My Blue Eyed Girl, chapter 10
Tre's POV
Did I just see what I thought I saw? It can't be! No they can't take them away!
"Come back you sons of bitches I yelled as they shoved the twins into the back of a black van. I raced after it, yelling curses, but it was too late. I collapsed to the ground and began crying. Two of the most precious things in my life had just been taken away from me. Mattie fell to her knees next to me. Her hand was clamped over her mouth and she was also crying. We held each other and cried, somehow managing to get someone to call the police for us.
*** ***
*back at the house*
"And did you see a license plate at all?" the burly officer asked.
I took a shaky breath and shook my head, no. Billie, Mike, and Jason sat around me... Offering comfort where possible. Mattie was with the other girls crying. The kids had been told to go upstairs to their rooms. But they knew something was really wrong.
"I regret to say this... But I think your children may have been kidnaped. "The officer said. A look of regret filling his wide face.
This caused me to let out a strangled sob. Why would someone punish me like this?
"It looks like it could also be the work of the man we call 'the twin kidnapper'. He kidnaps twins from any families and unfortunately sometimes kills one of them... " he trailed off, not wanting to continue.
I completely broke down at that. Dropping to my knees on the floor. Not only had this bastard kidnaped my kids. There was a possibility that he was gonna kill one of them!
"Thank you officer" Billie stated, while Mike and Jason tried to both console me and comprehend what was going on.
"We'll keep in touch... " he stated as he left the room.
"Mattie... " I managed to choke out. She crawled over to me still crying hard. "He... He... Might kill one of them baby!" I wailed, letting a fresh lot of tears flow down my face. She screamed in despair and buried her face in my shoulder. We stayed in each others arms for several minutes.
During that time, I guess they had gotten the kids downstairs and told them because there was crying and screaming all around us. The pain was just too much to fathom.
*** ***
Later...
I sat on the couch a few hours later numb from crying and unmoving. Mattie sat next to me in much the same state. All the other adults were sitting around us, not knowing what the hell to do.
"Here... " Jason said, pushing a cup of coffee into my hands. A simple gesture to ease some of the hurt my whole body was feeling. I smiled weakly and sipped at the drink. I then became vaguely aware of a cell phone ringing.
"It's yours Tre... " Billie stated, handing it over to me. I read the caller I. D... It said 'Unknown Caller'. I shakily pressed the answer button.
"Hello?" I stammered.
The voice on the other end of the line was obviously obscured by some device. "I have your children... If you want to see both of them alive again... You will follow each and every instruction I send to you... Or I will kill one of them... Otherwise this could go down nicely in the papers and tabloids couldn't it?" The line clicked closed, and I just stared at the phone.
"He wants me to follow any instructions he sends me, or he said he'd kill one of them." I managed to tell the eager faces around me. As soon as I uttered those words though, each and every face dropped.
We all went to bed unable to sleep that night, shakily awaiting what may or may not be sent the next day.
*** ***
The next day
Still Tre's POV
From 9 am onwards the next day we sat all together in the living room. Once in a while a kid would come in and sit with us, our give us a heart felt hug. It made us feel better for an iota... But I wouldn't bring Amanda and Trent back.
Our stances and moods didn't alter at all... Until Billie brought in the mail.
He passed a small white envelope to me. I stared at it for what seemed like years before turning it over and opening it slowly. I pulled out a letter and opened that. Wrapped neatly inside was something I didn't want to see. A small chunk of skin carefully wrapped in cling wrap. I turned it over and saw a tattoo of a drum kit. That was Amanda's first tattoo. It had only healed properly a few days before Matthew had attacked her. I turned away and turned green and Mattie rushed to the kitchen sink and I faintly heard her wrenching her guts out. I couldn't believe what this bastard had done. He was cutting my baby girl to pieces.
I shakily read the letter aloud. "Dear Mr. Cool, if you ever want to see either of your twins you will do this... If you come to the Californian Marina with 100 million dollars in cash, by sunset tonight I will give you your twins back... If not... You will be seeing more than just a chunk of skin with my next letter... "
I teared up at that. Why would some one want to do this to me? Why did they want to cut pieces out of my kids?
"There's no way in hell we can get that sort of money that quickly man... " Jason stated regrettably. He was right. Sure we were international rockstars... But 100 million dollars was going to be very hard to get together before 5 pm tonight. Billie got out his phone to call the police... Maybe they could be of some help with this.
"We gotta try man!" I cried out, tears gushing down my face. "We can't just let him kill one of them Jase! We just can't!" I cried, flinging the letter away from myself and collapsing back into the couch.
He rushed over and awkwardly patted me on the back. He wanted to comfort me, as I drowned the couch in my tears, but he didn't know how.
We didn't end up getting the cash together, and spent the entire night awake. Wondering what would be coming for us the next day.
*** ***
As 'Unknown caller' flashed up on my cell phone, my breath hitched. I looked at the police officer sitting at the table near us, waiting expectantly for his signal that I could answer. He gave me the thumbs up letting me known that he was ready to begin tracing the call and I pressed the answer button.
"Hello?"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk Tre... Didn't get the money for me?... Let's just see how you like my next surprise." And with that he hung up. I looked over at the police officer that was tracking the call. He shook his head to let us know that he couldn't trace it. And at that very moment... Mike came in holding a letter... Looking paler than he ever did.
As much as I didn't want to open it to see what was inside. I felt compelled to open it. As I saw what was inside it... I wished I hadn't opened it. Inside was a note saying 'which twin to kill?" and two cling wrapped objects. One was Amanda's big toe that had the birthmark shaped like a pear, and the other was Trent's ring finger complete with the silver ring with a single blue stone in it that he never took off. Amanda had the same ring. Mattie and I had given it to them for their 14th birthday. They were chopping my kids to pieces! I had to get this money together and now. My cell rang again. I picked it up without even checking the caller I. D.
"What are you doing to my kids?!" I barked. I was angry and I was damn well gonna show it.
"I'm simply chopping memorable pieces of them off so they will unidentifiable, if or when you see them Mr. Cool... I like taunting famous people... Actually, I've changed my mind, I think might kill one of them... Soon... " he finished clicking the phone off.
I opened my mouth wide in shock. An officer came over to me.
"We have tracked the call Tre. I have just sent a team to the destination and hopefully we can stop him before he harms them. Now if you would all like to follow me... We will transport you to the destination."
We all trailed behind the officer and were piled into a small mini bus. As we were driven to the destination, all I could think about was both of my kids and there safety. I squeezed Mattie's hand in anticipation.
We pulled up a fair way from an abandoned warehouse. I carefully noted the dozens of police men swarming around the outside as I stepped out of the bus. We stood in anticipation until a gunshot was heard.
