We have been friends for years since the moment he pulled my braid in the backyard of my house. After a couple of mean kicks in the shin, Ryder and I made our peace and spent many of our days fishing in the pond, tossing the football around, and endless hours of playing videogames. Back then, I had no clue that I was any different than the guys, Ryder and his older brother Parker, but after a summer away being a camp counselor at the age seventeen not only had my breasts grew enormously large but so had my way of thinking. I was a young woman who had other interests; boys and not just playing football.
During camp, Mariah, another camp counselor had educated me about EVERYTHING and according to her, I was doing "everything" about wrong. From my bare face to my cutoff jeans and t-shirts, it became her life mission to educate me. To my surprise, I didn't actually mind the makeover. My wardrobe now included flowing shirts with a ruffled skirt cinched at the waist and an array of shoes from soft ballet slippers to heels. With my toffee color hair and natural sun highlights, she taught me to use the natural wave to my best advantage. The length of my hair was now to the middle of my back the soft waves curling along the sides. I had whitened my teeth and had my eyebrows waxed. Let's just say Cinderella had come full circle. I couldn't wait to show the new me at school. It seemed like a lifetime since I had been back home.
Sitting on the plane, mentally, I started planning my entrance, marine green ruffled skirt, gypsy,soft flowing blouse, dainty gold earrings with bracelets, and sandals, and a dab of light green shadow to accentuate the green of my eyes. Not that I'm starving for attention, but it would be nice to surprise everyone. What would Ryder and Parker think? I couldn't wait to see them again. We hadn't really kept in touch but I sure missed them.
If the reaction of my parents after picking me up at the airport was any indication, tomorrow was going to be a blast I cannot wait. New look and senior year what else could be any better!
….…
Ryder was bored and it was only the first day of school. For Ryder who was dyslexic school was like getting acupuncture, hell on wheels. Along with being dyslexic, he was sort of ADHD without being annoying. Most of the time, he dealt with it by taking bathroom breaks so he could walk around and relax. It just came with the territory. So, what was he doing know before school started? Enjoying a game of hacky sack with the guys talking about the typical summer conquests, of course. Just as he was in the middle of a hot conversation about a girl Parker and him had met at the beach a pair of tanned legs sidetracked him completely. His eyes followed the attractive blonde with the Hayden Pattinere type body tan and ummm he lost his speech. What the? Who was that?
His friends started to snicker but lucky for him, he was able to gain composure that is until that same fantastic pair of legs turned to him and smiled a sunrise smile.
"Hello, Ryder. Nice to see you", said the voice.
The voice sounded familiar as Ryder struggled to figure it out.
"Oh, my God Ryder its Alexis", holy shit", said Ryder's brother Parker in disbelief.
This statement only made her smile even more.
"Alexis?"
"Yes, Ryder, I take it that I look different to you and so do you. What are you about six feet now?"
Her smile continued to dazzle. For the life of him, he felt sort of pissed like a big brother. So, he grabbed her arm and pushed her to the side hallway.
"What gives?" Her green eyes looked at his with alarm.
"What are you wearing?" That skirt is way too short and shit, girl you need to cover up those girls." (The two newly acquired girls that he couldn't stop staring at). He reached for his jacket to cover her up.
She looked annoyed. "Listen, personally, I think I look very nice. Ryder, I'm not a little girl anymore and I take it that you need to adjust to that. That's okay. I'm a good girl and guys know that."
Her eyes lit up as she gave him an Alexis size bear hug. But, it was different as the smell of flowery perfume hit his nostrils and her soft hair touched his face. Her beaming smile reappeared as she caressed his cheek.
"Let's catch up later, I promise. Can't be late on the first day of school. And, Ryder, make sure you aren't roaming the halls again. Senior year, don't want to mess that up."
Ryder could only stop and stare at the vision who was Alexis running down the hall. He scratched his forehead, shaking his head in sheer disbelief.
.
Parker entered his Spanish class without a minute to spare. He dove into a seat when the bell rang loudly. He heard the click of heels and the annoying sound of chalk.
"Senora Carlita" was written in great big letters. The teacher from what he could see of the back view was very skinny and had on a long red skirt. She turned to the front and a shocked gasp was emitted from the heart of every senior boy. "Hola", my name is Senora Carlita. Her arms gripped the green attendance book in her tan hands. "Welcome to Spanish I".
Senora Carlita was about twenty-two or twenty-three years old Parked guessed, probably right out of college. Her dark eyebrows were arched like an angel that showcased long dark lashes and coal like eyes. Probably, Portuguese, Parker thought, with her long dark hair sun kissed skin, and naturally tinted red lips.
Like any new teacher, Senora Carlita was jumping out of her skin with enthusiasm on getting her first job. He listened to her story about traveling to Spain, graduating college, and moving to Lima, Ohio. She went over the classroom rules. But, did he hear one word of it, absolutely not! His heart was beating like crazy as he imagined Senora Carlita just talking to him, muttering words of love in Spanish, as he ran to her and…
"Parker Jenner", she repeated. "Is there a Parker Jenner?"
Dude, she's calling your name for attendance. He felt the back of his collar get hot as he raised his hand in answer. "Here", he said.
I'm definitely joining Spanish Club was his last thought of the day.
