Love Hate

by Ruth Houston

  Georgia snorted. "Nice wording."

  "Thank you."

  We reached our group and were greeted by a tidal-wave of noise. OK, so my group wasn't exactly the quiet type but even though some people found my friends unbearable, I enjoyed being around their fun-loving attitudes. Besides, being in my group made me middle class, just where I liked it.

  What's middle class, I hear you ask? Well, if you go to a pride-ridden school like I do then you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. In my school everyone stuck to their groups and that was that. The groups even had their own select area.

  First, the least popular groups (i.e. the nerds, bookworms and band geeks) sat near the doors of the school, probably because they were so eager to get inside to fill their heads with new beautiful knowledge or something. I swear, if those kids could marry books, they so would.

  Next there was the Emos or Goths. They hung out around the side of the school building in the shadows, smoking and drawing on their books with whiteout and stuff. I've never really talked to many of their group but apparently most of them were involved in some sort of cult or something…

  Then there's my group. We don't really have a name. I guess you just have to know the type of people who are in the group. There's Georgia, the loud, funny one who doesn't mind making herself out to be a complete idiot in the name of comedy. There's Harry, who's my best guy friend and who's also into guys. Then there's Haylee, Jade and Penny, the three identical triplets who were never apart yet never agreeing. They were the most different identical people you could find, each with their own personality. Last off there was me, the one who was carefree and a little on the nutty side… well, you know me.

  Next there were the skaters and/or stoners who spent their time lying in the grass or skating around on their skateboards, wolf-whistling to passing girls and laughing.

  Finally… the 'Elites'. That's right, the oh-so-dreaded populars. This group was made up of all the 'hot' guys and girls of the school. Veronica, being one of the leaders of said group, had the power to boss around nearly everyone in the school… that is, of course, except for my group, even though she tried.

  Presently, I heard Haylee sigh as I settled down in between Harry and Jade.

  "Why do the Elites get all the hot new guys?" Haylee – who was boy-crazy – complained.

  "I'm not complaining," Jade said. She was the more tom-boy triplet and she'd never even looked at a guy in a more-than-friendly way.

  Penny pushed her glasses up her nose and surveyed Tristan. "He is quite cute." Jade rounded on her and she quickly hefted up her new novel to hide her reddening face.

  "According to Amber, that Tristan guy is a total loser," Georgia said. She, being my best friend and all, had decided to be fully against Tristan because I was. What a good friend, right?

  "So? He's gorgeous," Haylee said dreamily. "Even if he is a jerk, he still makes good eye candy."

  "Mmhmm," agreed Harry, nodding his head.

  "Harry! You're supposed to be against Tristan because I am," I half-joked, slapping his softly on the hand.

  Harry shrugged. "I'm sorry, babe, but there's no denying he's fine."

  I laughed.

  * * *

  'Briiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing!'

  "What the –?" I exclaimed, the shrill ringing of the bell jerking me awake.

  "Good morning Amber; how was your sleep this morning?" my Science teacher, Mr. Watson, asked, a small smile tugging at his lips.

  "Good thanks, sir," I replied with a hopeful grin.

  Mr. Watson, who was a young teacher only in his second year of teaching, smiled and rolled his eyes slightly. "OK, I'll let you off the hook this time, but only because I'm still in the holidaying mood myself," he said.

  "Thanks sir," I said appreciatively, not wanting to spend my first lunch time in a stuffy detention classroom.

  "OK, everyone, move off to second period," Mr. Watson said and everyone began to pack up their textbooks.

  I slid my untouched books in my bag and waited for Penny to pack up before heading for the classroom door.

  "I can't believe you slept through the entire class!" Penny said in awe, staring at me as we pushed through the large crowds of students on our way to Art.

  I shrugged, stifling a yawn. "Science has never been my thing," I said.

  "Yes, but it's our final year, Amber! You can't afford to drift off through every lesson," Penny cried. "You know what? I'll do you a huge favor and write up everything we learnt this morning and give you my notes." She smiled, obviously thinking she was being a saint instead of being the person who supplied me with homework that I would never do.

