Let the Good Times Roll
Chapter 4
Go For the Food
Mara's POV
"Mara, I'm real worried bout Johnny." mumbled Peanut from his position on my bed. Peanut was probably my best guy friend here at Bullworth, so he usually hung out in my room with me when not with the greasers. It wasn't often, but it happened.
"Bout what?" I questioned.
"He's been going nutty cause of Lola." stated Peanut into my pillow.
"Well I'm afraid sanity isn't something I'm good with, I've got meds, go talk to Hopkins, he seems to be the helper boy around here." I suggested. Peanut shrugged but didn't move.
"I dunno what to do, I'm his best friend but I ain't got a clue what to do to help him." mumbled Peanut. I pat his head sympathetically.
"No problem, I'm sure Hopkins can help you. He's the helper boy, go ask him for help." I commanded again. Peanut stood slowly and nodded at me.
"You sure this is gonna be a good idea?" he questioned. I shrugged.
"What's the worst that could happen?"
Why the fuck would I say the words that make bad things happen?
Lexi's POV
Petey and I were watching swimming in the boys' dorm. I didn't mind watching swimming because I usually just talked to Petey while he watched it. However then, Jimmy came in and wanted to play darts with Petey, who agreed. I just sat and watched, brooding and giving Jimmy glares that I usually never did.
He brought out the worst in me.
Then however Peanut came in.
"Hey!" called Peanut.
"What's this throwback want?" muttered Jimmy. I frowned, Peanut was Mara's friend. I was about to say something, when Petey spoke up.
"A haircut? A nice strong man to cuddle up to? Who knows?" My eyes widened and my mouth stayed in the perfect O shape.. Why would Petey say something so mean? Usually Petey wasn't mean, and he knew Peanut was Mara's friend!
"Jimmy Hopkins right? Listen, my friend Johnny needs your help." explained Peanut.
"Then tell your friend Johnny to come and ask for it." Peanut frowned and defended Johnny.
"Nobody tells Johnny anything. Johnny Vincent does the telling!" snapped Peanut.
"Well he doesn't tell me what to do, now beat it grease ball, you're causing an oil slick." responded Jimmy. I scowled; Petey inched away from me slightly upon seeing the emotion on my face.
"I said he needs your help man!" exclaimed Peanut.
"Do I look like a charity service?" asked Jimmy. Peanut scowled.
"You're gonna pay for this." he warned as he turned and left.
"What is wrong with this place? Everyone either needs help, wants to beat you up, or both!" muttered Jimmy.
"Well, you know who Johnny Vincent is though, don't you?" asked Petey.
"No and I don't care." snapped Jimmy.
"He's the head of the greaser clique, get friendly with him and maybe he can help you get to Gary." suggested Petey.
"Yeah maybe…. I'll tell you something Pete, this place blows." muttered Jimmy.
"Tell me about it." replied Pete in agreement. I stood up with a stomp, catching both the boys' attention. I scowled, a rare sight that was slowly becoming more often.
"I'm mad at you Petey; you know Peanut is Mara's friend! Why'd you go and do that?" I stomped my foot again and stormed out, somewhat loudly. However my timid nature kept me from doing a full blown tantrum like I know Mara would have thrown.
This just sucks.
Mara's POV
I was trying to find Johnny, Peanut was right. He was acting weird lately and I was determined to find him and knock some sense into him. I knew Jimmy wasn't going to help after I remembered Lexi's account on him, a short, devious, little bastard. Of course she didn't say bastard, but that's how I think she thinks of him. I also believe she dislikes him and she may have given me false information; however Lexi isn't good at lying or even altering the truth.
I sighed and leaned against the underpass leading into New Coventry. I liked the neighborhood, it was rundown yet I had this homey feeling when I walked around it.
"Mara?" I turned and grinned upon finding Johnny.
"There you are Johnny-boy; I've been looking for you." I informed him.
"Why?" he asked warily. I chuckled.
"Peanut's worried about you, so I came to knock some sense into you, after finding out what the hell you're so paranoid and upset about." Johnny frowned at me.
