Chapter 3
"And you know what…stop laughing you idiot!" I screamed in the phone while my stupid brother continued laughing.
"I'm sorry, kiddo. But honestly…I wish I was there," Chase said before he burst into laughter again. I glared at my backpack even though I knew he couldn't see it.
"Shut up!" I growled. His laugh slowed down and then came to a stop. "He's so infuriating!"
"All he did was look at your sketchbook and sit beside you at lunch!" Chase argued.
"My art is personal and he didn't even ask! And he knew I wanted to sit alone at lunch. I made it clear. And you know what? He freaking swaggered when he left like he freaking owned the freaking school!"
"Nice vocabulary," he snickered. At my growl, he stopped. "Okay, so just ignore him then."
"That's what I'm going to do. Stupid freaking idiot."
"You have any classes with him?" Chase asked.
"Just art and gym. I didn't see him in English so I guess that's it."
"So other than that eventful thing, anything new happen?" Chase asked and I heard some shuffling on the other line.
"Are you working on an essay?" I asked playing with the phone cord.
"Yup, I have to write essay on this book we're doing."
"Haha…sucks to be you."
"Shut up."
I snickered. "Nothing else happened."
"Did you try out for the Jr. Volleyball team yet?" Damn…I was hoping he'd forget about that. "I bet you thought I forgot."
"Tryouts are next week." How did he know I was thinking that anyways?
"I'm your brother. Known you since you were born, kid. I know what you think." Whatever.
"Don't 'whatever' me, kid."
"GET OUT OF MY HEAD!" I yelled and he started laughing again. Muttering a quick goodbye, I put down the phone. Almost as soon I put it down, it began ringing. I bet you anything it's him again. I picked up the phone. "Dammit, stop calling me. You laugh at me too much."
There was a pause. "Don't feel so special, goth. I wasn't calling for you. But you're right. I laugh at you too much."
Argh…
"Hiwatari, don't you have anything better to do then to call here? Like playing tonsil hockey with the slut you call a girlfriend?"
"Jealous?" I can just see the smirk he's giving off right now. Jackass.
"You wish." I removed the phone from my ear. "ADRIAN!"
"What now?"
"Phone!" Not bothering to check if he picked it up or not, I slammed it down. I stretched for a minute and then opened my backpack to check the homework. Hm…English and art. I took out my sketchbook and started sketching.
-:-
I rubbed my temple and sighed. Thankfully, today was the last day for the volleyball unit. I hadn't gotten hit with the ball that many times today. We played with the guys so we had the same teams as yesterday. The try-out posters had gone up in the morning today announcing that the volley-ball try-outs were next week for sure. Right now, I was staring at one of them, thinking if I should really go or not. I could always lie to Chase and say I tried out but didn't make it. But then again, even if I showed up, one of my brothers would be there and they'd tell Chase so he'd know.
"Gonna try out?" At the voice, I jumped and dropped all my papers on the floor. Turning around, I glared at the person. Him again. Without answering, I bent down but he bent down to help. Not caring which paper went where, I just jammed them into my binder.
I tried to walk away. Notice I used the word tried. He followed me yet again. "So, you're gonna try out right?" He asked again.
I stopped and turned to him.
"Look, why won't you just leave me alone?" I hissed and he just smiled, unfazed.
"Does this annoy you?" He asked finally.
"YES!"
A pause and he looked away and I almost felt bad. Almost.
"Good," he said simply. "I'll keep on doing it till you give in then."
"Why the hell are you so goddamn desperate?" I growled.
"No one likes to be a loner, Carter."
"Well I do, so leave me alone!" I hissed and walked away. Thankfully, he didn't follow me this time. Grumbling about stupid evil boys, I sat near my locker and opened Shattered Mirror by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes and started reading. I loved her books. They seemed to defy reality. I got hooked onto her when I read her first book that she published when she was just thirteen. I love her books.
I don't know how long I was reading that book for. But just as I reached the ultimate climax…the bell rang. Can you believe it? It went just as I was about to read what Christopher and Nikolas were about to do with Sarah. I put the book in my locker and walked to Art. Just then I realized who would be in my class. Seeing his face right after lunch was not a healthy choice for me.
