Heroes Wanted
A/N: Duh da-da.
Chapter 11
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Jimmy shuffled from side to side on the balls of his feet. It probably wasn't his best idea to talk to Cindy at her lockers before classes. As it was, her small crowd of ever present hangers on was enough to give him pause, but more people had gathered to watch as well.
"Can we talk in private?" He had asked.
"No," she answered, causing a rush of murmurs to ring throughout the crowd. A few even sniggered.
"Please," he tried.
"No," she answered again. She slammed her locker shut, cutting the show short.
Unfortunately, many of his attempts failed in the same way. It was only lucky that this was one of the rare occasions that Libby wasn't there to afflict pain in some way that looked accidental. And for that, his body was thankful. He actually thought he stood a chance since Libby wasn't there. But, it seems that Cindy disliked him enough with or without Libby there to reaffirm her decision.
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By the end of the week, it almost hurt Libby to see Cindy switch on and off between her personas. And, it seemed the only outlet for her emotion was to convert that hurt into anger. Towards Jimmy.
Libby had stood by Cindy's side for most of Jimmy's attempts to talk to Cindy, but Libby wasn't having any of it. As far as Libby knew, his status had not changed in Cindy's mind and thus would not even have a chance to change in Libby's mind. So, she took it upon herself to dole out little parcels of pain. A little punch here. A little bruise there. Some doubling over. It was fine. Healthy even.
Except it wasn't. Libby knew it wasn't entirely Jimmy's fault. He was just an easy target for their frustrations. Under most circumstances, she was sure that both she and Jimmy would've forgiven him given a little more time. But, it didn't seem like that forgiveness was in reach. Libby had an inkling as to why Cindy particularly felt so unforgiving, but Cindy wasn't willingly going to give up that information any time soon. She inwardly sighed.
Their circumstances were against them. However, it wasn't as if Libby was particularly trying to change the circumstances either.
Searching for a distraction for both herself and Cindy, a poster advertising tryouts for the school play caught her eye.
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""The Glass Menagerie"?"
"Yeah! Have you heard of it before?"
Jimmy resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Of course he's heard of it before. He was a scientist but that doesn't mean that he wasn't well read, especially when it concerned a highly acclaimed playwright such as Tennessee Williams.
"Of course I have. Why would you want to try out though?"
"Because I want to be in it. Why are you asking? Do you think I'm not pretty enough?" She pouted, leaning in closer to him and making him feel quite uncomfortable.
"No, that's not it. I just—I thought. Weren't you just telling me about how I needed to help you in math? You won't have time for this and to pull up your grades."
She kept the pout but pulled away from him, thankfully. Tilting her head, she asked, "I'll have forever to learn algebra, but this is a once in a lifetime thing. Please, Jimmy? You don't even have to be one of the actors. You can do the set or something. They always need people to help out. You know I can't do it alone either."
Jimmy was sorely tempted to ask, why not, but he held his tongue. Betty had been nothing but nice to him and had even defended him to the other girls, so perhaps he should just go along with it.
He sighed and nodded and almost wished he didn't because she suddenly squealed and hugged him, knocking the books he was holding to the ground.
As his luck would have it, Cindy and Libby chose that time to walk, and catching Cindy's eye, he immediately felt guilty and ashamed all at once.
Chirpily, Betty called out from over his shoulder, "Hi, Cindy! Are you trying out for the play, too? Me and Jimmy are signing up together."
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When Libby had dragged Cindy over to see the poster, she did not expect to see Jimmy there. She expected less to see Jimmy there with his arms wrapped around Betty.
Who did he think he was?
She didn't bother responding to Betty. Her emphasis on the word 'together' made her stomach plummet.
So, she acted as best as she could in that situation. She kicked his books across the floor and marched forward.
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Betty tried her hardest to disguise her smirk and almost lost it when Cindy walked away in a huff. This was working extremely too well.
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Libby had recently asked why Cindy felt she had to act a certain way when it was obvious that she was in control of the students at their school in her seemingly unquestioned reign. The answer didn't so much surprise her as put things in perspective.
"People demand the status quo." And as if that wasn't enough, Cindy continued, "Everyone always loves the movies where the underdog, the one kid who's different, the outcast, or whoever is the one who saves the day or changes everything or gets the happy ending, but it's not true in the real world, Libby. It's just not true."
"Why are you even doing it then?"
"Fear. Why else?"
