Hello everyone! I hope you all enjoyed the last chapter:)
There's just one quick announcement. I just started writing another story. It's not a SYOC. If you want to check it out, please feel free to do so!:) It's called Thoughts and Reflections.
Wednesday 3rd December:
Blake Phillip's POV:
Blake sat in the Lima Bean and waited anxiously for Ryan to arrive. They'd agreed last night that they'd both meet here after school to discuss the events that unfolded yesterday.
Blake deeply regretted everything he'd said to Ryan. But he did mean every word.
Blake caught sight of Ryan entering the cafe. Blake's heart skipped a beat when Ryan's eyes met his. Ryan smiled and sat down opposite him.
"Hey," Ryan greeted, 'Are you feeling any better?'
"Ugh, yeah. Thanks." Blake mumbled.
Ryan smiled and Blake's eyes widened when he noticed Ryan's busted lip.
"Ryan!" Blake leaned forward and lightly touched the older boy's lip, 'What happened?'
Ryan stiffened, 'Oh... ugh... nothing. I just got hit with a ball at tennis practice this morning.'
Blake frowned. He'd known Ryan long enough to be able to tell when he was lying. Blake folded his arms and narrowed his eyes at Ryan.
"I..." Ryan's eyes watered and he looked away from Blake, 'I don't want to talk about it.'
"Did your dad do that to you?"
Ryan's lips tightened. Blake remembered what Ryan's father was like from when they were dating. He was a kind, giving man in public, always smiling and cracking jokes. However, behind closed doors, he was a monster.
"It's not important." Ryan's voice strained, 'We came here to talk about you.'
Ryan's expression told Blake that he'd better drop the conversation or he'd break down.
"Okay... Go ahead." Blake replied after a moment of silence.
Ryan sighed, 'Why did you say all of that yesterday?'
Blake frowned, 'I meant it. Every word of it.'
"That's not what I asked," Ryan said.
Blake sighed, 'I love you.'
Ryan rubbed his temples, frustrated, 'Why do you think that?'
Blake wanted to tell Ryan that he knew he loved him because his heart skipped a beat every time he saw him. Or that when he closed his eyes at night, all he saw was Ryan. Or that he was always on Blake's mind. But Blake knew that Ryan wouldn't be happy with those answers. He was very straight-forward when it came to situations like this.
"I... I just know." Blake decided to say.
Ryan looked down at the table and fiddled with his fingers.
"I also have a question..."
Ryan looked up at Blake.
"Why have you allowed this to go on for so long?" Blake asked, biting his lip.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, you've told me that we're never going to happen, but you've never asked me to leave you alone or to stop contacting you."
Ryan took a deep breath, 'I guess... I guess I'm just not ready to let go of you just yet... I mean, I'm over you... I know that, but you're a huge part of my life and I'm not sure I want to lose you... as a friend.'
Blake's chest tightened.
The words 'as a friend' echoed in his mind.
Ryan wouldn't ever think of him as anything more ever again.
Suddenly, tears started to form in Blake's eyes.
"Blake... I'm sorry-"
"Don't bother." Blake spat bitterly, 'I'll leave you alone.'
Blake got up and started for the door. Ryan turned and tried to grab his arm.
"Blake, I-"
"Save it."
Saturday 20th December:
The Christmas Dance:
Zachary Peterson's POV:
Zachary entered the school gym and marveled at the beautifully decorated room. Plastic icicles hung from the ceiling and fake snow was glued to the wall.
He looked around and spotted Joshua talking to Austen and his boyfriend, Ryan. Zachary walked up to the group and planted a kiss on Joshua's cheek. Austen's eyes widened.
"What?! You too are-" Austen began.
"Dating? Yes." Joshua smiled.
Ryan grinned and Austen narrowed his eyes at Zachary.
"Was this not important enough to tell your best friend?" Austen asked in a shrill tone.
Zachary frowned, 'You didn't feel the need to tell me about him."
Zachary pointed at Ryan and Ryan shuffled his feet awkwardly.
"Why don't we go get some punch?" Ryan asked, steering Austen away from Zachary.
Things were still tense between Zachary and Austen. Zachary knew that it would take a while for them to be as close as they used to be.
Joshua had already told most of the people in his glee club about them dating. Joshua also explained to Zachary who was who's date.
Zachary could only remember around half of the people Joshua mentioned.
Avalon Brickstone and Aaron Kim. Valery Crane and Santana Lopez. Sibyl Turner and Noel Daring. And, of course, Ryan Williams and Austen Fischer.
Zachary didn't know who Sibyl and Noel were, but Joshua pointed them out and Zachary realised that Sibyl was in his Science class.
"She's pretty." Zachary commented.
Joshua nodded and leaned into Zachary.
"Care to dance?" Zachary asked, taking Joshua's hand.
Joshua giggled, 'Of course.'
Lyssa Carrington's POV:
Lyssa stood at the end of the gym, lost in her day-dreams. Her head snapped to attention when she heard a loud voice boom throughout the gym.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to William McKinley's Annual SnowFlake Dance!"
