- Song List
| Song Title | Original Artist | Performer(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Amazing | Kanye West feat. Jeezy | Trae Ventura |
| Rip Her to Shreds | Blondie | Lily Blossom and Sena Demir |
| Let Me Blow Ya Mind | Eve feat. Gwen Stefani | Alyssa Tanner, Claudia Wu, Joe Bender and Nate Osbourne |
| Take Off Your Cool | OutKast feat. Norah Jones | Trae Ventura and Zachary Foxx |
| Secrets | The Zutons | The Savages |
____________
The Savages are in a bad position once Sydney and Zachary find out the real culprit of the infamous video that leaked of Brian and Vik: Trae Ventura. Although Trae is in a coma, Sydney tries her hardest to convince Zachary that The Savages should know. Meanwhile, Felix Winchester goes missing, and Viktor, who tries to file a lawsuit against the school, goes in search for him, with The Moneybags, just to meet his attorney mother. Brian does a tell-all when he reveals his secret affair with Trae that led up to the video scandal. Alex Herrera gets suspended by the new principal, Jennifer Gordon, after a public scene in the hallway. Tough. Carl’s father Eric is spending a lot of time with his own rival, drug lord Eli Hawk, who makes his way to the family’s heart, and Carl isn’t too comfortable with it, considering the wild chase in Oregon. Joe and Nate, without a clique, plan to make a super-rival group together, and they start this by taking former Red Hot Cheer Peppers, Alyssa and Claudia, under their wing.
_______________
The remaining members of The Savages surrounded each other in an empty, chilly classroom. Silence—nothing but silence. Sydney held her voice back after just telling The Savages the truth, or at least what she knows. Alex was confused, though. He tried to wrap his head around it all; he turned his head to Carl, who turned to Gina, who slowly turned to Zachary. His mind was all over the place—he knew what Trae did, but at the same time, he couldn’t be angry.
Lily, on the other hand, unintentionally broke the silence. She loudly slurped the bottom residue of whipped cream in her strawberries and crème Frappuccino from Starbucks. After an obnoxious five seconds, The Savages stared at her and she slowly stopped herself.
“Delicious,” Lily said in a soft, seducing tone.
Sydney immediately made a straightforward response; she scoffed, “So, no one’s going to say anything?”
“What is there to say?” Alex asked her. “Are we supposed to cry and yell about it? It doesn’t matter anymore, it’s been 4 weeks since Dan’s been gone.”
Sydney defended her point, standing up to Alex, “But Trae lied to us—to us. He put all of us in jeopardy.”
“If he, quote-on-quote, did leak the video, don’t you think it was his intent to keep us out of jeopardy?” Alex replied.
Carl looked at Alex and turned to Sydney’s area. She walked backwards towards her laptop, opened it up and clicked a lingering file on her desktop. The video opened and Zachary looked at Sydney in awe.
The sounds of belt buckles and zippers could be heard around the room, but at that point, the person behind the video pushed away from the locker room and left one of the doors.
Right next to the recorder, stood Trae, asking, “You caught ‘em?”
“Got ‘em!” the recorder replied, laughing with Trae, who gave the person a pound on the fist. The camera quickly turned face front, and immediately, there was Kalleb Banks.
Gina, Lily and Carl looked deeply into the computer screen, in shock with the clip in particular, Zachary looked away and continued to question Sydney. Alex raised his eyebrows and his thoughts changed slowly.
“Sydney, h-how did you get this on your computer?” Zachary asked her.
Sydney refused to reply.
~
FLASHBACK: It was the same day when Zachary and Sydney discovered the evidence. Minutes before they departed Trae’s home with his mother, Sydney was already furious.
“You guys ready?” Stacey entered the room.
“Yeah, we’re ready!” Sydney and Zachary replied. Stacey left the edge of the bedroom and the two followed her lead.
“Ready to kill him,” Sydney whispered to herself before exiting his bedroom and slamming his door. The computer remained on the desk with the same clip still of Trae and Kalleb.
Zachary walked downstairs rapidly and Trae’s mother waited for them in the living room. That is, until Sydney couldn’t get the evidence out of her mind. She stopped herself and quickly made a response.
“Mrs. Ventura, may I use the bathroom before we go?”
Stacey replied warmly, “Sure, take your time. Trae will be fine.”
Sydney walked up the stairs with a smirk and whispered to herself again, “Of course he will.”
She quickly leaped back inside Trae’s bathroom, trying not to be suspicious. She spotted the hard-drive on top of Trae’s drawer, immediately swiped it from its area and placed it in her purse.
~
Back inside the empty classroom, Sydney became defensive by Zachary’s question, avoiding it.
“Okay, it doesn’t matter where I got it from. The point is—Trae’s intentions were fake. He wasn’t protecting us, he was protecting himself. He was obsessed with Brian and got rejected, so…”
“Revenge porn,” Lily said, playing with the straw in her empty Frappuccino. “Seems like a crime I’d avoid, too.”
Gina pretty much had nothing to say, but, “I always thought Trae was smarter than me.”
“Well, Barbie Face, where do we go from here?” Lily asked.
Sydney looked at a silent group and decided to make a statement, “I say we.. kick him out the group.”
Alex became infuriated, “Sydney, what the fuck?”
Alex, Carl and Gina began to debate her response, Lily and Zachary remained silent while Sydney yelled at the discordancy, by slamming her hands on the table across from her.
Sydney’s voice went higher, “My God.”
“My question is how are we going to kick Trae out of his group. Sydney, he's literally the reason why we are all here,” Carl defended him.
Sydney replied, “Exactly. Look at where we are because of him.”
“An empty classroom at 7 in the morning?” Lily replied in a sardonic tone.
Gina commented, “Without Trae, there is no clique, and that's the truth.”
“Of course, the egghead sucks up to her study buddy,” Sydney rolled her eyes.
Gina was offended, and she stood up to confront her, “Who are you calling an egghead, airhead?”
Alex held Gina by her shoulders to keep her calm, and the arguing worsened. Alex yelled out, “Enough! Seriously, why are we fighting over this? I'm not sticking up for what Trae did, because that's foul, but I’m not going to break my loyalty. Trae’s been there for all of us, whether you like it or not.”
Zachary barely spoke in the debate, but he wholeheartedly agreed with what Alex said—Trae was always there. Sydney, on the other hand, wouldn't take no for answer.
“Fine,” Sydney shrugged. “We'll have an intervention. If all we hear from him is bullshit, he has to go. He's a maximum risk. Intervention, agreed?”
There was silence again. A few members nodded their heads in agreement, and Gina shrugged carelessly. Sydney turned to Zachary for the approval. Zachary looked at the rest of the Savages and felt anxious about the consequences. He sighed and folded his arms together in frustration.
_____________
That same morning, Joe, Nate, Alyssa and Claudia walked together as one in the compressed hallways. After somewhat making themselves known, Alyssa and Claudia felt no different. Joe and Nate were taken aback when they confronted their feelings to them.
“Aren't people supposed to be looking at us or something?” Alyssa asked innocently.
Claudia rolled her eyes, “Of course not, we gave up our cheerleading uniforms to become Muppets.”
Joe groaned, “You guys are so naïve; things don't change overnight, children. Besides the four of us alone won't make an impact. And from what I observed, you guys aren't ready yet.”
“That's bull,” Claudia complained. “We did everything you told us to do. I even gave you a manicure.”
~
FLASHBACK: The night in Alyssa’s bedroom, Claudia stood near Joe’s feet and Alyssa stood near Nate’s feet. Joe felt godlike when Claudia scrubbed his feet, but Claudia, on the other hand, was irritated. She didn't sign up to be someone's slave, but Alyssa didn't mind it. She secretly liked Nate, who seemed uncomfortable with Alyssa doing it.
~
Joe and Nate looked at each other, then Joe stuttered constantly, “A-and we give our gratitude.”
“We've been used by Sena, so now we have to be manipulated by two flamboyant oddballs,” Claudia continued. Alyssa agreed with her, with her arms folded.
At this point, Joe was disappointed with their dissatisfaction. He stopped walking, causing the rest of them to stop in the center of the hallway.
“Oh, I'm sorry,” Joe tested his sarcasm. “Nate, I didn't know we were mentoring two Debbie downers…”
Nate chuckled, while Alyssa and Claudia rolled their eyes as they sensed his sarcastic tone from the get-go.
“…We took you in because you guys were outsiders like us. We share common motives. A free manicure and perhaps a back massage won't change the fact that we're in this together. And as annoying Allegory—I mean, Alyssa—can be, trust me, we're going to take over this school.”
Nate’s confidence started to diminish, “I'm not sure about that.”
“What are you talking abo—” Joe stopped himself, as he, Nate, Alyssa and Claudia looked in the front center of the hallway. There was someone, walking with black and white Converses, ripped jeans near his kneecaps. He pushed the school doors open, making his way inside.
His entrance made the students in the hallway stop. They were shocked. The Savages continued conversing while they departed the empty classroom. Zachary was the first to leave, only for his eyes to be glued to the area across from him. Sydney and Alex followed his area, and Sydney wasn't exactly pleased with it.
There he was—a nearly recovered, newly dressed Trae Ventura.
He didn't look the same. In fact, he appeared to walk differently, even look differently. His hairstyle was different, and he even grew facial hair. I guess you can say a lot had changed since he's been away nearly a month.
Trae looked around and noticed the unusual talking and silence as they stared him down. Sydney and Zachary inched themselves back, and Alex and Gina gave a small smile. Carl and Lily, meanwhile, were nonchalant.
Joe looked at Trae with an evil smirk. He wasn't over what happened the day of the riot. He looked at Nate and the girls and chuckled.
“Ladies and gents, the games have just begun,” Joe said confidently.
Trae stood with his backpack, trying to relish in his own return. He's back—and he doesn't know what's coming next. Sydney, on the other hand, had her ammunition ready.
__________
SOPHOMORE YEAR.
This time of year, things were different. After Glee Club went extinct, Sydney was at the top of her class, and Trae was up there with her. The Savages never existed, The Red Hot Cheer Peppers and the Jocks were a big deal, but The Moneybags? They were the talk of the school. Around autumn time is where Sydney felt like she was a part of something. She was a member of The Moneybags, and she was very intimate, very, with Kyler Chase. Surprisingly, she was civil with Felix.
Sydney strutted through the hallways with her newfound popularity, wearing a luxurious outfit. She made her way outside of the courtyard and brushed the seat in front of her, just to sit across from her clique.
“Okay, seriously—whoever came up with trigonometry should die,” Sydney said overdramatically. She just finished her period before break—and she was nearly exhausted.
Kyler Chase looked at Sydney with a seductive, intriguing gesture, he chuckled, “I feel ya. I got a C+ on my last trig quiz, and my mom bought me new rims for my Hummer.”
“Holy shit, Chase,” Andrew complimented. Sydney smirked and shrugged, believing that she could compete with him.
Sydney gloated, “Well, I got a $1,000 raise on my allowance.”
The members of the Moneybags were impressed and Kyler shrugged his shoulders, “You got me.”
Kyler winked his eye at Sydney and she blushed. At this time, Sydney had a crush on Kyler—it wasn’t any type of crush. She wanted every bit of him. But sooner or later, this would change. You see, at this time, Andrew McAllister was the founder and president of The Moneybags.
Andrew was the bragger—even he lied about things about his luxurious life just to fit in. Sydney, meanwhile, did come from a rich Australian family and inheritance was a big thing for her. Sydney wanted that title—she wanted that leadership in The Moneybags, and with Andrew backing down, it was her opportunity to shine.
“Well, everyone—I have an announcement,” Andrew stood in the center of the table. There sat Sydney, Kyler, Cass, Luke and a less-outspoken Felix Winchester, who sat with his hands folded on the table.
“Are you finally confessing your adoration for me?” Felix asked confidently.
Andrew rolled his eyes and chuckled, “Shut up, Winchester.”
Felix winked at him, and Sydney looked at Felix with displeasure. Sydney wasn’t so fond of Felix—nor was she interested in a friendship with him.
“I’m announcing my decision to back down as the president of The Moneybags,” Andrew nodded.
Kyler was taken aback and puzzled by his announcement, “Wait, why? How? You’re like the founder of it,”
“Junior year’s pretty tough on a guy—besides, ACTs and SATs are coming up this year and I’m determined to be the first selected Moneybag in Yale and Harvard, no doubt about it,” Andrew said.
This made Sydney optimistic—she could take his spot, she thought.
“…So, I’ll still be in the clique, but—I’m looking for a potential new president,” Andrew said. “I mean, it’ll be a state of nature without me, am I right?”
