Chapter Fourteen:
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
Just as summer began, it ends with my alarm clock singing at the top of its lungs; waking me up from a deep, although groggy, sleep. My eyes snap open and I once again feel awful. Only this time it isn't only because I have to go back to school today. It's also because I realize all over again that it's over with Cary and me. It has been three weeks since our break up and those have been the toughest three weeks of my life.
I roll over onto my side and close my eyes, as if by doing so I'll postpone summertime a little longer. I should be feeling better, stronger even, because my friends have been so supportive of me; taking me places, forcing me to go even when I didn't want to.
"You need to get out, Kristy." Mary Anne told me.
"She's right, you know, it isn't the end of the world." Stacey said.
It was a little difficult to believe that. I mean, people are always saying that it isn't the end of the world-but then why does it hurt so much? There's a loud knock at my door, then before even a moment passes, someone opens it.
"Kristy?" Sam's voice.
"What do you want?" I ask him pointedly, pulling the covers over my head.
"If you want a ride to school, you'll need to hurry up." He tells me.
After a minute, I mumble a reply, "Give me five minutes."
Sam doesn't say anything, just leaves my room. Once he's gone, I begin to think about the thing that hurts the most: Cary broke it off with me only days after we had slept together. My thoughts dwell on that all the while I get dressed. I throw on a sweater and jeans, returning back to the Kristy that everyone knows and loves…well, almost everyone…
As I climb down the stairs, Sam sneers at me playfully. "So, how does it feel-sophomore?"
"When am I ever going to be old enough to be respected around here?" I ask, pony-tailing my hair.
"Being the little sister?" Sam snorted. "Never."
"So, how are we holding up, Kristy?" Claudia asks me as I open up my locker.
"We are holding up just fine-it's me that I'm worried about." I tell her.
She smiles at me sympathetically and pats my shoulder. "Well, if it's any constellation, you look a lot better-you're sleeping now, right?"
"Yes. I'm sleeping more often than I'm living." I tell her good-naturedly. Then I smile as I add, "And it's consolation."
"What is?" Claud asks.
Before I could explain to her, Mary Anne and Stacey join us. If we had Dawn, Mallory and Jessi with us the circle would be complete. Sigh, summer really is over.
Mary Anne smiles at me comfortingly and takes my hand. "Ready to go?"
"Sure." I tell them. "Where are your first classes?"
We begin to compare schedules, after a while, Alan joins us.
"Hey, Kristy." He greets me with a strange smile.
I give him a half smile but I can't bring myself to be warm to him, after all, he was Cary's best friend for the longest time. Part of me wonders if the two are alike in some ways. I can't bear the thought of Alan hurting Claud the way Cary hurt me. Then I shake my head, more than likely; it's Claud who'd carry the upper hand of the relationship.
The bell rings then; Stacey and Mary Anne's first class is in G-wing. Claud is the only one in A-wing. The big surprise is that Alan and I have the same homeroom. Alan seems unusually friendly today; I notice that with some suspicion. He isn't usually this interested in my life.
As we round the corner, we bump into the last person I wish to see: Cary Retlin. It seems weird seeing him after three weeks. Cary's set features fall when he sees me, they soften almost, but then harden again.
"Alan." He says, nodding slightly to Alan.
"Cary." Alan replies smugly.
Cary moves away then. He walks down the hallway and enters a classroom without so much a second glance at me. Tears spring into my eyes and I lean against the wall for support.
"Kristy! Are you okay?" asks Alan, touching my shoulder.
"He didn't even notice me." I say. I don't mean to tell him but the words just tumble out.
Alan's eyebrows shoot up. "You mean-you and Cary-you broke up?"
I nod and wipe away a stray tear that has reached all the way to my chin.
"Oh, Kristy, I'm sorry." He adds, "Why did you dump him?"
I look up at him. "What?"
Alan shrugs, looking perplexed. "I just thought…well, since he was seeing Merrie Dow while he was dating you…" His expression falls as I stare at him murderously. "…You didn't know?"
