Episode Two: Teenage Dream Part Two
Alli Bhandari
"Bye Alli, See you tomorrow." Priya called out from her dad's car as Alli waited in front of the mall for her mom to pick her up. "Bye Priya." Alli muttered, trying to avoid Tom's gaze. Priya and her father drove away, leaving Alli alone with her thoughts. "Did he touch me on purpose?" Alli wondered as she remembered the nights' events. Tom had "accidentally" Brushed against her chest and bottom several times during her shift and was starting to believe Tom took the "hands on" approach a little too seriously. She buttoned the top button of her blouse, feeling self-conscious about her body.
Finally, Alli's mother pulled into the parking lot and drive up to where Alli stood. "Hello, Alliah." Her mother said as Alli opened the passenger door and entered the car. "Thanks for picking me up, I've had such a long day." Alli groaned, closing the door behind her. "So what is the big news?" Ms. Bhandari asked, pulling out into the road. "I got a job." Alli smiled. "I'm proud of you honey, but why the sudden interest in working now?" Alli shifted uncomfortably in her seat, not wanting to reveal she knew they were having money issues.
"My guidance counselor at Tworek suggested I get a job for experience. That way I could put it on my college applications." Alli lied, her mom not noticing. "That's great. It's never too early to get started on university, Alliah." Ms. Bhandari said, driving the two of them home. Alli glanced out of the window, into the night sky, hoping she could help her parents with their money issues.
Wesley Betenkamp
Beep. Beep. Beep. Wesley reached out onto the table beside his bed to shut off his alarm before remembering where he was. He was no longer home. Technically, he had run away and was hiding out in one of the Degrassi dressing rooms. He stumbled out of the small bed and over to the counter where his phone rested. He remembered setting the alarm last night, making sure it rang early in the morning so he would be able to sneak into the boy's locker room and shower with nobody seeing him. Using the phone's light to guide him; Wesley searched for the light switch on the wall and flipped it on upon finding it.
Wesley tousled his hair as he walked towards the mirror, looking at his reflection. The area where his dad last hit him was red but not bruised which was a good thing. Nobody would suspect a thing. Wesley grabbed a prop towel from the clothes rack and slowly crept towards the door, leading out into the Degrassi backstage area. He peered out into the hallway and after noticing no one was around, he walked out, heading towards the gym for a shower. As he grew closer, he heard footsteps approaching and dashed across the hall into the locker rooms, putting his back against the wall as he waited for the footsteps to fade away.
Yet they didn't fade away. They just stopped abruptly across the hall. Wesley peered out of the door and saw a janitor inserting a key into Mr. Simpson's office door, humming to himself as he opened it. He walked into the office and shut the door behind him after cleaning out the trash can within. Wesley let out a sigh of relief as the Janitor disappeared, heading to the opposite side of the school. Wesley closed the door and walked closer to the showers, placing his towel on the hook and dressing out of his uniform to wash his problems away.
Donovan Price
"She's not someone you want to be associated with, Lil." Donovan told his sister as the two of them prepared their breakfast in their Kitchen, Donovan heating pop-tarts and Lily making a bowl of cereal. "I don't care. She's fun and the only person who befriended me when I knew no one at Degrassi, other than you and your lame friend, Keith." Lily protested. "What about Sa-" Donovan asked, Lily cutting him off. "He's not worth my time. Not anymore anyways." She responded.
"You're my sister, and I forbid you from talking to Bianca ever again." Donovan said, grabbing his pop-tart from the toaster. "You can't do that!" Lily protested, slamming the drawer full of the silverware after grabbing a spoon. "Of course I can. It's either that or I'll tell you know who." Donovan threatened. "Who? God?" Lily asked sarcastically. "No you Idiot, Dad." Donovan answered, Lily stopping mid-bite as she ate her cereal. "You wouldn't dare." Lily said. "You know I would." Donovan smirked, knowing he had won the argument.
