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It seemed to be an average day at Casper High in Amity Park. Well, as average as you could get when your hometown was overrun with ghosts daily. But for this week? It seemed the ghosts were on hiatus.
Danny, Sam, and Tucker were sitting outside, still amazed by how warm it felt for February. They had a free period and, like their classmates, decided to take advantage of the good weather while they had it.
“Ugh, I’m never going to pass Friday’s physics test this week!” groaned Danny as he looked hopelessly over the practice sheet.
“C’mon, Danny. It won’t be that bad. You did score ten points higher than normal with the last test we had,” Sam reminded him gently.
“Sam’s right, dude. I’m sure you can at least get a C+ this time,” Tucker quipped encouragingly.
“I hope you guys are right. If I don’t get at least a C+, I’ll have to serve Saturday detention!” the young hybrid shuddered.
“Yeah, that would put a damper on things! So, what should we… hello, who do we have here?” Tucker started to say when his eye caught sight of a new, pretty face walking around the schoolyard.
A pretty dark-skinned girl with purple hair in a messy pixie cut and stylish, sleek clothing sat down at the table closest to the building.
“Tucker, don’t even think of hitting on some new girl. We don’t want another girl trying to get the principal to give you a restraining order!” Sam snapped as Tucker looked at the girl.
He didn’t hear Sam’s voice at all. However, he did hear a different female’s voice from some time back. "Okay, you should first know that everyone deserves basic respect. So please remember to respect them as equals and not act like someone is property. Everyone deserves to be treated with consideration as a person and an individual. Remember, everyone has their own thoughts, feelings, and personal boundaries."
Upon recalling the wise words of Denise Duquesne, he instantly stopped staring at the girl. He just calmly turned back to his physics book to study for the upcoming test.
His friends raised an eyebrow at Tucker’s behavior. He’d normally be zipping over there with some corny pick-up line. To see him just study after seeing a cute girl? Bizarre!
The girl reappeared near the end of the school day. The trio was in the library doing some extra cramming, and Tucker ran into the girl when going to get some munchies from the vending machines.
“Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to run into you!” he apologized after they plowed into each other.
“Thanks for the apology,” the girl replied, slowly adjusting something in her left ear.
The bespectacled boy caught himself again staring at her, giving himself a mental kick for that.
“Did I break something just now?” he asked quietly.
The new girl didn’t reply for a moment. She was still fiddling with her left ear. A few seconds later, she turned to face him.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to seem rude just now. My new hearing aid’s been giving me trouble on my left side, so I couldn’t hear you properly just now,” she explained, looking him in the eye.
“So, I didn’t break anything?” he asked anxiously, to which she just smiled.
“Nope, my hearing aids are very durable. It’s just I got them like a week ago, and I’m still adjusting to them. And for some reason, it still sounds muffled on my left side.”
“Okay, I’m just glad I didn’t break anything. I’m pretty good with tech, but I wouldn’t want to break or mess with medical equipment,” he replied in a rush.
“Well, thank you again for apologizing. My name is Gwen, Gwen Rainer. What’s your name?”
“Tucker, Tucker Foley.”
“Well, nice to meet you, Tucker.”
Tucker felt his pulse quicken as he looked at Gwen, but then he remembered Denise’s words again.
So keep in mind you don't own or are you entitled to anyone, that everyone again has free will. Treat them kindly as friends; being friends first is the most beneficial method to build a lasting relationship.
He took a slow breath, reminding himself to focus on being friendly first, not trying to impress her.
Also, make sure you can have a two-way conversation.
He nodded slightly, thinking about listening carefully to her answers instead of planning what to say next.
A genuine relationship isn't simply about how someone looks but who they are inside. Hence, make sure you get past the initial infatuation.
Tucker forced his attention onto Gwen.
“So… what classes are you enjoying so far?” he asked, really waiting for her answer.
“I’m enjoying physics the best. I want to be a physicist when I graduate,” she replied with a hint of pride.
“Well, my friends and I are studying for the big test at the end of the week. Could you help my man, Danny? He’s not doing so well.”
“Sure, I don’t mind helping with your study time. However, let’s get some snacks first,” she said, gesturing to the forgotten vending machines.
They snagged a few snack cakes from the vending machine before returning to the school library to study for the remainder of the school day.
When the final bell rang, everyone gathered their things to go home. Gwen smiled at Tucker before speaking again.
“Thank you for being so nice and acting like a true gentleman, Tucker. Most guys don’t treat me so respectfully. So thanks.”
His face flushed red. “Um, the credit goes to a wise young woman who taught me how to treat people respectfully,” he confessed.
“Well, then, I’m glad her lessons stuck. I can help you all study for physics some more tomorrow. Till then, see ya!” she said as she hurried over to a waiting SUV.
Tucker suddenly felt two arms wrap around his shoulders. He looked at his friends, who were smiling.
“She’s right, Tuck. That’s the first time I’ve ever seen you treat a girl as more than eye candy!” Sam remarked.
“I guess my other sister’s best friend’s advice really did sink in, huh?” Danny asked with raised eyebrows.
“Yeah, it did. As did another piece of advice. When I get home, I’m going to read a book for one hour to stay off the tech. Don’t act so shocked—I’m just trying to improve myself.”
“And we’re more than happy to hear it!” Danny replied, to which Sam nodded as the trio left Casper High with smiles on their faces.