Before I begin, I want to thank everyone for all the positive feedback I've gotten so far. I'm excited to start this new story! This does not, however, mean that I'm going to put any other stories on the "back burner". I write at a different pace, depending on how I feel about each story at the time. Let me say now that Little Blue Book is going to get just as much attention as it was before, if not more. Those who expressed concern about me "disappearing" are certainly much loved. Don't worry, I've not died! I'm very much fine, but I just came out of finals; just finished my first year of university, I've just turned eighteen, and I've had a lot of stress and worry over school work and exams.
For those who have been asking, Claire's music (in this story, at least) sounds a lot like Metric, meets the 'Aphrodite' album by Kylie Minogue, meets The Clash at Demonhead from 'Scott Pilgrim'. It's a little bit electro and a little bit pop, with just a hint of rock. Her songs have a lot of heavy beats, great vocals, and a feel good vibe. I definitely recommend you give both artists a listen, because it will help you get a feel for the story.
This story, like all my stories, has a cast, but I've been too lazy to post it on my profile. It will be posted before the next chapter, so if you're at all interested in seeing what these characters look like in my crazy little head, then that's worth a peek.
xoxo, Cheryl.
one serendipity
Massie Block stood in the main hall of Octavian Day School, a cardboard box perched on her hip. It overflowed with binders and photos from her locker – items that she'd removed in preparation for the summer. Massie ignored the deafening hum of noise around her, and the crush of students, and kept her eyes focused on the inside of her barren locker.
I'm going to savour this moment, she told herself. Sophomore year is over. Summer has begun.
She closed her hand around the last item; the final piece of 'her' that had marked this metal box as her territory; and clutched it tightly in her hands. Even as she spared it a cursory glance, she felt overcome with nostalgia.
It was a photograph, tattered and worn around the edges and awash with garish, bright colors. A younger Massie smiled brightly from beneath the glossy finish, her green sweater the color of Essie Candy Apple nail polish. Young Massie had her arm slung around her best friend, Alicia; light and dark, night and day. Alicia pouted lovingly for the camera, her hands on her hips, her shorts a little too short for a girl so young.
It had been taken only a few summers ago, during the best summer of Massie's young life.
That summer, like every other summer, had been spent in shopping malls and beaches; in lavish Beverly Hills homes where teens had gotten drunk and loud and rowdy to the beat of muggy, Top Forty hip-hop music. The only thing that differentiated those few months from any other was Derrick. They'd bumped into each other – literally – on the pier. Massie had gazed up at him, and met his deep chocolate eyes, and barely been able to whisper her apologies. She'd fallen in love on first sight.
Of course, this year would be different than its predecessors, Massie thought sadly. She dropped the Polaroid into the box with a sigh. Alicia had won a prestigious journalism internship in New York and wouldn't return to L.A. until September. It was Alicia's belief that such an opportunity was just was she needed to launch her career. Massie, not knowing any better, agreed.
Derrick was chasing his dreams, too. He'd taken a summer job at his father's law firm, hoping that it would help him get into Yale. Massie was proud, and made every effort to be supportive, but the sudden abandonment she faced by both her best friend and her boyfriend sucked. She was the loser. The days of summer stretched out before her, long and unfulfilled.
"Let's bid the year a fond farewell with a hot new track from Claire Lyons!"
Massie glanced upwards, towards one of several speakers lining the rich navy walls – part of an intricate new P.A. system which had been installed early in the semester. It wasn't the shiny new technology that had caught her attention, but the voice that chirped brightly from it.
That's definitely not Alicia.
Did Alicia say something about missing announcements this afternoon? Massie wracked her brain, but couldn't remember any mention of Alicia being absent for the afternoon announcements. She pulled the lid of her bright pink box from its resting place inside an otherwise empty locker and placed it neatly atop her belongings.
With a single step back, Massie slipped into a crowd of girls headed for the grand entrance, and let their momentum push her forward. Her eyes fell as she pulled her Blackberry from the pocket of her Textile jeans and sent Alicia a text.
what's with dj s'berry?
Alicia's reply came just as Massie reached the overfull car park. She risked a glance at her phone, pausing long enough for those behind her to become impatient.
something came up, talk soon. xoxo.
"What the fuck?" Massie hissed under her breath as she read the tiny, pixelated font. It wasn't like Alicia to be so vague. Massie let the crowd push her forward again, and began to draft a response. As soon as it was finished, she felt guilty for prying and deleted it. Obviously, Alicia wanted some privacy, and Massie wanted to respect her best friend's wishes.
There was still the question of what to do with her afternoon, Massie reflected, trekking across the car park. She came to a stop beside her Range Rover and began to fish through the black whole of her unstructured Mulberry hobo, searching for her eternally elusive keys.
Would Derrick be busy? she wondered. The private, all-boys school he attended – Briarwood - was only a few blocks away. The schools were considered to be brother and sister schools, but were run under different systems. On any other day, Briarwood would let out before Octavian; today, Massie had finished an hour early.
She thought about Derrick's chocolate brown eyes and bright, white smile. How long had it been since they'd spent the afternoon together, just the two of them, cuddling on his couch and watching lame boy movies? Or meeting at their favourite Japanese place for salmon rolls, green tea, and sweet teriyaki? Too long, Massie decided, unlocking her car.
"Hey, D," Massie sighed, holding her phone to her ear with her left hand. With the other, she flipped the indicator and changed lanes deftly, preparing to turn in to Briarwood's main car park. "I tried calling you before. Obviously, you have your phone off... Um, okay. Call me when you get this. Love you."
She threw her phone to the side. It landed on the passenger seat, its screen still brightly illuminated.
Visitor's Car Park, read a nearby sign. An arrow was painted on it, indicating that Massie should turn left. She did so slowly and let the Range Rover creep along, her amber eyes seeking out a vacant space to park. Claire Lyons' voice warbled an infectious pop tune from the radio, and Massie sang along under her breath.
"Da-da-da, da-dum - " she hummed. "Oh! Free space!"
She pulled into the space and turned the engine off. As she did so, she realised that the space she'd chosen was at the absolute end of the car park and a good distance from the front building.
Should I just find another one? Massie wondered. She glanced up, intending to calculate the distance between her current location and the main building where Derrick would, presumably, be located. The black suede Steve Madden wedges she wore were adorable, but vastly impractical, and not designed for walking great distances.
As soon as Massie looked up, she saw Derrick's face staring back at her. His eyes were wide with surprise and – was that panic? Massie lifted her hand to wave at him and pressed her fingers to her palm lamely, her smile faltering. He looks shocked to see me. I shouldn't have come. I look clingy.
Derrick's car door flew open and he dove from the Hummer's driver seat, just as Massie noticed that the passenger seat was occupied.
Alicia's eyes were wide with surprise. She lifted her hand to return Massie's wave.
As usual, all questions are welcomed!