The New Cool Table

In your typical "High school" setting where "uncool kids" fight for a spot on the ranking board. See...even nerds can be "cool"

“You’re like, so not attractive Elizabeth. I mean look at you. You’re nothing”. I woke up from that horrible dream sweating heavily. Natalie Swinger was the one saying that I wasn’t attractive enough. My name’s Elizabeth Smith and I’m an unpopular teenager at West Valley High. This was the third time I had a bad dream about Natalie humiliating me in front of everyone. I don’t know what’s up with cheerleaders and thinking that they can just break someone’s self esteem. And I was a victim of that, I was completely shattered.

I was beyond being Natalie, she was tall and slender, had blond hair and blue eyes. Me? Well, I was medium height (I don’t know how), had red hair and freckles. The dots on my face would make a great connect-the-dots game. I was below standard for Natalie and to her; I was as hideous as a rat on a rainy day during a rubbish storm. Things at school weren’t going very well for me. Aside from being the ugliest girl in school, I had no boyfriend and I was a geek (Trust me I was a brainiac) but somehow that didn’t get me very far on my very tiring journey up the social ladder.

6:45 am in the morning and I was up and ready for the day. See, I’m a very good morning person. I wake up earlier than my parents Jill and Scott. My sister Julie and I used to run the same rout but now she’s truly dedicated to her love for food. My older brother Tom was a huge pain in the neck to run with so I guess I was on my own this morning.

I’m a very sporty person. I’m the captain of our school girl’s soccer team, I run marathons and I do hockey and swimming. My life seems perfect hey? Wrong! I was so wrapped up in my own little world, thinking that impressing the popular kids was important.

 

“Look who it is, it’s Elizabeth. You know, it’s a pity you can’t live up to your name. I mean, queen Elizabeth was a beautiful woman and you are just…ugh!” Natalie said her usual morning line. She was picking on my name today. It’s funny how she has a specific theme for the day. She’d pick on my shirt and stick to that for the rest of the day and today was my name. I don’t know why she picked on my name because she has the same name as Natalie Portman and I don’t really like her that much. My friend Angela was also a victim to Natalie’s ridicule and that was how we became friends, because we shared a common enemy/mean girl. Angela and I were the bestest of friends, we did everything together (Including getting picked on). She’d been my best friend since fifth grade and here we are; eight graders with the big dogs.

 Seating arrangements were pretty specific at our school. All the really gross geeks sat together (They offered a seat and I politely declined). The football team sits together, the cheerleaders next to their table. There were Goths too and the fat girl table was filling up as kids were gaining weight and getting kicked out of their groups. You ask yourself where Angela and I fitted in in that equation. Well, we had our own special table in a corner at the very back of the cafeteria. Our table was dusty, wet, it only had 3 legs instead of 4(which still surprises me till this day).

Our little crew consisted of Angela and I, Xander the foreign exchange student. She was very beautiful and she was a model but Natalie didn’t like her because Xander was a model (And she wasn’t). There were the twins Amy and Sade and we also had a very attractive boy (Gasp, shocker). His name’s Tyler. Natalie had a crush on him but he rejected her so she gave him the boot and now he’s stuck with us. Overall we had a good variety of people and we all considered each other as friends.

 

 

 

Ever notice that in every teen related movie there’s always a cute jock everyone wants? Well we have one too. His name’s Adam. He played football, he was the captain of the team, student body president, cute guy and he was NATALIE’S BOYFRIEND! (It had to balance like that). The uncool kids couldn’t look or even drool over the popular kids especially the cheerleader’s boyfriend. But surprisingly, Adam was a cool guy. He’d talk to everyone unlike his snotty girlfriend and he was an all around cool guy. He walked past our table and said hi to each and every one of us. I thought he said my name in a special way each time he’d walk by. Either he’d call me Lizzy or El. He was just the best. (Yeah, I have a mega crush on Adam Ames). My friends thought I was crazy for having a crush on him but I couldn’t help it. He was just so adorable. And you bet Natalie was fuming. She didn’t want him talking to anyone including me….ESPECIALLY ME! That girl had issues with me which was weird because my parents and her parents were the best of friend. “You know, someday I’ll stand up to her. Tell her she’s annoying and stuff. Someday, just you wait” Amy was singing that song for 2 months now and we were starting to get worried. Our table was full of undetected comedians, we were the most hilarious group ever (My own opinion)

