New (School) Year Resolution [OPEN]

[Jesse Mcnally]

Okay. Okay, he could do this. It would be simple, completely simple. Just walk up...and say hi. That was it, one word. One word...which he had definitely, definitely not been practising all of last night and enough of this morning to make him very nearly miss the buss. Because practising words to say to a girl was lame and sad and pointless and...Oh, who was he kidding? Yes, he had done that.

With a groan, Jesse slammed his head against the window of the bus. And then yelped slightly, reaching up to pat his hair back into place. He’d made an effort this morning, compared to the days when he generally was still asleep until at least second lesson, unless Willow pushed a strong cup of coffee in front of him before first class. His hair was actually neat. Or...had been, until it’s rather sudden encounter with the window.

He let out another groan, closing his eyes as the bus pulled to a halt in front of the building that made up Sunnydale High. Monday morning. First week of a new year – he’d meet up with Willow and Xander later, but first...he had to do this. They’d understand. He wouldn’t say anything else to her for the rest of the year, if he didn’t do it now.

And yet those mental words didn’t exactly help his heart, which was twisting, and the rest of his head, which was telling him to just stay on the bus, hide beneath a seat and let it take him far, far away. He couldn’t do that, definitely not. So he breathed out slowly, managing to compose himself and then rose to his feet, making his way off the bus along with the rest of the crowd of teens.

He stepped away from the crowd as soon as it spilled out onto the sidewalk, however, not wanting to be caught up in any let’s-push-the-freak games just yet. Those would just ruin his concentration. He took yet another deep breath, hitched his bag a little higher on his bag...then glanced around, looking for one head of dark hair in particular amongst the many dotted around. After so long, Jesse was an expert at picking out Cordelia Chase in any crowd.

[Cordelia Chase]

Cordelia Chase unlike the vast majority of Sunnydale High School students actually enjoyed the first day of a new academic year. Not because she was interested in learning about new things. Like that would ever happen. No Cordelia’s reasons for tolerating the end of her summer vacation were much more important. Firstly this year she was going to be in a position to rule the school with an iron fist. No longer would she be seen as ambitious freshmen, but the Queen Bee. After all as the head of the Cheerleading squad she had earned that right. The girls would trail after her treating her word as law, while the guys would fight amongst themselves for the favour of the prettiest girl in the school. Indeed Cordelia was going into this year with a very optimistic outlook.

Stepping out of the cute little car her father had bought for her a few weeks previous. Cordelia smirked in satisfaction as she noted the slight envy on the face of some of those who watched. It was at times like these that the secretly troubled beauty queen could put aside her worries and allow herself to appreciate the gifts her parents so generously gave her. It wasn’t like she really cared that these gifts came in lieu of spending some actual time with her.

OK maybe she cared, but now wasn’t the time to think about. She couldn’t let anyone see her upset. She was Cordelia Chase the top bitch of Sunnydale high and as far as others were concerned she lived a perfect life. Taking off the designer sunglasses she always used for driving. She began to look through the crowd that was already congregated outside the musty old school in search of the Cordettes. Didn’t those girls know they should always be here first so that she wouldn’t be made to look like a loser waiting alone?

Just as she was starting to get annoyed already beginning to form insults in her mind, which would put those girls back in their rightful place. She spotted them waiting to the side of the main steps. They were all hunched together clearly gossiping about their summer vacations. Oh she couldn’t wait to tell them about Ken in Greece, or perhaps she should start with Mark from Spain! Masking her expression into one of giggly excitement she began bouncing excitedly in the direction of her girls the almost dumb blond facade fully in place.

It was just as she was halfway to her girls that it happened. She banged into a lone figure at the edge of the crowd and dropped all of the stuff that was in her bag onto the ground. This was partially because of the lack of attention she was paying to others around her and partially due to the arrogance she held thinking that anyone in her way would know better than to get in the way of Cordelia Chase. Looking over at the offender sighing when she saw it was that loser Jesse. The little geek who insisted on following her like a puppy dog like she’d ever give someone like him the time of day. I mean just look at what he was wearing!

