A/N: A month and three weeks in, nearly two months! Wow...
Anyway, the plots are moving along nicely. I still have a ton more, plus you guys' suggestions, meaning the story's got a lot more left. So sit back and enjoy the ride. Plus there's nothing to do in quarantine, except online classes, so...heh.
Also, thanks for the kind reviews guys! They really help to get through the long process of writing chapters and making sure I don't forget any plots. Really. Remember, any suggestions and I'll put them in (eventually) just say so in reviews.
Make sure to stay safe and well,
D.L.D
Cody's P.O.V
I sighed as I walked offstage, hearing the squeals and cheer of multiple fangirls. It really is starting to get annoying, even Sierra's not this bad. I'm actually missing having her around. Always checking on me and making sure I have everything I need. It's actually a bit weird not having her around. She's always tagging along or sneaking behind me. I think I've gotten used to it...
"You ok, Cody?" Trent raised a brow.
"Yeah," Harold nodded, "You've been drifting into nothingness more often than usual. Did Gwen talk to you?"
"Nah," I chuckled, "I'm just thinking about how these fangirls are annoying. Even Sierra's not this bad."
Both of them shared a look, before nodding.
"Yeah, the fans are annoying," Harold spoke, "Their squealing does interrupt my train of thought."
"But sharing our music's worth it," Trent shrugged.
"I can't disagree with you there," I nodded, "But don't any of you miss home? Like having a quiet evening with your friends or family?"
"It's the life of a megastar," Justin sighed as he joined our conversation. He must've finished breaking up with his latest 'girlfriend'. He goes through at least three a week. "We're all doomed to have our fame as a curse."
"Over dramatic much?" Harold raised a brow, "Fame isn't a curse. It's an opportunity to share my mad skills."
"I mean all boy bands eventually go through a breakup," Justin shrugged ignoring Harold's comment, "Take One Direction for example."
"You just had to choose the worst one!" Trent frowned, "There's plenty of other boy bands."
"Like?" Justin perked a brow.
"I don't know, Backstreet Boys?" Trent looked confused.
"Exactly, all boy bands peak and then go downhill!" Justin grinned triumphantly.
"I say we'll survive the press and fame," Harold spoke, "I mean we're not like other boy bands."
That comment started a whole new debate between the three and I just sighed as I headed to the dressing room. Maybe calling someone back at Pahkitew will help me clear my head. Talking to these three obviously didn't help...
Amy's P.O.V
"So you're upset with Justin because he's saying you'll all go downhill?" I raise a brow as I sip my bubble tea.
I'd been talking to Trent for the past hour and he'd told me about the argument that went down backstage. Apparently him, Justin and Harold weren't talking at the moment to because of what happened. I blame testosterone. You know the male hormone? It's what causes guys to be so cocky and aggressive. Not that it's a bad thing, it just results in stuff like this...
"More or less," Trent sighed, "I just really pissed me off because he contributes towards nothing. It's not like he knows what will happen, especially since he does nothing but play that stupid tambourine!"
"True," I nod as I play with the drink's straw, "But you guys can't be considering a split over this. I mean, you're in the middle of a tour!"
"I know..." He looked downcast, "It's just - Sometimes being with the same people all the time makes people go nuts. Know what I mean?"
"Definitely," I chuckle, "High school's a prime example of that. But you guys should think about it before actually splitting. You might've just got heated in the moment and -"
I cringed as I realised how wrong that sounded. Trent seemed to notice too as he gave me an odd look.
"Are you suggesting I'm gay?" He smirked.
"What? No! I just didn't word it right..." I blushed as I covered my face with my hands. He laughed at my actions.
Why did I have to word it that way! I didn't mean to suggest he's homosexual. I blame myself for feeling so comfortable around him. Same with all my friends. I always say the most awkward junk around them.
"I get what you meant," He let out a chuckle as I removed my hands from my face.
It still felt warm. I could feel the sweat beading at my hairline. It'd take forever for me to live this down...
