"Nah! You can't be mad man!" said Brianne, a smile on her face. She fastened her lifejacket over
her one piece swimming suit. She looked over the small bay over the horizon. Derrick, who was
standing beside her grinned.
"No problem. We got detention on a Friday afternoon, no problem at all," he remarked
sarcastically.
"I said we were sorry!"
"You know what I mean, you ready to do some serious boarding?" asked Derrick. Brianne
nodded. They both knew how to wakeboard it was was their favourite sport, on weekends, they
would hit the bay and wakeboard on the lake.
"Yeah, and you know I'll kick your butt this time," said Brianne with a confident and
mischevious smile. Derrick raised an eyebrow as they waved hi to the drivers of their speedboats.
"Look who's talking! Gee, I wonder who nearly drowned last time trying to copy one of my
moves?" he asked, waving his hand in the air as if he was speaking to someone.
"Shut up, just get in the water man," both of them had been wakeboarding for two years, but
Derrick was just a tiny bit better than Brianne was. It made her half furious most of the time.
Soon they were both sailing through the water at high speed, laughing and having fun. In the end,
Derrick did win again, Brianne was a good sport though.
"So, are you going to Linda's party tonight?" Derrick asked as he tossed his friend her towel.
Brianne slung the bright colored towel around her shoulders, tossing her shoulder length chestnut
brown hair back. She frowned.
"Der, you know Linda's place is not one you would want to be at," she looked at him for a
moment, the continued. "She's a senior, and it takes almost one hour to get to her place from our
neighbourhood."
"Come on Bri! Don't such a good girlie," teased Derrick as Brianne grabbed her gear and
started walking.
"I'm not. I just... don't want any trouble," said Brianne indignantly. She turned away. True,
she was a bit of a goody-two-shoes, but she never wanted to admit it. Derrick was the dare devil of
the four of them.
"Well, Shannon is definately going."
"Surprise, surprise. You mean she's allowed?" it was Brianne's turn to raise her eyebrows.
"Her parents have tighter security than a pop concert." Derrick laughed.
"Who said they had to find out?"
"Who said they had to find out?" Brianne mimicked Derrick, "who's gonna drive us bimbo?"
Derrick laughed again, enjoying the position he was putting Brianne in.
"Linda's place on the little island cabin her parents own in Victoria," he said with a devilsh
grin. Brianne gasped, aghast.
"You have got to be kidding! A bunch of drunk kids on a little island? You'll never come
back alive," she exclaimed.
"I won't?"
"Oh no you dont," Brianne backed up, "You are NOT convincing me to go...."
"Oh cut it out Bri! You know you'll have a fantastic time!" Shannon called from Brianne's bathroom.
Brianne, who was standing in front of the full length mirror in her room sighed. She could hear her
two brothers arguing over the playstation downstairs.
So much for holding up, I'm like putty in their hands, Brianne thought about her friends had grovelled
and begged her to go. Being the 'softie' she was, she gave in.
"Shannon! What's that smell?" Brianne sniffed the air, putting her stick of lip gloss down. The
smell was clearly coming from the bathroom. Oh disgusting, it had better damn not be what I damn
think it is, she thought storming to the bathroom. She stopped dead in her tracks, "Damnit Shannon!
What the hell is that thing?" she yelled. Shannon jumped, turning around. In one hand she held an
eyeliner pencil and in the other a cigarette. It was lit and faint trails of smoke rose up.
"Having a smoke and putting make-up on," replied Shannon, flashing a weak smile.
"Ugh, since when did you start?" spat Brianne, snatching the cigarette up and smooshing it
out on the sink. She flushed the cigarette butt down the toilet. Shannon jumped again, she hadn't
expected such a huge reaction from her friend. Brianne turned to Shannon, her hands on her hips.
Shannon's parents are super strict, I guess it's because she wanders away too easily, Brianne
thought. Her expression softened, "OK, I'm sorry." Shannon sighed.
"Loosen up girlfriend. I'm just getting in the mood," she explained casually. Brianne could see
the real emotions behind her eyes.
"You know how much I hate people smoking," began the other girl, walking back to her
room. A minute later Shannon came out, an apologetic look on her face.
"C'mon Bri! Don't be such a bitch, you're too cool." complained Shannon. Brianne cringed,
Shannon had changed a lot in the past year, she started hanging around with some different people,
seniors.
It's probably nothing, I mean it's normal, Brianne had thought. Now she wasn't quite so sure. Turning
around, she faced her friend.
"Who are you calling a bitch?" she asked playfully forcing a smile on her face.
