Hellcat

Chapter 7

Abe Bennett

When the teachers finally come back from their meeting, they kick out the students still in the auditorium. I know this because I am one of those students even though I am not there for the free gossip swap but to have a serious talk with one of my friends. Misty Eastwood is the president for our class as well as the president of about a dozen clubs. She was my vocal sparring partner in music class during freshman year when we were competitive to perform the solo at Homecoming. We used to be such great friends until she developed a crush on Josh after what was supposed to be a one night stand. He inevitably broke her heart and she switched from music to photography. 

I meet Misty on my way to music class and she greets me with a playfully wagging of her finger and comment on my avoiding her although up until this point I thought she was the one doing all the hugging. 

"So why did you want to see me, Abe?"

"To be honest, I'm not sure."

"You're not sure?" She asks with a playful smile. "I guess you just missed me."

"That's true to some extent. It's nice to have someone to hold an intellectual conversation with."

"I guess that means Josh is still up to his old antics?" Misty asks, eyes crinkling in happiness.

Misty is a naturally happy person. Despite her happy disposition, I thought she would be the least bit encumbered by Josh's breaking of her heart. But she sounds more playful than bitter and that makes me relax. I thought it would we weird talking to her about him but if she is the one bringing him up, I have to take advantage of it. 

"That boy will stop flirting with every female he meets when pigs start to fly, "

Misty laughs blithely. I laugh too. Our laughter fades into the empty silence of the wide hallway. 

"As amazing as I am, I don't think you just wanted to play catch up. Tell me what's up, Abe."

I sigh and lean on a random person's locker. "It's about Josh."

"Oh, " Misty's smile wavers a second. "What did he do this time?"

"It's not what he's done. It's what he's about to do."

"Pray, tell."

"I'm sure you heard the news when I got arrested?" It's a stupid question. Everyone in Westreet and probably the entire community heard about it, my father is a reverend at one of the oldest churches in the state and is known to be a very influential personality in many circles. 

"It wasn't exactly redacted information, " Misty confirms my thoughts. "I never got to apologize to you for the inflammatory story the school paper run about you. When our chief editor asked me for a picture of you for a story, I figured it was a story for some brave thing you did like rescuing a cat from a burning building. You are the kind of guy who would do that, Abe. Not the type to graffiti public education buildings. What happened?"

"I got sick of it all, " I answer without thinking. "Everyone just assumes because my life seems perfect, it actually is. Newsflash, it's not. I've gotten so used to people telling me how 'perfect and good' I am that was starting to make me sick. Acting out was a childish way out but at least I got to vent."

"I don't think you're perfect, " Misty says. "I think you're human. And that is really not such a bad thing once you come to terms with it."

"Thanks, Misty, " my throat is dry and I clear it awkwardly. "I needed that."

"I could tell. And I could also tell you that's not what you came totally about."

"I was sentenced with community service for my... erh, offences. That's how I met Eli."

"Forgive me for interrupting but I thought you wanted to talk about Josh?" Misty asks with pointed politeness. That's one of the things I like about her. She's not afraid to speak her mind but is always careful how she says it both gets her point across and does not offend the person she is speaking to. 

"I'm getting there, " I reply. "A few days ago, Josh and Eli became friends. Josh has never been just friends with a girl."

"Ah, " Misty says in understanding. "You are afraid he is going to break her heart."

"Actually, I'm more worried about him than Eli."

Misty shoots an eyebrow up in surprise.

"I have known Eli for a total of five days. In these five days, it has become pretty clear to me that Eli is just the type of girl to emotionally hurt him. Josh does not admit this to anyone and he will swear against it if you bring it up, but he is actually a little insecure. Girls like Eli just don't fall in love."

"Talking from experience Abe?" Misty asks with a smirk.

I laugh. "You know me, Misty. I've never dated."

"Only because nobody at our school is good enough for you. Valedictorian, basketball team captain and has a great voice. It's a wonder you have been single so long."

"You interested?" It's easy to flirt with Misty. She is pretty and smart. And she knows me. Which means she also knows I would never have actually considered going out with her seriously. I have more than enough going on in life than to think about a relationship. 

