(You Were) the Last High.
1- Dammit, Janet.
I didn't even want to go to the dumb show. But, of course, Mom and Brad made me take Carly, because she was a princess.
Right.
"Mom. Seriously, I'll be the oldest person there." I groaned.
"What about parents taking their kids?" She raised an eyebrow at me. This was an argument I would surely lose.
"Exactly, mom. You should take her. It'd be a bonding experience!" I tried.
"You're not gonna win this one, Scarlet. I dislike them as much as you do," She grimaced, "Now, be a peach and hand me the olives I have in the fridge."
I obliged, handing her the small Tupperware container, then retreated to my room to have an all-out bitch fest to my boyfriend.
"I mean, seriously, do you think this is fair?!" I groaned while he lent a listening ear.
"Not a bit, Scarlet. But she's your baby sister, don't you think that you should spend some time with her before your off to university in a few months?" He reasoned. I grimaced.
He was always so good at finding a reason for everything. Like, he was Jesus or something. But, you know. I was banging him. And, you know. He's not actually Jesus. Just a good guy.
"I know, dammit, I know. Dammit, Janet!" I groaned. He laughed on the other line. "What?" I asked.
"I love when you say that. It's just so freaking cute, like you."
"Shut up." I laughed. My mom bellowed up the stairs announcing dinner was ready.
"I love you babe." He must have heard her.
"I love you too, talk to you later." I smiled, and hung up.
I really was lucky, to have Dustin in my life.
"Thank you Scarlet so much for taking me! You're my favoritist big sister ever!" Carly swooned as we ate dessert.
"I'm your only big sister, Car." I remided, and took a bite of pudding.
"I know, but, like, if I had others, you'd still be my favorite." She grinned her toothy ten-year-old-grin.
The thing about Carly and I was that we were only half-sisters. My dad left my mom when I was 6, and then she met Brad. A year later, they were married, and a year after that, they had Carly. Don't get me wrong, I adore Carly. She's the best little sister I could have asked for, had I asked for one at all. I was perfectly content as an only (and, ultimately, spoiled) child. Sometimes I just got pawned off to do insolent little tasks for her. Drive her to ballet, nag my teachers to buy some of her Girl Scout cookies, take her to Jonas Brothers concerts...Well, the last one was just this one time.
The fact that I can't really stand the Jonas Brothers seemed to slip everyone's minds whenever they bought the tickets for the front row (I don't even want to know how much those things cost) and assumed I'd go sit through three hours of boys tight pants sing about a girl named Mandy, or rip off songs by a band I used to respect (Year 3000, and What I Go to School For are both songs by Busted). So with that, being the nice big sister I have been for the past ten years, I reluctantly told my mom and step dad over dinner I would take her, but only on one condition.
"And what's that?" My mother grinned when I informed her of my stipulation.
"I want to take the BMW." I smirked.
"Out of the question." Brad said immediately.
"Well, then I suppose me taking her is out of the question." I shrugged, and took a sip of tea.
"Scarlet- " My mother warned. But it was too late. Carly caught on, and was now screaming. And boy, that girl could belt it out.
"MOMMY! I CAN'T MISS THIS! PLEASE, DADDY, LET SCARLET TAKE THE CARRRRRRRRRR!" She was screaming. And when Carly McCallister screamed, she got what she wanted.
"Now, Carly-" Brad started to say, but Carly wouldn't let him get a word in.
"LET HER TAKE THE CAR! I HATE YOU I HATE YOU I HATE YOU I HATE YOUUUUUUUU" More of Carly's screaming.
"FINE! Fine." Brad breathed. Her screaming suddenly ceased, and she brought her juice to her mouth as if nothing had happened.
"Thank you." I grinned, and mimicked Carly's actions.
Silver lining.
I woke up a week later on a Saturday, grumbling to myself about a waste of a good summer night. Sunlight flooded into my bedroom through the cracks of my blinds. I knew I should have closed the curtains. It was 10 AM, and too early to be getting up; for me at least. I could smell leftover bacon downstairs, which was a plus. Mom knew how I loved my bacon on a Saturday morning.
