~Chapter 30~

The sound of the ticking clock in the classroom had the students counting down the seconds to the beginning of spring break. Michael had finished all his work and leaned back in his chair and stared at the clock. Beside him Sucre just seemed to give up and tossed his pen down on his desk and watched the clock as well. Turning to his best friend, Michael gave a quiet chuckle. “You know your suppose to hand that in at the end of the class.”

“Nah she just saying that to keep us busy” Sucre assured him with full confidence as he leaned on the back to legs of his chair.

As soon as the bell rang Sucre shot out of his chair and let out a cheer. Picking up his bag and throwing it over his shoulder, Sucre moved around the room talking to his classmate as they celebrated the beginning of spring break. Michael shook his head and moved to the front of the class to hand in his assignment.

“Thank you Mr. Scofield” the teacher said taking his assignment. Glancing around the room she realized Michael would be the only one to hand it in and gave a sigh. “So I suspect the rest of you will hand in the assignment after the break. Right Fernando?”

Sucre turned around towards the teacher and his jaw dropped after hearing her words. “But it’s spring break!” he complained this pleading eyes.

“Well Fernando you decided to watch the clock instead of finishing the assignment” she said with a smirk. “Have a great spring break everyone!” she added as she watched the students leave the class mumbling.

~*~*~*~

After school Michael and Sucre caught up with Jill and Sara and made their way to Jill’s house. As the walked down the street Sucre continued to talk about all the things they had to do over their spring break and the others couldn’t help but laugh at Sucre’s excitement. “This spring break is going to be awesome!” Sucre said excitedly as he wrapped his arms around Jill and Sara while they all walked up Jill’s driveway.

Upon opening the front door the four threw their bags down and moved down the hallway and into the kitchen. Jill lead the way and when she got to the entrance of the kitchen she saw a familiar brunette girl about her age sitting at the table talking the her mother. When the two girls eyes connected they both shrieked and jumped and hugged each other so tights and danced around the room with excitement.

The others made their way into the room and pretty much had to cover their ears to block out the screaming of Jill and the new girl. While Sara and Sucre had no idea who this mystery girl was, Michael recognized her right away as Jill’s cousin who used to come and visit a lot when they were younger.

“How did you… when did you… Oh my god I can’t believe your here” Jill cried as she gave her cousin another hug.

Although Sucre had no idea who this girl was he couldn’t help but stare at the pretty brunette standing in front of Jill. She had big beautiful brown eyes and smiled as she and Jill embraced. He couldn’t help but think of how beautiful she was and was determined to get to know her. “So who’s your friend?” Sucre asked Jill without really realizing it.

“Oh I’m so sorry this is my cousin Jordana” Jill said as she turned to Sucre and the others. Jill’s mom smiled at the teenagers and after making sure everyone had a drink she left the room so the kids could catch up.

With a smile she waved at the others. Suddenly her eyes fell on Michael and she looked at him in shock, “Oh my god this isn’t little Mikey is it?” Jordana said as she stepped up to him.

Michael smiled and said hello to the young girl he had really gotten to know when they were younger. “Hey Jordana, I go by Michael now” he said as he gave her a hug.

“Yea he’s too cool for Mikey now” Jill said with sarcasm.

“Wow, last time I saw you, you were like up to my shoulder? What happened?” she asked with a laugh as she noticed he was now a few good inches taller then herself.

“Yea well now you two can’t push me around like you use to cause now I’m taller” he told her with a chuckle.

“Oh Jordana you have to meet Sara and Sucre” Jill said as she took Jordana's arm and lead her over to them. The two shook hands with Jordana and said hello.

“So Jordana you from around here?” Sucre asked.

“Actually no, I’m just here for spring break, I’m from Canada” she told him as they all took a seat at the kitchen table and drank their lemonade.

“Canada eh” Sucre said with a smile. “Is it true you all say eh all the time?”

Jordana couldn’t help but laugh as the myth some people still believe to be true, “No one I know in Canada does”

“Huh…” Sucre said as he thought about it. “What about living in igloos?”

Michael couldn’t help shaking his head at Sucre as he remembered how Jordana always got this question and she seem to take advantage of it.

