CRAIG
This evening has me especially nervous for tonight. Not even for the right reasons either. Beck called me right before we all arrived and told me he has some master plan to take Chase down. The plan includes retrieving footage from my house cameras to expose him.
This sounds smart, really. It's just that we would be also snitching on ourselves. Which I can afford, but my friends can't. I just don't feel comfortable risking it.
On the other hand, Lily and Penny did an amazing job with the decorations for the dance. The theme was 'Autumn Nights'. Yet she still managed to incorporate glitter to its fullest extent. I'm gonna be finding it everywhere for the next week or so.
I honestly just want her to enjoy herself. So far this school year hasn't been the nicest for her. Plus, her home life is so shitty. She at least deserves to enjoy this. I had to get away from her for a moment though. Just a little while. I can't seem to mask being distracted, so it was a matter of time before she started questioning my behavior.
I stood off in a corner where I was close enough to the doors to people watch, but also beside the snack and punch table. I really wanted to step out for a cigarette, but I told Lily I wouldn't be such a fiend tonight. A decision I so regret making.
I noticed Beck, walking toward me in an upbeat manner. Approaching me, he stood against the wall, beside me, opening his suit jacket and reaching into it.
"You look like you could use some of this," he said, loud enough to hear over the music as he snuck out a flask, opened it, and took a swig.
This was such Beck behavior, trying to liven up the atmosphere. I had to let out a lighthearted laugh.
"Fine, you got me," I say, smiling as he hands it to me and I take it to my mouth, quickly get a sip before giving it back for him to put away.
"You should chill out, man. Worry about our situation after homecoming is over. The night is young and you're spending it worried about everything but having a good time." he says, patting my back briefly.
"How can you not be?" I say, looking at him with a distressed expression, "There were minors everywhere, Beck. Drinking, and smoking. If my parents found out, they would flip." I add on.
Beck, shakes his head and looks back at me, resting a hand on my shoulder as he spoke, "Look, Craig, if it's bothering you that much, why don't I just do it myself? I have nothing to lose."
Furrowing my brows, I scorn him for a moment, "What? No. I would never do that to you. It would make me feel awful."
"But it wouldn't make me feel awful. Think about it. They'll cut an eighteen-year-old guy some slack for giving them evidence." he says, reassuringly.
I don't respond, looking down, exhaling.
"Craig. Chase is the real villain here. Not us." he says.
I look at him again, "Okay, fine, you're right. It's just a lot to think about." I admit.
Beck half smiles and pats my back again, "Attaboy. Now if I were you, I'd be checking out my hot girlfriend, dancing with her friends." he says, pointing to Lily, Penny, and Olivia, dancing.
"Penny's been giving me hints all day. I think she wants to take it to the next level." he crosses his arms, sounding unsure.
I let out a brief snicker, "Well, I'm definitely not getting laid tonight, that's for sure. Lily just isn't in the right headspace for that. As for you? I really think you should cool it until you talk to her, Beck. Be honest. Honesty is the best policy." I say, pursing my lips.
Beck groans, rolling his eyes at my words, "Dude, please don't bum me out. I can't think about that right now."
"Yeah? Well, get over it. She's gonna be more pissed if she has sex with a liar, Beck." I say, firmly.
I really was just hoping he could make the right decision. I know this isn't like him.
"Craig, I got this under control," he says, sounding fed up with the conversation as he sneaks yet another sip of the flask.
I noticed he wasn't exactly sober. Not drunk, but tipsy enough that I could tell.
"Do you Beck? Lay off the flask for a while, dipshit, before you make another life-altering decision." I splutter at him, snatching the flask before putting it in my pocket.
He didn't seem phased by me doing so, raising my attention back to him. His head was snapped at the entrance to the gym.
"Bro, take a look. It's Stella and Chase. They actually came." he says, watching as they enter.
I set my eyes on them, watching as they stood side by side. His hand pretty much was glued onto her arm and she looked like she was scared of any sudden movement. It was sort of unsettling.
"We should say something, I mean look at them," Beck says, his attitude completely shifting.
