Chapter 4
Missy, Loomer, Suzie, Lisa, Evelyn, Coconut Head, Martin, Gordy, Cookie, and the rest were all there waiting for them. The chairs were all arranged in a circle, and everyone was sitting in a chair. There were only two chairs available; for Ned and Moze.
Ned and Moze were frozen to the spot, staring at this peculiar arrangement. Suzie stood up and walked toward them. "Ned, Jennifer, it's so good to see you." She was lying. Moze could see it in her eyes. She had not forgotten. Moze could see it in all of their eyes. None of them had forgotten.
"You're lying." Moze's voice was flat and hard. She was not amused by this. Suzie's eyes clouded with fear, and a very small part of Moze felt triumph that she had caused that fear. Yeah, Suzie's scared; they're all scared of you. They still remember, let them remember, 'because they know, and you know, that you can just snap at anytime. The past is never gone, show them, show them, show them, feed me, feed me, feed me-
"Moze." Ned's voice was gentle, but firm. He had seen the reaction in Moze and had acted swiftly, by placing a firm grip on her arm. Moze snapped out of her thoughts (no, no, not her thoughts, just the necklace's thoughts, right?). She smiled at him reassuringly, and gripped his hand back. He let go, and led her to one of the available seats. She sat down and endured the stares of her peers.
Cookie was the first to break the silence. "We all know why we're here: to find the truth of what happened two years ago. I will explain again: Moze was not herself at the time and did not mean any harm to anyone- "
"Bull. She meant everything!"
"Yeah, she did!"
"I don't even know why we're here. We all remember what she did!"
"Yeah! Cast her out again, make her feel what she did to all of us!"
"QUIET!"
The shouting stopped. Cookie took a deep breath and continued. "Moze was not herself at the time and did not mean any harm to anyone. She was under the influence of something evil. A necklace to be precise."
"Do we have proof that this necklace exists?" Missy asked skeptically. Everyone nodded their heads in agreement.
Cookie looked at Ned and Moze. They both nodded their assent. "Yes, we do."
"Then show us." Missy demanded. Only Ned and Cookie noticed that Moze stiffened herself considerably. She was afraid. Cookie gestured toward a box placed upon a pedestal in the middle of the circle. "The necklace is inside the box. Just remove the cloth."
Moze began to slowly back away. Ned's eyes tracked her movements. Cookie looked nervous. Missy's hand crept closer the cloth. Everyone began to crowd around her trying to see the necklace for themselves.
The cloth came off, Moze jolted backwards about five feet, Ned scrambled up from his chair to help her, and Cookie jumped and let loose one of his infamous 'girly screams'. Moze was breathing hard and staring inside the box.
The ruby necklace lay inside, docile and innocent looking. But no one could mistake its unmistakable sinister glow.
Ned helped Moze up and they went back to their seats. But Moze still scooted back a bit. Just to be on the safe side.
Missy didn't look impressed. "This caused Mosely to act all crazy?"
Cookie looked insulted. "Don't be fooled by its appearance. I'll explain how it works then; inside the ruby is a micro-chip that alters brainwaves. By wearing it the microchip detects the brainwaves and alters them thus changing the wearer's mental and emotional makeup."
Missy was silent. Ned coughed, and then said, "In English, that means that the necklace changes how you think and act."
"Oh. Thanks, Ned. You look fabulous by the way." She winked at Ned, and then stopped at the look on Moze's face. She quickly went back to her chair and sat down. Moze smiled nastily and settled back into her chair. Ned looked embarrassed.
Someone asked, "How do you know so much about the necklace, Cookie?"
Cookie turned toward Suzie, who had asked the question. "It was MY invention. I had created it to help me impress Lisa. The necklace was to make me more aggressive by changing my emotional makeup."
"Wow, Cookie, for someone so smart you did something pretty stupid. Why did you create something so dangerous?!"
Cookie looked sad. "The necklace was not meant to be worn for long periods of time. I discovered that during a series of tests I did with it. If worn over time it began to permanently change your way of thought, thus changing your personality for the worse. It's kind of like a drug. Eventually the necklace changes your personality completely and becomes one with it."
Moze nodded during his explanation. "That's exactly, right Cookie." she said softly.
Suzie turned toward Moze her manners temporarily forgotten, hostile emotions showing on her face. "No one asked for your opinion, Jennifer." She spat Moze's name out with venom.
Loomer said, "Suzie, calm down."
"No, I will not! Don't you remember?"
Loomer looked sad. It was an emotion not often seen on him. "Yes, I do." His words seemed to reach Suzie, and she finally calmed down enough to sit down. He took her hand and gripped it. She gripped back.
Silence rang through the room. Then Ned broke it by saying, "I think now is the perfect time for another memory, Cookie."
