9. November rain
Time continued to flow and as they went on November came, bringing along all the usual exams.
School seemed to have been turned upside down. Most students ran up and down the stairs all stressed out. Carrying books and notebooks, dictionaries and encyclopedias, calculators, rulers, periodic tables and other helpful things. Last minute questions and panic attacks were frequent.
The library was always full from 9:00am to 9:00pm and some teachers kept it open some extra hours. Even the cafeteria and the canteen had new adjusted schedules. The good thing about it was that two weeks were gone already and there were only two other weeks left.
"Which exams do we still have?" asked Chelsea on Wednesday morning. They had just come from Philosophy class and they were going to Math next. But first, the break.
"Uh… Philosophy, History and English," answered Mena as they walked out of the building.
The weather was cold, cloudy, grey. They were waiting for rain all the time and everybody who dared to go outside always took some sort of coat.
"It's really cold today, isn't it?" asked Chelsea.
"You bet," said Mena.
"D'you think Miss Knightley will hand us the exams today?" continued Chelsea.
"I can't be sure but I think so," Mena answered. "At least I hope so. I think I did pretty well."
"Me too. I'm hoping for a B," said Chelsea. "Are you going to study for Philosophy this afternoon?"
"Uh… Maybe, I don't know. To tell the truth I really don't feel like doing it, but if you look at things straight then who does?" Chelsea smiled.
Outside, hidden behind the pines, some students were smoking. "Isn't sad that some guys actually think that that can really relief the stress?" Mena continued. Chelsea nodded.
"Isn't that Michael?" asked Mena. Chelsea took a better look at the smoking guys.
"Yeah, I think so. And Tala too," said Chelsea.
"I told you they were jerks," said Mena.
"At least Enrique is not with them."
"One of the few things in his favor."
They sat on the marble seats spread by the front garden. The stone was cold but as they were wearing their trenches and gloves it didn't affect them at all.
They were staring at nothing, just enjoying the landscape when Johnny and Robert showed up behind them.
"Here's your hot chocolate," Robert said handing Mena a plastic cup with a cup holder.
"Thanks," she said. "Does it have any marshmallows?"
"I think so," he answered.
"Good," she smiled. She was fifteen but she still reacted to candy like a small child.
Johnny gave Chelsea her mango milkshake.
"Thanks Johnny," she said. The boys sat down next to them.
"Today's Wednesday, right?" asked Mena. Robert nodded. "This exams thing is getting boring," she continued.
"I suggest you get used," Robert said smiling.
"At least it's just a month," Mena said.
"Yes, but then you have to start doing the reports and the final papers," Robert remembered.
"I hate school," Mena concluded.
The break was nearly ending so they returned to the building to get their Math stuff. Johnny and Robert went to the left wing 'The boys' wing', and Mena and Chelsea to the right one.
The girls got their books, notebooks and calculators and went downstairs to their class. As soon as Chelsea stepped into the room Enrique ran to her.
"Where have you been?" he asked her.
"Outside on the marble seats," she said.
"Well, I have been looking for you all over," he said.
"Apparently not all over. Obviously you missed the garden," said Mena as she passed by him.
Enrique glared at her. She smiled and sat on the bottom of the room. Michael sat next to her.
"D'you really have to sit here?" she asked.
"Yes I do," he answered.
"Ah… You're so boring!" she complained. "Anyway, go away, I hate that cigarette smell."
"So?" Michael replied.
"Well, it's your lungs, your skin, your teeth but it is my nose. So step a side."
Michael shrugged and put his desk an inch further.
"Better?" he asked smirking.
Mena glared at him. That Michael guy really got on her nerves! Why did he always have to bug her? It seemed like is favorite pass-time.
Miss Knightley entered the room and Chelsea hurried to take the other seat next to Mena.
"Good-morning," the teacher saluted. "You may sit down." The teacher dropped her stuff over her desk. "Well, today I'm handing you out the exams, that's right."
"Well, I suppose that will make you happy," whispered Chelsea to Mena.
"Yes…" Mena said smirking.
"Anyway," continued Miss Knightley, "I don't know what you were expecting but I must tell you that your marks aren't all that fantastic."
Chelsea looked at Mena with horror on her face.
"Relax," said Mena. "This wasn't for us, this was for them," Mena looked at Michael and Tala.
"Well, but enough talking." The teacher picked the exams and began handing them out. She circled around the room passing by the students according to the alphabetic order.
"And Miss Nolan," she handed Chelsea her exam. "Always very good."
"B!" Chelsea whispered happily to Mena.
"You see, I told you it would turn alright," Mena replied.
Miss Knightley passed by them again.
"Mr. Tornatore! I expected a little more! It is a C- and because I was in a very good mood!" It was obvious that the Math teacher wasn't very happy about Enrique's grade.
In fact nor was he, but the person who seemed more pissed about it was Chelsea. "I told you you ought to study more but you never listen to me! You told me everything was under control and just look at the top of your exam! C- ! There wasn't any necessity of coming to this!" Chelsea said to him.
