'Extraordinary Girl' as such, chapter 2
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*Monday morning*
I walked into school, but instead of heading for the library, as I have done every morning since 2nd year, I headed to the office, "Good morning Stephanie," Mrs. Doran said as she opened the door, "how can I help you?" I looked at her, "Well, I need to talk to Mr O'Doherty, as soon as." I smiled. She looked up from her computer, "Okay, I'll go see if he's free now." She smiled and walked out of the room. She returned five minutes later, "He's free now, so you can go in and see him." I thanked her and left the office.
I walked into the principal's office, I had never been in here before. It was nice, a big table with about 18 chairs around it stood in the center of the room, and a desk with lots of papers and stuff on it stood at the far end. Mr O'Doherty looked up at me as I walked through.
"Good morning Stephanie, Mrs. Doran tells me you need to talk to me, come sit down." He said gesturing to an empty chair. I walked over and sat down opposite him.
"Yes, well, I may as well just say it. I got an amazing offer to go to America for a month. I think it will really help my future, and I'm just letting you know and, sort of asking permission, to take a month out of school, call it work experience." I smiled, he frowned.
"Well, I don't usually agree with this sort of thing, but if you feel it will help your future, I can give you a pardon, as long as you catch up in all work missed." I nodded, "when do you leave, we'll try to get some work so you can take it with you." I frowned a little and bit my lip,
"I'm going to talk to all my teachers now, but I don't reckon I'll have much time to school work," I smiled again, "I leave tonight." He stopped writing notes, "When did you find out? This is extremely short notice." He said with his voice raised a little. I looked at him, keeping eye contact,
"I found out on Friday night, it was confirmed on Saturday night." He looked away, and stood up.
"Okay then, talk to your teachers, and come to see me as soon as you get back." I stood up and shook his hand,
"And good luck Stephanie," he said as I left the office.
I walked into the library and Cara came running up to me, "Where have you been all weekend? What's wrong with your phone? Why have you not replied to me all weekend?" I smiled at her, "I'm going to America, tonight." I said and gave her a hug. The bell rang and before she could ask me any questions I ran off to form class.
"Mrs Dobbins, can I talk to you?" I asked as the bell for first period rang, "Yeah, sure Stephanie, what is it?" I smiled at her, "I'm not going to be in school for the next month of so, and I thought I should let you know." She looked confused, "You do realize that this is your final year and that it's really important that you don't miss any of it. I'm not even sure if the school will allow it." I nodded, "I've spoken to Mr. O'Doherty already, and I was just letting you know." I added and left the room.
I dodged most questions today through vague answers, I couldn't even tell my friends the real reason for leaving. I made up a weird and wacky story about running from the cops, and they just agreed rather than arguing. I had gotten a lot of work from teachers, but I doubt I'll do any of it. I left the school, waving to a few juniors on the way out, and went home, I finished packing my suitcase, I figure anything else I need I can get out there. "Okay, I'm leaving now." I yelled as I came downstairs, "Banana, baby, I'll see you in a few weeks okay." I said hugging my little sister and wiping her tears. I let her go and stood up, "see you soon Cathal," I said hugging my older brother, I turned and shook both my parents' hands, we've never been close. "Hey, say bye to the twits for me," I said referring to my little twin brother and sister that were staying at my cousins house, and I left. I phoned Carl on my way into town.
"Hello, Carl, I'll be at yours in five minutes and you better be fucking ready." I yelled into the phone. "Yeah, I'm ready." He giggled into the phone, yep he was stoned again.
*Flight 57903 to California is now boarding. *
I shook Carl awake and we walked over to board the plane, I handed the check in girl both our passes. She looked at us funny, well we must have looked like a strange pairing, a seventeen year old girl and a thirty five year old man, who was acting really crazy, boarding a plane out of the country in a hurry. We walked onto the plane and, to prevent an argument, I let Carl have the window seat. I've never been in first class before and it was great.
