“Now that we have the basics covered, I suggest from tomorrow prepare yourselves to work more closely with your team mate. Later on in the day, the school will organize a more appropriate setting for each group, meaning you will now spend the remaining of the duration time leading up to the internship selection, seated alongside your partner.” Miss Archer continued to inform the class.
Although many grumbled in dissatisfaction, in the end they simply had no other choice if they were to cease the opportunity. Jake sulked bitterly at the thought of being stuck with some ugly nobody and a rubber stamp… thinking that Jeremy was just a waste, he had everything… fame and riches but was too boring and cold, a party pooper.
He just didn’t get what these girls saw in him. Sure, he was Quarterback of the football team, but what about him? He was the left tackle player in charge of protecting his ass, so what give him the right to act so tough and demanding? Besides his parents were just as successful as any of the others, so why was it that he could not just as easily infatuate a crowd with twice the effort?
Here was yet another jealous observer…
Soon the class ended with most of the first period being focused on preparing for the following day’s arrangements. Before leaving they were once again reminded of joining an after-school activity to add to their curriculum for those who were not yet apart of such a group.
Erika felt an instant headache, ‘out of the pot and into the frying pan’ from one troubling situation to another miserable state… no matter which peer group she chose to be involved in, it would require her to be active…. Socialize and be seen, years of avoidance was finally crumbling in a single day.
From one homeroom after another, news of the fake Stevens had rapidly spread. So, from Math class all the way to literacy and History, she was faced with an array of creative insults. Of course, Britney couldn’t let this pass by, hence she anonymously printed a few fliers and got her little minions from the cheer squad to sneak out ahead of time and scatter them across the open halls making it rise into the air as hurried footsteps rushed through the doors precisely when the dismissal bell rang.
As fate had it, Erika was the last person to slowly make her way out of class, right on time to be greeted by loud shouts of mockery and laughter. Dozens of comical memes floated along the crowded path. With unbridled tongue, sarcastic remarks much similar to those from earlier on filled the air with great excitement.
“what is going on here? Someone better explain!” A thunderous yell suddenly broke the lively atmosphere, as principal McAbee walked step by step through the once noisy halls covered in a thin layer of noticeable graphic memes portraying an ugly nerd of some sort dressed rather differently, which was to say… unlike a usual geek and more of an attention grabbing computerized eye-feast, obviously trying to capture the heart of the school’s entire football team. To top it off with further emphasis, bold letters made it clear… “FAKE NOBODY WANTS POPULARITY!”
She was being degraded on such a scanty level…
However, much to everyone’s surprise the supposed victim broke the now silent air with a worry-free cheerful chuckle as if she had no clue who was being targeted.
“Stevens! In my office.” Since she happens to be the only one responsive to the ordeal, Erika was quickly called forth.
The scheming culprits smiled brightly from ear to ear, their plans not only succeeded in bring shame upon the freak, but they thought it had also landed her in trouble. If she hadn’t made herself known by giggling like an idiot, perhaps no one would have been held responsible, since the fliers didn’t state a name in particular as to who it was meant to discredit and because of the entire senior class involvement in making fun of her, it couldn’t be proven who was directly at fault.
Frowning lightly, Jeremy shook his head helplessly… ‘what a little fool.’ He really didn’t understand this girl, after being picked on for most of the day she still had the courage to act silly and laugh in the face of bullies. All of this could quickly be resolved if she just proved her name, let her father come down to the school or something. Instead of encouraging their ridiculous attempt to criticize her.
“Dude isn’t that the nerd that stole you from Barbie this morning?” Marcus whispered in his friend’s ears as they both looked on at the departing figure following sheepishly behind the principal.
“Don’t blow your lousy breath in my face and her name is not Barbie!” Jeremy replied in annoyance.
“You say Britney, I say Barbie, what’s the difference? Anyways that’s not the point… “
“Shut up Marcus!” He really didn’t want to listen to crazy logics, right now his main concern was finding out more about that silly girl that somehow made his heart race with a mere touch.
Behind of the closed office doors, Erika sat with lowered head fidgeting with her slender fingers, lost in thoughts.
Sighing loudly at her awkward appearance, principal McAbee really didn’t know what to say to such a stubborn child. After a prolong moment of silence Erika finally pleaded, “please don’t call my dad.”
“Several of your class teachers informed me earlier that you were mocked and slandered for being a fake daughter of Richard Stevens, are these two matters connected?” Though is was quite obvious, he still chose to ask.
“Since you can see clearly, what more is there is know?”
“Why don’t you let your father come and settle the issue once and for all?”
Every time there was the need for an adult to intervene this girl would always try her best come up with a shortcut to escape, was she nuts? It wasn’t like her parents were criminals or scums, they were the complete opposite. When she won an award as a junior a few years ago for her flawless attendance, she begged the confused principal to cancel her win and give it to someone else, from then on, she made sure to skip a day every term so as not to be selected. This crazy teen had the potential to thrive beyond her current score, but in order to remain unnoticed she would often do such an insane thing.
“Sir, no matter what I do, my life isn’t going to be easy… so it’s best for me to do things in a way that will keep my dignity and what can make me feel at ease with myself, besides why should I try to prove my worth to those who won’t know the value?”
Stunned, even the highly educated old man really didn’t know how to argue with her views. In the end he could only continue to stare at her with complexed emotions, sighing over and over before he finally gave up and promised to ignore the matter until she was ready to let the truth be told. But with conditions attached to his compromise.
