Date: Thu, 8 Jun 2000 05:19:37 -0700 (PDT)
From: Darren LeVanelle <toriboy@rocketmail.com>
Subject: A Night In The Novak 2
***********************************************************************
This is a work of fiction. The characters are fictional, this
series is fictional, so I don't need to worry about trampling on
anybody's feet. However this story in no implies anything about the
sexuality of the characters on the show or the respective actors. I
don't own these characters. I'm just borrowing them for a little
adventure into my world. They are owned by the WB Network and the
creators of the series 'Popular'. This story involves a relationship
between Harrison John,(My Favorite! Yum Yum!!!)and Josh Ford,(Also
very yummy nummy if you know what I mean!)and I hope I don't do too
much damage to them. If you are under the age of 18, or this type of
material is illegal in your state/country, please desist now and head
for Disney.com. So read on. I don't know how much longer I can keep
this up!
***********************************************************************
*NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR*
OK! So I lied, big deal. This isn't a one-shot after all.
Several readers came back with some very positive comments and remarks
and one even made me blush when he described my writing talent. Thank
you to all of you who read the story and sent in your responses. I
appreciate all of them. To those who read the first installment and
didn't e-mail me, shame on you. I even like to hear criticism ok?
Send all responses to toriboy@rocketmail.com ok! This chapter kinda
picks up where the last one left off. Forgive any continuity problems
with the show. I'm not following that timeline. So now that I have
all the formal stuff out of the way there are some people I'd like to
thank.
Mizz Pembroke thanks for the Beta Reading and the comments and
praise. You know I wrote it cause of you silly Bitch. My slash
master, the bitch of no end and my loving husband, M, thank you for all
those constant late night slash sessions and reading me 'The Horror,
The Horror' while I was sick and in the tub. I would've never traveled
to the slash universe if not for you. To Brian, thanks for the late
night discussions and inspiration. To all my friends out there, thank
you for the support and the shoulder to lean on. Ok. On to the story!
A NIGHT IN THE NOVAK -- Chapter 2
-SUNRISE-
By Darren LeVanelle
'Sam McPherson'
You'd think I would have been shocked. But for some reason I
really wasn't. Not like I had any idea that Harrison was gay. Or that
his first experience would be with Brooke's ex-boyfriend Josh. I mean,
I should have been shitting egg rolls or something...but I wasn't. And
that kinda scared me. And very few things scare me nowadays.
You'd also think that unlocking the door to the guestroom to make
sure the two of them were awake and catching them making out garbed in
only boxer shorts would gross me out or make me scream. Same effect,
nothing. I stood there and looked at them, completely from a
journalistic point of view, and found them intriguing.
Neither of them noticed me unlocking the door. When I swung it
open, neither of them flinched a bit. I had to clear my throat three
times, THREE TIMES, to finally catch their attention.
"Sam!!!" they both cried out at me together. Damn. Already
joined at the hip too. This should get real interesting real fast.
"Hi guys!" I chirped out, not trying to sound too smug mind you.
In fact I wasn't feeling smug. It wasn't like I was trying to catch
them in the act. It just sort of...happened. "Having a good morning I
see?" They looked at each other as if trying to search for the words
to say to me. Damnit. Who do they think I am? Nicole? Mary Cherry?
I deserve better than this. I am far from a gossip queen or a clone of
one of those two bleached blond bitches. Try saying that five times
fast.
"Yeah." That was Harrison trying to look innocent. Please. If I
was shacked up in a bedroom with Josh Ford for the night I know for a
FACT that sleep wouldn't be happening at all. "I thought the door was
locked?"
"It was. I have a key to the room. Well, actually mom does but I
took it out of the drawer just in case Brooke got curious." They both
issued a sigh of relief at my comment. Damn these two were on edge.
"Is she up yet?" And then there was Josh. Just broke up with
Brooke about two weeks ago, been talking to Carmen apparently ever
since, fucked Nicole, was my date to the Sadie Hawkins dance and tried
to get frisky with me that night and then tried to get frisky with
Brooke later. The boy had HOE written all over him as far as I was
concerned and I know Harrison knew about that conversation. I'm sure
the two of them chatted quite a bit in there before doing anything like
that. Um...whatever that was anyways. I really don't want to
speculate.
