Be My Someone
Chapter 2: Chilton
Written by: V Lynne
echoinghearts@yahoo.com
~ ~ ~
Obviously someone needed to inform the head of the Uniform department at Chilton that plaid was out, Jessica's thought came as she examined her reflection in the full length mirror that had on the outside wood with the engraved words of: 'Mirror, Mirror On The Wall'. Her hair was pulled into a braid, still wet from her shower, her eyes slightly outlined in black eye pencil with the uniform of Chilton Prep Academy on her person. Blue, green and white plaid skirt, blue blazer with white button down top with a blue snap tie each shirt and especially the blazer had the school emblem on the right chest pocket. Sticking her tongue out at her reflection, amused how childish she looked, she sighed.
"This is as good as it's gonna get." Jess told the mirror, before slipping her plain black shoes over the knee high white socks, grabbing her book bag that had once been a cow, as the book bag was tanned leather a gift from Tristan.
Going down the stairs, she heard the unmistakable sound of a whistle then laughed at Adam's fingers in his mouth that let out that piercing sound.
"Aren't you a hottie? May I drool over you?" The sandy-haired boy asked.
"Please, no drooling, I just had this outfit pressed." Jess remarked in a very cold Chiltonite voice.
A grin spread over his face, as his own outfit of slacks, shirt and blazer matched her own school outfit. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Terry lounging against the archway of the living room, his blazer held in one hand, the sleeves of his shirt rolled back and tie loosened at his neck. He always looked good no matter what he wore and today was no exception. A skid on the marble flooring announced C.J.'s presence, in his own blue and gray school uniform for Chilton Elementary.
"Well, good morning, Genius, figure out what a alarm clock is for?" Jess commented.
His eyes narrowed, became slits at his sister, stifling a yawn he was trying to get his own little blazer on.
"I hate school."
Terry's soft chuckle came as he put his hands on C.J.'s shoulders, stilling his younger brother, and then getting him all situated into his blazer.
"And kid, you've got seven more grades to go."
C.J. groaned.
"You're lucky, Terry, this is your last year."
"How true."
Tristan came out of the dinning room, newspaper in hand that looked suspiciously like he had been reading the comics but Jess reframed from saying anything.
"I see they haven't decided that fashion was needed yet." Tristan commented taking in the four uniform clad kids.
"I think who ever thinks this is in must have no fashion sense."
"Well, whose taking C.J. to school?"
Terry smiled.
"I will."
Adam and Jess's faces showed surprise but neither said anything.
"Alright. If you guys get tied up after school you all have my cell and the house number."
As the front door opened, C.J. and Terry leaving to the garage, Adam went next while Jess kissed Tristan's cheek.
"Try not to kill him at school, will you?"
"I make no promises." Jess replied, before leaving.
The dust left by Terry's over-stylized silver Ferrari met her, as she continued her walk into the five-car garage where Adam was opening the door to his baby. A white Porsche with red flames on the hood and sides of the car, customized and Jess had to stop from laughing at how he talked to his car like it was a person. Seeing her silent laughter he scolded her.
"Hey, don't knock my baby, alright? Cost me a pretty penny I'll tell you that."
"I have no doubt it did," Jess opened the simple Mercedes Benz, a dark blue, getting in and mumbling under her breath, "Boys and their toys."
~
Driving down the long stretch of tall green trees, manicured lawns, outrageous homes and fancy cars Jess found herself at a gas station, buying a six-pack of Pepsi and an instant cup-of-soup for lunch. Sliding back into her 'preppy' car, she headed to the high school that honestly looked like it belonged on 'Haunted Houses', only it wasn't a house but a school.
Private entrance led to the parking lot where she parked next to another Mercedes, cut the engine and got out stuffing the Pepsi's, now only four due to her not eating anything for breakfast and needed a caffeine pick-me- up, in her bag along with the cup-of-soup she headed up to the school grounds.
Impressive. You practically expected gargoyles to fly down and growl at you that was how welcoming the Chilton campus was.
