Anything But: The Musings of an Outcast, Me, Razberry Sweet: Razberry Sweet, #1

By Megan Linski

Seventeen-year-old Raz uses his gift for acting to hide the truth of who he really is. After being a target for the bullies at his high school, he's sworn that this year, he's going to reinvent himself. Instead of the shy theater geek he's always been, he's decided to portray a new identity as a local celebrity. Getting noticed in a small town is difficult, especially when you've got Raz's reputation— because last summer gave him a secret to hide.

 

Video camera in hand, Raz decides to make a movie that'll put him in the spotlight, working together with the biggest misfits, outcasts, and rebels the school can put together. As Raz's misadventures continue, he discovers fitting in and finding himself is scarier than navigating his first kiss.

But keeping up an act is harder than it looks, and Raz is about to learn that accepting who you truly are is better than putting on a mask.

 

A coming-of-age high school contemporary novella, Anything But is a young adult story about self-love that's funny, touching, and full of friendship. The first book in the Razberry Sweet series.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Megan Linski
• Release date: Jan 16, 2018
• ISBN: 9798201951221

Megan Linski

Megan Linski is the owner of Gryfyn Publishing and has had a passion for writing ever since she completed her first (short) novel at the age of 6. Her specializations are romance, fantasy, and contemporary fiction for people aged 14-24. When not writing she enjoys ice skating, horse riding, theatre, archery, fishing, and being outdoors. She is a passionate advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention, and is an active fighter against common variable immune deficiency disorder. She lives in Michigan. Megan Linski also writes under the pen name of Natalie Erin for the Creatures of the Lands Series, co-authored with Krisen Lison.

Book preview

prologue

June 7 - Tinyork High School

Just one more day, I think to myself. I keep my head down and dodge all the seniors in their letter jerseys, the cheerleaders hanging on their arms, not looking at the band geeks or the goths or the nerds milling about in the cafeteria. Just one more day, and I have a whole summer away from this hellhole.

I don’t want to be here. I would rather douse myself in lava then spend one more hour in the Tinyork High School cafeteria, but I have no choice. I try to remain as invisible as possible while heading toward my usual empty table in the back, which is thankfully tucked into a corner that no one notices.

It’s so embarrassing sitting by yourself everyday. I consider eating lunch in the bathroom again, but rule that idea out immediately. I can only do that so many times before one of the jocks will catch me, and then I really won’t hear the end of it.

I’m a sophomore this year, and it’s been awful getting through it. I can’t imagine wasting two more years here, at a place where I learn nothing and am treated worse than.

Just keep your eyes forward, I think. Don’t look at anything and don’t talk to anyone. Just one more day.

Hey, Moldy! a voice cries out. What’s the hurry?

I hold back a groan. Of course. Why not? This is their last day to pick on me for the year, and they aren’t going to let me get away without making sure I’m completely miserable.

Moldy! I’m talking to you! the voice says again.

The biggest asshole of the school, Cayman Markie, steps in front of me and blocks the path to my table. His trained apes surround me, and the cafeteria goes quiet. Even though Cayman torments me everyday, apparently it only gets more entertaining, because the whole school always stops to watch.

I partly blame myself. It’s too easy to pick on me. I have no friends. Honestly, who would want to be friends with someone who listens to show tunes on the bus and memorizes Broadway plays on Saturday nights, instead of getting drunk like the rest of them?

My biggest dream is to be an actor. I tried so hard to conceal that secret throughout the year.

But Cayman could smell people who were different, and he’d made sure everyone knew what a freak I was for wanting to memorize lines instead of throw a ball around.

Like he’s doing right now.

I glance upward. What do you want, Cayman?

I just wanted to say goodbye. He smiles, and his friends laugh. Summer starts tomorrow. I want to make sure you remember me.

I could never forget you, Cayman, I say bluntly. Personally, I’m surprised you’re graduating this year. I thought for sure they’d have to hold you back.

The crowd gasps. Cayman’s smile falls. I can’t help it. If he’s going to bully me on the last day, I might as well go out with a bang.

I’m really tired of never sticking up for myself. Time to fight back.

Cayman takes a step forward. "Did you really say that, Mildfred?"

Inwardly, I wince. Why did my parents have to choose such a shitty name?

It’s old world and traditional, my mother sniffs inside my head.

Right. Like that helps me now.

I look down at my tray and say, I just want to eat lunch. Give me some peace.

"Give you a piece?" Cayman says, laughing. He grabs the slice of raspberry cake I have on my tray and says, Sure, if that’s what you want.

He shoves it in my face. The icing smears all over the side of my cheek and falls limply to the floor with a splat.

Cayman lets out a loud laugh and says, "Huh? You like that? You like that, Razberry Sweet?"

How cute, Cayman. A pun on my last name, I say dully. Maybe if I pretend I’m a robot and don’t have any feelings, he’ll leave me alone.

It’s unlikely.

I don’t think he heard me! Cayman says. He turns in a circle. He picks up another piece of cake off of some guy’s plate and smashes it onto my forehead. Let’s hear it for Razberry Sweet!

