Invitation to a Better Life (Ways to Society's Heart Chapter 1) (standard:drama, 12698 words) [1/8] show all parts
Author: Siobhan	Updated: Oct 01 2002	Views/Reads: 3631/2332	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Jessica begins high school and is sucked in by the popular group. She is invited to a party and when she is arrived is struck by the feeling that something is very wrong with the whole picture.

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missed him so much, it pained her.  And then, of course, she began to 
think about Anna, her loyal friend who could outbelch the boys.  They 
had tried to keep in touch but the letters got farther and few, and 
they called from time to time but that was limited due to bills.   She 
fought the urge to go home and give up, Elijah had told her not to.  
And she would hold out in the rare occurrence that she did get to see 
him again. 

“Hey, if you're not doing anything tonight, you can come to a party some
of my friends are going to," the girl smiled and her eyes glittered 
with something Jessica could not identify.  Rhonda gave her the willies 
but she decided to ignore her gut feeling.  Her old school desires and 
wishes to be one to the beloved rose to cover all rational thought and 
she only remembered the bitter hurt of not being invited to all the 
parties and of the cruel detachment shown to her and her friends. Here 
was her chance to make up for all the time lost and go to the parties 
and accept the warmth of the most cherished members of the school, even 
if they were also the most forsaken. 

"Sounds fine to me," she grinned and Rhonda puffed up with pride.    It
seemed to Jessica as if Rhonda had been testing her, seeing where she 
stood and Jessica had passed.  Even though the popular group of society 
appealed to everything that she was interested in, she began to wonder 
what was she getting into?  But once more, the urge to conform and 
become one of the desired was more demanding than the urge to think.  
Elijah would call her a sell out, but sometimes, one had to in order to 
find their rightful place in the world.  Maybe that was what was going 
on here. 

"Well, give me your address and we'll pick you up at seven tonight,"
Rhonda handed her a piece of paper.  A smile, that seemed more like a 
tiger's hungry grin as it was about to eat it's prey, flashed across 
her pretty features.  Jessica immediately felt trapped and didn't like 
the idea of Rhonda knowing where she lived.  She knew that a group like 
Rhonda's were well known for being people to vandalize, t.p., and do 
other such horrible things to people's houses.  This was not an idea 
that she cherished considering whatever happened would be immediately 
placed upon her head. 

"How about you give me the address of the party and I'll find my way
there," Jessica offered instead.  She really did not want to have be 
dependent upon another group of people for transportation either.  What 
if Rhonda got drunk or so stoned out of her mind that getting a ride 
home with her would be next to committing suicide?  Not to mention what 
if she got in a fight with Rhonda or wanted to leave early?  All and 
all, she just wasn't comfortable about not driving herself to the party 
and allowing someone else to be her chauffeur. 

"What's wrong, you afraid we'll bite?  We'll pick you up cause it's our
hospitality.  Anyways, if you can get lost in the school, I don't even 
want to think about how lost you'll get in a city," she laughed.   That 
was another thing Jessica hated, her flaws being pointed out.  It 
always seemed as if just when she didn't want things to be pointed out, 
someone always had to speak it.  She looked annoyed at Rhonda but 
quickly squelched the look.  She did not want to upset Rhonda and maybe 
have her invitation revoked.  As irritating as it was to be made fun 
of, she didn't want to loose her opportunity to one of the bashes she 
was always hearing about. 

"Look, give me directions and I can find it," she insisted.   Maybe if
she pushed for her own ride, Rhonda would eventually give in.  But 
somehow, Jessica knew that it was hopeless and that tonight she 
wouldn't be driving herself.  Humor flashed through Rhonda's face and a 
smirk tickled the corners of her lips. 

"No way!  The deal is we have to prove to everyone that we invited you. 
It's a school thing and if you arrive with us, immediate silence of 
suspicions.  I know you don't trust me but if we do anything to your 
house, give the cops my name.  They'll find me," Rhonda was not at all 
reassuring but Jessica thought of her hometown.  She had been boring 
and quiet, more of a wallflower.  Now Rhonda was offering her a 
different perspective of life, why the hell not?  She gave in, aware 
that if she didn't that Rhonda would just walk away and that was not 
something she wanted.  She wished for that different perspective more 
than anything and was willing to go to any lengths to achieve it, even 
if it was only handing out her address to a bunch of juvenile 
delinquents . 

"Ok," Jessica scrawled her address out on the paper, no hesitation in
her smooth cursive writing.  Rhonda read it and a look of recognition 
lit her face.  She folded the piece of paper up casually as if it 
didn't really matter what it said and slipped it into her pocket. 

"I know where your house is. We'll be there at seven exactly.  Wear
whatever you want except for what you wore today.  It is a big fashion 
no to wear the same outfit you did at school.  Great meeting you.  Talk 
to you later," and Rhonda was gone, along with Jessica's sense of 
adventure. What was she doing?  What did she think, that one party 
could change her entire personality?  Sometimes, she let the popular 
people get to her head, and now was one of those times.  She always 
forgot to think in the important times where it counted and instead 
just went for whatever chanced to present itself to her.  She would 
have thought that she would have learned to think before she dove into 
something, but maybe that was just her wishful thinking.  It was too 
late to back out so she went to class with thoughts of what she was 
going to wear tonight.  She wondered who was throwing the party, who 
would be there, would Rhonda make her like one of the popular kids or 
dump her like one of the nobodies?  All day long, though she dealt with 
the rest of her classmates, her thoughts were occupied with a party. 

Then she thought about her parents' reactions to the party.  There was
no way her mother would let her out on a school night.  Her mom barely 
approved of her being out late on a weekend night, claiming that it was 
more likely she would die driving around late at night.  Even more 
impossible to convince would be Steven, her jerk of a stepfather, who 
truly believed he should have the respect of a father when he wasn't 
willing to respect her as a daughter.  She began to stress about how 
she would get out of the house, or how she would get back in.  She 
began to truly regret her all to ready acceptation of the invitation 
for it caused too much emotional distress. 

When she got home, she almost started hyperventilating as she approached
the living room where she could see her mother.  Her mother, a 
beautiful brunette with warm brown eyes and wrinkles from smiling 
around her lips and eyes, was draped across the couch, watching “Comedy 
of Terrors” with Vincent Price.  She laughed as Vincent's character 
fought with a man who was supposed to be dead, and Jessica smiled at 
her pretty laughter. 

Even though she had made the wrong decision about Steven and had ruined
her life, Jessica couldn't help but feel overwhelming love for her mom. 
 She still couldn't respect or trust her like she once had, but she was 
trying to make an effort.  But at that time, more often than not, her 
mom sided with the asshole she had married and that made their 
relationship very strained.  And yet, it was amazing how intense she 
felt for her mom.  She would always love her no matter what happened 
between the two of them. 