"Get a grip," I say, shaking my head, "If we act crazy, we'll get crazy right back at us. Have you met his friends? I'm pretty sure all three of them eat bowls of steroids for breakfast. Their team is statistically outside of high school ranks. We need to lay low about this." I continued.
"And what? watch him treat her like shit?" he says, looking at me.
I sigh, "You just said we need to enjoy ourselves tonight. We can talk about them tomorrow, but right now, we need to get ready to perform. After that, I have a scheduled appointment for some alone time with my girl. That's all I'm looking forward to tonight. Can you please be chill until then?" I say, pleading slightly.
He looks at them before looking back at me, shrugging in defeat, "Fine. I'm chill. Let's go get ready." he says.
I smile, firmly placing a hand on his shoulder as we head to the back storage room.
PENELOPE
The dance was going pretty well, but I wanted to spruce myself up before Beck went on. I have grown to like him so much. He makes me feel like it's only him and me, all the time. The more we spend time together, the more we find out deeper and deeper things. He put in so many extra hours of tutoring so he could pay for his suit, and he took me to the nicest place for lunch today. For once I was happy about eating.
The last time I felt this way about a guy, he butchered my trust in him. Diminished by soul even. Maybe that sounds dramatic, but I guess I wouldn't be so deep into my sickness if it weren't for him. I feel so bad for lying to Beck. He deserves my honesty. I just don't want him to think I'm a total freak.
I fixed my hair, tucking it behind my ears as I applied more lip gloss to my lips. The door swung open, followed by faint sniffling sounds, making me turn my head. It was Stella, wiping her face as she noticed it was me.
Every time I see her, I can feel my heart in my ass. It's like has some kind of dominance or power over me. She's just so girl-boss about everything. Even if it is a front, I can't deny she's that girl. I guess that's why I get a little jealous of her and Beck.
But just because I feel jealous at times, doesn't mean that I don't care, even a little about Stella. She's human, and I don't exactly agree with what Chase did to her. I also think it's idiotic of her to date him.
At the end of the day though, it's none of my business.
"Hey. Are you okay?" I ask, hesitant to put my pride aside.
"Like you care," she mumbles, walking a mirror, a few sinks down from me. She sets her bag in the sink, exhaling.
"Stella, I'm trying to be nice. It's not my fault your boyfriend is a complete asshole." I say, collecting my items, wanting to avoid confrontation.
I turn my body, slightly facing hers as I get ready to leave. She opened her bag, grabbing some items, making me notice her wrists, bruised and cut. Along with another bruise near her elbow. I avert my attention back to her face now. I'm hoping that's not from Chase.
She turns to face me now as well.
"Oh yeah? You'd hate to know how much of an asshole your boyfriend really is." she snapped. She was more upset now that I made that comment.
Now I have to wonder though, what the hell she's talking about.
I inhale, trying to muster up the courage to stick up for myself, but before I can, she takes a step closer to me.
"Do you know what girls like you are, to girls like me?" she says, in a grueling tone of voice.
I slug down a wad of spit, feeling my confidence disappear. She smiles at this.
"A buffer. You're just the safer option. You're perfect boyfriend, isn't that perfect, okay? Beck and I hooked up the night we stayed at the cabin. How's that for an asshole?" she says, as she fixes her hair, then spritzes some perfume on before walking over to me.
I could feel my hands shaking. Palms sweating, even. I don't want to believe anything that she said saying is true. Not my Beck. He's too sweet for that.
"You're just a cop-out, Penelope. I would stop acting so high and mighty." she buzzes before smiling once more.
She pushes past me, with no remorse at all, walking out.
My body slightly jumped at the slam of the bathroom door, leaving me to look stupid, all alone. I can't even stomach any kind of performance now.
I look in the mirror, once more, feeling my face burn as I try and hold back my emotions.
I won't believe her until I find out for myself. I just need to talk to him. Then I can panic. Play it cool, then panic.
Though I could feel the largest lump in my throat, I exited the bathroom and went back to the gym, entering only a little bit. I make sure to look around before hugging myself as I walk to the wall, standing against it.
