First Move

By Zander van Hoepen

Its not easy being the new kid in school. Add to that being new in town, in a new country, and somewhat of a nerd. Such was the case for Shawn de Vos, whose family immigrated to Little Rock, Arkansas, USA, from George, a coastal town in South Africa before his final year of school. With a tennis ball game, Shawn connected somewhat with others on the fringes of his new high school eventually. He even started to enjoy awkwardly, at first, the joys of courtship and true friendship. Soon though, hed be confronted with issues some new kids face and being bullied was just part of it. Like all teenagers, hed also been confronted with issues of youth: drugs, alcohol, sex, religion. Would his opinions about it let him make good moral choices? Especially during senior year, Shawn developed a unique friendship with one of the most popular girls in school. Their different backgrounds that kept them apart somehow may become the strength that can keep them upright in their daily struggles. This adds strain on their popularity and acceptance from their peers. Would the friendship last? Amidst everything, Shawns body developed a disease that could threaten his very existence.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 28, 2015
• ISBN: 9781499079463

Zander van Hoepen

Zander van Hoepen is a South African, born in Johannesburg on 15 December 1978. He spent his early teens in George, a coastal town in the Western Cape and obtained his B.Com degree in 2001 at Stellenbosch University. Zander entered the financial services industry where he now specialises in risk management. In his free time, he’s a martial arts enthusiast and practices karate. Zander enjoys travelling, listening to music, and hanging out with friends. He reads up a lot on world politics, economics, personal finances, and environmental issues. His imagination got cultivated since a child when he used to tell himself stories whilst delivering the local tabloid newspaper on his bike. His imagination has since transformed into stories on paper with this book his first published work.

Book preview

Copyright © 2015 by Zander van Hoepen.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2014920367

ISBN:   Hardcover      978-1-4990-7944-9

         Softcover        978-1-4990-7945-6

              eBook            978-1-4990-7946-3

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,

without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the

product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance

to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date:05/19/2015

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgement

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I want to thank, my mom, my dad, my sister and my friends for the support and understanding they’ve provided to me while busy working on this book. I also want to thank, God Almighty who has given me the strength throughout this project and who is always there for me.

CHAPTER 1

An eerie silence befell the other students as he hastily rushed across the classroom. Their eyes were fixed on him for a short while then they continued their conversations with one another.

I hope this seat is not taken, Shawn thought to himself as he took up the first empty seat he saw behind an open pressed wood desk in the far corner of classroom 22 up front next to the windows that overlooked the school grounds.

Shawn put down his bag on the floor that contained some stationery and a notepad. He sat still and just stared through the window next to him at some silver maple trees outside. He did not want to look around the class at his new classmates just yet. He felt so out of place. His throat was dry of anxiety as he felt the many eyes still on him. He thought about his friends back in George, a coastal town in South Africa. What were they up to at that point in time? He dreaded this moment ever since he got to know about his family’s plans to immigrate to the United States of America eleven months ago. He knew his father needed the job, and the new position his father obtained was going to help him in his career long term, but Shawn only had little more than a year of school left back home. He’s got two more now, with the school curriculum and academic years not the same between the United States and back home. His sister too was new in Pulaski High in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Hey, be quiet, you all! Their teacher’s voice carried loudly across the classroom after she closed the door behind her and moved briskly toward her desk. Mrs. Thelopsy had to be in her late fifties with dark-brown hair that revealed quite a few streaks of gray already. She wore glasses and dressed very respectable just like the teachers you always see on TV of older sitcoms or movies. She was going to teach them French that year for those who elected it as a subject, as well as be their administrative teacher. After she greeted them, she let everyone introduce themselves to the class, as it was the beginning of the new academic year. Shawn heard names like Mike Donavan, Ric Henderson, Carmine Jessy, Michelle Bruër, Christine Drow, Jason Templeton, Samuel Walsh, to name a few. He felt a lot better when he heard that he was not the only new student in class, with another guy in class who was also new in school. Shawn stood up when it was his turn.

My name is Shawn de Vos, and I come from South Africa from a town called George by the coast. Some students began to whisper softly to one another. They’ve not had someone from South Africa yet in class, and their teacher was quite surprised.

Mrs. Thelopsy came from Colorado Springs in Colorado. She acquired her teacher’s degree in Boston. Mrs. Thelopsy completed some administrative duties with them and then let them be for a while. The students fell back into conversation again, with the new students only observing and keeping quiet.

Shawn sat still, for he did not want to attract any attention. He wished he could be back in South Africa in his old school again, relaxed, where he knew everyone in class and had great friends. However, with the country’s high crime rate and affirmative action policies that are pushed through relentlessly, his dad had to look for jobs outside of South Africa as well, with them being whites in a pretty different newish South Africa, and there weren’t many jobs around.

Karen, Shawn’s sister, had to reveal how urbanized she actually was. She did not know how to tame a lion, nor were there any lions that walked around the streets back home, she answered to some of her classmates that asked her all sorts of silly questions the minute they could.

You’re Shawn, right?

Shawn’s heart skipped a beat—who would want to talk to him? He turned around and did not look out the window anymore. Yeah, I am. Umm, you’re… Shawn forgot his name.

Eric Ross. Yeah, pleased to meet you. I am also new around here. Eric introduced himself to Shawn and shook his hand while he took up an empty seat in the open desk behind Shawn.

Yes, I’ve heard you say that. Pleased to meet you, Shawn answered. Shawn was not in the mood for small talk at the time.

