Magnet
I stormed up from my chair dramatically, making the fork slam down into the floor making the spaghetti sauce on the fork smear onto the just polished white tiles. This can't be. Not now. I had too many problems already. Didn't he care about me? Why hadn't he even asked me to see if I was ready, or even if I had liked her? This wasn't fair.
"You're getting married to her? Why didn't you tell me?" I yelled loudly, slamming my fist down to the table.
"Renee, calm down. She's a good woman. You'll love her as a mom." My dad replied calmly, bending down to pick up the fork.
He pause a few seconds later, figuring out he had just said something wrong. Carson was heartless. He married a women and now he didn't even care if she was still here or dead.
"How can you think she can ever replace my mom?" I screamed, slamming the chair into the just painted brown wall.
"Your mom's gone. Mary will just be as good." He said, without releasing his anger.
I looked down at my shaking hand, and then reached up to my eyes, wiping away the tears.
I released a small growl then ran to my room.
"Renee! Don't you dare run away from this conversation." He yelled quietly, but not too quiet so that I couldn't hear him.
"I don't freaking care about that shit!" I screamed, and then slammed the door closed loudly.
"Don't use that language around the house! You are grounded young lady. No phone, TV, computer or friends. Nothing. Now think about what you just said." Carson ordered, before he walked away from my room.
I threw my biggest pillow at door then uttered out a soft cry as I fell down on my bed.
"I hate you!" I yelled to my dad, although my voice was muffled from the pillow.
I walked through the school halls slowly, keeping my head down so no one could see my red eyes. I had cried myself to sleep the other night, and I had waked up late, so I couldn't do my hair to make it look perfect as I had everyday, so my hair wasn't as soft or un frizzed out as it was most of the time. I scrubbed my eyes, and then blinked, trying to make my eyes look more normal instead of looking like I had cried.
"Hey Renee." Mandy waved at me as I walked by.
"Hey." I replied, still keeping my head down.
"Like your outfit." Girls complimented as I slam open my locker loudly.
I took out Wuthering Heights and grabbed a black binder and a pencil bag.
I looked down at my outfit. I had practically put it on with my eyes closed. It looked good. I should do it more often. I was wearing a white long sleeved shirt with a dark green vest. Instead of wearing jeans, I wore a jean skirt. It wasn't too cold today, so what the heck?
"Thanks." I muttered loudly.
I stared at the mirror, fixing my bangs. I quickly grabbed a leave-in conditioner, putting it on my hair. I sprayed some volume hairspray on my brown hair, covered with natural blonde and black highlights.
"Is your hair always perfect? And you have hair stuff in your backpack?" Chelsea asked, staring at me while I fixed my hair and put on some chap stick.
"Sure. I mean, I don't use makeup so my hair has to look good. And yes, I might need it sometime." I flashed a smile at her then closed my locker, walking back down the hallway.
I yawned as I walked into literature and sat down slowly. People were sitting on the desks, throwing paper airplanes or gossiping. I put my stuff on the carpet then relaxed.
"Hey Renee, do you want to go--"
"No thanks." I replied fast, before Drake could've gone on.
"But--"
"No thanks. Really, I'm…" I trailed off, looking at the figure in the front of the room.
I quickly tapped on Sara's shoulder that was covered with her straight red hair.
"Who's that guy?" I whispered, ignoring all of Drake's obnoxious pleads.
"Oh, him? That's Joe Winston. He lives right next to me. Hottie, right? He just moved from Los Angeles." Sara replied, saying it almost too excited.
She glanced at him then giggled, her bight eyes shining. I shook my head slowly.
"I see." I said louder this time.
I stared at him. He looked around the room, wearing a black opened hoodie with a grey shirt inside. His black messy hair was covering only a bit on his eyes. He looked around the room, trying to see how we handled things around here. He kept on using his hand to brush his hair and putting his other in his pant's pocket. I uttered out a sigh then smiled. He was so cute…and I usually don't say this, but hot.
He turned his head towards me then shyly smiled. I blushed then bit my lip. I waved then sunk down on my chair, quit embarrassed that I was caught staring at him.
