Eighth Grade -- Final page 4

A new Chinese store had opened on [location withheld]. I loved everything about that store, the decorations, clothing, and especially the jewelry. I thought the bright colors of the clothing were exotic; however, I still yearned to stay in my slightly oversized blue jeans and tee-shirts. So that year for Christmas I asked my parents for a ring from the new shop.

I was really excited on Christmas when I opened the small box and discovered the beautiful ring. It was sterling silver and looked like two Koi fishes swimming in a circle, each head facing an opposite direction. The front was painted sky blue in enamel paint with small Chinese markings. I adored it and wore it constantly. Although I had other rings, this one was unique, and it was a gift from my mother. Yet the preeminent part was, no one else in school had a ring like this; it made me feel special.

Christmas was over and everyone headed back to school. I settled back in with the usual routine, and Bob seemed content to leave me alone, at least in the hallway. There were still the occasional remarks in class, but I just ignored him. I thought everything was over and he realized that I was just going to continue ignoring him. Until one day in the early spring.

I was standing at my locker getting my necessary books for the end of the day. I was standing on my tip-toes reaching towards the top shelf of my locker when I heard Bob’s voice, “Want some help with that?”

“No, I’ve got it.” I replied sheepishly.

“Oh come on, let me help. I’m really not a bad guy. Besides if that book falls on your head I may have to carry you somewhere. I would like that.”

I remembered the conversation earlier in the year with Jennifer in her bedroom, and I knew I didn’t want him carrying me anywhere. Although he could easily, I wasn’t even 90 lbs. “Okay, sure. I need that top book.”

Without hesitation he pulled it down. Smiling he held it close to his chest. “Okay, you want it, you have to take it from me.”

“What?”

“Oh come on blue eyes. I won’t struggle too much.” And he puts his best bad-boy smile on and snickers.

“Bob, please give me my book. I need to get to class.” My voice is soft, and flows with aggravation and whine.

Then it begins to turn ugly, at least for me.

“Wow. Where did you get that ring? Did your boyfriend give it to you? I like it.”

“It was a Christmas gift from my Mom. Now give me my book please.” This time there was desperation in my voice.

“I tell you what, I’ll give you your book if you give me your ring.”

“No Bob. Now give me my book. Now.” I wanted to sound tough, I wanted to sound like I was going to rip his heart out of his chest while I took my book. But I hadn’t quite made it there yet – I was close though.

Then he started taunting me. He held the book to his chest and started moving it side-to-side. “You want the book? Come and get it. Here it is. Just grab it.” He’s laughing, I hear the bell, I look at him, and now I’m mad.

I reach out and grab the book, pulling it towards me with my left hand. He lets the book go, I begin to fall backwards. He catches my right hand, and in the blink of an eye, removes my ring from my finger and leaves.

I stand there in the hallway with the history book in my hand. I hate [name of state withheld] History and that is all that I’m left with. My hand feels naked.








The End

Eighth Grade -- Continues page 3

“Hey Jennifer, what was Bob doing up here? I’ve never seen him up around your house before.”

“Oh, well he lives up here somewhere,” she said. “Why?”

“Well, he’s in my English class, sits right behind me. He likes to make me feel uncomfortable. I think he gets a rush out of watching my face turn red.” And then I try to laugh, unsuccessfully.

“You know he runs with the same crowd as my sister? He’s been in a lot of trouble. Cutting class and stuff.”

“Well, I know he isn’t always in English class.” Once again laughing unsuccessfully.

“He likes to hang out with the Taylor twins, you know they’re pretty wild – right?”

“Well, I’ve heard stories about their parties. I think one of them was actually smoking pot and drinking at one of their parties while their parents weren’t home, then she and some guy started making-out pretty heavy on the couch in front of everyone. That is until the cops showed up. By the time the cops came, I don’t think she had her bra on.” I paused and took a deep breath sighing, “Well, that’s the rumor I heard anyway.”

“Well according to my sister, that’s not a rumor. It actually happened.”

“Oh.” I turned my head to the side facing the door, as if I’ve just done something wrong. I don’t know why, maybe it was because I felt guilty about being curious. How would it feel to be at one of those parties and to live life on the edge? To get caught living on the edge?

Jennifer continues; I hear the bed moving and pull my upper body and head up to see what she’s doing. She was now lying on her stomach with her feet crossed and in the air. Her chin resting on her arms and her long brown ponytail has fallen to one side.

I instantly realized that some juicy and private news was going to follow. I quickly turned my body around so that I’m sitting up and leaning in. Jennifer has my complete attention.

“Do you know which twin it was and who she was with?” Jennifer is smiling as she whispers the question.

“I heard it was Tina, but I don’t know who she was with.” As I hold my breath during my response, I noticed that my voice was flowing like an ushered in whisper.

Smiling and coaxing me to move in closer, she leaned down and whispered into my ear, “It was Bob!” And began giggling softly.

“Really?!” My face began to turn red. And my thoughts raced, I thought he was interested in me! Why would he stare at me like he does if he wasn’t? Why does he pick on me all the time? I felt humiliated and heart-broken at the same time. My eyes had begun to water.

“Susie, what’s wrong? Did I say something?”

“No, it’s not you. I thought Bob liked me. I mean, he’s always hanging around in the hallway by my locker looking at me. And when he comes to English class he winks at me when he walks by, sometimes he’ll whisper in my ear.”

“What does he say?”

“I don’t know, just silly stuff.”

“What kind of silly stuff?”

“I like the way your jeans fit you today. You look really hot today. You know; silly stuff. It doesn’t mean anything.”

Jennifer looked at me, her brown eyes are no longer laughing. “Susie, I told you he’s bad news. He’s trouble.”

“I know. I knew that the first time he spoke to me as he followed me into English class. Let’s change the subject. There sure are some hot guys in chorus.”

Jennifer resumes her laughter, “Yeah. But there are some really ugly ones too! Can you believe how disgusting Sam looks?”

And with that comment, I had begun laughing too. Sam was pretty ugly. He had not yet had his growing spurt, his face was broken out, and to make matters worse, he had no rhythm and his voice cracked. But he did have something I didn’t have, self-confidence, and despite his awkward appearance, he was truly a nice guy.

We laughed and talked about the normal things girls talk about, boys, and the matter of Bob was forgotten.

I didn’t see much of Bob for a couple of months. I had still not grown into any form of confidence, but at least I didn’t turn into a tomato every time someone talked to me. No, those occasions were saved for being called on in class and the times a boy who I thought was cute took the time to talk to me.