 

Sade- You’ve been saying that for a long time. Maybe you should go tell her for real

Amy- I will…someday. I’m not ready yet

Angela- When you’re ready, we’ll tag you in okay. So you can take a few hits

Me- Yeah, and ruin that perfect plastic nose of hers

Amy- Tag me in? when did we start wrestling? I just want to talk to her

Everyone- THAN GO!!

Amy- whoa, no need to shout. I speak English too you know

Sade- Sometimes I feel like God is punishing me. How could someone be so thick?

Xander- She could cut this table in half!

Amy- whoa, with her head? That’s really cool!

Everyone laughs even harder

Hadn’t the bell not disturbed us, I think Amy would’ve started to lose it (Correction, continued to lose it). We were going to my favourite lesson, Biology. Five reasons why I absolutely loved it:

 

*I sat next to Adam

*He was clueless half the time so I explained everything to him

*I loved seeing things differently

*Natalie was too stupid for Biology so she wasn’t around

*I SAT NEXT TO ADAM!!

Well, it’s only 4 but at least I sat next to Adam. Mr Fritz was a very boring teacher. He had this voice that could just put someone to sleep; he was very slow and had the attention span of a goldfish. That was another thing because Adam and I could talk more while Mr Fitz attempted to teach.

 

Adam- I don’t get it, why doesn’t Natalie like you?

Me- I don’t know and to be honest, I don’t care if she doesn’t like me

Adam- well if it helps, I like you

Me- you’re not just saying that so I could let you copy off my work aren’t you?

Adam- Maybe, but even if I was I know you’d let me copy your work anyways

Me- I’m not weak if that’s what you’re implying

Adam- you’re far from weak but I know one of your weaknesses!

Me-Which is?

Adam- Me!

Me- Wow, such an egomaniac Adam.

Adam- I’m serious, I see the way you look at me Ellie, there’s no shame in liking me

Me- okay, this is turning into the Adam Show so I’m gonna stop talking

Adam- Come on, why else do you think Natalie hates you?

Me- WHAT??

Adam- She’s jealous, is it not obvious

Me- Of me?

Adam- Yeah, that’s why she doesn’t want me to talk to you cause she thinks you’d steal me

Me- I’m no boyfriend stealer!!

Adam- I wouldn’t mind changing to the dark side

“Mr Ames, maybe you’d like to share your opinion on the statement on page 5 since my class is SO interesting that you don’t need to listen!” Mr Fitz liked doing that. Picking out people from the class to give out their answer. And I must say Adam looked even cuter under pressure. I saw him struggling so I sent a note to him and he said “I think it’s really interesting sir that all the elements can’t combine together to form one strong cell. Instead they all get destroyed because they’re weak separately”. Mr Fitz was very surprised, he was just about to carry on “teaching” when they bell rang. I felt like screaming because I didn’t know what Adam meant when he said “Switching to the dark side” and I didn’t even get enough of him today. The next time we were going to meet was next week Wednesday (Today was only MONDAY!)

The next 3 periods were very boring and torture. PE was all about

 

 Natalie because she was making me look stupid (Which is highly impossible). I took everything she gave me, I kicked her a*s at running, long and high jump and I looked pretty good doing it. Adam shot me a few looks and casual smiles every once in a while which made Natalie totally go ape! After PE during changing time I had an opportunity to talk to Adam about our conversation but he was in no mood for a proper conversation. See, Adam was a very bad boy. He’d bring alcohol to school and get completely wasted and today I was lucky enough to meet drunk Adam or “Bee Freak” so he called it. I tried talking to me but he kept saying the same thing. “I don’t need to be drunk to tell you that you’re the best girl ever. Natalie is completely jealous of you because she’ll never be you. I’m actually glad I have a friend like you”. Natalie then interrupted and started again with my name not being popular and that I was the only Elizabeth in this school. I just took that as a compliment because it only meant I was unique.

