The Bad Boy I Met On Christmas Eve - S01 E16

2 months ago

The Bad Boy I Met On Christmas Eve - S01 E16

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 16

"I'm Kora. Kora Woods."

I nodded. "Yes, that's right. Now I remember."

"Francesca's like that. Seducing men and all. But I think you shouldn't have given in to her. Honestly, I wanted to try stop you a few times, but Francesca doesn't like us talking to the men she seduces. Us meaning Verity and I."

"Okay." It was too late. My mistake couldn't be reversed.

"At the very least, I should really help you get Dalanie back," she mumbled, kicking some sand.

"But why do you want to help?" the curious side of me asked.

"Seriously, I'm beyond done with Francesca and her shit. And Verity's just mean. Like pure mean. Kinda like her right-hand man. Or in our case, girl. She's the one fueling Francesca all those vulgar words, intolerable actions and unreasonable thoughts."

"I'm surprised you haven't changed, then," I snickered.

"More like I don't want to. For many years now, since middle school times, I've stuck with them and people have wronged me thinking I'm like them, but really, I'm not. But they can be really nice sometimes - if they're your friends, I mean."

"Mmm, you do seem better than them," I decided. "But who knows whether you're just faking it?"

"I'm no-"

"We'll see," I got up and brushed some sand off the back of my pants. "Nice to meet you, Kora."

"Nice to meet you too, Zachary," she gave a small smile as I turned and walked away.

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BACK TO DALANIE'S POV

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It was evening time and Alex had sent me home. Kris texted me to ask the reason for my absence in school today, so I told her everything. Including what happened with Alex.

Kristen: WAIT WHAT WHAT?! OMG SO YOU GUYS OFFICIALLY A THING?!

Dalanie: I can't remember the last time I told you a lie...

Kristen: HAHAHAHA

Kristen: GOSH I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU DAL!!!! <3 Does Alexa know?

Dalanie: He's... probably telling her now...?

My heart was beating super fast. I was overwhelmed by the fact that Alex and I are now dating! It's pretty fast to take in, but I suppose my feelings will settle down more when we're longer into the relationship.

Kristen: Then... do you think Zac knows?

Seeing that message, the smile on my face fell, and I dropped my phone on the bed.

Zachary... does he know? But... why does it matter whether or not he knows?

Kristen: Argh I'm sorry Dal!! I swear I didn't mean to!! Sorry...

Dalanie: Yeah. It's fine.

I switched off my phone and lay back on the bed. Staring at the ceiling, I knew I had to move on. My choice is Alex. I go with him now.

My phone beeped, and I grabbed it immediately. Could it be Alex? I thought dreamily.

Text from Zachary

What the?! But I opened the message to read what he had to say anyway.

Zachary: Um, hey Dalanie. How are you? I'm really really sorry that I cheated on you. I've thought about it and yes, I am in the wrong. After all you did for me, I actually paid you back by cheating on you. I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I hope that you will find it in your heart to do so. Kristen has told me that you're dating Alex. I'll admit I was extremely shocked. But he's better than I am. I wish you two the best of luck. Just gonna put this out there, though - if he does anything bad to you, I'm claiming you back.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

Kristen did what?! Putting my phone back down, I sighed and shook my head. It doesn't matter, actually. But more importantly, does Zachary not understand that Alex is not like him?

Being me, I decided to blue-tick Zachary.

"Knock knock!" a little girl voice came from behind my bedroom door.

"Come in," I replied, too lazy to entertain Lilith's nonsense - if she had one.

"You killed my knock-knock joke!" she whined.

I sighed. I knew she was up to silly things. "No one cares. What do you want?"

"I heard it. All that happened. Are you okay?"

"Lili, you're slow. I got over it already. Please don't bring it back up. Furthermore, I'm dating Alex now. He's actually asked, unlike between Zachary and I, Zac didn't."

"Oooooh," she nodded slowly. "But you know, I'm here if you want."

"Lili, you're only 7. Love is far too hard for you to understand."

"But sis, I'm 7. Plus, I don't want you to make the same mistakes that I did."

I furrowed my brows. "What mistakes?"

"This boy at my school who said he loved me kissed another girl."

"But do you like him back?"

"No! He's ugly!"

For the first time in a while, I laughed really hard. "Then it doesn't matter, right?"

"It does!" she retaliated. "He's the only boy who said he loved me."

"Lilith McNeill, you're 7. You have a whole life ahead of you," I tried to catch my breath.

"And you're 17. What's the difference?"

"There's a big one, Lili. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to work on a project. It's due at the end of this week."

