(Sophie)
'Morning again' I groaned as I forced myself off the bed. It had been a week since the party and my brain was thinking about reasons why Taylor's dad's phone was in our couch. I had confronted my mom about it, but she said that he must have left it when she invited him over for tea the other day. I found it far-fetched, but didn't bother asking any more questions because I had school to get ready for, and every other time I asked she'd just avoid the question
"Sophia darling!!" Mom said, walking into my room
"What is it, Mom?" I asked
"I just wanted to tell you that I'll be leaving early again today and I'm wondering if you have a ride to school?" she asked
"No, but it's okay, I'll call an Uber or something," I said
"Or you can ask James for a ride"
"Taylor?" I thought about it, but immediately rejected the idea. The last time I had asked Taylor for a ride we almost kissed, come to think of it all these times alone with Taylor tend to lead to a kiss or at least an attempted kiss. That was something neither of us wanted
"Honestly Mom, I think an Uber will be better"
"Well suit yourself, Dear, I'll see you when I get back," she said
(James)
I had not too long ago woken up, but my brilliant mind was already busy. I had spent the last week trying to convince Betty to go to the dance with me, but every time I bring it up, she keeps turning me down by repeating rule 1 over and over again. I had actually begun to lose hope, though, that didn't I was giving up just yet. I had promised myself wouldn't give up so before I exhausted all the ideas in my mind I won't stop. It was just a school dance she can't say no forever. Deciding to put it to the back of my mind, I started getting ready for school. I went downstairs only to be greeted by a peculiar sight. Mom and Dad had been distancing themselves from each other all week long. I don't know what happened last week, but Mom seemed really upset with Dad
"Good morning," I said
"Good Morning James/Jam," Mom/Dad said before Mom glared at him before putting my breakfast on the table. Looking across the table I noticed Dad was quietly reading his 'Duck of the Week' magazine
"Hey Dad, did you finish eating already?" I asked, noticing there was no plate in front of him
"Actually James, your dad's gonna eat at 'work' again," Mom passive-aggressively said walking out
"What's that about?" I asked him
"I guess you can say we're having a little disagreement. You're too young to understand"
"I doubt it," I said smugly
"So the dance's coming up," Dad said changing the topic
"And?" I asked, eating my pancake and taking a sip of my orange juice
"So you ask Betty yet?" He asked making me do a spit take.
"What! Why would I ask Betty-Ann?" I asked, nervously cleaning up the mess of orange juice with pancake chunks in it
"Probably because you're sleeping with her." Dad blatantly said
"I just hope you're using protection," Mom said going into the fridge
"And what gave you that idea?" I asked sweating
"Oh please James, you can't keep anything from me," Mom said, closing the fridge
"Please don't tell Betty-Ann you know," I sighed
"Of course, we won't," Dad said
"You promise?" I said, calming down
"When have I ever lied to you?" Dad said
"More than you think," Mom said under her breath as she picked up her bag
"Come to think of it Dad, I understand how mom found out, but how did you know?" I asked
"I can bet his friend Tasha told him; they've been spending a lot of time together recently," Mom said before she left.
"Tasha?... Wait Sophie's mom knows! Do you think she told Sophie?" I worriedly said
"No, she hasn't" Dad reassured me, "Now back to the topic have you asked her?"
"Yeah, but she keeps turning me down. I'm starting to think I should give up"
"Listen when you go duck watching not because you spend an hour trying to see the duck doesn't mean you should give up," Dad said. Though I understand what he was trying to say his choice of metaphor in all ways left me confused
"Look at the time I'm gonna be late," I said, finishing my orange juice and left
(Libby)
A smile was automatically on my face when I opened my eyes. I had woken up in Carlos' arms so I couldn't stop myself as I caressed his sleeping face. Ever since the party I had been sleeping at his house, it had been pure bliss, but I think my dad's worried I'm not focusing on my music enough because he kept calling me a lot, a matter of a fact he was calling me right then.
"Hey Dad," I said answering the phone
"Where are you?" He asked
"At Carlos, I just woke up"
"Again! Liberty, you know you have to do vocal exercises in the morning with Mrs. Summers"
"I know, I already told her that I was canceling"
"That's another thing, recently she's telling me you've been skipping singing lessons after school"
"Dad, I told her to let me take a break from lessons because I have to plan for the fright night dance," I said rolling my eyes
"Liberty I allowed you to manage the music for the dance because you promised it wouldn't interfere with your own music"
"It isn't, it's just some of the girls got suspended so I have to manage the entire dance," I said
"That's no excuse Liberty. You must remember what your dream is, you think this small town dance can help you become a star. Keep your eye on prize Liberty. Never put anything above your career that's the only way to succeed, remember that"
"Yes, Dad, I know" I sighed
"Good then I'll see you at home tonight, no more skipping practice and I think you should take a break from going over to Carlos' house," he said
"Dad"
"Liberty I'm serious," he sternly said
"Fine," I gave in.
