Was I Just A Bet?

(4) Someone Unexpected

Enjoy with my sister? Dad just got the wrong meaning of enjoyment. Enjoyment goes and sits far away when Rachel and I are together. Sometimes I wonder, do dad really think Rachel and I are really bonded sister?

Never in my nerd life I ever thought I would dealing with Rachel and Nathan, together, like this. Had I been a bear I would have gone into a deep hibernation that you couldn't wake me up until next month when every darn problem would be out of my way. But guess I don't have time to go in hibernation. I got the head girl competition to win.

I took science book out of my bag, out of boredom. Yes, I study when I am bored. Nerd story. Just when I started flipping pages to physics section, my room's door opened.

"What the f**k? Your not coming in my party" here comes the rush of politeness in my room. Would you let me convert oxygen into carbon-dioxide in peace?

"As if I am dying to come in your sicken party of assholes" I have started cursing a lot from past week. Well, with this drama going on I don't feel like blaming myself.

"I won't even let you in dumb ass." Rachel was leaning on my doorway giving me her hard look eyeing up my science book. "Guess I won't let you in, even in the contest. Head girl contest isn't for nerds. Get it right away" I leaned a little back on my window covering my face with the book and smiled. She gets really irritated when she is ignored in such an obvious manner.

"Rachel I am not interested in parties and you know that so I won't be coming. So I don't think we should have this argument" I said with book still on my face.

"Thank you for that. At least I won't be facing the embarrassment of you being around " She said in a bored tone and her words were so usual to my ear that I could frame the sentence even before she spoke it out.

With that she left me alone. Thank god. I wish I could just delete her from my life. But life is much more messier than a computer.

***

I woke up with the sound of alarm of my phone, pleasing twinkling sound. Bad alarm voices are not good for your day ahead. That's why I avoid Rachel in the morning. Lame.

I moved my hands through my dirty brown hair which were a total mess right now. Some strands falling on my forehead, some on lips and remaining all over the pillow. At least something about me was Messi. Lameness at its peak.

I rubbed my nose, the cold weather last night affected me easily. Then bringing my pillow even closer I dug further into my blanket. I still wish I was a polar bear. Being a human being isn't helping anymore.

Just a cup of hot chocolate and peaceful music could make my day. Talking about hot chocolate, TODAY IS RACHEL'S BIRTHDAY. I immediately picked up the phone and glanced at the time.

6:30 A M. Fudge.

I quickly jumped down my bed rushing towards my bathroom. At 7, Nathan would be here and I need to escape before Rachel sees me. Also, I need to do something before I leave.

6:45 A M.Fudge.

I opened my wardrobe and took out the first thing my hands could find. I wore a simple pink T-shirt with 'Beach Please' written on it, Adidas shorts and sneakers. Quickly blowing dryer at my hair I walked out locking my room from behind. Sometimes I really think of cutting my hair short but just one glimpse at Mom's photos pulls me back. She too had long and blonde hair. She was so beautiful that you would not help but smile looking at her. If only she would have been here.

I ran towards the kitchen to prepare hot chocolate. Yes, hot chocolate. Rachel loves that. I could prepare her that. Something is better than nothing.

Taking out a large bowl having mixture of Cocoa, salt, sugar and whisk from refrigerator I performed the remaining steps to make hot chocolate. After taking the prepared hot chocolate out of the microwave and I dropped some marshmallows into the cup. Fighting the urge to drop the idea of giving it to my sister and eating the whole myself, I took it upstairs to her room.

Slowly and less noisily I opened the wooden door to find no one inside but I could hear the voice of shower from the bathroom. Happy to find that she was bathing I crawled up to her bed and put the hot chocolate cup on her little purple cupboard and stuck a note on the cup - 'Happy Birthday Rachel'. Along with all this I also put my Volkswagen's keys on table and silently walked out of the room , but not forgetting to add to note 'Only for one day'

She always wanted a Volkswagen Beetle , even before from my birthday when I got it but dad had kept several conditions that she couldn't fulfill. So I kept those keys along with hot chocolate there. Even if I couldn't come in her party ( and yes I don't want to ) I could gift her something she likes. And also if she drives my car then she wouldn't even know Nathan is not picking her up today. I am awesome.

I walk out of my house to find Nathan already waiting there in his car glancing at his watch. He was wearing black shades with blue hoodie above black tee and jeans. His expressions were same, no hint of smile and black expressionless face. But no matter what he was looking hot. Well, that's obvious.

"Stop checking me out and roll inside. Quick" Nathan smirked. Just look at the guy, all filled up with over-confidence and self glory.

"We need to rush from here before Rachel comes and goes all Zombie over us" I said adjusting the seat belt around me.

"Be careful , don't let your clumsiness mess up my just serviced car" He said with the voice that couldn't be more mean.

"You are so mean" I said and looked away from him.

"Tell me something I don't know?" He smirked.

"I wasn't checking you out" I answered his question. It just came out. ( I couldn't have let him have the pleasure of the realization of him being so hot)

"You weren't, but you can do it now. I bet there is better view inside the car that outside" he said while I was looking outside. Is there anyone who can burst his I-am-so-hot bubble?

Probably not.

"So did you think about the deal?" he said after about 2 minutes of silence.

"I think I can bare that one-month bet-relationship. But you gotta hear me. I just cannot come in every party with you. It's just not my type." I said in a convincing tone.

"Sorry kitty, in this game you play by my rules" He winked as the car halted. Kitty? Really?

Before I could get the real meaning of his words he opened the car's door for me. He was standing in blue shade Ray Bans outside the car holding the car's handle. I looked at him with disbelief. When did this self-centered jerk became a gentleman?

"Why are you doing this?" I asked him. I seriously don't get this guy. He is like don't tell anybody about this bet-relationship and the next moment he is opening the car's door for me in front of the whole damn school. Why? Why would he not want to keep the relationship private if its just a bet? Why would he want to show me off as his new girlfriend? Won't his popular image be disturbed? Because hey, even though it happens in every movie I really don't understand how a bad boy can go before girls like me.

"C'mon kitty, you're my girl" He was too aloud for the crowd nearby to hear. I knew it was fake but it kind of felt nice.

"Stop calling me kitty, okay?"

I started moving out of the scene as soon as possible. This is hard, really. I just can't stand the fact that I have became the most popular topic among everybody. Especially among the girls who think that I stole their candy. Sometimes I just look at these girls and thank my father for the way he brought me up.

"Look she is the one. Can you believe it?"

"She is Rachel's step sister, right?"

"Maybe she is doing it purposely to irritate her sister. Maybe she is jealous of her"

"Rachel and Nathan looked far better"

This is what I heard when I started passing by. I stopped and looked at them. "Hey, you are Janice, right? Nathan told me he hated you and your entire group" I smiled as I set fire and continued walking.

I turned left to reach the locker room but stopped in my way. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw her standing over there. She cannot be here. She left the school years ago. I didn't know what I was feeling but I am sure there was a little happiness when I saw my childhood best friend standing right in front of me.