My heart stopped at that second and there was utter chaos the second after. Policemen ran inside the house and shouts were heard. I stood near a group of police officers near us and watched in horror, praying that the bastard had killed himself. The pain was too much. It ripped and burned inside every single person standing near me. No one would ever feel pain like this again.
I prayed to god that they were both ok, but as I lowered my head back to earth; I saw that this was not true. I saw policeman in bullet proof gear, running towards us with Trent hanging in his arms. He dropped him a few meters and let him run to us. Mattie and I both dropped to our knees and smothered the hysterical, crying blonde form in front of us.
He pulled away for a second. "He... He... " Trent stuttered trying to get the words out and wiped at his face with his poorly bandaged right hand, where his ring finger was missing. "Amanda!" he wailed.
I finally understood as he buried his head in my shoulder again. The bastard had taken my blue eyed angel away from me. He had taken all the joy from my life with just one shot. Tears raced down my face in salty tracks as I slowly transferred Trent to his mother. I slowly raised myself from the ground and took a few shaky steps towards the group of people near me. Not seeing their faces, but feeling their presence. I couldn't last though, and broke down, sobbing, my heart breaking. I began to fall to my knees and grabbed the closest person to me as I fell. It just happened to be Annaleise. She held me through her own tears and let me soak her shirt with the tears that didn't stop flowing.
"He... Took... My... Baby... Girl!" I said between tears and sobs.
"Shhhh sweetie... I know "she stated through her tears.
I looked up and saw the many different reactions around me. Mattie was making herself sick by crying so hard and Sammy was by her side crying also. Jason was crying and being consoled somewhat by Mike and Billie, who I could see had tears welling in their eyes. Bianca, Emma and Jennifer were crying in the midst of a group hug. Adie had a hand over her mouth and a look of disbelief and shock on her face. Rachel and Claire were consoling each other and crying... And Trent... Trent the pain he must be going through, having lost a part of himself... He had moved over to Joey, Jake and Mitchell, where he was still crying hard and none of the other boys was caring if they looked or acted macho or tough or not.
My tears slowed and I managed to pull my self up. I looked around for Trent and pulled him to my side, in a kind of awkward hug. "The police officer dude said we can go and see her before they take her away." He whispered, still crying slightly. I nodded and walked shakily over to the covered stretcher. A paramedic pulled the cover back... And I was met with a sight I didn't want to have to see. Amanda lay stone cold and white on the stretcher, a bullet hole still seeping some blood from between her eyes. I started crying again, but Trent began howling. He couldn't take seeing his twin sister like that.
I shakily asked the paramedic. "Can I take some things off her?" he nodded that it was ok. I slowly reached down to her right hand and slipped the ring off her finger. I then unclasped her necklace and anklet in turn. As I finished, I nodded, letting them now that they could take my baby girl away.
I turned around to both Mattie and Trent to show them each of the items. They smiled a little and cried when I showed them. I gave Trent the ring and he immediately slipped it on the middle finger of his right hand. I gave the anklet to Mattie and fastened the necklace around my neck. Amanda was never going to come back, but we could all have a special memory of her.
*The year is 2012... It is the one year anniversary of Amanda's death. *
Trent's POV
It is one year today. The 7th of August last year... My twin sister was murdered... And I still can't believe it. Everyone is kinda walking around in a daze... Not sure of what to do... Or how to comfort each other. I twisted the ring on my finger absent mindedly. It is one of the only memories I have left of her... And it is placed, somewhat crudely, next to the other memory I have of that day... The black hole where my ring finger once was, cut off brutally by the man that kidnaped us. The glee in his eyes and the pain and terror in ours as he did those brutal things to us is still etched in my memory. I continued twisting my ring and sighed looking out into the gloomy day. It seemed like Mother Nature knew we were sad, and made the day feel miserable too.
I turned my head slightly as the bedroom door opened.
"Hey man... How're you feeling" Joey asked, even though he probably knew the answer.
I shrugged and looked up at him. He seemed a little uncomfortable, but concerned about how I was. After what happened for the few months after her death last year... Anyone would be.
Flashback...
"Trent, why dude?" Joey asked, his eyes moving from the fresh cuts on my wrists to my pain filled blue eyes. "It's not gonna bring her back... "
"It makes it seem better... " I choked out, tears coming to my eyes. "Sometimes I wanna do more than this man... Sometimes I wanna do more so I can go and be with her! You don't know how many times I've thought about giving everything I have on this earth up just so I can be with my sister Joey! There has been so many times where I've thought... 'what's the point?... I have nothing to live for any way! ' She was my life man!" I yelled, throwing lame punches at him as he tried to stop me from barging out the door, and doing something stupid.
He grabbed at me and we both collapsed to the floor. Me crying hard and Joey sitting there just holding me while I did. He wasn't trying to be all tough about it though... Amanda's death had hit him hard too.
End of Flashback...
I lifted my sleeves to illustrate my point. There were scars, and the series of scars where I had etched her name into my arm. But no new cuts. This let him know that although this year was gonna be as hard as last year... I was gonna be ok.
"Wanna go and see her?" he asked. I nodded. Going to 'see' her always made me feel a little bit better about the whole situation. We had started 'seeing' her at around the end of last year.
"Come on... I'll drive" he said, flinging an arm around me as we made our way out of our room and downstairs.
Mom and Dad were sitting in the living room in solemn moods. Infact everyone was in sort of a rut. It was like how Uncle BJ sometimes got in September. Everyone knew to keep out of his business and not get him angry.
"We're going to see Amanda" I spoke up. "Does anyone have anything they want me to take to her?" Mom got up and nodded. She went off to the kitchen and brought back a bouquet of purple gerberas... Manda's favorite colour and her favorite flower.
*** ***
I walked over to her grave with the flowers and placed them down. I read the tombstone, just like I did everytime I came to see her.
It read: Amanda Nicole Somers, July 9th 1995 - August 7th 2011... Beloved daughter to Tre Cool and Mattie Somers... Twin to Trent Michael... Such a brutal way you were taken from us Amanda... But you will always remain in our hearts... Love the Green Day Gang... Mom, Dad and Trent.
I smiled and sat down next to the grave, beginning to talk to my sister as if she were there.
"Hey Manda. "I said smiling. "I brought you flowers... They're from mom... But I guess everyone's sorta giving them to you... You'll be glad to know that I haven't cut once since last year... " I said holding my wrists out as if to show her. "It was hard though... And I thought about it a few times... But I didn't want to let you down Manda... I couldn't let you down... I wanted to make you proud of me... Doing that won't bring you back and nothing ever will" I said choking up. Tears welling in my huge blue eyes. Joey placed a hand on my shoulder from where he was kneeling next to me. "Joey says hi" I started again, whispering. "And Mom and Dad... Jake, Mitchy, Jennifer, Bianca, Emma, Mikey, BJ, JF, Ronnie, Adie, Sammy, Rachie, Claire bear, Anna and Jase... We all miss you Manda... And we always will." I finished my little spiel and wiped the tears from my eyes.
