Alrighty, here's the next chapter. Thanks to all who reviewed Chapter One before I had to take it down, and if anyone reviewed it after I put it back up thank you also. (I haven't checked yet.) Here goes…
Disclaimer: Vandals don't belong to me, nor does the song Café 405. All I own in this story is Claire, Star, Travis and their families and any other people at their school. I don't however own PHS. And the idea is mine. I don't own Buster's either.
Twists of Life – Chapter Two
It was Wednesday, which meant Claire, Star and Travis were leaving for New York in 2 days. Claire and Star were excited, but Travis indifferent, seeing as how he'd been to New York before and wasn't much of a Newsies fan.
Claire shoved her books into her locker. As she was about to close it, a piece of paper fell out. She picked it up and looked at it curiously. The date read 15 November 1901.
To my Moth,
I don't have time to write more than a quick note.
My father has decided to take me to England so I
can "learn to be a proper gentleman". I'll try to
come back and see you as soon as I can get away,
and I will write you at least once a week. Don't
forget me.
Forever yours,
Mush
Claire furrowed her brow in confusion. It had to be a joke. There was no way a letter from 1901 could have ended up in her locker. And yet the handwriting looked so familiar, although she was sure she'd never seen it before. Just then she realized the halls were almost empty and she was supposed to meet Travis and Star out front. She shoved the note in her pocket and ran towards the door.
"There you are! We thought maybe you'd tried to walk home!" Travis Davidson looked out at her from his car, his blue eyes twinkling. Claire grinned and hopped into the front seat, turning around to say hi to Star before starting to look through Travis's CDs. She decided on a compilation and put in the CD player, turning up the volume and rolling her window down.
As the first notes of Café 405 started playing, Travis started the car and pulled out of the parking lot, while Star and Claire sang at the top of their lungs.
"Watching her at the mall, She don't know me at all, hope no employee overhears. Think I'm in love with you, red, yellow, white and blue. Seems I've been watching her for years…"
Travis pulled up in front of Buster's and Claire and Star jumped out. Star ran to get a table, while Claire went to the counter to order for all of them and Travis parked the car. "One Root Beer float, one double sundae with coffee ice cream and a brownie sundae." The guy behind the counter nodded and assembled the order. "That'll be $9.75 please." Claire handed him the money as Travis came up and grabbed the float and a sundae. Claire grabbed the other one and they went upstairs to where Star was waiting for them.
They ate their ice cream quickly, because Claire's parents wanted her to be home early and they all wanted to start packing anyway. Travis drove Star and Claire to Claire's house, where Star's parents would pick her up later.
As the two girls ran up to Claire's room they passed Chris. "Hey Claire, I heard you're going to New York on Saturday." He smirked at her and then smiled at Star. "Yeah, so?" Claire shrugged. "That means I don't have to live with you for 5 days, right?" He cheered and then started laughing as Claire punch him in the shoulder. "Are you going too, Star?" Star nodded. "Aw too bad. I've been wondering what you were like when my brat of a sister isn't around." The two girls stared at him in shock as he continued on down the stairs.
"Uh… that was gross… my brother just hit on you." Star shrugged. "Well you have to admit, he is pretty cute. Even if he IS your brother…" Claire snorted. "Yeah, and he won't let me forget it. Every time he gets a date he teases me. It's not my fault that the guys that ask me out aren't my type. C'mon, help me figure out what I need to pack. My mom agreed to let me skip school on Friday to get any stuff I need."
She threw her backpack onto her bed and kicked off her shoes, before emptying her pockets. The note fell onto her bed from between several other papers and she felt drawn to it somehow.
Picking it up, Claire noticed again how familiar the old-fashioned writing was. And it was signed Mush. It HAD to be a prank by someone who knew about her obsession with Newsies. Especially since it was written to Moth. A lot of the kids at school called her that ever since she'd written a report about moths for English. It was also a known fact that she tended to stand under the nearest light fixture, no matter how bright a room was.
"Moth, watch this!" A boy of about 16 did a flip off the curb and landed in front of the girl watching him. Another boy with an eye patch walked up. "Showing off for your girl again Mush?" The boy named Mush smirked. "Aw, you're just jealous Blink. You can never manage to stay with a girl for more than a couple days." The two started jumping around, pretending to punch each other. The girl watched them for a minute, laughing, and then turned and started walking off. Immediately, the curly-haired one run up next to her, putting an arm around her waist and dropping a kiss on her cheek.
"Claire? Claire! CLAIRE!" Star shook her best friend gently. "Where are you today?" Claire grinned sheepishly. "Sorry… I was just thinking. Do you wanna watch Newsies or D2 while we pack?" Star held up D2 and then popped the tape into the VCR sitting next to the T.V. on Claire's dresser.
The girls dragged out a suitcase and started throwing clothes in, chattering excitedly as the movie played in the background.
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Well… there's the end of that chap. I know I'm spending a lot of time on little details, but I'm trying to get everything established before I actually get into the story… It's killing me. Next chapter will be more exciting, if you didn't think this one was. I did! But unless you're a mind reader and you have a small clue about what this story is gonna be like, it most likely was confusing or boring… oh well… review please! Oh, and I might need people… I'm not sure yet, but email me with your info… I need: Looks, personality, Newsie nick, real name (not YOUR name… your newsie's real name…) whether you're Brooklyn or Manhattan and which guy you would like to be with (and a back up or two if your first choice is taken). I'm not promising I'm gonna put you in, I don't know if I'll actually need anyone, but give me the info anyway. Ok, that's all for now. Please review!