The rest of the day was pretty basic. I walked home with my friends, did some shopping and I even called Adam to check if Bee Freak was still around. Normal teenager stuff you know. (Not the drunken person part…who has a drunken friend who answers their phone at 1 in the morning!)

The following morning was amazing. Because I didn’t have weird dreams and it was Adam’s birthday. The 8^th of May was always a crazy day at our school cause Adam would reek havoc (As if he doesn’t do that already). I was very excited about today because I had the perfect gift for him. I decided to wear all his favourite colours which weren’t really difficult to figure out (I basically wore black head to toe, apart from my gold jewellery).  I was very excited and was really looking forward to a day of madness and craziness in the jungle we all call a school.

“Happy Birthday buddy” I said then gave Adam his gift and I could tell he absolutely loved it. “Lakers tickets, a basketball shirt! Wow Beth, thanks” he then gave me a hug and spun me around. Someone made a fake cough and of cause it was none other than Natalie. Who then said “Wow, black is sliming but it won’t help you. I can see all you’re goodies hanging out…well, your baddies” I just smiled and told her the same thing. See the weird part was that she was also wearing a black dress. Adam couldn’t help but smile then I saw my friends and went to them before Natalie started again.

I was staring straight at Natalie and Adam while my friends were talking around me. I saw Natalie give Adam a framed picture of herself then I said:

 

Me- Such an egomaniac

Xander- who?

Me- Natalie, she gave Adam a framed picture of herself for his birthday. Who does that?

Angela and the twins- Only Natalie does that?

Tyler- What did you buy him Liz?

Me- I got him tickets to the Lakers game tomorrow and a cool shirt

Tyler- wow, for my birthday you made me cupcakes and he gets Lakers tickets?

Me- Wait'a ruin the surprise Ty, I actually got all of us tickets so we can go!

My friends were all excited. I figured since we all liked basketball, I could get our group game tickets (My dad had to make serious calls). I was at least happy that they were happy too.

While I was moving from algebra 2 to English, I bumped into Adam and it was very weird seeing him sober on his birthday but I was glad he was normal today. We walked together to the same class.

 

“I actually wanted to ask if you’d like to join me since you bought me the tickets” Adam said as he sank his hands deep inside his jeans. He was nervous (I could tell) but it was really cute. “I’m sorry I can’t hey, I’m going to the same game with my friends and it would be bad if I left them alone” I told Adam that he could take Natalie since they’d never done that sort of thing before and he was totally game. I was very excited because our seats were next to each other and it would be amazing making Natalie look dumb (She knew 0 about sport)

In the cafeteria I sat and spoke to Tyler alone because Angela was convinced she could change Amy’s dumbness and Xander was in detention:

 

Me- I don’t get why you rejected Natalie. I mean she’s the most popular girl in school!

Tyler- She’s self-centred and very shallow. I don’t want that in a girlfriend, or friend to be precise

Me- Fine Mr Williams, tell me what you look for in a girlfriend

Tyler- I like girls who are sporty and artsy. Girls who are down-to-earth. Sort of like you

Me- Wow, so is that your way of hitting on me?

Tyler- No, I just want a girl who has your qualities. I don’t really think of you as more than a friend

Me- Ouch, I just got friend zoned

Tyler saw that Adam was coming to talk to me so he focused his attention on Angie and Amy’s conversation. He was sort of right, I didn’t really like him like that because I considered him a friend or even a brother. Just like Adam (Lies). “Hey so I asked Natalie about our date tonight and she wasn’t too thrilled. She didn’t want to be around you guys and she said she didn’t understand the sport (Shock!) but she was willing to do it for me.” Adam seemed excited and I didn’t know if he was expecting me to be happy with him too. “Wow, I’ll get her a trophy for best girlfriend. They sell those you know” I said sarcastically. Adam thanked me (God knows why), said hello to the rest of the group (He always did) but they completely blanked him because their conversation was that deep!

Adam just walked away whistling. Tyler shared something very strange…he liked Angie and I could see why. She was not only attractive but she had all my qualities. She was funny, down-to-earth, sporty and artsy. I could actually see him and Angie together; they’d make a cute couple.