Glaring at him her features now masked into those harsh ones the populous of Sunnydale knew so well. She moved closer to him before hissing “Hurry up and pick up my stuff loser! God do they not teach basic manners in How to be a Geek 101?” Smirking as she really got into her element she looked him up and down before nastily stating “And what is with that outfit? Did your granny help you pick it out? Because it’s really fashionable... If you’re little Oliver Twist just escaped from the orphanage.” There that ought to be enough to ensure her reputation stayed intact in spite of the embarrassing incident and being stuck in the presence of such a total wimp.

[Jesse Mcnally]

Jesse had seen her coming. Of course he had - if there was one person he was always hyperaware of it was her. However, that didn't mean he was able to predict the upcoming collision. Or even more out of the way fast enough to stop it, annoyingly for him. Although...probably quite a bit more annoying for her, if the spilt bag was anything to go by.

As soon as the teen's eyes were turned on him, Jesse could just feel himself flushing - red seeping up the skin of his neck to tinge around the tips of his cheekbones. It wasn't easy for a boy of his skin tone to flush, but he still managed it. Cordelia appeared to be the thing that was the exception to the rule in everycase in his book. Except, apparantly, the rule which said that under no circumstances was he able to have a decent conversation with a girl who was not a) his mom or b) Willow. Right now, he was standing there doing a first class impression of a sunburnt goldfish.

Of course, as soon as he realised, he snapped his mouth shut and contemplated whacking himself around the head again. Smooth, Jesse.

He hadn't thought it would be hard to salvage it, for him though. He could seem cool and charming and...likeable enough for, perhaps, one conversation? If, y'know, he was able to have one conversation that was. But then Cordelia opened her mouth, and all his careful planning and preperation flew away as the words came out. Sharp and stinging, nothing he hadn't heard before, but still. They hurt, and he cringed away.

"Sorry," was all he could stutter out. So long to the well planned 'Hi'. And then he did the only other thing he could do - he dropped down to hurry to gather the queen bee's school work. And hoped she wouldn't see how much his hands were trembling.

[Cordelia Chase]

Cordelia’s glare which was directed at Jesse became all the darker when she noticed the red tinge that started forming on the boy’s cheeks and the general out of place expression on his face. Making a sound of disgust she sighed as she watched him. God what a loser not only did he have the worst taste in clothing, but he couldn’t even be in her presence without turning into a nervous stumbling wreck. On another day this particular fact might have pleased her, as it was a reaffirmation of her place as Queen. Now however she was just pissed off she had better things to do after all than deal with this crap.

“Jesus can’t you hurry up. Some of us have that little thing called a life and don’t have the luxury of wasting time.” She grunted impatiently rolling her eyes as she noticed the Cordette’s watching them from the distance clearly deciding to leave this particular geek put down all to her and that worked for her. Digging into her pockets she chose that moment to take out a compact mirror she kept on her person at all times in order to make sure the collision hadn’t caused any damage. Examining herself closely for several minutes completely tuning out the world around her. It was only when she was satisfied that she was fine that she put the mirror back into her pocket.

Watching as he cringed away before bending down to pick up her stuff the slight tinge of conscience she possessed made her feel guilt for a moment. A feeling she quickly repressed “Listen McNally. I don’t need your apologies all you need to do is pick up my stuff and stay the hell away from me.” Looking at his bent form for his reaction she couldn’t help but muse that he had the potential to be good looking. Shame he was such an irredeemable fashion disaster.

When the boy finally finished doing what she demanded she roughly grabbed the bag off him and swung it over her shoulder grateful for the fact that her stuff had only fallen out of the top rather than a rip. “Thank God. Now I can go and talk to some actual people. You know if I didn’t know any better I’d say you were stalking me and purposely banged into me just for an excuse to talk to me.” Of course she had managed to conveniently forget the fact that she had been the one to bump into him. Brushing past him roughly she leaned in to whisper in a dark almost husky tone. “But we both know you know much better than that.” Leaning away from him she continued to stare at him her expression now a faux smile. A smile that usually never meant anything good.

[Jesse Mcnally]

Jesse flinched, all remaining...braveness, he supposed, because you had to be brave to face Cordelia Chase, fled at that moment. He'd been stupid, again, trying to just talk to her. It hadn't been a good idea, had been a waste of time, and he cringed at the very thought as he picked up the books he spilled. No, she spilled...but because he walked into her. He guessed it was just. Not that just was a fact which seemed to apply to the Queen Bitch. He should hate her, he knew that, he really should. But he'd never been able to.

