Chapter 4 - Jinxed

After getting over my excitement about meeting a celebrity who didn't hate my guts, I snuck into the girls locker room and after taking a super long shower and managing to get as much glitter, cheese and chocolate off me as possible, I changed into my gym clothes and met up with Nellie at her locker.

"Oh my gosh, Allison, I was so worried about you. I heard what happened in class. I'm so sorry," she pulled me into a tight hug.

"It's okay, Nel. I'm fine," I shrugged when she pulled away. "No it's not. Derris is such a prick. Can you believe he uploaded the video online?"

"Really? He did?" I pouted, feeling a part of my heart shatter into pieces. Nellie nodded and brought out her phone. She tapped a few things and soon I found myself looking at a video of chocolate, cheese and glitter being poured on me. Worse enough, the video was trending.

Sighing sadly, I handed Nellie's phone back to her and whimpered. "Why is this happening, Nellie? I didn't mean to ruin his shirt. Why is he doing this to me?"

"Because he's a dickhead, Allison and you deserve way better than him."

"I just want it to stop," I cried, letting my forehead fall against her shoulder. She put her arms around me and pat my back in a soothing manner. "You don't have to worry about that, Allison. Now that's he's gotten his revenge, it's only a matter of time before he forgets about you along with everyone else."

But I didn't want him to forget about me. I wanted him to know me and not as the girl who ruined his shirt. I wanted him to notice me. Was that so much to ask?

I didn't say anything to Nellie, deciding it was better to keep shut. Just as she pulled away, the bell rang for the next class, English. I sighed. As if today wasn't bad enough, I had to share yet another class with Derris. Ugh! I wanna die.

I got my notes for English class along with the book we were studying (Hamlet) and stuffed them in my bag before trudging in the direction of the English classroom, Nellie by my side.

When I got to the entrance of the classroom, I froze. Derris was already seated in a corner with Caleb and Jeremy and the class was half full. I could also sight Max sitting in a corner of the classroom by himself.

I gulped and hesitated. What if there was another prank waiting for me? Why else would someone like Derris already be in class when he preferred appearing just when class was about to start? Did I dare walk in after what happened last time?

As though reading my mind, Nellie gripped my shoulder and smiled. She stepped past me and walked into the classroom. Nothing happened. 

Next was my turn. I wasn't sure if it was all still a trick but if nothing happened to Nellie, then maybe nothing would happen to me. I took deep breaths as I gingerly made my way into the classroom.

I stood still for a second and when nothing happened, flashed Nellie a grin. She grinned back and stretched a hand to me which I gleefully accepted. We saw two available seats at the back and made our way there hand in hand.

As I walked by, I could feel everyone's eyes on me but one felt more prominent than the others. I looked ahead to where Max sat to find his eyes on me. I gave a small wave but he didn't react, instead looking away. Weird.

Nellie had already taken her seat and I was about to do same when she yelled all of a sudden, "Allison, wait!"

But it was too late. I'd already sitten down and just as I did, a loud fart sound echoed throughout the class. Everyone burst into laughter. It became clear to me that it had all been set up. Still red with embarrassment, I removed the whoopie cushion that had been placed on the seat and threw it on the floor.

My eyes met Nellie's and even without her saying anything, I could see the apology, concern and just a little bit of guilt written all over her eyes. I managed a small smile at her and looked away before I gave into the urge to break down in tears.

Thankfully, the teacher came in just then and the class went silent again. The lecture commenced and I struggled to concentrate.

My eyes kept wandering back to Derris' head and despite my many tries to imagine him with horns and a face like the devil's, I couldn't manage it.

With his smile that showed off pearly whites to those intense gray eyes to his cotton candy coloured lips to that silky mass of only black hair that blended well with his...

"Miss McConnell, are you still with us?" the stern voice of Miss Terrence, the English teacher penetrated through my thoughts.

"Huh?" I shook my head, realising where I was.

"I said, are you with us?" Miss Terrence said again, her brows knitted in clear annoyance and disapproval.

"Yes, yes. O-of course," I stuttered, wringing my hands.

"You better be. I expect nothing less from someone here on scholarship, seeing as your stay here depends solely on your performance in class."

Her words were accusing and a bit mocking and they hurt me. I didn't exactly want everyone knowing I was on scholarship especially not in a school like this. My eyes stung with tears but I blinked them away before nodding at her. "Of course, Miss Terrence."

She nodded curtly before continuing her lecture. I tried to keep my head up high and keep the tears from falling but it was hard to when everyone kept looking back and whispering, chuckling and pointing. 

Don't cry, Allison! Don't cry! You can do this. Just don't look at Derris! Oops, too late!

