Prom Night!

[Mynx]

The intercom crackled and screeched, causing all students of Sunnyvale Hills High School to abandon whatever facade of listening to the teacher they were holding up and turn their attention to the speakers situated in the top corner of every classroom.

 

"Hey hey guys!" the student DJ, Johnny Johnson, drawled "it's time for the moment you've all been waiting for! The announcement of the nominees for the titles of King and Queen for this year's Prom!"

 

A cheer erupted from the classes, even from the lower 'classes' (hey, any excuse to miss a class in Trig).

 

"And so here they are folks, the nominees are as follows:

Ricky Earl

Bobby Jones

Ton Johannes

Vincent Oxford

Duke Harford

Pete Reds

M. B. Brown

Jennifer Marrington

Ashlee McDowell

Dee McGuinnes

Mer Sanford

Tiffany Woods

Susan Lincoln

Erica Swan."

 

Another cheer errupted, Johnny let it die down before continuing.

 

"Well done to all of you lords 'n' ladies for the honoured nominations, and the best of luck to ya! Better hope that whichever of you guys wins, you wind up standing next to someone on the podium that ya like. That's all from me for now, back to work people! See you all at the Prom next week! This is Johnny Johnson signing off."

 

All around the school, teachers looked at the clock and, seeing they only had ten minutes before class end, resigned themselves to the fact that they would get nothing more from the students, leaving them instead to their gossip.

 

Edit - Didn't make it clear enough that the Prom is a few nights off...Sorry guys!

Edited April 6, 2005 by Mynx

[Gryphon]

Bobby turns to Pete and Vincent, with whom he shares the last class of the day keen to discuss the evenings event...

 

"Well, I'm not surprised that we were nominated, I'm just surprised that more of the team isn't in the running."

 

With a sudden grin Bobby indicates Anton who is animatedly discussing something - presumably the prom with some of his mates on the other side of the room.

 

"So...", Bobby says, turning the topic to something else, "Which of the girls do you guys think is likely to come up as prom queen?"

[cryptomancer]

Ricky sat back in his chair, relaxing in the looks of envy he was getting from those in the class that were not nominated. He grinned at a few of the others that had been announced.

 

The end of class came quickly, everyone emptying from the room as the gossip continued in smaller groups. Ricky lingered a bit, he enjoyed walking the crowded corrodor.

 

Ricky walked out into the corrodor, the heads turning as they always did. He knew he had the looks, and made sure everyone else knew it too. he cast his eyes around the hallway, looking for the other nomonees.

 

[dragonqueen]

Some might feign surprise for the sake of modesty, but Meredith's above that. She gives an aloof smile and inspects her nails as if she couldn't care less, which happens to be a total lie. For years, ever since her transformation in junior high, Meredith's only goal in life has been to climb to the top of the social pyramid. Every minute of her life is devoted to working towards the day when her peers will worship and envy her as one, and she expects that to be rather soon.

 

Sitting on the edge of her chair, Meredith listens intently to the conversation flying around the room. Compeition will be fierce, and every morsel of information she can use to manipulate and blackmail is vital.

Edited April 6, 2005 by dragonqueen

[Sweetcherrie]

Dee was listening to Johnny’s message. She wasn’t surprised that she was nominated, and now she heard who the competition was, she felt satisfied. She wouldn’t have much difficulty beating the other nominees for prom queen. She had been shopping for the perfect dress last week already, and knew she looked amazing in it. The teacher released the class, and she strolled towards the door. Her faithful “puppies” were chattering like a flock of birds, but nevertheless followed her towards the canteen. The only little thing that now had to be arranged was her date.

 

Duke grinned as he heard his name on the list of nominees. Completely ignoring the teacher who was about to decide that it was hopeless anyway, he started talking to some of his friends. Sean was panicking about still not having a date, and frankly, Duke would've panicked as well if he were Sean. He knew that he didn't have to worry, though … as they were walking to the canteen, he saw his date-to-be. They'd make a … royal couple, pun intended.

