Chapter Seventeen: Lost Winners

“I am wet, cold, hungry and I am pretty sure there is something in my shoe.” I complained, wrapping my arms around myself in order to keep myself warm.

I heard Gavin grunt, “Could you please shut up? I am trying to concentrate.”

I sighed, falling onto the floor beside his beside his truck. Confused? Well let me start from the beginning.

*Thirteen hours ago.

“Oh, would you look at that Medusa has finally woken.” Thomas said, looking at me in amusement.

I ignored him, taking a seat down across from him. “Shut up.”

“Well excuse me for speaking the truth.” He grumbled, taking a bite from his cereal.

“Well I wouldn't have looked like this if someone hadn't left me with fifteen kids yesterday,” I muttered.

“There was a reason why I did. And anyways, it wasn't so bad.”

“Wasn't so bad?” I asked, letting out a humorous laugh. “It was terrible, you didn't see what I went through! Those kids, there animals!” I exclaimed, pounding my fist on the table.

“I think you mean demons.” Thomas corrected.

I rolled my eyes, keeping quiet. I had a headache and if I kept arguing with Thomas I knew it was just going to get worse.

“You’re a terrible brother,” I murmured, under my breath.

After Thomas had left me with those kids yesterday I swear to God they just got more hyper. They were running around, fighting with one another and some even tried to leave. But, thank God I got to them before then or else it could have been even more chaotic than it already was. Once I finally got the kids calmed down and it took a good twenty minutes to do so. I suggested reading a fun book or even taking a nap, but the kids automatically turned that idea down.

After relentless arguing with the kids, we finally came to conclusion to play a game. One of the older kids suggested to play hide n’ seek and all the kids agreed. I let the kids out of the room to go and hide we did have a few ground rules but thankfully all the kids abided by them and listened. In the end I found all the kids and by the time we were done hide n’ seek, all the kids were worn out and passed out, myself included.

 “Wow, you look terrible.” Uncle Robbie said, walking into the kitchen his eyes widened.

“So I have been told.” I muttered, stuffing a spoonful of Frosted Flakes into my mouth.

“So, did you have fun yesterday?” Uncle Robbie said taking a sip of his coffee.

“Loads,” I said, sarcastically.

“Well, I am glad you had fun, we should do it again. This time when you’re parents are here.” I rolled my eyes, it seemed Uncle Robbie didn't catch onto my sarcasm.

It was quiet for a few minutes, until I decided to speak up. “Well, I am done.” I said wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.

“Have fun at school,” Uncle Robbie said, his eyes glued to the paper.

I nodded getting up from my chair and giving a quick kiss to his cheek and ruffling Thomas’ hair. “Watch it,” Thomas barked at me, his hands going over to fix his hair.

I waved goodbye heading towards the front door, were I left my bag and shoes. Today was the last round of the talent show, Sarah was in the last round and I was kind of excited. I didn't know what song she was singing because she claimed that it was a surprise.

I sent a quick text to Holly asking where she was. It was already seven forty five and school started at eight. I didn't like getting late to class my drama teacher hated that.

“Need a ride?” Someone spoke from behind me.

I turned around coming face to face with Ben? My eyes widened, I haven’t seen him for a long time and if I remember correctly it was kind of awkward between us now.

I cleared my throat, there was an awkward air filled between us. “I am good thanks, I’ll just have one of the other guards take me.”

“Come on, Alice. You’re just giving more work to the guards. We are going the same way, it’s the least I could do.” Ben spoke softly.

I sighed it was almost eight. I looked back at Ben and saw as he was giving me a pouty face. I sighed, “Fine.” I muttered, reaching down and slipping my feet into my grey converse. “Let’s go.”

“Yes.” Ben said, happily reaching down on the floor and picking up my bag pack. He walked over to the door pulling it open and gesturing me to go first.

