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Corbyn →

((Song- Too Cool from Camp Rock))

warning: you absolutely WILL cringe VERY hard later on in this chapter as I intend. So just... prepare for that lmao.

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After gym class, we all headed back to the boys' locker room and changed out of our PE clothes. Some boys took showers, but because I didn't play, I didn't have the need to.

The universe and I had a love-hate relationship. I did believe in fate but sometimes I was simply convinced the world was against me. I was just minding my own business, innocently changing back into my regular clothes when I heard someone speak to me. It's funny, I couldn't recognize the voice at all.

"Coach is putting me at this locker; I hope you don't mind."

I furrowed my eyebrows and got my head through the shirt before turning toward the voice. I froze and died a little on the inside.

Sweet Jesus... Holy... mother of God... It couldn't be.

Those were green eyes. Lush, golden brown hair. Kissable baby pink lips. And a stare directed at me. Me. Kris H was staring at me.

I had no words. I might've looked like a fish, just trying to respond to him. What was this conspiracy? How did I manage to come face-to-face with Corbyn Starr and Kris Hamilton all on the same day? And how sad was it that I didn't even know the sound of Kris's voice. It just went to show how untouchable he was-how rarely a nobody like me got the chance to speak to him.

I quickly looked away, ignoring him to save myself the embarrassment.

"My friend said you were looking at me during gym. He's kind of an idiot; I'm sure it was nothing."

Oh god. His voice was delicious. Crap. A small laugh fled his lips and I died a little more. I quickly snatched up my gym clothes and shut my locker. Why couldn't I just respond to him? I wasn't that shy, was I?

"Why were you looking at me though? Just... out of curiosity."

I chewed on my lip, refusing to meet his eye but thank heavens for Nico. He swiftly appeared from behind the lockers in an attempt to frighten me as usual but he stopped right in his tracks when he saw Kris, whose locker was three away from mine. Way too close for comfort.

"Whoa, okay," Nico muttered under his breath. "Totally killed the vibe there but it's all good."

I blinked at him and took that as my cue to flee. Rushing away from them, I tossed my gym clothes in the large hamper and dashed out of the locker room. I headed straight to my favorite period of the day, my music class.

I was quicker to get there because Kari was in the class with me and I was dying to tell someone about what had just happened. When I walked inside, the class was a little empty but I knew my friend would be early.

She was sitting down, tuning her viola with a focused expression on her face. There were only two other students in the slightly large class and their attention was on their instruments as well.

"Kari," I called quietly, diving into the seat next to her and putting my backpack on the ground beside my chair. She jumped, clearly startled by my sudden appearance.

"Did someone set your bubble butt on fire?" She questioned,

"Kris is in my PE class."

"Mhm, let me know when you have something important to say." Her attention returned to her viola and I sighed, sinking in my seat as I caught my breath.

"Look, I know you're the one girl in this school who gives no shits about Kris or Corbyn, but it's a big deal. He talked to me. Twice."

"Did you embarrass yourself?" She smirked, anticipating a yes.

"I might as well have. I hauled ass out of the locker room. His locker is near mine! For goodness sake, I got to hear his voice and he was looking in my eyes. I've never had the pleasure of seeing his eye color." I put my hand over my heart and shook my head. "I could gaze into those beautiful eyes all day long. God, Corbyn has no idea how lucky he is."

"So... what's his eye color?"

"Green," I squealed, clutching my seat. Kari eyed me and frowned.

"Don't have an orgasm next to me, J, that's not attractive."

I blushed fiercely and willed myself to calm down. "I'm pathetic. I can't believe I've been fantasizing about him for so long. And he seems so perfect. Do you think it's too good to be true?"

"Yes," she deadpanned without a second of hesitation. "Grab your violin; class is about to start."

I stood up and walked down the steps, approaching Ms. Cotroneo (we called her Ms. C instead), our orchestra teacher. She was a kindhearted woman, and very passionate about music.

"Hey, Ms. C. Can I get my instrument?"

"Go ahead, Jaden," she permitted. I walked into the instrument room and headed straight for the violin section. I looked for my name then grabbed my case, a rush of excitement filling my veins. I just couldn't wait to play. It was the one thing I could do for hours and hours, beside staring into Kris's eyes of course. I strode back to my seat next to Kari and she turned to me.

"I'm mean to you sometimes and I usually don't feel bad about it because we love each other like siblings. But... I know how important Kris is to you even though he doesn't know you exist... or, he didn't until last period. So, I'll try to be happy for you and keep an open mind where he's concerned. You know what? After what Corbyn did this morning, Mae and I are gonna make sure you get the role of Jaxxon in the play. She's already grabbed a scene for you to study and we're gonna sneak you into the auditorium on Monday for auditions."

"Seriously?"

"Would I lie to you, my sweet?"

"Yes, you would." I nodded, opening my violin case. She rolled her eyes. "Okay. true, but not this time. We're all gonna meet up at lunch and devise a more specific plan."

"I appreciate the help. I'm just a little convinced Corbyn's getting the role. We've seen how manipulative he can be, and he didn't even try. Plus his talent is out of this world."

