Casually I make my way back over to the table and sit down with Tom. I can hear Jay and Calvin's loud booming voices as they tromp up the stairs. Taking a deep breath to calm my nerves so I can be chill when they enter the room.
"Wussup dude, I'm Tom and this is my house. Here buddy wanna hit?" Offering him the already burning bowl in front of his face.
"Nice, thanks dude! I'm Calvin, I can't refuse free weed." That was Wack why did I say that? Snatching the bowl from Tom's hand, taking a nice slow hit. Sensing Her eyes on me, I take my eyes off the burning bud to meet her gaze. I tried to play it cool when I walked into the room, even though my stomach was doing somersaults. I feel like an ass now, for not saying Hi to Hannah and ignoring her presence. Like I didn't see her sitting there, when in fact I did.
Exhaling the smoke from my lungs, while keeping my eyes fixed on her. There is something about Hannah's eyes, they have me feeling something I have never felt before. It's like they hold a faint memory in them that cannot be defined, but I can feel the essence of it. Her smile is intoxicating, inviting and full of warmth.
"You gotta see Tom's backyard! His mom allowed us to build a mini skate park outside. And I noticed you brought your board with you. Let's shred some ramps outback, Tom and I built a half pipe and a quarter pipe ourselves." Calvin passed me the bowl next, so I hit it and passed it to Hannah.
"No way man, I'm down let's go!" Now this I've got to see, I'm stoked! I'm hoping I am just as good as them if not better. My guess is they are pretty decent at skating, if they took the time to build their own ramps.
All excited, the boys all galloped down the stairs sounding like a herd of horses. I can hear them all talking amongst themselves as they were scrambling by the back door, grabbing their boards. Hearing a slamming sound, as they shut the door behind them. Leaving me alone to finish listening to one of my favorite Tool songs Sober. With all the guys outside it gives me the perfect time to use Tom's phone and call Janet.
Ring, Ring, Ring!!!
"Hello Cratsley residence, who am I speaking too?" Ugh I hate how I have to answer my phone.
"It's Hannah, what are you up too right now?" Janet's voice is always annoyed when she answers her phone. She gets me to giggle every time I call her.
"Nothin, I'm bored out of my mind and Even is annoying me! He wants me to bring him to the park to hang with his friends. What's up with you, the caller id says you are at Tom's house. Why is it so quiet over there?" Double checking the caller Id, usually there are a bunch of voices booming in the background.
"They're all out back showing Calvin the skate park they built. I have an idea, what if you and Even come up here and hangout. He would have fun watching the guys and he could bring his board and maybe learn a trick or two. Please, please for me!" Sounding like a child begging for a toy.
"Let me ask him, I much rather come hangout there than sit around here or go to the park with his friends. Hey Even, want to go to my friend's house? He has a mini skatepark in his backyard and you could bring your board!" Screaming across the house at him. Even comes running around the corner with his board in hand. I'll take that as a yes then.
"I really need you to help me figure out this new guy and see what you think about him! Has Jay even introduced you to him yet? What did Even say?" Rapidly firing off questions one after another. Without pausing to allow Janet to even answer the first question I asked her.
"Slow down girl! To answer your first question, NO, I haven't met the new kid yet. I'm guessing he's hot by how you're reacting. Even was ready to bounce and head up, he didn't say anything. He just grabbed his board and is ready to go. I'm going to leave my mom a note and I'll be there in a few minutes." Hanging up the phone with Hannah, I gave myself a once over in the mirror to make sure my hair and makeup still looked ok. Having a crush on Jay has me acting like a girly girl. Ugh makes me sick to think I have it in me.
Maybe today will be the day Janet and Jay get together? I wish these two would just acknowledge their feelings for one another. At this point it seems like it will take an act of God to make it happen. I think to myself as I run down the stairs to join the guys outside.
Feeling really giddy I sit down on the porch stairs, waiting for Janet to arrive. I observe the guys attempting to do impossible looking tricks. I can't help but laugh at them cracking jokes, as they take turns landing on their asses.
Mostly keeping my eyes on Calvin because for one he is eye candy. Second, I have to say I am impressed with his abilities on that board. As for the way he skates there is no way he is a noob. From what I have seen there is a possibility that Calvin has more skills and experience than the others.
Calvin looks over at me before doing a kick-flip. Being a showoff, he catches the board in his hands. Oh, shit Calvin's walking slowly in my direction, it's like he could sense me thinking about him. Or he caught me watching his every move, and I'm creeping him out. Would I like some strange guy to do that to me? No way!
"What's up Hannah, do you mind if I sit down?" I ask making my way over to see her. I'm hoping without the guys around I can get to know her better.
"Sure, it's a free country! So, how long have you been skateboarding?" Calvin pops a squat next to me on the stairs.
"Since I was ten, my best friend got me into it. After a while skateboarding became a sport for me. I'm always looking for new tricks to master. Tell me Hannah what is your thing, what do you like to do?" Hopefully I can get a real answer instead of a sassy response this time.
"I knew there was no way you were a noobie, by the way you were skating. To answer your question, for as long as I can remember, I have always liked to write. Also, I have been singing and dancing since I was three years old. I guess you could say I dabble in lots of things." Trying my best to hold back my sarcastic side. Calvin holds eye contact with me while I am talking. He's coming across genuinely interested in what I have to say.
"That's cool!" I respond. Noticing new voices in the background, I broke eye contact with Hannah. Looking over my shoulder to see who was coming around the corner.