The house was always ridiculously cold, so I pulled my comforter around me tighter, sighing. Perfect day to spend in bed, finally getting a chance to watch all those back-episodes of Degrassi I'd recorded. Dustin would probably come over and watch it with me, never once complaining about how unrealistic it was, despite the fact he couldn't stand the show. We'd cuddle, with the door cracked, of course, even though I was now technically an adult.
But no. I was going to see the Jonas Brothers.
"Scarlet!" There was a sudden pounce onto my bed.
"Hey kid." I mumbled, poking my head out from the blanket.
"We have to leave in 7 hours."
"Really now?" I smiled. I loved how precise she could be. Most anal 10 year old I've ever met.
"Yes. I'm going to wear my blue jean skirt and my pink Nick Jonas tank top with my white flip flops. But I'll need you to put my hair in a cute pony tail, and paint my fingernails pink and yellow if you don't mind."
"No problem, Clare. Will you do me a favor though?" I asked.
"Yep."
"Bring me some bacon?" I grinned.
"No food upstairs, Mom said."
"Is mom here?"
"She left about 15 minutes ago."
"Then she doesn't have to know." I smiled.
Clare grinned maliciously, as if she were about to commit a tedious crime. She loved breaking rules.
"Shh!" She said, and snuck out of my bedroom, as if there was a reason to be sneaky. Mom and Brad had a company picnic to go to.
"Ouch!" Clare whined as I brushed a knot out of her blonde hair.
"Hold still!" I yelled as I twisted the pink elastic around the four-inch pony tail. She'd recently had a haircut.
"I am!" She said through gritted teeth. I smiled.
"All done."
"Thank you." She huffed, and ran to her room to get dressed. Her nails were probably dry by now.
I stood up, and walked to my closet. Pulling a pair of purple skinny jeans out, and a leapord print cami, I decided I'd go with the "scene" look.
I straightened my chocolate brown hair, and pulled it into a low side ponytail, leaving my bangs to swoop around my face.
My make-up was normally quite simple, and today was no exception. Some bright green eyeshadow, black eyeliner, mascara and hot pink matte lipstick, and I was ready.
"Clare?" I knocked on her bedroom door. It was 5:15, and normally she'd be having an aneurism since we were 15 minutes later.
"I can't find my shirt!" She squeeled. I opened her door, and sat on her bed.
"Where'd you last have it?" I asked.
"In my bottom drawer." She breathed.
"And did you check in there?" I smiled. She always overlooked little things.
"Of course I did. But I'll check again..." She mumbled, and walked slowly to her white dresser. She kneeled, and opened the bottom drawer, rummage a second, and pulled out a baby-pink tank top.
"It wasn't in there." She said, trying not to laugh at herself.
"Well, put it on." I smiled. She turned her back to me, pulled off her CheerAthletics tee, and slid the tank over her head. She brushed her ponytail, and turned to me.
"Well?" She asked hopefully.
"Nick Jonas, eat your heart out." I smiled, and she giggled.
After putting on her flip flops, she ran into my room, then back to hers, carrying my 3 inch leaopard print wedges.
"Wear these." She smiled.
"I was gonna wear my Converse." I shook my head.
"Please. We'll be the hottest ones there, but you have to wear these."
"Do you insist?" I smiled.
"I absolutely insist." She nodded.
"Well, if you insist..." I laughed, and slid them on my feet.
"Now let's go! We're gonna be late!" She jumped, and began to sprint down the stairs. I followed.
The keys to the Z4 were left on the counter, with a hand-written note from Brad-
Scarlet,
Hurt this car, and so help me God, I will hurt you. Not even kidding.
Have fun, drive safe!
-Dad
With Fall Out Boy blasting from Brad's Bose sterio system, I didn't hear Clare when she screamed to me that we passed the arena.
"What?!" I yelled back over the sounds of, You're Crashing, But You're No Wave.
"WE JUST PASSED IT!" She screamed.
I hit the breaks, and swung the car around, making a u-turn, and making Clare hold her breath. Everyone knew I was a horrible driver, I don't know why they trusted me with a 10 year-old's life.
