Chapter ten.
"You know, you're probably- Scratch that, you are the only girl at Stonewall not excited for the Jonas Brothers coming to the school." She said then shoved a handful of popcorn into her mouth.
I shrugged, "Meh. I find them utterly annoying."
Colleen wasn't excited, or unhappy with it. She was in the middle. Then she threw popcorn at me, and I threw it back and then we started a fight with our slushies. We fell asleep on the couch in the basement watching The Breakfast Club.
My eyes fluttered open and I looked at my cell phone first thing out of habit. I gasped as I jumped up, "Oh no." I grabbed my pillow and threw it at Colleen, "Wake up. It's 9:01." I ran upstairs and I had to take a quick shower to get the stickiness out of my hair, and I was buttoning up the front of my shirt when I leaned down the stairs to see if Colleen was getting ready, and she wasn't.
I snorted as I got a cup of water and poured it onto her head. She jolted up and chased me up the stairs. She borrowed one of my uniforms and we were running to school. We were half way there when Colleen had to stop to catch her breath, I looked at her. Knowing we were already late, nearly too late to ever be trying.
"Eh! Twinkle Toes."
I turned around and seen none other than Cedric in his silver car, pulled up to us, "What a ride?"
I looked back sympathetically at Colleen and agreed to it. Colleen and I rushed to our English class and I burst into the door, out of breath.
"Ah, Miss Tucker, Miss Colleen. Nice of you to grace us with your presence." Mr. Buckley said sarcastically, "Take a seat." He pointed with his glasses to the, what I now noticed was empty looking class room.
Then my eyes landed on the source, the youngest Jonas Brother was sitting in the first row and attracted the students which mainly consisted of girl to be by him. He met eyes with me.
"Can you believe it?" I asked in disgust, and rolled my eyes.
Colleen and I sat in our usual seats, which were to my pleasure on opposite side of the room. I sat grumpily in my seat and Colleen looked at me.
"You'll always have Tommy boy." She teased in a voice like she was talking to a baby.
"Tom and I are. Just. Friends." I said in a flat voice.
"Chill, I was just teasing you." She laughed.
I crossed my arms, the exact body langue Mr. Buckley was on the look for. "Miss Tucker!" He called, "Can you read act one, scene five?"
I sighed heavily and stood up, "'My only love sprung my only hate'" I started.
As soon as the chime sounded I rushed out of the class room, thinking I was going to be sick. Colleen kept at my heels. Sonya was flirting way too much with him, which didn't help the sickness I was getting.
Colleen was now walking beside me, "He saw you pretending to gag when he read Romeo's part." She laughed, impressed with my mean side.
"Yeah, any money he says he doesn't care. I mean he has Sonya right? And how many other fan girls?" I sneered.
"Vicious Cami, I like this." Colleen nodded approvingly.
Colleen and I were assigned detention for arriving to school late. But that didn't bother me any compared to how I felt with all the girls, and the constant whispers of "JONAS.".
"Find you happy place Cami." She said soothingly.
My mood turned even worse when I found Nick in my Life Time Skills and Parenting class. I gave him a 'you-gotta-be-kidding' me look. And he just shrugged. The girls in the class all huddled together on one side of the room, and I saw in my usual spot, which just happened to be opposite of everyone, once again.
"Oh Nicholas! Mr. Jonas, it's a pleasure to have you in my class!" Ms. Valdez said excitedly.
Nick gave a friendly, brief smile, "It's my pleasure to be here, Ms. Valdez."
She laughed like she was a teenage girl, and made me sick to my stomach. I began to rub my temples, and I closed my eyes, "Find your happy place Cambria." I sighed to myself, "Your happy place."
"You can take a seat next to Cambria. Over there. The girl that just slammed her head down her desk. No sleeping Cambria!" She called to me.
"Yeah, I know who she is." Nick said, I didn't want to look at his expression, I just didn't even want to look at him in general.
I heard him sit in the desk beside me, and I sighed as Ms. Valdez started to introduce Nick, and started talking about his band. I blocked it out, and again as soon as the bell chimed, I was the first out of the room. Then to meet up with Colleen like we did after every class.