So school got cancelled today because someone flooded the office corridors (Like I said, Adam did a lot of crazy things) so we had to go home early. Adam and I walked home from school together because his mom wanted him to fetch a few flowers (My aunt and my mom worked at a flower shop). It was very fun walking with Adam; we were laughing, playing around and flirting. He even let me ride on his skate board (I’m really good at i

“I have a confession to make. My mom didn’t want me to get flowers here, I was actually getting them for you” Adam said after we had finished making the most beautiful bouquet of flowers ever. “Thanks Addie, but you shouldn’t have. Really” I thought it was sweet and sudden. He told me it was a thank you gift for his birthday gift. Afterwards I walked him to his house since it was a few blocks away from my house.

On my way back home I ran into Natalie “I think it’d be a good idea if you just leave my boyfriend alone black widow. He’s mine and mine alone so I suggest you back off” She was on a rampage again and I was her target. I tried calmly telling her that me and Adam were friends but she didn’t want to listen. She got very loud and wanted to make a scene (Bad luck because I lived in a very quiet neighbourhood). Natalie walked away when she saw that she was fighting a losing battle. I continued my walk home like nothing happened then I got ready for the game tonight!

 

 

During the game I was sitting next to Adam and Tyler. It was great because Natalie was being really blond (Ha ha) and my friends and I were having the time of our lives. We even did the wave which was weird on the count of that it was a basketball game. I was having a fun time laughing at Tyler while he tried his luck with Angie. She was playing hard to get but I knew deep down inside she liked him too. Amy surprisingly got the game, she actually understood everything for a thick person (Let's just say she had her moments).

There was one point during the game where the kiss cam came and wanted Natalie and Adam to kiss. Then there was a hug cam for me and Adam. “I wanted the kiss cam though” Angie complained but that only meant she wanted Tyler to kiss her because no one else was sitting next to her. Tyler couldn’t help but smile and I couldn’t too. Adam and I were genuinely having a good time getting wasted and watching basketball (where I’m from, drinking at 16 was legal).

We got back home at 10, my mom allowed Tyler and Angie to crash at my house because of the state they were in. We all slept in the living room and made a big noise, Tyler and Angie were making out and cuddling. I really enjoyed their company but I was a little jealous because the only cuddle buddy I had was my teddy bear who couldn’t kiss me back so it was safe to say that I was a little lonely and I wanted Adam next to me that momen

Thank God it was the weekend because I had a throbbing headache and my body was very sore but at least I woke up to the warm smiles of my friends who told me that I snored (Which wasn’t true) but I was glad they spent the night. Tyler left early because my dad didn’t feel comfortable allowing boys in the house so I was stuck with Angie. She told me every single detail about last night with Tyler as if I wasn’t around. We decided to get some breakfast in our onezies because people didn’t like them (Just to spite them).

We went to a café that was around the corner and we bumped into Natalie and Adam. They seemed to be having a very intense conversation because she didn’t even notice us. Angie and I sat in a table behind them and we could hear them. Adam was breaking up with her! WHAT! he wanted space from her because he’d found someone else that made him happier. Angie and I wondered who it was. Our pancakes arrived then Natalie was on her way out when she saw us and said “Wow, how childish. You guys don’t seize to amaze me” then she left. Adam was in need of some comforting so we invited him over and shared our pancakes with him. He then told us that he was unhappy and miserable in their relationship:

 

Adam- She only cared about herself

Me- But she probably cared about you since she liked you

Angie- Yeah, she must’ve liked you that much

Adam- it’s too late, I love another person now

Me- I wonder who the lucky girl might be

Adam- She knows how special she is to me; I don’t need to tell her that I like her

Me- But what if she doesn’t know? What if she only thinks of you as a brother?

Adam- I know she feels the same, she should stop fooling herself because it’s obvious

 

 

Oh my gosh, was it really that obvious that I liked Adam? And did he actually feel the same way? While I was swimming in my own emotion, I was completely oblivious to what was going on around me. Adam had left and Angie was rambling on about Tyler again. Was Adam trying to send me a message? Or was he just venting. I didn’t know how to read what he had written down and I was very confused and depressed.

