A Change of Pace- Closed!

http://i.ehow.com/images/a05/ap/qp/become-popular-girl-high-school-800x800.jpg

Kylee Morris
Age: 18
Senior in High School

Kylee leaned back against her locker and massaged her temple. She had a massive headache brewing.

"I thought senior year was supposed to be all about fun and partying. Why do I have classes that are hard enough to stump Albert Einstein?" she asked her best friend, who was standing right beside her.

Her friend snapped her gum and shrugged. "Oh, look, here comes Jake" she said, giggling, totally ignoring Kylee's complaint.

Great, Kylee thought. Jake was her ex, a muscle-bound jerk, who had cheated on her with several different girls and still didn't seem to see the error of his ways.

"Hey ladies" he said in that deep, rumbling voice that used to make Kylee melt. "Kylee, wanna meet me behind the football field in a little while?" he asked, naming the spot where students often went to skip class and fuck.

Kylee turned, opened her locker and grabbed her books for calculus before saying bye to her friend and heading down the hall, completely ignoring Jake.

She was tired of it all. Tired of stuck up girls. Tired of guys who thought they were God's gift to women. Tired of calculus. Tired of school, period.

Only two more months of this hell hole, then I'm outta here.. she thought as she walked into the classroom and felt 20 sets of eyes focus on her.

Twenty sets of eyes in the room staring at Kylee.

One set of eyes, completely oblivious to her. Tommy O'Connor's eyes were focused squarely on the book in front of him, an old paperback he'd gotten used for a dollar, one of Howard's Conan the Barbarian, sword and sorcery tales.

Tommy was a geek. It happened. Just to look at him, you wouldn't necessarily think so: five foot, eleven inches, athletic build, shaggy brown hair, brown eyes, tan. He wasn't unattractive, but he never talked to girls. His friends were all nerds and geeks. He was part of the chess club. He was quiet and introspective and very much seemed to be in his own little world most of the time.

He didn't even notice Kylee until she sat down in the seat next to him, and even then, he only gave her a cursory glance before going back to his book. She was just another popular girl who would probably only ever make fun of him, even if he helped her with her homework. Sure she was pretty on the outside, but Tommy knew they were all the same: bitchy, cruel, spoiled brats.

Whoever invented calculus needed to be shot. It was that simple. It was the most complicated class she had ever taken, and if she were completely honest with herself, she didn't understand. Not a lick of it.

"Work on the chapter 13 problems in your book" the teacher was saying. "Go ahead and team up, do the problems with a partner..."

Kylee glanced around. She didn't have any friends in this class. All of her friends thought it was stupid and a waste of time for her to take it... after all, she was going to be a model right? She bit back a snort. Hardly. She didn't want to be a model. Her parent's wanted her to be. Her friends wanted her to be. But she didn't.

People in the class immediately partnered up and by the time she focused back on what she was supposed to be doing, everyone had a partner except she and Tommy O'Connor. He was staring at the math book in front of him, scribbling down his work as he went.

Never one to be shy, it struck Kylee with a funny feeling when she was hesitant to ask him to be her partner. He was so quiet, had never spoken in class. In fact he rarely looked up from whatever book was in front of him. Hell, he never even stared at her, which was not something Kylee was used to.

She cleared her throat quietly. When he didn't glance her direction she sighed and leaned over towards him.

"Hey Tommy, wanna be my partner?" she asked softly, her luminous blue eyes pleading. She couldn't do this work alone, she was completely lost. She would need someone's help...

Tommy had set about immediately working the assigned problems. He didn't need-or want-any partner. When Kylee leaned over and spoke to him, he almost sneered at her. He rolled his eyes.

Another stuck-up, popular, dumb as rocks bimbo wanted to copy off him. Great. He looked over at her. Sure she was pretty and all, but it was probably all just make-up.

He wanted to say no, but he knew there was nobody left for her to choose from, and the teacher would just force him to be her partner anyways. This was going to be a long class.

