The Badass

Chapter 8-Queen

I sat in the chilled bleachers, the announcer's voice sounding like a mosquito buzzing in my ear.  It was all a blur, until the juniors started walking down the field.  This was the important part.

I was standing at the edge of the bleachers, eager to see Avery.  John was standing next to me, mainly just to get a better view at the show...and to throw pieces of popcorn at the coach when he wasn't looking.  It took everything we had not to start laughing at his confusion, because, well, EVERYONE in the stands had popcorn. 

"Now walking down the field is junior Jennifer Derrabond, age 16, escorted by her brother, Aidan Derrabond.  Jennifer is captain of the cheerleading squad, on the Honor Roll, and a member of Key Club.  She says "I'm lucky enough to be on court at all...I always looked up to my brother and sisters, who were all on court as well in their high school careers, it was always a dream of mine.  It's an honor just to be able to be recognized at all."

"It's always the same," I muttered to John. "The same generic thing. "Oh it's such an honor to be nominated, I'm so happy I can do this, blah blah blah where's my crown?""

"Yeah, normally I'd agree with you, man, but Jenna doesn't want the crown.  She wants to see Avery win.  She said that if Avery doesn't get to play, then she has the cheerleaders ready to boycott."

I gaped at him.  "How do know that?"

"Jenna told me," he responded with a shrug.  I noticed he was staring at her.  She looked pretty good, her hair all curled and glossy, her emerald green formfitting halter dress accentuating her thin muscled body just right.  He waved to her, and she locked gazes with him and waved back, smiling at him.  He blushed and grinned. 

I raised an eyebrow at John.  "You and Jenna?"

He nodded, turning even redder.  "I asked her to the dance tomorrow at the beginning of the week, she said yes."

I nodded.  I didn't really know Jenna, I only knew her from her cheers and being tossed around from the top of the pyramid, but she wasn't the kind of queen bee you see in movies, she seemed nice as far as I could tell. 

I was brought out of my reverie by John nudging me.  "Avery, check her out," he said, pointing.

"Walking down the field now is junior Avery Kallicks, age 16, escorted by her father, Walter Kallicks.  Avery is a member of Honor Society, Support Group, and a former member of the football team.  She was the wide reciever for about 30 seconds until the coach kicked her out for being a girl."  At this, people started boo-ing and throwing things at the coach.  I could see Avery smirk.  "She says, "I wanted to play football, but since being female is apparently forbidden, I guess I'll just roll with it.  I want a chance to play before the season is up, maybe if I win this will change some stubborn minds.  I love that despite being the new girl and a bit of an outsider, I managed to get nominated, that in itself is an accomplishment."

People applauded uproariously at her walk down the field.  I had to admit, she looked beautiful.  Her sapphire blue dress had rhinestones glued to the bodice, which laced up in the back, revealing a sliver of her flawless pale skin.  The skirt was made of three layers and gathered, flaring out is it went.  Her long hair was done in a fishtail braid that went across her head and then wound up in a bun, the colored streaks adding just enough pizzaz.  I noticed she was barefoot, her nails painted a glimmery pearly gray color to reflect the rhinestones.  Her makeup had been toned down, and she looked like some other person, until her fiery eyes locked with mine, and she gave me a lopsided grin. Then I saw the Avery I knew and hd a crush on. 

I pulled out a flower and tossed it to her.  Cheesy, but I couldn't help it.  She caught it and blew a kiss at me, and I could feel my cheeks flood with color.  God, did she have me.  I wanted so badly to go to the dance tomorrow with her, and I wanted to know so badly why she had turned me down. 

By the time the seniors had walked downfield, I was practically ricocheting off the bleachers, eager to see who had one. 

"Ladies and gentleman, your new homecoming queen is..." there was a collective breath as everyone hope for their favorite to win, and the band played a drumroll.  "Avery Kallicks!"

"YES!" I shouted, leaping up like a moron.  Last year's queen handed her the crown, and she slipped it into her hair, tossing the court crown into the bleachers, where it was grabbed at by one of the many awaiting hands in the student section.

People began flooding the field, to hug their favorites, congratulate the new queen, etc.  I vaulted off the edge and landed on the field.  I saw Avery, who was hugging Jenna.  They squealed over her victory, and then Jenna broke away to greet John with a big smooch on the cheek.  I walked towards Avery, who was just thanking those who congratulated her, smiling and looking happier then I had ever seen her. 

"Avery!" I called over the din of the crowd.  She turned toward me and smiled, waving me over.  "Hey," I said, jogging over to her.  I embraced her, and she patted my back, a little surprised.  She wasn't much of a hugger, but accepted and returned mine. 

"Congrats on winning," said a voice, but it wasn't mine, it was the coach, with Tanner right behind him.  "I was wrong about you, Kallicks.  Maybe you do have the right mindset to play.  You've certainly got the determination. 

"Hell yeah she does, that's what I told you, Coach," said Tanner, smiling and winking at Avery.  She grinned. 

"Go get changed, we have a game to win," Coach said.  "You too, Blaine, we can use you." 

I smirked.  "Thanks Coach," I said.  When he walked away, Tanner stayed behind.

"Thanks for the backup, Tanner," Avery said.  "For some reason, the coach only listens to you."

"Hey, no problem, backing up you and Blaine was my pleasure.  God knows you two are the best players the team has ever had."

"Thanks man," I said, holding out my fist.  He fist-bumped me, and turned to Avery, who was clearing out the last few congratulators. 

"Avery, will you go to homecoming with me?" Tanner blurted out in a rush.  Avery looked at him, then at me, her eyes flicking back and forth as she bit her lip. 

"I already have a date, sorry Tanner," she said with a smile. 

"Oh...who?" he asked, confused.

"Him," she said, pointing at me.  Tanner's blue eyes widened. 

"Oh, sorry, Blaine, I didn't know she was your girl," he said, jogging off.

"I didn't either," I mumbled.  Avery sighed. 

I'm sorry, Blaine," she said as we walked back toward the locker room.  "I should have said yes when you asked me."

"Why did you turn me down?" I questioned. 

"As I've said before, I'm not a good person," she pulled the crown out of her hair.  "I just didn't want you to ever see me when I'm angry, but I realized you already have, and you didn't care." 

I thought back to all her scenes.  It was true, and she was right.  I didn't care, I liked her the way she was, anger and all. 

"Very true," I said.  "You turned this town on its head, and I wouldn't care if you had burned it to the ground."

"Yes you would," she said, looking up at me, a small smile on her face.

"Wouldn't." I bent down slightly to meet her gaze better.

"Would," she said, standing on her toes so she was closer to being eye to eye with me. 

"Wouldn't." I craned my neck down. 

"Would." She craned her neck up. 

"Wouldn't." I whispered, my forehead touching hers.  I could feel her breath on my lips, and I angled my head, lips meeting hers. 

After a long kiss, I leaned back.  "Congrats on being queen.  Now it's time for you to be my queen," I whispered. 

"I better start campaigning," she whispered. 

"You already won all the votes," I said.