Chapter 4
"Look, everyone; it's the hippie chick from California," Clive called out the next morning. He pointed to Isabelle, who was at her locker, as everyone snickered. She rolled her eyes and caught sight of Gerry out of the corner of her eye, standing down the hall. He looked a little disturbed and was slowly walking over to them. Oh no, he's going to try to save this damsel in distress, she thought sourly.
"Peace," Isabelle snapped at Clive. The arrogant teenager swaggered over to her and leaned against the locker next to hers.
"Where's your hippie boyfriend? Shouldn't you two be smoking some marijuana or something? You look like you're having withdrawal."
She narrowed her eyes and closed her locker. "I wouldn't be looking like this if you hadn't taken my make up from me this morning."
Everyone in the halls laughed, and Clive felt his ears burning with embarrassment. Shown up; by a girl! "You probably went to Woodstock—"
"And what's wrong with that?" She could see Gerry edging closer and closer. Why does he have to look so *good* in those pants? Isabelle thought irritably, rubbing her damp palms on her skirt.
"Look, hippies just don't belong here in Alexandria," Clive yelled out of nowhere. He wasn't having a good morning, and having this new girl take his harassment in stride wasn't cutting it for him.
"You think I'm a hippie?" she asked, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Just you wait and see."
"She's still not talking to you?" Rev asked Gerry, yet again the next morning. He nodded. Isabelle was distracting him more than he thought she would be doing, and with their first game the next day, that wasn't good for him. He needed to be focused and he needed to reserve his energy for the field. The team had something to prove tomorrow night and he intended to help lead the Titans to victory. Coach Boone and Coach Yoast had individually taken him aside to ask if he was all right and then gave him lectures on his duties as captain, his responsibilities and obligations, and how his focal point wasn't where it needed to be. Rev sighed and shook his head as Sunshine and Petey joined them by Gerry's locker. "You need to resolve this thing with her soon or bad things might happen."
"Yeah, I know," Gerry said, scratching his head. He looked up and saw Clive and his goons hang around the area of Isabelle's locker and he creased his forehead suspiciously. Something was going to happen today… Suddenly, he heard Petey gasp.
"Ohmigod," he said, hushed, trying to hold back his laughter. "She is so asking for trouble. . ."
Gerry looked at what Petey was staring at and his jaw dropped open. Isabelle was walking down the hall in full stereotypical hippie attire: extra large bellbottoms with a colorfully woven belt, a white long-sleeved peasant shirt with floral embroidery, and tan sandals. She straightened her usually curly hair and wrapped a leather strap around her forehead, she wore a necklace with a big peace sign pendant and matching rings and earrings. She had tinted John Lennon sunglasses on the tip of her nose and flipped her hair over her shoulders to emphasize the piece of hemp around her neck.
"She's one brave soul," Rev murmured, his eyes wide with astonishment.
"Morning, Clive," she greeted, approaching her locker. "Missed you at the protest this morning."
He glared at her as students laughed at her joke. "You think you're so clever, don't you?" he said lowly, trying to restrain his anger. He was shown up again! When Clive Henry doesn't finish his breakfast, he is one person not to mess with.
She stopped combing her locker for her history paper and looked thoughtfully at him. "Just a little."
"Did you see Isabelle and that get-up?" Emma asked Gerry at lunch. He nodded. "She's really looking for trouble with Clive."
He shrugged. "It was just a harmless prank. I thought it was kinda funny."
"Funny?" she asked incredulously. "It's just, she's new here and being sarcastic and mean during her first week ain't exactly smart or funny. It ain't wise to make enemies when you're new, Gerry."
Gerry leaned back on his elbow on the grass and looked up at Emma. She's so pretty, he thought, studying her as she stared off into space. She glanced down at him and smiled, blushing. "What are you staring at?"
"You," he grinned. He suddenly stood up and wiped his jeans off of any grass that might've stuck onto his behind. "I'm just gonna use the bathroom real quick, okay?" She nodded and watched him walk away to the school's entrance, and then turned back to see his teammates in their usual spot, goofing off.
She thought, But, where's Isabelle?
Is someone following me? Isabelle thought, as she walked down the hallway at lunch that afternoon. She was on her way back outside, having dropped off something for a teacher, when she heard footsteps nearing her. Familiar footsteps. She stopped and did an about face only to see Clive and his two friends approaching her; and they looked miffed.
"*Now* what do you want?" she groaned.
"I think we need to have a little talk," Clive said, stopping in front of her. He looked her in the eye and she mentally backed down. He looks. . . like he's going. . . to explode, she thought. "You think you can just waltz right into Alexandria and make a fool outta me? No, missy, don't work like that 'round here."
"Well, I'm sorry I offended you. Now, I'm going—"
"I ain't done," he said, his voice low and ominous. "You just don't know when to back off; all you Californian activists and shit. You come here an' try an' act different; hanging out with those darker kids." He started walking closer to her, trying to intimidate her, and it worked. Just a little.
"Then, I'll stay out of your way," she offered. "Forever."
"Too late." Clive continued to edge closer, and the look he was giving her startled Isabelle. She backed up a little, but Clive continued on.
What is wrong with this guy?! Isabelle thought, suddenly backing herself up against a locker. Great, I'm trapped. She watched him get closer. He wouldn't hit a girl, would he? She winced when he was just a few inches away from her. Or on second thought. . .
"Look, just leave me alone, okay? I'm sorry for everything I've done and I'll stay out of your way. Just leave me alone."
He smiled at her. "Ain't so clever now, eh?"
