Reality+Check

1-23-12 __Chapter 1 __ I have realized that, maybe, you just have to wait for good things to happen; you can't just force them to happen. I also realized that love will find it's own path. Plus, I'm an amazing actress.

I had my iPod blasted to "Should've Kissed You" by Chris Brown. First day of summer and I'm already spending it oh-so productively. It won't matter because I'll be going to camp tomorrow. "Juliet! Come down here! You're not in trouble; I just need to talk to you!" I pulled out one of my earbuds and walked down the stairs. "Hey Mom. What's up?" "I just wanted to know if you finished packing." "Yeah. Finished like two days ago." "I don't get why you're going, no offense. You've said it yourself, you're a horrible actress. I don't blame you, because fine arts was never in the family." "You never know until you try." I walked towards the fridge and a thought occurred to me. "Mom, who's going to stay at home with you?" Mom looks at me sheepishly. "Well..." "If you're planning on letting George stay here, let him, because I'm okay with it." I noticed that Mom's shoulders sagged with relief. "And Mom? Drop the act. I know you're pregnant." Busted. I love it when we switch roles; I play the protective mother and she plays not-so-innocent teenager. "It's pretty obvious that you're pregnant, Mom. The random fever a few months ago. The odd high metabolism. Your new loose apparel. Your many visits to a doctor. Mom, it's not rocket science." "Busted?" "Yeah, but I'm not mad. I'm actually excited. So is it a boy or girl?" "It's a girl. By the time you come back, we'll have two new members of the family." "So what you're saying is that... And so George will be... We'll be like..." As this new information was being processed through my brain, I only felt one emotion. "Oh my gosh Mom! Congratulations! I'm so happy for you!" "Really? Because I assumed that you were going to be mad or some other negative emotion." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"If it makes you happy, then I'm happy as well. Another tip: never assume anything. You'll never know whether if you're right of wrong." I hugged my mom. "Hey, what do you plan on naming her?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Well George and I decided to let you pick. After all, you will be her older half sister. You are part of the family, after all." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I felt a heavy burden. If she was going to be my sister, she should love her name, just like I do. Then, the name struck me like a bat over the head. "I have a name. I want to deter from the same initials trend, and I want my sister to love her name, not hate it. Her name will be Rosalina."

__<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Chapter 2 __ <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I'm old enough to drive, but I got worried when my mom wanted to see the camp, so I let George drive. We sat in silence for awhile, until I asked, "So when do you guys plan on getting married? Before or after Rosalina's born?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"We were thinking before Rosalina's born, so then I could become the legal father. Rosalina. I like it. What a beautiful name," George said. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Thank you. E-mail me pictures. Possibly video." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"I really wanted you to be my maid of honor, but you're going to camp," Mom explained. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Oh that's okay. Better now than never." I glanced up and saw the camp about five miles away. "Oh my gosh! It's beautiful!" I pointed towards the camp as if I saw Justin Bieber five miles away, which I had, but I actually met him personally. (Oh yeah, backstage pass.) <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"It's lovely. Now remind me again on how you found this wonderful camp." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"I found it on a brochure in my locker. I don't know who left it, but it looked intriguing. I did some research on this camp, and I found it fascinating. The best part was the price. Amazing. Plus, if I decided in joining in the performing arts club this year, I'll have experience. Who says that attending a summer camp didn't look good on a college application?" By the time I finished explaining, George stopped driving. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Have fun!" George didn't know how to express his feelings for me yet. He doesn't hate me; he just doesn't know how to be a father to a seventeen-year old girl yet. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"I will. Send pictures and I will too." I got out of the car and opened the trunk. I grabbed my backpack and my carry-on. I didn't have that much to bring. I heard a door slam and a pair of arms grabbed me from behind. "It's just camp Mom. Besides, you guys can come to the productions. Anyways, George will take my place; he'll keep your summer interesting." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Ohh you got that right. As George stated earlier, have fun." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Bye Mom. See you in July, if possible." I hugged her back and began walking, without looking back.

