Andrew Clark was walking the halls with pride. He had won Shermer a spot in the semifinals in the state wrestling championship last week. After the match in three weeks time, he'd be in the state finals, and he could be state champion for the second year in a row. He knew scouts from top schools around the country would be watching his performance; some already were, coach Frazier told him so. IU would be a most-likely first choice, seeing as how he was already a local. A scout from there already wanted to interview him at the end if the week about a possible sports scholarship.
"Hey, Clark! Great job!" The voice came from the right side of the hallway and soon it caught up to him in the form of the wrestling team's captain, Steven Dudek, but everyone knew him simply as Stubby. He gave his teammate a slap on the back to congratulate him on his advancement to victory.
"Wow, man! I never though you could pull off a full nelson like that."
"Yeah, my dad's been having me practice for that match the entire month, I'm just glad I'll be able to relax for a couple days. That is, until my dad starts boot camp up again
Andy just sighed to himself, knowing his dad wouldn't be happy until the day he got accepted to college on a full, athletic scholarship—"the ride" as hid dad called it. He couldn't blow his ride on easy street. He'd get a free ride for doing what he did best while living in a dormitory away from his obsessive dad, away from the pressure of performing as expected. He could go at his own pace and start living life for once. Stubby interrupted his brief daydream.
"In honor of our success, I'm so throwing a party tonight! You really need to come." Andy shook his head.
"Nah,I think I'll just pass on that. I really should get training."
"Come on, man! You missed my last bash due to detention. You owe it to yourself after all that hard work you put in for the team." Andy just shrugged him off again.
"Dude! Claire Standish will be there! She's probably the biggest babe in Shermer!" Andy perked up at the mention of that name; he thought back to Saturday and how he mentioned the last of Stubby's parties to her.
"See, I knew you'd be interested if I mentioned her!"
"Look, Stubby, we're just friends."
"Buddy, just go tonight and talk to her. It'll be a good time. All the cool kids will be there. Plus, Claire's free. If things work out between you two, you could so get with her." Stubby forced his point home by playfully elbowing Andy in the ribs.
"I guess you're right. Yeah, what the hell, I'll go." Stubby smiled and slapped him on the back.
"There ya go! Don't worry, my parents won't be home until Monday, so we can have a crazy time, bro! Just stop by around 7:30 and bring a friend or two!" Steve ran off as the bell rang, which signaled the beginning of the next period. Andy sauntered off towards his Chemistry class.