So this is it - Chicago. Man, what a crazy past couple of weeks it's been. I can't wait to totally chill...
Rockett grinned as she loaded her backpack and suitcase onto the bus.
Okay, she thought as she mentally went over her list. Camera, pencils, paper, swimsuit, makeup, toothbrush, outfits. I think that's everything. Everything I need for a great trip and an awesome time with the WP kids.
Even though it was November, bringing her bathing suit was a must! She had heard earlier that the hotel had a heated pool, and she couldn't wait to soak it up and relax.
As soon as she sat down on the bus, Ruben sidled up next to her. "Hey, chica," he said. "So picture this, will ya? The DeBaser dog wielding his guitar like a crazy man out in the sun, in the month of Mayo, just lazin' out in a hammock."
Rockett smiled. "It sounds like a pretty cool scene, Ruben."
"But wait, there's more," Ruben replied. "Since you're the girl who got this all figured out, I was thinking it'd be cool if you posed in May too, y'know? Like, all chill and stuff."
Wow! Does Ruben really want me to be on his calendar page with him? How totally amazing would that be?
Rockett blushed. "Sure, Ruben," she said quietly. "That'd be great."
"Hey, Ruben!" a voice called suddenly. Rockett saw Ruben turned around to see Jessie, waving him over to the back of the bus. "Come over here for a second."
"Later daze, new girl," Ruben said before getting up to go sit down with Jessie. As soon as he did, Rockett noticed them getting all quiet and whispering. She frowned.
Okay...so what's going on with them? I hate being left out.
She wasn't alone for long. Arnold Zeitbaum came to grace her with his presence. Rockett was not pleased, despite the fact that she really did want to show Arnold her sweet side. She felt like she'd been getting too annoyed with him lately. And for what? His reputation? It wasn't exactly his fault he was the biggest nerd in their whole school.
Or was it?
"Ohh, it's the Fair One!" Arnold exclaimed. "I've come to show you my collection of bug Utopia!"
On second thought, maybe it was.
"Uh, hey Arnold," Rockett said uncomfortably. She turned back around to look at Jessie and Ruben, who were still whispering about whatever it was they had been whispering about earlier. Jessie giggled. Rockett stole a glance at Ruben. What could they be talking about?
She cocked an eyebrow, while still trying to pay attention to Arnie.
Do Ruben and Jessie like, like each other? I know they're good friends, but seriously! Jessie's totally flirting with him, and he looks like he's flirting, too. And did Ruben just blush because I noticed how he's acting around Jessie? What is up with that?
Rockett's irritation started to show, which she had been afraid of since Arnold had come to sit with her. "Uhm, Arnold? Maybe now's not like, you know, a good time or whatever." She tried again. She could do nicer. Her eyes still glued to Jessie and Ruben, she said, "Can you show me later?"
"ANYTHING for the Fair One," Arnold cried dramatically. Rockett winced.
But when Arnold left and went to sit in the corner of the bus, all by himself, Rockett couldn't help but feel miserable.
Man, sometimes I really do wonder what Arnold even sees in me. I feel really bad for blowing him off like that, but what was I supposed to do? Maybe I can try talking to him later on. But for now, what's up with the two of them in the back? I mean, I know I never really said anything to Jessie about Ruben being off-limits, but still. She should have gotten the memo!
Rockett glowered. She didn't really feel comfortable marching right up to them and confronting them. And anyway, maybe whatever was going on was completely innocent. Or at least she hoped.
Rockett could have sworn she saw Meg in the window, telling her not to worry, to enjoy the trip, and not to jump to random conclusions. But, it was probably only her over-active imagination.
She was also temporarily distracted when Mr. Baldus came down the aisle on the bus to pass out the student itenery. Rockett instantly lit up -The Art Institute was on the list, and they would be checking it out on the second-to-last day! It was sure to be awesome. Rockett was amazed that she had the opportunity - back home, it was only something she had dreamed about, and now her homeroom was actually taking a field trip there!
She almost forgot all about Jessie and Ruben, when she caught them way close and quiet. Her heart gave a pound, and her head started to spin.
