Chapter Thirty-Five: Standing Tall & Back To School
Later that day, Elyon decided to go see how Clarissa was doing. But when she got to her chanbers, she found Julian sitting in a chair in front of the door.
"Is something wrong, Sir Julian?", Elyon asked.
"Yes, Your Majesty.", Julian said. "Clarissa needs time to herself."
"Why? What happened?", Elyon asked. "Is she alright?"
"To be honest, I do not know.", Julian said. "There was an inccident earlier today and now she is in her chambers recovering from it."
"Is she hurt?", Elyon asked with concern.
"No.", Julian said. "She and Aldarn were sparring when I believe she had a flashback of what happened to her and instead of seeing Aldarn..."
"She saw Phobos.", Elyon figured. "I see. I wanted to see her, but after hearing that, I think it's best to leacve her be."
"Thank you, Your Majesty.", Julian said. "If you don't mind, I'd like to take Clarissa somewhere for a few days."
"Where?", Elyon asked.
"It's personal.", Julian said. "I'm hoping it'll help her on the road to recovery."
"If you think it'll help her then by all means, do what you think is best.", Eyon said with a kind smile. "After all, you are her father."
"Thank you, Your Majesty.", Julian said to which Elyon nodded before walking off.
The next day, Clarissa woke up with a yawn and very hungry. And the strong smell of food wasn't helping.
"Good morning.", Julian said as he was sitting in a chair. "Did you sleep well?"
"Y-Yeah.", Clarissa said surprised to see her father in her chambers. "Were you here the whole night?"
"Of course not. I just came in here ten minutes ago.", Julian said as he stood up and walked up to the table Clarissa had in her chambers. "I figured that you could use a good breakfast seeing as you didn't have dinner last night."
On the table was a meal for Clarissa to eat. She wasted no time digging into the food that was set before her. From eggs, to bacon, to waffles along with some juice and milk. Clarissa wasted no time eating the food in front of her.
"I see you haven't lost your hunger.", Julian said with a grin as his child ate. "Eat up. And when you're done get cleaned up and pack some clothes. For when you're finished we'll be going on a trip."
"A trip?", Clarissa questioned. "To where?"
"Home.", Julian said as he left Clarissa's chambers.
"Home?", Clarissa questioned confused before going back to eating her breakfast.
Once she finished her meal, Clarissa got cleaned up and dressed in her usual attire and packed come extra clothes and was ready to go. She found her father at the stables where he had two horses ready for the both of them.
"So where are we going?", Clarissa asked as they mounted their horses.
"Home.", Julian said as they started their journy.
"But the palace is our home.", Clarissa said.
"Not our first one.", Julian said as they continued their way.
Clarissa said nothing as she followed her father wondering what he was talking about. Later that day, the girls showed up to see if Clarissa was okay, but were surprise to find out that she had left with Julian on a journey.
"When did they leave?", Maddie asked.
"This morning.", Elyon said. "Julian thinks the trip will do Clarissa some good."
"Did they say when they'll be back?", Cassidy asked.
"No.", Elyon said. "Whatever Julian has planned just may help her."
"I hope so.", Angela said. "I know she's tough, but anyone would be phased by what she went through."
"So what do we do now?", Hay Lin asked. "We came her to see if Clarissa was okay. But now that she's not here..."
"Well... My day is clear.", Elyon said. "We can go see what the royal tailors are doing. They said that they have some new outfits for me to try out."
"Works for me.", Alchemy said. "Think they can make me a dress or two for whenever I come her and want to blend in?"
"I don't see why not.", Elyon said as they headed for the chambers of the royal tailors. "They've been talking about wanting to make dresses for you all."
"Now you're talking.", Cornelia said getting excited.
"Notice how she didn't look to concern about Clarissa.", Angela whispered to Will.
"I'm sure she's worried.", Will whispered back.
"I hope you're right.", Angela whispered as they followed Elyon.
Now in another part of Meridian, Aldarn and Drake were at the cave where Phobos, Cedric, and Miranda were hiding out. They were traveling down the tunnel that Cornelia went down while he, and Julian went down the other two tunnels.
"So you think that Cornelia beat you and Julian to Phobos and Clarissa and did nothing?", Drake questioned. "I know that she has been something of a brat, but I don't think she would just stand by and let Clarissa go through what she went through."
"I hope you are right, my friend.", Aldarn said as they made their way down the tunnel. "I really do."
Soon they came to the end of the tunnel and saw that it ended at a cliff that over looked the area where Phobos and his generals hid at.
"Okay. We're here.", Drake said. "If Cornelia was here, she would of had a good view of what happened. But there's no sign of her being here."
"Yes there is.", Aldarn said as he showed Drake the proof he needed.
"I can't believe it.", a stunned Drake said as he looked at the proof Aldarn found. "Who stands by and watches something like that?"
"I don't want to think about it.", Aldarn said as he put his proof in a side pouch he had. "Right now, we have to show the queen."
"What do you think she'll do?", Drake questioned.
"I do not know.", Aldarn said. "I only wonder what the Guardians will do."
"I'm afraid to think about it.", Drake said as they teleported back to the palace.
In another part of the kingdom, Julian and Clarissa had traveled a long way over over hills and fields until they came to a lake where there was a house on a hill that wasn't finished being built. Once she saw it, Clarissa could have thought she knew the place.
