$.MANSIONS.$

mzdarkstar · Subject: Re: $.MANSIONS.$ Wed Sep 17, 2008 7:30 pm

Next installment of MANSION$ . . .

CHAPTER 17
$. Gift$ .$

Zora (who didn’t say a word about the incident before) decided that over the course of next week, we'd hang out and plan her Plan some more.

I could tell she was pissed with me, but wasn’t showing it. I apologised in private, and she shrugged and muttered, “S’okay. Whatever.” It clearly wasn’t okay though. Maybe she’s planning revenge . . .

On Monday, I missed seven calls from Patrick, because me and Lauren were out all day, designing a new teen grunge outfit, which I then modelled different shades of the same design.

When I finally checked my cell, I called to apologise and he said, “It’s fine. So, are you coming to the function to make it up to me?”

Ha. I should’ve known. “Patrick . . . I don’t’ think I will. It’s hard for me to socialise in an environment I’m not comfortable in!” Blatant lie. Take dinner at Dustin and Carnell’s mansions as an example.

“Liar. Please, Becca. You’ll love it, I know you will!”

“Look . . . I’ll think about it, okay? I don’t know how you’re going to change my mind – ninety-nine point nine percent of it still says ‘no’.”

A brief pause. “Okay. I still have time to persuade you.” he laughed and hung up as I smiled, thinking that there’s no way he’d persuade me.

That’s when the gifts came.

-----

On Tuesday, there was a small parcel waiting by the door when I woke up. I asked Lauren about it, but she had no clue what it was or who sent it. I should have realised then . . .

Anyway, I opened it while consuming a slice of buttered toast and steaming hot chocolate, and I found the most adorable, beautifully soft, just-right-for-cuddling sized teddy bear I’d even seen.

It was so lovely, I quickly got up and washed the crumbs off my buttery fingers, so I wouldn’t spoilt it.

I took in its plush cream fur, chocolate brown eyes and baby-pink ribbon round its neck as mom stroked it, before rushing to a meeting. As the front door closed, I read the tag on the ribbon. On one side, it said ‘Becca’, on the other, the message read,

‘Becca, this is your new teddy bear and best friend, Becky. She would love it if you went to the Function with Patrick Breeding, so why don’t you give him a call to say you’re going? That would make her day!’

I sighed, lovingly for my new teddy, and exasperated for Patrick’s determination. I could tell this was only the beginning . . . that boy is too sweet.

After that, I went to meet Liline at the Art Gallery to hang out – as daughters of artists/designers, it’s a pretty inspirational place to go.

We wondered the place, as I filled her in on my visit at Carnell’s house, Leanne, and Patrick’s Persuasion techniques. I didn’t tell her about my temper snapping with Zora though. I don’t plan on telling anyone – in fact, why did I tell Dustin?

“Sounds like Patrick really wants you to go to this event.” said Liline thoughtfully, as we stared at a picture that looked like blue blobs to me. “Why don’t you want to go? What’s the problem?”

I struggled with a good reason. “I just don’t . . . like . . . things like that.” Liline giggled, so I said sulkily, “Okay, I don’t have a good reason.”

“I think the problem is . . . you don’t want to make a fool of yourself in front of Patrick. You’re representing the Cross family. Usually, you go with Lauren; she’s the main person, so you don’t have to do much.”

She was always right - physic! I folded my arms. “Well whatever the reason – a cute little teddy bear isn’t going to change my mind.”

-----

Wednesday morning, I was trashed because I’d gone clucking (sorry, clubbing. see what I mean?!) with Megan and Shalia after visiting the art gallery.

But I’d already decided from earlier this week that I would visit Bryan, because I promised I would go back. I miss him, anyway – last time I visit was about week ago . . . and the function is a week from now . . .

(A.N. Bryan's room - well it would look something like that anyway. Maybe more messy. The first time Becca came, he was standing by that window . . .)

“So you don’t know if you wanna go?” Bryan said absent-mindedly, as I sat on his bed, watching him play a violent video game. We’d been chilling most of the time, and flirting a bit too (I couldn’t help it!)