I walked through the arrival gates with Carl pushing a trolley with our luggage on it, and saw a man in a suit holding a sign with my name on it, so we walked over to him, and after confirming that I was indeed Stephanie Saunders, he took the trolley and led us outside to an awaiting car. He loaded our stuff into the trunk, and drove us to a big mansion, where I saw Mark waiting for us.
"Glad you could make it Steph," he said shaking mine and Carl's hands. "Now, follow me, I believe there are a few people you should meet, and did you bring your school uniform with you?" he asked. I shook my head "was I supposed to?" I asked, "No, its okay." He smiled and led me and Carl inside.
I walked into the room and the conversation stopped, "I would like to introduce you to Billie Joe, Mike and Tré." Mark said motioning to the three men. "Guy's this is your 'extraordinary girl' so to say, Steph." They laughed, stood up and shook my hand, well, Billie Joe and Mike shook my hand, Tré lifted me up, hugged me and spun me around. "And this is Carl, her... What are you?" he asked, Carl turned to face us, "let's uncomplicated things, I'm her friend." He said shaking everyone's hand, and we all sat down.
"So, Steph, down to business," Billie Joe began, "what makes you so extraordinary?" he laughed. I smiled, still a little star struck at being in the same room as my idols. "I don't actually know." I said scratching my head, "I was walking down to the depot from school last Thursday, in my uniform, getting soaked, with my mp3 player blasting, and Mark taps my shoulder and asks me if I'm a Green Day fan." I smiled, "and then he explained to me about everything and here I am." I said shrugging. They all smiled at me, and then turned to Mark, "Yeah, she'll do." Mike smiled. I looked at him, "oh, I feel loved now." I said looking a little hurt, but then smiled. "So, any ideas?" Billie Joe asked Mark. He nodded, "Well, I was thinking, could you sing the song and I'll tell you what comes to mind." Billie Joe shrugged and nodded, then left the room and returned with a guitar.
"She's an extraordinary girl,
In an ordinary world,
And she can't seem to get away
He lacks the courage in his mind,
Like a child left behind,
Like a pet left in the rain
She's all alone again,
Wiping the tears from her eyes
Somedays he feels like dying,
She gets so sick of crying
She sees the mirror of herself,
An image she wants to sell,
To anyone willing to buy
He steals the image in her kiss,
From her hearts apocalypse,
From the one called Whatsernam
She's all alone again,
Wiping the tears from her eyes
Somedays he feels like dying
She gets so sick of crying
She's all alone again,
Wiping the tears from her eyes
Somedays he feels like dying
Somedays it's not worth trying,
Now that they both are finding,
She gets so sick of crying.
She's an extraordinary girl, an extraordinary girl... "
Billie Joe sang the last few words and smiled, a wide goofy smile. I wiped the tears out of my eyes, and smiled back. "Wow." I whispered. They all looked at me, "What's up?" Tré asked, "I'm sorry but it's just hit me that I'm standing in front of Green Day." I said quietly, "well, actually you're sitting in front of Green Day," Carl smiled, I slapped him on the arm. "So, any ideas Mark?" Mike asked, breaking the silence, "What about, a deserted town, with only a few people walking around, ignoring each other, and... No, that won't work, it's an ordinary world." He said, then thought a little, "Okay, I've got it, Steph, you're walking down a street, like last Thursday, minding your own business, listening to music." I nodded, "then it cuts to the guy, who we have to find, he's sitting in a bedroom, alone with a note book in front of him, a few things written on it but scribbled out." He was getting really into it now, "then split screen, guy and girl in respective rooms, but mirroring each other, upset, perhaps crying, both thinking of ending it all. Then, somehow, they meet, kiss passionately, and during the kiss, he disappears, and she is left alone again, can't get over him, etc." he stopped pacing and looked at us. I thought his idea was good. Billie Joe looked at him, "Dude, I know it's early days, but, where are we in this video?" Mark looked at him and sighed, "Oh, BJ, ye have little faith. I'm thinking, you three are walking around seeing all this happen in front of you. Hey if we don't find a guy, one of you three can fill in, I'm sure Steph won't mind." He said turning to me, as I blushed, "I like that idea." Tré added, before anyone said anything. "I have only one problem with it," Carl said, "being the person who has to look out for her and all, is it not a little creepy that she's seventeen and your gonna make her make out with a thirty three year old guy, on camera." I frowned and gave him evil eyes, "humph," thought Mark, "well, that is true, but it's only a last resort. We'll find a guy." Carl shrugged and everyone was quiet again.
