Not a Care in the God Damn World

After a thankfully quiet lunch, You headed off to your next Class, Music with Miss Elizabeth Louie, an eccentric by nature, but... she was easily your favourite teacher.

Everybody took their seats, You at the front of the class, Vicky, the Untouchables and a very grumpy looking Duke Harmon sitting with his hands well away from Jane, who seemed quite chipper under the circumstances, this was of course because much to your dismay/joy (it was a little unclear) Chaz Bruce had shown up, and sat between them.

He looked... exhausted, huge and thick with muscle, but his eyes were sunken, cheeks gaunt like He hadn't eaten his days despite his huge stature. His usually neatly combed short black hair was frazzled and wild, and His dark eyes stared off into nothing as Vicky tried to speak to him. You closed your eyes, listening with your powerful hearing.

"Y-you look so sick... Please Chaz, please say something. Do you... do you not love me anymore?" She asked weakly.

He said nothing, He just closed his eyes and huffed. Vicky folded her arms, looking more sorrowful than You'd ever seen her, joining him in silence as a Short, puffy dark-skinned woman in her forties pranced into the room, adjusting her glasses as she observed the talkative class.

Standing at her desk, and growing impatient for people to become quiet, she drew a Trombone from almost nowhere and blasted out its scream, everybody covering their ears as the horrible note slowly but surely soothed into a pristine and well practice tune.

Ms Louie grinned coyly, placing the trombone down and sung in a high operatic tone "When children are speaking, Ms Luoie draws breath, to stop children speak she renders them deaf!!" She sang. Hopping over the desk like a frog and pointing to everybody "Now today, is not going to be one of those boring choir days my lovely students, but today is going to be a day of Creativity!!" Half the class groaned as the teacher rubbed her chin "Groan all you want, you bundle of deadwood, I am going to teach you how to express yourselves to the highest degrees through the Holy! Holy! medium of music. renditions of Mozart, some stupid textbook on Beethoven that we've all read 4000 times are out of the goddamn window, aight?..." The class was silent and she rubbed her eyes before explode "I SAID AIGHT!?"

"AIGHT!"

Everybody cried in response, mostly out of fear.

Ms Louie smiled "Good, now what we are going to is choose two songs that You'd want to sing to two classmates in this room today-Mr Harmon shut ya trap before I throw a snare at ya head, aight?- So, two songs, two fellow students, as chosen by the raffle in this bucket!" She drew out the Bright orange bucket and slammed it on the desk making everybody jump.

She stared at everybody, before rolling her eyes "what are you waiting for pigs to fly!? get up here and choose two!!"

The entire class stirred up from their seats and rushed to pick out names, You were amongst them, and being at the front, you got there first and quickly returned to your desk with two slips of white paper in hand.

By the time everybody retook their seats, Ms Louie was already at the piano, playing a smooth Jazz toon with gusto as she smiled at everybody "Alrighty kiddos, Take a little look-see and choose a song, you have T- 5 minutes."

Oh god, You'd managed to avoid having to play any actual music in front of the class so far, You weren't looking forward to this, let's just hope that the people you chose are easy enough- You stared at the two names, now you were really not looking forward to this "Duke Harmon & Jane Watson, fucking kill me." You muttered.

You peered at them, Duke looked miserable, probably because of the rumours, probably also because He couldn't terrorize Jane with Chaz between them. Jane actually seemed... happy, she was talking to Camile and Izzy, gossiping over their slips of paper.

Seeing Jane happy, it... it made you miss her, a lot, it made you want to take her back just like Rose said, and if there was any truth to what the Untouchables had been spreading? no... no He wouldn't, still, You had to try.

Fine, You'd do it, You'd spent years and years of your life practising with as many instruments as your grandfather could shove into your hands, you had an okay voice, why not put it to some use? Cycling through some songs for Jane, you went over many that would sway her back over to your side, win her heart all over again.... that sounded so cringe when you thought it, but, at least it was a plan.