“No, I know that I don’t want to go. But I can’t say no outright.”

“Why not? This is Patrick we’re talking about. Insults bounce right off him. Depending on who’s ‘insulting’ him, of course.” he paused his game to glance at me.

“Talking of occasions, are you coming to one of my concerts?” Bryan grinned. Don’t you start too, Bry.

“Am I invited?” I said slyly, then we both paused, the silence so tense, it was like everything around us had frozen. We started laughing cheerfully.

“Haven’t we had this exact conversation before?” Bryan said slowly, chuckling as he rested his forehead against mine. (panic!)

“We were on the balcony. You asked me exactly the same question, I gave exactly the same -” I shook my head, smiling widely. “Lemme rephrase that, then. Yes, I am coming. What are the dates, again?”

Bryan’s eyes lit up at my agreement, and he sat beside me on his bed. “It’s a tour. The dates run right through September. There’s performance here in Atlanta at the beginning and end of the tour . . .”

“I want to go to all of them!” I said excitedly, but then realised something and shrilled, “Oh my god, Bryan – isn’t that, like, less than two weeks away! Tickets will be sold out by now!”

“Depends. In New York, tickets for all three dates are completely sold out. But there might be some left for the nine other dates . . .” Bryan told me he’d wangle me a ticket, no prob, and I happily kissed his cheek.

After that, Bryan went back to his violent video games, and I talked to Adrian for a bit. I’ve missed her loads. I used to see her daily. Now, it’s more like, weekly, monthly? Fortnightly?

I discovered that Bryan had filled her in about Leanne, and she gave me a warning about her sons, some coffee, and a hug.

And when I got home, I found another gift waiting – a bunch of beautiful, pure white roses. Again, bound by a ribbon with a label that read,

‘Like the roses? Pick specially for you. These are the flowers that will decorate the function. Come for the flowers, if not for the fun. But of course, people always have fun with me, so no worries.’

I put them on the table in my room. He’s got to be kidding!

-----

Thursday. I spent time with the family, but not Lauren this time; Aimee, Ashley and Hayley, and Uncle James and Auntie Lucy.

We went to the park, but as we were all over the age of ten, we were only going to talk about our week anyway. (LOL) Aimee had been with Dustin, Ashley had done some modelling, Hayley had fantasised about Bryan . . .

So when the girl heard about my week, including Leanne and my trip to Bryan’s house, they were all squealing and screaming. To calm Hayley down, I promised to take her with me to see Bryan next time.

Then I saw a familiar face, an old friend and a member of the B5reunionfans site, called Gina dot x dot Dustin. (LOL) she asked me about some rumours, and I answered her questions truthfully, so she was satisfied.

After a while, Uncle James (who is hil-a-rious) wandered over, and started pretending like he knew what we were talking about, randomly saying “I know, she’ such a betch!” (yes, he did say betch, not B*tch) and “He’s soooooo hot!” which had us all crying with laughter.

My gift from Patrick on Thursday was a notebook, ruby red. Patrick’s note, at the front of the book, was ‘All these people seem to think you’re going to the Function. You don’t want to disappoint them or me, do you? ’

Confused, I flipped through the book to see messages from loads of people I knew, loads that I didn’t, saying they miss me, they hope I’m doing well, they can’t wait to see me at the function . . .

Damn. He did that on purpose.

-----

The fact that the first time I saw Zora again after the Incident was Friday the thirteenth made me uncomfortable, and I’d never been superstitious.

So that that day, I was a bit edgy, even though we’d chosen to meet at my Sanctuary, the place I feel most peaceful. I decided to share it with the girls, even though it’s a very secret and special place to me.

“My week’s been really bad.” Megan wailed eventually. At least she was the first to speak since we got there. We’d all decided to wear matching outfits in different colours too . . .

“I screwed up all my dance auditions, and I was late for the ones I did the worst in – not to mention that the whole world’s against me!” we all comforted her as she elaborated.

“Meg, cheer up, chick. My week was weird too. The producer I was supposed to meet was really shitty, but the songs he’s helping me produce are a lot better with his help . . .” Shalia went into details . . . “I feel so under pressure . . .”