"Good, I'll see you at home"
"Yeah, sure"
"You know I love you right, Liberty," he said
"Love you too," I said
"I have to go someone came for a lesson," he said before he hung up leaving me to sigh until I noticed Carlos started to wake
"Good morning," he said, wrapping his arms around me
"Good morning" I sighed
"What's wrong Shinning one?" He asked, kissing my cheek
"Nothing, just dance preparations getting me down" I lied
"Okay, then how about we skip school today. We can just stay home, watch some Netflix, play music, and continue what we started last night" he said kissing my neck repeatedly
"I would love that, but we have to get to school. Plus your dad would kill you if you skipped school again," I said, getting off the bed, revealing my nude body, and wrapping Carlos' green lantern towel around me
"He didn't seem to mind in middle school," he said
"If I'm ready before you I'm leaving," I said
"Need a hand in the shower," he said before I threw his shirt at him and left
(Sophie)
The Uber I had taken to school had dropped me off directly into the parking lot, so by rushing to closed I managed to be the fourth person to reach class and was thoroughly surprised when I noticed Taylor hadn't arrived yet. This was the first time I'd been here before him and just knowing that filled me with unspoken pride as I smirked at his empty chair
"Miss Vortex," Mrs. Jones said
"Yes Mrs. Jones," I said
"I have a request for you," she surprised me. Mrs. Jones hadn't spoken so much to me outside of classwork, but here she was asking me for a favor. Is this real?
"Yes Mrs. Jones," I said happily
"You know that most of the girls on the dance committee were suspended for hosting illegal substances in their lockers correct?"
"Yeah, I heard about that. I heard they almost caught the dealer" I said
"Yes, but that's beside the point."
"And what exactly is the point?" I asked confused
"I would like you to join the dance committee," she said, causing my smile to fade a bit
"Um, why?"
"Because the dance is a big event for the students and it would be a shame for it to be ruined for the good students looking forward to it because of a few bad seeds"
Truth be told I don't mind planning the dance, but Libby had become the head of the planning committee and she's probably gonna try and convince me to break up with Nick. Not that I needed much convincing I'm mostly just avoiding him these days
"I don't think that's a good idea. You see my friend---"
"That's enough. I should have known you would reject for some trivial reason"
"Excuse me?"
"Your type has a hard time prioritizing. Maybe Miss Salvador would like to do it" she said. No anyone but her. She was at the top of the class, second only to Taylor of course, and liked to boast about it whenever she could. I wouldn't mind her rank being above mine if she wasn't so snobbish about it making sure to bring it up in every conversation. Her poor attitude towards me gained her my instant dislike
"You know what on second thought I'll do it," I said
"Good, hand in your assignment and return to your seat," she said returning to her work
(Carl)
My room had been a mess as I tore it apart looking for my pill bottles. Recently they have been disappearing one by one. I found it strange when I noticed I had begun to need more pills more frequently so I decided to look. Though I tore the room the shreds I hadn't found any of the missing pills. The sound of my phone ringing had caused me to stop
"Hey Babe," Brittney sung
"Hey, how's it going?" I asked
"I got us a reservation at the Daru," she said
"The what? What kind of restaurant is that?"
"It is something out of town so I want us to go this evening"
"Um, sure... but what would they even serve at a place like that"
"I don't know what they serve, but it has to be fancy," she said before I heard a car horn
"Brittney, are you driving right now?" I asked
"Of course silly, how else could I pick you up?"
"You know that's incredibly dangerous right?"
"Oh please, I do this a lot. I'll be fine"
"Not taking that risk. See you when you get here," I said hanging up. After the call, I went downstairs to see my mom talking to my dad. It was surprising as Dad had normally left the house at the crack of dawn
"Good morning guys," I said as I put my breakfast out the table. A glass of almond milk along the nonfat butter spread over two toasted pieces of wheat bread
"What are you guys talking about?" I asked, taking a bite of my toast
"Your mother was just told me that the plastic surgeon she was working with canceled her last appointment. I told you that man wasn't reliable."
