Chapter Two:
Harmony Public Park.
It happened again tonight.
The dimmed lights of Harmony's streets had faded once more to black, and her secluded vengeance filled a contrary character. She thought shed been rid of this sequence of the erratic that had become her life, she thought the nightmares she'd lived was over and her much deserved happy ending had begun.
But that as many other things she knew was a lie.
The fairy tale had never really begun, it was just a dormant nightmare.
Her paces seemed to tear the town into two as she loomed through the darkness. Her intentions hidden, from the norm. Searching for an unremorseful revenge, she found herself roaming - looking for an enemy that was never to found, prowling the darkness for any sight of it but yet always coming up empty handed, frustrated and confused.
Story of my life… Charity thought an air of weary falling in silent statements. In spite of that she did have to admit that this time was considerably better than all the other nights that the darkness had consumed her. In fact she'd even happened to let out a slight sigh of relief when her sight came back to her, and she found herself alone in the park. Running into someone she knew here at the state she was in would be unbearable, she was already terrible at making up stories - out of habit, she figured.
"Well Charity," She turned, to the voice that reminded her of speaking much to soon. "Answer me. What are you doing here?"
Her back was turned to her cousin and the darker part of herself told her that maybe running or pretending she hadn't heard Kay would have been better then her trying to pretend that she wasn't, in one of her ever popularmoments of consumption - but she couldn't. Running wouldn't even start to solve her issues with the voice of intimidation she'd called her cousin ,Kay Bennett.
Charity turned her sky blue eyes peering in to the deepened cobalt of Kay's as she took another unnerved breath. Thinking of what she could have said to switch the conversation from what she was doing, and to more of what her cousin was doing in Harmony's local park - alone.
"Walking home. I was just heading home from Aunt Grace's -" But that might have started more of an argument that she was too tired to deal with. "The park's actually a pretty good shortcut back to the dorm."
Charity happened to say within one breath, cursing herself for actually mentioning her Aunt's name while in the same space as her greatest enemy. Nevertheless, it was a lie and she actually wasn't with Grace, in fact she hadn't seen her Aunt in month's - make that the better part of the year.
"Really." Kay said slowly as if something more was to be implied as Charity quickly shook her head yes "So how is Graceand everyone else - must have been overjoyed to see you."
Charity almost cringed at the sarcasm that played in each of Kay's words before taking another breath. This was almost expected, for Kay to make her feel even worse than she already had for things she hardly had control over. It had come to the point where she began to hate herself for not saying anything because in truth, Kay was the one caught trying to ruin herlife not the other way around. But still - in habit- she could never bring herself to say anything.
"They miss you, Kay." She said quietly, staring at the ground. "They all want you to be apart of the family again - even Grace."
Though very small as it might have looked, the small glint of consideration that grazed her face was as visible as anything to her. Maybe , I just might have gotten through to her - as hard as that is … She thought somewhat gingerly.
As if she read her thoughts Kay snapped back into reality staring at Charity with the normal disdain. "Please, Charity if you're going to waste my time by trying to achieve yet another saintly deed by repairing the Bennett family - Spare me, I have better things to do anyway ."
Charity turned to leave, as always, doing what she was told before pausing in her footsteps and looking at an indifferent Kay Bennett once more. " I'll never begin to be sorry enough for what's happened to you and Aunt Grace when I came to town - I'll even be sorry for taking your life" She spoke as if she was talking to herself. "But I'll never be sorry for loving Miguel and having him love me back."
"This isn't about Miguel, Charity -" Not anymore at least.
"Whatever it's about, Kay - Whatever the hell it is that's making you hate me, I don't care - not tonight." She sighed. "I know for a fact that your family loves you - Even after what happened at the wedding, even before I came to town … they love you and they want you to come home -"
Her lips were fixed in a permanent frown, as she continued to watch Charity with customary distaste, as she spoke on.
"Just let it go, Kay. Stop being so vindictive and go back to your family," She pursed her lips refraining herself from saying anymore as she turned, letting the light caress her as she headed back to the university.
…
Harmony Dormitory University.