"Not really," he said, even as he scooted his desk over to be next to her. He already had two problems done. He looked at Kylee's notebook and there wasn't so much as a scribble. "Are you just gonna copy my work like everyone else?" he said, as he started plugging the numbers for the next problem into his calculator.

Kylee felt her face and neck heat up when Tommy replied that he didn't want to be her partner. As much as she hated to admit it, the rejection stung. She wasn't used to people not wanting to be around her. She wasn't stuck up, and she tried not to be a bitch, but people tended to gravitate towards her, and she wasn't sure how to respond to the rejection.

Tommy slid his desk closer to hers, after rolling his eyes, and asked if she was going to copy him.

Kylee felt her guard go up at his response to her. Great. Another guy who thought she was nothing but beauty- no brains. Sometimes she wished she was ugly. Maybe then someone would see her for more than just blonde hair, a hot body, and big boobs.

"I admit I don't know what I'm doing" she said evenly, trying to keep her voice from showing her anger. "But I wasn't planning on just copying your work. I do have a brain of my own. I was actually hoping you might explain some of the work to me, but it's ok. I will figure it out".

With that she turned back to her textbook and focused on trying to make sense of what might as well have been chinese, for all she could understand it.

Tommy was caught off guard by her response, and his face flushed a bit that he had been as asshole to her. He looked down at the problems in front of him, and tried to focus on the work, but he found that he couldn't. He looked over at her, staring at the book with a ruffled brow, and he actually felt kind of sorry for her now.

Whatever, he thought, and refocused his thoughts on the calculus problems. He could see the solutions before even setting pencil to paper; this stuff just came naturally to him. He wasn't sure he could even explain to her the concepts or procedures, they were so internalized.

Fuck, he thought. He glanced over at her again, uncertain of what to do. He didn't really want anything to do with her; she represented a lot of things he detested about this ridiculous place called high school. The cliques, the snobbery, the popular kids vs everyone else, and he wasn't even included with everyone else. He was just a nerd, and she would just use him, like every other popular kid that he'd ever been "partnered" up with.

He shook his head, growing more angry, and ready for this class to end already! The next forty minutes couldn't go by fast enough.

Kylee set to work on the first problem, doing what she thought were the appropriate steps in order to get the correct answer. By the time she finished she had a small smile on her face. This wasn't so bad. Maybe she could do it after all. She flipped to the back of the book to check the answer. Incorrect. Her smile slid away and was replaced by a slight pout and a small sigh. She risked a glance over at tommy. He had at least five problems done. But she'd be damned of she'd stoop so low as to ask him again. She flipped her pencil over and scrubbed at her paper vigorously with her eraser. And started again. Only to get it wrong again.

She glanced at the clock, frustrated. Fifteen minutes of class left.

She worked vigorously for that time and managed to get the right answer to the problem by the time class ended. One problem in 45 minutes. Frustration nearly overwhelmed her. The bell rang and she slammed her books shut. She laid her forehead down on them briefly before standing and grabbing them up. Tommy had just stood as well and she glanced at him, her gaze full of resentment and disappointment in herself as she turned towards the door.

Tommy was about to say something, but the words wouldn't come. What could he say, anyway? Besides, she deserved it. Her crowd had shunned him and his friends for as long as he could remember.

Still, he felt kind of bad. The look in her eyes had said enough.

It was the last class of the day, so Tommy headed over to his locker and gathered his things, and then went out to his car. It was a beat-up old Grand Marquis he drove. It was parked next to a much newer Mustang. He tossed his bag in through the window and turned around and...

Found himself face to face with Kylee, again. Her car, the Mustang, was parked right next to his!

Shit! "Uh, hey..." he said. "Hey, umm, I..." he stammered, words failing him.

Kylee went to her locker and threw her books in it... All except calculus since that was obviously on her agenda that evening. Several of the people he usually hung out with came over and began to bullshit but kylee wasn't in the mood. She mumbled some excuse and walked away. She headed towards her car, a two year old mustang that her father had bought her for her 16th birthday.

She noticed as she walked towards her car that Tommy was parked directly beside her. She decided to ignore him and hit the unlock button on her remote entry. Except he noticed her then and began to speak.