I then kissed my hand and placed my fingers on the photo that sat on her gravestone. It was a picture of the two of us on our 16th. We both had cake smeared from head to toe, but we were still grinning like idiots. Mom had the photo blown up so it was bigger and had it laminated so it wouldn't get wrecked by the weather. I had the smaller picture always with me in my wallet.
Joey and I sat, just thinking until it started to rain really hard. Although I didn't want to leave her... I didn't really want to get soaked. We climbed back in the car, and for the whole way home I stared glumly out the window, smiling a little when her favorite song, Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen, came on the radio. It had played at her funeral.
Flashback...
So you think you can stone me and spit in my eye?
So you think you can love me and leave me to die?
We all stood in small groups hugging and crying as they lowered her into the ground. Silently singing, forcing the 'rock on' sign weakly into the air. I clung limply onto dad as I thought about what a fitting tribute it was for the girl that stole everyone's hearts. She rocked her world, and everyone's around her.
End of Flashback...
We arrived back at the house and were met by masses of flowers, candles and messages of love and support. Mostly from friends and fans, all the letters gave us support and hope for our future. It was good to know that Amanda was loved by so many.
I stepped past all the messages and into the house. Everyone was pretty much in the same position as when Joey and I left.
"Did you say hi for us?" mom questioned, turning her head to face Joey and me. I nodded. She smiled and turned back to looking out the window.
*** ***
A few days later...
Still Trent's POV
"You ready buddy?" dad asked from the hallway.
Today we were both going to get tattoo's, for Amanda done, and to tell you the truth... I was actually a little bit scared.
"Yep... Let's go" I nodded, following him out the door and to the Beamer.
We traveled the 10 minutes to the little place downtown and got out of the car. We walked into the shop and dad was greeted by a big guy that looked like he was covered head to toe in tattoos.
"Mr. Cool" he said, extending his hand.
"Rick... How are ya mate?" dad asked, grasping the guys hand and shaking it.
"Not too bad... Is this Trent?" he asked, averting his eyes to me.
I nodded and shook the hand that he had now outstretched in my direction. "Hi... " I said smiling a little bit.
"Do you wanna go first Trent?" dad asked.
I nodded at least then I could have him there. I gulped as he led me to a chair. I was getting angel wings on my back with 'Amanda, 1995 - 2011' between them and the same drum kit tattoo that she had had, except on my upper arm instead of my hip like where she had it. Dad was getting a tattoo of an angel with blue eyes on his shoulder, her drum kit tattoo on his chest and the musical notes that she played during 'Rock and Roll Girlfriend' spiraling up his arm. I sat down and peeled my shirt off. Rick prepped the area between my shoulder blades for the first tattoo, and then began. I scrunched my eyes up as the pain began to hit me, but then remembered that this was for Amanda and I had to be strong.
*** ***
I think I must have either passed out or fallen asleep after that, because when I woke up, it was on a couch.
I rubbed at my eyes and became aware of the stinging sensation in my arm and across my back. I looked up and saw that I was still in same room as before, and that dad was now getting his tattoos done, and cursing quite loudly.
"Son of a... Mother fucker!" he yelled, shoving his fist to his mouth and biting down on it hard.
"Wuss" I joked, going over and sitting in the chair next to him.
"Just coz you fell asleep" he whined, taking his fist outta his mouth and pouting. "That's so BJ of you" he laughed. "Falling asleep in one of the most physically painful things you have ever been through... Fuck!" he finished, cursing as Rick continued with the drum kit tattoo on his chest.
"Your arm is gonna hurt more than this... So shuddup dude" Rick joked, not breaking his concentration at all.
"My god you're a pussy Tre" I looked over to the door and saw Uncle BJ walk in.
"That's what I was just telling him" I grinned. "What are you here for?" I asked.
He laughed. "Well I heard that you two were getting your tatts for Amanda done today... So I came to get me a new one"
"Do you have room?" I joked, ducking as he swatted at the back of my head.
"Yes I do smartass" he laughed. "I'm getting a blue butterfly on the back of my neck."
"For Manda?" I asked. He nodded.
"I think everyone wants to have a lasting memory of her... But are too chicken to do something about it" he smiled, placing a hand on my shoulder.
Dad broke the moment by cursing loudly. "Sweet mother of Jesus!" he exclaimed.
"She aint gonna help you buddy" BJ joked.
"Damn sleep through tattoos people... I despise you" he said trying to cover up his look of pain with an evil look.
"Shut up before I knock you out dammit!" Rick exclaimed, trying desperately hard not to give dad an unwanted part in his tattoo.
I laughed and thought back to the month before. My 17th birthday. The first birthday I had spent without her.
Flashback...
"Double Strawberry latte... With extra cream" I stated to the waitress, not even realizing that I had ordered Amanda's birthday coffee instead of my usual Orange Mocha Frappucino with extra sprinkles. The waitress smiled and walked away to get our orders.
I looked up at Uncle Jason. He always took me and Amanda out on our birthday for what he liked to call 'Birthday Coffee'.
"What?" I questioned, still not realizing that I had ordered what she usually would.
"You just ordered her birthday coffee dude" he choked out. As soon as he said that it hit me.
"I... I didn't realize... " I began, tearing up a little. "I miss her Uncle Jase... " I finished, looking up, and letting a stray tear trickle down my cheek.
"We all do buddy" he said patting my shoulder.
End of Flashback...
"Helloooooo!... Earth to Trent?" dad asked, waving a hand in front of my face.
I snapped out my daze and turned to face him. It seemed like he was trying to distract himself from the pain in his arm by getting me to talk to him.
"Sorry dad... Off in Amanda land" I said smiling slightly. He knew what I meant. That's what we all called it when we thought about her anyway.
"Tis ok... Ow!... Fucker!" he cursed, using everything he had not to jerk his arm away.
About half an hour later we had all finished and paid for the tattoos and were heading back home.
"Lemme see... Lemme see!" Adie said as we filed through the door.
"Jeez... You've never been this excited about my tattoos before... " BJ joked quirking an eyebrow.
"Well these ones are super special" she stated grinning like a Cheshire cat. By that stage everyone else had gathered around to have a look.
We showed each tattoo respectively and were met with a lot of 'ooohs' and 'ahhs' and 'that's so cool... I want one' from the people swarming around us.
School tomorrow was gonna be sooooooooo much fun. Incase you can't tell... I'm being sarcastic...
The next day at school...
Joey's POV
As we walked into school the next day, I put my hand on Trent's shoulder and braced myself for what was to come. Some of the kids were so cruel, but then there were the ones on the other end of the spectrum. The ones that sympathized with him and treated him nicely.
