Chapter Forty-Four: Soon to Be Eighteen

“It is not possible. I am telling you that is some sort of Photoshop, nobody can bend there leg that way.” I argued, looking at the video Holly was currently showing Sarah and I.

It was a video of a teenage girl- fifteen or sixteen, bending her right leg over her head and pulling it close to her waist. First off, the only way somebody could do that is if they had no bones. And if the girl, did not have any bones than she would probably not even be standing.

“So what you are telling me is that she photo shopped the video?” Holly asked, “Isn’t Photoshop only for photos, anyways?” She questioned, confused.

I shrugged, while Sarah had her attention elsewhere. I followed her eyes as I watched her stare at a bunch of people decorating a locker.

“What are they doing?” I asked, stating the obvious. But, I wanted to know the reason behind it.

“Haven’t you heard? It’s Gavin’s birthday on Wednesday.” Holly said.

“Well that is stupid.” I muttered, “Are those people even his friends?” I said, my hand waving to the people decorating his locker.

Sarah shook her head, “The only friend he probably talks to is Andy.”

“So then why isn’t Andy the one decorating his locker?”

“Have you met Andy? The only way you get him to do something is if it is forced or some sort of punishment. Why else do you think Andy and Gavin get along so well?” Sarah spluttered.

“But, what I don’t understand is why they are decorating his locker so early anyways? It is Monday.” I questioned, as we watched silently as the people continued their work.

“Gavin has a habit of not showing up on his birthday. So, his admirers as we like to call them, decorate his locker two days in advance in case he decides not to show up tomorrow.”

I nodded my head, finally understanding. I do recall Gavin telling me when his birthday was, I just forgot that it was this week or well the end of April.

“So are you planning on doing something for him?” Sarah asked, as the bell for first period rang.

“What do you mean me?”

“Well aren’t you guys on the brink of being boyfriend and girlfriend?” Holly questioned.

I shrugged as the warning bell for first period rang through the halls. “He called me his girlfriend, but I honestly don’t know what to think.”

“Well if a guy calls you his girlfriend, you are his girlfriend.” Holly explained, slowly.

I let out a huff, “No I mean like he tells you ‘hey do you want to be my girlfriend?’ not ‘I want to take my girlfriend to prom,’ even though he didn’t technically ask me to be his girlfriend. You get me?” I asked, them.

Holly and Sarah looked at each other with confused looks on their faces. “He asked you to prom?” They said, simultaneously.

I nodded my head slowly as the let out squeals.

“That is amazing.” Holly gushed. “I thought I was going to have to tie you down against your will in order to make you go to prom. Now I don’t have too!” She said, squealing.

“You were going to tie me down if I refused to go to prom?” I asked, a little shocked.

She nodded her head, “Don’t give me that look. You should be happy, now that I don’t have to do that anymore.”

I rolled my eyes, “My hero.” I drawled, sarcastically.

Holly rolled her eyes, while Sarah just gave her a flat look. “Whatever. But, now I have an excuse to go shopping.”

“You are going to prom without a date?” Sarah asked.

Holly shook her head. “Of course not. Gavin is taking Ali and Andy is obviously going to ask you.” Holly said, with a roll of her eyes while Sarah went red in embarrassment. “And Ben is probably going to end up taking me. We talked about this.”

“You talked about going to prom with Ben?” I questioned, warningly.

“Y-yeah?” She said, but it came out more like a question.

“When were you ever going to tell us that you are passed the talking stage with Ben?”

“I wouldn’t say we are passed the talking stage. I would say we are on the let us start fresh stage.” Holly replied.

“You said he was cuter than Harry Styles. I think you are passed both stages.”

“You think he is cuter than Harry Styles?” Sarah asked, shocked.

“Well yeah, Ben can’t sing but when it comes to the looks he is pretty damn cute.” Holly replied.

“Bud, nobody is cuter than Harry Styles or any One Direction member. Don’t you forget that.” Sarah warned. 

I ran my hands through my hair as Sarah and Holly began to argue about boys and there cuteness factor. Whatever, that meant.

