A/N:
Summary: Jesse disappears and now Suze finds comfort in Paul's arms. Until
she accidentally opens one of the doors in the Shadowland and is
transported to different worlds, and finally back to Jesse's time. Will she
stay there with him? Meanwhile, Paul's looking for her like mad and all
that shifting is beginning to take it's toll on Suze.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. They all belong to the wonderful, brilliant, mighty, Meg Cabot.
So I just got back from Chicago, and during the five hour ride I managed to write this whole chapter. Without getting car sick and throwing up all over my sister! (though that would've been kinda funny.) Anyway, Thanks SO much for the reviews!! Wow. 11. For one chapter. Hah, that's cool. I *heart* you guys. So thanks a bunch for reading, I hope you like this chapter!
I sorta changed the plot of the story around a bit. I really hope you don't mind and keep reading. Because I'm more confident in this plot than the other one, which might not have really taken me anywhere. It'll still be mostly Suze/Paul... in the beginning. I was afraid to replace the last chapter with the new updated one because I was afraid it would erase the reviews. If you know for sure whether it does or doesn't please let me know.
*end of long author's note*
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
I walked slowly, cautiously, the fog curling around my knee-high black boots. Shivering, I hugged my arms tight against my chest.
"Hello?" I called in a trembling voice. "Who's there?"
And all at once, I heard dozens of voices whispering my name all at once. Some frantically, other calmly, and some moaning in distress. Hissing at me from every corner, it was a nightmare.
I covered my ears and stumbled backwards against one of the many doors that lined the walls. Hastily, my hand fell upon the door knob and I turned it beneath my fingers. I didn't care where it took me, anywhere to escape these voices...
So I let all my weight fall onto the door as it creaked open. Streams of blinding yellow light filled the room as I felt myself fall backward into emptiness. It wasn't like a fall from the roof of the house, where I knew I would eventually land, but this fall was endless, bottomless. Empty.
At first, I was terrified, my arms and legs trashing in every direction, searching for something, anything, to take hold of. But there was nothing around, and if there was I couldn't see it due to the fact that the whole place was dark. Yes, pitch black. I was convinced this was a nightmare. Things like that don't happen in real life. Just in your dreams.
I closed my eyes, yes, just a dream. I'll wake up without a scratch. Besides, nothing that happens in the shadowlands affects you in the real world. Because that's where I was after all; the shadowlands.
Suddenly, a great peaceful feeling overcame me as I landed gently against what felt like a soft bed. I opened my eyes. A bed: of flowers. Was I dead? Because, in my current state, I wouldn't have really minded that much.
I sighed, the sweet scent from the flowers filling me with such a feeling of peace that I'd never felt before. Was this Heaven? I hadn't felt like this for a long time. Not since the last time Jesse and I had shared a kiss, anyway. That kiss...
Standing up unsteadily I squint into the light. The whole place is teeming with bright red and yellow flowers Growing majestically around the trunks Of the great, gnarled trees Flowers curl around my ankles I spin in circles, taking it all in, stunned Tracing my fingers along the vivid green leaves Dew collects on my fingertips.
Brushing past trees I walked deeper into the forest Distant shrieking of gulls luring me in Like a siren to a sailor On a dark and windy night I venture into the deep dark forest The vegetation flourishing Brushing aside a branch I gasp
Before me lay the most amazing display of beauty White sand lined the sparkling waters Seeming to stretch miles in both directions The water shimmered intensely Alternating between deep shades of blue And orange, reflecting the setting sun
The smell of salty spume wafting up from the waves Beckoned me closer Until I found myself with my toes buried deep in the sand Warm water rising around me Consuming me
Everything felt so real For a place so far from reality Inviting you to stay forever Lingering in the heat of the summer sun.
Everything felt so real for a place so far from reality. I felt like I could stay there forever, letting the setting sun warm my face, without a care in the world. This was it. This was my utopia.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
I opened my eyes. Blinked once. Paul's blurry figure loomed above me as he talked into his cell phone animatedly. I blinked again. Paul twirled a piece of my hair in his fingers as he spoke.
