Chapter Twenty-Two

Although Daphne felt alive to have her down and be wearing a fantastic dress, some things couldn't be changed, including her relationship with her mother on her way to school. Mrs Blake said very little, and so did Daphne. Once she was dropped off, school was a much better place for Daphne. The students looked at her as who she was, not as "Church Girl". Some teenagers didn't know what her real name was, and she had to introduce herself, but Daphne didn't mind as she loved saying her real name and not having people call her "Church Girl" anymore. As Daphne approached the lockers, she saw Shaggy. He had an excellent reputation for being likable and not being judgemental. Shaggy smiled as he couldn't believe who he was looking at.

"Like, wow, Daphne!" Shaggy said. "You look like a million bucks!"

"Thanks, Shaggy," Daphne replied. "Have you seen Fred?"

That question surprised Shaggy as he knew Fred was crazy about Daphne, and for both of their sakes, Shaggy hoped Daphne's feeling for Fred was mutual as he thought Sebastian was an asshole.

"I think he's on the field training with the guys," Shaggy said.

Daphne was a little disappointed, but she hid it well.

"Fair enough," Daphne said. "I'll catch up with him later,"

Daphne turned around and walked away. As Shaggy walked away, he felt a strong urge to play cupid.

"Like, I'm sure he'd love that, Daphne," Shaggy said.

Daphne turned around, surprised; that was the last thing she expected to say.

"So, make sure you don't miss him," Shaggy added.

"I'll do my best not to," Daphne said.

As Daphne turned around and walked away, she couldn't help but smile.

XXXXX

Daphne couldn't see Fred on the football field, so she went to the school paper office. As Daphne walked in, Velma sat behind her desk, working on an article. It was evident to Velma that Daphne was there, and she concentrated on the article she was working on. So, Daphne cleared her throat. Naturally, Velma looked up

"Hello, Velma," Daphne said.

"Hello, Daphne," Velma replied. "What brings you here? Are you looking for an interview?"

Velma realised too late that she sounded sarcastic and felt bad about it.

"I'm sorry about that," Velma said. "I didn't mean to sound like a bitch,"

Daphne frowned a little, but she smiled regardless.

"That's okay," Daphne said. "I didn't think you were being a bitch, and I wanted to ask you something. Do you have any photographers on your staff here at the paper?"

Velma raised her eyebrows quickly in surprise.

"Not at the moment," Velma admitted. "It's usually just me, and my strength is in writing, not photography.

Daphne opened her handbag and took out ten color photographs.

"I took these when I was in Gemonia," Daphne said. "What do you think?"

Velma looked at the photos of landscapes and city shots in surprise. Then she looked up at Daphne.

"Jinkies, these are incredible!" Velma said. "You really took these?"

"Yeah," Daphne said, happy that she was impressed. "I really want to be the school paper photographer as I love photography. Has anyone else been in to see you about a school photography position?"

"No, not at all," Velma said happily. "If you want the job, you're in,"

"Jeepers!" Daphne said. "That's so great. There's also another position within the school that

I really want to try out for. Is it okay if I work for the school paper part time?"

That wasn't what Velma wanted to hear, but based on Daphne's photography skills, she knew she would have to work around her schedule, whatever that may be.

"Sure," Velma said. "And when it comes to working with me, I've already got a story that I can't wait to get started on,"

"What's that?" Daphne asked.

"I want to interview the Warden of the Coolsville Women's Prison," Velma replied. "No school has ever done that before,"

That was the last thing Daphne wanted to hear as she wanted to photograph things like the Coolsville football team.

"Great," Daphne lied.

Velma was happy that Daphne liked the idea, and she couldn't wait to get that story started.

XXXXX

Throughout the day, Daphne continued to search for Fred, but she couldn't find him anywhere. With no other options available after school, Daphne reported to the gym, where Rose and two other cheerleaders were waiting for her behind a table with a laptop computer on it. Daphne entered the gym wearing a cheerleading uniform and holding two pom poms. As Daphne walked out, she felt self-conscious, as she had an E-bra size. Rose and the other two cheerleaders were impressed with Daphne's breasts, and they couldn't believe she had been the "Church Girl". Daphne knew they were staring at her breasts, and she did her best to ignore them.