We walked to lunch again, and her parting words were, "Have fun with the plastics." And walked off to her table, which mainly consisted of seniors and a few college students. And I noticed three new addictions. When I saw Tom I smiled and he waved back. He looked rather irritated. And I found it odd that he was at school during lunch. And then I saw Kevin and Joe Jonas. I frowned and looked away.
Colleen wasn't popular with her peers, but she was with the seniors and college ones. And I knew Sonya envied her, and didn't like the fact Colleen and I were so close. Unlike her, I didn't care for fame, money or popularity. I wasn't one to boyfriend hunt, or to gossip. I just wanted to get High School over with. Thomson and I were the first ones there and had out first conversation without Sonya interrupting.
"I mainly rollerblade." I shrugged, "I don't need a fancy car." As everyone started to collect at the table.
"Thomas." Sonya's voice struck threw the air like lightening, "Get up." She ordered.
"No." I muttered as Thomas stood up and moved back and then I looked up at Sonya ready to argue Thomas's case. But instead I found a loss for words as anger started to boil. She sat down and gestured none other than Nick Jonas to sit in the spot Thomas was once sitting. Nick did the exact same thing I had when Sonya kicked Pauline from the table.
"But where's Thomas going to sit?" Nick asked sympathetically.
Unlike Pauline, Thomas didn't glare holes threw Nick. Thomas understood. And by the way everyone was observing the progress it occurred to me, that the situation was like a ritual. Sonya decided who would and wouldn't sit at the "In Crowd" table. Everyone sitting at this very table was the famous to the famous people at Stonewall. I felt my stomach do flips at the realization.
Had I became what I said I wasn't going too? Popularity meant attention. Attention was something I avoid on a daily basis. This was why I didn't date. This was why I didn't buy flashy things. This was why I was the quiet one.
"Cambria, are you all right?" Amie asked leaning away like I was going to vomit all over the table.
I nodded slowly unsure; the whole table was looking at me. And that included Nick. My stomach was still flipping. In a panic I stood up as the room started to spin. Slowly, very slowly everything returned to normal. But my annoyance flared up again when Sonya was throwing herself all over Nick.
It disgusted me. Beyond belief. Nick caught my angry glare, and without a word, I got up and left lunch early. In the empty halls I finally found some relief, no screaming giggling girls, no star struck obsessed people. Just peace and quiet. I sat with my back against my locker., my forehead on my knees. I didn't want to be at a school with famous people, I just wanted to have a normal high school experience.
"Are you all right, little one?" A familiar voice asked.
I looked up and over to Tom, and I couldn't help but smile at him. He sat himself down beside me.
"The force tells me something is troubling this young jeti." He said seriously, joking.
I laughed, "Talk normal."
He laughed and rolled his eyes, "Fine. Now tell me what's wrong?"
"It's all this Jonas Brothers crap! How everyone's suddenly, " I changed my voice to sound stupid, "OMG JONAS BROTHERS!" Then I started talking normal, "It's driving me crazy!"
"Are you sure you're just not.." He made sly eyes at me, "Crazy for the Jonas Brothers!"
I wanted to hit him. He laughed at me, then the bell chimed for next class.
"Welp, I'll see you around Twinkle Toes."
"Awh! Not you too!" I whined at the stupid nickname.
He just sneered then continued walking. Then I remembered Cedric's ongoing rivalry with me being a girl, and me being better than him at most sports.
"Hey Shorty." I recognized James's nick name for me.
"Twinkle toes." Cedric did his famous cup his hands around his mouth when he called me his nick name.
I rolled my eyes; today's challenge was soccer outside. All the guys joined in wanting to see me in my glory, because they all sucked and couldn't believe a girl would be so good at sports, and Cedric and I were automatically dubbed the captains.
"You have two more players then me, how did that happen?" I looked around, recounting everyone. "I want at least one more player." I demanded.
"Hey class, Welcome Nick Jonas to our class." Mr. Hays yelled to the class.
