Author's Note
I've lied! This chapter isn't as long as I wanted it to be! Gah! Shame on me!
So, not a lot of people read my one-shot of Emmett [or, not as many as I hoped.]. But I did get seven reviews, which I loved! [Aside from the fact that one person didn't like it, six other marvelous readers thought it was hilarious.] I would also like to thank all of those who reviewed the last chapter, new and old readers.
But, kind of short chapter [forgive me!]. Please go on and read!
Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Twilight.
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"Stop it," I whined, batting at Brian's fingers. He pouted at me, trying uselessly to penetrate my shield of textbooks.
"C'mon, Cass," Brian whined back. "I want to see how ticklish you are!" I squeaked as his hand came dangerously close to prodding my sensitive side. I smacked his persistent hands with a folder, smirking as he flinched.
"Give the poor girl a break, Bri," Mitch said flatly, flicking through his textbook. Brian wrinkled up his nose at him and stuck out his tongue.
"Your opinion doesn't count. Now, if you would just drop the book and help me in my conquest to discover where this munchkin is ticklish—"
"No." Mitchell's answer was short and abrupt, and Tara smacked him.
"Be nice to the poor gender confused civilian!" she scolded, giving Brian yet another once-over. She wasn't kidding when she called Brian gender confused; he was wearing his short hair in little ribboned pigtails and was wearing a ridiculously tight tube top that looked like it came straight out of Paris Hilton's closet. Luckily, he forgot to put on a skirt this morning, and I was spared from seeing such a travesty.
Brian snorted, snapping his fingers. "Girl, you know how I do it!"
"Yep: from behind," Tara quipped. Mitchell snorted a laugh and Janine giggled behind her copy of Shakespeare. Brian mashed his lips into a prim line. He opened his mouth to let out a retort when the bell rang, signaling for us to go to class. Brian sent one last withering glare at Tara before flouncing off to drama class.
Mitchell stood up, brushing bits of grass and dirt off of his pants. He nodded his parting to us before walking off in the opposite direction. It wasn't really his style to get caught up in greetings and partings. Tara rolled her eyes.
"Can't that boy ever show his emotions?" she asked to no one in particular. I helped Janine up from the ground, pulling her up. She dusted her skirt and leggings, raking her fingers through her thick curls.
I nudged Al's sleeping body with my boot. Her soft snores halted for a moment before picking back up again. I heard the two girls titter as I nudged her again, harder this time. Al grunted, opening one eye to peer lazily up at us.
"Mm?" she mumbled sleepily.
"Time to get to class, lazyass," Tara teased, amused by her rhyme. Al sighed loudly, getting to her feet none too gracefully. She mumbled something, sounding suspiciously like 'midget' and 'pushy bitches'. Tara rolled her eyes playfully.
Janine smiled shyly at me. "Ready to go to Mr. Collin's?"
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"Good afternoon, students and future journalists," Mr. Collin said, eyes roaming the numerous faces of my classmates. His sharp eyes narrowed as he continued. "I regret that I was not present last week so that we could go over the class syllabus. But, seeing as I am back, we may go over it and I will answer any of your questions."
Mr. Collin pulled a pair of reading glasses from his shirt pocket, flicking them open and placed them on the perch of his nose. He held a white sheet in front of him and spoke, "In this class, you will learn the Fundamentals of Journalism. As students in this class, you will develop the ability to write quickly, accurately, clearly, concisely and grammatically, on deadline, on any topic, amid typical workplace distractions. In journalism, punctuality is of immense importance, and we have no time for dilly-dallying, so—yes, Miss Cossack?" A girl with short, dirty blond hair had her hand raised.
"Mr. Collin," she inquired. "When you say 'any topic', do you really mean that? Or are you referring to the fact that we have a broad variety of subjects, while some are just…too sensitive to write an article on?" Mr. Collin leaned back on his desk, appraising the young girl.
"Miss Cossack, when I say 'any topic', I mean just that. Journalism isn't a walk in the park on a bright, sunshiny day; it can be ruthless, and quite a dirty job. As journalists, it's our job to inform the public of what is happening in the world, whether it be good or bad. In our writing, we don't exaggerate the news; save that for the underhanded writers who work for People and OK! magazines. We give it to the people just as it is. Now, does anyone else have any more questions that they would like to ask?" Everyone sat stock still under his scrupulous gaze as they ran us over again. After a moment, he nodded his head rigidly.
