Lady in Red Ch. 02

For his part, Steve wasted no time catching up to Gwen as they left homeroom for their English class. Gwen felt a tingle of pride to have Steve walk her down the halls where the other students could see for themselves that the star quarterback was, indeed, walking with the class "braniac".

Steve took a seat directly behind Gwen, who sat in the front row. Charlotte sat across from her in another front seat. Mark, Bev, and Barry came in together and sat nearby. Steve saw a very attractive, petite blonde girl enter and look around at the gathered students.

"You're Steve Hammer? Did you receive the required reading list for this class? If so, did you have time to read all four novels? Will you require any extra time to complete the assignment," quizzed the pretty girl.

"I'm on the last chapter of the fourth novel. I'll have them all read by tomorrow morning. Thanks for asking," replied Steve politely, but with some confusion. "How about you? Did you read all of them, or will you need more time?"

The entire class broke into laughter as the petite blonde cracked a huge smile. "I'm sorry, Steve. I should have introduced myself. I'm your instructor, Ashley Summers. I had everyone else in this room in my English class last year, so I know them all, and they know me. You're not the first person to mistake me for a student. I think you'll enjoy this class, but probably not as much as you enjoyed last Saturday night. I saw the video, probably about twelve times. It was remarkable. We have some real talent in this class."

The rest of the morning was a blur for Steve. He had to leave Gwen after English class to go to his math class. Gwen's schedule called for History in the room they had just used, so she remained behind as he wandered into the hall. His hesitation prompted Charlotte to offer her help, which Steve gratefully accepted.

"I hope you realize that I'm risking my reputation for you, Steve. Half the school thinks I must be a dyke because I'm thin, smart, sarcastic, and have never been seen with a boy. The latter is not by choice, I might add. I'm afraid I like boys better than they like me. I don't have Gwen's figure. In fact, I never knew that Gwen had Gwen's figure! Anyway, I'm not a dyke, so don't believe anyone that tells you differently, okay?"

"I know better than to believe crap like that. I won't listen to anyone bad talking one of my friends, Charlotte. I value loyalty in others and try to be loyal to my friends in return. You're an attractive girl, so why no dates? Think guys are intimidated by your brains?" asked Steve as they walked through the halls.

"Hey, Steve! Don't tell me that you're hanging with that scarecrow now," joked Billy Marsh, the football team's center.

Billy was a big, likable kid that carried more than a few extra pounds. Steve and he had become friendly over the weeks they had practiced together on the team. Steve worked to conceal his irritation at Billy's insensitive remarks.

"Billy, my class room is here. Charlotte was kind enough to show me how to get here and I appreciate her help. To answer you're surprisingly cruel comment, I'm going to be hanging with Charlotte quite a bit. Is that a problem? I happen to think she's a very bright, friendly, nice girl. I want you to walk with her to her next class and use that time to apologize for being such an ass. I'll be seeing her at the class meeting later today and if she gives me anything but a glowing report about how contrite you were, I'll be doing a prostate exam for you every time you snap the ball to me," threatened Steve quietly as he stopped by his classroom door. "Show some pride, for God's sake, and treat the lady with respect."

Charlotte was amazed to see Billy Marsh blush at Steve's remarks and even more surprised when he hurried to catch her as she walked toward her classroom.

"Charlotte, I was being a jerk. I know I was and I'm sorry. I'm not good at talking to girls the way Steve is, so I try to make a joke of everything. I'm just not smooth with pretty girls like you. I really didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I wish I was more like you instead of a ball of lard like I am," revealed Billy.

Charlotte stopped in her tracks and turned to Billy. "Did you just call me pretty, Billy? We've been in the same class for twelve years and you've never said a single nice thing to me, even after I helped you pass that biology test two years ago. I thought you hated me, or thought I was gay or something."

"Naw, I know you're not gay. I was just too shy to say anything that might let you know that I liked you," confessed Billy.

"But why would I ever think that you liked me? You've never done anything but call me names, like scarecrow. Believe me, that isn't the way to get a girl to like you."