"You've already scored points for your appearance," Rose said. "The crowds will love you,"

"Thank you," Daphne said, trying not to appear embarrassed.

"So, what have you got prepared for us today?" the First Cheerleader asked.

"Some dance moves, and I've brought my own music-" Daphne said before being interrupted.

"Daphne, you don't get to choose the music we dance to," Rose interrupted. "I do, and that comes with new people looking to make it into my squad,"

That wasn't what Daphne wanted to hear, as she had been secretly practising dance moves at home.

"Oh," Daphne said uncomfortably. "What have you got in mind?"

"Before I tell you what I have in mind, I'm going to tell you what I see in you," Rose said. "Do you remember the day you were stoned in history class?"

Daphne's eyes widened with fear.

"I-I-I wasn't intending to get stoned that day," Daphne explained. "Sebastian set me up a laced cookie,"

Rose sighed with impatience.

"I don't care what you were intending to do," Rose said. "I loved the fact that you were stoned. You were performing your heart out with moves about fucking history, and you were amazing. Can you remember the moves you performed that day?"

"Yes, I can," Daphne admitted, feeling ashamed.

"That's what I want to see today," Rose said.

"I have a joint in my bag if you want to get loosened up," the Second Cheerleader said.

"No, that's okay," Daphne said quickly.

Rose smiled.

"Good, and when you perform, it'll be to the Joan Jett song 'Light of Day'," Rose said. "Are you ready?"

"Y-Y-Yeah," Daphne said nervously.

"Then go for it!" Rose said enthusiastically.

Rose pressed play on the laptop computer, and "Light of Day", performed by Joan Jett, blasted through its speakers. Daphne began to dance, and her performance enthralled Rose. It wasn't anything like she had seen before. Daphne was doing her best to remember what it was like to be stoned when she danced, and to her relief, it was working. She felt alive as she danced, and when the song finished, Rose and the Cheerleaders stood up and applauded. Daphne bowed gratefully, and Rose walked up to her. Rose gave Daphne a big hug, and she took that opportunity to whisper in Daphne's right ear.

"What you just danced for us was shit, but I'll make sure you get better," Rose whispered. "And if you ever fuck up, you're off the squad. You got it?"

"Y-Y-Yeah, I got it," Daphne whispered back anxiously.

"Good," Rose whispered back.

Rose broke the hug, smiling. Daphne smiled back nervously.

"Report back to us next week," Rose said. "You have a lot of work to do,"

"Thank you," Daphne said.

Daphne and Rose chatted for a bit longer, but Daphne couldn't believe how intimidating Rose was after they talked.

XXXXX

After the gruelling audition to become a cheerleader, Daphne took a shower and walked onto the football field. To her relief, Fred was finishing up practice for the day. As Fred walked towards Daphne, he smiled. Daphne thought he had the most gorgeous smile, and she smiled in return as she ran up to him. Despite his exhaustion, Fred began to run, too, as he thought Daphne had a gorgeous smile.

"Hi Fred," Daphne said. "I've been trying to find you all day,"

"I've been trying to find you all day, too," Fred replied.

"Well, I'm glad I've finally found you because I want you to know that I've thought about what you said, and I love you, too, Fred," Daphne said. "I love you, too, and I really hope you want me to be your girlfriend because I would love it if you were my boyfriend,"

Without thinking, Fred grabbed Daphne, hugged her tight and kissed her passionately. Daphne returned the kiss nervously because she loved how Fred was kissing her. Then Fred broke the kiss.

"I would love to be your boyfriend," Fred said breathlessly.

"Thank God!" Daphne replied. "I love you, Fred!"

"I love you, too, Daphne!" Fred said.

Daphne smiled at him as she wanted to look at his handsome face. Fred smiled as he looked at her beautiful face.

"Listen, I have to take a shower, and after I'm done, would you like to go to the Malt Shop with me?" Fred asked.