She smile at Sucre and leaned forward in her seat and over the table looking right at Sucre, “Yeah let me tell you life on the other side of the boarder is a lot different, I mean only the filthy rich live in houses like these back home. My family lives in an igloo and instead of cars we ride around on dogsleds also with no electricity we don’t have those fancy things in the front hall that beeps and has flashing lights when someone breaks in.”

“Alarm systems” Sucre pointed out.

“Yea that’s it” Jordana said as she snapped her fingers, “Anyway since we don’t have an alarm system we have to rely on our polar bear to protect our igloo and Penny” she added with a smile.

“Whose Penny?” Sucre asked totally fascinated by her story.

“My pet penguin” Jordana told him.

Sucre’s eyes widened in amazement on how life was up in Canada, Michael and the others on the other hand did their best to not laugh and had to look away to stop themselves from busting out laughing. Michael bit his lip and leaned back in his chair, Sara was leaning over to him and buried her face in his shoulder to muffle her giggling. Sucre was the only one staring at Jordana listen intently as she spoke, when she finished he couldn’t believe at how different life was in Canada and thought is was pretty cool. “Are you serious! Mike we are so going to Canada one day!” Sucre said excitedly and by this point the others couldn’t help themselves and started to laugh out loud.

“No Sucre I’m sorry I’m kidding, nothing I said was true” Jordana told him and Sucre couldn’t help but join in the laughter.

“Good I was feeling bad if that was how you lived”

“Don’t worry I live practically the same lifestyle you but maybe not as windy at times” Jordana explained with a giggle since Chicago was known as the windy city.

“Plus the fact there are no penguins up north” Michael pointed out.

“Well one thing I know about Canada is they play hockey so what do you say to a little match?” Sucre challenged her.

“Oh Sucre I wouldn’t do that if I were you” Jill warned.

“Yea but if you insist be prepared for me to kick your butt” she told him as they all got up from the table and made their way outside to play road hockey. As the girls headed out Sucre couldn’t help but feel memorized by Jordana, he thought he was in love.

~*~*~*~

Two days later

“Hi you’ve reached Veronica, leave a message” Linc heard Veronica’s voicemail say for like the hundredth time. Snapping his phone shut and threw it across the room in frustration.

“Linc your need to relax, you’re driving yourself crazy” Paul stated from the sofa where him and Derek where watching t.v at Linc’s place.

“She’s not answering and she won’t talk to me at school” he said with defeat as he collapsed on the sofa in between Paul and Derek and threw his head back.

“Give her time” Derek told him.

Linc’s head shot up and glared at Derek with a death stare. “Time! I haven’t talked to her for weeks, the last couple of days of spring break she hasn’t called or has skipped our dinners at Annie’s with everyone. She’s ignoring me! We need to talk; sleeping with Lisa was a huge mistake. I was drunk and I know that’s not an excuse, I was just being stupid.”

“You can’t push her, let her process everything before you approach her” Paul said to Linc. “If you repeatedly try to talk to her now she will continue to push you away. Now it’s spring break so lets enjoy it.”

Linc listened to Paul as he was biting his nails knowing Paul was probably right but the only thing he wanted to do this spring break was get Veronica to forgive him. “I don’t know what I’ll do if she doesn’t forgive me” he said staring into the distance unsure of what the future had to hold for them.

~*~*~*~

“He’s called again,” Jess said looking as Veronica’s phone as the two girls were walking through the mall. Veronica’s phone kept going off and knowing it was Linc she passed the phone to Jess so that if it was Linc who call and not her mother she could make sure she didn’t answer it.

“You’ll have to talk him sooner or later, you go to the same school your bound to run into each other in the halls” Jess said as they entered the food court and took a seat.

“He cheated on me with Lisa Rix, of all people he chose Lisa Rix the one person I can’t stand” Veronica snapped at her in a shaky voice considering she was on the verge of tears. “Can we just talk about something else, please?”

Jess nodded and bit her lip not really sure what to say to her best friend at a time like this. She could see how upset and devastated her best friend was by the recent events. Her green eyes were watery but she refused to let the tears fall. She fidgeted in her seat and couldn’t keep her hands still on the table. Giving a weak smile Jess reached out for Veronica’s hands and held them still trying to get her to relax. Veronica looked at Jess for a second and then put her head down wanting so badly to forget about Lincoln.

