Disclaimer:
Gilmore Girls doesn't belong to me...So Sad :(
Author's
Note: Glad you guys like this...Give me your idea's for conflict in
the story
Oh yah and
I switched Madelyn and Louise because for my story Madelyn is a
blonde.
New
Neighbours
Chapter
Three: Tears and Decisions: Part 1
NORTH BROOK ACADEMY, AUDITORIUM
"I hate these things," Maddy told me, as she leaned over from behind my chair.
We were all seated in the Auditorium for the afternoon assembly. It was stifling hot and mysteriously the air conditioning wasn't on. I mean the faculty is always going on and on about how they're using the money for a better cause, like more textbooks and shit. Let me ask you, those things aren't going to be worth it when we all melt, are they? Stupid teachers.
"Hey look there's Nikki," Maddy tells me as she pulls her strawberry blonde hair into a low ponytail. Maddy was the preppiest one out of the four of us. She was the epitome of a teenage girl. Long blonde hair, soft brown eyes and a body to die for. Except she doesn't give a damn about appearances. Shifting my eyes to where Maddy is pointing I see Nikki. Nicole is an African American who is a feminist. She has amber eyes and long, shapely legs.
"Hey Nikki," Maddy say's when she's within hearing distance.
She answers back with her own hey and then turns her attention towards me. "Hey dreamer!"
Nikki has this nickname for me...Dreamer. I got it back in 9th, when I first met her. We were taking notes and I had completely zoned out, Nikki was sitting in front of me. She called my name for almost 10 whole minutes until we both got detention for disrupting the lesson. After that she became another member of our group. "Hey Nikki," I should really think up a nickname for her...
We all talked for a while until Mr. Charleston's voice was heard at the podium. Exchanging glances we all turned our attention to the front, curious as to why this assembly had been called. They usually tell us in advance, but hey I had an English test this period so it's all okay.
"Quiet down now...Thank you. I don't know if you've heard about the young boy who is in the hospital right now. His name is Joey Strider and he was a track star at Amherst Prep. Now I bet you're all wondering why he's in the hospital. Well he was an amazing runner and everyone knew that he would win Amherst gold at the track meet. What they didn't know is that Mr. Strider was taking steroids. Now I've called this assembly because I want to educate each and every one of you about the health risk you're taking when you do steroids.
If there's one thing a lot of people value these days, it's a powerful looking body. And if you're an athlete, you want to make that body as powerful as it can be. So if an athlete wants to add some muscle, what can they do? Well, they can work out…or they can inject some anabolic steroids. Steroids can bring quick benefits to anyone who wants to build up their physique. But in the longer term, those benefits can soon be outweighed by the risks. I'm talking about health conditions ranging from merely irritating, to life-threat..."
He was cut off when the doors at the back of the auditorium slammed shut. People shifted in their seats trying to get a good view of who it was. Immediately I knew who it was. Turning around I caught the eye of the person. She smiled at me and waved. I gave her thumbs up and when she laughed, loudly I might add, Mr. Charleston cleared his throat at the podium. "Ms. Hayden," His voice boomed throughout the room, "I'm glad you could make it."
That's when Lilly turned around and gestured at something behind her. We all thought she had gone mad because we couldn't see anything. That was until two guys stepped out of the shadow and came to stand just behind Lilly. Taking out a peach coloured paper out of her pocket she walked confidently towards the stage, the two guys not far behind her. Getting onto the stage she held her hand out to the Headmaster, the paper inside. After he took the paper, read it and sighed loudly, Lilly and the two boys were aloud to take their seats.
"Now where was I...Right! Life-threatening..." I tuned him out and focused my attention on my sister who was walking towards us. She still had the note in her hand and as she sat down beside me, she just hands it to me. Confused I read the tiny message on the card,
"Ms. Hayden was late as she was helping two new students find their way around the school. She was given this duty because Ms. Gellar was unable to follow through with it. Please excuse her, and if there are any problems please talk with Ms. Gellar or I.
Thank You,
Ms. Walters
Secretary."
Laughing, I pass the note to Maddy and Nikki and turn towards a smirking Lilly. "Showing the new students around...Are you turning into a goody-goody on me?" I whisper, careful not to attract attention to us.
"Hey! It's not my fault. I was the victim here, remember," Lilly told me. I was about to answer her when she continues, "Well no not really victim..."
"So you enjoyed hanging out with the new kids," I say as a statement rather then a question.
"Yeah spill, Hayden," Nikki say's from behind. Me and Lilly turn in our seats so we can see them and they give her back the card.
"Okay," She starts, going into girl talk mode. Instinctively we all huddle closer to her, eager to know the dirty details. "First off, these guys might be from Small-Town USA, but they score an A+ in the looks department. I mean were talking hot, very hot!"