"I ain't telling you nothin, Mara, it ain't none of your business." I scowled at him.
"I count Peanut as a friend of mine and he's worried to death over you, you'd better tell me or else this will get messy!" I warned. Johnny cracked a knuckle.
"Bring it." I tackled him and surprised at how heavy I was, Johnny flew back. I landed on him and straddled him.
"Tell me!" I shouted, shaking him up and down as I prevented him from rolling over with me on top. It was tough seeing as how Johnny had at the very least thirty or more pounds on me, he also had a year since he was almost a year older than me (seeing as how I was sixteen, turning seventeen later in the month) and he also had a few inches. I learned this all from Peanut. Johnny was 18, although he wasn't a senior, neither were the rest of the greasers. They all got held back for skipping too much. Peanut wasn't happy.
"No." he yelled, rolling us over. He put his hands on my shoulders and pinned me down.
"Yes!" I yelled, head butting him. He grabbed his forehead and I managed to roll us around again.
"Tell me!" I whined as I pinned him down.
"No!" he rolled us over again.
"Just fucking tell me!" I screeched, rolling us back over only for us to roll down a small hill. When we stopped we were laying next to each other. I chuckled.
"That was fun." I commented, rolling over to face Johnny. He looked at me.
"You're crazy, insane, psychotic." he listed.
"Probably. But who cares? Being insane means I just have more fun than everyone else!" I threw my arms up before turning serious.
"But now, seriously, tell me. I don't gossip, I won't even tell Peanut. I just need to know." Johnny sighed.
"It's Lola; I think she's cheatin on me." I raised an eyebrow.
"This is new to you?" I asked remembering a previous conversation on him and Lola. Johnny sighed.
"No. I know, but I sent Jimmy to get proof, pictures." I nodded.
"I see, best of luck I guess. I think you should tell her to hit the road, if you want more proof then just ask around. Everyone knows. You're just trying to help a lost cause." Johnny sighed for a third time.
"It feels like everyone's laughin at me." admitted Johnny.
"If it helps, I laugh at everyone. You shouldn't care bout what others think, I don't and look at me!" I laughed, "I'm badass!" Johnny shrugged.
"I dunno, how can I do that? It ain't something I've ever done. And you ain't badass." muttered Johnny. I stood up, while ignoring the fact he said I was not badass, Johnny following. I grinned at him.
"Here's how I see it, normal is everyone else. Exciting, is different. If different means being laughed at, who gives a shit? I sure don't, Lexi does somewhat but what she says when I get a depressing swing is 'Weird is grand' and I believe it. Just pave your own path instead of following the one already made." I suggested.
"You're the strangest girl I've ever met." muttered Johnny.
"That's right, and don't you forget it." I stuck my tongue out and left Johnny there to think. I was in a pretty good mood, rolling around like that always made me feel bipolar. And it usually left me in a good mood.
Time for some fun.
Lexi's POV
Petey tried to apologize. It started off like this.
"L-Lexi?" he called into my room from behind my door. I glared at my door, wondering how Petey had gotten into the girls dorm. Ms Peabody had a good lock on the ground floor. It opened to reveal Petey. He nervously looked at the floor as he came in, closing the door behind him.
"I wanted to apologize." he muttered.
"Why?" I asked, "Why do you want to apologize?" I learned this one from Mara. She refused apologies unless you told her why you were apologizing, what you did wrong and why you did that, and that you truly meant the apology.
"Well, I didn't want to ruin our friendship." he admitted.
"Why'd you do it?" I questioned. Petey frowned.
"I want to be friends with Jimmy, but I have to take his side on things, and his side is making fun of Peanut. I don't mind Peanut, and he is Mara's friend and Mara doesn't pick on me so she's nice in my book. But I really want to be Jimmy's friend." explained Petey. I didn't lessen my frown.
"I won't accept your apology until you tell me what you did wrong, and you truly mean your apology." I told him. Petey sighed.