 

Dee sat back and studied the male nominees. Her date would have to be of the same caliber as her. Ton came walking by, and although he had a good build, he wasn’t suitable to be her date. While she checked out Pete’s nice figure her eye fell on Duke Hartford. Now, he would be a suitable date. She caught him looking at her, and winked.

 

With a grin and a gesture to his friends that he’d catch up with them, Duke headed for Dee, agilely making his way through the crowd. Self-consciously he ran a hand through his hair.

“Hey gorgeous… how would you like to be my Prom Queen?”

 

Dee smiled, great minds did think alike, “Sure handsome." with this said Dee turned around and left for home, her "puppies" were following her closely.

 

OOC: This post is written by Vene and me, we had a brilliant time writing this

Thank you Mynx for the brilliant setting.

 

Edited because of misunderstanding about when the prom would start. We'll save the other part for later

Edited April 6, 2005 by Sweetcherrie

[Akallabeth]

Ton spun out of the high school parking lot, t-tops left in the Trans Am's trunk. Roiling clouds of burnt rubbur followed him as he got onto the highway and headed home.

 

Though he certainly wasn't suprised that he was selected as a canidate for Prom King, he was slightly disappointed at not having found a date worth taking to the prom yet. Not that any of the gals that he knew at his high school were even worth the expense.

 

Quickly stopping by his house, Ton donned his typical racing clothes, which were black with a thin gold stripe running diagonally across the chest. Exiting again quickly, he drove his black lady out to the drag strip just beyond the city limits. Though there was still an hour til the races began, he wished to be early. Lateness was always so annoying. . .

[Ayshela]

Sue smiled to herself as she heard her name among those nominated. Looking around at the other girls, either preening at their nomination or scowling at having been left out, she stifled a laugh. Not a brain in their heads, for the most part. This shouldn't be *too* hard.

 

The bell rang and Sue joined the throng of people streaming out the doors. She turned down three offers of a ride home and instead strolled down the sidewalk *almost* oblivious to the admiring looks of those she passed by. Which dress shop would have *the* perfect dress was of far more concern at the moment. With luck there would be time for alterations, as well. She walked on, head full of plans - this time she'd show the other girls, brains AND beauty are far better.

[Patrick]

Jennifer did not look up from what she had been writing in class, until suddenly she heard her own name. Surprised she looked up and saw everyone in the class looking at her. She blushed slightly, suddenly becoming the center of attention, but she also slightly enjoyed being noticed.

 

Normally known for her meticulously written notes, which she happily gave to anyone in class to copy, Jenny also had quite a distinct beauty with her blonde hair and light blue eyes, yet she was at times sorely lacking in self confidence.

 

Regaining her composure she smiled at everyone looking at her, who then all turned their head towards the next nominee, who was in her class. Jenny looked back at her sheet, on which the half-finished sentence lay there. She put down her pen and closed the notepad. The teacher evidently thinking the same way as Jenny did not judge continuing the class to be worth it and let them go.

 

Jenny left the class as everyone else and walking over to the school cafeteria she bought herself a cappucino. Sitting down at a table she started thinking about, who she could go to the prom with.

[Ozymandias]

Vincent's gaze came up quickly from his cel's screen. He'd been checking his stocks again while he, Bobby and Pete lounged in their desks. He answered Bobby with a touch of a button, a quick flipping around of his phone so the other two could see the picture of Jenny in a fantastically fit sundress, and a knowing smirk.

 

"My date, of course."

 

"Your date?", said Pete in mock challenge.

 

"'Course," shot back Vincent, pleased look unflapped.

 

"You even asked her yet?", asked Bobby, arching an eyebrow.

 

"No", he continued with a theatrically drawn breath and slight rise in his seat, as though he were about to make a profound speech, "but after all, I am the quarterback." Vincent struck a 'manly' pose. The other two laughed.

 

"Bull", was the only chuckling reply.

