Friendship.
Jareth sat upon his throne, wondering if any other silly little girls would wish away their little brothers or sisters. He enjoyed his little game very much, and had learned that creating himself a myth on earth was as good a way to attract potential "visitors" as any. He was a sadist, in a way, even if he had to wait for the girls to ask. And it was ever so boring waiting for them. Some people he knew though were worth waiting for.
Carol and Emily were really quite silly. They laughed at almost anything, cried at everything else, and fancied almost anything in leather trousers and a trenchcoat. They were easily excited, very giggly, but they had found themselves a slice of happiness in each other's friendships that very few other people could boast of. They were very important to each other. They often played some very silly games, even though at 16 years old they really should have grown out of it. Their philosophy on life would have been the envy of many great minds, even though it was so very personal and changed slightly occasionally. They had short and long lasting teenage obsessions, like any teenage girl, and, like any teenage girl in the real world they were not the most gorgeous people in the world. Despite the understanding of most teenage girls, however, Carol and Emily knew that this was not the be all and end all of everything. They were both very special though, and very beautiful to the right eyes. Beauty is measured beyond the clearness and symmetry of the face. One of the silly games they liked to play was focused on the characters they had seen on a film. The Labyrinth was one of their teenage obsessions, which they both believed they would grow out of by the time they left for university, if such a thing ever happened. They dreamt of a Goblin King that came in the night, who was a perfect gentleman, if rough, and who loved them very much. This should have ruined their friendship through jealousy, were it not for the deep knowledge of both of them that such a character did not exist. They occasionally wished themselves or each other away, finding the whole process hilariously amusing.
Unfortunately life wasn't fun when they were at school. To be accepted in a school is a difficult job for any teenager, and if you're different in any way to what is accepted and fashionable at that point in time, then chances are you'd be hassled about it. Carol and Emily were David Bowie fans, and at their school this piece of information was the ticket others used to mess up their lives. They were constantly picked on, played tricks on and subjected to annoying jokes about them. Although there was never too much harm being caused, it was enough to hurt, but really it caused more anger than pain. After a particularly bad day at school, they went to Emily's house and talked about the day's events. The more they talked the more angry they felt, and upset as well. 'I don't understand this,' Emily told Carol. 'We've never done anything to upset anyone.' Carol smiled at Emily, 'Don't worry,' she replied. 'As long as we're together we'll be OK. You know we're strong when we're together.' They both smiled and sat, lost in their own thoughts. 'I wish Jareth would hurry up and take us away,' Carol grinned, 'at least then we'd be away from all of this. Shame he doesn't actually exist.' 'It's worth another try,' Emily replied. 'Come on.' So once again the girls called on the goblin king, rephrasing the sentence, changing names round, wishing each other away, then themselves, and still nothing was happening.
Eventually they gave up in the realisation that it was quite pointless. They sat back down and just thought to themselves, thoroughly depressed by their lives, and wishing there was more justice.
From his realm Jareth watched the two girls. Neither of them really believed in his existence. They didn't have any real faith in him. Jareth felt slightly angered at this, the thought that he was merely something to giggle and laugh about. He was more than that. He'd show them. He watched as they sat back defeated and lonely at their attempts. He thought them slightly pathetic. He wasn't going to pluck them out of their lives at that very moment just because they requested it. He didn't follow anyone's orders. Of course he'd come and take them eventually, but when the time was right. Besides, it was quite amusing watching their lives take course. They were strong together, and Jareth looked forward to seeing what would happen when they were separated. Separation would break them down. And of course, they both shared that same weakness: him
Jenna Hapson had been planning this all week. Emily arrived in school a few minutes before Carol. She sat in her usual seat as far away from Jenna Hapson and co as she could, not wanting a confrontation. She heard a few giggles from the crowd, but decided they were just being their usual pathetic selves. Then Carol arrived and it was registration.
The first lesson that day was French; in which a class of 32 was crammed into a room where 28 was a squeeze. Carol and Emily sat together as usual with their good friend Collette just in front of them. To their surprise and great discomfort, Jenna Hapson and one of her nameless faceless followers sat right behind them. For no apparent reason Hannah stood up and walked to the front of the room, absentmindedly knocking Carol's pencil case to the floor. "Well excuse us!" called Emily to the back of the trendy. "Don't worry," said Carol sighing. She leant over to retrieve it, but it was gone. She sat up confused but as Madame Carpentier entered the room she was too shy to make a fuss. Part way through the lesson one of Jenna Hapson's nameless faceless followers asked to go to the toilet. Thirty seconds after she had left the room the fire alarm went off. The class trooped out to the playground with Madame at the lead. While waiting to be let back in, Carol noticed a group of Jenna's followers sneak out from the bushes at the side of the playground. They instantly joined the rest of the gang, and they all giggled in unison. The Head gave a speech on showing your friends your brave enough to stand up for your crimes, not just commit them, and then allowed everyone back into the school.
