David and Sarah: Our Story

Passage to the Underworld, the Bad Part

If anyone had asked, if I could have gone back in time and fixed one thing in my twisted life, I would have  said that I didn't want to become caught in the middle of my parent's sudden and mostly unexplained divorce. That way, I wouldn't have been standing at the steps of a new school against my will. 

Of course, fate, the master of all things rebellious, had snorted in my face and told me otherwise.  So it had my newly resented and single mother take a big city girl, and transport her to a living nightmare:  the small town of Bluebell Springs.  It's an understatement to say that I was against the idea.  They didn't even have a mall, but were instead provided with one or two grocery stores that gave us non-exotic and uninteresting food.  Yeah... for me, no good food= no good life.  I comforted myself with the idea that I would most likely starve myself to death before I could actually get the chance to hate the place, but even that small consolation flew out the window as soon as I caught sight of the tiny little building that was supposed to be my new school. 

Which brings me to the back in time thing. 

It's not like I had the ideal teenage dream (like I wanted it!) back in New York.  Boys had never really noticed me, I wasn't exactly a model,  and I'd never even had a boyfriend before, but at least I had had a couple of friends.  At least I knew those busy streets and had grown comfortable with the idea that I could fade into the crowd.  This was new territory, and I didn't have any explorers to go and check it out for me then report back.  Besides, I didn't own any cowboy boots, and I'd once heard that that was a thing small town people wore like a second skin.       

The morning of my execution was silent.  For delivering me to my doom, and for leaving my Dad to be all on his lonesome,  I had not spoken to my mother since we had arrived in the car.  I instead spoke exclusively teenager, a.k.a. grunts.  I think that she was annoyed, and upset.  She didn't want to be alone.  But she should have thought of that before ruining my life. 

"You're going to have to talk to me eventually, Sarah," she snapped on the drive up there.  Had she said it nicer, maybe I would have actually used words to reply.  But she didn't so instead I just kept my eyes focused on my blue tennis shoes.  They were the only pair that I owned, a fact that had gained notice from my slightly more girly friends. 

I felt bad for ignoring my clearly distraught parent, sure, but what could you expect?  I had grown up thinking that my parents loved each other, and then this happened, and it was like someone had  drenched me in cold water.  And the drencher should not have been my own mother.  She should have been the one to hand me a towel  or push me out of the way so the water would hit the ground.   Or her.  

I felt the car come to a stop. 

"Fine, we're here, have a good day,"  she said to my silence, reaching over me to push open the passenger's door.  I got out silently, cradling my collection of school supplies (my backpack had yet to be purchased after losing it in the movie) in my arms.  A little lump of guilt rose up in my throat as I watched her wipe at her cheeks while driving away, but I pressed it down.  So far, my anger was the only thing that was keeping me alive.  There were already kids running up the stairs and through the doors, though it was nothing like New York.   I am so dead. 

Tentatively, I walked across the parking lot and up those unnecessary steps and to the door.  Breathe.  I crossed from the concrete to the carpet.  Breathe!    I began walking down the hallway.  Thankfully, I kept on breathing.  Now, find the main office.  You could ask someone for help.... hehe, I'm funny. 

It was soon after I entered the building that I noticed something strange.  Everywhere I looked, there were people who were staring at me.  I didn't even have to push past people, there was a path cleared.  Someone wolf-whistled.  I didn't know what to do other than stare at them in confusion while I went on.  Were new students really that uncommon?  This was as bad as the worst-case scenarios in my head, which never happened.   I clutched my stuff closer to my chest.

"Who's the babe?"  Someone called out.  What. The. Heck-fire. 

Though I looked, no one was behind me, and there was certainly no one in front of me.  Were they talking about me?  I wasn't pretty, I was average.  And I most certainly was not a babe!  My long hair was brown, lacking volume, and overall boring.  I had okay skin, but it wasn't really peaches and cream, and my figure wasn't anything exciting.  The only feature about me that was remotely attractive were my eyes; hazel with golden flecks.  But those people couldn't see them unless they were up close.  It was kind of creepy, to be honest.

 You could duck your head and... wait, there's no use in that .  You are from the big city!  Head held high, Sarah!

I lifted my head and walked faster.  Just don't make eye contact.  I was walking so fast that I didn't even see him rounding the corner.  

And then he was there, like a brilliant comet of all the disgusting superficial things in the world.  One moment I was uncomfortable from being stared at, and the next I felt something hard slam into me, and the world turned sideways. 

"Gah!"  I yelped, stumbling.  I'm not exactly what you would call "coordinated".  The things in my hands went flying. 

Strong, steady arms caught me before I hit the ground, thankfully, and propped me up, resting on my shoulders once I was done. 

"Oh, sorry!  You okay?"  The voice was deep.  I looked up meeting the bluest eyes I've ever seen.  They were smiling.

"My name's David Gold.  And you are...?"        

***

Hello dear people!   YAY !  I'm soooo excited to write this little story!  If you are reading this and have not read the book this is inspired from, check out my other story, The Co-Star's Epilogue, and read the version that is not packed full of clichés  (still pretty typical, but it's better hidden :)).  So, fair warning this is, as previously stated, pretty darn cliché.  But I think it'll be a good challenge, and I really hope that this is enjoyed.  Feedback and stars are always awesome, and thanks for reading!  :)