"Yes mama…" whispered Mena. She just loved to see Chelsea pissed at Enrique so she even put a smile upon her face.
Miss Tabatha now reached Mena's desk.
"Here's your exam Mena. Very good, of course." Mena noticed she was smiling. "It seems quite clear that you have a preference for Math."
"I suppose. At least it's more challenging and, well, it's the base of all Universe's harmony," Mena said receiving her exam.
"Yes… I would say so." And she continued to hand out the exams.
Mena took at the top of her exam. A, of course. Math was the only subject she cared about so it made sense that she worked for it.
In no time the teacher returned to that part of the classroom. This time she seemed even angrier.
"There's absolutely no excuse for this, Michael Parker!" she said to him. "This is the second time you learn this! Is it possible that you still can't solve a simple equation! Look at your own exam! Not one of the problems solved correctly! I don't know what you're expecting but if things keep going like this this will be your Math classroom forever! And how is it going to be next term, huh? When we will be studying functions? I really don't know." She heard Tala laughing behind her. "I don't know what are you laughing at, Mr. Valkov. Your grade isn't any better. In fact, here's your exam," she gave it to him. "This way I set myself free from repeating the same thing twice. Seriously! You two: don't study that you don't need it!" And she walked away in fury.
Cairo
"Hey Nick!" Juliet called her friend. "I've got a good news for you."
"We were all kicked out of here!" said Nick knowing perfectly it wasn't true but hoping. Juliet glared at her.
"No, we're all going to the Snow Week!" Juliet informed her.
"Really?" Nick couldn't believe. "That's awesome!"
Juliet smiled.
"Snowboard's back!" Nick was thrilled.
"Snowboard? Does that mean Snow Week?" asked a girl behind them.
"Oh hey Kaida." Juliet and Nick turned to their friend.
"Yeah, I've just checked it in the notice board," explained Juliet.
"Cool…" Kaida smiled remembering the previous Snow Week. "What are we having now?" she asked her.
"Uh… History?" answered Juliet.
"History?" asked Dynasty coming behind them with Kira. "Are you sure?"
"Yes," said Juliet.
"Damn! I totally forgot my report on Luxor and Carnac!" Dyna complained.
"Uh… Ask for Erika's. She did one last year to Poppy Deary. This new teacher never saw it so he'll take it as yours," suggested Kira.
"Yeah, but for once in my life I really have done it! So I would like to present my own work," Dynasty said.
"Well, if you have a better idea…" Kira smirked.
"Does anyone know where she is?" asked Dynasty, a bit annoyed. School really sucked.
The girls shook their heads.
"Who are you looking for?" asked a boy going towards them. "If it is my sister I'm interested, I can't find her."
"Sorry Micah," said Juliet. "We haven't seen Kamia since lunch. But have you seen Erika?"
"Erika… Erika… Don't remember," answered Micah.
Suddenly Julia showed up.
"Hi guys," she said.
"Two questions:" said Nick, "have you seen a) Kamia or b) Erika or c) both?" she asked Julia.
"I'll choose a) Kamia. The last time I saw her she and Noelle were trying to escape Ming Ming," Julia said.
"That explains why I can't find her," said Micah.
"But that doesn't explain why no one saw Erika," continued Dynasty. "I really need that report!"
"Now you want it," Kira shook her hair. "Wasting all that time… You could have printed one from the Internet by now," she added.
"Though I think I may have the answer to the mystery," said Juliet. "It's named cell phone."
"Not exactly," corrected Nick. "The cell phone is the mean Rei is the end." They all laughed.
"What's the fun about?" asked Faroré joining the party.
"Erika and Rei," said Julia.
"Oh…" Faroré smiled. Rei trusted her so she knew all about it.
"You haven't by any chance seen her, have you?" asked Dynasty.
"Yeah, by the lockers," Faroré answered.
"Great." And Dynasty started running but in no time she was back. "Which lockers? This school is covered with lockers."
"Around number six hundred and something," said Faroré.
"Thanks." And Dyna went to get her so needed report.
Switzerland
The rest of Math class was a disaster. Miss Knightley called Michael and Tala to the board to correct the exam but she ended up having to call various students at the time to solve the exercises the two guys weren't able to.
"I can't believe you can't calculate the area of a tiny little section like this," Miss Knightley said. "This just shows your enormous interests in this subject. It's just like I told you, don't study that you don't need. It seems that a little talk with your parents may help." Enrique ended solving this exercise.
After many frustrated attempts to make Michael and Tala learned to do simple calculations the bell rang. As they were leaving the classroom Chelsea called Mena.
"Mena, I've just settled it with Enrique. We'll spend the afternoon on the library preparing for Philosophy exam," informed Chelsea.
"Fine for me, I guess. Even if I thought it was a bad idea I doubt you would listen to me," Mena answered. Chelsea smiled. "Maybe I pass by the library too, don't know. It depends on my mood."
