Chapter 3
Fighting A Losing Battle
Zoey (walks up to casey and introduce herself?) I don't know if you aware of this but I'm Zoey, I teach robotics and coding.
Casey: casey.
Zoey: So, I'm doing a dissertation on college life and I was wondering if you can help me.
Casey: help you how?
Zoey: well, I was thinking about transitioning from teacher to student, that way I can get the full experience... I was just wondering what classes I should take and what's your whole process. How were you able to balance school, work and other activities? If of course you have any of that other stuff.
Casey: I'm sure you can ask a dean about classes and being a teacher at a college, I'm sure you were a student before.
Zoey: that's true, I was...and I went through all of the stresses of college life, personal life and work. But I'm not trying to write about my experience, I'm trying to write about everyone else's.
Casey: well, my experience is like yours. So, maybe you should find someone else.
Zoey: you see that's the thing, it isn't the same! Your not me, your you and I've never seen you in my classes...so, I know that is just one of many ways that we are different and I don't just want an interview, I want your assistance on this dissertation.
Casey: why me?...oooh I get it, Derek put you up to this didn't he?
Zoey: whose Derek? And why would he put me up to this?
Casey: because we have a bet about not doing any work...and he always cheats and then you come here.
Zoey: I know that you don't know me and I don't know how to convince you otherwise but I don't know Derek. I just walked in and saw you and you looked like you didn't want to be here, I recognized the face...and I thought that I might ask you to do something that might pique your interest. Its really important to me.
Casey: I'm sorry. Any other day I would but, I can't.
Zoey: hey, you know what its OK. I'm sure I can figure it out by myself, I mean I have friends but they aren't students here. I mean sure they went to college and had to go through the same thing...but the past few months I have seen students so stressed out, tired and on the brink of a metal breakdown. That's why I choose this university! I just wanna help my students, in a wayOKhat's not singling them out or they feel like they have to have their guard up.
"so I should probably scrap the interview and form a team who can help. A team of diverse individuals, who can give go undercover in their group and report what they see and hear."
( she looks up at casey)
"sorry I'm rambling and I didn't know I was still standing here. Sorry"
She's about to walk away when casey stops her
Casey: wait. I'll help you, what do you need from me.
Zoey: great! Its just like I said.
Casey: I have a group of friends that can help!
Zoey: great! I knew talking to you was a great idea. So what's the plan?
Casey: well, first lets focus on your classes.
Zoey: what about them?
Casey: if you want to blend in without causing any suspension, you have to take classes that you would take and not just random classes. The girls in my group will cover the other classes and how they differ because if you take random classes, people are gonna know something's up.
Zoey: true.
Casey: A couple of things, will you be notifying any teachers.
Zoey: no. That would ruin the whole point.
Casey: lets sit down somewhere so we can plan this whole thing out.
Zoey: ok.
Casey: I should probably get my other friends also, they don't wanna be here either.
Zoey: even better.
Derek (comes downstairs with a girl, she kisses him on the cheek and thanks him. He smiles and says your welcome. Derek grabs a beer and sits on the couch where he sees Ralph and Sam.) Hey guys
Ralph: hey ( he smiles) what took so long in the bathroom? We thought you fell in or that you abandoned us.
Sam: more likely that you abandoned us.
Derek: relax, you know so would never.
Sam: except you have!
Ralph: yeah, like that time we went to get yogurt and this girl came in and you walked up to talk to her and then left with her.
Derek: well, at least this time I came back once I finished.
Sam: I knew it!
Ralph: knew what? Did I miss something again?
Sam: he was with a girl!
Ralph: ( laughs) aaaah! My man! ( gives him a high five) so, how was it?
Derek: look all I'm going to say is she's out of practice, it was like a ride you couldn't really enjoy because you have to keep adjusting things but all you can do is wait until it ends. Hey, at least she got what she needed from it and I get another happy Customer.
Ralph laughs
Sam: this party is a bummer
Derek: that's because James didn't throw it. Well wait for a while and then well leave.
Ralph: sounds like a plan.
A girl walks up to Sam
Girl: wanna dance?
Sam: ok. ( he smiles innocently)
Ralph: man, I'm missing Amanda.
