Midnight Message

Chapter 10 - Ego Boy

The cursor on Gemma’s laptop screen flashes steadily inside the Google search box. Gemma moves her hands quickly over the keyboard. She types ‘Trent Caldwell North Ballarat Midfielder’ and hits enter.

 40900 results in (0.70 seconds). Thank you very much Google. Gemma clicks on the first link. A player profile fills her screen. It contains a picture of a young, smiling blond football player dressed in a North Ballarat uniform, and a list of statistics. Gemma glances at the picture, which is about the size of a playing card. Sure you look innocent in your photo. Smiling at the camera and looking like you could charm the pants off anyone you meet. But I know you’re really an arrogant, egotistical jerk. I can practically feel your inflated sense of confidence radiating off your picture. I can see your blue eyes reflecting a sense of amusement and your messy blond hair falling over your perfectly tanned and chiselled face. I can see your perfect white teeth surrounded by your incredibly inviting lips and…….focus Gemma focus! 

Gemma tears her eyes away from Trent’s mesmerizing photo and reads his statistics. 21 years old. Ok I knew that already. He told me his age. I believe his exact words were ‘Old enough to satisfy a girl like you. Old enough to have you screaming my name all night long. I’m 21.’ Gemma blushes. She continues to read the words on her laptop screen. 

Height: 185cm. That makes him about a head taller than me. Weight: 85kg. Playing number: 12. Goals kicked in the season so far: 28. Achievements: North Ballarat Best and Fairest for the last three seasons. Great. So basically he’s a superstar. Gemma mumbles drily under her breath. I can see why Richmond wants him. Probably every club in the AFL wants him. And I have his phone number….   

Gemma starts to panic. How can she, Gemma Stanton, be talking to a guy like Trent Caldwell. Gemma who would rather bury herself in a good book than go to a party. Gemma who spends her free time volunteering in a library and babysitting her neighbours kids. Gemma who, if she was completely honest with herself, was a bit of a nerd. 

How did this happen? Gemma you are so out of your league. What if he finds out that I’m just a nerdy girl who is studying creative writing and attends football matches with a 61 year old man on the weekend? What if he sees me tomorrow? Oh my gosh. WHAT IF HE SEES ME TOMORROW? What do I do? What do I do? What do I do? 

Gemma slams her laptop shut and forces herself to take a few deep breathes. She picks up her phone and calls the only person she can talk to at times like this. As Gemma listens to the ringing sound in her ear she glances at the clock on her desk. 5:06pm. Perfect. Emily will have just finished work. 

Sure enough, Emily picks up after the fourth ring. 

‘Hey Gemma, what’s up?’ Emily’s cheerful voice says. 

‘I have a big problem’ Gemma says. 

Emily laughs ‘more essay troubles?’ 

‘No. It’s something worse!’ Gemma replies. 

‘What’s wrong now, stresshead?’ Emily asks. Her tone is slightly amused, but she is also concerned about what could be troubling her friend. 

‘Well…..you know that guy I told you about. The one that’s been texting me. And occasionally calling…’ Gemma says slowly. 

‘Lover boy!’ Emily shouts excitedly. ‘I know him indeed. Do go on.’ 

Gemma sighs. ‘Trust me Em, he’s not lover boy.’ Gemma pauses. ‘Actually, maybe that name is appropriate. He seems to fancy himself as a ladies man. But I can see through his charm act.’ 

‘Mmm hmmm’ Emily says. 

‘Anyway’ Gemma continues ‘I found out that he is…’ Gemma pauses.