She admired her mom so much, she was everything that Jessica aspired to
be and so much more.  She could make the world stop if she chose to and 
she knew exactly what to say to make someone better.  If something was 
wrong, she would tackle the issue with her bare hands and make it right 
again.  And if one angered her, it was disastrous, and she swallowed at 
that thought.  How was she going to get to the party with her mother's 
permission?  She stepped into the living room and her mother looked up 
at her, laughter glittering in her eyes. 

“How'd your first day at school go?” she wanted to know and she patted
the cushion next to her.  Jessica slung her back pack down onto the 
ground with a heavy sigh and slouched pathetically down onto the couch. 
 She just wanted to get this over with and go hide out in her room as 
she had all summer long.  It was easiest to handle, but she also felt 
the need to talk to someone.  She felt it a lot anymore, with no one 
there for her, but she decided she would actually talk to her mom 
today. 

“It was horrible.  I felt so out of place and unwanted.  I hate being
the new kid,” she exclaimed and her mother leaned over and hugged her.  
Jessica hugged her back, so glad her mom was there and not Steven.  It 
had been a long time since she had hugged her mom, and the feeling was 
wonderful.  She felt young and naïve again, and protected from all the 
bad things.  She knew she was letting go of her grudge, but she 
couldn't hang on to it forever.  It was just impossible. 

“I know it's tough Jessie, but it could be worse.  You could be new in
an elementary in sixth grade where everyone has known everyone since 
kindergarten.  At least here, they've known each other, for the most 
part, for only four years, if even that,” she replied.  She had to 
agree to her mother's logic and nodded her head in accord.  Then she 
thought of Rhonda and remembered why she had originally began to 
approach her mother.  She enjoyed finally having a decent conversation 
but she was still a little annoyed, and wanted to head out as soon as 
posssible. 

“Mom, I met a really cool girl.  Her name's Rhonda and she's picking me
up tonight at seven to go to a friend's party so that I can meet some 
new people and get more familiar with everyone.  I know it's on a 
school night and at a stranger's house but I would really like to go.  
It's a great chance for me to make friends and get more used to this 
place,” she threw out in a quick breath, trying to sound grown up but 
she felt that she sounded whiny and like a four year old. 

Her mother closed her eyes and Jessica watched with intense green eyes,
crossing her fingers.  She wanted to go so bad for even though the 
making friends was a great reason to go, there was another, unknown 
reason that was pulling her to go.  Her mom opened her eyes and looked 
over at her slowly.  Jessica's shoulders fell for she was sure she knew 
what the answer was.  She had seen that look a thousand times.  But she 
still hoped that her mom felt bad enough, and like she owed Jessica 
something still that she would give in. 

“Jessie, I know you want to make new friends and fit in, which is so
hard to do when you're brand new, which is why I think it's an 
excellent idea that you go.  I only ask that you introduce me to your 
friend, Rhonda, and that you are home by midnight.  I would say sooner 
since it is a school night but somehow I know that is a vain wish,” she 
smiled and Jessica's heart soared.  She wanted to get up and jump 
around the room, shouting out her excitement and bliss but she sat 
still, continuing the attempt to be mature.  She swallowed and smiled, 
unable to keep the corners from yanking into a broad beam.  She knew 
with that response, that their relationship was healing.  It was a good 
thing, she needed her mommy. 

“Thank you so much mom, I'm so happy that you're going to let me go,”
she giggled giddily and threw her arms around her mom's neck.  Then 
another thought occurred to her, she still had Steven to attend to and 
she pulled back, her spirit slightly dampened by the idea.  Her and 
Steven hated each other, he had in the beginning bought her gifts and 
tried to be civil, but it when it became apparent that their wills 
would always clash, he gave up and started to openly despise her, but 
he had kept it hidden from her mom somehow. 

“What are we going to tell Steven?” she wanted to know, all of a sudden
depressed, sure that her mother wouldn't comply with her wishes but she 
should have never worried.  Her mom was not one for often letting her 
down and she didn't generally change overnight, except for one time, 
one big dramatic time.  But before and after, she had proven reliable 
and the mom she had known and always loved.  But she did give in more 
often to Steven's desires than what Jessica wanted. 

“Why, you're my daughter and if I say you can go to a party then you are
sure as heck going!  So, don't you worry about him, I will take care of 
him,” she tousled Jessica's hair playfully and Jessica good naturally 
smacked it away.   Her mom, in retaliation, yanked a couple strands of 
her hair so of course she had to respond by lightly punching her mom's 
arm.  Soon they were involved in a full throttle war of giggles and 
slugs that sometimes left bruises but more often than not, left nothing 
but memories of a fun time. 

Jessica could remember the last time they had played like that, the day
her mom had eloped.  She hadn't allowed herself to bond with her mom 
like that in a long time, mainly because, she didn't want to be close 
to her mom, not after Steven.  But a fact was a fact, no matter what 
she did to cut the bond between her and her mother, it would always be 
there.  And she may as well embrace it rather than fight a loosing 
battle. 

When Steven pulled up and stepped out, her mother immediately confronted
him. She told him quite point blank that Jessica was going to the party 
and that was that.  He was so flabbergasted by the gusto and 
determination shown by her mom that he just nodded in agreement.  His 
eyes were wide with disbelief and shock but he accepted her decision 
without any argument.  He could obviously tell when it was a lost fight 
because Jessica's mom was not going to back down if he had decided 
against her.  Jessica did a dance of victory in her room after she saw 
her mom tell Steven that she was going.  She was so excited and jumpy.  
She had never been to a party, at least not one like the ones the 
popular kids were supposed to throw, so this would be a first time 
experience and she could not wait. 

She sobered up a little at the thought of Elijah and Anna.  They would
have loved to be with her.  It would have started out as a fun night, 
but she was pretty sure, that Elijah would then grab her hand and pull 
her into a corner where he would proceed to kiss and touch her like 
that night.  But it did her no good to dwell upon what should be, it 
was gone, never to be recovered.  So, she shook her head and instead 
focused upon the actual party.  She refused to think about the ones she 
had loved, they were all gone. 

That night, nervous and unsure of herself, she dressed in her newest
pair of jeans, a pale green v-neck sweater, and her boots.  She put her 
miles of long red hair in a bun and then decided that looked too old.  
She pulled it back in a ponytail and hissed with disgust.  She wanted 
to make a good impression but looking stuffy was not the way to go.  
She wondered what was the most popular look to wear her hair when she 
noticed her mom standing in the doorway.  Her mom was watching her with 
pride glowing in her eyes and a slight smile on her lips.  She looked 
startled when she realized that Jessica had caught her. 

"Jesse, are you sure you know what you're doing?" she inquired and
walked in.  She took on the form of a concerned mother and Jessica 
smiled.  Her mom was cool like that, she would act so worried but for 
the most part she trusted Jessica.  She just wasn't sure when to truly 
let her go on her own and when to hold her back.  She sat on the bed 
and Jessica sat beside her, deciding that taking a break from her 
sprucing up could be a good thing.  Though any more, she had realized 
she had let Jessica go when she married Steven, but things were getting 
better, falling back into their natural order. 

