the cheerleader and the outcast >> dan howell

Chapter 3

I sit on my bed reading and listening to music. Just another typical Saturday night. Hannah invited me to a party at her boyfriend Lukas' place, but I declined. All those "parties" are just a bunch of horny seniors getting drunk while loud pop music is playing. No thank you. I sigh and head down stairs, closing my book. I am home alone, as usual, because my mom works night shifts. I have to admit that I get lonely sometimes.

I open the fridge and get out a bottle of water. Opening the cap, I take a swig of the icy cold liquid, letting it slid down my throat. I head over to my laptop and open it, logging on to Facebook. I notice it is on Julisa's' account. Seems like she forgot to log out since last time she used my laptop. A notification pops up, saying someone sent her a message. I bite my lip and slowly click the notification.

Hey did you hear the rumor going around? -sent from Jeanie

I roll my eyes. Jeanie is one of Julisa's' friends, and we absolutely hate each other. Jeanie is always trying to bring me down because she says I'm not a "true cheerleader", whatever that means. I hesitate before typing a message back.

No I haven't. What's the rumor?

I type in the chat box and send to her. After a minute she replies:

Lol! I can't believe you don't know! People are saying that that weird new kid likes Rachel, and she likes him back! Haha, if this rumor is true, Hannah says that she will definitely kick her off the team! xD -sent from Jeanie

I roll my eyes, but my face heats up. Does he actually like me? Probably not, but who started this rumor in the first place? Ugh, snap out of it, Rachel, it's not a big deal! Honestly, I could care less. I decide to end the chat there and log out of Julisa's account before I get caught.

Closing my laptop, I lean back on the couch, rubbing my eyes. Too much drama that I don't need right now.

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It is Monday morning and I am driving to school exhausted and half-asleep. I am wearing a cream sweater with black leggings and combat boots, my brown hair falling in lose curls down my back. I didn't bother to put much makeup on today, just mascara and a peach colored lip gloss. I pull into the driveway at school and park my blue Honda Civic next to a black Toyota Corolla that I've never seen before. I grab my backpack, get out of my car, and lock it.

When I get to my locker I am immediately greeted by Jeanie. Looks like my day is off to a great start. I think sarcastically.

"Hi Jeanie..." I say awkwardly closing my locker. She rolls her eyes at me and I give her a confused look.

"Oh don't give me that look like you don't know." She glares at me. What the hell is she talking about? She's probably talking about me liking Dan or something. I don't really care about that dumb rumor. It's not a big deal.

"Jeanie, I really don't know what you're talking about." I explain looking at my schedule. Great, I have Mr. Hurch first, the class where I sit next to Dan. Jeanie grabs my schedule to get my attention, and I glare at her. She pulls me aside and looks around to make sure no one is looking.

"You've been screwing that new British guy, haven't you?" She whispers harshly. My eyes pop open in surprise.

"What?!" I yell, Jeanie quickly puts a hand over my mouth to quiet me and then quickly removes it. "What?" I ask again, this time quieter.

"That's right. All the pops are talking about it. We know." Jeanie hisses with an evil smirk on her face.

"No, no, no. That's not true I would never-"