Author's note on 10/19/18, I have done some reedits to this chapter so enjoy! Second edit 12/12/20. Third edit on 11/19/21. Fourth edit 8/10/22
Artur x Jenny: I approve of this ship because they get along just fine and really romantic.
Dee Dee x Jim: They are together, but Jim has not been seen or even mentioned since they got together. But from what I've heard, Chad doesn't like Jim because Chad wanted to be Dee Dee's boyfriend (which doesn't seem likely to happen anytime soon), so I'm not sure where I stand with these two, plus a female student named Debbie (not to be confused with the other Debbie, a girl who also had a crush on him) has a crush on Jim. I hope there will be a resolution to this very soon...
Chapter 3: You've got spikes!
Nate left social studies class and headed down the hallway to his now-clean locker. Then he saw…
"That's so funny, Snooki Bear!"
Yep, Jenny Jenkins and Artur Pashkov. Artur was Nate's occasional rival at times (example: raising money to win skateboard), but other times a good friend (helping him win the bet against Marcus Goode, a seventh-grade bully). Nate knew it's time to at least say something, so without hesitation, he heads over to the lovebirds to start a conversation.
"Hey guys," Nate says to Artur and Jenny.
"Hi," Jenny replies back.
"Hallo Nate," Artur replies back.
"You guys are still together. Can't say I'm surprised," Nate says to the couple.
"Yeah," Jenny replies.
"Nate, is thing every okay?" Artur asks with concern.
"...yes. Something I need to know about?" Nate responds.
"You want to explain what prompted you to tase Gina in social studies?" Jenny asks with a narrowing eyebrow.
"Well...it's just that… I had to finally get rid of a thorn that just wouldn't go away for once," Nate explained.
"Nate, I have a question for you. Why you huggings Mrs. Godfrey today?" Artur asks.
"Because I have seen the error of my ways, and wanted to do right by everyone else," Nate replies.
"So why come to us?" Jenny asks.
"Because I thought I at least get something out and get it over with," Nate replied back.
"Whats do you meanings?" Artur asks.
"Two things. One: I would like to say that you two are a very nice couple."
"Thanks...but what's the other thing you're going to say?" Jenny asks.
"That I get it," Nate replied.
"About what?"
"That you hate my guts. But it's okay. I understand now."
"Whats do you meanings?" Artur asks.
"Since I kept chasing Jenny for 5 years since first grade, I've come to realize that she does not want me around her like a pesky fly that just wouldn't go away," Nate explained.
"How were you finally tipped off?" Jenny asked.
"I think that a while ago something in the back of my head was telling me that you didn't like me, so I ended up giving up for good."
"...is that...it? Or is there a little more to your claim?"
"Actually, there is a little more to that," Nate replied. Then he cleared his throat and explained his account to Jenny:
"Let's start with the time when I first met you when I accidentally called you 'Jonny' because my grammar wasn't good then. From that to rejecting numerous offers like eating lunch together, sharing swing sets, and dancing together. And the time I was trying to write a love poem for you, and accidentally dumping egg salad on you…"
"Wait, that was an accident?" Jenny asks in surprise.
"Yes. I was going for Gina instead of you," Nate replied back.
"What has she done that made you unhappy?"
"She named my fleece ball team 'Kuddle Kittens'," Nate replied.
"Though she helping you winning ball fleece," Artur replies to Nate's response.
"True," Nate says quietly.
"Anyway, continue," Jenny says to Nate.
"Okay. From that to the time when you saw me at my locker and said I was a slob, and to make it worse, your boyfriend EMBARRASSED me in front of everyone (which I forgive Artur for that) and the time you called me an idiot when I had bean bag pellets all over me, so I ended up writing a list of stupid pet names for Artur because I was too jealous. Those are some notable examples for you, Jenny. Forgive me for not staying out of your life as I should have, but I'll leave you alone for good, this time. I understand now that you hate me, to which I forgive you for. I get it now, Jenny. I get it," Nate says to Jenny.
At first, Jenny didn't know what Nate was trying to say, but the more she learned from Nate's explanation, the more she started to feel very bad for herself for not paying attention to Nate. She was even starting to tremble too.
