A Best Friend sees the first tear, catches the second and stops the third.....

Chapter 16: Might As Well Get Hit By A Frying Pan

"It was her idea!" Aaron pointed at Sam who now wore a horrified expression

"WHAT?! But you made it possible! I just told you about our little conversation. That does not mean that I asked you to make it happen!" Sam retorted.

"Guys...." I tried speaking.

"Oh please! What else do you expect? Ali is my best friend, the least I could do for her was this," Candy replied, crossing his arms against his chest.

"Guys...." I tried again only to be interrupted again.

"Yeah right. As if she is not my best friend" Sam mimicked Candy's posture.

"But I've known her longer"

"I know enough."

"You don't k-"

If you're confused, let me quickly clear it up for you. Right now, the argument that is taking place and is giving me headache, is about the "raining hamburgers" in the lunch period today. Apparently, my new best friend decided to share the conversation we had in the morning when I had said that I would participate in the singing competition 'the day it rains hamburgers', with my oh-so dear Candy, who eventually decided to make it happen.

He asked the whole cafeteria to throw their burgers in the air once they hear a whistle blow (Sam's duty) to celebrate the beginning of the actual competitions in th Talent Hunt. And being the adored golden boy he is, no one questioned his motives any further. Even the teachers thought that he was showing school spirit.

That little sonofagun.

"...yeah and like it cou-"

"GUYS! SHUT UP" I shouted, earning a hard glare from the librarian. God, that woman really needs to learn how to smile.

They both looked at me wide eyed, as if just realizing that I was still here. My head was already hurting as if someone decided to run a circus in there.

"Seriously though, did you really think that just by asking the people of the cafeteria to throw hamburgers in the air would give me all the confidence in the world to actually go audition for the Hunt?" I asked, even though the gesture had actually warmed me up on the inside.

Like seriously? Who knew they would actually make it happen? I did feel a little bit flattered and more confident. I even let myself consider the possibility of going on stage but quickly dismissed it. And if I told them about it, I knew they would start bugging me again.

"But you said-" Sam argued and I cut her off.

"I said 'the day it rains hamburgers'. Rains, as in from the sky. Not in the cafeteria where a bunch of kids threw them in the air."

"Okay fine." Sam sighed in defeat," But atleast come to see the finalists perform. Even I'll be performing."

"Okay," I smiled," Plus even Aaron's gonna be there. Right?" I turned to Aaron.

He looked like he was a little panicky and in deep thought.

I snapped my fingers in front of his face and he snapped out of his daze. Hey! That rhymed!

"Uh, yeah. So you're going to come for the Final League?" he asked.

I nodded, eyeing him weirdly.

"Uh, okay. I gotta go. See ya." he said and left.

That was a bit weird. Anyway, I turned to Sam, who was gushing about being nervous for her performance.

The Final League was where the final contestants performed in front of the students, before entering into the actual competition. Sam was selected for DJing and Candy was in his soccer selection. In sports, the scouts held competitions in stages, like the other categories. This way, the best out of them could earn a full scholarship to his/her favourite university.

The shrill sound of the bell broke my day dreaming and I got up along with Sam.

"Good morning students," the speakers blared, making the voice of our principle echo throughout the hallways." This announcement is to inform you guys that this period will be a study period for all. Students are requested to go into the classes according to their fourth periods. Thank you."

Groans of students filled the hallway as I proceeded towards my locker with Sam in tow. Since because of the Talent Hunt, we had a couply of free periods, we could do anything we wanted, provided we sat in one classroom.

"What do you have now?" I asked.

She pulled out her schedule and groaned. "Maths."

I pulled out my schedule to see what period I had. I let out a similar groan as I read the word "Physics."

Sam looked at my schedule and laughed. "Good luck."

I merely nodded as took out my books. My head ache seemed to have increased upon knowing that I had physics next. With my head down, I sluggishly started to walk towards the dreaded class. You know another reason why I hated this class was that I had the Queen B with me in it. The fact that neither Candy nor Sam shared the class with me made it even worse.

As I kept walking with my eyes scrutinizing the floor, I didn't realize that someone was coming my way so I crashed into the person, landing on my butt.

I looked up to see a dark haired boy staring up at me. "I, um I'm sorry. I wasn't looking," the boy replied, in a British accent.

"No, no need to apologize. I am equally at fault," I said getting up. I dusted my jeans and collected the books that had fallen along with me.

I studied the foreigner's face as he picked up his paper's. He was cute, with hazel eyes and a square-cut jaw. He was fit, to say the least. He must've been into a sport. He was tall too, not too giant, but of a good height. His hair seemed really silky to touch.

"So, you're new here?" I asked I helped him pick a few papers.

"Yeah, just transferred to this school."

"That's nice," I said, standing straight," So, do you need help finding the office or something?" I asked, praying that he'd say yes. I really didn't want to attend this class. If he said yes, I could show him the office and then accompany him to his next class and then return to my own like a slow poke, when there would be only a few minutes left.

YES! A brilliant plan.

"Why do I have a feeling that you are just offering to help because you want to skip class?" he asked.