"This place looks familiar.", Clarissa said.
"It should be.", Julian said as he got off his horse. "It used to be our home."
"What!?", Clarissa questioned as she got off her horse. "This was our home."
"Long ago, when I thought that the Mage was the Mage, we lived here.", Julian began to explain. "Soon you came into our lives and we were happy. When you were old enough, I took some rope and a board and made you a swing that I put on that old tree.", he said as they walked up to a tree that stood tall.
"I'm guessing that it didn't last long, huh?", Clarissa questioned as she walked up to the tree and touched it gently.
"Sadly no.", Julian said. "Mage, or should I say Nerissa, had to go into hiding while I started the rebellion against Phobos. Of course he learned about me and sent some soldiers led by Cedric to come after me. Thanks to our spies I learned of this and we left for the Infinite City. Cedric had our home brunt down."
"And now you're rebuilding it.", Clarissa said as she looked at the almost finished home.
"Yes.", Julian said. "I won't be in Honor Guard forever and would like to spend my retirement here. I have all but the front half of the house and half the roof to finish."
"And you want me to help.", Clarissa figured.
"See it as a way for us to bound.", Julian said with a grin. "You can even sleep in your old bedroom seeing as it has a roof."
"Might as well get started.", Clarissa said as she took off her coat and hung it on the tree.
"That's the spirit.", Julian said as he walked over to a tarp that had something under it. "I got this from John Vanders. He said that it would help keep the wood dry from the rain.", he said as he pulled the tarp off of the wood he had to make the roof. "And he was right."
"That's ggod.", Clarissa said.
"Indeed.", Julian said. "Now let's get to work."
And so for the rest of the day, Julian and Clarissa worked on the rest of the place they once called home. And with their powers as Guardians of Metamoor, things were going well. Soon it was night and after eating a nice meal they said their goodnights and headed for bed in their rooms.
"I truly hope that this helps you on the road to recovery, Clarissa.", Julian said as he laid in his bed.
As for Clarissa, she was laying in her bed wondering if she would ever get over what happened to her.
"I have to be strong.", she said to herself. "I must be strong!"
Well weeks passed and with hard work Julian and Clarissa finished rebuilding their destroyed home. They even got the stable done. The both of them looked at their hard work with some pride after all they've done.
"Now this is a good home.", Julian said. "And I'm glad to of finished it with you, my child.", he sdaid as he patted Clarissa on the shoulder.
"Why didn't you ask me to help you with this in the beginning?", Clarissa asked.
"In the beginning, I wanted to do it on my own.", Julian said.
"So why have me help you with the rest of it?, Clarissa asked.
"To help you recover from what has happened to you, of course.", Julian said. "I know it's not a solution, but I was hoping that working on our home would help keep your mind off things. But I guess I was wrong."
"It helped, father. Truly, it did.", Clarissa said. "I felt like my old self doing some hard work again."
"But...", Julian said knowing there was a but coming.
"But... I'm not me.", Clarissa said. "I'm not Caleb anymore. I'm Clarissa. Someone who couldn't even fend off someone like Phobos. I'm a joke!"
"That's enough!", Julian yelled making Clarissa jump a bit as she looked at her father who had a stern look on his face as he looked at her. "All this time you've been trying to be your old self while you're a female. You think you are weak because of what Phobos did to you."
"Because I am!", Clarissa cried as she turned her back to Julian.
"You're only weak because you're letting yourself be weak.", Julian said. "The child I raised wouldn't let themself be this way."
"I'm not Caleb anymore!", Clarissa snapped. "I'm not the warrior I used to be!"
"Yes you are! You just don't think you are because you are a woman now!", Julian said. "Guy or girl. Caleb or Clarissa. You are you. So what if you are a woman! You still remember all that you have learned growing up as Caleb. Fredes didn't take that away from you. Just because you are a woman now doesn't mean that you are weak. We both have seen many of our female warriors hold their own in battle. And so can you. You just have to believe.", he said as he knew his words were getting to Clarissa as he walked up to her and had her turn to face her. "I know that you are still trying to get over what happened to you. Phobos is a coward for what he did and now he is paying for it. He couldn't even take you on by himself. Remember that. And also remember that you come from two strong parents. Use that strength to stand tall and show Phobos that he hasn't beaten you."
Hearing that made Clarissa smile as some tears began to run down her face. But Julian knew that they weren't tears of saddness. He knew that they were good tears as he took her in a hug that Clarissa returned. After Clarissa shedded her tears she wiped her face and smiled at her father.
"Thank you, father.", she said. "I needed to hear that."
"That's what fathers are for.", Julian said with a smile of his own. "Now what do you say we go chop some firewood for our home."
"Yeah.", Clarissa said as they headed for the nearby forest to chop a tree down for it's wood. "Would you mind if I were to bring Angela and Maddie here for a weekend or two?"
"I don't see why not.", Julian said. "There's plenty of room."
"Thanks.", Clarissa said. "Father. I'd like to do something when we return back to the palace."
"What's that?", Julian asked.
A few days later, Julian and Clarissa had returned back to the palace. But after they got settled back in, they headed down to the Infinite City Prison to settle something with a certian prisoner. Soon they entered the prison where the warden, Vathek, was waiting for them.
