Chapter 3

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1991

“I’m out in the cold (out in the cold) Body and soul (out in the cold) There’s nowhere to go (out in the cold) I’m out in the cold (out in the cold)”

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers had it about right. I was out in the cold. Of course, I still slapped the snooze button and shut him up anyway.

I had a riot of feelings to deal with. Two rejections, were weighing heavily on my mind. Sure, I had sort of patched things up with Shelby. At the same time, we were apparently headed in different directions. Things seemed to be going well with Jen, but we still weren’t together just yet just yet. Maybe we wouldn’t be at all.

Also, if horniness counted as feeling, I was certainly trying to cope with that one.

I needed a cold shower or quick relief. There was no time for the latter, so my shower was a little chilly.

Different things were coming into focus for me that Friday. It was a game day. As Mikey and I walked into the sophomore hallway, all I could see was cheerleaders in uniform. Mandy, Allison, Lexie and DeeDee were looking quite fine. Lexie was letting her hair grow out more, and had it in a ponytail. Mandy was looking absolutely saucy, with sexy tan legs poking out from under the short, pleated cheer skirt. Short little white socks and white tennis shoes completed the look. Allison had a little more makeup on than usual, which made her even more striking. But it was DeeDee causing me discomfort. Her massive tits were encased in that tight sweater top in and were out in an enticing way. I would have bet cash that they were even bigger than the last time I’d had my hands on them.

It was enough to drive me to distraction, but I finally made my way to my locker.

“Good lord,” I complained out loud to Dave Keller near my locker. “These girls are looking fine today.”

“Just noticing today, are you?” he laughed.

A little confused at first, I had to agree.

“Yeah, I guess my mind has been elsewhere.”

“I think I could be dead and still notice these cheerleaders,” he said quietly to me.

I couldn’t disagree.

On the way up the hallway, I came across Chris leaning up against Shelby’s locker again.

“Mornin’ Shelbs. Chris.”

I put a little extra emphasis on the Chris. She gave me a half smile. Chris looked like he wanted to shrink into nothing.

“Hey Jake,” Shelby said warmly.

That seemed to calm him.

I just strolled by with a little grin.

Algebra II was not a fantastic way to start my day and I was distracted there as well. I wasn’t the only one distracted though.

Kim Nguyen sat in the row of desks ahead of me and to my right. She was sitting on her right foot, gently rocking her left leg side to side with a distracted look. She was biting her lip incessantly, not a habit she usually possessed.

The thought crossed my mind that the pretty Asian girl was surreptitiously masturbating right there in class. I was just as sneaky about watching her. It wasn’t until her pace quickened slightly and her eyes closed tight for a few seconds that I had a much stronger suspicion. Then she dropped her foot back to the floor and let out a small sigh.

I was certain of it then. What I wouldn’t have given to sneak off with that delicate little flower and show her what a real orgasm might feel like.

She’d found at least some measure of relief. I unfortunately still had not.

Biology with Alexis wasn’t much better. She sat directly in front of me, and she smelled like coconut and ocean. Not that I knew precisely what ocean smelled like, because I’d never seen one. But she smelled like what I imagined an ocean breeze under a coconut tree smelled like.

Thoughts of her tight little body riding mine were hard to keep at bay. Yes, she had done some nasty things to me and others in the past, but her charm was not easy to fight. She had gorgeous green eyes and a very adult-looking face. No way I’d ever date her, I thought. But just try to stop me from a quick one with her. In the state I was in, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to say no.

It was no wonder that the upperclassmen had pursued and landed her. None of that could stop me from thinking about what she’d be like with less clothing on. Or even with the cheer outfit still mostly still on.

Yeah, none of this was helping my condition.

“Earth to Jake?”

‘Wha?”

“Do you want half of my cinnamon roll?”

“Uh, sure. You don’t want it all?”

“Nah,” Jen waved at it dismissively. “It’s good, just not sure it goes with chili.”

“Are you kidding me?” I laughed. “It’s God’s perfect food combination.”

I couldn’t really qualify why that was true. I’d just been eating it most of my life. Both were fine separately. They were fine together. There was no real reason they were perfect together, they just were.

I jabbed a fork into what was left of Jen’s dessert and dropped it onto my tray.

“You don’t give a guy half a chance,” Beast complained.

I shrugged at him dismissively.

“I see something I want, I take it,” I leveled at him.

Jen snickered, as did Mikey.

“Dude, the ‘dessert,’” Mikey added dryly with air quotes, “It usually chooses you.”

It was true enough, but I still blushed a little.

Beast had his own air quotes to add.

“Well, maybe sometimes the ‘dessert’ takes time to acquire a taste for Jake,” he teased.

Mikey laughed out loud.

I looked at my tray and thought for a moment, then used my fork to cut what was left of that cinnamon roll in half. I then plopped half on Beast’s plate and half on Mikey’s.

