Fan Fiction ❯ Last Bell ❯ Chapter 2
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
Last Bell by King Cheetah
Part Two - English Lit
I cry myself to sleep each night knowing that I own none of these characters...
Rated PG-13, Robin/Raven and Beast Boy/Jinx pairings. Starfire and Terra with probably get drunk and do something goofy at some point.
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Smiling to herself, Terra though about how lucky Starfire was, for as the fates would have it, not only had she likewise been selected to study in America, but that she was further graced to be paired up with a hip, metropolitan girl such as herself. While an unbelievable sweet girl, Terra found that life on the farm had ill prepared her partner for the hustle and bustle of a big American city like Jump Town where this fast life could easily devour a simple country girl such as Starfire. Besides, Terra had once visited Krakow on school field trip, and as such was well versed in the metropolitan ways of these folk. "This is only the first step in the long hard road to our careers as supermodels, Kori. I hope you are prepared to work as hard as I am. I am erasing the word 'failure' from personal vocabulary."
Starfire smiled at her friend's bravado, "I too will forget that and many other words! Only success for us. But..." she began hesitantly.
"But what?" frowned Terra.
"Are you so sure sister that cheerleading is the beginning of our journey to supermodel status?"
Terra made an exaggerated show of exasperation, "Ugh! Simple bumpkin. Everyone knows that all of the most powerful and important women in America began as cheerleaders! It is a truth that cannot be denied. Their congress women, their corporate leaders, their cosmonaughts; all cheerleaders!"
Starfire was thoughtful, "But there were women cosmonaughts in the old Soviet, I'm recalling..."
"Those were men who dressed as women, that is why we do not speak of them." said Terra with much authority. Starfire considered this carefully.
Within another moment, they'd reached their destination, the girl's locker room annex and home to the Julius Schwartz Memorial High School cheerleading squad. Beyond these doors was the sanctum sanctorum of the fearsome Red and Black, nine time state championship cheer squad, and second place winner in the nationals, three years running. Looking at each other, they took a deep breath and rushed in where angels fear to tread.
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Beast Boy was almost beside himself with glee. There were lots of reasons he could sight as to why he and Robin were such good friends, but the one that mattered to him the most at that moment was that he was proving to be SUCH a tempting distraction for Raven, that it was giving him previously unheard of amounts of private time alone with the delicious Jinx. As she explained her morning to him in GREAT detail, he toyed with both his fruit salad and thoughts of her in and out of various forms of swimwear. Catching a pause in her Homeric epic of Algebra class, he decided to make his move.
"Um, you know lovely one, I've been in pursuit of your favors for a while now, but I think it's time I make an honest women out of you." he said with a smooth, easy air, "Care to go out on Friday evening?"
Jinx was surprised, "An actual date?" Delighted, she didn't want to show it just yet. "Not that I'm saying yes, mind you..." she said primly, "But just for the sake of argument, let us suppose that I DID agree. What might I be expecting in the way of a young gentleman's attentions?" Around them, the school lunchroom was a maelstrom of teen activity as meatloaf Monday shifted into second gear, and there was a real and present danger of running out of tater tots. Tensions were high.
Beast Boy forked several cuts of honeydew melon and smirked at the woman he'd wrestle alligators for, "You may have heard in passing that Vic Stone is having an evening get together of two hundred of his closest friends, correct?"
She smiled coyly, "Oh I see. And you've come up with a scheme to get us invites? Seems somewhat chancy for a first date, don't you think?"
Time to drop the bomb. He grinned the grin and said, "Angel, I don't NEED an invite. I'm the DJ for this little event magnifique!" Her eyes shot open with enough force to split an atom.
Calming herself she smiled sweetly, "You never cease to amaze me." as she reached across the table to place her hand on his.
"Let's hope not." he smiled, "You think Raven would like to go with Tim?"
"I think Raven would be willing to be surgically attached to Tim at this point. He's all she talks about." she said rolling her eyes.
"Excellent." said Beast Boy, rubbing his hands with glee, "It's all falling into place."
