Changin Lanes

1

I never did quite understand why we couldn’t get along. We spent the better part of high school hating each other. It wasn’t until the middle of our senior year that we finally settled our feud. Call it childish but I really didn’t like her because she didn’t like me. Neither one of us had ever done anything to the other. It was for the simple fact that we were just us. In fact I had come to enjoy our feud. Each and every day I would look forward to seeing her and what exchange may or may not happen between the two of us. That alone would keep me in good spirits for the day. On the slight chance that we did cross paths we would stare one another down and be on our way. The monotony of school and sports often bored me so this was a welcomed distraction. We both had stand off attitudes towards people we didn’t know or care for. I would like to believe that my stand offish attitude could be attributed to the fact that I was really shy. Each of us had our ins with the “in-crowd.” My reasons were because I was a well known student athlete and hers were because of her older brother who graduated a year a head of us. As I got to know her better, though, that was not entirely true. She had carved out a niche of her own. She wasn’t your typical little sister riding the wave of her big brother’s popularity. My “arch nemesis” had established herself with people. When she spoke people listened. She was willing to say all the things that the rest of us were thinking. She had a quiet strong presence about her, like me, that everyone else felt even if you didn’t speak. We were more a like than different we would later discover. Personality wise she was me to the tenth power. Anyone that has ever had to deal with either one of us has had their hands full. We were intelligent, stubborn as all hell, self sufficient for high school students and well liked. I particularly admired her for being so comfortable in her own skin and doing whatever she felt like when she felt like it. There was so much intrigue and mystery about her that I wanted to know. She felt the same way about me. But our strong and stubborn personalities never allowed for that. We eventually developed a mutual respect and understanding for one another that continued long after high school. Eventually I tired of fighting with her about “nothing.” When finally at a friend’s party, yes I was drunk, I stumbled over to ask her why she didn’t like me. That is the only thing I remember. What I do know is that we were friends shortly there after. In fact we became great friends. We’ve had numerous conversations about that night and the things that lead up to that night. But the funniest thing was her two reasons for why we she thought we couldn’t get along. I’m sure there was more but these two I remember the most. She had let me know that there could be only one Queen Bee in the school and that throne belonged to her but I threatened that. I had no idea that I was in contention for Queen Bee of my high school. Had I known this fact earlier I would have gladly taken her up on the challenge and rightfully won. She on the other hand thought that she owned the crown simply because she was her. The other reason was something that I knowingly and intentionally did just to aggravate her. We had a mutual friend that hung out with the both of us but never together. When we finally made peace she was ecstatic. Neither one of us could understand why she liked the other so much. She spent many days trying to convince us that we should give the other one a try. The stubborn ladies that we were neither one of us would budge on the issue. So she continued to hang out with each of us on separate occasions. In high school there was this bench called the Senior Bench. All seniors were not welcomed to this bench though. It was reserved for the more popular ones. If you did not fall into this scared category your best chance for sitting on the bench was either during classes or well after school had ended. For the sake of argument during normal school hours consider that Queen Bee’s throne and all her subjects congregated around her. I really didn’t care for the bench I thought it was stupid. The basketball court was my throne. But for the three years that I was there I knew everyone that kept court there and our mutual friend was a faithful subject of my “arch nemesis.” I’m sure, though, that other females in our senior class would disagree that either one of us was ever the Queen Bee. I beg to differ. Many vied for the position but no one could capture the room or the attention of others like we could. One day as the faithful subjects were gathered at the throne I passed by on the way to class. Our mutual friend had said hello and I thought I would stop by and chat for a moment. Our mutual friend was standing and She was sitting on the bench. The congregation of the subjects was large enough so they blocked the hallway. One would either have to try and squeeze by them or walk right thru the middle of them. I saw this as an opportunity to assert my position. I passed by and when I came back I positioned myself directly in between them so their conversation was cut off and I could proceed with mine. My “arch nemesis” was livid and I knew it. I had my brief conversation with my friend and then left with the satisfaction of knowing that I had pissed her off. Most people were intimated by her I for one wasn’t and intended on proving it. These days I like to frequently remind her of that moment and she gladly reiterates how she hated me even more after that moment. My favorite of all time, though, is the day I fell for her. It left an impression on me that to this day I have not forgotten. 2

