Post by TimberWolfie on Feb 7, 2013 22:49:12 GMT 8
Number One Fan
"Do you need your blazer?"
I thought about that for a moment. Mrs. Thomson said we didn't, but she had a way of changing her mind every now and again.
"Perhaps," I replied as I smoothed my hair into a ponytail. I was enjoying having longer hair again. "Drop me off at the maths department, will you?"
"Sure." In the mirror in my bathroom, I stared at myself, and from the corner of my eye I noticed my mother poking her head around my bathroom door. She gave a beaming smile when she saw me, in my checkered dress and leather shoes. "You look perfect. Well, you will when you get that blazer."
I laughed. The moment I had brought my blazer home, bearing the title 'Wardle Community Captain 2013', complete with all my badges on the lapel, my mother had started picking the type of frame to use for it when I left Year 12.
I shuddered. Year 12. I was in Year 12. How did that happen? It was true - time did fly. I could remember going to this same day as a Year 8, all those years ago; now I was returning as a leader. It was a tad daunting.
"Come on, Keelee - let's go. You're driving, right?" She didn't give me much of a choice as she tossed the keys into my hand.
I walked up the brick pathway to the Chapel, where anxious and bubbly Year 7s (not Year 8s anymore, as we had moved Year 7 to the Senior School) gathered. All of them wore the same checkered dress as myself, but no blazer; only the captains. Well, there was one outstanding exception.
"Could Immogen break anymore rules?"
I turned around to see the Hackett Prefect, Simone, beside me. I followed her gaze to the Hackett Drama Captain, Immogen, who had decided, of all days, to wear her navy blue Year 12 jumper. And it was a school rule that you never, ever wore a jumper in the chapel.
"I'd tell her, but would I come off as... well..." I trailed off, but Simone concluded with, "A bitch?"
I grimaced, and gave a laugh. "I was trying to save the word, considering where we are."
Simone shrugged. In her moment of silence I grabbed the black bag from my shoulder. "I need to round up the girls," I told her, touching her shoulder before going to the centre of the chapel garden. I cleared my throat, and, praying my voice didn't come out scratchy, I called, "Wardle Year 7s! Come to me! Wardle Year 7s!" About a dozen young girls came over, and I could already judge who was who. I could see the ones who, in Year 9, would be anti-authoritarian. I could see the ones who would be studious, quiet. I could also see the loud, vivacious ones. They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, and it's true, but the majority of the first meeting of the Year 7s is based on that. And on that day, your presumptions, for at least the next five years of their life, are true.
As the young girls dropped their green Wardle house shirts into my bag for the later evening games, I smiled at them. "Hello everyone," I greeted, shaking the hands of a few. "I'm Keelee Hadland, the community captain." Some tilted their heads, took it in, and then completely disregarded that. Others stared at me for a moment, and then forgot about it too. I tried not to be insulted.
I felt someone nudge me, and I turned to see Anneke, the Wardle Drama Captain. "I swear," she murmured in my ear, "We were so much more respectful of Year 12s when we were their age."
I mumbled my agreement, before silence dropped over the group. Reverend Gerry, my dear friend and teacher of Religion this year, beckoned us towards her. "If everyone could please get their girls into lines, we will process into the chapel."
"All right, girls," I said, turning back to them. I ran my hand down through the air. "One long line where I am, in alphabetical order. Ashlyn, could you check them after?" I asked the Dance Captain, who nodded.
Once we were all sorted into lines, we entered according to house - first went Craig, the purple house, then Hackett, yellow, Lefroy, sky blue, Riley, navy blue, my house, and then Wittenoom, red. Kayleigh, the Wardle House Prefect, went ahead, and I stayed behind to direct the girls into the pews, and hand out the programs for them. I looked through the booklet, and couldn't help but smile. As Community Captain, I had to go up and say a prayer for the new girls. I hoped I didn't stumble.
Anneke tugged on my sleeve and we Wardle captains slid into the pews behind the girls. I was about to open my booklet to read over my prayer when Kayleigh nudged me, and pointed out a small blonde girl just in front of me, who was wearing her maroon jumper. "Should we tell her?" she asked me.
I moved past the other captains to get to the girl. I knelt behind her and tapped her shoulder. When she turned around, I noticed her eyes were read, the rims pink from crying. I gave her a bright smile. "Hey hon," I whispered, keeping my voice down so the chorale who was singing didn't get distracted, "You're not really supposed to wear your jumper in chapel. Are you cold?"
