Chapter Twenty Seven-"Barbie is intense"

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~Dedicated to the little girl inside of you~

Chapter Twenty-Seven

My life as a geek was soon to be over, only I didn't really know that or want to accept it. Maybe it was because I had been nominated for Prom Queen and if I wanted to be popular, then I had officially just earned my title in the popular level. I was scared but more nervous than anything else. Me as Prom Queen, now that was a joke! Seriously, I was as graceful as the ugly duckling and I had a phobia of speaking in front of large crowds, two of the main things a Prom Queen should be able to do. But there was something even more than that which made me not want to be Prom Queen. Jessica Hubert.

And yes, while many of you are probably shaking your heads and thinking, 'What's wrong with you Viv!', I just couldn't stop myself from feeling guilty about the whole Prom Queen thing. Jessica needed the title, and not necessarily to add to her already big ego, but to help her get over her mother and allow her to feel as though she was making her mother proud. Of course there was the whole fact that if I did drop out of the whole Prom Queen business then Sean's whole paper on me would fall to pieces and then he'd never be accepted into college for the course he wanted to study.

Speaking of colleges brought me back to my current predicament. I was stuck in choosing what I wanted to study. And while I was already accepted as a pre-med student, I just couldn't see myself in a hospital and helping people day in and day out. Trust me, there's nothing more than I would love to do than help save peoples' lives, but I really couldn't stand the sight of blood let alone operating on someone's heart. What if I killed a patient? How would I live with myself for the rest of my life?

"Viv honey," my mother interrupted my thoughts.

I glanced up and found my mother smiling as she stood at my bedroom doorway. Her dark hair had grown since the last time she had cut it so that it now lay just below her shoulders. Her blue eyes looked brighter than I've ever seen them before and she glowed out with radiance. There was no doubt in my mind that Jeff was the cause for my mother's happier moods and newfound interest in cooking, not like her meals were any less burnt but the fact that she was trying made me smile.

"Mother dearest," I answered with a grin.

Chuckling, my mother entered the room before she came to sit at the edge of my bed and sighed, "You look stressed."

I shrugged her comment off before replying, "We both know that's not what you came in here to talk about and I'm cringing mentally at your latest 'dirty' and innuendo filled chat."

My mother scoffed before she glanced away with a small smirk, "So maybe you may know me a bit too well."

"Mum," I groaned, "what is it?"

My mother blushed and I couldn't help but laugh but covered it over with a cough, "Uh yes?"

"Next weekend, Jeff's planned for a romantic getaway for us," my mother began, "you know with the wedding and everything and we really haven't had time for ourselves."

"Mum!" I hissed, "Don't go into any details please."

My mother grinned widely before she smoothed down my hair, "Fine I won't, it's so weird these days how teenagers aren't as open as I thought they'd-"

"Get to the point!" I interrupted.

"Okay well honey," my mother continued, smirking slightly at my discomfort, "it's a weekend away and that means you staying here by yourself."

I frowned. So that was the problem. Never ever and I mean not even if it was than a day had I ever stayed at home by myself. And even if it was just for a day, it meant that I would be staying over at Mrs Brown's house just opposite the road. Don't get me wrong, Mrs Brown was a really kind woman and everything but she smelt strongly of brandy and smoked heavily when she thought I wasn't looking. To say that the woman was a celebratory drinker would be an understatement. I mean, she practically celebrated just using the toilet correctly!

"I am not staying with Mrs Brown," I blurted.

My mother's eyes widened slightly in confusion before she smiled slowly, "No, of course not," she began, "I was thinking more along the lines of your father."

My eyes popped out of my skull and my jaw fell open. It was so wide that you could stuff a few balls of rolled up underwear in there, but that would be completely disgusting. Why would I even be shoving underwear down my throat in the first place? Underwear went down there and it was practically contaminated with germs, heck I'd have to get a UV light thing that you used in public restrooms to clean your hands with.

