DISCLAIMER: I do not own Beverly Hills 90210 or any of the characters involved in this story.
A/N: Okay, so moving right along. Kelly is now out of the Cat on a Hot Tin Roof competition and it's down to just Laura and Brenda for the part. And we pick up again with the whole Brandon/Kelly thing in this chapter as Clare makes her presence known. And don't forget about Suzanne, she's still out there with evil intentions.
Anyways, the drama continues.
A disheartened and melancholy Kelly walks into the Peach Pit on a slow and sleepy Sunday afternoon. She brushes her long blonde hair out of her eyes and walks over to the corner booth of the diner. She spots Nat behind the counter, but doesn't say anything to him. Kelly sits at the table and sulks as she stares at the menu in front of her.
She's seen the menu a thousand times, and is not looking for anything to eat. It just happens to be what she is staring at as she contemplates everything she has done in the past few weeks. It all started out when Brenda encouraged her to try out for a small part in the play. But Roy Randolph encouraged her to try out for the lead instead, thinking she had real talent. So she figured why not give it a shot.
The next thing Kelly knew, Brenda shows up at her front door yelling at her and calling her a backstabber. In response, Kelly became determined to beat Brenda and show her that she didn't own that part. She became so intent on beating Brenda that she went to the extremes to do whatever she could to see that it happened, even going as far as to ask Dylan to be her scene partner so that it would throw Brenda off her game.
The worst part is, she came very close to succeeding with her plan, and then what would have happened? Brenda's dream would have gone up in smoke while Kelly, had she gotten the part, would have been stuck doing something she had no interest in doing. Rehearsing every day for three weeks straight is not something that has any appeal to her. But that wasn't a problem she had to worry about anymore. Now the problem is that her malicious intentions were exposed at the audition and she knows this could very well be the straw that broke the camel's back as far as her friendship with Brenda goes. It managed to survive the whole love triangle with Dylan from the previous, but this appears to be even worse.
As Kelly sits back in the corner booth, just wanting to be left alone, she hears the bells on the front door ring as somebody walks in. She doesn't turn to see who it is. But within moments, she hears footsteps come up behind her. She hopes that it's somebody just heading to the bathroom and not anybody who wants to talk to her. Soon after, she hears a familiar voice.
"You know, the long face look goes well with some people. But it just doesn't work for you." Brandon says to her in his typical good humored manner. "Why don't you try putting on a smile? I think that goes much better."
"Brandon?" Kelly replies in a soft and quiet tone as she glances up at him while he sits down at the table across from her. "Sorry, but I don't have a whole lot to smile about."
Brandon shrugs. "What do you mean? It's a beautiful day, you're young, you're beautiful, you have your health."
Kelly snickers. "Oh please, are you going to break out into song?" Kelly asks with a slight grin as Brandon smiles. "Spare me the sunshine and roses speech, Brandon. I'm not in the mood." Kelly replies.
"Let me guess, the agony of defeat from the auditions yesterday has you down?" Brandon asks.
Kelly shakes her head. "So, I see that Brenda told you everything that happened?" she asks as Brandon nods his head. "Well, that's not it. Believe it or not, I'm actually glad that I got eliminated from the race yesterday. Because between Brenda and Laura, no matter who gets the part and who becomes the understudy, they're both going to be spending the next three weeks every day in the theatre rehearsing. Not my idea of fun at all."
Brandon gives Kelly a confused look. "So then why are you sitting back here in the corner looking like you lost your best friend?" he asks.
"You hit the nail right on the head." Kelly replies. "After what has gone down with this whole thing, Brenda's never going to want to talk to me again."
"Come on Kelly, if your friendship with my sister survived the whole Bermuda triangle with Dylan, surely it can survive this." Brandon says.
"I don't think so, Brandon." Kelly replies negatively. "You see, that was over a guy. This, this was me standing in the way of her dream. And I did it for a very selfish reason. I mean it started out with just me giving it a try because Randolph told me I had talent. But once Brenda found out, it got really ugly really fast. I don't think there is anything I can do that will possibly make up for this."
"Just talk to her, Kel, tell her how you feel." encourages Brandon.
Kelly takes a deep breath. "Look Brandon, I know what you're trying to do, and I appreciate it. But just leave it alone, okay? What's done is done, and I think it would just be best if I kept a low profile for a while and just leave Brenda alone."
With a slight frown on his face, Brandon nods, but in a disapproving way. "Fine. I won't bug you about it anymore." he says.
"Thank you." Kelly replies.
"So, on a much happier note, are you ready for next Saturday?" Brandon asks.
"Well, I would be if you gave me some hint as to where we were going on our first official date." Kelly says, her voice starting to get perkier as the subject of conversation changes.
"Ah, now that's the million dollar question that you are just going to have ponder all week." Brandon jokes with a grin.
"I just need to know what to wear." Kelly says.
"I told you, wear something nice." replies Brandon.
"Look Brandon, I don't mean to sound like I'm not excited, because I am. But are you sure it's a good idea you going out with me, with Brenda and I on the outs like this? I mean, the last thing I want to do is to put you in the middle of it." Kelly cries.
"Well, no worries then. I'm counting on you and Brenda making up in another day or two." Brandon says. "Besides, it's not like I'm planning on telling anybody about next Saturday night anyways."
"You aren't?" Kelly asks.
