All Started With A Dare

Chapter Four

four

"I see you've dropped the whole gangster look," Jordan comments when Keeley and I join him and Cameron at our usual spot before school.

Keeley and Cameron had been my best friends from primary school, so we joined high school together we agreed to meet before school at the large oak tree outside the entrance. When Jordan joined school in Year 8, he joined in out little tradition.

"Yeah well I decided that I didn't want my parents to think I'm having a depressive mood," I say, hoisting myself up onto the small wall circling the tree trunk. It was built since someone kept carving rude things into the wood.

This someone is in fact Brett Collins who is in fact a popular, who though it was hilarious permanently etching the word p***s into a tree. Of course no one told him off because he'd probably have someone assassinate you in the middle of the night.

Brett is not someone to mess with.

"What, like last time?" Keeley laughs, easily jumping up to sit beside me so the four of us are sitting in a line.

"Please let's not bring that up," I groan, letting my face fall into my hands.

"That was, hands down, one of the funniest things I've ever seen," Cameron snickers.

"No, it wasn't."

"This is why I love your parents," Keeley grins, and then launches into a detailed account of the story I'm constantly teased about.

It happened towards the end of Year 9, close to the summer holidays. I was walking home because my parents had to work late and I needed to walk home. I had been in a good mood, so when I had seen a fat ginger cat sitting by the road I had stopped to stroke it.

I had incidentally forgotten my brothers warning about the fat ginger cat who lived a few streets down, that scratched anyone who came near it. Yes, the stupid cat did scratch me twice down my arm before running off.

I went home and it was done, until my mum saw the scratches. She, like my dad, is a doctor and was immediately concerned. I tried to explain that it was a cat but she was convinced that I was self harming. Finally, I took her to see the damn cat that scratched me and she finally believed me.

It's over now, but of course my friends coulda let it go. "And then, she actually made her mum see the cat for Mrs Brooks to believe her," Keeley finished off her story, receiving the usual loud laughter.

I can't help but smile at it, but decide it's time for a subject change. "So guys," I announce loudly, cutting off whatever embarrassing thing Cameron had to say. "What are the plans for crashing this party only four days away?"

"I'm glad you reminded me!" Keeley says excitedly, thankfully forgetting about the ginger cat story. She starts rummaging around in her bag, flicking blonde strands of hair out of her face. "It's here somewhere," she mutters. "Ah! Here we go."

I stare at her as she pulls out a large red notebook, the front plastered clearly with the words My Plans. "Jesus, not the plan book," Jordan complains, his dark eyes widening at the familiar notebook.

"Never diss the plan book," Keeley warns gravely, slamming down the book with a large thump onto her knees. "This book has helped us sort out many problems."

"And given us many more to worry about," I add, thinking about the disasters Keeley's so called 'plans' have lead us into.

"Give me a chance will you? So-" she's interrupted in the process of opening the book by the bell which gives off a shrill ring. Everyone in the parking lot start to swarm towards the building, and Cameron, Jordan and I are saved. For now.

"Oh dear, sorry Keels," Cameron grins in a not so apologetic way, and jumps down easily from the wall. "Looks like you better spill this amazing plan with us at lunch."

"Yeah you work on it," I say, grabbing Keeley's arm. She carefully places her beloved notebook away, and I roll my eyes impatiently. "Mr Murray hates me enough; let's not make things worse."

"How did the detention go by the way?" Keeley questions as we walk along with the crowd of students filing inside the building.

"Boring," I say. "I finished off all my homework during the hour, but I had to walk home because I didn't have my phone to call my brother."

"Which is exactly why you should thank me for formulating this amazing plan to get your phone back," Keeley exclaims. "My plans are life savers!"

I scoff in disbelief, shaking my head. "Seriously? What about that one you made for Kiera Lostock in Year 10?" I raise an eyebrow, laughing as Keeley's cheeks redden.

"That was not my fault," she defends herself.

"Yeah, it was. You told her that Jake loved steaks and football. On the date the poor guy ate nothing because it turns out he was a vegetarian and doesn't like sports," I say. Keeley mumbles something under her breath, but doesn't have to reply as we reach the classroom.

