Chapter 2


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Has anyone seen that diamond commercial, (it's in black-and-
white btw, for that gritty, down to earth appeal I guess), the one 
where a man and a woman are standing in the middle of some 
large town square and he proclaims his love for her. He starts 
shouting "I love this woman!" while waving his arms. 

Anyone recall this farce? This pathetic joke of a commercial?

Well this woman is like, looking totally embarrassed, ready to 
crawl under a rock because she thinks her boyfriend is losing 
his mind... (Please, put me in that commercial so I can sock 
him in the kisser, just to shut his loud idiotic mouth). Anyway, 
he then proposes to her...giving her this diamond, well that just 
sends this woman over the romantic edge and she embraces 
him warmly (awwww) while saying "I love this man".

Isn't that just dandy? So the man is the one who is portrayed as 
the self-confident, romantic nut (nut case all right) with 
emotional depth and passion. The woman is the shallow one 
who only comes to life when a fucking rock is shoved under her 
nose. She looks scared, insecure, and that hunk of a diamond 
suddenly brings all the love out in her. Simply pathetic...I see 
nothing romantic about that commercial at all!

In fact, I see it as an advertisement for prostitution. Basically, 
it's saying that if you give a woman a diamond, she will open 
her heart and legs for you instantly, that women are superficial 
and only understand the language of jewelry. They are not 
trading in cold hard cash but the diamond market you see. Very 
clever, but I'm on to you advertising punks! More attempts by 
men in the advertising field to patronize, insult, and demean 
women while we buy their junky products, or have them given 
as gifts from retarded men who should never have come out of 
their role of hunting-and-gathering to begin with.

*Okay....deep breath....I feel better now.*


**********


There are people that enjoy drama, in their own lives and the 
live's of others, and I am glad to let them steal the spotlight 
whenever they choose to. Why bring this up? Because it was 
the general consensus was that the Cheerleaders at our school 
ruled the drama roost and were the most snobbiest, elitist, 
socialite bitches to ever grace the halls of this school while the 
Girl's Softball Team was among their biggest critics. In fact, a 
verbal war had been waged between the two factions for the 
past couple of years, fortunately 'verbal threats' was the extent 
of it. 

What does all of this have to do with me? Well this is where 
'Sharon' comes into my life....

The day is hot and humid and all the gym doors to the outside 
are open, several large fans are setup to keep the air circulating. 
I am practicing my floor routine and in the middle of working 
on a sissone when I hear that annoying squeaking sound that 
sneakers make, you know, when someone is walking across a 
freshly polished basketball court. Which is what our gym is, 
one big, giant basketball court...amongst other uses. Anyway I 
give a casual glance over and here comes her highness, nose in 
the clouds, but now she's giving me the once over as I am just 
standing there in my gymnastics leotard staring back like some 
retard or something. I am also pretty sure that she was trying to 
make her stupid shoes squeak as loud as possible just to disturb 
me, 'cause that is what those bitches like to do, annoy people' I 
think.

Take note people, Sharon was not just *a cheerleader* but the 
epitome of that pretty, perky, go team GO! BULLSHIT 
Cheerleader type. She really believed that her cheers helped win 
games which helped contribute to her becoming the Team 
Captain. I suspected it was her impeccable ass-kissing abilities 
and social family connections, just a hunch I have.

So now where was I? (Sorry, I get lost so easily, a blonde brain 
malfunction must have occured) Oh yeah, and I love this part, 
Sharon gives me her famous diva sneer and glances away, 'Like 
what the hell was that?' and then she sticks her nose in the air as 
though every breath she inhaled was full of superiority. Now 
I'm angry-and-pumped-up because while Sharon is athletic, she 
has nothing on me in the physical department and she can't 
touch me with some of the moves I can perform on the floor. 
So I go back to concentrating and I can just feel those eyes of 
hers looking back at me now...judging me...as I perform 'Back-
in, Full-out' (look it up folks, not easy to do) and I land perfect 
with a smile on my face cause I know she couldn't touch that! 
HA! One up on Sharon.