“Will you pluck my eyebrows?”3

Why?4

“Because I need them plucked. That’s why.”5

Why me though. Haven’t you ever had them plucked before?6

“No.”7

Well I’m not sure I want to be the first one to pluck them for you.8

“Please?”9

I’ll have to think about it. (flatly)10

It is just the two of us sitting on the senior bench watching the others pass by. 11

“Please. I don’t trust anyone else to do it but you.”12

Me? Really? We’ve only liked other for a short time. And you’re trusting me to pluck your brows. That’s kinda funny. Ok fine. But if they get messed up you can’t be mad at me. Not that I would try and mess them up on purpose. 13

“I won’t be mad. You’ll be fine. (laughing). Besides you’re not that mean to try and mess my eyebrows up on purpose. At least that’s what I hope. You’re right though. We’ve only liked each other for a short time. A very short time. I still trust you to do it though.”14

What are you doing after school?15

“Nothing.”16

Come over afterwards. In fact you can take me home from school and I’ll do it then. Meet me at the flag pole after school. 17

“K. Thank you. See you then.”18

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.19

We leave the senior bench and head our separate ways to class. I have one period left until school is out. 20

“Don’t you care if you get caught?” (I’m approaching the flag pole and she is smoking)21

No. For all I can care they go fuck themselves.22

“So eloquently put.”23

Where are you parked?24

We start to walk towards my car. She still has the cigarette in her hand. 25

“I hope you weren’t planning on smoking that in my car.”26

Of course not. 27

“Good.”28

What if I did?29

“You wouldn’t.”30

Try me.31

“Get in the car. Need I remind you that it’s your fault that we spent the better part of our high school years hating each other.”32

She is standing on the passenger side of the car leaning up against the car that is parked next to mine.33

Do you have to remind me every chance you get? And last time I checked it was your fault. If you would have bowed down like every one else we would have got along perfectly. Hold on. I have to finish. It’s my last one.34

“Bow down? Really? You should haven known that wasn’t going to happen. Not now. Not ever. Why do you smoke? It’s a disgusting habit. Seriously.”35

You would say that. Damn jock.36

“Don’t hate.”37

Don’t worry I’m not. My life is much better than yours. You’ve got practice all the damn time, you can’t go out on the weekends cause you have games, and you spend your summers playing when you don’t have to. That has got to suck.38

“If you say so.”39

I get into the car and start it. I turn on the radio and find that my favorite song is on the radio. I roll down the window on the passenger side.40

“Hello. You done yet?”41

She takes a last drag from her cigarette and blows it into the car.42

“Thanks a fuckin’ lot.”43

Your welcome.44

She finally gets into the car and we leave the parking lot. On the way to her house we hardly talk but instead just listen to the radio. Our friendship is fairly new and we are still trying to find common ground other than our mutual friend. It wasn’t until recently at a house party had we buried the hatchet and made peace with one another. Here I am asking my former “arch nemesis” to pluck my eyebrows. 45

“How was school?”46

School.47

“That’s it?”48

What do you want me to say? I hate fuckin’ school and can’t wait to get out.49

“Yeah I hear you on that.”50

Yeah I bet you do. 51

“What’s that suppose to mean?”52

It means don’t you get tired of being the perfect student athlete. It makes me sick.53

“Don’t you get tired of being known as someone’s little sister?”54

No not really. They can think whatever they want. Love me or hate me. That’s my motto baby. Besides don’t you get tired of being the perfect little athlete? The perfect little student. The perfect little friend. Man, eventually I would be like fuck you to everyone. 55

“Well that’s the difference between you and me. That’s probably why I have more friends than you.”56

I don’t care. Slow down you’re about to miss the turn.57

“I got it. Stop trippin! If I was going to be an absolute bitch then you would be it. You’re kinda my alter ego, you know. That is probably why we couldn’t get along in the first place. And can hardly get along now. You think you run this damn school and me. Not the case! You especially think that our mutual friend is just your friend. Not the case either!” (laughing)58

