Chapter 11

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I'm in algebra working on my homework for that class already and I was sitting beside Jake who wasn't working, but actually reading, 'Bubble Gum and Cigarettes'.

"Jake," Mrs. Leminburger walked over to him. He held his finger in the book so he wouldn't loose his spot looking up at her.

"Yes," he said calmly.

"I do adore the fact that you're reading as I never honestly seen you pick up a book," -the class chuckled- "But shouldn't you be using this time to ask me questions or at least TRY to get your work done?" She asked him in a smart way. He sighed.

"I'll have it done Mrs. Leminburger," he returned to the book nonchalantly. "Besides, it's due tomorrow." She titled her head a little puzzled and walked away and I chuckled surprised.

"Really?" I whispered-yelled. He looked at me with a blank cool like face. "You're still reading?"

"You're the one who wanted me to!" He whispered-yelled back.

"Well I didn't think you'd actually do it!" I replied back just the same.

"Well....I am. I'll do my homework the way it's suppose to be done... At HOME," he emphasized home.

I giggled.

He chuckled.

Then he asked me, looking at the book as if he was still reading, "So, how was the date? Tell me in person." I instantly switched gears to my dreamy mode.

"Omg, it was amazing," I placed my hands under my chin and looked out into space with a smile. Jake seemed well intrude and placed his book down crossing his arms.

"What happened?" He bit his bottom lip.

"I don't know," I said honestly. "We found out we had a lot in common. We like action movies, video games, and hey, we both were guilty and drunk a soda and we both said if we don't feel right in our athletic classes today, we could blame it each other, but I really just said I'll blame him," I nodded with emphasis. He laughed.

"Haha, that's great! Any plans this weekend?" I thought about it.

"No. I haven't talked to him-talk to him yet. We said hi in the hall and chatted, but I don't see him 'till after lunch. Why?"

"You guys like actions movies. Go see one together," he suggested.

"What if he doesn't want to?" I asked quickly. "I mean....I'm scared," I admitted. He leaned forward laughing.

"Listen, it's not that bad. Guys like it if girls sometimes ask the next date-"

"This is not a date," I cut him off. "We're friends," I implied. He nodded.

"Sorry sorry....umm....hang out... You should just ask what he thinks. I honestly think he'll accept."

"Okay," I nodded thoughtfully. "I will.....But what am I suppose to wear? If we keep doing things like this, I have to have some good outfits," I rolled my eyes using hand gestures as any girl. Jake chuckled.

"Easy. Go to the mall and buy some."

"Cough cough, yeah like I'm a guy. What do guys like for girls to wear anyway?" I asked him.

"I'll come with you. Give you some suggestions."

"Ha! Yeah right," I pretended to turn to my work. "Like I'll ever go shopping with YOU," I pointed out.

"It won't be that bad...." He leaned in as I avoided my eye contact with him. "Do you want to go to that party with Asher?" He whispered. I sighed rolling my eyes.

"Yes."

"Do you possibly want to go to homecoming with this guy as well?" He asked smiling. I sighed again.

"Yes," I said agitatedly as he really KNEW the answers to all those questions.

"Then let me help you. I could simply back out and we can stop all of this. The deal and everything," he crossed his arms. I sighed.

"Fine Jake. You can go shopping with me, but on Thursday. No one goes to the mall on Thursday's," I pointed out. Jake nodded once and picked up his book again and began scanning it.

"That's what I'm talking about Kit-Kat," he said loud enough for me to hear.

"I hate you," I glanced at him and back at my work. He chuckled lowly.

"As I hope to do," he replied back.

~

The period was finally over and I decided I'd listen to some music to lunch and before I got to walk toward the door, Jake grabbed my elbow quickly. "Hey, you never helped me with that thing I wanted you to help me with," he told me seriously. I gave him an awkward look.

"What thing?"

"I'll have to tell you later. Can we have a session after school sometimes this week? It's kind of urgent," he pleaded. He still held my elbow and I glanced at it than him and he finally let go getting the idea. I sighed then nodded boldly.

"Yes. I suppose I could help you. How about today? I don't have practice after school; we could do it then," I shrugged. He nodded.

"Perfect. Meet me at my house at five. I have football," he reminded me.

"Figures."

"Alright then. See ya in English Kit-Kat," he pitched my arm jogging out the door.

"It's Dawn!" I yelled back.

I walked out the door to find Jake instantly being hung up by Celeste with her glossed lips all over his face and she looked at me when I walked by and I totally gagged and walked to my hall to my locker trying to get that image out my mind.

Charlotte wasn't there yet, but I traded out my books and someone was approaching me.

It was Kevin.

"Kevin," I greeted with a smile, unplugging one earphone.

"Daawwnn-" he dragged out my name.

"What's up? Where's Lotte?" I asked him.

"Somewhere, she's here, but I was actually looking for you for some suggestions." I gave an 'Oh this is juicy' type of face and I closed my locker.

"What's on ya mind, Kev?" I asked walking slowly to the cafeteria.

