Chapter 19: Troy & Gabriela- Adrian & Fiona- Not

Chapter 19

It was already October and the air was getting chillier as we speak. Most people were worrying about who was setting up what for the Halloween dance. Our school was even going as far as to make a Haunted House and everything.

I was worried about other things. For example, the dinner that my parents and I are having with Adrian’s family, plenty of dinner parties that I’m forced to attend, how I’m going to face everyone today at school, and what excuse I’m going to be using to get out of the dance.

I entered the school slowly, my hands tightened around the straps of my school bag. I felt people’s gazes on me the entire time I was walking around. The usual 2 minute walk through the school and to my locker turned out to be a dreading 5 minutes when everyone’s eyes were on you.

Walking to my first period class, Jessie snuck up behind me.

“BOO!” She called out and I felt my heart leap in my chest. I placed my hand over my heart which was rapidly beating as she laughed.

“You don’t do that to people, Jessie!” I snapped, eyeing the people surrounding us. She look at them before she snorted, shaking her head.

“Seems like they’re still stuck on the events that took place at lunch on Friday?” She asked, raising an eyebrow as she glanced around the group. I nodded my head, entering first period with a wave to her

I sat down in my seat and let the teachers start their lectures. Halfway through the class, I heard my name being called to the office. A few, ‘Ooh, you’re in trouble’s’ erupted throughout the class but my teacher kindly rolled her eyes and wrote me a pass, excusing me from the class. I made sure to get the homework, though.

Walking through the hallways, a familiar voice echoed loudly, causing me to jump for the second time today.

“Oooh, you’re in trouble.” Adrian’s teasing voice sang and I rolled my eyes, letting out a nervous laugh. It came out sounding like a sob.

“I hope it’s not about Monday.” I muttered, shaking my head. I was literally about to get on my hands and knees and pray to Jesus himself that it’s not about Monday. Adrian, on the other hand, looked amused as he neared the office.

“I hope it is.” He said teasingly, holding the door open for me and closing it. I noticed that he was heading in the direction of the bathroom.

“Fiona Harper?” The secretary asked and I nodded my head with a small smile on my lips. She gave me a blank look before picking up her phone and dialing a few numbers. She then pointed to the principal’s office and proceeded on with her work. I couldn’t help but notice Jessie exiting the office with a small smile on her lips. This can’t be good.

I walked towards the room, my muscles tense as I pulled on the handle. The door opened with ease and I sat down in a blue chair. The principal smiled at me, her hair graying and her wrinkles getting more defined as the days fly by. Her name is Principal Schneider.

“Ms. Harper, so good to see you,” She exclaimed. I smiled and nodded my head, extending the compliment back to her. In all honesty, I could care less about how it is ‘so good to see me,’ I just want to know why I’m here. “You’re probably wondering why I called you down here.”

“Yes, Mrs. Schneider.” I replied, nodding my head as I crossed my legs at the knee. She seemed amused before she reminded me of why I was down in her office.

“I’m hearing from teachers that you didn’t show up for your lessons after lunch on Friday, yet you made it to classes before lunch.” She spoke and I nodded, biting my lip. I hope my lying was professional enough to get by this one.

“Yes, I actually wasn’t feeling well. I was late in the morning, too, because I’d been up the previous night puking. I told my Aunt that I needed to go to school and she said that I should come home if anything was to happen. I puked again in school and decided it’d be best if I didn’t pass along the flu to anyone else and to rest, so I proceeded to go home.” I stated and she nodded her head.

“Well, if anything like that happens again- please go to the nurse’s office. I wouldn’t want another mistake like that to affect your record. You’re an excellent student and I’d love to see where you’re going in life, because I know that it’ll be far. I’ll let you leave now, wouldn’t want you to miss another class because of my blubbering.” She said, smiling at me. I exited the room, letting out a sigh of relief. I took my pass back to class from the secretary before making my way to the familiar hallway.

“How’d it go? Detention? Suspension? Expulsion?” Adrian asked, walking backwards in front of me. I didn’t realize he was even around me. I shook my head.

