This is lyokolady speaking, my dahlins! I hope you enjoy this inhumanly large chapter...sorry for making it so long. Jamie's day is very complicated and I had to end it somewhere where you could get a good long chappie off Morgan:D So enjoy this loevely chapter. Really brings out the evil in some people and the niceness in others.
Chapter 4: Sissy's Scheme
My sister had to be the nicest person in the world, letting me go to sit with Odd and his friends. Truthfully, I hadn't wanted her to let me go. I was shaking beyond belief at the thought of being over at his table. And for the fact that Odd made him scoot over so I'd sit next to him was even more frightening…but I love it.
"Okay, Ulrich, you remember Jamie," Odd grins, waving Ulrich.
Ulrich smiles and nods. "Yeah, hey."
Stupid cheeks…there they go again. Say something you prat, say something! "Um…I'm Jamie."
Oh my gosh…I did not just say that! I duck down and I can feel my eyes burn hotter than my cheeks. To my surprise, Ulrich is laughing. Why is he laughing? He must think I'm an idiot! A huge idiot!
"I think I got your name down but…pleasure to meet you again, Jamie," Ulrich says.
What? He…he doesn't care? He was…joking with me! YES!
I finally have enough courage to look up to see the rest of the people. There's Jeremie, Yumi, and Aelita as the people I haven't met before. After the introductions, the group begins chatting.
"So guys, what're the plans for the weekend?" Odd asks eagerly.
Nothing…nothing…and nothing. The most I'll do is hang out with Gen. What a life…but my sister's worth it.
"Actually, I'm planning on going swimming," Yumi said.
I look so scrawny is a swimsuit…and ugly. I hate showing skin too. Everyone used to make fun of my scrawny self at my old school…it can't happen here. It won't happen here.
I look to Ulrich to see what he thinks. If I'm lucky, I'll be able to hang out with him! Oh no…he's smiling…and nodding.
"That sounds fun! Why don't we all go?" Ulrich suggests.
Jeremie shakes his head. "No way. I have some programs to run for Ly-"
I look up fast as Yumi elbows Jeremie and all the others shoot him a look. Jeremie blushes and grins sheepishly. "I…just have some stuff to do that's all."
Aelita nods and looks at me. Don't say anything…
"So, what're you doing over the long weekend, Jamie?" Aelita asks.
Oh no.
"Um…nothing really. I might just hang with my sister," I say. What a lame answer. A lame answer.
The bell rings and everyone stands. Of course I stand with them and walk with them to our next class. Odd walks next to me. "Why don't you come swimming with us, tomorrow?"
"I-I…can't. I have plans," I say. Boy am I stupid. I should've just stayed with Genevieve.
Ulrich turns to me. He's so cute…but why does he have to talk to me about this. "I thought you just said you were just going to hang with your sister."
"Oh-oh…well, I-what I mean is-" My cheeks are on fire. I can't do this. I really can't do this. Why did I ask myself what it would be like to branch out, hm? Why? Why? Why?
Aelita, beautiful, awesome Aelita comes to the rescue. "I think hanging with her sister might be too important to her, right?"
Yes…yes! "Yeah…it is. I mean, it is! Of course! My sister and me need to bond. I mean, you got to love your siblings right?"
"Sure," Ulrich mutters sourly and walks off with Jeremy.
Oh no…did I make him mad?
Odd shakes his head. "Don't worry about Ulrich. He doesn't have a good relationship with his older brother."
"Oh," I nod.
Odd walks with me longer. "So what's really bothering you?"
"Nothing…" I say.
Odd laughs and puts an arm around my shoulder. AGH! A boy is touching me! And it feels…kind of nice… "Oh come on…I can see past that cage anytime."
"Am I…that obvious?" I say.
Odd laughs…nice laugh. Not like Ulrich's…funner, livelier.
"Just a little," he says.
"I'm just…really, really shy, that's all," I blurt out.
"Ah ha, but you didn't seem to have a problem trying to get rid of me earlier did you?" Odd asks.
No…I didn't. Why is that?
"Well, that was…different."
"Different how?" Odd asks.
"Different like…uh…"
"Right."
We head to class in silence and the rest of the day seems to go on horribly boring. But it was okay because I got to stare at Ulrich's head in most of my classes…and Odd was a constant companion throughout it all.