The others just teased him and gave him crap. Well today that was gonna change. Amanda's death affected all of us in some way, and if they were gonna give Trent crap, they would have to dish it out to me, Jake, Mitch, Jen, Bianca and Emma too. The only good thing that might come out of today is the fact that people will be intimidated by me and will be reluctant to say anything.
You see, I'd grown a heap over the holidays. I started off just a bit taller then dad... And now I'm a good two inches taller than Uncle Mike. I also have taken to dressing like dad. Black pants, black leather, studded belts, eyeliner, black hair spiked in every direction imaginable. I'm also not skinny by a long shot. People would defiantly be thinking twice about giving Trent shit today... Or so I thought.
"Hey Trent... You gonna cry for us today?... Cry baby!" James, one of the seniors yelled across the quad. I saw Trent's shoulders slump, but he curled his fists into balls.
"Sit on it and swivel jack ass!" I yelled, flipping him off.
I then heard a whistle from the other side of the quad. I looked up and saw Jake waving his hands madly across his throat, and all the girls and Mitch behind him with worried looks.
In our little language, it usually meant that a teacher was coming... Or not to make the situation worse than it already was. I attempted to guide Trent past the pack of jock's that were laughing their heads off maliciously... But one of them just had to push it...
"Cry baby Trent needs a body guard... Is your body guard gonna make it all better Trent?" one of them jeered, the rest laughing behind him.
I couldn't take it... Today was not the day to piss me off that's for sure. I walked over till I was right in the face of the kid that had said the comment, and whispered in his ear "yeah... He is... " I then stepped back, curled my right hand into a fist, brought it back... And smacked him right in the face.
I knew that it would lead to every other jock in that group punching me... But to tell you the truth... I didn't care much at that point. For anyone to be as unsympathetic as that... They deserved a good smack in the face.
As expected... Each and every jock in the pack that was on the side of the quad pounced, punching and kicking me. Quite a crowd gathered to have a watch... Interested at who would win.
*** ***
"JOEY! What the hell buddy? Fighting's not the way to solve a problem. "Dad said, surprisingly not angry, but I guess he understood why I did it.
"He deserved it dad... They shouldn't be able to tease Trent like that... It's not his fault some sick bastard kidnaped him and Amanda... Then decided to kill her is it?!?" I spat, still reeling, probably from the adrenaline from the fight.
"I know buddy... And that's why I'm not angry... You still shouldn't have hit him though... " he said taking a look at my 'injuries'. Nothing too major... A busted lip... A few buttons ripped off... And I was going to have a black eye tomorrow.
"Please tell me the other kid got off worse?" dad joked. He was back to having his hair blonde... Not a look I favored for a 41 year old... But each to his own I guess.
"Can I tell mum that I bought the shirt like this?" I said cringing as I looked down at the threads where buttons should have been.
"As long as I'm not the one that gets in trouble for it... " he smirked following me out of the room.
Outside the room sat Keegan, he was the kid that I had punched in the first place. He definitely got off worse than me. He had a busted nose, a busted lip AND a black eye. He looked up as I came out... He had a malicious smile on his face that made me wanna jump on him again... And I almost did.
"Down boy... " Dad said hushed as he grabbed the back of my shirt to prevent anything further happening. I growled a little bit, but let Dad drag me out to the car.
*** ***
"Hey thanks for earlier today Joey... " Trent started later on in the day. "I know it wasn't the greatest thing to do... But yeah... Thanks for standing up for me." he said grinning.
"No probs dude... " I said, grinning back. "I'm just bummed that I didn't mess his face up more."
*** ***
A year later... Trent, Bianca and Emma's Graduation day
Trent's POV
I've done it. I made it through school. It seemed tough 2 years ago... But now its here... My future awaits me.
"PUNKUS!" Bianca and Emma yelled from the other side of the room.
I looked up and smiled through my mass of blonde hair, filled with bright purple for the occasion, hanging over my eyes. I had to have Amanda at my graduation
Somehow...
"Em... Bee... " I replied, hugging them both. "Ya ready for this?" I asked. They exchanged looks between each other before nodding madly and squeezing the life out of me with another hug.
"I'll take that as a yes then... " I gasped, grinning at the group of people coming towards me... Well a mass more than a group.
"Mom... Dad... Beej... Adie... " I started, then realized exactly how many people I'd have to name. "Fuck it... Hello everyone!" I finished, throwing my arms in the air.
"Language!" Mom joked, whacking me playfully, as everyone else laughed. I could tell she was proud of me... She just probably found it hard to put in words.
"Look at you... All grown up and... Well grown up... " dad stated coming over to me. "Class president... Soon to be prom king... Top of the whole year... And off to College next year... Amanda would have been proud... Just like all of us are... " he finished motioning to everyone around him.
"Come on... Let's go so we can get decent seats... " I heard Joey say.
Everyone left and I was left standing with Emma on my right side, and Bianca on my left. "Let's do this" I grinned, turning around and grasping their hands. They had become like my actual sisters over the years.
*** ***
"And now I'd like to introduce... The class president and top achiever for the year... Trent Somers... " our principal Mr. Gallow said.
Everyone clapped politely... But I heard hooting amidst it all. I looked up and saw Dad, BJ, Mikey, JF, Ronnie and Jason hooting like they were at a football game. I then looked over and saw the looks on Mom, Adie, Sammy, Anna and Claire's faces.
The guys were gonna get yelled at later.
"Thank you... " I stated as I stepped up onto the podium. I'll spare you the details of the speech... Long and boring basically sums it up. Thanking this person, congratulating that one.
"We did it seniors... We finished it... Bring on the Prom! ' I finished causing cheering from absolutely everyone.
*** ***
They had grown to accept me more. I had even become friends with some of the most unlikely of them.
"We did it bro!" Keegan exclaimed, racing over and giving me a slap on the back.
Sure I wasn't his best mate or anything after the trouble he had given me... But we understood each other better after he went through something similar to when I lost Amanda.
"I'm so proud of you!" mom cried as she came over. Oh man! I told her not to be all embarrassing and stuff... I guess she forgot.
"Mom!" I whined. I looked over at Bee and Em. Sammy was doing the same thing to them and the look on their faces was exactly the same as mine.
" I know you said you didn't want me to be all embarrassing... But I cant help it sweetie... You've come so far after all that you've been through... And were both so, so proud of you... " she said, trying not to cry, although it was becoming very obvious that that wasn't working for her.
"What she said... " dad grinned. "Ready for you're prom?" he asked.
"Hmmm... Let's see... Getting dressed up... Being the only guy there with 2 dates... Possibly getting prom king and underage drinking...." I whispered that last part a bit. "Of course I'm ready... The question is... Are these 2?" I grinned as I placed an arm around Bee and Em's shoulders. They giggled excitedly.
"Dude... Your ego's not even gonna fit through the door if you keep going... " Joey smirked as he tried to run away.
"I'm gonna kick your ass Armstrong!" I called as I bolted after him.