Jason's baby blue eyes scanned the cabin as he wrinkled his nose. The party was everything, loud,
lively, but it was also boring. The whole cabin stunk of alcohol and cigarettes. He was thirteen, yet he
had to be one of the youngest people at the party. Everyone else looked at least fifteen. Hardcore
music blared out of the speakers, mixing with yells, shouts and cheers. The minute Shannon had
arrived, she had been greeted and ushered off into the crowd. At first Derrick and Brianne had stuck
with Jason, but then they too had gotten sucked into the crowd. Leaning back againest the wall,
Jason took a sip of his Dr Pepper, one of the rare non-alcoholic drinks he had scavenged from the
fridge.
This is getting stupid, I'm leaving, thought Jason. He looked around for a phone so he could at
least leave a message on Brianne or Derrick's pagers. There seemed to be none, or if there was
someone was probably glued to it. Sighing, Jason set off to find them. As he passed the
staircase, he noticed some stupid idiot trying to do skateboard moves, he ended up crashing into
everyone below, receiving shoves and swears in protest. Looking around, Jason decided that he
would never find them, he decided to leave and then call them. He couldn't stand being in the cabin
anymore.
Brianne felt fresh night air rush into her lungs as she inhaled. She bent over the patio railing, looking
down into the water that surrounded the island. The stench of smoke and beer was still deep in her
throat, making her nauseous. Closing her eyes, Brianne gagged, trying not to throw up all over the
place.
"Bri? You alright?" a voice asked. Brianne felt a pair of arms around her waist, lifting her up.
It was Derrick, concern and worry written all over his face. She nodded.
"Yeah, sure. I'm just about to barf that's all."
"I'm really sorry, I had no idea this was going to be so bad. Shannon-" Derrick stopped in
mid-sentence, realizing he had made a serious mistake.
"Shannon what!?" asked Brianne, snapping to full attention. "You mean this party was her
idea?" she watched Derrick nod, guilty.
"I didn't mean to..... just don't be mad....," Derrick pleaded.
"She said it was your idea!"
"When?"
"This afternoon, we were at my house....," replied Brianne slowly.
"I'm really sorry," murmered Derrick, his eyes on the ground. Brianne looked at him his facial
expressions seemed softer in the night.
"Chill, it's not even your fault," she sighed, leaning back. Derrick still wouldn't look up,
Brianne bent down to look at him. She saw something. Man, is he blushing or something, she
wondered. "Uh, is there something you'd like to say?"
"Well, actually.........," Derrick looked up, he was definately blushing.
"Go on."
"Well, I.......... I've been crushing you since sixth grade!" Derrick blurted out. Brianne's jaw
dropped open.
At this time, of all the times! Derrick the poet, the wakeboarder......, I can't believe this!
Brianne thought.
"OK, I knew that was stupid, you proabably think I'm stupid too. Damnit, well I'm going to
go then...., see ya." Derrick started shuffling away, obviously embaressed. Brianne reacted with the
reflexes of a cat. She grabbed his hands, jerking him back.
"Where do you think you're going? Leaving me all alone here!" she exclaimed. Derrick's face
lit up.
"You don't hate me?"
"No, I don't. Don't jump to conclusions though. We're only friends, for now." Brianne held
up her hands, giving in. She couldn't bear to say anything to hurt Derrick. Behind his tough guys
composure, he was just a poet who was as sensitive and fragile as a baby. Derrick's eyes lit up, like
a child's. Brianne smiled. He was about to say something when they were interuppted.
"There you are! I've been searching this hole upsde down for ya," Shannon burst out,
stumbling in front of them. Brianne felt something rise up her throat, her friend smelled like the cabin,
smoke and beer. "I'm leaving now, so see ya."
"Wait. Shannon, you're supposed to be at my house, what am I going to say if you're folks
call?" asked Brianne, her hand over her nose, trying to fight her disgust down. Shannon gave a high
pitched giggle.
"Why...., just say I have the good ol' damn dirraheoa," she cried throwing her hands in the
air, she was gone before the two could stop her. Derrick shook his head.
"God she's drunk, sick."
"I give up! Let's just leave before I start barfing my guts out," Brianne sighed. Once Shannon
put her mind to something, there was no stopping her. And she's got her mind on partying, she's
sensible, she should know, thought Brianne. Nevertheless, she couldn't help worrying.
Derrick walked up the front steps with Brianne. He watched as she fished her keys out of her bag,
sticking one of them in the keyhole. As the door opened, he heard drifts of an action film. Brianne
looked up at him.
"My parent's are probably asleep. It's just my bros, wanna come in?" she asked. Derrick
shook his head.
