Kids began to flood out of the classrooms to see what was going on. Brad picked Sennae up by her throat, but she kept a tight grip on his hair and put her feet against his torrso. "Brad! Stop choking Sennae!" Sam had come from the seventh grade wing.
"Bring it on shrimpy, you can't save her."
Sennae, seeing that Brad was distracked, swung a hard kick to his torso. Brad lurched forward as the kick made it's connection, loosing his grip on Sennae. She tore away, and ran over to Sam. "I need you to get everyone out of here."
Sam nodded. "People we need to evacuate, like now."
"No, no, stay for the show." Brad hissed as he stood up.
"You better get back down on that floor, and start begging for mercy." Sennae indicated. The was a loud ooohhh from the kids. Sennae swung a hard punch that Brad caught. He twisted her arm, then threw her over his shoulder, then onto the granite floor.
"Sennae!" Sam yelled as her head bounced off the floor.
"You're next Sammy Boy!" Brad turned around to face Sam.
Sennae was weakly getting to her feet. "Don't...touch...the little brother."
Brad turned around to back hand her, but she was prepared. A loud gasp came from the crowd, as Sennae released a knife from her belt holster. "Don't touch me either." Sennae walked over to Sam. "Hold this...protect yourself." Sam nodded. Sennae turned around to face Brad. "You, get out of the school! We'll talk about this later!"
Brad got his charming smile going. "I only need to talk to you for a spilt second."
Sennae twitched. "Two can play at that game." She took her hair out of it's ponytail, and softened her eyes. "Now can you please leave?"
Sam began to laugh. "Your doomed Brad, she only dose that to really special people."
Brad's eyes darkened. "You're a deceiving witch, my heart knows your tricks."
"I'm in your head Brad, there's no way to push me out. You might think I'm gone, but I'm not. I watch your every move, I read your thoughts, emotions, your amber eyes, everything. There's nothing you do...or plan to do...that I don't know about. You're my book and each day...I read a new page." Brad crashed to the floor on his knees, his hands wrapped around his head. "Fear! Shock! Mentally unstable! Astonished! I could go on and on, Brad! Your emotions are laid out right there, for me to see." Brad got up and ran out of the school.
"Sennae...you...you destroyed him." Sam whispered.
"Good." Sennae turned around and walked back into the empty classroom and sat down.
-----
The principal called her parents and explained what happened. The minute John heard that Sennae had gotten beatin by a young man who she called Brad, he grabbed his keys and drove to the school, Jane in the passengers seat.
"She should be fine." Jane assured him.
"He smacked her head off the granite floor, choked her, an tried to assult Sam."
Jane's eyes turned to stone, and tears began to roll down her cheeks. The image of Sennae struggling against Brad's massive hands to breath, and Sam left vulnerable as his sister lay on the floor unconsious. Those images were what she feared the most. Sennae was always there to protect Sam though, and Sam always backed her up. They had been that way since Sam was two and Sennae was four, but if Sennae was to fall, Sam became as vulnerable as a deer on a highway. "Is Sennae still out of it?" Jane asked.
"According to the principal, she never lost consiousness. He turned to assult Sam, and she struggled to her feet to protect him. The principal also noted that Sam told Brad to stop choking Sennae, thus distracking him long enough for Sennae to retaliate."
"Thank God they have each other." Jane said relieved.
"I know, but now we have to explain why...why Sennae had a knife on campus."
"WHAT! SHE REVEALED HER WEAPON! I told her to never do such a thing!"
"She probably had no other choice, Jane!" They were both stressed, it was easy to see.
Once they reached the school, they immediatly ran into the nurse's office where Sennae had a nice egg on her head. "Hi Mom. Hey Dad. What's crackalaton?" Her mother looked at Sennae and then to Sam, who was sitting beside Sennae with his head against her shoulder.
"Are you two okay?" John asked.
"It's all good in this side of the neighborhood." Sam said.
"We'll sign you two out, as soon as we talk to the principal." Jane assured them.
"I-I have play...practice." Sennae choked.
"Ooh...with Bri-!" Sennae kicked Sam in the shin. "Ow...that hurt!"