"Ebenezer he broke his arm, that's hardly his fault"
"Of course it is; he shouldn't have been doing something so dangerous when he has a surgery in following day. That is just common sense. I honestly have no idea why you insisted to do something as dangerous as this"
"Please Ebenezer I'm not a child, I was already aware of the danger when I decided to start this" Mom said before Brittney skipped into the living room
"Good morning guys" She sang
"Brittney, how nice to see you," Dad said sarcastically.
"Great to see you too, Mister Stewart," she said brushing it off
"Isn't it a little too early for you to be here?" He asked
"I actually came to pick up Carl so I can drop him off at school"
"You have been doing this all week?" He asked
"Yes," she proudly smiled, but my dad frowned
"I think it is best for you not to do that"
"I really don't mind"
"I'm sure your mother would worry if she doesn't see you in the mornings"
"Not really, I spend most of my time out of town so Mom doesn't really worry much when I'm not home"
"Still, I think she shouldn't come so often," he said
"Is something wrong?" She asked
"Actually, I-"
"Ebenezer, didn't you have something to do at the pharmacy. You should probably get going" Mom interjected before dad resisting his urge to speak
"Fine, Carl hurry and finish your breakfast so I drop you off"
"Actually, Dad, you don't have to"
"I insist," he said sternly
"Okay," I said taking the last bite of toast and finishing the milk
"I'm sorry," I told a somber Brittney
"It's okay, I'll pick you up after" she forced a smile
"You don't need to; I'll pick him up myself"
"Dad," I said
"Oh... okay," she said, looking down at the floor
"Brittney, I'm actually glad you're free I have a favor to ask" mom said
"Really! I'll do anything," Brittney instantly cheered up
"I just wondering if you know any plastic surgeons" Mom chuckled
"OH MY GOSH!!!" She squealed, "You are so talking to the right person. I know this amazing plastic surgeon. He mainly deals with major clients, but he owes me a favor"
"That's great. Do you think he's free? I actually need him to do it as soon as possible"
"I can call him to come into town right now," she said
Seeing her so happy I couldn't stop a smile from coming on my face
"Carlton, let's go," Dad said, noticing the smile before we left the house
(James)
After I left the house I drove over to my mom's bakery arriving just in time to see Rebecca opening her trunk so I parked beside her
"James," Rebecca said, taking five boxes of cookies from her trunk
"Need a hand?" I asked before I took three boxes
"Thanks," she said as we made our way to the shop
"So why are you carrying these?" I asked
"I'm trying to bribe your mom for time off, so I made these."
"Really? You want to bribe someone who runs a bakery with baked goods?" I said, pointing out the flaw in that plan
"Huh, I hadn't thought about that," she sighed
"Anyways can I have one?" I asked
"No. They're for your mom," she said, dropping the boxes on the counter
"What are you doing here anyway?" She asked
"I need advice"
"Is it about Betty-Ann?"
"Yeah, she keeps rejecting my invitation to the dance and I'm wondering what I should do"
"Give up," she said
"What!" I said, shocked
"Give up on trying to be her boyfriend"
"Come on, why? Weren't you the one that said I shouldn't give up? What prompted the change of heart?" I asked
"I met Sophie"
"So?"
"Anyone with eyes could see that you two still love each other," she said
"There's nothing going on between Sophie and me" I repeated
"Huh-uh," she said disbelievingly
"You know what I'm going to school," I said, deciding to leave this conversation that I've had a hundred times before
"See you later I'm gonna be late," I said leaving.
I arrived at school, but unfortunately, the first bell had already gone off so I rushed to my class
"Mister Taylor, I see you've switched places with Miss Vortex today," Mrs. Jones said faced down in her work
"Sorry Mrs. Jones I was-"
"Save your excuses and get to your seat," she said before I went to my seat
"Why so late?" Sophie whispered to me
"I got caught up asking Rebecca for advice"
"Advice?"
