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Chapter 14: Screaming and Shouting Because of Stereotypes

Yes, I'm blonde. That doesn't make me dumb. Yes, I wore glasses and braces. That doesn't make me a nerd. Stereotypes do still exist, but we just have to choose to walk through them.

~Starlight24

"Nat!" I yelled, flinging my arms around the surprised girl as I sat beside her on the bus. She looked like I'd just decapitated her favorite teddy bear.

"Don't touch me," she hissed, wrenching my arms away from her rigid stature. I wonder whether she felt the same way as I did when I saw Cady.

"Aw, Nat, can we please be friends?" I asked, pouting. One thing I really hated was people hating me. It hurt like a knife in my heart.

"No."

"Please? I really have the right to be Deeds' friend, you know," I informed her.

"Yeah, but the whole Deeds group is dumb, and anyone who joins must also be dumb," she reasoned, rolling her eyes like it was obvious.

"So you think Dylan is dumb, then?" I asked pointedly, allowing her to blush and look at me angrily.

"Day, you don't know anything about Dylan and you don't know him like I do. So stop acting like you do, you little creep," she hissed, and I recoiled. Just then, on cue, Dylan hopped into the bus and gave us a thousand watt smile showing off his pearly white wonders.

"Hi Dylz!" she exclaimed, more enthusiastic than she had been three seconds ago. Dylz? Really?

"Hey Nat, Day," he replied breezily, as if he was used to all this attention.
"Cady Hunt told me she's sick of you avoiding her all the time," he told me, and I looked at him angrily. Yeah, of course I would get mad when my best friend's ex-boyfriend mentioned Cady!

"Really?" I asked, acting indifferent and trying to prevent myself from lunging at him and wrapping my fingers around his neck and trying to choke him.

"Yep, and I told her that she must try and try again because you are on hard-to-please little puppy," he said this like it was an endearment.

"Dylan," I started. "If you mention the girl you used to cheat on Deeds one more time, I will make sure I kick you so hard that you'll never be able to pee again."

He shuddered, and I laughed at the sight. "Why are you such a violent person?" he asked, turning towards me with a disgusted expression.

"Funny, that's exactly what Max told me," I chuckled, remembering the incidents of yesterday.

"You're hanging out with Max, now?" asked Nat, shaking her head in disbelief. It wasn't out of disgust, more like she'd given up on me. "Your social life will continue to confuse me."

"There is nothing wrong with Max," I hissed, defending my crush.

"Oh?" asked Nat, a playful smile on her face. I didn't like that expression much at all. "I thought you were more of a Jase's kind of girl, but okay. If Max is your type, then I'm not complaining. It just surprises me, because you're the kind of girl who would like people because of their popularity and looks. I'm not saying Max is bad looking, but Jase is definitely hot and you've been spending so much time with him lately, and he doesn't seem to be using you for a night-stand which is a definite improvement. I just thought you'd be the cliché good girl who'd fall for the bad boy, and I'm surprised that's not what's happening thanks to your crush on Max. How would you like it if Max found out about this little secret of yours?" she taunted.

I don't know what she said that ticked me off, but the next thing I knew I was screaming. "Oh my gods, you're nothing but a little bitch, you know that? I've been trying so desperately to be your friend. I've been trying so hard to make you see that I'm not like the other popular kids that you seem to think are the most horrible beings that walk the face of planet Earth. I've been trying to be your friend, and it's not my fault I hang out with the girl whose life you tried ruining because your crush liked her. Yes Nat, I do know about all of that, but not once have I teased you, and I've kept hush the entire time. However, despite my constant efforts, you've just been sitting here, criticizing and judging me in that stereotypical way of yours and expecting me to not care at all. You've been back-bitching and just being yourself while I've been having sleepless nights about the fact that I'm new and I've already got someone hating me. Do you even know how that feels? Possibly not, because you're so flipping selfish that you probably don't even care about anyone but yourself. I'm sorry that I ever tried to talk to you, I really am. I just want to say that I'm finally going to leave you alone, just like how you'd wanted it all along."

There was a deafening silence, and even the bus attendant and driver were dead quiet. The juniors and two seniors were looking right at me, their jaws hanging. The bus had come to a stop in the middle of the road, and the stillness of the air was punctuated by my rapid breathing and the angry honks of cars swerving around us.

"What?" I asked defensively but silently, blushing because I'd lost my cool like that. "Stop sweeping the floor with your jaws and get back to what you were doing, no one invited you to stare at me so unabashedly." I was furious at myself for that sudden outburst, but I think Nat deserved it.

"Day-" began Dylan, breaking the eerie silence.

"Save it," I cut him off, not knowing why I was mad at him. I was being such a wreck, and it disgusted me. I'd never just lost it like that, and I felt really ashamed of doing it now. I can't believe Nat pushed me to the brink, especially because I was usually such a calm person.

