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Chapter 6
"Herr! Catch!" Ray yelled, jumping up high into the air as she flung the rugby ball she was holding towards me.
She was no longer donning her glasses, instead, wearing a brand new set of contacts. Her dad finally allowed her to participate once more in athletic activities.
I stretched out my arms and caught it. Instantly, the hordes of other girls who were previously chasing Ray turned around and started advancing towards me. As I ran for my life, I spotted someone else from my team looking at me, holding out her hands.
WIth all my might, I hurled the ball towards her and watched as she scored a goal at the same time the coach blew the whistle. We all crowded around her as she announced who were the winners and who were the losers.
I, was on the losing team. But I didn't care. But apparently, the other girls did, seeing as the winning team got to choose what sport we were going to do next week.
The coach dismissed us and I crossed the field and headed for the showers while patting my face dry from sweat.
"Hey! Maybe we should have a girls rugby team. Dont'cha think?"
I turned around and saw Ashton, looking as fine as ever, although dripping with sweat, with flushed cheeks. Sweat has never looked so good.
"No, we'd have to have manicurists aside from first aid during the games," I replied back, resuming my slow, easy pace towards the showers. "Broken nails. That sort of thing. And girls are generally much more competitive against one another. There'd be a lot of catfights on the field."
Ashton flashed a heart-fluttering grin at me and fell into pace with me. "Well, I didn't know you played rugby."
"It's a sport. I'd do any sport just for the sake of sports."
"Well, that was never the case for you when it came to swimming huh?"
I stuck my tongue out at him. "Until you tried to assassinate me."
"Hey now, still holding a grudge on me over that? I was obliged to do it you know."
"To a poor innocent civilian?"
"Well, I'd hardly call you that. Innocent indeed," Ashton laughed.
I felt my cheeks burn a little. What? I just like the way he laughs alright? I mean, it's nice and all…. the way his eyes crinkle when he did….arghh!! I gotta stop this school-girly fantasizing!! It's so un….me.
Besides, he is SOOO out-of-bounds. Hell, it was like he was a gateway to hell (heaven is appropriate in this case) and the three-headed guardian Cerberus was a green-eyed redhead, namely, Jenny Parker.
"So… you were watching us play rugby?" I asked, looking at the ground.
"Well, I was having a gym class over at one of the nearby basketball courts," Ashton explained. " We were dismissed early and I spotted you playing so I stayed to watch."
Oh… he spotted me. He… stayed… to watch. I slapped myself inwardly. Idiot!!!! I looked up from the ground. Oh! Goodie! We reached the showers!
"Well…" I directed my gaze from the door to the showers towards Ashton's face. I saw him looking back intently at me.
"Uhh…" I said uncomfortably… "Ash??" I waved a hand in front of his face.
He gave a start. "Oh! Sorry! I think I just spaced out. Sorry! You just remind me of someone I used to know…" He laughed easily and rubbed the back of his head.
"Well, see you later at practice then!" he waved and walked off to where the guys' showers were located.
Is it me or did I just have a moment where my unrequited cru- NO. NOT crush…. was gazing intently into my eyes and did I… did I…. just…. ruin it??? For the love of art, why didn't I just, like other girls, stare back into his dark midnight eyes and get lost in it?? What happened to carpe diem?? Seize the moment?!? (I know it's seize the day, but whatever, details, details.)
"I don't know about you, but are you planning to come in or not?" Ray asked, interrupting my messed up thoughts. She was still in her gym wear, left hand poised on her left hip, looking at me with a raised eyebrow.
"Sorry," I muttered and stepped into the locker room and headed for the locker where I usually put my stuff in during every other gym classes. I took hold of a towel and a small pouch of toiletries.
"So, what's up with you and that hottie?" Ray asked, opening her own locker, next to mine. "You guys dating or something?"
"No, nothing. We're just friends. We were just talking about swimming practices and stuff. Don't you remember? The other day at lunch I introduced him to you and Shane?"