Cookie nodded. He went to his seat and stared at the necklace for a while. "All of this started with my invention. I'm very sorry; not a day goes by that I wish I could take back what I've done. I apologize to everyone who was affected by this – especially to you Ned and Moze." He teared up. "Especially to you two." Ned and Moze nodded slowly.
Cookie nodded back, and then began to speak. "I guess it was a week after
Cookie
Moze started wearing the necklace. I'm sure everyone here can agree; she was already starting to show the effects of the necklace. How could one tell? Maybe it was the constant pushing, trash talking, and the bullying that gave it away for you. How did I know? Easy. When Moze broke up with Ned, that's when I realized something was seriously wrong.
That day was one of the most horrible days of my life.
It was a cloudy day. The sun hid behind the clouds, and the clouds always threatened rain. I was heading on my way to Lisa's feeling depressed and gloomy. It was after school, and I still hadn't been able to find my necklace. I was getting worried – I asked a lady who worked there if she had seen it, and she said that a girl had already taken it. I asked for a description, but she said she didn't remember.
Oh, well. I could always just make another one. With that happy thought in my mind I walked on to Lisa's house passing Ned's and Moze's on the way there. Then I heard the argument:
"Moze, please I just want to talk!" Moze came bursting out of her house with Ned in hot pursuit. Moze looked different – her hair seemed darker, those big brown eyes were almost a shade of black, and her face seemed . . . mask-like. She was wearing all black, except for a white T-shirt. But even that was covered up with a black jacket.
"Sorry, Neddy, but I really have to go." I was shocked. Neddy? When did Moze start calling him that? She sounded weird . . . almost indifferent. Moze and Ned have had arguments before, but I had never seen one this serious. There was a nasty smile on her face that grew wider with each step as she walked away from Ned.
I also noticed that she was fingering something around her neck. I strained to see what it was, but was unable to see a glimpse. The t-shirt was covering it up, well.
Ned continued to walk toward her. Not wanting to interrupt and get in the way, I jumped aside and immediately hid in some bushes. "Moze, please, if you just listen to me I can explain everything."
Moze stopped. I peeked through the bushes and saw her face go an ugly red. She wasn't just mad; she was steamed. "Explain? EXPLAIN?! Explain what, Ned? Hmm? The fact that I saw you walking with Suzie Crabgrass after you broke up with her? Hmm? Explain that she kissed you on the cheek –"
I immediately knew what this was about. Ever since Ned's Guide became popular he had been seeing less and less of Moze lately. He had been trying to gather some private time with her, but people kept seeing him for tips. It was impossible, by my calculations. Poor Ned has to play the hero for the entire school, while leaving Moze in the dust. He has no choice – if he stops people will suffer academically. Ned isn't the type of person to not help people – it's in his nature.
But Moze. . .she's just been acting strange. Even when Ned does find time to spend with her, she's not there – she's off with some new 'friends' she found. Ned has been searching for a friend and he found one – Suzie Crabgrass. She's been spending time with him a lot lately (even though she's dating Loomer) consoling and comforting him and giving advice to his problem with Moze.
Looks like it didn't work. Moze must've caught them together at one point. Not good. The bushes began to shake, and for a moment I thought my cover had been blown. Then the following people popped in: Loomer, Suzie, Missy, Coconut Head, Martin, Evelyn, and even Lisa.
I hissed, "What are you guys doing here?"
"We want Ned's tips, duh!"
"You know it's because of you guys that he's having this argument with Moze!"
"We know, but we can't help it! We need his tips!"
"Shhh!" said Suzie.
Outside the bushes, Ned and Moze's argument continued.
". . . That was just a friendly kiss. You've done it with Cookie and me hundreds of times!" Lisa glared at me. I shrugged, and despite the circumstances, I silently cursed Ned for his big mouth.
"You started this Ned Bigby. All of this. I see you for what you really are! A lying, cowardly, son of a bi-"
Suzie gasped, but Loomer covered it with his hand.
"Moze, STOP IT!" Ned was yelling now. I hadn't heard him be that angry since, well, forever.
The volume of Ned's voice must have shocked Moze because she stopped. I risked a peek through the bushes again and saw that she looked nervous and –
She was fingering something around her neck. I strained to see it, and then I saw what it was and I felt a chill go down my spine.
The necklace. She was wearing the necklace. It was glowing faintly, and I knew immediately what was going on. The necklace – Moze was under the influence of the necklace! I had to get it off her, before it did any more damage.
But I couldn't move. My body was frozen to the spot. Everyone peeked through the bushes as the fight continued.
"What is wrong with you Moze? Why is all of this happening? We were getting along great, and then all of a sudden you start acting all loony-"
"Acting all loony? Ned, THIS IS ME. The Moze you knew all those years was a lie! A face, a mask, a ruse! Don't you understand, Ned? I'm free! Free from pain, free from the world, free from being hurt by boys like you!" She spat the last word out.
