Chapter Six

Monday mornings always come around too quickly. I realized that this had been a pretty crazy weekend. I went from not even having a potential boyfriend to ending up with a pretty cool guy. Unfortunately, his sister is a wack job who hates me, but hey, who hasn't had to deal with that before?

I rolled out of bed and stumbled to the shower. After standing under the hot water for fifteen minutes, I felt slightly more awake. After I dried off, I went back into my room to pick out my first-day-at-school-as-Adam-Pike's-girlfriend outfit. Today was an important day. It was like a debutante ball, introducing myself to the school as dating Adam for the first time. I picked out a pair of dark denim bootcut jeans, a pair of Mary-Jane type heels and pink and white empire waisted long tshirt. After I dried my hair and did my makeup, I went downstairs to have some breakfast.

I had a game plan in mind now. I wasn't going to let Vanessa treat me like crap. I had some lines in mind to use in case she started up on me. I decided that I wasn't going to risk missing out on something potentially good with Adam just cause Vanessa wanted to act like a spoiled brat. It was time for Charlotte Johanssen to grow up, get some confidence and stand up for herself.

"Hello!" Becca. She was meeting me at my house before Adam came to pick both of us up for school.

"Hi friend." I greeted her, setting my bowl in the sink.

"Ready to face the world?" Becca joked, grabbing a granola bar out of the cupboard. "You look really cute today, too!"

"Thanks, I was hoping to!" I said, ducking into the bathroom off the kitchen to brush my teeth.

"You nervous for today?" Becca asked, leaning against the door.

I spit into the sink. "Yes." I admitted. "But I'm not going to let Vanessa ruin this for me. I like Adam, and he likes me, and that's all that really matters."

"Exactly." Becca said as I gulped down a cup of water. "She's just a bitch who doesn't matter, so what she says doesn't matter either!"

I dried my hands as I heard a vehicle pull into the driveway. "I think Adam's here." I told Becca.

"Yeah, it's him." She said, peering out the window. I grabbed my jacket and backpack and followed Becca out the front door. Adam was just getting out of the truck to come and get us. He grinned when he saw us walking across the yard.

"You girls are fast." He said, wrapping me in a hug. "How are you?" He asked, kissing me.

"Mmm... I'm good, now." I teased after we broke apart.

Becca rolled her eyes. "You guys are disgusting." She said with mock distaste, as she climbed into the passenger seat. I laughed and climbed into the middle seat though the drivers door, and Adam climbed in after me.

"You look super hot today, too." Adam murmured, kissing my cheek. I blushed and squeezed his knee.

"Seriously, you guys are gross!" Becca laughed. "Honeymoon stage or what?"

Adam laughed. "I can't help it if she looks hot!" He answered. "I'm just doing what's natural, that's all."

We parked in the student parking lot at SHS and climbed out. Adam immediately took my hand, and as soon as he did that, I noticed several students looking at us. It's a small school, and everyone knows who Adam is, and everyone knows that Vanessa and I used to be friends. Everyone also knows that they didn't see Adam and I hanging out at school before we started dating. Most couples, you can tell when they will start dating, cause they spend all their lunch hours and breaks together. Adam and I didn't, so it worried me that people might think we moved too fast. But part of the new Charlotte Johanssen is not caring what other people think of me.

"Don't worry." Adam whispered into my ear as we walked into the front doors. It's like he can read my mind already.

I smiled up at him. "I'm fine, it will all be okay." I assured him. We walked up the stairs and ended up in the 'senior's hallway'. It is what it sounds like, it's where the senior class, and their friends, hang out. Most of them were already hanging out on the benches- Jeff Schafer, Jordan Pike, Corrie and her brother Sean, Shea Rodowski, and the Sluts. Becca gave me a look as we joined them. I noticed Tiffany and Kerry giving each other a look as well.

"Hey guys." Jordan greeted us.

"Welcome to our humble home, girls." Shea added with a grin. "I guess you guys had a good weekend, huh?"

Adam grinned at me. "Yeah, it was pretty decent." He joked, squeezing my hand.

"This is definitely an... interesting match." Kerry remarked, indicating at Adam and I. "You must of had a lot to drink at the party, Adam!"

"Why would I need to be drunk to end up with a gorgeous girl like Char?" Adam asked.

"Well, you just sort of... run in different circles, that's all." Kerry said, fake sweetness dripping off her words.

