Summary: Another day in the life of a teenager. Joan tries to juggle a "suggestion" from God, her friends, and attempts at accepting Iris in Adam's life.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything or anyone from Joan of Arcadia or any songs that appear in this fic. I wouldn't mind having Christopher Marquette, though. .
Ratings: PG – just in case of swearing
Author's Note: Sorry for the long update. I've been sick and unable to get to the computer to work on the story. But now that I'm better, I'll continue. This one is a bit longer. I tried working in what I hope to go back and do with my other chapters – more details on their surroundings, improve on the dialogue… etc. Thanks to all who've been reading and reviewing thus far. And also for those of you who have been patient with me. I hope you all like this next chapter. Please R&R
The shrill ring of the bell interrupted Lischak's lecture on molecular structures and chemical reactions, causing a sigh of relief from around the room. Ms. Lischak threw out last minute instructions on the next lab they were to perform in a week, her words drowned out by the loud rustles of papers, books being crammed into stuffed backpacks, and the laughter as the students left the room gabbing away about this and that. Lischak shook her head, wondering why she even bothered, knowing she would have to repeat herself the next day in class. She looked up in time to see Grace Polk, Joan Girardi and Adam Rove getting ready to exit her room.
"Excuse me, you three… can I have a moment to speak with you?"
The three stopped in midstep, then pivoted to look at their teacher, looking as if they wanted to be anywhere but there – Joan most of all. She shifted on her feets, inching closer to the door and trying not to be noticed. She knew what was going to come, and she wanted no part of it.
"Normally I wouldn't allow this, seeing how it isn't fair to all of the other students. But I'm willing to give Miss Girardi the benefit of the doubt and allow you three to make up this lab tomorrow after school. I will have all the chemicals you will need for the lab out and ready for you to begin, so there will be no more confusion… And no repeat of what happened here this afternoon. It is either this or an automatic fail. The choice is yours."
Grace glared over at Joan, her whole demeanor accusing. Adam shrugged the strap of his backpack higher onto his shoulder, thinking about his plans with Iris tomorrow afternoon, and wondering why he was relieved to have an excuse to back out. Shouldn't he be glad to spend time with his girlfriend? Instead, he was looking forward to spending more time with Joan, even if it was under these circumstances. He didn't know what he was going to do – about tomorrow… and about his feelings where Joan and Iris were concerned.
"We'll be here. Thank you, Ms. Lischak. I'm really sorry about the counter…" Joan rambled, accepting the offer from their teacher before the other two could voice a protest. She didn't want to bring home another failing grade, eventhough her parents were coming to expect them. She really did want to pass her classes… she just couldn't focus long enough to get the work done. She sighed, thinking about all the things she had to do on top of school work… Which brought up the talk she still had to have with Adam about Angela. Not to mention the job God gave her just that morning. 'I seriously need a vacation.' Joan thought to herself.
"Very well… I'll see you all tomorrow at 3 sharp. If you aren't here by then, I'll assume you changed your mind and I'll give the appropriate grade. Until tomorrow."
They turned and left the room, each one lost in thought. Joan was trying to figure out how to juggle her schedule and have a life at the same time; Grace was cursing the tyrannical system that would force her to spend anymore time in this prison longer than necessary… And Adam – he was looking at Joan out of the corner of his eyes and thinking about how he'll get an extra hour with Jane.
"Hey, Adam…" Joan's voice broke the silence, gaining the attention of her two friends. "What are we going to do about… you know, Angela?"
"Yo… I don't know. I.. uh .. thought we could just say we were sorry or something."
"I can't get you two. She makes your life a living hell by posting pictures of you in your underwear, sends it to the entire school… not to mention, your main squeeze. And you're going to apologize for something that wasn't technically your doing. It was Friedman and Cousin It…"
"We're apologizing, because it is our fault. I was the one that wanted revenge. I wouldn't listen when He told me that it wasn't a good idea… And Adam feels like he has a part in it by helping me." Joan hoped desperately that Adam didn't pick up on Grace's comment about the 'main squeeze.' That's all she needed was him questioning her about the status of their 'friendship', or whatever they actually had. Joan thought at times that things went beyond that with her and Adam, but then Iris would put in an appearance and shatter those dreams.
