Sour Apple 7 + Strawberry Cheesecake 2
Author: Winter Violet
Challenge: Strawberry Cheesecake # 2 rattle and Sour Apple # 7 I’m getting too old for this.
Rated: G
Story: From the Outside
Word Count: 561
Summary: The easiest way to calm yourself down is with a rattle.
Notes: I’m very random. But, yeah, just want to write before school starts.
“What is it with you and big crowds?” Josie asked Maxene who couldn’t keep still all of a sudden. Big crowds were fine before, but now, it seemed as though things had changed drastically. Glenna was with Jake in the bleachers, anticipating for the game to start. She just had to prove to the girl that she wasn’t just a pretty face. She had skill too, and thanks to Jake, she wouldn’t be here anyway. Now it was time to win Jake back, by winning the game and keeping the school’s title. She just had to let Jake notice her. He was probably the only guy who doesn’t ever care if she passes by.
The game started, and Maxene raced for the ball. Keep your eye on your target, she sighed. You can’t fail to impress the judges and get the promised scholarship. Just like what Danny had done when he was in High School.
Kathy was bitting her nails nervously, making small squeals every time the other team scored a goal. This was starting to look bad on Maxie’s record. But she watched edgily in hopes that her sister would regain their title.
But as things progressed, Maxene got even worse. Jake had seen the failure she was slowly realizing, but didn’t care.
“Wow, that Rice girl is good!” Glenna remarked.
Jake was blank. “Yeah. Some of them are.”
“Too bad she isn’t showing off too much.”
He snorted quietly, “Yeah. Good one.”
The game ended with a 3-9 score. Jake’s curiousity drove him to stare at the field crowded with the other team’s students. The school lost the game, and Maxene seemed to have lost her mind. She ran to the back to the lockers, throwing her shoes along with it. Jake watched this and can’t help feeling guilty.
“Glenna,” he started, “do you want to meet Max Rice?”
“Do I ever? C’mon! Where is she?”
They headed for the gym, where Maxene usually stayed after a horrible game, and would sit for hours doing nothing but stare at the ceiling as the day pass her completely. Well, it wouldn’t be easy overcoming something you know you are really good at, but fail to do so all because of some emotional problem that was causing her distress.
“Max? Hey, it’s me, Jake!” He called, but there was no answer.
They found her, staring quietly, numbing herself to sleep. She didn’t cry like the last time she lost, and this being the second game she didn’t win, she was hardly aware about the people around her. She just lay there, nearly asleep.
“Hey, Max!!!” Jake shook her, but she was still silent.
“Jake, stop doing that,” Glenna ordered. “She’ll be all dizzy.” Glenna took her hands, and helped her stand up slowly. Jake watched as the two made eye contact, but surprised that there were no feisty remarks.
“Here,” Jake took out a rattle from his bag and gave it to Max. Glenna glared at him, wondering why he had a rattle in his bag.
“What? It’s the only thing I’ve got that could cheer her up!” Jake defended.
“I’m getting too old for this,” Maxene said, picking up her things as she walked away. “But I think I’ll head for home this afternoon. Nice to meet you Glenna. See yah.” She didn't mutter another word.
Jake became speechless too.