Shady Secrets

Regulars

"You can count on me,
Like one, two, three,
I'll be there,"
- Bruno Marz (Count On Me)

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"Don't forget the guitar," Dad reminded me as I hopped out of the car.

"I won't," I smile back. I kissed him on the cheek quickly and started walking along the path to my locker, guitar in my hand. It was quite heavy actually. Very heavy. I bet you if you weighed it, it would be equal to over ten kilograms. Of course, being the natural me, I tried not to show how much I was struggling with the weight. I could feel my shoulder going numb and I could feel my knees starting to tremble under me. Pull yourself together Harpie, it's not real. I tell myself that whenever it hurts. I just say to myself, it isn't real. And even if the pain is real, well, there's nothing you can do about it. Sadly, our bodies' natural instinct is to cry when we get hurt, which I just find stupid. Crying won't do anything except make it look like you spilt water on your shirt. It's a waste of time. And those who think crying helps are wusses. So, I stood up, straightened my shoulders back and sped up the pace. Naturally, the second I opened the music room, my arms and legs gave way and I landed on my butt, a ten kilo guitar sitting on top of me. I banged my knee against the wall.

"Shishka!!" I said as quietly as I could. Yes, I have a whole list of words that I say instead of the bad words. Shishka, shiz, shming, shitaki mushrooms, you know, that kinda thing. I got myself up, rested my guitar against the wall and walked out coolly.

I mean, it was like nothing happened...

Until Lucas walked past. I felt myself instantly reach for my hair to check if it was neat, and instantly, he was gone and walking past me yelling,

"Hey!" To his little buddies. I know I shouldn't get so worked up when he ignores me, but I just wished that for once in his life, he would give me a chance. Who knows, I might be the best friend a guy could ever have! There it is again, the wishful thinking. Cut it out Harpie! I continued to walk towards my locker and stopped at the stairs where Athena Ferangè was waiting for me.

"Oh hey," I said

"Sup," she replied, clearly busting to tell me something, "have you heard about the new kid?" I frowned,

"No, I haven't heard anything," I thought about it for a second, trying to remember if I had seen him before and just not recognised him. "And, I don't remember seeing him,"

"Yeah, well, he's starting today, being the first day back for the term and everything." I laughed,

"Of course," and we walked up to the lockers. Of course, Flint Roche was at his locker. He stood up straight and walked past us, awkwardly saying,

"Hi Harper," I sighed and smiled kindly,

"Hi Flint,"

"How are you?" And as usual, I replied,

"I'm good, what about you?" Traditionally, he looked surprised by my question, but quickly answered back,

"I'm good." And then he walked away, and of course, Athena burst out laughing. I smiled, but managed to contain the furious giggles trying to escape my mouth. Convo done. Finished. This is how it was every day. And every day, I tried to be as nice as I could be, and he consistently was an awkward penguin of sorts (without the black and white fur of course). So basically, we are just really awkward around each other and Lola Talman constantly loved to make fun of the awkwardness shared between us. Frustratingly, Lucas has a different problem. He loves to make fun of any guy that I have an interest in, or any guy that has an interest in me. That's another reason why I'm starting to dislike Lucas. I'm thinking about giving Flint a chance just to annoy him, but that's wrong. I'm not as big of a jerk as he is.

By the time I got to my locker, Darcy McHailen was already there and trying to unlock my locker. I walked over to her, leaving Athena behind at her locker, and wacked Darcy on the head with my hat. So, naturally, she grabbed my leg and tripped me over...

Just as Lucas walked up the stairs and saw me sprawled across the ground.