Then everyone looked at me, Megan, hopefully, Shalia lightly, Zora firmly. “Oh, um . . .”

I was unsure where to start, but as we hadn’t spoken in a while, I went right back to Wednesday 4th, Carnell’s house, giving the info Zora wanted so much, and the story progressed from there.

“Gifts? To get you to go to the function with him? How cute!” Megan squealed, meaning it, although we were talking about her ex here.

“My week was average,” Zora said suddenly, cutting off Shalia who was about to say something about Patrick’s gifts. “I ate, I modelled, I slept. But I did almost get attacked last week . . .”

“Oh Zora! Yeah right.”

“Come off it, Zora - you’re so dramatic!”

She grinned as if to say, ‘Okay, I’m kidding’ , but the look she gave me was all too meaningful, ‘I won’t sell you out, but you’re not forgiven either.’

I quickly spoke for the non present Liline; “I met with her on Tuesday, she working on an art project, and it’s going well.”

“Well, good for her!” smiled Shalia. “At least one of us has had a good week! well, two of us.” she grinned at me, and Megan copied. Zora didn’t look interested. “Call us tonight, and tell us what Patrick’s gift is today, okay?”

I said okay, but I completely forgot. Because Patrick’s present on Friday, with it’s spiky stalk wrapped in white crepe paper and tied with a red ribbon, was a single red rose - and that was it.

[center]

Hope you liked that. Really gotta go and do maths h/w . . .

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mzdarkstar · Subject: Re: $.MANSIONS.$ Mon Sep 22, 2008 7:13 pm

Frowns. Hey, nobody's reviewing!

Well, even so, I'm going to post the next chapter, just in case anyone still CARES. *sobs*

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mzdarkstar · Subject: Re: $.MANSIONS.$ Mon Sep 22, 2008 7:33 pm

Next installment of MANSION$ . . .

CHAPTER 18
$. Pre$$ure .$

The B5ReunionFans(.com)
The reunion will happen!
CHATROOM

MrsPatrickBreeding: Why is Atlanta’s_BadGyal so annoying?

Gina.x.Dustin: Hey! No bitching, it’s not nice.

SuperNovaB5Fanatic: What I don’t get is why she always calls Becca ‘bitch’ and slags her off . . .

Gina.x.Dustin: It’s how she expresses friendship, affection . . .

MrsPatrickBreeding: Say WHAT?

Gina.x.Dustin: She used to be Becca’s best friend, bad, sassy girls together, LOL. In a non-violent way of course. Sorta. Razz

But they fell out of touch . . .

SuperNovaB5Fanatic: So she calls Becca a B*tch? :

Gina.x.Dustin: like I said, it’s not meant to be mean. She used to call Becca that before, she adores her really. I think she WANTS Becca to see it. She misses her.

MrsPatrickBreeding: Weird.

SuperNovaB5Fanatic: You’re telling me . . . Gina, have you met Becca? How come you know all this?

Gina.x.Dustin: Course I know her! We were good friends too. Fell out of touch. I saw her in the park the other day with her cousins . . .

MrsPatrickBreeding: WOOOOW LUCKY THING DID SHE SAY ANYTHING ABOUT PATRICK?

Gina.x.Dustin: I just asked her about the rumours, and she said they weren’t true. I know she wasn’t lying.

MrsPatrickBreeding: Gud. I trust her not 2 touch MY baby.

-----

I’m going to Patrick’s mansion today, and I’m more nervous than I have even been. My stomach is tying itself up in knots.

I didn’t tell the girls because they’d get excited and call me every three seconds – but I did tell Aimee.

It took me absolutely forever to decide what to wear, and when I’d finally thrown on a pair of skinny jeans with boots and some random top, another present turned up at my house – an iPod nano!

I was like, no, I cannot accept this. It was pink, and it was there and I could not accept it! I curiously turned it on, and then I saw the music that was already on the damn thing . . .

Every Dizzy B, K-Fizzle, Notorious P, C-Nelly, BJB, or B5 song that was ever released, every song they ever made, probably, was on it. Well over a hundred tracks . . .

