Chapter 11

My alarm shrills me awake. It's the buzzing one that shakes you up like an emergency. "Ugh. ok. Ok. I'm up." I sit up halfway, pressing the snooze button. My vision is blurry, I rub the crust away from my eyelids. I slept all night. I didn't have dinner. Since today is friday, it should be good, the weekend starts. Oh yeah, the party. I don't want to go. If I ditch, I'll hear the ranting from Quinn and how I missed all the fun. I get out of bed to the bathroom to brush my teeth and shower.

After I got dressed, I went downstairs. I have some time before I go to school, I'm hungry for cereal. What am I forgetting? Hmm. Whatever. When I get the box of Trix cereal, I pour in the bowl with milk. Mom comes down, opening the fridge. "morning mom," I say while she pours herself a cup of coffee.

"Morning," she replies groggily. "Where's the creamer?"

"I think on top of the fridge." On top of the fridge was where I pointed out. I scoop some cereal into my mouth. Trying to find the words to ask what happened yesterday. Instead, I keep my mouth shut, chewing slowly. Mom sips her coffee, resting her hand on the counter, looking at the cabinet. Her face is tense, clenching her jaw. When I finish, I wash my bowl and spoon.

"Bye mom." I go over to hug her, squeezing her tight. I feel she needed it more than me.

"Have a great day." She kisses the top of my head, grabs a banana and went back upstairs. Huh, usually she would make herself a big breakfast before work. There's no sign of dad. He probably left. No sign of him. Or Craig. I walk outside, I'm a few minutes early for school. I take out my phone to text Quinn. My phone! It's still on the charger.

I run inside, mom asks "what's wrong?"

I told her "I forgot my phone!" Jogging upstairs two steps at a time and barging in my room, I unplug it and text Quinn. The three bubbles pop up then disappear. Ugh, this again. Be there in a few. I jog back down, "bye mom!" I yell upstairs and lock the door behind me. I step down, planting my feet on the pavement. I hum away My Shot again, I can use that. No, something melodic. I look up, a boy at the bus stop waiting. Not just any boy. The same one, the one with the dog yesterday. My silver lining for the day. I grin. Does he go to our school? He looks my way, I wave. He doesn't wave back. I drop my hand, scratching my forehead. Ok, he didn't see me. Quinn drives up, I jump into the passenger side and head off.

We arrive on time. Before I entered class, one of my drama classmates, Daphne, stops me in the middle of the hallway. "We have to go to the music room."

"Now?" I ask.

"Now," she nods. I follow her. She opens the door, we're the first two here. I sit near the piano, dropping my backpack against my feet. Others piled in the room, Daphne sits somewhere else in the back.

I tap my foot against the piano chair. Nathan's not here today, doctor's appointment. I have no one to chat with as everyone spoke to themselves. Sam's here. He's typing away on his phone with a smile on his face. Look away, Maya. I sigh out loud. Why are we meeting here?

"Whoo, ok." She comes in sounding out of breath, "sorry I'm late, kids. My husband and his emergency calls." She rolls her eyes with a laugh.

"You're probably wondering why we're meeting here." She drops her bag next to the desk, "the stage is being reconstructed for the whole week. So until it's done we will meet here." I lean against my knee as she continues. "So I have decided what our next production is! Drumroll please." She pointed to the girl seated near the door. She drums her fingers against the desk waiting for Ms. Laughlin to announce it. "Spring Awakening!"

I perk up, yay! I begin a slow clap for the class to join. Production costs, there's not enough in the school budget, is there? But this is cool. The rest join in, Sam claps three times and then goes back to his phone. I know we have to figure out a way to raise money. Budget costs, public schools don't have enough.

"I talked to the Principal and he said its ok as long as there's no nudity. I know the scene with Wendla and Melchoir. It'll be good, it fits the theme of society and teenagers. Hormones and all. We might have to work around that scene. Also this will be an advantage to use the instruments here if anyone can play. After school we will meet here to learn the music, this is just a heads up. Before I dismiss you, do you have any questions?"

"Would this count as an audition?" Daphne asks.

"Yes, to join the band for the play. Anyone else?"

I raise my hand, "if we don't have a scene ready by Friday, can we still be in the play?"

