HIGH SCHOOL
Stanley spent the remainder of junior high dodging random beatings by pretty girls and turned-up-noses from not-so-pretty girls. Stanley figured out early that if he steered clear of women in general, he would be good to go.
Focusing on his school work for two years, he found an affinity for the english arts and public speaking.
~Go figure~
He excelled so well that his speech instructor, Mr. Frost, signed him up for the Junior Debate team. Stanley loved every minute of talking on stage, constructively arguing his point with other peers in his age group from different schools sometimes different districts. His competitions took him away from the woes of his own school trials and tribulations, showing him a world outside of elementary nicknames and teasing by giving him an appreciation for his personal talents which peaked his overall worth.
By the time he entered into high school a motivated freshman, he knew that academics were the way to go. Yes it was a risky maneuver to become a self-proclaimed geek, but Stanley had nothing else to lose. Due to his fame on the junior high circuit, Stanley had no problems with being inducted into the senior division debate squad who called themselves The Rebut Masters.
Diligently working hard to keep a 3.8 GPA and hold his standings in debate, Stanley looked at all girls as if they wore an invisibility cloak which overtime dissipated the evil comments and side glances that he was so used to receiving.
~Stanley had finally arrived~
His focus remained strong as he soared through the first couple of years of high school. By junior year, Stanley had his sights on scholarships and top universities instead of parties and school dances. He had goals, and he knew exactly which avenue to take to achieve them. Nothing or no one could penetrate his steel reinforced walls of fortitude.
Riding on high after several successful debate conferences plus scoring exemplary numbers on his SAT and ACT exams, Stanley knew he was unbeatable and unstoppable. His parents were very proud that he had gotten over his social inadequacies; and, to be frank, so was he.
On the night of his last speaking engagement, he took to the podium with a challenging position on low income housing being a benefit to upper class neighborhoods when something in the audience caught his eye. Talking through the distraction, Stanley noticed the object was some sort of metal. Successfully concluding his point, everyone stood providing him with a roar of applause and accolades. He then took his seat thinking of the mysterious onlooker who knocked him off of his game momentarily.
Once the event ended, a small reception was had giving the students a chance to mingle. Stanley was having a deep discussion on the movement of the fast food industry when he felt a tap on his shoulder. His distraction from earlier was standing front and center, leaving him weak in the knees.
“Hi. I am Georgette McGraw the Editor in Chief of the Watson High Gazette.” She held out her hand for a shake.
Beaming with the confidence of ten russian czars on the brink of world domination, Stanley took Georgette’s hand, bowing to peck her fingers. “Pleased to be of an acquaintance Georgette. I am Stanley Evan Louis.”
Her metal enlaced smile was so bright, it could re-blind a blind man from it’s glorious shined brightness. She was an adorable find with red hair complete with scattered freckles and emerald eyes. Her straight hair cascaded down to her elbows with her bangs brushing her brow with its tender touch. Georgette was absolutely exquisite like a frail cherub, Stanley thought.
“Mr. Louis, I have been following your career success on the debate circuit since eighth grade. I wanted to request an interview with you for the paper of course.”
Stanley motioned for the two to sit in two seats near the refreshment table. Once she was seated, Stanley acquired two cups of punch and one chocolate chip cookie for them to split. Handing Georgette the beverage he said, “Now first things first, please call me Stanley. Second, it would be my pleasure of sitting down, having a chat for the school paper.” She beamed while he broke off a piece of the chocolatey treat, offering it to her.
“No thank you Mr...oh um...Stanley. I am allergic to chocolate sir.” Blushing red with embarrassment, Stanley crumpled up the cookie in a napkin, setting it on the refreshment table.
“Georgette my apologies, but again you can refer to me as just Stanley not Mr. Louis, not sir, simply Stanley,” he stated straightening out his tie turning in towards her.
God she was beautiful, Stanley thought. She exuded the Bohemian look with a long, flowing green skirt coupled with Birkenstock sandals and a tattered ‘Tripping Daisies’ t-shirt made Stanley bubble inside.
“Well Stanley you are sort of a young celebrity in the making. Debate is my favorite competitive sport and you are the MVP of the playing field.” Georgette sipped at her punch having a little drip at the creases of her lips. Stanley grabbed a napkin removing the evidence of red liquid from her lips. She blushed, batting her eyes behind her black-framed spectacles.