I groaned and Cedric looked pleased, "You're prayers are answered." He said smugly.
I saw all the girls all huddle up amongst each other, and goggled at the famous boy. Seeing as he didn't want to be mangled by girls, he came to where all the other boys were. I looked at Cedric, who looked like he was stifling a laugh, quickly picking up that I had a disliking to Nick. I kept my glare on Cedric as Nick made it to us.
"You're on my team, Jonas." I said, and he said nothing.
Cedric and I played for the ball, I got it. I Ran down the field until Charlie blocked me. I maundered my way around him, moving the ball just as complicated. Confusing Charlie in the process.
"We don't call her Twinkle Toes for nothing." Cedric yelled to both teams. I started running again, but Cedric tried to stop me. I faked a left, and I was going to kick it to the net, but he caught on and went right. Stealing the ball from me. I gasped and stood there stunned, and vaguely surprised.
"I'm learning Twinkle Toes." Cedric called back.
I smiled and went after him but as soon as I turned around Nick was rushing down the field with the ball. When he was close enough he kicked the ball to me, as if he were giving it back. We met eyes for a moment, when I remembered we were in the middle of a game.
I kicked the ball into the net. The entire game was like that, Nick and I, whenever we had the ball had no choice but to pass to one or the other. Finally, when Mr. Hays blew the whistle the signal, my team had won by eight pokes.
"Puke luck." Cedric said boldly.
I panted and smile, then glanced at Nick. He wasn't looking at anyone and that's when I remember, stars we just like normal people. And I remembered my first day. I had assumed he had friend, but then again all the people I have seen around him were girls. His fan girls.
"Hey Nick. Good game!" I called to him, giving him a thumbs up.
He smiled and nodded.
"Jonas, Tucker! Go get dressed and see me in my office. Go on now! Hurry." Mr. Hays ordered us.
I hurried and got dressed in the school uniform. As I turned the corner to Mr. Hay's office, I saw Nick leaning back against the wall; almost in a bored fashion turned his head to look at me. He gave a brief nod that I decided not to return. The hall was empty and there was an awkward pressing silence. I had to swallow down words because the silence was trying to push words from me. I quickly looked at him when he opened his mouth to say something, but just then the door between us opened.
"Oh." Mr. Hay's looked a little surprised as if he had forgotten to meet us, "Yes come in." He opened the door wider.
I looked at Nick to enter first, but he stayed put, silently saying lady go first. I stood where I was, silently saying, I don't need to be treated like a little girl. We both stood there, staring each other down. Mr. Hays just stood there awkwardly, trying to deny the tension between Nicholas and me.
"Come on, I don't have all day." Mr. Hay's said impatiently.
I pressed on for a bit longer, then huffed and stomped into the room, very stubbornly admitting defeat. I pretended not to notice the smirk on his face. Thus, the war began…
Nick and I sat in the over stuffed, hard arm chairs in front of his desk. We both hit the chairs with a thud not realizing how hard they looked.
"I was watching you two play today, and the both of you make a wonder, unbeatable team." He said in a dream-like voice, "And if two become a team-" My fingers dug into the seat of the chair as the rest of my muscles tensed. Me? Team up with Nick? "And work together on Stonewall's soccer team, our school will be unbeatable!" He said excitedly.
Both Nick and I were quiet. I don't know if he knew I liked him or not, but I had a feeling he was feeling a bit repelled by the idea as well.
Mr. Hays refused to see what we thought of his idea by the look on our faces, so he wheeled his chair back and opened a filing cabinet, and started rummaging threw it. Finally after a few moments of him muttering to himself and Nick and I refusing to knowledge one or the other, he pulled out a folder and pulled out two separate papers and handed them to us.
"Cambria, Cambria, Cambria." Mr. hays said, leaning back in his chair, and it groaned almost like a living thing under his muscular weight, as he placed his hands on his head, "You are one of my best students, you know that?" He said as he stared off with a smile on his face.
"No sir, I didn't know." I answer politely, wanting to leave.
