Invitation to a Better Life (Seductive Secrets Part Three) (standard:drama, 5532 words) [3/8] show all parts
Author: Siobhan	Added: Sep 30 2002	Views/Reads: 2515/1938	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
The tensions build in Brandon's group and Jessica knows that something bad is going on with them, some bad history but no one is talking. Meanwhile, a handsome little "outcast" boy has designs on her, undermining Brandon.

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story

and it should not bother anyone.  Why was everyone trying to choose who 
she could be friends with and when she didn't follow what they said, 
why were they upset?  It was her life not theirs. 

Jessica held Joey's gaze for a moment, and the amount of resentment and
sadness displayed there angered her.  He was acting as if she had truly 
done something out of spite just to hurt him.  Why couldn't he see that 
she had done no such thing?  She had just made an effort to be well 
rounded friend-wise and that he had no room to be judging her for it.  
Gosh, boys made her angry, Joey and Brandon both were such pains in the 
necks! 

"I know, we have had our encounters, always pleasant," Rhonda faked a
smile at Joey but he only stood there, his eyes flickering between her 
and Jessica.  He didn't say a word for a moment and seemed lost in 
thought, as if searching for the perfect answer that would slam Rhonda 
and allow Jessica to feel the betrayal but she refused to feel any such 
thing.  All she had done was be friends with everyone and not allow 
shallow judgements to stand in the way. 

"I didn't know you two were friends," he finally said and the way he
said it, Jessica could tell that he was disgusted.  She bristled at his 
tone of voice but bit back the urge to retaliate with something nasty.  
She knew how painful it was to be tortured by the glamorous popular 
people and she would not say something that she would regret later...no 
matter how tempting it was. 

"Yeah we met yesterday, in fact, she went with me to Brandon's party,"
Rhonda explained and she saw him look a little upset.  His expression 
looked almost as if his stomach were upset and he was about to barf but 
he didn't.  It was just an expression, a look that explained how he 
felt about Jessica and Rhonda being friends. Even though it angered her 
that he was acting that way, she felt a little bad for him.  Just a 
little. 

"Joey," Jessica began but he smiled at her, telling her to just remain
silent.  She felt strange as if she had betrayed him and it bothered 
her.  She also felt a little rejected herself and she allowed herself 
to be dragged away by Rhonda.  She shouldn't have been in the least 
affected by his emotions but she was.  How come he could get away with 
making her feel guilty for a friendship.  No one should be allowed to 
make people feel guilty for being friendly. 

"What were you doing with them?" Rhonda was also disappointed with
Jessica but she had done nothing wrong.  She felt resentment towards 
both Rhonda and Joey for making her feel this way.  What was the big 
deal?  She was accustomed to being friends with whoever she wanted to, 
why were people taking offense to her being friends with everyone? 

"I was just hanging out with them.  I don't understand, what's the
problem?" Jessica asked, really angry that there was such an awful feud 
between her new friends.  Didn't they understand that acting like small 
immature children could result in her just walking away?  She would be 
wise if she did just walk away and leave the two groups to solve their 
issues.  There were other kids to befriend in the school, she didn't 
need them 

"The problem is that they are below us.  You don't intermix, they are
the lowest class, we are the highest.  I told you to stay away from 
them, they're trouble.  Do you understand?" Rhonda sounded angry but 
she had no right to be so.  Jessica took in a deep breath, trying to 
calm down her feelings.  She shouldn't bite back, shouldn't be rude.  
She just needed to think clearly and try to make Rhonda understand what 
she felt.  She would never let anyone dictate who she would and would 
not talk to. 

"No, I don't.  I had fun with them.  How does that make them the lowest
class?"  Jessica inquired and she was serious.  She was angry and 
resentful of Rhonda for the position she had put her.  She shouldn't 
have to choose, it was wrong.  She had a feeling that Joey would act 
too much like a boy and refuse to hear her side of the story and Rhonda 
would be so smitten with her idea of how society should be, that she 
would be unable to get the message through to either one that she was 
not choosing.  She was her own mind, her own personality and she would 
make that clear somehow. 