Everyone cheered and somebody elbowed Lyssa's ribs. She yelped with pain and scowled. It would be an under-statement to say that she was in a bad mood.
Usually, when dances came around, she had boys lining up to take her. Of course, she never accepted because she always thought school dances were ridiculous and a waste of time.
This year, she decided to go regardless. But no-body asked her to go with them.
"We have a surprise announcement!" The voice continued, 'In exactly one hour, we will be crowning the Ice King and Ice Queen! Every student is required to vote. Now keep quiet while I announce the nominations.'
The gym fell silent and the announcer continued.
"The nominees for Ice King, as selected by the Prom Committee, are... Aaron Kim, Blake Phillips, Jonas O'Grady and Tony Green!"
Lyssa glanced at Aaron and Avalon. Aaron had a surprised look on his face. Jonas looked even more surprised and Tony was wearing his usual cocky smirk. Lyssa couldn't spot Blake, though.
"And last, but not least, the nominees for Ice Queen, also selected by the Prom Committee, are... Avalon Brickstone, Tayla Mallory, Lindsay Harrison and Lyssa Carrington!"
Lyssa's eyes widened. Everyone cheered and a few people patted her back. She smiled graciously and glanced at Tayla and Avalon, who were both congratulating each-other.
Austen Fischer's POV:
Austen congratulated Tayla and Avalon and returned to where he'd left Ryan standing at the punch bowl. However, when Austen returned, Ryan wasn't there. Austen raised an eyebrow and quickly surveyed the gym.
He spotted Zachary and Joshua making out in the corner of the gym. Austen approached them and the pair broke apart when they noticed Austen.
"Have either of you seen Ryan?" Austen asked.
Zachary opened his mouth to say something, probably something mean, but Joshua stomped on his toes and pointed toward the exit.
"I saw him leave a few minutes ago." Joshua said.
Austen thanked him and left the gym. He walked down the hallway toward the Science Block and saw Blake crouched outside of a classroom with his ear pressed up against the door. He put his finger to his lips and motioned for Austen to come over.
Austen crawled towards him and pressed his ear against the door.
"I told you this plan was fool-proof." Austen heard Lindsay say.
Someone sighed, 'I just hope everything works out... I never meant to get so serious with Austen.'
Austen's heart sank in his stomach. Ryan.
"Pfft, that doesn't matter. The plan worked out! You got Blake back! Why do you look so upset?" Lindsay asked.
"Well, now I have to break up with Austen..." Ryan trailed off.
"Think about it like this. Did you ever actually love him?"
Silence.
"Well?" Lindsay repeated.
"No."
"Exactly. You're actually doing him a favour by breaking up with him." Lindsay said.
Austen's eyes began to water and tears started to roll down his face. Before Blake could stop him, Austen opened the door and barged inside the classroom.
Ryan and Lindsay turned to face him. They both went white.
"Austen..." Ryan whispered.
"You... you..." Austen had a million things he wanted to say to Ryan, 'You lied to me...'
Ryan's eyes began to water, 'I'm sorry, Austen... I didn't mean-'
"Just tell me... tell me what your plan was..."
Austen heard Blake talking to people outside the room.
Ryan took a deep breath, 'I... I never got over Blake... I wanted him back so badly... I knew he still had feelings for me, but I had to make sure that he was serious. So, I met you at Lindsay's party a few months ago and Lindsay and I came up with a plan...'
Austen wiped a stray tear with his sleeve.
"Our plan was for me and you to... to get together. I knew it would make Blake jealous... and it did... I'm so sorry, Austen..." Ryan said, tears rolling down his face.
Avalon, Aaron and Tayla all stormed in. Avalon walked up to Ryan and smacked him across the face as hard as she could. Ryan didn't react.
"You... you... I knew there was something wrong about you! You lying little di-" Avalon roared.
"Av, calm down." Aaron said softly, wrapping his hands around her waist.
"Calm down? Calm down?! This asshole lied to Austen!" Avalon bellowed.
"This isn't your battle to fight." Aaron said.
Avalon huffed and left the room, followed by Aaron.
Tayla walked up to Ryan and squared up to him.
"If I see you near Austen or any of my friends again, I will beat your pretty face up. Clear?" Tayla spat.
Ryan swallowed and nodded. Tayla turned and left the room, followed by Lindsay.
Austen, Ryan and Blake stood in silence for a few moments.
"Blake..." Ryan trailed off.
Blake looked up, 'You haven't changed at all.'
Ryan looked down at the floor and Blake moved closer to him.
"You're the same boy who bullied innocent people. You're the same boy who manipulated and lied to people. You're the same boy who managed to get Ricky expelled from Dalton. You're the same selfish, horrible, mean boy who broke my heart and stomped on it..." Blake blurted out.
Austen looked at Ryan and fresh tears started to roll down his face.
"I could hit you," Blake continued, 'But I'm not stooping to your level.'
