Chapter 2: You've gotta be kidding!

The bell sounded loudly as the students made their way to their seats. Jessie had already been in class long before the bell rang. She wanted no reason to have detention if it was avoidable. She noticed Katie come in to the classroom cheerfully. The sight alone almost made her nauseous. The brunette sashayed to her seat without a single glance to the blonde. She seemed to not even acknowledge Jessie.

Instead of causing an altercation, Jessie pulled out her IPOD in an attempt to drown out the noise surrounding her as she flipped through the pages of her journal. Her classes were becoming more and bland as the days increased. School had only been in session for roughly a month, and she couldn't wait to get out. She impatiently waited for the bell to ring to dismiss her from school every day. Soccer practice was the only thing keeping her sane, and today was the one day she didn't have them. Thursday was a day of rest as their coach liked to say. She knew that it was code for "night out with the guys to get wasted".

--

June 8, 2005

Eli and I were at mom's today. It was fairly fun to say the least. I am kind of mad that I didn't get to train, but I'll live. Mom is crushing on this guy, Mike. It's too cute and obvious to everyone but them. He seemed like a nice guy. I wouldn't complain if they ended up dating. I won't bring out the streamers and confetti either. I do want her happy though. I am still stuck on Dad and Lily. How'd that happen? Seriously?

I can't get over my dad's marriage. I don't see how those two got hitched in the first place. I mean there is nothing wrong with Lily. But really? Come on! Her daughter is Grace Manning for Christ's sake! How much worse can it get? Ugh! Anyway, I think Mike might ask my mom out. I just saw them getting all cozy on the couch. It amuses me how romance varies with the generations. Someone my age would already have their tongue jammed down the other's throat.

Anyway, today was quite boring. I really don't have much to talk about. Without soccer my life is boring.

June 13, 2005

Hmmm let's see here. Can you guess what I did today? Ding ding! Right answer. I got to train! Eli wasn't there, but I still got to kick the ball around a bit. A few girls from the high school were there. It seemed like they had the right idea. Obviously everyone already knows that I am "Baby Sammler". What is that about? I mean come on. I am not going to be known as Baby Sammler all my high school career.

After that, I ended up going to watch The Fantastic Four. What can I say? I secretly have an obsession with comic book movies. Spiderman has yet to be topped though. None of them have even come close to touching that movie. Don't get me wrong. Jessica Alba was fantastic. Haha... no pun intended, but really she was! I think it's a Jessica thing or something. "With great names like Jessica..., comes great awesomeness." Yeah, I know. That's not what Uncle Ben says. Do I like the old guy though? Exactly!

Well, later.

--

Jessie returned from her trance. Things were so simple two years prior. She sighed deeply before closing the journal as Mr. Roberts began writing on the white board in the front of the class. He clearly wasn't aware of the students doing everything but what they were supposed to be doing. Some of the students were text messaging, others were beat boxing, and some were so stoned out of their minds that they were falling out of their chairs.

"Ok, you guys. We're going to be doing a group activity. I am going to give you a partner, and you guys are going to draw for occupations. We're going to see who can budget their money the best."

"Are you flipping serious Mr. Roberts? This is dumb," Jessie stated; causing the rest of the class to laugh, except for the brunette who always seemed unamused by the girl's antics.

"Is it possible for you to shut up for five minutes?" Katie asked annoyedly. The girl had to comment about everything, and it was getting tiresome.

"I don't recall snapping my fingers, whistling, or even barking. So why are you even talking, Singer?" Once again the blonde managed to get the class to laugh. The girl had so many minions. They would find her funny even if she wasn't.

"Sammler, go to hell," Katie responded; causing the girl to shut up. The class simply stared in awe.

"Ms. Singer, please refrain from using curse words in my class."

"But... Jessie...ugh you've got to be kidding me!"

"No buts. In fact, I know who my first two partners are going to be. Since you two seem to get along so well, you and Ms. Sammler will be our first pairing."

"Mr. Roberts, please? Anybody but her. Come on, please?" Katie begged desperately, "I will do anything," she said while putting her hands together in an attempt to show how pathetic she really was at the moment.

"No, Ms. Singer. You and Ms. Sammler really need to get over whatever issues you have. You'll be spending lots of time together."

"Ugh..., why do I get stuck with the tackiest Barbie of them all. Look at her," Jessie obnoxiously said as she pointed at the brunette.

"I am not exactly thrilled to have you either," Katie said while glaring at the girl.