"Sorry, jeez. Don't be so dramatic..." I grumbled while she caught her breath.
"What row are we in?" I asked her, as I eyed the ticket.
"Three. Close enough to see Nick's sweat." She swooned.
Ew. How was that hot? I mean, hot as in attractive. I get how sweat is temperature hot-
"Hurry up." Clare said, tugging my arm, and breaking me from my mental rant.
"Holy shit, there's like, 50,000 people here. All for them? Or is Jesus here too?" I mocked.
"I don't like when you cuss."
"I don't like when you nag."
Clare stuck her tounge out. I mimicked.
We entered the turnstilles, and then proceeded to the bar.
"Will you get me a bottle of water?" Clare asked as she fiddled with her pink Nikon CoolPix.
"Sure thing, sport." I grinned, and tousled her hair.
"Stop." She glared.
See? Anal as fuck.
"An Evian, and a Rolling Rock, bottle." I told the man at the bar.
"ID?" He asked, looking me up and down. I realized my top had slid down a bit, my cleavage now very noticeable.
"Do I look like a minor? I mean, come on. I've got a kid here, do you really think I can deal with this without booze?" I raised an eyebrow. Clare glared at me.
"I'm gonna pretend you showed me an ID. But don't let this get around." He grinned, and his hand brushed mine.
"Thank you babe." I grinned, and handed him my debit card.
I handed Clare her water, and took a swig of my beer.
"Mom's gonna kill you."
"Mom isn't going to know. Seriously Clare, I'm a grown-up. And it's just one. Be cool, kid." I smiled.
"Fine. But after that, no more, or mom will know." She said sternly.
"Ay ay, cap'n."
"What IS this?" I groaned as some teenaged girl with bad lipstick and a "beauty mark" pranced around the stage squeeling. I mean, it wasn't awful, but wasn't what I'd call great.
"Demi Lavatto. I love her." Clare smiled. The curly red-haired girl next to her smiled.
"Me too! Hi, I'm Rachel." She said in a squeaky voice.
"I'm Clare." Clare grinned. Good, now I don't have to pay attention, she's got carrot top to talk to.
They chattered on for the rest of the girls performance, and sang along. I really did enjoy seeing Clare having this much fun. She was too serious usually. With school, soccer, and cheer, she was always busy, and rarely had friends over. When I was 10, my best friend and I were absolutely inseperable. But, then again, Clare is more level-headed than me, and definately goal-oriented. She wants to be a Marine Biologist.
I sat in my seat as I texted Dustin back and forth during intermission, while Clare and Rachel shared the headphones to Clares iPod, listening to the Jonas Brothers, despite my argument they're going to ruin the surprise of their sound.
Suddenly, the lighting changed, and everyone began screaming. The three boys ran onto the stage, smiling, with more energy than I'd seen at most of the shows I'd been to combined.
Clare was right, they were kinda cute.
They opened up with a song called "Play My Music", as Clare informed me, and about half way through, I had stood up, and was dancing. And even more to my surprise, I was enjoying myself.
About four songs later, they exited stage for a wardrobe change, so I pulled my phone out of my purse to text Dustin back.
"Scarlet?" Clare tapped me.
"Yeah, bug?" I asked.
"Thank you for bringing me. I know you don't really like them." She smiled. I grinned.
"I'm having fun, Clare. You know I am." I kissed her forehead.
"THEYRE BACK!" Rachel screamed as the guys ran back on stage, jumping straight into a new song. Clare and I began jamming out again, she was singing the lyrics,and I was staring at the oldest, Kevin I thought. And I swear, I saw him stare back a few times.
"And now, for a special treat to the ladies, " The middle one said, Joe, Clare whispered in my ear.
"Something we don't normally do, but since this is such a great crowd," Nick, Clares love smiled.
"Three lucky ladies are gonna come be serenaded by us." Kevin grinned, and again, I swear, looked dead at me. Clare screamed at the top of her lungs. I giggled.
"You! With the pink top!" Nick pointed at my darling little Clare. Her jaw dropped.
