High School

6

Corbin

**********

"It's the friends you can call up at four a.m. that matter." 
Marlene Dietrich (1901 - 1992)
 
**********
 
I finally got around to calling my folks and asked if it would be ok to sleep
over, something else Sharon seemed insistent upon. I had never met anyone with 
Sharon's infectious charm and energy, she had so many friends and was a blast to 
be around, and even the simplest things had some degree of excitement.
 
With Sharon's radio playing softly in the background, I had laid my weary body 
down on the left side of the bed that overlooked an area of the floor where 
Sharon was sorting thru all of her Cheerleading pictures, "And this one was a 
picture of where we competed in the State Finals, but we only came in second. 
That really sucked." She held up a picture of her and her other team mates, 
gathered around the large trophy as they all high five one another.
 
I just smiled at the picture and shifted my legs comfortably on the bed.
 
Sorting thru some other pictures Sharon segued into another more personal 
question, "So, you dating anyone Ms. Gymnastics?" Sharon kept her head down, 
but I could discern a faint smile from her mouth. A personal question that 
caught me a little off guard.
 
"Uhhmm, well I kind have been hanging out with Kevin, he runs on the guys track 
team, he's really cool and not all into himself." I just left it at that.
 
"Now why do I sense a real lack of interest behind those words?" Sharon smiled 
inquisitively, peering up just a little. I took a deep breath and contemplated 
exactly how forthcoming I should be, but decided that it was worth the risk.
 
"Come on, it's not that bad, is it?" Sharon asked seriously.
 
"It's no secret Sharon, I'm a bit on the, reserved side maybe. I guess I've 
always been a little repulsed..." Suddenly I became quiet, obviously second 
guessing my choice of words.
 
"It's okay, you can tell me." Sharon leaned forward with her deep blue eyes, 
looking attentively at me, hanging on my every word. Amazingly it had a soothing 
effect, I felt a little more assured by the attention Sharon was giving me and 
so I continued.
 
"Well, repulsed is a strong word, maybe 'aversion' is better with how I deal 
with allot of the social-expectations in school. I didn't even go to the prom 
because it was turning into such a ridiculous hassle, even though it meant 
turning down Kevin's invite, which really tore him up." I frowned.
 
"So you're the 'Quiet Rebel'" Sharon teased, but there seemed to be some truth 
to that appraisal. I simply smiled and nodded, "Yeah, I guess you could say 
that. Fortunately, my parents have been pretty understanding because my grades 
are good and I do participate in some sports." I shrugged.
 
"Yeah, so how do you manage the whole sports thing? Being involved in sports can 
be the ultimate pressure cooker!" 

"Well, it's just something I have to deal with, I love working out and it's the 
one thing I can focus on and that somehow gets me thru things. While I'm 
performing my routine and running, it's hard to explain, but I can somehow block 
everything out and get the job done, although not as well as I should be able to 
I think."
 
"That's okay" Sharon smiled a little, "I like you just the way you are." Sharon 
smiled again.
 
"Thanks" A little blush filled my cheeks. "So, what about you? I see 
you stringing poor David along, hmmm?" I smiled, my eyes halfway closed as sleep 
began to tug at my mind and body.
 
"David is, well, you know, THE guy to date, so of course I had to snag him, or 
more specify I had to let him chase me a bit before I showed any interest." 
Sharon looked back up and leaned forward, elbows on her knees, "You've been kind 
of quiet since dinner, well, more so then normal if that's possible." Sharon 
smiled playfully, although her question was serious. "What is it? What's wrong?"
 
"Were you serious? About what you said in the kitchen?" I asked and turned my 
head to the right a little, my shyness kicked in as I wanted to bury my face 
into the pillow.
 
"About what? About?" Sharon appeared to be wracking her brain until she sat 
back a little, her jaw tightening.
 
"Never mind, I'm just being silly, we've only known each other a short time." I 
smiled slightly wanting to cut off any potentially humiliating answer she might 
come up with just to calm my insecurities.
 
"No, its okay, I meant it. I do consider you to be..." Sharon sighed and rolled 
her head to the right, her long brown hair hanging off her shoulder, "...I'm 
trying to be sincere here, really, I know you've probably heard allot of bad 
shit about me. I know my reputation proceeds me."
 
"It's okay Sharon, I'm sorry for putting you on the spot." I pulled the pillow 
under my head a little tighter. But Sharon looked up and her eyes were big and 
soft, I stopped talking to let her finish.
 