"Mom, do you expect me to suddenly morph into another human being at the
party?" she teased and her mother shook her head, struggling to refrain 
from a smile.  She was as excited as Jessica was, though she would 
never admit it.  She hugged Jessica quickly then pulled away as if it 
were a bad thing and they both giggled.  Then the interrogation, with a 
teasing note but a serious undercurrent, began. 

"What time does the party end?" 

"I don't know." 

"Who's house is at?" 

"I don't know." 

"How many people are going to be there?" 

"I don't know!" 

"What do you know?" 

"Rhonda invited me and is picking me up at nine.  I trust her," Jessica
replied and stood up.  She strode over to the mirror and attempted 
another style with her hair that  predictably failed.  She pulled it 
down with a groan of frustration.  Why did she have to be cursed with 
long, wavy red hair? She was ultimately doomed to not have a cute 
hairstyle and it was aggravating knowledge that she had to prove wrong. 
 Her mother laughed and shook her head softly, probably thinking of 
preparing for her party days.  She stood up and sauntered over to her 
daughter, who's face was pulled into a sour pout  She rubbed her 
shoulders and a definite curtain of sadness hung over her eyes. 

“Mom, what's wrong?” Jessica turned to look at her mother but she pulled
away and hurriedly scurried to the door, dabbing her eyes the entire 
way.  She began to wonder if her mother was thinking about her growing 
up, and in an instant she was sure that was the cause of the tears and 
sadness.  Her mother's response confirmed her theory.  She also thought 
that it might be they were talking again.  That made tears want to come 
to Jessica's eyes, it had been so long.  An entire summer.  It was 
great having mom back, but she was still a little mad. 

“You've just grown up into such a lady and you're just so impressive.  I
can't believe that it was almost eighteen years ago that I held you in 
my arms, listening to you croon about the sight of your own hands.  
Now, you're preparing to make decisions about life and what goes on.  I 
just, I'm just amazed,” she smiled softly, her eyes glistening and her 
cheeks damp with tears.  Jessica grinned sheepishly, uncomfortable with 
the sudden rush of emotion.  She was used to the changing emotions that 
her mother had, it was all attributed to the change in the female body 
after a certain age.  But, it still threw her for loops when her mom 
went from laughing to sobbing to being perfect mother to raging 
hormones.  It just, it was so different and radical, but she would have 
to get used to it.  It was all a part of life after all. 

"Oh well, have fun and please, don't get out of control," she left and
Jessica sighed with exasperation as she failed at yet another hairdo.  
It was impossible, she would never be ready for the party in time, at 
least, not looking cute and ready for the party.  She tried braiding 
her hair in two braids on the side of her head but they unraveled and 
unruly strands stood out in direct opposition to her command.  She was 
at the verge of tears  when a knock on her door caught her attention. 

"I could fix it for you," Rhonda announced and Jessica spun to see her
standing in the doorway.  Her heart leapt into her throat when she saw 
the unexpected arrival.  What an impression she would be making now, no 
makeup and hair standing out in all directions.  She swallowed and 
blinked several times, the tears now truly threatening to spill.  She 
should have never accepted the damn invitation. 

"How'd you get here?  Why are you here?" she spat, finally finding her
voice.  She looked over at the clock and saw that it was only around 
six ‘o' clock, and she wondered why did Rhonda come early.  Didn't she 
say at seven sharp or was she hallucinating, so eager to be cool that 
she heard things?  She hoped that Rhonda was confused on the time and 
would apologize for the mistake but what came next was even better than 
an apology. 

"Both questions are easy to answer.  I came over early cause I was new
once and I know that you would be stressing about first impressions.  I 
got in cause your mother let me, I'm pretty sure that she likes me" 
Rhonda laughed and set to work upon Jessica's hair. Jessica sat down 
upon her chair and admired Rhonda's getup.  She had a knack for looking 
absolutely stunning, serene and yet wild all at once.  It was an act 
that Jessica wished dearly to pull off, but there was no way in a 
million years that she would be able to achieve that look. Rhonda was 
dressed in sparkling pants and a black tube top.  Her beautiful 
chocolate brown hair was in thousands of little braids and she looked 
completely different than the girl who had approached her at school.  
She somehow looked sharper, more defined, and in more control. 

“Well, that's not a shocker.  My mom likes just about everyone.  She's
pretty cool about people, you know, she's not judgmental,” she blabbed, 
aware that she was saying too much but so uncomfortable that she could 
not stop.  That was one of the reasons why she didn't enjoy the company 
of the much coveted popular group, she always made a fool out of 
herself but she had no clue how to refrain from her overly excited 
antics.  If only Eli were here, he would steady her nerves or say 
something to distract her from looking silly. 

“Yeah, she struck me as  a pretty hip mom and she had to be, she did
raise you after all,” Rhonda threw out and Jessica was shocked into 
silence.  She had just been complimented by one of the girls who she so 
dearly wanted to be.  Her mouth had dropped open but she couldn't think 
of a response, so she shut it with a tight clamp.  She watched Rhonda 
in the mirror carefully twist and bobby pin strand after strand of her 
dark red hair into tight little buns. 

"Who's going to be at the party?" she asked, coming up with an idea for
a conversation starter, plus, she was actually curious as to how big 
the party was going to be.  She wondered if it was a selective party or 
if it would be everyone at school?  Rhonda didn't answer right away, 
rather she bit her lower lip in concentration as she bullied a renegade 
strand of hair into submission.  Once she was successful, she lifted 
her eyes up to meet Jessica's in the mirror, before answering. 

"Everyone, Brandon and the rest of the group.  A lot of our admirers, a
lot of nobodies, and you," she replied, and went back to work on 
Jessica's hair.  Jessica remained silent after that answer because all 
though it was spoken casually and in a friendly manner, it was like a 
dagger being thrust through her heart.  She had been one of those 
nobodies and after tonight, might still remain one but a tortured one, 
after having a taste of the treasured life. 

"Do you have any glitter?" Rhonda finally asked, all the pulling and
tugging at the back of Jessica's head, at last, ceasing to continue.  
She nodded and handed her an almost full bottle of light green glitter. 
 She took it almost tartly and preceded to rub it all over her hair, 
"I'm also going to change all of your clothes.  Do you mind if I look 
through your wardrobe?" 

"Uh, no, go ahead," Jessica was so grateful that Rhonda had showed up
early.  She didn't have a clue what to wear or do with her hair.  She 
had known that her clothes were too stuffy but honestly, she didn't 
want to look too risqué. She shouldn't have even worried because Rhonda 
knew what she was doing which made Jessica wonder how many times Rhonda 
had helped out a new and less unfortunate being to society.  That 
thought sent the rest tumbling down to an all new low of going nowhere 
until she saw the outfit that she had pulled out. Rhonda dug through 
her clothes and she pulled up a pair of black leather pants and a neon 
green spaghetti strap shirt.  It was a couple notches over the everyday 
school wear but not at the vampish night culture life.  It was an 
outfit that seemed preplanned though when Jessica had bought it, 
neither shirt nor pants had been on her mind, but had just been catches 
of the impulsive shopper who loves pretty things. 

