Starlight Academy Part 4 - Stars

The night was bright outside, with millions of stars having been lobbed up into the sky. There were no lights on, allowing the sky to sparkle at its full potential. Juliana understood now why the school was named Starlight Academy; it was not only because of the headmaster's name, but because of the beautiful scenery. She tipped her head back to watch the stars blink at her, and felt her heart lift with awe, and pure happiness. She was brought back down to earth by Prince's voice.

"Gorgeous, isn't it?" he asked, in a voice so soft that she did not jump, but let her head drift back down so she could smile at him.

"Yeah," she agreed. "You don't even need porch lights."

"True. The position of the school makes it a great setting for stargazing." He noticed her look. "I learned that bit of trivia from Gerard. But it's confirmed every year when all of the families journey here to sleep under the stars with their children."

"Do your parents come over?" She ran a hand through her hair, glancing away, at the perfectly trimmed grass.

"Not often," he said nonchalantly. "Their busy with work. My dad is in the Navy, and my mom is a famous pianist." He smiled, obviously proud of his heritage.

"So, why do they call you 'Prince?'"

"My dad is descended from some royal family that was very wealthy, and charitable. People found out, and just tagged me with the nickname. I kinda like it." He smiled. "Sounds regal."
Juliana laughed, and Prince joined her.

"I like your laugh," he said, stepping closer to her, and shortening the few yards that separated them. "It sounds like a child's laugh. Carefree, innocent. It's nice to have that kind of innocence in a world so full of tragedy and evil."

Juliana looked at him, amazed at the sudden somberness of his tone. He was closer; she could have reached out, and touched him.

"I like you, Juliana," he whispered, as she took a few steps toward him. "I hope I can hear you laugh again."

"I like you too, Prince," Juliana breathed, blushing.

They smiled, and his lips lit upon hers, and they shone like two stars, paired together in the sky.

Starlight Academy Part 3 - Welcome to Starlight Academy

There, lying on a bed, and reading, was another girl with black hair, but hers was a soft shade, and her face was kind. She looked up at Juliana, and smiled, setting aside her book on a nightstand. "Hey. Are you my roommate?"

"I guess so. I'm Juliana. Are you Marlo?"

"Yep. These your bags?" she asked, pointing to a large bag, and Juliana's purse, both with tags attached to their straps, with her name on them.

"Yeah," Juliana said, going to them.

"They brought them in a while ago, so I figured you'd be following them." She approached her. "I hope everything made it okay."

"Yep. Everything's fine." She stood. "So, this is my bed?" she asked, pointing at a bed with a purple comforter, and silver sheets.

"Mhmm. It's all yours. Make yourself at home." Marlo smiled, and climbed back onto her bed, which was covered with a dark green comforter, and white sheets that peeked out from behind them.

"Hey. What time is it?" Juliana asked.

"Five forty-five," she said, glancing at a chunky watch strapped to her wrist. Then, she did a double-take, and leapt from her bed. "Crap! We gotta go! Dinner's in fifteen minutes, and we've got a way to go! Come on!" She grabbed Juliana's wrist, and dragged her from the room, down the hall, and out of the building.

They ran as fast as they could down several cement paths, through a flowery courtyard, and into an echoing dining room that held three long tables, and one at the far end running parrallel to the wall. They were all full of people.

Marlo looked at her watch, gave the time as being nearly six o' clock, and began scouring the tables for empty seats. They found a pair at the middle table, and sat down just as a woman with silver hair down to her waist stood from the table at the back of the room. She had a bright, young face and a gentle, motherly smile as she gazed at the students.

Finally, she was handed a microphone, and said, in a clear resonant voice, "May I have your attention, please? Thank you. Hello, everyone. I am Selina Starlight, the headmaster of Starlight Academy, and I am pleased to have you all here. It's good to see some familiar faces tonight. It's even better to see some unfamiliar ones. I hope you will enjoy this school.

"Now, before we eat, I would like to take this time to tell you all something: being here is a priviledge, not a right. If you don't understand how lucky you are to be attending here, then I suggest you realize that now. I do not tolerate any ill behavior from my students, and I will not hesitate to send you back to your families if I hear of it. Know this, and, with that, I wish you a good school year. Thank you." There was applause, and she sat down, still smiling.

Juliana looked at Marlo, with more than a hint of worry in her features. Marlo just shrugged as she was handed a plate of steaming food.

Juliana sighed, glanced aorund, froze; she had found herself looking, once again, into Prince's eyes.

He was at the first table, sandwiched between Gerard and Alexander. He smiled at her, and waved. He nudged his friends, who followed his example. Juliana returned the waves, and went back to her food as a blush started rising in her cheeks.