A shiver passed down her spine then crushed as she heard the loud, obnoxious music blasting from one of those 'think-we-are-better-than-thou' boys vehicles that it didn't surprise her all that much to see that the courtyard was a mass of the student population all in the uniform listening as if they had never heard music before. Untrue since a great many of them had trust funds that amounted to where they could buy their own record label.
"It's like he never left." Stated the slightly annoyed female voice beside Jess, who it turned out to be was Hillary. Hillary was short, black haired, bespeckled daughter of Lane Kim and Henry Wang, who had been a Chiltonite while Lane was Jess's mom's best friend.
"I know, where does he get off?" an hostile yet amused voice of another female, this time a curly red head by the name of Samantha Myers, resident gossip queen of only good gossip and one of their friends.
"So the prodigal son returns, thought it was only rumors." This time outright anger laced the male voice speaking, that Jess felt comfort in knowing she wasn't the only one that didn't like the fact that it was Terry who was blasting music or being back for that matter.
Jess's eyes caught the deep brown ones of Jonathan 'Nathan' Davenport, resident Bad Boy in the other sense of the word. Bad Boy by reputation rather than actually doing bad things like Terry had.
"What I want to know is how let him in? Don't we have leash laws?" Hillary asked, getting grins from the other three at her joke.
"What's St. Clare doing over there?" Nathan pointed out, his height giving him more advantage than the rest of the group.
"Adam's probably trying to talk sense into the idiot."
All four had been talking that none of them noticed the music had stopped or that Terry was now standing behind them.
"Should I be amazed at my jump in rank? First I'm a dog now I'm an idiot."
Hillary blushed at having him, although a jerk, addressing her. She was only human and he was hot.
"If the shoe fits." Jessica told him sweetly.
"And if it isn't the Protector, sorry we haven't formally met as last time I think Gilmore and I were a little preoccupied, weren't we?" his suggestive tone made it seem like they were doing something sordid.
"Arguing with each other has a way of making a person short-sighted." Nathan's voice was cold, firm, and protective, a hand rested on Jess's shoulder.
Terry's eyes followed Nathan's hand to where it was placed, taking in that Jess didn't object to the contact.
"I'm Terrance DuGrey, by the way." Terry greeted.
"I know who you are, DuGrey, and my name is Jonathan Davenport."
"Nathan, we need to get to class." Samantha interrupted this engrossing meeting.
"Better run along, wouldn't want you to get suspended on your first day back, would you?"
Jess let her three friends get ahead of her, but all of them including people still filing into the double doors of the school as well as some still goofing off in the courtyard heard her next remark.
"No, that's your job, isn't it?"
Adam caught up with Terry just in time to hear Jess's words.
"Already started on her?" Adam's voice was frustrated.
"I keep life interesting, cousin."
Disappearing behind the doors Adam sighed and followed.
~
"I can't believe he was right behind us and we didn't notice." Hillary complained at having been caught insulting him.
As they got to the lockers, Jess yanked hers open and stuffed her binders, two books and then as she went to put the Pepsi in it, her hand was caught by Hillary's.
"You know that caffeine isn't something you need to survive."
"Talking to the wrong girl, Hill, I'm a Gilmore. I need an I.V. of caffeine, but since I can't and it would get too expensive I settle for Pepsi and an occasional coffee."
"Right. So, tell me what it's like living with him and Adam? I'm dying to know."
Jess shook her head at her friend's enthusiasm but remained silent.
"Do they walk around in towels? Have you seen them naked."
Jess's shocked stare met Hillary's inquiring face.
"What do you think the DuGrey Estate is? A nudist colony?"
"Girl you have two, count it two," Hillary held up two fingers, "of the hottest, not to mention single guys in this school living under the same roof as you and you can honestly tell me you haven't seen them in their bare essentials?"
"No," Jess slammed her locker shut, "I haven't."
"What are you waiting for?"
Jess and Hillary walked down the hall to first period, European History, passing by very avidly staring girls.
"I'm not some sex starved pervert. I don't need to sneak around and catch them when they aren't in full clothing. You have given this entirely too much thought, Hill."
