Orphan Mate

Chapter 4

Waking up Friday morning was more dreadful than usual. After the football game was the dance. And like I figured nobody asked me. And I wouldn't dare to ask anyone either.

Ms.Parker gave me the most perfect homecoming dress imaginable the night before. I didn't like the thought of her spending money to get me a dress I would only be wearing one time. But she told me it was hers when she was in High School.

It was a pale pink two piece outfit. The bottom was teacup length with a top that had cute short sleeves. The top was satin with an open scoop neckline. While the bottom was a full tulle skirt.

I hung it immediately next to my full length mirror.

I had the perfect pair of shoes to match too. A matching closed toe pale pink kitty heel, they had ballet laces that would tie up around my ankles.

The dance was to start at 9 p.m. a good full hour after the homecoming game was supposed to end.

The cheer outfit for today was our black home skirt with a jersey that one of the football team members was to hand us today. Since I didn't have the jersey yet I wore a black onsie. And put on the yellow spank shorts underneath the skirt. I also grabbed my squad hoodie.

I braided my hair into Dutch braides, tying yellow ribbons on the ends. And did my usual light make up routine.

Since I needed to be back home quick to change and get ready Ms.Parker gave me her Jeep Liberty keys to drive to school today.

I got there with plenty of time to spare. I waited in front of my locker for anyone from the football team to come and hand me their jersey. But as the minutes ticked away it was becoming clear that no one was going to hand me theirs. I bent down and unlocked my locker stuffing the pompoms inside and taking out my statistics book. As I was about to turn and leave towards the coaches offices near the gym I was meet with the most mesmerizing smell imaginable.

"Good morning Misty" said a deep husky voice.

"Good morning." I said unsure of myself.

"I'm supposed to give you my jeresy." Gavin said handing me his yellow number 9 jersey.

I was about to place my backpack on the ground but he grabbed it before it touched the floor slinging it around his left shoulder. He took my statistics book from my hand after.

Unzipping my sweater, my sensitive hearing heard a low growl. He kept his eyes around my tight onsie underneath, he took my sweater as well. But I noticed he shifted his body covering me up from the people walking in the hall. I didn't understand why he did that but I tried to hurry before the bell could ring. I slipped on his jersey that had his smell lingering on it.

I pulled my skirt a bit down, hearing another low growl, I stuffed the jerseys bottom underneath my skirt and then raised it back up.

"Its a bit large" I told him trying to make a bit of conversation.

Extending my hand as to ask for my things back he took one glance at my hand and pulled it.

My immediate reaction was to pull my hand back. But the voice in my head told me not to.

"I'll walk you to class." He said nonchalantly. Pulling me along to my statistics class that was in the back building.

"I'm Gavin Clark by the way."

"Yeah, I know we have homeroom together." I said shyly. Clearly I'm forgettable to him, he doesn't recognize me even though we've had the same homeroom teacher since freshman year.

"Stupid," my sensitive ears heard him say at the exact moment the warning bell rang.

Who's stupid? My inner voice said angry yet hurt at his comment.

I didn't try to make conversation after that I just let him pull me along towards my class. With several glares from the other girls along the way. When he handed back my things I made sure not to look at him. I kept my head down.

"Thanks." I said still not making eye contact.

As he turned to leave I looked up at his broad back and gave a deep sigh before walking into my class.

Well we'll never talk to him again. The voice said.

We still need to give him back his jersey. Maybe I can leave it with the football coach on Monday.

The rest of the day went by fast. But something inside of me kept repeating his word over and over again. Stupid. It stung each and everytime I thought about him saying it.

I grabbed my tray of food and sat at my usual seat.

"Rejects" I heard as someone passed the table and said coughing under their breath.

Maybe it was hearing the word reject that made me stop eating my bread pizza or maybe it was the Stupid from earlier.

Either way I grabbed my tray and threw my food in the trash. I hurried to my locker to pick up my pompoms and walked to the gym.

Where I was meant with girls staring smugly at the jersey I was wearing.

Before the assembly began Laura gave us our own pep speech.
"Ok ladies for some of you this is going to be the last high school football pep rally you will ever cheer for, let's make it a memorable one."

Come on let's put on a show.

"Ready, ok." I started.

With a final run I finished my cheer with a double back handspirng landing a perfect split.

Even though there was a smile on my face and I was shaking my pompoms something I couldn't describe was creeping within me.

"Lets go wolverines!" I got up cheering.

Stupid.

"We can do it!"

Stupid.

A single tear fell, that I quickly wiped away.