I don't bother to try and hide my face this time as Trystan knows I'm in this class, so when we walk in he catches my eye. I quickly look away and drag Keeley towards the back of the class, before I realise people are sitting in our seat.

In fact, all the seats are taken except three. Two are next to each other but directly in front of Trystan and his friends, and the third one is seated in the front next to Leo Kingston.

I hesitate my the door, torn between where to sit. I wanted nothing to do with Trystan but Leo has made it clear that no one can sit next to him. It's pretty obvious people aren't his forte, and when I glance at the seat he shoots me down with a hard glare.

"You cannot even be thinking about sitting next to Leo," Keeley whispers in my ear, pulling my arm towards the other two seats. "He'll murder you."

"Don't be so dramatic," I say without any conviction, and nervously start walking towards the two free seats. Despite my words, something about Leo's cold grey eyes didn't exactly make me feel warm and fuzzy.

Trystan watches me hesitantly slide into the seat in front of him, Keeley taking a seat next to me and not seeming bothered at all. I pull books out of my bag, hoping to distract that feeling telling me something's being stuck to my back.

"You look like you're trying to s**t bricks," Keeley snickers, ever so loudly so the people around us hear it all. "Chill, we'll be fine."

"Fine from what?" I jump at the voice, right by my ear. Judging from the alarmed look on Keeley's face, Trystan has decided to invade my personal space.

I try to keep a straight face as I turn around slowly, raising an eyebrow at Trystan. "I think we should all stay in our seats," I say, looking at the desk Trystan is sitting on to lean over to me.

"So you're still in denial?" He smirks. "Why don't you just admit that you-"

"No!" I hiss, cutting off his words when I realise pretty much the whole class was watching us curiously. "I don't know what you're talking about," I say through gritted teeth, looking over at Keeley for help.

Of course she's just sitting there looking gobsmacked, her mouth open as she stares between Trystan and I. That's my best friend for you; losing the ability to form words around hot guys.

Wait what?

"Settle down class!" Mr Murray's familiar bark rings through the classroom, and for once I'm relieved to see his appearance. I turn around, and decide to actually try and pay attention in this class.

Maths has always been my worst subject, and Trystan and Mr Murray have their own seperate ways to make it harder. Trystan keeps chucking bits of paper onto my desk, and pulling on my hair to irritate me whereas Mr Murray constantly glares at me and picks me to answer questions.

When Maths is over, I couldn't be more grateful to get out of the classroom. "You have a lot of explaining to do at lunch," Keeley informs me outside the classroom, before heading to her next lesson.

I like Biology, and I had it with Cameron so I wouldn't be on my own. When I enter the classroom I walk over to my usual seat at the back. Cameron isn't here yet so I just pull out my notebook, which I doodle in when I'm bored.

"Hey do I know you?" I look up at the voice, my eyes widening in surprise when I come face to face with Finn. His hazel eye narrow, trying to suss out who I am. I had no idea he was in my biology class, forget in the seat right in front of me.

I try to keep my expression neutral, but I start to panic that he'll suddenly remember me as the underwear stealer. "No," I say, my voice going a few octaves higher then usual. I clear my throat, feeling my cheeks go red. "Um, no I don't think so."

"No, I'm pretty sure I've talked to you before," Finn grins, leaning forward. "You wouldn't happen to be that girl I met at the party would you?"

I feel my nose wrinkle up, and without thinking push Finn's blonde head away from me. "I don't do parties, but maybe it was my cousin," I lie on the spot, shrugging. "She looks like me."

"Who looks like you?" Cameron slides into the seat beside me, then regards Finn with a confused expression. I subtly shake my head at him, begging him not to mention the dare.

But this is Cameron we're talking about, He never takes into account what I want. "Oh are you guys all buddy buddy now, after you bonded over Trystan's under-"

I slam my hand over Cameron's mouth, and give Finn what I hope is a convincing smile. "So nice talking to you," I say, right on cue with Mrs Heath who walks in.

"Mr Walters please face the front," she instructs, and Finn turns back around after giving me one more suspicious look. I glower at Cameron, dropping my hand and he grins at me.

