CHAPTER 8 – Now What?!
"Yo, Pipsqueak!" Cole called Ken. "Get me a plate of spaghetti, a pumpkin pie, and a dish of lime Jell-O.'
"I'm not your flunky." Ken answered bluntly.
"Hey. These are my friends" Riley pointed to the entire Varsity team. "So you have to do whatever they order you to do. Understand?" Cole smiled with satisfaction.
"You want the meat loaf surprise too?" Ken asked sarcastically.
"No, thanks. Maybe later" Cole replied. "And hurry up!"
Irritably, Ken made his way to the lunch line for the third time. Portman was there too, getting Averman's lunch.
"This bites! I've been ordered around the whole morning!" Ken complained.
"Join the club! If Averman wasn't my master for the day, I'll hang him upside down in his underwear!" Portman said, reaching for a taco. "See you."
* * *
"I am not going to write you a personal ad!" Averman said, firmly.
Luis was ordering him to write his ad for the paper, as Goldberg suggested. "C'mon, Averman. You're to do whatever I tell you to, remember?" Luis said.
"Yeah, but…" Averman answered.
"Great! Oh yeah, deliver these letters to the recipients." He said, tossing at least seven sealed envelops to Averman, and got up.
"Love letters? Again?! But I just gave some out an hour ago!" Averman said after Luis, who was walking out of the lunchroom. Averman frowned, looking at the envelopes in his hands with disgust, but brightened up when he saw Portman approaching with his lunch tray. "It's about time!"
"I have to wait in the long time, you know." Portman said.
"Whatever," Averman answered, taking a big bite of his taco. "Okay, your next task is…"
"What? Don't I deserve a break?!" Portman complained.
Averman ignored him. "Do my math homework. The one with 10 problem solving questions"
Portman laughed. "Trust me, you don't want me to do that. Not unless you're willing to risk getting a D. Math is not my best subject."
"Good point. Just clean my locker, then."
"I just cleaned it."
"No, no, no. You cleaned my school locker. I want you to do my gym locker this time." Averman said. Portman groaned.
Just then, Fulton and Dwayne came in and approached the Ducks' table. "This master-servant thing is turning out to be a blast, Dude!" Dwayne said.
"Speak for yourself!" Portman said.
* * *
Guy walked out of the lunchroom and decided to look for Connie. He only had twenty minutes left before lunch is over, and he had to ask her before then. He spotted her coming out of the school paper's office with Julie. He figured that she must've brought Edward his lunch or something. Connie and Julie are now hanging out by Connie's locker. Guy felt his heart pounding in his chest. It's now or never, Guy told himself, trying to think confidently.
He walked up to where the girls were standing. "Uh, hi," he said, trying to sound casual.
"Hi Guy." Connie and Julie said.
"I better go. I have to check if Portman needs me or something." Julie said, rolling her eyes. "Bye" she waved at them.
Connie waved back and started gathering her books from her locker.
"Uh, Connie, I know you must really hate me right now." Guy started, casting a glance at Connie, who was patiently listening to him. "But I am really, truly sorry about everything. I know this whole break-up was entirely my fault. I shouldn't have taken you for granted. Now, I've lost one of the best people in my life. And I want you to know that there's nothing going on between me and Sarah. Believe me."
After a few moments, Connie spoke, "I believe you, Guy."
"Really?"
Connie smiled. "Let's just forget all about it and be friends again." she said.
Guy was relieved. He was so happy to have Connie's friendship back. "Thank you." he smiled.
They stared at each other for a while, then Guy finally spoke. "So, Connie, not to change the subject or anything, but I was wondering," he began, staring at the floor. "Would you go to the Valentine's Dance with me next week?"
Connie was shocked, as she wasn't expecting this. It seemed as if it took her about an hour to say anything. Say yes! Say yes! she thought. "Thanks for asking me, but I already have a date." she blurted out. What're you saying? You haven't got a date! her mind is screaming.
Guy felt his heart plunge right down to his sneakers. "Oh, May I ask who?" he asked quietly, trying to hide how upset he was.
"His name is ---- not important. I'm really sorry," said Connie.
"That's okay. I gotta run." he turned and tried to get out of there as fast as he could.
Why did I even ask her! Of course she's going with someone else! His mouth hardened into an angry line as he threw open his locker, took out his own books and slammed it shut. Now Connie will think that he had only apologized to her because he needs a date to the Dance. A total loser. And it's all Charlie Conway's fault!
* * *
What have I done! Connie thought as she watched Guy ran off, obviously upset. The only guy I want to go to the dance with, and I turned him down!
Angry with herself, Connie began thinking of ways on how she'd get herself the date she said she has. Then it hit her. Her Personal Ad. She sighed. "Desperate times calls for desperate measures." she said, reminding herself to visit the EH Weekly office again that afternoon to check on her response box, this time.