More than words? too soppy. Linger? too girly. Thinking out loud? too British... ugh, come on Charlie, you can do this..... Your eyes wandered to her again, she was laughing smiling, it was a little defeating, you wanted her to be laughing and smiling with you. Her green eyes flicked to you, and you quickly looked away. Jane Watson, with Duke harmon, You had it, boy did you have it.

"You aight, there Charles?"

You looked up to see Ms Louie's smiling face, the cute older woman crouching down and looking down at your names. Her smile faded "Do you want to switch?" Ms Louie likely heard enough gossip to know that these were the worst possible names to get, but you just smiled and shook your head.

"Nah, thank you, Ms Louie."

She nudged you "El's fine when we speak one on one kid. How many times do I have to tell ya, you got potatoes in ya ears?"

"No! heh sorry El." You chuckled.

"Sweet boy. alright, you seem pretty talented, you just hide it all the time, I hope you hold nothing back today."

You grinned "Not today."

"Good good!" Leaping up to her feet, Ms Louie called out "Aight times up foo's, ya better have picked well, or yall gonna look dumb as rocks."

Everybody groaned this time, and you grimaced "Shit shit, I was so consumed with Jane that I forgot to come up with a song for Duke!?"

"Mr Harmon you first." Ms Louie ordered.

He frowned "I couldn't come up with anything."

She turned around slowly "Well then come up with something now, play from the heart Boah!"

"Ms Louie-"

"Shut ya mouth and get your little white ass up there, before I break my foot off in it. Insubordinate! and childish! get's on my GOD DAMN nerves!" She exploded, making the huge Duke pale and rush up to the small stage where many poorly organised instruments stood.

He moved around them like a caveman looking for a club, and settled on the drums I "That's right very graceful"

"This first one is The Real slim shady, for Caitlin, because uh, she's really skinny?" He said.

Caitlin Mott in the corner glared at him, but Ms Louie lounged on her desk and looked impatient.

The Following piece was very interesting, mainly because it didn't sound anything even close to the real slim shady's beat, and also because watching Duke Harmon clumsily play the drum set while everybody whispered and laugh was a level of Nirvana that You didn't know could be achieved.

Sniggering as Duke stood, storming back over to his desk with a grumpy look, Ms Louie held back her snickering as she called out the next person "Alright, I'll Ummm allow the skipping of the second song... fo all of our ears. Caitlin since you were clearly serenaded by Duke's lovely rendition of one of the best Eminem songs of all time, how about you Go next?"

You listened to Caitlin play Welcome to the jungle, the stringy gothic girl shredding the guitar a little sluggishly but she wasn't too bad, Cedric, the nerdy kid in the corner she sang it to buried his head in his notebook.

A couple more of your fellow students sang for each other, some good, some bad, though it was clear that there was nobody quite exceptional in this class, not that You'd tip that balance in any way, Rose, Diana and Your Grandfather might have liked your singing but You really didn't consider it anything special.

However, You quickly saw something very special. Jane marched up to the stage with a great big smile on her face. God, she was so beautiful, even more than before, if that was even possible, she seemed so much more confident, stronger than ever with the Untouchables by her side, it made you wonder if... you were the one holding her back all these years, stopping her from evolving, and as she got up on stage, trying and of course failing to play the Friends theme song on the flute for Camile who laughed her ass off, You considered, that may be trying to get her back wasn't the right thing to do?

"Maybe... she's better off without me?"

The Lament was sudden and cruel, it sowed doubt so harshly on your mind that You couldn't even bring yourself to look at her as she and the Untouchables giggled as she put the flute down and everybody applauded, hosted with laughs of joy from the other students at her goofy tendencies.

You frowned, head down as she moved past you, her smile fading a little as she saw you gazing forlornly at your desk, moving past and around Chaz and Duke to get to her seat.

"Ayyy, Jane, Sista! super creative, gold star! alright, how about... Charlie, Why don't you go next, Honey?" Ms Louie asked.

Begrudgingly, You stood, moping over to the stage, and lazily sitting down at the piano... this was meant to be a power move but, now it just wrong, still your eyes wandered over to Jane, hoping to see her smiling and laughing with her new friends... but that was not what you saw.

