Array
(
[text] =>

Take Thy Finger of Integrity and Vote!

Chapter 4 – A Jock and a Hard Place

Bam! Smoke instantly rises through the air and nearly chokes me to death. Seems I’m not the only one.

I can hear the incessant coughing of my mom as well. She swats the smoke away like flies and then looks at me with a disappointed face. I bite my bottom lip and wait for the scolding.

“Allen, you must focus, before you kill us both.” She takes the pot and places on the next side of the kitchen. It’s 6:30 in the morning…SIX FREAKING THIRTY! I should be in la-la dream world right now; instead she has me practicing the craft or whatever she calls it.

“I’m sorry if sleep is calling me mom and I’m not all bright and happy at the moment.” The disappointment on her face subsides and more of a sympathetic look arises.

“What’s wrong Allen?”

“What do you mean, nothing’s wrong besides the fact that I’m up earlier than the people from The Today Show.” She doesn’t laugh, she always laughs at that…

“I know you Allen Halliwell, something is up.” I sigg and lean against the counter behind me.

“I don’t think you’d understand…” she scoffs and makes her way to my side.

“I am your mother Allen; it’s my job to understand. You can come to me for anything. Once you don’t get locked up or impregnate someone…then I’ll disown you.” She pipes patting my head making me chuckle. She’s only kidding…right?

“Well…? What’s the problem?” Well she is my mom, so she should understand right? I mean if I tell her that I like guys maybe she won’t overreact and blow me up. I let out a quick nervous laugh at the thought and she stares at me puzzled.

“Mom…I’m—”

“Morning guys.” Damn it Drew! I let out a deep breath, I don’t know if he just saved me or killed me, either way I want to ring his neck right now.

“Morning Drewson.” He shivers at the name. Mom always called him that for some weird reason.

“I hate it when you call me that.”

“That is what your name was going to be but your father stopped me.”

“Way to go dad…” I mumble and she shoots me a look. He suddenly surveys his surrounding noticing the thin layer of retreating smoke.

“What happened in here,” he looks at me “mom teaching you witchcraft again?”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

“Yes, I am and whether the both of you want to believe it or not, you will become witches in the future.”

“Yeah, Yeah, destiny, blah, blah, blah new found power, blah, blah demons, we get it mom. Let him be a kid, he has a lot to worry about.”

Usually mom is hard to crack but her face grows meek and a smile blooms.

“I guess you’re right,” I shoot my hands in the air “This doesn’t mean you will stop training Allen.”

“Damn.”

“Mouth Allen.” She yells, knocking me on the side of my head.

“Yeah Allen, watch your mouth, she just might take it off.” I giggle, but by the looks on both their faces they are dead serious.

“He’s joking…right?”

“No, I did that to him when he was about 17, safe to say he never used such language with me again.” she proclaims, patting him on the shoulder and straightening his hair with her fingers. Even at 26 Drew is still her baby, even though he is the eldest of the three of us. Speaking of the three of us…

“Where’s Kerry?” 

“She went back to New York Allen; you weren’t here to say goodbye last night.” Damn it!

“When will she be back?” even I can hear the sadness in my voice. Mom sighs and Drew scratches the back of his head.

“We really don’t know Allen. She’s a very busy lawyer; she’s moving up in her firm rather quickly. Maybe she’ll be back in time for your graduation.” Mom’s calm voice answers and Drew simply nods.

“Graduation, as in June? But that’s so far away.” It’s only January now, so she possibly won’t be back until June? What is she doing over there? Suing the entire state?

“I’m afraid it is, but she has to follow her dreams.” I let out a huff. Kerry left for New York when she was around 23 and rarely comes back. I was really pissed when she left, so was Drew; they didn’t talk to each other until six months after she left. Mom was…indifferent I guess. She wanted to teach Kerry more about the craft but she refused to and upright denied her birth right as a stone in the next generation of Halliwells.

“Well, whatever,” I turn to the exit “I’m going to get as much minutes of sleep I can get out of the rest of this already crappy morning.”

