In Bloom: A James Franco Story ~

Chapter 2

Palo Alto High School was the home to everyone, the home to cheerleaders and track stars who wanted to make it big in this world, and home to the trashy water polo team along with one girl who wanted to tear apart my entire image slowly and painfully.

Marianne Webster.

She was apparently the 'teen queen of Palo Alto', the girl who ran the entire teenage population.

"You think Marianne will destroy us again?" Donna laughed, poking my arm while I rolled my eyes."

"Ugh, definitely. The girl didn't even go to our school last year and she seriously ruined my life when I had to go visit that damn community pool everyday last summer."

I knew I would be torn apart at this high school. I no longer wore heavy 'black shit' on my eyes as Marianne had told me, and I no longer let my hair grow to extreme lengths, but I was still the same girl inside. I know some kids have it worse than me, but hell, I took the cake for the shittiest kid in Palo Alto.

I was a freshman, but I was already aware of everyone and everything that went on in the school.

"Don't step over to the cheerleaders or the water polo team." Donna reminded me, "Remember, you're fresh meat, and girls and guys here will devour you and rip you apart with every single thing you have. Be careful."

"Don't worry, I used to be a criminal." I teased, pushing Donna's college ruled notebook to the ground.

"Dammit Price, pick up my book and I can show you where your damn class is."

"Hey, is Mr. Smith the gay teacher who you said is obsessed with Madonna?" I asked.

"Yeah, he's quite the character, but don't let his gay circus fool you. He's an absolute asshole. Remember what I told you about Mrs. Blake- don't even look at her. The bitch has more babies popping out than your mother. I thought the bitch had Diabetes at first drinking gallons of water every single day, but I found out she has babies quite a lot."

"Well, thanks." I said sarcastically. "Well, take me to class, you skank."

"Remember, Mrs. Blake can kiss your ass some days and then be a total bitch the next day." Donna winked. "Good luck, fresh meat. And if you need any lipstick, you know where to find me."

It was first period with Mr. Smith and his Health class and I was already done while he discussed the pros and cons of sex. Unfortunately, Marianne was in my class completely eyeing me the entire time. God, I seriously wanted her dead.

"Uhm, Mr. Smith? Can I use the bathroom?" I asked. It was only the first day of school and I already had the urge to cut class.

"Alright, make it quick, hon."

I walked out and surprisingly had the guts to shoot Marianne a dirty look.

Big fucking mistake.

As I walked out, I noticed her racing towards me while I was near the restroom.

"Jennifer Price, wait!" she yelled, grabbing what appeared to be a handkerchief from her purse. "Why the hell are you cutting class? Back to your old ways?"

"Would you really care?"

"I would." replied Marianne. "I seriously would, Ms. Price."

"Fuck you." I snapped back.

"You're testing me, Jenny. You're going far and I can tell everyone that you threatened to kill me with your dad's pocket knife because I'm aware of your reputation, Price. So why don't you take your Kurt Cobain bullshit and your shitty makeup and shove that right down your nonexistent father's throat?"

"I'm doing this new thing where I honestly don't give a shit." I said, pushing her away. "Now move, I need to use the restroom."

"You disgust me, you know that?"

I tuned Marianne out. I noticed a boy walking from the office. All I noticed was his warm smile and his rolled up plaid button up shirt that revealed his pale chest. I seriously blushed a little until I noticed he was coming towards us. Suddenly, reality struck me again as he spoke.

"Hey, what's going on here?" he asked.

"Oh, this girl was just threatening me with her father's pocket knife." Marianne smirked.

"Is that so? Doesn't look like it, now does it? I mean, my own dad taught me the looks of a lying woman and I can definitely tell that you're doing that." he scolded Marianne. "And you okay?" he shot a look at me as he revealed the same warm smile from earlier.

"Yeah, I just.." I was speechless. His look, his voice, his smile..

"You sure?"

"Yeah.. I.. Oh, are you new too? Sophomore?"

"No, fresh meat." he laughed. "And hey, what are you still doing here?" he asked Marianne.

"Leaving. Bye, slut." She walked away with her clicking heels that did all the talking for her. She was nothing but what I called 'a common whore'.

"Was she abused or something?" he asked, laughing.

"No, she just feeds off being a bitch and ruining my life with her hooker heels."

"Nice. Typical high school girl. What class do you have now?"

"I have Health with a gay teacher obsessed with Madonna named Mr. Smith. How about you?"

"Algebra 2 with Mr. Hillhouse. Name's James, by the way." he extended his hand towards me and I shook it. His hand was so soft..

"Awesome, now what's your name?"

"J.. Jennifer." I choked on my words as I stared at him from head to toe. In my head, he was flawless. Pale skin, a skinny figure, black boots, and boot cut pants to match it all. His whole look read grunge, but his personality was everything combined.

"Did you ditch or something?" James asked.

"Nah, I lied about using the restroom and ran into that psychotic bitch while doing so."

"Well, I believe I have to go. See you around, Jennifer." he smiled once again. Finally, it had made me smile even more inside AND out, which was rare to see.

"Yeah.. sure." I said. "Wait, where do you want to meet, James?"

"The drama room. Meet you there, cutie." he winked.

With that, my head was filled with a new guy to crush on: James, the one who defended me with his random act of kindness.