"Isn't your mom's album coming out tomorrow?" Ellie asked me as I'm digging thru my locker, looking for my colored pencils.
"A little busy Ellie…" I say quickly, frustration leaking into my voice.
I need these for the map we got assigned in US History.
Otherwise I'll need to check if we have some at home.
If that doesn't work out, I'll need to go to the office supply store and buy some.
I really don't want to do that.
"Doing what? The second I got here you started digging around like you're looking for Austin in there or something."
"I'm looking for my colored pencils. I need them for that map." I say.
She immediately groaned.
"I've got pencils, use mine."
"Ellie, you ground thru them and use them like a woodchuck."
I hear her make an outraged gasp then feel myself get whacked in the side.
"OW!" I yell, then pop out of my locker.
"A woodchuck?" Ellie frowned at me.
"Yeah. Truth hurts! They're all shaded to one side! I can't use them!"
Ellie simply scowled at me.
"No need to be a bitch about it."
"I'm not, I'm just saying I can't use them." I say, turning back to my locker. "No need to take it so personal."
"You called me a woodchuck!" Ellie said, outraged.
I ignore said outrage and continue to dig thru my locker.
I need to stay late one day and clear it out.
"And you're just going to let that comment die. That's just great." Ellie's anger seeped thru still.
"I'm just trying to find these dumb colored pencils!"
"Yeah, and insulting me in the process!"
I stop what I'm doing and peek out at her.
"Did something happen that I missed?"
She immediately started blabbering about how nothing was wrong, she's fine, and everything is great.
"I don't believe you." I say.
"That's your problem. Also your problem, your woodchuck friend. Are you saying you don't like my teeth?"
I laugh and lay my head onto a book.
"Ok, something is wrong. You're just not telling me."
I hear Ellie make a noise of frustration and footsteps walking away from me, then back towards me.
Then "Hey! Austin!"
I poke my head out and see Austin holding drinks, like normal and looking at Ellie.
"Hi. What's up? Drink?"
Ellie took the drink and said "I'm not a woodchuck."
"You're not. What is this about?" He asked, approaching me and eying me warily.
"It started because I can't find my colored pencils." I say, then resume digging in my locker.
This locker is messier than a marooned cruise ship.
Although not as bad as that one that crashed off the Italy coast and turned the movie Poseidon from fantasy film to real life horror show.
I'm pretty sure nobody has died in my locker, as opposed to the people onboard that ship.
"Okay then. And what has caused it to make Ellie approach me?"
"She said I sue my colored pencils like a woodchuck!" Ellie said loudly.
"Because the tips have been forced off to the side and are impossible to use!" I counter hotly.
Austin laughed. "Are you two seriously mad about colored pencils?"
"Only because she called me a woodchuck!" Ellie replied.
"I'm not mad!" I say, looking out to him.
"Okay, alright. I'll settle this. Ellie, your colored pencils are kind of hard to use because Syd is right, the tips are off to the sides."
I smile as Ellie made her indignant noise.
"I think there's something that's bugging her. Because I didn't call her a woodchuck. I said she uses them like a woodchuck." I say.
I hear Ellie yell, and Austin say "Hey! Hey!" and look out to see Austin holding Ellie in the air, restraining her.
Austin then put Ellie down and said "I'm not dumb. Something's up. What's with the hellfire and brimstone?"
"Why are boys so fucking stupid?" She snapped at him.
Oh!
Austin laughed.
"Well, that's a complicated answer."
"Dummy it down." Ellie frowned.
"Well, women are the superior sex, and males aren't as developed as women." Austin smiled.
I smile back at him.
"You're just saying that so you can get some later." Ellie frowned.
"No, he's said that to me before." I tell her.
And he's already had his fun for a while.
"And we're going over to her house later, so there will be no getting it in." Austin said with a smirk.
I blush and whack his arm in embarrassment.
"Whatever. I can see the steam coming off you too." Ellie rolled her eyes.
"This isn't about us. This has Aaron written all over it." Austin said, looking pensive.
Immediately Ellie blushed and shifted away from him.
"Oh no. What'd he do now?" I say, looking to Ellie.
Ellie avoided my eyes and started tapping away on her phone.
Just as Austin said "No texting to get away from us—", she handed her phone to me.
Austin zoomed to my side.
…
"I don't believe it." Austin said, voice barely above a whisper.
The Wicked Witch of The West has reappeared.
"You've got to be kidding me." Austin said, this time to Ellie.
"Nope. Please stop me from strangling her." Ellie asked.
I immediately give Austin the phone and dart over and hug her.
"I'm sorry. I love you. Don't be mad at me." I squeeze her.
"I'm not! I'm sorry I yelled at you." Ellie hugged me back.
We stay there for a moment until Austin said "Aww. True love."
Ellie laughed and let me go.
"Nah, that's between you two."
I smile and look over at Austin, who is wearing his adorably cocky smile.
