My story; untitled currently.
14 years, 11 months & 20 days ago
26th Nov 2009 21:27 I have finished the bits of teh story and now I am adding in the pieces in between; teh bits that lead up to the main parts.
***
Marissa Lochworthy punched at the wall with all her might, forcing a poster to stick. She yelped in pain.
???Are you okay???? I asked, but she ignored me and hurried to the sick room down the hall.
The poster showed the upcoming star award. A huge picture of Dale Watson stretched across the paper. I turned away from the paper and sighed. Just get over him, I told myself.
The bell rang and I hurried towards my class. As usual, I sat at the back away from everyone. All the girls tried to sit next to Dale as he was the most popular boy in the entire school. Even though this annoyed me terribly, it was amusing at the same time. Everyone also wanted to sit next to Faye Parfait, captain of the netball team and held the title of ???Most Popular Girl???.
Everyone had taken their seats, some huffing because they were the furthest away from the ???cool??? group. The teacher walked in and started the lesson.
Mrs Talk was the English teacher and certainly lived up to her name. Every lesson she talked on and on about her favourite authors or anything to do with English. She???d always have something to talk about, most of the time continuing on from her last lecture. This lesson we were given a lecture on punctuation.
The time ticked by and no one really paid any attention. Faye whispered to Dale. Dale looked like he???d rather be listening to Mrs Talk???s lecture.
Finally class ended and we were dismissed. Students rushed out of their classes and ran outside. The cool, spring air hung around after the door had been closed. I opened my locker and grabbed my lunch. Ham, cheese and cucumber sandwich. Great.
I headed outside, the oval occupied by the soccer team and the netball courts out of bounds to those other than the netball team. Mrs Hooper, the netball coach, ordered the girls around, swapping their positions and taking some off and putting more on. Faye flicked her hair behind her shoulders and skipped to her team-mate whom she was against this practise.
The soccer team had been divided into two groups and played against each other in a scratch match. Dale followed the captain???s instructions, taking the ball and passing off to Stephan Williams and running forward to take the ball again.
I sighed. As much as I avoided Dale, I still couldn???t get him out of my head.
I walked over to the nearest tree and sat down. No one was sitting under the shade today. When anyone mentions the words sun and tan, everyone moves out into the sunlight.
I had just finished my lunch when the bell went. I walked slowly into the corridor, the soccer team running past me as I went. I am sure that out the corner of my eye I saw Dale smile at me. I shook my head.
Don???t be silly, Clarissa, I told myself.
I walked past the music room, where the choir were practising. The choir only consisted of seven members. The choir were offering spots to people whom were interested. But choir was uncool, so no one else had signed up.
What about me, you???re thinking. Well, for starters, I cannot sing and, secondly, I already get pencils ditched at me because I???m ???uncool???, according to Faye.
I survived maths and, yet again, I was in the same class as Dale so I was up the back by myself.
The school day finished and I got out, rushing to get away.
Outside it was raining, the grass turned into mud and the paths covered in puddles of water. I stepped out into the down-pour. I flicked the hood of my jumper onto my damp hair and trudged down the street towards home.
There was no one on the streets, it was deserted. Maybe it???s because it???s pouring down with rain and I???m saturated, I told myself. I looked back down the street, the wind blowing water into my face. Faye and her group of uptight-???cools??? all stood under the shelter, talking to someone on the phone. They were looking for a lift; they didn???t want to get their hair wet.
Dale and his mates from soccer stood together next to the girls, casually chatting and playfully punching each other. Donald Rodgers, Francis Lodu??r, Sebastian Verting, Jack Williams, Stephan and Dale left the girls and headed out into the thinning rain.
I turned back around and continued walking. I reached the white picket fence that surrounded the house. The stone path was covered in puddles of water and the garden bed turned into mud. The grass couldn???t hold all the moisture in, from the rain and overflowing gutters.
I walked up to the veranda and slumped down into the chair. I zipped open my bag and rummaged through the contents, looking for the key. I pulled out a ribbon that was attached to the key to my house.