"You can, for the ensemble with no speaking roles, and we need stage handles." Oh God, setting up and striking the stage is boring. Being an ensemble is not that bad. I'm in the background, unnoticed. As long as I get to sing Mama Who Bore Me reprise if I don't get a lead or supporting role. The first bell rings for our first classes.

"Ok, there's the bell. Don't be late for homeroom." She hand sweeps us to us to run along. This is good. I watched the movie and the play once in New York. The production is amazing. Now I have to work on my song and scene. With him. I run my hand down my face, turning the corner of the hallway.

As I enter my class, there he is. Talking to the teacher. My eyes went big. He's here? He goes to our school? I stride to my assigned desk, looking up as he turns to the back of the class and spots me. He grins, I look down with my blush pulling out my journal.

"Excuse me," he states. His voice is like milk. Smooth and clean. My head snaps up again as his eyes bore into me. I couldn't look away.

"Yes?" I gulp.

"Mrs Grayson said this is my assigned seat," he points to the empty one next to me.

"Ok," I nod. He grins as he sits down. I glance, playing with the pages in my book.

"Have we met before? You look familiar?" He asks, leaning over the side of his chair.

"Uh, well your dog, yesterday," I pause at each word.

"Oh yeah. Sorry about that. Guess we're neighbors again."

"Again? We're neighbors?" I squint.

"I live on the same street."

"Oh, oh. Did you just move here?"

"Last week." I would have noticed trucks and boxes. Where was I? "I'm Alex."

"Maya. Welcome," I say with a smile again. "Finding your way around?"

Before he can answer Mrs Grayson quiets the classroom down so we can begin. Sam walks in in time sitting right in front of me. I clear my throat, taking out my pen. I glance again, watching as he concentrates on the board. Pay attention, Maya.

"Do you have a pencil?" He asks in a whisper. I hand him the one in my hand. "Thanks."

I nod, reaching in my bag for one of my extras. I notice Sam looking over his shoulder. I ignore him and jot down the equations.

Three classes later, there was no sign of Alex. I thought I would see more of him. I need my Physics book. "Hey," he says in my ear. I laugh, brushing my ear.

"Hi," I grin widely. "Again."

"Been trying to find you." He bumps my shoulder as we walk.

"Really?" I tug one of my strands behind my ear.

"For a tour of some sorts. I'm getting kind of lost."

"Oh." He thought of me, he's sweet. But, I do have to get to class.

"A- as much as I want to, I'm not allowed," I stutter. "We do have student aid volunteers. And I'm not one. You have to go to the principal since you're new."

"Oh," he nods. "I did that, I think I have one at lunch. I was just thinking. Forget it." He hunches his shoulders up, scratching the back of his head.

"We can see each other after school," I suggest. "We live together, I mean live near each other." What? I shake my head, frowning.

"I would like that," he smirks. "I am walking Chewy in the afternoon, wouldn't mind the company."

"Cool."

I nod. "Cool." I try to hide my smile. My cheeks hurt.

"See you after school." I wave, rocking on my heels back and forth. He wants to see me again. I squeal.

I whirl around, seeing Sam on my locker, relaxing his back against it, chatting with one of his friends. His friend is wearing a baseball cap, animatedly speaking to Sam. he looks like he's one of the lacrosse players. My smile wilts. His leg raised on the back of the wall, hands in his pockets. He laughs at what his friend is telling him, holding his face into his palms. Ugh. I step forward to him and I clear my throat.

"Excuse me." His jaw ticks at the sight of me.

"See you tonight, man," the boy said, lightly punching Sam's arm.

"Yeah," Sam replies. He grins. "Hall." I rest my hands on my hips.

"Rodriguez. Can you please move?"

"If you ask me nicely." His face beams from his smile.

"No," I say in a harsh tone.

"Come on, I know you can do better than that."

"I can't and I won't. It's called freewill." I cross my arms over my chest and scoff. I stay in the same pose tilting my head waiting for him. He moves to the other side, finally. I spin the dial for my combination. The door is sticky, I had to use my strength as it creaks when it opens.

"Are you coming over?" he asks.

I take out my journal and physics book. "Come over? For what?" My forehead creases.

"To practice our audition," he states.

"And you want me in your house? Will your parents allow that?"

"Yep," he says with a nod. "They'll be out of town with my little sister. House all to myself."