"What's going on?" The reverend asked, walking into the kitchen, Lily and Donovan remaining silent. "Well? What's with all the yelling?" He asked again, Lily and Donovan sharing a glance. "Nothing Dad." Lily answered, deciding to drink what remained of her cereal. "Yeah, Lily just spilled some milk on the floor but we cleaned it up." Donovan lied, going for his backpack, Lily close behind. "Bye dad." The two said in unison, as they opened the door, Keith standing there about to knock. "Just walk. Go." Donovan demanded, Keith turning around and the three heading to Degrassi.
Alli Bhandari
"What's the matter? You've been quiet all day." Priya asked from the computer beside Alli. "It's nothing. Just tired I guess." Alli answered, smiling weakly. "Don't worry, yesterday was your first day. Once you get used to working, you'll love working at Pink Giggle." Priya smiled. "Yeah, you're probably right." Alli admitted sheepishly. Riiiing. Everyone stood up as the school bell rang and grabbed their belongings, getting ready to leave class.
"Alli, can I talk to you?" A girl asked Alli from behind. "Umm… Sure. I'll see you at lunch?" Alli told Priya who nodded before walking away. "What's the matter?" Alli asked the girl. "My name is Josie, and you probably don't know me but I couldn't help but overhear you and Priya talking." Josie said, "I used to be friends with Priya before you came and she got me a job at Pink Giggle too." She explained.
"I'm sorry to interrupt you but what's your point?" Alli asked abruptly. "You really should quit your job." Josie suggested. "Why?" Alli asked. "You mean you haven't been approached or felt violated by Priya's dad?" Josie asked. Alli felt paralyzed as she remembered what happened the night before and how positive she was that Tom had molested her. "I'll take your silence as a yes. I just wanted you to know what you're getting yourself into." Josie answered, leaving Alli alone in the classroom, paralyzed in fear.
Wesley Betenkamp
"Hey Wes!" Connor shouted as he and Dave ran down the hallway after Wesley. Wesley continued walking away, ignoring his friends' calls. Dave and Conner cornered Wesley at his locker and spun him around to face them. "What do you want?" Wesley asked, fuming. "We want to know what the hell is wrong with you." Connor said, crossing his arms across his chest. "I'm not in the mood, guys. Just leave me alone." Wesley answered, turning to open his locker.
"We're going to talk about this!" Dave said, grabbing Wesley's wrist and tugging on it, Wesley grimacing in pain. "Don't hurt him." Connor said, Dave lifting his hand off of Wesley in defense. "I didn't even grab him that hard." Dave protested. Dave and Connor looked as Wesley in confusion before realizing what they were witnessing. "Wes, Show us your arms." Dave said to his friend.
"Why?" Wesley asked defensively. "We just want to see your arms." Connor said, backing Dave up. "You won't find anything…" Wesley began to say, Dave and Connor looking at him in disbelief. "How long has this been happening?" Dave asked. "A while." Wesley admitted, giving in. "Come on." Dave said, wrapping his arm around Wesley. "Where are we going?" Wesley asked. "Simpson. We can't let your dad get away with this." Dave answered, Wesley not protested. Deep inside, this was always what he wanted to happen.
Donovan Price
Knock. Knock. Knock. Donovan stood at the door of Detention, Bianca already sitting in the back of the classroom and Mr. Perrino sitting at his desk. "You must be the other idiot who gets detention on the first day of school. Take a seat." Mr. Perrino told Donovan, reading the newspaper at his desk. Donovan took a seat in the front of the classroom and pulled out his Physics homework. "Seriously, you're going to do homework?" Bianca scoffed. "Quiet." Mr. Perrino said, flipping the page over in his newspaper.
Ring. Ring. Mr. Perrino pulled his phone out and looked at the caller id. "I need to take this. I'll be back in a few seconds, don't cause any trouble while I'm gone." Mr. Perrino ordered, leaving the room. "I'm guessing this is your first time in the slammer." Bianca said as she stood up from her seat and took the seat beside Donovan. "Do you get pleasure from tormenting others all the time?" Donovan asked, giving Bianca a fake smile as he turned to face her. "It is one of my few joys in life." Bianca smiled.