<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I looked around, lost, but I didn't admit it. I just kept walking, while everyone had this "I-haven't-seen-you-for-so-long" reunion. I was transfixed on a reunion with a girl, with long black hair, and a guy. I was engrossed in it that I didn't realize that I bumped into someone. "Sorry." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Looking a bit lost huh?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I squinted my eyes at a very familiar person. "You look vaguely familiar." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"I better because I was in your English and French classes." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">My eyes widened, as I remembered. "Oh yeah! How could I have forgotten?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Well since you did, I'll introduce myself. My name is Chase Hunter, junior, soon-to-be senior, just like you. I've been going to this camp since I was two. Why don't I introduce you to our new camp counselor? She's awesome." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Sure." I just followed Chase to a girl, with blonde hair, that looked about three years older than us. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Welcome to acting camp! I'm Venus Evergreen, but you can call me Venus. I can guarantee you'll have a blast here. After all, I used to go here. It's a good thing you're a girl. For some odd reason, we're short on girls. I know, weird huh? Anyways, what's your name?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Juliet Monahiem, but you can call me Juliet." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Just Juliet. Nothing else?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Nope. I love my name the way it is. Juliet; nothing more, nothing less." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Well, Juliet, where you'll be staying is in that house," she pointed towards a home that had a roman numeral of one. "That's where all first year girls stay. Unfortunately, you're the only one, so you have the house to yourself. Curfew is ten, and don't go to the left side. That's where the guys reside, and they do the weirdest things over there. Teepeeing the first year guys' house." Venus glared at Chase, and I stifled a laugh. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"That's how we welcome newcomers," Chase tried to explain. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Mmhmm. Anyways, I allow once a week for all the girls to have a sleepover with the decades, those who have been here for ten years or more. That's an option. You don't have to." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Ahh sleepovers. The sweet sound of girls shrieking during a pillow fight." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Now this time, I joined in the glaring festivities. "You're such a guy. No wonder I didn't remember you being in my class. You're such a creep!" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Yeah, well this 'creep' is in the top three most pursued! Or so I've been told." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Why only three; why not number one?" I countered. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Because Alex's got me beat. For your information, I'm number two. Taylor is number three." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Okay you two. Here's your schedule Juliet. If you have any questions, come to me. If I'm not available, ask any of the decades." Venus glanced at Chase. "Just not one of the 'top three most pursued.'" Before Venus left, she rolled her eyes, but only for me to see. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I laughed, but quickly stopped because Chase was staring at me. Instead, I looked at my schedule, and my face paled. "We all have to audition for the play?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Yep." Chase glanced at his watch. "If we don't bring your stuff to the First House now, we'll be late for auditions." Chase relieved the small, but heavy burdens, and began running. I had to sprint to catch up with him. He opened the door, gently placed my bags on the ground, and began running out the door. If you don't hurry up, you'll get lost and miss all the fun." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"What's the hurry? What play are we even doing?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"You'll find out soon enough." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Chase is literally using his name correctly. I had to chase him down. I lost him when he bursted through double doors. I didn't want to attract any attention to myself, so I waited a few seconds before slowly opening the right door. I slipped into the backseat of the auditorium. I walked into the audition of the girl I saw this morning. She was reciting lines from a play that seemed vaguely familiar. When she was done, everyone clapped. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Venus' voice resonated throughout the auditorium. "Wonderful job Amber." Venus wasn't looking in my general vicinity, but she said, "Wonderful of you to witness your first audition. Come up onto the stage, because it's your turn." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Even though the auditorium was dimly lit, I could sense everyone's eyes were glued on me. I slowly got up and walked down the aisle. When I got there, center stage, I confessed, "I don't even know what the play is." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Why, only one of Shakespeare's greatest comedies. A Midsummer Night's Dream." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">My widened eyes made me look like a deer in headlights. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"What role do you want to audition for?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Well I believe that the role picks you, not vice-versa. A role is supposed to call out to you. It's supposed to fit you like a glove. Plus, I don't know any of the characters." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"The most prominent are Hermia, Helena, Lysander, Demitrius, King Oberon, Queen Titania, Theseus, Hippolyta, Puck, Quince, and Bottom. Now quit stalling your audition." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Well... er... um... there was that part in the woods... and that other part in Greece... and fairies... and whatnot... Can I have a script?" In response, a script was tossed at me. I caught it and flipped to a random page. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"I do entreat your grace to pardon me. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I know not by what power I am made bold, <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Nor how it may concern my modesty, <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">In such a presence here to plead my thoughts; <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">But I beseech your grace that I may know <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">The worst that may befall me in this case, <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">If I refuse to wed Demetrius," I recited with way more expression than I expected. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Great. Alex! Come here. Do a dialogue with Juliet." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"If then true lovers have been ever cross'd, <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">It stands as an edict in destiny: <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Then let us teach our trial patience, <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Because it is customary cross, <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">As due to love as thoughts and dreams and sighs, <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Wishes and tears, poor fancy's followers," I said. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"A good persuasion: therefore, hear me, Hermia. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I have a widow aunt, a dowager <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Of great revenue, and she hath no child: <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">From Athens is her house remote seven leagues; <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">And she respects me as her only son. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">There, gentle Hermia, may I marry thee; <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">And to that place the sharp Athenian law <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Cannot pursue us. If thou lovest me then, <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Steal forth thy father's house to-morrow night; <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">And in the wood, a league without the town, <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Where I did meet thee once with Helena, <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">To do observance to a morn of May, <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">There will I stay for thee." His voice captivated me, so I kept going. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"My good Lysander! <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I swear to thee, by Cupid's strongest bow, <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">By his best arrow with the golden head, <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">By the simplicity of Venus' doves. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">By that which knitteth souls and prospers loves, <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">And by that fire which burn'd the Carthage queen, <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">When the false Troyan under sail was seen, <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">By all the vows that ever men have broke, <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">In number more than ever women spoke, <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">In that same place thou hast appointed me, <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">To-morrow truly will I meet with thee." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Keep promise, love. Look, here comes Helena." Alex walked towards left stage and began hi-fiving all his friends. "Yeah! Totally nailed that!" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Venus stood up and everybody hushed. "I've made my decision. Sheila, you'll be Helena. Taylor, you'll be Demitrius. Chase, with your little bombardment, you shall be Puck. Alex, obviously, you'll be Lysander." Venus paused for dramatic effect. "The role of Hermia goes to... Juliet! Congrats to all and wonderful job everybody!" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"What!" Amber and I said simultaneously. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"This is a joke right? I mean, come on. Alex, I understand, because he basically knew every line by heart, but me? I didn't even know one single line, character, or the play! Amber knew what she was talking about." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"My thoughts exactly," Amber muttered. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Well, it doesn't matter. My decision is final," Venus said stubbornly. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"This can't be happening! I'm an acting reject! I'm horrible at acting. I can't even lie! How can I get a lead role just like that?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Aww. She's modest," Alex intercepted. Everyone started laughing. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"This can't be happening to me! I always get the lead role. Me! I'm a decade, and you're just a rookie! A first year! That's like impossible! Especially someone of your standards." In her eyes, I probably looked like dirt. "I'm leaving. Wait until the musical, you'll want to drop out." With that, she stormed off, with her heels clacking loudly. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Musical?" I asked to no one in particular. "Can't I just drop out now and go on with my daily life?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"You can try, but you'll regret it," Chase said. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"What is there to regret? I've got no background whatsoever, I stink at acting, and, oh yeah, I stink at acting." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Alex smirked. "Don't sound like it." He turned to his friends. "And she said she couldn't act," he said to his friends but loud enough for me to hear. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I walked up to him. "Hi, I'm Juliet Monahiem," I added politely and shook his hand. Once we got onto a benevolent stage, which only took like five seconds, I slapped him in the face so loud that the crack echoed throughout. "And don't you forget it." I turned on my heel and stormed off, just like Amber.