"Nope. I think it would be better if it just remained our little secret, don't you?" Brandon asks with a grin. Kelly cracks a smile for the first time.
"That sounds good to me. You know, I don't know how you did it Brandon, but somehow you've managed to make me feel a lot better." Kelly says.
"That's good. What do you say we try to keep it that way?" Brandon says in a good natured voice. At that point Kelly grabs her purse.
"Listen, I'm going to go take a nice long walk on the beach, but I'll be thinking about next Saturday and looking forward to it, okay?" Kelly says with a smile and excitement in her voice as she winks at Brandon. Kelly gets up and slowly walks over to the front door of the Peach Pit. As she reaches it, she's met by Scott who is walking in just as she's walking out.
"Hi Scott." Kelly greets with a smile in a polite and friendly tone.
"Hey Kelly." Scott replies with a slightly nervous smile as he watches Kelly walk by him and go out the door. Scott spots Brandon sitting at the corner booth as he nods at him in a friendly manner. Brandon nods back as Scott walks over to him.
"Brandon, how's it going?" Scott greets.
"Hey Scott, how you doing, man?" Brandon replies.
"Good. Do you know where Brenda's at?" Scott asks.
"Over at Dylan's. He's helping her rehearse for the final audition on Wednesday." Brandon answers.
"Oh, okay." Scott replies. "Well that's good. I was going to tell her that if she wanted my help that I could only give it in limited amounts. It's kind of going to be a busy few weeks for me coming up. It's prom week this week for those of us still unfortunate enough to be in high school."
"Ah yes, prom at West Beverly. Brings back so many memories, a lot of which I wish I could forget." Brandon jokes.
"What you didn't like prom?" Scott asks.
"Scott, I don't like any kind of social event that involved dancing. So no, I never liked prom. And I'm really glad that's one ordeal I never have to go through again." Brandon replies.
"Well, normally I wouldn't be going either with it being at the community center this year and all since the advisory board banned us from having it at the Bel Age. I would have been happy just to back out of the whole thing, but Brenda being the good person that she is volunteered to be my date, so how could I say no?" Scott says as Brandon makes an approving face.
"I see. So you got anything special planned?" Brandon asks.
Scott shakes his head. "Well, since it's all platonic, and unlike last year I'm not going with you guys in a group, I just thought I'd pick her up, take her out some place nice to eat, then go over to the dance. Nothing special." Scott says.
Brandon nods. At that point Nat comes over.
"Good afternoon, gentlemen." Nat greets.
"Hi Nat." Brandon and Scott greet simultaneously
"Hey Brando, what's with Kelly? I've never seen her act this way before." Nat says.
Brandon shrugs. "What do you mean?" Brandon asks, trying to play it off.
"What do I mean?" Nat repeats in a sarcastic tone. "Come on, you saw her. She didn't say anything to me when I came in. She sits back here in the corner looking all downtrodden. Have any idea what's bothering her?"
Brandon nods. "Well she didn't get the part in the play." Brandon says, trying to play it off.
"Oh, I see." Nat says. "What about Brenda, did she get it?"
Brandon nods. "She's one of two finalists left in the running."
"Ah okay, well I'm pulling for her. Too bad about Kelly though. You know, it's amazing that those two girls can compete over just about anything, guys, parts in plays, yet at the end of the day, they're still the closest of friends. We could all use a friend like that, don't you agree?" Nat says with his typical cheerful smile as he walks off.
Brandon looks at Scott and just chuckles. "Ah yeah, if he only knew." Brandon says to Scott as he laughs.
"You were a wonderful lover, such a wonderful person to go to bed with." Brenda says in a subdued accent as she rehearses her lines to Dylan. "And I think mostly because you were really indifferent to it. Isn't that right? Never had any anxiety about it?" Brenda performs.
Dylan watches her perform the lines as he reads the lines from the script silently to himself. He nods his head in approval to indicate 'so far, so good.'
"You did it naturally, easily, with absolute confidence and complete calm. More like opening a door for a lady or seating her at a table than give an expression with any longing. You know, if I thought you would never never never make love to me again, I would go downstairs to the kitchen, and pick out the longest and sharpest knife I could find and stick it straight through my heart." Brenda says. At that point Dylan begins to wave his hands up in the air "I swear that I would."
"Okay, Bren, hold up." Dylan says as Brenda breaks character. Brenda stands there with a frustrated look on her face.
"What, did I miss a line?" Brenda asks.
"No, you got the lines memorized down to perfection. It's your delivery that's still off." Dylan starts and pauses in mid-thought. "Bren, how can I put this delicately?"
"Dylan, I don't give a damn about politeness right now. All I care about is beating Laura and getting the part. So just be blunt about it. What am I doing wrong?" Brenda asks assertively.
Dylan takes a deep breath. "I'm not feeling you, Bren. You're too robotic when saying these lines. It's like there's no expression coming from you. God, what am I trying to say?" Dylan says as he looks down for a moment then walks toward Brenda and grabs her shoulders. "I feel like I'm watching Brenda Walsh. And I don't feel like I'm watching Maggie the Cat. You have to let yourself go, Bren. Step out and be Maggie." Dylan says in a soft, yet passionate voice.
"And how am I supposed to do that?" Brenda asks.
