A/N: I finished this quite quickly. Very quickly. Anyway here's the next chapter which is the ending, but I have a little epilogue chapter so one more to go! I'm getting really excited about it actually. After all one less story more time to finish others in a way.
Speaking of that, I won't be publishing the epilogue story to this titled 'Happy Endings?' until I finish Two Queens. That story is about Heather and Courtney teaming up to show everyone in their high school that even though they're not liked, no-one else is either. (Though I feel the prologue flopped massively at conveying that). Anyway I think it's a fun story to write and I can't deny that having the two main characters backstab each other (despite remaining in their alliance) is entertaining. Oh and it was requested by a frequent reviewer of mine (JustaFriend). So feel free to check it out (totally me self-advertising but who cares).
JustaFriend - Thanks for the review. I hope you're safe and well too and that you enjoy the holiday :)
Anyway I'll leave you guys to read. Till next time,
D.L.D
Sierra's P.O.V
"I'm happy that they found happiness," I say as I end my day.
The episode had ended and now I was with Rena, recapping the events of the episode. It had been expected, though unexpected at the same time. (I know weird, but it makes total sense). After having Lindsay and Katie take B and Dawn around town, each getting hints and glimpses of what the final treasure was, they had arrived at the nature reserve. The final destination and chance at teling each other how they really felt.
Once they were there, it was then things had somehow developed themselves. B and Dawn ended up confessing and they spoke about all the things that made sense when it was revealed that the treasure hunt was about each other. Both had seen so many things that jogged their memory of one another and I couldn't help but fangirl as I watched it all unfold.
Then as if making the day even better, the two had kissed. On screen! The perfect ending to the episode as well as promotion of how my show actually works. I mean how else could you get a reserved aura-reader and silent genius to confess to each other? They were some of the hardest types to draw that sort of confession from (need I mention some of the most rewarding too). But yeah, in short the episode had been great and once again I was flooded with requests straight after, meaning I wasn't taking a break from this anytime soon.
Sky was going to start her 'matchmaking' training next week, meaning she was going to be in episodes but not do much as she's still too inexperienced. After all a good matchmaker knows some things that she's still unaware of. Even today she was still skeptical of whether my plan would work. But it did and I gained a extra twenty bucks off her! To think she even doubted that I'd win. Shameful really.
"Yes, it was rather heartwarming," Rena nodded. Her clipboard was now gone, instead a box of muffins sitting in her arms. "I made you these since you liked them so much on your breaks. That way you shouldn't run out till the end of this week."
I look at the box, almost speechless. There were around twenty-four muffins in there, the things perfectly shaped and yummy looking. I could already taste them just by looking at the treats piled together, but I stop myself and instead smile at Rena.
"Thank you," I say as I take the box from her. "You really didn't have to make all these."
"Oh it was no trouble at all, plus it's part of the job," Rena laughed slightly as she waved a hand. "A lot of my bosses ask for the muffins so it's no surprise that you'd want one. Consider it a thanks for being such a nice employer."
"Oh I will," I say, a muffin already in my mouth. It tasted heavenly. "But these may not last a week..."
"I'll just have to bring them in during work then," Rena sighed, but still held a smile. "I had a feeling you'd say that too. Good thing us assistants are always prepared."
She then gestured to the second box on the table, causing me to nearly drop the muffin I was eating. How many muffins does this assistant make each week?! Let alone how long it must take to make them.
"My nana owns a bakery," Was all she said as she took the box. A laugh followed her words as she disappeared down the hall. "See you tomorrow Ms Campbell. Go easy on the muffins."
I only laugh at that, knowing that these would last four days maximum. I then settle the box down on the table, ready to grab my coat and go. Then my phone vibrates, the message being from Dawn.
*New message*
From: Dawn
Dawn - Hey Sierra, I just wanted to notify you about the college riot today. Gwen says we need some promoters and such and I'd thought you'd like to be kept in the loop of things. Consider this as a thanks for today.
I find myself smiling at the message, gathering the box of muffins as I slip on my coat. Oh I'll be at the riot and that will be promoted to the whole world.
Geoff's P.O.V
It was chaos. But it wasn't the sort of chaos that made you want to scream and hide or runaway, it was the kind of chaos that got your blood pumping and mind raring to go. The kind of chaos that got you joining in and somehow screaming along. Then you find yourself just doing it because it seems natural. Because it seems right. I can't help but feel that as we gather into a group, Eva gathering our attention for the task at hand.
