by Holly Grace
“Nothing ma’am, I just said that this is a show-off not a sing-off.”
“Oh, alright, so who wants to go first then?” asked Mrs. Grey.
So it begins, I slowly sidle sideways into my seat, to be partially hidden by Big Tommy the Soprano’s back so that I don’t get to be picked first when my seat mate, the one and only irritating Sin raised his hand.
“Yes Mr. Miaki, do you want to sing first?”
“Of course ma’am, it’s to rip the bandage on the wound quick as they say because I might be too chicken to volunteer later, plus Kat dared that she’d go out with me if I sung first.” At that statement the class went wild, hoots and catcalls were exchanged and the annoying boy just bowed theatrically as if he performed a great feat already, while I sunk further into the chair.
“No! I didn’t say anything like that at all you jerk!” I uttered.
He just smirked and went into the center of the room and confidently got the guitar from its stand and strumming some chords to hear if it was properly tuned.
I can’t react further for Mrs. Grey shushed us from being too noisy as Sin strummed the intro chords of the song, the whole class waited with barely bated breath. His breathy raspy voice sounded so clear as he used it to complement the melodious tones of the guitar to the tune of Death Cab for Cutie’s I Will Follow You Into the Dark.
Love of mine, some day you will die
But I'll be close behind
I'll follow you into the dark
No blinding light or tunnels to gates of white
Just our hands clasped so tight
Waiting for the hint of a spark
If Heaven and Hell decide
That they both are satisfied
Illuminate the NO's on their vacancy signs
If there's no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I'll follow you into the dark
As Sin finished the song there was nary a sound heard as all of the class, even Mrs. Grey was touched by his performance. The song in itself had a very simple tone without shouts and arias; he sang it effortlessly and flawlessly, anyone who listened would believe as he had that sincerity to evoke the message of the song, his singing is like a siren’s call, pulling you deep where he wants you to be. It was amazing.
And the crowd goes wild, the peace was broken by loud claps and roars for more. He deftly took a bow secure in the knowledge that he was, honestly quite good. He trained his cocky smile at me, knowing he did something special. Giving the idea that he sang it just for me. I have never heard someone sing like him, and I can’t help but smile back.
He strode swaggering towards our seat and turned to me, “Admit it, you like me.”
The nerve! And here I thought I was starting to like him and he blurts out something like that! Like a smug overconfident d-dick! And my feels goes back to zero. Pfft!
“That’s it! If you turned around that arrogant boastful posturing, I might. But when you act like that it puts me off.” I said.
“Oh, so you like shy, dorky losers then? Well I can act like that too. But it would violate something that I believe in.”
“And what’s that?”
“Always be yourself, no matter what. Changing yourself for someone you love is a disaster in the making. Those kinds of feelings and relationships wouldn’t last. It’ll all be just lies.” He said brashly and sounding like he was reading from a hallmark card at the same time.
“Why are we talking about relationships and feelings already? I don’t even know you and I don’t think I even like you enough!”
He just laughed undeterred by my shot down.
“Babe, I intend for you to be mine and soon. You will like me one day maybe love me even.”
With that parting statement I didn’t notice that Mrs. Grey just called me. It was my turn. Damn! I didn’t even prepare a song, darn! I should have something to counter Sin’s song earlier, the one I knew was not good and it was a love song he might read some meaning from it that wasn’t there, what do I do?”
Then P!ink’s song Just Like a Pill came in to my mind and proceeded to sing it, when it was time for the chorus, I stared him down.
Run just as fast as I can
To the middle of nowhere
To the middle of my frustrated fears
And I swear you're just like a pill
'Stead of makin' me better, you keep makin' me ill
You keep makin' me ill
When I was done, he was the first to clap vigorously. I was more disturbed, didn’t he listened to the lyrics at all. I went to my seat frowning.
“Hey, that was great, you sang brilliantly.” He said, looking so smug still.
“Why are you so darn … peppy, didn’t you know that song was for you?” I said grumbling.