"Well, now we run in the same circle, don't we Kerry?" I said, the same phony sweetness dripping off my words. I heard Becca snicker beside me.

"I think it's awesome." Shea declared. "I like Adam, I like Charlotte... I even like you, Becca." He added teasingly.

"Plus, you guys would end up with some pretty good looking kids, if I do say so myself." Jordan said with a grin.

"Not as cute as ours though, right, honey?" Tiffany cooed, cuddling up to Jordan.

"Shoot me if I am ever that disgusting." I hissed to Becca. She laughed loudly and Tiffany glared at her.

"Good morning every-" a voice started behind me. I turned around, and saw Vanessa and Haley. I almost turned back around, but then I remembered the NCJ (New Charlotte Johanssen) and smiled at them.

"Morning, girls." I said pleasantly. They exchanged a dumbfounded look, and then walked past me to the other side of the group.

"Thank you." Adam whispered into my ear. I smiled at him. It might work out after all.

"Did you guys hear about the Rihanna concert coming to New York?" Haley asked everyone. "In January. I sooo want to go!"

"Oh, I love her!" Becca exclaimed.

"Me, too!" Haley agreed. Then, suddenly, both girls realized who they were talking to and stopped smiling. Becca cleared her throat and changed the subject.

"I have class upstairs, I better start heading up there." She said. "See you at break, Char."

"What about me?" Adam said with a fake pout.

"And me?" Shea added.

Becca laughed. "Okay, I guess I'll see you guys too." She said with a grin. "See you later."

"You have class down here?" Adam asked me. I nodded. "Me, too. Want me to walk you?"

I smiled. "You bet."

"Okay, guys, we'll see you later." Adam told everyone as we walked down the hallway. We stopped outside of 102, math, and Adam kissed me goodbye.

"See you at break." He told me, kissing me again.

"Come on, guys." a voice came from behind us and tapped Adam on the shoulder. "PDA is so Naley."

Adam looked dumbfounded. "Huh?"

Mr. Ross laughed. "If you stick around this girl, you'll have it figured out in no time." He said teasingly. "Seriously though, you know the rules."

"Okay, okay." Adam sighed. He squeezed my hand instead and gave me a wink. "See you soon."

"Bye." I said with a smile, then ducked into my classroom.

I really don't like math. I'm not horrible at it, but it's not one of my better subjects. My mother says I'm just like my dad, and only like numbers if there is a dollar sign in front of them! That's why I don't mind our accounting unit I guess!

Most Monday morning classes drag on, but today's class was especially long. I zoned out a few times during Mr. Ross's extra-long explaination on Pythagoras' Theorem. I hadn't had time to use the washroom before coming to class, and Mr. Ross is a huge stickler about leaving the room during class, so I had to wait... and wait... and wait. Finally, the bell rang, signaling the end of first period, so I quickly gathered up my books and rushed out of the classroom. I ducked into the bathroom on my way to my next class. After locking myself in a stall, I heard footsteps coming in.

"I really don't know why you're freaking out about this so much." It was Haley. I held my breath and listened intenetly to her.

"Because he's my brother, and she's... her!" The other voice, Vanessa, spewed. "I don't like her, she's no good for him!"

"Why not?" Haley asked. "I mean, really Ness... She's a pretty good girl. And she sure has gotten gorgeous over the last year."

"I cannot believe you're standing up for her!" Vanessa exclaimed. "You're supposed to be my friend!"

"Yeah, and we were supposed to be her friends too." Haley stated. "I don't know about you, but I'm getting tired of hanging out with Kerry and Tiffany. The novelty has definitely worn off, and I miss the simple life. Plus, my parents won't even let them come to my house! I miss having friends I can actually invite over!"

"Well, why don't you just go and invite Charlotte over then." Vanessa snapped.

"Maybe I will!" Haley shot back. I heard the door open and shut.

"Bitch." I heard Haley mutter. Then I heard her walk out the door and knew that I was safe. I quickly washed my hands and hurried out of the bathroom.

I couldn't believe what I just heard. Haley is sick of the Sluts? She doesn't want to be friends with them anymore? I was in shock. I wished I had time to find Becca and talk to her before class, but I still had to run up to my locker and change books before my next class.