"I don't know how you do it. But you have to figure it out. That's something that nobody can help you with. Not me, not Scott, not anybody. You're way too tense. And if you go into your audition against Laura like this, you're going to get creamed. You've got to figure out a way to loosen up, loosen up and let go." Dylan says
Brenda sits down, having a feeling of hopelessness about her. "I'm doing the best I can, Dylan. What more can I say?" Brenda say in a desperate and sad tone.
At that point, there is a knock on the door as Dylan turns his attention to it, and then turns back to Brenda. "Look, we've been at this for hours, let's take a break for a few minutes." Dylan says as he holds up one finger to indicate to Brenda to wait a minute while he answers the door. He goes over and answers his front door. He opens it to find Suzanne and Erica standing there.
"Hey." Dylan greets with a surprised look. "What brings you guys here on this Sunday afternoon?"
"Sorry to drop by unannounced." Suzanne says in a cheerful voice. "But we were just heading out to look at dresses for my little maid of honor here." Suzanne says referring to Erica. "And we just thought we'd drop by and see if you wanted to come along with us and have lunch.
Dylan leans up against the doorway and grimaces, glancing at Erica for a moment before turning back to Suzanne. "I don't know, Suzanne. I'm not exactly the right gender to help pick out a dress. This sounds like more of a mother daughter activity to me." Dylan says.
"Well, you can just come along for the fun." Suzanne says. "Come on, we love your company."
"Well, I would, but you see….." Dylan says as he pauses to look over his shoulder at Brenda. "I kind of promised Brenda I'd help her rehearse her lines for this audition that she has coming up."
At that moment, Erica's face lights up with a smile as she peeks around Dylan to spot Brenda sitting on the couch. Suzanne's expression, on the other hand, instantly turns from a smile to a look of concern.
"Brenda!" Erica shouts as she goes rushing past Dylan inside and goes running up to hug her with excitement. Brenda hugs her back. "Brenda, are you going to be a famous actress and be in lots of movies?"
Brenda grits her teeth and shrugs. "I'm working on it." Brenda replies. "But first I got to get this part in the play. And to do that, I have to beat somebody else who is really good." Brenda says.
"You'll do it, Brenda. Because, you're the best." Erica says with a huge smile on her face.
"Erica, come here, please." Suzanne says sternly. Erica frowns and walks back over to her mother. Brenda and Suzanne lock eyes, the dislike is clearly there, but neither one of them say anything.
"Mom, we should let Dylan stay here. He has to help Brenda with something very important." Erica says.
Suzanne lets out an uncomfortable chuckle as it's evident she has been completely caught off guard with Brenda being there. She's also not happy with Erica butting in. She thought Brenda and Dylan weren't even on speaking terms and this opened the door for her and Kevin to proceed with their scam. "Erica, why don't you go wait out in the car?" Suzanne says.
"Aw mom, I….." Erica starts getting cut off.
"Now please." Suzanne says sternly. Erica frowns and slumps as she waves bye to Brenda and slowly walks out into the car.
"Dylan, it's okay." Brenda says from behind. "We rehearsed all last night and all this morning, why don't you take a break and go out?" Brenda suggests
Dylan looks back at Brenda, knowing that there is still a lot of work to be done, then turns back to Suzanne. "Listen, I'm sorry, Suzanne. Maybe another time, okay?"
Suzanne nods with an upset look on her face as she knows there is nothing more she can do at that point. "Okay, well I guess we'll see you later." Suzanne says. Dylan nods as Suzanne turns around and walks back to her car with a nasty scowl on her face.
Brenda slowly walks up to Dylan from behind, surprised that he actually turned down going out with Suzanne and Erica to help her rehearse. "Dylan, you didn't have to that." Brenda says.
Ignoring the statement, Dylan turns around to look at her. "It's cool. Let's just get back to this." Dylan says as he closes the door. An angry Suzanne speeds away in her car.
Brandon is heading out of Casa Walsh early in the morning as he gets in his White Mustang to head to college as he has an early task force meeting before his classes. He reaches down to turn the keys to start his car and then nearly screams as his peripheral vision spots something white moving out of the right corner of his eye. He turns his head to look and to his totally and complete shock, he finds Clare sitting there in the passenger seat.
"Hey, handsome, you going my way?" Clare jokes in a seductive manner.
"Jeez Clare, what are you trying to do give me a heart attack?" Brandon exclaims as he catches his breath. "Why are you out here in my car anyways? Better yet, why are you at my house so early on a weekday morning? Shouldn't you be on your way to school?"
"You can't be serious? School? I'm a senior with only a few weeks left. I make straight A's. I've been accepted to every major college in the state of California. Honestly, I think I've earned a little break, so I thought I'd ditch school for today and head to the beach." Care says as she chews her gum and turns in her seat to face Brandon fully.
"Uh-huh." Brandon replies skeptically. "Does your father know about this?"
"Brandon, what my father doesn't know won't hurt him." Clare says.
"Okay, you want to skip school, fine, that's none of my business." Brandon says. "But you still haven't told me exactly what you're doing here at my house and in my car. Exactly how long were you sitting out here anyways."
"Oh Brandon, why must you waste so much time worrying about the little things that aren't important? The important thing is that I am here and I'm about to make you an offer you can't refuse." Clare says in a perky tone as she tries to grab Brandon's arm, but he pulls it away.
"You want to try me?" Brandon says.
