Blandview High Musical

76. On A Different Plane

It didn't take a while for word to get around certain parts of LA that there was a new dancer at the Rainbow Unicorn. Even some of the jocks at the high school were talking about it. "Stripping?" Tommy said in a loud ass voice at the lunch table. I kicked him under the table. "OW!" "It's not as bad as it might seem." Jade said. "Are you making a lot of money at least?" Damien asked. Jade took a drink of the soda that was sitting beside her tray. "Yeah." She said, placing it down. The conversation skidded to a halt as Donnie came into the cafeteria. All of our heads turned and looked in his direction. He'd gone back to his old ways and hanging out with his shitty jock friends again. "That's just something else that's different too." Damien said. Caylie smashed her elbow into Damien's ribs. "Yow!" He shouted. "Don't be such an asshole." Jade simply shrugged her shoulders and looked away.

"I'm thinking we should go there tonight." One of the jocks commented. Donnie walked up and sat down. "What are you guys talking about?" He asked. They chuckled and got silent for a moment. "Seriously?" "Well, we just don't wanna piss you off." "Brad...just tell me." Donnie said. The jocks exchanged glances. Brad sighed. "Alright, look. We were talking about maybe going tonight to the Rainbow Unicorn. They've got a new dancer and she's really good." Donnie scoffed and started laughing. "Guys, why would I be mad about that?" "Well, it's just that—" Brad started to speak when one of the other boys silenced him. "We-We were gonna ask you if you wanted to join us." Donnie raised his brow. "We could get you a single dance." He said. "I dunno man, I can't really afford that." Donnie said. "Is Mr. Tondre not paying you enough?" Brad teased. "Shut up." Donnie said. "So tonight then?" Brad suggested.

"Do you miss him?" I asked Jade. Lunch had concluded and we were walking to our next class together. "Miss who?" Jade asked. "Donnie..." I felt nervous asking about it because I wasn't sure if she would bite my head off. She sighed. "A little bit. He made me feel good, but I guess nothing lasts forever." She said. There was a slight pause. "Oh...here." She said, reaching into her bag. "I made this for you." She said, handing me a small token. It was a polaroid photo of Shayne and I. "I have a little printer at home that basically makes any picture an Instax picture. I thought you might like it." It was a photo from his coming home party. The very last time we were all together. I felt myself getting emotional. "I laminated it and made a little keychain out of it. I figured you could hang it somewhere, wherever you like." She said. I threw my arms around her, hugging her tightly. "I love you." I said. "I love you too." She said, squeezing me.

Caylie was in the music room, practicing her vocal tones. Damien thumped his knuckles against the door a few times. "Hey, I was just checking in on you." He said. "You should be in class." She said. "I would be, but things look at little more interesting from where I'm standing." He said, walking into the room and shutting the door behind himself. "Oh no, you don't..." Caylie said. "Just a quick one...five minutes. I swear." He said, grinning. She rolled her eyes. "Nothing is ever quick with you." He was just inches away from her at this point, his arms extended to settle on her waist. "Well, then I guess you'll just have to settle for what I've got." He said, leaning forward and kissing her.

"You didn't call me last night." Billy said, cornering me while I was going through my things inside my locker. I jumped. "Jesus...don't sneak up on me like that. We're not...not like that, Billy." "I know, but...I just can't help it." He said. I sighed. I knew this was a mistake. Here lately, I haven't been myself. I've been having more nightmares than normal. I just haven't been sleeping good. "Things have just been complicated." I said. "Are you seeing someone else? If you are, just tell me." He pressed. "Billy, I'm not—look, I don't even know why we're having this conversation." His shoulders slumped down, a sign of defeat. "Alright." He turned on his heel and walked off. I could feel myself balling my fists up. With mounting frustration, I slammed the locker door shut.