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Look Alive, Sunshine

nine

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The Bullworth Bullhorns did it yet again. After an intense game the Bulls took the homecoming game making it the second consecutive year. While she had been barred from entering classrooms and taking part in the homecoming dance tomorrow night, the game itself was still open to all including the public, alumni and even students currently in suspension. Plus despite all her past grumbling about the sport, she actually quite enjoyed watching football, or at least watching her brothers play, and with Matt's blessing she was out cheering for Ben.

Once the game ended the celebrations took off. From top of the bleachers she watched the team come together with a roar of laughter and tears, even she had to admit it was a warming sight and it reminded her of all the times she had been down there herself hugging her brothers. She caught sight of Ben who was speaking with Luis and Bo animatedly, when he noticed her he waved his arms with a hearty smile. She nodded back with an embarrassed smile and pointed a thumbs up as he made his way to her.

"Hey," he pulled her into a hug. "What'd you think? We did pretty good, huh?"

"It was close but you really pulled through."

"Yes, thank you," he sighed, rubbing his brow bone with a lopsided grin. "I totally caught their RB out towards the end. Sure gave Ted all the time he needed to think of his crappy plays…"

"He did call some bad plays," she agreed with a snort. "Defence really had to stick up for him, huh?"

"For sure…" he seemed to have lost his vigour. "It would have been so different with Matty here…"

"Yeah," she would be lying if she said she wasn't expecting that. All she could do was give him a kind smile and rub his back. "You know he'd be thrilled to hear you've won though."

"Yeah but…"

It was something they were meant to share.

She could finish that sentence for him.

"… Well then," he brushed off the moment before standing up. The rest of the team was coming up now and she supposed he didn't want to be seen moping about. "I'm going to get changed for the party… what are you up to by the way?"

"I have plans with Johnny," she reached for her phone. "He should be here soon…"

"Oh, have fun then," Ben patted her head before joining his friends who gave her pleasant greetings as they walked by. "Oh, and Nat?"

"Hm?" she glanced up from her phone and saw Ben still hanging back.

"Don't let it get to you."

"What?"

Ben pressed his lips into a fine line as he tilted his head forward slightly, in the direction behind her and she slowly glanced over her shoulder where she found Ted at the bottom of the stairs, with him was his parents and Mandy was in his arm. The girl looked absolutely exultant as she grinned and nodded at everything Ted said; despite her differences with Mandy, Natasha felt almost sick knowing that anyone was suffering Ted's ill treatment.

"I think I'll wait for Johnny by the gate."," she replied surely as she turned back around when they were starting to come up. She stood up too and joined her brother. "How long?"

"Just yesterday."

"…" Natasha glanced backwards again one last time, taking a quick look at the couple, her eyes lingering over Mandy's frail looking frame. "Christ."

"Huh?"

"No, nothing," she shook her head when they reached the gym. "I'll see you later then."

"Yup, see you tomorrow."

Natasha headed on briskly. She texted Johnny as she walked, there was still quite a crowd from the game and she found herself stuck behind a particularly slow family. Instead of a response message Johnny rung her up.

"Hey, there's a huge crowd. I couldn't get my car anywhere near. I'm walking over now."

"That's fine I'll wait for you at the gate."

"I'll be there in about five minutes?"

"Sounds good, see you then doll."

Johnny was not where he said he would be… but then again she could hardly tell with how many people were around. She went on her tiptoes to look over the crowd and it was only when she got to the front that she saw Johnny waving at her from across the road, she assumed he wasn't able to park close to the gate with the ridiculous number of people pouring out of the grounds.

"Hey, doll," Johnny put an arm around her neck and pulled her close for a brief kiss on the head. "… How was the game…? I heard it was a close one…"

"Well we won," she smiled at his efforts for trying. "Ben's happy."

"Did you enjoy yourself?"

"Well I'm better now that you're here," she said without thinking and she instantly regretted it when she saw his cheesy smile and he asked if he really meant that much to her. "… You know you do."

"Doesn't hurt to hear it once in a while," he shrugged. "So where are we off to?"

"I'm thinking we should grab some dinner and go for a drive," she hopped into the passenger seat. "… Maybe avoiding the beach."

"The party?"

"You know about that?"

"It's the same place every year, Natasha," he scoffed with a cheeky smirk. "I was around last year as well."

