Famous Friends

Chapter 9

Its here, the day of the Open House.
I have to make it good. I have to make it good. If not...
I can picture my mom's disappointed face as the doors of the hallways we once happily wandered in getting sealed. I can picture our school getting turned into something else. No, it can't happen!
Come on, I have come this far. I can't be thinking like this.
I have to put on my best. Both for my speech and the performance.

I do my best to do an updo and put on the Student Council uniform. Its meant only for the members of the Student Council. And yeah, of course, boys have pants and a tie instead of the skirt and ribbon.
I hope the logo display was sucessfull. Its important for me to promote the Student Council too. It will be main highlight of my speech for the Open House.
I hope I will have enough time for everything.
xXx
I am here, at my office, running over my speech over and over again.
I don't even pay attention to the fact that I am called to the auditorium for my speech until Christina bursts in through the door.
"Come on, Tris. Its time for you to make your speech." She says.
I quickly make my way to podium on the stage.
"Good morning. Welcome to Chicago High. I am Tris Prior, Student Council President of Chicago High. The..." I launch off into a long speech about our school and today's activities.
When I am done, everyone claps, as I get off the stage.
"That was awesome now lets go get ready for the surprise event." Marlene says, as she anxiously rubs her hands on her skirt.
xXx

Minutes later, we stand infront of the mirrors of the rest room. I hope it goes well.
"Its finally time." Marlene murmurs.
"Yeah." I add.
We make our way to the stage, the curtains are still closed. But I hear noise coming from behind it. Sounds like a lot of people are here.
"What is a good thing to say at a time like this?" Christina whispers.
"I don't know." Marlene says.
An idea pops into my mind. "I know. We'll each say a number."
"Yeah." Both of them reply.
"One." I say.
"Two." Marlene follows.
"Three." Christina finishes.
We burst into quiet laughter.
Sledgehammer. Is what I named our song for today.
We start singing as soon as the curtains opens.

If you could take my pulse right now it would feel just like a sledgehammer
If you could feel my heartbeat now it would hit you like a sledgehammer

Marlene: I don't admit it, I play it cool, but every minute, that I am with you, I feel the fever and I won't lie, I break a sweat, my body's telling all the secrets I ain't told you yet.

Christina: Woah-oh
Tris: I struggle to contain
Christina:Woah-oh
Tris: the love that's in my veins
Christina:Woah-oh
Tris: and how it circulates

All together: If you could take pulse right now it would feel just like a sledgehammer
If you could feel my heartbeat now it would feel just like a sledgehammer
You're taking over the beat of my body
You just don't let up, don't let up
You're taking over the beat of my body
But you lift me up, lift me up
If you could take my pulse right now it would feel just like a sledgehammer

And we just continue to sing that order and dance. While the audience just watch us in wonder. I hope it really goes well.
When we finish, we bow and get off the stage.
"That was simply amazing." Christina smiles.
"I know right. Let's go back to the Council Room and change back into our uniforms." I say.
We do as planned.
"I wonder what they'll think." Marlene asks.
"They would have loved it." Christina says cheerfully.
"How do you know that?" I ask.
"I just do." She replies.
The door opens.
"Girls, that was amazing." I hear my mom's voice.
"Thanks, mom." I say.
"Aren't you gonna come out and enjoy the party?" She asks.
"Party? What party?" Marlene asks.
"There's one for all the people involved in the facilitating of the Open House. Like a 'Thank you' party. Come on out and have fun, girls. I have to go." She says, leaving.
"Yayyy! Let's go!" Christina exclaims, dragging Marlene out the door.
I chuckle silently and follow them.
"You were awesome up there today, blondie." I hear that deep voice say, when I turn around the corner. Christina and Marlene are nowhere to be seen. They must have run off.
"You know, I do have a name." I say.
"Alright, jeez, Tris." He says.
"So, you were there?" I ask, standing up straight and folding my arms.
"Uh, yeah. I was supposed to man the soccer booth." He says.
"Right." I reply.
"So we're still friends right?" He asks.
"If we weren't then I wouldn't be talking to you." I laugh.
He laughs as well. "Right."
"Where is your girlfriend?" I ask.
"Oh, can we not talk about her?" He says.
"Why not? I just asked where she was." I say.
"She was manning the cheerleading booth. Then...I don't know where she went. Nor do I care." He says. Why not? The question bubbles up my throat but I decide not to ask.
"Let's get going to the party then." He says, holding out a hand.
"Okay." I reply, taking it.
xXx
"You havin' fun?" He asks.
"Of course." I reply.
He hands me a Coke that he got somewhere.
"Thanks." I say.
"Don't mention it." He replies.
"Babe, what're you doin' with her ?" I hear that familiar snarky voice ask. Lauren.
"Just hanging out." He says.
"You could have hung out with Zeke." She says.
"He was busy, all of the guys were. So I happened to run into her that is all." He says.
She looks at me with undeniable disgust and I return it.
"Hey Lauren, come on! We have to move!" Someone calls out to her. Phew. At least she will be gone.
"Your girlfriend doesn't seem to like me very much. Are you sure you should be hanging out with me?" I ask.
"I don't care. I don't even care about her in the first place." He replies, frustrated. I decide not to press any further on the issue.
"You wanna dance?" He asks me, looking at the dance floor.
Again? But this time I accept it without any objections.
And the rest of the evening goes blissfully for me.