Story: I'll Be There (all chapters)

It was a beautiful spring evening. The moon was out, the garden filled with newly bloomed flowers, and the crickets chirped out a merry tune. However, for one girl, the evening was far from perfect.

Jeck Hyde strolled out into the courtyard of a fairly large manor only to find her best friend, Roxie Sparrow, crying her eyes out. The two were attending their Band Banquet. Jeck noticed her best friend’s absence from the party and searched the area for Roxie’s long brown hair and sparkling brown eyes, but couldn’t find her. Jeck decided to take a peak outside for her baritone playing comrade and there she was.

“Roxie… what’s wrong?” Jeck asked calmly as she approached the crying girl.

“Nothing Jeck. Go back in and enjoy the party.” Roxie mumbled and Jeck shook her head.

“It’s no party without you, Rox.” Jeck said soothingly, but Roxie ignored her.

“Trust me, I’m no fun tonight.” Jeck put an arm around Roxie’s shoulders and realized the poor girl was shivering.

“Are you cold? Here, take my jacket.” Jeck pulled her suit jacket off and slung it over Roxie’s goose bumped shoulders and her spaghetti strapped blue dress.

“Thanks Jeck. Please, go back in and enjoy the party. I don’t want to ruin your evening too.” Roxie pleaded, but Jeck wouldn’t listen.

“Not with my best friend out here crying her eyes out. Come on Rox, tell me what’s wrong.” Roxie sighed and leaned her head on Jeck’s shoulder, soothed by the soft stare of her grey eyed friend.

“It’s… Aaron. He stood me up. He promised to meet up with me at the party, but he never showed up. I really thought that… never mind, it’s silly of me.” Jeck scoffed as she slung her arm back over her hurt friend.

“It’s not silly, Rox. Aaron Peterson is an asshole and if he’s got a pair, I’m ripping his balls off the next time I see him.” Roxie giggled at her best friend’s over protectiveness.

“Don’t do that. I want to be the one to castrate him.” The two girls shared another chuckle before silence fell over them. Jeck looked up at the sky.

“It’s a beautiful night.” She breathed out, overwhelmed by the beauty of the sky. All the stars peeked out and lit up the garden in which they sat.

“Yeah, it is.” Roxie replied as she too starred up into the starry sky.

“Hey, let me take you home. There’s no point in mopping around this joint when we can easily break out the ice cream back at your house.” Jeck said and ran a comforting hand through Roxie’s long brown hair. Roxie closed her eyes, enjoying the comfort her older friend provided.

“If you insist, but if you’d prefer to hang out here a bit more then I can give my mom a call and see if she’ll come get me.” Jeck shook her head.

“Naw, let’s cut your mom a break tonight. I’ll give you a lift home. But first, you need to do something for me.” Roxie glanced up at her friend to see a twinkle of mischief in her eyes.

“What?” Jeck removed her arm from around Roxie, stood up, ran a hand through her short wild brown hair, and held out her other hand.

“You owe me a dance.” Roxie just smiled at Jeck.

“Jeck, I’m really not in the mood tonight…”

“Nonsense. I’ll give you a ride home and you give me one dance. Do we have a deal?” Roxie stood up and took Jeck’s outstretched hand.

“Just one dance.” Jeck smiled and pulled Roxie back into the manor.

“Of course. Just one dance.”

Jeck never let go of Roxie’s hand as they wondered back into the manor, leaving the stars, the garden, and their troubles behind. The two friends starred in awe as they witnessed their fellow band buddies dance to the electronic music blaring in the crowded hall.

“Wow, have you ever seen this many kids dance with perfect rhythm with to a song?” Jeck asked. Roxie just shook her head.

“Nope. It’s kind of scary.” The two giggled to themselves as the lights dimmed and the blaring music came to a stop.

“Ok, here’s a nice slow song for everyone!” The DJ announced as a slow song started up. Many people fled from the dance floor as the couples began to embrace each other.

“Oh… ummm, we can wait for the next song if you want…” Jeck said nervously, but Roxie just smiled.

“It’s okay; I don’t mind dancing to a slow song. Just keep your hands where I can see them.” Roxie said joking and grabbed Jeck by her tie, dragging her onto the dance floor.

“You know I would’ve walked over here willing, right?” Roxie just smiled innocently.

“Too late.” Jeck chuckled and hesitantly wrapped her arms around Roxie’s waist. Roxie smiled as she wrapped her arms around Jeck’s neck with a lot more confidence then her friend possessed.

“Well this is nice.” Jeck said, her voice cracking slightly.

“Are you nervous, Ms. Hyde? Are you scared of little ol’ me? I don’t bite you know, unless you’re into that kind of thing.” Roxie flashed Jeck a playful grin before resting her head on the short-haired girl’s shoulder.

“Me? Nervous? I think not!” Jeck sputtered, attempting to defend her cool and calm demeanor.

“I think so. Just relax.” Roxie muttered soothingly into the older girl’s ear. Jeck took a deep breath and loosed up a bit as they continued swaying back and forth.

“It’s not so bad.” Jeck said after a few minutes of dancing.

“See, you just had to relax. I’m surprised how nervous you were though.”