"Yeah. She's in the shower right now. You two better start
getting ready soon. I'll meet you two downstairs in about 45 minutes."
Then I left the room. I mean, what business is it of mine to inquire
about their personal lives. I'm Harrison's friend first, and I'm not
all too positive about the sincerity of Josh in this matter but I
really don't have a choice. It's obvious that it's gonna happen
whether I like it or not. So I dealt with it...and I was happy for
Harrison. Another strange thing. O'well. I walked back into my room
and waited for Brooke to get out of the shower. Damn she took forever.
Before long she was out of the bathroom and I headed in. I just know
this is going to be an interesting day.
'Brooke McQueen'
I realize that I asked Sam to go get Josh and Harrison out of the
Novak last night because I just couldn't let Josh stay there the whole
damn time. As much as he's pissed me off these past few days, and even
more after last nights 'Girl Talk' I still love him. But seeing him
and Harrison walking down the stairs together yapping their heads off
and acting all chummy chummy was just awkward. Those two hardly spoke
a word to each other daily, much less any lengthy conversations. But
the two of them just kept talking and talking and talking and talking
and...ARGH...this is driving me nuts. What the hell could have
happened in a few hours?
"Morning Josh." I said softly, plastering that sweet innocent
smile on my face. He just sort of nodded in my direction and then
picked up on his conversation with Harrison. Bunk! He just totally
blew me off like nothing. You'd think that since I was being nice
enough to say good morning and all, not looking pissed off or anything,
especially after all the shit I found out about last night, he'd show
me a little gratitude. Instead it's and A-B conversation between him
and Harrison and I seem to be C'ing my way out of it without trying.
Talk about upsetting to a girls' ego.
Then there was Sam. I can't thank her enough for what she did for
me last night. We're not exactly close and that's how I'd like it to
stay. But she can be a sweetheart at times, even if we don't get along
99% of the time. She rounded the bottom of the stairs with a huge
smile on her face. I wonder what that's all about. She looked over at
Josh and Harrison, then turned to look at me. "It's such a beautiful
morning. Don't you think so Brooke?" Ok. Hold up. I know that tone
of voice. Sam usually gets it when she's either up to something or
knows something I don't but should. Now I'm worried.
"Yeah. It's a beautiful day." I responded easily to cover up my
uncertainty. I look over at Josh again and smile. He almost responds
this time, sort of smiling a little back at me. But then Harrison
starts to say something and the smile goes to him. That little bitch!
Listen to me! I'm getting jealous over a man, a definitive 'geek' on
campus who seems to have become Josh's close friend after their night
together. I must have some nerve. Maybe the PMS hasn't quite worn off
yet. "Excuse me. I need to use the restroom. I'll be back in a
little bit." I left the table and headed upstairs to the bathroom.
Hopefully Sam didn't take all of the Midol. I could use some right
about now.
Thank the LORD there was one pill left. Now if it would just last
me till Lunchtime I'm sure I could get one off of Nicole. Lord knows
from now on she's bound to keep a bottle full of them in her purse at
all times. I swallowed the pill and came rushing back down the stairs,
hoping maybe Josh and I could talk a little bit before we could leave.
Hmm. That's strange. They weren't in the dining room. From the sound
of it, it seemed like Sam was warming up the car. Damn. There went
any private time I might have had until school. Well maybe we could
talk in the car on the way there. After all Sam was bound to have
Harrison riding shotgun. He always did. As I headed into the living
room I stopped dead in my tracks. Josh and Har...Har...Harrison were
just inches from each others face and they looked like they were going
to...kiss! Wait Brooke! Calm down. Breathe...exhale...Ok! That's a
little better. My mind must still be recovering I mean there's no way
they could have been ready to kiss. Neither of them seemed to notice
me and they were kind of talking. Maybe a little lower that earlier
but they were saying things to each other. I just couldn't make out
the words.
Well I collected my wits and walked proudly into the living room.
I can't believe I almost let myself think that. After all, Josh did
have sex with me! Oh yeah, and that bitch Nicole. Maybe Carmen. Who
knows for sure? He couldn't have. They're just friends Brooke. Yeah.
Just friends. I made my presence known. They both said hi to me,
actually in a friendly tone of voice for once and we headed out to the
car. Maybe I'd get my quiet time with Josh after all.
