--chapter three--
This chapter contains email addresses that I don't own and am unsure if they are actual people's emails. I'm sure you won't actually go and email them glares at you all... But just to be certain... don't. Mmkay? Thankyooz.
Oh no, oh no. This is not good, people. No, not good at all.
I see you, don't think I don't see you.
I see you at your computers going "what the good lord is she on about?"
I am in so much trouble, do you know that?
Allow me to explain.
-
I am sitting at home, and Phil lets himself in, giving me a fright. I yell at him for a second but see that he's got a letter in his hand, so I shut up about him barging in and instead go on about what he's holding.
'It was in my mailbox,' he said and handed it to me. 'Addressed to Keely Teslow. I get those all the time from the campus, they must think we live together or something.'
'We practically do,' I said absentmindedly and took the letter from him, looking at it with curiosity. So I open it, and unfold the single white piece of paper. It's a small letter, one or two paragraphs tops, black ink and at the bottom it's signed with regards from my youth services professor, Richard Lawrence. At the top next to Phil's address is an 'URGENT' stamp.
I skimmed through it quickly as Phil took a seat and watched me with an entertained smile.
'What's it say?' he asked nosily, and my jaw dropped as my eyes hit the word 'fail'.
'I failed my major,' I said in a barely audible whisper.
'What?' he chuckled nervously. 'No you didn't.'
'I wouldn't joke about this, Phil!' I cried and put the letter on the kitchen island next to where I'm standing.
'Here, let me see it,' he said, standing up, and picked it up to read it. An odd minute later I heard him curse.
'Well this can't be right. You studied weeks for this.'
'I can't fail my major, I can't do it, Phil!'
'How old is this Lawrence guy? Maybe he's too senile and forgot to write 'pass'.'
'He's like forty, Phil. Not exactly livin' in a retirement home!' I whined and crashed into him.
He hugged me. 'Maybe you can retake the finals. I'm sure of it, actually. But why would you fail?'
'I missed a couple of classes this past month or so, but that shouldn't affect whether I pass or fail, right?' I grasped his collar and shook him. 'Say I'm right!'
'Well, sure,' he said. 'But.. I don't know. As far as I know, it shouldn't matter all that much.'
I whine and scream into his shirt.
'Maybe we can go down to his office and talk to him?' he suggested.
'Well looks like I'm gonna have to,' I say, my words muffled in his chest.
He chuckled and patted my head. 'C'mon. You want me to go with you?'
'No, I'll be OK.'
I was wrong, guys. It was awful.
I headed down to Prof. Lawrence's office and knocked on the door, holding my letter as if it were life support in the other hand.
'Come in,' he said in his gravelly voice and I pushed the door open slowly. It squeaked loudly, making me wince, and this made him look up from what must have been a term paper he was grading.
'Ahh, Miss Teslow,' he said in a knowing tone. 'I was quite sure you'd turn up here sooner or later.'
'I'm here to-'
'Yes, I know why you're here.'
This got me frustrated but I had to be calm and totally professional. '-Discuss my grade.'
'You mean that big red F printed on your Youth Service's class? Yes, this should be entertaining.'
'I do not think you gave this to me fairly,' I said, fighting back tears.
'Care to explain why, Miss Teslow?'
'I worked hard for a passing grade,' I said and took a seat at his desk facing him. 'And I'm sure you can understand my frustration at a fail!'
'Please, Miss Tes-'
I snapped. 'My name is Keely!'
'-Keely. You aren't a charity case. I have failed several students before for the exact same reason.'
'And what reason would that be?' he added, putting his attention back to the term paper. 'Social life before your obligations, Keely. You got into this college not because you are a good friend but because you have something up here.' He pointed to his head.
'Well that's an unfair judgement. I've missed what, two classes? Three tops? And my work hasn't dropped in quality, I show up on time, I'm a great student if I say so myself. I think you have a grudge against me or something.'
He laughed out loud. 'A grudge? Miss Teslow, I'm not so petty as to fail you on a grudge. And whatever would I have a grudge on you for?'
'You tell me!' I cried. 'I don't deserve to fail!'
He put down the paper and took of his glasses, rubbing his temple. 'Look, I am a skilled professor. I didn't earn my tenure by passing every one of my students that walked into my class. It wouldn't be very fair now would it?'