"Yes, I do want to try you….in bed." Clare says as Brandon rolls his eyes. "But that will come later. Right now, I just thought I'd ask if you'd like to come to the beach with me. You know, we could lie out in the sun all day, drink cold fruit drinks. You could rub suntan lotion all over my practically nude body." Clare whispers in Brandon's ear seductively.
"Clare, stop it! It's not going to happen. I have a meeting with your father at eight o'clock." Brandon says. "Then I have classes till three."
Clare nods and sighs at the same time. "I know. I saw Daddy's itinerary for today and that he was scheduled to meet you. Knowing you, you like to be early for everything, so I figured you'd be leaving right about now. And low and behold if I was right. I mean, I only had to wait in your car for about five minutes." Clare says with a smile.
"You know Clare, there's a name for what you're doing. It's called stalking. And in case you aren't aware of it, the law doesn't look too highly on it" Brandon says. "Now look, just get out of my car and walk away now and I promise I won't tell your father anything about this."
Clare shrugs. "Go ahead. Like he'd believe you anyways. You'd only be shooting yourself in the foot, Brandon."
"Look Clare, you can make all the threats you want. But I'm not taking you to the beach or anywhere else for that matter. I got things to do today, and none of them involve you. So do you mind?" Brandon says.
Clare sighs. "It's okay, Brandon. I was just joking about the beach. In fact, I really should go to school today. So if you don't mind, you think you could drop me off on your way to campus?" Clare asks.
Brandon rolls his eyes. "Fine, just don't make a habit out of this, okay?" Brandon says in an annoyed tone as he starts his car.
"Don't worry Brandon. I know you're busy, and the last thing I want to do is interfere with your task force duties. We'll just have to figure out another time for you and me. Its okay, I'm totally flexible. Maybe we can do something this Saturday night."
Brandon chuckles. "Yeah, you can scratch that idea right now. I already have plans for this Saturday." Brandon says.
Clare shrugs. "We'll see." she says as Brandon backs out of the driveway.
"No Clare, the answer is No. N-O. I happen to be doing something very important this Saturday." Brandon says in a very assertive tone, not wanting to reveal his planned date with Kelly.
"What? I didn't see any task force meeting scheduled for this Saturday." Clare replies.
"Well, it just so happens I have other things in my life besides the task force." Brandon says as he takes off down the road.
"Relax, Brandon." Clare says. "Everything's going to be all right. Just trust me on this." she says with a smile. A frustrated Brandon shakes his head as he drives off for Clare's high school. He wonders just what he ever did to get hooked up this crazy high school girl.
Brenda is at the Condor's Nest getting a cup of yogurt and reading the play too herself as she continues to try to act out the scenes in her head, trying to grasp everything that she has learned. On the other side of the counter is Kelly, who glances over and notices Brenda there.
Kelly quickly turns her back as she doesn't want to make a scene and she still doesn't know if she is ready to face Brenda just yet. She starts to walk away, but then stops. She thinks to herself that she is going to have to talk to Brenda sooner or later. And the quicker she apologizes and let Brenda know how bad she really feels, the better the chance for a faster reconciliation.
Kelly makes a complete 180 and turns around to see Brenda go and sit at an empty table, eat her yogurt and continue to read the play. Kelly takes a deep breath and slowly walks over to the table where Brenda is sitting. She stops and looks down at Brenda who has yet to look up and see her.
"Hi." Kelly says in a non-confident and soft tone to Brenda. Brenda knows who it is, but doesn't look up to say anything but totally ignores Kelly as if she isn't even there. Kelly throws her hands up in the air. "So you're never going to talk to me again? I can't say that I blame you."
Realizing that Kelly isn't going to take a hint, Brenda finally removes her eyes from the book and looks up at Kelly. "You're something else, you know that?" Brenda says. "Not only do you deliberately try to stand in the way of me and my dream, but you go behind my back and deliberately pick the one person who I told you I didn't want involved in it to be your partner, all for the mere purpose of trying to make me uncomfortable. And then you just think I'm going to come out and say all is forgiven?"
"No Brenda, that's not what I'm expecting from you." Kelly says.
"That's good. Because it's not going to happen. Now if you want to make me happy, you can show me the back of your head getting smaller and smaller." Brenda says.
Kelly bites her lip as Brenda goes back to reading. "Brenda, I know you may never forgive me. And you have every right not to. But can you please just listen to me for a second?" Kelly cries.
Brenda sighs, and then looks at her watch. "Okay, one minute is all you get." Brenda says.
"Look, I know nothing will excuse what I did. I let the green-eyed envy monster cloud my rationale." Kelly explains.
"You were envious of me?" Brenda asks. "Why?
"I always have been. It's like you know exactly what it is you want in life, and exactly what you have to do to get in. I mean in high school, you had the perfect boyfriend. Both of your parents are still married and still in love, while my mom has been through four marriages now. You know exactly what you want to be. And I guess I just got jealous because I know that's not me, and that's what I want. And when I tried out, and Roy told me I had real talent, I just started asking myself, why do you have to have all the good things. Why do I always have to be the one that gets left behind?" Kelly explains.
"Kelly, I don't always know exactly what I want. And as far as Dylan goes, he was far from the perfect boyfriend. Why do you think we aren't together anymore?" Brenda says.
Kelly nods. "For the time being, Brenda. But I get the feeling you guys will find your way back together before too long. I saw the way he looked at you and got on the edge of his seat when you were up on stage. He wanted to see you succeed really bad. He never got that anxious over anything I did, and he never will." Kelly says.
