Chapter 3: Shine
It was time for the plane ride into LA and I was going through my last minute check off lists; clothes, shoes, hair care products, fashion magazines, swim suites, hockey gear, I-pod, jewelry, laptop, lip-gloss, mascara, eyeliner, and eye shadow, pictures, accessories, the life basics of a resident glamorous dyed red head do to changing my hair after the boys left.
Melanie kept yelling at me about reasonable packing, "You know we are going to go shopping when we get there why bring all of this. You just kneed two days worth of clothes not your whole wardrobe, might I add I don't think you kneed all of your clutches or purses. You could always donate them to a charity or something. It would be one thing if we weren't getting a whole new closet full of new clothes, but no we are so I'm thinking your 8 suitcases can be lowered into 2. C and Bee are only taking 1, I'm taking 2 one for my hokey equipment and another for basics. Do you want me to pack for you?"
I shook my head no. I am taking all this stuff, and considering half of its vintage I highly doubt I won't not need it all. I mean where else am I going to find limited edition Juicy Couture crop tops or traditional Jimmy Chooe's flip flops? Nowhere considering I've been looking for along time to find them anyway. Oh well I guess if this is what I want I have to loose it all and start fresh like I'll reinvent my wardrobe and make it ten times better. That sounds good.
"Fine you can just leave the photos n' stuff in their?" Mels smiled and started to jump up and down screaming about how I finally can be normal. The girl I think needed to look at her self though.
After what took Melanie and I two hours to clean out my revised suit case we got in Mrs. Truscott's car (Melanie's mom, and my legal guardian soon to be all of ours). We drove silently along the dirt rode the let threw most of the town. I clung to every memory of it as I knew these were possibly the last looks of this town I may ever have. The last looks of horrible memories of abuse, heartbreak, and betrayal. Having no more tears to shed on the inside, no more need to have to cry on Melanie's shoulder when no one is looking, no more relieving the ongoing nightmares, of my mother. Instead having a new beginning a place where nobody who know your past and make judgments on you for it. A place where people won't give you looks of pity for the loss of your friends; a place where love is waiting, a place where your dream of defying people will come into play.
Before I knew Brook and Christina had piled on into the car and where radiant with similar joy to me and Melanie. Me much like Brook was ready to escape the memories of our parents. While mine was from abuse hers was from death overall we are ready to start anew. The car drove silently for awhile till we reached the airport.
I got out my 2 pink suit cases with blue and red ribbons on them as my friends followed in suite. "I like can't believe we are like leaving today. It's going to be so much fun. Oh and we are even going to be going to school at the hotel how exciting! Maybe there will be a ton of hot guys; I mean come on it is California? I also hope they have Skittles in the vending machines there. I got some this morning and I haven't been able to stop moving since. I also can't wait till the plane because they serve those complimentary snacks and sodas!" Christina said while running around in her usual circle of happiness. Brook just laughed as though she understood her best friend since pre-k.
Eventually we checked in the airport and were passed security waiting for our plane to arrive at gait 3C. "Well to kill time what should we do?" asked Melanie.
"We could go over the polynomial theorem or discuss the third battle of Lexington and Concord?" Brook suggested.
"I could eat more candy!" Christina stated.
"No!" all of us said simultaneously.
"Also a no to Brook I don't want to die of boredom. How about we right a new song?" I suggested.
"Yes!" Brook said, followed by two more. She got out a pen and pencil from her carryon backpack. Okay so we should think of ideas for songs, alright?"
"How about showing someone how we all are going to get on top," Melanie added.
"Something about shining too; I like sunshine," Christina stated.
"Okay how about it being called watch me shine!"
After a couple of minuets we had a song:
Ooh.. I'm not
You average type Of girl
I'm gonna show the world the strength in me
That sometimes they can't see
I'm about to switch my style
And soon things may get wild
But I will prove I can conquer anything
So from my head to toe I'm taking full control
I'll make it on my own
This time
(Better watch me shine)
CHORUS:
Better watch out
Going for the knockout
And I won't stop
Till I'm on top now
Not gonna give up
Until I get what's mine
Better check that I'm about to upset
And I'm hot now
So you better step back
I'm taking over
So watch me shine
So Get ready
Here I come
Until the job is done
No time to waste
There's nothing stopping me
Oh
But you don't hear me though
So now it's time to show
I'll prove I'm gonna be the best I can be
So from my head to toe
My mind body and soul
I'm taking full control
This time
CHORUS:
Better watch out
Going for the knockout
And I won't stop
Till I'm on top now
Not gonna give up
Until I get what's mine
Better check that I'm about to upset
And I'm hot now
So you better step back
I'm taking over
So watch me shine
BRIDGE:
Bet you don't think I can take it
But my mind and body are strong
Bet you don't think I can make it
It won't take long
Bet you don't think I can take it
But my mind and body are strong
Bet you don't think I can make it
It won't take long
Now watch me shine...