“Nothing, she asked why I skipped my classes after lunch and I told her that I felt sick.” I replied, shrugging slightly. He stared at me, eyes widening as he took in what I said.

“No detention?” He asked, raising an eyebrow. I shook my head, readjusting my bag over my shoulder.

“No, just a light conversation.” I shrugged and he let out a big breath.

“Well, that’s no fair. That would’ve gotten me suspended at the least!” He confirmed and I laughed, shrugging my shoulders.

“Do you want me to get detention?” I snorted, rolling my eyes and he smirked deviously before nodding his head. My eyes wandered toward his hand that was holding his pass lightly. It looked bruised and, well, in pain.

“What happened to your hand?” I asked, quickly lifting up his fist. He shrugged, letting me keep my grip for a moment before he slowly took his hand back into his other, staring at it. He looked surprised himself.

“Uhm, nothing.” He replied, wincing as he attempted flexing his hand. I raised an eyebrow, giving him a look that was asking if I was stupid. How could he say ‘nothing?’ You obviously don’t get scrapes and bruises on your hand from ‘nothing.’

“Really? You’re going to give me that?” I asked and he shrugged, his smirk evident.

“Why? You want something else?” He asked, wriggling his eyebrows suggestively. I scowled at him before pushing his shoulder. He looked to retaliate and I turned and looked around. Thankfully we were close to my class. I quickly entered the room and Adrian scowled at me. I winked at him and continued writing, being the good pupil I am.

__

Lunch was terrible, if I’m being honest. Ethan was at school, yet he made no move to confront me. For whatever reason, when he looked at me, he looked scared. Was I scary? Psh, no. I even noticed that he had a black eye. I don’t remember doing that. Sure, I slammed lasagna in his face but not with enough force to bruise his eye.

“What happened to his eye?” I asked Jessie and she squinted her eyes. I could see the surprise take over her face before she looked at me. She shook her head, feigning a disappointed look.

“Look at the poor boy; he’s staring at you like you’re going to abuse him again. I’m calling Child Services.” She joked and I rolled my eyes.

“Seriously, though,” I replied. “It seems like everyone’s getting hurt.” I shrugged and she gave me a confused look.

“Adrian hurt his hand.” I replied and she raised two eyebrows, staring at me. I bit into my burger before lowering it.

“What? Do I have something on my face?” I questioned, wiping my face with a napkin. She shook her head.

“Can’t you put two and two together? Black eye and hurt fist?” She asked, raising an eyebrow.

“You’re right! We have an abuser on the loose!” I joked, snorting at my witty comment. Why am I not winning awards for these?

“You’re right! And his name is Adrian. By the way, he still hasn’t completely stopped that creepy staring habit.” She snorted, glancing over my shoulder.

I looked and saw Adrian staring at me. I kept eye contact for a moment before I waved, trying to see if he was actually looking at me. I started drinking my can of coke, not expecting a reply. He smirked stupidly and waved back, even going as far as to blow me a kiss.

As soon as I brought the can of coke to my lips, I regretted it. I began having a choking fit and I could see Adrian laughing loudly at my attempts to remain alive. His friends started turning to look at me and I felt embarrassed.

When I finally stopped choking, I felt my eyes burn. I swear, a bit of coke spewed out of them. Jessie was still laughing lightly as she patted my back. I glared at her, taking another cautious sip of my drink.

“That wasn’t funny.” I hissed and she smiled innocently. I couldn’t wait to get home.

__

“Are you ready? They’re expecting us.” My mother announced, popping her head into my room. I nodded my head, taking in my usual appearance. My mother sighed but continued walking out of the front door, my father hot on her heels.

Mattie was on the front porch, waiting for us, I’m guessing. As soon as we started approaching, he held open the front door. My mother cooed at him, calling him ‘an adorable little boy.’ He blushed and ducked his head. My father patted his shoulder, calling him ‘champ’ and other manly words, I’m guessing. I, on the other hand, actually hugged Mattie.

