SCHOOL OF LOVE
A/N: I know I am to be blamed...it's been so long since I didn't update this story, and I feel kinda bad...thats' why I thought that I could give you all a special gift! Let's say it's my Christmas present! Two chapters of School Of Love!
Anyway, thanks for the reviews: slimshadyzlady, Queen Of Shadows, and Ghostwriter, and to everyboby who's reading the story.
RATING: T (just to be sure)
CHARACTERS: Shelby, Luke, Scott, Wendy, Steve, Brian, Daisy
SUMMARY: AU. Shelby, Wendy, Scott, Brian and the others are all in high school. Walt still exists, but is slightly different in comparison with the show. Elaine happened but is now out of the picture.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of the original characters. The others are completely made up, unless my subconscious worked on things I saw on TV or something…
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Shelby's POV
Today's my birthday… I can't believe I'm seventeen already. My mom or dad either…that makes them even older. I know they wanted to do a small party to celebrate it but guess what? The only two people that really are important to me aren't there. Yeah, sad… Barringer siblings had always been there on that special occasion for me, even if sometimes, things were tensed between us. I can't help but dreaming of their arrival…it would surprise me but god…I'd be so happy! I'd cry seeing Wendy and would hug her so tightly that she wouldn't be able to breath anymore. I'd jump into Scott's arms and would kiss him all over the face, the lips, the cheeks, the nose, the neck, I wouldn't miss any spot. I feel a pair of arms wrapping around my shoulders from behind. I recognize the aftershave fragrance of my friend Luke and lean against his chest.
"Hey Birthday Girl, what are you doing in a corner all alone? You do know we're all here for you, right?" He asks with a gentle tone as if he thought I could break at any moment. All…they're all here for me: Daisy, him, Jill, Brooke Johnson and her squad, the girls of the basketball team, except that skank of Rachel, most of the football players that I got to know a little better with hanging out with Scott, and people from my classes I don't even know the names. I turn to look at Luke and sigh as I meet his expectant eyes.
"I was thinking of how awesome this party is."
"You were?" Does he know I'm lying? I wrap my arms around his waist, hugging him tightly. It might seem a bit suspicious to people around but we're just friends, nothing more. Of course, we grew closer than before because we're like two lonely hearts, but really, I love only the platonic way, I swear. He's like a gay friend to me… okay, strange revelation.
"You really did a good work." I add, only for myself but he hears me anyway. He pulls away a little so he can look at me. I avoid his gaze for a second then glance at him.
"It's okay to miss them." He says and I know he knows what I'm thinking about. Am I that easy to describe or is he just one of the few people that can read me like a book?
"I don't know what you're talking about." I can be stubborn sometimes; I absolutely know he can be too.
"Don't deny it Shel…I saw that look."
"What look?" I almost tease him and he nods with a smirk. God, I hate when he does that…makes me feeling even more vulnerable.
"The sad, regretful one." Of course I miss them, regret what I did and wish I could take it all back.
"I just…can't help but wondering what they're thinking about right now… If they're thinking of me or just don't care. I know Wendy wouldn't miss that date and Scott sure knows it too."
"I'm sure they're both kicking themselves for what they've done to you." What they've done? I'm the one who hurt them…they just acted upon their feelings. Of course, they were harsh, I think, but it was completely warranted.
"I'd like to see that." I mutter with a tiny smile and he takes me again in his arms.
"C'mon, some people really care and want to see you here. And please, wipe those tears away from your face and smile. Happy day girl, okay?" He rubs his hands in circles on my back, comforting me one last time and I look up into his eyes.
"Okay, let's do it." He grabs my hand, dragging me to the garden where everyone is laughing, dancing or eating. I smile at them and drop his hand, taking a step ahead towards Daisy and Jill.
End of Shelby's POV
After the party, she was too tired to do anything except going to bed. Everybody was nice to her and she learned something that only made that day more bearable: Brooke had broken up with Scott. She knew she was supposed to be her friend, but she couldn't help but be happy about it. Maybe it did mean that he still felt something for her? Checking on her mails on her internet address, she noticed there was one sent by Scott himself. She couldn't believe it. How? Why? Did that mean something? Her heart began racing and she had to close her eyes for a second, recollecting the little calm she still had inside. She opened the message and couldn't believe what was on the screen. She thought he had forgotten about that day… it was a video of them. But not any video… one of their childhood. They were respectively six and seven years old.
