A/N: Yay! Thank you all for reading and reviewing. Let's keep those reviews coming so I can feed you more delicious words. (I need motivation hehe)
Chapter 20: Permanent Solution
Calm down. Inhale. Exhale. He is holding my hand. It is just an act. Just an act.
"Are you ready?" Robbie asked Steph.
They stood on stone steps ready to enter a battleground. Robbie placed a caring hand on Steph's back and he held the door open for her. Stephanie was already impressed by Robbie's acting. She figured he had a little chivalry left him, even if it was just for show. She tugged on her pink lace shirt, nervous that it might be showing too much skin. Even with a camisole underneath, Stephanie felt exposed. Next to her, Robbie seemed uncomfortable in his white and navy plaid button-up. Stephanie found it in the back of her Father's closet, where it had been for years.
"I hate plaid." Robbie muttered.
Stephanie replied, "This was your idea, Robbie. Wear things that will make us look like a snotty couple. Like Jersey Shore people. That's what you said. Besides, you look handsome."
"Thank you." Robbie gazed off to the side, hiding his rosy cheeks. "Your hair looks nice all curled."
Stephanie smirked. They walked forward, holding hands and feeling air thinning around them. Peers stared at the two. Along the wall of lockers, Amelia and her clique focused in on the two and began giggling.
"Stephanie!" Amelia said, "I didn't know you were with the new kid. Breaking him in, huh? Now, do you eat in front of him and then throw it up, or not eat at all?"
"Of course she eats," Robin says.
"Couldn't find another girl to be with, huh?" Amelia added. "Or did Stephanie bribe you somehow?"
"Knock it off, Amelia." Stephanie said, rolling her eyes. "You're just an annoying snob. Let's leave it at that. I never personally attacked you, so let's call this off. You have Nate, I have Robin. We're about to graduate. Just ignore me and I will ignore you."
As Stephanie spoke, her grip tightened on Robbie's hand. Robbie quickly looked at Steph and back at Amelia, who folded her arms in annoyance. As Amelia was about to open her mouth again, Nate appeared. As the school bell rang for first class, he said nothing and stared at Steph. He took Amelia's hand and dragged her away.
"Well that was interesting," Robbie stated. "Guess we should go to class."
"Math then gym." Steph sighed and looked at her feet.
Robbie was going to speak. He saw Steph's sunken eyes and decided to keep going with the plan. Math class dragged on without much conversation between the two. Near the end of class, Robbie snuck out. He headed towards the gym lockers. Carefully opening each one, he eventually found a duffel bag coated in glitter and pink. This was Amelia's. Inside of the bag, Robbie completed his plan and ran back to the hallway just as the bell rang. With an evil smirk on his face, Robbie found Steph, grabbed her hand, and led them into the gymnasium.
"You're in a weird mood." Steph said. It only took her a few minutes to change into her gym attire. She added, "And weird clothes too. Wind pants? Are we in the eighties?"
Robbie laughed at her comment and replied, "The coach let me borrow them. You supplied me with a shirt but no athletic gear, Pinky."
"Alright, ladies and gents," Mrs. Burrowes stood facing a sea of students. "Today is a free day, so do what you must. If I see anyone sitting down, it's ten laps around the track – running. Get to work."
"We should just walk the track for now," Steph said. "I don't feel like being competitive today. Just lay low and be ignored."
Robbie asked, "So, is there more to this couple thing? Your pal Amelia is pointing and laughing at us. I just don't want them to think this is an act. We need to make Nate jealous for your revenge. My part of the plan is already waiting for them. I figured I would make sure you are satisfied so far."
"Honestly, I don't think making him jealous will do anything. As long as you are by my side . . . Well, that's all I need, Robbie."
The two began walking the track. Robbie wanted to get back at Nate. He wanted to make him jealous. Robbie needed to see Stephanie have her moment of revenge. Something inside Robbie snapped. He felt deeply about Pinky and her feelings. He noticed the way she caught his gaze and quickly turned, face pink with embarrassment. He did the same, and knew Stephanie saw it as well. This wasn't the place to tell her how he started to imagine her holding his hand all the time, and not to pretend. This wasn't the place to pull her in close and tell her the world didn't matter – only her happiness did. This was not the place. But it was the time to give her an inkling of his new and awakening emotions.
Robbie stopped Steph and drank in her eyes. "Stephanie," He said. "I know I may sound mushy but I hope you realize I am here for you from here on in. I am a villain, but I'm not a villain to you. These last few days have shown me a lot, and I am glad I came here."
"Wow," Steph's eyes widened and her cheeks went hot as the rest of her body went cold. "I truly appreciate that, Robbie. Erm, Robin. I'm glad you came too."
"What the hell happened to you, Amelia?" Someone shouted across the basketball court.
A bright purple mop of hair stomped through the gym – right towards Stephanie.
"How dare you!" She screamed. Inching closer, Amelia's screams reminded Stephanie of a banshee. "How dare you! You put hair dye in my shampoo? You little skank."
Amelia pushed Steph, who stumbled back a bit.
"That wasn't her," Robbie exclaimed. "It wasn't her."
"You are a horrible piece of shit. I cannot believe you would put purple dye in my shampoo. Is this permanent? My cheering career is over. Do you think it is funny ruining someone's life? Huh? Do you?" Amelia shoved Stephanie back again.
Mrs. Burrowes stampeded over, blowing her whistle. "Stop it girls. Amelia, more importantly, please stop yelling. What is going on over here?"
"Ew. Amelia," Nate trotted over and said, "Did Barney the Dinosaur shit on your head? Seriously, not cool. I'm not dealing with this drama. We're done."
Robbie tried to tell the gym coach it wasn't Steph's fault. She was preoccupied with holding Amelia back from slugging Steph in the face.
"You will so pay for this!" Amelia swung again and missed. With an avalanche of angry grunts and curse words, Amelia was taken out of the room by force.
Without a gym coach in sight, students glanced around, perplexed. Robbie shot a sly smirk at Steph, who stood white as a Halloween ghost costume. Nathan turned on his heel and left. The remainder of the students erupted in laughter and applause.
The applause ceased a millisecond before Mrs. Burrowes stormed back in. Students dispersed and acted as if nothing happened.
"Stephanie," Mrs. Burrowes said. "You are not a trouble maker. Everyone knows this. I do not believe that you put anything in Amelia's shampoo, but I need you to act like I lectured you. I saw the posters yesterday and I am truly sorry you are dealing with so much bullying. We really need a better system here where that is preventable. Since we don't at this point, all I can do is hope you are ok. Between you and me – and the new kid here – I think Amelia did it to herself. Always acting like the Sun, that one. You can leave class early if you'd like."
"Uh." Stephanie shook her head in disbelief. There was no way in hell she got away with Robbie's trick. No way, right? After the moving speech from Mrs. Burrowes, Steph felt as though she were living someone else's life. For once this year, the wind changed direction.
And Nate dumped Amelia publicly for having a bad hair day. He was definitely not the same Nate she remembered. In fact, Nate was not the type of person she envisioned being with at that point. Naturally, Steph interlaced fingers with Robbie and left the gymnasium. She kept holding his hand even though there were no observers.