Chapter Thirteen: The Day After
Author's Note: I apologize greatly for the long delay in this chapter. Between terrible Writer's Block that focused on this story and Fanfiction being down, I wasn't sure WHEN I would get this up. But here it is, at long last. I think it kindof sucks, but you can decide that on your own. Sorry guys, Chris does not save Tina. But, it still might all work out for the best in the end. You'll just have to read to find out.
* * *
Tina stumbled inside her door early the next morning, her eyes so swollen from crying that she could hardly see. She showered, trying to wash away the filth that she felt. It didn't work. Stepping out of the shower, a wave of nausea swept over her. She crumpled to the floor, grasping the toilet seat as she threw up.
She had never felt so alone. She quickly dressed in a long sleeved shirt and jeans to hide where his nails had dug into her skin and collapsed on her bed, burying her face in her pillow. The phone rang, but she made no move to answer it. She didn't care who it was, didn't care about anything.
The answering machine picked up, and a few minutes later she heard a concerned voice. "Tina?" She glanced up. "It's Chris... I, uh, got your message. Are you okay? What's wrong?" There was a pause. "Pick up if you're there." Another pause. "Call me... no, I'm coming over. I'll be there in five minutes."
She froze. He couldn't come here... couldn't see her like this... She raced through the house, turning off lights and hiding any evidence that someone was home. As she heard the sounds of Chris' car approach the driveway, she collapsed on the couch, breathing heavily. Her heart pounded against her chest as he knocked on the door. She was sure the noise was loud enough for him to hear, and pressed a hand against her chest in an attempt to quiet her beating heart.
Just as she thought he was gone, his hesitant voiced called out, "Tina?" Something surged inside her at the sound, making her almost cry out to him in return. She longed for the comfort of his arms, the tenderness of his kiss... but no. She didn't deserve him. She was filth, totally beneath him. She always had been. He'd be better off without her. "Tina, are you there?"
A tear slipped down her cheek as she heard his car finally pull away. "Goodbye," she whispered.
* * *
Chris fidgeted as Kara adjusted his bowtie. She gently slapped his arm. "Stop squirming, you're acting like a toddler."
"Sorry, Aunt Kara."
"Nervous about your date?"
He paused. Nina? He'd hardly thought about her since the phone call from Tina. He was deeply concerned about her, and tonight would give him the chance to see her and talk to her, to make amends.
Closing his eyes, he pictured the scene. She would be dancing with Duke as he would walk across the floor, sidestepping couples until he got to her. Then he would tap Duke on the shoulder and say, "Excuse me," and then sweep Tina into his arms. He would tell her that he loved her and apologize for everything. Then, finally, things would be perfect.
He smiled. "No, I'm not nervous. Just excited, I suppose."
She grinned back at him. "Good. Now you have a good time tonight, you hear?" She nudged him playfully. "Just don't do anything I wouldn't do."
A laugh bubbled from his lips as he headed out the door. "So that pretty much leaves my options open, doesn't it?" He dodged her playful smack and hurried down the steps. He couldn't wait to see Tina.
* * *
The Prom theme for that year was Indian Fantasy. The art students had sculpted waist-high elephants to place outside the doors, and everything was decorated with Middle-Eastern tastes. It was beautiful, really. Christian had to admit that Henry had quite outdone himself. He had been in charge of decorating, being the artistic type that he was. The backdrop for the king and queen was fabulous, depicting an Indian palace and the marketplace in front of it.
He entered the room, escorting Nina on his arm. She was dressed in a stylish tango dress, her hair done up in an elaborate chignon. She looked stunning, but Chris could hardly bring himself to notice her. His eyes continually scanned the room for signs of Tina, but found none.
Nina's touch on his arm brought him back to himself. "Baby, why don't we go sit down. Prom Court's about to be announced."
"Sure." He soon found himself seated by a half dozen of Nina's cheerleader friends and desperately wishing he could have convinced Henry to come. He half-listened as Nina and the girls gossiping about the rest of the students, how horrible so-and-so looked or how so-and-so had condoms stashed in his back pocket for a little after-Prom fun.
The lights dimmed suddenly, and a spotlight fell on the Master and Mistress of Ceremonies, who were dressed as a maharaja and his courtesan. The couple made their way down the center of the room to a podium off to the side of the stage. They welcomed everyone to Prom and said a few other meaningless things and told a few corny jokes that Chris didn't laugh at. Finally, they began to announce Prom Court.
"The Princesses are..." began the maharaja, "Shelly Burke, Christina Wright, and Catherine Grace!" Applause broke out as the girls made their way to the front amidst cheers and congratulations. They were each given a glitter-lined sash to wear for the night.
"And the Princes are..." said the courtesan, silencing the crowd, "Matthew Roberts, Steven Gillespie, and Jonathan Gonzalez!" The three were awarded for their victory in a similar fashion, and after a long pause, the Mistress of Ceremonies stepped forward, holding a crown. "And now, your Prom King for 2002... Michael Duke!"