"No…no, I didn't!" I exclaim.
"I just figured that you found out." Alan says with child like innocent that I don't buy for a minute.
The tardy bell rings and I head off in the other direction hastily.
"Kristy! You'll be late."
"So will you." I yell over my shoulder. "I'll be fine, just go."
I hurry to the girl's bathroom and lock myself in a stall. I cry here now. There's a heavy feeling in my chest and I can't breathe. At the moment I can't do anything but cry. I feel hurt that Cary would have seen another girl while he was dating me. I feel hurt that he used me for his own pleasure. And I feel hurt that he never cared.
I cry for nearly five minutes before my sobs reduce to sniffles. I have to pull myself together. I head out of the stall and look at my reflection in the mirror…it isn't a pretty sight. My eyes are red and puffy and my skin is pale. The facet swishes as I turn it on and splash cold water over my face. It feels comforting but not particularly better. The intercom crackles on and our principal, Mr. Princeridge's voice comes on.
"Welcome new and returning students of Stoneybrook High School…we hope that you will have a tremendously fun and productive year. We highly encourage you that you join up in the numerous clubs and sports SHS has to offer. Meetings for the Drama Club and National Forensics League are this Tuesday during lunch in A101. The Girls' Softball Team will hold their tryouts next week Friday after school…That will be all for now… More announcements for clubs or sports in the curriculum will be coming…Once again, have a great year!"
The intercom switched off and I shook my head. That welcoming announcement had been almost identical to the one Mr. Princeridge told during my freshman year. My mind snapped to the announcement he made about the Girls' Softball team and that pushed my present issues about Cary aside. I hadn't joined the team last year because I wanted to get better situated in high school before I made any commitments to sports. As I left the bathroom I came face to face with Cary. Nearly bumped into him actually.
"C-Cary!" I exclaimed, freezing in my spot.
"Kristy." He said wispily.
We stared at each other in silence for several moments before I turned away.
"Kristy, I-" He began, but I didn't give him the chance to finish.
"Just forget it." I snapped at him. I had to get away from him. My pride was diminishing with every second that I was near him.
As I rounded a corner, I made a decision. I would try out for the Softball team this year. It might not heal all, but it would keep me busy and I wouldn't have to spend the next few months mourning over Cary Retlin…I hoped.
Epilogue
As it turned out, joining the team that year was the best thing that I ever did. I just barely made it onto the first-string list because of how rusty I had become, even with all the coaching that I did with the Krushers. But with the help of my teammates and Coach Bednarzyk I was able to become a sharp batter and pitcher and we ended up winning the championship for the season.
Believe it or not, that wasn't the best thing of the year. During our last game, there was a talent scout in the stands. He had heard of our winnings from all the way in California (thoughts of my father enter my mind; I don't need to tell you how he and Cary seem more alike now than ever…) and came to see what could be made of a few 'country bumpkins'.
Well, he didn't choose a few country bumpkins. Only one. Me. After our game, he was waiting by the locker room, talking with Coach B. The two pulled me aside and talked to me about putting me on a newly formed women's baseball team. I eagerly agreed and told my family.
Mom and Watson were hesitant to put me on a full-touring sports team but I begged and pleaded and bargained until I felt like I had volunteered everything but the very soul in my body. I feel now that I was just trying to run away from Stoneybrook, even for a little while. I needed something new and away. Finally they relented and I set out for five years of playing for the Connecticut Coulees. After the five I signed a ten-year multi-million contract to be the first female player in the Major Leagues. I never dreamed that I would be doing that-it was always something I imagined Abby would be doing.
I haven't been back to Stoneybrook for nearly fifteen years now…but part of me still lives there…perhaps a part of me that will never leave. No matter how far I travel or how long I'm away, I'll always think of Cary. And that's the thing that scares me the most.