Derek (pats his leg) I know but you gotta have fun, I'm sure you'll find her somewhere here.
Ralph: hey man, I thought I should give you a heads up.
Derek: for what?
Ralph: I've seen all of your exes here.
Derek: I don't care... Whose all of.
Ralph ( giggles) Sally, Emily, Amy. I'm telling you man, its an ex fest here.
Derek: we really have to get out of here fast then. Wait, you said Emily's here.
Ralph: yeah.
Derek: that means Casey's here and maybe I can find her reading a book or scheduling something somewhere.
Ralph: maybe.
Derek: I'll be back
Ralph: and I'll be here, just remember to call back.
Derek: I won't! ( he shouts back as he walks away. Hours goes by as Derek searches out Casey before finally...he finds her and smiles. He records her with Zoey writing and talking about something, finally he takes a picture and walks in.) I knew you wouldn't be able to last a day!
Casey: ( looks up shocked to see Derek not only here but catching her in the act.) Yeah. Yeah you win get over yourself.
Derek: oh no! Your not taking this from me, i'm going to savory this moment. Now lets hear it princess.
Casey: ( rolls her eyes) you were right great and awesome Derek and I was wrong, I will forever be a keener. I'm not worthy of your Excellency, king of all bets and everything else. I stand defeated once again but honestly, was there any doubt.
Derek: sounds great every time.
Casey: your so annoying! You won! Now leave me alone!
Derek: oh come on! If you won, you would never let me hear the end of it. I know because of the one time that it happened.
Casey: well, I'm done making bets with you!
Derek: I don't care, just make sure to get my groceries, fill up my tank and wash my clothes...I like them dry cleaned.
Casey: we never agreed on dry clean services!
Derek: but we did agree that you have to do whatever I say, for a year ( Derek laughs) A genius move by me, if I do say myself.
Casey: you would because you can never stop talking about yourself.
Derek: that's because there are so many good things to say.
Casey: you get on my nerves!
Derek: well, your such an easy target, that I never miss.
From zoeys perspective she just hears
Derek: Yeah, yeah
Casey: Hey, yeah
Casey: That's how much I love you
Derek: (Yeah)
Casey:That's how much I need you
Derek: (Yeah, yeah, yeah)
Casey (gets up an starts failing around Derek and Derek just nods his head as he stares at her. She stops and walks up to him.)And I can't stand you must everything you do make me wanna smile, Can I not like you for awhile?
Zoey: (stares at them grossed out, she stands up and interrupts them) ummm casey, I'm sorry to interfere but.
Casey: right, I have to get back to work. So if you don't mind.
Derek: fine. Just don't forget to fulfill your side of the bargain.
Casey: I never do.
Derek: but your drunk.
Casey: I won't forget! Leave me alone now!
Derek: ok! Ok see you tomorrow case.
Casey: ( rolls her eyes and continues working)
Zoey: this is all coming along great Casey, I really appreciate you helping me. You wanna give me your number, so we can give each other updates and etc.
Casey: sure. ( puts her number into Zoeys phone and they continue working.)
Outside Josie, Penelope and Hope are talking
Penelope: its good to see you again.
Josie: you too, I've missed you.
Penelope: yeah. That's why you call and text everyday ( she says sarcastically)
Josie: sorry. It was just too hard for me, saying goodbye and talking to you...it would hurt too much.
Penelope: it hurt me too jo, leaving you was one of the hardest things I ever had to do...but I knew I had to do it.
Hope: but your back now and that's all that matters.
Josie: right!
Penelope: can we talk in private
Josie: no
Hope: its fine. I should go find lizzie, make sure she's not doing anything she will regret in the morning.
Hope leaves
Josie: so, how awkward is this ( she laughs nervously)
Penelope: pretty awkward
They both laugh.
Josie: I meant what I said.
Penelope: then you should have called, jerk.
Josie: I've been through a lot.
Penelope: I know and I had to hear it from MG, that and about your girlfriend.
Josie: actually, that's why my sister brought me here...we broke up.
Penelope: what happened.
Josie: we just didn't Connect like...
Penelope: like us ( she smiles sweetly and Josie smiles back.)
Josie bites her lip as she stares at Penelope
Penelope smiles and they start making out.
