A/N: Hi guys! How are you doing? First of all, I want to say that I'm feeling really happy because I reached the 200th reviews! And the winner is: SamCollins (Gab, I know that is you)! haha yes, you were the review number 200 with your second comment. Okay, I got interesting reviews, different point of views but some very similar. I only hope you're enjoying this story. I'm really out of words today; I don't know what is happening to me because I usually talk a lot. You know? I'll blame it on Darren Criss. For the people that watch Glee, you may know why I'm like this... Darren shirtless. Okay, I'll put aside my feelings about that. Better I'll start answering the reviews!
alicegursk: You always manage to make me laugh with your reviews (in a good way of course). Give me the blanket, please! What you're asking is too much, but I swear that very deep in my heart I'm a nice person, so please don't kill me! I'm sorry that you're a mess like Darren! I'm so very intrigued to know how you'll feel about this chapter now! I hope you won't cry this time!
monique: Were you surprised? Okay yes, maybe Freckles isn't a bad person! Now you'll know it all in this new chapter! Let's see how you'll feel!
Guest: I'm assuming that you left me two reviews; if not, I'm answering this to two people at the same time. Thank you a lot for saying that I'm a good writer! I'm trying to improve, though! And fine, I'll take it as a compliment, thanks a lot! Maybe the mess is gonna vanish with this chapter! And about publishing this story... What did you mean? I thought I was publishing this! Just kidding! But really, did you mean to publish this like a book for a bookstore? I think that would be almost impossible, I'll lose a lot of money because people won't buy it! Haha
Mockingjay-Potterhead-9: Is it really surprising the things that are happening? Aww, I know, the story about the little Amy! I'm always weak when it comes to little kids, so I understand you. Thank you a lot for saying that I'm doing a good work; I don't think it's awesome, though; but thanks, really! Is my head too weird? I'm a weirdo, maybe! Let's see if with this chapter I can leave you speechless or not! Thanks!
Kaylacriss332: Oh my wizard god! I burst out laughing when I read your review! Freckles is a fucking horcrux, I love that idea way too much! Your imagination is just so amazing; I wish I could think like you! And I don't know why I thought you'd stop reading this! I guess I had one of those insecure feelings, I hate those! Well, now I'll have to think how to turn Freckles into a horcrux... Maybe Darren is not gonna be Harry freakin' Potter, maybe he's gonna be Voldy and Freckles his horcrux; but I like Joe W. as Voldy. It's a hard decision.
Vcriss: I think you're confused, or maybe surprised? I can't tell, but I sense that's a good feeling, I think! I hope you're enjoying this. About the second comment, Chain Letters. What did you mean? Like, writing another story similar to Chain Letters or writing about like the Second Part of Chain Letters? On the assumption that is the second option... Oh well, what can I say? Chain Letters was like... it was very intense for me to write it and it was the best I could write and I doubt I could ever write something like that, not even Teenage Dream would be good (from my point of view), because I poured out my entire heart in Chain Letters. Yes, maybe I'd like to change some things if I read it again. It's funny because recently I read the last chapter of that story and it made me feel weird, a good feeling. But I'm not sure if I can write a second part of it because I'm afraid that I can totally screw it, and I wouldn't like to screw that story. I'll consider it, if I ever write a second part of it, I really need to think pretty well how I'd continue it, you know, to not screw it.
SamCollins: Okay Gab, we talked on Twitter already, my Latina fellow, my Sherlock to my Moriarty! Anyway, I'm gonna reply you because you already know I like to talk too much. I'll never spoil you anything about the story, no matter how hard you try and I'm sure you don't want me to spoil you anything. So I won't say anything about W, except that you really have to read this chapter. Let's see if this time you expected what it's going to happen, I challenge you, Sherlock! But you're Sherlock, so you surely have a lot of clues and you surely suspected about what's going to happen. Whatever, I'm Moriarty and I'm awesome. Haha. I love the face you put when talked about Chain Letters, can you really make that face? *w*? Please, tell your friend to not hate me, I'll soon stop with the suspense and this thing of twisting things, so tell him that you won't be so eager next time! But I'm glad you listened to your friend and you talked to me! Now I know more things about you and that's great! You're so funny and weird and I like that!
TimMyeong: It's amazing that you're telling me of whom you suspect. It's always amazing to read things like those. So, you're suspecting of Jen, huh? That's interesting. And yes, you'll find out who W is, maybe sooner than what you expect! And yeah, Freckles and Darren's relationship is a bit screwed, I know. But well, I love drama, I can't do anything about it! Okay, I just want to know what you'll think about this new chapter!
caarolineboeira1: You don't understand anything anymore! haha That's funny and I like that because that was actually my intention (I'm a very cruel person). So Freckles... Maybe Freckles is not that bad, but don't worry because you'll get explanations in this chapter, good ones! Maybe your heart will be even more broken after this chapter, maybe this chapter is a little sad and I'm really sorry but I always loved drama! Haha. But at least I'm warning you! Get ready!
guest: Oh, no! Now I'm feeling guilty because I made you feel guilty! Please, don't feel guilty! I know you were kidding when you said that thing of psychotic bitch! Please, I knew that because I'm like that, always saying those things in a jokingly way! And when I replied your last review if I said something bad, it was because I was saying it in a jokingly way, so sorry! My sense of humor almost always is gotten in a wrong way because I tend to be sarcastic and jokingly but not in a bad way, so I often make people feel bad even if it isn't my intention. I'm so sorry and please, do not apologize! I understand you didn't want to say that to me! And thank you a lot for saying that you enjoy this story! Really thank you and sorry! I think we can maybe start again and forget the misunderstandings!
SkittlesPanda: So many feelings! It reminds me of Darren (actually Blaine) when sings! It wasn't Freckles, yeah well; you'll know it with this chapter. Just calm down, you'll get explanations and you'll understand what's going on! I promise. Do not cry, even if this chapter is a little sad, do not cry. And please, do not punch Darren in the face! Even if with this chapter you'll really want to do it. Poor Darren! You don't want to break his nose, do you?
Ginny Zoey: I know, it's outrageous! I can't promise you to make things better, but I can promise you that you'll get explanations now and from there, the story and their relationship is gonna develop. And maybe you were right, maybe this is what W wanted, to make Freckles feel completely destroyed. You'll see! And one more thing I can tell you is that Teenage Dream still has a lot of more chapters, so who knows? Maybe things eventually will get better. So far, I have 40 chapters written and I still have a lot more to write, but I'm still unsure if I'm gonna post all I wrote because I could change my mind at any time, I'm like that! haha
MeMi83: Yes, you were right all this time but I didn't want to tell you that because I didn't want to spoil you anything! Thank you a lot! I really love writing this and I'm trying to do my best to keep it entertaining; either with suspense, drama, romance and a little comedy; that's why I like to twist things all the time, sometimes it works, sometimes not; guess I'll improve with time! Thanks!
vicky: Okay, okay! You caught me! Yes, there's someone behind all of this, and maybe in this chapter you'll find it out. If you find it out, then in the next chapters you'll get the answer of your question if Darren is gonna be able to forgive Freckles for doing what she did. But first Darren should find it out, right?
Guest: Right now I feel like a demon because I'm a bad influence for your studying! But well, at least I know you'll do it after reading the new chapter! Thank you a lot! I'm glad you're enjoying this story and I'm so very glad that you liked Chain Letters as well! You see, for this story, you'll have to wait a lot to read the ending. Like really, a lot. I'm not planning to end it any soon, and I hope that could be good news for you!
Okay guys! I got so many reviews that mentioned Chain Letters and it's weird because recently I read the last chapter of that story! haha just wanted to say that! Now back to this story... I have a question for you all and I wish you can answer it. We're in the chapter number 28, right? Well, this first part ends in the chapter 30. If you read the summary, you surely know that Teenage Dream takes place at high school, college and professional life. All you read so far was only the high school part. So, you have 2 options: Either if you want this story to end in the chapter 30 only with the part of high school, or if you want me to keep posting more chapters that take place at college and professional life. So far, I wrote 40 chapters, and currently I'm writing the college part. But if you feel like you're gonna get bored about this, I'd like if you let me know that. Because in case you want to read only the part of high school, I really need to change the end of the story because... well, because it really can't end in the way I wrote the chapter 30. So please, let me know what you think and what you'd like! I'd appreciate it so much! Okay, now I'll stop boring you all with my boring comments and I'll let you read this new chapter! I hope you can enjoy it, guys! Until next Saturday! Warm fuzzies!