Eric was from a small town called Pocahontas in Arkansas, which according to him, only had a population of about 6,500 people, so you basically got to know quite a few people in town after a while. His father got promoted to the head office in Little Rock of a shoe manufacturing firm he worked for very recently. Eric seemed like a nice guy. He almost seemed to smile all the time. He was of average height for an eleventh grader, with short light-brown hair and a tanned complexion, which indicated he’s been in the sun a lot lately.

I’ve heard that a McDonald’s counter might be opening up later this year or maybe the next in our cafeteria, Eric told Shawn after they’ve received free meal stamps for the week from their class representative to get everyone settled in for the year before you had to start paying for the cafeteria food. Shawn was glad to hear that, as he did love McDonald’s, with the franchise having quite a few outlets in South Africa. The franchise was still relatively new to the country that for years was quite isolated from many big American corporations due to the political situation in the country that did improve of late.

So you, like, know what electives you’ll be taking this year?

Electives? Shawn was confused.

Yeah, you know those extra subjects you are allowed to choose from besides the ones like English, math, or science we all got to take, Eric explained peculiarly but then remembered that Shawn was really new in the United States as well, not just Arkansas for that matter.

Yeah, now I know—supplementary subjects. Shawn understood more or less. In South Africa, in the government school he was in before, one could also choose some supplementary subjects.

There’re so many subjects one can choose from here. I am confused. I ticked economics, French, world geography, and European history on my credit plan. Apparently, I can take those even being new in school, Shawn answered, though he felt so lost with all the decisions he has got to make.

Yup, that sounds pretty much what I ticked as well, except I have computer science instead of European history. If you’re unsure, you can speak to a counselor. You know that, right? Eric said as he tried to help Shawn.

Sure, I know. I even know more or less where my counselor’s office is, Shawn joked with a smile on his face. He hoped, though, that the counselor could assist him with one or more questions he still had.

Shawn was relieved to hear that Eric took almost the same subjects as he did for the year when they left their administrative class and found their way together to the geography class they were going to attend. Shawn was glad not to have to struggle alone to find his next class.

Mr. Andrews, their geography teacher, gave them their first homework for the year already straight into his first lesson.

Eric, being spontaneous by nature, started to chat with another classmate randomly when he met him outside their geography class after the class ended and the students dispersed outside. Eric introduced Shawn to Simon Malady, a well-built Hispanic guy with thick black hair, being quite tall, and who definitely visits the gym a lot from the looks of it. With Simon’s father a traveling salesman, he’s been in a couple of schools already but says Pulaski High was OK thus far.

If you can get into a good click of buds, you are made for, so just try, Simon encouraged Eric and Shawn, who both were still pretty uncomfortable to be new in school when they chat about it. Simon belonged to a group of friends who mostly played basketball, his passion in life. Shawn took note of Simon’s words and looked around at some of the last students who exited their geography class. He wondered if he’d ever be friends with anyone else his grade, for he felt so out of place. Apart from Eric, no one else bothered to talk to him yet the day except stare at him like he was from outer space or something.

The students got so bored to hear the same thing over and over again from all the teachers’ classes they attended about the academic year ahead for the grade elevens, about it being an important year, with only the school bell saving them from sudden death.

As they walked out of class, Shawn felt a push from behind. Come on, newbie, move it, some guy who towered over him from behind said, with his friends who walked next to him laughing. Shawn just tried to move aside next to the brown brick wall of the hallway out of the stream of students that poured out of their class.

Do not mind them. They just think they are so cool, Shawn heard someone say. Shawn turned his head to his right and saw a friendly looking girl next to him; her blue eyes looked compassionately at him. She had a very fair complexion with a dimple on her left cheek. She wore a pair of light-blue jeans, an ordinary red shirt with white buttons, and a feminine beige jersey that hung loosely over her shoulders.

My name is Jenny, and yours?

After Shawn introduced himself, they started to talk about him being new in school, the awkwardness of it. Jenny led Shawn to where the cafeteria was and then left him by the door, before she made her way to the girls’ bathroom then. The cafeteria had big hospital-like swing doors, and Shawn could see students walk around with trays of food through the glass panels inside the swing doors.

He looked back down the hallway and was amazed at the scene he saw of masses of students all going about, with some heading his way to the cafeteria, scenes he used to see only on television of your typical American sitcom shows that depicted the typical American school hallway scene.

Shawn followed the stream of students into the cafeteria and fell in behind a row to collect some food. He picked up a tray and a plate and was then dished up with all that was on offer by the cafeteria personnel that day. Shawn clutched his food stamps in his hand at the till, stressed. He hoped it would be good to pay with, for he only had four dollars to pay in anything extra, with the de Vos family not having a lot of money after the move. What should I take off from the tray to fit within the food stamp value? Shawn wondered.

Shawn gave a sigh of relief after his stamp covered everything on his tray. He strolled around to look for a place to sit. He eyed some empty tables to the back of the cafeteria. Shawn saw Eric wave at him from afar, and Shawn made his way to him. He was glad, for he did not want to sit alone really and look like a dork.

With a distinct smell of mash and sausages that hung in the air, they ate the meal of the day in silence until Simon came around to their table briefly. Umm, are you checking out the girls, Shawn? Simon teased him, when Shawn’s eyes glanced around the tables in front of him.

That girl with the beige jersey talked to me a minute ago. I think her name is Jenny. Shawn felt a little awkward. He did kind of check out the talent at the particular table a few tables in front of them to the left—definitely a table of hotties, and Shawn pretended to be just curious about Jenny when in fact someone else caught his interest that he saw in some of his classes before.

It looks like she is sitting with some other eleventh graders in some of our classes, Shawn remarked.