I nodded and gave him a small smile and walking out the door and towards his black Toyota. It wasn't like I hated Ben for confessing that he liked me. It was just that I felt bad for how Holly told me she still had feelings for Ben, and after all we went through I would hate for her to get mad at me again or even worse get heartbroken.

Once I got in, I buckled my seat belt looking out the window. I was tired and I am pretty sure I had bags under my eyes and an awkward conversation with Ben was something I didn't need or want at the moment.

“So, how have you been?” Ben spoke up.

I looked at Ben, his eyes were glued to the road. “Good. You?”

“Good,” He responded, taking a quick glance at me, then back to the road.

It was quiet for a couple of minutes until Ben decided to speak up, “Have you been avoiding me.”

“No,”

“Liar."

“I am not lying,” I told him, lying. But, Ben didn't need to know that.

“You are giving me one worded answers and you keep looking out the window like talking to me is worse than having yourself flattened by a cow.” Ben said, stopping at the red light and turning to face me.

I raised my eyebrows, “Flattened by a cow?” I asked.

“It is eight in the morning my brain is not fully functioning,” He protested.

I shrugged, waving my hands in the air. “I am not judging.”

“Anyways are you going to tell me why you have been avoiding me?” Ben asked, pressing on the gas.

“I am not going to tell you, because I haven’t been avoiding you.”

“Listen Alice, if you don’t like me than it doesn't matter. Okay?” Ben said softly.

“Ben, it’s not that I don’t like you it’s just that I can’t like you.” I mumbled, under my breath hoping that he wouldn't hear.

“What do you mean?” He asked, turning into the schools parking lot and parking his car.

“It doesn't matter,” I said opening the door and stepping out. The bell has just rung and everyone was now making their way inside the school.

“Alice!” Ben said, running behind me. I automatically stopped turning around to face me.

“It’s Ali- not Alice.” I hissed, I didn't want people wondering why he called me Alice. But, thankfully no one was outside the school, so no one heard Ben’s slip up since everyone was probably making their way to their first period classes.

“Shit, sorry.” He said, apologetically.

“Ben, I can’t do this right now. I am going to be late for class and Mrs. Moore hates when I am late.” I murmured, turning around and quickly jogging towards the school ignoring the calls from Ben.

*

“Abc, easy as 123, or simple as do re mi; abc, 123, baby you and me girl!” I sang, while curling the ends of Sarah’s hair.

“Are you going to stop singing?” Sarah said, looking at me from the mirror.

“Depends are you going to groan every time I sing the high notes?” I asked, raising my eyebrows.

“This is a Michael Jackson song! There isn't any high notes.” Sarah said, in protest.

“What are you talking about? It's a Michael Jackson song! All there is, is high notes!" I argued. 

“Please don’t....”

I rolled my eyes finishing curling the last strand of Sarah’s hair. “So you excited?” I asked, turning around the chair so that Sarah could face me.

She shrugged, pinning her bangs back with a bobby clip, “More like anxious, I just want to get over with it.”

“But, you never know maybe you could win?”

“I highly doubt that Ashley has won three years in a row. If she doesn't win then someone better has too.” Sarah said, looking at me her brown eyes filled with sadness.

“Yeah, someone better will win.” I said agreeing with her, “You.”

Sarah rolled her eyes, “Let’s just get me into something to wear, if you haven’t noticed I look like a hobo.” She said, gesturing to her hoodie and sweatpants.

I nodded, “I've noticed. I just didn't want to be rude and say anything.”

Sarah sent me a glare, “You don’t look any better.” She said, nudging me playfully and walking over to her bag and pulling out a dress and some nude color heels.

She held them out to me. “How do they look?”

I nodded my head, “that’s a really cute dress.” Sarah held out to me a red and white dress. The top part of the dress was red, and then when it reached under her chest the dress was white with red splats.

“Thanks,” She chirped. “I am going to get changed.”

I nodded my head, “I’ll be in the audience with Ben and Holly.” She nodded her head, “Good luck!” I said, giving her a thumbs up and walking towards the curtain that led to the front of the theater.

