Chapter Two

When it was Nat’s turn to introduce himself, he groaned quietly to himself. He thought to himself, “What is this? Third grade?”, as he got up from his seat and cleared his throat. “I’m Nat, Bynes, I’m the lead singer in the band Sons Of Adam. I like to sing and listen to music.” he said, then sat down.

Mr. Woodley looked pleased, “Good. Jenna, your turn.”

Nat didn’t think returning back to school would be so—awkward. Everyone around just looked at him. Old friends just looked at him, not speaking or saying anything. They all just looked as if they were children in a glass store and their mom told them if they touch anything and drop it, they’d be in big trouble.

He sighed and sunk down in his seat a little. He was really questioning his choice to be a normal teenager again. He’s so use to talking to a teacher over a microphone or a tutor coming to his house to teach him. It felt like years since he’s been in a real class room with students and an actual teacher.

Then he remember why he was doing this; it’s important to have a normal life ‘cause that’s what Cam’s wants; A normal guy, not a rock star. Which he still finds strange since many girls would want a rock star that’s rich as hell, as a boyfriend.

But he knows Cam enough to know she wants the simple things. A simple life, marriage, normal bratty children, and living in a normal simple town.

*

Cam and the rest of the class laughed at Justin Love for his funny joke about this kid that he met when he went to the swimming pool this year and how crazy he was and how he can stuff a whole hot dog down his throat.

Mrs. Rodríguez chuckled and waved her hand for them to quiet down, “Okay, okay, enough gross stories Mr. Love, Cameron, your turn.”

Cam happily got up, “I like to go by Cam. I’m in a dance group and we came in second in the competition this summer, but we plan to win this time, at our competition next month. I like mostly pop music and my favorite subject is History.” she said, winking at Mrs. Rodriguez and she gave Cam a thumbs up. “The most exciting thing I did this summer was probably going to California and having the time of my life.” she said, sitting back down.

“Very good Cam.” Mrs. Rodriguez said. “Raychel Mena, your turn.”

Ray who was sitting next to her got up awkwardly, “Well, I didn’t really prepare for a whole speech.” she said and some people in the class chuckled. “Um, okay, I hate the name Raychel, so please call me Ray. I like singing in the shower, spending time with my mom cooking, it’s how we bond. I like drawing even though I completely suck at it and my favorite bands are probably Maroon 5 and Nickelback. The most exciting thing I did this summer was maybe go to Spain to visit my dad’s side of the family.”

“Nice, Miss Mena,” Mrs. Rodriguez said then called the next student.

*

When Cam got up from her seat and walked over to the door, Ray called out for her, “Cam, hold up!” she said, racing up next to her. “Hey, you seem quieter then you did earlier,” she said as they walked down the hall together since they had the next class together. “Did I do something?”

Cam shook her head, “Of course not.”

“You sure?” she asked. “If it’s about Nat Bynes, if you like him, I just want to let you know I—“

Cam shook her head, “Of course it’s not that.” she said, giving her a smile. “Nat’s just a good friend and I have a boyfriend. I was just in shock to see him. Don’t be silly.” she said, playfully punching her arm.

Ray smile, “Good, because I don’t want you to hate me. I want to make lots of friend and you seem like a good person to be friends with.”

“Really?” she questioned. “Thanks.”.

Since she wasn’t paying attention, she almost ran into someone and she looked to see it was Amber who she ran into. She hasn’t seen her in two weeks, but telling from the jacket she was wearing, she did have a tiny bump.

Oh dang, she really is pregnant. I feel bad for the father, she thought.

“Sorry Amber.” she said.

“Whatever.”, she said, walking around Cam.

“Jeez, I know who to stay away from now.” Ray said.

“Yeah” Cam agreed.

*

Cam and Ray were talking about California since Ray has been there many times since her mom’s side of the family lives there and how much they love it there as they walked towards the cafeteria.

When Cam looked around, she saw Kim and Chris sitting at the usual table. Kim and her made eyes contact and in Kim’s eyes, she looked upset and jealous. Cam felt so bad, hoping Kim didn’t feel like she was trying to replace her with Ray.

It’s just—too awkward right now.

She grabbed a tray and walked into the aisle, grabbing the things she wanted to eat with Ray next to her. When they paid for their food, Ray seemed to follow her like a lost puppy. Cam sat on the other side of the table of Kim and Chris, who were talking about spending time later on today.

“So how was everyone’s day?” Cam asked.

“I wish it was summer again.” Darcy said, groaning.

“Yeah.”, two other girls said.

They all began talking about how lame school was and Nick talked about how excited he was for the upcoming talent school.

“Talent show?” Ray questioned. “Really?”

“Yeah, try outs start next week. What’s your talent?” he said in a flirting way.

