Spoken like a true father of a homely child. I had to hand it to the man.
15.
“Sweetie, can you see if Hunter wants to come to dinner?” my mom yelled from the kitchen. This tossed me right back to my thoughts of his weird text.
“Um, I can try. He said he had some stuff going on.”
I called him, expecting to get his voice mail, but he surprised me by answering.
“What’s up Fen?” he asked casually.
“My mom wants to know if you want to eat with us, and I want to know what your text meant,” I blurted out.
“It didn’t mean anything. Just forget I said it.”
“Easier said than done.”
“I’ll be over for dinner,” he said, ignoring the text topic.
“Okay. Usual time.”
I was sitting on my porch reading when Hunter came back over. He joined me on the porch swing and snatched the book from my hands.
“How can you read this stuff?” he teased as he went through the pages.
“Hey! Don’t lose my spot!”
“Seriously, we know she can’t die or they wouldn’t be able to write anymore books.”
“Give it back,” I said as I tried to grab it back from him. He held it out of my reach as he thumbed through the pages.
“God, these are all the same,” he complained. I tried to take it from him again but this time he put me in a head lock. I forgot how freakishly strong he was. He had me halfway laying on the porch swing with one arm wrapped firmly around my head, and my book held casually in his other hand. “Girl is unhappy. Girl is loved by boy everyone wants.”
“Can I get up now?” No amount of prying would make his arm budge.
“Will he still love her if she changes?” he looked down at my face as he said it and something in his expression changed. His arm almost jumped off of me after he said it. “Let’s go see if your mom needs help.” I sat up a little and caught my breath.
“Don’t judge my book. At least I read!”
He stood up and opened the front door. “I’m not sure if predictable vampire romance novels count.”
“You know I read other stuff! This is just like candy or bubble gum for my brain,” I said defensively. “We all have guilty pleasures.”
“I don’t,” he declared.
“Really? Do you announce your love for Pokemon to everyone?” I raised an eyebrow as I waited for his answer.
“Don’t you dare breathe a word of that to anyone or it’s back in the headlock for you,” he threatened.
After dinner he went straight home, which was unusual for Hunter. Usually we’d park ourselves on the couch and watch our cartoons, but not this time. He said he had some things to take care of at his house. I sent him a text later to make sure he was ok and he promised that he was.
The next day was spent shopping with my mom. I felt a little guilty because I spent most of that time texting Tru, but we still managed to replenish my wardrobe.
I was deep in a text conversation with him as we rode home. We were arguing about which B movie was better- Killer Clowns From Outer Space or Plan 9 from Outer Space. My vote was for Plan 9 but after Tru sent the words “I win” about twelve times in a row I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
“Are you going to tell me about him?” my mom asked. I was pulled back into reality and reminded that I was in a car with my mom.
“Who? Tru?” I asked, trying to sound casual.
“Yep, if that’s the boy you appeared with in a national magazine.”
“It’s not a big deal. We just hung out a lot back in the city.”
“I know what ‘hung out’ means,” she said suspiciously. I sighed a heavy sigh. My mom and I didn’t really talk about this stuff, and we never had reason to. Before Tru, Hunter was the only boy I had ever been interested in, and I figured that out not that long before Tru came along.
“I really like him, but I’m not sure if there’s a point to being interested in him since he lives so far away.”
“Well, that might be true for now, but someday you’ll go away to college and you never know what might happen.”
I only nodded in agreement.
“I can’t really worry about that right now. I have to focus on mentally preparing myself for school,” I groaned.
“Well, you better get on that. You only have a few days.”
“Thanks for reminding me,” I said with dripping sarcasm, but she was right. In a few days I would possibly be walking back into my life as “Fugly” and I wasn’t sure I’d ever be ready for that.
16.
The day came sooner than I had been ready for. My mom and I had done a pretty good job of finding some clothes, but nothing that would make me stand out too much. The last thing I wanted was any unnecessary attention brought to myself. I choose a black trapeze dress and my black oxford shoes. I didn’t think I’d be too noticeable. Just in case, I grabbed an over sized black cardigan that I could fold myself into if I needed to hide. I took one last look in the mirror and tried to ready myself, but almost jumped out of my skin when I heard the doorbell ring. I was surprised to find Hunter on my front porch.
“Want to ride with me?”
I looked back at my mom who was sipping coffee in the kitchen. She nodded that I should go.
“Sure, that would be great.” Hunter and I never went to school together, and were never seen in public together. I wondered if he’d leave me at the car and dash in on his own.
“I’m stopping to grab some coffee and food. Do you want something?”
“An iced chai would be great.”
We pulled into the school lot with our drinks in our hands. Hunter was still working on a blueberry muffin as he grabbed his backpack from the back seat. I watched as he took a deep breath and braced himself. I had no idea of why he felt so nervous. School was easy for him. His charm and easy going personality had him in the good graces of his peers, his teachers, and his coaches.
“What’s wrong?” I finally asked after seeing him zone out in the direction of the school.