"Duh, they are way immature.  They have no clue how to handle society. 
You be friends with them, you become enemies to the school.  You become 
friends with us and you become the icon of power.  Everyone loves you, 
respects you, and wants to be just like you.  You enjoy the finest of 
life and more.  They're just a small bug to be squashed," Rhonda was 
staring straight ahead and Jessica saw that they were approaching a 
group of four teenagers.  Jessica wanted to scream in frustration, she 
wanted to rattle Rhonda by her shoulders and tell her how horrible it 
was being that bug.  She wanted to slap her around and make her 
remember that no one should be treated that way, absolutely no one!  
She inhaled rather sharply, trying to keep from saying something 
disdainful that would ruin their friendship, no matter how shallow it 
was. 

"What if I don't want everyone's respect, love, and all of that b.s. 
What if I just want to have fun like they do?  And, since when am I one 
of you?" she wanted to know, suddenly the gist of what Rhonda said sunk 
in.  Was Rhonda really implying what she thought she was?  If so, it 
would be everything that she had ever dreamed of.  To be accepted 
rather than revoked, admired rather than the joke, but she wasn't sure 
she could handle it if the cost was the friendship of such great people 
like Joey or Martha.  She had never been one to step on other people's 
heads to get what she wanted. 

"Look Jessica, do you like Brandon?" she asked.  Jessica had no clue
what that had to do with the conversation but she decided to answer 
honestly, at least semi-honest.  She was well aware of where Rhonda's 
loyalties lay and there was no way she was giving any information that 
would leak back to his ears.  She would play it safe and steer clear of 
his sexy style and frightening manner.  He was bad news to anyone who 
could see clearly and to let in to one of his spies that she had 
interest could be deadly. 

"No, I don't care for him at all.  In fact, I find him very annoying,"
she replied.  Rhonda looked shocked and then she recomposed herself.  
Jessica had a feeling what she was thinking, that no girl had yet been 
able to resist his charm.  That thought led to another and she wondered 
if Rhonda had ever had feelings for Brandon.  If so, had he taken 
advantage and manipulated her to his good?  Would Rhonda, if given a 
solid chance, stab him in the back to take revenge for his breaking of 
her heart or would her loyalties all remain with him? 

Then she began to wonder, why was she even thinking thoughts of taking
down Brandon.  She had no reason to, no true desire, yet it was an 
exciting thought that clung stubbornly at the back of her mind, like a 
mold that could be scraped off but a tiny part would always remain. 

"No wonder he's so taken with you," she exclaimed, her voice rich with
enthusiasm though her face was expressionless. 

"Excuse me?" she questioned.  It was as she feared but a warm, excited
feeling rushed through her being.  She had the hottest guy in school 
infatuated with her and no other girl.  It made her feel extremely 
special but even more so, powerful.  It was wonderful and she begged 
that Rhonda would not see her obvious pleasure in the fact that Brandon 
was, in deed, crushing on her. 

"He's been talking none stop about you.  Every girl in this school is
mad for him and would do anything for him.  He goes through girlfriends 
like they are clothing but he has never liked anyone truly because they 
were all infatuated with him.  Here comes you, who doesn't care about 
him, and for the first time ever, he goes head over heels.  It all 
makes sense now," she chuckled.  It was obvious that she didn't  
realize that Jessica had very mixed feelings for the boy and for this, 
she was thankful.  She knew that Rhonda would blab to Brandon the 
instant she suspected that Jessica had the slightest bit of interest.  
That was the way of the popular people, their loyalties lay with those 
who could keep them on top.  She wondered if she could ever be like 
that? 