"Are you sure about this?", Vathek asked Clarissa.
"I... I need to do this.", Clarissa said.
"Very well. Follow me.", Vathek said as he led the way.
Clarissa and Julian followed Vathek to the cell of the prisoner Clarissa needed to see. It was none other than Phobos who was brooding in his cell. Of course, when he saw Vathek, that was all he saw with the Galhot's large frame.
"And what do you want, Vathek?", Phobos asked. "I already had my lunch. As pitiful as it was. How I miss the days when I ate grand meals with the finest of wines."
"You have a visitor.", Vathek said.
"And who, in their right mind, would want to see me?", Phobos questioned to which Vathek moved aside to show Clarissa standing with Julian. "Ah! I see. And what do I owe the pleasure of seeing you again, my dear? Did you miss me?", he asked with a smirk causing a chill to go down Clarissa's spine before she gathered herself.
"I just wanted to see you to prove something to myself.", Clarissa said.
"And that is what exactly?", Phobos asked as if he didn't care.
"That you're not as powerful as I thought you were.", Clarissa said getting the fallen prince's attention.
"Is that so?", Phobos questioned.
"Yeah! It is.", Clarissa said as a smirk grew on her face. "You talk big, but you're nothing without your power. Take that away and... well... look at you now. You're a joke, Phobos."
Phobos then launched himself at Clarissa and tried to grab her with his right hand only for her to grab his wrist and squeeze tight. Phobos then tried to grab her with his other hand only for Clarissa to grab it the same way she grabbed his other wirst and hold on tight to it. She then began to pull Phobos towards her and close to the quintesense bars that held him in his cell.
"What are you doing!?", Phobos questined as he tried to get free of Clarissa's hold. "Release me! Release me I say!", he demanded knowing that he would get shocked if he touched the bars.
Seeing this, Vathek was about to step in when Julian held out his arm in front of the Galhot stopping him letting him no that there was nothing to worry about.
"Let me go!", Phobos demanded. "Let me go.", he said as he tried to pull himself free.
Once Phobos was a few inches from the energy bars, Clarissa let him go allowing him to fall to the floor of his cell. Phobos looked up at Clarissa with a glare as she looked at him with a calm yet stern look.
"Now you know how I felt in that cave.", Clarissa said. "Not fun is it? I will not let you ruin my life. I'm going to stand tall and move on. You do not get to win. So long, oh fallen prince.", she said as she turned to leave with her father who was proud of her.
"Well done, Clarissa.", Julian said.
"Thanks.", Clarissa said. "And thanks for letting me do what I had to do, Vathek."
"Don't mention it.", Vathek said with a smile. "It was fun to watch.", he said with a grin.
Clarissa gave her friend a smile before leaving with Julian.
"So what will you do now?", Julian asked Clarissa.
"What else? Return to Earth.", Clarissa said. "I don't want to let my friends down."
"Well I wish you luck.", Julian said.
"Thank you, father.", Clarissa said.
In another part of Meridian Fredes was in his hidden base in the Infinite City looking through a book. Once he read what he was looking for, a smile grew on his face as he closed the book.
"Finally! Finally I'm closer to getting what I need to take the kingdom.", he said as he sat in a chair he had in his quarters. "It was worth teleporting Phobos, Cedric, and Miranda from heir cells to keep the queen and her people busy long enough to get this book. And now I have the information I need to get what I need to rule the kingdom. Now I'll just have to wait until Ralos and Salos do what they have planned which will keep those Guardians busy long enough to go after what I need. Timing is everything after all.", he said as he picked up a goblet of wine and took a sip from it. "Yes. Timing is everything."
A few more days passed and it was just one day before school started in Heatherfield and many schools across the country. As most childrens and teenagers were counting the hours, we have Angela and Maddie on the third floor of the Vanders' apartment building which was split up. One half had the apartment walls knocked down to make it something of a place for parties while the other half had most of the walls knocked down so it could be made into a gaming area and theatere. The two girls were in the game area playing some vidoe games on the wide screen TV. But as they were playing, they were thinking about Clarissa hoping that she was okay.
"Think she'll show up for school?", Maddie asked as they were playing the game.
"No idea.", Angela said. "I mean she has been through a lot. I wouldn't blame her if she decided to stay in Meridian."
"Yeah.", Maddie said. "Man! It should of been us who went in that cave. We would of blasted our way through the webbing and gotten there in time to save Clarissa."
"Maybe.", Angela said. "I'm just glad she's okay."
"You and me both."
Angela and Maddie look up to see Clarissa smiling down at them from behind the cuch they were sitting on.
"Hi, girls.", Clarissa said with a smile and a wave.
Both Maddie and Angela screamed as they reached up and grabbed Clarissa and pulled her down onto the couch with them.
"Whoa!", Clarissa laughed as she was laying upside down on the couch between her friends. "Glad to see you girls, too.", she grinned.
"When did you get back?", Maddie asked.
"Just now.", Clarissa said.
"Do the others know?", Angela asked.
"Nope.", Clarissa said. "I figured that I'd surprise them tomorrow, when school starts. Ummm... can I sit up staright? The blood is starting to rush to my head here."