I spent the rest of my weekend cooped up in my room in my own thoughts. I was very emotional and confused but I didn’t want to call Adam because it’d make things worse. I just had to wait till school.

 

It was Monday and I was feeling really sick. I was sick of everything and I wanted to go back home and sit in my little corner and sulk. I ran into Natalie several times during the day but she didn’t say anything. I guess she also felt like me. I was wearing all black because I was depressed. My droopy tracksuit jacket and saggy sweat pants described exactly how I felt. To make things more awkward, I was going to Biology next lesson!

“Hey, can I talk to you?” those words just made me even more sick. Adam wanted to talk to me and I didn’t know what to do. Mr Fitz was absent so we had no sub and everyone was going ape. Perfect opportunity for a talk, ah Adam:

 

Adam- I want to talk to you about what I said during breakfast

Me- you didn’t say much Adam so you understand my confusion

Adam- Elizabeth, I like you. I’ve had a crush on you for 2 years straight

Me- Then why didn’t you tell me?

Adam- you’re a special girl Liz and I thought I’d be standing in the way of our friendship

Me- Did you ever stop and think about how I felt?

Adam- No that’s why I didn’t know how to tell you because I didn’t know how you felt.

Me- well… I like you too

Adam- I’d like it if maybe we’d go out for real. I really want to spend time with you

Me- we’re already together half the time so I don’t think it’ll be any different.

When the bell rang at the end of the day, I was feeling a bit better, my friends managed to cheer me up with ice-cream after school and I dropped the news that Adam and I were “unofficial officials” They weren’t surprised because Adam and I were already close and they all suspected something happened or was going to happen. Natalie walked in with her friends, she walked up to me and asked if we could speak alone…this would be interesting:

Natalie- I heard you and Adam are dating now

Me- Yep, we started today

Natalie- so you’re happy now, you’ve taken everything from me

Me- I’m not following

Natalie- Elizabeth, everyone likes you. Adam clearly likes you more than me and you get on with everyone. You’re a good person

Me- You’re a good person too, you just need to express your feelings differently

Natalie- Agh Elizabeth don’t you see…I’m jealous of you. You have everything I want

Me- Natalie, I’m jealous of you. You have confidence, something I clearly lack

Natalie- And you’re comfortable in your own skin, people like you

Me- people like you too

Natalie- Adam doesn’t

Me- no, but I still think you’re cool

And with that said Natalie and I hugged it out. She even went inside to apologize to my friends and she joined us for ice-cream. Natalie wasn’t a bad person, she was harmless. I actually got to know her and found out a lot of things about her that I thought were amazing and funny. She became one of my closest friends at school.

**After Spring Break**

So we all came back to school, Natalie apologized to everyone and we all got along. I had a very weird idea. I stayed behind afterschool one day and rearranged the tables in the cafeteria to form a big circle. We were all the new cool table.

Oh and by the way, Angie and Adam ended up together and I got the very hunky and gorgeous Tyler Williams. We basically swapped partners but you know what they say….That’s what friends are for! (ha-ha)

A Very Weird Ending!!

Author's Note

Hope you all enjoy...feel free to share your opinions and views.....THANK YOU!!

Reviews

[King Kutlo]

Wow very I'm impressive. I'm proud that South Africa has great writers I have to say. It's a great piece, if I were a girl I'd be standing up to those mean girls tomorrow haha I enjoyed reading every line, it's something people can relate with especially teenagers and it's very truth, there are mean girls like Natalie Swinger out there haha she's very feisty.

[Aphy!]

haha yeah I know right..that's why I wrote it. Because of some of my experiences and I thought people could relate to it. Thanx for taking your time and reading this...And I'm proudly South African

[dan]

Aphy, I am sorry but I didn't know that you wrote long stories. Due to my disability (bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder with features of Obsessive-Compulsive disorder) I cannot concentrate and focus on longer writes. I'm sorry but I can't review any of your stories unless they are short (a page or two long). Sorry. take care...dan

[Aphy!]

It's okay, maybe next time I'll do somethings that caters to your needs