Oh my goodness…I can't believe how long it's been! I am so sorry for everything, guys. But I will not just drop this story and leave it unfinished. So I will continue. This next chapter, as I have it planned (it could change from now until I finish it [it did change. Sorry guys]) is at least four sections. Without further ado, onwards!
Most of the girls were busy. The past two nights, the team had managed to go out and hunt. Eleanor had sensed the tension between Alvin and Brittany, but felt that bringing it up to Brittany was a bit of a bad idea. She really was giving off the impression that she did not want to talk about Alvin and Eleanor had decided, along with Jeanette, to give Brittany some time. Of course, the sisters probably wouldn't have done that if Brittany and Alvin were making things difficult when they were hunting. Surprisingly, the two were able to work together as a team when they needed to.
But now it was the anticipated day—Valentine's Day. As Eleanor moved about her room, preparing for her date with Theodore, she couldn't help but be distracted. Her emotions, most of them being excited and happy, were being subdued by her concern for Jeanette. Jeanette still was going to go on a date with Darren tonight, even after all the time and effort that Brittany put in to stop it.
Shaking her head, Eleanor finished putting together her warm but nicest looking outfit and quickly brushed out her hair. She had decided to put them in low pig tails instead of high ones, just as a bit of a change for the occasion. But Eleanor refused to wear anything pink, even though it was Valentine's Day. Just as she finished, she heard a bump come from Jeanette's room.
Eleanor walked out into the hallways and went to stand in Jeanette's doorway. She could see her sister sitting on the ground, rubbing her butt. She obviously tripped and fell. "Are you okay?" Eleanor asked, walking to Jeanette and helping her up. Jeanette nodded and gave Eleanor a smile of gratitude.
"S-s-so, h-how do I l-look?" Jeanette asked and Eleanor let go of her hand. Eleanor looked at the simple, long denim skirt and purple sweater. Her hair was still up in a bun, but Eleanor could see the attempt to make the bun a little neater than normal. Around her neck, Jeanette had the locket.
"You always look beautiful, Jeanette. He will like it." Eleanor really didn't want to encourage Jeanette with this guy. Brittany had filled Eleanor in on everything and the whole situation didn't settle right with her. But something that Brittany said, after Jeanette showed a surprisingly stubborn side, made Eleanor feel that Jeanette would be okay.
"You look really beautiful, Eleanor."
"Thanks. I don't think that Theodore will notice, though."
Jeanette looked a little sad about that. "Why do you think that?"
Eleanor giggled. "That's just not him! I know he thinks that I'm very pretty. That's why he won't notice."
"Ellie! Your date is here!" Brittany's voice called up the stairs. Eleanor smiled wide and answered back before turning to see Jeanette try and adjust her hair again. Whatever Brittany said, it didn't matter. Eleanor was concerned.
"Netta, keep your cellphone on you, okay? And stay in public places around people. Also, don't be afraid to just say 'no' and come back home." Eleanor had walked over to Jeanette and began to help with her hair.
Jeanette glanced at her through the mirror that she was standing in front of. She was going to just politely dismiss Eleanor, but she saw the concern that Eleanor had. "I will, Eleanor. I'm…not th-that much of…a…w-w-weak li-link."
Eleanor locked eyes with Jeanette through the mirror and smiled. "You aren't one at all. Have a great time." Jeanette smiled back and thanked Eleanor for fixing her hair before Eleanor left the room.
Walking down the stairs, Eleanor quickly noticed Theodore standing by the door and being assaulted with threats and warnings from Brittany. Theodore seemed to be genuinely concerned about the threats and very eager to promise to shenanigans. Eleanor had to smile, though. Brittany was just playing the role of the older, protective sister and Eleanor knew that Brittany didn't believe that Theodore would do anything to harm her.
"Hi Theodore!" Eleanor called out a few steps away from the bottom of the stairs.
Theodore immediately beamed at Eleanor and held out a bouquet of white roses. "Happy Valentine's Day, Eleanor!" Eleanor faintly blushed as she took the flowers from him and she smiled at him. He looked a little uncertain. "Alvin said I should get you those. Do you like them?"
"Theodore, they are lovely. Thank you so much! Let me put these in some water and then we can go, okay?"
