Title: Good Riddance
Rating: T
Disclaimer: Anything anyone ever writes that is Phantom involved will belong to Leroux. Except if, you know, it belongs to someone else.
Summary: (Modern Telling)The final year of high school can be tough, even with the best friends in the world. Christine Daae knows this for a fact. The account of her senior year- new plays, loosing friends and much more. Most importantly, meeting Erik...
Chapter 4- Freckles and Guy
-We're all the same
And love is blind
The sun is gone
Before it shines-
-"Change Your Mind" by The Killers
Charlotte
"And so knowledge is not only the glue of literature but the motivation-" Mr. Lon was saying.
I never enjoyed the second day back. The first day was like a reunion but the second was like a slap in the face. It was the acknowledgment that there was a whole year following.
A year of lit class, calculus problems, history dates to memorize, paintings for art, science projects, and plays to rehearse was in store but I was ready to face it.
I hoped.
In homeroom, I couldn't help but let a yawn slip. Nat elbowed me and I shook my head.
"Sorry," I mumbled. He rolled his eyes. I glanced at Christine who had been moved to a seat in the back of the room, next to Janie. Erik aka Fedora Boy sat in the very back corner of the room, scribbling. His clothing choice was no different than yesterday except he wore jeans, a white shirt and red and black checkered Vans. He didn't seem as morbid as yesterday.
His scribbling intrigued me. I peered over Rayne's desk to get a better look as Mr. Lon wrote useless facts on the board.
There were song lyrics from what I could tell, but I didn't recognize the song. There were little tiny sketches of different things and a few quotes. There was only one thing I noticed that I had seen before.
It was a lyric- "Living is easy with eyes closed". I smiled. The Beatles were gods, saints, and artists- whatever. Anyone who knew a lyric from Strawberry Fields was wicked.
Maybe this Erik wasn't so strange. Sure he covered his face with his hat but maybe he was just insecure or had a bald spot or something.
A loud bell ringing ruined my thoughts.
"Okay, kiddos- Get out of my class, scoot."
I stood and smoothed out my jeans and snatched up my books. There was traffic by the door and I sank into a standing space between Andy and Carly.
As Andy became to chat about the dull lesson, I felt a tap on my shoulder.
"Huh?" I asked, turning around, just barely.
"Hey, Freckles," a male voice said. I thought it was Rayne. I thought it had to be Rayne. "Freckles" had been my counselor name at the Summer Camp we had taught at. I was ready to die.
I spun around, knocking into the speaker.
Nat gave me a cheeky grin. I couldn't help but smile but I slowly said, "Where in the world did you-"
He gave a careless shrug, knocking his brown hair out of his hazel eyes, "I don't know. Maybe this kid happened to let it slip at football practice yesterday."
"He didn't..." I mumbled. Nat gave a perplexed sigh.
"He did."
"Who did what?" Janie asked, waltzing up.
"Nobody did anything-" I said.
"Someone did something-" Nat grinned at the same moment.
Janie rolled her eyes and followed Holden and Andy off to their next class. Carly and James waved goodbye before heading off and Christine gave a small smile before following them as well. Meg, Nat and I walked on.
"Okay, you guys," Meg said, shaking her golden head. "During homeroom, did you guys hear any humming?"
I looked at Meg like she was mad and shook my head, "What the-"
"You know," Nat said, vaguely, scratching his head. "I think I did. I thought it was the air conditioner."
"I don't think so," Meg said, pulling a face. "I think it was someone singing humming, you know? Maybe not, but that is what I heard."
I shrugged, "Oh, well- does it re- Ow!"
Someone and their books had just smacked into me. I jumped back and my notebook and other items fell to the floor.
"Hey!" I said, leaning down and grabbing my things before the feet of the hallways kicked them everywhere.
"Sorry," the person said quickly, leaning down to help. I glanced up and saw Fedora Boy. I froze.
"Oh, sure, it's okay," I said, straightening up. Meg was looking at him oddly and Nat gave a faint smile.
"What happened to you last night?" I asked, quickly. "Where did you run off to?"
He cleared his throat, not looking up, "I uh- I had to leave. Sorry I ran into you."
Before I could say another word, he ran off down the hall. Meg let out a small laugh and Nat just shook his head.
"That kid..."
"I know," I mumbled. "He's..."