“Alright dear, I’ll wake you up in a bit.” I drag my feet up to my room and plop down face first one my bed. I bet you know who drifted into my mind?

Matt.

Why did he lie to hang with me? Is he plotting something, does he really like me? It’s all really confusing and up in the air at this point.

I drift off to sleep but it doesn’t last as long I want it to. Mom barges in my room and shakes me awake.

“It’s time to rock n roll Allen dear, or you’ll be late for school.” I groan in response and snuggle deeper into my bed.

A sudden breeze rushes over me. I reach for my cover but all I can feel are my legs, and I mean that’s it. I kick my legs up and down and it’s just air. Finally I open my eyes. I floating? I’m floating! I raise my head up and see my mother with her hands in the air.

“Mom! Put me down before I upchuck!” she folds her arms over her chest but I’m still floating.

“How are you even doing that?”

“Magic Allen.”

“Can you please put me down?” she shrugs and drops me. I land on the ground with a loud thud. Great, now I have a soar ass to deal with.

“Well hurry on, go get ready.” She ushers me out of my room and into the bathroom.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I finally reached to school after enduring one hell of a car ride. My mom dropped me this morning and Christ all mighty she annoyed the fudge sickles out of me. She kept going on and on about what it is to be a witch and how to be one and blah blah blah, I blocked her out when she got to the dynamics of rhyming for a spell. What am I six? I know how to rhyme.

How Now,

Brown Cow.

See! Perfectly capable of rhyming.

I head directly inside the main building of the school. Kevin isn’t coming to school today and mysteriously neither is Arianna. I can only wonder what those two are up—

“Boo!” my heart nearly drops in my ass when I hear the loud yell. I turn and see it’s a laughing Laura. Figures…

“Jesus Christ, you nearly gave me a heart attack Laura!” I sneer at her, still out of breath. I can hear my heart beating. She only laughs louder at me and clutches her stomach.

“You should have seeeeen your face. You were like “Aaaaahhh!” she says imitating my reaction.” I hold her by her hands tightly and she stops laughing abruptly, sensing my seriousness.

“What do you want Barker.” I hiss, my heart rate is now returning to its normal speed, but my temper is rising.

“I just wanted to ask you about the rumors going around.” I raise an eyebrow but keep a firm grip on her wrist.

“What rumor?”

“That you are performing with Sean.” I finally let go of her wrist and she massages it with her other hand.

“That’s not a rumor,” I brush past her but I can hear her heela clicking behind me “It’s true.”

“Well, what about Matt?” she says trying to keep up with my pace.

“What about him?” I turn the bend and not long after the clicking sounds of her pink stilettos can be heard.

“Well, who’s going to be his partner?”  I stop as I finally reach my locker and open it, taking out the books I need.

“That’s for him to decide.” I respond monotonously closing my locker and now turning my attention fully towards her. 

“Well, what if someone who likes him becomes his partner?”

“That won’t happen Laura,” she opens her mouth to respond but the bell rings “and this conversation has ended.” I say with finality but in a cheerful tone. I make my way to my first period class, Spanish. In here is where I excelled. I’m the star of this class, its personal sun and no one will take that from ….I open the door and low and behold Matt is sitting in one of the chairs. The room is already packed with students and it seems I am one of the last ones to arrive.

For crying out loud, is this dude intentionally doing this?

“Buenos días Allen how nice of you to join us.”

“Sorry Mr. Lopez.” I spit out quickly and look for a seat. Matt waves over to me and pats the seat next to him. Looks like I have no choice. I quickly head over to it and sit down. In Spanish class everything comes really natural for some reason. I can actually answer my questions and my teacher isn’t a complete dickhead, a troll, a witch or a pedophile. Note: I never said he was normal. He looks at a piece of paper and scans it over.

“Mr. Cruz, it seems you were one of the leaders of your school’s Modern Languages programs.” I hear Matt chuckle a bit. I’m guessing that it’s his transcript or whatever.

“Well, I don’t like to brag but Si, it is true.” Mr. Lopez claps both his hands together and then looks over at me.