Shelby was chasing after him in the garden and they were both giggling softly. He looked behind his back to see what distance there was between them and grinned at her, still running. He missed a step as he was about to climb the few stairs to enter his house and fell on his left knee which started bleeding almost instantaneously. He held it in his hands and sat on the same stairs that had gotten him injured. Little Shelby stopped laughing when she saw he wasn't acting and went to sit next to him as he began weeping.
"Would it make any better if I kissed it?" She asked him in a quiet voice and with a very sweet and innocent smile. She had seen her mother doing it whenever she or Jess would fall or hit objects in the house. Scott looked at her with a new wave of unshed tears in his eyes. He nodded at her and pulled his hand off the wound. Shelby leaned down and laid a lingering kiss on it and when she looked up; he smiled at her and hugged her tightly, thanking her. Of course he was already feeling way better…
Back then, Shelby already knew she was in love. He had always been so tender and sweet with her… Maybe she should call him to thank him? She got up and walk to her purse. Bending down, she noticed an earring hidden under her bed and took it in her hand. God, she had searched for this one everywhere. She put it on her desk and blew the dust there was on it. Her real father had offered it to her for her twelfth birthday. That was the only thing she had ever got from him except from his cards for Christmas every year. She finally tore her eyes away from that precious thing and took her handy in her hand. Reaching the menu, repertory, Scott, calling. Here we go…
"Yeah?" Asked his tired voice and she knew back then that he wasn't not in a good mood.
"Scott? It's me, Shelby." She said timidly and waited for his answer which didn't come immediately.
"Why are you calling?" He sounded a little surprised since he hadn't heard from her, in person, for a while.
"I received your mail." She said slightly tensed after she got to hear the sound of his voice. He hadn't been very welcoming but not really hearty either. She supposed he was just a little astonished to have her on the phone…after everything.
"What mail?" Shit, he doesn't even remember. She thought, biting the inside of her cheek softly. How could she have been that stupid to actually think he had done it on purpose? What was she supposed to say now?
"The one for…the one for my…birthday…with the video." She stuttered holding her breath. There was then a pause…not a very long one but an uneasy one…the time for Scott to recollect his thoughts and remember what video she was talking about. It wasn't very difficult though. He perfectly knew yesterday was her birthday and that there had been a party. He had first refused to come, then had hesitated since everyone he knew was going…then he had thought it would be very inappropriate.
"I'm sorry, I forgot to delete it. Um, you know I kinda set a date of sending and all…sorry." He said sincerely and god! How could she be so stupid to think he actually meant to send it?
"I actually found it very nice." She couldn't help but blurt out.
"Yeah…" He only answered since he really had no idea what he was supposed to add to that… except that he was glad she had.
"So…uh goodbye." She said hesitantly. This conversation was so awkward that even if she was in her bedroom all alone, she couldn't help but feel just as embarrassed as if he was standing a few meters from her in the same room…
"Shel… wait!" She gasped for breath and wait for more. Hearing him calling her, almost pleading…it felt almost good. "You're still there?"
"Yes." She replied in a quiet monotonous voice and he swallowed before talking again. He knew it wasn't going to be easy.
"I'm sorry." That was it, he had finally said it and how that was making her feel better. She didn't know if he really meant it but it looked like he had some regrets at least.
"You are?" She assured herself, biting her bottom lip nervously. She couldn't help it; either it was the lips, the inside of the cheeks, or the nails. But the fact was that she had to hold onto something.
"Yeah, I behaved like a jerk." That he kinda did…but that doesn't change the feelings she had for him. She loved him, full point. And she would take all the blame if he would just move on and accept to give her a second chance.
"No, what happened was really my fault. It took me time to realize it, but now I understand your point."
"I still shouldn't have treated you the way I did. You didn't deserve it." He insisted and they both knew deep inside that it was the truth. Of course what she had done didn't deserve a reward. Every person that knew about what had happened would have agreed to that statement. But his reaction had been over the top, unreasonable.
"Scott…" She started, not really knowing where this conversation was going or what she wanted to say, and he interrupted her, as he wasn't finished with coming clean.
"Especially since I...um cared about you." You were supposed to love me. Not care, but love, don't forget. She thought as she heard him talking about his feelings.
"It's okay really."
"I…I wanted to-" She heard Wendy's voice asking him who he was on the phone with. "Bye Brooke, I'll talk to you later." Brooke? How could he? Just because his sister was in his room? Why couldn't he just admit he missed her? Why can he just not give a damn about what his sister wants for once? She wondered then let out a breath as she noticed he still hadn't hung up.
