FOUR
THE SECOND DAY at a new school might be worse than the first, no joke. I mean, the first day you're the new kid, and that's great, so everyone feels all inclined to introduce themselves and crap. The second day, all the formalities are over and done with, so you get to find out who actually wants to associate with you. Fun, fun, fun.
Luckily for me, I was the owner of the most incredibly awesome twin anyone's ever had, and the walk to school was absolutely painless. We were talking and laughing like we were kids again…I had no idea how big of a boulder on our shoulders that gay thing was. In all truth, we probably should've talked about it like, two years ago. That way, everything would've been out in the open and he could see why this part of me was important, and I could understand his concerns. During that walk to Degrassi, I didn't care what lied ahead, so long as KC was right there beside me.
It turned out that an ambush was in store. Liberty, Manny, and Emma (if I remembered their names correctly) were at my locker, looking around expectantly. One of my eyebrows clawed at the sky. "What do they want?" I wondered aloud as we drew closer.
I found out soon enough. "Hey, it's Jordan, right?" said the black-haired one, smiling. "I'm Manny Santos, and this is Emma and Liberty. We're sort of the welcoming committee of Degrassi and somehow we missed you yesterday!"
I smiled uneasily, grabbing KC's shirt when he tried to scoot away. "I'm Liberty Van Zandt." Van Zandt? Sounded familiar. "I'm your elected school body president."
"Congratulations," I told her (a little sarcastically) before I could stop myself. I wavered for a second, trying to find something to divert— "What's that?"
I had indicated the item that the third girl, Emma, was clutching to her chest. "Oh," she said, smiling belatedly. "This is last year's yearbook. Liberty wanted to give it to you for school spirit and stuff." She handed the parcel over. "I'm one of the campus's club gurus, so if you're interested in any extracurriculars, feel free to talk to me —I'm Emma, by the way. Manny here is the captain of Degrassi's spirit squad, and of course, if you want to get involved with ASB, Liberty's your girl."
KC tried to escape a second time but I held fast on his shirt. "Thanks you guys —I'll give that some thought." I flashed a smile and turned to my locker, hoping Degrassi's welcoming committee would take the hint.
"Oh, one last thing." Manny touched my shoulder, so I turned back around. "High five for your sticker!" I smiled, surprised, and gave her the high-five. Emma wanted one as well. "Just so you know, we have an LGBT club at the school."
"Oh, sweet." Now I couldn't stop smiling. "Thanks —really. I'll keep that in mind."
The three girls and KC left. I got out my homework and tucked the pieces of paper into the appropriate textbooks, retrieving my Media Immersion spiral and locking back up. I stood up and slung my knapsack over my shoulder, and didn't notice Declan until I stepped on him.
He shoved me backwards playfully. "You didn't show," he said, twirling a pencil between two fingers. We began walking towards our first period.
"Yeah, well, I had more important things to do."
He smirked. "Such as?"
I rolled my eyes. I didn't owe him an explanation, and any answer I gave him would probably be a lie. It seemed like KC wasn't too avid for people to know where he lived, so I'd keep my mouth shut about it too.
We walked into the classroom, most of the students already in their seats. Mr. Simpson had us log onto whatever site we wanted and asked us to click on any banner that was promising some sort of reward for either being the random-number-th visitor to the site or answering a who's-nose-is-this one correctly. We were to determine whether or not the links were valid, whether or not our personal information would be at risk if we entered it, and whether or not a virus could be imbedded within the link.
I struggled a little. The internet is pretty user-friendly, but I hadn't tested its waters for a long time. Two idiots went onto RedTube (a porn site) and thus earned detention. In all honesty the thought had crossed my mind as well, but I guess I'm not that stupid.
"What's that?"
I turned to Declan and followed his eyes to my hand. "A phone number," I replied casually, returning my attention to my monitor. Then, for reasons I don't understand, I added: "Alex's number." Being written in Sharpie, the numerals faded only a little from my shower that morning…but it wasn't as if I was scrubbing particularly hard.
