Heya Neighbor
Long note, but fear not because there is a chapter, my friends!
Huge shout out of thanks to all you people who have read and reviewed my story! I appreciate your support a lot! I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it myself!
SnIcKeRs0: I'm really sorry! I didn't mean to offend anyone. In fact, I wasn't thinking that at the time. I'll try to be more careful when writing. It's great to know you're still a fan though. I didn't mean that everyone who has diabetes acts like that, so if I made it seem like that I'm really sorry. One of my good friends has diabetes, so of course, I wouldn't even think of it that way. I'm just portraying it in the character. It's so unlike her to be like that, and if she had an illness/allergy in that point of her life, it's more likely that she'd try to have a better lifestyle. I have no idea if I am making any sense right now, so I'll just stop. Anyway, I'm sorry again, and it's good to know a reviewer's point of view, so I can try and correct myself at times. The review was much appreciated. Thank you.
On a further note, I've been getting 'vibes' that you people want some Crystal and Freddy loving. I didn't know if there was going to be a love story between these two, and if I felt in love with the idea, I must have forgotten it. You'll have to read and find out what goes on with these two. I have no idea what will become of them. Anyway, I won't bore you to death with this long note. Enjoy the chapter and read my other note at the bottom after you finish. There's going to be a votting or polland YOU MUST PARTICIPATE! This is for your benefit. Anywho, enjoy!
Chapter 11: A New Era
She tapped her foot repeatedly, anticipating for the bell to ring its annoying sound. Of course, she and about 29 other students in her class were doing the exact same thing. The new semester brought many new things, but fun and adventure were not one of those many things. Unfortunately, tons of homework was on the list. '5…..4…..3…..2…1,' and there we go. The bell had rung on the exact countdown as Crystal had been doing in her head.
Numerous students fled the halls, breaking free from the cages, known as classes, they were imprisoned in. Crystal spun her locker combination, and collected her books, and other belongings. She joined her fellow peers in bursting out the school doors, and inhaling the fresh February air. The first day of 'the month of love' had come. She sat on a step, munching on her granola bar and reading a book, 'The Tell Tale Heart' by Edgar Allen Poe. She waited for her friend patiently, knowing he was dealing with his fair share of girls, and enjoying his favorite hobby: womanizing.
"Okay, book nerd, let's go." The blond called behind her.
She stood up and turned around, smiling. "So, what was on today's menu?"
He smirked, "Brittany, the platinum blonde and Lara, the feisty cheerleader with a bit of attitude."
She laughed, "Freddy, one of these days you're going to see what excessive womanizing does to a boy like you."
"Actually, I already have seen what it's going to get me: free stuff, sex and a place to crash at…… AKA a nice bed f you know what I mean." He joked, and she playfully punched him.
"Go see the movie Alfie and you'll know what I mean." She slipped on her mittens, as the wind quickened its fair pace.
"So, how's Marta holding up?" The blond, known as Freddy, questioned.
Crystal stuffed her book into the black messenger back she carried, and swallowed what was left of her granola bar, "She's doing well actually. The first week was like going down 'The Lonesome Road' but she's learning not to be so dependant on men anymore, which is good."
Freddy sighed relieved, "I was worried for a while, but she seems happier these days. How about Katie? Her relationship with Zack was one of those kinds that seemed to have no end…. Even though it's been a good one or two months."
Crystal frowned, "I thought so too, but it was good they had mutual feelings, so no one was hurt. Katie's actually better than ever. She told me that as much as she loved Zack she needed independence more, and she wasn't really in love with Zack. I mean, she loves him, but isn't quite in love with him. You know that sort of thing."
"Yeah, I see where she's coming from. Zack told me the exact same thing. I hope both aren't just masking it though." Freddy rummaged through his bag for CD's.
"Nah, I might have been here for like only six or seven months, but I know Katie. She wouldn't do that. She'd yank my ear out on the phone about it," She chuckled. "Hey, what're you doing there?"
"I'm trying to find the CD I borrowed from Dewey." He said, frustrated.