The bell sound loudly after Mr. Roberts finished calling out all of the groups to the class. No one was shocked to find out who their partner was. It would either be the person in front of or behind them. Someone they talked to on a day to day basis. It would only be a week. They had to pretend as though they had just gotten married and cover all the expenses. Everyone seemed to have lucked out, except for Clark Kent and Lex Luther.

"Look, how about you just do your part of the project, and I'll do mine. That way we won't even have to see each other?" the blonde suggested with slight nervousness in her voice.

"Umm..., believe me I'd be more than happy to do that, but there is one thing that makes me more happy," she said as she raised her eyebrow. The younger girl stared at her waiting for her response, "And that's passing. So if you don't mind, we have a week. It won't kill us."

"Are you sure about that, Singer?"

"Not really. I need this grade though," She said while she looked at her feet.

Jessie hesitated a moment. "Is it worth dying for?" she asked with a smirk on her face. She tried to conceal it, but couldn't. The other girl couldn't help smiling either. The two glanced at each another before looking away nervously.

Neither girl was thrilled to have to spend an entire week with the other. They both knew this was a disaster waiting to happen. Katie anticipated the things the other girl was going to put her through.

"Fine, meet me at my house at five. Don't be late, Singer," the blonde advised before skipping off.

Jessie couldn't explain the nerve wrecking feeling she had as she walked away from the brunette. She was beyond nervous to work with the girl. It was so easy to see her at school. The two could choose to ignore each another. Now they were forced to converse and attempt to be civil.

--

Katie angrily paced around the lunchroom; looking for her boyfriend. She couldn't believe how the day had turned from great to horrid. Her morning was great. She had opened her locker to find a Snicker; her favorite candy bar. She knew it was from Tad. He was always doing small gestures that would go unnoticed by most. He was never one to expect a grand expression for a thank you. As soon as she got to class, she had to see Jessie. That made her day go downhill just a bit. When she found out she was partnered with her, the entire day went to shams. She saw her best friend walking her way. Grace had a smirk on her face as she made her way towards her friend. She couldn't help but find amusement in her best friend's turmoil.

"So I heard about your project," she said while raising her eyebrow, "You and Jessie under the same roof at my house... I am seriously going to die."

"It's not that serious," Katie said sadly, "And anyway, how are you going to die? You're not the one going to be there. You'll be on your big date."

Grace tried to hide the smirk that crossed her face, but failed horribly in the process. Her best friend merely rolled her eyes and turned to look away. "What's wrong? You know I was only kidding."

"It's just... I dunno... Jessie and I have not spoken a word outside of school, since... well..."

"Yeah, I know. You'll be fine. Just call me, and I'll rush home. If she hasn't killed you already."

Grace found herself incapable of wiping the smirk off her face. She wanted nothing more than witness the hell mouth open later in the evening.

--

The rest of the day went smoothly. Katie found herself nervous as she reached the steps of the sammler/manning residence. She quickly rang the door and was greeted with all smiles.

"Hey, Katie."

"Hi, Lily. How are you?"

"Fine thanks. The weather isn't really helping anyone though," she said as she pointed to the rain that was not letting up anytime soon, "Are you here to see Grace?"

"Actually... no," the woman looked confused, "I am here to see Jessie." The confusion only grew on her face. Katie had to suppress a laugh. The expression on her face was priceless. "We have a project to do."

"Oooh... ok," she let out a sigh of relief, "Well, you do know where her room is, right?"

"Of course," Katie admitted; stepping inside before she walked up the stairs.

"Let me know if you guys need anything," Lily replied as her parental instincts kicked in.

"Will do," Katie answered with a smile.

Katie walked up the stairs slowly. She had to push herself to actually go all the way up. If she were to look down at all she knew that she wouldn't have the guts to continue up the stairs. Her nerves were nearly getting the best of her. She heard Tracy Chapman's voice for a few seconds, and then suddenly the song stopped.

"Whoever you are..."

"It's me," Katie confessed timidly when she reached the top of the stairs.

"It's you," the blonde snarled, "I thought I said 5:00?" she said as looked at the clock.

"Sammler.., you said don't be late. Geez..." Katie tried to hide her frustration as she looked at the clock. It was 4:56, and the girl was giving her a hard time.

"Whatever...anyway, you're supposed to be a lawyer, right?" the brunette nodded, "I am a doctor, so money isn't really going to be an issue."

"Money is the least of our issues." Katie stated under her breath.

"Weren't you the one who insisted we actually work together?"

"Yeah..." She suddenly felt bad for her comment. This was not going to be easy working with the world's most bi-polar girl on the planet.