"Oh, I remember alright. You seem to like him though…" She gave me a cheeky smirk. "You totally do."
I sighed frustratedly. "Ray, I remember distinctly that there was a certain someone as well? I dunno, Jenny Parker??"
Ray snorted not-so-femininely. Besides her insane love for sports, she was an actually pretty feminine lady. I mean, besides being an heiress to her grandmother's fortune ( her grandmother didn't trust Ray's dad to make good use of the money), said grandmother was a socialite and lives with Ray and her family. She teaches Ray about being a proper lady and stuff in society.
Her grandmother's nice and all, and I usually tag along to her socialite parties, teas, balls and that sort of thing. All I can say is, aside from the awesome food they serve there, I am extremely glad that my own socialite grandmother understands my feelings and doesn't force me to learn mannerisms, dancing and stuff. It'd kill me. I am so not high socialite material. No way.
"You're really that scared of her?"
"Well, duh??" I stared at her as if she'd said the dumbest and most obvious thing ever. Which in this case, she was. "Did you see those genius evil-eyes she gave me? I can't even do that!!"
I shuddered, remembering the look Jenny gave me.
Ray rolled her eyes. "Stop being so dramatic. So anyways, details, details. No, not about you and that lover boy, I want to know about this project of yours."
Instantly I brightened. A change of topic! I had already told Ray about the work I was doing for Naomi, but I refused to disclose any further information until I told her myself in person.
"What do you want to know?"
"Any cute guys suitable age that you can introduce to me? I could use a date, sorry, escort, to one of my grandmother's upcoming parties. Since you stole Shane," Ray said, she gave me a pointed look. "You're coming…..right?"
Oh. Damn. I forgot about that. I didn't really want to go, but Ray blackmailed both Shane and I and we had agreed under the condition that Shane and could go as each other's dates. I mean, we're not attached to anyone and we're best buds, so, hell, why not? I don't know how she blackmailed Shane, but she blackmailed me by threatening to tell Shane that I actually had a crush on that little boy at swimming lessons when we were five. Shane and that boy never really did hit it off.
"Yeah, I'm coming. So, as you were asking, yeah, the lady has a really hot nephew," I know. I actually admitted it. Skyler McKnight is hot. Who am I kidding? The guy is hot, ninety-nine-point-nine-percent-and-rounded-off. I mean, just cause I admitted that he was good-looking, it doesn't mean that I see him as a romantic interest right? I mean, seeing as there's Ash and all….
WAIT.
Ashton Taylor is OUT OF BOUNDS.
STRICTLY out of bounds. God, I gotta repeat this mantra to myself every hour or something.
"I think they also have a son, but so far I haven't met him and Naomi's husband yet," I added thoughtfully. When I had gone over to continue my work, Naomi had greeted me with open arms and told me that her husband and the boys had gone off fishing for the day (I know, imagine Skyler going fishing. I nearly busted a gut trying not to laugh) and wasn't it nice that it was going to be just us girls?
"So, I don't know if the son's hot or not."
Ray gave me an interested, eager look. "Oh? What's the name of this really hot nephew?"
I grinned evilly at her. "Not gonna tell!!" I sang. "I'll tell you later! See ya!"
As I skipped into a shower stall, I could hear Ray calling after me, " I don't know why I even hang out with you!"
Oh well, cause she loves me…. no?
I ran along one of the many annoyingly spotless corridors at our school, gripping my literature books and shoulder bag tightly. I was going to be so late for class. I sincerely hope that something happened to delay the teacher and that I could make it there before her.
"Ms. Wolfe!"
I skidded to a stop and turned around. I saw Mr. Scarlett, a history teacher that has been teaching in this school since the days of my grandfather, which was, before Uncle Ash. He also used to be an officer in the army, but due to some sort of injury, he couldn't continue serving. So he ended up being hired by my granddad to teach at the Wolfe Academy.
"Going somewhere?" he asked pleasantly, although he was tall and intimidating, he was actually a really nice person.