Teenage Dream – Part 28 – Making a choice.
When I entered the classroom again, after having that odd talk to Mandy, Jen was waiting for me.
"What did she want?" She asked curiously.
"Nothing, just shit." I answered moody. "Just... Let's practice."
Jen nodded and we started practicing few lines; but I couldn't focus on it, I was still thinking about what Amanda said. Was really Freckles crying about me? Was she really feeling bad? And what did she mean when she said that Freckles was doing things to protect me and my family? Why did she tell me that I needed to open my eyes because she wasn't the bad person? I started feeling really confused but then I remembered that day when Freckles admitted she was W. She was telling the truth that time; it was ridiculous to start doubting it. I needed to stop being a fool, I needed to stop believing their lies; I needed to focus on myself now and forget about Freckles. Yes, I needed. When the class finished, I checked my phone and I had a text message. It was from an unknown number, but it wasn't the same that Freckles used when she was texting me as a W. I read it very curious; even more curious when I realized that I could reply the text message, not like those text messages from W, I mean, Freckles.
From unknown number: Criss, they're lying to you. You think you know who W is, but things aren't as they seem.
To unknown number: Who is this? Amanda, if this is you; stop bugging me, geez.
From unknown number: I ain't telling you who I am; but I'm not Amanda. Your girlfriend is not the one to blame, Criss; you should know it.
To unknown number: I do not have a girlfriend and I'd appreciate if you stop texting me. If you have something to talk about, come and face me; don't be a coward as the supposedly girlfriend is.
From unknown number: Will do; but not yet 'cause you're not ready yet. Just try to see things more than you can see superficially. There's something else you still don't know.
To unknown number: Why don't you make this easier and just tell me now what is that about?
From unknown number: You need to find it out by yourself. I know you won't believe what others say. But I'm willing to help you to find it out.
To unknown number: I'm not interested, thanks. Make me a favor, forget my number and mind your own business.
And that was the last text message I sent and the last I received. Oh great, the least I needed was to receive more anonymous text messages. Geez, when was all of this finish? I was sick of those things, it reminded me to Freckles and that sucked. I was almost sure it was Amanda the one who was texting me and it irritated me. I wanted to forget Freckles so it was really annoying to keep hearing about her. Well, it was needless to say that I was really moody and Jen noticed it.
"Is everything fine, Darren?" She asked curious.
"Yeah." I answered curtly while grabbing my backpack.
"With who were you texting?" She asked intrigued and I sighed.
"No one in particular; wrong number." I lied because I really didn't want to worry Jen with this stupid thing.
"I see..." She answered doubtfully; she knew I was lying, she always knew.
"I wasn't texting Freckles if that is what you were thinking." I answered looking away and walking to the door as Jen followed me.
"Why would you think I was thinking that?" She complained defensive.
"You were, I know you." I answered curtly, shrugging.
"Well, yes; I were. It's just... You still think about her and it's hurting you and I thought that maybe..."
"Yes, Jen. I still think about her but I'm aware of what she did, so I'm not that fool to talk to her again. I don't even want to see her again." I interrupted her, moody and frowning, feeling angry. But the truth was that maybe I wanted to see her, but I knew I shouldn't.
"Okay, I was just checking. Don't get mad at me." Jen said kind of hurt and I stopped walking to look at her.
"I'm not mad at you, Jenny. I'm just mad for all that happened. It'll pass, just gimme time." I said softening my voice now and she nodded.
"Hey guys!" Karen exclaimed cheerfully once we left the drama classroom.
"Hey." I answered monotonous. I liked the way she was trying to cheer us up, but right in that moment I wasn't in mood to pretend I was fine.
"Hi, Karen." Jen greeted with a slight smile.
"How are you doing?" She asked just as cheerfully and neither I nor Jen answered. Apparently she felt uncomfortable. "Right, stupid question. Let's just pretend I didn't ask it." She said nervously and, over again, neither Jen nor I answered. "I was here just to invite you to hang out. I was thinking we could go for lunch and then go to the movies." She said happily smiling. When Karen mentioned the movies, inevitably, I thought when I was going to take Freckles to our first date and take her to the movies. I felt very sad but I quickly thought about something else.
"Yes, I like that idea." Jen answered forcing a smile.
"Good!" Karen exclaimed excited and she looked at me. "What about you, Darren?"
"Uhm... I'll skip this time." I answered looking down. I wouldn't go, I didn't want. "I promised my bro that I was going to help him to do something..." I lied, trying to make up a good excuse.
"Oh, okay..." Karen answered kind of let down, but I wouldn't change my mind; I really wanted to be alone.
"Yeah... Well, I'm already late, so..." I said uncomfortable. "See you tomorrow girls. Have a good time."
I left and I walked to my house, but I didn't want to come back there. I was sure that now my parents or Chuck were going to start asking what was happening to me or why I wasn't seeing Freckles or why she wasn't coming at my house as usual. I honestly didn't want to talk about this with them; I still didn't want to explain them that we weren't a couple anymore, to explain them why we weren't dating anymore. I wasn't feeling good at all; despite all that she has done, I couldn't stop thinking how bad she could be feeling judging by what Mandy said. Man, I only wanted to keep her out of my mind, but it seemed to be impossible and more after those odd text messages I received. I had to admit that I missed her; not her but what I thought she was; I was feeling empty without her, like I didn't know what to do, nothing could motivate me. I missed her, but I didn't want to see her, so I walked to Marin Headlands, that place that used to be our special place. When I arrived there and I looked around, I realized it was a bad idea to have gone there. That place wasn't cool anymore, I didn't like that place anymore because there was a weird atmosphere now that she wasn't there with me. Everything seemed lonely when it used to be peaceful and amazing. When I arrived that place, I saw all the places where Freckles and I used to sit and talk for hours; no one was there now. I felt nostalgic and crestfallen, and I started thinking what would I be doing if she was still here as the girl I used to know. Boy, this was making me feel even worse, why was I doing this to myself? But I kept walking to go to that place where Freckles and I kissed for the first time. When I was about to arrive, something stopped me abruptly. Freckles was actually there, sitting on the grass against a tree. She was looking fixedly at some random point and she seemed to be thoughtful. And she was with the ukulele I gave to her, holding it but not playing it. I remained staring at her for a while, without being able to move; I didn't want her to see me, but I couldn't do anything. I noticed how she shifted in the place she was sitting and that made me react. Feeling how my heart was beating fast because of my nervousness, I hid quickly behind a tree that was near me, resting my back in the trunk and letting myself to fall slowly in the grass. I started crying with no reason, I didn't even notice that I wanted to cry, tears just started falling down my face. I didn't even turn to look at her again; I just couldn't because I was feeling super bad. The girl I loved was right there and now everything was different, now I couldn't be in the same place than her. The hole in my heart appeared again. I covered my face with my hands to prevent any kind of sound I could make for being crying, she couldn't suspect that someone was there, that I was there. And the crying turned into a very content and silent crying, a muffled crying; it was exasperating, it was heartrending. I tried to calm but it was being hard. Then I had no better idea than poking my head out the trunk and see her. She was now looking at my direction and she saw me. She got very stunned and perplexed and so did I. We stared into each other's eyes in silence and neither of us moved from where we were. She was distant, so I couldn't notice if she was crying as me or not, but I could notice she was pale. My heart was beating really fast and I was feeling terrible. Then she stood up abruptly and started walking right to where I was as I started feeling even more nervous. I hid my head behind the tree again and I closed my eyes, wiping my tears away. She was going to talk to me or something and I wasn't ready to receive more aggression from her; I didn't want to hear more rude things from her; I just wanted to remember her as the girl I used to know; I didn't want to hate her but it was impossible. I heard her steps coming closer, but I didn't move; she was really near and she was going to stop where I was, I knew it; I was starting to get ready to hear her voice again. A voice talked, but it wasn't her voice.
"Darren, what are you doing here?" The voice asked and I opened my eyes to see Karen standing in front of me.