The two girls went up to their dorm together. They dropped their Math's stuff over their beds and picked their Literature books. Then Chelsea went into the bathroom and as Mena waited for her outside she found over her pillow a paper sheet folded in four that she immediately recognized.
Again the damn note! Every single day since that Saturday she had been receiving those messages. Day by day the notices got bigger and now were currently of the size of a A5 paper sheet. In fact right on the third day her secret writer informed her she would receive those messages every morning from that day on.
And gradually what started as a warning about a missed note on Beethoven's Für Elise turned into a daily review of her activities. The writer commented her school performances, her attitudes, her spare time activities, everything. Though he never said who he was and rarely spoke about himself, except to give his personal opinion about something, his personality was getting clearer by the day. Still, Mena didn't know who he was yet.
One thing she was sure, it was someone from The Gang and wasn't in her class, for else he wouldn't have time to place the letters. And besides, none of the guys were very bright. Mena pictured Michael answering a question about Beethoven. 'Beethoven? He's a soccer player, right? A Ukrainian one. No? Let me think… (smoke all around) I've got it! Beethoven is that puppy on that children's movie! I just loved that movie when I was a kid…' Yeah, that would probably be Michael's answer.
The writer was pretty smart too (another thing that dragged away Michael). For twice she had waited for the maids to come and leave and no one came. Whoever wrote her was never totally alone either, making really difficult for her to discover his identity. Yet she always got the letter and always during morning.
She decided to open it.
You never played the piano again. I liked Chopin, it wasn't perfect but it sounded very well. I wonder why you have stopped playing and why did you do it on that particular night. I hope someday you'll tell me.
'Yeah, if someday you decide on showing up too,' she said to herself. Mena kept reading.
How's your temper going? Last time I checked it was pretty fiery. Although I must say I find it interesting that way. Still I advice you to hold it.
Now I remember, has your exams month going? I believe you still have to do some more, like Philosophy, History and English. (Is this the exact order?) Anyway, you should have received the results of some you must have already taken. I hope you have done well.
'That makes two of us,' she thought. She didn't know why but that guy really brought up the most sarcastic part of her.
Though I can't know that, for you don't seem to have studied much lately.
The other day I thought of you.
'Really? I would say you do it everyday.'
I was seeing these paintings, Surrealist paintings, and I couldn't help thinking of you. Then I remembered you used to draw in classes. I wonder if you still do it. And what you used to draw too.
Are you familiar with O. Redon's paintings? I think you would like them.
'And I do. All of them.'
There's one I say you would like particularly. Maybe you know it, I can't be sure. But I'll show it to you soon, I promise.
These details about art made Mena really question herself if it wasn't Oliver who was sending her the letters. Perhaps through other people. She knew he was into arts and he was a painter himself.
The letter finished like this:
I won't take your time any longer. I know Henrietta Johnson doesn't like to wait. Goodbye Mena.
So he even knew she was going to have Literature class next! And with Johnson! One thing Mena didn't know but she sure thought to be interesting was vice-principal Johnson's first name, Henrietta.
At last Chelsea came out of the bathroom and Mena hurried herself to hide the letter.
"Lets go! We're totally late! The bell has just rung!" said Chelsea picking her stuff.
"Has it really? I didn't hear it," said Mena grabbing her stuff and locking the door behind her.
They ran downstairs to their classroom. And just in time for vice-principal Johnson was already closing the door.
"Hurry, hurry girls," she said.
Mena stared at her. What an odd thing to say and in such a way...
As they were the last to enter they got the front seats.
"Just my luck," mumbled Mena.
They threw their stuff over their desks and sat.
"Well students," began the teacher, "today will be continuing the study of Jane Austen's Emma."
"Bah… The rich, 'I'm so smart' snob again!" complained Michael.
"You're a really miserable student," commented Mena. "You're totally unable to see beyond what it is written."
"Silence you two," Johnson said. "But first, as usual, our little questions about last class. Mr. Valkov, can you describe me, please, the relation between Emma and Mr. Knightley?"
"Uh… Uh… He was taking tea in her house," Tala answered.
"Yes, but that doesn't create a relation," turned the teacher. "You can offer tea to a stranger, though it is not a very recomendable thing to do. Be more specific, please."
"Uh… They are friends," said Tala.
"Good," said the teacher. "Something else, Delancee?"
"Mr. Knightley's brother is married to Emma's sister," she said.
"Can you tell me their names, Enrique? The names of Mr. Knightley's brother and his wife?"
"Uh…" Enrique looked at Chelsea. He was hoping she would tell him the answer, but Mena realized that so she called Chelsea. She never noticed he was needing help.
"We're waiting…" Mena said.
"Now, Miss von Thyssen, be patient," said Johnson. "Now, Mr. Tornatore, we are indeed waiting."
"Uh… Uh…. Uh…" Enrique had never read the book as he was told nor even paid attention to the previous classes, so he was in trouble.
"It seems that you're asking for a little extra homework," said the teacher.