"Jeepers, yes!" Daphne replied enthusiastically.

Daphne and Fred kissed again, but then Fred broke the kiss and ran to the men's showers as fast as he could. Daphne stood at the doorway of the men's showers, but she didn't walk in, of course. Daphne just pictured him naked and smiled while she did it.

XXXXX

After their date in the Malt Shop, Daphne thought she could fly as she walked towards her house. She had the biggest smile when she walked into her living room, but it disappeared almost immediately when she saw the grim expressions on her parent's faces as they stood there. Mr Blake pointed to the sofa.

"Sit down and don't say a word until you're spoken to," Mr Blake said.

Daphne nodded, and she sat down.

"I don't know what you know about me, but I'll tell you what you deserve to know," Mr Blake said. "After I was taken into custody by those Interpol Agents, I was brought to City Hall, and I met with the Mayor, and one of the things we talked about was how we have been treated you. He told us some things that weren't true, and he told me that you filled Fred with these lies, and he told them to his father and, in turn, the Mayor. Do you deny this?"

Daphne began to sweat.

"I-I-I don't know what you're talking about," Daphne said nervously.

"DON'T LIE TO US!" Mrs Blake yelled.

Daphne began to cry.

"I told Fred what happened to me in Gemonia!" Daphne cried. "I swear!"

Mrs Blake shook her head in disapproval.

"I don't believe you, Daphne," Mrs Blake said.

"Regardless, the Mayor gave me some instructions so I wouldn't be charged with the crimes Interpol thinks I am guilty of, and they were instructions about how we should be treating you," Mr Blake said.

"Like spending a fortune on clothes that you shouldn't be wearing," Mrs Blake added.

Mr Blake looked at Mrs Blake sharply.

"Do you mind?" Mr Blake asked, annoyed.

"Sorry, dear," Mrs. Blake said.

"Thank you!" Mr Blake said to Mrs Blake before he returned his attention to Daphne. "Now, there's been a development. The Interpol Agents have been found dead, and they no longer have a file on me,"

Daphne's eyes widened with fear as she couldn't believe what she heard.

"Now, we don't know if Interpol is still watching us," Mr Blake said. "So, for the sake of appearances, we're going to let you live your life the way you want but only to a certain degree because if you cross any lines that we don't like, we will punish you,"

"And we've already thought of one way to ensure there's one line you won't cross," Mrs Blake said.

Mr Blake looked at Mrs Blake sharply, but Mrs Blake frowned.

"You said I could tell Daphne this part," Mrs Blake said.

"Then get it over with and tell it," Mrs Blake replied, annoyed.

Mrs Blake ignored how annoyed Mr Blake was and looked at Daphne.

"We know you kissed Fred on the football field this afternoon and that you went to the Malt Shop for a date," Mrs Blake explained. "But there's one thing we won't allow you to do, and we've ensured that you won't have sex with Fred. We've contacted every motel and hotel in Coolsville to ensure you two will never be able to get a room there for having sex. We tolerated you having sex with Sebastian as he was Royalty, but Fred is far from Royalty. He's a loser that will never make it anywhere in life. So, if you're smart, you'll find a way to forgive Sebastian one day,"

As overwhelmed as Daphne felt, she knew she had to stand up to her parents.

"Fred isn't a loser, and there will never be a day when I'll forgive Sebastian," Daphne said. "Fred is a hero, and Sebastian is a creep,"

Mr Blake and Mrs Blake glared at Daphne, but she stood up and glared at them right back.

"You can't make me break up with Fred, and there's no reason why I should, and that includes you two!" Daphne shouted.

Mr Blake and Mrs Blake stepped back as Daphne had never shouted at them like that before. Daphne walked into her bedroom, closed the door behind her, and began shaking with fear and pride. For the first time in her life, Daphne felt like she had her first real victory against her parents, and she didn't know how long it would be until she had another one. Regardless, Daphne stood up proud to be who she was without it being taken away from her parents or anyone else who thought they could take advantage of her.