I hurried upstairs, grabbed my books from my locker, and continued up to the third floor to my AP English class. It's an 11th grade class, but English is my strongest subject, so last year, I did two years worth. I plan on having my senior year filled with fun, easy, GPA-boosting classes, so I have to work hard right now.

I walked into the class and settled into my desk, pulling my notebook out of my backpack. I was thumbing though last week's notes when someone sat down beside me.

"Hi, Charlotte."

I turned and looked and was surprised to see Haley Braddock sitting beside me. "What are you doing here?" I asked, then blushed and said. "I mean, hi."

Haley pulled a binder out of her backpack. "Mrs. Hartley thought it would be a good idea if I took this class now, instead of next year. Just in case." She added with a roll of her eyes. "I had to give up art for it, so I'd better pass."

I wanted to ask Haley about what she said in the bathroom, but I had to get her to warm up to me first. I didn't think she would just tell me what she meant by what she said without me being nice first.

I pulled out a handful of papers. "Here." I said, handing them to Haley. "These are the first couple weeks worth of notes. You can take them home and copy them out if you want to."

Haley looked surprised. "Wow, thanks Char!" She said gratefully. "That's really cool of you!"

I shrugged. "No worries." I answered. "Let me know if you need any help with anything."

Haley smiled at me and put the notes in her binder.

I cleared my throat. "Um, Haley?"

"Yeah?"

"I heard what you said in the bathoom."

Haley shot a glance at me. "You did?"

I nodded. "Yeah." I admitted. "I was in one of the stalls."

Haley opened her mouth to answer, but Ms. Ringness suddenly entered the room and demanded us all to turn to page 68 of our text. Haley held up a finger, ripped a piece of paper out of her binder and started writing.

I tried to concentrate on what Ms. Ringness was saying, but I kept peeking over at what Haley was writing to me. Finally, she folded her piece of paper in half and tossed it onto my desk. I glanced up to make sure Ms. Ringness wasn't watching, then unfolded the paper and read:

Char:

I meant what I said in the bathroom. I am sick of Kerry and Tiff, and how everything always has to be about them. I miss hanging out with you and Becca, back when everything was easy. I know I have been a lousy friend over the past year, but I know we had some amazing times growing up. I know you probably don't want to forgive me, but I would really like the chance to reconcile with you and Becca and start over. I don't think Vanessa is being fair to you. I know the only reason she is acting like this is because Kerry and Tiffany put the idea in her head that it was a bad idea for you and Adam to date. I don't think she knows how to think for herself anymore.

Let me know if you want to meet for coffee after school. I have missed you!

Haley

I grinned at Haley and she smiled back, looking relieved. I tore out my own paper and started to write back to her.

Haley:

I would love to get together after school and just talk. It might take me a bit to fully trust you again, but I am willing to give it a shot.

I'm glad you're finally seeing though Kerry and Tiffany... It's about time! They are not good people, and you are a good person.

Don't tell Vanessa we are meeting... she already hates me, this will definitely set her over the edge!!

Let's meet at the Rosebud after school.

Char

Haley read the letter near the end of class, right before the bell rang. As it rang and we all stood up, putting backpacks on, she turned to me.

"I'll probably see you at lunch, but if not, I'll see you right after school." She promised.

I nodded. "Sounds like a plan." I said with a smile, hoisting my bag onto my shoulders and walking out the door. Adam was waiting for me right outside, to my surprise.

"How did you get here so fast?" I asked, giving him a kiss.

"Free period." He answered, kissing me back and taking my hand. Haley walked out of the classroom just as Adam and I were about to walk away, and she waved.

"Thanks again for the notes, Char." She said. "Hi Adam."

"Hey." Adam answered with a bewildered look on his face. As she walked dow the opposite end of the hallway, Adam looked at me.

"Since when do you have a class with her?" He asked me. "And since when do you loan her your notes? And since when do you even talk to her?"

"Since today, I guess." I answered. "I overheard her and your sister talking in the bathroom. Basically, Haley is on our side and doesn't like how Vanessa is acting. And she said she misses hanging out with me and Beck, so... we are meeting after school to hang out."

Adam glanced at me. "Really?"

I could tell he didn't think it was a good idea. "Yeah." I answered. "Shouldn't I?"

He shrugged. "Well, I mean, it's up to you." He replied. "Just be careful... I don't want you to get hurt by her."

