Wickless

Two

       Dee Dee sat in the bleachers of the gym where the home volleyball game was being played. She was by herself since Laurie, Tonya, and David couldn't make it. David had detention because he got into a fight with a bully he was no longer afraid of. Tonya was helping her mother had the church and Laurie was at home. Laurie's parents preferred it when she came straight home on school nights or any night. So that left just Dee Dee to sit and watch Clara. She thought about not attending the game but since she was invited by the other girl, she figured it wasn't too obvious that she had a crush on Clara. 

       For the most part, volleyball was a pretty boring sport. Dee Dee blushed thinking the only thing really worth wild were the girls who were often attractive and athletic. Besides that, sports in general were pretty boring, even mixed martial arts that so many of the students went on and on about. 

       Dee Dee wrapped her arms around herself; her jacket was pretty hefty and though it wasn't the most fashionable clothing accessory, it kept her kind of warm. 

       She looked over at the timer that was on the wall. The team was winning and Dee Dee clapped as she watched the smile on Clara's face. It was already in the middle of October. The hurricanes that were forming in the more southern states had since subsided, and the rain wasn't as much like in August; instead, it was the cold that made it's way in. That was fine though because Dee Dee enjoyed the cold. It allowed one to snuggle up with the person they admired or really liked. 

       The crowd roared! The home team won another point. The score was now 11-20. One more point and the game would be over. Dee Dee looked around to see if Clara's parents were in the bleachers. She didn't see them; quite so since the bleachers weren't as lively. Mainly because it wasn't an important game. The sport wouldn't become "important" until two or three more weeks. Dee Dee wasn't sure. 

       She watched as Clara patted her team mates and got back into position. For Dee Dee, it had been about six weeks or so since she's left The Land of Oz. Now and then Dee Dee thought about the green skinned girl. She wondered what the girl's name was and if she in fact really was a witch. There were so many other questions she wanted to ask like how'd the girl know her name and why the girl's parents would want her 'killed on the spot'. Dee Dee continued to think about it until her thoughts were interrupted by the buzzer-the game was over! Along with the other small amount of people in the crowd, Dee Dee stood up and clapped. She watched as the two teams formed into two lines and began to high five one another the typical 'good game'. 

       After it was all over, Dee Dee stood outside the locker rooms and waited by the water fountains. The girls began to exit; they talked and laughed about the game and all that took place. The coach called after them saying there was no practice the next day, but was back on the day after that. 

       Dee Dee stopped leaning against the wall when she saw Clara walking her way with a wide grin on her face. They hugged one another. It didn't mean anything-plenty of girls hugged. At least those were the words forming in Dee Dee's head. 

       "Did you enjoy the game?" Clara asked. When she saw it was taking a while for Dee Dee to respond and saw the other girl was struggling to form words, Clara laughed. "Hey, volleyball isn't for everyone." She reassured Dee Dee. 

       The hallway became empty and the coach and assistant coach locked up the locker rooms, and their offices. The last of the parents and players were leaving. Dee Dee and Clara were ushered out into the cold. Dee Dee followed Clara to her truck. Clara turned to Dee Dee as the other cars put their lights on, and started to leave the lot. Time hadn't changed yet the sky was getting dark around six in the evening. 

       "Do you need to be home right away?" Clara wondered.

      "Um, my parents want me home by eight-thirty." Dee Dee told her. It was only seven-thirty so they still had about an hour. 

       "How about the two of us head to the burger joint?" 

       Dee Dee smiled and nodded her head. Clara opened the door on the other side of the truck for Dee Dee to get in.