'That's exactly my point! It is not fair!'
I swiped a sleeve across my eyes to try and wipe away my tears.
'This is my major, and I worked damn hard.'
He gave me a patronizing look. I wanted to slap it right off him but figured it wouldn't get me very far.
'You can retake the final. That's my only offer, take it or leave it.'
'Fine,' I said scathingly. 'What time do you want me?'
He pretended to think. I knew he was pretending, as he'd given a lecture once on deterring when kids (and adults) are lying, and how to tell the difference and control it.
I told you I was a great student!
'Monday, at four. I expect you to be there on time, or I might give you a G.'
He laughed to himself and I got up. 'I expect you to grade me fairly this time or I'll take it up with the council.'
He didn't respond, just stared at me, amused. So I gathered up my stuff and left. By that time it was raining pretty hard and I screamed out of frustration before marching back towards my home.
Phil was snoozing on my couch when I got home, but my angry grumbling surely woke him up. He rubbed his eyes and gave me a look that said 'I'm here if you need me,', and suddenly everything melted away. Cheesy as all get out, I know, but it calmed me like nothing else, it always does. I ran up and hugged him, holding him tight. He paused for a second and then hugged me back, and we just stood there holding each other for around five minutes.
I love him so damn much, it actually hurts.
'What happened? Can you retake the exam?'
I took in a sharp breath. 'Yes... He was a real ass about it though. He said I was too social.'
'Why... that... Imbecile!' he cried comically. I looked up at him, gaping.
'You don't agree with him, do you?' I asked seriously, worried. 'I mean, I missed two classes-'
'Keels, the guy wouldn't know social if it came up and danced the rhumba with him. He probably has never been laid in his life, or had a girlfriend, or even a pet he really liked. So he can't judge you. Only you can, but you shouldn't. 'Cause you're awesome.'
'You make everything seem okay,' I whispered, hugging him again.
'And don't you doubt it for two seconds,' he grinned and kissed the top of my head. I broke away, getting a great, awesome idea. I quickly ran and grabbed my box of nail polish, set it on the kitchen table and pulled up two chairs.
'I have a feeling this'll be against my favor?' He said questioningly, but sat down anyway and spaced out his fingers.
'Co-operative. I like that about you,' I grinned and sat opposite him. 'So you really think he's never been laid?'
'Pretty damn sure of it, actually,' he chuckled as I got out a base coat. 'What does that do?'
'Oh... It keeps the polish on longer.'
'Woo-hoo,' he said unenthusiastically- of course. I just laughed.
10 minutes later Phil was equipped with a lovely set of Skittles nails. Pink, orange, yellow, green, blue. As they dried I tidied up and listened to Phil talk about Katie a little. I held my tongue about Logan as he was being such a good friend... It still made me angry, though, that she could get him after two days and I'd known him since we were six.
However, when I heard him say 'but', my heart soared! There's a but, guys! There's a but about Katie! Ignore the phrasing, celebrate the thought!
'What's wrong with her?' I said immediately.
'Wow, way to jump the gun,' he chuckled. 'That's kind of what I was thinking about... Katie's great, but..'
He sighed and got up only to lean against the counter where I was.
'Phil, what's wrong?' I asked sincerely. As much as I disliked the girl I hated to see him upset.
'That's kind of what I was going to ask you... I don't see myself with her for a long period of time, you know? And I mean, you're my best friend, but...'
I felt like singing! Was this what I thought it was?
'...but I can't help but sometimes see you as-'
'Knock knock?' came a voice from the door. Most of the time I'd be floating on air to hear that voice, but now it felt sickening. Phil paused as Logan walked in with a smile.
'How's my favorite gir- Oh. Hello,' he said, pausing when he saw Phil. 'And you are?'
'This is Phil... You know, Phil. My best friend.'
It was hard to keep the annoyance out of my voice.
'Ahh,' he said. 'The Pickford Potato!'
He extended a hand to Phil, who stared at it for a while before taking it.
'The Daddy's Boy! So glad to finally meet you!' Phil said, mimicking his voice. Kill me, I thought.
'Nice nails,' said Logan, surprisingly keeping a straight face.
'Oh, you really think so?!' Phil cried sarcastically. 'I feel like Jennifer Love Hewitt!'