"Yes sir, going to Literature class."
"Ah, literature! I assume you can read then?" he gestured towards one of the many framed signs that were hung on the walls.
"Please do not run in the halls. Floors are always well polished. If you wish to endanger your life or health, by all means go ahead. Knock yourself out. Literally."
What can I say? Uncle Ash is pretty jobless. I mean, those signs weren't store-bought you know. They were actually written by the principal and other principals before him and then custom made into these framed signs. Thus, the sarcastic warning.
"Yes I can. But I'm wearing these…" I gestured at my black converse sneakers. Yes, I know, I didn't have time to get to class early, but I had time to exchange my mary janes for sneakers so that I could run there.
"And they have good grip. Oh and before you can say anything, these shoes are not against the rules. Rules state that black shoes must be worn with everyday uniform. It didn't say what sort of black shoes."
I can see that was trying his best not to laugh, judging by the way his green eyes were doing the laughing for him.
Then he raised an eyebrow. "Please, do abide by the rules. Respect your uncles wishes."
"Fine," I sighed heavily.
"Very good then. Off you go."
I nodded and started walking off to class. I counted to ten and figured he wasn't there anymore so I resumed running again.
"Hera Wolfe!" he called.
"Yes !!" I called back, slowing back down to a walking pace. I snuck a glance and saw that his back was turned and he was walking off to another direction so I picked up the pace as I glanced at a nearby clock. Goodness, sweet mother of love, I was nearly five minutes late.
Unfortunately, I collided into someone. Again.
God, why couldn't I just make it to literature in peace?
I rubbed the sore area on my head and began apologizing profusely. "Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't look where I was going I'm sorry are you al…"
"You!!" I nearly shrieked when I realized who it was.
"Well, I'm fine, thank you for asking," Skyler grumbled in that alluring accent of his, dusting his uniform. "You're pretty polite, you know that?"
I narrowed my eyes and coughed. "Well, thank you kind sir," I said in a mock-British accent and bowing dramatically.
"I'm sorry if I endangered your life," I continued in the fake accent. "Do you wish for any medical attention?"
Skyler chuckled and clapped. "Bravo. You got that accent down pat although it sounds a little different. How did you do that?"
Like hell I'd tell him. I wasn't gonna tell him that my dad's side of the family was Australian and that I lived in Australia before Uncle Ash had to move over here to take over the school and my dad wanted to start up a business here. The Australian accent could be easily changed into a British one if you took enough acting classes.
What? An art-freak teenager alright? I was thinking of enrolling into an Arts academy someday. Acting could be an interesting extra course besides painting.
"Like hell I'd tell you," I said in my normal voice.
He frowned. "I quite liked it when you were all polite and British…but ah, I guess sometimes, you can never get what you want can you?"
"Whatever."
I stormed off to literature class. On impulse, I turned around and saw Skyler following me behind.
"What now? You're stalking me?" I asked crankily.
He didn't seem to be fazed by my rudeness. "Blondie,Blondie, Blondie," he chuckled, using that annoying name he christened me with. What the hell's wrong with him?!? Doesn't he realize that he's blonde too???
"Did you know that your teacher, 's took a sick day off? I'm one of her most trusted students you know? And I happen to have a free period right now. Piece the puzzle together, I'm sure if you're as smart as I initially thought, you'd get the reason as to why I'm 'stalking' you."
No way. No way.
I slumped over my desk in misery. I rotated my head to the right where Ray, who was my seatmate, was semi-hyperventilating. She has been like this for almost an hour now.
"Oh, my GOD! He's actually substituting for Mrs.A! This has to be a dream," Ray gushed. "Pinch me Hera. Is that Skyler McKnight ? Is he taking over for Mrs. A?"
Skyler was surrounded by students, guys and girls alike, and talking to them. Talk about popularity. Even guys seem to like him although he's stealing most of the girls' attentions. Apparently, he's substituting for our literature teacher, . I know, even I'm surprised. I didn't even know students could be substitutes. Is that even legal?
