Chapter 3 – To bite or not to bite...
Tim walked into the caf and spotted a very attractive Lyla Garrity talking to Smash. Did Smash know that since she's joined the Christian Brigade she was abstaining harder then a pregnant Mormon? If Smash wasn't talking to her for that reason, had Lyla initiated the conversation as a ploy to make him jealous? Whatever, they were so done it wasn't even funny. He was sick of being second best to Jason, to cheerleading or to any of her other stupid church crap. He didn't even believe in god.
As he saw Julie he looked back at Smash, who grinned like Heath Ledger. Tim sighed and got into earshot of Julie and a girl with a big red zit on her forehead, Julie was saying, "Nobody notices it, Lo." and smiling empathetically. Tim pulled out a chair and sat in it, receiving a quizzical glance, as well as a glare that portrayed hate.
"Hey guys," he said, pulling out a brown paper bag. Julie and the girl exchanged looks, "I'm Tim..." Tim said to her, getting an even more intimidating glare then before, and the girl introduced herself as Lois.
"So... is there anything we can help you with?" Julie asked. Tim smiled at this question. He'd done his homework. He pulled out a flyer, which said Dillon High's New Book Club! His grin didn't fade.
"I'd like to join. It says to contact you." He pointed to the bottom of the letter. Julie groaned.
"It says to contact me or Landry..." her eyes rolled up, "Wouldn't you rather talk to the one that's, you know, your friend?"
It said that the first book they'd be reading was called Blonde, which he suspected would be boring. But he pretended to be enthused at the thought. Then he heard a certain Southern belle's voice, "Hey Tim." Tyra sat down across from him. This was going to be awkward.
"He was just leaving." Julie said, grinning at him. "See you at book club Tim." she gave him an exaggerated wave before he got up. Tyra joined in, but Lois looked at him, smiling.
Lois bid him a, "See you later," as he left .
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Matt Saracen watched this all unfolding from his spot across the caf. When the bet has been brought up in the locker room that day he had immediately felt ill, his stomach churning and the bile rising up his throat. Sure Julie had dumped his sorry ass for a greasy, bong smoking, sorry ass but she didn't deserve any of this. It was going to end badly, he could taste it.
He looked at her mocking Riggins and the giggles she exchanged with Lois after Riggins had shuffled off. Matt could feel the momentum of the bet speeding them along, propelling them all down a hill and Julie was going to be the big casualty. What is said in the locker room stays in the locker room. But did he really want Julie, who had stressed about the virginity issue with him (the guy she had loved) to lose it in the process of a bet unknowingly? He had to tell her. His team would kill him. He couldn't tell her. Maybe he should sit back, wait and see what happens. If Riggins or Smash looked like they might be successful he would step in, no matter what the guys would say or do. Somehow he couldn't see Smash or Riggins achieving their goal but Matt knew never to discount a Panther's determination.
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Julie Taylor was unsure as to why she was receiving so much attention but the initial paranoia dissolved once she realised how much fun it could be to be the centre of attention. Sure Smash and Tim were leaders of the football team and great players but what had she done to warrant such attention? Riggins joining the book club? It was beyond ridiculous, everyone knew he couldn't read or that was the rumour anyway. Smash, well Smash liked talking about himself too much to be really interested in anyone else. Book Club would be an interesting experience that's for sure.
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The Dillion High Book Club met the next week in the library. The small group of students were seated in a circle, facing one another, the book situated on their laps.
"Welcome to the first meeting of the Dillon High Book Club, we would like to thank you all for attending," Landry had assumed the role of host. "This month's book is the novel Blonde..." Landry was interrupted when Riggins strode into the room and hurriedly sat down. He swept one of his lank locks of hair behind an ear and most of the girls sighed. Julie was surprised to see the novel in his hands.
"...and as you all know this book is about Marilyn Monroe. Authored by Joyce Carol Oates it delves into the life of one of America's cultural icons." Landry paused. Julie rolled her eyes at the introduction, clearly he'd spent some time trawling the 'net.
Julie decided to intervene. "So what did people think about our choice?" Riggins raised his hand. Julie smothered a laugh "Tim you don't need to raise you hand."
"I thought it was way too long." The girls in the group tittered, Lois was one of them. She kicked her.
"Okay, then thanks for that observation." Julie was less than impressed. "What do you," she threw it out to the other members "think about the various loves in her life, the symbolism of Oates giving them labels," The group looked at her blankly and she stifled a sigh.
"I find it interesting that she would hook up with someone like The Playwright. She had nothing in common with the guy. He was entranced by her," a group member simplified it. Riggins nodded, seeming to follow the summary. He jumped in –
"Yeah but opposites attract, here we have this real intellectual type who's a bit stuffy," he looked at her and she couldn't help but read between the lines "and then there is this free, street wise, "whirling light" didn't he say? Opposites attract, they create fireworks. It may fizzle in the end, but the fireworks are worth it, aren't they?" He smiled at her.
"Maybe Arthur wanted more." Julie pointed out.
"Maybe, but you never know if you don't try," he left it hanging like a dare "would you dare take the bite?" Yep, it was definitely a dare.
Author's Note: Thanks from Lilly and Adele for all the support guys (and gals)!