"Bye Scott, I'm sorry." She said gently and then waited until he hung up. Why her love life was so complicated when it could have been so perfect?
She took him by the elbow, leading him into an empty class. Thank god, nobody had seen them going away together. She closed the door behind him, her back facing him. He bit his lip slightly excited; the mere sight of her was arousing him. He walked even closer and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, bringing her back against his broad chest. But as he was about to act on his desires, she pushed him off her by taking his hands in hers and dropping them by his side. She turned to him, almost crying. She was ashamed of what had happened between them the night before. It wasn't fair to Brian who had given her a second chance. She had totally screwed it off. "I meant to tell you something Steve." He had something that could turn her on, that erotic look in the eyes, the twinkle that made her desperately weak.
"What is it?" He asked with a deep voice. She could tell he was slightly concerned. But he wasn't supposed to be. It was supposed to be nothing more than a one night stand. And he didn't act like it was. What was it with guys that were like glue with her? Did she have a problem showing them that she wasn't the one they thought she was?
"Last night was a mistake. We shouldn't have." She simply stated and he chuckled a little. So it didn't seem like a problem yesterday. She had wanted it too. Both of them had and it had been good kissing her.
"It's not like you said 'no'." He pointed out and she looked down at her feet ashamed that he had to be right. She couldn't look at him; she should have avoided him after the first time they met. It was obvious he did want her since then, and it was like bound that something would happen between them. The attraction was there, their common need to discover each other, their loneliness… He, because he was new and didn't know anybody here and had some difficulties to become integrated into the school since he had broken up with Brooke and was Scott's official rival. And she, because she had lost her bestfriend and didn't feel something as strong as she thought for Brian and had lost the one she really was in love with in the process. It was sad, very sad that she was just realizing it now as it was too late.
"No, it's not like that. But look, I like you a lot and I'm sure you like me too…" She said unsurely. Seriously, she wasn't going to do what she had planned to do this way. She perfectly knew she was falling in a hole if she was telling him off and then saying she liked him.
"So where is the problem?" He asked, leaning against the blackboard, not bothering looking before to see if there was any chalk left on it. It's not like he really cared anyway. The petite brunette in front of him was taking him all his attention.
"I have a boyfriend." She stated and he just chuckled, shrugging his shoulders. Where was the problem exactly? You don't want your boyfriend anymore, you break up. You want to be with another person, you take that person. Why did some people have to complicate their lives when everything could be so easy? Steve had that kind of philosophy of the world. For him, life was short and you didn't need to bother yourself with minor details.
"Break up." He said as it was just so simple to him. Life was just like math: you've got a problem, there is a solution.
"I can't, I love him." She stated, really insecure about what she had just told him. Maybe she wasn't in love after all?
"C'mon, you cheated on the guy, and apparently it wasn't the first time." He said referencing to her little bend with Luke… apparently, getting drunk with him had its effects… she had told him everything about her life or what? Did he know about…about her baby?
"So, that doesn't mean I want to be with you Steve. I really like you but we both know it isn't enough." She said a little coldly but her face broke into a smile as she looked up at him and saw he was smirking.
"I know…but I thought we had that connection…" She laughed at this. A connection, how cliché was it? "You can mock me Wendy, but I'm dead serious."
"Sorry but do you hear yourself sometimes? We don't have a connection or something else. We just spent a night making out, feeling sorry for ourselves and that was nice. We comforted each other because we both needed it and understood what the other was feeling. And I think we could be good friends, but nothing more, ever. I'm in love Steve."
"But you can't be… Brian isn't the guy for you." He pointed out, but little thing did he know she wasn't even talking about him anymore…
"I'm not even talking about Brian anymore… Isn't it even funny?" She muffled a laugh and he looked at her quite confused. What was she talking about? Or even better, who?
"Wait, wait, I'm kinda lost now…"
"Luke Turner is the only one that ever told me I was beautiful and meant it. He's the only boy that makes me want to be better. I've only got goosebumps with him, how crazy is that I have to be in here with you to realize that?" She stopped and they both laughed a little, easing the tension filling the room. "I was so stupid that I didn't even see that I had the guy I wanted with me and let him go…" She cleared her throat and continued, reveling what she had buried in the depths of her heart. "I only feel sorry for Brian; he didn't deserve what I did to him the first time we were together. It was like a game at first, and then I realized he had feelings for me."
"I'm sorry for you…" Steve said, rubbing her shoulder softly.