* * *
Charlie stood by the corner of the hall, checking for some signs of Violet. When he was sure she wasn't around, he started walking to his next class. He was just a few steps away when he felt a tap on his arm. Charlie sighed. "What is it that you want this time, Violet?" he demanded, turning around.
"An apology," said Guy and he looked angry.
"What? Why?" Charlie asked, looking concerned and confused at the same time.
"Don't play dumb with me, Charlie! You made me ask Connie to the dance, so I did, I hope you're happy now!" he said, starting to leave.
"She said no?" asked Charlie, going after Guy.
"You know, everything was going perfectly fine when she accepted my apology. But then I had to ask her to the dance because you told me to… oh no, I'm sorry, You ORDERED me to! Now Connie will think that I could never have apologized to her if I had someone to go to the dance with!" he practically shouted to Charlie.
"So, she said no?" Charlie asked again.
"What do you think?!" Guy snapped. "And worse, she's going with someone else."
"Guy, I'm so sorry, I didn't know. Honest!" Charlie said.
"Yeah, right!"
"Guy, you have to believe me. I just wanted you guys to go to the dance together." Charlie said. "I was trying to help you get Connie back!"
"Well, mission unaccomplished! You know what, maybe you should try sticking your nose out of my business!" Guy turned and stormed off.
* * *
"Hey squirt!" Riley called from behind Ken, who was hurrying to get to his class before the end of lunch bell rings.
Ken stopped and turned, groaning. "What?"
"I can't find my English composition for the next class in my locker, but I'm pretty sure it's there somewhere. So I want you to go look for it and do some tidying at the same time." Riley said, smiling nastily.
"Isn't your locker on the way opposite end of the hall?" Ken asked.
"You. And it's quite messy to. I suggest you better get started now in order for me to submit my paper in time."
"But I have a class in two minutes and I can't be late!" Ken argued.
"So?" Riley said in a bossy tone.
"Don't you have a free period after lunch? You have like an ample time to look for it yourself." Ken said reasonably.
"Hey, this master-servant stuff is your Duck idea, so don't go complaining! Besides, I have a lot more important stuffs to do with my time" he said.
Just then, Angela Wood, the cheerleader that Riley currently has his eye on, passed by them.
"Look, Rick…" Ken started again.
"I'll be in the school gym. Be sure to get my composition in time." Rick Riley went off, following Angela's direction.
Ken watched him go, helplessly. "Why is this happening to me?!" Ken almost cried.
* * *
"Oh, is the Bash Brother not yet through with his tasks?" Cole teased in a nasty baby talk. "Or is he practicing for his next juggling act?" he laughed.
"Shut up!" Portman snapped, he was trying to balance his books and Averman's books in his arms.
"Oh, I'm really scared!" Cole said, pretending to shake in fear. "Admit it, you can't do it! You're about to give up."
Portman stopped and gave Cole a steely stare. "Are you gonna zip that big fat mouth of yours or do you want me to throw you off like I did in the game?"
Cole stopped laughing and left Portman alone.
Portman let out a laugh and shook his head.
* * *
"Averman!" Luis whispered during Social Studies class.
Averman turned. "Yeah?"
"Pass this note to Beverly." Luis commanded.
"No! I'll get caught again," Averman whispered.
Luis had been passing notes with Beverly the whole period and Averman had been caught twice for being their 'bridge'.
"No, you'll not." Luis assured him.
Averman sighed. "Fine! But this is the last time!" he took the note and casually slipped the note into Beverly's table.
"Mr. Averman," Ms. Jeffries, the Social Studies teacher called.
"Huh?" Averman was startled.
"Please read the last paragraph on page 67."
Averman sighed with relief and began to read. After doing so, he took his seat once again and glared at Luis, who shrugged.
Julie smiled sympathetically at Averman, then she felt a piece of paper being shoved under her elbow. It was a note from Portman telling her to watch the movie that he borrowed with him that afternoon. But before she could write her response, the bell rang.
"So, what do you say?" Portman asked. He, Julie, Connie, Averman, and Luis headed out of the room together.
"What're we gonna watch?" Julie asked back.
"Friday the Thirteenth"
"Forget it. I don't dig those types of flick." Julie said.
"You're gonna watch with me because I am ordering you to." Said Portman.
Julie gave Connie a 'Please-help-me' kind of look.
"Yeah, I think it's a good idea, you can watch at my house since no one's home." Connie offered. Julie gave her a smile. "That is, if you want."
"Great!" Portman said.
"Thanks" whispered Julie.
"No problem."
* * *
Connie hurried on to her locker and got her things together as soon as the final bell rang. She has about five minutes to rush to the EH Weekly office and check her response box before she has to meet Julie and Portman by the stairs.
She peaked through the door to make sure no one's inside the office. When she found that the room was empty, she quickly reached into her response box. She pulled out a fistful of folded papers, all addressed to "Box #6". She stuffed all responses into her bag, and quietly sneaked out of the office.