After a few seconds…
"Well...um….is...is that all you wanted to share?" Jenny asks with her voice wobbly.
"Yeah. Anyway, I won't hold you guys up. Goodbye," Nate says before turning around and starting to walk away.
"Nate," Artur calls out to Nate.
Nate turned around in question.
"So can I ask why you acted differently in social studies today?" Jenny asks.
"Um...It's a long story. Can it wait for now?" Nate asks in response.
"...sure. Bye," Jenny replies.
"Bye."
And after that, Nate parts ways with the couple and heads to his now-clean locker. Then he gets his supplies for English, shuts the locker door then turns around to see his friends behind him. And they do NOT look happy.
Francis was the one to start the conversation.
"Well... that was something today," he says to Nate.
"Sure was," Nate mumbles.
"I can't believe you actually tasered Gina like that. That was GOLD."
"Indeed."
"Though, that wasn't very nice on what you did to Ruby," Teddy says with an upset tone in his voice.
"Well, I didn't want detention again. You got anything to say for that?" Nate asks with a hint of anger in his voice.
"Well Sherlock Holmes, you had NO business to yell at Ruby and pull your desk away from her! Do you have ANY idea how you made her feel? You actually broke her heart doing that. Plus, she's a very nice girl!" Dee Dee replied angrily.
"Sorry, but no. I didn't. But I believe she was close to getting ME in trouble."
"So what? I mean, what is wrong with you?"
"Um…"
"Is Randy doing this to you? Is he blackmailing you?
"This has NOTHING to do with Randy. At all."
"Then why were you two hugging earlier today?"
Nate's heart sank. He had no clue that his friends caught him hugging Randy.
"...because he's finally acting up for once and that he's NOT going to act like a mean bully ever again. Not to mention, he actually understands me now," Nate replied back after a moment of silence.
After a few moments of silence, the intercom went on and it said
"Nate Wright to the principal's office, please. Nate Wright to the office."
Nate's heart stopped.
"You told the principal on me?" Nate asked his friends, clearly outraged at what he's hearing.
Dee Dee simply gave Nate the blank stare instead of firing back.
"Yup. Told the principal EVERYTHING about what you did in social studies. Though, I am pleased that you stood up to Gina, so that's something," Francis responded to Nate, stepping in for Dee Dee.
"But WHY report me?" Nate demanded an explanation to his friends.
"Because of what you did to Ruby. It wasn't easy, but it HAD to be done," Teddy replied.
"And YOU'RE gonna be in REAL trouble when Principal Nichols questions you about what you did to that poor girl!" Dee Dee angrily hissed at Nate before leaving with Francis and Teddy following her.
Nate knew that he was gonna have his friendships damaged because of his so-dumb move back in social studies. But unfortunately, it was gonna have to come at some point, because NATE is the one who gets into frequent trouble at school and that 'I'm not talking to you until you calm down' game his friends played on Nate really took a toll on him. And to make it WORSE, Nate had a bad dream last night on how to get back at his friends for not talking to him, Nate had to go through Ruby to get to his friends (Dee Dee in particular).
Here was the dream only that Ruby was present:
*Francis gets done saying that practice was fun.
*Dee Dee clears her throat and says with a warm smile.
"Speaking of practice, I got news for you. It's a surprise. Ruby and I had a little talk after practice...and just as I thought, she likes you!"
As Dee Dee says this, she wraps her arms around Nate in a big hug.
"She said you're nice, she loves your sense of humor, she thinks you're cute, she even loves your hair!" Dee Dee exclaims with joy, knowing that there will a new relationship blossoming very very soon.
"So this girl is literally one in a million," Teddy cracks. Everyone laughed. Except for Nate.
Nate didn't want to hurt Ruby's feelings by saying he's not interested in starting a relationship with her. But because of the California plan seemingly interrupted that excitement for Nate. So he decided to at least explain why he wasn't happy at the moment. But when he tried to speak, laughter kept Nate from telling the news about the California plan.
After trying several times to speak, Nate shouts: "Guys, let me talk for one second!"
That shout Nate gave stopped the laughter abruptly.
"Nate, what's your deal?" Francis asks.
"I was trying to speak, but you guys weren't listening to me!" Nate replied angrily.