The lesson was long and dull and grammar related. Everybody was pleased when it was over. Carol was very fed up because no one had yet returned her pencil case. Emily picked up her bag and brought it to her lap. She recognised Carol's pencil case immediately. She sighed at the stupidity of the idiots who had thought that funny, and picked it up to return to her friend. She realised that the outside of the pencil case was lined with chewing gum, and was stuck down to her bag. It was disgusting and she was suddenly very, very angry and felt very sick.
"You stupid Bitch!" she shouted at the smirking Jenna Hapson, and grabbed her stuff and stormed out, followed by Carol and Collette. They stopped in the toilets where they tried to wash away some of the gum, and Carol generally told everyone not to stress. "They're just a load of stupid girls," said the level-headed Collette, "You're above them" "That's what everyone says," snapped Emily. "Sorry," said Colette. "No, it was just me being annoying. I'm sorry." Colette gave her a hug to show there were no hard feelings. After a second Carol joined in. Nothing needed to be said; they all knew what each other were thinking. "Look," said Collette "I'm gonna explain to Madame Carpentier what just happened. She's probably really confused." "OK" said Carol. They watched her go, all their thoughts flying through their heads in a random order. Only one stayed. "He's such a sadist!" said Carol. "Yeah he could have taken us away before all that happened," said Emily. They both laughed shyly. "I know," said Carol, "It's half term soon, let's book a holiday." Emily laughed loudly. "No, you can get really cheep ones last minute." "Yeah, but you never know where you're gonna end up." "So? Take a chance. I've got something like £300 spare in savings. We could find somewhere for that." "OK" said Em, after a pause "but I can't go above £150." "£200?"
"Ok but I won't have any spending money!"
To the girls surprise they shortly found themselves on an aeroplane to Cyprus. They were gonna be staying in a four star hotel, but they had to leave the day after they bought the tickets. They were amazed at the hotel - it was beautiful, and the staff were so helpful, though they soon became far less helpful when they realised that the girls had no money to tip. Dinner was not included in the price, so the girls tended to eat at cheaper places, but saved for dinner at the hotel's impressive on the middle day of the holiday. The waiter sat them at a bit of a crummy table, the news of the two broke English girls having spread quickly, and the girls looked around at all the rich people eating their dinner. They noticed a rather bizarre man sitting at an empty table, which should have been big enough for more than ten people. They recognised him instantly but couldn't quite believe their eyes. Eventually Carol whispered "Em, Em, Is that Mike Garson?!" "I'm not sure," she answered, "but there's only one way to find out!" She stood up leaving Carol to look around embarrassed and bewildered as she watched her friend approach her idol's famous pianist. Then she followed her. "Excuse me, are you Mike Garson?" "Who wants to know?" came the answer. "Two of his biggest fans!" Em shot back, trying to look lovable. "Well yes I am," he answered. "Wow," said Carol. "Er, could we have your autograph? We think you're the best pianist in the world." Mike Garson appeared sufficiently flattered by this and obliged. Em and Carol were about to leave completely thrilled when he said, "You don't fancy coming to a party tonight do you? I mean we're running a bit short on women at the moment. David doesn't have as many groupies as he used to." He laughed. "David Bowie's gonna be there?" "Yeah. He's paying for it." "Are you being serious?" asked Carol, thinking it to good to be true. "Yep. It's in here later tonight. Then it will probably work its way upstairs." He laughed again.
"We'll be there." They forgot about dinner and made a hasty retreat to their rooms. Carol and Emily immediately got to work on making themselves look beautiful. Just before they were about to leave, Em decided to ring Collette to tell her the great news. After a few rings Collette answered. Emily said "Hi," and then the phone went dead. "Hello," she said. "Beeep" the phone replied. "That's strange," said Emily, looking at Carol, when suddenly a crash of thunder made them both jump. They giggled at this silly reaction, but suddenly broke off when they heard a crashing at the window. They looked out and saw an owl seemingly trying to get in. There was a knock at the door, which made them both turn. Then the window flew open and the girls screamed and froze. A tall figure appeared at the window, and they both screamed again. They ran for the door and opened it and ran through to where the hall should have been.
