So, we meet again... Hello readers/writers! I'm here with my first three-shot. Bound in Brotherhood should be picking up steam soon, and I wanted to share this with you in the mean time. It was a totally random idea that I had, but I'm super in love with this. True to the genres listed, it is both angst-y and romantic. I think it's one of those stories that will make you coo and cry (sometimes simultaneously.)
Also, I wanted to take a minute to give my official (belated) goodbye to Lab Rats. It and the fanfiction truly did change my personality and myself in general. The last two years of my life wouldn't have been the same without it. It's sad to see the show come to an end, but we do still have Elite Force to look forward to. Of course, nothing will beat the original. It just soothes me that Bree and Chase will be on my TV screen for a while longer. I still have every intention to continue with my fanfiction, and I believe that fanfiction will continue on far past LR ending. I only just joined, and I have a ton of story ideas. You won't get rid of me that easily ;) I do look forward to what lies ahead - both for my writing and for Elite Force. The adventure hasn't ended yet; I can't wait to jump on board to a new show of ups, downs, cliffhangers, surprises, and fun! LR and the characters will always be special to me. You kind of become like a family of friends with the Davenports- just like with this amazing fandom :D We're a pretty strong group, and I love being a part of it. Thanks to all who have given me and my writing a chance for making these first few months on Fanfiction amazing.
Anyhoo... A good song to go with both the first and second chapter would be "Something Better" by Audien ft. Lady Antebellum. It's a great song that I've recently been obsessed with. Since I did actually make mention of it in this chapter, I want to make it clear that I don't own the song. Nor do I own Lab Rats, Prius, or the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
Well, that's all I have to say right now. Enjoy!
The blonde girl bit the tail-end of her pencil, trying to figure out the answer to her final Algebra problem. It didn't make any sense why the homework was taking so long. Math was one of her best subjects – not that she had a bad subject. She was a straight A student – all the more reason that this situation was a paradox. She started her Algebra homework over an hour ago; it usually only took her 30 minutes.
"Come on, Sabrina. You know this…" she mumbled to herself. "I may not be a genius, but I should be able to handle absolute value inequalities."
Sabrina chuckled mournfully at her use of the word "genius." It was nothing more than a word to many, but it had deep emotional attachment to her. It just happened to slip out without consent. Perhaps it was her subconscious' way of saying: "You know darn well why you can't focus." Sabrina didn't want to face the music, but she realized what the distraction was. It was a topic that she just couldn't bear to speak of out loud.
Sabrina glanced up at the puppy calendar on the wall for clarification. 10-26-15. Just as she thought. Today was their one year anniversary. At least, it would've been if not for… No, Sabrina. Don't go there. You can't think about that right now. She sighed, turning back to her work. It was 15 more minutes of vain scribbling, erasing, and migraine-inducing concentration before the blond slammed down her pencil. She roughly ran a hand through thick curls, trying desperately to calm down.
Warm sunlight poured through the bedroom window, making every item in the room, including Sabrina, glow in a soft gold hue. Outside, birds chirped, fluttering their wings in the mild breeze. Well-maintained lawns basked under the warm sunlight and trees grew strong and healthy. Mission Creek had a certain charm to it in the afternoons.
However, Sabrina didn't find the peaceful midday happenings to be charming. It was terribly ironic how happy the outside world was compared to how miserable she felt inside. It was as if nature was mocking her. In movies, the weather always matched the character's emotions in that moment. Why couldn't the real world do that for her? Then she wouldn't feel so alone, adrift on a raft full of despair.
Sabrina's mind began to win as she thought about doing the only thing that might give her some closure (or at least comfort.) Finally daring to look up, she glanced across the room at her vanity dresser. There sat the keys to her car. They were particularly pronounced today. Maybe it was something about the way the sun caught them, causing the shiny chrome to gleam. But, whatever the case, they became quite irresistible. Sabrina could no longer fight the urge to visit that special place.
"This is what it's going to take, isn't it?" she asked herself. As if her brain was answering, Sabrina's conviction became solid. "Okay. That settles it."
She swiftly jumped off the bed and approached her vanity. It had three mirrors – a big one in the middle and two smaller ones on each side. The blonde took a peak at her reflection and was appalled by what she saw. It wasn't so much the way she looked physically; it was the emotion and pain evident in her eyes. How long have I looked this worn out and miserable? Now I see why Mom constantly asks if I'm okay.