"Kelly, answer me one question." Brenda says. "Did Dylan really screw up his scene with you that bad? Or did he blow it on purpose for me, so that I'd have another chance at it?"
Even though Kelly knows the truth, she figures it's best not to let Brenda in on it, and just shrugs her shoulders. "Look, all I know is that we worked and worked on this scene. But he was never really into it. And then when it came time for him to perform, he just couldn't handle it, and neither could I. Honestly, Brenda, I'm glad I lost. The part of Maggie should be yours, and I hope you get it."
"Well, thanks. But don't make plans to throw me a victory party just yet." Brenda says. "I'm going to really have to work hard and have a little bit of luck too if I hope to win this part over Laura, especially with Steve helping her out."
"So, is that it? Can we be friends again?" Kelly asks.
Brenda sighs. "Listen, Kelly, I appreciate your heartfelt apology, I really do. But a lot has happened, and it's going to take me a little while before I'm ready to fully embrace you as my best friend again." Brenda says.
Kelly nods with a disappointed look on her face. "I understand, Brenda. Look, I can't change what I've done. But if there is anything, and I do mean anything I can do to make it up, no matter how big or how small, you know all you have to do is ask." Kelly says.
Brenda nods. "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind." Brenda replies in a subdued tone. "Now, I hate to be rude, but I really do need to study."
Kelly agrees and turns around and walks away quietly leaving Brenda there by herself to continue to read over her lines.
Dylan sits in the Peach Pit with Brenda as she continues to rehearse her lines with him. There is a bit more determination in her voice as she wants to do well. Still, it festers in the back of her mind whether or not she will be able to compete with Laura.
"Oh, I might cheat on you sometime, since you are so insultingly eager to have me do it." Brenda rehearses in her southern accent, her lines becoming more emotional and intense with each word. "But I'm not going to give you a reason to divorce me for being unfaithful, or for any other reason."
"Hell Maggie, I wouldn't divorce ya." Dylan replies, as he reads Brick's lines from the book. "You could leave me."
"I don't want to, and will not. Besides, if I did, you don't have a cent to pay for it, except for what you get from Big Daddy, and he's dying from cancer." Brenda rehearses. Dylan nods with a grin on his face.
"Good, Bren, good. You're starting to get it. It's starting to sound more natural. You just have to completely let go of yourself and get into the role." Dylan says.
"I'm trying, Dylan. I'm trying to think like Maggie thinks, and not how I think. But I must admit, with everything I have going on, it's hard." Brenda says. At that point Nat comes over.
"Well, well, well." Nat greets as he brings over two plates of food. "If I didn't know any better, I would say I got reincarnated versions of Scarlet O'Hara and Rhett Butler sitting here in my diner. Brenda you're sounding really great, like something out of the Deep South."
"Thanks Nat, I just hope it's good enough to get the part." Brenda says.
"Oh it will be. With all the time you've put into practicing, any director would be a fool not to pick you." Nat says.
"Pft, you haven't seen who I'm going up against. Laura Kingman is every bit as determined to get this part as I am. And she's got Steve personally coaching her." Brenda says.
"Yeah, well you got Dylan here. So I say you're even." Nat says jokingly with a smile. "Anyways, just relax and do your best, you'll be fine. Anyways, if I can bring you guys anything else, just let me know."
"Will do. Thanks, Nat." Dylan replies as Nat walks away. Meanwhile back in the kitchen, Suzanne peeks out the window with a scowl as she sees Brenda and Dylan sitting at the table and talking to each other. The intense anger on her face is visible as she hates the fact that they're talking to each other again. To Suzanne, Brenda has always had a sixth sense about her, and if she gets close to Dylan again, she could throw this whole scam off.
The bells on the front door ring and she sees Kevin walk through it. She quickly rushes out of the kitchen and goes over to Kevin, pulling him aside before either Brenda or Dylan spot him.
"Well?" Suzanne whispers to Kevin.
"Well what?" Kevin asks.
"Well, did you do it?" asks Suzanne.
"Yes, I did it. I quit, and they weren't too happy about it. I still don't like this. I think were rushing this too fast. I thought we were just going to ease him into it? You know earn his trust slowly and let him come to us? If I start arm twisting, he may start getting suspicious?" Kevin asks as Suzanne glares back at him.
"Look over there." Suzanne whispers as she motions with her head over at the table where Brenda and Dylan are sitting. "That little bitch is worming her way back into his life. And unless we act now, she's going to blow our whole cover and everything's going to go up in smoke. I'm telling you, we don't have time to ease him into this. We have to act now, right now before it's too late."
"Kevin nods. "Okay, just for the record, I still don't like this." he whispers.
"And just for the record, I don't give a damn." Suzanne replies. "Now, time to put your friendly face on and step up to the plate."
Kevin wipes the concerned look off his face, and Suzanne puts on a grin as they both slowly walk over to the table where Brenda and Dylan are sitting and eating.
"Hi, I'm not disturbing anything, am I?" Kevin asks as he greets Dylan, who turns to look at him.
"No, not at all. I'm just helping Brenda here rehearse for an audition." Dylan says.
"Ah okay, well when you get a moment, you think I can talk to you for a second?" Kevin asks to Dylan.
