So is the newest Two Shot I concocted in my mind.
Please enjoy, and sorry that this chapter specifically is super long. I just fit a lot of it in here.
Also! The idea of 'The Box' came from the movie Normal Adolescent Behavior.
I just took all of the sexual stuff…out. =] It was an awesome movie though.
You might need a while to sit down, and really soak this chapter in.
The second chapter…I don't think will be as long. But we'll see.
Also! This story features my OC's:
Phoebe (Shar's cousin, originally introduced in Two Peas in a Pod Complex)
and
Nina (Troy's fraternal twin; originally introduced in Say What? [a deleted story from my past account])
Lingering Still
Want of Care does more damage than Want of Knowledge. ~Benjamin Franklin
Ch. 1: Malice in Wonderland
Part Un: Curiouser and Curiouser
Winter Break
"Sharpay? Are alright sweetie?"
"I-I'm perfectly fine." I stared at the needle of the syringe in my hand; poised, and ready-its contents were more than welcome to flow between my veins.
"Well, you were acting really odd today." My cousin Phoebe was most likely leaning against the door of my room-wanting to come in, "It was sort of scary, when did you start hanging out with Kaiah's group so much?"
"Who are you? My mother?" I placed the needle near the skin line between my forearm, and arm. It was bruised there, patiently awaiting the next prick.
"I'm just afraid for you." Phoebe sounded genuinely concerned, "You've changed so much this year, it's scary ya know?"
I didn't know; I didn't care. I shot the crystal into my arm. If I die, I didn't care. Let Phoebe be my parent's new daughter. Her parents are dead anyway.
Beginning of the School Year
"Last year till freedom from prison!" Six of us laughed at Chad's latest attempt to be hilarious: Ryan, Kelsi, Troy, Nina, Phoebe, and myself. It's funny how he thinks he's so hilarious; it's ad that we egg him on.
"I'm just happy we're moving on soon." Troy eyed me with an expressive look. We swapped kisses while everyone else expressed an 'Ew!'. We have been dating since last year, and it's like Cloud Nine isn't high enough for us.
The seven of us have braved high school together since my cousin's sudden arrival from Chicago. Her parents died on impact from a car crash, and my Dad and Mom were her godparents. We had plenty of room, and she's like my sister.
Every Saturday night, the six of us hang out together-confess secrets, gossip, and go through the tradition of The Box.
The Box: You take something out, or you put something in-the only rule? Tell us why. The general rules for us: Be Honest. Stick Together. The seven of us have braved it all; all that's happened that is.
"Stop!" Phoebe smiled while the six of us complied; she grabbed the Polaroid camera around her neck, [The only times it's not there: Showering and Sleeping], and snapped a Polaroid of us.
"For the box?" Kelsi asked.
She shrugged, "Yeah. I don't want to forget."
"You won't." I smiled; we proceeded to enter East High, and split to go off to our lockers. The guys were grouped together, and the girls were grouped together. Only, our lockers were on opposite ends. Guys go left, we go right.
"So, what are the big plans for senior year?" Nina, Troy's twin, smiled softly. Where Troy was more outgoing, she was soft-spoken; where he was tragically dumb, she was insanely intelligent. She wore rectangular rimmed 'emo' glasses because she's had eye problems since…forever. It's eerie how much she fits the 'nerd' stereotype. But her glasses were bright yellow-so maybe not so much?
"I'm thinking we just do what we always do." Phoebe shrugged, "Stick together."
"Rule number two." Kelsi high-fived her before turning her expression to immediate disgust; down the call came The Three. Let me give you a personal rundown first; they always walk in a triangle formation with Kaiah, the leader, standing a bit in front.
On the left, we have Taylor McKessie: She is one of the dumbest people in East High. She sports a suggestive IQ of negative twelve, but she seems to keep moving up each class year. There are various rumors to date as to how and why she's a senior.
On the right is Gabriella Montez: The Nice One. Almost too nice; like swallowing lemonade peppered with arsenic. She gets into your skin as an angel, and then tears you up from the inside like the true devil she is.
And finally: Satan takes a shape in human form as Kaiah Matthews. The Three's leader, and she wears her crown with pride. She's the type of girl who cuts you up until you're left bleeding on the floor; she doesn't stop until she and you both know no one will help you up.
The seven of us have rocked her boat since freshman year; we're the benevolence to their malevolence. Apparently they have plans for our destruction-sounds like fun.
"Incoming on pure evil." Kelsi noted while we crossed paths with them; Kels was a big fan of giving back what they throw.
"OhemGee thank you, I am the Devil!" Kaiah rolled her eyes while slowing, and stopping, "Aren't you guys tired of trying to attack us?"
"Should ask you the same question." Kelsi locked eyes with her.
"But when we do it, it's more…uh…"
"…Effective Taylor?"
