% CHAPTER 36 %

"Round of applause! Let me see dat ass clap!" Whitney sings through the school hallway. Who knew this chick was so crazy? When some people look at her like she's delusional, she laughs at them. "Drop it drop it drop it low, all da way onto da flow! Bitch be callin me a hoe, but I don't give myself fo show. So no."

I chuckle and think how much her and Luca would be a good couple. As for Taylor and I, we're fixing to become official at the beach. We decided we could trust our friends. I feel so pumped now. I'm stress free and my grades have actually gotten better. How weird is that? We're still trying to figure out how we get Amanda to back off though. With the help of Taylor, Whit and I are looking for more loopholes in what she said. Hopefully, we can find something because I am tired of pretending to be in love with the bitch.

Mr. Omen's class has been so much more fun with Whit. No joke. Okay well jokes included because she cracks about a hundred of them each day. She is just a lively person. She's just so fun to be around with her awkward conversations and weird way of expressing herself. Taylor really knows how to pick 'em. I still wonder how they became such close friends. I know they've known each other since they were born, but a lot of people have friends like that who still aren't that close to each other.

"Attention fair citizens! It has come to my knowledge this school's basketball team sucks!"

As she continues on with her rant, I hear a couple things like, "Is she on crack?" and, "Drunk much?" I just keep chuckling and shaking my head.

Just then Amanda barges in with ratty hair and smeared make up, and its not the making out kind. Someone's not having a good day.

"Aw did someone wake up on the wrong side of the bed?" Whit's voice is like a coo.

"Shut up I don't have time for your shit!" Amanda shrieks.

"Language Miss Shorack." Mr. Omen shakes his head disapprovingly.

"I don't give a fuck," she mutters under her breath.

Whitney must have heard because she replies casually with, "If you didn't give a fuck then you would have said it out loud."

Amanda winces. "Shut up."

I smirk. She knows by now that I'm not going to help her. Everyone knows. People keep telling her to end it with me. I am just bringing her down. I'm not treating her right. Even her blondie friends- which I'm pretty sure aren't even naturally blond- tell her that she needs to break up with me before I break her heart, but she won't listen. Nothing is working for her anymore and that makes me happy.

"Make me," Whit provokes.

"Miss Whitney Audet! Please sit down in your seat like a normal child would do and face the front."

"I'm not a child Mr. Omen! I've officially been a teenager for four years."

"Teenager then! Just sit like a normal student."

Whit smiles like an angel. "I'm not a normal student Mr. Omen." Everyone chuckles because they know its true. She really isn't. I don't think she ever was.

He gives a frustrated sigh. "Then just act like it for one day! Or detention after school!"

"It's a date," Whit calls and walks out of the class.

Some people laugh. Others don't. I'm a part of the laughing group. Then I realize I'm stuck with Amanda for a class period and the laugh fades into nothing as I sink onto my chair, trying to become invisible. Why God? Why have you punished me so? Amanda doesn't take Whitney's seat though. In fact, she doesn't acknowledge me at all. After a while I realize that she's not going to make an effort to talk to me. Maybe she's finally listening to everyone. I can't help but smile.

After class, I run off to the east wing of the school. Taylor and I planned to meet there so we could "catch up."

"Hey babe," I say as I wink in her direction.

She immediately spots me and slaps my forearm. "Stop that!" She says in between giggles. "We can't be official until the beach, remember?" Then she puts a finger to her chin. "Actually until you and Amanda break up but..." She bites her lower lip. She's still the only one who can pull that off.

"I'm not waiting that long," I say as I come closer to her, trying to kiss her.

She puts a hand on my shoulder however, not letting me take another step. Then she pushes me away and smirks. "You're gonna have to," declares with a wink.

I hang my head low in a discouraged manner. "You're going to be the death of me. I can feel it in my bones."

She rolls her eyes and puts a hand to her hip. "Says the one who's been mowing me over ever since the day we met."

"Okay that's in the past. I'm truly sorry about that." There's no thank you response. I shake my head with a smile. "What do you want me to do? Get on my knees and beg for your forgiveness?"

Taylor laughs. "That actually wouldn't be half bad." My eyes widen. "Just kidding!" She says quickly. "I know you're sorry." She smiles and blows me a kiss. "Sorry you couldn't get a real kiss. Okay well I'm off to the next class!" With another wink, she darts off.