"Thank god you're so understanding," I smiled sheepishly, "I don't think I'd recover if you weren't."
"I'm sure you would," He smiled, "You've gone through worse."
"I guess you're right," I let out a laugh, "But seriously, you guys should think about what would happen if you split. You may have just made a brash decision. Trust me, I've made a few and I regret most of them."
A comfortable silence spilled between us. None of us felt the need to speak and we just enjoyed having someone to vent to. Speaking of venting, Scarlett has a lot of trauma buried in her mind. No wonder she enjoys our visits. Unless she's playing us...
That would possible since she's manipulated others before. She could be getting all of us involved in her next scheme. After all she'll be discharged if they see her making progress and being deemed safe enough for society. If we trust her, then she can easily brainwash us and -
"You seem lost in thought," Trent chuckled.
I blinked as his comment snapped me out of my loop of thoughts. I didn't even realise I'd zoned out like that.
"Um..yeah," I smiled sheepishly, "I was just thinking about something. I'm sure it's nothing though."
'Well I hope it is,' I think as I bite the inside of my cheek.
Tyler's P.O.V
Another class day. Yay. I'm beginning to hate sports more and more with the new class set ups. When I was in the same class as Taylor and Lightning, I used to feel like I was improving; now I just feel like the runt of the class. Always trying to catch up to the others.
I let out a sigh as I watch the other team make it past our defense. We're playing Handball. It's a type of sport that I didn't even know existed! Anyway, right now my team put me as goalie. Apparently it's because I'm too clumsy to be on field, but I know it's because they have no other position to put me in. I mean it's obvious. They always try to sugar coat it, well most of them anyway.
"Great, Tyler's our only chance," Scott face-palmed, "We're definitely losing."
"Let's give the guy a chance," Ezekiel shrugged.
"No-one asked home ed," Scott sneered in return.
I just rolled my eyes as I tried to focus on the oncoming attack. Sky, one of the best players on their team, had the ball and she was aiming to score. I had to save this if I wanted to prove my importance to my team.
"Just let her score!" Scott yelled.
"Give the guy a chance," MacArthur sighed, "Even a klutz like him can save a shot."
"You don't know what you're getting us into," Scott sighed.
Once again, I ignored their shouts and focused on the ball. Sky had already gone for a jump shot, and I knew that the ball would go into one of the corners.
Watching intently, I moved as she threw the ball, closing my eyes as I went to catch it.
Silence filled the field as I opened my eyes and looked at my hands. In them I held the ball and a stunned class looked at me.
"He caught it?" Sky's voice sounded stunned.
"I know, I'm just as shocked," Sanders' eyes were wide.
"Well done!" Gerry and Pete grinned before bursting into laughter.
I just smiled as I looked at the ball. I'd caught it. I'd actually caught it! Does that mean I'm finally improving? Maybe I'll be able to move up to Taylor and Lightning's class!
"Well, reset!" Pete blew his whistle.
"Blue bibs start with the ball!" Gerry instructed.
And like that we went back to the cycle of class, only this time I was determined to improve and move up to my friends' class.
Taylor's P.O.V
"Why are you training so hard, Taylor?" Dakota asked as I punched a punching bag, "Don't you miss just hanging out and going to the mall?"
"I mean sometimes," I shrug as I get another hit, "But not really. I've kinda let go of my femininity. I'm not the same Taylor Gripling as a few months ago."
"I can definitely see that," Dakota nodded, "We should hang out sometime though. I miss my childhood buddy!"
"Same," I smiled as I punched the bag a final time, "We should hang out sometime. We did have fun as kids."
"Remember that time we shaved Mrs Green's poodle!" Dakota giggled, "She was cursing for weeks!"
"Or that time we ruined our mom's wedding dresses," I smirked, "They never got that pink and beige paint out of them..."
"But we did look fabulous!" She beamed, "And our little 'husbands' were adorable."
"Your husband was a bear you named Peanut," I laughed.
"Well, yours was a doll of the number one boy band member at the time," The blonde smirked, "I actually forgot his name. He was cute though."