But, this is Wolfe Academy. Founded by my great -I dunno how many greats exactly- granddad. Which is currently being lorded over by an evil figure called Uncle Ash. Who also has an equally evil twin brother called Dad. I guess things like these shouldn't surprise me. I mean, for someone who's well into his adulthood, he sure still acts like a little kid. Seriously, he's gotta get a girlfriend.
I looked at Ray in surprise. " You know him?"
She looked at me as if I was insane. "You don't know? That guy is pretty popular among all the girls in the academy. Aside from being totally hot, he's totally smart too! Not to mention he has a really sexy accent."
"How come I didn't know you knew him?" I asked curiously, resting my chin on my left hand.
"Well, no offense Hera, but before this, you used to spend a lot of time somewhere in one of the Art rooms or playing some sport with Shane or something. Whenever I saw him, you were never with me," Ray said. "And you know, it's not like I know him personally or anything, I just know him cause he's popular."
I rolled my eyes. Yeah these girls are all crazy over him cause he's hot and has brains. Do they know just how evil this guy is?
"Well, I for one," I declared, "Think he's a really obnoxious, evil, manipulating-"
"You have something to say?" Skyler's lips were beside my right ear.
"Herr…raa…" he whispered seductively. I felt chills going up and down my spine in a somewhat good way.
I folded my arms stubbornly. "Wolfe."
Skyler straightened back up. "Pardon?"
"Miss Wolfe," I said gleefully. "Mrs.A usually calls me that. She calls all of us by our last names."
Skyler smirked instead. "Alright then...."
"Miss Wolfe...."
He said it so seductively, I wanted to strangle the guy. Seriously.
"Would you care to read out this part with me?"
He held out a book, 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'
A few passages were highlighted and he looked at me with a challenging look in his eyes.
"Fine," I stood up, taking up my own copy as I went to the front with Skyler following suit.
I took a deep breath and tried to ignore the attention the rest of my classmates were giving us. I tried to pretend as though it was only me and Skyler alone.
We began.
Skyler began in his strong British accent.
"Fair love, you faint with wandering in the wood, And to speak troth I have forgot our way. We'll rest us Hermia, if you think it good. And tarry for the comfort of the day."
He looked at me expectantly. I realized it was my turn. I gripped the book tightly.
"Be it so Lysander; find you out a bed, For I upon this bank will rest my head."
It was Skyler's turn now. I waited for him to continue.
"One turf shall serve as pillow for us both, One heart, one bed, two bosoms, and one troth."
Whoa, someone's pretty serious. He was pretty intense and I was determined not to lose. For the next line, I began with a somewhat scared and somewhat warning tone.
"Nay good Lysander, for my sake my dear, lie further off yet, do not lie so near."
Skyler immediately picked up where I left off in a serious and passionate voice. As he stared into my eyes, he recited the rest of his lines. My heart rate went berserk as he did so.
"O take the sense of sweet, of my innocence, Love takes the meaning, in love's conference. I mean that my heart unto yours is knot, So that but one heart we can make of it. Two bosoms interchained with an oath, So then two bosoms, and a single troth. Then by your side, no bed-room me deny, For lying so, Hermia, I do not lie."
He seemed to stress the last few words. I got lost in the abyss of his eyes as he continued looking at me.
There were a few lines left, but the bell signaling the end of the class rang. The both of us looked at each other in surprise as the whole class erupted into applause.
Skyler immediately recovered his cool demeanor and grinned. "Well, thank you. You were a very good and attentive class. Well then, you guys can go to your next class. It was pleasant teaching you."
As he exchanged goodbyes and high fives with the students leaving the class, I went back to my desk where Ray was waiting for me. I started gathering up my belongings.
"Whoa, the intensity between the both of you was incredible just now."
