Winter vacation was like heaven to me. I just didn't want to go to school and see all those faces, looking at me, judging me.
Even though it may seem they want her to keep to herself, they want her to do something.
Those words echoed in my head. I knew I had to do something, because these kids wanted something to happen. But what could I do. Break down boundaries? Integrate some clique members into others? Combine the "jocks" with the "geeks" or maybe have the "pot-heads" mingle with the "goodie-goodies". Maybe have the "homos" mingle with the "Jesus freaks".
I decided to meet Marcus at a diner. Walking there made my legs wobbly. I didn't want to see his heartbroken face which might bring me to tears. I finally made it to the diner and I searched for him. He was sitting near the windows. I started to walk where he was seated and his face lit up, when he noticed me.
"Hi." he said, enthusiastically
I smiled. "Hi."
Both of us remained silent for a good amount of minutes, until he let out a sigh.
"What did you want to talk about?" he asked.
I brought a bag with me so I could carry the Clique Breaker notebook. I brought it out of the bag and set it on the table.
He stared attentively at it. "I've seen this before."
I was a bit surprised. I thought that Tyler never got the chance to try to get Marcus as an ally so it's confusing that he would recognize the notebook.
"How?"
"Your older brother got in trouble for this being discovered. Something about his girlfriend finding it and reporting it."
"How did he get it back?"
"I was near the principal's office when this happened. Turns out, the principal saw this as a failed attempt to try to reunite the students. She told him to take it back and never to reveal it ever again or he could be charged for keeping secret files about students and their social lives," he explained. "I don't know why you're bringing it back."
"Because we need to do what Tyler failed to do."
"What?!" he screamed, than he lowered his voice. " Jay, are you crazy? You're going to be hurt by this."
"I think I already got a fair share of scars."
"You and me both."
Those words aroused guilt in my heart. I looked away from him and looked out the window.
"How's your sister?"
"She's fine. The baby is healthy apparently and Jerome visited."
"What?"
"Yes, he visited her to see how the baby is doing."
I looked back at him and took his hands. He looked at me in surprise. I brought his hands on top of the notebook.
"I need your help, badly. Don't tell me you don't see the great diversity in the school."
"I do, but that's life."
"No it' not. We're living like animals."
"Diversity is what makes us, us."
"It is but is it illegal for a person in Asia to travel to a country in Europe?"
"Well..."
"No it's not. We make boundaries around each other. Everybody stays within their little groups and no one wants to do anything about it. Why?"
"Because...because..."
"Because we're scared of the queen bee a.k.a Kathleen."
"I'm not scared of her."
"But you're scared of her resources. She has connections. She has sources. She has people."
"I know what she has."
"Than why not go against her?"
"You can't. We can't. We can't do it alone."
"We can start small and than work our way-"
"Jay, I don't know why you want to put yourself in a deeper hole than you're already in"
"Because this is the only way I can get out!"
The whole diner hushed and I saw eyes make their way to our table. I lowered my voice to a whisper.
"Marcus, please. Help me."
We stared at each other and then he sighed. "Okay."
I smiled and went to hug him. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
He wrapped his arms around me and than I started to feel that same attachment I felt on that day of the Winter Ball. The Winter Ball...
I pulled out of the hug and he looked at me in surprise.
"What's wrong?"
"We got to focus. See you next year."
I started to gather my stuff and head out the door.
"Wait, Jay..."
Funny thing is, even though he is a nice guy I kind of want him to stay away from my sister. She's coming this year but I don't want him to get too close to her or he would get hurt
Marcus was standing out the door and I was below the steps.
He needs to be focused or else his hurt feelings will get him away from his perfect streak. If he does get hurt, I hope he gets repaired. Fast.
"What did you want to do on New Years?" I asked
"They have fireworks at that park I brought you to. I was wondering if you wanted to go again except with a a bigger crowd."
I looked closely within his green eyes. They showed so much hurt. Funny thing is, we weren't even together and it seemed like we were together for all our lives.
"I would like that."
"Pick you up at seven on the 31st?"
I smiled. "Yeah."
The 31st finally came and I was sitting next to Marcus on a park bench, waiting for the fireworks.
It was 11:50.
"Come,"Marcus said, reaching for my hand. I grabbed it. " It's almost time."
We stood up and he held my hand. I slid my hand out as if I was I checking my cellphone. I didn't go back to hold his hand.
"You know what today is?" I asked, stuffing my hands into my pockets.
"New Years Eve..."
I chuckled and shook my head. "The start of a new beginning."
"What do you mean?"
"When we get back to school, it's time we start on a new year's resolution."
From the corner of my eye, I could see him nod his head solemnly.
"What's wrong?"
He turned his head to me. Snow covered his hair and his eyes looked lighter. A man frozen in time is what he was at this moment.
"Are you ready to do this?" he asked. "I don't want you to get hurt."
"I know you will be here to heal my wounds.''
He smiled and then his lips were a fine line. "Will I?"
I knew what he meant. Throughout the whole week, I thought of the idea, of being with someone. But the risks, was it right?
I took out my hand and held his in mine. "Yes, you will."
He brought me close to me and he enclosed me in a bear hug.
"10-9-8.."
We could hear people screaming the countdown. I watched for the fireworks. Marcus quickly brought his hand around my cheek and turned my face to his. We shared a quick kiss and then looked for the fireworks.
"3-2-1!"
The fireworks were like little rockets blasting off into space. Some of them showed images of flowers and smiles. Then a whole array of fireworks went off and they seemed to be spelling something.
Happy New Year's Jay. <3
I looked at Marcus in surprise. "You did this."
He simple smiled and hugged me closer. I started to remember a section of the notebook.
New Year's.
This was the day I expected to start my work last year but I hope that this upcoming New Year's, Jay will be prepared to start off. She has more difficulty but this book will help her. I've been in the school for four years so I got a good amount of friends and support but I managed to end up with one friend and less support. I hope she gets a partner who is willing to help her and protect her. Marcus could be a possible ally. I just hope he doesn't get feelings. If he does, I can't blame him. He's a boy but my sister is not someone who would want a broken heart. No girl wants one. I wish them a lot of luck (in this mission, I mean)
It was time.
