Back In The Days

[SfanS]

hmmmmmm.....I see. I seee. Very weird. CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT UPDATE!

[Psycho_Sis]

Next Update:

Brushing coolly past other students, Florence forced herself to look casual.

Struggling to catch up with Tracey, she squeezed past all the loud students and finally reached her.

Tapping her on the shoulder, she smiled at Tracey's surprised face as she turned around. "Hello, Tracey."

"Florence- hi. Can I help you with anything?"

Tracey stepped into the locker rooms and tossed her bag off. Yanking the zip open and tugging several books out, she looked up at Florence.

"Tracey- im inviting Zoe over on Saturday for a party- and she wanted you to come along too. Interested?"

Opening up her locker and jamming the books in, she slammed the door shut. She turned to glance at Florence.

"Saturday? I think i have a date with Peter then."

"Come on- I want Zoe over. She says she wont turn up unless you do. Besides, you can catch up him on Sunday."

Tracey turned thoughtful for a moment, then agreed. She shrugged. " Yeah ok then. I'd better discuss it with my mother though."

"Brilliant. The party starts at 8." Florence's eyes flashed happily. Now lying, was something she was good at.

"What the hell do you want, Clare?" Peter sighed impatiently and leaned against a brick wall outside the Science block. She was really starting to get on his nerves. "And don't try fooling me with another one of your selfish plans either."

"I won't Pete. You know how Zoe and i are all good now?"

"Yeah.?" Pete said angrily, wondering what this had to do with anything.

"She's gonna be throwing a party at Florence's and it starts at 8. Could you come along?"

"Will Tracey be there?"

Clare sighed. Luckily, he didn't notice her fists tightening with anger.

"Yes, she will be there."

Peter nodded. "Count me in, then. And don't try anything either i've learnt several lessons ever since you and I broke up."

He bounced back from the wall and walked past her, bumping her shoulder.

"The only way we're gonna get through this is if you co operate maturally!" Clare hollered after him.

He paid no attention. Instead, he ignored her voice and began rapidly making his way to basketball rehearse.

Laughing, Clare turned a corner and bumped into Florence.

"How'd it go?" Clare's eyes burned into her's.

"Absolutely fantasic. She fell for every word."

Clare's mouth stretched into a wide grin. "Good good."

Shaking Florence's hand, Clare turned around and walked away, an evil smile spreading across her face as she made her way toward the toilets to fix up her hair.

Florence, staring after Clare, turned her head to the ground, smiling wickedly.

Tapping her fingers anxiously on a bench by herself, Tracey looked around and admired the atmosphere.

Zoe had left school early in attendance for her doctor's appointment and Kim and Peter were at sports training.

Sighing with boredom, she pulled her water bottle out of her bag and took a long swig.

Her hand dropped at her side and the cool breeze brushed at her firm cheekbones. Wishing she was occupied with something-anything at all, Tracey sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bench.

She picked up her bag just as the bell rang. Swinging it over her shoulders, she met up Rachel along the way and they skipped together toward Drama class.

Oh no, Drama with Clare, Tracey thought with dread.

"Ok, quiet everyone!" Mrs Holland clapped her hands loudly over the racket. "Hey- come on class. Let's listen to the instructions, yeah?"

Eventually she managed to calm the chaos down. Rachel leaned over to Tracey and quietly whispered: "Gosh don't you think our class is really immature?"

Tracey laughed. "Oh hell yeah, Rach."

The teacher motioned toward two students from the front. "Callie and Jim- I want you both to stand here and show an action of happiness."

Callie jumped up and punched the air, letting out an enthusiastic cry of glee. Jim hooted with joy.

Everyone clapped. "Nicely done, guys. Thankyou- you may sit down."

Watching the two take their places in their spots, Tracey leaned back and watched the teacher stare around. "Okay, who wants to volunteer for next?"

No one put up their hand. 'Alright I'll pick. Clare and Tracey, please? Up front."

Clare, smirking with courage, took her place in front of the class. Tracey dragged herself up next to Clare. It took every ounce of strength to keep her hand from flying up and slapping Mrs Holland in the face.

"Now both of you- express an action of anger."

Tracey began to turn around, and Clare shoved her roughly away.