"Ok, we need to make sure all these statues are t-peed or vandalized in some way," Eva directed as she passed the rolls between us.
We were in a group of ten, all of us having chosen Group Three instead of the others. I like to think I chose this one as it brings me back to the old days. The times where I didn't care about consequences and just had fun for the sake of it. I can remember all of the things I used to get away with back then. Pranks, parties, a bunch of underage stuff. Many of those things were associated with parties or peer pressure, but I think I chose to do it for the fun. That's probably why I chose this group too because it was the most fun sounding and least violent - well destructive.
I heard that one group was smashing windows and another was setting off the fire alarm. That had proven to be true as they set off in those directions and the equipment they had made sense when pieced together with rumors. In fact it seemed to be the only logical solution for why those groups having to fit certain requirements.
"All of them?" Taylor raised a brow a she held a bag of toilet roll.
"All of them," Eva grunted as she gestured to the statue behind us.
Of course it was of Chris, the black stone shining in the dim sunlight. All of his features were carved to 'perfection' and below it was a plaque reading 'Founder of Pahkitew'. That title isn't meant to be there. Even if Chris was the founder he did not act like one. It should be replaced with 'enslaver of teens' instead. A better fitting title for the tyrant of a college director, especially after everything he's put us all through.
Soon everyone began to flock towards the statue, unraveling the toilet paper and bringing out spray paint and eggs. Things that we would use to damage the image of the college as well as Chris' 'pricless' statue. A perfect strike if we wanted him to scrap the whole Life Plan business.
I get to work, throwing the toilet paper over the statue and soon it was covered in the stuff. Mummified, the statue looked like a joke. A big joke. But it hadn't ended there. Oh no. A few of us were gifted in the art of using toilet paper for creative purposes. In fact, within a bit of time a few of us had managed to style the toilet paper and create a whole new appearance for the statue. It now looked like Chris was posing to be a superhero of some kind. There was a messily spray painted logo on the torso and even an attempt to change the plaque, spray paint crossing over the metal plate.
But I knew it wasn't over. Not yet. There was still more to do. So much more to do. After all we had a full campus of Chris statues and other things that he valued to wreck and ridicule.
"Good job on the statue guys," Eva applauded the work as the promoting group came in.
They then took pictures and posted them before rushing off to the next scene, knowing that they had to make sure this was all over their social media pages. Otherwise we wouldn't be heard and no differences would be made.
"Yes, I think it's a work of art," Carrie nodded as she examined the statue.
"We all do," I agree as I take a moment to take in the masterpiece before me. It was a definite improvement of the last statue.
"Ok, well on to the next one!" Eva gestured to the next statue, a smile on her stern face. Even she was proud of the creation. "We need to get these all dealt with by sundown."
With a murmur of responses, we all moved onto the next statue bringing the equipment with us. It wasn't long until the whole process began again.
Dawn's P.O.V
"My...this is definitely something," I murmur as I look among the campus.
It was almost unrecognizable, the grass muddy and trampled from being paraded on so much. The trees were bare, the leaves revealing the rough skeletons that looked like gnarled, twisted hands. Smoke filled the air, the scent almost overpowering as it filled my lungs. Smokey and dark. A mixture of chaos and freedom, contrasting with the joyous shouts and yells that echoed about me. It almost seemed as if everyone was having fun rebelling. As if they had all come together as a community to take down this one cause.
People were huddled in groups, the buildings long since trashed. The windows were smashed in, walls covered in graffiti and other forms of vandalism, making the former grand vision of the campus almost distant. A ghost of what it once was. The things it had tried to stand for, but instead ended up burning away as the students revealed the true worth of this college.
Nothing.
"Yes it is," Sierra seemed to join with my low tone, her eyes reflecting the warm amber glow of the fire near us.
It had gotten dark, the sky clouding over and indicating the early evening. Since it was winter the sky tended to get darker quicker, almost reaching a pitch black by seven or eight. However tonight it seemed to darken much quicker, the stars barely sticking out behind the smoke. It made the flames of the bonfires people crowded around a lot more prominent, the orange glow casting warm shadows on the students' faces.
"Sierra! Dawn!" Amy came bounding up to us, a wide grin on her features as she greeted us.
"Amy," I nod towards her, a smile on my face. "What happened while I was away?"
To this the blonde snorted, an innocent look in her eyes as she looked at me. Her eyes reflected the flames of a fire, the flames dancing in her dark pupils.
