- endymion -
Reviewer Shoutouts:
Me, Blueberry23, sun-eyed girl, Gothic Ghost – thank you! I've updated as soon as I could!
Nanners-77 – I hadn't realized I've been nagging that much. But at least I got you to update! Seriously though, the few good writers in this fandom are either on temporary hiatus (wyverna, you, willy wonka obsession, I am not a chipmunk, A Sinner has a Prayer, ellinaHOPE and depressionisanillusion among others) or gone forever (I think. Whatever happened to Phish Food, thesolitarydragon and mistressplant? Feh). The lack on Freddy's part…you're right, I focused a bit more on Summer last chapter. Freddy's in major denial right now, because yeah, he's falling first. (He isn't taken, ergo it's easier for him to fall for someone.) And I guess it's also because Freddy doesn't think things over as much as Summer does. He's more of an…actions type of guy. But you'll see a bit Freddy's side in this chapter and in either chapter 12 or 13. In the meantime, watch his body language.;p Good Charlotte. Haha. Like I said, I'm pretty clueless when it came to hardcore rock, really. Most of the rock songs I know are from the SoR soundtrack. Elaboration on Billy's date…I'm planning on keeping it a secret until chapter 13 too. Ooh…mystery man! You know, the idea of Zack as Billy's guy did cross my mind more than once, because I thought it'd be extremely funny, but…no. That wouldn't make any sense coz Summer's with Zack while Billy was on that date). Right now, all I can say is it's someone we all know. ;p I'll push Mooneyham away…eventually. Sometimes I wanna kick myself for making things so hard for me by putting Zack in at all. Oh well…can't take it back now.
writingrox12 – procrastinators all over the world unite…TOMORROW! Bwaha. Anyhew, this isn't the first time I've heard (or read) theories involving Z/K. woahhhh is one of the other reviewers who thought of that.Will it happen, or not? I just really don't want to give much away…I like to keep everyone thinking, even if sometimes, its already painfully obvious.;p Mucho thanks for reviewing again!
Kisshu-luv – a little enthusiastic, aren't we? But thanks, you make me blush.;p
ehmigawd rainbows – Yay me, an SF convert! aww geez, you flatter me too much…(blush). Glad to have another SF shipper on board. Meds? Haha, I'm not really in a position to prescribe meds, but a glass of warm milk or a massage usually helps!
A Bloody Vampire – couldn't agree with you more. SF rocks my socks! Cedric guy from Harry Potter? I didn't really think of him when looking for a Freddy actor actually, 'coz honestly, he kind of came across as somewhat gay in the movie. For me at least. But yeah, he is hot. ;p I considered Ryan Philippe in Cruel Intentions too for F's part, but I decided Sebastian was more of a Draco Malfoy-ish character than Freddy. Thanks for reviewing!
Sam Ska Skank – wow thanks.;p I did work hard to keep most of the details true to the movie, and I'm glad you liked it. Thanks so much for reviewing!
Annise – gah, lack of net connection is probably the worst thing I can imagine happening to me. Glad you managed to catch up though! And I'm glad you think the first person POVs worked, because honestly, I sometimes get a hard time writing because 1st person is a bit too limited sometimes, since it's like writing out things that come from the characters' minds. It can get a bit redundant, actually, but isn't that how we think sometimes? ;p Hope you enjoy reading this next chapter as much!
wyverna – It always flatters me when one of the "old crowd" reviews me, and you are no exception. So yeah, I feel special, all right. ;p Thank you for reviewing, and for updating something (Jukebox Queen) as well!
To all my readers: this chapter and the next (Family Affairs Part Two) are filler chapters of some sort. Zack will be back for a second visit, and I need the fillers to put a long enough space between his first and second visit. Tried to make them as interesting as I could, though. But even though they're fillers, the next chapters will contain several hints and keypoints in the story, so I don't think they're totally useless.
And totally out of the blue, but did anyone see this latest photo of Kevin Clark with his head shaved and he looks a lot like Orlando Bloom?
Ooohkay, stopping now. That's getting long enough.
Disclaimer: School of Rock (and its characters) is, never was and never will be mine, although I very much want to own Freddy and/or Zack.
Note: Names in bold and italics mean a change in POV. Entries in Italics are flashbacks unless labeled otherwise.
On with the story!
Chapter 10: Family Affairs Part One
Summer
"What do you mean you're going on a date?" I cried into my mobile phone, screaming at Billy who was on the other line as the elevator to Freddy's apartment unit moved steadily upward.
"Good grief, Summer, not so loud," he complained.
I ignored him andwailed on. "I told you we had to work on our thesis draft today!" I could almost see him wince away from his phone to keep his eardrum intact.
"I already gave you my share on the research, what do you need me for?"
I groaned. "You traitor. You know I don't want to be left alone with PMS Freddy right now!"
Billy snorted in laughter. "Don't you think you're overreacting a bit, Sum?"