Are you really going to bring that up again?59

“Ya damn right I am.”60

Can you please hurry up and get to my house. 61

“Almost there. Calm down.”62

We pull up to the gate. The keypad is on her side she jumps out and puts the gate code in. The gate opens and her monster dog comes running out. 63

Sasha! Get back in there. 64

Sasha is a giant German Shepard and has tried to eat me on more than one occasion. 65

She doesn’t get back in the car. But continues thru the gate to her house.66

“Thanks for closing the fuckin’ door.” (I shout out the car)67

She turns and gives me the bird with a smirk.68

I lean over and close the door myself. Why must she be so damn difficult I think to myself. 69

I finally pull thru the gate and into the driveway. I park in front of the garage. The house is large older home. She is standing on the front porch with her dog next to her. 70

“I swear if she tries to eat me again.”71

Don’t worry I won’t stick her on your ass this time. Careful what you say to me though. (with a wink)72

“Kiss my ass!”73

Sasha. Go!74

She gestures for Sasha to go and Sasha happily leaps off the porch and into the grass.75

We walk into the house. I’ve only been here a few times. The living room is open and spacious. It is a tri-level house. The second level is where the entrance is at. You immediately walk into the living room and behind that is the kitchen. Ahead of you right outside the living room and adjacent to the kitchen is the dining room. We go to the top level to the office which is at the very end of the hall. I set my bag down. 76

You should probably wash your face. I won’t be responsible if you break out because of the make up you’re wearing and me plucking your eyebrows.77

“Where’s the bathroom.?”78

Why do you wear that shit anyhow? You look better without it. Down the hall on the right. 79

I go to the bathroom once in I immediately look in the mirror. I scrunch my face and examine it closely. I’m relieved to find that I haven’t broken out. Most importantly I check my nose. All is clear. I find her face wash and clean my face. I take a last look at my face. 80

“Do you have lotion?” (I shout from the bathroom.)81

You didn’t see it on the counter?82

“No.”83

How could you not. It’s a big Vaseline Intensive Care bottle.84

“Would you just come and show me where it’s at.”85

Yeah. I have to get the tweezers anyhow. 86

She finds the lotion under the sink. I’m tempted to say something but I refrain. She hands the lotion to me. I put it on as she digs thru the drawers to find the tweezers. I’m uncomfortable with her being in here with me. I do my best not to look in the mirror or look at her. She finally finds the tweezers and we both leave the bathroom.87

Sit.88

I see that she has already two chairs facing one another.89

“Does it matter which seat I take.”90

I don’t care.91

I sit in the big office chair.92

You would pick that one.93

“You gave me an option. If you didn’t want me to have it then you should have said something.”94

You done talkin’ yet?95

She flips on the light and takes the seat in front of me. 96

“Does this hurt?”97

What’s your tolerance for pain?98

“Well my mom used to braid my hair when I was little. It hurt like hell.”99

Well then this is probably the same.100

“What!?!”101

Calm down. You’ll be fine. How do you want them?102

“I don’t know.”103

You have no idea.104

“No.” 105

Okay. I’ll arch them just a little. I won’t make them too thin. 106

“Um ok. “107

You really don’t have a clue about your eyebrows do you?108

“Nope.” 109

Just be still and try not to move too much.110

She takes my face and makes me face her. She leans in close to my face. I’m uncomfortable with anyone this close to me. I try everything to avoid looking at her. Her face is slightly blurred because she is so close to me. Or I just have bad vision. Either way her in my personal space was making me very uncomfortable. I can feel her breathing on me. My heart is fluttering. Her focus is directly on my eyebrows. My head is ready to explode from the discomfort of having her so close. I always thought her to be pretty but now her pretty face was in my face! I was having an up close and personal moment with her. This was not ok with me. Okay so maybe it was but I was trying to convince myself otherwise. She tries to make small talk with me. My answers are simple with one word maybe two and some uh huhs.111

How does it feel?112

A couple of times I winced with pain and my eyes filled with tears when she plucked the inner part of my eyebrow.113

“It’s ok. I’m sure you can tell that it didn’t feel too good when you got to my inner eyebrow.” 114

