Someone Like You
Alone in her room sat a young Japanese girl, called Phoebe. The sun had just set down under the horizon and Phoebe watched the last rays of the gentle sun fall from view. Although Phoebe was very intelligent, she was not a leader, nor was she as into her looks as many other 16 year old girls. Now Phoebe was pretty, her black hair had grown down to her mid- back, she wore contacts as well, but she did not wear make-up, and her hair was always down.
As she did every night, Phoebe brushed through her hair until is cascaded smoothly down her back. Brushing her teeth was already done, so all she had to do was change into her nightgown and go under the covers. Looking through her closet she chose her black nightgown and slipped under the blankets. Before drifting into a fitful sleep, only one thought crossed her mind-"Gerald."
The next day as the dawn rose up high Phoebe was in a hurry. She ran around her room, getting dressed in a light blue dress and fixing her hair. Gathering her books quickly, she excused herself from her mother and father, so she wouldn't have to eat and she rushed to her best friend, Helga's house. She was late, she knew. "Oh, man." She whispered. "Helga's going to kill me."
Helga stood on her porch waiting for Phoebe. "I can't believe she's late AGAIN!" She whispered angrily. "She's been late all week!" That was when Phoebe rounded the corner. "There you are! I've been waiting for ten minutes!"
"I'm sorry Helga. I woke up late." Helga sighed.
"Lets just go." Phoebe nodded and they started off to their high school. It took them 5 minutes to walk there, and then they had to separate for first hour. "Phoebe, I'll see you at lunch. Don't forget to save me a seat today!"
"Yes, Helga." Helga turned and walked away for her History class. Phoebe started off for her least favorite subject-Gym. There was only one thing she liked about her Gym class and that was her friends Gerald and Arnold were in the class. She'd usually spend most of the hour talking with them or watching Gerald when neither of them were watching. She had realized that lately it had been increasingly difficult to keep her eyes from Gerald's sleek figure.
"Earth to Phoebe. Hey Phoebs. Phoebe? PHOEBE?" Phoebe's eyes shifted to look at Arnold who was waving a hand in front of her face. A blush rose in her cheeks, turning them a scarlet color. "Good, you've come back. We were getting worried there."
"I apologize for my distractions." She said in a soft voice. "I was rather. preoccupied." The two friends exchanged grins and Arnold poked her in the side.
"We can see that Phoebs. I have never seen you so concentrated on anything in my life. Not even in your studies did you seem that occupied." Phoebe's eyes traveled behind her two companions. Someone was approaching them, a dodgeball in hand. A small smile spread across her features.
"Perhaps you are correct, Arnold. But I have my focus elsewhere." With that, she threw herself at the ground as Curly and Sid both flung their balls at Gerald and Arnold. Arnold fell to the ground and Gerald landed on top of Phoebe. "Oof!" She cried at the added weight. When her dark brown eyes opened she found his face inches from hers, his eyes opening slowly. He had barely propped himself up above her in the fall and was surprised when he saw her.
"Erm. I'm sorry, Phoebs." Phoebe quickly adverted her eyes from the now-flustered Gerald. "Oh! Uhm. Sorry.." He climbed to his feet then offered her his hand. "Here."
Her hand closed on his while he pulled her to her feet. "Thank you, Gerald. That was. very kind of you." He smiled at her as she felt her cheeks grow warm again.
"It's the least I could do. I mean I DID fall on you."
"Look! Gerald and Phoebe sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-" Sid started to sing out-Arnold elbowed him in the ribs.
"Shut it, man." He said looking at the flustered teens.
"I shall see you later, Gerald, Arnold. I think I'm going to go speak with Sheena. She's waving to me." With that, Phoebe hurried over to her quiet friend who was giggling and asking what happened with she and Gerald. "Nothing happened. He fell on me." She said simply.
Gerald stood silently as the two girls talked in hushed tones. Just as he was turning to talk with Arnold a voice spoke up behind him. "A-HEM." Came the snobbish sound. "Gerald, Nadine has to say something to you. Nadine." Rhonda said, turning to her friend. "Make it quick." Nadine nodded once which made her braids bounce.