That's when Dee Dee started giving Nate the blank stare. (AKA this is the trouble begins).
"What are you doing?" Nate asks Dee Dee.
"Not talking to you until you calm down," she replied.
"Why?"
No reply. Just a blank stare.
"You do realize that is going to make me madder?" Nate warned.
Still no answer.
Francis chimes in.
"Well, if you're done, are you ever going to ask her out?" he asks Nate.
After a few moments…
"...no," Nate replied.
Everyone looked at Nate with shock.
"What? Why?" Teddy asks in confusion.
"I thought I liked Ruby... but because you're not listening to me, I changed my mind," Nate responded before himself away from Ruby and making his way towards his front door.
Dee Dee immediately jumped ahead and blocked the door from Nate.
"Move!" Nate ordered.
"Never," Dee Dee responded before she began pushing Nate away from his house.
And after a few minutes and several blocks later, Nate's friends pushed Nate over to where Ruby is, who was in the park.
"Please let me go!" Nate demanded, but no one listened to him.
"Hey Nate," Ruby said before getting off the park bench and greeting Nate,
Clearly, Ruby initially didn't notice Nate's anger towards his friends, but as Dee Dee handed Nate over to Ruby, she could clearly see that he's extremely mad.
"Package for Ruby Dinsmore," Teddy impersonated being a delivery person.
"And Nate, while you're with her, why don't you just take a deep breath and calm down," Dee Dee said to Nate, as she didn't know what Nate would later do next.
Nate and Ruby left despite Nate's will and as Nate's friends were leaving, they suddenly heard:
"...WHAT?"
It sounded like a combination of a foghorn and a chainsaw to Nate's friends, so they headed to the source of the yelling and soon enough, they saw it:
Nate was giving Ruby a five-star butt chewing, and Ruby DEFINITELY looked pretty frightened to Nate's behavior.
And as Ruby tried to comfort Nate, he did the absolute worst...and pushed Ruby away, who then scrapped her knee on the sidewalk.
And immediately, Ruby burst into tears.
This would be (or WOULD HAVE BEEN) the most UNFORGIVING moment for Nate because his friends immediately rushed to Ruby's side and asked questions such as:
"Are you okay?"
"Are you hurt?"
"Did he hurt you?"
Dee Dee turned around to Nate in anger and shouted:
"What is WRONG with you?"
"I had a bad day," Nate argued.
"You had a BAD DAY?"
"Yeah, I had a bad day, okay?"
"NO! NO! That is NOT okay! You are NEVER going ANYWHERE near Ruby or ANY of us AGAIN!
Nate looked at Dee Dee for a bit, who then said:
"We are DONE!"
Dee Dee turned on her heel then walked over to Francis and Teddy who were helping Ruby get to her feet while she was sobbing uncontrollably from the accident.
"Dee Dee!" Nate says as he got closer to his now ex-friends and Dee Dee turns around and hisses:
"Do you know what your problem is, Nate? You can't say 'What If'...and you never will."
And after that final word to Nate, Dee Dee then turns to Ruby and helps her out and asking:
"Can you walk?"
"I...I think so," Ruby replied weakly between sobs.
"Calm on. Let's get a band-aid on your knee," Francis spoke gently to Ruby before he, Teddy and Dee Dee started leading Ruby away, but not before Dee Dee gives a final glare and dirty look to Nate before they disappear.
"Fine, I never needed you anyway," Nate thought to himself before walking away towards home, and knowing that he can't be here in town anymore, Nate began praying discreetly that he move away from his ex-friends.
And Nate got his wish.
"Good riddance," Nate thought to himself as the family left Nate's hometown. For good, not even acknowledging Ellen sobbing in the car.
*End of dream.*
Nate was left feeling numb. He couldn't believe it. His friends betrayed him.
"Why?" Nate thought to himself.
Was it because he got mad at Ruby today?
Probably was.
Nate really hated himself for yelling at Ruby. But the problem was this:
Again, it is possible that Nate might be moving to California because of a company wanting to hire his dad there. Nate doesn't really hate Ruby. At all. He still thinks she's awesome. And beautiful, of course. But what's the point of telling Ruby that Nate loves her back when he's never going to SEE her again? That ALONE is the problem.