"No," I stated, slumping backward on the metal wall of the elevator and adjusting my laptop bag on my shoulder. "I'm not overreacting."
If I were a stranger listening in to this conversation, I'd probably find it funny that some unknown guy was PMSing. But I wasn't a stranger, and it wasn't an unknown guy, and that line was most certainly not funny because it was true. Freddy had been acting more irritable than a PMSy, menopausal woman and I've no idea why. All I know is, it started sometime during Zack's visit.
Zack had been heresince lastSaturday 'til Tuesday afternoon. (Today's a Saturday again.) Zack spent most of that time with me, and the rest of the time with Freddy. I even skipped all my classes on Monday to be with Zack. I did, however, give Billy specific instructions on watching Freddy like a hawk, and gave him permission to do slam his notebook into Freddy's head in case he falls asleep again. Freddy told me (rather rudely) to stop acting like he was a kid, and that he's very capable of making it through the day without our so-called help, thanksverymuch. Annoyed, I told him that he couldn't even make himself a sandwich before I finished giving Billy the rest of my instructions.
For some reason, Freddy seemed to avoid hanging with Zack when he was with me, and avoided hanging with me altogether. And whenever he happened to be in the same room with Zack and I, he'd act all tetchy and moody.
But to tell you the truth, I didn't even realize how funky he was acting until we saw Zack off the train station last Tuesday afternoon.
"Are you sure you didn't forget anything?" Summer asked Zack, looking apprehensive as she mentally went through a checklist she'd come up with for her boyfriend. The three of them, Zack, Summer and Freddy, were standing in the waiting area of the train station, waiting for the next train to arrive.
"Yes he's sure"' Freddy said testily, arms crossed on his chest while he leaned back on the heavily graffittied wall of the station. "Goddamnit Pixie, how many times do you have to ask him that?"
Summer scowled. She was used to Freddy riling her up, sure, but lately he's been doing it more than ever. And it was as if he wasn't even doing it on purpose. It almost seemed as if he was angry with her.
"Chill, man, 's all good," Zack chuckled, putting a hand on his girlfriend's shoulder to keep her from snapping back at Freddy. A scowl that can rival Summer's own formed itself on Freddy's features. "Yeah, Sum, I've got everything here, don't worry."
"OK," Summer said, sparing Freddy a glare before nodding back at Zack. 'It's just that you're going across the country, and I don't want you to leave anything behind.'
"Sum, I already told you, you can't fit inside my bag," Zack deadpanned and laughed when Summer slapped his arm. Freddy's scowl deepened. He didn't know why he was feeling so grouchy lately, but he was. In fact, he was so grouchy that he even failed to notice Olivia Warren who had been gawking at the three of them (or perhaps at just him) once again.
Oh he wasn't jealous. He wasn't, really. He'd already established that fact, didn't he? He'd already told himself that he wasn't jealous, so it must be true. It should be true.
So why was he feeling a strange urge to hit something when Summer kissed Zack goodbye before the latter boy boarded his train?
Even the ride home had been far from pleasant.
"What's wrong with you?" Summer dared ask as she strapped herself in Freddy's car.
"What are you talking about? I'm fine," he barked, gunning up the engine savagely and put on some music. Summer's eyebrow popped up. She did not like the tone of Freddy's voice. But she didn't fancy the idea of walking home much so she decided to change the subject.
"I'd already told Zack about our deal," Summer began, adjusting the volume of the stereo so she could hear the Mr. Brightside by The Killers better.
'Cause I can't look/
It's killing me/
And taking control/
Jealousy/
Turning saints into the sea/
"Fantastic," was Freddy's curt reply. It took all of his restraint not to punch the stereo off so he didn't have to listen to the song's lyrics.
"He said it was fine with him, as long as we didn't…you know," Summer went on, and glanced up at the blond to see his reaction.
Freddy snorted derisively. "Of course we won't. Why would I even want to?" The statement didn't sound teasing. It was biting…and slightly embittered.
"Right, of course we won't," Summer snapped, and fixed her gaze on the window instead. Of course they won't. He wouldn't want to, she knew that and she's right. She's always right, and she liked that. But this time…she'd felt a bit hurt.
'So that time in his apartment…' her mind began to think, but she refused to finish the thought.
The rest of the ride home was spent in uncomfortable silence.
He was like that for the rest of the week. Always moody, always snippy and of course, I was never one to back down on something like that, so I fought back. I thought we were already getting along better, but apparently I was wrong.
Which brings me back to the current situation. Several weeks ago, we had all been told to form groups of three and begin working on our thesis. Of course, Billy and I paired up immediately, and Freddy whined his way into becoming our third. We were already done with most of the research so I planned the meeting today for us to finish the thesis draft (due next Wednesday).
Early on, working on the draft with only Freddy would be tolerable for me. But since he's been acting so freaky lately, I'm not too keen on spending time with the blond, even if I was actually dying to find out why he's grouching.
