Invisible Popularity ✅

Phase 2: The Take Over [Ch6, P1]

Chapter 6: PHASE 2 – The Take Over

I get up and dressed early to avoid having to talk to Brett, Lily or even my crazy Uncle and Aunt, Ben and Julie.

I walk into the kitchen to see dad up and cooking like normal.

"Your up early today Jay" Dad says as I sit down at the bench.

"Yeah. Look Dad no offence but why are they here?"

"Jay, I honestly don't know what makes my little brother tick" Dad replies, "I know your friends are coming over tonight but don't worry I'll make sure they leave you, Ellie and Junior alone." Dad puts toast in front of me and kisses my forehead. I have to stop worrying about my wacko relatives. I have Phase 2 to start. I finish my toast and go upstairs to brush my teeth. When I'm done in the bathroom I walk into my bedroom to find Lily with her nose in my wardrobe.

"You won't find what you are looking for," I say and she looks up, "what ever it is you are looking for."

"Jay I was just...um...just...um"

"Save it," I say grabbing my bag and walking out of the house.

I decide to meet Junior at his house as I got up extra early. I knock on the front door and Tom lets me in.

"Hi Jay" he says walking back into the kitchen, "Junior's upstairs getting dressed you can go up"

"Thanks, Tom"

I walk upstairs and knock on Junior's door.

"Go away Tom I can't help ya with ya homework!"

"And why not," I say walking in.

"Oh Jay, it's you" Junior says his tanned shirtless body catching my eye. He smiles as he presses a chaste kiss to my lips.

I let him get dressed and go downstairs to find Tom aggravated.

"What's up Tom?"

"I can't do it," he says holding up his maths book.

"Can I see?" I ask and he hands me the book, "Oh dividing fractions." I sit next to him at the table.

"They're hard!" he complains.

"Nah, look when you are dividing fractions you flip the second fraction and multiply."

"I don't get it" h shakes his head showing his frustration.

"Ok" I say. I look around the kitchen and spot some apples, "um...ok pretend these four apples are a fraction. What is half of the apples?"

"Two"

"That right, now you can write that as two over four or one over two," Grade Five math simple, "now what is one quarter of the apples?"

"One"

"You got it. So one half divided by one quarter...that's it flip one quarter and multiply."

"The answers two" he says smiling. He had solved the problem right before my eyes.

"Hey Tom can you do me a favour...?"

Junior comes running down the stairs and Tom rushes over to tell him how I helped. We both say goodbye to Tom and walk outside. Junior holds my hand in silence.

"Thanks for helping Tom." He says squeezing my hand.

"No problem it was easy"

"So why did you come and meet me today?" Junior asks curiously.

"Need to get out of the house, one night with my cousins and I'm already going insane."

"They can't be that bad" Junior offers.

"Oh really? My cousin Lily was in my room this morning searching my cupboards," I begin and Junior remains silent, "Not only that but she was wearing a black dress and a dog collar."

At this, Junior laughs, I laugh with him. The sight of a teenage girl wearing a dog collar is pretty funny.

"Do they have to go to school?" Junior asks suddenly looking worried.

"Nah they visit heaps but Uncle Ben has never made them go to school" I reply and Junior looks relieved.

We walk to Ellie's house and find Ellie waiting outside eagerly to find out what Phase 2 would involve. On the walk from Ellie's house to school I explain to Ellie and Junior their parts in Phase 2: 'The take over'

Ellie's role is simply to act naïve and flirt with Stuart. Of course Stuart will have to flirt back and eventually ask Ellie out. Phase 2 will most likely last more than one day however I'm hoping that Chad will break down today at school and give Ellie a great reason to dump him. Junior just has to keep Stuart popular and I just have to keep supporting Junior.

Finally we arrive at school. I tell Ellie about my wacko cousins that can so totally not interrupt our sleepover, but she deosn't seem to be worried.

At school Stuart and Chad were waiting for us, Ellie went off with Chad while Phase Two was explained to Stuart.

The beginning of home class signals the beginning of Phase Two. I sit next to Junior and Ellie sat between Stuart and Chad. Ellie and Chad were holding hands but Ellie was laughing at Stuart's jokes. Chad, already, did not seem impressed.

By the end of lunch Stuart or Stu as he is more commonly known was the most popular guy not only in our grade, but also the whole school. Chad was starting to get really jealous and very protective of Ellie. He obviously realised she was the only thing keeping him popular.

The last lesson of the day came around quickly, English. Chad came up to me before we were called inside.

"Can we talk?" he asks. He actually looks upset.

"Sure what's wrong?"

"Well it is about Ellie," he pauses but I let him continue, "I really like her. I mean I didn't at first. My friend sort of pressured me into going out with her. But now I really, really like her."

"Chad I'm not sure what to say."

"I want you to tell her that I like her. Because tomorrow it seems like I'm going to be the last guy she'll want to talk to."

"Chad, I think she'd listen more if it came from you,' I pause. He makes a face so I continue, "If she won't listen than I will tell her."

"Thanks Jay" he say smiling, "I'm sorry for ah... everything"

I smile back Ellie was right. Chad is nice when you get to know him.

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