Fire and Ice

amanda

Today's the basketball game and instead of thinking about that my mind wanders in the direction of Jane.

Will she be at the game? I think to myself. Of course she will! She loves sports!

It's my mission tonight to find her— I have been putting this off for too long now.

I lace my hair into a signature side braid and colors of pink and white before I meet my parents down stairs. They are already waiting for me by the door, seeming more anxious then I am.

"Are you ready?" My mom asks as we walk out the door.

I know she isn't implying about leaving for the game. Just as I thought, Jane's house lights are out and her parents car isn't in the driveway— they're already at the school. I silently beg the universe to not have the same situation occur like the one in the cafeteria. I must've been thinking so hard my dad clears his throat loudly and I see his reflection in the review mirror.

He has his eyebrows arched eyeing me. "Are you meeting up with anyone at the game Amanda? Boys perhaps?"

I shake my head. As much as I love boys, I couldn't think about anyone else except my ex best friend. "No dad," I have to roll my eyes making him chuckle. "I'm going for Jane."

I see my dad smile. "I'm glad."

I could feel my mom smiling too— this would be my imperfect time, around all this chaos at the basketball game I would find Jane and we could finally talk it out.

We enter the gym and the first thing I do is look around for Jane. Just like in the cafeteria, it's flooded with roaring teenagers. My parents lead the way and we sit on the top section of the bleachers giving me a better lookout. My eyes land on a girl that looks vaguely familiar: she has long chocolate waves that stand out from her blue tank top, a pair of jeans, a black belt with a jacket to match, and a bracelet that looks green from here. It suddenly clicked: it was Jane!

Not only am I surprised by how she put herself together so nicely, but that she was talking— flirting I should say— with a basketball player. I move lightly away from the person sitting in front of me so I could clearly see the boy, but I should've already knew: it's Zeke.

I repeatedly pat both my parents arms and repeating 'omg' a million times a second. My mom finally takes my arm in hers.

"What is it Amanda?"

I point down to the bottom of the bleachers. "Look at Jane!"

"Wow," my dad says following my finger. "If you hadn't of said so, I wouldn't recognize that as Jane."

"She does look different," my mom adds.

"I know!" I squeal in the process. "She's also with Zeke, and they're flirting! I saw it coming but I didn't think she could pull it off!"

My mom gives me a look and I embarrassingly look away. Honestly, Jane always had trouble talking to boys, it was up to me to help her out if she happened to take an interest in someone— which was one in a million; now look at her.

My mom nudges me. "Go talk to her."

I get up but as soon as I do the principle's voice rackets through the entire gym announcing that the game is about to begin.

I lean into my mom whispering, "After."

This might be the longest game I have ever attended. I missed my chance at halftime too which upset me even more, but trying to put that aside I actually enjoyed watching them play. Finally, the game came to an end with a home victory (for us) and everyone cheered and some went to congratulate the players. I took this as my chance and squeezed my way through the people trying to get off the bleachers. Jane is already talking to Zeke and by the big smile across his face I know Jane is applauding him. When I get close enough, Zeke points to me making Jane turn around. The smile he shows me gives me a small ounce of hope that this can work out.