Hazelwood High School, just like any other school, had it’s halls filled with jerkoffs who loved to pretend to dominate themselves over other guys to make themselves feel special. Also, just like every other public high school in the U.S., it was chock full of pretty young women. Unfortunately for me, I was only involved with the jerkoffs, and I was always on the receiving end of their “popularity contest.”
The reason? Who knows? Maybe it had something to do with the impression I made on those who didn’t know me. At 5’11” with black hair, I was the kind of guy who would blend in when walking through a crowd. I always had an 80’s band shirt on, cargo pants or jeans, and my Element skateboarding shoes. I was just along for the ride, and didn’t really care about the stupid fetishes of high school jocks that think they needed more attention. And after 3 years of high school without a girlfriend, or so much as a look-over-her-shoulder, I had all but given up.
I mean, it wasn’t a big priority. High school was demanding, not to mention my AP classes, and I had some time after homework and studying. This time was used for skateboarding.
I don’t know. Maybe chicks don’t dig skater-boys. Who cares?
I did have my eye on one pretty young lady, though. Her name was Courtney, and at 18 years old, she was the perfect girl on the outside. Of course, other than knowing that she had straight dark-brown hair and a very nice ass, I knew next to nothing about her.
That was about to change, however.
I have no idea what prompted her to speak to me, but it happened, and I’m not complaining.
It was Friday, end of the week, and at exactly 3:00 PM, the bell rang, and there was the usual flurry of activity to and from the lockers. I was looking forward to learning this new trick on my board. I slung by backpack over my shoulder, and I was about to take off when I heard someone call my name. Someone who’s voice I didn’t recognize.
“Led!”
Yeah, okay, maybe my name has something to do with why I’m at the bottom of the food chain here. That combined with my jet-black hair that’s always in my eyes makes it LOOK like I’m in the 80s.
So I turned around, my Almost board under my arm, and Def Leppard shirt on my back. Inwardly, I was astounded at seeing Courtney Tyler walking down the sidewalk towards me. Outside, I was neutral.