Chapter Eighteen - Hook, Line & Sinker

The next day at school was an interesting one. Stuart Minkus got his very first detention, ever, for finally sticking up for himself by putting Joey, aka rat boy, aka Harley's little jockey, face first into a locker. Topanga got her very first F due to refusing to cut open an already dead frog for a biology assignment. And I started off the day by being lectured and hounded by my aunt due to her coming into my room and finding me gone. Another three week grounding and a soon-to-be visit from my Mother, only to be lectured again. The joy. It was all good though. It was worth it and for once, I was beginning not to care about making everyone happy. I was sixteen years old, for frig sakes, it was about time I took life by the horns and steered it in the direction I wanted it to go.

I stood at my locker, flipping through my history book when I saw Topanga begin to strut by happily. I looked up, quickly shoved my things back into my locker and hurriedly grabbed her by the arm, leading her to the girl's bathroom. "I have to talk to you. It's an emergency."

Confused but still the chipper girl she naturally was, she went along with it, laughing as I catiously checked under the stalls for any other possible listeners. "What's going on? Did you kill someone?" She joked.

Once I was sure it was okay to speak, I did; feeling the knot in my throat grow bigger and my stomach continue to turn violently. I didnt know why I was so afraid to tell her. She was my cousin. I told her everything. I always did. And I always knew whatever I told her would stay with her to her death bed and beyond. "Um," I started. "Well, I..."

Topanga rolled her eyes. "Spit it out, Sarah. The last thing I need is a detention to follow my..." She trailed off and swallowed hard. "F." She whimpered out.

I couldnt help but smirk at that. She really was a goody goody two shoes. But I was proud of her for standing up for what she believed in, even if it meant biting the bullet and taking the grade I knew she feared the most. That, takes a lot of courage from anyone. Let alone someone who would rather study then have fun and be the teenager she was supposed to be. "Last night, Jason came over. I snuck out. He showed me a really great place. Things... happened. And went further then I thought they ever would." I blurted out in a rambled. Topanga's instant smile changed completely to the opposite.

"How far, Sarah?"

I stated down at my feet. "As far as you can go." I mumbled. Topanga frowned even more but stayed silent as I continued. "But the worst part is, all I could think about was Shawn. And how he would feel if he knew? And I kept wondering what he was like... ugh! That's really bad, I know... What's wrong with me? Why am I so stupid?" I ranted.

Topanga sighed. "You're not stupid. But I definitely think you should have waited." Her grip on the straps of her backpack tightened. "Were you at least, you know, safe?"

I looked down towards my sneakers and slightly cringed when Topanga gasped. I knew I was about to hear another lecture. It was a spur of the moment thing and I had honestly never thought it would have happened then or anytime close for that matter. I was one of those girls that wanted to wait until marriage to be sure he was he right one and to be sure I wouldn't regret it, but I was also the type of girl that found it easier to say yes than no. The bathroom door swung open and three girls entered, giggling and quick to pull out their make up and Lord only knew what else. Topanga grabbed my arm and lead me out and into the hallway. She looked around and continued to frown, legitimately concerned. "Does anyone else know?" She asked in a whisper. I shook my head slowly. "Okay. I'm your cousin and you know I love you to the moon and back. But you also know I'm honest." She started. "I don't think what you did was a good idea, at all. Especially considering Jason's reputation and considering he's already hurt you. You're better than all of that... so just, please, promise me you'll be more careful, okay?"

For being fifteen, she was a lot wiser than I was sure people gave her credit for. She always knew what to say and how to say it. My whole life I had always gone to her before anyone else, about anything. And whether it was a hug or advice, she was always made it better. And she was right, no matter what it was, she was always honest. How a girl a year younger than me gave me better advice than the adults I had been surrounded by, got to me sometimes. I just felt very lucky to have her in my life, let alone share the same blood. I nodded In response and she, of course, pulled me into a tight hug. The bell rang loudly. "See you at lunch?"

Topanga smiled brightly. "Of course." She hugged me once more and then was quick to be on her way. Half way down the hall however, she stopped and turned back towards me. "And as far as the other thing goes, I'd much rather you be with him." And just like that, she disappeared into the crowd of kids that walked my way.

Oh yeah, because that helped. It wasn't that I regretted anything with Jason, because I didn't, I just wasn't sure if I had actually been ready. And the fact that all I could think about was Shawn, confused me more than anything and also made me feel like a terrible person. He was my best friend. Nothing more. So what the hell? My jumbled thoughts were giving me a head ache. But hey, what else was new? I hated being conflicted about things that probably didn't even matter. I made my way into class and couldn't focus on a damn thing the entire time. I just wanted it to be over and done with and for lunch to come.