Just as Beast Boy was about to further flatter her, Jinx caught sight of Raven across the lunchroom, alone and obviously agitated. Making her apologies, she hopped up and set an intercept course for her best friend.
"Hey, where's Tim. What happened? Raven? Did something happen?" Jinx asked, but a gnawing fear in the back of her mind was already suggesting a few answers.
Trembling, she finally calmed herself enough to say softly, "It... it happened again."
Biting her lip, Jinx wished she knew what to do next.
The girls bathroom down by the metal shop was a secret hideaway known to only a select few, being in a section of the school few girls traveled. As such it was usually empty and almost free of possible interruptions.
Catching her own breath, Jinx hugged and massaged Raven as best she could to try and calm her. Finally, she felt same in questioning her.
"Okay. Where's Tim? Did this happen to Tim?" Jinx asked softly.
Raven's eyes went wide, apparently never considering the fact that this phenomena might effect him as well, "N-no. He had to go off to the main office. Some paperwork for his kung fu team..."
"Okay, good. Tim wasn't around. Where were you when it happened this time?"
"By my locker. I-I was getting out my lunch... and I saw him standing there..."
"Who Raven? Who did you see?"
She furrowed her brow as she tried to recall all the details, "Shadow Man, but he was different this time..."
It began to slowly come out. Stopping by her locker to retrieve a few things, she was startled to notice that the halls were suddenly empty of any students, save for this one. He was at the farthest end of the hallway, under that one bad light fixture by the chem lab. Bathed in flickering shadow, she couldn't quite make out his features as he just stood there watching her. But there was no sound in the hallway, not merely quiet, but that complete dead silence one associates with snowfall. Slowly standing, she faced him and began to walk in his direction, which seemed to both surprise and upset him. Once he realized that he had been seen, he seemed to panic, and fled. As soon as he was out of her line of sight, she suddenly found herself in the middle of a hallway packed with students.
"It was like flipping a switch. I'm all alone, then BOOM, heavy traffic." said Raven softly, "This makes number twenty-three." Jinx nodded, and they're getting worse she thought.
"And you couldn't see his face this time? Did you get a look at him?" Jinx asked, pacing in front of the sinks. At this, Raven grew quiet again. She found that couldn't describe him accurately because his face... didn't make sense. He had eyes, ears, nose and a mouth, but somehow the combination of the parts somehow didn't equal a face. Jinx nodded. Though she hadn't expressed it to Raven this morning, that was her impression of the Shadow Man in her encounters as well.
Between the two of them, these sorts of odd time farts had started to pile up over the last week or so. Some were grand experiences such as this, while others were subtle, like seeing a car, blinking, only to see that it's changed color or style, or both. They'd discussed this on the way to school that morning, comparing notes and looking for answers. About half of them involved the Shadow Man in some way or another, he either being the focus of the event, or an observer. That it was happening to both of them was some small comfort, in that it proved that neither was crazy. That it was happening at all, was a far more troubling matter...
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Breathless, Terra and Starfire stood before the desk of the fearsome captain of the Red and Blacks, Lea Camerone, and within the halls of Julius Schwarts Memorial High, she was legend. Stately and athletic, her shear physical presence made her seem taller than she was, with a full inviting bosom and shapely legs completing every freshman's fantasy. Driven and commanding, she ruled the squad with an iron fist and a fanatical devotion to the school, and expected nothing less from those below her. Excellence is a starting point, she was prone to say. Gracious and gregarious, she dwelled in the airy realms of the school's elite studentry along with her ex-boyfriend (and possibly lover, or so it was whispered) Victor Stone. And it was she who'd dumped him.
Considering the girls for a moment, Lea rose and moved to sit on the edge of desk.
"Ladies?" she asked dispassionately. Even sitting still, the girls found her to be imposing, looking flawless in her black uniform which she wore the way most people wore skin.
"We were told by Professor Modsworth to report to you about cheerleader tryouts." beamed Terra as Starfire nodded furiously.
