~*~

A chorus of voices called out my name when I kicked open the swinging kitchen door. I grinned at my friends’ faces as they watched my entrance: I had  a pizza in each hand, and even one balanced on my head. For some reason I was feeling risky that night. Besides, the pizzas were only three dollars, so I could afford to replace it if I did drop one, although I was almost positive I wouldn’t. That was the other great thing about Hester’s: the prices. And I’ll admit, the place had atmosphere. Candles on the tables and posters from the fifties all over the walls. As I brought the first batch of orders out I saw that Hester’s was at its finest that night: packed with my classmates having a good time. Tim Devers and his new fiancee Karen Lee were sitting in the corner booth just staring at one another with that young-love kind of glow. It made me kind of sick to watch them, but I didn’t join in the jeers of my classmates like I would have at school. After all, they were customers, no matter how stupid they were getting engaged at eighteen.

 “Hey, I thought Denny said you were going over to Ally’s after practice?” Jesse called out to me as I brought his table a platter that smelled as if it came straight from Hawaii. Most of my single-pringle junior  friends were at this table. The single seniors sat at another table and the rest of the parlour was paired up. It was that time of year when most of the older kids are in the “star-struck” phase of their relationships, just before they figure out how weird the other person is and things start to go south fast. From February to March there’s a kind of drama plateau that happens right before all the break-ups hit. Single myself, I was enjoying the peace.

 “I might drop by after my shift. If I have time.” I answered Jesse, filling waters. Jenny Hudgins pushed her glass over shyly, giving me that nervous half-smile. I smiled back, sending a rush of red into her face. Poor Jenny. She always got that silly look on her face whenever I smiled at her, so most of the time, out of sympathy, I’d just ignore her.

“I hope I have time. I’ve got to get that stupid test done before Monday. I can’t believe Gregson gave us a take home test after all those worksheets we just turned in!” Jesse continued indignantly. Mrs. Gregson was the notorious math teacher at Wakanakee. Algebra 2 had been cut-throat all year, and some of the kids were close to snapping, Jesse being one of them. Even Denny hated Mrs. Gregson.

 

 “I know, man. It sucks.” I shook my head, warding off a yawn. Jesse laughed at me.

 

 “Am I that boring?” He joked.

 I laughed too, mid-yawn.  “Sorry, dude, I’m just burnt out from practice.” Grimacing, he nodded understanding. Jesse was the track champion of Wakanakee High, and a tougher runner I’d never seen. 

  “Here,” he handed me my tip and added, “Go buy yourself a Red Bull or something, and make it through tonight. We’re gonna party!”