One Boy's Journey Chapter 18

Written by Brianna Demonet

Lori touched up my legs and gave me a Brazilian wax, it was mostly peach fuzz. Lori left my nails about 1/4" long and cleaned up my toes. She gave me a hot pink with a white tip. She did the same on my toes.

We went home. I did my therapy and changed for the halftime show. My dress was hanging in the SUV. We had to stop at Victoria's Secret; Heather was going to apply our pedal bras.

We watched the first half of the game.

The Cougars came to play. They had a good defense, John was only averaging 3.5 yards a carry. Our long passing game wasn't much better. Our defense was as good or better than theirs was.

The Cougars punted the ball. The Cougars failed to notice John was returning the punt. What surprised the Cougars was John's ability to juke and jump. John juked his way past 3 blockers. He got 2 steps on a Cougar trying to run him out of bounds. John saw it coming. He hurdled over his diving tackle.

It was the first touchdown of the game. With 2 minutes and 32 seconds on the clock left the Cougars attempted a Hail Mary pass with 20 seconds on the clock. It was intercepted by Julius Rowe, playing Strong Safety. When Julius caught the ball he was off to the races. Julius outran four Cougars for a 78-yard touchdown. The crowd went wild

Come on girls! Shelly commanded! We started Cheering his name, spelling it to the crowd, and the crowd started spelling Julius!

We were in the lead at halftime, 14 to 3. The marching band played then the drill team went. Both got a great response from the crowd.

I couldn't believe the crowd. It was packed and there must have been 14 thousand people in the stands. We were up last. The students in the press booth and our Audio Visual club outdid themselves. We had a fog machine, they had lights flashing to the music. They even set up concert speakers for it.

The Cougars cheerleaders tried cheering through our show. That didn't work. We were in our grove, in the zone. This was our house, And we let everyone know it!

We saw the teams coming to the field. Everyone was stunned by our routine. The Cougar cheerleaders were not happy. Our routine messed with them badly. Their football players were locked on us.

We ran off the field after the music was finished. Shelly gathered us together. She looked at all of us.

Amazing girls. You girls nailed it. I have never shut down another squad before. That was incredible. I hope to see you all tonight.

Shelly ran to join her squad. Our squad showered and changed. Aunt V took the 3 of us to the salon.

We were all listening to the game on local radio. We kicked off to start the second half and their kick returner fumbled the ball. We pulled into the mall and straight to the VS store.

Heather was true to her word and applied our invisible Bras. Heather gave us her cellphone number and asked us to text her pictures of our dresses. We told her we would.

Rushing to the salon, we got an update on the game. It was 21 to 6 Mustangs. They were still in the third quarter. We carried our dresses and accessories into the salon. Four other girls were getting ready in the salon from school. We didn't know their names just their faces.

The brunette girl asked what's the score? 21 to 6 Mustangs. She smiled and said good! They killed us last year.

I said they won't lose today; Julius Rowe has almost shut down the Cougar passing game.

That's My brother said the blonde girl.

Well, your brother is playing a great game tonight, I said.

She said wait I know you! You're John Park's girlfriend.

Yes, I am Rianna Stevens, and these are my friends Lexi and Emma.

Lori interrupted, Girls were ready for you.

See you tonight said Emma.

Lori and her girls got the right to work on us.

Ree, do you trust me?

Yes, Lori. Good, I'm going to color your hair a bit differently than you're used to. Trust me you'll love it. I am also giving you false eyelashes tonight.

The three of us were separated. Lori was washing and rinsing my hair. There goes my curls. But I trusted Lori. She was always very nice to me.

Lori trimmed, colored, and foiled my hair within an inch of its life. I saw Lexi and Emma getting the same. I felt my Pedal bra was doing its job. It felt different but it wasn't uncomfortable.

Lori spent at least an hour just styling it alone. It felt strange not feeling the hair on my neck and shoulders. After she was happy with it, it was time for Aunt V's seal of approval. Aunt V's nod of approval said it all.

My hair was netted and capped. Lori helped me change into my lingerie dress and shoes. Aunt V put on my herringbone Gold necklace, and Lori put on my diamond earrings. I wore the gold hoops John bought me in my bottom holes.

Lori applied the makeup we bought and added false eyelashes. She gave me a laser straight-winged eyeliner; she even lined my water line. She gave me a gold line just above the eyelid crease. Lori sprayed my face with makeup sealer.

They brought Lexi and Emma over to where I was. Their makeup was very similar except Lexi had silver above her eyelid crease.

Lexi's Royal blue dress was stunning and so was Emma's. They uncovered our hair and we were stunned in silence!

My hair almost matched my dress in dark cherry red with streaks of black and blonde in it. Lexi's blonde hair is similar, with a few black streaks. Emma's hair was a slightly lighter golden brown, a slightly lighter blonde, and black streaks.

