Chapter 6: Maya
Ugh, please let the clock be wrong. I think to myself, opening my eyes and squinting at the large red numbers. I only have 15 minutes before school starts. At least Katie's home for the week, she can give me a ride... I hope.
After quickly running my hair through the straightener and throwing an outfit together, I grab socks and rush to the kitchen, where Mom is reading the newspaper and drinking her coffee. Its a wonder Katie and I were never coffee drinkers. Both our parents are caffeine addicts and yet, we're fine without it.
"Hey honey, you look flushed. You feeling alright?" Mom asks, placing the paper down gently. "Yeah. I just don't wanna be late. Is Katie home?" I ask while lacing up my converse. "I'm always here Chicken Little." Katie says, appearing from behind the open fridge door and taking a bite of the apple in her hand. "What do you need?" "A ride to school?" I ask timidly, biting the inside of my cheek while awaiting a response. "Sure. I'll get my keys." Well that was easier than expected. I quickly grab my lunch from the fridge and stuff it into my bag and grab a muffin to go before she changes her mind. "We're off. Be back in 5 mom. Bye." "Bye girls. Have a nice day Maya." Mom says before Katie shuts the door and rushes to the drivers side of the car.
On our quiet ride to school I ask the burning question on my mind. "Katie." "Yeah" "Why are you being so nice to me?" I ask, utterly dumbfounded and wanting an answer. "Can't a girl want to do something nice for her little sister?" She asks, checking her hair in the mirror. "Well yes but, you're not the type to just be that kind. What's your motive." She pauses a second, pondering whether or not she should tell me. "Okay. Fine. So there's this party I want to go to tonight, but its kind of in Kapuskasing." "Katie!" "Well you know I go to school with Cam's sister right? Well she's throwing a huge party and I have to be there! Can you cover for me Chicken Little?" "Yeah, I guess." I say, thinking it over. "Tell the rents that I'm going to a Little Miss Steaks tonight, okay?" "Okay." I say, unfastening my seatbelt and grabbing my bag before getting out of the beat up family car. "Thanks Katie." "No problemo lil sis." She says, putting on her sunglasses and driving away. She knows Izzy what, three weeks and I know Cam for over a year but she gets to go to his house. Makes perfect sense, totally. I sigh as I trudge up the degrassi steps and enter the crowded halls.
I push my way through the incompetent people and make my way to my locker. I still have to refer to a sticky note with my combo from the office aid to get my locker open. I manage to do so relatively quickly and pack my binders and textbooks into my locker. "Perfect." I say to myself, hands on my hips, examining my handiwork. I check the time on my phone and scoot down the hall to my first class: Science.
"Who's ready for some chromo magnificence?" My science teacher asks as she makes her way through the door and sets down a box of test tubes and beakers. "Today we are going to be doing the flame test. This test is fairly simple. First we take the metal loops wire and dip it into one of the unidentifiable chemicals. Then you stick the loop into the flame of the bunsen burner and record your observations. Whoever can name all of the chemicals correctly will get a homework pass. Now hope to it and work with your lab partners. Aprons and goggles are on the lab benches." She says smiling and tying her black hair up with a purple scrunchie.
I quickly make my way to an open lab bench and tie my hair back before putting on safety goggles and an apron. My lab partner is Jake Sevransky, the musical prodigy. He's already turned on the bunsen burner and started a sheet of note. Figures, he's good at music and he's an honor student. Cruel, cruel world. I would love to have been the "perfect student" but I do well enough. Katie was always the best in school and soccer. I'm just not a huge sports person I guess. "First one's calcium." He says, not looking up from his station. I've learned never to challenge him either. I mean he's a good person and all, but he's always right, so what's the point in wasting time in an argument.
After five more tests and brilliantly colored flames, we are the first group done and have all the chemicals correctly names. Jake seems satisfied as he takes the homework pass and inserts it into a slot of his impeccably organized science binder.
Finally the bell tolls and we file out of the classroom, elbows pushing into stomachs as we make our way through the far too narrow door frame.
"Hey M. How's life?" Cam asks as I walk up to our usual table. "Life is good. And you Cheesy? How are you?" "I'm good. But I wish it was still Summer. We're marching into Fall. And where there's Fall, snow is soon to follow." He says, taking a sip of water and swirling his plastic fork around. "But that also means hockey's right around the corner. So that's good, right?" I ask, a bit timid seeing as this subject isn't always Cam's favorite. "Well yeah, that is exciting I guess. I'm back on the ice this season. I mean sure, it'll be slow going, but I'll be fine." He says nodding his head and beginning to devour his lunch. "Ugh. Hey guys. Don't talk, I have to study for the English test and I didn't exactly read the book." Tristan says, not looking up from the sparknotes page open on his phone. We abide by his advice and continue eating in silence until he places his phone down. "Its useless. I'm not gonna remember it." Tristan says frowning, his elbow on the table and his head in his hands. "Oh come on. I know you can do it Tris. But right now, what you need is food. Good ol' food." I say, unzipping his bag and placing his lunch bag in front of him. "Now eat." Cam says, poking Tristan's arm and coaxing him into working on his yogurt. "Fine. But only because you're cute." "Hear that. Tris thinks I'm cute." Cam says, his arms crossed over his chest and a coy smiling playing on his lips. "Oh don't get too cocky, Tris is a little boy crazy." I say, taking a bite of my sandwich and leaning back into our booth. "Hey, that's not true. I don't think Damon's cute." Tris says, irritated at my comment. Much as I love Tris, he can never quite understand when I'm serious and when I'm joking. "Alright, so you don't like every boy." "Exactly. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to get to the theatre for drama club. If you find Zig tell him that Imogen need's to get him fitted asap." Tristan says, gathering his trash and looking confident on his way out of the cafeteria.
"So. The Clarkson's are going on a family camping trip this weekend so they'll be out of town. I was wondering if you wanted to hang out?" "I would love to. And, if I pull through for Katie, she can return the favor and I can sleep at your place." "Sibling manipulation is a beautiful concept." "That it is Cam. That it is." I say, relaxing once more and letting go of all the stresses that have taken a toll on my life. Because now, everything is just as it should be. At least for the time being.
So this chapter isn't exactly my best work (it was rushed). I like the beginning but the ending needs work. But whatever, nbd.
Thanks so much to Nightrose20 (ie Jessica), aphass, music5ever for following this story. That means so much. And thanks to Nightrose20 and HopelesslyFictional for seding your kind reviews. They mean so much to me and each one makes my day brighter. I could be having the worst day but come home to see a review from either of you, and my smile comes back, brighter than ever. And thanks again to Nightrose20 for adding this story as one of your favorites. That makes me overjoyed to know that you enjoy this story that much. Sorry about this update though, its short and not very well done, but I wanted to get something out fast so I can work on more chapters, though you may have to wait longer for the better chapters.
Love,
Squeegee G