"These are perfect," Rhonda chuckled and tossed them over to Jessica. 
She stood with the items of clothing in her hands until Rhonda turned 
around, almost reluctantly, which made her feel weird.  It wasn't a 
lesbian like stare that she had received from Rhonda, but almost a look 
more like she was afraid that Jessica would skip out on her if she 
turned her back.  That thought confused her for surely Rhonda knew she 
had nothing to fear.  She was so excited to be going that she would 
never dream of running away, well, maybe she would if she realized she 
would be a fool but she had hopes and aspirations that maybe she would 
be someone way cool instead of a nerd. 

"You look great but now we need to do your makeup," Rhonda went to work,
layering on foundation, bright green eye shadow, and thick red 
lipstick.  She felt awkward having so much color slathered on and she 
was sure that she had so much makeup on that she would melt underneath 
the lights.  For an added touch, Rhonda did her mascara and carefully 
used eyeliner.  When she was done, Jessica' mouth dropped open in 
shock.  She could barely recognize herself underneath the mask of 
makeup.  She turned this way and that, not sure whether to admire the 
new her or be horrified.  She wasn't used to things like makeovers and 
she wasn't sure to handle the one that had been given to her.  What if 
her old group saw her now?  They would totally flip, if they even 
realized who she was in the first place.  She should get pictures and 
set them on over to her hometown. 

"I don't know, I mean, I don't even look like me," she finally said,
hesitantly.  She'd never worn so much makeup or had her hair done in 
such a fashion or anything, but it gave her a whole new look.  She 
didn't look quite as wholesome as she generally did nor did she feel 
quite as wholesome.  It was as if the unusual look had wormed it's way 
under her skin and was now proceeding to redo her personality.  And 
even though it was a bizarre feeling, it felt welcomed and good in a 
bad sort of way. 

"That's the point, when you don't look as your old self you tend to
change your personality to match your look.  It's also a lot more fun," 
Rhonda explained with a smile teasing her purple lips.  It was as if 
she had kne0w exactly what Jessica was thinking.  She bit her lip 
nervously and gently touched one of the buns on top of her head.  She 
felt strange, out of place, and even if she decided to keep the look 
there was no way her mother would let her out of the house the way she 
looked.  Her mom was pretty lenient and cool but when it came to 
dressing out of the norm, she was usually against the appearance.  She 
turned around in a circle, watching her reflection, amazed at how 
different she looked.   She knew without a doubt that there was no way 
she was getting out of the house, not even if she begged. 

"My mom will never let me out of the house dressed like this," she
replied.  She gave a weak smile at Rhonda who grinned wickedly.  It was 
as if she were hiding a secret, that smirk that said “I know something 
you don't know”.  Jessica watched her in the mirror, hoping that Rhonda 
would agree with her and tone down the makeover a bit, but a devilish 
glint sparked in her eyes and Jessica knew that she had no hope. 

"You're wrong, your mother struck me as a pretty hip lady.  I think
she'll let you," was the response and Jessica shook her head.  How 
could Rhonda know anything about her mother?  She had just met her, 
though her mother would be very flattered at being considered a hip 
woman by one of her friends, Jessica knew that it wouldn't change her 
mother's mind.  Her mom would tell her to go upstairs and change or to 
not go and Jessica would be embarrassed in front of her new friend.  
Rhonda would think she was a loser and instead of welcoming her into 
the group, she would reject her and announce her as the school's 
biggest loser.  All these images frightened Jessica and she quickly 
tried to work on changing Rhonda's mind about how she looked. 

"I doubt it, she is a major prude and is going to have a cow when she
sees me," she insisted.  But she never got to finish her argument for 
there was a honk from below and Rhonda rushed to the window.  She 
spread the curtains and waved to someone below then spun around.  She 
grabbed Jessica by the arm and before she had time to protest, drug her 
out the door. 

"They're here, come on, time to go," Rhonda laughed and they walked down
the stairs.  Jessica's mom was waiting downstairs and Jessica froze 
when she saw her.  This was it, she was in for it for sure and she 
hadn't even stayed out late.  She tried to pull back up the stairs but 
Rhonda's grip was strong and she would not let Jessica flee.  She 
swallowed and braced herself for the war that was about to begin but 
she was pleasantly supprized. 

"Honey, I don't approve of what you're wearing but I think you're old
enough to handle yourself so go out and have fun," she hugged her and 
Jessica was stunned.  Rhonda smiled triumphantly and Jessica just stood 
there, unable to comprehend what had happened.  Was she going crazy or 
had she died and this was all in heaven? The heaven did not work, 
considering Steven was still around. She blinked a couple of times then 
shook her head before looking back at her mother. 

"Who are you and what have you done with my mother?" she blurted, unable
to suppress the questions bubbling up inside her.  Her mom just laughed 
and shook her head.  She clasped Jessica's hand in hers before 
replying. 

"Go on, have fun," and Jessica was shoved out the door with Rhonda.  A
sleek, brand new, black Saturn, with three teenagers, waited for them 
at the foot of the sidewalk.  All the windows were rolled down and the 
rear passenger door stood wide open.  There were two boys and one girl 
sitting in the luxury car, all three sets of eyes glued with eager 
anticipation to Jessica. 

She smiled shyly, trying to act cool and not nerdy, and successfully
tripped over her feet.  She would have fallen, had Rhonda not been 
there.  But, the moment she started to go, Rhonda's firm hand caught 
her and steadied her on her feet.  She looked back at the group, her 
cheeks burning with embarrassment, sure to find them rolling in their 
seats with laughter at her humility.  But not a single giggle had 
slipped past any of their lips, only the curiosity was on their face.  
They slid in the back with one of the very handsome boys.  He looked 
and acted as if he were in the popular group, they all did.  They all 
stared without saying a word at Jessica, and she shifted uncomfortably. 


She wondered what their problem was, if maybe they were high, for that
would explain some of their attitude right?  Their eyes seemed to be so 
hungry, and hers switched back and fourth to the three faces, unsure of 
what to say or how to act. 

Finally, she just popped out, “Hi!” 

“This is Jessica, she's brand new to our school,” Rhonda explained,
taking the initiative.  Jessica let out a sigh of relief, at least now 
the pressure was taken off of her to say something. 

"Hi, I'm Jonathon, Rhonda's boyfriend," the guy in the back announced
and he smiled at her.  He was gorgeous and his hand slid around 
Rhonda's tightly.  He gave Rhonda a quick peck on the cheek before 
giving a nod to Jessica, and then looking away. 

The girl sitting in the front spun around and laughed, "I'm Vanessa and
this is my boyfriend, Kevin. You're completely new so you've never been 
to one of Brandon's parties?  Ha, hope you're into heavy fun!"  Her 
voice was high pitched and annoying, the kind of voice that sounded 
like nails upon a chalkboard.  Even though, she was sure that Vanessa 
was a really sweet girl, she instantly didn't like her because of that 
annoying high pitched voice.  It just grated on her nerves the wrong 
way. 

