SHIMMERING LAKE
Kelly looked out the window of Jack's dad's Hummer to see where they have arrived. It looked like a spot in a park and beyond a patch of tall trees in the back Kelly guessed was Shimmering Lake which looked black in the light of the moon. As they neared Kelly saw about ten cars parked in a parking lot which was lit by street lamps. All the cars had their trunks open and people were sitting in the back or leaning against the cars. There was a big truck that had two big speakers in the back that seemed to be the one playing the loud music Kelly heard as they neared. There were other people scattered around. Some were sitting on picnic tables and others were on the grass lounging. In the center of the parking lot there were even a group of three girls dancing and holding red Solo cups.
Jack pulled up in a spot near the end of the parking lot. Kelly was getting nervous. She had never been to a hangout place like this. She was pretty sure that there was alcohol involved and she was one to never drink or do anything crazy. However, she didn't want to seem like a buzzkill for the group of people who had already saw her as a member of their crew. She decided she had to get over her nerves and just try to enjoy herself with her new friends.
Everyone got out of the truck noisily and Kelly felt the fresh air hit her skin. She shivered realizing that she should have brought a sweater. She crossed her arms to help her stop shivering.
Jack headed to the back of the truck and pulled the trunk open. Sure enough Kelly saw a box of beer and red cups. They all poured themselves a beer even Tiffany who Kelly didn't expect to drink. Jack poured a beer in a cup and was handing it to Kelly. She stared at it and smiled shyly.
"Um, thanks," she told him and took it planning in her head that she would take the smallest of sips each time so as to not get drunk.
When everyone had their drink Kelly noticed everyone shift into their spots by the truck. Eve and Tiffany sat in the open trunk and pulled Kelly along with them. Randy was leaning against the right side of the truck and Jack on the left. Zack was walking around in from of them like he was trying to decide what to do.
"When a good song comes on we should go dance!" Eve said. All of a sudden fear hit Kelly. Dance? She was not a dancer! Besides being too shy of dancing in front of everyone she was sure she did not have rhythm. She was going to have to get out of this somehow.
"Yeah I'll go with you guys," Zack said excitedly beaming.
Everyone was quiet listening to the dance music that was playing and relaxing. Kelly couldn't help but look over at Randy who she was seemed to be looking around at the people as if he was looking for someone. Then she remembered that they had said his girlfriend Stacy would be here tonight. Kelly couldn't help herself but be bummed about that.
Sure enough at that moment Randy turned to the group. "Hey, I'll be back in a bit," he said. They all merely nodded at him. Kelly watched him as he headed across the dancing space to one of the picnic tables at the far corner of the park. There were two girls sitting there. One of them was dressed up in punk pink and black clothes. She had dirty blonde hair with black and pink streaks in it. The other was very blonde with shoulder length blonde hair. She had a crop top shirt and a short jean skirt on with black heals.
When Randy arrived to their table the girl with the punk clothes stood up and walked away to one of the cars parked next to the big truck with the speakers. Kelly watched as the other blonde girl which she guessed was Stacy stand and hug Randy. Then the two sat down on the table and seemed to be talking very seriously.
Kelly didn't know how long she had been staring at them until Eve yelled out. "Oh my gosh! This is my song! Come on let's go! Kelly…"
Eve was pulling on Kelly's arm and Kelly embarrassed gave her a face.
"What's wrong?" Eve asked.
"I don't dance. I don't know how," she said.
Eve rolled her eyes and gave Kelly a bored face. "Everyone can dance. Come on!"
Kelly had no idea what else to say. So she decided to tell her she would just dance later. With that Eve was satisfied and she grabbed Tiffany's arm and they headed to the dance floor with Zack tailing behind them. All of a sudden, Kelly realized it was just her and Jack now. She felt awkward and was almost thinking of running after Eve and the rest. However, she knew it would look rude.
To her surprise Jack walked over next to her and sat down. He smiled at her, "What do you think? Did you have a hangout spot like this where you were from? Actually where are you from?"
Kelly was not expecting him to talk to her so she took a second to answer. "Um, I'm from Yakima which is like three hours away from here and no they did not have hangout spots like this," she said. She decided to keep the conversation going so it wouldn't be so awkward. "I actually didn't really go out a lot. I was more focused on school and stuff." She said and shrugged.
Jack laughed. "You sound like Tiffany. She would always get annoyed at me for calling her a nerd since she was always studying." Kelly watched as his gaze set upon the blonde girl over on the dance floor. Then Kelly noticed Tiffany take a glance back at them. It was so quick that Kelly barely noticed it. She then realized that there was possible something between Jack and Tiffany. She had been so caught up on thinking Randy and Tiffany were together that she never noticed anything.