"Sorry.", Maddie and Angela said as they helped Clarissa sit up straight.
"That's better.", Clarissa said as she was sitting up straight.
"So... are you... you know?", Maddie asked.
"Okay?", Clarissa questioned. "Well... I'm better than I was two weeks ago. You can thank my father for that. He helped me gain the strength I needed to move on and accpet who I am. No matter what gender I am.", she said with a grin.
"That's good to here.", Angela said. "But you know that you didn't have to come back so soon."
"Actually... I think I did.", Clarissa said. "I had to come back. If I didn't, then Phobos would have truly beaten me. I need to do this.", she said with a smile. "Besides. The three of us do have our little plan for school when it comes to Corny and Irma."
"Really? You still want to do that?", Maddie questioned. "You do realise that there will be guys trying to get close to you."
"I know.", Clarissa said. "But I don't think they'll do what Phobos did."
"True, but if you get scared, let us know.", Angela said. "We got your back."
"Thanks.", Clarissa said as the three of them shared a group hug.
"Am I the only one who feels a bit girly?", Maddie asked a they were still in the group hug. "And I'm not talking about the hug."
"I've learned that it's best to accept whatever happens and move on.", Angela said.
"Same here.", Clarissa said. "We're still us, only diffetent."
"I guess you have a point there.", Maddie said as they ended their hug. "So what now?"
"Now we order pizza and celebrate.", Angela said. "For tomorrow, we go back to school."
"Oh joy.", Maddie said getting a laugh out of her friends.
The next day, the others were at Sheffield hanging out in the parking lot of the school before school started. They would of went into the school, but they wanted to see if Clarissa was going to show up. Deep down they were hoping she would, but after what happened to her, they didn't have their hopes up to much.
"What if she doesn't show up?", Alchemy questioned.
"If she doesn't, she doesn't.", Will said. "We all know that there's a chance she might not be coming. It sucks but it's something we have to accept."
"Did you see her, on your way out, Cassidy?", Taranee asked.
"Nope.", Cassidy said. "Angela left early saying that she was going to pick up Maddie and then go get some breakfast."
"I'm sure Clarissa will be okay.", Irma said. "She just needs time."
"Yeah.", Cornelia said. "If she doesn't show up, we can always go she here in Meridian. Right, Elyon?"
"Huh!?", Elyon questioned. "Yeah. Sure."
"Are you alright?", Cornelia asked.
"Yeah! I'm fine.", Elyon said. "Just thinking about some things.", she said.
Drake and Aldarn looked at each other having a pretty good idea what Elyon was thinking about. As for Elyon, she was thinking about what Aldarn and Drake brought her two weeks ago from the cave.
Flashback.
"It can't be!", Elyon said as Aldarn showed her what he found in the cave. "It jutst can't."
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty.", Aldarn said. "But I found them right at the end of the tunnel she went down.
Aldarn then handed Elyon some strains of blonde hair and a piece of pink fabric that could only of came from the skirt of Cornelia's Guardian outfit. As Elyon held the the objects, a tear ran down her face saddened by what her friend has done. She knew what needed to be done, but she also knew what would happen if she were to tell the others about it now. So with a deep breath, she looked at Drake and Aldarn and...
"I know this is asking a lot of you two, but I need you to keep this to yourselves.", Elyon said.
"Your Majesty?", Drake questioned.
"Hear me out.", Elyon said. "Right now, things are really fragile. If we were to tell the others about what happened, who knows what will happen. Clarissa may snap and do who knows what to Cornelia. And we don't need that. And then there's the other Guardians. Plus, I want to give Cornelia a chance to confess what she did."
"So you want to give her a chance at redemtion.", Aldarn figured.
"Yes.", Elyon said. "So I'm asking you, as my friends, to keep this to yourselves. Please."
Drake and Aldarn looked at each other and then at Elyon's pleading face and understood her intensions.
"Yes, Your Majesty.", they said.
"Thank you.", Elyon said.
End Flashback
'Oh, Cornelia.', Elyon thought to herself sadly. 'What happened to you?'
Suddenly, a familiar black SUV came pulling up into the parking lot and parked in a free space. The others watched as Angela got out of the driver's side while Maddie got out of the rear passanger's side. Everyone watched in surprise as Clarissa got out from the front passanger's side. And what surprised them more was what the three of them were wearing. Angela, Clarissa, and Maddie were each wearing a pair of black jean shorts with black sneakers and black jean jackets. As for theur shirts, they were each wearing tank-tops with black tiger stripes, only Angela's was white, Clarissa's was orange, and Maddie's was violet.
"Hey, guys!", Clarissa said with a smile and a wave as she, Angela, and Maddie walked up to them.
Hay Lin was the first to hug Clarissa who returned the hug.
"It's good to see you to, Hay Lin.", she said.
"When did you get back?", Cassidy asked.
"Yesterday.", Clarissa said as she and Hay Lin ended their hug. "I would of said something, but I wanted to surprise you all."
"Well mission accomplised.", Will said with a grin. "It's good to see you."
"Thanks.", Clarissa said. "And don't worry, I'm okay. Well... as okay as I'm going to be."
"You know that you didn't have to come back so soon.", Elyon said.