"In your room, night table, top drawer, under your Romeo and Juliet book to your left." Crystal smirked.
"Okay….. Don't come over anymore," he joked, and pushed her into the left over snow.
She got up laughing, and threw a snow/slush ball at him. The fight proceeded until both were too tired and lazy to care anymore.
"You have the worst throws ever….. Actually scratch that, because in basketball, your free throw stinks like crap." Crystal pointed.
He laughed, "Okay, stalker. You watch me in gym, and you know the exact location of my books and CD's. Did I mention I also have a messy room?"
She gave a dry smile, "Yeah, and this is coming from a guy who knows where my bra and panties drawer is, you little pervert."
The duo entered a familiar place, and walked up the familiar stairway. Crystal smiled, "Hey Zack."
Zack looked up from tuning his guitar, "Hey Chris, Freddy."
Freddy jabbed fists with Zack and chucked out his drumsticks. Crystal grabbed her book and sat on the couch.
"Do you ever stop reading?" Dewey walked in, followed by Katie and Marta. What a coincidence; four exes in the same room alone with the exception of Crystal and Dewey.
"Reading expands the dimensions of the mind…….. ……and it creates more imagination for me to write lyrics for the next song...…..Now, quiet, it's getting good," she replied, and everyone continued what they were doing. Pretty soon, every one showed up. They were all coming up with different pieces for the tour they were going to do over the summer. When they won the BOTB Battle of the Bands, they were thrown several proposals and recording contracts. So, they decided to do a tour to get them a little noticed, and then they would record. The tour would begin in the summer, but for now, they just practiced at different clubs.
"Okay people, let's do this." Dewey said, and they all began doing their tasks. The band started warming up, Summer was making tons of phone calls, Gordon was busy on his lap top, Frankie and Leonard were getting familiarized with the new devices Gordon had made, the groupies and Billy were making clothing, and Crystal sat reading for about five minutes until she decided to write poems with Jake, the other new, rookie singer. Lara, the other chosen singer, quit since her schedule didn't match up to practices.
Crystal was a rookie, so she didn't participate as much, but Dewey said that would change, especially with the tour coming up. Yet, she was still disappointed. She never got to sing or play… ever. The other winners, Lara and Jake, who passed through the auditions, got to sing. Hell, even Jake got more action than she did. He was 'co-guitarist' with Zack and got to sing some cool songs of which SHE WROTE. She only played guitar for one mini concert, but she never sang. Wasn't she a singer? That's what she signed up for. Nonetheless, she wanted to be a part of the band, no matter how small the part she got.
About two hours had passed, the band looked like they were about to die of exhaustion. Crystal looked on at them in envy and gazed back at her notebook and wrote a few words. She was almost done the poem.
"Dinner anyone?" Summer and Gordon came in, three pizza boxes each.
Alicia piped up, "No duh! I'm starving!"
The whole gang each grabbed a piece of the pizza and sat randomly amongst the room.
"Hey, how's the Valentine's dance coming?" Katie asked Summer.
Summer shrugged, "It's as usual. You know, it's perfect, flawless, and beautiful. The DJ is awesome, and this year, I actually have room to have a date, and you want to know why? It's all thanks to Crystal because she's planning it this year. Oh, I love her."
Crystal shook her head, "I love you too, sweetie."
"Hey Chris, come in here for a sec." Dewey called from the doorway. Crystal got up automatically and walked to Dewey.
"Hey, what's up?" Crystal asked, pulling up her pants.
"Ah, nothing much, only that I'm appointing you as songwriter." Dewey acted as if it was nothing, staring down at his nails. However, you could see his eyes were smiling and twinkling like stars.
Crystal's lips curved into a smile, "Oh my gosh! This is like complete awesomeness! Thank you! Thank you so much!" She hugged him.
"No problem. You'll be working with Zack and partially with me. He'll tell you all the details and crap. Anyway, gotta get you needy kids some drinks. Go gossip with the rest of the band." Dewey patted her shoulder.
She ran to the group, who were already informed about the news by Dewey before. "Guess what!"
