Note: Standards disclaimers apply. Story and characters copyrighted to me. Purely fictional
Author's Note: "Story of a Lonely Guy" is a song by Blink 182. This story is for Vic and Kenny. Vic, I hope you get over her soon...and don't do anything stupid, ayt? Kenny, give Oliver Kahn one more chance. If you don't, who'll be the team's goalkeeper if you've gone uninspired in playing soccer because OK's a goalee. Think 'bout it herr....
Story of a Lonely Guy
//blah blah// = thoughts
[blah blah] = lyrics
Chapter 1: Disasters
"Oh fuck. Not again. There is no way I'm gonna be late for Math class again," Andy said to himself.
Andy Olsen. A 16-year-old soccer-playing skater punk who lives alone with his mother when his parents divorced when he was 12.
Andy's about 5'8 tall. He has a calm face accentuated by his mysterious blue-gray almond-shaped eyes which seemed to see through a person's heart. What's more, he's part Japanese. His dark brown hair, currently dyed blue, is always in spikes or whatever hairstyle that gave the "fresh from bed" look. By far, he has five piercings: 3 on his left ear, 2 on his right.
His wardrobe consists mostly of blacks; black pants, shorts, shirts. Few grays, reds and whites. All of them are punk outfits plus the accessories. He only has few friends-few of the guys from the soccer team, one or two he met from the skating park. These few people are the only people who know the real Andy Olsen. The rest of the people considered Andy a loser-a cool loser. No one really knows why they call him a loser. They just do.
He kicked harder, trying to make his skateboard go faster. School was 10 blocks from his house and right now, he has five minutes left to get there on time. 5 minutes isn't enough. He badly needed a miracle, he was still stuck in the 3rd block.
He finally arrived at school, late. He grabbed his board, ran though the halls, rushed up the stairs and slowed down when he neared the classroom. He stopped for a minute to catch his breath. He mustered his courage and marched towards the classroom with one hand in his pocket while the other clutched his board.
He paused again. Inhale. Exhale. He was about to twist the doorknob open when the door flew open, catching him off guard, hitting him square on the face. Andy stepped back, tripped and landed hard on his but. Both of his bag and board fell on the floor.
"Oh my! I'm totally sorry. Did I-" the voice stopped in mid sentence. "Mr. Olsen!" You do know that my class started-24 minutes ago? Your extravagant dressing style took up mush of your time, I presume? Hmmmm?" The man said, looking at Andy as if mocking the clothes he wore: black not-so-baggy pants, tight t-shirt, studs, chains, sneakers while his hair was in spikes. "you are terribly late. Enter the classroom, and start answering the exercises on the board. I'll be back after a quick meeting with Mrs. Watson."
The tall man started to leave but paused for a second. "Oh by the way, Mr. Olsen, I'd like to see you after class. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Mr. Donaven."
Donaven acknowledged Andy's response with a nod and proceeded to wherever the meeting was.
Andy stood up and winced when the pain in his ass returned. Ignoring the pain, he picked up his bag and skateboard, entered the classroom, walking In a very funny way.
Everyone inside the classroom was laughing at him. Eddie, the bully, shouted: "Hey Olsen! Did the head-on collision with the door injure the L on your forehead?"
The whole class roared with laughter, some hooting, obviously enjoying the joke. Andy just worked his way to his seat and sat down. However, he landed on the floor with a thud, making his sore ass more painful. Pain shot through his body, white spots blocking his vision. Someone was kind enough to pull his chair away.
[Push it out
Fake a smile
Avert disaster
Just in time]
When the nauseous feeling passed, Andy stood up angrily and faced Eddie who sat behind him. The whole room fell silent, waiting for something to happen.
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kick your sorry ass, Eddie." Andy said, carefully controlling his temper.
"Because you can't do it loser."
"Oh yeah?! My two cents, I can."
"Prove it. Later at the usual place and time. Betcha wouldn't dare chicken!"