"Yeah Gabi! It's so awesome how are brains are like-"
"At least we have people with more brain cells." Kelsi snorted.
"Right." Kaiah turned to Nina, "How's that Science Fair Project going Geekette? Your volcano blow up yet?"
"I'm actually theorizing a simplistic way to split atoms. Cause when it normally happens all hell breaks loose. So I-"
"Don't care."
"That's not very kind of you." Nina crossed her arms.
"Whatever-I'm bored. Let's go." Kaiah sighed while The Three pushed passed us.
Phoebe patted Nina's shoulder, "Good job Ms. Thing."
"Oh hey!" Kelsi turned to me before splitting for her classroom. "It's my house this Saturday."
"Okay!"
This is Saturday
"I can't pick…" Nina stood in front of her full length mirror in a tank top, and boy shorts. In her hands were two selective outfits.
Troy sighed obnoxiously before crossing their shared bathroom into her room, "Go with that one." He pointed to the outfit in her left hand.
"Why?"
"It doesn't make your glasses so bright."
"Mom! My friends are coming over tonight!"
"Kelsi Brianna Nielson!"
"Thank you!" She smiled to herself while carrying bowls of edible foods down into her basement.
"Ryan…Ryan. Ryan? Ryan."
"What Chad?" Ry got off the bean bag chair in Chad's room.
"I left my pants on my bed." Chad was currently gussying up in the bathroom.
"And?"
"I need you to get them."
"So…?"
"Just do it!"
Ryan sighed while grabbing his jeans, "They're by the door." He sighed before sitting back down onto the bean bag chair.
"Thank you!"
"Phoebe." I looked at her through our bathroom mirror, "What do you think will happen to all of us after high school?"
"I don't know." She shrugged while taking a Polaroid of me putting on make-up with her reflection in the background. When it spit out, she shook the photo, "Maybe grow up, and…be together, but apart."
"You don't find that weird?"
"I find it inevitable Shar." Pheebes smiled, "We all grow up one day."
..:….:..
"Hey!" Kelsi called while Phoebe and I headed downstairs into the Neilson's finished basement. Carpeted stairs, and floors; a bar in the corner; pool table. Couch and loveseat set with a large screen T.V.; guest room. We basically live here sometimes.
Chad and Troy were in a serious pool match while Kels was making virgin drinks for Ry and Nina at the small bar. Phoebe immediately called "Pesto!", and Troy and Chad reluctantly started over with Phoebe playing as well-Ryan jumped in to be her partner. I placed mine and Phoebe's boxes by the others on the round table near the guest room door.
"You're late beteedubs." Kelsi smiled while I took a seat next to Nina; she gave me a virgin Cosmo while Phoebe attempted to blame me for our tardiness.
"You know you're the reason we're late Phoebe, and don't deny it." I turned to Kels, "She had a Polar-Monster moment. We drove by the abandoned hotel on 5th street, and she went insane."
"I can't help it! That place is begging to be captured on film!" Phoebe clapped happily after hitting the 7 ball in a pocket.
"Whatever, as long as you're here now." Kelsi shrugged while preparing sodas for Phoebe, Chad, and Troy.
"Do you plan on bartending?" Nina asked while sipping her drink.
"Maybe someday." Kels shrugged, "Yo! Billiard freaks, it's time."
"Box time! Yay, I'm so excited!" Phoebe clapped while we all headed to the round table; we went around clockwise, each box by our own chair: Kelsi, Chad, Ryan, Phoebe, Nina, Troy, and me. Our boxes were decorated like…us.
"Kels is first." Nina smiled, "Putting in, or taking out?"
"Putting in."
"Why?"
"Well." She grabbed something out of her pocket, "I feel that I am out of my Hoochie phase this year."
"Oh!" Phoebe laughed, "The Hoochie necklace…" It was a simple necklace of the word Hoochie connected to a gold chain.
"Are you sure you're not still fun-loving Kelsi?" Chad spread an innocent smile on his face; she socked him in the arm.
"Ow."
"You so deserved that."
Kels dropped the necklace in, and closed the box, "Chad?"
"Taking out."
"This should be exciting." Ryan eyed the box; Chad's box was the most mysterious out of everyone's. He has odd reasons as to what goes in, and comes out.
He took out an old yo-yo, "I totally forgot I put this in here."
"Boo!"
"What?"
"That was a terrible reason."
"Ryan, I believe you're next."
"I'm putting in."
"Why?"
"Because." He held up a small, flat painting he made for his Painting II class; I remember him saying that it was a parody on busy American life in acrylics, "I got a C- for Indifference in personal tastes/style. God forbid I have my own opinion." He tossed it in.
"That's terrible." Nina frowned, "I thought it was fantastic-very Mone meets van Gough when he was on the down side of his bipolar disorder."
