Hey guys!
I've returned for another update! Sorry for the delay for two reasons:
One, this is a loooooooong chapter.
Two, I finally graduated with a bachelor's!
So, as a reward for everyone who completed their exams and/or also graduated, here's a new chapter!
I hope you guys had a wonderful Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hannukah/Chanukah, and that you're all safe from this crazy cold weather (at least, in the Northern Hemisphere).
Even if you don't celebrate the holidays I just mentioned, I hope you guys are still doing well, regardless.
I do have some explaining for this particular update. So, when Tim sort of mocks Skylar in front of the student body, he's essentially using a horrible interpretation of the Boston accent, and I did that on purpose, too. The original text is written as "Tahnsfehhed he-ya fahm Havahd Univehsity?" basically trying to say: "Transferred here from Harvard University?"
And another note: 'Skylar : agitated :: Tim : beating round the bush' is saying 'Skylar is to agitated as Tim is to beating around the bush.' Essentially, analogies.
If you got any other questions, leave them in the reviews or shoot me a PM, whichever works for you.
Again, thanks so much for the favorites/follows and reviews. I very much appreciate the feedback.
And here's the story!
Disclaimer: I do not own Totally Spies! nor Sleepless in Seattle much less Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.
A girl with mid-length red hair spun around to face the campus. She had a pair of polarized sunglasses in her hand.
In confusion of which building would be her class, she had asked a couple of veteran students for some pointers.
"When I meet her, it would be like I had met her already," Tim confessed to Sam. He was juggling records in the Media Room while the DJ was experimenting around with the settings. Sam caught a record mid-cycle.
"Her?" she asked.
"Her," Tim answered.
The new incoming junior nonchalantly glanced around at her peers. Many students were staring right back at her. In fact, a throng of men were following her as she was strolling. When the girl paused and turned around, the men also turned around and went, "huhhhhh?" as if they weren't acting like creeps just seconds ago.
Sam was trying to buy a can of Diet Coke from the vending machine. The can was stuck in between the curly rack and the window. As per usual, the machine already ate her quarters and the Return Coins button refused to do its only job.
She began banging on the hard plastic window to let gravity drop the can, but to no avail.
Despite seeing his friend's struggle, Tim continued droning on with his own romantic version of 'I Have A Dream' speech. In this case, it's the 'I'm About to Have A Girl' speech.
"Her eyes will be like pools that you can just get yourself lost into," he raised his pair of Ray Bans and grinned at a frustrated Sam.
Her eyes took in the scenery that was Malibu University.
"Her beauty will be one where people turn their heads. It's as if they've never seen someone like her before," Tim sighed.
The new addition received even more attention inside the building. Guys who were sitting on the stairs couldn't help but stare at the derriere wrapped tightly in a navy blue Sumissura mini pencil skirt with a matching navy blue crop top from Windsor.
Sam knocked the phone off its receiver as they moved along. "Her, her, her. That's all you ever talk about. What are you gonna do when you actually meet 'her' in person? I mean, how would you know you finally met 'her'?"
"Not hard. You'll know when 'it' happens in your heart," Tim knew it was poor reasoning, but he couldn't exactly put his thoughts into words at the moment.
"When what happens?" Sam inquired.
"Something. When something happens," Tim simply put.
"As for when I meet her in person, I'm going to stare directly at her face, and in front of everyone, say, 'Hey, whoever you are, I love you," At this point, Tim was walking backwards while chatting with Sam. He turned around and accidentally bumped into a student, who was absolutely confused as to why she had to hear such a statement from a total stranger.
Tim stepped back but did a double take. The girl with whom he accidentally barged into was a literal angel. She had a thick head of silky red hair that reached halfway down her back and parted in the middle. Her eyes were two shining circles of a stunning jade color framed by long dark lashes (no doubt tinted). She tilted her head to the left and tucked the front pieces of her hair back. This gave Tim a better perspective of her angelic face.
Sam, being forgotten, tiptoed on her feet to try and see what was holding up her friend.
Tim gawked at the pupil like an idiot, though she didn't appear to mind the attention.
"I love you," he blurted.
"Sorry?" she was taken aback.
"Don't be. I love you," Tim repeated.
"Um, okayyyy," she gave Sam a look of what-the-hell? before stalking past her.
An earlier memory sparked in her brain when she connected two and two together on the redhead girl that just breezed on.
"S-S-S-S-Skylar!" Sam called out.
Tim held up a friendship bracelet. "Skylar?" The gears in his brain whirred to formulate another scheme.
"Hi!" Sam managed to catch up with Skylar.
"Hi, I'm Sam!" The girls shook hands.
"Hey, I'm Tim," he chimed in.
"Skylar, right?" Sam asked.
"Yeah!" The girl confirmed.
"How did you know?" Tim butted in.
"It's because the principal -" Sam began.
"Ugh, forget the weirdo principal. He's such a fool," Tim laughed.
"A fool? Ohhh," Skylar mentally noted.
"You transferred here from Harvard, too, right?" Sam further interviewed.
"Yeah, right!" Skylar verified.
"How did you know?" Tim quizzed again.
"Well, because the principal -" Sam tried again to explain, only for Tim to scoff it off.
"No one cares about the balding principal," Tim growled. He gazed at the pretty girl. "Principal here has a loose character. Watch out for him," he laughed like Dave Chappelle delivered the joke.
"Loose character?" Skylar was slowly starting to dislike this guy.
"So, Skylar, how is your first day at college?" Tim asked.
"Great," Skylar replied.
"You look great," Tim muttered.
Soon, they heard a loud male voice in the hallway that appeared to be approaching in their direction.
"Get to class, all of you!" He ordered. "Klaus!"
"Yes, sir?" the student responded.
"Cut your hair!"
"Jealous, huh?" Klaus dismissed Mr. Fitzgerald's demand to cut his dreadlocks.
"Oh my God," the man complained about the youth these days.
"Ahem, here comes the weirdo principal," Tim muttered in Skylar's ear. Sam gave him a confused look. "He really thought he did something there," she inwardly laughed.
"Good morning, sir," Tim greeted the man first.
"Good morning, Tim," the principal replied back sternly. While Sam was his favorite student, Tim? Ehhhh, not so much.
"Ohh, Sammie!" He pinched Sam's cheeks again.
"Good morning!" greeted Skylar.
"Ah, good morning, except, what have I told you about wearing revealing clothing?" The uptight attitude came back again.
"Actually you know, I just landed yesterday and couldn't unpack a lot of my stuff and -" Skylar was about to explain her reasoning when Tim, yet again, interrupted.
"Excuse me, sir, may I?"
"No!" Mr. Fitzgerald protested.
"Thank you," Tim ignored the answer and slid himself next to the man. He gingerly placed his arm around the principal's shoulder. "Listen, the poor girl just arrived from Boston. She must've had an exhausting trip here, couldn't unpack everything in time, and could only wear whatever was her first choice."
"How do you know this?" The principal wanted to test Tim's logic.
"Simple. Skylar is my childhood friend," Tim nodded enthusiastically.
"Childhood friend? Really, Skylar?"
"Really, Father," the girl replied.
"Really, Father. Father?!" Tim was jolted.
"Yup, Father," the redhead pointed at Mr. Fitzgerald.