<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">1-25-12 __<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Chapter 3 __ <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Yo new girl!" A girl walked at a brisk pace to catch up with me. "That was pretty bold. Denying that you weren't better than Amber. Pure genius!" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"I wasn't trying to get her mad or anything. I think her little tantrum was uncalled for." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"No. What was uncalled for was slapping hottie Alex in the face. You didn't have to be aggressive, but I'm torn because that was pretty bold. No girl, in her right mind, would slap Alex." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Too bad. I did. Record had been broken. Besides, he deserved it. Pompous fool thinking that he could just humiliate the already embarrassed me. Those kind of people annoy me." I clenched my teeth. "Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot to ask you your name." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Simone. Simone Anderson." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"As you may already know, I'm Juliet Monahiem, but you can call me Juliet." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"I don't want to be rude but... ah what the heck! Do you know how to act?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Excuse me?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Do you know how to act?" A boy came up behind Simone. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Sorry. This is my brother, Shaun." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Pleasure to meet you too Juliet." Shaun looked at me in wonder. "Do you know how to act?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Not really," I said shyly. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Girl let me give you a smack!" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I looked startled. "Now you're just being silly." I began following the two siblings to the mess hall. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Shaun turned to face me. "You act like a candle with a burnt out wick." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"That's a bit harsh." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Well that's how it is! Acting is a monster; a beautiful monster. It's either you get eaten by it, or you eat it. Some people have quit because of the first option. Others, like Alex, attacked acting since they were born! So what are you going to do? Eat or be eaten?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"I'm going to eat." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"That's a good girl!" Simone cheered. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"No seriously, I'm going to eat." I pointed to the sign that said "Mess Hall". "See you guys later." I blended in with the crowd and got my food. (Mmm, pizza.) I scanned the room and decided to sit outside. If there's no rule against it, then I can't be held against it. I walked, with my tray, to this empty spot on the green grass. I sat down, crisscrossed, and began eating alone. I opened my water bottle and began sipping, until someone scared me and made me do the spit take. I whipped my head around, with anger in my eyes. "You scared me!" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Great," Alex replied and smiled. His eyebrows furrowed and he picked up my paper napkin. "You have water dripping down your chin." He leaned in to wipe it off. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Get away from me." I pushed him and did the most unattractive thing: I wiped the water off with my sleeve. "Leave me alone." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Now why would I do that? Remember, most guys' minds work on reverse psychology." He sat next to me; so close I could determine that his eyes were brown. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"I know that trick. Once I say 'don't leave', you'll still stay, and you'll think that I like you. I'm naive, not stupid. If you don't want me to slap the other side of your face, you best be leaving me alone. Now." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Cool your head with some ice!" He got up and stretched. "Oh, I heard you have Improv next." He paused to see if I'd respond, but I just sat there. "I'm teaching that class, so I know you'll have a blast." He began walking, but he turned around and began walking backwards. He winked at me, turned around, and ran to some place I'll never find out about. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I got up and placed my tray on the rack. I was back to square one. Lost. Confused. Trying to hide the fact that I am lost and confused. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Are you lost?" A voice with a British accent said. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I turned around to see a girl with straight brown hair. "Yeah. I sort of am. I don't know how to navigate around this camp yet. By any chance, do you know how to get to Improv?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Actually, I'm going there right now." The girl extended her hand. "Hello, I'm Pippa. Very nice to meet you Juliet." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"How do you know my name?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"You're all that anybody's talking about. You've gone viral in the past hour! You're like... like the Queen of England of this camp! Pardon my poor simile. That's why I'm taking Poetry as well." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">We began walking back to the mess hall and went left. That's where I went wrong. "So how long have you been here?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Oh I'm a fifth former." My face probably looked confused, so she continued. "It's the term we use for people that have been attending for five years. It's better than using half-decades. Horrible." Pippa glanced forward and stopped walking. "Well, here we are. You're going to love this class. It's the best class here." She opened the door for me, and we both entered. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Instead of some classroom environment, there was nothing but two chairs. As I stared at the chairs longer, I realized what they're set up for. "Oh no. Is this...?