"Well as you know Charlotte and I have been talking and I assumed as her best friend, you'll know her WAY more detailed than me," he explained.

I nodded comprehending.

"And this weekend since drumline doesn't have a schedule for after the game, I figured I could take Lottle out for something." I totally clapped and cheered and I asked him,

"OMG yes! Finally! What did you have in mind?" He shrugged looking in front of him as I opened the door to the cafeteria and he held the door open for me.

"I don't know! That's why I'm asking you," he turned to me as I chuckled still walking. "Where should I take Lotte?"

"Hmm, Charlotte has a thing for Italian food. Take her there," I suggested. He freaked.

"What place sells Italian food?" He asked me as I sat down at Charlotte's and I table.

"Olive Garden duh!" I told him. "Take her there!"

"Olive Garden is expensive!" He told me desperately. "I don't have that kind of money."

"Lotte does," I said quickly. "Pay separately. Olive Garden isn't expensive. It's what you decide to get that's expensive," I told him with a chuckle.

"I guess you're right," he said sadly. "But Lotte is a queen! I have to pay for her food. I have to pay SOMETHING if she's with me!" He exclaimed. I chuckled as he really did have point.

"Well than take her shopping and buy her a necklace or something. She'd wear it if you let her pick it out," I nodded looking down at my phone even though no one texted me.

I'm not surprised.

"True, but for a first date? Shouldn't we do something to get us to know each other?" He asked me desperately. I laughed.

"Kevin. You've known Lotte as long as me which is freshmen year. What DON'T you two know about each other already?" I asked him really wanting to know.

"That I had a crush on her since the first time I laid eyes on her freshmen year!" He said like I should've known already. I cracked up.

"Well that brings me back to option one," I calmed him down holding a finger up at him. "Take her out to eat." Kevin sighed.

"Well....okay. Thanks for the suggestions Dee."

"Anytime. Oh and make reservations no matter where you go. That'll give you some extra bonus points on your part," I said all girly like.

"Right...." He said rubbing his chin like he had a beard. "Guess I better find some lawns to mow and houses to paint," he joked standing up.

But I honestly don't think he wasn't.

"Haha, right. See you Kevin," I little waved.

"See ya, oh and don't tell Charlotte about this. I want this to be a surprised. But I'll give you a hint to tell her about it later. It's our little secret," he nodded. I chuckled.

"Yup," I said as the tardy bell rang.

"Cool. I better get to class. Before I'm late and Lotte sees me. Bye Dawn," he ran away.

"See ya Kev." And like right on cue, when he left, Lotte was coming by with a Chipotle bag.

"Lotte, when did you get Chipotle?" I asked her.

"I left early last period and got it. I got you some too. I just got you the basics cause I honestly forgot what you liked," she said stretching her hand down at me letting me know it wasn't a big deal.

"Aw thanks girl," I thanked as she handed it to me.

"No prob. Oh, I gotta tell you something but please don't tell anyone else," she rolled her eyes not looking at me.

"Does it deal with Kevin?" I asked her grinning.

"Surprisingly no," she told me seriously. I blinked surprised as that was first. "So, homecoming is coming up yes?" She reminded me.

"On my birthday," I said with sigh opening my bowl with a smile.

"Correct, well, I was thinking of running for princess..." She said quietly not looking at me. I looked at her freezing.

"You want to be homecoming princess??" I asked her. She nodded as if she was ashamed.

"I know it's stupid, but I just always DREAMED of being some type of princess and THIS is my chance," she said sadly at me.

Before I go on, at Cumberland High, homecoming royalty is broken up into grade level. Freshmen are Lady and Lord, sophomores are Duke and Duchess, juniors, like Charlotte and I, are Prince and Princess, and of course seniors are Kings and Queens. I was never into those type of things personally, but I know Lotte was.

I shook my head not believing her.

"Lotte....are you SCARED??" I asked her highly puzzled. She slimmed down.

"I don't know!" She faked cried. "I mean...What if I LOOSE?" She asked me desperately. I shook my head.

"Girl, you should TOTALLY run for princess!" I semi exclaimed. "You'd win!"

"Look Dee, I'm not saying I WANT to-"

"Yes you do! Or you NEVER would've brought it up! Run for princess, I mean, who else is!?" I asked her.

"Celeste!" She looked at me. I gasped getting upset real fast.

"Don't TELL ME Charlotte Montgomery is AFRIAD of competing with Celeste Hollister in a contest she's sure to win??" I placed my hands on my hips.

"I'm not it's just....ugh I don't even know," she sighed burying her face in her hands. "You know what? Just forget I even said it," she said depressed sitting back up opening her Chipotle bowl.

"No way! You should totally compete for princess! You already are one!" I pointed my hands to her. She laughed looking me.

"And how's that?"

"Dude, you ride a black next year Jeep. You literally live in the BIGGEST house in your neighborhood, you have money, yet you don't even work AND all the boys are falling for you!" And right when I said that, this guy came over to us and looked at Lotte.