"I'm really, really sorry Lexi, I was mean to Peanut because I wanted Jimmy to like me. Peanut is Mara's friend, and she's your friend, and I guess you're on good terms somewhat with Peanut so I shouldn't have acted that way." apologized Petey. He gave Lexi a hopeful glance.
"Fine, I forgive you." I gave him a big smile, then I got an idea. Mara was really starting to rub off on me.
"But first you need to get me a few embarrassing pictures of Jimmy." Petey groaned but nodded.
"Great." I cheered when he agreed.
This was good. Very good.
Until the fire alarms rang and I got to watch a bunch of girls slip and fall from a load of marbles on the floor outside. I was almost one of those girls until Mara stepped in and held me back. I saw a bag of marbles hanging from her pocket and knew it was her.
"Why?" I asked simply as we watched everyone get up, only to fall on some more unseen marbles. Mara snickered.
"I find it hilarious." she replied as she reached down and stuffed the marbles farther in her pocket. I sighed.
"You're strange, Mara." she laughed.
"Let's add that to the list, right after crazy, insane, and psychotic." she decided with a nod before she turned around.
"Oh yeah, Lexi," Mara turned around and began walking backwards, "Do me a favor and stay away from Lola and Johnny, something's going on around here and I'm not feeling so good about it." I nodded as she turned around and disappeared around a corner.
"What was that about?" questioned Petey.
"I don't know," I admitted, "Mara's always been strange. Saying things that don't make sense, being paranoid, having bipolar moments such as this one."
"What do you think is going on that she's worried about?" added Petey. I shrugged.
"Whatever it is, we shouldn't get involved. Mara is usually right with things like this." I replied.
"Got it." nodded Petey. I sighed.
Mara, why do you always have to get involved in trouble?
Mara's POV
"So what clique are you joining?" asked Peanut. I coughed and managed to swallow the piece I was choking on before responding.
"Clique? I don't really like a lot of people here, I'm probably staying solo. With Lexi on my wing of course, maybe I'll start a new clique, the Goths. Or maybe the punks." I mused.
"Nah, we already have enough cliques, stay solo, or Johnny wouldn't mind you joining the greasers." muttered Peanut. I shrugged.
"I don't think so; I hate being labeled as something. I'm a solo girl, I'm not the greaser Mara or the jock Mara or the prep Mara or the nerd Mara or the bully Mara, I'm Mara. Just Mara." I stated.
"Alright then." noted Peanut as he looked around the lunchroom.
"But if you had to choose, what one would you choose?" questioned Peanut. I looked around the lunchroom.
"Definitely not the nerds," I said instantly as I observed them playing some kind of game at their table, "And I'm not too keen on being a bully or jock, even though it looks like fun. I'm athletic enough, but not stupid enough to fit the role of a jock. I'm also not such a bitch to join the bullies." I took a few moments to think about the decision.
"I'd join the greasers if I had to choose, but I'm not choosing. I'm staying solo, that's how I prefer to go." I said carefully after some thought.
"I see, well at least we know you have some brains." laughed Peanut, "The greasers are the best." I shrugged in response.
"Admit it." demanded Peanut, noticing my shrug. I gave him a cocky grin.
"Make me." Thus began the war, of Peanut whining to me like a little kid. That little asshole.
0o0o0o0oo0o0o0oTime Skip of DOOM0o0o0o0o0o0o00
Mara's POV
"I'm excited for Thanksgiving!" squealed Lexi as she packed her bags. For holidays you were allowed to go to your families. Lexi's foster parents invited her to stay with them for the small break so she was going there. No one told her I couldn't go yet though, her foster parents didn't like me.
"Why aren't you packing Mara?" questioned Lexi. I blinked.
"I wasn't invited." I replied blankly, shattering her fantasy of us both going somewhere.
"What? But Mara! I don't wanna leave you!" she protested loudly. I shrugged.
"I've never celebrated Thanksgiving before, so it doesn't matter. Besides, your foster parents and I don't like each other at all." I stated as I rolled of her bed. I landed on my feet and cracked my back.