"Yes," he exclaimed. "I told you I wanted them for today. No, I don't care about the extra cost." He looked down, noticing me awake. "Alright, I have to go. Yes, Slater. Bye." He clicked it shut.
"Suze," he grinned. "I thought you were dead."
"Ha ha." I swung my legs over the side of the bed. "Very funny."
"So what happened?" he asked, seeming genuinely interested.
"Nothing," I stood up and grabbed the brush off my vanity, running it through my hair. "I had a dream about the shadowland. I don't want to talk about it."
"Suit yourself," he said, slipping his brown leather jacket on over his grey t-shirt. He leaned down, a soft kiss tumbling off his lips and onto my forehead. "I'll see you later."
I smiled up at him through my lashes. "Bye, Paul." I blew him a small kiss as he left, the door behind him shutting lightly.
If I were any other girl, I would have sighed and, like Princess Jasmine, would've twirled around my room, brushing my hair and singing dreamily because Paul was such a sweetheart and he actually loved me. (a/n: I love that movie, don't you love that movie? *starts singing Aladdin tunes*)
But unfortunately, I'm Suze Simon, and nothing is ever that simple for me. This is why for a long while after Paul left I sat there with my head cradled in my hands.
This whole situation was such a mess. I didn't have a clue what my feelings toward anything were. I was like a robot, simply following orders with no thoughts of my own. Paul loved me, so I loved him back. If Jesse were to come back (fat chance) I'd fall back in love with him. Heck, if Adam liked me, I'd probably be all over him as well.
I'm usually not one to feel sorry for myself but it was so hard not to right at that moment when everything seemed so empty.
So fake.
Like living life without Jesse wasn't worth living at all.
So it was with an occasional tear running down my cheek that I finally drifted into a deep slumber.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
I tumbled out of bed that morning, took a shower, and tugged a jean skirt and black t-shirt from the heap of clothes my closet. I emerged from my room only a few minutes later, fresh as a daisy.
But of course, leave it to Dopey to lose the keys to the Land Rover. Again. So while the boys searched frantically behind and inside of the couches I sat at the kitchen counter, nibbling a graham cracker, reflecting on the night before.
What was that place? Hadn't the gatekeeper warned me to stay away from those doors? I mean, last time we opened one Craig Jankow was transported to Heaven (or Hell?) in a blinding flash of light. Why hadn't the same thing happened to me?
"Suze! If you don't get out here right now we're leaving you!" Dopey's holler interrupted my train of thoughts, leaving me with a head buzzing full of questions, as I darted outside and slid into the backseat of the Land Rover, just as Dopey was pulling out of the driveway.
"Made it," I cried, laughing.
"Yeah, whatever," Dopey grumbled.
We ended up making it to school ten minutes late anyway, missing assembly, and landing each of us in detention. And while I was at my locker, like my day wasn't already going bad enough, Kelly Prescott had to come slinking up to my locker in her Prada slides and me all, "Suze, why didn't you come to my party last night? Everyone who's anyone was there---except you. What gives?"
Suddenly, I was very, very angry. Right then I really didn't have a clue why. Maybe it was because I had so much to deal with right now and the only thing Kelly could worry about was some stupid party she threw last night.
"Kelly," I snapped, trying to keep my cool my taking deep, slow breaths, not really helping as much as I would have liked It to. "I could care less about your little party, right now. Do you actually think I wanted to spend my night listening you go on and on about your new sundress while drunken couples get it on in your parents bedroom? I think not."
(a/n: oh no oh no oh no.... lol why did I have to write that? lol lolly help me)
Kelly's eyes narrowed and her lips grew thin before she stomped off in a huff. With one last look, she turned back and mouthed the word, "bitch", and her eyes burning with intensity.
Like I cared. Besides, why would I want to hang around someone who looked like they were wearing the equivalent of three whales in makeup? Jeez, at least I take it easy. I like animals.