There was a lot of noise out in the hall, and then a lady and two boys came into the living room, "Holy shit, you're prettier in real life than you are in pictures." I blurted out without realizing, then blushed as everyone turned to stare at me. "Sorry," I said quietly, "I take it you know of Adrienne, Jakob and Joey then." Mark laughed, I nodded a little, "well, thank you. That's sweet, but who are you?" Adrienne asked politely, Billie walked over to her and pulled her towards us, "this Adie, is Steph. She's our extraordinary girl, for our new video." He smiled, I shook her hand, "sorry, but can everyone stop calling me your 'extraordinary girl' it's kinda weird." I said. Carl cleared his throat, "sorry, this is my friend Carl. Carl this is Billie Joe's wife, Adrienne, and their sons Joey and Jakob." I said, and everyone looked a mixture of impressed and freaked out. "Sorry, but I am a fan, I know stuff." I said smiling a little. Billie Joe's face lit up, "pop quiz." He yelled, "What?" I responded. "Well, you claim to know 'stuff' as you put it, let's test your knowledge." I shrugged, may as well get the awkwardness over and done with.
"What age are we?" he asked,
"Well, it's September, so Billie Joe and Mike are 34 and Tré is 33, the baby." I smiled, "and Joey is about eleven, Jakob nine, and I'm sorry but I don't know how old Adrienne is, but I know that you are older than Billie Joe." I said, looking at her, "well, a lady never tells, does she?" I smiled at her, and she smiled back.
"Okay, all correct. Let's see, random facts about me." Billie Joe said.
I cleared my throat, "youngest of six, born 17 February '72, green eyes, naturally reddish-brown curly hair, five foot six, married Adrienne in July '94... " a few minutes later I had rhymed off all the facts I knew about Billie Joe and Mike.
"Do me, do me." Tré yelled, I giggled a little, "you really shouldn't shout that, someone might take you seriously," I said winking at him, "okay, let's see, birthday is December ninth, two kids, Ramona and Frankito, originally Frank Edwin Wright the third, two siblings, married and divorced twice, weren't allowed to use cymbals when you were learning drums so after quitting lessons you stole some and use them like there's no tomorrow, used to set your drum kits on fire after concerts, oh and, went to clown college and lost a nut in a horrific unicycle accident. And can I say now, I think you have quite a knack for writing short catchy songs about masturbation and sex," I smiled. Everyone clapped and I stood up and took a bow, then fell into a fit of laughter.
"Can I ask how you know all of this?" Mike asked, a little nervous, "yeah sure, internet. Tells you everything." I smiled, "I'm not a stalker," I laughed. "Well, you seem to know more about us than we do, so now tell us the same amount of detail about yourself." Billie Joe smiled. So I did.
"Well, I'm seventeen, born 25th October '88. I have two brothers, two sisters, doing quite well at school, but I'm not really bothered about that. I've worked for him," I said pointing towards Carl, "for about three years, ahm, I am pretty normal, if not weird, I love all my friends like brothers and sisters. I am an atheist and have friends of almost all religions, I have one tattoo and two piercing, ears and belly button, ahm, that's pretty much it, unless you guys have any questions." I said and turned to face them, "Well," Billie Joe started, "that was good, we all know everyone now. I have no questions." He shrugged, "I've got one." Tré shouted, I giggled again, oh the double entendre's, he has no idea, "Yeah, shoot," I replied, "Can I see your tattoo?" I smiled and turned around and lifted my hair up exposing my neck, "it's only henna, I'm getting it done for real when I turn 18." I smiled. "What do the letters stand for?" Mike asked. The tattoo was a barcode with BJA. MD. TC written under it with a star at each end, "Well," I blushed and turned around to face them, "it's your initials." I smiled and they all did too, so it was okay.