Finis
Note: Thank you for reading my first BSC fanfic. I realize this isn't a very satisfying ending, but Kristy will be returning in a sequel fic that I am writing entitled: The Reunion or whatever seems appropriate. J J J
--wildnfree21
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
Just as summer began, it ends with my alarm clock singing at the top of its lungs; waking me up from a deep, although groggy, sleep. My eyes snap open and I once again feel awful. Only this time it isn't only because I have to go back to school today. It's also because I realize all over again that it's over with Cary and me. It has been three weeks since our break up and those have been the toughest three weeks of my life.
I roll over onto my side and close my eyes, as if by doing so I'll postpone summertime a little longer. I should be feeling better, stronger even, because my friends have been so supportive of me; taking me places, forcing me to go even when I didn't want to.
"You need to get out, Kristy." Mary Anne told me.
"She's right, you know, it isn't the end of the world." Stacey said.
It was a little difficult to believe that. I mean, people are always saying that it isn't the end of the world-but then why does it hurt so much? There's a loud knock at my door, then before even a moment passes, someone opens it.
"Kristy?" Sam's voice.
"What do you want?" I ask him pointedly, pulling the covers over my head.
"If you want a ride to school, you'll need to hurry up." He tells me.
After a minute, I mumble a reply, "Give me five minutes."
Sam doesn't say anything, just leaves my room. Once he's gone, I begin to think about the thing that hurts the most: Cary broke it off with me only days after we had slept together. My thoughts dwell on that all the while I get dressed. I throw on a sweater and jeans, returning back to the Kristy that everyone knows and loves…well, almost everyone…
As I climb down the stairs, Sam sneers at me playfully. "So, how does it feel-sophomore?"
"When am I ever going to be old enough to be respected around here?" I ask, pony-tailing my hair.
"Being the little sister?" Sam snorted. "Never."
"So, how are we holding up, Kristy?" Claudia asks me as I open up my locker.
"We are holding up just fine-it's me that I'm worried about." I tell her.
She smiles at me sympathetically and pats my shoulder. "Well, if it's any constellation, you look a lot better-you're sleeping now, right?"
"Yes. I'm sleeping more often than I'm living." I tell her good-naturedly. Then I smile as I add, "And it's consolation."
"What is?" Claud asks.
Before I could explain to her, Mary Anne and Stacey join us. If we had Dawn, Mallory and Jessi with us the circle would be complete. Sigh, summer really is over.
Mary Anne smiles at me comfortingly and takes my hand. "Ready to go?"
"Sure." I tell them. "Where are your first classes?"
We begin to compare schedules, after a while, Alan joins us.
"Hey, Kristy." He greets me with a strange smile.
I give him a half smile but I can't bring myself to be warm to him, after all, he was Cary's best friend for the longest time. Part of me wonders if the two are alike in some ways. I can't bear the thought of Alan hurting Claud the way Cary hurt me. Then I shake my head, more than likely; it's Claud who'd carry the upper hand of the relationship.
The bell rings then; Stacey and Mary Anne's first class is in G-wing. Claud is the only one in A-wing. The big surprise is that Alan and I have the same homeroom. Alan seems unusually friendly today; I notice that with some suspicion. He isn't usually this interested in my life.
As we round the corner, we bump into the last person I wish to see: Cary Retlin. It seems weird seeing him after three weeks. Cary's set features fall when he sees me, they soften almost, but then harden again.
"Alan." He says, nodding slightly to Alan.
"Cary." Alan replies smugly.
Cary moves away then. He walks down the hallway and enters a classroom without so much a second glance at me. Tears spring into my eyes and I lean against the wall for support.
"Kristy! Are you okay?" asks Alan, touching my shoulder.
"He didn't even notice me." I say. I don't mean to tell him but the words just tumble out.
Alan's eyebrows shoot up. "You mean-you and Cary-you broke up?"
I nod and wipe away a stray tear that has reached all the way to my chin.
"Oh, Kristy, I'm sorry." He adds, "Why did you dump him?"
I look up at him. "What?"
Alan shrugs, looking perplexed. "I just thought…well, since he was seeing Merrie Dow while he was dating you…" His expression falls as I stare at him murderously. "…You didn't know?"