I glanced at Nat's face, which was ashen and pale. She looked like she'd seen a ghost, and for once she didn't look like she wanted to ignore me and walk away, along with saying something spiteful. She looked broken, almost like she hadn't meant for me to feel so hurt about everything.

I could see my school's white gleam closing in, along with the words Northdale High in silvery letters, and I had to physically prevent myself from leaping off and running out of the bus.

"She's such an outspoken little creep-face," hissed Nat to Dylan after she'd regained her posture. I acted like I didn't hear what she'd said and ran away, not bothering to glance back. "She takes everything so seriously and I don't wonder why everyone hates her." I could hear her words drifting through the air like smoke that was threatening to choke me.

Deeds was walking by herself as we walked up the school staircase that led us into the long corridor bordered by lockers and jocks that were sweaty and leaning against the wall, flirtily winking at every other girl that walked past.

"Hi Deeds," I coaxed, knowing fully well that she was still probably shattered because of what had happened three days ago.

"Hi Day, please don't talk to me like I'm a frightened puppy." Her voice was soft and mildly loving, but had traces of hardness like a semi-melted sheet of steel.

"Sorry," I muttered, not wanting to use the twenty mean comebacks that had popped into my head. The girl had just had her heart broken, and although I knew nothing about it, I knew it couldn't feel good.

"Stop treating me like I'm broken glass!" she exclaimed, sounding irritated. "Honestly, Day, when I'm feeling bad I like people being comfortable around me so I can get my mind of things. Every time you act like I'm internally fractured, it just brings a fresh set of nightmares. Stop, please," she begged.

"Okay," I said, grinning. "Well, I can't help treating you like a puppy right now. I'm just treating you like the younger version of yourself- a mini-bitch." That was probably the sweetest comeback out of the few that I'd thought of. Although she told me to act normal, I decided to use the nicest comeback. Yep, I was a real sweetheart when I wanted to be.

She grinned. "That's my gurl," she chuckled, and I offered her a huge smile.

We had art together, along with Marie and Hailey. We called art our 'bonding period' because we were never together apart from the breaks.

We sat by each other and the teacher, Mrs. Lambert beamed at Hails. Hailey was one of the best artists on the planet, which was the only reason why Mrs. Lambert was so lenient with us.

"It's official," I started as we sat down and took out our portfolios. "I hate Natalie Spencer like a dog hates a cat."

Marie laughed, which was a huge compliment. "Welcome to the club."

"Why the sudden change of heart, though?" asked Deeds. Hailey had tuned out because her paintbrush had a mind of its own. She was kind of eccentric when it came to art.

"Because she is a bitch." I acted like I was informing them about something they didn't know already.

"I think we already established that, Day," Marie rolled her eyes and said that pointedly.

"Why do you suddenly hate her, though? Any reasoning?" Deeds pressed, curious.

"Because she stereotyped me," I whined, pouting. When I said it out loud it sounded so stupid.

"Well that's Nat for you," muttered Deeds, rolling her eyes.

"Yeah, and I don't like it! I tried so, so hard to be her friend," I said, angrily. Unfortunately for my canvas, I took out all my anger by pressing my paintbrush against it, causing a lot of the threads to fray out and the paint to get splattered across.

"Day June Winters, what did that canvas ever do to you?" asked Mrs. Lambert, who was quite possessive about anything that was art. She treated every individual canvas like a special baby. Right now she looked stricken that I could've ever done something like that to my brush and painting.

"Uh... modern art?" I asked, hesitantly. She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest.

A lot of the teachers had either thought I was an amazing good kid who did all her work on time and had bundles of potential, whereas others had just given up on me.

"Day Winters, that is murdering your canvas and brush, not painting." She looked at me sternly. Jeez, this woman had to really loosen up a bit and not take her job so seriously. She didn't seem to understand that there was only one Hailey and none of us were painting prodigies.

"Mrs. Lambert, are you really insulting my painting?" I asked, pouting and using offence as the best form of defense. Guilt tripping was something that I was a professional at. "Are you trying to insult my way of thinking; my imagination- therefore insulting my very core values and soul? Are you trying to tell me that I'm a failure at art and I have no talent just because I tried to express myself?"

Mrs. Lambert looked taken aback and tried to cover up. "Uh... Day dear, that's not true. I really love your modern art... Just that I don't think that's what we're doing in class right now. Please concentrate, you can express your emotions on the canvas later." She looked genuinely guilty and I almost felt bad for her and laughed. She thought I was actually hurt.

However, almost is the keyword in that sentence.

Deeds cracked up after Mrs. Lambert left. "Day Winters, you are one-of-a-kind," she laughed, and even Marie giggled a bit. I always felt happy when Marie showed some emotions, because I felt like what I'd done had really meant something apart from blank stares.