"We're going to have to cut your colored pencil search short Syd, Sikowitz wants us in the box in 2 minutes."
I groan, pick up my purse from the ground next to my locker, close up my locker and sprint after the other 2.
"Your legs are too long." I say to Austin.
"Well maybe instead of blaming me, maybe you should run more."
"No, I run 3 times a week. You have a physical advantage I can't beat." I counter.
"Not my problem." Austin said, then held the door for us.
Ellie and I find our normal seats in the 2nd row and sit just as Sikowitz hops out of his chair.
After sending off a text.
"Alright everyone. Thanks for coming and being on time. Before I reveal the parts for the play, the people behind the curtain this time would like to have a word with all of you."
The back of the room, which is full of seniors that didn't graduate last year because of Sikowitz denying them their graduation erupted in angry muttering.
"Quiet back there!" Sikowitz snapped.
"Why? They're just going to come yell at us and flaunt their superiority!" A guy in the back yelled.
"Maybe that's because they are superior?" Sikowitz asked.
"Says who?"
"Says I!" Sikowitz snapped at him just as the door opened to reveal Beck, with people behind him.
"Come on in, sorry. The seniors aren't thrilled you are here."
"Well that is their problem." Aunt Jade said darkly.
I see Ellie smile deviously.
"Did anybody repeat from last year Sikowitz?" Mom asked, causing the whole room to snap to her.
"Yeah. A bunch, unfortunately." Sikowitz replied darkly, as Mom, Dad and everyone sat up on stage.
Oh no.
Are we about to get yelled at again?
Suddenly I spot Olivia being handed off to Sikowitz, who smiled at her.
Olivia immediately giggled.
I sit back and try to relax, and Austin helps by smiling at me and squeezing my hand.
"Alright. Every senior who had to repeat this year please raise your hand." Sikowitz called out.
I glance back to see about 15 hands go up.
"Great. The door is behind you. Bye." Aunt Jade snapped.
"What?" Somebody snapped.
"None of you got parts. And I don't want to see your faces. So leave. Now." Jade frowned.
A few got up to leave, looking morbidly depressed.
"No. I'm staying here." The guy who spoke up earlier said.
Mom suddenly got up, rushed to the back and yanked him up.
"OUT!"
He grabbed his bag and fled the room as quick as he could.
Right after that, the last person left, and Mom shut the door behind her and reclaimed her spot next to Dad.
"Aga!"
The whole class turned to Olivia, who is looking to Austin and smiling.
Beside me, Austin waved to her.
"Mama! Aga!" Olivia called out.
Austin smiled.
"Silly girl." Her mom said, and Austin shook his head.
"Alright. We won't take much of you guys' time, we know that you all have a lot going on. We would just like to say quickly, and as a group that we were very impressed with your auditions and cnnot wait to see what you guys do with this play. The cast list and revised scripts are by the door. Thanks for stopping by." Uncle Beck said.
Ellie and I exchange looks as people get to their feet and make their way to the back.
"That's it?" I ask.
Ellie shrugged as Austin tapped my shoulder.
I turn and see a few freshman approaching my mom.
"They're afraid she's going to bite." He said, smiling.
"Hey!" I hear Ellie say to Olivia, then take her from Sikowitz.
Mom smiled at one of them and took out a marker.
Autographs.
"I wonder if she'd give you one. She seems to be in a good mood." I tease him, as I slip out of the row and notice that Skylar is lurking behind the freshmen.
I glance over to where Austin is, only to find he's not there.
"—terfuge isn't the way to go. Walk away Skylar. Please."
"No. I just want an autograph." She said.
"No, you want to flaunt the autograph online and say that you fooled Syd's mom into signing for my ex."
"Why would I do that?"
"Maybe because you're a constant pain in the neck. Your posts on Splashface didn't go unseen by me you know."
Huh?
I creep my way over, only to get a dirty look from Skylar.
"What posts?" I ask.
"Her usual brand of humor." Austin frowned. "They were directed just to me."
"Oh."
"Oh." Skylar mocked.
I bite my lip.
I'd love to break her.
"Skylar. Leave please." Austin said.
"No, I'll leave after I get my autograph."
"What's the issue over here?" Aunt Jade comes over, a sweet smile on her face.
"She's my ex, and she's trying to start drama online by getting Syd's mom's autograph."
"Oh really now…" Aunt Jade frowned.
"Aga!"
Both Austin and I turn around to see that Olivia has officially gotten bored with Ellie.
"Ok, here's your Aga." Ellie smiled, and handed her off to him.
"Hey there." Austin smiled.
"Aga." Olivia smiled back, then looked around.
"Enough on the dumb baby. I'm getting this autograph."
"The baby isn't dumb." Ellie, Jade and I all say at the same time.
"Skylar, seriously, just leave." Austin said wearily.
"Yeah, take somebody else's sloppy seconds too, while you're at it." Ellie frowned at her.
"Huh?" Skylar said.