She slowly nodded. "I am."
I hesitated, and glanced over to Kayleigh, who shook her head firmly. 'No! She cannot wear it!' I looked back to the girl, and said, "Take it off."
She gave a little tremble, and slowly removed her jumper, and put it in my hands. I passed it over to Ashlyn, before shrugging off my blazer, and giving it to her. "Here." Her eyes went wide. I beamed. "Go on. Take it. You need it more than me."
The other Year 7 girls had turned to look at the two of us. This young girl looked at me in complete awe. I shook the blazer slightly, and she put out a trembling hand, taking it. I helped it onto her shoulders, smiled at her, and then sat down with my captains without a word.
"Keelee, you need that!" Anneke whispered. "What about the colours?"
I shook my head, all of us standing up as Reverend Gerry, the Chapel prefects and the candles came in. Reverend Gerry came to the altar at the front, and opened her arms. "The Lord be with you!" she called out.
"And also with you," came the reply.
As the service went on, so did the time for my prayer. I was actually a little nervous, even though I had no reason to be. I loved public speaking, but what I had noticed these days was that whenever I tried, my voice quavered at times. 'Please don't let that happen now,' I silently prayed.
Before the prayer, Reverend Gerry asked for the presentation of colours. This was the part where a lot of the girls laughed, before we got to the prayers. It consisted of each house captains doing a ceremonial dance with silk banners of the house colours. And I was terrified that I'd miss a beat. I did get a few strange looks from the principal as to where my blazer was. But, thankfully, it all ran smoothly, and then came the prayers. Before that, the girls from each house stood up to address themselves, and then their house community captain prayed over them. I noticed that when they did, they didn't focus on the girls, but rather watched their notes all the time.
After Riley, it was my turn. I stood up to walk to the podium, and as I did, I heard the newest additions to our house call out their names. As they concluded, I smiled at them, and chose one girl to focus on, before saying with as much confidence as I could muster: "Loving God, watch over the Wardle Year 7s as they step into the Senior School. Give them the energy, and the enthusiasm of the Wardle frog and help them to remain positive through the tough times. Give them alert minds so that they may stay one jump ahead in all they do and achieve many of their hopes and dreams. Amen."
"Amen," came the reply. And then it was over. We led the girls outside into the crisp, evening air, and as I did, I heard someone call, "Look! I'm Wardle Community Captain!"
Several heads turned to see the young girl with my blazer, puffing out her breast to show my blazer pocket. "I'm Keelee Hadland, and I'm Wardle Community Captain!" she announced to so many of her friends, who came up to touch the blazer and ask if they could wear it, too. "Keelee bestowed it upon me! So it's mine!"
I stifled a chuckle, and was scared I'd actually let a tear fall. I beamed brightly at her, this young girl, so untouched by life and its harsh realities. If she knew what I was and what I'd been through, she may not want to be me, and I wouldn't blame her. But just seeing her, so boldly proclaiming she was me, melted my heart.
"So that's where your blazer went! Well, looks like you have a fan, Miss Hadland."
I smiled at Mrs. Thomson, who smiled at me too. She patted my shoulder. "You best get it back before she decides to take it home!" she whispered to me, and I laughed, replying, "Give her a few more moments. It's cute."
"Get used to it, Keelee," said Kayleigh as she came over beside me, "You'll one day be signing autographs every day the way you're going."
I laughed and gave her a hug. "I'm sure it won't be like that."
We called the girls in for the rest of the evening, and Blazer Girl came over and hesitantly gave me back my coat. "You'll have one of your own someday."
She looked up and me, and smiled, as if I had just said the best thing in the world. "You think so? Really and truly?"
"Certainly, Niamh."
She blinked. "How'd you know my name?"
I smiled. "I saw you introduce yourself, hon. Give it six years, and I bet you will take my place. Or, even better."
She blushed deeply. "T-thank you," she murmured before rushing off to join her friends.
The rest of the evening would be devoted to games with the Year 7s, such as 'Bang', a dance routine, and a ball game we called N-ball. We had the Drama game first, but we finished that quickly, so we were at a lost for what to do. "We should sing," I muttered to no one in particular as we sat in Hearn Hall.