Falling and sliding against the squeaky floor, Tracey sat up and rubbed her head. "Ow..what the hell was that, idiot?"

Clare, forcing on a innocent play routine, put her hand to her mouth. "Oh. I'm sorry I didn't mean to do that."

A few of the students laughed and clapped. Some gasped with sympathy and shock.Most of the boys hooted.

Running a hand through her hair, the teacher sighed. "All right, enough everyone. Tracey, are you alright, dear?"

"Im fine." Getting up and dusting herself, she turned to glare at Clare.

She held her hands out. "I said it was a mistake! I'm SORRY!" Clare insisted. Her facials told Tracey that if one day she wouldnt stop the game she was playing, there would be serious trouble. She wished at once Peter was here, and that he would hit her the same way he hit John.

Some students were still giggling evilly. "Stop it, guys! That wasn't funny- seriously get a grip!" Rachel squealed over everyone. Some boys laughed loudly in response, mocking her.

"Quiet! Shush! Enough." Mrs Holland tapped her desk impatiently.

Groaning angrily, Tracey flew past Clare and dropped back in her seat. Her long fingernails drumming the book she had in front of her.

Clare smiled at the teacher and began making her way toward the seat. As she passed Tracey's desk, Tracey deliberately stuck out her foot.

"How did that feel-EE!" Clare squeaked loudly as she tripped over Tracey's shoes.

The class burst into immediate laughter and a few balls of paper were thrown at Clare's head as she lay on the floor, kissing the carpet.

"Ugh!" Clare slammed her hand onto Tracey's desk and pulled herself up. Stomping toward her desk, she slipped into her chair and folded her arms madly across her chest. Everyone was in hysteric hooting and giggles.

The teacher, up front, was lying on her desk, fake snoring. "Wake me up when you learn to behave," she sighed. A few students found this funny and began giggling again.

"Guys- grow up!" Rachel wailed. Tracey laughed and dropped her head onto her desk.

"Right." the teacher stood up. "Perhaps you would feel better if I brang Mr Hyde in here to continue today's lesson then."

The class fell silent. "Excellent," Mrs Holland said, enthusiastically. "Today, we will be going round the entire class and expressing our current emotions to the class. Clare Brody, you may start, thanks."

"Pissed off!" Clare answered, with snapping in her voice. More laughter.

Mrs Holland wrote Clare's name on the board and drew a wide circle around it. "Here, lunchtime on Monday. Or else."

Rolling her eyes and glancing up at the ceiling, Clare sat back in complete madness.

"Rachel Armstrong." the teacher's eyes wandered over to Rachel's desk.

"I feel like a butterfly- i'm flying through smooth wind, and-"

"Boring! Ah wa wa wa!" the boys all made yawning actions with her hands and mouth.

"Yes. This class IS very boring, as we're getting nowhere with your constant chatter and disturbance," the teacher scolded. "One more chance and I shall not hesistate to make my way to the principal's office."

When the class ended, the students busily made their way out of the class.

Wonder what im gonna wear to Zoe's party, Tracey thought. Something to impress Pete-and Clare! just for the sake of it! Teehee!

Her mind wandered over to her wardrobe contents. Pushing past a red-headed girl, she stepped through the crowd, anxiously.

A pair of black short shorts and a tight blouse should set him into orbit, she thought gleefully.

Laughing quietly to herself, she pushed past several girls, not noticing the evil Florence watching her every move at the end of the hall.

[QUIET ACHIEVER]

The plot thickens!! Wonderful fic - look forward to the next installment of this fine piece of writing. It's got me at the edge of my seat - the drama and suspense of what Clare has install for Pete & Tracey. Good to see Rach is also in this fic.

[Sarah_Lewis]

That was awesome !! god what does Clare have planned for Tracey !! Update soonish =p

[Psycho_Sis]

thanks a lot guys ill update today when i come back from the beach

[SfanS]

I LOVED it!!!!!!! LOL, Rachel sounds like such a nerd. AGHHHH!!!! Evil Clare *wacks Claire over the head with a baseball bat and begins to kick her* I wonder what Clare and Florence are up to. Keep up the good work!!!!!@1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Psycho_Sis]

Next update:

"Tracey- you are NOT wearing that to the party!" her mother's face twisted in an expression, showing absolute disgust.

