Monty After Dark

Chapter 7

Wednesday, I kicked ass at lacrosse practice. I was feeling like I had a new lease on life with my new plan. Sean wasn't exactly on board, but I'd get him onside.

"What about high school hockey?" he wanted to know.

"Fraser, fuck high school hockey, we're way too good to be playing that shit, and we all play on the same AAA team. What difference does it make?"

"It just seems like a pretty extreme length to go to for banging some broad," he replied.

"She's not just some broad, man, I'm into it."

"Yeah, but is she into you, or are you just going to make an asshole of yourself?"

"Buds, have a little faith. Fuck, look at me, I can get any girl in this school," I said. "All I have to do is impress her a little bit, and it'll be good. Just, don't be on my ass about this."

Thursday was the big day. I felt nervous walking into the classroom after school. All I knew about was pucks, lacrosse balls and drinking with my buddies, it's intimidating to walk into a room full of people you know are going to judge you. But this was the first meeting, maybe it wouldn't be too intense?

"Welcome to the first meeting of the yearbook committee! Nice to meet you, I'm Julie!" exclaimed a tall, slim Asian girl with long hair. I wondered if I could get yearbook girl's number. I found a seat near the back of the room and pulled out a notebook. "Let's go around the room and introduce ourselves, and let us know what you'd like to do for the yearbook so we can sort out who's going to do what!"

Great. I thought. I already noticed a couple people staring at me. People went around, one person wanted to design the cover, someone was going to be in charge of each Grade. When it was my turn I said, "Hi, I'm Matt Monteleone, I'd like to take photos."

"Hi, Matt," said yearbook girl. What was her name again? "We don't usually see a lot of um, athletes, in here, it's nice to see one of you guys here. We could definitely use some photos from a different perspective. Do you have any experience with photography?"

Friday night, dad missed my game, as usual. First one of the season, and I scored a goal. I looked around the stands for half a second, but already knew he wasn't there. Probably some playoff game for his beer league baseball team or something.

When I got home, I flipped open my computer and started researching. I held the big, black camera in my hands, trying to find what kind it was. Nikon. Okay. This can't be too hard, I mean, it's just photos, right?

Sunday, after hockey practice, Chris and I were sitting in the room having a chew. "You should get like, some nude pics on there, and then ask her if she wants to see the photos you took and make it be like you accidentally didn't mean for her to see them," he said.

"Dude, that's stupid. And the camera is massive, it's not like I can just go stand in the bathroom and take a bunch of naked selfies ..." And then I had an idea.

Monday, I was at my locker grabbing my bag for lacrosse practice. I saw Sam and a couple of her friends at the end of the hallway. On my way to the change room, I stopped.

"Hey, Cassie," I said to a brunette with curly hair. Sam glared at me.

"Matt, did you unfriend me from Facebook?" she asked.

"Yeah," I said. I looked back at Cassie. "I really need a hand with something later. Do you think you could come by after dinner?" I flashed her a big grin.

"She's busy," said Sam, attempting to position herself between her friend and me.

"Am I speaking to you?" I asked. "Cassie, c'mon, I just really need a hand with something. I know you can help me out."