It was easier said then done as Jess’ eyes widened when she looked past Veronica and saw someone else making her way into the food court with her friends. The one person other then Linc Veronica would ever want to see today or anyday. Lisa Rix. “Listen what do you say we go check out that shoe sale?”

Veronica looked up at her best friend and gave a puzzled look, “I thought we were going to eat?”

“Yea well I’m not that hungry” Jess admitted as he stood up and pull Veronica up as well.

“But eating was your idea because your haven’t had lunch yet”

“I’m fine now come on” Jess insisted and tried to drag Veronica out but she resisted as she tried to figure out why her friend was acting so weird. “Vee please” she begged.

“Jess what the hell is going…” she stopped in mid sentence as she looked around the food court and her eyes landed on Lisa and her friend Amy, as they got closer to them. Veronica froze unsure of what to do. She had avoided seeing her much like she did with Lincoln and this was the first time she had actually seen Lisa for weeks.

Lisa hadn’t noticed Veronica or Jess at first as her and Amy walked through the sitting area talking and giggling annoyingly together. When she looked up and saw Veronica she stopped in her tracks about ten feet from Veronica and the two made eye contact for the first time since the whole thing with Lincoln took place.

“Hello Vee” Lisa said in a friendly but cocky way that made Veronica gripped her hands together and clench her jaw. “How are you I haven’t seen you in a while” she added with smirk.

“Go to hell!” Veronica growled

“OOO do I sense I little hostility” Lisa spoke with a smile on her face. “You know what happen with me and Linc was nothing serious, I mean it was fun and great but…”

“Shut up you bitch!” Veronica yelled.

Lisa was shocked by the outburst and gave Veronica an annoyed look. “Okay, you know what I was feeling sorry for you but now I can see why Linc was so eager to get into my pants. His girlfriend, no wait ex girlfriend because you broke up with him!” Lisa growled at her.

“Vee lets go” Jess pleaded pulling on Veronica’s arm but shrugging her off Veronica stepped closer to Lisa.

“You know Vee, Linc and I may have been very drunk but let me just say he was the one who always made the first move. He continued to get drunk and then kissed me, he lead me upstairs to my bedroom and we almost did it on the floor because he couldn’t wait. Everything that we did he enjoyed!” Lisa said doing everything to hurt Veronica.

“Shut up your nothing but a slutty bitch!” Veronica yelled as she shoved Lisa back a little.

“He couldn’t get enough of me because not matter how many times he screwed you it never matched up to what I did to him” Lisa taunted her.

“That’s enough!” Veronica yelled holding back her tears.

“I made him feel like he was on a high and he called out my name all night long” Lisa said.

This was the last straw; Veronica had heard enough of Lisa and something in her snapped. With her clenched jaw Veronica screamed and lunged at Lisa, hands from both girls were slapping, scratching and pulling the others hair.

Veronica was out of control as she grabbed a chunk of Lisa’s hair and pulled tight making Lisa scream. By this time a group of teens had gathered around the catfight and started chanting and cheering as they continued to fight each other. Jess had tried numerous of times to pull a raging Veronica off Lisa but only ended up getting hurt herself.

Things continued to escalate and they were screaming and cursing at each other with hands still flying everywhere slapping and scratching the other like mad. Finally the loud sound of a whistle filled the room and got louder and louder as the security guards got closer to them. The crowd moved away as security pulled Veronica and Lisa apart and dragged them out of the food court. Jess grabbed their purses and quickly followed as Veronica continued to scream at Lisa.

~*~*~*~

She was lying down on his sofa in the living room and he was hovering over top of her being sure not to crush her underneath him. His hands are trailing up and down her sides as hers are wrapped around his neck as their mouths and tongues moved together. His hand traveled up her clothed body and into her silky auburn hair.

“Okay serious you two you need to stop this!” Linc complained as he entered the room and took a seat on the sofa and turned on the t.v.

Pulling his lips away from Sara’s, Michael looked over at his brother with an annoyed look. “Don’t you have somewhere else to be?”

“Nope, I’m still grounded” Linc told him as he leaned back on the couch.