I turned around then tapped Sara again.
"Does he have a girlfriend?" I asked.
She glared at me. "No…"
"Kay. Thanks." I grinned at her then turned back around to see if Mr. Canon had gone in the class yet.
He did. He stood next to Joe, clearing his throat for the class to quite up. That didn't seem to have an effect on the girls so he banged his ruler on his desk. Everyone turned silent then sat down in the right way.
"We have a new student here, his name is Joe. Make him feel welcome."
He looked at me then smiled again, but not shy this time. I smiled back this time, but I was positive to blush. Mr. Canon looked around the room, looking for an empty seat. I looked around me then jumped up.
"Mr. Canon, there's a seat right next to mine." I blurted out.
Joe gave me a crooked smile then I sat back down. His light brown eyes darted at Mr. Canon.
"Yes, Joe, sit in the seat next to Renee."
He walked down the aisle then sat down next to me, settling down his binder and book. I looked at all the girls to see if they were smiling at him. They were. I rolled my eyes then opened my spiral.
"Hey, Renee, I'm going shopping this Saturday." Sara invited.
"Sorry, can't, I'm…you know, stuff." I stuttered, not wanting to let her know that I was grounded.
"Why not?" She demanded.
"Uh…well…" I trailed off, not knowing what to say.
"Why?" she snapped.
"Because…you know…I have plans…" I replied nervously.
"What plans?" Sara asked, putting on some pink lipstick and light blush.
"Uh…"
"She's going to go out with me that day." Joe interrupted.
I opened my mouth wide in surprise, and then quickly shut it, smiling at Sara.
She raised her eyebrows at me.
I nodded fast.
"Oh, really?" she asked, looking mad.
I looked at Joe, half frowning.
"Yes…I'm going to be going out with…Joe this Saturday." I said slowly.
"Fine." She snapped.
I caught a quick glimpse of Joe then went back to reading. Wow. I stared at him half of the time that Mr. Canon was talking so I practically had no idea what was for homework or the assignment that was assigned to us.
Once class was over, I waited outside for Joe.
"Joe!" I called out, grabbing his arm.
"Hey." He winked, slowing down.
"Hey, thanks for helping me out there. It was torture." I said, yawning.
I couldn't get enough sleep last night.
"Welcome. But you have to pay me back." He grinned, leaning against the wall.
I grinned. Of course. "What do you want?"
"A seat by you at lunch and a date. On Saturday…this is tomorrow."
"Uh…Sure."
I knew I was grounded but I would do anything to get away from my house.
"I'll pick you up."
He started walking away before I could snatch him back.
"I'll meet you there."
"Are you sure?"
"Yea, I'm sure. Positive! Um…at the park, right? Good. See you there!" I blurted out quickly, not letting him argue with me.
"Okay. Sure." He answered, giving me a weird look.
Before I could have said anything else, a couple of girls went up to him, asking him questions. All kinds of girls were crowded around him, single, or even taken.
"Bye!" I yelled at him, trying to be heard over the crowd of girls.
I walked away, and then went into the next hallway. Spotting Mandy, I ran up to her then tried to start a conversation.
"Hey Mandy!" I waved at her, grinning.
She looked back at me, not saying anything.
"What?" I asked, having to run to catch up with her.
She paused, and then continued, finally putting a stop by her locker.
"How come you're not talking to me?" I asked, trying to catch my breath.
"Look, I don't want to talk right now, so just back away!" she yelled, shoving me back.
"What?" I murmured, tripping of my own pair of feet.
I watched her walk away, talking to Sara. I stared at them as they walked away, and then continued my school schedule. I walked into my next class, sitting down without even making a quick glance around the room.
I settled my books down on the floor next to my feet then took out a book to read. I wanted to make the hours stretch, before I have to go home. It was unbearable to hear my dad discuss about their wedding.
Mary was not good, nor nice. Her heart was just as black as a witch's, but he didn't believe me. She acted kind around him but I knew why she was marrying him. She just wanted the money. Mason was like a blind deer and Mary was the hunter. She was just using him to get what she needed. Now, I would have to deal with her everyday in my life.