"Father," Sam emphasized.
"Ohhhhh, sorry," Tim tried to apologize.
"Mr. Fitzgerald? I need you here, Mr. Fitzgerald," Miss Yolanda's voice cried out helplessly over the intercom.
"She's waiting for you, in the staff room," Tim pointed out the obvious.
"Heh, um, well, I better go. We-we have a meeting to discuss you-your future," he left the students alone.
"Ohhhhh, shit," he cursed into Sam's shoulder. She awkwardly rubbed his back.
"Um, excuse me?" pardoned the new girl.
Sam slapped his back.
"Uh, yeah," Tim responded.
"He's a weirdo, a fool, balding, and erm," Skylar racked her brains for the other insult Tim used against her dad.
"Lovely? Light hearted?" Tim lamely tried as Sam facepalmed.
"Ah, yes, but no," Skylar was still searching through her memory bank for the right word.
"Loose character," she finally recalled the term.
"He may be a little strange at times, but definitely not a complete fool and is no loose character," she angrily turned to depart.
"Excuse me," Tim had one final request.
"Yes?" she answered.
"God, her voice. I could listen to it all day," Tim lusted.
He reached inside his Lucky Brand jeans and extracted a red, white, and blue wristlet.
"Happy Friendship day," he offered the accessory.
Skylar eyed the gift. "We just met. Far from being friends. For now," she waved over at Sam and finally left.
A warm feeling washed over Tim. "Ah, shiiit," he cracked a big smile this time.
"So? Something happened?" Sam asked, hoping Tim would finally have a chance in the dating world.
"Huh? Uh, no. She's not my type," he dismissed the surge of oxytocin pulsing through his brain.
"What? Why not?"
"Well cause - I mean, you wanna take home a girl that you can introduce to your mother. She, on the other hand, eh, you know. She's not my type."
"mEh, sHe'S nOt My tYpe," mocked Sam. "Keep this up and you won't find anyone, understand?" she irritably snapped.
"Why not?" Tim gripped Sam by the shoulders. "I have you as an option."
"Me?!" she squealed, yanking away. "Gross! Never!" She released herself from his iron grip then ran to History class.
"Aw, come on! What's wrong if I marry you? Sam, come on. Sam!" They wrestled in the door jamb, much to nobody's surprise.
Mali-U Courtyard
"1, 2, 3…" counted the cheerleaders.
In honor of the competition against Riptide State, students were packing in their optimal Mali-U spirit. The cheerleaders were practicing their cheer in the courtyard, the sorority girls were seeking potential members, and the guys were doing what they do best: standing around.
"Damnnnn," whistled several boys as Skylar made her way outside. She brushed them off.
"Oh-ho, ah-hah," chanted several girls who were making fun of the new student.
Skylar whipped around and shot them with a fiery glare. They giggled then ran away.
"SKYLAR! SKYLAR!" called out a girl. From the crowd, Sam emerged with a bundle in her arms.
"Hey! I got something for ya!" She placed the clothing on Skylar's books.
"What's this?" she held up what appeared to be a sleeve.
"Oh, it's Mali-U's sweater. Just wanna make you feel at home," Sam clapped her hands together.
"Um, thanks," Skylar tucked the sweater. "Hey, Sam -"
"Yeah!"
"Can I ask you something?"
"Yeah, sure!"
Skylar was freaked by Sam's unnatural loudness.
They were standing next to each other, after all.
"Uh, well, why are people ogling at me?"
"Hah!" Sam laughed like this was some common FAQ at Mali-U.
"The boys stare because well, you know," Sam motioned up and down at Skylar. "And the girls are wondering what the boys are staring at, and that is why they are staring right back at you again. Yeah?"
"Yyyyeaaah," Skylar meekly nodded.
"Yeah-hah!" Sam cheered. She put an arm around the new girls' shoulder as they walked down the pathway. "And if you have any kind of problem-shroblem, come straight over to either Tim or me."
"Also, you know Tim-"
"Yeah! He's my best friend!" Sam exclaimed, in a rather louder voice than normal again.
"You know how we met? He came up to me and we played a game of Two Truths and A Lie. He wanted me to guess if us being best friends forever would be one of those truths or lies. I said lie, he said, no. Us being true friends is gonna be the truth." Sam laughed as she relished the memory.
"Ever since then, we've become best friends!" she repeated.
"I- well, um," stammered Skylar.
"Yeah?" Sam signed with her hands for her to continue.
"I-I wanted to ask what Tim was saying the other day -"
"Yup, it's something that goes around the college, you know-"
As Sam finished her sentence, a crowd formed as the boys cartwheeled into position. The front ones struck a pose then twirled away to reveal Tim.
"Hey, Tim!" waved Sam.
"Hi," he replied crisply.
"Soooo. Skylar. Skylar Fitzgerald, huh?" Tim loudly smacked his Extra Polar Ice gum. "You're from, uh, Boston, right? Tahnsfehhed he-ya fahm Havahd Univehsity?"
"Excuse me?" Skylar wouldn't hesitate to hop on a flight to Massachusetts at this point.
"Oh, I'm sahry," Tim mockingly apologized.
Sam sensed the tension. She carefully eased towards her friend. "Listen, Tim, she is the principal's daughter, and -"
"And what? I'm just getting to know her. And you, principal's pet, can shove off," he rudely pushed her away by the forehead.
"Skylar. We have some rules in this school. First, I, Timothy Scam, rule the hallways, not your father. Second, every new student who comes in has to show their best talent to be accepted."
Tim paused here and glanced at the girl over his Gucci glasses. Her vibrant green eyes darted around the crowd. She was definitely searching for an exit.
Sam cut in as a last attempt. "Seriously, Tim. You're not blind! Can't you see Skylar must be feeling humiliated?"
"Dude, relax! She's fine. You are the one making things worse," Tim once again shoved Sam aside. This time, he placed pressure on her chest.
"Ah!" She grunted in pain.
Tim ignored the complaint and continued with his 'Mali-U tradition'.
"So, what is your talent? Stand up comedy? I think you're a singing type. Am I right?"
"Riiiiiiiiight," the male crowd echoed.
Skylar forced the anxiety out of her mind. "He'll keep taking advantage the longer I look nervous," she logically reasoned.
"Sure, I can sing you a tune," she offered.
"Go on ahead. Ya might wanna choose a small piece. We're kind of in a hurry, right boys?"
"Riiiiiiiiight," replied the boys as they nodded in agreement.
Tim stepped closer. He began snapping his fingers in front of her face at a continuous rhythm to add to the pressure.
"Go on," he croaked.
The rest of the male crowd joined in.
He turned his back, as did the minions.
Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind but now I see
Tim stopped his snapping as he recognized the lyrics. They were II Divo's Amazing Grace.
His childhood song.
Ironic how Skylar chose this piece, despite never having met Tim prior to the past week.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come
This grace that brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home
When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright, shining as the sun
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we first begun
Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind but now I see
Sam blinked twice in astonishment.
Tim momentarily forgot to breathe.
The gathering had gone silent in awe.
Skylar strode to face the wanna be jock. "I used to sing in my church's choir as a child. Then, as a course throughout my public education. I was recognized on a district level here in California. Despite going to Boston, I never lost my roots. I'm new to Malibu University, but not to California nor the world. And you better not forget that." She held her gaze on Tim through the whole speech.