"Vivienne?" my mother called, snapping her fingers in front of my face.

I shook away my thoughts on underwear and replied, "But mum, we've just met and you know with Amanda and-"

"I know honey," my mother spoke, "but it's just an option, you could always ask Juliet and I'll call her parents."

I bit my lower lip as I noticed the hopeful look in my mother's eyes. She wanted me to try; she wanted me to get to know my father better. I mean after all, she must have loved my father enough to let me meet him and stay with him for a weekend? Pushing away all thoughts of hesitation and fear, I found courage and smiled at my mother. If trying meant that my mother would be happier, then I would at least do her that.

"Sure, why not?" I responded, "It would do me some good to get to know my father a little better right?"

A smile took hold of my mother's lips and she pulled me into a huge hug, whispering, "Thank you Viv, you've made me so happy."

I smiled in return, as I replied, "Don't sweat it mum."

My mother pulled away, wiping the invisible tears away as she asked suddenly, "So honey, why don't you tell me about your boyfriends?"

I gasped, "I do not have boyfriends except for Dave and that's low even for you, I mean to imply Sean and-"

"I didn't mention Sean," my mother replied with a smirk, "But now that you bring him up, how are you two doing? Have you considered using protection or going on the pill?"

"The conversation is over mother," I exclaimed, as a blush spread across my face.

"And how will you react if you were to win the prestigious and oh-so-promising title of Prom Queen?" Sean asked.

I scowled at him over the bowl of popcorn I chewed on before replying, "You do know that you're interrupting my movie time?"

Sean rolled his eyes before retorting, "Barbie and the Nutcracker is not movie time," he looked thoughtful before adding, "Unless Barbie cracks nuts and you know what nuts I'm talking about-"

"Sean!" I gasped, "That is," I made a face, "so gross."

"Now that I have your attention," Sean drawled with a smirk, "how would you feel being Prom Queen?"

I sighed, turning my attention to him. Sean was leaning back on the double sofa next to me. He wore plain jeans and a simple red shirt that only made him look more of a bad boy than I would have given him credit for. His hair was messily pushed back in all angles from running his hand through it in frustration after losing the argument of watching a Barbie movie over Rambo. Like seriously, Barbie was so much better.

"I don't know," I finally managed after a while, "I'd feel happy?"

"Are you asking or telling me," Sean questioned, raising an eyebrow.

I frowned, "Can't we do this later?"

"No we cannot Lanter," Sean mimicked my tone, "the article's due date is the Monday straight after Prom and if I don't get this finished in time then all my hard work would be for nothing."

I rolled my eyes in amusement, "Yes because you're the one forced to answer questions while watching a very intense movie."

"The closest to intense Barbie gets is those knockers," Sean snorted.

I scoffed, "Hey! That is a totally unfair assessment of Barbie."

"Are you avoiding the question on purpose or is this some twisted version of your answer," Sean asked in exasperation.

"A bit of both," I replied with a grin, "Think of Barbie and all the trials she has to go through before she meets Ken and they kiss and live happily together."

"Your point is?" Sean replied.

"Barbie is intense," I answered.

Sean groaned before he grabbed the bowl of popcorn away from me. I sent him a glare, "That's mine buddy."

"If I'm going to be subjected to watching Barbie, then I would like to at least eat," Sean mumbled while chewing popcorn.

Ignoring Sean or the silly butterflies that had been growing stronger ever since Sean had arrived, I grabbed his book filled with questions all meant for me and read over them. What would I do as Prom Queen, would I help change anything in school and how do I feel about it? I chewed on my lower lip and realised that that if I was ever going to answer these questions, then I would pretty much be clueless. The one thing I did know though was my nervousness about even being nominated about Prom Queen.

"No way," Sean yelled, "did that rat seriously try to kill them?"

I threw a look at Sean before asking, "What happened to Barbie not being intense then?"

"Shut up," Sean retorted, "I just get into movies."

I grinned before replying, "Of course you do."

