Chapter 20| We're Not Intruding On Your Nerd Time, Are We?

•I absolutely love me a good party. I'd hate to miss a party. I'd hate to throw a bad party. I don't know. I guess there's just something about partying that makes me happy.•

Elizabeth O'Conner.

Coincidentally, I found Lizzie's car in the parking lot the second I got out of mine.

I noticed she was still inside so I hugged my coat closet to my body and made my way over to her.

Lizzie got out of her car as soon as I got to her. Her hair was in a low ponytail, she didn't have any jewelry on and her eyes were tired.

“Hey, you okay?” I asked my bestfriend as she closed her car’s door.

“Yeah, why?”

“You look different like you didn't get any sleep at all.”

Liz just shrugged.

“And where's your coffee?” I asked.

“Didn't get any today,” Lizzie answered as we made our way into school.

“You didn't get your daily dose of caffeine?” I repeated in horror. “Are we safe?”

Lizzie let out a fake laugh. “Very funny, Si.”

“I'm being serious.”

“I’m quiting my intake of coffee for a while,” Lizzie said. “I don't want to get addicted to it or anything like that and it might affect my growth.”

I didn't totally believe her but I didn't say anything else as we walked into the school's building.

Maybe she was just on her period or something because Lizzie always acted off when it was her time of the month.

Lizzie and I put in our locker combinations and as I switched up my books, I watched her from the corner of my eyes.

She looked different.

A lot different.

For some reason, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was actually really wrong with her.

“So how did the photo shoot go?” I asked Lizzie, trying to start a conversation.

This was Lizzie's job not mine. The conversation thing, I mean but I would gladly fill in for her any time and any day.

Before she could answer though, Matt's Dad's voice sounded through the hallway speakers.

“Good morning, students,” Principal Davidson greeted. “I have an announcement to make. Due to the organization of the school's annual ski trip, the winter formal will have to be cancelled. The management apologizes for the sad news. We promise to make up for it next year. Good day.”

A collective groan was heard in the hallway from the girls. The news didn't affect me but what did was Lizzie's reaction which was nothing.

My bestfriend, Elizabeth O'Connor, did not react to a party, not just any party but the winter formal being cancelled.

Something was wrong.

Something bad had happened.

“Lizzie are you sure you are okay?”

“Si,” Lizzie drew out as she turned to me with a smile as she shut her locker. “I'm fine. Just a bit tired, that's all.”

“Umm, okay,” I said as I shut my locker.

Before Lizzie could head off, Brandon appeared out of nowhere and wrapped one of his arms around her from behind.

“Morning,” Brandon said as he placed a quick kiss on her cheek.

“Hi,” Lizzie replied with a smile as she turned her head to meet his.

Brandon handed her a coffee cup. “I got you this,” He said. “I was at your house this morning to pick you up but your butler said you are left already.”

Liz took the cup from him. “thank you. Umm, yeah, I wanted to get to school early.”

Brandon sent a nod my way which I replied with a small smile.

“Any particular reason why?” he asked his girlfriend.

“I wanted to meet the principal and see if I could go on the ski trip with you guys,” Lizzie answered.

“But I told you I was going to handle that,” Brandon said.

“Don't worry, I can do it,” Liz smiled at him before she leaned in and placed a peck on his cheek. “I should get going. I'll see you both at lunch.”

After Liz left, Brandon followed and as I turned to head for English class, someone collided into me.

I looked up to find Jason smiling down at me.

“Hi,” he greeted.

“Hey,” I said as a smile spread across my lips.

“Wanna walk to English together?”

“Sure,” I said as I let him take my books. “Thank you.”

“Not a problem.”

“So you finally got out of the winter formal thing,” I pointed out and Jason nodded.

“Yeah but I didn't want it to happen this way because a lot of people were looking forward to it.”

“Well at least they still have the ski trip to look forward to.”

“That's just for seniors and,” he added, “a sophomores who can convince Principal Davidson to let them come. You coming?”

I shrugged. “I'll have my fun next year. I don't really want to.”

“Just so you know, I went last year with the previous seniors and it was amazing,” Jason said. “Anyway, did you manage to finish your English project?”

“I did, luckily. It's in my notebook.”

“You’re welcome,” Jason smiled as we stepped into the English classroom.

“Mr Macaulay, Miss Hart,” Mrs Higgins greeted as we stepped inside.

“Good morning, Mrs Higgins.”

“Why, Mr Macaulay, I can't believe my eyes,” the teacher beamed. “This is the first time you're arriving at my class early. Keep it up.”