"I'll do that for you. You guys waited long enough. Get going. And Theodore, no funny business." Brittany took the roses from Eleanor while handing her a coat and gently hurried them out the door. She laughed at the earnest and scared face that Theodore was sporting as they left.
Brittany watched from the front steps as her sister and Eleanor's first real boyfriend walked down the street for their date. She really had to be happy for her sister. Eleanor liked boys, but usually the attitude that the guys at school gave off really made Eleanor mad. But Theodore just wasn't like those other boys. There was never anything insincere about him in his personal life, besides the Vigilante business. And it was obvious that he really liked Eleanor. Still, Brittany had to play being the big sister as much as she could.
The same really couldn't be said about Jeanette. Brittany huffed and turned back into the house to put the roses in some water. Jeanette was still upstairs getting ready and she had to walk to wherever Darren decided to meet her.
It was just so unlike Jeanette! She didn't seem like she really liked Darren all that much and it was still blatantly obvious that the shy girl was harboring affection towards Simon. But Jeanette still agreed to a date with Darren and all under the pretense of just wanting to experience dating. Hell, if Brittany knew that Jeanette was feeling that way, then she would have encouraged her sister to start something up with the semi-psychotic smart guy of the group.
"I'm going know, Brittany," Jeanette's quiet voice announced. Brittany snapped back to reality and turned off the faucet to stop the water that was now overflowing from the vase. Slowly, she turned around and looked at her sister. Jeanette made an effort in her appearance for the night, but the girl was still her old self and very casual. Darren truly would never go for her type, but he is now.
Brittany made a heavy sigh and walked to her sister. She reached out and put her hands on Jeanette's shoulders, pulling her in closer. "Do you have your cellphone? Do you have your whistle? Okay, just please…please be careful."
Jeanette, after having to physically show Brittany that she had those items, nodded to her sister before pulling away, putting on her coat and scarf, and leaving the house. Brittany would have to go on faith and trust in what Alvin had told her.
Brittany sat down on the couch and flipped on the television. She wasn't watching it, however. She was thinking of her little sister being with a guy that she couldn't stand and trust. Brittany just had to keep telling herself that she needed to trust in Alvin. There was something there.
Forget it.
Brittany got up from the couch, placed on her jacket, and left the house. She didn't see which way Jeanette went and she really didn't know where those two were going to meet up, but she was going to find them and she was going to make sure herself that Jeanette would be fine. Luckily, she knew every spot that Darren liked to hang out at. Surely he would bring Jeanette to one of those places.
With determination, Brittany marched down the streets until she came across one of the main avenues of the city in which all the popular kids seemed to hang out. One by one, she searched each restaurant, café, and hangout spot she came to. But still, she couldn't spot anyone that looked like Jeanette or Darren. After about two hours, it suddenly dawned on her and Darren wouldn't want to be seen by the popular kids hanging out on a date with Jeanette. The night just got much more suspicious and Brittany became much more concerned.
She came to the last little coffee shop on the stretch she was on and decided to get a cup just to keep herself warm as she continued her search. She pushed open the door and heard the little jingle of a bell underneath the cacophony of chatter. Halfway across the lobby to the counter, Brittany could hear a very familiar voice ring out loudly above everyone else.
"Oh, Alvin! You're so funny!"
Brittany tried to keep herself walking and forced herself into the line for the counter before chancing a glance. Sure enough, Alvin was sitting at a table with his fake smile on right next to Madison. Brittany felt the blood in her veins boil. He seemed so sincere about wanting to be with her just a few days ago. Now he was out with Madison!
Well, she did turn him down. There were no doubts about that. But the guy couldn't even stand to wallow in heartbreak like she was? 'She can have him,' Brittany thought to herself bitterly, trying to keep her cool and just get her coffee so she could carry on with her mission. 'He's nothing but trouble, just like I told her'.
She was one customer away from being served when she heard that piercing voice a lot closer to her. "Brittany! I didn't know you would be here!"
Brittany wanted to groan. Madison was being loud on purpose. She was showing off and now, like a good little frenemy, she was going to rub this date in Brittany's face. "Hi Madison. Yea, I'm just here for a cup of coffee."
"Oh, they have the best coffee here. Say, where's your date?"