Well surprise, surprise again. Harrison hopped in the back seat
with Josh hot on his tail. I shouldn't be so shocked. After how all
the girls, myself included, treated him yesterday nothing should be
astonishing. He made a new friend, so what? With that idea tossed out
the window by my ex-boyfriend I started to debate whether or not I
should actually speak to that skank Nicole. She was supposed to be my
friend and instead she betrayed my trust. Well two can play at this
little game. I'll speak to her...later. And after I get her back as a
friend I'll bide my time and wait for the perfect time to stab her in
the back. Sounds like a plan.
'Harrison John'
This has got to be the strangest 24 hours of my life. I could
have never imagined that I would be sitting next to Josh Ford in the
back of Sam's car riding to school after discovering that we both have
'something' for each other. Sam, stop looking back here. She probably
thinks I don't notice her peering into the rear view mirror every so
often to see what's going on back here. Well guess what Sam? I've
caught you. I pulled my middle finger up to my lips and made a small
gesture at her. Yep. She noticed. I know that face. Sorry Sam. I
do trust you and all and I know you're looking out for me but let me
have this. Please?
Josh seems to have been sincere so far. He's been talking to me
all morning long. Not to mention the wake up kiss he gave me. Now
that was a shock! But Sam opening the door in the middle of it was not
my idea of good. And speaking of surprises Josh keeps surprising me
more and more every minute. First the good morning kiss. Then, he
wanted me to shower with him. That was very nice. We didn't even do
anything other than a kiss here and there and THAT I liked. Hmm. I
guess he's not a hoe after all. And the hug before we left the room
was nice too. I just hope this lasts past today.
Ever since we got in the car Josh has been pretty quiet. And
Brooke...she's just gazing out into nowhere through the window.
Knowing her she's probably upset that Josh hasn't really said more than
two words to her all morning. Well too bad Brookie! For once the
attention's not on you and it's driving you crazy isn't it. Yeah, it
is. Well Sam finally gave up on trying to 'spy' on us. She's just
driving now. Good.
How sweet. I felt a tug on my hand and looked over to see Josh
staring at me with this huge grin. I gazed down and he was holding my
hand. Now, don't get me wrong here cause I'm so deliriously happy that
he's not afraid to show me all this attention and affection and all BUT
I know he can't be like this every minute of the day. He's popular.
Everybody knows him, he's the school's star quarterback, GORGEOUS, and
to top it all off he's gay, I think, and he's probably gonna keep that
hidden. I know it. Being a fag isn't something that goes hand in hand
with the Jock crowd. And as much as I'd like him to be open about it
now that we're boyfriends I don't want to see him and his reputation
crushed. He did say he wanted time and I'm willing to give it to him.
But how much time will he need? And how long can I expect this to
really last? Yesterday we weren't even friends. And all because of a
little mutual blowjob session he wants to be my man?!? Yes Harrison.
It was more than just a blowjob. God!
The way he whispered my name. His hand caressing the back on my
neck. The look on his face when I took all of him inside my...
UH-OH!
Ok I need to stop thinking about that unless I wanna spring a
woody in front of him and possibly embarrass myself in front of Sam and
Brooke. Not that I give a rats ass about Brooke but I have a
reputation and all too. And the entire student body finding out about
me getting hard in the back seat holding hands with Josh is not a good
way to jump start the day.
"Thank you." It was Josh. He whispered it into my ear very
softly. I hardly heard it.
"For what?" I asked. I was seriously lost. Thank you? What the
hell did I do?
"Just because." He smiled at me. That same killer smile I saw
last night and woke up to. Good lord. How the hell am I going to
survive a day on campus if I can't survive a trip to school in the car.
Damn this was going to be a long day. I threw my head back on the
seat, which caused Josh to give me this weird look. I must have hit
the seat pretty hard cause both Sam and Brooke shot around and stared
at me. Luckily Josh let go of my hand before they turned around to
face me.
"You alright Harrison?" Brooke asked. Well. I guess when I have
your man I'm worthy of your attention.
"What was that about?" It was Sam asking this time. Both of them
at the same time? I hope I wasn't being that obvious.
"Nothing. I'm just kinda tired that's all." And god Damnit I
was. We got, maybe, four hours of uninterrupted sleep before the alarm
jolted us awake at 6:45 this morning. If I wasn't waking up next to
the man who currently sat beside me I would have been a real bitch.