"And you want me to come?" I point at my chest. "Why not my house? What's wrong with my house?

"What's wrong with my house?" We glare at each other, not saying a word. I exhale looking up to the ceiling.

"Fine, I will come over. Don't expect snacks."

"What? I was expecting ice cream, damn." His tone is semi serious, looking right into my eyes.

I give him a dull look, "ha ha." I roll my eyes.

"There you go again. Eye roller."

"I'm- can you stop? I'll come over after school. Or later."

"You gonna be busy with your new friend?"

I stop my movements. "My new friend?"

"From homeroom. The average height dude." He pockets his hands, leaning on the lockers again.

"Alex? He's not average height. We're the same height." I can meet him at eye level, Sam's taller. But I don't mind.

"Exactly. Wait, that's his name? Alex?"

"Yes. he lives on our street." I shrug one of my shoulders.

"Never seen him before."

"He's new. Recently moved in. Do you know him?"

"No. That's your type?" He scoffs.

"Why do you care if I have a type?" I tilt my head.

"I don't." He clears his throat, tugging his collar. Sure, he doesn't. He thinks he's the only good looking boy in school. There's lots. Like Nathan, the boy he was talking to, others.

I place my books in my bag. Hearing my phone buzz, I pat my pants. What the hell? Where did I-? I probably left it in class again. Or in my backpack. I pat the front, opening the zip and it's nowhere to be seen. "Not again." I palm my forehead. Dad won't be happy.

"Is this yours?" Sam questions. I spin around, seeing my phone in between his index finger and thumb. I reach over to take it, he backs away.

"Sam, give me my phone," I tell him with my palm out.

"Are you sure you want it? It was on the floor. Finders keepers." He holds it to his chest.

"What are you, 9? You can't claim it because it's mine," I stretch over again. He reaches up higher. "And it works if it's not claimed by anyone else at any time period." I attempt to swipe it away, he moves back.

"How bad do you want it?" He teases. He swipes up on the screen, looking at my wallpaper.

"It's a necessity, so very bad," I grunt, he stands taller. His arms are longer than mine when he stretches up to the sky. He's on the lockers in place. My hand pressed on his chest as I tried to reach for my phone.

"Chris Hemsworth?! Shirtless?!" He chortles at my wallpaper. "Wow! That's your type, huh?!"

"Give me my freaking phone!" I whine. Pushing him, I'm almost at reach. It's in my finger tips. His arm grips my waists, spinning me around, pushing me against the locker. His scent invaded my nose. I gulp, my heart speeds up. He's giving me bedroom eyes. Darting from my eyes to my lips, his grip loosens, drops my phone in my hand.

"You're annoying." I push him away with my elbow.

"Annoyingly handsome?" He quirks his eyebrows.

"Just annoying." I pocketed my phone. Thank God I have a phone case. He backs away. Note to self: change wallpaper.

"Samuel?! Are you serious?!" A shrill voice says to him. I look over as Jessica stomps over to us. Her eyes are furious, her balled up fists on her hips. "I knew it! You and her?!"

"Huh?" I ask, my eyes went wide. Me and him? Wait.

"There is no me and her," Sam says, "you broke up with me, Jess."

"There was never me and him," I respond.

"Because of your wandering eyes. And for her?" Jessica's disgust tone is clear. I'm not that disgusting. I'm cute. To say the least.

"Wait, I'm not in this. I'm going to class," I hold my hands up in defense, attempting to leave. She pushes my shoulder, I stutter step.

"So, you're trying to steal my man? You can't get your own?"

"I'm not stealing anyone, and you need to keep your hands off me," I warn her.

"Or what?" She steps up to my face.

"Look, I don't want any trouble. Ok? You and him need to deal with whatever it is you're dealing with and have a good day." I smile. She scoffs, pushing me again. I push her back.

"Get out of my face." She pushes me, I stumble. What the hell? My face is hot, my heart is beating fast. It's one thing to accuse me of something I didn't do. It's another to put your hands on me. I lash out. There's no stopping me. "Back off!" I push her hard enough, she falls to the ground, landing on her butt. Her jaw drops.One of her friends with red hair picks her up.

"Bitch!" She gets up, and runs to me, pushing me farther. I almost fall, I hold myself against the lockers. Sam comes in between us.