Brittany forced on her best smile, trying to keep her cool as Madison worked her way through her plan of making Brittany recognize that she was with Alvin. "I have better things to do tonight than go on a date."
"I am so sorry you couldn't get a date! And on Valentine's Day! That's the saddest day of the year to spend alone!" Madison practically screamed. Brittany moved up in line and ordered her coffee as Madison buzzed in her ear about how horrible it must be to be alone on Valentine's Day. "Well, I think I am making Alvin wait a bit too long. I just wanted to use the restroom. But I can't believe how close we're getting to each other now. He must really be into me. Well, see ya later, Britt!"
Brittany smiled back, refusing to let Madison know that she had gotten to her. She paid for her coffee, took it from the barista, and then left, thinking, 'Don't call me Britt, you skank'.
Outside, Brittany took a moment to breathe some fresh air before gingerly sipping at the cup. She needed to reset her mind and focus on locating Jeanette and that asshole that she was out with. She pressed her lips together and narrowed her eyes. She would take care of one asshole, then leave the other one to rot.
"Brittany, wait up!" Brittany wanted to just keep going down the street that she was walking and ignore Alvin as he was coming up. He obviously wanted to do some face-rubbing as well. She really didn't want to take two bashings like that in one night. And Alvin knew her pressure points very well. "Don't you understand what 'wait up' means?" he hollered.
"What do you want, Alvin?" she turned and stared death at him.
Alvin had caught up and was just standing there, looking a little taken back by her look. But he shook it off and began to look a little nonchalant. "I just wanted to let you know that whatever she told you was wrong."
"Why would I care about that? I don't."
"I care." He shrugged.
"Great. So you feel better now. So, please excuse me, but I have things to do."
Brittany turned to leave but was prevented when Alvin reached out for her elbow. "Since you're out, why not go for a walk with me?"
She stared at him with her mouth open. He just asked her out on a date when he was already out with Madison. Plus, she already said no to him before about being involved in anyway outside of their nightly activities. She opened her mouth to respond.
"I know you shot me down already. But I don't believe that you don't love me."
She sighed. "I never said that I don't love you, Alvin."
"So you do love me?"
"It won't work out!"
"How the hell do you know?"
"Because I know, okay?"
"It's working for Theo and Eleanor."
"They're different from us."
"I don't think so."
"Why are you pressing this!?" Brittany was getting exasperated.
"Just say you love me and I'll stop!"
"Fine! Okay? I love you. I love you so much that it pissed me off. Happy? Now go away."
Alvin wouldn't let her leave. She turned to mouth off to him when she noticed the smile on his face. It was sweet and kind, totally different from any he had ever worn around her before. "There is no way that I'm going to leave now that I've heard that."
Brittany groaned. "We fight all the time, Alvin! And we are involved in so much. It just won't work out."
"I love you, Brittany. And we can make it work."
She couldn't believe her ears. Alvin had made a full on confession, spewing love in the only way to be expected from Alvin. She never in a million years would think that Alvin would do something like that, especially for her. It was always vague and she had to read in-between the lines. Her silence now, with her being unable to really say anything, made Alvin feel the need to push his case forward.
He stepped closer to her and held her hand in his, looking her straight in the eyes. "We can do this, Britt. We've faced bigger obstacles before. How hard could loving someone be?"
"You got that out of a romance novel."
Alvin smirked. She had to sigh. It hurt so much to reject him once. She didn't think she could do it again. She really did want to believe him and he had managed, in his own asshole way, to make her crazy about him. She looked up and smiled back at him. That was invitation enough for him, and he leaned down to give her a kiss, making it as sweet and as gentle as many of the others have been.
"Alvin! I'm over here, you know," Madison's voice rang through the street, sounding offended.
"I know. But I like it much better over here," Alvin muttered into Brittany's lips, just loud enough for only Brittany to hear. Brittany felt bad for Madison, but Alvin was trouble. Alvin pulled away and wrapped his arm around Brittany's shoulders and they walked down the street, listening to an incredulous Madison calling after Alvin.
"I told you I always win." Alvin broke the comfortable silence after they rounded a corner.