Felix commented, “Not unless you put a Winchester in placement.”
Sydney rolled it up, “Can it, Felix. Everyone knows I’m up for the spot.”
“Yeah, Hillary Clinton, sure you are,” Felix winked at her. His sarcastic response irritated Sydney, who put up her middle finger at him.
Andrew clarified himself, “Now, guys—let’s quit the unnecessary banter. If you truly want the spot, it’s up to the majority. Besides, I already have someone in mind.”
Sydney sighed and Kyler inched towards her. He whispered, “Don’t worry about Felix, Syd. I’m sure you’ll get the title—I’ll make sure of it.”
Sydney and Kyler’s connection seemed genuine at first. She felt very confident around him and she smiled inside, trying not to express any hope. She knew she’d get what she wanted, even if it took manipulation at its finest.
_______________
>> FORWARD: Sydney’s feelings were scattered—one side of her wanted to run and hug Trae, but the other side was willing to take him down. She stood with the Savages, seconds after Trae made his grand entrance into the school building.
Trae carefully adjusted his backpack and walked further as soon as he noticed a few members of the Savages, but before he could make the effort to walk, a girl with a pink beanie, black curly hair and crystal green eyes blocked him with a gleeful smile.
“Trae Ventura,” she began, “Maya Hastings, reporter for The Red Onion—is it okay if I ask a few questions?”
Trae was too overwhelmed for questions, but he shrugged and continued walking straight in the hallway.
Maya asked, “So, Trae—it's been a month since you've been away after getting shot by a police officer. How does it feel to be back?”
“I'd feel great if I wasn't reminded of the past, just saying,” Trae said in a nonchalant tone. He continued looking around, making a lack of eye contact with Maya.
“Any comment on Rose De Vil’s resignation as principal?”
“Good riddance,” Trae said.
“Do you think Dirty Dan deserves time for what he did to Brian and Vik?” Maya interrogated.
Trae looked away, stopped walking and dismissed the question, “No comment, no more questions, thank you.”
Truth was this—Trae didn't want to be reminded of what happened before he was gone. He wanted to restart everything, and because he knew his deeds were bad, he was eager to come clean to The Savages about it. Little did he know, he'd be in for a rude awakening.
“Well, if it isn't our sole survivor,” Lily walked to from behind. Trae was taken aback by the voice. Immediately, all he could hear was a repeated chant, “ANARCHY!”
He jumped a bit, and turned around with a weak smile on his face, “Lily, hey,”
Lily hugged him, and suddenly, Carl walked from behind. When Trae made eye contact with Carl, a brief visual of him breaking Rose De Vil’s office window surrounded his mind. Carl leaned in for a hug.
“It’s good having you back, T,” Carl said, knowing well that tension was arriving sooner or later.
Lily replied with concern, “It's been awkward without you,”
“I was gone only a month, what could I have possibly missed? Besides a few girl fights, Felix’s misogyny, and a wild Watermelondrea in the flesh,” Trae said.
“Felix’s missing,” Carl said.
Trae shrugged, “Maybe if we don't mention that, it'll stay that way,”
“Not to mention, the new principal's another bitch. She's basically De Vil reincarnated,” Lily continued. Trae’s nonchalant attitude stood out to Carl, who noticed a sudden difference.
Trae looked down, as if he felt remorseful and Carl comforted him.
“You alright, T?”
There were a lot of things on Trae’s mind, and it felt weird holding on to baggage. He sighed and tried to speak, “There’s something I have to tell—”
Gina and Alex skipped around Trae, surprising him with their presence. Gina squealed happily and Alex seemed ecstatic to see him. Trae, meanwhile, could remember Alex and Gina right in his face during the heat of it all, while he lied on the wet ground helpless.
Trae smiled and hugged Alex and Gina tightly.
“You’re back,” Gina cried. “Classes aren’t the same without my study buddy.”
Trae scoffed, “I assume Mr. Baxter’s class is still wildin’?”
“Iesha threw a Hot Cheeto at him the other day,” Gina said. “I’d pay to see her do it again, honestly.”
Trae tried to hold his laugh in, while Alex immediately moved towards Trae.
“Speaking of pay, here,” Alex held out money—at least $15 he owed from the movie night. Trae looked at the money and smiled, humbly giving the money back to him.
“Alex, nah,” Trae said. “You don’t owe me a dime anymore, you’re good.”
Alex chuckled and snatched it, putting it back in his pocket, “Good, they were my bus tokens back home this week.”
Trae rolled his eyes and chuckled, while he looked around at the school, smelling an unusually new aroma. To him, the atmosphere felt different. Even the lockers were looking good as new. Considering how it looked before, it felt much brighter compared to the day he was gone.
“Feels weird being back,” Trae commented, soon asking, “Where’s everyone else? Where’s Syd? Zach?”
There was sudden silence once he asked, and Lily was the one to break it.
“Well, there’s something we have to tell—”
Sydney walked towards Trae with a surprising smile, “Well, hello, big trooper,”
“Syd,” Trae opened his arms to hug her. As they hugged, Sydney’s facial expressions changed, from happy to discontent, especially while looking at the rest of the Savages.
“Thanks for helping my mom out while I was gone,” Trae said. “She talked about you ever since I’ve been home.”
“No fuss,” Sydney said with a forced smile. “Just a lot of spring cleaning, cooking, dirty laundry…”
Sydney’s indirectness went over his head, but Gina and Lily looked at Sydney with annoyance. Gina mouthed a word to Sydney, “No,” and Sydney ignored the gesture.
“So, Trae, how about we hang out by our headquarters after school?” Sydney smiled. “Like old times’ sake? We definitely have to catch up.”
Aware of the new rules Principal Gordon enforced, Gina, Alex, Carl and Lily looked at Sydney with shock; they knew her tactic—to set Trae up.
Trae said, “I’m down, there’s something I definitely want to tell you guys, so after school is a good time,”
“I bet you do,” Sydney smiled, walking away and winking at the other four. She waved at Trae, and departed from the area to transition to her next class. Gina, Alex, Carl, and Lily couldn’t believe it, but they knew what had to be done.
Gina sighed and looked at Trae, who seemed pretty eager, “Come on, Trae, let’s head to Bad News Baxter’s class.”
While Gina held Trae’s right arm and walked away, Alex shouted, “See you later, babe.”
Alex, Carl and Lily looked at each other, frustrated with this encounter.
“Well, wasn’t that just fucking awkward?” Lily said, playing with her fingernails.
Alex shook his head, “I can’t do this. I feel phony and he’s my best friend—I can’t just act like everything’s okay.”
“You know I was this close to warning him about what’s gonna happen,” Lily emphasized. “So close.”
“I think he was close to telling us the truth, too,” Carl seemed sympathetic. “He didn’t seem so happy. He probably knows what he did was wrong.”
“I could notice that, too,” Lily said. “We need to stop Sydney before she makes things worse,”
“There’s no stopping Sydney,” Alex said. “What she says—goes, no matter how hard you convince her otherwise.”
Carl took a huge sigh, “This isn’t going to end well.”
_______________
Mr. Baxter, holding a blue piece of chalk, wrote “OTHELLO” on the chalkboard in bold, leaving a signature underline. With his hair in a ponytail, wearing glasses, Mr. Baxter seemed invested in this topic for Literature.
“Othello,” Mr. Baxter opened. “One of William Shakespeare’s most popular tragedies written in his time. Is there anyone familiar with the play?”
Amid awkward silence, a few seconds later, Trae and Gina, slowly and surely entered the classroom, a few minutes late as the reunion in the hallways took longer than expected. The silence worsened as students stared at Trae’s return.
Joe Bender, of course, enhanced the tension in the room with just one facial expression alone. He looked at Trae with devious eyes, with a hint of satisfaction.
Other students—like Iesha and Angelika—looked at Trae with satisfaction as well.
“Hey, boo!” Iesha chanted across from the room. Trae smirked at her greeting.
“Mr. Ventura,” Mr. Baxter said with a stern, yet welcoming tone. “Glad to have you back, bud.”
Trae looked around the classroom, remembering his outrage in the classroom before the riot, while also remembering the riot starting in this particular class. It was a frustrating memory. Trae ignored Mr. Baxter’s greeting and sat in his regular seat, with Gina by his side.
“Now, back to Othello—does anyone not know where Othello is set?” Mr. Baxter asked.
Vik, surprisingly, raised his hand and Mr. Baxter seemed impressed enough to call him.
“Yeah, Vik?”
Instead, Vik asked a simple question, “Shouldn’t you be telling us that?”
Mr. Baxter sighed, replying with a sort of sardonic manner, “Yeah. You’re right, Vik.”
“16th century,” Trae responded, hesitant at first. “During the wars between Turkey and Venice.”
Mr. Baxter, impressed with Trae’s response, accepted it, “Correct, Trae. Very good.”
Vik and some other students rolled their eyes, while Joe smirked down at his binders, trying to keep his eyes from drifting towards Trae’s. He was prepared to find some way to keep Trae from going downhill.
Gina squeezed Trae’s shoulder as a proud gesture, whispering, “Don’t you usually get memory loss from medically-induced comas?”
“Wore off,” Trae said. “Took a few episodes of ZOOM and Sesame Street to get me to remember shit.”
“Genius,” Gina chuckled, leaning back in her seat while Trae continued to focus on the board. But, his eyes, suddenly, moved towards Joe’s direction. Trae and Joe were in an unusual proximity to each other.
As he looked at Joe, he did the same—bringing back a harsh memory: Joe choking Trae on the hallway grounds, until Joe was hit.
Trae quickly looked away with paranoia, causing Joe to chuckle, shake his head and look back at the board.
______________
SOPHOMORE YEAR.
In the sophomore and junior Trigonometry class, Sydney, Kyler, Felix, and Cass were in the same classroom, cliqued up with each other in the back of the classroom. In the front, there sat Trae Ventura and Gina Woods, who have been in the same classes together since freshman year.
Trae Ventura’s hair was rather short and kinky, and he wore glasses and he appeared very ‘nerdy’.
“Ready for this in-class project?” Trae asked eagerly.
“As long as we’re partners, we’ll probably be okay,” Gina said. “Trigonometry’s pretty easy, but Mr. Tatum on the other hand…”
Mr. Tatum walked inside of class, gorging on a half-empty bag of Ruffles. He balled up the bag, aiming and throwing it at the trash can across from him.
He burped and yelled out, “Word of advice, twerps, breakfast is the most important meal of the day.”
Dirty Dan sat next to Liam and Glenn, whispering, and aroused, “He’s so hot.”
Tatum later coughed before making a statement.
“Alright, when I say your partner-partner, group, or whatever the hell you call it,” Mr. Tatum continued unprofessionally. “Just pair up and get started with your project. The materials are on the desk.”
“Ahem,” Mr. Tatum spoke. “Dan Daniels and Kyler Chase.”
Kyler sighed while Dan looked behind him in disgust, “Ugh. The southern boy.”
“Gina Woods and Ryan Morrissey,”
“No, the armpit sniffer?” Gina grimaced, looking behind her while Ryan was sniffing his own armpit before getting up to approach Gina.
“Felix Winchester and Sydney Prescott,”
“Cass Everett and Glenn Pierce,”
“Liam Newton and Tyrell Knowings,”
“Joe Bender and Trae Ventura,”
Trae wasn’t personally familiar with Joe at the time, but the two, back then, couldn’t keep their eyes off of each other. It was awkward, as if they were admirable of one another. Joe looked at Trae, giving a welcoming gesture. Trae smirked, despite his uncertainty with another student. He was used to working with Gina.
After Mr. Tatum finished naming the partners, the students changed their seats.
Trae walked towards Joe, who appeared timid and silent at first sight. Trae, shyly, walked towards Joe, who smiled quickly and greeted him.
“Hey,” Joe said hoarsely.
“Hey,” Trae said. The two sat down with each other, trying to figure each other out.
Joe cleared his throat, “So, how do you want to start this—um—thing out?”
“Whatever’s up your sleeve, I’m fine with—just trying to get an A. Trig’s pretty shitty,” Trae sparked a conversation.
Joe chuckled nervously, “Seriously. The hell are we gonna do with the Pythagorean theorem in the future?”
“If it doesn’t determine my bank account balance on any given day, I don’t need it,” Trae commented. Trae and Joe chuckled with each other, slowly starting their project on a good note.
~
In the back, Sydney and Felix sorted the materials necessary for their Trigonometry project. Sydney, however, kept distracting herself by pondering and watching Felix do most of the work. Felix looked at her and scoffed.