"You haven't said anything wrong, if anything, I've been the one putting you on 
the spot, you know?" Sharon paused, "You just keeping helping me, why?" 
Sharon leaned in a little bit as she looked up with pleading eyes, searching for 
an answer.
 
"I don't know, it's kind of hard to explain." I sighed, "I just wanted to, and I 
just hope we can stay friends." I tried to smile a little, while my heavy 
eyelids seemed to close a little more.
 
"Yeah, me too, me too." Sharon just sighed.

**********
 
I suppose the first inclination that Sharon was not going to be your run of the 
mill friend was later that night when she awoke me out of my deep, peaceful 
slumber.
 
"Corbin, you awake?"
 
"I am now." I mumbled unhappily, to which Sharon smiled with satisfaction.
 
"What do you want?" I closed my eyes again and tried to snuggle back under the 
blankets.
 
"I can't sleep." Sharon fidgeted under the blankets with her arms and legs.
 
"And how is that my problem?" I sidestepped the issue.
 
"Because I can't sleep." Sharon repeated, "And you know what?" Sharon suddenly 
said.
 
"What?" I opened my eyes a little bit, mostly out of weary concern as I was 
starting to learn that Sharon had a very sneaky, mischievous nature.
 
"If it wasn't for the worst day of my life those few weeks ago, I might not have 
met the best person in my life."
 
"Wow, thanks Sharon, that's the nicest thing anyone ever said to me."

And I knew I had finally made a friend a that I could share all my emotions 
with, allow to see me when I was weak and wanted support instead of having to 
rely only on just myself.
 
**********
 
'This is so strange' I thought as I walked down the hall, people I never knew 
before today were saying hello, while others, friends of Taylor gave me 
suspicious looks with hints of retaliation, 'Or maybe I'm reading too much into 
it', I thought. For someone who had been able to fly below the radar for so many 
years and stay there, I now found myself thrust into the gossip spotlight. I 
didn't stop at my locker, 'Too many people hanging around' I noticed and took a 
back stairwell to avoid being interrogated by anyone.
 
As I came around the corner and saw my homeroom door not more then fifty feet 
away I sighed in relief, 'Just a few more feet to go!'
 
"Hey, Corbin!" The guys' voice called out and I froze, looking suspiciously over 
my shoulder, it was Mitch, one of the cockiest seniors in the school. He was 
loud, obnoxious and believed himself to be far more popular then my really was, 
that fallacy was kept afloat by his inflated ego, further assisted by a group of 
guys and girls that were always hanging around him. I believe that it was his 
care free bravado that gave him just enough charisma to get away with being the 
class clown, and bully at times.
 
"Hey what?" I shot back at him with a stern look that caused him to slow his 
advance a little. Mitch hadn't figured me out yet and was still a little jilted 
when I had flat-out rejected his request for a date, which I considered to be 
mostly his fault since he asked me in front of his friends. But that was the 
chance he took, I suppose the way I blew him off with a casual 'No way' and kept 
walking had really irked him.
 
"So what happened, you kicked that girl Taylor's butt? Have you seen her, she's 
got a nice shiner!" he was walking towards me as the hallway became hushed, 
everyone apparently waiting on my response.
 
"Why don't you..." I was about to respond all right, in a less then friendly 
manner when I was interrupted by my homeroom teacher Mrs. Trice. "Corbin, can I 
see you for a second?" I just blew Mitch off and turned around, heading into my 
homeroom, "Yes Mrs. Trice?" I stood, clutching my back pack over my shoulder.
 
"You're wanted up at the office." She looked up briefly as she sat back 
down at her desk. 

I thought I was going to faint, "Wha?" my jaw dropped open, "What 
about? Did they say?" I felt my heart pounding as I broke out into a faint 
sweat. The teacher set a paper down and looked up casually, "I haven't a clue as 
to what they wanted."
 
"Okay, sorry." I sighed and quickly turned around, stepping out of the class I 
turned the opposite way to avoid going past Mitch and his group. 'This is awful, 
I've never been in trouble one day in my life. Not once! Not even one 
detention! Oh god!' my heart pounded, 'I'm going to be expelled, I know it. I 
just know it! I don't need this stress.' by the time I got to the office I was 
barely holding it together.
 
