Ben Collins: Chapter 2

“OK, OK, listen up, listen up. Come on! Miss. Collins! Will you please take your seat and get off Mr. Johnson” Mr Roberts yells at Emma as the whole class sniggers.

“Sorry, sir” Emma says getting off of Tony and taking her seat next to him.

We’re in our first homeroom class. I’m sitting in my usual back row seat with Gordy next to me, Emma and Tony in the seats directly in front of us. I haven’t spotted Allison yet, but then again it’s a big class. Every one in the year level is in the same homeroom, I guess it’s because we all have different subjects. That and they want to save money by not hiring another teacher. I don’t know.

“Now as you know, it is the start of the school year.”

“What was your first clue!” Brian Jacobs interrupts Mr. Roberts followed shortly with sniggers from the class.

“That will be enough, Jacobs.” Mr. Roberts snaps sternly. “Now you will all get your class schedules later in the day, but right know I have to go over the school rules again.”

The entire class groans.

“Now, now. I don’t want to, but I have to. And remember, this will be the last time you will have to sit through this lecture. Sadly I will have to give it every year for the rest of my career.”

The entire class erupts in cheers as it dawns on them that it will be the last time. That and Mr. Roberts will have to do this until he retires.

“Hey” I say in a whisper to the others. “You guys seen Allison? I can’t see her.”

“Whoa, Easy Turbo! Didn’t you just find out she was dumped by Fuller? Now you want to find her and jump her bones, damn your cold.” Tony whispers back to me, but loud enough so Emma and Gordy can hear.

“What? She’s not here?” Gordy says looking around wildly.

“I don’t want to jump her bones.” I say to Tony.

“Why not? She’s hot!” Tony says back.

“Exactly” Gordy agrees.

“Anthony Melvin Johnson! Gordon Rupert Stevens!” Emma says invoking the dreaded middle names.

“She is” Gordy shoots back.

“I’m just saying…” Tony says looking back at Emma with love in his eyes. “You know I’m a one woman man.”

“I thought you were a one woman girl.” Emma snaps back, a smile creeping across her face.

“Touch&#; Tony says rising an eyebrow.

“I just want to know where she is, that’s all.” I tell them.

“You’re still cold” Tony says back.

“Why am I cold if I just want to know where she’s is?” I ask in my defence.

“What’s the matter? You freaking out?” Emma asks with a laugh. She’s hiding something I can tell.

“Ok. What’s going on?” I ask sincerely.

“Nothing. Good things come to those who wait.” Emma says turning back to face Mr. Roberts.

“What’s she talking about?” I ask Tony.

“I don’t know, she’s your cousin.” Tony says as if it makes it any clearer.

“Yeah. And she only just your girlfriend.” I shoot back.

“So? You think I know what she’s doing twenty four seven?”

“Just shut up and wait thirty more minutes.” Emma snaps back.

“Fine.” I say admitting defeat.

“Wait… What’s going on?” Gordy says confused.

Ok so now we’re making our way to the gym for our first official school assembly for the year. I don’t know why, but my stomach has been in knots ever since Emma told me to wait. No that’s wrong. It’s been in knots ever since Tony brought up Allison this morning. Then again it did a double flip when Emma told me that she broke up with Simon. God I felt like hitting him when he first started to go out with her. Now I just want to kiss him, well… not really kiss him… I… well you know what I mean.

As we enter the gym I look to Tone and the others. Wait a minute… “Where’s Emma?” I ask.

“Oh… Ah… She’s just off getting a drink. She’ll find us once we get a seat.” Tony says.

“Yeah, don’t worry about it…” Gordy says quickly after.

“Ok. Right now, tell me what’s going on.” I demand as we file into a row of seats.

“Don’t know what you mean?” Gordy says as we sit down. Gordy on one side of me, Tony on the other.

“Yeah, we’re not doing anything. Emma didn’t tell us to say anything to distract you.” Tony says basically giving the game away.

“Jesus Christ Tone!” Gordy erupts.

“What?”

“You must be the worst liar in the history of the world.” Gordy says as he reaches over me to hit him.

“Guys, spill” I say looking to each of them.