Sabrina suddenly felt awful. She now fully realized that she'd been lying to her mother for months. How? Every time her mother asked if she was okay, Sabrina answered "yes."
The teen then looked down at the items on her vanity. There was a tray full of perfume bottles, several of her favorite nail polishes, hairbrushes, barrettes, bows, elastic hair ties, a curler, a flat iron, and tons of jewelry. Sabrina was always big on accessories. She had bracelets, rings, earrings – everything. As she glanced over her beloved accent pieces, she unintentionally spotted a certain gold heart-shaped locket. It was hanging on a jewelry organizer amongst many other necklaces. It blended in so well with the other items of its kind, yet it stood out so much in Sabrina's eyes.
She stared at it for a while, feeling as if the mere sight of it had paralyzed her. Her face was quite expressionless, but her mind was swirling with emotions because she couldn't decide on a definite feeling. Her facial features thus remained neutral until she could make up her mind. Without thinking, barely calculating what she was doing, Sabrina gingerly reached for and picked up the locket. She lightly fingered the shiny metal, cracking the slightest smile.
She never wore it anymore; it was too painful to do so. But, she didn't dare get rid of it. She loved it so much. She loved the one who gave it to her even more… It was his gift to her on their official first date. Sabrina hadn't expected a gift, especially since it was just their first date. A gold heart-shaped locket did strike her as a bit cheesy and overused at first, but, after all, only great things become cheesy. Great things are adored by all and begin to be used so much that they become cliché. But, they were kind of a cliché couple, so the locket was a perfect representation of all that they were.
Were, Sabrina repeated in her head, chuckling seriously at life's cruelty. Not all that we are - all that we were. That's… that's really a sick joke.
Shaking her head, Sabrina returned her thoughts to positive ones. Thoughts of the locket. And of him. And of the night he gave it to her. Letting her brain guide her, she took a pleasant trip down memory lane…
They strolled down the path side by side, taking in the beautiful scenery of the Mission Creek Park. It was a vast expanse of nature that presided over the middle of the city. By far, the most popular spot in the park was the lake, with its walking path that ushered people around the circumference. Weeping Willows planted beside the lake drooped into the water, making this particular area look like a New Orleans bayou. Twinkling lights were strung on surrounding trees. If no one talked, the steady sound of the fountain in the middle of the lake was the only noise. There was always a sweet smell in the atmosphere when one walked this path. The scent was something of acorns and brown sugar. Sabrina didn't know where it came from, but it was delightful.
The common name for this area was "Lovers' Forest." With the thick greenery that met couples on every side, it seemed a lot like a forest. This was the prime date spot for young and old couples, alike. One could not stroll this path without seeing a pair of love-struck individuals. Of course, he and Sabrina hadn't gotten there, yet. This was only their first date. It had been great thus far, though. They had spent the evening bowling (which she won) and then he suggested they walk around the lake before parting ways.
"Thanks for giving me another chance, Sabrina," the brunette walking next to her spoke. "I had a great time tonight."
"So did I. You definitely redeemed yourself. Now I feel bad, though. If I had known that you couldn't control it…"
"No, it's okay; I understand. Spike can be pretty intense. Again, I'm really sorry."
"Well, let's just put that incident behind us - hmm?"
The spiky-haired boy nodded. Sabrina smiled and then looked to the side as they passed grassy hills covered in evening picnickers. The bionic boy looked her over for a brief moment before pulling something out of his pocket. His hand retracted to reveal a gold, heart-shaped locket. He looked toward Sabrina, this time with nervousness.
"Hey, uh, Sabrina?" She turned to the boy. "I hope this isn't too forward, but, I wanted to give you this." He held up the necklace.
Sabrina gasped quietly. "Oh my gosh… It's so pretty. You got that… for me?"
"Well, um, yea… It's sort of a 'thanks-for-giving-me-a-second-chance-and-agreeing-to-start-fresh' present."
"That is so nice! But, you know you didn't have to, right?"
"Yea, but I wanted to."
Sabrina smiled, taking the locket in her hand. She looked at it – front and back – before opening it up. As was common with lockets, it had space on the inside to put a picture.
"And I see there's room for a photo," she commented.
"Uh-huh."
"Did you intend, perhaps, for one of you and me to go in here?" Sabrina smirked, raising one brow.
Her date scratched his neck awkwardly. "Well, I would hope… but, I guess that depends on how our next few dates go."