Jareth sat upon his throne, wondering if any other silly little girls would wish away their little brothers or sisters. He enjoyed his little game very much, and had learned that creating himself a myth on earth was as good a way to attract potential "visitors" as any. He was a sadist, in a way, even if he had to wait for the girls to ask. And it was ever so boring waiting for them. Some people he knew though were worth waiting for.
Carol and Emily were really quite silly. They laughed at almost anything, cried at everything else, and fancied almost anything in leather trousers and a trenchcoat. They were easily excited, very giggly, but they had found themselves a slice of happiness in each other's friendships that very few other people could boast of. They were very important to each other. They often played some very silly games, even though at 16 years old they really should have grown out of it. Their philosophy on life would have been the envy of many great minds, even though it was so very personal and changed slightly occasionally. They had short and long lasting teenage obsessions, like any teenage girl, and, like any teenage girl in the real world they were not the most gorgeous people in the world. Despite the understanding of most teenage girls, however, Carol and Emily knew that this was not the be all and end all of everything. They were both very special though, and very beautiful to the right eyes. Beauty is measured beyond the clearness and symmetry of the face. One of the silly games they liked to play was focused on the characters they had seen on a film. The Labyrinth was one of their teenage obsessions, which they both believed they would grow out of by the time they left for university, if such a thing ever happened. They dreamt of a Goblin King that came in the night, who was a perfect gentleman, if rough, and who loved them very much. This should have ruined their friendship through jealousy, were it not for the deep knowledge of both of them that such a character did not exist. They occasionally wished themselves or each other away, finding the whole process hilariously amusing.
Unfortunately life wasn't fun when they were at school. To be accepted in a school is a difficult job for any teenager, and if you're different in any way to what is accepted and fashionable at that point in time, then chances are you'd be hassled about it. Carol and Emily were David Bowie fans, and at their school this piece of information was the ticket others used to mess up their lives. They were constantly picked on, played tricks on and subjected to annoying jokes about them. Although there was never too much harm being caused, it was enough to hurt, but really it caused more anger than pain. After a particularly bad day at school, they went to Emily's house and talked about the day's events. The more they talked the more angry they felt, and upset as well. 'I don't understand this,' Emily told Carol. 'We've never done anything to upset anyone.' Carol smiled at Emily, 'Don't worry,' she replied. 'As long as we're together we'll be OK. You know we're strong when we're together.' They both smiled and sat, lost in their own thoughts. 'I wish Jareth would hurry up and take us away,' Carol grinned, 'at least then we'd be away from all of this. Shame he doesn't actually exist.' 'It's worth another try,' Emily replied. 'Come on.' So once again the girls called on the goblin king, rephrasing the sentence, changing names round, wishing each other away, then themselves, and still nothing was happening.
Eventually they gave up in the realisation that it was quite pointless. They sat back down and just thought to themselves, thoroughly depressed by their lives, and wishing there was more justice.
From his realm Jareth watched the two girls. Neither of them really believed in his existence. They didn't have any real faith in him. Jareth felt slightly angered at this, the thought that he was merely something to giggle and laugh about. He was more than that. He'd show them. He watched as they sat back defeated and lonely at their attempts. He thought them slightly pathetic. He wasn't going to pluck them out of their lives at that very moment just because they requested it. He didn't follow anyone's orders. Of course he'd come and take them eventually, but when the time was right. Besides, it was quite amusing watching their lives take course. They were strong together, and Jareth looked forward to seeing what would happen when they were separated. Separation would break them down. And of course, they both shared that same weakness: him
Jenna Hapson had been planning this all week. Emily arrived in school a few minutes before Carol. She sat in her usual seat as far away from Jenna Hapson and co as she could, not wanting a confrontation. She heard a few giggles from the crowd, but decided they were just being their usual pathetic selves. Then Carol arrived and it was registration.
The first lesson that day was French; in which a class of 32 was crammed into a room where 28 was a squeeze. Carol and Emily sat together as usual with their good friend Collette just in front of them. To their surprise and great discomfort, Jenna Hapson and one of her nameless faceless followers sat right behind them. For no apparent reason Hannah stood up and walked to the front of the room, absentmindedly knocking Carol's pencil case to the floor. "Well excuse us!" called Emily to the back of the trendy. "Don't worry," said Carol sighing. She leant over to retrieve it, but it was gone. She sat up confused but as Madame Carpentier entered the room she was too shy to make a fuss. Part way through the lesson one of Jenna Hapson's nameless faceless followers asked to go to the toilet. Thirty seconds after she had left the room the fire alarm went off. The class trooped out to the playground with Madame at the lead. While waiting to be let back in, Carol noticed a group of Jenna's followers sneak out from the bushes at the side of the playground. They instantly joined the rest of the gang, and they all giggled in unison. The Head gave a speech on showing your friends your brave enough to stand up for your crimes, not just commit them, and then allowed everyone back into the school.