Oh, yeah, she is. They’re all juniors at the table, like us. See the cute one with the long, dark-brown hair and the red sweater? Her name is Christine Drow. The guy next to her is her boyfriend, Matt Robsen, one of our sporting heroes in school, if I could say so. Yup, that’s the cool table, so to speak, of our grade. Simon pointed them out. Shawn recognized Matt as the guy who pushed him out of the class earlier on.

Both Shawn and Karen were quite glad that their first day of school was over when they walked back home, relieved to have remembered the route back. They’ve only traveled it twice before with their dad by car—a few days before when they got registered into school by their parents, and in the morning when they got dropped off.

Both felt very, very much like outsiders with everything so new and different to them. They even found class in the American English strange to them, as they did not quite understand the accents of some of the teachers yet. They are used to be taught in Afrikaans, a local language back home, which is one of the eleven official languages of South Africa, but suddenly they have to learn everything in English. It was also quite strange and difficult for them to speak English all day long for that matter, with them not used to thinking in English and then speaking it. It took them slightly longer at first to speak casually off-the-cuff, so to speak, with English only their second language back home.

With all the stress of the first day of school still running through his mind, Shawn took a long time to fall asleep that night. For a couple of nights already, he struggled to fall asleep. He still had a lot of anxiety about having had to change schools and countries and give up friends he’d known for years.

Eric and Shawn decided to watch Simon and his friends play basketball the next day after their lunch in the cafeteria while they still had recess. Shawn thought back to his days in South Africa during break, how he and his friends would play what they dubbed dumpy, or more commonly known as hand tennis, when he told Eric about the game. Shawn thought of his friends back home. They probably played dumpy on that particular school day, only he was 8,500 miles away from them.

With Simon’s other friends, who did not really talk much to the two of them who were newbies in school, Shawn took out a tennis ball he brought to school a few days later, for he wanted to show Eric the game of dumpy he used to play back in South Africa during lunch breaks.

You want to show me the game, like, here, right now? Eric asked skeptically. He did not really want to do new weird stuff in school that could label him.

Yes, why not? I promise it is really a nice game, Shawn said, a little put off by Eric’s sudden hesitation.

You’re sure it does not look like childish? I mean, we got to like act our age, you know. Why not try a go at basketball with Simon and the guys? Eric tried to dissuade Shawn from dissing their images just yet.

OK, leave it, we can watch Simon play. His friends do not seem to want to talk to us really, only Simon does. Shawn got agitated for seemingly playing children’s games.

Hey, look, umm, maybe we can try a go at it, just to show me, you know, Eric compromised when he saw Shawn all upset and he kind of wanted to try out the game. Eric was keen on all kinds of ball games anyway.

You won’t regret it! Shawn lightened up. Eric subtly took them behind the school’s main building out of sight, so to speak. They began to bounce the tennis ball over a rainwater gutter as a line on an even piece of cement, though with a very slight gradient. Shawn explained that the object was to see who could keep the ball going the longest, similar to tennis with some boundary rules. For the time being with no formal side boundaries, anything goes.

Shawn was in much better spirits after recess after he played the simple game of dumpy, which made him feel normal again or rather forget about his current problems and almost feel like he was back at his old school.

Eric actually liked the game of dumpy, and they started to play it more often, the two of them, during recess at the same spot, away from, well, almost everyone else. Simon, who knew of their game, would join them intermittently when he did not play basketball with his friends and would chat with Eric and Shawn occasionally. As Shawn saw in South Africa before, the particular game of dumpy had the ability to draw others first as spectators and then as players themselves. Before long, the two of them had a few other guys that played with albeit younger than them. Two other guys in the same grade as Shawn and Eric also joined: Randy Strauss, a chubby African American native of Little Rock, and Clive Beagle, a stocky seemingly gay Caucasian native of Arkansas, but not of Little Rock, who had lived in a town called Hope before. They were considered as two of the biggest nerds in school, Simon informed Eric and Shawn. Eric was hesitant at first to allow them to play with, for he did not want to be labeled a nerd on top of being new but got swayed in the end, for four guys would make the game more challenging, and Eric was always up for a sporting challenge. He and Shawn did subtly insist for them to play out of sight of most students, or any of their grade for that matter. To stay behind the main school building made sense, as it was out of sight of most of the students that lingered around during recess.

The coming Sunday, the de Vos family took a drive south outside Little Rock toward Pine Bluff, a small town, in their leased car, a red Dodge Neon. They spent the afternoon there and explored the town a bit like they used to do back in South Africa of towns close to George on Sundays.

The following Monday, Shawn stood annoyed beside an empty desk while he waited for the person to return after being directed to this desk by some unfriendly guys who did not want to lend him a ruler to draw some horizontal lines needed for some complex trigonometry formulae they had to do in class. Shawn thought to himself, should he go back to his desk or stand and wait like an idiot for this person to return to their desk? Why did I forget my ruler at home? he thought, irritated with himself.

Hi. Can I help you? a soft tender voice asked from behind him.

Shawn turned around, startled. Christine, ah… I… may I borrow your ruler please? Shawn stuttered over his words, amazed at Christine’s beautiful brown eyes that looked at him. Shawn stepped back a bit, for he felt uncomfortable but in a good way.

Sure, no problem. She lent him one of her rulers, as she had two in her bag.

Could you do the math Mrs. Bailey gave us on the board? Christine asked Shawn when he returned the ruler a few minutes later.

