Never Say Never - Chapter One

author's note: this story has not been edited since the creation in 1/2/09

Preface

I’ve never seen the day where everything turns in my favor. Nothing is ever perfect. Sure, there are some good things, but there are horrible things, too. Like public embarrassment, and speaking in front of a large group of people for more than two minutes. It’s too bad all of those things are practically necessary in my life.



Chapter One- A.K.A the “lousy friend”



“Zoey Lewis, you are needed at the principals office,” the loud, raspy, voice of the secretary spoke over the intercom, cutting off Mrs. Hawthorne’s repetitive speech about verbs. My head flung upward towards the unexpected noise, and I blinked rapidly; the surprise knocked me speechless. Childish gasps broke through the classroom, as did snickers. They always did this whenever someone got called down. I swear all these 11th graders act more like 7 year olds rather than their proper age; which is 17 in most cases. Quickly I gathered my notebook and folders into my arms, glanced at Mrs. Hawthorne, and nearly ran out of that room. It was embarrassing to have your name said throughout the whole building, and I hated humiliating myself. Already I did enough of that on my own. I didn’t need the help of the secretary, too.

Lockers passed by in a blur as I speedily walked through the halls, heading down to the main entrance. Beside the two big, swinging, doors was the office. It was the standard position for most schools; right next to the doors was that crowded room that you never wanted to be sent.


Before I actually reached my goal, Josh Cramer, my best friend since 1st grade, stepped out of one of the classrooms. When he saw me, he grinned and inclined his head toward the ceiling. I rolled my eyes at him, because I knew exactly what he was referring to. It was about what just happened only moments ago. Even though it wouldn’t seem like a big deal for most people, it was an atrocious moment in my life.

Josh knew me too well. The reason for that is probably because we’ve known each other for so long, and we’ve studied each other’s reactions and thoughts about different subjects. It’s been like that ever since day one of my life in Michigan.
There’s a sort of funny story behind our friendship. In first grade I had just moved to the area, and it was my first day. I didn’t know anyone here; my mother and father had packed me, my sister, and our stuff up and shipped our small four-people family off to Bay City, Michigan. It was morning recess, and the air was cold. This was new weather for me, because I’ve always lived in a warm climate. I was playing on the swing set, watching all the guys run around and chase each other, and a few girls, when I saw him. He -Josh- was sitting by himself on a bench that leaned against the brick wall. Josh was twiddling with his fingers, and watching the sky. His peculiar brown-green eyes didn’t seem to ever blink!


All of a sudden a tall, chubby 6th grader came around the corner. He was wearing all black, with a dark, navy blue backpack swung over his shoulder. He already had a receding hair line, too, but what was left of it was greased back with hair gel. His sweatshirt was very baggy, and it was quite unflattering, even though I wasn’t completely concentrating on that. Really, I was staring at the adorable defenseless kid on the chair as I pumped my legs, pushing myself up higher on the swing. Josh was so small compared to the bully! He rolled his eyes as the black figure grinned maliciously down at him. I waited, and watched the scene play on. I remember being terrified beyond belief, and I had a compelling need to cover my own blue eyes and run away. But I didn’t.

The scary guy, later known as Cougar, clenched the front of Josh’s shirt and lifted him off the wood. I gasped as Josh’s legs flailed and kicked at Cougar’s legs. That angered Cougar.


“You’re in my seat,” he warned through gritted teeth. Cougar was very late to say that. Normally you would say that before you pick someone up. Josh said nothing back. This time it was me that reacted. Without thinking, I jumped off my swing, landed face first on the grass, picked myself back up, and ran over to the pair.

I was wondering where the noon-aid’s were. That way they could protect us. However, it seems they are always gone when we need them most. I ignored all of those unnecessary thoughts. Instead I focused on what I would do next.


I didn’t have to ponder for very long. I kicked Cougar so hard in the shins that he dropped Josh and fell to the floor grasping his knee. My power was pretty high-rate for a first grader. Josh landed right beside him on the ground. Quickly, I gave him my hand and helped him to his feet. He flashed me an embarrassed grin, but pulled me across the playground over to an isolated area. From that moment on we clicked. It was as if we were made for each other.

*~*~*~*~*

Something Josh said made me snap out of my day dream. As he rambled on and on, he talked faster and in a more flustered manner. That’s when I wondered what he was speaking about. Whatever it was, it was something he was passionate about. I now deeply regretted not paying attention to him. But just as soon as his rambling started, it ceased.

