Thank you so much for the reviews! I can't tell how happy I was when I read them! The constructive criticism really helped too because I know the start of this fic starts off pretty rocky. If you guys keep up with the awesome reviews then I'll do the same with updating quickly.
I just had trouble with the beginning of this chapter so I had to rewrite it once to get it right. That's why it took that extra day to update.
"Did you get that girl pregnant?"
Well, hello to you too, X-Ray. "What girl?" It was Tuesday and X-Ray had just picked me up from Hinder Park and those were the first words out of his mouth. X-Ray had turned off the engine and looked like he refused to drive until I answered his question.
"Does it matter which girl? If you got anyone pregnant then we have something to worry about." X-Ray snarled and crossed his arms.
"Well if there are rumors going around that I got some girl pregnant, I want to know who." I snapped. I don't know what changed but he was a lot more tolerable at Camp Green Lake, and so were the rest of the guys. I tried to be nice to them, I tried going along with their jokes but I just found them a lot more…nosy. And it's not like I could exactly let them know what's going on in my life right now.
"That Emily chick. Did you or did you not get her pregnant?"
I narrowed my eyes at him. "I at least thought my friends wouldn't buy into that stupid bullshit."
"Well, it's not like you've exactly been completely…upfront with us lately." Caveman said cautiously. I twisted around and gave him a death glare. He did not need to feel the wrath of me.
"Look, we're just scared that you've gotten yourself in a bit of a bad situation." Zigzag tried, "You're not the same Squid."
"People change." I muttered. "You guys certainly did because the guys I know wouldn't even be having this conversation with me right now." I snapped. "Now drive or I'm getting out of the car and walking because I sure as hell don't need to deal with this right now."
X-Ray reluctantly put the car in drive and started towards school. I pulled out my phone to see if I had any messages from El. She had left for the school before me and I told her to text me when she got there. After a long Monday of planning, we decided that we would meet up at school with Kimberley and show some PDA for her sake before she did the presentation.
"Dude, when did you get a phone?" Twitch asked from the back as he reached up and snatched it from me. "Ooh, who's El?"
"My waitress, now how about you give me my phone back before I break your jaw?" I snarled and ripped it out of his hands.
"Who texts their waitress?" Zigzag snorted.
"We used to go to school together and I just wanted to see when she would get here for the presentation." I growled, locking my phone and throwing it in my backpack. I was just glad they didn't see the pictures that Kimberley and Jack texted to me this morning. They were of Saturday night and it'd be pretty awkward if I had to explain why there was a pregnant chick cuddled up in my arms, especially after the conversation we just had.
"What presentation?" Caveman asked. I had to explain to them about the graduates coming back for a presentation for their homerooms. Thankfully, before they could ask how I knew this, X-Ray pulled up to the school. I cannot tell you how fast I got out of that car and raced to school. And I am not the type of person who would ever be racing to school.
"Where's Squid going?" I heard Magnet ask as he watched me run away.
"I don't know man. I don't know anything about that guy anymore." Armpit sighed.
It didn't take me long to get to my locker and throw my stuff in. I pulled my phone out, now that everyone who wants to steal my phone is gone, and checked to see if I had any messages or missed calls. I didn't. I sent El a quick text asking her where she was and not to forget about our plan before shoving it in my pocket. I could see a flash of blonde hair before the devil herself appeared at my locker.
And by the devil, I mean Ashley.
"Where's Eleanor?" she smirked and I rolled my eyes, already pissed just because she was talking to me.
"I don't know. I don't follow her around." I snapped. "Where's Steroid Douche?"
"The washroom." It's funny how she knows who exactly I'm talking about when I call Brad, Steroid Douche.
I saw Kimberley walking by, talking with one of the science teachers and we made eye contact. She gave me a 'what are you doing with that skank' face while I tried to give her my 'save me' face but she didn't seem to get the picture. With El, I could make a face and she'd know exactly what I was saying. But then again, we've been living together for a few months now and I've known Kim for about three days.
Brad came out of the washroom and decided to come join our conversation. Thank god! If talking with one idiot wasn't awesome enough, now I've got two! Hooray for me!
…that was sarcasm if you couldn't pick that up.
"Where's Ellie?" Brad asked and Ashley's face immediately twisted up in rage. Not gonna lie, it just looked like she had to poop really badly.