"As long as you do it away from my sister, I don't really care what you do." Donovan said. "Your sister can decide who she wants to hang out with." Bianca responded. "As long as I'm here, you won't be involved." Donovan threatened. "Huh. I think you're the only person who's ever had the courage to stand up to me." Bianca said, gazing into Donovan's eyes. "Please go back to your seat, Ms. Desousa." Mr. Perrino said, walking back into the classroom. Donovan and Bianca broke their gaze, Donovan clearing the lump in his throat as Bianca headed back to her seat.
Alli Bhandari
"Will you lock up for me please?" Tom asked Alli from his office. Alli walked over to the front doors and turned the lock. Tom had asked Alli to stay late so he could teach her how to use the cash register. Alli felt uncomfortable being the only person in the store with Tom. Priya had choir practice and couldn't work. Just that afternoon, Josie told her she couldn't trust Tom but he seemed so nice and eager to help her that she couldn't believe he was all that bad.
"Alli, can you come in here for a moment?" Tom called out from his office. Alli walked down the aisle of clothes and stood at the door of his office. "Can I help you?" Alli asked him. "You're good with math right? Can you help me go over these invoices?" Tom asked, Alli walking closer. "How much am I looking for?" Alli asked, Tom standing behind her and looking over her shoulder.
"You smell so good." Tom said, breathing in her hair. "Um… Thanks…" Alli said turning around, pinned between Tom and his desk. "You know you really are a beautiful girl, Alli." Tom said, giving her a kiss on her cheek. "Tom, I don't think we should be doing this." Alli said, trying to pull away. "Come on, No one has to know." Tom said, brushing her hair away from her face. "Get off of me!" Alli shouted, kicking him in the groin. Tom stumbled backwards, grabbing his groin. "You little bitch!" Tom called out, Alli running out of his office and out of the store, her desire to get away overpowering that she ran without stopping.
Donovan Price.
"So where are we going?" Bianca asked Donovan as she followed him out of Mr. Perrino's classroom. "I'm going home. You're going to hook up with some random guy in the boiler room." Donovan answered, walking out of the side entrance at Degrassi. "Do you want to be that random guy?" Bianca asked, jumping in front of him and running her fingers along his collar.
"No thanks. I'm abstinent." Donovan said, prying her hands off of him and showing her his "True love waits" ring. "All you have to do is say you're gay." Bianca said, turning to walk away from him. Donovan grew angered at Bianca's response and grabbed her wrist, spinning her around to face him, before planting a kiss on her lips. "I'm not gay." Donovan said after pulling himself off of her.
"You hypocrite." Lily said from the street where she stood with a guy in here class. She picked up her books and stormed off, leaving Donovan with Bianca. "I'm such an idiot." Donovan said. "Where are you going?" Bianca asked, digging her hands into the pockets of her jacket. "I need to go talk to my sister." Donovan explained before running after Lily.
Wesley Betenkamp
Knock. Knock. Knock. Wesley stood with Dave, Connor and Mr. Simpson at the curb from his house. They watched as Officer Turner, Dave's father and his partner knocked on his house. His dad opened the door and within seconds, the two officers had his father in their grasp and were hauling him off into their police cruiser.
"I'm sorry for what your father did to you." Mr. Simpson said, looking at Wesley with concern. "It's okay. He won't be able to hit me anymore." Wesley answered. Suddenly, Wesley's uncle pulled up to the curb, jumping out of his car and walking towards Wesley. "I just heard. I'm so sorry for not being here for you." His uncle said, pulling Wesley in for a hug.
Wesley looked over his uncle's shoulder as Officer Turner's Patrol car passed, His father glaring at him with cold eyes. "It wasn't your fault." Wesley answered. "I promise I'll do everything in my power to get you to live with me and away from that monster." His uncle said, Wesley's social worker approaching the group to talk to Wesley.