Unlike the first part of the talent show, we just had to go to school to watch the acts and that was if we wanted to go. But, today it was done a little differently. We had our first two classes then had lunch and now for the rest of the day the whole school packed into the theater to watch the acts. Today was judging day, and I was really excited. Sarah refused to tell me the song that she picked, but however she did say it was a song she had wrote herself. So that made me even more excited to hear her sing.

“But, you promised.” I heard someone whine.

“I promise a lot of things, yours was one of them.” I heard a deep voice, reply back.

I noticed Gavin and Ashley standing in front of the exit doors, Ashley had her arm latched around Gavin’s however he kept trying to shrug her arm off.

“I have to go, Ash.” He said, looking slightly annoyed.

She stomped her foot childishly. I let out a bark of laughter, her head snapped to me. As she sent a glare my way, Gavin finally noticed my present and when he did, he looked surprised.

“Did you know eavesdropping is rude?” Ashley asked, her blue eyes narrowing at me.

“Did you know that wearing clothes too tight and too small for you can cut off blood circulation?” I replied.

“At least it shows off my curves.” She said, scoffing.

“Oh, it shows of something. Curves aren't one of them.” I muttered, looking away.

I heard someone laugh and my brown eyes wandered over to Gavin who was clutching his stomach his face going red. A smile soon appeared on my face.

“You find this funny?” Ashley asked, annoyance clear in her voice.

Gavin nodded his head, his laughs fading. “A little.”

“Well if you find this so funny, then we are over.” Ashley said, flipping her dyed blonde hair and stomping away.

“We were never together to begin with!” He shouted, after her.

Ashley walked past me, purposely bumping into me glaring at me. “Sorry,” She said, sarcastically giving me a sarcastic smile.

I rolled my eyes as she walked into one of the room purposely slamming the door. I looked back at Gavin, “Want to explain what just happened?”

He shook his head, “I’ll past on the opportunity, thanks.”

I shrugged, I really couldn't care less what just happened between him and that bimbo. I was just asking and trying to be polite. “Whatever,” I muttered walking towards Gavin brushing past him and out the door. The talent show started in a few minutes and if I wanted a good spot I had to get there quick knowing there already all filled up.

“Hey, where are you going, nerd?” He asked, coming behind me and falling into step with me.

“We are back to that name again?” I asked, a little bit annoyed.

“We were always with that name.” Gavin asked, a smirk on his face

I rolled my eyes, he is so annoying. “To answer your question I am going to go and watch and support one of my friends.”

“You have friends?” He asked, shocked.

“No, I have acquaintances.” I muttered, sarcastically pulling the doors open to the theater and walking in. I was expecting for Gavin to turn around and walk the other way maybe go sit with someone else but once I found a spot to sit, he came and sat next to me.

I let out a groan, “Could you please go and sit elsewhere? Perhaps with one of your idiotic friends?”

“Nah, I am too cool to have friends.” He said, sinking into the seat and opening his legs, so that right knee was touching my thigh.

I pushed his knee away from mine. “Don’t touch me,” I warned.

He opened his mouth to answer back but the host of the talent show appeared on stage and everybody burst into claps.

“Thank you!” He spoke into the microphone his voice booming through the room. “I don’t know if many of you remember me? But I am this year’s host for this year’s talent show. My name is Andy Monte and I am very excited to be here in front of you all!” 

Once again the audience burst into claps. I heard Gavin mutter something but I couldn't quite catch it.

“Anyways, I am sure you all didn't come here to hear me go on and on, you came here to watch our amazing talents! So without further adieu I give you Electric!”

A dance group consisting of four boys made their way onto stage, they were all quite handsome. But, I've never seen them before in my life. They were doing tricks in the air, and were all in sync with one another, they were really good. A few minutes later the audience burst to claps standing up giving them a standing ovation myself included.