“Hah! As long as it’s not indifference I’ll take it, because if I can get a reaction from you, then I stand a chance to turn that feeling into something that I want.”
He kept on pestering me as the class went on and songs about blurred lines, royalty and heavy machinery was repeated again and again. I never paid him any heed as I doodled on the margins of my notebook. He must have gotten tired of the one way conversation so he settled on staring at me in an intimidating manner instead.
I just huffed in the corner and waited for the lunch bell to ring. When it did I quickly left my seat to seek out Veronica. This guy is making me nuts!
“Hey mind if I join you, its lunch and I don’t have that many friends yet.”
Whoa, that was fast how did he catch up to me that quickly? He must have superhuman speed.
I can’t turn him down though, I may not like how arrogant he is, but he’s new here and I know he’ll be happy to see Veronica; they were so intimate early this morning.
“Alright come on, but I don’t want to hear any more stupid innuendoes or deep feelings crap bull okay. Or I’ll hand you over to that gaggle of girls over there who eyes you like a piece of meat and likes your brand of humor.” I threatened him when I saw the girls huddled, whispering and pointing to him in the corner.
“Cross my heart and hope they die.” He said sincerely.
I took him to the school’s cafeteria. Located in the east wing, it occupies most of the ground floor to accommodate about four hundred students. We have our very own table near the big picture windows and I already spot Veronica waiting there.
I smiled when I saw her but she only had eyes for my companion. Uh-oh, I know that twinkle, it means she wants him and will never stop until she has him.
Poor Sin, nothing can stop a determined Veronica. If she sees what she wants, she’s going to get it in any way possible.
I gingerly settled on the bench in front of Veronica but her eyes are still focused on Sin, whom was still standing.
When we get to the table he was hovering irritatingly, unsure to sit or remain standing.
“What are you doing? Don’t act like a dork, sit for Cripessakes!” I murmured.
He can’t sit fast enough though, so fast that he nearly stumbled into Stanley, the two hundred and fifty pound reserve linebacker with a mean disposition, too bad he just noses at him.
“Was that dorky enough for you? I thought you liked dorks? Do you like me now? Or do you want me to be dorkier? Hey I know, I can buy five soy milks in tetra packs but only use one straw. Save the environment. Yay! Now that’s extremely dorky for me or would you like me to go the extra mile and buy six.” He asked earnestly.
With his honest expression and pistol quick wit, I couldn’t help it. I couldn’t hide my snickers from coming out. He smiled too, letting out that intriguing dimple again. Veronica frowned, because the conversation went above her head, I also saw that she wants in on the conversation badly so I included her.
“Veronica, I don’t have to introduce you two, yes? I saw you this morning quite in a snuggle with Sin here. He was on my Algebra and Music class.”
She was grateful that I included her, her frown then disappeared. She looked at Sin qu
ite longingly.
“Yeah, we met last night actually, when I went to tell Jo about Jane. Sin said he saw them leave the house, maybe they are on a spur of the moment vacation.”
“Oh, so that’s why she wasn’t in class.” I mused. “So you live in Joan’s subdivision then?” I turned to Sin.
“Yeah, my family and I just arrived when I saw them leave. We live on that house atop the hill where you can see everything so I had an unobstructed view. It looked like they were in a hurry too.”
“Did you try calling her?” I turned to Veronica.
“Yeah, it’s strange though, all the calls go to her voicemail immediately, like the line has been deactivated but the number was still working.”
“Some do that to save on expensive data charges, but considering Joan’s family is not strapped for cash it’s very strange indeed.” I supposed.
“I see you’re a very close group, do you have other friends?” Sin interjected.
“Yeah, there’s Jane, she is in the hospital though, she’s still in a medical induced coma, still hanging in there, my mom said that they might try to revive her today,” I turned to Veronica to ask, “Will you be going with me to visit her after class?”
She was quite unsure what to answer, probably hoping that Sin will ask her to go out on a date after school.
