Vas 'appenin?

*awkward silence* I guess I deserved that...

Here's chapter 12 for you. I'm actually at school right now so I'm not really supposed to be on here, but what the heck?

Disclaimer: No. Just no.


CHAPTER 12

The next morning, I walked to school alone. As I sat in my homeroom class, I noticed how everyone was separated into clusters. You had Scott Davies and his football buddies in the row in front, and a kid who sits next to me in orchestra with his twin sister. It suddenly made me realize how out of it I've been. I glanced to my left and saw three girls who were arguing over something, but it couldn't have been too serious because smiles were plastered onto all of their faces.

I sighed. I had never wanted to be a part of a giggly, girly group like that, but it would be nice to feel needed once in a while. But what the hey, I don't really see the point in having friends like that anyway or see the point in getting close to anyone– they just bundle up and leave you, or move interstate or get into a car accident–

"Yo!" I called out to Percy from across the hall. "Jackson!"

He turned his head to me and smiled. He looked really tired. He turned around and said something to a guy he was talking to. I didn't notice that. They both started walking towards me and I paled. I really don't do conversation very well.

"'Morning, Winnok," Percy said. He sat down in the seat next to me and flung his bag onto the floor.

"Have you heard from Annabeth yet?" I asked him slyly. He blushed and mumbled an incoherent response.

"I'll take that as a 'Yes Gabby, we talked for hours and told each other how much we lurve each other," I mocked quietly, not wanting to draw attention.

Percy grumbled something and then noticed that his friend was still standing in front of our desks. He grinned, pulled out the chair in front of him and waved for him to sit down.

My eyes widened and I gave a little squeak. I swiftly dived into my bag and rummaged for my copy of Romeo and Juliet. Once I found it, I thrust it in front of my face so I couldn't see him. I took a quick glance at the boy and we locked eyes for a moment. He was looking at me funnily. I quickly averted my eyes to my highlighted lines and I couldn't help but notice that they were even more of a jumble than usual. All throughout my school life, I've been invisible. To the students, to the teachers. Why can't I be invisible now?

Percy, however, just grinned broadly, oblivious to the obvious awkwardness that surrounded the three of us.

"Hey man," Percy called, waving him over. To me he said "So Gabby, do you know Bender?"

I glanced up. "Why?" I snapped. "Should I?" I clapped a hand over my mouth. Yeah. Smooth moves, Gabby. I guess that I still wasn't used to talking to people. Especially new people. Especially new boys. Especially new really hot boys.

I smiled awkwardly and 'Bender' looked rather taken aback. I suppose I bruised his ego. Oh well.

Then he spoke. "Know not my name as I know myself, though all I know as rhythms broke. 'Twill dwell upon one's dusty shelf, my name is cast through silence, spoke."

I softened my gaze as I remembered the words. "And through one's love my name shall call, out toward the morning light. But name by day, my title to fall as loveless days sink into night."

I hadn't realized that I had spoken the last few lines with him, and I felt my face heat up as he smiled. I scowled and buried my head back into my script. Percy, as usual, had no idea what was going on.

"What's that?" he asked. It took me a moment to register that he was talking about the poem.

"Just a random poem that I know," I said. "Nothing important."

Bender sat on the chair that Percy had pulled out for him and turned around to face us. His shaggy hair was platinum blond, and I wouldn't have been surprised if he bleached it. His eyes were deep blue and framed by dark lashes. His fingers, which I could see were long and slender, were drumming lightly on the back seat of his chair. As he turned his head, I caught a glimpse of the two earrings in his right ear. It was very peculiar, seeing him stand so stiffly and yet recite poetry, and even more peculiar for him to then sit down and say nothing else. Despite what I would have liked to have thought, this boy intrigued me.

"Anyway," Percy said rather loudly, snapping me out of my daze. "Bender's on for swim tryouts with me."

"That's cool," I said, not really sure how to reply. I saw Bender's eyes flash with amusement. He was laughing at me!I had seriously had enough of this boy. I pretended to read my script as Percy continued to talk very loudly about the swim team coach and how he totally aced Mr. Gonzalez's pre-semester test.

Just as I thought that I couldn't be more annoyed, Kayleigh walked into the classroom. I groaned loudly and banged my head on the table. That's just what I needed, wasn't it? An extra dose of Plastic Barbie?

Percy had shrank back in his seat, trying to get out of Kayleigh's line of sight. Bender, obviously confused about all the fuss, turned around in his seat and scrunched up his nose in disgust.