I walked into school, but instead of heading for the library, as I have done every morning since 2nd year, I headed to the office, "Good morning Stephanie," Mrs. Doran said as she opened the door, "how can I help you?" I looked at her, "Well, I need to talk to Mr O'Doherty, as soon as." I smiled. She looked up from her computer, "Okay, I'll go see if he's free now." She smiled and walked out of the room. She returned five minutes later, "He's free now, so you can go in and see him." I thanked her and left the office.
I walked into the principal's office, I had never been in here before. It was nice, a big table with about 18 chairs around it stood in the center of the room, and a desk with lots of papers and stuff on it stood at the far end. Mr O'Doherty looked up at me as I walked through.
"Good morning Stephanie, Mrs. Doran tells me you need to talk to me, come sit down." He said gesturing to an empty chair. I walked over and sat down opposite him.
"Yes, well, I may as well just say it. I got an amazing offer to go to America for a month. I think it will really help my future, and I'm just letting you know and, sort of asking permission, to take a month out of school, call it work experience." I smiled, he frowned.
"Well, I don't usually agree with this sort of thing, but if you feel it will help your future, I can give you a pardon, as long as you catch up in all work missed." I nodded, "when do you leave, we'll try to get some work so you can take it with you." I frowned a little and bit my lip,
"I'm going to talk to all my teachers now, but I don't reckon I'll have much time to school work," I smiled again, "I leave tonight." He stopped writing notes, "When did you find out? This is extremely short notice." He said with his voice raised a little. I looked at him, keeping eye contact,
"I found out on Friday night, it was confirmed on Saturday night." He looked away, and stood up.
"Okay then, talk to your teachers, and come to see me as soon as you get back." I stood up and shook his hand,
"And good luck Stephanie," he said as I left the office.
I walked into the library and Cara came running up to me, "Where have you been all weekend? What's wrong with your phone? Why have you not replied to me all weekend?" I smiled at her, "I'm going to America, tonight." I said and gave her a hug. The bell rang and before she could ask me any questions I ran off to form class.
"Mrs Dobbins, can I talk to you?" I asked as the bell for first period rang, "Yeah, sure Stephanie, what is it?" I smiled at her, "I'm not going to be in school for the next month of so, and I thought I should let you know." She looked confused, "You do realize that this is your final year and that it's really important that you don't miss any of it. I'm not even sure if the school will allow it." I nodded, "I've spoken to Mr. O'Doherty already, and I was just letting you know." I added and left the room.
I dodged most questions today through vague answers, I couldn't even tell my friends the real reason for leaving. I made up a weird and wacky story about running from the cops, and they just agreed rather than arguing. I had gotten a lot of work from teachers, but I doubt I'll do any of it. I left the school, waving to a few juniors on the way out, and went home, I finished packing my suitcase, I figure anything else I need I can get out there. "Okay, I'm leaving now." I yelled as I came downstairs, "Banana, baby, I'll see you in a few weeks okay." I said hugging my little sister and wiping her tears. I let her go and stood up, "see you soon Cathal," I said hugging my older brother, I turned and shook both my parents' hands, we've never been close. "Hey, say bye to the twits for me," I said referring to my little twin brother and sister that were staying at my cousins house, and I left. I phoned Carl on my way into town.
"Hello, Carl, I'll be at yours in five minutes and you better be fucking ready." I yelled into the phone. "Yeah, I'm ready." He giggled into the phone, yep he was stoned again.
*Flight 57903 to California is now boarding. *
I shook Carl awake and we walked over to board the plane, I handed the check in girl both our passes. She looked at us funny, well we must have looked like a strange pairing, a seventeen year old girl and a thirty five year old man, who was acting really crazy, boarding a plane out of the country in a hurry. We walked onto the plane and, to prevent an argument, I let Carl have the window seat. I've never been in first class before and it was great.
I walked through the arrival gates with Carl pushing a trolley with our luggage on it, and saw a man in a suit holding a sign with my name on it, so we walked over to him, and after confirming that I was indeed Stephanie Saunders, he took the trolley and led us outside to an awaiting car. He loaded our stuff into the trunk, and drove us to a big mansion, where I saw Mark waiting for us.
