A/N: Okay, I just wanna give some advice to ya'll. Do not........and I
repeat, DO NOT set your friends up with your other friends. It's so bad.
And turns out so bad. Seriously, me and my best friend are in the middle
of a BIG BAD mess. She set up our friend Kristen, with her husband's
friend, Matt. Not good. We're both close with Kristen and Matt's really
close with Jessy and a good friend of mine. She's now gone into the arms
of her ex and he's left alone. He said some REALLY bad stuff about her and
now Jessy and I are stuck in the middle and can't get out. I love them
both, really I do, but we're both goin crazy. And now he's starting to say
things that upset Jessy, which is bad. He seriously worries me now. He
was really bad before, saying how much his life sucks and shit like that.
The worst part is that he can't even just take time out to relax cause he's
off to army boot camp in a week. UGH!! So yeah, do not make the same
mistake Jessy did. Don't set em up. It could turn out REALLY REALLY
BAD!!!!
********************
"I'll see you tomorrow nite at 7 for the dance?" Charlie asked as he stopped to let Cinder out in front of her house.
"Yeah, bye baby," she smiled as she kissed him softly. She grabbed her bag out of the backseat and started up the driveway. Before she even reached the house she could hear Adam's stereo blasting some familiar rock sounds, Drowning Pool, she guessed. She walked into the house, threw her bag on the chair that sat by the door, and ran up to her brother's room. She opened the door, almost blown away by the music. "Adam!"
"He's probably deaf by now," a Southern voice spoke loudly, almost scaring Cinder to death. She turned around, facing Jeff, who stood there with a large grin on his face drinking a glass of lemonade.
"Wouldn't surprise me any," she laughed as they walked into his room. She tapped Adam on the shoulder lightly as she saw Jeff's older brother, Matt, sitting on the floor banging his head to the music. Adam jumped about 10 feet in the air and grabbed his chest, huffing and puffing, as he focused on his sister standing there with her arms crossed. He shook his head as Matt hit the volume on the stereo.
"Holy shit, Cin! You tryin to kill me?!" Adam exclaimed.
"If I was, you'd be dead by now," she smirked.
"Haha," he laughed sarcastically. "What are you doin home so late?"
"It's only a little after 3, but anyways, I'm goin to the beach to catch some waves before it gets too cold," she said as she started out the door.
"Where were you?" Adam pushed.
"I just went out driving with Charlie after school. Nothin happened," she sighed heavily.
"Well, be home by 5," Adam said as Matt cranked the volume back up. She laughed before walking across the hall to her room, closely followed by Jeff. He knocked on the door lightly and she smiled at him, motioning for him to come in.
"Catch some waves?" he asked as she grabbed her solid black bikini bottom and bright blue tankini top. She pulled her board out of the closet and patted its surface.
"Yeah, I'm a surfer," she smiled.
"Oh wow, that's so cool. I've always thought about trying it. You any good?" She laughed at him as she began pulling out a few medals and trophies from her closet.
"Yeah, I'm okay."
"I would say you're more than okay!"
"Yeah, I'm the local champion. I'm the best surfer here. I've been winning championships since I was 7," she said.
"Ever teach anyone?"
"I taught Shannon, he sucks. I tried to teach Trish, but she was more interested in her tan. I taught Amy, and she's pretty good," she replied.
"Would you be interested in teaching me?" he asked curiously.
"Sure. I don't see why not. Ya wanna come with me today and we can get started?"
"Okay, but I don't have a board."
"I have a spare in the basement you can use. What'd ya say?" she asked as she bit on her lower lip.
"Yeah!" he exclaimed excitedly.
"Alright, just let me get changed and I'll steal Adam's car keys so we can go," she said pushing him gently out of her room.
"Dude! Cinder's gonna teach me to surf!" Jeff yelled over the loud music as he bounced into Adam's room. Adam let out a light chuckle as he stood.
"You've got the second best around teaching you," he said.
"Oh? Who's the best?" Jeff asked.
"Me!" Adam laughed. "No, seriously, she's excellent. You'll have a good time with her."
"She said she has a spare board in the basement?" Jeff questioned.
"Yeah, come on, I'll get it for ya," Adam replied.
"I can't believe you're gonna go surfing," Matt laughed they followed Adam down the stairs.
"Why?"
"It's not really your sport. You're all about the biking and shit," Matt answered.
