High School Never Ends
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama/Humor/General
Characters: All
Summary: AU All the heroes are trying to endure the normal troubles of high school including cliques, jocks, cheerleaders, romance, and drama. However, these teenagers are developing powers that are anything but normal. And it might be up to them to save the world.
Chapter 7 – The Makeover
The week passed by quickly. It was already Friday and Central East felt many differences in only a few days. Some were all people could talk about, others weren't as public but they affected those who were directly near them.
Claire couldn't believe she had a boyfriend. And that everyone in school was talking about it. People would whisper and point at her or abruptly end a conversation when Claire entered a room even though she had heard enough to know it was about her. Claire was popular, but no one ever discussed her love life. She was half expecting it to be on the cover of the school newspaper at the rate it was going.
Not that she didn't mind having a boyfriend. She had known Zach for a long time, and they were still best friends. But now they were best friends that held hands in the hallway and kissed occasionally. Claire never realized how fast things could change in just a few days. She and Zach were having their first official date tonight at Mario's and she didn't know what to make of it.
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Peter wasn't a jealous guy. But he liked Claire and for some reason, he did not like her new boyfriend Zach at all. Maybe that was the reason he was compelled to talk to Simone that day during locker break.
"Simone, I need a favor," he said.
"Sure Peter, what is it?" she said pulling out her books and stuffing them into her bag.
"Do you want to go out with me tonight?" he asked quickly.
"Oh, Peter…" Simone said at a loss for words.
"I mean, as a friend. It's just, I really need a date and it doesn't have to be romantic," Peter said stumbling through his words.
"Is this to make Claire jealous?" Simone said.
"No, no," Peter denied but Simone wasn't buying it.
"I can't go out with you Peter," Simone said simply.
"Why?" Peter asked.
"I, I just can't," Simone said. Now she was staring to become nervous.
"Why not? Simone, you can tell me anything," Peter said kindly.
"Not this," Simone said. She wished she could leave but Peter had put her in a position where she couldn't escape.
"Is it something I did?" Peter said. Simone heard the hurt in his voice and she knew she had to blurt it out.
"No Peter, its not you. Look, can you keep a secret?" she said in a low whisper.
"Yes," he said, also whispering.
"I already have a date," Simone said softly.
"With who?" Peter aksed.
"Issac," Simone said in the lowest voice yet.
"Issac!" Peter said loudly.
"Shhhh, keep your voice down!" Simone snapped at him.
"I'm sorry, but Issac?" Peter said a little lower.
"Yeah," Simone said.
"How long has that been going on?" Peter asked in shock.
"Since this summer. Please Peter, don't tell anyone," she pleaded. Peter could never break a promise or tell someone else's secret.
"Fine," Peter sighed.
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
"So, are you going to Mario's tonight?" Audrey asked Matt casually. Their relationship had been one of the smaller changes to happen this week. Matt still hadn't told her about the dyslexia, but Audrey had forgiven him anyway. Actually Matt realized that Audrey wasn't half bad when he got to know her.
"Uh yeah," Matt said. "I'm going with Janice."
"Oh," Audrey said, trying to hide the disappointment in her voice.
"Will I see you there?" Matt asked.
"Maybe," she said. The bell rang at that moment and everyone quickly left the Spanish room. Audrey hurried off to her locker. To her surprise, Niki came up to her. Audrey never really talked to Niki. She was so popular and Audrey, well, Audrey wasn't.
"I don't mean to be rude, but I heard you and Matt talking," Niki said. Audrey stared at her. Why was she talking to her of all people?
"And," Niki continued. "I noticed that you're kind of into him."
"I'm not into him," Audrey denied quickly. Niki laughed.
"Audrey, I won't tell anyone. I know we never really talk and I feel bad about that. If you like Matt, I want to help you get him to like you back," Niki said earnestly. Audrey searched her voice for any cruelty or hidden agenda but Niki was honest.
"Why would you want to help me?" Audrey said coolly.
"I don't like Janice Nielson," Niki said bluntly. Audrey was a little shocked by this statement. Niki sat at Janice's table every day.
"But you always sit with her," Audrey said.
"I know. But it's kind of hard to change the way people interact in high school. There will always be certain groups of people and cliques. I mean, the "popular"," Niki said in air quotes, "people at this school are nice and mean. If you think about, the nicest kids really should be the most popular."
"Then Peter Petrelli would be the most wanted guy in school instead of his brother," Audrey said laughing and Niki laughed too.
"True, true. So what do you think? Do you want my help?" Niki asked.