"Jess," Hillary continued, lowering her voice as they entered the classroom and getting seats in back, "inquiring minds want to know."
"The only mind that seems to be inquiring is yours, Hill."
Jess sat in the desk, took out her needed materials and saw a huffy Hillary doing the same while asking a thousand questions more until the bell rang for class to start.
Jess paid attention, took notes, wrote down the homework assignment after the teacher, Mrs. Quincy stated it was never too early for homework. At lunch, Jess got to the usual table that had Kyle, the guy that she had a crush on, already sitting at it. He was star of the football team last year, elected Captain this year, as he was a senior, with emerald green eyes, black soft hair that was straight and a California tan. In other words, he was perfect but unfortunately for her Nathan was his best friend and Kyle thought of her as a sister. She was really starting to hate that six-letter word.
"Hey, Kyle." Jess said, sitting across from in at the table.
He removed his eyes from 'The Franklin', the school newspaper, to meet Jess's turquoise gem eyes.
"Jess, thought you'd be trying out for," he nodded to the paper in front of him.
"Sorry but me and the editor don't see eye to eye."
"Who? Paige? She's okay, a little obsessed but okay."
"Obsessed with the paper and Nathan."
Kyle's eyes lit in acknowledgement.
"Jealous of you and Nathan, huh?"
"That's exactly it, there isn't any me and Nathan. He's my br..."
Kyle lifted an eyebrow.
"He's like a brother to me."
"Seems like you've got enough of those already." Kyle glanced behind her to see Terry and Adam entering.
"Terry is NOT my brother." Jess said between clenched teeth.
"I take it there isn't any love lost between the two of you?"
"Love? Absolute hatred, undiluted, thank you."
"Who do you hate?" Sam's question came and then saw Terry walking toward the 'In-Group' table, "never mind, dumb question."
"He wasn't such a bad guy sophomore year until he said he saw his girlfriend with some other guy and that got him all bent out of shape."
"Probably got sick of his attitude." Jess thought aloud.
"Where are Nathan and Hillary? Aren't they supposed to be here?" Sam wondered.
"Nathan is having a talk with Coach," Kyle offered, "and Hillary said that she was going to 'beg and plead with Mrs. Fieldings about getting her out of gym'."
"Sounds like Hill. So Kyle, why are you sitting over here? Why aren't you with the rest of the jocks?"
"Studying."
That got the girls to exchange guilty looks about bothering him.
"We'll just.."
"No, I'm done. For today. Have to keep my grades up or off the team, out of the family, you know the drill."
"Say, Kyle," Sam's voice becoming reporter-like, "who are you planning on taking to the Homecoming dance?"
"Sam! It's like two months away."
"So!"
Kyle watched the girls then shrugged his shoulders.
"Ask me next month."
"And you have it ladies, Kyle is still available on the auction block for Homecoming."
Jess put her hand to her lips to cover her laugh at Kyle's expression at Sam's announcement that had every sophomore, junior and senior girl running over to their table. Murder leapt into Kyle's eyes at Sam.
"I'll get you for this, Sam." Kyle promised, as he had to quickly get out of his chair and backed away from the girls who seemed to be looking at him like he was a tasty hamburger.
"Promises, promises."
As they watched him leave, both girls laughed out loud.
"That was an evil thing to do, Sam."
"I know, this will just want to make him take a certain somebody more."
"Did you..you did not just set this up so I'd look good in comparison, did you?"
"How well you know me, Jess dear."
"Samantha!"
"He is a babe magnet, not unlike DuGrey, only Kyle is teddy-bear and DuGrey is a barracuda. Thought you'd might like the change."
"I can get my own dates, thanks."
"Didn't think you couldn't, Jess, but you do have that shy streak to you and any little bit helps a shy friend."
The entrance of Hillary, passing by a stammering Kyle with a flock of teenage girls after him, had questions pouring out of her mouth before she got to the table.
"So? What'd I miss?"
