Meet Julianne.
I'm not accepted by my peers. So what!
The chicks are hot and full of cheers. Pleasers!
They say no so I jerk white tears. Teasers!
I hate them all, Creatures!
The Adolescents.
January 1981.
Southern California.
Westridge High School.
I gotta get laid, gotta get laid, gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta get laid. Or, I'll die...
“Ray! Did you bring beer?"
I rolled down the car window and shook my head. "No, guys. Not tonight. I don't think I'll be able to shoplift anymore, and my sister is moving out, so she can't buy it for me."
My marching band buddies gave me a look that scolded, "What good are you," then walked away from my car to get toilet paper from the bass drummer's pickup truck.
I still had a small bottle of rum and a dwindling baggie of low-grade weed hidden in the school's music instrument storage room, but those were reserved for my girlfriend.
The girlfriend I don't have yet...
Sighing, I parked my parent's generic sedan away from the teenage crowd that had gathered in the darkened high school lot. Avoiding the lingering puddles from an afternoon rain, I walked my lanky six-foot tall frame over to them. My close-cropped dark hair, torn army pants, leather jacket, Converse High-Tops, and spiked bracelet created a jarring contrast with the group's standardized look. I gazed over a sea of shoulder-length, feathered and center-parted hair. Pristine Levi 501's, Vans tennis shoes, down jackets, and polo shirts completed their uniforms.
I used to dress like them, only six months ago...
The popular band kids had already started piling into their cars, leaving me with two freshmen I barely recognized. Not bothering to learn their names, I pointed to my car and ordered, “Hey! Grab some of the toilet paper, put it in the trunk, and wait for me."
I may be the weirdest guy in my class, but I'm still a senior...
Two additional carfuls of girls entered the lot, where they quickly disbursed among the Chosen guys.
Except for that tall redhead. Hmm, I’ve never seen her before. She looks lost. And pretty...
Accompanying the crimson-haired girl was an familiar, awkward, pasty, and thin blonde.
Huh. It's crazy Michelle. I wonder if she really IS a witch...
She led them to the remaining kids, who stood eager to TP the rival high school.
I had been in band with Michelle for three years. A mediocre flautist, she possessed a strange aura that seemed to repel most people. Because I had never been more than cordial towards her, Michelle's nature didn't bother me, though I generally kept my distance.
I headed towards the pair, intent on meeting the new girl and hoping Michelle could help. She saw me, twisted her plain face in contemplation, then led her companion my way.
I hope she doesn’t turn me into a newt...
“Hi, Michelle. Are you going with us?"
“No, Ray. I'm just dropping off my sister. Julianne's going to be on the tall flag squad next semester, but she doesn't know anyone yet."
I removed my dark prescription sunglasses to take a better look. Wearing them at night made me feel like a douchebag, but I figured it was better than the regular nerdy spectacles I wore most of the time. "Your sister?"
Michelle laughed. Like a squirrel. "We get that a lot, Ray. Julianne is actually my cousin, but her mom died ten years ago, so my parents took her in and adopted her. She began her sophomore year at a Catholic school, but she starts here next week."
Julianne. She doesn't know anything about me, so I might have a chance...
Wispy mid-back straight red hair framed her soft-featured oval face. Save for subtle eyeliner and light red lipstick, Julianne appeared makeup free, allowing tiny freckles to dominate her face. I fought my urge to test her skin for texture, then glanced over the rest of her.
Loose jeans and a denim jacket hid most of Julianne's shape, but I could still detect some alluring definition to her hips, waist, and medium-sized breasts. Befitting her youth, they sat high, separate, and perky.
A good handful...
Supporting Julianne's statuesque five-foot-ten build were what was commonly referred to as "Thunder Thighs," with a broad ass to match. The ripe lower body was not too far out of proportion to her slender torso, neck, and arms, yet still caught my eye. Standing by herself, I found Julianne's figure appealing in a primal way.
She's sturdy...
Unfortunately, her size made me look and feel even skinnier. Always an optimist in these matters, I noticed how Julianne’s height let me keep my long neck straight, instead of bending bird-like in the way I had to interact with shorter girls.
Ending a half-second survey at her light green eyes, I smiled at how the color flooded them with friendliness. Her shy response revealed slightly crooked, brilliant white teeth behind a thin upper and a pouty lower lip.
I held out my hand and Michelle introduced us. Julianne gently took my grasp and spoke with a surprising lisp. "Hi, Ray. Nice to meet you."
I took an extra second to study her fingers, then ran my thumb over the smooth back of her hand. "Julianne. Umm, cool freckles."
Oh fuck, that was lame...
Julianne blushed and buried both hands in her jacket pockets. She looked at her sister, who laughed. "Yeah, he's pretty weird. But Ray's a good guy, smart, really talented, and you can trust him."
Michelle's praise shocked me, as I had not thought she noticed me at all. I stood up straight. "Thank you, Michelle. I appreciate that."
Her nod marked an inevitable awkward silence. Julianne zipped up her jacket in reaction to the chilled air and mood.
I froze with anxiety. There was no good reason for me to hesitate, as in the last six months, I had made out with three girls. However, they were all homely, I knew them beforehand, and most importantly, I had been very drunk.
While I desired nothing more on earth than a girlfriend, panic took hold of my whole body at the prospect of asking a girl I had just met to get in my car.
A very pretty girl.
While sober…
My eyes turned towards the band building facing the parking lot. A bottle of liquid courage and a baggie of herbal fun called to me from behind three locked doors, inside a dusty bassoon case buried under a pile of bent music stands. The locks were easily defeated, but a newly installed alarm system had put an end to any after-hours access. I looked to the ground in defeat.
Ok, dork. Get your shit together. Ask her. Oh my God, you fucking pussy! Do you want to die a virgin? Do it!
Ask her... NOW!!!
“Julianne, will you ride with me?"
Her cute little nod seemed out of place for a girl that size and a lisped "Yes, thank you," almost made me laugh, but I merely gestured to my car. Julianne whispered in Michelle's ear, then skipped to my open passenger door, where I helped her into the seat. Donning my shades and shutting the door marked a new chapter of my life.
Julianne. She could be my first date. Or maybe even my first girlfriend...
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