 

"It's a bear market, actually", Vince said making a face. He'd already gone back to his stocks.

[cryptomancer]

Ricky paused at the doorway of the cafeteria, let them look a bit before he entered, his blue eyes caressed the room as he looked around for a perfect place to sit. Walking slowly down the counter, ordering a Latte, then with a slight pause after he placed the coffee on the table, pulled out two chairs and sat, using the other as a footstool. Perfect location, he winked a Jennifer as she looked up, flashing her a perfectly playful smile when she looked up again. With her looks and intellegence Jennifer was almost the perfect date for the Prom,

 

"Just got to convince her I am her perfect date," Ricky grinned at his thought, and sipped his coffee, watching for an opportunity to shift tables.

 

[Mynx]

The day continued much the same, with the pampering of egos and the strutting of courtship, continuing after class right through till the evening.

The next day, however, turned out to be far different from what everyone hoped, and expected.

Students look around in confusion when they got to the school as they saw a pair of police cars outside the front. Confusion, but nothing more - Sunnyvale Hills was used to drug busts.

 

Then things got weirder. It was announced over the morning intercom by an oddly sombre Johnny that the routine football training scheduled for after school had been cancelled, cheerleading training included.

There was an immediate uproar from all those involved - they were meant to play a rival school that very weekend, only 3 days away now!

Before Johnny could continue, there was a screech as the mic was siezed from his hands as the booming voice of Principal Driver echoed throughout the school.

"Attention students of Sunnyvale Hills. Today is a very tragic day, after an even more tragic night."

The students looked around in confusion.

"Your fellow student, football player, and for some of you, friend, M.B. Brown died last night in a horrific car accident. Police are still withholding the details of the event but it appears that Mr Brown was under the influence of alcohol and crashed his car into a tree. If it is any consolation, he appeared to have died quickly. We must all try to pull through this tragic event and go on with our lives."

An awkward pause followed, before the principal coughed and finished lamely; "carry on."

 

The students sat in dumbfounded silence. A few of the girls Brown had gone out with (and a few who had been eyeing him as a prom date) began to sob hysterically. The rest just...sat there.

Teachers gave up even trying to teach, and for the second time in as many days left the students to spend the hour at their own devices.

 

OOC - M.B Brown was a simple NPC...though you had to admit for all his racism, not a very nice guy. Official day phase begins. You have 48 hours.

Like, OhmyGod.

[Gryphon]

Shifting gear Bobby accelerated out of the corner heading up to the hills on the edge of town where his folks live. His thoughts randomly turn to the upcoming prom and who he wants to go with and the death of M.B...

 

Damn - who'd have thought that he'd wrap himself around a tree drinking and driving? That was pretty unusual - after what'd happened to me most of the team had taken to drinking after they'd gotten to their destination rather than before... weird

 

Bobby shook his head and schooled his thoughts back to who he'd go with... maybe Tiffany - she was pretty hot... or maybe not... so many girls to choose from.

 

Shaking his head Bobby accelerated again - he'd think about it tonight after he'd gotten home and had a couple of beers - and maybe some weed. Maybe that'd help him forget about M.B too.

[cryptomancer]

Ricky sat back in his chair. his thoughts on the group that raced out on the edge of town, some of them drank while they raced, Brown was almost always braging about his car and how fast he had driven it, almost a new time for the quarter mile every day. His Corvette was fast, but it was more fun to just cruise town in it, let everyone see and admire. All the racer boys would be quite dull today, what with one of their own dead. Ricky leaned forward returning to his work, glancing around the room trying to read the mood of his classmates.

 

[Zariah]

Ashlee put her earphones back on after hearing the announcement. Her MP3 player seemed more entertaining than dealing with all the people who were trying to get her attention to congratulate her on nomination.