~
Across the lunchroom was Terry, his tousled blond hair and blue eyed person being subjected to many a wondering female eye at having a model in their midst. Adam was sitting with him, although he could tell his cousin would rather be where all the laughing was coming from at Jess's table. Eric Mason, Zach Richardson and Brant Harding weren't exactly the most simulating conversationalist talking mostly about what girl looked good from last year, what car they now had, the usual rich boy talk.
Seeing Jess come into the room, watching her walk over to the football star he remember, Kyle Strickland, who seemed just as nice and chummy with the females as he was in sophomore year. Like a stuffed animal girls wanted him as he was sweet, chivalrous and nice. No personality at all as far as Terry was concerned, no depth. As Jess's eyes rest on Kyle he could almost see that she was being drawn in by Kyle's effortless niceties. Then the other girl, a very disheveled red head, made the announcement and all hell broke lose from a lot of girls that obviously took the announcement to heart about Kyle's free state for Homecoming.
Adam was quietly chuckling at the seen beside him, the dolt. Big deal if Kyle didn't have a date, he wouldn't know what to do with one if he did have one.
"Strickland sure has a way with the ladies." Zach commented.
"Pathetic. Has to get another girl to announce he needs a date?" Brant scoffed.
"He spent the summer in his room catching up on his 'reading'." Eric informed them.
All three seemed utterly disgusted that Terry found it almost funny. Shallowness was a part of the Chilton way, pettiness too. Adam's face registered anger but was quickly hidden as these boys were considered 'Elite' and any sign of weakness was sure to be exploited.
"Have to admit that Gilmore chick has gotten better every year." Brant admitted, glancing over to the table in question, "though her friends need work."
"Wang and Myers not exactly party material."
"She does have that touch-me-not attitude to her."
Then Zach turned to Terry.
"Don't mind if we get to know Gilmore a little better do you? Having her all to yourself in that big house must have some major advantages."
"Some slight ones."
Adam's hazel eyes were practically sizzling with outrage.
"Excuse me."
His quick escape led him over to Jess, who Terry saw just welcomed him into their group like a long lost friend.
"Or is it Adam that has her number?"
"Believe me, gentlemen, that's one cat whose claws sharpen faster than you can keep them cut."
~
Nathan stopped by Jess's locker right after the last bell rang to make sure that she had a ride home. Running a hand through his thick dark hair, he waited until he saw her. She grinned openly at him, before letting him do that twice pound thing that he did so well that she didn't have to fight with the stupid locker door.
"Thanks," Jess took out her needed books, placed others away and let him slam the door shut.
"Gotta ride home?"
"As much as I would love to climb into that Wreck-On-Wheels you call a car," Jess teased, "I'm afraid I'll have to pass."
"Who's giving you a ride? Not DuGrey, is it?" Nathan's tone was hostile.
"No not DuGrey, I wouldn't ride with him and not Adam either, Tristan seemed to think I needed wheels of my own and presented it to me as a early seventeenth birthday present."
"Your birthday isn't until February."
"Don't knock the gift, Nathan, it's a beautiful machine, come on I'll show you."
"Wait," he held up the hand that had taken his to lead him away, "are you okay about DuGrey?"
"I'm fine, really," Jess sighed at his instant protective mood, she used the tips of her fingers to brush aside a dark hair from his forehead, "he's just ..he makes me mad is all. Nothing I can't handle."
"If you need me to.."
"Beat him up? Sorry but elementary school tactics didn't work then and they won't work now, just give him more reason to ridicule me."
"He still loves you, you know."
Jess glanced surprised at him.
"Why do you say that?"
"He's an idiot if he doesn't."
"Must be my looks, have guys falling at my feet all day."
"I can see that in the paper now 'Beauty of Gilmore Makes Men Faint'."
"Think Paige will print it?"
"I'll force her to."
"She'll listen if it's you."
"Still won't let you on the paper, huh?"
"No, so I paint instead of write. Still creative and more colors."
"Come on, Michelangelo show me this work of art car you have."
Neither one noticed the golden blond watching with interest as they left.
~ ~ ~
Another chapter done..sorry took so long and that this isn't as long as I'd like.will hopefully get next chapter out sooner.