"I don't know..." Audrey said.
"I promise, you won't regret it," Niki said eagerly. Audrey sighed. Niki was being nice and it couldn't hurt right?
"Fine," she said.
"Great! Meet me outside after school," Niki said.
Step 1 – The Guy
Audrey stood outside the school, looking around for Niki. Then she saw her with Heidi and Claire.
"Audrey!" Niki said.
"Hi," Audrey said. She wondered what Heidi and Claire were doing there. It was as though Niki knew exactly what she was saying though because she answered the question for her.
"Heidi and Claire are here to help. Heidi's a great shopper and Claire knows Roger," Niki said.
"What?" Audrey said confused.
"Oh, I forgot to explain. We have a three step plan to help you get Matt," Niki said. Audrey blushed.
"It's ok. We won't tell anyone," Claire said smiling. Audrey smiled back.
"What's the first step?" Audrey asked.
"Claire," Niki said pointing to Claire.
"Well, the whole idea is the make him jealous," Claire explained.
"Why do I have to make him jealous?" Audrey asked.
"It's pretty much foolproof. Don't doubt the plan," Niki said smiling. Audrey nodded and Claire started to speak again.
"The first step in the plan is getting another guy. Guys usually get jealous when they realize that a girl is unavailable," Claire said.
"Ok, but I don't think there's anyone who wants to date me," Audrey said.
"That's where Roger comes in," Claire said. "Hey Roger!" she shouted. A tall boy with dirty blonder hair walked over to Claire.
"What's up!" He said to Claire.
"Do you have a date for tonight?" Claire said getting straight to the point.
"No, do you have one for me?" Roger said slyly.
"Actually I do. You know Audrey," Claire pointed to Audrey and Audrey smiled shyly.
"Yeah, you're in my English class," Roger said. Audrey couldn't believe he remembered that. "Sure, I'll go with you."
"Thanks," Audrey said. She couldn't believe she was just asked out on a date, even if it was for weird purposes.
"I'll see you tonight," Roger said and he ran off to the football field.
"Alright, step 1 completed," Niki grinned.
Step 2 – The Dress
"Ok, now for step 2, the clothes," Niki said. She, Claire, Heidi, and Audrey were in one of the small boutiques that lined the streets of New York City.
"I don't think I can afford anything in here," Audrey said quietly.
"That's ok, I've got it," Heidi said pulling out her credit card.
"Oh no, I can't let you do that," Audrey said quickly, embarrassment showing on her face.
"Audrey, you're a really great person and Matt should really be able to see you for who you are. If you like Matt, I want to help," Heidi said genuinely.
"I don't know what to say," Audrey said. These were the people she and her friends would mock. Had she known how nice they were, she never would have mocked them. Audrey had judged them before she knew them and she felt guilty for doing that.
"Why don't you try these on?" Heidi handed her a bunch of dresses. Audrey took them and brought them to the dressing room. She modeled each of them one by one. Heidi, Claire, and Niki commented on them and Audrey was surprised to find herself having fun.
After at least 20 dresses, Audrey was exhausted. They hadn't found anything special. She was ready to give up when Heidi pulled another one.
"Just try one more," she insisted.
"Fine," Audrey said and she grabbed the dress.
"What do you think?" she asked when she came out. Audrey really liked it. It was a short sleeved turquoise dress that fell down to mid knee and it fit Audrey perfectly.
"I love it!" Niki squealed and Heidi and Claire nodded.
"Really?" Audrey said excitedly.
"Really," Heidi said smiling.
Step 3 – The Rest of the Makeover
Audrey never thought in a million years that she would be in Niki Sanders apartment and sitting in her bathroom. But that's exactly where she was. Claire was curling her hair, Heidi was choosing a pair of shoes from Niki's closet for Audrey to borrow, and Niki was getting out an amount of make up that could fill an entire cosmetics shop.
"I think I found the perfect eye shadow!" Niki said happily. She pulled a blue one from the counter and Audrey nodded.
"I love it," she said truthfully. Niki began to apply the eye shadow. Then she applied mascara and a pretty red shade of lipstick.
"Thank you so much for doing this," Audrey said.
"It was no problem, besides, it was totally fun," Niki said. Heidi came into the bathroom with a pair of silver flats.
"I think these will do," she said.
"I agree," Claire said. She finished the last curl on Audrey's hair and Niki finished applying the finishing touches of blush. The girls stared at Audrey.
"I think Matt's not going to know what hit him," Niki said and all four of them grinned.