“Fine. Look Ben, just sit and pay attention. Everything will be clear in a little bit.” Gordy says as someone gets up on stage and begins to speak into the microphone.

“Who are you meant to be? Gordy Wan Kenobi?” I ask with a smile.

“Yes my young Padawan. Not shut up and pay attention.” Gordy says moving his hand in front of my face as if doing a Jedi mind trick.

“Geek” I say.

“Nerd” Tony snaps.

“And proud of it.” Gordy says with a stupid wide grin on his face.

I’m bored. I don’t want to be sitting here listening to all the things that are different and new this year. I don’t want to listen to teachers announce new programs and when team tryouts are on. I just want to go. I want to find Allison. Then again, I’m not sure what I’m gonna do when I find her. I guess I just want to know where she is. To know she’s safe and not sad about Simon or heaven forbid, some random guy hitting on her. I still look around every once and a while to look for her, but I can spot her anywhere. Maybe she’s not going to this school this year? She might be going to St Mary’s all girl’s school over on the other side of town. God I hope not. Then again… She would look good in an all girl’s school uniform. White blouse, blue tie hanging loosely around her neck, short blue plaid skirt, white knee high socks… *Sigh* I must file that mental image away for later for future imaging.

“Hey. You paying attention?” Gordy says elbowing me and shattering the beautiful picture in my head.

“Huh?”

“Ben. Stage.” Tony says pointing up front.

“What?” I say turning to look up. And there she is. Allison. Standing next to… To Emma! There they are up on stage patiently waiting for their turn to speak. She looks beautiful, her dark blonde hair in a short ponytail, red tee-shirt with a white dress shirt unbuttoned over the top, and a short flowing skirt. She looks more lady like than Emma does in her long sleeved layered tee-shirt and Three quarter shorts.

“W…Why are they up there?” I ask staring at Allison. I can’t seem to take my eyes off of them.

“Shut up and you’ll find out.” Gordy says.

“As you all know, it is the beginning of another school year” Our principal, Mrs. Parnell begins. “And like all years ahead of them, the year twelve students have elected a school captain. Well not quite like previous years as there was a small snag…” My ears perk up as Mrs. Parnell says this. “Out of the ten names that were nominated, two received the most votes. And with a dead lock between the two, they have both decided to take the responsibility of School captain together. So with out further a due… I present your School Co-Captains Emma Collins and Allison Jones.”

The whole school applauds as they make their way to the microphone.

“Thank you Mrs. Parnell, on behalf of Emma and I we wish to thank you and the school for giving us this wonderful opportunity to lead this school to greatness in the coming year” Allison starts.

“We would also like to especially thank this year’s senior class for believing in us both and to say we will make you all proud” Emma adds. “In this coming year we have…”

But I stopped listening. I just sat there staring up at Allison. I’d never seen her look so good. Maybe it was the fact I haven’t seen her over the holidays, or that she was newly single, but I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. Ahhhh…! What am I doing, seriously? Was I dropped on my head as a baby? I suddenly shift my look from Allison to my feet. She’s just a girl… a girl I’ve spoken to a handful of times. And even then it was probably just in passing or during class. Why am I doing this to myself? I’ve been like this ever since she got here. Only difference now is my friends know. How pathetic is that? What’s wrong with me?

Before I know it we’re filing out of the gym. Everyone’s in a mad rush to get out and away from anymore lectures and info about the new school year.

“So was it worth the wait to see her?” Tony asks with a sly smile on his face.

“Wha…? Oh… Yeah. It… Ah, opened my eyes.” I say stupidly.

“Well I’m going up to the stage area to congratulate Emma, you guys wanna come?”

“Sure” Gordy replies.

“…OK” I say.

“What’s wrong now?” Tony asks.

“What you talking about?” I ask.

“Oh, come on. If Tony noticed then there must be something wrong.” Replies Gordy.

“Practically the whole time Allison and Emma were talking you were looking at your shoes. So what’s wrong now?” Tony asks again, this time stopping in front of me.

“No, nothing, it’s just… Never mind. Let’s just congratulate them” I say moving past my two friends.

“Ben. Stop.” Tony commands. “What’s up?”