Kevin pushed the car into drive and pressed the gas and brakes with just
enough pressure to make the tires scream in protest.  He began turning 
and zipping about down roads and allies, almost in circles and Jessica 
wrinkled her brow in confusion.  She had already got to know her 
neighborhood pretty well so she knew that they were taking lots of 
turns but staying in the same neighborhood.  She wondered if maybe it 
was a joke on her since she was new or maybe that was the way Kevin had 
been taught to get to the party.  Either way, she just about told him 
there was a simpler way of getting to the house, she was sure, but she 
thought better of it and kept her silence. 

They finally pulled up to a large two story house that announced money
in every way.   There were tons of cars but the place just didn't seem 
to be rocking as if it were a party.  It was eerily quiet and there 
were only a couple lights glowing from the bottom story.  Nothing 
seemed to move, and even the air hung heavy as if aware too that it 
didn't make sense.  She looked closer, wondering if maybe she just 
wasn't seeing the party but there was definitely no movement and no 
music. 

"Are you sure the party's here?  It's so quiet," Jessica thought perhaps
they had got lost, or even worse. . . there was no party and they were 
taking her in for a cruel initiation since she was the new senior.  Her 
blood ran cold at the thought and she wanted to run, but she took a 
couple of deep breaths.  She had to think logically and realize she was 
probably wrong.  They were probably only at the wrong house, that was 
all.  At least, she hoped that was all. 

"Brandon holds the parties in his basement cause it's soundproof, that
way the neighbors don't complain," Kevin explained and he parked the 
car in the first open place he could find, which chanced to be a couple 
houses down from the one they wanted.  He got out first, opened the 
rear passenger door on Jessica's side then went and let out Vallery. 

"Makes sense," Jessica decided and slid out of the back seat, following
Rhonda and her boyfriend, Jonathon.  The group was strangely silent 
considering they should be anticipating a rambunctious, fun party.  
Their faces were sullen, serious, and they did seem to be anticipating 
something, but not a party.  It almost seemed as if raw, dark energy 
was flowing through them and they were hungry for something, like a 
druggie desperate for the next fix.  Jessica shivered and Vanessa's 
attentive eyes caught the goosebumps that lined Jessica's skin.  Her 
eyes laughed at her and she immediately resumed the teenage bimbo 
appearance and everyone else followed suite. 

"You're going to love this place.  His bashes are always awesome,"
Vanessa gushed and Jessica smiled politely at her.  For some reason, 
she felt like something was very wrong.  It seemed like an undercurrent 
ran beneath the surface, carrying fear and something else much more 
powerful and darker.  Jessica felt that she should follow her instincts 
and haul her butt as fast as she could home, but she resisted, 
refraining from loosing her chance with these people.  She sucked in a 
breath and began walking with them down the road to the house.  They 
walked up to the door, on a delicate moss path with large stones set in 
it, and upon either side was luxurious, dark green grass, and knocked. 

An extremely pale boy answered and his eyes flickered over the group,
"It's you guys again.  You know where it is."  He stood off to the side 
and they swept past him without a second glance, all except for 
Jessica.  She couldn't get over how pale he was and she looked at him 
as he shut the door.  He seemed so frail and sick, she wondered if 
something was wrong with him.  He too watched her, and a wicked smile 
touched the corner of his lips.  His eyes glittered hungrily and seemed 
to possess the current that swam through the air.  He had dark hickies 
upon his neck and what looked like cuts inside the hickies.  And his 
eyes, easily the most disturbing feature on him, were blazing green, 
like fire.  She turned away, afraid to gaze upon him anymore, and felt 
his stare bore into her back.  She stepped a little closer to Rhonda, 
sure she would protect her but against what, she really wasn't sure. 

"Here we are," Rhonda warned and Jonathon opened the door before them. 
Dark, hard rock music, “Dead Bodies” by KORN, blasted out at them and 
exotic scents wafted out to greet them.  Jessica recognized the pungent 
but sweet scent of marijuana, the strong scent of alcohol, and a smell 
that was buried underneath the other two, human sweat.  But even 
underneath that was something else, like a whiff of cologne of someone 
who has already passed and gone.  It was coppery and thick, almost like 
blood but Jessica knew that she must be imagining things so she stuffed 
her nose up with air and could no longer smell the scents that welcomed 
her in.  She hesitated before following Rhonda who had already ventured 
halfway down the narrow stairwell. 

"Told you the party was here," Kevin laughed and they walked down the
carpeted stairs.  Below were tons of people dancing, chatting, and just 
milling around.  Jessica noticed a tall blonde standing in one of the 
corners, talking to two over enthusiastic girls who were practically 
drooling over him.  He was beyond handsome and an air of excitement 
clung to him.  He looked as if he were interested in what the two girl 
were giggling about, but it was obvious that he was bored out of his 
mind.  He felt her eyes upon him and looked up at her.  His eyes held 
hers without straying and Jessica felt as if he were pulling her to 
him.  She didn't move but she felt as if she were right beside him and 
imagined kissing him, feeling him kiss her.  Then she looked away and 
the images and feelings were gone, and she was just standing on the 
steps with the rest of the group. 

"There's Brandon," Rhonda pointed to the very guy she was looking at. 
Rhonda waved and he excused himself from the girls before walking their 
way.  His eyes were still upon Jessica and like Rhonda, the crowd 
seemed to part as he approached.  He never tripped, never missed a 
step, but moved as gracefully as “Angel” from “Buffy, the Vampire 
Slayer”.  He never smiled, never flinched, only kept his eyes upon 
Jessica, almost as if he were hypnotizing her.  She had to admit she 
felt a little drawn to him, as if a very strong magnet were pulling 
her, but unlike the two “groupies” Brandon was talking to, she had the 
will power to resist him. 

And yet there was a dark, seductive power in his eyes.  And she wanted
to give in and allow it to infiltrate her, but as she stared back at 
him, she thought of Elijah.  With the thought of his love for her, she 
was suddenly no longer under Brandon's spell.  Beautiful, sexy Elijah 
was her shield and she clung to that thought, for as she looked into 
liquid warmth of Brandon's eyes, she felt swayed.  There was something 
incredibly irresistible about him. 

"Ah, welcome my friends.  Brought a newbie," he smiled at Jessica then
kissed her hand.  His dark blue eyes held hers and there was an 
electricity in his eyes that frightened her.  He was so intense and 
seemingly powerful, that it was as if she were not in the presence of 
an average teenage boy but rather in the company of an emperor of many 
kingdoms.  She grinned at him but knew it was weak, he pulsated danger 
and she could sense it.  He too seemed to be filled with the current of 
wrongness that flowed through the place.  But she also knew the 
darkness was most of his sex appeal.  His presence demanded both 
respect and fear. 

