Home / Romance / The Popular Project / Chapter One—A is for Another Year in Littlehell High

Share

The Popular Project
The Popular Project
Author: Christiana Cherry

Chapter One—A is for Another Year in Littlehell High

last update Last Updated: 2020-07-20 03:00:47

Sometimes, I like to just sit back and think about my last two years in high school. Know what I end up with? 

A terrible concoction of cringe-worthy moments combined with embarrassing and downright stupid memories I can’t seem to remove from my brain.

Being me is hard enough, now when you add people that try to painfully extract every ounce of strength and courage I can summon then you’ve got a confused teenager that is hopeless in social situations and the school’s very own clown. 

That’s why I try not to think about it.

Junior year was about to start and while I wasn’t particularly happy about it, I was glad to be finishing up with the torture that was high school. 

I leaned back against the wall of my house and yawned. 

The sun was just about to set behind the pine trees and it gave off a beautiful purplish-orange glow that combined with the cool evening breeze made me sleepy. 

A gust of wind passed me and tucked a lock of my blonde hair into my mouth. 

I stopped mid-yawn and spat it out. The bitter, slightly acidic taste of strawberry shampoo did not sit well on my tongue so I had to use the arm of my blue sweater to brush it off.

My cat, Leslie, cocked her head at me while I frantically cleaned my tongue. Her blue feline eyes seemed to be filled with laughter as her pink ears swiveled. 

She hissed just as a pair of black and white Converses stopped right beside me. I was so preoccupied with removing the distaste from my mouth that I didn’t hear the footsteps. I traced the shoes up to meet the confused face of my friend, Indy. 

“Why on earth are you sitting on the floor in your backyard?” her smooth, accented voice asked. 

“Like you rightly said, it’s my backyard, I can do whatever I want in it.”

She narrowed her baby blue eyes and shook her head. Flipping her long black hair behind her shoulder, she cupped her hand beside her mouth and hollered. “She’s over here guys.”

Very soon I was squeezed into a painfully tight hug by another person, her pleasant perfume reminded me of the inside of a new car. 

“Don’t do that to me again, Taylor. I was about to write a missing person report,” squealed the girl from my chest. 

“OK . . . Andi . . . Can’t breathe . . . Let go,” I choked out as her hug cut the airflow to my lungs.

She let go and grabbed my cheeks, pinching them. 

“Are you OK, Taylor? Tell me!” Her brown eyes showed her concern. 

“I’ll be better off if you let go of my cheeks.” I mumbled.

She did and I rubbed them. They were throbbing from Andi’s deadly pinches.

“Way to go, Andrea.” I scowled. 

“That’s your punishment for making us look for you,” Indy had a smug look on her face. 

“Not to mention making us think you were dead!” the slight Indian accent in Andi’s voice became more noticeable as she yelled.

“You’re the only one that thought that, Andi.” Indy confirmed.

“Why would you think I was dead?” I asked Andi. 

The answer was clear. Andi loved exaggerating. She loved acting and was way too passionate about it, she was the drama queen of our trio and never let us forget it. She was one of those people that made their presence known on entering the room.

“Well someone had to think of every possibility. For all we know, Adrianna could’ve killed you, poured acid over your body so it’s not identifiable and tossed you in a shallow grave.”

“First of all, don’t give her any ideas. Secondly, my sister would never do that, our hatred for each other really isn’t that strong. Besides, Leslie’s here,” I waved my hand in Leslie’s direction. “She has this no-violence-near-pets-because-they-could-turn-into-vicious-monsters policy going on.” I rolled my eyes. 

“I cannot believe I’m gonna do this,” Indy sighed before sitting on the dirt floor in front of me, a look of disgust in her face. 

“It’s not that bad, is it, Indy?” I asked, deliberately teasing her. Indy was a clean freak and abhorred sitting on anything that wasn’t inside a building. 

Her eyes narrowed in a glare.

“Last day of being sophomores. By tomorrow we’ll be juniors, then seniors, then we’re out of high school and in college!” Andi screamed. 

“Thank you, Sherlock, but I think we’ve already figured that one out,” Indy put her finger inside her ear and rubbed it. 

“So, Taylor?” Andi turned to me. “How do you feel about it?”