"Adam, she said the stuff without even knowing I was in the bathroom." I told him.

"Maybe they saw you walk in." He suggested. "Or maybe not!" He quickly added after seeing my face. "Maybe it's all completely innocent. Maybe Haley is actually growing up. Just take baby steps, okay?"

"I promise." I answered, mildly amused at his concern, though I appreciated him looking out for me.

He walked me to my next class, the dreaded biology and promised to meet me downstairs in the seniors hallway at lunch. I settled into my lab desk, but was distracted, thinking about my coffee date with Haley after school. I really hoped she wouldn't bail, and I really hoped that it wasn't some kind of trick put on by her and Vanessa. I knew that it would take a bit for me to trust Haley completely, but I had to try to trust her on this.

Finally, Mr. Kent was finished talking about cell development and it was lunch time. The biology lab was right beside my locker, so I quickly shoved my books inside, grabbed my purse and headed downstairs. I was still a little nervous about being in that hallway, especially since I am just a sophomore, so I slowed my paces down.

"What's up, kid?" a voice behind me asked, yanking on my hair. I turned around and smiled at Shea Rodowsky.

"Oh, you know." I answered with a grin. "Livin' the dream!"

Shea laughed. "Yeah, aren't we all?" He replied. "You coming down here for lunch?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I'm making my way that way." I told him. "Honestly, I was a little nervous to go there alone."

Shea draped his arm across my shoulders. "Well, you got me now." He declared, walking down the hall with me. Adam was already sitting at one of the tables, and he laughed when he saw Shea with me.

"Jeez, man, you have to have everything that's mine, don't you?" He joked. Shea laughed and I sat down at the table beside Adam.

"I guess she just doesn't know what she's missing." Shea joked back. Then he put on a fake pout. "No one knows what they are missing."

"Who's missing what?" It was Becca, sliding into the seat across from me.

Adam pointed at Shea. "Girls are missing out on him, apparently." He teased. "Although... Becca's a single girl... Shea's a single guy... See where I am going with this?"

Shea sighed dramatically as he sat next to Becca. "We'll probably have sex once or twice a week, just to humour you guys, but don't start naming our babies yet, okay?"

Becca laughed loudly, as she generally does when she is embarrassed and took a drink of her juice.

"So did Char tell you her exciting plans for after school?" Adam asked Becca. I slapped his leg under the table.

Becca looked at me. "What plans?" She asked.

"Oh, nothing too exciting." I lied. "Just have a test in bio next week that I need to study for."

Becca raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, right." She said, giving me the 'we'll talk later' look. "I'm going to go grab some chips." She said, standing up. "Be back in a minute."

I groaned as she walked away. "Adam!" I hissed. "I wasn't going to talk to Becca about it until after!"

"Sorry, hon." He said apologetically, rubbing my knee. "I just assumed you told her."

"Told her what?" Shea asked, his mouth full of baby carrots.

"I'm meeting Haley for coffee after school." I told him. "Don't say anything to Becca though, please."

"I won't." Shea answered. "But that's cool, you guys hanging out again. Maybe the drama can finally be over."

"We'll see what happens." I replied, as Becca sat back down, opening a bag of chips. She offered me one, and I shook my head, but Shea reached in and grabbed a handful.

"Hey, Shea, want some chips?" Becca teased.

"Don't mind if I do!" Shea joked back, grabbing another one out of the bag.

"I swear, I am going to drop out of school!" It was Corrie, tossing her backpack under the table and falling into the seat beside Becca. "I'm so done with this crap!"

Carolyn sat down beside her. "Maybe if you actually paid attention in chem, you wouldn't feel so dumb every day."

Corrie glared at her. "Mr. Tates is just out to get me." She said, pulling a sandwich out of her lunch bag. "He hates me because he my brother made his life hell last year."

"Glad I don't have the sibling problem!" I said with a laugh.

"If you ever want a brother, you just let me know!" Corrie said with a sigh. Her brother, Sean, is a senior, and the teachers will probably throw a party the day he graduates. He is a nice enough guy but he likes to push people's buttons, especially teachers. He cares more about playing football than anything else, and since he is pretty much the star player, he can get away with a lot.

"If you want a brother or a sister, I got plenty to spare!" Adam added.

I laughed. "Um, I think I'll stick with being the only one." I answered.

"Yeah, none of our siblings are really desirable!" Corrie joked.