"I spent most of the whole year feeling like shit because of my decisions and actions. I acted like a slut towards people I cared about, I took out all my anger on my poor bestfriend that only tried to help and I can't help but still be slightly mad at her." She said, not even understanding the grudge she still held against Shelby.
"If you can't help it maybe that does mean you're not ready to forgive her?"
"I hope that with the holidays and all, things will be better next year."
"They will."
"Thanks. I know we don't know each other that much, but we're so much alike that it feels like I've known you for a while." She said and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him. He wrapped his arms around her waist, reciprocating the gesture. That was at that moment that Brian chose to storm into the room, enraged. "Brian? What are you doing here?" Wendy asked a little aggravated. He couldn't know about last night, could he?
"I could return the question. What is that again? Another cheating?"
"No Brian, this isn't what you think. We were just talking."
"That close? C'mon, you know I don't like being treated like a fool. So now you give your friends a cuddle?" He asked really angrily and she couldn't help but fear his reaction. At the same time, she was feeling confident that if he tried to do something to her, Steve would protect her.
"I'm sorry Brian but I do not accept your suspicions." She said taking Steve's hand in hers and heading outside with him at her toes. Brian placed his hand on the boy's shoulder to stop him. Steve let him do and watched as Wendy faced her boyfriend looking furious. "How dare you?"
"I know you went out with him last night." Brian stated. How he had found out, she didn't even want to know who from her supposedly friends had told him.
"So what, I'm allowed to go out without you as far as I know."
"And kissing him, that was also in your plans?"
"I'm sorry Brian… I didn't know you were aware of that too." She said nicely and then added a thing she shouldn't have add…it would crush him. "But face the reality, and look at our couple."
"I thought we were fine?" He said, closing his eyes for a second. It couldn't begin again. She couldn't do that to him again, she wasn't playing fair. He had feelings for her; they had cost him his friendship with his bestfriend.
"C'mon, we aren't happy together." She said slowly, looking at him in the eye.
"But I love you Wendy, doesn't it count for anything?"
"I'm sorry, but this can't work anymore for me, I'm sorry." She replied and they both knew it was the end. Steve smiled sadly at Brian, the poor guy, Wendy was unstable and wasn't ready for a relationship with him…in fact she probably had too many issues of her own she needed to sort out first. The thing is that she couldn't do that alone and he wasn't the guy who would help her.
"So, he told you he was sorry?" Daisy made sure and Shelby nodded enthusiastically. She was almost bouncing though she couldn't because of her still sore leg. Luke rolled his eyes at her antics. He wasn't jealous, he just didn't really like how Scott had treated her and Wendy and didn't want her to suffer again because of him. The guy was a jerk and that was it.
"Exactly!" She replied ignoring Luke's glare and Daisy's rising of eyebrow. She didn't care if they weren't animated like she was. They weren't her after all.
"And what did you reply?" Daisy asked for the sake of asking, only to receive another glare from Luke.
"That I was sorry too, that it was my fault and guess what."
"What?"
"He also said he still cared about me."
"Cared?" She asked skeptically and she nodded softly. Luke rolled his eyes at Daisy who just smirked at him.
"Yeah cared but I know he meant so much more, you should have heard his voice. The discussion was awkward all along but I know he still feels something at least."
"And about that video?"
"It was of us… his mother filmed a scene of our childhood…it was so cute! I'm so glad he found it."
"That's great for you if you feel things are gonna be better." Luke said with a roll of eyes. It was clear he wasn't totally happy about the new turn of events.
"Luke, be happy for me."
"I'd be if I was sure you weren't overreacting." Ha added with a smirk and she nudged him in the ribs, teasingly.
"He's right, maybe you're getting carried away a little too quickly." Daisy agreed with him and Shelby pulled her tongue out at them.
"No, I'm not." Shelby answered and stiffened when she saw Wendy approaching their group and didn't like the way Luke was looking at her ex bestfriend.
"Hey guys." Wendy said quietly, hands in pockets and gaze on the floor.
"What do you want Wendy?" Shelby asked coldly and Wendy took a step back, surprised by the way Shelby had answered her. She would never get used to that tone between them.
"I'd like to talk to Luke for a second, can I borrow him?" She asked though, avoiding the others' glares and even if he was just standing in front of her, Luke didn't answer.
"Ask him right away." Daisy said with a small giggle. Shelby shot her a glare and turned around so Wendy couldn't see her face anymore. Or the contrary… well, the result was the same anyway.