"I was told to report to the office." I stood looking down at the Secretary. 
The woman hesitated for a second as she finished typing on her keyboard and then 
answered, "Yes Corbin, please have a seat over there." I leaned over the front 
counter, lowering my voice, "Do you know what this is about?"
 
"I'm not at liberty to say, sorry." The secretary replied, trying to give a 
sympathetic look.
 
"Okay, thanks." I said and turned around to feebly walk to a nearby bench in the 
waiting area. A few other students sat, I recognized a couple of guys and girls, 
but found an empty bench that offered a little seclusion, especially since one 
of the guys looked a little pale and ready to puke any second. In any case, I 
didn't look anyone in the eye, although I could feel them staring at me and 
waited to see if anyone was going to talk to me. Meanwhile, my eyes had begun to 
drift around the room as I wondered how everyone seemed able to go about their 
daily routines as if everything was normal. 'My life is ruined,' My mind 
dramatized, 'My parents will ground me for the rest of my days.' I thought, 'I 
know, I'll throw myself on the mercy of the Principal.' Nervously, I leaned 
forward to pull down on my shorts, but that was more to give my hands something 
to do, my khaki shorts were already loose and baggy right down to my knees, 
needing no further adjustment. My wardrobe was actually selected based on one of 
avoidance, I wasn't at ease wearing clothes that accented my figure, although I 
was pestered by friends and my mom to dress more feminine, 'almost as if they 
wanted me to flaunt my body'. I was well aware of my amazing figure and muscular 
definition, 'I don't need to impress anyone.' I told myself.
 
"Corbin!" The secretary called out, "Mr. Vincent will see you now". I jumped, 
and stood up quickly, following the Secretary who stopped and knocked on the 
large door, which seemed to grow several feet in height, but that was all 
psychological as I was just nervous, feeling like a scared little kid.
 
"Come in." The man's voice called out from the other side. The secretary opened 
the door and I walked in, my heart felt like it was palpitating towards a heart-
attack when I saw Taylor already sitting in the office. I swallowed hard when 
I saw the light bruising on Taylor's cheek and her nose looked a little puffy, 
on top of that, Taylor was NOT giving me the most welcome stare either.
 
"Have a seat Corbin." He pointed to the chair next to Taylor and then looked up 
to his secretary, "That will be all, please close the door." The secretary 
nodded and quietly shut the door.
 
"Now, do you know why I've called you into my office this morning Corbin?" He 
rocked back in his chair, folding his hands across his stomach. He had a 
receding hair line and in the past few years his clean shaven face had become 
more round as he put on extra weight. Even though he seemed to have your 
standard reputation of being somewhat 'hard' in the discipline department, I had 
also heard he could be a fair man. In any case, this was one of those critical 
moments and a million thoughts flashed thru my brain as I tried to decide what 
Taylor had already said as opposed to what the Principal had heard. 'Just tell 
the truth you idiot, lying will only get you deeper in trouble'.
 
"Uhm Mr. Vincent, I'm not sure," My voice sounded weak and frail as my left hand 
tightly wrung the strap on my back pack.
 
"Look Corbin," The Principal leaned forward to place his forearms on his desk, 
"There is no need to be nervous okay? But the fact of the matter is that some 
information came to our attention this morning that directly implicates the two 
of you in a fight, on school property." he jabbed his left forefinger firmly 
into the top of his desk, obviously trying to punctuate the seriousness of the 
charge.
 
'That's it! The jig is up!' My mind raced and my heart began to pound 
frantically.
 
"Now, you're a model student, never once have I seen you or even heard of you 
breaking a single school policy, so I know I can count on you to be  
forthcoming." He smiled.
 
I glanced over to Taylor while he was speaking and got the odd look of, 'Don't 
fuck this up', but I had no clue what lead to follow or what to say.
 
"Well...I...I...uh..." I tried to swallow but my throat was now dry, "...I'm 
sure Taylor has been able to fill you in on everything." and I felt my voice 
began to fail me again. 'You lying fool you!' My subconscious railed at the 
direction I was taking.
 
"Well yes, but you see I am all too familiar with Ms. Taylor, she has had 
several visits to this office for disciplinary reasons, so I find it odd that 
your name would come up in all of this." I watched him like a hawk, trying to 
decipher some clue as to how to talk my way out of trouble, and to pickup on 
'that stare' Taylor was giving me. Almost as if he wasn't trusting Taylor's 
'version' of everything.
 