"Okay. Can't wait for summer to come again. Then we can play at the beach like the old days," she said and closed the door behind her quietly.

"Me too," I mumbled after she left. "But I have to finish my finals first." I stood up, stretched, and smiled to myself. Lilith isn't actually all that bad. And I love her a lot.

Alright, time to get crackin'!

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SPECIAL: KRISTEN'S POV

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"Hello?"

"Yes, hello."

"Francesca?"

"Tomorrow, out the back door of Hype Pub, 11 pm sharp."

"Got it."

Francesca hung up and I closed my phone.

Awesome... the money's coming in soon. A great big amount of $10000.

•~•

"Hey Kris!" Dalanie waved from her car.

"Dal!" I waved back.

As soon as she got out of her car, she ran up to me and gave a big bear hug.

Guilt...

"S-so, you're really together with Alex?" I forced a smile.

"Yes, we are!! And he's probably all that I could ever ask for."

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

"That's great!"

"Kristen?" Dalanie snapped her fingers.

"That's me," I replied, clicking my teeth.

She laughed a little, then asked if there was anything wrong.

"Nah! How can there be? Even if there was, you'd be the first to know, right?" I nudged her side playfully as we walked into the school.

Guilt again...

The school bell rang, and classes started immediately. But throughout the whole day, I felt really uneasy.

It's not everyday you get $10000. No, that's not the point. I just have mixed feelings.

"Kris," Dal whispered at lab practice.

"Yeah?" I answered as though nothing was wrong.

"The tone in your voice is... different..." she trailed off.

"Look," I snapped. "I seriously am fine, alright?! Stop being such a bother already!"

Dalanie stared at me in shock, opened her mouth to say something, but forcefully closed it and got back to work.

Sigh...

•~•

After dinner, I headed back to my room for a rest. Since I'd be sneaking out later, I had better stay alert.

My phone buzzed on the bed. I picked it up and read the message that was sent to me.

Text from Francesca

Later tonight.

I quickly replied her.

C u.

"Black jacket, black shirt, black pants, and black socks." I mumbled, briefly swiping my fingers through my clothes.

I've secretly brought up to my room, my old pair of black soft soled shoes to wear later on.

My parents usually sleep at 9.45 to 10, and about 10.15 will be the time that I take my leave.

I decided to busy myself with homework as the time passed.

8pm...

8.30pm...

9pm..

9.30pm...

9.45pm...

I tip-toed out of my room to get a sip of water, but really, I did that just to see if my parents were awake.

"So when is it then?" I heard my mum ask nervously.

"Next week, if I remember correctly," my dad replied, pulling my mum in for a tight hug.

"But we don't have..." she started.

"That problem is not priority. We need you," my dad comforted.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

Yes, I thought to myself. I need this $10000. But more importantly, I need them to go and take a rest.

Tip-toeing back into my room, I got dressed into my full black clothes and waited for a while more.

10pm...

10.05pm...

The voices of my parents were no longer audible, so I peeked outside.

True enough, the living room lights were off. There also wasn't light coming from the gap underneath their bedroom door.

All clear!

I switched off my room lights and grabbed a bag and plain black cap with the help of my phone's light.

"Let's go. This is for the sake of the Finnerty family!" I whispered and punched the air.

I climbed onto my study table and slid my windows open. There was a huge and sturdy tree that reached my window level.

Putting my right hand out, I stretched out as far as I could to reach a branch.

Once I stepped on it, I stretched out my right arm and grabbed onto the branch.

Being in a comfortable hand placement, I let go of my grip on the window latch and swung down to a lower branch and held my balance upon landing.

"Whew!" I panted, wiping a bead of sweat away.

Gee, this escape is really inconvenient.

From that branch, I sat down on it and pushed myself off to land on the ground. That was it! I'm out of the house!

The gates creaked as I climbed over it, but such minor noises shouldn't wake any of my parents up.

"Yes! I'm out!" I punched the air again.

Hype Pub was in the city. Walking to the bus stop because my dad's car keys weren't lent to me, I realised I hadn't actually had time to appreciate the cool spring night that would, as usual, let my troubles fly away.

I sat on a bench at the bus stop and started swinging my legs back and forth.

But that's when a tide of my deepest thoughts and insecurities washed over me.

All this stuff that I'm doing... it's for mum, for our family.

We need the cash. I need to play my part.

Will mum be okay? The operation is next week!

And... Kael... what was he trying to say this afternoon at the café?

The sound of a big heavy engine brought me back to the present happenings. The bus doors opened and a young man alighted.