Once I sat down, I looked back at Gavin who had his eyes shut. He honestly couldn't be sleeping with all this noise. Can he?

I poked Gavin on the cheek, when he didn't move I poked him again this time getting some sort of reaction out of him.  His eyes quickly opening in alarm, shooting up from his seat grabbing my arm and twisting it, in some sort of way that it kind of hurt.

I let out a yelp. When Gavin finally noticed where he was and how he was holding me and the pain in my eyes. He quickly let go of my arm sitting down. “Sorry,” He said looking a little bit worried.

I looked at Gavin my eyes widened in shock, why the hell did he do that? I searched Gavin’s eyes for any answers but he just looked away turning the other way. I wanted to ask him why did he do that, but I didn't want to. I didn't want to take the chance of him trying to break my finger again.

I turned back to the stage, Andy was up on stage a bright smile on his face. “Well come on, let's give them another round of claps for Electric!” He said, his hand gesturing to the four boys with bright smiles on their face waving to the crowd.

“Up next we have Sarah Rose singing an original song she wrote.” Andy said, motioning us to clap which we did.

A smile appeared on my face as I watched Sarah make her way to the microphone that was set up on the middle of the stage. Her nude colored heels clacking against the floor, a smile on her face.

“Hey, everyone!” Sarah spoke into the mic, “This is a song I wrote, it’s called Popular Song. Enjoy”

The song started up, Sarah hit her hand on the mic in a beat, waving her head in the beat of the music. “La, la, la, la. You were the popular one, the popular chick. It is what it is, now I’m the popular-ish.” Sarah sang into the microphone her hips moving to the beat of the song.

“My problem, I never was a model, I never was a scholar, but you were always popular. You were singing all the songs I don’t know, now you’re in the front row, cause my song is popular.” As Sarah sang more and more into the song I began to realize what this song was about.

Sarah was telling her life story in a form of her song, it was the day that she confessed to me about everything that happened with Ashley. The day I was helping her prep for her first song she was singing, everything that she went through she was telling her feelings through the form of a song. And you would realize if you paid close attention to the lyrics.

“Popular, I know about popular. It’s not about who you are or your fancy car, you’re only ever who you were, Popular, I know about popular, And all that you have to do, is be true to you. That's all you ever need to know, all you ever need to know.” Sarah sang the last verse of the song.

The audience was quiet for a few seconds, I looked around and saw a few of them gawking at Sarah their jaws hanging open in shock. Another second later we heard a clap and slowly everyone in the theater was clapping a few of them were up on their feet and soon everyone else was too.

“Go Sarah!” She smiled brightly, giving the audience a few kisses and waves not before running off stage. I sat back down on my seat turning to Gavin who was also on his feet.

“That friend of yours was pretty good.” He said, sitting back down.

“She was? Wasn't she?”

I smiled, that song Sarah sang was really good. Who knew that she write or own songs let alone sing? All I know for now is that Sarah will be a big hit in the upcoming years, if she is actually serious about singing.

Andy appeared back on stage, clapping his hands. “That was good!” He said, enthusiastically. “Who knew someone could write a song that good! Let alone sing as well!” Andy said, he was beaming.

“Next up we have our third act she was our winner for the last three years in the row. And is also a crowd pleaser, especially for the males. Give it up for Ashley Rome!” He said, clapping and then disappearing off stage.

Ashley came up on stage wearing tight black leather pants and a leather jacket under the jacket was a white tube top. Her blonde hair was pulled into a tight high ponytail at the top of her head.

She walked over and grabbed the microphone from the stand. “Hello, fellow classmates! And today I’ve decided to sing a song called by Alicia Keys it’s called No one, enjoy!”

My eyes widened, that song was mostly high notes. And with Ashley’s screeching abilities I doubt she would be able to pull that off.

“I just want you close, so you can stay forever…” She sang, but it sounded a little pitchy.

I winced as she kept singing, she had her signature red lips as she smiled brightly showing off her pearly white teeth. I looked over at Gavin who had his hands covering his ears.