"No thanks. I really should get home, I smell totally gross," he made a face. Brianne laughed
softly.
"Well, goodnight," she turned to step into the foyer when Derrick grabbed her hand.
"That stuff I said tonight," he said, "I really meant it." Leaning over, he kissed her on the
cheek. Brianne didn't move for a second, then she just smiled.
"I meant what I said too. Goodnight," she closed the door in his face. Derrick stood outside
for a moment, a grin on his face.
I mean, at least she didn't say get lost shithead or punch me, he thought. She likes
me.
Brianne was jolted out of her sleep by the continuous beeping sound of her pager. Rubbing her
sleep-filled eyes, she spotted the half transparent blue machine on her desk. Reaching over, her
fingertips grazed the gold chain. Grunting, Robyn stretched and snatched the pager up by the chain.
She checked the message, yawning. Shannon: Hey! I had a wonderful time last night and
managed to sneak back in the house. My parents are way surprised that I was home when
they woke up. I said I woke up real early at your place.
Right, real early, you didn't even come to my place last night, Brianne thought. She wondered
what time Shannon had gotten home. Picking up the phone, she called Shannon. Someone picked up
on the first ring.
"Hello?" a voice said, it was Shannon.
"It's me and I got your beep," moaned Brianne in a sleppy voice.
"I don't believe it! You're still asleep!" Upon hearing Shannon's excited and hyper reply,
Brianne glanced at the clock.
"Jesus Christ, it's only 9am. What time did you get home last night?" she asked. There was a
giggle on the other side.
"Until I was sober, which took some time."
"What time!?" demanded an impatient and grumpy Brianne.
"Who stuck a stick up your ass? Yikes, 4 am sister," said Shannon, offended.
"Shannon, don't talk like that. You left the party four hours before that, where did you go?"
Brianne asked, swinging her legs over the side of her bed and hopping out.
"Like what? I went somewhere," was Shannon's simple and casual reply. Brianne was half
shocked and half numb. The girl she had known almost all her life was acting like a girl she had never
known before.
All in one night, she thought, I don't understand. "Look, I'm busy right now. You can call me
when you're finished cussin' cuz I don't wanna hear it." Angrily, Brianne hung up. She was about to
set the phone down when it started ringing again. It was Derrick this time, Brianne sighed, flopping
down on her bed again.
"Was that a sigh I heard? Sup?" Derrick's voice was full of genuine concern.
"Not much. Shannon just called me," replied Brianne. "I don't know, she's different," she
confessed to him. There was a brief pause on the other end, it was silent.
"I haven't talked to her for a while, but we are meeting for lunch or something today. Her
idea," said Derrick softly.
"Whoopee," said Brianne, sounding as dull as she felt.
"I know how you feel.," Derrick said reassuringly, " Don't worry about a thing." How Brianne
wished she could believe him at that moment. Her instincts though, would not allow her to.
On Monday morning, Jason made his way to his homeroom class. Usually, he and Derrick would
spend heaps of time challenging each other at the arcade on Sunday, but Derrick hadn't even called
him.
It's been way quiet since the party on Saturday night, he thought as he rounded a corner.
Neither Brianne, Shannon nor Derrick had phoned him. He felt a bit left out, it had never happened.
Shannon, had been acting plain weird that night. She's always had some sense, like she's stupid, but
not that stupid, Jason thought. She was really messed up that night, he told himself silently.
The party had been really messed up, all the alcohol, the smoke, the drugs, they had left Jason's head
spinning round and round. Shrugging, Jason walked into the classroom. Whatever happened that
night would probably never happen again. Little did he know, how very, very wrong he was.
"Hey Jase! Buddy...," a guy named Brian thrust a peace sign in Jason's face. Grinning, Jason
thrusted one back at him in return. "Derrick was lookin' for ya," called Brian. Jason nodded as he
spotted his friend. Shannon was in the same homeroom, strangely enough she wasn't here yet.
"Derrick, what's the emergency?" Jason asked. Derrick looked up, hurriedly trying to finish
his homework.
"Not much," he murmered.
"I noticed Shannon's not back yet, you seen her?"
"Yesturday, she was really weird."
"What weird? Stoned weird?" Jason asked, curious. Derrick quickly scribbled down the last
answer and slapped his notebook shut.
"No," he said, "Kind of like girlish weird." Jason laughed.
"Maybe she has the hots for you," he joked. Derrick playfully punched him in the arm.
"Shannon? No way man!"
"Did someone call my name?" a voice asked. The boys jumped, and turned around. Shannon
smiled at them, actually at Derrick.
