World Come Undone

[sevenpuddings]

Can't wait to read more, please update soon

Thank you so much! I'm really glad that you enjoyed it! And that I'm getting more readers! And your wish is my command. Another chapter, with thanks to the amazing Skykat for getting it back to me ever so quickly Now I hope everyone can tolerate Henry in this chapter, seeing as he's my favourite character, and has inspired me to write more!

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World Come Undone

Chapter Eight – You Gotta Fight, For Your Right.

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“What happened to your eye?” Matilda gasped as I stormed through the front door, slamming it shut with fury.

“Nothing,” I muttered darkly, marching towards the fridge, looking for the piece of steak I knew my mother had purchased not a day before. Sliding it out of the plastic packaging, I slumped into the closest chair before slapping it against my eye, soothing the wound instantly.

I heard Matilda sigh as I opened my remaining good eye to look down to her cross-legged position on the floor. Her usual scowl had been replaced with a slight frown, causing the entire aura of her personality to shift from annoyance to concern. I knew that look, and I knew it would not go away until I told her what happened.

“Stay away from that mechanic.” I said, raising my finger instantly to silence her instant retort. “And his body builder, gym trainer, old granny loving friend of his,” My eye turned dark and I balled my spare hand into a fist to curb any obvious anger. Only Matilda caught on way too easily, something to do with sharing a womb with her for the first nine months of our existence.

“They did this to you?” She asked suspiciously, raising an eyebrow as if challenging my accusation. Some sister she was turning out to be. Five minutes in Hicksville and she’s already defending the natives.

I rolled my eye and nodded. “You better believe dear sister, that your precious Prince Charming and his ugly side-kick did this too me. Two on one isn’t fair, even by my standards,”

She snorted at that comment and I had to remember that it was my sister sitting in front of me to stop me from teaching her a lesson. “Forgive me if I’m not the first to jump to your defence Henry, but remind me the last time you received something like this without it being a called for retaliation?” She asked, her voice thick with accusation and snobbery.

“I did nothing to deserve this,” I hissed at her through gritted teeth. “I was trying to be friendly. Asking about the surf, and then about the hot babes we saw yesterday, and the greasy one just, snapped,” I said, sitting back a little in shock, as I relived the memory once more.

“She has a name,” The one who was built like a brick had said deeply, as I turned to look him in the eye. His pupils were becoming dilated, which could either mean the blood was flowing to his head quickly, or he was high. I’d never paid too much attention to that part of Biology – I was all for the reproductive classes – but at that moment I wished I had. I could see colour flushing from his neck and ears onto his face, as his arm muscles would clench and relax, as if he were squeezing the crap out of a poor piece of fruit… or my body.

It was one of those moments where time stopped to allow my soliloquy. I had two options in front of me, and neither of them was exactly appealing. The first was the cowards way. Turn and run for dear life, and live as some kind of hermit so I never had to face the Hulk or Super-Pretty-Man again in my life. As you can imagine, the idea of hiding away from all the wonderous creations of god here was not appealing at all.

The second option was to stand my ground, with a quick witty comeback in the hopes of the entire situation blowing over as a misunderstanding. I wasn’t here to make friends, but the idea of having these two onside was more appealing than having them offside. So here I was, thinking that these boys knew how to take a joke…

“I’m not really fussed as to what her name is. The only name I want her screaming out is…”

His fist collided with my cheekbone, throwing me back into the sand. Before I’d had time to even gather my senses he’d pinned me down as his fists jabbed into my side. The Hulk was definitely a fitting name for him, I thought, before kicking myself into gear and shoving him off me. I balled my hand into a tight fist and gave him a 1, 2 jab in the belly before squaring up to knock his lights out. Only a pair of strong hands gripped my arms tightly as I was shoved roughly backwards away from the incredible Hulk… or incredible jerk.

“What in the world is going on here?” A deep angered voice yelled from behind me, as I turned to stare up into the face of a huffing, puffing old man. Okay, maybe not that old. But I mean, he wasn’t a young stud either. Had he not ripped me from cracking the jerk’s skull open I would have severely underestimated his strength.

“He said some stuff about Cassie that Ric didn’t like,” The Super Pretty Man said, eyeing me up and down as he stood next to the Hulk, who was breathing heavily.

“I have no idea who they are talking about,” I said finally, turning to face him, attempting to look as innocent as I possible could (although I was well aware of how hard this could be) “I was just talking about the surf and how pretty the locals are…”

“Like hell you were,” The Hulk snapped and lunged forward, but Super Pretty Boy was on the ball and dragged him back instantly.