"Oh no, how do I make him not like me?" Jessica begged to know for she
had guessed that he liked her but she didn't want to appear overly 
eager, especially considering she was just interested in him because of 
the lifestyle that he could offer her.  She didn't want to be like the 
stunning brunette speaking to her, using innocent boys as footholds to 
the goal but he wasn't completely innocent, right?  That could be her 
excuse for using him to plant firmly a root in society's eye, he had 
done it to others. 

That made her feel better until she thought of her mom and Joey.  Joey
would be so disappointed in her if she became Brandon's girlfriend but 
did he really expect her to hang out with only him?  Though his eyes, 
deep rich brown, burdened with puppy dog hurt started to sway her mind. 
 Then her mother, sick with an unknown illness, wandered into her 
thoughts.  How could she even be thinking of a relationship when her 
mother needed her at home?  Brandon liking her was an unnecessary 
trouble. That's all she needed on top of everything, an unwanted 
admirer. 

"You can't, come on," Rhonda dragged her towards the group and Jessica
saw Brandon, suave and wickedly dark, and Jonathon sitting there.  The 
other two were a girl and a boy she had never met.  The girl had short, 
champagne blonde hair and icy brown eyes.  The boy had reddish brown 
hair and a slight goatee.  They were all talking and laughing as if 
they had no care in the world, their voices weaving a note of being 
laid back into the atmosphere.  It was so picturesque, almost like a 
movie scene practiced for viewing.  She thought it looked almost as if 
it were faked, a forced happiness that had tension and distrust burning 
underneath.  But, she was allowing her imagination to run away with her 
again so she pushed it to the back of her thoughts. 

"Brandon," Rhonda called, "Look who I found!"  Brandon's eyes lit up
when he saw Jessica. His whole face seemed to warm and the edge of 
danger softened, as if she calmed him down a bit.  She winced 
automatically, refusing to allow him even the smallest belief that she 
was kind of crushing on him too.  A smile flooded his face, and it 
seemed as if the sun chose that moment to shine on him, giving him a 
halo of gold so that he appeared to be an angel.  She almost laughed at 
the illusion because she believed that he would make a better fallen 
angel than a sweet angel. 

"Jessica, glad to see you.  This is Timothy and Erica.  You've already
met Jonathon.  So, how has your day been going?" he was overly friendly 
and she smiled at him, only out of courtesy and a little something 
else.  He was so excited, almost jumpy, but somehow or other he still 
managed to appear so casual and nonchalant.  It was just appearances 
though because he was fidgeting and seemed barely able to contain 
himself.  It was like watching a small child learn they were getting to 
go the fair cause they had been good. 

"Oh, interesting.  You?" she inquired, playing the game of appearing
unperturbed and uncaring.  Her voice was drab of any emotion and held 
no warmth nor coldness.  She was just having a conversation with one of 
the nobodies, no one else, and no one important.  She had learned from 
the best and she saw Rhonda smile slightly 

"Wonderful, now that you've arrived," he smiled at her and patted the
empty space besides him on the bench.  He acted as if he hadn't noticed 
the attitude and only heard admiration, or something.  She shook her 
head and he looked downcast.  The smile that had been dissipated into a 
withered grin and his eyes lost some of their light.  She sighed and 
sat down cause she felt bad for him.  Nothing like a guilt trip for a 
beautiful popular boy to make one give in. 

"So you're the Jessica that 's he talked nonstop about," Erica purred,
her voice seductive yet dangerous, just like Brandon's voice.  There 
was something in her eyes that frightened Jessica, something dark and 
wicked, making Brandon look like a sweet little boy.  She played the 
part of a relaxed girl but it was as if there was coiled energy beneath 
the surface, waiting for a chance to be released. 

She felt uncomfortable in the presence of the entire group.  It was like
sitting in a lion's den, wondering if they were toying with one, ready 
to eat one any moment, or if they were being genuinely accepting.  It 
was a disturbing feeling that made butterflies dance wildly in her gut. 
 She didn't know if she were just imagining things or if there was 
really a reason to feel so threatened. 