Sennae turned to her mom. "Can you come watch us perform?" She asked, then she turned to John. "Dad...I...I really want your opinion on this guy. I might...I might have my first real boyfriend."
John put his hand on his head. "I am in a dream...a dream...a dream I might...or might not...enjoy."
Sennae stood up and strode past them. "Follow me...he awaits my arrival." Sennae took them through the winding hallways till they reached a door that said: STAGE. She opened the door, and could hear someone yelling:
"What do you mean the guy beat her?! Where is she?! I gotta go check on her man...she might be hurt." Sennae opened the door, and there was Brian. "Oh my God, Sennae, thank Heaven your ok." He ran his hand through his hair. "Not like I was flipping out or anything...I...I heard you took a punch."
Sennae stepped aside to reveal her Mom and Dad. "Brian...this is my Mom, and my Dad."
John stepped forward, and Brian stuck out his hand. "A pleasure to meet you, Sir...and also you M'am."
John looked at the hand, then took it firmly in his. "You got a good grip...that's a plus."
The drama/chorus teacher, Mrs. Puss, approched them. "Mr. and Mrs. Smith, if you wish to watch take your appropiate seats...in the auditorium. Miss Smith, glad to see your up and moving, we're doing free form today. Pick a song...any song."
Sennae sat there for a second. "Genie in a Bottle, Christina Agulara." Mrs. Puss gave a clap of joy and then dissappeared.
"Are we still on for tonight?" Brian asked.
"If you can impress my Dad." Sennae picked up the microphone and walked out on stage. Her teacher turned on the karaoke cd and the entro to Genie in a Bottle began.
"Now the rest of you, come out here and strut your stuff." Mrs. Puss instructed. That meant dance to a random song.
Genie in a Bottle
I feel like I've been locked up tight
for a century of lonely nights
Waiting for someone to release me
You're licking your lips
And blowing kisses my way
But that don't mean I'm gonna give it away
Baby. Baby. baby (Baby ,baby, baby)
Brian resigned to the curtain, and after a while sat down. "Dang," He whispered. "she's really good, and beautiful." He noticed her father staring at him intently. Gotta focus, want to make a impression. He thought. "Why is she making this so damn hard." He muttered to himself. Sennae was up dancing, swinging her hair side to side as she sang.
Ooh (my body is saying let's go)
Ooh (but my heart is saying no)
As Sennae finished the first bridge she walked over to Brian and gave him her hand. He stood up with her, but she then walked away. "Tease." He whispered to her. "You know it." She whispered back. Then skipped back to the front of the stage.
Chorus:
If you wanna be with me
Baby there's a price to pay I'm a genie in a bottle
You gotta rub me the right way
If you wanna be with me
I can make your wish come true
You gotta make a big impression
I gotta like what you do
I'm a genie in a bottle baby
You gotta rub me the right way
honey I'm a genie in a bottle baby
Come, come, come on and let me out
The music's fading
The lights down low
Just one more dance
And then were gonna go
Waiting for someone
Who needs me
Hormones racing at the speed of light
But that don't mean it's gotta be tonight
Baby, baby, baby (baby, baby, baby)
One of Brian's friends came to stand beside him. "Dude go make your move. She's totally taunting you." Brian nodded to her father. "I'm trying to make a good impression." "Screw that! Dude, I'll go make the move for you." Brian stood up and got his friend in a headlock. "You freaking touch her and you'll lose the very few brain cells you have left." Brian's friend sunk his teeth into Brian's arm. Brian said a very bad word, then let go.
Ooh (my body is saying let's go)
Ooh (but my heart is saying no)
Chorus:
If you wanna be with me
Baby there's a price to pay
I'm a genie in a bottle (I'm a genie in a bottle)
You gotta rub me the right way
If you wanna be with me (Ooh)
I can make your wish come true (Wish come true...Woah)
Just come and set me free
And I'll be with you
I'm a genie in a bottle baby
You Gotta rub me the right way honey
I'm a genie in a bottle baby
Come, come, come on and let me out
Brian's friend wrapped an arm around Sennae's waist, but she pulled away. Mr. Smith stood up and began to move towards the stage, but Brian was already there. He got his friend in another head lock. "Oh you asked for it." Brian's friend punched him in the stomach, but Brian held out.
