Among Stars, Nevi Bernard [free ebook reader for android .TXT] 📗

I’d been so busy that my muscles are screaming for mercy. A little stretching of the legs is good.”

“I know what you mean.” He replied smiling.

We sat there talking for a while. It always felt good to talk to Jay, I just enjoy being with him. Ever since I could remember I’ve had a big crush on him. But of course any guys a girl crushes on never finds out, well most of the time. But keeping my crush on Jay is definitely the best thing to spare our friendship. If we were to be together it would be weird even though all our friends are in relationships with each other because: Gabri and Nash are together, JD and Randy, JT and Nik, Kym and BJ, Myk and Jade. The only persons that didn’t have a boyfriend/ girlfriend that hangs with our gang were Jay and me.

            Last year for the fall dance my boyfriend, now ex-boyfriend, was seeing the leader of the cheerleading squad Lucy Hartway behind my back. I was humiliated on the night of the dance when I found out that he had been playing me for a long time and everyone had known about it. My friends had told me that he was a player but I hadn’t listened. I paid the price for my stubbornness that night and it was heartrending. Since then there has been no other guy in my life. Jay on the other hand was one of the most popular in our crew. He’s the quarter back for our school football team and is going out with Layla Hampton. Of course it’s natural for him to date a cheerleader. Layla Hampton is the co-captain of the cheerleading squad and also one of the best friends of Lucy Hartway who happens to be the captain of the squad, and the most popular girls in school.

I sat staring for a moment wondering when I would be seen for more than I already am a regular person, or so I thought of myself as. Before I could say anything more I felt Altair nibbling at my ears. I giggled “Ok. I will take you back now."

*                                *                                *

I sat by the window seat in my room overlooking Miranda’s house. Feeling a little too tired to come out of room, I decided to go onto the computer instead. I logged on to OAA website, the school site, to check for missed homework before checking my emails. Just as I read my last of my emails my computer beeped, signaling that I received an IM. I notice it was a welcome to enter the private chat room my friends and I created, so I clicked open. Randy was online. All of us had chosen to use funny names instead of our own, for safety purposes,

 

BJ- Lovester Miranda - Mizpooh Kymara - Cheeky Jayson - Monster J Gabriela - Tweety Brie Nashwayne - Nashville JD -Black Panther JT - Jet Nikora - Binky boo DJ - Navajo fox Jada - Pink puma Mykal - Maverick

 

Mizpooh: hey girlie!!!!

Navajo Fox: Hey. S^

Mizpooh: JH (new one. just hanging)

Navajo fox: KL. J

Mizpooh: Def. HBU?

Navajo Fox: nothing really. Just pretty tired.

Mizpooh: TMBI

Just then mom called “DJ honey will you come here for a minute?”

“Ok mom. Be there in a minute.” I shouted back

Navajo fox: Sorry G2G

Mizpooh: ok CWYL

Navajo Fox: B4N

I logged of quickly and ran down the stairs. Mom was in the kitchen. I heard her talking rather calmly and some how I knew who she was talking to. I walked cautiously inside hoping that I wasn’t about to be surprised by an unwanted guess. “Your father is on the phone and he wants to talk to you.” was all she said before handing the phone to me.

“What do you want?” I asked immediately moody.

“Do not speak to me in that tone young lady.” Dad scolded.

“Whatever man, what did you want to talk to me about?”

He sighed as if trying his best to be calm the finally “How are you?”

“That’s you wanted to ask me? You could have just asked mom that question.  Anyway I’m doing great.”

“Why are you always so…so bashful?” He ask bleakly

“Look I got stuff to do I can’t really talk now. Don’t worry about me I’ll be fine.” Was my reply then I hung up. I have been avoiding any form of communication with my dad for about a year. Why did he even bother to call? Does he feel guilty our something? I wondered. I have taught myself to do without him and I will show him one day that mom and I can do without him. But right now I think mom needs me more than anything to keep her from getting hurt again.

            I was on my way to my room when I heard crying. Even though it has been a long time, my mom hasn’t gotten over the divorce. She had hoped that when my dad heard her say she wanted a divorce the he would have tried to fight for his family that had been affected by his frequent absence.  I went and placed my arms around my mom and hugged her tight. I loved my mom exceedingly but hate my dad for making her cry habitually. After a while mom calmed down and I went to my room. I sat just staring blankly. Why are parents such jerks? I asked myself. I got up, opened my window and started to climb out. I needed to get some air and mom would be out of her mind if she allowed me out the house at that hour of the night. I walked into our back yard and went to sit under the big elm tree that was there with a swing. I sat there in the swing for a long time, just thinking and watching the stars. I had no clue what time it was when I back into the house and into bed.

