5-The game changer

Axel's pov

It's safe to say this past weekend sucked and as much as I hate to say it it has to do with the bonfire.

Gosh, I can't get over what happened that night and that Shawn guy. He's such a mystery and there he goes kissing everyone at the bonfire. It really didn't seem like him and didn't make much sense but it's clear it had a big impact because he's been the one that everyone keeps talking about online.

Things were already shaky last week with the group but now that Shawn has become a sort of overnight sensation, there's no way he'll stop trending, he's popular for good and it'll continue messing up my gang.

Usually, I wouldn't care but there's no way I can ignore the effects it has on the group. There's obvious tension this morning and the pressure is starting to rise within the group.

Let's just say Zayne is weirdly not in his usual cheery mood, Tessa is too busy obsessing over Shawn and Grace doesn't seem happy about how much Shawn is trending.

And as for me, even if I find no particular reason to dislike him, I kinda do.

As much as I tried to forget about it, what happened the other day keeps on haunting me.

Ever since I thought of Shawn instead of my girlfriend while I was in the heat of action with her, I've been plagued by the thought of Shawn and looking at him haunts me.

Argh, I just don't get it but right now I'd rather avoid Shawn and forget about that whole thing.

His presence is creating already so much drama and I don't want to get involved in this drama but it's impossible and I know it, especially because of the music club thing.

Enough about him!

What matters is lunchtime and it really couldn't come any slower.

Anyways, Grace, Zayne and I head to the cafeteria and sit down at our usual table reserved for us. Oddly, Tessa isn't here yet but she says she'll arrive late. Eh, it's not like I care.

We start eating and I notice that Grace and Zayne still don't seem to be in Cherry's mood. Ok, I've had enough of this.

"Ok, what's the problem? Why are you two mopping like that?" I say annoyed and their eyes snap at me.

"New guy happened," Zayne says blankly.

"What about the new guy?" We look up and notice Tessa was the one to ask and she seems curious about it.

Great, we need a way to cover that up because what was Zayne about to talk about was clearly not a good thing about the new guy.

"It wasn't anything serious. We were just talking about the bonfire incident." Zayne says half smiling but it doesn't reach up even Tessa doesn't seem to buy it but luckily she doesn't comment about it.

"Mm, anyways it doesn't matter because starting today we have a new member at our table, Shawn Peterson." She says excitedly and all of our smiles drop as we look next to her. Indeed, there he is, the nerdy guy standing next to her all awkwardly.

Ugh, I should have known this would happen...

"Oh come on don't be like that. It's a nice little addition to our group." She smiles way too devilishly.

I try to make an effort to look at Shawn but I get reminded of that day. Ugh, can this please go away?

"Wait, you're the guy from the bonfire thing, right?" Grace asks half smiling. Huh? I thought she didn't like Shawn.

"Um...yeah that's me..."

"You did something that not everyone can pull through, I'm impressed, I'm Grace Myers." She says staring at him intensely while smiling. Yeah, as if she's impressed with him. What is she planning?

"You think so...?" Shawn says a bit startled.

"Yeah, it's not every day you see someone new kiss the whole crowd," Grace says.

"Yeah, even I can't forget how impressive you were," Zayne suddenly says and it catches Shawn off guard.

Seriously where is Grace getting at? I thought she didn't want him in the group.

"Yeah...definitely not..." Shawn says awkwardly.

"Anyways, enough chit-chat, we can't be standing up forever. Shawn come sit next to me." Shawn frowns and seems uncertain but Tessa goes to sit next to her usual seat who's always the one next to Zayne's right.

As she does Shawn decides to follow suit putting him right in front of me.

The tension at this table is so much that it feels suffocating. The reaction of everyone at this table is conflicting and it really doesn't help.

Tessa keeps talking to Shawn all the while way too close to him, which is overall awkward.
Then there's Grace making weird efforts to talk to Shawn. As for Zayne, he's not his usual social self and I've been barely acknowledging the new guy.

It seems like I'm not the only one who noticed because others have noticed it too in the cafeteria. Of course, no way they miss the day someone new sits with the popular group, the same thing happened to me just last year.

"We don't know about you, so tell us more about yourself," Grace says smiling deeply, that's just weird...

"Oh...uh nothing is interesting about me."

"Impossible, everyone has something a little bit interesting about them, it could be anything," Grace says not believing it one bit.

"Yeah, that's what I told him too," Tessa says.

"Wow, so obviously you're a nerd but like are you usually that shy and reserved?" Grace asks boldly, yet curious and Shawn gets caught off guard.

