********* Has anyone seen that diamond commercial, (it's in black-and- white btw, for that gritty, down to earth appeal I guess), the one where a man and a woman are standing in the middle of some large town square and he proclaims his love for her. He starts shouting "I love this woman!" while waving his arms. Anyone recall this farce? This pathetic joke of a commercial? Well this woman is like, looking totally embarrassed, ready to crawl under a rock because she thinks her boyfriend is losing his mind... (Please, put me in that commercial so I can sock him in the kisser, just to shut his loud idiotic mouth). Anyway, he then proposes to her...giving her this diamond, well that just sends this woman over the romantic edge and she embraces him warmly (awwww) while saying "I love this man". Isn't that just dandy? So the man is the one who is portrayed as the self-confident, romantic nut (nut case all right) with emotional depth and passion. The woman is the shallow one who only comes to life when a fucking rock is shoved under her nose. She looks scared, insecure, and that hunk of a diamond suddenly brings all the love out in her. Simply pathetic...I see nothing romantic about that commercial at all! In fact, I see it as an advertisement for prostitution. Basically, it's saying that if you give a woman a diamond, she will open her heart and legs for you instantly, that women are superficial and only understand the language of jewelry. They are not trading in cold hard cash but the diamond market you see. Very clever, but I'm on to you advertising punks! More attempts by men in the advertising field to patronize, insult, and demean women while we buy their junky products, or have them given as gifts from retarded men who should never have come out of their role of hunting-and- gathering to begin with. *Okay....deep breath....I feel better now.* ********** There are people that enjoy drama, in their own lives and the live's of others, and I am glad to let them steal the spotlight whenever they choose to. Why bring this up? Because it was the general consensus was that the Cheerleaders at our school ruled the drama roost and were the most snobbiest, elitist, socialite bitches to ever grace the halls of this school while the Girl's Softball Team was among their biggest critics. In fact, a verbal war had been waged between the two factions for the past couple of years, fortunately 'verbal threats' was the extent of it. What does all of this have to do with me? Well this is where 'Sharon' comes into my life.... The day is hot and humid and all the gym doors to the outside are open, several large fans are setup to keep the air circulating. I am practicing my floor routine and in the middle of working on a sissone when I hear that annoying squeaking sound that sneakers make, you know, when someone is walking across a freshly polished basketball court. Which is what our gym is, one big, giant basketball court...amongst other uses. Anyway I give a casual glance over and here comes her highness, nose in the clouds, but now she's giving me the once over as I am just standing there in my gymnastics leotard staring back like some retard or something. I am also pretty sure that she was trying to make her stupid shoes squeak as loud as possible just to disturb me, 'cause that is what those bitches like to do, annoy people' I think. Take note people, Sharon was not just *a cheerleader* but the epitome of that pretty, perky, go team GO! BULLSHIT Cheerleader type. She really believed that her cheers helped win games which helped contribute to her becoming the Team Captain. I suspected it was her impeccable ass-kissing abilities and social family connections, just a hunch I have. So now where was I? (Sorry, I get lost so easily, a blonde brain malfunction must have occured) Oh yeah, and I love this part, Sharon gives me her famous diva sneer and glances away, 'Like what the hell was that?' and then she sticks her nose in the air as though every breath she inhaled was full of superiority. Now I'm angry-and-pumped-up because while Sharon is athletic, she has nothing on me in the physical department and she can't touch me with some of the moves I can perform on the floor. So I go back to concentrating and I can just feel those eyes of hers looking back at me now...judging me...as I perform 'Back-in, Full-out' (look it up folks, not easy to do) and I land perfect with a smile on my face cause I know she couldn't touch that! HA! One up on Sharon. I wasn't totally surprised by Sharon's stare, I was getting some rather harsh 'evaluations' from many girls on the Cheer Squad, it seems that my stellar grades, athletic prowess, good-looks and 'very hot' boyfriend were churning up the