Page 9

Chapter Nine

Blind dates are in their own circle of hell. -Flora

“He seems nice, Flora. Maybe you should just give him a chance,” Sandra’s whiny voice is starting to get on my nerves at this point. I know she wants me to go on a double date with her and her boyfriend, Steve, but I also know that I have no need to date ever again, at least in my lifetime. Maybe men will be better in the afterlife, but I doubt it.

Sandra just joined the squad this year, and for some reason she’s decided to stick to me like glue. I guess no one told her I’m a grumpy bitch most of the time.

Why I’m still a cheerleader is a mystery to everyone, even myself sometimes. I think it’s because my mom was. I have good memories of looking through her old high school yearbook while she gushes over the good times she had on her squad. After she passed, it was a way of being connected to her. I love parts of it. The physicality of it. Some of the girls. Leading them in something that makes us unified. There’s also a part of me that is ready to be done with it. Needless to say, my graduation can’t come fast enough. I’m looking forward to being a counselor for other women who have been through hell and back.

“I’m good, Sandra. No need to set me up.” The words come out muffled because I’m gritting my teeth at this point. She’s already asked and been told several times that I’m not interested.

“You’re wasting your breath, Sandra. She’s too heartbroken over Tim, anyway. Ditched for a freshman, Flora?” Veronica Cash, another cheerleader, aka the bane of my existence, tsks, “how horribly sad and pathetic.” Her blonde ponytail swings side to side violently as she shakes her head. “Guess I’ll just have to tell Tim that you’re still in love with him and may never get over him.”

Fuck this mean girl and her stupid teasing. Veronica is just like the girls that once teased me in high school. She’s so damn full of herself and thinks Daddy’s money will save her from everything. My eyes narrow as I examine her. Everything is fake on her, even her too-perky tits. From the nails she’s pretending to examine to the color of her hair, there’s nothing real about her. I’ll be damned if she gets the better of me today.

“I’ll be happy to go, Sandra. Tell, what’s his name again?” I ask in an ultra-sweet voice.

“Leon,” she says excitedly.

“Tell Leon I’ll be there.”

Sandra squeals excitedly and I roll my eyes. Oh, yippee! A double date. What fun! I would rather have a root canal.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

A few hours later, I’m regretting all my life choices that led to this point. The guy next to me drones on and on in my ear about his illustrious career on the swim team and Sandra and her boyfriend suck face across from us. I’m so bored that I begin to miss the calculus homework waiting for me back in my room.

“That’s great, Lenny. Really great,” I say in a bored voice while I munch on another tortilla chip.

He stops talking and grinds his teeth. “My name’s Leon. Have you not heard anything I said?”

I have a second of guilt, but quickly slip out of that emotion when he turns and snaps at the waitress to refill our chips and then ogles her breasts.

I place a gentle hand on his shoulder. I flutter my eyelashes and make my voice syrupy sweet. “Of course, I heard everything you said, sweetheart. You just keep on talking while I leave now. You won’t even notice since you like talking about yourself so much.”

His mouth gapes open.

“Sandra,” I lean across the table and snap my fingers next to Sandra’s ear, “Sandra,” I yell.

She jumps and finally pulls herself away from her boyfriend’s lips. “Flora?” she murmurs in a dazed voice.

“Yes, it’s me Flora. I know you forgot about me since you and what’s his name were giving each other a tonsillectomy but I’m out of here.” I grab my sweater and scoot out of the booth.

I hear Lenny or Leon or whoever the hell he is mutter bitch . I don’t give him the satisfaction of reacting.

“Flora…” Sandra gets up to follow me and I hold up my hand in the universal stop gesture.

I sigh. “No worries, Sandra. I’ll see you tomorrow at practice.”

She wisely nods her head and I walk away. First smart thing I’ve seen her do.

I breathe in a huge sigh of relief once I’m outside of the Mexican restaurant. My stomach rumbles as I start walking in the direction of my dorm. Shit, I didn’t even make it past the appetizers.

It’s also over two miles back to the dorm. I sigh and start rummaging through my purse for my phone. Time for the Uber rescue.

Shit, shit, shit. Where the hell is my phone? Where in the fuckity-fuck is my phone?

I turn around and pour the contents out onto the ledge next to me. Yep, no phone.

Fuck my life.