It even included the one offs – Hannah Montana’s ‘Shining Star’, High School Musical’s ‘Get’cha Head In The Game’, ever song B5 have ever done. I was bowled over.

There was a separate playlist called ‘A Note For Becca . . .’ I opened the playlist to see a single song in there called ‘. . . From Patrick’. I laughed, and jammed the earphones in my ear, listening.

“Hi Becca, this is Patrick and I hope you get this. If all goes well, you should get this on Saturday, August fourteenth, but if you receive it at all, I’m cool, no matter when you get it . . .”

It was out of smiling and hyperventilating, so I smiled. “. . . so I hope you enjoy this gift. You can listen to the album I’m releasing in a few weeks on the way to the function – because you are going, right?”

There was a laugh as I sighed. “Great. I knew I could count on you, Becca. See you later today.” Oh-em-gee. I’m going to the function with Patrick . . . I’m going to his house . . .

“And oh my God, he sent me an iPod!” I squealed aloud, and Lauren just happened to be walking by my room, seeing me jumping crazily, gave me a disturbed look, then decided not to say anything, and walked on by, chuckling.

“Sonuva . . .” I muttered, suddenly getting annoyed. Did he really think this would persuade me! I’m not an idiot! He needs to stop, it’s too much!

I stomped around my bedroom, getting ready. Patrick is adorable, but holy macaroni he gives me a headache.

-----

“Glad you could make it.” Patrick smiled his cute smile, and I flashed a bubbly, Megan-y smile back as he led me into the main room.

His house was very . . . modern! Glass was the theme here, I think. He had an open plan kitchen, so the main room looked really big . . .

I could see people through the windows, playing in the pool, a bunch of guys at a barbeque, more girls lounging in deck chairs and practicing routines.

That when it occurred to me that these people could be Patrick’s backing dancers or singers, like Bryan’s friends. There still weren’t as many people here as there was at Bryan’s mansion . . .

“Did you get my gifts?” Patrick said, gesturing for me to take a seat. Three giggling girls came in from the back garden (if you can call it a garden) and waved at him, and he waved back but turned his attention quickly back to me.

“I sure did! Thank you Pat, but you really shouldn’t have. I mean, holy crap, did you think I would accept an iPod? Let’s be serious here.”

“Why? What’s the fun in being serious?” Patrick laughed easily, and I sighed. He was such a carefree guy. He never worried about anything.

“Why can’t you accept it? I chose it specially for you. Have you decided if you’re coming to the function yet?”

I looked around some more, and the girls in bikinis in the pool, the guys in trunks at the barbeque, the girl with the fro turning the music up. They were all having a blast.

It was like Bryan mansion – everyone was so comfortable; it seemed like they did this every day, but Bryan’s was more of a relax get together.

But here, at Patrick’s, even though there was less people, they were all so lively and loud, they could have been having a party, whatever.

“I . . . need more time to think.” he looked at me incredulously, and I said quickly, “I know I’ve had six days from your last call -”

“And nine days from my first,” Patrick added, grinning.

“- yes, but I -” I stopped. That was weird! We’d both counted the number of days since . . . Patrick was grinning at me. We’d thought the same thing.

“We are so desperate,” I spluttered, and we started cracking up, before I said, “I just need more time.” before quickly changing the subject, and injecting Megan’s enthusiasm into my voice, “How’s your week?”

“Oh, fine. Nothing too interesting, nothing too shady. I got bored, but then I’d throw a couple of parties with Nadine’s help. ”

I was about to say, ‘A couple? How many parties did you throw . . .?!’ but something else caught my attention.

“Nadine? As in Nadine Click?” Patrick nodded, curious. “Oh, I’ve met her brother, Johnny.” I explained, but the curiosity didn’t cease.

“How come you met Johnny? I heard he only hangs with Dizzy B and K-Fizzle -” realisation dawned on Patrick, and there was a long, tense silence, that didn’t seem like it was going to be broken for ages, until Patrick shrugged, “Anyway, let me give you a tour.”