I copied him as she got to the chorus, “No one, No one will ever get what I am feeling for you…”

I looked around the room, if she wasn’t wearing such inappropriate clothes I doubted anyone would want to hear her sing.

A few minutes later this was over and I was thankful as I clapped for her, I was only doing it to be polite. I looked over at Gavin his face was blank. “That sure was something…” I said, he looked at me his brown eyes blank.

“I am just glad that it’s over.” Gavin replied, looking back towards the stage.

Ashley was standing and bowing to the audience, I doubt she was doing it for cause she had too more like cause she wanted to show off her boobs, she gave the audience a few kisses before Andy appeared on stage.

He quickly introduced another act which was a girl doing some weird traditional dance, it was pretty good but she was pretty young. Most probably a freshmen. Once she was done, a boy probably in his sophomore year strummed the guitar, singing I’m Yours by Jason Mraz. The two acts were pretty decent but, I knew they had no chance of winning- no offense.

“Well that was all the final acts for this year, and let me say they were all outstanding I have no idea how the judges will choose this year’s winner.” He said, chuckling, “Well let’s get all our performers up on stage please.”

The boy group Electric, the freshmen girl, the boy with the guitar and Sarah all appeared on stage; following Ashley who walked out first, Sarah took a spot next to Ashely with her being in the middle.

“Well I have the results of this year’s winner in my hand.” Andy said waving the card that a girl just gave him a few minutes ago. “Now before we announce this year’s winner let’s hear it for the acts.” He said motioning for us to clap which we did.

I watched as Ashley whispered something to Sarah her face paling. Her jaw soon began clenching which made me wonder why Ashley had such a smug smile on her face and what did she whisper to Sarah.

“Well, I don’t want to leave you waiting for so long. So in third place we have….”Andy said looking down at his card. “Electric!” The boys huddled together hugging one another giving each other slaps on the back.

The audience began to clap for the boys- they were very talented dancers and I knew they were going to go far. “Now I have this year’s winner.” He said, looking down at the card, “Wow.” Andy whispered, “This girl surprised everyone, no wonder…” He muttered into the microphone. He then looked back to the audience, “Our 2014 winner, for this year’s talent show is… drum roll please…. Sarah Rose!” He spoke enthusiastically into the mic.  

Ashley stepped forward waving her hands in the air, once she realized that her name wasn’t called but Sarah’s her head snapped to Andy. “What? I didn’t win?” She screeched, storming over to Andy.

I chuckled, as she grabbed the card that held the winners name. “This has to be some sort of joke or even prank. There is no way that loser could beat me.” She said, stomping her foot.

“Well she did now get over it.” Andy said, grabbing the card from Ashley’s hand and walking over to Sarah, he grabbed her hand entwining it with his own and pulling her into the middle of the stage. He whispered something in her ear which caused Sarah to go red which made me curious to what he said.

“Let’s give it up for Sarah Rose!” He said, holding up her hand in the air.

The crowd began clapping as Sarah accepted the trophy that the girl was presenting to her, “Thank you, so much! It means the absolute world.” Sarah spoke into the microphone, she took from Andy.

“Go Sarah!” I yelled clapping for her, it was honestly amazing that she won. Who knew that a girl who always had her head buried in a book could win something as big as this? Even if it was just an ordinary high school talent show. 

Sarah then waved to the audience one last time before disappearing off stage.

*

“Congratulations Sarah!” I said, giving her a hug, “I am so proud of you!”

“Thanks, Ali. It’s all thanks to you.” She said, tears forming in her brown eyes.

“So want to go celebrate?” I asked, as we walked outside together, Sarah holding her trophy in hand.

She shook her head, “I would but I can’t I have to go babysit the twins.” 

“Well maybe next time,” I suggested, walking over to where her car was parked.

“Do you need a ride?” She asked, opening the passenger’s car and placing her stuff inside.