The sound of way-too-loud music blaring through the ceilings and walls, and the crowds that he had to play quarter back to just to get through to his room, reminded Reese Durkee that it was Friday. It also reminded him how much he hated Friday's in the first place. Which rang a very pleasant bell for his hatred for anything that breathed.
He parted the grounds briskly shoving classmate to classmate apart, as he grumbled profanities all the way through to his dorm room. He paused his keys mid through the lock as he made a silent prayer for his roommate not to be there waiting for him wit another one of his idiotic musings about life, love, and the wonder's of how they got the caramel into those chocolate bars.
"Durkee. How's it hanging dude?" But some prayers were always too farfetched to be answered.
"It's not hanging, at all Jeff." He'd always reply lethargically making his way to his room and back, to where Brett had been. Curious he peered behind his sitting form, watching the man who clearly not had a decent thought in his head - writing with the looks of something profound.
Astonishing, Reese thought before asking. "What are you doing here anyway, Jeff. I mean it's Friday shouldn't you out painting the town read with all the other drones."
"Nah, not tonight man. Besides I don't think much people would be out anyways considering what going on."
He rose a golden brow intrigued by the miracle of what he was witnessing. An idiot writing things on paper like some prophesied philosopher. " Considering what's going on, Jeff?" He repeated like a parrot, noticing that this was the third time he'd said Jeff in minutes.
"This." Jeffery exclaimed, clearly excited as he handed a brightly coloured flyer to Reese. Reluctantly the intellectualist took it in arms giving it the once over as the other explained. "It's this new up and coming reality show. "The Eagle" it's this show where they give fashion plagued guys makeovers."
"Outstanding." Reese lied, not pulling off the riveted act he was going for. "So I'm guessing you're the fashion deprived guy who's in need of a makeover?"
Jeff nodded proudly at the question. "That's not even all man, get this - Once the best out of the makeover's are chosen we get to compete in a beauty contest!"
"Beauty contest. Wow."
"Yeah Man! And the winner gets a thousand dollars - and a brand new look of course."
Jeff continued to drawl on about the new - of many variety show that hit Harmony, and blah, blah, blah. Reese couldn't have really cared less. No way was he going to submit himself to being judged as to whether he was a sorry case enough to be made over into some superficial air head who only thought of looks instead of thoughts which in Reese Durkee's opinion was what really and truly mattered.
He nodded with conviction as he placed the bright paper that was once clenched in his hands, down on the table with disinterest. He gave a cool nod to Jeff who said he had to go get his registration form in early so he could get a decent time for his audition because if he didn't go early … whatever, he left and Reese was yet again left alone to face that bright green piece of paper.
The Eagle. It read with dramatic font, which caused Reese to be involuntary intrigued.
The more he stared the more he heard Jessica Bennett's bubble gum voice, filling each particle of the sound around him in very loud, very irritating proportions. You still haven't gotten over her - you're still in love with Kay. It repeated over and over like some brainwashing tape.
"Yes! Alright? I STILL love her!" He said suppressing a scream under clenched teeth. But he knew no matter who he admitted this to it would never have changed anything why in the world would someone as amazing as Kathleen Bennett choose Reese Durkee: Male turkey over Nicholas Fox Crane: Rich pretty boy. The chances were a million to none.
He eyed the paper once more taking it once more with a grin crossing his lips, as the thought entered. However if he had this makeover done and a thousand in his pocket maybe the chances of him getting Kay would change. He couldn't loose, no one could say no to a beauty contest winner. Miguel won Charity that way.
…
Room 218.
With the click of her door being closed Simone knew something was up in her dorm room. It was quiet, but it was too quiet. Normally her roommate Mila would be cat walking around the apartment with her boy friend Ty. They were both resident models and Harmony and they both had to give Simone the pleasure of living in the same environment with her.
At first when Simone met Mila she appeared to be a real great roommate, but it was only after sitting within two minutes with her boyfriend Ty she knew the aspect of a normal roommate was far more than just an urban myth. They had to be the dirtiest couple on the face of the earth. They couldn't have spent a second without giving Simone their own sick private show in the kitchen, on the floor … and her personal favourite, outside where the rest of Harmony U's population could see.