"My name's Jessica," she offered up and saw his eyes flicker over her
form.  He seemed as if he were taking her in and analyzing her and she 
felt as if she were being invaded.  She wanted to tell him to go away, 
to quit looking at her like he was but she kept her mouth sealed.  It 
all came down to the simple thought, she did not want to offend any of 
the popular people.  She desired so much to hang with them, and if it 
required that she be checked out very openly, she was willing to 
accept.  And she was under the impression that resisting his wants 
wasn't really an option.  She knew she could say no but somehow she 
felt, he would be able to change her mind. 

"I'm Brandon, and I am very pleased to meet you Jessica," his eyes held
hers and the light seemed to be swallowed whole by his being.  There 
was something dark and off about him, and he knew that she knew.  He 
gave her a devilish smirk and winked, allowing her the idea that he was 
well aware of her thoughts.  That freaked her out and she struggled 
desperately to not step away, to not back down. It was strange the 
conflict going on inside her.  She wanted him so bad, she had never 
felt such lust and she knew it was because he was dark.  But on the 
other hand, he scared her really bad. She shivered and wished that she 
had not come, she did not feel comfortable in any way, shape or form.  
She didn't know what to think or how to react. 

"The others, well, they've all found empty rooms," he was speaking to
the other people but his eyes never left hers.  She felt as if she were 
in a trap and he was the hunter, she could not pull herself away.  She 
could feel his hands in her mind wandering over her body, exploring 
everywhere.   She could feel his lips tasting her skin the smirk he 
wore sent thrills through her body.  She felt he somehow knew, or was 
even causing her thoughts to go haywire.  And the worse part, was she 
didn't really mind, except for the uncomfortable tingling of 
unfulfilled desire. 

Her mind leapt at what Brandon was implying, and wondered how could he
be so open about where they were.  She would be hinting but not quite 
coming out with where the other kids were.  But then again, he was 
hinting just a bit more bluntly than she would have.  She had to keep 
her mind off of him being with her, she felt if she stayed on that line 
of thinking, she may go down that path.  She began to think of Eli, her 
childhood love.  He was the only person who she would ever give in to.  
Not to the dark prince whose eyes roamed her soul and body. 

"Well, so are we," Kevin laughed and wrapped his arms around Vanessa. 
She giggled and they scurried down the stairs and through a doorway 
below.  Jessica sighed with relief at Vanessa's departure.  Her voice 
was so obnoxious and she was just annoying.  Rather like watching the 
kid that is ten years younger than one and is selfish and knows exactly 
what to do to tick one off. 

"Well, enjoy the party.  Um, Jonathon and I have some catching up to
do," Rhonda winked at Jessica, "You and Brandon can, uh, get to know 
each other!"  Jessica found herself alone with the hunter and he seemed 
to be feeding off her fear.  She was panicking, all of a sudden, she 
was alone with a shark.  Alone and without any weapons with which to 
defend herself.  She almost had the urge to call after Rhonda and 
follow her, just to avoid Brandon but she knew that she could do no 
such thing.  For one thing, Rhonda had already disappeared through a 
doorway downstairs with Jonathon and for another, Brandon now blocked 
the staircase. 

The danger radiating from him reached pressure point, daring her to run.
 She didn't know what to do, she was so confused.  She wanted him in an 
ungodly way and she couldn't dismiss the wicked thoughts that were 
running through her mind.  But on the other hand, she couldn't erase 
images of him tearing people apart with his bare hands or doing other 
dark, and evil deeds.  She knew he was totally bad, but he was still so 
hard to resist. 

"I make you nervous, don't I?" he asked and he was being genuine.  He
was studying her, taking in her reaction.  She looked at him, wondering 
if her fear was really that obvious.  And she hoped even more, that her 
lust was not apparent.  She hoped that it wasn't because she wanted to 
make a good impression and she knew that the appearance of fear made 
her seem more vulnerable.  But the desires she felt for him made her 
even better prey.  He would know how to use that to the best of his 
advantage, and then leave her a broken shell. 

"Yes you do," she felt that even if she lied he would know the truth so
she decided to be blunt and speak her mind, maybe that would disguise 
what she was really feeling.  He already seemed prepared for this 
answer and didn't act taken back by her quick response.  Instead, he 
smiled softly, the brightness of his eyes dimming a bit.  He reached 
his hand up as if he were going to touch her and she yanked back, 
almost falling on her butt after getting caught up on the stairs. 

Instead, he ran his hand through his spiked blonde hair and shrugged his
shoulders helplessly before dropping his hand to his side.  She was 
thankful for that because she was afraid if he touched her, she may 
want more and more, until the inevitable would happen.    He was 
absolutely sexy, and she could not think that way about him.  He was 
bad news, and every girl wanted him. 

"I'm sorry.  You're not like the other girls," he seemed as if he was
sizing her up, deciding her weakness so he could go in for the kill.  
She decided that it was time to stop their conversation and interaction 
before he won her over.  She would never give into him, never! But if 
she were to stick to that, she needed to get away from him.  To get 
away from the temptation that she was finding increasingly harder and 
harder to resist. 

"What a pick up line, you may as well ask, "Do you want to go screw?"
Which in that case, I don't even want to be near you so I may as well 
leave," she turned to go but she realized that he was more dangerous 
with her back turned to him so she spun around to face him.  She had 
never felt more trapped, if she left she'd be hurting Rhonda's feelings 
by not saying bye but if she stayed, Brandon would manipulate her, she 
was sure, somehow or other.  What could she do?  She had the urge to 
grab him and yank him into a back room, but that was not an option.  
She had to be stronger than that, she had to think of Eli.  Eli would 
never let her go into the back room.  Not in a million years. 

"I didn't mean to offend you but it's true.  They all watch me as if I
am a god and worship the ground I walk upon.  I just make you nervous 
and a bit on the paranoid side," he grinned good-naturedly and she once 
again saw how very good looking he was.  She couldn't help the small 
smile that slipped out on that comment.  She had seen the way all the 
girls watched him, the way they started batting their eyelashes and 
playing with their hair.  She wanted to give him a chance, just because 
he was the object of so many girls' crushes, but she honestly feared 
him.  Something inside of him was unlike any other guy she had ever 
met, and it wasn't a good thing.  And she knew why the other girls fell 
for him, it was obvious with everything about him, especially his eyes. 
 His eyes were so full and lucious, and yet they were shielded as if 
hiding pain.  Every girl wanted to heal and rescue the bad egg. 

"Well, see I have good reason.  I know that you go around breaking
little hearts like you want to be so I'm just making sure that I am 
well protected," she responded and his smile broadened.  She could tell 
by the glint in his eyes, that he thought he was making headway.  She 
wanted to shoot him down and make him cry, but she couldn't think of 
anything to say to burst his bubble.  She wanted to kick herself for 
not being quicker on her feet than she was.  She needed to make him 
leave her alone before she fell into his snare, and became one of his 
many play toys. 