“Are you just gonna stand there and daydream or actually do your part?” Felix asked.
“Rome wasn’t built in a day, Winchester,” Sydney shrugged.
“Such leadership skills, Prescott,” Felix said sarcastically.
Sydney rolled her eyes, “You’re implying I have no leadership skills? Just wait until Andrew says “I introduce you to the new president of The Moneybags—Sydney Prescott.””
Felix laughed, “Okay, keep dreaming it, dear.”
“It’s no dream, it’s a reality,” Sydney said confidently.
“Reality is, a president was already decided on this morning,” Felix smiled. Sydney was bewildered, “What are you talking about?”
“Well, Andrew did say he had someone in mind and that person’s yours truly,” Felix said.
Sydney rolled her eyes, “Felix, you’re full of yourself.”
“Not when it comes to the truth,” Felix shrugged, whispering. “I’m the 2nd president of The Moneybags.”
Cass shushed Felix, whispering, “Keep it confidential, Winchester.”
Cass stopped herself, realizing Sydney was right next to him, “Sorry, Prescott.”
Sydney knew it. It was always rigged in Felix’s favor. She leaned back in her chair with her arms crossed, watching Felix’s every move during the project. She wanted to make a scene, but it wasn’t even worth it at this point.
_____________
>> FORWARD: Alex and Gina, along with Iesha, Sena, Angelika and the other cliques, walked towards a front of a MISSING flyer that stood out on the school’s bulletin board. There stuck a white flyer, with Felix Winchester’s picture in the front. His name written in bold and his physique in detail.
After reading that he has been missing for four weeks, Alex and Gina were confused.
“Ain’t he too old to be running away from home?” Iesha asked Sena and Angelika, who tried not to laugh.
Angelika snickered, “Iesha, shut up—this is a serious—serious matter.”
Gina looked at the flyer once more, before quickly jostling away from it to head to her next class.
“Babe, you alright?” Alex asked.
“I have class,” Gina responded quickly. Alex shrugged, concerned with her quick departure at first.
“Knowing him, he’s probably on a personal vacation overseas,” Matt said, standing next to Rufus, Vik and the other jocks. “Considering the fact that he has the money for it.”
“For once, can you guys stop using money as an excuse for everything?” Kyler confronted. “We’re human, too. I get it, we’re privileged and you probably live off of turkey pot pie microwaveables and ramen noodles. Still, this is a serious issue.”
Matt chuckled, walking close to Kyler with aggression, “You really don’t want to go there.”
Iesha pushed Matt away from Kyler, “Matt, you know you ain’t gon’ do shit, gimme my bag of Skittles so I can go to class.”
Iesha had her hand out in front of Matt, who rolled his eyes and slapped the bag in her hand like so. She puckered her lips and walked away from the bulletin board.
Kyler walked away from Matt with a pitiful look on his face, while the others continued to leave comments on the missing person flyer.
“I mean, you’d think they’d give us a $1,000 reward if we found him,” Lily shrugged, sucking on a lollipop while she left the area.
“How about a million?” Alex said, while following Lily. As everyone departed from the bulletin board, Carl and Zachary stood still, looking at the flyer in detail.
“Great, more drama,” Zachary said in annoyance as he walked away. Carl replied to himself, “Welcome to hell.”
He walked away before the school bell finally rang.
_____________
Classes were over, and aside from dismissal, The Red Hot Cheer Peppers relished in their after-school privileges, yet Jennifer Gordon refuse to appoint a coach to get them in to competitions. Tough luck.
This afternoon was important for the cheerleaders; after Alyssa and Claudia’s departures from the team, the members were limited and Sena, Iesha, Angelika and Brianna were forced—yeah, forced—to hold cheerleading tryouts.
“I think it’s dumb we can’t get a coach this year,” Angelika sat next to Sena and Iesha on a long table, with a RED-HOT TRYOUTS sign taped on the edge.
“We literally need one.”
Sena shrugged, “Considering the fact that most of our budget went to school property damages from The Savages, as well as and Hot Cheetos and Takis, the idea of a coach was already out of the question.”
Iesha placed a Skittle on the tip of the tongue and looked back at Sena, who partially and indirectly blamed her for a lack of a coach.
“A bitch be broke, okay?” Iesha shrugged, rolled her eyes and looked away.
Brianna continued the conversation, “So, what’s the point of recruiting new members if we’re not doing shit?”
Sena sighed, “Mother Goose is promoting anti-bullying and discrimination rules, apparently, after Little Red Riding Bitch and Wendy Wu snitched on us for kicking them out.”
“I hate them, yo,” Brianna rolled her eyes and leaned back on her chair.
“Whatever,” Sena shrugged. “These tryouts won’t last long. Guarantee you.”
Sena pulled the sheet of paper near her, with a list of students who were interested in trying out. She cleared her throat, with an agitated tone and yelled, “
“Camilla?”
She ran inside the gymnasium jovially and screamed, giggled, “Hi!”
Iesha noticed how energetic and jittery she appeared to be. She was uncomfortable, noticing the Skittles bag in her hand, she twisted the wrapper and threw it behind her, although the Skittles scattered on the ground.
“Show us what you got, Camilla,” Angelika said, more respectfully.
Camilla nodded her head and giggled. “I show you. Okay.”
She placed her pink Beats Pill speaker behind her, and “The Hampsterdance Song” began playing.
“Dida-di-da-di-di-dodo. Di-da-di-di-do. Didadi-dadi-dadi-luda-luda-didi-ludadi-dadidooo.”
“Here we go.”
Claudia began jumping around the gymnasium, similar to a dancing ballerina, and her routine was all over the place, but throughout, she was energetic and free-spirited. As she continued dancing, the four cheerleaders were taken aback by her performance—in a bad way.
“I want what she’s on, yo,” Brianna whispered in Angelika’s ear. “Whatever’s she’s sniffin’ sure ain’t sugar cane.”
Angelika shrugged, “She’s on Vitamin D, Bri.”
Sena wasn’t pleased with Camilla’s delivery, simply shouting, “Next!”
But her demand didn’t stop Camilla from dancing, as she gyrated her body constantly, grabbing her Beats Pill and dancing out of the gymnasium doors. That is, until, she tripped and fell on the slippery surface.
Iesha couldn’t contain her laughter as she leaned back in her chair, laughing hysterically.
“I’m okay,” Camilla shouted weakly.
“Sure, you are,” Sena said as she crossed Camilla’s name from the list.
~
The next contender was a plus-size student, she was very fashionable and confident in herself. She began dancing to “Laffy Taffy” by D4L, performing and delivering outdated dances from years ago.
“Girl, shake that laffy taffy, that laffy taffy, shake that laffy taffy, that laffy taffy. Girl shake that…”
Iesha, approving of it, began dancing along with her, chanting, “Aye, aye, aye, what, aye, this my shit, aye, aye,”
Brianna, meanwhile, looked at Iesha and rolled her eyes, with Sena, yelling, “Next!”
The girl stopped dancing, sucked her teeth and put her middle finger up, walking out of the gymnasium. Iesha defended the girl, “Sena, the hell, she was lit.”
“Of course, it was lit—if it were 2005,” Sena’s indirect response kept Iesha silent, shaking her head at her rejections.
~
Another girl did a dance to “Bubblegum” by Rasheeda, and Iesha was already intrigued.
“The type a girl you wanna chew all of my bubble gum. The type a girl you wanna chew all of my bubble gum. I'm the type a girl you wanna take to ya mama house, take t-t-take, take, take to ya mama house.”
The girl dipped to the floor and twerked, and Sena immediately yelled, “Next!”
Iesha rolled her eyes and sat back down in agitation, “You know what.”
~
A very quirky, nerdy girl with glasses made a chant, yelling with two pom-poms: “Shibuya, shi-shi-shibuya, roll call!”
“Shi-bye, bitch,” Sena said calmly and bluntly, causing the girl to cry and run away from the gymnasium.
Angelika sighed, “Sena, if these tryouts are just a way to humiliate these little girls, you’re doing just fine.”
Sena defended her motives, “I clearly said, verbatim, these tryouts wouldn’t last long.”
“We’ve been through nearly 10 girls, at least five of them had potential, and you flip the script,” Brianna said.
“I’m not feeling well for this,” Sena said. “It’s been a long week, and I’m not in the mood to be bitchy.”
Iesha made a sarcastic response, “It’s okay, Sena, we all have teacher problems.”
Sena knew what Iesha was trying to imply, giving an evil smirk. But, Iesha immediately looked away and cleared her throat, sipping on a bottle of water lying next to her. Sena sighed and looked down at the remaining members on the list.
“Cicely Davenport?” Sena yelled out.
The girl walked inside the gymnasium with confidence, blonde hair swaying in the back and her mysterious eyes intrigued the four cheerleaders. At that point, she corrected Sena.
“Call me Sis,” she said. “Cicely’s a reminder of how brain dead my mother was once I was born.”
“Dark,” Brianna nodded her head.
“Are you referring to my life or your complexion?” Sis bluntly asked, making a racial remark that kept the gymnasium silent.
Iesha’s mouth gaped and she couldn’t believe what Sis said; Brianna, immediately, she got up.
“Oh, hell, no, bitch,” Brianna yelled.
“Okay, first of all, bitch, you racist, let’s start right there,” Iesha took offense, making a manly accent to make her statement.
“Totally,” Angelika said. Sena agreed with them, while Sis rolled her eyes, “For your information, I have a black boyfriend and I’m a foreign exchange from South Africa.”
“Okay, bitch, and?” Iesha asked. “You ain’t black. You have no right to judge.”
“See, that’s the problem with ya’ll white bitches—no offense to Angie and Sena,” Brianna began to speak.
Angelika looked back, “None taken.”
“I’m Portuguese,” Sena corrected Brianna, confused with her judgment.
“Ya’ll take everything black culture has—our music, our style, our men—yet, you never respect the people in our culture. Miss me with that hypocritical shit, Botox Taryn Manning.”
Sis attempted to change the subject, “I’m not here for the likings of you or Niecy Nash over here—I’m here to do my routine.”
Uncertain, Sena sighed, for the sake of Gordon’s discrimination and anti-bullying rule, “Fine, show us what you got.”
“She wants me to cut her,” Brianna whispered to Angelika, who tried to calm her down. “She wants me to cut her.”
“No, no, calm down,” Angelika whispered back.
Iesha, Angelika and Brianna already had their minds made up, while Sis played “Get Ready for This” by 2 Unlimited on her Bluetooth speaker. She wrapped her blonde hair in a ponytail and she fixed her posture.
With four backflips in one, she shocked half of the cheerleaders with her routine. As professional and talented as it looked, Iesha and Brianna couldn’t focus on it, only her attitude.
“She is kinda good,” Angelika whispered to Sena, who ignored her somewhat of a compliment. Her eyes focused on Sis.
After 30 more seconds of flips and twists and splits, her routine ended. There was silence.
Expecting applause, Sis clapped for herself, sarcastically replying, “Yay, me.”
Sena cleared her throat and began to speak, “Sis—”
“I don’t like the bitch,” Brianna said bluntly. Iesha folded her arms together and leaned back in her chair, agreeing with her.
“Okay, Nicki and Mariah, this isn’t American Idol,” Sena yelled, looking back to Sis.
“No one ever hears this from me, but you have a talent—” Sena’s compliment was interrupted by Sis, herself.
Sis gave an evil smirk, “Just to put it out there, I’ve been watching your cheer squad for a while now, and I’ll admit—your team isn’t even worthy of a Nationals championship. I’ll have you know that I’ve won multiple championships at Myers High just around the corner in a heartbeat.”
Sena remained still, watching Sis speak—while Brianna began to crack her neck around, as if she were threatening to fight her.
“Your team’s been deteriorating once you recruited Caillou’s little sister, an Asian Velma Dinkley, the Olsen Twins, five token gays and a bunch of Stomp the Yard rejects on your team,” Sis continued. “If I were Principal Gordon or De Vil, I’d probably wouldn’t find a coach either.”
“Sena, please let me drag her—please,” Brianna was eager to fight.
Iesha looked at Sena, “You’ve basically rejected everyone else, it would make my day if you’d reject her.”
Sena contemplated her decision, but the look in Sis’s eyes made it seem like she knew something about her. But the funny thing is, Sis knew. Sis knew about her affair with Mr. Baldwin, simply because of Sena’s conversations with Iesha. There were more reasons, but Sena felt an unusual vibe about Sis, and if it meant big competition, she’d risk it.