“Nothing. Everything.” He shook his head before he went on. “I’m breaking up with Jess for good. I wanted to do it in person. I had all weekend, but I procrastinated. Now I have to ruin her first day of school.”
“You could wait until the end of the day,” I offered, but I knew it was bad advice. He’d have to pretend everything was fine for the entire day.
“Nah. I’m doing it now.” He ran a frustrated hand through his hair as he paced back and forth a little. “Why am I so nervous? It’s not like she’s a great person who never did anything wrong.”
I gently grabbed his arm to make him stand still. “It’s hard because you’re not like her. You’re a nice person.” I smiled, hoping what I said would register in his brain. He nodded that he agreed. Just then her car drove past us and I saw her glance in our direction. If looks could kill I would have dropped dead on the spot.
“It’s go time,” he said as he braced himself.
“You got this.”
“So do you, Fen.” It was comforting that he thought so, but I wasn’t so sure, and after the look Jessica gave me, I knew she would make sure of my downfall.
Nothing exploded when I walked into the school. I noticed a few double takes, but everyone seemed to go about their business without noticing me much. I looked down at my schedule to see that I had French class first. I found my way to the right hall but I was stopped by a few girls I was certain I had never spoken to.
“Oh my god! Fenley! You have to tell us everything!” a perky girl with a long, blonde ponytail exclaimed.
“Everything about what?”
“Truman Penn! We saw your picture with him. What’s he like?” They all collectively giggled after she asked.
“Wait, you know who he is?”
“We do now. After we saw your picture with him we looked him up. Did you know his dad is a big wig producer?”
“Gee. I had no idea,” I said in a monotone that was
lost on them. “I have to get to French.”
“Yes! I have French first hour,” Blonde Ponytail exclaimed. She gave a hyper wave to her friends and we walked into class together. I wasn’t sure if this was something I could get used to. “I love French, and I never have to pick a name because my name is already French,” She said a mile a minute.
“Monique,” I thought to myself, remembering her name.
“What is Fenley? Irish, or Scandinavian?” She didn’t stop talking.
“Scottish.”
“Oh, of course,” she said with a little smack on her forehead. “Well, I wonder what name she’ll give you?” she asked with a little shrug.
Her question was answered only a few moments later when I pulled a name from a hat. “Oddette,” I said to myself.
“That means ‘wealth’,” my “know it all” new friend added.
“I know,” I said, probably sounding defensive.
There was no time for small talk after that. Our teacher got us straight to work and I was thankful when the bell rang and I could get out of there. Unlucky for me, my new pal didn’t let me get far. Just as she was about to open her mouth for another onslaught of speaking, my phone buzzed.
“I’m sorry, I have to get this.” It was Tru calling and not texting.
“Oh my God! Is it him?” She asked and looked like she might combust if I didn’t answer. I nodded yes then turned around.
“I miss you. I go to school with crazy people and I wish you were here,” I blurted out. His warm laughter filled the line.
“I miss you too. I have been staring at my computer screen which is basically a slide show of our pictures. You need to be here in person. Digital Fen isn’t cutting it.”
“Ugh. I know. I have to get to class, but I would rather talk to you all day. Video chat later?”
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
When I turned back around I found Monique still there.
“Is he amazing? Tell me he’s amazing,” she said with a disturbing smile.
“He is,” I confessed.
“Oh, hey Brady!” Monique said over my shoulder.
I turned to see Brady approaching us and just as I was about to excuse myself he stopped me.
“Why the rush Fen? I came over here to talk to you.”
“Why do you want to talk to me?” He had never said a word to me in school, so I figured it should be interesting.
“You should come hang out next time Hunter comes over.”
“Um, maybe. Thanks?” I said awkwardly and decided that was the perfect time for me to make my exit. I was rushing so fast I didn’t see Hunter directly in my path and almost didn’t stop in time.
“Where are you off to in such a rush?”
“Anywhere but here. Brady spoke to me...in public.” All I got in response was his crooked smirk.
“Get used to it. He thinks you’re hot.”
“What?” I almost choked on the word.
“Yeah. He told one of Jessica’s friends that he planned to ask you to the Welcome Back Mixer.”
“No. No mixers!” I realized I sounded as pouty as a toddler. Hunter just laughed at me. “It’s not funny! Besides, I don’t think Tru would appreciate me going off to dances with other guys. He probably wasn’t serious anyway,” I argued.
“I’m pretty sure I can’t think of a girl who would turn down Brady.”
“Well, they don’t have a Tru Penn.”
“Right,” he said with no humor at all as he walked away.
“Wait,” I called after him. “You didn’t tell me how it went with Jessica.”
“Later,” he yelled without turning around. I watched him casually walk away with his hands in his pockets.
17.
Hunter and Monique both found me at the same time after school. I looked between the two of them but it was clear they both needed something different.
“What’s up Monique?” I decided to get her out of the way first so I could talk to Hunter about what happened with his break-up.
“I was hoping I could interview you for the school paper. I’m writing an article on transformation and well, you have really outdone everyone in the transformation department.” I almost didn’t hear what she asked me. I was too distracted by the way her hair bounced and her smile stayed painted on as she spoke.