"Why not?" Tracey smoothened her blouse down and popped her collar.

"Because- its so revealing! And look at that- please button up the top of your blouse- its terrible!" her mother bent forward to snap the buttons together.

"Mom i can do it." she slapped her mother's hands away and did so. Smoothening her hair in the mirror, she looked like a skanky little detective. This is not something I'm proud of, Tracey thought. But its just for tonight.

"ALRIGHT! Gosh!" Tracey groaned. "Please can you just hurry up and drop me off? I dont wanna roll up late to Zoe's party."

Kissing her goodbye, her mother gripped the steering wheel. "Please be good. I'll see you soon. You say Florence is giving you a ride back?"

"Yep. Bye mum."

Tracey stepped out of the car, and it roared out of sight.

She waiting until the car disappeared into the distance, then she unbuttoned the top two buttons again. "Perfect," she snickered.

Glancing up at Florence's farm-like house, she made her way up a path and toward the front door.

She had just raised a fist to knock, when the door opened unexpectedly.

"Oh- Hello Tracey. Come right in." Florence stood out of the way, allowing Tracey's entrance into the lounge room.

"Thanks- where's Zoe? We haven't talked ever since you invited me. I haven't had the chance to talk it through with her. But im here now- so? Where is she?"

Florence glanced at her watch. "She should be here soon. Make yourself at home."

"House seems pretty empty," Tracey commented as she entered the room. "Where are your parents?"

"I dont have any parents. My caregiver is out."

"Oh. Sorry Flor. Where are all the party guests?"

"They should be here soon."

Shrugging lightly and seating herself in one of the chairs, Tracey helped herself to a cup of orange juice on the table.

"Come on Clare, hurry up in there!" Florence whispered anxiously to herself.

"C-Clare...too much to drink...how many cats do you have again? Tell me the story about the three-little pigs." Peter was way-hell drunk. Sitting quietly and dizzily on Florence's bed, Clare gripped him lovingly.

I do love Peter when he's drunk, Clare thought nastily. Almost dissolves the dic* he is.

Kissing him on the top of his head, Clare laughed quietly. "Now now, sweety. Have another drink."

She handed him a bottle of vodka and fruit juice, and he swigged it.

"Drink some more," she urged.

"I've been drinking for wah- half an hour and im drunk off my head...shoulders knees and toes, knees and toes!" he sang. Boy he was really trashed.

Kissing him on the cheek, Clare's lips landed on his.

Kissing him softly, Clare thought to herself: That Tracey. So dull...so..powerless.

Then the door flew open.

"Clare! Hurry the hell up- Tracey is downstairs you'd better make it quick- oh boy he's so drunk- lay off the drinks." Florence burst in, and her eyes lowered with worry toward Peter's lanky body spread across Clare's lap.

Clare broke away from the kiss and turned to glance at Florence. "Yeah ok- we're coming."

"Pick up you silly girl," Tracey urged quietly. She held her phone to her ear, anxiously.

"Hello?" Zoe's cherry voice floated into the earpiece.

"Zoe you fool! you're half an hour late to your party! When are you gonna get here? I'd like to be home before christmas," she said, angrily.

There was a long silence on the other end. "Excuse me?" Zoe said, surprised.

"Your party. I'm at Florence's, waiting for you. Its been half an hour- whats keeping you?"

"What party? What are you talking about?"

Tracey groaned. "YOUR party, Zoe McCallister."

"Dude- im in bed. I dont know what party you're going on about."

Tracey's heart sank. What was going on?

She gripped the phone with shock, and uttered a cry of help.

"Zoe.."

"Tracey-crap! I've gotta go- My dad is- YES okay Dad, im hangin' up. Dad wants me asleep now- Tracey what are you gonna do? Call a taxi or something- OKAY DAD! Tracey if you need anything- call me again. Ive gotta go- see you soon."

There was a click, and the call ended.

Sitting with her mouth wide open, Tracey awoke from her trance of fright.

Rustling through her bag, she found a fifty dollar note, and considered it would be enough to catch a cab home.

Tossing her phone into her bag, she had just gotten up to leave out the door.

