Curtain Call (Jake Sims)

Chapter 8

I spent the rest of the weekend laying in bed watching re-runs of Criminal Minds and eating chocolate chip granola bars. My homework was finished and there was no way I was about to practice my lines for theatre. Jake and Jennifer can kiss my ass. I'll learn the lines eventually. Besides, they probably spent the weekend having sex, and there's no time to practice lines between oral and anal, so I know they didn't get any practice in either. Sunday night after my shower, I crumbled up Jakes bandana and threw it in my backpack, next to my script, and then went to bed.

***

When I got to spanish the next morning, Erick was already there, along with everyone else. Kayla and Cecilia were having a hushed conversation, and so was everyone else. When I sat down next to Erick I pulled my book out and finally looked at him. "Morning." He greeted me with a warm smile. "Morning." I returned the smile and opened my book to the page for today's lesson. "How was the rest of your weekend?" He asked. "It was fine. I went to the mall with my friend Beth and did some shopping." I lied. I didn't want him to know how lame I really am. "How was yours?" I added. "It was good. Hung out with a couple of my cousins." He shrugged his shoulders, like it wasn't a big deal. "Speaking of, you said that guy I bumped into on Friday, Jake, he's your cousin?" I asked, trying to hide my curiosity. "Yeah. His mom married my uncle, so technically we're only related by marriage, but still." He said. "Oh. How long have you two been related?" I asked. I sounded nonchalant, but I was genuinely curious. "Oh man. I think my uncle got married when I was like two or three, so we've basically grown up together." He admitted. "Wow. That's a pretty long marriage. They've been together for what, eighteen years then?" I asked, thoroughly impressed. "I think so." He nodded his head. "So I take it the first time you met his girlfriend was Friday?" I asked. I knew Jennifer wasn't Jake's girlfriend, but I needed to act like I didn't know him. "That blonde girl who dumped the beer on you?" He asked. I nodded my head. "That's not his girlfriend, he doesn't have one. She was just something he could take home for the night." He said. "Oh." Was all I could say. I knew it. I knew that's what it was when I watched them leave together, but why did I still feel a twinge of regret for letting myself think he was any different than a bad boy, player? Before I could think anymore about it, my professor came in and started class.

***

Just before I walked into my theatre class, I stopped in front of the door and took a deep breath. You can do this. You're better than them. Don't let them get in your head. I silently nodded to myself and then opened the door. When I walked inside I thought I was in the wrong room. Class starts in two minutes and there was nobody here except Mrs. Thatcher. "Come sign in, and then go to your rehearsal room." She ordered when she seen me standing there awkwardly. I quietly walked down the steps to her desk and wrote down my name, the date, and the time on a piece of paper. She didn't say anything else to me, so after I was checked in, I forced myself to go to the practice room. When I got there, that room was empty too. "Is it avoid Shannon day?" I mumbled to myself as I set my backpack down and shut the door behind me. I checked my phone and noticed that it was only 12:01pm. Class starts at noon. Jake is usually late, and Jennifer is probably off sacrificing a puppy to Satan or something. Either way I'm sure they'll both be here soon. I grudgingly pulled out my script and began reading over it. The scene we're supposed to rehearse today is the one where Lilly gets drunk for the first time and Mark finds her dancing on a table without a top on. Mark also ends up beating the shit out of a guy who was recording Lilly, and smashes the guys phone. He then throws Lilly over his shoulder and drives her home. There's no way I'm taking my top off. Fifteen minutes went by without a single appearance from either of them. I was beginning to get frustrated. Just as I was preparing to leave, the door opened and Jennifer walked in. Her hair was a mess and her lipstick was smudged. "Classy." I didn't realize I had said that outloud until I noticed the death glare I was getting from her. "Atleast I can get laid. I bet you've never even been kissed." She spat, as she ran her fingers through her hair. Ha! Yes I have you stupid-- Suddenly the door opened, revealing a very calm looking Jake. "Nice of you to join us." I rolled my eyes at him and sat down. I was beginning to realize that holding my tongue has become a lot harder since I started this class. "I figured you need the good grade." He shrugged his shoulders like he didn't care either way. "What makes you think that?" I asked accusingly. "Oh please, you basically have the word 'nerd' stamped on your forehead." He said. Jennifer erupted into a fit of laughter. "If you don't want to be here, then please, don't do me any favors." I waved my hand towards the door, implying that it was ok for him to leave. "You know what? Fine." He stood up and walked towards the door. "Wait!" I yelled and dug through my backpack. When he turned to face me again, he had a cocky smirk on his face. "I knew you wouldn't let me leave. You want that 'A' too much." He said. "Actually, I was gonna say don't forget your bandana." I said bitterly, and slapped it against his chest before I walked passed him and out of the room without giving him or Jennifer a second glance. That felt good.

***

When I got home, I went upstairs, turned on my tv, and started to watch the latest episode of Grey's Anatomy. I only got three minutes into it before I recalled what happened today. The look on Jake's face when I walked out of the room was priceless. I just wish I knew what made him act like such a jerk. He's usually pretty nice to me, but today was another story. Maybe that's how he usually acts and he was only nice because he thought it would get me to sleep with him or something. Yeah, I'd go with 'or something' because there's no way he wants to sleep with you. Whatever, I don't even care.

***

OH SNAP! THERE'S A LOT OF TENSION IN THE AIR :O ANYWAY, I HOPE YOU LIKED IT! DON'T FORGET TO COMMENT AND VOTE! xx