           

 

            The clock alarm sang “We Are the Champions” loudly. I turned lazily. The first day of school is always the hardest to wake up to go to school. I sighed and stretched across to the bedside table to turn off the alarm. Monday morning blues they call it and now I really understood why. There was a beep from the computer signaling a video chat contact. Turning quickly I turned on the webcam. It was the Gabri and Randy who were on. “Morning sleepyhead, you finally woke up.”  Randy smiled

“Look whose talking. I’m not the one who looks like I was electrocuted.” I teased

“So what are we wearing today?” Gabri asked. I could see her painting her nails in periwinkle which told me she planned on wearing something else with that very color.

“Hmmm – um – Gabri … we wear uniforms today remember.” Randy giggled

“IKTS” she replied

“Huh??” I said puzzled

“That’s IM for ‘I know that silly’” she used her fingers to make the quote and quote sign.

“Nice one I like it.” Randy smiled wide. “Anyway gonna get ready. See y’all in a few.” She said waving.

“BB4N” Gabri and I chorused

“Kiss, Kiss” We all said simultaneously then giggled at how uniformed it sounded then we signed off.

I chose to accessorize my hair with colorful beads and allowed it to fall loosely pass my shoulders. After a quick shower I put on just a little make up to give my eyes the popping look. I checked myself in the mirror one last time and I left the room.

            “Today we will be painting this bowl of fruit. And please do not paint what you think should be there but what you see.” Mr. Garnett our visual arts teacher said to us after we had taken our seats. Painting was one of those things that made me feel special. In that moment I wasn’t a rich kid who was trying their hardest not let there friends know about them. As we painted Mr. Garnett walked around peering at the different painting. As I looked at the bowl of fruit before giving it the final touch, I took note of the different things I saw in that moment, then I bowed my head as I set to work again. Mr. Garnett came and stood behind me taking in my picture. At first I felt nervous; I wondered why he stood observing my painting instead of moving on. As I painted the last color in, I could feel as though there were a million eyes staring at me. I looked up then and noticed that everyone was staring at Mr. Garnett who was staring raptly at my finish painting.

“Is something wrong with it?” I asked eyes wide with fear that I didn’t do it right.

“Do you mind?” he asked, motioning if he could take it up.

I nodded and he took it up and looked even closely. He turned the picture towards the class who looked as amazed as he was. “This is magnificent. Even Picasso couldn’t have said it better.” He smiled a very proud smile and said “We will need to put this in the Through Angelo’s eyes competition.” At this he walked with it to a corner or the classroom, where he placed it beside a few other paintings that were finished.

I felt really good with myself that I was able to impress the teacher even if I wasn’t trying to.

“Your painting looks Fabulicious” Kym said leaning over so she could whisper without Mr. Garnett seeing.

“Yeah it looks great.” Myk grinned and gave me a thumps up.

“Thanks guys.” I whispered back with a smile.

*                                *                                *

            At lunch I got myself a hotdog with mustard and ketchup and went outside to sit at the regular table my friends and I would sit. As I came closer I noticed Jade and Nik were already there. “Hey you guys,” I greeted.

“Hey” they chorused.

“Can you believe her? Just because her dad owns GENTECH, she acts as though she owns the place.” Nik said looking over to the cheer squad table.

“Actually her dad is one of the main funders so I guess she kind of owns the school.” I responded

“That explains why so many teachers suck up to her, like she’s some Goddess or something.” It was Kym said from behind me. She along with Randy and Gabri had joined us.

“Oh hey” Jade turned and greeted “Where are the boys?” she asked

“Boys they are indeed.”  Gabri huffed.

“What up with her?” I asked

“The boys are getting their lunch and they decided to sit with Jayson over there…..who happen to be sitting with you know who, Layla.” Randy shrugged then sighed.

“Well we won’t let them spoil our appetites.” Kym said as she sat beside me.

For the entire meal, I stole glances at the table that went into an uproar of laughter again. I wish one day I could as popular as they are. Then it dawned on me that I could more than afford to be as popular as they are and more. My dad was one of the richest man around and attracts paparazzi every where he went. Its one the main reason people don’t know that much about me, for they had ensured that they lived in a community that would be definitely safe from the paparazzi. I sighed, how complicated my life was.

            “Girl if you sigh one more time I will stuff your mouth with these toasted buns.” Gabri threaten.

“Huh??” I was puzzled at the thought. Me? Sighing? I had no idea that I was doing anything of such.

“OMG she doesn’t even have a clue what you’re talking about…..” Randy said looking at me with concerned eyes.

“What are you sighing about?” Kym asked

“Sighing? I wasn’t sighing.” I said and I could feel my face getting all red. I tried to turn away before anyone noticing but was too late

“Oh my sweet chicken pizza!!! How long have you been crushing on him?!” Nik exclaimed. She had been quiet for some time and piped up at the start of the conversation.

“HUH? Crushing??!” I said frightened. “I’m crushing on no one?” I said a bit breathless.

“Mhmm…. You expect us