I nod and let her go with a smile. This happy mood is going to stay here for a while. I can feel the happiness down to my bones. With another shake of my head, I begin to head to class. The hallway is a combination of loud footsteps mixed with girls screaming at the top of their lungs for their besties or laughter by some lame joke a nerd made of quantum physics. Do we even learn that in high school?

Eventually the crowd wears thin and I walk down the nearly empty halls. Just as I'm about to open the door to my next class, I hear a smothered sob in the janitor's closet. Curiosity gets the better of me and I back away from the classroom door. Out comes Amanda with black tears streaming down her cheeks. I try turning around before she can see me, but its too late. Her hand lashes out around me and she forces me to cradle her into a hug.

"I'm so sorry!" She says. "For everything!"

Her arms go limp on my chest and I pick her off of me with my hands gingerly, as if I'm touching a bird with a broken wing. What has gotten into her? Did someone put a "Be Nice To Bret" potion in her cereal this morning? I sigh. I don't even know what she's going on about.

"Amanda if I knew what you were talking about, maybe I could do something but I have a class and you're obviously not in a good mood so let me just get past-"

"You and Taylor! I'm talking about you and Taylor." She takes the back of her hand and brings it to her nose, wiping the snot that started to drip. Gross. Then she sniffles. "Ugh I'm a mess."

The bell gives a shrill cry. Great, now I'm going to be late. I'm in trouble. I thought I was supposed to have a good day today. Well it was good up until now. "If I only had time Amanda, but I don't so bye."

Before I can go though, she grabs my shoulder, with the non snotty hand. "I just want you to know Jenny put me up to it. But I mean, I was okay with it, seeing as you're going to be famous soon and all. I thought it would have been amazing to have a celebrity boyfriend. Then Jenny could get more famous and so could I! But then I saw you and Taylor. The way you two connected was just dazzling, but I couldn't have her ruining my plans so I made the matter worse. It's all my fault and I'm sorry. She probably hates my guts..."

I chuckle and pat her back. "She hates every fiber of your being. But thanks for the explanation. Does this mean we're done?"

She smiles and nods. "It means we're done Bret. And no more blackmailing, but if Jenny gets rough on you the next time you see her, you know why."

"Yeah okay. Well I enjoyed the chat. See you around. I'll get Whitney to stop antagonizing you."

A grateful smile washes over her face. "Oh thank you! You don't know how much she has made my life a living hell."

I chuckle nervously and scratch the back of my head. "Sorry to tell you this, but that was sort of the point."

She nods as if understanding completely. "I get it. Have a nice life Bret! I guess this is goodbye."

I smile. "Bye."

I wave and walk into class without another word. Did I say this was starting to become a bad day? I meant I'm having a fantastic day! Taylor and I are now free to do whatever we want. I feel so free. Amanda was tying me down more than I realized.

"And where have you been?" Mrs. Wright asks suspiciously.

"Around," I answer sloppily as I made my way to my seat.

I smile at Aaron and Isaac as well as Gwen. "Hey guys. I'm a single man."

$_$_$_$

Taylor had invited everyone to the house after school. That made my chest swell with sadness. I do love my friends and all, but I was sort of hoping I could have some alone time with my girl for a little before we go to the set. I just want to explain things some more and get to be there for her. I guess that'll just have to wait. I really don't mind my friends being here other than that.

"Whoo! Cheese balls!" Jake yells and pops a dozen into his mouth.

Vic slaps him. I think she's fixing to complain about his eating habits, but she says, "What's wrong with you? Not sharing with your girlfriend?!"

"Hey, you know what I just realized?" Isaac states slyly. Oh no. This spells T-R-O-U-B-L-E. Don't influence him guys!

"What?" Whitney asks out of curiosity. Oh great. She did it. People should know better than to let Isaac get his way. He can really be a douche sometimes.

"Vic rhymes with dick!" He declares with a high pitched laugh and knee slap. Wow.

Vic's nose wrinkles in disgust. "Isaac! That's just gross!"

Whitney on the other hand decides to think it over. "Omg it does!"

Isaac and Whitney high five and do a chest bump. What the heck? Unbelievable.

"Wow you guys are best friends already?" Aaron says coyly.

Whitney blushes a little before regaining her composure and running over to Taylor. She quickly jumps onto her best friend's back. "No this is my best friend! Giddy up horsey!"

