Company

Chapter Three

After our food fight, everyone washed up and began to pick up the basement. Surprisingly, it didn't take as long as I thought it would. The grease stains were gone, the ranch on the walls was wiped up, and things were restored back to their original forms. So, we popped some popcorn, divvied out the rest of the soda, and watched a movie. Every time we have a hang out, we rotate on who gets to choose the movie. Last week, Bree chose, and we ended up watching this really funny romantic comedy movie that took place in France. It had time travel, Ernest Hemingway, and gorgeous cinematography. I couldn't remember the title, but it was really, really good. Tonight, it was a Batman movie. I guess you can tell who picked that one out.
After the movie, we have what Ryan likes to call, "Random Talk Circle", where we all sit in a circle and talk about the weirdest things. It can be from, "What would happen if you masturbated for a week straight?" to "I am pretty sure there's an evil version of me in an alternate universe". We have the alternate universe talk a lot, just because it's a fun thing to talk about.
"I bet there's a universe where Jane is a Disney Princess," Ryan joked. He took a sip of his soda and I rolled my eyes.
"I don't want to be a princess," I said. "I don't want to be sitting around, waiting for someone to pick me up on his noble steed and drive me into the sunset. I'm a doer. Being a Disney princess sounds like torture."
"I'd love to be a princess," Violet murmured. Everyone chuckled.
"Violet, you're already a princess. In fact, you're the princess of the group," Matt replied. He ruffled her hair and she gave him a look. "Don't touch my hair, Matty," she growled. Matt just laughed.
"I like the idea of alternate universes. That means there's a possibility that I live among television characters. I'm solving mysteries, saving the world, hunting things. That sounds pretty awesome," Orsnick imputted.
"I really hope I'm not there with you, because half the things on your shows would kill me in half a second." I took a sip of soda, feeling the cold, bubbly mess fall down my throat. I rarely drink soda, but when I do, I tend to gulp down 10-15 glasses. I had to manage myself tonight. I don't need crap in my system.
"Don't worry. If you were, then I'd protect you," Orsnick joked. We all laughed at that. Despite being an amazing soccer player, Orsnick was a klutz. He had no sense of grace off of the soccer field. He has been known to trip on air. He can trip on air. That takes something.
"If Orsnick is going to save Jane, then Bree is going to give a speech in front of the entire student body," Ryan joked. Bree shrugged, as if it was nothing. But on the inside, I could tell she was internally screaming NO.
"I would stand with you for moral support," Violet reassured Bree. Bree gave a weak smile back, as if to say, I don't think that would ever happen, but thank you.
We chatted for a while longer, until we all just sat in this strange silence, staring at our phone screens. It wasn't like we were ignoring each other, we would occasionally show each other funny pictures, but for the most part, we were glued to our devices. I sat in the corner with my notebook, furiously writing out my latest draft. After I finished my play, I moved back into novel land. I had this great idea, and I needed to sort out my thoughts before it disappeared.
As I created boxes and charts, I saw Orsnick sit down next to me, out of the corner of my eye. "Watcha doing?" he asked, leaning over my notebook. I laughed and pushed him away.
"New idea. I think this could be the one," I replied. I really thought that this idea could help me become published, of course over time and editing and loads of revisions. But this could be the idea.
"Hmmmm, very interesting. Are you going to base a character off of me?"
"Do I have to?"
"Considering our friendship has lasted twelve years, yes."
"Fine. But I'll have to use William. Not Orsnick. Sorry."
"No. You have to use William Orsnick Oswald Dennings. You need to have the main character say, 'Why thank you, Mr. William Orsnick Oswald Dennings'."
"Your initials are WOOD?"
"Your initials are JZAN."
"So?"
Orsnick stopped to think. "Yeah, I guess it doesn't matter. What do the Z and A stand for?" he asked.
"Never telling you."
"I told you mine."
"Not telling." I closed my notebook and looked at him. "I'll die before I tell you."
"Now that's extremely overdramatic."
I stood up and grabbed a soda. "So?" I gave him a cocky looks and went upstairs. I found Violet frantically texting someone. Her thumbs flew over the keypad. A look of excitement was fixed on her face.
"Heyo, Vi. Who are you texting?" I asked. She looked up, her eyes literally sparkling.
"Nathan. I invited him to perform with me at the Arts Festival and he would!" she replied, ecstatic.