"I'll pass, " Misty laughs. "But I don't you should worry about Josh. He has broken enough hearts to know when the same is about to happen to him."

I wince, once again I am reminded on my little brother's track record which is not as stellar as mine. "Thanks for the great advice Misty. I should probably head to class now. Mr Dulaine is going to have my head."

Misty smiles. "The one part of the music class I do not miss is being in the same room with that man." 

My smile morphs into a sly smirk. "And the parts you miss?"

"You sound like Josh, " Misty laughs. "Get to class, Abe."

"I'll see you around?" I ask hopefully because I genuinely enjoy her company. 

Misty's smile smothers. "Maybe."

That 'maybe' is a lie and we both know it but I smile and wave anyway.

It's easy for me to get Mrs Patton from my physics class to sign a teacher's note for me. Mrs Patton is one of my favourite teachers and it's not just because she's easily susceptible to my charms. However, when I get to the music room, I discover that I did not have to prepare an excuse. I push open the doors and walk inside.

Mr Dulaine greets me with a smile.

That's odd.

"Ah, Abraham. Just the man I was looking for," Mr Dulaine says, immediately noticing me and waving me over to his table.

I'm confused and this confusion grows into weariness when he smiles broadly. "I know Vice-Principal Fernsby's announcements said that the musical play was only for students taking at least two of the three subjects she said which means technically, you should not be allowed to do this."

Not allowed to do what? I wonder. 

"Technically?" 

"I spoke to Vice Principal Fernsby about it and after hearing about your impressive track record, she could not help but insist that you joined."

"I'm sorry Mr Dulaine but I am not really following your line of thought."

"We want you to be the male lead of the musical play."

"What?" I manage to choke out in a shocked whisper. "Could you repeat yourself, please?"

Mr Dulaine's face shows his oblivious delight. "Given your excellent singing voice and background in acting, we concluded it would a wise decision to make one of our best students the male lead. That's you if you have not figured it out yet."

My so-called background in acting was a single stint in eighth grade but apparently, they think it is good enough. 

"I'm honoured, Mr Dulaine. But this is an offer I am going to have to turn down." 

His eyes bulge out of their sockets in obvious astonishment. "What?"

"I can't be a part of the play."

"Perhaps I did not use the right wording for my statement. You don't have much of a choice, Mr Bennett. It's not an offer I am giving you, it's a demand. If you want that perfect academic record of yours to stay pristine, you are going to have to comply with my demands."

The rudest word I know is the most appropriate one to describe my music teacher. That's right, Mr Dulaine is a 'git'. For those of you non-British folk unfamiliar with the word git, it refers to a very stupid and annoying person. But of course, Mr Dulaine is three times my age and I'd cut off my arm before I insult him. 

This morning I was in a pretty good mood when I woke up. One was because I was awoken by my alarm, which Josh had thankfully returned to me. The other reason I was happy was that I had spoken to my choir master last night and he had agreed to have me back in the group after hearing how remorseful I was. Balancing basketball practice and choir rehearsals have never been easy for me, but adding volunteer work only made it a lot harder. But because Ms Pemberly is a much better person than Coach Flores and Mr Dulaine, she agreed to have me train with her at the church at later hours. That chat with Eli after the announcements was and the one with Misty afterwards had both left me with mixed feelings focused more to positivity.

Mr Dulaine does not like me because he thinks I'm a know-it-all. Just because I'm hardly ever wrong and always know what to say and when to say it does not make me a know-it-all. But Mr Dulaine still does not like me. If I'm being honest, I prefer it that way because I don't like him either. He's a rude loud-mouthed butt-kiss with a terrible sense of humour and too much pride for a man his stature. 

"I'm afraid I will be too busy to partake in the musical." Blunt and honest. Perfect. 

"Did you not hear a word I said, Abe? You are going to play the role of Fabian, the protagonist in the play. We're going to perform at the Teatro Arriaga. Do you not realize how much of a big deal that it?"