"I haven't seen a girl as athletic as you in nine years." His eyes glistened, "You make me so proud with how hard you play. No doubt you have the ability to make it big Tucker." I thought he was going to cry. The end of period chime went off, and Nick and I started to get up, but Mr. Hays started again and we sat down as he went on, "You play even harder then the boys. You're grades are spectacular." His eyes were brimming. I admit, I liked that he noticed I tried hard, but it was almost making me uncomfortable HOW much he noticed. I looked at the clock, five minutes have passed since the chime sounded and Nick and I were late for our next class. A few more agonizing, but confidence gaining, minutes later, Nick and I were released from the room as Mr. Hays remembered an important meeting he was late for. And as he left Nick and I outside the door, he locked it and went on his way.
I sighed heavily and stood there for a moment, and for some reason I wanted to explain to Nick that soccer wasn't really my sport, but it might be fun. I turned to him and he gave me his attention immediately.
"Don't even try to run." A very, pathetic strict voice hollered down the hall.
Nick and I turned to the voice and I groaned as I saw the hall monitor, Walker Jackson waddling down the hall quickly towards us. He was a pudgy, short kid that took his duty way to seriously.
"In that hall without a hall pass I see." He eyed us like criminals, pulling out his note pad of pink sheets; which meant detentions.
"Really?" I asked in disbelief.
He started writing messily in the little notebook and handed me the first sheet, muttering how I had no respect for school rules. Then he flipped threw his notebook, going to the blue sheets, that meant a warning. My eyes widen.
"You're kidding me." I said with even more disbelief.
Walker tore off the blue sheet and handed it to Nick, "A warning for you Mr. Jonas." Smiled at him, glared at me, and waddled away.
Nick looked at me, not knowing what to say. We was getting special treatment just because he was famous. Normal as me my ass. I narrowed my eyes at him.
"Cam-" He started, but I turned and walked away, the paper crumpled in my fist and I was fuming on my way to art. Which I had with Colleen.
"What's got Cambria's mood fowl?" She asked with a overly dramatic sad look, with her lip jetting out as I took my seat next to her.
I just crossed my arms and glowered at the front of the room.
"Does have something to do with a certain Jonas brother?" She asked slyly.
I shot her an icy look and a smart, mischievous smile grew on her face with the end of her pencil between her teeth.
"I've learned today that they all get special treatment." I spat, just as the teacher entered the room.
Then I heard a few whispers behind us. Normally I would have ignored them but in the mood I was in I didn't really care. I turned and saw Joe and Kevin Jonas in my art class. Joe didn't realize I was looking for he was leaning towards Kevin and whispering and trying to hide the fact he was poking at me. Kevin looked up at me and then looked a bit surprised.
"Dude." Kevin hit Joe's arm, and I glowered at them. Joe looked confused at Kevin and then looked at me, and seemed really taken back that I had caught them talking about me. I shook my head and rolled my eyes in disgust.
"I can't get away from them." I slouched deeper into the chair, my arms still crossed, then I turned to Colleen, "Why are they in here anyways?"
"This art class is open to Seniors and College students." She shrugged like it was nothing, then her eyes caught sight of a corner of the pink sheet that was poking out of my jacket poke. In an instant she snatched it.
"Hey." I called in surprise.
"'One hour of detention is to be served by Cambria Tucker for wandering the halls with out a hall pass.'" She frowned and handed it back, "Well that's no fun. Why didn't you tell me you were skipping class." She pouted.
"I wasn't skipping class, Nick and I were leaving Mr. Hays room and he left in a hurry and forgot to give us passes." I explained, shoving the sheet the furthest it'd go back into my pocket.
"That's a really crappy deal." She sighed.
"Tell me about it, and guess what Nick got." I said with fake enthusiasm.
She gave me a 'you-got-to-be-kidding' look.
"He only got a warning!" I said much louder with angry then I had intended it to be, getting the attention of half the class, "Special treatment just because he's famous.." I muttered.
Two hours of detention. Plus the Jonas Brothers were attending my school. Suddenly, life didn't feel so great anymore. In fact, my day just flat out sucked.