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Welcome class! I'm Alex, and I'll be teaching Improv." He noticed me and locked eyes with me for a few seconds. "Now I can't teach you improv, but I can enhance your improv skills. What better way to do that than bus stop?" Alex glanced at me, again. "We have some newcomers, and by newcomers, I meant one person; and by one person, I meant her." He pointed towards me and everyone shot their heads at me. "So Chase and I will demonstrate how to play this." Alex gestured Chase to where the two chairs were. "To play this game, there are two chairs, obviously. There's one weirdo and one normal person; but the way we play it here, the setting can be anywhere. For instance," Alex placed his hand in a plastic bowl and extracted a piece of paper, "the police station. Remember, Chase is acting like the weirdo, but he doesn't have to act, and I'm acting like a normal person, which is an understatement to my eccentricity." Everyone chuckled. Alex must be trying to prove something, because he continuously glanced back at me. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Chase walked up nonchalantly to the vacant chair and sat down with his hands folded. After a few seconds, he bursted out of his chair, causing it to fall with a loud thud. "How do you know about the secret stash?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Umm... excuse me?" Alex looked confused. "I don't know about any secret stash or any stash from you." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Oh okay, cool." Chase went to restore the chair, but let it drop with a clank again. People were chuckling. "Wait. You're just saying that to confuse me! When in reality, you know where it is. I've never told anyone about it! Not my best friend. Not my mom. Not even my imaginary girlfriend!" Chase covered his mouth. "Oops." Chase turned to the left. "I'm so sorry Maggie; I tried." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Umm... how should I know if I only met you today?" Alex stated in a very logical manner. He was about to leave, but Chase pushed him back down in his seat. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"No! You can't leave, until you tell me how you know! How do you know about my secret collection?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Collection of what!" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"My Justin Bieber collection!" Chase covered his mouth again. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"You like Justin Bieber?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"No!" Chase was acting like he was embarrassed. "What makes you say that?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"You just said you had Justin Bieber memorabilia." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Ha ha. Ha ha." Chase turned to his to his left. "I blame you Maggie. I should've never let you convince me to go." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Ummm... you know you're not talking to anybody, right? Therefore, it was your decision to go to the concert. Even if Maggie was real, and she persuaded you to go, it would still be your fault," Alex reasoned. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Chase place his head in his hands and sobbed. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Dude... I'm sorry... I didn't mean..." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"It's not that. Maggie just broke up with me." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Er... um..." Alex looked up, took a glimpse at me, and yelled, "Look! A hot girl!" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Chase's head shot up. "Where?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">With that, Alex left the "bus stop". Everyone clapped. Alex came back. "Now that wasn't our personal best because the setting was so weird." He shot a look at a guy in the front. "So that's the basic things about bus stop." Alex clapped his hands together. "Any volunteers?" No one raised their hand. Alex stared at me... again. "I think new girl wants to try bus stop." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"I have a name. My name is," I extended my hand, but quickly retracted. "I won't bother learning your name, so why bother with mine." I walked up towards Alex, and I heard everyone yell out "Ohh!" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Why do you hate me?" Alex questioned. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"I don't hate--" I paused. "Actually, scrap that. I do hate you. I hate your acting. I hate you arrogance. I hate how you think everybody likes you, and that they're always on your side of the argument. I haven't been here for a whole day, but you already get on my nerves." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"I knew it!" Alex exclaimed. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"What are you talking about?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"You like me! When a girl is trashing on a guy, that indicates that the girl likes the guy. That's how it always is!" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Look," I began seething with anger, "I don't know how many romance novels you've been wasting your time with," I glanced at everybody and they were laughing, "but this is reality. I. Don't. Like. You. End of story." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Reopening book. Chapter Twelve states that you, Juliet, will begin to fall in love with me, when you see my sensitive side." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Like you have another side of you," I muttered. People began giggling again. "You're a one side story." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Excuse me? I'm like an epic. I'm never boring." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I yawned, for real. "Well you're boring me." The guys joined in the laughing festivities. I spotted a shovel. I walked to it, picked it up, and handed it to Alex. "Here. You're going to need this. You're already digging yourself a grave; why not make it bigger." I turned around to leave. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Thank you Juliet for helping me in demonstrating what we'll be doing next week. Once we get the hang of bus stop, we'll do real improv. No scripts, just a setting and situation." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Oh go save you pride somewhere else Alex. You don't fool me." I was leaning against the wall again "You may have everyone else under your spell, but I only know what's up with you." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Juliet, we already finished our improv together. You can drop the act." Alex averted his attention from my cold eyes and back to the class. "Do any of you know what improv is? Yes, Pippa." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Improv is a form of acting in which there are no boundaries. No scripts. Just you, another person, and your wit. The reason why we have improve is that when you're up on stage, and you blank out, you improvise the rest. Also, it's supposed to test your creativity," Pippa stated. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Precisely." Alex checked his watch. "Looks like we've ran out of time. Class dismissed." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I didn't hesitate to leave. The day was finally over, but there was one place I wanted to visit. The lake.