Jane was stuck standing, trying to subtly pull away from Duke Harmon as He grinned evilly, holding on her arm and trying to pull her down. Your ears picked up a little of what they were whispering.

"I don't want to! stop being such a creep!" Jane growled.

"Oh come on, I deserve a little one, you don't want my Dad's boys to come over to have a word with your sister do you?" Harmon returned.

Jane frowned in distress "Duke... please, just let me go-"

"Oh shut up, and come here mt little Nerdy slut."

He pulled her down and snatched her head, kissing her deeply much to her distress.

Time seemed to slow, as your eyes cracked unnaturally open, lids twitching as a this deep, burning feeling melted through your veins, it shook your bones and whipped at your mind, scattering rational to the wind and making your heart try and jump out of your chest. You hands balled into fists so tight that it strained like white leather. You felt every single millisecond of that kiss, and it deeply wounded you, sparking the flames of complete and pure content in the depth of your soul.

Duke was snatched away by his collar, a huge powerful hand, leading into muscle wrenched the Footbal player away. His eyes filled with fury as Jane quickly walked back to her desk wiping her lips in disgust as Duke went to yell.

Only He couldn't because Chaz' face was not one to Yell at. it was dark and deep with cold Ire, and Duke immediately shrunk back, gulping as his Captian placed his hands back and looked back out into nothing.

But the feeling inside you hadn't gotten better it had gotten much much worse.

Yes.... feel the spreading corruption burn, allow it to fill you with gumption, soak you in hatred, spite and ruin. Feel the loss of what was once yours crushed in the touching of their lips. Live in it, use it, Bathe in ENVY the spark that drives us to greatness. that's two down.

"Oh god... oh Jesus, sweet mother mary of- FUUUCK. Okay.... okay...." Your teeth ground together in hatred and contempt, so powerful that any thought of leaving Jane to her devices was purged like the plague, she was yours, and Duke Harmon would never have her. ever.

"Charlie? Can you hear me, Honey?" It occurred to you that You had just she staring wide-eyed at Duke Harmon and He along with the class were clearly weirded out "Do You need a minute, kiddo, I can-"

"No! No! actually I don't need a minute, I'd love to sing my song, okay? Great. this song is for... well, she'll know." You cracked your fingers as You touched at the notes, which responded sharply, it was a well cared for Instrument and You were grateful because you needed it to have a little soul today.

Ms Louie nodded "Oh, okay. Go ahead, Honey."

"Pft, Charlie Drake singing, somebody get some Earplugs!!" Duke called and everybody laughed, but you didn't really give a fuck... odd, considering how much of a fuck you gave before but you were too busy trying to find the note, which when you did, You began to hit the notes in perfect tandem, all of those lessons struck at your mind with clarity. It was if Pops were right there beside you in the flesh, teaching you to divide your attention, keep track of the pace and always play with a little soul.

Taking in the sombre notes, the Class were immediately taken aback by your ability, Ms Louie cracking a wide happy smile as You cued yourself in, and peered directly at Jane, your eyes warm and loving.

"Same bed but it feels just a little bit bigger now.
Our song on the radio but it don't sound the same...."

Silence. wide-eyed and shocked, all student's jaw simultaneously dropped at the sound of your voice, smooth and melodic, but deep and gentle. All but Jane, who seemed a little disarmed as You continued.

"...When our friends talk about you, all it does is just tear me down
'Cause my heart breaks a little when I hear your name. It all just sounds like ooh, ooh, ooh, hooooo"

You carried the note through with the Piano chords, letting it all seep in fluidly before the big chorus.

"Mmmm, too young, too dumb to realize.......
That I should have bought you flowers! ~ And held your hand
Should have gave you all my hours ~ When I had the chance
Take you to every party 'cause all you wanted to do was dance... Now my baby's dancing... But she's dancing with another man..."

