Deep Blue Something
Chapter Four: Strike out
The sunlight shined on my metal mailbox making it too hot to touch. I ran through the grass on my lawn in my bare feet as I went to get the mail. I heard from Veruca that she got her report card and so did Carly. Of course Veruca got "A's" and Carly got her own potluck of grades in range from "B's" to "D's". So there's probably hope for me which is just great.
I touched the scorching hot mailbox and quickly grabbed out the pile of mail that was stuffed carelessly into our mailbox. The pile consisted of magazines, bills, my report card, and a letter from Eden who was expecting us in Daytona Beach next Saturday; thankfully we were going to a hotel instead of staying in Eden's cramped apartment.
Maddy stood by the door waiting to see if there was any mail for her. Of course she figured everything was for her which was very Maddy like of her to be selfish. Yet again I was like that when I was the youngest child so maybe it's just a youngest child thing.
"What did I get," Maddy asked as I walked to the door.
"Do you want the bills," I replied bitterly.
"No, then I'd have to pay them," she chuckled.
"Well then, you can read mom's gardening magazine," I said in a voice of fake excitement.
"Uh, okay," she shrugged.
I handed her the magazine and she ran inside throwing everything else besides my report card on to the coffee table. I ran into my room and jumped on to my bed with the report card and opened it up.
Dear Parent/Guardian,
Enclosed in this letter is your child's final report card. On the report card contains their grades for the year in all four quarters, their final exam grades, as well as the classes they've decided to take next year. Most of the classes were chosen based upon recommendations by their teachers during the third marking period. The student also chose to either continue or not continue their studies in a foreign language, in a music or arts sequence, or in a business and/or health sequence such as child psychology or health.
Please discuss your child's report card with them. Tell them you're proud of them and what you want them to improve in. Helping your child without criticizing them is the best way to go about a situation involving low grades. Also enclosed if necessary is an application for summer school if your child failed up to three classes. If your child failed more than three classes then they will be repeating the grade over again next year.
Sincerely,
Donna Ungermyer
Principal of Hill Ridge High School
Oh man, is that some kind of generic letter they give every school when they send out report cards? Yet again whenever we get a letter sent home about anything it always emphasizes the importance of parent-child communication and trying to bridge the "generation gap".
There's not much of a gap between my parents and me. We talk about everything, well mostly my mom and I. My dad's away a lot on business trips and my mom works at library as a librarian. We talk…about books though. We talk about how the main character deals with their pain and emotions and what not. It's kind of odd, but yet again in the words of Miranda Sanchez "Its Parker…she's weird!" or "I can't believe how weird Parker is."
I threw the cover letter on the floor and found the next letter, the course recommendation letter. Fun, this is just great. I was so indecisive when it came to choosing my courses.
Student: McKenzie, Parker Laurel
Course selections:
Math 10H
Global History 10
English 10H
Regents Biology 10
Symphonic Band
French 10
It's confusing, but let me explain it. Anything with an "H" next to it is an honors class. Honors means that you're smart, but you're not smart enough to go on to an accelerated class, which for example would be Math 11. I take symphonic band which basically band with a fancy name. I play the clarinet.
I threw the course selection sheet on to the floor and examined my report card.
Final exam grades:
Global History 77
English 97
Math 93
Earth Science 85
French 100
First Quarter Grades:
Global History 71
English 99
Math 95
Earth Science 84
French 96
Gym 90
Symphonic Band 95
Average: 90 High Honor Roll
Second Quarter Grades:
Global History 69
English 95
Math 95
Earth Science 82
French 97
Gym 90
Symphonic Band 95
Average: 89 Honor Roll
Third Quarter Grades:
Global History 63
English 97
Math 98
Earth Science 83
French 99
Gym 90
Symphonic Band 100
Average: 90 High Honor Roll
Fourth Quarter Grades:
Global History 72
English 98
Math 96
Earth Science 87
French 94
Gym 92
Symphonic Band 97
Average: 90.8 High Honor Roll
Year Round Averages:
Global History 68.75
English 97.25
Math 96
Earth Science 85
French 96.5
Gym 90.5
Symphonic Band 96.75
Final Average: 90.11
I felt like jumping up and down like a mad woman. I passed Global History by 4.75 points! I have a "D" average in that class but I don't care! I passed!
I squealed and started dancing around in circles; obviously I couldn't hear anything with all my squeal and hadn't noticed that Carly and Veruca were standing in my doorway.
"She passed didn't she," Carly asked Veruca.
"Yes she did," Veruca nodded. "Either that or Gordo asked her out."
"The midget," Carly chuckled.
I stopped in my tracks and stared at Carly, "Don't call him a midget."
Veruca snickered, "Sorry, he is kind of short."
"Why are you guys here," I asked coldly.
Carly sighed, "We're going over to the Jefferson Bowling Alley to celebrate. And Ronnie is going to be there!"
Veruca put her hand over Carly's mouth, "Simmer down, you only met the guy yesterday and it's like you're married to him."
"What about Maddy," I sighed.