Brittany jerked her head to look at him, losing her smile. She thought back to when he had claimed that. It was over their relationship and when they shared their first kiss. Brittany's eyes widened. He had this entire thing planned out all along. Maybe not every exact detail, but enough to try and make her jump through the hoops that he wanted her to jump through. She opened her mouth to deny it, but then she remembered something.
"Not so fast. I made you beg. So I didn't lose," she hummed back. Alvin jerked his head at her in the same way that she had done to him. Then something hit Brittany. "I forgot! I was looking for Jeanette and Darren!" Her eyes were wide and she was craning her neck around to continue to search.
"Relax. I told you not to worry about it. I let loose a mad dog tonight." Brittany looked at Alvin for an explanation. "Or should I say, a mad 'Doc'."
Page Break
Jeanette may not have had a lot of experience when it came to dating, but she had read plenty of romance novels and had heard plenty of stories from Brittany. That said, she was pretty sure that the date that she was on was probably a lousy one. But she really didn't want to put Darren in a bad light.
First she had to meet him at a very out-of-the-way location without a lot of people there. He was charming and friendly, but she had to buy whatever they were going to eat and drink for that night. Yet, she really couldn't fault him for that too much. He said he lost his wallet and those things do happen. Second, whenever she mentioned something about herself or her interests, he seemed really uninterested and was more focused on the other girls in the little restaurant. Next, when she proclaimed that she was going to return home, he became a little pushy. And that's where she was at now.
Jeanette was listening to her sisters' advice and was walking down the street to get home, trying not to be very rude but insisting that the night was over for her. Darren had decided to follow her.
"I want to talk more with you."
"I'm sorry, but I really must be getting home."
"You should really learn to live a little. Have some adventure in your life. The night is still young and there is still plenty that we could do."
The hairs on the back of Jeanette's neck prickled at that. "L-like what?" She really didn't want to seem rude, but she also really didn't want to engage him in conversation any further.
"I want to hear about your little hobby."
Her eyes went wide. She remembered the suspicions of the team about Darren knowing who they all were, and that didn't sit well with her. He must be asking about that. "I want to know what you know about the Vigilante. You're really smart, so you much know something."
"I'm sorry," Jeanette began. "I…um…really don't…It's not that I…um…."
She was stopped dead in her tracks, trying hard to focus on lying and removing whatever telltale signs that she exhibited when she was doing it. But that gave Darren a chance to get in front of her. He caught her eye and in an instant, it looked like his patience left him.
He roughly grabbed her wrist and began to wrestle her behind a dumpster. "You're going to tell me everything," he darkly threatened.
Jeanette wrenched her thin wrist out of his grasp and pulled it away. She turned to run, but was grabbed from behind. "Let go of me!" she shouted, turned and placing a well-practiced kick to his stomach. He doubled over and she took a moment to register what had just happened before she realized she needed to leave. She turned again to go but the kick really infuriated Darren.
The guy lunged angrily and Jeanette and knocked her to the ground. He fought with her hands and he climbed on top of her and soon overpowered her. She tried to wiggle her way out, hardly feeling the cold ground beneath her and the pain to her head. In one instant, she felt she got the better of him as she managed to punch him in the nose and poke him in the eye. But he wouldn't get off of her.
He leaned down close, looking as menacing as possible. "Tell me everything," he demanded, pronouncing each syllable slowly.
Just as Jeanette knew she was in real trouble, the two heard the sound of metal hitting hollow metal. Darren looked up immediately and Jeanette wrenched her head to see the other side of the dumpster as best as she could. There, holding a pipe in one hand, wearing a dark blue coat and light reflecting off of his glasses, was Simon.
Relief just washed over Jeanette upon seeing him. "What the fuck do you want, you gay bastard?"
Simon merely stared Darren down with cold eyes. Jeanette could see the monster in them. She instantly became concerned for Darren. No one deserved what the monster did to them. Even a horribly wretched person like Darren.
Simon lifted up the hand that held the pipe in front of him before it went clattering to the ground, creating a clanking sound that echoed in the night. He then turned his hand around a beckoned Darren to come over. "I just want to play," he said darkly as he performed these actions.
Darren cursed. "What are you going to do, you psycho?" Simon just smirked. Quickly and not caring if he stepped on Jeanette or not, Darren got up and made a threat to Jeanette to stay down. "You want to rumble? Fine, let's go."
