Chapter 2
Running Into You Certainly Made My Day... NOT!
"There's no way I'm going!" Neil hissed at me, crossing his arm across his chest. You see, after the first period ended, I kinda dragged my brother near my locker to give him the 'wonderful' news. Really now! You know me well enough to get that I used sarcasm... again.
"But you have to. I told mum we would," I replied.
"Not my fault you didn't ask me."
"Ugh! You think I want to go? If yes then you're a dingbat because I hate Dad as much as you do! So if you agree you'll not only be doing a great favour to mum but me too. Me, because I can't see mum like that. For once, try to understand." I rubbed my temples with frustration. Trust my brother to be so thick!
"Well then you can go alone. I'm not GOING! So stop disturbing me." I backed away at the sudden rage in his voice. He had never shouted at me like this. In fact, I had never seen him get this angry. I looked at him horrified. Instantly, his eyes softened and flashed with regret.
"Look Em, I'm sorry... but I just can't look at him the same way. I can't even look at him. If I do that, I'll end up doing something rash and I don't want to go to jail by murdering him. I just can't ignore what he did to us and mum. I'm sorry. I'll see you later, yeah?" He gave me quick hug and a peck on the forehead. I sighed as I saw him walk away. Looking up at my watch, I realized that I was already late for English class. I decided to take a stroll in the corridors rather than doing nothing.
The thought that my dad even had the guts to call us for dinner was so infuriating that I kicked the wall hard with my foot. Not satisfied, I hit the wall again with a shout.
"Wow, someone's in a bad mood huh!"
I groaned to myself, recognizing the voice.
Virat.
Virat Vadhera.
The Virat Vadhera.
The school's bad boy, player, lady's man and the worst of all the quarterback of the football team. Call whatever you wanna call him but for me, there's only one word for him... JERK! I cursed under my breath. I wonder why everybody was so mad after him. Boys wanted to be 'like' him and girls wanted to be 'with' him. If you see Virat Vadhera without a girl beside him, then you're surely mad. Because he's a player who has no feelings for girls! Everyday there's a new girl with him.
I turned to look at the most handsome face I had ever seen. I hated to admit it but yes he was HOT! Undeniably hot... the way he ran his fingers through his hair, his muscled body, his chocolate brown eyes, his famous smirk... everything was wow. It wouldn't be wrong to say that he looked like a Greek God. But there's no way I was going to admit it in front of him. I'm pretty sure he didn't even know my name. Shame because I remember we had become good friends in Elementary School. It was only for a few days before he went away only to return exactly during the start of High School and then he changed. Changed into what he was now.
I snapped back into reality when I saw him smirk, obviously noticing that I was staring at him.
"Like what you see?" His voice was deep and husky but I willed myself not to fall for his looks or his voice. His famous smirk was plastered on his face. For a moment I was quiet but as soon as I found my voice back, I scowled at him.
"Puh-lease, I have seen better," I scoffed. To be very honest, I have not seen anyone better than him and I absolutely despise myself for saying it. Thinking he would get angry with my comment, I looked up at him but was instantly taken aback. His eyes were twinkling with amusement but I just blinked at him like an idiot.
Really? That's all you can do, Maanvi? Blink at him?
"I doubt that," he replied, chuckling. Doubt that? Yes, he was definitely an arrogant, self-obsessed, egotistical jerk.
"Get over yourself," I murmured angrily, walking away from him.
"Hey wait, Maanvi!" He shouted. I froze in my tracks... Virat Vadhera... scratch that; THE Virat Vadhera knew my name? I turned towards him, surprise written all over my face. Did he remember me then? Maybe our friendship lasted for only a week or so but so what?
"What?" He asked, frowning.
"Y-you know m-my name?" I stammered. At that moment I wanted to smack my head real hard. Stammering wasn't my thing to do.
"Um.. and why wouldn't I?"
