“Miss Frank, perhaps you’d like a try?” Ms Belson watched as Izzie raised her head and rolled her eyes.
“Sure, I think I can control myself, unlike this lot.” she gestured to her overly excited class-mates and made her way to the front, much to the dislike of the other girls.
“Now, you will read ‘Beatrice’ and Kale, you will read ‘Benedick’ … if you could just take it from ‘Against my will I am sent to bid you come in to dinner’.”
Izzie smirked at Ms Belson’s selection; she really wouldn’t have to act like she couldn’t stand Kale that much – she had that down to a fine art already.
They read through the scene and the bell rang just as they had finished it; everyone clapped them politely and started to file out of the room as Izzie and Kale returned to the back of the classroom to retrieve their belongings.
Kale cleared his throat as he slung his bag over his shoulder, “You were really good there now.”
Izzie looked up at him – ‘Wow, he really is super tall’ she thought – and half-smiled, “Thanks, you weren’t so bad yourself … for a movie star.”
He laughed and fell into step with her as they left the classroom. Izzie didn’t say anything to him as they walked along the corridor, Kale decided to break the silence.
“So Izzie, can I ask you something?”
Izzie looked up to find his blue eyes full of curiosity, “I suppose you can but it doesn’t mean I’ll answer you.” she smiled when he raised his eyebrows.
“Oh feisty, aren’t you? I was just wondering why you seem to hate me – I mean you don’t even know me.” He looked at her inquisitively; he was strangely drawn to her for some reason – even if she did clearly loathe him.
“I don’t hate you,” Izzie told him truthfully, “I’m just not as infatuated by you as everyone else appears to be.”
Kale nodded, “Fair enough, no reason for me to argue with that; everyone’s entitled to an opinion.”
“Mmm,” Izzie simply replied; why was he still talking to her? All she wanted was for him to leave her alone so she could enjoy the break before her next class. Kale seemed to sense she was ticked off by him.
“You really don’t like me.” It wasn’t a question, more the case of him stating a fact. Izzie shrugged, “It’s nothing personal; I just don’t see what all the fuss is about – no offence.”
Kale laughed, “None taken, wow, I really love your honesty. You really aren’t afraid to say what you really think, are you? I could use that, especially when I’m rehearsing for a role; I need someone brutally honest, to tell me when my acting is rubbish.”
Izzie laughed, “Sure, if you want someone to slag you off all the time; I’m your girl.” She was only half-serious but Kale looked thrilled.
“You really mean that? It would help me so much.” He beamed at her while she shook her head disbelievingly.
“I was joking but if you mean it … sure, why not?” Izzie laughed and noticed Jake Greenberg waiting outside her next class. She forgot they had English together and now it looked like Kale would be joining them too. She smiled at Jake who did a double-take when he saw who Izzie was with. He grinned back at her and made his way over to talk to her; something he had never done before.
“Hey Isobel, how’s it going? Hey Kale, I’m Jake Greenberg, welcome to Hartside.”
Kale frowned at him but shook his hand, “Thanks, Izzie has been really helpful.” He put heavy emphasis on his correction of Izzie’s name. Izzie found herself smiling at this against her will; it was quite funny when Jake looked a little confused – it was actually quite adorable.
Jake nodded and threw his arm around Izzie’s shoulders, giving her a tight squeeze.
“Oh I bet she has been helpful. She’s super nice, aren’t you Isobel? Hey, if you do need anything - anything that our Isobel can’t help you with - you know who to come to, yeah?” He flashed Kale a smile while Izzie settled for looking puzzled; why was he acting like they were best buds all of a sudden? She shrugged this thought off as she found she really didn’t mind; maybe she could use being Kale’s guide to get closer to Jake.
Kale’s smile at Jake was strained and he looked at Izzie with a mixture of pity and amusement; her baffled expression was priceless. He noticed that Jake quickly dropped his arm from Izzie when he sensed the conversation with Kale was over. Izzie rolled her eyes and smiled as Jake walked on inside the classroom. Kale looked at her like she was crazy; why was she grinning like a fool after that jackass? He decided to tell her as much.
“Em, why are you looking at him like he’s the best thing since sliced bread? The guy’s an idiot.” Kale told Izzie as they made their way to two empty seats near the back of the room.
Izzie glared at him, “How can you say that? You don’t even know him – he’s really nice actually.” Kale didn’t look convinced but smirked slightly.
“Um, hello? Pot – kettle – black … anyone? You don’t know me but are quick to judge probably from what you’ve read in the media about me.”
Izzie smirked back, “Everyone’s entitled to an opinion.” she echoed back at him.
Kale grinned; he had met his match. “Exactly, therefore so am I about Mr Jackass over there!”
Izzie laughed, “I guess two can play at this game, eh? All I’m saying is give him a chance he seems really nice.” Kale didn’t fail to notice that she had implied that Jake appeared to be an ok guy. He didn’t mention this but he wasn’t going to skirt around the issue of her giving him a chance.
“Well all I’m saying is give me a chance or at least try.” he smiled down at her and she rolled her eyes in defeat.
“Fine but one strike – just one - and you’re out.” she half-smiled at him and returned her attention to the chapter of the novel they were supposed to be reading.
“I can live with that.” Kale told her and he followed her example and started his work also, smiling to himself; he sensed he was going to like this experience.
Chapter Four
When it came around to lunch time, Kale wondered if asking Izzie could he join her, would be too much and push her over the edge. He needn’t have worried though, Maddie had took it upon herself to invite him to sit with her and Izzie; the latter had not looked too happy when Kale accepted Maddie’s invitation. That’s why when she got the chance; Izzie dragged her friend to one side while Kale signed autographs for some of the younger students.
“Why did you have to ask him to join us Maddie? Is this just so you can stare at him all through lunch? Because I don’t want to have to make conversation with someone who’ll not be listening to a word I say, you hear me?”
Maddie clearly wasn’t listening, “Uh-huh, whatever you say – come on, he’s sitting down now!”
Izzie rolled her eyes and groaned as Maddie tugged on her arm and directed her over to the table where Kale was now eating his lunch.
“Sorry,” Maddie apologised to him; her eyelashes fluttering furiously in what Izzie presumed she thought to be a flirtatious manner, “Izzie couldn’t decide what to get. Anyway, how have you liked Hartside High so far?”
Kale took a sip of his bottled water, “Oh erm, it’s great. I think I’ll like it here.” He looked very uncomfortable at the way Maddie was looking at him; like he was a piece of meat. Izzie noticed his panicked expression and found herself enjoying watching him squirm.
“So Kale, you never got around to telling me what you’re studying? I do the same as Izzie; English, English Literature and Drama. I want to be an actress whereas Iz wants to be a writer.”
Kale looked at Izzie interestedly, “Really, a writer – that’s really cool.”
Maddie looked annoyed that he had ignored her and talked to Izzie instead; she cleared her throat purposely so that he would answer her question.
Kale noticed Maddie’s forced cough and quickly looked away from Izzie who had merely nodded when he had spoke to her. “Oh sorry, I didn’t answer your question … I’m actually doing the same three - I re
ally love literature; you know how words can convey emotions, how you can escape into a world all of your own. It’s really something else … it’s why I started acting; to get the chance to actually perform what the author was saying – well, it’s really kind of amazing.”
Maddie nodded but Kale didn’t fail to recognise the look of confusion on her face; she clearly didn’t understand his passion for the written word. However, a quick glance at Izzie showed she knew exactly what he was referring to; she did dream of being a writer after all. Kale didn’t say anything else and neither did Maddie but Izzie surprised them both by nodding at Kale and saying, “I know what you mean; I grew up with a love of books – my father owns a book shop,” she explained to him.