"I know.", Clarissa said as they walked towards the school. "But I had to do this. If I didn't, then Phobos would of won. And I refuse to let that happen. Besides. I know you all got my back. Well... most of you."
"Okay. Now let's all try and start the school year off right.", Alchemy said. "And I mean ALL of us.", she said.
"Hey, I got no problems.", Irma said.
"Same here.", Cornelia said. "I'll be to busy being popular."
"Ditto!", Irma said. "It is so hard being us."
Angela, Clarissa, and Maddie looked at each other remembering their plan as they walked into school.
"This is going to be fun.", Cassidy said to herself remembering what they told her of what they had planned.
As they headed down the halls, Angela, Maddie, and Clarissa were getting looks from some of the boys as they walked pass them. Which was what the three of them wanted as they neared their lockers.
"Looks like you three are getting some attention.", Will said as they got to their lockers.
"Eh!", Maddie said like she didn't care as they all headed to the lockers they always had.
Including Angela, Clarissa, and Maddie who went to the lockers they had as Angelo, Caleb, and Matt.
"You three have your regular lockers?", Taranee questioned.
"Yeah.", Angela said as she unlocked her locker. "Uncle John talked Knickerbocker into giving Clarissa and I the lockers of our "cousins" to make things easier when it came to assigning lockers.", she explained as she placed a bag with her clothes for cheerleading practice in her locker with her clothes for gym.
"My parents did the same thing for me.", Maddie said as she opened her locker and placed her clothes for volleyball practice inside with her clothes for gym like the other girls did.
"That does make things easy for you.", Hay Lin said just as the bell rang.
"And that, people, is the sound of Summer Break ending.", Irma said. "So long, Summer! You will be missed."
Everyone then headed to their homeroom to start the new school year. Soon lunch came and the students couldn't be more happy for the break from learning. As they got their lunches, the students sat with the people they normally sat with and talked about some of the things they did during the break as well as some of their new classes. Of course, when it comes to our heroes, one by one they sat together at their normal spot and talked about things.
"I love my advanced art class!", Hay Lin happily said with a smile. "The teacher alreayd has us working on an assignment!"
"Already?", Irma questioned. "Geez! Not wasting any time, huh?"
"Shouldn't you be doing the radio show?", Will questioned.
"Not today.", Irma said. "Knickerbocker has some new equipment getting installed. So for the next few days, K-SHIP will not be on the air."
"Got any ideas for the show this year?", Cassidy asked.
"I have a few ideas.", Irma said. "I asked Martin if he had any ideas and he said he'd get back to me."
"What about the Grumpers and Uriah?", Alchemy questioned.
"Please!", Irma said. "I'm afriad to even think about what they could have cooking up in their heads."
"You never know until you ask them.", Elyon said. "Give them a chance."
"I'll think about it.", Irma said before eating a grape.
Just then, Angela, Clarissa, and an upset Maddie sat at the table.
"You okay?", Elyon asked Maddie.
"Don't want to talk about it.", Maddie said before biting into her sandwich to which Clarissa and Angela giggled..
"Okay. What happened?", Taranee asked to which Clarissa was about to say something when...
"Not a word.", Maddie said to which Clarissa smirked.
"Oh just tell us!", Cornelia said. "How bad can it be!?"
"I'll tell!", Angela said to which Maddie gave her a look. "They're going to find out sooner or later."
"So what happened?", Hay Lin asked.
"Well... the three of us walking here, to the lunch hall, when...", Angela began to explain.
Flashback
"Who knew our class would be on the other end of the school?", Angela questioned.
"We would of gotten here sooner if that boy wasn't trying to get your number.", Clarissa said.
"Don't blame me!", Angela said. "I tried to avoid him. He was just to quick."
"Speaking of quick, look who's ahead.", Maddie said as she spotted one Uriah Dunn ahead of them with some of his crew.
"Oh brother.", Clarissa said while rolling her eyes. "This is something we don't need."
"Tell me about it.", Maddie said. "I have a class with him already."
"Let's just walk past them and hope they don't mess with us.", Angela said as they made their way pass them.
"Hold up, hottness!", came Uraih's voice when he suddenly jumped in front of Maddie. "You and I have ecomonic class together."
"Yeah. So?", Maddie questioned as she tried to walk pass Uriah only for him to jump in front of her again.
"You're new here, aren't you?", Uroah asked.
"Yes.", Maddie said. "Is that a proplem?"
"Not at all.", Uriah said as he looked Maddie up and down with a sly smile. "The namd is Dunn. Uriah Dunn."
"That's nice.", Maddie said.
"I didn't catch your name.", Uriah said.
"I didn't throw it.", Maddie said as she walked passed Uriah.
"Ooooooooooo!", Uriah's friends teased.
"Now don't be like that, baby.", Uriah said as he walked with Maddie. "You and I can be REAL good friends. If you know what I mean.", he said with a wink.
"I don't think so.", Maddie said. "I'm going to be pretty busy with school and volleyball, and my cousin's band."
"That's what they always say.", Uriah said. "But once you get to know me, you'll have time for me."
"Well right now, I have to go to lunch.", Maddie said as she caught up with Angela and Clarissa who were waiting for her.
"Forget the food here, babe!", Uriah said. "Me and my boys are heading to the food trucks down the street for lunch. Who don't you come with. My treat."