"Oh, please, get *off* of me," she exclaimed, pushing him squarely on his shoulders. "I've better things to do than to continue this argument." She started to push past him when he roughly grabbed her arm. "Ow! Watch it!" He yanked her back in the middle of him and his friends and the two glared at each other.
"Isabelle?"
She peaked out from in front of Clive to see who was calling her. She felt a wave of relief wash over her and glanced up at the ceiling, silently thanking God.
"Gerry, hi!" she exclaimed, wrenching her arm out of Clive's grip. She scurried past him and stood next to him. She stood so close, that she tentatively picked a piece of lint off his shoulder and then looked back up and mockingly gave Clive her best game face.
"Butt out, Bertier," Clive said with annoyance, ignoring Isabelle. "How bout you mind your own business?"
"How bout I don't?" Gerry suggested calmly. "I believe Isabelle asked you to leave her alone. So, why don't you leave her alone?"
"Why don't you leave *us* alone? I have a few issues to settle with her."
Gerry walked up to Clive and looked him in the eye. In a low voice he said, "If you don't leave Isabelle alone, I swear to you, I'll break something inside of you." He paused and thoughtfully added, "don't forget; she's pretty close with a majority of the football team, too."
"Is that a threat?"
"No, that's a warning."
He watched as Clive and his friends back down and leave in a huff and he turned around to find Isabelle standing there a small smile on her lips. She clapped her hands and walked towards him.
"Thanks, Gerry," she said sincerely. He smiled and put an arm around her shoulders. "I'm sorry for how I've been treating you lately. I practically wrote you off as non-existent, but you still came to my rescue."
"Course I did," he grinned. He paused. "Can't we be friends at least?"
She put her arms around his waist and gave him a friendly squeeze. "Yes; I'd love to be friends with you." She smiled ear to ear and let herself hug Gerry once more. She loved the feeling of his arm around her, his eyes looking into hers. . . but, no. She stopped herself from running away with her fantasies. He was taken already. She took a deep breath and changed the subject. "So, congratulations! The guys were ranting and raving about your first game; heard it was a smash."
He pulled his arm away hooked it through hers as he started leading her back outside. "It was—we hope you can make it to our next game. But, anyway, how was your date with Ray?"
*Okay, I'm mistaken (for those of you who already read this part). The whole Gerry standing up Julius for a game of basketball happens before their second game. So anyway that part still happens—I just don't feel like writing it in.*
Despite getting along off the field and during practice, hostilities were up and running among the Titans the night of their second game. Particularly between Julius and Gerry. The night air was as thick and suffocating as it was on the first day of school. After Gerry had turned away from Julius, he looked up to scan the crowds in the bleachers. He found Emma almost immediately, a swirl of smoke escaping her mouth with her every breath with the coolness of September slowly taking place of the humid summer nights. But, his eyes passed over her as he continued searching for someone else. He was pulled away by Coach Boone before he found what he wasn't exactly sure he was looking for.
"Well, at least his focus is back," Alan pointed out to Sunshine, watching Gerry giving his team a spirited pep talk.
The game went on, and the guys managed to pull together for a victory. With the pressure of the game behind them, the Titans were back to their old fun-loving, relaxed selves as they bounded into the locker room bursting with energy and excitement. They hurriedly dressed and went out to the bus, eager to see the reactions of their family and friends.
"What are you doing to celebrate? Wanna go out to eat or something?" Julius asked on the bus. Gerry smiled, glad that he and his friend had silently and mutually made up.
"Ah, no. Emma and I are gonna go do somethin'."
"Oh, a little side celebration? I see how it is," Blue teased, nudging him.
Gerry laughed and held up his hands. "No, no, nothin' like that." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully and continued, "But, you know. . ." His friends laughed around him, when he saw the small crowd waiting for them in front of the school. He easily picked out Emma's blond head, as she waited for him, brimming with pride and excitement.
"Congratulations! That was a great game!" Emma exclaimed breathlessly, throwing herself into his arms. She kissed him briefly and pulled away.
"Thanks," he grinned. He put an arm around her waist and led her to where Rev and Petey were standing, and formally introduced them to Emma. He swallowed nervously, waiting to see how she would react this time around. Then, to his surprise and delight, she saw her extend her hand out. "What. . .? What changed your mind about--?" he asked her.
"Isabelle came to the game late and we sat next to each other. I said something and she. . . she just pointed out a few things to me and helped me see the error in my ways," Emma told him. "She's really nice. Maybe on Monday we can join them at lunch?"
Gerry beamed at her. "You really mean that?" Just then, Julius came up to them and was re-introduced to the "new and improved" Emma. He grinned at her and then looked up at Gerry, who said, "I heard Isabelle was in the stands tonight. You seen her?"
Julius shot him a look of hesitancy and nodded for Gerry to look behind him. Isabelle was there, congratulating Rev and Sunshine when Ray suddenly came up behind her. Startled, she turned around and threw her arms around his neck. She said something to Ray to make him laugh, and Gerry frowned. What could be so funny?
"So, where do you want to celebrate, champ?" Emma asked him. With his eyes still on Isabelle and Ray, he said
"Uh, you seem to like Isabelle. . . why don't we double up with her and Ray?"
"Sorry, man," Ray said a few minutes later, winking at his friend. "We kind of made our own plans."
"Really? Doing what?" Gerry inquired, his voice a little too brash than he intended.
"Isabelle."
She gasped and shoved him away, as Emma laughed lightly. "Very funny! I don't think so." Rolling her eyes, she turned to the couple before, "We'll probably just go out to eat or something. I really have no idea what goes on in his head."
You really wouldn't want to know, Gerry thought.