*******************
“Fine, I won’t get your parents involved, but… on two conditions.” Principal McAbee thought of using this as an opportunity to slowly guide the little antisocialist into the right path of normalcy. So, he took his seat behind the office desk with a clear mission. Erika could already guess where this was headed, but since it was her only alternative, she had to accept whatever came her way. “What’s the price?” “You haven’t registered for an afterschool activity as yet to qualify for the internship and no I’m not allowing you to assist in the library department, that does not count as interactive.” Did she really think she could get away that easy? “Well I’m not joining the debate team either, how about props and lighting in drama class?” She tried reasoning. “Nice try, but that’s not going to work… I was thinking more along the
Britney’s frustration grew at the possibility of the little nerd being an actual somebody. It was one thing to bully a missed placed, low status wannabe, but to interfere with an upper-class family… she needed to attack from within the circle and who better to ask for help than her doting arrogant daddy? “No way you’re stealing my boyfriend you ugly bookworm!” The scheming teen gritted her teeth in contempt as she quickly ran ahead of Jeremy and back into the school’s auditorium, planning a one-sided battle against the innocent girl that was desperately trying to remain a nobody. About an hour and a half later practice was finally over. With great anticipation the young Master Adams rushed across town to a much smaller community, in the company car sent to escort him home. “Sir, I must inform your father where
“Hold that thought, I really need to use the bathroom.” Chelsey interrupted before dashing into her nearby room. Five minutes later sighing a breath of relieve, she slowly stepped back into the hall space only to meet the lingering gaze of her brother as if he was anxiously waiting for her return. “Alright, I’m all ears, what do you need? Just stop acting so weird.” “Sorry.” Jeremy coughed dryly then stated, “I’m kind of curious about this Stevens girl, she… well… umm… she sort of bumped into me twice this morning.” Ever since they were kids, Jeremy had always felt comfortable enough to talk to his big sis. Perhaps thinking she was the only logical and sane person in their family. “And? What’s the big deal? I’ve met her once before when I was delivering s
The Hudson’s and the Adams were busily planning their own mission against the unsuspected innocent by-stander. Poor Erika had no idea what was instore for her, all she wanted was to keep to herself and survive her final semester at West-Bay Academy, but unfortunately that was too much to ask for from a bunch of life draining, fame hungry, spoiled teens. Because of the previous day’s series of incidents, she no longer took the risk of being hasty. “I just need to slow down today, maybe I was too free spirited. If I hadn’t ran away from everything none of this would have happened.” What a terrible way of reasoning with fate. Anyways, to be on the ‘safe’ side, she tried relaxing a bit. Woke up as usual, listen to another round of meaningless fashion lecture at breakfast with her overly concerned parents. Not bothering to pay too much attention to whatever her dear mo
At the stroke of nine, the halls were no longer crowded as the classroom was quickly filled with the bickering sound of disputing teenagers, clearly annoyed with the seating arrangements made for the next few weeks up until the internship selection would finalize. Even the usually neutral Jeremy Adams couldn’t help feeling a bit displeased for some strange reason. The sight of Jake suddenly flattering Erika continuously with obvious praise, was both annoying and laughable. Funny simply because of the hypocrisy in his actions. In about 24 hours he went from finding the nerd as disgusting and ugly, to a fascinating beauty when her appearance was no different from before. “I like your sweater today; the color matches your eyes. I can easily get lost in them.” Jake commented while leaning towards the innocent girl, just enough for the guy beside him to overhear.
The hardest part of the day was finally over, managing to sit through first period with the guy that could easily make my heart do a summersault in my chest against my will and the other that had the talent of making my mind want to scream in annoyance. A conflicted feeling that was thankfully put on pause, dreading the following days to come. Erika was definitely relieved to no longer be seated next to the two bickering fools, who had no business in disturbing her peaceful life of being West-Bay Academy’s friendly ghost. ‘I rather be an invisible nobody than to be connected to either of them.’ She thought, but quickly laughed mocking at her wild imagination… ‘yeah right like any of the two would be genuinely interested in my current appearance… Jeremy probably didn’t want his girlfriend to get into trouble or cause an issue with the family’s corporation and Jake’s motives were clearly establish
“Whatever it is you’re up to, stop t! I’m not interested in playing some silly game.” Erika retorted as she carefully placed her glasses back on, returning to her seat hoping to continue with her meal. “Good, I don’t like games either… well except for football, x-box, pools…” He suddenly started listing a bunch of irrelevant literal games, causing the girl’s lips to twitch in annoyance, “you must be doing this on purpose, it’s impossible for someone to be so… so…” “Multi-talented? Yeah, I know, I’m quite gifted… though I’ve never actually won most of the matches…” Marcus interrupted with his only conclusion. “I think crazy would be more appropriate to describe you.” “Says the girl accessorizing with fake transition lenses, by the way what’s your first name? I didn’t catch that part.”
In the girl’s locker-room, three chatty teens were carefully preparing for today’s practice session, stretching their legs and prepping their outfits to flounce in the presence of hungry observant wolves… ‘the yummy looking football team players.’ “So, what are you guys planning to do about the boyfriend stealing nerd? We can’t let her continue to invade our space like this! What if she succeeds?” Throughout Math and literature class, the girls took the opportunity to proudly state their claim on their boyfriends, constantly cozying up to them just to annoy Erika, who found their antics laughable. They were far from displaying themselves as decent socialite girls. Marcus really wanted to puke at their degrading attempt to boast. It was a shame for them to all meet up in this mandatory class session during final period. Thankfully, it was over. “Oh, come on Keisha, she’s just some desperate wannabe trying to