"Hey, umm I....."

"KYLEE!" her name was bellowed from behind as kylee spun towards it.

Jake, again. "Why didn't you meet me behind the football field like we planned?"

Kylee gaped at his assumption. "Jake, we broke up" she said evenly. "you fucked three other girls. And you don't seem to understand why I'm done with you." Kylee shook her head. "I'm tired of the bullshit" she said quietly. "Go away".

She was surprised when the jock actually listened. He turned and stomped away, looking pissed. Kylee turned back to Tommy, looking sheepish.

"I'm sorry you had to hear that" she apologized quietly. "I'm so tired of this place and the people here" she admitted. "anyway, what were you saying?"

Tommy stood there and watched her tell off that jerk jock. Behind the football field? Tommy had never been there. Weird.

He was taken aback by her words. He couldn't help but feel that she was being open and honest with him, and he had no idea why, but he definitely sympathized with what she was saying. He was starting to see her in a different light, and that helped him actually be able to speak.

"Umm, well, I, uh, I just wanted to, uh, you know... Apologize. Umm, I was a jerk to you in class. I'm sorry."

He had apologized. Tommy has just apologized for being a jerk... Men did that? She was kind of surprised; enough that she was struck kind of speechless. Anóherfirst for her.

"Oh, uh, yeah it's ok. I mean I'm sure you get tired of having to help people right?" she shrugged. "no big deal though. I will I figure it out". She wouldn't admit how hard it was for her and how much she had struggled. She wasn't a dumb blonde bimbo like everyone seemed to think, but this stuff had her stumped.

She gave him one of her famous charming smiles and a wave. "See ya around Tommy" she said softly before climbing into her mustang and sliding on her sunglasses. As she waited for cars to pass so she could back out, she studied Tommy from behind the tinted windows and dark glasses. He actually wasn't too bad looking of a guy if you could get past the book that was always beneath his nose. Why was someone who was actually kind of good looking such a nerd? She shook her head in wonder and threw the car in reverse.

She had softball practice that afternoon so she drive around to the back of the school and parked by the field before grabbing her gear and going to change in the locker rooms.

"See ya..." Tommy said, feeling pretty confused himself. He'd always assumed Kylee was a stuck-up snooty bitch like all the rest of the popular kids. He got in his car and turned it on, and pulled out after Kylee did.

This just didn't make any sense! Those people were never nice to him! Surely she just wanted something from him. Help with calculus? Maybe. That, or maybe it was all just a ruse for some cruel practical joke. The cool kids were notorious for that kind of shit.

He drove off, heading home. He took his bookbag down to his basement bedroom, and got to work on his homework. It didn't take long to finish up, and by five he was heading over to his buddy Kevin's house, after gathering a whole different pile of books and a couple boxes of supplies, all for their regular Dungeons and Dragons game.

Kevin's parents were hardly ever home, and they all smoked a fat joint before they started playing the game. Now this was just what he needed to relax after the day he had! He felt better immediately, and had a blast playing with the guys. He didn't care how nerdy they all were, they had all been friends for a long time. This was just what they did.

Somehow, though, Tommy's mind kept going back to Kylee and those eyes, that smile. She couldn't have been genuine. Not possible. No way.

Practice was the normal affair for Kylee. A lot of running and a lot of catching. It was decided that they would have a team workout the next morning before classes. One thing about the school's softball team: they worked hard and were good at the game. They had been state champs last year and were working hard towards Doug it again. Kylee wanted nothing more than a second state championship before she graduated.

After practice she went home, showered, and say down to do the homework. When she was finally done she glanced at the clock. 11:30pm. And he had to be to the school workout facility by 630am. With a groan she shut off the lights and fell asleep.

Her alarm blared at 6am. She didn't bother showering since she would after working out at school. She threw her hair up into a messy bun and pulled on some sweats and a tanktop, then packed some school clothes in a bag and headed out the door.

It would more than likely be one hell of a long day.

Tommy and the guys played D&D til about ten or so, and then he headed home, burning down another joint on the way. He was finally back in a good mood, and fell asleep about as soon as his head hit the pillow.

