I am officially on a roll! Fourth chapter is here for all of you to enjoy!
Chapter 4. Time
Saturday, November 2nd, 2007: 7th Grade
Middle School had brought the best and worst of times. Sixth grade hadn't been so bad, but a year makes a huge difference in a kid's perspective. Especially Ashley Spinelli's; true she hadn't changed but others had. Spinelli still wore her brother's boots, her favorite hat and jacket and occasionally wore jeans from time to time. She still didn't take shit from anyone and would fight just about anyone, but even that was changing.
Just the other day when this 8th grade boy had insulted her, she had attacked him but he had pinned her quite easily. Her strength had remained about the same since 5th grade, while the boy's were getting stronger by the minute. Vince could now beat her easily in wrestling, TJ had beaten her in an arm wrestle the other day, and you could forget about Mikey. Gus was the one of the few of her male counterparts left whom she could take, but she suspected that would change soon too. She would have to accept that being a girl she just wouldn't be able to keep up with the guys any longer. It was a sad day indeed when she figured that out.
Mikey's voice had deepened so quickly that he had dropped chorus for a month. But the problem was fixed when he switched from tenor to bass, and his beautiful voice continued to sing, only sounding like Morgan Freeman now. Vince was a star in every sport as usual, there wasn't anything he couldn't do, but then again it had always been like that. Gretchen had budded a little bit, and had advanced her scientific prose to state fairs and competitions, but even she had accepted being a little more girly. Gus was entering a military camp the following summer.
TJ was the only one that really hadn't changed along with her. He still wore his baseball cap backwards with his green jacket and jeans. His hair was a little longer and was starting to flip a little in the back plus he was taller but other than that he was same old TJ.
And it was on this day that she was glad that nothing had changed between them: yet.
"Hey Spin?"
"Yeah?"
"I've been thinking. Do you think I could climb that tree that leads to your bedroom window?"
"Ha! Teej don't make me laugh or take you to the hospital."
"Honestly I think I can do it."
"Go ahead then. I don't care. Just don't hurt yourself."
They were standing right outside her house on a blustery, cloudy day. TJ had taken interest in the tree that led to Spinelli's window. She didn't really expect him to climb it or even try.
But to her shock he ran over to try and climb the tree. Little did she know of his true motive. He wanted to impress her in the only way he knew how: by showing off.
Spinelli's actually kinda cute, she can try to hide her looks all she wants, but I know better ;)
He climbed up one branch, pulled himself up and continued. It wasn't long until he reached the top, sitting on a long branch that extended all the way to the window.
"Spiffy dizz, I got it! Hey Spinelli what do ya think of me now!"
Spinelli couldn't help but laugh. "Alright you did it, now will you please come back down before you give me a heart attack?"
TJ smiled his boyish smile and quickly made his way back down.
"What's the matter Spin? I've never seen you so nervous."
"Oh nothing TJ, it's just that I kind of like you haha."
TJ stopped at the bottom branch andlooked at her for a quick second. Did she mean what he thought she meant?
"Oh I meant as a friend. As a friend you know" she said quickly realizing her mistake.
"Oh yeah right, I knew that" laughed TJ, who for some reason, felt disappointed. He dropped down on the ground next to her.
There was an awkward silence where the wind blew in their faces and leaves went everywhere.
Spinelli huddled in her jacket, TJ noticed this and said "Want my jacket?"
"Oh I'm fine, thanks though" she lied through her chattering teeth.
TJ seeing through her toughness took off his favorite green jacket and wrapped it around her. "You oughta dress more warmly Spinelli."
"Yeah I know" she smiled weakly. As TJ pulled her into a tight hug he said "You know, now that I can climb that thing I'll be able to visit you when you're grounded."
"Come any time" she said. And she meant it.
They huddled together for a few minutes longer until Spinelli looked up at TJ, who looked even more attractive than usual, taller and stronger.
"Hey Teej?"
"Yeah Spin?"
"A lot of change is happening now that we're getting older. But I'm glad you're still the same. I wouldn't trade you for anything."
TJ smiled. "Thanks Spin, I'm glad you haven't either. We'll always be the best of friends."
And all of a sudden, Spinelli wasn't cold anymore.
Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day
You fritter and waste the hours in an offhand way
Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town
Waiting for someone or something to show you the way.
Ahh man they're getting older. But deep down they're still the same old soft-hearted kids. But for how much longer? Stay tuned for more~Punkrocka23