"I guess so," Jessica smiled again but wished that she could escape. 
She didn't understand how she had got mixed up with this group, such a 
dark and intense group.  They were nothing like her or her friends yet 
they held a definite attraction.  She did want a different life and 
they were offering it to her.  She just had to accept.  But, from all 
the unease she felt moving in the group, she was unsure if she really 
desired to be a part of them.  It was awkward, especially considering 
that they were pretending that nothing was wrong. 

"Well, I can't see why," Erica smirked and Jessica felt as if she had
been slapped in the face.  She couldn't imagine what she had done to 
offend this girl.  She had been friendly and warm but still she had 
been insulted.  Suddenly, she understood what Brandon probably felt at 
the party though her belittling words had been done in jest, kind of.  
Erica's offensive slam had been directed to cause emotional discomfort 
and make it clear, her dislike.  This greatly bothered Jessica but she 
decided that she would not be rude back, at least not appear to at 
first. 

She noticed Brandon shoot Erica a nasty look and Erica's smile faded. 
It was strange the control he had over everyone.  If he told them to 
knock it off, they did, and if he told them to do something, they 
jumped.  She wondered why and she wondered what would happen if she 
stood in the way of their missions.  Would he be the one to get on her 
case or would the one who had she interfered with? 

"Neither can I," she finally replied, getting over her initial shock,
"But then again, I have to wonder why is he hanging out with you?" 
Brandon continued to glare at Erica and Jessica could see her 
struggling to keep from staying something.  How did Brandon have such 
control that he could keep them silent against their own will?  The 
girl was biting her lip and her eyes bore the deepest resentment but 
she didn't know what she did to deserve such treatment.  Had she bad 
mouthed Erica somewhere along the line and not even realized it? 

"Erica, I would watch out, Jessica's quick on her feet," Brandon
chuckled but his eyes held an unspoken warning to Erica.  Jessica 
sighed, she really did not enjoy this group of people, they were too 
different and shallow.  But that wasn't even what bothered her, it was 
the unspoken conflict. An anger that resounded between all of them when 
they were together, a sin that bound them all together but kept them 
from caring of the others.  She wanted to know what the problem was, 
almost enough to join them. But the number one reason of becoming one 
of them would be... they offered her a chance at a life that she had 
desired for the longest period of time but never able to achieve on her 
own. 

“I can see that, I wonder in what other ways is she quick,” Timothy
spoke and Jessica was chilled by the way he looked at her.  It was with 
a strange hunger but underneath that was a powerful hate, that radiated 
into her like waves.  He seemed very much like Erica, fanning a fire 
that would consume her with his rage.  Though he was joking, his eyes 
explained that he felt no want to kid with her.  He would rather 
destroy her than deal with her.  She wondered what she was doing, 
hanging with a group where two of them hated her so much, she bet that 
they would have no qualms about killing her.  That was beyond a 
horrifying thought and she fought the shivers that racked her body. 

“You'd better never be finding out,” Brandon growled, and his blue eyes
were full of venom.  The two boys stared at each other, tension hanging 
like a taunt wire between the two, and Jessica wondered what was going 
on.  It wasn't really over her, that was just the cover up.  She could 
see that if someone didn't do something quick a fight was going to 
break out.  Timothy clenched and unclenched his fists, appearing eager 
to put them to use.  Brandon had a dark smile upon his face, one that 
announced he was ready and would win. 

Erica placed a slender white hand against Timothy's shoulder, and he
looked away from Brandon.  It was the touch of an angel or that it was 
it seemed to be, for she drew the attention away from the fight that 
was brewing.  Though, in no terms whatsoever, did she smooth it over.  
It was obvious that she just didn't want it to occur, was trying to 
keep something worse from happening. 

