Where We Want To Be
"Claire! Come on, it's time for school!" Judi shouted up to Claire, tapping her long fingernails against the wood hand rail. Claire ran down the steps, almost running into her mother.
"Sorry," Claire said, her cheeks flushed as she slung her backpack over her shoulder.
"Claire, It's almost seventy degrees out. Go grab a short sleeve shirt. Quickly." Judi said, watching Claire tug on the ends of her Ralph Lauren sweater.
"Nah, we don't have enough time. I'll be fine." Claire said, walking briskly past her mom, throwing open the front door and marching out into the grass.
"Have a good day!" Judi called, watching with narrowed eyes as Claire slid into the Rivera's Hummer. She then turned and went back to scrubbing the dishes, muttering about a better punishment.
"Hey." Claire said, quietly, looking out the window as Alicia grinned slightly back at her. "Where's Dyl and Kris?"
"They're taking their own car. Sleeping in, aparently." Claire could hear the doubt in Alicia's voice, knowing that Alicia didn't agree with this plan. Claire fiddled with her sliver Tiffany necklace, feeling the letter's B and C againt's her fingertips. They were cool agaist her skin, giving her a slight chill.
"Why are you wearing long sleeves? I thought we agreed on short to quarter length sleeves." Alicia barked, pulling on Claire's sweater. Claire whipped her hand back suddenly, pulling the sweater past her palms.
"I was cold." Claire said, although she could feel the sweat trickling down her neck from the spring air and light sweater. Alicia raised her eyebrow, clearly not believing her beta. But she turned to the window instead of picking a fight. The victory would be to easy to get.
"So, uhm, what are we gonna do about the Massie thing?" Claire asked, tracing the rasied gash under her sweater.
"Just act normal." Alicia said in a "Duh" tone as the Hummer cruised to a stop infront of BOCD High. Alicia climbed out, making Claire run to catch up, feeling everyone's eyes on her. But it wasn't and envy stare. More like a pity stare, as if they felt sorry for Alicia because of Massie's death. Alicia wanted to bark at all of them, but she knew better. She could feel the weight of Massie's letter on her shoulers, telling her to step down.
Old habits die hard.
"Come on Kris. Let's go." Dylan said, gripping her backpack in her left hand.
"Coming." Kristen said, stepping out of her room. Dylan waited for her at the front door, then walked silently beside her.
"I bet Alicia's pissed," Kristen said, laughing dryly.
"Probably. But whatever." Dylan said, sliding into her Converj Concept Cadillac. It wasn't supposed to be avaible yet, but her mom had connections. Kristen sat in the passenger seat, putting her backpack in between her feet.
"Are you doing okay?" Dylan asked while backing out of the driveway.
"It's not an easy thing to go through - twice - but, yeah, I'm doing better. It's just hard." Kristen said, wiping her eye.
"Yeah. I'm sorry." Dylan said awkwardly.
"Don't be. That's what I hate. Becuase my parents are dead and Massie's dead, everyone's sorry. Don't be!" Kristen exploded. Dylan looked at her with wide eyes.
"Oh..." She traild off, still stunned at the outburst.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to take that out of you, but it's just bugged me forever." Kristen apologized.
"Nah, it's alright. Now I know what not to say," Dylan joked.
"Yeah. Thanks." Kristen said, watching the trees pass her window, breathing deep. She had something do to today. Something that might just change her life.
"Kendra..."
"No William, I will not listen to you plead anymore. Just face it; we're not in love anymore." Kendra said, hand on her purse, other gripping the doorknob.
"Kendra, just fucking listen, okay! All you've done this morning is shoot me down whenever I start to say something!" William said angrily at her.
"O-kay." Kendra said, somewhat shocked from William's outburst.
"Okay, this is horribly embarassing, but the reason I cheated on you with other women was because you didn't meet my... Er... Sexual needs." William admitted, blushing rose red.
"Oh," Kendra said, shocked all over again. It was the same deal for her, but she never wanted to admit it, even to herself.
Maybe she still loved him... Maybe it was all in her head...
"...That's why," Derrick explained to Cam, telling him all the reasons he ditched Massie, even though he should have been with her.
"Oh. I'm sorry man. That really sucks." Cam said to him, feeling half anger half sadness towards his best friend. He knew that Derrick was plenty smart enough to realize what he'd done was wrong, but Cam never realized how stuipd Derrick could be when it came to common sense.
"Don't say that!" Derrick yelled, pushing his fists to his eyes. He was trying to fight the tears that were escaping, but he couldn't stop them.
"What do you want me to say?" Cam asked, stunned.
"I want you to be pissed with me. Tell me to goo fuck off or something." Derrick said.
"God Derrick, I couldn't believe you were stuipd enough to go with the crowd and dump Massie for Alicia, even though you loved Massie. I wish you hadn't, because things would have been a lot simpler and just flat out better. Christ Derrick, I thought you were smart, not dumb." Cam said, the words slipping through his lips before he had time to stop them.
"Good," Derrick whispered.
"No Derrick, I didn't mean it..." Cam said, the anger gone from him now.
"No man, it's alright. I needed that," Derrick said, the tears still slipping down his cheeks, glistening like crystals, "Now go to school. You have a job to do." Cam looked at Derrick, realizing how true his words were.
"'Kay man. If you say so. But just call me and I'll be right over." Cam said, standing up and walking out of Derrick's rrom. He knew he should have said good bye, but he couldn't. He loved the guy like a brother, but couldn't stand to see him heartbroken.
Josh slammed his locker, trying to ignore all the strange looks the student body was giving him.
"Hey Josh. You okay?" Olivia Ryan asked, looking up into Josh's brown eyes.
"Doin' okay. Been better," Josh said, walking around Olivia. He had to make it through two more month of this school before he would be at Duke, startign a whole new life. Leaving all of this behind. All but one memory and a note.
"That's good. Listen Josh, I know everyone thinks I'm the dumbest girl around, but I can see that you're hurting. More than you want to admit. If you just wanna talk..."
"Olivia, I'm fine, okay? Beside, it doesn't matter what these people think. I'll be leaving this place soon." Josh said, turning to look at Olivia while the crowds thinned out, only a few daring to stick around the halls.
"Lemme' guess. You can't wait to be out of this hell-hole, to go to Duke and start a new life. You can't wait to forget about everything that's happened at BOCD." Olivia said, raising a perfectly waved eyebrow. Josh stared at her blankly.
"See? I'm not a stuipd as I say. I know you pretty well Josh, and I've only ever said a few words to you before. And no, I haven't been stalking you. You're just too easy to read." Olivia said.
"Oh," Josh merely replied, looking into Olivia's sea blue eyes.
"Come on, let's get out of here. You can tell me your story, but first, we need to make a quick stop..."
Oh-kay! Whatta'yah think? Would this story be and okay Jolivia/Olivosh? (Is that right? Ughh, I hate that!)
And what about Kendra and William. Should they stick together or fall apart? I can't decide...
And what is Cam's job? Could it have something to do with that phone call? EEP, you'll have to guess!!!
Review it.
xoxo, join. me. in. the. thunder