Well, umm, yeah, I could, or I think I could. Shawn did not want to sound like he’s a math genius or anything. Fact was he’d just gone over that part of trigonometry back in South Africa and was able to do it with ease and ended up lending his book to Christine to review the steps he did to solve the two trigonometry problems they had.

Christine and her pals are like the cool people of our grade, Simon reiterated to Shawn while they left their class and just grinned, when he saw Shawn smile at Christine when she returned his book to him after the bell announced the end of their math class.

Oh, yes, you said so. Shawn acted stupid, although he’s picked up on that fact already after he observed the students in his classes a bit and knew who some of them were by then.

That afternoon, Shawn’s mom sent him to go fetch Karen at Stacy’s, a classmate of his sister, down the road four houses across from them. Stacy was the class representative for the biology subject some grade nines or freshmen, like Karen, took. Stacy helped Karen to the previous year’s biology textbooks to try catch up with what was taught in class before. Shawn was very surprised when a guy he recognized from school answered the doorbell. A skinny guy about five foot seven with curly blond hair and green eyes opened the door.

Umm, hi, I am here to fetch my sister, Karen, Shawn blurted out while he looked peculiar at this guy.

Hi, oh, yeah, I’ll call her for you, Peter said and left the doorway to call on Shawn’s sister.

She’s on her way. Peter came back to tell Shawn.

Oh, thanks, Shawn replied, who by then remembered that this guy was in some of his classes.

Say, aren’t you also in Pulaski High? You’re new, right? Peter asked curiously to Shawn.

Yeah, I am, Shawn answered shyly.

Pleased to meet you, I am Peter Hallman. Peter introduced himself to Shawn.

Pleased to meet you, I am Shawn de Vos, Shawn replied and returned the handshake, though he got sort of tired having to introduce himself to everyone around him all the time, not used to being the new kid on the block.

They talked a little bit about school until Shawn and his sister left to go back to their own home.

The following Monday, still very early on in the academic year, the grade elevens answered their first small class test in geography.

Eric asked Christine how she did in the test they just did when they walked out of class, with Eric right behind her.

It was rather straining on my memory, Christine replied. She looked peculiarly at Eric, for she did not know him at all. She, though, did not study much for the test, as Matt, her boyfriend, visited her a lot over the weekend at her house. But I’ll probably pass, she continued politely, with Eric beside her then as they strolled down the hallway.

And what more do you want? Eric replied, who then made his way toward his locker. Christine just smirked softly as she thought about all the pressure she was under and some of her other friends to perform in order to be accepted into good colleges or universities, and she could not understand why all that did not bother Eric.

Day by day, they raced through the curriculum at school, with Shawn and Karen really having a hard time to cope in the beginning with all the new schoolwork. Some stuff they did not touch on yet back in South Africa, and in other areas they knew some of the topics that were taught to them, as they already covered the material back home.

Shawn and Eric started to hang out with Peter on occasion. Sometimes he would eat lunch with them in the cafeteria, and at other times, Peter would hang out with some other guys who were not too keen on Shawn and Eric. Randy and Clive also joined Shawn and Eric to enjoy lunch with them in the cafeteria at the same table, and, well, not many other students mingled with them really from then on. Eric minded at first not to be labeled a nerd and destroy any chances of girls that might like him, but Shawn, though, enjoyed their company, for at least Eric and he did not sit alone in the cafeteria anymore and stick out like a sore thumb.

Four weeks passed, and Pulaski High hosted their first regular season football games that Friday evening against another school in the same district.

As Jenny made her way to the football stadium of their school, she saw this guy who stood alone on the tarmac behind the stands who definitely waited on someone. He wore a brown jersey with dark-blue jeans and black sneakers. His five-foot-seven-inch frame seemed quite tense almost like he was out of place. When she came closer to this person, Jenny recognized the short, fairly dark-brown hair, fair complexion, and searching brown eyes of this seventeen-or-so-year-old guy.

Hi, and what are you doing here? You already caught onto football? Jenny asked Shawn. She teased, as she did not figure him to be into football at all, maybe baseball or rather target shooting.

Hi, Jenny, Shawn greeted her. He felt more comfortable then to chat with her and not to stand around like an idiot while he waited for Eric.

As they say, ‘When in Rome, do what the Romans do.’ I am actually thinking of trying out for one of the baseball teams in your school, Shawn said. He felt stupid then for referring to Pulaski High as Jenny’s school, for it was actually his school also.

Yeah, you must when it is in season.

So, umm, do you partake in any sports in school? Shawn tried some small talk with Jenny, though he was a bit tense, not used to be talking to girls too much especially ones he did not really know.

A little bit, yes. I am part of the track team of our school. I love running, but I must say, I am not much of a sports fanatic, she said while she scouted for Christine and her other friends she waited for as arranged.

Just as their conversation started to dribble down, Eric arrived at the right moment. Hellos, hellos, he greeted them, dressed in a casual gray tracksuit pants and matching top and sneakers.

Hi, you must be Eric? Jenny introduced herself.

Yes, that is right. Did my reputation precede me again? Eric asked very seriously. Hey, bud. Eric lightly punched Shawn on the shoulder and stared peculiarly at this girl with Shawn. Jenny folded her arms slightly over her body as she pressed her thin jersey against herself when a light cool breeze blew past them.

Jenny laughed at Eric’s comment. Shawn smiled as well. He looked at Jenny’s smile and saw her dimple again on her left cheek and remembered the first time he saw it in the hallways some days ago.

No, I just remembered your name when you introduced yourself the other day in class.

Well, I must have made quite an impression on you to have remembered my name. Eric flirted a little with her, with Shawn quite surprised at a side of Eric he has not seen yet.

