"A party?" Questions Lacy as we walk into class. Geography is first and I am already preparing myself to go to sleep.
"Yeah, at Laura's house apparently," I tell her the details Nathan had told me. She nods with a casual smile upon her lips.
"You wanna go? It's tomorrow right?"
"Yeah."
"You want to go?" Her voice rises, in shock of my reply.
"No, I meant it is tomorrow. I don't want to go though. Not now with everyone against me." I sigh as I take my seat, at the back. Thankfully I am not alone as Lacy sits in the chair in front of me. She turns around just before our teacher strolls in.
"I won't go if you don't." Lacy tells me. She is such a good friend.
"Thank you." I mouth a whisper.
Just like presumed, Geography is boring as hell. My pen barely even touches my workbook, only to write the date and title and I can't even find the energy to underline them both.
"Nathan, stay behind please," snaps Mr Moss at the end of class when the bell rings. Nathan... Staying behind? That's new. Since it takes me so long to pack up my things, I am able to hear their conversation on my way out. I purposefully walk slowly, taking baby steps with my ears pricked up.
"Yes sir?" Nathan doesn't sound even remotely bothered he is about to get told off or potentially punished. He goes up to the teacher's desk with his shoes scuffing against the carpet. Mr Moss's head raises, his bushy eye brows crossed.
"You were disrupting my class. Throwing pens across the classroom, talking, distracting other students. This is not the behaviour I expect from an over achiever. Quite frankly Mr Johnson, I am ashamed. "
Wow, I hadn't realised Nathan had been the culprit of the flying pen that hit my face. It wasn't aimed at me but now I know who had thrown it. Why would Nathan do that?
"What do you have to say for yourself?" He barks, hands on hips, glaring unimpressed down at Nathan. He used to be the teacher's pet. What a turn around.
"Sorry?" Nathan shrugs. He is slouching with his hands shoved inside his hoodie pockets. It is a definite 'No fuck's given' face.
"Are you?" I can faintly hear the tapping of Mr Moss's foot from where I am stood, eavesdropping by the doorframe. My body is hidden from view, my face peering into the classroom.
"Not really," Nathan avoids the deadly eye contact that Mr Moss is sending him. He parts his mouth to speak and only one word comes out.
"Detention."
I gasp. Nathan has never had detention before. Gosh, last month I thought pigs would fly before Nathan Johnson had to stay behind after school for a punishment!
"Ok." Is his simple reply.
"You best get out of here before I make it a double." Mr Moss warns sternly. So, with Mr Moss's face almost on fire, Nathan nonchalantly walks out of class and turns the corner, not even aware of my presence. My jaw has literally dropped.
I am not the only one who thinks that Nathan's behaviour is jaw-droppingly sudden. At lunch, I find out that Lacy thinks the same way.
"Nathan got detention?" Lacy nearly drops her ham sandwich she is so in shock. Much like I was.
"That's what I was like when I first heard it," my lips press together as I peer down. "Do you think he's ok?" I ask my best friend. This is a serious matter. Is Nathan suffering from a personality disorder or something?
"What do you mean?" She takes a long slip of her apple juice then places it back on the lunch table.
"Do you think I've changed him? Like, in a bad way?"
"Nooooo, you just gave him confidence. The cheerleaders and the football team have influenced him to be that way. It's not your wrong doing," she assures me with a positive smile. I reflect her expression and convince myself I have done no wrong. A personality disorder would take years to develop, the peer pressure of bad influences has just moulded him into the person he is acting out as.
"Oh, talking of the devil," I roll my eyes simultaneously with the sudden appearance of Laura by my side. She is probably here to invite me to her party, just to join in with Courtney and humiliate me even more. I brace myself for the inevitable.
"Hey girls," she giggles way too perky it sounds fake. Much like the rest of her attitude.
"Hi," Lacy turns her head to secretively gag at Laura's presence.
I try to smile but it didn't turn out very confident. "Hi Laura."
"Sooooo Paige," her eye lashes flicker and she sits down on the seat next to me as if we are friends. Which, since I last checked, we most certainly are not. "I was wondering if-" oh here we go. "-you could do that English Language essay we need to write for next week."
Ok, I was not expecting that.
I glance over to Lacy with a confused frown, much like her own. "Pardon?" I ask her to repeat.
"Could you do my English homework for me?" Her bright red lips form a plastic smile, a grin way too big to be real. This is sickening. I shouldn't have eaten that extra slice of pizza Lacy couldn't finish.
"Umm, why can't you do it?" I found that ironic coming from Lacy's mouth, considering she doesn't do most of her homework herself. Maybe she doesn't want to share her homework computer with others.
