A.N. Hey guys I am so so so sorry for not updating in so long. I've been so busy with finals and college that I haven't had a chance. I will be finishing this story in January so please be patient, more chapters are on the way. I actually have two more chapters left to write and post so I hope you are all so excited and I hope you keep reading and sending in your interest and enjoy the story. All songs written by Marie are original and written by myself.
Chapter Nine
Nazz sighs and stretches out on the bed. Despite the warmth of her room and the form fitting blue cashmere sweater she felt cold. Was this Marie's way of telling her that their friendship or whatever it was they had was over? Nazz had been hoping for so much more. Maybe Marie had heard it in her voice on Sunday night. Heard the confession on her lips but decided not to voice it. Oh god how could she be such an idiot. Almost confessing over the phone, how stupid could she be? Marie didn't like her like that. Marie couldn't. She looks at the time on her phone, almost time for Kevin to pick her up. But the idea of going to school and being so near Marie yet unable to speak with her made her queasy. The girls had already decided to take a break from practicing the pep rally routine so Wednesday's practice was cancelled. So there was really no point in going to school today. She sends a text to her parents about not feeling well enough to go in. She texts Kevin not to bother to pick her up due to her sudden "illness" and places her phone down on the night stand.
She flicks on the TV and curls up in her sheets, determined to sleep away the sadness that plagues her heart. She shouldn't have pushed her luck with Marie. Marie wasn't like her, she didn't find her attractive. And now Nazz didn't have a friendship at all. She just has one of Marie's songs playing on a loop in her head, and no way of turning it off.
She pulls the covers over her head and in the darkness underneath her sheets she finds a way to fall asleep and block out the rest of the world.
It's Friday, and Nazz is not feeling very spirit filled. After spending all of Wednesday in bed, ignoring Kevin's texts she had finally answered her phone when he called. She had half listened as he had explained that Marie had been very tired with work and been spending lunch and free periods sleeping in the music room. Nazz wasn't buying the excuse. Thursday was spent with no contact with Marie, not even a glimpse of blue hair or a guitar peeking through the crowd of people. Nazz had even sought her out. She went to the music room at lunch but no one was there. Upset she had sought refuge with the girls on her cheer squad. They were happy enough to have her but she just didn't reciprocate their enthusiasm.
Friday feels no different. She tries to enjoy the day of no classes and activities as everyone prepares for the pep rally but she just doesn't feel into it. She sits in the locker room dressed in her cheer uniform trying to cheer herself up. Nazz is not one to get uber depressed about things. She is not one to wallow and she definitely does not like to feel bad for herself. But right now she feels rejected.
"Hey Nazz you're here early," Sarah calls as she steps into the locker room, "Ready for the big routine?"
"Yeah dude, I'm totally ready," Nazz answers back, trying to put as much pep into her voice as possible.
"Oh come on I didn't believe that for a second." Sarah scoffs, "What's your deal? You've been almost as depressing as Jimmy was when he found out they stopped making his favorite bon-bons."
"It's nothing; I don't want to bother you with my drama dude." Nazz insists, how would she even begin to explain the entire situation?
"Oh so it's about Marie?" Sarah asks.
"How did-"
"Oh please, everyone's noticed you guys hanging out. You've been so much happier since hanging out with her too if that's even possible." Sarah grins, "So what's going on that has you so bleh?"
"We haven't talked in three days…." Nazz mumbles, "It just feels like she's avoiding me."
"Have you tried finding her?" Sarah asks, "Or texting her, can't you do that?"
"She doesn't have a phone, and…. I don't know dude. I don't wanna bug her or seem too needy or something."
"Needy?" Sarah sighs, "No no Jimmy is needy, wanting to talk to your friend is definitely not needy. Unless you start calling her crying because you can't figure out which scarf goes with your shoes you are definitely not needy."
"He doesn't-"
"Every day."
Nazz cannot stop the giggle that escapes her lips, and Sarah laughs along with her. When she's done laughing she can honestly say she feels a bit better. Sarah just smiles knowingly and changes into her cheerleading uniform.
"Thanks dude." Nazz whispers.
"No problem."
Then the rest of the squad arrives and the whole room is filled with girls doing there makeup and changing their hair. Sarah and Nazz sit in the back of the locker room closest to the gym door entrance. They chat lightly about classes and the apparent romance between Ed and May Kanker. Once that's done they hit the gym floor and perform. The faculty and students all cheer and Nazz manages to land her back hand spring without her hair sliding into her face. Everyone seems pumped up and a reminder of the talent show tonight is mentioned. The pep rally winds down and all the girls head back to the locker room to change. Nazz is in the process of pulling her jeans on and thinking about speaking with Marie when they approach her. She doesn't even seem to notice when three of the other cheer girls walk up, hair perfectly styled in high ponytails and all changed into their regular clothes and uggs stand behind her.
"Oh Nazz." The tallest one calls, "great job today."
"Oh thanks dude," Nazz smiles, "I thought we all did a pretty good job."
"Right," She chuckles, "So we just wanted to let you know that we took care of the problem for you."
"Problem?" Nazz asks, "What problem?"