No, umm, I am very good with names in general, she replied. Shawn just laughed at Jenny, who got all tensed up as she tried to explain herself with her left hand that waved sort of in the air, and she turned all red in her face.

Jenny saw her friends had arrived and made their way to the stairs to the back of the stands to go watch some football.

Guys, I have to go now. Christine and…—she paused and thought they probably don’t really know her friends by name, so why bother?—my friends arrived to watch some football. She stepped away from them as soon as she could.

Oh, OK, see you, Eric said. Shawn greeted her softly and rather waved his left hand more.

Jenny felt bad to leave them cold like that and turned around. You guys must come watch the games on the stands with us. There’s a game to be played in like a few minutes.

Thank you, Shawn replied, although he did not really take notice of her invite and headed off with Eric to go buy a soda and Eric a hotdog.

Come on, we go sit with Jenny and them. I mean, she did invite us, Eric insisted a while later after their purchase. Shawn declined and took a sip from his cola again. He picked up that Coca-Cola did taste a little different to him in America than it did back home, or so he thought. He actually enjoyed the taste more back home.

Eric, she meant in general, we can also sit on the stands close to them. Not that we must sit with them. Shawn got a little annoyed, for he did not want to look like a dork to go sit with Jenny and her friends and be ignored by them and feel like a total wannabe, but Eric insisted. Eric did not listen while they marched up the stands to where Jenny sat. Shawn hesitantly followed him as casually as he could and pretended to be just around.

Hi, guys, Jenny greeted them, a little bemused when Eric took up a seat right next to her.

Eric, being his funny self, started to crack a few jokes and casually started to chat with Jenny. Shawn also slowly partook in the conversation after the ice got broken of the initial awkwardness of them taking up a seat next to her as if they were all friends. Eric and Jenny at first had to explain the game of football to Shawn, who had no clue about the game. Shawn had a hard time getting used to them changing so much between offense and defense on the field as it is with football, not quite like rugby back home. Jenny just smiled at all of Shawn’s questions, which got answered by Eric. She’s not met someone his age yet that did not know anything about football.

Christine, who sat to the other side of Jenny, also leaned over Jenny a while later to join somewhat in the conversation and the jokes.

Not long after, the four of them actually had a really nice chat while they glanced every now and again to the football match played down below. They watched the downs being played by the second team of their school. They had a chat about their hobbies, music, and all the schools they’ve attended thus far. Shawn somehow enjoyed observing Christine explain with some emotion her frustration and joy she’s had in her old middle school. She just had this energy and radiance about her. As Shawn looked across Eric and Jenny at Christine’s brown eyes that sparkled, the last bit of sun that caressed her slightly tanned skin, her mahogany brown hair that waved in the light breeze, Shawn could not help but notice her exceptional beauty. She played with her fingers while she talked to Eric and Shawn almost like she counted her words to be very precise as to what she said and did. Only later would Shawn realize why she was tensed up.

Matt’s friends made sly remarks to each other about Christine and Jenny’s chat with the insignificant newbies of their school whenever Eric laughed out loud and all around looked at him. Matt stood up and called Christine to go down the stands with him. He scowled at her for mixing with Jenny’s loser buddies, Shawn and Eric. Christine was upset when she marched back up to her group of friends and did not go sit next to Jenny anymore but rather next to Matt.

After the games, each went home, with Shawn gone to bed. He was a little tired, though he did enjoy his first sports event at his new school.

CHAPTER 2

The days progressed, with Karen joining the school choir, and Shawn, aged seventeen, excited to try to get his learner’s permit soon, to be able to learn to drive. Shawn was a little behind Eric and Peter. Eric has recently obtained his intermediate license, and Peter would soon be able to upgrade to his once he turned sixteen years of age. At age sixteen, you could obtain your intermediate license in Arkansas, which allows you to drive a car under certain special conditions until you’re eighteen years of age and able to obtain your full driver’s license. Back in South Africa, one could only get a learner’s license at age sixteen, and then you need to be accompanied by a licensed driver until eighteen years of age at all times until you pass your driver’s test. Shawn had a tough time to get approved to book for his learner’s permit writing test. He had not attended an American school long enough yet to fulfill the attendance requirements properly and also did not have the GPA (grade point average) score yet to boot, but he did get the OK in the end from the Arkansas State Police to book the test when ready.

It always aggravates me when guys like Steven Rasser score such high marks for tests like these, and the teacher realizes that the test was not too difficult because the average is pushed up higher due to a few doing extremely well, Simon voiced his dislike when he briefly sat with Eric and Shawn again in the cafeteria. He was upset at the poor mark he received for the geography test they answered a few days earlier.

Both Eric and Shawn were also upset about the marks they received, for they were sure to score at least above 60 percent, which they didn’t. Shawn stressed a bit, as back home, geography used to be his best subject, but it seemed like math was his best nowadays, and even that wasn’t all roses. He still had a lot of catching up to do.

Cycling home after school, Shawn thought a lot about taking up karate again, like he used to do back in South Africa, and decided to inquire at a few dojos in town after he got hold of some of their addresses on the Internet at school.

It looked like the real thing you always see on TV, Shawn thought about the third dojo he visited after school the next day. The dojo has a sensei that actually got taught some karate in Okinawa in Japan, and he had his fifth dan already in karate education. Shawn was incredibly lucky to have found a dojo that does a style of karate that adheres to very much the same strict traditions as that of the Goju Ryo style of karate, with classes being taught in a mix of the Japanese and English language. It did not take Shawn long to decide to give this one a go after he watched a class being taught at the time. He was very impressed and felt at home with the style of karate, as it was very close to the style of karate he got taught back in South Africa. He was allowed to join a class with other blue-belt level students, the same level as he was at after he provided his certificates of past gradings he’s had as proof. He, though, was not allowed to attend the current gradings under way yet, for he had to prove himself knowledgeable first to the standard and technique required at the particular dojo for the level he was at.