  I gave her a half-hearted smile in return, not wanting to hurt her feelings. "Well, Penny, that would be great but –."

  "Oh, look, there's Harry," Penny cut across me and I knew she was deliberately being ignorant. Even though she could be a bit annoying at times with her nagging, I knew Penny had my best interests at heart.

  "Hey girls, how was Science?" Harry asked, falling into step beside me.

  "Tiring," I replied.

  "Amber fell asleep during class," Penny told Harry, obviously wanting some back-up in the whole 'it's-your-final-year' rant.

  However, Harry, who wasn't one to stay awake during boring lessons as well, offered a high-five and cried, "Well done, mate! First lesson of the year slept away!" He caught Penny's disapproving look and dropped his hand with a shrug.

  We walked into the Art classroom and took our seats at the back of the classroom. As I looked around the room, wondering who was in my class this year, my eyes fell upon –

  "Tristan," I breathed, my eyes narrowing at the sight of him.

  "What? Where?" Harry exclaimed, looking around wildly.

  I rolled my eyes and gestured to where Tristan was leaning back in his chair, his fingers interlocked behind his head as he talked smoothly to a swooning blonde that sat next to him.

  "Typical," I muttered.

  "What is?" Penny asked.

  "Tristan's taste in girls. Blonde, thin and dumb as anything. Bloody typical," I explained.

  Just as I was saying this, Tristan's eyes flicked from the blonde to me. I hurriedly looked away and straightened my notebook. When I glanced back at him, I saw him chatting with the blonde again, but with a faint smile turning his lips.

  "Oooooh," whispered Harry as Mrs. See stood up the front and began to talk about what we would be doing this term. "I think someone has a slight connection with the jerk-face."

  My jaw dropped and I glared at him. "I do not," I snarled.

  "Oh, sorry, I must have hallucinated that look you two just shared," Harry said. "My bad." His eyes twinkled with amusement.

  I rolled my eyes and returned my focus to Mrs. See. But as I watched her I felt my attention slipping toward Tristan.

  No, stop that! I scolded myself but no matter how hard I tried not to, my gaze always returned to him.

  Suddenly, I slapped myself… hard.

  "OW!" I exclaimed, holding my stinging cheek.

  The class swiveled in their chairs to look at me.

  "Amber, what is it?" Mrs. See asked, her eyes wide with shock at my sudden outburst.

  I lowered my hand from my reddening cheek. "I slapped myself," I blurted without thinking.

  Oh Jesus, how dumb can you sound?

  The class began to laugh and I felt Tristan's sparkling gaze on me but I refused to look at him. After all, he's the reason I was in pain at the moment! He's why I slapped myself! Stupid asshole.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  The next three days passed on very quickly considering I had to deal with Tristan. Actually I had devised a plan that had helped me along with dealing with said annoying prick.

  In the morning I would wake up before he did, take my clothes for the day and get dressed in the bathroom – just in case he was peeking at me from underneath his eyelids (I'm not paranoid, that's something he would do!). I would then head for school before he had even
had breakfast. This resulted in me being half an hour early for school every day but I didn't mind; it meant more time with friends.

  At school I didn't have to worry about bumping into him. He had officially been excepted into the Elite's group and now spent the school day strolling through the hallways surrounded by a giggling bunch of dumb blondes and a few of his jock friends.

  Actually, now I think about it, he did try to approach me once. I was at my locker when I saw him walking up to me out of the corner of my eye, unusually alone. But when he reached me and opened his mouth to speak, a blonde clone (I think her name is Christie) appeared at his side, her arm curling around his.

  "Why are you talking to a loser like Amber Jones?" Christie had whispered loudly before turning to me and saying, "Hi Amber. How's your…" She glanced at the English textbook I was holding. "How's your reading going?"

  I had frowned, utterly convinced that Christie was totally mentally incompetent. "Fine thanks… er… Cherrie, is it?"

  Christie narrowed her eyes. "Christie," she corrected snottily while Tristan suppressed a snort of laughter. "Come on, Tristan. We have better places to be." She had then dragged him away, swaying her hips.

