Hey guys! I've got a few things to say:
1) DaMallIsMyHome sent a wonderful review stating the changes that this story has gone through. If you read it, you'll say "THAT'S A FLAME!!!" but to me, it's the best review I've ever gotten! I've noticed that this story has kinda "lost the spark it had in the beginning" and I think it kinda comes back in this chapter. The change started around chapter "Thoughtless", so compare chapter 12 and 13. You'll see what I mean...
2) A few people have asked me what Isabelle looks like. That was revealed in the "Fun With the Family" chapter. If you recall Troy going through his Myspace pictures, Isabelle said "Oh lookie! There's me!" The link to that picture is in my profile. The link name is "Family Reunion" She's blonde, blue eyes, and is the only one wearing a silver dress in that picture...
3) A while ago, I made an alternate trailer to this story. It's much more dramatic and WAY shorter. So if you want it, I can PM it to you or something. I kept wanting to put that in an author's note, but I kept forgetting...
Okay, enough of my rambling. READ:)
Isabelle woke up on the cold stair drenched in tears. She couldn't really remember why she was on the stairs in the first place, but whatever the cause, it couldn't be good.
"Oh well," she thought to herself. "Might as well go to bed."
Lugging herself off of the stairs, she wiped her face to get rid of the rest of the tears. The blonde walked into her room and smiled when she saw Sarah sleeping peacefully.
"How could she have missed me on the stairs?" Isabelle thought to herself. She shrugged and moved on to the shower, the previous night coming back into her memory.
"Oh that's right!" she mentally kicked herself for not remembering earlier. "Oh shit! Brandon!"
She quickly finished her shower and hopped into bed, grabbing her cell phone and getting ready to text him. Suddenly, a message flashed "New Message"
Isabelle clicked on the Read button and read "srry i had 2 b tht harsh on u. dont talk 2 brandon bout wats goin on
From: Troy
4:30am 3/10/08
Isabelle's first thought was to just ignore the text, but she soon sighed and put her phone away. She fell back onto her bed and thought back to the argument between her and Troy. He had threatened to tell Austin about Brandon and her. That couldn't happen. Austin would hunt her down and kill her if he found out.
Austin Cole was Isabelle's boyfriend back in California. A few days before the Johnson family moved, Austin told Isabelle that he loved her and she said that she felt the same way. She didn't know exactly why she told him that she loved him, but it was the first thing that came to her mind. Austin was the captain of the football team and was very aggressive with everyone he met except Isabelle. Isabelle knew that he was just trying to get her to sleep with him, but she wasn't going to let him. She was afraid that if she said that she didn't love him, he would force her into the relationship and become abusive.
When Isabelle heard that they would be moving, she completely forgot to break up with him. It wasn't until Troy mentioned him last night that she remembered. She also got a blurry vision of his face when Josh, captain of the football team, almost raped her.
Isabelle sighed again. Austin couldn't find out. Troy had his number somehow and could easily just call him. It was that simple. One phone call and her life was ruined. Brandon was dead too.
Letting out a groan of frustration, the blonde fell back onto her bed and, careful not to wake her sleeping sister, murmured "Why can't you just tell Brandon, Troy? Please. You're killing all of us."
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...Monday (East Middle)...
Sarah waltzed into East Middle School with Andrea by her side. Matt had an early appointment and wouldn't be at school until 2nd period. Sarah was now laughing at a joke that Andrea made.
"Yeah, I can't believe Taylor's still denying her love for Chad!" Sarah laughed.
Andrea replied "I know! But I heard Matt say that Chad plans on asking her out today. I don't know. We'll see."
Sarah nodded as the two friends walked into Ms. Robinson's home room.
"Okay guys! I have a few announcements this morning! First off, I would like to say that the auditions for honors chorus are 9th period, so those of you who want to show your stuff, sign up! Next up, the Tech Ed room is moving to room 475 due to some construction issues. Apparently Jimmy Knox broke his arm because part of the ceiling fell on him. So if you have Tech Ed this quarter, head to room 475."
Sarah rolled her eyes and mumbled to Andrea "Serves that asshole right."
Andrea nodded and gave Sarah a horizontal high five. "You can say that again sister. Did you hear about how he slapped Michelle's butt at the football game on Friday?"
Sarah made gagging noise and replied "Ugh! Perv!"
Just then, the door to the room opened and Sarah smiled at who walked in. Matt handed Ms. Robinson his pass and walked to the back of the room where his seat was. He smiled at Sarah warmly as he dropped a folded piece of paper on her desk. Sarah quickly covered it and hid it under her desk. She opened it and read "Wait for me after homeroom. - Matt."