“Well Mr. Cruz, the gentlemen to your right is Mr. Halliwell.” I look over to him with a smile and stick out my hand.

“Hello Matt I’m Allen, Spanish extraordinaire.” Of course he doesn’t take it, I was only teasing him anyway.

“We’ve met sir.”

“Oh, good then. Why don’t we have ourselves a little duelo?”A duel? Why the hell not? I smile in his direction and Matt shrugs. I think it’s time to show him who’s the boss.

“Alright then, these are the rules.” Before he can finish there is a loud knock the door. He opens it and the entire class gasps. I however groan. All we could see was a shirt and pants, because whoever it was they were so tall that we could not even see their neck.

“Can I speak to Allen Halliwell?” his loud, thunderous and mighty voice spoke, the giant from Jack and the Bean Stalk? Wishful thinking…

“You’ve got to be freaking kidding me!” I hiss underneath my voice, sinking into my chair. Mr. Lopez turns to me and squints his eyes.

“Allen..?” his thick Spanish accent questions.

“Yeah, Yeah.” I mumble getting up and heading out of the class. As soon as I step out I swing the door close. I survey the large creature. An Ogre, a damn OGRE!! So much for no magical creatures…

“Are you insane?!” I yell in a high pitched voice towards him. His skin pales and he looks at me bewildered. He grabs a hold of his shirt, they’re gray and messy, his face is horribly disfigured and smells like he decided to take a bath in bird feces.

“I- just need your help Halliwell.” His deep voice speaks.

“Well, I can’t help you Mr. Ogre sir. How did you even get in here?”

“I told them I was your uncle Kathy Griffin.”

“Kathy Gri-…YOU told them you were my UNCLE Kathy Griffin??!” I shout at him. I move around him, away from the classroom door so they won’t hear what we’re talking about.

“Do you know how stupid and reckless this is? What If someone one notices that you aren’t Kathy freakin Griffin, and of all the celebrities why Kathy Griffin? Did you rent a worst of the 90s CD or something? I mean really, you are not even a ginger, you better be lucky that bitch’s been irrelevant for years or we’d both been in some deep crap!” I am fuming! I can’t believe he said he was my uncle Kathy Griffin I mean honestly, and who’s the idiot security guards who let him in. what if he tried to kidnap me or something?

“I like Kathy…” he finally speaks.

“Sure you do, you know who else likes her?” he leans in.

“NOONE!” I shout and he jumps back.

“I’m sorry I just needed your help.”

“How did you exp---,” I cover my nose. For all that is good in this world, his breath STINKS! “Have you never heard of toothpaste…or a tic tac?”

“Sorry I can’t help it I’m an ogre.”

“Well Mr. Ogre or Griffin or whoever you are. Go to the manor; my mother should be home she can help you.” He grunts but bows his head towards me.

“Thank you Halliwell.”

“Yeah, yeah. Just don’t even try this stunt again. Who even gave you an idea like this?”I ask and he roars.

“That stupid leprechaun told me to just come right here.”

John-John

“I’ll kill him.” I hiss and head to my door. Great. Now everyone, including Matt must think I’m a freak…again!

I groan as I open back up the door and enter the classroom.

“Another Uncle Mr. Halliwell?” Mr. Lopez’s voice inquires, a playful and sarcastic tone grasping onto his tongue.

“No, actually that was my pimp, he came to collect.” I fire back smiling. A few kids snicker while other just stares at me with a smile. No one outwits Allen Halliwell! The look on his face is priceless and satisfying as well. He shakes his head back to reality.

“Alright then shall we continue—” the bell rings and I breathe out a refreshing sigh of relief. I don’t think I could have gone up against blondie and one with my head still thinking about that ogre. God I hope he didn’t eat anyone. “Well, that ends our class, see you next time children.” Everyone hurries out of the room leaving only me and of course Matt.

“What’s up with you today?” he questions I can hear the concern in his throat, one that I don’t really think I can answer without sounding vague or indistinct. So many things are bothering me right now. Maybe I should confront the one about us. I mean what are we? Friends, not friends, more than friends? But now is neither the time nor the place to do so.

