Summary: AU. "Her eyes were always guarded, hoarding unspoken secrets, but her walls crumbled every time she looked at you."
Lela and Butchy moved to a new town, a new school: Windy Bluff High. All should go smoothly for the two siblings, or at least they hoped. Everything then changed once a certain brunette stumbled into Lela's life. Who will fall first?
Pairing(s): Mackela (Lela/Mack) endgame. Some minor Branner (Brady/Tanner) with some background Butchy/Giggles, among others.
Rated: T, for language and whatnot.
Disclaimer: I don't own Teen Beach Movie or any of its characters.
Author's Note: Reminder - this is an AU story - a High School Alternate Universe. The main characters of Wet Side Story are included in this fic, or at least mentioned. Mack and Brady did not get together over the summer but became "bros," of sorts, and Mack doesn't go off to that prep school. Takes place in the fall of 2013, after the summer of the first movie.
I did my best with Lela's character as she is now from our world, not from the movie, so she's a bit different - more modernized. I hope you like my little twist on things. I tried my best with such a loose plot.
Enjoy the story!
Your Eyes Gave Me Hope
HellYeahFeels
Chapter 1: First Encounters
"Lela! Hurry's it up! We supposed ta get there early!" her older brother, Butchy, yelled from downstairs.
The siblings were new to this town, only being there for a week, and needed to head to school before everyone else to retrieve their schedules. They already knew of the busy day ahead.
The raven haired girl blinked at herself in the mirror, her bright blue eyes widening comically. "Oh jeepers!" she exclaimed, hurriedly applying lipstick. The thought of arriving early to school completely flew out her mind and now she was paying for it. Lela grabbed her black shoulder bag and rushed down the stairs. Her sneakers pounded against the leveled steps. "I'm so sorry, Butch! I totally forgot."
She smiled weakly at him, shifting in her black Chucks. She wore a black t-shirt with the words 'Pete's Garage. Motorcycle. Parts & Services' centered in the middle. It was the name of the man she worked for. She and Butchy saw the 'Help Wanted' sign from the repair shop while walking to a local Ben and Jerry's and both siblings signed up for the job as they were good with motorcycles. To finish her outfit, an open thin grey jacket and a pair of dark shorts were around Lela's figure.
Butchy raised a brow, tugging on his fingerless leather gloves. He was in a tight red t-shirt with a leather vest and dark jeans. A pair of shades were held by the collar of his shirt. "It's aight. C'mon. Ma and Pa left for work so I'm takin' us. Just grab somethin' for breakfast. I'll be outside, checking on the bike."
He slipped on his red and black backpack with its diagonal zipper, making sure he had everything. The brunet then headed to the garage, leaving Lela to gather her breakfast.
Lela sighed, running a hand through her wild hair. Well, I might as well get something. I don't even know when I'll get lunch. She nodded to herself as she strolled into the kitchen.
Lela took the first thing she saw: a box of chocolate chip Pop-Tarts. She peeked into the small blue box and grinned when she saw there were three left. "Score!" She shoved two of them into her bag, biting into another.
A soft moan escaped her at the sweet taste. The corners of her mouth lifted as she moved to the direction of her brother. She entered the garage, closing the door behind her. Lela turned her attention to Butchy, catching him turn on the engine of his motorcycle.
Butchy owned a blue and black Yamaha Raider S with black fire engravings on the sides. It was his baby; his most prized possession. Lela's motorcycle was a red Yamaha V Star 950. The two siblings cherished the gifts from their parents.
After they saw how good their children were at being mechanics, they decided to buy the bikes for their birthdays; for Lela's 16th birthday and for Butchy's 18th birthday. It had been nearly a year yet the bikes looked like they came right out of the store. Lela and Butchy knew they wouldn't get a new one if they messed theirs up.
"Hey, Lela, hop ons," Butchy called, taking her bag and tossed her a red helmet with a tinted face shield. He placed their school bags in the motorcycle compartment under their seats. It was his favorite part of the vehicle. He yanked his black helmet on, twisting the key.
The motorcycle roared to life and it brought a grin to the raven haired girl's face. She opened the garage door, the smell of the outdoors fueling her with excitement.