Ray chuckled a little awkwardly, “Um, well, I don’t know. It just sounds interesting, we didn’t have one back in my old school.”

“Come on, there has to be something you’re good at.”, he said.

She shrugged, “Singing, I guess. I’ve been told a few times I’m good at it.”

“Great, sing—“

“Can I sit here?” Cam heard Nat’s voice and she looked up in the direction next to her to see it was him. “Dan has lunch next and well, everyone’s giving me the ‘you don’t belong here’ look.”

“Uh, sure.” she said. “But next to Ray, because Seth is coming soon.”

His chin clenched a little and he nodded, “Okay.”, he said, moving next to Ray who looked embarrassed again about earlier.

“So anyways,” Nick said. “Sing something.”

“Ohh, no.”, Ray said, her cheeks blushing bright red. “I’m not a big—well you can say I have stage fright.”

“Come on, we’re all friends here,” he said, looking uncomfortable at Nat though. “Just a line from a song. The table is filled with big entertainers, I’m sure all of us like to see what you can do.”

Cam turned to Ray, “He’s right.” she said and Ray gave her a shocking horrid look. She chuckling, “Ray, it’s fine. It was worse for me because I kept stumbling over my own feet when I joined the dance group. Just imagine us naked and sing.”

“That’s even more awkward.” she said, but sighed. “Okay, okay. Um,” she said, thinking of a song. “So just give it one more try to a lullaby; And turn this up on the radio; If you can hear me now; I'm reaching out; To let you know that you're not alone. . .”, she awkwardly slowed down when everyone around stared at her with their mouth hanging open. She cleared her throat and brushed her hair back behind her ears, “I know, I know, I suck.”

“Suck?” Cam questioned. “Ray, you’re awesome. You totally have to join the talent show this year. You’ll definitely win.”

“Oh no!” Ray said. “Have you not been listening? I have major stage fright and if I have a crowd of people looking at me, I’ll just throw up! Like this time at my little cousin’s birthday party and the karaoke machine came out and everyone pushed me up to sing, I threw up right there! No, no, not again.”

“You’re X-Factor material.” Cam said. “Sign up or I’ll sign you up myself.”

“You wouldn’t!” Ray said. “And I won’t.”

“Yes!”

“No, I can’t—“

“Yes you can and you’re doing it!”, she said.

“But I’ll mess up—“

“You’re doing it.”

Ray groaned, “Okay!” she said, running her hand through her hair and gave Cam a tired smile. “You’re evil, Cam.”

Cam grinned, “Well you know, many people just call me stubborn.”

An arm went around Cam and she smelt a weird smell when she turned to see Seth has finally joined. He pecked her on her cheek, but Cam leaned forward, smelling him. He smelt kind of weird, she didn’t know what from though.

“What’s that smell?” she asked.

He looked at her confused, “I don’t know?” he said, chuckling. “Oh, maybe it was that stuff we did in Mr. Castle’s class. The liquid spilled all over me and I didn’t have an extra shirt. I tried to air it off me, but I guess it didn’t work.”

“Oh.”, she said, looking at him questionable. “Are you sure?’

“Yeah, of course.” he said, shrugging again. He chuckled, “Why are you looking at me like that? Do I have something on my face on or something?”

*

When lunch was over, Nat threw his tray away. He didn’t have any time to talk to Cam, which pissed him off a little.

He went to his locker, waiting for Seth to walk by. It was a moment until Nat saw him and of course, Seth knew he was there, but ignored him when he came closer.

“What a liar.” Nat said and Seth stopped, turned to him, and clicked his tongue.

“What do you mean, Nat?’ he questioned.

He stepped closer to him, “You’re high. Not enough to make you look high, but you’re sure sounding high.”

He chuckled, “Are you insane? Unlike you, not all guys like to get high.”

“That’s a load of bullshit.” Nat said. “I know when a person’s high, I’ve been around so many types of people. And from the way you’re talking, it’s weed, I can smell it to. Cam doesn’t know it, but I do.”

Seth narrowed his eyes on Nat, “Stay out of my business, Nat.”

“Does Cam know you get high?” he asked.

“She doesn’t need to know everything.” he said. “If she knows, she’ll break up with me and I don’t want that. Unlike you, I don’t choose stupid things over her.”

Nat glared at him, “You don’t know anything about me.”

“And you don’t know anything about me.” he said. “I don’t get stone cold trash like you do.”

“I don’t anymore.” he hissed. He wasn’t yelling, but his voice was hard. “You’re a fake.”
.

He chuckled, “You got room to call someone a fake. I don’t need a lecture from you, Nat. You’re way worse then me, so stay out of mine and my girlfriend’s business.” he said, walking away and Nat glared at his back.