Tomorrow's Light
Written by Drew Clements
Conceptualized by Drew Clements and Bryan Hester
(Part Five - I)

“Is something the matter?” Lisa Perry asked while pulling books from her locker.
“No, why?” Tomorrow half-smiled and shut the door to her own locker, which was situated two down from Lisa’s.
“Well I was just talking about that guy they locked up, you know, the crazy guy that told everyone he was psychic, and your eyes glazed over.” Lisa stuffed a book into her backpack she had balanced on one knee.
“My mom is going out of town. Maybe that’s it. My mind is just somewhere else.” Tomorrow offered up a piece of the truth.
“You also look different.” Lisa studied her for a minute.
“How so?” Tomorrow yawned.
“Have you been working out? Your arms are getting big.” Lisa smiled.
“Uh, yeah,” Tomorrow hadn’t noticed before, but she was beginning to get a little more definition in her arms. Weird.
The halls of Ellefson High School were packed to the brim with students preparing for their first block class. The school was massive in student population and architecture as it served one of the largest portions of Tuscaloosa County.
The football team and marching band were two of the best in the state of Alabama and pulled people from all over Tuscaloosa and the counties surrounding it to attend the functions. The name “Ellefson”, to most people, meant football and the school had a proud tradition of state championships and unparalleled success.
Tomorrow, however, could care less about the traditions of this school, especially today.
“Look, it’s Joey Garner!” Lisa nearly dropped her backpack as she pointed out Ellefson’s golden boy quarterback.
Joey stood at just over six feet tall, had a slender athletic body, brown hair, and deep blue eyes. While easy on the eyes, he wasn’t much on the intellectual side, posting a steady C average, the lowest grade allowed to make him still eligible to play football. It was known quite well, in unofficial terms, that the teachers helped put him through the school whether he deserved the grades or not.
“Yay.” Tomorrow swirled her index finger in the air in mocking joy.
“If he hadn’t transferred here last year, this school would never have made it to the playoffs this year, Tomorrow. You should be a little proud.” Lisa rolled her eyes.
“Are you ready to go to class?” Tomorrow asked her overly excited friend.
“Hey, Tomorrow.” An unfamiliar voice came from behind.
One look in Lisa’s direction told her all she needed to know; Lisa’s eyes were about to burst from their sockets.
She turned and met his gaze. Even she had to admit that those blue eyes were somewhat irresistible. After the minor shock, she had to remind herself how much of an idiot the boy was. She shook any ideas from her mind.
“Yeah?”
“What are you doing tonight?” He asked.
The question was a major shock to her. What did he want? Tutoring? Sex?
“Um, washing my hair?” She offered no smile.
“What?” He was surprised.
She knew very well that no one had turned the guy down before, so she took a little too much pleasure in it.
“What are you asking?” She got right to the point.
“I wanted to see if you wanted to go to the movies with me and some friends.” He smiled, tucking away her first response in the back of his mind.
She had no interest in spending time with him and his jock friends and whatever “flavor of the week” bimbos they had with them that evening. The cynicism raged inside her… it was awful and satisfying at the same time.
“No thanks.” She strolled past him.
“Why not?” He turned and caught up with her.
“I’m not interested.” She smiled. The boy was obviously not getting the hint.
“You’re not interested?” He was speechless.
“Yeah, sorry.” Her long legs carried her quickly down the hall toward her destination: U.S. History.
Joey stopped and stared after her.
Lisa ran past him and caught up with Tomorrow.
“Are you crazy?” She shouted. “That’s Joey Garner!”
“I don’t care. He’s not my type.”
They entered the classroom and took their seats in the front row.
“Not your type? What exactly is your type?” Lisa wondered, loudly.
“Smart.” Tomorrow offered a simple answer.
“Smart guys are overrated.” Lisa unzipped her backpack and pulled out her history book.
“I’ll pretend I didn’t just hear that.” Tomorrow looked at Lisa and frowned.
“I’m serious. Why have someone smart, when you can have someone cute AND popular!” Lisa exclaimed.
Tomorrow shook her head in disbelief.
“Look, I’m not going to go out on a date with him just so you can live vicariously through me. Besides, you probably wouldn’t like the results.” Tomorrow opened a folder and pulled out some paper.
“Whatever. I think you’re making a big mistake.” Lisa snorted.
“I know you do… which means I’m probably making a good choice.”
Lisa rolled her eyes.
 

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