Ned's face seemed to sag, lose energy. He suddenly became an old man – all in the span of seconds. Moze, why? Why? I silently cursed myself – my invention had caused all of this.
Shaking her head, she began to walk again (fingering the ruby necklace) when Ned made one last ditch effort to win her back. "Moze, please I love you!"
Everyone hiding in the bushes seemed to hold their breath. Did it work?
Nope. Moze returned only to laugh in his face, then to utter the words, "I.Never.Loved.You.Ever."
Ned died, right in that spot. We could all see it.
"Damn you, Jennifer." Suzie muttered. "How could you?"
Even Missy looked horrified. "Whoa, Mosely really went overboard there. That's just so wrong."
Martin was at a loss for words.
Moze reached for something in her pocket and took out her Best Friends Forever bracelet. I couldn't help but gasp. Ned and Moze had been wearing those two bracelets since they were both still in diapers. They were never to be taken off! Never!
"Goodbye, Ned Bigby." With that almost casual farewell, she left Ned to his own miseries.
"Suzie, what are you doing?!" Loomer almost shouted it out. Suzie was trying to get up.
"Let go, Loomer. I need to do this."
He still held on to her hand. "Do what?! Moze is crazy! Don't do it!"
She slipped free and stood up. She walked out of the bushes and stepped right into Moze's path. Moze saw her and said nastily, "Crabgrass. What the hell do you want?"
Suzie clocked a nice fast one. Moze went flying and landed several feet away. Suzie rubbed her fist and said, "That's for Ned."
She walked off to Ned. Loomer stood up from the bushes and followed her, a dazed look on his face. Everyone else stood up and left the bushes, staring at Moze disgustedly before they walked to Ned to help him. Soon, I stood up as well.
I walked up to the unconscious Moze, and whispered, "I will do everything I can to help you Moze. I swear it." Then I went to go help Ned as well.
In the end, everyone paid a high price to save Moze – but Ned would pay the most. His price? His heart, his relationship with Moze, and some blood. Scratch that – a lot of blood. Ned paid his price in full. With interest.
Cookie exhausted having spoken for over an hour, leaned back in his chair and took of his glasses. Everyone was silent – still processing all of this. They all remembered that day very clearly.
Moze looked undeniably miserable. She turned to Ned, "I never meant to hurt you that day. It's just that I saw you with Suzie, and I guess I got a little carried away." She paused, as everyone stared at her incredulously. "Okay, I got extremely carried away. But I didn't – I mean never would I have – I – oh!" She stopped unable to express herself properly.
Ned, however, understood. "I know, Moze. I know. You never meant for it all to happen." His voice was flat however; he sounded almost sarcastic. Moze, desperate, said "Please, Ned, I know I broke your heart that day, but I – I – damn it!" She cried out loud, wringing her hands back and forth still unable to express her feelings.
"Broke my heart." His words were definitely sarcastic now. "That's all you can say for it, huh." The look in his eyes was cold, hard, and brutal. Moze was beaten down by it, and she began to cry fresh new tears.
"Then how would you describe it?" she whispered softly.
Ned's eyes softened. "It was the end of my world, Jennifer. It was the Apocalypse brought a hundred billion years before it was supposed to happen. You didn't break my heart, you broke my spirit, you broke my soul, and you broke my trust with you. You destroyed everything we once had as friends and more." His voice was firm, but not too hard. He was coldly stating facts.
Cookie stated prophetically, "There is always a price to be paid in the end."
Moze whirled on him. "This is your entire fault, Simon! If you hadn't invented that stupid necklace in the first place, none of this would have ever happened!"
Cookie's face hardened. "You don't think I know that?"
"I'm starting to question whether or not you care!"
Cookie stood up looking furious. "You weren't the only one who had to pay, Moze! Everyone else did. EVERYONE! I gave up inventing! My life! My work! For YOU! I gave up Lisa, who still won't talk to me after she found out I helped YOU!"
Moze laughed nastily. That little voice (the necklace) was speaking in her head again. "Is that it, Cookie?"
Cookie stood up from his chair. His face was livid. "Jennifer, I'm going to pretend that you didn't just say that."
Lisa was looking miserable. She wanted to help Cookie, but she knew that would most likely make the problem worse.
"I did say that, SIMON, I did say it. That's all you gave up?"
Cookie took a step closer to Moze, his face strangely calm. "I'm gonna count to three. Then I want your apology."
Moze muttered, "Jerk."
Cookie said, "Butthead."
Moze: "Tomboy."
Cookie: "She-man."
Moze: "Momma's boy."
Cookie: "Man-hands."
