Match Made

Cloud Nine

My sister Desiree is 17 months older. She's also the most popular girl at her school, Saint Edith's, which is only two miles away. I could've gone, but I couldn't see myself with only girls throughout high school. Unbeknown to me, more boys hang out there than at a co-ed school.

All weekend I'm stuck in my head and Desiree notices. I'm in the dining room writing and listening to music while she waits by the door for her boyfriend to pick her up. After another peek out of the window, she asks, "What's going on with you? You've been pretty quiet these past couple of days. Is something on your mind?"

Please know that Desiree is my everything. She's my best friend, confidant, counselor, mentor, mother, and even big brother at times,  but she cannot stand boys liking me. This past summer we were downtown and a really attractive guy wanted my phone number. As I attempt to give it to him Desiree shouts, "Dude don't disrespect me! That's my baby sister so stop talking to her!"

Of course, the guy's confused because she and I look the same age. Shoulders shrugged, he hesitated but then tried to say something else to me. Now Desiree is pissed. She and the guy get into a vehement argument. At that point, the guy's and my sister's friends separate them, and then we leave. Desiree's friends are either choking from laughter or confused and embarrassed by her actions. Her best friend asks, "Why are you so angry?"

"Because my sister is too good for him. She's too good for anybody in my eyes."

And she wholeheartedly meant those words. I had two boyfriends in high school but both were short-lived due to my sister's dislike of them. However, it didn't bother me one bit. Neither of those guys was special to me. Everyone else had a boyfriend so I got one too. But Aden was different. I thought he was beautiful and wanted him as my boyfriend.

Coming out of my thoughts I answer, "Nothing today, but I'll keep you posted."

"What?" She frowns.

Suddenly a car's horn honks. It's her boyfriend. Shaking her fist towards me as she exits, she says, "We'll finish this tomorrow. Lock the door behind me. Love you."

Head peeking outside I say, "Love you too." Then I lock the door.

My mom works the midnight shift so on Sunday nights Desiree's boyfriend stays over. His name is Reno. Usually, I'm irritated because I'm their extended alarm clock, ensuring he's up and gone before mom gets home. However, tonight I'm too anxious to sleep.

I'm up before 6 a.m. trying on outfits. After modeling everything in my closet I choose my all-black Madonna's Like A Virgin video outfit. My mom opens the door to me sitting in the living room dressed and ready to leave. Smiling she says, "Good job baby. Where's Des?"

Pointing towards the hallway, Desiree comes around the corner when Mom says, "I'm tired. Drop your sister off then go to school, but return here immediately after school. No stops!"

Grinning she snatches the keys and says, "Yes, ma'am."

As we hurry out my mom yells, "I mean it, Des! Bring my car straight home!"

Now driving, Desiree calls Reno so they can ditch school together. Once parked in front of Whittier, she says, "You look pretty. Whoever he is tell him I said beat it!"

Shaking my head and laughing, I say, "Bye Des. Enjoy playing hooky."

Face twisted and teeth gripping her tongue she teased, "Will do. Bye, Kelly."

It's the third hour and my heart's beating out of my chest. All the boys by the door are being themselves, but Aden's staring as I come down the hall. It wasn't long before all the guys turned around and watched. Feeling so uncomfortable I drop my head, clutching my book to my chest, and try to walk past but Aden says, "Hi Kelly."

Wide-eyed I look up and all eyes are on me. Swallowing, I greet, "Hi Aden."

They all wait until I enter then follow me inside. Today seems like just another day, but throughout the class, I can feel his stare. Also, he's extra loud and comical today. Did my checking "yes" have him excited all weekend too? Finally, I glance back and he's watching. His eyes smile at me as he interacts with his boys. Still, I feel eyes. Looking past him, I see Dallas glaring at me. Giving him a pressed smile, I look away.

The bell rings and Aden leaves as usual but once I exit, he's waiting for me. He asks, "May I walk you to your locker?"

"Mhmm."

As we walk together all the popular students, especially the girls, stare. Now by my locker he says, "There's an empty locker next to mine. You should move your things there."

"Oh? Okay..."

Before I'm done answering he's grabbing my other books out of my locker. Closing it with his foot he says, "Glad you don't have a bunch of posters and crap in there. You're an easy move."

Now following him upstairs to his locker, he opens the one to his left, dumps my books on the shelf, and says, "Alright. See you at lunch."

"Oh? Okay..."

Dallas shares his locker, so he's standing there glaring as I put my lock through the slots and lock it. Once it snaps, Dallas rolls his eyes and jogs to catch up with Aden.

It's now lunchtime and Aden asks, "What do you want to eat?"

"We're not eating in the cafeteria?"

"You don't want that, do you? You like Chinese food?"

"Mhmm."

"Good. C'mon, let's go."

Once in the student parking lot, he has a terrible little burnt orange car, but it feels like a Cadillac riding in it with him. We drive around the corner to the nearest Chinese restaurant when he says, "Get whatever you want, my treat."

The hostess greets, "Welcome to Wok One. What is your order?"

"Give me your peppered steak combo and for the lady?"

I answer, "I'd like the same."

Not looking her way, with a sensual gaze, he grins and says, "Change that to two peppered steaks."

Dallas orders his meal, and we three eat in the park behind our school. Lunch break is ending but I have tons of food left. Now parked Aden says, "Leave your food in the car. I'll take you home, okay?"

"Okay."

Every hour there is a gang of popular kids at Aden's locker chatting or discussing where to hang out for the weekend. One of Whittier's most popular girls is six feet tall and burly, but shapely. Her name is Sonya Poole. She's far from ugly but a huge girl and a complete bully. I've never seen her fight so she's not that kind of a bully, but a "mean girl". She's a leader in most of our class's organizations. Sonya's on the swim team, the newspaper, the yearbook, and over our senior trip for next year.

Like I mentioned earlier I'm known by most because I'm one of the school's pretty girls, but who I am is a total mystery. Seeing me locking next to Aden causes her to lift a brow, but if I'm his girl she knows not to say anything negative to or about me.

It's Friday afternoon. We ride to a burger joint for lunch. Dallas couldn't hang with us today so it's just me and Aden eating in silence when he asks, "May I take you out on Saturday?"

"Okay."

Releasing a loud sigh he answers, "Cool."

Seeing his nervousness makes me blush. After we're finished eating, we exchange phone numbers and then head back to school.