"I'm actually ashamed of that crush," I sighed, "Anyway, we can definitely meet up sometime. Maybe after next week?"
"Sure," She nodded, "I'll message you via the college messaging app. Chris had it set up and made it free, so most of us use it."
"Cool," I shrugged, "See ya."
"Yeah," Dakota then exited the gym to be replaced with Jo.
Her expression was firm and if I didn't know any better I'd say she's pissed. She slowly approached me, putting her boxing gloves on, as she locked eye contact with me. I couldn't help but gulp. the air around me turned icy and I took a step back as she stopped in front of me.
"What the hell do you call that?" She asked. Her voice was raised, but not enough for everyone else to hear.
"I was just catching up with an old friend," I say casually, "No big deal mama bird."
"Ha ha very funny," She frowned, "You do know you're facing Eva next week. Right?"
"Yeah I know," I say, trying to sound confident when I was actually anxious.
"Then you know how tough she is," Jo continued, "You know that she can beat anyone to a pulp. Even I'm scared of her."
"So?" I shrug, knowing fully well what that meant.
"So, you have no time to be 'catching up'," Jo's face was plain, "Least of all with miss pinky princess. You have to be focused on Eva, otherwise you'll lose."
"But Eva says I have a good chance," I say shakily.
"She's only saying that to make you feel safe," Jo brushed it aside, "Trust me, Eva's been training for this moment for her whole teenage life. She wants this win. She wants to rub it in her bullies' faces."
"Then what can I do?" I asked, feeling slightly enraged. First she insults me, then she tells me not to talk to Dakota (who's done nothing wrong) and now she's telling me that Eva's going to win. is she intentionally trying to piss me off?! Cause it's definitely working!
"You can train," Jo answered simply, "And I suggest you start now."
She then walked off, leaving me an angry, nervous and confused mess. Not a good combination.
Topher's P.O.V
I sighed as I checked that everything was in place for tomorrow's performance. So far, everything on my checklist was there and all looked well for the concert tomorrow. Since I was Chris' intern/assistant I was tasked with making sure no-one screwed up. I was above everyone else working for Chris and could tell him about their mistakes.
"Is everything good for tomorrow, Topher?" Chris' voice rang through my headset.
"Yeah, just a few more things to check," I responded.
"Great!" He beamed, "Those interns finally did a good job for once!"
"Yep, everything's in good condition," I say as I check off the final thing, "Now, I was talking to the other workers and some of them said -"
"What they said isn't important," Chris shrugged it aside, "They're just expendables."
"Yes, but they were saying about your age," I smirked as the words left my mouth, "They said you look like you're nearing fifty!"
"Fifty!" Chris' voice sounded exactly how I wanted it to: surprised and desperate. "I'm only thirty eight!"
"Yes," I say smoothly, "In fact they told me to tell you about a new anti-aging cream. It's way better than botox."
"I see..." He sounded thoughtful, "Do continue."
"Well, it's called 'age-be-gone!' and is selling like crazy," I continue, "If you want I can get some delivered to your hotel room for tomorrow. I'm sure it'll stop those rumours."
"I guess I am looking old," I smirked as I heard Chris' ego deflate, "Get me the cream. I'll see you tomorrow for the rehearsals."
"As you wish, Chris," I answered before ending the call and laughing.
That fool doesn't know what's gonna happen! Soon I'll be the head of his high school and college, as well as the manager of the Drama Brothers. I mean I am the perfect successor and Chris clearly doesn't know what's best for teens in this day and age. Plus he can easily go into retirement. All I have to do is make one quick call to the school board.
Courtney's P.O.V
"I still can't believe arranged marriages are legal these days," I sighed as I stepped into my empty dorm.
Since Bridgette moved out to live in her apartment with Geoff and the twins, I've been welcoming myself to an empty dorm for months now. It is nice, but I do miss having some company when I come in from a long day. At least Gwen's dorm isn't too far away, otherwise I'd go nuts.