"Fear of what?"
"Losing it. I was so alone, Libby. For so long. And anything was better than how I was before."
Libby tentatively put a hand on Cindy's shoulder to comfort her. "I'm so sorry, Cindy. I don't think I'll ever understand."
Lucky you, the wry smile that Cindy sent her way seemed to say.
She added, "But I was serious when I said I don't ever want you to experience that again. Not while I'm here anyway."
"Thanks, Libby," her smile turning watery.
"So… want to explain why you were at least fifty percent more pissed off when that girl was all over Jimmy?"
"I don't like him, Libs."
She raised her hands in surrender. "Of course you don't. I just wanted to know why you were angrier than usual. It's not the first time you've seen it happen. Why's she so special?"
"Ugh. Do you remember that scrawny little girl we never talked to in class?"
"Uhh… no?"
"You do. You know… that one who sat with Ollie and them. Hair always in her face. Always mumbled."
She shook her head no.
"The girl who sat in red paint?!"
Then it clicked. "That was Betty Quinlan? Damn, she changed."
"Unfortunately," Cindy griped.
"Huh. Okay," she mused. "That still doesn't explain much. What happened between you and her?"
"Long story short. She hates me because I'm better than her."
"Wow. Ego much?"
"It's the truth," Cindy said haughtily, mocking the persona she used when she was with the others.
Libby giggled. "Mhmm. So what? You think she's trying to use Jimmy? What else is new? You tripped three girls today for trying the same thing."
She stayed quiet.
"Or, is it because it looks like she's actually succeeding?"
"Something," Cindy answered, tightlipped. "You're my best friend. Do I need a reason?"
Immediately, she answered back, "No. But it'd be nice."
Cindy let out a frustrated groan. "You know what? I am so going to try out for that play."
"That's a shock. Wonder what changed your mind."
"Mmm. Well, best friend. I guess you'll find out when you sign up with me."
"Hold up. Wait, Cindy. What?!"
Sneakily, Cindy ran off before Libby could catch her.
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The following week, the auditions were held and everyone, including Betty and Cindy had auditioned for several roles as the drama club advisor tried to decide who would fit what role best.
Rather than humiliate herself on stage, Libby decided to be the set director, preferring to work behind the scenes anyway. It helped that she got to boss people around, particularly Betty. She chuckled to herself, spooking a few others around her. She might as well have fun with it anyway.
As a casual observer, Libby could tell that Betty was talented. However, in her completely unbiased opinion as Cindy's best friend, Libby thought that Cindy truly shined up there on stage. If only the hack of a drama teacher who couldn't cut it as an actor would stop wasting their time and just picked Cindy, then they could get on with really getting started.
Wrapping his knuckles on the table before him, Mr. Shimatzu imperiously announced, "Great job, everyone. That is all for today. The cast list will be released tomorrow morning outside my office. And regardless of whether or not you were chosen for a role, do come back to support your fellow peers as their personal stars continue to shine."
Libby gagged a little.
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Very early in the morning the next day, Cindy casually walked to Mr. Shimatzu's office, masking her nervous energy with her usual cool demeanor.
She blanched when she saw Betty already there, poring over the paper with her beady eyes. Betty must have seen her too because she looked over and gave Cindy a feral grin.
Cocking her head, she fully turned to Cindy and deepened her grin, crossing her arms over her chest.
Tensing, Cindy returned the gesture.
"Out of the way, Quinlan. Aren't you late to Algebra?" Cindy rolled her eyes with distaste. There was no one there, so she could act however she wanted. Betty, however, continued her act.
Though, perhaps acting like she and Betty were still friends—like they were ever friends in the first place—may have been slightly insulting to the rest of the student body's intelligence since it wasn't hard to spot the now present intense negativity between the two. It was what sparked the latest rumor after all. According to someone's friend who heard from their friend who heard from their cousin or whatever, Jimmy dumped Cindy for Betty, and now Cindy is pissed off at Betty and Jimmy. Though, none of the three had acknowledged the rumor, Betty had certainly played things up to encourage the rumors by always casting simpering and sympathetic glances at Cindy while with Jimmy. The bitch.
"Oh, Cindy," she said, ignoring the jab at her lower level math class that she was forced to take. "There you are. I was just hoping you would be here," she continued, her words coated with a sticky sweetness. "I saw the list, and well, I just wanted to celebrate, you know? And who else to celebrate than with you. I saw you on the list. I hope it's what you wanted, because, I certainly got what I wanted."