"We already know, and did we mention we don't care?" Freddy commented, which resulted on him getting a newly bruised shoulder from the smacking the other girls did.
"I'm so excited!" Crystal sat on the couch.
Katie rested her arm around Crystal's shoulder, "You should be. We haven't had an actual, appointed, official songwriter before."
"Katie, you got it all wrong," Jake sat down on the couch, "She's excited because she'll have to come to my house so she can review some lyrics with me."
Crystal laughed, "Yeah, that's exactly why I'm excited….. and nervous."
"Have no fear, you'll be working with me 'cause I usually make the songs, the lyrics,-"
"-and basically I'm the glue that holds the band together because it all started with me and that song. Yes, we know Zack." Freddy finished Zack's sentence.
Shaking her head at the two childish boys, she checked the time, "Okay, well I better get going. I have to meet Brooke at her play rehearsal again today."
"Play?" Summer twitched as she said and heard the word. Memories flooded back to her when she embarrassed herself in front of countless people at her first and last play.
"Go. Leave child at once before all the memories come back to her." Alicia laughed.
"Okay, Giver." Crystal picked up her bag. She started putting on her mittens, scarf and hat.
Freddy scrunched his nose, "I hated that book. Was it just me or did that book seem kind of pedophilic?"
"It was just you." Everyone said, but Alicia was the loudest. She was partnered with Freddy to do an assignment for the book and he wouldn't stop talking about it.
"Okay, leaving now. I'll see you guys later. Bye!" Crystal exited the building, and walked down the sidewalk. The path to the community center had become familiar, since this was like the hundredth time she had went to walk with Brooke back home. Her stepmother was very worried that Brooke might get hurt because it was a long walk home. However, there were always tons of people there along the path, and they could easily recognize if anything was wrong. Brooke's mom loosened up when she heard that and allowed Brooke to walk by herself, but Brooke and Crystal slowly grew closer and it became a habit and ritual.
She quickly reached the center and saw Brooke holding two cups, waiting. "I hope that's for me," Crystal approached Brooke. Brooke passed her the latte, and both of them began to walk and talk.
"I don't know if I should do it. I tell my friends and boyfriend that I've had sex and everything, and so far they believe me. I mean, I've never thought about sex, but now with Landon…. I don't know. I don't want to say I'm in love, but I feel so different around him. It's like every time I'm with him, everything becomes special… like Christmas or something. So, now I've been having thoughts about it lately. I know he's done it before, but I also know he hasn't been in a relationship like this before. I'm so confused." Brooke confessed deeply.
Crystal sipped on her latte, "Ah, Brooke. I know where this is going. You want to have sex with Landon because you love him. And don't say you don't think so because from what I see, I think it is love. I don't know many girls who would drive, use almost all their money, walk to a gas station that is miles away, and sleep on the ground for a guy….. and we're talking about you, the queen of fashion," smiling Crystal continued, "However, the problem is you want to have sex with him, but you're afraid that you'll mess up or something because you're not experienced."
Brooke laughed, "I think I have my personal Oprah or Dr. Phil."
Crystal grinned, "I get that a lot."
Suddenly, out of nowhere, Brooke came to the conversation they were always thinking about. "You remember when we used to bitch and bicker at each other? Actually, wait, let me rephrase that; Remember when I used to be a bitch to you?" Brooke corrected herself, and they both shared a laugh.
Crystal rolled her eyes in amusement, "How could I forget that? Good times. Good times."
"No, I'm serious," Brooke playfully nudged her and continued, "I'm really sorry about the way I acted. I was just- I just felt threatened and intimidated by you."
Crystal widened her eyes, "Sure there."
Brooke laughed, "Honestly though, I really felt that way. When you and Corey came, I was afraid that mom and dad weren't going to pay attention to me that much anymore."
"And you're telling me this now. Come over here," Crystal wrapped her arm around Brooke, "Brooke, you're their own flesh and blood. Of course, they're not going to forget about you………… In plus, you're mucho loud and your stuff is all over the house, so even if they wanted to forget you, they'd have a hard time trying."