I wasn't totally surprised by Sharon's stare, I was getting some 
rather harsh 'evaluations' from many girls on the Cheer Squad, 
it seems that my stellar grades, athletic prowess, good-looks and 
'very hot' boyfriend were churning up the green monster of 
envy and jealousy. "Just who does she think she is!" Girls 
would say about me as if I had masterminded the entire thing. 
You must be joking, mastermind? Me? This actually loops back 
around to an earlier topic I brought up, my rebellious choice to 
'dress down', or 'downplay my looks' with baggy, wrinkled 
clothes. It started out that way for sure, but over time it was just 
damn easy and comfortable to slip on some old cargo shorts, a 
plain tee shirt, some old comfy sandals, pull my hair into a 
ponytail, and I am out the door!

"Corbin really now, we need to do some serious shopping, this 
look of yours has got to go!" Friends would say.

Forget it! I don't have the time, money, or patience for 
shopping. But can you imagine if I had some chic wardrobe, 
the  drama that would stir up? 'Oh man!' sometimes I fantasy 
about walking down the hall all stylish, looking like I just came 
out of some high-end salon, how that would really send some 
of those bitches into a tailspin of hurricane proportions! 
*Sigh*...anyway, back down to earth... 

I guess there will always be people looking to tear you down no 
matter how hard you try to do the right things in life and keep 
to yourself.


**********


Where was I again? Oh yeah.... (That's not good, I spaced out 
and lost track again)

So....Sharon had already disappeared into the locker room. But 
I dragged out the minutes by stretching because people like 
Sharon annoy me and I figured if I waited long enough she 
would be long gone from the locker room. So I slowly twisted 
my torso to my left, then right, while keeping my legs stretched 
out in a full split just a little longer while I sat contemplating 
my future. Running, swimming, gymnastics, they all came 
natural to me, and when I started to curl weights I was shocked 
to see my body respond. I likened it to creating a 
sculpture....and it was my body, mine! I was so thrilled. My 
breasts shrank some, thank God, I know girls who just about 
lost all of their boobs after they started serious exercise and 
lifting. Having these knockers swinging around is no fun folks, 
annoying at times....and beneficial in other ways. Amazing 
what a nice pair of breasts will do for you, a little cleavage and 
suddenly I have Jedi-mind powers, anything that comes out of 
my mouth and guys instantly 'obey' while they look and drool 
at my chest.

Speaking of being in-shape, the first time my boyfriend Erik 
asked me to pose for him I just giggled. What a stupid word 
that is 'giggled', it was something between and smile and a 
laugh so I guess it was a giggle, why not 'chuckle'? I guess girls 
'giggle' and guys 'chuckle'. Who makes up these stupid rules?

Anyway, I fucking 'giggled' and shook my head 'No'. 

"Come on! Please, just once." 

"It's silly!" and placed my hands on my hips defiantly leaning 
away from him, I had no intention of posing. But he is 
persistent and over time I began to enjoy how guys would 
grovel at my feet just so that I would 'flex' for them.

"No it's not silly, just curl your arm, look at your bicep! Better 
yet! Flex your legs!" 

Make your freaking mind up dude! 
Arms....legs....back....which is it?

But there was something adorable in the way he looked and 
was asking me, he was totally smitten having a girlfriend with 
muscles. I never took my clothes off, well not in the beginning, 
but I caved in and would roll my shirt up so he could see my 
abs, and roll up my shorts some as well, but that was it. On a 
side note Erik and I always stopped a little after first-base, or 
close to second <big smile> I allowed him to gently hold my 
breasts 'over' my shirt, and when I had shorts on he could 
stroke my thighs up to a certain point. The kissing part was 
interesting, I had only pecked a few guys on the lips, but Erik 
was the first guy that I was full-blown kissing, and the sensation 
of french kissing him just about caused me to hyperventilate, he 
was a great kisser!

He pulled my hand down to his crotch one time and alarms 
went off in my head, I didn't freak out, but I pulled my hand 
away. I told him I didn't want to tease him, but he said he 
didn't mind, but nope, I am not rubbing you down there,  just 
as you are not going to grope me below.


**********


I was done stretching and pulled on my track shorts and 
strolled into the locker room expecting a nice relaxing end to 
my day, that is if Sharon was gone. Yet all I got was another 
boatload of hassle and who was in the middle of it all? (If you 
really need the answer to that question then you are a moron 
and need to stop reading this. I'm sure some stupid fake-reality 
show is on TV for you to go and watch.)