That stupid smirk was smeared across his mug. "I see," he said. "You seem to be quite the ladies' woman, Jordan. It's only your second day being here. You remind me of… myself, in a way."
"Please, please don't say that."
He chuckled as the bell sounded. I gathered my things and Declan, followed by Fiona, joined me outside. "Do you mind if I ask you a question?" his twin asked as their conversation continued en route to English. I gave my assent with a quick nod. She gestured over to our right. "What does your gaydar say about him?"
For some reason I already knew who I was looking for before my eyes found him. "Riley Stavros?" Declan said, laughing a bit. "May I inquire as to why you're inquiring about your supposed Lothario's orientation?"
"Yeah. I think you have your signals crossed." But she didn't. He was as gay as me, though he could surround himself with burly boys in Letterman jackets as opposed to flamers with pink hair all he wanted. When we'd met —briefly— in Biology, he had seemed…too forward with the mention of Fiona. Too pressing, too…desperate to prove something. "Still," I interjected abruptly, "would it be so bad if he was gay?"
"No," Fiona replied, brow furrowed. "No, there's nothing wrong with homosexuals. I would just like to know if I was…dating one." The look on her face made me and Declan laugh. "No, you don't understand, I'm not some uptight homophobe, I'm just…curious." She was laughing now as well.
We congregated about the door to Ms. Kwan's room. "I move for a change in subject," Declan said, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "Let's talk about Alex."
I rolled my eyes. "Alright, fine —let's talk about Alex."
He grinned. "Do you like her?"
My face flushed at this question as some sort of emotion gurgled happily inside of me. She was sitting on her desk, I was sitting on mine…I was acutely aware of her body's location in relation to my own. She smiled, I smiled, she took my hand…her hand was so soft…. "She's cute," I answered, simpering despite myself. "There's no denying that."
"Who's cute?" Oh god. She came out of nowhere and nearly gave me a heart attack. Our eyes met and she smiled, biting her lower lip playfully. Hormones surged through my veins…oh god. If we had been alone—
"Good morning, Alex," Declan said hastily, but Alex didn't sever our eye contact. "Fiona, you've met Alex Nunez, yes?"
Chatter continued, but it seemed…muffled and far away. Her eyes were…rosewood? Mahogany? Given the low-cut, shimmering top she was wearing, my gaze would have wandered if hers wasn't so mesmerizing. We were standing quite close…her breath caressing my cheek so lightly…was I just imagining that? Her lips articulated in perfect contours —oh god, I couldn't look at her lips or I'd pounce.
She stepped even closer and my breath caught. "The bell rang," she said. Was she trying to seduce me? Oh god it was working so well. "Do you want to be late?"
Just as the tardy bell sounded, both Alex and I stepped into Ms. Kwan's classroom.
I took my seat by Craig and Marco and the silent orange-haired cutie and Barbie and Alex. Almost immediately, Marco spun around in his seat, smiling in greeting quickly, but getting right down to business. "Have you considered Stüdz any further? 'Cause listen: Peter and the guys are really into you. They said that you wouldn't mess up their chemistry or something —something like that. They're really excited is what I'm trying to say. They think you'll fit right in…."
He kept talking but I was distracted. There was a girl here that wasn't here the day before. I knew this because I would've noticed her without a doubt. She was pale with dark hair…bright eyes circled in black eyeliner…a nasal piercing. Was something wrong? She was resting her chin on her upturned palm, staring out of the window. The way the weak sunlight cast shadows on her face…
"Are you listening to me?" demanded Marco, snapping his fingers in my face.
I looked at him. "I am practically taking notes." I flipped open my notebook and clicked my pen, waiting.
He rolled his eyes but smiled good-naturedly. "They want to set up an audition. Nothing formal —just a jam session so they can get more of a feel for you."
Ugh. Marco was talking commitment and I couldn't do that right now. Things were so up-in-the-air…would a jam-session cost me points? If I met whatever criteria they sought after, did I still have a say in whether or not I wanted to join? I mean, I'd met Danny and Sav and Peter…none of them seemed like assholes from their first impressions, just stubbornly persistent.