"Drop her off at the library with your mom," Carly suggested. "Do anything to send her away. Maybe you can find one of Ronnie's friends to go out with."
"I'd rather have a root canal."
Carly looked confused and Veruca explained, "Interpretation: if he isn't Gordo, then no. Parker…Remember what I told you."
"Yes I do," I sighed.
"Parker," Maddy squealed. "I'm going across the street to Jamie's house! I'll be back at five!"
"Okay, whatever," I sighed.
"Problem solved," Carly smiled. "My mom is waiting outside and please do not mention Ronnie or any boys. She's kind of…"
"Paranoid about you dating," Veruca asked.
"Exactly," Carly nodded.
I wrote a note for my mom incase she got home earlier than four o' clock. I told her we were going bowling to celebrate our report cards and Maddy was over at Jamie's across the street until 5:00pm.
We walked out of my house to see Carly's mom sitting in a silver Volkswagen beetle. Carly's mom was from Hawaii and moved to California when she was 11. During college she met Carly's father who had lived in California all of his life. They fell in love and got married and all of that lovely stuff.
"Hi girls," she said. "I'm glad you guys did well on your report cards."
"Yeah," Carly smiled. "Now Parker can leave us for a month to go to Daytona Beach."
"Carly," her mom sighed. "You always have Veruca."
"Yeah, then Veruca can get tired of me and I can bug you mom."
"Oh, I see," her mom sighed. "Well get in!"
We got into the backseat of the car. I sat in the middle with Veruca on my right and Carly on my left. We sat in silence as Carly's mom put on a country station. She started to sing along, which wasn't so bad because her mom can actually sing. Veruca started to make shadow puppets and I joined in and then Carly did too.
"Roar, I am a wolf," Carly whispered in a raspy voice.
"Help me! I'm a bunny," I squealed in a high voice.
"Remember your partner Nathan for the seventh grade wedding project," Veruca asked me.
I remembered Nathan Young. He was the farmer and I was the cop and we had the best marriage compared to Miranda who had left Ethan, Larry the postal worker and Kate the television personality, and Gordo the sanitation worker and Lizzie the lawyer. Lizzie a lawyer? Hmm, I really can't see it…she seems more like a caterer type of person. Not that catering is a bad thing, I just see her as making flowers with a vegetable or fruit platter.
"Yeah, he used to do impressions of what he called 'The fat British guy" who was obsessed with Twinkies. Then he would do impressions of the seventh grade Latin teacher, Mrs. Dutcher," I laughed.
Mrs. Neilson looked at us strangely, "Okay girls, we're here. I'll pick you guys up at around 3:30 and it's now 12:00 and remember don't get involved with any boys there, Carly."
Carly sighed, "I won't!"
We got out of the car and Mrs. Neilson pulled away.
The bowling alley looked enormous from the outside with a neon sign that said "Bowl-o-rama". The "B" was ready to burn out. The parking lot was only about half full which probably meant that it was either not that crowded or lots of people had walked there.
Sure enough, it was only half full, which wad good for us. I saw a jukebox in one of the corners near one of those crane games. Thank you, now I won't have to listen to Carly play Shakira's "The One", Nelly's "Hot in Here", Madonna's "Die another day", or any Britney Spears' song over and over again until she ran out of quarters.
"Okay," Carly said. "I'll go get everyone's bowling shoes and you guys look for Ronnie."
"Yes your majesty," Veruca said as she bowed down to her. "What does Ronnie look like?"
"Blonde spiky hair, about 5'11", blue eyes, and he has an odd voice," I explained.
"Oh, okay," Veruca nodded. "Is that him in lane nineteen bowling all alone?"
I looked over to where Veruca was pointing and indeed it was Ronnie, by himself for some strange reason. I thought he wouldn't be anti-social; yet again I'm not that smart when it comes to people skills.
Carly came running over with bowling shoes in her hands and put them on the red carpeting beneath our feet, we looked at the pile in confusion.
Veruca scratched her head, "Which ones are mine?"
"Well, not the huge ones, those are for Parker's big feet," Carly said sarcastically.
I picked up the biggest ones and Carly picked up the smallest ones because Carly has "small, cute" feet. And Veruca took the ones that were left. We began walking towards the bowling lanes.
"So, which lane do we have," Veruca asked.
"We have number twenty," Carly informed us.
"Ronnie is in nineteen," I told her.
Carly's face glowed with joy as a smile engulfed her skinny face. A smirk also developed.
"I have a plan, we challenge him to bowling. It'll be me and Veruca against you and Ronnie," Carly told us.
"Why me?"
"Because you suck at bowling," Carly sneered. "And then I can impress him because we will win!"
"Whatever," Veruca sighed. "I just want to bowl."
"Thanks Carly, I love you too," I snapped sarcastically.
We walked over to lane twenty. I was furious with Carly, she makes fun of me because she wants to impress some guy who looks like an oddball and Veruca is just being a doormat so she can avoid conflict. I love my friends, but frankly they can piss me off.
