With all that had happened over the past few days, I nearly forgot I was supposed to be expelled first thing Monday morning at school. At the morning assembly, I wait as my fate is to be announced, or so Principal Shoppe told me. She wants to make an example of me in front of everyone. So, I stand by her side on the stage and wait for the verdict. By the happy smirk on vice principal Howard's lips, I think I know where this is going.
"Attention, attention. Everyone I have an announcement to make, due to the recent pranks I---"
"Wait!" Jade cuts off Principal Shoppe.
I give her a confused look.
Then she and Archer share a look. They smile at each other before pulling out a whistle from their pockets and blowing as hard as they can. Before anyone can process what is happening the sound of a cowbell being played draws our attention to the cafeteria entrance.
The whole Drumline comes marching in! Playing We're Not Going to Take It by Twisted Sister. Demarcus comes out from behind me and principal Shoppe and tosses a mic to Jade and Archer. Jade gets up on a table.
We share a look and I can't help but smile at her. She would do something like this. Then while looking at me she winks and starts singing.
"We're not gonna take it. No, we ain't gonna take it. Oh, we're not gonna take it anymore!"
Someone pulls out their guitar and plugs it into an amp and turns it up loud. He starts shredding along to the song. People start standing on tables and jumping around like crazy. It reminds me of when I first moved to this town.
Archer gets up on the table with Jade and they sing back to back. Just when I think it can't get any crazier a guy in the senior class known for playing rock n' roll jumps up on stage with me and takes the mic right out of principal Shoppe's hands. She yelps in surprise. His hair is all crazy and his face is painted, he has on a rocker outfit. He gets right in vice-principal Howard's face and sings at the top of his lungs,
"Oh, you're so condescending. Your gall is never-ending. We don't want nothin', not a thing from you!"
Despite her best efforts, Principal Shoppe smiles and even giggles at everyone. Jade jumps up on the stage with us and wraps her arm around my waist, looking Principal Shoppe in the face as she sings. Everyone crowds around the stage now and sings along.
The guitar guy bust out into a solo, just like in the song. Vice principal Howard moves to try and unplug the amp, but he gets picked up by the football team and carried out of the cafeteria screaming in protest. Everyone cheers and whistles.
Once the song ends everyone goes deathly silent. Jade steps forward.
"Whatever you do to her, you got to do to me too." She says.
"And me!" Archer says.
"Me too!" The guitar guy jumps in.
"Yeah, me too!" people start shouting in every direction.
Principal Shoppe takes the mic from Jade. She looks to me with a raised eyebrow, I do the best to hide the smile on my face.
"Alright, alright. But come on guys, lay off Howard will ya," She says.
Everyone cheers just as the first bell rings for everyone to go to class.
"Now get to class," She adds. Then she looks at me and winks.
Everyone is all smiles, laughing about it as they walk off.
"Jade!" I tackle her in a hug.
"What? I told you I wasn't going to take it. Surprise!" She laughs.
For anyone wondering how I could be in love with Jade Tate, this is why. God, I could just kiss her right now. She really is the best. I can't believe she planned this whole thing! She even got the seniors in on it.
"Thank you," I pull back to look into her eyes.
"Of course, now who's the best? Come on, say it," She teases.
"You are," I roll my eyes.
"That's right, and don't ever forget it," She pecks me on the cheek.
My face goes red, but she doesn't notice because Archer walks over to us.
"That was amazing!" he laughed.
"I know! I couldn't have done it without you. You're my partner in crime," she booty bumps him.
"Hey when one of our own needs help, I'm there." He says proudly.
"Thanks," I force out.
"I'm never going to forget this, that was epic." Archer beams.
"I know!" Jade tackles him in a hug and giggles.
He picks her up and twirls her around. The two dissolve into fits of giggles. I can't help but deflate a bit. The good feeling is gone. I sigh and turn away from them before grabbing my bag and walking to class.
"That was extra," Darleen walks over to me.
"Did you know about this?" I ask.
"Maybe. Whose job do you think it was to distract you?" She smirks.
"Hey! Traitor," I playfully elbow her.
She laughs.
"So, um after practice, I'll pick you up?"
"Sure," I smile at her.
"Great, see you at practice then," She runs off to class.
Nothing eventful happens for the rest of the day. Jade was one of the first to audition so she takes me home after practice per usual.
"Good luck on your date," She rolls her eyes.