"Hey Nadine."
"Hey Gerald. I was wondering if you-" She turned and saw all the eyes fixed on her and Gerald intently. "Would join me to talk in private." He nodded and followed the smaller girl giving Sid and Curly a look. "Gerald, I've been thinking."
"And?"
"And. Gerald. Gerald, will you go out with me?" She looked at the floor as soon as the words left her mouth, ashamed.
"Go out-- with you.? Nadine, since when do you."
"Oh, it's nothing big, Gerald. I mean, I really like you-but I won't die if you say no. I can handle it." Although the words came from her mouth, her eyes spoke differently. They looked hopeful and yet. fearful. She was afraid of the answer. She had tears hidden behind her eyes and Gerald could see them.
"Well, I suppose it won't hurt anything. You are a very nice person after all, Nadine." Her eyes opened wide in astonishment and in a moment he had an arm full of Nadine, who was grinning from ear to ear.
"I'm so happy, Gerald! You won't regret this, I promise." She kissed him quickly on the cheek and raced off to tell Rhonda. Rhonda grinned as Nadine told the group the good news. Gerald's eyes traveled over the astonished looks of his friend-and then the hurt look on Phoebe's face.
"I hurt her." He murmured softly. "I hurt Phoebe." Phoebe took a deep breath and met his gaze defiantly, her eyes hardening against the reality of what was happening. She turned on her heel and walked away briskly, followed by Sheena who frowned at Gerald. "Oh, crap."
The bell rang and Phoebe was the first out the door, hurrying to be away from Gerald and everyone else's knowing glances. How could he do this to her? Was he so oblivious? Why didn't he see what everyone else saw? Her next class was Chemistry, which required a lot of concentration-- something she just did not have. She took quick notes, having already finished the chapter anyway and recorded the day she'd be in a lab. She took out a piece of paper and her favorite mechanical pencil and started writing to her best friend.
Helga, it started I have a problem. Just as I know your secret about 'ice cream', you know mine about Gerald. Helga, if you haven't heard by now Gerald accepted Nadine's request to date him. I am at a loss of what to do, my friend. I can't tell him, but I can't bare the thought of him with her. You are very intelligent Helga. Please, help me. I will be sending this via Eugene-Don't hurt him. Write back ASAP.
Your friend,
Phoebe
She folded the letter quickly and whispered to Eugene who was studying. "Eugene! Pssst! Eugene! Helga's in your next hour class, right?" The jinx nodded to her. "Please, give this to her. It's VERY important." Eugene took the letter without question and put it in his bag. The hour was agonizingly slow, and in the last five minutes she remembered she had her third hour class with Arnold. "Oh, no."
The class filed out quickly, Phoebe was the last to leave, watching as Eugene hurried off to class with her note in his bag. She hurried to her Literature class. Arnold already sat there as she took her seat behind him and withdrew her mechanical pencil, beginning to write the assignment down. Eyes bore into her as she wrote, trying to ignore it. Arnold was watching her, she knew. With nothing left to write, she lifted her gaze to look at Arnold. "Yes?"
"Phoebe, about Gerald-"
"What about him?" She asked, gritting her teeth ever so slightly.
"I know it probably hurts seeing him with Nadine and I just thought you should know that he really likes you. More than Nadine." Her slanted eyes narrowed at the simple comment that was meant to bring her joy, but only brought pain.
"He likes me more than he likes Nadine?" She inquired. "Then why on Earth would he permit himself to be her boyfriend? Why, unless he did like her more? If he liked me so, Arnold, then why has he not come to me with the same request? Everyone else seems to know how I feel about him-Everyone BUT him."
"Phoebe."
"I will not discuss this with you any longer, Arnold. I must go back to my studying. If you will excuse me." A sigh of frustration followed in front of her as the teacher started to lecture. Phoebe kept her nose buried in her book.
