Chapter 3
It seemed like the rest of the day would go by without incident, without excitement. And it did. As a matter of fact, I can't really remember what went on after my close encounter with Eva. I remember Audrey Kurtdale fell down the stairs and into the library, and I remember Alex Schaeffer getting jumped by the science geeks. Besides that nothing interesting happened. I think I was in some sort of a trance throughout the day, and I didn't snap out of it until I got into Jesse's truck after school. "You okay?" he asked, obviously worried."All day you were, like, out of it you know? Like in PE when Joseph Kim threw that Frisbee at your head." Maybe that's why I couldn't remember shit. "The Prosper I know wouldn't take that; the results would be bruised and bloody."I appreciated his concern, and I wished I could tell him about earlier with Eva, but I wanted to keep it quiet for now. Just for now."Ya I'm fine," I lied blatantly, "I'm just a little loaded with stuff to do. What with the dance plus normal drama.""Alright..." he complied, obviously not satisfied with my response."...but if you're in trouble or anything, you tell me, okay?""Don't worry Jess," I said calmly, hoping to ease his suspicions, "everything is totally fine." The rest of the car ride was pretty quiet after that, and I knew that it was my duty as a best friend to tell Jesse the truth. But I didn't want this to get to big, so that if things went sour, it wouldn't hurt as bad. When we finally pulled up to my dull and quiet house, I silently got out of the Chevy and bade Jesse goodbye. I could feel his eyes still staring at me but I didn't look back. Instead I pretended to be interested in my torn shoe lace, which was missing its aglet. As soon as I walked into the house I was greeted by Max, who slobbered all over my face then ran away, hearing Mom step on his favorite squeaky toy."Hi honey," she said, "how was your day of being brainwashed by society?""Oh my god Mom I told you already," I sighed, knowing exactly how this conversation would go, "no one is brainwashing me. The public school system, while it may be powerful and corrupt, has been good to me." She sniffed, then turned toward a speck of paint on the wall."I just think it's wrong for the teachers to only teach one side of the story, without making you think how the event in question affected others. Like, imagine how the JAPENESE feel about us after...you know...It's just unnatural is all.""Mom, even if your argument made ANY sense at all, and even if they WERE trying to brainwash me, it wouldn't work. I'm way too stubborn.""I know honey, trust me." We both laughed for a while, letting the happiness flood the house. It wasn't often we laughed, especially when the general was home. But when we did get a chance, we took it and enjoyed it."Well I have a ton of homework tonight, so I'll see you later, mmkay? Love you!""I love you too honey. Dinner is at six." I felt sorry for my mom. She had such a big heart, and a creative mind to boot. But when she married my dad, well, he kind of tries to take all the liveliness from her and put it away. He's a great man, he just lacks people skills. It was the same with my Grandfather and Grandmother (Dad's Side). Wonderful people, I love them to death. But Grandfather kind of kept Grandmother on a short leash...monkey see monkey do I guess... When I got up to my room the first thing I did was plop down onto my bed and reflected on the day. I didn't know what to do with the whole Eva situation. I realized only one person could help me-she had short black glossy hair, a winning smile, and had a pissy cat named Tabby. My favorite Aunt Esma. She always was there helping me through tough times, and was great at keeping secrets. I called her up and described my predicament. "Well hon, sounds to me like that car needs a push," she said as she slurped on a cosmopolitan, "why don't you try to make a move?""I'm just nervous to blow this out of proportion, you know?""Well it's better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all.""Auntie that's so cliché.""Then bite me. I have to go know Tabby's eating a rat I love you darlin'!""I love you too Aunt Esma. See you soon...". As the line went dead I heard her yelling at Tabby, and hearing that cat hissing. I thought about what Aunt Esma had said. I decided I would make a move, but which exactly? For sure something small, something suttle, something...something that is totally a great idea. I would ask her to the dance on Friday. It's smart, it's simple, and if she rejects me I'll be alone and dateless. The plan is fool proof!