The lesson was long and dull and grammar related. Everybody was pleased when it was over. Carol was very fed up because no one had yet returned her pencil case. Emily picked up her bag and brought it to her lap. She recognised Carol's pencil case immediately. She sighed at the stupidity of the idiots who had thought that funny, and picked it up to return to her friend. She realised that the outside of the pencil case was lined with chewing gum, and was stuck down to her bag. It was disgusting and she was suddenly very, very angry and felt very sick.
"You stupid Bitch!" she shouted at the smirking Jenna Hapson, and grabbed her stuff and stormed out, followed by Carol and Collette. They stopped in the toilets where they tried to wash away some of the gum, and Carol generally told everyone not to stress. "They're just a load of stupid girls," said the level-headed Collette, "You're above them" "That's what everyone says," snapped Emily. "Sorry," said Colette. "No, it was just me being annoying. I'm sorry." Colette gave her a hug to show there were no hard feelings. After a second Carol joined in. Nothing needed to be said; they all knew what each other were thinking. "Look," said Collette "I'm gonna explain to Madame Carpentier what just happened. She's probably really confused." "OK" said Carol. They watched her go, all their thoughts flying through their heads in a random order. Only one stayed. "He's such a sadist!" said Carol. "Yeah he could have taken us away before all that happened," said Emily. They both laughed shyly. "I know," said Carol, "It's half term soon, let's book a holiday." Emily laughed loudly. "No, you can get really cheep ones last minute." "Yeah, but you never know where you're gonna end up." "So? Take a chance. I've got something like £300 spare in savings. We could find somewhere for that." "OK" said Em, after a pause "but I can't go above £150." "£200?"
"Ok but I won't have any spending money!"
To the girls surprise they shortly found themselves on an aeroplane to Cyprus. They were gonna be staying in a four star hotel, but they had to leave the day after they bought the tickets. They were amazed at the hotel - it was beautiful, and the staff were so helpful, though they soon became far less helpful when they realised that the girls had no money to tip. Dinner was not included in the price, so the girls tended to eat at cheaper places, but saved for dinner at the hotel's impressive on the middle day of the holiday. The waiter sat them at a bit of a crummy table, the news of the two broke English girls having spread quickly, and the girls looked around at all the rich people eating their dinner. They noticed a rather bizarre man sitting at an empty table, which should have been big enough for more than ten people. They recognised him instantly but couldn't quite believe their eyes. Eventually Carol whispered "Em, Em, Is that Mike Garson?!" "I'm not sure," she answered, "but there's only one way to find out!" She stood up leaving Carol to look around embarrassed and bewildered as she watched her friend approach her idol's famous pianist. Then she followed her. "Excuse me, are you Mike Garson?" "Who wants to know?" came the answer. "Two of his biggest fans!" Em shot back, trying to look lovable. "Well yes I am," he answered. "Wow," said Carol. "Er, could we have your autograph? We think you're the best pianist in the world." Mike Garson appeared sufficiently flattered by this and obliged. Em and Carol were about to leave completely thrilled when he said, "You don't fancy coming to a party tonight do you? I mean we're running a bit short on women at the moment. David doesn't have as many groupies as he used to." He laughed. "David Bowie's gonna be there?" "Yeah. He's paying for it." "Are you being serious?" asked Carol, thinking it to good to be true. "Yep. It's in here later tonight. Then it will probably work its way upstairs." He laughed again.
"We'll be there." They forgot about dinner and made a hasty retreat to their rooms. Carol and Emily immediately got to work on making themselves look beautiful. Just before they were about to leave, Em decided to ring Collette to tell her the great news. After a few rings Collette answered. Emily said "Hi," and then the phone went dead. "Hello," she said. "Beeep" the phone replied. "That's strange," said Emily, looking at Carol, when suddenly a crash of thunder made them both jump. They giggled at this silly reaction, but suddenly broke off when they heard a crashing at the window. They looked out and saw an owl seemingly trying to get in. There was a knock at the door, which made them both turn. Then the window flew open and the girls screamed and froze. A tall figure appeared at the window, and they both screamed again. They ran for the door and opened it and ran through to where the hall should have been.