Belle I noticed, was suddenly uncharacteristically quiet and kept her head down but her face was red as fire.
“So Belle what happened to your friend, she was supposed to help me this afternoon with the calculus but she was a no show.”
“I don’t know Shane I haven’t seen her either. Weren’t you two supposed to get together yesterday before school started to hammer out a schedule?”
“We were but something came up and I had to bail. I hope she doesn’t flake out on me I really need to pass that class or coach is going to bench me.”
“I’m sure she has a good reason.” She looked around as if searching for her friend with a worried look creasing her brow.
Across the way there was a group of very unhappy cheerleader types. I caught the glares and the upturned noses, but decided to keep it cool since I was going to be trying out for the squad later and didn’t feel like dealing with the drama.
I’ve been cheering since middle school and never had a problem making the squad, but I know how these things work. There’s a hierarchy that rivals the royal houses of Europe when it comes to this stuff, but I’ve never been one to follow the crowd.
From everything Belle had shared, I kinda got the idea that she and her friend weren’t very well accepted by the ‘it’ crowd.
Understanding that, I knew there was going to be some flack heading my way because I’ve already made up my mind that this chick and me were going to be pals. If they don’t like it they can stuff it.
Hopefully the coach here is as cool as my last one and doesn’t put up with that kind of mess, but we’ll see. If they give me any shit I’ll just set Veronica and Jackson Claiborne on their ass, mom can be a beast when it comes to us kids.
I have to get out of this new habit of wanting my mommy, damn, I haven’t been that way since kindergarten and it was beginning to tick me off.
I don’t think I’m intimidated per se, but I do feel a little out of my depth, which is so not like me. I hadn’t even checked out any of the guys they had on offer.
Now that I can date you would think that would be the first thing on the agenda, but so far none of them had peaked my interest.
Shane wasn’t bad looking with his broad shoulders and windblown blonde locks, but I wasn’t feeling him. Oh well, it was only the first day there’s time enough for that later.
My brother was acting kind of strange and I kept giving him the look, but he ignored me and carried on talking to his friend.
Pretty soon more of their teammates showed up and joined us, and I thought Belle was going to shit herself.
A couple of the other girls got up and came over to our table, all smiles and sashaying hips.
One of them draped herself over the Shane guy, while the other two honed in on my brother. It was as if Belle and I weren’t even there.
Oh I know this game, juvenile. I was becoming less and less unsure of myself.
I thought for sure these Hollywood types would have a whole new play, but idiots were idiots no matter their zip code it seemed.
“So boys, aren’t you going to introduce us to your new friend?” This from queen bitch as Belle had dubbed her.
Up close I have to admit she’s a knockout. Blonde hair a few shades lighter than mine, though that could be a bottle job, and innocent baby blue eyes.
Her body was centerfold ready, and I only had one moment of cattiness when I questioned the originality of her chest.
She dripped designer wear from her Gucci flats to her diamond studs. But beyond that there was something missing in her eyes.
“Girls this is Sian, you already know Belle.” Shane made the introductions while his new playmate tried to involve him in a game of tonsil hockey.
He wasn’t looking too interested and that earned me a scathing look. Whatever.
This one, whose name turned out to be Liz Summers, was a raven-haired beauty with amazing brown eyes, that’s where the differences between her and Mandy ended.
She had the same brand everything on as the other girl, and I was really beginning to think they shared the same plastic surgeon.
“Sian, cute name, so, are you planning on trying out for the squad?” Mandy sized me up and I guess found me lacking in some way, if the flare of her nostrils was any indication.
“I am.” I noticed that she totally ignored Belle as she spoke and went so far as to place her body between us like the other girl wasn’t there.
“Why don’t you come on over to our table? We were just discussing some new routines.”
I looked at Belle who looked like she was dying to say something but held her tongue. I knew what was going on here and I’m sure she did as well; too bad for Mandy that I wasn’t that easily led.
I might still be working on getting my bearings here, but there was no way I was going to do anything out of the norm. Might as well make my stand starting now.
“That’s okay I like this one, besides Belle and I were talking about something.” I dismissed her and turned back to Belle.
“I think we should go call your friend before class starts back.” I got up from the table and pulled her up with me.
Jared gave her the once over and went back to talking with his friends, with the two limpets still hanging all over him.
I heard the name Jace again as we walked away but didn’t pay it too much mind, just another mindless jock no doubt.
“Ooh you’ve done it now, they’re not gonna let you play with their toys. Look, all kidding aside, I like you; you’re the first person since first grade that I can actually say that about, so I’ve got to tell you.
This, what you just did, is social suicide. If you haven’t noticed I don’t exactly fit in with that crowd and not to sound bitchy or anything but you do.
By that I mean I bet you were part of the in crowd back where you came from, so you know how these things work.
I appreciate what you’re trying to do and all, but you’re not doing yourself any favors, just thought I’d let you know.”
“You done?” at her nod I turned and continued walking, “let’s go call Tammy I can’t wait to meet her. If she’s been putting up with your crazy ass since the first grade she must be something.”
“Hey watch who you call crazy around here, these freaks take that stuff seriously. Half of them are always hopped up on something.”
I pushed my arm through hers and we laughed our way outside to call her friend and see what was up.
Chapter 4
JACE
“Mom how’re you feeling?” I removed the washcloth from her forehead and checked her temperature again. She looked and sounded like hell.
“Son, I told you to stop worrying about me, Marisa could’ve taken care of me just fine.”
“Yeah and dad would’ve had my ass. It’s time for your next dose open up.” My mom had come down with the flu two hours after dad left to go out of town.
It was supposed to be a busy weekend for me, but I had to put some things on hold to take care of her or like I said, my dad would’ve ripped me one.
It’s just the three of us and we’re pretty close not to mention whenever dad leaves on business he always reminds me that I’m the man of the house and mom is my first priority.
I was a little bummed about missing the first day of school but not much, there wasn’t going to be much going on there today anyway, and dad was due back tonight.
“Didn’t you say you were supposed to practice with your new wide receiver today? I know you needed to do that, it’s all you’ve been talking about for weeks.”
“Mom quit it would ya, I met Jared on Saturday, he’s cool and if he can do half the things coach says then one missed practice isn’t going to make a difference.
I went in earlier to talk to coach while you were asleep, he understands.
Besides, I’d rather be here taking care of my favorite girl.” I kissed her forehead and gave her some medicine before making sure she was well covered up.
“You want one of those coma inducing books you read or the TV on or something?”
“No, the medicine knocks me out so I’ll be out in a minute.”
“Fine, I’ll stay until you are.” I sat on the edge of the bed with her and held her hand while she got settled. It’s the same thing she did for me when I was little so I know how comforting it is.
We’re not the Cleavers or anything that trite, but both my parents have always instilled a certain set of values in me.
I guess it’s because I’m an only child and they were afraid that I might turn out like some of the offspring of their peers.
Mom’s always regaling me with tales of some of the other kids in the neighborhood who happen to be some of my classmates, and her biggest fear seems to be me turning into a little asshole, influenced by daddy’s money.
That’s not really my style though, so she doesn’t have anything to worry about there. That’s the reason I’d broken things off with Mandy after a year of dating.
She was the hottest girl in school yeah, and her dad was almost as rich as mine, but the girl was missing something.
I’d tried to overlook her shortcomings in the beginning, what seventeen year old wouldn’t if the sex is that good? But in the end it just wasn’t worth it.
As dad likes to say, ‘you’re known by the company you keep.’ If I was still dipping my wick in that well then people might start to think I was a stuck up asshole who only cared about my newest car or whatever the latest in thing was. I was too old for that shit.