Your eyes flickered back to Jane, who seemed to be recognising what was now happening. Her shoulders fell, and she stared at you, a look of longing and conflict on her face, though her eyes never left yours as You continued.

You thought on your behaviour as you sang the words, Music always did that to you, it made you think, made you feel, sometimes just what You needed to. You'd treated her all wrong, she'd done things purely for you, at her own detriment, and responding with anger wasn't how you should have gone through things.

"My pride, my ego, my needs, and my selfish ways
Caused a good strong woman like you to walk out my life
Now I never, never get to clean up the mess I made, ooooh
And it haunts me every time I close my eyes..."

Jane's jaw grew tight, and her breath grew heavy, you could see it, she blinked so fast, to contain any chance of crying. However, she wasn't the only one reacting heavily to you. Izzy looked genuinely touched, Vicky stared at you a little dreamily, Camile rested her head on her hand, looking on with a smile. Caitlin Mott's mascara ran down her face as she lent on Cedric's shoulder, staining his white collar shirt with black.

"It all just sounds like ooh, ooh, ooh, hooooo
too young, too dumb to realize
That I should have bought you flowers
And held your hand ~ Should have gave you all my hours
When I had the chance ~ Take you to every party 'cause all you wanted to do was dance... Now my baby's dancing... But she's dancing with another man..."

Okay, You hadn't made this next note in a long while, but it was worth a shot. Duke was glowering at you, while Chaz had turned his eyes to you, looking with what looked like an actual moment of peace.

"There's... no way He's gonna hit that note." One girl whispered.

Holding back a smirk you took in a sharp breath and...

"Although it hurts... I'll be the first to say that I was wrooooooooohoooooohooooong...." You belted out, crisply, cleanly, perfectly.

"Sweet Christmas..." Ms Louie chuckled under her breath.

Picking up the pace you continued passionately for the final stretch.

"...Oh, I know I'm probably much too late ~ To try and apologize for my mistakes
But, I just want you to knooooooow...."

Looking back at Jane who looked about ready to break down, You smiled a little and sung to her like there was nobody else in the room.

"I hope he buys you flowers... I hope he holds your hand... Give you all his hours, When he has the chance.
Take you to every party... 'Cause I remember how much you loved to dance..."

She cracked a smile as tears fell down her cheeks, images of her jigging around clumsily after wining in a Halo **** match.

"Do all the things I should have done... When I was your man
Do all the things I should have done. When I was your man."

You expected a couple of things... but a standing ovation wasn't one of them. Girls screaming in adoration, guys clapping as they wooed. Ms Louie giving you the happiest motherly look that you had ever seen, like she'd just watched her own son become president... but you didn't care much about that, what you cared about was Jane collecting her things with shaking hands, her face stained with tears as she rushed out of the room.

"Jane? Jane!" Vicky hurried after her, and Ms Louie rolled her eyes.

"Aight aight, Voice of an angel or no, settle down. I'm gonna fo make sure that Ms Watson is okay. No bad behaviour!" Ms Louie cried as she sprinted after the two girls.

You sat there... smiling darkly at Duke, who was almost shaking with anger.

You devious little motherfucker... what kind of upstanding citizen are you huh?

"The Kind that is entirely satisfied."

....wait... did you just respond? Charlie? CHARLIE!? Can you hear me Kid?

Ugh, talking to yourself? Something really wasn't right in your head.

FOR FUCK'S SAKE.... *Sigh* At least you heard something I said. Soon kid, Soon. Just keep going, keep using me. everything is going according to plan.

"Oh so He sings well, boo hoo, doesn't mean that He's a cool kid, I hope you **** on your dad's bones, you fucking Nerd!" Duke called, grinning coyly. You're eyes smouldered with anger as the Blonde jock stood "Oh encore encore! please sing us another, you fucking retard! who else are you gonna serenade, pathetic little shrimp-"

You're gonna admit it, in retrospect, this choice of song was a bad call of judgement, but it happened.

