Dances With Chickens

By ScarletCord

Summary: He finally asked her out. And just In time for homecoming. Nothing can stand in their way. Not even rival football teams and Carlson's evil punishments. Right?

A/N: This is a unique, and as far as I can tell, original plot. I'll start out by insisting that I'm not insane. I don't know if you'll believe me once you read this, though. Just so you know, it was brought on by a dare, sort of. See Author's note at the end for more details. This part isn't too weird, but you'll see what I'm talking about later. Right now, just read the story!

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It was time. He had finally gotten up the courage. The courage to do something that could change his life forever. He hopped for the better. The courage to put a friendship on the line, in order to make it better. The courage to ask his best friend out. They had been friends since before forever.

In fact, Jamie Waite couldn't remember a time where he and Caitie Roth hadn't been best friends. From diapered toddlers in the sand box to slightly rebellious bleacher junkies in high school, they were inseparable. Jamie gripped the flyer tightly in his hand. They upcoming homecoming dance was the perfect opportunity. They had hone together before, but just as friends. As he recalled, he had gone as a cheerleader. He smiled at the thought, gathered his courage and scrawled a note on the back of the flyer.

He had History first period, and once Mr. McGell had gotten started on a topic, he was oblivious to the world around him. And because this was first period, more than half the class was scribbling the answers to math homework for later classes from the small portion of the class that had actually done the work. And the half the class who wasn't copping math homework, due to the fact that they had actually done the work, or just didn't care, passed notes and whispered back and forth. And there was always the occasional student who even paid attention.

Jamie would have been in the category of the frantic copiers, but since becoming an EMT, his grades had improved drastically. One of Alex's rules was that homework must be done between calls. If your grades dropped below a C average, he had the right to postpone your shifts until your grades were up. As much as Jamie grumbled and complained, he wouldn't trade his place on the squad for anything.

He slipped the note to Caitie, who sat one row over from him, the side for the dance showing. She glanced at him and flipped the paper over and managed to decipher his chicken scratch

Caitie, I was wondering if maybe you might want to go to the dance with me.

She read over what he had written and her heart began to quicken it's pace. She took a deep breath, not daring to get her hopes up. He was probably just asking to go as friends again. Or maybe another prank. Quickly she wrote a response and passed the paper back to Jamie.

Do you have something in mind? The whole football player-cheerleader thing worked great last year. I just don't see how we could top that.

He shook his head as he read her neat, curly script. She didn't understand. She thought he meant just as friends. He wrote something and passed the note back.

Well, we could really surprise everybody and go like everybody else. You know, as a couple.

She let out the breath she wasn't even aware she was holding. He was asking her out. He was asking her out, right? He didn't want to just play another prank on everybody by going as a couple did he?

Jamie, are you asking me out? As in, a date?

Well, if you don't want to…

No. No. I'd love to.

Jamie read Caitie's last reply and smiled at her. A genuine, heart-melting smile. She was afraid she was getting in over her head. She had waited so long for this, and now she began to have doubts. What if they broke up? Could the go back to being as close as they were before everything happened? He knees grew weak at the sight of his smile, and she decided that she would give it a try. She liked Jamie for years, even before she really knew she did. She was just recently coming to terms with the fact that she was falling for her best friend. And now he had asked her out.

Great.

But Jamie, No matter what happens, our friendship comes first. Okay.

Of course. What we have is too special to loose. No matter what happens, we stay friends.

Promise?

Promise.

They exchanged smiles and their spirits soared. Jamie folded up the flyer and stuck it in his back pocket.

The door opened and Mr. Carlson's head appeared through the partially opened door. "May I have a word with Jamie Waite?" Jamie groaned and stood up, the note he thought was securely in his pocket fell out and drifted to the floor. Neither Caitie or Jamie noticed. Caitie shot him a good luck glance as he followed the assistant principal out the door.

"Jamie, I've been impressed with your grades recently, and Alex says your addition to the squad had been great," Mr. Carlson said once they were both out in the hallway. "But I need to address your lack of school spirit."

"My lack of what?" Jamie asked. He couldn't believe what his assistant principal was saying.

"Exactly."

"What?" He asked, confused.

"You have yet to be present at any football or other sports games, you don't wear your school colors on spirit days, and frankly, I'm getting worried about your uninvolvement at this school."

"And I'm getting singled out of all of the students who's extracurricular lives don't revolve around this school, why?

Mr. Carlson ignored his question and continued on with what he was saying. "I think it would be beneficial to you to participate in some school sports. You will be the mascot at our homecoming game next Friday. This is not optional, and may I remind you, report cards come out in a week and a half."

"Is that a threat?"

"Read into it as far as you want. I'll have my secretary type you up a letter outlining exactly what you need to do. You can pick it up after school today. Now get back to class." Without giving Jamie a chance to plead his case and talk his was out of it, he spun on his heel and headed down the hall, in search of his next victim.

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Ten minutes before the last bell of the day rang at Kingsport High, the intercom crackled to life and Carlson's voice blared thought the speakers. "Teachers and students, please excuse the interruption, but I'd like to talk to you for a minute about the upcoming homecoming game and dance. As you know, we're playing against the Winston Eagles. I'm sure you have all heard of the only other undefeated team this season. In the past, when we have played Winston, we have had some problems with taking school spirit just a little too far. This is purely a game, and it's not to be taken outside of the school grounds. I don't want to hear on any incidents involving students from this school with those of Winston Academy. I'm sure we won't have any of these problems this year.

"I hope everyone has bought their tickets for the dance after the game. Tickets will be on sale before and after school in the office. I hope to see all of you there. Thank you and have a nice day."

The room erupted in whispers. Jamie caught bits and pieces of the conversations surrounding him. "Yeah, I heard that they're real rough," and "They can get away with anything," or "I had a cousin who's arm was broken during the game. He was playing on the team they were playing against. It was no accident." And "They're vicious. They toilet papered a coaches house."

Jamie got a sinking sensation in his stomach. He had a feeling something was going to happen. He just hoped it wouldn't interfere with his date with Caitie. The football game he could care less about, but he wanted the night with Caitie to be perfect.

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A/N: Okay, guys. The next chapter is already written, so as soon as I get 10 reviews you get to find out what happens next. What happens with the Winston Eagles? No matter what, nothing can get in the way of Jamie and Caitie's first date, right??? Review and find out.

Disclaimer: Was this supposed to be at the beginning? Well, I don't own anything. (this disclaimer applies to the entire story, including future chapters) The characters belong to Disney and whoever else owns them. The only thing I suppose I could claim would be the story itself, the plot, and maybe the Winston Eagles. At least I don't know of any Winston Eagles. There's probably a team out there somewhere, and if there is, I'm sorry. I never meant to speak badly of you. Okay, that's out of the way. The only thing left for you to do is review! I'm not very subtle, am I?