Precious Friendships
It starts off as a normal day in high school with Tara enjoying her friends' company. Thanks to the arrival of three new teens, everything starts to take unexpected turns.
Genre: Romantic Comdey/Drama/Fantasy
Rating:PG to PG-13 for language/dialogue, content and some violence.
Blaine:......
(Blaine gazed at the night sky. For some strange reason, he couldn't keep his mind off of Tara. The stars soon started to form her name and he shook it off, realizing that it was an illusion.)
Blaine: God, am I sick or something? I shouldn't be thinking about her like this, especially since she has a boyfriend. Dude, you're kidding yourself. I can't believe I'm talking to myself. This is crazy.....
(He soon turns to the corner, only to be surprised by Tara herself.)
Tara: Hi, Blaine! Never expected you to be here!
Blaine: (blushing) Oh...uh, yeah. I mean, I never expected *cough* you to be here, either, Tara.
Tara: Came out to clear you head?
Blaine: Yeah, pretty much.
Tara: I know how you feel. Being out here totally helps, y'know?
Blaine: Yeah...
(They continue gazing at the sky. Blaine finds himself constantly stealing a look at Tara, only to mentally slap himself in agony.)
Blaine: [Dude, get a grip!]
Tara: Blaine.
Blaine: Hm?
Tara: I need to go and take care of something real quick. I'll be right back.
Blaine:I'll be right here.
Tara: (walking) Thanks.
Blaine:...
(Glancing behind her, Tara looks around for a secluded area. Finding one, she proceeds to adjust her clothing, only to her footsteps behind her.)
Blaine... [I wonder if she's okay.] (retraces steps Tara took) What the H***?!!!!
(He finds Tara in the grip of Daron, his hand covering her mouth.)
Blaine: LET...GO...OF HER.
Daron:....O.o
(Letting her go out of fear, he edges around Blaine and dashes off. Tara lands on the ground hard, only to be helped by Blaine gently placing her back on her feet.)
Blaine: You alright there?
Tara: Yeah, I'm fine. Um, thank you. (smiles)
Blaine: (blushes)...
Tara: (confused) Are you okay?
Blaine: Oh, yeah! I'm good.
Tara:...If you say so.
Blaine: Hey, um...
Tara: Yeah?
Blaine: Do you mind if I walk you home? I mean, just so like...
Tara: Sure.
Blaine: Really?
Tara: (nods)
Blaine: Alright, then. (smiles nervously)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cecilia: Oh, great.
(She bends down to pick up her fallen music sheet. A shadow peers over her and she glances up to see Tika.)
Tika: Need some help?
Cecilia: Uh, yeah. Thanks, I guess.
(Tika bends down to retrieve the papers.)
Tika: (looking at sheets) You play guitar?
Cecilia: You could say that. Not that you would be interested, though...
Tika: Totally. Who wouldn't be?
Cecilia:...
Tika: Oh. Most wouldn't think you would play guitar, huh?
Cecilia: (nods) Yeah, pretty much. Although, it is good to see someone who's interested...
Tika:...
(Tika clearly notices her nervousness as she walks past.)
Tika: Tika!
Cecilia: Huh?
Tika: That's my name.
Cecilia: Oh. Cecilia. You can call me Cici. I gotta go. I'll see you later okay?
Tika: (smiles) Sure.
(As Cecilia leaves, Tika notices a shadow over her shoulder, only to see Blaine by the side of her eye.)
Tika: Blaine.....Blaine....Hey, Blaine!
Blaine:(smiling) You called?
Tika: Dude, you must be in a trance or something.
Blaine: What are you talking about?
Tika: Your everlasting bliss. You've been pretty happy lately.
Blaine: Oh, that! It's nothing. (blushes and turns away)
Tika: (smirks) You're blushing.
Blaine: No, I'm not!
Tika: Uh, yeah, you are.
(After a few minutes of listening to his constant denial, Tika resorts to tickling him. His laughter echoes in the hallway until he yelped in pain.)
Tika: (pulls hands back) I'm sorry!
Blaine: (holding side) It's okay. It's only a cut. Just be careful with those claws.
Tika: Let's go get this wrapped up.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"But I wanted to serve!"
"You've already served twice! And besides, Coach said it was my turn!"
"Fine!"
She shoved the ball into his hands and walked off. The boy took the ball and performed an overhand serve, sending the ball flying over the net. The game continued without interruption until everyone heard a hissing sound. The girl who hit the ball struggled to remove it from her hand, only to realize that her nails had deflated the ball. She ran into the girls' locker room, completely embarrassed and her face buried in her hands.
Later...
"I'm turning into a freak..."
