(James)
The night I had been counting down to, for the past week, had finally come. Yet I was stuck in my lab working on something. It was infuriating, but I had already promised him I had promised him
"So any chance you'll be ready in an hour?" Betty-Ann who had called admitted
"Everything's done and I'm just waiting for Carl," I sighed
"And how long before he gets here?"
"Hopefully, soon," I said before, my alarm went off
"Hey James I'm here" I heard Carl said
"See I told you it wouldn't take long. I'll probably be there in thirty minutes"
"Thirty minutes or I'm leaving," she said
"You can't leave the dance that early?'
"I only came to take pictures. And I already did so if you're not here, I'm going home" she said
"Fine, I'll be there soon." I said
"Thirty minutes," she reminded
"I'll be there. Just have fun until I arrive... not too much fun," I said before Carl rang the bell again
"I'll talk to you later Betty-Ann," I said
"Okay," she said, hanging up, allowing me to let Carl in
(Brittney)
"I hope Carl's gets a nice costume. "
"I'm sure he'll get a decent one he seems like a reliable young man"
"Do you think he'll find one that matches with mine? Don't you think it'd be so cute. I'll definitely post it on my story"
"Do not"
"Why not?"
"I already told you, you can't put up a picture with you and Carl."
"Why, because it would ruin my image?" I asked, annoyed and slightly upset
"That and I would rather not complicate that nice young man's life with the problem's of celebrity life" she said
"Says the person who doesn't like him"
"I never said I dislike him"
"So why are you trying to break us up?"
"I'm not"
"I'm not stupid Bree," I said
"Look Brittney, people like us don't end up with people like you. Even if they are completely nice like you" She said before stopping into the parking lot where we saw Nick in a Robin Hood costume standing outside
"Is that Nick?" I asked
"Yeah, I think it's him," she said parking in front of him
"Hey Nicky" Bree called out to him
"Bree? Brittney? What are you two doing here?" he asked
"I'm actually here to drop Brittney off because she's going to the dance"
"Oh yeah, I forgot that your mom took your car Brittney"
"Yeah, but it's okay. I did get in a lot of trouble the last month I've been back" I said
"Speaking of which, when is your escape from the public eye gonna end?"
"She's going back tomorrow. Sorry for the short notice" Bree said
"Well, I'm actually trying to convince Bree to let me stay a while longer," I said
"Carl?" he guessed
"Yeah," I nodded
"So where is he?"
"He's trying to find a costume"
"What about you?" Bree asked
"What about me?" Nick asked
"Why are you standing outside. Don't tell me a handsome guy like you doesn't have a date," Bree asked
"Bree" she said, "You know he and Sophie are having problems"
"It's cool Brittney, I'm actually waiting for my date"
"So you broke up with her. Good I mean what kind of girlfriend doesn't trust her own boyfriend" Bree said
"Actually, I'm waiting on her"
"Really Nicky, you're still pining for her. She doesn't deserve a kind guy like you"
"Come on Bree, it's not like I'm being one hundred percent honest with her"
"Fine, I'm just worried she's gonna hurt you"
"Don't, she's a good girl Bree"
"I hope you're right"
"Anyways, don't let me keep you. You guys go have fun" Nick said
"Actually I'm leaving. Important meeting," she said, "Can you watch her for me?"
"I really shouldn't move"
"Come on Nicky, you know how much trouble she can get in"
"Fine," he gave in
"Thanks Nicky you're the best" Bree said before I got it off the car
"See you two love you," she said, blowing kisses as she left
"Sorry about this Nick. Maybe we could wait here together, I'm waiting for Carl too"
"It's alright, you should enjoy the dance. I know how much you wanted to go to a school event like this" he said
"Thank you," I smiled before we went inside.
It was really crowded, everyone was in costume and the DJ was not surprisingly Libby
"Yo! Yo! Yo! It's DJ Libbs, and guess what, I'm calling all the monsters to get down on this spooky Fright Night" Libby yelled before pressing the horn effect exciting the already excitable crowd
"Um, I'm a little thirsty I'm heading over to the punch table"
"I'll come too," Nick said
"I'm just going over there Nick. I'll be fine," I said
"Okay, shout if there's trouble," he said
"There won't be" she said leaving
I hadn't even made it across the crowded dance floor and a guy slapped my ass as I passed. I just thought it was because of the crowd by immediately knew it was on purpose when he did it again, which pissed me off, but I decided to just keep quiet and go get my drink.