Sighing Lea said, "Uh yes, thank you Professor Modsworth. Well look girls, I won't waste your time. Tryouts are on Friday at 2:00 PM, and while they are technically open to all applicants, we as a rule choose from amongst the Junior cheerleaders. Thanks anyway."
Terra seemed shocked, "B-but, we've been practicing the moves for months. We've learned all the schools cheers by heart. You have to consider us!"
"And we would look really good in the uniforms." added Starfire, jutting her chest out.
Lea's reaction was volcanic, "Listen up and listen good, cupcakes! This isn't about looking good in the uniforms. We're not eye-candy during the games! We are the heart and soul of this school's fighting spirit. We exalt in victory, console in defeat, and cry out for vengeance. This..." she said gesturing to the ribbon case to her left, "...is the proud legacy of the hard work and dedication that the members of this team put in. It's NOT about looking good." She spun around and approached them, "I don't want to know what you can do with these, "she said grabbing a breast on each girl, "Show me what you can do with these!" and she poked each in the forehead with an index finger.
In a flash, Terra's fury matched Lea's, "Who are you to stand in the way of our dreams?! It is not for you to decide our fates before a fair examination of our abilities! If you are about all that you claim that you are, then it is talent and determination alone that is our judge. And let me tell YOU," she glared as she pointed towards the ribbon case, "If Kori and I were on the team, those would be FIRST place ribbons, not Second place!"
Lea's face broke into a wide, warm smile, "Excellent. Very good." Turning, she disappeared into a side closet, returning in a moment with an armload of stuff.
"Okay then, here's your cheer books, practice poms, and megaphones. The issued uniforms weigh eleven pounds, so make sure you practice with at least that much weight on. And learn ALL the cheers, even the retired ones. I want you two to be able to fart these cheers in your sleep." she said with a wink, "I'll see you on Friday."
Stunned, Terra recovered quickly, "We will not fail!" Grinning, they gathered up their gear, they scurried out the door, and towards the lunchroom passing a bemused Victor Stone on the way. Tapping softly on her door, he entered to see her sitting on the edge of her desk.
"Victor" she said with a voice like fine chocolate.
"Hey, you're looking good. Really good. How's the squad shaping up?" he asked, but so obviously not the words he wanted to say to her.
"Good." she said, in full business mode, "just had a pair in here that show promise, and about half of the Junior years squad are probables. We'll have you boys backs." leaning back in her chair, she graced him with soft smile.
Nodding as she spoke, he began to play with a spare megaphone, "Good, good. Um, I'm having a little get together on Friday. I was hoping you'd come."
Closing her eyes, she said softly, "Hope springs eternal, even where there is no hope."
His worst fears realized, he quickly shifted gears, "Well, by 'you' I meant the whole squad. Y'know show off the new members, do a few routines, like that."
Her expression brightened, "Ah, I see. Well then, Yes. 'WE' will be there on Friday. Thanks."
He nodded, taking his leave, "Great, then I'll be looking forward to seeing... you on Friday." and smiled.
Alone again, she removed to picture of them together from her desk. Running her fingers lightly around the borders, she thought of the two of them in less complex times. Sighing, she tore the picture into quarters and let them drop from her hand into the waste basket. He had once told her that the heart though the hardest working, was the one muscle that never completely heals quite right. And she knew this to be true...
Fade to black....
To be continued.
Writers notes---------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------
Well now, I got a lot of e-mail response off the first chapter (review people), and I'm glad everyone's enjoying this. Beast Boy is actually based on two guys I knew in my senior year, though embarrassingly, a few of the corny pick up lines are my own. Though goofy and juevenile in the show, it's easy to see Gar as the court jester of the senior class elite, ever the schemer and huckster. I'm also really stuck on the whole BB/Jinx pairing and have another story waiting in the wings to explore that with ("Haywire"), and Terra/Starfire have become my fave madcapped galpals to play with in stories, so look for more of that.
As before, I use reviews as a barometer, so if you want more of something, lemme know.