I stood up quickly and the first thing I did was to look behind the tree to look at Freckles. She was indeed very close to me, but now she was only standing there as if she was in shock. She was looking at me with a very sad expression on her eyes and then she looked behind me, she surely was looking at Karen now; and when she did it, she looked down. Now that Freckles was closer, I could notice that she didn't look as I remembered her; all the shine that she used to have wasn't there anymore, she was paler than ever and she had dark circles; she truly looked gaunt and haggard, as if she hasn't slept in days. Then I felt how Karen linked an arm around mine and that made me stop looking at Freckles to look at her; when Karen did this, I noticed how Freckles looked at us surreptitiously.
"What are you doing here?" Karen asked rudely looking at Freckles. Freckles didn't answer, she remained looking down. "You've already caused so much pain, so why don't you just leave and stop messing with other people's lives? You're disgusting." Karen said even more rudely and I looked at her frowning. I didn't need her to defend me, and I didn't like the way she was talking, even though I knew she was doing it to help me and I should be thankful for that. "Leave, bitch!" She yelled angrily.
But Freckles didn't move, she didn't answer. This was a very odd situation. Freckles didn't seem to be the nasty person she was, she seemed to be sad and... Was she silently crying? What the actual fuck? I couldn't get what was happening.
"If you dare to mess with Darren again, I swear I'm gonna beat you, you damn bitch. How could have you been such a heartless and nasty person when Darren was giving you everything? And now you appear to mess with him again. Leave him alone. Can't you see that he doesn't want to see you again because you're a damn whore who broke his heart? Better if you stay away." Karen said threateningly and I looked at her frowning.
"Stop, Karen." I whispered but I knew that Freckles heard me because she was now looking at me blankly. "Just let's go, I don't want to be here near her." I said coldly and Karen nodded.
"Die, bitch." Karen said nastily.
Then we turned around to leave Freckles and Karen had to led me, almost force me, to walk away from Freckles. Damn, why was it so hard for me to leave her after all she did to me? I tried not to look back because I knew that if I did it, surely I was going to stand there just to see her a little more.
"Darren." I heard Freckles' voice calling me from behind.
Damn, she said my name and my heart skipped a beat as always happened whenever I heard her voice calling me. I stood abruptly when I heard her calling me, but I didn't turn around to see her; instead, I remained looking down, feeling really bad. Damn, I shouldn't have seen her; I shouldn't have heard her voice. Karen tried to force me to walk again, but this time I resisted keeping walking. I unlinked my arm with hers and I finally turned around to look at Freckles; I couldn't help it, I knew it was wrong, but it was Freckles, even though she wasn't the girl I used to know. She was looking at me fixedly with her big eyes; whoa, she was truly haggard. I didn't move, so she walked to me slowly and while she was walking, she drifted her gaze to look at Karen with a weird look; but I didn't mind to look at Karen, I was just looking at Freckles. When Freckles and I were close enough, my body started trembling and I had to look down to try not to remember all the times we were close; because in those times I was used to pull her closer and kiss her soft lips and now it wasn't going to happen.
"Darren." She said again in a whisper.
Her voice sounded muffled. That caught my attention and I looked into her eyes; I got lost in her eyes. I don't know why she had sad eyes, why? She should be looking at me in a nasty way like the last time we talked. But no. And that made me feel bad and confused; I just needed to remember all the awful things she has done to me; I needed to remember that she was pretending to be someone she wasn't as she has been doing all this time.
"I... I wrote a letter for you." She said with trembling voice and looking for something in her pocket.
I was just looking at her in silence; I couldn't say anything at all. Then she finally pulled out from her pocket a crumpled paper, handing it to me. But I didn't grab it, I just couldn't do anything, I didn't know what was happening to me. She insisted, handing it to me again.
"Please, take it. It's important to me." She said supplicant with her big and now teary eyes. She seemed to be desperate. I was about to grab it, but then I remembered why I couldn't see her again for all she has done.
"I don't want it. I'm not interested in having something that belongs to you, everything of you makes me sick; so you can burn it if you want, but I'm not taking it." I said coldly and then I turned around without looking at her once more time.
I knew I shouldn't see her or I was going to regret what I said because she still had that effect on me. I started walking away from her and Karen followed me. After walking a little, I turned my face to look at Freckles. She was standing there, looking at me with sad eyes but not crying, still holding the letter in her hands. It broke my heart, but I knew I was doing the right thing; I needed desperately to take her off my mind.
"You did the right thing, Darren." Karen said softly once we were really away from Freckles. I just stopped abruptly and I looked at her, very serious.
"I appreciate all you're doing for me, Karen. But just leave me alone, I want to be alone." I said supplicant and exasperated as she looked at me with eyes wide open.
"All right. I'm sorry." She said with trembling voice.
"I'm sorry, Karen. I'm a mess right now and I honestly don't want to be with anybody. It's not you, it's me. Sorry." I apologized when I noticed how rude I sounded.
"I understand. And if you ever need to talk, just count on me, Darren." She said softly with a slight smile and I smiled at her faintly.
"Yeah, thanks." I answered looking down, biting my lower lip. "See you tomorrow at school, Karen."
I walked away from Karen as fast as I could because I didn't want her to see me crying, because I just couldn't hold back my tears any longer. I walked to nowhere in particular and without noticing it, I was in the Golden Gate Bridge. I just chose a place to sit where nobody was around and there I started shedding those tears. It was painful to see Freckles; and even though I used to think of her lately, I thought I've already overcame these feelings I had for her, but it wasn't like that at all, I was just lying to myself. I spent hours there, crying like a little boy but aware that it was going to be the last time I was going to cry for her, because after that, I was definitely going to forget her; I needed to. When it was already dark, my phone buzzed. Again, the unknown number.
From unknown number: Criss, you should've taken that letter. It was really important and you have to read it. That letter explained how things actually were. I have it in my hands now, in case you want to read it now.
To unknown number: Fuck! Stop harassing me! I don't want any of that, I'm not interested and you and your friend or whoever that girl is for you can go to hell. Stop texting me, goddammit.
"Hey honey, can I come in?" Your mother said softly from the door of your bedroom.
"Yes." You answered curtly because you weren't feeling like talking.
Since you saw Darren in Marin Headlands, everything was going worse. You could understand that he didn't want to talk to you, that he could be mad at you; but you never thought he could reject your letter. That letter was very important and hard to write and now he wouldn't read it and you needed him to read it but that wouldn't happen. So now you were in home and you wouldn't stop crying since the afternoon.
"What's wrong, honey?" Your mom asked concerned and softly, sitting on the edge of the bed, caressing your back. You avoided her look; you didn't want her to see you like this.
You already explained her that you've been expelled from school, even before the principal did. Of course you didn't explain the real reasons why you were expelled; you didn't want her to think that you were a bad person. She understood and she believed your lie and that made you feel even worse; you were lying to your own mother. Anyway, she had been very supportive about this, even though you spent most of the days locked in your bedroom, not talking to anybody, not even to Mandy.
"Nothing." You answered with cracked voice, trying not to cry anymore now that your mother was there.
"I'm your mother; I know when you're lying." She said softly, still rubbing your back. If only she knew that you already lied to her before. "Does this have something to do with your boyfriend? It's been a while since the last time he came here or you went to his house." Your mother asked and you tried your best to hold back the tears. Those words hurt.
"We're not together anymore." You answered with muffled and teary voice.
"Why? You were so fine the last time I saw you together; and after all the lovely things you told me about him. He was a good boy as far as I know about him. What happened?" Your mom asked curious and baffled and you really didn't want to talk about it.
"Just... Seems that we couldn't... It didn't work." You answered still with teary voice, making an extraordinary effort not to cry.
"Oh honey, I'm so sorry." Your mom said anguished, rubbing your back again reassuringly.
"Mom..." You said now looking at her with teary eyes. "I've been expelled and Darren and I aren't together anymore, and I... I can't be here anymore, it hurts me."
"What? What do you want to say?" Your mom asked very worried and confused, looking fixedly at you.
"I'm not going through a good moment right now and it seems that it's not gonna get better, no matter how hard I try. I'm not doing fine and I'm a mess, I really need to clear up my mind but I can't while I'm still here, in the same place where all the shitty things happened. I need to go away, just for a while; to see if finally I can get better." You explained desperately looking at her.