"No, teacher, I know the answer. I know the answer," he said. "It's… It's…"
"It's John and Isabella, for God's sake!" said Mena, tired of Enrique's games.
"Now, Mena, I don't remember to have asked you the question," said the vice-principal.
"And I don't remember no one to take so long to answer to such a basic question as this," Mena replied.
"Miss von Thyssen, I advice you to hold your tongue," said the teacher.
"But I'm right. He did not even read the book!" Mena continued.
"That's not true!" replied Enrique.
"Oh, yeah? Then tell me the name of Frank Churchill's wife," Mena challenged.
"It's… It's… I know this one," said Enrique.
"Then?" Mena rushed.
"It's… It's Gwendolen," said Enrique.
Mena and the rest of class burst laughing. On the other hand Miss Johnson was absolutely furious.
"For your information," Mena said, "there's no Gwendolen in the whole story. Gwendolen is a character from Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest. Something you obviously aren't. And Frank Churchill is not married, not until the very end. And then he marries Jane Fairfax."
"Damn!" said Michael. "You had to spoil it all by telling the end!" he complained.
"It was supposed you to know the end by now," said the teacher. "I believe you had to have read the book until the first week of November, and that was last week's Monday."
"Oh, don't take it too serious, Miss Johnson. You see, I talk too much," Michael said trying to fix what he had said.
"I'm glad we both agree on that," said Miss Henrietta. "Now, enough questions. Open your books on page 98, please."
The rest of class was pretty much about studying Emma. At 13:30 the bell rang and everybody went out to the canteen to have lunch.
"Then it's stettled, Enrique. We're going to study the whole afternoon," said Chelsea. "We can't allow you to be the class's joke again. It's not fair that you take Michael's place."
"Everything you want," answered Enrique. Chelsea melted down a little and they went to her dorm and then his to drop their stuff.
On the other hand, Mena went by herself, since Enrique was walking Chelsea.
At lunch they all met on their usual places at The Gang's table.
"You know what I was thinking about?" Mena turned to Robert.
"Yes?"
"We could go out to that club we have been that other night," she said.
"But we're on exams' month," said Robert.
"So?" Mena replied. Robert smiled. That girl just didn't give a damn.
"Fine," said Robert. "Though I think not many people will want to come."
"Why? Is this school fill with book maniacs class lovers?" she smiled and he smiled back. "And besides, as long as I'm not completely alone I don't mind going out. Believe me, I don't need a circus around me."
"Okay. 19:00? 20:00? We cannot return too late. We still have classes tomorrow," Robert remembered.
"Whatever," she said finishing lunch.
"Are you going to the library now?" asked her Robert.
"I doubt. Maybe I'll pass by later," Mena answered.
If Mena wasn't interested on the library Chelsea was. As soon as Enrique and she were ready she dragged him into the dreadful study room.
"What d'you think? 30 minutes? 40 minutes? That should do for a studying week," he said.
"Are you kidding me? At least two hours!" replied Chelsea. "And besides, you still have to read Emma."
"Geez! What did I get myself into!" whispered Enrique.
"Did you say somethin?" asked Chelsea.
"Oh, no. Let those books come!" said Enrique, faking the enthusiasm.
They began studying around 14:30. First Math, then Philosophy, then History and at last Literature, that included Emma. To Enrique that was hell.
'And they say torture is not allowed anymore!' he said to himself. If there was one thing he hated was that story about a rich girl in the 19th Century that had absolutely no details about her physical appearance. He wanted to know if she was hot! If she had nice curves! That would make the story way more interesting. But of course, that was a women book! Had that author, Jane something (A/N: Jane Austen, in case you don't know, though I doubt that), really understood a man's character and she would have added some fights, some gun shots, some mistresses, some blood, spies, girls very few dressed or not dressed at all! That would give a real book, a book that would please men world wide! But no, she had all those sissy talks about fashion, and balls, and hats and husbands! Really, who cares about that?
Enrique had the book opened in front of his eyes but he hadn't read a single line. After a while Chelsea realized he wasn't reading a thing so she threatned him.
"Believe me, Enrique, if you don't read that book until the last line you won't hear about my lips for the next five encarnations," she said.
"But… But…"
"There's no but." She was firm on this.
"Well, we've been hear for almost four hours! Four hours! I'm dying!"
"Four hours and we've have only studied half we needed to."
"At least give me a break!"
"No break." And she handed him back the book.
Enrique tried to read some lines. That study thing was taking forever. He needed fresh air. Fresh air and nice few intelectual talk. Boys' talk. He got up from his seat and decided to leave.
"Where d'you think you're going?" asked Chelsea. "I think I was very clear then."
"Yes, but I gotta go to the men's room," he lied.
"Okay!" Chelsea smiled and got back to the study of Cromwell's interesting treaties.
Ten minutes, and the bathroom was around the corner. Fifteen… Twenty… Twenty-five… Chelsea was getting pissed, he had cheated her. A slight rage crossed her heart. She could be nice but when some one pissed her…
The librarian, an old lady of about sixty-five, passed by her a minute later.