Sarah smiled and turned her head to face him, nodding. Matt grinned back and gave her two thumbs up. Sarah turned around quickly to hide her blush. Ignoring Ms. Robinson's further announcements, Sarah daydreamed into the period, wondering what Matt wanted.
----
After class had ended, Sarah darted out of her seat and ran out into the hallway. She watched the students pass by through her eyes before the one she wanted smiled at her. "Hey Sarah! Can I ask you something?"
Sarah nodded at her friend "Sure Matt. What is it?"
As the couple walked, Matt said "You know how we have off tomorrow for Teachers' In Service?"
Sarah nodded.
Matt continued nervously "Alright, well, I'm kinda having this party at my house while my parents are away and Chad's gonna supervise for us. He's having his high school party on Friday, so I'm going tonight. I was just wandering if you wanted to come...uh...as my...date."
Sarah stopped dead in her tracks. Had he really just asked her out? "Your what?"
Matt replied "I can understand if you don't want to, but I'm just saying that it was just a thought. I mean you can find your own date if you don't want, but-"
Sarah rolled her eyes and silenced him with "Matt, just shut up."
Matt turned a deep shade of red as he whispered "So..."
Sarah smiled "Of course I'll be your date. We're friends, so it won't be awkward or anything. Just a friendly night out, right?"
Matt smiled half heartedly and answered "Yeah, sure. Alright, the party starts at 6, so be at my house at 5:30 tonight, okay?"
Sarah linked her arm with his and walked down to their next class, which was Math. Matt moved his arm from around her arm to around her shoulders. Sarah smiled widely as she moved closer into his body. She finally felt at home.
----
...East High...
Troy slumped through the halls of East High on Monday, guilt flashing through his eyes. He knew that it was wrong to make Isabelle break up with Brandon on Friday, but he had no choice. Brandon couldn't be happy. The Montez either had a week of happiness and lived, or he could go more than a week or get himself killed by him.
Troy sighed. Isabelle had played hookie today, saying that she felt like throwing up at any second. She had also put cheap lip balm on to make her lips look pale and hadn't opened her eyelids more than halfway. She refused to eat and spent most of the morning in her room, not allowing anyone to come in except for Sarah. It was her room too, anyway.
Troy felt horrible about it, although he knew that it wasn't really his fault. He had no choice if he wanted Brandon alive. Enemies or not, Troy couldn't live without his ex-best friend.
Troy spun in the combination to his locker and got the books he needed for his first 5 classes, blocking out his surroundings. Everyone was coming up to him and asking where Isabelle was. Troy just simply replied to them all "Sick." What else was there to say?
Just as Troy closed his locker, a certain black haired enemy of his stomped up to him and demanded "Where is she Bolton?!"
Troy rolled his eyes "What are you talking about Montez? And who died and gave you permission to talk to me?"
Brandon ignored his last comment and hotly answered "You know EXACTLY who I'm talking about! Where's Isabelle?!"
Troy annoyingly replied "Sick. Now get away from my locker!"
He roughly shoved past Brandon and walked towards homeroom, only to be pushed against the lockers again. Brandon yelled in his face "What do you mean she's sick?! Be more specific you idiot!"
Troy slapped his hands away and spat "What more are you asking for Brandon?! Isabelle's sick! She looks dead and feels like throwing up! What more do you want me to say?!" I'm not a freakin' doctor! And since when do you give a damn?!"
The two had now attracted a crowd. They didn't even notice that they were now surrounded by a wave of students, including Gabriella and the gang.
Brandon scoffed "She didn't tell you, did she?"
Troy, whose face was now turning blood red, said "Tell me what?" He already knew exactly what Brandon was talking about, but he just didn't want it repeated.
Brandon evilly grinned "We're going out now. That little 'mall date' that she had with Sharpay on Friday was really a first date with me."
"Shut up..." Troy seethed, curling his fists until they were white.
Brandon continued "Oh, but you didn't even hear the best part! You know that little rainstorm that night? Well, that was just the start of the best part."
"I'm warning you Montez! Just shut up!" Troy growled, taking a step forward.
Brandon pretended not to notice and grinned "We ended up dancing for about 15 minutes until I saved her from what could've been a broken ankle. You know how I pull something close to me when it's about to fall?"
"Brandon, I swear to God, you say it and I'll-" Troy warned, but it was too late. Brandon finished "There was a moment. She thought that she wasn't over what happened at the dance with Josh, but I proved her wrong."
He took a step closer to a range-shaking Troy and whispered "The kiss lasted for about 5 minutes. You should've been there. It...was...hot."
Troy's jaw locked at this comment, trying not to lunge at him.
Brandon then concluded "Give it up Bolton. I won. Isabelle's in love with me. You...lost."