The Arts Festival was a huge convention where local artists and musicians displayed their work. People would go and sing, there were lots of bands and poetry readings, and performances from local theatre troupes. It's basically Comic-Con for hipsters. Violet avidly performed with a well-known theatre company, Travelling Circus Productions. She's done everything from children's theatre to contemporary plays with them. She was even nominated for an award when she played Polly in The Gingerbread Lady (one of the few shows I've seen her in. Orsnick's been to every single one). Nathan is the guy she has a huge crush on. They were in Jesus Christ Superstar together and are the best of friends. Poor Nathan isn't aware that Violet has been crushing on him since freshman year. So basically, she hid this massive adoration from him for four years. She only told me and Orsnick about her crush, which killed Orsnick (because he likes her. I dunno how long that was. Violet doesn't know he likes her). She's been inviting Nathan to all of her shows, and he tries to show up, but never does. Him saying he'll not only be at the Arts Festival, but perform with her, is a huge deal.
"Good for you!" I exclaimed, actually feeling happy instead of faking it. Yes, most times I fake happiness for my friends. I just don't know how to identify with what they are feeling sometimes. I don't cry over fictional characters. I don't watch a lot of television. I don't have a Tumblr. I tend to my own feelings before handing other people's . And most of the time I just feel indifferent. I don't really care or I don't know how to feel. Feelings don't really matter to me.
Violet's grin grew wider. "I'm singing some really good songs that day. I really hope he likes it. I might also ask him out!" She was so giddy. It was great to see her like this.
"Awesome. Hey do you wanna spend the night?" I asked.
"Nah. I think I can survive tonight."
I ran up to my room and carefully laid my notebook in a desk-drawer, on top of various drafts that had been printed and sent to publishing companies all over. Every one was sent back with a large NOPE attached to it, and to be honest, it was bugging me. I know authors say to write for yourself, but what if you want to make a living off of what you write? I can't sit down behind some desk, working a nine-to-five job. That sounds like hell.
I ran back downstairs to see my friends collecting themselves. Matt was preparing to give rides home and Ryan had the rest of the pizza. Violet told Orsnick about you-know-who coming to the Arts Festivsal, and I could see the fakeness in his smile. He was trying to be happy for her. He was trying so hard.
Everyone went home and soon, I was alone in a big empty house. It felt great. Despite the pleasure my friends brought me, I loved being alone. Alone made me feel happy and safe.
The weekend came and went, and soon I was stuck at school again. Everyone was getting hyped about prom and shit, while I was wondering what devious scheme David Cunningham had up his sleeve. Today during lunch, he called me over to his table. To his left sat Peter Granite, a pretty okay guy, but was one of David's best friends. To his right sat Abby, who had on an exceptionally wonderful bitchface.
"Jane, how are you? Long time no see. It's almost as if you're avoiding me," he said, smirking. He leaned back and ran his fingers through his dark, messy hair. It was the kind of messy people kille to wake up with in the morning. Another reason to despise him.
"I have many reasons to avoid you, David," I replied, refusing to sit down with him. I gave a friendly wave to Peter, who smiled back.
"We should hang out sometime. Go to the park, go to the movies, go anywhere really. I know you're desperate for some type of human affection."
"Are you sure your bitch would be okay with that? I mean, you two and what you're going through." I looked Abby up and down and could instantly tell that she and David were having sex. The way she crossed her legs, the tautness of her pelvis, how she kept her movements very minimal and stiff. David must have ravished her well if she's so sore. Also, he emailed her nudes to a few of his friends, who told people, who told me. I hoped it was true, so when a time like this came I could use it to my advantage.
"Jane, once again, you and your assumptions delight me."
"David, once again, I fail to understand why you want to talk to me."
He raised an eyebrow. "If you can look at Abby and tell if we're having sex-"
"The entire school knows you're frick-fracking, paddy-whacking, smick-smacking, David. Don't be too shocked." I shifted my weight from foot to foot. He smiled and I rolled my eyes.
"We could be great allies. If we wrote a book together, it could sell millions. We could be filthy rich," David offered. I laughed.
"Emphasis on could. I would rather choke on shit rather than collaborate with you. Not like there's a difference or anything." I crossed my arms, not letting down my guard.
"You're so thick."