"Oh uhm, sure. Hey Bren, I'll be right back, okay?" Dylan asks. Brenda nods reluctantly, not trusting either Kevin or Suzanne, but not worrying about it as she knows she needs to put all of her concentration towards this audition.
Dylan leads Kevin out the back way of the Peach Pit as Suzanne glares at Brenda for a moment, who turns her head and looks away from her. Suzanne goes back to working the diner as Kevin and Dylan step out back.
"Hey, so what's going on?" Dylan asks as he and Kevin step out into the parking lot.
"I did it. I took the plunge." Kevin says to Dylan with a crooked grin on his face as Dylan looks confused for a minute.
"Took the plunge?" Dylan repeats. "You mean…"
"I left. I quit the lab. I don't work there anymore." Kevin says.
Dylan nods. "Good for you." he replies.
"You know, I just got to thinking, why should I waste the best years of my life working for guys who aren't serious about bioremediation. I mean, I have something that is really revolutionary here, man. Something that can really do a lot of good and help to really clean up the bay, yet it's just sitting there in a lab and not moving forward because of a bunch of bureaucrats. That's not how I want to live my life, Dylan. I want to make a difference." Kevin says.
Dylan pats Kevin on the shoulder. "You made the right choice, man. You really did. You'll see." Dylan says.
"Well, I'd like to believe that to be true. But there's just one thing." Kevin says. "Without that job, I don't have any income and no way to take care of Suzanne and Erica. I mean, I'm about to get married here for God sakes, and I don't even have a job right now."
Dylan sighs as he begins to think, realizing that it's his family who's involved in it and it's potentially his little sister's future that is at stake here.
"Look, you were telling me that your business manager, this Jim Walsh guy, he might have some leads on some investors with capital?" Kevin asks.
"Uhm yeah, I'm sorry, things have been kind of busy for me with school and this whole audition thing, I haven't had a chance to talk to him about it yet." Dylan says.
"Well, I don't want to sound pushy, but it wasn't that big of a deal when I still had a source of income, but now I'm kind of up the creek here, and I kind of really need to know something before I start going out and handing my resume to other science labs." Kevin says.
Dylan nods. "I understand man." he says reassuringly.
"I mean, I'm sort of in panic mood here. I don't have a job, and yet I'm about to get married. I don't know what I'm going to do." Kevin says in a nervous tone.
"Listen, I'll talk to Jim, I'll even try to do it tonight. I'm sure he'll hear you out and if he likes it, he'll be able to find the right investors, he always comes through." Dylan says.
"And what if he doesn't?" Kevin asks. "Sorry, but I kind of have to cover my butt here."
"Don't worry; in that case, we'll just have to find another way." Dylan says.
"And what would that be?" asks Kevin.
"I have a little bit of money saved away for a rainy day." Dylan replies with a confident grin. "Look, I'm sure it won't get that far. I have total faith in Jim. He's always come through when it counted. Just let me talk to Jim and get the wheels turning. I'll get in touch with you in a day or two once I know what's going on." Dylan says. Kevin reaches out and shakes Dylan's hand.
"Thanks, Dylan. Thanks a million. Man, I don't know what I would do without you." Kevin says.
"Hey, no need to thank me. I'm just trying to take care of my family here." Dylan says with a grin as he walks back inside to the Peach Pit. Suzanne walks out back seconds later and goes over to Kevin.
"Well?" Suzanne asks.
"Bingo." Kevin replies with a smile. "He's taken the bait."
"Let's just hope he holds onto it." Suzanne says. Back inside Dylan walks back over to Brenda's table.
"Hey, everything all right?" asks Brenda.
"Uhm sure, yeah, Kevin just wanted to get a few ideas on where to take Suzanne for their honeymoon." Dylan lies, as he wants to avoid talking about anything related to them. "Listen Bren, it's kind of loud and distracting in here. Would you mind if we go back to your place to rehearse?" Dylan asks as he looks for an excuse to go to Brenda's house so he can hopefully talk to Jim.
"Uhm, yeah sure. I guess so." Brenda says.
"Great. Hey Nat, can we get a couple of to go boxes?" Dylan shouts. Brenda looks at Dylan, wondering why he's so anxious to leave all of a sudden, but doesn't think anything more of it as the two pack up their food and head out.
Brandon is walking over to the dorm where Steve is living. He has on a gray t-shirt and a pair of burgundy gym shorts and is carrying a basketball. On his way over there, he is met by Kelly who comes running up to walk with him.
"Hey you." Kelly says cheerfully. Where you heading?"
"I was just on my way over to Steve's. We're supposed to be playing some two on two with a couple of his buddies from the Keg house." Brandon says.
"Oh, running up and down a basketball court, getting all hot and winded with Steve and two other sweaty drunks from the KEG house? Not my idea of fun." Kelly says.
"Well, it's not exactly my first choices of places I'd like to be. But it's all right." Brandon replies cheerfully.
"And just what would your first choice be?" Kelly asks as Brandon looks at her. "If you could pick any place to be right now, where would it be?"
Brandon ponders the question for a moment as he walks with Kelly, spinning the basketball on his finger for a few seconds before grabbing it. "Well, that's a tough one. Honestly, I think it would have to be next Saturday Night with you, and the special place I'm taking you." Brandon says. "I'm really looking forward to it, Kelly."
"I see." Kelly replies with a smile. "And that would be where exactly?"
