Chapter 9: Nuh-Uh.

Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Nuh-Uh.?

(A/N: I'm not sure if the Chapter is edited as I can't reach my editor lol. One more Chapter tonight, so gimme powerstones and recommend the story to a friend!)

A silver Mercedes convertible cruising down the road with 3 people inside it. Pepper as the driver, Cam who sat next to the driver, and Edward who sat alone at the backseat. Mitchell was following Pepper's car from behind in his Prius.

He needed to follow because the fabrics and outfits that Pepper bought for the kid was too much to be delivered in a single car. Pepper was too touched by the performance and he splurged on me even though I'd denied it repeatedly.

"Send me the notes and the lyrics. I will handle the copyright for you." Pepper offered casually.

"Peps. Seriously. This is too much. I couldn't let you do that." I widened my eyes, leaned forward to the driver's seat, and denied his good will again.

Cameron added, "Ed. You need to let him do that. Many people have videoed your song at the cafe before. If it falls into some washed up artist with bad intentions, they will steal your song. That's how good it is. So let Pepper do it. The sooner the better."

The reason Cameron didn't ride with Mitchell was just for this.

Pepper said while looking at the back mirror, "Don't worry kid. I won't charge you a thing. Just consider it my investments. Once you've risen higher than Britney, you can show that low-class skank what class really is."

I nodded unconsciously. Then, I got curious. "What's your problem with her anyway?"

"I did a party for her once. That booze-drenched dared to look down on me..."

While Pepper was storytelling, Mitchell in the other car was on a call with Haley.

"Uncle Mitchell, why did he have to come to MY house!" Haley yelled from the other line.

"Your dad is the one who invited him." Mitchell clarified. "Besides, it's only for one dinner. And Haley, he is a good boy. You need to treat him better. He reminds me of a young me and Uncle Cameron who..."

Unbeknownst to me, a deep misunderstanding would occur when I go to Dunphy's house tomorrow night.

"Edward, do you have any other song's you're working on?" Cameron asked inquisitively.

"I actually do. But it's not yet complete." I replied.

"Shame. If you did, I can send it to get your copyright together with the other songs." Pepper added.

I thought for a while before I replied, "I can finish it tonight. Why don't I give you my lyrics tomorrow after school?"

"Sure. I will send my lawyers to go pick it up." Pepper said. His lawyers were from a top law firm in Los Angeles, thanks to his rich family background. The lawyer team had been idle for a while, but still costing him money, which is why Pepper wanted them to settle the copyright for Edward's song.

"I will repay your generosity Pepper." I said.

"Don't bother kids. I want to bask in the feeling of becoming a hero to the young generation. That's enough repayment." Pepper said playfully while giggling with Cam.

Cam suddenly brought up a sore topic. "Who will you go to the dinner with?"

I frowned and replied curtly, "By myself I guess."

Seeing Edward staring at the road with a dissatisfied look on his face as they drove him home, Pepper and Cam smiled mischievously.

"Boy, you really hate getting forced to do things huh." Pepper teased.

"You know what, it's just one dinner. You and Haley need to mend the friendship between you two. It will be hard, but it is necessary." Cam added.

"...Why? It's not like I'm friend with her before, nor did I want to become friends with her afterwards." I replied.

Cam opened his mouth a few times, but the words didn't come out. Pepper nodded at the kid's statement and said, "That is true. There is absolutely no gain for you to go there, right?"

"...I feel like you're building up to something, so I'm going to wait until you finish all of your sentences first."

"Have you thought about how you're going to go to the cafe on Thursday night? I'm busy, Mitchell and Cameron will be in Vietnam, and your dad is working till late on Thursday night. Sooo?" Pepper smiled and asked although he already knew the answer.

After I checked the amount of money I received from today's impromptu concert, I'd accepted the cafe owner's invitation despite Pepper's protest to play at the stage. I received 150 dollars for just two songs, and they promised me an one hour slot to play on the stage, and also 500 dollars as payment.

'I will use the money to buy a laptop. Only then would I rest easy.'

As I was adamant about it, Pepper sighed and negotiated my time slot at 9 pm sharp. I also had to promise him to go back home directly after the concert and he even got the cafe owner involved in the deal so I couldn't dawdle and stay till late at the cafe.

