The BSC Legacy - Book 1: Brave New World of High School

By: CNJ

PG-13

4: Athletics, Acne and Other Affects of Adolescence


Stacey:

All of us BSC came on Saturday to Stoneybrook High's first soccer game to cheer Abby and Kristy on. The fall weather was perfect for a game; it was cool and crisp now and the trees were definitely starting to change. On our way to the game, we pointed out colorful trees and since it was clear, they looked gorgeous against the blue of the sky.
"Wait a couple of weeks when they peak," Claudia told us once we got to SHS. The Stoneybrook Barracudas were playing against the Talbot Tigers. We were happy that the stadium was crowded and lively. Sure enough, Kristy kicked off and we were caught up in the excitement of the game, jumping up and down and whooping it up. Claudia and Mary Anne stood up and asked if anyone wanted food or drinks. Most of us did, so they went down to the goodies stand.
"Heeey, look..." Anna pointed. "Aren't they Burkeview students?" I looked down and sure enough, there were a few Burkeview students there. I recognized one the the girls from that fivesome group we'd seen at Aster and Dusker's a few weeks ago, the redheaded one. Just then another girl ran up to her and I recognized her as another one of that fivesome, the one with the bright clothes and short dark hair. We never had gotten a chance to ask them if they babysat. They were with a couple of other girls I didn't recognize. Just then Claud and Mary Anne came back with sodas, chips, and tacos. The game was on halftime break.
"Isn't it great to support two of our friends?" Mary Anne asked, handing me my taco.
"Yeah..." I nodded. We saw Kristy and Abby talking with their heads together near the edge of the field. Kristy whispered something to Abby that made her laugh. Then they both walked toward the locker room, grabbing two of the balloons floating nearby.
"Wonder what they're up to?" Claudia asked. We didn't have too long to find out. Kristy and Abby came running out into the field. Kristy blew a whistle and most of the audience turned her way. Then she and Abby began a rendition of Take Me Out to the Ball Game in squeaky, helium-induced voices that made most of the audience, including the BSC laugh.
"THANKS, EVERYONE!" Kristy squeaked as she and Abby bowed dramatically and left the center of the field.
"Those two are a riot!" I laughed. Kristy and Abby are hilarious!

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Claudia:

You are not going to believe this, but I found two zits on my cheek the first week in October. At this Friday's BSC meeting, we all noticed each others' faces. Well, we're fourteen now, I noticed. Stacey has acne on the whole left side of her face. Kristy has it all over her chin.
"We're GROWING," Abby sang, holding up a lock of her curly hair. She has a scattering of pimples on her cheeks. Abby ran a hand over her hair, then showed us a greasy hand.
"Me too," Mary Anne lifted her straight bangs and showed us a burst of acne on her forehead.
"Mom told me that you should never scratch or pick at zits," Stacey told us. "Or you can get these pitted scars that might never go away." Mary Anne's eyes widened and she pulled her hand away from her forehead and brushed her bangs back down, which I could see were greasy also.
"It's happening," I intoned. "The great...growing up phenomenon." We all laughed. Just then the phone rang. I picked it up and it was Ms. Arnold asking one of us to sit for her twins on Saturday afternoon. Abby took the job and we continued pigging out and joking about acne ravages and oil spills from hair.
"Seriously..." Mary Anne asked. "I wonder when it clears up for good?"
"Janine had acne on her right cheek for her freshman and sophomore year," I remembered. "It wasn't severe. She's seventeen and it's been gone for a year and a half."
"Two years," Stacey pretended to faint.
"I think it's different for different people," Kristy interjected. "Sam had a few pimples for only a few months, then they just vanished for good."
"Some kids NEVER have any zits," Abby added. We're on our way, I thought, looking around. I knew that adulthood was getting closer every day. Ninth grade and acne was one of those steps toward adulthood.