"Yeah, we were talking about how beautiful you are," Jason joked again. Shannon laughed, it
wasn't sincere, more like ha-ha.
"Anyways, Derrick, can I talk to you for a minute?" she asked, "Alone?" Derrick nodded,
the girl pulled him into a corner.
"Sup?" asked Derrick, shoving his hands in his pockets.
"I totally figured it out. I like you, and I want to go out with you," Shannon said, giggling.
Derrick gaped at her. Shannon had always been kind of quiet, except when she was talking with
Brianne. She had never been so outspoken and bold, so..... agressive. "Like.... now," added
Shannon, looking him straight in the eye. It sent a shiver up Derrick's spine, the look in her eyes.
There was something different, and it was scary.
Don't be such a wimp, tell her you like someone else, Derrick told himself. Still looking into
her eyes, Derrick couldn't find the words to tell her.
"If you don't say anything, I'll make the decisions," Shannon looked at him, she wasn't
smiling.
"N-n-no," stammered Derrick. Pathetic, he thought. Shannon raised an eyebrow at him,
amused.
"Why not?" she asked.
"I don't h-have to tell you that. Bye Shannon," before she could stop him, Derrick turned
around and walked away.
Brianne looked at her reflection in the mirror. A pair of greyish green eyes, filled with worry stared
back at her. They were like Derrick's eyes, but softer and more alive. Shannon had not called her
back, like she always did when they had one of their rare fights. Shannon, who was her best friend
was changing so fast and in such a way it left Brianne behind. The girls' room was empty, Brianne
continued to stare at herself. She blinked.
Quit wasting time, sitting her staring at yourself isn't going to solve anything, she thought
walking back out. Classes had ended and she was going to find Derrick. Even if it was embaressing
to talk to him, he was one of the few people she could talk to about Shannon. There was always
Jason, but Brianne didn't want to tell him everything all over again. Surprisingly, Jason was looking
for her.
"Hey! Brianne, over here!" he waved at her, Brianne jogged to the end of the hall to meet
him. He didn't look very happy. "Shannon cut all the afternoon classes today. Jen told me about
Science and Lakisha said something about the last two lessons."
"Where is she?"
"Beats me, I thought she would tell you. I mean, girlfriends tell each other everything,"
shrugged Jason.
"That's what I thought too, damnit," Brianne swore. Jason frowned, kinda of dissapprovingly
and disappointedly.
"Gee, I really would like to know what shit is up."
"Me too," said Brianne softly. Jason piped up.
"Hey, don't sound so hopeless. I'm sure it's just a phase," he said imitating a child
pyschologist. Brianne laughed.
"I've got news for ya man. We're not little children anymore going through wetting the bed
phases!"
Derrick paced around his room almost nervously. It was Friday night, two nights ago he had
summoned up the courage to ask Brianne out. Surprisingly, she had agreed. It was nothing fancy,
just dinner in a cafe and maybe going dancing or going for a movie. Now, he didn't know how to act
in front of her anymore.
That's stupid, you've known her for most of your life and suddenly you're a stuttering fool, he
thought to himself angrily as he flopped down on his bed. What approach should he take? The way
romantic approach? Or the hard-to-get approach? He knew playing hard-to-get wasn't going to
work. Brianne wasn't interested in him anyway. She was probably just taking this as another friend
outing. Yeah, while I'm sweating over here, she's probably on the PlayStation with her brothers right
now, running out the door in the first thing she could throw on five minutes late, Derrick thought with
a smile on his face. Just be yourself, he added. That, was easier said than done. Throwing his jacket
on, Derrick picked up his pager. There was a new message on it that he had not noticed.
"Darn, forgot to turn it on," he murmered. The message was from Jason. Was going to
meet Shannon, girlie never showed up. That's weird, thought Derrick. Shannon was always
reliable and never did not show up. Lately, everything seemed to be going haywire. His pager went
off again. Brianne: Shannon wants us to meet her at the bay, it's an emergency! Derrick's
brow furrowed. What could possibly be going on?
Brianne stopped in front of the entrance. The bay was closed at night and was strictly off limits
to people. It was dark and quiet all around, and Brianne was alone. After receiving Shannon's
message, Brianne had quickly paged Derrick and had gotten to the bay as fast as she could.
"Wotthehell," muttered Brianne as she walked into the small parking lot. It was empty, and
seemed even darker. Now, why didn't I brin a flashlight, wondered Brianne sourly. The outdoor cafe
and drink bar was ahead, a chain strung over the entrance. Hopping over the chain, Brianne made
her way past the empty tables, their umbrellas strapped up, as if shrinking away from something. A
gust of wind rippled by, rustling fallen leaves and twigs. Brianne shivered, she only had on a pair of
denim shorts and a sleeveless black top. Suddenly, a twig snapped, Brianne gasped, whirling around.