“So, do you have any brothers or sisters?” Jonathon threw out at Jessica
in a futile attempt to ease the tension.  His eyes were wide with worry 
and his hands were shaking.  He noticed at the same time as she did and 
thrust them into his pockets.  Rhonda wrapped her arms around him from 
behind and stood on her toes to place her chin upon his shoulder. 

“Um, no, I'm an only child,” she replied, her eyes stuck upon Brandon
who had returned to casual mode but Timothy was bristling, and his 
white hot stare was full of contempt and rage.  Erica continued to keep 
her hand on his shoulder as if holding back an angry dog.  She was 
enraged too and it was apparent from the way her brown eyes glared at 
Brandon.  Her lips were drawn into an ugly scowl and her other hand was 
in a tight ball, the nails probably biting into her flesh. 

“So are we,” Rhonda purred and Brandon nodded his head in agreement. 
They were all only children?  Jessica pondered the chance of a group of 
extremely popular kids all being only children.  She decided it was 
very likely for it explained their attitudes.  They acted as if no one 
else mattered, all that counted in the whole world was their own 
selves. 

“Interesting,” she feigned a smile, still intrigued by the rivalry
between Brandon and Timothy.  Something was cooking and she saw Erica 
squeeze Timothy's arm with a barely perceptible movement.  She was the 
reins that was holding Timothy's burning rage in check and Jessica had 
a feeling that if Erica weren't here, one of the most vicious fights 
she would have ever seen, would have taken place. 

“You're interesting,” Brandon replied, and his blazing blue eyes held
hers with disconcerting perception.  She couldn't look away and she 
felt her breath catch in her throat.  Something about him was 
undeniably attractive but at the same time, he was also extremely 
repulsive. “Oh gag me,” Erica mumbled and stood up, annoyance clear on 
her silky features.  Timothy also arose, and slipped a muscular hand 
around her slender waist.  It was clear that they needed to take a 
break, cool down from the near melt down that had almost occurred. 

“Where are you going?” Rhonda inquired and Erica sighed heavily.  The
pressure was still thick in the air, weighing down on everyone and 
Jessica wanted to know what it was.  Why were they do hateful in a 
group that was supposed to be tight knit? 

“We're just going to go for a walk, we need a break from... sitting,”
she smirked and her eyes strayed to Jessica.  She was stung by the 
loathing and bitterness in those eyes, and confused by the longing and 
deep sadness that was also revealed.  She wondered what was with Erica, 
and what it was that she was hiding, if truly anything at all. 

“Go ahead, but remember, it's only a break,” Brandon chortled and
Jessica's mind recoiled from him.  Something in his voice carried an 
intangible threat and she wondered what was the underlying meaning of 
his sentence.  Would she find out if she were made an official member 
of this popular group or would she be denied the knowledge because she 
was not one of them nor would she ever be? 

“Like we could forget,” Timothy snootily cast over his shoulder as they
walked away and Erica coolly leaned her blonde head against his 
shoulder.  Their steps were in sync and though they flowed gracefully 
and suavely, there was a definite “don't mess with me” air to their 
movements. 

“What is up with the two of you?” Jessica immediately asked of Brandon,
as soon as Timothy was out of hearing range.  She wanted to know so bad 
and she knew the saying about curiosity killing the cat but she had to 
know.  The intensity of the bitterness between the two would bug her 
forever more unless she knew the source. 

“Oh, it's an old feud, don't worry about it.  He'll get over it someday
when he realizes that I will always win,” his eyes were holding hers 
again and Jessica felt as if her will were not her own.  Her 
determination was swept away in a wave of want for Brandon.  She needed 
to be able to touch him and hold him in her arms but she didn't know 
why she felt this way.  He started to lean towards her as if to kiss 
her and suddenly the bell rang.  She became aware of his arm draped 
around her shoulders and of his face so near hers.  She leapt up and 
made sure that she was not standing near him.  She didn't understand 
what had just occurred but she want it to happen again. 