My eyes wandered over to Derris who was saying something to his friends. He glanced over to me and the look on his face clearly showed that he was enjoying everything that was happening to me.

I wanted to die. I just wanted to die. 

"Uh excuse me, Mrs Terrence. Can I go to the bathroom?" I shot up from my seat. She'd barely given her answer before I rushed out of the classroom and ran in the direction of the bathroom.

In the bathroom, I ran into one of the stalls and sat on the toilet seat (the top closed) crying my heart out. 

Why did it always have to be me? First I lost my siblings and then my mom. My dad hated me and as if that wasn't enough, the one person I thought would always be there for me also now happened to hate my guts.

I'm cursed. Jinxed. That's the only reason why so many bad things can be happening to me all at once. I'm jinxed. I just have to be.

When I was finally able to stop crying, I stumbled out of the stall and to the large mirror just outside the stalls. Staring right back at me was someone I couldn't recognize. Whatever happened to the happy bubbly go-lucky girl who had been overjoyed when she'd been accepted to the prestigious Ridgeway Academy?

It seems all so far away, like a distant memory: me gleefully informing my parents, Brie and Gabe rejoicing with me even though they had no idea what was going on, cooking dinner with my dad because we decided that was better than going out...

I smiled sadly. What I would give to get that girl back, the happy girl, the secure girl, the girl who felt loved...

Oh well, I can't spend all my time in here, even if I want to.

I cleaned my face with water ad dried it with a paper towel. I took one last look at myself in the mirror before heading out of the bathroom. The halls were quiet as I made my way back to the classroom.

"Oh, Miss McConnell! We're so lucky you could join us," Miss Terrence tersely remarked on sighting me at the doorway of the classroom. I didn't say anything in response, bowing my head while making my way to my seat in the back. Once I was seated, I flashed a smile at Nellie who was giving me a concerned look before looking back at the board.

"So as I was saying, I'll be putting you all to work on an assignment bthat'll count for sixty percent of your total grade for this class. Now you'll be doing this in pairs…"

At those words, murmurs overtook the class and you could hear giggles and gleeful whispers as most girls in the class began eyeing Black Diamond namely Derris, Max, Jeremy and Caleb, obviously praying they got paired with them. I, on the other hand, could only hope I got paired with Nellie or someone who wasn't much of a jerk and would do their own part.

Miss Terrence eventually got everyone to calm down and continued, "As I was saying, this assignment will count for sixty percent of your grade for this class and it'll done in pairs. You'll also be doing a presentation on it later this term so I suggest you and whoever your partner really work on it together because as it's a group thing, your partner's performance will really affect yours as well."

Oh God, please let me get paired with someone good. I can not afford to fail this project because of some thoughtless jerk.

"Now I'll be doing the pairing…and once I announce your partner, it's final. I don't care who you are, my decision is final, got it?" her eyes zeroed in on everyone in the room as though she was expecting someone to disagree. No one did. "Great. Now I'll call out the names. Xander Morrison and Darius Grant… Felicia Grace and Ricky Jeffreys…"

The names went on and on and the sighs of disappointment continued to increase, most girls obviously disappointed at not being matched with one of The Diamonds. Nellie, however was lucky enough to be paired with Caleb Stone even though she didn't look particularly happy about it.

I patiently waited to hear my name, still hoping and praying to God that I didn't get paired with an obnoxious jerk who wouldn't want to do the work.

"And lastly, Allison McConnell and Derris Fox," Miss Terrence announced in conclusion.

I didn't get it at first since I'd kinda zoned up until it suddenly hit me. Oh my gosh! This can't be happening! I was just about to protest but someone beat me to it.

"Hell no! There's no way in absolute fucking hell that I'll working with…*her*. No fucking way!" Derris scowled at me as though it was all my fault.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Fox. I clearly said that my decision was final so if you don't like it-"

"Of course I don't like it! Why would anyone want to work with that thing? I mean, just look at her," his eyes slid down the whole length of my body, his face twisted in a clear look of disgust. 

"Like I said, Mr. Fox, my word is final unless of course, you'd like to forfeit and fail the class," Miss Terrence commented, obviously aware she had the upper hand.

Derris stared at her like he had a lot to say but eventually sighed and backed down, giving me one last dirty look before taking his seat.

I swallowed hard. A few weeks ago, if you'd told me that I would be partners with Derris Fox of all people for a project, I would never have believed it but now I was and I couldn't even be happy about it.

I'd prayed not to be paired with a jerk but as it turns out, I just happened to be paired with the seemingly biggest jerk of all who I also happened to be in love with.

Ugh! I swear I'm jinxed.