* * *
"Make yourself at home." Connie told Julie and Portman as she popped the movie into the VCR. "If you need anything, just tell me. I'll be in my room for a while."
"Wait, aren't you gonna watch this with us?" Julie asked.
"Well, it's not my type of film either and I have something to do, so we'll see. But as for now, you two enjoy the movie." Connie ran to her room before Julie or Portman could talk.
As soon as she got to her room, she locked the door, then carefully spread her responses out on her bed. She counted them out. There are about fifteen. She picked up the closest one to her.
She unfolded the letter and frowned. It was written on a piece of paper torn out of a notebook and looked really messy. She tossed the letter into the side and moved on to the next guy.
The letter sounded really nice but quite boring. Plus, they didn't have anything in common. She placed the letter on top of the first one.
She read the rest of the letters but didn't find someone that fits her fancy. She reached for the last letter on her bed, which turned out to be a joke. The handwriting was so messy that Connie could hardly decipher the words. She squinted at the scrawled words, trying to read them. She giggled and put the paper down.
Oh well, maybe I'll find someone tomorrow. She thought. I'd better join Julie and Portman.
* * *
"I'm going now, or do you still have something for me to do?" Ken asked Riley.
"No, you may go." Riley said.
"Gee, thanks." Ken turned, but Riley stopped him.
"Wait, you know Angela Wood, right?" Ken nodded. "Well, do you know who her servant is?"
"Yeah, Greg Goldberg. Why?" Ken replied.
"No reason. Oh, yeah, don't bother reporting for duty tomorrow. I'm getting sick of seeing your face. Now scoot!" Riley commanded.
Ken walked away feeling like he's on top of the world.
* * *
"Is it just me or this movie just ain't that scary?" Julie said, nonchalantly.
"What are you talking about? I'm about to be on the edge of my seat!" Portman said, hugging a throw pillow.
Julie rolled her eyes. "Pathetic." She said under her breath.
Connie laughed and got up to answer the phone.
"Hello? Oh, okay. Julie and Portman are here. Sure. Alright, see you." She hang-up. "That was Charlie. He said the rest of the team is going to the pond."
"What are we waiting for?" Portman said, almost dragging Connie and Julie out of the house.
* * *
"Dude! Pass me the puck!" Dwayne called to Russ. The Ducks had been playing around in the pond for almost an hour that afternoon.
"What's with you today, Dwayne? You keep on saying Dude, all the time!" Adam noticed.
"I can't help it," he replied.
"Man, you're hanging out with Fulton too much!" Averman said.
"Listen guys, Connie and I have to go." Julie said.
"Where're you going?" Ken asked.
"Hang out in Julie's dorm." Connie replied.
"Cool. We're going too." Fulton said, the rest nodded.
"Wait…"
* * *
"Please, guys, behave! Don't trash my room!" Julie pleaded. "And don't touch that!" she scolded Goldberg, who was about to ransack her cabinet. The others have been playing different CDs and trying to dance to the music.
"Pretty room you got here, Catlady." Charlie said.
"Yeah, Dude. It's really clean." Fulton added.
Dwayne stood beside him, nodding approvingly. "Dude." He said.
"Will you cool it with the 'Dude', Cowboy?!" Jesse said, getting irritated with Dwayne.
"Sorry." Dwayne apologized.
"Whoa! Look at the time! My parents are probably looking for me by now." Goldberg said. "I have to go."
"Yeah, us too." Jesse and Averman said. "See you tomorrow." The three of them left together.
"They're right. We'd better go back to our room now." Luis said. Ken and Dwayne nodded.
They were all living in the same floor, along with Russ and Portman. "You coming, Portman?" Dwayne asked, dropping the word 'Dude' now.
"Nah, you three go ahead. Fulton and I are going somewhere."
"Hey, Banksie! I just remembered, you got to buy me a CD." Russ said.
"But Russ, you know, we didn't say anything about servants paying for things." Adam said reasonably.
"But we also didn't say anything about servants NOT paying for things." Russ pointed out.
Adam frowned. "Fine, let's go. Bye guys." He headed out, with Russ trailing behind him.
Guy stood up. "I'm going home. Walk you home, Connie?" he asked.
"Okay. Bye, Jules." Connie said.
"I'll go with you" Charlie said, but Guy acted as if he didn't hear him.
"Bye, Catlady. C'mon Connie." They went out.
Julie and Charlie were the only ones left behind.
"So, Charlie, how was your day?" she asked.
"Don't ask. You know, I really think giggling should be made illegal. If there could be just any way that I could not have Violet as my master," Charlie said. "So how was your day?"
"It wasn't bad. Portman didn't really make me do much. Probably because he was too busy waiting for Averman." They laughed. "You know, Walter Noyce, my servant? He had once mentioned to me that he really wanted to get Violet as his master. Talk about a really weird pair." Julie said.
Charlie shot up from his seat like someone had set it on fire. "I've got it! Thanks Julie!" he ran out.
Julie just stared after him, totally weirded out.
