Soda Pop

Chapter 20- The Balloon Animal

That Friday, was a complete H-E-Double L.

I may do bad things, but cussing isn't one of them. My fifth grade teacher once told me that cussing was a way for stupid people to insult others. Smart people do it with long words that not only confuse the stupid person, but also insult them without them realizing it. Take the word jackanapes for example. It is just a more complicated way of telling someone they are impertinent, which if you don't know the meaning of that word either, I strongly recommend purchasing a dictionary. Or just paying attention in school. Ironic huh?

That day was the Day of the Jackanapes. You know, the start of football season. Everyone gets all rallied up and sits in the freezing cold of night just to watch burly teenagers in shoulder pads knock each other over. Ew. I would much rather spend the night at home. But then again, my mother does think home is for invtroverts. She would much rather see me out there with those other preppy girls, waving pom poms and kicking each other in the face (no offense to any of you out there who are actually good at cheerleading. The girls at my school can barely spell G-O. They are all like: "Let's Go Crumberlin! G-Oh, what comes after G?" I know right, it's that bad).

Back to the stuff you actually care about.

Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, Friday.

I arrived early, hauling a tray of lattes for my friends and I. But I forgot Della wasn't there.

"Where is Della again?" Courtney asked me for the third time.

"Like I said twice, she is at court over the custody battle between her parents," I turned away for just a second to roll my eyes.

"Oh," She sighs, not even hearing the aggravation in my voice. That's Courtney for you. She turns to face me and I catch a glimpse of something sparkling on her nose.

"What is that?" I cry.

"Oh this?" She points to the nose piercing.

"Yeah that!"

"Don't overreact." She leans in closer, "It's fake."

I roll my eyes, pulling the fake rhinestone off of her nose.

"Hey! I liked it!" She pouts, crossing her arms.

A cheerleader skips over, and smiles at me and Courtney, "Hey girls, there's a test in history today! Did you get your Colas yet?"

"No, not yet. Where is Soda Pop handing them out?" I ask. In all of the Brett/Marcus drama I had completely forgotten that we had a test today.

"Right outside the girl's restroom in the basement. Oh, and the charge is $100 per can on this one. This is a big test! Good luck!" She winks and walks away.

"Shoot, I only have $50! Can I borrow $70?" Courtney asks me, digging through her wallet.

"You mean $50?" I ask.

"No, silly. I need $20 to tip the really nice guy who always makes sure I get A's on tests."

"You mean the guy who we buy the cans from? Have you seen him before?" I ask, suddenly extremely interested in what she was saying.

"Yeah, who else? I saw him last week by the drinking fountain. He gave me a diet soda instead of regular. Can you believe that?"

Oh, so a bit less anticlimactic.

We make our way to the place he is supposed to be. Sure enough, there he is. I give him the $200, without tip.

I can't help but notice how he seems to stare as we approach. I turn to see who he is staring at, but there is no one there... Me? Or maybe it is Courtney.