Mike pumped his fist in the air as he leapt from his seat. He gave high fives to his friends as he swaggered to the front to be crowned.
The Master of Ceremonies stepped up to the microphone next, holding an elaborate tiara. "For the final piece of this royal puzzle, I am pleased to present your stunningly beautiful Prom Queen for 2002... Nina Aire!!"
Nina pressed a hand to her mouth, in fake disbelief. Inside, she was gloating. She had won. Tina hadn't been Prom Queen... the bitch hadn't even showed up. And now, with Mike as King, she would finally get what she'd really been wanting... Mike.
Chris gave her a smile as she stood to make her way up to the rest of them, and she blew him a kiss over her shoulder. But he didn't stay to see the speeches. Standing, he slipped through the crowd to the exit and stepped out into the reception room. Tina should have won, he knew it in his heart. But she wasn't here. Her voice still echoed in his head... "Help me..." She had needed him... but why hadn't she let him help her? He needed to do something to show her that he still cared.
The sound of music brought him out of his reverie. Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor were serenading each other in a song about a love that would live forever, come what may. It was probably best to find Nina and ask her to dance. She was his date, after all.
In the dark dance hall, it was hard to see anyone. He glanced around for her, then heard a noise coming from the janitor's closet. Not thinking, he opened the door and found Nina...
Found her making out with Michael Duke, his hand up her dress and in nothing but his white shirt and boxers. She glanced at him as Mike worked at giving her a huge hickey. "Hey Shakespeare, wanna give us some privacy?"
For a moment, all Chris could do was stare. The reality of it all settled heavily on his shoulders. This was all she had wanted him for, to bring Tina and Mike apart. That was all. He'd been a pawn, used and now thrown away, useless.
"Sorry," he muttered, closing the door and letting himself disappear into the crowd of slowly dancing couples. The perfect end to the perfect night.
* * *
Tina had locked herself in her room, throwing random objects at the door whenever anyone tried to speak to her. The digital clock that now lay upside-down on the floor by the door read 11:30. Prom would be over by now. Chris had probably taken Nina out in the woods, where she had taken him, to make out and do God-knew-what-else. She didn't want to think about that.
Burying her face in her pillow, she wanted to scream, but only a sob came out. Staring out at the sky, studded with diamond-like stars, she sighed. A perfect end to a perfect night.
END CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Author's Note: I apologize greatly for the long delay in this chapter. Between terrible Writer's Block that focused on this story and Fanfiction being down, I wasn't sure WHEN I would get this up. But here it is, at long last. I think it kindof sucks, but you can decide that on your own. Sorry guys, Chris does not save Tina. But, it still might all work out for the best in the end. You'll just have to read to find out.
* * *
Tina stumbled inside her door early the next morning, her eyes so swollen from crying that she could hardly see. She showered, trying to wash away the filth that she felt. It didn't work. Stepping out of the shower, a wave of nausea swept over her. She crumpled to the floor, grasping the toilet seat as she threw up.
She had never felt so alone. She quickly dressed in a long sleeved shirt and jeans to hide where his nails had dug into her skin and collapsed on her bed, burying her face in her pillow. The phone rang, but she made no move to answer it. She didn't care who it was, didn't care about anything.
The answering machine picked up, and a few minutes later she heard a concerned voice. "Tina?" She glanced up. "It's Chris... I, uh, got your message. Are you okay? What's wrong?" There was a pause. "Pick up if you're there." Another pause. "Call me... no, I'm coming over. I'll be there in five minutes."
She froze. He couldn't come here... couldn't see her like this... She raced through the house, turning off lights and hiding any evidence that someone was home. As she heard the sounds of Chris' car approach the driveway, she collapsed on the couch, breathing heavily. Her heart pounded against her chest as he knocked on the door. She was sure the noise was loud enough for him to hear, and pressed a hand against her chest in an attempt to quiet her beating heart.
Just as she thought he was gone, his hesitant voiced called out, "Tina?" Something surged inside her at the sound, making her almost cry out to him in return. She longed for the comfort of his arms, the tenderness of his kiss... but no. She didn't deserve him. She was filth, totally beneath him. She always had been. He'd be better off without her. "Tina, are you there?"
A tear slipped down her cheek as she heard his car finally pull away. "Goodbye," she whispered.
* * *
Chris fidgeted as Kara adjusted his bowtie. She gently slapped his arm. "Stop squirming, you're acting like a toddler."
"Sorry, Aunt Kara."
"Nervous about your date?"
He paused. Nina? He'd hardly thought about her since the phone call from Tina. He was deeply concerned about her, and tonight would give him the chance to see her and talk to her, to make amends.