"Were you?" she raised an eyebrow. "I was there and I-."

"Was wasted?"

"… Yeah, a bit," she turned away. "I mean I saw a couple of the greasers but I didn't know you were there."

"What can I say, we do love cheerleaders," Johnny chuckled. "I reckon most of the guys will be there tonight as well."

"With everyone on edge it's just a recipe for disaster," she shook her head with a hint of a smile. "Not that all you boys weren't prone to starting fights all on your own."

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After a long drive through town enjoying the cool breeze and the chattering tunes on the radio, Johnny pulled up at the drive-through and ordered two sets of greasy food for them to share. With their paper bags filled with takeaway, Johnny decided the lookout would be a nice spot for them to have their food and simply enjoy each other's company away from everyone else. They drove by the coast on the way and it was already clear that the students of Bullworth Academy and other teenagers from the town had already taken over the beach for a night of antics.

Natasha then felt her phone buzzing in her pocket, she picked it out and ignored the call when she did not recognise the number. She was about to tuck the phone back into her pocket when it rang again, seeing as it was the same number she once again ignored the call.

"What's going on?" she heard Johnny ask.

"I'm not sure, someone keeps trying to call me," she stared at her phone as it sprang to life again. "Could we stop for a bit? I'll try taking this."

"Yeah, of course."

Johnny pulled up to the pavement and parked in a quiet corner in the Vale Gardens. She thanked him quickly before hitting the green button.

"Who is this?"

"Who is this?" that dreadful voice appeared by her ear. "Where are your manners, Natasha? And do you realise how many times I've tried to reach you?"

"… I'm sorry, Cate," Natasha could clearly see the intrigue on Johnny's face at the mention of her aunt. "You are calling from an unrecognisable number… I just didn't expect you."

"Well that is partially on me for not informing you I've changed numbers," Cate cleared her throat. "I was at the game."

"You're at Bullworth?" Natasha blinked, unsure if she heard the right words. "Right now?"

"No, I had to leave shortly after. Your brother did very well, I am sure the scholarship will come along just fine," Cate spoke in a way that made Natasha feel almost ill. "You on the other hand… why has it only come to my attention you've quit cheerleading?"

"I didn't think it was important… and you aren't exactly easy to reach," Natasha bit her bottom lip. "Speaking of which, remember my other brother? Ben's twin? The one you've left in Happy Volts?"

"Of course I remember my dear nephew," Cate replied matter-of-factly, and Natasha could almost hear the smile in her voice. "The doctors have given me their progress report and it seems Matthew's on his way to recovering."

"Did they say anything about letting him come home?"

"No such thing was mentioned. We're all wishing for Matthew's recovery but we mustn't be hasty," Cate sighed and then there was a moment of silence. "Alright then, I've got to run. I'll be making a visit soon, Natasha. Let your brothers know. Goodnight."

"Wait, Cate-."

Natasha was left at the tone and she fought every urge to throw her phone off the cliff. It was just like Cate to swoop in unannounced, be less than no help or answers before disappearing just as fast. Since they were little it's been the same, it was just how her aunt operated and she shouldn't have even dared to hope of anything different even with their current circumstances.

"Not good?" came Johnny's voice by her ear and it was then when she realised she had been completely lost in her own thoughts. "That was your aunt right?"

"Yeah… as usual not helpful," she sighed as she stuffed her phone back into her pocket. She then pulled her burger out. "I'm sorry I just gotta. I'm actually so annoyed."

"What did she say about Matt?"

"Not much. Literally some pleasantries before hanging up," she stuffed the burger into her mouth and chewed vigorously. "If she had been in Bullworth the least she could have done was come see us in person."

"Maybe she knew you'd all be partying tonight," Johnny made an offhand comment as he was reaching for his food. While he was preoccupied with unwrapping his burger, he did not notice Natasha glaring at him. "… What? I'm just speculatin' it as a possibility!"

"… Well regardless…" she sighed before taking another bite. "… This is really good."

"Right," Johnny grinned. "Don't I know the best places or what."

A dull sound then appeared farther out coming from the beach, followed by another then another, it sounded almost like thunderclaps but the sky looked relatively clear. Then came a bright flash in the sky, a bright neon flower appeared before sprinkling away into the night sky.

