Untitled Story

      This is a little story that I'm working on right now. It might grow into a bigger story or I may lose interest and junk it. Who knows with me nowadays? Anyhow, I decided to put my musings on here, for you, the random internet explorer, to peruse at your leisure. I only ask that if you do read what follows, that you fill the little comment box at the bottom and let me know what you think. Hearing people's opinion of my writing really helps me a lot and will ultimately help me to become a better writer. Anyhow, that's my plan. Thanks! Enjoy!

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      �����Bliss?
      Spring of 1994
      Marilyn S. Kurtz


      "Well, that was pointless," Jennifer grumbled as the group of girls filed out of the school gym and into the California sunlight. They sauntered towards the student parking lot, on their way to lunch.
      "I'm not complaining. Sure, hearing the principle talk about behavior during mass is boring but we got ten minutes shaved off each class plus a fifty minute lunch!" Jessica pointed out.
      "I agree with Jess on this one," Sarah announced. "The benefits far outweigh the negatives."
      "So where does everyone want to go, now that we have this extended lunch?" Angela asked. Everyone gave her a look that plainly asked if she were nuts. "Well, I thought I'd at least ask."
      "So McDonald's it is. Now, who's car should we take?" Sarah said. "I've got mine here."
      "So do I," Jess pointed out. "Let's go in mine, there's more room."
      Everyone agreed this was a plus, and they headed towards her parent's 1985 Mercury Marquis. It wasn't quite massive enough to be considered a "boat" but it was getting there. However, it was transportation and beat the pants off of taking the bus.
      Jess unlocked her door and tripped the power locks. Nothing happened. She didn't think much of it as she reached in to unlock the passenger and back seat doors manually. Everyone piled in, chattering about anything and everything. Jess inserted her key into the ignition and turned it. Again, nothing happened. Puzzled, she tried it again. Nothing, not even a sputter. The three in the back seat were still chatting but Michelle in the passenger seat noticed her expression.
      "What's wrong, Jess? Why aren't you starting it?"
      "I'm not sure." She tried again. Still nothing. What the heck could be wrong with it? She started looking at all the controls. Then she saw it: the headlight knob. With a sinking feeling, she pushed the knob back in.
      "Guys?" Everyone was still talking cheerfully, oblivious to the fact the car hadn't started yet. Jess raised her voice. "Guys?"
      "Yeah?" Sarah returned.
      "Uh, we better go in your car, Sarah. My battery's dead."
      With a chorus of groans, everyone tumbled out of the car. They headed towards Sarah's tiny Honda.
      "What am I going to do?" Jess whined.
      "Don't worry. Somebody can give you a jump after school," Sarah said.
      "But I have detention today, remember? And my dad told me you have to drive the car around for at least an hour after you jump it to charge the battery. There won't be any cars in the lot to jump from by the time I get out." She rubbed her temples. She was getting a monster headache.
      Sarah unlocked the doors to her car and they all squeezed in. "What do you have detention for?" Jenn asked, prying herself into the tiny spot between Angela and the door.
      Michelle grinned. "Remember that day, about a week ago, that was really cold?"
      "Yeah, I actually had to wear mittens when I walked to school that morning," Angela grumbled.
      "Well, Jess had to wear her coat that day because this darned stone-block school was freezing. The heaters aren't turned on until the actual first class starts," Michelle explained.
      "What does wearing your coat have to do with getting detention?" Sarah wanted to know, as she navigated the packed car out of the lot and up the street towards the nearest McDonald's.
      "Oh, I remember this now," Jenn piped up.
      "It's green," Michelle answered with a grin.
      "Oh, good lord," Sarah groused.
      "Tell me about it." Jess rolled her eyes at the memory. "I'd just gotten to Marriage class. Jenn and Michelle have it with me, second period. The second bell that starts class hadn't rung yet so I thought I was safe."
      "But just as soon as Jess sat down, Mrs. Bouska came over and gave her a detention. Just like that," Jenn recalled.
      "All because my only winter coat was green. I do not know why my mom got me a green one and not a blue, white, or gray one. Anyhow, that's why I have detention this afternoon."
      "That bites!" Sarah cried.
      "So now I'm up a creek without a paddle," Jess sighed. Sarah parked her car in front of the McDonald's and they all spilled out. As they walked inside, they got a few strange looks. They were very accustomed to these looks. Although their pleated blue, gray and white plaid skirts had been drastically altered to become mini-skirts, they still screamed "Private School Girls!" Being seniors at Presentation High School, a private, all-girls, Catholic school in San Jose, California, they were well used to the stares.