“Nothing.” I answer even though I want to make him my Oprah and just tell him everything. I grab my backpack and walk to the door.

“Hey Allen,” I spin around “Who was that guy?” one of my eyes twitch.

“Um, Kathy Griffin.” He squints his eyes and gives me a confused look. He opens his mouth to talk, probably to question my sanity but I leave before he gets the chance to do so. I start to make my way to second period when my phone rings.

“Hello.”

“Allen, what’s going on on that side of town?” I breathe a sigh of relief.

“Kevin, thank God. You won’t believe what just happened?”

“They cancelled Math?!” I snicker at his stupidity.

“NO you moron. An ogre came to my class.”

“Woah, that’s totally badass, was it Shrek?”

“Don’t be stupid, you know ogres aren’t green.”

“Yeah, well, somewhere out there one is.”

“Sure.” I snort and continue my walk to History. The halls are becoming more and more congested as I move along. History is so far from Spanish; who ever set up my schedule is seriously out to get me.

“Why aren’t you to school?” As soon as I ask that he coughs.

“I’m feeling sick today.”

“Who are you talking to Kevin?” another voice questions, hey....I know that voice.

“Is that Arianna?” I shriek and he starts to stammer and snorts.

“Don’t be ridiculous Allen, why would Arianna be at my house?”

“Here’s your order sir.” Another voice says. I take in a long breath loudly, exaggerating the importance of this.

“Are you at McDonalds with Arianna??!”

“What, don’t be stupid…keep the change.” He whispers the last part and my jaw nearly falls off its axis.

“I can’t believe you bailed on me to eat a McFlurry with Arianna.” I spit, shocked at the surprising turn of events.

“What do you have to say for yourself?” I continue scolding him, demanding a response.

“I-um-you’re breaking up,”

“Oh No, you better not hang up on me Kevin!” I warn. He’s tried this ish before.

 “Kevin you better still be a virgin the next time I see you!”

“Can you repeat that-I lo-lost you.” He’s making these pathetic breaking sounds; I mean really my three year old cousin can do better than that.

“I mean it Kevin.” I warn.

“What was that-I can-t here- you. I’m going through a tunnel, a tunnel of dairy deliciousness. Details about it later. Bye!”

“Kevin I mean I—”

Click

He actually hung up on me? He’s going to get a stern talking to later!

---

The rest of the day went by as I thought it would, slow and irritating. There was only one thing I was looking forward to and that was singing. I may not be an expert at it like Sean but I can sure as hell hold a decent note. I trod to the auditorium and enter it silently. I can hear music playing in the background. I can see a figure dancing on stage and I must admit they are really good. He turns around and it’s

“Matt?” I whisper as his face becomes clear. The moment he sees me he smirks and pops his chest in and out to the infectious, club ready beat. I start to mindlessly walk towards him. I keep my eye locked on him as he keeps his on me. I step up on stage and can’t help but move my body a little to the beat. He must have noticed because he sticks out his hand for me to take it. I look at it for a moment but take it anyway. He leads me to the center of the stage and lets me go.

“Okay, follow me.” he starts to dart left and right. Wow, he is really good…

He slides back and does back flip but stops when both his hands reach the floor so he’s doing a handstand. Then he starts to pump up and down, like he’s doing pushups. He rolls forward and gets up.

“I couldn’t do that if the world rested on my little shoulders.” he chuckles at my response and wipes the sweat that is dripping from his forehead.

“Aren’t you a dancer?”

“Yes, but not to that extent. I’m a novice.”

“I’m not that good.” He mumbles and I gasp and widen my eyes cartoonish.

“Please, you’re like The Beatles and I’m Hanson.” I walk over to the edge of the stage and sit down.

“Who?”

“Exactly.” I state matter-of-factly and he laughs and I join in. Silence falls between us, not like on the beach though; this one is more…comfortable as if we didn’t have to speak to enjoy one another’s company. He walks over and sits next to me. Maybe I should ask him now. Why not?