December 28, 2001
Chapter 2: Chilton
Written by: V Lynne
echoinghearts@yahoo.com
~ ~ ~
Obviously someone needed to inform the head of the Uniform department at Chilton that plaid was out, Jessica's thought came as she examined her reflection in the full length mirror that had on the outside wood with the engraved words of: 'Mirror, Mirror On The Wall'. Her hair was pulled into a braid, still wet from her shower, her eyes slightly outlined in black eye pencil with the uniform of Chilton Prep Academy on her person. Blue, green and white plaid skirt, blue blazer with white button down top with a blue snap tie each shirt and especially the blazer had the school emblem on the right chest pocket. Sticking her tongue out at her reflection, amused how childish she looked, she sighed.
"This is as good as it's gonna get." Jess told the mirror, before slipping her plain black shoes over the knee high white socks, grabbing her book bag that had once been a cow, as the book bag was tanned leather a gift from Tristan.
Going down the stairs, she heard the unmistakable sound of a whistle then laughed at Adam's fingers in his mouth that let out that piercing sound.
"Aren't you a hottie? May I drool over you?" The sandy-haired boy asked.
"Please, no drooling, I just had this outfit pressed." Jess remarked in a very cold Chiltonite voice.
A grin spread over his face, as his own outfit of slacks, shirt and blazer matched her own school outfit. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Terry lounging against the archway of the living room, his blazer held in one hand, the sleeves of his shirt rolled back and tie loosened at his neck. He always looked good no matter what he wore and today was no exception. A skid on the marble flooring announced C.J.'s presence, in his own blue and gray school uniform for Chilton Elementary.
"Well, good morning, Genius, figure out what a alarm clock is for?" Jess commented.
His eyes narrowed, became slits at his sister, stifling a yawn he was trying to get his own little blazer on.
"I hate school."
Terry's soft chuckle came as he put his hands on C.J.'s shoulders, stilling his younger brother, and then getting him all situated into his blazer.
"And kid, you've got seven more grades to go."
C.J. groaned.
"You're lucky, Terry, this is your last year."
"How true."
Tristan came out of the dinning room, newspaper in hand that looked suspiciously like he had been reading the comics but Jess reframed from saying anything.
"I see they haven't decided that fashion was needed yet." Tristan commented taking in the four uniform clad kids.
"I think who ever thinks this is in must have no fashion sense."
"Well, whose taking C.J. to school?"
Terry smiled.
"I will."
Adam and Jess's faces showed surprise but neither said anything.
"Alright. If you guys get tied up after school you all have my cell and the house number."
As the front door opened, C.J. and Terry leaving to the garage, Adam went next while Jess kissed Tristan's cheek.
"Try not to kill him at school, will you?"
"I make no promises." Jess replied, before leaving.
The dust left by Terry's over-stylized silver Ferrari met her, as she continued her walk into the five-car garage where Adam was opening the door to his baby. A white Porsche with red flames on the hood and sides of the car, customized and Jess had to stop from laughing at how he talked to his car like it was a person. Seeing her silent laughter he scolded her.
"Hey, don't knock my baby, alright? Cost me a pretty penny I'll tell you that."
"I have no doubt it did," Jess opened the simple Mercedes Benz, a dark blue, getting in and mumbling under her breath, "Boys and their toys."
~
Driving down the long stretch of tall green trees, manicured lawns, outrageous homes and fancy cars Jess found herself at a gas station, buying a six-pack of Pepsi and an instant cup-of-soup for lunch. Sliding back into her 'preppy' car, she headed to the high school that honestly looked like it belonged on 'Haunted Houses', only it wasn't a house but a school.
Private entrance led to the parking lot where she parked next to another Mercedes, cut the engine and got out stuffing the Pepsi's, now only four due to her not eating anything for breakfast and needed a caffeine pick-me- up, in her bag along with the cup-of-soup she headed up to the school grounds.
Impressive. You practically expected gargoyles to fly down and growl at you that was how welcoming the Chilton campus was.
