Hello! I know, I have several other stories to work on, but I've been wanting to write a Stand By Me story. It's not all that great, but I wanted to give it a try. The title might change, I'm not sure. It was all I could think of at the moment.
Protection Squad
ONE:
Lola was never one to brag. She was a wealthy girl, with connections—one of the reasons Christopher Chambers never liked her. Maybe the feelings were mutual. Or not. One thing for certain was that Lola Smith would never ever in a million years hang out with a low life like the Chamber's kid. Never. So maybe that's why the two always kept a distance. Or not.
Lola was never the popular type. It wasn't that she was a "freak", or a "nerd". She just was a loner. She didn't like company, in fact she loved being alone. Nothing better than sitting in a tree on a hot summer day reading—alone.
She wore the best dresses, and always incorporated a satin ribbon in with her outfit. She wouldn't have been caught dead in Chuck Taylor's, or Keds. She stuck to dressy white shoes and lace adorned socks. Her hair fell around her shoulders, and made her look much older than her age, which at the time of this story, was 15 and a half.
It was a autumn day, in November. Rainy, and cold, Lola was in a horrible mood, trudging to school. Newell, Lola's wealthy father, couldn't give her a ride to school, on account of a meeting he had to attend, and Sheryl Smith, Lola's mother was pregnant, and "resting" but really, her idea of resting was laying on the couch, flipping through fashion magazines. Sheryl was known in the town for her lovely style.
The rain poured down, but Lola was more worried about her book getting wet, than her dress or hair.
"Resting my ass," She muttered to herself as she walked through a puddle, grimacing at the water seeping through her shoes, and she could feel her ribbon slip lower and lower off of her soaked hair while she held a hand to it. Finally, she took it out and put it on her wrist.
"Want to stand under my umbrella?" A soft voice asked, and Lola looked to her left to see a boy slowly approaching. His big brown eyes were kind, as was his slight smile. His brown hair wasn't wet at all, probably because of the umbrella. Lola knew who he was. Gordie Lachance, Chris Chamber's best buddy. "Lola, do you?" he asked again, putting it over her anyways.
"Yes, sure. Thanks," She told him, actually grateful. Gordie was a sweet guy, and she knew this from being partnered up with him a couple times in various classes at school.
For 15, he was small, not short-small, but skinny and tall small. If that made sense. Lola often wondered if the boy was ever fed. But of course, he had to be. His family wasn't dirt poor, or filthy rich, but well off enough..
"How have you been, Lola?" He asked Lola. She shrugs and smiles.
"Lonely."
"Funny, you always want to be alone."
"Not at home."
"Oh. Why do you feel lonely there?"
"My mom's having a baby.."
"Thats boss, man."
"Not really."
"I know." They were quiet for a little bit, before Gordie speaks again. "Why do you hate Chris" Lola looks up at the boy taken aback.
"Excuse me?"
"Why do you--"
"No, no. I heard what you said. I have no idea. I don't hate him. I just..."
"Don't feel that he lives up to your standards?" This angered Lola, but she kept cool. Her response was a quiet and unsure,"no." Gordie didn't say anything for a bit. "It's because he's poor? Or maybe its his brothers?"
"No. No. I just don't know him!"
"You don't want to."
"I.."
"Don't."
"Gordie Lachance, you don't even know me. Who are you to decide what goes on my head?" Lola shouted, stepping out of the umbrella. Lola's temper was getting the best of her. He didn't know her! He barely ever spoke to her! Why now? She started walking away, but he grabbed her elbow.
"Wait, I'm sorry. I just don't like it when people judge Chris by his family.."
"It's..OK."
"No, I'm sorry. It's wrong, I know, but my dad told me to stay away from him." Gordie shook his head slowly.
"So have most of the girls parents, ever since his brother was thrown into jail for that rape.." Gordie blushes slightly at the word "rape", but nonetheless, Lola understood what he meant.
"Do I need to explain this to Chris?"
"No, he doesn't even notice you!" Gordie told Lola, who felt suddenly sad. It wasn't that she liked him or anything, but it'd be nice to know that someone wondered about her once and a while.
She didn't really know, but Gordie was lying. Chris had gotten mad after a girl—Debbie Lands turned him down. She spoke to him, too, like they were friends. Chris got mad and started rambling about how none of the girls would ever date him because, and I quote, "I'm such dirt."
"Oh," Lola finally tells him. They part now, because they're at school.
--
"Chambers!" Mr. Gallagher barked at Chris during History.
"Yes?" Chris asked, looking up from his work. Lola only sat a few seats away, and observed the situation.
"Come here," the teacher said, walking out into the hallway, and an uneasy feeling settled in Lola's stomach. Truth be told, she had heard him get called outside of the classroom a couple of times, but never thought much of it. Today, however, she thought everything about it.
Lola watched as Chris reluctantly obeyed, standing up and placing his pencil gingerly on the desk. As he walked out he glanced in her general direction. Or maybe it was directly at her, but Lola didn't think so.
They had been out there for a while when she heard some yelling, and maybe a slap, and then they came back in. Mr. Gallagher looked so innocent, and Chris' cheek was bright red, his face angry. "How could a teacher be so cruel," Lola whispered to herself
"No idea," Chris mumbles back, smirking slightly and Lola looks up at him as his smirk grows into a large grin.