It was like Snow White, except there was no magic or Charming Prince. I couldn't be rescued. Nobody would rescue me.
This was all like a horrifying nightmare, except I can't, and would never wake up. My own dad didn't even listen to me. He was too absorbed in her. I was a powerless child compared to Mary. I couldn't do anything except for to watch it happen. If I even said anything rude to Mary, I would get grounded.
My mom had died last year; she was my best friend, one who I told my problems to. She had cancer, and then…vanished.
She wasn't like Mary. She was sweet, and caring. Mary would've laughed if she saw a poor weak kitten dying right in front of her eyes. I ha--
"Renee." A voice interrupted.
I looked up from my book, as if I had been reading the whole time. My mouth opened in surprise, and closed quickly, so I wouldn't drool.
"Joe? Joe? You have this class too? So you're…like, smart? Wait, or are you stalking me?" I said, talking too fast.
I looked at the front of the room. The algebra teacher whose name I always forget wasn't here yet. She was always late. I wonder why she doesn't get fired.
He chuckled, taking off his jacket, and settling it on the chair. "No. I am supposed to have Ms. Pearle this period. Am I in the wrong class?"
I shook my head. "No. I guess not. What class do you have next then?"
"Chemistry." He answered, not even looking at his schedule, or even paused.
I widened my eyes, "Me too. You have Mrs. Frances?"
He nodded, his eyes sparkling, "All of my classes are advanced. I'm guessing yours are too."
I blushed, "Obviously, you're smarter than me. Not all of them are advanced. I'm working on that."
He laughed, finally sitting down. "Aren't the boys always smarter than girls?"
I frowned. "No. That's not even half true. Boys die first anyways, so it doesn't really matter."
He ruffled his hands through his hair, and then rolled his eyes at me. "Not true. Let's try to stay together until one of us dies. See who dies first."
I raised my eyebrows at him, "Is that a bet? I accept. I'm going to win though." I giggled, knowing he was kidding.
"So, I see you read…a lot for a girl that's so popular." He noted, stretching his arms.
"So you're saying you thought I was stupid? And… stuck up?"
He grinned. "No. Not at all. Just stupid."
I grimaced at him, frowning. "I'm not stupid. I just forget stuff sometimes."
"Right. Well--"
"Hello class, sorry I'm late today." Ms. Pearle said loudly, slamming down her books.
"Aren't you always late?" a boy named Mark yelled out.
She ignored him then looked around the room, eyes stopping on Joe. I followed her eyes and looked at him too.
"So you're the new student."
"Yes. My name's--"
"I know you're name, and apparently, so does everybody else." She said, harshly, interrupting him.
"Okay." He said, sounding a bit surprised at Ms. Pearle's personality.
I took out a piece of paper, and then wrote:
Don't worry about Ms. Pearle. She's kinda stuck up.
Then passed it to him.
I noticed. Is everybody here like that?
I gave him a weird look.
No. Why?
Just wondering. It's not everyday a teacher acts like that.
It's not everyday girls act so stupid.
I see someone's jealous.
I'm not jealous! You're a jerk! You need to stop think about how cute you are and all that crap! There are so many other boys who are cuter.
Right. So are we just going to listen to the teacher explaining about this a thousand times?
Sometimes.
Why can't I pick you up?
I paused for a while, not knowing what to say. I wanted to pour all my hatred out on that piece of paper.
Because…I'm…I don't want you to. I don't like my life right now so stop acting like a jerk.
I'm a jerk? Why don't you like your life? I think it's pretty…un-complicated.
Jerk. Jerk, jerk, jerk, jerk!!
You act like a little girl.
No I do not! I act very mature, unlike you. You are a mean jerk.
No I'm not Renee. I'm very nice and funny.
Liar.
Ha ha. Very funny Renee. Where do you sit at lunch?
Where all the other popular kids sit. Just kidding. I sit wherever I want.
I'll just follow you.