"Excuse me," Chelsea called her, "haven't you seen by any chance a blond boy that has just been here?"
"A blond boy?" she repeated. "Who, dear? The athlete?"
Chelsea froze. Enrique had really escaped and apparentely running. The librarian went away understanding her help was no longer needed. Chelsea was still sat on her place on catatonic state.
It was pretty much in this way that Mena found her a bit later.
"Are you alright?" asked Mena noticing her friend's strange look.
"More or less," Chelsea mumbled.
"What happened?" Mena pressed guessing the answer. She sure had a feeling for those sort of issues.
"I was here with Enrique, studying, and then… then… And then he left!" Chelsea was on the edge of crying.
Mena felt sorry for her. On regular conditions she would have said something like 'I told you so' but she didn't intend to make he friend even more miserable. You just don't hit someone who's down.
"Come on. It's not that bad," said Mena hugging her. "He just ran of the books, not from you." Though Mena really wanted to say that he was a miserable coward and that yes, he was running away from her. Then perhaps Chelsea would leave him. Still, Mena wasn't such a bad person.
"But he could have said he wanted to stop!"
"You see, maybe he said and…" Mena knew Chelsea. Things had always to be done the way she had planned so for this one Enrique had an excuse.
"You think he was right? You would have ran too?" Chelsea looked up at Mena.
"Run? No. But you have to pick for his point. He's not very bright so his brain can't handle much intellectuality."
"So if he was smarter he…"
"…Wouldn't have ran," Mena completed. "And he should know already that if he picked on my little friend he would be in trouble."
Chelsea smiled. It was nice to have such good friends.
"But you're not going to beat him up, are you?" Chelsea asked. Even though Enrique was coward towards her she cared about him.
"Only if you want me to," answered Mena. She secretely wished Chelsea would say yes but she knew she wouldn't. It wasn't such a big deal that required the use of force.
"No, I rather not," Chelsea answered.
"Okay. Now wait for me here that I'll go pick a couple of hot chocolates for us," Mena said. But she had much different thoughts.
Chelsea smiled and Mena left to 'get the hot drinks'. She ran to her dorm and to her closet. There she looked for her old baseball bat. She swinged it for a couple of seconds then she went back downstairs. Enrique had a meeting with fate.
It was not very hard to find him. As Mena had said he was not especially bright and was now sitting with his friends enjoying some fresh (and cold) air outside in the front garden. Tala, Tyson, Bryan, Ozuma, Max and Mariam were with him.
"Hey, Enrique!" Mena called.
He turned back to face the red.
"What d'you want?" he asked her, simply not interested.
"I want to have a word with you," she said.
"Oh yeah? And what is it?" he tried to play with hers.
"Apologies," Mena said playing with the bat.
Tala, Ozuma, Bryan, Tyson, Max and Mariam turned their heads wether to one wether to the other as if it was a tennis match.
"To you?" Enrique raised an eyebrow.
"To Chelsea. Now," Mena commanded.
"Or else?"
"Or else you'll end like a giant bruise." Mena swinged her bat. Enrique didn't exactly move. "Did I mention I was the baseball captain back on my old school?"
"Maybe we could discuss this in private," suggested Enrique, looking at his friends.
"There's no discussion here. She's in the library. You go there and apologize her," Mena said.
Not necessarily moved by fear Enrique got up and entered the building. Unlike what Mena predicted the remorse was having a deep effect on him.
She followed him some steps behind. Watching as he entered the library, sat next to a Chelsea with her arms crossed over her chest and talked to her, both gesturing a lot. Mena didn't exactly know what they were saying but she reckoned they mussed be on a good way so she left. She still didn't like Enrique but seeing her friend sad was worst.
It was 19:05 now so she figured it would be best to go and get dressed for she had settled she would meet Robert at 20:00 in the lobby. She entered her dorm and went straight to her closet. She looked and looked for something to wear. She wanted something more on the style she had worn on Hiro's party, something more elegant than usual.
She finally saw a blue and beige paisley chiffon froissée dress with light blue ground. The dress was a mix between edwardian shirts and hippy dresses and was really elegant. She thought that was the one so she put it on. Then she chose a pair of high-heels midnight-blue chamois-leather boots. Everything was perfect.
As usual she entered the bathroom to put on some make-up. She framed her eyes with deep blue eye shadow and put also some soft pink blusher. Finally she put some blue mascara and light ice pink lipgloss.
'I look like a porcelain doll.' She smiled at her own thought.
Time was running fast, so she grabbed her blue trench-coat and her purse and walked downstairs.
Judging from what she saw Robert wasn't exactly right. Lots of people were interested in going out that particular night. Salima, Mariah, Rei, Max, Mariam, Johnny, Spencer, Kane and, of course, Robert.
"And you saying people wouldn't want to come," she said as she came down the stairs.