Over to the side, Sam wiggled her brows. She was proud of the new girl for standing up to Tim; very few students ever had the nerve to do so, even though Tim wasn't a bully type; he simply acted like a stubborn, ruthless teenage boy.
Skylar proceeded to leave, only to retrace her steps again. Just like a little earlier, she raised her hand and began snapping her fingers. Soon, the crowd joined in. Finally, Tim resumed his snapping as well with a smirk on his face.
Next Day - English Class
The bell rang as students rushed to classes or lunch.
Skylar entered the classroom but was unsure of where to sit. She spotted Tim seated at the very front. He stretched back and patted the desk behind him.
The redhead looked stunning today with her neutral eye makeup and black Nike sports attire and a black Nike sweater tied at the waist. Her hair was tied back into a ponytail with face framing pieces on the front.
She smiled from slight embarrassment before sitting behind him.
"7,8,9," Sam counted aloud; she was dribbling a basketball for practice.
The final bell rang as the last straggling students arrived.
"Hey, you're in my seat," complained Sam when she noticed Skylar.
"Oh, I'm sorry," she offered to leave.
"Nah, it's okay," Sam let her have the desk, in case another student wasn't as polite about having their desks occupied.
"Hey, Aaron, move," she ordered the class nerd to get up. Sam took his seat to the right of Skylar.
"Good morning, class," announced the instructor.
Miss Yolanda, uh-huh.
"Now -", Miss Yolanda was about to begin, only to be cut off by Tim.
He was blowing into a pen cap as a whistle. When the teacher noticed, he winked.
Miss Yolanda simply smiled (though, it was more of a grimace) and resumed the lesson again.
"Now, in today's class, we are going to be studying Romeo and Juliet. Our love story. Before we begin, I would like to ask the class what is your interpretation of 'love'? It could be from your family, personal experience, or what you've read in other stories. Would anyone like to go first?"
Miss Yolanda searched for raised hands.
"Anybody? Any? Body? Nobody?" Well, she's disappointed.
"Guess I'll just pick someone. Ah, Skylar!"
The student jumped in surprise. "Me?"
"Yes, you. Tell me, what do you think love is?"
"I- um. I - don't. Really know," she faltered.
"Aw," the teacher groaned.
Meanwhile, Sam had been making some sort of makeshift launching tool with her thumb and index finger. She had the rubber hand tied around the two fingers and was using a paper ball to aim directly at Tim.
"Sam!" She dropped the weapon in alarm.
"What are you doing? You tell me, what do you think love is?"
"Uh, me? I, well…" Sam had nothing to show for it.
Miss Yolanda sighed in frustration. Tim raised his finger.
"Yes, Tim?" At this point, the teacher would be willing to bang her head against the chalkboard if she heard Tim, or anyone, say 'the opposite of hate'.
"What is love? Love is friendship," he stated.
With her eyes wide, Sam turned her head to Tim. Her heart skipped three beats as her stomach fluttered in joy.
"Think about it, if you're not even friends with someone, how can you possibly turn that into love? It also goes the other way around; if you claim to be friends with someone, you'd probably love them. Love is the basis of friendship and friendship is the basis of love. Ergo, love is friendship. Okay, Miss Yolanda?" Tim hoped this would be a sufficient explanation.
"Thank you, Tim! You hear that, class? Love is friendship. What a delightful explanation," Miss Yolanda continued praising her pupil.
Sam's brain tuned out the teacher ever since Tim mentioned love being the basis of friendship.
Speaking of, the wannabe jock stretched back far enough to catch a glimpse of the pretty girl behind him. "Skylar's just as beautiful upside down," sighed Tim. She beamed back at him.
Neither of them noticed Sam fondly staring at Tim.
The bell rang for dismissal. As everyone filed out, Skylar accidentally dropped her Avery black binder to the floor. She sighed tiredly before squatting to pick up her things. Tim stooped down to assist, but also to take an opportunity.
"Thanks," Skylar greatly appreciated the help. She stuffed the papers back in her binder and was about to leave.
"Will you be friends with me?" He held up the red, white, and blue bracelet. Skylar eyed him curiously as she reached out.
Tim faced away but felt the bracelet being tugged from his fingers. He sheepishly smiled when the redhead accepted the gift at last.
He flipped his skateboard upright (hitting the crotch area), then gingerly walked off.
Girls' Dorm Room
Later that evening, Sam nestled her arm on the Wilson basketball, completely absorbed in what happened in English class earlier that morning. She couldn't seem to shake off what Tim had mentioned that love is friendship.
She and Tim were best friends for two years running.
Many students had taken a stab in the dark as to whether they were dating or not. (Answer: not)
They both shared tons of jokes together, enjoyed basketball, supported each other during competitions, and were popular based on their unbreakable bond.
Tonight, her heart was filled with love. Perhaps she could elevate the status of her and her best friend in the near future.
Fitzgerald Home
Meanwhile, Skylar had just finished her shower. She held the friendship bracelet while reminiscing her experience at Mali-U thus far.
For the whole afternoon, the redhead couldn't stop thinking about Tim. Everytime her brain brought up his handsome face, replayed his baritone voice, and recalled his flirtatious attitude, she smiled widely and often laughed.
Her blood would heat up slightly and surge faster throughout her body in glee.
He was much too cute for this world.
Something, something happens.
Something, something happens.
Fitzgerald Home
Ring. Ring. Ring.
It was a beautiful Sunday morning and the phone ringing was being completely ignored.
The principal snored away at ease. His mind was totally in La-La-Land.
Of course, he also dreamt of a ringing sound in the middle of a grand wedding, which made him alert.
"Huh? Oh," he threw the covers aside. Mr. Fitzgerald took a few moments to figure out why his head was on the feet side of the bed and why his feet were on the pillow wearing a sleeping mask.
"I'm upside-down," he muttered.
"Uh, hello?" he answered.
"Mr. Fitzgerald! Miss Yolanda, here. Good morning! I'm not disturbing you, am I?" greeted Miss Yolanda enthusiastically.
"Ah, Miss Yolanda. Hehe, good morning! Not at all, go ahead," The principal kicked his feet up in delight as he stretched the sleeping mask.
"Good news! Our team is ready for the competition this week! We have been practicing nonstop and we're bound to beat Riptide!"
"Eeeeeee, you're the best Yolanda!"
"Mmmmm, you too, Ricky!"
"Ohhhhh!"
"Awwww -oof!" Mr. Fitzgerald rolled over on his bed. Perhaps a little too far off the end.
"I fell!" He exclaimed.
Mali-U vs Riptide State - Day of Competition
"Next up is Mali-U!"
"Mali! Mali! Mali" the crowd cheered.
Within the mass, Tim and Skylar were standing next to each other. He was fist pumping in rhythm with the chanting.
"Mali! Mali! Mali!" he yelled. Sneakily, he grabbed the girl's forearm to, sort of, show her fist pumping, too.
Skylar warningly stared at Tim, who thankfully noticed.
"Nah," he put her arm down.
"What?!" Miss Yolanda was panicking. "They're not gonna show up?"
"I'm afraid not," Mr. Fitzgerald rubbed his forehead.
