N/A Not an owner of the characters or story of the movie The Covenant. I own only the characters I came up with, Bell family. Hope you enjoy.
By the next morning her solution to her predicament was solidified, but in a different way. There had been a moment before she fell asleep last night, that she felt a wave of intuition come to her. Why must she change for the attention of one person? Even with the changes to her physical and behavioral aspects would leave the same Tracey Bell. The person that she wants Caleb to be attracted towards is Tracey Bell, not a version of herself that is similar to the other females taking his attention. The point of Reid's help should be to get her out of her shell, be more confident in her pursuit for Caleb, speak her mind. How can he know her intentions if she is not showing it to him in the most obvious way. It made her roll her eyes, she had become so involved in the modern and traditional methods used by females to attract males.
With the new goal, she now just needed to find a way to convince Reid Garwin to help her. At the same time not give him the idea that she is wants to be like those other girls at school. It would seem her looking at Reid during lunch time had gotten some of her classmates suspicious.
"What is going on with you Tracey? You have been staring at Reid, and its kind of unsettling while her eyes look like they are scheming." said Jen with an awkward glance of agreement exchanged from other two classmates at the lunch table beside them.
"Maybe Tracey likes Reid, there is much to be appreciated about that Casanova." Monica said while giggling with Jen. Kyle rolled his eyes and looked at Tracey's still kind of absent response.
"Tracey. Hello! What is going on, please tell them it is not the case, because I will lose respect for you then." Kyle told Tracey while tapping his finger on her hand.
Tracey blinked and turned her eyes away from Reid to look at her classmates. With a snort she replied "No Jen I am not interested in Garwin that way. Please, his charm is kind of off putting because its absolutely superficial. And nope I am also not scheming, just thinking about some help si need."
Kyle gaped and asked "From Garwin, what could he possibly offer that they couldn't if she needs help." Obviously she has offended her friend. To balm his ego hit, Tracey thought of a lie that will cover for her any possibly increased meetings or conversations with Reid.
"Kyle, I need Garwin for a specific needs and am thinking of a way to get him involved with her request." she explained plainly, like it was the most logical reasoning to her new found interest in Reid.
From then on she ignored the talk and teasing speculation about her needs from Reid, concerning sexual favors. Since that is what she implied as a cover up for her rather more questionable reason of help, she is alright with them thinking she is another of those girls at Spencer that fawn over Garwin. Once she realized she no longer has any more food on her plate, she excused herself to head to her locker. Her mind still on a way to convince Reid to help her, coercion is not something she would do, if she doesn't like confrontation, then manipulation is far out of her reach.
It was some point during Latin class that she figured out the solution. Reid will help her, if she wins a game of snooker, and the winner gets what she asks from him. Now she knows how to play snooker, very well too, since her father used to love playing it at home. That was a fun pass time they always enjoyed, he taught her how to play. Though he could never teach her how to hustle. This will work, Reid doesn't shy away from competitions, and not ones where it could get interesting because the result is unpredictable.
…TB…
Athletes were swimming in lanes of the large deep pool, performing the same strokes, racing each other. Within the majority cheering their friends on, it was Tracey who was busy watching Caleb cheer and prepare for his round at the medley after Pogue. However when she looked to the stands, she realized that she was not the only one cheering as Caleb took a powerful jump into the waters. The team has quite the supportive group at Spencer. Now that she had finished recovering from winning her breaststroke race, she heard the coach ask them to cool down with two laps. As usual, she did a backstroke to cool down. Wishing that there was more to look at while swimming on her back, she continued swimming.
Since her mind was still on the plot she will carry out tonight, she jumped when she felt someone stall her by touching her arm. Straightening up, she looked to the swimmer.
Tyler smiled and told her "You have been swimming for more than two laps, actually five, the coach says you have cooled down enough.". Tracey looked to the coach and the large clock on the wall behind him. Yup she has been swimming longer than required.
"Oh my, I have a lot on my mind, thanks Tyler. Sorry coach." she told Tyler and the yelled the last one to the coach. Turning together they swam to the other side of the pool, since they were in the middle. Of course it wasn't a race, but fun anyway. They were laughing when they got out, having reached together. "It cant be helped, at least it is controlled to just the water."