Did I just see what I thought I saw? It can't be! No they can't take them away!
"Come back you sons of bitches I yelled as they shoved the twins into the back of a black van. I raced after it, yelling curses, but it was too late. I collapsed to the ground and began crying. Two of the most precious things in my life had just been taken away from me. Mattie fell to her knees next to me. Her hand was clamped over her mouth and she was also crying. We held each other and cried, somehow managing to get someone to call the police for us.
*** ***
*back at the house*
"And did you see a license plate at all?" the burly officer asked.
I took a shaky breath and shook my head, no. Billie, Mike, and Jason sat around me... Offering comfort where possible. Mattie was with the other girls crying. The kids had been told to go upstairs to their rooms. But they knew something was really wrong.
"I regret to say this... But I think your children may have been kidnaped. "The officer said. A look of regret filling his wide face.
This caused me to let out a strangled sob. Why would someone punish me like this?
"It looks like it could also be the work of the man we call 'the twin kidnapper'. He kidnaps twins from any families and unfortunately sometimes kills one of them... " he trailed off, not wanting to continue.
I completely broke down at that. Dropping to my knees on the floor. Not only had this bastard kidnaped my kids. There was a possibility that he was gonna kill one of them!
"Thank you officer" Billie stated, while Mike and Jason tried to both console me and comprehend what was going on.
"We'll keep in touch... " he stated as he left the room.
"Mattie... " I managed to choke out. She crawled over to me still crying hard. "He... He... Might kill one of them baby!" I wailed, letting a fresh lot of tears flow down my face. She screamed in despair and buried her face in my shoulder. We stayed in each others arms for several minutes.
During that time, I guess they had gotten the kids downstairs and told them because there was crying and screaming all around us. The pain was just too much to fathom.
*** ***
Later...
I sat on the couch a few hours later numb from crying and unmoving. Mattie sat next to me in much the same state. All the other adults were sitting around us, not knowing what the hell to do.
"Here... " Jason said, pushing a cup of coffee into my hands. A simple gesture to ease some of the hurt my whole body was feeling. I smiled weakly and sipped at the drink. I then became vaguely aware of a cell phone ringing.
"It's yours Tre... " Billie stated, handing it over to me. I read the caller I. D... It said 'Unknown Caller'. I shakily pressed the answer button.
"Hello?" I stammered.
The voice on the other end of the line was obviously obscured by some device. "I have your children... If you want to see both of them alive again... You will follow each and every instruction I send to you... Or I will kill one of them... Otherwise this could go down nicely in the papers and tabloids couldn't it?" The line clicked closed, and I just stared at the phone.
"He wants me to follow any instructions he sends me, or he said he'd kill one of them." I managed to tell the eager faces around me. As soon as I uttered those words though, each and every face dropped.
We all went to bed unable to sleep that night, shakily awaiting what may or may not be sent the next day.
*** ***
The next day
Still Tre's POV
From 9 am onwards the next day we sat all together in the living room. Once in a while a kid would come in and sit with us, our give us a heart felt hug. It made us feel better for an iota... But I wouldn't bring Amanda and Trent back.
Our stances and moods didn't alter at all... Until Billie brought in the mail.
He passed a small white envelope to me. I stared at it for what seemed like years before turning it over and opening it slowly. I pulled out a letter and opened that. Wrapped neatly inside was something I didn't want to see. A small chunk of skin carefully wrapped in cling wrap. I turned it over and saw a tattoo of a drum kit. That was Amanda's first tattoo. It had only healed properly a few days before Matthew had attacked her. I turned away and turned green and Mattie rushed to the kitchen sink and I faintly heard her wrenching her guts out. I couldn't believe what this bastard had done. He was cutting my baby girl to pieces.
I shakily read the letter aloud. "Dear Mr. Cool, if you ever want to see either of your twins you will do this... If you come to the Californian Marina with 100 million dollars in cash, by sunset tonight I will give you your twins back... If not... You will be seeing more than just a chunk of skin with my next letter... "
I teared up at that. Why would some one want to do this to me? Why did they want to cut pieces out of my kids?
"There's no way in hell we can get that sort of money that quickly man... " Jason stated regrettably. He was right. Sure we were international rockstars... But 100 million dollars was going to be very hard to get together before 5 pm tonight. Billie got out his phone to call the police... Maybe they could be of some help with this.
"We gotta try man!" I cried out, tears gushing down my face. "We can't just let him kill one of them Jase! We just can't!" I cried, flinging the letter away from myself and collapsing back into the couch.
He rushed over and awkwardly patted me on the back. He wanted to comfort me, as I drowned the couch in my tears, but he didn't know how.
We didn't end up getting the cash together, and spent the entire night awake. Wondering what would be coming for us the next day.
*** ***
As 'Unknown caller' flashed up on my cell phone, my breath hitched. I looked at the police officer sitting at the table near us, waiting expectantly for his signal that I could answer. He gave me the thumbs up letting me known that he was ready to begin tracing the call and I pressed the answer button.
"Hello?"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk Tre... Didn't get the money for me?... Let's just see how you like my next surprise." And with that he hung up. I looked over at the police officer that was tracking the call. He shook his head to let us know that he couldn't trace it. And at that very moment... Mike came in holding a letter... Looking paler than he ever did.
As much as I didn't want to open it to see what was inside. I felt compelled to open it. As I saw what was inside it... I wished I hadn't opened it. Inside was a note saying 'which twin to kill?" and two cling wrapped objects. One was Amanda's big toe that had the birthmark shaped like a pear, and the other was Trent's ring finger complete with the silver ring with a single blue stone in it that he never took off. Amanda had the same ring. Mattie and I had given it to them for their 14th birthday. They were chopping my kids to pieces! I had to get this money together and now. My cell rang again. I picked it up without even checking the caller I. D.
"What are you doing to my kids?!" I barked. I was angry and I was damn well gonna show it.
"I'm simply chopping memorable pieces of them off so they will unidentifiable, if or when you see them Mr. Cool... I like taunting famous people... Actually, I've changed my mind, I think might kill one of them... Soon... " he finished clicking the phone off.
I opened my mouth wide in shock. An officer came over to me.
"We have tracked the call Tre. I have just sent a team to the destination and hopefully we can stop him before he harms them. Now if you would all like to follow me... We will transport you to the destination."
We all trailed behind the officer and were piled into a small mini bus. As we were driven to the destination, all I could think about was both of my kids and there safety. I squeezed Mattie's hand in anticipation.
We pulled up a fair way from an abandoned warehouse. I carefully noted the dozens of police men swarming around the outside as I stepped out of the bus. We stood in anticipation until a gunshot was heard.
My heart stopped at that second and there was utter chaos the second after. Policemen ran inside the house and shouts were heard. I stood near a group of police officers near us and watched in horror, praying that the bastard had killed himself. The pain was too much. It ripped and burned inside every single person standing near me. No one would ever feel pain like this again.