Our hair was similar but not matching updos. Our hair was shaped big, full smooth, and perfectly rounded, with sweeping bangs, with thin straight tendrils just in front of our ears.

We were all smiles, I couldn't thank Lori enough. We took pictures immediately and sent them to our mothers and Heather. I sent pictures to Bree, Caleb, and Cathy. I even sent one to my adopted Grandma May.

Aunt V loaded us three giggling princesses in the Escalade. When we got to my house (I smiled at the thought of me thinking my house), it was my home for now. Taylor and Linda were waiting for us.

We listened to the radio. Our Mustangs won 31 to 9. John had a breakout in the fourth quarter. He rushed for over 100 hundred total yards and had a rushing touchdown.

They took pictures in front of the house. Then we were led to the pool. Taylor had Aunt V's Camera equipment, Tripod, and extra lights set up. The Ladies had us pose in dozens of different positions. We felt like modes. Taylor and Aunt V even took headshots of the 3 of us.

The limo arrived, and Aunt V, Taylor, and Linda escorted us to the car. We first picked up James he was the closest. Mr and Mrs Sanders were waiting, James looked great in his tux. Mr and Mrs Sanders took pictures of Lexi and James. They made a cute couple.

Evan lived in the neighborhood just down the street. Again as before parents are waiting with cameras ready. Mr and Mrs Miles were very nice. Evan had a black tux, and it was just then I saw it. Both James and Evan had bow ties and cumber buns that matched the girl's dresses.

Last but not least we picked up John. We arrived at the Park's home. John looked great in his tux. He had the cumber bun and bow tie that matched my dress.

Mrs Park is also a photography expert of sorts. She had everything set up and ready. We posed as couples and then together as a group, then just guys, then girls. We took a picture all together with John's little sisters in front of us in their dresses. They were so cute. Even the guys thought it was cute. It was after 8:30 pm when we left for the Dance from the Olive Garden.

We got to the school. We weren't the only limo. The driver opened the door. James got out first and helped out Lexi, Evan did the same for Emma, and John did the same for me.

We made our way in. A photo stand was set up for the couples. We all had our pictures taken. To this day this section of my photo album still makes me smile.

Anyway, back to our night. We walked into the school gym. It was decorated Wall to wall with school history. It was amazing. The King and Queen of Homecoming entered with their court.

I saw Shelly at Queen's Court. Her best friend Barbara was the Queen, she was also on the student council. Daren Pace was the Star Quarterback and King. I saw Julius Rowe in the king's court. I didn't know anyone else. We cheered as the King and Queen addressed us.

The King and Queen begin to dance the first song. In the second song, the court joined the King and Queen. We all sat together. The three of us danced with multiple football players both JV and varsity. We saved all the slow dances for our dates.

John and I danced every slow dance. He and I managed a small kiss here and there. The few times we sat down, several girls asked our boys for dances, and they said no.

When they played "Only Girl," they cleared the dance floor, and all the cheerleaders and football players crowded the floor. The King and Queen and their courts joined in. John never left my side.

We danced until our feet hurt. Us 3 girls were doing far better heels than most of the others. Shelly came over to us and complimented us on our dresses.

James and Lexi looked very happy, the same could be said for Emma and Evan. We had until 12:30 to be home, we had the limo until 1 am. We asked the driver if he knew of a good diner nearby.

He took us to the Black Bear Diner. We all went inside. Our driver, Joey was really nice. He sat at the counter and we grabbed a big corner booth.

The waitress took our order and Joey's. John told the waitress that Joey's meal was on him. The boys ordered big steaks. I was content with a small salad.

John said no Ree Ree. You know you need a good meal. Vanessa made me promise you would eat afterward. I was told that for you two as well. Pointing at all of us girls.

But our dresses said Lexi.

It was hysterical because John tipped the waitress and she brought out lobster bibs for us girls. James said can I have one too, please? It's a rental. The waitress, Vicky, brought out bibs for us all. She was smiling as we donned our bibs.

I ended up with steak and eggs and hash browns. Emma had a double cheeseburger, and Lexi had a grilled Chicken sandwich with fries. We all just got our food and then half the junior and senior class showed up.

The Waitress asked, How about those Mustangs tonight?

We got our payback from last year said John, smiling.

She said I know my nephew played his heart out tonight. Before we could ask who her nephew was, in walked Julius Rowe.

Aunt Vicky!!! Julius, I am so proud of you honey. She hugged and kissed him. Aunt Vicky, this is our Running back, John Park, and this is James, our JV quarterback, and Evan, JV wide receiver, and their girlfriends, Emma, Lexi, and Rianna. They are JV cheerleaders. They performed with varsity cheerleaders for the halftime show.