"Good. Next, you will also learn develop an understanding of the diverse nature of sources and information that go into news stories…"
For the next hour and a half, we were drilled on what was expected of us, and supplies that were needed for the class. When the bell rang, Mr. Collin dismissed us. I stood up from the group table, stretching my sore limbs. Janine smiled wryly at me.
"Well, that was quite interesting, wasn't it?" she asked, and I chuckled.
"Intimidating, more like," I said. "Is it me, or is journalism a widely pursued career?"
Janine grinned, edging past a crowd of grumbling classmates. "At first, but after the first week or so, the class always thin out exceptionally. Half of those people," she said, jerking her head back at the sullen crowd. "Probably won't even bother showing up for the next class now that they know journalism isn't as glamorous as they were lead to believe."
"So…are you going to stick with this class?" I asked. Janine blinked at me for a moment before throwing her head back and uncharacteristically laughing loudly.
"Of course!" she exclaimed. "Where else would I go? Fashion 101?" Janine asked incredulously.
"Good, because I'm going to need a friend to protect me from the dragon that is widely known as Mr. Collin," I teased, slinging an arm carelessly over her shoulders. Janine's smile dissipated and was replaced with a dubious expression.
"Friends?" she asked. "You want to be friends with me?" I frowned at her tone.
"Sure I do," I said, thumping her arm lightly. "Why wouldn't I?" But Janine just shook her head, smiling. She reciprocated my friendly gesture and threw her arm around my shoulders.
"Where to next, friend?" Janine asked, eyes shining.
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Back at Emily's, I sighed in annoyance as the guys took over the conversation.
"Like, O-M-G!" Quil huffed at me, hands on hips. "Why didn't you tell your Momma Quil your birthday was coming up?!" Paul looked at me, looking a little hurt that I hadn't told him.
"Your birthday's coming up?" he asked. I nodded at him. Quil growled at me, his chest rumbling in indignation as he regarded my bored expression.
"Cassie, we've known each other for, like, ever, and you don't have the balls to tell me that your nineteenth birthday is coming up? I ask you all now, where is the trust?!"
Seth turned to me, looking at me warily. "Cassie, you don't have, you know, the family jewels down there, do ya?" Paul smacked the back of his head, snarling threateningly.
"Seth! We do not have time for your sexual explorations!" Quil yelled. "Now, back to Cassie and I, thank you: Cassie! This travesty will not be so easily forgiven. But, with that aside, we have a party to plan!" I laughed, shaking my head.
"No party," I said. Quil groaned, stomping his feet like a two-year old in a temper tantrum.
"And why not?" he whined.
"Because," I said. "I'd prefer just to stay home and not wake up the next morning with a head ache the size of Tokyo!" Quil was about to object, but I cut him off. "Plus, I've already planned to have dinner with my parents, thank you very much."
"Can't you just have dinner at their place first and then come over to the party?" Tommy asked from the couch, and I could have strangled him when I saw Quil's eyes light up in glee.
"Tommy, my man!" he cried. "I always knew I loved you! Move over Leah, with your fat ass!" Quil pushed her off of Tommy's lap and took her spot.
"Dude! You're heavy!" Tommy said, trying in vain to push Quil off. I took in a little bit of comfort in the fact that Tommy would most likely have two broken thighbones and that the party would be canceled. Or, at least, that was what I hoped.
…Fat chance.
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Alrighty! So, Janine is becoming more comfortable around Cassie! I apologize if Janine came off to...what's the word I'm looking for?...Pathetic? [Not necessarily that. I mean just that how she reacted when Cassie proposed friendship.] Janine hasn't had a lot of friends in her life, so she's rather touched that Cassie wants to be friends. So, ta da! I also loved Mr. Collin's part. Those big words made me feel so smart.
Oh yeah! A party is coming up! And, Paul's sweet side will be exposed. -wink wink- But don't think I have forgotten about the DRAMA. Oh yeah. More to come.
So, please boost my ego to an unhealthy proportion and review!