October
Shane
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Secretly I hated homecoming, I just wanted to go out there and play football. I didn't need the pep rally and the parade and the dance. I just needed the field and the Friday night lights. Karlie was running for homecoming court which meant extra work for me although she made it as easy as possible, my suit was picked out and paid for she gave me a schedule of all the dates and things I needed to escort her to. All I needed to do was show up.
On the bright side I didn't have to speak at the homecoming pep rally, which I absolutely hated doing at my old school, but I did get introduced twice which was only slightly uncomfortable. You would think being the 'superstar Quarterback' I would enjoy the spotlight, but quite the opposite. I didnt play for the popularity, I played because I loved it and I played for my future.
Speaking of football the northview golden eagles were now 3-2 heading into october including the homecoming win against our rivals Western highschool. Now it was time for the dance and Karlie had me on a tight schedule. She would come over and park her car here, then we would head to the dance, after that it was back to my house where I voulentered to throw the big homecoming party, even though I swore when I left jefferson I wouldnt be partying anymore.
At the last jefferson party I went to made some bad descions and it ended with me cheating on my then girlfriend who was also my best friend. I hit rock bottom that night. I begged my dad to let us move I needed a new start, and I was determined to do things right here in Northview i wasnt going to burn the bridges I did in Mississippi.
I straightened my bow tie, crimson red to match Karlies dress. My phone rang, i glanced down at the caller ID, Karlie of course. I picked it up and awnsered. Before I could get a word out Karlie was talking. "Shane I'm outside let's go." I looked down at my apple watch, it was 6:30. The dance didn't start till 7 and I only lived about 5 minutes away.
"Karls, the dance dosen't start for 30 more minutes." I told her over the phone, collecting my things to leave even though we had time.
"I know that Shane, but I need to get there early to finish campaigning. Some people wait until they get to the dance to vote. And I need to win." she told me with a fire and determination. That was one thing Karlie Clouse and I had in common, the drive to be first place. So i grabbed my phone and my keys and headed outside to the driveway.
Karlie was there waiting for me standing next to my car waiting for me to unlock it. She looked hot, her dress crimson red fit tightly around her curves and was encrused with hundreds of tiny crystals. Her long jet black hair was tied up in a low bun of sorts with a mess of curls. The only thing that was missing was the homecoming crown she so despreatly wanted.
"Lets go." She stated with urgency as I unlocked the car. We both climbed inside and I twisted the key in the ignition as the engine roared to life.
"Geez Karlie, nice to see you too." I greeted her, reciprocating her attitude towards me. " sorry, I don't mean to be snappy with you, but winning this is important to me." her tone softened and she showed the tiniest shred of vulnerability.
"I know, I just wish you'd relax a bit. There's no way you can lose." I told her with a soft smile, trying to boost her confidence so she would stop freaking out and just enjoy the evening.
"Your right I've got this locked up, especially with you by my side Shane, I can't lose." she released a deep breath and then smiled hopefully that was enough to calm her down until the homecoming vote was over.
When we arrived at the dance we started mingling with everyone as they arrived making sure that they voted for Karlie. It was shortly after the official start of the dance that I noticed Ellianna had arrived.
I caught a glimpse of her blonde waves from the corner of my eye the same way you notice a penny on the ground. Her dress was pink with light blue flowers it flared out at the waist like a princess dress would. I couldn't help but to compare her to Karlie. Karlie looked mature and confident and I knew for a fact she was intimidating everyone who looked at her.
Elli though, her beauty was sweet and soft it raidiated from within. Karlie was nothing more than what you saw on the outside.
I don't know if it was the magic of homecoming or what. But Our eyes met and she smiled at me and gave me a little wave. I had never seen her smile before, at least not a smile directed at me. But she smiled and it was the most beautiful smile I had ever seen.
We had gotten closer since that first week of school, I even considered here friend. although I still hadn't discovered what had happened between her and Colin, but I could tell she trusted me or at least was starting too and I hoped that soon I would find out more about her.
I gave Karlie a nudge. "Hey Ellianna and Miranda are here. Mind if I go say hi?" I asked her, hoping she would spare me from a few minutes of homecoming campaigning.
"Are you guys like friends or something?" she asked me. I thought about it for a second before finally deciding on my answer. "Yeah, we kinda are." Karlie wrinkled her face up in confusion.
"Kinda?" she questioned but I ignored her by planting a kiss on her cheek. "Your the best Karlie ill catch up with you later." I told her as I walked away grateful for any opportunity to escape my boyfriend homecoming duties.
I approached Elli and Mer who were chatting with Mirandas brother Matt and Colin Moore. "Hey guys what's up?" I said as I approached the group. Slipping in right next to my two guy friends standing directly across from Ellianna who to my delight was still smiling.
"Just talking about your party later, it's gonna be insane." Matt answered on behalf of the group. They all nodded their heads and expressed their excitement. I knew this party was gonna be wild, Karlie Clouse queen of high school parties planned it and Ihad an entire room at my house dedicated to alcohol.
"Yeah Karlie definitely out did herself with the planning." I said looking right at Ellianna who's beautiful smile never faded, that was until I spoke directly to her.
"Your coming to the party right Elli?" she looked at me her smile disappearing morphing into her neutral facial expression, she shrugged her petite shoulders.
"I guess I'm going, someone has to watch Miranda's drinking after all." Miranda made a shocked face and playfully slapped Elli on the arm. "Hey my drinking is very much controlled." she said in a playful yet defensive way. We all laughed. After a few more minutes Karlie pulled me away from the group.
"It's almost time for court announcements." she told me bluntly, I was a little irritated, why couldn't we just enjoy homecoming like normal people.
"Okay so?" I told her returning her dry blunt tone of voice. "So why are you still talking to Ellianna and her little gang?" she questioned, I was about to defend myself but before I could even speak Karlie interrupted me.
"You've been hanging out with her a lot, is there something I need to know?" I scoffed, was she implying Elli and I were sneaking around behind her back?
"Karlie, no, she's my lab partner, we do homework together. There's nothing going on between us." I affirmed, and I was telling the truth. Sure she was beautiful and kept me on my toes, but I didn't like Elli in that way. And even if I did I wouldn't act upon it. When I left Jefferson I said no more serious relationships, and I knew that Elli was not a casual relationship kind of girl.
She was the kind of girl you date long term, Karlie was the girl you dated for fun, she was pretty and liked going out to parties, she was fun to hang out with. That's all I needed right now, nothing serious.
Then principal Sanders got on the stage to announce the homecoming court which meant I had to go. But it didn't matter Ellianna was coming to the party and I hoped more than anything is get more time to talk to her.