"Um yeah pretty much...sorry to disappoint." He smiles apologetically and I almost feel for him but the thought of him makes me remember the other day and I lose all sympathy.

"I think it's unfortunate that you don't want us to get to know you," Grace says and her smile seems to scare off Shawn a little.

"It's not that it's just...I'm not popular."

So not only does he recognize that he seems quite anxious under the stares and overall awkward. Geez, he'll never be able to handle being popular. Why is he here in the first place?

"Maybe you're not right now but you have potential," Grace says.

"And you're quite the hotshot too," Tessa adds.

Shawn seems to disagree but appears lost as he looks at Zayne and I. Right... weirdly, Zayne barely said anything yet and I didn't say anything at all.

"I guess I'll get to see if you've got potential on the musical side too." I finally break my barrier and Shawn looks at me confused then appears to remember.

No doubt, they all glare a bit at me.

"Oh...yeah. You um, signed up for the music club too?"

"Yeah, didn't we bump into each other the other day?" I ask even if I clearly remember.

"Yeah..." He says embarrassed.

Wait is he really blushing? Nah, I'm probably imagining it.

I can feel the glares thrown around the members of the group and then eventually on me and Shawn. I just want whatever this is to end

"Yeah, guess we'll see each other at the meeting after school," I say plainly.

"Yeah..." Shawn's faint smile expresses melancholy and I find that odd but decide to shrug it off.

"Anyways, let's continue eating, shall we?" Tessa grins and gets even closer to Shawn yet he seems uncomfortable.

Ugh, I can't but feel like this is the beginning of trouble, especially if Shawn continues to eat with us permanently. He doesn't even seem like he wants to be there.

"Yeah, let's talk about my impressive performance with the Selkees," Zayne says finally lighting up, while he does, he tries to gain Tessa's attention but fails.

I shoot a glare at Tessa but she ignores me instead focusing on Shawn.

Seriously that girl gets on my nerves, why is she doing this? Is she trying to steer trouble?

I really don't want to get involved with that nerd guy, I just hope nothing bad comes out of this.

——————

Classes are finally done and now it's time to head to their first meeting of music club.

Gosh, ever since lunchtime everyone keeps talking nonstop about Shawn and even keeps looking at me and the others of the gang. I'm not surprised about it but I still hate it. This is all because Tessa made him sit with us. I really hope it was a one-time thing.

Regardless, I leave the art class alongside Grace and as soon as we are at the lockers, I pull her to me and kiss her as we usually do.

Through, she surprises me by pulling out faster than usual.

"Good luck with that music thing, let me know what kind of instrument that Shawn guy plays." She smiles and immediately I find that odd.

"Yeah, I have to tell Tessa anyway." Her smile fades.

"What? Are you two fighting?"

"No, I just don't like the idea that's she getting so close to that Shawn guy." She says annoyed but yet smiles when she mentions the name Shawn.

"Hm, sure ok. See ya."

She leaves without another word and I can't help but find it odd.

Didn't she hate Shawn just this morning, how come she's suddenly asking me about him and even seems to take an interest in him?

Whatever, I'm probably overthinking it, Shane is not that important anyway.

I walk in the hallways and walk till I find the music class and once I do I get in.

Upon my entry, I am surprised to see almost everyone is there and of course, they all look at me.

"Axel? What are you doing here? Did you get lost?" One of the girls asks.

"Nah, I signed up here," I say nonchalantly and
others eyes light up in surprise. I feel unbothered by it but I guess people are more surprised about my appearance than I thought.

Through, there's one person I have no choice but to look at, Shawn.

Oddly enough he's not standing next to his sister. No, they seem to be distant, no doubt that it is weird. They are super close, did something happen? Ugh, why do I care? He's really messing with my thoughts.

Not long after the teacher comes in.

"Good afternoon everybody, my name is Ms Donelly and I will be your music instructor for this music club. To get to know all of you, I want all of you to introduce yourself and tell us what instrument you play."

From then on, one after another introduces themselves and says what instrument they play. Already it's quite interesting and has a lot of diversity but everyone is waiting for Shawn's turn.

Eventually, it is his turn and everyone looks at him.

"Um...hi. I'm Shawn and I play the piano..." He says awkwardly and everyone looks at him surprised.

Piano, huh? I didn't think he played piano, well I guess that!'s cool.

Not long after it was my turn.