Right before my very eyes was the makings of one nasty fight, 
and Sharon looked like she just might end up on the losing side. 
The first of Sharon's two tormentors, and most aggressive, was 
Taylor with her short curly reddish, brown hair and stocky 
build, she was close to Sharon's height but about an inch 
shorter at 5'8". The second one Janet was shorter and skinnier, 
about 5'5", wearing her light brown hair pulled back in a sloppy 
pony tail. They were decked out in their softball uniforms, 
covered in dirt, sweat and dust, their faces tan from playing 
outdoors all spring, both shared the same mocking, nasty look, 
enjoying every bit of the moment, until I walked in that is.

Sharon for what seemed like the first time I can ever recall had 
this look of 'I'm in deep shit' although she was putting up a 
brave front, considering she was standing only in her 
underwear while clutching a shirt to cover her chest it was a 
difficult 'front' to maintain I am sure. So now I've got all three 
looking at me like I'm some alien that just landed in the middle 
of the locker room. My 'getting annoyed' meter is now in the 
red zone because all I wanted to do was get my gym bag and go 
home to study! But I was caught off guard by this vulnerable 
expression in Sharon's eyes, and for the first time this Queen of 
the School was looking right at me, not thru me, and it kind of 
hit home, yeah I know she could be playing me for the 
fool/sucker because she knowns how to be such a 
manipulative, drama queen.

Deep breath, stare straight ahead and I just keep on walking to 
my locker. My mind was still spinning in circles, this kind of 
crap I did not need. My little plane was not flying below the 
radar at this moment!  Can't even remember my locker 
combination, 'You fumbling goof, just focus!' as my fingers 
play with the dial on my lock. Just then Taylor's big-fat-mouth 
made the decision for me, almost like I knew she would. 

"Hey Corbin, could you give us a few minutes?" 

I cut and narrow my eyes in her direction and Taylor had this 
sadistic smile on her face which really, really annoyed me.

"Actually, could you come back in a half hour this could take 
awhile." Janet kind of chuckled. Now I was getting angry at 
their arrogance. I wasn't a friend with any of these girls, nor 
enemies, honestly they meant very little to me, but suddenly I 
was about to choose sides and I knew it would forever alter my 
life. 

"Sharon do you still need that ride home?" Uh did I just say 
that? Sharon just nodded 'Yes' franticly.

"Then get with it, I don't have all day." And did I just offer her 
a ride home? That was lame! Everyone knows that Sharon 
drives her own car...all the damn time.

"Corbin are you shitting me?" Taylor blurted out in shock 
"Since when did you buddy up with Princess?"

"Yeah!" Janet added her useless input. In fact why does Janet 
ever speak except to parrot what Taylor says.

I didn't respond but just gave this devilish smirk (very unlike 
me) and I felt this overwhelming air of calm and confidence 
swoop down on me and it seemed to totally freak them out. I 
also liked the fact that I was slightly taller then any of them, 
and since I started lifting weights I was undoubtedly the 
strongest girl in school and they all knew that. Now that doesn't 
add up to a 'hill of beans' when it comes to fighting, but I was 
still waging a psychological war at this point and winning, I 
think. Just thru posture and eye contact I had them believing 
that I could put up one hell of a nasty fight, or I should say, I 
was willing to put up a fight if need be.

Taylor's wheels were obviously spinning in her small mind, 
contemplating what to do next...or not to do...in the end she 
simply patted her little buddy Janet on the back before 
speaking, "Let's go, see you around 'Princess' and you too 
Corbin." An annoying sneer curled out of the corner of Taylor's 
lips as she got that little jab in at me. 

Well bitch you want to banter, we can banter all day "You see 
me now don't you? And you'll see me every day until the end of 
the school year." I fired right back, even dropping my gym bag 
while waving my arms out to the side with a very 'bring it on' 
gesture. Again all very uncharacteristic for me. Taylor and 
Janet stopped dead in their tracks, they had this totally 
confused, shocked look in her eyes. I stood unwavering, but it 
was Taylor that chose to back down again and I watched as she 
shook head in disgust before prodding Janet to keep walking 
away.? 
There was this uncomfortable pause, that awkward silence as 
Sharon simply stood still, I desperately wanted to think of 
something cool to say. 'Nice body' came to mind, odd thought 
and of course I can't say that! But Sharon does have one kick 
ass figure. Anyway all I did was turn my back on her so I could 
take a seat on the bench, my fingers nervously played with the 
strap on my gym bag, I then dug my cell phone out 'Damn!' 
Erik called a couple of times and so did my Mom. The tension 
was rising up in my back again as I was now suddenly very 
irritated realizing I just stuck my neck into the middle of some 
drama I didn't have any business being in. 