Soon enough though, it did come and I was the first one out the door. I was determined to find Shawn. The place Jason had taken me to was perfect for his plan so I felt he needed to know if we were still going through with it. I was worried it would be awkward due to the constant thoughts of the night before but I was confident to make sure it wouldn't be. Dodging shoulders, I was quick to make my way into the cafeteria and sure thing, he was at a table with Cory, eating the disgusting food they happily served. Yuck. I skipped over to him with a smile and tapped him on the arm. He turned, greeted me with a big smile and then stood and hugged me. "Hey!"

"Hello. Hi, Cory." I waved down at him once he let go of me. Cory gave me a wave and genuine smile back.

"Hey, Sarah."

"Shawn, can I talk to you for a second alone?" I wondered. He looked down at Cory, who shrugged in response.

"Sure." He grabbed his drink, swallowed the last of it down and put it back onto his tray before following me towards the large window that overlooked into the large football field. "What's up?" He wondered.

"You remember your plan?"

Shawn smirked. "Obviously."

"I have the perfect spot for it." I told him. "That is, if you're still up for it?"

His eyes twinkled mischievously. "It was my idea, of course I'm still up for it." He chuckled. "Where and when, babe?"

My heart did a mini back flip. And I found it hard to swallow. Considering he called Cory babe here and there, I knew it was nothing but another name but I couldn't help but like it more than I should have. I cleared my throat. "Do you know where Miller's Creek is, well, was?"

"The place where the old oil factory used to be? Yeah. My dad used to go there and pick up old scrap metal."

"Be by where the old windmill is tonight at 10. And make sure to bring Sally. You guys won't be disappointed." I grinned.

Shawn grinned back. "I really do like your bad side, Sarah."

Ah, he needed to stop that. I was just glad I wasn't obvious and knew how to respond quickly. "Yeah? You'll love me after tonight then." I told him. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a fish to reel in." I said, noticing Harley pushing his way to the cafeteria counter.

Shawn nodded. "Not that you need it, but good luck. See you at ten." He said in a quieter tone. I bit my lip with a small continuous grin and watched him make his way back over to Cory. I took a deep breath, turned my attention back to Harley and after straightening up my posture, made my way over to him. I was surprised that Frankie and Joey weren't stuck to him like the disease they usually were. It did make things easier though. I smoothed down my blue shorts, fixed the stray hairs that made their way onto my face and then cleared my throat. Harley slowly turned and looked down at me, the surprise in his eyes apparent.

"What do you want, Makinley?"

"To make amends?" I asked as sweetly as I could. I wanted to barf being so nice to that bag of cow dung but a girl had to do, what a girl had to do.

Harley smirked and let out a hearty chuckle. "Oh yeah? Now you want a piece of me? Why all of the sudden?"

"I'm tired of boys, Harley." Barf. "I was stupid before. Why not give me another chance? I promise it will be worth your while. I just want you to show me how a real man does things." I was a pretty good bullshitter if I do say so myself.

Harley shifted his weight and looked around, chewing on the side of his cheek. It wasn't hard to tell he was contemplating it and I knew it wouldn't take much. "I thought you were with that Marsden bozo?"

I moved closer to him. "I told you, I'm tired of boys." I said in a low tone. "But if you're too afraid to show me a good time.." I trailed off, turning away from him.

Harley let out another chuckle. "I ain't afraid of nothing." He said grabbing my arm and pulling me against him. I kept on the best poker face I could and stared up at him, with the best smirk I could offer. "When?"

I wanted to scrub everywhere on myself that touched him with bleach. After everything that happened, I couldn't help but find him more disgusting than the most disgusting thing known to Earth. I was going to enjoy this. "Tonight. Do you know where Miller's Creek is?"

Harley nodded. "Indeed I do."

"It's quiet. And there will be absolutely no one around." I spoke softly. "Meet me there at 10:30. Don't be late." I pulled myself free from his vice grip and then made my way to the cafe doors and shot Shawn a wink and a hidden thumbs up when he looked towards me. His face lit up and I just knew it made his day. The feelings I had before about being okay with not going through with the plan, had quickly faded the second I got really thinking back to the things he had done, and not just to me. But to everyone in that school.

Now all I had left to do was get through the rest of the day at school, get home, look my best and then make sure the plan didn't fall apart before it even started. Considering I was just re grounded, it was going to be interesting sneaking out when I was sure my aunt was going to keep an eye on me harder than a hawk would a wounded mouse. It was worth the risk though.

It was all going to be so worth it.