But, whatever. You can probably understand why I was so irritable as I plopped down into my chair for third period biology and rubbed my temples with my index and middle fingers.
"Mr. Adams," the substitute teacher said, introducing himself. He was an African-American man, looked in his mid-fifties, and was wearing—of all things—suspenders. He walked up and down the aisles, clutching a bag of Twizzlers in his hand, and occasionally pulling one out and taking a bite. "Who," he said. "can tell me who the sixth president of the United States was?"
Up front, Cee Cee's hand shot up. "John Quincy Adams," she recited. He pulled a piece of licorice out of the bag and tossed it on her desk. She picked it up with two fingers, eyeing it skeptically.
For the next question, the entire class' hands were up. I let out a bored sigh, shutting my eyes. I sat in the back of the classroom, and, surely, with all the commotion, no one would notice. I never fall asleep in class but last night had taken quite a toll on my mental well being.
For a moment I only saw darkness as the class' shouts of, "Chelsea Clinton!" grew hushed and before I knew it I was back in the shadowlands again, being lured in by Jesse's deep and soothing voice. "Querida... Querida..."
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
A/N: Whew! Thanks a ton for reading, I hope you don't mind the slight change... *bites fingernails* I just though that this plot could actually take me somewhere, you know. To be honest, if I'd have used the other one I might have never finished it, due to hitting a major road-block or something.
If that chapter was confusing for you, let me just clear it up (sorry if it was): It began with Suze going to the Shadowland in her dream (look back, she fell asleep) and then she went into that beach-paradise place. She woke up, went to school, and (lol) fell asleep in class... I bet you can guess what she dreams about...
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Well, here's your preview:
... I fell with a thud onto the ground. Grabbing hold of the nearest tree, I tried to steady myself. Everything was still blurry, although I could make out two girls slowly approaching. One was about half the other's height and they looked to be sisters with the same dark black hair and brown eyes. The older one reached out and placed one hand underneath my chin, lifting my head to see her. "Who are you?" she whispered....
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
And of course, thanks for reading and please review!!! Love, Luna.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. They all belong to the wonderful, brilliant, mighty, Meg Cabot.
So I just got back from Chicago, and during the five hour ride I managed to write this whole chapter. Without getting car sick and throwing up all over my sister! (though that would've been kinda funny.) Anyway, Thanks SO much for the reviews!! Wow. 11. For one chapter. Hah, that's cool. I *heart* you guys. So thanks a bunch for reading, I hope you like this chapter!
I sorta changed the plot of the story around a bit. I really hope you don't mind and keep reading. Because I'm more confident in this plot than the other one, which might not have really taken me anywhere. It'll still be mostly Suze/Paul... in the beginning. I was afraid to replace the last chapter with the new updated one because I was afraid it would erase the reviews. If you know for sure whether it does or doesn't please let me know.
*end of long author's note*
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
I walked slowly, cautiously, the fog curling around my knee-high black boots. Shivering, I hugged my arms tight against my chest.
"Hello?" I called in a trembling voice. "Who's there?"
And all at once, I heard dozens of voices whispering my name all at once. Some frantically, other calmly, and some moaning in distress. Hissing at me from every corner, it was a nightmare.
I covered my ears and stumbled backwards against one of the many doors that lined the walls. Hastily, my hand fell upon the door knob and I turned it beneath my fingers. I didn't care where it took me, anywhere to escape these voices...
So I let all my weight fall onto the door as it creaked open. Streams of blinding yellow light filled the room as I felt myself fall backward into emptiness. It wasn't like a fall from the roof of the house, where I knew I would eventually land, but this fall was endless, bottomless. Empty.
At first, I was terrified, my arms and legs trashing in every direction, searching for something, anything, to take hold of. But there was nothing around, and if there was I couldn't see it due to the fact that the whole place was dark. Yes, pitch black. I was convinced this was a nightmare. Things like that don't happen in real life. Just in your dreams.