“There, shut up and eat your dessert, boys.”

Jen laughed out loud at that, as did some of the rest of the table.

Jen leaned back in her chair at the study hall table. She was wearing acid washed shorts with a sort of bulky off-white top with three-quarter sleeves. She had her long golden hair hanging straight down her back and tucked behind her ears. Her top had a plunging neckline that offered little glimpses of a lacey white bra. I admired a lot about Jen’s looks and body, her legs and ass were dynamite, but I never considered her overly busty. What she had up top was on display today. I found it tedious to whisper with her as she leaned forward and it was difficult not to be obvious about how much I was glancing down her top. It wasn’t long before she started to notice. The color rose up her chest and into her cheeks as she blushed due to my obvious attention.

To her credit, she made no attempt to cover up or pause the conversation. Before long, I could see her hardening nipples tenting her bra and the material of her top noticeably. It was not cold in the study hall by any means.

We were quiet enough not to bother Beast, so he let us be for the most part.

We had a bit of an awkward moment as I walked her back to her locker after Study Hall. We were both a little flushed and weren’t sure what to say to each other.

We just sort of looked at each other expectantly for a few moments.

“Uh, well, I gotta get to Journalism.”

“Uh, I gotta go learn how to type,” she said, practically breathlessly.

“Have fun,” I smiled as I walked away.

“Hey, Jake,” she called out, maybe a little louder than she meant to.

It certainly caught some attention around us.

“Yeah?” I smiled.

“I’ll be at the game tonight.”

It was like the most obvious thing in the world. She would, of course, be at the game. She would be at the varsity road game because the volleyball team would be there to play just before the football game.

I got an odd look and gave her a crooked half smile.

“OK, I’ll be there too. See ya there.”

She blushed and turned to her locker to grab fresh books that she already had in her hands.

We both laughed at her error.

I couldn’t keep the grin off my face the whole way down the hallway to Journalism. I had just found someone even more distracted than me.

We were given an assignment in Journalism. We needed to come up with articles to be published in the local paper next week and they were due by the end of the day next Wednesday.

But what to write about? Upperclassmen were calling dibs on senior spotlights for those headed to graduation in the spring. Others who could actually attend sports events without playing in them were all over sports.

“How about an in-depth look at the new sophomore girl?” Autumn teased with a glimmer in her pretty hazel eyes.

Autumn and I were already fast friends and getting closer all the time. Our summer fling was certainly not forgotten, but a dating relationship didn’t seem to be in the cards. The obvious divide between Shelby and me also helped us bridge the gap even more. She wasn’t quite at the level of best friend since diapers, but she did an admirable job of being supportive.

Today, she was wearing a deep green, gossamer-thin one-piece dress, a very summery affair. The wispy material was clinging to her thin frame quite nicely. It really gave her a rather ethereal effect. She had her long red hair in big lazy curls and had a touch of makeup on. She was really turning more and more heads by the day. And she seemed to be more comfortable with it.

“You think I could get away with that?”

She got a deeper gleam in her hazel eyes and raised her hand.

“Yes, Autumn?” our advisor, Mrs. Green started walking over.

“Could someone do profiles on new students at the school this year? Sort of a way for people to get to know them?”

“That’s actually a great idea, Autumn. Would you like to take those up as an assignment?”

Autumn gave me a quick and victorious grin.

“Why not have Jake and me split them up?”

Mrs. Green looked at me with a smile and readily agreed.

“That’s a fantastic idea. Go ahead and start setting them up.”

Autumn gave me a luxurious look and basked in her little victory.

I was left speechless.

“You can thank me later after you interview Jen,” she teased.

And just like that, I had an assignment to interview the girl of my dreams.

Fridays meant a little freedom after school. No practice. I dropped Mikey off at home, knowing I’d have to pick him up again before 5. I had enough time to get home and have a snack before heading back for the team buses.

I put a couple of leftover hamburger patties in the microwave and put together a couple of peanut butter chocolate chip cookie sandwiches to wolf down while I waited for my cheese to melt.

I polished off the two burgers and two, make that four, cookies, then stopped in my room to change and grab a change of clothes for after the game.

To my surprise, my phone rang, nearly giving me a heart attack.

I looked in surprise at the phone and picked it up.

“Hello?”

“Jake Parker,” a slightly raspy feminine voice broke in.

I recognized that voice, but couldn’t quite place it.

“Is it my turn yet?” she purred.

I knew who it was then. I’d met her a couple of times and she’d tempted me sorely.

“Molly Storz,” I said in amusement. “How’d you get this number?

I already had a good idea how the relentlessly sexy girl had gotten it.

“I have my ways,” she said off-handedly. “But that’s not important. How are you Jake? It’s been too long.”

“It has,” I admitted. “I’m doing just fine. Big game tonight.”

“Yes, sorry to bother you on a game night, but you’re a hard man to get a hold of.”