Moze: "Momma's boy."
Cookie was steaming. "Hey! That was used twice!"
"Only because it's true."
Cookie unleashed a scream (not unlike a girl) and launched himself at Moze; he could no longer restrain himself. The necklace in the middle of the room began to glow stronger. Moze threw herself at him and the two were in collided. There was a yelp from Cookie and a scream from Moze.
No one believed it. Cookie and Moze, two best friends were fighting. What had the world come to? Ned, distraught from Cookie and Moze's actions, immediately threw himself in the middle.
"Guys, please, can we just stop it? Please, stop! STOP!"
It was too late. Neither Cookie nor Moze were thinking any rational thought. The necklace glowed even stronger. Ned noticed it and once more pleaded with his friends to stop. Loomer took a hold of Cookie, and Ned with the help of Suzie managed to get Moze off him.
"Stop it. Stop both of you. Can you see the necklace? Huh? CAN YOU?! It's glowing. Do you remember the last time it glowed?! Do you?" Ned was shouting at both of them. Cookie's glasses were askew and Moze had a cut lip. "Now can we all please just sit down, and –"
Suzie screamed, "Ned!"
It was too late. Suzie had lost her grip on Moze and she had charged at Cookie. The necklace glowed even brighter. She was being influenced again.
Ned saw this, and took the most instinctive course of action. He put himself as a barricade between Moze and Cookie.
Moze's fist collided into Ned at terrifying speed. Ned was thrown backwards; his back hit the pedestal upon which the necklace sat in its glass box. The box was thrown backward and both it and Ned hit the floor amongst a sea of broken glass.
Silence fell upon everyone. Moze, still disoriented, looked at her fist. It was covered in blood. Ned's blood.
Oh my God, oh my God, Ned's blood, I hit Ned, Oh sweet Jesus, I hit Ned, What have I DONE?
Cookie went to Ned and checked for vital signs. He breathed a sign of relief. Then he breathed a sigh of sadness. "Oh, Jennifer, what have you done?"
Moze looked from her blood covered fist to the pieces of broken glass to the exposed necklace and then finally to her best friend's, Ned Bigby's, battered body. He was unconscious.
Finally something in her snapped, and she began to cry out – a heartbreaking mix of the pain in her heart; the anger clouding her mind; the darkness staining her soul. It was a terrible song, sung only by those who know its lyrics; the people who have lost their heart.
Moze/Ned
"Best friends forever?" a six-year-old Moze asked a six-year-old Ned.
"Of course!" Ned, even at six years old, was already shaping to be the young man he would later become. Moze was happy. She never had a best friend before. She wondered what it would be like.
"What's the matter?" Ned asked. He noted her worried expression.
"I've never had a boy friend before. I'm just wondering what it'll be like." Moze smiled at Ned.
Ned smiled back. "It'll be great! We'll have lots and lots of adventures. Just wait and see!"
Moze said excitedly, "Okay!"
Ned reached into his pocket and took out two bracelets. They were very pretty and they shined brightly in the setting sun. Moze's eyes widened. "What are those?"
"Best Friends bracelets. Seeing as though we're best friends, I want us to wear them forever and ever!"
"Really? We'll be best friends forever?" Moze asked.
"Silly! You already asked that question."
"Oh, yeah."
Ned kneeled down on one knee and began to put the bracelet on. Moze asked, "Why are you kneeling?"
"I saw my dad doing this to my mom in a video they made. I think it's the proper way to give a girl a gift, except my dad was giving my mom a pretty ring. But I'm giving you a pretty bracelet, so I guess I have to do it anyway." Ned finished putting the bracelet on Moze's wrist.
Moze was starting to cry. Ned, alarmed, asked, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, Ned. I'm just so happy."
"Oh. I'm happy too. So let's go best friend!"
"Yeah!"
They went back home holding hands, their Best Friends bracelets glowing brightly even in the setting sun (Ned made sure they were glow in the dark, because glow in the dark bracelets are so cool).
Whew, what a chapter! I told you things would ramp up in this one! I was really working hard on this one. Hopefully you guys will love reading it, because I loved writing it. Things go on a rollercoaster ride from here. Its obvious Moze has done some pretty bad things in the past, so read on, because I'll be writing about them in the chapters to come. Bear with me, and be patient, it's just getting juicy. This is the chapter I've been waiting to write for so long (hopefully it isn't that obvious). It gets good from here on out. So again, just stick with me, give me some good reviews, and more will come. Later, and thanks again.
P.S. - I felt that these lyrics match Ned and his current situation. If you don't like them, well, then just don't read them. I just felt that these match Ned right about now. What do you think? Do they match?
Song lyrics:
I will never let you fall
I'll stand up with you forever
I'll be there for you through it all
Even if saving you sends me to heaven