<3--Who Knew It Would Be Like This--<3--HSM--

HSM-FF

WITH PRECIOUS AND CHAD

Precious hurried to Chads car and got in. she let out a deep breath. Thank god she didn’t make a scene. Markita could be like that sometimes, you know, overly dramatic. Chad got in the car looking confused about something. He started the car and sped off down the street doing way over the speed limit, but Precious didn’t care. “Wow…you have a nice house.” Chad said nervously. He didn’t know what else to do. Yeah he could talk about Precious at school but he would do it to her face. He wasn’t a total jerk. “Thanks.” Precious said nervously. She knew Chad talked about her at school. Now that they were face to face she wasn’t sure how he would act. A while later they pulled into the drive way of Chad house. “Nice house.” Precious said as they got out the car. Honestly she was just glad that they were finally there. The ride had been long, quiet, and uncomfortable. Or maybe it just felt long because it was uncomfortable and quiet. Chad opened the door. “MOM, I’m BACK!!!” Chad yelled. He led Precious into the kitchen where his mom was reading a cookbook. “Hey Sweetheart.” She said when they came in. Chad went over and gave his Mom a kiss on the cheek and then got a bottle of water from the fridge. Aw…he kisses his Mommy. How sweet. “Want one?” he asked Precious. “No thanks.” She said politely. She let out a yelp as Chad threw her one anyway. She caught it. “Nice reflexes.” Chad commented. “And this is?” Ms. Danforth said. “Oh, I’m Precious Flores.” Precious said sticking her hand out. “I’m Dorthea Danforth. It’s nice to meet you.” Ms. Danforth said shaking Precious hand. “Well, if I had known you were this nice I would’ve had Chad bring you over here earlier.” Dorthea complemented. Precious smiled “I just moved here.” “Really from where?” “California.” “Really? What part?” “ACTUALLY, Mom, we have to get started on our project.” Chad interrupted.

He led Precious out the kitchen quickly and up to his room. It was a typical guys room. There were clothes on the floor, posters on the wall from school and baskeball things all over. It wasn’t too messy. For a boys room. Precious stood in the doorway looking around. Until she saw something that made her heart stop, literally. “Are you going to go in?” Chad asked standing beside her. “Um….I uh…I can’t work around red.” Precious lied. The thing that was really bothering her was the biggest, scariest spider she had ever seen. It was in a glass cage on a table by Chads’ dresser. “What? Our school color is red and you work there.” Precious started backing out the doorway slowly. “Yeah but I can’t work in there.” She was terrified of spiders. Chad looked at her confused. He looked back at his room and slowly a look of realization and a smile creeped up on to his face. “Are you scared of spiders?” he asked grinning like a maniac. “No.” Precious lied she shook her head quickly. “Not at all.” She still looked terrified. “I should go bye.”

She said quickly and rushed down the hall and stairs to the door. She skidded to a stop when she saw Ms.Danforth also about to leave she looked at Precious confused. “Leaving so soon?” she asked. Before Precious could answer Chad came zooming downstairs. “WAIT!!!! Don’t Go!!!!” he yelled. He also skidded to a stop when he saw his mom about to leave. “Mom? Where you going?” “To the store. Is everything alright?” “Yeah, everythings fine.” “Okay. I’ll be back in a little.” Dorthea said. She gave the two a look and left. Nothing happened until the heard the car zoom down the street. “I’m outta here.” Precious said grabbing the door, she pulled the door open and got ready to leave. Chad strong arms grabbed her from behind. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her back against his chest. Precious arms were pinned to her sides. “Hey,hey,hey.” He said. “Calm down.” He told her. “it’s okay.” “No,no,no. I can’t—I gotta—I nooo…” Precious stuttered. Chad felt her go weak against him. He slowly led her into the kitchen, arms still wrapped around her.

