Authors: David Skuy
“I’ll see you soon, Mom,” Charlie called out from the hallway.
“You’re still here? I thought you’d left already.”
“I guess … I … lost track of time.”
“I’m glad you finally decided to go. You shouldn’t miss your dance. It sounds like a lot of fun, and your friends will be glad to see you after three weeks at home.”
He hadn’t been back to school since the concussion, and he wasn’t that stoked about this dance. He knew Jake and his crew would give him a hard time about the fight, and his friends … well, they would be all embarrassed. If it were up to him, he’d stay home and watch TV. But his mom had been bugging him so much to go that he finally gave in.
“I’ll see you soon, Mom. I probably won’t stay too long.”
“Okay, dear.” She pointed at his feet. “Could you at least put on some boots? It’s supposed to continue snowing all night.”
His reputation was bad enough without looking like a doofus in snow boots.
“It’s like two minutes to school. I’m good. See ya.”
“Charlie!”
He headed off to school. For a week after the game he’d had a bad headache and felt dizzy a lot of the time. His head felt better now. It couldn’t be that bad to talk to a few people, then leave. As he walked along he had to admit it felt good to be outside. He never thought he could get bored with TV and video games.
His mom had been right about one thing — it was snowing hard. He picked up the pace, but the bottoms of his pants were soaked and he could barely feel his toes by the time he got to school. He could hear the music blaring as he slowly pushed open the gym doors. It hit him like a wall of sound. He’d been particularly sensitive to noise since the concussion. He forced himself to ignore it and went inside. He couldn’t ignore the butterflies in his stomach, however. Why did that always happen? It was only a dumb dance, and he wasn’t going to stay long.
A huge banner at the far end of the gym proclaimed:
The 23rd Annual Beat the Winter Blahs Dance – Kick It!
The DJ was organizing a large group of kids into two lines. Snacks and soft drinks were set up against one wall. A handful of dancers were off to the side, a strobe light making it look as if they were moving in slow motion.
On the far side of the gym by the bleachers he saw Pudge, Nick and Zachary. He watched the dancers as he made his way over to his friends — which is why he didn’t see Jake, Liam, Thomas and Roscoe next to the refreshments table. By the time he did, it was too late. Liam pointed him out.
“Joyce finally makes his big return,” he said loudly.
“About time the little chicken came back,” Jake
mocked.
Roscoe laughed. “Be nice, Jake. You don’t want to make him cry again. Look — too late. He’s got tears in his eyes already.”
Jake and Roscoe high-fived.
Charlie’s heart pounded as he walked past. A few kids standing around laughed or turned to look the other way. He wanted to charge at Jake and wipe that look off his face.
His friends gave him a big cheer when they saw him. He punched fists all around and endured some good-natured cracks about his soft head. Pudge held out his fist and Charlie gave it a punch and sat down. Scott emerged from the middle of the dance floor, busting moves his whole way over, his forehead glittering with sweat.
“Dudes, it’s worse than I thought. The ladies are fighting over me. The hip hop classes are totally paying off.”
That set them howling.
“Where are your tutu and slippers?” Nick said.
“Laugh if you want — these magic feet are in high demand. You losers can blend into the walls and watch.” He looked around. “Dance partner at six o’clock,” he said, nodding toward the doors.
Alexandra was standing next to Rebecca. Scott danced his way over, winking to his friends as he did. Charlie had to hand it to him. He wasn’t shy around girls — and he didn’t care what other people thought. Charlie could probably learn something from him. He cheered along with the others as Scott led Alexandra to the dance floor.
Nick elbowed Charlie.
“The dude can dance, I’ll give him that,” he said. “Maybe a few lessons would help me. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life watching every dance I go to.”
“I hear ya,” Charlie said. “I’ve never perfected my spins — not like Scott, anyway.”
That wasn’t entirely true. He’d never admit it to Nick, but when he was younger his mother had forced him to take dance lessons. He’d been pretty good at it too, but he stopped after a few years. In any case, he was too self-conscious to get out on the dance floor now.
Zachary tossed his cup into the garbage, basketball-style. “Can’t let Scott get all the glory,” he said.
The next thing, Zachary and Rebecca were dancing together.
Jonathon came by and sat next to Charlie. “How’re the rest of the Rebels doing?” he said.