The jocks in the circle start throwing their food at me, grunting and hooting. Cayman pushes me into a collection of chairs. I slam against the floor, trying to cover my head. Soon, the entire cafeteria has me surrounded in a circle. They’re pelting me with cake. The frosting is coating my clothes, my hair, everything. They’re chanting, Razberry Sweet, Razberry Sweet!

I don’t know why, but I can’t think of anything except how awful it is they’re wasting so much food.

Then… someone speaks up.

I know this is a marvel idea for you, Cayman, but why don’t you pick on someone whose brain is the same size as yours?

At the voice, I dare to look up. Bethany Cade. She lives with her grandparents on the wrong side of town, and anyone can tell you she’s trouble. She spends more time in the principal’s office than she does in class.

She has stark blonde hair covered in a black skater’s cap, and is wearing black baggy pants with chains on them. There are about a million rubber bracelets on her arms. She’s only fifteen, but she already has a lip piercing and a nose ring. I heard a rumor she even has a tattoo. She’s a sophomore, like me.

Even I know well enough to stay away from her. So why is she challenging Cayman?

The cafeteria freezes. The name calling stops. Bethany pushes her way past the jocks and kneels by me.

Oh, that’s right, Bethany says, glaring up at Cayman. You can’t pick on someone with the same size brain because finding another moron like you would be completely impossible.

Stay out of this. It’s none of your business, Cayman sneers.

It damn well is my business when you’re turning the cafeteria into a fucking zoo, she shoots back.

She helps me to my feet and whispers, Are you okay?

I’m fine, I mumble back. I’m so embarrassed.

Cayman points and says, "You need girls to stick up for you now? What a loser."

Bethany raises an eyebrow. I’m pretty sure me and my ovaries could kick your ass any day.

You’re asking for it, Cayman says, and he cracks his knuckles.

Who’s gonna hurt me? You and your frat boy clone army? Bethany asks, and she lets out a loud laugh.

Cayman starts toward her, raising a fist. Unflinching, Bethany pulls a switchblade from her pocket.

Cayman leaps back. The jocks cower against each other as the blade glints in the light. Nobody makes a move.

That’s what I thought, she says. She pockets the knife, turns on her heels arrogantly and walks away. Under her breath, she mutters, They’re always little bitches once you stand up to them.

You aren’t going to get away with this, Cade, Cayman threatens. You can’t have a knife on school grounds. I’ll tell the principal and you’ll be expelled the second he sees you.

"Oh boo hoo. Being banned from this place forever? That’s such a punishment," Bethany says, rolling her eyes.

She jerks her head at me. Come on. Let’s go.

Even though I have no connection to Bethany whatsoever, I follow her. All eyes are on us as we leave the cafeteria. Bethany kicks her locker and falls against it with a sigh.

What a jerk, she says, shaking her head. "I knew he wasn’t going to do anything to me. He doesn’t have the balls."

She looks my way. I don’t actually know you. I’ve never seen you before. I usually skip lunch.

Don’t feel bad. Nobody knows me, I say, and I shrug. I try to stay out of sight.

Well, that’s the problem, she says. You don’t have a reputation. You need to make a name for yourself.

I’m just trying to blend in, I say meekly. Being invisible is the only way to stay safe.

She glances at me, biting a nail. You need to be somebody, even if it’s a lie. Don’t give a damn who they are. That way, they can’t hurt you.

She holds out her hand. I’m Bethany, by the way.

I stare at her outstretched hand before an idea pops into my head. Razberry Sweet, at your service. I grab her hand and shake it with a smile, before giving her a low bow.

You don’t have to call yourself that. Those guys were assholes, Bethany says quickly.

No, I insist. As weird as it sounds, I kinda like it. Sorta... gives me power over them, I guess. I’m taking an insult they used against me and wearing it as my armor. That way, they can’t hurt me.

She gives me a look that suggests I’m slightly insane. "You can’t really expect me to call you Razberry."

Just call me Raz, I say, liking how quickly the name clicks in my head. Anything’s better than Mildfred.

Bethany smiles. Well, Raz, she says, and she spreads her arms out wide. Welcome to the best summer of your life!

chapter one

September 6 - Limesville, Connecticut

Raz! Razzie, get up!

I flinch and pull away as somebody shakes me. My six-year-old cousin Mitzy hits me across the shoulder in a pointless attempt to get me out of bed.

I moan and pull the covers over my head. Needless to say, I’m not a morning person.

Wake up, Raz! she shouts again. She starts jumping on the bed. It’s the first day of school!

Go away, you little menace. Get your gang and terrorize somebody else, I grumble.

If you don’t move it your butt’s gonna miss the bus. And since we all know you can’t drive yet…

All right, all right, I’m up! I shout. My family’s never going to let me live it down, are they. In the darkness of my dreams, I’d forgotten everything.

Of course my permit is suspended. Could I forget why?

Mitzy smiles. She’s a little terror— a pigtailed brunette with large, pale-blue eyes. She looks like an innocent kitten, but her disposition is one of a saber-toothed tiger.

Once