Summary: The world became cruel towards Marnie Cromwell and family after the danger passed. Hurt, angry, and hateful, she moves to Halloweentown. Watch her change as she meets an old friend who might have the key to putting her heart back together...and making those who broke it pay.
Disclaimer: E tu hud ufh Halloweentown. Ed pamuhkc du dra vumgc yd Disney, E pameaja. Ymm unekehym lrynyldanc, bmylac, ajahdc yna seha, yc famm yc dra bmud. (For those of you who don't read Al Bhed (you really should learn…), it says: I do not own Halloweentown. It belongs to the folks at Disney, I believe. All original characters, places, events are mine, as well as the plot.)
Author's Note: What? They never said the disclaimer had to be in English. It's still a disclaimer…it's just written in Al Bhed. Hehe. Anywho, this is really late, but I made it longer as an apology for not updating. I didn't have time because I'm got my tonsils out and wasn't up to writing it over the weekend. Marnie's been in Halloweentown a few days already. But that would be boring to write….so…here's her first day on the job.
Thanks to my reviewers!
Emma Raven Moony Grim – Thank you! And I do agree. One of my best friends was named Andrea (We're not really close anymore…). But yeah, Halloweentown doesn't get much attention. That's what prompted me to write this.
Devilseyes – Merci, mon amie. J'adore tu. Hehe. Ok…I'm over my Frenchness now. Anyways, thanks girl! I miss you! Drop me a line sometime, 'kay P-chick?
Doodlebug101 - jokingly I already updated. Twice. Where are you?
Title:
Driven
Chapter Number:
3
Chapter Title:
Just What Kind Of People Shop Here, Anyway?
Movie:
Halloweentown Trilogy
Quote Time:
"Look…I don't care if a known mass murderer comes into my store and goes on a shopping spree…hell…they can kill half my employees…as long as they have the money to pay for their goods, they're a consumer in my eyes…"
-Some Random Store Owner That Was Yelling At His Employee For Being Rude. I Just Came Across This Scene Shopping One Day.-
Here's A Bedtime Story, Kiddies…
Chloe perched on the edge of the counter and watched people roam the store. Most of the people there were kids she knew. The entire popular crowd of HtHS seemed to be shopping today, and it was more browsing then actual buying. Fun if you're doing it, but not so fun if you were just watching it. Thackery Kaye was a very posh, upscale store that stocked all the latest fashions. It was so trendy, so chic, that it was considered an honor to even be able to work there. But, as much of an honor as it was, it was boring. However, the pay was so good that you didn't mind dying of boredom. As she drummed her fingers, she waited for someone to ring up, or to call for help from the fitting room. Finally, after what seemed like an eon, a few of her friends came over to say hello.
Chloe was indeed friends with everyone in the popular crowd. It wasn't because she worked at Thackery Kaye, or because she was a Cromwell. It was because she was Chloe Vanessa Midnight, the wild, fun, crazy, cool new girl who was eccentric and colorful. She demanded attention and respect, but also in some twisted way, love. No matter how much you wanted to hate the girl, you just had to love her. Whether you were a freak, a nerd, an outcast, a jock or a rebel, you craved her favor. If you couldn't have that, then you would be sated by just her presence. It was that fact of nature that had explained the earlier masses in the store. But it was a few hours to closing time now, and the crowds had dwindled to a person an hour…if that much.
Sitting on the counter, she absently ran a hand through long curls, which were littered with neon pink daisies at random angles. The sharp contrast of brown, black and pink against her pale skin set off her ice blue eyes, and complimented full, ruby tinted pink lips. Her outfit was also random. Skin tight dark blue jeans littered with neon colored graffiti and gold and silver sequins, and a short, tight, cropped hot pink shirt with three quarter sleeves and a dangerously low cut neckline. As she tapped lime green sandaled feet on the wall of the counter, she began to sing, stopping only when she heard the bell over the door jingle. Plastering her best 'buy something' smile on her face, she slid down and walked in the direction of the door.
She was but a few steps away when she saw the first figure walk through the door that was being held open for them. The first thing Chloe saw was long blonde hair, bright green eyes, a California tan, a revealing emerald green chiffon camisole and a skin tight pair of short shorts that made Daisy Duke look like the Virgin Mary on the body of Pam Anderson. In her perfectly toned arms, she cradled a bouquet of beautiful, fully blooming roses, set in a gorgeous shade of red. And on her face, a bright smile cloaked in a trashy shade of red, that said 'I'm better then you'. And that was no big deal to Chloe. Oh no, in this line of work, she had already encountered her share of…easy... egotistical… women. And as Chloe Midnight, she was very good at dealing with them. Truth be told, she wouldn't have gotten a second glance if Chloe hadn't seen the person walk in behind her.