“Guys!” I said, interrupting there fight, as the late bell rang. “If you haven’t noticed everybody is in class.” I said, gesturing to the empty hallway.

“You know what? We are going to settle this like mature women.” Holly said, pointing her finger in front of Sarah’s face.

“Please Holly, maturity isn’t in your vocabulary.” Sarah said, jokingly as I stifled my laughter.

“You will see,” Holly grumbled as she turned around and walked down the hall to her first period class- which was English, for her.

We watched as Holly’s figure get smaller and smaller as she continued to walk down the hall. “Do you think she is hiding something?” I asked, Sarah.

“It’s Holly. I know she is hiding something.” She murmured, as we stared at Holly’s retreating figure.

*

“As we move onto our next unit which is Acids, Bases and Salts. How many of you know what the effects of acid rain are?” Mr. Kelly asked, us.

I stared at him with a blank look on my face. I looked around as so did the rest of the class, I guess no one knew the answer to his question.

“Is this how it is going to be for the rest of the semester? Because I am sick and tired of only three people answering the questions.”

I lifted my head from my desk, raising my hand.

“Yes, Ms. Clair?”

“Some of the effects of acid rain are destroying of buildings, the killings of fish and trees, toxic materials from the soil and it also causes health problems.”

A grin made its way onto my teacher’s face. “Thank you.” He said, sincerely.

I smiled nodding, I would have the same look of relief if I was in his position. Especially if you were teaching a class no one really paid attention too. I only knew that question because my homeschool teacher taught it to me last year and the reason I remember it is because the tutor my dad got for Thomas and I was crazy. And none of us was dumb enough to cross him. Not even Thomas.

“I don’t think none of us have to worry about acid raining occurring anytime soon though.” Mr. Kelly said, chuckling out himself. “Because the only way it could occur is due to a chemical reaction-"

Mr. Kelly was cut off by the sounds of the door opening, we all turned attention to the person who waltzed in looking a bit flustered.

“Mr. Storm, so nice of you to join us.” Mr. Kelly said, sarcastically.

Gavin just nodded his head as he dropped his late note on Mr. Kelly’s desk as he made his way towards me. Plopping to the seat next to me, I got a good look of Gavin’s face which had a little bit of oil on it.

“What happened to you?” I whispered, as Mr. Kelly continued on with the lesson.

“I had to drop Garrett off at school and on my way here my car ran out of gas,” He replied, rubbing his face.

“You forgot to put gas in your car?” I asked, shocked that he could do something that stupid.

“Well, if you are too busy being a mother and father to a four year old you would probably forget some things too.” Gavin snapped, at me.

My eyes widened, as sympathy took over my expression. I forgot about everything he does for Garrett.

“Sorry,” I whispered to him turning back to face the teacher.

“You caught me on a bad day.”

“When are you ever on a good day?” I asked, jokingly.

“You are seriously, hanging on a thin line Ms. Clair.” He mocked.

I let out a soft chuckle, “When was I not hanging from that line?”

A smile soon took over his oiled face. It was moments like this that made it worthwhile to put up with Gavin and all his bioplarness.

Even when he ruins perfect moments by adding in his cockiness it was what made him, Gavin and you couldn’t change that.  

“Hey,” I whispered elbowing Gavin in the stomach. “You never did tell me who they were?” I asked, referring to when he interrupted my outing with Ben out of jealousy.

“They is no one.”

“Then why did you bring it up?”

“To get a reaction out of you. I don’t like being the only one who is jealous. Besides you wear it better than I ever did.” He replied, smirking.

I let out an unattractive snort, “I was not jealous. Why would I be after all the ‘they’ you are referring to is most probably one of your many girls.”

“Something tells me you are jealous.” Gavin smirked, throwing his right arm over my shoulders. 

“I am not jealous.” I growled, out.

“Mr. Storm and Ms. Clair!” Mr. Kelly yelled, interrupting our conversation. “Why is it every time you two are sitting beside each other there always happens to be whispering and touching involved?” He said, pointing to Gavin’s arm which was around my shoulders.

