Nametags

chapter 3

          "Amen." I said along with the other members of my small class. Church was over. I approached Jadee, who was folding chairs and stacking them in the corner. "Hey Jadee! Thanks for hanging out yesterday!" She handed me a chair, and I put it up against the wall. "Anytime! I really enjoyed it. How did you like Captain Marvel?" I shot my finger up to my lips and shot her a look. She looked confused. I pulled her aside into the curtain. "I sorta didn't tell my Mom, so could you keep it down?" I whispered urgently. She nodded understandably. "Hey! you should ask my mom if you can come over today! She's usually ok with it!" She beamed. "Ok! As long as  I'm home for dinner, I know my Mom won't mind." I watched in suspense as she walked over and asked my Mother, then walked back over to me. "So!?" I asked excitedly, "She said yes!" Jadee said, happily. I high-fived her happily. "LOVE your dress, by the way!" I commented, before heading out to our car with the rest of my family.

          When Jadee walked into my hose, chaos and noise smacked her in the face. She had been to my house before, but it still took some getting used to when you just came from a house of 4. Before heading to my room, we grabbed an after-church lunch and said hello to everyone. "Alright, let's see if I can remember all of you!" She said, pointing to the crowd of kids and teenagers eating lunch in the kitchen. "Ok. Hannah, Valentina, Andre, Cherry, Luke, Taylor, Anna, Gina, Cara, Jack, Miley, and Joshua." She pointed to all of us as she went, and didn't even mix the twins up. Honestly, I was super impressed. So where my siblings, who just stood in awe. Not even our own parents could do that, really. Jadee bowed and said, "When you're popular, you get good with names and faces.". We finished our sandwiches and left to my room. She sat on my bed, and asked what I wanted to do. I looked over at my vent. Should I tell her? I contemplated it for a second, but decided against it. Now wasn't the time. "I could go find our cat! You like cats, don't you?" Jadee nodded and said "Todally!" I got up and led the way to the bacement, where the boys slept. It was my cat, Porg's favorite spot. It didn't take me long to find her, perched on Luke's bunk above Jack's bed. I picked her up and gave her to Jadee. "Aww! He's adorable!" She squealed, petting her. Porg instantly snuggled down into her arms and fell asleep. "Well, now that he's sleeping, we can sit down and chat, maybe?" Jadee asked, gesturing to the beanbag chairs in the play area."Absolutely!" I smiled and sat down. 

"Hey, It's super cool you remembered all our names. Nobody can do that!"

"Hey, what can I say? I'm really good at remembering names." 

I knew that. It was written plain as day on the name tag that she couldn't see.

"So, Do you like Porg?"

"Love him! He's so cute! I wish my parents could get a cat, but we already have a dog."

"Thanks for coming over to hang out!"

"Thanks for having me! Hey, can I ask you a question?"

"Shure!"

"Why didn't you tell your mom we watched those movies?"

"Oh..."

I scratched my neck awkwardly.
 

"I didn't want me or you to get in trouble. And, I love the series so much, I don't want to risk being grounded from them."

"Thats todally ok, just wondering."

She shifted in the seat, and Porg woke up only for a second before curling up on her lap. "Can I ask another question?" She asked. Fearing another revealing question, I replied, "You just did!" She chuckled playfully. I remembered she was my best friend. I could trust her! I just hoped she didn't ask for my deepest, darkest secret. Like my name tag said, I wasn't ready to tell. She looked into my eyes. "Are you allowed to date?" The question hit me hard. Technically, I was. I was sweet 16, and my parents have given me "the talk" about dating. I have even been on a date. A date with a family friend who had no feelings for me, nor I for him, so the whole thing was just all-around awkward. I wasn't even sure I wanted to date yet. So many of my romance novels ended badly. "I am old enough, and my parents allow me to, but I haven't gone on really any." Jadee tipped her head. "why not? Bad experiance?" I shook my head. "No, I just realy don't know who to date. Nobody knows who I am at school. 80% of the kids at church are related to me, and the other 20% are like they are. I don't really want to anyway." I shdrugged. Jadee thought for a minute, then stood up, sending Porg leaping off her lap. "I know. Give me 3 chances. I'll find 3 dates for you, and if you don't like any of them, no harm." She smiled, and let me think about it. It might do me good, but I was so shy, even if I liked them, they probably wouldn't like me back. Then again, I could always use them as a representation of the kind of guys I don't like. Ah, how hard could it be? I'd give my friend a chance. "Alright, fine. 3 good guys." I agreed. "Yes! You won't be sorry!" We pinky promised. "So, what kind of guy do you want, then?" I considered qualities that I admired about the fictional characters I fell in love with in the past. "Well, I don't want a jerk or bully, obviously. I want a guy that is ok with going on quiet dates. And I want a guy that loves me for me, and doesn't want me to change." Jadee smiled and gave me a thumbs up. "I think I already know who to set you up with! What is your favorite date spot?" she asked. On my one date, I went to a youth activity. It sucked. "I don't know. I like Chick 'Fil A and the city park." She seemed to take mental notes. For the rest of the night, we talked about it. She decided to set up a blind date after school that Tuesday. I was anxious, but up for the challenge. When she left for dinner, I ventured back into my vent. I grabbed my diary, and started to write.

Sunday, March 2 

Hey, it's Cherry! So, today Jadee came over again today, and she had an... interesting deal. If she could find a guy I liked in 3 dates, then she won. If not, no harm, no foul. I agreed. It might help me come out of my shell a little. Now, all I have to do is tell my parents.... I'll let you know what happens!

Love,

     Cherry

I heard mom call my name, and sneaked out of the hideout and came to her. When I got downstairs, my Mom told me to set the table. I took the opportunity to tell her about my deal with Jadee. "Uh.. Mom?" I asked quietly. "Yeah, Hon?" she asked, stirring a big crocpot of chilli. I took a deep breath. "Can I go on a date this Tuesday?" I heard the spoon clang on the ground. "You... With who!?" She seemed suprised. I was almost 17. I could date, couldn't I? "Well, It's a blind date, but I promise he's wholesome!" My Mom seemed to stutter. "W-Where will you be going?" she went through the same questions she asked anyone, but was very surprised it was me asking. "Well, probably just Chick 'fil A... or the library." She was still in awe. "Wel- yeah, you can go, but you know the rules! Be back by 8:30, Take the burner phone, and no kissing!" I sighed in relief. "Thanks, Mom!" I quickly set the table and called everyone to the table. After a chillie dinner, I was doing the dishes, when my mom came up to me with a handfull of forks and put them in the sudsy water. "Hey, Cher-Bear?" She said, "I'm glad you are coming out of your shell!" she kissed me on the cheek. "Oh... Thanks." I said, confused. I was suddenly very glad to be going on these blind dates.