"I think that guy likes you," Marlo said, excitement creeping into her voice.

"What d'you mean?" Juliana asked innocently.

"He keeps looking over here, and smiling. Oh! Look!"

Juliana glanced up just as Prince stood from his seat. He winked at her, then left the building.

"He wants you to follow him," Marlo said.

"How do you know?"

"Because his friends are pointing after him and mouthing, 'Follow him!'"

It was true. So, she went, with a red face, outside.

Starlight Academy Part 2 - Diana

The tense silence became unbearable, and Juliana tried to fill it. "So," she said, "is this a good school?"

He looked at her, as if he was surprised that she should speak. "Oh, yes. It's the best in academics, and the faculty is wonderful."

"But what about the students?"

He paused, considering the question, before answering carefully, "The students are of admiral breeding."

"Oh, okay."

They continued on in silence, until they reached a large, flawlessly white building. It had a huge, wrap-around porch and towering pillars that reminded Juliana of a colonial-style house. She could hear the faint rush of water, and she assumed that there must have been a pond in the back.

"Here you are," said Gerard, gesturing at the building. "I'm sure you can find someone to help you to your room. I'll see you at dinner." He nodded, turned, and walked off, back toward the court.

"Thanks," she said, and went inside.

The inside was almost more impressive than the outside. There were huge velvet chairs and couches, a fountain in the center, and two hallways leading away from the lobby.

Jade wandered toward the fountain, hand held out to catch the water, when a sharp voice stopped her.

"Don't touch!" someone snapped from behind her. She turned to see a girl her age, her arms folded angrily over her chest. Her hair was as black as coal, and her eyes were just as dark. She had a black overcoat held together with strings over tight, leather clothes. Her nails were crimson red to match her lips.

"Oh," Juliana said. "Sorry. I didn't know."

"Whatever. Just don't do it again."

"Okay. Um... I'm Juliana. Could you help me find my room? I'm new."

She sighed, as if it was too much to ask. "Fine. What's your last name?"

"Paramour."

"Follow me." Then, they were off down a long, brightly-lit corridor that made Juliana's guide look out of place.

For the second time that day, Juliana had been forced to start a conversation. "What's your name?" she asked.

"Diana," she said without looking at her. "Diana Millennium."

"Cool."

They passed door after door with pairs of names written on small signs bolted to the doors, all in alphabetic order. At last, they reached a door bearing the names, "Juliana Paramour," and, "Marlo Patterson."

Diana nodded. "Here's your room. Dinner's at six. Be in the dining hall by then or don't come at all." She nodded again, and walked off.

Juliana watched her for a moment, then, after taking a deep breath, went inside.

Starlight Academy Part 1 - Introductions

Juliana Paramour walked through the empty halls of her new school, Starlight Academy. Where is everyone? the brunette thought, gazing at the beautiful buildings, and flowery gardens. She had just arrived at the school, and had been told that her bags had already been taken to her room, but they had neglected to direct her to her room.

So, now she was walking along, hoping to find someone who could help her. Suddenly, she heard excited whoops echoing out in front of her. She smiled, and jogged off toward the noise. She found herself in the open doorway of an indoor tennis court.

Two boys where playing, laughing as they whacked the ball back and forth. One boy, a blond, spiky-haired adolescent, was grinning, and laughing as he served the tennis ball to a thin, red-haired boy, who was smiling quietly. They darted around the place, stretching to catch the ball.

"Entertaining, isn't it?"

Juliana jumped at the sound of someone speaking behind her. She turned around to find herself facing a tall, brown-haired youth. He was smiling at her, one hand in his pocket, while the other loosely gripped a tennis racket. Juliana smiled, and said, "Yeah! It looks like they're really enjoying themselves."

"I should think so," he said, a warm amusement glowing in his cinnamon eyes. "They never stop smiling. You'd think they'd had those grins painted on."

Juliana laughed, blushing in spite of herself. "I'm Juliana."

"Enchantee," he whispered, as if he were telling her a secret. He took her hand, and placed a burning kiss on the back of it. His lips had a gentle roughness to them, a commanding, yet thoughtful air.

And the sensation set Juliana's face ablaze. "Likewise," she said awkwardly.

He looked like he was about to say something, but a whoop of victory interrupted him; the blond boy was bouncing in place, his arms stretched above his head.

"Prince!" he called to Juliana's companion. "Prince, I challenge you! I need a worthier opponent than this louse!"

"You won by one serve," protested the red-head. "Don't go getting a swollen head, Alex."

"You're just a sore loser, Gerard," retorted Alex, pointing at him with his racket.

Prince laughed, quickly intervening, saying, "Guys! Stop your arguing and come over here! There's someone I want you to meet!" Prince smiled at Juliana.