<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">2-1-12 __<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Chapter 4 __ <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I got so excited, when I saw the clear, blue lake, that I slipped out of my flip flops one hundred feet before the end of the dock. I sat at the edge of the platform, with my feet submerged in the water. This place was officially my favorite... so far. I closed my eyes and began falling backwards slowly, while clinging to the dock. I felt like I reached a state of mind that would take years of meditation. I let go of the dock and enjoyed the soothing splashes of the mallard ducks. When I heard a brach snap, I shot back up into a sitting position. I turned my head left and right, but I didn't turn around; that's when someone pushed me in the lake. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">The sky blue water enclosed me. It held me by the wrists and ankles and tugged me deeper into the vast unknown. I felt the sandy ground and pushed myself up, with my arms flailing, but the water dragged me down again. I closed my eyes and attempted to surface, but I just kept sinking. A pair of strong hands pulled me out. I sputtered out water and coughed loudly. I looked up to see Chase and a guy all up in my face. I pushed Chase away, signaling that I needed personal space. I found Alex, who was standing behind random guy. "You idiot! I can't swim!" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"It wasn't me!" Alex raised his hands. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">My eyes spotted something in the left corner. Amber. She was hiding behind shrubs, with a devious smirk on her face. I got upset at not only Amber, but the fact that I humiliated myself. Tears began to well up in my eyes. I assumed that the guys followed my eyes to where I was still staring at, because random guy spoke up. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"That's atrocious Amber for you." Random guy extended his hands. "Hey, I'm Taylor." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I didn't accept his friendly gesture and I picked myself up. I didn't realize that I was causing the dock to become slippery, because I slipped and fell on my butt. Like I wasn't humiliated already. I slowly stood up and wobbled to the First House. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I stepped inside and sat on the floor, until the water dried and I reeked like a fish. Then, I walked up the stairs, step by step, to take a shower. I knew I was being a bit melodramatic, but that's all you can be when you're around the top three. Not that I would care; I mean, the top three thing, but I do care if I'm embarrassed in front of a group of people. Girls or guys. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Anyways, I walked into the kitchen, with flannel pajama pants and a baggy v-neck, to pilfer through the cabinets. This was amazing. I had everything I needed, and most of the things I liked. Since I'm pretty short, for most girls, I pulled up a chair, stepped onto it, and grabbed the big bag of chips. I dropped down and walked to the living room. As I plopped onto the couch, I turned the TV on. I am definitely living the dream. Then, there was a knock on my door that ruined my fantasy. I clicked the TV onto mute and grumbled. "Come in!" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Three guys stepped into the foyer. Chase... Taylor?... and... Alex. That's just lovely. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"And what do I owe the honor of being in the presence of you three?" I munched on another chip. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"We just wanted to see how you settled in," Alex explained. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Oh go jump off a cliff," I said through a mouthful of chips. "Why are you guys really here? It has to be more than settling down here, for all three of you to come here. And as plain as you can see, I'm settled very well; thank you very much," I added with a hint of sass. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"How ya doin'?" Taylor asked. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"How am I doing what?" I retorted. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Drop the act Juliet; you know that the question is basically inevitable," Chase stated angrily. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I help up my hand to swallow, but I was really trying to stall time. I stood up and went to the fridge to get a can of soda. Then, I sat back down and took a sip of the fizzy goodness. "I'm doing fine. As you can see," I gestured up and down my body, "I'm living the dream. Well, this is my dream." I already wiped out half the bag, so I decided to just finish it. I saw a confused look on Taylor, so I said, "I'm not upset. I'm not a normal girl; I don't eat when I'm depressed. I eat when I'm lazy. In fact, I think I've gained a few pounds." I patted my flat stomach. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Alex grabbed me and carried me like we were newly weds, causing my soda to spill on me. I shrieked when he picked me up and when the soda stuck to my pajamas. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I pushed him squarely on the chest and he dropped me. "Do you ever think before you do anything?" I stomped up the stairs and changed. Luckily, it didn't spill on my hair. I went back down the stairs to still see the three of them there, but Chase and Taylor were fighting with Alex. Intrigued, I walked the other way to the kitchen and grabbed another bag of chips, because I finished the first one. "Fascinating. Tell me more." I bit another chip nonchalantly to cover up the smirk plastered on my face. They all looked startled. "I'm not a ghost guys. Go ahead. Keep yelling. Whatever. I'll just be here." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"How long have you been there?" Taylor asked. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Oh not that long. Just heard a few things here and there. Something about a girl. Hearsays. Then something about a Juliet, but it couldn't have been me. She sounds nothing like me. Black hair. New around here. Horrible actress. Ignorant to some things. No... she sounds nothing like me." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">They all had a bashful/guilty look on their faces. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"I'm sorry if we hurt your feelings, Juliet," Chase said apologetically. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Me too." Taylor stood next to Chase. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"I'm not," Alex snorted. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Thanks Alex. Keep making me feel worse than I already am. Maybe you'll be the cause of my drop out." I looked past Alex's shoulder to see the local news. I lunged forward to where the remote was secluded on the coffee table. I unmuted the TV and made the volume louder. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"What's so important about--" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Shut up Alex!" I made the volume even louder. I glared at Chase and Taylor. "And if I hear one peep from you two, I'll drop kick both of you." I smirked at their, now silent, expressions. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Breaking news: there seems to be traffic on Interstate 78, due to an accident. Two have been killed and one is in critical condition. According to police, the murderer, who is in critical condition, of the couple was drunk driving. He will be pressed with charges of manslaughter, drunk driving, drinking underage, and driving with a DUI. Sadly, the couple was just driving leisurely, and the woman was six months pregnant with a baby girl. For those who knew George Pena and Emerald Monahiem, my condolences go out to you." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">At that point, I had enough. I punched the pillows, out of anger. "This is my fault!" I yelled through sobs. "This is my fault! I shouldn't have enrolled here. If I... if I didn't come here, they wouldn't be dead!" I took my can and threw it. I opened the back door and screamed. I fell to my knees and pulled the grass out of the ground. I sobbed even harder. "This is my fault! Now they're gone!" I slammed my fists to the ground and ripped at my hair. "Why did I have to come here? This is my fault!" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Wait. How does this pertain to you Juliet?" Taylor asked. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"I'm Juliet. Juliet Monahiem. That lady that died was Emerald Monahiem. She was my mom." I was surprised at how easy it was for me to talk about my mom in the past tense that I bawled even louder. "George was her boyfriend, and I actually accepted it. And Rosalina..." I trailed off but found my voice again. "Rosalina never got to step into this beautiful world. She never will. Now I'm an orphan." I laughed sadly. "The irony of their death is morbid. My biological father died in a drunk driving accident. Now my mom, George, and Rosalina died to the same cause as well. Maybe I will too." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Don't talk nonsense like that. Yes, this will affect you for quite awhile, but your mom would like to see you live. She would like to see her daughter be successful and still keep her, her boyfriend, and her baby in your mind." Chase tapped on my forehead gently. "How can it be your fault? You wouldn't be here, if it wasn't approved first. Plus, it couldnt be your fault because it was an underaged drunk driver." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I sniffled. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"I think she needs a group hug from the 'top-three-guys-who-can't-give-proper-hugs'," Taylor chimed in. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">That made me giggle. I accepted the group hug. I found it comforting, but the guys tensed up when they were touching each other out of affection. That made me laugh. I sniffed the air. "Do you guys share the same cologne?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">We broke apart and they simultaneously said, "No..." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Say whatever, but I can tell the difference." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Oh I'm so sorry for your loss Juliet!" Venus wrapped her arms around me. "I just watched the news, and I found it terrible. When I heard you scream, I came rushing here. Unfortunately, they beat me to it." She glared at the three of them. "If they offended you or were insensitive to you, I apologize greatly. Looks will get into their heads and they'll forget their manners." Venus was trying to make the conversation lighthearted. I know what happens at these events. It's already happened once. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Chase and Taylor were understanding. Alex... was being Alex." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"And since Venus has arrived to mend this chick flick, I'm going to leave this crime scene." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I stuck my tongue out at him. "If there was ever a time when you were an innocent boy, I think you killed him. Some person filled his soul with something that has a conceited personality. I hope that airhead dies and that innocent boy resurrects." I locked eyes with Alex with an angered, and knowing, glare. "You're so plastic Alex, so get real."

<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">2-15-12 __<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Chapter 5 __ <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Day two. Day two at a place I regret coming to. The second day. I've suffered a lot in the first day, so I expect the same amount, maybe more, today. I even think the ratio of people like Alex to people like Taylor, that I'll meet, will be 5 to 1. Actually, I know I'll meet people like him. The nerve of that guy! So not top three material. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I began strolling down the luscious green grass, since there were no pathways. It was only six in the morning. (Yes, I like to wake up early. Yes, I know I'm a dork for doing that.) The reason for my two-hours-early commute was to sneak into the music room. There's like over one hundred instruments. I found the most awesome acoustic guitar made out of cherry wood, and I just had to try it out. Plus, there was a grand piano dead center of the whole room. I just hope two hours is enough. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">The thought of playing around with all those instruments pumped adrenaline through me. By the time I bursted through the doors, I was already running to the grand piano. At first, I just played a bunch of scales: C, D minor, E minor, F, G, A minor, etc. I began to get the hang of it after the intimidation of being here fell off me like a cloak. Then, I started playing a tune that I definitely never heard before. I was so absorbed in this made-up, yet catchy, tune that I started to sing lyrics that I whipped out of my head. This all felt like second nature, but the funny thing is that I haven't played the piano for thirteen years. That's a heck of a lot of time. When I finished my improv song, I heard slow clapping in the background. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"You hypocrite," a voice across the room said. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I whipped my head to that direction to see Alex. "What're you doing here? Class doesn't start 'til eight." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"I should be asking you that question, but I'll answer you instead. I take morning strolls." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"That's it?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"End of story." He sounded calm. He stood there shrouded in an awkward silence. "That was an awesome song. Did you write that?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Yes... and no." I raised my hand. "Yes, I did write the song, but I did it unintentionally. I usually don't write songs, let alone poems. Or good ones at that." Then a thought registered in my brain. "I am not a hypocrite!" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Uh... hate to break it to you girl, but you are. You say you have no background, whatsoever, but I find you here playing you heart out." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Umm... news flash: that really wasn't me." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Alex furrowed his brows in confusion. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Yes it was me, but it wasn't really me. Do you get it?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Like 'I'm being possessed'? The only thing that's possessing you is yourself. A boring one at that. Everyone has a fun side, but yours is buried deeply." He glanced at me. "Really deep. Deeper than the Pacific. So deep that it got burned once it reached the center of the Earth." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Has anyone told you how annoying you are?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Alex smiled. "Not until now." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I checked the clock. Seven o'clock. "I better get going." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"There's no rush." Alex grabbed my wrist, but quickly let go. "Hey, why don't we write a song together?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"You and me? As in collaborate to write a song. To write a good song. With you. Alone in a room full of instruments. Where things can be fragile and thrown. Here. With an hour before class. With you." I stood there, pondering. "Ah... no. Buh-bye." I was about to leave, when Alex grabbed my wrist again, but this time he let his hand linger there. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Come on. Please. It'll be fun." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">In that instant, I saw Alex's pretense melt like butter. I sighed. "Fine, but if you break your promise, I'll never talk to you ever again." I cracked my fingers. "What tempo?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"A love song." He grabbed the guitar and began messing around with it. "We should write a love song." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Okay," I said, extending the word a bit, "but that's not a tempo. What are we going for? Upbeat? Slow? What kind of song? Ballad? R&B? Hip-hop? Pop? Country? Jazz? What are we going to do?" I asked, irritated. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Why don't you close your eyes, take this guitar, and start playing what you feel? Inspiration comes naturally; you can't force it." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I closed my eyes and said, "Are you quoting--," but I didn't get to finish because Alex placed a finger in front of my mouth. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Shh! Now start playing." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I have never played guitar ever since... ever since fifth grade, when... but that thought drifted once a rhythm came to me. That's when I began to sing. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"You always promised me, <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">That we'd be together eventually, <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">But right now, those are just empty words. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I didn't think that I would feel the hurt. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">You always say <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">That you'd never run away, <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">But look at where we are now. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">You left my life without telling me how. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">And now I'm here, begging on my eyes, <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">For you to come crawling back to me. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I don't know how we ended up this way. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">It seems like that all time stopped. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">And when you left, my heart dropped. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">All I hear is the throbbing of the pain. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Let the rain wash it all away. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Come in with the rain." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Amazing." Alex, somehow, was sitting right across from me, staring at me. "But why did you stop at the chorus." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I smiled shyly. "That's as far as I usually get. Nothing more. Nothing less. That's it." I pushed a piece of hair behind my ear. "I've had some unfinished lyrics, but I've never completed a song." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Alex got up and sat next to me. "Why don't we change that? I'll help you. I can never start a song, but I always have bits and pieces." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I smiled. "Okay. Let's see if you're not as conceded as I thought you were. After all, it's day two. Maybe you'll change my mind." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">So we sat there, for half and hour, bouncing ideas, yelling at each other, and crumpling paper. I was getting so frustrated that I wanted to smash the guitar to the floor like those rockers in those concerts. Plus, Alex wasn't really that much help. For every paper I crumpled up, he created a paper airplane with, which, by the way, were pretty cool. Anyways, the inspiration started dying, until Alex made a statement. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Why don't we forget about this? I'm obviously no help in this situation. Why don't I prove my nonconcededness over lunch? I'm better than that." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">A lightbulb flickered on in my head. "No... wait a minute. I think I finally got it, after what you said." I began scribbling down lyrics as if my life depended on it. The lyrics began to flow out of me in a river of inspiration. I dropped the pen and yelled out, "I did it! I really did it." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Well let's hear it." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I closed my eyes and let the song guide me. Soon enough, Alex joined me. We actually sounded really good; in fact, we were harmonizing. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"You amaze me." Alex was looking at me with sparkling eyes. When he realized that his voice sounded awestruck, he took one of the crumpled papers and conjured it into an airplane. His cheeks had a pink tinge on them. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I giggled. "Well thanks for 'assisting' me." I placed the guitar back. "We better clean this place up." I pulled on Alex's arm to check the time. "And we better do it fast of we'll be late for first period." I began picking up papers when someone entered the room. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"You guys shouldn't be here," a voice said. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I turned around with a bunch of airplanes pressed to my chest. "Chase! Help us. Please." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">He shrugged, smiled, and joined us. "Don't worry. I won't tell the counselor that you were in here. After all, he's in this room right now." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"You teach this class? Why don't I have your class? It'll be better than Improv." I glanced sideways at Alex. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Hey, can you guys talk about me when I'm not here? It'll be more flattering that way." Alex dumped a whole notebook's worth of paper into the recycling bin. "And guys, please recycle." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Chase and I laughed. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">We continued to pick up the airplanes until they all departed to the airport that is known to mankind as the recycling bin. Chase and Alex took the last few planes and crumpled them to play recycling bin basketball. Soon enough, they got into a heated debate about who won. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"I so owned you," Alex stated. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"No. You missed by like a mile!" Chase protested. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"You know what? I'm going to leave now. I don't ant to miss Poetry. Maybe I'll learn how to write better songs." I slowly backed away and dashed to poetry. After that, everything was basically the same as school.