green monster of envy and jealousy. "Just who does she think she is!" Girls would say about me as if I had masterminded the entire thing. You must be joking, mastermind? Me? This actually loops back around to an earlier topic I brought up, my rebellious choice to 'dress down', or 'downplay my looks' with baggy, wrinkled clothes. It started out that way for sure, but over time it was just damn easy and comfortable to slip on some old cargo shorts, a plain tee shirt, some old comfy sandals, pull my hair into a ponytail, and I am out the door! "Corbin really now, we need to do some serious shopping, this look of yours has got to go!" Friends would say. Forget it! I don't have the time, money, or patience for shopping. But can you imagine if I had some chic wardrobe, the drama that would stir up? 'Oh man!' sometimes I fantasy about walking down the hall all stylish, looking like I just came out of some high-end salon, how that would really send some of those bitches into a tailspin of hurricane proportions! *Sigh*...anyway, back down to earth... I guess there will always be people looking to tear you down no matter how hard you try to do the right things in life and keep to yourself. ********** Where was I again? Oh yeah.... (That's not good, I spaced out and lost track again) So....Sharon had already disappeared into the locker room. But I dragged out the minutes by stretching because people like Sharon annoy me and I figured if I waited long enough she would be long gone from the locker room. So I slowly twisted my torso to my left, then right, while keeping my legs stretched out in a full split just a little longer while I sat contemplating my future. Running, swimming, gymnastics, they all came natural to me, and when I started to curl weights I was shocked to see my body respond. I likened it to creating a sculpture....and it was my body, mine! I was so thrilled. My breasts shrank some, thank God, I know girls who just about lost all of their boobs after they started serious exercise and lifting. Having these knockers swinging around is no fun folks, annoying at times....and beneficial in other ways. Amazing what a nice pair of breasts will do for you, a little cleavage and suddenly I have Jedi-mind powers, anything that comes out of my mouth and guys instantly 'obey' while they look and drool at my chest. Speaking of being in-shape, the first time my boyfriend Erik asked me to pose for him I just giggled. What a stupid word that is 'giggled', it was something between and smile and a laugh so I guess it was a giggle, why not 'chuckle'? I guess girls 'giggle' and guys 'chuckle'. Who makes up these stupid rules? Anyway, I fucking 'giggled' and shook my head 'No'. "Come on! Please, just once." "It's silly!" and placed my hands on my hips defiantly leaning away from him, I had no intention of posing. But he is persistent and over time I began to enjoy how guys would grovel at my feet just so that I would 'flex' for them. "No it's not silly, just curl your arm, look at your bicep! Better yet! Flex your legs!" Make your freaking mind up dude! Arms....legs....back....which is it? But there was something adorable in the way he looked and was asking me, he was totally smitten having a girlfriend with muscles. I never took my clothes off, well not in the beginning, but I caved in and would roll my shirt up so he could see my abs, and roll up my shorts some as well, but that was it. On a side note Erik and I always stopped a little after first-base, or close to second <big smile> I allowed him to gently hold my breasts 'over' my shirt, and when I had shorts on he could stroke my thighs up to a certain point. The kissing part was interesting, I had only pecked a few guys on the lips, but Erik was the first guy that I was full-blown kissing, and the sensation of french kissing him just about caused me to hyperventilate, he was a great kisser! He pulled my hand down to his crotch one time and alarms went off in my head, I didn't freak out, but I pulled my hand away. I told him I didn't want to tease him, but he said he didn't mind, but nope, I am not rubbing you down there, just as you are not going to grope me below. ********** I was done stretching and pulled on my track shorts and strolled into the locker room expecting a nice relaxing end to my day, that is if Sharon was gone. Yet all I got was another boatload of hassle and who was in the middle of it all? (If you really need the answer to that question then you are a moron and need to stop reading this. I'm sure some stupid fake-reality show is on TV for you to go and watch.) Right before my very eyes was the makings of one nasty fight, and Sharon looked like she just might end up on the losing side. The first