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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Write in the ROMANCE genre (04/19/07)
It was 1984. Apple introduced the Macintosh, Indira Gandhi was assassinated and the Soviets boycotted the Los Angeles Olympics. I was a freshman in high school, a bookish late blooming teen with glasses, acne and braces. Of all the events that year, back then I only cared that the movie Sixteen Candles released.

Sixteen Candles brought to life the caste system alive and well in my high school. Athletes dated cheerleaders. The honor society kids socialized within their species. The golden rule was a hard, steadfast rule: seniors don’t date freshman. Sixteen Candles gave me hope as love won out over unspoken rules.

The senior on my romance radar was Chris Mattola. Fair sandy hair, piercing ocean blue eyes and a gregarious smile. My daydreams involved his toothy grin and hand extended in the hall to take mine. We shared the same lunch period where I’d angle myself close enough just to take a peek in those baby blues and sigh. Each lunch my girlfriends, ironically each of us Jennifer, would giggle and talk about what a dream he was.

“Girls, where is this talk going to go? Every day it’s Chris Mattola, Chris Mattola. Yet I haven’t seen a one of you do a thing about it.”

Jennifer Caslin had the right to question us. She had a boyfriend and our Chris Mattola talk was taking up her bragging time. Jennifer Towner had the best shot of catching Chris, although still a long one. She was a tall blond with her own captivating blue eyes, but a sophomore. Then there was me, Jennifer Walker.

“Hey JW, you could write something. You’re really good at it. You know his locker, we could slip it in."

Jennifer Towner the unattached sophomore suggested. Jennifer Caslin grinned and dove for her notebook and pen. She always loved a half baked plan that would never work.

“There is no way I’m writing anything and signing my name. No way.”

The notebook was put in front of me. All eyes were on me.

“Do this for all the freshman that have a voice but are never heard.”

Jennifer Caslin really belonged in the debate club.

“Okay, but I’ll make it a riddle and I’m signing ALL our names.”

I wasn’t the best poet, but I had heart. Although I can’t quite recall my exact writings, I’m sure it wasn’t freshman mush, but at least gripping junior level romantic offerings. I can’t say it was even close to Song of Songs though. Again, this isn’t it, but something like this:

Those eyes, those ocean blue eyes, they paralyze and hypnotize.
Your smile, your kindness,
you are a treasure---
If we could meet, what a pleasure.
J3

Since all our names were Jennifer, I signed off that way. Before we could lose our boldness Jennifer Caslin took it and slipped it in his locker, #1049. By lunch the entire cafeteria was abuzz. Someone sent Chris Mattola a love note, and he really liked it. Who was this mystery writer?

I wrote two more notes that week and by Friday, the fury over her identity was nearly the fanfare reserved for prom talk countdown. I watched Chris at lunch and he seemed on high alert, looking around for a clue. I revealed we shared the same lunch period. I even heard his sister ask after school if anyone knew anything. Jennifer Towner kicked Jennifer Caslin for snickering.

Reality hit when Jennifer Caslin’s boyfriend, Todd, asked if she knew anything. Todd and Chris lived in the same neighborhood and Todd couldn’t help but wonder as he certainly heard all us girls wax poetically about the gorgeous Chris Mattola. When Jennifer confessed she was the mastermind but I was the executor, Todd reminded her that she was a Christian and that lusting after one guy while dating another really wasn’t going to fly. Sheepishly Jennifer agreed and asked Todd to reveal our identities as gently as possible.

I dreaded lunch that Monday. Todd made sure to tell each of us that Chris was relieved to know who it was. When the Jennifers went their separate ways, Todd called out to me.

“Yeah?”

“I think you should know JW your words really moved him. He asked me to point you out.”

“And?”

My heart was racing faster than Andretti could go in the Indy 500. Todd sighed.

“He’s really sorry you’re a freshman.”
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This article has been read 3318 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Christine Dunn
04/26/07
Sounds like that 'caste system' has ruined quite a few 'happily ever afters'! Well written.
James Wood
04/26/07
Sucker punch, right in the breadbasket! Ouch! I enjoyed this story. Shame on him though. It was his loss.
Cheri Hardaway
04/27/07
I absolutely LOVE this! You have caught my whole high school experience as if you were right there with me! Wow! Just a tiny bit of work on punctuation will make this piece perfect. Great job! Hope to see it in the winner's circle next week, and it's in my Winner's Circle already! Blessings, Cheri
Sheri Gordon
04/29/07
Didn't see that ending coming -- I was hoping for a happily-ever-after. This is such a true depiction, and another reminder of why I'm glad I don't have to repeat high school.

One small thing -- the beginning of paragraph 7 is missing something, and/or should be part of paragraph 6.

Good romance -- even without the 'happy' ending.
LaNaye Perkins
04/29/07
I was sitting on the edge of my seat and actually let out a groan when I read the last sentence! You did a great job telling this story! Well Done!
Dara Sorensen
04/30/07
Hahaha! I like it--very out of the ordinary and original :-) The ending was the best and very accurate! She's better off without him ~_^
Sara Harricharan
04/30/07
Heehee! Very good. I was kind of hoping she'd get him and then glad that she didn't because she really would be better off without him. I liked your opening paragraph best...this read like a real high school scene (almost out of the princess diaries!) ^_^
Jacquelyn Horne
05/01/07
Love unrequited. What a shame. But this was really a cute story of romantic teen notions. You did a good job.
Loren T. Lowery
05/01/07
Read like a romantic suspense novel. You captured the era so well and the caste system seens as powerful now as it did back then. Nice job!
Myrna Noyes
05/02/07
What a cute story!! I was engrossed in it from beginning to end! (By the way, the ending was so realistic!) I think in one sentence you might have meant "furor" instead of "fury." You got the high school caste system down perfectly, and I loved the three Jennifers! :)
Joanne Sher 
05/02/07
This felt so realistic (maybe because I was in high school in 1984!) - and you DID nail the caste system for sure. That last line just hit me!
Pat Guy
05/03/07
Wow! Good job! I felt like I was back in high school - yikes - a good sign for sure.

You have the whole scence down pat and I enjoyed the ride. Well done.
william price
05/03/07
Very, very, very good. I liked this alot. Highschool was way back for me, but you easily brought it back. Excellent work. God bless.
Edy T Johnson
05/12/07
Oh, this is just perfect! From beginning to ending, I could see this as if it were a television show. How come the judges missed this one? It is a winner in my book.

I'm glad I came calling to thank you for your comment on my Sparrow story. I really enjoyed reading yours. It goes in my "favorites."
Chong Shipei
12/30/10
I love this story, especially the ending. You portray the caste system soooooooo well! It is one of my favourite stories.