"Don't limit yourself, J. Dig down and pull out those acting skills, and we know you can sing too."

"I'm not nearly as great a singer as Corbyn."

"Well, as your friend, it's my job to lie, get your hopes up, and say you're even better. You'll do great."

I watched as more and more students poured into orchestra class, and I found myself staring out the door, hoping to see Kris walk by it. I did that all the time, but he never walked these halls. Nobody higher up on the pedestal of this school walked the band or orchestra hall and it was quite saddening.

✨✨

As usual, Kari and I met up with Mae right before lunch and we headed to the packed cafeteria together. We three got our food and found a seat slightly close to the center of the cafeteria. Mae picked our seats-everyone knew that the high-status popular kids sat in the centermost area. Yes, that included the absolute love of my life and his dreadful, conceited boyfriend.

As soon as we sat down, Mae reached into her purse, which she used instead of a backpack, and dug out a few stapled sheets of paper. "This is yours. It's an entire act from the play, but you just have to pick part of a scene to read at the auditions. I suggest the third scene because you get the chance to act with Kris."

"It's gonna be difficult portraying Jaxxon. I mean, it's not a famous play where I can get to know the character in order to properly embody him. Someone in this school wrote it; what if I'm not what they're looking for? Unlike Corbyn, I lack the skills to morph into any character."

"Stop comparing yourself to Corbyn and you just might feel a lot better about this. Where did that intense drive to get the role go?"

"It fled the moment I learned Kris has PE with me."

"No way." Mae's huge eyes grew even wider and I nodded. "He tried to talk to me and I couldn't get a word out. I mean, he was right there. It was too much for my poor little heart to handle. I'm just 16; I have no boy skills."

"It's gonna be real funny when you lose your virginity one day," Kari laughed, biting into her sandwich. I put the act sheet into one of my folders before the sound of someone tapping the microphone startled me. My friends and I looked toward the stage at the front of the cafeteria and saw Corbyn on there with four cheerleaders positioned perfectly behind him, one being Brooklyn Winters. The girls had their hands on their hips, their legs spread about a foot apart, and their heads held high as if they were about to break into dance at any second.

"Oh my god, what's he doing?" I asked in a hushed tone. I stretched my neck to find Kris's seat, and I saw him with his friends and some other high-ranking cheerleaders all looking toward the stage.

"Hello, everyone," Corbyn greeted through the mic. "Attention on me, please," he lightly sang, flashing a smile. The cafeteria came to a slight silence to let him speak. I even had to hold my breath. "As you all know, Homecoming is right around the corner!"

The cheerleaders at Kris's table started cheering, and the jocks hollered in excitement.

"The football game is on Friday, October 14 and I urge each and every one of you to come out and support your favorite Sharks as they bring home the victory. As usual, the night after the game, on Saturday, will be the homecoming dance. We are planning to make it the best one yet, which is why I'm not only proposing the Masquerade theme to the committee, but I want to make sure that the crowning is gender neutral to celebrate our school's pride and inclusion. Also, we're planning to hold the dance at a hotel ballroom for the first time this year."

The cafeteria applauded and rejoiced. I looked at my friends and Mae wiggled her eyebrows. "Cannot wait," she squealed before we looked back at Corbyn.

"It's safe to say, it'll be awesome. You simply can't miss it. I just have one more thing for everybody, but it's not an announcement." Corbyn slowly smirked, glancing at Brooklyn. She grinned along with him then he turned back to the mic, snatching it from its stand. "Hit it!"

Music started playing and I noticed some people glancing at each other in confusion.

"Is he... Is he about to sing?" Kari questioned in disbelief. "Is that even allowed at lunch?"

"I wouldn't put it past him," Mae answered, scoffing. "He practically rules the school."

We watched as Corbyn, Brooklyn and the other cheerleaders all started dancing, perfectly in sync and he really did start singing. Funny enough, it was a song from Camp Rock, sung by the one character who fit his personality best.

"I'm too cool for my dress, the shades don't leave my head

Everything you say is so irrelevant. You follow and I lead,

You wanna be like me, but you're just a wannabe... Love it or hate it...

Me, myself and I agree

You'll never catch up with me..."

"He shouldn't sound good, but he does," I hated to admit. "And of course he just has to be a great dancer too. Damn it."

"Confidence makes a difference, J," Mae explained.

"All I see is conceit. He picked this song for a reason: because he thinks he's better than the rest."

"I just can't get over the fact it's a camp rock song." Kari shook her head.

"...But I'm too cool, I'm too cool. Yeah I'm too cool to know you..." He strutted off the stage, the cheerleaders following behind. He shook a finger in a random person's face. "Don't take it personal, don't get emotional, you know it's the truth! I'm too cool for you!" He blew a quick kiss before continuing the song and moving around. A couple more cheerleaders joined in just to get some of the crowd moving, and hell it worked. God, as if us nobodies weren't embarrassed enough, he just had to rub it in our faces and remind us that he was better.

I groaned, dropping my head onto the table defeatedly. "I'm never getting that role."

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