I began answering Sean's list of questions when my mother walked in with a frown as soon as she glanced at the TV with a sigh, "Not again Viv?"

"What do you mean not again," Sean asked, casting a questioning look in my direction.

My mother ran a hand through her hair before replying with an amused smile, "Viv always watches Barbie movies whenever she gets the chance."

"Mum," I hissed.

Sean scoffed, "You told me that you never watch Barbie anymore!"

I laughed nervously as I sunk lower into the sofa as I mumbled, "So, uh about these questions..."

I pulled my hair into a low ponytail before checking my reflection. The dye in my hair was still as bright as ever, giving the illusion of me being a natural blonde. My lips were stained a light cherry red and my blue eyes were outlined with a thin layer of kohl. I ran my hands down the plain white blouse I wore which was tucked into a simple, mini grey pencil skirt. To look 'studious', Juliet had said when I told her that I was going to meet my father's family at his home here in Redwood.

Yes that's right, apparently my father was not only rich and had done well in his job but he owned more than one house. One here in Redwood which was where Amanda lived when she had a break from her private school and one back in England which is where Sean's father and mine met each other and had become good friends along the process of doing a business deal.

"Why don't you use your glasses too," Juliet offered, glancing up from the magazine she held, "You know, to compliment the whole nerdy look you're doing."

I frowned, "The whole point of this popularity thing was so that I didn't look nerdy Jules."

Juliet raised her green eyes to meet mine before answering, "Viv, you're a hot nerd now."

A grin took over my lips as I did a small twirl, "Why thank you redhead."

Juliet laughed, "Are you just going to stand there and admire yourself or can we go already?"

I chuckled then grabbed my purse as we made our way to the front door where my mother was already waiting with a smile. She cast a look at me then at Juliet before asking, "You two ready to go?"

"Yup," I replied.

"Are you sure your father will be okay with me tagging along?" Juliet asked hesitantly.

My mother shook her head as she squashed Juliet's question, "Don't be ridiculous Jules. Edward explicitly said to bring that 'lovely redhead' along."

Juliet scoffed, "Am I going to be called that from now on? Redhead; as though I have no other assets to define me by."

Ignoring Juliet's comment, we all hopped into my mother's car as she began driving towards my father's house. Of course he lived in the upper side of Redwood which meant a longer drive. It gave me the time I needed though to prep myself for seeing my father again. While I was ecstatic that I finally had a father that I could talk about and relate to other girls who had these father-daughter bonds, I still couldn't help but feel like Edward, my father had neglected my mother.

As we finally reached the upper side of Redwood and began passing larger houses with white picket fences and large gardens, I couldn't help wonder what it would be like after my mother and Jeff got married and we moved into his home. Of course Jeff had made it clear that he didn't mind living with us, so long as it meant that he and my mother were together then he was fine. But realistically we all knew that it was never going to work. After all there was little Holly to consider and the fact that our home was much too small to fit both Jeff and my mother's car in.

"We're here," my mother said, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I glanced out of the window and breathed out at the sight of the two storey mansion. It reminded me of a beach themed home with its wooden panelling and bright blue colour. I smiled when my eyes fell onto a large grey cat which was sleeping soundly on the front porch and suddenly felt myself warming up to the thought of spending the weekend here. We exited my mother's car before heading for the front door. Seashells decorated the walls of the front porch and small wind-chimes blew gracefully in the light breeze.

The door opened before my mother even had time to ring the doorbell only to reveal a smiling Edward who was dress much more casual than the last time I had seen him. His dark brown hair had been brushed back while he wore a plain yet casual button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Plain three-quarter pants covered his legs and a humorous apron with the words, 'Kiss the Chef' printed on it was tied around his waist.

"Katherine," he beamed, "lovely as ever I see."

My mother smiled before replying, "I see you haven't lost your charm Eddy."

"Course not," he answered before turning his attention to Juliet and me, "Girls, what a beautiful sight."