After a few moments, Nate walks slowly to the Principal's office and soon enough, Nate knocked on the office door.
"Come in," The Principal said.
Nate opened the door.
"Ah, Nate. Sit down, please," Principal Nichols gestured to a chair.
Nate slowly sat down, knowing the worst is about to come.
"Can you explain to me what happened today in social studies?" The principal asked Nate.
Nate couldn't respond. He felt like he had sawdust in his mouth.
"Can't explain?" Principal Nichols asked, noticing Nate unable to speak.
Nate nodded his head slowly.
"Well, according to the complaints I got today, you reportedly yelled at another student (because she was giving you problems) and you tased yet another student too. Can you give any comments on that?" The Principal went to proceed with the reports he gotten today.
"Well... they were giving me problems and I had to defend myself. I do have my rights...right?" Nate asked nervously.
"By yelling and pulling your desk away from that person and tasering another?" The Principal responded back.
"But Gina was displaying disgusting comments towards people saying 'you people,'" Nate did his best to justify his actions.
"And yelling at another girl for bugging you?" Principal Nichols responded again.
That's when Nate got extremely upset and mad at the same time and got up from his seat to get to the Principal's level and:
"She was CLOSE to getting me in trouble and I didn't want any further trouble with what happened yesterday, especially at home, and my friend's not listening! None of this would have happened if they just LISTENED to me!"
Nate's stomach went numb in a millisecond, based on the Principal's reaction to Nate's sudden outburst, so he slowly sat back down, knowing the ugly was about to strike.
But surprisingly, the Principal (because he noticed a few tears rolling down Nate's eyes) calmly asked Nate with the following question:
"And what's going on at home that I need to know about?"
Silence fell again. Nate knew he had to get out of the situation fast, so he had to give off the real reason why Nate acted like a jerk.
"Because I am moving...to California," Nate replied, looking like he's about to collapse in shock.
"And why's that?" the Principal asked.
"Because my if my dad can't work here in town, me and my family will HAVE to move," Nate explained the problem.
The Principal nodded his head and asked:
"And if I contact your dad, will he have the same account as yours?"
"Yes," Nate whispered with pain in his voice.
"Okay then. Here's the thing: I'm NOT going to punish you NOW, it's just that... with all that has happened to you lately, I'll leave you be for right now," Principal Nichols explained to Nate, whose heart stopped, thinking he was getting an OSS or something.
"That's all. You may go now," The Principal finished and dismissed Nate, who left the office slowly and walked down the hallway, where he is greeted by a few students.
"We heard what you did to Gina today, so great job. How did it feel getting revenge on Gina?" One student asked.
"Pretty sweet," Nate replied with a small smile.
"Well, again, great job," said another student before leaving Nate, who headed for his locker in pure bitterness.
That's when a hand is placed on Nate which caused him to turn him around to see who it was.
"Oh. You again," Nate responded bitterly.
It was Nate's friends.
"What did the principal say?" Francis asks.
"Did you get expelled?" Teddy asks with concern.
"Not yet. But I'm close now because of you," Nate replied back.
"I'm sorry, okay? We had to!"
"May I ask why?"
"Well...um…"
"Is it because of what I did to Ruby? Forgive me, but I didn't want detention again. Case Closed."
Nate began to walk away again. But ended up getting pulled over again in the process.
"Nate, listen to me! The reason why I had to sell you out was that…" Dee Dee started but Nate finished the sentence.
"Because of what I did to Ruby? Yep, that's what I said a little bit ago."
"Look, can we get past this now?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because of you."
"Us?" Teddy asks.
"Yes. And I may bear SOME responsibility for the trouble I'M getting, but you had NO right to sell me out!" Nate hissed.
Again, Dee Dee simply gave Nate the usual blank stare.
"And you blew it for me?"
"Blew what for you?"
That's when a voice jumps in.
"Nate, are you okay?"
It was Ruby. She slowly walked up to Nate and inserted her hand into Nate's hand.
Yet again, Nate really hated himself for yelling at Ruby back in social studies. But because of his friends betraying him and refusal to understand his anger, Nate knew it was time to at least turn away the opportunity to ask Ruby out. Not to mention, Nate somehow realized that Ruby was his friends' biggest weakness. Especially to Dee Dee.