"Yes, but the moment I mentioned 'going out' suddenly everybody seemed interested," he said.
"Very well. I forgot to ask you, have you taken care of the cars issue?" she asked.
"Certainly," he answered.
Then Mariah, Mariam and Salima showed up.
"Hi," they saluted.
"I'm going to make sure everything's ready," said Robert going away. He didn't exactly enjoy girl talk.
"Sure," Mena smiled him.
"Fabulous idea you had," said Mariah. "I must confess I was needing a break from studies."
"Me either," agreed Mena. "You look amazing," she said looking at Mariah's outfit. She was wearing a black ground chinese dress with pink and soft yellow flowers. Her hair was tied up with chop-sticks and she wore soft shimmering pink make-up.
"Thank you," Mariah said. "You look pretty nice too." Mena smiled.
"Robert told me most people weren't probably gonna come but it turned lots of them did." Mena commented.
"Everybody is really bored with all this exams thing so a party is always good to cheer up," said Salima.
"I absolutely agree," said Mena. She looked around and found Max and Mariam once again standing next to each other but not really saying a word. "What's up between those two?" she turned her head slightly in their direction.
"Honestly? No one really knows," answered Mariah. "They're together most of the time but then they really don't talk that much."
"Well, yeah, that's the thing. Everybody knows he likes her and that she probably likes him too but they just don't take the next step," said Salima.
"But are they all that shy, or somethin?" Mena continued. She seemed somehow interested in that couples thing. That wasn't very usual on her.
"No, not really. She's not very very talkative but she does speak. And about him, sometimes I get the feeling he talks to much," Mariah explained. She remembered at least a couple of situations in which Max's big mouth didn't really helped.
Then Robert came around again, this time bringing along Johnny.
"'Night," Johnny saluted.
"'Night," the girls answered back.
"Lets get going," he said. "The cars are ready." Mariah and Salima started to walk towards the door and so did Mena, but Johnny waited for her. "Isn't your friend coming?"
"Chelsea?"
"Of course," he whispered. Was it always necessary to explain everything?
"No, I don't think so. She was very into studying this afternoon. And besides Enrique and she had a fight."
"Really?" Johnny was really enthusiasted.
"Though that doesn't mean they're breaking up, unfortunately. It was a small fight."
"Still… Shame Juliet isn't around."
"Juliet?"
"A friend of mine."
"I heard about her. I think she's staying in my dorm," Mena answered.
"Oh, you'll like her. And the other girls too."
Mena smiled and walked away with Johnny.
Outside, just like in the other night, the cars awaited them. Robert and Johnny led her to a black one. Mena passed to the left seat, behind on the back seats. She sat and waited.
Robert sat on the passenger seat with the door open and Johnny was waiting outside next to the door. Who were they waiting for? Mena was starting to feel cold, especially on her legs. The dress was short and the boots only came until her knee. Couldn't they just shut the doors and leave? Mena wasn't a very patient person and was starting to get pissed.
She was looking through the window when she heard someone approaching. In a matter of seconds Kai entered the car, sit next to her, then Johnny, who closed the door, then they drove off.
Mena fastened her seatbelt. She rolled her eyes. It had to be him. In fact she should had suspected. Luck was just something she didn't have. If something could go wrong it sure would.
Kai… Why? There was probably around eight hundred guys in that scool, maybe more, but he had to come sit next to her. Honestly, look at the odds! She passed all trip looking through the window, avoiding to look at him. She didn't know what was his plan nor if he had one but it sure couldn't be standing turned to her back.
She then took out of her purse her lipgloss and a small mirror. She put another coat over her lips.
"Why d'you insist in hidding your lips?" Robert asked turning to her. Apparentely he had been focusing on her.
"What d'you mean?" she replied. She had absolutely no idea of what he meant. Hidding her lips? How? Seriously.
"You keep using that icy lipgloss that is so similar to your own skin shade that almost makes your lips disappear," Robert explained himself. Mena got a bit shocked for a while. First because she wasn't used to be criticized and second because judging from what she had heard Robert had been noticing her lips a bit more than she would have liked.
Luckily they had just arrived. But, curiously, that moment provided her more embarassement than all the trip together. Robert and Johnny quickly got out of the car and Mena was about to when she felt Kai's hand over hers.
That sure was bad luck. She was jinxed. Mena didn't know exactly what to do. She slowly closed her hand before retreaving it. She didn't feel confortable but she didn't want to be rude either. At last she opened the car's door and got out, slumming the door behind her. Kai got out through the other door. She walked the ten yards to the club without looking back once.
Once again they were all taken to the balcony over the dance floor. The music was bit different. Today they were playing all Red Hot Chilli Peppers hits. In fact there was a small poster announcing it.
"I'm sorry the music is not the same as the other night," said Robert.
"It's alright. I really like Chilli Peppers," Mena answered smiling and totally ruining Robert's theory about lipglosses.
"Good," he said. He really wanted her to have a good time.