We left class and Nat was walking by as well, which caused a lot of awkwardness in the taut strings of the tense atmosphere. Deeds nudged her shoulder really hard on purpose, causing Nat to hiss in pain and frustration but not say anything in return. That was the thing about Nat- she was a huge coward. She could talk about you for centuries when you weren't there but wouldn't have the courage to ever express her feelings towards you. Okay, maybe she expressed her feelings for me pretty blatantly, but she was pretty scared of Deeds. I think she is, and I'm usually not wrong.
Who am I trying to fool, I'm usually so wrong the extent could cover the length of Pluto to the Sun.

I walked into chemistry class, where I needed to be assigned a partner. I groaned and sat on a stool, making someone laugh dryly from behind me. "Well someone seems pissed off."

I knew the voice only too well. "Dylan, do you stalk me or something? I'm seriously thinking about your obsession with me and I must say it's very creepy."

He placed his big hand on my tiny and sharp shoulder, which was pretty delicate. He applied a lot of pressure on it and I winced in pain. He was clearly oblivious to the torture he was putting me through, though. I'm pretty sure there would be no competition on who was heavier- Dylan or an elephant. Dylan would win with flying colors.

"Dylan, how fat are you?" I whined, and he looked very hurt and shocked at my question. The self-obsessed jerk probably thought he was downright gorgeous.

"I am not fat," he rolled his eyes. "It's called muscle, dear Day." To my horror, he began flexing his sweaty arms in front of my face.

To say I was unimpressed would be the understatement of the century.
To say I was lying about the previous fact would also be the understatement of the century.

"I don't know whether those are chicken legs or toothpicks," I informed him. I was such a liar, but I was doing this for his own good. If his head got even a wee bit bigger it would burst.

He grinned, much to my surprise. "Whatever, Sweetheart," he replied breezily. Something about the tone seemed off...

*****

I carried my lunch tray and walked towards the table our group normally sat on, chatting with Deeds. As soon as we arrived at the scene, she froze and stopped in her tracks, looking like a deer in headlights. I glanced up, wondering what had caused her sudden shock.

Dylan was sprawled across the four chairs we usually sat on, laughing about something one of his friends had said. Usually, although he had the whole bad boy façade put up all the time, you could see kindness and concern in his misty eyes. Now, all I could see was indifference and nonchalance.

"Dylan," said Deeds, almost choking the word out. "Kindly move."

Dylan laughed humorlessly and faced us, his eyes still cold. "Why on Earth would I do that?" he asked, looking at us like we were mentally instable.

"Maybe because we sit here," spat Deeds, while Hailey, Marie and I just stared in shocked silence like the socially awkward retards that we were.

"Oh really? Why don't you find another place, because the last time I checked this place was taken." Dylan countered this with a smirk on his face. I couldn't believe he was being such a jerk. The least he could do would be to at least act apologetic!

"Well, I'm not surprised. Let me guess who takes up the place, your ego?" I asked, angrily.

Deeds gave me a grateful look before continuing to glare at him.

"Get lost, Deirdre. You and your friends will finally get the spot you deserve- under the trashcans. Have fun, you can bond with your siblings- the rubbish." Dylan concluded. Hailey's fists were clenched and Marie looked like she might pop a vessel. I was just gaping like a goldfish. He was acting all nice to me during chemistry class; what was with the sudden personality switch? Bipolar much!

"Dylan, what is wrong with you?" I hissed through gritted teeth.

"Oh, all of you can leave the table except for Day. She can stay." Dylan acknowledged me.

"I'd rather not socialize with morons," I muttered, before mouthing, 'Low blow, Dylan.'

"Oh well, your loss," he replied, shrugging. We turned and walked away, seething. Deeds was crying softly, and I couldn't blame her.
As if he couldn't help but make things worse, he chuckled at our expense and called out loudly, so the whole cafeteria could hear, "Hey Nat and all the weird chicks that hang out with Nat, wanna join us? We have four extra seats now."

Deeds burst into tears and threw her tray onto the ground, splattering today's mashed potatoes all over the floor before dashing into the girl's bathroom. Hailey, Marie and I were quick to follow.

I couldn't believe I'd ever liked Dylan as a friend. No one had the right to treat Deeds like that, especially not Dylan. He was such a jerk, and now his whole baddie-ness was going to kill his personality. Well, hopefully it would kill him before I killed him. Any fate would be better than what I had in store for him...

A/N:

PIC OF NAT =>

Update after a REALLY long time, sorry!

Guess what... today's my birthday! Yay xD

Which is why I got the account back haha...

Song of the day: Scream and Shout by Will.I.Am and Britney Spears

Teaser: Online friends are always the best. And two people fighting over you never ends well, does it?

Thanks so much to everyone for being so supportive. This dedication goes to fangirl_ali because 1) it was her birthday too 2) she remembers stuff about my book that even I'd forgotten 3) she's been an amazing and loyal friend and I love her to bits. GO FOLLOW HER RIGHT NOW BECAUSE SHE'S JUST AWESOME!

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~Lexi