The Dr Pepper Effect

Cyber Baby Cries

Chapter 2 – Cyber Baby Cries

The muscles in my left hand started clenching. I stared up at his laughing expression. What a complete jerk. I pulled back my arm and punched him square in the face. Looks like he got a broken nose after all. Whoops! Oh well karma’s a bitch.

***

“So how are you taking to the posh institution you ditched us for Jade!” Rachael asked inquisitively leaning beside me as I wiped down my fifth table of the night. I was waitressing at Ritchie’s Italian Restaurant. We’d both been flat off our feet for the past four hours and based on the day I’d had, thanks to Gray’s antics and the actions of his fan club I was beyond knackered. Seriously considering falling asleep right now. My boss won’t mind. Maybe.

Rachael tapped her foot impatiently as she waited for my answer. She’d been my best friend for years and was pretty gutted when I’d been accepted to the academy.

“Well I’m pretty sure I don’t belong in their ivory tower too be honest.” I stated as I looked up from the tomato stained table. God messy kids are so annoying! “Moving was a total mistake. I can’t believe my parents persuaded me to go.” I groaned regretfully.

Rachael reached over and messed up my hair. “Oh I thought you’d made some friends there.” She said with an encouraging smile.

Pulling a face I stepped away from her, straightening my hair as I did so. “Well’s there’s one girl. She’s pretty cool. But the rest of the students are a nightmare. I mean seriously what’d I do to deserve this!” I whined.

Rachael frowned at me and sighed. “Snap out of it Jade. You’re being a drama queen.”

“But...” I began.

“Jade, this is an amazing opportunity. I mean everyone at school really misses you but it doesn’t stop us from being secretly jealous that you’re being educated amongst the rich and famous. Seriously look at the courses they offer. So many kids from there get into top universities all over the world.” She stated bluntly challenging me to disagree.

“I don’t get how. They’re pretty stupid. They must get daddy to buy their way in.” I countered.

“They can’t be that bad!” Rachael disputed thoughtfully.

“They’re detestable. I can’t even describe the gormless drivel they come out with. You wouldn’t get it.” I said feeling sorry for myself.

She scoffed. “Sure I wouldn’t. I mean privileged people just look at me in revulsion everyday as I’m waiting their table. They send back perfectly good food as they illustrate their frankly disgusting table manners and leave ridiculously small tips-cheap twats!” She glanced at me again with derision. “We’ve all been there Jade. The Jade I knew would stick up for herself and show them exactly how amazing you are. Where’s your determination gone?”

“I left it with my dignity the moment I stepped through the doors of that wretched place.” I moaned, shaking my head miserably.

Rachael glared at me. “Pfft stop feeling sorry for yourself.” She straightened and then grinned knowingly at me, deciding a change of tactic was needed to stop my whining. “What about the guys?” Yep Rachael knew me so well. I cringed at my predictability. “There must be some lookers.” She continued “When you marry a millionaire remember the dregs of society you grew up with-yeah!”

“Yeah right” I laughed. ME marrying a millionaire-doubtful! “There is this one guy though. It’s no big deal. Just a tiny crush.” I mumbled as my hands twisted the dishcloth I was holding awkwardly.

She slapped my arse with a tea towel. “I knew it! I knew you were holding out on me. What’s his name? Tell me everything.”

“There’s not much to tell really.” I protested. Giving in at her pointed look I admitted “His name’s Tristan and he’s absolutely gorgeous but he wouldn’t want to be with me in a million years.” I looked down regretfully “Especially now.”