Noel’s POV
Nadine never seemed to surprise me, well I didn’t really know the girl so I guess I’m gonna get a lot of surprises before she finally stops surprising me. To anybody who knows her like you’ve seen her before, talked to her a little or even seat next to her in class you’d think/get the idea that she’s just a cheerful hyper nerdy girl but to people who ‘know her’ she somewhat different. Hyper, yes. Cheerful, yes. Nerdy, not really.
That’s if we’re going by Merriam Webster’s definition of nerdy. Nerdy; a person who behaves awkwardly around other people, usually has unstylish hair, clothes, etc.
Yes, yes I just defined something from the dictionary like an actual student. Every since Aaron found out I was failing he’s stuck to me like glue. Tutoring me, asking me random educational question, helping me do my assignments over the phone and pasting sticker notes all other the house before a test. Its been really sweet of him especially when Ms Jenkins turns on me thinking she’s helping when she’s not really. She’d ask me a lot of question and try to involve me in many- if not all- class discussions. It is really annoying but with Aaron’s help I’m not really minding it like I should.
Ok back to Nadine. One, she doesn’t always behave awkwardly around people– that’s Peyton. Two, her beautiful brown hair is usually stylish, pin straight, curly, whatever sails her ship for the day, not unstylish- that’s Peyton. Three, her clothes are moderate, not shouty slutry or borderline Amish — that’s Peyton. So finally we’ve– I’ve got something straight. Peyton’s the hardcore Nerd and Nadine was just between, one leg in, one leg out.
So when I find out she’s the chairman of the student committee if shouldn’t surprise me but it does.
“So I was planning donations like student bringing shoes out to give for the fundraiser,” she says her eyes doing this weird thing where she simultaneously looks at everyone while talking. It doesn’t matter that we’re seven on the table, Aaron and Jesse included her eyes but meet everyone before she continues talk.
“Wait, you’re in charge?” I ask for the third time today, it’s just all weird to me. People usually in charge of these things are usually popular with their social life stretching out to the moon. Hmm maybe Cali’s different from New York.
She rolled her eyes, “yes but it can as well be Quinn for all we know.”
“Why? How?” Aaron says chewing on cucumber form his sandwich.
Nadine was a bit taken back that Aaron was talking to her, she wasn’t really used to it yet but she recovered really quickly like in about… one second, “She shuts off my ideas, really rudely if I may add. She takes over meetings talking like she’s the boss of me and you know what the worst part is… the worst part is everybody supports her like her ideas are golden or something, like its actually a privilege to hear from her.” She rants using her hands to talk at the same time.
“Well if she’s getting on your nerves why don’t you just talk to her?” Aaron suggested
Nadine and Liv share a look before they burst out laughing, “talk to her?”
“Yeah it doesn’t work that way handsome,” Liv says earning a glare from a jealous– I’m starting to think– mute Luke. “Girls like Quinn don’t talk, they just take over, look for trouble, manipulate and get their way.”
“Hmm,” was all Aaron could reply, he’s was clearly out of thing happening in a place he goes to every five days in a week.
“So what’s going to happen now for the fundraising event. Is it cancelled?” Jesse ask, he and Aaron were the only active boys in this little group. Raymond looked too scared to talk and Luke, well Luke was just Luke. Luke(look) but no comment.
“No, it can’t be cancelled we need to do it saving up for Winter fest is no joke. My idea was just simply overruled and replaced by Quinn’s idea.” Nadine says glumly picking at her food.
“Which is?” I asked curious.
“Car wash and bake sale.”
“That’s actually better,” Jesse snickered I subtly kicked him from under the table but the guys too dumb to get a hint. ” What! I’d prefer car wash, bikini and all to shoe donation. ”
“Jesse!” I hissed at him, throwing him my glare.
“No offense Nadine,” he says raising his hand up like that’s gonna help.
“Non taken even I have to admit her idea was better.” Nadine says.
“Is the play still gonna hold?” Peyton asked talking for the first time since lunch began.
“Yep, we doing beauty and the beast.” Nadine says excited.
“Guess who the beast is?” Aaron says wiggling his brows at us then doing a little lion roar.