They trotted over, staring at the stranger. "Who's this?" Alex asked.

"Guys, this is Juliana. Juliana, Alex Hutchenson. Gerard Stiles."

"Hey," she said, lifting a hand in greeting, which Alex grabbed, and eagerly shook.

"Pleased to meet you!" he said happily. "I hope you enjoyed the game."

"Yeah, it was cool. Um... I'd kind of like to keep my hand attached to my wrist, if you don't mind?"

"Oh! Of course!" He dropped her hand like it was a hot coal, still beaming. "Are you new to this school?"

"Yes," Gerard answered before she could even get the word out. "Juliana Paramour. Tenth grade. Good student. Resides in Julie Merchant's Hall." He looked at her. "Is that correct?"

"Uh... yes. How do you know all that?"

"I'm in charge of the students' files. I memorize all of the new students and their information."

"Oh. Okay? Stalker...."

Gerard looked like he was going to respond, but Prince's hand on his shoulder stopped him. He looked calmly at Juliana, said, "Gerard likes to know everything. Don't worry about it."

"'Kay. So, if you know everything, does that mean you can help me find my room? The secretaries said my luggage was already there, but I don't know where there is."

"Of course he'll show you how to get there!" interrupted Alex. "Won't you, Gerard?"

"Very well," he said, leaving the court while Juliana followed.

Drive-thru soap operas, part 11 The Finale (Brandon)

Brandon flew down the hall, his heart pounding as he searched for Sharon. At last, he spotted Raven, whom he had seen hanging around Sharon yesterday. He jogged to her side, a hand going to her shoulder. "Raven! Have you seen Sharon? I need to talk to her. It's an emergency."

Raven stared at him, a glare darkening her features. "She ran out just a minute ago. I guess she was heading home. You know," she said, rounding on him with a fury that made Brandon's hand jump off of her shoulder, "I stood up for you yesterday. Lisa was trying to scare Sharon out of dating you, but I told her to go ahead. I told her that Lisa was just full of hot air. I guess she wasn't." She jabbed his chest with her finger. "You pretentious, pompous prat! Don't you know what you're losing here? Sharon would have been good for you! She could have turned your wasted life around! And you just went and ruined it! I hope you realize what you've done."

"I have," was all he said, before rushing out into the rain that had started a little earlier.

Brandon finally arrived at Sharon's house after pushing through the traffic. It was pouring rain but he didn't care. He hopped out onto the sidewalk in front of her house. He was about to run up to her door, but it was already opening.

Sharon slipped outside, shutting the door, and stepping down the walk.

Was she expecting me? Brandon thought as he watched her approach.

"Hello, Brandon Hall," she said, just as she had the night he had asked her out. She was in front of him now. The rain ran down her face in silvery rivulets.

"Sharon," he said. "I'm so-"

"No," she interrupted, and Brandon could hear the steady, unwavering calm in her voice. It was cold, and frightening. "Listen. I knew it was a bad idea to get involved with you. But I decided to do it anyway, and now..." - she sighed - "I'm regretting it."

"Don't say that," he said, pleading. "You don't mean that."

"You know what, I do. I'm sorry, Brandon Hall, but I can't go out with you. Not now, not ever." She lifted her face to his, and, for a moment, he thought that she was going to kiss him. But her head passed him, so close that he could feel the warmth of her breath on his cheek, and he blushed. Her lips were at his ear now, and she whispered, "I took a chance on you, but you're the one who lost. Goodbye, Brandon." She turned, and, with all of the grace that she had walking into his life, she walked out of the rain, and out of his life.

Fin!

Drive-thru soap operas, part 10 What I Wanted (Lisa)

Lisa watched Sharon run off down the hall. She frowned; she had gotten what she wanted, but she was not happy. She looked back at Brandon, and asked, "So, where does this leave us?"

Brandon sighed, glancing after the distraught Sharon, and back at the confused Lisa. "I don't know."

"Well, maybe... this will help." She leaned up, brushing her lips over his. She felt the familiar warmth of his kiss, and realized how much she had missed it. His arms looped around her waist, pulling her against him. Everything slowed down, and, when he pulled away, she was left dizzy and weak.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

This brought her out of her daze. She stared at him, not comprehending anything. "W-what?"

"I'm sorry," he repeated, avoiding her eyes. "I... I can't do this. I've made a lot of mistakes, and... I need to... to make things right."

"What do you mean?" Lisa asked, panic shivering in her stomach.

He looked at her, and she could see the change that had come over him. "I can't be with you, Lisa. You're not what I wanted. I thought you were, but...." He shook his head, and Lisa shook hers with him, but he did not see it. "I'm sorry, Lisa. I have to go." He broke away from her, chasing after the girl she had chased away.

