennifer’s eyes widened in surprise. “Huh? Chip?”

Bobbi nodded. “Yeah. He asked me out. Yesterday. After the pep rally.”

“Really?”

Bobbi was startled to see Jennifer’s eyes narrow and her features tighten. Jennifer glared at Bobbi. “You didn’t say yes—did you?”

Date: 2015-04-20; view: 593