"Oh with that trailer trash girl Maria. We had a talk with her; she shouldn't be bothering you anymore."
"Excuse me?" Nazz gasps, "You did what?"
"We explained to her that she wasn't high enough on the food chain to hang out with you. I mean you are popular and she is well….a misfit."
"Are you telling me you told my best friend that she wasn't good enough to hang out with me?" Nazz gasps, "Are you kidding me?"
"Best friend?" The girl scoffs, "Honey she is-"
"She is worth twenty- no forty of you snobby bitches." Nazz shouts, "I cannot even believe you would do something so bitchy and so heartless. If I found out you said anything else to her I will not hesitate to kick all of your asses. No, the real problem I have is with your ugly last season uggs, burn them and stay away from my friends."
And without a glance over her shoulder Nazz spins on her heels and stomps out of the locker room. She storms past the streams of kids heading towards class and lunch and spots a red baseball cap sticking out in the crowd. She rushes towards him weaving through the crowd until she is right behind him. She grabs him and pulls him into the lockers.
"Nazz? What?" Kevin says with confusion.
"Is Marie avoiding me because of what the cheerleaders said?" Nazz asks quickly.
"Who told you about that?" Kevin questions, "She didn't-"
"You've talked to her?" Nazz gasps, "You've talked to her and you didn't tell me? Dude what the hell?"
"Nazz I talked to her Wednesday and you could've talked to her too if you had come to school." Kevin sighs, "I gave her a ride and she told me what happened."
"Is that why she's been avoiding me? She knows I'm not friends with those girls right?" Nazz feels panicked, "I mean…she doesn't hate me does she? I couldn't…Kevin if she hates me-"
"Nazz Nazz whoa calm down." Kevin says, pulling Nazz into a hug, "She doesn't hate you, she just needed to…she just needed some time to think."
"Kevin I can't lose her."
"Hey you aren't going to lose her, I promise."
"But-"
"No buts," Kevin sighs, "That girl is crazy about you. And you're crazy about her. Nothing can break that up. Not me, or those cheerleaders, or her crazy sisters. No one, do you think I would be so supportive of this if I didn't think you two could make whatever it is you have work?"
"No…no you probably wouldn't." Nazz mumbles, sniffling slightly, "I just… I need to see her."
"She… had to leave." Kevin sighs, releasing Nazz from the hug, "She's working a double tonight."
"Really?" Nazz sighs, "Can we go visit her?"
"How about this, Edd and I were thinking of going to the Talent show…afterwards we can stop by and see Marie. How does that sound?" Kevin suggests, "And we can tell her how she would have beaten everyone else who performed."
"Ok…but we need to go see Marie right after." Nazz says, "I need to see her."
"You've got it. I'll pick you up around 6:30, ok?" Kevin asks, "Now do you want to get lunch? Edd is probably waiting for us to show up."
"Yeah, that sounds great." Nazz sighs, "Let me just run to my locker I'll meet you guys in the hallway."
"Alright, see you there."
Nazz smiles and heads towards her locker, feeling a bit better. Tonight she'd see Marie. She'd talk to Marie. Perhaps she'd even tell Marie… well maybe she'll just hug Marie and invite her over after work.
Kevin rushes into the hallway where Edd already has his lunch laid out in his lap. A separate sandwich is sitting labeled with Kevin's name on it. He grins and picks up the sandwich before sliding down next to him.
"She's coming tonight." Kevin grins, "fell for it hook, line, and sinker. This is going to be great."
"Oh thank goodness. Marie is so nervous she can barely contain herself. She had to go home to calm down." Edd sighs, "I am quite happy that the plan is finally coming to fruition."
"Yeah, they've both been freaking out worrying over each other. Nazz just came at me yelling about the cheerleaders confronting Marie." Kevin says, "She was pissed."
"I can well imagine." Edd nods, "But tonight all of this tension will be resolved. We may well become the third wheels in their relationship."
"Maybe," Kevin mumbles, looking outside of the doors, "I think we'll be just fine."
Edd blushes and smiles before beginning to eat his lunch. Kevin bumps his shoulder against Edd's before unwrapping his sandwich. A few minutes later Nazz rushes in and greets them enthusiastic. The rest of the lunch period passes almost like normal. But even though they seem to be having fun Nazz still doesn't seem like herself. She keeps gazing beside her as if Marie is there, silently flexing her fingers over her guitar strings. Nazz sighs, she'd see Marie tonight.
Marie sighs and buries herself in the blankets on Edd's pull out bed. She'd called her Uncle about tonight and he seemed so excited for her, promising to come if he got out of work in time. She could introduce Nazz to her family, officially. But Marie still felt nervous as all hell. What if Nazz didn't feel the same? She knew she'd never know unless she tried but the fear kept coming back to her. What if she took the stage and she lost her words. What if she opened her mouth and nothing came out. Everyone would point and laugh and stare, Nazz would laugh. She bites her lip and covers her head with the blanket. That would be terrible, awful, embarrassing beyond belief.
