Keep the Joy.

Marley was attempting to eat her breakfast, despite the large knot of anxiety which had developed in her abdomen. This would be the hardest day so far, her first day on the school bus to travel to her new Secondary School. It was mid-way through the term, she would know no one and have no one to sit with at lunchtime. Her father had shifted the family to this lower class home, due to a new job. He had been retrenched from his last position, and had already driven off to work, keen not to be sacked again.

Marley's mother was bustling around, not quite aware that Marley was filling herself with phobias. Then it was time, Marley had no one until she could make some friends in Middle School classes. She was taking a book in her back pack, hoping to pass over lunchtime, reading.

The bus pulled up, there were very few seats available. One hot dude was playing a guitar, he was very cute. Marley found a seat in front of some girls who looked so cool. She smiled at them, hoping to have a positive and happy attitude. One said to the other, "They let anyone into our school now." They both ignored Marley and sniggered behind her.

Then, a late arrival on the bus, as it stopped two blocks along. An attractive young teen sat next to Marley and said, "You're new. My name's Shantara. What year are you in?"

Marley shared her name and had broken the ice. Shantara checked her classes and found they were in the save subjects for a good part of the day ahead. Then she told Marley, "Don't take any notice of the pussycats, they're stuck up snobs. You're a bit short, do you like sports?"

Marley told her, "I like gymnastics. What's the sports teacher like?"

Shantara gave her a rundown on all the teachers, asking Marley, "Do you know anyone here?' as the buses all deposited students for their day of learning. Marley could only tell her that she did not know anyone, but she did want to know who that cute guy with the guitar was.

"Marley, stay away from him. He plays in a band, his name is Ollie. He is trouble, and messes with the girls. They all want to throw their panties at him. Hey, I can take you to my church youth group, mix with nicer, more friendly kids our own age. Keep the joy in life. We have to stick together."

So the hand of friendship was formed. Marley did not merely like gymnastics, she was a beam queen. The coach soon labelled her his 'Pocket Rocket'. The nickname stuck. She overcame her anxiety fears, and kept on being magical in her petite gym gear. She soon settled in, and was sailing along smoothly. Encouraged by the coach, Marley was aiming high, at the state gymnastics competition.

All was okay now, surprisingly. Shantara stuck fast, and Marley enjoyed the good vibes from her new tribe at the youth club. She spent devoted hours in the school gym, practising to be perfect. Well, hoping to be. One after school session of practice found Ollie, that older teen student with the bad reputation, eyeing off Marley as she was performing her routine.

"Waiting for you to say hello, stop ignoring me," he said, as she paused. He leant over her, brushing her hand with his, "Hey, Pocket Rocket. I like short chicks."

Marley felt a bit flustered, her eyes could not meet his. "Should I be happy for you and your guitar?" she asked him, as she turned to grab her tracksuit. She was not being too accepting. The buzz around school was that Ollie was being expelled. And that was not all! One of his latest gals was said to be pregnant. His reputation was so bad, he was leaving town so he would not have to be a father.

"Hey, Pocket Rocket, boys will be boys!" Ollie smiled and brushed his lips on hers. Then he let her walke away, as she decided not to take a lift anywhere in his Ford sedan. But all the way home, her lips tingled. She zipped her mouth, but always keep the joy of her first kiss with a man.

Ollie did leave town, babies were born, Marley kept on aiming so high. She triumphed in the State championships, and indeed won a scholarship for further education at tertiary level. She had matured into becoming a credit to herself. She and Shantara resolved that they would always keep in touch, as Marley travelled her chosen path in her sport and future.

It was no surprise when Marley won gold medals in the National gymnastics competition, she was still so neat and petite. Her nickname was now famous, she was the 'Pocket Rocket'. She had talents, and devoted long hours to perfecting her abilities in her field. College was a lot more of the same. She did date, shared her lips and not much more with some of the men there.

But no one ever tingled her lips quite like Ollie had. Shantara back home never knew what had become of him. She had stayed where she had grown up, met and married a lovely young church fellow. Yes, Shantara had been busy breeding her own little tribe. Marley was wooed by a science student, she agreed to marry him. He was also good looking, quite athletic, and their tribe arrived too.

Marley did not quite get to visit her folks and Shantara as much as they hoped, but the digital world kept them up to date. Marley took a vacation one year, deciding to take her young children back to her teenage years, where her success had stemmed. She was trying to raise her two children to plant happy. positive thoughts as a garden in their minds.

The grandparents were overjoyed to spend quality time with the tribe, and Shantara baked some lovely meals. Before Marley returned interstate, she and her kids called into the local shopping plaza. There in front of the supermarket, sat a balding male, playing some tune on beat up guitar.

His clothes were old, he was surrounded by some rugs and two duffel bags, full of his worldly possessions. He was begging, skinny, pale, and living on the fringe, Yes, it was Ollie. Marley took a step towards him, offering him some cash. "Keep the joy," she suggested, "buy yourself some food."

"You can see me?" Ollie asked her.

His eyes showed brief recognition, Marley felt a tinge of regret for her first heart throb and his tingling kiss. He had thrown away his talents, but never his songs. He had never made himself or anyone else too happy.

Ollie mumbled something, then said, "Looking at you, Pocket Rocket. Good vibes to you and your tribe. Keep the joy."