Okay, so what about all that stuff last month? I mean, what Mavis said about Ruben liking..well, me. And all that stuff with Max's party and what not...
Okay, so I'm being ridiculous. We're finally here on our way to Chicago, and I'm letting something totally stupid try and ruin it for me. I've wanted to see the Art Institute way before I even came to Whistling Pines. So, I guess that means it's just time to start playing things totally cool around here...and not freak out.
Rockett let out a quick sigh, as she turned her attention towards Ms. Chen, who was now giving the students a run-down of the trip. Rockett sighed again. She barely heard what the teacher had been saying. Why was she making such a big deal out of this?
As if she'd read her mind, when the teacher finished speaking, she quietly pulled Rockett to the side.
"My dear child, what is wrong? You seem a little bit upset."
Rockett blushed. "Oh, I'm fine, Ms. Chen. Thanks..."
She really did appreciate the teacher's help, but this was one thing that she knew Ms. Chen wouldn't be able to relate to: not having a boy like her.
If Rockett thought Mavis had ESP, then she knew for a fact that Ms. Chen had it. The woman shifted her eyes from Rockett, to Jessie and Ruben. Alright, maybe not ESP, but certainly a lucky guess. What the teacher said next startled Rockett.
"You know, Rockett, some things are not always what they appear to be."
She blinked. "What do you mean?"
The teacher said nothing about the situation, but let Rockett know with her eyes, by glancing in the direction of the back of the bus. "Trust me. Let nothing ruin this trip for you. It will be great fun for all of us, if you focus on your time here, and not on what others are up to." She stood, and patted Rockett on the back. "You will see."
"Uhh, okay. Thanks, Ms. Chen."
"You are welcome, Rockett. Remember, if you ever need to talk about -"
Once again the teacher gestured with her eyes. She didn't say "boys," but she might as well have.
"'Girlish" things, you let me know. I've been through quite more than you would imagine."
Ms. Chen walked back to the front of the bus, and took a seat next to Mr. Rarebit.
She is so mysterious! Like all calm and cool and everything -like a spy, I swear! Wow. I was definitely being way too obvious about what was bothering me. But, if a teacher can see it, then, can't other people see it, too?
"Deep thoughts, chica?"
Rockett jumped. She was pleased to see Ruben again, right back next to her on the bus, where he belonged.
She tried not to appear too eager. "Yeah, not really. Maybe I'm just feeling a little tired or something."
Tired. Her favourite excuse. It was, after all, the perfect thing to say when she didn't want to really tell him what was up.
Ruben didn't seem to quite get it. "Tired? Gotta save all that for tonight! After all, the night is young, and the line-up for this trip sounds sweet, man!
Rockett went on like she had totally heard every single detail of the line-up. But, she hadn't. "Yeah, I'm sure," she replied. "So, uh, Ruben, what were you and Jessie talking about over there?" Immediately, she bit her lip. Seriously, she could have such a big mouth sometimes!
Oh, great. Way to totally clue him in on what I was thinking about. That was so lame.
"Oh, uh, nothing. Just the trip. Definitely lookin' forward to it," Ruben said.
Rockett tried to carefully let the big sigh of relief that was on its way, ease out slowly. Play it cool, she reminded herself. But then she thought he may be lying - and maybe he had plans to get together with Jessie on the trip, but didn't want to say anything yet.
She shook her head and tried to remember Ms. Chen's advice. And not to mention, what everyone else around her was always telling her.
NOT TO JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS.
Behold! Rockett's favourite thing to do. Or at least the one thing she had a hard time controlling.
The sun had set and its gorgeous golden light shone on the sparkling skyscrapers when the gang rolled up to Chicago. Rockett was breathless for a moment. The majority of the kids were, too.
She quickly fished her camera out of her bag. The Chicago skyscraper/sunset was so going in her new album for Meg!
The flash went off, and she snapped another, and another. Ruben jumped in on the last photo, crowding the camera, and blocking her view of the sunset.
"Hey!" she said, giggling. "You ruined my shot."
"Los siento, new girl. Just havin' some fun."