I blushed slightly, while Juliet replied, "Thanks."

For a moment we just stood there in silence before my mother broke it, "Well I'll be back then at four?"

Edward seemed to have snapped out of his daze and replied, "Yes, yes at four? And in the meantime, why don't I introduce you girls to Smokey, our resident fat cat."

"Here kitty-kitty," Juliet beckoned but the cat just blinked her eyes before yawning and going back to its long sleep.

Edward laughed, "She doesn't really do much as you can tell."

I nodded in agreement as we entered the large house. Everything was decorated just like the outside had been in a very beach-theme look. Edward led us into the kitchen where a woman in her early forties with chocolate-brown curls stood over a stove as she stirred into a pot. She turned her attention towards us as soon as we entered the kitchen and it was like I was staring into an older version of Amanda. Her features were almost, freakishly similar to Amanda's and if I didn't know any better, I would have confused the two as sisters instead of mother and daughter.

"You must be Vivienne," the woman breathed out with a smile, "I'm Jade, Amanda's mother."

I smiled, shaking Jade's hand in greeting as I introduce Juliet, "This is my best friend Juliet."

"What lovely auburn hair," Jade replied, "It's a pleasure to meet you both."

Juliet gave me a look which screamed 'red hair again' before smiling at Jade and replying, "Thank you."

"Why don't you take them to Mandy's room," Jade said to Edward, "and you will help me with the food."

Edward sighed, whispering to us as he ushered us up the stairs, "She knows I can't cook."

We walked down the hallway of the second storey, passing a few doors and many picture frames, all of which had Amanda in it with different awards or just smiling widely. I fought back the small tinge of hurt that formed in the pit of my stomach. That could have been me if my father hadn't run off, but in a way I was glad that he did. I would never have met Juliet or even experienced so much that has happened to me and of course, there was always Holly.

"Mandy," Edward called as we entered a white lavished room, "Vivienne and Juliet have arrived."

Amanda glanced up from her bed and smiled widely, "Vivienne! Juliet, I was starting to think that you weren't going to make it and leave me stuck here with two middle-aged parents who think playing bingo is fun,"

Edward scoffed, "You weasel; it's always your idea to play it in the first place."

Amanda turned red before she shooed Edward out and turned to us with a smile, "Don't mind him. He uh, likes to lie."

"I'm sure he does," Juliet replied with a grin.

Amanda rolled her eye with a smile before she turned her attention to me and asked, "So Vivienne, any news about Dave?"

I raised an eyebrow in surprise. I hadn't thought about Dave in ages but Amanda didn't need to know that.

"No, why?" I replied, turning to Juliet who looked just as shocked as I was.

"Because of Prom silly," Amanda answered as if it was that obvious, "hasn't he asked you yet?"

A slight blush leapt to my face as I stuttered, "Uh...not yet but I mean...he will...I think..."

"He'll be stupid not to," Amanda replied with a reassuring smile, "I'm sure he'll ask you soon."

"Hey is that your own Vogue photo shoot," Juliet asked, distracting Amanda from my complicated love life.

That was weird. Since when did Amanda care about Dave ore even me and Prom? Maybe she's into Dave now Viv, after all first it was Sean and now it's Dave. She is after all model-pretty and has that to-die-for look to her so why wouldn't Dave be interested in her? What am I saying? I'm being ridiculous about this! Amanda's probably just showing an interest in Dave because, well, we were technically sisters now and that was the sisterly thing to do, right...?

A/N And a new chapter which I cut shorter than I what I initially had planned on writing for purposes unknown (ie I was super lazy). First things first, how was the chapter and what do you think about Barbie movies? I love them, they're my secret fetish, watching all Barbie movies like some five year old. I'm weird like that...and Amanda? Seriously, do you think she's planning on latching onto Dave like Viv fears or is she just being friendly? Remember to vote, comment and spread the word!

PS: Check out my new werewolf story, The Wolf, just click on the external link!

xoxo

Mona-Mae :)