 

She thought, “Of COURSE I’m nominated. Duh? Like there’s no other way. Now it seems almost a lame excuse to nominate so many girls. I wonder what kind of drama I’m gonna have to deal with at Cheerleading practice? Ugh. Whose attention do I need to get for a date? Maybe daddy will buy me some jewelry from Tiffany’s to go with my new dress…..”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

The Tragic Day

 

Ashlee sat dumbfounded for a moment after the announcement…and then an angry frown preoccupied her face as she thought, “I CAN’T believe I have NO date! How could he go and get himself killed on me like that!! Grrrrrrrrrr!!! What a loser!!!….but….is it too late to find someone else…..” She looked around the room and grabbed her bag. Rushing out of the room with tears of anger in her eyes, she made her way to her Porsche and sped home without saying goodbye to the others. Her cell rang as she pulled into the driveway. To her surprise, it was….

[Patrick]

"Dead?" - Jennifer silently mouthed to herself when he heard the school principle's announcement. She had once been thinking of M.B. as a possible date, but after she found out about his racist comments, she forgot about him.

 

She then noticed Ricky looking at her. He had already been eyeing her the day before at the cafeteria. He must be interested in me. Jenny thought to herself. But even though she was also somewhat attracted to him, she would let him make the first move. She smiled back at Ricky, then as the teacher announced that he was not going to continue the class she packed her stuff in her bag and made her way towards the school cafeteria.

[Knight]

Pete, needing a way to clear his head, had taken off, zipping down the roads. Despite the fact that he was a little overly racist, Brown had been a friend. His charger roaring around him- he shifted gears once more, as he picked up speed. Already well over a hundred miles an hour, he was flying down roads that were meant to be driven no faster than 50. It did not matter; he knew them well, and this had definitely not been the first time he'd kicked it up that fast. He slid expertly around a twist- the screeching of his tires against pavement evident even over the roar of the engine, and the heavy metal that was being played across an equally loud set of speakers.

 

He noticed Bobby's car sometime later, and decided he would talk to his friend. Slowing down, he came up alongside Bobby, and rolled his window down.

 

"Well, sucks about Brown... He was a friend, if nothing else. I gotta wonder though.. How is coach gonna replace him?"

[Vahktang]

Erica ignored the prattle around her, sailing through the halls like a great ship, the tides of humanity parting for her.

"I wonder how she's going to stuff the ballot box this time?"

"Just like how she stuffs her bra."

"'Don't buy a jury, buy a judge.' Probably has all the counters on her payroll."

"Teachers?"

"Yeah."

One of her 'escorts' had her books in hand. Inside was her homework, already done.

She nodded and they travelled down the halls together.

He talked but she didn't listen, only making listening sounds.

 

Marrington, McDowell, McGuinnes, Sanford, Woods, and Lincoln

 

Each had their weaknesses. Each could be worked on.

Unfortunately, they couldn't be normally 'bought'.

And they didn't know the score so they couldn't be threatened. They'd run to the cops and then they'd be questions...

Straight violence was not the answer. Although her chances would improve if each of the others had a black eye, it would lead straight back to her.

She would seek out her lieutenant for mid morning break. She'd have good advice.

And be able to act on it.

[dragonqueen]

A slight frown creases Meredith's eyebrows as the broadcast ends. Looking around the room, she notices that some of the girls are crying, and even a few of the guys look shellshocked. A small, irritated sigh escapes her. Meredith hopes that everyone will get over it soon. It's not like he was some great loss to humanity anyway. Racist jerk. This had so better not ruin prom.

 

Meredith dismisses the 'tragedy', as it is no tragedy to her. She looks over the room, wondering who to pick as a date. Preferably someone with more than two braincells. Other girls will be scrambling to find dresses, accessories, dates, but not Meredith. A small but genuine smile flits across her face as she thinks of the dress waiting in her closet. All that remains to complete her preparations is the perfect date, and there's no rush for that. Meredith is confident she will have her pick of candidates.

