Hey. I'm fast, eh? Anyway this chapter is dedicated to my 100th reviewer, whoever that may be. Thank you so much for your support and sticking to this story. I was having a bit of writer's block. But not worry! I bounce back like always... :D I own Chase and Courtney's parents, Courtney and Charles Matthews.
Soon they all stopped. Dana tried not to cry again, but she knew it was her fault. Chase and Courtney had to wake up or she'd never forgive herself. She knew she was indirectly responsible for Zoey as well. Logan tried to keep his composure, and Dylan's eyes were shiny with unshed tears. He knew he couldn't cry, because Zoey needed strength. If she needed it, then he would provide it. No matter how much he wanted to just cry and sob, he couldn't. He laid his baby sister beside Chase. Dyaln knew Zoey would've like to be with him, both in life and...death. Bryan knelt by Courtney's side, holding her hand. It was cold, but he would be relying on the fact that they were to be soulmates. Together forever. A voice broke the silence.
DANA: You ready to kiss her?
BRYAN: Yeah.
DYLAN: God-speed, man.
LOGAN: They'll wake up, dude. Just do your thing.
Bryan nodded at Logan. Bryan bit his bottom lip. This had to work. He took in a deep breath and placed his warm lips on her cold ones. It was deep and passionate, and everyone felt warm and fuzzy. Samantha quietly "awwed" while Dylan smiled. Logan and Dana quietly whispered to each other, and kept their fingers crossed.
LOGAN (whispering): You're brother's hopelessly in love. Just like we are.
DANA (whispering): I know.
As Bryan kissed Courtney. Something happened. A green glow radiated from her and soon enough she gained her warmth, and her eyes slowly fluttered open...
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Chapter 18: Girl Talk and New Tattoos
Courtney Matthews blinked once, then twice, so her green eyes could adjust to the lighting around her. She saw Bryan, Dana, Samantha, Dylan and Logan, but Chase and Zoey were missing! The memories came rushing back. Last she remembered Chase was with her, and...Oh God. What if he was...no he couldn't. Courtney bolted awake, and she was panicked.
FLASHBACK
COURTNEY: You ready, bro?
CHASE: Court, I'm not going to lie. I'm scared. I don't want to lose Zoey and--
COURTNEY: Do you love her?
CHASE: Yeah. With all of my heart.
COURTNEY: Then we'll come back. Just focus on Zoey and I'll think about Bryan.
CHASE: You love him, Court?
COURTNEY: Yeah, just think about the people we love. Okay Chase?
CHASE: Ok. I love you, Court.
COURTNEY: Love you too, Chase.
They hugged, and pulled apart. Courtney looked at her brother with stern eyes. Chase nodded, signalling it was time. Chase and Courtney held hands and closed their eyes.
COURTNEY: You remember the Earth spell, Chase?
CHASE: Um, yeah.
COURTNEY: Ok, let's do this.
END FLASHBACK
COURTNEY: Please be ok, Chase. Please.
DYLAN: I'm sorry, Court.
COURTNEY: What do you mean by that? You're supposed to be just as worried. In case, you haven't noticed Zoey, as in your sister isn't here either.
Logan and Dana were bursting to say something, but didn't. It sucked seeing Chase being this worried over. Especially by his own sister. Samantha nervously fiddled, and Bryan kept his eyes on the floor, staring at his black and white Converses. Dylan said nothing, but Courtney's eyes were filled with worry, as they darted from person to person. Finally her eyes rested on Logan and Dana. Chase and Zoey's friends. Courtney's found her voice, and stared at the couple with pleading eyes. She couldn't take it anymore. Courtney was in tears by now.
COURTNEY: Logan? Dana?
LOGAN: Yeah?
COURTNEY: Where's Chase? You must know because you two are the closest to him, right?
LOGAN (nervous): Well, we'll tell you as long as you DON'T look to your left.
COURTNEY: What? Why--OH MY GOD! CHASE!
Dana glared at her boyfriend. Seriously, Logan was an idiot. Samantha shook her head, sadly. Dana slapped him upside the head. Logan winced as he rubbed the spot where she hit him. Bryan looked annoyed, and Dylan was oblivious to his surroundings, obviously just as panicked as Courtney about Zoey.
DANA (sarcastically): Real subtle, Logan. Real subtle.
LOGAN: I don't know why you're getting mad at ME here? I told her NOT to look, and what does she do? She looks.
SAMANTHA: I swear I'm not related to you. You're an ass, seriously.
DANA: And a jerk. That's right. Tell Courtney to look to her left. That'll make it all better.
LOGAN: Hey! Ice princess! Sarcasm is really not helping the situation right now.