"I know," Jose's voice rang through my phone, "It's terrible how one cannot marry who they choose in a modern society such as today."
"Yep," I say as I set the groceries I bought down on the kitchen counter, "I mean you should be able to choose. Imagine consummating your marriage with a complete stranger!"
"That's a possibility in my future," Jose sighed, "Remember?"
"Oh yeah..." I sighed, "Sorry I forgot. So, are we still flying over next week?"
"Yep," He answered, "I told my father a viable excuse for the delay."
"Which is?" I raised a brow.
"My and Alejandro's wives are coming over," He replied casually.
"What?!" I screeched. I'm pretty sure everyone on campus heard me. "Jose are you insane! We have a six year gap and Heather hates Alejandro! That's just about as believable as you rising from the dead."
"I know, I know," He sighed, "But if Alejandro and I are married, then the daughter cannot marry us. Of course that leaves the burden on Carlos, but he's got the hots for her already."
"So you're telling me that all I have to do is act like a happy wife and you guys will be back in the United States?" I raise a brow.
"Essentially," He responded, "However my family is tough to persuade. They may ask you many questions and inquire about personal factors."
"Ok," I say as I head to get a notepad. I have a feeling I'll be pulling an all-nighter again.
"Just tell me everything I need to know and I'll prepare for it."
Bridgette's P.O.V
Wedding planning. Wedding planning? Why am I in the middle of wedding planning?
I sighed as I stared down at the notepad before me. Gwen and Leshawna sat beside me, each looking at me for an answer.
"You have to choose a theme, Bridge," Leshawna sighed, "It's an essential."
"Leshawna's right," Gwen nodded, "If we wanna get anywhere with this wedding, we have to have a theme. Or at least a colour scheme."
"The fuck, that rhymes Gwen!" Leshawna looked at her bewildered, "How do you do that?"
"I don't know!" The goth chuckled, "It just happens."
"Can we focus on the wedding?" I asked in a quiet voice.
"Yeah," Gwen shook her head.
"Sorry for getting side tracked, girl," Leshawna's brows furrowed, "Hormones make a woman so unpredictable."
"Yep," I laughed, "Crying, laughing then yelling. All on repeat."
Leshawna and I laughed, while Gwen just looked at us awkwardly. I forgot she hasn't been pregnant yet. The only one left in our inner circle.
"So...Gwen," Leshawna smirked, "When are you and Duncan planning on have a kid?"
Gwen's eyes widened as she turned a bright shade of red. She then covered her face with her hands, while we both laughed.
"We're only teasing," I laughed.
"It's not funny!" She chucked at cushion at us both, "It's not my fault you two don't know how to use protection!"
Ok, she had a point with that one.
The room filled with silence as we both took in her comeback.
"Touche Gwennie, touche," Leshawna nodded, "Now, Bridge wedding theme!"
"I don't know!" I say, "Maybe I'll go over this with Geoff."
Both of them sighed, while I smiled sheepishly.
"At least give us a colour," Gwen raised a brow.
"How about baby blue?" I asked, "And white!"
"Sounds good," Gwen wrote them down.
"I'll look up themes that go with those colours," Leshawna grinned, "I'm on the internet often for the bump, so I can squeeze in time for you."
"Thanks guys," I hugged them.
"No problem," They both hugged me back.
"Hey, she isn't squashing us for once!" Gwen spoke and we all burst into laughter.
Noah's P.O.V
Another day, another shift. Gossip central, as Izzy calls it, is one of the few reasons I turn up for work each weekend. Just hearing the unlikely stories and mind-blowing news people have each day just makes my job all the more satisfying. Especially since I can always sneak some 'surprises' in my former bullies' ice-creams. Oh, the satisfaction. However today was a quiet day, so not too many people have come in and service is slow. Yet, the gossip flow hasn't stopped.
