*********


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?


**********