Lunch the next day was awkward, to say the least. Not really on Fang's part, because he never speaks anyways and is always off in his emo corner, but I have to admit that I was displaying some anti-social behavior.
The entire period, I just sat there, biting my lip and staring at an invisible bug on the table, all the while rocking back and forth in my seat. Fang was my friend. That was it. Fang was allowed to like other girls. There wasn't some kind of law against it. It was expected, really. We were both hormonal teens. We'd find people attractive, and that was all that was going on. I shouldn't care about that. But I did. Or, I didn't. Because Fang had said I was jealous, and that was really just him putting words in my mouth. Nothing more.
"Ma-ax," Nudge whined. "Did you even hear what I just said?" I glanced up at her, positive there was some kind of drool hanging out of my mouth.
"Wha?" I managed, wiping my face. Everyone turned to stare at me like I was some kind of monster. I groaned inwardly. I had succeeded in looking like an idiot on pot while thinking about my not-so-platonic best friendship with Fang. His eyes were boring holes into my face especially.
"Nudge was just saying how upset she is about her history grade," Fang explained in his creepily calm, serial killer voice.
"Oh," I responded shortly, hoping to distract myself from the unpleasant feeling that someone was watching me. "You're a... a... sophomore, right? So you're studying US History." Nudge nodded sullenly.
"Yeah. And it like, totally sucks, because I can't even concentrate on the book in class, because Tommy Hadley is like, so hot and he sits, like, literally right next to me, so like, it's really not my fault even though Mr. Hawkins is totally insane and thinks I'm an unmotivated hooligan, which is a direct quote from him, I swear, and like, who even says 'hooligan' anymore, right? I think it's because he's like 102 and is kind of losing his marbles and like, needs help to pee and stuff, and, speaking of stupid teachers, what about Ms. Darrel in English, because, like, I mean, she always takes points off for run-on sentences which is like, ridiculous-"
"You? Run-on sentences? Absolutely appalling," Iggy deadpanned. Nudge glared at him, flipping her hair back.
"I have a lot to say, and like, you better listen, because the things I say are pretty important," she defended herself. "What do you think Max? Because, you know, you are just like, so nice and understanding, so you could really teach these guys a lesson and then they would look really stupid and obnoxious, which they already do, but then they would know they do, so it would just be like, a more rewarding thing, you know?" I shrugged.
"I think that if you need to stop thinking about Tommy Hadley in History then you should just ask him out," I suggested. Nudge's jaw dropped.
"Uh, no. Way. That's totally weird, because you know, guys are just like, supposed to ask girls out, and I am all for feminism and bra burning and whatever so don't say I'm like, sexist, or whatever, but chivalry is not dead and if he said no, I would just be so humiliated. So it sucks. That's why girls go through childbirth, 'cause guys do all the awkward stuff, ya know?"
"Sure Nudge," I said indulgently, not even bothering to argue with her.
"Wait, can I take one of my last statements back?" She looked around at us nervously. "Because bra burning isn't really my thing. I don't know how it could be anyone's thing, really, because it's kind of uncomfortable to have everything just out and being all bumpy and stuff, if you know what I mean, and also it's like walking around naked, because then everyone can see everything, and I mean everything under your shirt, and sometimes people have that problem with a bra, so just, why would you do that? It's like, so stupid, you know?" Iggy, Gazzy and Fang looked like they were about to explode.
"Nudge," I reminded her with false cheer. "We're in mixed company." She looked confusedly at me before realization dawned on her face.
"Ooooh," she nodded. "Sorry, guys."
"Uh-huh," the murmured in unison, Gazzy looking green.
"Wonderful, Nudge. You've gotten the gas machine started," I told her.
"She's gonna blow..." Gazzy moaned.
We were all ten feet away from the table before the stench got out.
Don't you just love when teachers choose your project partners for you? (If you didn't get the sarcasm in that, you probably shouldn't be reading this at all.)
Because there I was, minding my own business in Science class, when Mr. Jacobsen decides we all need to unite and work together and all that sentimental jazz. And he concocts this magical little hat with all of our names in it to pick partners for the Science fair, like we're in some feel good movie from the fifties, and assigns me to my favorite person in the world.
Lissa.
So if you've been paying any attention at all to what I've been saying, you'll know that I hate Lissa with a burning passion. But because I'm a mature, smart young lady I decided to separate business from pleasure and speak civilly with her.
"So, Lissa, can you speak or is your tongue too tired from making out with every boy you lay your eyes on?"
Or maybe not.
"Are you referring to Nicholas, Max?" she demanded, arching her eyebrows at me. I reddened.
"I was referring to the fact that you're a slut," I muttered. "Not anyone in particular." She smirked at me. Obviously my skills of deception had declined since I used them last.
"It's so sad, too," she sighed innocently. "There was so much hope for you in the beginning." I whipped my head up.
"What's that supposed to mean?" She shrugged with one shoulder.
"I mean that it's no secret you have a pretty face and could've really made something of yourself in high school. But, I guess you're too holy to even consider having a legitimate social life. Even if I could still help you with that..."
"Are you suggesting something?" She laughed.
"Suggesting? No, no, God, no. I'm just saying that karma still applies. You do something good for me... I do something good for you. Win-win situation, you know?"
I let the ghost of a smile stain my face. I got where she was going with this. There wasn't anything in particular I needed, and I definitely didn't just want to climb the social ladder, but it's always good to have back-up in case something goes wrong. One day I'd have a favor to cash in.
"What would you have in mind?" I asked skeptically. She grinned.
"Oh, a little bit of this, a little bit of that." She looked sideways at me. "You'd have to help me bump up my grades, of course. And maybe take over some of my chores? Just on nights where I have other things going on." I considered this.
"And then you'll do anything, anytime for me?" She narrowed her eyes.
"Within reason." I held out a hand.
"Well, then, Lissa. You've got yourself a deal."
Now I know you're all cringing and hitting the screen with a baseball bat or something, but I told you: Lissa and I were both women of business; we had the same modus operandi. If I thought something was going to come in handy one day, I took it. Besides, you know what they say.
Keep your friends close, and your enemies even closer.
A/N: You like? This is my really dramatic chapter. What do you think will happen next? You probably won't have to wait long to find out, because I have nothing to do ALL DAY xD Review please!