To Catch A Dream

Jonah Part Nine

I sigh as I am finally home. After a long and torturous night of dealing with sassy cheerleaders and practically mute football players, I'd think I'd had enough high school drama to last me a lifetime. The night ended on a sour note when Marcus had to rush Bree to the hospital due to Rose almost strangling her in frustration. All's well that ends well.

It's five A.M. in the morning, and I didn't bother to go to sleep. Instead, I studied for the placement test in math we are having today. 23x+45y = 1/2x+56y... What does x equal? Ugh, this is so tiring. I yawn. Hey. A small nap wouldn't hurt, would it?

"Beep beep beep," whines the alarm clock. I stare at the ceiling. I don't have an alarm clock. The only one I have is for emergencies when I oversleep- BAM. I wake up quickly, didn't bother showering, changed into whatever sticks on me after running out of the closet, and sprint to school. I'm now realizing that school is just a "mere" 4 miles away. It's going to take me an hour to get to school at this rate. I dig deep into my backpack. Yesss! I find about ten bucks, enough for an Uber ride to school. I check my watch. 10:00 AM. So far, I am about two hours late for school. My teachers are going to be beyond pleased, as will my mother. But the exhilaration of an adventure (I know that sounds cheesy but remember the sunshine and rainbows) keeps me going. I arrive at school, rushing to my second-period class, science. Mr. Roberts, my teacher, gives me the evil eye as I walk into the classroom, as well as a tardy slip. I moan. Three tardy slips is a detention, and I had a gut feeling that yesterday wouldn't be the last time I would be sneaking out.

...

Phew. A day gone is never a day wasted. I think some famous person said that. Never mind. I don't even think that's a legitimate quote.

"Yo JMachine, the guys and I are going to the field to play some BALL," Conrad tells me excitedly.

"Cool. You guys go ahead, I am helping my mom with the dishes... And I have a, um, test on, um, washing dishes?," I say lamely.

"Hey dude, you alright? You never hang out anymore," he asks.

"Yeah. Sorry, bro. I've just got a lot of things to do," I say

He looks hurt and turns to the rest of our friends. "Ay, looks like mommy's boy ain't joining us today, but we still gon' play the hardest we can!" he says convincingly.

I walk home in a defeated mood. I love football. Why did I say I wouldn't play? Sometimes, I can understand why boys get no credentials for their academic skills, but more for their athletic skills... Who knows. Anyways, it wasn't long before I felt like someone was following me. I turn around and see Rose.

"Hey," I say casually, not in the mood to talk to her.

"Hey. Can we forget what I said yesterday? I barely met you, and I put all this pressure on you. I shouldn't have done that," she held out her hand. "Friends?" she asked hopefully.

Since I am in great (more like desperate) need of new friends, I relent.

"So... whaddya doing Friday night?" she asks, with a twinkle in her eye.

"Depends on what we're doing," I say, flirting.

"Well, I was thinking we could go to a concert. You know. Not a date or anything," says Rose.

Did our kiss mean nothing to her?

"Yeah. I guess," I say dejectedly. "That's cool."

"Well.. See ya then. It's at 10. You don't have a curfew do you?'' she asks hesitantly.

I flinched. Truthfully, I've never had the need for a curfew, because my parents have always quote-unquote "trusted" me. But I know they have a tracker on my phone. They might be amazing doctors, but not very good actors.