Shawn was dragged into his first group assignment that counted toward his geography class mark. They had to assess the vegetation and geography to be found around the David D. Terry Park, southeast of Little Rock. The group convened the following Tuesday afternoon at a Wendy’s downtown fairly close to school to discuss how to go about the assignment. Shawn was relieved to be asked by one of the other group members to join their group. At least he got to meet some of his other classmates as well, although by necessity. He still felt very much cut out from school socially given how things were back in his old school, where he knew almost everyone in his grade, although there too not considered popular. Shawn sat down with the group to enjoy his first Jr. Cheeseburger Deluxe meal and just listened to everyone else give their opinions before he uttered something, for he did not know a great deal about the park, let alone where it was.

It just so happened that Christine and Jenny also popped into the same Wendy’s at the same time. They wanted to pick up a lemonade drink each before they attended a meeting at school, the first of many to plan for the homecoming dance to be held soon, as they were junior members of the homecoming committee. They knew the other members of the geography group and sat down for a short while to chat with them. Eventually, Christine and Shawn ended up to share a few sentences about past bicycle accidents they’ve had when they were younger, not that Christine had many stories to tell, as unlike Shawn that have grown up next to a farm and a mountain back in South Africa and cycled often, she was more used to chauffeurs that took her around.

Although Pulaski High was a medium-sized public school, it did cater to the wealthy area it was close to with its good grades and facilities that pulled some well-to-do parents to place their kids rather in Pulaski High than in some of the private schools close by.

A few days later, Eric realized for the first time the benefits to play dumpy when a beautiful sophomore (tenth grade) girl asked him if she and her friends could play with them. They’ve watched for some time already Eric and the others enjoy the game a few yards away from them. Elizabeth wanted to get to know these guys, especially Eric, whom she fancied. The girls knew Eric and them were a bit nerdish to play silly games like that and not hang out with the cool juniors in school, though. Elizabeth still persuaded her friends to pretend to want to play, to use the game as an excuse to get to chat with these guys and for her to suss out Eric. After she asked politely, Elizabeth got a little annoyed when she had to wait on Eric for so long to agree while he looked at Elizabeth and then at her friends. Shawn and the others just continued to play and were not bothered by the potential new opponents, although they’ve seen the girls around. Speechless for a few seconds and contemplating if it was a stunt they pulled, Eric agreed to let them play, like, obviously! He did look around to see if it might be some kind of a prank. What girl in her right mind would want to play this hand tennis game? Sure, it is a nice game, but hey, come on, image!

Eric felt that warm feeling in his heart and was quite excited at this lovely girl who actually wanted to play dumpy for real. He’s been eyeing Elizabeth for a few days already. He’s seen her stand around with her friends fairly close to them while he and the others played dumpy. He’s heard them giggle every so often and have seen the girls look in their direction. Eric even informed Shawn about these girls who watched them play from afar before.

Elizabeth actually found the guys OK to be with, especially with them being a little older than the guys in their own grade. Elizabeth and two of her other friends also tried a go at dumpy; Zeya and April, who were all fairly new in school and not part of the elusive clicks of their grade. The girls mostly kept to themselves until then where they’d hang out at the back of the school during recess.

Eric explained the rules quickly to the three girls, while Shawn and the others played and then let them give it a go as well. Elizabeth was the first in line to try it out. She played really well and even knocked Shawn out of the game a few minutes later. Being quite into her sports, Elizabeth was very athletic and even played for one of the girls’ soccer teams and basketball teams in school. Elizabeth was quite beautiful with light blonde hair cut in a bob that she put in a lot of care to straighten daily, as she actually had natural curly hair. Her brown eyes have stolen quite a few smiles from Eric already. Eric was quite chuffed after their break ended and smiled from ear to ear because he finally got to meet Elizabeth.

The next day Elizabeth tried her hand at dumpy again with some of her friends that also gave it a go. Stephanie Mowler, one of Elizabeth’s other friends, introduced Zeya Mirnoye to Shawn while they waited in line to play.

Shawn struggled a bit over his words and just got out a hello to Zeya. He was quite nervous, and he felt his hands sweat a little. Zeya was really beautiful, just like a Russian model, petite with long, light-brown hair tied up in a French pony. Her face had near-flawless skin with no wrinkles and a very fair complexion with two blue eyes that seemed able to look right into your soul. She just smiled at Shawn and barely got a hello out herself with her teeth that just glinted white from behind her soft lips. She too was quite shy at first.

What an interesting surname, Shawn replied eventually. He tried to keep the conversation going a bit after his first blunder. He looked on at the guys playing dumpy and wished it to be his turn because he felt awkward and did not really know what else to say to Zeya, who just stood behind him in the row. She did not respond right away to his remark, which made him feel more uncomfortable.

It is Russian… My parents are Russian… I am Russian, Zeya answered him, hesitant at first to inform him of her being an immigrant.

Jeepers, you get like the weirdest surnames here in America, Peter responded, who also happened to be listening in on their conversation from where he stood in line behind Zeya and Stephanie.