Meanwhile Helga was in her Algebra class, writing another love poem in her little pink diary, wondering when this boring class would be over. She had tickets to Wrestle Mania that night and she couldn't wait to see them in action! "Helga!" The blonde rolled her eyes then turned to Eugene with a scowl on her face.
"What do you want?" She hissed angrily. "I've more important things to do." Eugene held out a note for her. She wearily took it from him and began to read. Her blue eyes widened in astonishment as she quickly withdrew a pencil and paper and wrote a reply.
Phoebs, There really ain't much you can do but tell him, and I know that it's not going to be easy telling Geraldo how you feel (You've seen how many times I've tried to tell 'Ice cream'). Fact is, Phoebs, you just gotta say it. I'm sorry I can't help much more than that. Maybe I could help get him to you? We'll discuss it at lunch. Uh-oh gotta go, teachers lookin at me
BFF,
Helga
Helga folded the note easily and handed it back to Eugene then went back to her homework, wondering why she was stuck in a class of idiots who were now staring at her. "Figures." She sighed heavily at the familiar wheezing from behind her. "I get put in front of Brainy." She socked him quickly in the mouth then finished her last problem. "Done."
Phoebe got the note before forth hour and read it in her Choir class. With a nod she put the note away, and withdrew her music sheet. "Doesn't hurt to get a head start." She thought to herself. The teacher, Ms. Vost, has cleared her throat.
"Okay kids-are you ready to sing?" No one replied. She laughed. "Well, we're practicing for contest today, I would like the soloists to come up with their music. Phoebe groaned inwardly. "Oh, why did I have to sign up for a solo?" Phoebe rose with Gerald, Rhonda, and Iggy as they approached the front of the room. Gerald sang in his low base voice "I'll Cover You Reprised" from RENT, Rhonda sang "My Strongest Suit" From AIDA and Iggy sang "Music of the Night" From Phantom of the Opera. They each took their seats until Phoebe was the only one standing.
"I-I'll be singing "Someone Like You" from the musical Jekyll and Hyde." She said softly, her voice trembling. There were muttered snickers all around her as she cleared her throat and nodded to the music teacher. She allowed herself to be swept away in the music.
I peer through windows
Watch life go by. Dream of tomorrow, And wonder "why".
The past is holding me Keeping life at bay. I wander lost in yesterday. Wanting to fly--! But scared to try.
Her gaze involuntarily shifted to Gerald as she sang the next verse, falling right into the character's role. Feeling as the character felt- yearning for what the character yearned.
But, if someone like you Found someone like me Then, suddenly, Nothing would ever be the same!
My heart would take wing And I'd feel so alive! If someone like you found me.
Phoebe sighed heavily and looked at the ground, breaking eye contact with Gerald.
So many secrets
I long to share- All I have needed is someone there
To help me see a world I've never seen before-- A love to open every door, To set me free So I can soar!
She looked up again with a smile on her face, not making eye contact as her voice soared through the room.
If someone like you
Found someone like me, Then, suddenly, Nothing would ever be the same!
There'd be a new way to live! A new life to love! If someone like you found me.!
Oh, if someone like you Found someone like me Then, suddenly, Nothing would ever be the same!
Gerald and Phoebe's eyes locked again, and this time Phoebe held on to them with all her might. She wanted him to see the feeling she had hidden from view. She wanted him to feel her pain. Feel her love. He returned her gaze, looking into her bared soul.
My heart would take wing
And I'd feel so alive-! If someone like you Loved me. Loved me. Loved me.
She held the note the full value then looked down at the ground expecting to be tormented. The room was in total silence as she started back to her seat before everyone started into a loud chatter all around her. Many were congratulating her, others were demanding why she'd not sung before. And yet, some criticized her for not singing it correctly. After about five minutes she raised her ashamed gaze to Gerald who was smiling at her. She saw his lips move as he mouthed to her "We need to talk. After school."