“And then he attacked me!” I yelled, glaring at him. “The guy obviously has a temper and I spoke to him on a bad day. My bad,” I said, smirking at The Hulk as Super Pretty Boy continued to restrain him.

The man behind me snorted a little, but didn’t say anything until I turned to look at him. “What’s your name kid?”

“I’m Henry Hunter,” I replied confidently, sticking my hand out to him. He eyed it warily before reaching out and shaking it slowly.

”Well Mr. Hunter, I might just have to have a word or two to your parents about this incident. Wouldn’t want you to get off on the wrong foot with your peer’s now would we?”

I’d cringed at that word, peers. I’d never been a peer, part of a crowd that just faded into existence until they all looked and sounded like one another. No, I’d always been a leader, one to stand away from the crowd and all its similarities, one to be strong and know… revered even. I was a god in my old school, and the idea of having to interact; to bow down to these, riff ruff show ponies was something that was not appealing to me in the least. Only what other choice did I have, in this god forsaken country hick town?

“I don’t think that’s necessary sir. My Mum, she’s going through a rough time at the moment, and I don’t think we need to add any extra stress onto her, if you catch my drift,” I said, nudging him a little, hoping to play the whole thing down. The last thing I needed was to have Mum on my back about being a joiner.

“You brought the empty house on Covent Road, right?” He replied, smirking a little. “That’s right next door to our place, so if you could just tell your Mum I’ll be dropping by this afternoon, that would be great. You should really put some ice on that eye as well,” He yelled over his shoulder as he walked back up the beach.

“Henry,” Matilda snapped behind me, “You’re scowling. You didn’t leave scowling, did you?” She cried.

“Of course I did Matilda,” I snapped back at her. “How would you feel if you’d had the crap beaten out of you by two jerks, and then your humiliation completed by the old man mocking the hell out of you, when you’d just been attacked?”

“Oh Henry, stop acting so innocent. They don’t talk about girls as you and your friends do. What did I tell you, they breed them differently here, that includes the guys,” She sighed, exasperated with my behaviour.

“Well what are we going to do? I can’t spend a year in school with these people, they’ll tear me limb from limb. And I’m not sure about you, but I love my pretty body! And this face, it’ll be worth millions one day, as long as it stays untouched!”

“Henry, stop being a pansy and get your act together,” Matilda barked at me, rubbing her temples slowly. “You’re freaking out and it’s going to make me lose my cool. We need to think this through, calmly and rationally. Hell, we need to calculate our moves so we don’t forgot who were are, but learn to be who they want us to be.” She said, as her brows knitted together in concentration.

“How can we be who we are, but be who they want us to be as well?” I questioned automatically. Matilda was evil reincarnate to be sure, but she’d always had minions to make her plans run smoothly. Collateral, she called them. Out here, I was her only companion, and I was not going to turn into collateral.

“Its called make-believe Henry,” She replied, rolling her eyes. “Once upon a time, you and I had imaginations. And we used to play pretend. Then we grew up, and learned to just play, but as of right now, we’ve got to pretend to play by their rules,”

“Whose rules?” My mother’s singsong voice broke the dead silence, as she waltzed into the room, with my dork brother following behind.

“The school rules,” Matilda answered instantly, never missing a beat. “Henry and I were just reading over some of the things our new school has to offer, and he observed that it appears to be much less strict than Stone Ridge Private was.” She said smartly, as Mum turned to look at us, gasping the minute she saw the steak on my eye.

“Henry, what happened?” She cried, rushing over to me and pulling the steak from my eye, poking and prodding it.

“Ouch,” I replied, moving away from her. “Nothing Mum, I just,” I began, but a voice boomed from the front door.

“There was just a misunderstanding between he and some of the local fella’s,” He said from the doorway. “I’m Tony Holden,” He continued, as my mother raised her eyebrows at him. “I work at the Surf Club Gym, and just happened to pull your son and one of the guys apart today,”

“Well, thank you. I’m Beth Hunter, and these are my two youngest children, Matilda and Henry.” My mother replied, pursing her lips together as she walked into the living room. “Won’t you please come in and sit down, I’m sure we have a lot to talk about,” She said, shooting a look in my direction before guiding out guest in.

“Actually Mum, I was wondering if I could borrow Henry for a while,” Matilda, my saviour, asked ever so innocently. “There are some things I want to move in my room, and I wouldn’t want Robbie to strain a muscle helping me out,” She finished, smiling sweetly at Mum and the guy who had identified himself as Tony.

“Well, I think Henry should…” Mum began unsurely, before he interrupted.

