A Bollywood Senior Year

(1) NO SUCH WORD AS “LOVE” IN MICKEY’S BOOK

The smelly, overweight passenger next to him was really starting to annoy Mickey. If anything, he shouldn’t even be here right now. Repulsive fumes coming from the passenger’s clothing was making him ill and queasy. Inhaling spice this early in the morning is never a good thing, especially over a period of 17 hours. The moment was absolutely depressing for Mickey. It should’ve been reserved for something much more gratifying. All things considered, savoring the last homecoming game of Mickey’s high school career is exactly how his Saturday morning should have been going. Or even better, partying it up on Martinez’s yacht from sunrise to sundown. But the greatest perk that comes with being a high school superstar is waking up in the bed with some of the prettiest girls ever. Pretty girls like oh let’s say, Abella Stewart. And she was the prettiest of them all. Most men defined her as the “Goddess of High School!”

But no matter how many times Mickey went over it in his head, he could not change the fact that he was on a 17 hour flight straight to India. How could he even think about anything else?

He took a deep breath and leaned his head against the icy, cold window. How long since he’d last been on U.S. soil? Not even four hours. And even that seemed like an eternity.

The past few days he’d hardly slept. It was just too depressing to sleep. Even a stolen bottle of Jack from the fridge and some sesame seeds could not knock him out. This would usually do the trick in situation like this. Except for one significant detail, he was never in a situation like this.

His mind wandered in and out, reminiscing about his last Friday in the U.S. That day was perfect, like most were for him. When you’re the most popular senior in the country, it’s kind of hard for it not to be. His day started out with him picking up his girlfriend, Kristina, that very morning. They had been dating for an eternity in Mickey’s book. It has been nearly three days and counting.

He pulled up next to the curb in his brand new, black E350 Mercedes-Benz. Mickey scanned his surroundings. To his right was an all pink mansion, with yellow shutters and a purple front door. It resembled a house from a cartoon. The upstairs window was wide open and Kristina had just come out of the shower. Under normal circumstances, he would have actually enjoyed the view. But this was not one of those times. He was getting late for school while Kristina was just frolicking around in a towel. It was like she was not even trying to draw attention to herself. What girl stands in front of the window with nothing but a towel on, going through her clothes? Even the old geezer walking his dog could not help but to stare. He had to be like 80 years old and could easily pass as her great, great grandfather. It was shameful. He was drooling more than his dog was.

Frustrated with the old man checking out his girl, Mickey pounded his fist against the steering wheel. The old man jolted at the sound of the horn and ran away before Kristina could get to the window.

“Just a second baby!” said Kristina, coming to the window and not ashamed at all of being clad in a towel. “I’m almost done.”

“Hurry up sweetheart, we’re getting late.”

“Okay just a few more seconds… Unless of course you would like to help me?”

She gave Mickey a naughty wink but he did not give in to her seduction. Mickey simply replied with a smirk of his own before shaking his head.

He was not about to join her. Although, it was tempting. He could feel his inner dog coming out of him. Women always had a way of making him feel better and blonde girls were by far the best. He’d discovered that two days ago in the men’s restroom of Hooters.

Just sitting there made him wonder about it even more. If he went five minutes ago he might have been done by now. Maybe he could work something out in the car? But school was about to start in 10 minutes and he’d be cutting it real close.

Oh well. Mickey pushed the door wide open but hesitated once again. He could not risk being sluggish for the game tonight. But his dog radar was going off like crazy and he needed to stay calm. Mickey took a deep breath and quickly gathering himself before shutting the door. He was upset at himself but there was nothing he could or should do.

Before he knew it, Kristina was already in the car and squeaking her voice. She wore a black mini skirt, gold stripper heels, and a purple hair band. Her hair was nice and straight with streaks of brown. But she had way too much makeup on like she was trying to hide the pimple on her forehead.

If it was one thing Mickey loathed in life it was intimacy. Unless of course it was in the bedroom but that’s not exactly considered intimacy in Mickey’s book. For him, intimacy was reserved love. But what exactly was love to Mickey? He most certainly did not love Kristina. When she would put her hand on his, Mickey would look the other way or pull away. He also avoided conversations with her. Mickey was afraid that she might ask about furthering their relationship, which he most certainly did not want.

The entire car ride Mickey did not say a word and neither did Kristina. Well how could she? The music was blasting so loud it was difficult to even think straight, let alone speak.

School was within a block away and it just dawned on Mickey that he was supposed to break up with Kristina that very morning. His entire high school career, no one knew the truth about Mickey’s past. They still think he is single and he intends to keep it that way.

He stopped the car, shaded under a tree and out of sight.

“Why did you stop?” asked Kristina before quickly grinning. She must have thought Mickey wanted to do something naughty by the way she ran her fingers down his well-defined chest. “Oh I see why.”

Poor girl did not see at all. He stopped her hand before she went any further and cupped her face.

Mickey looked deep into her eyes and inched his face closer to hers. “Look sweetheart, being the most popular boy in school is tough and-”

Her eyes were closed, seemingly mesmerized by the warmth of Mickey’s breath. “Ah huh.”

Mickey was getting ever closer to her lips. He would barely graze her lips and pull away right as they touched. Mickey was teasing her on every word he spoke. “And I don’t want these animals to surround you like they do to me. So I was thinking….it would be best…that you… get out right here.”

Kristina was not thinking clearly at all and agreed to every word Mickey was saying. He could’ve asked her for her soul and she would’ve given it to him.

“Yeah okay,” said Kristina, breathing heavily. Not being able to take the seduction anymore, she forcefully moved herself closer to Mickey.

Yet the moment their lips touched, Mickey jerked himself back.

He scooted far away from her, almost at the edge of the door. Mickey was not even looking at her and his face was expressionless. “Good now get out of the car!”

Kristina was at a loss of words. How do you even respond to something like that? Her boyfriend just told her to pretty much walk the rest of the way.

She opened her mouth, ready to say something but Mickey reached across her body and unlocked the door for her. In Mickey’s book, he was being a perfectly gentleman by pushing the door wide open.

Kristina looked at Mickey and the wide open door nearly 10 times before brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Okay.”

She sniffled as she gathered her belongings. They weren’t really many belongings per say, just a purse. No books, no backpack, and no pencils. Nothing school related and rightfully so, seeing as she was the school ditz. Yet, just grabbing that purse took her nearly a century for her to get out of the car.

And finally when she did get out of the car, she just stood in front of the door not allowing it to close.

But Kristina kept her eyes locked on Mickey, who did not at all look her way. He didn’t really care. To him, she was just a one-night stand that got clingy. But to her, he was something more than that. She had a look of concern in her eyes, not sure if she should be hurt or worried.

Her feelings for Mickey were much greater than she imagined and she might as well express them before it’s too late. Kristina walked a little closer to the car. “Um, I think love you Mi-”

“Okay bye!” said Mickey, flinging his letterman jacket in her face before she could utter his name. This knocked her back a few steps and that little nudge allowed Mickey to drive off without actually hitting her with his car.

He drove off as fast as he could towards the school without even taking a second look in his rear view mirror. Mickey did not care to see if she was okay or not. He did not care if she got mugged or raped. All he cared about was getting to school on time, and for good reason.