of Sharon's two tormentors, and most aggressive, was Taylor with her short curly reddish, brown hair and stocky build, she was close to Sharon's height but about an inch shorter at 5'8". The second one Janet was shorter and skinnier, about 5'5", wearing her light brown hair pulled back in a sloppy pony tail. They were decked out in their softball uniforms, covered in dirt, sweat and dust, their faces tan from playing outdoors all spring, both shared the same mocking, nasty look, enjoying every bit of the moment, until I walked in that is. Sharon for what seemed like the first time I can ever recall had this look of 'I'm in deep shit' although she was putting up a brave front, considering she was standing only in her underwear while clutching a shirt to cover her chest it was a difficult 'front' to maintain I am sure. So now I've got all three looking at me like I'm some alien that just landed in the middle of the locker room. My 'getting annoyed' meter is now in the red zone because all I wanted to do was get my gym bag and go home to study! But I was caught off guard by this vulnerable expression in Sharon's eyes, and for the first time this Queen of the School was looking right at me, not thru me, and it kind of hit home, yeah I know she could be playing me for the fool/sucker because she knowns how to be such a manipulative, drama queen. Deep breath, stare straight ahead and I just keep on walking to my locker. My mind was still spinning in circles, this kind of crap I did not need. My little plane was not flying below the radar at this moment! Can't even remember my locker combination, 'You fumbling goof, just focus!' as my fingers play with the dial on my lock. Just then Taylor's big-fat-mouth made the decision for me, almost like I knew she would. "Hey Corbin, could you give us a few minutes?" I cut and narrow my eyes in her direction and Taylor had this sadistic smile on her face which really, really annoyed me. "Actually, could you come back in a half hour this could take awhile." Janet kind of chuckled. Now I was getting angry at their arrogance. I wasn't a friend with any of these girls, nor enemies, honestly they meant very little to me, but suddenly I was about to choose sides and I knew it would forever alter my life. "Sharon do you still need that ride home?" Uh did I just say that? Sharon just nodded 'Yes' franticly. "Then get with it, I don't have all day." And did I just offer her a ride home? That was lame! Everyone knows that Sharon drives her own car...all the damn time. "Corbin are you shitting me?" Taylor blurted out in shock "Since when did you buddy up with Princess?" "Yeah!" Janet added her useless input. In fact why does Janet ever speak except to parrot what Taylor says. I didn't respond but just gave this devilish smirk (very unlike me) and I felt this overwhelming air of calm and confidence swoop down on me and it seemed to totally freak them out. I also liked the fact that I was slightly taller then any of them, and since I started lifting weights I was undoubtedly the strongest girl in school and they all knew that. Now that doesn't add up to a 'hill of beans' when it comes to fighting, but I was still waging a psychological war at this point and winning, I think. Just thru posture and eye contact I had them believing that I could put up one hell of a nasty fight, or I should say, I was willing to put up a fight if need be. Taylor's wheels were obviously spinning in her small mind, contemplating what to do next...or not to do...in the end she simply patted her little buddy Janet on the back before speaking, "Let's go, see you around 'Princess' and you too Corbin." An annoying sneer curled out of the corner of Taylor's lips as she got that little jab in at me. Well bitch you want to banter, we can banter all day "You see me now don't you? And you'll see me every day until the end of the school year." I fired right back, even dropping my gym bag while waving my arms out to the side with a very 'bring it on' gesture. Again all very uncharacteristic for me. Taylor and Janet stopped dead in their tracks, they had this totally confused, shocked look in her eyes. I stood unwavering, but it was Taylor that chose to back down again and I watched as she shook head in disgust before prodding Janet to keep walking away. There was this uncomfortable pause, that awkward silence as Sharon simply stood still, I desperately wanted to think of something cool to say. 