"Yeah, about Betty-Ann"
"Did it help?" She asked
"She refuses to help"
"Why?" She asked
"It's not important she just refuses to help"
"Okay, maybe I could help"
"You. Helping me. With Betty-Ann. I'm not sure that's an ideal idea"
"Why wouldn't it be?" She asked
"I don't know I just think it'd be awkward"
"I don't think so... Why would it be? We're both mature adults, well, almost adults, I don't think we'd be bothered by something like this"
"Okay, well you see I've been trying to get her to go to the dance with me but she keeps rejecting my offer"
"It probably means she's not interested. I mean, maybe you're reading too much into this thing with her"
"Trust me Sophie she's interested"
"If you say so. Honestly, Taylor, I don't think I've ever seen you be so bold. You reminded me of Timothy"
"Jackson? That's it!" I said louder than necessary
"Anything important Mister Taylor"
"Um, no Mrs. Jones," I said before looking down at my book
"I'm guessing you had an idea"
"Yeah, I'm gonna visit, Timothy. I'm sure Jackson can come up with some grandiose way for getting Betty-Ann to go out with me" I said before she sighed
"Whatever floats your boat," she said before, we focused on our work
(Brittney)
"Alright, I will tell her. Thank you so much love you too," I said hanging up. That had been a celebrity plastic surgeon who I had called to ask for help
"So what did he say?" Mrs. Stewart asked
"He said that he is on his way. He should be here by twelve," I informed her with a smile
"Really? Oh my God Brittney, you are a lifesaver"
"It is no problem" I chuckled
"I really don't know how I'm going to repay you"
"You can start by telling me why Mr. Stewart hates me"
"He... he doesn't 'hate' you Brittney"
"But he does not like me either," I said before she sighed
"Can you please tell me what I did so I can it?"
"Do you really like my son Brittney?"
"Of course I do. We haven't been dating that long, but he is really nice and considerate" I said
"Okay, but how do you feel about Nicholas?"
"Oh... so Carlton told you about the dance," I said as I looked at the kitchen tile with a guilty look on my face
"Yes"
"So Mr. Stewart knows about my dance with Nick too? And I'm guessing he's not too happy about it"
"Yes and neither am I?"
"I swear to you that it was nothing more than a dance"
"I believe you."
"Really?"
"Yes, Carlton says he believes you, so I do as well"
"Thank you, thank you, I will not break your trust"
"I didn't say I trusted you"
"Oh" my excitement fading
"Why exactly?"
"You still haven't answered my question"
"Question?"
"What do you think about Nicholas?" She asked, forcing me to sigh as I pondered what to say. I couldn't exactly tell her that I think me and Nick are drawn to each other or that we have a special connection. She was to only one of Carl's parents who didn't seem to mind our relationship. If I were to mess this up I would really have to break up with Carl. Come on think Brittney! Think! What would Nick say?
"Nick is a special person to me"
"Special person?"
"Not in a romantic way or anything. He thinks of me as a sister"
"But how do you think of him?" She asked, causing me to freeze once again unable to answer
"Listen, Brittney, it is okay for you to have feelings for Nick as well as feelings for Carl-"
"Really?" I interrupted her
"Let me finish," she said
"Sorry"
"It is okay for you to have feelings for both, but you need to discern which is stronger because your feelings for the two of him could get the two of them really hurt"
"I understand"
"I don't think you do. Listen Brittney you might think you have chosen who you want to be with but the heart doesn't work that way. You don't always choose who you fall in love with. Unfortunately, that can lead to you hurting someone unintentionally."
"Okay"
"Do you want to marry Carl?"
"Um... I think that is a little too far ahead but if we make it that far. Yes, I can see myself marrying Carl"
"Okay, what if sometime after you marry Carl, Nick suddenly confesses his feelings for you?"
"Wouldn't it already be too late?" I questioned myself
"Are you sure? Are you sure your feelings for him would have died by then? What if they were still as strong as they are now"
"I..."
"What if your marriage with Carl isn't what you thought it would be and there is Nick there for you at any time. Are you sure you'd be able to resist?"
"Um... I... I" I didn't know what to say. Would I be able to reject Nick? I am sure he would never think of me as more than a sister
"Getting cheated on hurts Brittney. It hurts badly. A person begins to think and feels things after they find out. Some even go as far as to blame themselves. I don't... I do not want my son to feel that" she said as tears began to feel her eyes
"Mrs. Stewart... You seem to talk from experience. Did that happen to you?" I asked
"I think I should go get ready for the surgery," she said walking away. My question remained unanswered
Finding myself alone, I made my way to Carl's room. The mess was unusual, but I paid it no mind as I opened the drawer and took out a bottle of pills
"I'm sorry Carl," I apologized as I put a few in a zip lock bag before pushing the bag in my pocket and quickly closing the draw
"Brittney? What are you doing in here?" Mrs. Stewart asked, appearing out of nowhere
"Um... I... um" I said, looking around the room
"Were you going to clean this room?" She asked unknowingly giving me an excuse
"Yes!" I quickly agreed
"Ha-ha, you know I was only being hypothetical when I asked if you were going to marry him. There's no need for you to act as his wife. Carl is a big boy he can clean his own mess" she chuckled
"Oh yeah" I nervously chuckled
"Have you had breakfast yet?"
"Um, no"
"Come on down. I'll make you something to eat," she said, walking out of the room