The teacher thought for a second.
"Idea!" she exclaimed. "Yes!"
"No," Sam and Tim replied together.
"Well, if you don't cooperate, then - I - you will…fail!" The principal weakly threatened.
"Mr. Fitzgerald, let's not," Miss Yolanda didn't think it was reasonable to threaten students over a minor inconvenience.
Behind the drum set, Skylar was playing around with the instrument, listening in on the dilemma.
"We don't know anything about dancing and singing. How do you expect us to perform at the same level as the other group?" Sam questioned.
"And you know these types of students. They'll never let this down," Tim pointed out.
"Correct," Sam agreed.
"Mmm-hmm, it's a bad idea," Tim added.
"Right."
"What do you mean, 'it's a bad idea', Tim? Of course it's a good idea!" Miss Yolanda wasn't having it. Her hopelessness was beginning to show.
"Nothing's gonna happen," Miss Yolanda cajoled them. "I can use the tape from the rehearsals. We'll play that and you guys can go along with the beautiful music. The only thing you'd have to do is move your mouth. Ahhhh, what do you call it, lip sync, okay?"
The entire explanation, Sam was focused on the teacher with narrow eyes of doubt.
"Huh?" Sam eyed the teacher with so many questions.
"Not happening," Tim stated.
"What you mean, not happening, Tim? Of course it's happening!" Miss Yolanda insisted.
"Mr. Fitzgerald," she lightly slapped him on the shoulder to begin the demonstration. "Oops, I did it again! I played with your heart, got lost in the game, oh baby, baby!"
Mr. Fitzgerald awkwardly moved his mouth out of sync as the teacher sang the Britney Spears song off key. She moved her hands dramatically, trying to ooze seductiveness and mystery.
"...I did it again, I -"
"Miss Yolanda, um, control yourself, please, control yourself," he motioned to the three students appearing uncomfortable with her singing and dancing.
The teacher held her breath on the final note. "Did?" She released her breath.
"No," Sam and Tim repeated simultaneously. There was absolutely no way they would perform miming in front of a large group of college students. Especially their own classmates.
Sam shuddered at the prospect.
Principal and teacher were at the brink of desperation.
"Huh, no?" Mr. Fitzgerald swapped places with Miss Yolanda. This time, he was going to persuade Tim and Sam into performing.
"Sam, you? You don't care about Mali-U?"
"I know," the teacher appeared surprised (though more of faking the surprise act).
"That's very tragic, dude," Mr. Fitzgerald said.
Between the pressure of the school administration and the chanting of "Mali! Mali! Mali!" from behind the curtains, Sam had less than ten seconds to make her final decision.
She sighed, then turned to Tim. "Come on, Tim. We do have our university's reputation at stake."
Tim groaned as he rolled his eyes.
"Mmmm?" Sam waited for an answer.
"Okay," Tim caved in.
Mr. Fitzgerald and Miss Yolanda were ecstatic! They departed to prepare the soundtrack.
Sam turned around. "Hey, Skylar. Why don't you come with us?"
"No thanks. I'm not going," she replied.
"What are you saying, Skylar?"
"Hey, hey, Sam," Tim snapped his fingers twice. His eyes roamed over Skylar. "Why are you asking her? Let's go." He placed his hand over Sam's face to turn away and leave.
Skylar smirked as she watched them. They will have one heck of a performance alright.
The curtains opened to reveal Tim and Sam standing back to back.
Tim held a guitar while Sam had drumsticks. He pulled away, causing Sam to nearly trip over.
"Oh, sorry, sorry," he apologized. From the stage, the crowd seemed bigger than he initially thought.
"Yeah!" Tim lamely punched the air.
"Go!" Sam cheered.
"Come on, everybody!" Tim knew he looked like a loser on that stage right now.
Behind the scenes, the principal and instructor were organizing the playback tapes.
"Take it from the top! Play," Miss Yolanda put her thumb up as a signal.
"What do I play? Which one?" Mr. Fitzgerald scrambled around. He panicked at the row of play buttons in front of him and just pressed a random one.
The students roared in excitement. They waved their flags, shook their banners, pumped their arms for a great -
"This land is your land. This land is my land," Woody Guthrie's voice filled the hall.
Tim and Sam froze for a second.
"Is this the song? Odd choice," Tim thought. He glanced over at Sammie, who looked equally as clueless.
She brushed off the strange song selection. Not wanting to upset Mr. Fitzgerald, Sam attempted a dance to the folk song. Unfortunately, no one has ever heard of a break dance to This Land is Your Land.
Tim attempted to lip sync but he wasn't fooling anyone, either.
Backstage, Miss Yolanda rolled her eyes in annoyance. She braced her body to not create an outburst.
On the other hand, Mr. Fitzgerald was panicking.
"Mr. Fitzgerald, what is this?"
"Miss Yolanda, I'm sorry, but the wrong tape was placed in."
"Oww," Miss Yolanda clenched her fist in frustration.
"Hey, what the hell is happening?" A female student loudly complained.
The mood had shifted from spirited and energized to complete and utter disappointment.
Next thing the two friends knew, they were being pelted with a colorful array of solid objects. Sam and Tim tried to duck and shield themselves from the incoming pelt-fest, though to no avail.
The lights suddenly shut off. The entire stage became quiet.
An electric guitar strum began playing. Tim glanced back at Sam in the dark, confused as to where the melody was coming from.
They both looked ahead as a white spotlight shone above a particular group of people. From the crowd emerged a young girl wearing a glitter Lulus lavender bandage dress. She was carrying a Yamaha electric guitar while slowly walking to the front.
"Skylar," Tim wistfully thought as he tilted his head. The girl never failed to amuse him.
Miss Yolanda felt someone tap her shoulder. She jumped upon noticing a human wearing a tangle of eighth-inch tape draped over the front.
The 'eighth-tape man' revealed himself to be none other than Mr. Fitzgerald.
She motioned for him to cut the nonsense and face the main stage.
They had their eyes laser focused on Skylar's eventual scheme.
Skylar spun around, with Tim jerking his head back.
The teacher and principal were fully tuned in.
"I've found someone," the redhead sang, displaying her friendship bracelet.
Tim smiled shyly. "I've found someone."
"I've found someone?" Sam pulled an 'I guess?' face.
Skylar's hand moved up and down the guitar neck.
Dun-dun-dun da-da-dun
The audience snapped their fingers to the rhythm.
Do-do-do do-do-do
She repeated the same tune.
Dun-dun-dun da-da-dun
Tim and Sam snapped enthusiastically.
Do-do-do do-do-do
"AAAAHHH!" the crowd screamed in excitement.
"What has happened to me?" Tim kicked off the first verse, shimmying his shoulders while belting out on the electric guitar. "Why do I feel lost? Was I crazy before? Or have I gone crazy now?"
Sam and Skylar led the dancing group. "Your eyes are befuddled and hair is tousled. What have you done to yourself?" They dramatically placed the back of their hands on their foreheads.
"I've found someone," Tim danced.
"I've found someone," the crowd repeated.
"I've lost my heart," Tim sang.
"I've lost my heart," the audience sang along.
"What should I tell you, my friends?" Tim nodded his head.
"What should I tell you, my friends?"
"I'm totally shaken."
"I'm totally shaken."