'I don't think that Pepper would act this way. I guess his experience in being a dad before resurfaced today.'

For those who had just known Pepper, it would be impossible for them to know that he has had a family before this. His son is now a Navy SEAL, and a bit estranged with his dad.

Claire nodded in agreement, "That's true."

"Who is Kenneth?" Cam asked, demanding the full story. "Also, what happened to his mother? How could she abandon him like that?"

While the 'ladies' were gossipping, Phil was trying hard to convince Haley about the dinner with Edward tomorrow.

"Just come down, say you're sorry, and tell him you've forgiven him. I won't force you to talk to him if you don't want to. Which is a waste because he's a really great guy, don't you think?"

Haley rolled her eyes as Phil kept talking. Even the phone couldn't distract her from Phil's consistent yammering.

"FINE!" Haley said in defeat.

"If you're done, can you leave? Some of us want to study." Alex chimed in from her desk. She was studying before Phil walked in and had to stop as Phil's rapid fire words distracted her.

"Ahh..I'm going." Phil said and stood up from Haley's bedside. "Alex, you're going to like that guy. He's also smart. Maybe you guys can be friends after this." Phil added.

"Please. None of Haley's friends will be a 'smart' one." Alex said sarcastically.

Haley opened her mouth to tell her about Edward, but then she smiled mischievously and decided to watch how the whole thing would play out.

'I wonder how she will feel when the boy who confessed to her comes to dinner tomorrow.' Haley thought.

...

Edward POV

The day started as usual. I made some sandwiches for today's lunch after breakfast. The lawyers came to the school and picked up the songs from me. After confirming with Pepper, I signed a few documents and allowed Pepper to handle the copyright for the music.

This was, of course, after the lawyers received my father's signature.

As Cam expected, many videos about me singing had popped up on Youtube, and I basically became famous in school overnight. I am however, still a loner as I exude some aura that made other children feel uncomfortable with...I guess.

Jason, the chubby potato kid was the only one who spoke to me, and shockingly, he knew how to play the drums. I invited him to my home for a jamming session after school. He will text me after he receives permission from his parents if he could come.

Mrs. Henderson called me into her classroom before the day ended.

"Mr. Newgate. You're here." Mrs. Henderson said. She wore a yellow blouse and a black long skirt today, looking as pretty as ever.

"Hello Mrs. Henderson. If you want my signature, I haven't created one for my fans yet." I joked.

".... That's nice. However, I call you here to talk about something else. Your dad called this morning to discuss the matter of you transferring to Wisconsin."

"Ah, that. What about it?" I asked curiously.

"So, you already know about it... There is, however, unfortunate news for you. Without passing all of your exams, you won't be able to graduate middle school this year."

"I see. But I can graduate if I pass all right?"

Mrs. Henderson looked at me in contemplation.

"Yes. Despite your previous performance, you can graduate if you receive at least a C on every subject other than history. For history, you need to get at least a B. I advised you to get a tutor to help you with it as soon as possible. I could help arrange one for you if you want. "

I thought for a while, and decided to reject the offer. "It's okay Mrs Henderson. I can get A's in all subjects by myself."

The teacher shook her head in pity. The door opened for the second time, and a glasses -wearing 7th grader walked in.

"Alex. You're here." Mrs Henderson greeted her with a smile, unlike the way she greeted me - cold and emotionless.

"Hi Alex." I waved my hand at her. She scoffed and placed a thick stack of paper neatly on Mrs. Henderson's table.

"I'm sorry Alex, the extra-credit for tutoring had to be rearranged." Mrs. Henderson said.

"Hmm?" Alex turned to me and then the teacher. She breathes in relief inwardly, as she didn't think that Mrs. Henderson would pair her with me.

"Ohh." I exclaimed in understanding. However, I didn't regret my decision.

"Okay then, see you tonight Alex." I said before I walked out of the classroom.

"Tonight?" Both teacher and student there tilted their heads in confusion after hearing my words. I smirked as I walked away. After a jamming session and outfit creation, finally it's time for dinner.