How do you explain how incredibly sorry I am? Because I am so, so sorry for not updating in like years. I think I owe you guys an explanation so here goes. A few months ago I lost someone who was very close and very very dear to me. I was really upset and I tried to move on. But I couldn't forgive myself for some things. And even after I was able to move on, I found I couldn't do things I enjoyed anymore, or at least do it as well I used to. So I stopped writing altogether. This chapter is my first attempt in like 2-3 months to write something that doesn't make you cringe. So I'm sorry for not writing and I know this chapter is probably the worst because I still haven't been able to go back to normal yet. But this is to tide us over first so I'm sorry for coming back with something so… bad. I hope youll forgive me and I will try harder. Thank you to everyone who has favourited and reviewed etc. Im sorry I cant do personal shout outs now but EVERYONE thank you so much for reading this story and Your reviews and support are what encourage me to continue. Thank you and sorry for this crappy chapter :/
Disclaimer: I do not own Camp Rock or Another Cinderella Story.
Chapter 23:
Alex POV
"You have to get out of there eventually! Cleaning Dominique's house to perfection isn't going to solve anything!" Mitchie shouted impatiently through the window. I stood up straight and turned around, leaning on my broom. There, standing in the front window of the house was Mitchie and Tami, the two of them with their hands on their hips, both of them trying to stare me down.
I shrugged. "Sorry guys, but if I talk on the job I may not get the cleaning done." Then I marched over and drew the blinds on them. Just like I'd done every day for the past week, whenever the two of them came by. I felt bad for doing it, I did. But I needed privacy. Closure. I don't know. I just needed to be alone.
The two of them obviously didn't get the message.
With a sigh I turned around and started to sweep again. "Look Mary. You're worrying us sick. I know you want to be alone but. Are we really going to let a boy get in between us? Really? I'm sorry about what Nick did. We're sorry. But if you keep wallowing in self pity, wouldn't that just make Nate feel on top of the world? Like your life centered around him or something? We don't want him to think that, do we? Come out Mary. Please?"
I focused on sweeping, biting my lip. Tami sure knew how to deliver a speech. With a frustrated grown I stopped and leaned on the broom. She was right. Since when did Mary Santiago wallow in self pity? Since forever. A tiny voice in the back of my mind whispered to me.
I brushed my hair out of my face. Not any more then. Nate's just a guy. I've had worse things happen before. Outside were two of my best friends, who were willing to go through everything with me. And they were the two people on the world that I was treating the worst right now.
Quickly, I spun on my heel and headed to the front door, relishing in the sound of the broom banging down hard on the marble floor.
Good bye old Mary.
--
Mitchie's POV
"So, I was thinking like. A red hot dress for you. And the two of us will both wear white. We'll be like. I don't know. Some human Santa clause hat." Tami said excitedly, and I nodded in agreement. The three of us were currently sitting on Mary's bed, listening to Mary's song play softly in the background.
"Guys, I said I was over it, but I didn't say I was going to winter formal." Mary said, crossing her arms over her chest and shooting us cynical glares. I sighed loudly. "Oh come on. Winter Formal is the best time to get over Nate. You have to show him what he totally skipped out on. You'll totally show up Tess." I said, bouncing up and down on her bed excitedly.
Mary flopped back on her bed and threw her arms up in the air. "Best time, I think not. It's a Winter Formal Masquerade Ball, guys. Masquerade. He wouldn't recognize me in a mask even if I were to go up to him and shout at him in the ear. No. No. I'm not going."
I felt some movement beside me and suddenly Tami was on her knees and throwing pillows at Mary. "Yes you are! I made the dresses already so you're going!" I laughed loudly and joined in, grabbing what pillows there were left and pummeling Mary with it.
"Okay, alright! I'll go if you stop attacking me!" Mary shouted, her voiced strained to sound serious although we all knew she was laughing. Tami giggled and stopped, falling back next to Mary, and me next to Tami.
Who knew Tami was such a… go getter?
"The dance is like in 10 hours." I said suddenly, a wave of realization hitting me when I turned to look at Mary's clock. "We have to get going." Tami nodded. "We do. See you in a bit Mary!" Tami jumped up and enveloped Mary in a hug.
"Forget someone guys?" I asked, standing up and crossing my arms. The two of them smiled at me and opened up for me to join. "Group hug!" I shouted and laughed loudly. I'd never acted so gigglish before. But seeing Mary happier did have an effect on the two of us I realized. At least we didn't have to worry so much anymore.
"Um guys?" Mary said, her voice suddenly soft. Oh no. Don't tell me she's having Nate withdrawal again. "Yeah?" I asked suspiciously, squeezing Tami's shoulder lightly, as a warning for the two of us to get ready to pull Mary from her pity. Again.