Closing his eyes, he pictured the scene. She would be dancing with Duke as he would walk across the floor, sidestepping couples until he got to her. Then he would tap Duke on the shoulder and say, "Excuse me," and then sweep Tina into his arms. He would tell her that he loved her and apologize for everything. Then, finally, things would be perfect.
He smiled. "No, I'm not nervous. Just excited, I suppose."
She grinned back at him. "Good. Now you have a good time tonight, you hear?" She nudged him playfully. "Just don't do anything I wouldn't do."
A laugh bubbled from his lips as he headed out the door. "So that pretty much leaves my options open, doesn't it?" He dodged her playful smack and hurried down the steps. He couldn't wait to see Tina.
* * *
The Prom theme for that year was Indian Fantasy. The art students had sculpted waist-high elephants to place outside the doors, and everything was decorated with Middle-Eastern tastes. It was beautiful, really. Christian had to admit that Henry had quite outdone himself. He had been in charge of decorating, being the artistic type that he was. The backdrop for the king and queen was fabulous, depicting an Indian palace and the marketplace in front of it.
He entered the room, escorting Nina on his arm. She was dressed in a stylish tango dress, her hair done up in an elaborate chignon. She looked stunning, but Chris could hardly bring himself to notice her. His eyes continually scanned the room for signs of Tina, but found none.
Nina's touch on his arm brought him back to himself. "Baby, why don't we go sit down. Prom Court's about to be announced."
"Sure." He soon found himself seated by a half dozen of Nina's cheerleader friends and desperately wishing he could have convinced Henry to come. He half-listened as Nina and the girls gossiping about the rest of the students, how horrible so-and-so looked or how so-and-so had condoms stashed in his back pocket for a little after-Prom fun.
The lights dimmed suddenly, and a spotlight fell on the Master and Mistress of Ceremonies, who were dressed as a maharaja and his courtesan. The couple made their way down the center of the room to a podium off to the side of the stage. They welcomed everyone to Prom and said a few other meaningless things and told a few corny jokes that Chris didn't laugh at. Finally, they began to announce Prom Court.
"The Princesses are..." began the maharaja, "Shelly Burke, Christina Wright, and Catherine Grace!" Applause broke out as the girls made their way to the front amidst cheers and congratulations. They were each given a glitter-lined sash to wear for the night.
"And the Princes are..." said the courtesan, silencing the crowd, "Matthew Roberts, Steven Gillespie, and Jonathan Gonzalez!" The three were awarded for their victory in a similar fashion, and after a long pause, the Mistress of Ceremonies stepped forward, holding a crown. "And now, your Prom King for 2002... Michael Duke!"
Mike pumped his fist in the air as he leapt from his seat. He gave high fives to his friends as he swaggered to the front to be crowned.
The Master of Ceremonies stepped up to the microphone next, holding an elaborate tiara. "For the final piece of this royal puzzle, I am pleased to present your stunningly beautiful Prom Queen for 2002... Nina Aire!!"
Nina pressed a hand to her mouth, in fake disbelief. Inside, she was gloating. She had won. Tina hadn't been Prom Queen... the bitch hadn't even showed up. And now, with Mike as King, she would finally get what she'd really been wanting... Mike.
Chris gave her a smile as she stood to make her way up to the rest of them, and she blew him a kiss over her shoulder. But he didn't stay to see the speeches. Standing, he slipped through the crowd to the exit and stepped out into the reception room. Tina should have won, he knew it in his heart. But she wasn't here. Her voice still echoed in his head... "Help me..." She had needed him... but why hadn't she let him help her? He needed to do something to show her that he still cared.
The sound of music brought him out of his reverie. Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor were serenading each other in a song about a love that would live forever, come what may. It was probably best to find Nina and ask her to dance. She was his date, after all.
In the dark dance hall, it was hard to see anyone. He glanced around for her, then heard a noise coming from the janitor's closet. Not thinking, he opened the door and found Nina...
Found her making out with Michael Duke, his hand up her dress and in nothing but his white shirt and boxers. She glanced at him as Mike worked at giving her a huge hickey. "Hey Shakespeare, wanna give us some privacy?"
For a moment, all Chris could do was stare. The reality of it all settled heavily on his shoulders. This was all she had wanted him for, to bring Tina and Mike apart. That was all. He'd been a pawn, used and now thrown away, useless.
"Sorry," he muttered, closing the door and letting himself disappear into the crowd of slowly dancing couples. The perfect end to the perfect night.
* * *
Tina had locked herself in her room, throwing random objects at the door whenever anyone tried to speak to her. The digital clock that now lay upside-down on the floor by the door read 11:30. Prom would be over by now. Chris had probably taken Nina out in the woods, where she had taken him, to make out and do God-knew-what-else. She didn't want to think about that.
Burying her face in her pillow, she wanted to scream, but only a sob came out. Staring out at the sky, studded with diamond-like stars, she sighed. A perfect end to a perfect night.
END CHAPTER THIRTEEN
