Invitation.

I waited for all the guys to move out the locker room, they seemed excited for no reason. The quietness outside the locker room told me there was no one outside there, maybe a few were making out. I eased up a bit and got out of the locker room and looked around and indeed everyone had dispersed. I spotted someone, a cheerleader maybe the black and yellow stood out pretty clear. I came closer only to see Jenny seated there deep in her thoughts. She looked disturbed.

" Hey " I said going to sit next to her.

I somehow startled her she turned to me.

" Hey " she said and smiled.

" What are you thinking about ? " I climbed the seats and sat near her.

" Nothing important "

" How was the game ? " I asked.

" Good, we won " not the answer I expected but she's Jenny.

" Was I. . . good ? " I asked the one question that itched me.

She looked at me and smiled.

" You sucked "

" Thanks " I smiled back. Of course she never says what she means, I'd known that by now.

" Party tonight. Are you going ? " I said.

" No " she said and her eyes wondered somewhere as if thinking about something.

" Well you should come " I proposed but she didn't hear me or she ignored me.

" I don't want to go there alone, you know. I don't want to let the guys down " I added.

She just looked ahead.

" You should come too, you know it'll be fun " I said just to fetch her attention.

" I'm not going " I said.

" Good " she said. So she was listening after all.

" I'm not going if you're not going "

" Fine with me " she said calmly.

She was now being annoying, she always is but sometimes she goes a little overboard.

I keep quiet to feign anger.

She didn't react, we stayed quiet for over five minutes then I broke down.

" Just go with me Jenny, please. "

She liked this. " I will think about it " she crossed her leg over the other and leaned back. Like a boss. Jenny at best.

" It's in three hours, what's there to think about "

" Don't rush me " she looked so calm that it was annoying. I want to stuff her in my pocket and keep her there with her attitude.

I stood up and walked around just to disturb her and trick her into agreeing.

" I have an idea " it's the evil dimpled smile of hers again the witch is back.

" What ? " I looked at her expectantly.

" I will go to the party on one condition. . . " I didn't like where that was going but I had to listen, apparently she's my antidote. I wanted the guys to like me but I couldn't survive without her there, it was going to be loud and uncomfortable.

" If you shoot this ball and score from the other half of the court I will come. And if you can't do it. . . " she shrugged her shoulders.

" I don't see how that has anything to do with the party " I said.

" You can let me know how the party was " she stood up to leave. Of course she knew what I would do next.

" Okay wait. I will give it a shot " I headed to the locker room and got four balls.

She knew I couldn't make that shot, it is way too far, I can't even score from the centre now how would I score from the other half.

Pure evil

There is nothing wrong with trying. I knew I couldn't make the shot but decided to try.

I took the first shot missed so badly . she laughed and threw the ball back to me. I took the second one, this one was worse than the last one. The fourth, fifth, sixth all in vain. she laughed again " just give up, you can't " she said . I ignored her and continued trying. Only this time not shooting just throwing with all my energy.

After a lot of shots or throws which I all missed I was tired but kept on throwing.

" what is it with you going to the party ? " she asked and threw back two balls.

" I want to fit in, I've never fit in anywhere and I think this is a great chance, you know. " she paused as if to digest all that.

" Plus I've never been to any party " I added.

" Trust me you don't want to, they never end well " she said. And I should have listened.

I continued shooting. . . no throwing.

" Why don't you go alone anyway, why ask me to come with you ? " the question I never wanted her to ask.

" I. . . it's complicated."

" Your my only friend " now that was a great one unlike the first one.

" I'm not your friend " she immediately said.

She told me this more than a lot.

" But isn't that the whole idea you're going there to, make friends " I ignored this one too.

If only I could get one damn ball through, she'd come with me and not ask anything. It was her idea after all.

Thing was too far.

I continued missing but didn't give up.

" Fine I will come " she said.

" Really " I was already excited.

I walked over to the other half where she was.

" But only for a few minutes "

" No " I immediately said.

" What's with you ? " she said and realised something was not right with me.

" Nothing. not just minutes atleast an hour "

She looked at me for a while.

" Fine, but I'm not your girlfriend keep that in mind "

" I know "

" And I'm not going anywhere near your dirty friends " her tone was assertive

" They are not my friends " I argue.

" Aren't they the reason you're going to the party in the first place ? " shit. She had me there.

" Yet " I added and smiled stupidly.

" Whatever " she shrugged it off and picked up her bag.

" Mom I'm back " I said and threw my bag at the couch. Mom would've been so pissed if she saw that.

No reply.

" Mom " I said again as I went to the kitchen .

" Mom " I knocked on her room

No answer

I went to the guest room, she also wasn't there.

I went to my room looked around no sign of her, I was becoming worried. I saw a small piece of paper stuck on the study table in my room.

I picked it up and it read ,

Welcome back Troy , Hope school was fyn .

Don't worry. I've gone out with a friend will be back at 11:00 or probably midnight don't stay up waiting for me. Food is in the freezer .In case of any problem just call me. . . .

Love Mom.

I felt a bit down. She was my mom I missed her already.

I ate the food she'd put in the freezer and it didn't taste that great, probably because it was a bit cold and maybe because I was alone.

***to be continued.....