Scott: Most Popular. Most Athletic. Most, well everything… except Most in love with his girlfriend.
Shelby: Shes friendly, in all the clubs, and smart. Not to mention totally in love with Scott Barringer. He wouldn't want anything to do with someone like her right???
Ezra: Class Clown. He askes his best friend Daisy (also class clown) to the big event as a "gag" The whole nights a jkoke right? Then why is she taking it so seriously??
Daisy: Class Clown, best friends with ezra. Shes going to the big dance with ezra, as a joke. Then why did she see him in a hott tux?? Did he get the wrong idea??
Auggie: Hes here to visit his aunt. Hes flying home the morning after the dance. Which means tonight is his last chance to talk to the girl of his dreams…
Juliette: Her parents are getting a divorce. She plays tennis to get away from all the pain. Lately shes been starring at Auggie…
Chapter 1
Shelby Merrick raced through the halls, handing out flyers, as she made her way through the crowd. Someone bumped into her shoulder, sending her reeling, and she decided to take a breather. This campaigning stuff was more exhausting then she thought!
Unfortunatley she stopped walking in front of a poster that read Rebecca, Queen-to-be. Shelby narrowed her eyes. Directly in the center of the bright poster board was a blown of picture of the one and only Rebecca Vaughn, all blond and tan.
"Queen-to-be," Shelby sighed, Hugging her stack of colored flyers to her chest. "Not if I have anything to do about it."
Someone grabbed a flyer from her stack. "Whats this?"
" Hi, Eric," Shelby said turning around to face her best friend. She knew Eric Davis was going to be more freaked out about my decision then anyone- mostly because he was the last to know.
" You, Shelby Merrick, wants to be named Queen of the Winter Dance?" Eric demanded, holding the flyer in front of her face, like she never saw it before.
"Hey look who can read!" Shelby said sarcastically, patting Eric on the shoulder. She started down the hallway thrusting papers left and right.
"When did u decide all of this miss Queen?" Eric asked, dodging crowds of people in the hall trying to keep up with Shelbys quick pace.
"Ha, Ha, Eric, Actually it was a sudden brainstorm yesterday evening."
"Well you should of called me."
"Why would it of helped" Shelby asked, curious.
"No. I would of smacked you upside the head."
"Im always happy I have friends like you, hurry up or were going to be late for class.
"Well u do know that no girls are gunning for votes, everyone knows Rebecca Vaughn is going to win.
"Yeah well, at least im trying, im not scared of what that ball og sun shine can do." Shelby spat.
"Why are you doing this anyway? Eric wondered.
" Two words," Shelby said calmly.
" Scott.. Barringer, no surprise there."
" You know me too well, I don't know why im soo head over heels for him."
When Shelby said this, Scott walked by with Rebecca on his shoulder, walking like he owned the school. Shelby just looked at him, and smiled a weak smile. Scott looked her way and smiled at her. She could almost feel her knees going out. Why does he do this to me she wondered.
"Okay enlighten me. How is being queen going to help you snag the unsnaggable?"
" This is going to sound really stupid but, Everyone knows Scott will be crowned King right. Well if I get Queen, he'll have to dance with me." At the thought of her in Scotts arms, sent her brain swimming. This is going to be the best night of my life. All I want is to me in Scotts embrace, swaying to the music. Can't get any better then that.
"You can't break up with Rebecca Vaughn on the day of the Winter formal!" Chris Lowe said to Scott.
Scott Barringer followed Chris into the hallway, looking over both shoulders.
" Could you say it a little louder, man? I don't think Rebecca's one hundred and one friends heard you." Scott said.
" What do u have a death wish or something? The girl will end you. You were just named class couple." Chris said in a low voice.
" Look I know she might be upset, but not that upset." Scott said matter of factly.
"Why though man? Shes so hot?" Chris asked confused. Scott looked up for a second and laughed at Chris confused face. Hes never going to understand this.
" Look, me and Rebecca just kinda fell into this whole thing. We liked eachother, then hooked up at Sarahs back-to-school party. Then I blink and we're class couple. I've been with Becca for three monthes, and I know nothing about her.