“A good man is hard to find,” I chuckled.

“A hard man is better to find,” she teased with a giggle, causing me renewed discomfort.

“This isn’t the first time you’ve called, is it?” I asked.

“Oh, no it’s not. You never answer,” she tutted.

“Leave a message,” I complained. “I’d have called you back.”

“Well, one never knows who is listening to these machines,” she shot back. “Never can be too careful.”

“Good point,” I had to agree. “But now that I know it’s you who’s been leaving me nothing but beeps, what can I do for you?”

“Oh, there’s a LOT you COULD do for me, Jake, but I just have a tiny favor to ask this time.”

“Tiny, huh?”

“See, it’s not what you think,” she giggled.

“Alright, I’ll bite. What is it?”

“Oh biting even! You’re trying to distract me now,” she laughed. “Homecoming, Jake. I need to get some friends into your homecoming dance.”

“That’s like two weeks away?” I said absently. “And how am I supposed to do that?”

“As your dates, of course,” she purred.

“I don’t think they’re going to let me take in multiple dates,” I laughed. “And, besides, I am hoping to have a date.”

“Hmm, I heard you didn’t have one yet,” Molly said airily. “But either way, you do have some friends who could help out.”

“I can’t promise anything, but I can probably line some guys up. How many friends are we talking about?”

“Four,” she said quickly. “Oh, plus me, equals five.”

“Five?” I asked incredulously. “How am I supposed to pull that off?”

“Jacob, I was told this would be easy for you. You have lots of friends and you’re influential.”

“Flattery will get you everywhere, but I still don’t know how I’m supposed to pull this off. Besides, do I even know these girls?”

It was all clear to me now. Our athletic director had shown some big balls scheduling homecoming against our chief rivals at County Central. Of course, these County Central girls would be there, and they wanted to get into the dance.

“Of course you do, unless you forgot about them? Stacey, Shannon, Cora, April and little old me.”

I mentally went through that checklist trying to remember each girl.

“They’re all hot, Jake,” she said enticingly.

“Was Shannon the tall girl?”

“Yes, Jake.”

“I know how to get her in. Was Cora the feisty little firecracker with wild hair?”

“Yes. That’s her.”

“I can get her in.”

“Very nice, Jake. What about Stacey?”

Stacey was Mandy’s cousin. She looked much like my short and chesty ex, but was blond over Mandy’s raven hair.

“Uh, I think I can match up April more easily.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Got the perfect guy in mind.”

“That leaves me and poor Stacey and me out in the cold,” she complained.

“Well, if you just need a ticket in and don’t care who you’re matched up with, I think I can make it happen.”

“OK!” she enthused, but then tempered her enthusiasm. “Which of us are you taking?”

“Neither of you,” I said flatly. “I already have someone in mind for me.”

“But it’s my tuuuurn,” she whined sort of comically.

“You’re in no position to complain,” I chuckled. “If I can pull off this miracle, you will owe ME, not the other way around. Oh, and tell all the girls they are required to dance at least once with these dates. That includes you. I gotta try to sell this idea.”

“Oh, that won’t be a problem,” she assured me.

“I’ll believe that when it happens. I have a couple of, let’s say, unrefined guys in mind. The girls don’t have to do anything other than one dance, but it’s a deal breaker otherwise.”

“I’ll make sure they know,” she conceded. “You sure you can’t save a dance for me?”

I sighed and took a moment to think.

“If things don’t go well in the next couple of weeks, you might just be on my arm instead.”

“Then I hope you have a fucked up next couple of weeks,” she giggled.

“Feeling’s mutual,” I groaned.

“Just kidding, Jake.” I really do think you’re sweet.”

“You don’t know me very well then,” I husked, trying to tease her a little.

“Only one way to get to know you better,” she teased back. “So it’s settled. Dates for five girls?”

“Dates for five girls,” I agreed.

“Jake?”

“Yeah?”

“For real, if things don’t go as you hope, you won’t be disappointed with me,” she said with a little husk in her voice.

“Oh, I believe that. In all seriousness, I just really have my eyes set on someone special. If it doesn’t work out, I’d definitely go out with you.”

“I’ll hold you to that. By-eeee Jake,” she said in cute little sing-songy voice.

“Bye Molly,” I chuckled as the line went dead.

There it was again. Just enough blood supply in my body to perform basic brain function, because the rest of my blood pressure was committed to maintaining the massive tent in my shorts.

I spent most of the game like the rest of my classmates did. We stood along the sidelines, helmet in hand. It was a hot one again, and our starting varsity offense was a little sluggish. We were only up by two touchdowns until late in the fourth quarter, when they finally scored again.

After the kickoff, our starting defense took the field and stopped one passing play before coach took a timeout and ran the starters off the field to cheers and a standing ovation on our visitor’s side crowd. Then we were called in to play, the JV squad.