 

The bell interupts her thoughts. Quickly Meredith rises gracefully to her feet and slings her bag over her shoulder. Kitten heels click on the tile as she walks down the hall. Confidence she might have, but Meredith's not stupid enough to place all her faith in the gentlemen nominees. She lingers after school, to make herself available, scout it out.

Entering the cafeteria, Meredith quickly spots Jennifer sitting at an empty table. She makes her way over. "Hey, mind if I sit here?" The other girl's answer doesn't matter; Meredith is already making herself comfortable.

[Ozymandias]

Hm. Damn shame. He was an idiot of the lowest denominator, and too damn wrapped up in his teen angst schtick., Vince grumbled in his head. He patted Suzie Derkins on the shoulder again as she cried against him.

 

"It'll be okay, Suze. It'll be okay."

 

But he was a decent guy otherwise...and made me look good on the field.

 

She slowly worked her way down to small, choked sobs.

 

"He's in a better place now."

 

Too bad he couldn't hold his liquor.

 

Jenny had better be watching this...I have so many things to do that're guaranteed more useful. But women just eat up sensitivity like it's going out of style. I couldn't pass this up. Hopefully, she's watching. Or at least Ashlee, if worst comes to worst. It is only prom after all, and window dressing wouldn't hurt...

 

Vincent, mouth now mostly hidden by Suzie's slightly askew hair, allows himself a small smile.

 

Knocking one back for you tonight, M.B. I owe you a BIG thank you.

 

(OOC: vote for Mer Sanford/dragonqueen. 'cause girls is meeeeeeeeaaaannnnn.

 

P.S.- So's Vincent, but that is totally beside the point. )

[cryptomancer]

Ricky walked into the cafeteria, sat at the table with Jennifer and Meredith.

 

"How are you two handling this all?" His mood was somber. "Bit of a shame to happen so close to Prom and all."

 

The Girls both nodded, neither feeling like encouraging this known flirt after what happened today.

 

Ricky smiled saddly, "It is probibly one of those racer things, got presured into doing something stupid by the rest of them, even stupider than normal after what happened to Bobby. Mind you after a bit of weed and booze most of them get stupid."

 

The girls looked at him, Ricky leaned back, "Bobby probably told him to race himself home when he was stoned. Brown was stupid enough to do it."

 

 

OOC: I vote Bobby/Gryphon

[Gryphon]

Bobby nods agreement to Pete's words.

 

"Meet me back at my place, we need to talk..."

 

Once Pete has noded his agreement Bobby cranks up the stereo in his mustang and pulls off, leading the way back to his place, taking a moment to enjoy the speed and impromptu race that develops between him and Pete - nothing too serious.

 

When they get back to Bobby's place and relax in his parents lounge Bobby grabs a couple of beers from the cooler and offers one to Pete before sitting down, worried thought written clearly across his face.

 

"I've been thinking... what if it wasn't an accident? I keep thinking that Brown knew better than to get wasted before racing... I just cant figure out what else might be going on though - you know?"