I poured out a cup and started drinking when suddenly the guy came over
"Hey Baby" he whispered in my ear
"Um... Hi," I said, grossed out
"I couldn't help but notice how hot you look in that costume"
"Thank you, I guess," I said
"I wonder how you'd look out of it," he said checking me out with his creepy perverted eyes. It didn't take a genius to figure he was undressing me with his eyes sending a shiver down my spine
"Well, my friend actually is waiting on me I shouldn't keep him waiting" I said as I tried to leave but he grabbed my hand
"Come on Baby, why are you leaving so quickly? We just started talking"
"Sorry, but I have to go," I said, trying to break free
"Come on, my friend has a place around here. Maybe we can go check it out"
"She says she's fine," Nick said appearing out of nowhere
"And who are you?"
"That doesn't matter to you"
"Well, we're having a conversation here so you should probably get going Pretty boy"
"I would but you're talking rather rudely to my friend and I can't allow that" Nick smirked at him
"Why not? You dating her? " he snickered callously
"No, I already have a girlfriend, but I would prefer you to let her go" Nick shrugged
"Man, you already have a girlfriend you shouldn't greedy. Just step aside so I can shoot my shot"
"Perhaps you didn't hear me. Let her go," Nick ordered in a much more threatening tone
"Yeah, and if I don't," he said.
Nick didn't even say anything further. He just glared at him before giving a chilling smile and whispering something in his ear.
Then the guy suddenly released me and backed off
"What did you say to him?" I asked
"Doesn't matter" He said before, I smiled and went to take a sip
Then suddenly Nick came crashing into me causing all the juice to spill on my coat
"Take that asshole" the guy chuckled
Nick looked furious as he turned around and gave a right hook that I could have sworn dislocated his jaw
"Oh shit. My clothes they're soaked" I complained
"Um, let's go to the bathroom," he said, forcing a path through the crowd, but we were met with a huge line to both bathrooms
"Okay, follow me," he said, bringing me to the janitors closet where two kids were making out
"Okay, you two beat it," Nick said before, the guy glared at him and he glared back
"Let's go," he said before he and the girl left
"Here," Nick said, giving me his handkerchief
"No one should see you changing here," he said, turning away from me
(Carlos)
It was late and I was in a taxi in front of Libby's house dressed in the costume Libby had prepared for me
"Thanks for the ride man. Can you wait for me?"
"No problem," he said as I got out
I walked to the door and rung the doorbell and Libby's dad answered the door
"Mister Hall" I greeted casually
"Liberty's not here," he said abruptly
"I know"
"Of course you know, she spends most of her time idling with you instead of focusing on her music"
"That's actually why I'm here. I know you think Libby isn't focusing on her music but she is. She just doesn't want to put all her time into just music. She wants to enjoy herself"
"Enjoy herself?" he laughed, "The music industry isn't so kind. Do you how many people dedicate their whole life to just a little bit of exposure, all people with talent that's equal to if not better than hers... And you want her to waste her time 'enjoying herself'? " he said
"You don't?" I asked
"She will enjoy herself after she makes it"
"And what if that happens if that takes another twenty years. Does she have to wait two decades before deciding to enjoy her life. The future might be important by it doesn't mean anything if she gives up her present and youth"
"What do you know about the future, boy? My daughter is planning out her path for her entire life. Do you even know what you want to be when? With your grades, do you think you can even manage to graduate high school? Much less college. What is your plan? What do you want to do? Or do you plan on just having fun for the rest of your life? " he asked
"Um..."
"Well answer me"
"I... I'm still thinking about it"
"Hmph, you're a senior, and yet you still don't know what you want to become. I honestly have no idea what my daughter sees in you. Do you have any idea how mismatched you are? My daughter is a goal-oriented, hardworking and talented girl. And you? You're just a slacker who stays at his house reading comics. You aren't good at sports nor are you smart. You just go to school. You cannot even compare to your own friends. One's a genius and the other at least has a small business to inherit. What about you?"
"You're right. I don't know what I want to do in the future. Hell, I don't even know what I want to do next week. You're right, I'm not good at sports or studying. But I do know one thing, your daughter is the best singer I've ever heard" I said
"There is always room for improvement. You can't just sit and expect opportunities to come to you just because you're talented"
"Okay, fine, but why does Libby have to go to those singing classes every day? She's been going ever since she could speak. She knows every piece of advice they're gonna tell her and plus she's the best singer I've ever heard. Have you even listened to her recently?"