I prayed to god that they were both ok, but as I lowered my head back to earth; I saw that this was not true. I saw policeman in bullet proof gear, running towards us with Trent hanging in his arms. He dropped him a few meters and let him run to us. Mattie and I both dropped to our knees and smothered the hysterical, crying blonde form in front of us.
He pulled away for a second. "He... He... " Trent stuttered trying to get the words out and wiped at his face with his poorly bandaged right hand, where his ring finger was missing. "Amanda!" he wailed.
I finally understood as he buried his head in my shoulder again. The bastard had taken my blue eyed angel away from me. He had taken all the joy from my life with just one shot. Tears raced down my face in salty tracks as I slowly transferred Trent to his mother. I slowly raised myself from the ground and took a few shaky steps towards the group of people near me. Not seeing their faces, but feeling their presence. I couldn't last though, and broke down, sobbing, my heart breaking. I began to fall to my knees and grabbed the closest person to me as I fell. It just happened to be Annaleise. She held me through her own tears and let me soak her shirt with the tears that didn't stop flowing.
"He... Took... My... Baby... Girl!" I said between tears and sobs.
"Shhhh sweetie... I know "she stated through her tears.
I looked up and saw the many different reactions around me. Mattie was making herself sick by crying so hard and Sammy was by her side crying also. Jason was crying and being consoled somewhat by Mike and Billie, who I could see had tears welling in their eyes. Bianca, Emma and Jennifer were crying in the midst of a group hug. Adie had a hand over her mouth and a look of disbelief and shock on her face. Rachel and Claire were consoling each other and crying... And Trent... Trent the pain he must be going through, having lost a part of himself... He had moved over to Joey, Jake and Mitchell, where he was still crying hard and none of the other boys was caring if they looked or acted macho or tough or not.
My tears slowed and I managed to pull my self up. I looked around for Trent and pulled him to my side, in a kind of awkward hug. "The police officer dude said we can go and see her before they take her away." He whispered, still crying slightly. I nodded and walked shakily over to the covered stretcher. A paramedic pulled the cover back... And I was met with a sight I didn't want to have to see. Amanda lay stone cold and white on the stretcher, a bullet hole still seeping some blood from between her eyes. I started crying again, but Trent began howling. He couldn't take seeing his twin sister like that.
I shakily asked the paramedic. "Can I take some things off her?" he nodded that it was ok. I slowly reached down to her right hand and slipped the ring off her finger. I then unclasped her necklace and anklet in turn. As I finished, I nodded, letting them now that they could take my baby girl away.
I turned around to both Mattie and Trent to show them each of the items. They smiled a little and cried when I showed them. I gave Trent the ring and he immediately slipped it on the middle finger of his right hand. I gave the anklet to Mattie and fastened the necklace around my neck. Amanda was never going to come back, but we could all have a special memory of her.
*The year is 2012... It is the one year anniversary of Amanda's death. *
Trent's POV
It is one year today. The 7th of August last year... My twin sister was murdered... And I still can't believe it. Everyone is kinda walking around in a daze... Not sure of what to do... Or how to comfort each other. I twisted the ring on my finger absent mindedly. It is one of the only memories I have left of her... And it is placed, somewhat crudely, next to the other memory I have of that day... The black hole where my ring finger once was, cut off brutally by the man that kidnaped us. The glee in his eyes and the pain and terror in ours as he did those brutal things to us is still etched in my memory. I continued twisting my ring and sighed looking out into the gloomy day. It seemed like Mother Nature knew we were sad, and made the day feel miserable too.
I turned my head slightly as the bedroom door opened.
"Hey man... How're you feeling" Joey asked, even though he probably knew the answer.
I shrugged and looked up at him. He seemed a little uncomfortable, but concerned about how I was. After what happened for the few months after her death last year... Anyone would be.
Flashback...
"Trent, why dude?" Joey asked, his eyes moving from the fresh cuts on my wrists to my pain filled blue eyes. "It's not gonna bring her back... "
"It makes it seem better... " I choked out, tears coming to my eyes. "Sometimes I wanna do more than this man... Sometimes I wanna do more so I can go and be with her! You don't know how many times I've thought about giving everything I have on this earth up just so I can be with my sister Joey! There has been so many times where I've thought... 'what's the point?... I have nothing to live for any way! ' She was my life man!" I yelled, throwing lame punches at him as he tried to stop me from barging out the door, and doing something stupid.
He grabbed at me and we both collapsed to the floor. Me crying hard and Joey sitting there just holding me while I did. He wasn't trying to be all tough about it though... Amanda's death had hit him hard too.
End of Flashback...
I lifted my sleeves to illustrate my point. There were scars, and the series of scars where I had etched her name into my arm. But no new cuts. This let him know that although this year was gonna be as hard as last year... I was gonna be ok.
"Wanna go and see her?" he asked. I nodded. Going to 'see' her always made me feel a little bit better about the whole situation. We had started 'seeing' her at around the end of last year.
"Come on... I'll drive" he said, flinging an arm around me as we made our way out of our room and downstairs.
Mom and Dad were sitting in the living room in solemn moods. Infact everyone was in sort of a rut. It was like how Uncle BJ sometimes got in September. Everyone knew to keep out of his business and not get him angry.
"We're going to see Amanda" I spoke up. "Does anyone have anything they want me to take to her?" Mom got up and nodded. She went off to the kitchen and brought back a bouquet of purple gerberas... Manda's favorite colour and her favorite flower.
*** ***
I walked over to her grave with the flowers and placed them down. I read the tombstone, just like I did everytime I came to see her.
It read: Amanda Nicole Somers, July 9th 1995 - August 7th 2011... Beloved daughter to Tre Cool and Mattie Somers... Twin to Trent Michael... Such a brutal way you were taken from us Amanda... But you will always remain in our hearts... Love the Green Day Gang... Mom, Dad and Trent.
I smiled and sat down next to the grave, beginning to talk to my sister as if she were there.
"Hey Manda. "I said smiling. "I brought you flowers... They're from mom... But I guess everyone's sorta giving them to you... You'll be glad to know that I haven't cut once since last year... " I said holding my wrists out as if to show her. "It was hard though... And I thought about it a few times... But I didn't want to let you down Manda... I couldn't let you down... I wanted to make you proud of me... Doing that won't bring you back and nothing ever will" I said choking up. Tears welling in my huge blue eyes. Joey placed a hand on my shoulder from where he was kneeling next to me. "Joey says hi" I started again, whispering. "And Mom and Dad... Jake, Mitchy, Jennifer, Bianca, Emma, Mikey, BJ, JF, Ronnie, Adie, Sammy, Rachie, Claire bear, Anna and Jase... We all miss you Manda... And we always will." I finished my little spiel and wiped the tears from my eyes.