When I entered the house, I realized that it was prettier in the day than it was during the pitch black, as bad as that may sound. The couches were as expected, white and sectional. They had colorful throw pillows lying on the couch, giving off a playful look. I smiled at that. I saw Adrian approach from the top of the stairs, tripping slightly on something before letting a cry out.

“Ow! Mattie, can you please watch where you put your toys?” He hissed, holding his foot before slowly getting up and walking down the stairs. I, obviously, was the only one that heard this short conversation. I rolled my lips into my mouth, trying to hide the smirk that was making my way onto my face.

“It’s you.” He smirked. I rolled my eyes before nodding.

“In the flesh.” I spoke, raising my hands to surround my head. He cringed.

“Don’t say that word,” He warned me, shaking his head in disgust. “It sounds weird.”

“What word? Flesh?” I asked and he nodded, wincing again. I smirked, taking this weakness to my advantage.

“Adrian, hurry up.” Mattie whined, sitting in a chair at the kitchen island. He wanted his brother to introduce himself first so it’ll start a chain reaction of introductions, and then they could start eating His mother laughed before picking Mattie up and put him down on the couch.

“I didn’t introduce myself formally. I’m Denise, Adrian and Mattie’s mother.” She smiled kindly. She had a motherly smile, one that my mom used to have.

“I’m Fiona.” I replied, smiling just as kindly. Instead of shaking my hand, she pulled me in for a surprisingly warm hug. I was slightly shorter than her 5’5’’ figure. I, myself, was only 5’4’’.

“You’re short.” Adrian laughed and I glared at him, shaking my head.

“You’re just extremely tall.” I snorted and he rolled his eyes, purposely standing beside me.

When she announced that the food was ready, everyone rushed towards the kitchen while I stood back for a minute, waiting for everyone to clear out before I entered.

“Aren’t you getting food?” Denise asked me and I nodded, pointing to the crowd surrounding her delicious meal, or so I’m assuming.

“Yeah, I’m just waiting until they clear out a bit.” I smiled and she laughed, pushing Adrian away from the food.

“Let the lady go first. Didn’t I teach you manners?” She snapped and he gave her an innocent, sheepish smile before allowing me to cut in front of him.

“I hate you.” He whispered in my ear, reaching for the bread rolls.

“Good to know.” I smirked as I took my sweet time. Denise was watching him like a hawk. He groaned, annoyed, as I took my time. I decided what I wanted before taking it on my plate, then rethinking it and getting a bit more.

“Fiona, can you please hurry up?” Mattie asked patiently, with a large smile. I heard Adrian mutter a ‘thank god someone said something’ under his breath and I decided to make his day worse.

“Hey Mattie, why don’t you cut in front of me?” I asked, smiling at the little boy who quickly took up my offer.

“I wish someone would cut you.” Adrian whispered from beside of me and I couldn’t help but smile. Look at me, smiling at what was technically a threat I’d just received.

“What was that?” I asked Adrian aloud and he just smiled as if he’d said nothing.

“I was just telling you that you should try the pasta,” He offered, pointing to the pasta that he was scooping with the ladle. “It has extra flavor. I spit in it.” He whispered and I feigned a laugh, nudging his stomach.

“If you hoped that inflicted pain upon me, you failed.” He smirked and I laughed.

“Are you ticklish, Aidey?” I asked him and he shook his head.

“Are you?” He winked and I rolled my eyes, piling food onto my plate. Once I finished, I awkwardly stood there, waiting for Adrian to go anywhere.

Adrian starting making his way up to his room, telling me to follow him, but his mother stopped him.

“Eat in the living room. You’re not going to try to pull a move on her. She’s pure and innocent.” His mother stated and he busted into laughter.

“Please, for one – she is not innocent and pure. And I wouldn’t dare to try pulling a move on her. She’s not even my type.” Adrian laughed to his mother as she stood at the bottom of the stairwell. She turned to me.