As though reading my mind, Billy's voice came back in the line, permeating through my jumbled thoughts. "Okay, I'll try to see if I can swing by later in the afternoon," he said, attempting to calm me down. "And its not like the two of you fighting is a new concept. I'm sure you can manage without me for an afternoon."
I sighed just as the elevator dinged. "God I hope so," I managed to say, stepping out of the sliding doors and into the hallway. I bid Billy goodbye before I began the short walk towards Freddy's unit.
Freddy
That whole near-kiss debacle was weird to say the least, but other than that, the rest of the week went by surprisingly smoothly.
Ah hell, who am I kidding? It went about as smooth as an acne-prone teenage boy's forehead, what with all the sniping Summer and I had been doing. And its not the friendly banter I've recently grown accustomed to. Well…that was mostly my fault, since I usually start the fights. I've been feeling shitty all week, and I have no fucking clue why I'm getting angry at the smallest things... especially things that involved Summer and/or Zack. Just seeing her or hearing her voice elicits the weirdest reactions from me and I don't understand why.
It can't be jealousy. It shouldn't be jealousy. Why should I be jealous? I don't like her. Really. I don't.
So I'd resorted to identifying these fucked up feelings as anger, something I did understand. She'd been the biggest recipient of my newfound angst, really.
So I was surprised to see her standing in my doorway this morning, alone. Yeah, I knew that it was my turn to host the thesis meeting, but I didn't think Summer would be spending any alone time with me this soon, given the way I've been acting.
Well, I didn't want to spend any alone time with her either. I didn't want to spend a good hour of my time staring at her, trying not to stare at her and then get mad at her and myself in the process. But she was already here, what was I supposed to do? Shut the door in her face? Although that seems like the best choice, I can't do that to her. So I let her in, and now she was sitting on my living room floor, typing furiously away at her laptop, which she situated on the coffee table. We hadn't said much to each other since she arrived.
I, on my part, sat adjacently from her, earphones stuffed in my ears and trying my best to concentrate on the song that was currently playing in my iPod and not on the ludicrously cute expression on her face right now, with her forehead furrowed and lips pursed in concentration.
"Jones!" came the voice of the pixie who had been preying on my thoughts.
I looked up crossly from the thick wad of paper that I was (pretending to be) reading when a hand yanked out my earphones. "What!"
Oh, if looks could only kill, I would've been reincarnated twelve ways to Sunday. Summer was glaring at me with poisonous fury, her laptop's screen reflecting on her face and making her look more dangerous than usual. "Turn off that stupid iPod and concentrate, or there will be bloodshed!"
"I am concentrating!" I shot back at her, picking up her highlighter and uncapping it. Why oh why did I choose to group with her for a project? Fucking obsessive-compulsive pixie.
"Concentrating on what, trying to burn up our thesis draft with only your mind?" she sneered. "I thought your pyromania days were over."
"Summer, if ever you're thinking of getting a career in comedy, don't. You'll starve."
The sneer evaporated into a glower.
"I just want you to do your share, but you've been spacing out on me every ten minutes. We'll never get this thing done, if you keep that up!"
Reluctantly, I switched my iPod off and glared at the damned research material in front of me as if it kicked a hole into my bass drum. "Where's Billy? Why isn't he here for this torture?"
Summer gave me a dirty look. "He said he was going to meet someone today."
"And you let him? That's not fair! Why does he get to fool around, while I'm stuck here with you and schoolwork?"
"Well, I'm not exactly enjoying myself either, am I?" she shot back, looking just a tiny bit hurt, which made me feel slightly guilty. "Billy's already given his share. He finished our working outline, and that research material you're holding is his work."
"Oh," I shrugged. "That explains the glitter and pink hearts on the margins."
Summer looked at me blankly for a moment before heaving a sigh.
"You know what? I need a break," she said, getting up on her feet and started for the kitchen. I can't be sure, but I think she'd gone to the kitchen for a caffeine fix.
I heard hesitant footsteps come back into the living room. I looked up.
"D'you want a snack? I brought brownies," she asked meekly. I raised an eyebrow, trying hard not to crack a smile. Summer's real proud of that fudge brownie recipe of hers. So what if I wasn't her favorite person at the moment? That won't stop her from showing off her cooking skills.
"Sure," I nodded, humoring her. Yeah, I know I'm not a chocolate fan but I'm a guy who can appreciate his pastries, especially if they're free. Besides, they're actually very good.
I was about to really start working when my doorbell sounded. Divine intervention? Probably. Maybe this is God's way of saying I'm not cut out for work this tedious. I got up suddenly and walked (more like limped; my leg fell asleep) toward the door to answer it.
And suddenly I just found myself drowning in blond hair, and two slim arms threatened to break off my neck.
"Freddy schnuckums! I've missed you so!" said a voice that probably belonged to my attacker.
I swear, I could already feel myself turning blue when she (Yeah, it sounded like a she. And I'm pretty sure those things that are pressed up against my chest weren't fashionable pillows) finally let go of me.
