Dream A Little Dream Of Me, Sweetheart
Okay, I admit, though I didn't find the Jiberty ship entirely believable at times, I loved them dearly--it was a treat seeing Liberty get her fondest wish after all those years. And J.T. was like everyone's little brother, I cried BIG buckets of tears when he died. You could tell Ryan Cooley truly enjoyed playing the character, and losing him was like losing a member of the family. So here, finally, is my tribute to him, and to Liberty/Toby as well, who I think would be perfect together. It only makes sense, yes?
Chapter One
Ashley Kirwin looked around the room, dismayed. Her parents said she could have guys at the party, but were adamant on them not staying past 11, when the girls would have their sleepover. But the buckets of rain barrelling down outside had prevented anyone from leaving, seeing as everyone had either walked or taken the bus--or bummed a ride with Paige, who'd left hours ago, proclaiming the party a childish waste of her time. Figures she'd resort to snobbery. Marco had ridden with Paige, bringing a reluctant Ellie along with him. Ellie, her best friend, hadn't objected to coming, but to riding with Paige--who she'd never really gotten along with in the first place, but moreso now since Paige had dated her ex, Jesse. Ellie would've stayed, but she had a really big project due for her Psych class Monday and she'd wanted to finish, so she left when Paige did.
And now she was stuck with a house full of brooding guests. Jimmy was staring outside at the sheets of rain cascading down the window. Spinner had come with Jimmy after they'd shut down the store, and had actually behaved like an adult for once--until Paige had shown up, then left. He'd spent about 10 minutes sulking, then reverted to grade 9 antics to convince himself--and everyone else--that he didn't care about her having ignored him before she left. Most of the others blankly stared at the television or blankly plucked at bowls of snacks. Toby's friends were huddled in one corner of the rooom, but they weren't talking. Ashley sighed. It had been a while since J.T.'s death, but the wounds were still fresh, especially during supposedly festive occasions where the boy would've had everyone laughing at his antics. Toby himself sat on the staircase, staring hard at someone. Ashley didn't need to follow his gaze to know who the object of his attentions was. Liberty Van Zant sat next to some girl she didn't remember, one of Toby's friends, Ashley supposed, absently rubbing at her glasses with the hem of her shirt. The girl had fallen apart after J.T.'s death, and Ashley felt guilty for all the years she'd given her stepbrother and his best friend a hard time for being younger-brother jerks. She missed J.T. greatly even though they really hadn't been friends. He'd been a constant presence around the house, and now that presence was sorely missing. Ashley sighed again. This party sucked. Big time.