"Who told you? Who is 'He'? Besides, how were you to know about her mom? She didn't even care about taking pictures of you, now did she? What if you had a disfiguring scar you didn't want people to know about?"
"Uh… nobody. I'm going to prove I'm the better man… er person by apologizing.Right, Adam?"
"Jane… You've got a main squeeze?"Adam couldn't believe what he heard. Who was this guy that managed to land Joan? Was it the guy she danced with at the party; the guy she spoke to this morning? He couldn't remember seeing her talk to anyone else.. Just that guy, Luke, and him. He was so wrapped up in trying to figure out who it was, he missed most of the conversation that was continuing on around him… and also the idea that he could be the main squeeze.
"Yes… No… I don't know. What are we talking about again?"
"Wake up, Rove. You're going to walk into that door."
Adam looked up just in time to see him walking straight for an open doorway. With a sheepish look over to Joan, hoping she didn't notice, he moved out of the way. Around them, the hallway was filled with activity. Students laughing and talking as they exchanged books from their last class in preparation for the next one. A couple of football players down the hall were tossing a football between them, talking about the big game that night. A group of senior girls were leaning into their locker, fixing their makeup with the mirror on the inside of the door, talking about who was hot and who was not.
Joan ignored all of this, continuing her debate with Grace, until she was bumped from the side by a squealing girl as she rushed over to a table. Joan looked over to see what was all the hype, and saw a table with posters on either side announcing the upcoming Beauty Pageant that was to be held the next Saturday. 'I have one week to get ready?! He is definitely crazy… I can't possibly do this.' Without a word to Adam and Grace, she walked over to the table in dread. She stood there for a moment waiting for one of the teens that was working the table to look up at her.
"Yes? Can I help you?"
"Yeah… I'd like to sign up for the pageant."
"Great. You have to sign this sheet, here's a packet with all the information you'll need, and here's the sheet that has the agenda typed up. Look over it all, and then meet in room 417 tomorrow after school."
"Tomorrow… I can't possibly make it. I've got a make up lab…"
"Well… If you can't make it, then perhaps you shouldn't join up. This pageant takes commitment. It should be top priority." The student looked up at her, her tone condescending. She started to pull the sign up sheet away, turning to look at another student behind her. Before she could fully dismiss Joan, she grabbed the clipboard and signed her name.
"I'll be there…" Joan sighed, then grabbed her packet. 'As soon as I can figure out how to clone myself and be in two different places at once.' She couldn't wait for this week to be over.
"I can't believe you joined. Sometimes I don't get you, Girardi. I have no idea what goes through your mind…"
"Trust me, Grace… You aren't the only one." Joan grumbled, sifting through the papers that she found in the packet. She read over the code of conduct, rolling her eyes at some of the rules, before getting to the list of what is expected of each contestant. "Talent show? I have to show off a talent? I don't even have a talent. Everyone knows I'm not good at anything. I can't possibly do this." Joan slumped against the wall near the cafeteria entrance, banging her head against the posterboard that listed the day's special. "I'm going to make a complete fool of myself. Ooh, how could He make me do this…?"
"He who? Girardi, you aren't making any sense… If you can't handle it – not that I think you should have joined to begin with – then just back out. Back out now before it's too late."
"I.. think you have talent." Adam finally spoke up, meeting Joan's startled eyes. "Why did you want to join, anyway?"
"I don't know… It was just something I felt I had to do. I can't explain it. Anyways, besides the fact of my seeming lack of pageant talent… what am I going to do about tomorrow. We have to do that lab, thanks to me. I still say those two chemicals looked the same. How was I to know that it would cause it to bubble over and peel the paint off the counter? Besides, I really don't want to bring home another F. My parents will kill me, eventhough they naturally are prepared for such a grade."
"I say ditch the queens and try to pass this lab. You can't be in two places at once. Besides, the rooms are on opposite sides of the school. No possible way you can make the both at once."
"I have to be at Lischak at 3. Any later and we won't be allowed to take the lab over… Maybe I can sneak out – when Lischak's back is turned. Oooooh, this will never work out."