Keeping The 'V'

Chapter 4 - Button Pushing

Tuesday morning. My second favourite day to wake up because we had four periods of sport at school today.

I found my ugly maroon sport shirt and navy shorts on the floor. I gave them a quick smell check, approved and pulled them on. Having to walk to school, and already being late, I scoffed down my toast and quickly packed my bag.

I threw on my spray jacket while tieing my shoes and putting on my bag.

Talk about multitasking.

"Byemumgottagotoschoolseeyoutonightloveyoubye." I spat out before running down my street and doing my hair.

About half way to school I felt small drops of rain on my face. Wiping them away, I continued walking. Suddenly the rain started pouring down. I pulled the hood of my jacket over my head and began running once again. I got tired after a few minutes and my bag was not helping, so I gave into the rain and walked.

I shoved my hands in my pockets and hung my head low as I stomped down the footpath in the rain. A car horn sounded from behind me as Toby's red pick up truck pulled up onto the curb.

" Need a ride?" My answer was obvious as he opened the passenger door for me. I jumped in and he speed off. He cranked up the heaters to full blast, despite the heat outside, in an attempt to dry me off.

When we arrived at school I was fairly dry but still wet and sulking. I contemplated getting out, but the decided against it.

" No no no. Nope. Not getting out of this car. Too bloody wet. I'm going home." I muttered.

" Kat come on." Toby was standing out side my window in the rain.

" Nope." I crossed my arms and shook my head. He opened my door and threw his football windbreaker at me.

" Put it on and let's go." I put it on but didn't move. He sighed and moved towards me, putting one hand under my legs and the other behind my back. He swept me out of the car and into his arms.

" Toby!" I protested. He struggled to pick up my bag, but managed, and flung it into my arms.

Closing the door with his foot, we began moving into the school. Girls shot me nasty looks but Toby refused to put me down. The guys winked and nodded and did some strange boy sign language toward Toby as he finally put me down outside our lockers.

" You didn't have to do that." I laughed.

" Oh trust me, I did if we wanted to get to class on time, or at all."

" Well thank you." I leaned up and kissed his cheek.

It wasn't fake or for show this time though. I began stripping of his windbreaker but he stopped me.

" Keep it, we don't need a wet T-shirt competition around here." He smirked. I looked down to see that my soaking wet top was sticking to my chest and showing a bit more than what was appropriate fit school. I self consciously zipped up the windbreaker.

" Thank you for the warning, but what about your freezing skin?" I cared for my best friend.

" I'm a boy. The cold never bothered me any way." he smiled and started dragging me toward class.

We got there just as the bell went. We always had home room together but not many electives. Thankfully Nathaniel wasn't in our class, so no more awkward encounters for me. My first class was science, and I was not looking forward to seeing Ms Rae again. To my dismay the bell went and I was forced to move to my dreaded class.

I met up with Casey in the hall.

" Looking forward to this class?" She laughed.

" Wouldn't miss it for the world." I smiled. A fake cough sounded from behind us.

" Ladies." Harrison said as he and Drew came and walked one on either side of us.

" Hello man whore." I spat at Harrison.

" Kat, that was just hurtful." He pretended to cry.

" Meant it with all my heart." I grabbed Casey's arm and dragged her quickly away.

.~.

Ms Rae seemed to shrink as she saw the four of us enter the room.

" Good morning Ms Rae." I put on my biggest fake smile.

" Good morning, Katrina. Nice to see you have come with a better attitude."

I dropped the smile as I turned my back.

" Oh my God, this is gonna be a long class." I whispered to Casey. We went straight to our benches.

Halfway through Ms Rae's 'good morning' speech the door opened and a tall boy walked in.

" Ah, welcome welcome." Ms Rae beckoned him over. " Class, I want you to meet our new student, Oliver. I hope you all make him feel welcome." Her eyes swept over the class and landed on my bench. " Oliver, if you could swap with Harrison and work with Drew. Harrison you'll be working with Petunia."

Harrison actually shuddered. Petunia was the schools stereotypical nerd. Head gear, glasses, piggy-tails, non stop drool and knee high socks were just some of the hideous qualities she possessed.

She smiled, or tried to with her head gear on, and waved at Harrison before wiping away the drool on her sleeve. Harrison shuddered again. He grabbed his stuff and moved at a snails pace towards her.

Oliver made his way over and took the bench spot across from me. He had big, almost unnaturally blue eyes and messy black hair. He smirked when he saw me.

" Hey. It's the worlds biggest slut." He insulted me. I ran through my list of comebacks in my head.

" It would be nice if you stopped talking about yourself."

" Did you not here me over he sounds of the guy in your bed? I called you a slut."

" And who are you to judge? You've been here three seconds."

" I know everything."

" You don't know shit, pretty boy." I yelled.

" Katrina!" Ms Rae interrupted. " Language, please!"

" Aye-aye captain." Ms Rae let my snarky comment slip with only an evil glance.

" Are you doing it with the girl next to you too?" He was stirring me.

" God, you're an even bigger man whore than Harrison." I hissed at him. " Hey Harrison, Oliver has taken your spot as the man whore, and he's only been here thirty seconds."

" Katrina!" Ms Rae was very angry now. " One more word out of you-"

" I said okay! No need to treat me like a six year old." I cut her off, getting frustrated for no reason. This Oliver character really knew how to push my buttons.

" Katrina get out of this room right now!" Ms Rae yelled in a very high pitched voice. I shrugged and exited the class room.

I didn't wait for Ms Rae to lecture me. I made my way to my locker, packed my stuff and exited the schools by back gates.