Something landed on my desk. "Hold that thought," I told Marco as I unfolded the missive. He rolled his eyes again and spun around, directing his attention to the front of the room. Who's cute? was scribbled in Alex's less-than-desirable penmanship.
Well, I wasn't one to complain. My handwriting was unique, artistic…but small and equal to hieroglyphics in degree of difficulty to decipher. You tell me, I answered, handing the paper to Barbie, who handed it to Alex on her other side.
A few minutes passed where I actually paid attention to the lesson, although I don't understand why the curriculum reviews the contrast between similes and metaphors in AP English and Composition. Soon enough, however, I had Alex's reply. According to your wandering eyes, Jane Vaughn.
I looked at her but Alex was listening diligently to Ms. Kwan's lecture. I sighed, now gazing back to the beauty by the window…Jane was her name? Simple. I wouldn't forget that. According to my wandering eyes, you, was my answer.
"So was that a yes or a no?"
Craig was the one who asked me this question, his curls bouncing into his eyes. "About Stüdz?"
"Yeah. They're good guys and everything —Peter and Spin and them. You should at least jam with them and check it out. My opinion, anyway."
I nodded and attempted to look thoughtful. I had Music Theory next period, so I could see if I got good vibes from Sav and Danny, and I'd talk to KC at lunch. See how many points it would cost me and whatnot.
The square of paper was back. What are you doing after school?
Geez —so much going on at once! After school was another question about time availability and the price of points…. What did you have in mind?
"Alright, everyone —pair up!"
Wait what? I let my head hit my desk painfully. This is why I should pay attention in class. All around me I could hear students frantically leaping out of their seats and diving to claim their BFF. Marco and quiet girl (whose name was Ellie, apparently) were together, Barbie (whose name was Paige, apparently) and Alex were together…Craig was paired up, and Declan and Fiona were with one another.
And someone was tapping my head.
I looked up and Jane was in front of me. Her apparel was a flawless…Goth and girly. There was also some sort of shallow, subtle intensity that billowed and warped around her body. Wow…I liked her. I liked her a lot.
"Hi, I'm Jane," she said, outstretching her hand. I half-stood and shook it. "We're…kind of the only ones left. Partners?"
"Yeah…yeah, okay."
The bell chimed. "Have your book selected by tomorrow!" Ms. Kwan called, as the class rose as one, beginning to shuffle out of her dominion.
"Do you want to meet in the library at lunch?" she asked me, beginning to walk away. I gathered my things hurriedly and caught up with her. "Or did you already have a book in mind?"
"Umm —no." I kept in stride with her although we weren't heading in the direction of my locker. "To be completely honest I was spacing…I have no idea what the assignment or anything is." Nervous laughter tripped over my lips just as something struck the back of my head.
Jane picked up a crumpled ball of paper off of the floor. "Already making enemies, new girl?" she asked, smiling as she handed me the missile. "What did you say your name was?"
I saw the back of Alex's head disappear in the throng. I turned back to Jane. "Uh —my name? Jordan…Jordan Guthrie. Maybe you know my brother, KC?"
She made the most adorable face as she pondered. "No, I don't think so."
I shrugged, following her to wherever she was heading, hoping desperately that I could find my way to the music room —and if not, use the new-kid excuse on my second day. My chances were slim with a stiff like Regaldo though.
"So, Jordan —does the library at lunch work for you?" She stopped at a locker, unfastening the bolt and exchanging her supplies. I could lug around my English textbook for another period —that was no big deal.
"Jordan?" What was Declan doing in this neck of the woods? He, uh…didn't exactly look happy to see me. "You do realize that your next period is on the opposite side of campus, right?"
What the hell was he playing at? I did NOT like the condescending way he was staring me down. His eyes, hard with some sort of emotion, flicked to Jane for the briefest of seconds. Ah…I understood.
He had 'dibs'.