"What do you mean? Do you want to live with your father?" She asked still confused.
"No, mom. I want to go away from San Francisco. I thought that maybe I could go to San Diego or Los Angeles, it's not so far from here and there are some schools where I could go... And if I go to San Diego maybe I could stay with our aunt Hilary..." You answered nervously because you knew that your mom didn't like this idea.
"No, that's not gonna happen." Your mother refused energetically.
"Please, mom, I beg you. Just for a while, I really need it." You said now shedding those tears that you were holding back. "I love San Francisco and I love living with you and Mandy; but I honestly can't be here because everything reminds me of the bad things that happened and I really tried mom! I tried not to think about it, I tried to get better while being here, but it's been a long time and I still can't get better and I know I won't. I never ask you for anything, but this time I'm begging you to let me do it."
"It's just a bad moment for you, I understand it. But overcoming these kinds of things is the way you can grow up. I've been a teen too, and I also had those moments when I thought that everything was wrong and it was going to be the end of everything, but eventually things got better. You don't need to go anywhere although you think that is the only way; you won't fix things that way; and eventually, it'll pass, you'll see." Your mother answered quietly.
"Mom!" You exclaimed exasperated. "It's not something that happened since I've been expelled. I've been doing wrong since years! I've been accumulating lot of things and the fact that I've been expelled and that Darren and I broke up, are only the things that made me explode! Darren was the only one who was making me feel a little better and now he isn't here anymore; so I beg you, please, let me go!" You said desperately, sobbing while your mother was looking at you distressed.
"We'll do something." Your mom said sighing and you tried to wipe away your tears. "You said that Darren was the only one who could make you feel a little better. I don't know what happened between you both and I won't force you to tell me. But if he makes you happy, then you should talk to him and try to solve things. Love is like that, it's complicated and you have no idea what a talk can do when everything seems lost. Don't be afraid to talk because maybe he wants the same but he doesn't dare to do it and because, after all, it's only a talk, it's not something strange. What I'm trying to say is that if you still love him, you shouldn't give up on the person you love only because of an argument you had; you have to fight for the good things you have." Your mom said quiet while you were looking at her amazed. You never had this kind of talk with your mom and it was weird how open she was about love, about you and Darren. It seemed she really liked Darren. "If that talk doesn't work and you still think that you can't be here, you can go to San Diego with your aunt Hilary, just for a few months. But only if you promise to try to solve things here and not give up so easily."
"I promise; I'll talk to him. But promise me that if it doesn't work you'll truly let me go to San Diego." You said looking fixedly at your mom.
"I promise." Your mom said smiling slightly and caressing your long hair as you smiled faintly at her.
"Thanks, mom." You whispered, hugging her and burying your head on her lap.
Your mom was right, maybe you should try just a little bit harder, all you could do. And well, if it didn't work, she was going to let you go so maybe that way you'll clear your mind and finally get better. So you did what you promised: next day, you went to Darren's house in the afternoon. So now you were standing in his front door, waiting for someone to open you the door.
"Hi sweetheart, it's nice to finally see you again." Cerina Criss said with a warm smile. You smiled back at her.
Wow, you missed her; she was like a kind of mother while you were living at Darren's house. And the fact of thinking that if things with Darren go wrong you wouldn't see her again, made you feel sad. But you tried to be positive; you tried to think that this talk was going to work out.
"Hi Cerina. It's nice to see you again too." You answered politely, still smiling.
"Come on, come in, sweetheart." She said inviting you and you nodded before entering. "I was wondering why you haven't come here lately. Darren wouldn't talk about it."
"Yes... I think we've been busy lately; you know, with the exams and Darren with the prom coming closer... I guess it's that." You lied feeling terrible for that, but you didn't know what to say; apparently she didn't know anything about what happened.
"I understand. This part of the year is crazy for everybody." She said giggling softly and you nodded with a faint smile. "Well, I won't bug you anymore!" She exclaimed and you tried to answer her that it wasn't a bug, but she interrupted you. "I was your age a while back, so I know that the most you want to do now is to see him. Darren it's upstairs, in his bedroom. Lately, he's been locked in his bedroom all the time, maybe if you go there, he finally will leave his bedroom." She said frowning and you looked down, biting your lower lip. Maybe this was your fault. "Go there, sweetheart; this is still your home, so feel free. I bet he's gonna be happy to see you around."
"I hope so." You answered with a faint smile, trying to pretend you were happy to hear that, but the fact was that you weren't sure that he was going to be happy to see you there. "I... I'll go there, then." You said shyly.
"Yes, yes; go sweetheart. I'll make chocolate milk for you two." She said smiling widely and you smiled shyly.
You went upstairs and when you reached Darren's bedroom, you stayed standing there in front of the closed door for a while. You were really nervous, because you didn't know how he would react once he sees you; you didn't know what he would say and you didn't even know if he would listen to you. You actually didn't know what to say, but you had the letter that you wrote for him there with you. Nervous and trying to calm, you knocked the door.
"Come in." You heard Darren's voice yelling from his bedroom and your heart skipped a beat.
He didn't ask who it was, but you opened the door anyway. He was lying in his bed, giving his back to the door, so he didn't see it was you the one who was there. You stood there, too shy to walk in. His bedroom was a mess like the first time you went there and there was a weird smell. Was this really a good idea to have come here to talk to him? Now you were cowering. You looked down and started playing with your fingers because of your nervousness; you didn't know how to start talking.
"Mom, what do you want? Just say it." He said kind of irritated, still giving you his back.
So, he was thinking that you were Cerina. What would he do when he realizes that it was you? You didn't say anything. Damn, why was this so hard? It wasn't so hard in your mind, but in the real deal was different. You heard how he was shifting in his bed but you didn't look up; shit, your body was trembling.
"What the fuck are you doing here?" He asked angry. Definitely, he finally saw you and this wasn't a good start.
I was having one more of those usual crappy days that I was having since Freckles admitted she was W. I spent the whole day at school without talking to anybody except Jen and Karen, who were trying to distract me with things about prom and shit. I tried to pretend I was excited, but the truth was that nothing was exciting for me in these days. As soon as I finished the day at school, I came back at home and I locked in my bedroom, avoiding talking to any of my family. I knew that sooner or later I was going to have to talk to them and return to normality, but right now; after I saw Freckles with that letter and after I received all of those anonymous text messages trying to convince me that nothing was as it seemed, I wasn't feeling so well. However, last night was the last time I cried for Freckles and it was going to be like that from now on. I was tired of feeling sad because of her, so whatever; she was going to disappear of my mind one way or another. But right when I finally could stop thinking of her, she appeared in my house. She was now standing in my bedroom, without uttering a single word.
"What the fuck are you doing here?" I asked rudely when I saw her.
I thought it was my mom the one who was there, but obviously I was wrong. Freckles didn't answer; she remained standing there in silence, looking down, biting her lower lip and playing with her fingers. What before I thought it was cute, now it was irritating for me: it was irritating to see her playing with her fingers. Damn, she was so cheeky and impertinent to have come here as if nothing ever happened. Who the hell did she think she was?
"I asked you something, so answer me." I insisted just as rudely, looking at her.
"I just wanted to talk to you." She answered in a whisper, still looking down.
"You and I have absolutely nothing to talk about. So leave, I don't want to see you." I answered coldly and she finally looked up. She seemed to be distressed but surely she was pretending it, so I ignored it.
"Please, let me talk." She said looking at me.
"No." I said roundly and harshly. "You already talked, you had your chance. I don't know if you already forgot when you tied me and Jen in that room, when you took off your mask and you showed your real personality." I said in disgust. "You know? Get out of here, you make me sick." I said harshly and she looked at me with her big and teary eyes. Once again, I ignored it.
"Please, Darren. Let me tell you..." She started saying with teary voice but I interrupted her.
"I don't want to hear your damn annoying voice; I don't want to see your fucking irritating presence; I don't want you to be in my bedroom, such impudence!" I exclaimed in disbelief. "Who do you think you are? Do you think that you can treat me like shit, use me like a toy, cheat on me, throw me and then come back as if nothing has ever happened to talk to me? About what? About how you can shit on me?" I asked angrily while she was frowning and looking at me distressed.