"Jessica, stop!" He holds her back. Her face is red, trying to claw at me. I back away, pushing her arm.

"FIGHT!" A student cups his hands over his mouth. A crowd starts to form around us, pulling out their phones. No, no, no.

"I'm not fighting. We're not fighting." I wave my hands side to side fast.

"Boooooo!"

"You scared?" She squares her shoulders.

"Get out of my face." I knew she had an out for me. Since that night when she didn't go home from me and Sam's date.

"Jessica, calm down. She has nothing to do with me and you," Sam says in a calming voice. Her nose flares when she looks at me. Her green eyes in a fury.

"Don't tell me to calm down. You tell me what's going on with you two."

I scoff, "you're delusional."

"And you're a homewrecker."

"You broke up. There's nothing to wreck anymore."

"And you want him."

"Not anymore," I admit. I can't believe I said that. I clamp my teeth closed.

"Oh shit," Sam mutters as his gaze went behind Jessica. Principal Haskell was standing in the parted crowd. His hands on his hips, frowned eyebrows and flared nostrils.

"Oh shit," I mutter.

"Ms. Hall, Ms. Mendoza, Mr Rodriguez in my office. Now!" Principal Haskell says pointing to the empty space behind him

"What?" I squeak. What did I do? "I didn't do anything."

"NOW!" I stomp my feet, following him. Jessica and Sam are not far behind as we enter the office.

+++

I got detention. Detention. For fighting. His girlfriend tried to attack me. She faked being a victim and said I attacked her when she was in my face. Sam tried to deescalate the fight before it got out of hand. I got detention. And he called our parents. We didn't fight, she started it. We are serving detention after school, promptly after school in the mediation room. My entire school career, I have avoided getting detention. I've got warnings but detention? This is going on my permanent record. How am I gonna get college recommendations? To no surprise, mom and dad were pissed. Before the whole meeting was over, she scowled. Dad had to go back to work. A lecture is coming. I had to go to lunch late. When I pass by anyone in the hall or in class, there's praise and scowls. Quinn is by herself after I get my food, she's spinning her noodles on her plate.

"Hey." I sit down, my tray almost slips out of my hand.

"Maya, you got balls." her jaw drops in shock.

"No I don't," I shake my head, picking up my fork. "She's delusional."

"It's on Instagram."

"Of course it is," I roll my eyes.

"They broke up, if you want to flirt with Sam, you can."

"We weren't flirting."

"Uh-huh." She winks. We weren't. No. No way. I wasn't doing that, he was. I think.

"She's always had a problem with me. I did nothing to her. Who filmed it?"

"Chuck." I roll my eyes. Of course, the known uploader in our grade. He's trying to be the next WorldStar or Shaderoom. Most of his content posts memes and fights anywhere to go viral. She flips her phone to show me. His page, notchucknorrris, has over 33k followers and 110k likes. There I was. Jessica comes into my face. I push her hard, she falls. Someone says 'oh shit' when she lands on the ground. This is bad. The likes are 1k.

"This sucks." I poke at my food.

"You know what that means? Popularity!" She sings out.

"Yeah right." I let out a puttering laugh.

"You never know. I am proud of you." She hits my arm in a light manner. "Almost 10k views!"

"But we barely fought."

"She sailed, Maya. Or should I call you She Hulk?" She giggles.

"Well, She Hulk got detention." I lift up my fork in a cheers matter.

"Detention?" Quinn asks in a squeak.

"Detention," I repeat, taking a bite of my spaghetti.

"But it wasn't your fault, I saw half of it. She got in your face. Before I tried to cut in then Haskell came."

"Well Principal Haskell doesn't see it that way. All three of us have to serve detention."

"That sucks. What about the party?"

"I don't think I can go, I'll probably be punished." I rest my fist on my cheek while eating.

"Aww, boooo." Quinn shoulders slump, picking at her food. I scan the cafeteria, the chatter at all the tables was lively. Sam's with his friends in a conversation that he wasn't interested in. Jessica's nowhere in sight. Good. I don't want to see her. He had the same faraway look when I told him about Alex. He sees me, glancing and then looks away. I turn back to my food. Alex, ugh! I haven't seen him. He probably knows what happened.