LOGINShare
Chapter Eleven — K is for Kicking It With The Enemy
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56After my near encounter with death, I was given an entire makeover.
They pulled and prodded and picked and squeezed to the point that no single area of my skin wasn't hurting.
After their work I was allowed to see the mirror.
I couldn't believe the person staring at me was my reflection.
My blue eyes shone and looked bigger surrounded by my brown lashes made longer and thicker by mascara, my skin was softer and even-toned, my freckles subtly hidden and my mouth was painted a deep red that brought out my eyes even more.
I looked — dare I say it — beautiful. And I felt it.
Staring into the mirror I saw I confident, beautiful and ambitious teenager and I embraced it.
I'd undergone a change, not just on the outside but inside me. I will no longer be taking the crap from people and cowering, I'm taking my life into my own hands.
Jea
Related chapters
The Popular Project Chapter Twelve — L is for Late Night Movies with Your Best Friend
“I came here for a bite. Didn't expect to see you . . . looking different.”I blushed and hid my face behind my hair.Kenneth slid into the empty seat left by Darcy and Mindy.“I wanted to invite you to football practice after school but you just disappeared.”“Sorry about that. Darcy, Mindy and I had something to do.”I looked up at him and quickly removed my eyes.Forget about my speech about becoming a differentt person, around this guy, I was shyer than I usually am. And without my big, familiar sweater giving my confidence whatever miniscule boost that allowed me to step out of my house everyday, I was useless.“Hey no problem. I'm having a party tomorrow, 6 o'clock. Are you going to come?” He took my hand and traced my knuckles with his thumb.My heart did a joyful somersault at the war
The Popular Project Chapter Thirteen — M is for My Very First Party . . . Seriously!
Saturday was the day of chores in the Crewman household.Everyone — except Malcolm because apparently that kid is allergic to a clean environment — was assigned a part of the house to keep squeaky clean.Adrianna cleaned the kitchen and I took everywhere else. Not fair in my opinion, but what could I do about it? My protesting earned me more work, so the best alternative was to shut up and clean up.I woke up this morning alone in the basement and with a pounding headache and a sore body from sleeping there yesterday and was immediately handed a broom by my mother. No good morning, just a broom.To be fair, she was probably still mad at me for taking that apple pie Henry and I ate which I later found out was supposed to be dessert for the whole family. Oops.So, tying a bandana around her head to stop the sweat and hair getting in her eyes, the dauntless heroine — me &mda
The Popular Project Entry #1
Blogpost #2By @AdventuresbyNovaStatus: PUBLISHEDHello earthlings!So guess what?That's right! Operation Popular is underway!I'm so excited because this is the first time I'm actually leaving my home and not for vacation.The purpose of this is to let all the 'excluded' population of LittleWood High at least get a glimpse of what it takes to be popular.Now don't get me wrong, I'm not a part of the student body at LittleWood, the only reason I'm using this particular high school is because my research shows that it is the most representative of the variables I wish to study.How am I going to get info if I don't go there? Well that's for me to know and for you to relax and read my findings.Tip 1 of the popular game is
The Popular Project Chapter Fourteen — N is for Night Out
“Hi Taylor! Glad you could make it,” his eyes twinkled with delight.“Yeah, me too,” I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear and instantly regretted the bun I tied my hair in. Now what am I supposed to hide behind? Stupid me.“You look amazing.”“Thanks.”If he kept this up my cheeks were going to fill up with all the blood my body was supposed to get.“Wanna get out of here? It's way too loud.” He bent his head and whispered the words in my ear. His warm breath fanned the side of my face sending sparks of excitement through my spine.My skin prickled with joy as I nodded, not trusting my voice.He opened the glass door leading to the pool and we both stepped out.Several seniors were trashing about in it as we crossed.“Interesting party you
The Popular Project Chapter Fifteen — O is for Order Turns To Chaos
Saturday turned out to be the best day of my life.When I had to go home for fear of my mom killing me if I stayed past my curfew, Kenneth walked me. After bidding me goodbye he planted a kiss on my forehead. I swear I could still feel his warm lips on my forehead and smell his enticing cologne every time I breathed.When I eventually entered my house after standing rooted to the spot for twenty minutes wondering if I was in some kind of trance, I was greeted with another great surprise — which I was a bit wary of since that time my mom told me she had a surprise and bundled me in her car to the dentist. I'm not kidding, she went the whole nine yards and an extra two miles for good measure, tied me up with some rope, blindfolded and gagged me. I'm sure it's pretty clear to you why I fear her.Anyway, back to the surprise — my dad was back!I was greeted by his shaggy brown hair and his sparklin
