Diaries

Chapter 3

The game seems to go on and on, yet I never want it to end. My eyes dart all around the court, yet the ball isn't my focus. Leo is all I see. His graceful prance with it in hand as he shoots and scores. The loud roars of cheering around me sounds muffled as I think...and I just smile.

I look over to my dad, who shouts, "THATS MY BOY!"

His gum falls out of his mouth and to the ground. He ignores it to continue cheering. I always wished he'd be that happy for anything I'd accomplished...which hadn't been much due to lack of motivation. I stood up, heading to the bathroom, pushing my hair out of my face as I slammed my body against the heavy doors.

I looked around the unknown halls of the school that seemed so foreign through my eyes. Searching for any sign of a lady's room. I continued to walk, slowly, knowing I wasn't missing much. St. Vitus was the best Catholic school team in our city. I stopped as my eyes fell upon a couple pressed against the lockers.

I watched the two from where I stood, knowing they couldn't see me as they were too fixed on getting into one another's pants. I looked next to me, noticing I was standing right outside of the bathroom. I placed my hand on the door before pushing my way through, watching them feel each other up and kiss as if for the first and last time...knowing I'd never have such an experience.

Not that I needed it, though I did crave the unknown...to have someone who actually cared about me kissing me that way.

"Jessica!" I turned around quickly, seeing Pedro. "That's your name right?" He asked.

"Yeah, why?" I asked, studying his short figure and stupid black fedora hat he wore everyday. Pedro looked like he was part of the mafia, though I knew he wouldn't last two seconds if he was. He was the only one of Leo's friends who wasn't on the basketball team. He mostly kept scores and let Mark push him around.

"Come help me out with somethin'." He said.

"What is it?" I took a few steps closer.

"Rippin' these son of a bitches off, they're nothin' but a shit ton of cheaters." He said.

I smirked, "I noticed...but my dad will have a fit." I said.

"He won't know you took any part in it, swear." He said.

I looked away as I thought about it.

"Come on, aren't you dating-"

"I'm not dating Leo." I said, "let's go."

The smile that spread upon his face was priceless. I could almost bet mine was just as. I followed him to the boy's locker rooms, looking in every direction beside and behind before stepping in. He took out a pair of keys, unlocking two locks concealing what was behind the lockers. I took my flannel top from around my waist, slipping it on before taking a watch and placing it around my wrist...covering it with my sleeves.

I looked behind me once again, paranoid. Beside me Pedro checked out a ring and a few watches that now became his own. I pulled out a wallet, taking out every last bit of cash down to the coins. I stuffed them into the pockets of my Levi's.

Muffled cheers came from the gym. My eyes grew wide and so did Pedro's, he slammed the locker shut, as did I. Laughing to myself as I followed him back into the gym. I watched my dad pat Leo and the others on the back. I joined in the huddle, catching Leo's eye. I looked away quickly, sending a high five to some guy I didn't even know.

The silence amongst hungry boys could be the scariest thing I've ever sat through. I didn't have many girl friends, but did know that we usually spoke while we ate.

"Let me see the watch again." Leo grabbed my wrist gently. His touch made my heart race. I reached over to Leo's cup of fries beside me with the same hand, stealing one quickly.

He pushed my hand away playfully, "no fuck off." He laughed.

I took two more stuffing them into my mouth before sliding all the way over. I could feel his finger poking into my side, causing me to squirm around in my seat. I pushed his hands away quickly with a smirk, looking at the front doors as my dad came walking in. I couldn't control his hands as he began to tickle me purposely as he too watched my dad heading for the front counters.

I pushed his hand again, sliding even further away as I made attempt to hide a smile. I looked up as my dad came marching to our table.

"Didn't I say one burger per person?" He snapped. I looked around the table at all of the empty wrappers upon wrappers.

"Jessica, why didn't you monitor them?" He looked down at me.

I shrugged quickly before looking over to the window as there was a knock from outside. My dad's eyes widened with rage.

"You ripped them off?" He asked.

The boys struggled to hide laughter.

"Find your own ride, Jessica let's go." He commanded.

I got up from my seat, following my dad. My hair fell over my face slightly, this time I left it there. It hid my face from having to look at him as he yelled at me on the way to the car.

"You were right there, right there, and you couldn't tell those little pricks to get a burger each?" He went on as he opened the doors.

I kept silent as we walked out.

"HELLO?!" He asked, "you just don't care do you?"

"Not really." I mumbled, looking back to see what was going on.

"Get in the goddamn car." He snapped.

I rolled my eyes, opening the doors and plopping down in my seat.

"Don't give me attitude." I could hear his muffled voice as he too opened his door.

"Dad why do you have to be so angry all the time?" I asked.

"I'm not, you're just a disrespectful kid. You have no respect for your father so I have no respect-"

"For me. Right." I looked out of the window, raged by the memories my mind wouldn't let me forget. Too afraid to speak of them, so ignoring them. "You have respect for Leo though."

He turned to me slowly, "Leo is a good kid."

"Then why can't I talk to him and the other boys without you telling me not to?" I asked.

"Because they're good kids with bad intentions now just stop questioning my authority I am your father and you listen without any further ..." He searched for more words, "questions." He finished.