John Park? You rush for almost 70 yards in the fourth quarter.

Yes ma'am.

All thanks to Julius being put in as my fullback for the fourth quarter. Well, you made us all very proud, boys. It was a party atmosphere in the diner. It wasn't rowdy just fun.

After we finished, John grabbed all the checks at our table and tipped Vicky. To this day, I don't know how much he tipped her, but she was very happy.

We dropped off James and Evan first and John last; I saw John tip Joey, and Joey shook his hand. I gave John a goodnight kiss. John said I love your earrings. He noticed the hoops. Gosh, I really like this guy.

Joey dropped us off at my house. The three of us spent the night together. Besides we have brunch in the morning.

The next morning, I woke up, did my usual routine, and went down for some tea. Taylor and Aunt V were sipping coffee and chatting.

Go Mustangs said Taylor.

I smiled.

Did you girls have fun last night? Taylor asked

We had a great night. I said.

Did the boys behave, asked Aunt V.

Yes, ma'am, they were perfect gentlemen.

Where did you go after the dance? Taylor asked.

The Black Bear Diner. John treated all of us. He even bought our driver his dinner.

Well, you girls better get cleaned up and changed. We have to get to brunch, said Aunt V.

When we got to the country club, there was a huge sign: Congratulations,s, Mustangs 31 to 9.

There was an announcement for a Mustang High School victory golf outing for the following Sunday. The King and Queen would be opening up the golf outing. Golf was free to all students.

The girls and I decided to sign up for golf. We signed up. We grabbed sign-up sheets for our guys. Aunt V said you need a lesson or two to play. I said I had played a couple of times, but a lesson would be helpful. I never golfed with breasts before. Lexi and Emma had golfed with their mothers. I knew Aunt V golfed, but not since I moved out here.

I texted John and told him about the golf outing. He said he would be there. The 6 of us parted ways after brunch. We had homework and needed our rest for Monday.

I got in about 25 laps in the pool and started my homework. Aunt V grilled ribeye steaks on the grill. It was a big steak. Surprisingly I ate the whole thing.

After dinner, I called Mom. She said she was getting the trailer fixed up inside and was staying with Dan. I told her I was happy for her. Dan had two girls they both graduated college and had families of their own. She joked that she and Dan were empty nesters now. We giggled.

I told her about the pep rally, halftime show, homecoming dance, and dinner afterward. How John introduced the 3 of us to the Homecoming King and Queen.

I told her about meeting Julius Rowe at the diner and his aunt Vicky, the super nice waitress, and us wearing bibs to eat. We got a huge laugh when I texted her pictures.

The golf outing was a lot of fun. It was the best ball game. I didn't do too bad. I can say I have a much deeper respect for golf now.

The next four weeks were almost as busy as Homecoming. Our JV football team was 9 -0 going into our final game against the Carson Hills Cardinals. They were 8-1, and the Winner of tonight's game went to the Regional championship playoffs with home-field advantage.

The Varsity team already locked a playoff spot for the state, but they had to beat Carson Hills's Varsity squad for home-field advantage. Carson Hills Varsity team won their last 6 games.

We put on the halftime show just like Homecoming for both games. It was a real pleasure cheering with the Varsity squad. We won our Thursday night JV game. Our JV team won 33-13. Our game was almost sold out. Over 8 thousand people showed up.

Friday night's game was wild! Our halftime show was perfect. Most of the crowd stayed to watch us. The first half was a slow, brutal slugfest. We were ahead 10-7 at halftime. The third quarter wasn't much better at 17-14. John was only able to manage 60 yards rushing through 3 quarters of the game he never got more than 5 yards for his longest carry.

All that changed with only 7 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Julius intercepted a long pass and ran 58 yards for the touchdown. That fired up the crowd. I was in awe.

Score 24-14

We kicked off and they began to return it when the return man jukes back and forth. He got about a 15-yard gain before Julius hit him so hard that the return man's helmet flew off his head as he fumbled the ball. Another Mustang picked up the ball and ran in for a touchdown.

Score 31-14.

Our next kickoff wasn't as great as they gained 42 yards on their return. They punted on fourth down after only 3 plays. John caught it and ran it 48 yards and we were only 15 yards away from another touchdown.

Adam Stewart, John's fullback, rushed 15 yards for the touchdown on the very next play. Aunt V left after the halftime show, Mrs Park said she'd give me a ride home. With less than 4 minutes on the clock and 3 time outs left all we had to do was hold onto the ball and get a first down.