"S-sorry..." he stuttered, ducking his head and moving a little more quickly. Couldn't elt the Qeen's stuff get dirty, could he. Had to pick it up. Maybe, jsut maybe, if he did it quickly and acted nice, she'd talk to him? Talk to him in a way that wasn't full of scorn and harsh words and other motions which just hurt. Not that they should. He was a geek, a freak. Shouldn't feel, in the terms of this school.

He glanced up at her, pausing for a moment. She was checking herself in her mirror, making sure she looked okay. Jesse wondered why she bothered - she didn't need to. He was sappy enough to think she was just beautiful whatever. And that just made him duck his head down, gathering up the last and then standing, holding it out to her shyly. He wanted to say sorry again...but she had told him not to. It seemed he would always be fated to do as she told, at this moment.

He blushed a deep red at that accusation though, opening his mouth to instantly deny it. "No! N-no, I didn't..." Except that was denial, because he had done that. How else was he meant to even suggest that she talk to him?

[Cordelia Chase]

As she watched him her expression full of scorn and annoyance. Cordelia sighed softly as he once more apologised to him a certain quiver to his tone which indicated that what she had said really hurt. “Look Jesse I’m sorry, OK.” Her words were spoken softly that small pang of a conscience she owned making itself known at the worst possible time. She watched him offering a small almost shy looking smile.

That was until she noticed the other girls watching her with expressions of confusion on their face. What the hell was she doing apologising to a loser like him, and worse still smiling at him? A genuine smile too... Ugh that Pizza last night must have went to somewhere other than her thigh. “Yes Jesse I’m really sorry... Sorry that I’m stuck talking to a freak like you. Seriously you would think that after all these years of running a high school the staff would have the good sense to separate us normal people from your kind. For God’s sake the price of disinfecting my stuff tonight after having you touch it will be enough to stop me from getting a new outfit.”

Her words were spoken with their usual scorn her tone particularly malicious as she felt the need to make up for that moment of weakness she had just shown. Indeed there was no one now who would dare try and claim that Queen C was going soft. When he started stuttering once more clearly in response to the little accusation she had thrown his way she smiled at him softly her smile dark. “Oh don’t worry Jesse I know you didn’t do that...” She paused at this point taking a moment to eye him up and down disdainfully “You wouldn’t be foolish enough to try such a thing... After all we both know you’re barely worthy of being in the same room as me, let alone of talking to me. You’re beneath me McNally... A freak.” Her words were soft spoken almost sympathetic sounding. Oh yes Cordelia Chase knew more than one way to cut at the heart of those who had earned her ire.

Shoving her bag into his arms she made a dramatic sigh “Since my stuff’s already in need of a wash I suppose it won’t do any harm to let you hold it for that bit longer. Come on then I’m in English first thing you can carry my stuff there.” She started to walk her pace slow and elegant her high heels and tights emphasising the toned and beautiful nature of the high school bitches legs. She winked in amusement before rolling her eyes at the Cordette’s as she walked past not even bothering to look back to see was Jesse following. She was confident that he would... He always did the poor pathetic little love struck idiot.

[Jesse Mcnally]

Jesse blinked. And blinked again, a look of shock on his face. Cordelia had...apologised? Said she was sorry? To him. He stood there gormlessly for a few moments, frozen with the...well, with the shock of it. That had never happened before, of course not. No High School Queen would ever say anything remotely nice to Jesse McNally, let alone the one High School Queen he longed to hear something nice from. It was...odd. And yet it made him break out into a bright grin, and fall just a little deeper than he had already fallen. If that was even possible.

But then, it was ruined, and his face fell again. This was more like it - harsh words. Yes, he knew about them. It didn't make this time any better, he couldn't guard himself against them. He flinched slightly with each one, feeling as they pierced him. The worst bit was her saying he was beneath her. He blinked slowly at that as well. Yes, he knew that, she said it often enough, but still...

