“David, you’re a godsend. I’ll get it set up. Oh, how much is this going to cost me?”
“We’re going to put you on hold for a second,” Kendal told Devin.
“Do you want to get out from under your debt to Rigby, Thompson and Associates?”
“Yes, please.”
Kendal took the phone off mute and gave Devin the figure that it would take to cover our costs with Ford, and her firm, and get me a little ahead of the medical bills. I about had a cow when she quoted him the amount. Then she explained what was going on with the media push by Ford Models. Devin was furious.
“I’ll call Ford and get them to back off. Range Sports is in your corner. We want you fresh for our next project. Sandy and I know how important your family is to you. I’ll take care of this.”
“Devin, I’ll do my best for you. If you ever need anything, please call me, and if it’s in my power I’ll make it happen.”
“I know, and thank you for stepping up and doing the shoot this afternoon.”
When we were done, Kendal went and found Tom to get him up to date. While they were gone, I called Angie and let her know what I was going to be doing tonight. Tom and Kendal came back, and Tom told me his bosses were happy this was working out. He grinned and told me Devin had called Ford. The press tour was on hold, as was the push to go full-time.
KENDAL WAS PUT IN CHARGE of taking me to the mall. I used my Range Sports credit card and bought everything needed for the shoot. At the studio, we had to work quickly, because wearing thermal winter gear and working under the hot lights on the set was not a good combination. I was ready to drop after six hours, and I wanted to strangle the Range marketing guy by the time it was done. He was in charge of this project and he couldn’t make up his mind. Therefore, we needed numerous re-shoots to get different poses.
Mr. Hill was happy because Range gave him their newspaper flier advertising account. It was his reward for doing the shoot on short notice.
Tuesday January 7
I FOUND MYSELF IN THE office before school started with three issues. The first was the school had deleted my schedule because I was reported to be dead. The second was that by missing the first day of classes and not having a note from my parents, I wasn’t allowed to start school, at least until they showed up to enroll me. The third problem was that I’d missed too many days. The state had a rule about attendance, so I could only miss three more days this coming semester. Instead of getting mad, I just called Tom.
“Hey, Tom, I bet you didn’t think you’d hear from me so soon,” I said.
“You have me there. What can I help you with?” he asked.
“Guess who Lincoln High School has declared dead? Better yet, since I didn’t make it to class yesterday, I’m not allowed to go to school without a parental appearance.”
“I think I have your principal’s number on speed dial after your and Tracy’s fight. Give me a few minutes, and we’ll see if you get another free day.”
We hung up and I patiently waited. Five minutes later, our principal came strolling out and had a brief conversation with the desk lady. It wasn’t what you knew, but whom. Tom had come through for me, this time. Now at least I could be enrolled. I was in Algebra II, and at first, they were going to put me back with Mrs. Sinclair. I explained that was not happening. They put me in Ms. Lowden’s class.
This was the same Pam Lowden who was the cheerleader coach. When we went to the road game, I’d flirted with her. I was sure this would end up being interesting.
After math, I had American History and English Composition. I wasn’t looking forward to either of those. Then there was first-period lunch, followed by PE. This is where my day began really to suck. Because I was the last freshman to register, the only PE section available was Dance. The next period was either Art (Figure Drawing) or Shop. When the secretary told me I would be the only guy in Art, I signed up for it. My final-period class was second-semester Biology. This semester we had to cut up dead critters.
Then I got the news that my locker had been given away. It got better because since they didn’t have enough lockers, I had to share one. I was given slips for each class to let the teacher know I was enrolled. It was good I was still mellow from the effects of being buried alive. I figured ‘no big deal’ and went to my first class, Algebra II with Ms. Lowden. When I came in late, I found that seats had been assigned. The only one left was front and center.
“I see we have a new student,” Ms. Lowden said as she smirked at me. “Would you come up front and introduce yourself to the class?”
I gave her an evil look, but decided to play along.
“Good morning. My name is David, and I just came in from Colorado. I’m a Cancer, and currently single. I just got dumped, so if anyone’s interested in being my rebound girl, see me at lunch.”
“Okay, enough with the comedy routine,” Ms. Lowden said, glaring at me. “Since you’re in a rare mood, you get to go to the board and show us your algebra skills.”
She made me stay at the board and do problems for a while. After class ended, she rolled her eyes at me when I winked at her.
I went to my locker to dump my math book when I heard, “What do you think you’re doing?”
I turn to find a pissed-off girl. This must be my locker-mate.
“Hi, I’m David. I think we’re sharing a locker.”
“Not likely.”
I shrugged.
“Take it up with the office. I have to get to my next class,” I told her.
I turned and walked off.
BEFORE LUNCH, I WENT to American History and English Composition. American History almost put me to sleep. Mr. Henley spoke in a monotone with no variation in pacing. I would have to do my homework in this class, or I’d be a drooling idiot. English looked to be interesting. There would be a lot of writing. The first paper due, by next Monday, was your classic ‘What I did over Christmas Vacation.’ I thought I might be able to come up with something.
When I got back to my new locker, my new locker-mate had a big guy with her. He was a couple of inches shorter than I was but outweighed me by about fifteen pounds. He turned around, and I recognized him. He was the quarterback from the team that beat us in the state playoffs. I walked up and put out my hand.
“Welcome to Lincoln High, I’m David Dawson.”
He turned to the girl and gave her ‘the look.’
“You’re too funny! You think David Dawson is bullying you? Not likely!” He turned back to me and said, “Hey, I’m Brad Hope, and this is my sister Cassidy. Cassidy, David was Lincoln’s starting quarterback last season.”
“Oh, shit! Dad told me about you. I’m supposed to be nice to you.”
What was ‘was Lincoln’s starting quarterback’ supposed to mean? Surely Brad didn’t think he could beat me out. The strongest praise I could give his play was ‘competent.’ I didn’t remember him being a standout. I was surprised that this had stirred up my emotions. I decided to give them the benefit of the doubt.
“Would you guys like to go to lunch with me?”
They both nodded ‘yes,’ and I took them to the lunchroom. I found a small table so we could get to know each other. Brad spotted Tracy giving me an evil look when Cassidy sat next to me.
“Who’s the gorgeous blond that’s giving you the evil eye?”
Cassidy and I glanced over our shoulders, not being very subtle, and I turned back.
“That’s my ex. Be forewarned, she’s as nutty as they come. She and I have dated twice. The first time she broke up with me in front of several hundred of my classmates. The second time she broke up with me because my agent said it would be better for my career. Of course, before we could talk it out, she was already going out with another guy.”
Cassidy looked confused.
“You have an agent?”