'Nice body' came to mind, odd thought and of course I can't say that! But Sharon does have one kick ass figure. Anyway all I did was turn my back on her so I could take a seat on the bench, my fingers nervously played with the strap on my gym bag, I then dug my cell phone out 'Damn!' Erik called a couple of times and so did my Mom. The tension was rising up in my back again as I was now suddenly very irritated realizing I just stuck my neck into the middle of some drama I didn't have any business being in. I was pissed again, angry as my fists clenched the straps to my gym bag, "You ready yet!" I snapped which I almost instantly regretted because it sounded a very harsh. Gheesh, listen to me now, barking orders at the Social-Drama-Queen herself. "Almost," Sharon said just above a whisper and I heard her locker close, finally I can get the hell out of here and I stood up and turned around. Sharon looked at me and smiled, it was kind of a relief in some ways, her deep blue eyes with her beautiful smile momentarily had me mesmerized and it made me smile in return, and then she smiled back even more. How icky sweet is that? "I'll walk you out, you know, just in case....well...." I sighed not really knowing if I was making any sense, but at least I made my tone a bit more friendly. We walked out to Sharon's car thru a mostly empty parking lot, every once in a while I would catch her sneaking a glance over, studying me. I could more then hold my own in the looks department, so I guess I was somewhat of an anomaly at the moment because I always tried to downplay my looks. Sharon was just the opposite, throwing her looks in front of everyone's faces. In contrast I wore my hair in no particular manner, it hung long and 'very untidy' as Sharon would later comment. "You sure don't talk much." Sharon commented in an uneasy tone, I simply shrugged and smiled, that was how I really am, pretty quiet, until you get to know me and then my friends say I never shut up. "But that's okay its kind of nice." Sharon smiled and looked over at me, she seemed to spend a lot of time analyzing me. As a defense mechanism I had started to mentally withdraw from this whole situation knowing that Sharon and I roamed in totally different social circles and it would go back to being that way tomorrow morning. I smiled to myself in mock humor, all schools have these niches by which social dynamics make or break teenagers, and yet in only a few short minutes the two of us had been thrust together in a very personal situation. We stopped at her car and I noticed Sharon's confidence resurfacing now "Thank you." She said, back straight, head high, and she was drifting into cool-snob mode. That sort of snapped me out of my thoughts so I squared up my shoulders to face this girl since that feeling of formality was back again. "It's all good." I just shrugged with my own casual air. But then Sharon just gave me this wicked smile which suddenly clued me into that 'other Sharon' that lurks underneath, the mischievous one, "Do you realize the hassles you're in for, you know, once those two bitches spread around the school that you claimed to be my friend." Now that caused my blonde brain to stutter, 'Wait a second I never claimed to be her friend, I take that word very seriously.' and began to question Sharon's sincerity. "All I did is help you out some." I tried again to down play the whole episode. "Yeah...I guess that's all it was." Sharon hesitated and I could tell she was disappointed as she fiddled with her keys nervously, her whole demeanor suddenly dropped. Man come on, what is it with these stupid mind games. I can't keep up. I stood there for a long moment and then peered up very cautiously, "I don't know Sharon do you want to be friends....with me?" I swallowed hard, am I ever a sucker or what? 'Of course this girl doesn't want to be your friend she just wants to use you for some sort of social chess game.' my subconscious warned me. Sharon paused and looked up with an expression like that was exactly what she wanted me to say, now she was beaming her big smile again, "You're adorable!" she gushed making fun of me and the fact I could now barely look her in the eyes. 'Gheesh I feel like some stupid, awkward little kid, not some Senior in High School.' I think I even stood there kicking the loose gravel with my shoes. So we made pleasantries and formally introduced ourselves, and all that other dreadfully boring chit-chat. Isn't this just dandy? I know, all rather nauseating girl stuff, but it sometimes must be done. I was now looking for a way out, "Look I'll give you a call, I have to run home or my parents are going to freak out." I started walking backwards. "Okay....yeah....please do....and thanks again." Sharon pulled on the handle to her car door and just stood still watching me walk away, waving like a spaz. "God I hope I'm not making a big mistake." I mumbled to myself. I was so full of angst I wanted to punch something or someone, nice eh? **********