Very rarely did Cindy show that she was ruffled, but she certainly showed it now. Betty Quinlan besting her when she was finally trying was not something she wanted to experience.
"Buzz off."
She giggled obnoxiously with a cute smile. "Okay. We'll celebrate later then. Toodles."
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The smile quickly fell off Betty's face and turned into a grimace as she sauntered away from Cindy.
Why, why, why?! She wanted to scream.
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With dread, Cindy scanned Mr. Shimatzu's list, and almost burst with glee as she read her name next to 'Laura.'
Betty—that bitch—had almost made her believe that she'd gotten the part of Laura, the part both girls had initially tried out for as their preferred part, when she'd really gotten Amanda, Laura's mother.
Running back to Libby's locker, whom she forbade from coming with her to see the cast list, Cindy shocked a lot of people who'd never seen her act so out of character before. Rather, they'd never seen her so happy before.
"I totally called it, girl," Libby said. Though, she was a little worried Betty would somehow do something devious to snatch Cindy's role from her.
"I know. I'm so sorry I didn't believe you. However could I make it up to you?" She couldn't stop giggling. The excitement just poured off of her in waves.
Libby obviously noticed her friend's genuine emotions and requested, "You just keep being you." She winked.
Cindy rolled her eyes. "Who else would I be, Libs?"
She gave her a poignant look, causing Cindy to deflate a little and making Libby almost regret bringing it up.
"Let's just go to class. Did you gloat to Betty yet?"
Cindy gave her a devious grin.
"No. But I've got a few ideas."
Oh, yes. Cindy didn't forget Betty's pathetic attempt to try to scare her.
At lunch, both girls made a big show of congratulating the other, and only one of them was even remotely happy about what they were saying.
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Jimmy was not happy.
As the person who was in charge of creating the set, Jimmy was forced to spend a lot of time with the cast, which made no sense since he could make the sense quicker in his lab rather than on the floor of the auditorium. But even that wasn't why he was more irritated than usual.
Nick—whom Jimmy had overheard had auditioned because he knew Cindy was auditioning—kept trying to kiss Cindy even though they were only supposed to be practicing the dancing scene. There wasn't even a kissing scene, period!
Ugh. Watching them, he had to reevaluate his appreciation for the play. It was stupid. The characters were stupid. Nothing about their acting was compelling.
Except, Cindy. Not even the mousy wig they had put on her or the dowdy dress marred her beauty. Not that he was looking too hard. It just got boring working on the floor was all.
Nick's character was the worst of them all. Instead of running away with a girl like Cindy, who was completely miscast as the wallflower Laura—Jimmy had a hard time believing anyone like Cindy could be socially awkward—, Nick had let it slip through his fingers for his fiancée. Stupid.
However, like most things he had promised to do, Jimmy stuck it out and kept his promise to Betty. Though, for his sanity, Jimmy had taken a lot of the work home, against the wishes of the drama club advisor, to finish in order to avoid watching more rehearsals during which Nick would try to be fresh with Cindy and Jimmy would narrowly avoid using his laser beam on the boy.
Jimmy sighed. At least less and less girls were brazenly offering themselves up to him now. Their initial intrigue had turned into wariness as the rumors of a love triangle between Betty, Cindy, and himself had surfaced. It seemed that the other girls didn't dare risk getting caught in the crossfires. This thought made Jimmy smile briefly before returning to his automated lights projector.
His focus didn't last long before it turned back to Nick and Cindy once more.
Betty had said that they used to date before he dumped her.
Jimmy sneered inwardly at the very idea of someone like Nick dumping someone like Cindy. Cindy deserved someone better anyway. Of course, that led him to ponder about who would be the right fit for Cindy. If not Nick, then who?
Comparing Nick to himself, he won in intelligence, but loss in appearances. Was Cindy the type of girl who placed so much weight on looks? Judging by the state of their relationship—no, not a relationship—it seemed very unlikely that he'd be privy to that type of personal information anyway.
Going back to tinkering with his machine, Jimmy shook his head clear of thoughts, but never completely ridding himself of his habitual glances back to the stage where Cindy continued to dazzled through her costume.
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A/N: Hope you're all still enjoying it at least a little! It's like each chapter is a summary of what it really should be. Sadness.
Fun fact: I bite off more than I can chew.