Brandon chuckles. "Nice try, Kel. But you're just going to have to wait."
"Oh come on, Brandon. You're torturing me here." Kelly says.
"So have you told anyone yet? About you and me going out on our first official date?" Brandon asks.
"Nope. Have you?" asks Kelly.
"Not a word to anybody. Not Brenda, not Steve, not even my parents." Brandon says.
"Good, let's keep it that way." Kelly replies. "Anyways, I got to run. I got a psych lab to get to. I'll be seeing you soon."
"Not soon enough." Brandon replies as Kelly blows him a kiss in the air and then runs off. Brandon smiles almost giddily as he reaches Steve's dorm. He walks up the stairs and to Steve's dorm where he finds the door closed.
Brandon knocks on the door, then opens it up and finds Steve and Laura sitting on the bed kissing. They turn and look at him as he chuckles. "Whoops. Sorry, I'll uh, come back later." Brandon says.
"No, wait, Bran, hold on. You know Laura Kingman, right?" Steve asks.
"Ah yes, Hi Laura." Brandon greets politely.
"Hi." Laura replies.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt. I just thought we were playing basketball." Brandon says to Steve.
"Yeah, we are." Steve replies. "And I'm totally there. It's just that I was helping Laura practice for her final audition on Wednesday."
"Well, if the title of the play was 'how to play tonsil hockey' I would say you've got it in the bag." Brandon jokes.
Laura lets out an embarrassed giggle. "Thank you, Steve. I think that's enough for today. I'll be by tomorrow and we can do a final practice." Laura whispers as she gives Steve a quick kiss on the lips and then heads out.
"Anytime, I'll be here all day." Steve says with a giddy grin on his face as Laura leaves, saying bye to Brandon on her way out. Steve immediately turns his full attention to Brandon. "I know what you're going to say. Don't even utter a word." Steve says as he gets up and walks out of the room. Brandon follows him.
"Let me guess, you were practicing your slam dunks? You were pretending that Laura's mouth was the hoop and…" Brandon starts
"Brandon, shut up." Steve retorts.
The two of them walk outside and begin to walk side by side through the campus. "You know Steve, I would have thought after the whole take back the night thing that Laura Kingman would be the last person you would ever want to kiss." Brandon says.
"Yeah, Brandon, I know. But when you're rehearsing, sometimes you get so involved in your character that stuff happens." Steve explains.
"Steve, that was no rehearsal I saw in there. And I highly doubt that anywhere in the entire script does it mention anything about tongue action." Brandon says.
"Okay, Okay." Steve replies. "So maybe we got a little carried away. But I'm telling you Brandon, I've been working with this girl for weeks now, helping her get ready for this play. When I started, she could barely string more than a few lines together. Now here she is, about ready to star in Roy Randolph's production of 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." Steve says.
"Don't you think you're being a little premature?" Brandon asks. "I mean doesn't Laura still have to beat out Brenda in the final audition?"
Steve snickers. "Pft, Brando, it's in the back." Steve says. "I mean, no offense to your sister bro, I like her and all. But she doesn't stand a chance against Laura. On Saturday, Brenda was barely able to hold it together, and the only reason she's one of the two finalists is because Dylan and Kelly screwed up their scene so bad. But I'm telling you, I've created a star here. Years from now, when Laura's a big time star in the movies, she's going to look back and remember the one who got it all started for her. You know, Brandon, I really think I've found my true calling here."
"What, hopping into bed with actresses?" Brandon suggests as Steve snickers.
"No, taking average girls and turning them into stars. I may be on to something here." Steve says. "I love show business. This is what I was bread for."
At that point Brandon spots Chancellor Arnold walking toward his car with Clare. Brandon immediately grabs Steve by the arm to hold him up.
"Woah, hold up a second." Brandon says.
"What? What is it?" Steve asks as he looks at Brandon.
"Lets go this way." Brandon says as he begins to tug Steve in a different direction.
"But the basketball courts are right over here." Steve says. "That way will be taking the scenic route."
"Steve, just do it, please, and don't ask." Brandon replies in an anxious tone as Steve just shrugs and begins to walk in the other direction with Brandon. Before they can get away, Brandon is spotted by Chancellor Arnold who calls out to him.
"Brandon!" Chancellor Arnold yells in his direction. Brandon stops and closes his eyes, taking a deep breath as he knows he can't get away. He and Steve slowly turn around and Brandon walks over to the Chancellor and Clare who are standing by the Chancellor's car.
"Hello Chancellor, Clare." Brandon greets with an uncomfortable grin.
"I'm glad I spotted you. There is something I've been meaning to talk to you about." Chancellor Arnold says as he sees Steve standing there.
"Oh Chancellor, this is my best friend, Steve Sanders. Steve, you know Chancellor Arnold? And this is his daughter Clare." Brandon introduces.
"Hi." Steve says to them both.
"You're Brandon's best friend?" Chancellor Arnold asks as Steve nods. "Then can you tell him that he has a lot of explaining to do." the chancellor says in a stern voice. Brandon's facial expression immediately turns to one of concern. "Brandon, I can't believe you would go behind my back like that instead of just coming to talk to me."
Brandon looks over at Clare who just stands there looking back, then turns his attention back to the Chancellor. "Uh, I'm not quite sure I catch your drift, sir." Brandon says.