She nodded quickly and looked away, however the girl behind her had followed her gaze and had seen the same thing Gerald had mouthed to Phoebe. Rhonda would wait after school as well to hear what Gerald had to say. He couldn't hurt her friend Nadine. No one could
Alone in her room sat a young Japanese girl, called Phoebe. The sun had just set down under the horizon and Phoebe watched the last rays of the gentle sun fall from view. Although Phoebe was very intelligent, she was not a leader, nor was she as into her looks as many other 16 year old girls. Now Phoebe was pretty, her black hair had grown down to her mid- back, she wore contacts as well, but she did not wear make-up, and her hair was always down.
As she did every night, Phoebe brushed through her hair until is cascaded smoothly down her back. Brushing her teeth was already done, so all she had to do was change into her nightgown and go under the covers. Looking through her closet she chose her black nightgown and slipped under the blankets. Before drifting into a fitful sleep, only one thought crossed her mind-"Gerald."
The next day as the dawn rose up high Phoebe was in a hurry. She ran around her room, getting dressed in a light blue dress and fixing her hair. Gathering her books quickly, she excused herself from her mother and father, so she wouldn't have to eat and she rushed to her best friend, Helga's house. She was late, she knew. "Oh, man." She whispered. "Helga's going to kill me."
Helga stood on her porch waiting for Phoebe. "I can't believe she's late AGAIN!" She whispered angrily. "She's been late all week!" That was when Phoebe rounded the corner. "There you are! I've been waiting for ten minutes!"
"I'm sorry Helga. I woke up late." Helga sighed.
"Lets just go." Phoebe nodded and they started off to their high school. It took them 5 minutes to walk there, and then they had to separate for first hour. "Phoebe, I'll see you at lunch. Don't forget to save me a seat today!"
"Yes, Helga." Helga turned and walked away for her History class. Phoebe started off for her least favorite subject-Gym. There was only one thing she liked about her Gym class and that was her friends Gerald and Arnold were in the class. She'd usually spend most of the hour talking with them or watching Gerald when neither of them were watching. She had realized that lately it had been increasingly difficult to keep her eyes from Gerald's sleek figure.
"Earth to Phoebe. Hey Phoebs. Phoebe? PHOEBE?" Phoebe's eyes shifted to look at Arnold who was waving a hand in front of her face. A blush rose in her cheeks, turning them a scarlet color. "Good, you've come back. We were getting worried there."
"I apologize for my distractions." She said in a soft voice. "I was rather. preoccupied." The two friends exchanged grins and Arnold poked her in the side.
"We can see that Phoebs. I have never seen you so concentrated on anything in my life. Not even in your studies did you seem that occupied." Phoebe's eyes traveled behind her two companions. Someone was approaching them, a dodgeball in hand. A small smile spread across her features.
"Perhaps you are correct, Arnold. But I have my focus elsewhere." With that, she threw herself at the ground as Curly and Sid both flung their balls at Gerald and Arnold. Arnold fell to the ground and Gerald landed on top of Phoebe. "Oof!" She cried at the added weight. When her dark brown eyes opened she found his face inches from hers, his eyes opening slowly. He had barely propped himself up above her in the fall and was surprised when he saw her.
"Erm. I'm sorry, Phoebs." Phoebe quickly adverted her eyes from the now-flustered Gerald. "Oh! Uhm. Sorry.." He climbed to his feet then offered her his hand. "Here."
Her hand closed on his while he pulled her to her feet. "Thank you, Gerald. That was. very kind of you." He smiled at her as she felt her cheeks grow warm again.
"It's the least I could do. I mean I DID fall on you."
"Look! Gerald and Phoebe sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-" Sid started to sing out-Arnold elbowed him in the ribs.
"Shut it, man." He said looking at the flustered teens.
"I shall see you later, Gerald, Arnold. I think I'm going to go speak with Sheena. She's waving to me." With that, Phoebe hurried over to her quiet friend who was giggling and asking what happened with she and Gerald. "Nothing happened. He fell on me." She said simply.
Gerald stood silently as the two girls talked in hushed tones. Just as he was turning to talk with Arnold a voice spoke up behind him. "A-HEM." Came the snobbish sound. "Gerald, Nadine has to say something to you. Nadine." Rhonda said, turning to her friend. "Make it quick." Nadine nodded once which made her braids bounce.