Taking a leap of faith I called upon the classic one liner that had been used 
throughout the beginning of time, whenever anyone got into trouble.
"It was an accident!" I suddenly blurted out and looked over at Taylor, who
had an ever-so-slight look of relief in her eyes. The principal leaned forward a 
few inches and lowered his head while raising his eyebrows with suspicion, "An 
Accident?" He repeated.
 
"Yes, it's all my fault" I said anxiously, maybe a little too anxiously and 
hoped that Taylor would say something and soon!
 
"She's got terrible aim." Taylor tried to smile casually, but that disappeared 
when Mr. Vincent shot her an angry look as if she was not suppose to speak yet.
 
"Yeah" I looked up and smiled weakly, but it felt phony. The Principal leaned 
back in his chair, his left hand coming up to scratch under his chin in 
irritation as he looked up at the ceiling in despair. Leaning forward again he 
let out a big sigh, "So why am I hearing that you two got in a fight?" he said 
while shrugging his shoulders, as if he wasn't at all convinced.
 
But we just sat frozen, staring dumbfounded at him and then he got an extremely 
determined look on his face as he raised his left forefinger to point first at 
me then at Taylor; "It's too close to the end of the school year for this crap 
and you two will be graduating this year. The only reason, the ONLY reason I am 
going to allow this story to stick is because Corbin has an outstanding academic 
record with this school." His gaze shifted to Taylor now, and stayed focused on 
her, "So if I ear of anymore 'Accidents' between you two..." he looks over at me 
now , "...I will not let the matter go so lightly."
 
"Yes sir." I quickly said, almost choking.
 
"Okay." Taylor said in an almost uncaring manner, she had been here too many 
times before so his spiel seemed somewhat routine by now, having lost some of 
its edge. Taylor almost smiled at the way I was being so formal.
 
"Now, see you girls later. Much later I hope." He sighed.
 
"Thank you sir." I stood up and bumped into Taylor as I bolted for the 
door. I was the last one out and closed the door gently before turning and 
bumping into her yet again, she was just standing there looking at me and 
waiting it seemed.
 
"I didn't think you could pull it off, you're a terrible actress, but it was 
enough." Taylor said as we started to walk towards the front of the office.
 
"Look," I snapped pulling my bag up over my shoulder, trying to refocus on 
the seriousness of the situation, "You're ridding my coattails on getting a free 
pass out of trouble, so show some appreciation." That fireball, threatening 
Corbin was out of her shell now and Taylor froze, unblinking at my remarks, even 
a little fearful.

"Sorry," Taylor said, "I didn't mean it like that."

"It's fine." I sighed and turned around to start walking again, I quickly 
regained my composure.
 
"Oh Yes Sir! Oh No Sir! Oh Thank you Sir!" Taylor started in again, mocking my 
comments from the principals office in an attempt to keep the conversation 
lighthearted and it seemed to work, I couldn't help but smile at the taunting, 
"Be quiet" I blushed. 

Several students still in the waiting room looked at the two of us as if they 
couldn't believe what they were seeing. We got the same reaction as we stepped 
into the hallway that was bustling with activity, it created more of a stir that 
Taylor and I would actually be having a civil conversation in the hallway, when 
everyone knew about the fight that took place that past Friday afternoon. Err, I 
mean ACCIDENT! :)
 
"Seriously, thanks for what you did in there and believe me when I say 'Thanks' 
for helping me out." Taylor sighed, "And like he said, we're too close to the 
end of the year." She shook her head.
 
"Nice shiner!" a couple of her softball friends called out as they walked by 
laughing.
 
"Ha ha you'll get yours later." Taylor called out after them as they kept on 
walking. I felt a slight sense of relief that some humor was emerging out of the 
whole thing and she even smiled a little. I looked back at Taylor and a wave of 
guilt crossed over me, realizing for a second, that the bruising and swollenness 
was my doing.
 
"Gheesh, I'm really sorry about that." I said nodding my head towards Taylor's 
face, it was the first time I had apologized for what happened. A few students 
had begun to linger and mill about, eager to eavesdrop on the conversation. The 
whole thing made me feel silly that anyone would find this the least bit 
interesting.
 
"Nah, forget about it, I had it coming, I guess." She shrugged, but I could tell 
that it bothered her, simply by the way Taylor's eyes avoided my own. "Look, 
I'll let you go, thanks again for hanging your neck out like that, you didn't 
have to do that, really." Taylor quickly followed up, rummaging her hand thru 
her curly red hair. This was so strange I wondered, how could this girl go from 
being so hateful and angry back in the locker room to suddenly chumming it up 
with me first thing Monday morning?
 
