Looking Back:
Briarwood High School wasn't the most ideal place to be. Sure, 'Number One' private school in West Chester New York, the school everyone would kill to go to. But inside, the story wasn't quite the same.
The girls were fine, living in (mostly) peace and harmony, the only drama was complaining over the sweat we made during gym class. A few students, the most popular girls, had a few issues, break ups, players, hook ups, and so on. Not much though. You wonder who these girls were? Must I say the names? I do believe you know them. They were 'the' girls. Some were losers, some weren't. Still, they meshed in perfect ways that were to difficult to understand. They were best friends, but were always on different social levels. I'm not going to dwell on them. It gives me a headache.
But the guys, they gave me a migraine.
It may seem odd, for the boys to be worse than the girls, but that's how it was. It was like an average high school, looking in the mirror. The weirdest thing I've ever seen. And I've seen a lot. These guys were like none you've ever seen before. There was the king of the castle that could be fooled into the oldest trick in the book, the shopaholic that was totally straight, the second-in-line to the throne that was the most uncool in the school, and so on. It was ridiculous. And looking back after twenty-five years, I still don't get it. But there was one this I understood.
I understood how it all began.
-By Layne Abeley, editor.
-
"Another day, another year," Niccolette Dalton said, tipping her eye's over the top of her sunglasses, watching the great lawn with her hazel colored eyes. "Blah. Blah. Blah."
"You totally said it." Massie Block said, snickering into her palm, "In like, four words. WTG Nikki."
"Well, don't I always?" Nikki said, turning her gaze onto Massie. Massie shrunk back from it, looking down at the grass.
"Of course! Duh." Massie said, waiting for Nikki to look away. After a second, Nikki looked back to the lawn, letting Massie relax again. Together, the girls watched everyone walk up to the school, careful not to set off the alpha/beta team.
-
"Kuh-risten! Let's go! I want everyone to see my outfit!" Josh Hotz said, straightening out his shirt for the ninth time in less than five minutes.
"Coming, coming. Chill out." Kristen Greggory said, running up the steps. She tripped into Josh's arms on the last step.
"Klutz. Now let's go." Josh said, holding his arm out to Kristen. She took it, grinning up at him, then walking across the grass looking for her friends. She spotted them, then stopped Josh.
"Ya' know, you wonder why I don't play sports; I'm a major klutz and I'm too lazy. That's also why I don't run." Kristen smirked, looking up into Josh's chocolate eyes. He grinned back down at her, and leaned in.
"Me neither." Josh whispered down at her, getting a little closer to her face.
"Josh..." Kristen trailed off, looking deeply into his eyes. He sighed, then pecked her cheek, holding her face in his hands, then walking away from her to find his own friends. Kristen sighed, then walked over to her friends, still thinking about the look on Josh's face.
Their relationship was... Complicated. They'd been best friends since they'd been in Pampers, agreeing own almost everything, being too perfect for each other. But then, they went through puberty. One like the other, the other didn't, then vise verse... Now, they didn't even know who liked who anymore. But they were trying to make it work. As friends, of course.
"Hey!" Kristen said, placing her purse on the grass before plopping down next to Massie.
"Hey! So who's your new boy-toy?" Alicia Rivera asked, leaning around Nikki to look at Kristen.
"Ya' know, just because you always have a boy on your arm, doesn't mean I do. That was just Josh." Kristen said.
"Really? That was Josh? He looks so grown up. And sexy." Alicia grinned, watching him now as he high fived another boy. She pushed her nerdy-but-cool glasses up her nose, getting a better look at him. Alicia didn't really need the glasses, but they barely helped her vision.
"Oh my," Nikki said, interrupting Kristen as she was about to say something, "Look-y here. A new girl. A hopelessly lost new girl." She said, flipping her sunglasses on top of her head to get a better look. The other girls followed her gaze onto a beach blond, gasping as they did so. This girl was amazingly beautiful, but she was hiding it. Majorly.
"I'm going to go talk to her. Welcome her to Briarwood." Massie said, standing up and smoothing her skirt. She watched the new girl look down at her map, bitting her full heart shaped lips.