Andy tightly held on the last restraints of his temper or else he might lynch Eddie right then and there. "Oh, I'd be there alright. I ain't no chicken. I'd beat the crap out of you and have my revenge," Andy said in a calm voice.
"We'll see about that, chicken. We'll see."
RRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!
Everyone rushed out of the room. Andy started to leave too but Mr. Donaven entered the room and spotted him.
"Andy Olsen, I'd like to have a word with you. It won't be long."
"Sure Mr. Donaven," Andy said, effectively hiding his impatience. "What's it about?"
"Andy, all of your first subject teachers have been complaining that you're always late. It ranges from 5 to 35 minutes. Sometimes you even miss your first subjects. I'd like you to exert some effort and come to school on time. That way, you'd get better grades. I do believe you'd like to see that glaring, red colored F become a D or maybe a C. It's a long way but small efforts do make a difference. Am I clear Andy?
"Yes sir."
"That's settled then, Now go, I don't want you to be late for your second subject."
Andy collected his things and left the room. //Coming to school early is bullshit. The waking up part's the problem but C does sound enticing.// Andy proceeded to his next class. //History. Boy! A nice way to grab some sleep and store some energy for soccer practice later.//
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Andy!!!!!!" How dare you sleep in my class?!"
"But Mrs. Owen! I wasn't sleeping I was thinking about Anastasia Romanov of Romania."
"U-huh� Anastasia Romanov? Of Romania? You ain't convincing me. I'd like to talk to you after this class."
//Oh fuck. Here we go again.// Andy could only let out and exasperated sigh and roll his eyes.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
12:14 PM. School lunchroom
"Andy! Over here!" Ricky Fox shouted. Like Andy, Ricky is also a soccer playing skater punk. He's Andy's best friend since 3rd grade.
Andy hurried over to Ricky's table where Jonathan, Mark and Andrew were seated, eating their lunch and talking about something serious.
As he worked his way through the maze of people and tables, he planted his foot firmly on a wet spot on the floor. Before he knew it, his lunch tray flew out of his hands and into the air, spilling its contents on Dana Hall, one of the most popular girls in school.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
30 minutes later. School clinic
[I need a drink
Coz in a while
Worthless answers
From friends of mine]
Andy slowly opened his eyes, blinded by the glaring lights of the clinic. His haid throbbed painfully. //Where am I?//
A voice came from the corner of the room, answering his unspoken question. "You're in the clinic. You slid at the lunchroom earlier and hit your head hard, knocking yourself unconscious. What's worse, you spilled your lunch all over Dana Hall. Yes, that Dana. The girl you like�"
Andy sat up momentarily forgetting the pain in his head and lower back. "I did what?!"
"I said you spilled your lunch on Dana. Plus hit her heard with the tray. Don't worry though, she didn't think you did it on purpose. It flew out of your hands when you slipped."
"Fuck." Andy took a deep breath. "Guess I'd have to apologize."
"And?"
"And what?"
"Just apologize?! What about 'I like you'?"
[Its dumb to ask
cool to ignore
Girls possess me
But they're never mine]
"Fuck's sake Ricky, shut up! For once dude, use your freaking head. I spilled my lunch over her and I'm gonna tell her that I like her?! She could chop my freaking head off, dope head."
"OK, OK calm down. I do think we should conk your head again. Maybe it would get rid of that nasty temper."
Andy shot Ricky a sarcastic look while Ricky could only grin sheepishly. Then silence.
"So, what are you gonna do about Eddie?" Ricky finally spoke up. "You do remember that you have a date with him later."
"Yep, I remember. School's east parking lot at 3. After I've dealt with him, soccer practice. By the way, if I'm late for practice, tell coach I have an appointment with the guidance counselor."
"Hang on a sec. Rewind. You still wanna kill Eddie after 3 freaking accidents?! And practice. Man, you really should conk your head again. Hard."
Andy just shrugged. He got off the bed and straightened his clothes. He noticed that there is no part of his body that didn't ache. Ricky's right, he can't deal with Eddie and practice. "What am I gonna do then? I'm gonna be called a scaredy cat loser if I don't show up. Plus I'm gonna be benched for 3 games if I miss a single practice. Got any ideas smart ass?" Andy asked Ricky with a troubled look on his face.