With a sigh Michael sat up beside his brother and if looks could kill well Linc wouldn’t stand a chance. “Your kidding me right, I mean every time mom leaves the house you sneak off with Paul and Derek.”

“Well someone’s got to watch you two so you don’t do anything stupid” Linc mumbled while he remained looking at the t.v.

“Oh yea we’re the ones who need watching, I recall you were the one who slept with Lisa” Michael shot at his brother.

This definitely got Lincoln’s attention and his head turned to his brother with a face expression full of rage after hearing his brother’s words. “That has nothing to do with you!” Linc yelled as he got off the couch and stood in front of Michael.

“Yea well Vee is like an older sister to me and you hurt her, by sleeping with the one girl Veronica hates.” Michael growled.

“You don’t know what you are talking about and for one thing Veronica broke up with me so technically I didn’t cheat on her!”

“Okay guys calm down” Sara said as she intervened in the brothers confrontation.

Not listening to her Linc was prepared to ignore Sara and continue their conversation but before he could his cell phone started ringing in his pocket and he had to step away to answer it. “Yea”

“Hey Linc it’s Derek is your mom home?”

“No she’s gone out with Jill’s mom, why?” Linc asked unsure as to what was going on.

“So can we come over?”

“We?”

“Yea me and Paul, there is something we have to tell you” Derek told him and it sounded urgent.

“Alright come on over” Linc said into the phone and just as he placed it back in his pocket the front door opened and both Paul and Derek walked in.

Making their way into the living room where Linc and the others were standing. Derek started to speak, “Okay you’ll never…”

“You called asking to come over when you were standing just outside?” Michael asked all confused at their actions.

“Yeah well with Linc being grounded we couldn’t just walk in if your mom was home” Paul told him with a chuckle.

Rolling his eyes Michael shook his head and headed out of the room to the kitchen with Sara right behind him. Once they were gone Derek and Paul turned their attention back to Linc. “Okay I just talked to James who works at the mall food court and apparently there was a show down between Vee and Lisa.”

Linc’s head snapped in the direction of Derek and Paul and had a shocked look on is face. “What! When?”

“Earlier this afternoon, apparently Lisa and Veronica ran into each other and before you know it there was vicious catfight in the middle of the food court” Paul explained.

“Who was in a fight?” Sara asked as her and Michael returned with drinks.

“Vee and Lisa” Derek told her.

“What?” Michael said in shock.

“Was anyone hurt? Is Vee okay” Linc asked full of concern.

“Well physically no, but emotionally Vee is not handling things all that well.”

“Well obviously Lisa said something to upset her,” Sara told them as she crossed her arms over her chest and had an angered expression on her face. Michael was standing beside her and thinking the exact same thing, he knew a lot more about the history about Lisa and Veronica and knew what Lisa was capable of. For years Lisa has done what ever she could to get to Veronica and finally it seemed she snapped.

~*~*~*~

It was Friday night and the gang had decided to go to a fellow classmate’s party. Before the party Sara was at Jill’s getting ready along with Jill and her cousin Jordana. The girls tried on a number of different outfits. Clothes were scattered all over Jill’s bed as the three picked out what they were going to wear. Sara decided on a plum color, V-neck soft knit shirt with an empire waist and ¾ sleeves. It had an exposed back with ties at neck for support. She also picked out her favorite jeans the showed of her curves.

Once they had all chosen an outfit the three girls made their way to the bathroom to do each other’s makeup. Jordana was sitting on the counter going through the make up bag trying to find the right colors for Sara. “So what do you think of high school? Jill told me you were home schooled” Jordana asked Sara as she started to apply Sara’s eye shadow.

“It took a little getting used to I’ll admit” Sara told her with a giggle.

“Yea I bet, I remember some girls at my high school went to elementary school out in the country and their whole school was like 40 kids and in high school that’s like one class” Jordana told her.

“Wow was it like a one room class room?” Jill asked from the other side of the bathroom doing her hair.

“Pretty close” Jordana replied with a smile.

“So I hear your dating Mikey, oh sorry I mean Michael he’s to cool to be Mikey anymore” Jordana said with a sense at sarcasm as Michael not like being called Mikey.