      Standing in line to order lunches, Michelle said to Jess, "I don't have to meet my mom until 3:30. I can drive your car around for an hour till you get out of detention."
      She stared at her for a moment, openmouthed. She did not think anyone had ever offered to do such a kind, generous thing for her before in her life. "Thanks, Michelle. I really would appreciate it."
      "Don't mention it."
      What a true friend.
      *
      "Congratulations!" Ms. Ray, Jessica's favorite teacher, hugged her tight. "I'm going to miss having you in all my classes. Especially Creative Writing and Film Appreciation. I don't think anyone knows as much about Star Wars as you do!"
      She had to laugh. "I'm sure someone will come along. I'm going to miss being in your classes. You were the best!"
      "Well, now you're on to bigger and better things," she told her earnestly. "In the next several years, you're going to find out so many new things about yourself."
      As she moved on to congratulate another gown-clad student, Jessica pondered her words. Find out about herself? What could she possibly have to learn? She already knew everything about herself that there was to know. Apparently, she was ahead of schedule. She did not see how anything was going to change just because she was moving to Reno for college. It was just going to be another four years of school.
      "Hey, Jess! Come with us, we're getting our diplomas from Miss Troyan!" Michelle's voice jolted her out of her daze.
      It was graduation day. The auditorium was filled with royal blue robes and crying mothers. They had just finished the ceremony and the graduates were filling into the school hallways to go pick up their actual certificates. The cover alone had been handed out at the ceremony.
      Jess told her parents where she was going and headed off with Sarah, Michelle, Angela, and Jenn. The halls were clean, the locker doors hanging open. The west hall, the one they were in, was empty and quiet. The only noises were their heels clicking on the tile floors and their excited chatter.
      "I knew Mrs. Booth was going to cry when she gave her speech," Angela shared.
      "Everyone knew that," Sarah returned.
      "Yeah, well, we were her favorite class," Jenn rationalized.
      "I thought her speech was cute," Jess said.
      "I can't believe she mentioned Sarah and I's cat fiasco. That was three years ago!" Michelle exclaimed.
      "Danielle's valedictorian speech was good too," Angela commented.
      "Yeah, even if it was a little long," Michelle agreed. They were so caught up in their banter that they did not notice a familiar figure approaching them.
      "Congrats, Jess," the figure said.
      Five heads snapped up. Five expressions registered on five different faces. On Jenn's: vague recognition. On Sarah's: mild amusement. On Angela's: shock. On Michelle's: surprise and disdain. And on Jessica's: a mixture of disappointment and guilt.
      "Hello, Aaron," she said, her voice a sigh.
      Before the girls stood Aaron Varzos, Jessica's prom-date nightmare. She had met Aaron at her after-school job earlier that spring. He was hired as a new cashier at View Easy Video and they'd become quick friends. As the weeks until the senior prom passed, Jessica soon realized that Aaron was the most logical choice for a prom date.
      So, Michelle had asked him for her. Although they were friends, Jessica did not have much experience with guys and was very nervous and unsure about such things. He had said yes, of course, because unknown to Jessica, he had a crush on her.
      This became obvious to her at the prom. Suddenly, she was aware of his attentions and his stares. It made her feel very, very uncomfortable. So, in the past few weeks, she'd been trying to avoid him as much as she could. She had been fairly successful, up until now.
      "I watched the graduation. You looked very nice. Your mom told me I could find you here," he told her.
      The other girls were impatient and started continuing on towards Miss Troyan's classroom to retrieve their diplomas. She felt compelled to follow them and did, with Aaron tagging along on her heels.
      "Do you want to maybe go see a movie this weekend?" he asked, his voice hopeful. It seemed he hardly noticed her rudeness as she hurried forward to catch up with her friends.
      Her mind fumbled for an excuse. She was scared to death of him. She was scared and she didn't want to have to deal with that. She just wanted to celebrate her graduation with her friends. "Uh, Michelle and I are going to see "Maverick" this weekend. And my parents are throwing a family party on Sunday."
      She glanced back at him in time to see his face fall. She felt a small stabbing of guilt. She pushed it away as she remembered her goal. No relationships, especially not with him.
      "Sorry!" she called out to him as she rejoined her friends. As a group, they charged forward to claim their diplomas and move on with their lives.
      Please provide any comments, suggestions or ideas to me in the area below. Thanks!

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