"No!" She yelled exasperated and I looked coldly at her.
"I'm done with you; I'm done with all your shit. I don't care about you, I don't care what you have to tell me; I just don't care. And you know? Since you're gone, I've never been better." I lied, saying it in the most hideous way I could have said it. She looked down again.
"I have something to tell you..." She whispered weakly, still looking down.
"Keep it to yourself, goddammit! Can't you understand that I don't want to hear you because I'm not interested?" I asked rudely. "Can't you understand that you mean nothing to me, you damn bitch?" I said harshly and she looked up at me with tears in her eyes. Whoa, that was cruel and I felt bad for insulting her; but I didn't want to see her anymore and this was the only way.
"Fine." She said with cracked voice and still with tears in her eyes, but not shedding them. "If you don't want to talk, is fine. If I mean nothing to you, okay then. I just... I just really want you to read this." She said pulling out the same letter she tried to give me yesterday.
I only looked at it pretending to be indifferent, with a serious and nasty expression on my face. She walked shyly to my bed and I tried to stop her, but I couldn't do it. She only left the letter on my nightstand and then she walked to the door again. She was trying to say something but apparently she couldn't. I looked at the letter. I wanted to read it, but I knew I shouldn't because it wasn't a good idea if what I wanted was to forget her.
"I don't want your fucking letter." I said harshly.
So I just grabbed the letter and I crumpled the letter. Freckles looked at me agape and astonished when I did it, but she didn't say anything. So then I threw the crumpled letter in her face. When the crumpled letter hit her face and then it fell on the floor, she looked down and I saw how she finally shed the tears. Oh fuck, I felt terrible. Why the hell did I do it? I wasn't that kind of guy, but the pressure that I was feeling to forget her and this uncomfortable situation for me, led me to do it. However, I didn't apologize.
"Get out of my house and never come back." I said rudely, looking away now. She didn't move. She only crouched to grab the crumpled letter.
"Hello guys!" My mom said cheerfully entering in the bedroom and the situation turned into an even more uncomfortable situation. "I brought chocolate milk for you two."
"Cool, but she was leaving now, right?" I asked loudly looking fixedly at Freckles. My mom frowned and looked at her. Fortunately Freckles wiped her tears away and she was now only looking down.
"Yes, sorry Cerina. I was leaving. So sorry." She answered in a whisper still looking down.
"But I thought..." My mom started saying curiously and confused.
"She has things to do, so she will leave right now, mom. Do not insist." I said curtly.
"Okay, but maybe you can drink these and then she can leave." My mom insisted, not being aware that Freckles and I just had a dispute.
"No, she is leaving right now." I replied coldly.
"Darren, don't be so ill-mannered." My mom reproached me.
"It's alright, Cerina. I really have things to do, maybe another time." Freckles answered still looking down. "Bye Cerina, have a good day." She said looking at my mom now with a slight smile and then she looked at me sadly. "Goodbye, Darren."
Those were the last words I heard from her; that was the last time I saw her. She was gone now; she was gone from my life; this was going to be a real new start without her. It was good... At least is what I tried to convince to myself.
WEEKS AGO…
Darren and you went separate ways and now you were looking for Mandy. You tried to call her several times but she wouldn't answer. Where could she be? You were very desperate, you needed to talk to her, you needed to tell her what was happening, and your time to find W was running. Then your phone buzzed, it was an incoming call from Mandy.
"Mandy! Where are you? I'm looking for you!" You said desperately.
"We've got your sister, fat ass. If you want to get her back, come to the empty classroom at the end of the hallway. And come alone, for your own good and for your sister's good." The machine voice of W said and then hung up.
Oh no, crap. You needed to tell Darren, but if you tell him, then he was going to want to go with you and that couldn't happen. At this point, you thought that W was able to do anything. They had Mandy and you needed to go for her, but you were scared. Everybody was already going to the gym and you were still there in the hallway, cornered against a locker, feeling very scared. This was as if you had to walk right to where you knew you were going to be hurt. This was inhuman; no human being would walk or do something knowing that undoubtedly would end up hurt. She was your sister, you needed to go, you needed to stop thinking and feeling scared. You tried to think about something else, otherwise you were going to cower. Once that almost no one was around, you started walking to that classroom, trembling. When you arrived there, you tried to open the door without thinking twice, but the door was locked. At that time you tried to run away because you were literally freaking out, but someone opened the door: Brian. You looked at him really scared and edgy. He also looked at you very serious and he whispered something you barely could hear.
"Run away. Now."
You looked at him bewildered and you, like a fool, stayed there because you couldn't move. Brian grabbed you by your arm and he repeated the same he said. He seemed to be just as edgy as you. He let out your arm and you tried to turn around to leave, feeling very scared and stunned; but someone grabbed your arm again, this time it wasn't Brian, it was Jim.
"Here's the fat ass." Jim said with a wickedly smile. You looked at him disturbed and your body started trembling again. Then you looked at Brian, he was looking down and he seemed to be very concerned. "Let's go have a talk."
And Jim forced you to get in, grabbing your arm strongly. You didn't do anything to stop him, because you were kind of shocked and you barely could understand what was going on. The classroom was dark and you couldn't see your sister there. What if this was a kind of trap? Jim forced you to sit on a chair very rudely and he tied you in that chair. What was happening? Where was your sister? What did they want? You wanted to ask all that, but no word came out from your mouth. Jim now stood in front of you and he kneeled; now he was looking at you with the same wicked smile. You looked at him disturbed and more when he placed a hand on your thigh and started rubbing it. You couldn't do anything to stop it because your hands and legs were tied.
"You're changed, fat ass. Even you look kind of hot now." He said perversely while trying to lift your dress, running his fingers on your naked thigh.
You remembered the phone conversation you heard in the bathroom earlier, Jim saying that he could play with your body. And this wasn't going well, what could he do? The most frustrating thing was that you couldn't do anything to protect yourself. Fortunately, when Brian saw all of this, he walked quickly to where you were and he placed a hand on Jim's shoulder.
"Hey man, leave her." Brian said firmly but you could notice a hint of nervousness.
"What the fuck, dude?" Jim asked in disbelief, now looking at Brian who was now looking at him edgily. "Oh, I see. You want her too. Well, we can make a threesome." He said perversely.
"I'm not into that." Brian answered serious. "Better if you go for you know who. I'll watch her, just in case she tries to escape."
"Yeah, yeah, right." Jim said frowning and thoughtful. Then he, luckily, stood up. "I'll go and if by when I come back she's not here..." He said pointing at you and looking at Brian threateningly. "I'm gonna beat you to death, dude."
"Why won't she be here by when you come back? I'll watch her, told you. Why the need to threaten me, man? I thought we were in the same team." Brian said now coldly.
"I don't know, dude. Lately, you've been acting weird." Jim said suspiciously. "Whatever, I want to see her here when I come back, clear?"
"Yeah. Just go." Brian assured firmly.
Jim looked at Brian suspiciously one more time before he turned around and left the classroom. You stayed silent, looking down. Your sister wasn't there and you really needed to know where she was, you couldn't understand who was going to come now, probably Susan. After a while, you noticed that Brian was now standing behind you and he kneeled. He started to untie you.
"What are you doing?" You finally asked with trembling voice, trying to turn your head to look at him.
"You need to get away from here." Brian answered edgily, still trying to untie you. "You don't have much time."
"No, you can't do that; you heard what Jim said." You said very concerned.
"Whatever. I'll think up something to explain why you aren't here." He answered, trying desperately to untie you.
"No, Brian, stop!" You said almost yelling, looking at him. "Brian, I'm serious."
"Just, shut up! You need to go, they'll hurt you." Brian said finally untying your hands and now standing up to go in front of you and untie your legs.
"Brian, no! I don't care if they hurt me! I need to find my sister, I need to stay!" You said desperately looking at him. He finally stopped doing what he was doing to look at you. You just remained looking at him very concerned and he placed both of his hands on your cheeks.
"Your sister isn't here and she's not gonna come. They have her in another place; this was an ambush only to hurt you. So you really need to go away, then I can help you to find your sister; but right now, you have to go." He said looking deeply into your eyes and you looked at him scared. "Hit me."
"What?" You asked bewildered.