"They always look amazing…" Ry sighed, "Pheebes?"
"Putting in."
"That's a shocker."
"Hush it Hoochie." Phoebe had a playful stare down with Kelsi before we all had a good laugh, "These photos." She placed the Polaroids she'd taken from the hotel on the table, "Have ghosts in them."
"Yeah right Pheebes." Troy grabbed a couple; after sifting through-his face changed to one of fear, "Oh my God…"
"That's so fascinating!" Nina's eyes lit up in wonder after taking her own batch, "We have to go there next Halloween, or something…."
"I'd rather not." Ryan squirmed in his seat a little.
"Don't be such a baby Ry-bear." I smiled, "Definite future plan." I nodded to Nina; she was the member in the group who officially organizes everything for us: specifically who hosts which Saturdays, and if we ever have any holiday/party plans.
"Ms. Nina." Phoebe smiled to her while putting her photos inside.
"Taking out." She smiled shortly before opening her box.
"Oh sweetie…" Ryan sighed for her as if he knew what she was going to do. She pulled out a silver oval locket on a large silver chain.
"Are you sure?" Troy looked to her; Nina nodded commenting on how she was over it. Inside was a picture of their little brother Nathaniel, and their father. Their father died in a boating accident protecting the twins when they capsized from canoeing; Nina and Troy were saved (they couldn't swim at the time) before their father died drowning. He couldn't move close enough to stay on shore, the tide pulled him back into the river; forest rangers came by a few hours later, saving the twins from eventual starvation.
Nathaniel was born as their half-brother after their mom remarried; he died at thirteen after being diagnosed with lung cancer a few months prior. Their Mom never shared that she had…issues during his pregnancy, and the symptoms didn't show until he was ten. Nina couldn't handle her feelings, and sealed them away in the locket.
"I'll be okay." She smiled softly; maybe that's why she's so quiet, "Troy?"
"I'm putting in."
"What is it with everyone, and putting in tonight?"
He shrugged while pulling folded sheets of notebook paper from his pocket, "No one reads these; they're personal. They're going in the box because I say they should be there." He opened the lid, and dropped them in, "Shar?"
"I, also, am putting in."
"Oh my God, it's like a tyranny." Kelsi sighed, "I thought I'd be the only one!"
"Well, I will only share this with you guys." I pulled out a Polaroid photo from my pocket, "This is a Phoebe Candid while I was painting my face for tonight."
"Ooo la la!" Kelsi eyed it, "That's a pretty shot of you thought."
"Yes." Nina agreed, "Most definitely; it's so natural-it looks like you're completely at ease. And yet-it seems like it could be the campaign at for the make-up you're using. It's amazing how you pull that off…"
"Yes-well, still embarrassing." I snatched it up, and dropped it inside, "Alright, that leaves Would You Rather!"
"…I'm not fond of this game." Nina sighed; we laughed.
This is Saturday
Part Deux: Drink Me
October
"So today, we will be studying how atom's split! Ooo…explosions!"
People wonder why we can't take our Chemistry teacher seriously. She sectioned us off in partners for a lab project, and I really wished I was as smart as Nina at this time.
Kaiah slid into the stool next to mine, "Let's be partners." She quickly tied her thick raven hair back into a ponytail.
"…Seriously."
"Look, no one else is partner less, and I don't have any personal beef with you. Unless you want to start now."
"Whatever Kaiah."
..:….:..
"Ew! I'd rather sponge bath my grandmother!"
"I'm thinking I'd be her partner?" Phoebe squirmed at Kelsi's blunt comment; we girls decided to hang out at Kelsi's basement. The guys were all busy their separate things.
"Well it can't be too bad." Nina shrugged, "Maybe she's finally gaining her pre-frontal cortex."
"Or maybe this is her supposed plan." Kelsi clapped, and then nodded her head, "She's getting to the one who hasn't directly fought her." The three girls looked to me.
"You guys can't be serious. Besides, there was no one left to pick." I looked to Nina, "And we wouldn't have this problem if you didn't decide to switch to Human Anatomy at the last minute."
"Well sweetie, maybe you shouldn't have picked Physics over Chem. Junior year." Phoebe brought up the inevitable statement.
"Yeah I know." I blew out a sigh, "You guys thinking about dating anyone?"
"Nah, I'm fine being single." Kelsi shrugged while heading behind the bar, "You guys want anything?"
"Cosmo."
"Cosmo."
"Fanta Orange."
"Anyway." I looked to Phoebe and Nina, "You guys?"
"Zeke has become outrageously cute recently." Nina shrugged. Phoebe shook her head, and commented that she wasn't really interested at the moment.
"I'm starting to feel that Troy and I are shifting."