“Happy and sad. Happy because I’ll get to see Kenneth tomorrow after three weeks,” I clasped my hands under my chin and let out a dreamy sigh.

They both groaned and Indy face-palmed herself.

Both of them knew about my huge crush on football player, Kenneth Avalon.

He was a beautiful work of creation in my eyes. His brown hair was super wavy, his bright blue eyes always twinkled in his expertly created solid face and his deep, resonating laugh always sent shivers of excitement up my spine.

“How many ‘stay away from him or you’ll be sorry’ do you have to get from Rebecca before you eventually stay away from him?” questioned Indy as she stroked Leslie.

“Indy’s right. Kenneth is not your kind of guy, Taylor. Stay away from him! Unless you want to get completely slaughtered by the living, breathing definition of evil,” Andi’s eyebrow shot up.

“Why can’t you guys just humor me for once?” I folded my arms.

“Because you know anything happening between you and that dumbass of an imbecile is unrealistic,” Indy told me.

“And forgive me if I care about you too much to try to save you from Rebecca’s venom. You know she scares you,” said Andi.

I gasped. “She does not!”

Not that I wasn’t used to my friends’ brutal honesty, it just felt like they made special effort to attack me today. Not the way I wanted to end the holidays if you were wondering.  

“That’s what you said last year but you let her take the last seat at the play and ended up standing throughout the hour long performance,” Andi countered.

“I didn’t watch half of that stupid play remember? I played Subway Surf all through it. Mindy’s a terrible actress,” I defended. 

“And the year after that when she took your last tater tot,” Indy added.

“I . . . didn’t . . . I didn’t want that,” I stammered. I started again before they could counter me. “Well, I don’t care how many scenarios you bring up, OK? She does not scare me! And that is the end of that topic. I don’t wanna remember that conniving snake.”

Thankfully – and totally unlike the two girls before me – they didn’t push it and Andi seemed content. I wasn’t in the mood to defend my not standing up for myself against my ex-bestfriend. 

“I can’t believe you used to be friends with her. Her picture should be right next to the word horrible in the dictionary, she barely gives you space to breathe in school,” Indy was scratching Leslie in her favorite spot behind her ear.

I sighed.

“Used to be. Before she turned into Miss My-name’s-not-Google-but-I-know-everything.”

Remembering the circumstances surrounding our fallout made me sad so I didn’t say more, but I didn’t need to because suddenly the sound of footsteps approaching rang out and soon another figure appeared from the corner armed with a bowl of popcorn he was eating from. 

Henry Reynolds, our only friend that was a guy scoffed as he saw us. His intelligent brown eyes looked around and landed individually on three of us.

“If this is another one of those pity parties Taylor likes hosting, I’m going back to my nice, comfortable, depression-free, happy house.”

“Oh, popcorn!” Andi shot up and took a handful, throwing it into her mouth. She was always hungry.

Henry gave her the bowl and sat beside me. He had a crazy smile on his face as he pinched my side. I smacked his arm.

“Last day as sophomores,” moaned Indy as she rested her chin in Leslie’s white fur.

“I’m not gonna miss it,” quipped Henry with a shake of his head. The movement made his long black hair fall over his forehead.

“Me too. It was filled with impossible topics, terrible assignments, difficult exams and that strange chicken pox virus that went round,” confessed Andi.

We all shuddered.

“I am so set for this year,” started Indy with a bright smile on her face. “I’ve brought out all my outfits and numbered my jeans. So I don’t wear the same pair twice.”

“Information like that should be kept to yourself, Indy,” said Henry sarcastically.

Andi and I laughed as Indy rolled her eyes.

“Well, I wasn’t talking you, Reynolds,” she lifted her chin and folded her arms.

“That’s all good. For now, let’s make a wish. Whatever we want to happen this junior year,” I looked at all of them.

“I wish,” started Andi, “that I get cast as Monique in this year’s school play. Playing lead in a school play would look great on a college application.”

“I wish, that I get elected as class president,” Indy wished.

“I wish, that I’d be made anchor of LittleWood Reports,” I wished.