"Strange? Odd? Weird?" Meg suggested as we went down the hall. I paused at my turn. I stared after the kid but gave a little smile to Nat and Meg before I left them.
"Intriguing."
"...and so you will need a partner for Chemistry this year," Ms. Rossum was saying. "I know we just got back to school but I want your senior year to be full of exercises getting you ready for college!"
She let out a brilliant, toothy smile and turned to her seating chart. I rolled my eyes at the thought of college but secretly, my stomach knotted. College was just sitting there- waiting to come up as one more issue to think about.
I glanced around the room for potential partners. Carly was in here, as was Janie and Holden and James. Janie smiled and I gave her a questioning look asking if she wanted to be partners. She shrugged and nodded to Holden. I turned to Carly but she and James were already at a Chemistry lab together. I sighed and searched the room.
Everyone seemed to have his or her partners. Except two people. There sat Erik and Rayne.
I sighed and got up, pushing my chair in. I stood before them.
"Do either of you have a partner?" I asked, shrugging a shoulder. Rayne grinned a little and Erik kept his head down but he shook it.
"No, Freckles," Rayne smiled. I wouldn't lie. I had kind of missed that smile. Rayne was charming and had been probably one of the nicest guys I had ever met, but after camp was through, we thought it would be for the best if we didn't meet again.
What happens at Camp Artz, stays at Camp Artz.
I couldn't help but smile a little, "Freckles?"
"You couldn't have forgotten, Charlotte," he said, quietly.
"No, and if I remember correctly, you were not Rayne but called-"
"Please," he said, holding up a hand. "Let's not elaborate."
I smiled, "Are you looking for a partner?"
He nodded, his shaggy blonde hair brushing his face.
I shrugged, "I guess I can oblige."
He grinned, "Thanks, Freckles."
I glanced at Erik whose head seemed to have lowered even more.
"Hey," I said to him. "Do you want to be I our group, Erik?"
He looked up, but I still could not see behind that stupid hat.
"Yes, if you don't mind."
"Sure thing," I smiled. "Anyone who likes The Beatles is welcome in my Chemistry group."
He peered at his binder and then back at me. I knew he was smiling.
Lunch is the most important part of the day. Not only do you get the essentials (food and friends) but it is the time of day you can simply relax. Atleast, it usually was.
But on Day Two of our Senior year, it was more dramatic than anything.
I invited Erik to sit with us because yesterday, he had been pretty cool. He agreed, sweetly.
Not too sweetly, I invited Rayne as well.
We all sat around the table, Carly, Andy and Meg complained, James and Holden shoving their faces, Janie and I chatting, Christine and Nat trying to pry more information from Erik and Rayne simply listening in.
Suddenly, Carly looked up with a devious gleam in her eye.
"Nat?" she asked.
"Hm?" he said, taking a bite of something gross looking.
"When was the last time you got detention?" she said in a tone so sweet, I just knew something was wrong.
He paused, appeared thoughtful and then said, "Last April. Why?"
"What was is for?"
I paused, resting my hand on the table.
"Watch it, Carly," I warned.
She snarled in my direction and Nat realized what she was saying.
"Shove it," Nat rolled his eyes.
"Wait," Janie said, "Wasn't it for wearing that Yankees hat?"
I shook my head. Sometimes Janie was too kind.
"A hat?" Carly said. "You got in trouble for your hat?"
Erik's hands froze.
Carly went on, "So, Erik- have you gotten a detention yet?"
Everyone stopped talking/eating and glanced at Erik, then Carly.
I shook my head, terrible comments to say back racing through my head.
Erik mumbled, "I have a doctor's note."
Carly giggled a bit, "What's wrong with you?"
I opened my mouth and nearly lunged across the table. I was ready to beat the hell out of her.
"Excuse me," someone suddenly said. I turned my head to see Rayne looking perplexed. I raised an eyebrow.
"I know this is a whole different city and school but where I'm from- we don't persist on questions where we are obviously not welcomed."
Carly's jaw dropped, as did Janie, James and Christine's. I grinned and so did Nat.
Carly slammed her tray down and stood. She gave a icy glare to Rayne, "Just because you look like you're the shiz doesn't mean you are. You can't come in here and invade our group. Maybe we don't want you here."
Then, she flipped her hair, and fled the cafeteria.
Janie, looking worried, stood and followed mumbling, "I'll try and call her down."
James nodded and stood, following Janie. Andy turned to Holden, "I do not want to miss this fight."