We sit in her car, in her driveway. I was about to get out and go home but her tone sets me off. I was already nervous as it was, and I was in a good mood all day but the way she said it didn't sit right with me. It was like a sarcastic remark.
"Do you not like Darleen?" I ask.
She always has an attitude when it comes to Darleen. I don't know why and because I don't know why it rubs me the wrong way. What's the problem?
"She's just so uptight and pretentious. So not your type."
"I have a type?"
"Duh, everyone has a type."
"What's my type?"
"You know." She insists.
"I do?"
She looks straight ahead, avoiding looking at me. There is a frown engraved on her face. I see her grip tighten on the steering wheel.
I am so confused right now. Since when do I have a type? Darleen is the first person to ever ask me on a date. How can I have a type if I've never dated? Sometimes Jade really makes no sense.
"I mean if you really like her, just go for it. But I think you can do better," She says offhandedly.
"Better? We are talking about Darleen Grayson, right? What's better than that? She's pretty, rich, nice, and a good friend."
"If you say so."
"What's you're deal with her?"
"I don't have a deal," She is getting defensive which means she definitely has a deal.
"Jade."
"Skylar," She mocks my tone.
"Whatever," I roll my eyes and get out of the car. She wants to be like that then fine! I don't need her approval anyway.
"Don't you whatever me," she quickly gets out as well.
"Then just tell me what's wrong," I cross my arms.
"Nothing's wrong!"
"Then why are you getting so defensive!?"
"I'm not!"
I raise an eyebrow.
"Whatever just go on a date with your perfect girlfriend. So you two can be all perfect together. I don't care."
Holy crap! She really is jealous of Darleen, but why? She has Archer, she basically friend-zoned me off the planet. Why would Jade Tate be jealous of Darleen Grayson? Is it because she thinks that I think that Darleen is better than her? Is it one of those universal best friend things I was talking about before?
"Jade, what's going on?"
She shrugs and avoids eye contact.
"I have to get ready; see you later," I start to back away.
She huffs before marching into her house and slamming the door.
So not fair! Why are you jealous? You don't get to be jealous; you have Archer who is soooo romantic. Barf. What did Darleen ever do to you anyway? First, you hated her because she was hogging Archer's attention, now you hate her because of what? I don't get it. Why is this an issue?
"Hey sweetie," Mom says when I barge in.
"Ugh!" I run up the stairs and slam the door to my room.
I quickly strip out of my clothes and look for something to wear. Darleen didn't say what kind of date this is, so I go for a business casual kind of look. Slim fitting black jeans, a blue button up with a flowery tank top underneath. I brush out my hair and leave it down, letting the natural curls fall where they want.
"Is everything okay?" mom opens the door.
"Yep."
"Skylar?"
"It's Jade! She's being so ugh! She's mad because I'm going on a date with Darleen, but she won't tell me why she's mad!"
"You're gay?" she does a dramatic gasp and fakes surprise.
"Oli told me you already know," I roll my eyes.
She pouts.
"I don't get her sometimes. She has Archer now, why does she care if I go out with Darleen?"
"Who's Darleen?"
"She helped with Dukin yesterday, she's paying for the medical bills."
"What? That was nice of her, but she didn't have to," Mom says.
"Well she's rich, she wanted to."
"Rich?"
"Darleen Grayson, mom."
"What!? You are going on a date with a Grayson!?"
The Grayson's are very well known around here, they are like royalty.
"Yes, she goes to my school, we are on the track team together."
"Well, why didn't you say so before!? I can't believe you are going on a date with a Grayson. When's the wedding?"
"You and Oli are the same, how am I a part of this family?"
"I'm just kidding, sort of. If you like this girl, you should go for it. Jade will come around eventually."
"But I don't even know if I do like her! I'm confused."
Mom frowns at me.
"I think I like someone else," I turn away.
"Jade has a boyfriend now."
"You know too!?" I pout.
"Skylar, when are you going to give it up? Jade doesn't like you like that; she is straight and taken now. If you keep waiting for her, you'll end up alone forever."
"Gee thanks."
"Just try and have a good time, don't think about Jade. Give Darleen a chance."
"So you think I should date Darleen?"
"It couldn't hurt, you're still young, make mistakes while you still can."
I stare at my reflection in the mirror and take a deep breath, "Okay."
Then the doorbell rings.
To Be Continued...
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