"Don't say that. Maybe your nails are too long..."
"You're not helping. That's not funny at all."
"Don't blame a guy for trying..."
"If you hadn't opened that door..."
"Then why are you blaming me?"
"You opened it!"
"I never knew that was going to happen!"
"Guys, calm down! It's not his fault and it isn't your happened that that happened either. This isn't something we have control over..."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tika: How's that?
Blaine: A lot better. I'm not exactly invincible, you know.
Tika: Of course not. You and Superman have nothing in common.
Blaine: Okay...
Tika: You're avoiding the subject. I know that you like her, Blaine.
Blaine: *sigh* You've noticed?
Tika: Let's see, aren't animals able to tell emotions? And I am part cat...
Blaine: You're also human. And besides, you haven't been arguing with Tuesday lately. *smirk*
Tika: You wanna get scratched again?
Blaine: I'm serious. What's up?
Tika: Don't ask me. I still hate him if you're wondering.
Blaine: You sure about that?
Tika: (opens mouth)....
Blaine: I can't believe this. You haven't got a reason why you still hate him...
Tika: Don't start. I just don't like him.
Blaine: That's what you said about Dwayne.
Tika: What's that supposed to mean?
Blaine: (puts hands up) I'm tellling the truth and you know it. He broke you heart...
Tika: Yeah, thanks.
Blaine: I'm serious!
Tika: You're always serious!
Blaine: Why do you think?!
(Tika starts to crying uncontrollably. Blaine pulls her into an embrace.)
Blaine: Alright, calm down. It was wrong for me say that.
Tika:...
Tara: Hey, guys. I need your opinion on....okay....
Blaine & Tika:*irritated glare*
Tara: Um, I think I'll leave you guys alone now. Heh, heh. See ya. (leaves)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Erin:.... Are you sure about this?
Emery: You get it, right?
Erin: Yeah, I understand.
Emery: She's using Blaine to try and hurt you, y'know.
Erin: *sigh* It's so hard to believe. I thought she was serious about this.
Emery: I am.
Erin:...
(She pulls him closer until they engage in liplock. Surprisingly, he doesn't pull away.)
Tara: (waving) Guys! Over here!
Tika: Hey, Tara!
Tuesday: Darn it. Just as I thought the day would get better....
Tika: Don't blame me. I wasn't expecting you either.
Blaine: Can't you two stop arguing for once?
Tika & Tuesday: NO!!!
Blaine: Sorry I asked.
Maria: Then, can I ask you why you guys argue so much in the first place?
Tika: Because....
Tuesday: Because....
(Both draw a complete blank for their reasons for arguing. The others exchange glances.)
Tara: (smirking) Because....
Tika:.... We just do!!! (sulks)
Matthew: Hey. We didn't mean anything....There's no need for you to get mad about it.
Maria: Guys! Look! Daddy got me an Evo!!!
Tara: Aw, man! I want that phone! No fair! (pouts)
Blaine: How come?
Tara: Dad said we couldn't afford it. I can't either.
Matthew: Poor baby. It's okay. (pats Tara on back)
Erin: Dude, that's my job.
Matthew: Sorry. Go ahead.
Tika:.....
Tara: Tika?
Blaine: (embracing Tika)....Happens all the time.
Erin: And how?
Blaine: Uh.....
Matthew:......
Tika: Personal trauma.
Erin: Oh, okay....
Kira: Are you guys boyfriend and girlfriend?
Blaine & Tika: (irritated) No. Why do you ask?
Maria: Tika does look pretty cozy.
(Tika eases out of Blaine's grasp and leans her head on Matthew's shoulder.)
Matthew: What are you doing?
Tika: Proving to them I'm not dating you guys.
Maria:.....Seriously?
Tika: I don't date my guy friends.
Erin: I thought they were your brothers.
Tika: Where did you get that from?
Tuesday: You did come to school on the same day.
Matthew, Blaine & Tika:......
Tara: I think we're treading on personal ground again....
Tika: (sighs) Pretty much.
Erin: Why is everything so personal for you?
(The only response is a glare from all three of them.)
Erin: (weirded out) Never mind then....
********
Tuesday:.........
Tara: C'mon, Tues. I don't think it's all that bad.
Erin: It's how I met Tara.
Tuesday: Why is when I tell people I'm not interested....
Tara: All it is is the school's dating site.
Erin: Just try it, man.
Tuesday: I'll....think about it.
Tara & Erin: alright!
(He hung up the phone and sighed.)
Tuesday: [They just don't get it. I can't forget what happened. I just can't. It's still...]
...with me.
"He's such a loser."
"Don't laugh at him."
"Why?"
"Then he'll know what we think of him."
