3 Chapter 3: School Blues

Dear Diary

It's Monday morning and my entire being is dreading going to school.

Although this is the last week until Spring break, going to Ridgemont High School as Jolie Dorent, is still on my list of things not to do.

Brian makes school tolerable even though we have no classes together, but I plan on using yesterday's amazing date as my day dream reference.

Brian was so sweet and caring for what he did for me yesterday, and the picnic just topped the cake with a fat cherry on top.

Between the two of us, we managed to eat everything from the picnic. He had told me that my mom knew what he planned and that she helped set everything up.

We had small roast beef sandwiches, Greek salad, a fruit salad, some diced veggies and chocolate covered strawberries.

It was perfect. He was perfect.

Now, as I sit at my desk, staring down at the driveway, waiting on Brian to pick me up for school, I realize how lucky I am to have him, and how I don't plan on changing my luck, anytime soon.

- - - - -

"Jo, Brian's here. You ready?" I jump out of my chair, grab my book bag and head downstairs where dad and a very sick Chrissy awaits.

"Yuck, you don't look so good." I say to my little sister, reaching up to feel her forehead. Today was supposed to be her first day back at school but judging by her Disney's Frozen pajamas and messy bed head, dad is letting her stay home today.

"Yeah, careful, dad says I'm contagious." I pull my hand back, smile and wave before rushing out to the awaiting car. Normally Brian comes and meets me but when I reach the car I see he is on the phone and judging by his downward eyebrows and fingers rubbing his eyes, he's speaking with his father.

"Yes, I did. I know that dad but-okay. Fine. I'll be there." He hangs up shaking his head with frustration.

"You okay?"

"Yeah. Sorry I didn't meet you up there. Dad called, and I know how much you're a stickler for being late." He smirks from his joke about my anxiety over being even thirty seconds late to something.

"Ha-ha. So, what was that about?"

His face goes from smiling at me to an immediate frown thinking of his father. They have never had the greatest relationship, but I always assumed something must have happened recently that has them always at each other's throats. I've asked about it, but Brian always tells me it's just how they are. I don't believe it, but I also won't push.

"Some recruiter guy from Michigan State wants to meet with me. I've tried telling dad that I've already made my decision but he's not listening."

Now it all makes sense to me. Arthur Davis is an alumnus of Michigan State and finds it almost offending that Brian chose not to go to his alma mater. Brian has always loved Boise State, but I know part of the reason why he chose not to go to Michigan State was because he wanted his own start. Not to go in and immediately be known as someone's son.

"Have you tried speaking to your dad about his interference with your life?" I'm blessed with Brian's eye rolls.

"You've met my dad, right?"

"Brian, he is always going to have some kind of control over you and your life unless you show him where the line is."

"Don't you think I've tried that Jo? He just doesn't get it, he doesn't understand that I don't want to be a miniature him. He's still pissed at me for choosing basketball, even though I've told both him and my mother that I plan on getting my degree in finance."

I clasp my hands with his free hand as he maneuvers into the school parking lot. I feel terrible that Brian feels like he has to walk on eggshells around his father. No one should feel like they can't be themselves in front of people that are supposed to love him unconditionally. I'm proud of his decision though, Brian has always been a math whiz, so it's no surprise to me that he chose finance to settle. Basketball is his dream, but he knows better to put all his eggs in one basket.

"So, what happened Saturday night? You never did talk about it."

"That's because it was our day. I didn't want to mention him on our day." I smile at his affection.

"Not our day now, and we've still got a few minutes until school starts."

Brian turns off the car then turns toward me. I release my seat belt, turn and give him my full attention.

"Dinner was going well, then my dad goes and opens his mouth about my future and how I'm throwing my life away and falling into old habits. I just couldn't take it anymore."

"Falling into old habits?"

"Let's not talk about him anymore okay? I want to have a good week with you, then I get the chance to be with you all day and night for spring break." I know he is stalling, wanting to change the conversation, so I oblige to him for now. I know he's hiding something.