Kale nodded; he was clearly impressed, “Wow, I’ll have to check it out sometime – I’m always reading something.” They all ate the rest of their lunches in silence but Kale couldn’t help but furrow his brow when he wondered why Izzie seemed to go from being rather unfriendly to perfectly pleasant as quickly as she did; he didn’t know which reception he was going to be met with next. He shook his head and finished eating his burger.
Izzie sensed that Maddie was mad at her; that was why she didn’t continue on with her conversation with Kale. She picked at her sandwich and only half-paid attention to the small talk Kale was making with Maddie. She was extremely relieved when the bell rang to signal the end of lunch; she really wanted to be alone - away from Kale and away from Maddie and her fluttering eyelashes – it was a good thing that she had a free class now. Izzie looked at Maddie; she knew that she had a free class too but she hoped that Maddie wouldn’t annoy her too much.
“What you going to do this class?” Izzie asked her friend as Kale pretended not to be listening to this little exchange.
“I agreed to tutor one of the younger students in English so I’ll be in the library. I hope you don’t mind.” Maddie told her politely but Izzie could tell she really didn’t care if Izzie did mind.
Izzie nodded and watched Maddie leave, then she sighed; it was totally obvious that Maddie was pissed at her but Izzie failed to see what it was that she was supposed to have done wrong – she’d just have to make Maddie forgive her later on. She sighed again and noticed Kale looking at her with a sympathetic smile on his face.
“You okay?” he inquired, wondering if Izzie would respond with a friendly answer or not.
Izzie rolled her eyes, “I’ll be fine - Maddie just gets this way sometimes. It’s just best to let her cool off a little while and then I apologise for whatever I’ve supposedly done – whether I’m guilty or not.”
Kale frowned at her “That doesn’t seem fair. You shouldn’t have to take the blame for something you didn’t do.”
Izzie laughed, “It’s easier this way, trust me. Now, do you think you’ll be able to find your next class? It’s just I’ve got an essay to finish since I’m working later and won’t get the chance to do it.”
Kale followed her as she made her way down the corridor, “Yeah, I will since I’m in the same class as you … I have a free period now too.” He laughed lightly as this fact dawned on Izzie.
Izzie forgot that he had the same timetable as her; she would not get the peace and quiet she had wanted. She sighed and didn’t protest when Kale took the seat beside her in Mr Jackson’s classroom; it was inevitable that she would have to stay up late again to finish her homework. She took out her notes as Mr Jackson entered the room and told them to do some work while he tapped away on his computer doing who knows what. As usual, the rest of her classmates took out their mobiles or iPods and did no work whatsoever while some others actually went to sleep for a while.
Kale looked about him in disbelief; he really was shocked that Izzie was the only one actually doing something that was productive while the rest of their classmates lounged around relaxing. He glanced back at Izzie; he didn’t want to disturb her but he was curious as to why she didn’t seem to give herself a chance to relax or have a break like everybody else was doing.
Izzie felt Kale’s eyes on her and she sighed, she turned to look at him, “What? I know you’re dying to annoy me … so what is it?”
Kale smirked slightly, “You’re really are a feisty one, aren’t you? I was just curious why you never seem to let yourself have a break or relax? If everyone else can do it - why can’t you?”
Izzie sighed, “I do relax!” Kale raised his eyebrows at her defiant tone and she jumped to defend herself, “I do! I’m even going to the cinema with Maddie tonight - if she’s talking to me again …” she added as an afterthought; Izzie knew how stubborn Maddie could be.
The corner of Kale’s mouth pulled up into a half-smile, “Sounds to me like you think relaxing is a chore. Haven’t you ever just had fun?”
Izzie felt very irritated at Kale’s suggestion that she didn’t know how to enjoy herself. She threw him a dirty look and didn’t answer; when she really thought about it though - he was right. Izzie didn’t tell Kale this of course; she just turned back to her essay.
