Teen Idols And Happy Meals

Fruit Loops And Fights

Nikki’s POV

“In recent news, Nicolette has been rumored to be running an illegal pornography site. A reliable but anonymous source has revealed to the press that Nicolette, whose family has been down on hard times, had a webcam set up in her bedroom so that she can ‘preform’ for her fans, for a fee of course. The real question is though, is this how Jacen met Nicolette? If so, I might have to get a webcam for my room!”

“Stupid bitch,” I growled, slamming my thumb down on the off button with force before tossing the remote callously onto the sofa. “I don’t even own a webcam.”

“Have you heard the one where we’re Romanian royalty hiding out after an uprising?” came Joey’s voice as he appeared in the doorway, spilling milk on his jersey as he sloppily scarfed down Fruit Loops. “Oh – or the one saying you’re an undercover KGB agent. That one’s my favorite.”

I fumed, glaring at the black TV screen like it was personally responsible for all this. “You shouldn’t watch that garbage,” I scolded, grabbing my bag off the floor and slinging it over my shoulder as I stalked into the kitchen.

“Then why were you watching it?” he pestered, trailing behind me and wiping milk off his chin. He threw his bowl unceremoniously into the sink where it clanked loudly against all the other unwashed silverware.

“Research,” I replied, grabbing my lanyard of keys, “Haven’t you ever heard of ‘know thine enemy?’” 

Joey looked puzzled. “Is that a commandment or something?” he asked, picking up his bag.

“It should be,” I muttered, peering out the window to scope out the driveway. There didn’t appear to be anything suspicious out there. No news’ vans or cameramen. No reporters with fake tits shoving microphones in my face, and no pushy paparazzi blinding me with flashes. The coast was clear.

“C’mon Joey,” I said, holding back the barrage of canines as I pried the door open. “Let’s get out of here while we can.” He complied and slipped out the door with me as I closed the door just before one of the dogs could sneak out.

Satisfied, I began heading towards my car, my boots crunching in the freshly fallen snow. It was eerily  quiet out, or maybe it just seemed that way after the riot that had taken place here yesterday. Now though, the place seemed unnaturally still. No wind stirred the icy snow that clung to the tree branches and blanketed my driveway. It was only an inch or two, but it seemed to have silenced the whole world – like a pillow over a boom box.

I glanced around nervously, just waiting for some paparazzi scumbag to pop out from behind a tree. Maybe the encounter yesterday had made me paranoid, but it was warranted. Jacen was right; those people were parasites. I was just lucky they hadn’t roughed me up like they’d done to Jacen.

Suppressing my anger, I climbed in my car and started it up, locking the doors and turning on the heat. Joey didn’t say anything, just fiddled with the radio as we made the short commute to school. We had had to miss yesterday given the fact that we’d been trapped in our own house. Today was already fairing much better, but I was still skeptical. Now that the secret was out, there was no telling what could happen.

School looked much the same as it always did, covered in a thin veil of white. I pulled into the parking lot where various juniors and seniors were milling about in packs on their way inside. They all leaned in close to each other to whisper as they nodded and pointed discreetly at my car as it passed. I had to resist the urge to run them down.

“Nikki,” Joey said finally, breaking the silence as I pulled into our usual spot. At least that hadn’t changed. I looked over at Joey as I killed the engine. His eyes, pale grey like our fathers, were somber. It was a look I was not used to seeing in my irresponsible, touchy little brother. “If anyone gives you any problems today . . . You just tell me.”