"Are you okay?"
"I've been worse. Thanks for asking, though."
"It's just.."
"You never knew teachers did that?"
"Yes," she replies quietly, almost wanting to touch the bright red cheek on Chris' face. He only shakes his head, still smiling.
"They do. Happens all the time."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be."
"But, who's going to stop them?"
"No one. I'm just a low life Chambers." When Chris said this, Lola felt a pang of guilt in her heart. She never realized that believing what her father had told her would make her feel this horrible, and she was beginning to wonder if her father, like Mr. Gallagher, was just wrong?
"No, you're not," Lola told him softly, and he only smiled a little.
"Thanks, but I know the truth." He turned back to his desk and got back to work, with both Lola and Mr. Gallagher watching him closely—one thinking of their undying hate for him, while the other thought about how she had been so wrong about him.
--
"Gordo!" Chris said in a sing-songy voice as he patted his best friend on the back.
"Chris your cheek is red!" Gordie exclaimed.
"Well, hello to you too.."
"No really! It is!"
"I know that!" Chris spat out.
"I knew you knew.." Gordie says quieter, sightly confusing the two of them, so Chris decided to change the subject.
"Lola asked me about it.."
"About what?"
"Why teachers did this," He mumbled pointing to his cheek before looking at his friend. "You didn't talk to her, did you?"
"No. Why would I?"
"Because..oh I don't know. She actually talked to me."
"But I didn't!"
"You did."
"Look, Chris, I think it's obvious you like her!"
"No, it's not about me liking her."
"Then what is it?"
"I heard the Cobra's were after her."
"Why?!"
"They..want money." Chris' voice sounded far away, but he also stated it as if it was obvious. And when Gordie thought about it, it did make sense. Those Cobra's were just greedy and selfish.
"And what do they plan to do? Kidnap her and ask for money?" Gordie asked without noticing.
"Exactly.." The two looked sadly at Lola as she opened her locker, set her books down and straightened out her dress. "You know what they do to girls.."
"Yeah.."
"Horrible shit."
"Horrible shit, indeed."
"Scary stuff, man."
"I know."
"We can't let them."
"No," Gordie said quietly, still watching Lola, soon to be Ace's next victim. "We can't."
--
The plan was to walk her home, or at least make sure she got home safe. Then they would get up early to make sure she got to school safely too. Gordie found himself wishing mostly that they hadn't drifted so far away from Teddy Duchamp and Vern Tessio in the past few years. They would have been a big help. Or maybe not. Who knows.
It had only been three minutes after Chris and Gordie had began following Lola, when she whipped around and stared at them. She wasn't angry, or scared. She just looked slightly annoyed.
"Do you mind?" She asked.
"Yes," Chris said, and she only shook her head before turning to walk again. Chris and Gordie ran to get to her. "Why are you following me?"
"Chris is in love with you." Gordie spat out before even thinking about it.
"No he's not." The boys exchanged looks--one looking more like he would kill the other, while the other was more surprised. "He likes Debbie, is that not obvious?" She said, glancing back at Gordie, and Chris relaxes. He did like Debbie, but how did Lola know? "Really. Please tell me why you're following me? If my parents see you two with me, your asses are gonna get beat-"She paused before looking at Chris. "More so than earlier..."
"It's just.." Gordie started, but Chris gave him a warning look. But Gordie changed his mind about saying that. "Look, we were just wondering if you wanted to come to our Tree House with us right now?"
"No."
"Alright! Let's go!" Gordie said, mishearing Lola.
"Gordie, she said, 'No'."
"Shit. She did." The boys had stopped walking, but then realized she was getting away.
"LOLA!" The boys grabbed her and dragged her to their old Tree House. She put up quite a fight, but wasn't strong enough to hold them off, clearly proving the boys hypothesis correct. If Ace did come after her..She'd be taken quicker than she could even call the Kidnapper an asshole.
"What the hell's your problem?" She asked, cursing a bit under her breathe.
"Look, Lola," Chris said with a sigh. "We have reason to believe that you're gonna get kidnapped by the Cobra's. They're filthy son of a bitches, and they could hurt you worse than you could ever imagine." And Chris was telling the god awful truth.
"So? My Daddy can take care of me."
"No. He can't."
"Yes. He can."
"No-"
"Guys!" Gordie shouts. "Stop fighting, this won't keep Lola safe."
"I don't think I'm in any danger!" She shouted before starting down the ladder, but before she could Chris grabbed her wrist.
"God dammit, Lola Smith. You are going to listen to me whether I need to tie you up or not!" He pulled her up, and the expression on his face was enough to make Lola realize he was telling the truth. It made her want to cry, too. "Look, we could just leave you alone and watch the news when they talk about you missin', 'cause that doesn't affect us. At all. Unless they blame it on me, but most likely the blame will go towards Ace. You understand?" Lola nodded with wide eyes. "We only want to make sure your safe.." Chris adds, softer this time.
"I know.."
"Good!" Gordie says, clapping his hands together. "Let's walk her home now." And they did, silently. The boys stood back aways, at Lola's request, so that her parent's wouldn't see them. They watched until she got inside her house safely before going home.