“As I mentioned earlier Georgette, I would love to talk about my successful career and hopefuls for the future. But on one condition.” She waited with bated breath for his continuation. “You must accompany me for lunch in the park.”
“Oh yes. I accept. Yes.” Georgette bounced in her seat.
“Good. It’s a date then. A business date of sorts,” he chuckled. “I will pick you up in front of the school at 11:30am tomorrow.” He stood grasping her finger as she looked into his baby browns. “You bring the pencil and pad and those beautiful green eyes and I will bring the sandwiches and bottles of water.” He pecked her knuckles and retreated knowing that she was swooning.
The next day Stanley had his mother prepare a spread of turkey on rye, grapes, cheese curls, and water. Stanley arrived promptly to retrieve his lanky prize awaiting him at the school’s iron gates. They dined on a blanket under the trees talking about everything from foreign policy to rumors of the lunch lady having a torrid affair with one of the janitors. They both were completely enamored with each other. Stanley fell in love spying cheese dust blanketing her bottom lip. Simply divine.
Stanley and Georgette continued to date throughout senior year, holding hands in the hallways, stealing quick smooches in quiet corners. They were high school royalty when it came to all things academic. The quintessential Jay and Bey of the budding underbelly of geekdom.
The final months of the school year, they focused on scouting out universities close in proximity to each other, UGA being their top choice. Stanley’s life was something of dreams with the nightmarish past being left in the dust of his shoes as he sprinted into the future. Not only was he excited but his mother was extremely over the top when it came to preparations for prom. When he thought things like school dances were trivial, Georgette fell into his life and all he wanted to do was show her off. With his $300 tuxedo with emerald cumberbun and bowtie to match her sparkling eyes, Stanley wanted the night to be magical.
After hours of scouring the mall with his mother, he happened upon a exotic perfume shop, wanting to purchase Georgette something special for the happy occasion. He found the perfect scent that had the perfect mix of robust and sweet aromas. Stanley had saved up months and months of allowance and Christmas money just to afford to purchase the tickets, rent a Town Car, and spring for dinner beforehand.
The night of, Georgette floated in like a water lily in a ethereal white gown trimmed in a mossy green. It was the first time he had viewed her with her hair swept off of her face; her chignon full of bright red strands riddled Stanley wordless. Georgette was his beauty before, but that night she was a diamond that could cut through any forcefield with her strikingness. She smiled at him with a grin that caught him by surprise.
“No braces?” His utterance made her blush.
“Yes my observant pet. The time arrived for me to shed my headgear ages ago, I was just prolonging the inevitable.” Before Stanley could touch his lips to hers, his dad cleared his throat alerting the couple that his entire family had awkwardly witnessed the exchanged between the two young lovers.
“Okay Stanley, you and Georgette better get a move along. You still have dinner to get to.” He slid the corsage onto her wrist and handed her the gift box.
Georgette unwrapped the box pulling out the amethyst colored bottle shaped like a heart. “Oh Stanley this is beautiful. ‘Trop Joli Eclair’ what does it mean?”
“The shop owner said it is french or something. I just got it today so I did not have a chance to properly research it. Just spray some on, you will love it, I know.”
She spritzed her neck and wrists, then Stanley’s parents snapped pictures of the two and ushered them out into the awaiting Town Car. Georgette reached inside her purse on the ride over to get a quick pump of her inhaler before they arrived at the fancy restaurant. The dinner of Chicken Cordon Bleu and salad was beyond delicious making Stanley rush them on their way to the impending engagement.
The banquet hall was lined with Christmas lights and balloons with a popular tune playing over the loud speakers; but, Stanley knew exactly what he wanted to do first before wrapping Georgette in his arms all night. He pulled her over to the picture line with great timing; they were up next to capture their night behind the shutter of a camera lens. When Stanley pulled her onto the markings situated for them to be positioned in the perfect spot, he noticed that she looked odd in the bright lighting.
“Did you apply some red lipstick on the way over hun?” He asked as the first flicking of the camera light sounded. “Hey we were not ready,” Stanley shouted at the seemingly pimple-faced college student manning the photographic contraption.
