This has been the worst day of my life! Freddy has a new girlfriend and I hate her! I'm serious; I cannot stand her! Her name is Guinevere (what the hell were her parents thinking?), but she asks us to call her Gwen. She's a total bitch!

Gwen is one of the only girls at school I have never been able to get along with. She had dead straight, elbow-length white blond hair and bluish-purple eyes. She has always been one of the tallest girls in the grade (after Katie), is abnormally skinny and has the biggest chest out of everyone in the grade. I'm positive she stuffs her bra. She has always made fun of me, from the first day I moved to Long Island in 2nd grade up until today.

My first day at Horace Green Elementary was in the middle of November. I was 7 years old. I wasn't even 4 feet high at the time. My hair was in two long braids going down my back and I was wearing the plaid school jumper, white blouse, grey knee socks and black shoes. Oh yeah, I was wearing that weird little ribbon thingy around my neck too. I still don't know what it's called! I walked in and the teacher (Miss Arnolds) asked me to tell the class about myself. I said that my name was Marta Di Gaetano and that I was from Portland, Oregon. I told them I had an older brother, Jordan, and that I lived with my Mom and Dad. I told them I liked Barbie (ah yes, the anorexic plastic doll with boobs bigger than any woman alive, besides maybe Jessica Simpson), Aqua (the group that sang, "I'm A Barbie Girl") and S Club 7 (the group that looks like the might be life-sized Barbie's and Ken's). Is anyone noticing a pattern in what I liked? Anyway, Miss Arnolds had me sit in between Freddy and Gwen. The first thing Gwen said was, "God, you're such a baby! Who likes Barbie?" Then, Freddy told her, "Shut up! Everyone knows you like Barbie because you look like one! Besides that, I see you playing with your Barbie dolls all the time." It was at that moment that I got my crush on Freddy. From that day forward, Gwen always bothered me and I always loved Freddy and have never forgotten about how he came to my rescue (well, sort of, anyway) in 2nd grade.

Freddy brought her to band practice today. When I saw him with his arm around her, I was shocked. I felt a huge lump in my throat, but promised myself I wouldn't cry, no matter how much I wanted to. How could Freddy betray me like this? He knew I hated her! He hated her too; at least that's what I thought until today! Everyone hates her!

Gwen said hello to everyone, but when she came to me, she just frowned and turned the other way. Freddy didn't notice, or maybe he just didn't care.

When we started practicing, Gwen just sat on the couch filing her nails and flipping channels, putting the TV on really loud. When Dewey told her off, she just ignored him. Occasionally, she'd flash Freddy a smile. Then, he'd miss a few beats on his drums and Dewey would get upset at him.

When we took our break for the afternoon, Freddy let the bitch sit on his lap. I had to bite my lip to stop myself from crying.

Just then, Katie popped a c.d. in Dewey's stereo. The AC/DC song "Hells Bells" came blaring out of the stereo.

"I hate this type of music!" Gwen complained, "Its' so loud and annoying!"

"Yeah," Freddy agreed, "I don't like this song either."

"Freddy you love AC/DC!" Tomika cried.

He shrugged, "I don't like this song, I guess. Besides, just 'cause I like a band doesn't mean I have to like all their songs." Tomika decided to drop the subject. Everything was quiet until Gwen broke the silence.

"Marta," she said. I turned to look at her.

"What?" I snapped.

"Well, I don't mean to be rude, but I didn't think your singing was very good today. I mean, I don't know if you always sing like this, but you were quite horrible today," she said in a sickly sweet voice.

"Gwen," Zack came to my defense, "I would be fine with that comment if you had actually been listening, but you were just watching TV, and at full blast! You wouldn't know how Marta sang."

"Zack," Freddy said, "I have to agree. Marta didn't sound great today. Marta, you really should start practicing more." I felt like somebody had just slapped me in the face. Actually, I felt worse. I could almost feel my heart shattering into millions of pieces, as if somebody had ripped it up like a piece of paper. I nodded even though I knew he was wrong. There was nothing wrong with my voice! Besides that, ever since we were little, Freddy has always told me that he loves my voice, even on days when I don't sound my best. He says that if angels could sing, they would sound like me. That made his comment hurt even more! When Freddy looked away, Gwen stuck her tongue out at me.

"Maybe I should go practice more," I agreed half heartedly, "I'll go right now." I stood up and walked into the next room. I started singing, but I just wasn't enjoying it or feeling the words the way I normally do. I still sounded just as good, but I didn't have that passion I usually do.

I walked up to Dewey after a minute or so.

"Dewey," I tapped his shoulder.

"Yeah," he turned around.

"I want to go home. I don't feel good. Can I call my Mom?" I asked.

"Marta, before you do," he said, "I want to talk to you. Is that ok with you?" I nodded. He brought me to the kitchen.

"I think that something is wrong. Either you tell me, or you can keep it to yourself. It's up to you. Do you want to tell me what happened?" he asked, as he looked me right in the eye.

"I, it's just that," I stammered, "Well, the thing is..." I just didn't know how to say it.

"If it's easier for you," he suggested, "Can I guess?" I nodded.

"Ok then," he said, "You have a crush on Spazzy, that much is obvious, but you don't know what to do. Now, you feel hurt that he's dating the girl you hate the most in the world."

"Yes," I cried, "How did you know?"

"Blondie, I have known you kids since you were 10, you're 14 now," he told me, "I see you all every day and you guys all come to me to talk about your problems before parents and teachers. I know you better than you know yourselves! I mean, your crush on Freddy isn't that obvious, but I can tell because I know how you act around guys you like. I also know when you're staring at him while you're singing. You have to stop doing that, by the way." He smiled at me and I smiled back.