“I don’t think anyone wants to read about me,” I insisted.
“No, they do. After your picture was in the magazine you went viral!” She nodded an excited nod as she spoke.
“Um..okay. Sure. When?”
“I’ll call you with details. Bye Fen, bye Hunter.” She waved a little too enthusiastically as she walked away.
I turned to Hunter who I could tell was trying to not laugh.
“Please help me,” I whined.
“Nope. You’re on your own. Are you ready to go?”
“I’m riding home with you too?”
“Yep. I can bore you with the story of Jessica’s tantrum.”
“This should be good.” Just as we were getting into his car I saw Jessica giving me the evil eye. I turned to Hunter. “Please tell me she doesn’t think I had anything to do with you breaking up with her.”
“Why would she think that?” His tone made it seem like I had asked the most ridiculous question in the world.
“I don’t know. I just feel like that look she gave me was more evil than usual...and there was the whole thing at Chandler’s party.”
“She knows why. She’s not a nice person.”
“Okay. It was a stupid question anyway. Of course she wouldn’t think that.” I felt a little more at ease as I said it out loud.
“Nothing stupid about it.” All the humor was gone again and I was finding it harder and harder to keep up with his moods.
“Okay, tell me,” I said as I sat back and then I was then given the entire story, including all of the colorful names she called Hunter.
Hunter was still telling his story when we got to my house. He pulled up to the curb and fifteen minutes later the car was still running and I was still listening. His break up story had turned into a rant. A rant about her being awful to everyone and how Hunter had been guilty by association.
“So I’m sorry. I should have done more to stop her from being horrible to you,” he offered when he was done.
“Hunter, you and I both know that would have made it worse...or you would have ended up with a nickname just like me. Let’s see… what about ‘Homely Hunter’?” I said as I tried to keep a straight face. “Oh, I know! ‘Hairy Hunter’!”
“Go home,” he said sarcastically. “And I’m not that hairy. Maybe a little.”
It was true. The sandy hair on his legs made him look like a wolf boy at times. I got out and opened the back seat to get my backpack and then I saw Hunter unbuckle his seat belt and get out. He ran over to where I was standing and without a word he pulled me into a hug. At first my arms stayed by my side. I was a little stunned, but after a moment I wrapped my arms around his back and he squeezed me a little tighter. When he pulled away he dashed back to the drivers side and yelled “bye” as he drove off. I hadn’t even had time to decide how the hug felt before he was already gone, leaving me there stunned.
Later that night I held my phone in my hand, intending to call Tru, but I was lost in thoughts about Hunter’s apology. Everything about him and home felt different. “Fugly” felt like she could be gone forever but I knew better than to assume anything. The buzzing of my phone startled me out of my thoughts and I was happy to see Tru’s face pop up on the display.
“When did you become a mind reader?” I asked as a greeting.
“My spidey senses tell me there is a beautiful girl on the other side of the world who might miss me as much as I miss her.”
“Nope. But there is a girl six or seven states away that can’t stop thinking about you.”
“You just gave me goosebumps,” he said in his almost sleepy voice. “How was your day?”
“Grea
t now. I forgot everything as soon as I heard your voice.”
“More goosebumps,” he admitted.
“For the record, I miss you more.”
“Let’s make a plan. I need to see you,” he said and I could feel the same ache I heard in his voice.
“Holiday break,” I suggested.
“Sooner, and you sound amazing by the way. I forgot how much I love to hear you talk.”
“Now I’m the one with goosebumps.” I tried to stifle a yawn, but a little squeak came out.
“Oh man. Every sound you make is delicious. I’m going to say goodnight. Dream about me, and we’ll work on that plan.”
I didn’t want to hang up, but we said our goodbyes and I realized that I was exhausted. I washed the day off and got into bed. I wasn’t sure if I was ready to go back and do school all over again the next day, but I knew it would be easier if I wasn’t exhausted. I thought about how nice it would be to see Tru over the holidays and what sort of things we could do together, and soon I was drifting off with thoughts of Tru Penn dancing in my head.
18.
The talk at school the next day was all about the Mixer. I waited, on edge all day, for someone to remind Jessica of my nicknames, but it never came. What did come was a delivery of flowers in my last class. A boy from the basketball team was wearing a sash that said “I deliver the goods” and holding a basket of roses. He dropped two on my desk and moved on to deliver his next batch.
This was the mixer tradition. A student would ask someone via rose that they paid for at the school bookstore. They would attach the note and some poor kid would have to play dress up and deliver all the roses. This was also one of the best fundraisers our student council had, and this year was no exception from the looks of how full his basket was.
I looked at the foil notes that were attached by ribbon to each rose and decided I would read them later. I bent down to put them in my backpack and when I pooped back up I had almost all the sets of eyes on me. I guess it was weird to them too. I had two potential dates to a dance I didn’t want to go to and last time most of these people saw me I was a train wreck who hid from everyone as much as I could. I wasn’t sure if I was ready for so much change.
Fugly: Book One of the Fenley East Series Page 5