 

~~~

 

OOC: I accuse Ricky / Cryptomancer cos he's pointing fingers without reason, there's no real grief there... and cos he looked at me funny.

[Ayshela]

Sue sat at her desk ignoring the teacher who was once again overexplaining the homework she'd already finished. Thoughts of the the lovely green dress she'd bought and considerations of who to go to Prom *with* were interrupted by the announcement of Brown's death.

 

For once, her mask of unconcerned confidence slipped for a moment, and anyone watching would have seen shock and confusion as she tried to make sense of the announcement. "But, no! That's not possible. He knew better than that, he'd *never* drink before racing!"

 

Sue drifted through the rest of the day hardly noticing anything behind her mask of unconcerned boredom, puzzling over the "accident" and how it could have happened. She was swept along with the crowd after school and found herself in the cafeteria where she got a Coke and found a table by herself. Whatever had really happened to Brown, he had no worries now, and *she* still needed to figure out who to go to Prom with.

 

 

 

OOC: no accusation - yet. =)

[Lady Celes Crusader]

Tiffany was in the girl's restroom, combing her long blond hair when she heard the dreadful annoucement. She pouts out of dissapointement, not only someone from the team died but the cheerleader pratice had been cancelled. She then tries to cheer herself up by thinking she was nominated for being the Prom Queen but it miserably fails. She left the bathroom and heads for the cafeteria she saw Jennifer and Ricky who were wondering at the events. She walks over them.

 

- Hey guys! You've heard about what happened to Brown. It was so sad. Not only he's dead but he scrapped his so nice car. Right before Prom Night!

 

Ricky looked at Tiffany a bit dumfounded for a moment, only to remind himself that she's dodo-brained. He decide to play along with her.

 

- I know Tiff, it's so awful.

 

Tiff shifts her attention over to Jennifer.

 

- You know, Jenny, Brown's death made me recalled of that episode in "Another Night in our Lives" when the oh-so-absolutly-gorgeous Brad died in a car accident! Do you remember, someone sabotaged his car.

 

Jennifer couldn't help but to raise an eyebrow and absently nodded to anything Tiff said.

 

- I mean, sabotage is so mean! It can hurt people so badly! The thing is that it's been six months that Brad is dead and they still havent found the mean bad guy!

 

- I see what you MEAN, Tiff. replies jokingly Ricky

 

Both Jennifer and Ricky agreed that they should steer Tiff's conversation about anything else but the murder or her favorite soap opera. Jenny decides to ask Tiff about her gown.

 

- Oh! Well, I'm not sure if I should pick a pink gown or a blue one. Because I like pink but the blue gown matches well with my eyes and...

 

Both Ricky and Jenny realised that they were in for a fashion ride.

 

(OOC: No accusations yet.)

[Patrick]

Jennifer winked at Ricky and then engaged in a several minute long conversation with Tiffany about whether she needed a light blue, or sea blue strap for the new watch she had bought. When Tiff finally left their table to go speak with others in the cafeteria Jenny smiled at Ricky.

 

"You can have a conversation with her about nearly anything."

 

She glanced at her watch and saw that only half an hour remained until lunchbreak. Still quite some time to go untill the afternoon classes. Time enough to go to the mall/shopping streets next to it and search for a dress for herself. But she needed a lift by someone.

 

"Umm...Ricky?"

 

"Yes?" - he replied.

 

"Would it be possible for you to give me a lift to the mall and the shopping streets next to it right now? And then bring me back before the end of lunchbreak?"

 

OOC: no vote yet.

Edited April 8, 2005 by Patrick Durham

[Sweetcherrie]

Dee was just putting out the cigarette she had been smoking in the toilets when Angela and Sheila came running in.

 

“Dee, Brown is dead!” Sheila panted

 

“He had an accident!” Angela cried.

 

Dee took a moment to think about this while the puppies kept chatting. It was a shame of the car, but the loss of Brown was no big loss for the world. And, she realized, it made Duke’s chances, and therefore hers, only bigger. The only problem was that she couldn’t imagine Brown having an accident like that; He had always been so careful with his car, and for him now to have an accident like this somehow didn’t fit.

 

“What happened exactly?” She asked.

 

Her puppies stopped talking, it took them a moment to process the question before they could answer, but after that they told her every single detail they could remember. Dee’s suspicions grew with every fact she heard, it just didn’t seem right.

 

“Keep your ears open girls, good work.” Dee left the toilets and walked into the cafeteria, leaving the puppies awestruck by the compliment she'd just given them. There was a whole bunch of people that surrounded that shy girl, Jennifer.

 

“Maybe she has more to do with it?” Dee wondered, “Well it seems that if I stay close at her, at least I might get to know something more.”

 

She walked over to where Jennifer and Ricky were standing, and heard Jenny asking if he could take her to the mall.

 

“Who would be thinking of shopping now?” Dee thought, “I will have to keep a very close eye on that girl indeed.”

 

OOC: No vote yet