The writing bug has whacked me upside the head, and I can't stop writing now! While that may be good news for you (it means I will now write the sequel to Love Like Crazy!), it's bad news for me: my homework is piling up. I have two full books to read - by Monday. *Sigh* Why did I want to go to college again?
So this is the sequel to my most popular story, Love Like Crazy. If you would like a more comprehensive summary, it's at the bottom of my profile page. This will be a story about Brady's imprint, and her struggles with, well, becoming a good person, basically. Katie, Seth, and the other characters from LLC will make regular appearances, so you will see them again!
Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight. I never will. Hell, I don't want to own Twilight. I would be ashamed of my story-telling skills if that shit ever came from my pen. Katie, Lydia, all OCs, and the plot belong to me, though.
Also, I have never been in a house fire. I don't know what it's like. Everything I wrote came from pure imagination. If you think fires don't "happen that way", or people don't "react that way", or injuries don't "happen that way", I will say this once: I don't give a shit. It's fanfiction. Who the hell cares about what would "actually" happen? So please, don't correct me on this. I don't care.
After that incredibly long note, please enjoy the first chapter of Love Like Fire!
Lydia's POV
It was a typical Friday. It was raining in the small town of Forks on a dreary February afternoon. The high school cafeteria was crammed with students during lunch, all of them eating, laughing and talking, some doing all three at the same time. My table was packed with all of my friends, and Audrey was shining.
She was in her element, the perpetual center of attention. She was telling a funny story, laughing and flirting and being her ultra-sexy self. All of our guy friends were drooling over her, and her girl friends wished they knew how she did it.
I knew how Audrey did it, though – she was beautiful, she was smart, clever, funny, sexy, and an all-around popular girl. I didn't have her long, lustrous blonde hair. I didn't have her long, sexy legs that were a mile long. I didn't have her vibrant personality. I didn't have her stunning eyes or sultry pout. The only thing I had that even came close to Audrey was my fashion sense, and even then I didn't have Audrey's budget. She was just perfect.
I had hair that was such a dark brown it looked black. My skin was pale, my height and weight were average, and my personality was boring.
Okay, so watching Audrey being perfect gave me a complex. Could anyone blame me? I've been her best friend since kindergarten, and I've watched her be perfect for just as long.
"And then she burst out of the room, crying her eyes out! She hasn't come back to school since, can you believe it?" Audrey laughed, and everyone laughed with her.
"Wow, Ashley is so pathetic," Lindsey howled.
"Her parents will probably move because of it," I said snidely.
"Tch, they don't have the money to just up and move away," Audrey said. "She'll either get over it, which I totally doubt, or she'll switch to home school."
"Speaking of pathetic…" Lindsey started, looking over Audrey's shoulder.
Katie Carter was walking by with her tray of food – or, rather, an empty tray.
"It'll take more than that tiny salad to fix all that's wrong with that girl," I laughed.
"Like her clothes," Joanna said. "She looks homeless."
"No, she's just wearing hand-me-downs from her boyfriends on the rez," Audrey said. "Ten bucks says she's sleeping with at least three of them."
"Twenty says she's sleeping with them all," Lindsey sneered. "I mean, like, come on! Who else hangs out with only sex gods like them?"
"A giant slut," Ethan said, suddenly appearing behind me and Audrey, and squeezing between us to sit down. "With an equally giant vagina."
"Oh, Ethan, that's so gross!" Audrey said playfully.
"True, but gross," Joanna chimed in.
"Omg, I totally forgot to tell you guys!" Lindsey gasped. "My parents are going to Seattle for the weekend! We'll have the house to ourselves tonight, so bring the booze and the party animals!"
"Awesome," Ethan enthused. "I need to cut loose. This week has been, like, complete hell. I'll bring the little bit of Captain…"
Ethan sidled up to Audrey, nudging her side playfully.
The party plans went on for another half hour before the bell rang, and we headed to our respective classes. But Audrey pulled me aside before Biology.