“Nothing.” I say turning around to face him. He immediately makes a face as if to say ‘Yeah, right’. “Fine, I…I just think there’s something wrong with the way I feel. I’m just starting to think that maybe I should just forget about her and whatever happens, happens.”

“Jesus Ben, you’re like a flip flopping fish on dry land.” Tony says.

“What?” Gordy and I say in unison.

“You’re like a flip flopping fish on dry land. In a panic you just keep trying to flip, flop your way to the water, but all you’re doing is getting further and further away. What you should be doing is stopping, thinking about it and then plan your leap to the water, or in this case, Allison.” Tony explains to us both. We both stand there stunned. “What?”

“Have aliens just invaded, or did that kind of make sense?” Gordy says awestruck.

“I can’t tell, let me check.” I say moving to Tony, placing my hands on his face.

“What the hell are you doing?” Tony says as he moves away from my hands.

“I’m looking for the seams of your mask.”

“Hey, I am capable of original thought you know.” Tony says hitting my hands away. “And don’t change the subject, we’re talking about you.”

“Whatever, I’ll give it some thought, come on” I say turning around and heading in the direction of the girls. “Can’t wait till Emma hears about this, she’ll be so proud.”

Emma and Allison are standing at the base of the stage talking amongst them selves. Both of them have huge grins on their faces. Emma spots us and they make their way over to us.

“Hey!” I say with a smile on my face as I hug Emma. “Why didn’t you tell me you got voted in? How long have you known about this?” I ask patting her on the back.

“Only for about two weeks. They told us both so we could decide what we should do.” Emma says moving to Tony’s side. They move to kiss.

“Boo!” Gordy and I say in unison. Tony just gives us the finger as he enjoys the celebratory kiss.

“Congratulations as well Allison. You must be stoked.” I say turning to Allison.

“Yeah… It was right out of left field getting captain, well co-captain. I was really nervous about making a speech this morning.”

“That’s why she wasn’t in homeroom this morning, she was practicing her speech. Allison was so scared when we were writing it.’ Emma adds.

“Emma!” Allison says in her defence.

“What? It’s the truth. Besides, everyone gets scared” Emma says in her defence.

“She does have a point. I would’ve been petrified to talk in front of the entire school.” Gordy explains.

“Yeah, but you get scared if you have to do anything where people look at you.” Tony says joking.

“So? It’s still scary” Gordy says swallowing hard.

“Well I thought you spoke perfectly.” I say like an idiot.

“Aw… Thanks Ben.” Allison says smiling.

“Hey, sorry to hear about you and Simon” Tony says, Emma hitting him in the chest seconds after. “Oww… What?”

“You’re an idiot! Allison, I’m sorry” Emma says shooting Tony daggers with her eyes. “Tony doesn’t know how to speak in public.”

“It’s OK Emma, I don’t mind talking about that arsehole. I mean, would you break up with someone because you believed you could score more now we’re in out final year of school?” Allison asks looking at me.

“No. Definitely not. But then again, as you said, he’s an arsehole.” I say.

“Exactly.” Allison says throwing her hands up in the air.

“Especially if it was you.” Tony adds holding back a laugh. My face practically goes beat red, I suddenly have a huge fascination with my shoes.

“I think we might go, I’ll see you later today?” Emma says covering for me.

“Yep! See you then. Bye Gordy, Tony, Ben” Allison says as she turns to leave.

“Yeah, bye Allison” I say as we turn to go outside.

We make our way back to homeroom, get our schedules, lockers and then head to our first classes of the year. Spanish for Emma and Tone, Bio for Gordy and me. It goes by pretty quickly just a lot of ‘We’ll be doing this’, ‘You can expect that’ and ‘Pop quiz’s when ever I feel pissed off’. Before I know it three subjects are here and gone and we’ve met up at our usual spot out by the sports field, sitting at one of the tables under the shade of a few big gum trees.

“OK, lunch call. Who’s got what?” Tony says dropping his bag no the bench and sitting next to Emma.

“Tuna Sandwich, apple and a bottle of water” Emma says opening her lunch box.