“Cheerleading practice is tomorrow, 3:30 sharp,” Sena said. Sis smiled.
“Sena, what the fuck?” Brianna ranted, until Sena yelled, “3:30 sharp.”
Sis’s attitude shifted slightly, “Thanks so much, you guys, I won’t let you down,
“I wish I could drag you down,” Brianna said under her breath, shaking her legs under the table. She was infuriated with Sena’s decision.
But, as Sis departed from the gymnasium, Sena yelled her name, “And, Sis?”
Sis turned around, for Sena to respond, “Just know who’s in charge here. You may have the talent, but no one is bitchy as Sena.”
Sis smirked, “We’ll see about that.”
Sena’s confidence lowered a bit after her exit. There was definitely something weird about her, and even Angelika could tell.
“Damn, Sena, can’t believe you stooped that low,” Angelika said in a surprised tone.
Sena sighed, questioning whether her decision to let her join the team was rational, because in Iesha and Brianna’s eyes, it was catastrophic.
“I’ll be buying a huge jar of Vaseline tonight,” Brianna nodded her head, eager to fight Sis if necessary.
_____________
Around the same time as the routines, Trae began to observe the courtyard as he waited for The Savages to meet together, for old time’s sake. But, he began to realize how different things appeared to be. None of the other cliques were outside, not even The Moneybags. The courtyard still looked the same after the incident.
He pictured the students chanting and yelling outside the courtyard and he squinted his eyes. Why did he keep getting these awkward flashbacks? Was it his guilt? Was it devastation?
He looked at his clock on his iPhone, and it was nearly 4:00 pm, no one was around.
That is, until, he heard another voice from behind.
“Damn, first day back and you’re already looking for a suspension.”
There was Matt Park, one of the jocks, walking with his football gear, strapped on his left arm.
Trae was confused, raising his eyebrow, “What are you talking about?”
“I take it your little friends didn’t give you the memo,” Matt chuckled. “Principal Gordon’s new rule—no one’s allowed on school grounds after dismissal—unless you’re in an actual extracurricular.”
Trae, then, understood why things felt different. It was déjà vu all over again—but this time, no one resisted.
“But I wouldn’t cause a scene, if I were you, Malcolm X,” Matt confronted. “Unless you enjoy being shot. Most of us have educations to care about.”
Trae scoffed, “I had to prove a point.”
“To who? Yourself?” Matt interrupted Trae. “Because of you and that stupid Savage shit, The Redhawks can’t even compete in the championships until next year.”
Trae ignored the principle of Matt’s confrontation, by snidely confronting, “It’s not like y’all won championships anyway.”
“You think you’re some fucking hero? Reality check, Ventura—you’re like the rest of us. You’re no god,” Matt yelled. “Here you thought a spot on the news would be the plausible way to get our rights back—truth is, you made it worse.”
“And I don’t even feel bad for you,” Matt looked Trae up and down, nudging him on the shoulder, giving Trae the urge to retaliate.
“Watch where the fuck you going,” Trae yelled. Matt continued walking, and Trae felt a weakness in his body. The more he could get angry, the less strength he had.
Trae felt a vibration in his right pocket. He received a notification from Sydney.
“Room 104. Change of plans.”
“What?” Trae whispered to himself, confused with this sudden change. He wished things went back to normal, even though he knew they couldn’t. He sighed, walking back into the building.
_______________
As Trae walked inside the classroom, he began to speak about the confrontation, “You guys won’t believe—”
Trae stopped walking, once he noticed The Savages, sans Zachary, sitting in a circle and staring at him with concern. Sydney’s arms were crossed, with an angst expression, while the others could barely look Trae in his eyes.
The silence bewildered Trae. He looked at the members and asked, “W-what’s going on? Ya’ll look like ya’ll mourning a death.”
“Trae, I called you here because we want you out of The Savages,” Sydney went straight to the point, much to Alex, Carl and Gina’s dismay.
At first, Trae felt a bit of relief, taking Sydney’s statement as a sarcastic joke. He chuckled and looked away with disbelief, “Good one, Syd. For real, what’s wrong?”
“You’re what’s wrong with us, Trae,” Sydney confronted him.
This time, things became serious. Trae was oblivious to the confrontation, but he started to assume that it was the ‘blame game’ argument he’d just finished with Matt seconds ago.
Sydney looked at Alex and Gina, hoping they’d be able to speak up towards Trae, who remained confused.
“We know you leaked that video, man,” Alex said, in a concerned, and less agitated way.
Trae knew it would come to this point. He, indeed, didn’t deny it. He sighed, looked away in guilt and regret. The room got quiet.
“And how did you guys find out?” Trae said, softly.
Sydney went inside her pocket and held the hard drive she took in her hand. Trae looked at it in shock, looking back at Sydney.
“Sydney, what—”
“You really should keep your room clean,” Sydney said sarcastically.
Trae sighed, “I was going to tell you guys.”
“When, Trae?” Gina confronted. “At our deathbeds?”
“It wasn’t that easy, Gi,” Trae defended his case, while Sydney shouted back at him for, in her case, making an excuse.
“Bullshit,” Sydney said. “You had all the space and opportunity to. But instead, you kept it from your friends and put us in your predicament.”
“We all would have been Dirty Dan,” Lily continued. “And no one wants to be Dirty Dan.”
“Okay, but look where he is now,” Trae continued to defend his case. “It’s been a month now—he’s gone. We’re still here, right? I did this to protect us. To protect our name. My loyalty is to us.”
Sydney rolled her eyes, “There was never an us, Trae. This was about you. Your loyalty to us never existed.”
Trae was still confused by Sydney’s confrontations, until she elaborated on other evidence to prove her point.
“All of this transpired because of you, over you, and by you,” Sydney said. “You never wanted justice. You just wanted a reason to cover up your STUPID obsession with Brian. What you did was disgusting, Trae. I bet you probably rubbed one out watching those two dumb fucks. No wonder Dirty Dan liked you. I can’t believe you’d let revenge porn tarnish everything we’ve had as a family.”
It was silent, as Alex and Gina still contemplated what would happen next. Trae didn’t say another word—until Sydney came with another statement.
“And if anyone deserves a fucking apology,” Sydney continued. “It would be Zachary. You fucked him over. He’s in love with you, Trae.”
Trae looked down with remorse.
“But he’s too naïve to realize that you’re the problem. You’re the reason why we can’t get our school rights back. You’re the reason why we can’t even go to the bathroom without a teacher’s signature. You’re the reason why we’re so far behind on our classes because you want attention. If you didn’t remember, Trae. There were five of us. You ruined it. No offense to the egghead, but once you let Joe in our crew, we were already over.”
“I can’t,” Sydney corrected herself for a moment. “We can’t trust you anymore.”
Alex, Gina, Carl, Sydney and Lily looked at Trae with a serious expression, and Trae knew—this was it. He was aware that what he did was wrong, but he didn’t want to be jumped for it. He felt like he had his karma, for being shot and nearly trying to stay alive. But, considering how different things have been since he’s been gone, he knew something had to be done.
Calmly, Trae began to accept Sydney’s distrust.
“Well, um,” Trae cleared his throat, nodding his head. “I guess you’re right. Maybe this was about me; maybe this is all my fault. So, problem solved. I’m cutting ties from this alliance.”
“Here comes the waterworks,” Sydney said, as everyone else looked disappointed with Trae’s decision.
“No, no, Sydney,” Trae chuckled. “It’s clear to you and all of you that I’m the problem, and I’m not denying that. So, maybe you guys are better without me.”
“Trae, wa—” Carl tried to stop Trae.
“Nah,” Trae nodded his head constantly. “I guess what I wanted to discuss was that, yeah, I leaked the video. I was the mastermind. I tricked everyone and used Dirty Dan as an easy target. I used The Savages as a platform to keep our names out of the investigation. I let my unrequited love for Brian get in the way of what we established. I made a mistake. But this—this very moment is the exact reason why I didn’t tell any of you.”
The Savages looked at him as he spoke, and Sydney didn’t seem to care.
“Because had I told anyone, none of you would keep your mouths shut. The funny thing is I’d know how to. Everyone wants to play ‘blame game’ with me because I knew how to keep my alibi. I’m no fucking saint, but what I am is a man of my word,” Trae continued.
“I’m a man of my word because I joined forces with people I felt had the same mentality as me. But, since Little Miss Nancy Drew over here,” mentioning Sydney, “thought it would be cool to have the gang turn against me—let’s not forget that I’m the reason you guys have a family away from a family.”
Sydney scoffed.
“Was there loyalty, Sydney, when I kept your dirty, slutty, little secrets from The Savages and the whole school? You know, back when you were a Moneybag in distress?”
Sydney’s eyes widened once Trae mentioned and intimated her secret, something she’s never told anyone but Trae.
“Wait, you were a Moneybag?” Gina turned to Sydney, who refused to respond.
“Alex and Carl, you guys are like my brothers. All of our parents have each other on fucking speed dial,” Trae ranted.
Alex and Carl looked down, but they knew he was telling the truth.
“But, there’s a lot of things you haven’t told me—Carl. Alex, You’re no saint, either.”
“Gina, as close as we are, you should know why, at this point, I’m still scared to go to your parents’ house for the holidays,” Trae said.
Alex looked at Gina with confusion and Gina rolled her eyes and sighed.
“And to be quite honest, Lily, we don’t even interact,” Trae said. “But I grew to respect you as a person rather than a Red Hot Cheer Pepper. But what I have on you is between us, and I’ve always kept my word, no matter what Sydney is putting in your fucking ears.”
Sydney looked away, knowing he was right.
“You see, if it were me, I’d stoop low. I’d just tell everyone’s fucking secrets. I’d humiliate all of my friends, but truth is, I guess none of you understand what a friend is. So, I’m done. No one can kick me out of a group I made possible, so—good luck without me.”
“Trae, no,” Alex tried to stop him, as well as Carl.
“Fuck ya’ll.”
Trae pushed the door as he made his exit, enraged and trying to keep himself together. But from a distance, Jennifer Gordon could overhear the conversation. She didn’t even have to hear everything to know that he was the mastermind. She had a smirk on her face and walked back to the direction of her office.
It was still silent in the classroom. All the members looked at Sydney, who tried to pretend like she didn’t feel hurt.
“Well, Sydney, you got what you wanted,” Alex said angrily. He left the classroom, following Carl, Gina and Lily. Sydney remained alone in the classroom, still trying to hold back the memories behind her secret.
_____________
Trae left the school property, but even as he looked back, he could still picture flashbacks from the riot. The place that caused him such paranoia. As he walked, he looked around at students who were outside of their houses, recognizing him. The students, in Trae’s perspective, didn’t seem so pleased with his presence.
Trae looked around, realizing that he was a problem.
“It's amazing, I'm the reason everybody fired up this evening,” Trae sang. “I'm exhausted, barely breathing, holding on to what I believe in.”
“No matter what, you'll never take that from me. My reign is as far as your eyes can see. It’s amazing. So amazing, so amazing, so amazing. It's amazing, so amazing, so amazing, so amazing. It's amazing.”
Trae walked across the empty street, observing every part of the neighborhood in Seattle. He sang, “I'm a monster, I'm a killer. I know I'm wrong. I'm a problem that'll never ever be solved.”
“No matter what, you'll never take that from me. My reign is as far as your eyes can see. It’s amazing. So amazing, so amazing, so amazing. It's amazing, so amazing, so amazing, so amazing. It's amazing.”
“I'm a monster, I'm a maven. I know this world is changing. Never gave in, never gave up. I'm the only thing I'm afraid of,” Trae sang. “No matter what, you'll never take that from me. My reign is as far as your eyes can see. It’s amazing. So amazing, so amazing, so amazing. It's amazing, so amazing, so amazing, so amazing. It's amazing.”
“So amazing, so amazing, so amazing. It's amazing, so amazing, so amazing, so amazing. It's amazing.”
Trae looked around, finally facing reality. Once he looked back, he noticed most of the students from The Savages exiting the school building. He immediately walked away, trying to avoid any contact.
________________
SOPHOMORE YEAR.
Sydney’s arms were folded together as she sat across members of The Moneybags. There, they were giving Felix Winchester a celebration outside of the courtyard. Andrew, Cass, Kyler and Luke surrounded Felix, chanting “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.”
Felix smiled, perhaps the rarest moment, and Andrew placed a paper crown on top of Felix’s head. Sydney, annoyed, sat and watched—refusing to involve herself in what she thought she deserved.
As everyone cheered for him, Felix’s eyes moved towards Sydney’s, and he could tell there was jealousy.