Scott started walking down the halls, when a couple of girls giggled and blushed. Scott smiled sweetly, which made them giggle even more. They walked into the cafeteria and sat down.
"Whats to know, the girls a babe!" Chris said happily. Scott took a sip of his soda. " okay I won't break up with her today, there would be too much drama involved." Scott said finally.
He knew he sounded like a heartless jerk, but everything he said about Rebecca was true.They never talked about anything. She was fun to hang out with, but so were half of the girls in the school. Scott had a feeling there was something more out there for him. Actually he already knew who that someone was. Someone who only had to walk into a room to stir up feelings that nether Rebecca nor any other girl had ever come close to stirring. Someone who didn't giggle everytime he walked by.
" Why would u give her up unless you had… hold up" Chris's eyes were sparkling. "You've got someone else lined up don't you?"
" Scott slammed his locker door shut. " Of course I don't have someone lined up" he sounded unconvincing even to himself.
"It's Carla Moore isn't it?" Chris said ignoring Scott. "You and Carla."
" No way, I don't even know Carla, where did that come from?" Scott asked.
" I don't know, didn't you see her in that mini skirt thing?" Chris asked.
Scott grabbed his shoulders. " Listen to me carefully. There is more to a girl then her body. Got it." Scott said.
" I know that." Chris shrugged Scott of. He looked at Scott. "Like what?"
Scott fought hard not to crack up. " Like if I had someone lined up," he began. "She would be smart and… active. Like, she would be involved in clubs and stuff, and she'd be athletic. Plus she would be funny and-
"Hot!" Chris said.
Scott thought about it for a second. "Cute," he said. " She doesn't have to be hot."
" You really do have someone in mind," Chris said knowingly. " come on spill. Who is it?"
Go ahead and tell him, Scott thought. You know you want to hear what he thinks. He bent over to pick up his bag.
"Shelby Merrick."
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Chapter 2
When Scott looked up again, Chris was slack jaw. Scott felt his stomach turn.
"You have got to be kidding me," Chris said, his hanging mouth turning into a grin.
" Man, as your taste changed, Shelby Merrick huh?" Chris questioned. " Dude, she hasn't had a boyfriend in like forever, besides shes nothing like the other girls you've dated!" Chris said.
" Yeah I know shes better then all of them, have you ever just looked at her? There's so much beauty so much intelligence so much of what I want." Scott explained.
Chris looked at him like he was in a freakin romance love story.
" Uh, Whatever dude." Chris said, and walked to his next class. Scott followed.
At that moment someone shoved a pink flyer in Scotts face, and he grabbed it just in time to see Eric Davis, one of the guys from varsity basketball, heading down the hallway.
" What is this?" Chris asked, snatching the flyer form Scotts tight grip.
"Oh… My… God," Scott said, grabbing the paper out of Chris's hands. He read the headline: Vote for Shelby Merrick for Queen.
Scott's heart began to pound in his ears." Shelby?" he asked, his mouth hanging open. " This isn't her style. I always thought she was above all that popularity crap."
Scott looked at the picture of Shelby in her ballet dress. Her long blonde hair curled, sitting gently on her shoulder.
" Nice picture," Chris said, leaning over Scott's shoulder.
Scott narrowed his eyes at him. " Shut up." Scott had to admit though she looked beautiful.* I wish I could just tell her how I felt. I doubt she feels the same way, Damn!*
"Jess! Are you ever coming out of the bathroom, or have you finallu become one with the mirror?"
Shelby looked down at the silver watch she'd borrowed from her mother and frowned " All I want is my hair spray. Can you please just hand me my hair spray?"
The door popped open three inches, and Jess stuck her bottle of Pantene through the crack. She grabbed it, and Jess slammed the door again.
"Gee, thanks," Shelby said sarcastically, wrinkling her nose. " Why are you getting all dressed up? You're only going out with friends I thought."
The door swung wide open, and a cloud of steam billowed out. When the moisture dispersed, Shelby saw her sister standing in the middle of the bathroom, wearing a short purple dress that went to her knees, and her hair curled under with a little but of purple eye shadow on and some pink gloss.
" Do I look stunning or what" Jess exclaimed.