STALKER!!
I quickly gave him the note right when the bell rang. I stood up, bewildered that I hadn't listened to a single thing Ms. Pearle had said.
"Wait up Renee." Joe called, tugging my hair.
I slapped softly at his hand, telling him to not tug my hair.
"The cafeteria's this way." I told him, dragging him into the big room filled with food.
"Smells good. The food here better be good." He said, rubbing his stomach.
I stifled out a laugh, noticing that he looked so funny rubbing his stomach. He paused to look at me then winked.
"It's cold in here." I said, letting out a small sneeze.
I rubbed my nose then grabbed a lunch tray, letting out another sneeze.
"Whoa there. Somebody might get sick. Here, put my hoodie on." Joe said, putting his hoodie over my head.
I put my arms through it, and then looked down. The hoodie reached my knees and the big fat sleeves were too big for me so I rolled it up.
"Thanks. I get sick easily." I murmured, hugging myself.
I grabbed some salad, a drink and some mozzarella sticks.
"Sure thing. I don't even need that anyway," he murmured, leading me to a table.
He sat down, ignoring everyone in the cafeteria. Everyone was staring at us, as if we were aliens that had came from outer space. I sat down, blushing, slightly embarrassed at the attention that I had.
"So Joe, where did you move from?" I asked, taking a bite of my mozzarella stick.
"North Dakota."
I froze, and then continued chewing on my food. "My mom was from North Dakota."
"Really?" he asked, cocking his head.
I half smiled. "Yea…I really liked it there."
"So what does your mom do for a living?"
I sighed. "Nothing. She died. And now…" I trailed off, not knowing what to say next.
"Sorry." He murmured.
I shrugged as if it were no big deal then continued eating my mozzarella sticks.
"So Renee, I like your name." Joe said, attempting to change the subject.
I laughed, and then quickly stopped. "Thanks…I guess. It's just a simple name. My mom used to say it not like Ra-nae, she said Ree-nee,"
"Hey…Renee." Sara said, pulling out a chair to sit next to me.
"Hey Sara." I greeted her and waved at Megan who was staring at me and Joe.
"So, I see you and Joe are…friends?" Megan said, confused.
She sat next to Joe, and then flashed a smile at him.
"Actually, she's going out with me." Joe quickly said.
I gasped, then quickly closed my mouth then smiled, nodding and stuffed some salad in my mouth. Joe gave me a secret smile then I rolled my eyes at him.
Sara frowned then called Mandy to come sit by her. I looked at Megan then quickly chewed down my food.
"Really? You and Renee are going out?" Megan asked, not believing it.
He nodded, and as if to prove it, he put his arms around me. I kicked his leg at the bottom of the table then smiled at Megan.
"But you just moved here. You barely know her." Megan noted, giving me an evil eye.
"So?"
"So…" she trailed off, and then frowned, looking at me and Joe.
I pushed his arm off of me then continued eating. I took out my cell phone then gave it to Joe.
"What?"
"I need your number."
"Okay." He said, putting in his number in my phone.
I gave Joe's hoodie a quick sniff, wanting to see how it really smelt.
"You smell like peppermint." I told him, sniffing it more.
He chuckled, smelling himself. "I guess I do." He shrugged, not really caring.
I leaned closer to him, smelling his shirt, to make sure he really did smell like peppermint.
"You smell really good." I said, taking my phone back. "Thanks. So where are we going?"
"Well, I do want to pick you up. But--"
"You guys really are going out?" Mandy interrupted, settling her lunch down next to Sara.
I nodded, then stood up, putting the rest of my food in the trash, and then sat back down.
The rest of the day was longer than usual. None of the girls would talk to me so I would just have sat there.
I opened the front door, not caring to tell anybody I was home. I was walking straight to my room until something stopped me.
"Mary? You're living here right not?" I practically yelled as I dropped my backpack.
"Yes. Stop whining and do your homework now."
I bit my lip, not wanting to get in any more trouble with Mason or…her.
I walked in my room in silence then jumped on the bed, and drifting into the darkness.