Sydney’s eyes drifted away from Felix’s, and she looked at Andrew, who didn’t seem as ecstatic as the others. Something had to be done.
~
“I’m sorry,” Andrew said, sitting in his Range Rover with Sydney, who barely made eye contact with him. Her arms were folded together, as she looked at the night sky, covered by trees and woods.
“I didn’t know it meant that much to you, Syd,” Andrew said, sympathetically.
Sydney sighed, “It doesn’t, and I don’t want you to think that this is some prize to me. It’s just—I really felt like I’ve done my part in the Moneybag, and it’s not even an extracurricular. What else has Felix done but complain about Obamacare and talk about his dad’s casinos in Vegas?”
Andrew chuckled, “Look, I—”
“Felix is arrogant,” Sydney continued to rant. “How would you feel if you gave your legacy to a guy who’s already losing hair at the age of 17?”
“Sydney,” Andrew tried to explain himself, but Sydney continued to talk.
“I’ve been loyal enough to take over,” Sydney ranted. “Is it because I’m a girl that I can’t be president? What’s the point of Cass and I, then? We’re rich, we have lifestyles. We have better personalities than the rest of the guys in our clique. I don’t get—”
Andrew kept Sydney silent, pulling her in for a near-passionate kiss on her lips.
“What was that for?” Sydney asked.
Andrew looked away, “It was to shut you up. My question is: how bad do you want to take over my legacy?”
“I’ll do anything,” Sydney said, less innocently. Her hands caressed the fabric on Andrew’s khakis, rubbing her hands towards her crotch. Andrew’s breathing became labored. Goosebumps. Andrew pulled Sydney back in for a passionate kiss. Andrew cupped his hands onto Sydney’s face, while she undressed slowly.
Andrew unbuckled his khaki pants, while Sydney lifted her dress up to sit above Andrew’s body.
As soon as she sat on top of him, Andrew licked his right hand, rubbing it underneath his pants. That’s when Sydney got into position, and her voice cracked—a moan. She bit her lips, as their bodies thrusted together.
_________________
The next morning, Joe and Nate sat in the gymnasium—since the weather was colder and their social time was limited before classes. Alyssa and Claudia sat near them, as they looked around at the cliques—The Moneybags, The Red Hot Cheer Peppers, The Sexxx Symbols and The Jocks in their designated areas.
“I hate everyone,” Joe looked in disgust.
“I don't think everyone cares,” Nate added on. Joe flipped his middle finger up at Nate, who shrugged and looked away.
Claudia chuckled, “What's your deal?”
Joe replied, “It's like High School Musical in here. It makes me cringe.”
“I love High School Musical,” Alyssa gasped and shrieked.
“Of course you do, you make me cringe, too,” Joe said, lifting his leg to adjust his pants.
Alyssa was taken aback by his response, and angrily she yelled, “Fuck you, cunt!”
It was silent, as Nate and Claudia’s mouth gaped while looking at each other. Even Alyssa seemed in awe from what she said. Joe chuckled and sarcastically applauded her for her response.
“Brava, Alyssa,” Joe commented. “I'm teaching you so well."
“I guess what Joe's trying to say is that the cliques really ruin the vibe here,” Nate said. Joe shrugged his shoulders and approved the reiteration.
“Then, wouldn't we be just like them if we form this super-duper-whatever-you-call-it?” Claudia said.
“There's a different between allies and cliques,” Joe said. “We're allies.”
“Whatever you say,” Claudia said, polishing her nails black. “Just know that if this doesn't go as-planned, I'm dropping out and finding a sugar daddy.”
“Who's that going to be? Kyler?” Alyssa asked.
“Oh,” Nate looked at Joe, who both contained laughter. Claudia rolled her eyes and turned to Alyssa.
“Really, Alyssa?”
“You've been staring him down for the past few months. We know he's rich.”
“Alyssa, I'm not taking your sloppy seconds.”
“Illegal sloppy seconds,” Nate shrugged.
Alyssa moaned, “We never dated. I just told that to Sena and the squad to impress them.”
“Damn, and look where that led you,” Joe said.
“Fuck yourself with a sick dick, Joe,” Alyssa confronted.
Nate chuckled while Claudia squinted her eyes, concerned for Alyssa’s bizarre behavior. Joe laughed, amused by her comments and using it to his advantage.
“You might want to avoid the excessive profanity, Dr. Seuss, unless you want your mother to hit up Supernanny,” Joe said.
“Alyssa, just relax, all right?” Claudia said.
Alyssa rolled her eyes and sighed. Nate looked from afar and noticed an unusual sight. The Savages were across the gymnasium, but something was odd. Sydney, Lily and Gina sat next to each other. Alex and Carl were a few inches apart and Trae sat on the opposite left of them.
Trae appeared isolated.
“Joe, you see this?” Nate nudged him.
“See what?” Joe turned to look across the gymnasium, noticing the apparent separation.
Trae fiddled with his fingers, looking everywhere in complete melancholy.
“Shit,” Joe whispered to himself in amusement. “This looks juicy.”
“I think they know,” Nate concluded. “He looks so shook, man.”
“So do they,” Joe observed the Savages with the same melancholic expressions. Alex and Carl looked towards Trae, who glanced back, stood up and exited from the gymnasium. Alex sighed, and Carl stood up with him, following him out of the area.
“Guys, I think it's time,” Joe smirked. He was ready for his plan to go into effect. With the Savages in shambles, Joe knew it was the right time to shake things up.
_________________
Trae cleaned his face with water in the restroom. He looked at himself in the mirror and noticed Alex and Carl behind him and things started to frighten him, bringing memories of the riot. He flinched and realized the two's presence. He rolled his eyes and continued to ignore them.
“Dude, you can't ignore us forever,” Carl said, following Trae towards the paper towel dispenser.
Trae sighed and continued to ignore them, snatching a piece of paper towel and throwing it in the trash can.
“Wow, Trae, it's like that?” Alex asked.
“What is there to say?” Trae asked. “Unless you're here to help me wipe my ass, I don't need anything.”
“Trae, we need you back with us.”
“Nope.”
“So, you're just gonna run away from what you've started? Just like that?” Alex asked.
“Yup.”
“Trae, we tried to warn you,” Carl said. “We knew Sydney was going to do that.”
“And you chose not to stop her? Y'all sat there like Calvin Klein mannequins and let her talk her shit.”
“Trae, what you did was screwed up, man,” Carl said. “You could have at least told us. We're your friends.”
“I'm not entitled to tell y'all every single detail about me unless I know it would put you in jeopardy. At the end of the day, I did what I did because I didn't want the Savages to get a bad rep. No one gave me a chance to explain shit at that intervention. Sydney brainwashed you guys.”
“Okay, Trae. Now you're sounding like a victim,” Alex sighed.
“How am I sounding like a victim?” Trae yelled.
“We don't care about what you did, man,” Alex confronted. “But when we came in this group together, you told us that no matter how ugly things got, we would be honest with each other. In the sense, we all assumed that you were in this for yourself and your ego.”
“Weren't we all in it for something?”
“Can't we just all pretend like this never happened?” Carl said.
“Shouldn't you be asking that to Sydney?” Trae chuckled. “I'm Gucci over here.”
“We're asking you because The Savages is nothing without you. We're asking as friends,” Alex said.
Trae scoffed, “Right.”
“Trae, you took me under your wing when no one else wanted to. I stopped smashing cheerleaders until you introduced me to the most beautiful girl in the world. My mom and dad thinks you're family. No matter the situation, dude, you're always gonna have my loyalty,” Alex said.
“Don't quit on us, bro,” Carl said.
Trae was silent, sighing. “Like I said, I'm Gucci.”
He departed from the restroom before Alex and Carl could call his name. He pushed the door open aggressively and stormed out. Alex and Carl were disappointed in themselves.
“Shit,” Alex said to himself, while Carl leaned his back on the bathroom stalls.
_________________
Lily held her books tightly; she tried to stray away from the drama with Trae, because she always knew she had her own mind. That’s how it was. She was optimistic at this point, and she felt like things were going well for her. No sign of desperate boys like Matt. People smiled at her while she walked.
That is until she felt a bump on her left shoulder, as aggressive as hitting a door. She scoffed and turned around to look behind her, she noticed a blonde-haired girl.
“Bitch, have you ever heard the word ‘excuse me’?” Lily yelled. “Have some decency.”
The blonde-haired girl was Sis Davenport. She stopped herself and smirked, because she knew she did it purposefully. She walked back to Lily with a sarcastic response.
“No, but I’ve heard the word ‘mess’ and that’s what you look like,” Sis smiled.
Lily was in awe. No one ever talked to her like that, unless it was Sena. She wasn’t used to the competition.
“I assume you’re asking for a death wish,” Lily said.
“No, I’m simply just asking that you find a new fashion sense because no one wears Michael Kors with Balenciaga. It’s just tacky. Ciao.”
Sis smiled and walked away with ease, while Lily was basically ready to attack. She scoffed and looked away in shock. Behind her, Sena could overhear the banter. Lily approached Sena’s proximity until Sena stopped her.
“She’s on to you, too, huh?” Sena asked.
“Please don’t tell me you’re related to her,” Lily stopped and crossed her arms.
Sena rolled her eyes, “No, she’s not.”
“Good,” Lily smiled, sarcastically speaking, “I’m not in the mood for double homicide.”
Sena sighed, “Still against me, aren’t you?”
Lily leaned on the locker next to Sena, observing Sis’s physical appearances. Despite her dislike for Sena, she engaged in sudden conversation.
“Who is that bitch?” Lily asked.
“That’s Sis Davenport,” Sena adjusted the items in her locker. “She auditioned for the Cheer Peppers on Wednesday. Not my cup of tea; can’t deny her talents, though. Apparently, she’s a part of the JAM Council and people call her the Sarah Palin of the school democracy.”
“I just lost a brain cell,” Lily sighed. “I just hope she stays out of my way.”
“I hope she stays out of mine,” Sena said.
Lily was surprised, “Hmm. What do you have against her?”
“Everything,” Sena’s eyes drifted from Lily’s and towards Sis as she walked back the opposite direction, getting unusual attraction from guys with her Red-Hot Cheer Peppers uniform on.
“Oh, you know her, would you look at that hair,” Lily sang. “Yeah, you know her, check out those shoes. She looks like she stepped out of the middle of somebody's blues.”
As Lily walked towards her direction, Sena followed her lead, she sang, “She looks like the Sunday comics.”
“She thinks she’s Brenda Starr,” Lily sang.
“Her nose job is real atomic.”
“All she needs is an old knife scar.”
Lily and Sena danced in the hallway, “Yeah, she’s so dull. Come on, rip her to shreds. She’s so dull, come on, rip her to shreds.”
“Oh, you know her, “Miss Groupie Supreme”,” Lily sang.
“Yeah, you know her! “Vera Vogue” on parade,” Sena sang.
“Yeah, you know her, with the fish-eating grin.”
“She’s so dull,”
“Yeah, she got the nerve to tell me.”
“Huh, she’s so dull,” they both sang, watching Sis’s every move. “Come on, now, rip her to shreds.”
Once the two stopped singing, Lily and Sena seemed to have an unusual, mutual hatred. They looked at each other and realized that Sis was a new problem. Sis walked inside her classroom and the two girls went separate ways.
_________________
Trae sat at his desk for Mr. Baxter’s class and the tension was big. Very big. As the students were reading silently, Trae kept focused on his work. He knew he had to get back on track academically. At this point; The Savages didn't seem to mean anything to him anymore.
“Any time to talk after class?” Gina whispered in Trae's ear, until Mr. Baxter interrupted.
“Ms. Woods, you should be reading, leave Trae alone.”
Embarrassed, she obeyed and covered her face with the novel. Trae looked away and kept focus on his readings.
Suddenly the intercom on the ceiling beeped, “Pardon the interruption, Trae Ventura, please report to the principal's office, Trae Ventura, please report to the principal's office.”
Déjà vu. Trae tried to control his anxiety reactions, but once classmates, including Joe, started at him, he began to overthink. He stood and departed from the classroom, Joe smirked with satisfaction. Gina looked concerned.
It wasn't that Trae was scared, he just worried that his karma would get worse. He already left The Savages, spent a month recovering and now, this? It wasn't good.
Trae slowly entered the newly renovated main office, where Ms. Haynes looked at him with a devious smile.
“Mmm, if it isn't the troublemaker,” Ms. Haynes said.
Trae looked at her, bringing back unusual flashbacks from the riot, where Lily and Ms. Haynes were arguing, and Carl and Lily broke inside De Vil's office.