"Keelee, you should teach us that song!" Anneke exclaimed, gripping my shoulder.
I arched my eyebrow. "Which one?"
"Oh yeah! Courtney mentioned it!" Kayleigh smiled. "The one you taught the drama class."
I looked between them. Everyone was looking at me now. I felt like the spotlight was solely on me. "Um... Okay." I forced a confident smile. "All right, everyone stand up."
All the Wardle people stood up, everyone's eyes on me. I cleared my throat, praying my voice wouldn't give way. "I need to remember... Oh yeah! So, copy what I do, okay?" Everyone nodded, and I began. "Now there was a little fly!" I added actions for the wings of the fly.
The Year 7s looked at me strangely, and then hesitantly copied it. "Now there was a little fly..."
"And he flew right by!"
"And he flew right... by?"
"And he flew right in!"
"And he flew right in?"
"Mr. Butcherman's store!"
"Mr. Butcherman's store!"
All the Year 7s were in fits of giggles, and their energy was high, which was great since we had the dance routine next. I stood next to a girl named Tamesyn. "Some people call me Tammy," she smiled.
"Tammy," I smiled, shaking her small hand. "You know, you remind me of my friend, Imogen Blow. You have such red hair, it's beautiful."
She swelled under my praise, and we spoke for a while until Tess, the Dance Prefect, did such a complex dance that I nearly tripped over my ankles and landed on my face.
The night slowly came to a close, our spirits soaring. I walked alongside Tammy back to the chapel and performing arts centre, whistling a merry tune. She looked up to me. "Can you teach me another song?" she asked me.
I gave a small laugh. "Oh sweetie, if I sung, you'd run for cover."
"But your song was so good!"
"Ah, but that's easy to sing. All my other songs are hard. My voice goes horrible."
"Please?"
I looked down at her, and then thought for a moment. "Hmm, okay I got one! But you can't tell your parents I taught ya, 'kay?" I winked at her.
She giggled. "Okay!"
I cleared my throat, and began.
"Life's gonna suck when you grow up,
When you grow up, when you grow up!
Life's gonna suck when you grow up, it sucks pretty bad right now!"
Tammy burst into laughter.
"Hey, if you know the words, sing along! You're gonna have to mow the lawn,
Do the dishes,
Make your bed,
You're gonna have to go to school until you're seventeen." I peered at her. "And it's gonna seem about three times as long as that...
"You might have to go to war,
Shoot that guy, kill a nun,
You might have to go to war when you get out of school! Hey, cheer up kids, it gets a lot worse...
"Santa Claus does not exist, and there's no Easter Bunny,
You'll find out when you grow up that Big Bird isn't funny - funny - funny! Ah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! Ha...
Life's gonna suck when you grow up, when you grow up,
Life's gonna suck when you grow up, it sucks pretty bad right now!"
Tammy was laughing so hard I thought she couldn't breathe. I ruffled her hair gently.
"You're gonna end up smoking crack,
On your back, face the fact,
You're gonna end up hooked on smack
And then you're gonna die!
And then. You're. Gonna. Di-i-i-i-i-ie! Hey, hey!"
Tammy had to pull me over to the side of the road to laugh. "That - was - so - funny!"
I laughed with her. "Life isn't that bad, I promise. But I love that song."
We continued to walk back, where all the Year 7 parents were gathered. Before we went into the PAC, Tammy pulled me aside. "I just want to say thank you for being so nice to me."
I smiled at her, bending down to her level. "That's fine. And hey. I'm gonna see you at the swimming carnival, right?"
"Yeah!"
Two people came up behind Tammy, a middle-aged man and woman. Tammy turned around and hugged them both. "Mum! Dad! This is Keelee! She's our captain!"
I smiled, and stretched out my hand. "Lovely to meet you. Wardle Community Captain." I patted Tammy's shoulder. "Absolutely beautiful girl you have here."
The mother smiled at me. "Thank you."
I opened my arms, and Tammy came to hug me. "I'll see you at the carnival. I'm going to tackle hug you!"
She smiled gleefully. "Yeah!"
"Up high!" I said, putting my hand up. She slapped it. "Down low?" She tried to swipe, but I pulled it away. "Too slow!"
"Darn it."
I smiled at her. "Bye Tammy. Have a nice night." She waved at me as she walked with her parents, and I watched them for a while, before turning to walk back to my own.