I glanced at the bus number and ran straight up. Yes, I need the cash. Yes, this is the best choice.

Throughout the journey, I still felt really guilty and sorry to Dal. She didn't do anything wrong.

When I reached the city, I alighted at the stop outside Hype Pub.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

I decided not to go through the pub but go straight to the back using the back alley. That'd mean taking the long way around.

The alley was dark, filled with litter - cigarettes and empty cans and bottles of beer. Dust was all over the place, and damn, I swear there was even a rat or two!

"There comes the girl," I could hear Verity say.

"Hurry!" Kora called.

Francesca strutted forward and thrust a huge envelope in my hands. "Nice doing business with you."

"Do you... have another errand for me?" I asked nervously while gingerly placing the envelope I'm the bag after checking that the money was there.

Francesca thought for a while before nodding her head slightly. "As a matter of fact, I do. An errand that will earn you a quick and easy $100000. How does that sound to you?"

What?! Did she just... offer me $100000?! This amount is 10 times the one she offered for my previous errand!

"A h-hundred t-thousand dollars?" I stared incredulously. That - plus the earlier amount - could just fund the whole operation!

"You heard me."

"Wh-what do I have to do?" I narrowed my eyes, suddenly wary of her offer.

"Oh, not much. You just need to be my sidekick," she said it like it was nothing.

Verity continued for Francesca. "And you have to bully Dalanie."

"Yes, of course! Besides that, you need to continue letting Zachary hook up with me. He'll be mine in no time," Francesca popped a chewing gum in her mouth.

"So, what will it be? Dalanie or your mum?" Verity challenged.

I gulped. "Give me some time."

"Sure. I give you 24 hours," Francesca smiled falsely in between chews.

"Run along now," Kora said.

I nodded and ran away immediately.

•~•

Back at home, I climbed the same tree back into my room, switched on my phone torch and took the envelope of money out.

Emptying the cash onto my bed, I noticed a small, light pink note fall out as well.

Unfolding it, I recognised the handwriting as Kora's. She sat beside me at geography, so I knew how her penmanship was like.

In the note, she said:

Kristen,

If you do accept the $100000 errand, you must do what Francesca says till she gains your trust. You have to bully Dalanie. I know you'll be worried for her, so since Francesca trusts me, I'll be secretly looking out for her. Let me know if you want to tell Dal why you're doing this or not.

I really wish to help you and your friends. Please believe me!

xx K. Woods

Yep, it was Kora. But why's she helping us? Alright, this was something I'd like to know.

I collected the cash back and stashed it in an old brown chest under my bed.

Then I went to change and clean up and lay on my bed, but was unable to catchy forty winks. Again, questions filled me.

I love Dal too much. She's the best friend any girl could ever ask for. I don't want to betray her, even if it's for the money. But I need it so urgently! And... how will Kael think of me?! I don't want to any of my friends about my dilemma because I don't want them to worry... or should I let them know and worry? No, they mustn't know!

"But at the very least, maybe I should talk to Dal about it..." I mumbled. "But she'd tell the others and they'd all know, then probably scold me for helping Francesca hook up with Zac, or worse."

Alright, I have to make a choice. Either possibly lose my friendship, or lose my mum forever. I only had 24 hours, so I had to think fast.

Dalanie... I could always try to get her back. But my mum... if she went, she'd never come back. My mind was made up.

I swallowed, and phoned Francesca.

"Hurrr-loh?" I could hear Francesca slur over the phone. The booming music from the pub and the sounds of drunk people were very loud.

"Hello, Francesca. I'm Kristen."

"Yeahhhh! I knew. I know. Whichever," she replied.

"Sorry, Kristen. She's drunk right now. What do you want to say? We don't take phone calls for nothing. And I'm Verity, by the way," Verity said after supposedly snatching the phone from the drunkard Francesca.

"I-I... I'll take the offer," I stuttered.

I heard Verity snicker. "Great. Tomorrow on, side us. And get to work torturing that b*tch Dalanie. She needs to know her place!"

"Y-yes. I will."

Then the line went dead. My phone slipped from my fingers and fell to the floor. Warm tears filled my eyes as I came to realisation of the big mistake and regret that filled me life.

I shut my eyes and gripped my comforter tightly. "This is it. There's almost no turning back. I'm sorry for everything, Dalanie. I caused you and Zac to fall apart. Please find the heart to forgive me. Thank you for all you had done."

My mind finally found peace after a while, for I knew there had to be things I needed to let go. Slowly... slowly... I drifted into a deep sleep.

•••••