"Just a bit of fun," Was her response. Light and Easy. Relaxed. Something that I'd come to find in myself too. "Oh, I forgot to tell you that Gwen and the others made it inside the auditorium. Apparently they're almost ready for the next phase of the plan."
I blink at this, a smile coming onto my face but not resting there. Not yet.
"That's great!" Sierra answers for me, her tone cheery as she takes out her phone to begin filming. "So...do you know what that plan is? I'd love to tell my followers about it."
To this Amy sighed, disappointment filling her eyes.
"Sadly not," The blonde placed a hand to her face. "It's a surprise. A secret really. Only Gwen, Izzy and Courtney truly know what's going on. The rest of us are just carrying out orders really."
Sierra frowned at this, seeming dampened, but she quickly spruced back up. The smile seemed to appear instantly as she responded to the blonde saying that it would be fine not knowing. However the topic of eating did come up and soon Amy was guiding us towards a fire, sitting us in chairs and passing us a plate filled with food. It was a mix match of a few things, the food looking as if it had been cooked by the flames of the fire.
As if answering my thoughts Amy then explained that since they wrecked the on campus cafe, people had been cooking at the bonfires and DJ had been supervising to make sure it tasted ok. Then she also detailed how they all rummaged about and decided to continue the riot in shifts, with some people staying at the bonfires while others kept up the rebellion. Smart considering the group that went in to deal with Chris are yet to emerge.
"I'm on next shift," Amy sighed as she ran a hand through her hair, staring into the flames. She seemed tired. Thoughtful. Something was looming over her as she sat with us, her mood seeming cheery but mind being elsewhere.
"Well I'll join you," I say knowing that I'd have to get involved sooner or later. "Will you be joining us Sierra?"
She perked up at the attention, seeming caught off guard as she placed her phone back into her pocket. She was most likely checking her show's progress.
"Oh no I'll just go straight into the field," Sierra laughed slightly, "I prefer to join the crowd when reporting things such as this."
"If you say so," Amy shrugged and she returned to finishing her plate of food.
We all continued in silence, before Amy was being called to head into the riot. She smiled slightly at this, telling me to join her. Soon we were leaving Sierra alone at the fire, heading into the belly of the beast.
Gwen's P.O.V
"This is where he is," Izzy confirmed, nodding as I pointed towards the door. She had a crazy look in her eyes, face plain but menacing as she glanced at the door. "That's where he loves to hide when things get tough."
"You sure?" I ask as I look at the doors.
They were made of wood, simple and not as reinforced as Chris' office. If anything the auditorium wasn't as safe as Chris' office, so if anything like this was happening I would've bet that he'd hide there. But according to Izzy he used that as a red herring. A distraction. Instead Chris came to this auditorium knowing that it'd be the last place we'd search for him. Plus if we did come here, he would've had time to call his 'help' as Izzy called them.
"As sure as a monkey eating cheese," Izzy nodded.
To this we all shared confused looks, wondering when a monkey would even eat cheese. The sentence didn't even make any remote sense, let alone confirm if the redhead was sure, but I decided to just go along with it.
Pushing on the door, I frowned as it didn't budge. No, instead the wood stayed perfectly in place as if mocking us. Telling us that although what we were searching for was inside, it wouldn't let us in. Odd as the auditorium was often open for any talks or lectures. There were often events happening within the wide space. Parties, meetings, talks - even Chris' occasional college meetings that he requested all students to attend. It didn't make sense for the auditorium to be locked.
"Oh he's definitely in there," Courtney frowned as she watched me struggling to open the door. She then walked up to me, flats slapping against the tiled floor. Court then stood beside me, hands on the door. "Let me help. There's no way he's getting out of this because of some stupid door."
"Yeah we'll all help."
Soon the whole group was pushing on the door, all of us trying to budge it open while Izzy simply whistled. Examining her nails, the redhead watched as we all struggled. I was red faced and the others weren't doing much better some of them cursing about how hard it was to open a simple pair of doors.
"Don't you silly gooses get it yet?" Izzy sighed as she walked towards us. The sound of her boots connecting with the floor echoed as she wore a tired look. As if we were trying something pointless.
"Well maybe it would budge if you helped!" Bridgette frowned and Izzy once again sighed. This time face palming.
