"He's Chris, right? The dude you told me about. I remember. He's the second eldest of the McLean's," Duncan said, looking unsure, as if it wasn't him. "Why would he be in our school?"
I honestly don't know. It puzzles me as much as it puzzles him. Not that I'm too proud of it anyway. It's Duncan's thoughts. It's generally embarrassing to be puzzled when he's puzzled.
"I don't know," I reply, lost for words to say anything else. He's famous. Very famous. It doesn't make sense why he'd appear at Idiotic Trust. I see the principal talking to him – bragging about the high standards of the school, etc., etc. I can see on Chris's face he doesn't believe there are high standards – just like anyone else I guess.
The principal spots us – he seems rather happy to see us for once. He usually doesn't – can't be bothered actually doing stuff principal's should do.
"Hello, Duncan and Courtney," the principal says confidently. "This is Chris McLean. He's looking for someone in your year. Would you help him? As you know, I've some trouble remembering the students of the school because of uh-brain damage."
"Sure," I reply, as the principal walks away. "Who are you looking for?" It's hard to believe that he's looking for someone in our year, really.
"You're the criminal and the C.I.T. aren't you? The two that are dating," he replies, smiling.
"Well uh- I guess so," I tell him. It's hard to face the terms that Chris knows me and Duncan. I'll admit, the publicity went on for a long time, but I didn't expect celebrities like him to know us.
"Yep. I'm the one dating Princess here," Duncan says, grinning. I nudge him angrily to which he replies, laughing, "Ow, Princess. Angry?"
"Shut up. Anyway, Mr McLean, who are you looking for?"
"Uh – well, it's my niece. Gwen."
I stand, dumbfounded. Our Gwen is the only one in our year. Gwen's…a McLean? It's hard to believe that Gwen's Chris McLean's niece. And then it all makes sense. Her mom's called Jessica. Jessica McLean. But she got married, and her name was changed. So I never knew – or never guessed. But then I think – does Gwen know? And then I suddenly remember that she doesn't. Gwen said she never met her mom's side of family. Obviously this is why.
"Yeah. We know Gwen," Duncan replies, though he still looks a bit shocked. "Though her name's Morten, not McLean."
"I didn't expect it to be. She's my sister's daughter."
I'm still rather in shock, "She's probably with Music Man," I reply, shocked again to find out I'm using Music Man as Trent's nickname.
"Music Man?" Chris seems puzzled.
"Gwen – the goth kid –'s boyfriend," Duncan replies casually, "is a musician."
Chris looks around, "Do all of you, like, date your opposites or what?"
"No," I reply, "but it's becoming popular. Come on – we might as well start looking for Gwen, I guess." We walk slowly about the corridors, me waiting to hear a guitar and then a piece of commentary, but I keep looking with my eyes rather than my ears.
"So –uh, what class are you in?" Chris asks, smiling. His smile is practically mesmerizing. I'm suitably impressed.
"Gwen's class, along with Music Man," Duncan replies.
"Will I like Music Man?" Chris asks.
"Maybe," Duncan shrugs, "and maybe not."
I spot Gwen hanging out with Trent on the walls of one of the corridors. He has his guitar in his arms, and Gwen's chatting to him.
"I'm just going to go on ahead. Give her a head's up," I tell Chris and Duncan. Duncan nods, and Chris shrugs, and starts talking to Duncan.
"Gwen," I say when I meet her in a few seconds, with a desperate tone in my voice, "we need to talk. Like, now. It's important."
"Sure. What's up?" Gwen asks with Trent by her side.
"Uh – yeah. Well you see, like, um. Ok, apparently Jess is related to Chris. Chris McLean."
"What?" Gwen says, laughing nearly. "Courtney, you've gone crazy. My mom isn't related to Chris McLean."
"She is, Gwen. I don't know how – but she is. You're Chris McLean's niece. He's here. Wants to see you. I don't get it, Gwen. He ignores you for 13 years straight and then pops up at school claiming you're his niece. Doesn't make sense."
Gwen seems rather shocked. But she answers quickly enough, "I'll go." I didn't think she would. I wouldn't. I raise an eyebrow at her, which she replies, "Better late than never."
"Did you know-" I begin. She shakes her head.
"I didn't. I never thought to guess. I'm pretty sure only insane people actually think that in the first place, really," she admits quietly. "I guess that's why I remembered the old McLean place. I must have been there when I was younger."
She sees Chris McLean and sighs, and then walks over to him.
"Nice to meet you for the first time," she says, rather casually, as if he was absolutely nobody.
"You too, goth kid," Chris replied, smiling.
"That can't mesmerize everyone, you know," Gwen tells him.
"So – don't you have like a class or something?" Chris asks, ignoring Gwen.
"Spanish," I reply quickly. I know every class and the order memorised. It helps obviously. And Duncan seems to need reminded often.
"I can teach Spanish," Chris claims. Gwen – who has met him for less than a minute – hides her face in her hands as if to say 'NO!'
"Do you know Spanish?" Duncan asks.
"No," Chris replies calmly.
"Let him teach Spanish, Court," Duncan begs. "Please, Princess. It'll be awesome."
"Fine," I reply, "let's go to class, then."
Gwen looks appalled, Duncan grins, and I'm pretty sure Chris is waving to random girls as they scream in delight. And I lead the way – a famous TV host, a criminal, and a goth kid behind me.
A/N – Awkward…Gwen's related to Chris. The next chapter will be funny – Chris McLean teaching a bunch of 13 year olds Spanish – a language he doesn't know. I always thought it would be really awkward for Gwen to be related to Chris. So, what do you think of this chapter? I think there will be a lot more talking in this book than the previous due to Chris, but in the second part of the book (it'll be divided into two parts) it'll be a lot more description. I just think communication is an important part of the first part. So, view and review!