“Finally, it’s Friday and the day is over!” I proclaimed as I opened up my locker to throw my books in there for one of the last times this year. The old rusted-orange looking locker that barely opens, looks like an atom split inside of it with papers everywhere. As I shut my locker I saw Jenni walking towards me. Man, does she look really good today!

“Hey, Johnny! Are you going the dance tonight? She questioned me.

“I don’t know yet, maybe,” I hesitantly responded.

“Anyways, I’m having a bonfire after and I was wondering if you…” Right then, Dawson came up and interrupted Jenni by shoving me into a locker and saying.

“He, ya idiot, come on we can’t miss lifting or coach will be on our asses!” As he grabbed me by my sweatshirt and dragged my away, but all I wanted to do was stay there and talk to her until the sun came down. Dawson, that ginger, is probably my best friend. I can tell him anything! He is probably one only person to motivate me that best except the fear of failing.

As I could hear as I got close to the weight room at the high school was coach yelling, “Where the hell is Dawson and Johnny? They are ten minutes late.” When we turned the corner and coach saw us, he commanded, “Hurry up, you guys are already late!”

Usually when I lift, I’m stress free and nothing going through my head but, not today. All I can think of is Jenni’s amazing smile and he perfect colored brown hair. Well, I better start squatting before coach yells at me, wait… Did he just say, “Passing gas?” Oh, he announced, “Ass to grass.” Tonight is going to be one long night…

As my parents pulled up to the cuddy, I got the cold sweats and my knees were weak. I didn’t want to get out of the car but, I forced myself out of it. Before I walked in, I did a quick double check over. I was wearing dark, khaki shorts and a dark purple color polo. My “beard” was a little rugged because I didn’t feel like shaving and I had some cheap cologne.

Inside the cuddy, it was decorated with white, Christmas type lights you would hang on a tree. The lights were dimmed and a Dj was there. Oh, hey there’s Tyrome and Dawson over there. As got up to them I decided to jokingly comment on their appearance, “What’s up, studs?”

Tyrome excitingly smirked, “Johnny! How’s it going? Did you see the watermelón, inside a watermelón!?!?”

“No, I haven’t seen it, maybe we can get some later!” I advised.

Seconds later, Dawson grabbed me by the back of my polo and taunted, “Johnny! Johnny! Oh, Oh. Johnny!”

“What!?!?” I temped as I slapped Dawson in the chest, knocking the wind out of him.

“Look,” he croaked as he pointed towards the door with a big grin. It was Jenni walking in. Wow. That’s all I could think. My jaw dropped to the ground she was looking so good! Dawson brought me back into reality by back-handing me across the face.

“What the hell?!?” I bleated.

“Johnny, you were staring… Don’t stare.” Dawson stated.

All I maintained to say is, “Oh, on that hand, thanks.”

After going h.a.m. rapping to “Thrift Shop” by Maklemore, a slow dance came on and I got way too nervous because I knew Dawson was going to come looking for me to ask Jenni to dance, so I decide to go outside to get some fresh air. As I was walking out, I saw some kids playing quarters with soda. They weren’t even playing it right… “Well, welcome to Wisconsin,” I snarled under my breath.

It was nice outside, a little chilly but, perfect for a close to summer night! I wasn’t even out there for thirty seconds, until someone was calling my name. It, was one two of Jenni’s friends. “This gotta be good,” I thought to myself.

“Johnny, Johnny. Jenni wants to dance with you!” one of them blurted.

I just froze. Could it be true? Jenni. Me. Dance? If it is, could I even walk over by her? I thought my knees were going to give out, I was so nervous. Before I could respond, the slow dance was over. “Well, the song is over so, I guess we can’t dance.” I spoke too soon because another slow song came on and got thinking, “Your kidding me.”

Well, it’s a week into school and I still can get over her. I get so much crap from so many people just because I liked this one girl? How? It must be that obvious. Ever since she told me she won’t wear my jersey on game days just because of what one of her friends said. Ever since we danced… I couldn’t get it out of my head. During practice I have been getting yelled at because I can’t do anything right anymore. I just can’t stop thinking of the night of the dance… I have to talk to Jenni. There’s no way she really wanted to dance with me.

On my way to my first hour class, I ran into Dawson. We have no classes together this year. I don’t know if I want to talk to him though since he knows what really happened at the dance a couple nights before summer.

“Johnny, so, are you going to ask Jenni to homecoming?” Dawson questioned me with a smirk.

“No,” I mumbled so the people around us would hear.

“Why not?!? You know you like her and I bet anything she likes you!” He guessed.

“Dawson, are you sure about that? Cause she doesn’t like me like that. No, I know for a fact that she doesn’t like me.” I muttered.

“What are you talking about? Don’t you remember, she is the one who wanted to dance with you at the dance before the summer?” He stated.

“I know you are lying. You told Jenni you wouldn’t dance with your girlfriend, her best friend! Unless she danced with me and I bet your wondering how I figured out. Well, I talked to her last night and she told me. She also told me that she se never like me and that “we’re just friends” bullshit.” I blurted.

“Come on, Johnny. You know she’s just messing with you!” Dawson joked.

I sighed as I replied, “Dawson, just get over it. I know she doesn’t like me and I have to get over it sooner or later. I just can’t believe what we went from. All of the conversations, all of the jokes, all the times we hung out. To what were are now. I have to get over it. I can’t just keep liking her and get put down and then keep putting down all the girls that like me. I just hate the feel that person you know, is the person you knew.”