“Scott seems to be doing all right,” Charlie said, “and Zachary’s trying to keep up.”
“That’s cool,” Jonathon said. “You been out there yet?”
He shrugged and shook his head. “Just got here. I’m gonna take it easy tonight. This music is tough for me to take right now.”
“So how’s the melon?” Jonathon said, tapping the top of his head.
“It’s good. Doc said I should be able to come back for the last couple of games before the playoffs.”
“I think it’s a miracle you can play again at all. Jake should go to jail for that cross-check.” Jonathon pointed to the other side of the gym. “Your buddy is in the house, by the way,”
“I saw him,” Charlie replied grimly.
“Can’t believe he got off with only a two-game suspension,” Jonathon said.
“Should be out of the league,” Pudge added.
“We’ll play them again,” Nick said darkly.
The talk about Jake embarrassed Charlie. He’d been totally schooled, and everyone knew it.
“Forget Jake,” he said. “He’s not worth it. We’ll get ours back by winning the championship.” He didn’t really believe that. It just seemed the right thing to say.
Jonathon elbowed Charlie. “I see Julia,” he said. “Want to go over with me and say hi?”
Charlie was all too conscious of the blood rushing to his cheeks. All the guys would be watching, and they’d bug him about it forever.
“You go ahead,” he said. “I’ll come over later.”
Jonathon looked surprised. “Cool, dude. I’ll tell her.” He got up. “You should ask her to dance,” he said before he left.
Charlie watched Jonathon sneak up and pull her ponytail. She whirled around, and when she saw it was Jonathon, promptly punched him in the arm. Jonathon pretended to box for a second, and then they began to talk. Charlie felt silly. He wished he could talk to girls without making it into such a big deal.
The conversation quickly turned to hockey — as usual. Matt, Pudge and Dylan discussed the Rebels’ playoff chances. Since the Wildcats game, things had gone off the rails. Without Charlie’s offence, goals became scarce, and they were down to nine players. They’d lost five in a row, and with just three games left they’d blown their chance at third. Fortunately, their
earlier hot streak ensured fourth place, and a first-round game against the Hornets.
He sat quietly off to the side. No one paid him much notice. After the concussion, his teammates had come to see him at home, but their visits only made him feel worse. He could sense they only came to be nice. He’d lost their respect. How could they respect him after he totally choked against Jake? He’d made the entire team look bad. It didn’t help that he’d been completely bossy at the start of the season, trying to be coach and captain. He’d yelled at the guys and acted liked he owned the team. Even sitting around like this was embarrassing for him, and he began to wish he hadn’t let his mom talk him into coming.
As he was thinking about when he could leave without attracting too much attention, two dancers caught his eye. At first he couldn’t believe it. His heart started pounding, and he felt slightly queasy. It confirmed everything he’d been thinking. Julia was dancing with Jake! So Jonathon had been messing with him after all. Charlie would ask her to dance and she would laugh in his face. Julia wanted to dance with the coolest guy in school — and the guy who’d pummeled Charlie Joyce. Deep down, he’d always known Julia liked Jake.
He wasn’t going to watch them dance. He got up and started walking towards the doors. Even the thought of leaving made him feel better. In ten minutes he’d be home. As he reached the stairs he heard his named called.
“Charlie, what’s up?” Pudge was hurrying over. “You were sitting there by yourself and then took off all of a sudden. Is everything okay?”
“I’m going home, I think. I might have pushed things a bit. I’ve got a headache and my neck’s killing me. I’m tired and … I’m just gonna go.”
“I’ll call my dad and he can give us a lift. You shouldn’t walk home, not with the storm. I’ve got my cell. I’ll give him a call.”
“I’m fine. I’ll walk. The music is too loud, that’s all. Fresh air will be good.”
“Fresh air? It’s snowing like crazy.”
“I got here okay.”
“Wait two minutes and my dad …”
“I’m not your baby brother. I walk home from school every day. I’m not going to die.”
Pudge’s shoulder’s stiffened. He shrugged, and crossed his arms.
“Whatever.”
Pudge’s feelings were obviously hurt. Was it wrong to want to go home? It’s not like anyone would miss him.
“I’ll see you … later.”
Pudge barely nodded.
“See you later,” he repeated.
Pudge shrugged again.
He couldn’t stand Pudge being angry with him. Maybe he took Pudge for granted sometimes.
