CHAPTER 21: Stupid high-pitched vocals

We all must have been guilty of stereotyping many people one point or another in life. We've all had particular pointing views toward people just because our judgmental eyes decided that based on looks, appearance, first impressions, words, actions, etc. Most of them are always wrong, let me tell you. A few meetings or even ages later, you realize you've had it all wrong. That the person you stereotyped could be sweet enough to care for you. That the person you stereotyped could be caring to run after you when you cry. That person would now become a thought stuck on your mind, feeding on your wild imaginations.

I'm already off track, aren't I?

Yeah. No. Okay, fine I'm talking about Caleb. The guy's haunted my mind ever since that night last week. I don't know why his friendship offer and words are still crystal clear in my head. I know I am right where I stand when I say that Caleb and I are totally different people of different cliques and people like Veronica will always push on to be a nuisance.

But that one simple thought – "simple" – that nags me all the damn time saying that maybe, just maybe, I should be nice enough to Caleb after he did the same to me.

Then there's that huge beeping red light saying, "NO, SUMMER, NO!". That I absolutely cannot go forward with that stupid idea in my head.

Caleb has surely trapped me in a quandary.

I scoff and roll my eyes at my behavior. Standing alone in the locker room with thoughts of Caleb running in my mind isn't typical me. This would have been beyond the bounds of possibility a few weeks back when I met Caleb but now... it's something that is snatching the tranquility of my mind. Something definitely happening.

I hesitate to go for practice today but I know Coach will kill me if I skip. He still had a pretty good reason and chance to kick me out considering all the unorthodox views on me joining the boys' soccer team. Speaking of, the comments and the strange looks have been recently stopping which is good but you know, the occasional chatter and gossip would never stop thanks to the tattletales around.

I tie my cleats tight, breathing calmly as I get out, and walk off normally toward the crowd that was gathering around Coach. After the usual lecture about hard work and shit like that, we split into small groups and the usual talking begins. My eyes don't spot Caleb anywhere and before you think of any nonsense, no it's not like that. I just want to explain myself a little more and also apologize to him. I have no idea whether it will be accepted or not since I'm in no position to still consider his friendship.

I'm not rude or unappreciative or anything like that. I just don't want Veronica to come after me with her golden dagger. My sensitive and hurtful emotions regarding my family are protected quite well within me and I have no intention of revealing that to the damn world. Caleb will have to understand that or else there is really no point in even explaining anything to him.

"You okay, Summer?" I look at an already sweaty and shirtless Shawn standing close to Blake and Austin. I smile softly at their concern and nod. I wasn't angry at them; they obviously were helpless that night. Plus, Veronica's threat to Blake was surely not empty. Speaking of, I'll have to ask Blake what all that was about.

"We're sorry we couldn't- "

"Shut up. It's not your fault she's a bitch, okay?" I cut Austin off while he was talking, "Actually, it's mine. I should've stood up to her. I know I keep talking about facing her angrily one day but all that came shattering down on me that night. I was weak." I look down and try to not remember Veronica's words.

"Hey, hey, hey. It's not your fault, Summer. Veronica's stupid to have done that and she's not escaping it. You're strong and we believe none of that was true. Whatever shit that was shooting out of her mouth. I guess some guy refused to take her sex offer and her hormones acted all jumpy on you." Shawn and the other two snicker and high five each other. Only Shawn could bring in a sexual innuendo when needed.

"Who's acting jumpy?" Aaron says as he trots in the small crowd we form, followed by Jason who was running and panting.

"Nothing, man. We were just talking about Ve- "

"Viagra! We were... talking about uh... Viagra. Yes." Shawn blurts out while smiling, tight-lipped. I squint my eyes and look around the boys who were all, surprisingly, nodding their heads suspiciously. Am I missing something here?

"You're talking about Viagra...while we are on the field with Coach's eyes on us every time, that too with my sister?" Jason drawls out as he runs a hand through his hair.

"Pretty much." Blake grins and I receive a sharp pain on my ankle as Shawn kicks me. He leans down a little and whispers, "They don't know about Friday night, Summer. Please shut your mouth or people will start going down in this school." He gives Aaron a strained smile as his eyes fall on us.

I slowly but surely do realize Shawn is right. I went home alone on Friday. Plus, Jason and Aaron were outside the house during the party when Veronica went all Scream Queen on me. Even after the party, I heard they all went out for drinks and all that, so there is no way my brothers know anything about the outburst. And I definitely do think they ought to have zero information about Veronica harassing me.

"Yup, Jason. We are definitely talking about Viagra." I stand and twist Shawn's hand from behind. I smirk as I see him writhing in pain, but from within. Nonetheless, only I could understand why his facial expression looked like a statue cracking.

"What's wrong, man?" Aaron puts a hand on Shawn's shoulder and asks him.

"Not...nothing, man. I'm...I... I'm just really, really excited to um...take that damn Viagra!" I release his hand from my grip at the end of his sentence and push him playfully.