"Hey, Mena. Lets dance," said Mariah calling her from the dancefloor.
"Sure." And she went towards her and the others. Robert watched as she left and Kai showed up behind him. He too was watching as the red went to dance.
Loud rock was something Mena definitely enjoyed. Especially when mixed with interesting lyrics and a taste of funk. At the moment they were playing the latest hit: Dani California.
"Love this song," Mena commented.
"Me too," agreed Salima. "The video is great too."
"Yeah." And she smiled again.
The girls danced until the music was over and then another and another. An hour and a half later they were going a little tired so they went to the bar area and sat for a drink. They asked for three strawberry vodkas and then began to talk.
"Not that I'm not happy that he's away but, where's Michael?" Mena asked.
"At school. His on detention" informed Mariah.
"Oh because of that scene in the lobby?" Mena smiled as she remembered Michael's ridiculous entrance.
"Not just for that," said Salima. "His Math grade was really bad so he's totally forbidden to go out of school. Only on an ambulance."
"I see. That's why Tala is not here either, right?" Both Mariah and Salima nodded.
"They're in this recovering program. A sort of AA for bad students at scientific subjects," said Mariah. "Michael, Tala, Sammy they all go there. You see, Michael has already failed once and teachers don't want him to fail again."
"I can't see why. At least they would get rid of him once for all," Mena commented.
"Yeah, but proncipal Vincents doesn't let anyone fail," replied Salima.
"He let Michael."
"No he didn't. He was away when his grades began to fall until he found himself with really low grades to both Math and Physics," said Mariah.
"Why did principal Vincents went away, anyway?" Mena inquired.
"Good question. The only thing we know really is that since he went away our life got pretty miserable," said Salima.
"In which sense?" inquired Mena. She had the feeling that was somehow connected with that gang fight thing, an issue that really interested her.
"Well, remeber that talk we had while ago about the two school gangs?" Mena nodded. "The thing was that Johnson was totally particial when it came to the other guys, she always got them rid of trouble," explained Mariah.
"But teachers can't support a gang in their own school! That's just despeakable!" Mena could believe her ears.
"It was not that she supported them, she just made everything easy for their leader. Which yes, is nearly the same thing," said Salima.
"Oh, and she hates Kai," added Mariah.
"Yes, I've got a sense of that," Mena mumbled recalling when Robert told her Kai was constantly graunded.
Suddenly someone approached them. It was Mariam.
"What's up Mari?" asked Mariah.
"I'm bored," she said. The bluenette kept playing with her ponytail. "This has been absolutely no fun."
"Why? Haven't you been dancing?" asked Salima.
"No," Mariam turned her head over Max.
"I see…" The three older girls understood right away what was going on.
"What have you been doing then?" asked Mena. She didn't know Mariam very well but she was sympathetic towards her.
"Watching the rain fall down," Mariam answered.
"Is it raining then? Hard luck," Mena complained. She doubted anyone had brought an umbrella. "You no what?" she turned to Mariah. "If Max isn't thinking of asking you to dance then you do it." The other three other girls stared at Mena a bit surprised. "This is not Middle Age anymore, girls can ask boys to dance."
"Well…" It sounded like a smart thing to do. "Maybe… yes," Mariam agreed. "Thank you," she turned to Mena.
"You're welcome," Mena smiled. "Now go, don't waste time." And Mariam went away with a smile upon her face.
"I guess you really helped her," said Mariah.
"I think you helped both of them," said Salima.
Then Robert joined them.
"Hi, have you come to ask me to dance?" Mena turned to him smiling.
"Okay…" he was bit puzzled. That was too sudden.
"Great. Bye." And she dragged Robert to the dancefloor.
"In fact I have come to tell you that we should be thinking of returning to school. It's already 23:10," he said.
"Fine. We'll dance this song and then we go," Mena agreed.
They were now playing Red Hot Chilli Peppers Get away. That would be their last song.
When the music was over they went down to the exit. The rest of the people were already there, waiting for them. As Mariam had said it was raining cats and dogs and they had no umbrellas.
"Shall we run?" Johnny suggested. It wasn't a really good idea but no one had a better one so they actually ran until the cars.
"Great. I'm all soaked," Mena complained.
"Don't worry, that'll dry," said Johnny.
"Yeah, eventually," she replied starting to be on a bad mood.
"Or when they turn on the heater," said Kai.
Mena turned to him. "You haven't lost your voice after all," she said.
"Most obviously not," he replied, absolutely expressionless. Mena smiled a bit presumptously and then turned back to the window.
The rest of the trip was silent. They were all a bit sleepy and tired and barely noticed the school showing before their eyes.
"I think we're here," said Johnny.
"Okay. But it is still rainning," observed Mena.
"No problem. Robert and me will run to the school and get an umbrella for you," said Johnny.
"Why me?" Robert turned to Johnny.
"Cuz you were the one who said it was not goin to rain so we didn't need and umbrella, that's why," Johnny replied.