A shiver passed down her spine then crushed as she heard the loud, obnoxious music blasting from one of those 'think-we-are-better-than-thou' boys vehicles that it didn't surprise her all that much to see that the courtyard was a mass of the student population all in the uniform listening as if they had never heard music before. Untrue since a great many of them had trust funds that amounted to where they could buy their own record label.
"It's like he never left." Stated the slightly annoyed female voice beside Jess, who it turned out to be was Hillary. Hillary was short, black haired, bespeckled daughter of Lane Kim and Henry Wang, who had been a Chiltonite while Lane was Jess's mom's best friend.
"I know, where does he get off?" an hostile yet amused voice of another female, this time a curly red head by the name of Samantha Myers, resident gossip queen of only good gossip and one of their friends.
"So the prodigal son returns, thought it was only rumors." This time outright anger laced the male voice speaking, that Jess felt comfort in knowing she wasn't the only one that didn't like the fact that it was Terry who was blasting music or being back for that matter.
Jess's eyes caught the deep brown ones of Jonathan 'Nathan' Davenport, resident Bad Boy in the other sense of the word. Bad Boy by reputation rather than actually doing bad things like Terry had.
"What I want to know is how let him in? Don't we have leash laws?" Hillary asked, getting grins from the other three at her joke.
"What's St. Clare doing over there?" Nathan pointed out, his height giving him more advantage than the rest of the group.
"Adam's probably trying to talk sense into the idiot."
All four had been talking that none of them noticed the music had stopped or that Terry was now standing behind them.
"Should I be amazed at my jump in rank? First I'm a dog now I'm an idiot."
Hillary blushed at having him, although a jerk, addressing her. She was only human and he was hot.
"If the shoe fits." Jessica told him sweetly.
"And if it isn't the Protector, sorry we haven't formally met as last time I think Gilmore and I were a little preoccupied, weren't we?" his suggestive tone made it seem like they were doing something sordid.
"Arguing with each other has a way of making a person short-sighted." Nathan's voice was cold, firm, and protective, a hand rested on Jess's shoulder.
Terry's eyes followed Nathan's hand to where it was placed, taking in that Jess didn't object to the contact.
"I'm Terrance DuGrey, by the way." Terry greeted.
"I know who you are, DuGrey, and my name is Jonathan Davenport."
"Nathan, we need to get to class." Samantha interrupted this engrossing meeting.
"Better run along, wouldn't want you to get suspended on your first day back, would you?"
Jess let her three friends get ahead of her, but all of them including people still filing into the double doors of the school as well as some still goofing off in the courtyard heard her next remark.
"No, that's your job, isn't it?"
Adam caught up with Terry just in time to hear Jess's words.
"Already started on her?" Adam's voice was frustrated.
"I keep life interesting, cousin."
Disappearing behind the doors Adam sighed and followed.
~
"I can't believe he was right behind us and we didn't notice." Hillary complained at having been caught insulting him.
As they got to the lockers, Jess yanked hers open and stuffed her binders, two books and then as she went to put the Pepsi in it, her hand was caught by Hillary's.
"You know that caffeine isn't something you need to survive."
"Talking to the wrong girl, Hill, I'm a Gilmore. I need an I.V. of caffeine, but since I can't and it would get too expensive I settle for Pepsi and an occasional coffee."
"Right. So, tell me what it's like living with him and Adam? I'm dying to know."
Jess shook her head at her friend's enthusiasm but remained silent.
"Do they walk around in towels? Have you seen them naked."
Jess's shocked stare met Hillary's inquiring face.
"What do you think the DuGrey Estate is? A nudist colony?"
"Girl you have two, count it two," Hillary held up two fingers, "of the hottest, not to mention single guys in this school living under the same roof as you and you can honestly tell me you haven't seen them in their bare essentials?"
"No," Jess slammed her locker shut, "I haven't."
"What are you waiting for?"
Jess and Hillary walked down the hall to first period, European History, passing by very avidly staring girls.
"I'm not some sex starved pervert. I don't need to sneak around and catch them when they aren't in full clothing. You have given this entirely too much thought, Hill."