He awoke to a blaring alarm on his phone. Six AM and time to go. He always got to school early to play a match of chess or two with his friend Mike. Coffee and chess made for a pretty good start to his day. Woke his mind up and kept him sharp.

As he was turning the corner to head to his locker, right around 6:25, he nearly crashed headlong into Kylee! He stopped just barely before he ran into her, and stepped back.

At least, he thought it was Kylee. Her hair was messy, no make-up, sweat pants, and in a hurry.

And absolutely beautiful in her natural state.

"Uhh, hey, Kylee," he said, trying his best not to stammer. Why was he nervous? He could really give a shit about this person. But at the very least, he could be nice to her, right? After all, she had actually been nice to him.

Kylee was running a little late when she finally pulled up at the school. She grabbed her bag and jogged into the unlocked building, stopping at her locker to stash her books before turning to head towards the workout facilities.

Just as she rounded the corner, she realized she was about three inches from running into someone. She stumbled back a step to keep from colliding and then realized it was Tommy. Why did fate keep throwing this guy in front of her? She barely ever saw him around school... or did she? Did she always see him this often, and just didn't notice him? Could she really be that shallow of a person?

Her cheeks burned at the thought.

"Uhh, hey, Kylee..."

Her eyes snapped to his. Oh lord. She looked a wreck. No make-up. Her hair probably looked like she had stuck her finger in an electric socket. And she was wearing a pair of her oldest sweats, with holes in the knees. Wonderful. But why did she care what she looked like? This was Tommy O'Connor... not exactly one of the most sought after guys in school... and yet, she found herself wishing she didn't look quite so hideous.

"Hey Tommy. Sorry, I guess I wasn't paying attention... I haven't quite woken up yet. What on Earth are you doing here so early?" she asked, her head tilting to the side slightly and her intense eyes peering into his with interest.

Tommy scratched his head. "Uhh, I usually get here this early," he said. He raised his big coffee mug and blushed a bit. "Coffee and chess with my friend Mike every morning," he said. "Best way to wake up."

He was caught off guard by her eyes. Her gaze was so intense! He almost felt like she was trying to see straight into his soul, even this early in the morning. He had to admit, it was kind of nice that a girl was actually taking the time to talk to him, even a little bit.

"So, uh, yeah, I need to go... Guess I'll see you in calculus."

Coffee and chess.

A thoroughly nerdy response... but it made Kylee smile actually. He might be a nerd but he was a cute nerd. She didn't know what it was about him that made her actually want to talk, and get to know him better... he was quiet, reserved, and .. well .. yeah .. nerdy. Not her type at all. She dated jocks. Loud. Obnoxious. Rude. That was her style. Maybe thats why she was interested more than usual in this guy.

He mumbled then that he needed to go.

"Alright," she replied. "Yeah me too..." he turned and started to walk away. When he did she called out his name. "Hey Tommy!"

He turned and looked at her and she flashed him a small smile that maybe was almost intimate. "Have a good day" she said softly, and then turned and jogged down the hallway to workout.

"Thanks," Tommy said, quiety, almost to himself, as he watched her jog away.

Damn she had a nice ass.

Stop it! He mentally slapped himself. What's wrong with you? She'll only hurt you, anyways. And a girl like that, there's no way she's ACTUALLY interested in a guy like you.

He made his way downstairs to one of the student lounge areas, and found his friend already waiting for him. Tommy got his small portable chess set out and set up. He and Eddie were almost constantly in the middle of a game on their iPhones, but there was just something about the physical pieces, the set-up, the actual sitting across from your opponent as you played...

He took a drink of his coffee and set out a white pawn.

*****

The day dragged on. He had a hard time admitting it to himself, but he was eager to get to calculus class so he could see her again. Kylee. He kept cussing himself up and down for it, too, and he certainly didn't tell any of his friends about it.

He was on his way there when that big dumb jock that Kylee had told off yesterday, what's his name, walked past him in the hallway and knocked his pile of books right out of his hands, scattering a folder full of loose sheets all over the hallway.