I opened the door and stepped inside, into the warmth. I shut the door, stopping the breezing and making the atmosphere around me warmer.
There was a loud clanging noise coming from the kitchen. I walked in to see Mother surrounded by pots and pans that fell out of the cupboard.
???What did you do this time???? I asked, laughing. I helped her pick up the pots and pans. We packed them all away, making sure next time she needed a pot, or a pan, that they wouldn???t all fall out.
???Thanks, darling,??? Mother said, hugging me. She continued on with her cooking, putting ingredients into the pot and onto the stove.
???What are you making???? I asked, sniffing the simmering food.
???Spaghetti Bolognese, your favourite.???
I licked my lips before walking out of the kitchen.
I flicked through the channels; there was nothing decent on television at five-thirty in the evening. Dramas, dramas and more dramas. How can people stand them?
I turned off the television and sat in silence for a minute. The silence got to me and I decided to put on some music. I turned on the radio, an unfamiliar song booming from the speakers.
???Clarissa, turn it down!??? Mum yelled. I turned the volume down, changing the radio station. I recognised the song playing and sang wildly to it.
???I kissed a girl and I liked it. The taste of her cherry chap stick. I kissed a girl just to try it. I hope my boyfriend don't mind it. It felt so wrong, it felt so right. Don't mean I'm in love tonight. I kissed a girl and I liked it, I liked it.???
I continued singing as Father walked in. He started laughing as I crazily danced to the song.
???Have you been told how crazy you look???? he joked, dropping his bags and umbrella next to the door. ???And how good a singer you are????
I stopped dancing and shook my head.
???You only say that because you???re my father,??? I explained, smiling at him.
???No I???m not.???
???Yes you are.???
???Stop fighting!??? mum called out. ???You are, Clari.???
I grunted and laughed.
???Whatever stops the tears,??? I said.
I heaved my bag up the stairs into the study. I pulled out my books and started my homework. Mrs Talk made us write an essay on where punctuation should be used. It has to be seven-hundred and fifty words done by tomorrow. I had better start it before I run out of time.
???Dinner???s ready!??? Mum shouted from the bottom of the stairs. I closed my book and headed downstairs.
The table was lit with candles that made the room smell of vanilla and cinnamon. I could smell the food before I entered the living room, the scent becoming stronger as I did. My mouth watered as I sat down at the table.
???Debora Taylor???s famous Spaghetti Bolognese!??? Dad exclaimed as he dug his fork into the pasta.
???How your day at work???? Mum asked Dad, as they ate their food.
???Same as usual,??? Dad said through a mouthful of spaghetti. ???We had this girl from France, Charlotte Hommerouge, ring up. She is looking to come to Australia and work with us for a year.???
???That???s good. What about you Clarissa? How was school????
???Same, same,??? I mumbled, looking at my food.
???Clarissa, has that Faye girl been giving you grief again???? Mum sighed. I shook my head.
???No.???
???You have to find some friends, Clarissa. It???s unhealthy for a pretty, smart girl like you to have no friends,??? Dad shook his head. I rolled my eyes.
???I???m fine, I have friends... acquaintances.???
Mother and Father both sighed. I got up and took my plate to the kitchen. I placed it in the dishwasher and headed back up to the study to finish my homework.
***
I walked up the hallway on the way to the toilets. The choir had just finished their lesson. This lesson I wasn???t in Dale???s class but I still sat up the back. Dale had a free period this lesson. I was about to walk into the toilets when I heard a familiar voice from the music room.
???Thank you Mr Musique,??? Dale said quietly. I turned around slowly. Dale was in the choir? I???m sure that Faye didn???t know about that.
I turned back around as Dale looked my way. I walked, brusquely, straight past the toilets and to the main entrance.
???Hey!??? someone called after me. I spun around, losing my balance and falling over. My books fell all over the floor and my papers went everywhere.