"I can see that you see through any disguises I may try to wear so I
shall leave you to this party so that you may enjoy it without any fear 
for your little heart," he began to walk down the stairs.  She almost 
felt sad that he was leaving her and then she did feel lonesome for she 
would be left all alone.  She wondered how long Rhonda would be and 
then she thought of all the girls latching on to Brandon and her hiding 
in a corner.  She decided that she had to keep Brandon with her, at 
least, for entertainment's sake. 

"Wait, nice party," she threw after him, unsure of what to do or say. 
She was sure that she needed to mingle but she ended up hiding in a 
corner with a can of soda for what seemed like an eternity.  The group 
of kids thinned out as people went necking into other areas or just 
left. 

Then, when the group had thinned out drastically, other kids began to
wander out of the back bedrooms.  First a beautiful red head sauntered 
out, barely able to stand on her own two feet.  She was extremely pale 
and seemed as if she were drunk.  She stumbled and fell to her knees 
full force and sat there in shock.  Her hand brushed the hair on her 
neck so that it fell on her back and Jessica had full view of the 
slender neck. 

A large hickey throbbed there and in the middle was a strange cut that
seemed as if it were not scabbing, but rather growing a new skin over 
it.  She felt sick to her stomach after seeing that and casually set 
her soda down upon the floor.  After the red head got up and somehow 
made it up the stairs, a boy staggered out.  His eyes were red and his 
skin was also very white.  Jessica almost bleated out in supprize when 
she saw the nearly identical cut and hickey on his neck.  He stumbled 
into a group of friends who helped him up the stairs and left. 

As Jessica sat there, six other kids, three boys and three girls,
wandered out, their necks all mysteriously bearing the same mark.  
Jessica began to feel that sinking dreadful feeling in her gut that she 
had earlier, that something was desperately wrong.  She wanted to get 
up and ask the kids what had happened to their necks but she had the 
distinct feeling that they would not know.  It would be a wound that 
had no explanation much like the bump that appears on one's head in 
middle of the night.  As if he sensed that she was getting worried, she 
felt the hunter approaching and looked up to see Brandon sauntering her 
way. 

"You're not enjoying yourself, are you?" he asked and she looked away,
"I can tell.  I have keen intellect for spotting people's emotions.  
How about we walk a little bit? Get yourself a puff of fresh air?"  
Jessica welcomed the distraction from the marks upon the teenagers 
necks but she wasn't eager to be alone, out in the dark with Brandon.  
Anyway, what if Rhonda came out, ready to leave and couldn't find her 
anywhere?  What if that made Rhonda hate her and never talk to her 
again? 

"I don't trust you, remember? Anyways, I'd hate to leave Rhonda after
what she did for me," Jessica replied and it was all true.  She 
couldn't very well just disappear, after all, it was Rhonda who got her 
to the party and made her dressed up for it.  But even though she threw 
out excuses, she was pretty sure that he would con her into going.  He 
seemed to be capable of getting his way no matter what and she was sure 
that she would really be able to say no for very long. 

"I doubt, by this time, she even remembers what she did.  She dressed
you didn't she?  I can tell this is not who you are but who you would 
like to be.  You want a different life than your own, don't you?"  His 
words hit her like a fist in the stomach.  He seemed to know exactly 
where the knife was and how to drive in deeper.  She flinched at his 
words, even though they were meant kindly, and stood up defensively.  
She glared at him and swallowed, nervous about what was going on.  She 
did want another life but how could he know that and who was he to rub 
it in her face? 

"I don't know what you're talking about but I think I'm going to head
home," she began to walk towards the stairs, her heart pounding in her 
ears.  How did he know what she wanted and what she felt so well?  It 
was as if he were psychic and she was honestly disturbed.  He knew her 
most intimate feelings about life, which made her also wonder if he 
knew what she was feeling about him. 

"You don't lie very well and don't you live quite a ways off?" he
inquired as he followed her.  She almost laughed at that question then 
the laughter caught in her throat.  Had Brandon told Kevin to drive as 
he had so that Jessica would not be tempted to try to walk home?  
Surely not for Brandon hadn't even known her then, but it was possible. 
 He seemed to know an awful lot and maybe he had a feeling about the 
newbie just like she had about him and so he told Kevin to trick her 
into not knowing where she was. S he laughed inside at herself, at the 
conspiracy theorist she had become.  There was no way Brandon or Kevin 
cared enough to take that much trouble to attempt to confuse her to 
keep her from going home, no way at all. 

"Not at all, for some reason Kevin was screwing with my mind and took a
lot of turns and curves to give the impression that the party was a 
long ways from here.  I' m not as dumb as I guess I look cause I live 
two streets down," she explained and smiled genuinely for she was at a 
loss as to why the boy had tried to trick her.  She was leaning towards 
the idea that that was the route he was taught to take and would not 
detour from in case he got lost. 

"You are very intelligent to have caught that," he responded and
something about that comment struck a weird chord with her.  His voice 
seemed to hold some secret knowledge and she felt herself beginning to 
wonder about him telling Kevin to take the route.  Could it have been 
some kind of test to see if she were intelligent or not?  Or maybe a 
test to see if she belonged?  And if so, why and had she passed or had 
she failed?  She felt as if she were wallowing in confusion and she 
wanted to quit thinking so many questions.  It was just a party and he 
was just a boy, why was she so worried? 

"What do you mean?" she asked, turning to face him, and her heart
received a great shock.  His eyes were so blue that in the dim light 
they looked as if they were glowing.  They held a strange light in them 
and they held her eyes glued to his.  She couldn't look away and she 
began to feel lightheaded.  She supposed it was because she was tired 
and bewildered, but her instincts said that she was just coming up with 
excuses to explain something that Brandon was doing to her. 

"It takes someone very smart to see through the prank.  I'll walk you
home," he offered and she swallowed nervously.  She really didn't want 
to be alone in the dark with him, and only him.  She finally managed to 
drag her eyes away and she felt her strength return as soon as she 
looked away.   She wondered if Brandon did possess some power that 
enabled him to control her but she pushed that thought out of her head 
even faster than the conspiracy theory. 

"I'll be fine, it's a very small walk," she decided and began to head up
the stairs.  He made her nervous but in a strange way, she wanted him 
to follow her, to not let her go.  The conflicting emotions inside of 
her were making her angry.  On one hand she was sure he was bad but on 
the other hand, she totally wanted that badness, that edge.  She was 
beginning to wonder if she was sane or if her thoughts were the ravings 
of a mad woman? 

"No, a gentleman does not let a lady walk home in the dark," he insisted
and persisted in following her.  He made her so nervous that she could 
hardly stand it, but there was something darkly attractive with that 
fear.  She winced outwardly but inside she was dancing.  He had 
followed her, and she knew that he was not going to back down. And, 
even though it seemed dangerous to be around him, she felt that the 
danger came only from him and that he would protect her from any other 
threat. 