She looked around, everywhere was quiet, undisturbed. Man, this is so creepy, too creepy, she
thought. She thought about leaving, then about Shannon. What if her friend was in trouble? She
decided to go on. Where was Shannon anyway? Brianne had no idea. She looked over and saw the
glass patio door leading to the indoor cafe was open. It appeared empty inside. Strange, it's usually
locked at night, Brianne crept over, peering it. It was pitch dark inside, she wasn't going in. She was
afraid of the dark. Another twig snapped and leaves rustled, there was no wind this time.
Somebody's here, Brianne thought. She could almost hear her heart thundering like a galloping horse.
She turned around cautiously. "Hello? Is anyone there? Shannon?" she called. Her only reply was the
rustling leaves. Hmm..... it's coming from that direction, Brianne thought stepping away from the patio
door. "Shannon? This isn't funny Shannon! You know I'm scared of the dark," Brianne said
impatiently. She was brave, but the dark really creeped her out. Don't lose your head, stay calm, she
told herself. Suddenly, a hand clamped down on her shoulder. Brianne screamed.
"Sssh! No!" the voice hissed. Brianne struggled as another hand grabbed her arm.
"Let go of me! Help somebody!" she cried as she tried to get free.
"Christ, it's me! Derrick!" Brianne spun around, it was him.
"Oh man, am I glad to see you! Ahh....," Brianne sneezed. Derrick frowned.
"You cold? Here," he took off the shirt he was wearing over his t-shirt and handed it to her,
Brianne slipped it on.
"Thanks," she said, "Did you find Shannon?" Derrick shook his head.
"I don't think there is anyone around." Just then, they heard the shattering of glass. Brianne
jumped.
"I think it's coming from the dock," she squeaked. Derrick took her hand.
"C'mon." Together, they started running to the dock. Their feet pounding down on the
wooden planks, they saw three people up ahead. Jason was already there, trying to grab someone
who was wildly jumping up and down.
"It's Shannon!" Brianne ran up ahead. "Shannon!" Shannon stopped, she turned around,
giggling.
"Hey Brianne! Come 'ere, listen, I have this great idea," blurted Shannon setting a bottle
down.
"Don't listen to her! She's dead drunk man!" yelled Jason.
"You just shaddup!" A guy yelled, his face red.
"What's going on Shannon?" Brianne took her friend by the arm.
"Let's go for a cruise. Actually, Garthur here wants to learn how to drive a speedboat. I told
him Derrick and you would teach him," Shannon said in a high-pitched whisper. Brianne was
horrified.
"No," Derrick said firmly. Garthur stepped up, he was strongly built, and was at least three
years older than Derrick was. He pointed at a speedboat on the side of the dock.
"Get in," he sneered. Brianne tensed.
"Let's just leave," she said, her voice barely audible. What was going on? Who was Garthur?
Was Shannon just drunk or incredibly stupid as well? Brianne's breath caught in her throat, she was
so scared.
"Bitch, you gonna get in or not?" Garthur strode up to Brianne and yanked her away from
Shannon, holding onto her neck. Shannon just laughed.
"Get your hands off her," Jason punched Gathur, it seemed to have no effect. Half gasping
and half screaming, Brianne tried to get free. The older boy was just too strong. He shoved her hard
againest Derrick and they both fell off the dock and into the boat. Derrick slammed into one of the
seats, hitting his head, his first thought was Brianne, who was sprawled on top of him.
"Hey, are you OK?" he put his arms around her. Brianne nodded, shaking. "What do you
want?" Derricked yelled.
"Shannon! Snap out of it!" Brianne choked out. Garthur turned to Jason.
"You little shrimp!" he yelled. The two boys scuffled, in a fight. Shannon just laughed, and
laughed and laughed. She hopped into the boat, flopping down into the seat, a can of beer in her
hand.
"Oh God, Jason!" Brianne's hand rose up to her face, Jason crumpled lifelessly to the ground.
Garthur, a grin on his face jumped into the boat. He jingled the keys in his hand. No doubt, he had
stolen them.
"Hey babe, let's rock," he said. Shannon laughed, nodding.
"Now, you teach me what to do," Garthur ordered Derrick. Derrick helped Brianne up.
"You're sick, we're leaving," he said in disgust.
"No you aren't."
"Derrick!" screamed Brianne as Garthur jerked her into the front seat, this time by her hair. It
hurt and she was numb with shock. She fell into the seat, shaking violently.
Want more?