"Hey fuckers and fuckettes." Jeff greeted us, sitting down beside me. "How's it hanging?"

"Wouldn't you love to know." Adam answered dryly.

Jeff snatched a chip out of Becca's bag. "I'll just ask Char if I really want to know." He joked.

I blushed. Adam and I have only kissed, and we would only be kissing for a long time. I didn't know how experienced he was, but I knew he had dated Danielle Roberts last year, and I assumed they slept together. I wasn't ready to ask him though. I was scared he might have slept with more than just Danielle, and I didn't want to be embarrassed when and if we slept together.

Jeff poked my side. "Look at that tomato face!" He said, laughing. "Obviously, sex is not the topic to talk about around this little girl."

"Jeff, shut up." Adam told him, sounding annoyed. I sometimes wonder why Adam is still friends with Jeff. They are so different. Jeff is a drunk, annoying slut, basically. He is spoiled rotten by his father, who lives in California and feels bad about not being in Jeff's life. He moved back there for awhile when he was about ten, but came back for high school. His mother was so excited to have him back, especially since his sister also moved back to California, and his step-sister moved to Chicago for college. Sharon was so happy that Jeff was back, that she lets him get away with murder. His step-dad is a complete wimp, and doesn't stand up to Jeff or Sharon, so Jeff pretty much runs that house.

"Jeez, Pike, does she have your balls in her purse already?" Jeff scoffed, standing up. "I'm going for a beer run so I don't have to waste time after class. Anyone want to come?"

"I will." Becca said, standing up and gathering up her lunch.

"Becca!" I hissed, shocked. Why did she want to go on an illegal beer run with Jeff "Holier-Than-Thou" Schafer?

"Alright, Obama, let's go." Jeff said, draping his arm across her shoulders and leading her out the door.

"Did he just call her Obama?" Corrie asked incredulously. "Jeez, I would have slapped him!"

"Why would she want to go with him?" I wondered out loud. "I wonder if she's mad at me for not telling her what was up later."

"Sorry, hon." Adam apologized again.

"No, it's not your fault." I told him. "She's just being weird."

"Damn, and here I thought she was into me." Shea said, half joking.

I was really hoping that Becca wouldn't become close with Jeff. Becca is boy-crazy, and any boy who shows an interest in her, she is all over, even if it's so obviously a bad idea. She always dismisses the nice guys, like Shea, and goes for the not so nice ones, like Jeff.

I worried about Becca and Jeff for the rest of lunch and all though my next class. It was after history that I realized that I would be meeting up with Haley in a few short hours. After that thought entered my head, I was worried about that and Becca. I had a hard time concentrating in every one of my classes that day, and hoped that this wasn't going to be a regular thing.

Finally, the three o'clock bell rang, signaling the end of the day. I gathered up my geography books and headed to my locker, where Adam was going to meet me before I left for the Rosebud to meet Haley.

I twirled the combination and pulled my locker open. I rearranged my nightly homework into my backpack and stood back up to see Adam standing in front of me.

I smiled. "Hey, you." I said, standing on my tip-toes to kiss him.

"All ready for your big coffee date?" He asked me.

"I'm nervous." I admitted. "I have been thinking about it all afternoon."

"Don't be nervous." He assured me. "It will all be good."

I poked him in the side. "Weren't you the one who told me to be cautious?"

"Yeah, but who listens to me?" He joked.

"I do." I said, kissing him again. "I kind of wish I didn't have to go, because I'd rather hang out with you."

"Good." He said. "I'd rather you hang out with me too! But I guess I can't control you yet."

"No, too early for that." I teased, as I spotted a platinum blonde girl walking down the hall. "Here she comes."

"Miss America?" Adam said excitedly, turning around. "Oh." He said with mock disappointment. "It's just Haley."

"Thanks, jerk." Haley said with a laugh. "Hi Char. I thought I'd see if you were still up here, if you wanted to walk together?"

"Yeah, that sounds good." I answered, smiling. "I'll call you when I get home." I said to Adam.

"Have fun." He said, bending down to kiss me. "See ya later, Haley."

"Bye, Adam." Haley answered as he walked down the hall. I picked up my backpack and hoisted it on my shoulders.

"Ready?" Haley asked me.

"You bet." I answered with a nod, although I wasn't sure how ready I really was.