But that kiss made all the difference. The girls turned back around
and the trip to school continued. If this day went by any slower or
any more grueling I would be a wreck by the time school got out.
'Josh Ford'
Well, we finally made it. Back at good old Kennedy High. Yay!
As soon as we parked I bolted out the door with a firm grasp on
Harrison's hand so he wouldn't lag behind. He's been making the
weirdest faces ever since this morning. I can just picture what Sam
and Brooke look like right now, seeing the two of us running off like
girlfriends ready to gossip in the bathroom while we powder our noses.
Well, we were in a bathroom but powdering our noses never came about.
Something much better did. And he's not my girlfriend...he's my
boyfriend. That feels so weird saying that. I suppose I'll get over
it someday. And that makes me wonder.
I can't help but feel like I'm a totally different person than who
I was just yesterday morning. It's like I'm seeing everything around
me through a newborn's eyes. Everything is brand new and exciting. I
don't know what to expect or where I'll be going. I peer over my
shoulder and give Harrison a smile. He smiles back at me sweetly. I
just don't know where this all came from. I know that him giving me a
blowjob didn't make me want to be with him. And it didn't make me gay.
I don't think it's that at all. I hope that's not what he's thinking.
There has to be doubt inside him somewhere. But I'm just hoping,
praying, that he noticed everything last night and today. It wasn't
just a horny thing. If it was I wouldn't have kissed him and held him
and I certainly wouldn't have returned the favor. A horny straight guy
never would have, ahem literally, got down on his knees to please
another guy. I mean, that just couldn't happen. So I'm thinking that
I must've felt this way about him, somewhere inside, for quite some
time. Maybe that's why I never got along with him that well before.
Well, it's pointless to try and analyze everything. All I know is that
for once I feel like I'm doing the right thing. His touch feels right.
His kiss feels right. And waking up to him in the morning was the best
feeling I've ever experienced in my life! So c'mon Josh. Don't screw
this one up too.
I can't help but feel sorry for Brooke. She seems to have been
trying to get my attention all morning long. C'mon. Did you think I
was ignoring her unintentionally? She's done nothing but use me to
boost her popularity. When I tried out for the play and landed the
lead role she went crazy on me, like it was the end of the world. All
I wanted her, and my father, to understand was that I'm my own person
and I do what makes me happy, not them. Well Brooke, maybe this will
get it through that thick skull of yours. Sorry but we had our chance
and all you could think of was yourself 90 percent of the time. 10
percent of unselfishness doesn't help a relationship. At least I know
where I'm headed with Harrison here. He doesn't want popularity. He
doesn't think 'Me Me Me' all the time. He doesn't want the spotlight
on him. He just wants to be himself and enjoy the life he has. So
what if it means isolation from the majority of those around him. He
says in the face of adversity, Fuck You! And he doesn't look back.
Maybe that's why I'm falling in love him.
Wait. Did I just say that?
We rounded the corner in the hallway and headed into the
cafeteria. He looks relieved that I let go of his hand finally. But I
had to get a kiss in before first period. "Follow me," I said to him
going into the east-wing men's bathroom.
"Not another bathroom!" he pouted in response to me. That
actually was pretty funny. But I understood, at least I thought I did,
what he was trying to say.
"Don't worry Harrison. This won't be an everyday thing." And
then I pulled him into my body and gave him a long passionate kiss. He
must have been pretty excited given the bulge I felt on my leg after a
few seconds. Not that I'm complaining or anything. This was
definitely a weird thing, since I never had to pull someone inside a
bathroom before in order to get a kiss in before school or in-between
classes. I just needed a little time to figure out how to handle all
of this. It hasn't even been 24 hours yet for pity's sake. And I was
in unfamiliar territory.
After a little while we left the bathroom. I had to make sure
than my hair wasn't too ruffled from the little experience we just had.
I had to be myself so I walked Harrison to class and told him I'd see
him at lunch.
"Are you sure about that?" I really didn't get why he questioned
what I said.
"Yeah I'm sure. You mean something to me and I wanna spend time
with you while I can so I'll see you then ok?" He just nodded his head
at me and went inside. I felt a little strange after that but I didn't
know what to do about it. This wasn't the game I've been playing for a
long time but, Damnit, I was gonna play it right.