"Don't worry. Just let me handle it. You take your ass to that shack of yours and rest."
Andy just let out a sigh, like he was nervous and reluctant. "Fine." He stretched carefully to relieve his muscles from the tension. He stooped to get his bag and skateboard which lay on the floor, ignoring his body pain. "C'mon Ricky, better start movin' our asses outta here."
The clinic's door opened. The boys were expecting the nurse but to their surprise, it was Dana Hall who entered the clinic. Her hair was wet, her clothes clean. It doesn't take Sherlock Holmes to know that she took a shower in the gym and changed her clothes.
[I made my entrance
avoided hazards
checked my engine
I fell behind]
//Oh boy, he's a dead duck// Ricky thought.
//Get ready for an angry girl's bitching// Andy thought.
"Oh hey, Rico. H-"
"It's Ricky, Dana."
"Yeah, Whatever. You're Andy right?" Dana said to Andy.
"In the flesh." Andy said, turning bright red. "Look� ah� Dana� I� ah� I� really� sorry� about� the� ah�the� the� accident� a while� a� a� ag� ago�"Andy stammered. His face turn even more red. He was starting to sweat, his hands were cold and shaking and he felt like fainting.
Dana's calm expression changed. It seems that she got angry at the mention of the cafeteria incident.
"Look, if you...you wanna...er..." Andy said, letting out a nervous cough. "If you wanna get back at me, do so. It's my fault you know I--"
"Hell I should, Andy!"
//Uh-oh... shouldn't have said that dude...// Ricky thought looking nervously at the other two people. They seem to be going into an argument, maybe even a fight...
Andy gulped. //Fuck, it's gonna start// He tried his best to keep his posture calm but inside he was cowering.
//here we go...// Ricky thought. He too was nervous. He was standing beside Andy and he wasn't sure if he could stop an angry female from attacking his friend. This thought made Ricky break out in cold sweat.
"It's good you realized that, Olsen!" Anger flashed in Dana's eye's, the same emotion evident in her voice. "But it wouldn't matter anymore, its done..." Dana's expression and voice changed--from angry to calm.
"What?" Andy butted in hesitantly.
//What the fuck?! This is one weird chick... //
"I forgive you Andy. It was an accident, I know you didn't mean it, right?" Andy nodded. "But you're gonna pay." Dana looked into Andy's eyes.
"How?"
"First, you ought to teach me how to skate. Second, You're gonna have to buy me milkshakes at Tony's*--for two weeks. Deal?" Dana said extending her hand to seal the deal.
"Deal."//Whew!// Andy shook Dana's hand.
"Great, they're effective starting today."
"Aw, no. No can do. Can't skate today. After the cafeteria stunt, I can't move properly without pain."
"Naw� You should rest then. You wouldn't want it to get worse. Don't stress yourself, ayt? Anyway, when you're feeling better already, I'm always at The Garage** after school or practice."
"Sure, no problem."
They stood there for a moment looking into each other's eyes while Ricky was thoroughly amused watching the two of them. He smirked and cleared his throat.
"Ehem, Ricky's still here, you know. Guys me=here."
The spell was broken. Both Andy and Dana turned red in the face. It was Dana who spoke first.
"Jesus, look at the time! I gotta get goin. Literature class, y'know�"
"Sure. I gotta go home, I've to get some rest."
"Get well soon, ayt Andy! Bye guys!"
"Bye!" Andy and Ricky chorused as Dana walked out of the clinic.
Andy turned to Ricky, "Don't even say it."
Ricky threw his hands up "What?" He looked at Andy with a mischievous look on his face. "Anyways, come on! Get your ass out of here. I'll walk you home. Then you'd hafta let me eat."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
5:00 in the afternoon. Andy's room.
//I wonder if Dana's at the Garage� Better go and check�//
Andy scribbled a note telling his mom where he's going. Then he left the house, board in hand, headed towards the skate park.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
20 minutes later. The Garage.
