Happiness [Book 2]

Chapter 23 - If a Girl Isn't Pretty

I walked into school the next day and was greeted by lots of people, running up to me. "Marley! You're show last night was amazing!" One of the girls complemented me.

"Thank you." I smiled at her.

"You're my idol now, Marley. You were incredible last night." There were heaps of people surrounding me, before everyone was pushed aside by Angie.

"I knew Marley first, I'm her biggest fan. Go away." She said, pushing the people away from me.

"What's going on?" I smiled as everyone ran away from me.

"A group of freshman went last night and they loved your voice. As I do, too." Angie grinned, walking in front of me, facing me and trying not to crash into anyone. "You're amazing. I told you." She shrugged before walking away from me.

"Woah." Jake said, coming up from behind me. "There was a bunch of freshman talking about you just then."

I laughed and looked over at Jake. "I know." I smiled, tilting my head to the side.

"You have a fan club now. That's awesomel!" He shouted, poking my upper arm. I stuck my tongue out at him and pulled out my phone.

"I want to tell Ryder." I smiled, jogging into the bathroom and dialing his number. 

"Hey, Marley! You have to hurry, school's starting soon." Ryder said.

"Oh, hey, I just had to tell you something cool." I grinned, kicking the ground with my foot.

"What is it?" Ryder asked, a smile in his voice.

I was going to tell him, but there were voices in the background fighting over slurpees. "Dude, shut up! I'm trying to talk to Marley!" Ryder shouted.

"Oh, hey, Marley! I'm Ryder's friend!" His friend shouted and I responded with a simple and quiet hi.

"Sorry." He apologised, before the noise dissapeared. "What'd you need to tell me?" 

"I walked into school today and I have a fan club of freshman." I laughed.

"Really?" He said.

"Yeah,!" I smiled, my voice echoing around the bathroom.

"Biebs, bell!" I heard a boy shout.

"Biebs?" I said as Ryder chuckled.

"That's my friends name for me." 

"Well, I need to meet these friends." I smiled, leaning against the wall.

"How about I hang with them this afternoon before you go to the musical? There's time, right?" 

"Always." I grinned, nodding my head.

"Okay,  I'll talk to you later!" He shouted.

"Bye, I love you!" I said.

"Love you too," and the line dropped dead there.

With a sigh, I walked out of the bathroom and to my locker, pulling my books out and walking to my next class. 

***

That afternoon, I sat backstage, playing with a make up brush, while I waited for Ryder to come online. 

No one was here yet, so it was secluded and nice; my type of place. I stared at the blank computer screen, waiting for the name to flash up. 

I finally saw it, and I did freak out. I clicked open and it began to slowly show Ryder's face. "Hi." I smiled as he returned my smile with an even bigger one.