"Oh, shut up," Brooke laughed, and they both made their way home. As Crystal was about to twist the key, Brooke put her hand on the handle, "Before we go in, I want you to promise that you won't tell anyone about this talk."
Crystal furrowed her eyebrow, "Are you kidding me? Brooke, we're like sisters now. I'm not telling anyone."
Brooke smiled, "Thanks………..for everything. I think I made my decision already."
The girls both entered the house, and ran up the stairs seeing who could get up first. Crystal surprisingly got up first.
"What the? I thought I was the athletic one." Brooke smirked.
Crystal laughed, "Just because I don't join sport teams, doesn't mean I'm a lazy daisy."
"Lazy daisy?" Brooke teased, "Okay, weirdo. Oh yeah, and I don't have practice for one weeks. They want to give us a break."
"That's good. But, we're still on for shopping on Sunday?" Crystal asked, rummaging through her bag.
"Of course." Brooke said.
"Good." Crystal smiled, and handed over what she had been looking for in her bag. "I just found my make up case, but thanks."
"No problem. See you later." Brooke grabbed the case and they both walked to their respective rooms.
Yawning and stretching, she walked up to her balcony. Not surprised, she found Freddy there. "Can I come over?" She asked casually, and he nodded. It was a little habit they became accustomed to. She lifted herself over the railing, and stepped on the beam they picked out. It was small piece of wood; long enough to connect the two balconies and wide enough for their feet. She balanced herself, walked across with ease, and hopped over his railing.
They both walked into his room quietly. She smiled, "Why does your room always smell like Axe?"
"Oh, my room doesn't smell like Axe. Axe smells like my room. I always had this smell." He gestured to his whole room.
She rolled her eyes, "Sure." She picked up his drumsticks and smirked, "So, which lucky cheerleader will get to hold your hand through the dance?"
"Not quite sure which girl to take," he looked through his CD's and then turned around, "It's either Angela or Carmella……. I don't know. You pick. This stuff is so confusing."
Flipping through a magazine, she replied, "Hmmmmm……… I'd say if you're looking for a rocking good time with no attachments, go with Carmella. Angela is very sweet and kind, but with her personality she'd expect a date after the dance. Take your pick."
"Okay, Carmy it is," Freddy hopped a spot next to Crystal, "So, who are you going with?"
"I'm planning, remember? I have to make sure everything is in check."
He shrugged, "You wouldn't mind telling me the theme then, would you?"
She laughed, "Freddy, it's posted all over the school. Hawaiian and Under the Sea!"
"Awesome. So my date might wear a bikini or a coconut shell top. Very nice." He imagined aloud.
"Gross, is that all you think about?"
"I'm a guy. What do you expect?" He asked rhetorically. "Anyway, are you up for dinner?"
"Kraft dinner again?"
"Of course." He walked to the door, "So are you in?"
"Nah, they're trying to get me to try some tofu crap." She cringed as they made their way down the stairs.
"Good luck. Oh yeah, we have practice tomorrow. Bring your lyrics and stuff because Zack said he wanted to start writing."
"Yay! Okay, I'll see you tomorrow." She walked out. "Oh, and Corey said something about next week?"
"Oh yeah…… Thanks….. Tell him to come to my house." Freddy called across to her porch, where she already was.
"Sure thing. Bye neighbor." She waved, digging her key into the lock.
"Bye." He closed his door.
As soon as she entered her house, she joined her family for dinner, where Corey was babbling about him and skipping a grade. The family was happy, chatting pleasantly…………………………..
It was a new era. That was for sure.
READ! You need to READ this:
Okay, I'm sorry for the biggest delay of your life and the rush of events in this chapter, but I hope your minds are satisfied! I need to get this done, so I can just start off fresh and normal!
Okay, anywho, I'm not going to waste my time writing applicable couples. Just vote for the couples you want. You are elligible to vote for more than two couples. Have fun and happy voting!
Thanks for reading my story and I hope you enjoyed it. The reviews were lovely and each of you gets a cookie:P
SoHaPPy
