Disclaimer: I don't own the BSC or any characters or any of the plot from the books.
Changing Lanes
Chapter 9: Violet
…...
School had become dreadful. Midterms were starting in a week. College applications were due. Being organised, I had finished mine a week early and sent them off. I help Claudia with hers, doing a spell check (in case her computer wasn't able to work out a few words), grammar check and making sure they sounded good. I wanted Claudia to go to college probably as much as her parents, she was smart in her own way and sometimes I felt like she was going to give up. She was one of my best friends and I wasn't going to give up on her. I closed my social science textbook shut and clicked my computer monitor on. I checked my emails, a few from Claud sending me chain mail that was meant to be funny and a email from Jessi.
Hey Kristy!
I hope college applications and mid-terms haven't gotten you too down. I bet your going to send a email back saying you sent them off a month early or something crazy like that. I hope you get into the college of your choice! It was Michigan State, right? It doesn't surprise me about Mallory. I knew our friendship would change when she left for Riverbend, but I expected her to at least send me a letter or a email now and again. So much for expecting, right? Wow, I can't believe you date CARY RETLIN! Yes, that had to be in caps lock! It surprised me that much! I had to close my eyes and open them again to make sure I was reading that right, ahaha. Mom's made it official that we're going to Stoneybrook for Christmas, so we must catch up! You must come to New York one time to see central park at Christmastime, it's so magical. I'm thinking of taking ice-skating lessons. I know I could possibly hurt myself a lot of I fall over or something crazy, but I think it might help a lot with my ballet and my technique. Ice-skating looks so cool too! Study calls! See you very soon, love Jessi.
I was proud that Jessi was so happy in New York. I was happy that she wanted to catch up over Christmas too. I knew Claudia and Mary Anne would want to catch up with her as well, and Dawn, who was also coming for Christmas.
Hello!
You were almost dead on about college applications, haha. I sent them a week early and managed to help Claudia with hers. I'm so glad you want to catch up over the holidays. Guess what? Dawn is going to be in Stoneybrook for Christmas too. She wants to catch up as well. I don't know about Stacey and Mallory, but I'll talk to Abby soon about all of us meeting up. We should go out for dinner or something, just casual like at Renwicks or something like that. Ice-skating sounds awesome, you might become a world famous ice-skater if your good or will you just stick to ballet? It's been a while since I went ice-skating, probably the last time we went to Shadow Lake. I still think about the times we spent there, especially the first time. It was probably my favourite trip of all. I have to do some homework, but I'll send you another email with information on the reunion! Be safe, love Kristy.
I stared at my computer screen. Communicating with Jessi always left me with a sinking feeling in my stomach, like I had just sent someone to death. I looked at my contacts list. I still had people that I added all the way back in the eighth grade (when I made my email account) and looked at screen name NYCgirl, Stacey's. What was I afraid of? It wasn't like Stacey and I were close anymore, she couldn't disappoint me if she chose not to come. It was like the same with Abby and Mallory. I knew Abby would come, she wouldn't miss a chance for everyone to meet up. It had been four years since everyone was technically close. I turned my computer screen and re-opened my social studies book. It was going to be one awkward dinner.
/
I had tossed and turned all night and had some of the most bizarre dreams ever, including one, where I turned up late to the dinner and everyone was already there and instead of their normal heads, were shark heads. Clearly, my dreams were already telling me this was a bad idea. I opened my locker and began pulling books out and putting books in.
"There is something fishy going on." Claudia said, as she leaned up against the locker next to mine.
I looked at her. "Good morning to you too." I said. "What is 'fishy'?"
Claudia shrugged. "Mary Anne's recent behaviour. She never has the time to hang out in the afternoons. She always says she has to study."
"Midterms are coming up." I said, closing my locker. "Maybe Sharon and her dad are riding her hard about aceing them."
Claudia's nose wrinkled and she shook her head. "No, I don't get that vibe it's that. She's like, all tense and sneaky about it. And she blew me off for a study session yesterday afternoon."
I shrugged. "I don't know, she hasn't said anything to me. So, Jessi sent me a email yesterday, her family is definitely coming to Stoneybrook for Christmas and I've been thinking of having a bsc reunion."
Claudia raised her eyebrow. "How do you plan on getting everyone at one table without deceiving or lying?"
"I'm going to be straight up. I'm going to be like, 'I don't care if you want to come or not, it's happening and they're s going to be no split milk if you don't show up.'"
"I think the biggest problem will be Mallory. She seems to hate us all."
I shrugged. "That's her problem, I don't care."
/
"So, that's pretty much all the topics that will be covered in the midterm." I said, as I handed Cary a photocopy of my notes. "There shouldn't be any surprises."
Cary looked up from reading them, his eyebrow raised. "And if there is?" He asked.
I rolled my eyes and shut my textbook. "I'll take responsibility of promising you there wasn't and you can punish me."
Cary looked me up and down. "Any way I want?"
"Within reason." I said, smiling. "Is there anything else you want me to help you with?"
Cary smirked at me. "I'm failing biology."