"Fireworks, huh? That's new," Johnny noted, his tone rather unimpressed. "Didn't know the homecoming game was Fourth of July now."

"Oh, let them celebrate," she laughed. "They did win."

"Yeah alright, I'll give em' that," Johnny crumpled his wrapping up and tossed it in the bag. "So we gonna hit this party or what then?"

"Uh, no," she shook her head, nearly choking on her food. "Even if you are on your best behaviour, it's a recipe for disaster with all that alcohol and testosterone… not to mention college kids."

"You don't think I can take a couple of college guys?"

"That's exactly what I don't want you to do!"

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Why were they at this party?

It was the same messy affair every year.

After the homecoming game each year most cliques would gather on the beach either for an impromptu celebration for a win or just to get drunk anyway with the law enforcement willing to turn their eyes away on the special occasion. It was a rare moment of solidarity between the group of teenagers, you were having a good time celebrating Bullworth for all its worth or you got drunk enough until you were celebrating and enjoying yourself. This year would have been no different at all if that incident in the cafeteria had not occurred inciting what was probably the worst of the feud between the cliques since before Hopkins tied everyone together during his short reign.

At least it was busy this year. There were the alumni college kids but also some other kids from neighbouring towns as well. It was a relief not having to bump straight into someone they already know as soon as they stepped foot on the beach. They stopped by a mart before heading over to get some coolers and Johnny was now carrying the four-pack in one hand while leading her through the crowd with the other.

They stopped once they found the greasers who have settled on a spot by the bonfire where the other cliques were also surrounding. The boys all jumped to their feet and cheered as they watched their leader's supposed grand entrance.

"Yeesss! Johnny!"

"Johnny, Johnny!"

Oh… the testosterone… and alcohol. The worst combination imaginable.

Natasha simply smiled and nodded as they greeted her after.

"Nat, oh my gosh!" Christy squealed as she appeared from nowhere and pulled her into a warm hug along with Angie. "You're here, this is amazing! Angie, it's Nat!"

"Yup… it's me," despite her sceptic tone and the way she awkwardly patted their backs, Natasha had a genuine smile on her face as she welcomed the familiarity but also the warmth that the girls were willing to show her… putting aside that Christy was quite tipsy, it was still sweet.

"We've missed you, Natasha," Angie gave her a sincere smile once they pulled apart. "How are you? We heard about the whole uh- mess with… Lola… "

It probably was not a coincidence that Angie lowered her voice when she said Lola's name, knowing how much weight that name carried around this crowd and Natasha couldn't blame her seeing as the girl had no idea what to expect.

"… I'm alright. Still in one piece," she smiled back with a nod. "I've missed you two as well… oh um- this is Johnny and the guys."

"Hey there ladies," Lefty winked which would have been cringy if it didn't actually work and sent the girls into furious blushes.

"Don't go scaring them off now," Lucky sighed. "Don't mind him, he's had a few."

This actually felt… alright. Bizarre for sure to see parts, albeit small, of her previous life melding into her new one. She smiled when Lefty put an arm around Angie with a cheeky grin and she squeaked in shock causing Lucky to pull him off.

"You alright?" Natasha tapped Angie on the back.

"Yeah, uh wow he's very handsome," Angie spluttered back as she fixed her glasses.

"Who is?" Christy swooped in with her voice raised. "Lefty? … Lucky?"

"No!"

Angie went beet red and hid behind Natasha as Christy kept pressing for answers. Angie whispered a quick goodbye to Natasha and ran off before Christy could get another word out.

"Well there she goes," Christy rolled her eyes with a bright smile. "Let me go after her to make sure she doesn't die of embarrassment somewhere."

"Okay, you go do that," Natasha smiled as she stepped aside to make way for her. "See you later."

"Yup, see you later," she winked before running off.

Those two were a whirlwind as usual and Natasha really had not realised how much she had missed having those little girly chats and simply having friends to speak to. Christy and Angie have always been so kind to her, even after the whole fiasco where Mandy 'threw' her out; not once have the pair said an unkind thing to her or endorsed any of the nasty things Mandy said. She wondered why she had not made a better effort to speak to them better, perhaps she had just written them off in association with everything from her past that reminded her that her brother was not around.

Natasha looked around and find the pack of coolers sat on the sand next to some other drinks and a keg… of course there was a keg. She walked over and took one from the batch and tried to pat the sand off the bottle.