'Shut up,' I hissed and whacked him on the shoulder.
'Anyway, I'd better head off,' Phil said suddenly. 'I've gotta go watch Dexter. These nails remind me of the episode where they find those disembodied fingers on ice, what with the different colored nail polish and all... Anyway, nice meeting you Old Money!' He cried jovially and walked towards the door.
I almost called out to him to ask him what he was going to say, but I didn't. Whatever it was, he wouldn't be saying it now. Not in front of Logan.
And so he left. Go me. Things always turn out just peachy for me, don't they?
As soon as the door had shut, Logan had his lips on mine. It wasn't a sweet kiss though, it was a possessive kiss. A 'you're mine' kiss, and I wasn't impressed at all. I pushed him off me and wiped my mouth with my sleeve, and then I stormed off and plonked down on the couch.
'What was he here for?' he asked grumpily and crossed his arms.
'He just so happens to be my best friend, so he can come over any time he wants,' I replied, switching on TV. Right now, he deserved all the annoyance I threw at him.
'Well you're my girlfriend, and to me he was standing way too close to you for comfort.'
'That's not for you to say,' I said briskly. 'I've known him all my life. Better than anyone.'
'So if it came between me and him you'd choose him, right?' He asked roughly.
I laughed out loud. 'Well of course I would! He's my best friend, Logan. And I've known you for what, two months? Com'mon!'
'What the HELL?' He yelled, not unlike a child. I turned to him, angry.
'What in Gods name was that about?' I said, giving him a confused look.
'How do you think I'm supposed to take that?' He moaned, and he sat down next to me.
'Well I'm sorry but don't you see? You're asking me to give up my best friend.'
'I didn't say that,' he said gruffly.
'Actually, in all honesty, you kinda did,' I said.
'Well how am I supposed to feel when I walk in and see you two standing an odd inch apart?' He cried. I switched off the TV and faced him.
'What? You think there's something going on between us?' I laughed. 'That's nuts.'
'Not really,' he persisted. I rolled my eyes.
'You're a child,' I said simply and got up, walking to the kitchen.
'You're so hot when you're pissed,' he grinned. I felt myself flinch inside but I didn't really know why.
'Charming,' I said flatly, pouring out the iced tea from this morning. 'If you keep getting so overprotective like you just did now, you won't need to pay for hot water for a long, long time.'
I didn't mean to lead him on, really, but it was the only way I knew how to shut him up.
He groaned and melted into the couch. And that's the last I heard from him until a couple of hours later when he left.
-
At six at night I brushed my teeth, got into my pajamas and curled up on the couch with a quilt around my legs. I studied for around an hour but everything I looked at I'd already known about. So why the heck was this guy failing me? I set the book down and stared at it for a while. If he fails me again, it's official that there's something wrong with his head. And it's not good to make myself worry so much. I mean, it didn't seem like the exam was overly difficult when I took it. If he fails me again, I'll just get another teacher to grade it. Easy!
I put the book down next to the couch so I wouldn't have to look at it, and set my computer on my lap. I was undecided between playing Sims or talking to friends when the noise that tells you you've got a new conversation on MSN jumped up and startled me. I turned down the volume and opened the window. Who else but Phil?
Diffy (eats cheese for a living)
- Before we go too far + I wanna know + Are you the one?
Today his icon was of Die Hard something or rather. It was Bruce Willis and Jason Long and there was a caption reading 'one sidekick. To go. With fries'.
Mine was of the Eiffel Tower.
Diffy. (Eats cheese for a living) says: (7:09:02 PM)
Howdy Keels. What's cracking on your side of the hemisphere?
I stared at it for a moment and a grin effortlessly formed on my lips.
K. - Before we go too far + I wanna know + Are you the one? says: (7:09:14 PM)
It's the same hemisphere, Mr. Cheez.
Diffy. (Eats cheese for a living) says: (7:09:23 PM)
Hehe... Yeah. Just testing you to see if your brain was working after that kerfluffle with your dipstick prof this morning. How you holding up?
- Before we go too far + I wanna know + Are you the one? says: (7:09:29 PM)
AghhhHHHHHkkk! Don't get me started!