"Fine. But you know you have to spend some one on one time with dad before me."

"Yeah, I'm actually pretty excited."

"Have you told you parents where you will be that day?" Brian and my dad decided to both take off Friday, early morning. So, Brian is skipping school for that day and my dad is skipping out at work.

"Mom knows. I doubt dad even knows where I go to school." He says sarcastically.

Once we hear the bell ring, Brian opens his door, walks over to my side of the car and helps me out. It's something he loves to do and something I adore that he does.

"So, I'll see you after class?" I nod my head in his direction and wave goodbye as he drops me off for first period calculus.

Walking into class my good thoughts and happy feelings immediately vanish. Amy Cartway smirks as she sees me and does a small little wave under her chin with her fingers. My mind immediately starts preparing for the worse.

What is she planning?

"Class today is a free period, so I suggest you all crack open your books and begin studying for your final exams." Mrs. Boseman says blowing her nose into a Kleenex.

Only a small portion of students get out their books while the others just get up get into their small little clicks and begin speaking loudly about the latest fashion and hottest guys in school.

I lamely get my book out and begin my studying but get interrupted when my book goes flying off my desk and a small jean clad ass sits on it instead.

I look up to see none other than Amy sitting on my desk with her manicured hands tapping along the wooden frame of it.

Amy Cartway is the popular girl in school. What no one knows is she used to be my best friend. Amy and I have known each other since first grade and had every class together. She was the skinny girl with pigtails and braces, so meeting me, practically the same way, we instantly clicked and begun a strong friendship.

Junior high came around and she started developing. Her boobs came in, her ass came in, and she started realizing that boys starred. Another girl named Miranda Croswell was then transferred into our class, whom was practically Amy's twin. The two instantly liked each other and made it their mission to treat me badly.

At first, I didn't understand why she suddenly hated me. I never did anything wrong that I know of, but when the bad treatment went from a few snickers to all out pranks that would have the school principal calling my mother or father to come and pick me up, I no longer cared. Ever since, I have steered clear from the both of them. I still get the occasional rumor spread around the school about me and let's not forget freshman year when everyone's goal was to trip me until I wound up with a black eye and a sprained ankle.

It hasn't been too bad lately, and I think it's because of Brian. Unlike me, Brian is extremely popular. Which is why it came as such a shock when he was interested in me of all people. In the beginning I thought Brian's persuasion was a prank in itself, but after months of genuine friendship I understood that he just didn't follow a crowd. Brian was confident in himself, and in turn, made everyone around him, like him.

It also helps that he is the best basketball player this school has ever had.

"So, Jolie. How are you doing today?" Amy asks pulling me from my thoughts.

"What do you want?"

"Oh, you know, just seeing how an old friend is doing. So, tell me, how are things?" I look around the room and see her little click of friends smirking and whispering to each other. I blow out a breath of air, already frustrated with her game.

"Whatever it is you're about to do, just don't." I say looking over her shoulder at Mrs. Boseman who is turned around at her computer.

"I would never dream of hurting the all-star's girlfriend. We wouldn't want Brian Davis not to do well." Her attitude angers me but I steer it away. Dad and mom always taught me to walk away unless it's to the point where I can't. I also don't want to be suspended. Even if it weren't my fault, colleges will still see things as a fight between two students and my scholarship could be taken away.

"Leave her the fuck alone Amy."

Amy and I turn simultaneously to the deep voice that has threatened Amy.

"Oh, Derek mind your own business. I was simply having a conversion with sadness here."

I roll my eyes at the stupid nickname Miranda and Amy bestowed upon me last year. After my grandfather fell ill last year, I came to school looking a little worse for wear. We had been up all night at the hospital the night before making sure he was going to make it. I told dad I still wanted to go to school the next day and that's when the annoying echo of sadness was created.