I eagerly agreed, but I couldn’t help but ask why Patrick called his brothers by their stage names. “Because I don’t know them anymore. I won’t call them by their real names like they’re my best friend.”

He said it a little coldly, so I touched his arm, and he sighed, and continued the tour. Oh my gosh, the guy has a balcony, a library, a hot tub, a gym, everything. And a pool, that’s unmissable.

And all through the tour, I kept finding red rose petals, on my sleeve, in my hair, by my hand . . . Patrick trying to persuade me again . . .

The girls, who’d been looking curiously at me, finally realised who I was and bounded up to me, saying hi, all bubbly, cheerfully, asking about the convention, Carnell. I was starting to feel pressurised . . .

“We’re going to hang by the hot tub, now. You guys coming?” said a black girl randomly to me. I analysed her features - was she Nadine?

I didn’t speak. I’d just finished texting Aimee, pleading for help. I looked shrewdly at Patrick, but he was looking shrewdly back at me; I wanted him to answer for me and vice versa.

“Well?” said the girl impatiently, now addressing Patrick as the other girls chatted and giggled, but still watched. I hoped he’d say no. I dreaded him saying yes – but he still wanted me to answer.

He looked at me, with a small grin, and thank God, I was gifted with a diversion. My cell beeped; I yanked it out of my pocket, knowing it was Aimee and announced, “Oh, gimme a sec, it’s Carnell.”

“CARNELL?!” was the shouts and screams that erupted from all around me, rushing closer. “I’ll call later.” I said loudly, but Patrick did exactly what I hoped he’d do, as he hated his brothers, and said,

“No call him now, or he’ll keep calling.” he said in disgust. “Pathetic.” and the girl shouted their agreement, talking about how he almost ruined Patrick’s performance, so I flounced out of the room.

Aimee’s text read, ‘Poor thing’, and that was all. I praised her laziness, replying quickly and saving me, and replied, telling her what had just happened. Suddenly, I heard a new, strong voice,

“Becca, you don’t want the likes of him for company. Shake him off when you can.”

I took one look at her, and knew she was Nadine.

She was the girl with the fro I saw earlier, turning the music up; she looked like a real party pooper. Her face was less humorous than Johnny, and sterner. But she had this mischievous thing about her that I liked . . .

“I’ll see what happens.” I said coolly. “Good to finally meet you, Nadine.” she looked surprised that I knew her name, but pleased as well.

I put my phone away, then remembered I didn’t send the text to Aimee, so I pulled it back out of my pocket, and five, red rose petals fluttered to the floor.

Hope you liked that. gotta run . . .

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Guest

YES IT UP!!! Wooo! Lol

I think we're all a little busy with school work to review...

I don't even think I have time to read this Sad

But I will. Very Happy

Lol

I'll review later. Promise. Very Happy

Guest

Awwhh Patrick is too darned sweet! You need to stop writing this before I fall in love with him! Lol

I really want to be Becca now!

She gets EVERYTHING. Is there no way of transporting me to America as Becca and making this story come true?

She gets ALL of them from B5! Well apart from Kelly, but there's still time and I'D be happy with just one, yet alone four!

Wow, that is so sweet though with the presents! You actually made a tear spring to my eye!

I only just had time to read this chapter... and I ended up reading half of the story again! Lol it's just too good!

Woah! OMG! Lol, you'd think that I was the one that had the presents from Patrick the way that I'm so hyper and excited right now!

You MUST write the next chapter soon now before I die or go to America or something like that! Lol

OMG! WOOOO! AAAHH! Woah! Lol

*SCREAMS*

mzdarkstar · Subject: Re: $.MANSIONS.$ Tue Sep 23, 2008 5:14 pm

LOL, aww, thank you! Much appreciated.

I will post as soon as JO DECIDEDS TO GET HER CARCASS ONLINE AND READ THISE LAST CHAPPIE but i had Wednesday (tomoz) scheduled.

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xxxJololaxxx · Subject: Re: $.MANSIONS.$ Thu Sep 25, 2008 10:58 pm

CARCASS?!! You know that means corpse remains, right?! I have been BUSY! Also, I didn't get an alert in my email...And I've lost my glasses...you're lucky I read it...I can't see anymore...