“You know I do not wear makeup Stanley.” A little dribble ran from her lips. “Whoa what is going on? My lip is swollen.” Stanley’s eyes enlarged with terror as he took in her puffy face and emerging beet red neck area. Groans from students waiting in line was followed by another flash of the lens..
“Wait one darn minute. We were not ready!” The amateur photographer shouted for the two to move on making Stanley’s anger soar. “We are not going anywhere. I am paying for these damn pictures and you will wait until we are ready!”
Georgette mumbled a few undeciphered words motioning toward her purse. Her eyes and mouth were sealed shut from the rapid swelling when she began to moan, pulling out her epinephrine pen exposing her thigh to Stanley. Slightly distracted by her milky flesh, he shook the thought of kissing her delectableness and glanced at the instructions, jamming the Epi-pen into her leg. Georgette squealed on top of the final flashing of the camera before the angered photographer approached Stanley yelling at the top of his lungs. Filled with a kaleidoscope of emotions, Stanley impulsively punched his assailant right between the eyes, knocking him out cold. The music scratch and a collective gasp was heard amongst the crowd. The assistant principal grabbed Stanley by the arm with a puffy-faced Georgette following behind.
Stanley and Georgette were expelled from the dance which upset them both. Choosing to call her parents who later took her to the hospital to treat her chocolate allergic reaction, Stanley rode home alone disappointed in his actions. The following Monday his parents sat him down before he headed off to school, notifying him that he was on a three day suspension due to the fight at the prom. To make matters worse, he was dismissed from the debate team which had a strict policy on detentions and suspensions.
Looking for kind words from the one that he adored most in the world, Stanley rang Georgette to check in on her. Her mother answered on the second ring, adding the last insult to his injuries. The allergic reaction was concentrated around her neck and wrist areas, so she was to remain in the hospital for the rest of the week while the doctors tried several treatments to rid her body of the lethal toxins. Georgette’s mother also provided Stanley with the knowledge that the perfume given the night of prom, the title was a Chocolate Box of Eclairs in two different languages.
Dropping his head down after the call that rewound his life back to past troubling haunts, he thought to himself, back to the drawing board.
~Wow. So close but no proverbial cigar.~
Focusing on his school work for two years, he found an affinity for the english arts and public speaking.
~Go figure~
He excelled so well that his speech instructor, Mr. Frost, signed him up for the Junior Debate team. Stanley loved every minute of talking on stage, constructively arguing his point with other peers in his age group from different schools sometimes different districts. His competitions took him away from the woes of his own school trials and tribulations, showing him a world outside of elementary nicknames and teasing by giving him an appreciation for his personal talents which peaked his overall worth.
By the time he entered into high school a motivated freshman, he knew that academics were the way to go. Yes it was a risky maneuver to become a self-proclaimed geek, but Stanley had nothing else to lose. Due to his fame on the junior high circuit, Stanley had no problems with being inducted into the senior division debate squad who called themselves The Rebut Masters.
Diligently working hard to keep a 3.8 GPA and hold his standings in debate, Stanley looked at all girls as if they wore an invisibility cloak which overtime dissipated the evil comments and side glances that he was so used to receiving.
~Stanley had finally arrived~
His focus remained strong as he soared through the first couple of years of high school. By junior year, Stanley had his sights on scholarships and top universities instead of parties and school dances. He had goals, and he knew exactly which avenue to take to achieve them. Nothing or no one could penetrate his steel reinforced walls of fortitude.
Riding on high after several successful debate conferences plus scoring exemplary numbers on his SAT and ACT exams, Stanley knew he was unbeatable and unstoppable. His parents were very proud that he had gotten over his social inadequacies; and, to be frank, so was he.
On the night of his last speaking engagement, he took to the podium with a challenging position on low income housing being a benefit to upper class neighborhoods when something in the audience caught his eye. Talking through the distraction, Stanley noticed the object was some sort of metal. Successfully concluding his point, everyone stood providing him with a roar of applause and accolades. He then took his seat thinking of the mysterious onlooker who knocked him off of his game momentarily.
Once the event ended, a small reception was had giving the students a chance to mingle. Stanley was having a deep discussion on the movement of the fast food industry when he felt a tap on his shoulder. His distraction from earlier was standing front and center, leaving him weak in the knees.