Josh stopped suddenly. It was so unexpected that I kept walking a few steps, but I eventually paused as he grabbed my hand and tugged me, backwards, towards him, in a way that almost made me trip over my own feet. Within a blink of an eye the Janitor’s closet, which was only a few feet away, flew open as Josh pulled on the handle. Then he yanked me in while I protested quietly.


When he shut the door all of the light flow disappeared. I was locked in a musty closet. He was staring at me with his finger to his mouth, warning me to stay silent. So that’s what I did, even though there were millions of things I wanted to say, no yell, at him about. I leaned against the wall, crossed my arms in front of my chest and waited. Although, I had no idea why or what for. Josh was acting pretty bizarre today. Then again, he’s been known to be pretty strange sometimes. Still. This was a new one for him.
“Josh-”
“Shh!” he hissed, cutting me off and giving me the death glare (with tons of love, of course), and pressed up against the door. I frowned at him, but stayed forlornly mute. Even though he wasn’t my mother or father, and I didn’t have to listen to him, I did anyways. It was common courtesy, and I am a very respectful person. (Or so I’m told.)

As a shadow of a person passed across the glass of the window, Josh let out the breath he was holding. He also leaned towards me in a friendlier stance. My brain was stuck in slow-motion. All of his emotions and reactions to things were so…weird, and hard to follow.
“What…is going on?” I asked after I finally got my thoughts pulled together. I’d decided to ask only the most important questions in the limited time we had. Since in a moment I would have to go to the office before I got in major trouble. Josh ran his hand through his hair. This was his normal response to an awkward question. However, I didn’t see anything unusual with what I inquired.

“Josh, tell me,” I commanded with a hopeful, gentle, smile on my lips.


“Well, you see, nothing is wrong…per se,” he said sheepishly, grinning his cute, toothy smile at me. I rolled my eyes. If he was trying to sell me his idea, he was failing horribly at it.


“Josh,” I said again, this time with an edge that expressed the hidden warning behind my words.

“Oh, okay,” he began, sighing, as the corners of his lips fell flat. I missed his smile already. It was one of his best assets, that gosh-darn grin of his was.


I watched him fidget with his shirt. He tugged at it until it lay just like he wanted it to; partly covering his stylish tan belt, and at the same time staying some-what baggy at his stomach. I have to admit that he was pretty cute. He had those brown eyes that made some girls want to faint. I wasn’t one of those girls, though. Especially since I couldn’t even imagine us together… well, maybe if I tried hard enough. My point, however, is that most ladies swoon over him, due to how gorgeous he is. He has a lot of crushes, and he also is very popular. Even though I’m weighing him down, he insists on sticking by my side. Josh is such a sweetheart. I really don’t deserve him.


“I have another bully.”
My mind reeled back in shock. He hasn’t had a bully since elementary school. Ever since he befriended one of the coolest guys in the school Josh hasn’t been picked on once. Now, even though he wasn’t friends with the same guy, he has just as much popular friends, and yet he’s getting harassed again.
“You do?”

“Yes,” he replied in a monotonous voice as he nodded swiftly once and stared at the dirty, debris covered, floor. There were filthy mops, dishrags (for god only knows why!), shoes, an extra set of keys, and finally a broken camera lying around. I was careful not to step on any of the stuff.
“Oh. Well, let’s talk about that later. How did you plan your exit at the same time as I did?” I quizzed, changing subjects to something else. Obviously the previous topic was bothering him, so I might as well switch it to a different thing that I was wondering about. I didn’t want to press into the bully thing right now. Later on I could casually bring it up, but now was not the time.
“Oh, that. I needed to talk to you. I heard your voice on the intercom so I asked Mr. Jenkins if I could be excused,” his voice still held the same tone. His answer made sense, though, so I just nodded. What he said caught my attention though. Apparently he needed to speak with me.
“What did you want to tell me?”
“I already told you,” he said, glowering. I stared at him blankly. So that was what he was so flustered about earlier! And I didn’t pay attention to him. Wow, what a great friend I am.
“Well, that proves how much you care about what I have to say,” he stated simply as he left. The door almost hit me in the face as he slammed it closed. I can’t even remember the last time he was so angry. So, it must have been some really important detail I missed.
I feel so guilty now. All because of Josh. Maybe if I place the blame on him, then I won’t feel as bad for what I did. Even though that’s not quite fair to him.
“I’m sorry!” I yelled after him, but the thick wood trapped the sound in the room with me. He didn’t hear my apology.





*~*~*~*~*