How ON EARTH did he get the petals into her pocket?!! That is WEIRD>>>

also, he said carnell calling was pathetic...ummm...and him bugging her to go to the convention isn't? Lol...the gifts...wow...

And sorry Sim, I'M Becca now. Happy Star? I reviewed...with no glasses...anywayz...BUMPZZZ!!!

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mzdarkstar · Subject: Re: $.MANSIONS.$ Fri Sep 26, 2008 9:29 pm

Yes, i am happy.

ONE. you don't know the meaning of 'busy', honney (lol)

TWO. I like carcass instead of ass. Well, I don't, but it sounded right at the time okay? I don't care if it makes sense . . . Razz

THREE. Glasses problems? YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!

FOUR.

Quote:

How ON EARTH did he get the petals into her pocket?!! That is WEIRD>>>

Well, my dear, you do not know the specifics of the pocket in question. Big? Small? Coat pocket? Jeans pocket? (She WAS wearing skinny jeans . . .) so continue to guess . . .

FIVE.

Quote:

he said carnell calling was pathetic...ummm...and him bugging her to go to the convention isn't?

OHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! BOYAGE!!!!!!!!!!!! . . . . ??????????

ARE YOU CALLING PATRICK PATHETIC? *rolls up sleeves* LOL

SIX.

Quote:

Lol...the gifts...wow...

I knooooooow!! too sweet . . .

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mzdarkstar · Subject: Re: $.MANSIONS.$ Sat Oct 04, 2008 9:12 pm

Next installment of MANSION$ . . .

CHAPTER 19
$. $weetest $mile .$

“Hey P – what’s for dinner?” Nadine said, slinging her arm over his shoulders. I didn’t know where to look, so I pretended to be interested in what was happening by the pool, as Patrick grinned and pulled her closer by the waist.

She was a fiercely beautiful girl, with more spunk than the others. She was wearing denim shorts and a sky blue tank top, simple but sexy – and she was wet all over from the pool.

“Why you askin’ me? I never have a clue. Go find out!” He gave her a gentle push, and she kissed his cheek. I saw some of the girls who were back by the pool, nudge and whisper to each other.

Nadine spotted this too, and grinned, satisfied. She was about to flounce away when she caught sight of me, awkwardly looking away, and she pulled me to my feet.

“Come ‘ere you! Let’s talk.” she laughed, and straightened my hair, as we walked to the kitchen. “Aww, you’re like a sweet little doll!”

I smiled. Ah Nadine, if only you knew. She said kindly,

“Don’t be fooled by what happened back there.” When I looked confused, she said, “Nothin’s going on between me n Pat. It’s our lil’ game – to keep the other dancers off him.”

I started laughing hysterically, and Nadine grinned. Is that what they had to resort to? Nadine grinned. “We had to take drastic measures. Sometimes it works, sometime it doesn’t.”

“Are all the girls here a real flirt, then?” I spluttered.

“Every single one of them. Forget the fact that they’re all talented dancers, they all wanna piece of him! You still hang with Megan?” I nodded. “They’re all like her, so you can imagine what it’s like . . .”

Yeah, I can. I don’t want to though; I’m getting really wrong images. And why would Patrick hire a bunch of girls like his ex anyway?

I told her about seeing Johnny, because I wanted to know what she thought. “What a sucker!” she exclaimed. “He lies about everything! I don’t hate people who hang out with other members of B5! I just -”

She sighed irritatedly. “At the time, Patrick was the one who needed the most help. The boy was in piece after the split, if you ever saw how his brothers ripped him off . . .” she shook her head.

“I needed Johnny to help me set Patrick on his feet, and he didn’t want to, the selfish b*stard. He wouldn’t listen to me, and he went rushing off to Kelly instead - so I said ‘up yours’. Literally.”

“Do you know why they split?” I asked suddenly, my voice hushed.

“No . . .” her eyebrows rose. “Rumour has it you do, though.”

“And I wonder who spread those rumours . . .” I rolled my eyes. “I’m getting there. Patrick might let something slip if I’m sweet enough . . .”