His rapid breathing worsened, until Jennifer Gordon walked towards him with a formal welcoming.
“Mr. Ventura, I don't believe we've officially met,” Gordon said. “Jennifer Gordon, superintendent and new principal.”
When Jennifer lent out her hand for a shake, Trae observed her appearance and ignored her welcoming gesture.
~
Awkwardness. Trae awaited for Gordon to say, “I'm not Rose De Vil, I'm 10 times worse,” and didn't seem to understand what she wanted from him. But, when Gordon offered Trae coffee, it brought back the memories of Rose. He didn't fall for it.
“Coffee?” Jennifer asked.
“Can't drink caffeine,” Trae replied. “Recovery requirements.”
Jennifer took a sip from her coffee mug, covered in roses and flowers. She placed it on her desk, while Trae observed the renovated office, the school posters surrounding the office, even a family picture of Gordon, her husband and three children.
“Looks like a happy family,” Trae said monotonously.
Jennifer chuckled, “I guess it's worth raising 3 boys with Harvard degrees with a husband with a Harvard degree.”
“I assume you're a Harvard alum?”
“Swarthmore,” Jennifer corrected.
“Ah,” Trae tried to seem invested, but their conversation seemed to get I nowhere, like a former conversation he'd have with a Moneybag, he couldn't relate.
“I wanted to tell you upfront that I dearly apologize for what happened to you last month,” Jennifer said. “No student should be discriminated and mistreated like you have been; especially with an irresponsible principal like Rose De Vil was.”
Trae could see through the phony sympathy.
“From your records, I can see that you're a smart kid. Honor roll student,” Gordon continued. “But perhaps your academics are stronger than your common sense.”
Trae scoffed, “Wait, excuse me?”
“You could've shut the door yesterday afternoon when you basically told your friends you were responsible for that video mishap a couple of months back.”
Stunned, Trae didn't know how to respond to what he knew would tarnish his future.
“Funny thing about De Vil, and some of your friends, they were right about you. You're one of those kids with those facades, the ones that appear innocent but inside you're sneaky. People are intimidated by you. They thought you were a threat. Sad thing is, you're back and you feel less of a hero and more of a victim. You're not hard for me to figure out.”
“Is that so?” Trae asked.
“Sweetie, I'm 70 years old, and my mind is still clear enough to recognize a snake.”
Trae was over it. He sighed and rolled his eyes.
“Fine,” he said. “Do what you have to do. Lock me up, expel me, put me back on the news. Pretty sure Seattle Times would love another bad story about our school a month later.”
Jennifer laughed, “Mr. Ventura, you're fine. You've been punished enough. As principal, would you be in trouble? Absolutely, especially for placing the blame on an innocent--"
Trae raised his eyebrow.
“--not-so-innocent student,” she continued. “But, because I like you and even if you placed our school in a negative light, I believe there are alternatives.”
Trae was confused, “Alternatives?”
“The public won't be informed about these twisted events you've pulled. But if you want to keep it that way, there's something you should do for me.”
“If this is an inappropriate offer to be your sugar baby, I'd rather you--"
“My son is an editor for Rolling Stone, the office in California,” Gordon proposed.
Trae became interested, “Rolling Stone?”
“In your writing diagnostics from freshman year, you wrote your dream was to become a successful writer and work for the magazine. My son could be your instant key for an internship. Instant. But if you're willing to lose this key for a rebellious high school persona…”
Trae began to really think. Maybe Gordon was bullshitting about the Rolling Stone opportunity and he was being blackmailed. But was The Savages worth the opportunity? Was a video scandal worth it? Trae continued to think until he looked at Gordon.
“I'm listening,” Trae crossed his leg, adjusting his posture out of interest. Jennifer smiled at him.
_________________
“You need to apologize to Trae,” Alex confronted Sydney as they walked in the hallway, alongside Carl and Gina.
“Apologize to him for telling the truth?” Sydney chuckled sarcastically. “Sure.”
“Apologize to him for being a bitch,” Gina said angrily.
“Alex, get your girlfriend,” Sydney said, while making no eye contact with the rest of them.
“Sydney, the way you approached the situation was wrong and you know it,” Gina continued.
“Like the way he lied to us was wrong?” Sydney said. “Like what he did to Brian and Vik was wrong?”
“You literally forced him out of his own group and now he won't talk to us,” Carl said.
“So, he's playing victim, that's all he ever does. He's going to get over it, apologize and declare his triumphant return in less than 24 hours. You guys don't see Trae like I do. He's full of secrets and you're siding with him.”
“Sydney, Trae was there for us and took the four of us in when no one gave a fuck who we were. And considering your little Moneybag history you've yet to explain to us, we should be angry at you, too,” Alex said.
Sydney rolled her eyes, “Me being a Moneybag is not equivalent to partaking in a revenge porn crime that someone was framed for.”
“But the Moneybags?” Carl said. “You hate Felix's guts, and even went to say he should die and you never gave a legitimate reason why you hated him. But you were a Moneybag, so we see why.”
“For fuck's sake, who are you? My mom? I don't have to share every detail about my life and actions to any of you,” Sydney yelled.
“Now you see how Trae feels,” Alex said. He walked away from Sydney, Carl shook his head and Gina bumped Sydney while following their directions.
Sydney scoffed and controlled her anger, while she approached her locker.
In front of her, a red envelope stuck inside one of the locker slits, and she noticed it. Confused, she looked around her to see anyone possibly responsible. She snatched it.
The envelope had her name written in bold, black and in Sharpie print. When she opened up the envelope, it was a scarlet letter, folded.
When she opened it, it said, “YOU'RE NOT THAT INNOCENT. LIKE TRAE, YOU RUINED A LIFE.”
Sydney slowly panicked. She looked around, trying to confirm who wrote it. She knew exactly what the letter conveyed and immediately a tear fell from her eye.
_________________
SOPHOMORE YEAR.
The Women's Clinic. One area Sydney initially went for to get physical evaluation. This time, she sat in an empty waiting room with Cass Everett, the only girl that knew what she knew.
Sydney couldn't concentrate. She was scared. No support from Andrew, or anyone but Cass.
“Hey, you okay?” Cass consoled her.
Sydney lost her trance and focused on Cass, “Huh?”
“Are you okay? You look terrified.”
Sydney sighed, “Of course I'm terrified. This is the only way I can save myself and it's not the best way. Thanks for being here.”
“You're the only one I can relate to in the Moneybags, I'm here for you. I'm sorry things didn't work out with you becoming president.”
“He promised me I'd get what I asked for,” Sydney held back tears. “Instead, he brought me here.”
“Andrew was always a cunt,” Cass scoffed. “I should have warned you. He screwed me over. I shouldn't have let him done the same to you.”
“I did this to myself. This is my punishment.”
Cass held Sydney’s hand and tightly gripped it, “It's going to be okay. I promise you.”
Sydney felt her words. She sighed, “I hope so.”
“Prescott?” A nurse entered the lobby. “Care to come with me?”
Sydney wasn't ready. She looked at Cass, who nodded her head.
“Remember, this is between us.”
“Between us,” Cass agreed.
Sydney stood up, the nurse smiled and the two walked away from Cass.
Sydney was frightened. She was going to lose her unborn child.
~
>> FORWARD: Sydney sat inside a bathroom stall, sobbing uncontrollably. After being faced with the worst memory of being a Moneybag, this was the darkest secret she could ever hide from anyone.
____________
That next morning, Alyssa, Joe, Nate and Claudia stood outside in leather jackets. Claudia’s hair landed at her shoulder blades, and she wore black lipstick and nail polish to match. Alyssa took the red-head approach, while Nate and Joe appeared edgier than how they were in the Savages.
“I’m still lost—what’s our group name?” Claudia asked, arms crossed.
Joe replied, “That’s not important, fuglies. What’s important is that we show who we are instead of labeling what we are. We’re fed up. We’re reckless—except for Alyssa. We’re going to go in there and we’re going to make a name for ourselves.”
“Yeah, and we’re going to—” Nate began to speak, until Joe interrupted him.
“Got it?”
Nate felt out of the loop—again. He pushed himself away and obeyed Joe’s statement. Claudia and Alyssa shrugged.
“Let’s do it,” Joe cleared his throat. Once the school bell rang, Joe pushed the door open aggressively. The door slammed the wall, and everyone jumped at the sound. The students turned around, noticing the group strutting inside the hallways.
Joe looked at Claudia with a smirk; she looked at Alyssa and smirked back. Claudia began to rap and started with intimidated one student by shutting his locker.
“Yo, yo—drop your glasses, shake your asses. Face screwed up like you having hot flashes. Which one? Pick one? This one, classic. Blonde from brown, yeah, bitch I’m drastic.”
Joe pushed a student away while walking in the halls, “Why this? Why that? Lips stop asking. Listen to me, baby, relax and start passing.”
“Expressway, hair back, weaving through the traffic,” Claudia and Joe sang together.
“This one strong, should be labeled as a hazard,” Joe sang.
Claudia intimidated one of the Red Hot Cheer Peppers, rapping, “Some of ya’ll suckas hot, psyche, I’m gassing.”
She pointed at the other girls, “Clowns I spot ‘em, and I can’t stop laughing.”
“Easy come, easy go, Joey gon’ be lasting. Jealousy, let it go, results can be tragic,” Joey turned to Kyler and Mike, who looked confused with their approach.
“Some of ya’ll ain’t writing well, too concerned with fashion. None of you ain’t Gizelle, cat walk and imagine,” Claudia sang to Sena, Iesha and Angelika.
Joe turned towards Sydney—appearing very depressed. Nate approached her as well as Joe rapped, “A lot of ya’ll Hollywood, drama, passed it. Cut, bitch, camera off, real shit—blast it.”
Alyssa appealed to the other students, as she sang and dance in front of the hallway, twirling around and shimmying throughout.
“Now if I had to give you more, it’s only been a year,” she sang. “Now I got my foot through the door and I ain’t going nowhere.”
Joe, Nate, and Claudia joined Alyssa in the dance, while the students continued to watch in confusion. Students like Alex, Sydney, Sena, and the jocks also looked in confusion. Matt nodded his head to the song, while Brian sang along. Vik, also suddenly seemed invested.
“It took a while to get me here, and I’m gonna take my time. Don’t fight that good shit in your ear and let me blow ya mind.”
Nate sang, “They wanna bank up, crank up, makes me dizzy. Shank up, haters wanna come after me. You ain’t a gangsta, prankster, too much to eat. Snakes in my path wanna smile up at me, oh.”
Joe noticed a few students laughing hysterically, so he confronted them, “Now while you grittin' your teeth; frustration, baby you gotta breathe, take a lot more than you to get rid of me. You see I do what they can't do, I just do me.”
“Don't believe I'll show you, take you with me,” Claudia rapped. “Turn you on, pension gone, give you relief. Put your trust in a bomb when you listen to me. Dancin much, get it all? now I'm complete, uh huh.”
“Still stallion, brick house, pile it on. Ryde or Die, bitch, double R, can't crawl. Beware, cuz I crush anything I land on. Me here, ain’t no mistake, ha, it was planned on!” Claudia yelled.
As Alyssa and Nate lead the chorus, the four continued to stroll across the hallway.
“What the hell is going on?” Alex whispered to Carl.
“Now if I had to give you more, it’s only been a year,” she sang. “Now I got my foot through the door and I ain’t going nowhere. It took a while to get me here, and I’m gonna take my time. Don’t fight that good shit in your ear and let me blow ya mind.”
“Good ol’ Joe’s got something up his sleeve,” Carl responded. “Look at them.”
Some of the students cheered the four on, while Joe looked at Alex and Carl with a smirk. He winked and walked away with Nate, Alyssa and Claudia with confidence.
Alex and Carl shook their heads.
“This is when we need Trae,” Alex said.
“Yep,” Carl said.
____________
After spending another hour and a half having a conversation with Jennifer Gordon today, Trae seemed a lot less pessimistic. In fact, he seemed content, not in the egotistical way, but he felt like he could do whatever it took with Gordon as a networking opportunity.
Obliviously, he passed by Joe and his group. They looked back and noticed that he didn’t pay any attention to them.
While he pondered, he suddenly bumped into another student. It stunned Trae a bit.
“Shit, I'm so—” The boy said, until he stopped himself and noticed Trae.
Trae pulled back, his eyes gazed at the boy and he was stunned.
“Zachary?”
“T-Trae."
Both at a loss for words, the two remained silent for a moment. Trae could picture Zachary in his face, the same proximity after he was shot.
