Chapter Two

(Sarah's Concern)

It was just before ten as Sarah waited in the park for Ari. She wanted to believe the popular girl would show up but after so many disappointments she was nervous about it. What if Ari didn't show up and told everyone to come and laugh at her. Sarah wasn't sure if she could handle that. Being humiliated was bad enough but in front of Toby it would be worse. The last time she'd gotten her hopes up that was exactly what happened and then her stepmother found out when Toby innocently repeated the taunting she'd endured.

"Gee Sarah, hoping to learn just from sitting on the court?" Delilah Hetrick taunted as she and her group approached.

"You know you have to actually touch a basketball right?" A girl names Julie Smith teased. Sarah's heart sank. She'd been set up once again. "Oh and dribbling means bouncing the ball."

"Why don't you shut up Smith? Sarah can dribble better than you." Sarah's mouth almost fell open as she saw three of the girls basketball team members standing there along with a little boy and older girl.

"What?" Julie said.

"You heard me. Go bother someone else." Brandy Michaels told them. Sarah watched in silent amazement as Delilah and her snooty group of girls walked away.

"Don't let them get to you Sarah. They live off of being bitches." Jenna said rolling her eyes. "Anyway this is my little sister Katie. She's going to look after Brandy's little brother Jake and your brother Toby while we help you."

"You're all going to help me?" Sarah said more than a little surprised.

Lola smiled at the dark haired girl. "Ari's for real Sarah. You don't have to worry. All of us have been in your shoes at one point or another."

"No." She said shaking her head.

"Actually yeah." Brandy told her. "The difference is we met Ari in Junior high and elementary and you're meeting her in high school. We've been outsiders. You have it harder because of your mom and all but you can relax."

Sarah bit her lip wanting to believe the girls. Friends in her own world would be wonderful but she couldn't help but wonder how long it would last.

"You just might have to develop a basketball addiction." Lola said making Sarah involuntarily laugh.

"Maybe if I pass gym?" Sarah offered. The three girls laughed.

"You will." Sarah looked back to see Ari had arrived. "You okay?" The blonde girl asked.

"Delilah and her little bitch brigade were giving her a hard time." Jenna informed her team captain, flipping her ponytail.

"Really? Hmm. Well we can deal with those poor excuses for human beings later." She replied. Looking at Sarah she said, "Ignore them. They're like a dog or cat. You ignore them long enough they'll go away."

"I don't know, ignore a cat too long and it might draw blood." Lola commented. Receiving a glare from her team members she said, "But, what do I know?" Brandy rolled her eyes and Jenna smacked the back of her head.

"Here Sarah," Ari said and handed her a basketball once again. "It's time to practice." Sarah accepted with a smile. The dark haired girl might not know how long her friendship would last but she'd enjoy it while it did.

The girls played for a couple of hours before ending the practice. Sarah was amazed she could actually get the ball through the hoop and had done so several times.

"Thank you." Sarah said appreciatively.

"No prob. It will be nice to see Julie put in her place on Monday." Ari told her.

"You going to the lake tonight?" Jenna asked straightening her black hair with red streaks.

"Lake?" Sarah asked.

"I think you should." Brandy announced. "Go with us. We can give Delilah and her little minions some payback."

"I don't know." Sarah said.

"It's okay Sarah. You can watch what we do." Lola assured her.
"Sarah, it's time you stepped out of the shadows." Ari told her. "You don't have to love basketball like I do to be friends with me okay? You said your parents are due back around five right?" Sarah nodded. "Ask them when they get home and we'll stop by before we go to the lake around seven. If they say yes you can go, you can ride with us."

"Alright," Sarah agreed.

"See you then." Sarah nodded and looked at her little brother. "Come on Toby let's head for home." Toby took her hand and the two walked for home. "Did you have fun playing with Brandy's little brother."

"Jake." Toby said happily. Sarah smiled, pleased he'd had fun.

The basketball team members watched as Sarah walked away. It was more than a little obvious she'd been hurt several times.

"She's had it rough." Lola commented.

"Yeah, well, she won't any more. I say we look out for her from now on." Jenna announced.

"I have to admit, I knew she got teased some but I didn't realize how bad it was." Brandy said. "I think we should send a clear message that Sarah's not to be taunted by anyone, unless it's by us, and only in fun."

"Sounds good. I'll catch you later." Ari said and the girls each headed their separate ways.

Jareth sat down in his office finally being granted a moment to himself. It wasn't long and he found himself thinking of Sarah. She had grown more beautiful and was looking forward to reclaiming the girl. The King sighed, knowing he had to find Soren's daughter before he would be given the girl.

Still, knowing the girl was with Evelyn actually made things rather simple. All he had to do was use a crystal one time to lead him to Evelyn and he would be led to the missing princess.

"You may have caused me a few problems in the past but I do believe I am about to pay you back far worse than I ever dreamed." Gracefully he produced a crystal. "Evelyn." Instantly the crystal revealed the woman and her location. Jareth waived his hand, dissolving the crystal, and rose to his feet.

"Time to take a look at Soren's little girl." He walked to the window and transforming headed for the mortal realm.

He landed in a tree outside and waited. Hearing movement, the owl turned his head. Jareth was more than a little surprised to see the very girl he'd seen with Sarah coming his way. Whoever Soren's daughter was, she was from the same town as Sarah. The owl's eyes almost sparkled in delight. Watching after the two girls would be easy.

If the Goblin King had been in Fae form his mouth might have dropped open as he saw the girl dressed in boys clothes bounce up to Evelyn's front door and walk inside.

Surely the blonde girl was not Soren's daughter. She was dressed far more like a servant than a missing princess. Soren was going to have a fit!

Author's Note: Short Chapter I know but the next one will be longer. Sarah needed to know that Ari would follow through with what she said. As far as the next chapter let's just say it will be a lot of fun. I know Jareth's part was really small in this but he'll be around more in the next.