Not What it Seems

Chapter Three

~Cash~

Was it weird that I had a crush on a girl who I only truly met a few hours ago?

Was it weird that I'd had a crush on her since middle school despite not knowing her?

I guess she always just seemed laid back. She never looked like one of those people who gave a rats ass about social standing, or how much money your Daddy had. And I liked that. I mean, growing up around rich kids who undoubtedly didn't even know how to boil water, meeting someone like Jane was refreshing.

Granted, all the girls on the bottom of the food chain were pressumably like her, but I had a feeling they weren't. She was different, special. Not to sound cheesy, but she was like a breath of fresh air in a world that was like a stuffy, closed room.

Okay. Terrible similie, I admit. But that wasn't the point.

»»»»

When I got home, I knew my Mom was at work. It wasn't surprising, she worked at least three jobs daily.

I shoved open the rickety door to our appartment and tossed my backpack onto the sofa.

Looking through the dull kitchen window, I looked out over the back alley, watching the clouds swirling in the sky.

I guess you know my secret now.

I really wasn't a rich boy at all.

~Jane~

I was sitting peacefully on the bus, my earplugs shoved into my ears as I waited for the bus driver to pull out of the parking lot.

I felt the seat dip beside me and looked over to see Jason grinning at me.

"Why do you look like the Cheshire Cat?" I asked, and he rolled his eyes.

"I'm going to let you in on a great big secret," he said happily, and I knew then that this was his futile attempt at being friends.

"Keep talking."

"We're going to jump Cash Anderson tomorrow after school."

My heart thuds.

"Sorry, but who's "we"?"

"Me, Kory, some of the other guys."

"Where are you going to do it? And why, Jason?"

"Why? Because he's a rich prick and he deserves it! As for where... by the soccer field, right after he finishes soccer practice."

"Are you sure this is a good idea? I mean, what are you going to do once you've jumped him - run around claiming that you rule the school? This is pointless, Jason!"

"I thought you would support us, Jane. I mean, you're one if us after all."

I was, wasn't I? So why did I feel this intense desire to tell Cash what was coming? To save him? I hardly even knew the guy! And everything I knew about him was bad! But I couldn't help but think about earlier that day in the courtyard, just the two of us. Things had been...peaceful, and I had to wonder why a guy like Cash was bothering with a wallflower like me.

"Jane, tell me you'll support us here," he asked, and I nodded, reluctantly.

"Okay."

~Cash~

Chris texted me right as I started cooking dinner that night.

Chris: EEEEYYYYOOOO!!! Party at my house tonight!!!!

I rolled my eyes and tossed my phone back into my backpack. Only Chris would through a rager on the first day of school.

I stirred the spaghetti in the water while the ground beef was sizzling in the pan beside me. I heard the door click open, and then my mom walked in.

My mother looked just like me. We had the same sloped nose, the high cheekbones, the thick, unruly blond hair. I didn't really remember what my Dad looked like, he left when I was about two years old.

I guess that brings me to the point of why everyone thinks I'm rich.

My Dad's sister is filthy rich. When my Dad left, my Mom and I lived with my Aunt for a while, until my Mom could get back on her feet. We've almost always lived in this rickety old apartment, but until I turned sixteen my Mom wouldn't trust me alone at home.

Henceforth, I would take the school bus to my Aunts house and stay with her. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why everyone thinks I'm rich.

I know what you're thinking. Why does he care that people think he's rich? Doesn't he hate the social standing ladder anyways?

I do. I definitely do, but I've seen the way that those kids at the bottom of the totem pole get treated. I've seen the way they get bullied, and beat up, and taunted, just because their parents aren't rich.

And maybe it's selfish, but I don't want to end up like that. I don't care about the popularity, honest, but I don't want to be the victim.

But doesn't that just make me the bully?