I forgot I had my phone in my pocket until it started vibrating like crazy. It was Nichole. I stopped behind a tree to answer it.
"Hey." I say, slightly out of breath considering I had been marching angrily across campus.
"You okay hun? You sound upset."
It was amazing how she knew me so well. One word and she could tell my mood. I was never going to find a friend like that here.
"Hah, upset, angry, hurt, confused. You name it." I sigh leaning against the tree.
"Wait, you're still upset over what we talked about yesterday?" she sounded concerned.
"I wish. Nope, more stuff happened."
"Spill."
So I did. Again. She was a little more responsive this time. Especially towards the end when I got to how Stark told me to ignore everything.
"You should kick that guy in the balls."
"Don't tempt me." I growl.
"It sounds to me like you need to get out of there."
"Weren't you the one suggesting I give it all a good go? And jump into this whole vampyre thing?"
"And I still stand by that of course," she argues, "but I am sure you're allowed a good night out once in awhile aren't you?"
"I don't really know all the rules just yet…"
"Rules or no rules we'll figure out a way to shake our groove thing out there in Oklahoma."
"I don't have a groove thing, and will veto any shaking." I chuckle finally feeling at ease enough to walk back into the school.
"You say that now…" her voice implied much more then I wanted to dive into.
"Fine, fine. I have to get some breakfast, but have a good night Nichole. And thanks for listening, again."
"Any time hun. Ciao bella."
I flipped the cell closed and slid it into my pocket. I really did not want to walk into a dining hall filled with my peers, face the girl I am supposed to help defeat some great evil with and put on a happy face despite the fact I wouldn't mind if the said great evil ate her for lunch. Nyx wouldn't be too pleased if that happened. Taking a deep breath I pushed open the door and had every intention of walking towards Zoey and her gang when someone called my name from the other side of the room. Taylor was standing and waving me over. It was an escape, and I took it walking as quickly as possible over to his table.
"You look nice." He smiles, pulling out a chair for me.
"Are you saying that cause you mean it, or because you're hoping I won't ask about you running off last night?" I smirk slightly as I sit down.
"Both."
"I can accept that."
I think he was planning on an argument on my part because he looked rather surprised at my response, but lets be honest here. Who was I to judge him for running off? Especially when the topic of his frustration was Stark. If anything I should have learned from his example and stayed away. Far Far away.
"Well these are my friends,"
I followed his index finger as he pointed out the three individuals sitting across from me starting with the guy on the right.
"This is Tad."
He looked like a misplaced surfer, with hair even longer and lighter than Taylor's. He doesn't say anything, but nods slightly, not taking his eyes off my forehead. I should be thankful he's not ogling boobs I guess.
"This is Maverick."
He had dark chocolate skin and sexy golden eyes. Were there any ugly guys here?
"You may call me Rick or Mav for short. Whatever your little heart desires." He says interrupting whatever Taylor was about to say and taking a hold of one of my hands and giving it a light kiss.
"Dude, stop hitting on her. Sorry 'bout him, I'm Cheshire." The third guy hits Maverick's shoulder before turning to me and giving me the widest and biggest smile I had ever seen.
"Like the cat?" I question.
"Damn straight like the cat, do you see his smile? It's blinding, like what happens when you stare at the sun too long." Maverick answers, giving Tad a high five.
"It has been my nick name since I can remember, so when I came here it just seemed like the natural choice." Cheshire said still smiling broadly. He was cute in a nerdy way.
"You forgot to mention how your last name is Khat."
The guys laughed at Taylor's little addition. I didn't see what was so funny; I mean I thought it was endearing.
"Well I think it's cute." I give Cheshire a smile of my own which shuts the rest of the boys up.
"And this is Faith Lauren." Taylor finishes the introductions.
"So the rumors are true then? I figured Taylor was just making you up." Maverick says.
"Definitely not made up."
"You didn't let her even get any food before you called her over here." Cheshire accuses. Taylor gives a weak shrug, before grabbing my hand and yanking me out of the seat.
"Good bye?" I call out.
"You're going to see them again, where else would you eat your food? Standing in a corner?" Taylor chuckles.
"Oh, um nevermind!" I holler, knowing I was just calling more attention then I wanted to myself.
I haphazardly gazed in the direction of Zoey's table while Taylor pulled me along and was not ready for Stark to be sitting there next to her. All of them laughing gaily. It made me want to puke.
"You know what, I'm not very hungry after all."
"Nonsense. You need food. At least a bowl of cereal. My treat."
"You have to pay for meals here?" I ask worried, suddenly aware of the fact I had never actually gotten my own food there before, and I had a sufficient lack of money if payment was the case.
"No, but I sounded chivalrous right?"
I couldn't help but smack him. After piling my tray up with the healthiest looking food I have seen in a long time we walk back to the table. This time I made sure to keep my eyes directly in front of me.
"What took you guys so long? Hmm?" Maverick says, an obvious innuendo in his tone.
"Couldn't decide between the three different kinds of bran cereals. I didn't even know there were three different types of bran!"