Marie groans and peaks out of the covers at her guitar, resting on top of the coffee table. Beside it she had her best outfit folded up and ready for tonight. Her best outfit consisted of a button up navy blue cardigan, a short sleeved tight fitting gray flannel shirt, and a pair of blue jeans that had only one small hole on the left hip. She also had her grungy combat boots to complete the outfit. Not as classy as she could hope, but it was all she had. With some of the money she had saved up she spent a little to buy makeup on her way home from school. She hadn't had her own makeup in…well she'd never had her own makeup. So she cherished the new tube of eyeliner and the mascara, the blush and the eye shadow. She didn't want anything on her lips, to reminiscent of her childhood days of stealing their mom's tube of luscious red to terrorize the Ed's. No she definitely did not need lip color. But everything else, it just felt good to call them her own.
She definitely couldn't back out now. Marie would not let herself become a quitter. But the fear was still there. Marie jumps as the front door opens and closes quickly. She hears the sound of Edd's laughter, coupled with Kevin's manly bellow. She hears them shuffle into the living room and feels the bed dip beside her while the other set of footsteps shuffles into the kitchen. She feels a large hand on her shoulder and relaxes. Kevin gives it a squeeze and a quick pat before taking a hold of the blanket and sliding it off of Marie's head.
"You aren't sleeping so what's up?" Kevin asks.
"Nervous," Marie mumbles, peaking up through her hair at Kevin.
"You shouldn't be nervous," Kevin says, "Edd and I will be there, and so will Nazz."
"What if I fuck up?" Marie sits up, crossing her legs in front of her, "this is so important to me what if…what if Nazz just doesn't-"
"She found out today." Kevin says quickly.
"Found out what?" Marie asks, suddenly feeling panicked.
"Well-"
"She found out what those girls said to you." Edd answers, stepping out of the kitchen with a tray in his arms, "Needless to say she did not appreciate what they had to say to you and gave them a stern talking to."
"By stern he means she bitched them out." Kevin says, standing to help Edd carry the tray with tea into the room.
"She did that?" Marie mumbles.
"Of course she did. She cares about you a great deal Marie." Edd insists, "Why wouldn't she defend you from those bullies? You are her friend Marie."
"I…I just…I've never really had people defend me before." Marie mumbles, "I….I've never had real friends before."
"Well you got us," Kevin grunts, slumping back down next to her, "we'll take care of you."
"Just as Kevin said, we will both be here to keep you company and to aid you in any way you need. And if there is even a whisper of heckling in the audience well we will give them a stern talking to after." Edd states.
"Right…stern talking to." Kevin snorts, "If people give you shit we'll be there for ya."
"Thanks guys….I really mean it thank you."
"What are friends for?" Edd smiles, "Now tea with lemon is a great drink to have before a performance. Well not directly before a performance. I don't know if you know this but the vocal folds-"
"Edd, cool it with the anatomy lesson." Kevin grins, "I can give you a ride to the show but I'll need to drop you off early. I'm driving Nazz to the show."
"Alright, yeah I'd like that thanks." Marie nods, she takes a cup of tea from the tray, "Yeah…I can do this."
"That's the spirit Marie!" Edd says, "Now do you need Kevin and I to leave you alone so you can practice?"
"In a bit…." Marie says, "I could use some company right now. How was school?"
They talk for an hour about school, homework, classes, and the talent show. When there cups are finished and Marie feels an itching in her fingers she asks for alone time. The boys leave, Kevin stating he's got homework he should do and Edd offering to help him out. The two go to Kevin's house and Marie is left alone to stare at her guitar case. Two songs, this shouldn't be so hard. Just two songs and a five to seven minute time slot to fill with them. She opens up her case and brings the guitar into her lap. She strums her fingers across the strings, listens to the hum that reverberates through them and closes her eyes.
Nazz dresses up. Not for the talent show but for seeing Marie after. The chill pushes her towards a warm dark gray v neck sweater with a diamond pattern on it. Underneath she wears a light blue tank top. She goes for black leggings instead of jeans; the sweater is long enough that she won't feel uncomfortable. She picks out her plain black boots with the fold at the top to wear on bottom. Cute but also good to wear with all the snow outside. Makeup revamped and hair touched up she's ready but feeling nervous. It isn't even time yet and she is already starting to freak out. She has a whole talent show to sit through before she can see Marie. She'd look cute to, dressed in her diner clothes and Nazz's shoes. Nazz thinks she'll invite her to spend the night if all goes well. They could watch old movies, or snuggle on the couch again. Maybe Nazz would have the courage to-
She blushes and throws herself back onto her bed. She needs to tell Marie how she feels first. Get it all out there in the open. Why did all of this have to be so complex and hard? Mom always said she knew Dad was the one at first sight. Dad always says that the first time she looked him in the eyes he knew there could be no other but her mom. Nazz groans. Is it all really as simple as they make it out to be?
"Nazz! Kevin's here!" Her mother calls from downstairs.
Nazz grabs her wallet and tucks it into her pocket. She has a whole talent show to figure her feelings out. Then she can tell Marie everything and whatever would come from it she would handle. She takes a deep breath and heads towards the door.