I then kissed my hand and placed my fingers on the photo that sat on her gravestone. It was a picture of the two of us on our 16th. We both had cake smeared from head to toe, but we were still grinning like idiots. Mom had the photo blown up so it was bigger and had it laminated so it wouldn't get wrecked by the weather. I had the smaller picture always with me in my wallet.
Joey and I sat, just thinking until it started to rain really hard. Although I didn't want to leave her... I didn't really want to get soaked. We climbed back in the car, and for the whole way home I stared glumly out the window, smiling a little when her favorite song, Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen, came on the radio. It had played at her funeral.
Flashback...
So you think you can stone me and spit in my eye?
So you think you can love me and leave me to die?
We all stood in small groups hugging and crying as they lowered her into the ground. Silently singing, forcing the 'rock on' sign weakly into the air. I clung limply onto dad as I thought about what a fitting tribute it was for the girl that stole everyone's hearts. She rocked her world, and everyone's around her.
End of Flashback...
We arrived back at the house and were met by masses of flowers, candles and messages of love and support. Mostly from friends and fans, all the letters gave us support and hope for our future. It was good to know that Amanda was loved by so many.
I stepped past all the messages and into the house. Everyone was pretty much in the same position as when Joey and I left.
"Did you say hi for us?" mom questioned, turning her head to face Joey and me. I nodded. She smiled and turned back to looking out the window.
*** ***
A few days later...
Still Trent's POV
"You ready buddy?" dad asked from the hallway.
Today we were both going to get tattoo's, for Amanda done, and to tell you the truth... I was actually a little bit scared.
"Yep... Let's go" I nodded, following him out the door and to the Beamer.
We traveled the 10 minutes to the little place downtown and got out of the car. We walked into the shop and dad was greeted by a big guy that looked like he was covered head to toe in tattoos.
"Mr. Cool" he said, extending his hand.
"Rick... How are ya mate?" dad asked, grasping the guys hand and shaking it.
"Not too bad... Is this Trent?" he asked, averting his eyes to me.
I nodded and shook the hand that he had now outstretched in my direction. "Hi... " I said smiling a little bit.
"Do you wanna go first Trent?" dad asked.
I nodded at least then I could have him there. I gulped as he led me to a chair. I was getting angel wings on my back with 'Amanda, 1995 - 2011' between them and the same drum kit tattoo that she had had, except on my upper arm instead of my hip like where she had it. Dad was getting a tattoo of an angel with blue eyes on his shoulder, her drum kit tattoo on his chest and the musical notes that she played during 'Rock and Roll Girlfriend' spiraling up his arm. I sat down and peeled my shirt off. Rick prepped the area between my shoulder blades for the first tattoo, and then began. I scrunched my eyes up as the pain began to hit me, but then remembered that this was for Amanda and I had to be strong.
*** ***
I think I must have either passed out or fallen asleep after that, because when I woke up, it was on a couch.
I rubbed at my eyes and became aware of the stinging sensation in my arm and across my back. I looked up and saw that I was still in same room as before, and that dad was now getting his tattoos done, and cursing quite loudly.
"Son of a... Mother fucker!" he yelled, shoving his fist to his mouth and biting down on it hard.
"Wuss" I joked, going over and sitting in the chair next to him.
"Just coz you fell asleep" he whined, taking his fist outta his mouth and pouting. "That's so BJ of you" he laughed. "Falling asleep in one of the most physically painful things you have ever been through... Fuck!" he finished, cursing as Rick continued with the drum kit tattoo on his chest.
"Your arm is gonna hurt more than this... So shuddup dude" Rick joked, not breaking his concentration at all.
"My god you're a pussy Tre" I looked over to the door and saw Uncle BJ walk in.
"That's what I was just telling him" I grinned. "What are you here for?" I asked.
He laughed. "Well I heard that you two were getting your tatts for Amanda done today... So I came to get me a new one"
"Do you have room?" I joked, ducking as he swatted at the back of my head.
"Yes I do smartass" he laughed. "I'm getting a blue butterfly on the back of my neck."
"For Manda?" I asked. He nodded.
"I think everyone wants to have a lasting memory of her... But are too chicken to do something about it" he smiled, placing a hand on my shoulder.
Dad broke the moment by cursing loudly. "Sweet mother of Jesus!" he exclaimed.
"She aint gonna help you buddy" BJ joked.
"Damn sleep through tattoos people... I despise you" he said trying to cover up his look of pain with an evil look.
"Shut up before I knock you out dammit!" Rick exclaimed, trying desperately hard not to give dad an unwanted part in his tattoo.
I laughed and thought back to the month before. My 17th birthday. The first birthday I had spent without her.
Flashback...
"Double Strawberry latte... With extra cream" I stated to the waitress, not even realizing that I had ordered Amanda's birthday coffee instead of my usual Orange Mocha Frappucino with extra sprinkles. The waitress smiled and walked away to get our orders.
I looked up at Uncle Jason. He always took me and Amanda out on our birthday for what he liked to call 'Birthday Coffee'.
"What?" I questioned, still not realizing that I had ordered what she usually would.
"You just ordered her birthday coffee dude" he choked out. As soon as he said that it hit me.
"I... I didn't realize... " I began, tearing up a little. "I miss her Uncle Jase... " I finished, looking up, and letting a stray tear trickle down my cheek.
"We all do buddy" he said patting my shoulder.
End of Flashback...
"Helloooooo!... Earth to Trent?" dad asked, waving a hand in front of my face.
I snapped out my daze and turned to face him. It seemed like he was trying to distract himself from the pain in his arm by getting me to talk to him.
"Sorry dad... Off in Amanda land" I said smiling slightly. He knew what I meant. That's what we all called it when we thought about her anyway.
"Tis ok... Ow!... Fucker!" he cursed, using everything he had not to jerk his arm away.
About half an hour later we had all finished and paid for the tattoos and were heading back home.
"Lemme see... Lemme see!" Adie said as we filed through the door.
"Jeez... You've never been this excited about my tattoos before... " BJ joked quirking an eyebrow.
"Well these ones are super special" she stated grinning like a Cheshire cat. By that stage everyone else had gathered around to have a look.
We showed each tattoo respectively and were met with a lot of 'ooohs' and 'ahhs' and 'that's so cool... I want one' from the people swarming around us.
School tomorrow was gonna be sooooooooo much fun. Incase you can't tell... I'm being sarcastic...
The next day at school...
Joey's POV
As we walked into school the next day, I put my hand on Trent's shoulder and braced myself for what was to come. Some of the kids were so cruel, but then there were the ones on the other end of the spectrum. The ones that sympathized with him and treated him nicely.