???Whoa! Are you okay???? Dale asked. I nodded and started to collect my papers back up. Dale collected my books and handed them back to me.
???Can I ask you something???? he asked me.
???Sure,??? I said. It was easier to talk to him then I imagined.
???Did...??? he paused before he started again. ???Did you see me come out of the music room????
???Err... no,??? I lied.
???Damn!??? Dale exclaimed.
???What????
???You???re not a very convincing liar.??? I blushed. Dale laughed just as the bell went.
???Catch you around then, I guess,??? he nodded. ???Oh and please don???t tell anyone about the choir thing, I???m trying to keep a low profile.??? I smiled as he left. As soon as he reached the door, Faye caught up with him and chatted to him. I sighed.
***
???What about you???? he asked.
???Me????
???Yeah you, who else???? he joked.
???What about me???? I didn???t understand what he meant.
???Why don???t you join choir???? My eyes widened.
???What???? Dale asked.
???Firstly, I cannot sing. Secondly, I???m already an outsider,??? I explained, looking at the floor.
???Okay, so let me hear you sing.???
I took a deep breath and started to sing.
???Everywhere I'm looking now I'm surrounded by your embrace. Baby I can see your halo. You know you're my saving grace. You're everything I need and more. It's written all over your face. Baby I can feel your halo. Pray it won't fade away???
I smiled weakly. Dale gaped. I couldn???t tell if it was in amazement or surprise. Amazement because I was better than he thought (this was very unlikely). Surprise because I proved him right.
???Oh. My. God! And you thought you couldn???t sing.??? He shook his head. I blushed again and smiled at the floor.
???So are you going to join choir now???? he asked, placing his hand on my shoulder. I laughed and nodded.
???I???ll give it a go.???
***
We walked into choir, chatting casually. Mr Musique was warming up by the piano. The band played their instruments whilst tuning them and the choir also warmed up their voices.
???Mr Musique,??? Dale said proudly. ???I think that Clarissa should take the female role in our next song.???
???I???m sorry, Dale, but Ashanti is taking this role,??? Mr Musique announced. Dale sighed.
???Would we be able to create a duet to perform at the assembly next week, Mr Musique???? Dale looked hopeful.
???You have until next lesson.??? Dale hissed a yes and held out his hand for a high-five.
???I???m not so sure about this,??? I worried, looking at the footpath.
???It???ll be fine, I promise,??? Dale promised. ???I???ll be right there, I???ll be singing with you.??? That made me feel better.
???So what song are we going to do???? I asked. Dale looked up thoughtfully. He smiled.
???You???ll just have to wait,??? he winked. ???Meet me at nine o???clock at the cinema and I???ll show you then.???
I waved as he turned down the street.
***
I sat at the cafe next to the cinema. I looked at my watch again. It was quarter past nine already. Where was Dale? Footsteps approached me from behind. I turned around. It was only the waiter.
???Can I get you something???? he asked, smiling brightly at me. I shook my head.
???No thanks.???
???Well, if there???s anything you need, just call out to me and I???ll come straight over.???
The waiter left. Another set of footsteps came from beside me. I turned around to see Faye and her group of internally blondes. I groaned under my breath.
???What a shock to see you here, Clarminda,??? Faye acted surprised. I rolled my eyes. Faye and her internally blondes had certain names for the uncool people. This was why they were internally blondes; they got this from a movie.
???Oh my God! It???s Fayeggot and her Barbie gang!??? I gasped. Someone breathed a laugh from behind me. I smiled. It was Dale. Faye rolled her eyes and walked away, not noticing Dale.
Dale took the seat next to me. He laughed.
???Nice comeback,??? he laughed, gasping for air. ??????It???s Fayeggot and her Barbie gang!?????? I laughed along with him.
???Back to business,??? I guided him. Dale looked puzzled.
???The duet.???
???Oh,??? Dale realized. He pulled out his iPod and passed me an earphone. He played a song, one he???d obviously recorded. The song sounded familiar but I couldn???t work out what song it was. I hummed along to the tune. The song finished and Dale looked at me questioningly.