"So as I mentioned last lesson, today we'll be splitting off into groups to work on projects for the next two months. You may all choose a partner so you have one friend in your group, then I'll put pairs together," Mrs Heath explains, talking louder to be heard over the whispers that break out among the students. "At the end of the two months, each group will make a ten minute presentation explaining the results of the project."

This is why I like Mrs Heath. Most teachers will just put you into random groups, and it's just awkward as no one wants to talk and you end up getting bad mark. Cameron turns to me. "I will allow you the pleasure of being my partner," he announces.

"Why would I want to be your partner?" I tease, knowing full well neither of us are social enough to have someone else willingly be our partner. "You smell weird."

Cameron chuckles, and sniffs his own hand. "Actually, I smell amazing," he corrects, then like a true weirdo smells my own hair. "But you, you smell weird."

"That's because this weird kid called Cameron West keeps tainting my heavenly scent with his own gross smell," I laugh, shaking my head. "He needs to back off."

"You love me really."

"Do I?"

"How can you not love me?"

"Enough chatter," Mrs Heath calls, and the talking dies down as people stick close to their newly appointed partners. "I'll be pairing you up now with other pairs."

I wait for Mrs Heath to reach our row, where she glances at Cameron and I. "Now I know who would be perfect for you," she smiles, and I look around the class. Mostly everyone is in groups now, so I'm not sure who she means. "You two are excellent in this class so I'll put you with some less... fortunate students."

"Mr Walters and Miss Dalton, you will be working with Miss Brooke and Mr West," Mr Heath says, indicating to the two in front of us. Finn turns around, and the school's golden girl Charity Dalton spins around to face us as well.

I see Cameron from the corner of my eye stiffen, and then proceed to stare at Charity with wide blue lovestruck eyes. I'd never talked to Charity before but she seemed nice enough.

"Well looks like we're all in a group now!" Charity claps her hands together, and smirks at Cameron who was still staring at her. I roll my eyes and kick his shin, hoping to snap him out of it.

"Hey what was that for?" Cameron protests, looking away from Charity to glare at me.

"We need to discuss our project so how about you stop drooling long enough to pay attention?" I suggest dryly, and Finn sniggers at Cameron's pink cheeks.

"Look whatever this is, I'm sorry guys but I can't touch anything slimy or gross," Charity announces, holding out her hands so we can all see her long perfectly painted red nails. "I just got these done and can't bear to ruin them."

I glance down at my own short chewed nails, discreetly pulling them into my lap. No need to involve my own stubby nails into the matter. "So what's your names?" Finn asks, and although the question is directed and Cameron and I, he just looks at me.

Although he's obviously going to find my name out anyway, I hesistate before saying it. If he started spreading rumours about me stealing underwear, I'd have to run away to Russia and escape the embarrassment.

"I'm Cameron," Cameron answers before me, and he's managed to get a grip on his male hormones. "I'm sure we all know who you two are."

"And why is that?" Charity questions, the smug glint still alight in her eyes. Having guys drool all over her is obviously something she's used to.

"Populars are known by everyone in the school," Cameron says, looking at me for confirmation. "Isn't that right Jade?"

I narrow my eyes at Cameron, realising my name is now out in the open for anyone to take advantage of. "Yes," I reply, forcing a smile. "Cameron never shuts up about you Charity," I add on the end, grinning at a startled Cameron. "Isn't that right Cameron?"

"Well um... I actually..." I can't control my giggles at his pointless stuttering, which results in a swift kick to my shin. It was so worth it.

"Oh Cam darling, that's adorable!" Charity gushes, oblivious to Cameron's wince at the nickname his sisters all tease him with. One time Keeley called him Cam, and the ten minute rant about the nickname is still etched painfully into my mind.

It seems that Cameron's infatuation is strong enough to not object to Charity's name for him. "Yeah well, so are you," he says casually, and I actually turn away from them so Charity doesn't catch my disgusted face and assume I'm constipated.

Finn however does see my expression, and bursts out laughing. "Let the teenagers flirt it out," he whispers to me, and I can't help but smile as we both glance at Cameron attempting to be smooth towards Charity.

