the cheerleader and the outcast >> dan howell

Chapter 11

"Nothing is more beautiful than a smile that has struggled through tears."

-Demi Lovato

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(A/N: Make sure to check out the cast members I have included for this story, so you have an idea of what the characters look like! Enjoy!
PS: sorry about this chapter being so short.)

I awake to the feeling of someone shaking me.

"Rachel? Rachel, love, wake up." I hear Dan's voice say. I loves his morning voice, it is slightly deeper and raspier than it normally is. I open my eyes and he smiles slightly at me.

"Good morning." I groan quietly, stretching my arms out.

"We need to start getting ready for school, darling." He says softly, smiling at me sadly. The realization that we have school today hits me hard, and I sigh in frustration, clumsily slipping out of bed. Dan walks out the door to his room to get dressed, and I decide to take a quick shower. Once I finish, I blow dry and curl my hair, letting it fall down my back in lose waves. I slip on a black tank top, a red and black plaid cardigan, and some slightly ripped jeans. I pull on a pair of combat boots and then I start to apply my daily makeup.

Dan walks into the bathroom fully dressed, and wraps his arms around me and I continue applying some eyeshadow.

"You don't need that stuff." He whispers in my ear. I put down the makeup, finally finished and look up at him.

"I like how it looks." I say simply, shrugging my shoulders and then wrapping my arms around him.

"You look just as pretty without it." He says quickly pecking me on the lips and then walking out the bathroom. I follow him, and grab both our backpacks. We fought over who would drive, but like always, he won. As we drive to the school, we both sing along to the radio.

"Today is going to be a new start. No more drama, no more crying, no more fights." I say, as Dan parks his car at the school.

"I couldn't have said it better myself." Dan agrees, and we both sling on our back packs and hop out the car.

As we walk through the doors, a few people shout at us, but we just keep walking and look forward. Today I have science first, and Dan has math first, but for second period we both have social studies. So that's not too bad. We both part and head to our lockers, I open mine and grab the books I need for science, and head down the hall.

I walk briskly down the hall, wanting to get to the class as quickly as possible and avoid all the drama. As I am walking fast, I bump into someone causing both mine and the other persons books to go flying across the room.

"Oh gosh, I'm so sorry." I say flustered picking up my books.

"No, no, it's fine. It was my fault." An unfamiliar voice says. I look up to see a blonde girl dressed in skater clothes. I've never seen her before. I pick up all my books and she picks up hers. We both stand up and smile at each other.

"I don't believe we've met before..." I wonder aloud, smiling at her.

"I'm in all your classes, haha. I just sit in the back of the room." The girl shrugs and my eyes widen, feeling ashamed that I haven't noticed her.

"Oh wow." I say awkwardly shifting my weight, she giggles.

"Don't worry about it." She says waving a hand in the air. "I'm Gwen." She smiles warmly, putting her hand out. I shake her hand.

"Rachel." I say simply. She gasps slightly when I say my name.

"You're that girl everyone talks about." She says in realization, lowering her voice. I slightly blush and frown.

"Yep...that's me." I say sighing quietly and looking down at the floor.

"I know those rumors aren't true." She whispers, and I look back up at her. She has an apologetic look on her face that instantly makes me feel comforted.

"Hey...you want to sit with me and my boyfriend at lunch? You seem nice." I say trying to change the subject. She smiles at me.

"Of course. I mean, I don't have any friends anyway. You're dating the new kid, right?" She asks smirking at me. I blush in response and nod my head causing her to giggle.

We both talk and get to know each other better as we walk to class. By the time half of the day is gone, it's like we are best friends. I just hope this won't turn out like Jacob did.

It's time for lunch, so we both head to the cafeteria. I look around for Dan and I find him sitting alone at a table drawing. We make eye contact, and he waves me over. I take Gwen by the wrist and we both sit down next to Dan.

"Hey, love." He says smiling at me. He looks over at Gwen and raises an eyebrow.

"This is my friend-" I start, but I immediately get cut off by Gwen.

"My names Gwen." She says, putting out her hand. Dan smiles slightly and shakes her hand.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Dan." He says.

"Yeah, I know who you are." She laughs winking at him. He laughs uncomfortably and then we all go quiet. I form my lips into a completely straight line, and tap my fingers on the table.

"So!" I blurt out, breaking the silence.

"So..." Gwen says clicking her tongue.  It all goes silent again until we see someone sit down next to us.  It's Hannah and Ethan.

"Hey guys!" Hannah says obnoxiously.  She smiles at each of us individually and then her eyes rest on Gwen.
"Made a new friend, have we?" She asks smiling.

"What do you want, Hannah?" I say simply, not paying much attention.

"Nothing! Is talking to you guys a crime or something?" She retorts and then laughs.

"Never knew that Gwen could actually make a friend! Wow!" Ethan says sarcastically, covering his mouth with his hands and faking surprise.

"She's a better friend then you ever were." I mutter, looking at both Ethan and Hannah.

"Oh, feisty. I like that." Ethan says moving closer to me. "So, slut, how about you just shut up..." He whispers in my ear, slowly putting a hand on my thigh. "And show me a good time, huh?"

"Why don't you just go to your girlfriend?" I say disgustedly.  Ethan chuckles.

"But you seem like you would be much more fun." He whispers seductively biting my ear lobe.  I gasp and push him off of me with all my force.

"Fine, bitch! Have it your way!" Ethan yells standing up and walking quickly away.  Hannah rushes after him and a few people in the lunch room look around to see what all the commotion is about.

"What happened?" Dan asks and I turn to him.

"It's not important." I say biting my lip. "Let's just forget about it."

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After school, Dan, Gwen, and I all walk to our cars.

"It's nice to finally have someone to call my friend." Gwen says as Dan and I approach his car.  I smile at her.

"Hey, no problem. You and I should hang out sometime." I say.

"How about tomorrow after school? We could hang at the mall." She says grinning at me.

"Sounds great!" I exclaim, and we say goodbye.  Me and Dan both get in the car and drive home.

When we are inside the house, we both plop down on the couch.

"Today wasn't that bad, I guess." I tell Dan and he shrugs.

"I guess so." He sighs looking at me. "I just wish we didn't have to go."

"Don't we all?" I laugh wrapping my arms around his torso and laying my head on his shoulder. "I'm just glad I have you." I say.

I feel Dan relax and he puts his arm around me.  I exhale and close my eyes.  All of a sudden, I remember Ethan today and what he said to me.  Did he really mean it, or was he just playing around? Whatever, he probably does that to 20 other girls a day.  Although, I can't help but wonder.