"Really? Well looks like we have something in common," Kelly said talking about Tiffany. Kelly was about to ask him something else when Randy appeared all of a sudden and sat next to her on the other side. She was so startled of him being so close she almost moved away. She now felt trapped between these two guys which she had no idea what to talk about now.
However, all of a sudden she didn't feel uncomfortable. The three sat in silence staring out at the people in the park. Kelly didn't feel the need to talk anymore. There was something about these group of people she had met that didn't make her feel like she had to fill in silence.
A gust of wind suddenly passed them and Kelly shivered. She wrapped her arms around her again while holding her cup of beer. Randy seemed to notice and looked at her with a worried look. "Are you cold? I can give you my jacket."
"Oh no, I'm okay. I'm just not used to this weather. It was hot all the time where I came from," Kelly told him. She could just imagine herself wearing his jacket and especially with his girlfriend right across the park. With that she turned and looked to wear Stacy was and realized she wasn't there anymore. She kept looking around the park and Kelly didn't see her anywhere. The other friend she was with was still with the people she had joined but Stacy was nowhere. Kelly wondered about that.
"Ok but let me know if you do want it. I'm not that cold," Randy said and smiled at her. She nodded and looked away embarrassed like always.
Kelly was happy to see Eve, Tiffany and Zack making their way back to them. The music had switched from dance music to hard rock metal.
"Oh my gosh! I'm so hot!" Eve said fanning herself. Randy and Jack stood up and resumed their places next to the car so as to let the girls sit. Eve plopped down next to Kelly and took a drink from her beer. Tiffany however, had gone to talk to some guy in the car next to them. He looked Latino and was actually "tall, dark and handsome." Kelly noticed Jack staring at them. He didn't look very happy.
"Who's that guy Tiffany is talking to?" Kelly asked Eve. Eve turned and looked.
"Oh, that's Alberto. He's been trying to date Tiffany for years now," she told Kelly.
"Oh," Kelly said and nodded. Eve continued talking.
"Yeah but Tiffany doesn't want to because she likes someone else," Eve said, "but that someone else always gives her mixed signals so I don't know if she's done trying." Kelly noticed her glimpse at Jack for a few seconds. Kelly did too and noticed him still staring at Tiffany and Alberto. Jack turned away when he saw Tiffany heading back towards them.
Tiffany sat on the other side of Kelly and sighed. She didn't even turn to look at Jack who was busy staring out at the dance floor now.
All of a sudden a loud laugh made them all turn. They all turned to see three girls walking by them. The one in the middle was the one who was laughing. She was short with brown hair and it looked like she was having trouble holding the cup in her hand without spilling it and walking. The other two girls next to her were taller than her and with dark black hair. They were holding on to her arms so as to keep her from falling.
They were passing right in front of them when the short drunk girl suddenly stopped making the other two halt in place too. "Ooh, there's some cute guys here," she said and was staring right at Randy.
Randy like always didn't take himself too seriously and just smiled.
"What's your name?" she asked.
"Mickie! Stop! Let's go. Sorry," one of the tall girls said to Randy, "she's had a bit too much to drink."
"That's okay," Randy said and laughed, "it happens."
"Yeah. Sorry," Mickie said slurring her words. It looked like she was going to listen to her friends and go with them but then her gaze landed on Kelly. "Hey, I know you!"
Kelly just stared at her. She did know her. Actually she knew two of the girls. It was Mickie James from her old school's basketball team. The other girl who had apologized was Candice Michelle who had also been in the team. The third girl who looked like she did not want to be there Kelly did not know. Kelly was in shock. What were they doing in Clyde Hill?
"Oh yeah. Hi," Kelly said awkwardly. She had no idea what to say.
"Kelly!" Candice exclaimed, "how are you? Do you live here in Clyde Hill now?"
Kelly had always liked Candice out of the two girls. Candice was more like Kelly, a bit more reserved unlike Mickie who was more outspoken.
"I'm good and yeah we just moved here a few days ago," Kelly told her feeling hot since Randy and the rest of the crew were quiet listening to their conversation.
"That's good," Candice said and smiled at her. Kelly hoped they would walk away already but then all of a sudden Mickie spoke up.
"So are you not depressed anymore?"
Kelly froze. It was silent.