"Luke?" Wendy waved her hand in front of his face and he blinked almost saying sorry with his eyes.
"Okay." He answered and she smiled, leading him outside so Shelby couldn't hear what she would tell him.
"Thanks."
"The little bitch. She better not turn him against me." Shelby muttered as soon as she was sure Luke wouldn't hear her. Thing was that she didn't care if Wendy would hear her but she had promised herself to do an effort for Luke's sake since he was desperately in love…
"Stop it Shelby, you're acting like you're jealous." Daisy said with another giggle. Teen drama was fun to her…and she loved teasing Shelby, she was always reacting really quickly. A little nothing would tousle her when she was stressed. And saying that just two minutes before she was ecstatic because of a stupid video she shouldn't even have seen if Scott wasn't so careless…
"I'm not. It's just he got so much hurt last time and I wouldn't want him to relive that." Shelby answered rather calmly. Truth was that she was jealous…but not the way Daisy thought. She was jealous that Wendy got every guy wrapped around her finger… Scott, her father, Luke, Brian, and her new conquest Steve…
"He won't Shel. Besides, why would she turn him against you?" Daisy asked and Shelby looked at her shrugging. She wanted to say something, but was ashamed that she was acting like a spoiled girl.
"If they go back together, I'm all alone."
"What about me?" The brunette asked quite surprised and slightly hurt. The two were pretty good friends, so really… how come Luke who she really knew for a few weeks had to take a bigger place in her heart than she did?
"It's different Daisy."
"How come? Because I'm not a guy?" She asked suspiciously. Maybe her assumptions hadn't been completely false…maybe Shelby felt more than it seemed for Luke Turner?
"What?" The blonde asked puzzled.
"I know about your ways of comforting each other." Daisy said accusingly and Shelby furrowed her eyebrows.
"What are you talking about?"
"The kissing thing." Daisy said as it was kinda logical. "You don't kiss a guy you have no feelings for on the lips."
"We only kissed once; you're not being fair there." She said, already regretting she had to tell about that innocent kiss.
"Okay, so maybe I'm not but really Shelby, what were you thinking?"
"He was the one who kissed me; I just let him do but didn't kiss back." Shelby said now mad at her. She didn't feel anything for Luke…she just didn't want to hurt him and really hadn't known how to act. Why was she making a big deal of that little mistake?
"Whatever, I have to go meet with Ezra, bye." She said not quite believing her friend.
"Luke…I'm sorry." Wendy apologized then took his hand in hers, intertwining their fingers. She was glad he wasn't pushing her away…that was a good step already.
"I already knew that." He whispered looking down at their fingers laced together. It seemed almost natural to him.
"I realized something yesterday." She said quietly, finally meeting his eyes. And god, how she had yearned for that look! She had craved for his touches, his voice, his laugh… she had missed every little smile…just everything about him made her crazy… Why did she have to make the wrong decisions all the time?
"Uh?" Okay, so Luke was first confused she wanted to talk to him since he wasn't hoping for something from her anymore. And now, he was just bewildered and her presence was just even more intoxicating than before.
"I broke up with Brian."
"Oh really?"
"I kinda feel something stronger for you." She said ashamed she hadn't seen it before going back to Brian…
"What do you mean 'something stronger'?"
"I'm still in love with you Luke." She blurted out then looked up at him after a few seconds since she couldn't hear the sound of his voice. Was he now speechless? "Please, say something at least." She almost cried and he just shook his head, not believing his ears. He had waited for that since the day they had gotten together.
"Wow! I just don't know what to say, I wasn't expecting that."
"Okay, I understand. Look, if you need to think about it, you can take all the time you need."
"I don't need that time Wendy." He said not letting his feelings get the better of him and waited for her answer. Was she that confident girl that she claimed to be?
"Oh…well, I guess I should go then." She said misunderstanding his words. What she thought was that he didn't need any more time to rethink because he knew he didn't love her… Boy she was so wrong!
"I love you too Wendy, always have and always will."
"That was just so…corny." She giggled with a mocking tone.
"Sorry about it." He chuckled holding her in his arms.
"So…" She asked with a grin, standing on her tip-toes.
"What?" He asked playing along. He was so happy to have her back with him, where she belonged…
"Are you gonna stay here while I'm standing waiting until I get a kiss?" They both grinned at each other and he captured her lips in a searing kiss while an unnoticed Shelby stood a few meters ahead, eyeing them with a glare.
Now...let's go reading the next chappie!