"I have my party tomorrow so I'm going to be busy all day Saturday preparing for it then all day Sunday tidying up," she sighs, trying to get me to empathise for her. It isn't working.
"I'm sorry but I have to write mine as well. I won't have time either." I do have time, I just don't want to do her homework. Why should I? She's taken Nathan away from me.
Mrs Simpson's expectations are high. I want to write my own essay to the best of my own quality, all for myself. Considering I aced my report, this essay could be exactly what I need to get the straight As I deserve to get into my chosen collage.
"Oh, well I just thought you would be kind enough to help a girl in need. I mean, I should have known I was wrong, you did get Josh kicked off from being quarter back. You weren't very nice then. Oh well-"
"Wait!" My voice hitches as I shout for her to stop.
"Yes?" She eases herself back down into the chair, a hopeful smile spreading across her lips. "Because it will really help me. Not to mention what I will do to your reputation. It must be hard in your unfortunate situation. I totally don't blame you for anything."
"I will do it," I say in the spear of the moment.
"You will?" Asks Lacy, puzzlement taking over her face. "You sure?"
"Yes! She said she will!" Interjects Laura, cutting Lacy off. She looks over at me with a wide grin.
"Why don't you go ask Nathan to do it instead?" Says Lacy. "You seem to be very close lately."
"Nathan isn't a nerd anymore. He's cool and popular, he doesn't have time for homework," Laura slides off her seat and flicks her hair over her shoulder. "Just post the essay into my locker when you've done it," she smiles down at me. "Thanks."
She struts off and goes back over to the cheerleading table. I notice Laura high five Courtney. I sink down in my chair. I hope I've just done the right thing.
"Are you insane? Why did you agree to do her homework? If you're doing anybody's it should be mine!"
I lightly chuckle. "I just want her to like me." I say plainly.
"Why? We hate her."
"I know," my head bows as I swallow my water. "But like she basically just said, it could help my reputation. Think about it, if she likes me, then the rest of the cheerleaders won't hate me. I practically live in fear of them pranking me or making me feel bad. If I get on their good side, I'll be free."
"Ok, ok. But doing her homework? You're going to sink that low? Your reputation could fall to desperate nerd."
"I'm sure it won't. Don't be dramatic. Anyway, I do your homework. You don't think I'm a nerd."
"Good point."
The end of the day soon arrives. My final class is Chemistry and I am glad to not receive any more homework. As the bell rings, I wave good bye to Lacy then pick up my bag.
"Nathan, stay behind for a moment please," Mrs Gillford, our chemistry teacher, instructs with tight lips. "I have just marked your test as yours was first on my pile. How come you got a C?"
Ok, that's new.
This I have to hear. I exit the classroom but stand outside with my ear pressed up against the wall. I pretend to be texting on my phone so passing students or teachers don't get suspicious.
"I didn't study," says Nathan casually, no expression in his voice what so ever in his response to the question. My heart beats faster. This is so unlike Nathan. What has been going on for this to have happened? He never gets lower than an A- on a test, even a B used to make him go pale, that I know for sure.
"And how come you didn't study?" Mrs Gillford goes on to ask. "Is there a problem at home?" Her tone of voice softens. I wait anxiously for him to speak next.
"No." He replies bluntly.
"Did you find the topic difficult? I am always here to guid you Nathan-"
"Oh by the way, it's Nate now." I can vaguely hear the exhale of air coming from the teacher's mouth, not impressed with Nathan's new attitude- and neither am I.
"Well then, Nate. I'm sure you will be happy to stay behind and do a re-sit. I am expecting at least a 40% increase on your score."
"I can't." He states. "I have detention now with Mr Moss."
"Monday then," she snaps. "Three till four, otherwise there will be consequences. You are dismissed."
He mumbles a response on his way out. His footsteps approach the door and even if I run now, he would spot me. "Paige?" Oh great!
"Hi Nathan," I sheepishly turn around on my heels to face him. He walks towards me then stops.
"What are you doing here? Arn't you supposed to be on your way home?" One of his eye brows rises. He crosses his arms as he leans against the wall, one of his legs crossing over the other.
"Oh I... I was just going to ask Mrs Gillford a question but I think it can wait until next week," I say hurriedly. Nathan glances at my skeptically then steps a pace backwards.
"You sure you weren't spying on me?" No humour emerges from his bitter tone. He has never spoken to me like this before.
"No, not at all," my voice shakes with uncontrollable nerves. His eyes scan me one last time.
"Lying doesn't look good on you Paige," he spits, then spins around and walks away. Even his walk has changed, it is more relaxed with a sway to it. He sends me one last stare before turning the corner.
What have I done?