Precious was breathing fast. “Breathe,breathe. Deep breathes.” Chad told her. Precious steadied her breathing. “Are you better now?” he asked. “A little.” She replied he slowly loosed his grip around her. Precious sat down on the stool to the island. Chad got a glass and filled it with water from the fridge. He put it in front of her. She did nothing. “Drink.” He ordered. She grabbed the water and took a feel swallows. Then she noticed Chad leaning against the fridge looking at her with an amused smirk on his face. “what?” she asked softly. “So your not scared of spiders huh?” Precious looked away from him avoiding his question. “You could’ve just told me. You didn’t have to lie about it.” “yeah right tell you so you could run off and tell your friends and then play some stupid prank on me at school and humiliate me?” Precious said glaring at him. Chads’ smirk fell from his face. “I wouldn’t do that.” he said. “I’m sure you wouldn’t.” Precious got up and went into the hallway. She gathered her backpack and started for the living room. Chad followed. “I wouldn’t. I’m a total jerk you know.” “Oh, just at school right.” She told him. She got out her things for the project. “You don’t have to be so mean. I’m just trying to help.” He said glaring at her. “Wow.” Precious said. “You’re trying to help me how? Oh that’s right making fun of me at school, is helping me.” “I dont always make fun of you.” Chad protested. “Don’t act all high and mighty. I know you do.” “What makes you think you know so much about me?” “Because I was just like you in California.” “Oh really?” Chad asked. “Yes really. As crazy as this sounds I had friends there. And I was popular and I made fun of people too.” Precious said truthfully avoiding Chads’ gaze. It was silent for a moment and all that could be heard was the sound of Precious writing. “So what happened? Why’d you have such a big change of heart? Did finally see the error of your ways or something?” Chad asked quietly. “I wish. I had to find out the hard way.” Precious replied. “How?” “By moving here and being a total loser and really finding out what it feels like to be the one getting picked on instead of the bully. You and your friends should take a step back and think about what you say.” She looked up dead into Chads’ eyes. “Because God has a funny way of making things work out.” She finished. Then she returned to her work. Chad felt guilty and annoyed because she was right. He went upstairs and got his work and went back to the living room. He looked at Precious as she sat on the floor working. He sat next to her and did the same.

It was quiet for a long time. For their projects each pair had a different scene form shakespeares’ Romeo and Juliet. They had to analize the literaty devices used in the selection of text and also act out the scene or read the lines. Precious and Chad worked diligently for an hour or so before Chad spoke. “I can help you.” “What?” Precious looked at him confused. He looked at her as well. “With the spider thing, I can help you.” “Oh no! see I don’t need help as long as I stay away. And that’s exactly what I plan on doing.” Precious replied. “Yeah but one day you won’t be able to stay away. I can help.” He got up. “C’mon.” he held out his hand for her. “No.” he sighed and pulled her to her feet by her arm. “HEY! Let go.” He took her upstairs. “no no no no no no no no.” She repeated. As they got closer to the room. “This is a bad idea. I’m terrified of spiders. You don’t understand.” They stopped at Chads’ door. “Why are you scared?” “Because they’re scary.” “That’s not a very good reason.” “I didn’t say it was.” He started taking her in the room. “No I can’t go in there.” “Yes you can.” “No I can’t.” Precious argued as tears started to in voluntarily well up in her eyes. “are you crying?” Chad asked in unbelief.” “No.” Precious said as the tears spilled over. “Are you really that scared?” He asked. She didn’t reply. “Look, you can do it.” Chad told her soothingly. He wrapped his arms around her from the back again and led her into the room slowly,her arms pinned to her sides again. Precious started breathing hard. It was like she was hyperventilating. “Shhhhh. Breathe Precious. Deep breathes.” Precious steady her breathes as she stood in Chads’ arms. “See, its not that bad.” “Yeah.” Precious agreed softly. After a while of standing like that Precious and Chad headed out the room and into the kitchen. Precious drank some water. “Was that so bad?” “I guess not.” She replied. “I’m tired of reading Shakespeare. Let’s do something else.”