I pulled back from her. One look at her blond hair and sparkling blue eyes made me stagger backwards in surprise. The person in my doorway was someone I haven't seen in a very long time.
"Jackie?"
Summer
With an exasperated sigh, I picked out a mug from Freddy's cupboard and poured myself some coffee. Heaven knows I needed the caffeine badly. Being cooped up in this apartment with Freddy has zapped me of all my energy, in an entirely negative way. Damned moody blond.
I heard the doorbell sound off just as I was picking up the plate of brownies I'd brought for our snack and headed back into the living room.
"Spazz? Who was--" the question remained lodged in my throat when I saw this blonde bombshell of a woman throw her arms around Freddy.
"Freddy schnuckums! I've missed you so!" she squealed in delight. My hands tightened around the plate I was holding so much, I thought the ceramic edges were going to break off. Who was this…this…bimbo and why was she throwing herself all over Freddy? A groupie? An ex-girlfriend? A whore? Who? Does he even know her?
Not that I mind of course.
"Jackie?" Freddy said, his voice betraying his surprise.
Oh look, she has a name, how lovely. So he does know her.
"Well don't just stand there, let me in, silly!" the girl, who's apparently called Jackie, said with a breathy giggle. I kept my feet planted firmly on my spot and took a good, long look at her.
She was very beautiful, I'll give her that. She had silky blonde hair that grew just past her shoulders in soft waves. The aqua colored tank top she was wearing enhanced her bright blue eyes. She had a good figure, with curves in all the right places, and from what the way she carried herself, I'm thinking she knew the fact very well.
I'm pretty sure I've never seen her before, but her features somehow struck me as familiar…
"Freddy?" I spoke up before I knew what I was doing. Both blonds turned to look in my direction.
"Oh, Summer, hey this is--" Freddy started rambling but Jackie cut in front of him and shut him up.
"Schnuckums, you didn't tell me you had company," she said, the Malibu Barbie smile still plastered on her face.
Freddy rushed over between us, his face white, clearly still in a state of shock. "Yeah, let me introduce you to--"
"Nonsense, sweetie, I can do it myself," Jackie cut in again. I chewed my tongue to keep my annoyance in check. Can't she just let him finish a sentence? And Freddy, why is he letting her walk all over him like this? She turned back to me, one hand on her hip, her smile changing from sunny to scary in an instant. Ooohkay. "Jacqueline. Jacqueline Jones."
My jaw dropped open. "Excuse me, what?" I managed to utter, feeling the color starting to drain from my face.
Did she just say her name was Jacqueline Jones? I knew Freddy Jones has done many atrocious things in his life, but I never thought he'd already be married.
"Summer, meet Jackie," Freddy chose that moment to intervene. "My sister."
Freddy
Summer's eyes bugged out. "Your sister?" she maged to say, looking very much taken aback.
"Oh she's deaf, aww, isn't that sad," Jackie purred, sparing Summer a pitying look.
It took Summer a moment to getover her initial shock and comprehend Jackie's scathing comment.
"No, I'm Summer, actually," she forced a smile and held out her hand. "I'm very pleased to meet you."
Jackie simply looked at Summer's hand for a long moment and said "Yes, I'm sure," completely ignoring the friendly gesture on Summer's part. Summer's expression went from surprised to slightly annoyed.
"Care to help me with this?" Jackie said cheerfully, hanging one of her bags on Summer's outstretched hand. "Thanks, Sunny, you're a doll."
"It's Summer," said the pixie, pursing her lips and glaring at the Prada bag she now held.
If this were a normal circumstance, I would've laughed hysterically at the emotions that were flicking in and out of Summer's face. Right now, she looked as if she couldn't decide between being shocked or horrified or furious as Jackie trotted off to find the restroom.
"Your sister's…delightful," she said through gritted teeth once Jackie was out of earshot.
"Sorry 'bout that Tink. Jackie's cool, and I love her really, but she can be a real bitch."
"Gee, really? I haven't noticed," Summer said, sarcastic, but for the first time all week, I did not find anything mocking to say to her. I laughed hollowly as the two of us brought Jackie's bags into my room.
If anyone's wondering, Jacqueline Eliza Jones had been my ultimate role model.
Yeah, she was the bane of her teachers' existence. A royal pain in the ass. She was a prankster extraordinaire, with a sharp wit and tongue to match. Detention was her second home, and her favorite pastime was making people who annoyed her cry. I think she believed that she was born to irritate people and she's just fulfilling her destiny. Remember when Mrs. Dunham broke her leg on her way to school, and Ms. Mullins had to find a substitute? That was Jackie's doing. I'd told her how hard Ms. Dumbum was on me, and she decided to play a little trick on her.
But even though she seems like she's pure evil, we had a good relationship. She's the reason why no one ever tried to bully me in the first place. She taught me all the mischief I knew, and helped me get out of trouble on more than one occasion.