  Anyway, back to my plan. So, as soon as the school bell rang I was out of my classroom and hurrying home before Tristan could catch me. I spent my afternoons either outside on the back deck or in the study… anyplace where he wasn't. The only time we spent time together was at dinner, and even there I didn't really speak to him.

  Then there was bedtime. He would try a few 'seductive' comments before going to sleep when I didn't react.

  Yes, my plan was working magnificently.

  So, on Thursday afternoon when I was at my locker, readying myself for a speedy walk home, I was surprised – and slightly annoyed – to hear someone calling my name.

  I looked up to see Georgia, Haylee and Harry walking toward me.

  "Hey guys," I said, quickly closing my locker door as they reached me. "I'd love to stay and talk but I have to go before the Devil sees me." Upon saying this, I cast a quick glance around just incase Tristan was anywhere in sight.

  "Fine, we'll walk and talk," Georgia said, hooking her arm around mine and starting to stroll toward the school doors.

  "What are we talking about?" I asked.

  "Kelly Guardstone's party this Saturday night," Harry answered.

  I groaned. "It's the first week of school and they're already having parties? How… like them," I finished rather lamely.

  "Well, actually, 'they' have been having parties all through the holidays. You just haven't been invited," Haylee commented absently.

  "Thanks for reminding me how unpopular I am, Hay. I'd nearly forgotten," I said sarcastically, rolling my eyes.

  "No problem," Haylee muttered, not really focusing on the conversation as her attention had been completely captured by a moderately good-looking guy passing us.

  "Anyway," began Georgia as we stepped out into the sunshine, "you have to come to the party."

  "Why?" I whined. "Their parties are just for all the mindless clones in the school to gather at and rub up against each other." I shuddered. "Last year, when I went to Robby Thorn's party, this totally drunk guy decided to start sticking his tongue down my throat." I smile took over my dark looks. "Let's just say I got the better of him."

  Harry laughed. "Exactly. You know how to protect yourself, so why not come? It'll be heaps of fun! It's a costume party!" He squealed excitedly, clapping his hands together.

  I sighed, torn between a seemingly fun night with my friends and a night that will also no doubt be full of disgusting losers and their bimbo girlfriends.

  "Come on, Amber, please," begged Georgia.

  Suddenly I had Harry, Georgia and Haylee kneeling in front of me, puppy eyes pleading with me, begging me to accept the proposal.

  I sighed again, my stubbornness wavering at the pathetic sight of my friends.

  Finally, after chewing my lip for a few good minutes, I gave in and said, "Fine."

  "YAY!"

  My friends leapt to my feet and nearly knocked me on my ass by enveloping me in one huge bone-crushing hug.

  "OK, I love you too. Now let me breathe," I choked, gasping for air from underneath the mass of hugs.

  "We have to go costume shopping tomorrow afternoon!" Harry exclaimed. "Did you know the shopping centre has just been renovated? It will be totally fabulous."

  I laughed at my three friends as they danced around, extremely excited about the fact that I had accepted.

  Maybe the party won't be so bad after all…

  "Amber!"

  I turned to see Tristan walking toward me.

  "Oh no," I groaned, turning back to my friends. "See what you get me into?"

  "Sorry Amber!" Georgia winked as she leaned in closer to me. "However, I just can't shake the feeling that there might be a little something more going on between you and Tristan that you are letting on."

  I gaped at her as she leaned back, smirking. "What?" I gasped.

  Georgia shrugged. "Just a thought. Chemistry, people, chemistry."

  "What about chemistry?"

  Oh God, the jerk has arrived.

  "Chemistry homework… very hard stuff," Harry said lamely.

  "Well, we better be off," Georgia said. "Come on, Hay."

  "Huh?" Haylee was just a little sidetracked by Tristan's smile.

  "Come on, Haylee," Georgia muttered, grabbing her friend's arm and tugging her away.

  I watched my friends walk off, my eyes narrowed. I can't believe they'd just leave me alone with Tristan after I just agreed to go to the party with them!

  "So… are we going to walk home or are we going to stand around here all afternoon?" Tristan asked.