<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">4-4-12 __<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Chapter 6 __ <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I arrived at lunch early today, so I found a table to sit at. I was having a peaceful meal until people intruded on my down time. Simone, Shaun, Pippa, and Sheila sat down in front of me and next to me simultaneously. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Spill it," Simone stated. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Now," Shaun demanded. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I chewed on my burger and stared at them, dumbfounded. "What are you talking about? I don't have a dirty secret," I said cooly, but my mind was working frantically to know what they discovered. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"You must know," Pippa prodded. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I shook my head. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Oh come on!" Sheila let out an exasperated sigh. "Tell us what went down between you and Alex." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I felt my cheeks redden. "Uhh...nothing really." I glanced up from my tray to see them looking at me expectantly. I sighed. "Fine; I'll tell you guys, but you have to promise not to tell anyone. I mean it." I waited for their nods of approval. "I woke up early to sneak into the music room. I began playing and singing until Alex came by. He asked if I wrote it; I said yes. He asked if we could write a song; I reluctantly said yes. We sat there for almost an hour writing a song. We finally got it. I started singing, and he joined in; we harmonized. Then, Chase came in and then we all played with the millions of paper airplanes that Alex made. End of story." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">They all squealed. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Shh! You'll attract attention over here." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Well that's just amazing," Pippa said awestruck. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"What's amazing?" I asked. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"You got hotties number one and two to hang out with you! Have you met--" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I interrupted Simone. "Taylor Hawkins? Yep. All three of them came over after my encounter at the lake." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"No way!" Sheila gasped. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"That's amazing! The time it would take me to get Taylor to at least say hi to me would be five billion years! No lie," Simone explained. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I had a hunch, but I glanced at Pippa, Sheila, and Shaun for approval. They all nodded. "Well why don't you?" I craned my neck and spotted him. "Yo Taylor!" I hollered. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Taylor turned his head and smiled when he saw that it was me. He walked towards us. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Why'd you do that?" Simone hissed at me. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Because you need to know how to--Hey." I extended the word a bit. "How's it going Taylor?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Pretty good. I see you've made some friends." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Yeah. This is Pippa," I pointed towards her, "Sheila, Shaun, and this is," I extended my hand gracefully, "Simone, but you probably already knew that." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Taylor acknowledged each one of them, but his eyes lingered on Simone for a little longer. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Do you want to sit with us?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"That'd be great." Taylor smiled, but it was directed more onto Simone. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Hey, why leave me out of the party?" Chase asked. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Me too," Alex chimed in. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I stared at them for awhile, but I was too hungry to keep the staring going; so I sighed and opened my can of soda. "Fine, you guys can eat with us as well, but," I took a sip out of my can for a dramatic effect, "no slurping or burping. And if one of you knocks my can of cola, you'll have to pay for a new one. Understood?" I watched them all nod their promises. "Good. I can finally eat now. Because of my early commute," I glared at Alex, "I didn't get to eat breakfast, so obviously, I'm starving." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"That's terrible," Shaun said sympathetically. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"I agree." I took a huge bite out of my burger.

<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Everything was going okay today, but, as always, I speak too soon. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Amber bumped into me. "Watch where you're going orphan. You may be lonely, but that doesn't mean you have to act like it." <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">I just stood there. "But you're the one who bumped into me. What rubbish are you talking about?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"Everything I say is meaningful. All you say...," she looked me up and down, "is trash." Amber had a scornful look on your face. "Why'd you have to come here? I know we get newbies here every year, but why you? Without you, I would've gotten the part. Without you, Venus wouldn't be so concerned for your loss," Amber made a disgusted face. "Without you, Alex wouldn't be flirting with you; he'd be flirting with me. Maybe Chase would flirt with me or Taylor but no. You're stealing my spotlight. You're stealing my role. You're taking everything that I worked so hard to get. You think you can just waltz right in here and lie to everyone that you can't act? That's stupid. I know the game you're playing here Juliet, and it's not funny. You think you can just come here and 'act' like you're some stupid person that doesn't know one darn thing about acting?" <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">"I'm not acting," I whispered. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Amber clapped. "And she strikes again! Well played Juliet. Well played." She grabbed my nose and began pulling my nose from side to side. I just stood there. Then, with her free hand, she pulled at my hair. I still didn't fight back. She let go of my nose but still pulled at my hair. All I felt was this sticky, sweet liquid pouring down my face. Iced tea? I still stood there. Amber laughed at me. She yanked my hair with a final tug, so we were eye level now. "What's the matter? Don't want to fight back? Too scared?" Amber laughed with a hint of evil. She pouted mockingly at me. "I know your pain. Neglected by parents who never loved you. Without you here, maybe your parents could've lived and you wouldn't have to be suffering day and night. A burden would've been lifted off your back. Oh well. Too bad." Amber let go of me with a little shove and sashayed to the Decade House. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">The shock of the pain finally sunk into my body. I cringed. Only then did I realize my face wasn't as sticky as before, because tears began to mix with the bittersweet drink that I've come to despise just now. I admit it. I sat in the middle of the camp, crying.