Kayleigh's hawk-like eyes were scanning the room for someone. She caught sight of Percy, plastered a wide grin on her face, and wiggled her fingers in greeting. I cupped a hand over my mouth and snorted with laughter as Percy's ears turned a delightful shade of crimson. Bender obviously found it funny too, as a broad smile spread across his face. His eyes were bright and mocking.

Kayleigh strutted past our desks in a way that was probably supposed to be confident and unattainable, but was really just her limping like a rag doll. As she passed us, we caught a whiff of her very strong perfume. Percy snorted and Bender gagged. Really loudly. And I laughed. Really loudly.

Whipping her head around with the speed on a snake, Kayleigh flipped her hair and glared at Bender and I. Percy seemed glad that it wasn't him she was paying attention to.

"What," she asked, "was that?"

Bender, who was still gagging, started to cover it up with a cough that sounded way too forced to be genuine. I turned my head to Kayleigh, put my book down, and grinned widely at her.

"What was what?" I asked. She jerked her finger towards Bender, who was playing with his earrings, trying a little too hard to pretend not to notice us.

"Oh," I said. I decided to play the Idiot Card. "That? That was just the smell."

"What smell?" Kayleigh asked, batting her eyelashes.

"At first, I thought it was rotten eggs," I grinned. "But then I realized that it was just your perfume."

"It smells fine to me," she glared.

I feigned shock and turned back to Bender and Percy, clutching a hand to my heart.

"The poor, poor thing," I mused. "They're true. The rumors are true."

Bender and Percy looked just as confused as Kayleigh after I said that.

"I had never believed it before now," I sighed dramatically, "but now I know that they're true."

I dropped my hand to my desk and grinned broadly. "That only a synthetic Barbie would be able to withstand such a terrible odor. Well," I mused. "Barbie dolls must be blind as well, 'cause I'd hate to see your face in the mirror each morning."

At this, Percy and Bender completely lost it and were literally rolling around laughing, tears of hysteria threatening to fall.

Kayleigh's eyes darkened. "The only reason that I'd be blind is so I wouldn't have to see you each day. I wish for the day when we leave this hell hole just so me eyes don't burn out at the sight of you."

My eyes flashed red. I stood up, knocking my chair to the floor.

"Now you listen to me," I hissed, looking down at her. "I don't like you, you don't like me. So stay out of my way and nobody gets hurt. Hai capito?"

She scowled at me, but slowly nodded. "Si?" She nodded again. "Buono."

Backing away slowly, Kayleigh sent me one last glare before stalking away with her wounded pride.

I sat back down in my chair and smiled darkly. I looked out the window onto the football field. The grass looked charred. Almost burnt.

"Nice one, Winnok," Percy smirked. "I'm impressed."

"My God, Kayleigh deserved that," Bender said, chuckling lightly. "It's about time that somebody put her in her place."

In the distance, I heard the school bell ring for first period. I scooped up my bag and stood up, ready to head over to Algebra. I turned to Bender.

"You don't like her either?" I asked.

"She's as flat as paper," he replied, shaking his head. "And as shallow as a kiddy pool. I'd be able to have a more intelligent conversation with my dog."

I smiled. It's funny how quickly your opinion of someone can change. Hating them one moment, and then bonding over hating Kayleigh Edwards. I looked down at my shoes, suddenly embarrassed for what I said to him earlier.

"I suppose I should apologize," I mumbled. "For the way I acted just now. I didn't mean to be so rude."

Bender smiled. "It's cool. We'll start over."

I held out my hand for him to shake. "Gabriella Winnok," I smiled. "Sick of school, social outcast, music geek, Kayleigh's Number One Worst Nightmare and all round horrible person."

Bender laughed. His hand warmly grasped mine. "Nathaniel Bender," he replied. "Abstract, socially awkward, misunderstood and overall bundle of happiness. Sarcasm intended."

I grinned and laughed. I saw that Percy was still at his desk, scrambling over his papers. I beckoned him over.

I turned back to Nathaniel. "I really am sorry about what happened before," I said, trying to sound sincere.

He just smiled. "I take it you had a rough night," he said.

"How did you guess?" I asked him. I mean, I know that I only had two hours sleep, but I didn't think that I looked that bad.

Nathaniel laughed. "You were reading your book upside down."


There you go, I promised you another chapter and here it is.

I hope you liked it and please comment!

Just to let you know, I don't really have an idea for the next chapter sooo, it might be another couple of weeks before another update, but I WILL NOT ABANDON YOU!

If you have any questions, please PM me!

ILY