"ELLIE?!" she screamed, making everyone turn to stare at us. I slowly started backing away. "We're getting married and you still call her Ellie? You may as well just call the bitch Baby or Honeybun for all I care!" I am so glad she doesn't still go to school here. I couldn't handle her for another year.
"Baby, I'm sorry!" Brad whined. For a big, former football star, he was kind of girly. You don't see me following people around, whining my ass off. "I called her that for years and I'm just used to it!"
"Well, then get used to the fact that I won't be wearing this ring if you don't stop calling that girl 'Ellie.'" Ashley flashed her engagement ring to Brad. They were so deep in conversation (Read: screaming their faces off) that they didn't notice as I slipped away. Kind of like a ninja…. Yeah, I like that. I could be known as Samurai Squid.
I ninja-ed into the empty math room and threw my backpack on the floor next to my desk. I checked my phone again, but still, El hadn't texted me. She was probably on the phone with Mr. Barlow or off catching up with old classmates. Yeah, that was it. Either way, I texted Kimberley, asking where El was…and maybe scolding her for not saving me when I was drowning in a sea of fake boobs and steroids a few minutes ago.
Before I got a reply, the bell rang, signalling the start of class. Kids started filing in the room, along with Miss. Poulterhanst and Kimberley who made eye contact with me and shrugged. At least the chances of her mentioning me and El were slimmer now. "Class," Miss. Poulterhanst sang, "I would like you to meet Kimberley Rey, our head cheerleader last year."
Kimberley flashed a smile that pretty much made every guy start to drool. "Hey, as you know, I'm Kimberley. I graduated last year and I'm here to talk to you about life after high school."
Kim continued, "As crazy as this sounds to you now, the people you meet or where you stand on the social ladder really doesn't matter at all after high school. The only thing that matters are your grades and that's the one thing I didn't pay attention to." She admitted. "I had this stupid idea that since I was captain of the cheerleading team and popular, that I could get whatever I wanted and that reality would be as easy as high school was. But it turns out most Universities don't accept nearly failing students."
"The people who I used to think were beneath me are now my friends," she glanced at me when she said that. "And I'm getting married to the guy who I'd never thought I'd fall for. Right now, my life is getting back on track but for a long time I was lost. I still don't have a stable job but things are slowly starting to look up for me. But because I didn't work hard enough in school, I know that I'll never do some of the things I planned on doing like travelling the world or owning a big house with pool."
"So basically all I'm saying is don't expect the life you're living now to be like this for the rest of your life. If you keep your grades up, you'll have a better future but I can guarantee that whether you're the most popular kid in school, or the least, it won't matter once you graduate."
Miss. Poulterhanst smiled and the class (mainly the guys) started cheering and clapping for Kim. "Does anyone have any questions for Kimberley?" X-Ray raised his hand. "Yes, Rex?"
"Am I hotter than your husband?" he smirked and the class started snickering. Of course X-Ray would ask that. Kimberley scoffed.
"If I thought that then I wouldn't be marrying him."
The class started oohing and laughing at X-Ray. He looked a little flustered but what did he expect? "Fine, then out of us three," X pointed to me, him and Caveman, "who is the hottest?"
Caveman looked like he wanted to die right there, X-Ray looked like he already knew the answer and Miss. Poulterhanst looked like she was ready to shoot all three of us in the head. Kimberley's eyes flickered to us three. "Squid."
X-Ray's jaw dropped and I shot him the same smug look he was wearing moments ago. Serves him right. "Why Squid?"
Kimberley looked like she was about to answer but Miss. Poulterhanst cut her off. "As much as I'd like to continue this talk, we have another guest here to speak. Class, please welcome Eleanor Jameson!"
Silence. Someone should have put a cricket in the room because that's how silent it was. Kimberley shot me a look and I shrugged, mouthing 'I don't know.' Miss. Poulterhanst turned to Kimberley, "Do you know where Eleanor is?"
"N-no, sorry. She should have been here by now." Kimberley stuttered. "She must have been caught up in work or had morning sickness or something." Oh no, no, no, no. Please don't mention her pregnancy.
"Eleanor's pregnant?" Miss. Poulterhanst gasped.