"No, you're not," Nikki said, glaring at Massie, "We don't mingle." Massie looked down at Nikki, trying to decide if she wanted to help this girl, or risk her spot.
"I'll only be a second. I promise." Massie said, walking away briskly, letting Nikki silently fume. She didn't like it when people didn't listen to her. Especially Massie. Massie was the only girl who was equally as popular, and more beautiful than Nikki, and Nikki knew she could take her throne in a heart beat. But Massie didn't. Still, Nikki was always ready for the day Massie decided to get some balls and try.
"Hey," Massie said softly, standing a little further than normal conversation distance. The new girl looked up, her sky blue eye's meeting Massie's amber ones.
"Hi." She said shyly.
"Massie Block. You looked like you needed someone." Massie said, holding out her hand for a handshake.
"Skye Hamilton. And yeah. Thanks" Skye said, her face breaking into a slow smile.
"Here, let me show you around. First, I want you to meet my friends."
-
Derrick Harrington sat in his old pick-up truck, his eyes closed as he leaned his head against the old leather. He didn't want to be at Briarwood High. Not with all the people he grew up with. Not with all the people that hated him. Especially not Cam Fisher.
Derrick shivered, just thinking of Cam's face. Those two colored eyes could stare you down with hatred in a heartbeat. Not to mention a lifetime.
Derrick gulped, then climbed out of his truck, grabbing his old backpack and slinging it over his shoulder. He shut the door then locked the truck, finally turning to face Briarwood face on for the first time. Derrick walked up the parking lot steps to the top of the hill where Briarwood was located. It wasn't a big hill, but big enough to make someone gasp for breath if the sprinted up the steps. Derrick stopped a few feet from the steps and surveyed the crowd.
The newspaper freaks were all hanging out by the North Steps, watching everyone come in with a certain eye. Derrick noticed the girls sitting by their favorite oak tree, chatting while they waited for the boys to move closer to them. Derrick shivered.
The 'boys and girls'. They were the popular crowd, the 'it' group that only a few outsiders could touch. Derrick was not one of them. He watched the girls for a moment, before making eye contact with Massie. She grinned timidly at him, before turning to Nikki and laughing, her nose crinkling up just the way Derrick loved it. He sighed then moved on, watching the other loners just like him.
"Yo." Landon Crane said, sliding silently into place next to Derrick.
"Hey man. What's up?" Derrick said, elbowing Landon as they sat on a bench.
"Eh, not much. Just been talking to C. You been talking to M lately?" Landon said easily, ignoring Derrick's narrowed eyes.
"No. She'd been with Nikki Dalton. All the time." Derrick sighed, watching Massie again. She was one of the few people that talked to Derrick even when their queen said not to. That's another thing Derrick loved about Massie; she cared about everyone, even the dorks and geeks. Ulike her best friend Nikki, acting so much like her boyfriend.
"Dude, that sucks ass. You'll get your chance." Landon said, staring up at the blue sky.
"Yeah, one day." Derrick said. "So... What did you and Cam talk about?"
"Stuff. How much he hates you, his latest hook up. The usual." Landon said with a dry laugh. He wasn't a fan of Cam's hate to Derrick, but he worked it out. Most of the time.
"Yeah. The usual," Derrick snorted, "Who did he hook up with? Just out of curiosity."
"Guess." Landon said. He wasn't supposed to tell anyone, but then again, Derrick wasn't anyone.
"I don't know. This school is full of sluts. Just tell me."
"A, of course. Who else?" Landon smirked.
"True," Derrick nodded.
"I gotta go D. Catch you later." Landon said, clapping Derrick on the back as he stood up.
"'Cya later." Derrick said. As he watched Landon walk away, he knew he was alone, as he would be for the rest of the year.
-
"Help Earth! Sign up to clean the highway, or even just get a recycling contract with your trash company! Save the planet!" Dylan Marvil said, waving around a flyer. She tucked her red hair behind her ear and bit her lip. She'd handed out tons of flyers, but only had fifteen people sign up for the highway cleaning, and nine for the recycling contract.
"I'll take one," A soft voice said from her left. Dylan turned around to come face-to-face with a cute boy. She smiled at him, then handed him a flyer.
