The Rebels and the Misfits

Chapter 3: Zoey

Chapter 3: Zoey

I could feel tears sliding down my cheeks as I watched the clubhouse burn. I wiped them away hastily. It's just that I had so many good memories in there...playing with my little brother and sister in the lobby, taking ballet classes in the ballroom (yes, I know it's super girly, shh), kissing Will on the cheek in 3rd grade on the balcony overlooking the golf course. And speaking of Will...I glanced over.

He was watching the clubhouse with a sad look on his face, his wet, dark brown hair in a flop over his forehead. The rest of his friends wore almost the same look, hair style included. Only Ty...looked like he was about to cry. Like, literally about to burst into tears. He shoved his hands in his pockets and looked down at the ground, with a sniff. That was it.

What would make him, the big, bad, arrogant jerk Ty, cry?

"You guys," said Jade, shaking in her soaked white slip-ons. "Where's Scarlet?"

My stomach dropped to the ground. Scarlet.

Even the guys seemed shocked.

"Scarlet? That hot chick who always dates senior and college guys?" asked Drew, grinning and biting his lip. His face fell as he looked at the girls and their terrified expressions.

"Yeah," said Charlie dryly. "Yeah, that hot chick." Her hands were shaking. She clenched them into fists.

Jade burst out crying.

"We have to go find her," I cried. Jade started to dash towards the clubhouse, but Ethan grabbed her and held her back, trying to turn her around.

"Jade, look, over - OH GOD, going down - "

He sunk to the ground, clutching at his dark-wash jeans, as Jade had kicked him right in between the legs.

"Was that really necessary?" Ryker yelled. "Look, he was just trying to tell you your slutty friend is over by Lily's Ca-AFE...wow, that hurts, feeling woozy..." Charlie put her hands on her hips and smirked down at Ryker, who was curled up next to Ethan.

"Don't call Scarlet slutty, okay? She's sensitive about that."

"Okay," groaned Ryker.

Ty gave a snort, and Charlie turned around, miming a kick at him. He flinched.

She smirked. "That's what I thought."

Charlie walked off in the direction of Scarlet, who was sitting at a table outside of the cafe. How she got there, I have no idea. Scarlet kind of does her own thing. You get used to it. Everyone followed, except for Ethan and Ryker, still laying on the ground. Ty gave them a little kick as he went by with a grin, and Jade mouthed sorry to Ethan.

A couple minutes later, and we were all at Lily's, squashed uncomfortably at a small round table, the guys having to steal extra chairs from a few tables. Santa Clarita was buzzing right now, the little shops in the town area (which was connected to the housing area) were crowded and hectic. I saw quite a few kids from school here tonight, or inside for bowling. Lily's was a cute place, with a bunch of homemade food, and a bowling alley connected. That made it the perfect hangout for high-schoolers and the few brave middle-schoolers.

We were getting quite a few weird looks from people. Technically speaking, us girls and these guys didn't hang out. At all.

In fact, we hated each others guts.

It all started a veeery long time ago, in the days of 1st grade. The girls (except for Brynn - she moved here freshman year, but became part of our group very quickly) were having a sleepover at Charlie's house. It was very exciting because her mom and dad allowed us to sleep out back, in the tent. Half the night we spent telling ghost stories, eating pizza, playing truth or dare. Around midnight, we fell asleep.