“Matt?” he turns his head my way and raises an eyebrow at me and waits for me to continue “Why did you lie?” his face sags into a frown.

“Lie about what? I swear I’m natural blonde why does everyone think it’s dyed my hair. I mean just becau –”

“Matt, Matt,” I break through his rambling and he shuts up “that’s not what I was talking about, but now that you mention it does look a little artificial.” I mock him touching the ends. He swats my hands away and I smile at him playfully.

“I was talking about the lie you told me yesterday.”

“You mean that I’m not a player? I promise you Allen I’m not.”

“You know, I’m, really starting to think the blonde in your hair is starting to affect your brain.” He wrinkles his nose at me and I poke it.

“I was meaning when you told me you had detention when you didn’t. Why?” his eyes all of a sudden go dull and I can see him swallow slowly.

“I have to go…” he jumps down from the stage and grabs his bag. I stand up, not wanting to risk breaking my face by jumping down.

He begins to walk out of the auditorium but I call his name.

“Why can’t you answer me?”

“Because I don’t want to. Now I have to go get my partner so we can practice.”

“It’s important to me that I know…” my words come out edged and strained, all of my emotions, pain, confusion, desperation, anger, love, all seep through them. I think he hears it to because he turns and stares at me for a while, just…staring. No sign of emotion, just a blank stare.  I hear the auditorium’s door open and in walks Sean. Matt turns around and stares him in the face. The boys stare down each other for a while. Matt’s face radiating with disgust and hate while Sean’s face remains regal and upright showing no fear in front of Matt. As if he’s silently saying that he’s the jock here, not Matt and he has the balls to sway around, not Matt. In that instance, he is right. He is the popular one here. Matt’s status is increasing yes, but Sean’s popularity has already been established. He has nothing to prove or fear.

“But it’s not to Me.” he finally says, answering my question, giving me on longer look before leaving the room. The door violently slamming is the last sound before the room falls into a sickening silence; decaying every cranny of this large space. I really do not get Matt. I really don’t. One minute we are having a good time and the other we’re at each other’s throats. To think we’ve only known one another for a couple of days.

Sean starts to walk up to the stage and rests a box down on the edge of it.

“Sorry I’m late; I had to tend to different matters.” I muster a smile; fake but at least I tried and nodded.

“Are you okay?” his smooth voice questions and it’s hard to lie to him, but I don’t want to drag him into this mess.

“Yeah, let’s just start our song.” He smiles and pops a CD into the auditorium’s music system.

“You know I’m not that much of a singer.”  I admit and he chuckles still looking at the screen of the system.

“You can sing Allen.” He assures me.

“Yeah but not as good as you, I mean you’re like The Beatles and I’m Hanson.”

“Who’s Hanson?”

“Exactly.”

Woah…déjà vu…

“Well, I thought that maybe we can worry about the competition later and just focus on having a little fun today to loosen us up.”

“Great, what song do you have in mind.” He looks up from the screen and looks me in the eyes with a playful smirk.

“You’ll see.”

A piano rhythm starts up and I instantly know which song it is.

He grabs two of the mics of their stands and hands one to me.

“Alright, I’ll start and you’ll know when to come in.” I nod and he takes over.

“I see you driving round town with the girl I love and I’m like Forget you.” He sings, so good and in tune.

“I guess this change in pocket wasn’t enough and I’m like forget you and forget her to

Said if I was richer you’d I’d still be with ya. Well ain’t that some shit.

But with this pain in my chest I still wish you the best and uh forget you.” He points to me and I guess it my turn. I spin around to the middle of the stage and put the mic to my lips and point at him.

“Yeah I'm sorry, I can't afford a Ferrari,

but that don't mean I can't get you there.

I guess he's an Xbox and I'm more Atari,

But the way you play your game ain't fair.” I call him with my index finger and he comes over and starts to sing.

 

“Pity the fool that falls in love with you.”

Well

Oooooh, I've got some news for you

Yeah go run and tell your little boyfriend.” He hits a girlish pose causing me to laugh. He looks so silly.