“You know, my son is right next door, I can go and grab him to help as well. He’s in your class, so it might be a good time to get to know him, and make some friends,” Tony offered, as Mum smiled genuinely up at him.

“Oh no, thanks for the offer Mr… Dude,” Matilda began, trying to worm her way out of the little bonding exercise, but he was already out the door and Mum was already turning to glare at us.

“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to Matilda. Henry needs to face what ever he did and as soon as I find out what that is; there will be severe consequences.” She said, as she stood up. “Now, you are going to be nice to the young boy, you are going to turn off this snobbish exterior both of you have had since we moved here, and you are going to act like civil human beings, is that understood?” She finished, just as Tony and his son entered the doorway.

“Matilda, Henry, Beth, this is Lucas,” Tony grinned, pushing his son forward as I watched Matilda scowl behind Mum’s back as she shuffled over to shake his hand.

“It’s lovely to meet you Lucas,” She said warmly, “I’m sure you’ll get on just fine with Matilda and Henry,” She said, and Matilda rolled her eyes.

“Come on Henry, and, Lucas,” She said, scoffing a little, “We wouldn’t want to intrude on the adults time, and my room is a complete mess, everything needs rearranging,” She said as she wandered down the hallway.

“It was nice meeting you,” Lucas replied timidly before following Matilda down the hallway, running to catch up with her.

“I’ll be speaking with you later,” Mum said, as I breezed past Tony, who was looking far too comfortable in this house for my liking.

I sighed to myself as I ambled down the hallway. New town, new home, new set of rules to learn to live by. It was going to be a long year.

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[*caitie*]

I don't think Mattie and Henry are going to be very nice to Lucas, or maybe I'll be proved wrong!!Update soon

[Jen]

Another great chapter. I adore the way you have written Henry, especially when it's from his point of view.

And I’m not sure about you, but I love my pretty body! And this face, it’ll be worth millions one day, as long as it stays untouched!” That line made me laugh. It's good to see you've created Henry with a sense of humour.

I also liked the Beth-attiude towards the whole situation - so true to character. Also the introduction of Tony to the whole mix is good.

I always enjoy reading your fics and this one is no exception.

As I anxiously wait for more,

Jen.

[sevenpuddings]

Aww thanks guys!

I'm glad you like Henry, Jen. I'm trying to make him an a$$ without him being overly one, if that makes sense!

More soon, I promise!

[kase]

Nice update Jess. I'm glad you're getting more readers, this fic certainly deserves it! I think I'm starting to like Henry too. You're doing it just right, making him a jerk but not too over the top. It seems to just be the type of humour he and his old friends used to have that Ric and Drew (aka Hulk and & Super Pretty Boy) haven't caught on to. He has a far less deeper monologue than the other boys which I think suits his character. It's as if this confidence is a facade for something more meaningful...or he could just be really cocky It was also really good to see the rest of the boys' conversation, I thought it was too good to be left as it was in Ric's account.

I love the Mattie/Henry relationship, it seems to be them against the world.

“Henry, stop being a pansy and get your act together,” Matilda barked at me, rubbing her temples slowly. “You’re freaking out and it’s going to make me lose my cool. We need to think this through, calmly and rationally. Hell, we need to calculate our moves so we don’t forgot who were are, but learn to be who they want us to be.” Geez Matilda is calculated! It really is like they're from a totally different planet from everyone else, and I love it.

Hmm, poor Luke. I hope he doesn't suffer too much from the twins.

Looking forward to the next update!

[sevenpuddings]

THANK YOU SO MUCH KASE!!

I'm glad you're enjoying it!!

Another update. Thanks heaps to Skykat for proofreading!!

World Come Undone

Chapter Nine – Replacing the Bitch with the Beauty.

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“So, I guess I’ll see you around then,” He said, as I flopped down onto my bed, a magazine pushed out in front of me.

“Yeah, I guess,” I replied half heartedly, before looking up and flashing him an award-winning smile. Suddenly, I realised that if Henry was going to even contemplate playing the part of perfect sibling, brother and friend, I’d have to lead by example. And who better to sweeten up, than the dork from next door?

“Thanks so much for helping today, I really couldn’t have done it without you,” I said sweetly and I stood up and walked over to him. I pushed myself up onto my tip toes and whispered “Henry isn’t really a fan of manual labour,” into his ear, before standing back and squeezing his upper arm, “And he’s not as strong as you either,” I bit my lip, knowing I had this innocent act down to a tee. “I’ll know where to look next time I need some man power,” I giggled, and turned with every intention of walking sultry back to my bed. Only his arms snapped out and grabbed mine, turning me to face him.