"Hey Nadine."
"Hey Gerald. I was wondering if you-" She turned and saw all the eyes fixed on her and Gerald intently. "Would join me to talk in private." He nodded and followed the smaller girl giving Sid and Curly a look. "Gerald, I've been thinking."
"And?"
"And. Gerald. Gerald, will you go out with me?" She looked at the floor as soon as the words left her mouth, ashamed.
"Go out-- with you.? Nadine, since when do you."
"Oh, it's nothing big, Gerald. I mean, I really like you-but I won't die if you say no. I can handle it." Although the words came from her mouth, her eyes spoke differently. They looked hopeful and yet. fearful. She was afraid of the answer. She had tears hidden behind her eyes and Gerald could see them.
"Well, I suppose it won't hurt anything. You are a very nice person after all, Nadine." Her eyes opened wide in astonishment and in a moment he had an arm full of Nadine, who was grinning from ear to ear.
"I'm so happy, Gerald! You won't regret this, I promise." She kissed him quickly on the cheek and raced off to tell Rhonda. Rhonda grinned as Nadine told the group the good news. Gerald's eyes traveled over the astonished looks of his friend-and then the hurt look on Phoebe's face.
"I hurt her." He murmured softly. "I hurt Phoebe." Phoebe took a deep breath and met his gaze defiantly, her eyes hardening against the reality of what was happening. She turned on her heel and walked away briskly, followed by Sheena who frowned at Gerald. "Oh, crap."
The bell rang and Phoebe was the first out the door, hurrying to be away from Gerald and everyone else's knowing glances. How could he do this to her? Was he so oblivious? Why didn't he see what everyone else saw? Her next class was Chemistry, which required a lot of concentration-- something she just did not have. She took quick notes, having already finished the chapter anyway and recorded the day she'd be in a lab. She took out a piece of paper and her favorite mechanical pencil and started writing to her best friend.
Helga, it started I have a problem. Just as I know your secret about 'ice cream', you know mine about Gerald. Helga, if you haven't heard by now Gerald accepted Nadine's request to date him. I am at a loss of what to do, my friend. I can't tell him, but I can't bare the thought of him with her. You are very intelligent Helga. Please, help me. I will be sending this via Eugene-Don't hurt him. Write back ASAP.
Your friend,
Phoebe
She folded the letter quickly and whispered to Eugene who was studying. "Eugene! Pssst! Eugene! Helga's in your next hour class, right?" The jinx nodded to her. "Please, give this to her. It's VERY important." Eugene took the letter without question and put it in his bag. The hour was agonizingly slow, and in the last five minutes she remembered she had her third hour class with Arnold. "Oh, no."
The class filed out quickly, Phoebe was the last to leave, watching as Eugene hurried off to class with her note in his bag. She hurried to her Literature class. Arnold already sat there as she took her seat behind him and withdrew her mechanical pencil, beginning to write the assignment down. Eyes bore into her as she wrote, trying to ignore it. Arnold was watching her, she knew. With nothing left to write, she lifted her gaze to look at Arnold. "Yes?"
"Phoebe, about Gerald-"
"What about him?" She asked, gritting her teeth ever so slightly.
"I know it probably hurts seeing him with Nadine and I just thought you should know that he really likes you. More than Nadine." Her slanted eyes narrowed at the simple comment that was meant to bring her joy, but only brought pain.
"He likes me more than he likes Nadine?" She inquired. "Then why on Earth would he permit himself to be her boyfriend? Why, unless he did like her more? If he liked me so, Arnold, then why has he not come to me with the same request? Everyone else seems to know how I feel about him-Everyone BUT him."
"Phoebe."
"I will not discuss this with you any longer, Arnold. I must go back to my studying. If you will excuse me." A sigh of frustration followed in front of her as the teacher started to lecture. Phoebe kept her nose buried in her book.