Score 38-14

The Mustangs tried running the ball but John was stopped after only 3 yards. We tried a short pass but it didn't work, incomplete. At the 2-minute warning, the coach shifted players everywhere. Julius was put in. He was in the backfield with John and Adam. It was just like before John and Julius walked on the field. They both looked at us in the stands, and I smiled at them. I saw their facial expressions change.

The last time I saw John's face like that, he was in a martial arts tournament, and his opponent was using cheap shots. John put his opponent flat on his back. The quarterback hiked the ball to Julius, he tossed it to John.

The whole offensive line shifted to the left and John followed Julius and Adam through a small hole. We got the first down easy, but Julius and Adam plowed through two more blocks, and John just leaped over Julius and his blocks for the touchdown.

It was a great play. It was so great that it made the local news, and ESPN played it on weekly highlights. The refs had to call a timeout because the crowd went wild. We kicked off with 93 seconds left on the clock. The Cardinals got a solid return and ran almost to the fifty-yard line. They made their way to the 30-yard line and, with 4 seconds on the clock, kicked a field goal.

We won 45-17.

The crowd went wild. I was in the stands as the team celebrated on the field. I started reflecting as I watched them. Back home, like Ryan, I never went to a football game in high school; I never went to a dance or a pep rally. I was never even thought of as a student much less a friend or even human to anyone. I was alone as someone my age could be.

Now, here I am, no longer a boy, In a new school with a new focus on my life and a great life. I have a boyfriend and friends, I'm a cheerleader. I am dating one of the cutest boys in school. My grades are solid and I feel better about myself than ever.

John shouts at me Ree, Ree!!! Waving at me to come down to the field.

Mrs Park says go honey! Be careful.

Thanks, Mrs Park.

I ran down the steps. As I reached the bottom, John picked me up over his head. We did it. We did it John shouted!

You guys sure did! I said. You and Julius were awesome. Julius came over.

You must be John's good luck charm! How are you, Ree?

I'm so proud of you guys! Look!

I pointed to the crowd! Almost everyone was still in the stands!

Julius, you were amazing tonight! We did our part, and so did our team! We all have John to thank, he can get us focused.

Julius said I'm hungry anyone up for a burger at the diner?

I'm game said John. Ree, can you go?

I have to make a phone call first. I told Mrs Park about the invite and she said she was fine with John taking me.

Aunt V?

Yes, sweetie?

John asked me to go to the diner for a bite to eat. Is that okay?

Does Mrs Park know?

Yes, Ma'am, I already asked her.

Okay, be home by midnight.

Yes Ma'am.

I have to be home by midnight. Sounds great said John.

Mom?

Yes, I know. Make sure Ree is home on time, young man!

Yes Ma'am!

She smiled.

I waited with Mrs Park while the guys got cleaned up. We were touching up our makeup in the car.

She said. You are an artist with makeup.

Thank you I said.

Where did you learn all that?

Aunt V, Lori at the salon, and my friends.

Maybe you could give me a lesson.

Anytime Mrs Park. I smiled at her. I would love to, but you don't need it. I would be happy to show you if you teach me a little about Korean cooking or maybe help me with the Korean language

Do you still want to learn Korean?

Yes Ma'am. My aunt Cathy is half Korean. Her mother is 100% Korean. She treats me like a granddaughter. I wanted to learn it the moment I heard it.

So it's not just about my son.

No ma'am. Aunt Cathy said if I want to get into a good school I need to learn multiple languages. Spanish and Latin to start with. I was very serious about wanting to go to law school.

Cathy's father speaks Spanish, Italian, and Korean. Cathy speaks 5 languages and is a partner at a law firm. She is very successful. You should see her in action.

She sounds like quite a woman.

She is, she's my role model.

You know what else is interesting? Her husband is a lot like your son. Caleb is strong, handsome, athletic, and a gentleman, just like John.

Really??

Yes Ma'am!

Do you love my Johnny, Ree?

I don't know much about love being this young. But I have to say there isn't anyone I'd rather be with.

He is so sweet, smart, and funny. He never looks at girls when we are together. Aunt V thinks he's great.

So school is very important to you?

Yes Ma'am.

My mother never finished college because she got pregnant with me. We scraped by. She did her best to give me a decent life. Her goal was to get me into college. Now, it's my goal to finish and be an attorney like Aunt Cathy.

I like that you have your priorities straight Rianna. Most young people your age aren't thinking about college much less after college. I'm glad you have Cathy as a role model.

You'll meet her over Christmas she is coming to my ballet recital, I am hoping you'll be there too.

I'd love to Ree!

My Mom and her boyfriend are coming too.

Ree, this is a family affair I wouldn't want to intrude.

Nonsense Mrs Park. You are family to me. You know my whole story; when I've slipped up, you always caught me. I meditate two or three times a week. My therapist agrees with you to use it.

Thank you, honey, she kissed my cheek.