Impatiently, Darren made the first attack. He moved forward as Jeanette scurried back, her back pressing against the freezing cold dumpster and watching. She instantly knew that she could get up and attack, but seeing that look in Simon's eyes told her to stay away. He barely recognized Alvin in that state. It was likely that he would not recognize her at all.
The fight didn't last long, however. It was well over before Jeanette even realized it, but it wasn't too surprising. Simon seemed to be unstoppable when the monster took over and Darren, just by judging from his stance before he attacked, seemed to be inexperienced with fighting. But the fight was over. Simon was looming over Darren, who was on his hands and knees. He might have been spitting out blood from his mouth but it could have been the possible new broken nose that Simon just gave him.
Simon leaned down, his eyes still devoid of anything that was recognizably Simon. Yet, the monster had decided not to keep attacking. "I wouldn't tell anyone what happened here," Simon darkly muttered to Darren over Darren's moans of pain. "That would be telling people you got beat up by a fag. Also, I wouldn't go near another Seville or Miller, if I were you."
Jeanette could see Darren shoot a look of death at Simon before clambering to his feet and taking off. She was a little amazed that the fight didn't last a bit longer, or the torture. She was even more relieved when Simon turned his attention back to Jeanette. His eyes were light and concerned. "Are you okay, Jeanette?" He walked over to her to help her up.
"I believe so," Jeanette nodded, careful not to look Simon in the eyes, feeling her blush forming on her cheeks, and hesitantly taking back her hand from Simon's. "I think my pride is more injured than I am," Jeanette muttered. "I was really stupid."
"Don't say that. Mistakes happen all the time to everyone. Besides, you always think well of people. It a great character trait." Simon was trailing off a bit at the end and looking away.
"I tried to fight him off. I guess I need more practice." Jeanette and Simon were now walking out of the area slowly. "I'm lucky that you showed up. By the way, why are you here?"
Simon glanced over at Jeanette and shrugged his shoulders, suddenly moving to the side of the sidewalk that they were now on and picking up a large bag. "I was getting a few things that I needed and I kind of got lost. This city is a maze." He tucked his bag under one arm and then smiled at Jeanette. "Let's get you home."
Jeanette nodded, thinking of just climbing into her nice warm bed and snuggling into her pillow and blankets, forgetting about her first ever date. She would have to try and come up with some explanation as to what happened tonight. And she really wasn't ready to do that. Especially to Brittany.
"No, I can't go home yet. Brittany's home and I really…don't want to…face h-her right now." Jeanette got very quiet and she began her nervous habit of picking at her cloths. This time, it was her sleeve.
Simon nodded and gave her a few encouraging words. Then he lightly touched her elbow, drawing her attention away from her mind and sleeve and back to him. "Why don't you come over to my house? I was going to investigate that syringe and I could use some help."
Jeanette smiled and agreed. Maybe this Valentine's Day would turn out well for her after all.
I'm ending it here. If I don't, this will be mad long. Don't worry, Valentine's Day hasn't ended yet. Theodore and Eleanor haven't come up yet and we've got to figure out what's in that needle. P.S. I'm surprised with how much I actually hate Darren. I really don't like him! Poor guy. Anyway, on to comments. Once again, sorry for not updating sooner.
Bratette-Yea, it is very out of character for Jeanette to do something like that. But for some reason, I just couldn't stop it from happening! And seeing Theodore laying down the law was really fun. Especially for Eleanor, who is usually the one you think of standing up for Theodore and not the other way around.
Chipmunkfan-Like always, you are so on top of things! But I am glad to have finally surprised you. Still, a lot of your questions weren't answered in this chapter, I don't think. The Simonette will continue into the next chapter and then we have the Theodore and Eleanor part to go through still. Frankly, I think that Darren had that coming to him.
SimonetteRules(aka SaraC72)-Thanks for sticking with me for so long. I really hope that this chapter didn't disappoint.
Cutie Mary-Well...can't say much about my updating speed. At least for right now. Over a month! But I think I have a handle on the job now, so things should go smoother. That and I'm very inspired. As for the other ones, patience is a virtue. But you should like the next chapter, in that regards.
Polina-Thanks for the support, as always! :)