"Glad you could make it Steph," he said shaking mine and Carl's hands. "Now, follow me, I believe there are a few people you should meet, and did you bring your school uniform with you?" he asked. I shook my head "was I supposed to?" I asked, "No, its okay." He smiled and led me and Carl inside.
I walked into the room and the conversation stopped, "I would like to introduce you to Billie Joe, Mike and Tré." Mark said motioning to the three men. "Guy's this is your 'extraordinary girl' so to say, Steph." They laughed, stood up and shook my hand, well, Billie Joe and Mike shook my hand, Tré lifted me up, hugged me and spun me around. "And this is Carl, her... What are you?" he asked, Carl turned to face us, "let's uncomplicated things, I'm her friend." He said shaking everyone's hand, and we all sat down.
"So, Steph, down to business," Billie Joe began, "what makes you so extraordinary?" he laughed. I smiled, still a little star struck at being in the same room as my idols. "I don't actually know." I said scratching my head, "I was walking down to the depot from school last Thursday, in my uniform, getting soaked, with my mp3 player blasting, and Mark taps my shoulder and asks me if I'm a Green Day fan." I smiled, "and then he explained to me about everything and here I am." I said shrugging. They all smiled at me, and then turned to Mark, "Yeah, she'll do." Mike smiled. I looked at him, "oh, I feel loved now." I said looking a little hurt, but then smiled. "So, any ideas?" Billie Joe asked Mark. He nodded, "Well, I was thinking, could you sing the song and I'll tell you what comes to mind." Billie Joe shrugged and nodded, then left the room and returned with a guitar.
"She's an extraordinary girl,
In an ordinary world,
And she can't seem to get away
He lacks the courage in his mind,
Like a child left behind,
Like a pet left in the rain
She's all alone again,
Wiping the tears from her eyes
Somedays he feels like dying,
She gets so sick of crying
She sees the mirror of herself,
An image she wants to sell,
To anyone willing to buy
He steals the image in her kiss,
From her hearts apocalypse,
From the one called Whatsernam
She's all alone again,
Wiping the tears from her eyes
Somedays he feels like dying
She gets so sick of crying
She's all alone again,
Wiping the tears from her eyes
Somedays he feels like dying
Somedays it's not worth trying,
Now that they both are finding,
She gets so sick of crying.
She's an extraordinary girl, an extraordinary girl... "
Billie Joe sang the last few words and smiled, a wide goofy smile. I wiped the tears out of my eyes, and smiled back. "Wow." I whispered. They all looked at me, "What's up?" Tré asked, "I'm sorry but it's just hit me that I'm standing in front of Green Day." I said quietly, "well, actually you're sitting in front of Green Day," Carl smiled, I slapped him on the arm. "So, any ideas Mark?" Mike asked, breaking the silence, "What about, a deserted town, with only a few people walking around, ignoring each other, and... No, that won't work, it's an ordinary world." He said, then thought a little, "Okay, I've got it, Steph, you're walking down a street, like last Thursday, minding your own business, listening to music." I nodded, "then it cuts to the guy, who we have to find, he's sitting in a bedroom, alone with a note book in front of him, a few things written on it but scribbled out." He was getting really into it now, "then split screen, guy and girl in respective rooms, but mirroring each other, upset, perhaps crying, both thinking of ending it all. Then, somehow, they meet, kiss passionately, and during the kiss, he disappears, and she is left alone again, can't get over him, etc." he stopped pacing and looked at us. I thought his idea was good. Billie Joe looked at him, "Dude, I know it's early days, but, where are we in this video?" Mark looked at him and sighed, "Oh, BJ, ye have little faith. I'm thinking, you three are walking around seeing all this happen in front of you. Hey if we don't find a guy, one of you three can fill in, I'm sure Steph won't mind." He said turning to me, as I blushed, "I like that idea." Tré added, before anyone said anything. "I have only one problem with it," Carl said, "being the person who has to look out for her and all, is it not a little creepy that she's seventeen and your gonna make her make out with a thirty three year old guy, on camera." I frowned and gave him evil eyes, "humph," thought Mark, "well, that is true, but it's only a last resort. We'll find a guy." Carl shrugged and everyone was quiet again.
