Chapter Three: Don't hurt me!
Corrine was getting ready when Lucas came in.
Corrine, are you done?
Hold on Lucas. Be out in a second.
All right but your boyfriend is getting on my nerves so come off before I kill him.
Hi guys
A shorter girl got out from the room.
Hi Josie- responded both boys in a rather melancholic tone.
I heard you're giving a speech Lucas
It's a lot of crap I put together, not much- replied the ashamed boy.
Uh- the girl faked a smile
Wait, aren't you coming with us? Have some fun. While saying these words, Lucas' eyes told Marshall that he'd just made a huge mistake.
No, I've got some work to do.
I'm done.
Marshall sighed for the very opportune appearance of her girl.
Let's go then!
Ok. Bye Josie
Bye guys. Have fun!
The trio said goodbye and went down to the cafeteria. Josie stayed outside for a minute, watching everyone going with his or her dates to the party. It reminded her certain dance she had attended, the only one in her lifetime…
She got into her room and locked the door, closed her books (those she'd pretended to use for doing her false homework) and sit on her bed facing the window.
I hate that stupid party, she thought. Everyone is pretending to be sad for someone they don't even know. Hypocrites all of them. What should anyone care about someone so self-centre, spoiled, someone who runs telling every little thing to his daddy, someone who can hurt you and don't give a crap? They're oblivious, blinded by his money and his looks. That's all he really is at the end, cash and a pretty face. Makes me sick and even gives me more nauseas the fact that I let him get to me, hurt me like he did…and so did I.
Because it's my fault too, but I won't tell him that, I can't. Maybe I should go to that stupid party after all, maybe he'll get mad and leave. Maybe he'll yell at me and I'll yell him back. Maybe he'll just look at me as this afternoon and we'll forget and forgive and everything will be just as in the beginning, a group of good friends. Friends. Just friends.
The girl stood up and went into her closet as fast as she could. She looked the few dresses she owned and put on a pair of sandals, some make up, jewelry and headed towards the party.
In the mid time at the cafeteria, everyone had welcomed the honor guest with lots of gifts and stuff. Stew had given an emotive "kubiakish" speech that made Vaughn laugh; Madison's was so ass-kisser as herself and she'd even cried a bit; Lucas was nervous but he'd come to get along with Vaughn just a little better, so it ended up been honest with his feelings but friendly enough with his ex-rival. Z and Durst spoke too, saying how much they were going to miss one of their most accomplished students.
When the speech finished, Magnet 60 started playing and everyone went to the dance floor. Vaughn stepped outside the crowd and went next to the food table. For some reason, he kept on looking at the door.
Shouldn't you be dancing?
He turned to see who was talking to him and seem a bit surprised that a boy with glasses was the speaker.
Lucas. Hi.
Hi. So, answer me. Why aren't you dancing?
It's just, I'm not in the mood that's all.
I see.
Silence
I liked your speech.
Thanks.
More silence
She's not coming.- said coldly the shorter guy.
Who?
You know who so don't pretend otherwise.
I didn't ask you.
But you were wondering, weren't you?
Vaughn looked down without saying nothing.
Sorry, it's just…
That's ok.
Corrine called out for her nerdy friend so Randall took off. Outside the cafeteria, an undecided girl was watching the scene. For fifteen minutes, she had given three steps forward and then back again. C'mon Josie, just go in there, dance, drink, have some fun. There's nothing scary about that, right? She looked people talking, girls flirting around boys, cheerleaders conspiring, her friends singing and at a corner, looking as much out of place as she was, Vaughn was waving to some football players with an imposed smile that only she could distinguish.
I can't do this. The skater turned back and found face to face with
Steve?
Nice to see you too Josie
What the hell are you doing here? –she asked at the same time she climbed the stairs extremely fast.
Oh just making fun of "The Pearson Tribute". So he's going away, big deal. However, you seem to agree with them, don't you?
Why would you say that?
You've been all dressed up, standing in the door for, what? Half hour?
Shut up morrow.
Ouch! Ok so you tell me, what were you doing then?
None of your business.
C'mon! I know he's your ex.
And?
Well, I guess that you're not over him yet, am I right?
It's been 4 months, what do you think?
That ain't an answer.
I am, ok? I'm completely over him.
Ha, then, how come you're talking here with me instead of being in there with your friends?
They were outside his room when he asked Josie this. She opened her mouth but closed again cause she didn't know what to say.
It's ok Josie, I get it.
How can YOU get it?
Remember Madison?
How could I ever forget her?
Yeah, well, I was totally mad for the girl and it turned out to be a scam to make your boyfriend jealous. Didn't work, she dumped me.
EX-boyfriend.
Sorry, EX-boyfriend
I didn't know you were so…
Romantic?
Pathetic.
They laughed for a while.
How long did it take you to get over her?
It wasn't easy, specially know that she and Pearson are a match.
Steve observed Josie's expression when he pronounced these last words. The girl felt like a knife in her stomach, she felt the urgency to sit but had to disguise these feelings, she couldn't be seen like that, she wouldn't allow it.
You already knew that, right?
No, actually I didn't.
Oh my God! I'm so ashamed, thought you knew.
No. It's OK, no problem.
Do you wanna talk about it.
Oh! You don't have to.
C'mon, it's not like I'd got a lot to do.
Well, if you want.
So, shall we go in?
Vaughn was looking at the door when Madison appeared, giving him a choking hug.
Vaughn! I'm so glad to see you. Did you hear my speech?
Hi Madison. Yeah, it was…great.
Oh, I told you you'd love it! Even I got a little carried away, you know, caught on the moment.
Sure, he said coldly.
Hey, I wanted to apologize about this afternoon. I shouldn't have said all that.
No worries.
I know I should be the big person and forgive her but I don't know why someone would do me such a thing?
What? What did she do?
Remember Steve, the new guy?
Oh, yeah, I remember he's an absolute jerk.
(the teen smile in a hypocrite mode) Anyway, I dated him for a while
Oh, the boy regretting what he'd just said.
Yeah, the thing, Trent got interested and made him dumped me for her, knowing how sensible I am.
No way! She wouldn't do that- he surprised himself pronouncing this words, defending her once more.
It's true!- Madison was surprised too, but she continued her story.- And I know for a fact that Steve only dates a girl if he's getting, you know, it. I was an exception of course.
That's crazy. Josie doesn't even like him.-he pronounced her name. He hadn't done that for a long time.
Are you sure? Then, why did Chrysie told me she saw the two of them going into his bedroom?
When? - trying to cover his impression.
Twenty minutes ago.
Oh.
The girl was glowing for her success. Vaughn on the other hand, couldn't believe what he'd just heard. That couldn't be Josie, not the one he knew, not the one he'd dated, not the one…
Are you OK Vaughn?
Erm, I'm fine.
I just thought you should know the whole truth.
Yeah- he said vaguely.
Do you wanna go somewhere quieter, like my room maybe…
No, I think I'm just gonna go over there with the guys- he said pointing to a circle of bigger boys than the rest- so see ya.
Ah, ok then, bye!-said the disappointed and angry girl.
Vaughn walked towards the boys but the second Madison turned away, he took off. He couldn't resist staying in there for one more minute, he needed to walk away from all that and realize once from all that nothing would ever the same again.