I watched as Beck and the rest of the crew, set things up. He's so happy. He's been so excited for tonight, he won't stop smiling. I wish it were the same on my end. His eyes began to wander around, soon finding me. He smiled softly, showing his perfect teeth as he adjusted his glasses. I raise a hand to wave, trying to be unbiased about my newfound information.
He jokingly gestures to his face, giving me instructions to smile with his fingers. I give him a half smile. When he's so sweet like this, it's hard for me to believe someone like Stella.
The beginning of the show was awesome. I couldn't even take my eyes off of him. Nor could he, with me. I'm sure if I stay around, he would love it. I think I can't take any more looking at him though.
Instead, I head out into the hallway, leaving at the beginning of the last song. After walking down the hall a little bit, I listen to the music echo, less and less. Before I knew it, it was over. Then I could hear faint footsteps come down the hall.
"Penny!" I turn around, watching Beck jog over to me. His large hand slips around my shoulders as he finally catches up.
"Hey, why'd you leave? I didn't think we sucked that bad," he says, laughing at his witty choice of words.
I kept my eyes locked on the floor, with my arms crossed tightly. I didn't have anything to say. What could I say?
"Okay, babe, really, what's the matter? You're kinda icing me out now..." he says, softening his tone as his laugh because more nervous.
"You lied to me," I say, finally gathering myself to speak as I look up at him. His eyebrows quickly furrow.
"Lied?" he says, his smile dropping instantly.
"You said you and Stella were done. You lied." I bleat.
"Penelope, I swear, I have nothing with her, I'm with you. I want you!" he pleads, taking a step closer to me.
"What happened at the cabin?" my breath hitches.
His silence answered my question almost instantly. His face was filled with pure guilt and shame.
"Penelope..." he says, his hands dropping to his sides now.
He then inhales, before speaking, "When we were at the cabin, I drank too much. I got sick in the bathroom and when I was in there... Stella came in." he says, hesitating to let his words flow.
"She came in and she gave me head. Nothing else happened." he practically whispers his words.
My eyes become slightly blurry, filling with tears. I nod, scoffing l, trying to fake my feelings, but failing miserably, "You're disgusting." I murmur.
I then turn around and begin to walk away, only for him to grab my arm, stopping me in my tracks.
"Get off of me! Don't talk to me." I turn to face him, letting my arms fall, "I can't stand to look at you right now. I can't believe you." I turn around again, finally able to walk off.
I made my way to the student council office, hoping to get some alone time to weep on my lonesome.
When I got in, I close the door behind me and walk over to the table where my belongings sat. I sit on the table, beginning to let myself cry. I just wanna disappear at this moment. This is the part of moving around that I hate. I never missed New York more than now. And my dad. Really my mom.
I just knew something was off. It was too good to be true. no guy can be that charming, with no flaws. The way they behaved around each other. How Stella looks at him. All the signs were there, I just wasn't looking for them.
A soft knock on the door shakes me out of my disassociation, making me look up. It was Jack, coming in slowly. I start to wipe my face, trying to hide evidence, but it was too late.
"Can I ask what's wrong?" he says, closing the door behind him, softly.
I shrug, looking down at my lap, "Beck hooked up with Stella at the cabin. She told me right before the show. I think we're done." I say, feeling goosebumps at my words.
"Damn. I'm really sorry about that," he says, sympathetic in his tone as he slowly makes his way over to me. He grabs a camera beside Lily's belongings.
"I feel so embarrassed. I believed him when he said there was nothing between them." I say, burying my head in my hands.
Jack then sighs and shakes his head, "I'm swallowing my pride when I say this, but Beck is a good guy. He's done a lot of bad things maybe. Stupid decisions if you will. But he's not lying. He and Stella are a thing of the past. He's crazy about you. Trust me, I would know." he says, profoundly.
"Yeah, well, right now, I find that kind of hard to believe. Is it stupid to say I wanna go back to New York?" I say, sneering quietly.
"Chin up, city girl. I'm going home in a bit. I can maybe give you a ride? Me and Olivia are ditching. Our job is done here, and these halls give me way too many memories." he says, chuckling.
I let my lips turn to a smile, nodding slowly, "Sure."
