Han and Li Li stared at Selah. Selah had aged into a teenager just the other day and was attending her first day of high school. They had arrived and she promptly vomited in the parking lot.
Li: Ugh, breakfast looks gross in reverse!
Han: Are you okay, Selah?
"Its just nerves." She admitted, turning red. Selah had been bullied by the other kids at school and she was worried high school would be no different. Han wished he had talked to his mom and Jack about getting Selah into private school or even into a different school district. He had a hunch that it was only a specific group of sims picking on Selah. He would keep his eyes wide open and figure out who the ring leader was. Selah had mentioned a girl named Tina before. A good place to start.
Sydnee was shocked that she and Jack had the house to themselves! They hadn't in years. Jack caught her in a hug. She smiled at him. "I never thought my life could be this wonderful." He stated. "I mean, you know, aside for the fact that Reese totally chose the wrong kind-" Sydnee kissed him on the lips. "Please, let's just worry about that for now." Jack agreed. With no kids home, they got to kiss for exactly five minutes before Jack had to run out the door to work.
Tina Terry stared over at the "Bentley Brats" as she liked to call them. Ugh. Selah. For whatever reason that girl got under her skin. In elementary and middle school Tina, Miranda, and Jace picked on her mercilessly. High School would be no different. Selah would learn her place or get put in her place one way or another.
Han pretty quickly identified Selah's group of tormentors. He wasn't sure how he would handle it, but he would figure out a way to make them back off. He really didn't have much time left as a teen. Whatever action he planned on taking, he would have to expedite.
Selah's quiet sobs grabbed Han's attention. He and Grayson both looked around hoping nobody was watching. The boy from the bully group was staring. Great. "I thought I could handle this but I can't." Selah whispered trying to hide her face. Li Li looked at Han for advice. "Maybe she should just go home?" Han shook his head. If she bailed on the first day, it would be easier on the second then the third. "Talk to her Li Li, me and Grayson need to get to class."
"Selah, pull it together! Please! I am telling you this for your own good. If you show any fear that's when they attack." Li Li tried to come up with examples. "Think sharks or piranha...I don't know, I got to go, good luck."
Selah sat down stiffly in her classroom. She stared straight ahead and tried to ignore Tina who was clearly staring at her. Selah decided she would beg her parents to transfer her. She just couldn't take being here another minute.
"Can I sit here?" Selah looked up startled. Jace. She felt her heart beat faster but not in a good way. Jace had been the one who had started everything. Jace had picked on her from first grade on up. Tina had transferred to their elementary school in the third grade and it just got worse. None of the teachers did anything about it. It used to not be so bad, it started out with Jace joking back in first grade. Then the jokes got mean. Then came pranks.Then gossiping. Then internet rumors on FateBook. She didn't know what to expect from Jace today. As he sat down she stiffened, and then tried to make herself relax. Show no fear. Show no fear. She felt terrified.
"I'm not going to do anything." Selah felt her face grow red. Jace looked over and sighed. "Seriously, Selah. I promise." She didn't move but spoke calmly and quietly. "I've heard that before. Nothing in this world would make me trust you ever, Jace Summers." He nodded and didn't say anything. Selah sat on the edge of her seat most of the class period.
"I feel bad, you know?" He whispered. "I don't know why I did this for so long. But seeing you crying like that-" Selah snapped. "I've cried many, many times Jace. " The teacher looked back at them and scowled. Selah bit her lip. Jace whispered in a barely audible voice. "I know. And I just want to say sorry. Okay?" Selah shook her head. "I still don't believe you. Plus, your not the only one. I could have handled one person picking on me. But three? You three were beyond cruel to me. I'm transferring." Technically, Selah didn't know if she was, but Jace didn't have to know that. The bell rang and she slipped out.
Li Li greeted her immediately. "How did class go? You going to make it the rest of the day?" Selah felt confused. "I guess it went okay. No one did anything." Li Li took a sip of her mocha. "Great, sis! Well I got to get to class. See ya."
As Li Li left, Tina and Miranda came crashing through the cafeteria. "What did Jace say to you?" She demanded. "You two were whispering the whole class and I want to know why!" Han sat very still. If either of these girls started a fight with Selah, he was going to get involved.
Jace casually strolled up. "Hey, Selah. What's up?" Tina and Miranda both stared in wide-eyed horror. "Why are you talking to it?" Selah winced and Jace snapped. "Come on, Tina! We are in high school, stop being so immature." Tina opened her mouth then closed it. She was speechless. "Come on, Miranda." She stalked off.
Selah raised her eyebrow at Jace. He shrugged. "You don't have to believe me, okay? But just at least let me try to fix this? Please?" Selah quipped. "Okay, how?" Jace looked around trying to form thought. "I don't know..I...why don't we try to be friends?"Selah thought a few moments. "How about acquaintances? " Jace nodded. "Fair enough."
Meanwhile, Alissa was chatting away to Andrea. She was thrilled to have her sister back! Andrea was thrilled for her own reasons. "Why are you so happy?" Alissa asked. "Because I have a date with Ax-" Andrea threw her hand over her mouth. She hadn't meant to say that. Alissa grew wide-eyed. "Axel? Andrea how could you? Reese is your cousin! Family, Andrea." Andrea interrupted. "Please! We're just going to have a little fun, that's all. Don't give me a guilt trip." She hurried out of Alissa's room.
Zane, who had been in the music room overheard. "Andrea Bentley, You know better!" He stated pointing his finger for emphasis. "He is married! He has a child! Don't do this." Andrea's chin went up in defiance. Zane pleaded. " Andrea, this will change everything in our family! Think of your Aunt Syd and Uncle Jack. Huh? Think about Cassidy!" Andrea spoke. "What about me? Don't you care what I want?" Zane shook his head. "Not if what you want is to destroy a marriage." Andrea shook her head. "I'm not going to destroy anyone's marriage, you'll see. I'll prove it to you."
Zane could only stand in shock as Andrea walked out of the room. She was about to destroy Reese, her family, and didn't even care. Zane wanted to prevent catastrophe but he knew if Axel and Andrea were determined, they would find a way to ruin everything. He sighed. Maybe it was for the best. Neither Axel nor Andrea cared for anyone but themselves. Maybe they deserved to be together.
Axel stood outside of Andrea's apartment. Cannon's words still rang in his head. Cannon didn't understand anything, Axel reasoned. Cannon had never been married. Or had a kid. Axel deserved to be happy to, didn't he? The door swung open.
Andrea smiled brazenly at Axel. "Hello, Handsome." Axel smiled back. "Hey, so what are we doing tonight? A movie or-" Andrea laughed. "Oh, come on, Axel. Quit joking. We both know why your here." Axel smiled again. "Alright. Lead the way."
Andrea and Axel made out, they had never really gotten a chance to unhindered. If only they knew what events they would set in motion. If only they knew that this, this evening together would start a chain of events that could not be undone or taken back. That this forbidden moment, would ultimately lead to one of their deaths.
End of Part 15
No comments:
Post a Comment