"I've found someone."
"Found someone…found someone."
"Hey, found someone…found someone."
Unable to resist, Miss Yolanda joined in on the fun.
Sister Edith had to hold back on the principal from pouncing on the teacher.
On stage, Miss Yolanda kicked her legs, shimmied her shoulders, and for the cherry on top, twirled her jacket in the air. The guys were honed in on the cute teacher displaying her bad girl side.
Sister Edith gave up and simply facepalmed when Mr. Fitzgerald bolted to the front.
The jock, the principal, and a group of boys closely followed behind as they walked on bent knees.
"Doooo-do-doooo," they innocently sang.
Miss Yolanda flipped her hair and pretended to be shocked at seeing who was following her.
"Doooo-do-doooo."
Tim pushed Mr. Fitzgerald towards his crush. As if on cue, the duo proceeded to briefly ballroom dance on the stage as the students cheered the couple.
As the faculty and staff enjoyed the competition, the new girl found her way back to the jock. They were smiling and dancing; Skylar raised her arms in joy as bubbles were floating around. Tim, oh Tim, was beyond thrilled at the success of Mali-U's outcome. This college was no longer going to be the front page embarrassment for the entirety of America. They won by a landslide. By a last minute replacement!
The biggest flex an institution could brag about in their list of achievements.
If he wasn't in the middle of a dance floor at the very moment, he would've shown her intense gratitude for saving Mali-U's reputation.
Instead, he carefully gathered her into a cuddle. His strong biceps wrapped around the dips of her waist, almost in a protective stance. In their little bubble, no one else existed. Even if there was an outsider peering in, they had no power to separate the bond. She was all his mind could ever think of. Through the bandage dress, he squeezed her butt cheek affectionately, earning him a firm smack on the shoulder for being naughty.
Sam watched from a distance at Skylar and Tim cuddling each other. He carried her in his arms and spun around. Their foreheads touched endearingly as they smiled, showing off to the school their adoration for each other.
The other redhead escaped the festivities early; she couldn't bear the betrayal.
Girls' Dorm Room
Leaning against the board, Sam wiped away her tears. She hoped no one else would be coming in to catch her crying.
"Samantha, darling, what's wrong?" Sister Edith knelt next to the girl.
"It's Tim," Sam replied.
"You've fallen for him, huh?"
Sam nodded.
"Did you see him starting to like someone else?"
"I did. With the new girl, Skylar."
Sister Edith nodded in understanding. Many girls within the dorm often gossiped about the principal's daughter.
"Don't cry. I'm sure he doesn't exactly love her right away. They just met recently, right?"
"Yes."
"Honestly, I think Tim is simply glad to meet someone new and sees Skylar as a potential friend like you," Sister Edith wiped Sam's cheeks.
"You think?"
"I know."
Sam cuddled in the nun's chest as the woman stroked her hair.
Track Practice
Tim pumped his arms as he raced to the finish line. His tan skin was tinted red from the oxygen and blood circulating throughout his body.
"Yes, Tim! 11:08, great timing guys!" Sam cheered as she saw her friend cross the finish line.
Skylar ambled in wearing a short blue Lulus velvet dress that revealed little to the imagination and had thin shoulder straps with a v-neck.
"What's she doing here?" Sam thought bitterly. Her positive mood immediately vanished when she caught sight of the man stealer.
"Hi," Skylar greeted.
"Hey," Sam replied dismally. A strong urge to curse her out and demand an apology surged through Sam's body. She had to clench her hands into fists to control herself.
A cheerleader gasped. "Hey! Look at her!" They giggled upon seeing Skylar.
"I see you've come to support Tim."
"No shit," Sam wanted to say.
"Um, yeah. He's my best friend!" She said loudly.
"Best friend," Sam repeated softly.
Tim stretched his legs out and, being surrounded by cheerleaders, he ruffled his hair to show off.
It was obvious as to who he was trying to impress.
"Oh, um," Sam grabbed a bottle of Smartwater from the cooler. "Tim, water? Tim, Tim! Water? Tim, water?"
In true male fashion, he enjoyed seeing a pretty girl wearing a short dress with the wind blowing.
And in true Skylar fashion, she had to keep her legs painfully crossed to avoid displaying her goodies.
"She could've worn her birthday suit and it still wouldn't have made a difference," Sam's tongue was itching to tell her what's in her mind.
"You love Tim, don't you?"
Her question threw Sam completely off course. She stared at the girl, trying to come up with a witty response.
To Sam's horror, Tim sat down in front of them.
"Hey, Sam, Skylar," he grabbed a towel to wipe off the perspiration.
"So, did you watch me?"
"You were great!" Skylar gave the approval.
Sam noticed how often Tim now had his attention on the other girl than herself.
"Unfortunately, I have to be elsewhere. Sorry I couldn't stay long," Tim apologized.
"Oh yeah. Every Tuesday, Tim offers prayers at church," Sam explained.
"Indeed," he agreed.
"I was curious-" Tim began asking Skylar.
"No, Tim, you're gonna be late!" Sam tried to push him ahead.
"Yeah, but -"
"No, you need to go. Go! Now! Go!" Sam insisted.
Tim finally obeyed, but not without looking back and winking at Skylar. He pushed his sunglasses back up when the girl smiled and blushed.
Church
Skylar lit a candle then kneeled down in front of Jesus Christ. She began her prayers.
A familiar voice was muttering his prayers out loud.
Skylar opened her eyes to see no one other than Tim.
She looked at him curiously, wondering what he was doing here.
Tim felt someone watching him, and he glanced at his left.
"Hi."
"Oh, uh, hey," he scratched his head.
They both giggled.
Pause.
Looked at each other and giggled again.
Pause.
Looked at each other and giggled again.
"Knock off the hehehe and keep your eyes straight," Tim playfully snapped.
Skylar closed her eyes again before Tim clumsily crawled to the exit when she wasn't looking.
Of course, she wasn't deaf.
"Tim, hey!" She chased after him outside of the building.
"It was funny seeing you here," she crossed her arms. "So, you offer your prayers here, then," Skylar pointed back at the church.
"Erm, sure. Well, I, even there -" Tim pointed across the street. "Even here," he pointed at the building where they stood in front of.
"Alright, then. Timothy Scam comes to this particular church every Tuesday and Monday," she poked him in the shoulder.
"Aw, shit," he cursed.
"How sweet."
Tim nervously laughed.
"Why'd you lie to me on campus, then?"
"No, it's just, mostly women attend this church-"
"But, you still visit here."
"Heh, yeah."
"How sweet!"
"Listen, please don't call me 'sweet'," Tim was beginning to feel embarrassed. He remembered something vital before she left.
"Actually, my dad told me a piece of advice when he was in college -"
"About this?" Skylar interjected as she pointed to the worship building.
"No, no. Um, he would, uh, tell me that man will bow down to three people in his lifetime: first, his own mother, second, in front of Christ, and -" Tim couldn't continue; he was much too shy to admit it.
"And?" Skylar stared at him for an answer.
"And," Tim shrugged his shoulders to ease the butterflies in his stomach. He couldn't stop smiling and simply walked off, leaving the question hanging in the air.
Skylar laughed at the boy's silliness.