"Which is?"
"What you said earlier."
"Wow, I thought you were getting soft."
He sighed. He had heard every word that left their mouths. The teacher rapped the board for the student's attention. Then, all the male students watched closely as a young girl entered the room, introduced herself and took her seat.
"Hi, there. I guess we're gonna be friends, huh?"
He looked, only to see two beautiful brown eyes peering into his.
"Yeah, I guess. I'm Tuesday."
"Call me Aliyah..."
Voice: What did I do to deserve this?
Tuesday: Huh?
(Tuesday comes back to reality, only to Tika staring him in the face. He frowns.)
Tika: I came here to clear my head and I have to find you. Great.
Tuesday: (sarcastically) Charmed to see you, too, dear.
Tika: *sigh*
Tuesday:....What are you doing here anyway?
Tika: Not to....actually, what I said earlier. I've been in a fog lately.
Tuesday: I can understand that. (looks off)
Tika: I'm not in the mood to fight right now.
Tuesday: You're kidding.
Tika: I'm serious.
Tuesday:.....(closes eyes) Uh-huh.
Tika: What's with you?
Tuesday: And why are you taking an interest in me, anyway?
Tika:...I'm bored.
Tuesday:...(looks down, looks away, looks back)
Tika: (stands there with arms folded the whole time)
Tuesday: Okay, then. I got a suggestion from Erin and Tara to join the school's dating site.
Tika: (surprised) YOU?!
Tuesday: (rolls eyes) Yes, me. They think it would help….
Tika: Help what?
Tuesday: Nothing.
Tika: Hmph. Well, I don't blame 'em. Do you have a fifth wheel status?
Tuesday: Yeah, pretty much.
Tika: So, you're not interested in girls?
Tuesday: I'm not gay either.
Tika: Who said you were?
Tuesday: Many.
Tika: *sigh* That's not the point here. I actually suggest that you join even though I highly doubt that you'd find a suitable girlfriend.
Tuesday: Oh, you know someone?
Tika: (firmly) No. I'm just saying that you should try it. Of course, you're too ignorant anyway.
Tuesday: Stereotype.
Tika: I never said that you were one.
Tuesday: No. You think because I act ignorant, I am.
Tika: Exactly. You just proved it.
Tuesday: That's not the point.
Tika: I know what you're saying. I'm not deaf.
Tuesday: Oh, that's obvious.
Tika: Say something about my ears again.
Tuesday: I can't. You'd hear it. (notices Tika's irritation) I'm serious.
Tika: Hmph.
(She left him at the bench. Then, on impulse, she waves. He waves back on instinct. They suddenly realized what they were doing and looked away. As Tika continued on, Tuesday noticed as a picture dropped from her pocket. He picked up and saw a younger version of her with a male teen. Looking on the back, he noticed a signature…
From: Dwayne
To: My beautiful girlfriend, Tika Morthy.
A small twinge of jealousy hit him, but he quickly shook it off, confused about where it came from.)
Tuesday: [Twinge of jealousy. Weird.](looks at picture again) [He does look familiar, though. But what's the point in feeling envious?] I guess I better go and return this to her. *sigh*
(He glances back down the road.)
Tia: Karen, have you seen Cecilia anywhere?
Karen: Not that I know of. Why?
Tia: Darn it. I wanted her to make a CD for me.
Karen: You mean of her solos?
Tia: Yeah, pretty much.
Karen: My twin always seems to disappear in times like these. Don't worry about it, Tia. I'll go find her myself.
*********
(Blaine is stretched out on the couch, hand over his face as he holds up a picture frame. In it is a photo of three teens smiling broadly. He sighs and places it back on the desk.)
Tika: Remembering what it was like back then?
Blaine: . Could you please stop sneaking up on me like that?
Tika: I'll try. (smirks)
Blaine: To answer your question, yeah……
Tika: Yeah, I remember it too. What it was like to be….
….normal.
"Race ya back home!"
"I can beat you anytime!"
"Guys, c'mon!"
They dashed down the sidewalk, laughing and jeering as they went. Tika was the first one to arrive at the driveway, only to be tackled by Blaine and Matthew. They struggled for a few minutes before finally getting up.
"Hey, guys."
"What?"
"You ever had a special wish?"
"Why would I need one?"
"Just asking."
"Well, then , you the one who asked. So, what's your wish?
"Mine….I want this summer to never end…."
"Ya know what?"
"Yeah?"
"I hope that wish comes true…"
Tika:…………….
Blaine:……………..
(An eerie silence goes between them. Tears welled up in their eyes as they reminisce on the rest of that day.)
Tika: [Why did it have to end that way? Why?]
*********
Blaine:………………..
