Sunshine Smile

Author's Note: This item was written for the "Daily Flash Fiction" Contest on 8/13/2009, using these prompts: magazine, study, statue.
(Word count: 300)
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Sunshine Smile

Sam stared across Stockton Middle School's gym floor, past the gyrating dancers, to the beautiful Karen.  Karen with the sunshine smile, he thought.  His buds noticed.

"She's hot.  She's a Magazine Queen.  Way outta your league, Sam."

Sam sighed.  It was true.  She'd never notice him.  Ever.

But someone else had noticed him.  Billy the bully and his posse sauntered up.  Sam backed up against the refreshment table as Billy got in his face.

"What you lookin' at, pipsqueak?  Time for a bathroom break!"  Before Sam could move, Billy poured his cup of punch down Sam's front.  Billy and his gang laughed and walked away.  Sam looked down.  Pink punch stained his dress shirt, his good pants, and his Sunday-go-to-church shoes.  Sam's friends, mouths hanging open, had nothing to contribute. 

Sam grabbed some napkins off the table, but they didn't help.  Nothing could help him, he thought dejectedly.  He studied the damage to his shoes – his Mom would be pissed – then into his vision stepped a pair of high heels.  He looked up in surprise, into the face of his statuesque angel.

"Would you like to dance with me?"  Karen asked.

"Glup," was Sam's brilliant come-back line.

He found himself on the dance floor with the most beautiful girl in the school.  If this is a dream, I hope I never wake up, he thought.  Karen leaned close to his ear, "I saw what Billy did.  He's rotten.  Don’t worry, he'll get his."  Then she gave him her wonderful sunshine smile.  Sam was in heaven. 

Karen danced two more dances with him, while Billy looked on jealously. Then she had to go.  "See ya," she said.  How romantic, thought Sam.

Billy had gotten his.  Sam had certainly gotten his.  Maybe Karen's real name was Karma. 

Sam smiled his own sunshine smile.