Girls' Dorm
Sam reached into a basket that was placed in front of the mirror. A long gold earring decorated with pear shaped white diamonds caught her eye. Ensuring no other girl was lurking around, Sam slyly faced the mirror and attempted to wear the piece of jewelry.
"Wear it then!" A familiar voice yelled out of the blue. Sister Edith startled Sam, who nearly dropped the earring.
"Oh, what's that you keep telling me? I wanna look cool!"
"I just wanted to try this; don't know how to put it on, though," Sam fumbled with the backing of the earring.
"Don't worry. I've seen girls in here who don't know how to wear them, either," Sister Edith reassured the redhead.
Sam reluctantly 'hmm'-ed in agreement.
"I got a letter for you. From your mother, in fact." Sam accepted the envelope.
"And, I got something for you," the nun placed a plastic wrapped item in the girl's hands.
"What is it?"
"Present," the nun smiled.
"Awww," Sam hugged Sister Edith as she laughed.
Fitzgerald Home - Skylar's Room
Skylar gazed into space in a red silk robe with her feet propped up. She still had Tim's friendship bracelet on, as the material was amazingly waterproof.
"How convenient," he thought.
A pair of ladder end rails jutted out from the outside window stool.
The girl on the bed was completely oblivious to the piece of construction equipment appearing from her open aperture.
A man's face popped up as he searched within the confinements of the bedroom. The back view of the bed occupant was especially appealing.
He slicked his hair back and tried to hold back the laugh that would ruin the entire surprise.
"Hey," he finally whispered noisily.
Skylar didn't budge.
"Pssst," he whispered louder while also shaking the ladder ends to grab her attention.
She turned to the commotion.
"Yesss."
"Skylar!"
"Huh?" She immediately stood to face the person calling her.
"Tim?"
"Heyyyy." he opened his arms.
"Tim, you? You're here?"
"Actually, I couldn't really sleep, and I figured that you were probably not sleeping, either, and so whatever was on your mind, you would go ahead and tell me, and that's why I'm here at your bedroom window," he quickly explained.
"Huh?"
"Do you like flowers or chocolates?"
"What?"
"Mmm, no. I'm not messing around, I seriously want to know."
Skylar grinned at his chivalry. She's never met a boy with such feelings before in her life; even back at Harvard, with all those high standards and morals.
She giggled and so did he.
"Just kidding." Tim turned his head to reach behind into his jacket.
A yellow rose was presented to Skylar.
"Thank you," she graciously accepted the gift.
"And, I also got some chocolates," Tim held up two little Ferrero Rocher balls.
Skylar laughed.
"Is it me, or do you feel kinda warm out here, although I'm okay with it cause I'm cooool," Tim held up his silver chain necklace that had the word 'COOL' dangling.
"He's so cute," Skylar gushed.
"Come in," Skylar motioned with her hand.
"It is getting late and if you do so insist," Tim leapt over and landed on the bedroom floor.
"May I?" He pointed at the bed.
"Yeah of course," Skylar gave her permission.
"Thank you," he grunted, launching himself directly on the furniture. Skylar was taken aback by how much (little) space was leftover.
Tim gently rattled the bed and patted the duvet. "Nice bed," he complimented, taking in the pink blankets and pillows.
He noticed Skylar still ambling in the corner. "Ah, why are you standing? Come here, come, come," he patted the space next to him. She obeyed and sat. "Thanks."
With the yellow rose in her hand, Skylar opened 12 Women Detective Stories by Laura Marcus. Tim gasped as he noticed the art cover of the book. "Isn't this the tale of a husband and wife being murdered and the killer turned out to be the lawyer?"
He squinted at the text to be sure. "Yep, it is."
"Thanks!" Skylar tossed the book onto the bed.
"This is probably the thickest book I've ever read. You could've asked me," Tim picked up the novel. "Indeed, this is the same one. Could I read it?"
"Okay, Tim -"
"Very interesting, hm?"
"You never finished the story."
"No, no. It's not that complex. You see, the husband and wife went out and hired a lawyer but he was secretly a psychopath -"
"Not this story!" Skylar snatched the novel and slammed it onto the bed.
"Then what story?"
"The church story."
"Ch-church? What church? I don't know of any churches."
"Yeah?" "Yeah."
"Right." "Right."
They both laughed for different reasons; Skylar : agitated :: Tim : beating round the bush.
"That story, the one where you said a man bows in front of three people in his life."
Tim opened a hazelnut chocolate and munched on the candy as a distraction. Meanwhile, Skylar held the flower like a pen, illustrating the points of the story Tim had intended to narrate but never finished.
"First he bowed down to his own mother."
"Mmhmm."
"Then he bowed down to Christ."
"Really?" At this point, Tim was regretting visiting Skylar; he had underestimated her memory.
He unwrapped another candy and took a bite.
"And then?" Skylar nudged.
"And?" Tim asked.
"And?"
"Aaaand?"
Skylar was running out of patience. "Tim."
"Skylar."
"Tim."
"Oh, Skylar!"
"Mmm-mmm," Tim shook his head and pointed to the door.
"Father?!" Oh boy.
Tim nodded, his mouth full of hazelnut.
"Fool," he snickered.
"Shut up!" Skylar yelled, recalling the insult Tim had used for the principal on their initial meeting prior to finding out the relation between her and the school headmaster.
"Tim, Father is here," Skylar peered over his shoulder to make sure the doorknob wouldn't be turning.
"Congratulations!"
"Shut up, Tim!" Skylar scolded again. Poor girl was panicking about how she would explain a boy in her room at such a late hour.
Not to mention, the very same boy who didn't have a great reputation with the staff at Mali-U.
"Tim, you go there."
"If you say," he barely moved an inch.
"No, actually, go there," Skylar faced him to the bathroom. "Ugh, no, that's not smart."
Tim attempted to cool her mind. Instead, she was prattling on and on. "Tim, your voice can't be heard, please, not now. Father might hear you and I can't be in trouble and -"
"Shhh! Skylar!" Tim lowered his head in a bowing motion.
Seeing his gesture, Skylar's mind clicked as to what Tim had been trying to say back at the church.
"Tim."
"And."
He stared into her jade eyes, knowing full well the girl comprehended the implication.
Tim winked.
Skylar kept her eyes glued to him.
A man bowed in front of three people in his lifetime: his mother, Christ,
"And the woman he loves," Skylar concluded.
"Oh whoooaaaooo!" exclaimed Mr. Fitzgerald with Tim dangerously close behind him. The principal spotted the ladder propped against the home.
Tim knelt to the ground as the man searched left and right for the perpetrator.
While the principal awkwardly waddled to the ladder, Tim remained behind the man like a shadow.
"Shh, shh," Tim patted his behind.
"What is it?" The principal questioned, staring up at what would be Skylar's bedroom window.
"Flashlight."
"Toss it." Mr. Fitzgerald caught the device. "Good!"
When the old man wasn't looking, Tim bolted past the bushes.
The principal was utterly confused. He craned his neck to find the mysterious person. "Huh? Who gave me this?"
Scared, he pulled the collar of his robe over his head.
"It's probably a spirit. If he comes back again, he can't hurt me."
Mr. Fitzgerald managed to get on the first rung of the ladder. While attempting to step up one more, his right foot kept cycling in circles.
