Late in the afternoon
The gym teacher, Ms. Miller (who eerily resembled Janet Reno) barked at her class. "Because your high and mighty principal decided to be fair," she sneered, "our class and Mr. Jones' class will be merged so we'll have 2 units. If you're an athlete," she paused before cackling, "SUFFER!" Effectively silencing the students, she smiled. "As for the non-athletes—well, you can choose basketball or hockey. Happy Halloween." The two classes milled about. Julie wondered how horrible could it be before someone tapped her shoulder. Turning around she saw Adam grinning. "Hey."
"Hey yourself. What do you think we're going to do in here?" she asked, but the teacher started talking. Ms. Miller announced, "Since you're athletes, you will do a WONDERFUL cross country unit. It all comes down to lap times and grades. You have 2 weeks to do at least 70 laps to get an A. Roughly 5 laps a day. A 'B' is about 4 laps a day, a C is 3, etc, etc. I'll be keeping track." Walking down to the beginning of the course, she turned to look at the students. "The sooner you finish, the more break time you have. You'll also be graded for improvement, effort, and consistency. So, get off your butts and MOVE IT!" She roared on her way down to the field.
Adam heard a cheerleader whine among the groaning class. "But –" Ms. Miller cut her off, not stopping in her stride. "If any of you want to question your status, do it AFTER the unit."
Julie chuckled for one moment before trudging with the rest of the class. Seeing Adam next to her, she commented, "was she in the army?" Adam shrugged.
"I guess in a way, it was fair since hockey is hockey." His eyes gleamed. "Wanna be my partner?"
Blinking, Julie only replied, "huh? Are talking about homework?" Adam shook his head and smiled.
"Nah. I just thought we could keep each other company while going through this. You really just want to do this by yourself?"
Julie seemed to consider the idea, not noticing they were already unofficial "buddies" of sorts. She replied, "I know either of us can do this, but Adam, are you sure? Guys are usually faster than girls; though I'm pretty decent…" she let the statement trail off.
After 4 laps of a steady jog, Julie panted a bit. "Adam, can we please take it easier?" She huffed.
"We're behind the rest of the guys," Adam replied.
"Yeah, they're guys! Hint! I told you!" She said.
"Okay, okay, slowpoke," Adam teased, relenting. "We'll walk the last lap, since we have time."
"Thank you."
On the last lap, they passed by a few cheerleaders who gave Julie the evil eye. Long used to the stares, Julie disregarded them and loosened up. "Adam? I guess I might have forgotten to say thank you earlier," she began.
"For what?"
"For umm…walking me to class and I guess being my running buddy. You're right—it's easier when you can share with another person," she replied.
Grinning, he joked, "So if I'm right, you'd say I'm always right?"
Seeing the end of the course nearing them, Julie answered, "Maybe. Race you to the end of the lap!" Laughing as she did so, she started running all out. Adam caught up close to the end and beat her by ten seconds. Julie was still gasping for breath, which was hampered by her laughs. "I'll meet you outside the locker rooms."
Adam was surprised to see Julie waiting for him. "Aren't guys supposed to be the ones quick to get ready?"
He chuckled. "Usually. Why were those cheerleaders looking at you weird?" He asked.
"I think they're bubble-gum heads who believe one of these things: A. I'm a tomboy B. Scooter and I are dating, and the last one –I'm a wannabe lesbian," ticking off each concept with her fingers. "On the other hand, they are the same people who also believe one of them should be your girlfriend," she sighed. "Go figure."
Laughing at her expression, Adam couldn't resist. "But they look so good." Seeing her backpack swing toward him, he agreed. "Okay, okay! Maybe you're right. I still need that help though."
"Sure. I'll see you at the library." Despite his laughing face, Julie could still sense Adam had something on his mind. Scooter probably would have an idea.
Meanwhile, Adam started looking forward to the end of the day.
** **
Practice"10 laps, NOW!" Coach roared.
Dwayne sighed while Connie murmured to Guy. "Is it me, or is Coach just in lousy mood?" Guy shrugged his shoulders.
"Yessir! Right away Coach Doom!" Averman quipped quietly, not even really into joke making since it had been a long hard practice. Usually, the team would lap the rink in one big group with Luis, Adam, and Charlie in the front with the rest in the middle and Goldberg and Dwayne taking their time in the back. Today, only Charlie accompanied him in the lead. Adam impulsively stayed back to keep pace with Julie. Fulton and Portman exchanged a glance, but didn't comment. However, Russ wasn't about to pass o a chance to pull ahead without a word. "Hey Banks, you slowing down on us?"
The rest of the team didn't understand the chuckles from Julie and Adam. "You have no clue," Adam answered. "Maybe it's the company I keep."
Amid the laughs and teasing, the gang continued to make tentative plans for later that night and finished the laps under Coach Orion's gaze.
In the "girls" section of the locker room, Connie demanded, "So what was all that about? You gonna tell me?"
Taking off her gear, Julie grinned. "Maybe, maybe not."
"Never mind!"
"Alright! You know how we both have PE during sixth period? Well, Ms. Miller's is out for athletic blood, sweat, and tears."
"The woman should go on medication! About a month ago, she had this anti guy thing and you know all last year she just hated anybody with more than one X chromosome!"
"Uh, Connie, I think she IS on medication. I guess the only thing is to wait it out." Finishing up and throwing everything into the bag, she threw an aside to Connie. "I might be late coming back tonight."
"Dance lessons?" Connie said, more of a statement than a question.
"No, I'm meeting someone," Julie hedged.
Turning around Connie really looked at Julie. "You're not eating dinner with us? You've been spending a lot of time with Scooter lately." Ignoring Julie's protests, Connie continued, "I know he's just a friend. You know that, Scooter knows that, I know that; but how many other people know? Or to keep it simple, how many of our teammates really know, Jules?" Sighing, Connie closed her locker. "Never mind. I'll see you later."
"Thanks."
Hurrying back to her room in the sophomore dormitories, Julie gathered her stuff. Brushing her hair a bit more than necessary, she thought, I'm acting ridiculous! It's only a study session! I've had study sessions with Scooter before! There's nothing special about this one!
A little niggling voice from the back of her mind objected. But it's not only Scooter you're meeting. Frustrated, Julie spoke aloud "Hush!" and laughed at herself as she left the room and walked toward the library. Reaching the building, she stood on the top of the steps and saw Scooter living up to his nickname and rushing toward the building. Relieved, Julie started scanning for a glimpse of Adam. Scooter suddenly appeared in front of her with a hopeful and ecstatic expression on his face before he leaned down and kissed Julie on the lips as if she was his salvation.
** **
Notes: Darn! I still have no action… Please forgive me for the delay. I'm trying my best to balance 3 different stories and all three are battling for attention…I swear I'm trying to get to the action…I hope you don't mind too much and thank you for being patient! Please read and review please! Thanks!