Chapter 7: David's Point of View

David plays tennis with Rick. Kelsey is stuck with Mr. Brown. But David makes things better <3

Chapter 7: David’s Point of View

 

                Two days passed, and we were still sitting at Sean’s table. To my surprise, even Rick had grown to like it there. The 4 of us had spent more and more time together, and our band seemed to be getting better.

                Sean brought it up at lunch. “You know, guys…we’re actually getting to be pretty good. We should have a concert at school or something.”

                We all nodded and continued eating. However, this gave me an idea. “Wait, we should do something kindof like that tonight.”

                Sean looked up. “What do you have in mind?”

                I shrugged. “I don’t know. We could just invite a few friends over to Elliot’s house to sort of…spread the news.”

                Elliot didn’t seem too sure. “I don’t know if my mom would go for that…”

                “Well, I was just throwing out an idea.”

                “That would be pretty fun.” Rick added in. “We could get some snacks and stuff…set up some chairs downstairs…”

                “You do have a big basement.” Sean agreed.

                Elliot looked at the three of us. “Well, my parents are going to a party tonight…maybe they wouldn’t care if I had some kids over.”

                I grinned. “That’d be so cool.”

                We all liked this idea, so Elliot agreed to ask his parents after school. “Just tell a couple people though, okay?”

                “Okay, great!” Sean exclaimed, and we continued eating.

                “So, Sean…is your face feeling any better?” Rick asked.

                I looked up as he asked this. Yesterday, Sean had come to school with a purplish-red bruise on his cheek, furthering Rick and I’s suspicions. He told us he had tripped and hit his face, but somehow it just didn’t seem to line up.

                Sean shrugged. “A little bit. Still stings. Does it look any better?”

                “A little, yeah.” Rick said, staring at it.

                Just then the bell rang, and Rick and I headed towards the gym.

                “So, we’re finally done with those stupid worksheets.” Rick said as we opened the gym doors. “Does that mean we’ll be playing each other in tennis?”

                “I, uh…I guess I didn’t think of that.”

                “Well, why can’t we?” He looked confused, then understanding filled his face. “Ohhh…you wanna be with Kelsey.”

                He nudged me, and I pulled away. “No, it’s just…she won’t have a partner.”

                “You wanna be with Kelsseeeyyy…” He sang.

                I glared at him. “Rick, come on. She needs a partner.”
                “So do I!” he responded. “But…I guess she’s more important to you.”

                “Stop it.” I said seriously, and he did.

                “So, what’s your decision? Me or her?”

                I sighed. “You and I can play tennis together. She can find someone else.”

                He grinned as we came into the locker room. “You don’t care that she’ll have to play with Mr. Brown?”

                I frowned. “She does?”

                “Well, I doubt he’ll let her sit out. And you know, she and Mr. Brown won’t make the best match.”

                “What do you mean?”

                “Well, she’s not what you’d call athletic…”

                I stopped and looked at him. “What is your problem today? Do you have something against Kelsey?”

                He grinned. “Relax. I’m just wondering if you really want her to have to play tennis with our gym teacher.”

                I sighed. “Well…if you wanna play tennis together, I’m fine with it.”

                After we came out of the locker room, I came up to Kelsey.

                She smiled at me. “Hey, David. Ready to play some more tennis?”

                I looked down uncomfortably. “Hey, uh…Rick’s able to play today, so he kind of wanted to play with me…”

                Her smile faded. “Oh. Okay, that’s fine.”

                “I’m sorry, it’s just…if I don’t, he’ll think there’s something going on between us.”

                “Oh, it’s fine.” She looked around the room. “So…do you think that means I get to sit out?”

                I shrugged, feeling sorry for her. “Rick thinks you might have to play tennis with Mr. Brown.”

                “Oh.” She looked down. “Fun.”

                “Listen, Kelsey…I’m really, really sorry. I wish we-“

                I was cut off by Mr. Brown’s whistle. “Okay, everyone take their seats so I can do attendance.”

                I turned back to Kelsey. “Well, maybe we can talk later, but yeah…gotta go.”

                She smiled weakly. “Okay.”

                I sat down next to Rick, who was looking around the room. “So, you told her?”

                I nodded.

                He smiled. “She looks pretty sad…”

                “Knock it off, will you?”

                He looked surprised when I said this, and I felt a little shocked myself.

                “Sorry. I’m just…tired.”

                After a couple minutes of Mr. Brown doing attendance, we walked outside to the tennis courts. I watched Kelsey stay behind the group, most likely dreading what was coming up. I felt bad for her, but really, there was nothing I could do.

                Rick and I chose a court to use, and got started right away. I was surprised at how easily he could hit the ball at the perfect speed and distance, but remembered he had been a jock a lot longer than I had.

                “Sorry about what I said before.” He said to me as he retrieved our ball, which I had hit too hard. “I didn’t mean to get you mad.”

                Now I felt dumb. “I’m sorry too. I don’t really know what came over me.”

                He seemed to have something to say, but stayed silent.

                We passed the ball back and forth quietly, until a ball flew into our space from someone else’s court. Rick went to get it, and I noticed it had come from Kelsey, who was in the space next to me. I mouthed “sorry”, and she nodded. I felt guilty again, but tried to push it away. It’s not like we’re best friends or anything. I reminded myself.  I can go with who I want and she can go with whoever she wants.

                Still, as I watched her continually miss shots and get lectures from Mr. Brown, I  began feeling like it was all my fault. Maybe I can make it up to her somehow, I thought as I hit the ball to Rick.

               

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

                After we were done, Mr. Brown collected the balls and we all headed for the school. Rick was talking about how Katie had looked at him in science, and was going on and on about it. I wasn’t really paying attention, but instead watching Kelsey trail along behind the crowd.

                “Hey, Rick.” I said, cutting him off.

                He looked up. “What?”

                “Hold that thought for a minute. I’m gonna ask Kelsey if she wants to come tonight.”

                Rick smiled and nodded. “Good idea.”

                I walked to the back of the crowd, to find Kelsey staring at the sidewalk. “Hey Kelsey.”

                She looked up and smiled. “Hey.”

                “Listen, I’m sorry about earlier…”

                “No, really, it’s fine David.” She laughed. “Mr. Brown gave me some good tips today.”

                I smiled. “Well, since I sortof abandoned you today…I wanna make it up to you.”

                She looked surprised. “What do you mean?”

                I lowered my voice so no one else would hear. “Do you know Elliot Robinson? Straight, black hair…skinny?”

                She looked up, deep in thought. “Um…I don’t think so…”

                “Well, we’re having a concert tonight at his house.”

                She still looked confused, so I laughed and said, “You know the band Rick and I were talking about? ‘The Swarming Midgets’?”

                Her eyebrows raised. “Wait…you really used that?”

                I held the door open for her as we walked it. “Yeah! I suggested it to the guys, and they really liked it.”

                Now she was smiling. “Wow. So if you guys become famous, I’ll get to take credit for the name.”

                I laughed. “I’ll make sure everyone knows. But yeah, tonight we’re having a little concert, just for friends.”

                “And I’m a friend?”

                I smiled. “Yeah…we’re tennis buddies, right?”

                Smiling, she nodded. “Well, if you can give me his address, I can try to go. Oh, can I bring someone?”

                “Yeah, that’s fine. Just make sure you don’t bring a whole group of people. This is supposed to be pretty low key.”

                “Okay. Well, I’d love to go.” By this time we had reached the gym doors. “Maybe I’ll see you tonight.”

                “Okay,” I responded, walking into the locker room. “Bye.”