Lela secured the helmet on her head and plopped down on the bike behind her brother. Her arms wrapped loosely around his waist as he retracted the kickstand with his foot, the ignition turned on.
"Hang on," he advised. The motorcycle roared once more as they took off, the garage door closing behind them.
The siblings passed many houses, palm trees scattered everywhere. The morning air was cool on their exposed skin as they sped along the nearly empty roads. After a few minutes of listening to the gentle hum of the motorcycle, they neared the school zone. Butchy decelerated as they rolled into the parking lot of Windy Bluff High School.
Very few students were present this early but they were instantly intrigued in the two people who rode a motorcycle to school. Gossip about the new kids quickly developed and spread hastily across the school. It was only a matter of time before the entire student population knew about the biker siblings.
Lela's brows knitted together as she got off the 'majestic metal horse'—Butchy's words, not hers. She pulled off the thick helmet, holding it by her side as she waited for her brother. "Butch... People are looking at us weirdly." Her worried eyes darted over to the scrutinizing stares.
The brunet chuckled. "Well, we are the new kids. They'd be sizing up their competition," he joked, nudging his younger sister. Lela rolled her eyes playfully but she remained stiff, and it implanted a grin on Butchy's face. "Oh man, don't be telling me you'd be nervous now?"
His sister's eyes widened slightly. "N - no. I'm not - I am not nervous!" she exclaimed in stutters. She blinked at her brother's amused expression before sighing heavily. "Maybe I am a bit nervous. I mean, we're the new kids. We're the outsiders in a small town, Butchy. How does that not worry you?"
The biker's grin dropped and he gained a serious look. "I understand that, Lae. We gotta stick together 'till we find ourselves here, and you know we will. Just give it a li'l time. Good things happen to those who wait, y'know?" He placed his helmet, along with Lela's, in the bike's compartment.
The duo began to walk into the school building, not willing to pay attention to the curious onlookers. The extra effort was unnecessary.
They entered what appeared to be the main office—to the left of the school entrance—watching many of the staff fill out last minute papers, conversing with other students. The lively scene made Lela feel both eager and uneasy. She couldn't wait to step onto new boundaries, exploring to her heart's desire but then again, she was going in blindly, headfirst.
It was a thrilling experience and Lela always wanted to experience new experiences. It was one of her goals in life.
"May I help you?" a middle-aged woman asked. Her black glasses were perched low on the bridge of her nose as she looked them. Her graying blond hair was tied in a tight bun, her white blouse spotless.
Butchy stepped forward, one of his gloved hands resting lightly on the table counter. "Ah, yes. My sister and I are new here and we was wondering if you had our schedules?"
He flashed the woman a charming smile, trying to seem polite. It was the toned down version of the grin he gave girls he was interested in.
The blonde nodded, turning to the large stack of papers on the corner of the table. They're probably all alphabetized, Lela mused, shifting the strap of her bag on her shoulder.
"Last names?" the woman inquired, raising a brow at the brunet.
"Gray."
The secretary gave another nod before searching through the pile. After a few moments, she plucked out two documents. Her grey eyes narrowed at the two typed names printed at the corners of both schedules. "Johnny and Lela Gray?"
Butchy's shoulders slumped at the mention of his full name before he nodded reluctantly. "Right here, ma'am."
She handed him the papers, bidding them luck on their first day.
Butchy smiled in reply and turned to Lela, his cheeks slightly red from embarrassment. "Jeez, I hate it when people call me Johnny." He held out Lela's schedule which she quickly took.
Lela's lips quirked at his brother's complaints. "Well, it is your name. Butchy is only your alias, a nickname. You will always be Johnny Gray. You can still change it since you're eighteen already," she added, skimming her schedule. She had a few advanced classes along with some regular ones. Lela was very intelligent and loved cold hard facts even though she was quite the optimist.
"I won't change it," Butchy replied as they left the office, heading toward the main entrance to go to their lockers. "Ma and Pa gave me the name for a reason but it don't mean I don't like Butchy better." He tugged on the ends of his leather vest, buffing out his chest. "Butchy reflects more on my physical appearance and Johnny is the softie on the inside, okay?"