"Jess," Hillary continued, lowering her voice as they entered the classroom and getting seats in back, "inquiring minds want to know."
"The only mind that seems to be inquiring is yours, Hill."
Jess sat in the desk, took out her needed materials and saw a huffy Hillary doing the same while asking a thousand questions more until the bell rang for class to start.
Jess paid attention, took notes, wrote down the homework assignment after the teacher, Mrs. Quincy stated it was never too early for homework. At lunch, Jess got to the usual table that had Kyle, the guy that she had a crush on, already sitting at it. He was star of the football team last year, elected Captain this year, as he was a senior, with emerald green eyes, black soft hair that was straight and a California tan. In other words, he was perfect but unfortunately for her Nathan was his best friend and Kyle thought of her as a sister. She was really starting to hate that six-letter word.
"Hey, Kyle." Jess said, sitting across from in at the table.
He removed his eyes from 'The Franklin', the school newspaper, to meet Jess's turquoise gem eyes.
"Jess, thought you'd be trying out for," he nodded to the paper in front of him.
"Sorry but me and the editor don't see eye to eye."
"Who? Paige? She's okay, a little obsessed but okay."
"Obsessed with the paper and Nathan."
Kyle's eyes lit in acknowledgement.
"Jealous of you and Nathan, huh?"
"That's exactly it, there isn't any me and Nathan. He's my br..."
Kyle lifted an eyebrow.
"He's like a brother to me."
"Seems like you've got enough of those already." Kyle glanced behind her to see Terry and Adam entering.
"Terry is NOT my brother." Jess said between clenched teeth.
"I take it there isn't any love lost between the two of you?"
"Love? Absolute hatred, undiluted, thank you."
"Who do you hate?" Sam's question came and then saw Terry walking toward the 'In-Group' table, "never mind, dumb question."
"He wasn't such a bad guy sophomore year until he said he saw his girlfriend with some other guy and that got him all bent out of shape."
"Probably got sick of his attitude." Jess thought aloud.
"Where are Nathan and Hillary? Aren't they supposed to be here?" Sam wondered.
"Nathan is having a talk with Coach," Kyle offered, "and Hillary said that she was going to 'beg and plead with Mrs. Fieldings about getting her out of gym'."
"Sounds like Hill. So Kyle, why are you sitting over here? Why aren't you with the rest of the jocks?"
"Studying."
That got the girls to exchange guilty looks about bothering him.
"We'll just.."
"No, I'm done. For today. Have to keep my grades up or off the team, out of the family, you know the drill."
"Say, Kyle," Sam's voice becoming reporter-like, "who are you planning on taking to the Homecoming dance?"
"Sam! It's like two months away."
"So!"
Kyle watched the girls then shrugged his shoulders.
"Ask me next month."
"And you have it ladies, Kyle is still available on the auction block for Homecoming."
Jess put her hand to her lips to cover her laugh at Kyle's expression at Sam's announcement that had every sophomore, junior and senior girl running over to their table. Murder leapt into Kyle's eyes at Sam.
"I'll get you for this, Sam." Kyle promised, as he had to quickly get out of his chair and backed away from the girls who seemed to be looking at him like he was a tasty hamburger.
"Promises, promises."
As they watched him leave, both girls laughed out loud.
"That was an evil thing to do, Sam."
"I know, this will just want to make him take a certain somebody more."
"Did you..you did not just set this up so I'd look good in comparison, did you?"
"How well you know me, Jess dear."
"Samantha!"
"He is a babe magnet, not unlike DuGrey, only Kyle is teddy-bear and DuGrey is a barracuda. Thought you'd might like the change."
"I can get my own dates, thanks."
"Didn't think you couldn't, Jess, but you do have that shy streak to you and any little bit helps a shy friend."
The entrance of Hillary, passing by a stammering Kyle with a flock of teenage girls after him, had questions pouring out of her mouth before she got to the table.
"So? What'd I miss?"