"First of all, I'm not even popular and second Virat Vadhera knowing a girl's name is like completely impossible... except the popular girls," I replied back, forgetting my nervousness.
He laughed at that but immediately stopped when he looked at my expression. "You're Neil's brother who happens to be in the football team and as far as I know most of the guys in the team happen to be your best buddies. So what makes you think I wouldn't know your name?"
I was instantly disappointed with his answer. He didn't remember me! But then again, why would he?
"Can't I just think?" I snapped back. He threw his hands up in the air. "Touche."
Before I could come up with some witty remark, a girl came running up to us. Oh sorry running up to Virat! The girl was wearing a short skirt which hardly reached the middle of her thighs and the neck of her top was considerably deep.
I rolled my eyes.. yes how could I have forgotten that Virat rarely walked alone in corridors. The girl threw her arms around his neck and kissed him straight on the lips.
I fake gagged at the scene in front of me. The girl looked up at me with raised eyebrows. "Well, what are you doing here? Forgot how to walk?" She said in a nasal voice which made me cringe with disgust.
"What makes you think that I would like to see this," I said waving my finger between the two of them, "Happening straight in front of my eyes. I don't want to be scarred for life."
I walked away from them but suddenly stopped to make one last comment. "Oh and Virat, running into you certainly made my day," I smiled at first but then changed my expression into a scowl, "NOT!"
"Oh and keep it PG-13," I yelled.
Before I started walking again, my eyes met his for a fraction of a second and at that moment I saw... disappointment? flash in his eyes. Why would he be disappointed? Was it something to do with me? Or was it just because he was stuck with the stupid bimbo? I smacked my head, realizing that I was clearly over thinking it.
Sometimes the head does stupid things to you... or is it the... Oh hell no.. not the heart. Not the heart. NOT THE HEART!
*-*
"Gosh, Virat knows your name?" Sophie asked during lunch. I was happily eating my burger when she bought that up. Sophie had no clue that Virat and I were even friends at one time. Okay, I'm just obsessing over that memory. It was only for a few days! "Mm, that's what I said didn't I?" I said with irritation. We were sitting in our usual table with the guys talking about their stupid stuff. "Now will you please let me eat?"
"That's your third burger, Em," Tyler pointed out.
"Why thank you so much, Ty, for reminding me," I replied sarcastically but he just laughed at me. "What can't I just eat peacefully?"
At that, all of them looked up at me. Tyler and his twin- Travis, Josh, my lovely brother Neil, Mark, Jayden and Sophie to be very precise. Before I could say something, they burst out in laughter. I glared at all of them.
"Would you all be so kind as to explain what's so funny about it?"
"Well, you eat way too much, considering your size and you look kinda cute right now which happens to be really funny," Neil put in and the others agreed with him.
I scowled at him. "You mean to say looking cute is funny?" To which everybody nodded. Before I could retort to that I felt a tap on my shoulder. "Hem," the person behind me cleared their throat. However, I continued to ignore. "Hem-hem." Another tap. I swear it was getting so irritating. The 'hem-hem' part was strangely reminding me of Dolores Umbridge. I bit my lip to stop myself from snapping back. "HEM!" It was now so loud that it didn't seem like someone was clearing their throat. So I turned, just for the sake of my peace.
A girl, who I had never seen before, was standing with her hands on her hips. She was wearing the cheerleading dress. Oh yes, another new girl and she has already joined the team. Oh joy!
"What is up with you Dolores?" I asked to which she raised her eyebrows.
"Well my name is Bellatrix, actually."
I wanted to burst out laughing at that but I bit back my laughter. If she was trying to make me laugh then she was succeeding. So I naturally played my part in the joke.
"Hey, I'm Voldemort and these two over there," I pointed towards the twins, "are Fred and George Weasley. I would love to introduce you to all of them but see I don't have much time or Professor McGonagall's approval for that matter." I smirked when I finished. Oh god this smirking disease was getting to me now! I looked over at her who had tears gushing out of her eyes and was clutching her stomach with laughter. Surprising much?