I opened the door and went in. Surprisingly, a lot of people had taken art this year. Last year, there were only about 15-20 people. This time though, there were atleast 30 people. I think people realized that you don't do any work in this class and it is an easy A. I rolled my eyes at the thought. Yeah right. I took my sketchbook out of my bag and opened it to the latest sketch I had started. Picking out a good color, I started coloring it in. I heard chairs shuffling nearby as the warning bell rang.
The teacher, Ms. Suh, came in last. She put down a stack of papers on the desk. I put down my color pastel and looked up. Ms. Suh was a petite Japanese woman. She was fresh out of university and this was her first job.
"Alright, I do have your marks for the painting projects and I have to say I was surprised by quite a few of them. All of them were good and creative though there are some that some minor mistakes. One or two of you decided not to listen when I read the instructions but other than that, every one of them was fantastic." At this point, she was giving the mark sheets. She paused at our table, gave me my mark sheet as well as another girl and then went on the next table.
I looked at my sheet and grinned. I got 56 out of 60. Almost perfect. I was pretty sure I had the highest mark. After Ms. Suh had given away all the mark sheets, she came to my desk.
"Riona, could I speak to you after class?" I nodded wordlessly. After that, class went pretty fast. She had given us free time so I finished my sketch in the mean time.
As the other students walked out, I stood near her desk and waited for her to begin.
"Riona, as you might already know, you're one of my best students." I nodded and she continued. "And you also know that we have a new student," she said, gesturing to something behind me. I turned around and was pretty surprised to see Mr. Hotshot standing behind me. His gaze shifted to me and then he looked away again.
"So?" Please don't say what I think you're going to say. Please.
"I want you to catch him up in this class. I know I may be asking a lot from you," she said. No kidding, I thought. "…but we're going to be starting the portrait sketches next week and he'd do horrible in it if he didn't knew the basics."
So? I don't give a shit. I looked at him and then back at her.
"Please?" She added. I sighed and nodded.
"Fine, whatever. Okay, then wait, if I were to 'tutor' him as you put it; can I earn my volunteering hours doing this?" I asked. Hey…if I'm going to do this, I need something out of it too. Ms. Suh's face broke out in a smile.
"That's a wonderful idea!" After she scribbled me a note for my next class, I walked away. I heard a voice calling my name behind me. Apparently I didn't walk fast enough. I turned around reluctantly.
Mr. Hotshot caught up and we started walking together. I know…it's surprising but whatever.
"So what days can you tutor me?" He was grinning as he said this. I narrowed my eyes at him.
"You are enjoying this, aren't you?" His laugh was my answer and I gritted my teeth. "Didn't I tell you at lunch to leave me alone?"
"Yeah but I can't…I need to be 'caught up'," he said giving me a smirk.
"Argh…fine. I'll tutor you. When can you make it tomorrow at the library?" I asked him.
"School library or the public one?"
"School."
"After school, I can stay for as long as you want."
"Okay then. I'll see you tomorrow after school." Not waiting for a reply, I walked away. I checked the clock on the wall. Most of period 4 had passed. I don't wanna go to my next class. Only 30 minutes left anyways so I just went to the library.
-:-
After school, the weirdest thing happened to me, you know. I was at my locker when all of a sudden this girl comes to me. I had noticed her a few times hanging around with Adrian and his crew and surprisingly, she wasn't one of the airhead bimbos.
"Aren't you Devon's twin?" She asked. "Rihanna?"
"Riona," I said correcting her. I put my books in my locker and took out my novel.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Riona…that's a pretty name," she said trying to make conversation and horribly failing.
"Mhmm…now, I'm sure you didn't waste all that time to just get my name right. So…what do you want?"
"Well…Adrian and I were talking about you," she started and I froze. I just stared at her, gaping like a fish.
"What the hell?" I burst out. She shrugged.
"Well, it was more like me and Noelle, but Adrian was there too. And Noelle was asking about the Winter Musical," she said, tucking in a strand of dark auburn hair.
"Wanna tell me how this relates to me?" I asked, getting impatient.
"Adrian said that you sing."
Again, I could do nothing but just freeze. How the hell does that jerk know anyways?
"Well, apparently, he heard you last year during that carnival that was hosted by the church." At my blank look, she elaborated. "Last year in July? Remember, the church was raising money for donations or something and you volunteered to sing for the little kids?"
My face paled. Oh shit. Adrian was there? And he didn't even tell me? How the hell did I not see him there?