Diffy. (Eats cheese for a living) says: (7:09:37 PM)
That well, huh?
- Before we go too far + I wanna know + Are you the one? says: (7:10:04 PM)
Ugh! I swear, he has something against me. It's crazy! I mean, I went right back over my notes a bajillion times and I know everything there is to know already. If he doesn't pass me, I'm gonna get someone else to grade it. It's... bah.
Diffy. (Eats cheese for a living) says: (7:10:12 PM)
I tell ya, if you used words like 'bajillion' in your exam, I'm not surprised you failed. :P
- Before we go too far + I wanna know + Are you the one? says: (7:10:30 PM)
You're such a jerk. Remember what I said about wishing you are here so I can kill you? I'm not afraid of really killing you now that my life is officially down the crapper. I have no future! I'll be forced into petty crime and spend the rest of my life in a jail cell! Orange is not a good color on me Phil, it just isn't!
Diffy. (Eats cheese for a living) says: (7:10:36 PM)
ROFLMAO!!
Why oh why did I teach that boy chat speak?
- Before we go too far + I wanna know + Are you the one? says: (7:10:40 PM)
It's not funny!!
Diffy. (Eats cheese for a living) says: (7:10:43 PM)
Like hell it's not!! C'mon, just picture it...
- Before we go too far + I wanna know + Are you the one? says: (7:10:49 PM)
I'd rather not, thanks. .
Diffy. (Eats cheese for a living) says: (7:11:17 PM)
...Knotted hair, gray socks, old Broccoli crate to sit on, sharing a cell with Darla: the one who sold drugs, and Martha: the ingenious homekeeper convicted of conspiracy. Forced to listen to music like the Bee Gee's on the prison radio station. Making cahoots with a fraudster prison guard who has plans to run away to Albuquerque and take a bunch of prisoners with him. When you get to Albuquerque can you go ahead and kill those kids from High School Musical for me? Thanks a bunch. You're a real doll!
- Before we go too far + I wanna know + Are you the one? says: (7:11:30 PM)
And you're full of the crap I'm gonna kick out of you!!
Diffy. (Eats cheese for a living) says: (7:11:34 PM)
Aw, I love you too. XD
I rolled my eyes but couldn't help skim over the words. 'I love you too.'
He said it a lot, never in the context I hoped for, but every time he said it I'd think about what it'd be like if he said it and really meant it like I mean it. Every time I thought about it the idea of it was too good to be true. Sadly, that's exactly what it was. Too good to be true.
I said that last bit aloud.
Diffy. (Eats cheese for a living) says: (7:11:57 PM)
Still there?
- Before we go too far + I wanna know + Are you the one? says: (7:12:05 PM)
Wha? Oh, yup. Listening to The White Stipes.
'I just don't know what to do with myself...'
You tell 'em, Jack.
- Before we go too far + I wanna know + Are you the one? says: (7:12:08 PM)
Stripes
Diffy. (Eats cheese for a living) says: (7:12:10 PM)
Ahhh, Elephant. How I love thee.
See? He loves a lot of things.
Diffy. (Eats cheese for a living) says: (7:12:15 PM)
Kind of suits your situation, doesn't it?
What? How could he know? He can't know!!
- Before we go too far + I wanna know + Are you the one? says: (7:12:18 PM)
What?
Diffy. (Eats cheese for a living) says: (7:12:23 PM)
What do you mean 'what'? I'm talking about your grade.
- Before we go too far + I wanna know + Are you the one? says: (7:12:29 PM)
Oh... yeah, right.
Diffy. (Eats cheese for a living) says: (7:12:34 PM)
You're crazy. Crazy I tell you!
- Before we go too far + I wanna know + Are you the one? says: (7:12:40 PM)
Man, you give me a headache even through writing.
Diffy. (Eats cheese for a living) says: (7:12:46 PM)
You be nice to me. I'm your BFF foreva! 11onesGLOMP1237!
- Before we go too far + I wanna know + Are you the one? says: (7:13:04 PM)
It's called SUPERFLINGYTACKLEPOUNCE thank-you-very-much!!
Diffy. (Eats cheese for a living) says: (7:13:07 PM)
:)
- Before we go too far + I wanna know + Are you the one? says: (7:13:12 PM)
Anyway, be glad you have me. I was the only friend you had when you moved to Pickford. I mean, nobody wants to sit with the Utah kid.