“I see you driving 'round town

With the girl I love and I'm like,

Forget you!” he continues

“I guess the change in my pocket

Wasn't enough I'm like,

Forget you!

And forget her too!” I sing and move over to the right edge of the stage while he is moves to the left.  

“I said, if I was richer, I'd still be with ya

Ha, now ain't that some shit?

And although there's pain in my chest

I still wish you the best with a...

Forget you!.” He slides over to my side and takes me by the hand while looking me directly in the hands.

“Now baby, baby, baby, why d' you wanna wanna hurt me so bad?

I tried to tell my mamma but she told me

"this is one for your dad"

Uh! Whhhy? Uh! Whhhy? Uh!

Whhhy lady? Oh! I love you oh!

I still love you. Oooh!

I see you driving 'round town

with the girl I love and I'm like,

Forget you!” I start to laugh. I don’t know why, I mean he’s singing it with so much soul but it just looks funny, h joins in but keep on singing.

“I said, if I was richer, I'd still be with ya

Ha, now ain't that some shit?

And although there's pain in my chest

I still wish you the best with a...

Forget you!

Oo, oo, ooo!” he collapses to the floor with me in laughter. My stomach starts to cramp and I am so out of breath.

Our laughter subsides and my belly starts to growl.

“Good thing I brought pizza.” He says laughing. I crawl over to the box and open it.

Pepperoni. Hot damn! I hurry up and grab a slice and we both just sat there, chatting and eating for the next 25 minutes.

10 Pizza-tastic Minutes Later

“That was fun.” I note, as me and Sean silently walk beside one another, heading out to the parking lot.

“Yeah, it was refreshing.” Okay, I might sound like a little school girl but, eek! This was one of the best times I have ever had in my life. I may not look at Sean romantically but I do now as a friend. Plus, he understands me because he’s gay and popular.

“Damn.” I murmur.

“What is it.” he asks concerned. We both stop walking and the wind tosses my hair around violently.

“I forgot my bag…again.”

“Oh, I’ll get it.” he affirms but I grab him by the back of his shirt.

“That’s okay I’ll get it. You’ve done enough.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean to say that you’ve given me one the best days of my life and you’ve made me forget about my problems, temporarily at least. Thank you.” I coo affectionately and place a kiss on the side of his cheek. Boy did he light up.

“See you later I guess.” I chuckle and head back inside to the auditorium. Strangely, the door is open and music is coming out. I quietly head down the aisles and see a figure dancing. It’s Matt and he’s holding someone is his arms dancing…

They are dancing to a salsa kind of song and to be honest looks like they are having a good time. I can make out that she’s a blonde. Why did I see that coming?

He spins her around then dips her, her hair flies across her face and they both laugh.

“Matt?” I loudly blurt intentionally and his head shoots in my direction. The girl’s head bows a little lower and the removes the hair out of her face. My eyes widen, with shock and outrage. He stands her up on her two feet quickly and they both stand there like dear in head lights. I finally open my mouth to speak as my eyes dart to the blonde.

“ Oh My God, Laura?”

:D I said 8 tonight but I just coudn't wait! D:

Okay, so I know you’re asking yourself “What the Chizz Dude, what up with the random ogre scene?”

Well, that was to simply illustrate that Allen is of a Wiccan line and in the future he will have to deal with stuff like that. Also the importance of the Halliwell name he is carrying. It holds such significance in the series and commands respect among the magical community. Plus, for the comedic value that I am trying to maintain. I am thinking of switching it from Teen Fiction-Romance to Teen Fiction-Humor. But I’ll see what direction it goes in.

The Talent show is coming up soon, just one more chapter before that. One more very important chapter and then the Battles BEGINS!

 I hope you liked it? I was so happy by all of the reads that I sporadically wrote this entire chapter last tonight/ this morning. I  wasn't going to post anymore chapters for this week but I guess now I’m going to have to.

 

Please Comment, Vote and Recommend my lovelies.

XOXO

PS> I’m not that good at Romantic scenes yet. I’ll try though.

[text_hash] => 676b9ab9
)