"What are you talking about? That was pretty short dialogue, no time for intensities or anything," I muttered. I shouldered my bag and proceeded to leave the classroom. I walked past Skyler quickly, without a word. ignoring him and stopped just outside the classroom door to wait for Ray who was making small talk with him.
I know it's bad to eavesdrop, but I can't help it alright? They were talking loud enough for me to hear.
"You make a pretty good Lit teacher," Ray complimented flirtatiously.
"Thanks uh… sorry, what's your name?" Skyler asked, apologetically.
"Raychel Kidd," Ray answered happily. "There's a 'Y' after the 'R' and 'A'." Probably cause now, he'd at least know of her name and existence.
"What a beautiful name," Skyler replied suavely. "And interesting too, ."
I heard Ray giggle girlishly. Damn you, Skyler. Now I'm gonna have to put up with her gushing about him for some time until his effect wore off.
"Aaww, you can call me Ray, all my friends do," Ray giggled.
"Oh? You consider me your friend then?" Skyler asked, he looked to where I was standing outside, I pretended to be engrossed with my nails. "But said your regular teacher referred to all of you by your last names."
"Oh, ignore Hera. She's not usually like this you know," Ray said. "She's usually much more approachable and friendly. I guess you intimidate her or something."
I tried to refrain myself from banging my head against the wall. Ray! What the hell do you mean by intimidate?!?
Skyler chuckled. And I swear, he did it almost evilly. "Oh really? That's rather…. well, adorable of her."
I rolled my eyes heavenwards. Adorable? Huh, and he said I wasn't fit for that sort of description.
"Well yeah, I guess. She's rarely intimidated by people, so far, I think she's been only intimidated by two people, that would be you and this girl."
"Oh? She's intimidated by another girl is she? Why do you think so?"
"Well, that's cause clearly, she has this thing-"
I coughed noisily and hurried back into the classroom. I swept past Skyler and grabbed Ray by her wrist, trying not to meet his eyes.
"Oh, sorry. We're gonna be late for our next class. See ya!"
As soon as we were safely far away from the classroom, I released by grip on Ray's wrist.
"What the hell Herr!" Ray exclaimed. "Why did you do that for? We don't even have any classes next period!"
I gave her a bewildered look. "Why did I do that for? You were about to tell him of my interest in Ashton!!!! That's what I did that for."
Oh. Damn. Did I just say that? I think I did.
Ray grinned delightedly. "You do like him after all! You said so yourself!!!"
She jumped up and down happily, clapping her hands while singing, "You do like him! You do like him"
Oh well, at least I changed the subject. She totally doesn't have to know that I do, in fact, know him. She still hasn't realized that Skyler knew my name.
"Who does like who?" a male voice interrupted.
I spotted Shane behind Ray, raising an eyebrow and dressed in a tuxedo, with the jacket left unbuttoned carelessly, revealing the vest underneath, a red tie -instead of a bow- loose around his neck and the outfit was even complete with proper shoes and that little handkerchief square protruding from the breast-pocket, with his hair messed up adorably.
I raised my eyebrows in surprise. "Wow, and where are you going? This is the Wolfe Academy you know, not a party venue."
Ray turned around to take a proper look at him. She clapped her hands slowly in approval and gave him an appreciative look.
"Whoa Lancaster, you clean up good."
Which is true. Usually, Shane was just dressed in jeans, shorts and shirts. On formal occasions, a formal collared shirt , dress pants and a tie. Shane in a tux is actually pretty hot, if I say so myself. Which is weird for someone like me to say. Shane is one of the most sought after guys in the academy and for a long time now, I didn't understand why, seeing as I grew up with him and therefore, didn't really find him attractive. Now, I totally do. Well, maybe just a little. I mean, hey, this is the guy who's been with me since I was three. He's been with me way before Ray has. He was the first kid who came up to me and just simply made friends with me on the very first day of preschool.
He grimaced at us, blushing a little. Aaw!! That's so cute! Shane! Blushing!
"Ha-ha. Very funny," he muttered.