“Hi. I am Georgette McGraw the Editor in Chief of the Watson High Gazette.” She held out her hand for a shake.
Beaming with the confidence of ten russian czars on the brink of world domination, Stanley took Georgette’s hand, bowing to peck her fingers. “Pleased to be of an acquaintance Georgette. I am Stanley Evan Louis.”
Her metal enlaced smile was so bright, it could re-blind a blind man from it’s glorious shined brightness. She was an adorable find with red hair complete with scattered freckles and emerald eyes. Her straight hair cascaded down to her elbows with her bangs brushing her brow with its tender touch. Georgette was absolutely exquisite like a frail cherub, Stanley thought.
“Mr. Louis, I have been following your career success on the debate circuit since eighth grade. I wanted to request an interview with you for the paper of course.”
Stanley motioned for the two to sit in two seats near the refreshment table. Once she was seated, Stanley acquired two cups of punch and one chocolate chip cookie for them to split. Handing Georgette the beverage he said, “Now first things first, please call me Stanley. Second, it would be my pleasure of sitting down, having a chat for the school paper.” She beamed while he broke off a piece of the chocolatey treat, offering it to her.
“No thank you Mr...oh um...Stanley. I am allergic to chocolate sir.” Blushing red with embarrassment, Stanley crumpled up the cookie in a napkin, setting it on the refreshment table.
“Georgette my apologies, but again you can refer to me as just Stanley not Mr. Louis, not sir, simply Stanley,” he stated straightening out his tie turning in towards her.
God she was beautiful, Stanley thought. She exuded the Bohemian look with a long, flowing green skirt coupled with Birkenstock sandals and a tattered ‘Tripping Daisies’ t-shirt made Stanley bubble inside.
“Well Stanley you are sort of a young celebrity in the making. Debate is my favorite competitive sport and you are the MVP of the playing field.” Georgette sipped at her punch having a little drip at the creases of her lips. Stanley grabbed a napkin removing the evidence of red liquid from her lips. She blushed, batting her eyes behind her black-framed spectacles.
“As I mentioned earlier Georgette, I would love to talk about my successful career and hopefuls for the future. But on one condition.” She waited with bated breath for his continuation. “You must accompany me for lunch in the park.”
“Oh yes. I accept. Yes.” Georgette bounced in her seat.
“Good. It’s a date then. A business date of sorts,” he chuckled. “I will pick you up in front of the school at 11:30am tomorrow.” He stood grasping her finger as she looked into his baby browns. “You bring the pencil and pad and those beautiful green eyes and I will bring the sandwiches and bottles of water.” He pecked her knuckles and retreated knowing that she was swooning.
The next day Stanley had his mother prepare a spread of turkey on rye, grapes, cheese curls, and water. Stanley arrived promptly to retrieve his lanky prize awaiting him at the school’s iron gates. They dined on a blanket under the trees talking about everything from foreign policy to rumors of the lunch lady having a torrid affair with one of the janitors. They both were completely enamored with each other. Stanley fell in love spying cheese dust blanketing her bottom lip. Simply divine.
Stanley and Georgette continued to date throughout senior year, holding hands in the hallways, stealing quick smooches in quiet corners. They were high school royalty when it came to all things academic. The quintessential Jay and Bey of the budding underbelly of geekdom.
The final months of the school year, they focused on scouting out universities close in proximity to each other, UGA being their top choice. Stanley’s life was something of dreams with the nightmarish past being left in the dust of his shoes as he sprinted into the future. Not only was he excited but his mother was extremely over the top when it came to preparations for prom. When he thought things like school dances were trivial, Georgette fell into his life and all he wanted to do was show her off. With his $300 tuxedo with emerald cumberbun and bowtie to match her sparkling eyes, Stanley wanted the night to be magical.
After hours of scouring the mall with his mother, he happened upon a exotic perfume shop, wanting to purchase Georgette something special for the happy occasion. He found the perfect scent that had the perfect mix of robust and sweet aromas. Stanley had saved up months and months of allowance and Christmas money just to afford to purchase the tickets, rent a Town Car, and spring for dinner beforehand.