Simone remembering what her Saintly mother had said about minding her own, and being considerate to differences but it had become one love scene too much when Simone caught them last and informed them that their public displays of affection where definitely not fitting in her dorm room. Especially, when she was paying the rent religiously and they were always a few days off - on the count of "The Modelling World Expenses". Of course when she did the friendship had ended - if there even was one- and a rival had begun.
She knew that this silence was a sign that some place, some where. Mila and Ty were going against her wishes, and going at it like two rabbits in spring. The thought alone of it made Simone cringe with disgust.
"Ty." Simone said quietly holding out hope that her thoughts were just fixation, and the duo wasn't there. "Mila? Are you there?"
Nothing. She walked through the silent house repeating the phrase and continuing not to be answered until she got to her room. Her door was cracked open slightly, the light turned dimly down as she could have sworn she heard her Sade C.D being played at a soft decibel, and her favourite candle that cost her a fortune being lit.
"Tyyyy." She heard someone, Mila, sigh. "Oh my Goodness" It shouted panting heavily.
Simone stood burning with rage at the other end, as she listened to her roommate. In her own bed of all places. "Oh hell no!" She whispered, as every part of her wanted to barge into her room and blaze their asses for even thinking of having sex in her room! But no. Simone decided to stay calm, keep cool - as she thought of a better way to punish the couple.
Her eyes were particularly drawn to the matches that lay on the phone table, and a fire alarm that was placed ever so conveniently above her room. That might have been perfect given the fact that she would have wanted firemen crowding her apartment so late at night, and the fact that Mila and Ty wouldn't have been stupid enough to go for anything else.
But they were. Which made her scheme even more beautiful.
"Thank you, Kay Bennett." Simone sang even though she along with the rest of Harmony's population - except maybe Charity Lopez - Fitzgerald- hated her. But that was besides the point. Efficiently Simone lit a match letting the smell of flame linger through the house for a few minutes, and the smoke to fog somewhat the area. She glanced at the clothes trailing the carpet as she picked them up and took them to the other room with her.
"OH MY GOD, FIRE, FIRE!!!!! WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE. SAVE YOURSELVES!!" Simone yelped in the other room, as she watched the two naked figured make a mad dash out the door screaming and crying for their pretty lives as the door snapped shut and the sound of fear faded down the hall.
She smiled victoriously as she cautiously strolled to her room, to check out how much damage was made, much to her luck there was tons of damage and Simone found herself on the verge of breaking down when she heard something that perked her ears in the far distance. The noise falling below her walk out window, that lead to a balcony. Pretty nice for a college dorm, and just perfect for her to see a butt naked Ty and Mila scrambling outside. With many spectators.
They peered up at the building they thought was on fire, as people began to point, laugh, whistle and stare. Watching a grinning Simone five stories high.
She waved in silence when really she wanted to yell. That will teach you to screw in my fucking bed, you nympho maniacs! Yet again her mother had taught her better then that, and she knew that when she searched for her phone to call Chief Sam Bennett to report a scene of indecent nudity.
"Ooh, he'd love that." She mused as she grabbed the device. Hearing it ring.
"This better be good, John." She said.
"It's not John."
"Then who the hell is this?" She asked angered that someone had been ruining her fun.
"It's Omar. Remember me?" He said somewhat sarcastically. Her boyfriend of two years, since Chad. "Where are you? I'm about to go on to do my second set - I'm playing your song."
Shit! Her mind cursed, as she hit her head fervently. Tonight! Why did he have to play the Blue Note, tonight? Is what she might have asked, had it been anyone else. " … Omar, baby. I don't think I can make it tonight."
"What do you mean. 'You can't make it' ? I've been going on about this gig for months. You told me you wouldn't miss this for the world, come on Simone. This is real big for me - can't what you're doing wait?"
He was begging her, and somewhere Simone felt her heart warm at the thought that he'd really wanted her to be there. Her. Not any of the other desperate woman who loomed around trying to get the hook up with attractive musicians like, Omar. And that fact alone made her feel worse, that she had to say no.
"I'm sorry, O. But I promise, I'll make it up to you."
"Of course you will. Bye, Simone."
He was hurt she knew that. But she wouldn't budge no way was she going to the Blue Note. Never again.
"Bye Omar. Hey, good luck tonight."
"… thanks."
…