"Can't focus on my book because your being loud and annoying, so I'd say I'm making it my business. Besides, don't you have to be under a house right now, or torturing Dorothy and toto." Everyone laughs in her click at Derek's joke and even I find myself hiding under my arm trying to not show my laughter.

"Ha-ha, asshole. Sorry, forgot everyone suddenly cared for Jolie because her boyfriend took you all to championships this year." Amy gets off my desk and saunters over to her own desk while her posse all cradles around her.

"Thanks Derek." I turn to him and nod.

Derek Branders is someone remains a mystery to me and the rest of school. Being a transfer student our freshman year, he was always the quiet, intriguing one. Only one thing makes his blue eyes light up and that is basketball. Next to Brian, he is the best athlete this school has. He isn't talkative and hardly has any friends which is why whenever Brian and I would go and hang out with his friends, Derek is the one person I would always steer clear of. With his six-foot four frame, dark black hair and bright blue eyes, he is kind of an intimidation to me. He was never rude to me, but Derek is the kind of person who's soul has seen too much.

"Don't thank me. She shouldn't be a bitch for the sole purpose of being a bitch." I don't reply, mainly because I absolutely hate that word. "She's wrong anyways."

"What do you mean?"

"Said we all care about you now that you're dating Davis. Ain't true. I always hated the shit they pulled on you, but I don't defend people that won't defend themselves."

Ouch. That felt like a slap to the face.

"So why help me now?" I cross my arms and narrow my eyes at him.

"For that reason alone." He says indicating with his chin at my posture. "Ever since you started dating Brian, you've been different. You're surer of yourself, angrier and done with the bullshit. Not sure if it has to do with him or not, but it's nice to see you still got some backbone."

Before I could reply, the bell rings and it becomes a madhouse between Derek and I to get to the door. I can briefly hear Mrs. Boseman announcing to everyone to have a good day but can't make out if she has actually turned around yet.

I look back over to Derek, but he is gone. I grab my book and shove it into my bag as I stand and head for the door as well. I push through the small crowd that has gathered due to everyone shoving through the door. Once I make my way out on the other side, I look for Derek but no longer see him in the throng of thousands of students walking around campus.

I don't really know why I am looking for him. Something about the way he told me that he hated what I went through but technically would have helped me if I stuck up for myself. I don't know what to do with that information. It does make me question if he was the only one that felt that way or not.

"Looking for your boyfriend?" I turn to see Amy standing there in all her gorgeously hideous glory.

Amy is beautiful, no one on this earth would dare dispute that. She has long blonde hair, bright green eyes and a slim body with all the right curves. What's ugly about her is her personality. She will always be the popular girl in high school with the rich parents and cool Saturday night parties but once we graduate, she will just be sad.

I disregard her attempt at aspiring to scare me and begin walking to where Brian and I meet in between classes. I don't hear her follow me but can smell her extremely expensive perfume. I turn around and glare up at her. I'm only five six so I'm guessing Amy is around five nine. She always dates either football players or basketball players because of her height.

"Why are you following me?"

"Just wanted to see how the great Jolie and Brian spend their time together."

"Why are you worried about me and my life? You've made it abundantly clear that you don't care anything about me, so why waste your time and energy?" I don't know what is bringing on this sudden burst of confidence. Could be what Derek said to me not ten minutes ago. Either way, I don't plan on stopping.

"I don't care about you, and you're not worth my energy. I'm just curious is all. Why would someone like Brian Davis want anything to do with you? His parents are wealthy, he is amazing at sports, not to mention hot as hell. Why stick around for you?"

Amy looks genuinely curious but I'm not here to answer her questions while she insults me. I shake my head and turn around to leave only to bump into a body I'm all too familiar with.

"Hey babe."

"Hey."

"You good?" Brian asks looking past my shoulder over at I assume Amy. His eyes narrow but he doesn't say anything. Only gives me a squeeze.

"I'm fine Brian. Don't worry about me."

"I'll always worry about you." We link hands and begin our walk to our next class.

I never do tell him about Amy.