"Thought you weren't having any."

"Well you bought me some so I might as well," she grinned when Johnny appeared by her. "Did you plan this or something?"

"Plan what?"

"… Nothing, never mind."

"I'm guessing you just don't want to admit you're having a good time?"

"It's still too early to tell," she scoffed.

"Well don't let this ruin it but check that out," he raised his bottle up. Natasha followed his gaze and saw the most peculiar sight. It was Mandy, she was sat by herself near the group of jocks. She looked scarily thin, her face was pale and her cheer outfit was hanging loose on her small body. She already had her suspicions but the person she heard in the bathroom the other day must have been her… and it made her feel sick to know that a piece of crap like Ted has pushed her to such extremes. "Look at my boy!"

"Huh?"

She finally took notice of Peanut approaching the cheerleader.

"Uh, what is he doing?" she didn't mean to sound as disparaging as she did but Johnny didn't seem to notice her tone as he was grinning ear-to-ear watching the scene unfold.

"Taking his chance with that roid-head off somewhere," Johnny shrugged towards their right and sure enough Ted was off near the far end talking to what looked like college girls. "… There he goes, attaboy!"

To her complete surprise, Peanut has managed to hold a conversation long enough to sit down beside her. Not necessarily a bad thing at all but surprising indeed. "Oh wow," her eyes widened when she actually laughed at something he said.

"Well it's not entirely surprising considering he's been in love with her since primary school."

"Absolutely… it's just…" Natasha recalled all the times Mandy would always use to gripe about the so-called unwanted advances she would receive from the greaser… even back when they were ten. "I guess it's just unexpected on her part."

"That they would talk at all?" Johnny chuckled. "You must view my boy very poorly."

"You know I don't mean it like that," she grumbled. "… Well I am a bit worried about her…"

"After all the shit she's put you through?"

"I know she's been acting like a total bitch… but it's hard to ignore her when I see her like that."

"Like what?"

"Ill."

"What?"

"… Look this stays between us, okay," she sighed. "She used to be sick, she had gotten better and been fine for the past two years."

"What's wrong with her?"

"She's bulimic," she said quietly and Johnny gave her a look. "Like when you vomit after-."

"I know what it means," he turned back to the cheerleader. "… I wonder why I haven't noticed it before."

"Maybe because people generally expect cheerleaders to be stick thin?" she shook her head as she looked over her frail frame. "She really shouldn't be drinking when she's in that condition."

"She really shouldn't be doing anything other than getting better," he mused. His comment caught her off-guard, to this day he could still surprise her and she almost felt a bit bad that she was glad he said something in concern about the whole situation. "And she's like this because of Thompson?"

"If I had to guess…"

"Do you want me to ask Peanut to back off?"

Watching the two now, you would have thought they were friends or at least friendly acquaintances. Although she did not know Peanut that well, Johnny did and she knew he would trust him with his life which was a reassurance on Peanut's character. Plus, it's been a while since she's actually looked like the Mandy she knew as opposed to this uber-bitch persona she had decided to take on in the recent months.

"No… I mean she looks fine and it's not my place."

"Then let's enjoy ourselves and stop leering at them," Johnny put an arm around her and kissed her temple. "… But geez, it's hard being a girl ain't it?"

"Oh, absolutely," she rested her head on his shoulder.

Finally, for the first time since they got here there seemed to be a moment of peace. Yes, there was music blasting mixed in with voices filled with laughter but sitting with Johnny in their quiet corner was something that oddly soothed her. Perhaps it was also the familiarity of the occasion of homecoming and now being able to be here with someone new and feeling completely happy with how she was and the person she was with.

"Hey you two."

"Hey," Johnny greeted Ben with a nod. "Look who's here."

"I'll be damned, you actually got her here," Ben grinned. "… And look who else we have here."

Behind Ben stood some of the other football guys, then hiding behind them an expected face emerged. A jolt flew down Natasha's body and sook in a sharp intake of breath as she immediately jumped to her feet and ran over to hug the other twin.

"You're here! How is this happening?" she gasped, wrapping her arms around him and blinking rapidly as she tried her best to keep her tears at bay. But alas, she let out a little sob when she felt him hugging her back.

"We sprung him out, that's how," Ben chuckled as he patted her back. "Where's my hug?"