And speaking of Dee Dee..
"You BETTER not jerk your hand away from Ruby. You get me?" she warned.
Nate tried to defend himself, but Dee Dee cut him off, saying:
"I don't want to hear it from you for now, okay?"
And with that, Dee Dee sent Nate on his way with Ruby. Little would she know that relationship won't last long...
"Nate, are you okay?" Ruby asked with concern to Nate.
Nate didn't answer and tried to avoid eye contact with her. Nate felt like he is being FORCED into a relationship now that Dee Dee is refusing to listen to Nate.
"Is something bothering you?" Ruby asked again.
"Can I be left alone right now?" Nate asked politely.
"I can tell what happened in social studies is affecting you. Something tells me that you probably shouldn't have tased Gina and left her alone, not to mention the fact you shouldn't have gotten angry. You should have just let it go."
This is where the newborn relationship is about to take a sharp 180. Not to mention that some portion of Ruby's response is what got Nate to hurt Ruby in Nate's nightmare.
Nate turned and looked at Ruby in shock and anger.
"...WHAT?"
"Oops. I made a big mistake," Ruby thought to herself.
"That's it, we're done!" Nate responded angrily before walking away quickly.
"Nate, WAIT!" Ruby called out, trying to catch up to her new boyfriend.
And as soon as she did, Ruby tried to rap her arms around Nate, who immediately responded back by blocking Ruby from comforting him.
Randy was nearby alongside his friends and noticed the incident growing.
"Guess he's trying to fulfill his promise to you," one of Randy's friends suggested.
Randy nodded back.
But before Randy could intervene, Nate pushed away Ruby, who fell to the ground, but luckily, she didn't scrap herself. Thank goodness!
And before you knew it, Nate found himself belittling and humiliating his new girlfriend in front of the ongoing crowd. Even Dee Dee, Francis, and Teddy came forward to see what was the commotion about.
"...so there! We are DONE!" Nate hissed before turning to walk away but Dee Dee's voice stopped him.
"Nate! WHAT is your problem?"
Nate stopped. Randy knew what was happening. He then whispered to most of the crowd that Nate was upset. It was a 'pass it on' moment that occurred during the argument.
Nate turned around. His face burnt red of clear anger and hot tears boiling out of his eyes. Everyone noticed that too.
"I thought I liked Ruby...but because of your betrayal towards me, and refusal to listen to me, I CHANGED my mind," Nate spoke angrily.
Francis' jaw dropped. Teddy let out an 'ooohhhh'. Dee Dee gasped with her hands close to her mouth.
"And you know what your problem is? You can't say 'What If'... and you never will," Nate finished. before turning on his heel and walking away.
"Okay, you're too far, Nate. This is, like, totally unnecessary," Dee Dee spoke quietly, trying to diffuse the situation.
Nate stopped dead in his tracks, then waved his fists in the air and shouted:
"I'M GOING TOO FAR? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!?"
More tears were spilling out of Nate's eyes now.
"This wasn't what we had in mind! Didn't plan this out!" Dee Dee protested.
"Well guess what, Dee Dee, love doesn't go by a plan or force!" Nate said back in anger.
One of Randy's friends cheered in support for Nate:
"Yeah!"
Nate gasped suddenly.
"You see? There! She just gave me the blank stare again!" Nate pointed to Dee Dee.
Everyone booed at Dee Dee, who looked back in embarrassment.
"Nate, STOP IT!" Dee Dee hissed.
"I was totally wrong about you. I open myself up, and trusted you as a good friend...but you've got spikes man! You've got spikes!" Nate replied weakly before walking away in tears.
"Nate!" Randy called out, before turning to Dee Dee with a glare before running after Nate with concern.
Dee Dee looked on in stunned silence before turning to the crowd for support.
But the only response that was given back was anger and disgust to Dee Dee and the rest of Nate's now ex-friends before turning to their own separate ways and walking away with several students murmuring words to each other with headshaking exchanged.
And from that moment on, Nate's trust to his friends was destroyed.
Like done for good kind of destroyed.
*Done! That took awhile. I lost my progress several times, but it was worth the try. I'll see you soon again. Byeeee! ;)*