Tyler replied "Really, I didn't even think of racing you back, which you are very good at by the way Bell. I once saw two women break out in a dance off at a supermarket.". Tracey laughed as she went into the girls changing locker room. Ignoring the girls giving her a look for laughing. It wasn't at them.
While she changed she thought about how sweet Tyler is, and his personality compared to his brothers. Then her plotting returned, she will have to convince Reid to play her one on one instead of needing to find her a partner since Reid and Tyler always make a team. She don't play with a partner, never, its just annoying for her, she gets all temperamental if the partner thinks they are better than her yet are proven wrong and screw up the rest of the game. No, no partners.
…TB…
It took her long enough to pick and outfit in order to get ready. How do you convince Reid Garwin to play a game with you for a bet, one where the winner is going to be you? Look the part of an interested female, yet not over the top, just insinuate that her bet will lead to his desire. Vague words will work. The look required keeping her wild curly brunette hair open, her nicer Converse boots, a knee length dark blue flowy skirt, a black tucked in long sleeve tight shirt, with her jacket on top.
Now the whole make up situation was easy, she does have a Southern mother. Having such a privilege means she has been put in some pageants, not winning any since her second one at 5 years old. Thankfully her mother stopped the makeup by the time she had hit puberty and she was in an awkward body change. The makeup she didn't put on anymore, since it reacted horribly with the acne. The only ones she could use were lipstick and eye liner. That is what she did tonight. The lip gloss was an issue, she only have her Nivea one, so she decided to try some older methods to get them plumper and darker red. Rubbing lemons on her lips. Works and tastes tangy. Time to go.
About half an hour later she had arrived in the light rain at Nicks pub. It's a usual hang out area for Spencer students. Plus he allows some underage drinking, just for 18 year olds and controlled. No student gets trashed at his pub. Shaking the water droplets from her raincoat, she hung it up and walked over to where she can get some dinner. Nick smiled at seeing her, he knows what she likes to eat and prepared it while she caught him up on her week.
"There you go little lady." Nick said while sliding over the plate of fish burger with salad on the side. He has been looking after her since her family came to drop her off, he and her dad hit it off easily. He had been at the funeral as well, and since then becoming quite a male role model for her. He's like an uncle she can rely on if ever required. Of course he also knows she has a heavy crush on Caleb, since he sees her watching the boy every time she visits. Much teasing always comes from that situation.
"How is your mama, still having trouble in finding a trained vegetable gardener? It shouldn't be so difficult." Nick asked her. That made her remember she forgot to tell him the news on that front.
Tracey relied "No, Mama is no longer looking to hire a gardener, instead she had taken it upon herself to learn from old Mrs Peters. She lives a town over, and had a farm of her own in Wisconsin. This way Mama is saving money too, and little brother of mine is getting dirtier when he decides to help the process along after school.". That got a laugh out of Nick.
"So is today when she will make an effort on Caleb." Nick told her, and continued when he saw her shocked expression "Your wearing make up and look nicer tonight, I figured your going to speak to Caleb, though he has been around a blonde since he came with his brothers.". Looking over, she saw indeed that he and Sarah were dance flirting. Biting her lip, she wasn't surprised. Because all week at school, she noticed the development.
"I know Nick, its been happening during the week. No I am not here to speak with Caleb tonight. Tonight I have a proposition for Garwin." She told him and seeing his rather reddening face and scowl on his brows, she added " Not what you think Nick. Garwin will just help her with some personal issues, he is good at confidence, hopefully he will help me out. Don't worry, I can handle Garwin easily." Laughing, she said "Tonight I will smoke him on the poker table.". Nick chuckled slightly, he still is not comfortable with her wanting anything from Garwin. That kid is trouble, and she is too good a girl.
Nick went back to taking orders and bar tending while she ate and observed her target tonight. It would seem he and Tyler were cleaning up again against Aaron and his cronies. In her mind she went over the words of the bet she will give Reid. It must be properly worded, she knows he might try to find a loophole. All of a sudden she is nervous. She doesn't flirt, never has before to someone like Reid. Why should she be nervous, she isn't even wanting to attract him? Oh because she isn't good at flirting. She knows the game will be easy, but she will need to be kind of sexy. Nope, she cant do that, maybe. Getting up, she went to the toilet.