"Now, this all sounds very amazing. The chance to travel to a different country, to have my voice heard, it is all very wonderful but I'm afraid I will not be able to partake in this musical, Mr Dulaine."

He scowls at me, lowering his gasses. "And what could you have going on that is more important than the international reputation of our school."

"I'm in the Allo Voices choir."

"I'm aware Mr Bennett but I fail to see how that should excuse from participation in the musical. You have quite an impressive voice. Not a lot of singers can hit that high G-flat." That's another reason Mr Dulaine doesn't like me. Last year I performed a solo at the homecoming game. Our school lost, but everyone remembered the song. I was teased about it by the guys but that is how I got recruited for the Allo Voices choir. It is the most popular boy's singing group in New Jersey. 

"As you may know, joining a group such as the Allo Voices is a very big commitment. I'm a member of the basketball team as well so I will not be able to balance that with a musical."

"I don't care, Mr Bennett," Mr Dulaine snaps.

Perhaps mentioning my athletic activities only further increased his envy of me. I found out from Ms Pemberly that when Mr Dulaine was my age, he applied for the Allo Voices group but was turned down because he got tonsillitis during the auditions week. I'm pretty sure Mr Dulaine thinks I'm the better version of his young self and he despises me for it.

"You will participate in the audition. And if I feel that you are purposefully performing poorly, you will be included in the musical. Your voice is amazing. That choir group is not the only one who deserves to exploit it. And remember these orders come from higher up the school food chain than you think. Now be a good boy and go do some voice training exercises."

I'm not sure if that is a compliment or not. Even so, it doe not make me feel much better.

I have just spent close to a week trying to convince Ms Pemberly to let me back into the group, how am I ever going to manage these four things all at once, and still have time for my grades.

The answer is simple but pains me nevertheless.

I have to quit one of the things I love. The big question is,

which one?

My sullen mood from my music class reflects on my lack of attention during math later that morning. But the teacher did not seem entirely bothered that his brightest student scored only a ninety-four in the random pop quiz she hosts. I try to cheer up before heading into the cafeteria for lunch. Josh may be very playful and flirty, but he is also my little brother and incredibly smart. He will be able to smell my crappy mood from miles away. And the last thing I want is to get everyone else down in the dumps because I'm unhappy. And so with the brightest smile that goes from ear to ear, I push open the double French doors and step into the cafeteria. 

For a moment, there is silence as people stare at me. The staring used to make nervous, but after a few years, I have grown quite used to it and even manage to look comfortable with it. But my fake smile is more of a grimace than a smug look. 

The Westreet Prep cafeteria just like every other part of the school, looked like it had been planned by an experienced interior decorator. The colour scheme is warm and dark, giving the vast space a more welcoming appeal. Besides the large tables in the middle of the room, there are small booths and smaller tables near the wide range of vending machines. The fleeting scent of bleach hangs in the air as if the surfaces are regularly disinfected but not too much to block out the aroma of freshly-cooked food.

It is a pandemonium of raucous jabbering, each table a coddled circle of people raising their voices to be heard above the din. The food is secondary to the information that is traded here. And I know that's I'm going to experience when I notice Keith's frantic hand waving to grab my attention. Our table is in the middle of the cafeteria, once I get there I will have no escape. It seems God knows what I am thinking because, at this very instant, Josh randomly appears next to me.

"Come on big bro," he says chirpily. "Keith's got some good news."

"Where's Eli?" It's the first I have seen Josh without her since they met.

"She's in the lunch line picking food for us. Now come on."

"Sounds like I don't have a choice."

"You don't." Josh grins. 

When we get to the table, Keith immediately claps his hands to get everyone's attention. "Considering the stressful week we have just suffered in school, I think it is a great idea to throw a party Friday night. Of you guys are all invited. There'll be pizza and the beer is free. So what do you say, my house tomorrow night?"

"Count me in," Eli says, sidling into the seat between Josh and Marcus and sliding a tray over to me from across the table. "Hi."

"Thanks," I say with a tiny smile while glancing at my tray. Fish and chips and a carton of ice cream. Yum. 