There was a 2 second pause before Brandon found himself on the floor, rubbing his throbbing jaw. Troy immediately kicked the defenseless teen in the back, hearing Brandon's screams fill his ears. Troy grabbed Brandon by the hair and dragged him to an opened locker. Brandon's head was placed inside it as Troy repeatedly slammed the door shut, but not enough to break his neck. After about the third time, Brandon grabbed Troy's hand and shoved it inside the locker. Troy didn't react fast enough. He slammed the door closed and howled in pain as he felt himself shut his fingers in the door.
Brandon grinned and reopened the locker that belonged to him. He grabbed Troy by the legs and dragged him over to the water fountain, letting his head fall against the lockers in the process. Brandon slammed Troy's head onto the surface of the water fountain and let the water blind him. He knew from past experience that Troy hated getting his eyes wet.
Troy screamed "STOP!!! TURN IT OFF!!! TURN IT OFF!!!"
Brandon rolled his eyes and dragged Troy's soaked head back to the awaiting students, cheering for either Brandon or Troy. Brandon threw Troy to the ground and started a traditional fight; punching him in the face.
Troy eventually gathered enough strength to push Brandon off of him and kicked him in his sensitive area. Brandon sunk to the ground and moaned in pain, giving Troy the advantage to give him the same torture. He punched and punched, even with his bad hand. When the pain in his hand eventually became too much for him to handle, he started giving Brandon sharp kicks in the lung area that was sure to cut off his oxygen supply. When Brandon looked like he was about to start suffocating, Troy stopped and just threw the beaten teen into the crowd. The students in that area were obviously on Troy's side as they just let him crash to the ground. With that, Brandon fell unconscious.
Troy stared at him, close to tears. He couldn't believe that he had just broken his promise to himself. He had promised himself that he wouldn't fight Brandon again until Isabelle left, but he just did. He couldn't believe it.
Taking one last look around him, Troy took off down the hall, through the doors, and out of the school, not planning on returning.
----
...That Night (5:30)...
Sarah took one last look at herself in the mirror, figuring that she looked presentable. It was finally time for Matt's party and though she had no reason to be, Sarah couldn't help but be nervous. She was going as Matt's date and it was really nerve-wracking when you were going to party with one of your best guy friends. Especially one as hot as Matt.
Sarah sighed one last time and grabbed her purse, walking out the door. Olivia was out working a double shift, Troy's parents were out at dinner with friends, Troy was at basketball practice, and Isabelle was out with Brandon somewhere. So Sarah's last option was Gabriella. She knocked on Gabriella's door and sweetly asked "Gabby, are you busy?"
Gabriella shook her head and smiled "Nope. Just doing homework for next week. Why?"
Sarah answered "Can you take me to Chad's house for Matt's party?"
"You were invited? I thought that was an all guys party."
Sarah quarried "All guys? Where'd you get that from?"
"Chad."
"Oh. That figures."
Gabriella giggled "Yeah, wasn't very smart listening to him, was it?"
"Yeah, and that's coming from someone who's doing homework for next week." Sarah smiled back.
Gabriella replied "Oh shut up. Anyways, sure I'll take you. Just give me a few minutes. I can't be seen dressed like this." She pointed to her Hollister t-shirt, pajama pants, and bunny slippers. Sarah laughed at her outfit.
"Yeah, I wouldn't want to be seen with you either."
"I take offense to that!" Gabriella joked, bringing her hand to her chest for dramatic effect.
Sarah rolled her eyes and stepped out of Gabriella's room to let her change. She thought to herself "Maybe I'll use Gabby as my role model for my project..."
----
...Chad's House...
"GABBY!!! HELP!!! IT'S ATTACK OF THE 7th GRADERS!!!" Chad screamed as he saw Gabriella and Sarah pull up to his house. Gabriella rolled her eyes and replied "Oh, man up! What would Taylor think of you?"
That shut him up.
Sarah giggled "Stop fighting you two. Now, where's Matt?"
"Follow the booming music." Chad simply answered. Sarah nodded and walked inside to the party.
"So how'd it go after practice?" Gabriella asked Chad, referring to him asking Taylor out.
Chad sighed "I don't know. She didn't answer me yet," He came over and sat beside her on the hood of her car. "I'm scared Gabby. What if she says no? That'll totally screw up our friendship."
Gabriella placed a hand on his shoulder and comforted "That's the kind of thinking that'll jinx everything and make her say no. You need to stay positive and not get all worked up about it. And I happen to know for a fact that she likes you back."
"Really? Then how come she just said 'I'll think about it Chad'?"
Gabriella shrugged "She tells me that all she wants is for you to ask her out, but she knows that it'll never happen. I guess she's just shocked that you made her dreams come true."