"Well, busted." I gave him a sheepish expression.

He chuckled. "Actually, I was just coming from the office, with my schedule. I was trying to find room number 45 when I bumped into you."

My eyes widened. "You have physics with Mr. Dougles?"

"Uh-yeah. Why?"

"Ho boy. Good luck surviving that class," I replied as I started walking.

"Why? Is the teacher strict or something?" he asked as he walked beside me.

'STRICT is going to be an understatement. Plus, the teacher teaches like a sleeping hound."

"How do yo know that?"

"We have the same class." I said just as we reached the door to the much dreaded class.

The whole class snapped their heads towards me as I entered. Not Good.

"You're late Ms. Bent," Mr. Dougles said as he kept the chalk down.

"I-I was showing around to the n-new student," I replied, trying to control my stuttering.

Everyone looked as if I had grown another head, which made me feel a bit queasy. I looked back to see the Brit boy standing outside the classroom. I gave him a questioning glance and motioned for him to come in. His mouth formed a small 'o' as he entered.

Gasps and dreamy sighs followed as he entered. I rolled my eyes but sighed in relief as the attention shifted from me to him. Sure, he was attractive, but seriously why do you need to gasp?

"Ah. So you're Mr. Matthews. Students, welcome him well. Now go sit wherever you want. You're disrupting my class," he replied, glaring at us.

"He can sit with me," one of the citrus group members replied.

"NO. Sit with me!"

"Back off bimbo, he's mine."

If they were acting like this only after seeing him, what would happen if they heard him speak?

I turned to look at him, who was looking at everyone in amusement. After a minute, when Mr. Dougles grunted, everyone shut up.

"Mr. Matthews, if you want to stay in this class, I'd suggest that you get your butt on any seat."

"Yes sir," he mock saluted and gestured for me to go on a seat.

I gave him a confused look as I went up to my designated 'nerd seat'. As soon as I sat down, I felt the seat beside me getting occupied. I turned to see 'Mr. Matthew' is all his glory sitting down beside me.

I raised an eyebrow at him. He just gave me a cheeky smile, which made me chuckle. While everyone was busy glaring at me. I fidgeted.

Don't panic. Deep breaths. In. Out. In. Out.

I even spotted Shelley giving me her stink eye. I wanted to roll my eyes so badly and I would have if I wasn't scared of attention. Doesn't she already have a boyfriend?

"Ms. Bent? Since you were late to class, solve this numerical. What is the ending velocity in this equation?" the he-devil asked.

"Might as well get hit by a frying pan," I muttered under my breath as I stood up.

I heard Brit Boy chuckle at what I said.

"What did you say Miss. Bent?"

"Uh, nothing sir, just solving," I said as I began to scribble on my notebook. After a minute or so, I raised my head, to see the teacher glaring at me.

"The answer Ms. Bent," he demanded.

"Uh, 52.4m/s?" I asked, unsure.

"No," my head went down in shame. The class laughed.

"May I know the correct answer, sir?" I managed to keep my voice steady.

"52.3 m/s"

The whole class stopped laughing abruptly. Everyone was giving him incredulous looks and for once, all the nerds and the populars had the same expression for something.

"Is he for real?" Brit boy asked.

I simply shook my head and sat down.

Before Mr. Dougles could teach any further, the intercom squeaked, letting us know that there was going to be an announcement.

"Dear students, the auditions of Talent Hunt are over. No one will be allowed to audition anymore," the principal announced.

I felt a knot in my gut as I heard the announcement. A part of me really wanted to take part in the competition.

"We are extremely sorry to inform you that Final League won't be able to take place due to the stormy weather outside. So we will simply announce the names of the final participants. So instead of having a Final League now, we will conduct it by the end of the Hunt. That is, after the winners are declared, all the participants would be performing as a closing ceremony. So here are the names. In category One......."

The announcement continued as I heard the names being called. Everyone was dead silent as they listened to the names. I was actually interested to listen to the names of the singing category. I wanted to see who my competitors would've been if I participated.

Again I felt a tug in my chest as I thought about participating.

No need to cry over what you never wanted to fight for.

My conscience scolded and I felt like I wanted to bawl. Why the hell did I not listen to Candy and Sam?

"Now for the singing category, the names are Shelley Montez, Tamie Sanchez......," I listened to the names.

Shelley? She could sing? That's a shocker right there. I knew some of the students who were participating like Tamie and Kelia. They were really nice girls.

"......Nelly Thompson and last, but not the least Alyssa Bent."

All the heads in the class snapped to me, confirming that it was my name that had been announced. I sat there gaping at the speaker thinking just one thing:

But I never auditioned.

********

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Hey People!!!

What do you guys think of this?

Photo of 'Mr. Matthews' to your right----->

So... how do you think Alyssa's name got announced?

Anyways, there is a kind of bad news.... I maynot be able to update fast.

I know it sucks to wait, but my lovely laptop is getting confiscated : (Though I might sneak in a chapter later)

Anyhow, please do check my other new story : Against The Odds

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Until next time......