"Would you be interested in signing up for highway clean-up, or another activity. We have tons." Dylan said, waving her arm across her booth, motioning to the sign-up sheets.
"I'll sign up for highway clean-up, actually. It'll get my mom off my back." The guy grinned, dimples popping out from his cheeks.
"This one right here," Dylan said, handing him a pen. Even though this boy was beyond good-looking, she wasn't interested. Sure, he was there to help Earth, but only to 'get his mom off his back'. So not the right motivation.
"Thanks, but I have one," The boy said, pulling out a drawing pencil and writing his name down on the sixteenth line.
"Thanks for helping Earth. Would you like a button or a pencil?" Dylan said, holding out both to him.
"Sure, why not." He said, taking both from her. He stuck the button on his messager bag strap, placing it right where it crossed his chest. He looked back up at Dylan and smiled again.
"Thanks again." She said, watching him push his glasses up his nose and straighten his hat.
"No problem." He said before going into the school. Dylan glanced down at the sign-up sheet, slightly curious of his name. Dune Baxter, it said in sloppy handwirting, then art pencil a deeper black then the other colors. He was an artist.
Dylan grinned, then looked up at the buildings doors, glancing at her poster. She'd spents countless afternoon's working on it, and still it didn't look that good. As good as an artist might've done it. Dylan's smile widened and she twirled a piece of hair around her index finger. She'd somehow get him to create a poster for the Environmental Club. Somehow...
-
Chris Polvert came to a screeching stop, his motorcycle purring as he took off his helmet before turning it off. He climbed off of his MV Agusta F4 CC, throwing his leather jacket over his shoulder as he walked up the steps to the school. He walked with a swagger everyone looked away in fear from, and that made him smile.
Chris Polvert, bad guy. It fit him just fine.
He kept walking without meeting anyones eyes, thinking of him bike. Sure, it was the fourth most expensive bike in the world, but he wanted the most expensive. Not because he could brag about the price, but because it was the bike. The Dodge Tomahawk V10 could reach 60 MPH in 2.5 seconds and go up to 400 MPH total. Chris couldn't wait to get his hand on it, it feel the exilheration as he flyed down streets and around corners, escaping from the police in a heartbeat.
"Watch where you're going asshole!" Cam Fisher shouted, shoving Kemp out of the way as he almost walked into him.
"What did you call me?" Chris asked, turning his green eyes onto Cam. His fist's balled up and his jaw clentched as he turned to face Cam.
"I called you an asshole." Cam said back, his temper getting the best of him. Chris Polvert was a guy no one messed with. Now Cam was wishing he hadn't said anything. But to say sorry and step back? Cam would never do that.
"Call me an asshole one more time. I dare you." Chris said. He could see the fear flickering in Cam's eyes, even as he tried to hide it. Chris wanted to smirk at him, but the anger overflowed that.
"Yo, guy, let's chill out here. Maybe some other day, but he first day of school? Come on," Landon said, stepping in between them, "Let's just walk away."
"Not my fault. You're lucky Polvert," Cam said, stepping down. Relief washed over him, even though he didn't want to admit it. Landon probably just saved his ass from being beat up.
"Ha," Chris said, walking around Cam. He didn't get his punch on that douchebag, but he would soon. He would bet a million bucks.
"Next time, I'll take that loser out, okay man?" Cam said, ignoring the the thank you that should have been said. Cam Fisher never thanked anyone who made him look weak. Never.
"No problem." Landon said, walking around Cam like Kemp had. Cam turned to make sure Landon wasn't laughing with Kemp, then turned back to Josh. Yeah, Landon might be his best friend and his 'beta', but he was also a loser. A loner. Which meant that Landon could only be seen with Cam from time to time.
"That was intense." Josh said, inching a little closer to the tree. Cam rolled his eyes, then glanced at the tree himself. Nikki, Massie, Kristen, Alicia, they were all there. Plus a hot new girl.
"Wanna go sit with the girls?" He asked, even though he knew the answer.
"Sure, if you say so." Josh said, waiting for Cam to take the lead before following him. That was what Cam liked about Josh. He was always ready to follow, never add his own thought, and let you have the spotlight. It worked out fine with Cam.
