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"Sure, why
not?"
    Bruce Benet patted me on the head like
I was either his little sister or a football. "See ya
there."
    ***
    "What else will her highness be
needing?" Winona was talking in a faux English accent as she pushed
the shopping cart. I squinted on the list Tara handed me. I was
asked to purchase snacks and drinks for the bonfire night while she
and the other cheerleaders help their selves to the players who are
still out practicing.
    "Her highness seriously needs to work
on her writing," I showed Winona the list.
    Winona rolled her eyes and took the
piece of paper. "Tell me about it. I think this one's root beer."
She pointed at one item on the list and I tried to confirm her
guess.
    "I guess so. Besides, I love root
beer." I dumped several six-packs of Mugs root beer in the cart. My
favorite. "Are you sure you don't wanna come?" I asked
Winona.
    "I'd rather dye my hair pink." She said
with a scowl.
    "That would be fun." We laughed out
loud and a guy with glasses who looked like a businessman shot an
angry glare at us. Grumpy old man.
    After another fifteen minutes of
deciphering Tara's handwriting and finding the items on her list,
we dumped all the goods in my mom's minivan. I dropped off Winona
at Barney's, where she's working the night-shift. It's already nine
so I drove a little faster than usual. I have to deliver the
supplies at nine thirty sharp.
    This is the first time that I drove to
school at night. Normally, I've left school by four in the latest.
I maneuvered the minivan through the woods guided by the light of
the bonfire. The first people I saw were Jaden and Ollie, who were
strolling hand in hand. I finally stopped the ignition and hopped
out of the van. I'm lucky I was wearing my school sweater for it
was a really chilly autumn night. I opened the cargo door and tried
to get the cooler out. It's already filled with ice and beer cans
that I can barely move it. Heck, it won't even budge. I cursed and
started pulling with all my strength when I heard Andrew behind
me.
    "Need some help?" He was wearing a
plain gray shirt over a blue-long sleeve shirt. This was
surprising, because players normally wear their football shirt the
night before the game, for good luck. I always thought it was
disgusting.
    I stopped pulling and faced him with an
irritated expression. "Oh gee, what gave me away, Alleyn?" I said
sarcastically.
    He smiled crookedly and said as he
reached out for the cooler, "Calm down Kitty, I'll get your box for
you."
    I felt my insides burn. I've always
hated it when he calls me Kitty. Nobody calls me Kitty except him.
The last time he called me Kitty, I almost socked him in the nose.
But since he's helping me this time, I think I'll let him
pass.
    With an effortless pull, he took the
cooler out of the minivan and walked to the camp. I wondered how he
does that. That guy doesn't even eat meat, for crying out loud. And
he was just five-foot-eight. Several people were already settled by
the bonfire. It was a pretty awesome sight; the bonfire was at its
brightest. Coach Culkin was giving his famous pep talk over the
megaphone. The students were cheering enthusiastically.
    "Make sure to get a good night's sleep
you guys," Coach Culkin finished his speech, "and kick Jackson's
sorry little backsides tomorrow!"
    The crowd gave a loud hearty cheer. Not
to spoil the spirit, I tried to applaud enthusiastically. I can't
believe these people enjoy music too loud you can't even hear your
own thoughts. Worse, my mom even forced me to join the campfire
because, and I quote, "it's your last chance to experience the
spirit of the bonfire." Double jeez.
    I caught a glimpse of Tara by her pink
tent. Her blond hair shone brighter by the light of the fire. She
was sitting on the grass next to Jason Bland. By the looks of it,
they were most probably dating already. I heard from Jodie Kimmel
that Jason helped Tara out the night of her party. He didn't need
to do much though; Andrew pretty much did all the work.