Sure, look at me, Shawn replied about his de Vos surname. Zeya actually laughed then and felt a little better after Shawn informed her about him being a recent immigrant as well. Zeya asked Shawn a few questions about South Africa. She felt a little bit more at ease with him then when she sort of felt a connection with Shawn, who was also an immigrant. Zeya came from Russia having only immigrated to the United States four years ago and was still adjusting into her new country, although she has made huge strides already.

A few days later, when Jenny strolled out of their English class down the hallway next to Shawn and Eric, she told them about her accident she had with Matt’s car. As she opened his passenger right back door, she bumped it against a lamppost next to the car the day before. She still felt bad about it while she showed them descriptively with her hands what had happened. Shawn was actually glad to hear this, for he knew Matt to be the guy who pushed him out of the way the other day and still remembered that. Somehow, Shawn did not get a liking to this seemingly much-adored Matt Robsen. Christine was behind them and overheard them talk and got upset at Shawn’s joyful reaction to Jenny’s story. Christine then interrupted them and told Shawn exactly where to get off. Shawn tried to apologize, but Christine went on. Shawn, Matt is a good guy. You must learn to like him like I do. You’re new in school, and already you can form opinions about other people you don’t even know. Who the hell do you think you are! She said it out loud to his face with some other students that overheard her in the passage. Annoyed, she left them after she threw her bag with her books in it over her right shoulder and walked off. Her long hair swayed from side to side as she moved briskly through the droves of students.

Shawn just stood there speechless then moved forward. Shawn, don’t bother. Leave her, Jenny intercepted Shawn, who wanted to make amends with Christine. Jenny also left them then, as she did not want Christine to think that she was too friendly with the newbies.

What is your problem, Shawn, too tired to run with us boys to the end out there? Paul, a stocky, well-built friend of Matt, asked this newbie while they were in PT class. Shawn was not able to complete the one-mile warm-up run with the other boys, and he got excused, with him not able to keep up. Shawn was upset because he realized that he’s been more tired lately than ever before in his life. It might be due to him still adjusting to his new surroundings or the stress that took its toll on him after the big move, although he’s felt tired of late back in South Africa as well.

Outside the locker rooms, Eric comforted Shawn for the insults he had to endure. Shawn headed home and did not feel any better. He felt like he was headed nowhere to fitting in, in school. To think, I still have almost two more years to endure in this school, Shawn thought to himself as he cycled back home with his sister after school. Karen too struggled a bit to adjust well in school.

One good thing for Shawn a few days later was that their geography group project was finished, and their group handed it in on the due date, with Shawn having to sit up till late the night before to type it all out on the computer, which was his task of the project. He also had to add a small description of some small pond of water he studied in the park. Not a minute too soon, for all the teachers picked up the pace at which they went through the schoolwork.

Before Shawn knew it, he brushed past Christine when he stepped out of their French language class they just had. He’s avoided her for a few days already. For a split second, they stared at one another, with Shawn that caved in first. Christine, I am really sorry about what I said to Jenny about Matt’s car the other day. I did not know that you two were going out, I mean dating. Shawn struggled a bit with the proper English. I am really sorry. He lied, though, and did not look her in the eye.

Christine hesitated and looked around. She did not see any of her friends around. She thought to herself that if she was one of them, they’d tell Shawn right there to get lost, but she knew that he was new in school and still tried to find his place and decided to accept his apology instead.

Shawn, Matt is my boyfriend and a swell guy. You just got to get to know him like I do. I like him a lot and won’t tolerate other people who enjoy Matt’s mishaps. You understand? Christine said in a stern voice to Shawn.

It was not nice of me, Christine. I apologize for my behavior, Shawn replied, though he thought that it was in any way of no use, as Christine and he would probably not be friends or even be on speaking terms anymore. Christine did accept his apology, and they actually ended up chatting a little longer while they walked toward the cafeteria. Christine told Shawn about her practicing to become a varsity cheerleader soon to prance around on the field during school sporting events in the near future, with it being a wish of hers for some time. Someone called Christine, and she left Shawn by the cafeteria doors to go in the opposite direction.

Shawn just looked peculiarly at Eric’s smile when he arrived at their usual cafeteria table with his tray filled with food and drink. Shawn actually had to search for a seat near Eric, with their usual table almost full of people.

What? I couldn’t just let them stand around the cafeteria all day, Eric said and threw his hands in the air while he tried to justify himself to a confused Shawn. Eric invited Elizabeth and her friends to sit with them at their table that day because the cafeteria was quite full at the time. Eric moved aside for Shawn to sit next to him. Shawn and Peter, who also joined them the day at their table, wondered what the others in the cafeteria thought about their table that day. To have some girls at their table meant they’d not look as nerdish as usual.

Besides, there’s enough space here usually, right? Eric continued as he whispered to Shawn, as he did not want the girls to hear him continue to explain the situation to Shawn, who finally squeezed in next to him. That was true for the space, for not many or anyone else yet wanted to sit with them regularly besides Randy and Clive.

Admit it, Eric, you do like Elizabeth. Peter pressed Eric to admit to it after they played dumpy and walked off to class a few days later. Peter noticed it in Eric’s behavior around Elizabeth. The girls hung out with the guys almost daily during recess since and even ate with them more regularly in the cafeteria of late.

OK, OK, so I like her maybe a little. Eric turned red in the face, not happy that his friends saw the signs, so to speak. In fact, Eric basically could not keep his eyes off Elizabeth.

So ask her out to a movie or something, Peter proposed while they proceeded up some stairs to their next class.

Hey, wait a bit. I hardly know her, Eric replied. He wondered what to say to get out of the conversation at hand, for he felt uncomfortable to talk about it just yet. We’ve just met like three weeks ago… Shawn, umm, why don’t you pull a move on Zeya? We all know you like her, making silly mistakes to fall in line behind her just to talk to her. Eric tried to get the attention off him.