"Lydia, you have got to be more subtle," she started. "I mean, at least try to breathe when Ethan is in the same room as you!"
Damn. I thought I was hiding my feelings pretty well. But when it comes to high school relationships, Audrey didn't miss much.
"Was I that obvious?" I cringed.
"No, I don't think he noticed. But that's the problem. He's not noticing you! We need a plan to get you two together," Audrey mused.
"Like what?" I asked skeptically.
"Like… I'll go out with Ethan," Audrey said excitedly. "Just for a few dates. Then, I'll break his heart. Smash it into, like, a million pieces. And there you'll be, the sweet best friend of the giant bitch who dumped him, showing him love and compassion and helping heal his wounded heart. Which will totally make him fall for you. It's foolproof!"
"I don't know…" I hesitated. The idea of Audrey going out with Ethan was like a knife to the heart, but if it meant he would be with me in the end…
"It'll work, trust me. I'll see you later," Audrey said, and rushed off to her class.
Two boring classes later, and we were finally free for the weekend. I was sooo excited for the party, I could barely contain myself. Like Ethan had said, I needed to cut loose and have a good time. My life was so stressed, I felt like I was being pulled in eighteen different directions.
My younger sister Amanda was waiting for me at my car, in her typical bad mood. She was dressed in nothing but black (which was nothing new) and her hair was a viciously bright pink (which was new). Her and her friends must have dyed it in the bathroom sink again.
She used to have such pretty blonde hair… then again, she used to be pretty in general until she went all emo and goth. I mean, she was wearing more eyeliner than Adam Lambert. And don't get me started on that godawful, floor-length black trench coat.
"Can we go already? I've been waiting forever," she snapped at me.
I didn't bother responding as I unlocked the doors of my Toyota Corolla. It was a late nineties model, but it was okay.
The drive home was silent. Neither of us said a word, and we couldn't play music because she didn't like pop, and I didn't like screamo death metal.
When we finally got home, she ran to her room. My mother was in the kitchen, staring at her laptop at the kitchen table.
"I finally spoke to your brother today," she said absentmindedly, not looking up from her computer. "He's doing well in Afghanistan. He said your father is doing well, too. They both send their love, and your father will be home in May."
"Thanks for the update, Mom."
"No problem, Mandy."
I cringed. That's the fourth time this week she's mistaken me for Amanda. It's starting to get old.
Two hours later, and I still couldn't decide on what I wanted to wear.
Well, I had spent an hour and a half of that time showering and styling my hair into big, loose curls. I hadn't put on any make-up yet, because I hadn't decided on what I was wearing.
This was a glorified high school kegger party, so my little black dress was too fancy. But jeans and a T-shirt weren't going to turn Ethan's head…
I was waiting for a spark of inspiration to strike while I leafed through my closet, but nothing came. Should I call Audrey for help? No, I needed to stop depending on her so much. She'll also direct me to something that isn't as cool as her outfit so she'll stand out. She's kind of self-centered that way.
Then the black sequined tank top caught my eye from the far corner of my closet. I held it up to a pair of deep, dark blue skinny jeans and bright red pumps. It was perfect. Why had it taken this long for me to figure out? The choice seemed so obvious now.
With my awesome outfit picked out, I decided I should get dinner before taking off. Drinking on an empty stomach is never a good idea.
I made a simple chicken dish that wouldn't leave a rotten smell in my mouth (I was brushing my teeth before I left, too). My mother never looked up. Every now and then she would mutter something about how my father better come home in one piece, or how my brother was stupid to join the Marines like my father. These bitter asides were commonplace from my mother.
After eating dinner, I quickly ran back upstairs to pack my overnight bag, do my make-up, and change into my party outfit.
By the time I was done, it was a little after seven o'clock, which meant it was time to head out. I threw my stilettos into my bag, and donned a baggy zip-up hoodie to hide my outfit from my mother. She didn't notice a lot, but even she wouldn't miss this.
As I opened the front door, I heard her call, "Lydia? Where are you going?"