Meanwhile Helga was in her Algebra class, writing another love poem in her little pink diary, wondering when this boring class would be over. She had tickets to Wrestle Mania that night and she couldn't wait to see them in action! "Helga!" The blonde rolled her eyes then turned to Eugene with a scowl on her face.
"What do you want?" She hissed angrily. "I've more important things to do." Eugene held out a note for her. She wearily took it from him and began to read. Her blue eyes widened in astonishment as she quickly withdrew a pencil and paper and wrote a reply.
Phoebs, There really ain't much you can do but tell him, and I know that it's not going to be easy telling Geraldo how you feel (You've seen how many times I've tried to tell 'Ice cream'). Fact is, Phoebs, you just gotta say it. I'm sorry I can't help much more than that. Maybe I could help get him to you? We'll discuss it at lunch. Uh-oh gotta go, teachers lookin at me
BFF,
Helga
Helga folded the note easily and handed it back to Eugene then went back to her homework, wondering why she was stuck in a class of idiots who were now staring at her. "Figures." She sighed heavily at the familiar wheezing from behind her. "I get put in front of Brainy." She socked him quickly in the mouth then finished her last problem. "Done."
Phoebe got the note before forth hour and read it in her Choir class. With a nod she put the note away, and withdrew her music sheet. "Doesn't hurt to get a head start." She thought to herself. The teacher, Ms. Vost, has cleared her throat.
"Okay kids-are you ready to sing?" No one replied. She laughed. "Well, we're practicing for contest today, I would like the soloists to come up with their music. Phoebe groaned inwardly. "Oh, why did I have to sign up for a solo?" Phoebe rose with Gerald, Rhonda, and Iggy as they approached the front of the room. Gerald sang in his low base voice "I'll Cover You Reprised" from RENT, Rhonda sang "My Strongest Suit" From AIDA and Iggy sang "Music of the Night" From Phantom of the Opera. They each took their seats until Phoebe was the only one standing.
"I-I'll be singing "Someone Like You" from the musical Jekyll and Hyde." She said softly, her voice trembling. There were muttered snickers all around her as she cleared her throat and nodded to the music teacher. She allowed herself to be swept away in the music.
I peer through windows
Watch life go by. Dream of tomorrow, And wonder "why".
The past is holding me Keeping life at bay. I wander lost in yesterday. Wanting to fly--! But scared to try.
Her gaze involuntarily shifted to Gerald as she sang the next verse, falling right into the character's role. Feeling as the character felt- yearning for what the character yearned.
But, if someone like you Found someone like me Then, suddenly, Nothing would ever be the same!
My heart would take wing And I'd feel so alive! If someone like you found me.
Phoebe sighed heavily and looked at the ground, breaking eye contact with Gerald.
So many secrets
I long to share- All I have needed is someone there
To help me see a world I've never seen before-- A love to open every door, To set me free So I can soar!
She looked up again with a smile on her face, not making eye contact as her voice soared through the room.
If someone like you
Found someone like me, Then, suddenly, Nothing would ever be the same!
There'd be a new way to live! A new life to love! If someone like you found me.!
Oh, if someone like you Found someone like me Then, suddenly, Nothing would ever be the same!
Gerald and Phoebe's eyes locked again, and this time Phoebe held on to them with all her might. She wanted him to see the feeling she had hidden from view. She wanted him to feel her pain. Feel her love. He returned her gaze, looking into her bared soul.
My heart would take wing
And I'd feel so alive-! If someone like you Loved me. Loved me. Loved me.
She held the note the full value then looked down at the ground expecting to be tormented. The room was in total silence as she started back to her seat before everyone started into a loud chatter all around her. Many were congratulating her, others were demanding why she'd not sung before. And yet, some criticized her for not singing it correctly. After about five minutes she raised her ashamed gaze to Gerald who was smiling at her. She saw his lips move as he mouthed to her "We need to talk. After school."
She nodded quickly and looked away, however the girl behind her had followed her gaze and had seen the same thing Gerald had mouthed to Phoebe. Rhonda would wait after school as well to hear what Gerald had to say. He couldn't hurt her friend Nadine. No one could