I was about to answer, but Taylor's expression suddenly changed and became a 
little more irritated, but she wasn't looking at me anymore, but past my 
shoulder. Quickly, I looked back over my left shoulder and saw Sharon 
approaching, all decked out in her Cheering uniform.
 
"We'll, three's a crowd," Taylor sighed, "So, I'll be going."
 
"Don't you talk to her!" Sharon said angrily when she got close enough. 'Oh no' 
I thought, images of another brawl breaking out in the hallway. 'In front of the 
office even!' caused my heart to hammer violently. It's just another accident 
sir! :)
 
"I'll talk to whomever I want!" Taylor snapped back, her face blushing with 
emotion and a few students stopped to watch. I stood looking at the ceiling, 
'This is sooooo embarrassing' I thought, for one fleeting moment things looked 
like they could get back to being their normal, dysfunctional High School self. 

I decided to interject, "Come on! We're right outside the freaking office!" I 
pleaded in a lowered voice. Several students had run off to quickly gather more 
friends to witness would could be another fight, right in the middle of the 
hallway while others seemed to gather a little closer.
 
"Run along you freckled face, black-eyed, freak before I give you a matching 
shiner on that other eye." Sharon clenched her fist and raised it.
 
"Sharon, take it easy, okay?" I looked over at Sharon, and squeezed my body 
between them.

"Bring it on anytime princess!" Taylor hissed in a low, menacing voice and 
slowly turned to leave. I rolled my eyes uneasily at the exchange but thankful 
Taylor was backing down.

When Taylor was out of earshot Sharon tugged on my sleeve, "What was that all 
about? What did she want? Was she bothering you?" While I didn't appreciate 
Sharon's rude interruption of my talk with Taylor, I couldn't help be feel 
swayed a little by Sharon's protective attitude 'Almost possessive' I thought 
and that caused a warm sensation to take root and spread inside my tummy. Silly 
huh?
 
"We got called into the Principals office this morning, he heard about 
the fight." I said.
 
"Oh no! Did you get in trouble? Well don't you worry about a thing, my dad will 
take care of everything!" She said while continuing to tug urgently on my left 
sleeve.
 
"No, we told a fib, that she got hit in the nose with a softball." I sighed, 
looking back down the hall, but Taylor was gone.
 
"What? Are you serious? He bought that load of crap!" Sharon's eyes grew 
wide with disbelief.
 
"Not really, but I kind of supported the story so..." I sighed.
 
"You what?" Sharon leaned in, "You could have nailed her butt to the wall, do 
you realize how many violations she has had!"
 
"No, not really, I just wanted the whole thing behind me, you know." I let out 
an exasperated sigh.
 
"Okay, we'll, at least it's over, come on and I'll walk you to your next class." 
Sharon said softly, recognizing a weary look on my face over the whole thing.
 
"What the hell are you dorks looking at! Go back to picking your nose, or 
whatever you do!" Sharon barked at a group of students that were still staring. 
A few stiffened with fear, even though a few of the guys were using the scene to 
ogle Sharon in her cheer outfit, they quickly scattered because the brunette had 
a commanding way about her. I looked over at them sympathetically.
 
'The Odd Couple' was the term that often came to my mind when reflecting on our 
friendship. In fact, nothing diminished over the remainder of the school year. 
Distractions, such as College left little time for idle gossip and petty 
manipulations on the part of Sharon's friends, or perhaps so-called-friends 
would be the more appropriate term. But I didn't let my new found notoriety go 
completely to waist, I had taken a mental note of how differently I was treated 
when walking thru the school 'With an air of respect' almost. 'It was odd that I 
would be elevated in status as the result of such a disgusting confrontation' I 
thought in dismay, but it was also a confidence builder of sorts for me and even 
Sharon encouraged me to carry my head higher and with more authority. The fact 
that I still maintained a quiet and distant demeanor only added to my mystique 
and intimidation factor, 'not that I would ever act on it again' I told myself, 
but having the reputation for someone that can fight definitely was having it's 
perks.
 
Sharon had broken up with David, much to his dismay and I never successfully 
paid enough attention to boys for any long term dating to take place, in fact my 
parents had grown increasingly concerned but once again my stellar grades and 
athletic motivations indicated I seemed too focused on other 'more important' 
things I would tell them.
 