"Do you need your blazer?"
I thought about that for a moment. Mrs. Thomson said we didn't, but she had a way of changing her mind every now and again.
"Perhaps," I replied as I smoothed my hair into a ponytail. I was enjoying having longer hair again. "Drop me off at the maths department, will you?"
"Sure." In the mirror in my bathroom, I stared at myself, and from the corner of my eye I noticed my mother poking her head around my bathroom door. She gave a beaming smile when she saw me, in my checkered dress and leather shoes. "You look perfect. Well, you will when you get that blazer."
I laughed. The moment I had brought my blazer home, bearing the title 'Wardle Community Captain 2013', complete with all my badges on the lapel, my mother had started picking the type of frame to use for it when I left Year 12.
I shuddered. Year 12. I was in Year 12. How did that happen? It was true - time did fly. I could remember going to this same day as a Year 8, all those years ago; now I was returning as a leader. It was a tad daunting.
"Come on, Keelee - let's go. You're driving, right?" She didn't give me much of a choice as she tossed the keys into my hand.
I walked up the brick pathway to the Chapel, where anxious and bubbly Year 7s (not Year 8s anymore, as we had moved Year 7 to the Senior School) gathered. All of them wore the same checkered dress as myself, but no blazer; only the captains. Well, there was one outstanding exception.
"Could Immogen break anymore rules?"
I turned around to see the Hackett Prefect, Simone, beside me. I followed her gaze to the Hackett Drama Captain, Immogen, who had decided, of all days, to wear her navy blue Year 12 jumper. And it was a school rule that you never, ever wore a jumper in the chapel.
"I'd tell her, but would I come off as... well..." I trailed off, but Simone concluded with, "A bitch?"
I grimaced, and gave a laugh. "I was trying to save the word, considering where we are."
Simone shrugged. In her moment of silence I grabbed the black bag from my shoulder. "I need to round up the girls," I told her, touching her shoulder before going to the centre of the chapel garden. I cleared my throat, and, praying my voice didn't come out scratchy, I called, "Wardle Year 7s! Come to me! Wardle Year 7s!" About a dozen young girls came over, and I could already judge who was who. I could see the ones who, in Year 9, would be anti-authoritarian. I could see the ones who would be studious, quiet. I could also see the loud, vivacious ones. They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, and it's true, but the majority of the first meeting of the Year 7s is based on that. And on that day, your presumptions, for at least the next five years of their life, are true.
As the young girls dropped their green Wardle house shirts into my bag for the later evening games, I smiled at them. "Hello everyone," I greeted, shaking the hands of a few. "I'm Keelee Hadland, the community captain." Some tilted their heads, took it in, and then completely disregarded that. Others stared at me for a moment, and then forgot about it too. I tried not to be insulted.
I felt someone nudge me, and I turned to see Anneke, the Wardle Drama Captain. "I swear," she murmured in my ear, "We were so much more respectful of Year 12s when we were their age."
I mumbled my agreement, before silence dropped over the group. Reverend Gerry, my dear friend and teacher of Religion this year, beckoned us towards her. "If everyone could please get their girls into lines, we will process into the chapel."
"All right, girls," I said, turning back to them. I ran my hand down through the air. "One long line where I am, in alphabetical order. Ashlyn, could you check them after?" I asked the Dance Captain, who nodded.
Once we were all sorted into lines, we entered according to house - first went Craig, the purple house, then Hackett, yellow, Lefroy, sky blue, Riley, navy blue, my house, and then Wittenoom, red. Kayleigh, the Wardle House Prefect, went ahead, and I stayed behind to direct the girls into the pews, and hand out the programs for them. I looked through the booklet, and couldn't help but smile. As Community Captain, I had to go up and say a prayer for the new girls. I hoped I didn't stumble.
Anneke tugged on my sleeve and we Wardle captains slid into the pews behind the girls. I was about to open my booklet to read over my prayer when Kayleigh nudged me, and pointed out a small blonde girl just in front of me, who was wearing her maroon jumper. "Should we tell her?" she asked me.
I moved past the other captains to get to the girl. I knelt behind her and tapped her shoulder. When she turned around, I noticed her eyes were read, the rims pink from crying. I gave her a bright smile. "Hey hon," I whispered, keeping my voice down so the chorale who was singing didn't get distracted, "You're not really supposed to wear your jumper in chapel. Are you cold?"