"Of course I have"
"Then I'm sure you know she's much better than that coach you've been trying to force her to"
"Look, you don't have to believe me okay. You can believe your own ears" I said before he sighed
"Fine," he said before I motioned for the taxi driver to leave.
(Sophie)
I had just finished putting on my vampire princess costume from last year and leaving my house when I noticed Carl waiting outside of Taylor's lab
"Hey Carl," I said, walking over to him
"Hello Sophie, you look nice," he said
"Thank you. What are you doing in front of Taylor's lab? Aren't you supposed to be at the dance with Brittney? " I asked
"Actually James' doing me a favor," he smiled
"What kind of favor?" I asked before Taylor came out of his lab
"Hey Sophie? What are you doing here? " he asked.
"I was just passing by and was curious what Carl was doing here," I said
"Okay. Anyway, Carl here is the thing you asked for," he said, taking out a red pill
"And you're sure this is gonna work?"
"Yeah, but since I only had a week to perfect it there might be some side effects"
"Side effects? What kind of side effects? " he said fearfully
"Honestly, not good ones. You could very well hurt yourself. Are you sure you still want to do this?"
"Will it hurt?" he asked timidly
"More than you know," Taylor said completely seriously
"Give me the pill," Carl said before Taylor gave him the pill and he swallowed it with ease
"Is something supposed to happen? " I asked, unsure of what was going on
"Maybe it didn't work," Carl said
"Wait for it," Taylor said, stepping back
"Wait for wh-... AAAHHHH!!! " Carl yelled as he fell on the grass. His face has turned a crimson color as he screamed bloody murder. A puddle of sweat was forming under him as he curled up into a ball
"Oh my god, Taylor is he gonna be okay?" I gasped
"He's going to be fine... I hope," he said as Carl cried out in pain. The screaming went on for another ten minutes before he finally stopped
"Are you alright?" I asked Carl as he slowly got off the ground.
"I'm fine," he said, his throat still sore from all his screaming
"Neutron what did you do?" I asked amazed. The Carl standing before seemed like a different person. I previously hadn't noticed, but Carl was really tall. He stood flat-six feet and now filled with lean muscles
"I didn't do much. He asked me to help him with Brittney. I had no idea how I was gonna do that, but I remembered an experiment I was working on. It was a pill that would burn away the unnecessary fat off a person's body. The experiment was a relative success, but it caused unnatural pain so I scraped it" Taylor explained
"So this is Carl without all the fat?"
"Huh-uh" Taylor nodded
"Who knew Carl had all this under all that fat," I said staring at his bulging muscles
"How do I look?" he asked shyly
"You look.... better," I said before, he smiled brightly
"Taylor, I thought you stopped biology experiments after what happened with Carlos"
"I know, but he begged me. I couldn't say no," he defended before I looked at Carl
"Are you really okay with this? " I asked
"Yes, I wanted to do it," he nodded
"And the side effects?" I asked
"I'll worry about that when I get there," he said
"Oh yeah, Carl I had forgotten to tell you. All that pill did was remove the excess fat, if you want to stay like that you're gonna have to get a workout method and you might need to change your diet. You can't just randomly eat anything anymore" Taylor explained
"Okay, I am okay with that"
"Really?" I asked. Carl hated all forms of physical exercise, but now he's ready to exercise daily
"If it will make Brittney happy then yes," he smiled
"Anyway, I think we should get going. I'm sure Brittney's waiting on me" Carl said
"Yeah, Betty-Ann's probably wondering where I am. Want a lift Sophie?"
"Sure, I think I've prepared enough to deal with Nick," I said
(Brittney)
"Damn it" I cursed
"What's wrong!" Nick asked, still not looking at me
"It's not coming out and it even got all over my crop top. I have nothing to wear now" I said, throwing down my crop top
"Just put on my jacket and send it to the dry cleaners tomorrow," he said blindly throwing the jacket to me
"Thank you," I said, putting on the green jacket, picking up my crop top, dropping the two of them in a bag before walking towards him. As I walked I suddenly tripped on something
"Ah," I said before Nick spun around and caught me
"Are you okay?" He asked
"Yeah," I said, looking into his beautiful black eyes. It felt like they were sucking me in so before I knew what I was doing I had already kissed him.