"W-well... that's funny! Like really... I have heard jokes regarding my name, no thanks to JK Rowling, but this, I don't know why, is the funniest of all. I really should be offended but I'm not." She cleared her throat and composed herself. "Anyway, you can call me Bella but that's not what I came here for. I was won-"
"You were wondering whether I would join Team Edward or Team Jacob? Well neither, actually," I said cutting her. I knew exactly why she was here. Another one of the cheerleading team offers! The twins now had tears rolling down their cheeks and the others were howling with laughter. Bella was not doing a better job of controlling her laughter either. I sighed, giving up on the joke! In case you're wondering, I'm not that cruel.
"I'm sorry for all that. I wasn't in a good mood so..um.. I hope you accept the apology?"
She waved her hand, dismissing the matter. "No apologies please." Even though this was the first time I was meeting her, I couldn't help but smile at her nature. She wasn't like those other cheerleaders! Cheerleaders are girly and you know like the ones they show in movies. Stereotypes, I tell you.
"Can I ask what I came here for though?" She asked but I shot her an apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry but my answer is no." Noticing her surprised expression I added, "I know you're here for the cheerleading team proposal. I get that every year."
"Oh.." was all that she said but before walking away she said one thing which left me dumbfounded. "I don't know why you don't want to join but most people would be killing to be you. You're prettier than anyone else I've ever seen. Oh and it was nice meeting you."
Silence. No laughter, no talking just silence. I was gaping her back but was suddenly brought backed to reality. I took in my surrounding. The tears of laughter were being wiped away and they all sat there with knowing smiles. Knowing smiles? Really? What do they even know?
"What?" I asked. Tyler shook his head before replying. "Well what she said was true so your expression shouldn't be of surprise but of gratitude. Forgot your manners, Maanvi? No thanks?" He smirked while I just rolled my eyes.
"You seriously don't know how beautiful you are, do you?" Sophie sighed. "Come on! You don't know why Heather's so mean to you? She's just jealous. God, you're really oblivious."
I pouted my lips. Of course I wasn't supposed to know that, was I? Because whenever I look at myself on the mirror, it's just the crazy looking Maanvi with her hair sticking out from the pony I see.
"Why hello, Peaches."
A voice I know only too well, called out. I glanced up and groaned... who was Virat calling 'Peaches' anyway? I looked behind me but there wasn't anyone standing there. So I did what I would normally do, raise my eyebrows. But he apparently had the nerve to chuckle.
"What is it?" I snapped.
"Well, you're the one I called Peaches so the kindest thing to do is reply," He smirked at me. Yes, I've had enough with the smirks.
Neil choked on his coffee. "W-what? Dude, you call my sister, Peaches?" His eyebrows were furrowed together. Looks like his brother instincts kicked in. I snorted at him. Great time for his over protectiveness...
"Why, Virat Freaking Jerk Vadhera, what a nice name you've come up with. Are you hinting, by any chance, that I resemble Peaches, the mammoth from Ice Age - Continental Drift?" My voice was icy cold with rage. His usual smirk was plastered on his lips, making me want to punch him.
"Kind of... you're as cute as Peaches." He winked at me, taking a seat beside me. His shoulder brushed against mine and I resisted the urge to shiver. His touch seemed to send electric currents into my body. Strange. Very Strange.
I inhaled deeply and suddenly a smell filled my nose. It was ... amazing! It smelled like honey and cinnamon ... laced with vanilla. I found myself breathing the scent again! I snapped back to reality when Sophie tapped on my shoulder.
"What the hell are you doing?" She asked with raised eyebrows. I could see Virat smiling with amusement from the corner of my eyes. Of course, the scent was coming from him. And screw Soph.. now what am I supposed to reply? Oh that I was very shamefully breathing in the honey and cinnamon scent coming from Virat?