"So, pray, tell us, why are you so dolled up?" Ray asked, still examining Shane like a specimen. "Is that real Italian silk?"
Shane rolled his eyes. "No, I don't know if it's Italian silk or whatever. And I happen to be 'dolled' up because I'm modeling for one of the designers in the school's Designer's club."
Ray tutted. "Shame on you, Lancaster. Your mother is a celebrated fashion designer and you don't know what kind of silk that is??"
I laughed. "Come on, Ray, if Shane actually could tell the difference between different types of silk, I wouldn't know him anymore."
After a second's thought, I said to Shane, "And haven't they been hounding you forever to be a model for their clothes? Why only agree now?"
I caught him casting a brief glance at Ray who was busy texting someone on her Blackberry. Ahh. I sense a lil' something something something here.
Okay, I gotta stop being gay. Well then, back to Shane.
"You know that stupid party that Ray blackmailed both of us into?" Shane asked.
I nodded, casting a glance at Ray, who's still busy with her texting.
"Well, I really couldn't bother calling up someone to make a tux for me and Ray told me she wouldn't forgive me if the tux was rented. The kid from the Designer's club agreed to give me any one set of clothes that I will be modeling in, for free, if I agreed to model for her," Shane explained, running a hand through his wavy hair. "So, I guess I'm getting this to wear for the party, seeing as I got Ray's approval."
Is it me or do I sense something here? I ran over the details of the conversation. He had looked at Ray when I asked his reason for agreeing to model, he had admitted that he took the trouble to find a suitable custom-made suit to please Ray.
Oh-em-gee.
SHANE LIKES RAY!!!
The little girl in me was jumping around excitedly. Seriously, of all people, the one person I least expected Shane to have a crush on was Ray.
"And so?" Ray asked, putting away her Blackberry. "What're you doing here?"
I noticed that Shane was repeatedly running his fingers through his hair, something he didn't usually do and that his hair looked a little wet.
Knowing Shane, it's probably because...
"I know!" I exclaimed. "They were about to cut and style your hair! Weren't they?"
Shane hated hair gel. Or any kind of hair styling products for that matter. The only things he uses on his hair were shampoo and occasionally-only because he was forced by his mom- conditioner. He also hated having his hair styled or cut stylishly, and preferred his on natural, wavy, dark, lustrous locks. Some girls at the academy are actually jealous of his hair.
Shane's face broke into a grin. "That's right! As expected from someone who knows me better than I know myself! They were gonna make me slick my hair back like some freakin' prick, you know. "
He shuddered at the thought.
"I can so not rock that look. So I took the liberty of running away while they went to get more hair wax and mousse."
"Won't they come chasing after you?" I asked, starting to walk towards my locker. Shane and Ray followed suit. My locker was in between theirs.
"I'll just deal with that later," Shane said, waving his hand. " 'Sides, as I was saying, so, who does like who?"
"Is it another one of Ray's latest obsessions?"
I hint no jealousy. Damn. That guy perfected the Art of Masking Your Jealousy.
Before, I could say anything, Ray, being as evil as she was, quickly cut in.
"You-remember-that-dude-who-Herr-called-her-executioner??-Ashton-Taylor?-The-one-with-the-over-possesive-redhead-clung-onto-him?-Well,-Herr-has-a-huge-crush-on-him-and-she-just-admited-it!"
She ran all the words together and said them in one breath.
I salute her.
Seriously.
Aside from me, Shane was one of the few people who could understand it when Ray spoke like that.
He frowned slightly and looked at me, his expression unreadable. "You? Crush? Ashton Taylor? Guy? Has same name? As your uncle?"
I scowled at him. "Names aren't everything you know."
I stopped in front of a locker that had my name engraved on it on a silver plate.
As I turned the combination lock, Shane said, "So you don't deny that you have a so called, 'huge crush' on him?"