  I rounded on him. "You stay here – I walk," I said shortly before whirling around and storming off down the street.

  I hadn't really expected my order to work but I can't say that I wasn't really disappointed when I heard his jogging footsteps approaching me from behind.

  "So, are you coming to the party on Saturday night?" Tristan asked as he fell into step beside me.

  "Unfortunately, yes," I replied stiffly.

  "Why unfortunately? It'll be wicked," Tristan said.

  I rolled my eyes. "Oh, so you're going?" I queried.

  "Yep."

  "Well, that'll just make it even more wicked," I said sarcastically as we turned into my street.

  "Yep. Hey, maybe we should get some practice in tonight," Tristan suggested in an off-handed sort of way that always meant trouble.

  "Practice for what?" I asked slowly.

  "Kissing," came Tristan's blunt reply.

  "What? Why the hell would I need to practice kissing with you?" I cried.

  Tristan shrugged. "Well, you know, at parties… anything can happen. By the end of the night you won't be able to stay away." He winked in what he must have thought was a 'seductive' way.

  I shuddered. "I don't think so," I snapped as I opened the front door.

  Stepping inside, I turned and slammed the door in his face, locking it with a smile of triumph. Then my face fell.

  This party is going to be hell.

  CHAPTER SIX

  "This party is going to be freakin' awesome!" exclaimed Georgia.

  I sighed heavily as I trudged into the costume store after her. Yes, that's right; my group actually managed to drag me along to a costume store for the party. Well there's my plan of just turning up as the best character ever: myself.

  "Come on, Amber, lighten up," Harry said, noticing my sigh and nudging me in the side. "It'll be heaps of fun if you think positive."

  I couldn't help but smile at Harry's bouncing energy. OK, so I can't stay upset for more than fifteen minutes when I'm around my friends. I guess that is what makes them so awesome.

  "Oooh, look at this angel costume! Isn't it gorgeous?" Haylee cried dreamily, hurrying over to a rack of white, skimpy costumes.

  "I am so not going to the
party with you if you're going to dress like a slut with wings," Jade commented, wrinkling her nose at her sister's choice of costume.

  Haylee rounded on her. "Are you saying that I have a 'slutty' choice in clothing?" she snapped.

  Jade pretended to think for a moment before replying, "Yes actually, that's exactly what I'm saying."

  I sighed and left the bickering sisters as I moved to the back of the store, glumly looking around for a costume that wasn't entirely made up of feathers or lace.

  I passed the rack of pirate costumes Penny was standing at and walked straight over to a line of assorted costumes. I reached up to the rack, pushing aside the costumes one-by-one.

  Some of them looked kind of good but I always found some reason to toss them aside.

  Cinderella? No, too many people will be turning up as her. Pirate? Too childish. Angel? Too skanky and girly. Devil? Too many people will be doing that.

  What else is there? I thought exasperatedly after twenty minutes spent searching fruitlessly.

  Suddenly, I heard a squeal of delight come from the other side of the store. Turning, I saw Georgia standing in front of a long rack of costumes but she her body was blocking whatever had caused her to squeal with excitement.

  "Guys, come here! Quickly!" called Georgia, waving her hands in the air.

  As I walked over to the rack, Harry, Penny, Jade and Haylee joined me, each of them equally as confused as I was. We reached Georgia and looked down at the costumes she was pointing to excitedly.

  "Minnie Mouse?" Penny queried, frowning down at the red dress.

  "No, silly!" Georgia grabbed a set of coat hangers and held the costumes up for us to see. "Aren't they perfect? We've got the right amount of people too!"

  "Sailor Moon and the Sailor Scouts!" squealed Haylee excitedly. "I'm so Sailor Moon!"

  I chewed my bottom lip, nodding slowly with approval at the costumes. They would be OK to go as… no one else would do them.

  "Wait… Who are Sailor Moon and the Sailor Scouts?" Jade suddenly asked.

  "Oh my God, you don't know Sailor Moon?" Harry gaped. "She and the Sailor Scouts only make the best cartoon show ever."