"I... um.. I was smelling my burger. You know, it smells amazing! Well burgers have this awesome fragrance which makes your stomach grumble. Haven't you ever tried it, Soph? What can I say... it's THAT amazing. Here take a whiff and tell me if you like it or not. Of course, it's nothing like the burger from McDonalds or KFC. I mean who am I kidding? It's the burger from the school cafeteria and it's not supposed to be as could as that. But really, it's amazing. And I don't mind eating another two burgers. I've just eaten three which is quite less considering my eating capacity. What do you think? Should I go for another one? Or do you think I've eaten enough?"
In. Just. One. Breath.
Gosh! I'm so darn stupid ... why did I have to go on ranting? I looked around and everyone was looking at me with wide open jaws. Great.. I embarrassed myself! I could feel the blood rushing into my cheeks, probably making them look flaming red.
"Okaaay," Sophie replied and suddenly the table erupted with chatter. They had gone back to their normal talking. I breathed a sigh of relief.
"Wow Peaches, I didn't know you talk so much." Virat's voice filled my ear and I swear I could hear his smirk. Grunting in response, I got up from my chair and rushed up to my locker.
I am such an idiot! But that smell... oh my gosh... was so addictive. Hey wait, when did I start saying 'oh my gosh'?
Groaning, I hit my head hard on the locker. Great going, Maanvi!
*-*
The bell had finally rang and it was the last period already. Since it was the first day, all the students were supposed to join any group, club or sports team. What was I going to join? No idea at all. That was why I was roaming around with Sophie, looking for anything to join. I mean what was wrong with the school Principal? He can't force us to be 'active' in school.
Just as I was about to ask Sophie if she had any idea, Neil came running towards us.
"I'll come with you to dinner with Dad on one condition," he said panting. I looked up at him so suddenly, that I could hear my neck bone crack. Wincing, I asked him, "What?"
He showed us both a poster with a hopeful smile on his face. Victory, he finally smiled and not smirked! Meaning it had to be something good. My smile quickly vanished when I saw what it was.
It said :
Need a Guitarist, Pianist and a Singer for the school band. If you think you're capable enough, don't forget to come to the trials in the school auditorium. We'll be looking forward!
I frowned at him. See, when we were kids Sophie and I had been obsessing over musical instruments and then we ended up learning. I went for guitar while she went for piano! Now here's why I had a problem. After dad left, I stopped touching my guitar because no matter what, it reminded me of him. And I swore I would never play it again. My mom and Neil had been begging me to start playing again but I simply refused. Sophie on the other hand was probably willing to join because she had no problem. She was practically in love with her piano. Why wouldn't she be? She's just FABULOUS! And trust me when I say that she even made me cry once. What? It was an emotional song. Coming back to the issue at hand, I did the only thing that came to my mind.
"No."
"Come on, Maanvi. You always wanted to join the band didn't you? You'll be the lead guitarist. Don't be such a party pooper," Neil pleaded but I shook my head.
"Fine, then. I'm not going to accompany you," he replied stubbornly. Now that caught my attention! Was I ready to do what he said if he came along with me. Mom would definitely be happy if he agreed to go. But then I wasn't ready to play guitar either. Don't get me wrong, I love my guitar but I know it's going to remind me whatever my Dad taught me. He was the one who taught me how to play. I didn't want his memories to come flooding back to me.
"Wait," I said breathlessly. "I'll go for the auditions."
"I love you, sis," Neil replied with a huge grin, giving me a tight hug.
What have I gotten myself into?
*-*-*
Author's Note
Thanks for all the comments :D Hope you all like this chapter. Ignore all the errors because I know it's full of them.
Also, just to clear it up, Maanvi's not 'extraordinarily' beautiful. People just exaggerate, I guess. But yeah, Heather's jealous :P
Don't forget to comment or like. Criticism and suggestions are always accepted :D
Take care!
Love,
Stella
Edited by Stella_8D - 11 years ago
193