Chad went out the sliding door to the backyard. Precious followed. There was a big yard with a pool and basketball court and everything else. Chad picked up a basketball and started dribbling and shooting. “Of course.” Precious said to herself quietly. She stepped onto the court and into the warming sun. “Are you any good?” Chad asked referring to the basketball. Precious did a little frown. “I’m alright. I don’t relly like basketball. I’m a soccer player and track runner.” Chad looked amazed. “You do sports?” “Yeah. But not this year.” “Why not?” “Yeah….that whole lunch Sharpay thing killed all my chances to do sports this year.” “They said you couldn’t play?” “If by they you mean my parents then yes.” “Harsh.” Chad said sympathetically. “Tell me about it.” Precious replied. “I run Track too ya know.” Chad said proudly. “Really?” Precious replied an amusing look on her face. “Yeah. You look….surprised.” “A little.” “Why?” “I thought you were all about basketball that’s all.” “Well—“ Chad started but was cut off by someone yelling his name from the house. “OUT HERE!!!” Chad called back. A few seconds later Troy appeared at the door. “Hey!” Chad said surprised. “Hey.” Troy said slowly looking from Precious to Chad. There was an awkward silence. “Um…I uh I’m gonna go.” Precious said. “Okay. I’ll help you get your stuff.” Chad said following Precious into the house and avoiding Troys ‘what the hell?’ look. Dorthea was in the kitchen cooking something that smelled delicious. Precious walked quickly to the living room. “So um…maybe we can work some more a different time.” Chad said a sorry expression on his face. Precious smiled “Sure. Okay.” Chad smiled relieved. “um, I’ll drive you home.” He offered “Okay.” Precious replied. Then Troy walked in.

“Hey Chad. Can talk to you a minute?” he asked. “Sure.” Chad said. He smiled at Precious then followed Troy out the living room and upstairs. Wow. Chad’s a pretty cool guy. Maybe he’s not such a jerk. He’s kinda cute too. well, for a Beef Jerky guy. I mean…he doesn’t have that California Tan that I’m used to but he’s still a good looking guy.

Meanwhile upstairs with Troy and Chad

“Can I ask you a Pretty obvious question?” Troy said. “What?” Chad replied. “What is she doing here?” “Well right now she’s waiting for a ride home so if I could just—“ Chad tried to leave. “No. seriously what she doing here?” “We were working on our English project.” “Are you sure?” Troy asked. “Yes I’m sure. Am I under arrest for murder? What’s with all the questions?” Chad asked annoyed. “Dude, I’m just…worried?” “Worried about what?” Chad asked.

Meanwhile downstairs with Precious

Troy and Chad were taking forever. Precious decided to go see what the holdup was. She was walking upstairs. She stopped when she heard Troy and Chad talking about her. She heard Chad say “Yes I’m sure. What’s with all the questions?”

Back upstairs with Troy and Chad

“I’m worried about you.” “what’s wrong.” “Well, if your seen hanging out with her then say goodbye to your reputation.” “What?!” “C’mon Chad. You know she’s a loser. I don’t mean to sound rude but did you really build up your rep just to have it torn down bye some California loser?””Well…I guess not.” Chad said slowly. “Hey dude. I’m just looking out for you.” Troy said walking over to Chads bed. “I mean first your working with her, then your hanging out with her and eating lunch together and pretty soon you start dating her and it’s all down hill form there ya know.” “Hey I don’t like her okay. I’m just…working with her for the project.” Chad said. “you’re with Taylor. You do realize this.” “I said I don’t like her.” “are you sure because you two seemed to be a little too friendly if you ask me.” Troy replied his eyebrows raised. Chad knew that Troy wouldn’t let this go unless he said something to totally convince him. “Look I could never like a nobody like Precious Flores okay. dude come on. You said it yourself she’s a total loser.” Chad said not knowing that Precious was listening to their every word. Her eyes welled up involuntarily as she heard him. She raced down the stairs grabbed her backpack and out the door. She began to run down the street as tears streamed down her cheeks. She didn’t know which way to go but she ran anyway turning random corners. She couldn’t believe she had thought Chad was actually nice. No. he was just like all the other guys at East frickin High. Chad walked downstairs after his conversation with Troy to find the door wide open. He quickly glanced in the living room to see if Precious was in there. No she wasn’t.

“Mom have you seen Precious.” He asked his mom as he walked in the kitchen. “I thought she was with you.” Dorthea said stunned. “Uh oh.” Chad said. He raced passed Troy who had just come downstairs and outside. “Whats wrong dude where’s the fire.” Troy asked confused. “Precious is gone.”