We all squeal, gaining some looks from the people near us. "Well come on, we need details!" Maddy exclaims. I second her statement and Nikki thirds it.
"Okay, okay. One of them is Tristin Dugrey. He's got crazy, blonde hair and it's in that just-rolled-out-of-bed style. His eye's are the clearest blue you've ever seen but they have this intensity to them that can send shivers down your back," We all sigh and I get this dreamy look in my eye as she continues. "Now he did have his uniform on and we all know that it does nothing for anyone but I can tell you with almost absolute certainty that he has a very nice body. Were talking muscles, abs; the whole package is there. He's North Brook's very own Brad Pitt," She finished and caught my look, she moves onto the next guy, adopting a look like my own. "The other one, his best friend, is Blake Mavor. Blake has the whole James Dean look going for him except his hair is combed down and it falls into his eye's. It makes it so you just need to run your fingers through it, at least once. His eyes are this chocolate brown that you want to just swim in and his whole jaw is very pronounced," She finally ends her detailed expression and finds three curious eye's staring at her.
"Okay what was that?" Maddy ask's her, raising an eye brow.
"Yeah I mean say something else on this Tristin!" I tell her while smacking her on the arm.
"Why? Do you like him? 'Cause when I was talking you had far away look in your eye's," She say's, making everyone focus on me.
"What? He sounds very nice," I reply in the most innocent voice. Time to turn the tables on her. "Yeah but by the way you were talking it seems like you like Blake,"
"Oh my god! You guys this is so cute!" Maddy exclaims in a high-pitched voice.
"No! No! No!" Nikki repeats, while vigorously shaking her head.
"Why not? Their hot and single!" I tell her.
"Yeah, single...You're not single," She reminds me.
"Yes but I am so HA!" Lilly tells us triumphantly.
Meanwhile I start to mentally kick myself. I can't believe I did that. I thought about another guy and how much I would like to have way more than a friendship with this guy. I mean I have a boyfriend. Sure a boyfriend who is pretty much an ass and who I know I don't love. "I'm screwed!" That last part coming out more loudly then I thought, getting the attention of many people walking by us.
The four of us stand and make our way into the crowd, heading towards the exits. "I can't believe I just did that. I mean Joel and I have been together for almost a year,"
"Yeah and the guy's a complete jerk," Nikki tells me, while walking over and putting an arm around my neck. I just groan and let my head drop onto her shoulder.
NOTES FROM DRAMA THAT AFTERNOON
LILLY: Oh stop kicking yourself over what happened this morning. Rory it's not that bad.
RORY: Lilly! I thought about another guy in a none friend way...That's usually considered bad.
LILLY: Well it's not like I can blame you I mean he's a very nice young man...
RORY: Thanx, Lilly you're really helping.
LILLY: I just don't see the problem. I mean it's not like you and Joel are that serious anyway.
RORY: Okay if you don't count going out for almost a year serious, then what do you count as serious?
LILLY: Yeah sure going out for a year is serious, but going out for a year not doing anything other then making out and not telling him you love him.
RORY: Well it's not like he's told me!
LILLY: Rory this isn't a blame game.
RORY: Sry...
LILLY: You're forgiven.
RORY: Yeah! (Does a happy dance)
LILLY: Rory, maybe you're right, maybe this actually is something bigger.
RORY: See I told you I was right.
LILLY: Rory you should talk with Joel tonight or something...And I mean really talk with him.
RORY: What do you mean?
LILLY: Okay now promise not to hate...
RORY: Okay
LILLY: I just think that maybe you and Joel are moving apart...You know maybe it's time to go you're separate ways.
RORY: You mean break-up with him?
LILLY: Well can you honestly see a future for you guys?
RORY: Yes!
LILLY: Are you sure? Because if you say yes then I'll stop bugging you but don't say yes because you feel like you have to. I mean I don't even like the guy but I'm telling you this: don't string him along.
IVERSON HIGHSCHOOL 3:15 PM
I can't believe I'm doing this. I mean...Joel and me, were like two peas in a pod...except not peas 'cause I hate peas. Also we don't really do that much together…but I've had a lot invested in this relationship…I think? This is just so...ARG!...Out of nowhere. Maybe I shouldn't be here. No I can't back out now, just gotta be strong and not break down...Got that no breaking down. Okay? Okay!
"Hey girly!"
"OH MY GOD! Joel don't do that!" If I hadn't been concentrated on trying to regulate my breathing then, I would have noticed that his voice in my ear didn't make me shiver anymore...But I didn't.
"Sorry, I didn't think I could scare you like that," Joel said humourously. "So do you want to go back to my place?"
"Ummm...Sure?" I reply unsure, knowing that Joel's parents aren't home and neither is his older sister. Call me crazy but I don't want to be alone with him right now...