✿

It was a Monday morning in the month of December. Winter was here and snow was falling every two days or so. It wasn't so much but it wasn't very little either.

I waited at Lizzie's and I's lockers that morning waiting for her to show up.

She didn't.

Sydney had stopped by with Owen to say hi and after they left, I headed for my history class.

There, I settled in my usual seat and I pulled out my phone to text Lizzie after I placed my books on my desk.

BLμ€GLiTT3R

Morning Liz! :) 8:42am

You coming today? 8:42am

I waited for a minute then another but no texts came.

With a disappointed sigh, I turned my phone off and tucked it away then I looked up to find Brandon standing by my desk.

“Hey,” he said.

“Hi.”

“You good?”

“Yeah, you?”

“I'm alright,” I nodded as he shoved his hands into his jeans pockets. “I wanted to ask about Liz. She's been acting a bit weird lately. Did she mention anything to you?”

I shook my head. “I noticed that too. I even thought I was the only one who did, but she hasn't anything to me yet.”

Brandon's shoulders slumped. “Well, umm, okay. Thanks, Sienna.”

I tucked my hair behind my ears and nodded, “anytime.”

I thought about possible reasons why Lizzie was acting the way she was.

Was it the weather? Not possible. Lizzie was ecstactic to show off her winter wardrobe. Last year she had planned her outfit for everyday in December.

Was it Brandon? Maybe. But if it was about a boy, Liz would have told me. she trusted me so that was out of the question.

Maybe was the modelling thing? She’d tell me if that was the problem.

Well, now I know I'm not overreacting anymore because Brandon noticed it too.

I pulled out my phone again and I typed in a final text to my best friend.

BLμ€GLiTT3R

I'm worried about you 8:56am

Talk 2 me 8:56am

✿

End-of-term exams had begun. I didn't get the opportunity to study with Lizzie but she's not acting as weird as she was before but she isn't completely like the Lizzie I know.

I placed my laundry down at my usual table.

I was eating lunch alone today.

Lizzie and Sydney were across the cafeteria with their boyfriends.

I pulled out a notebook from my backpack and placed it on the table beside my lunch tray.

I blocked out all the noise and concentrated on my notes.

The reason I didn't mind my friends not sitting with me was because I needed to go over my notebooks.

I had spent the previous night studying my textbooks and I could feel a whole bunch of different definitions of certain topics swirling around in my brain.

Maybe that was why I didn't notice Jason, Alisha and Belvia settling down at my table.

“Earth to Sienna,” Belvia called out to me and I looked up to find three pairs of eyes staring at me.

“See, Jason?” Alisha said with her lips pursed in a slight pout. “I told you she was studying. How do you say she get straight A's and all that. It doesn't just happen, you know.”

“We’re not intruding on your nerd time, are we?” Belvia asked and I watched as Alisha not-so-subtly elbowed her in the side.

“Bel, you can't just call someone a nerd,” Alisha said in a loud whisper which is not really a whisper if you come to think of it.

“Sorry,” Belvia said to Alisha with a playful eye roll before she turned to me. “You're not offended, are you?”

“No,” I shook my head as I shut my notebook.

Mom always said it was offensive to read when people were trying to have a conversation with you.

“So,” Alisha flipped her brown hair behind her, placed her elbows on the table and rested her chin on the back of her entwined fingers. Her nail polish were a hot pink shade. “You coming on the ski trip?”

“No,” Jason answered before I could.

Alisha stared at him for a second before her gaze rested on me again. “Why not? Do you have plans?”

Yes. Plans including ice skating all day and drinking hot chocolate until I can't feel my taste buds.

“Umm, yeah,” I said, “I want to spend time with my older brother.”

“Aww,” Belvia cooed, “that's so sweet!”

“Very,” Alisha nodded in agreement. Her grey eyes twinkled. “Do you have any other siblings?”

“No, it's just us.”

“I've got two older brothers,” Belvia said. “The first one is married and the second one is following my dad's footsteps and heading into politics. Ali is an only child, Jason has an older sister who's an actress and Bran just became an older brother. What does your brother do?”

“He plays basketball,” I answered.

I glanced up from my food and my eyes found Nelson where he was sitting with Kenzie and Martin.

Somehow, he looks up and our eyes meet. He sent a small my way which I returned.

I watched as Kenzie searched for what caused his smile. hlHer eyes found mine a few seconds later and she waved frantically at me. I waved back politely and returned my attention back to the people at my table.

“Who's that?” Jason asked.

“Nelson and Kenzie,” I replied. “They’re my friends.”

Belvia stared at me questionably. “Since when?”

“Umm, a week ago.”