"Sorry, but me and my friends are meeting with our other friends for lunch.", Maddie said.
"Oh well. Your loss.", Uriah said. "Catch you later, babe!", he said as he and his friends left.
"Wow! First Danny, now Uriah.", Angela said with a grin.
"You have some odd luck with attracting guys.", Clarissa grinned.
"Don't even start.", Maddie said as they entered the lunch hall. "That was something I didn't need."
End Flashback
"Uriah has the hots for you!?", Irma laughed. "Not that's rich!"
"Priceless!", Cornelia laughed while the other girls laughed a bit.
"Really?", Maddie questioend as she looked at Elyon who was giggling.
"I'm sorry.", Elyon laughed. "It's just that... out of all the guys in school, it's Dunn who's the first to hit on you."
"You've got to admit that it's kind of funny.", Angela said before eating a chip.
"Funny to you, not to me.", Maddie said.
"And what about you?", Will asked Angela. "Who tried to get your number?"
"Some guy bragging about being on the football team.", Angela said. "And boy was he proud."
"Mmm-Hmm.", Will said while drinking some of her milk.
"Are you getting jealous?", Cassidy asked Will.
"What!? No!", Will said.
"Riiiiiight.", Cassidy said with a sly smile.
"Don't worry, Will.", Angela said. "I blew the guy off. I hope."
"Not getting jealous.", Will said. "I always figured that you'd attract some guys in school. So no biggie."
"So you don't care about what happens to me?", Angela questioned faking being hurt. "Well that just hurts."
"Awwwww! Poor baby.", Will joked before she and Angela busted out laughing.
"Uriah having the hots for Maddie can be fun.", Cornelia whispered to Irma.
"Very fun.", Irma whispered back. "And with him still on the radio show, I can give him all the info he needs about her."
"This is going to be a good year.", Cornelia whispered before she and Irma went back to eating their lunch.
'What are they up to?', Elyon thought to herself as she was eating her lunch. 'Whatever it is, it can't be good'
Soon lunch was over with and everyone headed to the next class. Two classes later it was gym for our heroes. And that meant that Clarissa, Maddie, and Angela had to get dressed for gym. In the girl's locker room. And even though they got used to seeing their female friends naked, it didn't make it any easier with all the other girls that would be in the locker room.
"You three going to be okay?", Cassidy asked them.
"Yeah.", Clarissa said as she took a deep breath and headed inside with the others.
"You'll be fine.", Alchemy said. "I mean, we all had to get used to seeing each other in the buff. And that wasn't easy."
"Tell me about it.", Taranee said as they entered the girl's locker room. "But we did it."
"And here we go.", Angela said as she, Maddie, and Clarissa headed to their lockers while doing their best to not stare at all the girls who were undressing and changing into their gym clothes.
Once at her locker, Angela saw that her locker was next to Sondra's who was taking off her clothes revealing a baby blue bra and underwear.
"Hey, Angela!", Sondra said as she put her regular close in her locker and began to put on her gym clothes.
"Hey, Sondra.", Angela said as she began to take off her clothes.
'Be cool. Be cool.', Angela thought to herself as she slipped on her gym clothes. 'You can do this without freaking out. I mean you saw the girls naked for crying out loud! You can do this, Angela!'
"Just so you should know, our cheerleading coachs are the gym teachers as well.", Sondra said. "And they don't play favorites. Not that I'm saying you think that. I'm just letting you know before class starts."
"Gotcha.", Angela said as she finished putting her clothes on just as Will came up to them.
"Hey, Will!", Sondra said smiling.
"Hey, Sondra.", Will said. "I didn't know you were in this class."
"Yeah. I decided to take gym before lunch, but this was the only class open.", Sondra explained. "Oh well. Can't be helped I guess.", she said as they headed out to the gym.
"You okay?", Will whispered to Angela.
"Oh I'm fine.", Angela whispered back. "I just saw a good friend in her underwear."
"And?", Will questioned. "You saw her in a bikini."
"I know, but it's just something about seeing a girl in her underwear.", Angela said. "I mean, I still get a bit excited seeing myself in the mirror when I get dressed.", she said to which Will couldn't help but giggle. "Not that funny."
"I'm sorry.", Will said holding back some laughter. "But if you're going to react to seeing Sondra in her underwear, then just wait until you have to take a shower with all the girls here."
"Oh boy.", Angela said as she and Will sat with their friends just as the gym teachers came of their offices ready to start class.
"Okay ladies and gentlemen, welcome to gym class.", Mr. Bowen said. "For those of you who are new here, I'm Mr. Bowen and this is my wife, Mrs. Bowen."
"For the rest of the year, we shall be your gym teachers.", Mrs. Bowen said. "Some of you may also know us as the cheerleading coachs. We do not play favorites here. So don't expect any special treatment. And with that out of the way, let's start with some warm-ups."
"Boys on one side, girls on the other.", Mr. Bowen said.
"Nothing new.", Angela said before she noticed Uriah looking over at them.
Or more likely Maddie.
"Hey, Maddie. Look who's in our class.", Angela said.
Maddie looked to see Uirah looking at her. He then gave her a wink and smile.
"You've got to be kidding me.", Maddie said as she rolled her eyes.