The night of, Georgette floated in like a water lily in a ethereal white gown trimmed in a mossy green. It was the first time he had viewed her with her hair swept off of her face; her chignon full of bright red strands riddled Stanley wordless. Georgette was his beauty before, but that night she was a diamond that could cut through any forcefield with her strikingness. She smiled at him with a grin that caught him by surprise.
“No braces?” His utterance made her blush.
“Yes my observant pet. The time arrived for me to shed my headgear ages ago, I was just prolonging the inevitable.” Before Stanley could touch his lips to hers, his dad cleared his throat alerting the couple that his entire family had awkwardly witnessed the exchanged between the two young lovers.
“Okay Stanley, you and Georgette better get a move along. You still have dinner to get to.” He slid the corsage onto her wrist and handed her the gift box.
Georgette unwrapped the box pulling out the amethyst colored bottle shaped like a heart. “Oh Stanley this is beautiful. ‘Trop Joli Eclair’ what does it mean?”
“The shop owner said it is french or something. I just got it today so I did not have a chance to properly research it. Just spray some on, you will love it, I know.”
She spritzed her neck and wrists, then Stanley’s parents snapped pictures of the two and ushered them out into the awaiting Town Car. Georgette reached inside her purse on the ride over to get a quick pump of her inhaler before they arrived at the fancy restaurant. The dinner of Chicken Cordon Bleu and salad was beyond delicious making Stanley rush them on their way to the impending engagement.
The banquet hall was lined with Christmas lights and balloons with a popular tune playing over the loud speakers; but, Stanley knew exactly what he wanted to do first before wrapping Georgette in his arms all night. He pulled her over to the picture line with great timing; they were up next to capture their night behind the shutter of a camera lens. When Stanley pulled her onto the markings situated for them to be positioned in the perfect spot, he noticed that she looked odd in the bright lighting.
“Did you apply some red lipstick on the way over hun?” He asked as the first flicking of the camera light sounded. “Hey we were not ready,” Stanley shouted at the seemingly pimple-faced college student manning the photographic contraption.
“You know I do not wear makeup Stanley.” A little dribble ran from her lips. “Whoa what is going on? My lip is swollen.” Stanley’s eyes enlarged with terror as he took in her puffy face and emerging beet red neck area. Groans from students waiting in line was followed by another flash of the lens..
“Wait one darn minute. We were not ready!” The amateur photographer shouted for the two to move on making Stanley’s anger soar. “We are not going anywhere. I am paying for these damn pictures and you will wait until we are ready!”
Georgette mumbled a few undeciphered words motioning toward her purse. Her eyes and mouth were sealed shut from the rapid swelling when she began to moan, pulling out her epinephrine pen exposing her thigh to Stanley. Slightly distracted by her milky flesh, he shook the thought of kissing her delectableness and glanced at the instructions, jamming the Epi-pen into her leg. Georgette squealed on top of the final flashing of the camera before the angered photographer approached Stanley yelling at the top of his lungs. Filled with a kaleidoscope of emotions, Stanley impulsively punched his assailant right between the eyes, knocking him out cold. The music scratch and a collective gasp was heard amongst the crowd. The assistant principal grabbed Stanley by the arm with a puffy-faced Georgette following behind.
Stanley and Georgette were expelled from the dance which upset them both. Choosing to call her parents who later took her to the hospital to treat her chocolate allergic reaction, Stanley rode home alone disappointed in his actions. The following Monday his parents sat him down before he headed off to school, notifying him that he was on a three day suspension due to the fight at the prom. To make matters worse, he was dismissed from the debate team which had a strict policy on detentions and suspensions.
Looking for kind words from the one that he adored most in the world, Stanley rang Georgette to check in on her. Her mother answered on the second ring, adding the last insult to his injuries. The allergic reaction was concentrated around her neck and wrist areas, so she was to remain in the hospital for the rest of the week while the doctors tried several treatments to rid her body of the lethal toxins. Georgette’s mother also provided Stanley with the knowledge that the perfume given the night of prom, the title was a Chocolate Box of Eclairs in two different languages.
Dropping his head down after the call that rewound his life back to past troubling haunts, he thought to himself, back to the drawing board.
~Wow. So close but no proverbial cigar.~