Heather was sitting at a table with Anne-Maria. Both females were talking while enjoying their orders. From what I had heard Heather was seeking advice from Anne-Maria about getting over guys A.K.A Alejandro. Apparently the eel had been sent to Spain to be married off to some Spanish aristocrat. Courtney was the one who provided this news and had told Heather they were going to Spain to help Jose and Al get out of this mess.
Then not too far away from Heather and Anne-Maria was Lindsay, Kitty, Beth and Katie. Judging from all the shopping bags, the four ladies had just spent a day at the mall. I can imagine the credit card bills... their poor parents, well actually poor them. We're not teens anymore so their parents will probably tell them to work it off. What a tough world we live in...
Anyway, they were gossiping about some lip gloss, which isn't too fascinating, however they did talk about a cheating scandal that happened in high school. Apparently it even snuck by Sierra's radar. Basically, Lightning, who was on and off with Anne-Maria, mainly for parties however they went on a couple dates, had a one-night stand with Lindsay who had mistaken him for Tyler. Of course... At least it's good material for the blog.
Now that I've recapped everything I've learned from this morning alone, I'll tell you about the latest gossip I've overheard. So, sitting a few tables from the counter are Mike, Dawn, Amy and Cameron. The four of them usually come here on a Saturday at around 2pm and get the same cones. It's like a tradition, however today they've been talking about something that happened.
"Hey Noah!" Izzy beamed, "Heard any scoops yet?"
"Yep," I sighed as she broke my concentration, "And I was just getting one."
"Ohh you mean about Scar?" Izzy tilted her head like a puppy.
"You mean Scarlett?" I raised a brow.
"Yeah, Scar!" Izzy grinned, "Anyway she's like super crazy and was put in a hospital, like most of our family, besides that Dawn, Mike, Cam and Amy always visit. She requests it. That's what she told me anyway. I visit her often since we're cousins and like super close, plus she has fun ideas. However they've been less fun recently, maybe because they're less crazy though..."
"Ok, so basically those four still visit the psycho that tried to destroy the college and kill us all?" I asked in a monotone.
"Yep," Izzy smiled, "I can't wait to tell Sierra about this scoop!"
"Yeah..." I say as look at some new customers.
However I wasn't feeling too good about the gossip game anymore...
Gwen's P.O.V
"Leshawna's been so whiny recently, and Bridge's been so stressed about wedding," I say as an old horror movie plays, "I swear I'm gonna have grey hairs soon."
Duncan and I were enjoying the quiet evening since recently everything's been so crazy recently. I feel like I haven't really spent time with him, always pushing him aside for a friend's dilemma. Plus he's easy to vent to. I mean he was my best friend before my boyfriend.
"It can't be that bad," He laughed, "Plus you could probably pull of grey hair."
"I prefer the highlights," I reply, "And that wasn't all they did."
"I doubt they'd do anything worse," He smirked.
"You wanna bet?" I raised a brow.
"How much?" He asked.
"Twenty dollars, leave it or take it," I smirked.
He paused for a second before answering, "Deal."
"Ok, my good sir," I say putting on a British accent, "I believe you owe me twenty dollars as they asked me when I will end up pregnant."
I laughed as I saw his face. This was definitely worth betting twenty dollars on especially since I get an extra twenty dollars off him.
"Ok, that's bad," He eventually let out a laugh.
"Exactly!" I joined him, "Like I get that I'm the only person in our friend group to not have a kid, but at the same time we're only in college. Plus they didn't exactly know the meaning of safe sex."
"Ok, now you sound like a mom," Duncan looked at me.
"Too bad I won't be one for a while then," I say.
Silence filled the room, as we both sank into our own thoughts. I was just thinking about how ironic it was that I was the only one in my inner friend group to not have a kid. I mean I as the one with the most detentions out of us, even with all of Leshawna's fights against Heather. Granted my detentions were because of missing homework assignments...
"Gwen, do you want to have a baby?" Duncan smirked, breaking the silence.
We both laughed, knowing he meant it as it joke. Ok, that is definitely some of the most random shit he's come up with. Even if it's just to mess with me.
A baby? Yeah, that's not happening for a while.