Since no one was inside, she looked at the mirror, correcting her hair and clothes. Like that would work Bell, you need a lot of work, that is why Reid needs to help you. Damn it. Tilting her head, moving her hair, she tried to look sexy in the mirror. Nope she looked awkward. So she brought it down quite an amount. Yup, subtle, real subtle. Ok prepping herself with encouraging thoughts, she was interrupted by occupants increasing in the toilet. Time to go.
Walking over to the pool tables, she noticed how loud her heart was beating. Its just like before a competition or test. Taking several deep breathes, she continued past the crowd filled people. The song changed, causing her to pause and look over to the dance floor. Incredible courage filled her from listening to 'You get what you give' by the New Radicals. Walking over to the side of the bar, she watched Aaron lose his game. Oh, now to instill the cockiness.
With a laugh, she smirked at Aaron and his glaring buddy Kyle, who was looking at her while stomping over. "What Bell, you think you could do any better.". Challenge accepted Goldstein.
"Indeed I can Kyle. See I know how to control my hand, its not suffering from carpel tunnel syndrome." she said with some Southern sassiness. Laughter and jeering started from the different parties that heard her. Goldstein glare was joined by a pink glow to his cheeks from embarrassment. She looked over to Reid and Tyler, while going around a dismissed Kyle, asking "So what do you guys think, up for it, me against you two?".
They seemed to think it over. Tyler said "How about they make this fair, just one of us against her?". Nodding at him, she leaded over the table, and raised her brow at Reid. Now that she has established who she wasn't to go up against, she ignored the petty comments about her losing and making a fool of herself.
Reid regarded her, then asked "What are the bets?". She gestured for him to give her his prize. "I get to redesign your bike anyway I want." Reid said, that arogant smirk on his lips. They could hear the laughter and agreement to the punishment for her. It wasn't hidden from her that they didn't like her scooter. Jill of course had to make a comment, "Finally, someone will deal with that disgrace of a bike. Your so going to win Reid.", giggling and pushing out her chest as she leaned beside Reid against the table.
Tracey rolled her eyes. This will be good, now comes the insinuation. Walking over, she leaned into him and whispered her proposition so no one else, even Tyler could hear her "If I win Garwin, you will help me with a personal issue regarding Caleb.". He looked intrigued, and she could tell by his smirk that anyone else would have other ideas of her proposition.
"Finally, I have seen you ogle him since you go there two years ago Bell. Though you must have noticed that lately Caleb has been having his eyes on Sarah." Reid said while putting his arm around her shoulders and whisper in her ear. He had figured out what she was trying to do between them.
Tracey sighed, then said "While Caleb may be interested in Sarah right now, I know it wont be lasting, just like Pogue and Kate.". He could see she is confident in this assumption. Tracey continued "He will see what she means eventually, they cant hide what their really like inside for long.". Patting his shoulder, she pulled away. The deal was set and time to have some fun for her. She just knows she will win.
"I really do want to change your bike, but your making me consider losing this game." Reid told her as he racked up the cue balls. Tracey shrugged as she prepped her tool with chalk. First he was to go, since he won the last game.
Leaning against the table, Tracey informed him "I should warn you Garwin, I'm not only good in a swimming pool, your not winning this game even if you tried.". She smirked a little, he was going to actually put an effort in now.
They shook on it and he started. It was a good game, looked like Reid would win. That is until it was Tracey's turn. The taunting or jeers ended as they gaped at her professional play, getting all her cue balls in this one go. The game was over. Tracey blushed a bit when she saw that Caleb was watching, having heard the cheering as Tracey had won one of his bestfriends at a game they held the defending champion positions for years. Her eyes evaded him when they met her own. Time to leave with Reid. But not before giving Kyle a piece of her mind. Holding up her hand, she flexed it, and smirked at him, insinuating her previous comment. Laughing she walked away from his slight growl of irritation at her.
Coming to Reid, she grabbed his belt loop, saying "Lets go Garwin, I win, and I will get my prize.". She paused in continuing away. With a teasing smile she told him "Since you came here with Tyler, you can take a ride back to the dorms with me… on my scooter, the one you wont be redesigning." Tyler laughed with Pogue since Reid didn't look at all amused by this now. Pulling him along, she gave Nick a cheeky grin as she passed him by, giving the money for her dinner.
Hope that was a fun chapter. I know I have not written for a long time. Will try to be consistent now.