"Don't play dumb with me. You know perfectly well what I'm talking about." The chancellor says. "Why didn't you tell me you were taking my daughter to her senior prom?" The chancellor asks as he looks at Brandon, who secretly lets out a brief sigh of relief that he isn't in trouble until it hits him what he just said.
"Senior prom?" Brandon asks.
"Yes, Clare's senior prom, this Saturday night. She told me that you agreed to take her." Chancellor Arnold says. Brandon turns his attention to Clare who playfully raises her eyebrows up and down at him. "I just want to tell you that I think it's absolutely wonderful."
"You do?" Brandon asks with a confused look on his face, like he just got blindsided.
"Yes, of course. You know, for a while I was really worried. Most of the guys that my daughter goes out with wind up getting into trouble. So I was really worried she was going to pick some guy with multiple body piercings or long hair or something." Chancellor Arnold says as he bursts out laughing. Brandon laughs along too, but is secretly laughing more out of disbelief than anything else at the situation he has just gotten thrown into. "But I have to tell you, when I heard you were taking her, I breathed an instant sigh of relief. Because I know she will be in good hands the entire night." says the Chancellor.
Brandon shrugs his shoulders, still trying to adjust to what has just happened as he smiles at the Chancellor. "Hey, what can I say, sir?" Brandon asks.
Chancellor Arnold goes up and pats Brandon on the shoulder. "Just say you will take care of my baby this Saturday." He says.
Brandon, turns to look at Clare who has a devilish grin on her face, then turns back to the Chancellor and knows that he has no other options than to agree. "Hey, I'm your man, sir." Brandon says.
"I know you are. Infact, I trust you so much with my daughter, that I've lifted her curfew for prom night." The chancellor says.
"Excuse me?" Brandon asks.
"Yes, stay out as late as you want. Show my daughter a good time. I trust you, Brandon." The chancellor says.
"You have no idea how much that means to me, sir. Really." Brandon says, putting on a fake grin and doing his best not to totally blow up at Clare right then and there.
"Well I guess we better get going then. Clare, sweetie, I think you need to go out and find yourself a nice dress for Saturday?" asks the Chancellor.
"Yeah, I better do that. All the good ones will be gone before you know it." Clare says.
"Well, Brandon, I guess we'll see you Saturday night then. It was nice meeting you, Steve." says Chancellor Arnold as he gets into his car. Clare walks around to the passenger side and just before she gets in blows Brandon a kiss, then licks her lips seductively as she hops in. Once the car is gone and out of sight, Steve turns to Brandon.
"Woah, Brandon, the chancellor's daughter is smoking hot." Steve says.
"If by hot you mean dangerous, Steve, then yes, she's too hot to handle." Brandon replies.
"Why didn't you tell me you were taking her to her senior prom?" Steve asks.
"Maybe that's because I just found out about it a few minutes ago." Brandon answers.
"Well you could have….." Steve starts and stops in midsentence. "You what?" Steve asks.
"This is the first I heard of it." Brandon says.
"You mean she never asked you to take her?" Steve asks. Brandon shakes his head.
"This girl isn't in the habit of asking for things. She just automatically assumes that I'm going to be at her beck and call twenty-four seven." Brandon says.
"And you're complaining about that?" Steve asks sarcastically.
"Steve, I had plans for Saturday night, big ones." Brandon says, referring to his date with Kelly.
"Oh yeah, with who?" Steve asks.
"Well I was….." Brandon starts but stops in mid-sentence realizing he doesn't want to tell Steve about what's been going on with him and Kelly. "Never mind, it's not important. What I need to figure out is what I'm going to do with Clare?"
"Oh come on, you don't know what to do?" Steve asks. "Brandon, do I have to spell it out for you? You cancel whatever it was you were planning on doing Saturday night, and you take Clare to her senior prom. I mean did you saw the way she was looking at you just now? She definitely wants you." Steve says encouragingly.
"Steve, it's not that simple." Brandon says.
"Sure it is. Look, she's the Chancellor's daughter, she's smoking hot, and all eager to get you in the sack. You keep her happy, you keep the chancellor happy, you stay on the task force, everybody wins, right?" Steve says.
Brandon sighs. "Except me." he says in an upset tone.
Steve looks at Brandon. "Come on, pal. Let's go play some hoops." Steve says. Brandon reluctantly nods as he walks off toward the basketball courts with Steve. He realizes now that he's going to have to cancel his plans with Kelly in order to take Clare to the prom. And just when things were really going in a good direction with that, this had to occur. Just a short time ago, Kelly was telling him how excited she was. And now he comes to the realization that he's going to have to break it. The question is, is he going to tell her the truth or make something up.
Whatever he decides to do, he now finds himself in a situation where he doesn't want to be in. The only thing he knows for sure is this task force is proving to be a lot more than what he originally thought.
TO BE CONTINUED
A/N: As Bugs Bunny would say, ain't I a stinker? LOL. First it was Brenda/Dylan, and now as you see Kelly and Brandon are not destined for the easiest of times either.
Why do I do it? Because it's just so much fun, that's why. Hee Hee. And it adds for a lot of drama. Clare is something else, ain't she? Anyways, next chapter will bring about more exciting drama as we have the final audition between Brenda and Laura. And with Dylan now in Brenda's corner and Steve in Laura's, do you think it might just be possible that the two guys may come to blows? I'll leave you all to ponder.
And as always, please take a moment to review.