"Great," He replied none too enthusiastically.
He led me to his black jeep that was parked just down the way a little. We walked in an awkward silence. When we got to the car I had time to study him and really think about 'us'.
I noticed his jaw was slaked and would flex every once in a while because he was concentrated on driving. His hair was as it had been for a long time now. I remember the day I first saw his new hairdo. He had taken his brown hair and died it as black as night, shaved the sides off and pulled it into a Mohawk. I guess it is a little better now though. Before when his hair was down it was always so greasy and wet and I just hated to touch it. Now he won't let me touch his hair because he say's it takes him a long time to get it this perfect! God he's such a girl sometimes! Anyway back on topic. I moved down from his hair and onto his cheekbones, which were the one thing I actually loved about him. They were….Wait a minute. Did I just say that was the only thing I love about him? Because that's so not true…Oh My God! They are the only thing. I mean I don't like his hair, his guarded eyes, or his very crooked, long nose. Well I mean he does have a nice torso…Oh who am I kidding he doesn't work out and hates everything that even has to do with exercise! But I guess it's what's on the inside that matters. So really I'm screwed because he doesn't tell me anything! Ever since his mom left he's been that sullen, rebellious kid, from the wrong side of the tracks.
I had been so lost in my thoughts that I never even noticed we were at his house, until he touched my shoulder and I shot out of my seat, smacking my head into the roof of the car. "Hey, you okay?" He ask's in that caring, concerned voice I almost never hear from him.
"Yeah, I'm fine. But I just uh…Remembered that I have a project due on Monday and I should really work on it," I lie to him. I had already finished the project but I couldn't be with him right now.
"Oh…" He say's and his demeanor goes from the loving boyfriend that only comes out to play with a blue moon, back to that very angry boy. "Do you want me to drive you home?" He ask's, his voice clearly saying that he's just trying to be nice.
"No, it's okay,"
"Good," He tells me as he gets out of the car and slams the door. I get out to and watch him walk broodingly into the house. Sighing I turn around and walk down the driveway. Getting onto the sidewalk I start to walk home. As I near my street I remember that Maddy lives right down Amber Drive. Making my way instead to her house, I walk dejectedly humming the tune of a random song I have stuck in my head.
Once I got to Maddy's house, I walked up the drive and onto the wrap-around porch. I didn't recognize the car's in the driveway, so I knocked on the door instead of just walking in. When, Bernice, their French maid, opened the door she had a look of horror on her face. Without an exchange of words she moved to her side and I slid past her into the huge foyer. I was about to walk farther into the house but she grabbed my arm and put her fingers to her lips. She turned around and went through another door that led into the dinning area. Confused as to what to do, I followed her. Making my way into the dinning room I saw her pressed up against the glass doors.
"What are you doing?" I asked her.
"Shush!" Going over to me she lent into my ear and whispered, "I didn't want them to know you were here."
"And why is that?" I asked again, still very confused.
"Well let's just say that the people in there are very judgmental and I just don't think that you would make a great impression with them," She explained. "Now take these snacks outside, I think Madelyn is in the pool house," She added handing me a platter of fruit.
"Okay…" Taking the food I made my way through the halls and into the backyard. I saw her immediately; she was lounging on a floating, pink, blowup chair. I saw she hadn't noticed me yet so I took a piece of papaya and with pretty nice aim, threw it at her. The fruit landed right on her stomach and she screamed bloody murder while accidentally flipping the chair over and falling into the water. Pushing herself to the surface she finally saw me. I had made my way closer to the edge of the pool while she was under and I now was just a foot away. Maddy swam to the edge, her bronze body slicing through the water.
"Okay, why you here? You told me at lunch you couldn't come over because you had to meet Joel," She asked climbing out of the pool and grabbing her sponge bob towel from the patio table. It struck me as odd that she was swimming at the beginning of November, but then again we were going through a hot front…
She must have seen my face drop and my eye's well up with tears because she was immediately at my side. I didn't want to cry. I told myself that this wasn't something to cry about but the moment her arm went around my shoulders and she asked me if something had happened, the damn broke. Everything came back to me. Joel's ridged stance, his last cold words to me, that awkward silence filled with an underlying tension, every thought that went through my head and all the emotions that coursed through my body.
"Rory…sweetie…what's wrong?" Maddy asked, while enveloping me in her comforting embrace. I just shook my head as sobs wracked through my body. I felt her start to comb my hair and lead me away from the pool. The pool house, which Madelyn was taking me to, had been built by her father, Arnold Lynn, when they moved in. I didn't really care where she took me. I didn't really care at all…
Sry it took me so long to get this up but my computer was all screwy
and we had to get someone to fix it. Plz read and review!
-Ella