"That's why. If you knew that I really liked you, you'd laugh at me. Heck, you've called me "fat boy" all through high school. I know girls don't go for guys like me, so I pretend that I don't care. If I asked you on a date, you'd tell everybody what a lame clown I was, so I settle for our little name calling battles. I'm really sorry for being such a jerk to you Charlotte. A nice girl like you deserves a lot better," added Billy as he turned into his classroom, leaving Charlotte to her confusion.

Steve's third class was quite far from his math classroom, so he asked a random guy if he could direct him to it.

"I'm in that class. I'll walk you there," interrupted an attractive red headed girl that had been standing nearby. "I'm Rachel Burdick. I saw the football game Friday and you were amazing, Steve! You're so tall and strong. Everyone thought we'd never win a game this year until they saw you play. Now we might win the league."

The red head was still talking to Steve when they reached the physics classroom and walked in together. Gwen had been turned in her seat so she could chat with her friend Mark when she saw Steve and Rachel walk through the doorway laughing.

"Hey, Gwen! I guess you must know Rachel. She's in my math class and this physics class, too. Rachel, you know Gwen, don't you?" asked a clueless Steve as he wandered into the room and took a seat near Gwen.

"Hello, Gwen. I was just telling Steve how pleased I am that he's going to our school. The football team looks way better this year and he's the biggest reason why," gushed Rachel.

"I feel the same way, Rachel, and told him so Saturday night while we were dancing," replied Gwen with a fake smile. "He's very modest and a bit naïve at times, but he sure can dance, as well as play football."

"You were dancing with Steve Saturday night? I went away with my family Saturday morning and got back late last night. I guess I missed more than I realized," reasoned Rachel.

"Not a problem," chirped in Charlotte. "Just search YouTube for Dave Kite's page. To be more specific, search for "Lady in Red". I just did that very thing. The dance is on there, along with Steve tossing Gwen in the swimming pool yesterday. Both videos have a lot of hits, but the swim suit issue appears to be headed for immortality. You really should watch both videos!"

Gwen flashed her friend a smile as she considered the situation. Rachel was a beautiful red head with a great figure and she dressed to show it off. Steve had to have noticed. Was this the beginning of the end? Could she keep Steve's interest with so many beautiful girls trying to reel him in? Relationships weren't easy!

It was just before one PM when Ms. Walker called the class to attention. "As you all know, I'm your class advisor. I won't take too much of your time. I just want to cover the basics this afternoon. Every year, the senior class picks a project and raises money for it. At graduation, the school board and principal will dedicate the project and place a plaque with the class year on it for recognition. Last year the seniors bought a new score board for the football field.

"I'm not here to dismiss their efforts, but at the time it struck me as a bit shallow. Can't we come up with some cause better than a scoreboard, or a few new computers? Then it came to me as I was reading over the list of students in this year's senior class. I'm going way out on a limb with this, but we'll either set this place on its ear, or we'll go up in flames. I want to raise money for the hospital, and I'm not talking about a heart monitor or a few stethoscopes. I want this class to start a fund to expand the hospital!"

"Ms. Walker! That would take hundreds of thousands of dollars, at least!" protested Ed Miller, the class president. "The most any class has ever raised is about four grand. That wouldn't be enough to pay an architect to draw up the plans."

"You're quite correct, Ed. We can't raise enough, so why try? Maybe we can buy the baseball team new uniforms. That would be nice, wouldn't it? That's the suggestion I found in my mailbox this morning. You kids decide. Would you like to start something that would make a real difference to this community, or work to help some sports team feel better dressed?"

"Ms. Walker, I'm for your idea 100%," declared a surprisingly assertive Charlotte. "I want to be a doctor and the hospital we have here is way too small. They have trouble recruiting good staff because they have so few beds. Doctors have to split their time between here and Benson General in the next county. I think we should start a fund, and be the first donors, for a children's wing. That's what the area really needs! That's how we can do the most good for this community!"

It was off to the races after that. Some students felt it would require far too much time, money and effort, but the idea took root and grew. By the end of the meeting, each student pledged to do as much as they could for whatever fund raisers they attempted. Even if the money were left in a fund of some sort that was earmarked for a children's wing, it would be a start and others may be encouraged to contribute over time.