Keep readin', keep writin'!
Part Two - English Lit
I cry myself to sleep each night knowing that I own none of these characters...
Rated PG-13, Robin/Raven and Beast Boy/Jinx pairings. Starfire and Terra with probably get drunk and do something goofy at some point.
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Smiling to herself, Terra though about how lucky Starfire was, for as the fates would have it, not only had she likewise been selected to study in America, but that she was further graced to be paired up with a hip, metropolitan girl such as herself. While an unbelievable sweet girl, Terra found that life on the farm had ill prepared her partner for the hustle and bustle of a big American city like Jump Town where this fast life could easily devour a simple country girl such as Starfire. Besides, Terra had once visited Krakow on school field trip, and as such was well versed in the metropolitan ways of these folk. "This is only the first step in the long hard road to our careers as supermodels, Kori. I hope you are prepared to work as hard as I am. I am erasing the word 'failure' from personal vocabulary."
Starfire smiled at her friend's bravado, "I too will forget that and many other words! Only success for us. But..." she began hesitantly.
"But what?" frowned Terra.
"Are you so sure sister that cheerleading is the beginning of our journey to supermodel status?"
Terra made an exaggerated show of exasperation, "Ugh! Simple bumpkin. Everyone knows that all of the most powerful and important women in America began as cheerleaders! It is a truth that cannot be denied. Their congress women, their corporate leaders, their cosmonaughts; all cheerleaders!"
Starfire was thoughtful, "But there were women cosmonaughts in the old Soviet, I'm recalling..."
"Those were men who dressed as women, that is why we do not speak of them." said Terra with much authority. Starfire considered this carefully.
Within another moment, they'd reached their destination, the girl's locker room annex and home to the Julius Schwartz Memorial High School cheerleading squad. Beyond these doors was the sanctum sanctorum of the fearsome Red and Black, nine time state championship cheer squad, and second place winner in the nationals, three years running. Looking at each other, they took a deep breath and rushed in where angels fear to tread.
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------
Beast Boy was almost beside himself with glee. There were lots of reasons he could sight as to why he and Robin were such good friends, but the one that mattered to him the most at that moment was that he was proving to be SUCH a tempting distraction for Raven, that it was giving him previously unheard of amounts of private time alone with the delicious Jinx. As she explained her morning to him in GREAT detail, he toyed with both his fruit salad and thoughts of her in and out of various forms of swimwear. Catching a pause in her Homeric epic of Algebra class, he decided to make his move.
"Um, you know lovely one, I've been in pursuit of your favors for a while now, but I think it's time I make an honest women out of you." he said with a smooth, easy air, "Care to go out on Friday evening?"
Jinx was surprised, "An actual date?" Delighted, she didn't want to show it just yet. "Not that I'm saying yes, mind you..." she said primly, "But just for the sake of argument, let us suppose that I DID agree. What might I be expecting in the way of a young gentleman's attentions?" Around them, the school lunchroom was a maelstrom of teen activity as meatloaf Monday shifted into second gear, and there was a real and present danger of running out of tater tots. Tensions were high.
Beast Boy forked several cuts of honeydew melon and smirked at the woman he'd wrestle alligators for, "You may have heard in passing that Vic Stone is having an evening get together of two hundred of his closest friends, correct?"
She smiled coyly, "Oh I see. And you've come up with a scheme to get us invites? Seems somewhat chancy for a first date, don't you think?"
Time to drop the bomb. He grinned the grin and said, "Angel, I don't NEED an invite. I'm the DJ for this little event magnifique!" Her eyes shot open with enough force to split an atom.
Calming herself she smiled sweetly, "You never cease to amaze me." as she reached across the table to place her hand on his.
"Let's hope not." he smiled, "You think Raven would like to go with Tim?"
"I think Raven would be willing to be surgically attached to Tim at this point. He's all she talks about." she said rolling her eyes.
"Excellent." said Beast Boy, rubbing his hands with glee, "It's all falling into place."