"Dude, let go!" Brian let go, but walked over to Sennae.
"Tell the Miss you're sorry." Sennae stopped singing, and the music stopped playing.
"Cha' right! I didn't do anything! I'm outta here!" Brian grabbed his friends shirt collar.
"Tell Miss Smith, you're sorry." His friend grabbed Sennae's shoulder and pushed her aside. She stumbled backwards and almost fell off stage. Brian snapped his fingers. "Yo Bernardo, can you take care of him for me?" A group of boys grabbed ahold of Brian's friend, and dragged him out into the hallway. Brian helped Sennae to her feet. "You may proceed." He walked back to the curtain and sat down. John nodded to Sennae.
"I like this boy...a lot." Him and Jane turned around and walked out. The music began again, and Sennae finished the song.
I'm a genie in a bottle baby
You Gotta rub me the right way honey (if you wanna be with me)
I'm a genie in a bottle baby
Come, come, come on and let me out
Ooh (my body is saying let's go)
Ooh (but my heart is saying no)
Chorus:
If you wanna be with me
Baby there's a price to pay
I'm a genie in a bottle (I'm a genie in a bottle)
You gotta rub me the right way
If you wanna be with me (Ooh)
I can make your wish come true (Wish come true...Woah)
Just come and set me free
And I'll be with you
I'm a genie in a bottle baby
You Gotta rub me the right way honey
I'm a genie in a bottle baby
Come, come, come on and let me out
Sennae began to walk over to Brian, and he stood up to greet her. She put her one free hand on his shoulder, then nodded. This registered, but Sennae saw an urge in Brian's eyes.
I'm a genie in a bottle baby
You Gotta rub me the right way honey (if you wanna be with me)
I'm a genie in a bottle baby
Come, come, come on and let me out.
Sennae put the microphone down, and when she stood up, she was face to face with Brian. She sighed. "I'm not that much of a tease."
"You can't even imagine." Brian leaned forward and-to Sennae's shock-kissed her.
Sennae wanted to enjoy the moment, but, of course, Mrs. Puss would not allow it. "MISS SMITH! MR. TARONT! STOP THIS PUBLIC DISPLAY OF AFFECTION RIGHT NOW!"
Sennae pushed away. "So much for an emotional production." She laughed.
Brian chuckled. "She's just mad because you get more attention from you peers than she dose from her own husband." Brian gently took her hand in his. "I believe practice and school are over, would you like to come to my place." Sennae looked at Sam, he had a big smile on his face, and he nodded.
"Sure...why not?" She exited the school with Brian at her side.
They walked to his house, which was only a few blocks away from the school. He opened the door and threw his bookbag down on the floor. "My parents are both at work. They work from 2:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m."
"Cool, both my parents stay home." She walked into his living room and sat down.
"You want some lemonade?!" He yelled from the kitchen.
"Um...sure." She yelled back.
He came into the living room with two glasses of lemonade in his hands. He set them down on the glass coffee table. "So I got your Dad's approval, I must say I'm shocked?"
Sennae giggled. "You deserved it." She looked down at her hands set neatly in her lap. "Thanks for sticking up for me, I'm sortta pickey about who I let touch me."
She looked back up, and once again Brian's face was inches from hers. "Do I have your approval?"
Sennae couldn't conseal the grin that escaped her. Brian was her first real love, and she really enjoyed the way he looked at her. When he looked at her, she felt as if she were a person, not the school hottie.
"I let you kiss me before...what's stopping you now?" She asked smartly.
"I won't invade your personal space, unless it's ok with you." Sennae was sure her Dad was going to be all yippy skippy at this news.
"You have my permission," Before Sennae could think about what she was doing, she threw her arms around Brian's neck and brought his face a couple millimeters closer. "because I don't think this counts as a public display of affection."
Brain chuckled, and then brought his lips to hers. This time Sennae got to enjoy the moment, because Mrs. Puss wasen't there to break it up, and Brian was a really good kisser. Brad had nothing on Brian. Brad was blunt about it, he'd kiss you whether you wanted to be kissed or not. Brian asked first, and was a really good kisser! Her mother was going to get a hoot out of that.