After doing some warm-ups, they played a simple game of dodgeball which got pretty intense after a while, yet was fun none the less. Afterwards it was time to hit the showers. Something three certian girls dreaded but knew they had to do. So with some heavy sighs, Maddie, Clarissa, and Angela walked into the locker room to do what they had to do. Once in the girl's locker room, they walked to their lockers while doing their best not to stare at any of the girls as they undressed and headed for the showers while hanging their towels over the small wall that led to the showers.
"You know what? The sooner we do this, the sooner we can get out.", Clarissa said as she headed for the showers.
"She has a point.", Angela said following her friend.
"Might as well.", Maddie said as she headed for the showers.
Once in the showers, they found some showers they could use and began to get cleaned up as quick as they could. But as they took their showers, they began to notice how some of the girls there were looking at them every once in a while. Once they were done with their shower, they grabbed their towels and dried off and headed back to their lockers and got dressed in their regular clothes. Once they got dressed, they left the locker room amd met up with the others to wait for the end of class.
"Is it me or were we being stared at by some of the girls?", Clarissa questioned.
"No, it's not you.", Angela said. "We were being stared at."
"We not all girls have your figures.", Taranee explained. "Not to mention that you're the new girls."
"Okay then.", Maddie said.
"Don't sweat it.", Will said. "Give it a few days and the staring will stop."
"Actually, it helped me feel a bit comfortable.", Angela said. "Don't ask me why, but it did."
"Same here.", Maddie said. "It helped taking a shower a lot easier.
"Boy did it.", Clarissa said.
"I don't get it.", Cassidy said to Clarissa. "I mean you should be used to changing clothes and taking showers in front of other girls with you doing all of this during swim team practice and all."
"You would think that.", Clarissa said. "But it still feels kind of weird.", she said as the bell rang.
"And now it's off to our final class.", Hay Lin said as they left the gym. "See you guys later!"
"See ya!", everyone said as they headed for their next class.
"What's up, babe!", Uriah said as he caught up with Maddie. "So I hear that you're Olsen's cousin."
"How did you know that?", Maddie questioned.
"Your friend, Lair told me.", Uriah said.
"Of course she did.", Maddie said in a deadpan tone.
'I'm so going to get you, Irma!', Maddie thought to herself.
"So maybe I'll catch a volleyball game and cheer you on.", Uriah said.
"Knock yourself out.", Maddie said. "It's a free country."
"Looking forward to seeing your first game.", Uriah said as he headed into a classroom. "Later, Maddie."
"Yeah. Yeah.", Maddie said as she continued to go down the hall.
"Wow! He really does like you.", Irma said as she caught up with Maddie.
"No thanks to you.", Maddie said. "What happened to starting the school year off right?"
"What? Uriah asked me about you an told him a few things.", Irma said innocently. "How was I suppose to know he was into you that much."
"Yeah right.", Maddie said. "I know what you're up to, Irma. And it won't work."
"Wanna bet?", Irma questioned with a sly smirk. "I'll back off of Clarissa after what she's been through. You on the other hand aren't off the hook. I still owe you for breaking up with me and then geting with Elyon only a few weeks later."
"Wow! And here I hope that you had changed.", Maddie said with a grin. "Looks like I was wrong. Makes me glad we did break up."
A scowl formed on Irma's face as she walked off leaving Maddie to head to her class happy that Irma wasn't in it with her.
'You are so done for, Maddie Olsem!', Irma thought to herself as she headed for her next class. 'Just you wait and see!'
Soon the first day of school was over with and those that had practice for their sport or other after school activities stayed and headed for what they had to do. Except for those on the swim team who headed for the youth center where the public pool they used for practice and their home swim meets. Right now, they were having practice.
"So how was your first day of school as... well... you?", Will asked Clarissa.
"Interesting.", Clarissa said. "One to many guys staring but okay none the less."
"Get used to it.", Cassidy said. "You're a good looking girl. Guys will be looking."
"And wait until they see you during our swim meets.", Will said. "You'll be getting fans then."
"That's not helping.", Clarissa said getting a laugh out of her friends when a whistle was blown by the coach, Mr. Carlson.
"Okay ladies and gents! Let's get started with a few laps!", Mr. Carlson said. "The sooner we get through this practise, the better."
Knowing the routine, the members started their laps in the pool. Back at Sheffiled, Elyon and Maddie along with the other members of the girls volleyball team had started their practice under the watchful eye of Mrs. Garnet.
"Good job girls! Time for a break!", Mrs. Garnet said impressed with how well the girls were doing. "Keep this up and you'll have a great first game in a week."
"So do you think Clarissa is really okay?", Elyon asked Maddie as they sat together on the bleachers.
"I think so.", Maddie said as she grabbed her water bottle and took a drink. "She said that she was okay enough to come back and go to school with us. I know that she wants to prove that she's strong."
"She dosen't have to do that.", Elyon said. "She dosen't have to prove anything."
"She knows.", Maddie said. "I think she want's to prove that she can be as strong as the female warriors she fights besides."
"I think you're right.", Elyon said. "So we just have to have her back and be there for her when she needs us."
"That's the idea.", Maddie said. "But you know? I think she'll be okay.", she said with a small smile.