He didn't push me off, but he didn't kiss back, he just allowed me to. I already knew why, so I controlled myself and eased off him
"I think we should get out now," he said. Just as we walked out we saw two faces we wished we didn't want to see
For Nick, it was the disgusted look on Sophie's face and then there was Carl. He looked a little different, but I could tell it was him. He had a betrayed look in his eyes that broke my heart as he turned and walked away
"Carl, wait," I said chasing after him.
I followed him out to the parking lot where he was trying to catch a taxi
"Carl, I'm sorry but it's not what you think"
"I knew it," he said
"Carl"
"I can't believe I actually thought I had a chance with a girl like you. Your manager was right"
"Carl, it's not like that" Brittney said
"You told me. You swore to me you didn't like him," he said, tears filling his eyes
"Carl... wait.."
"I'm gonna ask you one last time. Do you like Nick?"
"Carl....."
"Answer me," he said
"I did okay. I do like Nick but nothing will happen between us"
"I knew it. I'm just a stand-in until Nick finally sees you, aren't I" he said. The tears in his eyes began to fall
"No, you're not. You're not a stand-in for anyone"
"So if you had a choice. Would you choose me over Nick?"
"Carl that's unfair," I said before Bree's car pulled up in front of us
"Oh Brittney, I was just gonna call you. We have an emergency photoshoot; We have to send some photos to Free Soul magazine. Who's your friend?"
"It's Carl"
"Carlton! What happened to you," she said shocked
"Nice to see Breeana"
"Carl.. I--" I said, trying to answer his question
"Save it, Brittney, there's no need to answer. You already did," he said, walking away
"Did I miss something?" Bree asked
"I messed up Bree. I really messed up," I said
"What happened?" she asked
"I don't wanna talk about it," I said, getting in the car
"Aren't you gonna say goodbye to Nick?" she asked getting in
"Not now Bree," I said before we left
(Martha)
I had just gotten home from dinner with Dr. McKnight, the psychiatrist I've been saying for my low self-esteem for the last four years, and I walked into the kitchen to see my husband sitting in the darkness with an entire tub of ice cream in front of him
"You gonna eat that by yourself?" I asked sitting beside him
"Where were you?" He asked
"I told you I was going to dinner with Dr. McKnight to thank him for the help"
"Well, while you were out with Mister Perfect our son is probably driving himself insane"
"What! Did something happen?"
"I went to meet one of Dick's proteges"
"Oh no, did you tell him what you were doing?"
"I tried, but I messed up"
"You should have just told him straight forward"
"How exactly was I supposed to tell our son that his girlfriend was doing drugs," he asked before I sighed unable to think of a good answer
(Sophie)
Carl and Brittney had just left, leaving Nick and me standing there staring at each other
"Sophie-" he said
"Save it, I'm done. I'm done fighting, I'm done ignoring your calls and I'm done avoiding you. I'm done repeating this conversation. It's tiring," I said
"Come on, Sophie, I came here to talk to you. I really think we can work this out"
"No Nick, there's no more 'we', just you and me. I'm done. Honestly, Nick, I don't want to work anything out with you"
"You know what as long as we're being honest. I feel like there hasn't been a 'we' since he came back into your life" he said
"You know what maybe you're right. Maybe I needed a good relationship to show me what a bad one looks like."
"Sophie, come on"
"I'm seriously breaking up with you. Goodbye Nick" I said before walking away
"Sophie, wait!"
(James)
After we had finally made it to the dance Carl and Sophie left immediately after we left the car. I only managed to join them after finding a parking spot. Looking around the dance floor I spotted Betty dancing by herself
"Can I cut in?" I asked
"Him... I'm sure my partner wouldn't mind," she said before we started dancing
"So what took so long?"
"Carl needed my help with something"
"Oh," she said, smiling
"What's the smile for?"