I closed my eyes, yes, just a dream. I'll wake up without a scratch. Besides, nothing that happens in the shadowlands affects you in the real world. Because that's where I was after all; the shadowlands.
Suddenly, a great peaceful feeling overcame me as I landed gently against what felt like a soft bed. I opened my eyes. A bed: of flowers. Was I dead? Because, in my current state, I wouldn't have really minded that much.
I sighed, the sweet scent from the flowers filling me with such a feeling of peace that I'd never felt before. Was this Heaven? I hadn't felt like this for a long time. Not since the last time Jesse and I had shared a kiss, anyway. That kiss...
Standing up unsteadily I squint into the light. The whole place is teeming with bright red and yellow flowers Growing majestically around the trunks Of the great, gnarled trees Flowers curl around my ankles I spin in circles, taking it all in, stunned Tracing my fingers along the vivid green leaves Dew collects on my fingertips.
Brushing past trees I walked deeper into the forest Distant shrieking of gulls luring me in Like a siren to a sailor On a dark and windy night I venture into the deep dark forest The vegetation flourishing Brushing aside a branch I gasp
Before me lay the most amazing display of beauty White sand lined the sparkling waters Seeming to stretch miles in both directions The water shimmered intensely Alternating between deep shades of blue And orange, reflecting the setting sun
The smell of salty spume wafting up from the waves Beckoned me closer Until I found myself with my toes buried deep in the sand Warm water rising around me Consuming me
Everything felt so real For a place so far from reality Inviting you to stay forever Lingering in the heat of the summer sun.
Everything felt so real for a place so far from reality. I felt like I could stay there forever, letting the setting sun warm my face, without a care in the world. This was it. This was my utopia.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
I opened my eyes. Blinked once. Paul's blurry figure loomed above me as he talked into his cell phone animatedly. I blinked again. Paul twirled a piece of my hair in his fingers as he spoke.
"Yes," he exclaimed. "I told you I wanted them for today. No, I don't care about the extra cost." He looked down, noticing me awake. "Alright, I have to go. Yes, Slater. Bye." He clicked it shut.
"Suze," he grinned. "I thought you were dead."
"Ha ha." I swung my legs over the side of the bed. "Very funny."
"So what happened?" he asked, seeming genuinely interested.
"Nothing," I stood up and grabbed the brush off my vanity, running it through my hair. "I had a dream about the shadowland. I don't want to talk about it."
"Suit yourself," he said, slipping his brown leather jacket on over his grey t-shirt. He leaned down, a soft kiss tumbling off his lips and onto my forehead. "I'll see you later."
I smiled up at him through my lashes. "Bye, Paul." I blew him a small kiss as he left, the door behind him shutting lightly.
If I were any other girl, I would have sighed and, like Princess Jasmine, would've twirled around my room, brushing my hair and singing dreamily because Paul was such a sweetheart and he actually loved me. (a/n: I love that movie, don't you love that movie? *starts singing Aladdin tunes*)
But unfortunately, I'm Suze Simon, and nothing is ever that simple for me. This is why for a long while after Paul left I sat there with my head cradled in my hands.
This whole situation was such a mess. I didn't have a clue what my feelings toward anything were. I was like a robot, simply following orders with no thoughts of my own. Paul loved me, so I loved him back. If Jesse were to come back (fat chance) I'd fall back in love with him. Heck, if Adam liked me, I'd probably be all over him as well.
I'm usually not one to feel sorry for myself but it was so hard not to right at that moment when everything seemed so empty.
So fake.
Like living life without Jesse wasn't worth living at all.
So it was with an occasional tear running down my cheek that I finally drifted into a deep slumber.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
I tumbled out of bed that morning, took a shower, and tugged a jean skirt and black t-shirt from the heap of clothes my closet. I emerged from my room only a few minutes later, fresh as a daisy.