'Lily Esposito'
Great. School again. More ridicule. More homework. More stupid
bitches that I can't stand seeing. I'm so tired of having to see those
three hoes together in one room which is why I HATE biology so much.
Ok, so Miss Glass is another reason to hate bio. Yeah, and the fact
that dissection is totally against my belief system. Well nothing
could be worse than yesterday. If I ever get locked in the Novak with
those three again I think I'd rather die than talk to them. Note to
self, never spill secrets about your questioning sexual preference when
your friend will freak out when you talk about it. I think Harrison
would have flipped if I told him what happened afterwards.
Speaking of which he's been rather happy looking all day. Usually
he just does his work in the same manner every day. But there's
something, I dunno, different about him today. It's like he's chipper
and peppy and looking so...satisfied. I wonder what the hell is going
on. He keeps looking over at Josh, lord knows why, and Sam a lot. And
there's the occasional glare in Brooke's direction today. This is a
different kind of glare though. Usually it's the 'I want you SOOOOOOOO
badly Ms. Brooke McQueen I desire you' glare. Now it's more of a 'Die
you fucking Bitch' glare, which is fine by me, cause after all I can't
stand the skank but Harrison has been chasing her for years. What
suddenly changed his demeanor? I guess I'll find out later.
Ok. I think I have it at least partially figured out. Nicole is
not looking too happy and there are words being spread across the room.
It seems that our beloved head whore locked Josh and Harrison in the
Novak last night and left them there to rot for the night. But our
fair maiden Sam went to their rescue with Brooke in her stead. Pretty
juicy gossip this morning. So it looks like Nicole is not at all happy
with the rescue last night. Actually it happened this morning. But
who's bothering with the details. Damn. Word travels fast in this
class when all of the 'crowds' are gathered in one room.
"Is there a problem Miss Esposito?" Miss Glass barked at me all of
a sudden. I didn't realize I almost started a heated conversation with
one of my classmates over what she knew about it all.
"No Miss Glass. I was just discussing some studying issues with
May here." She raised her nose in the air. You know, that arrogant
you can't pull one over on me look and started to walk my way.
"I realize that you just can't live without that juicy morning
gossip session Ms. Esposito, but some of my students are actually
trying to get some lab work done. So turn the volume down just a notch
before you continue with your issues," she stated at me with her nose
pointed towards the ceiling. God I'd love to just beat her fat ass.
"Or I'll have to put you on a magazine rack." She turned back around
to the front of the classroom and I didn't pay her any more attention.
Before long class was out and I hurried over to my next one.
Harrison started to pass me in the hall so I decided to start up a
friendly conversation. "Hey there."
"Hey." Damn Harrison. Turn that bright smile down just a notch
for me will ya? I think I need sunglasses now.
"So why are you so bright and happy huh?" I started out casually.
His smile went down by about 80 watts or so at the end of the question.
What the hell is he hiding?
"Oh no reason. I'm just having a good day that's all." He just
looked forward as we walked down the hall together.
"So I heard you were locked in the Novak till two in the morning
with Josh."
"Yeah." He said blankly.
"So. Did you guys talk about anything interesting?" I said as we
rounded the corner towards the west-wing.
"Nothing more interesting than the shit you girls had lipsticked
to the mirrors." He looked over at me and smiled at little, a giggle
sort of in his voice.
"Well that was Nicole. I had nothing to do with it."
"Uh huh. Look I need to get to class. I'll see you at lunch ok?"
"Sure Harrison." He walked into the room and I got to class just
before the bell rang.
'Nicole Julian'
This is so whack! I mean, what the hell does Josh think he's
doing bringing Harrison to 'our' table during lunch. "Listen spunky.
I don't care if you and the zit-faced homo here shacked up last night
and are now dating each other in a sick, twisted, homosexual love
affair. He's not a part of this crowd so he can sit somewhere else!"
That'll show them. And what's up with the strange faces guys? That
look would be so classic if I just had a camera right now Josh. You
lock so shocked like I just spilled something major. Hmm. I don't get
it. And by the way, don't you dare bring a geek to this table without
written permission from Brooke or myself. I don't give a damn whether
you're her bitch or not. Those are the rules so get with the program
before the commercials start in. Thanks to this damn author, this will
be one of the only times I'll have the spotlight on me so hurry up and
do what you're gonna do jock boy. I don't have all day!!!