"She was pleasantly surprised to find out they don't serve waffles or sausage here." Taylor adds.
"Or any other types of foods with more than 200 calories," I groan. Breakfast was always the one meal I let myself eat those kinds of foods. It jumpstarts the metabolism and kick starts the day, my mom would always say. If I am what I eat, then today I am going to be one bland person.
The guys were chuckling at my sour disposition. I glared at them. I am a girl after all, and I am supposed to eat my feelings. How can I eat my feelings with this crap??
"Faith may I have a few words?"
I was brought out of my melancholy stupor by none other than Erik Night.
"What?" I ask, not really hearing what he had said. I wasn't exactly expecting him to come up and talk to me out of a classroom type setting any time soon. And did I mention he looked good? Kind of how I would imagine Clark Kent when he isn't off being Superman. Maybe I didn't really notice that yesterday considering he was either hating on me, trying to kill me, or trying to make it up to me.
"May I have a few words?" he repeats, more firmly this time.
I didn't hesitate in responding, "Sasquatch, Feminism, Coagulated and Houdini. Take your pick."
"What?" he asks, confused. However, the guys sitting around me at the table got it and start laughing.
"I gave you a few words." I explain taking another dreaded bite of my cereal.
"I would pick sasquatch." Taylor says.
"Nah, definitely coagulated. That just sounds gross." Maverick jumps in.
Erik look annoyed but like he didn't know where to go from there. I rolled my eyes, and stood up. I was over the cereal before I even began eating it anyways.
"Throw away my trash? Please?" I ask the guys before directing my attention to Erik, "Where to?"
"Just follow me." He says. I give the guys a wink and head off after my professor. He didn't take me far; we stopped about a hallway down from the cafeteria.
"I wanted to talk about your participation in my class. You volunteered yesterday, and under the circumstances I ignored you."
He paused, but I had no intention of saying anything. I remembered quite clearly his blatant disregard for me. He continued on, "Again, I apologize. And would like to allow you to participate in today's lesson."
I raised an eyebrow in surprise. I knew he was going to be civil to me from now on but he was going out of his way to be nice. Though he didn't know exactly how much getting on a stage and performing Shakespeare actually meant to me… which was a lot. I couldn't help but feel a small tinge of fondness for this guy.
"I know it's short notice, and I wouldn't expect you to do the scene in a modern manner, you could just explain before hand what the scene is about and…" he actually sounded nervous. And was rambling now. I smiled, genuinely smiled, and placed a hand on his arm.
"That sounds fine." He stopped and focused back on my face.
"I also wouldn't expect you to memorize…"
I cut him off as politely as I could, "Well which scene did you want me to do because I actually have memorized numerous monologues before and I'm sure one of those could suffice."
It was now his turn to look surprised. It was obvious he did not think I actually knew one iota of Shakespeare. But I could hear a small ounce of respect in his tone as he went on, "I was thinking a short comedic monologue, those are always easy to explain. Do you know anything from A Mid-Summer Night's Dream?"
"Act 1 Scene 1, Helena's first little dramatic fit good enough?" I ask, smirking now.
"Perfect. I thought you had just volunteered because of Zoey, I had no idea that…" But I never got to find out what he had no idea about because Zoey called out our names at that exact moment. We both turned and watched her approach us gracefully. She was so beautiful. I wanted to kick her.
"I didn't see you at breakfast Faith." She declares after she gives Erik a kiss on the cheek even though he moved his face purposefully to receive one on the lips. He looked a little annoyed by this, but I don't think Zoey even noticed. Maybe she wasn't a fan of PDA, especially in front of someone who is practically a stranger.
"I was there, ate with Taylor and some guys. They were nice."
"I'm glad you're making friends. You and I still need to talk and get to know each other more." She sounded like a proud mother. Which made me the subordinate daughter, something I was not okay with.
"Here's the thing Zoey," I began, about to tell her I would rather chew my own arm off then get to know her at this point in time. But again someone interrupted my train of thought by calling Zoey's name. Again I turned to see who was coming now and this time my breathing faltered because it was Stark approaching us without hesitation. Like he hadn't pissed me off only an hour or so ago. Like I didn't want to blow him up with my mind. Though all be it he probably didn't really know the latter thought, but he could have put two and two together by the look I was giving him. Then again that would require him to look at me, which he was not. At all.
"You left your book at the table." He says, handing it to her.
"Thank you. You'd think after these last few weeks the least I could do is remember not to leave my things lying about the school."
They all laughed delightedly. I added a small chuckle in the midst. What the hell am I doing here: in between two guys in love with this one girl. I don't think Erik has a clue about what's really going on either. When the laughter subsided I attempted my escape.
"I'm off, see you guys later." Simple, short. Should have turned around and ran.
"We're going to the same class, I can just walk with you." Zoey smiles at me.
Stop smirking you whore. Ugh, I don't want to be anywhere near you right now.
"I was meaning to go back to my room, I forgot something."