“I wasn’t born yesterday,” His face was inches from mine, his dark blue eyes staring deeply into my own, making me feel more uncomfortable in my own skin than I had in a very long time. It was as if he had read my actions, and known of my motives, for longer than I’d known of them myself. And that thought terrified me. “I know your type. I’ve been trodden on year after year by your type, and frankly, I don’t care if you do continue to put me down. All I ask is that you give me the respect to not pretend to be someone else when you’re around me. I can see right through you Matilda Hunter, and don’t you ever forget it,” He finished, his eyes turning a little darker (if that was even possible!!) as he turned and walked calmly out of my room, without even letting me dismiss him.

Crossing my arms across my chest, I ‘hmmped’ before pouting, and stomping across the my bed, where I sat crossed legged and glared at Henry, who was doubled over in laugher.

“Shut up,” I yelled at him, “It’s not funny,”

“Oh, but it is,” He replied in between gasps for air. “You were quivering at one stage there Matilda, and the last time I can remember seeing you quiver with fear was at age seven. That was before you realised quivering also helped you get what you want,” He said pointedly, and I had to concede that point. I couldn’t remember the last time the blood had pumped to my heart like that, or my breath had quickened to such a fast pace, or the fact that I’d felt dizzy after speaking to someone.

And no, it wasn’t those kinds of feelings. Lust, want and desire. I’d felt those in recent times. No, this was pure adrenalin… fear, or even excitement. It had been so long since someone that wasn’t related to me; saw through me to what I was, the cold, cruel woman who cared little for anything or anyone besides her self. And that thought, was simply exhilarating. Only Henry had mistaken it for terror, but I wasn’t about to correct him, and admit that I was a little fascinated by the geeky kid who knew more than he ever should about what it was to be a tired and trained liar.

“Chin up Matilda,” Henry said brightly. He pushed himself from the doorway and bounced over to me on the bed. “Once I make friends with the thugs, I’ll have them beat him up, how does that sound?” He asked, genuinely believing he was doing me a favour.

“Henry, sweety,” I said, turning my head and pressing my hands together, “That’s obviously not how they fix things here. If you haven’t noticed the adults don’t seem to be big on the ‘beat them up’ solution. And you need to learn to play their game as well, which means no hitting people,” I paused dramatically, and watched Henry’s face sag a little. “It also mean you’ll probably have to cut every word you’ve ever used to describe members of the opposite sex from your vocabulary,” I continued as he opened his mouth to rebut. “No Henry, I’m serious. No chicks, babes, animals, pieces of meat, fine ass, or whatever else you can come up with. They like to think themselves dignified here, and so we have to behave in that manner.” I sighed, turning to face his saddened face.

“This place bites. Even the babes, chicks, I mean… lesbians are no f*%&ing fun,” He screamed in frustration, as I patted his hand calmly. “Matilda, we need to escape.” He said finally, turning to me with wide eyes. “Mark’s parents are in Europe for the year, you and he always got along, we could ditch the hick town and crash at his, until I get a job…”

“Doing what?” I asked him. “We need to be practical, and right now, neither of us have any skills aside from manipulation. And that isn’t going to get us very far without references and our HSC.”

“Do you honestly think you can survive for a year here?” He replied, raising his eyebrows and upping the challenge.

I smirked in reply, lying back onto my pillows, “Well, actress has always been an aspiration of mine. Why not get some training in early? And besides, your going to need to know how to act innocent if you want to be a lawyer. Why not use this year as training for your future?” I asked, raising an eyebrow, as Henry thought my idea through.

“I’m not becoming your collateral,” He said finally, jumping up from the bed. “I won’t be a pawn in any game you’re planning Matilda,”

I shook my head, grinning evilly. “Not pawn Henry, partner,”

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“Maaattttiiiilllllddda,”

My mothers’ sing-song voice broke through the sweet dreams I was having of white sandy beaches and dark, tanned Latino servers. Instead, I was waking up to my first day of year 12, in the most cringe worthy uniform ever created. Purple, maroon and blue? Not a good combination, especially with my skin complexion. Yet there it was, hanging on the outside of the old wooden wardrobe, taunting me, the final twist of the dagger – telling me that I really wasn’t going back to where I belonged.

“MATILDA,” Mother screamed from… wherever she was in the house. “You’re going to be late for school if you don’t get a move on,”

“Yeah Matilda,” Henry snorted from my now open doorway. “You wouldn’t want to deprive all those wonderful country bumpkin hicks of your company on your very first day in your last year of school, now would you?” He smirked at me as he walked into my room, pausing momentarily as he looked into the mirror, adjusting his tie, when in reality he was just checking to see if his hair had gelled right this morning. Vain creature, I thought to myself, as I rolled out of bed.