"Marta, I know you like him, but you'll have to deal with it. I mean, I hardly even know this Gwen girl, but I already know she's bad news. I think that she and Freddy will break up pretty soon, ok? You don't have to worry about them getting married or anything," he assured me.

"If that's the truth," I asked, "Then why is Freddy agreeing with her about everything, from my singing to his opinion on AC/DC?"

"Freddy's like that," Dewey answered, "When he dates a girl, he won't argue with her, no matter what. Now then, do you still want to go home?" I nodded.

"Ok then, go call your Mom," he told me, "We'll just have Alicia and Tomika sing without you today, but tomorrow you have to sing. Oh, and I'll tell Spazzy not to bring that Blond Bimbo to band practice anymore." I nodded again.

I walked to the nearest phone and dialed my home number. My brother, Jordan, answered. Jordan is 16. He's a skater dude and loves rock. He taught me how to skateboard a few summers ago. It was fun! Even though Jordan has his driver's license, he still skateboards to most places.

"Hello," he said.

"Jordan, it's Marta," I told him, "I don't feel good. I'm at Dewey's house. Can you or Mom pick me up?"

"Yeah, I'm coming," he answered.

"Ok, bye," I hung up.

"My brother will be here in a minute, Dewey," I told Dewey as I walked into the living room and grabbed my bag. I slung it over my shoulder and started walking towards the door.

"Hey, where are you going?" Alicia asked.

"Home," I explained, "I don't feel too good.

"What's wrong?" Marco asked.

"Stomach ache," I answered.

"Come on Blondie," Freddy said, "A stomach ache isn't that bad. You can still practice. We need you! We have a concert in a month and we have to practice as much as we can!"

Gwen whispered something in Freddy's ear, but she said it so loudly, we all heard. She said, "Freddy, don't worry about her. You people don't need her. She's horrible! Let her leave. Besides, I'm starting to get jealous. I'm starting to think you want that imbecile more than me. Am I right?"

"She's not bad. She's actually good. This must be an off day for her. Besides, what more could I want than you?" he whispered back to her. She smiled.

When my brother arrived 5 minutes later, I practically sprinted out. I forgot my bag, but then ran back in to get it. When I did, I walked in on that horrible bitch making out with Freddy. I gasped, grabbed my bag and ran out crying. I slammed the door behind me. I was really quiet the whole ride home. Jordan even commented on it. Usually, I'm always blabbering away to my brother. We're really close and I tell him anything. Other than Katie, he's the only other person I've told about my crush on Freddy.

"Marta," he said to me while he was driving. I looked away from the passenger seat's window and stared at him.

"You're not saying anything. Something's wrong. Do you want to talk?" he asked his green eyes full of concern. Jordan has my father's green eyes, height and broad shoulders, but we both have Mom's blond hair, except mine is curly and his is straight. I also have Mom's blue eyes and petite frame.

"No, I don't really want to talk right now," I said quietly and shook my head.

"Ok, but if you ever need someone to talk to," he paused, "I want you to know that I'm always there for you. I'm your big brother and I'll always protect you." I nodded.

When he said that, a flashback popped into my mind. It was a sunny day and Jordan and I were at the park. I must have been 9 years old and he was 11. I was on the swings and Jordan was talking to a friend of his. Frankie, who used to be a big bully before the band, stopped my swing abruptly and started bugging me for any money I had. He said he wanted to buy candy and that his Mom wouldn't give him any money to buy it with. I was terrified. He was standing over me and talking in a low voice. I was half his size and I knew that he could hurt me easily. So, I freaked out and started searching for money in the pockets of my jeans. Just then, Jordan looked over at me. When he saw Frankie bugging me, he walked over and started telling him off and telling him to bug someone his own size, not someone half his size. From that day on, Frankie never bothered me again. The funny thing is that I dated him not too long ago. He changed from my bully to my boyfriend. We broke up about two weeks ago though.

When I got home, I immediately ran to my room and started crying hysterically. I didn't come out of my room all night and when Summer called, I told my Mom to tell her I wasn't home. I just cried all night long. When I didn't have any tears left, I just sobbed. It had been the worst day of my life!

Disclaimer: Who here actually thought I owned School of Rock? Now then, not all at once, just raise your hands. I have news for you. I don't. I don't own anything else I mentioned, like AC/DC.

Thank-you's:

Step-off: Thanks! I got the idea for the licking thing from something my sister and I tried a few years ago. The difference was that we used a lollypop instead. Yeah, we're always thinking of new ways to a) gross people out and b) amuse ourselves.

Xobadrhymer03: Wow, this is a lot coming from you! I think I've read all of your stories (and reviewed them too) and I like them a lot! Thank you!

Emily: I see many Freddy & Katie stories. That's what I originally wanted to do. Then, I got an e-mail from my friend with tons of Freddy pictures. I saw one where he was with Marta and was like "Wow, they look nice together." So, I changed it. Besides that, I haven't seen that many Marta & Freddy stories.

Strokes: As I said to Step-off, I got the idea from what my sister and I did with a lollypop. It actually turned out pretty funny. We licked one side each and then I dropped it. After a while, I just let her have it.

YellowcardGirl: Oh, I know that riddlyn (is that how you spell it?) is a prescription drug. Tons of guys from elementary school took it. Usually, I don't like history class. My bff and I pass notes through the entire 50 minutes, but when it's about Freddy, I don't mind! LOL!

Random Comments: This is a sad chapter. I don't think I'll do anymore sad ones. There might be one other one, but I haven't decided yet. Ok then, I'm super tired right now because it's 7:00 in the morning and I've been up since 5 writing this! I just want to go to sleep! Don't forget to R & R! Take pity on the tired girl and review!