I was silent as I took a comb and combed my hair while contemplating on his words. My first crush thing was a big issue between me and Shane. I was always reluctant to tell him about my romantic feelings, because I was afraid he wouldn't react very well. I remember when I was eight, in third grade, I got a couple of secret valentines on Valentine's Day. Shane wasn't very happy about it and I never really did understood why. We had a huge argument about it. We didn't talk to each other for about a week, when finally, both of us couldn't stand it any longer and apologized to one another, bawling like babies. That's why, I never told him I crushed on that little boy at swimming lessons more than ten years ago. I learnt that although I do not know why, but talking about my own crushes to him was a taboo.
"He must be the first guy you've ever liked huh? I grew up with you, so I know."
I was still silent.
"Herr? Why don't you ask him to be your date instead? You know, to the party?"
I swear, half of my heart was breaking when he said that. Just the tone of his voice made my heart break.
Shane was my first friend and best friend. He understood me even better than Ray does. He was the one who taught me how to talk back to bullies when I was in preschool. I will never forget the day when I met him. I was three. Just freshly moved from Australia and I was really scared and unadapted to the new environment and surroundings. I mostly kept to myself and was silent. I remember sitting by myself in the sandbox in the playground of the preschool division of the academy. I was drawing stuff in the sand and a little Shane had come up to me and asked, "Hey, are you an angel? My mommy told me that angels are usually pwetty and happy. You're pwetty but not happy!"
I remember looking up at him, curious as to who this little boy was. He was straight-to-the-point and told me what he thought.
"If you're gonna sit here in the sandbox, you will not have many fwiends! And you can't be happy!"
And he held out a hand towards me.
"Why don't I make you happy? Then you can be an angel!"
I accepted that hand. Ever since then, we had grown closer and closer. Nothing could've separated us.
I don't want this to happen now.
"Hey, why don't we just leave this at that alright?" Ray said coming in between us, she put her arms around our shoulders. "Lancaster, why can't you be happy about the fact that our Herr is growing up? Be more supportive. It's the first time she's ever liked a guy. And besides, I already registered both on you on the guest list as each others' escorts. No changing."
The bell rang and throngs of students suddenly materialized in the hallways, chatting and laughing with each other, and getting stuff from their lockers, touching up hair and makeup.
I looked up at Shane, putting on a black expression. Acting classes are so worth it. He looked at me with the same blank expression.
"Well," Shane started. He closed the door to his locker, twisting the combination lock around carelessly. "I'd better scram. The members of the Designers' Club have probably put a 'Wanted' sign of me on every single bulletin board in the academy right now. I've got soccer after school, so don't bother waiting."
He waved and disappeared off into the crowd of students. I stared after him, helpless and unable to say anything.
I turned to Ray.
"Did what I think just happened, happened?" I asked.
Ray gave me and apologetic smile. "I'm so sorry Herr. I didn't realize that this whole crushes thing still affects him a lot. I don't know what's his problem. I guess he's just afraid you'll find another best-guy-friend to replace him with."
I gave her a shocked look. "Him? Replace? I would never do that!"
"Well, I guess we just really can't fathom what guys are thinking sometimes. Can we?"
I really wish we could.
"Alright Hera! You can get out now!" Coach Nancy called. "You're done with training for today. Good job! ….Zac! Stop playing around!"
I pushed myself up the edge of the pool and got out, looking forward to a nice, hot shower and some serious haircare.
"Hey, freshman," someone called from behind me.
"Mmph?" I muffled, my face buried in a fluffy towel. I'm a sophomore. Not a freshman. Who's that idiot calling me? I may be short, but I'm not a freshman!
I lifted my face out of the towel and turned around while saying, "Look here, I don't care what you think bu-"
I stopped midway, my blood running cold. My spine and all other senses went rigid as I saw the person before me.
It was..….Death.
No, I kid you not. Well, I guess if you're just as chicken as me, you would think that someone like Jenny Parker was Death.
Hell, I certainly do.
Her face was stony. "Yes? You don't care what I think but?"
I swear, my eyes just got around a hundred times larger and that I looked like a deer caught in the headlights.