“Well you do look like a beast.” Jesse said shrugging making us all burst into laughter except Aaron ofcourse who throws a slice of tomato at Jesse, it lands smack on his forehead causing another round of laughter.
Lunch ended and we all dispersed. Aaron would have walked me to class like his been doing for almost a month now but guys from the football team swam him and Jesse the moment lunch is over. I sadly leave him behind knowing I’m going to miss my walking buddy instead I tag with Nadine and Peyton.
“I’m sorry you didn’t get the role of Beauty Pey,” Nadine consoled placing a hand on her shoulder. I turned to look at them, the role of beauty?.
“Its ok Nadine, am not beautiful so it’s not shocking.” Peyton says clutching her book to her chest.
“Don’t ever say that Pey,” Nadine says making Peyton offer her a weak smile.
“Who got the role?” I asked curious. Well Aaron was the beast so it’s just right Im curious about who’s playing beauty. Since we’re allies now right? That makes sense.
“Who else but the Queen bitch herself. She snagged the role immediately and just pronounced Aaron as beast. Since he’s the best in our Art/ drama class it made sense and everybody agreed.” Nadine spat out like the words were venom. “I don’t know if she thinks we’re fools and everybody won’t know she’s in this for the kiss scene. Worst part is that she has a boyfriend!”
I gulped, “kiss scene?”
“I think I’m going to throw up,” Peyton says making a gag motion and running to the girls washroom.
“Poor Pey, this is taking its toll on her. She’s been looking forward to this play we all knowing that Aaron being the best in class would be the beast. She practiced and prayed really hard but now She gets to stand on stage and watch her life crush kiss the biggest bully of all time. Tsk tsk life isn’t fair.” Nadine complained.
“What role did she get?” I asked out of mere curiosity.
“Musicals.”
Oh
Am I a bad friend for not feeling sympathy as I ought to for Peyton? I’m kinda glad she didn’t get the role and I’m upset Quinn gets to play it. Choosing which of them I’d rather have play that role- if it was up to me- I’d choose none.
I wonder if it’s too late to tryout for the roles?
Eh who I’m I kidding? I’m not in Art or Drama class. I know nothing about acting and the roles have been decided upon. I kiss I’ll just let it go. I mean it doesn’t concern me. I don’t care if there’s a kiss scene or not. I definitely don’t care whoever Aaron locks lips with. Its non of my business. Not at all. I mean he’s probably kissed half the girls in this school anyway, what–
“Easy on that note Noel, you’re squeezing it really tight. Are you alright?” Nadine asks looking at me weirdly.
I look at the crumpled piece of paper on my hand. It was my math test which I got a C on. I was going to frame the note but I guess that’s not going to happen again. Seeing as I have squeezed the life out of it. “Yea, Yes I’m fine.”
Lie.
.
.
“Noel Atkins, the principals office now.” The voice came out loud and clear from the speakers all over the hallways.
“What did you do?” Raymond ask me as I stare up at the speakers hoping an answer for the sermon would come.
“what makes you think she did a anything wrong Simpleton?” Aaron asked stalking towards Raymond who backs away till he’s out. “Hey.”
“Hey,” I acknowledged him too as I look to him smiling down at me, “why are you so harsh to Raymond?”
“Me? Harsh?,” he scoffed putting his arm on my shoulder and leading me away. “I’m not being harsh to him, yet. That was me being very kind to him.”
I shudder, “I don’t want to see when you’re being harsh then but really why don’t you guys get along?”
“You can’t get along with everybody Noel, some people just stand out making your skin crawl at sight of their face. Plus simpleton is just a dick that gets in my nerves, middle school stuff and all.” He explained looking ahead.
I nodded even though I barely understood everything he just said. I see the Principal’s office and my throat runs dry. “Do you think I’m in trouble?”
“Why would you be in trouble if you did nothing wrong?” He ask peering at me.
“Well sermons by the principal in Cali and possibly everywhere is never a good thing. Maybe I unknowingly did something that I don’t know and cant remember,” I say rubbing my hands together. “Like my alter ego,” I gasp. “Do I have one? Have I– she done something really horrible? Oh no I’m going to get expelled or suspended or arrested.”
