(((A/N))) This is my first attempt at a fan fic. I expect constructive criticism (especially on keeping Mariah from becoming a total Mary Sue) and I even accept flames if I deserve them. I'd like for you to be totally honest, because if I just get a bunch of good reviews when my story really sucks, how am I going to improve it? Now with that out of the way, on with the story! :)
Summary: She was kind of fragile, and she had a lot to grapple with, but basically she kept it all inside...
She was a stubborn young sixteen year old living with her abusive boyfriend and her two year old daughter. He was a rich and cocky teenager living in a penthouse apartment, with no worries at all. When he pushes past her rough attitude and finds the key to her heart, will they be able to survive all the drama that will come with loving each other?
TwIsTeR
Chapter One: The Start Of A Friendship?
Mariah
Mariah stared at the digital alarm clock as the time changed from 5:59 to 6:00. 'Time to wake up,' she thought, rolling her eyes.
She got up and swung open the closet doors. She ran her fingers through her reddish violet curls, contemplating what to wear.
Finally, she pulled out a short sleeved pink shirt with a cartoon like picture on it. The words 'Boys are stupid. Throw rocks at them' under the picture in child like writing. As for pants, she decided on a simple pair of tight blue jeans.
After running a brush through her curly mane, she threw on a pair of Adidas and glanced at the clock. 'Time for Kareem to wake up,' she thought.
"What?" Kareem asked groggily, pushing his girlfriend away as she tried to wake him.
Mariah sighed and tried to put on her best 'cheerful' voice, "Wake up! It's time for work."
"Oh, damn." Kareem got up and threw the comforters aside. He ran his fingers through his brown curls and stared at Mariah. "Why didn't you wake me up earlier?"
"Um, you looked so peaceful sleeping. I didn't want to disturb you..."
Kareem snorted and grabbed his clothes. He pushed past her and slammed the door.
Mariah cringed and took a deep breath. Slowly, she opened the door and found her way to Shayleece's bedroom. Peeking into the darkness, she saw two bright hazel eyes staring at her.
Sighing, Mariah flicked on the light. Kareem had woken Shayleece up way before she was supposed to be up...again. 'He really needs to stop slamming those damn doors,' She thought to herself as she picked up Shayleece.
"Hey, Shay," Mariah said, kissing the top of her two year old daughter's forehead. Shayleece giggled and tried to grab Mariah's necklace.
"Pretty," She cooed. Mariah laughed and gently took Shayleece's hands off of the necklace.
Mariah picked out some clothes for Shayleece, and got her dressed. After she was all finished with that, she pulled her daughter's kinky brown hair into two pigtails.
"All done," Mariah said, holding Shayleece in front of the mirror. "You like?"
Shayleece giggled and nodded her head. "Uh huh."
Mariah opened the door and her and Shay walked into the kitchen. Kareem was sitting at the table, eyes glued to some book.
"Hungry?" Mariah asked quietly, placing Shay in her little booster seat.
Kareem looked up at her and smiled. "You know."
Mariah sighed with relief. He was in a good mood today. 'Lord, thank you,' she thought to herself.
"Aight, I'ma make us some eggs and bacon," Mariah smiled and busied herself making breakfast. "We gotta get Shay to your mother's daycare, drop me off at school, and you gotta get to work. All in a half hour."
"We can do that," Kareem said, not looking up from his book.
"You sure?" Mariah asked as the bacon sizzled in the pan.
Kareem looked up and stared at her, "I said we can do that."
"Aight." Mariah placed some bacon and eggs on a plate and set it in front of Kareem. She then put some eggs in a bowl and gave it to Shayleece.
"Mmmm. This is actually good." Kareem said, swallowing a mouthful of food.
Mariah hardly heard what he said. She was thinking of last night, when she had been looking for some gum in Kareem's coat pocket. A piece of paper had fallen out. She didn't know if she should bring it up...but she had to.
"Um, who's Vanessa?" She asked, not looking up from buttering her own toast at the counter.
Tension filled the room. "Why you ask?"
Kareem looked up at her and she looked away from him. His eyes flashed. "You were going through my shit again?"