"There's just one more thing, and then I'll let you go. I told you that I had the idea while reading the names of those in this year's senior class. The name that caused me to dare this folly was yours, Gwen. You practically have a lock on valedictorian. You want to be a surgeon. And lately, you've been garnering a great deal of publicity, all of it good, by the way. You're limited only by what you can imagine. I want you to be the chairperson for this year long fund raising project, and the sky is the limit. Work with Dave Kite, or at least be sure he is aware of your schedule and plans. He's done a marvelous job of developing a web presence for us. Let's use it to our marketing advantage. We'll try anything if it isn't illegal, or obviously immoral. This class will the very best this school has ever had!" predicted Ms. Walker to the enthusiastic seniors.

Steve congratulated Gwen as everyone filed out of the auditorium. He then turned and headed for the locker room to prepare for football practice. Gwen and Charlotte walked together to Gwen's car.

"Thanks for helping set that red headed witch straight about Steve," began Gwen as they walked. "It isn't easy trying to live up to what I need to be to keep him interested in me. There's a lot of very good competition walking those halls and I feel like they're all after him."

"Let me tell you a few things, Gwen. They are after him! The girls are going to be careful what they say in front of you, but they're all setting their sights on your boyfriend. But," added Charlotte before Gwen could voice her displeasure, "you've got nothing to worry about. I've been getting to know Steve better and he's big on honesty and loyalty. He's also mesmerized by "The Lady in Red". Did you see the video of you and Steve at the pool yet?"

"I didn't even realize that Dave had his video camera with him," admitted Gwen. "It sounds like we'll have to assume that everything we do is going to be on YouTube and conduct ourselves accordingly. What video did he post of the pool party? Did I look fat?"

"I've told you before that I'm not going to spend all my time trying to build up your self esteem," chided Charlotte. "If you thought the dance looked great on YouTube, wait until you watch Steve and you in swimsuits. 'Hot' is the word that comes to mind."

The first week of school, two and half days actually, sped by for Steve, He was determined to do as well as possible in his school work, excel at football, and keep Gwen interested in him. He found that the girls in his classes were overly friendly. Most flirted shamelessly and a few were even more direct. On one level, it was amusing. Steve knew that being the team quarterback as well as the new kid in school made him a target for the more romantically inclined. He also knew it would fade with time. After all, he was just another senior in a class of almost three hundred. The novelty would wear off before long. On another level, Steve found the attention distracting and annoying. He had his sights set on Gwen and didn't need any rumors or stories getting started. He struggled to be patient, polite, and firm when dealing with the girls. They just didn't interest him.

For her part, Gwen was quite busy. She always spent time studying, but now she had the responsibility of the fund raising chairperson, and she had no idea how to proceed. She spent time searching the internet, as well as consulting fellow students and teachers. Ms. Walker's goal was to raise a substantial sum to put toward a new wing at the hospital, but how much would be enough, and how would they raise it? Most senior classes were lucky to donate a couple thousand dollars when they graduate. Added to all of that was her burgeoning romance. Steve was always considerate, but the groupies that he managed to attract were getting to Gwen. Some extremely attractive girls were quite obviously vying for his attention.

Friday night's game was at home, against Oxford High. They had lost the first game of the season by twenty points and Sparta anticipated little problem defeating them. Steve sat the bench for the last quarter of the game after building a 52-12 lead. The final score was 52-26 as the Sparta coach emptied the bench part way through the last quarter. Gwen, Kate, Paula, and Ted all enjoyed the game as well as the attention they received from friends and neighbors. They had always been popular in their home town, but it seemed as if everyone knew that Gwen and Steve were an item. It mostly increased the warmth of the greetings they received. Lisa had returned to college for her junior year, so she did not attend with the family.

"Gwen, it looks like your boyfriend is going to shatter all the passing records at Sparta by midseason," observed Ralph Smith as they filed out of the stands. "He's good enough that a lot of colleges will be taking a long look at granting him a scholarship. I don't know if schools like Stanford will be interested, or not. They play with the big boys for the national championship. Still, he could land a scholarship to a state school and have a free ride in college."