Aaron chuckled placing both hands on my shoulders, “stop panicking, it’s nothing. Alter ego is bs, now go in I’ll be waiting for you right here.” I nodded and entered the principal’s office.
“Good afternoon Sir,” I greeted as I entered the dark cold room. There was light but it wasn’t as bright as the hallway and it was cooler in here.
“Noel Atkins?” He asked looking up from his desk at me.
“Yes sir,” I saw his picture on his desk, it was him and a little girl probably his daughter, then there was a gold colour name tag on his desk with the name, ‘Principal R P Finley’. I wonder what ‘R P’ stands for; Ron Potter? (gasp) maybe Rest in Peace with the I missing. I was able to get my senses back in time to see him gesturing for me to take a seat.
I gladly obliged, maybe I’m not in trouble, if I was in trouble he wouldn’t offer me a seat right? Or maybe I was so much in trouble that he couldn’t tell me while standing else I’ll faint.
“So, You’re a new student transferred here from California right?” He asked, I nodded. “You’ve been in the school for about two months now and I notice you don’t have any extra curricular activities, why?” I didn’t say anything, I know what to say but he kept silent looking at me waiting for me to talk.
I sighed giving up, guess Ron Potter can’t get a hint. “Um… I don’t think its necessary?”
Without missing a beat, “it is necessary, I understand your grades are picking up now all you need is an activity so your college application form won’t be blank.” He said opening a file that I think is mine.
College? I have not really thought of college. I don’t think I’m going to college. I’ll probably just stay behind and help my mum out. Things are just starting to look bright, I sure as hell ain’t getting any type of scholarship and I don’t have college fund. The one my dad saved up was used in paying up hospital bills and finishing up debts. Broke is an understatement for my current level of poverty.
“Back in your former school you were a cheerleader right?.”
“Yes but I quit last year,” and assumed the post of a couch potato.
“You can try out for the team here,” he proposed his outrageous idea.
“Sir, Principal Finley I can’t. It’s senior year already and I’m out of practice,” I complained hoping he’ll see the panic in my voice. Cheerleading? God forbid.
“Hmm,” he said stroking his chin. “Ok then it’s settled.”
“What’s settled?”
“You’re joining the school student committee.”
“What! No way.” I remembered I was talking to the principal and cleared my throat. “Principal Finley you can’t do this.”
“I can and I have. They have their meeting after school room 109 make sure you join them today. They need more hands for the fundraising event anyway, two to be exact.” He says sternly in the kind if voice that people use when a decision is final and topic ended.
I start making sobbing sounds hoping it’ll change his mind but he doesn’t bulge and continues his activity like I’m no longer seating right in front of him. “Ok Sir can’t I join the play instead and assume the role of beauty?”
“No can’t do Noel, the play has already been decided upon and rehearsals started last week. Beside you don’t offer Art/drama. You can go now.” He wasn’t even looking at me as he said this. I wanted to slam my hands on the table and give him a piece of my mind.
But since I don’t want to get expelled, I quietly get up and walk out. I see Aaron standing out there, his back to the wall and his eyes closed. I walked up to him. “Yeah you’re out. What were you called for? Why the mourning face?”
“I’m joining the student committee,” I glumly told him making my way to room 109.
“Hmm,” he says weighing the pros and cons of the idea. “That’s a good thing I guess… at least now you’ll be with you friend to defend her against the injustice happening there.”
I stopped in front of the door hearing student talk inside, I sighed turning to Aaron, “I guess you’ll be leaving me now.”
For weeks now Aaron has taken upon the duty to be my personal chauffeur. Driving me to school and driving me back home. Now he gonna have to leave without me.
“Yep, but I’ll see you after you’re done.” He said.
My mouth hanged open, “no Aaron you can’t just wait for me doing nothing. Who knows how long this,” gestures to the door, “would last.”
He laughed, “technically I won’t be waiting for you Noel. I’m going for rehearsals I’ve been skipping all this while.”
“Oh,” I said my cheeks heating up. He’s been skipping just to drive me home?
“Bye,” he waved walking away.
“Bye.” I turned to the door, “let’s do this.”
————–
Share your thoughts with me.
Thanks.
Bye.
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In a room full of art, I’ll still look at you.
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