It was her footsteps that I followed during my elementary years. That is, until our parents had had enough. Mom and Dad had just come home from her Parent-Teacher Conference, and they were really upset because Jackie failed all her subjects and they found out that she's gotten herself involved in a notorious gang. And to make matters worse, they caught Jackie making-out with a guy (the gang's front man) in her room. Dad exploded then. From my room, I could hear Jackie and my parents yelling at each other for hours. I was ten years old at the time, just a week after we met "Mr. Schneebly" and I was just starting to learn how to play the drums. I locked myself up in my room, watching a Keith Moon video and trying to imitate his playing style to keep myself preoccupied. The following morning, Jackie was gone. Our parents had disowned her, so she ran off.
That wasn't the last time I heard from her though. She still e-mailed often, and sometimes even went to see me when she knew our parents weren't home. She's not really all bad.
"Spazzy?" Summer waved a hand in front of my face to get my attention. "You've got company."
"Yeah I know, Jackie's in the restroom," I said distractedly.
Summer slapped my nape and I yelped. "Not Jackie, you fool. Someone else is looking for you."
Still rubbing my nape, I went back to the living room with Summer at my heels. Sure enough, an old lady, who was wearing a maroon knitted poncho and carrying a large paisley patterned bag, stood in my living room.
"Jackie, I'd just finished parking the car, are you sure this is the right place?" said the gray-haired newcomer. "Where is that girl?"
When I saw who the second visitor was, I felt my face break into a huge grin.
"Granny Helen!" I exclaimed. The woman turned her gaze toward me and narrowed her eyes, as though trying to see who I was. When recognition dawned on her, she let out an excited laugh.
"Wilfred, sweetheart, there you are!" Granny Helen said, the frames of her glasses twinkling as she outstretched her arms and motioned for me to come over. "Give Nana a big ol' hug."
I heard Summer snicker from behind me. "I'll go get us drinks, you give your Nana a big ol' huggie wuggie, OK, Fweddy?" she said the last few words in baby talk, and went for the kitchen laughing to herself.
I made a face at her retreating back and went to give Nana a hug anyway.
"It's about time, Nana, I thought you got lost again," Jackie said, suddenly reappearing in the living room.
"It's great to see you Nana, but what are you two doing here?" I asked Granny Helen after giving her a hug. Right after Dewey, Granny Helen is my favorite grown-up. Yeah she might be a hundred or so years old, and her teeth might rest in a glass on the sink at night, but she's really cool. She helped me persuade my parents to let me learn how to play drums and join the band. She even bought me my first drumkit. She wasn't nearly as conservative as my parents, which is probably the reason why Jackie chose to run to her when she got disowned.
"Well, we live on the city right next to this one, and thought we'd give you a visit. Let me look at you," Nana said, holding at arm's length, her hands on my shoulders. "I haven't seen you in such a long time. You've grown so tall!"
"I'll have you know that I take my vitamins religiously, Nana," I grinned at her, standing up to my full five foot twelve height.
"And you've grown so handsome, look at you, aren't you just a lady-killer," she said, pinching both my cheeks with much enthusiasm. My grin grew wider still. See? Told you she's my favorite grown-up.
"It's in the genes, Nana," Jackie said, winking at me as she settled herself on the couch. "We were just born into a desperately beautiful family."
"But why do you wear your hair like that? And what are these clothes you're wearing?" Nana scrutinized my outfit. "Why, your jeans are ripped at the knees! Aren't your parents sending you enough money? We're going shopping tomorrow, Wilfred. Those clothes need replacing."
I laughed. "My clothes are fine, Nana." Nana wasn't conservative, yeah, but her taste in clothing hasn't really caught up with the times. Jackie probably got away with wearing those outfits of hers because Nana had gotten used to them.
"How'd you find out I where I lived?" I asked them, sitting down next to Jackie on the three-seat, while Nana sat down on the single-seat.
"Called your parents of course," Nana said, rummaging on the coffee table, as though looking for something. "Now where's the damned remote, it's almost time for Smackdown."
Uhh…yeah. That's another thing that makes Granny Helen so cool. She actually likes wrestling, even though she knows it's fake.
Summer came back with several glasses of lemon-iced tea and set them on the table.
"Aha! Found it. There we go," crowed Nana victoriously when she spotted my TV's remote control. Summer jumped slightly when Nana yelled just as she was about to hand Nana a glass of iced tea. "Oh thank you sweetheart," Nana told her when she took the drink from Summer. The pixie smiled at Nana politely before proceeding to hand Jackie another drink.
"Thanks Sunny, but next time, no ice in my drinks hmkay?" Jackie said in an overly sweet tone. I saw Summer's eyes flash.
"It's Summer," she said, taking her seat across Nana, and pulling her laptop towards her. She gave me a look again, one that conveyed annoyance, fear and desperation. I took a deep breath and sighed.
This is going to be one rocky afternoon.