His words rang in her head. You're not what I wanted. You're not what I wanted. You're not what I wanted.... Lisa stared after him, thinking, But you're what I wanted.

Drive-thru soap operas, part 9 A Distressing Discovery (Sharon)

Sharon made her way to the back entrance of the school the next day, shouldering her back pack while she focused on shifting her math binder to the crook of her left arm. She had woken up late, and had been forced to slide into a parking space that was too far from the school for her comfort. She was really happy with her choice of footwear (a pair of white, running shoes) at the moment as she spied the door. She smiled, and opened the door, but froze when she heard Brandon's voice on the other side.

"Lisa, we need to talk!" he said, his voice tight, and upset.

Lisa? Sharon thought, worry pricking the back of her neck. She strained to hear more.

"About what?" Lisa snapped. "What could possibly be bothering you so much that you would stoop to talking to little ol' me?" The sarcasm that dripped off of her voice made Sharon grimace, but she was rooted to the spot, unable to move.

"Your little rat told Sharon that I only asked her out to make you jealous. Now, where would she hear something like that? Care to enlighten me?" His voice held just as much biting anger as Lisa's.

Lisa was silent for a minute, and Sharon almost thought that she had left, but then she said, softly, "Did you? Did you ask her out to make me jealous?"

"No..." he said, but he hesitated. "Well, maybe. You did dump me."

"Yeah... well...."

"Wait a minute..." he said, a thought striking in his tone. "Felicia told Sharon about me to get her to break the date. And Felicia isn't smart enough to come up with that on her own... Did you tell her to do that?"

"Well... I... I..." She was stammering, clinging to any shred of dignity that she still had.

"You did! You wanted us to break up!" The mounting fury in his words left just as quickly as it had come, only to be replaced by a smugness that made Sharon's nose crinkle. "You were jealous. You still like me, don't you?"

Another uncharacteristically long pause from Lisa, then, "Yes. Do you still like me?"

The silence that stood was too much for Sharon, who was now choking on her feverish, angry tears. She flung open the door, too upset to worry about making a scene.

Brandon and Lisa looked at her, shocked at her appearance. Sharon strode up to Brandon, her face ablaze. "I can't go out with you tonight, Brandon Hall," she said, her voice trembling. "I told you that I am no one's tool. Goodbye!" She had not looked up from his shoes the entire time she had been speaking, but now she was glaring into his face. She pursed her lips, and ran off, leaving the two behind while the tears hit her face at a run.

Drive-thru soap operas, part 8 Crisis Averted (Brandon)

Brandon was in his backyard, resting against the rough bark of the tree that he had been around since when he was a child, and letting the sunshine filter through the lacy leaves, and onto his upturned face. He sighed, content with the silence that did not come often; he may have preferred social interaction, but after a rough day of threats from Tyler and his thugs, he was just happy to be able to relax.

When all you got to keep is strong!

Move along, move along like I know you do!

And even when your hope is gone!

Move along, move-

The song, "Move Along," by the All-American Rejects rang out from his cell phone, muffled by his pants pocket. He made a noise of frustration at the interruption, dug out his phone, flipped it open, said, "Hello?"

"Hi, Brandon Hall," came the discomforted voice of Sharon.

This brought him to rigid attention, his ears perking at the tone of her voice. "Hey, Sharon. What's up?" he asked, trying not to sound too concerned.

"Not much. Um..."

Stammering? he thought, worry sneaking up on him. Sharon didn't stammer.

"Listen, I just wanted to say thank you, for your offer. But... I don't think I can go out with you tomorrow night." Sad. Her voice sounded hurt, upset, barely controlled.

"What d'you mean? Why?" He focused on keeping his tone even, gentle.

"I... heard some things. And, well, I don't want to be your tool for some... petty revenge scheme!" She spat the word, "revenge," her voice cracking.

"What did you here?" Brandon asked, pale fear winding around his nerves.

"Just... that you only asked me out because you want to make Lisa jealous."

He flinched at the spoken truth, but had to fight this to the root. "Who told you that?"

She was silent for a moment, as if she were reconsidering her source of information, even as she said it. "Felicia Morgan."

"Sharon, you should know that you can't trust Felicia!" he said, relieved that he had a firm base for rebuilding his case. "She'll do anything for Lisa, and Lisa would do anything to get back at me for the break-up. They're only trying to hurt you," he said, his voice concerned only for her.

He heard her sigh. She said, "Okay. I guess... I can give you a second chance. I'll go out with you Friday."

"Thanks, Sharon. I'll see you tomorrow." They said their goodbye's, he shut his phone, smiled. Crisis averted.