“Well, see you guys around,” she announced and scurried away before
anything more could be said.  She didn't understand what was going on 
and why she was loosing control of herself when Brandon looked into her 
eyes.  She wondered what was going on between Timothy and Brandon and 
why Erica looked so intensely at her.  She was filled with so many 
questions but as long as she was with that group, she couldn't think so 
she knew that she just had to get away before they stopped her again. 

When she finally got home, she found the house abandoned, which was fine
with her.  She didn't really feel up to being friendly and her mom had 
a low tolerance for bad attitudes.  Steven and her mother must have 
been out so she went into the kitchen to start her homework.  She was 
involved with a lengthy English essay upon the importance of love in 
everyday life when the phone rang. 

She jumped for it and answered cautiously as if the whoever was upon the
other end of the line was a killer, “Hello?” 

“Hi, um, is Jessica there?” a familiar but unrecognizable male voice
inquired. 

“Perhaps, who is this calling?” she asked, curious if somehow Brandon
had got her phone number and now was going to plague her with phone 
calls. 

“Um, this is Joey, a guy from school,” he replied and Jessica's heart
gave a weird little jump inside of her stomach.  Her face heated up 
with an unexpected blush and she felt relieved yet now excited and 
antsy for something to happen. 

“Oh sorry about that,” she laughed nervously, “this is her.” 

“Hi, well, um, how are you?” 

“I'm doing well, a little overwhelmed with homework but not seriously
straggling.  How about you?” 

“Well, I'm okay, wow, sheesh, I have no idea how to ask this...” 

“How to ask what?  Just go for it.” 

“Well, first, are you heavily involved with Rhonda and her group?” 

“Oh, is that it?  Um, not really.  They're trying to adopt me but I'm
not really interested.” 

“Really?  You're not interested?  You've gotta be a nut or something but
then again maybe you're just crazy enough to go on a date with me this 
Friday.” 

“Jeez, are you serious?” 

“That all depends on your answer... I mean if you don't want to...” 

“Oh no, I would love to.  I mean, that sounds great.  What were you
thinking?” 

“I, er, I hadn't really thought that far.  Um, what would you want to
do?” 

“Oh, I don't know, what do you think is fun to do?” 

“You.  Wait, did I say that?  Uh, I think maybe a movie or something.” 

“Ok, sure, that would be fine.” 

“Alright, uh, see you tomorrow.” 

“Ok, bye.” 

“Yeah, adios.” 

“Chau.” 

“Talk to you later.” 

“Hasta la vista.” 

“Ok, this is getting ridiculous.  You hang up the phone first.” 

“Heck no, why should I?  You called so you should hang up first.” 

“I made the effort of calling so you should make the same effort and
hang up.” 

“No, you first.” 

“You!!!” 

“You!” 

“No way! You have to hang up first.” 

“Fine, I'm hanging up.” and with that, Jessica slipped the phone back
into the receiver.  Little flutter-byes of unimaginable warmth pulsated 
through her body.  Joey had asked her on a date!  Oh wait till she tell 
her mother that she had a boy interested already, then Brandon popped 
into her mind, and she sighed. . .two boys swooning over her.  What an 
interesting story.  Oh, she couldn't believe it, Joey had asked her on 
a date.  He was such a better choice than Brandon.  Brandon was like a 
very fattening candy, she would only want him for a little bit before 
she wanted something more steady and healthy, like Joey.  She was 
definitely pleased with that turn of events. 

She went back to doing her essay but her mind was elsewhere, which was
not unusual for her at all.  Her mind was always wandering which is why 
she never did very good in school.  She was better at creating stories 
and things that made it necessary for her mind to be out on it's own.  
She wondered if Joey was thinking about her?  Was he imagining kissing 
her at the movies or maybe just being close to her?  She was imagining 
having his arms wrapped around her and the scent of a subtle cologne 
floating in her nostrils so every time she caught the scent, she would 
think of him.  She thought briefly of beautiful Elijah but he was past 
and gone, even though her heart still ached for him. 


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