Chad smiled and thanked "Thanks Gabby." With a hug.
"Anytime."
----
Sarah stepped into the house and her mouth dropped. She could barely even see through to the other side of the room. Students of East Middle packed the room, dancing and talking with their friends. Sarah pushed and shoved her way past the crowd and smiled when she found Andrea dancing up a storm with Michelle Anderson, the girl that got her butt smacked by Jimmy.
"ANDREA!!!" Sarah screamed to her best friend.
Andrea looked up and beamed "SARAH!!! YOU MADE IT!!!" The two embraced in a tight hug and Andrea laughed "That outfit looks amazing on you!"
"Thanks! The shirt's from Hot Topic, the jeans are from Aeropostale, and the jacket's obviously from Hollister! You look awesome too!"
"Thanks! Shirt's from Pink Ice, shorts are from Hollister, and the boots are from Wet Seal! I guess we both have the same taste!"
They shared one more laugh before someone wrapped their arms around their shoulders and groaned "No girl talk in my house ladies or I'll kick you out!"
Andrea rolled her eyes "Shut up Matt! This is crucial stuff that airheads like you wouldn't understand!"
Sarah grinned "Great party Matt. Thanks for inviting me."
Matt replied "No problem. Anything for my two best girls." Sarah blushed.
"Wanna go dance?" Matt asked her.
Sarah couldn't speak. She just nodded as Matt led her to the center of the dance floor. Go Girl came on and Sarah exclaimed "Oh my God! I love this song!"
Matt joked "Well then go ahead and dance! Go girl!"
Sarah rolled her eyes at the irony, but smiled all the same.
The hours passed and Matt and Sarah were still dancing like crazy. They seemed to be the only two out on the dance floor as people just watched them, cheering them on. With every song that passed, the two got closer and closer and making the heat rise. Sweat dripped off of their bodies, drenching their clothes. But they didn't care. They just stared into each other's eyes the entire time.
"God, it's getting hot, isn't it?" Sarah gasped, trying to breathe.
Matt nodded tiredly "Yeah, we've been dancing for so long."
Sarah replied "I tried drinking water, but it won't work. How do we cool off?"
Matt looked around for a little bit before grinning "Wanna go for a walk?"
----
Sarah and Matt laughed again and again as they approached the lake. They've been walking for 2 hours now and neither noticed the time passing by so quickly. They talked about any random thing that came to their minds and there hasn't been one awkward silence between them. They were chatting like an old married couple.
"...So Kyle was pissing Arthur off so much, Arthur grabbed his pencil and chucked it back at Kyle's head! Kyle screamed like a little girl, ducked, and the pencil tip ended up getting stuck in the wall instead! God, it was so hilarious!" Sarah laughed, replying the events on what happened in her German class that day.
Matt replied "Holy crap, did he get in trouble?"
Sarah nodded "He had to write 'I will not throw dangerous items in class at others' 75 times! If he didn't finish, he got a week of lunch detention!"
Matt and Sarah laughed at the event for a few moments before Matt said "I had a great time tonight. Thanks for coming."
Sarah grinned "Your very welcome. I wouldn't have missed it for the world."
Matt flashed a quick smile before leaning down and planting a soft kiss on Sarah's cheek. She froze as she felt electricity running through her veins at the speed of light.
Matt suggested "Come on. I told Chad to give a quick check of downstairs at 10:30 and it's 10:25 now."
Sarah nodded shakily and stuttered "Y-yeah. We better g-get going."
Matt smiled, grabbed Sarah's hand, and the two ran back to the Danforth residence, not ignoring the connection they felt when their hands touched.
Yay! What do you think's in story for Sarah and Matt? Is Brandon gonna find out about Austin? Is Austin gonna find out about Brandon? What's Troy's problem now? REVIEW and find out :)
Rachel :)
Trivia:
- When Matt and Sarah were taking a walk, the German thing actually happened. Arthur was pissed at Kyle in German class a few days ago, so he threw his pencil at him and ended up getting it stuck in the wall :D That was his punishment too, except for the lunch detention
- When I was writing the paragraph about Austin, I couldn't think of a last name for him. I was listening to Keyshia Cole while writing it, so I just shrugged and put Cole in for his last name :)
- Gabriella wasn't supposed to drive Sarah to Matt's party. She was planned to walk.
- Lots of people say that I look like Monique Coleman, so Andrea's supposed to look like me. Check the icon in my pro to see what "Andrea" looks like :)
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REVIEW!!! Thnx :)
Rachel :)
P.S: The song Go Girl is "sung" (rapped) by Pitbull. Just thought you'd like to know...