I blinked. "You don't take biology?" I said, as he moved our notebooks and penicls over. "So, how can you be failing biology?" Cary's hand moved behind my head and pulled me in closer. He placed a kiss on my jawline. I felt his fingers move within my hair. He kissed me, pushing me backwards onto the carpet. I felt my heartbeat racing as I felt Cary's hand left my hair, down my neck, over my shirt until it reached the hem. He pulled away. His fingers were lightly tracing the waistband of my jeans. I was so hoping this wasn't a dream. I closed my eyes. I felt him move, both of his hands gripping my waist and then suddenly he picked me up off the ground. I snapped my eyes open. "What are you doing?" I exclaimed as I landed on my bed. I looked over at Cary.
He had a smirk on his face as he pulled off his shirt. He stared at me for a few seconds. He snapped the metal part of his belt open. I gulped. He pulled the belt off. My mouth went dry. Cary climbed onto the bed, pulling me into a sitting position. I lifted my arms as he pulled my shirt off. He lent towards my ear. "Do you want to keep going?" He asked.
I inhaled and nodded.
$%#
Claudia's locker slammed shut. She turned around. "You did what!" She exclaimed at me, earning a few glances from kids passing by.
My mouth gapped open and shut like a fish. "Um...um..." I tried to say before she grabbed my arm and dragged me to the nearest girls' bathroom.
Claudia dropped my arm and put her hands on her hips. "Explain."
I looked at the mirror. "I...almost had sex with Cary." I said in a small voice.
Claudia let out a small squeal. "Oh my lord!" She grabbed my shoulders and shook them. "Oh my lord!"
"You seem more excited than I expected." I said. "I can't believe that we went that far..."
Claudia giggled. "Kristy, I'm surprised you ever went that far with anyone! You and Cary are almost eighteen so it's okay. Why didn't you go all the way?"
It was obvious to me that I wasn't going to be Cary's first, but he was going to be mine. At the last moment, I decided not to continue. Since then, I had been screaming at myself, "WHY?". I shook my head. "I don't know." I said softly.
Claudia snaked her arm around my shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "You know, a couple of times before Alan and I went all the way, I hesitated. I never knew why. I felt like I was ready and I told myself but maybe my body just knew. Alan thought it was him and we had a fight and then one day he came over and we talked things out and it was then I was completely ready." She smiled at me. "You'll know, Kristy. Don't push yourself."
/#%
I rubbed my eyes. I hadn't concentrated for the rest of the day. I kept thinking about Cary and the lack of non-sex we had. Thinking how about it was probably my fault that he might not talk to me ever again but he proved that wrong during lunch as he sat next to me like normal at our table. He talked to me, traced the outline of my knee like usual, winked at me when Alan made a suggestive joke at Claudia and kissed me on the forehead before he went to sixth period. It was like nothing had happened yesterday. Was I going crazy with my thoughts? I was leaving the building and heading towards the buses to go home. I caught sight of a tall, blonde cheerleader just ahead of me. "Stacey!" I called.
Stacey turned around. She had a small smile on her face as I ran up to her. "Hi Kristy." She said. Stacey looked pretty as normal. No one could call her anything less. She was probably the most beautiful person in SHS. It was probably why she was homecoming queen and probably was going to be prom queen. I shook my head. Why was I acting like this? Stacey frowned. "You okay?" She asked nicely.
I nodded. "I'm fine. I have something to ask you."
"Ask away."
I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. I instantly thought of Cary biting the bottom of my ear. Oh sweet Jesus. "Jessi and Dawn are going to be in Stoneybrook for Christmas, and we're coming up with the idea of a reunion thing. Just dinner or something. Nothing big."
"Well, Mom and I don't go anywhere for Christmas and my dad will be working like usual... so I guess I can make it. Just send me a email of when and where and I'll come."
I smiled. I was glad Stacey was going to come. "Okay, I'm glad your coming."
Stacey shrugged. "I can't resist a BSC reunion." She looked over her shoulder. "You want a lift home with me and Sam?" She asked. "Beats getting the bus?"
I could deal with an awkward car ride with Sam and Stacey over the bus which was always over-crowded and smelly. "Sure."
%%$
Three days late I was pulling my hair out. Cary still acted like nothing had happened or even acknowledged it. Midterms were driving everyone crazy. Mary Anne and I helped Claudia study when she wasn't emailing Janine like crazy. I thought it was nice of Janine to help out Claudia when she had study of her own to do. Janine and Claudia's relationship was still strained and awkward but over the years Janine and Claudia had become closer and Claudia's grades had improved a bit. Mary Anne was being more and more secretive. She disppeared every afternoon straight away after our study session ended. Claudia and I exchanged glances as she packed her backpack at super speeds and said a rushed goodbye. This wasn't the Mary Anne I had known all my life. It was late Saturday afternoon when I had the phone in my hand and was dialling her number.
"Hello?"
"Mary Anne? Hi, it's Kristy."
"Hi Kristy. What's up?"
"Uh, I was just seeing what were doing."
"Just re-reading my English notes. I might re-read the book we've been reading in class again. I don't really get the ending."
"Oh okay. So, what's been up with you? You and I haven't really hung out lately."
"I've been really busy studying. You know how I get around exams."
"I know... it just seems like there might be something else going on..."
"No, nothing's going on. I promise."
"Well, if you ever need anything, you can always tell me."
"I know. I've got to study now. I'll see you Monday, okay?"
"Okay, bye." Click. I put the phone down and stared at the refrigerator. Mary Anne Spier was the worst liar I knew. She wasn't telling the truth. Something was going on. And I was getting to the bottom of it.