DANA: And who made it that way? What if Chase never wakes up? Yeah, but you wouldn't know that, now would you? 'Cause everything is about Logan, Logan and MORE Logan!
Logan felt himself getting mad at Dana. Why did Dana care so much if Chase woke up? Maybe Dana liked Chase or something but was just dating Logan because of his near-death experience. Logan and Dana were yelling now at each other. Bryan wanted to step in, but Samantha shot him telepatheic 'Don't do it' messages. Bryan looked away from her, and he shrank away, while his sister and boyfriend were at each other's throats.
LOGAN: Oh yeah, maybe I do, maybe I don't. What the hell does Chase's not waking up have to do with you? Do you like him or something because you've been weird ever since Chase conked out.
Dana clenched her jaw. Why would Logan ask such a stupid question? Chase would ALWAYS be Zoey territory. Dana loved Logan. That was it. He was an ass for thinking she liked Chase, and Dana would make sure he knew that.
LOGAN: Well, you've been all weirded out! And now you're snapping at me? What is the hell is your problem, Cruz?
DANA: What's MY problem? I'll tell you! It's jerk-faced bastards like you! As for me worrying about Chase and Zoey, I don't have to explain myself to anyone, especially YOU!
LOGAN: Fine, you know what? BE AN ANGRY BITCH! I DON'T CARE!
Silence.
Dana was at a loss for words. Logan Reese just called her a bitch. Samantha was surprised then furious. Dylan's jaw dropped, and even Courtney through her tears had a look that said 'No, he didn't!'. Bryan looked ready to deck him, but Dana made sure she handled that on her own. Hurt flashed in her eyes, and then anger. Logan realized what he just did and said and was immdeiately sorry. He opened his mouth to speak. Dana still staring with all the hurt inside of her left.
LOGAN: Oh my God. Dana I'm so sorry.
Dana bitterly laughed.
DANA: Well, you know what? Frankly, I'm sorry too.
And she slapped him across the face with all of her strength. The smack of Dana's hand making contact with Logan's face echoed. A handprint was left across his face.
DANA: You know what, Reese? I hate you.
Her voice was starting to crack as blinked back tears. She couldn't let anyone see her tears threatening to fall, so she ran away, even with her throbbing ankle. Her vision being clouded with tears. Logan was a stupid jerk. She was stupid for thinking he could actually change. Well, once a jerk. Always a jerk, but she loved him. Dana ran until her ankle throbbed with more intensity. How dare Logan think she liked Chase? She didn't think of him that way. Only as a friend. Dana couldn't take it anymore and crumpled to the ground in sadness and sobbed. As Dana was slowly out of their line of vision, Courtney got up to go after Dana, but not before giving Logan a Chase-like glare.
COURTNEY: Not. Cool.
And Courtney was off. Samantha, however, was furious but tried to keep her cool. It was obviously, not working because her a faint red glow radiated from her hands.
SAMANTHA: You're an idiot. What kind of crap do you think you're trying to pull here?
LOGAN (angry): You think I'm pulling something here? SHE SLAPPED ME!
Samantha was even more mad now. When did her brother get so conceited?
SAMANTHA: Good! You're lucky I don't slap you myself! Dana likng Chase? What the hell! But you don't think before you say things because the freakin' world revolves around Logan!
LOGAN: This is between me and Dana anyways. So, butt out Sammie! Since when do you give a damn about my life? Just leave me alone!
Samantha was quite taken aback by this accusation. Is that what he really thought? That she was heartless and didn't care at all? All those nights of staying with Logan after his nightmares meant nothing. Nothing at all. She was sad, but didn't show it. She was beyond furiuos. Logan was mad too. Samantha comes in and now thinks she can tell him what to do. Logan didn't listen to authourity, and he wasn't about to start now. It was either his way, or the highway. He turned to walk away, but in one swift movement, Samantha grabbed his wrist, whirrled him around and slapped him across the face harder than Dana. Her voice filled with menace.
SAMANTHA: I know where my priorities lie. Don't make assumptions for me.
Logan roughly pulled away from her and they stood on opposite sides of each other. Glaring. Just glaring. The temperature slowly began to rise. Dylan pulled at the neck of his shirt, and Bryan had beads of sweat lined up at his forehead.
Samantha and Logan just glared at each other. Their eyes flashed with hate and anger, and the amber slowly creeped up into their irises. After 5 minutes, both brother and sister stalked off angrily, in opposite directions. Dylan and Bryan looked at each other. Dylan sighed, while Bryan rolled his eyes.
DYLAN (sigh): Alright, here's the deal. I'll take Logan and you take Sammie.
BRYAN (annoyed): Cool.
Dylan went in Logan's direction as he dissappaered in a whirpool of water, while Bryan disappeared in a black puff of smoke to find Samantha.