"It won't budge even if I did that," Izzy tsked as she came closer, drawing something small from her pocket. It was circular and had a wrapper around it, the label looking as if it was hurriedly ripped off. "Chris made sure this bad boy had a heavy duty lock before even choosing it as his bunker. If we even want a chance at getting in, I have to use this."
She then revealed the object fully, the thing being a tiny metallic circle. The bottom was flat as if it was meant to stick onto a surface and the top had a small screen within it, the glass blank as she attached it to the door.
"Stand back if you don't want to be blown to smithereens!" Izzy grinned as she began to fiddle with the object, numbers popping onto the screen.
A few of the group complied, taking to further down the hall, while some stayed back eyeing Izzy with suspicion.
"What is that?" Courtney asked, raising a brow as she looked at the device.
"A bomb," Izzy answered simply.
"A bomb?" Bridgette repeated as she stared at the device. "Izzy, where did you get it from?"
At this question Izzy frowned, her eyes turning dark.
"You don't need to know," Was all she said, she then began to walk away. "I suggest leaving that door in the next five minutes."
At this the rest moved heading towards the corner we had all claimed as a safe spot. Then after five minutes there was an explosion, smoke filling the halls along with a loud bang. The doors then swung backwards, opening within the auditorium.
"Who broke my door!" Chris' voice could be heard from inside and it sounded pissed.
The group came towards the entrance, standing in the way as the smoke cleared. We were all there to take in Chris' shocked expression as he spotted us, dark eyes seeming surprised for once and maybe even fearful. Though I don't blame him as he probably knows that this is the end. The end to his little games and the end to his Life Plans.
"We did," I say as the smoke began to thin, "And we want the Life Plans gone."
Courtney's P.O.V
"No."
The word left Chris' mouth so easily. So simply like a whole college of young adults had not just rebelled and possibly risked getting arrested just to earn their freedom. To earn the basic right of choosing what they get to do in their lives. What they get to be.
"What do you mean no?" I find myself glaring at the man, vision narrowed into daggers as I ball my fists.
I knew that he wouldn't go down without a fight. Chris never goes down without a fight. But to think that even now, after his whole college decided to go against his orders and ideals, Chris is still remaining firm with the Life Plans. Chris is still trying to control us. But now he has no control. None at all. He knows that all those people outside were dangerously filled with liberation and rebellion, a mixture that is sure to cause violence and definitely hatred towards their oppressor. That oppressor being him.
But Chris still chooses to do what's wrong. He still chooses Life Plans.
"What do you think no means?" Chris responded simply, looking as if he were tired of this whole situation. "I'm sorry but the Life Plans are final, you're gonna have to live with that."
This caused the group members to murmur among themselves, all of us seeming to share the same thoughts on his response. It wasn't good enough. Wasn't going to end this whole rebellion. In fact it would only draw it out longer. Much longer.
But I had a weapon that I could use. Something that would speed up the process and possibly place Chris in jail. But I had to do it once I knew Izzy's 'friends' were ready and in position. After all if we gave Chris knowledge of the BOE and authorities being here, he'd find a way to weasel out of it. He always found a way to escape punishment and that's why it's taken so long for something like this to actually happen. Well that and that we were all young.
"Well maybe we could negotiate - " Gwen begins.
"There's no negotiating," Chris answers blatantly.
The two then continued to go back and forth, with slight input from the other group members. This allowed me and Izzy to communicate through gestures.
I look to Izzy, wondering if it was time and tilting my head to show that. She nods slightly, a small grin on her face, before gesturing to Chris and sticking her tongue out. I laugh at that, enjoying the comedy of the moment before getting ready to speak.
"Well I think - "
"Let me take it from here Gwen," I say as I look at Chris. The goth seems confused, her brow raising as she lets me talk. Chris seems to share the same look, however he hides it well as he looks at me.
"Well get on with it," He frowns as he folds his arms, looking annoyed.
"Ok I will," I say and a smirk comes onto my face as I look at the man who made my life a misery. He made so many people's lives a misery. But now it was all going to crash down on him, in one big wave. "Chris Mclean you're under arrest."
And with those words people in suits as well as police uniforms rush in, immediately detaining Chris. We all smile at the event, watching as they roughly drag him up and walk him out of the room. He cruses as they drag him away, saying that they were making a mistake, but no-one seemed to listen to him. It was only once the people were out of the room that the group celebrated, letting out a big whoop as they cheered.
"It's finally over!"
We all seem to scream it and I find myself smiling as we go across the campus, spreading the news and smiles with us.