//Nope, no Dana. Better sit here and watch these guys do their stuff�//
While looking at some guys doing tricks with their boards, Andy spotted Jonathan walking towards the benches.
"Hey Jon!" Andy shouted, calling Jonathan. The latter looked around to see who called his and saw Andy waving his arms. He raised his hand to signal that he saw Andy and walked towards him.
"Olsen! What's up?" Jonathan clapped Andy's back, quite forgetting the cafeteria incident.
"Aw, take it easy on me man�" Andy winced as Jonathan's hand clapped his sore back. At this remark, Jonathan remembered Andy's stunt at the lunchroom. He raised his hands as if to apologize. "I'm still feeling sore considering I have had 3 accidents today. Hey, you've seen Ricky?"
"You haven't heard the news?!"
"News? Bout what?"
"Eddie Kreamer shot Fox. Bullet hit his left shoulder."
"Fuck. Don't kid around with me, Jon! Don't give me that bullshit!" Andy gripped his board so hard that his knuckles turned white.
"I swear dude! You could kick my knees cripple if I'm lying! I'm telling you man, Fox is one lucky dope. The bullet was supposed to hit his head."
"You aren't making this up after all� That bullet was meant for my head. How is he?"
"He's at the hospital, smiling like nothing happened at all. He's doing fine though he lost a lotta blood. An operation is scheduled later to take the bullet out."
"Thanks dude. I'll go and drop by later, see how he's doin."
"OK then� Hey, gotta rush ayt? I see that my girl's here."
"Sure."
A fancy handshake followed and Jonathan rushed to the corner of the skate park where a punk chick was seated, playing with her skateboard's wheels. When she saw Jonathan, she smiled.
Andy was observing Jon and his girl. That look-the one whenever they look at each other-made Andy wonder what's with it. Thinking about love stuff made Andy remember Dana. Thoughts about that one girl flooded his mind.
[She makes me feel like it's raining outside.
And when the storm's gone, I'm all torn up inside.
I'm always nervous on days like this like the prom�]
It was one of those time when one's thought became reality�
"Andy!" Someone was waving his hand in front of Andy's face.
"Andy, snap out of it! Andy! Hey!"
Andy was startled. Then he tensed-that voice� Imagine one minute he was thinking of Dana, next minute, she's there in front of him, in the flesh and smiling.
[I get too scared to move coz I'm a fucking boy]
Andy blinked. //Shit!!// "Geez! Just arrived?"
"Yeah. Practice overtime. I thought I'd watch you guys at your soccer practice but I remembered you're at home so I went straight here. So� what were you thinking about? You seem to have forgotten about reality�"
Andy blushed. He couldn't possibly tell Dana that he was thinking of her. "I�ah..ah..I was er� thinking bout Ricky. You know, bout the shooting incident. It just occurred to me that it was supposed to� never mind."
It was evident that Dana was shocked. Her hand covering her mouth, eyes teary and huge. "Is that true? That's awful! How is he? Where was he hit? Who shot him? Why was he shot? When-?
"Dana, Dana, calm down. He's fie. I'm' on my way to the hospital. If you wanna come along, by all means."
"Great, I'm going with you. So tell me more!"
"I'll tell you more along the way. Come on, lets get going. Erm� one more thing�"
"What?"
"You don't mind walking do you? If that changes your mind about going with me, it's OK."
"Nah, walking's fine."
Dana moved to Andy's side and hooked her arm with Andy's arm. Andy, on the other hand, tensed.
Dana looked at Andy and asked "Why'r ya tensed? Does it hurt here?"
"Nah. Its just that I never got to be in this position with a girl before."
"There's a first time for everything." Dana said with a giggle.
Off they walked, arm in arm, towards the hospital. Such a lovely sight�
On to Chapter2
Author's Notes:
*Tony's is a local fast food shop where kids from Andy's school and The Garage hang out.
**The Garage is the local skate park. A place where skaters [of all sorts] hang out [aside from Tony's]
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