"Mr. Smith, I haven't talked to Steve about colleges, but believe me, Stanford would be foolish to think he can't play with the "big boys" next year," replied Gwen with some emotion. "He'll be able to pick and choose schools by the end of the season. You can take that to your bank!"

Ralph Smith and Ted Anderson exchanged glances with each other at Gwen's strong support of Steve. Paula just patted Gwen's back and smiled to herself. Her daughter was growing up.

The school gym was the setting for the after game dance. Gwen met up with Charlotte and Bev and went inside. Gwen knew that Steve wouldn't be there for another fifteen minutes or so. To her surprise, boys started asking her to dance as soon as the music started. The dances were fast ones and she knew the boys, so she joined them on the floor. She couldn't help think about dances that she had attended in the past where she sat and wished some boy would ask her for a dance. Being taller than many of the boys had always made Gwen self conscious, but since she had been with Steve, she paid less attention to it. Gwen realized that the reason for that was that she used to be looking at dance partners as possible boyfriend material. Now that she had that item taken care of, the height of her dance partners really didn't matter very much. Steve was at least five inches taller than she was.

During a lull in the activities, Gwen was approached by Ms. Walker. "I was wondering, Gwen, if you would be willing to dance to "The Lady in Red" with Steve this evening? Dave Kite just told me that his YouTube videos of you and Steve have so many hits that Google has contacted him for permission to advertise. Dave has promised to donate all proceeds to our senior class building fund. It won't be much right now, but I've a hunch that you and Steve will achieve great things and the more exposure you receive, the better it'll be for the fund. I know this will sound strange, but would it be possible for you to wear red as often as possible? I think it'll help marketing the two of you on the web. "Lady in Red" will become synonymous with Gwen Anderson, dancer, scholar, swim suit model, and who knows what else by the end of the year!"

"Sure, as far as the dance is concerned, Ms. Walker. I'm not all dressed up tonight so it won't be a glamorous video or anything. As far as wearing more red, I'll talk to Mom about it. Once I explain your idea, she'll probably go along with it. She wanted me to get a flashier wardrobe anyway. I'm just not certain that I'll provoke that much interest. I never have before. I think it's Steve that draws the attention. As long as I'm with him, I look better than usual," confessed Gwen. "The rest of the time, I'm rather nondescript."

"That has always been your perception, Gwen, but not everyone else's," assured Ms. Walker. "You have a presence like I've never seen before. Steve radiates it. When you two are together, sparks fly, and people notice. I'm simply trying to take advantage of the heat you two generate, not to sound too metaphorical."

So it was that when Steve made his way across the floor to Gwen, Ms. Walker insisted the DJ play "Lady in Red" for them. She had called the DJ the previous evening to be sure he would have that song with him. By the time Steve and Gwen finished the dance, tears were showing on many teenage girls' cheeks. Ms. Walker smiled as she looked around the gym.

Sparta won its next two games against quality competition. Steve Hammer was becoming known as a passing quarterback like few high schools had ever seen. His height, strength, and calm demeanor allowed him the time and ability to find his targets downfield. At the half time of the first home game in October, Gwen was crowned homecoming queen and he was the king. The gym was packed to the rafters that evening when Steve and Gwen danced to "Lady in Red". Of course, Gwen wore a beautiful red gown and the video was quickly viewed by hundreds.

The local TV station had a small satellite office in Sparta, as well as a young reporter, Amber Stahl, stationed there. As the team became known as a football power, Amber found herself assigned to the team's home games, mostly so she could send the station some video highlights of the team's play. It was the night of the homecoming that she first heard about "The Lady in Red". She had been standing on the sidelines watching the crowning of the homecoming queen and decided to video the ceremony in case the station would like some human interest shots. That's when she overheard a conversation.

"Gwen sure does clean up good, doesn't she, Ralph? I hear she and Steve are performing their "Lady in Red" dance again tonight at the homecoming dance. I've watched the first one a couple dozen times already and I'll be watching tonight's dance tomorrow. Dave Kite will probably have the coronation on YouTube before we get home. These are some good kids in Tyler's class."