“It’s not you that I don’t trust, honey. It’s my nasty little son that I don’t trust.” She admitted, smiling at me. I nodded, walking down the stairs and to the living room. Adrian was following me. When we reached the living room, I sat on the floor, legs outstretched and Adrian got comfortable on the couch. What did he mean that I wasn’t his type?

“You know that we can eat up here?” He asked with an eyebrow raised. I shrugged, settling onto the couch. Mattie was already lying comfortably in front of the large television, watching ‘Go, Diego, Go’

“Ew, change this piece of crap show.” Adrian demanded, placing his food on the small table in front of him as he stood up.

“No, I like this show!” Mattie said, crossing his arms. He frowned deeply.

“We have a guest. Let her chose what she wants to watch.” Adrian told him, handing me the remote.

It was either the next episode of ‘Go, Diego, Go’ or whatever else I could find. I waited the 2 minutes until the next episode just browsing my options before I exited the search and smiled. The ‘Go, Diego, Go’ theme song played and Mattie and I started singing along.

Adrian was glaring daggers into my head as I sang the song, not skipping a beat. I would watch this show in the morning when I’d get ready for school.

“And you’re 17?” Adrian asked once the theme song ended and Mattie was happy. I raised an eyebrow and looked at Mattie who was smiling.

“It’s worth it.” I shrugged, devouring my food.

“You eat very ladylike.” He snorted sarcastically, watching me as I finished off my food. I felt full. Denise was an amazing cook.

“You watch very stalker like.” I informed him and he just laughed. He continued eating his food. I realized that even for a ‘bad boy,’ he has good manners. He opens doors for me and eats like an actual posh person. I furrowed my eyebrows together as he continued grabbing the pasta three at a time.

“Any reason you’re watching me eat?” He asked, looking up at me, swallowing his food before he spoke.

“You have pretty good manners.” I informed him and he snorted.

“Tell that to my mother, please.” He rolled his eyes and I shook my head, turning and watching as Little Jaguar and Diego try to save an animal.

“Are you seriously watching that?” Adrian asked me when he finished his meal. I shrugged and nodded.

“What happened to your hand?” I tried again and he shrugged, avoiding eye contact.

“I don’t know.” He lied and I snorted. Yeah, right.

“Seriously, Adrian.” I stated and he stayed silent for a minute.

“I hit Ethan.” He shrugged and I felt my eyes widen slightly. So what Jessie said was true? Unless he was lying, that is.

“What?” I asked, puzzled. Why would he do that?

“I punched Ethan in the eye.” He slowly explained, talking to me as if I was a child.

“Why?” I asked, stuttering over my words. Why would he do that?

“Because he said stuff that I didn’t like in the locker rooms.” Adrian continued, drawing circles on the couch cushions.

“What did he say?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. He glanced at me for a second before looking back down at the couch.

“He called you a few words, lying really, except about one word.” He snorted and I gave him a flat look.

“What word?” I asked and he looked at Mattie who was looking at him, ready to tell his mother as soon as the word exited Adrian’s mouth.

“The ‘B’ word.” He laughed and I punched his shoulder.

“I am not!” I called and he shrugged, smirking as I glared at him. I felt my eyes soften as I realized what he did.

“Thank you.” I stated solemnly. He’d stuck up for me when I wasn’t around.

“Anytime.” He smiled and I felt curious for a minute.

“Did you get in trouble?” I asked and he nodded sheepishly.

“Yeah.” He replied, laughing lightly. I raised an eyebrow.

“What happened?” I asked and he raised an eyebrow before telling me.

“Well, after I hit Ethan, he fell and Foreman rushed and told coach like a little,” He glanced at Mattie before continuing. “B word and Coach made me run 20 more laps.” He explained and I felt my eyebrows rise.

“I’m sorry.” I explained and he rolled his eyes, kicking back.

“Anytime, besides, I’m a hero. I’m your Knight in Shining Armor.” He smiled and I rolled my eyes.

“Well, I really hope you weren’t naked when you punched him.” I snorted and he laughed loudly

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” He asked and I rolled my eyes, shaking my head.

I stood up, with my plate in my hands, ready to go and wash my plate. I wasn’t going to be rude and let it sit there.