"No…no, I didn't!" I exclaim.
"I just figured that you found out." Alan says with child like innocent that I don't buy for a minute.
The tardy bell rings and I head off in the other direction hastily.
"Kristy! You'll be late."
"So will you." I yell over my shoulder. "I'll be fine, just go."
I hurry to the girl's bathroom and lock myself in a stall. I cry here now. There's a heavy feeling in my chest and I can't breathe. At the moment I can't do anything but cry. I feel hurt that Cary would have seen another girl while he was dating me. I feel hurt that he used me for his own pleasure. And I feel hurt that he never cared.
I cry for nearly five minutes before my sobs reduce to sniffles. I have to pull myself together. I head out of the stall and look at my reflection in the mirror…it isn't a pretty sight. My eyes are red and puffy and my skin is pale. The facet swishes as I turn it on and splash cold water over my face. It feels comforting but not particularly better. The intercom crackles on and our principal, Mr. Princeridge's voice comes on.
"Welcome new and returning students of Stoneybrook High School…we hope that you will have a tremendously fun and productive year. We highly encourage you that you join up in the numerous clubs and sports SHS has to offer. Meetings for the Drama Club and National Forensics League are this Tuesday during lunch in A101. The Girls' Softball Team will hold their tryouts next week Friday after school…That will be all for now… More announcements for clubs or sports in the curriculum will be coming…Once again, have a great year!"
The intercom switched off and I shook my head. That welcoming announcement had been almost identical to the one Mr. Princeridge told during my freshman year. My mind snapped to the announcement he made about the Girls' Softball team and that pushed my present issues about Cary aside. I hadn't joined the team last year because I wanted to get better situated in high school before I made any commitments to sports. As I left the bathroom I came face to face with Cary. Nearly bumped into him actually.
"C-Cary!" I exclaimed, freezing in my spot.
"Kristy." He said wispily.
We stared at each other in silence for several moments before I turned away.
"Kristy, I-" He began, but I didn't give him the chance to finish.
"Just forget it." I snapped at him. I had to get away from him. My pride was diminishing with every second that I was near him.
As I rounded a corner, I made a decision. I would try out for the Softball team this year. It might not heal all, but it would keep me busy and I wouldn't have to spend the next few months mourning over Cary Retlin…I hoped.
Epilogue
As it turned out, joining the team that year was the best thing that I ever did. I just barely made it onto the first-string list because of how rusty I had become, even with all the coaching that I did with the Krushers. But with the help of my teammates and Coach Bednarzyk I was able to become a sharp batter and pitcher and we ended up winning the championship for the season.
Believe it or not, that wasn't the best thing of the year. During our last game, there was a talent scout in the stands. He had heard of our winnings from all the way in California (thoughts of my father enter my mind; I don't need to tell you how he and Cary seem more alike now than ever…) and came to see what could be made of a few 'country bumpkins'.
Well, he didn't choose a few country bumpkins. Only one. Me. After our game, he was waiting by the locker room, talking with Coach B. The two pulled me aside and talked to me about putting me on a newly formed women's baseball team. I eagerly agreed and told my family.
Mom and Watson were hesitant to put me on a full-touring sports team but I begged and pleaded and bargained until I felt like I had volunteered everything but the very soul in my body. I feel now that I was just trying to run away from Stoneybrook, even for a little while. I needed something new and away. Finally they relented and I set out for five years of playing for the Connecticut Coulees. After the five I signed a ten-year multi-million contract to be the first female player in the Major Leagues. I never dreamed that I would be doing that-it was always something I imagined Abby would be doing.
I haven't been back to Stoneybrook for nearly fifteen years now…but part of me still lives there…perhaps a part of me that will never leave. No matter how far I travel or how long I'm away, I'll always think of Cary. And that's the thing that scares me the most.
Finis
Note: Thank you for reading my first BSC fanfic. I realize this isn't a very satisfying ending, but Kristy will be returning in a sequel fic that I am writing entitled: The Reunion or whatever seems appropriate. J J J
--wildnfree21