She slowly nodded. "I am."
I hesitated, and glanced over to Kayleigh, who shook her head firmly. 'No! She cannot wear it!' I looked back to the girl, and said, "Take it off."
She gave a little tremble, and slowly removed her jumper, and put it in my hands. I passed it over to Ashlyn, before shrugging off my blazer, and giving it to her. "Here." Her eyes went wide. I beamed. "Go on. Take it. You need it more than me."
The other Year 7 girls had turned to look at the two of us. This young girl looked at me in complete awe. I shook the blazer slightly, and she put out a trembling hand, taking it. I helped it onto her shoulders, smiled at her, and then sat down with my captains without a word.
"Keelee, you need that!" Anneke whispered. "What about the colours?"
I shook my head, all of us standing up as Reverend Gerry, the Chapel prefects and the candles came in. Reverend Gerry came to the altar at the front, and opened her arms. "The Lord be with you!" she called out.
"And also with you," came the reply.
As the service went on, so did the time for my prayer. I was actually a little nervous, even though I had no reason to be. I loved public speaking, but what I had noticed these days was that whenever I tried, my voice quavered at times. 'Please don't let that happen now,' I silently prayed.
Before the prayer, Reverend Gerry asked for the presentation of colours. This was the part where a lot of the girls laughed, before we got to the prayers. It consisted of each house captains doing a ceremonial dance with silk banners of the house colours. And I was terrified that I'd miss a beat. I did get a few strange looks from the principal as to where my blazer was. But, thankfully, it all ran smoothly, and then came the prayers. Before that, the girls from each house stood up to address themselves, and then their house community captain prayed over them. I noticed that when they did, they didn't focus on the girls, but rather watched their notes all the time.
After Riley, it was my turn. I stood up to walk to the podium, and as I did, I heard the newest additions to our house call out their names. As they concluded, I smiled at them, and chose one girl to focus on, before saying with as much confidence as I could muster: "Loving God, watch over the Wardle Year 7s as they step into the Senior School. Give them the energy, and the enthusiasm of the Wardle frog and help them to remain positive through the tough times. Give them alert minds so that they may stay one jump ahead in all they do and achieve many of their hopes and dreams. Amen."
"Amen," came the reply. And then it was over. We led the girls outside into the crisp, evening air, and as I did, I heard someone call, "Look! I'm Wardle Community Captain!"
Several heads turned to see the young girl with my blazer, puffing out her breast to show my blazer pocket. "I'm Keelee Hadland, and I'm Wardle Community Captain!" she announced to so many of her friends, who came up to touch the blazer and ask if they could wear it, too. "Keelee bestowed it upon me! So it's mine!"
I stifled a chuckle, and was scared I'd actually let a tear fall. I beamed brightly at her, this young girl, so untouched by life and its harsh realities. If she knew what I was and what I'd been through, she may not want to be me, and I wouldn't blame her. But just seeing her, so boldly proclaiming she was me, melted my heart.
"So that's where your blazer went! Well, looks like you have a fan, Miss Hadland."
I smiled at Mrs. Thomson, who smiled at me too. She patted my shoulder. "You best get it back before she decides to take it home!" she whispered to me, and I laughed, replying, "Give her a few more moments. It's cute."
"Get used to it, Keelee," said Kayleigh as she came over beside me, "You'll one day be signing autographs every day the way you're going."
I laughed and gave her a hug. "I'm sure it won't be like that."
We called the girls in for the rest of the evening, and Blazer Girl came over and hesitantly gave me back my coat. "You'll have one of your own someday."
She looked up and me, and smiled, as if I had just said the best thing in the world. "You think so? Really and truly?"
"Certainly, Niamh."
She blinked. "How'd you know my name?"
I smiled. "I saw you introduce yourself, hon. Give it six years, and I bet you will take my place. Or, even better."
She blushed deeply. "T-thank you," she murmured before rushing off to join her friends.
The rest of the evening would be devoted to games with the Year 7s, such as 'Bang', a dance routine, and a ball game we called N-ball. We had the Drama game first, but we finished that quickly, so we were at a lost for what to do. "We should sing," I muttered to no one in particular as we sat in Hearn Hall.
