The Book Fight

CHAPTER 5: Miss Popular

SEKANI

Aston is weird.

He doesn’t talk to me or look away when I catch him staring at me. I extended an olive branch but he rejected it twice only to accept Buck’s—the guy he was fighting with.

I’ve never really been good with boys and without Basic Instructions I don’t know if I should reach out or just stop trying. But Yi claims he likes me but doesn’t know it yet, whatever that means.

“So the guy that works here is actually called Robin.” Aston says it like I don’t already know.

“Did you find anything?” I keep my eyes on my phone.

“I didn’t have a chance to look, I saw you standing out here and he suggested...” he trails off so I look up.

“He suggested?” I urge.

I expect a response but his face contorts as he sticks his tongue out and makes a silly face. Aston is the broodiest person I have ever met, so of course I break out in a fit of laughter.

I laugh harder when I notice his dimple and even snort when he changes the silly face for another.

“What was that?” I hide my face behind my phone. “Sekani, you snort?” He almost smiles.

“I do not!” I protest.

“It’s adorable.” He pulls my hands off my face.

We stare at each other but my focus shifts to his pale hands around my wrist. I look up at him again but he lets go and steps back.

See, so weird.

“Can you please come help me pick a gift for my dad?”

I gape. He not only just asked for my help but he also used the word please. What a complete 180 from a few minutes ago.

“Warning,” I lead the way into the store. “I have terrible taste.”

Aston ends up getting an antique watch with a mahogany leather band and a $4,000 tag. I forget how rich he is sometimes but he finds new ways to remind me.

We pass by Men’s Warehouse after and he purchases a few shirts and ties to go with the sliver tie-clip Robin gave him for free.

“Your father is going to love these.” I look inside the paper bag but I don’t get a response.

For someone who looks like they’d be cast as the heartthrob every girl has a crush on in a corny high-school movie/show. Aston sure does act like the underdog that everyone bullies.

“Hi Sekani,” someone waves. I’m not sure who they are but I wave back and smile politely as we step on the escalator.

“That’s 7,” Aston says under his breath.

“What?” I let him take the bags from my hands since he insists on carrying everything, including my shopping bags.

“Nothing,” he shakes his head but I give him the look I give my father when he refuses to eat his vegetables.

A I’m not begging you look.

“That was the 7th person to greet you since we’ve been here.” He caves under my glare.

“What do you mean?” We step off the escalator and turn towards the food court.

“It’s kind of hard not to notice when the people that greet you, ignore me.” He shrugs. “You’re popular Sekani and people know you but it just amazes me, how many.”

“I don’t know what to say.” I didn’t even realize that many people greeted me. “It’s because I hang out with Yi and Ryder, I’m so used to people saying hi that I—”

“What do you mean it’s because of Yi and Ryder?” We reach the pizza hut but find no Soon-Yi.

“I’m known by association,” I pull out my phone to text her.

“What are you talking about?” He holds my elbow to stop me from walking. “Wait. You don’t know, do you?” His face contorts but no silly face follows this time.

“Know what?” I’m a little scared to ask.

“Sekani, people don’t know you because of your friend and her boyfriend. Hell, I didn’t even know them but I knew you because…” he trails off when someone waves at me again.

“Because?” I hold his arm to urge him to continue.

“You’ve watched High School Musical right?” I arch my brow, “just go with it.” He says and I nod. “And you know there’s Troy and Chad, and you know how everyone in school knows Troy because he’s good at singing or whatever.”

“Have you watched High School Musical?” I doubt but he makes a face, “okay Troy is the main guy. Proceed.”

“Well you’re Troy of RVH, the main guy at school.” My hand drops when he adds that, “you are not popular because of Yi. It’s the other way around actually.”

“No, that can’t be.” I shake my head.

“Sekani think about it,” Aston steps closer. “You get good grades, you look like you walked out of a model magazine 99% of the time and the other 1% you look like you’re not real.” Our eyes crash. “You are also incredibly friendly unlike the cliché popular girls—” he softens his voice. “You’re thee girl Sekani.”

I am?

“I knew your name the moment I walked into school because everyone was talking about a hat you were wearing. It was ridiculous how much they talked about it.”

I know I should focus on what Aston just revealed because its news to me but I’m seeing his hazel eyes up close for the first time ever and…I feel hypnotized. They have a little green in them and as they dilate, I try to count the various beauty spots all over his face.

He is a really attractive person.

