The yellow bus slowly pulls to a stop in front Lacie Conners's house. The house is a beautiful modern, cedar house painted in blue-gray. The front of the house has several panoramic, tinted windows facing Lake Baldwin. I have been the house on a few occasions. I've known Lacie since I was five and been in love with her since fourth grade.
The bus pulls to a stop and Lacie enters. She, of course, looks stunning. She is in white shorts, backless sandals and has a United Colors of Benetton t-shirt on. A single barrette holds her brown hair behind her left ear. She looks at me briefly. I give her a smile and an unsure wave. My hope is that she will sit by me. Instead, I receive a half smile as she quickly scans the bus for her options. I know what she will do without even thinking. She spots Lee Rowe and Trent Matthews who are sitting across from each other near the back. Lacie's face lights up in a big smile as she eagerly makes her way to sit by Lee. It's obvious to me that Lacie feels the same way about Lee that I do about her and it's just as obvious to me that Lee is just as oblivious as to her feelings as Lacie is to mine. Such is the life being at the bottom of a love pyramid.
Slightly dejected I return to staring out the window. After a few minutes, the bus leaves Palm Drive and heads toward the main roads that connect Scarlet Hills to its sister cities. While I stare out of the window, I find myself reflecting back on my last years in junior high. It was fun and enjoyable but when all is said and done, I wasn't the person I wanted to be. I had friends but I wasn't cool or popular. My only extracurricular activities were being on the swim team and being a member in Latin Club. Latin Club?? I might as well have been on the Quiz Bowl team or joined the A.V. club. Is it really so surprising that Lacie Connors isn't interested? Lacie the cheerleader and Parker the Latin Club geek. Not in this lifetime.