Diffy. (Eats cheese for a living) says: (7:13:19 PM)
Be glad you have ME. It was either me or a guy called Chico!
- Before we go too far + I wanna know + Are you the one? says: (7:13:23 PM)
Ole!
Diffy. (Eats cheese for a living) says: (7:13:28 PM)
XD So what did Old Money want?
Ahh, sensitive topic. I thought about what to say, tapping my fingers gently on the keyboard. The computer dinged to tell me I had another response from Phil.
Diffy. (Eats cheese for a living) says: (7:13:41 PM)
What the?
I looked down and turns out I had accidentally written 'sdsdjjsdkj' while tapping my fingers. Stupid me!
- Before we go too far + I wanna know + Are you the one? says: (7:13:59 PM)
Oh! Haha... I was tapping the keys absentmindedly. I didn't know I'd sent it. Sorry.
Diffy. (Eats cheese for a living) says: (7:14:04 PM)
No problem. So... ?
- Before we go too far + I wanna know + Are you the one? says: (7:14:09 PM)
Logan?
Diffy. (Eats cheese for a living) says: (7:14:13 PM)
Yes'm.
- Before we go too far + I wanna know + Are you the one? says: (7:14:20 PM)
Oh, nothing really. He just came over... no real reason.
- Before we go too far + I wanna know + Are you the one? says: (7:14:22 PM)
Hey, Phil?
Diffy. (Eats cheese for a living) says: (7:14:25 PM)
That's my name!
- Before we go too far + I wanna know + Are you the one? says: (7:14:34 PM)
What were you going to say today before he came in?
I waited for a response for probably a minute, growing more nervous by the second.
- Before we go too far + I wanna know + Are you the one? says: (7:15:20 PM)
You there?
Ding! His answer popped up that exact second.
Diffy. (Eats cheese for a living) says: (7:15:20 PM)
I was going to say that you're like a guy friend... In that I can tell you anything.
Oh. That's all I could think to say to myself.
So he didn't see me as more than a friend..
- Before we go too far + I wanna know + Are you the one? says: (7:15:29 PM)
Oh. Ok.
Diffy. (Eats cheese for a living) says: (7:15:34 PM)
Is something wrong?
- Before we go too far + I wanna know + Are you the one? says: (7:15:41 PM)
Nothing out of the ordinary.
Diffy. (Eats cheese for a living) says: (7:15:45 PM)
-.o
- Before we go too far + I wanna know + Are you the one? says: (7:15:52 PM)
Never mind.
So how's things with her?
Diffy. (Eats cheese for a living) says: (7:15:57 PM)
Who, Katie?
- Before we go too far + I wanna know + Are you the one? says: (7:16:03 PM)
No, Queen Victoria! Of course Katie! What are you, ignorant?
That made me laugh.
Diffy. (Eats cheese for a living) says: (7:16:09 PM)
Oh, duh. XD
Yep, we're... OK.
- Before we go too far + I wanna know + Are you the one? says: (7:16:12 PM)
Why the '...'?
Diffy. (Eats cheese for a living) says: (7:16:21 PM)
We're really fine. Really. Fine. Don't go worrying your pretty little head.
Whaddabout you?
- Before we go too far + I wanna know + Are you the one? says: (7:16:27 PM)
Same. Really fine.
Damn, look at the time! I gotta go or my brain will fry.
Diffy. (Eats cheese for a living) says: (7:16:32 PM)
You mean it hasn't already? :P
- Before we go too far + I wanna know + Are you the one? says: (7:16:38 PM)
You be quiet now.
Goodnight, Mr. Cheez.
Diffy. (Eats cheese for a living) says: (7:16:43 PM)
See ya, Eiffel Tower.
I managed to post a waving smiley before he signed off. I wrote one more message.
- Before we go too far + I wanna know + Are you the one? says: (7:17:00 PM)
I love you.
The message may not have gone through as Diffy. (Eats cheese for a living) appears to be Offline.
I sighed and put down the lid of my laptop and set it on the table. It was only a little past seven but suddenly I felt very tired and didn't want to handle any phone calls or emails, so I stared at the computer for a little while longer before I finally got up and went to bed.