She just laughs all his compliments off, leading the poor boy on. I decide at lunch to break it to him that Charity's only messing around with him.

Mrs Heath tells the class that for the next few lessons we'll just be doing a few practicals - so cutting up plants and dead animals - then each group will gather together their information and make their own project.

"So let's just confirm that I won't be touching any gross stuff, because Cameron said he doesn't mind doing it for me," Charity says to us all. "Right?"

"Of course," Cameron nods, and Finn just shrugs.

I want to tell her that I'm a girl and I don't fall for her charm but decide to keep my mouth shut, because Charity may seem nice enough but isn't someone I'll want to have as an enemy.

*

"You deserve to be slapped for the crime you committed."

Cameron gives me a mock hurt look, poking a piece of chicken with his fork and popping it into his mouth. "Crime? I only said your name Jade," he rolls his eyes, waving his fork at me. "He was going to find out anyway so why fight the inevitable? Also, it's revenge for embarrassing me in front of Charity."

"Cammie darling, the girl is using you to get away with doing nothing in biology," I inform him, trying to make my voice more gentle so I don't so harsh. "Face it."

Instead of looking hurt and disappointed like most guys would, he just laughs and nods in agreement. "You think I don't know? Being used is worth the attention of a pretty girl."

"f**k you," I try to sound pissed off that he called me ugly, but I end up laughing.

"Why are we f*****g Cameron?" Keeley asks innocently, sliding into the seat beside me with Jordan behind her. He sits next to Cameron, and the table for eight we occupy everyday is now complete with the four members who only ever sit here.

"Don't ever say that," I groan, wrinkling my nose in disgust at the sentence. "The mental images are disturbing."

"More like amazing," Cameron teases, reaching out to ruffle my hair. I grab his wrist before he can touch my hair, and shake my head.

"Cammie how many times do I have to tell you not to touch my hair?"

"Cammie?" Keeley snorts, her brown eyes lighting up with amusement at the old nickname Cameron made us bury away. "I thought it was made clear none of us are allowed to call you that."

So I proceed to tell Keeley and Jordan about the biology incident, maybe exaggerating a bit but most of it's true. "You could actually see the drool spilling out of his mouth," I comment, and the three of us break into chuckles whereas Cameron just glares at us.

"So, Keels, what's this plan you've got for Friday?"

I wag a chip accusingly at Cameron. "Don't think you can just change-"

"Oh my god yes!" Keeley squeals, completely cutting me off as she throws her empty juice carton at the table in excitement. That's another thing about this crazy blonde haired girl; if something's in her hands when she suddenly gets excited, she'll throw it and it usually hits someone.

This time, Jordan's the victim of her ecstatic abuse. "Hey," he protests, picking up the scrunched up carton that had just been thrown at his head. "Why's it always me who gets the objects thrown at?"

"I also ask why I'm always a victim of physical abuse from Jade." Cameron shrugs, and I punch him in the arm to prove a point. "It's just a given."

"It's not like it's causing you any harm," I point out, knowing my pathetic girly punches couldn't even hurt a fly.

"Shut up," Keeley orders, digging around in her bag and just about avoiding the ends of her hair getting dragged around in tomato sauce. "Behold the glory!"

She holds the notebook up in the air, earning a few curious looks from people sitting around us. You'd think they'd be use to our weird antics by now.

"You better behold the glory quickly, we only have ten minutes left of lunch," Cameron interjects, breaking off the brief silence that I guess we were meant to stare in wonder at the faded red notebook.

"Ok then Professor Killjoy," Keeley mutters, bringing the notebook onto the table and pulling it open.

"I'm pretty sure is Captain Killjoy," Jordan says, giving the notebook a bored look while picking at his burger. "It just sounds so much better."

"So here's the plan..." Keeley begins, ignoring Jordan's comment. She pushes my plate away to place the notebook in the middle of the table, and as if drawn in by some force we all lean towards the pages despite our earlier complaints about Keeley's plans always failing.

And the next ten minutes result in Keeley revealing her plan which actually doesn't sound as bad as I thought it would. To be fair though, I thought the plan was going to be pretty damn bad.