Brian broke away slowly to look at her. "You're a really good kisser."
He said in a chuckled voice. "You're not to bad yourself." Sennae commented.
He gently wrapped his hands around her neck, and kissed her again. Sennae relaxed, as Brian's gentle hands made there way to her shoulders. Brian kept on teasing her, acting like he was pulling away, and then pressing his lips to hers again.
When they broke away for air Sennae gasped: "You're a tease."
"No, you're a tease. I've never felt the urge to dance in my life, but when you were dancing and singing...I wanted to-."
Sennae cut him off. "I have that affect on people." She explained.
Brian tilted his head and stared at her. "I must be one of the most luckiest guys in the world." He whispered.
"Why is that?" Sennae asked.
"Because I'm dating you." This made Sennae's heart do flips in her chest.
She wanted to kiss him again, but he got up and turned on the cd player. "Do you like Josh Turner?" He asked.
"Who's he?" She asked.
Brian just shook his head and then turned on the cd played. Sennae realized that Brian's voice was quite similar to this Josh Turner, dudes. It was deep and caring. He sat down next to her, and wrapped his arms around her. They sat there on the couch and listened to Josh Turner sing Would You Go With Me. Brian would occasionly join in, on the chorus. His voice could dip from a very low to a moderate high. Sennae just rested her head on his shoulder, and closed her eyes. This was relaxing, too relaxing, she soon felt her eyes close for good, and slumber over shadowed her.
-----
Sennae gave a shudder as cold air rushed to greet her. She opened her eyes, to find that her and Brian had both fallen asleep. Brian shivered awake, and gave a chuckle. "I guess we were both tired." Sennae ran her hands through her hair. "What time is it?" She asked groggly.
"Uh...9:00...whoa Josh Turner nows how to make you enjoy a nap."
Sennae's eyes widened. "Brian I gotta go...I'm sorry...but my brother-! Oh my freaking God!" She ran to the door scooping up her back pack.
"Sennae wait! What's wrong?!"
Sennae stopped and turned to face him. "My brother's in a big jam, I was suppose to meet him somewhere, but now I'm late and-." Brian slipped his hand under her chin, and kissed her again, but Sennae tore away. "I have to go help my brother...he's in way over his head."
Brian's eyes were filled with understanding. "You go do what you gotta do."
Sennae ran out the door, and down the street to the resort, but what she saw chilled her very bones. Brad had ahold of Sam and was shaking him violently. "Where's your sister?!" He yelled.
"I'll never tell you!" Sam spat.
"BRAD!" Sennae advanced out from the shadows. "Let my brother go!"
Brad let go of Sam and stomped over to Sennae. "Why is it, that your brother is covering for you?! Where the hell have you been?!"
Sennae gulped. "I told you that I had practice, but you wouldn't listen, so it's your own fault."
Brad latched on to her shoulders. "You're coming with me." He growled.
"I hate to be the one to tell you this Sweetheart, but this country has rules against beating women, young ladys, and girl." She smiled at him sweetly, but he raised his hand and slapped her so hard she fell to the ground. Sennae said a very bad word, then turned her head to glare at him.
"Get in the limo." He said dryly.
Sennae's answer was final. "No."
Sam was rushing towards Brad. He jumped up and got him in a head lock, but Brad swung an elbow back, and it made a hard blow to Sam's head. Sam's eyes went dazed, he let go, and fell to the ground in a small heap. Sennae got back up and ran over to him. "Sam...Sammy Boy...you ok?" There was no response. Sennae checked to make sure he was still breathing, then stood slowly.
"The twerp deserved it." Brad chimed in.
Sennae eyes darted to his. "When you mess up the little brother, I mess you up!" She took out a knife, and began to run at Brad. She slashed at him, but he grabbed her wrist. She swung a kick, but Brad caught that too. He twisted her wrist behind her back, and shoved her into the gravel.
"You'll never win when it comes to me." He hissed in her ear.
People were coming out of the resort, and one of them bent down to check on Sam. "Sir!" Sennae yelled. He looked in her direction, then gasped. He strode over to Brad, and kicked him off her.