He leers at me, charmingly as he picks the camera up, then walks to the door. He suddenly stops and turns around.
"Hey, chances are, you aren't even gonna be thinking about him a year from now. If I learned anything from this school, it's that high school relationships are fickle. A girl like you will easily find another guy. Just saying." he shrugs, flashing another small smile before walking out.
I smile to myself, wiping my face one more time. Maybe he was right.
LILY
I didn't hesitate to take Craig straight to the storage room of the gym so we could be alone. I wanted to catch him before it was time to announce the king and queen.
I love watching him do what he loves. Not to mention how good he is, without even trying. Good at everything, in my eyes. He's so sensual when he plays the drums. On top of him wearing a suit. It's like the perfect combination of James Bond and Travis Barker.
We found a spot on a couch from the theater equipment and immediately got to making out.
"You look so sexy tonight..." he rasps, his lips brushing against my ear between devoted kisses on my neck as he hovers over me, grabbing one of my thighs.
"I wore something you're gonna love underneath." I keen, reaching a hand down to his belt, undoing it quickly.
"I wanna see." he husks, chuckling as he brings his face close to mine, smiling.
I bite my lip, smiling before kissing him longingly and deeply as I let out a soft lament.
Like a shot, the door swings open, revealing a visibly stressed-out Beck. Craig sits up quickly, and I do the same, fixing ourselves quickly. Craig groans, rolling his eyes once he realizes it's Beck, making me giggle.
"C'mon man, right now? How'd you even find us?" Craig says, sitting beside me.
Beck walks over, plopping on the couch with a dejected look on his face. I frown, suddenly feeling his vibe.
"Woah, what's wrong?" I ask, afraid of the answer.
"Stella told Penelope what happened at the cabin. Now she's totally, and reasonably angry with me," he sighs, looking at us, "I messed up big time and now I don't know what to do." he adds.
"Wait, what happened at the cabin?" I say, looking at Craig. He looks away, remorsefully.
"I hooked up with Stella," Beck says, looking at me.
"Oh my god, are you serious? You're a pig, Beck." I ridicule him.
"Babe, don't..." Craig says, resting a gentle hand on my lap.
"And I guess you knew?" I look at Craig now.
"Yeah, but what is meddling gonna do? He dug this hole. I told him to tell her that night. He doesn't listen." Craig says, shrugging.
I look at Beck again, sighing, "Well obviously, you have to apologize. Like, really make it up to her. Even if it was before you guys were official. She liked you enough to trust you, so she deserves that much."
Beck shakes his head, "I can't. She doesn't wanna hear anything I have to say." he says.
Craig looks at Beck now, "Look man, just give her some time. You can't expect her to wanna hear anything right now. Lily is right, though. You still wanna be with her, right?" he asks.
"Of course. I think that ship has sailed though." Beck assumes.
I suck my teeth, shaking my head, "If you still want her, it doesn't hurt to try. You guys weren't technically together then, so..." I say.
"Truth. You still might have a chance." Craig says, patting his chest, supportively.
Olivia comes walking through the door, rolling her eyes when she sees us.
"There you guys are. Are you coming to do the crowns, Lily? Everyones waiting and I can't find Penny." she says.
"Yeah, blame Beck." I say, standing up, fixing myself once more before walking to Olivia.
We began walking quickly, trying to hurry to the gym. When entering the hallways, a large figure swiped passed me, shoving me slightly. I look up, ready to defend myself but immediately humbled by the face. Chase.
"Damn, Craig needs to watch his bitch. If she doesn't watch out, I might have to do her like her little friend." he laughs as his friends, egg him on.
I freeze, unable to take my eyes off him as he walks off, continuing to laugh. My stomach began to turn.
"Sheesh, what an asshole. Let's go." Olivia says, grabbing my mine to pull me as we begin walking again.
Why would he say that? He was talking about Stella.
"Do you think people date other people for blackmail?" I say, look at Olivia. She looks at me.
"Sure. Why not, if they have something to hide? Why?" she asks.
I look ahead of me again, thinking about it more.
"Nothing," I utter.