"Thanks a lot Nicole. I always knew you'd never change your
bleached stripes." Did Josh just say that to me in that defiant tone
of voice? The nerve of some people around here. O'well. He just
doesn't appreciate the fact that I'm trying to keep the social food
chain intact. So look at this. Huh? Poor little Joshy boy is getting
up from the table and moving over to the 'loser' table with Sam and her
husky bunch. And Harrison is right behind him too. How quaint.
"Ah. Look at that girls. I lock him in a bathroom for about 6
hours and he and Harrison are friends and all. In fact they're so
close that Josh would rather sit in Nowheresville with the rest of the
outcasts than sit here without his precious new-found friend." It was
a witty comment, I'm sure of it. Even got a little snicker out of
Brooke although it looks like she's trying to hide it. News Flash
Queen Bee. I notice. I notice every little thing that happens in this
school because mark my words Ms. McQueen; I'll have your job and title.
Don't think I've forgotten all about last night already.
"Why are you so concerned about it Nic? It's not like you really
care about what Josh does anyways. You got what you wanted. You
fucked him, I know, and you don't care about what he feels or wants.
He was a conquest so you can drop the façade." My, my Brooke. How you
shock me so with your words and deeds. So forward and honest and
brutal. Looks like the head of the popular crowd is back in business.
"That's right Brookey. I got him. He was a conquest and it's
done and over with. I don't want anything else from him than what I
already got. That's prime USDA choice cut meat sitting over there with
those who didn't make the grade. I may have used him for my own ends,
but you love him girl. I don't regret what I did cause I knew what I
was doing. Do you?" Let's see if you can figure that one out.
"What the hell do you mean Nicole?" Hmm. Feisty this morning.
Must have been the very last Midol again.
"Let me put it into Internet terms you can understand. WWW.GO-
GET-YOUR-MAN.COM. He was upset. I was ruthless. He was vulnerable
and I took advantage. He didn't do anything wrong. In your eyes I
did. But that doesn't matter. This hierarchy doesn't work right
without the Head Cheerleader dating the Football Quarterback. And
unless you want your popularity to fade as quickly as Mary Cherry's
hair color with an increasingly apparent presence of dark roots," and I
saw Mary Cherry examining her golden locks at that exact moment, "I
suggest you shack up with the big boy again. Case closed." God! I
can be such a ruthless bitch sometimes. Yes, I know, you're jealous of
me aren't you. You aren't? Well at least I don't stare at a computer
screen reading pornographic stories in my spare time. Let's get this
going again!
"Wait a second." The baffled look is, as always, so YOU Brooke.
"You actually want me to get back together with him after everything
he's done? What about Carmen?"
"What about her. She's a nobody and you are everybody?" I looked
over at the 'other' table. How the hell did all of that completely
pass me by? I must have been too focused on getting Brooke back into
the social good graces. Looks like jock boy is quite a hit with the
academic class. He's causing quite a stir over there. Mental note.
Carmen does not look at all happy with this recent development. If I
knew her, I'd say she was jealous. Maybe this Harrison-Josh friendship
could work out in our favor after all. "Speaking of Carmen she doesn't
seem to be too accepting of this newfound friendship that brewed up
overnight. Look for yourself." I motioned with my head towards them
and kept my eyes glued to Brooke's face for a reaction. A devious
smile crossed her face. I knew it. You just can't keep a good bitch
down. Even if Brooke so easily passes up the obvious sometimes. "This
looks promising. Don't you agree?"
Brooke nodded her head at me. That was a good sign. Now I all
have to do is get a plan laid out and the players lined up by tomorrow.
That should be ample time to get things underway and still leave room
for my daily teen drama shows. Well a girl needs her inspiration. And
remind me to never wear these panties again. I hate, I HATE the ones
that crawl up your ass just as something profound happens.
'Carmen Ferrara'
"Why are you so down today?" Why did he have to start talking to
me now? Why couldn't he have said something earlier?
Why? You're asking ME why Josh? I turned around in the near
empty room. I didn't really want to face him but I had too. No more
running away from what I can do. No more hiding Carmen. Be strong.
You haven't said more than two words, TWO WORDS, to me all day long.