" Well I can tell you used all your 3 hours while you were in there. You look beautiful. I thought you were going out with friends?" Shelby asked curious.
" I am but the guy of my dreams will be there, and I want to look my best!" Jess said excitedly.
" Well you do look your best Jess, the guy will be drooling over you." Shelby told her sister.
Shelby walked into the bathroom and looked at herself in the mirror. She had her hair up curled in ringlets, with a very light slim pink dress that went down past her ankles, the dressed sparkled when she moved. She had on pink eye shadow, a little bit of blush, some light pink lipstick and gloss to put over it. She applied a little bit more of gloss onto her lips, threw the make up into her purse. Looked at herself one more time in the mirror. * I hope I looked alright. Wait what if Scott doesn't think I look good?? What if pink doesn't look good on me?? Oh man, im scared. Before she could think anymore, the doorbell rang.
Her and Jess went down stairs, and looked at Eric standing by the door in his black tux.
" Wait! Shelby, Jess and Eric get together so I can take a picture!" Sharon, Shelby's mom said happily. "Let me get the camera for you sweetie." Walt said with a grin on his face. Shelby looked at him with disgust. ( Note: Shelby is still getting molested my her step dad. She hasn't told anyone yet.)
Walt came back and gave Sharon the camera. The three of them got together.
" Say Cheese!" Sharon said. " Cheese" they all smiled. "Okay, Shelby and Jess get together with Walt and take a picture." Sharon said. Shelby looked at her mom in disgust. Walt had a huge grin on his face. Oh goodie she thought. Walt came over and put his arm around Shelby and Jess. Shelby shrugged him off, and smiled. Once the camera flashed, the smile faded, and she went to Eric's side, and grabbed her coat. " I'll be home later mom, and Jess good luck," Shelby winked, and pulled Eric out the door.
Scott walked out of his bathroom, looked around his room and saw a picture of him and Rebecca at the lake. * if only that was me and Shelby* he wished. His dad walked into the room, Scott smiled, Elaine came in and his smile faded and he looked away.
" Son, you look wonderful." His dad said giving him a little hug. Scott smiled looking away from Elaine. " Thanks Dad." Scott smiled. Mr. Barringer let go and clapped his hands together.
"We'll be waiting down stairs." Mr. Barringer said. Him and Elaine walked out of the room, she winked at him.
* I hope Shelby will be there tonight* he wondered. * God, Elaine makes me sick, I just want to get out of here* He thinks about Shelby and her smile. He smiles to himself and walks out the door.
Down stairs Elaine is waiting by the stairs for him, while his dad is in his office. Elaine started to say something, but he cut her off.
" Leave me alone skank!" he spat. Elaine smiled and kissed his cheek. Scott pushed her away.
" Dad im going I'll be home later tonight." Scott said.
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Chapter 3
"Wow, they did an amazing job!" Shelby said breathlessly as she and David walked into the Riverside High cafeteria. The walls were all covered with black paper, and streamers and ribbons hung down from the ceiling, making the room look like a psychedelic jungle scene. Couples and intimate little crowds already dotted the room, and some of the braver souls were sporting loud, colorful Mardi Gras masks in keeping in the dances theme. Confetti and glitter sparkled all over the floor. Riversides High's resident rock band, Xenophobic Linguistics, was setting up, while the DJ spun warm-up tunes in the corner.
Shelby quickly grabbed onto Eric when the girl voted Most School Spirit, Sarah Waters, came exploding out of the crowd, like a clown on speed.
"Son of a mother." Shelby muttered. Sarah came up to them and pit colorful beads around their necks, to get the in the Mardi Gras spirit.
" Why are we here?" Eric muttered wrapping the lime green beads around is hand.
Shelby scanned the room and picked out Scott instantly. Her heart skipped a dangerous number of beats. He was standing against the far wall, with Rebecca and her friends, wearing perfectly black suit. Chris Lowe, who was standing to Scott' s left, said something that made Scott laugh, and just the sight of his smile sent shivers down Shelby's arms. this has to work. Shelby thought. I have to win this thing. I know! I'll bribe people into voting for me. I can do homework, cook, baby-sit, anything!