"Hey, why am I not on the ladder?" The principal could barely see anything over his makeshift hood.
Another somebody was holding a wildflower and wearing pink pajamas. She was singing a tune and strolled right past the Fitzgerald home.
The principal's foot finally landed on the rung and his left leg climbed up one more step, but his right kept cycling in the air.
"Where's the ladder?" he called out.
The woman turned back and gasped at the sight of the man with a robe pulled over his head and climbing up to the second story of his home. Not to mention, she recognized the voice.
"Oh, oh, ha!" his right leg finally found the solid metal.
"FITZGERALD!" Miss Yolanda yelled as she smacked his buttock with the plant.
The principal yelped in pain. He tugged down the robe in shame, as his wide butt had been protruding the whole time.
"Why are you sneaking into your own house like a thief?" she demanded.
"Hehehehe," the principal replied.
"What 'hehehehe'?" the teacher mocked.
Tim raced to the stairs, nearly tripping and tumbling over them since he kept repeatedly glancing over his shoulder.
"Owf!" He accidentally ran into a person dressed in all white pajamas.
"Ow!" She rubbed her bottom.
"Tim, what are you doing here?" Sam asked.
"I actually wanted to meet with you, Sam," Tim moved himself next to his friend.
"Why me?"
"Because I-" Tim glanced up at the night sky. He was distracted by a sudden movement.
With wide eyes, he noticed the blur of flame. "Hey, Sam, look! A shooting star."
"Where?"
"Not down here," Tim slapped her shoulder. "Up there."
Sam gaped at the beautiful sight.
"You know, they say that if you wish upon a shooting star, it becomes true."
Sam pulled a face. "You believe that?"
Tim looked away for a second, then raised his brows. "Let's try it," he challenged.
"Close your eyes," he placed a hand to cover their vision.
In her room, Skylar faced the open window, feeling the breeze over her face, and wished in her own dream while holding Tim's flower.
Tim moved his hand away, and they both opened their eyes.
Skylar opened her eyes, too.
Three stars, formed in a triangle pattern, radiated brighter than the others.
In their dream, Skylar stood on a rock in a vast field of lush green grass. The wind was howling, creating goosebumps on her arms.
Tim was perched on his own large stone with his arms stretched out.
Sam situated herself not too far away from Tim. She enjoyed the oncoming gales flowing onto her cheeks.
"Aaaaaa-aaaaaa-aaaa," Skylar crooned.
Her sky blue dress blew back, revealing the outline of her shapely legs. Tim galloped happily over to his love.
Skylar graciously embraced the man. She hugged him tighter and shivered as the frigid wind caught the hem of her skirt and the chiffon fabric ballooned and swelled out.
Smirking, Tim observed the billowing material but his eyes soon widened in panic when the hem brushed over the two of them.
"Sorry," Skylar choked out as she peeled herself away from Tim. Since he had large hands and greater strength, he had the better ability to fight with the air current and his girl's outfit.
When he uncovered her face, Tim panted in excitement. His heart rate zoomed to a thousand beats per minute, his blood flow soon became floods coursing through his veins (especially in a particular area), and his pits felt damp. Staring into her pupils, he realized how enlarged the dark circles had become. If humanly possible, Tim would dive into the pits of Skylar's eyes and remain there for an eternity.
No amount of advanced mathematics could ever calculate the captivating beauty of this girl. Her chiffon skirt surrounded her from the back, resembling an angel halo. Tim brushed her stray hairs aside, gaze still glued to hers. He had his other hand on her rear, providing a safety barrier. Despite standing for the past several moments, they both heaved as if they had run a marathon. They broke off eye contact, tilted their heads slightly, and parted their lips. The second their kiss began, the dress edge smothered their faces, concealing their love from the outside world. Skylar and Tim were the only two worlds within the galaxy to have collided with each other.
He gently arched her backwards, hand sliding down the flimsy attire. Their tongues met next, wrapping each other into their own embrace.
The dream shifted to Skylar running then pausing next to an ancient stone building to catch her breath. A romantic melody sounded from afar, soon she heard a male voice.
"You came close," he sang in her ear.
Skylar glanced around for the person.
"And smiled in a way." This line had Skylar shyly covering her face.
"You came close, and smiled in a way," Tim swayed his body onto the grass.
"You don't even know what dreams you showed me," he hid behind his arm, peeking up again to find her laying next to him.
"Now my heart is neither awake nor asleep. What do I do? Something is happening," Tim wrapped his arm around Skylar's shoulder blades.
Sam plopped beside Tim. "You came close, and smiled in a way. You don't even know what dreams you showed me." He faced the redhead and placed his palm to close her eyelids.
"Now my heart is neither awake nor asleep. What do I do? Something is happening." Sam opened her eyes and found herself alone.
"I don't know what this feeling is; it's never quenched, what thirst is this?" Tim slicked back his brown hair, widely grinning in pure bliss.
"What intoxication of love has spread on me?" Skylar twirled in a circle.
"No one seems to know why peace is being lost." Tim caught the girl mid-spin. He lifted her back upright again.
"What do I do? Something is happening," Skylar nestled in his arms.
"What do I do? Something is happening," Sam fell back on the grass, unable to conceal the surge of serotonin flooding her brain.
"Heyyyyaaaayyyy."
"Hmmm-mmmm."
"Aaaa aaa aaaa. Aaaaaaa." Sam leaned back against the monument as Tim leaned over through the opening, gazing at his friend.
Meanwhile, somewhere nearby, Skylar was spinning around in glee.
Similar to the trio of the nighttime stars, Tim, Sam, and Skylar laid on the greenery in a triangle formation, heads touching each other.
"What colors have my prayers brought?" Sam perched herself at the end of a multitude of twinkling candles lighting the dim space of the ancient structure. "I don't know how this love happened."
"Peace, even in restlessness. I don't know how it has started to come," Skylar leaned against the pillar.
"My heart in loneliness is collecting memories. What do I do? Something is happening," Tim winked.
"What do I do? Something is happening," Skylar arched herself back from the pillar.
"You came close and smiled in a way," Sam craned her head back and felt Tim's head reciprocate.
"You don't even know what dreams you showed me."
"Now my heart is neither awake nor asleep," Skylar lifted her scarf in the air.
"What do I do? Something is happening." She lowered the scarf when Tim nuzzled against her ear.
"Something is happening," Sam sighed dreamily.
Mali-U - Courtyard
It was a beautiful partially cloudy day of about 70 degrees with 30 percent humidity.
Skylar and Tim were having their little moment together. She held a thick novel while reading standing up while he pretended have nothing else better to do.
Tim grunted as he pulled himself closer to the pylon of the lecture hall. "Good morning, Mrs. Debra," he greeted a fellow instructor exiting the building.
"Good morning," she replied.
"Tim!" Skylar scolded when he plonked his face in the middle of the book. She glared at him.
"Hi." Like a dog, he simply wanted attention. Skylar sheepishly grinned.
The book caught Tim's attention again. He jerked his face towards the pages. "Lawyer's the murderer, lawyer's the murderer," he kept repeating as she moved the novel away.
SMACK! went the book on his head when it neared her thigh.
"Ow!" He did deserve the hit, though. They giggled at their childish behavior.
From the cluster of students on the stairs, one of them spotted someone in particular.