'Hi Carmen.' That's all I've gotten out of you till now and you're
asking me what wrong? What's wrong with you? I had to pause and catch
my breath. I finally spoke up. "I thought something was happening
here Josh? Was I mistaken? Am I reading you wrong? Did I hear you
correctly when you said you wanted to go out on a date with me last
night?" Those weren't easy words to say. I'm not the pretty one or
the popular one but I'm not going to let a man walk over me.
"Yes. You heard me correctly. But there's..." He stopped dead in
the middle of his sentence.
'Oh god. Please don't say it. Please don't say it.' I thought to
myself as the silence dragged on between us.
"...There's something we need to talk about." He moved in closer
towards me. "I don't think we should reschedule that date Carmen."
ARGH!
You don't think??? How the hell could you do this to me? After
everything you said and after everything I've, we've, been building
over the past few weeks and you don't want to go out on a date with me
anymore? Fucking bastard. "What did I do wrong?"
"Nothing. Look, I know this sounds really bad right now..." I
wasn't about to let him try and talk his way out of this one. But he
probably would anyways.
It's Brooke isn't it? Damn. I bet you talked to Harrison about
everything that happened last night. Even talked to Sam too. Got all
the juicy bits of information you needed to find out that Brooke still
loves you and since you love her it's time to run back to her. I can't
believe this is happening. We were getting so close. You always
seemed like you were holding something back from me and I was just
waiting for you to say something about it. Now it's clear to me. You
didn't want to say that you still loved her. "Brooke." I barely
whispered out at him. Josh shot me this death glare that was so
intense I could feel the anger coming off of him. "I can take the
truth Josh! I'm a big girl. And you still love her." But don't play
this mind game bullshit with me!
"Carmen, that's not it at all." What? Josh was still looking
right at me with that serious and cool look on his face. He couldn't
be lying. When he told me about Nicole he had that same expression.
Controlled, collected, sincere, and truthful. It was like his soul was
being laid before me to question his honesty and integrity. But if
that wasn't it. "I just can't deal with this right now ok? I need
some time." He closed in towards me and gave me a hug. "You're still
a great person and I want us to stay friends but this is a tough time
for me. It's not going to be easy for me, or you, in the end. But I
need you to be patient." He lifted my head up so that we looked
directly into each other's eyes. "Do you trust me Carmen?'
"Yes..." I barely sobbed out. "But I don't understand!"
"You will." He released me from his embrace and walked out the
door. After a few minutes I picked my things up and started out of the
classroom. When I started to get out the door I noticed Josh waiting
outside one of the class doors. Wait a second. Wasn't that Harrison's
history class? I heard the bell ring for the break and sure enough
Harrison came walking out the door. The two of them walked my way. I
bolted back into the room and tried to stay out of sight. I could hear
them as they passed the open entry. They were talking about something.
But the only word I could make out was 'Novak'. What the hell could
they have been saying? Novak was the only word I heard but I couldn't
find any reason why they would be talking about it. Was something
going on here that even I didn't figure out already?
'Mary Cherry'
I never knew that a last minute root bleaching could be so
difficult. Not to mention strenuous physically, and emotionally
damaging on the psyche. I wasted my entire 5th period history class
reclaiming that obvious yet subtle change in my natural hair color from
the hideous mousy Streisand-esque brown that is my unfortunate
birthright to a more socially acceptable shade of bright platinum
blonde. Damn you Nicole. But I probably should thank you for noticing
before anyone else did. I'm glad I always keep a bottle of Clairol in
my purse for just this type of occasion.
I hustled my way to PE, my last class of the day that just happens
to be the most grueling, with no time to spare. I was changing then
Nicole just popped up out of nowhere.
"Last minute cover-up. Hmm." She looked me over quickly. "Good
job. I'd say you've gotten to the root of problem. Loreál?"
"Clairol." I responded in disgust to her accusations.
"Emergency supply?"
"You bet your plucked eyebrows I did." Sometimes I just say the
silliest things.
"That's confidential. Good job. Hoped you weren't staring at
Josh too much today. You surprise me by actually paying attention."
Bitch!