"Don't ever kick me again," I whisper as I walk past him, a huge grin plastered on my face. I spot Noel practicing on his dribbling skills with...Zander?

Which monster puked him out?

Well, Zander wasn't even in his sports outfit. He was just standing near the goal post talking to Noel who clearly seemed to be trying his best to get out of the conversation. I wonder what's up with them.

I shake my head and walk off the field seeing as how practice ended early, thinking I could catch up with Maddie. She's been trying to contact me all weekend but I kept telling her that I don't want to talk about it. Which was partly the truth but I also want to refrain from telling her about what went down with Caleb. She's my best friend and with her, things just start shooting from my mouth. I have never ever succeeded in keeping secrets from her which is a bummer in this case.

After changing out of my sweaty attire, I walk with the other boys back to the canteen to our usual table. I wave at Maddie as we all take a seat and take out an apple from my bag.

"So...hey." Blake smiles creepily and pulls the chair next to me, sitting.

"Hey...creep." I roll my eyes and bite into my apple. I'm sure he wants something from me. No other reason for dear little Blakey boy to come up and act all flirty, right?

"So... there is this outing...uh...that we usually hold. As in, we, the soccer team." I nod and he smiles and continues, "It's like a bonding thing. After the tryouts, usually we do have some new players and we like to go out and you know, bond with them." He says while doing some weird thing with his fingers intertwining.

"Uh huh." I simply say and wait for him to go on.

"I was...no, we were wondering if you want to come with us." Blake looks at Shawn, Austin, and Noel simultaneously with an alarmed look on his face.

"There is no problem in that, you guys. That's sweet of you to ask me," I smile and nod at them, "Please don't pick some strip club, okay? Pick a good restaurant and I'll be there." I continue eating my apple peacefully until he states the impossible.

"It's actually a camping trip," Austin says and Blake gets up, glaring at him.

"Excuse me, what? Camping? Did I hear you right?" I ask him and look at Blake with a ridiculous look. Are they serious? They want me to spend what, even if it was one night, with a huge group of horny boys?

No thanks, I'll pass. Duh.

"Come on, Summer. Stop being a spoilsport." Shawn insists.

"I'm not being a spoilsport! You guys are being ridiculous. Hear yourself first." I scoff and cancel that thought with a huge permanent marker. Plus, the red beep starts off again and I firmly stand on my decision of not going. Of course, Caleb will be there. And leave that. There is no way I can go camping with more than ten boys onboard.

Eww.

"Your brothers will be there!" Austin cries out, pointing at me with his fork.

"So?! I can't survive with you horny boys all out there alone." I grin mischievously while they all squint their eyes at me as Maddie laughs at me.

"I could come but sadly, only soccer team members." Maddie bumps my shoulder and I sigh. She's right. Damn soccer.

"Oh. No, no, no. You're right. Summer, will you come if Maddie does?" Shawn says with widened eyes as if he just discovered the invention of the century.

"Yeah, sure. Shall I agree after or before you bought her a dick and a boy's wig?" We all chuckle at my joke and Shawn frowns.

"No, he's right. It's not a formal trip or part of the school. It's just a thing we came up with. You know, team spirit and all that bullshit. Plus, it's a great way to party like a wild animal with all the booze needed." Austin jumps in after we all finish laughing.

"So...other people can come?" Maddie asks.

"Not entirely. People we all don't mind. It's mostly open to the girls you know. As in, the players' girlfriends and all. No extra people." Noel replies.

"So I can come!" Maddie shouts and claps her hands excitedly.

Oh, come on. Enough with the beauty hypnosis, you stupid boys.

"I'm not." I strictly say and throw my apple in the bin as I'm done with it.

"You won't be the only girl! Maddie and other girls will be there. Summer!" Shawn screams in my ears.

"Stop screaming!" I stand and cover my ears dramatically.

"Come on, Summer. It'll be fun. We can get a rest on all that bullshit assignment from class. Plus, you and I haven't been hanging out, missy." Maddie says and puts her hands on her waist, bossily.

"You look like a mug," Austin says and the guys chuckle until Maddie glares at them. "Beautiful one." Shawn quickly adds in before pouting.

"Never seen such mean girls." He whispers to Noel who just rolls his eyes as I do.

"I don't know, Maddie..." I look down, hating the idea of going out when I'm really not in the mood. Not when so much has been happening lately and the fact that Caleb would be there didn't really calm my senses.

"Don't give me that I don't know! It will be all okay, Summer. Jason and Aaron will be there." She tries to assure me and I just give her a dry look.

"That doesn't help."

"Right."

"So, will you come? Please, please, please, please!"

"Fine, fine! You all have a bad habit of convincing with the help of your stupid high pitched vocals." I pout and we all get a good laugh out of that.

Stupid high pitched vocals did manage to crawl at my heart.