The others just teased him and gave him crap. Well today that was gonna change. Amanda's death affected all of us in some way, and if they were gonna give Trent crap, they would have to dish it out to me, Jake, Mitch, Jen, Bianca and Emma too. The only good thing that might come out of today is the fact that people will be intimidated by me and will be reluctant to say anything.
You see, I'd grown a heap over the holidays. I started off just a bit taller then dad... And now I'm a good two inches taller than Uncle Mike. I also have taken to dressing like dad. Black pants, black leather, studded belts, eyeliner, black hair spiked in every direction imaginable. I'm also not skinny by a long shot. People would defiantly be thinking twice about giving Trent shit today... Or so I thought.
"Hey Trent... You gonna cry for us today?... Cry baby!" James, one of the seniors yelled across the quad. I saw Trent's shoulders slump, but he curled his fists into balls.
"Sit on it and swivel jack ass!" I yelled, flipping him off.
I then heard a whistle from the other side of the quad. I looked up and saw Jake waving his hands madly across his throat, and all the girls and Mitch behind him with worried looks.
In our little language, it usually meant that a teacher was coming... Or not to make the situation worse than it already was. I attempted to guide Trent past the pack of jock's that were laughing their heads off maliciously... But one of them just had to push it...
"Cry baby Trent needs a body guard... Is your body guard gonna make it all better Trent?" one of them jeered, the rest laughing behind him.
I couldn't take it... Today was not the day to piss me off that's for sure. I walked over till I was right in the face of the kid that had said the comment, and whispered in his ear "yeah... He is... " I then stepped back, curled my right hand into a fist, brought it back... And smacked him right in the face.
I knew that it would lead to every other jock in that group punching me... But to tell you the truth... I didn't care much at that point. For anyone to be as unsympathetic as that... They deserved a good smack in the face.
As expected... Each and every jock in the pack that was on the side of the quad pounced, punching and kicking me. Quite a crowd gathered to have a watch... Interested at who would win.
*** ***
"JOEY! What the hell buddy? Fighting's not the way to solve a problem. "Dad said, surprisingly not angry, but I guess he understood why I did it.
"He deserved it dad... They shouldn't be able to tease Trent like that... It's not his fault some sick bastard kidnaped him and Amanda... Then decided to kill her is it?!?" I spat, still reeling, probably from the adrenaline from the fight.
"I know buddy... And that's why I'm not angry... You still shouldn't have hit him though... " he said taking a look at my 'injuries'. Nothing too major... A busted lip... A few buttons ripped off... And I was going to have a black eye tomorrow.
"Please tell me the other kid got off worse?" dad joked. He was back to having his hair blonde... Not a look I favored for a 41 year old... But each to his own I guess.
"Can I tell mum that I bought the shirt like this?" I said cringing as I looked down at the threads where buttons should have been.
"As long as I'm not the one that gets in trouble for it... " he smirked following me out of the room.
Outside the room sat Keegan, he was the kid that I had punched in the first place. He definitely got off worse than me. He had a busted nose, a busted lip AND a black eye. He looked up as I came out... He had a malicious smile on his face that made me wanna jump on him again... And I almost did.
"Down boy... " Dad said hushed as he grabbed the back of my shirt to prevent anything further happening. I growled a little bit, but let Dad drag me out to the car.
*** ***
"Hey thanks for earlier today Joey... " Trent started later on in the day. "I know it wasn't the greatest thing to do... But yeah... Thanks for standing up for me." he said grinning.
"No probs dude... " I said, grinning back. "I'm just bummed that I didn't mess his face up more."
*** ***
A year later... Trent, Bianca and Emma's Graduation day
Trent's POV
I've done it. I made it through school. It seemed tough 2 years ago... But now its here... My future awaits me.
"PUNKUS!" Bianca and Emma yelled from the other side of the room.
I looked up and smiled through my mass of blonde hair, filled with bright purple for the occasion, hanging over my eyes. I had to have Amanda at my graduation
Somehow...
"Em... Bee... " I replied, hugging them both. "Ya ready for this?" I asked. They exchanged looks between each other before nodding madly and squeezing the life out of me with another hug.
"I'll take that as a yes then... " I gasped, grinning at the group of people coming towards me... Well a mass more than a group.
"Mom... Dad... Beej... Adie... " I started, then realized exactly how many people I'd have to name. "Fuck it... Hello everyone!" I finished, throwing my arms in the air.
"Language!" Mom joked, whacking me playfully, as everyone else laughed. I could tell she was proud of me... She just probably found it hard to put in words.
"Look at you... All grown up and... Well grown up... " dad stated coming over to me. "Class president... Soon to be prom king... Top of the whole year... And off to College next year... Amanda would have been proud... Just like all of us are... " he finished motioning to everyone around him.
"Come on... Let's go so we can get decent seats... " I heard Joey say.
Everyone left and I was left standing with Emma on my right side, and Bianca on my left. "Let's do this" I grinned, turning around and grasping their hands. They had become like my actual sisters over the years.
*** ***
"And now I'd like to introduce... The class president and top achiever for the year... Trent Somers... " our principal Mr. Gallow said.
Everyone clapped politely... But I heard hooting amidst it all. I looked up and saw Dad, BJ, Mikey, JF, Ronnie and Jason hooting like they were at a football game. I then looked over and saw the looks on Mom, Adie, Sammy, Anna and Claire's faces.
The guys were gonna get yelled at later.
"Thank you... " I stated as I stepped up onto the podium. I'll spare you the details of the speech... Long and boring basically sums it up. Thanking this person, congratulating that one.
"We did it seniors... We finished it... Bring on the Prom! ' I finished causing cheering from absolutely everyone.
*** ***
They had grown to accept me more. I had even become friends with some of the most unlikely of them.
"We did it bro!" Keegan exclaimed, racing over and giving me a slap on the back.
Sure I wasn't his best mate or anything after the trouble he had given me... But we understood each other better after he went through something similar to when I lost Amanda.
"I'm so proud of you!" mom cried as she came over. Oh man! I told her not to be all embarrassing and stuff... I guess she forgot.
"Mom!" I whined. I looked over at Bee and Em. Sammy was doing the same thing to them and the look on their faces was exactly the same as mine.
" I know you said you didn't want me to be all embarrassing... But I cant help it sweetie... You've come so far after all that you've been through... And were both so, so proud of you... " she said, trying not to cry, although it was becoming very obvious that that wasn't working for her.
"What she said... " dad grinned. "Ready for you're prom?" he asked.
"Hmmm... Let's see... Getting dressed up... Being the only guy there with 2 dates... Possibly getting prom king and underage drinking...." I whispered that last part a bit. "Of course I'm ready... The question is... Are these 2?" I grinned as I placed an arm around Bee and Em's shoulders. They giggled excitedly.
"Dude... Your ego's not even gonna fit through the door if you keep going... " Joey smirked as he tried to run away.
"I'm gonna kick your ass Armstrong!" I called as I bolted after him.