Courtney was messed up. Torn about everything. Why did everything have to be like this? Dana and Logan were fighting. Chase was somewhat out of it, with Zoey. She couldn't take it, and some more tears were set free from her emerald orbs. As she walked in search of Dana, Courtney couldn't help but smile at all of the good times they had. All the times she had helped Chase feel better.
FLASHBACK
Eight-year-old Courtney Matthews and her five-year-old brother Chase woke up with their mother, Christine. Their father, Charles was a doctor so he had an early morning patient to take care of. He left. Today was the first day of school. Courtney would be starting the third grade and Chase would be starting kindergarten. Two hours later, Christine prepared to drive her kids to George Washington Elementary, but as they were leaving, Chase clung on to his mother's leg, as tears flooded out of his big green eyes.
CHASE: Mommy!
Christine looked and noticed Chase hooking himself onto her leg. She gently pried him away, and got down to his level. Christine wiped her son's tears, while her daughter stood thoughtfully. Courtney was eight but wanted to help Chase in a way. Chase wrapped his arms around his mother. Christine hugged him back, and kissed his forehead. Chase was just sniffling.
CHRISTINE: What's wrong, baby?
CHASE: I don't want to go to kindee-garten... I--I want to stay home with you. And Courtney.
CHRISTINE: Courtney has to go to school too. And I have to work, sweetheart. I can't take you with me.
CHASE: Then I--I want Daddy!
COURTNEY: Chase. Daddy's at work. He has to be at the hospital to make all the sick people better. 'Member when we had the chicken pox?
CHASE: Uh huh. That was yucky.
And Chase made a grossed-out face. Courtney laughed and Chase let go of their mom and turned to Courtney with his eyes, mirroring hers. Courtney crouched down to meet Chase face-to-face.
CHASE: I don't wanna go to kindee-garten. It's scary. I want to stay home with you and Mommy.
COURTNEY: Yeah, but I went to kindergarten.
Chase's eyes grew wide. To a 5-year-old, "kindee-garten" was just as bad as taking your shots.
CHASE (gasps): Really?
Courtney nodded yes, proudly. Chase was in awe of his big sister. He decided he was going to go to kindergarten, and be like his sister.
COURTNEY: It's reallly fun. You get to play with toys and you have recess. You get to learn about your colours and numbers and can make a lot of friends. You get to learn how to count to ten. And you can draw pictures. Lots of pictures.
Chase gasped and looked as Courtney described kindergarten. It was every 5-year-old's dream. To learn to count to ten...wow, that was the jackpot. Chase wiped his tears away and smiled at his sister.
CHASE: I wanna go to kindee-garten now.
Chase hugged Courtney, and she gladly hugged him back. Their mother, Christine, cried tears of joy and sadness. Joy because she was the proudest mother ever. Sadness because of the secrets she had been keeping from her children. They couldn't know. At least not yet. Courtney and Chase pulled apart. Chase looked at his mom, and noticed she had been crying. Chase walked over to her. Christine looked down when she felt a tugging on her pant leg. It was Chase.
CHASE: Mommy?
CHRISTINE: Yes, Chase?
CHASE: You look sad. You okay?
CHRISTINE: Yes, sweetie. I'm fine. Now you ready to go to kindergarten?
Chase had a big smile on his face as he nodded enthusiatically. Christine smiled.
CHRISTINE: Good. Courtney, you ready?
COURTNEY: Yes, Mom.
CHRISTINE: Ok, let's go.
Christine and her children walked out to the car. As Chase and Courtney walked out behind their mother, Chase slid his small hand in Courtney's. She gladly took it, and they smiled at each other.
CHASE: I love you, Courtney.
COURTNEY: Love you too.
Christine Matthews and her kids piled in the family car, and soon they were off to start their new grades.
END FLASHBACK
Courtney just wanted those happy times. It amazed her how after all these years, Courtney and Chase were still inseperable. Her train of thought were interrupted by seeing a figure sitting alone, hugging its knees. It was Dana! Courtney ran to join her. Maybe have a heart-to-heart with her. What Logan said was out of line. Boys were idiots, except Bryan. He was a good-natured, even though he had a darkness about him, but it only made Courtney love him more. Courtney was behind Dana. Dana was in deep thought when she felt a hand on her shoulder and she jumped.
It was only Courtney, and she breathed a sigh of relief. Courtney felt bad for scaring her.
COURTNEY: Hey Dana.
DANA: Oh. Hey Courtney.
COURTNEY: It sucks having the man you love calling you a bitch, right?
DANA (sarcastically): Nope, it's great.
COURTNEY: I'm sorry. Logan was out of line when he said that.
DANA: Logan who? Do I know him? I have no recollection of the indiviual in question.