"I saw that Mitchie." Mary said warningly. Then she pulled away from the group hug and walked slowly back to the bed, sitting on the edge and sighing. "We have a problem. Dominique's staying home tonight." Mary said sadly.
"You've got to be kidding me!" I exclaimed, and started to pace up and down. A habit that I never was able to stop, sadly. "Calm down Mitch." Tami said, and I detected a smile in the way she spoke. How could she be happy at this point in time? Our plan to help Mary had just crashed and burned in record timing.
"Relax, Sherlock." Tami smirked. "I've got it covered." In a flash her phone was in her hand and Tami was punching in numbers.
She mouthed a silent 'bye' to Mary and smiled. Then, she grabbed my wrist and led me out of Mary's room, her other hand pressing her phone to her ear.
"Hi. This is Tami. Can I speak to my dad please?"
--
Mary POV
I couldn't believe this. I couldn't believe this! How could I have let Tami and Mitchie convince me to go to Winter Formal tonight! I wasn't ready to face Nate yet. Oh sure, Masquerade ball. He probably wouldn't recognize me. But still. I've had bad luck for the past week and I wasn't counting on my luck improving any time soon.
I mumbled angrily to myself as I mopped the floor. I was tired. So tired. My legs were sore from standing up for so long doing chores, and mentally I was exhausted. What was I thinking, agreeing to go to the dance?
Step one to a 'newer Mary' wasn't doing so well apparently. With a huff I kicked off my maid shoes angrily, not caring if Dominique were to strode into the room. The new Mary was going to speak and defend for herself.
I smiled slightly to myself, enjoying the freedom my feet had now. The maid shoes were really good at pinching your feet in all the places where it'd hurt the most.
"Mary! Come here now!" Dominique's shrill voice came over the intercom. I frowned. She always had perfect timing didn't she? I gently placed the broom down on the floor and hurriedly slid my feet into the shoes and ran to the living room.
Dominique was sitting on the pink furry couch, decked out in a bright neon yellow and green dress that hugged her body tightly. It flared out a bit at her ankle, with pink butterflies sewn onto the netting that spilled out from under the bottom of the dress.
"Yes, Dominique?" I asked as gently as I could, and curtsied slowly. I tried not to recoil at the sight of her dress. Honestly, has no one ever told her to get a new wardrobe before? I folded my hands behind my back, waiting patiently as Dominique twirled her glass of cocktail around.
"I got that call from that agent. What's-her-name's dad." Dominique started. Tami. Her name's Tami. I thought angrily, but clenching my hands into fists was all I could do to calm myself down. No fights Mary. No arguments.
"Anyway, he's called for me to meet him tonight so I won't be home. And of course my darling daughters will be at the dance so you'll be home alone tonight. Cleaning, I expect. And no. You will not go to the dance." She said happily, looking at me for the first time since I've entered the room.
"I'm done. Go." And she waved her hand airily, returning to her cocktail. I bit my lip and curtsied, before turning and hurrying out of the room. Mary Santiago was so going to the dance tonight.
Domifreak approval or not.
--
I smiled slightly in the dark and curtsied, watching as two limos pulled out of the driveway. Dominique's limo was the first to leave, followed by the ones with the twins, who were heading out early to go do their hair.
With a sigh I turned around and trudged back to my room to wait for Tami and Mitchie to come. If we could pull this off, I'd never doubt them again.
--
"Ah!" Tami squealed the minute I opened the door. Hiding a wince I ushered them into my room. "Hi to you too Tami." I laughed and hugged Mitchie as she came in. "Hi Sherlock." She smiled.
"Tami's plan was brilliant wasn't it." She grinned. "Who'd have guessed under all that hair was a brain!" She laughed and reached over to ruffle Tami's hair. "Watch the hair!" She shrieked. Mitchie shrugged and sat on my bed. "It's not like you've done your hair yet anyway." She said. "You should see the dresses Tami made. It's a wonder she isn't on Project Runway yet."
I laughed and closed my bedroom door behind me. "It's a wonder I'm still sane with the two of you for best friends." Mitchie laughed and threw a pillow at me. I expertly dodged it. Joining Mitchie on the bed I turned to face Tami.
"So, what have you got for us?"
I'm sorry it's so short but I can't really concentrate much and I wanted to get this up ASAP. I'm sorry I know it's rushed and choppy at some points. Criticism and reviews is greatly appreciated. Merry Christmas (its kinda late, sorry) and happy new year! You've made 2009 a wonderful fanfiction year for me. And once again so sorry for not updating BUT.
I promise to update ASAP! Review please It really brightens my day!
Lovelovelove
CauseImFearless