Summer
I thought Freddy was the only spawn of evil. That is, until I met another spawn of evil named Jackie.
No wait. She's not just a spawn of evil. She's evil incarnate. Now I knew where Freddy gets it.
I thought that crack about being deaf and her making me take her bag were unintentional. But then that kitchen incident had to happen.
Summer was still chuckling at Freddy's expense as she went back to the kitchen to get drinks for the guests. On her way there, she passed by the bathroom, whose door just swung open. Jacqueline Jones stepped out, wiping her hands on her short denim skirt. The blonde had seen Summer, but pretended not to. She made her way towards the living room, treading on Summer's foot with her heeled stiletto boots.
"Ouch!" the shorter girl cried, tears of pain stinging her eyes. She was wearing open-toed sandals, for chrissakes!
"Oh gosh darn it I'm soooo sorry!" said Jackie, although she sounded anything but sorry. "You need a pedicure anyway, think of it as a favor, OK Sunny?"
Jackie gave a wink, and Summer's mouth dropped open in disbelief.
With a satisfied smirk Jackie left Summer fuming, and muttering under her breath.
I've no idea what she's trying to prove here, but I'm starting to become very, very irritated. I probably would've snapped at her, but I had this thing called scruples, something I'm sure she's never heard of. Jackie was older than I was, and I've been taught to respect people older than me, so that's what I'm going to do.
And then there's this weird thing. Even though Jackie makes me want to throw her off a cliff and make it look like an accident, I kind of wanted her to like me. I guess it comes with being an obsessive-compulsive perfectionist; you want to please everyone. Or maybe it's because she's Freddy's sister, and I want to make a good impression.
Uh. No. Scratch that last bit.
The best solution to this was to leave, but Freddy and I still had so much work to do and I can't just leave it hanging. That's why I chose to continue the work and try to ignore Jackie as much as I can. Fortunately, she's currently busy talking to Freddy, and had hopefully forgotten I was here.
"She a friend of yours, Freddy?" Granny Helen said, taking a good look at me before she went back to flipping from one channel to the next.
"Yeah, schnuckums, is she just a friend? Coz I didn't think you dated anyone below a C-cup," Jackie grinned, flashing me a fleeting look before taking a drink from her glass. Well, so much for her forgetting I'm here.
'Ignore, ignore, ignore,' my mind said over and over. Hoping I could transfer my agitation on the poor device, I hit the keyboard as hard as I could. I wasn't able to keep myself from glancing down at my chest, though. 'What's wrong with being a B-cup, anyway?' I thought bitterly. ' Not all of us spend well-earned money on implants.'
"Jackie, shut your mouth, girl," Granny Helen said, and Jackie muttered an apology. I felt a surge of affection for the old lady. "Well Freddy? Is she a friend of yours?"
"Yeah, sort of," Freddy said, glancing nervously at me. "Her name's Summer Hathaway,"
"Hello Summer," Nana smiled at me jovially.
"Pleased to meet you, Grandma Helen," I looked up at Grandma Helen from the top of my laptop and smiled back.
"Please, call me Nana."
"Hathaway," Jackie put down her glass on the coffee table, just beside the coaster. My eyebrow twitched upon seeing the water ring that was forming around the glass's base. I varnished that table by hand. Doesn't she know what coasters are for? "I've heard that name before…Did you go to Horace Green, by any chance?"
"Yes, I did," I replied curtly.
"We were in the same class since kindergarten," Freddy added.
Jackie's eyes lit up. Whatever she was going to say, I knew it wasn't going to be good.
"Oh yes, I remember you now! You're the girl with the big head and bad teeth!" she said, laughing good-naturedly like she actually thought I'd find that funny. My typing only grew louder as Jackie continued to talk. "Didn't she use to run around smelling like rotten eggs with a Kick Me sign stuck on her butt?"
The memory flashed in my mind, and I blushed beet red. It was Family Day in Horace Green and we were in first-grade. Frankie and Freddy had collaborated on a prank and I was the unfortunate victim. Whether I was chosen specifically, or it was just a coincidence, I never found out. Nevertheless, the mention of it still brought back very bad thoughts. Sometimes, I swear I could still smell the rotten eggs.
Freddy burst out laughing at the memory. "Yeah, yeah, I remember that, she--" he was about to relay the whole story when I shot him a look of pure venom. Freddy shut up immediately.
"Would you like a brownie, Nana?" I said loudly, pushing the plate towards Granny Helen. The fake smile plastered on my face was starting to hurt.
"Thanks, hun," Nana said, gratefully taking a brownie.
"Nana, put that disgusting thing down," Jackie ordered. My eyebrow twitched again. Did she just call my brownies disgusting? "Are you trying to kill her, Sunny? Nana's diabetic!"
I gasped, letting the name thing slide. "Oh my God, I'm sorry Nana, I didn't know," I said in a hurry.