Just as Beast Boy was about to further flatter her, Jinx caught sight of Raven across the lunchroom, alone and obviously agitated. Making her apologies, she hopped up and set an intercept course for her best friend.
"Hey, where's Tim. What happened? Raven? Did something happen?" Jinx asked, but a gnawing fear in the back of her mind was already suggesting a few answers.
Trembling, she finally calmed herself enough to say softly, "It... it happened again."
Biting her lip, Jinx wished she knew what to do next.
The girls bathroom down by the metal shop was a secret hideaway known to only a select few, being in a section of the school few girls traveled. As such it was usually empty and almost free of possible interruptions.
Catching her own breath, Jinx hugged and massaged Raven as best she could to try and calm her. Finally, she felt same in questioning her.
"Okay. Where's Tim? Did this happen to Tim?" Jinx asked softly.
Raven's eyes went wide, apparently never considering the fact that this phenomena might effect him as well, "N-no. He had to go off to the main office. Some paperwork for his kung fu team..."
"Okay, good. Tim wasn't around. Where were you when it happened this time?"
"By my locker. I-I was getting out my lunch... and I saw him standing there..."
"Who Raven? Who did you see?"
She furrowed her brow as she tried to recall all the details, "Shadow Man, but he was different this time..."
It began to slowly come out. Stopping by her locker to retrieve a few things, she was startled to notice that the halls were suddenly empty of any students, save for this one. He was at the farthest end of the hallway, under that one bad light fixture by the chem lab. Bathed in flickering shadow, she couldn't quite make out his features as he just stood there watching her. But there was no sound in the hallway, not merely quiet, but that complete dead silence one associates with snowfall. Slowly standing, she faced him and began to walk in his direction, which seemed to both surprise and upset him. Once he realized that he had been seen, he seemed to panic, and fled. As soon as he was out of her line of sight, she suddenly found herself in the middle of a hallway packed with students.
"It was like flipping a switch. I'm all alone, then BOOM, heavy traffic." said Raven softly, "This makes number twenty-three." Jinx nodded, and they're getting worse she thought.
"And you couldn't see his face this time? Did you get a look at him?" Jinx asked, pacing in front of the sinks. At this, Raven grew quiet again. She found that couldn't describe him accurately because his face... didn't make sense. He had eyes, ears, nose and a mouth, but somehow the combination of the parts somehow didn't equal a face. Jinx nodded. Though she hadn't expressed it to Raven this morning, that was her impression of the Shadow Man in her encounters as well.
Between the two of them, these sorts of odd time farts had started to pile up over the last week or so. Some were grand experiences such as this, while others were subtle, like seeing a car, blinking, only to see that it's changed color or style, or both. They'd discussed this on the way to school that morning, comparing notes and looking for answers. About half of them involved the Shadow Man in some way or another, he either being the focus of the event, or an observer. That it was happening to both of them was some small comfort, in that it proved that neither was crazy. That it was happening at all, was a far more troubling matter...
------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------
Breathless, Terra and Starfire stood before the desk of the fearsome captain of the Red and Blacks, Lea Camerone, and within the halls of Julius Schwarts Memorial High, she was legend. Stately and athletic, her shear physical presence made her seem taller than she was, with a full inviting bosom and shapely legs completing every freshman's fantasy. Driven and commanding, she ruled the squad with an iron fist and a fanatical devotion to the school, and expected nothing less from those below her. Excellence is a starting point, she was prone to say. Gracious and gregarious, she dwelled in the airy realms of the school's elite studentry along with her ex-boyfriend (and possibly lover, or so it was whispered) Victor Stone. And it was she who'd dumped him.
Considering the girls for a moment, Lea rose and moved to sit on the edge of desk.
"Ladies?" she asked dispassionately. Even sitting still, the girls found her to be imposing, looking flawless in her black uniform which she wore the way most people wore skin.
"We were told by Professor Modsworth to report to you about cheerleader tryouts." beamed Terra as Starfire nodded furiously.