The last class finally came up and I landed sitting next to Sissy.
"Hey, brat," she says the second I sit down. I try and ignore her, but my face is in flames again.
Sissy leans across. "You see, I have a problem."
"Oh?" I say.
"You are friends with my man," she continued.
You mean…MY MAN! If I ever had enough backbone to say so.
"And I don't like that. So, you have to tell Ulrich that you think he and all his friends are the worst people on earth and that you will never be their friends again, okay?" Sissy asked.
I laughed. All I could do was laugh. She had nothing on me. I had nothing wrong with my past, no secrets to keep. Sissy had no idea what she was talking about.
"You laugh now…see me after class or I'll do something that'll break your friendship with them…and your sister's friend, William," Sissy grinned.
I froze for a moment. What was she talking about? Genevieve didn't even like William did she? But…what if she did? If I did something to ruin Genevieve's first friend…thing…she'd kill me.
I spent the rest of class mulling this over. It was a lose lose situation. But first I had to know all the facts.
The bell rang and I raced out of the room. Odd called after me but I ran and ignored him. After this, I doubted he would be my friend anyway. Whatever Sissy had to say it wasn't good.
I looked around, trying not to make eye contact. I didn't like looking at people directly in the eyes. I wouldn't know what to say if they spoke to me.
Finally I found her, standing by a tree with some weird looking boys. Great, more boys. More being uncomfortable. Curse myself for being so shy…
"Alright Sissy, what is it?" I ask.
"You're sister is going on a date with William later as I understand by my sources," Sissy said, grinning deviously.
I frown. "No…they're just studying together."
Sissy roles her eyes. "Come on, are you as dense as Odd?"
"Odd isn't-"
"Whatever. Come on. She's hanging with William, a romantic in all type of talk. Something's bound to happen," Sissy said.
But Gen…
"My sister isn't the…guy going kind of girl, Sissy," I said.
"Well, looks like William's got her mind changed," Sissy shrugged. "Anyways, back to the point. I don't want you hanging around with Ulrich or Odd or any of them anymore. I mean, why should they be your friends? I've known them longer and they haven't let me in the group."
Maybe because you're such a jerk… "Well, you can't just force me to give up the only friends I have!"
"Yes, I can."
I glare at Sissy. Who does she think she is? "How?"
"Easy. I can ruin your sister's relationship by telling William that Yumi about his new friend. She may like Ulrich but she's still mulling it over with dear William. She'll be mad, all right. And then I she can relay the news back to her friends and they won'' want to associate with the girl whose sister stole William! It's flawless," Sissy smirked.
Oh no…she was right! She COULD ruin it for me! And more importantly, she could ruin it for Gen too! I can't believe this is happening. Tears sting my eyes and I run away.
"You do it or I will!" Sissy screamed after me.
I couldn't face them now. I just met them this morning! I just…I just got new friends. And now they were going to hate me. But I had to say something. I had to. I couldn't let stupid Sissy hurt my sister.
I hid in the bathroom for a few hours before I finally came out and began walking slowly down the hall to my doom.
I hate my life. I hate it I hate it!
And then I see him. Ulrich stands out above the rest (well, besides Odd and his hair, of course) with his cool attitude. There he's standing with Jeremie, Odd and Aelita. Yumi…I think is a day border so she's already home.
I realize it might be a good thing. She'll hear my rejection from another source. And she won't have to get up in my face. Something about her made me feel she would.
I stop in front of Ulrich with my head lowered. I hear him say my name. I like how it sounds with his voice but I push the thought aside. He's going to hate me.
"Ulrich…I don't like you."
"…what?"
"I don't like you. I hate you! In fact, I hate you all! You all are such jerks! I can't believe I even thought I could be friends with freaks like you!" I was crying and yelling at the same time by now. And now that I hate started, I couldn't stop. "You're so stuck up and snobby and full of yourselves that it's unimaginable!"
I look up and wish I hadn't. Ulrich's calm face had twisted into a nasty scowl. His sharp brown eyes were driving into to mine so hard, it's unbelievable that I'm not bleeding right at this second. Jeremie looked astonished, slowly reaching up to tip his glasses down and stare at me. I shiver at Odd's gaze. He, too, looked surprised but he was slowly shaking his head in disbelief. Aelita looked as just as unforgiving as Ulrich, just a little lessened then him.