"You want another song, Duke? Okay here's another song, listen carefully, so that Your steroid riddled brain catches it, I'll try and be nice and clear for you! Ladies and Gentleman this is dedicated to that brainless dickless senseless cock jokey over there Duke Harmon..." You moved away from the Piano and hoisted up an acoustic, hurriedly strumming, red-faced and aggressive as you started "Ready? Good-SHUT THE FUCK UP!!" You sang as You strummed the tune.

"You're a fucking cunt! Shut the fuck up! You're a stupid cunt-suck my dick!" You sang, making Duke freeze as everybody began to hysterically laugh.

"SHUT THE FUCK UP! NOBODY EVEN WANTS YOU HERE!"

Moving down on one knee you belted out to Duke with a furious tambre

"I just want to let you know, you're a stupid fucking cunt. Go ahead and run your mouth, pussy, I don't give a fuck. You're a stupid piece of shit, you're a stupid fucking bitch. Get the fuck up off my dick, get the fuck up off my dick!" Everybody was creasing over their desks as You doubled down thoughtlessly, seeing red "like, Please end your fucking life, please end your fucking life, I really gotta emphasize, no one cares if you're alive.

_You're a fucking penis-hole, grab a dick and eat it whole ~ I need to know if you were dropped when you were just a fetus though.
You're so fucking ugly and your face is fucking foul, jeez, You're so fucking loud, can you shut your fucking mouth can ya-SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!" _Maybe You would have seen that this was a critical error if there was a single fuck to be given at the time, which there really wasn't, and so you proceeded to continue to tear this man to pieces with the grace of Joji.

"Yeah. Close your fucking mouth, you're just really fucking dense.If you hate me, why you talking? You don't make no fucking sense
Got a sad life, sad life, go to fucking hell ~ Are you stupid or disabled, man, I can't fucking tell!?"

Duke looked around, blinking as people pointed at him, revelling in his roasting, it seemed like really nobody really liked the guy.

"I will fuck you up if you don't shut the fuck up shrimp!!" He cried. ......And no fucks were given.

"You're a fucking dumb shit, you don't even run shit
Get the fuck up out of my face and go to hell and eat a dick
Come and catch these hands, boy
Come and match these bands, boy
I'm not crazy, I just do it all because I can, boy!"

You were ready to stop there, relatively content. But Duke pushed you a little further "Just because I got ya girl, I can't wait to-"

The Strumming fiercely rolled back in as you seethed with wrath

"hope you fucking die in a high-speed car crash ~ I hope you fucking fall head-first and get your neck cracked
I hope you have some beautiful children that die from cancer
I hope you catch Zika when your wife gets pregnant
I hope you win the lottery and die the next day
And your daughter has to see you getting lowered in your grave!"

The Laughing cut out as Ms Louie walked back in... or maybe she'd been there for a couple of minutes, either way, You wound down, grinning nervously.

"that was a little dark... I'm sorry. Tha-that was a little dark. Very poor taste. hehe, I shouldn't have said that" You lamented cartoonishly.

Ms Louie folded her arms, looking very unamused. "That's right, you better apologise, fucking orphan," Duke muttered.

"...Actually, no, I should have. Actually, I didn't say enough. Shut the fuck up, stop being a fucking cunt
Shut the fuck up, Nobody even wants you here!" You finished.

"Mr Drake!!" Ms Louie walked up angrily, taking the Guitar from your hands "That's enough... Dayum! Now Go to the Nurse's office and calm down." She demanded.

Duke looked ready to charge you, but Ms Louie got between you immediately "Oh hell naw, You better sit yo ass down before I slap you, white boy." She growled.

He mouthed wordlessly "Y-You can't say that? D-Do you know who my dad is-"

"Yeah I know who that old motherfucker is, and I'll slap his boney ass too if you don't sit down and shut up, I am not paid enough for your bullshit kid."

Duke, clearly frightened, retook his seat after Chaz pulled him down to it "Just sit down. Moron." He grumbled. His dark eyes flickering to you for a moment before staring back off into nothing.

And thus off you went. To Nurse Murphey's office, feeling... oddly chipper, and altogether free. like You didn't have a care in the god damn world.