“Ham salad sandwich and…Oh, A Cupcake!” Gordy says holding the cake like a trophy.

“Oh, I got that beat. Left over pizza and a can of cola.” Tone says presenting the items. “What you got Ben?”

“How could you do that?” I say just staring at him.

“What? Pizza’s good cold the next day.” Tony replies.

“Not that. I’m talking about Allison, How could you say that?”

“Oh, that. I don’t know. It was funny…?”

“What’s it matter now?” Gordy asks.

“This is the reason I didn’t want to tell you guys about this.” I say pilling my lunch order out of my bag. “I knew if I admit it to you guys it would just bite me in the arse.”

“Look Ben, Tony’s an idiot…” Emma says.

“Hey!” Tony pipes up.

“An idiot who I love.” Emma says turning to Tony.

“Good.” Tony says.

“But aren’t you glad you told us. Now we can help you. Why do you think I told you about Simon dumping her? So you can move in and…” Emma says trailing off, her eyebrows moving up and down.

“Bow-chukka-bow-bow” Tony says pretending to dance in his seat as he makes a porno music sound.

“Tony. Not helping.”

“Well… I… I didn’t think of it like that. But he still…”

“Exactly. He shouldn’t have, but he did and you’ll get over it. Allison already has. She even asked me about you during our math class.”

“Really?”

“Really. Now, what you got for lunch?”

“Burger with the lot and choc milk from the tuck shop.”

“Aww come on! I call for immediate disqualification. They were bought from school, we all brought food from home.” Gordy erupts.

“Ah, but on the first day of school or school term the home food rule doesn’t apply.” I say with a smile. “And I do believe, unless I’m much mistaken, that I, myself have won.”

“Crap.” Gordy says. “Fine, what do you claim?”

“Cupcake please.”

“You know, I always heated this game.” Gordy says handing me the cake.

“That’s only because you loose most of the time." Tony says with a laugh.

“Hey… That’s, Ah… yeah your right.” Gordy says in defeat.

“OK, subject change. First week of senior year, our last year of school, what the agenda for Friday night?” Emma asks with a mouthful of tuna.

“Beach?” Gordy suggests.

“Party?” Tony says excitedly.

“Can’t” I say as I stuff the cupcake in my mouth. “I’ve got babysitting duty on Friday, gotta look after Lana as the parentals are going out.” I tell them in between chews. “Something about not having a night to themselves all holidays. I don’t know,” I swallow. “You’re all welcome to drop by. I don’t feel like sitting through a whole night of Wiggles songs on my own.”

“Aww… They do a pretty good fruit salad.” Gordy says doing what I assume are the actions to the song.

“Why does it not surprise me that you’re into The Wiggles?” Tony says laughing.

“What? It’s a good franchise.” Gordy says in his defence. “Besides, their multi-millionaires by now.”

“So are the people who came up with Hi5, but I still don’t watch them.” Emma says.

“Wait a min..” Tony begins.

“Hang on…” I start.

“Hold your horses…” Gordy continues.

“What?” Emma says.

“You can’t lump Hi5 in with The Wiggles. Their two completely different creatures.” Gordy informs Emma.

“Oh, really. And what, pray tell, are the differences? As if I didn’t know already.” Emma says turning to each of us.

“Well…” Tony stumbles

“Ah… you see…” I stammer.

“Because the girls are hot!” Gordy blurts out. The words are barely out of his mouth when Emma is swinging her fist into the side of his arm. “Oww!”

“I though so. God you guys as pigs.” Emma says in disgust.

“He said it, not me.” I say.

“Yeah but I’m your pig.” Tony says putting his arms around Emma.

“Sadly yes.” Emma says moving into his arms.

“Boo!” We cry.

“But you guys wanna come over anyway? We can hang out by the pool, should be OK weather.” I say bringing up the plan for Friday’s events.

“Sure” Emma says.

“Why not?” Gordy asks.

“Sounds like a party to me.” Tony says with a stupid grin on his face.

“No! Lana will be there. You know she wakes up easily.” Emma says hitting Tony on the hand. “Although…” Emma says with a glint of mischief in her eye.

“What? Oh, God. What now?” I say throwing my hands up in the air.