“It’s okay if I come alone, “I volunteered.” “Maybe I’ll just make my home work there and wait for mom and dad’s shift to end.”
“No, you can’t be alone, waiting for your friend to wake up, I’ll go with you. You can ride with me on my motorcycle, I warn you though, I haven’t tried having someone to ride with me so you’ll have to hold on tight.” Sin said and also wiggling his eyebrows for a self- satisfied effect.
I just rolled my eyes, I saw how dejected Veronica was and I had a great idea.
“No, I have my own car but Veronica can ride with you. I need to have the keys to my car back Veronica,” turning to her, “And then you can ride with Sin, tomorrow he can pick you up for school too.” I suggested, throwing the two together, now this proposition sounds better. This seems to perk Veronica up.
“Bad news my Warrior Princess, she’s got a mini-skirt on. She can’t possibly ride in a bike with that. It would be indecent if she flashed half the city. Here’s an even better idea; let her drive your car, you ride with me and tomorrow I can pick you up for school.”
I just saw Veronica’s entire dream came crashing down, I just couldn’t do that to her. So I countered with my final proposal.
“Nope, my dad’s been asking yesterday where my car was so my ‘baby’ should be home tonight. So here’s my final offer if Veronica is willing.” That got her full attention, “Because Veronica and I fairly wear the same size, we will swap clothes. I’ll wear the dress while she wears my jeans so she can ride with you. You, take her home and will also pick her up for school tomorrow. Deal?”
“I liked that last one Kat, come on, and let’s change clothes before Sin can make any more offers.” Veronica butted in.
We left Sin with a stunned expression, and my threat to get us food from the lunch lady or he’ll be spending lunch with angry hungry females.
In the girl’s toilet Veronica confronted me about my and Sin’s closeness, while we exchange what we wore.
“What was that all about?! It’s like he was on to you like syrup on pancakes! I could feel the tension and chemistry across the room.” Way to go Veronica! Not even waiting a second to sock into it!
“It was nothing! He was just being really annoying; also he wouldn’t return something of mine that he was holding hostage so I have to be nice. He’s blackmailing me.” I defended.
“And why would he do that? I’m telling you Kat, I really like him. No, I love him. Please, this is the only thing I will ask of you, nothing else. Don’t steal him from me. Please, don’t make him fall in love with you!” she implored.
“Veronica, I have no intention of doing that, he’s yours if you want him, our friendship is much more important than any other boy, you know that. I could never trade an unsure relationship with a boy I barely knew for you, I’ve been telling him I’m not interested.” trying to make her see my point.
“Alright, I believe you. Since the two of you seem very close, can you put in a good word for me, you know, tell him if he’s looking for a girlfriend, I could be his.”
“What do you think I was doing a while back? Throwing you two together was like an intricate game show, deal or no deal, counter offer for every offer. Don’t worry, you are the prettiest girl I know, he’ll fall for you soon, just like every guy you set your eyes on.” I encouraged.
“Really?”
Seeing my overconfident best friend be insecure is upsetting. I comforted her with a light hug saying, “Yes, really. Hey, you’re Veronica James! You eat boys for breakfast, Sin doesn’t stand a chance!” it was a relief to see her smile again.
Our business done, we went back to the cafeteria and found Sin got us food, he did an excellent job with that too, and true enough he did got us six soy milk packs.
Chapter 12 Veronica
Crap! CRAP! CRAP! SHIT!
They’ve already met! And I was not there. That look, ugh! I know that look; it’s the look guys give girls when they want to own someone.
I have to stop this!
Sin is mine! She can’t have him! If I have to destroy this friendship in order for me to have him, then so be it!
Just look at her, so clueless, so oblivious to Sin’s attraction to her.
Is it because she’s all sweet and innocent?
