*****
“... Glenda, do you have any hair spray?”
“Sure, do you have mascara?”
Unfamiliar voices clamored in the ladies locker room, as I slowly raised my head and pushed myself up to sit cross legged. My arm pickled pins and needles. I rubbed my eyes and yawned. The voices continued their conversation,
“Do you know if that Jake Wilder is here tonight?”
“Oh, I hope so. I would give anything to go out with him. He is my future husband don’t you know?”
Giggle, giggle.
“Yeah right, you and every other girl at Goodheart high.”
Giggle, “Exactly! I want to be the envy of the school, it's my goal.”
Snicker, “Let's go!”
“I'm right behind you.”
A cloud of silence enveloped the room as the door squeaked shut.
"Oh shoot what's the time? I forgot about the coat check! I was supposed to meet Mr. Beland at the Blue Hall at 6:30 for coat check training!”
I glanced at the clock on the wall - 6:45.
“Oh thank goodness, I still have time”. Quickly I got up from my cross legged position and burst out of the bathroom stall with my purse in hand.
Standing in front of the full length mirror, I smoothed my hair, flicked my eye lashes with mascara, and powdered my face,
“Sage and Chloe were right. Jake is out of my league. I guess I am just a nerdy, geeky, nobody….”
I sternly slung my purse over my shoulder and raced out of the locker room,
Arriving at Blue Hall, the time was 6:56pm. Mr. Beland was wrapping up the training,
“... Okay, if everyone is good with that, remember to put on your badge and let's start checking coats!”
“Mr. Beland... Mr. Beland... wait! Sorry I’m late, I must have lost track of time... Can I still go through the training with you?” I said breathlessly.
“Daria, there you are! I was beginning to think you were a no show. I do have chaperone duties in the gym right now, but I can get one of my coat check experts to go over the training with you,”
Mr. Beland walked toward the group of coat check trainees huddled in the corner of the hall. I followed behind.
Jake Wilder was about to leave the group as we approached. Mr. Beland motioned with his hands,
“Jake... Jake... wait! Don’t leave yet. Can you come here for a second?”
*****
My feet sunk into the ground, beads of nervous sweat tickled my forehead and my stomach churned.
“Jake, could you show Daria the coat check procedures? I am late for my chaperone duties in the gym.”
Jake stopped and turned toward us. He seemed surprised at the request,
“Sure thing Mr. Beland, Who am I training?”
My legs turned into jelly when his shoulder accidently brushed my forearm.
“Great! Thanks Jake. This is Daria. I’ll be in the gym if anyone needs me.”
Frozen with joy and disbelief that Jake was going to be my trainer, I watched Mr. Beland disappear behind the gym doors.
Jake was still standing beside me. I couldn’t speak, I felt like a floppy wide eyed rag doll with no voice.
“So Daria, have you done coat check before?”
I didn’t answer. I just stood dazed and hypnotized by his mesmerizing violet eyes.
“Daria...? Daria...? Earth to Daria...are you okay?” Jake chuckled waving his hands in front of my face.
I flinched,
“Oh, yes, I’m here... uh... You’re Jake?”
“Oh good, you are alive. You seemed a bit distant a second ago, staring into space. Yes. I am Jake and you are Daria... from my chemistry class, right?
I nodded and bit my lip, flattered that he remembered me from Chemistry.
****
Jake was really professional about explaining the coat check duties. I almost forgot I had a crush on him,
“... If you are okay with that explanation, here’s your badge and you can get started right away.”
“Thanks.” I said shyly, lowering my head to look at my name badge.
As we walked down the hall toward the coat check, the music from the gym started to get louder. A slow melody enchanted the air.
We walked side by side, and then Jake stopped abruptly,
“Hey, I forgot to ask you. Do you have any questions... about... about the coat check?”
“No.” I answered weakly.
It seemed like the room was spinning. Serendipity took over; pushing my feet to walk closer toward him. The music seemed hypnotic. Somehow, his arms found their way around my shoulders and mine around his waist. His eyes shifted like he was trying to see through me,
“Do you want to dance?”
“Yes,” I whispered urgently and buried my head into his chest.
He sighed and pulled me closer. I quivered feeling the warmth of his body next to mine. The song ended but we continued to dance.
“Sit near me in Chemistry.” He whispered.
I sighed as tears of serenity tickled my cheeks, “Yes. I will.”
*****
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Other Stories by dcWilson
The Magical Balloon and The moon
Smartly Ever After
Doll Face
He Loves me He Loves Me Not Series
Book 1 After the Late Bell Rings
Book 2 The Stairwell Princess
Book 3 Chemistry
Book 4 On Top the Pedestal
Book 5 Waiting for You to Ask
Book 6 After the Storm
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