"Don't worry too much about it, hun," Nana assured me. "Jackie, I have my meds, you can stop fussing now. Let me get a little chocolate." Jackie rolled her eyes as Nana turned back to smile at me again. "They're very good, by the way. Did you make these by yourself Summer?"
"Thank you, yes I did," I beamed. I was liking Nana just as much as I was hating Jackie. "I enjoy baking."
"How sweet, she enjoys baking," Jackie crossed her legs at the knees, and leaned back against the couch to sneer at me.
"If it's any consolation, Tink, I enjoy your baking too," said Freddy, stuffing his mouth with a brownie, a hint of a grin on his lips. That was weird. Wasn't he mad supposed to be mad at me? All the same, I was glad that he was trying to back me up. I had to smile back.
"Should we get back to work?" he asked, and I was stunned. Freddy wanted to go back to work? Now that is even weirder.
But it's just probably because he's trying to stop me from stabbing his sister's throat with a fountain pen. I'm sure he noticed how very irked I was becoming.
"Yeah, we probably should," I replied, handing him my yellow highlighter and the material he needed to summarize.
"What're you working on, Freddy?" Jackie asked, peering over Freddy's shoulder.
"Thesis paper," he grumbled.
"Oh you're studying…on a Friday night!" she said slowly, like the truth had just dawned to her and she couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Poor Freddy, forced to stay home and study on a Friday night like some preppy loser without a life. Why don't we go out and have a little fun tonight huh? I'm sure Summer won't mind working without you for a few hours, would you Summer? I mean, I'm sure you're used to spending Friday nights alone, but Freddy--"
I took a deep breath. "As a matter of fact, I would," I said, cutting into her speech and meeting Jackie's gaze head-on. Jackie's smile faltered a little.
"I can't go anyway, sis," Freddy replied, looking from Jackie to me and back. I could tell he felt the tension. Granny Helen stayed oblivious to the situation as she watched guys named Edge and Mick Foley beat each other's brains out on TV. I wondered where I could buy one of those steel chairs; I could break Jackie's spine with it. "The deadline's next week, and we still have a lot of work to do."
"Since when do you care about deadlines?" Jackie snorted. "Deadlines are for geeks and dweebettes, bro."
Jackie glanced in my direction as she said this. I wanted to scream in frustration. She was pushing all my buttons, I just know it.
"Well, some people actually take studies seriously so they could pass their subjects, and not get disowned by their parents. Isn't that just amazing?"
Freddy's head shot up in my direction, and so did Jackie. I bit my lip. Whoops. Did I say that out loud?
There was a moment of silence. Jackie's eyebrow rose, and a smile began to play on her lips.
"Oh I take other things very seriously, Sunny," she said in a dangerously low voice. The look in her eyes said the message 'Bring it on, bitch' loud and clear.
Stupid, stupid move, Summer.
"I think, I'd better go," I said softly, shutting off my laptop and gathering my things. The sooner I get out of here, the better.
Freddy
I can't believe Summer just said that.
And neither can Jackie. Nobody ever had the guts to talk to her like that. I've seen that smile on Jackie's face before and whatever was running in her mind right now, I'm sure it wasn't pleasant.
And by the way Summer was biting her lip, I think she caught on too.
"I think I'd better go," she said, quietly picking up all her things and putting them inside her mailbag. She caught my eye and gave me a meaningful look. I nodded in response, understanding fully what she meant. She had to get out of here, fast.
"I'll walk you to your car," I said, standing up too.
I helped her gather her things, and when we got to the door I whispered an apology to her. "Listen, Tink, I'm really sorry about this. I didn't know she was coming today."
Summer looked at me in mild surprise before she smiled wearily, answering in an equally low voice so Jackie and Nana wouldn't overhear. "It's not your fault, Spazzy, don't worry. I guess I'm just really tired."
"Maybe you shouldn't come over until they leave," I suggested. I was sure Summer's last comment made a lasting mark on Jackie, and she's not going to let the Pixie forget it. "I'll just make it up to you and Billy."
"I suppose that's the best thing to do," she let out a sigh. "I just hope Billy and I could finish in time."
"Where are you going?" Nana said, tearing her gaze away from the TV screen, and noticed that the two of us were hovering at the doorway. "Leaving already, Summer? Aren't you staying for dinner?"
"Uh, yes Nana, I'm sorry I can't stay," Summer apologized, although she looked quite relieved to be leaving.
"Well come on back tomorrow, sweetheart, I'll show you how to make blueberry crumble," Nana said, standing up from her seat to give Summer one of her famous hugs.
"I'd love to, but I can't," Summer said when she pulled back from Nana and looked at me for help.
I caught on quickly and spoke up. "Yeah, our thesis paper still needs a lot of work."
"Oh please, those things can wait, I'm sure," Nana waved off our protests, her gold bangles jingling merrily on her wrist. "Jackie and I are leaving again tomorrow afternoon, and I'd love to get to know you more. I hardly get to meet any of Freddy's friends, especially his lady friends."