Sighing Lea said, "Uh yes, thank you Professor Modsworth. Well look girls, I won't waste your time. Tryouts are on Friday at 2:00 PM, and while they are technically open to all applicants, we as a rule choose from amongst the Junior cheerleaders. Thanks anyway."
Terra seemed shocked, "B-but, we've been practicing the moves for months. We've learned all the schools cheers by heart. You have to consider us!"
"And we would look really good in the uniforms." added Starfire, jutting her chest out.
Lea's reaction was volcanic, "Listen up and listen good, cupcakes! This isn't about looking good in the uniforms. We're not eye-candy during the games! We are the heart and soul of this school's fighting spirit. We exalt in victory, console in defeat, and cry out for vengeance. This..." she said gesturing to the ribbon case to her left, "...is the proud legacy of the hard work and dedication that the members of this team put in. It's NOT about looking good." She spun around and approached them, "I don't want to know what you can do with these, "she said grabbing a breast on each girl, "Show me what you can do with these!" and she poked each in the forehead with an index finger.
In a flash, Terra's fury matched Lea's, "Who are you to stand in the way of our dreams?! It is not for you to decide our fates before a fair examination of our abilities! If you are about all that you claim that you are, then it is talent and determination alone that is our judge. And let me tell YOU," she glared as she pointed towards the ribbon case, "If Kori and I were on the team, those would be FIRST place ribbons, not Second place!"
Lea's face broke into a wide, warm smile, "Excellent. Very good." Turning, she disappeared into a side closet, returning in a moment with an armload of stuff.
"Okay then, here's your cheer books, practice poms, and megaphones. The issued uniforms weigh eleven pounds, so make sure you practice with at least that much weight on. And learn ALL the cheers, even the retired ones. I want you two to be able to fart these cheers in your sleep." she said with a wink, "I'll see you on Friday."
Stunned, Terra recovered quickly, "We will not fail!" Grinning, they gathered up their gear, they scurried out the door, and towards the lunchroom passing a bemused Victor Stone on the way. Tapping softly on her door, he entered to see her sitting on the edge of her desk.
"Victor" she said with a voice like fine chocolate.
"Hey, you're looking good. Really good. How's the squad shaping up?" he asked, but so obviously not the words he wanted to say to her.
"Good." she said, in full business mode, "just had a pair in here that show promise, and about half of the Junior years squad are probables. We'll have you boys backs." leaning back in her chair, she graced him with soft smile.
Nodding as she spoke, he began to play with a spare megaphone, "Good, good. Um, I'm having a little get together on Friday. I was hoping you'd come."
Closing her eyes, she said softly, "Hope springs eternal, even where there is no hope."
His worst fears realized, he quickly shifted gears, "Well, by 'you' I meant the whole squad. Y'know show off the new members, do a few routines, like that."
Her expression brightened, "Ah, I see. Well then, Yes. 'WE' will be there on Friday. Thanks."
He nodded, taking his leave, "Great, then I'll be looking forward to seeing... you on Friday." and smiled.
Alone again, she removed to picture of them together from her desk. Running her fingers lightly around the borders, she thought of the two of them in less complex times. Sighing, she tore the picture into quarters and let them drop from her hand into the waste basket. He had once told her that the heart though the hardest working, was the one muscle that never completely heals quite right. And she knew this to be true...
Fade to black....
To be continued.
Writers notes---------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------
Well now, I got a lot of e-mail response off the first chapter (review people), and I'm glad everyone's enjoying this. Beast Boy is actually based on two guys I knew in my senior year, though embarrassingly, a few of the corny pick up lines are my own. Though goofy and juevenile in the show, it's easy to see Gar as the court jester of the senior class elite, ever the schemer and huckster. I'm also really stuck on the whole BB/Jinx pairing and have another story waiting in the wings to explore that with ("Haywire"), and Terra/Starfire have become my fave madcapped galpals to play with in stories, so look for more of that.
As before, I use reviews as a barometer, so if you want more of something, lemme know.
Keep readin', keep writin'!