Jacen POV
What happened yesterday between May, Matt, Meri and Bradley had spread across the school like locus. I wasn't there, but apparently, Meri outed Derek. I don't know why I didn't even know Derek was gay. I did wonder why May and Matt got involved. It didn't seem like it was any of their business. They weren't friends with Derek who I couldn't help, but note wasn't at school today. Then again it wasn't really my business. I was just worried about our rehearsals for sections. I was sent a group email about our setlist by Meri, and I had no clue how she knew my email. So that was kind of terrifying, but not as frightening as she looked in glee club.
She had tried to her best to hide all the bruises under the makeup, but even with her olive skin, I could see the discoloration around her eyes and her lips were a bit swollen still. I tried my best not to stare too long, because if she knew my email who knew what else she could find out about me or do. Brad was sitting next to her again as was Lennox. Poor Haley was on a lower seat trying her best to get involved in the conversation they were having. It was sad that she was basically the extra, the spare.
Aurora was sitting in the back row next to Caleb, so I, unfortunately, had to sit near him again. I understand that my mom deserves love and Clark is a cool guy, but I could do without Caleb as a stepbrother. Which reminded me of what my mom asked me to do.
"Hey, Caleb."
He didn't respond for a second but then turned toward me. I could instantly see the loathing in his eyes. "Yeah?"
I was already regretting asking him. "My mom told me to ask you if you needed me to give you a lift home."
"I'm fine." He said then turned back toward Jax. It was like talking to a tree. Still, it was better than the alternative, he was polite enough to not express the intense dislike he had for me. I knew it was just me because he was nice to my mom. He was distant but polite, while he just looked at me with such fire. Caleb has got nearly a whole foot on me, I mean I'm kind of short for a guy at 5'5, but next to him, I looked like a Munchkin.
"Are your mom's friends or something?" Aurora asked, apparently curious.
"No ah, we're step-brothers."
Her sculpted eyebrows rose up. "Oh … I feel kind of stupid that I never put two and two together before."
"Don't be. We are very different people. I'm still kind of shocked myself."
She laughed, then I saw a thought cross her eyes. "Hey, I just remembered about the Rocky Horror thing. Everything's been so hectic I didn't get the movie from you."
"Oh yeah sorry."
She put her hand on my arm reassuringly, and my heart did a loud thud in my chest. "It's no biggie. Hey, how about I just come over to your house and watch it?"
I paused for a second, rewinding the tape in my head to make sure what she was saying was actually what I was hearing. "My house?"
"Yeah, we can rehearse the dance steps for the songs and then watch the movie. Two birds one stone."
"I'd have to check with my mom, but I'm sure she'll be cool about it."
She smiled at the news, and I knew all I wanted to do was make her smile. Cable and Miss Andrews then drew the meeting to a start. They were about to got into the setlist when a majority of us gasped at May and Matt as they stepped into the doorway.
They were in the Cheerios uniforms, and they hadn't written graffiti on them or anything. It was simply that they had swapped the clothes between the two of them. May was wearing pants and a Cheerios shirt with sleeves and Matt was wearing the one piece with the skirt. The two of them strutted into the room like it was nothing.
Meri jumped to her feet. "What the f-"
"Meri!" Miss Andrews warned.
"Change your uniforms. You're embarrassing the cheerio name."
The two of them took their seats in the front row. "Aw don't be jealous Meri. It's not my fault I have better legs than you." Matt said, raising one of his legs over his head for emphases.
"Oh God." Miss Andrews exclaimed as she covered her eyes.
Matt immediately crossed his legs the girl way. "Sorry."
"Miss Andrews!" Meri said.
"We have an open policy dress code, Meri."
May leant back in her chair. "We're not breaking any rules or our "parole". We were told we had to wear the uniform we're wearing the uniform."
"I'm telling Coach Messer."
"Then tell on us. Give her some forewarning."
Cable raised his hands to draw back our attention. "Guys, this isn't the gym. This is the glee club. Sort it out somewhere else at a different time m'kay." He then clapped his hands. "Now I've discussed with Meri, and our setlist is Starboy by the Weekend and Love Yourself by Justin Bieber."
May rolled her head in annoyance. "Seriously Justin Bieber?"
"He's popular, and the song has strong beats patterns to dance to."
"He's also a homewrecker and cheater. I hate cheaters."
Bradley perked up. "Well, I think he's changed. Learned from his mistakes and sowed his oats."
Cable clapped his hands again, obviously frustrated. "Guys we are not going to have a debate about the character of Bieber. We are going to sing his song, and that is final. Now raise your hand if you think you knew those two songs well enough without looking at the lyrics."
Everyone, but May and I raised their hands. I didn't really like Justin either. He's just too much of a d-bag. May looked at Matt accusingly.
"It's good work out music."
"Alright, then the two of you can go off and learn the song together in here while we go off to the auditorium to choreograph the dance."
"I can stay with them to help teach it?" Matt offered.
Miss Andrews smiled. "I think that's –"
"Not gonna happen. I think a little space between the two of you would be healthy, but I agree with the idea. Any volunteers?"
I immediately hoped that Aurora would volunteer, but Jax and Bradley put up their hands. I was very surprised by them both offering. May did like beat the hell out Bradley's girlfriend, and Jax doesn't know either of us very well.
"What?" Meri hissed.
"Since I'm the best dancer I can pick up the dance quicker so I can afford to miss is and help out."
"That's a good point, Brad," Cable said. "Which is why we'll need your help for choreography. Jax, you can stay."
I could help but note Bradley's disappointment. What was up with that? I doubt it had anything to do with me – oh my god it must have to do with May! No – he can't like her – she's so not his type. She's a little overweight and – I'm not saying she's fat. She got curves, and that's cool, but she's the opposite of Meri. Maybe that's why he likes her. Wait are they secretly together? Is that why May beat Meri up so badly. I feel like I'm in an episode of Scandal or something. And yes I watch Scandal, I got hooked on it after my mom, and I made a deal. I watch Scandal with her if she watches Doctor Who with me and David Tennant is now her favourite Doctor.
A push against my shoulder jolted me back to the reality. Everyone had left, and Jax and May were standing in front of me looking at me like I was stupid.
"You cool guy?" Jax asked.
"Yeah I'm cool."
They lead me to the centre of the room where they'd set up chairs. Jax and I got the lyrics up on our phones, but May pulled it up on an IPad.
"I don't own a phone." She explained.
"Seriously?" I asked, and she nodded her head. "Why not?"
"I don't really need one. Matt's the one with the phone."
"You and Matt are super close."
"Have been for a long time. A lifelong friendship kind of deal."
Jax nodded his head. "I get that, a lot. I want to say thanks for what you did for Derek. He's a great person, and didn't deserve what that bitch did to him."
"Is that the – the only reason you help out?" I asked trying my best to be subtle.
"Well, I did have some pent up aggression for her."
"Oh really?"
"Yeah, she's been harassing me."
"Oh." I tried my best to hide my disappointment. It wasn't precisely the answer I was looking for. And gauging from her reaction she wasn't hiding anything else. I guess its just a one sided thing.
"Well, you had a tonne of pent up aggression. The outside now matches the inside."
"Although it was satisfying. I kind of regret it. I mean I did go a little overkill."
"Relax you are totally paying the price. You're a cheerio."
May visibly cringed at the reality. "Good point." She suddenly went silent. She looked like she was debating something in her head.
"I was going to visit Derek after school. He hasn't answered my messages, but I know he needs to talk. I think you being there will help."
May looked kind of surprised, but a small smile broke, though. "Sure."
A/N: Don't forget to send me your thoughts about the story in a review :)