"I'm going to Lindsey's house for the sleepover! I told you this a week ago, you said it was okay!" I yelled back. I never mentioned it, and she never said it was okay. She wouldn't remember.
"Oh, okay! Have fun, be safe!"
I rolled my eyes, threw my bag in the backseat, and sped out of the driveway towards Lindsey's house. It was sure to be a night to remember.
When I arrived, Lindsey's driveway was already packed with cars that I had often seen at the high school. It looked like half the school had shown up. Well, the cool half, anyway.
It was a good thing Lindsey's house was about half a mile away from the road and any neighbors. My car was shaking from the bass of whatever music they were playing. I couldn't help but get amped up.
I pulled off my hoodie, slipped my stilettos on, and got out of the car (I would get my overnight bag later).
High heels have a way of changing how you stand and how you walk. Your posture is better; your hips sway; you have a certain swagger that turns heads. It felt awesome, and it was a total confidence booster. I wasn't worried about Ethan noticing me anymore. How could he miss me? I looked good, and I wasn't afraid to flaunt it.
I walked through the front door like a rock star, stopping just a few feet in to take in the place. The front room had already been trashed, and was filled with partying teenagers, varying from tipsy to hilariously drunk. No one was wasted yet; the night was still young.
"Lydia, baby, looking good!" Ethan's friend Dustin called out. I just flashed him a winning smile.
The kitchen was the same as the living room. Teens were packed in, each chugging an alcoholic beverage of some kind. I found Lindsey quickly, as she almost ran into me.
"This party is off the hook! I amaze myself!" she giggled and hiccupped in my ear.
"I couldn't have done better myself," I told her.
She giggled again and went back to doing Jello shots with another girl from our grade.
I was starting to get impatient. I wanted Ethan to see me looking as good as Audrey for once.
Ethan was such a cool guy, so much more than everyone thought he was. He was kind, and generous, and fun-loving, and humorous, and so many other wonderful things I couldn't even begin to describe. And good-looking. Definitely good-looking. The way his dirty blonde hair fell slightly in his big brown eyes… it was enough to make any girl swoon.
After searching the den, and the upstairs bedrooms, I called it quits and decided to ask for help.
Dustin and about six other teens were playing King's Cup in the den, so I decided Dustin was drunk enough to not wonder why I was asking about Ethan (he would also be too drunk to remember tomorrow, too).
"Hey, Dustin," I greeted him with a big smile, knowing what a flirt he was.
"Hey, baby girl! You want in on this? We are getting messed up, if you know what I mean," he said with a dashing smile.
"Nah, thanks, but I'm looking for Ethan. Do you know where he is?" I asked playfully.
"Yep. He's in the office down the hall," he said, pointing (at least, trying to point) to the left.
"Thanks, Dustin! You're the best!" I said happily. Finally!
I tried to push away my nerves as I approached the office's door. After all, this was my big chance to finally get him to notice me. What was he doing in the office, anyway? Probably getting away from all the noise or something. Maybe we would even kiss tonight… Oh my god, insert girly squeal here!
I opened the office door, and immediately wished I hadn't. That I had remained ignorant of this painful, painful knowledge. The knife in my chest from earlier came back with a vengeance.
Ethan and Audrey were tangled together behind the desk, so all I could see was down to their waists. Which I should be eternally grateful for, because they were naked except for Audrey's black lacey bra. They were having sex.
I immediately backed up and closed the door. They had been so… preoccupied… they hadn't even noticed me.
My confidence shattered, and I felt hollow without it. The knife throbbed, not only because of the pain and betrayal, but the fact that I should have seen this coming. Of course Audrey was having sex with him already. That was what she wanted all along. I had wanted him… and she stole him just because she could.
Surprisingly, I wasn't that heartbroken from finding Ethan with another girl. The betrayal from Audrey went much deeper. I had thought she was my friend. I should have known Audrey was too selfish for true friendship.