And then it was over, talk about a Kodak moment as the afternoon sun had 
fired up the sky with a brilliant orange and red display while we sat on the 
school bleachers. Everyone else had eagerly fled home, to party, celebrate or 
whatever the last day of school was to bring. But the two of us just sat there, 
not at all eager to leave, in fact it was the very solitude and peace that kept 
us rooted high up in the stands, neither of us speaking a word. I looked out 
over the football field and glanced to the buildings over to my left. 
"This is it." I sighed sadly, "I didn't think I would miss all of this as much 
as I am already starting to." I leaned back and propped my elbows up on the row 
of seats directly behind me while stretching my legs out. The air had started to 
cool, but my t-shirt and khaki shorts were still comfortable. Sharon sat to my 
immediate left, hunched forward, her arms wrapped around her legs, with her 
short pleaded skirt tucked under, she wasn't as chatty as normal, but that 
didn't bother me too much.
 
"Yeah." Sharon finally sighed and spontaneously reached over with her right 
hand, grasping my left. I remember suddenly smiling and gripped Sharon's hand 
back with equal force as I looked over at her.
 
"You're not going to get all mushy on me, are you Sharon?" I teasingly smirked. 
Sharon's mouth just dropped open in shock as she pulled her hand away.
 
"You're so mean to me!" Sharon pouted and looked away, folding her hands in her 
lap.
 
"I was only kidding, I'm sorry." I leaned over and touched her right forearm.
 
"I know..." Sharon looked over with a big smile, "...you're such a sucker." and 
nudged my elbow jokingly.
 
"Yeah, I am." I smiled and leaned back to my resting position on the bleacher.
 
"But that's okay," Sharon leaned over with a smile, "Your still my best friend." 
the words seemed to come out in a soft and sincere tone that took me a little by 
surprise. I knew Sharon and I had become close friends, in fact Sharon was the 
closest friend I had ever had.
 
"Thank you." I sighed, "It only took you how many years to figure that out?" I 
chuckled to which Sharon lowered her head and blushed. But there was an out of 
place somberness to my expression and tone that had nothing to do with leaving 
behind school and the memories that were made here.
 
"What is it?" Sharon leaned forward. I guess I had such an intense way about me 
that Sharon found herself being overly attentive to my needs at times.
 
"Just something silly." I shrugged.
 
"You always say that, but it never is, so tell me." Sharon smiled leaning in 
closer as if to hear a secret. Hearing her say that meant allot, Sharon was 
one of the few people that seemed to sincerely understand my personality and 
genuinely seemed to listen to what I had to say.
 
"Well, it's just, I don't think I've ever had a best friend before. Now isn't 
that just the most pathetic thing you've ever heard." I smirked in self-
amusement and looked away. Sharon's smile had slowly started to fade, but I 
really didn't want to dwell on it and looked back toward the setting sun and 
squinted a bit, even with the sunglasses on. Yet something made me continue 
talking "But I know why, it was my choice, you know?" I glanced back up at 
Sharon, "I've been a loner most of the time, so I keep everyone at arms length." 
But that was it, I didn't finish and let it go, not wanting to turn the 
conversation down a dark depressing road.
 
Unexpectedly, I felt Sharon scoot right up next to me and her left hand crossed 
over and cupped my right cheek. "What?" I looked up as I felt Sharon gently 
pull.
 
"Come here" Sharon smiled a little, but still there was something very serious 
about the moment. I pushed off and sat up, letting Sharon pull my head down onto 
her right shoulder, I simply smiled at the embrace, it felt wonderful and safe. 
She brought my left hand up to her lips and kissed the back of it, "Friends for 
life" Sharon simply said reassuringly.
 
My heart beat faster as I felt bold in returning the favor, and the moment 
seemed much more intimate as I pulled my friend's hand up to my lips to return 
the gentle kiss, "Friends for life" I said.
 
"College, I think it's going to be interesting." Sharon sighed.
 
"Oh yeah, very interesting, although I'm a bit nervous I have to admit." I 
nervously played with my hair as I continued resting my head on Sharon's. 
 
"Why?"
 
"It's a whole new phase of our lives, you know?" I sat up straight and turned 
towards Sharon with a more serious expression.
 
"Yeah but, bring it on!" Sharon said in her usual enthusiastic style and gripped 
my hand tightly, raising both into the air.
 
"Yeah" I smiled.
 



  
High_School_6