"Come on, hit me. I'll tell them that you managed to untie and then you hit me before running away. Come on, hit me." Brian said moving closer his face so you could hit him.
"I'm not gonna do that, Brian." You said serious, looking at him.
"Come on, hit me! There's not much time, hit me for fuck's sake!" He said very edgily and desperately.
"No." You refused strongly and he looked at you troubled and kind of anguished.
"Listen, you asked me to help you, you asked me to do certain things I didn't want to do such as keep beating you and treating you like crap. And I've been doing it, right?" He said and you nodded. "Well, now I'm asking you to return me the favor. And all I want is you to hit me and to run away from here. Please, do it."
"Why are you doing this, Brian?" You asked with trembling voice looking deeply into his eyes.
"Because I care about you, because I heart you, okay? There, I said it. Now please, hit me!" Brian said also with trembling voice and you were just looking at him puzzled. When he noticed the way you were looking at him, he looked down and sighed. "I... I just think you're a good person, please just trust me and hit me. I'm begging you to do it and go." He said still looking down.
"Don't make me hit you, please; and less after what you said." You said whispering trying to look into his green eyes. And when you said this, he looked at you kind of distressed. What was going on with him?
"All right." Brian whispered, nodding. "I won't force you, I don't want it. I'll hit myself but you have to go, please, at least do it." He begged.
"What if they beat you after this, Brian? What if they hurt you instead me?" You asked worried. You just couldn't believe he was doing all of this for you.
"I've caused so much pain already; you've been already hurt because of my fault. Now I won't let it happen again. I don't care if they hurt me, I'll get better." He said softly looking at you straight in the eye. That look was weird. Then he stood up and he gave you his hand. "Hurry up, just go and don't look back. Just run."
"Okay. I... I..." You started babbling, feeling bad for what you were going to do.
You were already standing and you were in front of him, just looking at him as he was looking at you, still holding one of your hands; that was also weird, the way he was holding your hand for the first time. You couldn't say anything, so you just hugged him. He got strained when you hugged him by surprise; maybe he wasn't used at hugs. But then he wrapped his muscular arms around you. You felt so little in his arms, because he was a very tall and muscular guy; but you felt comforted. It was weird, as if you were friends; as if you were friends with the guy who months ago hit you several times. Then he did something weird: he broke the hug to place both of his hands on your cheeks and kiss your forehead. It felt wrong and right at the same time.
"Run." He finally said.
You looked at him straight in his eye one more time before you turned around to leave him there. Then was when you felt really bad for leaving him there knowing that they will hurt him because of that; then you felt insecure and as if you were a bad person; so, when you reached the door, you turned around to look at him again. He was looking at you and when he saw you turning around he looked at you with a frightened look. Because he also heard the steps coming closer. They were already here. He quickly ran to you and he forced you to give him your back while he grabbed you strongly by your arms, pretending that he was kind of kidnapping you.
"It's too late." He whispered in your ear distressed. "But don't worry, as long as you stay with me, they won't hurt you. I promise. But I'll have to pretend I'm on their side." He whispered still distressed and you nodded. Your heart started beating faster and your body started trembling again. "Relax, I won't let them hurt you." He whispered softly when he noticed you were scared.
The door was opened and you were expecting to see Susan, but it was only Jim. He looked at Brian suspiciously, walking to him.
"What's going on here?" He asked dubiously.
"She needed to go pee." Brian simply answered. You were just looking down, feeling too scared to make eye contact. "So we were just coming back."
"Right..." Jim said still suspiciously. "And she peed in front of you..."
"Yeah, she did. I told you I was going to watch her." Brian answered coldly, defensive. "Come on; help me to tie her again. She's kind of rowdy and unruly."
"Yes..." Jim said still suspicious and he took you by the arm rudely.
"Hey!" Brian yelled as an instinct and Jim looked at him menacingly. Brian noticed he screwed it, so he tried to fix it. "Watch out, she can escape."
"Don't worry, dude. This bitch won't go anywhere." He said laughing evilly and he forced you to sit on the chair again as he tied you. Brian was all the time checking if Jim wasn't hurting you too much. Then Jim stood in front of you. "Well, well, pimple face. You'll meet W in person. Are you ready?" He said looking at you archly. You tried to look at him blankly, but you were freaking out and your heart was about to explode. "Everything is safe, you can come in!" Jim yelled in the direction of the door.
You saw how someone was opening the door and you knew it was Susan, but still you were scared. Brian walked just to be next to you and surreptitiously he placed a hand on your shoulder to squeeze it and reassure you. Jim was smiling evilly looking at the door. When the person came in, you got stunned and agape. No, no, no; it couldn't be true.
"You?" You asked in shock, looking at that person very astonished.
"Yes; me, bitch." Karen answered with an archly smile.
"But... but... you... you're one of the best friends of Darren." You stammered feeling completely confused and stunned.
"But... but... but..." She made fun of you, imitating you. "There are a lot of things you don't know about me and Darren, whore." She said closing the door and walking to you.
"Why? I just don't get it." You said with trembling voice, feeling very bemused.
"Oh, you're surprised, bitch." She said laughing wickedly. "I'll tell you a story..." She said now standing in front of you and looking at you contemptuously. "Once upon a time, Darren and I were a couple." She started saying. Yes, you already knew it, but you didn't say anything. "We were fine, until one day he dumped me. And you know, no man can dump me and less if it's for lame excuses. You're not what I want, we should be just friends." She said imitating Darren's voice, of course in a derogatory way. "I was willing to do whatever to make him fall for me again. It wasn't working and that was irritating me. He was trying to get away from me, he was starting to have new friends, he wanted to forget me and that wasn't part of my plan." She said bitterly and you were just frowning, not getting what this had to do with this macabre game she was doing. "I needed to revenge this; but the revenge wasn't this game I started in the beginning of the year. Oh, no, that revenge was more innocent. I was going to show him I was the best option; I was an innocent girl that time. Yes, I started showing it at the end of last year, and he was falling; but someone decided to mess." She said looking at you really furious. What the hell? Why was she looking at you that way now as if you were the guilty? "Yes, don't play the victim here. You know you were the one who decided to mess."
"I don't know what you're talking about... I didn't know Darren last year." You said frowning, really confused.
"Oh, you did, you bitch." She said nastily and furiously. "Yes, you never talked to him, but you did know him, you fucking stalker." She said rudely and you just looked down, still frowning. "Yeah, you remember it, don't you?" Karen said laughing bitterly. "Darren doesn't remember it because... Who could remember an unnoticeable whore like you? But you do remember, I'm sure." She said bitterly again and you remained looking down. Yes, you remembered it; the first time you saw him. "You were all the time looking at him like an idiot and like a slut, wanting to have him. You were all the time eye-fucking him. I didn't care about it because you were only a loser, an ugly and fat bitch; so Darren was never going to notice you." Karen said in a very derogatory way and you started to feel bad like in the beginning of the year. You thought you overcame it, but her words were just hurtful. "Until that day... I was about to get the shit done with Darren, he was going to be mine again. But you had to appear. You remember what you did when someone who graduated last year insulted you because you deserved it as the loser you are, don't you remember?" She asked with an ironic sweet voice. "Yes, you do. You cried like a baby and Darren was near you. When I was about to kiss him, he interrupted me to walk to you. You fucked up it. Because he went to talk to you. Yes, when you saw it was him the one who was trying to talk to you, you ran away as a fucking coward. But you fucked it because, of course, you had to say something really stupid." She said disgusted and very angry. "You told him: I'm just tired of being surrounded by people who make me believe I want something I don't want, and only because I realized it, I have to stand this." She said imitating your voice in a derogatory way. You were just looking at her in disbelief, you couldn't believe she knew about it and she remembered it. "Yes, it was all you said and it changed everything, you damn hooker. Since that time Darren started doubting about me, he realized he didn't want to be with me and that is when everything went to hell. Thanks to you, fat ass." She said nastily.
"That has no sense; you're the stupid who thinks it's like that." You said kind of upset now.
Because if this was the reason why she planned this macabre game, it was a stupid reason because you weren't guilty. You knew you shouldn't have said it, and you realized it when she looked at you very angry and she slapped you with all her fury.
