Bumps N Bruises

Chapter 1: The Sleepover

It was a Thursday night and Brendon and his friends were having a sleepover. The trio were also brainstorming their idea for their next passion project. And since it was "spooky month," it had to fit the festive theme. "There's gotta be SOMETHING we could make a movie about!" Melissa said, scratching her head. "How about-" Jason was about to say before being cut off by Brendon, "Something that hasn't already been done before, Jason." Said Brendon. The three kids were about to discuss more ideas, but suddenly the lights went out, causing them to shriek in terror. "B-Brendon? What's g-going on?" Melissa stuttered. "I dunno, Melissa. But it ain't pretty." Brendon replied. "KIDS?" A muffled voice called from downstairs, "I THINK THERE'S A BLACKOUT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. I'M GONNA CHECK OUR ELECTRICITY!" Paula explained before walking outside in the rainy weather. 

Brendon stumbled in the dark bedroom to see if there was a flashlight nearby. Just as he got up on his two feet, he noticed a taller shadow a few feet away from him. Melissa was about to speak before a flashlight turned on, the shadow pulling it to its face. "Boo." Said a voice, causing the kids to scream once again. "Oh for God's sake, guys. It's ME!" The voice then took an extension cord and plugged it back in, causing the power to go back on. Once the lights turned on, it revealed to be Shannon, who seemed to have snuck in through Brendon's bedroom window. "How did you-" Brendon was at a loss for words,  Melissa and Jason's jaws hung open in shock. "The Criminal Element always has a new trick up his sleeve." Shannon cackled, fixing his cap. Before the kids could say another word, a drenched Paula entered the room. "Looks like the power is back on, kids." She sighed, her entire body dripping wet. "Hello, Miss. Small." Shannon greeted, quickly changing his tone. "Shannon? How did you get here?" Paula questioned. "That's what I was about to ask!" Brendon replied. "Doesn't matter how I got here, but I don't know if you know this but... Brendon invited me to your little slumber party." Shannon explained with a smug look on his face. "That's not true, mom! I would NEVER invite Shannon to any sort of gathering between me and my friends!" Brendon retorted. Shannon then gasped heavily, clearing putting on an act of sorts to try to butter Paula up.

"So that play meant NOTHING to you, Brendon!" Shannon said, exaggerating his words. "That's not what I meant at all! But what I'm saying is-" Brendon tried to get a word in edgewise, but Shannon wouldn't hear of it. As the two bickered, Melissa and Jason watched from the sidelines. "Well, I have to admit, Shannon is a REALLY good actor." Jason whispered. Melissa watched the performance and ultimately agreed with Jason. "Look, Brendon. Just let him stay so I don't wind up with a throbbing headache in the morning." Paula pleaded, trying to not make it too obvious to what she's referring to. "Oh, alright." Brendon sighed, turning to Shannon. "Do you have any PROOF that I 'invited you' over?" He asked the bully. Shannon then pulled out a soggy sheet of paper from his right pocket with the words "Shannon is allowed to come to Brendon Small's sleepover as thanks for letting him play in "Bye Bye Greasy" several months ago." written in stained black marker. Brendon looked at it for a moment and then locked eyes with Shannon. "Fine....You can stay" The boy grumbled, crumbling up the "invitation" and throwing it in the garbage. 

"Oh, thank you, Brendon!" Shannon exclaimed, pulling Brendon into a tight hug. Brendon looked over at his friends, muttering the words "help me" as he was in Shannon's grasp. The bully then let go of the redhead and went over to Jason and Melissa. "So... What kind of film are you guys planning?" Shannon asked. Brendon listened in on the conversation word for word, he knew he'd be in for the nightmare of a lifetime....