“Why?” Belvia asked.

“I don't know,” I replied. “Is there a reason why I shouldn't be friends with her?”

“Yeah,” Jason nodded at Belvia, “I think she changed.”

“We'll see about that,” Belvia muttered as she stabbed at her food.

“What about the guy?” Jason asked.

“What about him?” I wondered.

“Nothing,” Jason said before he let out a short humourless chuckle. “It's not my business.”

Across the cafeteria, someone called Alisha and she waved at them.

“I’ll be right back,” she said before she took her handbag, placed a peck on Jason's cheek, stole a glance at me and headed off.

For some reason, somewhere deep inside me something ached.

I ignored it.

✿

End-of-term exams ended yesterday which was Tuesday. The ski trip bus left for the mountains yesterday and I didn't get to say goodbye to Lizzie physically.

She was doing a really good job at hiding what ever it was that was bugging her.

Anyway, for that day's occasion I had chosen to trade in my classes for pair of contacts. So I stepped out of my car with no glasses on.

Earlier, I had texted Lizzie a pic of my outfit which was a black pair of thick stretch pants and a dark blue long sleeve made out of the same fabric. She didn't reply.

My backpack weighed me down because that was where I have kept my skates.

This day had been long awaited.

The air was chill because it was really early. I had gotten up bright and early so I could be here alone.

I slipped through the front doors and towards the skating ring.

The worker who took my money and gave me pass was grouchy.

The smell of her pumpkin spice latte coffee filled my nostrils but I didn't let it bring me down.

I settled down on one of the benches and slipped on my fuzzy woolen socks and then my skates.

I tied my hair up in a sleek tight bun and slipped a wool beanie over it.

I didn't want it to get into my eyes.

The next thing on my to-do list was music.

I plugged my earpods into my ears and connected it to my MP3 and then I stepped onto the ice.

I skated around the ring a few times to get back into my groove and loosen up my limbs.

I let my legs begin the crossovers gliding and sliding behind the other on the ice.

I crossed the ring this way again.

I loved the way the ice made me move boundlessly.

I glided backwards with my feet still doing crossovers and then I stepped forward and put pressure on my skating knee, causing it to bend with my arms out of the way.

Then with a bit of force, I brought my arms forward and lifted off the ice with a jump and kicked out my free leg to help me turn to make a swirl in the air.

As I hit the ice again, I glided backwards with my arms spread at my side and smile of the light on my face.

I skating around the ring again making a couple twirls and such.

To try out another move, I spread out my arms again then I drew my right leg back and slid with my left.

I made the twirl, I swung my left leg backwards and I need a jump with my two left feet in the air.

Then I slid backwards across the ice.

Along with quiet and comfy libraries, this was another one of my favourite places.

As I pulled my earpods out, I heard applaud. I turned my head and at the sitting area stood a woman watching me.

Awkwardly, I slid towards my stuff. I didn't like it when strangers watched me while I skated.

I settled down in the bench I had been on earlier ready to pull my skates off and head home.

Guess I wouldn't spend as much time here as I wanted.

As I pulled off my skates, the woman settled beside me.

“That was very impressive,” she said.

“Thank you,” I replied.

“Do you skate competitively?”

I shook my head. “No.”

“I’m Fiona Parker,” she said as she extended her hand to me for a handshake. “I'm a scout for genre art academy. We are a school for teenagers and adults who wish to specialize in careers pertaining art. Like music, business, painting, theater art. The list goes on and on.”

“Umm, I should really be on my way,” I said as I tucked my stuff away hurriedly.

“I don't mean any harm,” Fiona said, “honest. At Genre we are hoping to add ice skating to list classes we have.”

“Okay.”

“Do you attend highschool?”

“Yes.”

“Class?”

“Sophmore.”

Fiona taught about it for a while. “Coincindetally, my brother is film maker and his next project is about a teenage girl who dreams of being an ice skater. Have you ever thought of being an actress?”

“No.”

Fiona pulled out a card from her pocket and handed it to me. “That's my card. Around September next year, we will have introduced the ice skating class at Genre and my brother will have started the auditions for his movie. If you decide you want to be a part of this, you can give me a call. You have a lot time to think about it.”

“I wouldn't been done with highschool by then.”

“Incase you haven't noticed, genre is a very special institution.”

“I don't think I'll be taking your offer,” I said stretched out my hand to return the card. She didn't take it.

“There’s a lot of time to think about it,” Fiona said. “You've got talent. I'm only trying to help.”

Fiona smiled as me before she got up from her spot. “Opportunities like these only come once in a lifetime. I hope you make the right decision.”