"I actually thought it was... Never mind," she said and I instantly knew she was thinking about Sophie
"You don't have to worry about Sophie," I reassured her
"I know," she smiled
(Libby)
The night was now winding down and Fright Night had come to an end. Everyone was starting to leave the school grounds so I was saying goodbye to the band and people packing up as I walked out of the gym to see Carlos in the parking lot
"Carlos, where the hell were you. I thought you were going to help me tonight"
"Yeah sorry I was too busy getting a very important guest"
"Important guest?" I said confused
"I heard you sing tonight Liberty," My dad said coming out from where he was hiding
"Dad, you came," I said shocked
"Thanks to your boyfriend here. I realize that I was maybe pushing you too hard. These past few months. And I'm sorry. From now you don't have to attend those vocal lessons you already sing better than the teacher anyway"
"So does that mean I can stop going to the lessons"
"No, but you can have a break every now and then," he said
"Thank you dad and thank you, Carlos. I love you both"
(Carl)
The dance had probably ended by now. Not that it mattered to me as I had already left. However, I didn't want to go home. So I wandered the dark streets until it led me to Mrs. Taylor's bakery
"Hey, can I get a pie please" I ordered sluggishly making my way over to his desk
"Sorry sir, I'm just closing up," Trudy said
"Please Mrs. Taylor, I'm really hungry. I've had a really bad day"
"I'm sure you've had a hard day, but I really have to go, home Sir"
"Carl. It's Carl. Please stop calling me, sir" I sighed
"Carl? Did James do this?"
"Yes, can you please allow me to order" I begged
"Sure," she said as I went to take a seat at one of the tables
"So what can I get you?" She skied
"One slice of everything you have left," I said
"It's really much left so okay," she said before leaving
When she came back I immediately dug into the blueberry pie
"Mind telling me what's on your mind?" She asked, sitting in front of me
"Well, today I found out my Mom is having an affair"
"Martha? Cheating on Ebenezer? I don't think that would ever happen. Are you sure?"
"Yes, Dad saw it himself. She even went out with him today and Dad took it so hard he turned to cocaine to cope"
"Oh my," she gasped
"Then I asked Dad about some guy named Dick"
"Dick? Your Dad is talking to Dick again? " Her eyes bulged in surprise
"Do you know him?"
"Yes, Dick is bad news"
"Judging by everyone's reaction I could tell"
"Is this what got you in such a bad mood?" She asked
"No, after all, that I went through the worst torture of my life so I could look like this for Brittney but when I went to the party her lipstick was smudged and she was wearing Nick's shirt who just happened to have a lipstick stain on his lips," he said
"Oh man, all that in one day," she said
"Thanks for listening"
"No problem, it was nice hearing about others' relationship problems"
"Come on what kind of relationship problems could you be having. Last I heard you were in a happy marriage"
"Yeah," she said, smiling bitterly
"Something wrong?" I asked
"Nothing"
"Come on. I'm a good listener plus I'll never tell anyone"
"I'm fine, this isn't something I should be discussing with a child"
"Technically I'm not a kid anymore. I'm already eighteen" I said
"Fine, but anything I say never leaves this shop okay"
"I cross my heart and hope to die. Well, I don't but you know what I mean"
"Okay. My husband's cheating on me with my best friend," she said before she went on to tell me why
"That's impossible. He must be the biggest idiot in the world to cheat on someone as beautiful as you" I said
"Please Carl I haven't been beautiful in a long time"
"Says who? I've always thought you were beautiful. To be honest, I even had a little crush on you when I was younger"
"A crush on me, huh" she chuckled before we sat in awkward silence
"Um... I think you should pay for some of those" she said, breaking the moment of silence
"Oh yeah," I said, reaching for my wallet, but it fell and everything fell out
"Crap," I said before we went on the ground trying to pick it up
We picked up all the money and she also picked up a rubber
"What is this?" She asked shocked
"James told us to awards carry one after the incident with Carlos"
"Oh"
"I've never actually used it. I mean, who would have wanted to sleep with the old me"
"You weren't that bad looking Carl"
"Do you really think that?"
"Yes, you were cut-" she started before I interrupted her with a kiss and surprisingly she actually kissed back
After three minutes we stopped and looked at each other
"I'm so sorry," I said before she surprisingly kissed me. This time we started taking off each other's clothes
(Sophie)
Fright night had come to an end and with it the end of my relationship
Unfortunately, that also meant losing some of the privileges like getting a ride home and Taylor had already left so I decided to just take a taxi.
I paid the driver and then went to my door. The house seemed to be empty as no one was in the living room, kitchen and all the lights were off
'It is midnight, maybe mom's already asleep" I said before I put down my bag and went upstairs as I passed my mother's room, I heard the unusual sound of moaning so curious I nudged the door to see a familiar face on top of my mother
"What the fuck!" I yelled