Back in the house Zoey is walking down the stairs with casey as she shoves notes in her purse. She looks up and sees Kendra singing girlfriend by avail lavine ft Lil mama. Emily is singing the Lil mama part to this guy.)
Zoey: ( shakes her head) so much drama
Casey: What?
Zoey: the drama of college reminds me a lot of high school
Casey: sometimes it can feel that way, like some people don't grow up...they just get older and go to college.
Zoey: I'm gonna use that one in my dissertation!
Casey: ok! Well, it was nice meeting you Zoey.
Zoey: ( smiles) you too. I'm going to look for more people.
Casey: ok. I'm going to go find my friends.
They go off in their separate directions
Casey: I can't believe I lost another bet to Derek, he is never going to shut up about this. To be fair its not like she actually tried hard enough, she couldn't just not help someone! But there was no way she was going to do what he said for a year! No way!
A guy brushes by her holding a funnel and the person behind him a keg
Dylan: watch out! Watch out! Coming through! Coming through! ( he stands on the table) gather around! Gather around! Now this man to my left says that he can do the Dylan challenge!
The group laughs
Dylan: that's what I said folks but he seems pretty sure of himself, lets give the man a chance. ( he pops him up on the keg upside down and puts a funnel in his mouth.)
The crowd: go! Go! Go!
Casey: ( rolls her eyes and thinks to herself) so immature. ( she pushes through the crowd to see who it is wait...is that...) Noel! ( she yells shocked)
Noel: ( looks up and sees casey) Casey! ( he says muffled because of the funnel in his mouth, he slips and the funnel falls out of his mouth.)
The crowd: oooh! ( they make sure hos ok before they boo him for losing)
Dylan (makes a buzzer sound): looks like he was wrong! He has failed the Dylan challenge, whose next? Whose next?
Noel (walks over to Casey): hey stranger.
Casey: hey yourself, its great to see you again. I didn't know you were going here.
Noel: yeah, well they have a really food English program.
Casey: they really do ( she smiles)
Noel: your talking English here too.
Casey: yeah. Its actually one of my majors.
Noel: cool. Maybe we will run into each other at school ( smiles)
Casey: maybe we will.
Noel: ok. I'm going again.
Casey( thinks to herself) wow. Who would have thought that she would ever see Noel again and that he would be such a party animal. Well, maybe he could teach her how to do it...or maybe ask that hate guy, who reminds her a lot of...ewww don't even think that. I pushed down those feelings years ago and even made a promise never to act on them. No matter how great his smile is, or the way he stares at you or how hot he looks with his shirt off. Not to mention all of the times you fantasized about making out with him and him pinning you against the wall, then wrapping your legs around his waist( she bites her lip) as he penetrates you with his massive
Kendra: casey! We've been looking for you, where you been.
Casey: losing a bet
Kendra: already!
Casey: I was just going to drown my sorrows ( she's about to walk to get some alcohol to forget what she was thinking about her step brother.)
Kendra: actually, we were just leaving. Annie threw up all over the couch. We have to go.
Casey: ok! ( sally, Emily, Kendra and Annie all get in the car and drive back 's apartment. Sally drives because she's the only one who didn't drink. They go into the apartment, they show and go to sleep.)
The next day, 6:09 a.M
Casey alarm goes off.
Emily (and Annie who are laying next to her groan, Casey in plugs it and gets out of bed.) Lay back down! You didn't get enough rest ( she says sleepily)
Casey: you know I have to be productive during this time.
Emily: just because you lost the bet, doesn't mean you can't lay back down.
Casey (hears a blender and her head automatically starts pounding.): I need a Tylenol.
Emily: ( groans) I need one too
Annie: me too( she says muffled against the covers)
Casey goes into the bathroom to get three Tylenols, she gets a glass of water, swallows the pill and two glasses for Annie and Emily. She returns with the glasses. They both sit up and take the pill and swallow 1/3 of the water down. Then they get up. Breakfast then we work out and then I will go back to scheduling.
Emily: nope! No scheduling.
Casey: but...
Emily: no buts, I know you lost the bet but you are having a stress free break before you attend summer school.
Casey: ok. Fine.
Emily: good.