???Beautiful,??? I whispered. ???Who???s the female lead????
???That???s my sister.???
???Her voice is beautiful, perfect for this song.???
???Not as beautiful as yours,??? Dale whispered. ???Now, we better start learning this if we want to have it ready by Monday!???
I walked alongside Dale to the park. Children played merrily in the playground. Some of the students whom attended our school sat and chatted on the benches. Mothers strolled, pushing their babies in prams along with them.
Dale led me to a big tree at the back of the park where the grass was replaced by fences. We sat under the shade of the tree, facing the fences. Dale handed me the lyrics to the song.
???You sing this part,??? he pointed to a set of lyrics in italics. ???And I???ll sing this part, the one in bold. We both sing the parts underlined.???
???So I start???? I asked, unsure about this idea. Dale nodded. I swallowed and looked around. I started to sing.
???If the heart is always searching, can you ever find a home? I've been looking for that someone; I'll never make it on my own.??? I held the note as Dale started to sing,
???Dreams can't take the place of loving you, there's got to be a million reasons why it's true.???
The next part was underlined, meaning we sang together.
???When you look me in the eyes and tell me that you love me. Everything's alright, when you're right here by my side,??? we sang together.
We sang through the song, ending with an oh and staring into each other???s eyes. We sat like that for a few minutes.
***
???Now, everyone,??? Mr Musique cleared his throat. ???Dale and Clarissa have got a performance for us.??? I felt eyes on my back as I got in my position, back facing the crowd. I started off the song, turning towards the rest of the choir. They started to ah and oh in the background to the tune of the song. We finished the last chorus and looked each other in the eyes as we had in the park. The choir clapped and Mr Musique looked awestruck.
???Looks like we???ve found another soloist!??? Mr Musique exclaimed. Dale beamed at me and hugged me tightly. My blank expression turned into a smile. No one saw as my face was buried in Dale???s shirt. He pulled me away and smiled at me. I smiled warmly back. There was an angry groan from outside the door and footsteps hurrying away. The whole choir turned towards the door but whoever it was had left before anyone could see them.
???Before we finish, I want to hold a vote,??? Mr Musique announced. ???Our choir needs a name. Any suggestions????
Rachael Rubio raised her hand slowly.
???Yes, Rachael???? Mr Musique asked, nodding in her direction.
???What- what about Extravagando???? she asked quietly.
???Wow. Excellent, Rachael! All in favour????
Everyone raised their hands in agreement.
???That???s settled then.???
The bell went and choir ended. I walked with Dale up the hallway. Dale had managed to keep choir a secret. No one except those in choir knew about it. Not even his parents.
???I wonder who was at the door in choir,??? I wondered aloud. Dale just answered with an ???mm???.
***
Nowadays I sat up the back and Dale sat next to me. We had become friends since the incident when I found out about his secret. Today Dale had been dragged to the other side of the room by Faye. I could only just hear their conversation.
???So what have you been up to lately???? she asked, leaning in closer to Dale.
???Oh, nothing much,??? Dale replied dully, looking over her shoulder towards me. ???Just soccer, homework and more soccer,??? Dale lied, his eyes gleaming. I giggled.
???I saw you in choir the other day, in free period, with Clarminda,??? she looked back at me evilly. I slunk back in my seat.
???What? In choir?! Why would I join that? And with Claris-minda? Ew, never,??? Dale exclaimed, his eyes saying sorry as he said it.
???What about how you always talk to her like she???s your best friend???? Faye asked, attitude arising in her voice.
???She thinks she???s my friend,??? he rolled his eyes and snorted. I reined in a laugh at his poor acting skills. Faye seemed convinced and smiled evilly. She glanced back at me and I grimaced at her. She turned back around. She started to talk to Dale but I wasn???t listening...
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I have removed the rest as I do not want it to get stolen, and if there is a chance that it gets published, then you will just have to buy it to read the rest.
xDD
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