“I love you,” Zachary cried.
Zachary was conflicted. He knew Trae had bad deeds, but seeing him again, alive, made him relieved. Suddenly, Zachary didn't resist. He pulled Trae in for a hug.
Trae wrapped his arms around Zachary, smelling his fragrance on his neck. The two held each other tightly and Zachary missed his warmth, satisfied and comfortable.
~
“I'm sorry I didn't visit you these past few weeks,” Zachary said, as he and Trae leaned on a desk in an empty classroom.
“It's cool, my mom was a bit strict on visitations while I recovered. I was forced to watch cartoons and eat applesauce and saltine crackers every day,” Trae chuckled.
“Reminds me of my mom when I'm sick,” Zachary said.
“Things just felt weird here without you,”
Trae scoffed, “Doesn't seem like I missed much, perhaps a new principal and changed personalities. But, I can say I missed you, bro.”
Zachary had mixed feelings. He wanted Trae…. really bad, but he feared rejection and even assumed that he wouldn't feel the same way.
Trae looked in Zachary's eyes and noticed a change in gesture, “What are you doing tonight?”
“Homework, maybe a Marvel film marathon. I know I'm boring.”
“Please,” Trae chuckled. “The Marvel Cinematic Universe is the reason I live. I'm just ready for Black Panther to have a movie.”
“You're welcome to binge watch with me,” Zachary offered. “My parents will be gone for the night, so I'd rather have the company, relieves my anxiety.”
“I'll see if my mom's cool with it. Considering how much she talks about you helping her, she'd be cool with it. But for now, I'm down.”
Zachary smiled, surprisingly for the first time in weeks. Trae smiled back and they looked in each other's eyes until the school bell for dismissal rang.
____________
Brianna grabbed Sis by her hair—Sis squealed. On the football field, the Red Hot Cheer Peppers watched the altercation in silence. Brianna punched Sis in the head multiple times, yanking her hair back, causing Sis to kick the air.
“Let go of me, you animal!” Sis yelled, screaming.
Brianna yelled, “I told you, bitch—it was on sight.”
She punched Sis multiple times by every syllable, “I – told – you – to – watch – your – fuck – ing – mouth.”
A male cheerleader recorded the altercation, yelling, “WORLDSTAR!”
While Brianna and Sis wrestled across the football field’s grass, Iesha and another girl chanted, “Run up, get done up! Run up, run up, get done up!”
Brianna punched Sis, and no one volunteered to stop the fight. Angelika was frustrated, as she yelled Sena’s name. “Ugh, Sena, stop this fight!”
Sena, meanwhile, sat nonchalantly on the bleachers with sunglasses on. She enjoyed the altercation and honestly didn’t seem to care about stopping anything. Walking on the bleachers behind her was Lily, someone Sena invited to the area.
“You invited me here to watch this?” Lily was in shock.
Sena shook her head, “Partially. Remember that was us on the football field?”
Lily chuckled, sarcastically responding, “Yeah—good times. It felt good kicking your ass.”
Sena rolled her eyes, “So, I brought you here to call another truce.”
“Another truce?” Lily said. “Do you have cancer?”
“With my stress levels, I should,” Sena shrugged. “But I won’t wish for it. Let’s be honest—I don’t like you…”
“Ditto,” Lily said.
“But, it’s clear that we have a lot in common, besides the cold sores on your lips…”
Lily gasped and looked in her small beauty mirror, noticing whether her observations were true. Sena sighed, “Get a sense of humor, Blossom. I’m just kidding.”
Lily chuckled, “I know. I was just looking in the mirror for evidence to prove how cuter I am than you. Seems my observations were correct.”
Sena smirked, “See, we’re good with insults. We both like Blondie and Joan Jett, and ultimately, we both hate Sis.”
“So, what’s the catch?”
“Just for your information, I’m not desperate for new cheerleaders, but after Alyssa and Claudia went from Bring It On to The Craft, I guess the RHCP’s been in a funk. I’m tired of being captain of the team. I just plucked a gray hair from my hair this morning and it’s not cute. So, here’s a deal. If you’re down to help me get this bitch off of the team, I’ll be glad to give you my captain spot.”
Lily smiled at the thought, “I’m aroused.”
“Lesbian,” Sena said under her breath.
“Bisexual,” Lily winked, she stood up and walked away from Sena, who turned around to get her attention.
“So, does that mean a yes?”
“It means I want that captain spot,” Lily said without any effort to turn back around.
Sena chuckled and looked at the long-going altercation between Sis and Brianna. Finally, Angelika and a male cheerleader managed to break up the fight.
“Yeah, bitch—that’s how we do shit in Queens!” Brianna yelled.
Sis’s lip gushed blood, and a male cheerleader tried to pull her away, “Come on, let’s get you to the nurse.”
“Get off of me,” Sis resisted. Brianna flipped her middle finger and walked away, while Sena clapped her hands.
“Brava, guys. Now take your asses back in position,” Sena said.
____________
Trae sat in the passenger's seat of his mother's burgundy Grand Cherokee, as it approached Zachary's house. He looked at his window, contemplating what to expect. His mother looked at Trae, a bit concerned with his health.
“Trae, are you sure you're okay enough to be here? I don't want you to hurt or strain yourself.”
“It's been a month, Mom, I'll be fine.”
“Well, just in case you change your mind, you have me and Sean in speed dial. Zachary seems like a nice guy, though.”
“He is,” Trae looked back out of the window.
With the silence in the car, Stacey smirked and mumbled, “Mmm, you like him, don't you?”
Trae turned back towards Stacey and stuttered, “Mom, wh--?”
“”Nah-ah, I know you like guys, don't you lie to your mom,” Stacey teased. “He seems to like you.”
“How did you know I lik--"
“You're the only boy I know in this generation that asked for a Jonas Brothers poster at the age of 9. Besides, it was kinda obvious.”
Trae felt embarrassed, “Um,”
“Look, Trae,” Stacey stopped the car engine. “We're from Philly. I know you never felt comfortable expressing yourself in the environment we used to live in. The violence, crimes and everything used to worry me about your safety. Not saying violence happens everywhere, but…. My point is, I may not fully agree with or understand whoever you’re into, but you're my son. As long as you're making a living, I can't choose who your interests at heart.”
Trae felt relieved and kept her statement in his head. It was silent, until he asked her, “What was it like when you met my dad?”
Stacey chuckled, “I thought he would have been my forever. I loved him. I never thought our relationship would deteriorate but… stuff happens.”
Stacey sniffled, “All right, babe, you should get going. Remember, we're on a school night basis.”
“Got it,” Trae said. “Later, Mom.”
Trae departed from the car and closed the door, leaving Stacey in a tearful yet joyous mood. She restarted the car and drove away.
~
Trae and Zachary sat together in the living room in front of a 50-inch television, watching scenes from Marvel's Avengers: Age of Ultron.
Popcorn bowls sat on the coffee table and Zachary sipped from the straw in his Coca-Cola can.
Once the film ended, Trae and Zachary appeared exhausted.
“Disadvantages of the MCU: the movies are ridiculously long,” Zachary said.
“We only watched one, Zach,” Trae said.
“Exactly,” Zachary said. Trae chuckled and shook his head, while Zachary couldn't seem to control himself next to Trae.
“You good?”
“Me? Oh, yeah,” Zachary said. “I just have a lot of things on my mind aside from this Marvel binge. I won’t lie, but I’m sad that you quit the Savages. It just doesn’t feel the same without you.”
Trae sighed and looked down, “I wish I could feel the same way, but I can’t.”
“Why?”
“Everyone ganged up on me,” Trae said. “I couldn’t even get a chance to state my peace without being antagonized for what I did. Not justifying my actions, but no one had my back or at least questioned me. Instead, I get a “Trae, you’re fake, you should leave.” Basically.”
Zachary felt bad, he looked at the television and turned it off with the remote. At this point, he couldn’t do anything but focus on Trae, who noticed Zachary’s gestures and took a deep breath.
“Zach, I’m sorr..“
“—I’m on your side, Trae,” Zachary interrupted Trae’s sentence.
“What?”
Zachary inched closer to Trae to explain himself, “All this time, I’ve tried to wrap my head around what happened and why you did what you did. I’m solely disappointed that you didn’t tell me from the get go, considering the fact that we were both main suspects in the beginning.”
“I know, I know,” Trae felt remorseful.
“Sydney wanted to convince me that you were just this guy that I couldn’t trust because you hide things,” Zachary said. “We both found out about the scandal, but I didn’t want to say anything. Brian also said he was aware you did it. That’s why that stupid intervention she did, I tried to avoid it. I wanted to hear your side.”
Trae nodded his head, and Zachary crossed his arms, interested in understanding Trae, “So, why did you do it?”
It took Trae a while to explain himself, as he tried to grasp everything that he remembered from the incident. He feared that flashbacks from the riot would occur.
He cleared his throat, “Sophomore year, I was in love with Brian. Before I came to this school, I was a helpless romantic. Sexual attraction always equaled romantic attraction to me, and as much as I disliked Brian, I thought we had chemistry.”
Zachary continued to listen to him, as he already knew most of the context.
“I was bitter when he rejected me, but I never acted on my anger until he tormented me, threw racial and homophonic marks at me and bullied most of my friends. When you and I met, I could see in your eyes that you felt ostracized. I just wanted him to see how it felt to be humiliated. I wanted that chance to bite back. But the truth is, I didn’t do it for Brian…”
Zachary continued to listen, again, but his eyes were engaged with Trae’s.
“No matter what Sydney or anyone says, I did it for you,” Trae concluded.
Zachary was out of words. His mouth trembled and he felt chills at that moment.
“You didn’t have to do that for me,” Zachary chuckled. “Look where it got us.”
“Sure, it was out of line for me to frame Dan, but honestly, I can’t feel bad. He was charged for public sex and more,” Trae shrugged. “Maybe I did the system a favor.”
Trae and Zachary chuckled and smiled at each other. The silence, however, made it awkward. Trae kept thinking about the flashback of Zachary telling Trae he loved him, even their first kiss together. He could see in Zachary’s eyes, that he seemed a bit discouraged.
“Before I went unconscious that day of the riot, I heard three words from you.”
“What were they?” Zachary asked
“You told me you loved me.”
Zachary was stunned that he remembered him saying that, “I guess I got a bit carried away.”
“It’s fine—I know that you’re into me,” Trae chuckled. “My mom says so, even Sydney thinks I’m taking advantage of that.”
“Fuck, am I that obvious?”
“Really, it’s fine. Truth is, after what happened with Brian and I, I’ve tried to be that ‘no strings attached’ guy that rather fuck and leave instead of a date at Starbucks and Olive Garden…”
Zachary looked down, ready for the rejection.
“I’m so guarded, too guarded that I’m oblivious to when someone has feelings for me. I’m not used to it, even going with kissing you to calm you down—it was impulse.”
“But, there’s something that you need to know about me,” Trae said.
Zachary was scared again. Great, more secrets, he thought. Maybe he carried a disease? He wasn’t his type? He’s not into white guys—well, Dirty Dan and Brian were white. Overthink. Overthink.
“What is it?”
It was silent.
“I love you, too,” Trae said.
Zachary’s heart began racing fast. Whoa, what? He reciprocates the feelings? Zachary didn’t know what to expect, that is until Trae made the first move.
Trae’s lips attracted Zachary, as they both began to press lips against each other’s. Passionately, they kissed each other and this time it wasn’t a dream, nor was it a figment of Zachary’s imagination, nor was it an impulsive action. It was real.
“Hey yaaa... Ba-doo-baaaa-ba-doo-baaaaa. Hey yaaa... Ba-doo-baaaa-ba-doo-baaaaa.”
“Baby, take off your cool. I wanna see you, I wanna see you. Baby, don't be so cool. I wanna see you, I wanna see you,” Zachary sang.
Trae kissed all over Zachary’s neck. Zachary’s hands caressed Trae’s chest, while Zachary slowly rested his head on the couch, letting him touch and kiss him back.
“Baby, take off your cool…. I want to get to know you….”
Zachary and Trae stopped kissing at one point.
“If you want me to stop kissi—” Trae spoke, until Zachary interrupted.
“Please don’t stop,” Zachary panted. “This is what I’ve wanted.”
“Me, too,” Trae smiled. Zachary smiled back and the two continued to passionately kiss.
_____________
The next afternoon, Sydney looked worse, as if she cried consistently. When she attempted to approach her locker, Glenn from the Sexxx Symbols smiled and tried to greet her.