I shook my head, “I am good I’ll probably get Ben to take me home or something.”

“Okay, I’ll see you Monday.” She said getting into her car and taking off. I waved as she exited the schools parking lot. Holly had to get home as soon as the talent show was over, so she couldn’t take me home. So my only option was Ben, but I hadn’t seen him all morning.

“Lost?” Someone spoke up from behind me.

I turned around to come face to face with Gavin, “Nah, I am looking for Ben. Have you seen him?” I questioned, he shook his head. “Well he’s my ride home.”

Gavin’s jaw clenched, “I can take you if you want?” He asked.

I rose my eyebrows, “Nah, I am good.”

“Come on nerd,” He said, grabbing my arm and hauling me over to his car. “It’ll be fun!” He said, opening up the car door and pushing me in.

And that was all it took for us to get stranded in the middle of Washington.

*Present time

“It’ll be fun you said. Come on nerd.” I said, mimicking Gavin, “Yeah it is a real party getting stranded in the middle of nowhere.” I barked at him.

Gavin had his car hood open. He was trying to get his engine for his old rusty car to start up again. “Well, you came willingly.” He said, grunting.

“Yeah, came willingly that I pushed myself into your car and drove myself to the middle of nowhere.” I exclaimed.

“Look, arguing isn’t going to get the car to start up again, so if you would just shut up and start walking we can try to get home. Okay?” Gavin said, pulling down the trunk of his car.

I let out a sigh, picking myself up from the floor. “Do you even know which was is home?” I asked, him suspiciously.

Gavin shrugged, “We will just go the way we came.”

“You don’t even know which way we came!”

He shrugged pulling on his hood and started walking, I ran after him so I wouldn’t fall behind or get myself lost. We had no cell service and Gavin didn’t own a map so we really had no way of getting back to the city.

I looked at Gavin, studying him. His black eye was now gone, but he did have oil all over his face from trying to get the car to work again. “Gavin?” I asked him softly.

His head turned to look at me, “If you are going to start complaining or be even more annoying than you already are nerd. I don’t want to hear it.”

“No, it’s not that. I just wanted to know why you looked so panicked when you woke up.” I blurted out, before I could even process what I was saying. 

*****

Hello Lovelies,

DON’T SHOOT! THIS WAS AN EXTRA LONG CHAPTER FOR THE WHOLE TIME I WAS AWAY! Thoughts on this chapter? I love reading all your opinions… This was a cliff-hanger but I will update soon. I don’t think I am running off like that again. PS THANK YOU FOR THE 1K COMMENTS I WAS SO HAPPY!

This is also not my song, the song Sarah sang for the talent show, it is Mika and Ariana Grande, so don't freak out or anything. I didn't write it, I can't write a decent song to save my life! :p 

This is dedicated to a good friend of mine @nerdysaleena she made the cover for me on the side and I absolutely adore it so I am probably going to change the cover… but I WANT YOUR OPINIONS!

This is also dedicated to @Rafitarox some of you guys didn’t go back to school, I also saw that one of you is in summer break. To say I was jealous was an understatement. To win a dedication is the sweetest comments… will win!

I want to wish every luck whoever is doing and exam or test, may God be with you! And I want to also wish one of my best friends who is doing her exams so good luck @blooming_flower!

AND PLEASE DO NOT ADVERTISE ON MY BOOK! IT IS RUDE AND I HONESTLY DON LIKE IT, DO NOT ADVERTISE ON ANY OF MY BOOKS IT MAKES ME SAD! :( THAT PEOPLE ARE JUST DOING IT FOR FAME…. LIKE YOU CAN FIND OTHER WAYS TO ADVERTISE, JUST DO NOT DO IT ON MY BOOK! THANK YOU! 

On the side is the song popular song, I know Ariana Grande didn’t write it but let’s pretend she did okay?

Please remember: Vote, Comment, Share and Fan! – I am almost to 1k!

Thanks,

Xoxo_mysteriousgirl