"Hi Ronnie," Carly greeted Ronnie who was currently sitting down.
"Oh hi," he replied. "Hi Parker."
Carly rolled her eyes, "She's Parker, and I'm Carly."
"Right, that's what I meant," he said in confusion. "Is that Veruca?"
"Yeah," she said. "I'm Veruca."
"So, you want to have some friendly competition against me and Veruca," Carly asked as she started to crash and burn.
"So where would Parker be?"
"I'd be on your team," I sighed.
"Cool," he said.
Carly and Veruca went over to lane twenty and I went over to lane nineteen with Ronnie. Why had Veruca agreed to abandon me for Carly as I attempted to bowl with this guy my other best friend was in love with?
"Are you good at bowling," he asked.
"Not really," I sighed. "That's why they put me over here, so they could win."
"They're being idiots, I'll help you though," he smiled.
"Okay, though the best help in the world can't help me," I said sarcastically. Then things got worse when I realized Gordo had walked into the bowling alley with Lizzie and Miranda. Great, now he was going to think I wasn't interested in him. Great…why is it that whenever Gordo comes Ronnie is there? Is there some kind of conspiracy I should know about?
I heard Veruca mumble something to Carly, but I'm not exactly sure what it was, but there was one thing I was sure of, Gordo, Miranda, and Lizzie were walking right in my direction.
"Hey Veruca," Lizzie greeted.
"Hi Carly," Miranda said to Carly.
"Hey Parker," Gordo greeted me.
"Who's your friend," they all said simultaneously as they looked at Ronnie.
Ronnie looked at Lizzie, "Hey, don't I know you from somewhere?"
"Uh yeah, we dated, you broke up with me and now you've moved on to Parker McKenzie."
Carly spoke up, "No! He doesn't like Parker! He doesn't! No!"
His face was suddenly filled with defeat, "Right, um, it's kind of obvious I'm not wanted here. Besides, I really don't want to interfere with some budding romance. Later."
He walked away sadly. I almost felt bad for him. Almost. I don't why he was offended. I mean, Lizzie doesn't offend anyone. Gordo is too nice. Maybe it was Miranda; she hates me so maybe she hates anyone who associates with me.
"I'll be right back," I said as I ran after Ronnie. What was my body doing? Why was I running after the guy my best friend was totally infatuated with? Why?
"Ronnie," I called after him. "What's wrong?"
"I have to go anyway," he said in defeat. "Listen, your friend Carly, she scares me. I know she likes me and everything but she's kind of like a freaky stalker. I kind of feel like I don't belong with the whole group thing. Lizzie hates me because I broke up with her in eight grade and her friends hate me for that. Your friend Carly probably hates me for not liking her and I don't know Veruca."
"What about me," I asked curiously.
He smiled, "No comment."
"Okay," I smirked. "Listen, they've been pissing me off lately too."
"You like Lizzie's friend," he blurted out.
What? How could it be obvious to a complete stranger that I liked Gordo? How?
"How did you know," I said not looking him in the eye.
"The look on your face when he walked in, what can I say? I'm good at reading people," he smirked.
This guy was alright. He seemed nice and very fun to be around, but not as fun as Gordo.
"Right," I sighed.
"Just tell him," he said.
"I can't, he probably doesn't like me. Plus, I'm not exactly Lizzie."
"You're right," he sighed. "You're Parker."
That made absolutely no sense but it made me feel better, why was this guy complimenting me? I'm hoping he's just extremely nice. Because if he is attracted to me in any way, shape, or form then Carly would have a huge price on my head.
"That made no sense," I smirked.
"Nothing ever makes sense in this crazy, mixed up world," Ronnie said. "Listen, you need to tell him or you might miss your chance. I should probably do that, but I can't."
I was completely confused, yet again that's not exactly a rarity when it comes to Global History.
"Huh?"
"Never mind," he shook his head. "I have to go."
"Bye, it was nice seeing you," I said trying to sound somewhat nice which is contrary to what people say about me, and with that he left. Veruca then emerged from the bathroom and walked over towards me.
"He likes you," she said.
"Who?"
"Ronnie, he definitely likes you. I could hear the two of you talking. Go for him," she smiled.
"I can't," I said. Which was completely true, Carly would have a price on my head if I even touched him.
"Yeah you can, Carly doesn't have to know a thing," she smirked.
"No, I like Gordo remember."
"And Gordo isn't exactly doing cartwheels to go out with you," she snapped.
"I'm not going to go out with some guy I just met, I'm not Carly," I sighed.
"Too bad, he seems really nice," she said. "C'mon, Miranda and Lizzie are seeing who can win the most stuffed animals on the crane game."
I followed Veruca over to the crane machine. Ronnie couldn't possibly be attracted to me, no one ever has and if someone was it would upset the balance of nature.
What if he was though?
Thankfully I'll be away from Ronnie and Gordo in Daytona Beach, which is next Saturday.
Yes, next Saturday I will be free.
[A/N: The plot thickens! What will happen? Please review with your thoughts, thank you.]