“Are you guys having some sort of staring contest?” Yi’s voice is the one that breaks the trance. “Okay, so you’re done. Can we get the pizza now?” She walks away uninterested.

But are we done? Why does it seem Aston and I are just getting started?

The weekend passes with me turning our house upside down looking for my notebook. I desperately need it because I just found out I’m the ‘popular girl’ and that I might have a crush on a boy.

I’ve been surviving on the few things I can remember but I need to read the chapter on feelings so I can understand my own.

I’m a nervous wreck Monday at school.

I’m suddenly aware of how a lot of people really watch me. They greet and I wave like I usually do but I notice the envy in some, that I didn’t see before. Some kids roll their eyes and a lot of boys give me weird looks as if they’re undressing me their eyes.

I suddenly see everything for what it is and it’s not pretty.

My outfits have never been something special because I felt ridiculous to dress up for school but I sort of wish I did. I’m in black biker shorts, a black tank top and an oversized navy plaid shirt today since it took time to straighten my hair.

I also opted for the Doc’s that were already by the door and lip gloss for makeup because it’s a little hot today.

“Are you okay?” Yi asks during lunch.

“Have you noticed how people stare at us, like really watch us.” I’m nibbling my lower lip instead of the food in front of me.

Yi looks around before shrugging, “we’re hot. It comes with the territory.”

“No,” I lean in so the people on our table don’t hear. “I mean they are watching us like we’re—”

“Popular?” She fills in. “Dude we are and its high school, people are just fascinated.”

I give up on trying to explain.

My week goes on like that. I become more and more aware of people’s attention. I used to think everyone was really nice but now I see it’s because they wanted to talk to the ‘popular girl’—who for some reason is me.

“Are you going to pick something or just stare at the machine?” Aston’s voice comes from beside me.

“Hey.” I turn to find him judging my outfit.

I’m in a maroon 1800’s Victorian dress with long open-end sleeves. My curled hair is pinned up and a burgundy hat is on top of my head. I’m even wearing fake eyelashes, dainty pearl earrings and brown matte lipstick.

“You look like you’re in the wrong century,” he makes eye contact.

“I’m helping a friend with a film for his senior project. Its set in the 1800’s.” I show him my fan.

“Very accurate but doesn’t the corset hurt?” He inserts a dollar and presses the buttons on the vending machine.

“Oh I’m burning it after we’re done shooting.” I assure and he smiles. “How did your dad’s birthday go? I wanted to ask on Monday but never got the chance.” I lie.

I have been too focused on people being focused on me actually and it has been maddening.

“It went great and he loved everything.” He pops his soda can, “he sort of teared up when he realized I got him the gifts and that my mom didn’t buy them on my behalf. I felt like a s**t son.”

“I’m sure he understood and I’m glad he liked them.” I insert my dollar and get a Snickers bar.

“Thanks for the help by the way. I gave you all credit and after grilling me, he said to drop a slice of cake for you but I—”

“Why didn’t you? I love birthday cake.” I rip the packet open.

“You do?” Aston’s bushy dark brows shoot up

“One of my favorite types of cakes.” I bite my bar.

I would have but I didn’t know where you lived or if you wanted any but there’s still a ton left if you want me to bring you some on Monday?”

“Monday? You made me wait a whole week, now you want me to wait an entire weekend.” My eyes thin, “no-no-no, that won’t do Mr. Parker.” I use my posh British accent and I think he is almost impressed.

“Well my fair lady, what can sir Parker do to make it up to thee?” Of course, his British accent is way better than mine.

“Well,” I tap my chin with the fan. “You can invite me over so I get my cake and eat it too.”

“That’s all?” He checks suspiciously.

“I really love birthday cake,” I give up on the accent.

“Then lady Sekani of the Rivers family,” I can’t help but smile, “would you do this poor fool the honor of gracing him with your presence at his chambers this evening?”

“7pm?” I suggest and he bows a “perfect.”

“Sekani, we’re ready for you.” Trevor calls from the exit, “we found a way to make it a rain.” His excitement is clear.

“That’s my queue,” I curtsey before walking away.

I realize as I stand and Trevor’s crew pours water over me from a hose, that for the first time this week, I wasn’t a nervous wreck inside.

“And action!” Trevor shouts and the dramatics start.

After two more scenes and 3 more costume changes, Trevor releases me. I was flattered when he asked me to be the lead because I want to be an actress but now, I’m not sure if I earned it.