Kimberley smiled, "Yes, I saw her just the other day for the first time since we graduated. She's five months pregnant, she has a wonderful boyfriend who is hopelessly in love with her and she works down at Mo's Diner."
"Well, her life seems to be going fairly smoothly." Miss. Poulethanst blinked and Kimberley nodded. She was mostly right, other than the fact that she's dirt poor, she's faking a pregnancy and relationship with a criminal and pretty much nothing has been going her way. But other than that, everything has been smooth sailing for the both of us. "Well then, since Eleanor was unable to show then I guess we'll just have to start math class."
The class groaned and I scowled. Way to ruin my day, El.
"So how did you and Kimberley know each other?" X-Ray asked as I sat down at the lunch table.
"What do you mean?" I replied, chewing my food.
"She knew your name when I asked who she thought was hotter. So how do you know her?"
"She was in some of my classes last year. She's also my boss's fiancé." I answered truthfully. It was the only honest thing I've been telling these guys lately. It kind of scared me how much I've been lying to them but in a way it was their fault too. They shouldn't be so damn nosy all the time.
"Prove it." Case and point.
"Are you serious?" I snapped, leaning back in my chair. X-Ray didn't flinch, he just stared me dead in the eyes. "Fine." I pulled out my phone and went to my pictures. It honestly took a while to find one that El wasn't in but I did. It was of me and Jack having a thumb war while Kimberley sat on the ground by us, laughing. "Is that enough proof for you?"
Zigzag peered at the picture and wrinkled his nose, "Why are you holding his hand?"
I stared at him for a moment, just letting what he said, sink in. "It's called a thumb war, Zig. I'm not holding my boss's hand."
"Where do you work anyway?" Magnet asked from the end of the table. I was about to answer when my phone started to ring in my hand.
"Hello?" I answered it, with everyone's eyes on me.
"Is this Alan 'Squid' Smith?" the man on the other end of the line asked.
"Uh, yes… who is this?" I asked wearily. Having some strange man call you and know exactly who you are wasn't comforting, to say the least.
"I'm a doctor at Plainsburgh Hospital. Your girlfriend, Eleanor was in an accident-"
I ended the call before he could even finish. I didn't say anything to the guys, I simply jumped out of my seat and bolted out of there as fast as my legs could take me. My heart was slamming against my chest and my palms were already sweaty in fear. People who didn't move out of my way fast enough were shoved to the side. El could be dead, so who were they to block off my way?
The hospital was about a mile from the school and I didn't have a car. I didn't hesitate as I started sprinting in the direction of the hospital. I wasn't thinking about how tired and out of breath I was getting or how far it was to the hospital, no, my mind was only on one thing.
El is dead. El is dead. El is dead.
The hospital came into view and it only made me sprint faster.
El is dead. El is dead. El is dead.
I burst through the doors, pausing only to look around for the front desk, before running up to it. "Eleanor Jameson, what room?" I panted.
The nurse behind the counter smiled up at me, "Sir, I just need you to be patient while I-"
"WHAT FUCKING ROOM IS SHE IN?!" I screamed, slamming my fists down on the counter and making her eyes go wide. At least it made her shut up and find the room number.
"Room 205." Before she could say anything else, I was running for the stairs. I took two steps at a time as I bolted to the second floor and down the hall, taking in the room numbers as I went. 200…203…205!
El is dead. El is dead. El is…
Alive?
El was sitting in her bed, no machines beeping or IV's attached to her. She didn't even have a cast, other than her wrist which was wound up in bandages and some gauzes taped to her forehead. "Hey Squid, sorry you had to-"
I cut her off as I smashed my lips into hers, desperately kissing her. I started planting kisses all over her face. My arms held her tightly as she just sat there in shock. "I thought you were dead. I thought I lost you, El." I whispered and pulled her into a hug, squeezing my eyes shut and trying to stop my heart from beating straight out of my chest. "I don't know what I would do without you."
El's arms slowly wrapped around my body and hugged me back. "I'm sorry." she whispered back. "I didn't mean to hurt you."
I reluctantly pulled away before I could let the tears come. Blinking back the waterworks, I stared deep into El's eyes and said the most romantic, passionate thing that I could think of.
"If you ever do that to me again, I will personally drive you off a cliff.