The Popular Project Chapter Sixteen — P is for Practicing Popularity
A pang of guilt resonated through my heart as I walked with Darcy and Mindy to the girls' locker room. I'd never ever abandoned my friends before and guilt was eating me alive, forcing me to re-see that disappointed face Indy had on.“Hey, don't feel too bad,” consoled Darcy with a pat on my back. “Think about it this way, it's not like she had a chance in the first place. Guess who's running against her?”I looked at her, racking my brain for the future senators in our class.“Josh?”She shook her dark ponytail.“Megan?”“Nope. I'll tell you. Angelica!”I gasped.No frigging way! Poor Indy. She truly did not stand a chance.Angelica Adams was tiny, but don't let that small, petite body and Cat-Valentine-like, childish voice fool you, she was ruthless whe
The Popular Project Entry #2
Blogpost #2By @AdventuresbyNovaStatus: PUBLISHEDHey there!I know I said that I'd update you on whatever I get but, frankly, some things aren't that easy to pen down.There's the matter of discerning which informations are necessary for you. The last thing I'd want is to suggest something, you try it and it ends up backfiring or not working at all.But I have another one *said in DJ Khaled voice*Tip 2: Find your place.As obvious as it sounds, you have to be sure of the position you're in. If you're not out there yet, accept it! Also accept the fact that that needs to change.This should be the first tip but populars rank beauty first which goes to show just how vain they all can be.Acknowledging that there's something that needs chang
The Popular Project Chapter Seventeen — Q is for Queen Taylor? Who Would've Thought!
After the game — we won, by the way — I caught up with Anne and the rest and they all agreed I should go to the sleepover. Even Jordan too — after she confused me for her nana. Why Jordan, just why?After two hours of pleading with my mom I finally made it.I sat on Jordan's warm carpet, the five cheerleaders from my class seated in a circle around me.Jordan's mom had made some cookies which we munched while we did homework, or more correctly, while I did homework. The rest of them just copied from mine. My inner nerd protested but I just shut her up.“OK, Taylor, it's your turn,” Darcy said.I looked down in the middle and found the Coke bottle we had been spinning had faced me.“What's the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you?” Darcy asked, her blue eyes shining with mischief and delight.
Latest chapter
The Popular Project Chapter Twenty-Six — Z is for Zoinks! This is the Last Chapter
Two weeks ran out with me having the best fun with Hayley. I got to meet her sister, Dixie who's officially on my list of the most boring and uptight people in the universe. She decided that dusty pink - which I suggested for the tablecloths - was too childish and proceeded to dump the swatch in the trash can. She insisted she wouldn't sit at a table that looked like fairies threw up over it which led Hayley to pick her least favorite color - white. I got a couple of texts from Indi and a strange one from Andi asking me to tell her how many years a person spent in prison for murder. I quickly replied that she shouldn't do whatever she had in mind. I got one from Kenneth. He texted to say he thought I picked our presentation to get back at him. I smiled at that one. If someone were to ask me my most memorable year in high school, two weeks ago I'd have said my sophomore year when I ripped my swimming su
The Popular Project Chapter Twenty-Five — Y is for Yellow Roses
I was so looking forward to the midterm break because mom had mentioned we'd be going to Florida. Florida was the ultimate vacation destination and I was looking forward to seeing all my old friends there. Not to mention my lovable and totally-insane-but-also-in-a-lovable-way older brother, Charles. "Remind me never to bake cookies for Miss Mausley ever again," Indi fumed as she left the class. "Calm down, Indi. You can't tell me you didn't know a single question on Wuthering Heights in there? We spent all night revising!" I folded my arms, a little exasperated. I spent this week reading and stuffing my head with facts ranging from physics to world history and now it was Friday, the last day of exams. I was supposed to be happy but I could feel my body heating up and my head felt like it was stuffed with cotton wool. And Indi was certainly not helping. "I did, but I'm just no
The Popular Project Chapter Twenty-Four — X is for Xploding Exams
The dance yesterday was all everyone could talk about.The dresses, the music and how the duchess was late. How un-royal!After that talk with Kenneth, I sent him a couple of texts telling him he could trust me but he didn't answer any of them.I slammed my locker and caught a head of familiar brown hair enter the music room.I followed him and closed the door behind me.Henry raised one eye from his laptop and when he saw it was me continued right on with what he was doing."Hi, Henry!"I realized that I'd been so occupied with getting Indi and Andi to forgive me that I'd completely forgotten about Henry. Some best friend I am."Please go away. I'm busy," he continued typing.I set my bag in the corner and grabbed a stool. I went over to the corner he sat and planted my stool next to him.He only spared m