“Would you believe that this is the first time I’ve slow danced with anyone?” Roxie’s head shot up.

“Really? I figured with you… being you, you know, would have slow danced plenty of times with girls.” Jeck removed one of her hands from Roxie’s waist to scratch the back of her head nervously.

“Yeah well… there seems to be a lot you don’t know about me then.” Roxie starred at Jeck intently.

“Oh really, well then I guess you’ve got plenty to tel- oh my god!” Roxie shot out of Jeck’s arms, her eyes fixed at the doorway leading into the giant hall.

“What’s wrong?” Jeck asked as she turned around and followed her younger friend’s gaze.

“I-It’s…” Roxie stuttered.

“Aaron Peterson, that bastard.” Jeck spat as said boy waltzed into the main hall with his arm around an Asian girl.

“W-with…”

“Jessica Kim, that whore! She has a boyfriend!” Jeck yelled, rage overtaking her every nerve.

“Ummmm, m-maybe we should g-go…” Roxie suggested as tears began to well up in her deep brown eyes. Jeck glanced at her, before turning her attention back to Aaron.

“Right, let’s get out of here.” Jeck said as she grabbed Roxie’s trembling hand and lead her off the dance floor.

“Is there any other door to get out of here? I don’t want him to see…”

“Well, well, well. Looky here, Jessica. It’s the les-be-friends. Nice to see you, Roxie. Having a fun night with your ‘partner’ here?” Aaron Peterson asked as he spotted Jeck and Roxie trying to make their escape.

“Hey Peterson, shut the hell up.” Jeck spat as she sped up her pace. They were so close to the door now…

“Hey Hyde, make me.” Aaron yelled as he grabbed her by her tie, halting their attempted escape. Jeck choked as the tie closed around her neck. Aaron gave her an evil smirk.

“Fuck… you… Aaron…” Jeck choked out.

“Stupid little cross-dressing dyke.” Aaron mumbled as he tossed her to the side and turned to Roxie.

“JECK!” Roxie cried out as Jeck hit the wall.

“And you, I bet you honestly thought that I was going to come here with you. Are you crazy?” Roxie couldn’t hold back the tears any longer. Jeck heard her friend choke out her first sob and jumped to her feet. Take a moment to tug her tie off; Jeck took the opportunity to throw herself at Aaron’s back.

“I’LL KILL YOU PETERSON!” Jeck cried as Aaron stumbled forward.

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“That asshole…” Jeck mumbled as she closed her driver’s side door. Roxie jumped into the passenger’s seat and stared at her savior.

“Are you okay?” She asked hesitantly. Jeck leaned back in her seat and took a deep breath.

“I’ll be okay. Just a black eye and a couple of bruises here and there. At least my nose isn’t broken like Aaron’s.” Jeck said, feeling quite proud of herself. Roxie smiled.

“Yeah, I’m sure he won’t be messing with us for awhile.” Jeck nodded.

“Look Rox, I’m really sorry.” Roxie gave her a confused look.

“Sorry for what?” She asked. Jeck ran a hand through her hair.

“For making you stay and dance with me. If we had just left when you wanted to then we would have never run into that bastard and his trampy date. Then I wouldn’t have gotten us kicked out for beating the crap out of Aaron. And you know… everyone thinks we’re going out just because I’m a lesbian. So I’m really sorry for everything.” Jeck babbled and Roxie just looked at her.

“Jeck, please don’t be sorry. I did have fun dancing with you. And it’s not like we knew Aaron was going to show up. And please, don’t be sorry because people think we’re going out. That’s not your fault and you shouldn’t blame yourself.” Jeck nodded.

“I had fun too, before that jerk showed up.” Roxie smiled.

“Good. Maybe we can go dancing again some other time.” Jeck smiled back nervously and started up the engine.

“Like a date?” She asked. Roxie nodded.

“Sure, like a date.” Jeck couldn’t hold back a blush as she pulled out of her parking spot.

“Right, let’s take you home.”

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“Next stop, Sparrow residence.” Jeck said as she turned into Roxie’s driveway. Roxie smiled.

“Man it’s good to be home. I can take these stupid heels off and get into more comfortable clothes.” Roxie said as Jeck parked her car.

“Here we are.” Roxie leaned over a kissed Jeck on the cheek.

“Thanks for everything, Jeck. Do you… ummm, want to spend the night?” Roxie asked. Jeck blushed.

“Ummm, yeah. That sounds cool. You’ve probably still got some of my clothes lying around anyway.” The two got out of the car and walked up to the front door to Roxie’s house.

“Hey Jeck?” Jeck turned her attention to Roxie.

“Yeah Rox?” Roxie leaned over to hug Jeck.

“Really, I mean it. Thanks.” Jeck returned the hug.

“Anytime, Rox. I’ll always be here for you.” Roxie leaned up and pressed her lips to Jeck’s.

“Good. Now let’s get inside. I can’t wait to get out of these clothes.” Roxie began unlocking the front door as a blush crept over Jeck’s face again. Roxie turned around to see her friend blushing.

“That’s not what I meant!” She cried as she tossed one of her heels at her perverted best friend.