"Stop!" Florence came bounding into the room, breathing quietly.

"What's going on? This isn't Zoe's party, is it?" Tracey looked at Florence, scared.

Florence didn't answer.

Instead, she motioned toward the doorway.

Moving her attention to the door, she watched in complete surprise as Clare entered.

Holding her arm around a lanky, dizzy Peter, she smiled. "Hello, Tracey. Nice of you to drop by."

"Peter!" Tracey's mouth fell open when she saw him in his state. "What did you do to him??"

Clare looked down at Pete. "Nothing, darling. We had a couple of drinks together, thats all."

"Well nice of you two to be having a good time," Tracey snapped, angrily. She was hurt. "Now if you'll excuse me- im going outside to call a cab."

Blocking her way, Florence moved, quickly, in front of her.

"Florence- what the heck. I-" Her breath cut short and her heart stopped.

Kissing Clare, with his arms around her, Peter was leaning against the door. His legs were so jelly-like. And he looked so alcohol-sick.

It's still a kiss. Tracey's heart snapped into twos. Go! Run! a voice in Tracey's head shouted.

Blinking away tears and pushing roughly past Florence, she flew out the door to make her request for a taxi.

"Tracey wait! You'll miss the part where the big bad wolf blows down the house of straw!" Peter hollered after her. Florence and Clare burst into giggles.

Tracey steamed with anger, and bounded outside the gate, holding her phone impatiently to her ear. "Yes, taxi, I'd like a..."

Dropping Peter lightly on the couch, Clare smiled with happiness.

"Well done," she congratulated Florence. She reached into her pocket and handed her a roll of dollar bills. "Wasn't easy, but I got it. All 100 dollars. Just for that. You're a legend- thanks a lot."

Florence's grin widened. "Glad to be of your assistant. And thank YOU."

Shaking hands, Florence looked down at Peter.

"Ughh..." Peter rolled around on the couch, with his eyes closed. His tongue hung out of his mouth as he tossed and turned, struggling to get rid of the dizziness that clogged his brain.

"What're you gonna do with him?" Florence said, shaking her head. "He's completely out of it- look at him! How much has he had to drink?"

"Only about 10 vodka cruisers and a few shots," Clare said, proudly. Lying next to him, she placed a comforting arm around him.

Snickering evilly, Florence shook her head. "You are disgusting Clare. I just love it."

Clare, raising her eyebrows agreeingly, turned over to kiss Peter again.

Making her way toward the stereo, Florence make a quick motion to turn on some loud hip hop. Tossing herself on the floor, bourbon in one hand, she lay down to enjoy the last few hours of the party.

"You're back really early! Did you forget your purse?" her mother wiped her hands on a dish towel, and looked at Tracey's raged face in surprise. "Oh no, what happened this time."

"Nevermind. I'm going to BED." Tracey stomped up the stairs and slammed her bedroom door as hard as she could behind her.

Tossing off her bag and throwing herself onto her bed, she buried her head in her pillow to let out all the tears which badly needed to be released from her body.

Out of all people, why on earth was it Clare that Peter chose to have drinks with?

I know he wouldnt..Tracey thought sadly. Clare! She got him drunk, deliberately! The little b****!

Tracey punched her pillow with fury, and screamed.

Half an hour before Tracey's arrival to the party...

"Clare, when is Tracey going to get here?"

"She will be here soon. Just have a drink."

"How can I trust you? What did you put in it?"

"Nothing. I haven't even opened it. Will you stop being so stiff and just gulp it down already?"

Peter had practically thrown the liquid into his stomach. What he needed was a good time..a really good time.

Drink after drink followed. He had had enough of reality for a little while. Guess it wouldnt hurt to switch off for a night only, he had thought without a doubt. He had wandered away from Clare the moment the tipsiness had started to kick in, but he had become to silly in the head to friction her attempt to drag him back into the room.

Little did he know, it might cost their relationship. And it wouldn't come with any refund.

[Lilone]

Loving it

[swfc]

Okay, I'm really hating Clare. And Peter is so dumb! Can't believe he'd fall for that again. I swear, he needs a good smacking in the head. Well, Pete and Clare, really.

Update soon! Too much drama! But, I still it!

[Guest]

This is great and I am loving it