The raven haired girl giggled, shaking her head. Her brother really was something. "Alright, Butch." She glanced at the paper again, noting that her locker was on the first floor. "Hey, where is your locker at?"
Her brother checked his schedule, deflating slightly. "It's on the second floor. Maybe cuz I'm a senior?"
Lela was on her third year of high school while Butchy was on his last. Technically, he should have graduated by now but he repeated third grade since he couldn't wrap his mind around the basics of multiplication and division.
"We'll meet out in the front when the bell rings. Everything'll be fine," he assured, giving his sister one last look before speeding ahead of her, bounding up the stairs. He wanted to orient himself with the school and his classes, knowing he couldn't flunk this year either.
The bell, coincidentally, rang at that moment, jarring Lela back to reality.
She was a big girl. She didn't need her older brother comforting her. It would be endearing though. She placed on a smile and continued forward, shaking off the curious glances at her. It was mostly from the kids in the parking lot before.
She had barely taken a few steps when she ran into an animated brunette.
"Welcome back, everyone. Big 'Save the Beach' dance this weekend," she announced, attempting to hand out flyers. Few people were taking them. "Buy a ticket, save a seal." Still, no one paid much attention. "Oh, come on. Who doesn't like seals?" She hesitated for a second. "Well, sharks, but they don't like anyone."
A soft smiled played with Lela's lips as she stepped forward, toying with her bag strap. "I'm almost sure some sharks like other sharks. How else would they have children?"
The tall brunette turned to her with a surprised expression. Lela's smile grew broader. "You make a valid point but to animals, you don't need emotions to produce offspring."
Lela shrugged, shifting on her feet.
Brown eyes narrowed at her, slowly wandering to the schedule in her hands. "Are you new here? I haven't seen you around."
Lela nodded, feeling oddly content to speak with this girl. "Yeah, I just moved here a week ago with my brother. I'm Lela Gray." Moving her schedule to her other hand, she offered her right hand in greeting which the brunette took graciously. The other girl's hand was warm and soft. It transfixed Lela.
"McKenzie Fox. You can call me Mack," the brunette replied, grinning at the shorter girl.
Their eyes locked and both girls stared at each other until a body flew into Mack from her side with a shrill cry of 'Mack!' Mack let out a grunt but smiled at the Asian girl when she finally let go.
Lela quirked a brow at the scene, watching the two girls intermingle. The brunette shot her an apologetic look but Lela waved it off, urging her to continue with a slight nod.
"Hey, how was your summer?" Mack inquired as soon as she regained her balance.
The other girl started to number a list of what occurred to her over break. "Oh, big yawn. Science camp was epic, the college tour was fab," she smiled widely, "and don't even get me started on the Student Government conference." Mack offered a goofy grin, glad to see that her best friend was fine over summer break. "I'm so glad you're back this year." Mack's lips pressed together at the thought that she was about to leave for another school. "I don't know what I would have done if I'd lost you to that prep school."
Lela's smile fell slightly. Mack was about to leave for a prep school?
Mack nodded, toying with the papers in her hand. "Yeah, I'm glad I'm back, too." Her chocolate brown eyes widen as she remembered something. "Oh, here." She handed the Asian a blue flyer.
"Oh, what's this?"
"Uh, well, I made a deal with myself," Mack replied, leaning forward on her toes. "If I'm staying here, I'm doing things that are important to me. So, I started an oceanography club which is super-convenient, since our school is literally on the ocean." Excitement sparkled in her eyes. Lela admired her enthusiasm.
"Super cool. Sign me up."
The shorter brunette paused, recollecting her breath. She then throws her hands in the air, startling Mack. "Oh! I have news. Guess who I hung out with at the Student Government conference?" Mack raised a brow, wanting her best friend to finish—and by the look on her face, she looked ready to burst. "Spencer Watkins. The literally cutest guy in school," she fangirled, unable to suppress her large grin.
Mack just responded with pressing her lips together, attempting to look thrilled for her friend.
"So, an oceanography club? That sounds beyond cool," Lela commented, smiling at Mack's facial expression of 'Oh-I-forgot-you-were-still-here.'