"Hey girl, what's up? I bought some tootsie pops on my way over. Want one, catch!" Giving Hannah a smirk, I toss her a pop. This must be the new guy; I knew he had to be good looking. Otherwise, Hannah wouldn't be this excited over a new townie.
"Thanks Janet! Oh, by the way, this is Calvin, he just moved a few streets up the hill." Janet shook Calvin's hand.
"What's up Calvin! I live a few streets down the hill from here, closer to the beach. Welcome to the neighborhood dude." Sensing Even's impatient energy with me, I reached into my pocket. To give him a hand full of penny candy. That should keep him busy for a few minutes while I try to get a good read on Calvin.
"Thanks Janet! What part of the neighborhood do you live in Hannah? Up the hill or down the hill or somewhere in between?" This seems like the perfect time to find out where she lives.
"I used to live up the hill with my Meme' (grandmother) behind the theatre, but not anymore. My mom just got back together with her ex-husband and moved us to the other side of town. I live in an apartment building. Where the greenbelt ends on that side of town and turns into the railroad tracks. Sorry I forgot you're new, of course you don't know any of these landmarks yet. I live about a four-minute drive from the high school; you know where that is." Twirling my tootsie pop between my fingers. Calvin looks at me with a shocked expression on his face.
"Holly shit Hannah, that's a long ass walk to get here!" Hannah gives me a hint of a smile. I was hoping I could walk her home later this evening. But with that long of a walk I wouldn't be able to make my curfew.
"Yup it can be, if I walk the straight route by myself, it will take me about 45 minutes to get here. If I am with a friend, I prefer to take the greenbelt to the boys and girls club. Then cross the street and cut through the piggery. Most of these streets on this side of the hill are dead ends. They access the small, wooded area, which is known as the piggery. Don't ask me why they call it that, because I have no idea." Making fun of me, Janet clucks and acts like a chicken flapping its wings. I know she is just Joshing around with me, so I take no offense to it.
"You know I'm just kidding Hannah! My mom gives me hell when I use the short cut by myself. No one, especially us girls, should be going through the woods. Or take the back routes without the buddy system." Even is being an annoying little brother, as he continuously tugs on my flannel shirt.
"This place is awesome, when can I skate?" Being pissy my sister turns her head in my direction. Giving me the same look my mother gives me when she wants me to behave.
"Let's go over and ask, Tom and Jay if you can join them. And maybe I'll show you a trick or two. Well, we are going to leave you two alone now and try our best not to get hurt." Hannah giggles while Calvin chuckles as Even and I walk away.
"Your friend seems dope! That's cool that she can skateboard, I haven't met any skater chicks." I must have just put my foot in mouth. Hannah turned her head away from me so fast, now I can't read her face. I'm guessing she must have taken that wrong.
Hannah slowly turns her head back in my direction nodding her head. Then leans forward resting her chin on her fist with the tootsie pop sticking out.
"I bet you didn't know in 1964 Pattie McGee was the first female pro skateboarder! Also, in 1965 she was on the cover of Life Magazine. So... apparently, girls have been skateboarding for a very long time!" I'm probably coming off as a wise ass. Oh, nothing irritates me more than a sexist man. Maybe I'm just triggered, and I am blowing this out of proportion.
"That's cool, I think I remember hearing something about that chick before. To know something like that you must really like skateboarding. I'm guessing you also skate." Hoping to redeem myself with her. Seeing, she clearly took what I said offensively.
"You guessed wrong! Unless you consider a person being able to balance on a board while going straight, a skater. It sucks that I can't do all the fancy tricks and shit. I really love the sport, and how it takes so much skill to master. You really need to understand some physics to be able to learn how to do these tricks. I could never be a Pattie McGee; she does handstands while riding on the board." I get so excited talking about how cool Pattie McGee is and all the cool things she accomplished as a woman pro skater.
"Hey, you never know, all it takes is a lot of practice and a lot of patients!" Listening to Hannah talk about how much she loved skateboarding, with so much passion, is a real turn on. For someone that can't skate, Hannah gets why I love the sport so much.
"As much as I love the sport and enjoy watching people skate. I know I wasn't born with the talent to be a skateboarder like you guys. I have been given other talents to explore in this life! Pulling off the purple wrapper around the tootsie pop and taking the first lick.
"Tell me Hannah, what talents have you been given?" Hannah continues to enjoy her lollipop, giving me no response.
"I love Tootsie pops, especially the cherry ones, they are my favorite! The grape ones are pretty good too, it's my second favorite." Avoiding Calvin's question on purpose and redirecting the conversation. Offering him a joyful smile hoping to distract him so he will forget his question or take the hint.
Taking in a deep breath and holding it as if I could stop time itself. Allowing me more time to bask in the warmth of her smile and continue to soak in the joy in her eyes.
"Hey goofball!" I yell across the yard at Filmore hoping to get his attention away from Hannah and back on skating. Didn't take me long to notice the big goofy grin across his face and it's making me nervous. I can clearly see the energy between these two, and if I leave them alone, I'm sure they will be making out somewhere before the end of the night.
Thanks for all your support on my writing journey, I appreciate and send loving energy to each one of you! Much ⤠Hetza E.
Remember to be good to you, in all-ways! ð«¶ðâï¸
DISCLAIMER This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, events and incidents are the products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Copyright © 2021, 2022,2023,2024,2025 by Hetza E. All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.