" Want to get something to eat, you look a little flushed?" Shelby asked, with a smirk on her face.
" Yeah," Eric said shoving his hands in his pockets.
" You'd almost never know that we get poisoned in this very room everyday." Shelby said sarcastically.
" How are you planning on getting people to vote for you? Just out of curiosity?" Eric asked with his eyebrow up.
" One word… bribery, I ask them to vote for me, if they do I will do one thing for them." Shelby said.
" So when are you going to get started on the bribery campaign?" He asked.
Shelby looked at her dress. " I think were allowed to have a little fun first. Don't ya think?" she asked.
" I couldn't agree anymore." Eric smiled. " You know with that attitude, I could get the varsity basketball team to vote for you." He said happily.
" Perfect." Shelby smiled. She wrapped her arm around Eric's. " Shockingly enough, most of them are already over there, chowing down.
Scott took a long sip of punch and scanned the cafeteria, while Rebecca talked about her next trip to Paris. A bunch of people were on the dance floor, but things were still pretty tame. It would take people a little bit longer to loosen up. Rebecca laughed, and Scott felt a sudden pang in the back of his neck. He reached his hand out of Rebecca's grip, and rubbed his back shoulder. He wasn't sure if he was going to loosen up at all.
" So what do you think, Scott?" Rebecca's voice broke into his thoughts.
" I'm sorry. What were we talking about?" he asked, taking his gaze away from the door to Rebecca's blue eyes, he realized for the first time her eyes matched her dress. She probably paid some staggering amount of cash to have it made.
" Sarah's outfit," Rebecca said pointing out Sarah Waters outfit as she inspected the snack table. Her tank top was too sparkly, and her skirt was too gauzy, but Scott's first impression was that it suited Sarah's loud, boisterous personality perfectly. She looked great. But he also knew Rebecca wasn't Sarah's biggest fan, so she was probably looking for a negative response.
" She looks…. Interesting," Scott said. That's all he could say to not make Rebecca upset.
" It's no wonder she's deep in convo with Trauther-I can't believe he wasn't named biggest nerd!" She exclaimed.
Scott felt the knot in his shoulder tighten. Whenever Becca was aroud her friends she instantly became about as shallow as a puddle.
" Actually," Scott started, " I think she looks good. Even… pretty."
" Really?" Rebecca's face reddened slightly as she flicked her eyes over Sarah's dress one more time. " I guess it's okay."
" Yeah. I mean it's not like she's on the bottom five list." One of Rebecca's friends, Katie, butted in, twirling her hair around her finger.
" What's the bottom fine list," Scott asked, pretty sure he didn't want to know.
" You know, the list of the five people worst dressed," Katie explained.
Scott rolled his shoulders feeling both of them tighten up. " Please don't tell me you have a top five list?" he asked.
" Of course we do," Rebecca said. She reached up and brushed some lint off his shoulder and smiled sympathetically. "We're not doing it to be mean," she whispered, " We're just bored. Letting out a sigh, Scott put his hand around her waist.
" Then let's go dance." He said. Hoping moving around would calm him down. Getting out on the loud dance floor would prevent them from talking to Katie any longer. But Rebecca quickly moved away. " Just five more minutes, I want to see what Michelle is wearing." She said.
" Whatever, have fun, I'll be over there if you need me." He said. He plopped down into a chair and let his shoulders slump back, hoping to get the knots out of them. Looking past Rebecca and her friends he looked at the other crowds on the other side of the room. * I wonder if Shelby is here yet? What is she going to wear? Would it be long like Sarah's or something that showed her legs? She would look beautiful even if she wore a bag* He thought.
And then, like out of a dream, Shelby appeared in his line of vision. She joined her date near the windows and did a twirl for her friends. She looked like a model. Her pink dress flowed in all the right places. He studied her while she laughed along with her friends. Normally Shelby would wear sweatshirts and jeans, and throw her hair up in a ponytail. Scott would of thought she would be uncomfortable wearing a dress and high heels, but she didn't look the least bit bothered. In fact, she looked confident and just plain beautiful. Just looking at her was making his heart pound against his ribcage. Scott closed his eyes and sighed. Why of all people did he have to fall in love with Shelby Merrick?
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