~
Across the lunchroom was Terry, his tousled blond hair and blue eyed person being subjected to many a wondering female eye at having a model in their midst. Adam was sitting with him, although he could tell his cousin would rather be where all the laughing was coming from at Jess's table. Eric Mason, Zach Richardson and Brant Harding weren't exactly the most simulating conversationalist talking mostly about what girl looked good from last year, what car they now had, the usual rich boy talk.
Seeing Jess come into the room, watching her walk over to the football star he remember, Kyle Strickland, who seemed just as nice and chummy with the females as he was in sophomore year. Like a stuffed animal girls wanted him as he was sweet, chivalrous and nice. No personality at all as far as Terry was concerned, no depth. As Jess's eyes rest on Kyle he could almost see that she was being drawn in by Kyle's effortless niceties. Then the other girl, a very disheveled red head, made the announcement and all hell broke lose from a lot of girls that obviously took the announcement to heart about Kyle's free state for Homecoming.
Adam was quietly chuckling at the seen beside him, the dolt. Big deal if Kyle didn't have a date, he wouldn't know what to do with one if he did have one.
"Strickland sure has a way with the ladies." Zach commented.
"Pathetic. Has to get another girl to announce he needs a date?" Brant scoffed.
"He spent the summer in his room catching up on his 'reading'." Eric informed them.
All three seemed utterly disgusted that Terry found it almost funny. Shallowness was a part of the Chilton way, pettiness too. Adam's face registered anger but was quickly hidden as these boys were considered 'Elite' and any sign of weakness was sure to be exploited.
"Have to admit that Gilmore chick has gotten better every year." Brant admitted, glancing over to the table in question, "though her friends need work."
"Wang and Myers not exactly party material."
"She does have that touch-me-not attitude to her."
Then Zach turned to Terry.
"Don't mind if we get to know Gilmore a little better do you? Having her all to yourself in that big house must have some major advantages."
"Some slight ones."
Adam's hazel eyes were practically sizzling with outrage.
"Excuse me."
His quick escape led him over to Jess, who Terry saw just welcomed him into their group like a long lost friend.
"Or is it Adam that has her number?"
"Believe me, gentlemen, that's one cat whose claws sharpen faster than you can keep them cut."
~
Nathan stopped by Jess's locker right after the last bell rang to make sure that she had a ride home. Running a hand through his thick dark hair, he waited until he saw her. She grinned openly at him, before letting him do that twice pound thing that he did so well that she didn't have to fight with the stupid locker door.
"Thanks," Jess took out her needed books, placed others away and let him slam the door shut.
"Gotta ride home?"
"As much as I would love to climb into that Wreck-On-Wheels you call a car," Jess teased, "I'm afraid I'll have to pass."
"Who's giving you a ride? Not DuGrey, is it?" Nathan's tone was hostile.
"No not DuGrey, I wouldn't ride with him and not Adam either, Tristan seemed to think I needed wheels of my own and presented it to me as a early seventeenth birthday present."
"Your birthday isn't until February."
"Don't knock the gift, Nathan, it's a beautiful machine, come on I'll show you."
"Wait," he held up the hand that had taken his to lead him away, "are you okay about DuGrey?"
"I'm fine, really," Jess sighed at his instant protective mood, she used the tips of her fingers to brush aside a dark hair from his forehead, "he's just ..he makes me mad is all. Nothing I can't handle."
"If you need me to.."
"Beat him up? Sorry but elementary school tactics didn't work then and they won't work now, just give him more reason to ridicule me."
"He still loves you, you know."
Jess glanced surprised at him.
"Why do you say that?"
"He's an idiot if he doesn't."
"Must be my looks, have guys falling at my feet all day."
"I can see that in the paper now 'Beauty of Gilmore Makes Men Faint'."
"Think Paige will print it?"
"I'll force her to."
"She'll listen if it's you."
"Still won't let you on the paper, huh?"
"No, so I paint instead of write. Still creative and more colors."
"Come on, Michelangelo show me this work of art car you have."
Neither one noticed the golden blond watching with interest as they left.
~ ~ ~
Another chapter done..sorry took so long and that this isn't as long as I'd like.will hopefully get next chapter out sooner.
December 28, 2001