"Hello ladies," Cam said, bending down to peck Nikki's cheek, avoiding Alicia's eyes. They'd hooked up the night before, and Cam wasn't sure if it was just a hook up, or more.
"Hey babe," Nikki said back to him, pushing Massie a little to give him her spot. Massie rolled her eyes, then moved a little closer to Skye, giggling at something she said.
"Who's that?" Josh asked, plopping down next to Kristen, throwing down his backpack to sit on so he didn't ruin his clothes. Of course.
"This is Skye Hamilton. She's new here." Massie said for Skye.
"Hi," Skye said, waving a little a Josh.
"Hello-oo Skye," Josh winked at her, making her laugh.
"So guys, did you hear?" Cam said, angry that the limelight was away from him. When all eyes were on him, he glanced at Alicia. She was the one who shared this gossip with him, and he was telling her with that quick look, 'Thank you'.
"So you know those losers Olivia Ryan and Lanye Abley?" Cam asked, watching everyone nod at him, "Well, aparently, their kinda like, fighting over Dempsey Solomen, that other newspaper freak. It's like, so pathetic." Cam grinned, watching everyone but Skye and Massie snicker into their palms.
"How did you figure out that one?" Nikki asked him, looking into his two colored eyes.
"Through the grapevine baby. Well, not really. Actually, I was walking by them and they arguing over him. Like, totally, all out cat-fight." Cam laughed. Nikki laughed with him, then hugged him. She was glad she had such an amazing, honest, hot-ass boyfriend.
-
Claire Lyons stepped out of her car, putting on a hat and sunglasses and cursing the sun. Sure, the hangover might be part her fault, part the alcohol's fault, but did the sun have to make it worse?
"Damn party," Claire mumbled under her breath. Joe Tohny didn't have to have a last-day-of-summer party, full of beer and vodka, but he did. So of course, Claire went, got beyond wasted, stumbled into her room at two o'clock, threw up four times, fell asleep at three thirty nine, then woke up at five. Of course.
Claire grabbed her backpack, slammed her car door shut, then walked up the steps to Briarwood. She didn't realize her backpack was wide open as she glanced around the lawn, loooking for a shady spot. Just as she started walking to a nearby tree, a boy ran into her back, making all of her books, papers and pens fly across the lawn.
"Gawd, can't you see where you're going? Ugh!" Claire said, stamping her foot on the ground. The shouting hurt her head, but Claire was a major diva, and made everything full of drama.
"Sorry!" Kemp Hurley said, gathering Claire's books as she stood above him, tapping her foot, "That was my bad."
"Uh, yeah." Claire rolled her eyes.
"Sorry again." Kemp said, handing Claire her book's seeing his reflection in her avaitors.
"Whatever," Claire said, spinning on her heels and walking awahy, one last piece of paper falling out of her still open backpack.
"Uhm, miss!" Kemps shouted after her, picking up the piece of paper. She didn't turn around though, so Kemp glaced down at the paper, making sure it wasn't important before he threw it away.
Claire Lyons, the paper said, with a phone number and a lipstick kiss on it. Kemp looked at it, then back at her as she walked into the building, still looking pissed off. Maybe it was fate that Kemp got this piece of paper with her phone number on it.
Kemp shook his head, trying to shake the fantasies of her falling head-over-heels for him. Of course he thought it was fate. Just like he thought everything that happend with girls was fate. Kemp folded the paper, slipped it into the pocket, then walked to a bench, feeling sorry for himself.. All he was trying to to was find his soul mate.
Could you blame the guy?
-
Guys, I am SOOOOOOOOO SORRY! This was wayyyyyyy over-do, but I went on vacation, and I had college prep, and homwork, and my internet wasn't working.... I hope this makes up for it!!!
Sorry if that last part was a bit choppy. I was kinda rushing it. And if you think this story is a Massington, think again. I don't always go with what I set up... :)
So review, and tell me who you want together in the end. I have a few ideas, but I'd like to hear from you :) Oh, and I made the boys and girls with even numbers, so the end can be with all happy couples, or a few single people. You decide!!!
Thanks!
xoxo, join. me. in. the. thunder :)