"I think so too.", Elyon said as they enjoyed the rest of their break.
Now one the football field, well the sidelines anyway, were the cheerleading squad working on some routines for the upcoming football game on Friday. And much to Mr. and Mrs. Bowen surprise, the squad was doing pretty good with the routines they were working on.
"Nice going everyone.", Mr. Bowen said. "You've all come along well. If we can keep this up, we'll be ready for our first football game this Friday. But more importantly, we'll be ready for our first compitition in a few weeks. Which reminds me. If any of you have a routine in mind for the compititions, don't be afraid to come forward with them."
"Mr. Bowen is right.", Mrs. Bowen said. "If we're going to do good this year, we have to be willing to try something new. So put those brains to work thinking of something we can do. Mr. Bowen and I have a few new things that might work for us, but see if you can think of something. Even if it's for the games we cheer at."
"Now take a five minute break while we decided what to work on next.", Mr. Bowen said allowing the squad to take a break.
"A new routine, huh?", Taranee questioned as she sat with Hay Lin, Sondra, and Angela. "That could be fun to do."
"Whatever we do it has to be good.", Sondra said. "And within the rules of the compititions."
"You know, we could try something for halftime at games.", Hay Lin said. "Just to see how well it goes."
"We'll need a song to do the routine to.", Sondra said.
"And a pretty good routine.", Taranee said.
"I... may have something.", Angela said glad that her complextion hid her blush.
"You do?", Taranee questioned surprised at Angela.
"Oh! What is it!?", Hay Lin asked getting excited.
"Well... I haven't really tried it out yet.", Angela said. "I'm going to need some help."
"How about tomorrow after school?", Sondra suggested. "We can meet up at my place and work on it."
"Okay.", Angela said. "It's worth a try."
Soon the squad was back working on routines and doing pretty well. Later that day, everyone was heading home to do any homework they were assigned and getting some rest for the day. Which brings us to the Vanders' apartment building where Angela, Clarissa, Cassidy, and Elyon lived as they are heading upstairs to the second floor to relax a bit before doing anything. Also there are Kadma, Halinor, and Yan Lin having a thing of tea.
"So how was you first day of school?", Halinor asked as the teens sat down somewhere.
"Tiring.", Elyon said.
"You can say that again.", Clarissa said.
"It couldn't have been that bad.", Kadma said.
"It is when your coach want you ready for your first game on Friday.", Angela said. "We went through so many routines that it wasn't even funny."
"Any idea where Drake is?", Cassidy asked. "I figured that he and Aldarn would be at swim practice."
"So did I.", Clarissa said.
"I asked them to help Chen with cleaning out the basement of the Silver Dragon.", Yan Lin said. "They're going to be as while.", she said.
"So you'll be cheering at the football game?", Kadma asked Angela with a smile.
"Yep.", Angela said. "And tomorrow I'll be working on a routine with Sondra, Hay Lin, and Taranee."
"Remember when we made up a routine.", Yan Lin asked Kadma with a grin.
"The can-can cheer.", Kadma said with a laugh. "Now that was fun."
"You two made that up?", Angela questioned.
"They still use that?", Kadma questioned.
"It was one of the first cheers we newbies had to learned.", Angela said. "The coachs said it would helped us learn to work together. And they were right."
"Who knew that they still use that cheer.", Yan Lin said in surprise.
"I'm impressed.", Kamda said woth a smile.
"Question. Why did you two do cheerleading in the first place?", Angela asked Kadma and Yan Lin.
"To impress a boy.", they both said.
"Wow! I'm actually surprised by that answer.", Angela said.
"What can I say? I wanted to get Joe's attention.", Kadma said.
"Just like I wanted catch the attention of a guy I had a crush on.", Yan Lin said.
"Speaking of which, Angela caught the attention of somebody today.", Cassidy said with a smirk. "And he's on the football team."
"And I kindly turned him down.", Angela said.
"Don't think that'll stop him from hitting on you some more.", Elyon said. "Some guys won't stop until they know that they really have no chance with you."
"Of course they don't.", Angela said in a deadpan tone getting a laugh out of the others.
Meanwhile, at the Vanders' gym, Cornelia and Irma were working their shift when an idea hit Irma as she took out her cell phone.
"Who are you calling?", Cornelia asked.
"You'll see.", Irma said as someone answered the phone. "Hello, Tony? It's Irma. How are you doing? That's nice. Listen, I'm calling you to let you know that Angela is apart of our school's cheerleading squad and will be cheering at the football game this Friday.", she explained. "You'll be there? Great! See you then!", she said as she hung up her phone.
"Oh! You're bad.", Corneliaa said holding back her laughter.
"Hey! I said I wouldn't pick at them.", Irma said. "I didn't say that I wouldn't set it up so that Peter, Tony, and Danny wouldn't be around to flirt with them."
"This is going to be a good year!", Cornelia said laughed with Irma.
A/N: Well it looks like Clarissa is doing a bit better after what she's been through. And she has her friends to back her up when she needs it. And what a first day of school! Poor Maddie. Now she had Uriah wanting her. This should be some fun. And it seems that Cornelia and Irma are up to some old tricks. What's going to happen when Tony shows up at ther football game? And will he be alone? Find out in the next chapter!
Please review.