"Hey, you all know me already but for those that don't know I'm Axel and even if I'm always skateboarding, I also play guitar sometimes," I say nonchalantly and everyone looks at me in surprise, even Shawn, hah take that.

Then the introduction of others continues and eventually, it's the turn of Shawn's sister.

"Hey everyone, you can call Jasper and I do the drums. The drums are my number one hobby and I can't wait to use my drum skills for this music club." She says in a mix of nonchalance and confidence. Yet nobody looks at her in interest and just ignores her, how strange...Is someone behind this?

No, what am I thinking? This is none of my concern.

————————

After a nerve-wracking week, it's finally Friday.

Gosh, I knew Shawn might eat with us again at lunchtime but now it's permanent. At least he doesn't hang out with us permanently only during lunch.

Yet, it seems like Tessa is getting closer to Shawn and Grace seems to be getting way too close to Shawn too, actually, she seems to be getting along with him just fine. Even Zayne seems to have warmed up to Shawn.

Oh, Shawn...He annoyed me so much but luckily even if he eats with us at lunchtime, other times he's with his sister.

Through, he's still a mystery, yeah, especially how natural he is and so different from the popular gang.

Whatever, I should stop thinking about this.

Anyway, I arrive at school with my skateboard but as I do I receive a text from Grace telling me we need to talk. That never means a good thing but I don't want to make it a bigger deal than it is.

Not long after, I texted her back and agreed on a place to meet before class.

I walk around and I find her near a class, she doesn't seem to be in a happy mood.

Ok, let's get this over with.

"What's with this talk thing? Something the matter?" I ask and she looks at me and bites her lips, how odd.

"Actually, I was thinking we should break up." She says plainly.

"What why? This makes no sense?"

"I know it's out of the blue but I like someone else now..." I look at her with wide eyes and she looks away.

"What? I don't get it. What happened to being the hit couple of the school?" I ask in disbelief.

"Well, I changed my mind, there's someone better for your spot." She says nonchalantly and it angers me even more.

"What? Are you kidding me? Have you lost your mind?!" I blow up and her smile vanishes as she flinches in surprise but her nonchalant demeanour comes right back.

"No, I'm serious. It wasn't gonna last anyways." I take a deep breath and then answer.

"Fine, have your way. We're done." I say fed up and she just nods, then straight up leaves me behind. This frustrates me even more.

Wow, unbelievable, our breakup is supposed to be a big deal but it feels like it was nothing. Was this meant to happen a while ago?

Oh, whatever, what matters now is the fact others heard us and I already know what's coming next.

———————-

I was right there is a huge scandal surrounding Grace and me. Of course, who wouldn't be surprised if the hit couple broke up out of the blue?

It's only been half a day but the stares thrown at me. Gosh, I thought I'd be a bit sad about the breakup but instead, it feels...oddly refreshing. I'm no longer tied to popularity.

Well, I thought I didn't till now.

"Hey, I heard about you and Grace. I'm sorry about that." Zayne says sympathizing.

"Yeah, why are you still talking to me? it's over for Grace and me, I'm no longer allowed at the VIP table nor am I supposed to be talking to you."

"No, that is nonsense. It's not because it's over between you two that it means you and I aren't friends anymore." Friends?

"Still...you of all people should know how it works."

"Look, you were a part of us for a long time and popular too, you didn't lose it overnight. If the others don't agree, let's say I'm the one who invited you to eat with us."

"You sure?" I ask concerned.

"Yeah, I'm sure, now come on, let's go eat." He smiles and bumps me.

I have no time to say something else as Zayne drags me to the usual table.

As soon as I arrive Tessa and Grace set their eyes upon me and I can feel the tension vibrating from here. Oh, dear...

I sit down next to Zayne.

"What is he doing here?" Tessa asks sharply.

"I invited him," Zayne says nonchalantly with his good old smile and the girls glare at him and me.

They don't have time to complain about it because the other member shows up, Shawn.

"What's going on...?"

Immediately everyone sets his eyes on him, the two girls smile dreamily at him but the tension within the group is getting way too suffocating. On the other hand,  Shawn is as shy and awkward as he could be but instead, he seems surprised to see me there.

I knew it, Grace dumped me for Shawn. This just makes it so much worse but I've got no time to get mad about this. Knowing Grace, it's not normal that she's dumping me out of nowhere for a guy like Shawn, she's in for trouble and seems like Tessa too.

Crap, and then there's Shawn that seems so oblivious to everything going on. Nothing good will come out of this and there's no way I can let this slide. I need to do something about this.