"Fair enough," Robert nodded. "Wait for me here." And both him and Johnny got of the car and ran.
Mena and Kai remained silently. She was getting really sleepy.
She noticed time passing as the numbers in the car's clock changed. The driver was still at the wheel waiting. Fifteen minutes were already gone. Mena was getting impatient.
"Why are those guys taking so long?" mumbled Mena. She was looking through the car window. She refused to look at Kai.
The damn rain continued to fall down intensily. It seemed like they were on a car wash. At last Mena got tired of waiting. If Robert and Johnny weren't going to show up with the umbrellas very well, she would go back to the school any way.
She unlocked the car door and got out of it. Kai immediately looked left where Mena had been sat. She couldn't go out in that rain. She would get all soaked and would probably get a cold.
"Wait," he went out after her. "Come back. You're going to get sick."
"And since when do you care?" she replied. She didn't like to be chased around, especially when she had been perfectly clear.
"You Know I care."
"No, I don't. Nor I want to know." And she walked away.
"Wait. Please."
"Why should I? I doubt you have anything to say to me.".
"But I do," he said. Mena turned around. "I promise I won't bother you with this again," he insisted. "But I need to know if your feelings have changed."
"Why d'you keep asking it? It just hurts you," she said.
"Let me decide that," he replied.
"I know what sort of idea you have but what d'you think that could possibly persuade me to think about it any other way? No, my feelings haven't changed and they couldn't possible had."
"Fine," he mumbled.
"How could you think I could feel that way if I don't even know you!" A strange sorrow had overcome her features. "All I know is that you play soccer, you're fifteen and you take good grades. Big thing, that fits half the world."
"And being in love with you doesn't make any difference?" The rain kept falling. They were getting completely soaked. Her trench was totally wet and her hair was getting plastered. His facial paint was diluting.
"No, it doesn't" she answered after a while. "Not when your love is nothing but pride. Not when you come and assume I'm in love with you too without even knowing me or bother to show me who you really are. Not when take me for granted." Mena was particulary sensitive about this subject. "You took me for granted that other night and now you took me again. You never expected me to turn you down that's why you came no problem both times. Seriously, what did you expect?"
"You're wrong. I didn't."
"Don't tell if I'm wrong or not." She glared at him raising her tone.
"But you are. This time I didn't take you for granted." Mena didn't believe him. "The first time yes, I assume. But not now. Today I came to ask you again because I needed to know if I had any chance. But I can see I don't."
"No, you don't. No because as I see it you have never been there for me. I even wonder how can you be in love with me if you never talk to me, if you're never with me," she said. Her long orange hair was all in sections, rain drops running down her face.
Kai wasn't much better. His hair was all down due to the rain and the blue triangles in his face had almost disappeared. His dark sweat and cargo pants were also completely wet.
Mena smiled sadly. "The only goddamn thing I asked you weren't even able to do for me. Neither control those asswholes from your gang you're able. Every single day I take all sort of abuse from that Michael bastard. Every day he tries something with me. And not a single time you did somethin about it. Honestly, if you like me doesn't it bother you that an ass like Michael is constantly trying to get me down?"
"Yes, it does. It even hurts," he answered looking away.
"Good, cuz to me is way worst. Goodbye." And she left leaving him behind. Rain down on him.
On the contratry of what he expected he wasn't angry for having been turned down. He was furious with himself for having commited the same mistake twice. He knew perfectly that she wasn't stupid so she couldn't be in love with a stranger.
Kai was damn angry that he didn't move apart from the rain. This had been the last time. Mena didn't like him. The end.
Upstairs on the dorms wing Mena was entering her room the most silently she could. Behind her she left not only Kai but a trace of water showing which way she had gone through.
She closed the door carefully not to wake Chelsea, who was fast asleep. She wanted to move but she wasn't able. Along with the rain drops running down her face came the tears. She didn't want to cry but she was unable to control her weeping. She ended sliding through the door until the ground where she sat.
She had thought she would get proud of herself for having spoken her mind instead of just apologizing Kai but she didn't. Her soul was heavy and it was hard to breathe. One thing she gave him: courage. It couldn't be easy to be dumped twice in a matter of weeks.
She was able to get up and walk to her bed. She then lay down and cried herself to sleep. Chelsea's look when she found her next morning was indescribable.
A/N: Question to all the talented people who sent their OCs: He/she attends French or German class? I really forgot to put it on the profile and it's really important. As usual, you can always up date their info.
Oh, and I'll be replacing the previous chapters for a new version. The plot is basically the same but it has way less spelling and grammar mistakes and so new lines that I thought they would help to the plot. Sorry for the inconvenient (Geez, I sound like a transportation company!). They will be all replaced by the time I put up the next chapter.
By the way, my creativity is sucking lately so it would be nice if you give me some suggestions. The next chapter will take place in the next two or three days after this action. Use the replaced chapters to send your ideas or something. You can always e-mail me. Well, thanks for reading it all 'til here. I hope you've enjoyed it. R&R please.