"You don't get one, man," Matt waved Ben's hand away with a laugh. Over his sister's shoulder he noticed Johnny watching them and he offered him a warm smile. He patted Natasha's back and coaxed her to stop sniffling. "We're all here now, aren't we?"

"Yes," and still her sobs won't stop. "We've missed you so much. I'm not letting them take you back to that awful place."

The boys, awestruck by her cries, looked at each other and burst out laughing. Matt took her into his chest with one arm and patted her back gently. "I'm fine really, geez…"

"Always so dramatic and she hasn't even had anything to drink yet," Ben snickered. "You see what I've had to deal with? It's been a nightmare here without you to keep her in check."

"Well, I did hear Johnny's been doing a good job," Matt turned to the greaser with another smile. "Thanks for looking out for her."

"There's no need for that," Johnny shook his head. He stood up and it was only then when it hit him that he really was standing with a bunch of jocks but there wasn't a single warning bell going off in his head, even when they were bigger than he was and from a completely different world. This was the first time he came to one of these things for more than just having a night off getting drunk but actually here in solidary with these guys. And it was real this time; it felt nothing like the time they all came together in 'friendship' under the false pretence of Hopkin's rule.

Johnny watched as Natasha pulled away from her brother and let out a teary laughter at something one of the boys said. It was literally like a still-frame from a year ago, before the accident, before she hung up her cheer outfit. The only difference was this time he wasn't just a bystander.

"Johnny, you interested in beach football?" Ben called over to him. "If we grab Juri we can play three-on-three."

"Yeah, why not," he nodded back. "I could also ask if any of my guys want to play."

"That'd be sick," Ben grinned. "Let me go round up- aw shit."

It was much too early for any drunken brawls yet… so surely it was something incited on purpose. Without even seeing, Natasha already knew what it was going to be about. Ben and Luis moved first, they ran when Ted made a punch at Peanut and they reached them just before he could throw another.

"What did you say, you freak?!" Ted grabbed Peanut by his jacket. "You got a lotta nerve coming to my party and talking shit to me."

"I said what do you expect when you were chatting up some college girls?!" Peanut shouted back. "You're pathetic, Thompson! You're just a sad little boy that ain't man enough to take care of your girl!"

Natasha gulped. Who knew Peanut had it in him.

She glanced towards Johnny and noticed that he appeared quite calm about the whole situation. Perhaps it was for Peanut's sake knowing that he was standing up not only for himself but for the girl he's fancied since they were little.

"Hey, hey! Break it up now!" Ben grabbed Ted and pushed Peanut off. Even with Ben's larger stature, he had to use all his strength to pull Ted back with Luis' help. "Come on man, there's no need for any of this."

"These freaks have been getting mouthy, huh?" Ted glared back at him. "And all because your sister decided she'd spread her legs for their lead-."

Ted was then immediately thrown back to the ground by a hefty punch. "You better start watching your mouth, Thompson. We're not taking your lies and shit-talking any more so shut up and behave yourself."

"Are you crazy?! You would dare hit me?"

"Get over yourself, man," Ben shook his head. "Apart from playing on the same team we don't want anything to do with you."

"We?"

"We're not standing for it anymore," Luis spoke up. "You've been acting like an utter disgrace. It's embarrassing."

The look on his face was priceless. Ted huffed and cleaned the blood off his face with his sleeve before standing up. He glanced at each one of their faces as if he was memorising all those that have wronged him, his eyes landed on her eventually and he squinted. There were thoughts running rampant on his mind, that much was clear from his gaze but he knew better than to unleash them now knowing that he was clearly outnumbered. Instead he fixed his varsity jacket and walked off.

With Ted gone the guys dropped their composure. Natasha wasn't quite sure what had just happened and if Ted really had just been dumped by his own team… well a good portion of his team. She watched as Peanut approached Ben and gave him a sheepish smile, it looked as if it was all in good spirits though as they spoke and shared laughs. Heck, even Mandy was smiling; whether that smile meant she finally realised that there were blokes out there that would treat her better or just enjoying the attention… only time could tell. Though she wholeheartedly wished it was the former. How long ago was it since she last saw a genuine smile on her face?

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Haven't forgotten about this. Just super slow! (sorry)

Thanks to everyone that's left a review - I really appreciate it ^_^

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