CHORUS:
Better watch out
Going for the knockout
And I won't stop
Till I'm on top now
Not gonna give up
Until I get what's mine
Better check that I'm about to upset
And I'm hot now
So you better step back
I'm taking over
So watch me shine
Now watch me shine...
CHORUS:
Better watch out
Going for the knockout
And I won't stop
Till I'm on top now
Not gonna give up
Until I get what's mine
(Until I get what's mine...)
Better check that I'm about to upset
And I'm hot now
So you better step back
I'm taking over
So watch me shine
Watch me...
Watch me Shine
Watch Me
"I believe it is perfect!" Brook said.
"Agreed," Melanie stated
"Agreed," Christina replied
"Same," I said trying to be original. Soon we sat in complete silence until we found out we could board the plane. I felt as though I was jumping for joy! Though that emotion was soon to be taken over with worry but for now I was just relaxing like how I would once I got to the palm woods.
The plane took off and I made small talk with Christina who was as hyper as she could get. It was mainly her telling me about the pool and what not. I was okay with that until she asked me if it was okay if she and the boys still talked. I told her it was fine but I wasn't talking to them and she couldn't ever really get me to associate with them. She got a little mad, but that was Christina she was like the loveable puppy that couldn't ever hold a grudge if it were to save her life the Latino even had those puppy brown eyes that guilt trapped you into her will. We got back into talking about California and how different things will be. I told her about the ice rink I had found down the street from the hotel and the nearby supermarket where she can go crazy in.
Eventually the plane ended and the four of us ran off the air ramp while Mrs. Truscott followed behind us. We got in a taxi that took us to the Palm Woods Hotel.
James' Pov
Yesterday:
It was a normal day at the Palm Woods for me. Laying out on a lawn chair putting sun tan lotion on my girlfriend Rachel. It only became not moral when I had Kendall running to find my and saying he was sorry. That got me thinking what he would be sorry for I had my lucky comb right here. I had a recording deal, I am still in LA. Then he says he needs to speak to me alone. I nod and get up from my chair and tell Rachel I'll be back.
"A, James I really don't know how to put this to you, but you ex-girlfriend Is making our enemy Tyler," Kendall said as he handed the phone over to me. At first I just saw some redhead with sky blue eyes and hinted freckles making out with a douche. However the closer I looked at her face the more and more it reminded me of Piper, until I realized it was Piper.
Piper the only girl I ever loved. The only girl I ever truly regret leaving. Piper the only girl I'll ever truly care for, but she is also the only girl I've hurt the most even though she broke up with me, even though we both know I called it off with her by leaving she just clarified even more.
I looked at the picture more trying to find a way around it; hint off non existing doubt. I felt my heart being split by knives and long forgotten motions resurfacing along with the ones of hurt and betrayal as the picture tormented my mine.
"How?" was all I could say? Kendall thought it threw for a minute and then paused from his thinking face.
"Maybe revenge but we shouldn't care all of us have clearly moved on she just had to show it because the magazines never show pictures of her. What I want to know is why Melanie sent the picture to me and not to you? Overall I think you should just look over her like she's out of the picture, and go enjoy yourself with Rachel before she gets' mad at you again. Anyway I got to go Jo is waiting for our picnic in the park."
So for the rest of the day I went of it live in a façade as I trembled with all of our memories as they refurbished in my mind. I kept telling myself she was the past and Rachel was the future but I could never hold on to what I said.
Present:
I was running down the elevator with Logan and Kendall to try and stop Carlos from doing something stupid; probably he was going to try sling-shoting himself into the pool in a shopping cart. Suddenly we all stopped dead in are tracks as well saw the backs of what looked like 4 goddess.
There were two standing still as they scoped the place out and then there were two who were getting all the luggage and stuff with their room key. The first one was slightly smaller than the rest she had dark black hair and brown eyes that complemented her Latina skin she was wearing a coffee colored tube dress. The next girl had honeycomb blonde hair and evergreen eyes that followed her naturally pale skin she had on a pair off yellow striped tank top with white shorts. She was then followed by another blonde except she had bright blue eyes and brown highlights that clash with her ripped up jeans and light blue hockey t-shirt. After her came an attractive girl with curled red hair freckles, and electric blue eyes. The last girl was wearing a red tube top that stopped above her belly button and short shorts revealing her toned legs that met up with her black ankle boots. I kept staring at her. Eventually she and the second blonde scoffed and walked off yelling to the two other girls that they lived in 3j.
Kendall turned to me as if to say I'll introduce us. "Hi I'm Ken," Kendall started to say as he was cut off by the blonde with green eyes. "Wow Kendall I though you guys should know who we are but I'll refresh your memories I'm Brook and this is Christina!" she said. Carlos and Logan looked shocked beyond belief but ran up to give our former best friends a hug that Kendall and I soon joined in.