I can be both, but not too innocent though, most guys I know go for a girl who knows what she’s doing, but in is not most guys. He hasn’t even responded to any of my seducing. Hmm, maybe if I toned down wearing my heart on my sleeve will he like me then? Naah, soon he’ll come around, I’ll just make him feel so special that he’ll never look at another girl again. And I know everything about making men feel special, not like clueless Kat. What can you say? I’ve got a lot of practice.
Sin is doing an all out flirting with her now and all the while she is blind. I saw him hand Kat an apple and instantly felt left out, I immediately tried to grab his attention.
“Sin, is your apple only for Kat, or do you have one left for me?” I said provocatively.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know you like apples, and you seem kind of a meat and potato girl.” he said dismissively.
I saw Kat’s expression turn to outrage. Fuck, here comes the pity parade.
“You can have the apple Veronica, I didn’t want it anyway.”
I narrowed my eyes at her. She seemed to get what I have felt just then.
“Seriously?! I don’t want your pity Kat! If the apple wants you that bad, then you can have it! Enjoy!” she flinched when I banged the lunch tray when I left.
Fuck them! They deserve each other!
I need a smoke now!
Chapter 14 Kat
I was stunned; scratch that stunned was an understatement. I was more astonished and confounded by her action; it was not an hour ago when we had this understanding. I was never going to steal Sin from her¸ that was absurd; we haven’t even known each other for a full day! And what is up with her, she barely even knows him too, that depth of feelings can only come after a substantial amount of time being with the other person. Granted it was Veronica, but still.
I felt so frustrated lately; these girls will give me gray hairs and premature wrinkles soon. Eyes from the other students trained on me, disbelieving of the fact that the inseparable four’s friendship would fall out.
Suddenly I felt too small.
Sin sat nearer beside me, giving a warm one-hand sideways hug, it was readily given for comfort but since he was the cause of our fight it was counterproductive not to mention awkward. I slowly sidled away and seeing that I was quite uneasy he understood and took out his arm from being slung into mine.
“Hey, don’t you worry she’ll come around,
you’ll see.”
I just sat there, still speechless of how Veronica reacted, I never even knew that I cried. I only felt the pad of Sin’s thumb drying my eyes as a tear fell off.
Blushing, I hurriedly scrubbed my eyes off as I don’t anyone to see me crying. I noticed Sin look at my tears that he gathered as if mesmerized.
“What are you doing?”
“Fascinating. So this is what you produce when you cry? They look like shiny diamonds.” I was struck dumb, is this guy for real?
“Psych! I was just seeing if I can try to distract you. I don’t like it when I see you cry.” He said earnestly.
I don’t know how he did it, but that made me laugh. I only stopped when I saw his self satisfied smirk.
“Hey, why did you stopped? That was the best sound I have heard all day. Well, that and your singing and basically everything that came out of your mouth.” He teased. I just rolled my eyes in response. “Well, it looks as if your friend left you hanging and still did not return your car keys,” now that he’d mentioned it, yes Veronica didn’t, somehow I don’t like where this conversation is going. “It seems to me you have no option. You have to let me take you to the hospital, then after a few hours I’ll take you home, how about that?”
“I don’t want to inconvenience you, it’s your first day here, you should be out, sightseeing or meeting new friends even going out on a date, it’s not fun being stuck with me in a hospital and it might further anger Veronica; she might never forgive me if I did.”
“Don’t worry I’ll handle her, I believe we have the same class together, let’s go Shakespeare, Moliere and Poe awaits my lady.” He bowed theatrically. His goofing made everything seem lighter as I reluctantly went with him on our next class.
Chapter 15 Kat
Veronica didn’t show up for AP English Lit. class and her other classes too. I’ve asked some of her classmates but they told me she wasn’t in class. It was wearisome waiting for someone you really wanted to talk to and that person did not show up, added to the fact that I may have to ride the bus in order to go to the hospital to visit Jane. I just remembered that Veronica and I swapped what we wore for her to be able to ride with Sin in his motorcycle, but now that she was jealous of my and Sin’s seeming closeness at lunch, she skipped school and still has my car keys.