"I just couldn't allow my silky hair to fall beneath the standard
the Glamazons have bestowed upon the student body. It's my
responsibility to maintain the high level of expectation we've
established amongst the various social structures of this teenage
environment." My words sounded so sweet to my ears. So I often
overstate the obvious but it's my job. We can't all be super bitch
(Nicole) or super sweet heart (Brooke). Some of us just have to be
ourselves. Now that should leave me confused for about a half hour or
so.
I've determined that Physical Education is nothing more than a
fancy name designed to give the illusion that some actual form of
education is taking place while teachers force you to push your body
past it's preset limitations and cause sweating, dehydration and
humiliation all for their sick, twisted, perverse amusement. Needless
to say PE was a hellhole I intended to get out of. I won't bore you
with the details but I managed to get out early and go see what else
was happening on campus.
The interesting thing was as I headed off to the Novak for a
little touch up on my flawless masque that so lovingly adored my
lustrous face I noticed that Josh was ditching class and talking to
some boy just a little way down the hall. I decided to investigate. I
always have to be the first one to uncover hidden details and plot
twists that might be further exploited during sweeps week. I put on my
best devious grin as I approached the young stud that was so recently
sent back into the green fields of bachelorhood by Brooke. "Hello
there handsome." God Damn I hate this southern accent sometimes.
"Whatcha doing skippin' class like a social misfit?"
Josh appeared quite shocked by sudden appearance and quickly
whisked his head in my direction. Curious. He was all flushed over in
his face. "Hey Mary Cherry. What are you doing here?" Upon closer
inspection I discovered that not only was Joshy here skipping his last
class of the day, he was spending time with one of those throwbacks of
the social dinosaur days Joe. Joe looked quite more flustered than
Josh did and wore a brightly red blush tone all over his face, almost
like he was embarrassed to be caught skipping class with our little
jock boy here. I found that...interesting.
"Well I couldn't take PE for another second so I faked that I was
puking and when he saw my pom pom's fly out from what seemed to be my
mouth, he told me to go home. I was headed over to the Novak to do a
little touch up when I saw you two over here." I turned my face to Joe
who just smiled innocently at me. "Hey Joe."
"Hi Mary Cherry." Well for a geek he is pretty darn cute. If I
weren't part of the top of this food pyramid I'd ravish him like a lion
hunting its prey. Sensing that these two were up to something and
didn't want me to be around them I took my cue to make a timely exit.
"Well...it's been real nice chatting with you boys. But I gotta
run to the ladies room. I'll see y'all tomorrow." I turned on my
heels and strutted back down the hallway. Then this strange throb
started in my head. It felt so familiar. Oh my GOD!
MY GAYDAR JUST WENT OFF!
Holy Shit! But it was just blipping. I looked around the
hallway. Hmm. There was Josh and Joe walking off together. And there
was May, disgusting little thing, with her sister April, equally
disgusting. A few non-noteworthy extras roaming around the halls and I
think that was Lily. Damnit. I couldn't get a fix on the darn homo.
Only one thing to do.
I drove home as fast as I could and busted through the front door.
"Mama Cherry. Mama Cherry! I need help Mom!" I screamed at the top of
my lungs. Cherry Cherry came rushing down the stairs towards me.
"What's wrong honey? You haven't rushed in the house screaming
like a banshee since the release of 'Titanic' on home video and DVD."
Her accent was worse than mine. Damn she could get on your last nerve
sometimes.
"My gaydar went off mom! But I couldn't get a lock on it. It was
kind of, just, well, blipping! That's never happened before!" My mom
gasped in disbelief.
"Oh my. What can I do to help?"
"I need it mommy." I pleaded with her.
"Are you sure baby? It's been years since you needed it last."
"I know mom. But I don't know what else to do. I need that book.
I need 'Gauge You Gaydar-A Comprehensive User's Guide' PLEASE?!?"
"Well. I never could tell you no Mary. I'll be right back." I
hate it when my gaydar goes wild like this. I've only had to use the
book once before and I swore never to use it again. But to uncover the
source of that annoying blip in my viewer was worth any cost. ANY!
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Well there it is! Hope you enjoyed this installment. Since the plan
changed and this ended up being more than a one-shot I decided this
change of writing style would better bridge the first story to the rest
of my ideas. Sorry there was no sex in this chapter but we'll have
more later. I PROMISE. As usual I love responses from the readers so
let me know what you guys think. Until nest season, read on!
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