"And you're a douche who excretes the worst kind of filth whenever he passes. Leave me alone and get a life." I gave him a warning glare then turned my gaze to Peter. "Nice to see you, dude. Hope you have a good week. And a little side note, you're not shit," i told Peter, feeling bad that he had to hear that. I don't sympathize with people often, but Peter's that rare exception. He's just so nice to everyone, you can't hate him.
"No offense taken. I'll see you in Home Workings," he replied, giving a smile and a slight wave. I walked away, back to the table where i usually sat. Violet, Orsnick, Bree, and newcomer Nathan were all sitting together. Across the room, I could see Ryan hanging out with his soccer team, Matt strolling the halls, a textbook under his arm, and Andrew in the corner, doing something. I couldn't tell what.
Andrew was a juvenile deliquent. He was seventeen and had been to jail for minors four times, arrested fifteen other times, and almost caught a hundred other times. His mom was in the military and was one of the greatest generals the United States had ever seen. She was vicious, fearless, and an exceptional leader. One day, in battle, she was attacked by a rebel group who took down a few of her teammates. That kind of scarred her and she asked if she could leave and begin a new life. She fell in love with a man who was in the same squad as her. They got married, had Andrew, and then her husband got cancer and died. I think this was when Andrew was in fifth grade. Anyway, she found it hard to give her son attention and manage her new job as a lobbyist for some fancy-schmancy company. That's when Andrew began to turn to trouble. He would steal, he would purposefully fail tests, he tried everything. It was finally when he was arrested for destruction of public property his mom gave him some attention. She saw that his grades, the petty theivery, everything was just to grab her attention. So she tried to keep him occupied by registering him for various camps and programs, from theatre to football. Andrew finally got hooked onto computer programming, writing codes, hacking things, and it fueled his growing kleptomania. Sadly, he got tangled with the wrong crowd and the arrest records began to pile up. He's a genius and a really good guy, but he's just stuck with the wrong crowd.
I met Andrew when I got my first period during PE. It was my freshman year (yes, I hit puberty later, big deal) and I threw up on the basketball court. I had labeled Andrew as the criminal/tough-guy, who would assault me when given the chance. He walked me to the nurse's office and helped me feel better, by making jokes and teaching me some snarky comebacks. Did I mention he's the king of wit? He's insanely clever and smart. I have huge amounts of respect for him. Like Violet is my sister, he is the older brother I never had.
"So, rumor has it that David's cousin might be moving over here," Orsnick said, scrolling through his phone.
"Ew. He has a cousin? I feel so bad for him. Being related to that rat is my nightmare," I hissed, shoving salad into my mouth.
"I didn't know David had a cousin!" Violet exclaimed, highlighting a new script she got. She was doing something Shakespeare related, which excited me. I love Shakespeare. I made a mental note to ask her what part she had later.
"I don't really want to know more about him, and I honestly don't care about the situation. His cousin could be some British heartthrob with a love for classic literature and I wouldn't care." I angrily pushed more salad into my mouth. I began to slightly choke on a corn kernel, but managed to swallow it.
"Jane, I think you should go for a walk and calm yourself down," Violet suggested, after watching me slightly choke. "Maybe write down your feelings in a journal?"
I gritted my teeth. "I need to kill David Cunningham so he won't pollute this earth anymore!" I roared, a little bit too loud. A table of timid freshmen stared up at me, terrified. I stuck my tongue at them.
"Violet's right," Bree said. "You're pretty scary right now. Maybe you could vent to Drew, or Matt." She gave me a flirty little wink when she said Matt, as if I had a crush on him.
"Matt?" I asked, surprised. "Violet, you know my feelings towards him are strictly platonic. Anyways, you know nothing romantic will ever happen between me and someone else." Through some self-discovery, and my lack of interest towards boys/girls, I had the sudden realization that I was asexual. I told the gang about it a year back, but no one else really knows about it.
"If a cute person came and asked you out, would you go?" Orsnick asked.
I shrugged. "I honestly don't know. Considering I haven't felt attraction to anyone in a romantic or sexual way, I would probably turn them down unless I felt entranced by them. I haven't met anyone who entrances me, yet."
"Maybe you just need to establish a strong bond with someone before a romantic relationship starts," Violet suggested.
"But here's the thing. I don't see love in my life, ever. I don't see myself falling in love and I don't care about falling in love." I grabbed my stuff and left the salad on the table. "I have to go. Have fun with whatever you were doing."