Half A Dream

Pepsi

I was walking down the hall with just one book in my hand and the rest in my simple orange book bag. The halls were empty because the late bell had already rung, but I had lunch so it didn’t really matter. I entered the lunch room. It was loud with people everywhere. I looked down at my orange Nikes, then continued to walk to my usual table.

It was a round table near the back of the room, only two other people were currently siting there. I threw my book and bag on the table and Danny looked up.

“Hey Marcus, can you get me diet Pepsi while you’re up there.” He flipped his long blonde hair out of his face. He looked like the guy everyone hated. That guy that could do dangerous things, that sporty guy who could play every sport and the guy that got all the chicks. However Danny was not quite any of that.

“You give me some money and I sure will.” I replied with a smirk.

“Hell no, if you get him a Pepsi I want one too.” Jaymes yelled. He was always a few seconds behind every conversation. He wasn’t the smartest person.

“I’m not buying any of y’all anything.” I shouted.

“Stop acting all country, you don’t live on a farm!” Jaymes yelled.

“Yeah Jaymes you’re the one who lives on the farm.” Danny laughed.

“Cleaning up horse shit over the summer.” I added.

“Shut up, my grandpa gives me money, I don’t see any of you making money do I?” Jaymes said before he took a bite of his sandwich.

I walked away and headed towards the lunch line. Jaymes and Danny were good friends of mine. I’ve known Danny since kindergarten but just me Jaymes last year. We met Jaymes at the hockey camp over the summer. We all had the same goal, to make the Buffalo Bears Junior team. They were the best in the state and we all lived only ten minutes away from where they did everything. Since our high school didn’t have a team this was the next best thing. They had an amazing record last year and made it to finals. They didn’t win, but they fought hard. If I could make it on that team, I could probably get a scholarship to any school I wanted.

I finally reached the lunch line and went on through; Just the same old grilled chicken that tasted like rubber.  I punched in my number and started to walk back. I saw some people staring at me and I could feel my face getting red. I was used to it though; A constant feeling that all eyes were watching me. It wasn’t my appearance, or at least I hoped it wasn’t. I had a bit longer hair than most guys but not anywhere compared to Danny’s length. I wore glasses at school, they weren’t too nerdy, and I thought they looked nice. I was average height and wasn’t fat. I also wasn’t that buff either. Overall I had always thought I was average. Not too ugly but not Channing Tatum

Anyways the reason I always had a constant look from others was because of my brother; Twin brother actually. And yes we look very similar. However he is the complete opposite from me. Into skateboarding had a lip piercing and blue highlights in his hair, probably the only way people could tell us apart. Steven was his name. I’m pretty sure he does drugs and I know he gets drunk all the time.  He lives with my mom. My parents split up a while ago, and it’s just kind of how it went, Steven to my mom and me with my dad. I hadn’t seen my mom in a month. I heard from Steven she was getting just as drunk as him. That’s one reason my dad left her. How Steven was even allowed to stay with her blew my mind. I just didn’t question them, and lived my life with my dad. However the whole school only ever thought of me as one thing. Stevens’ goody too shoe brother. Always expecting me to start a fight, or do something dumb that he would do.

I got back to my table and slowly ate the pickles off my chicken. Danny looked at me in confusion.

“What’s got you down now?”

“Nothing, I just want to get out of here and get on the ice.”

“I feel you brother, I feel you.”

Jaymes was watching somebody else, and was paying no attention to us. I nudged him in the shoulder.

“What?” He turned around and looked at us.

“Who you giving googley eyes too?” I asked. Danny laughed.

“No body.” Jaymes looked me dead in the face and I smiled.

“Oh sure gingy you aren’t looking at anyone.”  Danny said. Gingy was a common nick name we gave Jaymes. He had shorter hair than all of us but it was bright red. We always made constant jokes about him, but he would too.

“He’s looking at Parker.” I laughed. Parker was a short brunette with little waves in her hair. She was in my chemistry class and she seemed nice. She had a slight country accent and that’s why I figured Jaymes would like her.

“No I’m not.”

“Yeah whatever you say buddy.” I patted him on the back.

I finished my sandwich then threw my things away. Danny and Jaymes were fighting over who was going to fail the trig test worse. Danny had no use in fighting it was obviously going to be Jaymes.

The bell rang and I went off to German 2. Only two more periods I thought. I can make it.

It was the end of the day and I rushed out of the school. I walled swiftly to Jayme’s old red truck and opened the door and got in. It was about two minutes later when Jaymes got it.

“Man someone’s in a hurry today.” He looked at himself in the car door mirror and slid back his red hair.

“You think I look nice?” Jaymes asked. I was a bit taken back by the random question and I wanted to burst out laughing but I held it in.

“What do you mean?”

“Like am I attractive?” finally I let it all out and busted out laughing.

“Dude what the hell, I don’t know.”

“Thanks for all your help.”

“Sorry bud, I mean you could be worse right?” I felt kind of bad; Jaymes didn’t seem to be taking any of this as a joke.

“I guess so.” He started up the truck and we were on our way.

We finally got to the rink and I went to the bed of the truck and pulled out my bag with my gear. Jaymes threw on his camo hat and grabbed his stuff as well.

I quickly put in my contacts and put all my gear on.

Jaymes walked out of the bathroom only with his shorts on and his hat.

“Come on, why are you so slow, I need someone to shoot at.”

“Calm down, I’m a goalie I got like 80 more things than you to put on.” He sat down and slowly started to put his things on.

Danny walked in with his bag and stick in his hand.

“Marcus why are you so fast?” He asked me.

“Exactly, see I’m not slow your just fast.” Jaymes laughed.

Eventually they all were ready and I stepped onto the ice. A cool wave hit my face and I smiled.

Just as I was about to throw a puck down, my peacefulness was ruined as the other group of kids skated onto the ice. I hated how it was open ice for anyone 14 and older. There were never that many people, but there was always this one group we called the asses. They all thought they were the best. They were rich and obnoxious.

“Great, look who it is.” Danny whispered as he stepped on.

“Asses.” Jaymes shook his head.