McKenzie vs Harris

Chapter 1 - Kind of Sucks

“Thankyou Miss McKenzie on that excellent speech.” Mr Chaur said over the class’s dull applause. I felt my face blush with colour just as the bell rung and I was submerged in the rush of people eager to get out of the classroom.

 Thank god that was over.

As I made a beeline down the hall and to my table at the side of the cafeteria I was greeted by waves and smiles from the rest of the school's newspaper team.

 “Hey Faye, how was your speech on Macbeth?” asked Tory, as I sat down next to her.

 “I think it was A+ material” I sighed. I hope it was because it took all weekend and I had to skip my shift at work.

 “When hasn’t it always been A+ plus material?” Joked Ben, flicking a pea at me.

 “Yea well that article on the cafeteria food poisoning better be A+ material or you can say goodbye to that extra credit.” I smirked my evil grin at him. 

 “Hey there, only trying to lift the mood here people! I just wanna say what a perfect student you are Faye.” Ben said batting his eyes.

 “Bat your eyes at me all you want but your still on your last string. I want that article by Friday.” his jaw almost hit the table.

 “Friday! That’s in two days,” 

 “Well then you better get started.” I said calmly, getting up and strutting off to my next class. (I don't really strut but...)

 ————

 “Hey Jay I’m home” I called as I closed the front door behind me. I dumped my bag on the floor and walked into the living room. There I found Jay playing candy crush on his phone. I snuck up behind him and smacked him up the side of the head.

 “Hey! What the fu-”

 “Language!” Mum yelled from behind me, making me jump.

 “Jeez Faye, nice to see you too,” Jay grumbled.

 As he sulked up the stairs to his room I stuck my tongue out behind him.

 “Hey honey how was your day?” Mum asked while folding clothes out of the washing basket on the couch.

 “Ok I guess”

 “How was your speech?”

 “Pretty good actually.”

 “Well that’s good.” she finished. Cue awkward silence.

 I then followed up the stairs past Jay’s room into my own. (Holding my nose on the way past Jay's room because anyone with common sense would.)

 Just to let you know, my room isn't that special at all. It's a boring white with a few posters and stuff on the walls. I have a double bed that feels like heaven (as any bed should) and a closet in the corner. Opposite my bed is my desk, where all my ideas for the school's newspaper come from. By the way, if you haven't already worked it out, I'm the head editor, so I have to make sure everything is smooth. Trust me, publishing gossip is a tricky business. George, one of our writers learnt that the hard way after he wrote some nasty things about Matt Harris, last years football captain.

 About 5 minutes after I had plopped down on my bed, I heard a ping sound and immediately crawled over to my desk. (Why walk when you can crawl?) I sad down on my desk chair and read a new IM that had just come through. It was from my best friend, Abbie.

 Abbieisthebomb: Hey Fayeeeeee, u there?

 FayeMcandcheese: Maybe?

 Abbieisthebomb: haha. Very funny. 

FayeMcandcheese: Where were u at lunch? 

Abbieisthebomb: I had to finish a history project. Was due next period. Soz.

FayeMcandcheese: That’s ok. What’s up?

Abbieisthebomb: Well I was wondering if u could send me some notes for the English quiz tomorrow?

FayeMcandcheese: yea sure, is that all?

Abbieisthebomb: 1 more thing.

FayeMcandcheese: What?

Abbieisthebomb: I saw Ian Harris stealing glances at u in science today!

FayeMcandcheese: Please, why would he be looking at me?

Abbieisthebomb: because u keep starring at him in the cafeteria.

FayeMcandcheese:  …..

Abbieisthebomb: Don’t pretend u don’t like him. You told me in year 7.

So yea, I’ve kinda had a crush on Ian Harris since 7th grade but so what? It’s not like he’s ever paid me any attention and is ever going to. He’s like one of the most popular kids in school, and is on the football team. His brother’s the one who bashed up George for the article in the school’s paper last year. At least I don’t like his friends like all the other girls in my year. He doesn’t even know who I am, let alone care! I think he has a girlfriend anyway.

Abbieisthebomb: u still there?

FayeMcandcheese: yes

Abbieisthebomb: have u ever talked to him?

FayeMcandcheese: No! are u out of your mind?

Abbieisthebomb: sorry just curious!

FayeMcandcheese: Fine.

FayeMcandcheese: Gotta do some homework now, I’ll send the link.

Abbieisthebomb: ok. Bye

FayeMcandcheese: Bye.

FayeMcandcheese has signed off

Abbieisthebomb has signed off

————

After about an hour of homework, Mum called us down for dinner. It was my favorite, Macaroni Cheese. Because mum had cooked my favorite meal, I took it as my duty to set the table (which believe it or not, has its benefits.) When I was finished, as I went to sit down, I heard footsteps behind me. As they reached the bottom of the stairs, I stuck my foot out just in time to trip Jay over and onto the floorboards. I heard a satisfying bang as he hit the floor. Followed by multiple curse words.  

"What on earth are you doing on the floor Jacob?" Mum peered down an Jay groaning in pain on the floor. She placed the dish of macaroni bake on the table.

"Get up before you trip someone over," I was choking in the backgroung from laughing really hard while trying to eat my dinner. 

Throughout the whole meal, Jay threw me evil glares across the table. I just replied with cheeky grins that, you could guess, didn’t help his mood. Like any pair of siblings, Jay and I occasionally hate each other. But there are those rare moments when we are nice to each other. They don’t seem to last long.

 Jay has the same hair as me, dark but not as long. While he has Mum’s hazel eyes, mine are dark brown like Dad’s. Well, so I’m told. Dad isn’t around anymore. It’s because a shark took him, when he went on a work trip to Western Australia. He was a marine biologist. It happened when I was 4, so I still remember him, a bit. Jay was 6. He’s now 18 and in year 12 at school. The same school as me, he made the first day of seinor school the worst day of my life. Don’t ya just love older brothers? (Hint of sarcasm.) I’m in year 11 but I’m 16, young for my year.

It kind of sucks.

Hey guys this is my first story so I would appreciate it if you could tell me what you think and give me some tips. Hope you liked the first chapter. More coming soon!

-Roman-Holiday