"I can still come with you, I haven't seen Aphrodite since last night and it would be nice to,"
"Actually, Zoey could I talk with you before class. I need to ask you something." Erik had interrupted her, and took the focus off of me. Thank Goddess too because I was about to blow up. Maybe Erik had realized that somehow and intervened. In which case I owed him big time. I don't mean to feel this way towards her; Nyx said we were supposed to be working together. But I just couldn't seem to get over my jealousy right now. At least when she was around that overwhelming feeling I usually feel for Stark is almost non existent. But the moment Erik and Zoey had walked off it was back again. I didn't dare acknowledge him, even though I was tempted to comment on the fact his love interest just walked off with her boyfriend. Rub it in his face a little. As appealing as that was, I just took a deep breath and walked away.
I was the first in the classroom. I didn't go to my room, I just said that to try and get away from Zoey. I was reviewing the monologue in my head. Helena was lamenting on Hermia's beauty and the fact Demetrius, the guy who had previously had sex with her and whom she loved, now wanted Hermia, even though she is in love with Lysander. Ironic right? We could just switch some names and it would be my life at this very moment. Minus the sex. When did I get so melodramatic? Oh right, when I became a fledgling. The room filled up quickly, and luckily Taylor took a seat next to me. Unluckily Zoey took the one on the other side of me. This girl just couldn't take a hint.
"Sorry about earlier, Erik had to talk to me. But what if we sit together at lunch and talk then?"
"Taylor already asked me to sit with him, didn't you Taylor?" I nudge him with my foot.
"What?"
"I was just telling Zoey how you had already asked me to eat Lunch with you." I say, giving him a pleading look that Zoey could not see.
"Oh right. Yeah, I did."
"Can you let me borrow her then? It is really important that I talk with her. What if she sits with you at dinner time?"
"I don't think that will really work." I say simultaneously as Taylor throws me to the wolves. "I think that would be fine."
I groan inwardly. "Wonderful. Lunch it is." She grins before facing front again.
"I hate you." I whisper to him as Erik silences the classroom.
"No you don't." he chuckles.
"I know one day is not very long to perfect the modern styles of Shakespeare, so I have decided to push it to Monday. So all of the volunteer's scenes better be perfect by that time. As for today, we will be reviewing monologues. After our volunteer shows us a monologue from A Midsummer Night's Dream, you will each pick your own monologue to break down, dissect the meaning of and practice your own form of meter. Faith would you please do us the honors."
Any talk about the assignment was hushed at the mention of my name. Here goes nothing. I took my place on stage, looking out on all my eager peer's faces.
"Helena's first monologue begins after she finds out her lover Demetrius no longer wants her, but her best friend Hermia who is in love with Lysander. Act 1 Scene 1."
With one final breath I began.
"Call you me fair? That fair again unsay.
Demetrius loves your fair: O happy fair!
Your eyes are lode-stars; and your tongue's sweet air more tuneable than lark to shepherd's ear, when wheat is green, when hawthorn buds appear.
Sickness is catching: O, were favour so, yours would I catch, fair Hermia, ere I go; my ear should catch your voice, my eye your eye, my tongue should catch your tongue's sweet melody.
Were the world mine, Demetrius being bated, the rest I'd give to be to you translated.
O, teach me how you look, and with what art you sway the motion of Demetrius' heart."
The loud applause broke me out of my trance and I bowed, smiling the biggest smile I could. I hadn't been this happy since the last time I was on stage. And I was only up here for a minute at least.
"Now that is what I call acting. You are to all strive for that kind of passion understand? Now start picking your monologues." Erik proclaimed, but not before beaming up at me. I was stunned at the response I received as I came down.
"You were amazing!"
"You could give Professor Night a run for his money!"
"How did you do that?"
"Could you help me with my monologue?"
Overwhelmed I finally found my seat next to Taylor.
"And to think you couldn't get any more popular."
"I'm popular?" I ask him, hesitantly.
"Well in the rumor circuits. What with your mark and all. But now it seems you have talent as well. You're just wowing us here at the house of night."
I smiled sheepishly as he left to go find a book to pick his monologue from.
"You really were quite good." Her voice was soft, and less obnoxious than before.
"Thank you Zoey." I say, actually meaning it.
"I don't know what I did, to make you dislike me, but I hope I can fix it."
"Whatever made you think such a thing?" I ask, my voice suddenly getting an octave higher. I am so bad with confrontation.
"Oh I don't know. You're determination to avoid me or the attempt to get out of eating lunch with me or talking to me. We were fine yesterday; what happened today?"
Okay so she got me. Why does she have to be pretty and smart? Doesn't seem fair. But I couldn't explain to her it was because of Stark. I had only been here for a day, and had no claim to anything, so for me to get that butt hurt over all this is stupid, yes I get it, but it just doesn't feel like a day. Stark hurt me, because of this girl. And I was taking my anger out on her.
"I'm sorry. I am. I let certain emotions get to me, and perfect you seemed like a good person to take it all out on."
"Me? Perfect? Girl we have a lot to talk about." I couldn't help but laugh along with her, because maybe I had over reacted, and maybe Stark wasn't worth my effort or time, and maybe Zoey could actually become a friend of mine. Maybe.