The Story of Us- Chapter 2- First Day of Junior Year

It is the moment I had been long awaiting... That August I was officially an upper-classman. I drove to school in my Ford Taurus, windows down,  Dashboard Confessional blaring.  I had just turned 16 two months prior so driving was still super cool.  I found a parking spot and set out for the 1 mile hike to class.  At Arlington High, student parking was far from school.  You had to walk from your parking spot, past the football field, past the cafeteria parking lot, to your class.  If your first class was in E-hall you better get their early. 





This year started off differently for me than my freshman and sophomore year.  In the spring of my sophomore year, I had quit my beloved sport-volleyball.  Since I was in 6th grade I played year round volleyball.  Fall was filled with school volleyball, winter and spring was dedicated to club volleyball, and the summers were committed to volleyball camps.  Volleyball was my life.  As I hiked my way to class, I had a huge lump in my throat.  Typical high school thoughts ventured in my head... Who am I if I don't play volleyball... I hope my friends don't forget about me... Did I make the right decision.... I hope everyone thinks this outfit is cute... Look at the freshman, they look so small...

I was finally there... my first period class.  Arlington High had a blocked day schedule- meaning you have 4 classes one day and different 4 class the next day.  The first day of school is always a joke.  We had a C-Day schedule, this is where the students have to go to each class and basically do intros 8 different times.  My classes included Algebra 2, English 3, PALS, Science, History, Golf, and two other classes that I can't remember.  My last class was golf, I was so thankful. 

I was walking in the door when I saw some familiar boy faces... then I saw mystery boy.  What was he doing here?  I didn't know he went to Arlington.  I sat down in a desk in Coach Schwartz's classroom and began talking to my friend Dena, while still keeping an eye on mystery boy.

Dena and had been friends for a while.  Her dad and my dad knew each other and we also played club volleyball together.  She was also a member at Shady Valley, so we would go play 9 holes together.  When we played golf it was mainly goofing around and talking about anything but golf.... sorry Coach Schwartz...
I noticed the mystery boy talking with Grant as he left for the next class.  Everyone knew Grant... he was the guy that was friends with everyone.  Hmm... the wheels starting turning...how can I get introduced to this mystery boy.

I asked around to see what this mystery boys name was and I found out his name was Jerry.

The Story of Us- Chapter One- Where it all started

I just finished reading The Pioneer Woman.  If you haven't read it, I seriously suggest you do!  It's an excellent, easy read.  She also has a blog that is filled with excellent recipes.

After reading the book, I felt very inspired to tell the story of Jerry and I. 

In the summer of 2006 I decided to get serious about my golf game.  I saved up my babysitting money and purchased a brand new set of  Wilson's Fat Shaft golf clubs.  When I went shopping, I had the pro's watch my swing.  Turns out I have a very strong, fast swing.  As a result, the pro's recommended I purchase a senior men's set of clubs.  I'm not really sure why, but this made me feel super cool.  I was ready to go!  New golf clubs-check, cute golf bag--check, red golf tees--check,  flamingo head cover--check, golf shoes, khaki shorts, polo shirt, and matching hat-- check!  At the time, my parents had a membership to Shady Valley Golf Course.  I was able to go play or hit balls whenever I wanted.  Looking back, I did not take full advantage of this. 

One day, I decided I needed to work on my swing so I went up to Shady Valley to hit some balls at the driving range. I drove myself in my awesome 1995 Ford Taurus. 

  I pranced down to the range with my matching outfit and bucket of golf balls in hand.  To my surprise there was a very cute guy hitting balls too.  He was wearing a pair of khaki shorts, orange polo shirt, and golf hat.  My stomach dropped.  I thought to myself, "Who is this guy?"  I strategically placed myself a couple of spots away from mystery boy.  I didn't want to be too forward by selecting the spot right next to him, but didn't want to close the door for conversation by selecting a spot too far away.  I began stretching and taking a few practice swings.  The entire time wondering who this cute boy at the driving range was.  I thought to myself, maybe he'll see how great I am at golf and ask me to play a round with him!

It was time to show off--- I mean, the pro's said I had an excellent swing that required seniors men's clubs... I go through my usual pre-swing rituals--- stretch neck, shrug shoulders, wiggle knees up and down.  I was ready to show the mystery boy my beautiful swing!  I took the club back, swung it fast and hard, and completely topped the ball.  For those of you who are not familiar with golf terms, this typically means you looked up to see where the ball went before you even hit the ball.  The result of topping of golf ball is a horrible whacking sound and the ball basically goes 15 feet in front of you. 

Alright.... take two.  That was my first swing, so what if I topped it.  I was bound and determined to show off my skills to the mystery boy.  Once again, I went through my pre-swing rituals, to the club back, and topped it again.  In my head, I'm screaming, "What the heck! Those stupid pro's sold me the wrong clubs!"  This went on for several strokes, until I started slicing the the ball.  A slice is when you make contact with the ball but it curves way to the right.  This is usually a result of your swing getting sloppy and leaving the head of the club open. 

Meanwhile, the mystery boy is hitting each ball perfectly and finishing up his bucket.  In a pathetic attempt to start conversation, I commented on the weather.  It was one of those dirty dancing moments... you know where Baby says, "I carried a watermelon."  Mystery boy was not interested in talking.

He went on to play a round of golf, while I stayed at the driving range cursing the pro's that sold me the new clubs (it was all their fault that I couldn't hit the ball- haha), blaming the weather, wondering if mystery boy thought I was an idiot.