After school had finished, Izzie rushed to get to the bookshop as quickly as possible. She managed to make it there just ten minutes later and she took her place behind the till; she felt that six o’clock couldn’t come around quick enough. The shop wasn’t very busy and Izzie found her thought drifting to Kale and what he had said; as much as she hated to admit it, he was right. She couldn’t remember the last time she had actually had fun or just relaxed; she shook her head to clear her thoughts and decided that going to the cinema with Maddie tonight would be the start of the ‘new’ Izzie. She smiled to herself and was even more pleased when Jake came into the shop and headed directly for her.
“Hey Isobel, how’s it going?” he smiled at her and Izzie found herself blushing stupidly.
“Hey, I’m ok, what’s up? You need a book or something?” she grinned at him, trying not to look too love-struck.
Jake shook his head, “No, I was just wondering if you want to come to a party at my house tonight?”
Izzie frowned; Jake had had house parties before and every single time, she had failed to receive an invitation. She wondered what had made him change his mind; could he possibly be beginning to like her or was there some catch? Just as Izzie was about to accept his invite, her question was answered when Jake spoke his next words; unfortunately for Izzie the latter part appeared to be applicable here.
“You know you can bring someone with you too, if you want. I mean, I really won’t mind … anyone at all, you can bring them.” He flashed her a flirty smile and Izzie found her initial pleasure at him actually asking her to his party quickly evaporating.
She just knew Jake was referring to Kale but it’s not like she actually knew him well enough to call him a friend let alone invite him to a party after knowing him one day!
Izzie nodded at Jake and muttered, “Sure, it’s just I’ve actually made plans already. Sorry I won’t be able to make it.”
Jake looked extremely disappointed and quickly left the shop without saying much else. Izzie sighed, how could she be so stupid to think that Jake was taking an interest in her? She really needed to focus on something else; something more productive, like her school work – it was far more important than boys. She tried not to think about how Jake had tried to use her to get friendlier with Kale; she really didn’t know what the big deal was anyway – he was just somebody who was paid far too much for something so unimportant.
When her shift had finished, Izzie went home and ate her dinner very quickly as Maddie had sent her a text saying the movie she had picked started at 7 o’clock and she had just half an hour to get ready. Izzie was glad when Maddie had still gone ahead with their plans; it was a sign that she had forgiven Izzie. She smiled to herself as she picked out some jeans and a dressy shirt to wear and happily got changed; she was just very glad to have her friend speaking to her again.
At 6.45pm, Izzie heard Maddie beep her horn and she looked out her bedroom to see Maddie’s black Mini wait
ing. She grabbed her bag and headed out to meet her, when she got into the car, Izzie knew something had changed from when she had gotten Maddie’s text; Maddie was all dressed up and looked furious.
Izzie glanced at her friend curiously, “You ok? You look kinda pissed off, what’s up?”
Maddie sighed heavily, “Nothing. Hey, why aren’t you dressed up?” she glared at Izzie angrily while the latter looked confused.
“Because we are going to the cinema where it’s generally very dark and nobody can see you. I should ask why you are dressed up? Did I miss something?” Izzie frowned at how angry Maddie seemed; what was her problem?
Maddie hissed angrily, “God Izzie, we aren’t going to the cinema! We are going to Jake’s party! I told you in my message earlier!”
Izzie reeled back, “Jesus, what’s jumped up your ass? You didn’t say we were going to a party, you said earlier we were going to a movie!”
Maddie rolled her eyes, “Yeah, before I knew Jake was having a party! God you’re stupid; my message clearly indicated that we weren’t going to the cinema anymore!”
Izzie was furious now, “Don’t you patronise me! Your message ‘clearly indicated’ that you were picking me up to catch the film at 7!” she took out her mobile and brought up Maddie’s text again, “I quote ‘Movie starts at 7.’ Now unless there’s a secret code to unscramble this message to tell me we were going to a party, I’m going to assume we were still going to the cinema. Now, are you going to calm down and apologise?”
Maddie looked livid; it was obvious to Izzie that she knew she had done wrong but didn’t want to admit it. Sure enough, Maddie shook her head and continued to rant.
“No I’m not apologising, now are you going to change or not?”
... not in love with Kale Eddison Page 3