Forty

Jessie was sat swinging her legs over the edge of the stage. It was their first rehearsal for the play. Lori had been replaced by Emily as Marty. Blake was being directed along with the rest of the T-birds. Jessie was finding it hilarious to watch Josh, Rick and Blake all attempt to look 'cool'. Emily, Alice, Jasmine and Faith were all sat on the edge of the stage pretending it was a bench. They were staging 'Summer Loving' and Jessie was looking through the lyrics. Miss Gooden turned back to the girls. "Now Jessie remember to stand up on the 'bench table' when we have a bench and sing the part I told you too and Jas remember to seem energetic and keep constantly moving. Faith well you just act bored. Ok, Music please," she called. Jessie took a deep breath and looked at Blake. He nodded encouragingly.

"Summer lovin' had me a blast," Blake started, acting uninterested.

"Summer lovin' happened so fast," Jessie joined in, hands clutched together by her chest.

"met a girl crazy for me," Blake added laughing with the T-birds.

"met a boy cute as can be," Jessie said wistfully.

"Summer days drifting away, to oh those Summer nights," Blake and Jessie sang staring straight out into the audience.

The T-birds and Pink Ladies joined in. Jessie sang her bits and stood up at the right moment while Blake just wandered around stage. Jessie walked backwards towards Blake as he walked backwards to her. They leant their backs against each other and joined hands. Turning their heads to the audience they sang the last few lines.

"it turned colder and that's where it ends," Jessie sang clearly.

"So I told her we'd still be friends," Blake added.

"Then we made our true love vo-w," Jessie drew out the word vow until Blake sang the next line.

"Wonder what she's doin' now."

"Summer dreams, ripped at the seams.

But, oh, those Summer, Nights," The both sang together holding the word night until the music stopped. By this point they were facing each other and ready to go straight into the scene.

"Oh, Danny?" Jessie asked shocked.

"Sandy," Blake said in his best American accent. "What are you doin' here?" he asked quietly.

"I moved here. Oh Danny isn't it wonderful," Jessie replied, overly sweet and with a slight American accent. Blake looked at her then back at the T-birds.

"Look Sandy. I gotta go. Meet you later," he replied running back over to the boys, who then all left stage together. Jessie watched them go and then turned towards the audience, head hung and looking sad. The pink ladies ran over to her, having clicked it was Danny that she had met on the beach.

"Sandy it will be alright," Jasmine started.

"He doesn't like me," Jessie replied. Faith wrapped an arm around Jessie's shoulders.

"Sure he does Hun. He just doesn't want to admit it in front of his friends. Don't worry about it, I'll sort it," Faith told her. They came to a stop there. Miss Gooden stood up and clapped. The boys came back on stage.

"That was brilliant well done guys. Blake and Jessica just one quick thing when you start your second line of the last verse Jessica, can you both start walking away from each other but keep holding hands and then sing the last bit facing each other from a distance," she directed.

Jessie and Blake nodded as a mobile rang. Jessie turned to her brother, whose ringtone she recognised. He pulled out his mobile and looked at the ID. "sorry, I've got to take this," he said. He slipped off stage. Jessie watched him go in confusion.

Josh's POV

I looked at the ID on my mobile and quickly excused myself from the rehearsal. I went backstage and answered the call. "Lily?" I asked my cousin.

"Josh. Hi. We're in danger. Come and save us," Lily told me.

"Where are you?" I asked. She gave me an address. I thought about going there and then but decided Jessie had a right to know as well and went back onto stage where Miss Gooden was finishing up. She dismissed us and I grabbed Jessie's hand. I dragged her off stage and started running out the auditorium.

"Hey Josh. Where are we going? What's the rush?" she asked me. I ignored her and kept dragging. We ran towards Mike in the minibus.

"Hi Mike. Me and Jessie will make our own way home. I want a bit of time with just her. If that's alright?" I asked him praying he would say it was. He nodded and I walked down the street. I knew Jessie was following me. I could hear her sighing. Once round the corner I grabbed Jessie's hand again and ran with her down the street.

"You clearly don't want to talk with me or we wouldn't be running and you would have answered my questions," Jessie said stubbornly. I rolled my eyes.

"Jessie. Lily, Mariella and Charlie are in trouble," I explained. I glanced back over at her. I saw her wide-eyed shock and then her realisation. She started running full pelt as well so I let go of her hand and led the way. I ran down several alleyways and slowed my pace. I stood next to Jessie to protect her. I didn't want anyone to harm her. We were definitely not in the nice part of town. I found the address and prised open the door. "Lily!" I called out so she would know it was me. I heard some moving.

"Sorry but why are they here?" Jessie asked me. I looked at her terrified face and wondered how to explain to her. I knew and had known for years but I'd never told Jessie as I knew she would be scared.

"there was fire when we were eight. Lily, Mariella and Charlie's house went up in flames. Aunt and Uncle died. Why do you think we went to care instead of to a relative? We have none. Lils, Mari and Charlie survived the fire but knew they would end up in care, which they didn't want. So they ran away. They've been runaways most of their life. This is where they've been staying recently. They have to move every few months so that the police don't find them," I explained slowly. My eyes were growing accustomed to the dark and I could hear voices in the back of the warehouse. We edged towards the door and pushed it open. There were lots of screams followed by a voice shouting:

"Don't hurt them. They are my cousins!" That was Lily. It had been a panic. And when I opened my eyes I saw a bunch of people all in defensive positions. Jessie just looked terrified. I finally found Lily and focused on her. I marched over to her, dragging Jessie with me.

"Lily. What's happened?" I asked. I looked around. "and where is Mariella?" I added spotting Charlie but not Mari.

"That's the thing. She's dead." Lily told us bluntly.

A/N: Sorry about that ending. Had this idea for a while but never got round to finding a place where it could go. Now I have. It will have a happy ending. Indigo :)