The Asian girl was quite surprised as she thought it was only her and Mack. However, she quickly shook it off, offering a kind smile. "Uh, hi. You seem to be new. I'm Alyssa."
Lela smiled warmly. "I'm Lela. Lela Gray. You are correct on me being new here. I just moved here a week ago." She bit her lip, sticking her hand out for a handshake which Alyssa takes. "I'm here to discover who I am and find fulfillment," she greeted, albeit goofily, firmly shaking the Asian's hand. The ends of her mouth quirked up.
Alyssa's brows knitted together, examining the short girl. "A woman that knows what she wants." A broad grin formed on her face, prompting a giggle from Lela. "I like her."
The bell suddenly ringed, startling the girls. Lela glanced down at her schedule, checking what she had for first period. The worry from before slowly crawled up her spine as she witnessed students heading to their class without problem. She bit her lip at the bolded print.
First Period: Chemistry - Mr. Terry - Rm. 205
"Hey Mack, do you know where Mr. Terry's room is?"
The taller brunette smiled widely. "Well, you're in luck, I have him first period too. Can I see your schedule?"
Lela handed her schedule over. Mack analyzed the sheet of paper, her eyes widening. "Wow. We have the first four periods together. Huh. I guess I'll be your guide, of sorts, for half of the day." She turned to Alyssa. "I'll see you in Marine Biology? Third period?"
Alyssa nodded. "Yeah, I'll see you there. Bye Lela. Try to have a good first day." She started to leave. "Maybe I can get Spencer Watkins to be my lab partner," she murmured to herself as she disappeared behind the flocks of students.
Mack shook her head at her best friend's antics. "I sometimes worry about her." She led Lela up the stairs, brushing past other teenagers.
The short girl shrugged, a half smile etched on her lips. "I don't know. I admire women who know what they want."
Mack giggled as Lela smiled, flustered. She was intrigued by the brunette. She wasn't like any other girl she knew and that only pushed Lela further to get to know her better.
The girls slowed to a stop before one of the classrooms. Students were starting to fill in seats at the lab tables, chatter growing louder in the room. A middle-aged Caucasian man organized something at the front desk. The teacher, Lela assumed.
This must be Chemistry class. Hopefully everything goes well.
Lela's eyes quickly found Mack's and the other girl offered a silly grin. "Don't worry. It's your first day. Everything will be fine." Tentatively, she curled her fingers around Lela's free wrist. "C'mon. I want some good seats, lab partner. Who knows if Mr. Terry will make them permanent?" Mack dragged her into the room.
The taller brunette made them sit in the second row, close to the door. Lela smiled warmly at the bright expression on Mack's face as she scribbled something into a journal. I suppose everything will fine as long as Mack is with me.
She set her shoulder bag on the ground, wondering to herself if she could drop off some things in her locker. She would have to ask Mack later for assistance.
The bell rang a final time as the last couple of students walked into class. Lela sucked in a breath. The first class usually lasted the longest so she hoped they wouldn't do much in first period. She wouldn't mind as she was more of a math and science kind of gal, but it was the first day. Who did real work on the first day?
Well, here it goes.
"Good morning, class. I am Mr. Terry, your Chemistry teacher for this year. Welcome to a new school year. I hope your summer vacation was satisfactory. Now, I am going to pass out the course syllabus where we will learn..."
Lela blinked and she let out a relieved sigh. Guess I have nothing to worry about the first day... She turned her attention to the clock, scrunching up her nose.
Only five minutes had passed.
Oh, this is going to be a long day.
Author's Note: This is my second Mackela fic but my first multi-chapter fic for Mackela. This will not be a very long multi-chapter fic - maybe five or seven chapters, not sure yet, but it might run longer than I previously predicted. I hope I did okay with the modernization of things.
Should I make Lela dorkier, especially towards math and science? Mack would find it adorable when she rants about torque and calculus formulas... Yeah, it's happening. Also, this takes place in California (Malibu - for the waves), in case you were wondering.
Please tell me what you think in the reviews! If I receive enough attention and/or positive reviews, I will continue. You can always PM me or talk to me on my Tumblr - HellYeahFeels. Till next time!