Donovan Price
"Lil, are you home?" Donovan called out loud as he entered his house. He trudged upstairs to the bedrooms to see if she was in her bedroom. "Lily?" Donovan asked as he peeked in her room. It was empty, her bed still made from the morning. It was then that he heard a ruckus come from his room. He walked to his room and was left speechless at what he saw.
"What the hell are you doing?" Donovan shouted after finding his voice. Lily stood in the corner of his room, grabbing posters off the wall and ripping them before tossing them to the floor. "Why? Are you going to tell me not to do it and then kiss it later?" Lily mocked him. "It was a misunderstanding. I don't even like Bianca that way. She just got me so mad." Donovan explained.
Lily dropped the poster she was about to rip and took a seat on the edge of his bed. "I'm sorry…" Lily managed to say as Donovan came to her side. "I guess I got carried away." Donovan placed his arm around her shoulders. "It's ok. I forgive you." He answered. The two of them just sat in silence before Donovan spoke up. "Why don't you go to your room and do your homework while I clean up." Lily walked out while Donovan stood up and began to pick up the shredded posters from the ground.
Alli Bhandari.
Alli stood in the front lawn of her house, having just run three miles from Pink Giggle to her house. She walked to her door and silently opened the door, trying to sneak inside. She tiptoed all the way to the stairs before the floorboards began to creak. "Alliah, is that you?" Ms. Bhandari asked, from the dining room table where she played solitaire. "Yes mom, it's me." Alli said, deciding to confront her mother.
"How was work?" She asked Alli, who walked into the dining room and sat across from her. "Actually, I quit." Alli admitted. "Why?" Ms. Bhandari asked. "It would affect my schoolwork." Alli lied. "I'm sorry to hear that Alli." Ms. Bhandari said. "Actually, there's something I'd like to propose." Alli said, her mom putting her cards down. "What is it Alliah?" She asked.
"I was wondering if I could go back to Degrassi." Alli asked, her mother letting out a sigh of frustration. "Alli, we've talked about this before. We simply can't. You ran away the last time." She explained. "Mom, I promise I'll be good. Plus, I was hoping you could use the money that you would've spent for Tworek for Sav's tuition." Alli suggested, her mother speechless. "I know you and dad are having trouble with money. I'm just trying to help." Alli said before walking out of the dining room and heading upstairs to go to sleep.
Wesley Betenkamp.
"You'll be living with us until your uncle can get a bigger apartment." Mr. Simpson informed Wesley as he carried Wesley's luggage into his house. "Thanks a lot Mr. Simpson." Wesley answered. "This'll be great. We can stay up late playing Risk or Realm of Doom." Connor said, obviously ecstatic that Wesley would be moving in with him. "So will I get Jack's room or will Connor get that room?" Wesley asked.
"Actually, we were thinking you'd share the basement with Connor." Mr. Simpson explained. "Oh, that's fine." Wesley said. "How about we get you settled in." Mr. Simpson suggested, nodding over to the door which led downstairs. Wesley, Connor, and Simpson walked down the stairs and Mr. Simpson set Wesley's bags atop Connor's bed. "I'm going to go get the inflatable guest bed." Mr. Simpson sighed before going upstairs.
Wesley and Connor stood in the basement in an awkward silence, not certain what to say to the other. "How are you dealing with what's going to happen with your dad?" Connor asked. "Hopefully they'll be able to lock him up and keep him away from me for a long time." Wesley answered. "But he will be back though." Wesley added. "Until then, we're brothers." Connor answered, the two friends hugging it out before unpacking Wesley's bags.
Author's Crap: I want to Thank Karinablueeyes and Orochi-ne for helping me with the first "Episodes/Chapters". A little sneak peek for the next chapter/episode is that Jenna, Adam, and another character (I'm still not sure yet) will be the central characters of the next episode which will be titled, "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree."
Love & Rockets,
2012