"I mean. You were all sad because of your brother and stuff but I hope you feel better. Coach said if we had you at state we would have won. Too bad," Mickie continued to say.
"Mickie!" Candice said.
Kelly wanted to hide under a rock. She wanted this drunk girl to get out of her face. She had left Yakima to avoid all of this and now here was this girl bringing it all back. Kelly didn't know what to say. She felt her eyes burn. Was this finally when she was going to break down? In front of everyone? Was she finally going to cry?
However, before she could react she felt someone tap her shoulder. It was Randy. She looked up at him.
"Hey let's go check out the lake," he said. She felt herself stand as she decided she would go anywhere but here even if it was with Randy who made her nervous. She didn't even say anything to Mickie or Candice as she walked by them.
"I'm going. I'm going," Kelly heard Mickie say. She guessed Candice and the other girl were finally getting her to walk again. "Do you think she got mad? I didn't know that was her boyfriend."
Kelly's heard jumped. Did Mickie think Randy was her boyfriend? Well, then again she was drunk. Kelly looked up at Randy to see if he had heard what Mickie had said. He was looking straight ahead but Kelly had a feeling he had heard.
Kelly walked side by side with Randy in silence. She started to feel herself calm down. The urge to cry started to go away. Kelly looked forward and saw the lake shining up ahead. They started walking through a patch of trees and it got really dark without the lights of the parking lot. Kelly was worried she was going to trip over something.
It was as if Randy read her mind and he reached over and held her by her elbow. She almost pulled away in surprise but he didn't seem to notice. His hand really helped her steady herself as they walked over the lumpy dirt. They finally reached the lake and Randy let go of her.
Kelly took it all in. It was a beautiful lake. Kelly wondered how it looked during the day.
"It's really nice here," Kelly finally said and turned to look at Randy in the dark. The only light was of the moon that was shining upon the lake.
"It is. I like to come here sometimes to relax especially after work. I just stare at the lake," he said, "Is that weird?"
"No," Kelly said automatically. She then turned and stared out at the lake with him. She breathed in the fresh air and closed her eyes.
She felt her body relax. She couldn't believe what had happened to her. She had been about to breakdown in front of everyone. Thank goodness for Randy pulling her away. It was like he knew that she didn't want to be there.
She realized she still had her eyes closed and opened them to see him looking at her. They stared at each other for a second.
"Do you feel okay now?" he asked.
"Yeah, I do," Kelly said. Kelly didn't realize how close they were. His face suddenly changed and Kelly saw an expression she hadn't seen before. He looked like he was struggling with something.
But just like that it was gone and he sighed. "You want to head back?"
"Sure," Kelly said. With that they walked back through the trees while he held her by the elbow again.
She wasn't sure what it was but after that she felt different with Randy. She had lost all the embarrassment with him and walked confidently next to him. He hadn't questioned her about anything but had known something was wrong. She liked that because she wasn't sure if she was ready to talk about anything yet. She just wanted to do it in her own time.
As Randy and Kelly headed back to the parking lot they were met with a scene. As they neared Jack's Hummer they saw him standing face to face with none other than the Miz. Randy slowed down next to her and suddenly put his hand in front of her.
"Stay here," he said firmly. She was definitely going to listen to him because it looked like Jack and the Miz were in a heated argument. She noticed Tiffany and Eve standing a bit behind Jack looking scared. Zack was nowhere to be seen. Eve notices Kelly and grabbed Tiffany's arm and ran towards her.
"What's going on?" Kelly asked her.
"The Miz showed up and Jack who has had one too many beers confronted him for taking our basketball court," Eve said looking worried. "Let's just stay here. We don't want to get too close."
Kelly started panicking. She was hoping they wouldn't start fighting or anything.
"You don't own that court. It belongs to everyone. It's a freaking park!" Miz was shouting in Jack's face.
"I don't give a damn. You know we practice there! Go to you nice ass gym! Why the hell you gotta come to ours. You just want to start shit, don't you?" Jack said.
"I'm not the one getting in your face, am I? I was just coming to hang out with my girl just like everyone else…"Miz was saying. He was getting red in the face just like Jack already was. Kelly looked behind the Miz and sure enough there was his platinum blonde girlfriend with the other dark girl she had seen with her at the park. They didn't look scare but more annoyed. The blonde suddenly looked over to wear Kelly was and they met eyes. Kelly turned away quickly.
People from other cars starting coming over to see what was going on. Randy finally arrived at the scene. "Jack, calm down." When Randy stepped in front of Jack, the Miz looked taken aback. Kelly knew the Miz wasn't expecting Randy to show up. He looked a bit intimidated for a second.