Now Chloe had been scared very few times. She had been frightened on many occasions, of course. Who hadn't had a childish fear…such as a monster under the bed? But when it came to truly being scared, she could only remember it happening three times in her life. Well, four now. Chloe simply stood there, even as he walked in, paralyzed by fear. All she could see was thick chocolate hair, coffee eyes, a dimpled smile, and a tall, muscular body. Even if she wanted to scream, to run in terror, she couldn't. He was every bit as hot and terrifying as ever. Running a hand through his hair, he said "Jacinda, go and uh, get what you want to wear to the dance tonight. Just, uh, make it snappy, alright?" At his voice, she managed to twirl on her heel and sneak in the direction of the counter, even as she heard the sounds of Jacinda jumping into her boyfriend's arms and showing her appreciation. With a sickened shudder, Chloe grabbed her iPod and began to sing, hoping to drown out the couple who were shopping.
Kal's POV:
Kal had never been a compassionate man. To say the least, he could barely tolerate most of the people he came in contact with, and was constantly struggling with himself to contain his distaste. 'Today,' he thought, 'has to have been the worst bad day in all of history'. Between his fan girls, his enemies, and his own girlfriend, he had a headache that was splitting his head in two. And he had finally found the thing to make his girlfriend shut up, even for a little while, only to have the sweet silence disturbed by…singing?
Without even thinking about it, he gave an irritated sigh and stalked in the direction of the singing. When he was close enough, he said loudly "Excuse Me!" He was greeted by a curt nod of apology and the end of the music. As he was about to complain to the girl who had been singing, a loud, crystal clear voice called out, "The Red, the Green or the Blue, Kally-bear? I can't decide...help me choose?" Kal groaned and turned to the blonde.
"Jacey, baby, that's why there's a sales girl, you know. To help sell you something you like. And like I said, I don't give a damn what you wear, but you have 5 minutes to decide. Miss…could you help her and do your damn job?" The blonde pouted, but nodded.
"Oh sales girl, could you help me choose a dress?" No sooner had the words left the blondes lips then Chloe turned around. Kal couldn't believe the fiery words that left the girl's mouth.
"Excuse me, miss, but I'm not the fashion consultant. She left for the night. I'm the cashier. It's not my job to help you, so get your boyfriend to do so. And if your boyfriend won't help you, and I won't help you, I suggest you make up your mind. We close in 5 minutes." Chloe gave an Oscar winning smile, even as Kal paled. He let his eyes roam. It was her, no doubt. Though she had streaked her hair and got more daring in her clothing choices, it was definitely Marnie Cromwell in front of him. He smiled, thinking 'This could be…fun'. Tilting his head and clucking his tongue, he narrowed his eyes before giving a flirtatious wolfish smile. "Well, well, well. Marnie Cromwell. How nice it is to, uh, see you. Now why don't you be a dear and help my girlfriend get dressed, unless of course, you're jealous…" He gave a satisfied smile as her nostrils flared and her eyes darkened.
"Excuse me?" Came the outraged little shriek, even as her chest began to heave and her fists to tighten. "My name is Chloe Midnight, not Maria Crumbelle…or whatever you said. I'm not now, nor was I ever one of your conquests. So get your head out of your arse and help your girlfriend get a dress elsewhere. We're closed." It was Marnie through and through, right down to the same righteous anger and sharp tongue. Marnie, no, Chloe, he silently amended, had spark. She was just as gorgeous, and just as fiery. God, did he want her. He was ready to scream, the current that was between the two was just that strong. He gave her a week before something happened between the two. The same old attraction hummed lazily around the two, further increased by the anger that radiated off of Chloe in waves. He knew it was only a matter of time. Until then, he'd humor her.
"Yeah. Ok. Nice to meet you, Miss, uh, Midnight. Have a pleasant night. Jacinda and I didn't want anything from here anyway…come on Jacinda…" A shocked blonde quickly changed and left, even as Chloe closed. But it was plain to see, even as she locked up, Chloe's mind was on him.