I quickly grabbed his arm removing it from me as I heard the class let out snickers and whispers amongst themselves and friends.  

“I found it easier when Mr. Storm sat in the back of the class not talking to anyone. Yes, I am aware he didn’t pay attention before but now it is a two in one combo.” Mr. Kelly said, a devious look plastered onto his face.

“In the future Ms. Clair, do us all a favor and try not to distract him. Instead get to pay more attention to the lesson, I know it is not as exciting as talking to you, but keep this up and you both will earn a trip to the principal’s office.” He said, giving us both a final warning before turning around and finishing up the chemistry question he was writing before he called us out.

“This is your fault,” Gavin whispered in my ear.

“How in the world is this my fault?” I questioned.

He shrugged, “It is not my fault you are distracting me from my studies.”

I rolled my eyes, not bothering to respond to his comment. But, instead write down the equation that was on the board.

“Do you know it is my birthday in two days?” He said, randomly.

“I am aware of that. I saw some of your admirers decorating your locker this morning.”

“That’s who decorate my locker?” He asked, looking shocked. “All these years I always thought it was Andy.”

I turned my head to him giving him a flat look. “Yeah, Andy is the one who decorates your locker in red and pink hearts.” I said, sarcastically.

“Now that I think of it, that’s gay even for Andy.” He muttered.

“Sometimes I wonder how you made it this far in life and school.” I muttered, to myself.

Gavin let out a snort, grabbing the attention from the people nearby. “If anyone should be worried it is me, for you.”

I just waved my hand dismissively as I attempted to focus on what was coming out of Mr. Kelly’s mouth.

“So anyways, back to the topic about my birthday. I wanted to know if you wanted to skip the day with me and hang out.”

I raised my eyebrows, “Gavin there is no way in hell I am skipping school.”

“But, it’s my birthday. Consider it a gift.”

“Consider it a no,” I shot back.

“I know you skipped school once, before.”

“That was family related.”

“Well consider this family related now.”

My shoulders dropped, “What is going to get you to shut up?”

“Spend the day with me on my birthday and I promise you won’t hear from me until the end of the day.”

“How about we change that deal to I never hear from you again?” I suggested.

He rolled his dark brown eyes, “You will miss me too much. So now what do you say Ms. Clair. You up for having the time of your life this Wednesday?”

“Something tells me I am going to regret this.” I muttered.

“When do you ever regret spending time with me?” He asked, cockily. I opened my mouth to answer his question but he waved his hand cutting me off. “You know what don’t answer that. Just say yes.”

I sighed, looking him dead in the eyes. I knew I was going to regret this, but that was what risks were for. “Okay.”

“Okay?” He repeated.

“Okay?” I repeated, nodding my head.

“Stop quoting John Green.”

I let out a snort, “You know you make it real easy to make fun of you. Sometimes, I wonder if you are a thirteen year old girl inside a seventeen year olds body. Because, most of what you say, sounds like a love struck thirteen year old.”

He responded with narrowing his brown eyes at me. “Shut up.”

“Okay.” I responded, just to mock him.

*****

Hello Lovelies,

Told you I will update earlier if I get more votes and comments, it was five days since my last update and I honestly do think I am improving considering it is the start to the weekend. What do you guys think of the chapter? Where do you think they will go for to celebrate Gavin’s birthday? What do you think will happen at prom? What will happen with Ben and Holly? Or Sarah and Andy? This is the calm before the Storm…

Also I mentioned a Harry Styles reverence and everyone kind of went bizark… Kind of scared me, so just going to say this now. I don’t mean to offend anyone, sorry if it did, but it really shouldn’t have. If you were offended I do not know why it wasn’t like I said anything bad, Holly did. Also yes, I am aware that I have small typos and character details but I AM EDITING THE BOOK SO GIVE ME TIME. Writing a book is harder to remember if you are reading it.

This is dedicated to @strangelikeme for the lovely cover on the top or side!

Please remember to support me in the Wattys 2014: Vote, Comment, Share and Fan!

Thanks,

Xoxo_mysteriousgirl