"Yeah, but this could be cool," Jeff smiled. He was so excited and it only got more intense as Adam handed him the board. They headed back up the stairs just as Cinder was walking down. She had on a pair of hot pink board shorts and her hair was in a tight ponytail. She tucked her board under her arm and smiled.
"Adam, big brother, my favorite brother, the best brother in the world!" Cinder said buttering him up.
"What do you want C?" he asked impatiently.
"Can I borrow your car?" she asked innocently.
"Oh man, C, no," he said.
"Please?!! I'll take real good care of it," she whined.
"C, you just got your license," he replied.
"Please Adam."
"Ugh, alright, here. But if I find one scratch on it, I'm telling mom just how late you were last weekend," he threatened.
"Don't worry, it'll be fine," she smiled. "Ready Jeff?"
"Yeah, just take me home so I can change," he smiled as they left.
"Dude you're more trusting with your car than I am," Matt laughed as they headed back up to Adam's room.
"Yeah, well, she'd better take good care of it. Cause I'm serious about telling on her," he said.
*******************
"Whoa, is this your house?" Cinder asked as they stepped out of the car. Jeff gave her a light chuckle and nodded as he led her into the house.
"Yeah, it's nothing like the one we used to live in. There was so much extra land. It was great. Matt and I grew up just messin around on it. I miss it," Jeff smiled.
"What's with the dirt and shit in the back?" she asked.
"Dirt biking track," he answered.
"You dirt bike?!" she exclaimed.
"Yeah, have for years. Matt too," he smiled.
"Wow, I've always wanted to try it. But my mom wouldn't ever let Shannon teach me as a kid. And frankly, neither would Adam," she laughed.
"Well, since you're teaching me to surf, how bout I teach you to ride a dirt bike?" he suggested.
"I don't know. I mean my mom might get pissed and I don't want Adam mad at you," she replied.
"Come on, I gotta repay you some how," he said.
"Yeah, I wanna do it," she smiled excitedly.
"I thought you might," he laughed. "You seem like you're the rebellious type just trying to break out of that shell."
"Nah, I'm not like that at all," she shook her head.
"I'll be right back. Just gonna change. Make your self at home," he smiled as he ran up the stairs, skipping stairs as he went.
"I'm gonna learn to dirt bike," she smiled to herself as she walked around the small house. She walked into the living room where she was greeted by a gorgeous boxer. He looked up at her as she smiled down at him. She reached out slowly and patted his head. He nudged her into a chair and stood up with his front legs on her lap. She laughed as he began to lick her face lovingly.
"Liger!" Jeff yelled as he came running into the living room. The dog immediately backed off Cinder and laid down on the floor by her feet. "I'm sorry about that."
"Oh, no, don't be. I love animals," she smiled as the dog wagged his tail at her. "What'd you call him? Liger?"
"Yeah, Liger," Jeff replied. "You, uh, you say you like animals?" She shook her head at him as Liger jumped up at her. "All animals?"
"Haven't met one I don't like. Except maybe snakes. They kinda creep me out," she laughed.
"Come with me," he smiled as he took her hand. He led her up the stairs into a spare room. Inside there were a couple cages.
"What'd ya got here? A zoo?" she joked.
"Close. It's getting there," he laughed. "No, I think my Dad is making me stop here. I have a raccoon named Imagi, an Iguana Zeus, and a prairie dog named Witty."
"What?" she asked shocked.
"Yeah, I know. Kinda strange," he blushed.
"Can I see the prairie dog?" she asked biting on her lower lip.
"Yeah," he said slightly excited. He reached into a large cage and pulled out a small brown furry creature. "This is Witty. He's really sweet. He's probably my favorite."
"He's cute," she smiled petting the head gently.
"Ya wanna hold him?" Jeff asked holding out his hands. Cinder paused for a minute, in thought, and then shook her head. She held him gently while Jeff changed the water in the cage.
"He's so cute," Cinder squealed. "You might have to keep him under total watch cause I just might end up stealing him."
"Oh no you won't!" Jeff laughed. Cinder handed Witty back to Jeff and they smiled at each other. Jeff carefully placed Witty back in his cage before he and Cinder walked down the stairs.
"Well, we'd better get goin. We're losin valuable sun and wave time," she said as they climbed into Adam's car.
"I really appreciate you doin this," Jeff said.
"No problem. I actually don't mind teachin people how to do something I love," she smiled as she pulled into the beach parking lot. "Trust me, you're gonna love it!"
***************
"I heard you taught Jeff to surf yesterday," Trish smiled as she, Cinder, and Amy looked through a rack of dresses.
"Yeah, he's a fast learner," Cinder answered.
"So you two are getting pretty close," Amy smiled.
"Yeah, he's a great friend. I really like him. He's gonna teach me to dirt bike tomorrow," Cinder smiled.
"Are you serious?! Your mom and brother are gonna die if they find out!" Amy exclaimed.
"I know, which makes it even better," Cinder replied with a devious sparkle in her eyes.
"Wow, I've never seen you like this. He's really done something to you C," Trish said.
"What are you talking bout?" Cinder asked as she put a dark purple strapless dress up to herself.
"You're talking bout things and doin things you wouldn't have done before. Like dirt biking," Trish replied.
"Oh please. I've always wanted to try dirt biking. It looks like fun," Cinder shrugged as she put the dress back.
"Yeah, but when your mom told you a few years ago that she didn't want you doin it when you wanted Shannon to teach you, you stopped all consideration right there. Now you're just goin for it, against her," Amy said as she walked into the dressing room carrying a sleeveless silver dress. The two other girls found a dress and followed Amy.
"Maybe it's time that I grew up, ya know? Stop bein a kid. Stop bein under everyone else's rule. Maybe I wanna be my own person," Cinder responded almost angrily.
"Cinder, I've known you since we were 5. You've always been your own person. You always wanted to be different and you were," Amy said.
"But Ames, we're not 5 anymore. We're 16, we're not little kids," Cinder said.
"I just think he's changing you," Amy replied as they all walked out. They nodded at each other and went back in to change into their regular clothes.
"He's not changing me. No one can change who I really am. Maybe he's just bringing this all out in me. Maybe I've just been tryin to hide this all for so many years," Cinder said as they paid for their dresses.
"Cinder, as long as you stay the same sweet, beautiful, caring, wonderful person you are, I'm don't care what you do," Trish said putting her arm around Cinder's shoulders.
"You guys, I'm not gonna change. I'll always be Cinder Mae Copeland," she smiled.
********************
"Oh wow, honey, you look beautiful," Leeann said as she watched her daughter walk down the stairs in her dress. The calf length dark blue spaghetti strap dress was much more comfortable than her cheering uniform. The dress had light blue flowers printed on it across the top and bottom. The back laced up in a corset type fashion. And her shoes fit her name perfectly, well, the nickname Adam had for her, Cinderella. They were see through, glass like, heels. Her blonde hair was slightly curled and the sides were pulled back. She smiled at her mom as she frantically took pictures.
"Mom," she whined as Adam sauntered down the stairs behind her. He picked her up at the waist and carried her down the rest of the stairs, almost using her as a shield from their mother's camera.
"You look beautiful, C," Adam smiled kissing her cheek softly.
"Thanks. You don't look too bad either," Cinder joked as she checked out her brother's nice black dress pants and white fitting t-shirt. He did a model pose causing her to laugh when the doorbell rang. She skipped to the door, seeing Charlie standing there in a pair of khakis and a tight fitting black t-shirt, with his leather coat hanging off his shoulder. She greeted him with a soft kiss and led him inside the house with a smile.
"You look beautiful baby," Charlie whispered as a flash of light went off. He laughed as Cinder gave her mother an eye roll. "Don't mind my mom. She seems to think that tonite is like the prom or something."
"Well, it's not everyday that I get to see my daughter dressed up so nicely," Leeann smiled.
"That's alright, I really don't mind," Charlie laughed as he placed his arm around Cinder's waist. They smiled for her mother then headed out the door.
"Adam, make sure he doesn't try anything tonite. I know how these boys can be on a nite like this," Leeann said.
"Don't worry Mom. She'll be fine. She can totally take care of herself," Adam smiled.
"Still, I'd feel a lot better if you'd just promise me you'll watch her," Leeann repeated.
"No problem mom. I always watch over her," Adam smiled as he leaned down to kiss his mother's cheek. "Later Mom."
********************************
"What do you know about these Hardy Boyz?" Charlie asked as he and Cinder walked into the massively decorated gym hand in hand.
"Not so much about Matt, but Jeff and I are pretty good friends. I actually taught him to surf yesterday," Cinder smiled.
"Matt rubs me the wrong way. I don't know why, but he does. And Jeff's a freak. Who in their right mind dyes their hair blue?!" Charlie laughed.
"I think it's cool. He's bein creative," Cinder replied defensively.
"Oh come on, he's a freak. Admit it!" Charlie said once again, only now they were within a foot of Jeff and he could hear every word.
"Charlie, no. He's not a freak. You don't even know him. He's a great guy. Sweet, funny, nice. He's creative and different. Just because he may dye his hair different colors doesn't mean he's a freak," Cinder argued as she ripped her hand out of Charlie's.
"Cinder, be reasonable. Any normal person doesn't just wake up one day and decide they want purple hair. That makes them a freak!"
"Ya know what? I've thought many times about doin it. But I haven't because of people like you! He's brave and daring. He doesn't want to be like us normal people. He wants to be his own person and he's doin a pretty damn good job at it. So just back off!" Cinder exclaimed as she stormed off.
"You know just how to win them over," Chris laughed as he walked back Charlie.
"Shove it Irvine!" Charlie snapped.
"First fight?" Jeff asked as he walked up to Cinder who was standing at the refreshment table.
"Yeah, you heard?" she asked nervously.
"Yeah, I did. Thank you," he said softly.
"For what?"
"For sticking up for me. That means a lot to me," he smiled.
"No problem. I meant everything I said," she shrugged.
"At my old school everyone thought I was cool cause I looked like this, but here, no one cares. And the ones that do don't like it one bit and think I'm a freak. How come a popular girl like you, doesn't?" he asked.
"I don't know. I guess everything that you do are things I've wanted to do, I don't know," she replied. "What are you doin here? I didn't think you were gonna come."
"A freshman asked me, so I said yes just to see what goes on," he answered. "She's in the bathroom now freshening up or something. She's a little high maintenance, I think."
"Probably a cheerleader," Cinder smiled.
"Yeah, she is. Casey," he replied.
"Oh, yeah. Total cheerleader," she laughed.
"I should have said no, huh?"
"Well, you'll probably have her ducking in and out of the bathroom all nite," she replied.
"Great. Just what I wanted to spend my nite doing," he chuckled.
"You gotta watch some of these cheerleaders. I don't know about other schools, but here they're pretty superficial," she said.
"Great, NOW you tell me," he laughed. "Ah well, ya learn from your mistakes."
"You can come hang out with me, Trish, Shannon, Matt, and Amy if you'd like," Cinder offered.
"What about Charlie?" he asked.
"Oh, yeah, I forgot about him," she laughed. "I guess he'll be around too."
"Thanks, I think I will take you up on your offer," he smiled his green eyes twinkling in the minimal light. She smiled at him before she grabbed his hand and pulled him over to the others that were dancing in a huddled group.
********************
"I'll see you tomorrow nite at 7 for the dance?" Charlie asked as he stopped to let Cinder out in front of her house.
"Yeah, bye baby," she smiled as she kissed him softly. She grabbed her bag out of the backseat and started up the driveway. Before she even reached the house she could hear Adam's stereo blasting some familiar rock sounds, Drowning Pool, she guessed. She walked into the house, threw her bag on the chair that sat by the door, and ran up to her brother's room. She opened the door, almost blown away by the music. "Adam!"
"He's probably deaf by now," a Southern voice spoke loudly, almost scaring Cinder to death. She turned around, facing Jeff, who stood there with a large grin on his face drinking a glass of lemonade.
"Wouldn't surprise me any," she laughed as they walked into his room. She tapped Adam on the shoulder lightly as she saw Jeff's older brother, Matt, sitting on the floor banging his head to the music. Adam jumped about 10 feet in the air and grabbed his chest, huffing and puffing, as he focused on his sister standing there with her arms crossed. He shook his head as Matt hit the volume on the stereo.
"Holy shit, Cin! You tryin to kill me?!" Adam exclaimed.
"If I was, you'd be dead by now," she smirked.
"Haha," he laughed sarcastically. "What are you doin home so late?"
"It's only a little after 3, but anyways, I'm goin to the beach to catch some waves before it gets too cold," she said as she started out the door.
"Where were you?" Adam pushed.
"I just went out driving with Charlie after school. Nothin happened," she sighed heavily.
"Well, be home by 5," Adam said as Matt cranked the volume back up. She laughed before walking across the hall to her room, closely followed by Jeff. He knocked on the door lightly and she smiled at him, motioning for him to come in.
"Catch some waves?" he asked as she grabbed her solid black bikini bottom and bright blue tankini top. She pulled her board out of the closet and patted its surface.
"Yeah, I'm a surfer," she smiled.
"Oh wow, that's so cool. I've always thought about trying it. You any good?" She laughed at him as she began pulling out a few medals and trophies from her closet.
"Yeah, I'm okay."
"I would say you're more than okay!"
"Yeah, I'm the local champion. I'm the best surfer here. I've been winning championships since I was 7," she said.
"Ever teach anyone?"
"I taught Shannon, he sucks. I tried to teach Trish, but she was more interested in her tan. I taught Amy, and she's pretty good," she replied.
"Would you be interested in teaching me?" he asked curiously.
"Sure. I don't see why not. Ya wanna come with me today and we can get started?"
"Okay, but I don't have a board."
"I have a spare in the basement you can use. What'd ya say?" she asked as she bit on her lower lip.
"Yeah!" he exclaimed excitedly.
"Alright, just let me get changed and I'll steal Adam's car keys so we can go," she said pushing him gently out of her room.
"Dude! Cinder's gonna teach me to surf!" Jeff yelled over the loud music as he bounced into Adam's room. Adam let out a light chuckle as he stood.
"You've got the second best around teaching you," he said.
"Oh? Who's the best?" Jeff asked.
"Me!" Adam laughed. "No, seriously, she's excellent. You'll have a good time with her."
"She said she has a spare board in the basement?" Jeff questioned.
"Yeah, come on, I'll get it for ya," Adam replied.
"I can't believe you're gonna go surfing," Matt laughed they followed Adam down the stairs.
"Why?"
"It's not really your sport. You're all about the biking and shit," Matt answered.
"Yeah, but this could be cool," Jeff smiled. He was so excited and it only got more intense as Adam handed him the board. They headed back up the stairs just as Cinder was walking down. She had on a pair of hot pink board shorts and her hair was in a tight ponytail. She tucked her board under her arm and smiled.
"Adam, big brother, my favorite brother, the best brother in the world!" Cinder said buttering him up.
"What do you want C?" he asked impatiently.
"Can I borrow your car?" she asked innocently.
"Oh man, C, no," he said.
"Please?!! I'll take real good care of it," she whined.
"C, you just got your license," he replied.
"Please Adam."
"Ugh, alright, here. But if I find one scratch on it, I'm telling mom just how late you were last weekend," he threatened.
"Don't worry, it'll be fine," she smiled. "Ready Jeff?"
"Yeah, just take me home so I can change," he smiled as they left.
"Dude you're more trusting with your car than I am," Matt laughed as they headed back up to Adam's room.
"Yeah, well, she'd better take good care of it. Cause I'm serious about telling on her," he said.
*******************
"Whoa, is this your house?" Cinder asked as they stepped out of the car. Jeff gave her a light chuckle and nodded as he led her into the house.
"Yeah, it's nothing like the one we used to live in. There was so much extra land. It was great. Matt and I grew up just messin around on it. I miss it," Jeff smiled.
"What's with the dirt and shit in the back?" she asked.
"Dirt biking track," he answered.
"You dirt bike?!" she exclaimed.
"Yeah, have for years. Matt too," he smiled.
"Wow, I've always wanted to try it. But my mom wouldn't ever let Shannon teach me as a kid. And frankly, neither would Adam," she laughed.
"Well, since you're teaching me to surf, how bout I teach you to ride a dirt bike?" he suggested.
"I don't know. I mean my mom might get pissed and I don't want Adam mad at you," she replied.
"Come on, I gotta repay you some how," he said.
"Yeah, I wanna do it," she smiled excitedly.
"I thought you might," he laughed. "You seem like you're the rebellious type just trying to break out of that shell."
"Nah, I'm not like that at all," she shook her head.
"I'll be right back. Just gonna change. Make your self at home," he smiled as he ran up the stairs, skipping stairs as he went.
"I'm gonna learn to dirt bike," she smiled to herself as she walked around the small house. She walked into the living room where she was greeted by a gorgeous boxer. He looked up at her as she smiled down at him. She reached out slowly and patted his head. He nudged her into a chair and stood up with his front legs on her lap. She laughed as he began to lick her face lovingly.
"Liger!" Jeff yelled as he came running into the living room. The dog immediately backed off Cinder and laid down on the floor by her feet. "I'm sorry about that."
"Oh, no, don't be. I love animals," she smiled as the dog wagged his tail at her. "What'd you call him? Liger?"
"Yeah, Liger," Jeff replied. "You, uh, you say you like animals?" She shook her head at him as Liger jumped up at her. "All animals?"
"Haven't met one I don't like. Except maybe snakes. They kinda creep me out," she laughed.
"Come with me," he smiled as he took her hand. He led her up the stairs into a spare room. Inside there were a couple cages.
"What'd ya got here? A zoo?" she joked.
"Close. It's getting there," he laughed. "No, I think my Dad is making me stop here. I have a raccoon named Imagi, an Iguana Zeus, and a prairie dog named Witty."
"What?" she asked shocked.
"Yeah, I know. Kinda strange," he blushed.
"Can I see the prairie dog?" she asked biting on her lower lip.
"Yeah," he said slightly excited. He reached into a large cage and pulled out a small brown furry creature. "This is Witty. He's really sweet. He's probably my favorite."
"He's cute," she smiled petting the head gently.
"Ya wanna hold him?" Jeff asked holding out his hands. Cinder paused for a minute, in thought, and then shook her head. She held him gently while Jeff changed the water in the cage.
"He's so cute," Cinder squealed. "You might have to keep him under total watch cause I just might end up stealing him."
"Oh no you won't!" Jeff laughed. Cinder handed Witty back to Jeff and they smiled at each other. Jeff carefully placed Witty back in his cage before he and Cinder walked down the stairs.
"Well, we'd better get goin. We're losin valuable sun and wave time," she said as they climbed into Adam's car.
"I really appreciate you doin this," Jeff said.
"No problem. I actually don't mind teachin people how to do something I love," she smiled as she pulled into the beach parking lot. "Trust me, you're gonna love it!"
***************
"I heard you taught Jeff to surf yesterday," Trish smiled as she, Cinder, and Amy looked through a rack of dresses.
"Yeah, he's a fast learner," Cinder answered.
"So you two are getting pretty close," Amy smiled.
"Yeah, he's a great friend. I really like him. He's gonna teach me to dirt bike tomorrow," Cinder smiled.
"Are you serious?! Your mom and brother are gonna die if they find out!" Amy exclaimed.
"I know, which makes it even better," Cinder replied with a devious sparkle in her eyes.
"Wow, I've never seen you like this. He's really done something to you C," Trish said.
"What are you talking bout?" Cinder asked as she put a dark purple strapless dress up to herself.
"You're talking bout things and doin things you wouldn't have done before. Like dirt biking," Trish replied.
"Oh please. I've always wanted to try dirt biking. It looks like fun," Cinder shrugged as she put the dress back.
"Yeah, but when your mom told you a few years ago that she didn't want you doin it when you wanted Shannon to teach you, you stopped all consideration right there. Now you're just goin for it, against her," Amy said as she walked into the dressing room carrying a sleeveless silver dress. The two other girls found a dress and followed Amy.
"Maybe it's time that I grew up, ya know? Stop bein a kid. Stop bein under everyone else's rule. Maybe I wanna be my own person," Cinder responded almost angrily.
"Cinder, I've known you since we were 5. You've always been your own person. You always wanted to be different and you were," Amy said.
"But Ames, we're not 5 anymore. We're 16, we're not little kids," Cinder said.
"I just think he's changing you," Amy replied as they all walked out. They nodded at each other and went back in to change into their regular clothes.
"He's not changing me. No one can change who I really am. Maybe he's just bringing this all out in me. Maybe I've just been tryin to hide this all for so many years," Cinder said as they paid for their dresses.
"Cinder, as long as you stay the same sweet, beautiful, caring, wonderful person you are, I'm don't care what you do," Trish said putting her arm around Cinder's shoulders.
"You guys, I'm not gonna change. I'll always be Cinder Mae Copeland," she smiled.
********************
"Oh wow, honey, you look beautiful," Leeann said as she watched her daughter walk down the stairs in her dress. The calf length dark blue spaghetti strap dress was much more comfortable than her cheering uniform. The dress had light blue flowers printed on it across the top and bottom. The back laced up in a corset type fashion. And her shoes fit her name perfectly, well, the nickname Adam had for her, Cinderella. They were see through, glass like, heels. Her blonde hair was slightly curled and the sides were pulled back. She smiled at her mom as she frantically took pictures.
"Mom," she whined as Adam sauntered down the stairs behind her. He picked her up at the waist and carried her down the rest of the stairs, almost using her as a shield from their mother's camera.
"You look beautiful, C," Adam smiled kissing her cheek softly.
"Thanks. You don't look too bad either," Cinder joked as she checked out her brother's nice black dress pants and white fitting t-shirt. He did a model pose causing her to laugh when the doorbell rang. She skipped to the door, seeing Charlie standing there in a pair of khakis and a tight fitting black t-shirt, with his leather coat hanging off his shoulder. She greeted him with a soft kiss and led him inside the house with a smile.
"You look beautiful baby," Charlie whispered as a flash of light went off. He laughed as Cinder gave her mother an eye roll. "Don't mind my mom. She seems to think that tonite is like the prom or something."
"Well, it's not everyday that I get to see my daughter dressed up so nicely," Leeann smiled.
"That's alright, I really don't mind," Charlie laughed as he placed his arm around Cinder's waist. They smiled for her mother then headed out the door.
"Adam, make sure he doesn't try anything tonite. I know how these boys can be on a nite like this," Leeann said.
"Don't worry Mom. She'll be fine. She can totally take care of herself," Adam smiled.
"Still, I'd feel a lot better if you'd just promise me you'll watch her," Leeann repeated.
"No problem mom. I always watch over her," Adam smiled as he leaned down to kiss his mother's cheek. "Later Mom."
********************************
"What do you know about these Hardy Boyz?" Charlie asked as he and Cinder walked into the massively decorated gym hand in hand.
"Not so much about Matt, but Jeff and I are pretty good friends. I actually taught him to surf yesterday," Cinder smiled.
"Matt rubs me the wrong way. I don't know why, but he does. And Jeff's a freak. Who in their right mind dyes their hair blue?!" Charlie laughed.
"I think it's cool. He's bein creative," Cinder replied defensively.
"Oh come on, he's a freak. Admit it!" Charlie said once again, only now they were within a foot of Jeff and he could hear every word.
"Charlie, no. He's not a freak. You don't even know him. He's a great guy. Sweet, funny, nice. He's creative and different. Just because he may dye his hair different colors doesn't mean he's a freak," Cinder argued as she ripped her hand out of Charlie's.
"Cinder, be reasonable. Any normal person doesn't just wake up one day and decide they want purple hair. That makes them a freak!"
"Ya know what? I've thought many times about doin it. But I haven't because of people like you! He's brave and daring. He doesn't want to be like us normal people. He wants to be his own person and he's doin a pretty damn good job at it. So just back off!" Cinder exclaimed as she stormed off.
"You know just how to win them over," Chris laughed as he walked back Charlie.
"Shove it Irvine!" Charlie snapped.
"First fight?" Jeff asked as he walked up to Cinder who was standing at the refreshment table.
"Yeah, you heard?" she asked nervously.
"Yeah, I did. Thank you," he said softly.
"For what?"
"For sticking up for me. That means a lot to me," he smiled.
"No problem. I meant everything I said," she shrugged.
"At my old school everyone thought I was cool cause I looked like this, but here, no one cares. And the ones that do don't like it one bit and think I'm a freak. How come a popular girl like you, doesn't?" he asked.
"I don't know. I guess everything that you do are things I've wanted to do, I don't know," she replied. "What are you doin here? I didn't think you were gonna come."
"A freshman asked me, so I said yes just to see what goes on," he answered. "She's in the bathroom now freshening up or something. She's a little high maintenance, I think."
"Probably a cheerleader," Cinder smiled.
"Yeah, she is. Casey," he replied.
"Oh, yeah. Total cheerleader," she laughed.
"I should have said no, huh?"
"Well, you'll probably have her ducking in and out of the bathroom all nite," she replied.
"Great. Just what I wanted to spend my nite doing," he chuckled.
"You gotta watch some of these cheerleaders. I don't know about other schools, but here they're pretty superficial," she said.
"Great, NOW you tell me," he laughed. "Ah well, ya learn from your mistakes."
"You can come hang out with me, Trish, Shannon, Matt, and Amy if you'd like," Cinder offered.
"What about Charlie?" he asked.
"Oh, yeah, I forgot about him," she laughed. "I guess he'll be around too."
"Thanks, I think I will take you up on your offer," he smiled his green eyes twinkling in the minimal light. She smiled at him before she grabbed his hand and pulled him over to the others that were dancing in a huddled group.