“Tell me about it” Jill said rolling her eyes. “It was like one day he just woke up and from that point on you weren’t to call him Mikey or he would be really mad”

“Somehow I bet Linc to advantage of that and continued calling him Mikey” Jordana said with a smirk look on her face.

“He wouldn’t be Linc if he didn’t” Jill told her and all three girls laughed.

“Okay we got off topic, I want to hear about Sara and Michael”

“It’s going really great, he is an amazing guy. Plus he’s easy on the eyes too” Sara told her.

“Well it’s all thanks to me that they are a couple” Jill pointed out.

“I’m sure Sara had something to do with it too,” Jordana laughed.

“Jill all you did was lock me and Michael in the basement,” Sara laughed but Jill wasn’t going to let it go about how she brought them together.

After the girls were ready they left the house and headed down the street because the party wasn’t far from Jill or Sara’s house so they walked. As they got closer to the house with they could hear the music playing and kid inside having a good time. Making their way into the house they could see kids laughing and fooling around with their friends. The three of them were holding hands so that they wouldn’t lose each other in the mass of teenagers as the tried to find the others while walking down the hallway. They past the kitchen and Jill could hear Sucre laughing in the other room so Jill led them over to him.

The guys were huddled around the coffee table playing a game of cards. Michael and James were on the far side and looked up when the girls entered the room while Sucre had his back to them.

“So who’s winning?” Jordana asked as she leaned over Sucre’s shoulder to see what he was doing. Sucre’s head turned to look at Jordana and he felt goose bumps form all over his body as she touched his shoulder. He felt himself blushing and had to force himself to look away from her. “Michael’s winning but I think he’s cheating,” he told her trying not to make eye contact.

“I am not,” Michael yelled back at Sucre as he placed his cards back on the table and then pulled Sara down on to his lap.

“Hey” she said quietly to him once she was comfortably on his lap.

“Hey yourself” Michael said back and then leaned forwards to kiss her.

“Alright we don’t need to see that” Jill complained as she stood close to James and gave him a hug. Everyone started laughing and Sara rested her head on Michael’s chest while he wrapped one arm around her and kissed the top of her head.

“Okay honestly you two need to break it up!” Linc called out as him, Derek and Paul slowly made their way over to the group not exactly sober. Holding a beer in one hand, Linc made his way over to the sofa and collapsed. “I planned to get to wasted tonight because I am no longer grounded and I need to have a good time tonight!” Linc said before chugging down that last bit of his beer.

“And your well on your way” everyone heard someone say and turned to see Lisa standing there.

Back at the front door Veronica and Jess had just arrive at the party much to Veronica’s dismay. Earlier Jess had shown up at Veronica’s determined to get her out of the house for the night. At first Veronica was reluctant to change her mind about just staying home and watch t.v and eat ice cream. She knew there was a good chance Lincoln and Lisa would be there and after what happen at the mall she wasn’t sure she was ready to see them. Yet Jess was persistent in getting Veronica out of the house for the night that Veronica finally agree to go out for a few hours.

Walking through the house and seeing all the people crowded in a small house made Veronica regret her decision on coming even more. “Jess I don’t think this is a good idea.”

“Come on Vee you need to enjoy yourself and forget about Linc and Lisa but also learn that you will run in to them every so often” Jess told her.

Moving through the house Jess led them to the kitchen and got them both some drinks. There were already some kids completely wasted and having trouble standing up but the girls just walked past them and made their way to the kitchen table to get their drink. “So what do you fancy?” Jess asked looked at all the different liquor bottle.

“Cranberry vodka works for me” Veronica said as she glance around the house to see whom else was here. After Jess handed her drink to her Veronica slowly moved through the house and the drunken teenagers until she entered the main room and found Michael and his friend gathered around the coffee table then she found Linc sprawled out on the couch with Lisa sitting beside him and giggling.

Veronica stopped dead when she saw them together. Linc looked drunk and Lisa seemed to be taking advantage of that and was leaning all over him. Yet as much as she hated to see that what really hurt her was that Linc seemed to be enjoying it and wasn’t in a hurry to push her away.