"So much ketchup," Josh moans emptying the contents of the bottle onto his plate.

Eli looks at me in concern. "I know you said it is cool but are you sure about this? Surely this much ketchup much have some adverse effects."

"Why do you think he is so daft," I answer. 

"I knew it didn't make sense that you guys were brothers and yet you're brilliant and he's-"

"Complete that sentence and you'll regret it," Josh glowers. 

Eli calmly pops a fry in her mouth and quirks a single brow. "Are you threatening me?" There is nothing threatening about the words she says or how she is saying it. It is the look in her eyes that makes Josh gulp and me shiver in my loafers. 

"Nah, I think I'm good," Josh says, focusing on steering his fingers through the ketchup on his plate and licking them. I don't know any teenager besides Josh who eats like a baby. But I guess he's my baby bro.

"Excellent," Eli deadpans, turning her attention to my other best friend. "What time should we get there Keith?"

"If you want to help set up you can come after school but the party will begin officially at nine pm."

"Great," she says. "I'll be there."

"Can't wait beautiful," Aspen says with a wink. 

"What's your name again?" She asks calmly. "I forget."

"Aspen," he says in a hollow voice. With a smile like his and the kind of body he has, it is no surprise, Aspen is not used to getting rejected by girls. But Eli seems determined to knock him down a peg or two. 

"Ah, Aspen," Eli repeats, nodding in recognition. "I think I've heard the name. You're that guy who peed his pants when he was called to answer a question in class."

"You must have me mixed with someone else," he says, words rushed and cheeks ruddy.

"Nah, I'm pretty sure it happened," Marcus adds unhelpfully, earning a stony glare from Aspen and a giggle from Josh. Marcus does not hold any grudge against Aspen so I know he is playing along for the heck of it.

"In tenth grade, maybe," Cole adds, grinning maliciously at Aspen. I know why Cole is turning against Aspen. A few weeks ago we were doing one final scrimmage of practice before heading home when Aspen called Cole out for his sleazy hook shot. Coach Flores got word of it and gave Cole and an extra hour of practice. Cole had planned a date with his girlfriend Raina and had to cancel so needless to say, he was pretty bummed out. 

"Anyway," Eli drawls the word out. "Abe, are you coming to the party?" 

"I'll pass. I've got homework to catch up on." I answer. 

"I was right about you."

"About what?"

"You are boring."

"I'm not boring," I cry defensively even though when I think about it I can see her point. Besides music, basketball and science club I really don't have a life. And I hardly ever go to club meetings anymore. 

"When we first met, I thought you were kind of cute. Until you started talking and I realised you were just another boring nerdy goody-two-shoes."

"What's wrong with being good?" I ask. It never occurred to me that some girls did not actually like me because I was a nice guy. Since when did goodness become such a bad thing?

"Nothing," she smiles cryptically. "It is probably because you are too much of a coward to have any fun. You are afraid to enjoy yourself because you are used to being uptight." 

"Look, " I sigh. "I just don't have time for that."

"Yes, you do." She holds my gaze firmly, golden-brown eyes filled with the mischief of a fox and feistiness of a cat.

"No, I have got a lot going on in my life."

"Even so, who studies on a Friday night? Even nerds have standards right? Or you are just looking for excuses not to spend time with us. Are we not good enough company for you, Abe?" 

"Fine!" I can not believe she made me snap. I actually lost my cool. I never lose my cool. 

She smiles coquettishly, tilting her head to the side. "Fine?"

I sigh, pinching my lips together. "I'll be there. I will come to the bloody party." 

"If you insist, " she shrugs her shoulders. 

"Wow, " Keith is starting at Eli like she's a goddess. I am starting to think the same thing. "You just did the impossible."

"Did I?" She grins charmingly. "I did not realise getting Abraham Bennett to attend a party is such a big deal."

"It's wonderful, " Keith exclaims. Okay, now that is just blowing things out of proportion. "You are wonderful. I could kiss you right now."

Eli winks at me. "When I get drunk tomorrow night, you just might."