I nod curtly and spin around, walking away. I run. I can't help it but run and cry. What have I done? What…have…I…DONE?
My only solitude would be with my sister…but we were just separated into two different rooms as I was told. She said she'd move my stuff…
I go and sit by the trunk of a tree, sobbing. What could I do? I can't face my sister! I can't!
"Jamie, right?"
I look up to see William. "Yeah? What?"
This guy better be good to her…or I'll-
"I was just waiting for your sister. We're going out."
"I'm very happy for you," I reply shortly. Wow…where did that come from? I've never been so rude…it must have rubbed off on me after I had to tell off Ulrich.
"Well…I just want you to know…I'm going to be good to her," he said.
A mind reader…wow.
"I really care about her. I think she could be really nice even…under that feisty mask she has on," William continued.
Sissy was right…he was a romantic. That made me feel so much better. My sister might even be happy.
I sniff and move to stand to find a hand in my face. I look up and manage a weak smile. My sister will be happy. This was all worth it…I suppose. "Thanks…"
"Hey…are you all right?"
"Fine…I…gotta go. I'll tell Genevieve to hurry up," I say.
"Oh…okay," William says as I walk off.
I'm near tears again but I wipe my eyes and put on a strong face, heading to my sister's new room. I knock.
"Okay, we were supposed to meet at the bench, why are you-" My sister opens the door and sees me. She drops her shoe and drags me into the room.
"Jamie, what's wrong? What happened?" she asks.
I love her so much for this. And William was right…she was really nice under her exterior. I knew it all along, I think…but I guess it takes a social meltdown for one to really appreciate their family.
I didn't want to go to my new room. This one had the scent of my sister and home…I didn't want it to go away. "I don't want to talk about it. But…Could I just hang out here for the night, please?"
Gen nods and I want to hug her.
"Yeah. I can stay here with you. It'll be great, I hooked up a TV, and I can go check out some movies at whatever rental place is convenient, and we can have fun," Gen says, looking at me expectantly.
I bite back another grateful sob. I can't tell her. And she's got to be happy! "No, it's all right. You…You were going out, weren't you?"
"Well…"
She shouldn't try lying to me. I am her sister after all…lying can't get through me. I frown. "It was William. I just remembered."
"He told you!" My sister stiffens and crosses her arms. I sigh. Same old Genevieve.
"I ran into him in the courtyard below. I asked him what he was doing, and he said waiting for you."
"Lovely."
"He really likes you, Gen."
"I know. He told me. He also told me how beautiful I am."
That I'm surprised about. This guy was really forward. But I think it's this kind of difference that'll keep Genevieve interested. "Wow. And not even to the first date yet."
"Uh-huh, and right after that he told me how stuck-up I am." I laugh. William sounded like a really interesting guy. Actually, he kind of reminds me of Odd…I already miss him.
"Okay, tell me."
I look at my sister again and tears begin to form. Luckily the lights are slightly dimmed so she can't see. But I can't tell her. She would call me stupid and make me regret ever helping her. So I won't.
"No. And that's the only 'no I'm going to say, so don't expect me to start a 'yes' 'no' match, cause I'm not really in the mood for it right now, 'kay?"
My sister glares at me and folds her arms. I shake and I want to cry again. I can't have my sister angry with me either! I need her! No…I need her more than anything! But I understand why she is mad…I usually tell her everything. I never not tell her…maybe when we're old and gray I'll say something about this…when she's more forgiving.
"Fine. Well, I have to go." Gen says, her voice almost as painfully hard as Ulrich's stare.
I sit crossed on her bed as she opens the door, her back facing me. "Gen…don't be mad."
And she left without another word. The second her feet were far from hearing distance, I cried and cried.
How could this have happened? How could I have screwed this up? I knew I shouldn't have spoken to Odd! Gen was right! Boys are rotten scum that mess around with our brains…and Sissy is too!
I curl up into a ball, and eventually fall asleep.
Hours later I hear my sister come in.
"Hey," I say. I hope she still isn't mad…
She looks flustered and giddy almost. "Hey…"
"So…are you going to tell me about your date?"
"I…" Gen suddenly looks at me fast. "Not until you tell me what happened with you."
I bit my lip. "I guess I'll never know then…"