"Well see, then you can let me walk home alone, as it is that you're not
a gentleman," she tossed at him, hoping that insulting him would 
encourage him to let her be.  Though, in her heart, she knew that he 
was coming with her no matter what she said or did, and she didn't mind 
too much.  She was eager to have company for even though the walk was a 
short one, it would seem long considering it was dark.  She knew that 
she would be imaging things and be jumpy even though there would be 
nothing there.  So, at least with Brandon as company, the only thing 
she would be worried about would be him trying to kiss her.  That 
thought tickled her and she had trouble containing the dreamy smile 
that threatened to blossom across her face. 

"Look at that, you hardly know me yet already you slam me.  Just for
that, I am walking you home," he chuckled and even though he frightened 
her, his chuckle was strangely attracting.  She grinned sheepishly and 
shook her head.  She knew somehow that he would follow her to the ends 
of the earth, even if she told him to drop dead.  She took comfort from 
the thought that someone truly had a crush on her, and even though she 
wasn't diving headfirst into it, she was kind of interested. 

"Is there anything at all I can do to convince you that I walk home
alone, fine?" she questioned in a last attempt at shaking her tail but 
he shook his head. 

"I told you that you were different than the other girls.  They would
all be begging me to walk them home but you're begging me not to.  I 
don't get it, why doesn't my natural charm work on you?" he was kidding 
but he was also being serious and she felt as if she had been put on 
the spot.  She thought for a moment, seriously contemplating telling 
him that his charm was working on her, against her will, sort of.  But, 
she thought better of it, realizing that if she did, she would loose 
her upper hand over him and the competition so instead she thought of a 
witty and kind of mean response. 

"Maybe the off switch got bumped," she retorted and clambered out of the
basement where she flinched from the glaring lights of the house.  She 
hadn't realized how dark it was in the basement until she had stepped 
out into the warm light of the house.  She saw the pale boy standing at 
the door, his eyes alert and watching her with a strange hunger.  She 
decided that even though he looked sick, he was a little on the creepy 
side, or a lot.  The corners or his lips still held the twisted grin, 
which when he saw Brandon, he quickly tucked it into a not so welcoming 
frown.  Though, that darkness still coursed through his eyes and made 
Jessica shudder with eerie disgust and fascination, especially when she 
looked at his neck. 

"You are the most fascinating girl I have ever met.  No one has ever
been so rude to me and not drooled over me," he was still walking with 
her as she passed out of the door.  He gave no attention to the glaring 
door boy whose skin looked as if it been left to sit in vat of bleach 
for a couple of weeks.  In fact, Brandon gave no notice of anything but 
Jessica, and she found that she was starting to do the same thing. 

"Well, jeez, if I change my style will you leave me alone?" she
inquired, not only was he giving her the chills but he was now grating 
on her nerves.  She was flattered by his admiration but she wished that 
he would either just grab her and kiss or just talk about other things, 
or even better, just shut up.  He was jabbering on and on about her 
hating him and blah blah.  Couldn't he see that she really did kind of 
like him, but not if he kept up the same attitude that he was. 

"No, because I know that wouldn't be who you truly are.  I can sense
that you have a finesse that is completely your own," he responded, 
keeping step with her.  She sighed, enough complimenting already.  It 
was like having a massive suck up, or teacher's aid, who's determined 
to do whatever it takes to get the best results.  She just wanted him 
to have courage and do something...daring.  That would be too cool and 
boy, she would have things to tell Anna, her best friend back home.  
But of course, he was a talker and not a doer.  Of course. 

"Great, so there is no way at all to rid myself of you?" she wanted to
know for she was about to run screaming into the night.  How come, no 
matter how cute the guy, they were still as gutless as the next 
chicken?  Or just as crazy as Micheal Myers or someone?  She wanted to 
tell him to shut up and get lost, and how could she make it more 
apparent that she was not interested? 

"Nope, just give up and accept the fact," she looked over and saw his
eyes studying her as if trying to figure her out.  Her breath caught in 
her throat when she looked into his burning eyes, burning like cold 
blue stars in the evening sky.  All her cruel, negative thoughts 
vanished in an instant, and in replacement, images of being his forever 
came.  She savored the beautiful pictures and ideas, and they seemed so 
real that she could feel his touch upon her skin, so warm and 
necessary. 

He held her gaze, so intense, that they were unaware of their
surroundings.  They continued walking as if pulled onward by an 
invisible string but asked where they were going next, they couldn't 
have said.  So deep was their attention in each other that they missed 
the fact that they were rapidly approaching a street, thus with a lack 
of grace, they stumbled over the curb together.  He reached out 
lightening fast, his body seeming to move faster than humanly possible, 
and caught her. 

"How was that for smooth?" he laughed but he didn't remove his hands
from her sides. His touch was sending tingly feelings all throughout 
her being and the warmth of skin, almost burning, through her shirt.  
She wanted to wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him but she 
refused to make the first move.  She mentally encouraged him to take 
this moment to kiss her, but frustratingly enough, he stayed the 
gentleman that he claimed he was.  She rolled her eyes in annoyance, 
she couldn't understand how he could drive her crazy but also attract 
her at the same time. 

"Very but you're still holding me and I have regained my balance," she
pulled away from him and he gave a heavy sigh.  She wanted to tell him 
that he had no room for heavy sighing, she was the one who would 
willingly accept a warm embrace from him but he just wasn't willing to 
dish it out.  She should have been sighing and groaning about it, not 
him, he had the chance and just didn't take it.  They finally reached 
her home, with Brandon for once, being silent.  She wondered what he 
was thinking, and wondered if she should be worried or what. 

"Thanks for walking me home, I think," she announced as she reached for
the door.  They stood there for a moment, the general uncomfortable 
silence hanging over their heads.  She knew that she was hoping he 
would give her a goodnight's kiss and she was pretty sure that he was 
considering the idea.  But once more, he let her down and turned 
around.  He spun back as if he were thinking of doing something, then 
he very unromantically shook her hand and turned back around. 

She turned away, irritated with his lack of adventure.  Couldn't he see
that she really did want more than a hand shake, at least a hug?  Why 
couldn't he just be the beast boys are supposed to be and make her kiss 
him?  She wouldn't fight but she wasn't sure all of a sudden that she 
would just give in.  He was still dark and dangerous after all, but 
when she looked into his eyes, everything changed.  It was like looking 
into a crystal ball and seeing what the future could be. 

"Heck, it was truly my pleasure," he walked down her porch stairs, "Hang
out with us more, we're willing to offer you a new life."  She swirled 
around, curious as to what he meant, but he was gone.  She shook her 
head and walked in.  His last line offered some serious advantages, 
including him but that could also be counted as a disadvantage.  It was 
also freaky how he knew what she wanted socially-wise.  Why couldn't he 
turn that talent into someway of seeing how she felt about him?  There 
was no way she could ever let him know that she was in the slightest 
way interested in him.  He had to figure it out.  Her thoughts were 
suddenly interrupted as she stepped into the dark living room. 


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