Sabrina playfully raised her eyebrows. "Oh! We're having more dates?"
He shrugged. "If you'd like to." She looked away in mock contemplation. The bionic stared at her intently in hope and anticipation.
She smiled, turning back to face the boy. "I'd like to."
He smiled as well, releasing an anxious breath. Turning the conversation back to the necklace, she asked, "Would you put it on me?"
The brunette nodded, taking back the locket. Sabrina pulled her hair to one side, turning her back to him. After he fastened the locket, she let her hair go and turned back to face him. Sabrina looked down at the gold heart hanging from her neck; it was a perfect gift. She looked up at the bionic boy to discover he was already looking at her. Sabrina slowly intertwined their fingers because she knew he wanted to but didn't have the nerve. Her palm felt a jolt as their hands touched, and the smiles of the teenage couple grew. Without another word, they continued walking – hand in hand - and stayed that way for the remainder of the date.
She sighed, rubbing her thumb nostalgically over the outline of the heart shape. On the inside, she had, in fact, put a picture of the two of them. It was taken in a photo booth on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. He had caught her off guard by giving her a kiss on the cheek right before the flash, which caused her to have a happy yet surprised expression. It was goofy, but that was the way they were. Sabrina would've given anything for those days to come back. They were happier times. They were moments when he and she were still together. Now, merciless life had created a rift between them.
Sabrina's eyes widened. Yet again, her mind lead her down a path of depressing thoughts. That was the opposite of how she was trying to make herself feel. The impromptu flashback about the history of the locket was nice, but it wasn't enough. Sabrina needed to go. Now. Putting the necklace back, she grabbed her car keys. Sabrina made sure to grab a jacket on her way out the door. His jacket. The one he let her wear one date night when it got cold. He told her to keep it – so long as she promised not to tell anyone that they could fit the same size. It would come in handy where she was headed; that spot was always windy.
Exiting the house, Sabrina walked towards the red Prius in the driveway and slipped her arms through the sleeves of the black leather jacket. In a matter of minutes she was in the car, backing out onto the asphalt, and driving away. The drive would take about 45 minutes, so Sabrina decided to put on some music to pass the time. She turned on the radio to her favorite station but frowned upon hearing the name of the next song to play. Something Better by Audien ft. Lady Antebellum.
It was a song that she and a certain someone had both loved. They bonded over their love of the song, and that made Sabrina love it even more. It was a song they had danced to at the MCH Winter Formal. He still made the effort to ask her to the dance, even though they'd officially been dating for two months already. Now, of course, hearing it was like pouring salt into an open wound, but Sabrina couldn't deny the fact that she still loved it.
She remembered this one time when the two of them were headed to see a movie. He had been driving, and she was in the passenger seat. That song came on the radio, and she had nearly screamed with joy. Turning up the volume, she began to belt out the tune. Sabrina didn't care that she was off key, and neither had he. He seemed quite smitten over the adorable way she bobbed her head like crazy, dancing as much as she could while restrained by the seatbelt. The brunette boy couldn't help the grin that encompassed his face as he watched his quirky other half.
He was so smitten, in fact, that he almost ran a light because he was staring at her instead of the road. The car came to a screeching halt as he suddenly noticed the impending red light. She had looked over at him with anger, but he responded by saying, "Don't blame me! You were over there being super adorable and singing the words to what is practically our song! How do you expect me to ignore that?" But, he had said it with the utmost of love. All her anger had flown away the minute he said that. Instead of a fight, laugher broke out inside the vehicle and her cheeks flushed when he mentioned how cute she looked.
Sighing for the umpteenth time that day, Sabrina came to an obvious yet painful conclusion: no matter what, everything found a way to remind her of him. So, she accepted that, cranking up the volume on the radio.
Hmm... I do wonder where Sabrina is headed. And what happened between her and her boyfriend (whose identity I'm assuming is obvious)? I suppose that won't be revealed until later ;) On a side note, would you believe me if I told you that the first thing I came up with for this story was the title? It's true.
So... Liked it? Show your appreciation with a review! Have some constructive criticism for me? Share your suggestions in a review! Whether you loved it or hated it, you can review!
I'm unsure of when I'll upload the next chapter. It is already written, but some proofreading needs to be done. It won't be too long, though - next weekend at the latest. If it seems to be anxiously awaited (which I would know through the comments) then I'll try to get it up sooner.
