Missing Pages

Chapter 21: Geeky Charms

After a lot of talking and debating, we had finally decided that one of the main things that we needed were the pages of a certain journal. The information it contained was crucial, and in the wrong hands all of our secrets would be exposed. The time-machine being an example of one of them.

I knew that if Nina had discovered the machine and knew its capabilities, our villain had formed some kind of alliance with her. With that being said, she must have an idea of where the missing pages are.

It was a wonderful Monday morning, close to noon. All had been going well, and by well I meant the usual tormenting from the people that I were well acquainted with. The only people who didn't have anything against me were the 'nerds' and 'weirdos' of the school. I am considered a nerd, but I don't show it when I'm with my friends because I'm popular. I was talking about the un-popular smarties.

I knew one thing was for sure, I wouldn't be able to do my share of work alone, so I didn't sit at the deserted lunch table today. I did something that was simply unheard of for any person within high social rankings. I sat with the geek squad.

When I took my place across from a ginger-haired girl, I could literally hear my social life plunking down the drain. As the cafeteria filled more watchful eyes stared.

"Hi," I attempted to start a conversation. I got a couple of 'hellos' and even a smile from around the table. I didn't know that I had such an effect on people. I guessed that they were freaking out in their minds at the fact that a popular was actually sitting at their table. I didn't like the idea of popularity before, but I could get used to these people falling at my feet.

My ears could pick up the words, Marvel and Jurassic World, so I couldn't resist joining in on the conversation.

I noticed that the girl across from me hadn't spoke a word to me the whole time, never mind acknowledge my presence like the others did. She wasn't glaring at me, but she most definitely wasn't cracking a smile, either. She was staring at me with a knowing look that made me slightly uneasy.

We had just gotten done discussing how awesome the latest Terminator was when I cleared my throat. "Hey, do any of you believe in magic or spirits?" I questioned casually. I saw a couple heads nod.

"Nah. I don't think so. I'd have to experience it to believe it," said a guy who I thought to be Tom. I was probably the only person at my table who really knew everyone's name. "But I do believe in reincarnation, to a certain extent."

"Well, I'm sort of new to this idea, and I find it very interesting. I was looking for some people to talk about it with and answer some questions," I lied.

"Yeah, that's what they always say," interjected the girl with ginger hair. "Just admit it. You need a research paper or report done?"

"No," I spoke genuinely, "I don't use people, especially when I believe in doing things yourself. I just wanted to make sense of it all."

"Well, why didn't you come here sooner?" she probed.

Shoot. She could see right through my disguise, only with an incorrect guess about my motives. I glared at her in silence, what part of 'new to this idea' didn't she understand?

"Look, I hate to rain on your parade, but we all know where you're from. We also know what's going on in your little populars group. If you think you can come over here and rule over us because they've ruined your "social rating" then you're dead wrong. I'm not just gonna sit here and watch my friends be manipulated by a self absorbed, conceited little snob," she finished being sure to use air quotes around the words social rating.

"Ooh BURN!" yelled someone from my table. "Pour some cold water on that burn!"

In the blink of an eye, a group (Carmen's) came over and poured several cups of icy water over me.

After I got over the students' laughter and my initial shock, I continued the conversation with little miss know it all. Her face softened at what just happened, signifying that she meant no harm. I smiled despite the current conditions at the kindness in her heart.

"I know that you are being a great friend, and I admire that, but I'm not using you guys for my benefit at all. I promise."

Standing from my chair, I scribbled my Twitter username on a loose sticky note, and gave it to them.

DM me. @**********
Jasmine ⚛

Waving to everyone, I made the big exit to the bathroom to change my clothes.

~* The next day... *~

I hadn't heard from Barbara or my grandma, so I brushed it off thinking that they were busy. I just focused on retrieving those missing pages for now.

I took my spot back at the geek squad and greeted everyone. I was quiet for most of lunchtime, only responding with yes or no. There was a lot on my mind. My latest note went a little something like this:

I can see your group of three, and I know exactly what you need. If you want the papers that you seek, you must ask it of thee. ~Y.W.N.

It also listed a time and place with today's date. I know that whoever this is wants to meet me, and probably force me to beg or make a stupid deal for the papers.

I was stuck between alerting Barbara and Maya, when I know they wouldn't let me go meet my blackmailer, or just secretly meeting up with the person.

I stared at my tray of food in disgust. Chicken tetrazzini with mushy tomatoes, greens, and musty cheese, bleh!

The others at the table must have noticed my introverted actions, watching me pick and probe at my food.

"I see her staring at the noodles, its most certainly not cool. She really thinks it could be food, but it's just nasty, yeah!" sang out Veronica.

I chuckled at her accurate humor. You got to admit that she had a really good singing voice.

She received a couple of weird stares from the surrounding tables. "What?!" she exclaimed, "The song is catchy!"

Her reference to the Maroon 5 song made me forget about my troubles for a second. I smiled at her, and stopped my griping for a while.

"What's on your mind?" asked a boy named Kyle.

"I...well...It's Carmen. And...pretty much everything else that's been happening."

"What else has been bothering you, if you don't mind me asking?"

"There's this person- I don't know who, but they keep on blackmailing me with these absurd messages. They seem to know my entire situation at school, which is kind of creepy."

"Wow, that must suck," Veronica spoke up. "Did they leave any clues hinting to their identity?"

"Yes, the initials Y.W.N. Carmen and I thought that this was a diversion since we didn't know anyone with those initials. When she was normal, I guess."

"I've also been seeing visions of my grandmother who passed away a little while ago," I added, choosing my words with caution.

"Well, she could be trying to contact you spiritually to let you know that she's alright on The Other Side," Kyle suggested.

I nodded and thanked everyone for their support. Standing, I told them about my plans I had made earlier, cutting my lunch short.

"Oh, and here's my number!" nearly forgetting about my plan for becoming well acquainted with them. Kyle's eyes widened in shock as he took the slip of paper out of my grasp. I noticed one of his 'bros' making kissing faces and wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

I rolled my eyes at him and went on my way to go help out a former math teacher of mine in her classroom.