"Calm your boy down, why don't you Orton?" Miz said to him.
Kelly expected Randy to ignore him but he slowly turned around to face the Miz who took a step back. "I wouldn't have to if you didn't have to purposely take our practice spot. Miz stop playing. You know you're doing it just to piss us off."
"I'm not doing shit. Our gym was busy…"
"Bullshit," Kelly was startled to hear Randy talk that way. He was always so gentle. "It doesn't matter anyway. We will figure out where to practice. You won't kick us out of this competition…"
"Ha! I'm not one bit intimated by your team Orton. I mean you might be good but the rest of your team sucks…"
With that all of a sudden Randy was in Miz's face. Miz had his fists clenched and it looked like he was holding his breath. Kelly heard Tiffany gasp next to her.
Suddenly, Kelly heard running behind her and saw two guys join the scene. It was the two guys from Miz's team. The redhead and dark spiky hair.
"What's going on?" the redhead guy said. He looked tense and ready to join in.
"Nothing that concerns you, Slater," Jack suddenly spoke up.
For a moment, Kelly thought they were all going to start throwing punches. However, suddenly a silver car sped into the parking lot and people parted ways to let someone through.
Kelly recognized Alex as he made his way over to the Miz.
"What the hell are you doing here? Didn't you say you couldn't come out?" the Miz asked Alex. Alex looked a bit sheepish but then shook it off.
"Stop Miz," he said. "Let it go man. We have other important stuff to take care off."
Then he whispered something in the Miz's ear and the Miz's face changed. He suddenly looked scared. However, he turned back to Randy and Jack with the mad expression on his face.
"Keep your damn court," he said, grabbed his girlfriend's hand and stalked off. The others followed him except Alex.
Alex turned to Randy. "What are you guys even fighting about?"
Randy's eyes narrowed. He looked at Alex and then turned and walked off coming towards Kelly and the girls. Alex just stood there staring after him. Then Kelly noticed him look at Eve who shook her head and turned around.
Knowing he was not wanted there Alex went back to his car and left.
Randy had reached the girls looking very upset. Kelly felt really bad for him. You could tell he was hurt after Alex showed up. Kelly knew it was time for them to leave. The crowd had went back to where they were at and some even started leaving.
Tiffany and Eve were by the Hummer now scolding Jack for starting a scene. Randy was leaning by the passenger door now. Kelly decided to go and talk to him.
"Well that was eventful," Kelly said and smiled timidly. She expected him to still be upset but suddenly his hard face softened as he looked down at her.
"I'm so sorry you had to see all that. You're going to thing we are all drama here," he said with an apologetic face.
"Oh no," she said quickly, "We all have our drama, don't worry."
He stared at her and saw him realize she was talking about the whole Mickie scene as well. He smiled a little. Then he started taking off his jacket.
"I know you're freezing. You've been hugging yourself the whole night. Here," he said. He opened up his jacket and waited for her to put it on. She stared at it unsure. "Just put it on."
She finally gave in and slid her arms in and was finally warm. She did feel much better. Then he did something that surprised her. He reached over and helped her fix her hair so it wasn't tucked in inside the jacket. His fingers had brushed the back of her neck and she felt herself get goosebumps. She tried to compose herself but then she looked up at him again and he had the same look he did by the lake, like he was struggling with something. However, again it was gone in a second.
"We should get ready to go now..." he said and Kelly nodded.
Jack who seemed calm now closed the trunk of the car and everyone started getting in the truck.
"Hey! Wait for me!"
Kelly turned and saw Zack running towards them. She had forgotten he was not around during the whole scene. He reached to where Kelly was panting. "We're leaving already?"
"Uh, yeah," Kelly said. She wasn't sure if to tell him everything that had happened so decided to just climb into the truck after him. She hadn't realized everyone else was inside already. However, it looked like Tiffany had decided to sit in the passenger's seat next to Jack who seemed very happy about it. Zack was already sitting next to Eve in the middle. So of course now she was going to have to sit next to Randy in the back.
She climbed over and he turned to her and smiled. Then he leaned over. "Just wait for it."
She turned and looked at him confused. Then all of a sudden she jumped as Jack had blasted the music again this time with heavy metal and him and Zack started head banging. Kelly heard Tiffany and Eve groan and cover their ears.
Randy laughed next to her as she made a face at him. Then with that Jack pulled out of the parking lot and they all headed home.
Drama, drama...what do you guys think so far?
x Lew