 LittleWood Reports was the name of my school’s channel. Being the only channel in the entire town to originate in a high school and mostly run by teenagers, it was the pride of Wood High. They broadcast live from the media room of the school all sorts of programs, but the news was the most famous program and the only one watched by the entire population of Little Wood – give or take about 1000 people.

“Since when?” asked Andi.

“I did some work as an assistant in the studio last year and it really fueled my interest in journalism and made me want a job there.”

We all turned to Henry who stared back at us.

I raised an eyebrow.

“What?” When he realized why we were looking at him he added, “You can’t say your wish out loud. It totally jinxes it.”

“We just did,” I told him.

“I know. Coulda been a great year for you guys. If cowpox breaks out, we know who brought it.”

“Uh, you, for not telling us your wish,” Andi pointed a finger at Henry.

I had to stop them before they started one of their legendary squabbles.

“Come on guys, let’s go inside,” I grabbed Leslie and stood up. The darkness had fully settled in and it was pretty chilly, the trees stood like bushy skeletons and that terrified me.

I left them and headed inside. I dropped Leslie and she sniffed the floor. 

“Where are your friends, kiddo?” my mom appeared from the kitchen holding a tray, her blue eyes searched behind me. 

“Either they’re right behind me or Andi’s killing Henry.”

She frowned. “You know how I feel about blood.”

“I was jok . . .” I sighed knowing that my mom will never get the joke. “Fine. I’ll go get them.”

“Good,” she turned to go then stopped and came back. “By the way, Charles said to tell you that Hayley loves your selection and the cake’s almost ready.”

“Really?” my eyes popped out of their sockets. My big brother was getting married and I was helping his fiancé, Hayley, pick out a flavor for her wedding cake over the holidays. Out of all the yummy and fancy recommendations her wedding planner gave her I’m pretty amazed and excited she picked mine. 

“Yup,” she nodded making her blonde ponytail bounce. “Now go get your friends. It’s too dark for them to be outside.”

I skipped outside and hurdled everyone in. Once inside we sat in a circle and Andi started one of her long stories about . . . something. I never made it through to the end, and as my eyes closed in sleep I had no inkling that this was going to be my most eventful year in high school.

Related chapters

  • The Popular Project   Chapter Two—B Is For Bad Hair Days

    “Taylor! Get up! It’s time for school.”My mom’s high pitched voice pierced through the fog of sleep. I ignored it thinking it was a dream. A few minutes later a huge pounding came upon my door, rattling me.“Taylor! You had better be up by the time I get back here.”When I heard her footsteps retreat out of the hall I slowly opened my eyes.My purple curtains covered my windows which saved my eyes from the stinging bright light.Leslie lay curled beside me unnerved by my mom’s ear-splitting yelling.Yawning, I removed the blanket from around me and sat up. My purple pajama shirt stuck to my bo

    Last Updated : 2020-07-20
  • The Popular Project   Chapter Three—C is for Crewman, The Goddess of Catastrophe

    Looking up at that all-too-familiar sign, the ‘Welcome Back Cougars’ written on a yellow banner that had drawings of paws on it, strung between the huge cream pillars at the entrance, feelings of dread and apprehension rooted me to the steps.I was about to enter for either another year as the reigning class clown or another year to show them that making a complete and utter fool of myself wasn’t the only thing I was versed in.I decided against the former and went in. Luckily I wasn’t too late and the first period bell hadn’t been rung yet.I went to my locker and took out the books I would need.“Good morning fair lady. How has your day been?” A smooth voice laced with a pleasant British accent inquired.

    Last Updated : 2020-07-20
  • The Popular Project   Chapter Four — D is for Do Not Mess with Taylor Crewman

    I couldn’t just stand there and be the object of everyone’s humor, so I did the same thing any girl in my position would do.To be honest, I don’t think anyone’s ever been in my position before.With tears in my eyes I ran out of the cafeteria and into the safest place in this dumb school: the bathroom.I slid down one of the stalls and buried my head in my arms sobbing.The toilet was an icky place to sit on the floor crying - even more Wood High’s disgusting own - but I didn’t care.I sat there and sobbed painful, bitter, soul-wrenching tears.I just wanted this to be a good first day, is that too

    Last Updated : 2020-07-28
  • The Popular Project   Chapter Five — E is for Evil Plans Are My Specialty