I was pissed again, angry as my fists clenched the straps to my 
gym bag, "You ready yet!" I snapped which I almost instantly 
regretted because it sounded a very harsh. Gheesh, listen to me 
now, barking orders at the Social-Drama-Queen herself. 

"Almost," Sharon said just above a whisper and I heard her 
locker close, finally I can get the hell out of here and I stood up 
and turned around. Sharon looked at me and smiled, it was 
kind of a relief in some ways, her deep blue eyes with her 
beautiful smile momentarily had me mesmerized and it made 
me smile in return, and then she smiled back even more. How 
icky sweet is that?

"I'll walk you out, you know, just in case....well...." I sighed 
not really knowing if I was making any sense, but at least I 
made my tone a bit more friendly. We walked out to Sharon's 
car thru a mostly empty parking lot, every once in a while I 
would catch her sneaking a glance over, studying me. I could 
more then hold my own in the looks department, so I guess I 
was somewhat of an anomaly at the moment because I always 
tried to downplay my looks. Sharon was just the opposite, 
throwing her looks in front of everyone's faces. In contrast I 
wore my hair in no particular manner, it hung long and 'very 
untidy' as Sharon would later comment.

"You sure don't talk much." Sharon commented in an uneasy 
tone, I simply shrugged and smiled, that was how I really am, 
pretty quiet, until you get to know me and then my friends say I 
never shut up. "But that's okay its kind of nice." Sharon smiled 
and looked over at me, she seemed to spend a lot of time 
analyzing me. As a defense mechanism I had started to 
mentally withdraw from this whole situation knowing that 
Sharon and I roamed in totally different social circles and it 
would go back to being that way tomorrow morning. I smiled 
to myself in mock humor, all schools have these niches by 
which social dynamics make or break teenagers, and yet in only 
a few short minutes the two of us had been thrust together in a 
very personal situation.

We stopped at her car and I noticed Sharon's confidence 
resurfacing now "Thank you." She said, back straight, head 
high, and she was drifting into cool-snob mode. That sort of 
snapped me out of my thoughts so I squared up my shoulders 
to face this girl since that feeling of formality was back again.

"It's all good." I just shrugged with my own casual air. But 
then Sharon just gave me this wicked smile which suddenly 
clued me into that 'other Sharon' that lurks underneath, the 
mischievous one, "Do you realize the hassles you're in for, you 
know, once those two bitches spread around the school that 
you claimed to be my friend." 

Now that caused my blonde brain to stutter, 'Wait a second I 
never claimed to be her friend, I take that word very seriously.' 
and began to question Sharon's sincerity. "All I did is help you 
out some." I tried again to down play the whole episode.

"Yeah...I guess that's all it was." Sharon hesitated and I could 
tell she was disappointed as she fiddled with her keys 
nervously, her whole demeanor suddenly dropped. Man come 
on, what is it with these stupid mind games. I can't keep up.

I stood there for a long moment and then peered up very 
cautiously, "I don't know Sharon do you want to be 
friends....with me?" I swallowed hard, am I ever a sucker or 
what? 'Of course this girl doesn't want to be your friend she just 
wants to use you for some sort of social chess game.' my 
subconscious warned me. 

Sharon paused and looked up with an expression like that was 
exactly what she wanted me to say, now she was beaming her 
big smile again, "You're adorable!" she gushed making fun of 
me and the fact I could now barely look her in the eyes. 
'Gheesh I feel like some stupid, awkward little kid, not some 
Senior in High School.' I think I even stood there kicking the 
loose gravel with my shoes.

So we made pleasantries and formally introduced ourselves, 
and all that other dreadfully boring chit-chat. Isn't this just 
dandy? I know, all rather nauseating girl stuff, but it sometimes 
must be done. I was now looking for a way out, "Look I'll give 
you a call, I have to run home or my parents are going to freak 
out." I started walking backwards.

"Okay....yeah....please do....and thanks again." Sharon pulled 
on the handle to her car door and just stood still watching me 
walk away, waving like a spaz.

"God I hope I'm not making a big mistake." I mumbled to 
myself. I was so full of angst I wanted to punch something or 
someone, nice eh?


**********