“Where are you going?” Adrian asked and I pointed to the kitchen.

“I’m going to wash my dish.” I informed him and he shook his head, taking my dish.

“I’ll do it.” He interrupted and I shook my head.

“I got it.” I replied and he forced me to sit down by holding down my shoulders. His face was inches from mine. I could smell his cologne from here and it was intoxicating. His bluish green eyes were leaning towards blue in the moment and I felt my mind start to swirl.

“I’ll do it.” He whispered and I nodded, giving up. He smirked before walking over to the kitchen. I rolled my eyes, watching as Mattie yelled at the TV.

“No, Diego. It’s right behind you,” He shouted and I laughed. Mattie turned towards me. “Do you see how stupid Diego is?” He asked, shaking his head. I nodded.

“Do you want to watch something else?” I asked him and he nodded.

“Yes, please.” He announced, coming up and sitting on the couch next to me. I lifted the remote and searched through the channels.

‘High School Musical’ was on and I looked at Mattie who nodded his head eagerly. Someone like’s High School Musical. I watched as they prepared to sing ‘Breaking Free.’

I heard footsteps and as soon as Troy sung his first word, Adrian slid into the room, singing along with him.

“We’re soaring, flying! There’s not a star in Heaven that we can’t reach!” He imitated Troy, mirroring his actions, too. Mattie whispered in my ear.

“I told you he does this.” I laughed at his cute remark. Gabriella started singing and surprisingly, Adrian sang that part, too, after looking at me expectantly. What did he want? Me to pull a Kelsey and pull a piano from midair? Sorry, buddy. I play viola.

“If we’re trying; so we’re breaking free.” I laughed loudly, slowly taking out my phone. I recorded him singing and dancing to this song and when he finally finished, I quickly closed my phone and clapped loudly.

“Amazing,” I clapped and he smirked, sitting down beside me. I noticed he was breathing heavily. “Being Troy and Gabriella took a lot out of you.”

“Well, I expected you to be Gabriella.” He grinned and I shook my head.

“I don’t sing or dance.” I laughed and he gave me a flat look before shaking his head.

“You were dancing the first time I met you.” He laughed and I felt my face get warmer, I knew it had turned red.

“And you realize why I don’t dance.” I snorted and he shook his head.

“I’m obviously not a good dancer either.” He laughed, motioning towards the living room where he just danced. I rolled my eyes.

“You sang pretty well.” I laughed and he shrugged and popped his collar.

“Well, a playa’s got to know how to sing.” He imitated a rapper. I let out a bark of laughter. When I stopped, I asked him a question.

“Do you have Trent’s number?” I asked and he furrowed his eyebrows.

“Why?” He asked me, stretching out on the couch.

“I want to talk to my buddy Trent,” I offered and he gave me a flat look. “I have to tell him something?” I asked.

“Tell me and I’ll tell him,” Adrian smirked. I coughed awkwardly, shaking my head, ‘no.’ “Well, why not?” He asked me and I awkwardly furrowed my eyebrows.

“It’s about Jessie.” I offered and he nodded, smirking.

“I’m still not giving you the number.” He shrugged.

“Why not?” I asked desperately. I needed to send this video out quickly.

“Because Trent is my friend, not yours.” He teased and I wrinkled my nose. I texted Jessie, asking her if she had Trent’s number. Luckily, she did. I quickly sent the video to him, hoping he’d send it to his other friends.

About 7 minutes later, I heard the song ‘Move Along’ by All American Rejects playing and Adrian took out his phone. I watched as his expression turned to one of horror. His head whipped up and his face was bright red.

“Now, now, Adrian. Be a good boy,” I said and I saw a smile threatening to come onto his face. “Smile for me, babe.” I winked.

“Why would you do that?” He asked, glaring at me.

“I was bored.” I shrugged and he scowled at me.

“I’m going to get you back.” He replied, smirking smugly as an idea formed in his head. I rolled my eyes. The thing is- I don’t do embarrassing things like that. Or at least, I hoped not.