The Beginning.

Chapter 2: Slow motion

-September 2nd, 1993-

Deena, Kate and Simon sit themselves down in the hall where the cheerleading competition is happening. It's crowded and loud. Usually Deena would be sat back in her chair, arms crossed and a face of reluctance. However this time she was less fed up.

A teenager purposely 'tripped' over Kate's shoe and spilled his half-frozen slushy all over Deena. "Woaaah!" The boy laughed. His group of friends were also in hysterics behind him. Coincidentally, the boys were from Sunnyvale. Kate sat in her chair, mouth wide open and hands by her sides, staring at Deena. Simon threw his own drink over the boy. "Prick!" He swore aggressively at them. Almost holding back laughter at the same time.

The boy was about to hurtle his fist through the air and directly into Simon's face, but was stopped as Deena flew out her chair and pushed the boy back. "Don't fucking touch him." She snarled as she wiped some of the slushy off of her face. The boy fell back into the many arms of his friends, embarrassed. "Bitch." The boy hissed back.

Deena was a girl full of angst, and her exterior was generally extremely tough. Came across very aloof to most. Behind this though, was a soft puppy who cared too much but didn't know how to show it.

The three of them eventually settled back down. Suddenly there was a loud roar of the crowd as the cheerleaders walked in. The blaring, low-quality speakers played awful pop music in harmony as they cheered. Deena sat forward with intention and her eyes searched for the girl with blonde hair. Unfortunately for her, most of the girls had blonde hair. But Sam stuck out from the crowd for Deena, and she immediately noticed when Sam had walked in. She was full of energy, waving the pom-poms around enthusiastically. They briefly locked eyes which again, felt as though it was in slow motion. It obviously felt the same way for Sam as she missed a step in the dance and got whacked by a hand holding a pom-pom.

Surprisingly, not many people noticed as Sam ran off the main floor and into the college corridor holding her bleeding nose. "Oh shit!" Kate stood up. "It's that girl!". She was pointing at Sam. Deena stood up and pushed Kate's hand down gently. "Dude stop pointing!" Kate continued to stand, looking worried. "Just stay here, I'll go check if she's ok." Deena said, a tiny hint of excitement in her voice. Deena quickly pushed her way through people as she made her way to the corridor, knocking Simon and his second drink that he'd gone to get, over the floor. Deena hesitantly stopped as she realised what she'd done. Simon released a quick huff and glared at his drink on the floor. "Really?" He uttered sarcastically. Deena was still in a hurry. "Shit, I'm sorry Simon! I have to go, I-I just have to go. I'll bring you another drink!" Simon actually chuckled at this point and shook his head, making his way back to their seats.

Deena flung the door open that led to the corridor and paused as she saw Sam sitting up against the wall holding her nose. Nobody had come to see if she was ok. "Sam?" Deena asked, as if it was a question. Despite the blood falling quite rapidly out of her nose, when Sam saw Deena standing there, she gave her a relived smile.