“Careful Henry,” I said as I glided past him to pull the horrid uniform down, “Its seven years bad luck if you break that mirror,” I laughed a little at his confusion as I walked into the adjoining bathroom and shut the door behind me.

This bathroom was possibly the quaintest room of the house. The ceiling had those intricate corner designs, and the bathtub had those giant massive golden feet, like the one Rachel McAdams has in the Notebook, when Allie finds out that Noah built the perfect house. And for that sole reason, I loved this room. It was my own personal place for escape, where the magic could happen, and the witch of east Summer Bay could be transformed into a personal Princess. I sighed, as I placed my uniform on the toilet seat. It was going to take a hell of a lot of make-up to take the bitch out of the beauty.

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“Explain to me again why exactly you’re here?” I asked Mum as she sat down next to Henry in the office of the school.

“Because darling daughter,” Mother replied, in exactly the same snobbish tone I’d just used on her. “The principle wanted to meet with all of us,” She stressed, “And sadly enough, that means your unfashionable mother must tag along as well,” She finished, grinning cheekily at me. And she wondered where I got my snark from, I thought to myself, shaking my head.

“Ah, you must be Matilda and Henry,” A raven-haired woman with a slightly stiff posture said, as she walked into the room from the hallway. “Mrs. Saunders,” She continued, extending a hand towards my Mother. “Principle of Summer Bay High,”

“Beth Hunter,” Mother replied, standing up to shake Mrs. Saunders hand enthusiastically “I can’t tell you how relieved I was when you accepted Matilda and Henry. I thought finding schooling for them at such a late stage of their high school academic time was going to be a nightmare,” She babbled on, which was an unmistakable sign of her nerves. Thank god Robbie was her only child that seemed to have inherited that particular genetic deficiency, I thought, rolling my eyes at Henry who smirked in return.

“It was my pleasure,” Mrs. Saunders offered a large smile which instantly relaxed Mother. “Now, lets see if we can’t sort you both into some appropriate classes. I hear you’re very good at Drama Matilda,” She said kindly as she motioned us into her office.

“I was first in my year,” I replied lightly, slipping into a seat, “every year,” I added for emphasis.

“I’m glad to hear that. The Drama department here is wonderful but perhaps you’re that little something extra that will push them harder,” She replied, her eyes twinkling a little. “But your academic schedule is tough too. English advanced and extension, Mathematics, Chemistry and Modern History. It’s going to be a long, hard year for you,” Mrs. Saunders continued, peering over my records to look at me.

“I assure you, I can handle anything,” I replied confidently, my tone shutting down any reservations she may have held concerning my academic brilliance. I may have looked like Malibu Barbie, but I was far from blonde and ditzy. I had a brain, and I wasn’t afraid to use it, especially if it meant escape from this hell hole as soon as humanly possible.

“Very well then,” Mrs. Saunders conceded. “I’ve assigned Lucas Holden to you as a guide, just until you get the feel of things. Your mother tells me you’ve already met, which takes care of introductions. Here is your timetable,” She said, handing several papers, “Free periods for seniors are to be spent on school rounds. Under no circumstances are they to be viewed as casual time for shopping sprees,” Her soft voice turned sharp and stern in a matter of seconds, as if she had read my mind. Suddenly she wasn’t a ray of light, rather a major witch. Thankfully, that Holden kid turned up at exactly the right moment, and I was excused from any further conversations with the good turned wicked witch of the west.

Learning to play by their rules was going to be harder than I thought.

[Anaya]

I have just found this great fanfic! I am absolutely loving reading it!

It's really well written.

Can't wait to read more!

[Liska]

Again nice chapter. You're a great writer

Who's that in the first part of this chapter? Matilda and? Is it Ric?

[Jen]

Another fabulous chapter, Jess. I get a sense of a Sharpay-ness to Matilda at this stage. Except she is a bit more malicious than Sharpay. Still, I love the way you write her - her mood swings, wit and that intimate moment with Lucas. Whoa! Totally fell for that. I'm wondering if you are planning anything between those two or is it a red herring? *bats eyelashes innocently* The way you have written Lucas is great, he seems to have a bit more backbone and a confidence that intimidates Matilda. I adore that!

Still can not wait to see how school turns out for the twins.

[*caitie*]

Wow!! That was a great update!!!

I loved the part with Matilda and Lucas at the start,GO LUCAS!!Good on him for standing up to Mattie!!!

Update soon!!!