"Stay away from Kylee, punk, she's too good for you," he heard from above him. He looked up, his heart racing. It was one of those now or never moments that define you as a person. A crowd of people watched it all go down.

Tommy took a deep breath and stood up. "You don't get to tell me, or her, what to do, jackass," he said.

A moment later he was slammed into a locker by three big jocks, and his pants yanked down to his ankles!

Kylee and the rest of the team had a good workout but when it was over kylee was pretty frustrated with herself. Tommy kept popping into her mind. Not that there was anything wrong with that... But she couldn't understand where the sudden infatuation was coming from. She had never really noticed him before, which bothered her. Had she Really been that stuck up? Was she still? Her cheeks turned a bit red as she finished blow drying her hair.

"You ok, Ky?" one of her teammates asked. "Your face is red. You aren't sick are you?"

Kylee quickly shook her head. "No... It's just... Um... The heat from my hair dryer".

She quickly put on a light layer of makeup and went to get dressed. The jeans she pulled on were skin tight and she had to shimmy a bit to pull them up. They hugged her body like a second skin and appeared nearly painted on. Her blouse was a low cut number that showed both a hint of cleavage and a tiny stop of her tanned, toned midriff. High heeled black leather boots completed the look and she headed to her first class.

The day seemed to drag, and she was forced to admit it was because she was anxious to get to calc. She was chatting with one of her friends as she walked to class when they heard laughter and chants coming from around a corner.

"What's going on?" Kylee asked, and her friend merely shrugged before walking faster. They rounded the corner and what Kylee saw made her body instantly shake with anger. Tommy cornered by three of the biggest assholes in school, Jake included. Poor Tommy's pants were around his ankles, and he looked furious. That's when she heard her name. Jake was threatening Tommy.

"If I ever see you near Kylee again, you won't have a fucking cock to think with. She's MINE and like I said she's WAY to good for you".

Kylee saw red.

"What the FUCK do you mean I'm YOURS?" she shouted, loud enough to be heard over the loud crowd who all turned and gasped. She shoved her books into her friends arms and pushed through the crowd. Her outburst distracted the jocks long enoUgh for tommy to get his pants up.

Jake have her a cocky grin. "come on darlin" he drawled. "You know us breaking up was just you crying out for attention. I know you don't want this nerd" he said gesturing towards Tommy.

"Us breaking up was exactly that. It was me Being DONE with you" Kylee said evenly, even though she was literally shaking with anger. "As for Tommy, well he's 100 times the man you could ever hope to be". Her eyes were literally sparking with fury. "I'm gonna tell you one more time, here in front of God and every person in this hallway... IM DONE WITH YOU JAKE. I don't want you or your mediocre sex skills any more. LEAVE ME ALONE".

With that the crowds of students burst into laughter, cheers and shouts. Kylee turned slowly towards Tommy as Jake and his goons stalked off. The crowd began to thin.

"I'm so sorry tommy" she said softly as she gazed at him.

Tommy seethed with anger as he watched the goons stalk off. His fist clenched tight, his whole body shaking from the adrenaline rush. He fought to get his pants back up, blushing as he saw Kylee next to him. He had never stood up to the jocks like that. Never in his life.

And now he was a target. He knew how it worked. The jocks would get theirs, eventually. He'd be looking over his shoulder for the rest of high school. Thank god it was only another couple of months.

"Yeah, me too," he said, his eyes scanning about nervously. He could feel the eyes upon him as the other students dispersed. His eyes rested on hers.

He wanted to blame her. For all of this. He had kept a low profile all these years, and now that this goody-goody started talking to him, she was bringing down the wrath of the jocks on his head. He knew it wasn't really her fault; they were bullies.

He got down on his knees and started gathering his books and papers. A good many of them had nothing to do with school; rather, they were his writings and notes, stories he feverishly worked on in his spare time, his plans and plots for his friends in their Dungeons and Dragons game, and his (actually quite impressive) drawings of dragons, knights, aliens, monsters, and all manner of other things sci-fi and fantasy related.