She'd said something nice to him. That surely must mean at least something, right? He could hold onto that hope, even if he did seem more like a puppy. Not that he could help feeling like a puppy, because around her he could be nothing but that, it seemed.

He didn't mean to stagger when the bag was shoved into his arms, but did so anyway, listening to her with wide eyes. "You...want me to come with you?" he inquired slowly, as if he didn't quite understand. He wasn't stupid, though, so he did. Not really stupid anyway, only when it came to anything which needed reading...or writing...or spelling...was he stupid. Maybe he was stupid? He pursed his lips, looking rather thoughtful as he ran over that in his mind, before comng back to reality with a snap...and realising that Cordy was walking away. And that he was still holding her back.

He started, before quickly rushing to follow her, his heart feeling lighter with each step. "T-thanks." He heard himself speaking, loking at her...with another smile. Lovestruck puppy indeed. He was in far deeper than that.

[Cordelia Chase]

She walked through the corridors of Sunnydale high her strides brisk with a sense of purpose not bothering to with the exception of a sound of contempt respond to the geeks, uhm she meant McNally’s query. Seriously what was with him? Did he have some sort of deficit that made even simple instructions hard to understand? At this rate in order for him to understand the instruction she had just given him she would try to drag him around the school by the scruff of the neck and it wasn’t like that un-lady like action wouldn’t get tongue wagging. It seemed he couldn’t even follow instructions correctly and he wondered why she refused to even consider the idea of dating him

At the sound of rushed footsteps coming from behind her the high school bitch smiled contently for a moment. She knew most adults recalled their high school days with a sense of dread and relief to have escaped it. But not Cordelia Chase a part of her already knew these were going to be the best days of her life. After all everything was as it should be... She was the undisputed queen of the social scene and could get away with whatever she wanted including treating over half the schools populous like they were dirt beneath her shoes and yet she still had little nerds like McNally following her around like little puppy dogs. Normally she’d say cute but there was no way she’d ever even think of him like that.

When she heard him thank her of all things she finally found herself snapping his compliance and general submissiveness moving from slightly endearing to irritating. “Seriously what the hell is the matter with you?” Grabbing her books off him having arrived at the English door she ignored the people that were staring at them either sympathising with the dork, or waiting with anticipation for her to put him down.

“You’re actually thanking me for letting you carry your books?”Her tone was one of genuine astonishment and confusion “Please tell me you were at the very least being sarcastic, and you weren’t actually being serious. I mean have you no self-respect?” Glaring at him she snorted before starting to mockingly laugh at him clearly finding the answer to her question obvious.

“Wait a minute what am I talking about? Of course you don’t... If you did you wouldn’t be caught dead in that outfit and you wouldn’t be embarrassing yourself by trying to talk to those of us that actually matter. Go on McNally, go back to your kind the geeks and freaks of the world and try growing that little something called a backbone.” Giving him one final look she waltzed into English smirking at the sound of people laughing at Jesse in her wake not even sure whether he was also in this class or not. Apart of her hoped he would be after all there was nothing like watching a worm squirm after embarrassing themselves further than they did by simply existing.

[Jesse Mcnally]

It was stupid to be proud to be able to follow Cordelia, to actually be asked to follow after her...Or told, really. Jesse doubted whether the Queen Bitch could actually ask for something. It probably wasn't in her vocabulary...not that Jesse really understood that phrase either. Hell, he was a guy who couldn't even spell 'vocab'! He stopped though, when she turned, and blinked at her. What was wrong with him? He opened his mouth to reply, then frowned, doing a rather good impression of a goldfish. "I don't...what?"

Even after she took her books back, his arms were still held out, as if he hadn't noticed that. He was too busy concentrating on her words. "I...oh..." he laughed nervously. "I well...of course I was being sarcastic. Wasn't being...y'know, serious...except, course, being serious is important. Right? And not around you it appears. Seems all my self respect takes a trai ride out of here when you're here. Maybe it's afraid of you." He did actually sound thoughtful when he mentioned that. It could be true.

Try growing a little backbone? He flinched at her words, then flinched as she stalked away, leaving him alone and looking rather lost in the corridor. Grow a backbone, him? He shrunk away slightly at laughter coming from a group of Jock's wandering past, directed at him. Yeah. Like that was ever going to happen.