The Popular Project Chapter Twenty-Three — W is for Waltz is so Not My Thing
It was 6 o'clock when I heard a knock on my door.I was having a video chat with Hayley and I turned in surprise.My parents had gone into town for some supplies for dinner tonight, Adrianna was billed for a double study session with her best friend Penny and Malcolm was at Terry's.I tiptoed to the door and stood next to it.I wasn't expecting anybody and I was a little frightened."Who's that?" came Hayley's voice from my laptop."Shh!" I put my finger to my lips.I looked around for a weapon. I found an iron hanger and raising it up, I braced myself for attack.Don't blame me, what would you do if you're staying at home alone and you hear a knock on your door?I opened the door with a shout and as I was about to bludgeon the person I realized it was Indi.She had on an expression that was a mixture of f
The Popular Project Chapter Twenty-Two — V is for Violins and Waltz
I saved the last entry and uploaded it to my blog. I closed my laptop and gathered Leslie in my arms petting her. A knock on my door startled me. "Come in," I told the person. "Hey kiddo," my mom entered and closed the door. Her blue eyes were concerned. "How you feeling?" I couldn't stand going to school today. My friends were mad at me, Rebecca's probably back and I didn't have the courage to face Kenneth, so I bundled myself in as many blankets as I could find thus increasing my body temperature making my mom think I had a fever. "I'm feeling better," I answered. She sat on my bed and touched my cheek. "Tell me what's wrong." "Why? So you can analyze me?" Her lips widened in a smile. Ellie Crewman - my mom - was a psychologist. She wasn't restricted to just one sphere of the job - unfortunatel
The Popular Project Entry #4
"Entry . . . who cares anyways! Hello people! So much has happened since I posted that little note saying I'll be starting this project and so much has happened since I posted my first entry. I made new friends, went on a camping trip that almost ended in bloodshed and fell in love and was heartbroken on the same day. All in all, Project Popular has been a real eye-opener. I got a taste of the popular life, but guess what? It's bitter and I'm very content with being unnoticed and un-popular. Sleepovers and scary camping trips, guess who's not coming next time? That's right, moi! Count me out! I'm very happy with my three crazy and awesome besties - if they forgive me that is. So this is it people of earth, the last note from Taylor on this subject. If you didn't watch my pitiful excuse for a program y
The Popular Project Chapter Twenty-One — U is for Unforeseen Circumstances
"Daddy!" I whined into my father's ear."OK, Taylor. Would you quit that?" he looked up from his book and glared at me."No, please let me go!"When I got home I told my parents that I wanted to go see a movie with Kenneth. My dad immediately forbade me from going out. But knowing my dad, a little whining would get him to crack. All I needed was some patience."Daddy!" I yelled.He and mom were watching TV in the living room and I stood beside him pleading."Taylor Charlotte, I've told you, you are not leaving this house after 7:30."&n
The Popular Project Chapter Twenty — T is for Taylor's Gonna be on TV!
The bear eventually left after being chased off by coach Bryson and a park ranger.On the way back it was the only thing we could talk about. And by we I mean the boys, I was too busy putting my notes together.It occurred to me last night when I was finally allowed back to my tent that instead of just publishing it on my blog, I could get Mr. Lancaster to let me present it on a show or something. It's way easier to come on air and explain it to everyone."Almost done?" Kenneth asked from beside me.He was so sweet yesterday, staying with me until I fell asleep because, as much as I hate to admit it, the bear thing freaked me out. If a bear could come into the campsite, what's stopping a sna
The Popular Project Chapter Nineteen — S is for Sunday Night Campfire
"I swear! This idiot really went after that cop!" Jake placed his hand on his brother's shoulder and doubled over with laughter.Everyone except Lucian - he's into the Goth stuff and doesn't laugh much - joined him. Drake, however, didn't think it was funny and his face showed he was going to murder us in our sleep."Yeah, yeah, yeah. I was drunk, so what? Can we please talk about something else?""Like what?" Kenneth placed his hand behind him and propped himself up."How evil and scheming you are," Daniel pointed a finger at Kenneth.Kenneth gasped in mock horror and put a hand on his chest. "Scheming, moi?""What you made us do yesterday was . . . was," Daniel searched for words. When he couldn't find the right one he folded his arms and fumed.I chortled, tears streaming out of my eyes. Kenneth joined me and we were the