Yeah I saw your face tense.115

She looks me in the eye.116

Just relax. You look really uncomfortable right now.117

“I’m good.” (I mumble)118

I can’t relax. I realize that I have a crush on her! I’m wondering if she has noticed that I have stopped breathing or so I think. I’m trying to control my breathing so that every once in a while I slowly breath out of my nose. She became no longer just pretty to me she was absolutely beautiful. Her eyes are brown and a large almond shape. Her teeth are perfect and white. I’ve always loved a great smile and she had one. Her skin is light brown like mine and her hair is long, wavy, black and beautiful. Some days she wears it straight and other days curly. I love it when she wears it straight. She is an exotic mix of black, Hawaiian and Japanese. It automatically qualifies her in the world’s most beautiful people category. I try to dismiss the idea. I’m not supposed to have a crush on my friend. My friend who is a girl! I quickly bury the thought in the back of my mind. 119

I’m almost done. You ok?120

“Fine.” (I whisper)121

You sure.You all of a sudden got real quiet on me.122

“I’m good.” 123

Ok. But are you sure?124

She finishes what she is doing. She takes my face into her hands. 125

Don’t move. 126

She shifts my fact to the left and then to right. She takes quick glances at me. I look at her briefly and find something behind her to place my eyes on. 127

Look at me.128

“What?”129

Look at me. I need to make sure they are even. So you have to look at me.130

I can’t believe she has just said this to me. I’m completely unnerved and I don’t want to look at her but I must. I shoot a quick look at her. Her eyes are in my eyes. I know she knows by now that I’m crushing on her big time. I think.131

Hang on. I need to grab a mirror.132

“Ok.”133

Thank God. That moment was becoming completely unbearable. I know that she was looking at my eyebrows for only a brief moment but it felt longer. I’m so busted I’m thinking. She knows. She has to know. I gotta go.134

She comes back with a mirror and holds it up to my face.135

What do you think?136

I’m embarrassed to look into the mirror while she is standing there. I’m very shy and quiet. I quickly look into the mirror to see my reflection.137

“It’s good.”138

You hardly looked. Look. I had to listen to you yammer about this, that and other and how bad you wanted me to pluck your eyes this afternoon. So you better look longer than half a second. 139

“It looks good. I swear I looked.”140

You sure you’re ok. You’ve been acting all funny since I started plucking your eyebrows. You don’t have a crush do you? (She says with a bright smile)141

“Don’t flatter yourself.” (I say confidently)142

That’s the girl I know. 143

Really it couldn’t be further from the truth. I was a ball of nerves but I couldn’t let her see it or know it. She is like a shark sometimes. If she smelled blood that was a wrap and I would never live it down. 144

“Well if that’s it I should go. Thanks for doing this. “145

Hang on a second before you go.146

“Why??”147

I need to put some aloe on them. You don’t want a break out do you?148

“I guess not.”149

I’ll be right back. 150

She comes back with the aloe in the palm of her hand. I’m taller than her so she asks me to bend down slightly so she can put the aloe on. She is all of five feet six in half inches, but her personality more than makes up for the height difference between the two of us. The uncomfortable feeling of having a crush on her comes again. She is close to my face once more. I try everything to avoid looking at her. I can feel her breath on my face. It is warm and sweet. This was NOT supposed to happen. 151

You have really pretty eyes. I bet you hear that a lot.152

“Um thanks.”153

They’re really dark and mysterious. Makes me wonder.154

“Wonder what?”155

What you are thinking and hiding? My dad always said never trust a woman with dark eyes.156

“Humm……..What does that say about you then?”157

Exactly my point. (laughing)158

When did she find time to look at my eyes and analyze them? I wonder.159

“I’m not hiding anything.” (whispering)160

I’m done. 161

Relief spills over me. 162

“Great. Well thanks for doing this. I feel much better.”163

Your eyes have taken on a new shape. You should look.164

“I’m good. I’ll take your word for it. Thanks again.”165

We are standing in the office looking directly at one another. The mirror is in the chair next to her. I’m hoping to God that she doesn’t pick it up and make me look at myself again. Her complimenting my eyes was enough to send me over the edge but I remain composed.166

You’re welcome. Anytime. Well as long as you don’t act funny next time. 167

I’ll try not to.168

I grab my bag and I’m out the door. 169