"I-I'm sorry," I squeaked. "I-I didn't know it was you."
I cast a brief look around the surrounding area. Coach was still nagging at Zachariah who was still fooling around in the pool, Warner and Ash were having a -what seems to be- good humored conversation. Becky and Faith were still in the changing rooms, changing out of their swimming attire.
Well, at least there're witnesses should Jenny actually try to assassinate me. I only had to remain here and not let her take me to a secluded forest or an old abandoned house where she could easily do the killing.
She narrowed her eyes. Sniff. Mikayla, why's your little sister like this?
"Whatever. Look here, you seem to be on…well, good terms with Ashton."
I just blinked at her, unable to speak. If I said that I was on good terms with him, there's an eighty percent chance that she'd slay me. If I said no, she'd suspect that something's up between us, raising the chance of killing me by nineteen percent.
Apparently, Jenny was too great, she is rendering me speechless.
"Anyway," she continued, rolling her eyes. "Ashton and I? We're more than just friends."
I debated whether or not to point out the fact that it was probably her who just thinks so.
I decided not to. The mute thing seems to be working out pretty well for me.
"I'm sure you realize that. And, I know that you are madly, hopelessly in love with him."
What the hell?!? I may find him hot and everything, but that doesn't mean I'm obsessed over him! I just met the guy last week!
But I still kept quiet. No talk, no trouble.
"Well, I would just like to say one thing."
She gave me a cold, icy smile.
"Stay. Away."
And she walked off.
This is the time when I hear the angel chorus singing 'Hallelujah' and party poppers are exploding in the background with a banner saying "CONGRATULATIONS! YOU'RE ALIVE!!!!" hanging above me.
But I don't see or hear any of that. I was still scared stiff. This is the first time I've ever felt this afraid of someone. Murderous intent was literally radiating off her.
"Herr?"
I yelped, taking a protective stance of holding my arms -still holding the towel- above my head.
"What's wrong with you?" a familiar voice asked.
I snuck a look above the towel. It wasn't Jenny, it was……….
Someone I didn't recognize.
No, seriously. The voice sounded familiar, but there stood a tall guy who I didn't recognize, with a mass of dark blonde curls and golden-brown eyes stood there before wasn't wearing the academy's uniform, but he was wearing a t-shirt and jeans.
"Do I know you?" I asked, the initial fright fading away. It was replaced with pure curiosity.
He frowned. "Whoa, what's up with your accent?…...You really don't remember me?"
I shook my head, the guy had a strange accent. Not quite........ American.
"No, sorry. I don't. Honest. And my accent is perfectly fine."
I know, I may be three quarters Australian (my mom's Aussie-American), but after living here longer that I have lived in Australia, I have already adopted the accent.
I reached towards a t-shirt which I hung on the bleachers and pulled it over my head.
"Would you mind enlightening me as to who you are?"
He folded his arms, still frowning.
"I'm hurt. You really don't remember me? I recognized you at first glance!"
I shook my head. "Listen, I don't really wanna play the game where you go 'you really don't remember me?' and when I say no, you will go 'you really really don't remember me?'. So, I suggest you identify thy name to me or I shall just leave?"
His frowned disappeared and he chuckled. "You haven't changed much have you? Herr?"
"Seriously, who are you? How do you know my name? Let alone my nickname?"
O…kay, I was really starting to feel creeped out right now. Is this guy a stalker or something? But he really does sound familiar though.
He sighed heavily, somewhat disappointed. "Of all people , the least I expected to forget about my very existence was you. You really break my heart. You really do."
It was my turn to frown. "What? You're claiming that I broke your heart when I don't even know you?"
I turned around to leave. "I'm sorry, but you're wasting your time with me. I cannot recall ever meeting a person like you."
I proceeded to walk towards the locker rooms, well aware that Ashton and Warner were staring.
"Wait!" he called.
"I MARRIED YOU!"
Wait....
WHAT?!?!!?