"Yeah, huh?" Aunt Jade looked at her daughter.
"Everything ok over here?" Mom asked.
Suddenly everyone's attention turned to Mom.
"Uhm yeah. Hi. I was wondering if you'd sign this?" Skylar asked politely, and pulling out a glossy picture of mom.
Glossy?!
"Sure, hold on. What's the deal here?" Mom asked Austin.
"You've already met her. This is my ex. Skylar."
Mom immediately looked shocked.
"The one from the baseball field?"
Austin nodded.
"Well, in that case you can leave. I'm not signing anything else."
"But you said—" Skylar began, but Mom cut her off.
"I don't care. I remember what you said, and how evil Austin says you are. So no. Bye." Mom scowled at her.
"Fine. Your EP is going to suck. You're over the hill." Skylar said, then turned and stomped out.
"BYE!" Mom yelled after her.
"She's pleasant." Aunt Jade said sarcastically.
"Oh, just a ball of fun." I roll my eyes.
"What did you say about sloppy seconds honey?" Mom asked Ellie.
Ellie immediately went red as her mom turned her gaze on her.
"She's talking to Aaron."
Her mom immediately looked shocked and said "That's why you haven't mentioned him!"
"Even better that I turned her down." Mom said, then came and hugged me.
I turn to Austin to see him talking to Olivia.
"The mean girl is gone. You can smile now." He was saying.
Olivia doesn't look happy, but isn't wailing.
Just frowning.
"Smile. C'mon." Austin tickled her.
Olivia made a mad noise and kicked her feet out.
"Fine, I'll drop it. Just smile soon." Austin said then kissed her head.
"She isn't a happy camper."
"And your father soon won't be either." Mom said darkly.
Ellie, Austin and I all spin around to see Dad, Uncle Beck and Olivia's dad talking to a kid.
Holding a puppet.
Robert.
The one that…
"I don't get it." Aunt Jade said.
"Me neither. And wasn't Sydney's dad a really good ventriloquist back in the day?" Austin asked.
"Yeah, but that boy was named after Robbie."
"WHAT!?" Jade yelped, just as my dad shook Robert's hand, then looked over at us.
"What goes on over here?" He said happily.
"I…you…what?!" Jade asked Mom, who was a deep red.
"What are we missing?" Andre asked.
"Am I in trouble for something? That kid just wanted to introduce himself and ask for a pointer or two." Dad asked Mom.
"Named Robert too, oddly enough." Uncle Beck added on.
"That's not a coincidence." Mom said.
"Huh?" Uncle Beck said.
"I heard from Sikowitz…that that kid was named after you Robbie."
Dad's jaw dropped.
"What?" Uncle Andre asked.
"You're kidding." Beck said.
"Who is the mom and dad?"
"I don't know the dad, but apparently the mom was one of the quiet people in the back."
Dad is just gaping at her.
"Why name the kid after him then?!" Beck asked.
"Because she liked him. But he was too busy drooling after Cat to notice." Sikowitz said behind us, causing me to jump.
"Wait, so she liked Robbie…presumably gets over him, has a baby, and names the baby after Robbie?" Aunt Jade asked.
"I didn't say it made sense. What's weirder is that the father doesn't show for Parent/Teacher Night." Sikowitz said.
Jade immediately blurted out "Sperm bank"
Ellie and I immediately blush, and Austin looks extremely embarrassed.
"So she never actually got over Robbie?" Andre filled in the new gap.
"I assume so."
"What's the mom's name?" Dad asked quietly.
"Andrea Robertson."
"No clue who that is." Uncle Andre said.
"You ok Robbie? You look a little pale." Sikowitz said.
Dad shook his head and said "Yeah, I just feel bad. I don't like hurting people, that's all."
"There wasn't anything you could do. You were too busy with school, then Sydney." Mom reassured him.
But my stomach turned to ice.
Me.
I was the final straw.
"Whoa. Now you. What's up?" Austin said to me.
"It was me. I caused her to give up." I say.
"Whoa Syd. Don't say that. There could have been a lot of things. We don't know anything." Uncle Andre said.
"Plus you can't blame yourself for somebody else deciding to have a kid. That's ridiculous." Aunt Jade said.
"Doesn't help things." I mutter.
Dad looked to me then said "I think it's time to go home and relax. Traffic should be cleared out by now."
"You want to come Sikowitz?" Mom asked him.
"Nope, I've got a date."
I whip around and stare at him looking proud.
"That's great. We'll catch you around then…" Aunt Tori said.
Then all the adults practically ran for the door. I snag 3 scripts with our names on the way out.
Once it shut behind Ellie, Mom turned to Dad and said "Sikowitz on a date?!"
"That'd be a trip." Uncle Beck said darkly.
"I can't imagine that happening. The date, that is." Austin said.
Everyone turned to him.
"Believe me, neither can we." Uncle Andre said, causing me to smile and realize something.
We're actually all thinking the same thing for once.
Weird.