When he turned to look out the window himself, Rockett snapped a thoughtful-looking pic of him. She checked it out - and was totally amazed. The sun was not only shining on the skyscrapers and through the window, but also on Ruben's hair. The picture had come out so majestic. Ruben totally looked like a king or something. He noticed her staring, and stopped to look at the picture.
"Not bad," he said. "Guess you know you've got some talent in the photo biz, when you can make the Debaser dog look like musical majesty."
Rockett smiled and handed him the photo, but Ruben wouldn't take it. "Keep it, new girl. I'm thinkin' I'll use that idea instead for my May calendar shot. That is, if you think you could paint it for me? Whaddya say? Por favor?"
Rockett continued to grin. "Sure, Ruben. No big deal. And thanks."
Just then, Mrs. Herrera, Whistling Pines principal (emphasis on the "pal"), stood to announce that they would be pulling up to the hotel shortly. Rooms had already been assigned, prior to the students arriving, and she informed them that her staff had chosen who would room together, on account of that they needed no extra drama late in the night.
Rockett smiled. If Mr. Shuliss voted, as well as Baldus and whoever else had witnessed herself and Dana, getting into it, then there was no way they would put the two of them in the same room. And that was the good news...
The bad news? Rooming with Jessie and Whitney and Sharla! Okay, so it wasn't that bad of an arrangement. In fact, it actually would have been way perfect if there wasn't so much division in the mix. Way to go teachers, Rockett thought.
Rockett had absolutely no problem with Sharla, except for the fact that she could be kind of stand off-ish at times, and maybe Rockett sometimes felt just a t-i-n-y bit intimidated by her. And Rockett really liked Whitney - most of the time - except sometimes, Whitney seemed like she was too faithful to Nicole to really get to know Rockett. And of course, there was Jessie. Perhaps the nicest girl in the school. And except for the whole Ruben thing, everything was good there. Maybe she could even try talking to her about that..
The main problem wasn't really Rockett's relationship with the others, but the relationships they had with each other. After all, Sharla was president of the anti-Ones fan club, if there ever was one. Meanwhile, Whitney looked down on Sharla in utter disdain, and Sharla herself had major problems with Jessie, whom she thought was a total slob. When it all came down to it, Sharla was the real wild card in the group. But, despite that, Rockett was still determined to do her best to make her feel welcome. She wanted Sharla to feel like she had some friends here, and even though Rockett still didn't know everyone very well yet herself, she still wanted to try and make others feel as welcome and comfortable with her as possible.
She could do it. She would try. It was worth a shot.
And besides, wasn't she the reason Sharla was even on the class trip with them to begin with?
Arnold
I saw the Fair One today on the bus to Chicago; alas, I was going to show her my bug Utopia collection, but we shall save that for another time. I will not risk losing all of my precious organisms on a bus full of moronic minions and strange teachers who do not know anything about this wonderful collection of mine (except the Fair One). DE-PEE-YEW was on the bus ride, giving me her signature obnoxious glare. Oh how I loathe her and her ways! She must be stopped before she embarrasses me yet again in front of Rockett! Whitney still hasn't gotten over me, and I hope she is not too jealous of my budding relationship with a fair maiden!
Miko
Chicago is like, so cool! We are almost to the hotel and it looks so spectacular here! Saki says she came here when she was on a high school field trip and that it has super delicious food and all the best shopping! I can't wait to go tomorrow with Nakili and Dana to check out the stores here. Maybe I'll ask Rockett to come with us.
Chaz
Chicago, man. Pretty snazzy place if I do say so myself. I remember living here a long time ago when Dad had to move us again because of his military job. But, I definitely don't remember it being this nice. Max claims no place is like his good, old NY roots, but even he had his jaw hanging down to the floor the second we arrived, I kid you not.
Arrow
Secret Heart,
Big cities are the perfect place for romance. I mean, every romantic film Viva and I have ever seen took place in a place like this. There's definitely magic here, I can feel it. And maybe someone will notice me as more than a friend while we are visiting here. I know it sounds silly but it could happen.