Matthew:……………..
Tika: .
(The teens opened up their umbrellas as rain poured down around them. Tika hissed and pulled back her ears in disgust, since water was not her best friend.)
Matthew: Like we said?
Blaine: Sorry.
Tika: Dude, if I didn't bring these things…
Blaine: We get it. You hate water.
Tika: Obviously, somebody knows that.
Blaine: (pats Tika's back) I guess that's the advantage of having cat ears.
Tika: *sighs* Not in the mood for flattery today, Blaine.
(They arrived at the school positively drenched. Tuesday notices them at the door.
Tuesday: (points) Let me guess.
Blaine: (hand up) Don't say a word.
Matthew: Tika, you okay there?
Tika: (shivering) I'm so cold…..
Blaine: She needs something warm! Quick!
Tuesday (reluctantly) Here.
Blaine:…..Okay…you sre you need this?
Tuesday: (looks away) Take it. No, wait…
(He takes the jacket and lays it across her shoulders. Tika's cheeks turn a bright red.)
Tara:…………….*giggle*
Tika: Don't you even…
Blaine: You're blushing.
Tika: That's because I'm warm!
Matthew: You sure? Maybe it's from embarrassment, or even the other way around.
Tika: (leaps up) I'm serious.
Tuesday: Looks like you didn't need the jacket after all.
Tika: (in Tuesday's face) Shut up!
(The group exchange glances as they continue arguing.)
(Tika stares out the window at the pouring rain, As the class chatters on, her thoughts shifted to a previous year…)
"I understand."
"Now, you don't. I can't believe this. After all that…he…"
"Maybe it's because you made haste. That was pretty quick, you know. You let your emotions control you."
"I know. I don't think I'll be able to love anyone for a long time."
(Tika borrows her head in her hands. She feels a hand come upon her shoulder.)
Blaine: Tika…don't worry so much.
Tika: I can't help it. It happened so fast….(starts crying silently)
(Blaine pulls her head close to him.)
Blaine:*sigh*…….
Meanwhile....
Emery:……………….
Erin:……………
Emery: Hey.
(Erin pauses to notice Emery standing behind him. He continues getting books out of his locker.)
Erin: *sigh* What do you want?
Emery: You haven't noticed?
Erin: And that would be?
Emery: That Blaine….
Erin: (closes locker) What about him?
Emery: He seems to like Tara, doesn't he?
Erin: Where'd you get that from?
Emery: Just a hunch….
Erin: *sigh*
Emery: You don't care, do you?
Erin: Get to the point.
Emery: You had better be careful with Tara. She might…
Erin: Emery, if you say one more thing against my girlfriend, I swear I would slap you right now. And I'm not afraid to. I don't see why you're so jealous anyway.
(He walks off. Emery simply watches him, cursing under her breath.)
*********
Matthew: So, let's work together on this. Okay?
Kira: Yeah…
Tika (from a distance): Aw. Those two look so cute together.
Tara: A possible couple?
Tika: Probably not. Matthew has never fallen in love. EVER. It'll be a while before HE gets a girlfriend.
Maria: and you know that because?
Tika: I've known him since I was 6.
Tara: But why Kira?
Tika:…….I don't really know. She seems to have this innocence that most don't have.
Tika: *smirk* Such as yourself?
Tika: Pretty much.
Maria:………..
Kira: [This is perfect]
Matthew: (background) 28 inches.
Kira: What about the length?
Matthew: How about 40?
Kira: Sounds good.
(Both teens worked quietly, with Matt completely oblivious to Kira's slight crush on him. Maria found herself somewhat envious, but was amused by the thought.)
Tara: So, Tika, did you have any other boyfriends? You know, after Blaine?
Tika: Yeah....
Tara: (worried) What's wrong? Your mood totally darkened.
Tika: It's nothing, Tara. I mean, it's just really hard to explain and all....
Tara: ...I see....
Maria: Maybe we should change the subject. Like to the fact that you're paired up with Tuesday...
Tika: You can't be serious!
Tuesday: She is.
Tika: Ugh...
Tuesday: Let's just go ahead and get this over with.
Tara: Aww!!!!!
Tika & Tuesday: Don't even!!!!!
(Tika reluctantly leaves her seat to help Tuesday with the assignment.)
Tara: [Wow. they're quiet]
Maria: You've noticed it too.
Tara: They haven't said anything for the past ten minutes. I wonder what's up...
Tika: You know I can hear you.
Tara: She heard that. So, what's with him?
Tika: I have no idea. He wasn't talking so I didn't have anything to say about it.
(They look back at Tuesday, who is currently buried under the hood of his jacket, head down.)
End