"Keelee, you should teach us that song!" Anneke exclaimed, gripping my shoulder.
I arched my eyebrow. "Which one?"
"Oh yeah! Courtney mentioned it!" Kayleigh smiled. "The one you taught the drama class."
I looked between them. Everyone was looking at me now. I felt like the spotlight was solely on me. "Um... Okay." I forced a confident smile. "All right, everyone stand up."
All the Wardle people stood up, everyone's eyes on me. I cleared my throat, praying my voice wouldn't give way. "I need to remember... Oh yeah! So, copy what I do, okay?" Everyone nodded, and I began. "Now there was a little fly!" I added actions for the wings of the fly.
The Year 7s looked at me strangely, and then hesitantly copied it. "Now there was a little fly..."
"And he flew right by!"
"And he flew right... by?"
"And he flew right in!"
"And he flew right in?"
"Mr. Butcherman's store!"
"Mr. Butcherman's store!"
All the Year 7s were in fits of giggles, and their energy was high, which was great since we had the dance routine next. I stood next to a girl named Tamesyn. "Some people call me Tammy," she smiled.
"Tammy," I smiled, shaking her small hand. "You know, you remind me of my friend, Imogen Blow. You have such red hair, it's beautiful."
She swelled under my praise, and we spoke for a while until Tess, the Dance Prefect, did such a complex dance that I nearly tripped over my ankles and landed on my face.
The night slowly came to a close, our spirits soaring. I walked alongside Tammy back to the chapel and performing arts centre, whistling a merry tune. She looked up to me. "Can you teach me another song?" she asked me.
I gave a small laugh. "Oh sweetie, if I sung, you'd run for cover."
"But your song was so good!"
"Ah, but that's easy to sing. All my other songs are hard. My voice goes horrible."
"Please?"
I looked down at her, and then thought for a moment. "Hmm, okay I got one! But you can't tell your parents I taught ya, 'kay?" I winked at her.
She giggled. "Okay!"
I cleared my throat, and began.
"Life's gonna suck when you grow up,
When you grow up, when you grow up!
Life's gonna suck when you grow up, it sucks pretty bad right now!"
Tammy burst into laughter.
"Hey, if you know the words, sing along! You're gonna have to mow the lawn,
Do the dishes,
Make your bed,
You're gonna have to go to school until you're seventeen." I peered at her. "And it's gonna seem about three times as long as that...
"You might have to go to war,
Shoot that guy, kill a nun,
You might have to go to war when you get out of school! Hey, cheer up kids, it gets a lot worse...
"Santa Claus does not exist, and there's no Easter Bunny,
You'll find out when you grow up that Big Bird isn't funny - funny - funny! Ah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! Ha...
Life's gonna suck when you grow up, when you grow up,
Life's gonna suck when you grow up, it sucks pretty bad right now!"
Tammy was laughing so hard I thought she couldn't breathe. I ruffled her hair gently.
"You're gonna end up smoking crack,
On your back, face the fact,
You're gonna end up hooked on smack
And then you're gonna die!
And then. You're. Gonna. Di-i-i-i-i-ie! Hey, hey!"
Tammy had to pull me over to the side of the road to laugh. "That - was - so - funny!"
I laughed with her. "Life isn't that bad, I promise. But I love that song."
We continued to walk back, where all the Year 7 parents were gathered. Before we went into the PAC, Tammy pulled me aside. "I just want to say thank you for being so nice to me."
I smiled at her, bending down to her level. "That's fine. And hey. I'm gonna see you at the swimming carnival, right?"
"Yeah!"
Two people came up behind Tammy, a middle-aged man and woman. Tammy turned around and hugged them both. "Mum! Dad! This is Keelee! She's our captain!"
I smiled, and stretched out my hand. "Lovely to meet you. Wardle Community Captain." I patted Tammy's shoulder. "Absolutely beautiful girl you have here."
The mother smiled at me. "Thank you."
I opened my arms, and Tammy came to hug me. "I'll see you at the carnival. I'm going to tackle hug you!"
She smiled gleefully. "Yeah!"
"Up high!" I said, putting my hand up. She slapped it. "Down low?" She tried to swipe, but I pulled it away. "Too slow!"
"Darn it."
I smiled at her. "Bye Tammy. Have a nice night." She waved at me as she walked with her parents, and I watched them for a while, before turning to walk back to my own.