COURTNEY (laughing): Ok, ok. I get it, but I know how you feel.
DANA: No, you don't because you're related to Chase. And Chase's relationship is going great with Zoey.
COURTNEY: But they could be dead. I...could lose my brother.
DANA: I know. It's okay if you want to strangle me with vines or something. It's my fault they're like that. You can tell Dylan he can drown me for killing his sister. Whatever. It's all good.
Courtney was surprised. Why would Dana think this ordeal was her fault? Then it hit her. Courtney and Chase used their elements to find Dana and Bryan, making them pass out in the process. But what messed Zoey up so bad, she passed out? Another relization washed over her.
Chase.
Zoey loved Chase so much. And couldn't bear the pain.
COURTNEY: I know what happened. And it's not your fault. Chase and Zoey could be dead but they're not. You would've felt it by now. And I have my reasons for what I did. I did it for all of us.
DANA: By "us", you mean Bryan.
Courtney had a tinge of pink creeping her cheecks. She was blushing!
COURTNEY: Yeah, fine. I like your brother. Hell, I'll even say I love him, but you have to believe me when I say Logan missed you like hell when you dissappeared.
Dana scoffed. How the hell was that even possible? She was a bitch in his eyes and nothing more.
DANA: Yeah, right.
COURTNEY: I'm not lying. Dana, why do you blame yourself?
DANA: I know it's my fault. Having these powers are cool but I can't take it. And we have a crazed maniac obessed with Zoey out to kill us. Loads of fun.
COURTNEY: It's not your fault. I can promise you that. As for the Logan situation, I would've broken up with him if it were me, but I don't want you to break up over Chase and Zoey's situation. We have something good going. Don't lose it. Chase wouldn't want you to. I know you're scared, Dana. We all are. But it'll be okay.
Dana just sat there, trying to soak in Courtney's advice.
DANA (thought): I guess you're right.
COURTNEY: Wanna head back?
DANA: Whatever.
Courtney stood up, but Dana tried. When she did, pain came shooting through her ankle, and she sat back down. Courtney noticed Dana not following her.
COURTNEY: What's the matter, Dana?
DANA (sarcastically): I chose to sit. My ankle's not hurting at all.
COURTNEY (laughing): Ok. Ok. I get it. With the sarcasm. Bryan always answers that way. You're a Cruz. It comes with the territiory. Like being a Matthews. You blush really easy, and you're everyone's friend. Easy to talk to. If you're a Brooks, you're a natural over-acheiver. If it's Reese, then you want everyone to worship you, and you think you're right all the time.
Dana laughed a little. It reminded her of her friends.
COURTNEY: Oh, if you're a Bristow, you're a social butterfuly. And if you're a Barrett, then you're laid-back with the humour of a comedian. Ok, now that I've rambled on and on. Let's look at that ankle.
Dana only nodded. Courtney rolled up Dana caprice's right leg, and there was a nasty sprain there.
COURTNEY: That looks painful. If Dyl were here, he could heal this, but we'll improvise.
Courtney closed her eyes and as hand glowed green, she waved it over Dana's ankle. At first, there was a tingling sensation but then it felt normal. Courtney opened her eyes and Dana's ankle was restored to normal. Courtney and Dana stood up, and Dana felt no pain on her ankle.
DANA: Hey, Courtney?
COURTNEY: Yeah?
DANA: Thanks, you know, for everytihng.
The two girls walked back and Dana couldn't help but admire Courtney's tattoos. They looked so cool. Dana always wanted one but she was scared of needles, and they made her anxious. Dana broke the peaceful silence between the two girls.
DANA: Those look cool.
COURTNEY: What?
DANA: Your tattoos.
COURTNEY (laughing): Oh. My latest one is about 3 weeks old.
DANA: Did that hurt?
COURTNEY: Nah. It tickled.
DANA: I've always wanted one, but I'm scared of needles.
COURTNEY: Hey! Tell you what? When this is all over, we go get you one. It'll be fun, like a girls night out.
DANA: You know what? I'd like that. Cool.
COURTNEY: Cool.
The girls didn't know that know that not to far of Dylan had found Logan and was now having their own talk. Man-to-man. When everyone got back to Chase and Zoey, there was going to be a surpise...
A/N: Chapter 18 is done! I'm so proud of myself. Eighteen chapters and I'm still going strong. Oh wow, I totally didn't see Dana/Logan and Logan/Samantha fight coming, but it fits. Will DL be repaired? That's for me to know, and you to find out. Aww, Dana and Courtney bonded! I'm so happy for them.
NEXT CHAPTER: In the Mind of A Reese
Reviews would be good right about now! JUST USE YOUR MOUSE AND GIVE THAT BLUE BUTTON A CLICK!
--Tears on My Pillow.