They Never Knew- A fanfiction by C.B.A. and Cinni

Summary: Jean Cadac is not what one calls special. She's not pretty, isn't academically gifted to say the least, and certainly doesn't have any exceptional talents. But she is in band. However, at her small school in Texas, isn't everybody? So out of everyone, why did the hottest guy in school have to choose her?

Author's Note: This chapter is written by C.B.A.! Oh, and please review, and if you do, we'll give you cookies! And to answer one person's question, this story does take place in Texas, but nowhere really in particular. The area in general is known to be a deserted place though, which explains why the school is small.

Chapter Three- Get Popular or Die Trying...

Lara Manra smirked arrogantly as she twirled a strand of her long brown hair idly. Ignoring the admiring looks she was getting from many, especially from one in particular, she continued to look ahead at the chalkboard in front of her.

After recently declining a note from the boy sitting a few seats behind her asking to go out with her, she continued to pretend as if nothing happened. She knew she was worth more than what that boy could offer. She wouldn't be caught dead dating a guy whose popularity status wasn't shown in a positive light.

No, what she was looking for, was a guy who was already popular. Someone who was smart, charming, adored by many. And most importantly, someone who was beautiful. Like her. Which was why she was only reserving herself to the one boy that she knew was perfect for her...Vincent Carrington.

Couples that society approves of are the best together, right? Right. Lara knew, from the moment she met sex-god Vince, that they were perfect for each other. For either of them to be dating anyone else was out of the question, and defying the laws of nature. Absolutely scandalous. Lara shuddered, trying to avoid even thinking about Vince going out with someone other than herself.

Which hadn't really been a problem just yet. Surprisingly, regardless of Vince's amazingly good looks and social status at school, he had never gone out with a girl in his life, declining offer after offer. Lara mentally mused to her self, wondering how many hearts this one guy had broken, just by saying one word.

No.

The exact same words she told the guy sitting a few seats behind her, when she was declining his very weak proposition. Come on, he could have at least gone to her face if he wanted to do something as important as asking her out. Given, of coarse, that she would say no.

Oh well, some people just can't seem to take the pressure. Why did that guy even bother asking her that one question she had refused to countless of others? She didn't even know who he was, except that he was embarrassingly unpopular. Hmmm...what was his name? Sydney? What a name, what a name. As far as she was aware, Sydney was mostly a girls' name. So humiliating.

Like his face? She mentally asked herself. She barely managed to avoid snorting out loud. That kid must have had the worst case of acne she had ever seen. It was even worse than-

Attention, students. If you are a member of our marching band, then go meet at Gym 1 for yearbook pictures. Teachers, we ask that you will dismiss your students at this time. Thank you.

Lara scowled. Damn band. She wasn't particularly fond of the idea of being in band at all, and yet she was. Not that she was forced to stay, but she had a purpose for wanting to remain in that dreaded activity. Vince. He was the whole reason she decided to stay in band, and humiliate herself in those disgustingly unstylish uniforms. Now if he would just quit that stupid school activity...

But if there was one advantage in being in band, it was that it gave her more attention than ever. Being that she was the best flute player out of all 26, she was immediately offered the chance to play the piccolo. Oooh, what an honor. Too bad she really didn't care all that much. Those poor pathetic flute players, all of them thinking that she really wanted and deserved the honor of playing the only piccolo in band. It was quite a shame that none of them even seemed like a challenge to her.

Slowly rising out of her seat, she briskly straightened out her pink miniskirt. Quickly grabbing the bag that had her band uniform inside of it, she unceremoniously slung it over her shoulder. Following out the other students that had exited the room, she immediately glanced around to see if she saw Vince anywhere. Now what class was he in at first period?

But before she could put more thought into her search, she suddenly became distracted when she felt her body crashing into another carelessly. Obviously an accident, as she instantly heard a panicked squeaking voice apologizing profusely.

"Oh my God, are you okay? I'm very sorry, I really didn't mean to bump into you like that! I really hope you're okay! Do you need help? I'm so sorry!" Lara looked around irritably only to see two large coke-bottle glasses staring up at her apologetically. Without a doubt she's seen a face like that somewhere, (who couldn't notice it?), but what was her name?

"Who are you?" Lara briskly demanded as she tucked a piece of her silky brown hair behind her ear. She continued walking as the girl hurriedly followed after her. God, she looked just like a fourth grader!

"M-me? Oh, it's Jean." the girl squeaked as she attempted a weak smile. "Pleased to meet you. But I already know who you are, of coarse."

"Of coarse." Lara repeated casually. Big surprise there. Who didn't know who she was? Jean apparently seemed to think that as well, as she voiced the same thoughts Lara was musing to herself only moment ago.

"B-But then again, I think everyone knows who you are. Everyone also knows that you are in band. Why is that?"

"Huh?" Lara looked up slightly, distracted once again from searching for Vince. Oh, that Jean girl was still talking to her. Now what was she saying? Putting on one of her sweet fake smiles, she asked, "I'm sorry, what were you saying?"

"I said, 'why are you in band'? You're so popular, and everyone is clueless as to why you would waste your time in band, when you probably would hang out with your friends all the time instead." Jean looked oblivious to the fact that the girl she was talking to wasn't listening.

"Vince." Lara said. She had just spotted him, carrying his saxophone in one hand, and his uniform in the other. Next to him was Xander, as it seemed they were conversing, but not in a friendly manner. Were they arguing?

"'Vince'?" Jean repeated questioningly. She didn't get to ask any further, though, as Lara had soon hurried off somewhere else. Where was she going? Jean's eyes followed the path Lara was going, as she soon spotted Vince Carrington and one of his friends.

Oh. That's why she left. Lara wanted to meet up with the one guy she had been chasing after since the beginning of high school.

Jean sighed as she clutched onto the handle of her clarinet case. Now that she was talking to no one anymore, her thoughts soon drifted back into bitterness and depression.

She didn't want to have her band pictures taken. Every time the camera flashed, her large glasses would soon reflect off the bright light, making her look like some kind of freak show in the actual yearbook. With a big toothy grin, and her embarrassingly large eyeglasses, she really did look like an elementary student.

Even though I'm going to take off my glasses for this picture, the others really did turn out to be a disaster. If I'm ever to get attention at all in my life, it'll be about how ridiculous I look in these glasses. Why can't I just look like Lara, and not even need glasses at all? I wish I could be as pretty as her...

Jean's wistful thoughts continued as she walked into Gym 1. Looking around at the teachers desperately trying to get the students in order from smallest to tallest, Jean immediately knew where she should be. She was always the smallest kid.

As she walked to her spot, she noticed Lara flirting boisterously with Vince as he seemed to show no sign of approval or attraction. Why didn't he ever care whenever a girl-especially Lara, for that matter- flirted with him? Everyone was always dying to know why Vince acted the way he did...he was always friendly and sociable to everyone, and yet...and yet, whenever a girl would try to get close to him, he would begin to act...weird.

I wonder if Vince and Lara will ever go out together... Jean thought nonchalantly. It just seems that Vince will never be dating anyone, judging by his attitude towards girls... The teenager sighed as she took her seat-the first one, as usual.

It must be nice...