"I'm going to bug the greasers while you pack." As I went to leave, I heard Lexi.
"Do you like Peanut?" I turned around and gave her a serious look.
"You should know by now, I consider myself asexual, I don't like Peanut. I've doomed myself to grow into a cat lady with a bunch of cats name Gibbs, Hammy, Tammy, Noodle, Foster, Graham, and Neville. Then I'll probably get more unless Tammy has kittens, then we'll all be in trouble." In her confusion of me listing cats, I slipped out of the door. By the time she most likely figured out what the hell I was talking about I had made my way to the auto shop. All the greasers were there, minus Lola. Like usual.
"What do you want?" asked Johnny. I shrugged in response as he added, "Shouldn't you be packing?"
"I'm staying, I don't have foster parents, or adoptive parents, or anyone to go to." I replied as I lifted myself onto a workbench and sat down.
"That sucks." stated Peanut. I shrugged.
"Besides, I've never celebrated Thanksgiving, all I know is it involves food and turkeys." I added.
"You can celebrate with me and my family." offered Peanut. I shook my head.
"According to Lexi, it's a family event, so I wouldn't want to impose." I replied smoothly.
"My sister would love to meet you, since you're the only girl who I count as a friend." he added, trying to persuade me. I shook my head.
"No thanks, you guys have your families to celebrate with." I answered. Peanut turned and gave Johnny a look.
"No." he said instantly. Peanut turned back to me.
"Johnny only celebrates with his ma, I'm sure she wouldn't mind having you, his ma likes having guests." announced Peanut, behind him Johnny looked unhappy and the rest of the greasers looked amused by the entire situation.
"I don't want to impose." I repeated.
"And I ain't taking her." added Johnny. Peanut frowned.
"You're right, it ain't a good idea. Johnny's too much of a baby to have you go to his ma's." taunted Peanut. Oh, I get it. He's trying to manipulate us; well I'm not letting that happen!
"I'm no baby!" snapped Johnny.
"You are man." laughed Norton in the background, thoroughly amused by the situation.
"No I ain't!" repeated Johnny.
"Prove it." barked Ricky, also amused.
"Fine! Mara, you're coming to my ma's on Thanksgiving." ordered Johnny. I blinked before holding back a chuckle.
"No thanks." I answered, still trying not to die from laughter.
"You're coming; you said you ain't going nowhere." ordered Johnny, I rolled my eyes and gave Peanut a little glare.
"Don't tell me you're a chicken, Mara." he pushed. I smirked.
"Nice try, Nut, but I don't give a shit if I'm called a chicken, and I'm not stupid enough to let your cunningness get to me. I'm afraid I'm a bit more cunning." I replied as I turned around.
"C'mon Mara, you don't want to stay here and eat Edna's food do you?" asked Peanut. A shiver ran down my body as I thought of what she'd make for the unfortunate students like me who had nowhere to go.
"No…" I trailed.
"Then it's settled, be ready around five." stated Johnny, walking away. Peanut smirked at me.
"Damn you, Nut, you didn't have to be cunning with me, you just had to trick Johnny." I muttered as I left to go and think about how I could get out of this situation.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o 0o0o0o
If you asked me, I didn't look half bad. I had changed from the uniform into a simple pair of shredded black jeans, a black tank top with a dark red shirt over it with the back ripped and the front had a skull. Then I had my usual black sweatshirt on, loosely hanging from my shoulders and hugging my arms.
Johnny looked his usual, only he didn't have the Bullworth uniform on under his jacket and instead had a dark green tee shirt.
"Not too shabby, Mara." he complimented. I shrugged.
"Green suits you." I replied awkwardly.
"Hey," I decided to try and get out of it again, "Shouldn't your girlfriend be the one you invited over?" Johnny frowned.
"Ma doesn't like Lola." he stated as he started walking. I jogged to catch up with him.