"Hey." Brian exclaimed almost in a whisper, again as an instinct. He, again, realized he shouldn't have said it because both Karen and Jim looked at him suspiciously. So Brian looked at you rabidly. "Shut the fuck up, bitch. You treat Karen like that again, and you can consider yourself as dead person." He said menacingly.
"Well said, Brian." Karen said smiling, rubbing Brian's back and he nodded and looked away, frowning. When Karen looked away, Brian looked at you and he moved his lips without uttering a word, muttering 'I'm sorry'. "Whatever." Karen said sighing in a snotty-nosed way, raising an eyebrow, haughty. "The point is that this year things got worse. I can't believe Darren decided to be your friend, goddamn."
"You can't decide how to feel about someone; you just feel it in your heart. Hence, he didn't decide, he felt it; something you couldn't get with him because you forced him." You said challenging.
Where was the fear you were feeling minutes before? Why were you answering like this if you knew this wasn't going to end up in a good way? You knew the answer: Karen was the one who has been messing with you all this time, she was the one who made you go through crappy situations, she was the one who made you feel like shit all this time; and she was the one who has messed with all the people you loved. And finally you knew who W was. It was normal to feel upset. Yes, you knew she was going to slap you now, but you didn't care. She has already hurt you way too much and emotionally, so a physical aggression such as a slap didn't mean anything at all for you now. Karen attempted to slap you again, but Brian placed his hands on her shoulders to prevent her to hit you. You looked at Brian and he tried to avoid your gaze, so it wouldn't be so evidently that he was helping you, or at least that was what you thought.
"Don't get mad right now." Brian told to Karen and Karen looked at him frowning. "First finish telling this bitch why you did it all, then you can do what you want; but the bitch needs to hear the complete story." Brian said in a derogatory way and Karen raised an eyebrow and nodded. One more time, Brian looked at you and muttered 'sorry'.
"You're right, Brian." She said presumptuously and then she looked at you again. "As I was saying before you interrupted me; you and Darren became friends and then the fool of Darren fell in love with you, fucking loser. It was so disgusting." She said displeased, making a gross expression. "And it got me nuts. I couldn't believe that the asshole of Darren changed me for you. I couldn't let it be like that, I was feeling so humiliated and no one can make me feel like that. You deserve the worst, damn whore. You, a loser and ugly bitch, won't make me feel less than you; it's not right to mess with me. And Darren? That dickhead deserves the worst too, for making me look like a jerk. So I wasn't going to stay idly, oh no. I needed to destroy you as you both destroyed my dignity and pride. And why W? Because of all of us. We are a team of many people that wanted to destroy you." Karen said nastily, looking archly at you.
"You have serious psychological problems." You said looking at her in disbelief and disgruntled.
"What did you say, fat ass?" She asked in a rage, walking closer to you and tugging your hair now.
"I said you're sick." You repeated challenging.
You noticed how Brian closed his eyes and then he looked down as if he was letting you know that you were saying the wrong things, but you didn't care; you needed to say it because it was the truth. Karen tugged your hair strongly as she also slapped you. It was painful, but you could bear that, because the way she hurt you before was even more painful.
"Stop it." Brian finally said loudly and Karen and Brian looked at him suspiciously. "Do not stoop to her level, Karen. You're much more than her, so leave her." Brian said frowning and serious. Karen looked at him raising an eyebrow but she finally left you in peace.
"That is right." Karen said arrogantly looking away. Oh wow, you needed to thank Brian a lot for all he was doing to protect you, risking his own sake. "Alright... I guess you already realized who the winner of this game is. The time is almost over and Darren will never find me, he still thinks that Susan is W only because you made him think so. Oh yeah, I knew about your plan with Darren. I didn't believe a damn shit that thing that you broke up; please bitch, I'm not a fool." She said laughing sarcastically. "Anyway, the point is that I won but the game isn't over actually. You have to do a last thing, so everything will be over and my plan will be complete." She said mysteriously, smiling evilly. Something wasn't good of this, you still didn't know what.
"What makes you think that I'm gonna do something for you?" You asked coldly.
"Oh, we will see." She said mysteriously again and then she looked at Jim. "Jim, please, the video."
"Yes, right." Jim said and he walked away. In that time you and Karen looked at each other furiously.
Jim put a video on the TV that was in the classroom. It was in a crappy definition and you barely could see what it was. Why was she showing a video anyway? What did it have to do with this? Then you figured it out.
"Can you see who it is?" Karen asked perversely. Of course you could and you started feeling scared. "Oh yeah, your sister Amanda, the bitch who betrayed me to protect you. Ugh." She exclaimed disgusted. "Whatever. Can you see? She's tied just like you, in another place and I'm not telling you where that place is. The only thing I'm gonna tell you is that someone is with her and is waiting for my order to set her free or to hurt her, everything depending on your decision of doing what I say or not."
"What do you want?" You asked coldly, looking at your sister. Evidently, that person already hit her, because she seemed to be unconscious.
"Hey, no, wait! Don't be so impatient!" Karen exclaimed laughing. "Do you think that we only have your sister? Oh, no." She said smiling archly. Apparently, Jim now pressed the fast forward button and then stopped it. You saw it and you started feeling even more scared. "You recognize that person, don't you? Your sweet mommy. She seems to be very quiet in her home. What she doesn't know is that someone is watching her, also waiting for my order. And if your mommy decides to get out from home, the person who is there is gonna catch her and hurt her. You wouldn't like it, would you?" She said with a fake sweet voice.
"Tell me what you want, Karen." You said angrily, but inside you were very edgy.
"Hold on! We're watching a video, let's enjoy it." She said laughing viciously and you looked at her astonished. How could she be so cruel? "The next, Jim." Karen demanded and Jim pressed the fast forward button again. "Oh, look at that! The Criss family!" Karen exclaimed while watching the video. There was Cerina, Bill and Chuck in their home, just talking in the living room. "They gave you a place to live when you were homeless; they're like your family too. Would you let them suffer? Because one of the people on my team is there, also waiting for my order. Everything is planned, and I assure they will suffer. Poor Criss, imagine if he finds out that his family is suffering and he can't do anything because this depends on you; he'd be broken. Would you let Darren and his family suffer? Really?"
"Stop it, what do you want for fuck's sake?" You asked edgily and coldly and Karen smiled viciously.
"Wait, there's someone else you need to see." She said wickedly as Jim pressed the fast forward button again. "Can you see him? Do you remember him?" She asked and you watched it. Then you looked at Karen stunned again. "He's Joe, Jennifer's little cousin. Well, look at him, playing at the park. What would happen if a stranger walks to him and kidnap him? Because right there, the stranger is one of the people of my team. Would you let her mother suffer because someone kidnapped his son? Would you let Jennifer suffer because his little cousin is missing? Would you let a little and innocent boy suffer because of your decision? Think about it, pimple face."
"He's only four years old, Karen." You said looking at her in disbelief and terrified. "How could you hurt a little boy? How? Are you that heartless?"
"I'm not the one who's gonna hurt him. You're gonna be the one who's gonna hurt him, because everything is up to you; you're the one who can decide if he's gonna suffer or not, everything depends on you." She said looking at you viciously and apparently amused.
"You're so flint-hearted. How can you do all the things you do without feeling remorseful? How can you want to see someone suffering? How?" You asked in disbelief with trembling voice.
"I told you bitch, no one messes with me. Besides I'm not the one who's gonna hurt them, it's gonna be you; I already told you so too." Karen answered ruthlessly, looking into your eyes and raising an eyebrow. "So, what do you think now? Are you gonna do what I say or not?"
"What the fuck do you want, Karen?" You asked rudely because you were feeling upset and incredulous because of her cruelty.
"First I want to show you something else. Jim, turn on the TV that shows the hidden Camera." Karen demanded bossy and Jim nodded, turning it on. Your heart started beating fast and you started feeling really bad when you saw Darren and Jen lying on the floor, tied, unconscious. You looked at it really horrified and then you looked at Karen again. "Look at them, so helpless. It was so easy to catch them. Susan caught Jennifer and Dean caught Darren. You should have seen it, Darren and Jennifer trying to fight in the darkness, in middle of a chaos. Now Susan and Dean are watching them. They also have an order to hurt them if you don't do what I say. Would you want to see your best friend Jenny suffering? Would you like to see your lover, Darren, suffering because of your fault? Would you want to watch how Dean and Susan beat them if you don't do what I say?"