"Hey, look!" she called out.
Many of them glanced over at where she was pointing.
On the trail, Sam was power walking towards her friends. However, they weren't staring at Sam for just kicks and giggles.
Tim and Skylar noticed the bright colored short sleeved blazer and orange button up shirt with matching short skirt. The outfit not only clashed together, but also made her stick out like a sore thumb.
"Oh God, what is she wearing?" complained the same girl.
With shaking hands, Sam tugged the sides of the blazer tighter to appear more put together. She tripped slightly but kept her eyes forward.
"Hi, guys," she greeted them.
"Ah, ow," Tim replied.
"So, how do I look? Hm?" Sam asked as she waited for a comment.
Tim pursed his lips to hold down the laughter. Skylar simply stared at the girl in bewilderment. "Sam usually dresses a lot better," she mentally reflected.
"Just like Skylar, right?" She indicated the cream trench coat and mauve knee length dress Skylar was wearing.
Students didn't hide their comments as most of them talked loudly of Sam's attire.
"See?" Sam tried to persuade them further.
Tim and Skylar glanced at each other. Her lips wobbled as the giggles attempted to free themselves. He shoved his hands to the maximum depths of his Levi jean pockets while scrunching his shoulders.
"She's on crack!" someone yelled.
"Tell me," Sam urged, ignoring the rude comment.
"Ah-hahahah!" their classmates jeered. A male student nearby pointed and laughed.
Tim couldn't hold it in anymore; his cheeks puffed as the laughter escaped. Skylar chuckled, but only because of the peer pressure. She attempted to hide her smile behind the book.
Sam's heart sank at the outcome. She was hoping for a compliment, a thumbs up, an encouraging remark, but instead was met with utter humiliation not just from the student body, also her own friends.
Still, Sam also put on a smile to match everyone else's mood, albeit it was becoming obvious as to why she was being the current laughing stock.
Despite being the last person to laugh, Skylar was the first one to notice the change in Sam's behavior.
"Shut up, Tim," she scolded with another smack of her book against his shoulder.
"Hahahaha, I-I'm sorry," Tim banged the stone pillar. He was clearly having a great time.
Sam's smile faltered. "Yeah, I am the laughing stock." She slowly turned away.
"Stop it, Tim," Skylar scolded again.
Tim continued on with his hyena laugh.
"She-she's…funny," he stuttered between giggle fits.
Skylar smacked him again. "Shut up, Tim." She silently prayed Sam wouldn't cry on the spot. The girl tried her best to appear more put together than usual; she didn't deserve the taunting.
Eventually, Sam trotted away from the crowd.
"Oh-hohoho," Tim chortled. Skylar glared at him again then followed Sam.
Weeping, Sam tossed the bright pink bag onto the bench; she never felt so embarrassed her entire life.
The effort of putting the outfit together last night, waking up earlier to put on some makeup with help from Sister Edith, all of that swirled down the drain.
"It wasn't worth it," she sadly pondered.
While wiping her eyes, Sam didn't notice the girl who had tagged along.
"Oh, it's you," when recognizing Skylar.
Skylar pointed to Sam's left eye. "Here?" she asked, wiping away the messed up kohl.
"Still there?" Sam brushed her finger one more time.
"Hm," Skylar hummed in confirmation when the black makeup disappeared.
Sam laughed when she realized something. "I'm a crazy person, right? I just- wanted to look as pretty as you," she admitted. "But, I guess I don't have that quality."
"You are beautiful, Sam," Skylar assured. "Very beautiful."
"You're lying," Sam insisted. "Why were they laughing then?" She pointed back at the campus.
"Cause they -" Skylar was about to explain.
"Because they're idiots," when Tim's voice interjected.
Sam glanced at him in surprise. He had been the one to laugh the loudest and the hardest.
"Actually, you are very pretty," he confessed. "Because you are the prettiest girl out of all of them."
"At least, more than the stupid girls that chase after me," he joked. This one made Sam genuinely giggle, as it was their inside joke.
"You know, if you so desire, you'll be able to get any man you want."
"Anyone?" Sam repeated.
"Anyone," Tim emphasized with a little nose boop.
"Anyone?" Sam repeated again.
"Anyone. But, his eyesight has to be bad," Tim crossed his eyes.
Sam smiled again as she punched him. "Stupid."
Tim gathered her into a hug. "Okay, now tell me. From where did you get this lipstick?" To be honest, Tim didn't favor the color on his Sammie, it looked preposterous.
"You know that one girl in class, Amelia? She let me borrow it. I'm gonna beat her a** tomorrow…"
Throughout their conversation, Skylar was happy for Sam that she felt more cheerful. The girl was a beautiful human being, no doubt about it.
For some reason, Skylar reached out to Sam, but seeing them two playfully quarrel, she retracted to avoid ruining the moment.
She made her way back to Mali-U, only to be halted by Tim. He had a grasp on her wrist as the other arm was still wrapped around Sam.
Skylar never protested.
Fitzgerald Home
"Love is crazy, and full of fun. Every happiness is every sorrow and changes a man," Mr. Fitzgerald sang as he played the melody on their grand piano. He adoringly peeked over at Skylar sitting next to him, who playfully nudged her father.
"Father," she complained.
"Tim," he replied, pinching her cheek. The sudden mention of the jock's name surprised Skylar.
"Father?" she glanced at him.
"What Father?" he mocked.
He played a random arpeggio. "You can't completely hide secrets from me. But, Tim? You couldn't like anyone else?" Mr. Fitzgerald scrutinized his daughter over the top of his glasses.
Skylar had a feeling this question would arise. Regardless of what Tim said, the principal wasn't completely stupid.
"Come on, Father," she looked at a distance.
"Although, if the boy had been anyone else other than Tim, I probably wouldn't have given him much thought."
"Why?"
"Because you've never fallen in love this much before; he certainly seems to be the right one for you."
Touched by his words, Skylar stood up and gave her dad a hug from behind. "I love you, Father."
The man sighed. "You see, that's the problem. I love you, too." She laughed.
"You are listening to what your heart is saying, hm?"
Skylar momentarily remained silent. She had been wanting to say something for the past several weeks, but never mustered up the courage to do so.
"I often feel that Sam is attracted Tim-"
"Skylar," her father sternly interrupted. "I know very well that Tim loves you a lot. And Sam is his very best friend. That's it." He continued fiddling with the piano.
Skylar grinned; she can't completely blame her father because he doesn't hang around them to understand the point.
"No, dad. Behind the friendship, somewhere in there, love is hidden."
Mr. Fitzgerald shook his head behind his daughter's back.
"And I'm worried that with me coming into the picture, I'm about to change their relationship."
Once again, Mr. Fitzgerald placed his firm belief. "The entire campus knows that Tim and Sam are strictly best friends. Nothing more."
Mr. Fitzgerald, still singing that song of Tim and Sam not having a more elevated bond than 'just friends'. Hmmm, we shall see.
Yes, this was one heck of a long chapter, but the next one will be shorter, don't worry. I'm sorry for the length, it's just a huge flashback.
I've said it at the top, but let me reiterate. Thanks for reading! Please leave a review, whatever it may be. I appreciate the feedback!
I'll see you guys next time!
Best,
Precila.