"Are you alright Miss?" He asked. Sennae looked at him, and he gasped again. "He hit you!" Sennae nodded. The man took out a cellphone and called the cops. "Do you know that young lad?" He asked pointing to Sam.
"He's my brother." She choked.
Sam began to stir, then lifted his head from the ground. "Don't worry, I'll save you, I'm Super Sam." He said in a dazed voice.
Sennae got up and walked over to him. "You ok, Sammy Boy?"
"Aside of a head ache the size of the Niagra Falls, yup I'm fine." He looked at her face.
"It's bruised." He informed her.
The man came up to them. "The police don't want you to stay here, I'll drive you home." He helped Sennae to her feet, who helped Sam stand up.
"Thank you, Sir." Sennae said greatfully.
"No problem, Miss." He put them in the back of the small Kia Optama. As Sennae slipped her head under the saftey of the hood, she saw Brad standing in the alleyway, a dark grin on his face.
"Who are these dears?" A women asked.
"Kids who need a ride home."
She looked at Sennae. "Oh dear! Sweety what happened to you?!"
"Yes, if it's not to much to ask, why was that young man assulted you?"
Sam nodded to her. "We had an argument. He was trying to get me to...to get a ride home with him. I told him 'no', so he slapped me, and then I got my butt kicked."
The man chuckled. "I take it that dosn't happen a lot, to you anyway."
"No Sir, it dosn't." The man stopped laughing.
"Why would a young man want to harm a beautiful young lady like her?" His wife scorned. "It's rather sad really."
Sam leaned his head against Sennae's shoulder, and began to silently cry. Sennae patted his head, and rested her head on his. "Where do you live?" The man asked.
"007 Rose Drive."
The man drove them to their house, and then escorted them to the door. "Thank you so much, Sir." Sam said as he opened the door.
"You're very much so welcome." The man said as he walked back to his car.
Sam entered first, then Sennae. When they entered the hallway lights flicked on, and there was John and Jane, both staring at them. "Where have you been, young lady?" John asked calmly.
"Uh," Sennae turned her face to hide the bruise. "at Brian's rehearsing for the play."
Jane tilted her head. "Sennae...what are you trying to hide?" She walked over to Sennae, grabbed her chin, and turned her face so she could see her. "Oh my dear God! Sennae what happened to you?!"
"In a word: BRAD!" Sennae ripped away from her mom and ran up stairs. No one dared to follow her, they knew she was upset. Sennae slammed her door shut and locked it. She threw herself onto her bed. "I have to do something, but I'm pinned into a corner." She began to cry into her pillow, not wanting anyone to hear her.
This went on for about five minutes, until Jane knocked on her door. "Sweety...can we talk?" Sennae stood up and unlocked her door. Jane immediatly took her in her arms and hugged her till she stopped crying. "I know it's hard, and you really had no other choice. It might not have been fair, but might I say you do a mighty fine job with your work."
Sennae just thought about that. She didn't say anything, she was in a state of unconsiousness. Jane helped her into bed, and stayed by her side till she was asleep. As she closed the door behind her, John came out of Sam's room.
"Is she okay?" He asked running his hand through his hair in frustration.
"I really don't know, she's really tramatized. I fear this will be the cinder block that ends her career." Jane began to walk towards their room, John right behind her.
"We should have done more to protect them! We should have stayed with them night and day! Neither of them deserved to be forced into this life!" John leaned against the wall to stare at Jane who was sitting on the bed.
"They wouldn't be the same children that we've grown to love and protect. Sennae is an independent women, who has every aspect of human mind and behavior memorized. Sam is a brain genius, who knows how to wire a bomb in under five minutes. They both need each other to be one person. If Sennae quits Sam will too, and they'll both be in danger."
"And, Sennae knowing this...won't even dare to put Sam through that."
"She's just going to drag herself through this problem, and come out victorious." Jane finished.
"So I can't kill him?" John asked.
"No, we have to let Sennnae do it." John threw four knives, five poision bottles, two revolvers, and a 30.6 out from under his jacket. "Fine...you win."