"Hey, um...my friend over there thinks your, uh, really cute..." We all looked over to this guy looking at Lotte and turned away with his friends in a huddle laughing and Lotte sighed as if she was annoyed or not caring....

Or probably both.

"Listen. There's too many problems with this," she started putting her black plastic fork down, clasping her hands together, intertwined on the table. "First off, I know you're an underclassman, and hun? I personally don't date boys younger than me. That's just suicide. And second, how about you go tell your friend over there, he needs to have the balls to say hi to me before he brings his 'friend' over here to do it. And I bet it's not even him who likes me... It's you, because you added minor details. You said 'really cute' and not just 'cute'. What most guys say," she nodded with a shrugged and blank face.

"Oh, and I noticed they laughed at you when we looked over at them." He blushed extremely hard. "So before you even talk to me, you need to not blame things on your friends 'cause to be honest baby...that just makes you look as bad," she whispered loudly on purpose.

I covered my mouth gasping with laugher and the guy's eyes widen and he mumbled,

"Uh....um..." Lotte got up a little and leaned forward to the guy and placed her hand on his shoulder,

"You can walk away now." He stared at her and he legit turned around totally embarrassed walking back over to his friends and Lotte sat back down shaking her head taking a bit of her food. "That really disappointed me," she nodded her head with folded eyebrows. "I mean, I know they're freshman, but come on? That's our future of Cumberland?" I full blown laughed.

"Hahahaha! Omg see! Princess! Lotte! Compete!" I begged her.

"No! I'm not entering," she didn't look at me. "I'm not competing for homecoming princess."

"But-"

"No," she looked at me. "I'm not." I smiled pausing and I backed off.

"Alright, alright fine. I won't bother you anymore about it," I said truthfully.

"Thank you," she nodded.

"Today," I added giggling.

"Dawn!" She gasped playfully.

"Just kidding!" I laughed.

It's toward the end of lunch, Lotte and I were at our lockers taking about random stuff and when Lotte suddenly shut her mouth hiding a smile, I titled my head at her smiling.

"What?" I asked her.

"Boo!" A guy came up hugging me from behind and I grabbed that persons wrist who were hugging me and when I turned my head to see the guy...

Of course it was Asher.

"Asher!" I smiled.

"Hey Dee," he smiled. We hugged facing each other and I totally blushed and he smiled coolly at me.

"Um, excuse me?" Lotte smiled with crossed arms. "I'd like to think I exist too." Asher cleared his throat as he still held me around my ribs. My knees were literally locked up.

"Oh, hey Lotte," he said playfully.

"You dumbass. Call me Charlotte and ONLY Charlotte. You still haven't earned that privilege yet," she told him. He laughed.

"My bad, my bad. So what are you guys up to?" He asked.

"Nothing," I answered. "Just chattin before class. How's your day going?" I asked him.

"Pretty good actually. I'm glad I found you. We could walk to class together," he mentioned. I literally wanted to melt, but I had to hold myself together, but not for Asher.

For Charlotte.

"Cool, sure," I smiled. He nodded.

"Well aren't you two just the cutest," Lotte put her hands together by her face. "I guess I'll let you go....and find Kevin," she looked around slamming her locker closed. "That boy better find me before I get to class or I WON'T be happy," she emphasized herself. "But bye Dee, see you in history," she winked.

"See you," I chuckled.

"Bye Asher. Take care of Dee..." She narrowed her eyes at him. "Or I'LL take care of YOU," she threaten. Asher laughed and I let out a nervous chuckle as HE must've thought she was playing....but trust me.

She wasn't.

"Haha alright. Bye Charlotte," he waved. She nodded with a smile.

"That's more like it." She walked away. I chuckled shaking my head as Asher and I both turned around heading to the science halls.

"She's kind of intimidating for junior," Asher commented. "And you say she's like that all the time?" He asked looking at me. I nodded.

"Hmhuh," I said through my lips looking ahead of me. "Everyday."

"Whoa, well...it's good to have a friend like that," he shrugged. "That could be goals."

"It is goals," I corrected him looking straight ahead.

"Haha! Right." Asher opened the door to go outside for me and as we walking under the covering to the science halls that would protect us from the rain, but instead today it was protecting us from the sun, I saw a table with seniors in student body calling out to other students and I read the sign in front of the table and it read,

'HOMECOMING CANDIDATES?? IS THAT YOU??'

I know this must've been what Lotte saw when she was coming to the cafeteria so I slid from Asher's gentle grip, and I walked over to the table.

"Hi!" A senior greeted me. I think she's on the varsity volleyball team. "Want to run or nominate?"

"Nominate," I smiled.

"Okay, just fill out this card and everything will be good to go!" I smiled bending over to the table filling out the card and Asher came up beside me.

"You running for homecoming princess?" He asked me surprised.

"Nope," I smiled. "But I know who is..." I whispered a smile creeping across my face. I filled out the card and on the, 'Nominated Candidate Name' and I promptly wrote.....

Charlotte Montgomery.

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