Excuse me, I absolutely do not go out of a game unless I am caught out for real, Shawn replied. He also got red in the face then. He did not expect his friends to have picked up on that move in order to talk so much more to Zeya during recess. With both of them quite shy, Shawn and Zeya almost never deliberately chatted with one another during break, not even in the cafeteria while they ate, and to stand in line to wait to play was the perfect place to just happen to be together, Shawn knew.

Eric was very glad when they reached their next class and rushed in to grab his seat to avoid any more questions about Elizabeth, and so was Shawn, who just kept quiet and slipped into class right behind Eric.

Shawn and Eric started to play chess casually after school on Mondays for a few hours or so against Julian Smorack, a tall African American classmate of theirs, and his friend Samuel, both seniors. Both Shawn and Eric were used to playing chess for their previous schools and also just for fun. Julian was eager to acquire new players for the school’s chess team and randomly invited them to try it out with them new in school. Obviously, Randy and Clive were already members. Shawn and Eric did not tell too many people about them playing chess just yet, as this was, well, not really a sport and not considered the coolest activity in school yet.

Hey, bud, guess what? Eric pressed Shawn, being very pleased with himself.

No, what’s up, Eric? Shawn asked, interested. He’s not seen Eric this enthusiastic yet while they washed their hands in the bathroom after their break.

The girls—as Eric commonly referred to Elizabeth and her friends by then—asked you, me, and Peter out to an ice cream this Friday after school. Isn’t it cool? Eric said while he checked if his hair sat right in the mirror to the wall, just in case, after he washed his hands.

What? Really? At an ice cream parlor? Shawn asked skeptically, with thoughts of Zeya running through his mind quickly when he turned off the tap of cold water that still ran over his right hand. Eric just nodded with some other guys around them then to wash their hands.

Yup, at a real ice cream parlor, Eric said, who looked a little weird at Shawn. I mean, where else would you go to? he thought.

You realize I’ve never been to a real ice cream parlor before—well, not an American one, that is—not to mention with girls too, Shawn explained to Eric while they walked toward the doorway that led out of the bathroom. They just shook off the water from their hands. They did not want to blow them dry and let the other guys hear them talk.

Yeah, I would not say that out too loud, Eric remarked when they walked past some other guys who entered the bathroom. But same goes for me too sadly, Eric said, with Pocahontas and the other small towns he’s been in thus far not really having pure ice cream parlors but more general convenience stores with maybe an ice cream counter or a small outlet at a filling station.

"Do all of you understand why h is heading for zero but will never reach it? Mrs. Bailey, their math teacher, asked her students in class. Shawn just lay on his arms. Do you understand, Shawn, because it seems that the class is boring you?"

"Ah, ma’am, you see, being that h is bigger than zero growing smaller, he has to go nearer to zero and…" The bell rang, which answered Shawn’s prayers.

That’s all, class. Remember, Monday’s class test. Bye, you all, their teacher reminded them.

What crap was that—being bigger than zero going to zero—nonsense were you talking about? Peter asked Shawn when they walked out of class.

I do not have a clue as to what was explained just now by Mrs. Bailey, Shawn confirmed.

Bigger than zero going toward zero, Jenny mocked Shawn too when she walked past him and laughed.

Zeya walked up to Shawn after recess the next day and pondered the question she had while she pretended to also be going the same way as Shawn to another class. Are you still on for ice cream this afternoon, Shawn? she asked hesitantly and tried to observe some kind of a smile on Shawn’s face that may indicate if he’s keen or not. She felt silly to go out of her way to ask him that, but they have not had a chance yet to chat the day in the line.

Umm, sure, I’ll be there, Zeya, he replied. He smiled shyly at her, with them experiencing those awkward silent moments between each other where they just looked at each other with both who wanted to say so much but the tongue unwilling to speak what’s on the mind.

Cool, then I’ll see you later, was all Zeya could get out eventually and let him be with a quick smile before she disappeared around the one corner in the hallway.

Shawn and Eric dressed as cool as their clothes allowed them. They both cycled to the ice cream parlor on Chenal Parkway, slowly not to sweat too much along the way. Zeya’s mom lent Zeya her cell phone in case of an emergency or to come pick her up before the time they agreed if need be, as she did not really know the guys Zeya was to hang out with when she dropped her off at Elizabeth’s house. Elizabeth’s mom then took the girls to the ice cream parlor.

Shawn was very impressed with all the different flavors to choose from inside the shop. All of them had a hard time to decide what flavored ice cream to buy.

There are such a lot to choose from, Eric sighed with Elizabeth, who decided for Eric what to have, for he was clueless.

Peter decided upon a scoop of chocolate chip and one of vanilla. Shawn took the rum and raisin and apple scoops. Shawn was relieved that the prices were not too steep and offered to pay for Zeya’s ice cream too. She was quite surprised and happily accepted Shawn’s offer, with her giving Elizabeth a look of excitement. They all went to go sit at a big table to chat while each licked the ice cream before it dripped onto their clothes. Shawn and Zeya made jokes about the ice cream that was about to drip on their clothes with them sitting next to each other. It was so magical the tensions felt between them. Shawn thought of himself and Zeya, being unsure yet happy at the same time. He loved the sparkle in her eyes and the smell of her perfume when he got whiffs of it when the shop’s air con blew it over to him after he sat closer to her. Their table roared with laughter at Eric who made some witty remarks. They sure