We both burst out laughing when wafts of Tuscan tomato sauce reached our noses and we sighed contentedly. “Spaghetti.” Nadine confirmed, as we stood by the open plan kitchen.

“He’s so into you. I’m not even joking.” Nadine said randomly, and I looked at her, alarmed that she would say that about Patrick. We giggled together. “It’ true. I can tell, I’m not an idiot.”

I told her that Johnny had said the same about Dustin. “Well my brother’s an idiot. What does he know?” Nadine giggled. “Nah, I’m joking . . . damn girl! You still hang with all of B5?”

Minus Kelly, I told her, finding a petal in my hair. A smile played on my lips as I brushed it off. She replied, “If you find out why B5 split from him, I’ll be surprised. Kelly’s secretive. Johnny is the only dude I know to get close. Kelly doesn’t even chat with Adrian much.”

“He’s a loner, that why. Who ignores their own Mom?” Patrick murmured in our ears suddenly, and we jumped, startled, before laughing. Patrick grinned.

“Ladies?” Patrick held out an arm for us each. “Dinner is served.”

-----

When my dinner plate was removed so dessert could be served, I discovered a small pile of rose petals, each one with ‘please?’ on it.

“Patrick!”

“What?”

“You need to stop!”

“Stop what?” he grinned, and my stomach turned over. “Why? You don’t like them?” the dancers were listening, chattering more quietly.

“It’s nothing to do with that – if you think these petals will persuade me, it’s not working!”

“Persuade her to do what, Patrick?” said a red-haired girl eagerly, and the others urged her on for being brave enough to say it, leaning forward.

“Oi! Mind your own business!” said Nadine sharply (if not rudely), and they fell back, losing the bravery. Me and Patrick were still at it though,

“You’re not coming then?”

“Well – look, I -” Wait, he was tricking me into answering ‘yes’ or ‘no’! “Quit it!”

“Quit what?” he smiled innocently again, and the whole table started cracking up; even Nadine smiled, and so did I. He truly had the sweetest smile . . .

But during dessert, the dancers started asking awkward questions. Becca! Who . . . ? Did you know . . .? Why . . . ? I answered them as best as I could, and evaded some using the Megan-charm.

It was after dessert that I realised time was ticking. I had to ask Patrick why he dumped Megan, and see if I could make him say why B5 split. But I needed to get him alone . . .

“Where do you go when you need somewhere private to clear your head?” I asked, tilting my head and keeping my eyes wide in Megan’s innocent way.

Patrick thought for a second. “There’s a small garden just beside my office; that’s where I go. No–one is allowed in there but me anyway.”

“Oh . . .” I said in thought. Patrick glanced a me as if to say, ‘What?’ and I said, letting Megan’s sparkle shine through, “Could you . . . show me?”

-----

It reminded me of . . . what? Dustin’s balcony? Bryan’s central garden? No . . . it was unique in it’s own way, more . . romantic? I couldn’t put my finger on it.

But as I stood in his garden with Saturday evening light shining on me, listening to the sound of birds and the breeze, the shouts from the pool sounded so far away. Red and white roses bushes lined the garden – so that’s where he got them from . . .

“It’s beautiful, Patrick.” I said seriously. With Dustin, I was gushing – but here, I felt different, calm. This was more seriously special. “I . . . feel in tune with myself here . . .” I swallowed. “I need to ask . . .”

Patrick looked at me for a long time, and I eventually met his gaze. Then, slowly, we sat down on the bench at the same time, like we both knew we were going to. Now the hard part.

“This is a bit of an awkward question, but I need to ask.” Go for it, Becca. Do it now! Now! I took a breath, “Why did you break up with Megan?”

“Oh Becca.” If he was smiling before, that smile had completely faded now. “You should know better than to ask the sorts of questions.”

“I realised that, and I’m sorry. But I need to know. It’s important.”

“No it’s not. You don’t really need know at all.” he sighed. “Haven’t you asked Megan?”

“She doesn’t know why! No-one knows; Zora, Shalia Liline – they haven’t got a clue. Think about how they feel, Patrick! It’s cruel!”