But of course, leave it to Dopey to lose the keys to the Land Rover. Again. So while the boys searched frantically behind and inside of the couches I sat at the kitchen counter, nibbling a graham cracker, reflecting on the night before.
What was that place? Hadn't the gatekeeper warned me to stay away from those doors? I mean, last time we opened one Craig Jankow was transported to Heaven (or Hell?) in a blinding flash of light. Why hadn't the same thing happened to me?
"Suze! If you don't get out here right now we're leaving you!" Dopey's holler interrupted my train of thoughts, leaving me with a head buzzing full of questions, as I darted outside and slid into the backseat of the Land Rover, just as Dopey was pulling out of the driveway.
"Made it," I cried, laughing.
"Yeah, whatever," Dopey grumbled.
We ended up making it to school ten minutes late anyway, missing assembly, and landing each of us in detention. And while I was at my locker, like my day wasn't already going bad enough, Kelly Prescott had to come slinking up to my locker in her Prada slides and me all, "Suze, why didn't you come to my party last night? Everyone who's anyone was there---except you. What gives?"
Suddenly, I was very, very angry. Right then I really didn't have a clue why. Maybe it was because I had so much to deal with right now and the only thing Kelly could worry about was some stupid party she threw last night.
"Kelly," I snapped, trying to keep my cool my taking deep, slow breaths, not really helping as much as I would have liked It to. "I could care less about your little party, right now. Do you actually think I wanted to spend my night listening you go on and on about your new sundress while drunken couples get it on in your parents bedroom? I think not."
(a/n: oh no oh no oh no.... lol why did I have to write that? lol lolly help me)
Kelly's eyes narrowed and her lips grew thin before she stomped off in a huff. With one last look, she turned back and mouthed the word, "bitch", and her eyes burning with intensity.
Like I cared. Besides, why would I want to hang around someone who looked like they were wearing the equivalent of three whales in makeup? Jeez, at least I take it easy. I like animals.
But, whatever. You can probably understand why I was so irritable as I plopped down into my chair for third period biology and rubbed my temples with my index and middle fingers.
"Mr. Adams," the substitute teacher said, introducing himself. He was an African-American man, looked in his mid-fifties, and was wearing—of all things—suspenders. He walked up and down the aisles, clutching a bag of Twizzlers in his hand, and occasionally pulling one out and taking a bite. "Who," he said. "can tell me who the sixth president of the United States was?"
Up front, Cee Cee's hand shot up. "John Quincy Adams," she recited. He pulled a piece of licorice out of the bag and tossed it on her desk. She picked it up with two fingers, eyeing it skeptically.
For the next question, the entire class' hands were up. I let out a bored sigh, shutting my eyes. I sat in the back of the classroom, and, surely, with all the commotion, no one would notice. I never fall asleep in class but last night had taken quite a toll on my mental well being.
For a moment I only saw darkness as the class' shouts of, "Chelsea Clinton!" grew hushed and before I knew it I was back in the shadowlands again, being lured in by Jesse's deep and soothing voice. "Querida... Querida..."
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
A/N: Whew! Thanks a ton for reading, I hope you don't mind the slight change... *bites fingernails* I just though that this plot could actually take me somewhere, you know. To be honest, if I'd have used the other one I might have never finished it, due to hitting a major road-block or something.
If that chapter was confusing for you, let me just clear it up (sorry if it was): It began with Suze going to the Shadowland in her dream (look back, she fell asleep) and then she went into that beach-paradise place. She woke up, went to school, and (lol) fell asleep in class... I bet you can guess what she dreams about...
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Well, here's your preview:
... I fell with a thud onto the ground. Grabbing hold of the nearest tree, I tried to steady myself. Everything was still blurry, although I could make out two girls slowly approaching. One was about half the other's height and they looked to be sisters with the same dark black hair and brown eyes. The older one reached out and placed one hand underneath my chin, lifting my head to see her. "Who are you?" she whispered....
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
And of course, thanks for reading and please review!!! Love, Luna.