There was a lot of noise out in the hall, and then a lady and two boys came into the living room, "Holy shit, you're prettier in real life than you are in pictures." I blurted out without realizing, then blushed as everyone turned to stare at me. "Sorry," I said quietly, "I take it you know of Adrienne, Jakob and Joey then." Mark laughed, I nodded a little, "well, thank you. That's sweet, but who are you?" Adrienne asked politely, Billie walked over to her and pulled her towards us, "this Adie, is Steph. She's our extraordinary girl, for our new video." He smiled, I shook her hand, "sorry, but can everyone stop calling me your 'extraordinary girl' it's kinda weird." I said. Carl cleared his throat, "sorry, this is my friend Carl. Carl this is Billie Joe's wife, Adrienne, and their sons Joey and Jakob." I said, and everyone looked a mixture of impressed and freaked out. "Sorry, but I am a fan, I know stuff." I said smiling a little. Billie Joe's face lit up, "pop quiz." He yelled, "What?" I responded. "Well, you claim to know 'stuff' as you put it, let's test your knowledge." I shrugged, may as well get the awkwardness over and done with.
"What age are we?" he asked,
"Well, it's September, so Billie Joe and Mike are 34 and Tré is 33, the baby." I smiled, "and Joey is about eleven, Jakob nine, and I'm sorry but I don't know how old Adrienne is, but I know that you are older than Billie Joe." I said, looking at her, "well, a lady never tells, does she?" I smiled at her, and she smiled back.
"Okay, all correct. Let's see, random facts about me." Billie Joe said.
I cleared my throat, "youngest of six, born 17 February '72, green eyes, naturally reddish-brown curly hair, five foot six, married Adrienne in July '94... " a few minutes later I had rhymed off all the facts I knew about Billie Joe and Mike.
"Do me, do me." Tré yelled, I giggled a little, "you really shouldn't shout that, someone might take you seriously," I said winking at him, "okay, let's see, birthday is December ninth, two kids, Ramona and Frankito, originally Frank Edwin Wright the third, two siblings, married and divorced twice, weren't allowed to use cymbals when you were learning drums so after quitting lessons you stole some and use them like there's no tomorrow, used to set your drum kits on fire after concerts, oh and, went to clown college and lost a nut in a horrific unicycle accident. And can I say now, I think you have quite a knack for writing short catchy songs about masturbation and sex," I smiled. Everyone clapped and I stood up and took a bow, then fell into a fit of laughter.
"Can I ask how you know all of this?" Mike asked, a little nervous, "yeah sure, internet. Tells you everything." I smiled, "I'm not a stalker," I laughed. "Well, you seem to know more about us than we do, so now tell us the same amount of detail about yourself." Billie Joe smiled. So I did.
"Well, I'm seventeen, born 25th October '88. I have two brothers, two sisters, doing quite well at school, but I'm not really bothered about that. I've worked for him," I said pointing towards Carl, "for about three years, ahm, I am pretty normal, if not weird, I love all my friends like brothers and sisters. I am an atheist and have friends of almost all religions, I have one tattoo and two piercing, ears and belly button, ahm, that's pretty much it, unless you guys have any questions." I said and turned to face them, "Well," Billie Joe started, "that was good, we all know everyone now. I have no questions." He shrugged, "I've got one." Tré shouted, I giggled again, oh the double entendre's, he has no idea, "Yeah, shoot," I replied, "Can I see your tattoo?" I smiled and turned around and lifted my hair up exposing my neck, "it's only henna, I'm getting it done for real when I turn 18." I smiled. "What do the letters stand for?" Mike asked. The tattoo was a barcode with BJA. MD. TC written under it with a star at each end, "Well," I blushed and turned around to face them, "it's your initials." I smiled and they all did too, so it was okay.