"They're your friends, Karen." You said with trembling voice, feeling very edgy and worried.
"It's been awhile since they're no longer my friends; since you appeared and fucked up everything. So, I don't mind to see them suffering as they deserve." Karen said heartlessly. "So, I'm gonna tell you what I want you to do, then you can decide if you're willing to do it or not." She said coldly and roughly. "I want you to go to that room and tell Darren that you're W, that all this time you were pretending to be someone you weren't. I want you to tell them that Amanda was always a good sister to you, that Jim is your best friend, and that Brian is your real boyfriend. I want you to tell Darren that all this time you pretended to be his girlfriend it was torture for you. I want you to tell Darren that you love him and then laugh about it. I want you to tell Darren that Peter and Alexandra were people you didn't know but they wanted to revenge for something that Darren has done, last year; that Dean was on your side because he was jealous of Darren; that your parents aren't your real parents. I want you to tell him that you pretended to have lost your memory to make the plan even more believable. I want you to make him feel used and really down. You're W. After all you're an actress; you can make him believe it." Karen said nastily and you were looking at her in shock. She couldn't be asking you to do it, you couldn't do it. "And surely he's gonna ask why you did it all. You need to invent a story. Darren, last year, met a little girl in the EB Games store, he told me that story; the girl was lost and was looking for her parents and Darren didn't help her; the girl followed him and he gave her his umbrella and left her alone to wait for her parents because he was having a pretty shitty day and didn't want to talk to anybody, he felt bad for it. And it's funny because the girl had those awful freckles just like you. Her name was Amy. You need to tell him that Amy was your sister and when he left her alone, someone kidnapped her and killed her. You need to make him feel guilty for this that happened. You need to tell him that you planned this game to revenge it; for that you're W." Karen said perversely and you were just looking at her in disbelief, feeling terrible and troubled. "So, are you gonna tell them that you're W or are you gonna let suffer all the people you love and the people that Darren and Jen love?" She asked archly and you looked at her really bewildered. You didn't answer. "I'll give you time to think alone, it's an important decision the one you have to take, a lot of people's safety is in risk. So, we'll let you think and we'll come back in a few minutes." Karen said smiling evilly. "Brian, you stay here and watch her." Karen demanded bossy and Brian nodded. "Jim, let's go?" She asked and Jim nodded. The two of them walked to the door and before leaving, she looked at you. "We'll be right here, so there's no way you can escape, bitch."
Like that, she and Jim got out and closed the door behind them. You stayed silent, in shock and very troubled. You honestly didn't know what to do; one way or another you were going to hurt Darren. If you choose to not tell Darren that you were W; then Karen and all of her followers were going to hurt your sister, your mom, Darren's family and Joe; and they were innocent, they didn't deserve to suffer because of your fault, and Darren and Jen were going to feel really bad to see that the people they loved were hurt; and if they come to realize that you could have prevented it and you did nothing, they were going to hate you, they were going to feel disappointed of you. You couldn't let them all suffer, and more knowing that you could prevent it. But, on the other side, if you choose to tell Darren that you were W, then he would hate you, then he wouldn't want to see you again, then he'd feel broken and you'd lose him forever. And you couldn't be without Darren, because he was everything for you. Oh damn, you were fucked up. Neither of the options was good; and you were forced to choose something. You were feeling really bad and now that Karen and Jim weren't there, you started sobbing in silence. You couldn't do it; you weren't strong enough to choose something.
"Don't do it." Brian suddenly said softly, rubbing your back. You didn't look at him and you remained weeping in silence. "If you tell them that you're W, then Karen's plan will work out and you'll be completely alone; your friends won't be your friends anymore and you'll be alone again; the principal might expel you and all the people in school will know it and they're gonna hate you. Don't do it."
"I need to do it, Brian." You said after a while, with teary voice; now looking at him hopelessly. "I can't let all the people suffer because of my fault. They're important to me, Brian."
"But you are important too." He whispered, now kneeling in front of you and placing his hands on your shoulders. "You don't deserve to suffer what you're gonna suffer because you are gonna lie and say you're W. No, you don't deserve to suffer." He said kind of anguished looking at you.
"If I tell Darren, I'm gonna be the only one who's gonna suffer. And if I don't tell him, a lot of people will suffer; including myself because I wouldn't stand the idea that I could have prevented it and did nothing. Can you see why I have to do it?" You said looking at him desperately, with teary eyes and cracked voice.
"Please, you have to think about yourself; you're all the time thinking about others, and what about you? Please." Brian begged afflicted. "Don't do it." He insisted.
"I have to. I can't be selfish, I love those people." You said strongly, but still feeling terrible. Brian sighed and looked down; he couldn't change your mind. He looked up to you again.
"You're a really good person; I wish I could have done more to help you." He said distressed and you looked at him deeply into his green eyes.
"You've done a lot, Brian. I understand you weren't able to do much; and thank you a lot for stopping Karen when she wanted to hit me." You said really thankful, but Brian was still looking at you distressed. Wow, this guy wasn't a bad guy. "But you're not gonna change my mind, Brian; I'm sorry. I need to do it." You said softly and he nodded after a while.
"All right. But you need to know what's going to happen because you'll have to face it." Brian said concerned and you looked down, you didn't want to hear it, because you didn't want to think about it, but you didn't say anything. "Darren is gonna hate you. I do know you care about him, so is gonna be hard for you to see him looking at you in a cold way. He's not gonna talk to you never again, because he'll think you betrayed him. You'll feel broken for this. But I want you to keep in mind something." Brian said looking intensely into your eyes. Wow, his eyes were really piercing. "You'll feel alone, but you're not gonna be alone. After this, I'm gonna be out of this stupid thing, no matter what Karen is gonna do with me, I'm gonna stand by you. And you'll have your sister as well. Yes, you won't have Jennifer and Darren; but you're not gonna be alone." Brian said very firmly and you started sobbing again. You were surprised by the fact he was going to be with you, but you were also really sad because you were going to lose Jen and Darren. "But most importantly, remember always that at the end, good people win. You have a gold heart, so I believe that at the end, Darren, Jen and you will be together again; they'll know the truth. I don't know how long it'll take, but it'll happen eventually. You will need to be strong because it'll be a hard time; but keep being the amazing person you are. Good people always win eventually; remember that and then nothing and nobody will be able to bring you down. Okay?" Brian said still looking intensely into your eyes. You looked at him amazed and agape. Was this Brian telling you all that? Wow. Just wow.
"Okay." You answered shyly because you were speechless. Then you smiled faintly at him. "Thank you, a lot." You said looking at him and he was about to tell you something judging by his weird look.
"Okay, bitch. You've had enough time." Karen said entering into the room and interrupting you.
Brian stood up quickly and nervously, but then he looked at you and muttered 'Stay strong, I'm right here.' He muttered it and you let out a tear. Certainly that made you feel a bit better, knowing that at least you had someone. And those words meant a lot to you now that you were alone.
"What's your decision, fat ass?" Karen asked impatiently and rudely.
"I'm telling Darren that I'm W. But first I want to see that you're gonna let all those people in peace." You said firmly.
"Oh no, bitch, I'm not a fool. I'm not gonna do it until I'm sure you told Darren that you're W." Karen said raising an eyebrow and crossing her arms.
"And I'm not that fool to tell Darren that I'm W and then believe that you're gonna set them free. It's the same." You said challenging; but you needed to make sure she was going to keep her word. Karen looked at you thoughtful and then she grabbed a phone.
"Hey Susan. She's gonna do it. Can you tell everybody not to hurt them? But don't let them free yet. I'll call you again once she does it; then you all have to set them free." Karen said talking on the phone. So Susan was one of the people who were there with one of the people you loved. Then she hung up and looked at you. "There, now you go and do it." She said rudely and you nodded. "I'll be watching you here, so I'll know if you truly say him all I told you to say or not. Be careful of what you say, remember that people are in risk."
They untied you and you finally walked to the room where Darren and Jen were. You knew this was going to be the end of everything, but it was for the good of everyone. Before entering in the room and telling Darren that you were W, your heart started beating fast, your body was trembling and you shed tears of sadness. You were going to lose the guy you loved.