"Hey there, weird kid in your high-top shoes
Sitting in the back of the class, I was just like you
Always left out, never fit in
Owning that path you're walking in"
(Mr. Misunderstood -Eric Church)
Freshman year of high school is an awkward time in any kid's timeline. James went into high school not knowing anyone. His parents had wanted him to attend a private high school like he did for grade school. The weekend before school started, the returning students hosted a welcome weekend for the freshman. There was a Friday night dance, in all of its awkward teenage confusion. Then, a Saturday open house, filled with activities designed to acclimate the incoming students to the school, the staff, and each other. Most of it was filled with reluctant participation in ice breaking activities.
That Saturday, the only game James remembered with any degree of clarity was the three legged race. He remembered being grumpy and uncomfortable most of the day in all the new social situations. To compound his awkward and shy nature, he ended up being put into a group without any other guys for him to talk to. Not many guys would take this as a bad thing, but he was mind numbingly shy sometimes. He couldn't help but imagine he came across as unfriendly, but he just didn't know what to say to any of those giddy girls submersed in that wealthy suburban drama. They were immersed in the kinds of conversation that envelop around most popular high school girls. In James' group, there was only one girl that was not openly engaged in the running day time drama.
She wasn't having any of it. This nameless blonde heart-breaker stood there on the outer edges of the estrogen huddle looking like she'd be more comfortable somewhere else. This made James feel better, and like he wasn't alone. He looked at her there and wished they could start their own huddle. Or at least talk.
Together the group of ten or so went from one awkward social experiment to the next. As they were prepped for the three legged race, James stood there at the back of the line, right behind the blonde girl. As it approached their turn, a student strapped their legs together. It was unclear what happened up to this point. He couldn't remember whether there were polite greetings exchanged or stiff silence between the two of them. What he did remember was that they ran that race together faster than any other partners. Right out of the gate, with no warning, they just ran like Forrest Gump did for Alabama. With next to no communication, they managed to stay in step and smoothly sail back and forth down the hallway. It was effortless.
The memory was fuzzy, and at the time seemed so insignificant. Now James always considered it a bit of dramatic irony cruelly laid out by fate. Daisy and he would be in a sort of three legged race for the rest of high school. Each of them with one leg running separately and whether they liked it or not, with one tied together.
YOU ARE READING
Dreaming of Daisy
RomanceDuring freshman year of high school, James Rosner has a leg tied to Daisy Tanner for a race. Since that moment, his heart has remained inextricably connected to her. For over a decade, his decisions, his future relationships, and his world view a...