“Megan’s upset, naturally, but I can’t do much about that. I really can’t tell her. She’ll get over it . . . eventually.” Patrick said grimly.

“How can you say that?!” I cried angrily.

“Because I did!” Patrick stormed, just as angry. “It hurt me too, you know – but I got over it! Life goes on, Becca!”

“Got over what, Patrick?” I hissed, whipping to face him. “Tell me – exactly what part hurt you, when you were doing the dumping?”

“Everything! When my brothers started acting like shitheads, after they split, they started taking what wasn’t theirs. I didn’t want Megan to be apart of that crap!”

“And I can understand that, but she had a right to know what was going on! As her boyfriend, you should have told her -”

“She didn’t have that right. It was supposed to stay private, what happened. No-one was supposed to know till we’d figured it out ourselves. I don’t know what happened. Pressure made us crack.”

“No, pressure made you dump your girlfriend! What is up with you?” Patrick stood up, not even listening to me, and covering his eyes with his hands as if he didn’t want to hear anymore.

I cursed. “Oh fine. I don’t know what the hell is wrong with you, anyway.”

I stood up, seething, but as I made to leave, the side of the bench caught on the buckle of my boots, and I tripped. I screamed – all I could see was the spiky red rose bush I was falling into . . .

“Becca!” Patrick shouted, and caught me before I fell right in, but not before the higher branches scraped my arm, the blood welling up and trickling down my forearm.

“Oh my God!” I gasped. In a split second I’d realised how hurtful the things I’d said were, how unfair I was being. I hugged Patrick tightly, feeling terrible.

It was getting worse; I was losing control of my temper more now, and it was clouding my judgement. Patrick had caught me without a second thought, even though he’d just been mad at me.

“I’m sorry . . .” I said with a shuddering gasp, and began to cry. Patrick pulled me right up, and hugged me back. What was wrong with me?

“Shh,” he said soothingly. “I know. It’s okay.”

“Shut up!” I said loudly. “You know it’s not okay! What I said was awful! I’m such a . . .” I started hitting myself, but Patrick grabbed my arms, hugging me tightly so I couldn’t move, so I stopped struggling.

“I’m making you’re your shirt wet and bloody.” I sniffed, as we swayed slightly, and I closed my eyes, breathing in his scent.

“I don’t care. As long as you’re okay.” Patrick said quietly. We were both a bit shaken, and we clung to each other tightly.

A gust of wind rolled gently by, and rose petals flew around us into the air, scattered.

Bye bye, gotta go, hope you liked that . . . please review . . .

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[ ღ♥ღ ѕαgιттαяιυš ღ♥ღ )
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YEAA|that's|ME.

xxxJololaxxx · Subject: Re: $.MANSIONS.$ Sun Oct 05, 2008 6:51 pm

Wow...lol, the Nadine-flirty thing...quite smart, actually...lol...Becca needz to control herself...I guess hanging round such a aweetheart ca cause u to have a sudden surge of emotion...lol, jk...argh! The petal thing...bordering on creepy, lol....

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mzdarkstar · Subject: Re: $.MANSIONS.$ Mon Oct 06, 2008 6:51 pm

Haha, i no YOU think it's creepy LOL

Updating whenever I get tym

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Me;; Star. =]
[ ღ♥ღ ѕαgιттαяιυš ღ♥ღ )
Smart && Sweet.
YEAA|that's|ME.

Abii::Luvs::Bryan · Subject: Re: $.MANSIONS.$ Mon Oct 06, 2008 7:54 pm

Cool..LOL

xxxJololaxxx · Subject: Re: $.MANSIONS.$ Thu Oct 09, 2008 10:04 pm

BUMPZZZ!!!

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Abii::Luvs::Bryan · Subject: Re: $.MANSIONS.$ Fri Oct 24, 2008 4:10 pm

This is really COOL! BUMPZZZ!

xxxJololaxxx · Subject: Re: $.MANSIONS.$ Fri Oct 24, 2008 4:36 pm

You got time yet??? BUMPZZZ!!!

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