Up and Down the Boulevard
by Smilez014
and whereitallbegins
-:-
-Before-
Life is unpredictable, fragile. It attempts to keep up with time, but never succeeds. Life is limited; our breaths are measured by a sand hour glass. Each grain falling and counting. That's how everyone saw it, that's how Derrick Harrington saw it.
It started at a party
"So, you're going tonight, right?" Todd asked his best friend. Derrick sighed. He wasn't the let's-get-drunk-and-dance-on-the-table type. But he agreed to go anyway.
Where you make the mistake
"I'm Layne," the girl smiled.
Derrick smiled back. "Derrick."
The sweetest sin
"You're really cool," Layne said to him.
The two were talking and maybe even flirting.
Derrick grinned at her. "You're not so bad, either."
-:-
Todd was ready to party. He had his hair extra-gelled. He was excited to see her. Her, Layne Abeley. The girl he really, really liked.
"Hey man!" James, his classmate greeted.
"Have you seen Layne?" Todd asked.
James squinted, as if to remember. His eyes grew large. "Yeah, she's getting pretty cozy with Harrington by the pool.
It takes one problem
The beer traveled down Todd's throat like a stream. It tasted awful, but he didn't really give a damn.
To change your life
"You can't drive, you're drunk!" Derrick shouted at Todd as he chased him to his car.
"Shut the fuck up!" Todd yelled at him. He stormed off to his car and got in, slamming the door as if he were on steroids. In a second, he drove away from Derrick.
-:-
Life is fragile. Life is like a single thread, dancing through every else's, one single thread weaves through the rest to create a tapestry. Not everyone's thread is long enough to do all the swirls and swerves. Some people's threads are just cut short.
-:-
The lights are blaring in Todd's eyes as he furiously drove. Loud horns beeped and whirled with the wind. It was too much for the throbbing pain in Todd's head. As Todd squinted, he noticed the round headlights of a truck ahead. Derrick, Layne, Derrick, Layne. It was all too much for him.
-:-
Todd's thread was cut short.
Out of the blue, out of nowhere.
Todd is dead.
-After-
Life is fragile. Life is delicate. One day, you're breathing and healthy. The next, your heart stops beating.
Todd is dead. Todd is dead!
We learn to cope
"It's not your fault," Derrick's mother whispered to him as they stood in front of Todd's grave.
"He's dead," Derrick murmured through unmoving lips, "I didn't stop him. He was my best friend and I let him die."
With our black tears
"If I stopped you," Derrick hesitated. "I can't believe that I didn't."
"Westchester!" Derrick's parents said. "What?"
"We're moving you there."
"What?"
New beginnings
"Briarwood Academy," Derrick said, disgust strong in his tone.
"You'll be fine," Mr. Harrington said.
"Mr. Harrington, here is your new guide," Principal Burns said to him.
"I'm Massie," the amber-eyed girl smiled.
Old Habits
"So, what you're just some rich child?" Derrick asked Massie.
Massie laughed, "Don't label me."
"You can label me," Derrick offered.
"Ah, okay," Massie smiled. "You moved to Westchester because you're a snobby rich kid who got expelled for some prank."
"Close. I killed my best friend."
"I can't just get over it," Derrick protested.
"Why?" Massie asked. "Tell me why."
We learn to live
"I know you're bummed about it," Massie said, "but you can't stop your life for this."
"Meaning?"
"You have to move on."
"How would you know?" Derrick asked.
Massie leaned forward, a slight smile splayed on her face. "My brother died when I was thirteen."
She was smiling. Derrick looked at her. "Wow, this is awkward."
We learn to grow up
"I sort of like you," Derrick said, embarrassed.
Massie smiled, "I like you, too."
"I can't love you," Derrick admitted. "I do love you though."
"Why?" Massie asked.
Derrick sighed. "I don't want to hurt you."
We take direction
"Follow me."
We lead different paths
"I'm gonna be famous."
Never look back
"His name was Todd. He was my best friend."
"He sounds amazing."
A/N: Disclaimer: We don't own The Clique, just the plot.
Desiree: Trailer! Super angsty (ish) Massington. Our first collaboration! Whee *confetti-confetti Review and make us happy:)
Ericka: So, this is our first collab. Are you down with that? I know I am! -feels confetti stick to my forehead- Oh, Dez... Anyway, review, yeah? Yeah(: