Hey, this is the first for real chapter, and it takes place two years after
Liberty's move. I hope y'all like it.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything but Liberty's cousin and her family.
Chapter Summary: It's been two years since Liberty Van Zandt was sent to Alexandria, Louisiana. Now she's coming back to Degrassi, with her cousin Aubrianna, and boy, is everyone in for a surprise. Liberty's changed, and JT's really noticed it. The question is: does she want him to notice?
Chapter 1-Return to Degrassi
Liberty Van Zandt-newly turned fifteen year old, rolled out of bed, and slapped at her alarm clock. It had been two years since she had last been in Canada, and she didn't regret leaving one bit.
"Lib, you up?"
"Yeah, Aubri. Just give me a minute to dress."
"You straight. The flight doesn't leave till two. Nervous about seeing all those people again?" The seventeen-year-old came in and sat down on the edge of Liberty's bed.
"Hell no! They should be nervous about seeing ME again. Things have changed. I'm not lil' Ms. Perfect, and if they can't handle my heat, they had just better stay out my way." Liberty angrily shoved her clothes into her suitcase.
"Girl, don't even worry about it. All those people that talked about you, they don't know you. This is a whole new year, and if anyone wants to start something, we'll handle it." Aubrianna said, rubbing her cousin's shoulder. "I'm coming too, remember?"
"Yeah, I know. It's just gonna be so hard seeing all the people that talked about me behind my back. I know I didn't help things, by being so damn evil and bitchy."
"Things are different now. Don't even worry about all that junior high shit. You're in high school now, and all that doesn't even matter." Aubrianna stood up and walked to the door. "I gotta finish packing. Be ready by one."
"Aight then." Liberty finished up her packing, and helped Aubrianna with hers. As the two packed in silence, Liberty reflected on how she'd changed. She was taller, and she had gotten what her aunt and cousin referred to as the 'Charles family hourglass'. She was pretty evenly proportioned, and her face had finally lost its baby fat. She started getting her eyebrows done, and her aunt let her get contacts. What she was most happy about was the fact that she had 'grown into' her lips and, she started wearing her hair in different styles. Right now, she had it in a braided ponytail, courtesy of Aubrianna.
"Aubri, Lib, y'all ready, girls?" James, Aubrianna's Cajun father, poked his head into Aubrianna's room. "It's about time ta go."
"Yes sir." Aubrianna handed her father a pair of suitcases, which he took downstairs to his wife's truck. After several more trips back and forth up the stairs, everything was loaded into the truck. Everyone piled in, and they left.
"Now, don't forget to mind your aunt and uncle, and call us at least once a week. Don't forget your manners." Malise lectured. She hugged Liberty, then Aubrianna. "Call us when you get there."
"I will, Mama, don't worry." Aubrianna hugged her mother tightly, and turned to her father.
"Au revoir chérie."
"Au revoir Daddy."
"Liberty, it was a pleasure having you. You'll come see us again, I'm sure." James gave his niece a hug.
"Of course, Uncle James. You still have to teach me to drive." Liberty reminded him.
"Of course, Liberty, of course." Aubrianna and Liberty stepped into the terminal. The flight was boring and uneventful. To Liberty's surprise, both of her parents were waiting for her when she and Aubrianna got off the plane.
"Liberty? Look at you! You look so much older!" Tamera said, wrapping her daughter in a tight hug.
"Hi Mom." Liberty returned the hug whole-heartedly. "I really missed you."
"I missed you too, sweetheart. Hello Aubrianna."
"Hi Aunt Tamera." Aubrianna hugged her aunt. "Been a long time, hasn't it? Mama sends her love."
"Too long."
Liberty and her father were exchanging hugs and pleasantries. "Liberty, you are quite a beauty. The boys' will probably be knocking down the door not two days after you start school."
"I doubt it Daddy."
"Well, let's hurry home so you can get settled." Tamera said decisively. Aubrianna was shown to a room, where she gratefully dropped onto the bed and fell asleep, after calling her mother. Across the hall, Liberty did the same thing in her room.
When Liberty woke the next afternoon, the house was quiet. Aubrianna was sitting in the kitchen, eating some grapes. "They already left for work. What are we gonna do today?"
"We could go shopping, see a movie, or we could just walk around a little. It's up to you, really."
"Yeah. Hey, maybe we'll see some cute guys or something. It's Sunday, right?"
"Yeah."
"You're really worried about going back to Degrassi, aren't you?"
"Yeah, I guess. You can have the shower upstairs. I'll take my mom's shower."
"Aight. What are you going to wear?"
"Probably a pair of jeans and that shirt you made for me."
"You mean the green one with the black shoestrings up the sides?"
"Yeah. What about you?"
"Probably my black jeans and that baby blue halter I bought."
"Aight, then. Why don't we leave in an hour? I would say less, but I need to get this ponytail out my head, and do something with my hair."
"Fine by me." The two girls separated, and met back in the kitchen in an hour.
"Ready?"
"Let's ride." The two girls took off, after scribbling a quick note to Liberty's parents, in case they came home early.
"I didn't know Canada was this hot." Aubrianna complained, pulling her waist-length hair up in a ponytail.
"Yeah, but it's better off than Louisiana."
"I heard that. Y'all ain't got all that humidity we had. Where we headed?"
"There's this ice cream shop down a little ways. Across from it is this clothing store, and a music store."
"They have good...Uh, Liberty, there's a guy checking you out. Don't look yet; just kinda turn your head, like you're just taking a look around."
Liberty turned. "Shit, that's JT!"
"Ain't he the punk that dissed you?"
"Yeah, but I was kinda obsessed with him."
"That don't mean he gotta dis you. Look at him, checkin' you out like he never seen a woman before. I'mma go talk to him."
"Aubri let me handle it. I learned from the best, remember?" Liberty smoothed down her hair, and began walking over to JT's side. As she got closer, the butterflies in her stomach turned into a tornado. He was so cute. Liberty forced down her feelings, and walked up to him. "Hey, what up? I saw you checkin' me out, and I wanted to see what the deal was."
"Um...What's your name?"
"I have a better question: what's your name?"
"JT Yorke."
"Hey, Aubri!" Aubrianna came walking over.
"You call?"
"This is JT Yorke. What ya think?"
"You know white boys ain't my type, but if that's what you like, then do you."
"I still didn't catch your name." JT interjected.
"I still didn't give it. Why do you want my name so bad?"
"I've never seen you before, and I was hoping to get your number."
"Really? I don't go for white boys either, but I could make an exception. Name's Liberty. Liberty Van Zandt."
"Shit! Liberty?"
"It's been a while, hasn't it? Now who's dogging who?" Liberty spun on her heel and walked away. JT watched her walk, bewildered.
"Ya know, JT, let me give you some advice on my cousin. She ain't gonna forgive you easily, and I know you want her. Better think of something fast, chérie." Aubrianna walked off after her. JT watched them go, mouth wide.
"So this is the ice cream shop you were tellin' me bout? It's nice."
"Before you can ask, they do serve root beer floats."
Aubrianna stuck her tongue out. "Maybe I wanted a sundae."
"But you don't, do you?"
"That's beside the point."
"What'll it be ladies?"
"I'll have a root beer float."
"A chocolate soda."
As the guy at the counter was fixing up their orders, Aubrianna took a look around, and her gaze fell on three people, two guys and a girl, all close to her age. One of the guys was white, with spiky brown hair, and his obvious girlfriend was white as well, curvy, with long brown hair. The other guy was black, with short black hair, and he looked like he was the third wheel. Aubrianna's suspicions were confirmed when the first guy put his arm around the girl's shoulders. "Lib, I'm gonna holla at that one right there. D'ya know 'im?" Aubrianna asked, pointing at 'third-wheel man'.
"That's Jimmy Brooks, and the couple he's with is Spinner Mason and Terri McGreggor." Liberty said. "They're gonna be juniors this year, if I'm right."
"Cool. I'll be back." Aubrianna slid off the stool, and approached their table. "Hi."
Terri looked up at Aubrianna and smiled warmly. "Hi."
Aubrianna smiled back before turning her attention to Jimmy and rubbing her hands together. "Lemme see, how do I put this...I was checking you out, and it looked like you were kinda lonely. I figure, why not walk over, introduce myself, maybe get a couple digits?"
Jimmy held out his hand. "Jimmy Brooks."
"Aubrianna Armande. I just moved here from Louisiana." She smiled and shook the proffered hand.
"You can sit down if you want." Terri offered. Aubrianna cast Liberty a look, and slid into the seat. "Are you Cajun?"
"Half. No doubt y'all heard bout how Cajuns got them tempers, yeah?" Aubrianna slipped into her natural, French-accented tone.
"I don't even know what Cajun is, man." Spinner said.
"Allow me to enlighten you. Cajuns are descended from people who emigrated from Nova Scotia to Louisiana. Most of us speak French; have tempers and cook damn good food."
"Say something in French." Spinner asked.
"Aubri, your float's ready!" Liberty called. Aubrianna nodded, and turned to face Jimmy.
"Êtes-vous pris?" She said, and walked off.
Jimmy watched her walk back to her seat. "Damn, she is HOT."
"So what are you sitting there for? Go get her number!" Spinner said, rolling his eyes. Jimmy threw his napkin at him, and got up.
Aubrianna saw him coming out of the corner of her eye, and turned to face her cousin, acting like they were talking about something.
"Hey, Aubrianna, you never told me what that meant."
"Are you single?"
"What?"
"That's what I asked you. Can I have a straight answer?"
"Yeah, I'm single. Can I have your number?"
"I'm staying with my cousin Liberty Van Zandt." Aubrianna said, writing her number down on a napkin.
"That name sounds familiar."
"I used to go to Degrassi."
The unstylish, uncute girl in Jimmy's mind faded as Liberty looked up at him. "Are you both coming to Degrassi?"
"Yeah. We start Monday."
"Well, if Liberty doesn't mind, could I show you around?"
"Sure."
"I'll call you tonight?"
"Are you askin' me, or tellin' me?"
"Telling you."
"Fine by me." Aubrianna finished off her float. "Lib, ready?"
"Yeah, let's roll."
"Nice meetin' you, Jimmy." Aubrianna called over her shoulder. As soon as the ice cream store was out of sight, she squealed. "I am good!" She and Liberty turned the corner, and she promptly ran into a teenage girl, who was walking with a black girl.
"Why don't you watch where you're going, dumbass?" The blonde snapped.
"Why don't you watch it, bitch?" Aubrianna pushed the girl out of her way and continued walking.
"Who do you think you're talking to?" The blonde said snappily.
"I jus' tol' you, yeah? If I remember right, I said watch it bitch. You're the only bitch I see, so obviously I was talkin' to you." Aubrianna rolled her eyes and turned another corner.
"I hope that bitch goes to Degrassi. I'll make her life hell if she does." The blonde muttered. "Come on Hazel."
Aubrianna rolled her eyes. "I hope that bitch goes to Degrassi. I'll make her miserable if she does."
"Um...Aubri? That was the most popular girl in school, Paige Michalchuk. You don't wanna mess with her."
"Please. What's she gonna do, try to slap me and break a nail? If she tries to start something, I'll whoop 'er ass."
"Okay..." Liberty said. "We've got just enough time to check out the clothing store." They entered the store, and began to browse through the racks. Aubrianna found a shirt, and Liberty found a pair of pants. They paid for the items and left the store, walking slowly.
"Canada ain't all that bad, yeah?"
"It really isn't, it's just that..."
"You don't wanna see all those people who made fun of you, right?"
"That's just it. I KNOW I didn't help things by being so bitchy. It's partly my fault people talked about me. That's why I tried to change so much between eighth grade and now. I knew I'd have to go back, and I wanted people to see that I wasn't the same Liberty anymore."
"You wanted people to see, or JT to see? You saw how Paige and JT didn't recognize you, so it seems you might have gotten what you wanted."
"A bit of both."
"You don't have to change for a boy, cher. I thought that was one of the first things I taught you."
"I changed as much for myself as for JT. I was so tired of everyone saying, 'ask Liberty, she knows' and the teachers always asking me to do this, and do that. I was a little teacher's pet, and I hated it! I needed a change."
"Hmmm...well baby girl, you changed. Now we jus' gotta wait two more days till you can show off jus' how you change."
"This is so nerve wracking. What if nobody remembers me?"
"If you were as bitchy as you keep sayin', I think they'd have a hard time tryin' to forget, yeah?"
"Yeah, you're right. How come you're barely two years older than me and yet you steady tell me all this stuff I don't know?"
Aubrianna looked around furtively. "It's cuz...I watch Jenny Jones all the time! It's like a daily dose of wisdom."
"Please. Everyone knows Maury is sooo much better than Jenny."
"Well...you're right about that, but it only comes on at three AM. When was the last time I was up at three in the friggin' morning?"
Liberty grinned; her cousin had a habit of sleeping late on weekends and during the summer. You had to practically blast music into her ears to wake her. "Probably never."
"Exactly my point." Aubrianna said, as they turned onto the Van Zandts' street. "Now, as much as I like Maury, I'm not gettin' up at three in the morning just to watch it."
"What if you can't sleep?"
"I don't wanna try to sneak out of my room just to catch the show." Liberty unlocked the front door. Lying on the table was twenty bucks and a note.
"Won't be home till late, order a pizza. Love Mom." Liberty took the money off the table and looked at it. "What do you like on your pizza?"
"Pepperoni."
Liberty called up the order, and she and Aubrianna both flopped on the couch. "Today was interesting, huh?"
"Oh yeah. This is going to be a VERY interesting school year." Aubrianna smiled. "Maybe Jimmy'll be a big part of my Canadian experience."
"Did you see the way he looked at you? Give him a little bit, and he'll be eating out of your hand."
"What about JT? He was eyein' you like you were a plate of barbecued ribs. You won't even have to work to get him where you want him."
"That's just it, Aubri; I don't know where I want him."
"Why don't y'all jus' start over? Be friends, be friends with benefits. It's been two years, chérie; I doubt he's still the same. You should get to know 'im first, before you go jumpin' into anything."
Liberty bit her lip. "Maybe."
Aubrianna jumped off the sofa. "No more sittin' round, we gon pick out some outfits for school. Scratch that, I am going to pick out your outfits for school." Aubrianna grabbed her cousin's hand and pulled her upstairs. Between them, they picked out a whole week's worth of school clothes. The phone rang, and both girls jumped. Liberty picked up the phone, just as the doorbell rang. Aubrianna ran down the stairs.
"Hello, Van Zandts' residence, Liberty speaking."
"Liberty? This is Jimmy. Is Aubrianna around?"
"Hold on a minute, I'll go get her." Liberty thundered downstairs with the phone in her hand, just as Aubrianna swung the front door shut, with the pizza box balanced precariously in her hand. "Aubri, Jimmy's on the phone."
Aubrianna set the pizza box on the counter, and grabbed the phone. "Hello?"
"Hi, Aubrianna?"
"Call me Aubri. Sup?"
"Nothing, just wanted to know if you and Liberty wanted a ride to school tomorrow."
"That'd be great. I can't talk now, but I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Sure, what's Liberty's address?" Aubrianna gave it to him, and hung up.
"Well?"
"He's giving us a ride to school Monday. Let's eat."
***********************************
So what's going to happen Monday? I'll put the next chapter up soon as I can. Hope you enjoyed it! Please, no flames.
*Sneak Preview of Chapter 2
It was then, seeing the look on JT's face, Liberty did something she had never done before. She raised her hand and pulled it back. JT winced.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything but Liberty's cousin and her family.
Chapter Summary: It's been two years since Liberty Van Zandt was sent to Alexandria, Louisiana. Now she's coming back to Degrassi, with her cousin Aubrianna, and boy, is everyone in for a surprise. Liberty's changed, and JT's really noticed it. The question is: does she want him to notice?
Chapter 1-Return to Degrassi
Liberty Van Zandt-newly turned fifteen year old, rolled out of bed, and slapped at her alarm clock. It had been two years since she had last been in Canada, and she didn't regret leaving one bit.
"Lib, you up?"
"Yeah, Aubri. Just give me a minute to dress."
"You straight. The flight doesn't leave till two. Nervous about seeing all those people again?" The seventeen-year-old came in and sat down on the edge of Liberty's bed.
"Hell no! They should be nervous about seeing ME again. Things have changed. I'm not lil' Ms. Perfect, and if they can't handle my heat, they had just better stay out my way." Liberty angrily shoved her clothes into her suitcase.
"Girl, don't even worry about it. All those people that talked about you, they don't know you. This is a whole new year, and if anyone wants to start something, we'll handle it." Aubrianna said, rubbing her cousin's shoulder. "I'm coming too, remember?"
"Yeah, I know. It's just gonna be so hard seeing all the people that talked about me behind my back. I know I didn't help things, by being so damn evil and bitchy."
"Things are different now. Don't even worry about all that junior high shit. You're in high school now, and all that doesn't even matter." Aubrianna stood up and walked to the door. "I gotta finish packing. Be ready by one."
"Aight then." Liberty finished up her packing, and helped Aubrianna with hers. As the two packed in silence, Liberty reflected on how she'd changed. She was taller, and she had gotten what her aunt and cousin referred to as the 'Charles family hourglass'. She was pretty evenly proportioned, and her face had finally lost its baby fat. She started getting her eyebrows done, and her aunt let her get contacts. What she was most happy about was the fact that she had 'grown into' her lips and, she started wearing her hair in different styles. Right now, she had it in a braided ponytail, courtesy of Aubrianna.
"Aubri, Lib, y'all ready, girls?" James, Aubrianna's Cajun father, poked his head into Aubrianna's room. "It's about time ta go."
"Yes sir." Aubrianna handed her father a pair of suitcases, which he took downstairs to his wife's truck. After several more trips back and forth up the stairs, everything was loaded into the truck. Everyone piled in, and they left.
"Now, don't forget to mind your aunt and uncle, and call us at least once a week. Don't forget your manners." Malise lectured. She hugged Liberty, then Aubrianna. "Call us when you get there."
"I will, Mama, don't worry." Aubrianna hugged her mother tightly, and turned to her father.
"Au revoir chérie."
"Au revoir Daddy."
"Liberty, it was a pleasure having you. You'll come see us again, I'm sure." James gave his niece a hug.
"Of course, Uncle James. You still have to teach me to drive." Liberty reminded him.
"Of course, Liberty, of course." Aubrianna and Liberty stepped into the terminal. The flight was boring and uneventful. To Liberty's surprise, both of her parents were waiting for her when she and Aubrianna got off the plane.
"Liberty? Look at you! You look so much older!" Tamera said, wrapping her daughter in a tight hug.
"Hi Mom." Liberty returned the hug whole-heartedly. "I really missed you."
"I missed you too, sweetheart. Hello Aubrianna."
"Hi Aunt Tamera." Aubrianna hugged her aunt. "Been a long time, hasn't it? Mama sends her love."
"Too long."
Liberty and her father were exchanging hugs and pleasantries. "Liberty, you are quite a beauty. The boys' will probably be knocking down the door not two days after you start school."
"I doubt it Daddy."
"Well, let's hurry home so you can get settled." Tamera said decisively. Aubrianna was shown to a room, where she gratefully dropped onto the bed and fell asleep, after calling her mother. Across the hall, Liberty did the same thing in her room.
When Liberty woke the next afternoon, the house was quiet. Aubrianna was sitting in the kitchen, eating some grapes. "They already left for work. What are we gonna do today?"
"We could go shopping, see a movie, or we could just walk around a little. It's up to you, really."
"Yeah. Hey, maybe we'll see some cute guys or something. It's Sunday, right?"
"Yeah."
"You're really worried about going back to Degrassi, aren't you?"
"Yeah, I guess. You can have the shower upstairs. I'll take my mom's shower."
"Aight. What are you going to wear?"
"Probably a pair of jeans and that shirt you made for me."
"You mean the green one with the black shoestrings up the sides?"
"Yeah. What about you?"
"Probably my black jeans and that baby blue halter I bought."
"Aight, then. Why don't we leave in an hour? I would say less, but I need to get this ponytail out my head, and do something with my hair."
"Fine by me." The two girls separated, and met back in the kitchen in an hour.
"Ready?"
"Let's ride." The two girls took off, after scribbling a quick note to Liberty's parents, in case they came home early.
"I didn't know Canada was this hot." Aubrianna complained, pulling her waist-length hair up in a ponytail.
"Yeah, but it's better off than Louisiana."
"I heard that. Y'all ain't got all that humidity we had. Where we headed?"
"There's this ice cream shop down a little ways. Across from it is this clothing store, and a music store."
"They have good...Uh, Liberty, there's a guy checking you out. Don't look yet; just kinda turn your head, like you're just taking a look around."
Liberty turned. "Shit, that's JT!"
"Ain't he the punk that dissed you?"
"Yeah, but I was kinda obsessed with him."
"That don't mean he gotta dis you. Look at him, checkin' you out like he never seen a woman before. I'mma go talk to him."
"Aubri let me handle it. I learned from the best, remember?" Liberty smoothed down her hair, and began walking over to JT's side. As she got closer, the butterflies in her stomach turned into a tornado. He was so cute. Liberty forced down her feelings, and walked up to him. "Hey, what up? I saw you checkin' me out, and I wanted to see what the deal was."
"Um...What's your name?"
"I have a better question: what's your name?"
"JT Yorke."
"Hey, Aubri!" Aubrianna came walking over.
"You call?"
"This is JT Yorke. What ya think?"
"You know white boys ain't my type, but if that's what you like, then do you."
"I still didn't catch your name." JT interjected.
"I still didn't give it. Why do you want my name so bad?"
"I've never seen you before, and I was hoping to get your number."
"Really? I don't go for white boys either, but I could make an exception. Name's Liberty. Liberty Van Zandt."
"Shit! Liberty?"
"It's been a while, hasn't it? Now who's dogging who?" Liberty spun on her heel and walked away. JT watched her walk, bewildered.
"Ya know, JT, let me give you some advice on my cousin. She ain't gonna forgive you easily, and I know you want her. Better think of something fast, chérie." Aubrianna walked off after her. JT watched them go, mouth wide.
"So this is the ice cream shop you were tellin' me bout? It's nice."
"Before you can ask, they do serve root beer floats."
Aubrianna stuck her tongue out. "Maybe I wanted a sundae."
"But you don't, do you?"
"That's beside the point."
"What'll it be ladies?"
"I'll have a root beer float."
"A chocolate soda."
As the guy at the counter was fixing up their orders, Aubrianna took a look around, and her gaze fell on three people, two guys and a girl, all close to her age. One of the guys was white, with spiky brown hair, and his obvious girlfriend was white as well, curvy, with long brown hair. The other guy was black, with short black hair, and he looked like he was the third wheel. Aubrianna's suspicions were confirmed when the first guy put his arm around the girl's shoulders. "Lib, I'm gonna holla at that one right there. D'ya know 'im?" Aubrianna asked, pointing at 'third-wheel man'.
"That's Jimmy Brooks, and the couple he's with is Spinner Mason and Terri McGreggor." Liberty said. "They're gonna be juniors this year, if I'm right."
"Cool. I'll be back." Aubrianna slid off the stool, and approached their table. "Hi."
Terri looked up at Aubrianna and smiled warmly. "Hi."
Aubrianna smiled back before turning her attention to Jimmy and rubbing her hands together. "Lemme see, how do I put this...I was checking you out, and it looked like you were kinda lonely. I figure, why not walk over, introduce myself, maybe get a couple digits?"
Jimmy held out his hand. "Jimmy Brooks."
"Aubrianna Armande. I just moved here from Louisiana." She smiled and shook the proffered hand.
"You can sit down if you want." Terri offered. Aubrianna cast Liberty a look, and slid into the seat. "Are you Cajun?"
"Half. No doubt y'all heard bout how Cajuns got them tempers, yeah?" Aubrianna slipped into her natural, French-accented tone.
"I don't even know what Cajun is, man." Spinner said.
"Allow me to enlighten you. Cajuns are descended from people who emigrated from Nova Scotia to Louisiana. Most of us speak French; have tempers and cook damn good food."
"Say something in French." Spinner asked.
"Aubri, your float's ready!" Liberty called. Aubrianna nodded, and turned to face Jimmy.
"Êtes-vous pris?" She said, and walked off.
Jimmy watched her walk back to her seat. "Damn, she is HOT."
"So what are you sitting there for? Go get her number!" Spinner said, rolling his eyes. Jimmy threw his napkin at him, and got up.
Aubrianna saw him coming out of the corner of her eye, and turned to face her cousin, acting like they were talking about something.
"Hey, Aubrianna, you never told me what that meant."
"Are you single?"
"What?"
"That's what I asked you. Can I have a straight answer?"
"Yeah, I'm single. Can I have your number?"
"I'm staying with my cousin Liberty Van Zandt." Aubrianna said, writing her number down on a napkin.
"That name sounds familiar."
"I used to go to Degrassi."
The unstylish, uncute girl in Jimmy's mind faded as Liberty looked up at him. "Are you both coming to Degrassi?"
"Yeah. We start Monday."
"Well, if Liberty doesn't mind, could I show you around?"
"Sure."
"I'll call you tonight?"
"Are you askin' me, or tellin' me?"
"Telling you."
"Fine by me." Aubrianna finished off her float. "Lib, ready?"
"Yeah, let's roll."
"Nice meetin' you, Jimmy." Aubrianna called over her shoulder. As soon as the ice cream store was out of sight, she squealed. "I am good!" She and Liberty turned the corner, and she promptly ran into a teenage girl, who was walking with a black girl.
"Why don't you watch where you're going, dumbass?" The blonde snapped.
"Why don't you watch it, bitch?" Aubrianna pushed the girl out of her way and continued walking.
"Who do you think you're talking to?" The blonde said snappily.
"I jus' tol' you, yeah? If I remember right, I said watch it bitch. You're the only bitch I see, so obviously I was talkin' to you." Aubrianna rolled her eyes and turned another corner.
"I hope that bitch goes to Degrassi. I'll make her life hell if she does." The blonde muttered. "Come on Hazel."
Aubrianna rolled her eyes. "I hope that bitch goes to Degrassi. I'll make her miserable if she does."
"Um...Aubri? That was the most popular girl in school, Paige Michalchuk. You don't wanna mess with her."
"Please. What's she gonna do, try to slap me and break a nail? If she tries to start something, I'll whoop 'er ass."
"Okay..." Liberty said. "We've got just enough time to check out the clothing store." They entered the store, and began to browse through the racks. Aubrianna found a shirt, and Liberty found a pair of pants. They paid for the items and left the store, walking slowly.
"Canada ain't all that bad, yeah?"
"It really isn't, it's just that..."
"You don't wanna see all those people who made fun of you, right?"
"That's just it. I KNOW I didn't help things by being so bitchy. It's partly my fault people talked about me. That's why I tried to change so much between eighth grade and now. I knew I'd have to go back, and I wanted people to see that I wasn't the same Liberty anymore."
"You wanted people to see, or JT to see? You saw how Paige and JT didn't recognize you, so it seems you might have gotten what you wanted."
"A bit of both."
"You don't have to change for a boy, cher. I thought that was one of the first things I taught you."
"I changed as much for myself as for JT. I was so tired of everyone saying, 'ask Liberty, she knows' and the teachers always asking me to do this, and do that. I was a little teacher's pet, and I hated it! I needed a change."
"Hmmm...well baby girl, you changed. Now we jus' gotta wait two more days till you can show off jus' how you change."
"This is so nerve wracking. What if nobody remembers me?"
"If you were as bitchy as you keep sayin', I think they'd have a hard time tryin' to forget, yeah?"
"Yeah, you're right. How come you're barely two years older than me and yet you steady tell me all this stuff I don't know?"
Aubrianna looked around furtively. "It's cuz...I watch Jenny Jones all the time! It's like a daily dose of wisdom."
"Please. Everyone knows Maury is sooo much better than Jenny."
"Well...you're right about that, but it only comes on at three AM. When was the last time I was up at three in the friggin' morning?"
Liberty grinned; her cousin had a habit of sleeping late on weekends and during the summer. You had to practically blast music into her ears to wake her. "Probably never."
"Exactly my point." Aubrianna said, as they turned onto the Van Zandts' street. "Now, as much as I like Maury, I'm not gettin' up at three in the morning just to watch it."
"What if you can't sleep?"
"I don't wanna try to sneak out of my room just to catch the show." Liberty unlocked the front door. Lying on the table was twenty bucks and a note.
"Won't be home till late, order a pizza. Love Mom." Liberty took the money off the table and looked at it. "What do you like on your pizza?"
"Pepperoni."
Liberty called up the order, and she and Aubrianna both flopped on the couch. "Today was interesting, huh?"
"Oh yeah. This is going to be a VERY interesting school year." Aubrianna smiled. "Maybe Jimmy'll be a big part of my Canadian experience."
"Did you see the way he looked at you? Give him a little bit, and he'll be eating out of your hand."
"What about JT? He was eyein' you like you were a plate of barbecued ribs. You won't even have to work to get him where you want him."
"That's just it, Aubri; I don't know where I want him."
"Why don't y'all jus' start over? Be friends, be friends with benefits. It's been two years, chérie; I doubt he's still the same. You should get to know 'im first, before you go jumpin' into anything."
Liberty bit her lip. "Maybe."
Aubrianna jumped off the sofa. "No more sittin' round, we gon pick out some outfits for school. Scratch that, I am going to pick out your outfits for school." Aubrianna grabbed her cousin's hand and pulled her upstairs. Between them, they picked out a whole week's worth of school clothes. The phone rang, and both girls jumped. Liberty picked up the phone, just as the doorbell rang. Aubrianna ran down the stairs.
"Hello, Van Zandts' residence, Liberty speaking."
"Liberty? This is Jimmy. Is Aubrianna around?"
"Hold on a minute, I'll go get her." Liberty thundered downstairs with the phone in her hand, just as Aubrianna swung the front door shut, with the pizza box balanced precariously in her hand. "Aubri, Jimmy's on the phone."
Aubrianna set the pizza box on the counter, and grabbed the phone. "Hello?"
"Hi, Aubrianna?"
"Call me Aubri. Sup?"
"Nothing, just wanted to know if you and Liberty wanted a ride to school tomorrow."
"That'd be great. I can't talk now, but I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Sure, what's Liberty's address?" Aubrianna gave it to him, and hung up.
"Well?"
"He's giving us a ride to school Monday. Let's eat."
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So what's going to happen Monday? I'll put the next chapter up soon as I can. Hope you enjoyed it! Please, no flames.
*Sneak Preview of Chapter 2
It was then, seeing the look on JT's face, Liberty did something she had never done before. She raised her hand and pulled it back. JT winced.