Junior Year Box Set

He ignored me because he was fixated on the unknown threat. I tapped him on the head; he looked up at me, and I pointed and repeated the command. He was shaking, he was so ramped up, but I was happy when he begrudgingly climbed up the stairs. Usually, he would go into his crate and lie down, but I was satisfied when he stopped at the head of the stairs and looked back. Precious peeked around the corner as well.

I opened the door, stepped out, and was confronted by the biggest raccoon I’d ever seen. His face was bloody, which told me he’d tangled with Precious. I was surprised she’d backed off; that certainly wasn’t normal for her. The dang thing turned and glowered at me. He wasn’t scared of shit.

“Get out of here! Shoo!”

This monster had to weigh at least sixty pounds. I was startled when he charged me but had the presence of mind to use the Bo staff to hold him off as I quickly gave ground. Duke was going nuts at my back door as he tried to get out of the apartment. The racket must have alerted my mom because she stuck her head out the back door of the house.

“David, leave that thing alone.”

“I’d love to, but I think it wants to kill me.”

The raccoon made a valiant lunge and got past my Bo staff. It was a good thing I’d done my speed work because I switched from slowly backing up to a full run. He was fast, I’ll give him that. He became less interested in me when I got serious and whacked him with the Bo staff. The raccoon shook his head in confusion and then darted into the neighbor’s backyard.

I ran back to my apartment because it sounded like Duke might break through the door. I opened it and grabbed his collar before he could bolt after the raccoon. The poor guy about choked himself out before he realized I wasn’t about to let go. Precious, on the other hand, gave chase. I would bet we wouldn’t see that crazy raccoon again. She came back and seemed very pleased with herself. I had to laugh when a frustrated Duke rolled her. You’d think he would learn. I guess he did because he bolted for the back door of the house, and Mom opened it enough for him to escape with his life.

Precious trotted to the back door, sat down, and looked at me. Her look was one of pure kitty evil intent. I decided I wouldn’t involve myself in her nefarious plans to off my pup and left for my run.

◊◊◊

I pulled into the school parking lot and saw Jan and Yuri. He was taking full advantage of her being old enough to drive. I had to bite my tongue when I observed what Jan was wearing. You have to realize that Jan was my class’s Tracy, or Cindy and Suzanne. She was a trendsetter, and other girls copied what she wore. I wasn’t happy with the new clothes. She wore an oversized sweatshirt and loose-fitting jeans. She saw me look at her, and the corners of her eyes tightened for a fraction of a second. I instantly knew what had happened. Either Yuri or his grandma had taken one look at her usual attire and made her dress in what amounted to a potato sack. If all the girls at Lincoln started to wear this, Yuri was a dead man.

“What did you do?” I asked Yuri.

He was clueless.

“Uh?” he asked and tilted his head to the side.

“Why’s Jan dressed like that?” I asked.

Yuri glanced back at her and blushed. To her credit, she stayed quiet and let me handle it, but the ghost of a smile did touch her lips.

“You said…” he began, but I raised my hand to cut him off.

“Why would you cover up someone like Jan?” I asked.

Jan had to turn her head away from me, or I think she might have laughed. Yuri seemed to struggle to figure out what the right response was, so I let him off the hook.

“I understand why you might believe this’d help, but this isn’t who Jan is. Sure, I’d agree that some of her outfits should be toned down. I also know what I said. Jan can be stylish without giving off an overtly sexual vibe. In the long run, both of you will be happier if you let her wear most of what she wants,” I told him.

“Why didn’t you say anything?” I asked Jan.

“He was being so forceful, it kind of turned me on,” she admitted, which caused Yuri to blush even harder.

“I might have to spank you when we get home,” Yuri said.

Jan’s eyes got big, and she gave him a fake shudder. I couldn’t help but bark out a laugh at her antics. Yuri was so in over his head.

“Shut up, ‘stupid boy,’” Yuri said.

“Hey, now. No need for name-calling,” I said with a mock glower, and then turned to Jan. “Go easy on him. I need him ready to play on Saturday.”

She nodded, then hooked her arm under Yuri’s and led him away. I wore a big grin on my face as I thought about how embarrassing your first girlfriend could be. I thought back on how mine had explained to my friends and my mom that I was generously endowed. Perhaps I should visit Yuri at home and see if he wanted to share his wiener size with his mom and grandma. What was the saying? If it doesn’t kill you, it makes you stronger. I might have to call bullshit on that one.

“Why are you so happy?” Tracy asked.