    Indiana, Andi and I were walking home.Thanks to Rea's fabulous acting skills and my 'fake' stomach ache, we got Mrs. Alderman to allow us go home before the people in the cafeteria came out and saw me."She went too far this time," muttered Indiana."She did, and Taylor retaliated." Rea gave me a high-five."I'm not still satisfied. Dumping garbage over her stuff is one thing, but I need to make sure she permanently stays off my back.""And how would you do that?" questioned Indiana as we stopped in front of Miss Brown's house.I shrugged. We all stayed quiet, every one of us thinking. After five minutes and nothing came up, I groaned."Come on Andrea, help me. You're supposed to be the scheming one."She threw her hands up."I've got nothing. Besides, you brought this up, you should have something."

    Last Updated : 2020-07-28
  • The Popular Project   Chapter Six — F is for Fine Day to Start Trouble, ay mate?

    I didn’t sleep a wink last night.I stayed up late and planned my moves.The world wants to know what makes populars popular and I’ll be the one to answer.My plan was to slowly and subtly infiltrate the world of the populars and learn first-hand what secrets they have and ultimately, how people like me in LittleWood can use it to their advantage.I hurriedly put on a brown sweater — there’s no way in all of the entire freaking solar system and beyond am I wearing white to that prison ever again — a pair of black jeans and brown ugg boots.I grabbed an apple, kissed my mom on the cheek, and dashed for school.I wanted an early start before the halls got crowded.I sat on the floor in front of my locker — good one Taylor. You are officially insane — and typed up day one of my project. I’ve never done this type

    Last Updated : 2020-07-28
  • The Popular Project   Chapter Seven — G is for Good Riddance

    Getting to school the next day I was excited to find out that my first day in school debacle had been replaced with more juicy high school gossip.Everyone's favourite power couple, Kenneth and Rebecca had broken up last night.Not that it was any of my business, but it took all my willpower not to do a happy dance in the middle of the school.It was my secret wish that something would cause them to break up soon, not because I wanted Kenneth — pfft! He and I couldn't make a good couple. Besides, he doesn't even know I exist — but because I hated Rebecca and it was nice for Little Miss Perfect to be reminded that she didn't own everybody.After normal classes we all assembled in the gym room for physical education aka the most unimportant and utterly useless subject that Satan himself gave birth to.I hated P.E!First of all, our gym uniforms were sleeveless an

    Last Updated : 2020-07-28
  • The Popular Project   Chapter Eight — H is for How To Get Popular by Taylor Crewman

    “He what!” shrieked Indiana excitedly.I rolled my eyes. Why can't I have smart friends? This is the billionth time I'm retelling this for the love of God.“He took me home a couple of hours ago.”She shrieked again, slightly upsetting her image on my laptop.“How on earth? Did he ask you out? What did he say? What did you say? Did he ask you out?” questioned Andi.“You already know the details, Andi. Besides, this isn't why I called you guys.”After I was able to calm down from the euphoria talking to Kenneth caused, I video-called the girls and told them everything.“I'm really happy for you, Taylor. And here I was thinking he didn't even know your name,” said Indy putting her hair into a ponytail.“I'm not gonna take that the way you meant it. Anyway, I

    Last Updated : 2020-07-28
  • The Popular Project   Chapter Nine — I is for Infiltrate the Enemy. Check!

    Locating Darcy's house was easy. Adding to the fact that LittleWood was a small town, we hosted the end of year party there last year.PS. It's where I ripped my swimming suit.Anyways, after my mom reluctantly drove me there, I stepped up to the front door, my bag slung over my shoulder and knocked.It was semi-big, a two-storey house painted in white, had wooden shutters and a cobblestone driveway. Beautiful lilies surrounded the entire house.The front door opened a crack and a pair of blue eyes peered out.It opened wider and Darcy's mom appeared fully. A flowery apron was wrapped around her tall, thin frame, her brown hair was tied back. Her blue eyes like Darcy's was warm and friendly.“Hello Taylor. Why, it's so nice to see you,” she spoke with a heavy French accent.Last year she insisted on learning each and everyone's names.

    Last Updated : 2020-07-28

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

Scan code to read on App
DMCA.com Protection Status