They all said their goodbyes until Chris, Nat, Meg, Erik, Rayne and I were the only ones left.
"Did Carly just ditch us?" Meg asked, bleakly, yet a bit pleased.
"Wait-" Nat held up a hand, "What I find more important is did Carly just say 'shiz'?"
I laughed and glanced at Erik. I saw another tiny smile.
Then, my gaze passed to Rayne. He was smiling. I mouthed two words, "Thank you".
He nodded, "Sure, Freckles."
The next few days passed faster than I thought they would. By Friday Homeroom, we all were trying to decide what we wanted to go that night and Saturday.
"We've got a football game," Nat sat, gesturing to himself, Holden, James and Andy.
Janie nodded, "I've got to cheer."
Carly gave a shaky glance at Rayne (she had avoided him all week), "I am going to the game."
I turned to Meg and Christine, "I suppose we are going to a football game."
Christine smiled, "To support our friends."
"Naturally," Meg said, glancing at Nat. Christine turned to Erik and Rayne, "Do you guys want to come to the game tonight?"
Rayne smiled, "Sure. What time does it start?"
"Six," Nat said.
Mr. Lon walked into the class, "Okay, open your books to-"
"Erik," I whispered, "Are you coming?"
He paused a minute before shaking his head.
"No," he mumbled. "I've got to work."
"What do y-"
"Ms. Daae," Mr. Lon shouted to the back, causing me to jump. "I'm not sure which one you are right now, but please stop talking."
I nodded and relaxed back.
Erik turned his gaze back to me after a moment and mouthed, "Art, coffee, and books".
I arched an eyebrow and he smiled.
I was left wondering what job possibly allowed you to never show your face.
The football game was alright. I was never much of a sport fan. We won 9-2. Nat made miracle touchdowns and of course, proved he was the King of the School.
We finally got to talk to me at the after-party (at Janie's cheerleader friend Felicity's house).
"Nat!" I said, giving him a big hug. He laughed. "You were so great!"
"Oh, whatever, Lotte," he rolled his eyes, "You weren't even watching."
"Yes, I was!"
He gave me a skeptical look and turned to my sister, "Christine?"
She blushed (the girl could never lie) and mumbled, "I'm getting a drink."
I smiled after her, "Well, you did do good."
He shrugged, "I try. Did you guys have fun?"
I nodded. It had been nice spending time with Christine and Rayne. Thinking of him, I scanned the room. Nat smiled and gestured to Rayne who was standing by the door, looking kind of uncomfortable.
I shook my head, "He's always so charming. I don't know why he's not contributing to the fun."
"Well," Nat considered, "Maybe because he doesn't know a single person here."
I smiled, "That could be it. But I don't think James or Carly like him much. I think Holden and Andy don't really care and Janie is too ditzy to notice him. I just feel like he feels out of place."
Nat relaxed against a table, "Imagine how that kid Erik feels."
I nodded, "Good point. I asked him to come but he had to work."
Nat thought a moment, "Let's do this. My parents are out of town this weekend. Invite both of them over tomorrow night."
"No big parties, Nathaniel," I moaned.
He smiled and slipped a hand on my shoulder, "No big parties."
I grinned and turned to leave, "I'll see you, Nat. Christine will be wanting to get home."
"Later, Freckles," he grinned.
I gave a tiny wave and went to find Christine. She was sitting next to Janie on the couch. Janie was chatting with Felicity and another cheerleader, Deb.
"Hey, Chris," I said. "Ready?"
She gave a big nod and got up. I hugged Janie bye and thanked Felicity. As we neared the door, Rayne yawned but stood a bit straighter.
"Hey," I laughed. He shook his head.
"Hey. Are you guys leaving?" he asked.
I nodded, "Yeah, but Nat wants to invite you to his house tomorrow night," then I said behind my hand, "The party won't be like this one. I swear it."
He grinned, "Sure thing. How to you get to his house?"
I gave him quick directions and told him if he had any other questions to give me a call.
He raised an eyebrow as Christine passed and waved goodbye.
"Is that a pick up line, Freckles?"
I couldn't help but smile.
"Don't get cocky, Guy."
He paled, "You said you wouldn't bring up my counselor name."
I laughed, "No, I didn't, Guy."
He shook his head, "Hey, I wasn't feeling creative that day!"
Waving goodbye, I left the house behind Christine.
Rayne was some guy.