Eventually Logie decided to break the silence form us all, "So what are you two doing here?"
Naturally Brook responded due to those to being the logical ones, "Well if you must know Piper and Melanie landed us all a record deal if Gustavo. However even though we are okay with ya guys I wouldn't even try talking to Melanie or Piper. Especially Piper she like hates your guy's guts right now. Even though she's okay with us still being your friends but you know how she can be? Anyway you wanna go over by the lounge chairs and we can catch up more?" Logan responded for us. I still can't believe the hottest girl in this town is my ex-girlfriend. She looks like she walked of the runway, and those short shorts could make anyone fall in love with her. Her hair also amazingly fits her completion better than her natural tones of blonde she use to have.
"James, James; why don't ya tell us about Rachel and what not we've already learned about Camille, Jo, and Stephanie. Oh and how did you two even date them they sound awful," she mentioned to Logan and Carlos who looked the other way. IT seemed as though those two still had crushes on their old friends, and I really couldn't blame them. "Anyway back to my point I want to know about Jo and Rachel come on we need to see who is dating the famous Kendall and James; now!" Christina blabbered on and on like she usually did when she was about to crash from all of the sugar her body had consumed.
"Well Rachel's my girlfriend you guys can meat her tonight at the fire. We do these sing a longs a lot well there like nightly and everyone comes. It's right by the pool in stuff so we could all hang out after. Cool?" I asked trying to forget about my ex and how hot she is, and how she hates me for the matter. I could see Kendall sharing the same feeling as well.
Carlos and Logan talked with Christina and Brook a little more until it came time for them to go, Carlos not wanting Christina to leave invited her and Brook over to dinner; what a joy now I could here about Piper much more! The girls left to go change into what they where wearing for the campfire. Leaving me with my boys once more.
"Dude I think I still like Melanie, but then I have Jo, but Melanie is Melanie she's my first love that has got to count for something?" Kendall stated.
"I agree I mean I have Rachel now but then there is Piper who is just amazingly hot, and sexy I mean I don't think I've seen a girl look as good as her. I can't fathom why I left her. I just think we should be friends with them first, and dress good to impress them tonight maybe they'll talk to us," I said.
"Agreed!" Kendall stated as we waked into apartment 2j. Logan was already explaining to Mrs. Knight what had recently happened. He told her about Christina and Brook, and dinner. However he did leave out the Pipes and Mels section off our previous discussion.
Eventually the girls came and we started having dinner. Carlos and Christina shoved about 5 to 6 corndogs in their mouths while Brook and Logan just laughed and talked about something my brain couldn't comprehend. Then Mrs. Knight just had to ask who they were staying with, "Oh we are staying with Mrs. Truscott, right next door actually." Brook said. Then a silence hit the room that none of us ventured into breaking for awhile.
"Well why didn't the other girls come over it could be like old times for you guys?" Momma Knight asked. Kendall and I shared an awkward glance as if to say the girls really hate us.
"Umm they kind aren't the biggest fans of Kendall and James right now. There still mad about them leaving me and C really don't care we got you guys back now," Brook logically informed Kendall's mother. She shrugged and then mentioned something about how it figures, and how nice it was to see the other two.
The rest of dinner continued until it was time for our annual campfire. Kendall and I left to go pick up our girlfriends from apartment 4k.
Brook's Pov
We were only checking into the hotel or are new home. Christina and Brook were sharing a room so we dumped their stuff in their room. Piper and I were sharing a room as we normally have since she was six after all the custody battles and what not. We were sisters and nobody would change that. I couldn't help but notice her silence since we've gotten in the room and were told bout the fire jam thing that goes on.
"Hey we promised to forget about them. Right, anyway just find a new hot guy with washboard abs like Tyler make the other jealous. This is California sweetie I'm pretty sure you can find another guy that is amazing like they use to. That is what I'm going to do with Kendall. Sound good? Oh and put on some type of bikini like me we'll have every guy after us," I ensured to Pipes.
"Okay that's good I think I'll go for my new cherry red and bright blue one that I found in my closet from the company. How about you go with the pink and baby blue one from yours! Oh and this will be so much fun. You are right this is California so it instantly means hot guys, ya know!" Piper said in an instant mood change but that was her talking about boys and clothes made the pretty girl perk up, and in a sense it did the same for me too.
By the time the night came I had put on my two piece and added a little bit of pink bangles to go with it on my right arm, and my four friendship anklet's on the opposing leg. Piper followed in suit except she blue bangles on her. We turned to each other and smiled then looked away as we applied lip gloss on for a shiny look according to Piper.
As we made are way down the stair cases do to Piper complaining about keeping her self in shape we finally got there, and we had every eye on us. We instantly locked arms and made it to the front of the seats. While everyone's mouth hung open in shock and want.
Please Review I'm not sure how the story is going or if I should continue so advice is appreciated.