Charlie cleared his throat. “Sorry, dude. I was … that was … it’s the headache. This concussion’s messed me up. I’m tired and I say … stupid stuff. Anyway, you’re right. I’m being dumb.” He leaned closer and said quietly, “I didn’t want to look like a loser, so I wore my running shoes. My feet are swimming in water.” Pudge laughed and Charlie felt better. “Call your dad. That’s a
good idea. That is, if you don’t mind leaving so early.”
Pudge waved his cell phone. “I’ve watched other people dance long enough. I’ll call from the hallway where it’s quieter.”
Pudge left. Charlie looked out over the dance floor. Scott was still dancing with Alexandra. He didn’t see Zachary or Jonathon — or Jake. He felt something jab him hard in the back. He was willing to bet it was Jake messing with him. He spun around.
“Where are you going?” Julia asked. She folded her arms. “I haven’t seen you on the dance floor yet.”
Well, he’d certainly seen her.
Charlie looked away. “I’m not the biggest dancer around,” he mumbled.
Julia giggled.
He shook his head. “I mean, I’m not so into dancing. I was hanging with the boys … the Rebels … teammates … from my hockey team.”
Julia put her hand on Charlie’s arm. “How are you feeling?” she asked. “I was worried when you missed all that school.”
Her concern came as a surprise to him. “The doctor said I can maybe come back to school next week,” he answered. “But probably no hockey or anything like that for at least one more week.” He tapped his head. “Concussion.”
Charlie felt himself blush. That sounded lame.
“I couldn’t believe what happened.” She tucked her hair behind her ears. “Jake went way too far. I don’t understand him. He used to be a really nice guy — lately all he cares about is showing off and trying to be Mr. Cool.”
Was she talking about Jake — a really nice guy? Without thinking, he shot back, “Why don’t you ask him about it when you dance together again?”
Her shoulders sagged and she brushed her hair aside. “That was nothing. A bunch of us were dancing and he …” She raised her eyebrows. “We’ve been to the same school since, like, grade one … and I thought it would be a bit rude to say no because he asked in a nice way and … It was only for one dance.”
His mouth had gone dry. He swallowed, but it didn’t seem to help.
He shrugged. “It’s your life. None of my business.”
He wished he could have taken that back because her eyes narrowed and her cheeks grew flushed. Now he’d insulted her. First Pudge, now Julia. He put his hands on the railing and leaned back. He needed to tell her how he felt. Then he could leave with Pudge and it would be over.
“To be honest, maybe I was bummed out a bit when I saw you dancing with Jake.” He crossed his arms. “I know I’m being pathetic. You probably don’t know, but Jake and I — we kind of have this … I guess you’d call it a rivalry.” He sighed deeply. “He’s hated me since the first day at school. Maybe he doesn’t like the way I look — who knows?” He swallowed again, but nothing seemed to help. His throat was like a desert. “Maybe also I’m a little embarrassed by what happened.”
“What do you mean? Why would you be embarrassed?”
“You saw it — the fight.” He lowered his eyes to the floor. “I really let the guys down. I was almost glad I got the concussion, so I didn’t have to come to school the
next day. I can just imagine what Jake, Liam and all the guys said about me.”
“They talk a lot, for sure.” She looked up at him. “Besides, I don’t think fighting is all that impressive … and I don’t think you’re being pathetic either.”
Charlie was dying for a glass of water. His palms were wet too. What was going on? On top of everything, he was getting sick now? He’d been stupid to walk in the snow.
She scrunched her mouth to one side. “So are you having fun at the dance, Charlie?”
The question caught him off guard. He hadn’t enjoyed it at all, but he wasn’t sure he should say that to Julia.
“It’s okay, I guess. Like I said, I’m not much one for dances.”
She looked disappointed. “Your friend Scott certainly likes to dance. Poor Alex can’t get off the floor.”
“I think that’s part of his plan,” he said.
She arched her eyebrows. “He’s a nice guy. I think Alex likes him.”
“I think he likes her too.”
“Hmm — ya think?”
He laughed. “Scott’s not the shy type.”
“At least you know what he’s thinking,” she said.
Was that a dig at me? he wondered. Julia looked up at him, but didn’t say anything more. She was obviously waiting for him to talk. Why was it so easy to talk to his friends and so hard to talk to Julia?