Michael and the others were trying to ignore Lisa and continued their game but Michael looked up he saw Veronica standing in the doorway with a deviated look on her face as she stared at Linc and Lisa. Noticing that Linc hadn’t seemed to see Veronica yet Michael nudged his elbow into Linc’s leg to get his attention.

“What…” Linc started to say to Michael in an annoyed voice but when he caught sight of Veronica standing before him and he was at a loss for words. Sitting up on the sofa his eye never left Veronica who seemed to be staring at him and Lisa. “Vee listen I…” but before he could finish Veronica stormed out of the room and out the front door.

“Vee wait!” Linc yelled jumping off the couch.

“Lincoln” Lisa said surprised he was just going to leave.

“NOT NOW LISA!” he yelled and then quickly ran out the door after Veronica.

After Linc had run out the vibe in the house for the party had calmed down. Sucre had moved outside to get some air from the hot costraphobic environment inside. Sitting on the porch step he could feel the cool spring breeze as the spring weather was just around the corner. Taking a sip of his soda Sucre leaned back and stared out at the melting snow in the backyard. As he sat their enjoying the peace he heard the backdoor open and when he turned to see who is was he saw Jordana. “Hey” Sucre said trying to act really casually.

“Hey, it seems quieter out here” Jordana said as she took a seat beside him. “Is there always this much excitement and craziness?”

Sucre laughed and turned to look at the beautiful girl beside him and said, “I’d like to say no but unfortunately yes it’s been pretty crazy for a while, it feels like things happen one thing after another.”

“Wow makes me enjoy my quiet life back in Canada” Jordana said.

Sucre couldn’t help but chuckle at her comment and when he turned to look at her he saw the moonlight glow on her face and felt his heart beat faster and faster. He hadn’t felt like this since Sofia and he couldn’t deny is felt good.

“So ah when do you leave for Canada again?” he asked knowing she would be leaving soon.

“Sunday” she told him.

Sucre nodded and felt himself becoming very nervous as for what he was about to say. “So I was wondering if you… you know want we could… I mean the two of us could maybe… we can catch dinner and a…. a movie if you wanted to of course” he stuttered to say and after making eye contact with her for the first time since he started too ask her.

Jordana smile and could see how nervous he was at asking her so placing a hand on his hand fidgeting on his lap said “I would love too.”

Sucre felt his heart slow down in relief and felt his smile grow bigger then it ever had. “Great… I mean sound like fun,” he said trying to act all cool.

Jordana giggled and nodded her head. “Yea” she told him and they both looked into each other’s eyes and felt like they couldn’t look away not matter how hard they tried. Ever since Jordana arrived and they met at Jill’s they felt the connection to each other and couldn’t deny it. Slowly Sucre leaned in closer to Jordana and as he did she smile in anticipation of what was about to happen. When their lips touched there was like a spark and a feeling that neither of them could describe. She responded to the kiss and there was such magic to the kiss and felt like something they could do forever. The kiss was so hot and so amazing neither of them wanted to come of for air. Finally when they were both really in need for air they slowly pulled apart, their eyes opened after the kiss and they just silently stared at each other.

~*~*~*~

Walking through the forest with a light dust of snow on the ground and the moonlight was shining on the trees and letting off a silver glow. Linc stuffed his hand in his pockets as he came to the end of the forest and could see Veronica standing there looking out at the dark blue colored river. She never turned to look at him as he came closer and he stopped a couple feet behind her as to still give her some space.

“How’d you know I’d be here?” Veronica asked in a quiet voice without even turning to look at Linc.

“Well, I’ve come here a lot over the last couple of weeks myself” he told her.

Veronica couldn’t help but let he tears fall as she looked out at the river. “I can’t do this anymore, hating you is the most exhausting thing and I’m tired” she said in a trembling voice.

“Vee I love you so, so much” Linc told her. “The last thing I ever wanted to do is hurt you the way I did and I hate myself for it but Vee I love you more then anything.”

With a sniffle Veronica wiped away her tears and looked down at her hands. “I love you too Linc, but right now, right now I can’t. Your not the same person to me anymore” she told him and he couldn’t control his own tears at this point.

“I’m sorry” he said with all his heart but got no response from Veronica. Instead they both remained silent looking out at the river as the chilled breeze blew past them on this cool spring night.