“Hey, Sydney,”
“Don’t talk to me,” Sydney said. Once she went to her locker. There it was, another red envelope bulging out. Sydney closed her eyes, hoping that this was all imagination. Turns out, it wasn’t. She didn’t want to open it, but the dopamine made things worse. She snatched the next scarlet letter from the locker. When she ripped it open, the letter was written in bold and large.
The letter stated, “HE HID HIS SECRET FROM YOU, BUT WHEN WILL YOU TELL ANDREW?”
She whispered it to herself and she felt antagonized herself. At this point, she made her conclusion. She balled up the paper and gripped it with her hand, storming in the hallway.
_____________
Alyssa, Claudia, Joe and Nate lounged around in a circle in the empty gymnasium, as they all attempted to search for names for their new supergroup. However, the ideas weren’t so well thought out.
“J-CAN,” Joe suggested to Nate and the girls. The three were confused and Claudia immediately spoke up.
“J-CAN?”
“Joe, hyphen, Claudia, Alyssa, Nate,” Joe elaborated.
“What’s the hyphen indicate?” Claudia chuckled. “That you’re the Beyoncé of the group? Next.”
“Just a suggestion,” Joe shrugged.
“Wait, wait, wait, I got one,” Nate cleared his throat.
Claudia nodded her head, “No, Nate, we’re not The Osbournes.”
Nate seemed disappointed, looking down to the ground, “You guys are so picky.”
Joe whispered in Claudia’s ear and chuckled, “Nice catch, hunty.” The two snickered, and Nate could notice the indirect shade.
Claudia became the next person to propose an idea to the group. In an overdramatic gesture, she cleared her throat and began to speak.
“Okay, so like, I’ve been binge watching Gossip Girl since winter break and I honestly feel like we should be ‘XOXO, Gossip Bitches’.”
“I like it,” Nate shrugged, approving of the idea. Claudia smiled at him.
“No,” Joe immediately denied the idea. “We don’t want to be cliché, y’all. This is not some teen flick like American Pie. If we really want attention on us, we need something edgy—way edgier than The Savages or that stupid Moneybag crew.”
“The Glamouflage,” Alyssa bluntly stated.
Joe, Nate and Claudia turned to Alyssa quickly, in unison, they responded, “The Glamo-what?”
“The Glamouflage,” Alyssa repeated. “Glamorous. Camouflage. We have hidden agendas, camo, but in order to get what we want, we manipulate—glam.”
It was silent, especially with Joe, who was really shocked by the name of the group. Nate was mixed, and Claudia immediately approved.
“Are you really eleven?” Joe asked.
“The Glamouflage,” Nate questioned.
“The Glamouflage,” Claudia repeated.
“The Glamouflage,” Joe repeated.
“For fuck’s sake, The Glamouflage!” Alyssa yelled. “What are you trying to do, communicate with demons? ‘Charlie, Charlie, are you here’?”
“Don’t say that, please,” Nate yelled. “My pencils are on the floor.”
Joe, Nate, Alyssa and Claudia looked at the ground, staring at the pencils. All of a sudden, the pencils moved slightly. Claudia immediately ran. Alyssa screamed and Joe and Nate jumped up.
“Shit, Nate,” Joe ran out of the auditorium with the rest.
_____________
In the hallways, Trae and Zachary walked together at the same pace, and their eyes were glue to each other. Trae seemed as relieved as ever, and Zachary managed to smile. The two conversed about the night before.
“I feel bad we didn’t watch another Marvel movie,” Zachary chuckled.
Trae laughed, with a sexual innuendo, “The Marvel roleplay was pretty effective.”
Zachary nudged Trae, “Shhh!”
“I’m kidding, I’m kidding,” Trae said. While Trae and Zachary pleasantly interacted, all of a sudden, they heard a sudden outburst from afar. Sydney approached the duo with a ravenous expression.
“Really, Trae? This is what we do? We pass notes around?” Sydney lifted the scarlet letter in the hand and pushed Trae numerous times.
“What the fuck?” Trae reacted, confused with Sydney’s confrontations. Zachary tried to get into the middle.
“You’re writing these letters, you—” Sydney pushed Trae a second time.
“I didn’t do anything,” Trae said while pushed again. “You need to back the fuck up.”
“Back up!”
“Stop, Sydney, stop. Guys, stop!” Zachary had the strength to pull them away.
“I know you’re doing these, you’re the only one who knows about my fucking abortion!” Sydney yelled, causing the other students to stare in shock.
“Wait, your what?” Zachary asked.
“Congratulations, you just exposed your own truth,” Trae said. “I’m not responsible for whatever you’re accusing me of.”
“How am I supposed to know you’re telling the truth?” Sydney opened up the letter, showing the bold handwriting. Trae observed and scoffed.
“Because if you knew me well, you would know that’s NOT my handwriting. Secondly, I’m not the only one that knows and you know that. Why don’t you ask Cass? Ask the Moneybags you cried to. You’re looking for every excuse to accuse me because you’re bitter I didn’t tell you about a stupid deed.”
“Since we’re exposing each other’s friends,” Sydney yelled out publicly, “Hey, guys! Trae Ventura leaked the video. Dirty Dan was framed!”
“No one cares!” A random student yelled randomly.
“Exactly,” Trae smirked. “Why are you so bitter, Sydney?”
“Why am I bitter?” Sydney said. “You’re ruining my life. To think I was going to apologize to you for taking things too far, yet you’re ruining me.”
“For the hundredth time, Sydney, I did not write those letters. Your ears clean?”
“You know what, fuck you, Trae.”
“Wow, fuck me,” Trae shrugged. “I’m glad to see how you truly feel about me.”
Sydney crossed her arms and walked closer to him, “You’re fake, Trae.”
“If I’m fake, then you are,” Trae chuckled. “Poor little rich girl.”
Trae tried to walk away from Sydney before things escalated, but Sydney continued to provoke Trae, pushing him again.
“What did you call me?”
“Leave him alone, Sydney,” Zachary said timidly.
Sydney commented, “Stay out of this, Zachary.”
Trae became infuriated, “Sydney, you’re really pushing it, yo. You need to back off.”
Sydney continued to provoke, “No, what’s up?”
Zachary pushed Sydney away from Trae. She hit a locker and she scoffed, “Really, Zachary, you’re on his side?”
“I said leave my boyfriend alone,” Zachary said. Trae was shocked that Zachary came to his defense, even to say that one word—boyfriend—with pure emphasis.
Sydney smirked, “Boyfriend? He’s going to lie to you, cheat on you—he’s no boyfriend. He’s no friend.”
“You know, Sydney,” Zachary defended. “This vendetta you have against Trae—get over it. We’re over it. Alex’s over it. Carl and Gina are over it. They want him back. You forced Trae out of his own squad, and I’m not going to tolerate your territorial bullshit. If you were so concerned about Trae’s deeds, you would have been a good friend and confronted him yourself. Now, you’re just playing bitter bitch—it’s tiring. Leave him alone.”
Sydney rolled her eyes, “Of course you take his side. Your head’s so far up his ass, you’re too blind to realize that whatever feelings you have for him won’t work out. I call it like I see it.”
Trae crossed his arms, “Zachary has his own mind. Maybe if you weren’t so eager to brainwash him into making me out to be the bad guy, you’d understand that.”
“Whatever,” Sydney inched away from Trae. “But, just know this—after this, we can never be friends.”
“We never were,” Trae said nonchalantly.
Sydney stormed away from Trae and Zachary.
Trae looked at Zachary, “I just lost a friend. I’m honestly hurt.”
“I sense sarcasm and it’s really hot coming from you,” Zachary made light of the situation. Trae laughed and they continued to walk.
Trae broke the silence afterwards: “So, this status of ours—you’ve made it perfectly clear to her.”
“I’m sorry—I didn’t mean to take it too far. I just got tired of her being so condescending.”
“Stop apologizing,” Trae laughed.
“Sorry for apologizing,” Zachary blushed.
“I guess it’s official—boyfriends?” Trae asked. Zachary looked and smiled, “Boyfriends.”
“God, I just cringed inside,” Trae said.
“Why?”
“Because it’s like an episode of Glee. We confirm our relationships through dialogue. Ugh.”
“I hate you,” Zachary said, laughing with him.
~
While Trae and Zachary walked the opposite direction, Sydney looked back. Maybe he was right, she thought. As the school bell rang for dismissal, everyone departed from school grounds.
Alex and Gina walked together hand-in-hand and noticed Sydney. They immediately looked away from her in disappointment.
Sydney looked at the other direction, looking at Carl, who was on the phone with his father. He took one glimpse and immediately rolled his eyes.
Sydney sighed, realizing that now it was everyone against her.
Trae and Zachary exited the school and as Sydney walked in front of them, Zachary shook his head, and he began to sing.
“Everyone's got secrets, dirty little secrets. Have I got one on you?” Zachary sang. “Although they may be secrets, they may show your weakness. Well are they really true?”
“Don't tell your mates on the council estates, ‘cause there's no one to trust. Don't tell the sky as it spits down in your eye, but tell a priest if you must,” Alex sang.
During this time, Lily sat on the bleachers—again, with Sena, watching the routines that Sis performed. As Brianna was suspended, Sis felt safer performing her own routines on the football field.
“Cos everyone's got problems, everyone's got problems, and everyone's got stress. Controlling our relations, avoiding situations that end up in a mess.”
“Don't be afraid if your thoughts are mislaid cos there's nothing to fear,” Gina sang. “Don't get upset if your memories make regrets because we've all got them here.”
~
Sydney sat inside her car, holding back tears. She feared every thing in her life was terrible. The term “poor little rich girl” irritated her. Before placing her key in the ignition, she opened her glove box to find tissue, but instead, there were two scarlet letters inside.
“What the fuck?” Sydney said to herself.
At this point, she immediately felt harassed.
“Secrets, secrets, secrets are for keeping, keeping, keeping and if you tell them. They lose their meaning.”
The first scarlet letter—she opened. Written in bold: it read “YOU THOUGHT I WAS TRAE? NICE TRY. IF YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW WHO I AM, MEET ME BY DILLARD PARK. RED TOYOTA.”
Sydney scoffed. She didn’t know whether this was a trick, or serious. But, honestly—she was eager to know. If it wasn’t Trae, who else would it be?
She refused to open up the next scarlet letter. She started the ignition and drove away.
~
As she drove nearly 10 miles away from James A. Masters High School, the unopen scarlet letter continued to frustrate her. Her hands gripped the steering wheel, and she tried to drive as fast as she could, but—she couldn’t help but stop herself.
She pulled off of the highway and immediately opened the other scarlet letter.
“OMG. I FORGOT TO ADD, I HOPE YOU’RE HAPPY TO SEE ME.”
She raised an eyebrow, “What?”
She drove back on the highway and there were clearly so many questions unanswered.
“Secrets, secrets, secrets are for keeping, keeping, keeping and if you tell them. They lose their meaning.”
A few minutes later, she reached Dillard Park. The area was technically an abandoned park—no trespassing. The rusty sign with Dillard Park was crooked and broken down. She turned the car into the park’s driveway, a pavement of rocks and twigs.
Sydney searched for the car, but there were a bunch of trees that covered the parking lot. But, she stopped her car, once she noticed the red Toyota outside, parked in an usual area. The headlines were off; and it seemed like no one was in the car.
She perused the first scarlet letter she received. Then she turned it around.
“GET INSIDE THE CAR, I’LL BE WAITING.”
At this point she was nervous. She was not going to get into a car to be killed. But, her conscious was telling her to do it, and she squinted her eyes and exited the car. She slowly approached the car and still there was no one in sight. But once she approached the passenger’s side, she noticed someone inside.
Impulsively, she entered the unlocked car and sat inside. But what she witnessed was an abominable scheme. It wasn’t just anyone in the car.
It was Felix Winchester’s rotten corpse.
Sydney shrieked as his corpse sat in the front seat of the car. She didn’t know what to do, especially when she observed the red note stuck on its body: “GOTCHA!”
____________
Felix’s dead body is dragged around the rustling woods. An unknown figure held one side of his body, the other person held his legs. The two made grunting sounds while trying to carry him into an abandoned area in the woods.
“Fuck, he’s heavy,” one person whispered.
The person whispered, “Shh!”
“Okay, 1, 2, 3,” the first person whispered. They swing his body into a pile of branches, covering it up with a black blanket. The two gasped for oxygen from his heaviness.
One person took off their clown mask. There she was—blonde, bruised and badass: Sydney Prescott.
She looked at the unknown figure next to her, “The deed is done.”
THE END.