"Don't swear in front of my child." Mariah said, looking him dead in the eye.
"Don't you dare tell me what to do." Kareem said getting up. "I'll swear whenever and in front of whoever I want."
Mariah inhaled deeply as she stood there, shaking. "Don't swear in front of my child."
His heavy hand made contact with her cheek, and she just stood there, shocked. He had never done that in front of Shay before. He went to slap her again, but she grabbed his arm.
"Please." Mariah said tearfully. "Not in front of the baby."
He glared at her and slowly sat back down. He went back to eating and started a conversation with her, as if nothing had happened.
Manny
Manny kept her head low as she walked the halls of Degrassi. That was her way of trying to avoid the stares, the snickers, and the hurtful remarks that were thrown at her endlessly day after day. Ever since she had her abortion the year before, in grade nine, she had been labeled "The School Tramp." Even though she had only slept with one guy...one who had said he loved her. His words had sounded so genuine, it would have been foolish not to believe him....right?
She didn't even look where she was going, and felt her forehead collide with another girl who was walking the halls.
"Ouch! Watch where you're going," A tall girl in a cute pink shirt snapped at Manny. Manny bent down and helped the girl pick up the many books that had fallen.
"I'm sorry," Manny said, straightening up. She noticed that girl didn't look familiar. 'She must be new,' Manny thought. "I'm Manny Santos. Are you new this year?"
"No...I'm old," The girl rolled her eyes and hugged her books to her chest. "...Mariah Valentin. And yeah I am new. So?"
"Nothing. I was just wondering if maybe you'll need help finding your way around? I've been here since grade seven," Manny said, trying to be helpful to Mariah. She was intrigued by her for some strange reason, she just couldn't put her finger on it.
"Do I look helpless? I'm pretty sure I'll manage," With that, Mariah walked away, leaving Manny standing there in the hallway, feeling a little stupid.
A second later, Mariah appeared next to Manny again. "Um, can you tell me where Media Immersions is?"
Manny smiled and shook her head, "Sure..."
A tiny smile spread across Mariah's face, "Um, thanks."
"No problem. Follow me." Manny said, starting to walk towards the M.I Lab.
"I don't follow anybody. I'll walk beside you, deal?" Mariah threw back, smiling in a saucy manner.
Manny grinned and nodded, "Deal." And so they walked to Media Immersions, where Manny had to leave to go to her first period class.
"See ya around, I guess." She said to Mariah as they came to the doorway.
"Yeah, I guess." Mariah turned away and walked into the now crowded classroom.
Manny smiled and began walking down the hallway. Could she have possibly made an actual friend? In the halls of Degrease? Maybe...and if so, that would be the best thing that could ever happen to her. A friend...
Jimmy
Jimmy, Spinner, Marco, and Craig sat talking quietly amongst themselves as Mr. Simpson took attendance. It was yet another boring year at Degrassi Community School, and the only thing they were excited about was being moved up a grade.
"I can't believe we're grade elevens. This is too sweet! One more year of this school and we're out of here! Can you believe it?" Jimmy whispered, grinning broadly.
"Dude, I can't believe how long, we've like...been here," Spinner said, squinting his eyes as he reminisced about old times.
"Maria Valentin?" Mr. Simpson asked, looking around. All heads turned to a decent looking girl with a not so pleasant expression on her face.
"It's Ma-Rie-Ah Valenteen. Not Maria Valentin." She said, rolling her eyes and sucking her teeth.
"Okay, it was a simple mistake. You don't have to get disrespectful, Ms. Valentin," Mr. Simpson said, annoyance in his tone.
She rolled her eyes again and faced her computer, ignoring Mr.Simpson. He rolled his eyes too, and went back to doing attendance.
"I wouldn't like to get in her way..." Marco said, glancing at the scowling girl sitting a few seats away from them.
Jimmy barely heard what he said. Something about that Mariah girl had him somewhat hooked. Maybe it was the fact that she looked kind of hard to get, or the fact that she would and could speak her mind, he didn't know. But something was pulling him to her magnetically, and he couldn't ignore it.