"Go!" I yelled. She hurried into the isle, and was lifted over the gate by security, and then onto the stage, next to Nick, who she stared at like a lovesick puppy.
"Hmmm...How about you?" Joe pointed his mic to a blonde girl with MARRY ME JOE! written in face paint on her cheeks. She followed the same procedure as darling Clare, whos ponytail was being tugged by Nick.
"I think...Hmm...This is hard, you're all so beautiful. I'm gonna have to go with leopard print in row three." He smiled at me.
So I was right. He was staring at me.
I pulled off my shoes, and hurried to the gate, where I was lifted over it, and then Kevin himself helped me onto the stage, linked arms with me, and sat next to me on a small stairwell.
"Hi there." He smiled and said to me away from his mike. I grinned.
"Hey."
"Who wants us to sing to these pretty ladies?!" Nick screamed.
The crowd cheered, and then sat next to each of us. Myself on the stairs, Clare on a stool, and the blonde was standing. Joe stood next to her, and Nick sat on a stool next to Clares. Kevin plopped himself down next to me.
Called her for the first time yesterday
Finally found the missing part of me
Felt so close but you were far away
Left me without anything to say
Now I'm speechless
Over the edge and just breathless
I never thought that I'd catch this
Love bug again
Hopeless head over heels in the moment
I never thought that I'd get hit
With this love bug again
I can't get your smile out of my mind
I think about your eyes all the time
Beautiful but you don't even try
Modesty is just so hard to find
Now I'm speechless
Over the edge and just breathless
I never thought that I'd catch this
Love bug again
Hopeless, head over heels in the moment
I never thought that I'd get hit
With this love bug again
Kissed her for the first time yesterday
Everything I wished that it would be
Suddenly I forgot how to speak
Hopeless, breathless, baby can't you see
Now I'm…
Yahow!!
Now I'm speechless!
Over the edge and just breathless!
I never thought that I'd catch this!
Love bug again!
Now I'm hopeless, head over heels in the moment!
I never thought that I'd get hit!
With this love bug again!
Ohh oho
Love bug again
And despite the fact that their music was mediocre, but put on a great show, this song had my heart melting. It could have been the adorable curly haired boy singing it to me, and it could have been the one beer I had, although it was doubtful. Whichever the case was though, I didn't care, because I had this urge to just grab this Kevin Jonas boy's face and kiss him like i'm sure he'd never been kissed before, them being strong Christians and all. And maybe this Kevin Jonas, this boy who melted teen girls hearts all over the world, a boy who had all this money and fame, but still seemed to be down-to-earth, felt that same connection. Maybe.
But doubtful.
"These girls were terriffic!" Nick Yelled once the song was finished, and kissed Clare's cheek. She was practically pissing herself from the looks of it.
"Yeah they were!" Joe smiled nonchalantly, as the three of us girls were hoisted off the stage. I helped Clare back to our seats, because she couldn't stand properly.
The show went on, and the little giner kid next to Clare would not stop informing us how lucky we were, and how jealous she was. Her mother seemed a bit peeved too, especially at the fact that two people who knew each other were picked. It was "rigged" as she said.
But I still swore I caught him glancing at me at least 10 times.
At least.
"That was so great." Clare smiled as we walked out of the venue, through the crowds of young girls and bored looking boyfriends. We bought our shirts (yes, I did buy one. Sue me?)
"You sound exhausted." I giggled at her. She was never up past 10, and it was about 15 after 11.
"I am." She said softly, and leaned up against my side, and I wrapped my arm around her as we walked.
We arrived at the car, and i unlocked it with the automatic alarm thing, not finding the keys immediately. Clare climbed into the passenger seat, buckled herself, and fell asleep seconds later. I giggled to myself, as I dug around in my oversized purse for the Z4's keys.
30 minutes later, all of my purses contents were on the ground, and the parking lot was empty. My cell was dead, and I couldn't find the keys.
Brad was surely going to murder me.
"SHIT!" I screamed. Thankfully, Clare was asleep. She would be having a bigger tantrum than me.
"Looking for these?" I heard a voice behind me. I turned around, and saw the last person I'd ever expected to see.