"So…?" I'm pretty sure my voice cracked but I didn't let anything on.
"Well…we're currently auditioning for the Winter Musical if you want to try out. I'm co-director of the Musical."
"No thanks. I don't do musicals." I said walking away. I seem to do that a lot these days, ne?
Unfortunately, she caught up with me. "Please, just come to audition!"
"Am I the only person who sings in this school? Besides, I'm not good. I'll wreck your show." I was gonna kill Adrian for this.
"Just give us a chance. Please." I stopped and so did she.
"Look, I don't know what sick joke Adrian is trying to pull by telling you about me," I hissed. She tried to protest but I didn't give her a chance. "So let's get one thing clear, I am not going to go up and make a fool of myself like you all want me to."
Not waiting for an answer, I left.
-:-
By the time I reached home, I was shaking with fury. Adrian had no right to tell them about my singing. Not bothering to knock, I opened his door and found him sitting on the computer. He looked surprised that I came in his room. I never come in his room. No matter what.
"What the fuck are you playing at?" I growled. He looked taken back for a moment.
"What are you talking about?" He asked confusingly.
"Don't act innocent on me, Adrian. Why didn't you tell me you were at the carnival last July?" He gave me a blank look before he realized what I was talking about.
"I didn't think it was important. What's the big deal anyways?" He asked shrugging uncaringly.
"The big deal is that you didn't have to blab it out to people," I said narrowing my eyes at him, giving him a heated glare. Too bad he didn't notice.
"You mean about what I said to Noelle and Mariah?" He asked looking at me. At my sharp nod, he continued. "What's your point? They needed people to audition so I said you sing."
"Did you even ask me if I wanted to audition or not?" I shouted.
"Look," he said, his patience growing thin. "Just because I said you sing doesn't mean you have to audition."
As much as I hated to admit, he was right. It wasn't like I had to audition. I gave a soft sigh.
"Whatever. Just don't do it again," I said finally and left.
-:-
Grudgingly, I took out my sketchbook and headed towards the library where I was supposed to tutor Blondie. Entering, I located him near the back tables with his sketchbook and pencils. I walked there and took a seat without saying anything.
I showed him various sketches of mine and showed him different techniques to get a certain effect. He was catching on quickly so atleast that was in my favor.
"So, are you gonna try out for the Winter Musical?" He asked looking at me. My hand froze but I didn't look up. After a second, I continued as if I hadn't heard him. Unfortunately, he didn't let it go like I wanted him to. He repeated and I ignored him again. He let out an impatient sigh before grabbing my hand.
"Let go."
"Answer my question and I will."
"No, I'm not auditioning, okay?" I hissed giving a glare. He nodded and let go. We were silent for a moment.
"Why not?" He asked.
"I came here to catch you up on what's been happening in class not to tell you about my personal business."
"Why can't you ever accept that someone wants to be your friend?" He asked, impatiently. I narrowed my eyes at him. Why the hell was he giving me attitude? "You can't expect people to never notice you, Riona."
I shot him a heated glare but he ignored it.
"Look Blondie, I don't know who the hell you think you are but just because you're Devon's friend, it doesn't give you the right to criticize what I do," I spat. "And as for getting people to notice me, I have lived until now and I can survive three more years."
I was pissed. He had no right to say that. I stood up, gathered my stuff and left without waiting for an answer. He doesn't even know me. Who is he to tell me I need friends? I don't need anyone. I was fine before and I'm fine now. I don't need him and I don't need anyone. I slammed my locker door and walked away. The halls were pretty deserted. It was pretty late and unless you're on a sports' team, no one would be here. I checked the time. It was 4:30. Sighing, I started on my way home.
And as for the tutoring, forget it. I don't care anymore.
OMG! I got six reviews! YAYNESS! Hehe...so yeah...thanks for the reviews guys and keep it coming! Thanks a LOT to: SamSam-aka-Sam, dark Alley, Rene Miashi, WalkingDeathWish, and Jinxce. A special thanks to Jinxce for leaving me reviews for Chapter 1 AND Chapter 2. I hope you guys like it!
Also, a special thanks to all who added this story to their favorites list and put this story on story alerts. You guys rock my slippers off!
-:-Jaded Reflection-:-
P.S. Tala finally comes out in the next chapter..promise ;)