I slumped onto a couch, not really feeling the party mood anymore. I just wanted to shrink into this sofa and disappear.
About an hour or two later, Lindsey appeared and slumped beside me. Her face looked slightly green, and she didn't look as happy as she had earlier.
"You feeling okay?" I asked, concerned.
She opened her mouth, but no simple "yes" or "no" came out. Only vomit. A lot of vomit.
It got all over the coffee table, the rug, the hardwood floors… if it was across from Lindsey at that moment, it had vomit on it. Including a couple of glaring girls.
I pulled Lindsey up and dragged her up the stairs – which was not as easy as it sounded – to the bathroom.
I held her curly hair out of the way while she puked her guts out. It took longer than I thought, but it was finally over in about fifteen minutes. We both slumped to the side, and Lindsey passed out on the tile. I sat against the wall, wondering what the hell I was doing here.
It's not like I was having fun. Far from it, actually. And tomorrow morning, I would have to help everyone with hangovers… and help clean up. After Lindsey's episode, that was so not happening. I would get Lindsey in bed, and take off. It was late enough; my mother wouldn't be awake. No one here would remember where I'd gone. Hell, they probably wouldn't even remember ninety-five percent of tonight.
I helped Lindsey up. She was already half asleep, but she was trying to help… sort of.
I could hear yells and screams coming from downstairs. Who knew what the hell was going on this time. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at their stupidity. I knew they were drunk, but I couldn't help but judge. It was probably just a spider, or rat, or something else that was stupid.
It took me a while to finally get Lindsey tucked into her bed. She looked so sweet and pretty when she wasn't puking all over the place.
People continued to holler and scream, but it was coming from outside now. Did they want to wake up Lindsey's neighbors? Or half the damn town?
I hopped down the stairs to get the hell out, but instead of being greeted by giggling drunks, I was greeted by a blazing conflagration. All of the furniture was on fire, everything looked like it was on fire. It didn't look like anyone else was inside, so I rushed back upstairs.
Lindsey hadn't moved, so I none-too-gently dragged her ass out of bed. The flames hadn't reached the stairs yet, so getting Lindsey down those was surprisingly easy. I think she realized something was wrong, and she needed to get out of the house. Facing death has a way of motivating people.
The living room was a different story. The smoke was suffocating. The furniture and parts of the rug were all on fire, so I grabbed a corner of the biggest rug, and flipped it over so it was now in half – thus smothering the fire on it, and leaving a path to the front door. I pulled Lindsey across as quickly as I could manage, and before I knew it, we were out the front door.
Joanna cried out in joy when she saw us, and rushed over to help. Ethan was suddenly by my side, and took Lindsey from me.
"Are you all right?" Joanna cried into my shoulder while she hugged me tightly.
"Yeah," I rasped. "Did everyone get out?"
Joanna didn't answer. Ethan looked around.
I looked around myself. I was pretty sure everyone that had been in the house was now out – except for a certain blonde.
"Where's Audrey?" I asked.
"Not out here," Ethan said simply.
I balked at his callousness. How could he talk about Audrey's life so meaninglessly?
"Don't look at me like that," he said defensively. "None of us can go back in there, or we'll die, too."
My anger at him could only grow. How could he just leave Audrey to die in there?
It was stupid. It was easily the stupidest thing I had ever done in my entire life. Audrey wouldn't have done it for me. She wouldn't want to mess up her hair. But I turned away from my friends to face the burning house – and ran back inside.
The smoke was even worse than before. I tucked my mouth into the crook of my arm, but it helped only so much. The path I had cleared earlier by flipping the rug was still clear – for the moment. I prayed it would last.
I ran through the hall. Thankfully, it hadn't filled with flames yet, but the smoke was even worse. I forced my way through the door into the office, where I had last seen Audrey. She lay face down on the floor, only a short skirt and a bra on. She was out cold, but from smoke inhalation or alcohol, I couldn't tell.