"Meaning?" Nina looked very intuitive-as if she were trying to tap into her twin's thoughts for authenticity.
"Well…" I shrugged, "We've been dating officially for two years today…and I think he wants…to do the deed."
"Sweetie we're seniors. Just say the word sex." Phoebe nodded for me to say it.
"Sex."
"Good."
"Well I don't know if I want to have sex with Troy." I shrugged, "At least not yet."
"If you don't, I will."
"Kelsi!" Phoebe eyed her.
"What? He's a hot piece of specimen." Kels carried the drinks over to the rest of us; we three were sitting on the couch. Kelsi decided to take the loveseat over the floor.
Nina sipped her drink, "Well, if he decides to pressure you, I'll sock him in the nose."
"I think we all will." Phoebe agreed, "When you're ready, you're ready."
"Yeah, I just feel like I need to compromise or something."
"No." Kelsi shook her head, "It's not just his choice. It's yours too."
..:….:..
"We're going shopping; come with."
"I don't want to Kaiah."
"It wasn't a suggestion."
I'm pretty sure Kelsi would ring my head for this, but Kaiah's never personally attacked me-and I really don't want to give her a reason not to. In her car was me in the passenger's seat, and Taylor and Gabi in the back. Her top was down, and the wind was really messing up my hair. The other three maintained to look flawless; wonder how they do it.
"So why exactly do you need me to come with you?"
"Because you've proven yourself worthy; I don't want to claw your eyes out while attempting to talk to you." Kaiah flipped her hair off her neck after parking. We traveled into the mall, and attempted to choose exactly which stores to hit.
"You should feel extremely honored. "Gabriella was immediately at my side, "The only other people she's told that to is me-obviously."
"What about Taylor?"
"Seriously? We needed a third member at the time."
"Besides…" Kaiah always talked like she was extremely bored, "We're thinking of replacing her. Are the pieces falling into place yet?"
"I'm not sure I want to get mixed in with you guys." I spotted Taylor doze off into her own thoughts, "Regardless of who I replace."
"Ow!" Taylor bashed herself into an oncoming mall trash can, "When did that get there?"
"Oh Taylor…" Gabriella walked over to basically be her blind dog.
"So." Kaiah then gussied up to me, "What do you think? At least take mine and Gabriella's offer; you're special, and we can tell."
..:….:..
"You're special, and we can tell. What complete bulltoot." Kelsi scoffed while handing me my cherry Popsicle; the seven of us were crashing on and around the couch and love chair in Kels' basement.
"What exactly do we have against them?"
"Oh sweetie…" Phoebe sighed, "They've been attacking us since the beginning of high school."
"And not just us." Nina added, "But everyone; they just dislike us the most because we haven't bended to their will."
"But it doesn't matter because I think they'll finally get what they want." Kelsi eyed me distinctively before getting off the couch; she walked over to the bar.
"What are you trying to say?" I lifted my body up to look at her over the couch.
"They're getting into your head."
"After one time going to the mall?"
"It doesn't take long for their virus to set in."
"I'm still here aren't I?"
"Can we not fight right now…" Ryan's voice cut through the tension, "Let's just eat our popsicles in peace?"
"I sense a traitor in our midst."
"Really Kelsi? Well I sense a bigot."
"You know where the door is."
..:….:..
"Sweetie, honestly! We've all been friends for tears." Phoebe followed after me as I walked outside to my car; she didn't have much of a choice since I was her ride.
"I don't know. Don't you think it's weird how it always seems like we're fighting her battles? It's always Kelsi and that spurs fights with Kaiah and her gang ,and we follow her."
"Because that's what we do as friends Sharpay, we help each other."
"From what? No making any other friends besides the seven of us."
"No. From people who might hurt us."
I shook my head, and decided to bite my tongue for the rest of the night. We got into my car, and drove off towards home. I felt a flash on the side of my face, and heard Phoebe shake her Polaroid.
..:….:..
"I can't believe this is happening so effortlessly." Kaiah smiled to herself while checking her hair in her bathroom mirror.
"I know." Gabriella smiled in agreement, "Only halfway through the first semester, and she's already on the outskirts of the group. New personal record."
They high fived, and Kaiah shrugged simply, "She was always the weakest out of the seven; I knew if I cracked away at her off relationship with Kelsi, it'd be simple. Now we can finally get into that group."
"You don't think they'd be over cautious now?"
"Course not." The head demon smiled at herself, "They're too broken at the moment, but I really want to have more fun with Blondie. What can we turn her into?"
"A third member?"
Kaiah shook her head, "Too primitive Gabi; we need something more to completely drive the seven of them to death. I think East High is in order for their first official problem child. Ger her on the phone, I have an idea."
So, here's the first chapter of Lingering Still. So…yeah.
Review, and lemme know what you think!
Peace and Hearts.