With that, Blake took Austen's hand in his own and left the classroom, leaving Ryan alone.
Sibyl Turner's POV:
Noel stood on Sibyl's toe for the twelfth time that minute.
"Are you serious?" Sibyl scowled, 'Were you literally born with two left feet?'
"Sorry..." Noel mumbled.
The pair continued dancing in silence.
"I don't even know why I agreed to come to this stupid dance with you." Sibyl growled.
She'd regretted what she'd said immediately after she said it. She bit her lip and glanced at Noel. He didn't seem to hear her. He was gazing up at the ceiling. Sibyl poked his ribs and he looked at her.
"Sorry, did you say something?" Noel asked.
"Ugh, you never pay attention to me!" Sibyl whined, marching off the dance floor.
Noel followed her out of the gym and down the hallway. Sibyl continued down the hall and Blake Phillips and Austen Fischer ran past her. Austen shouldered Sibyl by accident and called out an apology over his shoulder.
Sibyl leaned against the wall outside the choir room. Noel joined her a few seconds later.
"What's wrong?" Noel asked, 'You're acting different.'
"Why do you care? We're not together." Sibyl spat.
Noel looked down at the floor, hurt. Sibyl sighed. If this were anyone else, she'd put her hand on theirs and apologise, but whenever Sibyl touched Noel's hand, he winced.
Noel and Sibyl first started talking in Glee Club. Then, they started hanging out. Eventually, Sibyl started to develop feelings for Noel. She assumed he had feelings for her after he asked her to the dance, but he'd been distant all night.
"I'm sorry... I'm not in a good mood." Sibyl muttered.
"Why not?" Noel asked.
Sibyl looked up at him. Their eyes connected and Sibyl leaned in. Just as their lips were about to touch, Noel whimpered and pulled away. Sibyl groaned.
"What's wrong with you?!" She screamed.
Noel stared at her and then at the floor.
"I... uhm... you're a Senior." Noel replied after a while.
Sibyl frowned, 'And?'
"You'll be leaving next year..." Noel trailed off.
"Oh..." Sibyl whispered.
"I don't like to get attached to people... when I know that they'll just leave me in the end." Noel explained.
Sibyl's expression softened.
"And since you're going to Julliard in New York... I'll barely get to see you..." Noel stuttered.
"Noel... I'm sorry... I understand." Sibyl replied.
The pair sat on the floor for a few moments before Sibyl jumped up and took Noel's hand.
"Well we may aswell enjoy what little time we have together." Sibyl smiled.
Noel grinned and they returned to the gym.
Joshua Shapiro's POV:
Joshua, being co-head of the Prom Committee, was chosen to announce the winners of Ice King and Ice Queen. Joshua cringed whenever he heard those titles. They were so tacky.
Joshua cleared his throat into the microphone and everyone turned to look at him.
"Could all of the nominees please make their way up on-stage please." Joshua said into the microphone.
When all of the nominees were on the stage, Joshua opened the envelope in his hand.
"Without further ado, the Ice King of William McKinley High's Annual SnowFlake Dance 2013, as voted for by the student body, is... Aaron Kim!"
The crowd went wild and Aaron stepped forward to accept his crown. Aaron stood on Joshua's right.
"Last but not least, the Ice Queen of William McKinley High's Annual SnowFlake Dance 2013 is... Avalon Brickstone!"
Everyone cheered and whooped as Avalon graciously accepted her crown. Aaron took her hand and led her down to the dance floor for the traditional King and Queen dance.
Aaron Kim's POV:
Twenty seconds into their dance, Aaron leaned closer to Avalon and whispered in her ear.
"I have to tell you something..." Aaron whispered.
Avalon looked at him, 'What?'
Aaron told Avalon all about his mother's car accident and how he was going to visit her in Korea tomorrow. He also told her about his father wanting him to move back to Korea.
"Aaron... that's terrible... Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Avalon asked, a look of concern on her face.
"I didn't want to upset you..." Aaron admitted.
Avalon sighed, 'You should have told me... Do you have someone else to go to Korea with tomorrow? I can only assume you're not bringing Ryan after tonight.'
"No... I don't have anyone to bring with me." Aaron said.
Aaron was said to learn what Ryan was really like. They had become so close and Aaron had lost one of his closest friends just like that.
"Well then I'm going with you." Avalon said.
"No, you don't have to... You'd miss Christmas with your family..."
"I don't care. You can't go alone." Avalon said firmly.
"Are you sure?" Aaron asked.
Avalon nodded, 'We'll leave after this dance and I'll pack my bags. Do you mind if I spend the night in your place?'
Aaron shook his head, 'Sounds like a plan.'
Avalon nodded and she rested her head against his chest.
"Av?"
Avalon looked up at him. Aaron placed a kiss on her lips and smiled.
"You're the best."
Avalon grinned, 'Yeah, I know.'
I didn't expect this chapter to be so full of angst haha:p
Thanks so much for reading! I hope you all like the introduction to Sibyl and Noel! Please review if you have the time:)
See you all next week!