Needless to say, I tried to wake her, but she only murmured slightly before falling unconscious again. I gave up quickly, pulled her arm over my shoulders the same way I had with Lindsey, and pulled her to her feet.
I hadn't anticipated Audrey being dead weight. At least Lindsey had been semi-conscious and had tried to help me. I also hadn't anticipated how quickly the smoke would affect me. My throat was raw and my lungs were on fire. We had to get out, and we had to get out now.
It felt like forever, but I finally got us into the hallway. From there, I could see the front door – and I could see that it was closed, and blocked by the fire. I wanted to break down and cry, scream at the world for doing this to me, but I couldn't. Not yet.
I laid Audrey down in the hallway, and started kicking at the furniture that blocked our way to the bay window. It was huge, and we could easily jump to the front lawn through it. If I could get to it, of course.
The small end table had crashed out of the way as soon as I kicked it. The couch, however, was another story. Inch by inch, the small loveseat slowly moved away. I could feel my shoes starting to melt, could feel the heat through the cheap, fake patent leather, but I continued until the couch was out of our way enough to reach the window. I picked up a decorative paper weight, and threw it through the window. It created a hole the size of my fist – not even close to big enough.
This time, I picked up a plastic floor lamp, and started bashing at the window with it until there was a hole big enough for me and Audrey to fit through.
Then, there was an earth-shattering crash behind me. I turned around to find a bookcase had fallen on Audrey – a burning bookcase.
How it had fallen, I will never know. All I knew was that it was burning and crushing my friend.
I tried to push at it with my bare hands. The wood was so hot, my hands felt like they had been doused in boiling water. I sat beside it, and started shoving with my shoulder. The pain was still intense, but at least the bookcase was starting to move.
Audrey's body moved every time I slammed into the bookcase. I held onto her arm so she wouldn't move with the bookcase, but I knew every shove put her in more pain. My arm – I will never be able to describe the pain, the sheer agony that it was in. My throat and lungs only felt worse.
Finally, after what felt like hours, like days, the bookcase slammed into the floor, freeing Audrey. Her face and chest were an ugly red, but I couldn't stop to think about that now. I had to get us out.
"Are you still in there?" a loud, booming male voice came through the broken window.
"Yes!" I screamed as loud as I could. "Help us! Please!"
I pulled Audrey to the window, and pulled us up onto the ledge. One of the La Push gang was looking at us from a few feet away. He rushed forward, and held out his huge, muscled arms.
Without even pausing to think, I jumped, Audrey in my arms, into the boy. He caught us well enough, and though we crashed to the ground, he broke most of the fall.
Breathing in the clean air was the most beautiful thing I had ever experienced in this world. I gazed up at the night sky, fully aware that a few minutes ago I wasn't sure I would ever see it again.
"Are you okay? Talk to me!" the boy who had caught us was suddenly blocking my view, shaking my shoulders frantically. He looked terrified.
"I'm fine. How's Audrey? Is she okay?" I croaked. My throat felt like I had swallowed acid (my lungs felt like the acid was in them), and my vision was starting to swim as my adrenaline rush started to wind down.
"She's fine. The ambulance is almost here, don't leave me!"
I remember muttering, "I'm not… going… anywhere…"
After that, everything went dark.
So, that was about twice as long as I meant it to be (almost 4,000 words!), but I have a feeling you guys don't care. Does the story title make sense now? Because it still doesn't to me. Oh well. And that guy at the end is Brady (I wasn't sure how obvious that was).
For those who are new to my stories, I found that writing questions at the end of every chapter helps people write longer, more thorough reviews. It also solves the "I want to write something, but I don't know what!" quandry. First: Does Lydia seem like too much of a bully? I promise, she's going to grow out of that, but she does need to GROW. Second: What do you think of the premise of the story? Does it intrigue you? Make you want to scream, "Not another bad high school fanfic!"? Third: What did you think of the fire scene? And Ethan's asshole-ness? Isn't he a perfect asshole? Fourth: What are your predictions for where this story is going? Or suggestions?
Please review, and thanks for reading!