Disclaimer: See Chapter 1, please don't flame. Becka and Brad are my own creations and belong to me.
Chapter 3: Shut up, Brad!
Sarah studied him for a moment. Chewing on her bottom lip, she considered for a moment, then said, "I can agree with this but I have two conditions of my own. First, I want have no regrets. Second, I don't want to spend all my time Underground. I have family and college to attend to. I can't mess that up. But I'm up for occasional trips, though. I still don't quite trust you."
Jareth smiled. "Agreed." He pulled her into his arms, "How about something to seal the deal?" he purred softly, claiming her lips with his.
o0o0o0o0o
Sarah woke the next morning not remembering her dreams, that was until she looked herself in her vanity mirror. The kiss. He had kissed her.
Opening one of the vanity's drawers, she wanted to write down what had happened. Then it hit her. He had her journal. He had read her journal. He knew her most private thoughts. He knew!
'Why did I give him so much ammunition?' she groaned.
Plopping into the chair, hiding her face in her hands, she really didn't have a choice. He would've done terrible things to Becka and her friends. Although she had been innocent this time, he would've found some way to have included her in the punishment.
Then she remember the deal. Looking up into the mirror, she remembered what he had said. He had re-brokered the deal. He wanted to teach her about the Labyrinth. He had offered her her dreams.
"SAWAH!" came the cry of a four year voice outside her door. "MOMMIE SAYS YOU GET UP!"
o0o0o0o0o
Sarah entered the kitchen area to see Karen placing a bowl of cereal in front of her four year old half brother.
"'Morning Sarah," Karen said. "I have to run some errands. Do you have anything planned? I'm dropping Toby off at his daycare, and run over to the college for a meeting."
Helping herself to a muffin and some juice, Sarah sat down by Toby. "I would like to go to the Booksellers and get a new journal. I need a new one."
Since 'that' night, Sarah and Karen had formed sort of a truce that turned into friendship. Not quite a mother-daughter one, more like close friends. Sarah started to take an interest in her baby brother and was more willing to baby sit.
"Oh and Becka called," Karen started to say but caught Sarah's grimace. "I don't know what happened at the slumber party the other night, but really Sarah, you two have been best friends for over two years now."
Sarah snorted, "Karen, Becka betrayed my trust for the last time. She always thinks she knows best. I'm tired of it."
"Really Sarah. She sounded very sorry and tired."
"I bet."
o0o0o0o0o
Becka yawned for the upteenth time as she said in the park with Brad and a couple of other girls. The girls were yawning too. They all started to complain about the nightmare they had.
"I think the worse was the awful smell," one said. "It was like a cross between a porta john and a backed up toilet."
"Yeap. Wait! You had it too?"
"Yea and all these funny ugly creatures running around scaring me."
Becka grimaced. "Sounds like we all had the same dream." She happened to look up and saw Sarah coming out of the Booksellers. "Hey Sarah! Hey! Over here."
o0o0o0o0o
Sarah stepped out of the shop with two books, one was a new journal and the other was a small book of poetry, she's been waiting for.
Hearing her name, Sarah paused looking around. 'Just great. Well, I guess I have to face the music,' she thought.
"What's up?" Sarah asked as she stood in front of her former friends. She still hadn't forgiven them, so she wasn't about to make it easy either.
Brad looked up, "Hey Sarah. Heard your slumber party was a bit of a hair raiser. Becka and her mumble jumble back fired."
"Shut up Brad," Sarah said, focusing her eyes on Becka.
"Sarah, did you have a nightmare last night?" Becka asked.
Sarah shrugged, shaking her head, "Nope. Didn't dream at all."
"Hey Sarah, that weird guy with the funny hair. Didn't he scare you?" one of the girls asked.
Sarah made a face, she wasn't about to say His name or call attention to herself. The less said about that night, the better as far as she was concerned.
"I still say you girls were on a trip and made him up.," Brad teased. "A freak that could change into an owl. Give me a break."
All the girls said at once, "SHUT UP BRAD!" Becka even smacked him.
Sarah shrugged. "Sorry. Gotta run." As she turned to leave, Becka stopped her, "But Sarah. We were only havin' a bit of fun. . ."
Sarah whipped around and glared at her former friend. "You betrayed my trust, Becka. You took something of mine without MY permission! You tried to do a summoning without proper protections IN MY BEDROOM! AGAIN WITHOUT MY PERMISSION! AND YOU CALL THAT A BIT OF FUN?" Sarah's voice rose higher and higher as she spoke. Then she turned and stormed off.
"You know, Becka. She does have a point," Brad said.
"SHUT UP BRAD!"
o0o0o0o0o
Sarah stormed into her home and upstairs to her room. She still hadn't cooled off enough to calm down. Slapping her bedroom door, she stopped. Someone had been in her room. Looking around, she noticed a package on her vanity. It was wrapped in black and purple silk tied with a bit of gold cording.
Setting down her purchase, she pulled out a small envelope and her name in beautiful calligraphy handwriting. The back was waxed sealed with a stylized rune in the middle. She carefully opened the letter.
Dear Sarah,
Please accept this as a replacement for the journal that you gave me. Maybe you'll allow me to read it when you are done.
Also, you will find a book from my library. As per our agreement, you are to read and memorize it as much as possible. I will be quizzing you from time to time on your progress.
--Jareth
Sarah undid the cording. Wrapped in the silk were two books. One was small, delicately tooled in leather and silver. She opened it to find all the pages were black except the first page.
"Dear Sarah,
You really should be more careful of what you bargain away. I found reading your former journal a delight. I hope you will continue to keep writing down your thoughts.
I also found your lips last night most enjoyable.
-- Jareth"
Blushing, she set the small journal aside, she looked at the second book. This one was heavy, hand bound in faded dusty leather. It was very heavy and thick. She sat in her chair as she dusted off the title and gasped. The title of the book read: "THE HISTORY OF THE LABYRITH"
o0o0o0o0o
Dear Jareth,
Thank you for this wonderful journal. I too found the kiss enjoyable but I would never tell you to your face. You are still too conceited in my opinion.
I ran into Becka and some friends today. After I had bought a new journal. I think I'll use that one for my notes when studying the book you gave me to read.
They still don't get it that they invaded my privacy and I'm still upset with Becka for calling you. Maybe someday, I'll get around thanking her, but not right now.
Sarah closed her new journal and smiled. It's going to be a very interesting summer.
o0o0o0o0o
Anij: What was in the journal? Well, chapter 2 had bits and pieces from the journal.
LM: I try to keep them coming fast but real life has a way of slowing me down.
Everyone else, thanks for the reviews. Keep them coming. Until next time. -- GF