"That sucks for you I guess, although I think I'll get along with your ma if she has the same views on the slut as I do." Johnny didn't even defend Lola. I could tell he still wanted to fight for her, but not with me. Since he knew I had a lot of common sense, I also had a lot of sarcasm and debate skills, I would probably win the fight if it was words.
I decided, on the walk to his moms house, that I was going to just say I was there for the food. I mean, that was really the only reason I was going right? It's not like Johnny's my close friend.
We walked to his mom's house in silence. She lived in the edge of New Coventry, her house was somewhat nice. It looked a bit rundown, yet homey. Johnny just let himself in with a yell of 'I'm here!' and soon a woman came running.
She was about my height with dark strands of hair pulled up into a messy bun. She had lines around her mouth, most likely from smiling often because that was all she seemed to be doing now. Her bright green eyes landed on me and she gave Johnny a questioning look.
"Did you dump that slut and get a better girlfriend?" she asked, an accent I couldn't detect in her voice. But I probably couldn't detect it because I was laughing so hard my sides hurt after she said that. Through my laughing fit, I heard Johnny sigh loudly.
"Ma, this is a friend of mine, Mara this is my ma." I managed to stop laughing and old break out into chuckles every few seconds before completely stopping.
"Nice to meet you." I greeted. She gave me a warm smile.
"Nice to meet you too, Mara, you can call me Momma if you want. All of Johnny's boys do." I listened to her voice a bit and decided her accent was somewhat of a mix between German, French, and Spanish. I couldn't tell which it was though; I could only tell you it was British or Russian. British was distinguished easily, and I knew a lot of people with Russian accents so I could tell.
"So why did you bring Mara Johnny?" questioned Momma. Johnny sighed.
"She didn't want to intrude on Larry, and she had nowhere to go, and the cook's food ain't edible." he muttered.
"Larry is very cunning." I added, understanding she knew him as Larry rather than Peanut. Momma smiled.
"Larry is such a sweet boy, always doing things for the better, c'mon, we can start eating soon." she herded us into a kitchen and we sat at the table.
"So Mara, when did you start attending Bullworth?" asked Momma. I shrugged.
"I dunno, maybe a month ago? I can't remember how long, Bullworth is a cool place I guess, I'm actually enjoying myself." I replied.
"Where'd you go before Bullworth?" she inquired.
"Um…. I don't have the best record, and I've been to a load of schools and just ended up getting expelled." I admitted.
"I see, well I'm glad you like it at Bullworth, I don't suppose that you could tell me something about Lola?" I laughed at Johnny's face, he didn't look happy in the slightest.
"I think our views on her are the same, she's a cheating, lying, slut." Johnny scowled at my comment.
"I like you, Mara, I think we'll get along fine." laughed Momma. I smirked at Johnny. He groaned.
Best Thanksgiving ever.
November 25th,
Thanksgiving was ok, Johnny's ma, Momma, is pretty cool. She's in her mid forties but she's real fun. We're similar if you ask me. Johnny however was extremely irritable the entire time because we both liked teasing him. I bet Peanut's getting a whooping from Johnny. Ha.
Probably my best Thanksgiving so far, I actually spent it with someone. Awesome.
So, my usual words of wisdom….
Go for the food.
AN
I'm excited for tomorrow, its Friday and I'm leaving on a snowboarding trip with the real Lexi (Who came up with Lexi, but she never gave me a name so Lexi stayed as Lexi), well she's coming with us. I hope there's snow.
But that's not why I'm excited. I'm excited because our advanced Studio class is all going to dress up in black pants, white shirts, and denim jackets. I decided Mark is going to resemble Lefty. And I found my denim jacket! I actually didn't know I had one… oh, and Lexi decided that since Mark's hair looks like Johnny's, he can be the leader of us greasers. Ha, I'm in a good mood.
Anyway, review please, tell me what you think, I also apologize about the Thanksgiving, I didn't think about the fact that not everyone lives in America, but I was too lazy to edit it out and find a whole other idea.
Also, sorry for this taking awhile. I'm afraid i got a bit lazy, and caught up with the sequel to my other story. I need to update that next, UUUUUG.
Toodles.