"Nana!" I whined, trying to shut her up. Sometimes, she can't help being a grandma too.
"What? I'm just saying," Nana frowned at me before looking back at Summer with a smile. "What do you say, sweetie. Will you be back tomorrow?"
Summer hesitated. "I don't know if I could come back tomorrow, Nana, I--"
"Yeah, Summer, will you be back tomorrow?" Jackie sang from her spot on the couch, a steely glint in her blue eyes.
"Jackie, please!" I cried, wanting to shut my sister up too. Summer has a good restraint (she's put up with me for years, how could she not?), but even she could only take so much.
Summer's eyes flashed again, before she smiled back at Nana. "I can't come over tomorrow, but I could meet you guys for lunch. Would that be OK?"
"Much better," Nana said happily, looking satisfied with herself. "Take care now, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Come on Tink," I said, grabbing her by the elbow and dragging her outside. Once we were out in the hallway and the door was shut behind us, I let her go. "Are you crazy? Jackie's going to slaughter you!"
"I know," Summer groaned, running a hand through her hair. All feelings of animosity I had been harboring towards her all week long evaporated when I saw how helpless she seemed right then. "But did you see what she was doing? She was mocking me! I can't back down on a challenge like that, I just can't."
"Sum, you're playing right into her hands," I told her, taking her mailbag so I could carry it for her as we took the elevator to the first floor of the apartment building.
"You're making her sound like Cruella De Vil," Summer said, unable to keep herself from smiling. "Don't you ever stand up to her?"
"I never really had to," I shrugged. "She likes me. Blood immunity or something, I guess. And she's like my master, y'know? The pupil can never question the master."
Now Summer was laughing. "Now you sound like a cheap Star Wars imitation," she said.
I can't help smiling myself. "So you're sure you still want to come over tomorrow?"
"Yeah, I promised Nana I'd go anyway," she was biting her lip, but she looked decided.
"OK. Listen to me," I grabbed her hand and she stopped in her tracks to look up at me in the eye.
For a moment there, I'd forgotten what I was about to say. Damn. She really shouldn't look at me like that.
"Spazz? You were saying?" she prompted.
"Oh yeah," I said, trying to gather my thoughts together. "Whatever Jackie might do or say tomorrow…well…just don't mind her. She's always been like that. She really likes to wind people up."
"Sounds like someone I know." Her eyebrow rose in amusement.
I laughed. "Yes, well, she is my sister, y'know. I'll try to talk to her about it, though."
"Thanks," Summer smiled at me as she loaded her stuff into the backseat of her car. Her apartment was just a block away from mine, but she brought her car anyway, since she's carrying so much stuff. Too bad. I would've liked to walk her home. I kinda missed talking to her without arguing.
"What, that's it? I'm going to try to keep my Jacqueline Jones from totally destroying your self-esteem tomorrow, and all I get is a lame thanks?" I kidded, raising an eyebrow at her. "Come on Tink, I know you can do better than that."
"Fine, fine," she said, rolling her eyes but laughing all the same.
At most, I thought she'd offer to make strawberry shortcake for me, or something. I didn't think she'd come up to me and circle her arms around my waist to give me a hug. Which is much, much better than any shortcake, really.
A tiny bubble of elation had just formed itself inside my chest, and it was forcing me to smile. I placed my own arms around her tiny form and hugged her back, running my fingers through her silky hair. Why was I mad at her again?
"Thank you Spazzy," she murmured, before pulling back to give me a shy smile. "See you tomorrow. Good night."
"Night Tink," I replied as she slid into the driver's seat.
I stood on the sidewalk until she disappeared around the curb. Sheesh. I think I'm going to have to spatula this goofy smile of my face.
to be continued…
A/N: There you go, my very own version of meet-the-parents with a twist. Of course, Freddy's parents shouldn't see Summer and Freddy acting all couple-y, because they knew Zack's parents, who knew that Summer was really Zack's girlfriend.
It all has a point, I swear. It'll be all explained on the following chapter, so be sure to check it out, 'kay?
Did anybody notice that the way Freddy is going through this…situation is like the way people do when they're trying to cope with death and grieving? First it was the denial stage, and then it was anger stage. The next three stages, bargaining, depression and finally, acceptance, will also probably be incorporated in the following chapters. I was studying for Psychology the other day, and I came across the stages of coping with loss, and thought it a good idea to use it in my fic. Hah. So those freakin' textbooks can be useful after all.
And for those who don't know what PMS is, it is that bizarre phase some women go through when they have their monthly period. Crankiness and frequent mood swings are some of the more common symptoms.
Forgive me if this chapter, for lack of a better word, sucks. I was on night duty, and my brain is still a bit loopy.
Next Up: Chapter 11: Family Affairs Part 2It's the Jackie and Summer face-off. Is Jackie really the mean girl she seems to be? And something that everyone's been waiting for is about to happen. Yeeeeeeaaaaahhh…Hahaha.
Send me love, people! Review!