Everyone bursts out laughing while Taylor tries shaking her best friend off. I have to say though, it is a funny sight. It looks like Whit's foot is going to kick Taylor in the face any minute. Taylor is wheezing hysterically, so hysterically, I can't help but laugh along with everyone else.

"Jesus Christ Whit! Did you gain or something?!" She mutters.

Whit slaps her on the back. "Well somebody doesn't want a carrot."

I smile at how well Whit fits into the atmosphere. She's doing great. I just can't wait until she meets Luca.

"And Whit rhymes with shit!" Isaac exclaims.

Whit whips her head around so fast it looks painful. "Have you lost your mind boy?!"

I swear Isaac actually squeals. Whit throws herself off of Taylor, causing them both to fall, but Whit doesn't seem to mind. She gets up and begins chasing Isaac down. Meanwhile, Taylor turns the tv down.

"That was uncalled for Isaac."

"Oh I see how it is," Vic wails. "When he does it to me its funny, but when someone else is involved its not okay!"

Whit hugs up on Victoria and swirls her fingers around her pink and blonde locks. "Oh Vicki you know I love you!" She winks at her.

Vic sticks out her tongue at Whit and sighs. "Fine. How about a girls night out to make up for it sometime? When we go to the beach perhaps?"

Thinking about the beach gives me joy. I can imagine the waves rolling past and Taylor taking her shirt off revealing her sexy bikini underneath. And with that sexy bikini lies an upcoming confession. I can't wait.

"So Gwen, you've been really quiet this entire time," Aaron boasts.

"Yeah umm its just the heat and all," she says with a flushed face.

He chuckles. "Wanna go outside?"

Connie squeals while Isaac and Jake go, "Oooooo girl you better say yes!"

Gwen's face turns that of a fire engine and she nods curtly before saying, "Okay."

We all remain in our seats as they meander their way outside, but as soon as the front door's closed, the girls rush over to the window squealing.

Taylor pushes up the blinds, but Vic hits her on the head, shunning her. "What do you think you're doing?! You have to do it discreetly! Allowing them to see our faces smashed to the windows is not the way to go!"

I chuckle as the blinds are pulled back down as swiftly as they went up. They fall on Connie's head, causing her to whimper and whine.

"Geez girl! I didn't know you had it out for me!"

"Sorry!" Taylor shrieks.

A few minutes of silence pass by as the girls watch through a small gap in the blinds and keep to themselves. Just then a chorus of Aw's becomes audible from the window's direction.

A hand goes to Whitney's heart. "He put his jacket around her!"

"I can put something much better around you," Isaac yells.

Whitney's head turns to him. "Shut up sugar daddy."

Jake chokes on his juice. "What?!"

Whit rolls her eyes. "Oh come on! You guys know I'm only joking! So is he! Hopefully."

Everyone rolls their eyes until one of the girls look back outside.

"Oh fuck they're coming! They're coming!"

The girls dive for the couch just as the door opens. Aaron looks at everyone suspiciously while Gwen covers her blush with Aaron's jacket. All the guys snicker at the 4 girls groaning on the couch, having somehow clonked their heads together as they jumped.

"Whoa that's a huge turn on!" Isaac says and winks at Whit who just glares at him until she realizes the words he uttered and her cheeks turn a bright pink. I think they're going to have something going on in the future.

Jake's cell phone rings and he picks it up immediately. "Hello?" "Oh hey mom!" "Aw man, really?" "Yeah okay I understand. I'll be there in 5." He ends the call. "Hey guys sorry. I've got to go. One of my mom's patients is having a hard time and I'm going to help out," he explains. His mom is a nurse.

"Oh hey but we gotta make some plans now that the girls are having a night out together. We need to have a guys night out." Aaron smirks as he says it.

Jake nods. "Sounds great. I'll catch you guys later. Bye babe," he says to Vic and plants a small kiss on her lips before he leaves.

"Well I better get going too guys," Connie mutters. "We got a long day ahead of us tomorrow...that test..."

Taylor sticks her tongue out at her friend. "Go on your study date with your future husband Connie!"

"Oh so he's agreed to tutoring you and you didn't tell me?!" Vic asks with a laugh.

Connie chuckles. "Bye girls." She doesn't even give us guys an acknowledging glance. That girl.

Slowly everyone begins to leave. I smirk. This means a couple hours of having Taylor to myself before we run off to act in a movie. Can you say excited?