All books clips are property of SLC 2003, please do not copy.
-Sarah L. C.
Here are some book clips, of stories I've written:
"Concert time, lets roll!" Andy Small cried, running across the church parking lot, and heading towards his green minivan, "The green machine" as the guys had named it.
I smiled, watching him. It was the night of Creed's big end of summer concert. Scott had been busy for the past couple weeks and I hadn't seen him. They'd been busy working on their album, and had been practicing all week for the concert tonight.
I'd talked to Scott the night before and he told me Jagger had arrived the day before. He told me they'd spent all day hanging out.
Scott had sent our, tickets and backstage passes, to the station, and when Anthony had discovered them, he'd been disappointed he wasn't invited.
Nick had laughed when I told him later. "If that guy has time for a concert between dates, it would be a miracle!" He told me. I smiled again, excited I'd get to see Scott tonight.
"I get shotgun!" I called, running over to the passenger side. Jim was already there. "Jim out!' I called, trying to open the door of the van.
"No way!" He grinned, smoothing out a wrinkle in his Creed T-shirt Scott had given him. "I'm Andy's best friend. I deserve this seat." He said, giving me his famous Jimmy-grin.
"Stop being difficult." I said raising my eyebrows at him, and trying to reach in the window to unlock the door.
He batted my hand away. "You know you love it. Bye now." He grinned, pressing the button, and rolling the window up.
"Jim stop!" I cried, pounding on the window.
He pretended he couldn't hear me. He shrugged his shoulders and laughed at me through the window.
I saw Andy slide in the drivers seat. "Yo Jim, knock it off." I heard him call.
"Excuse me?" Jim asked, giving Andy a surprised look.
"You heard me." Andy grinned. "Move to the back, Sarah's riding up front tonight." He said, giving me a wink through the window.
"I thought I was your best friend!" Jimmy cried.
"Yeah, well you didn't get me backstage passes." Andy grinned, pulling on his worn in baseball cap.
Sarah laughed from the backseat. "He's got you there Jim." She grinned. (Nate, hadn't been able to make it, he had to work.)
"In the back." Andy grinned, pointing to the backseat. "Now."
Jim undid his seatbelt, and sat down next to Sarah Hurlbert with a loud sigh. "I'm not appreciated here." He grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest, and pretending to be mad.
Andy hit the button, and unlocked the door for me. I slid in and buckled my seatbelt.
Andy looked over at my T-shirt, and back at his. "Hey, how come we get white T-shirts, and you get a black one? Andy asked.
I pulled down the sun visor. "Cause' you're not dating the lead singer." I said smugly, checking my makeup in the mirror.
"Well..." Andy said thoughtfully. "I could." He grinned, fluttering his eyelashes.
I laughed, and raised an eyebrow at him. "Sure you could."
"I don't think Scott Stapp swings that way." Sarah laughed.
Andy started the van up. "Haha. Anyway," He said pulling out onto the road. "Who's ready to see Creed!" He called, grinning.
"I've seen enough Creed." Jim said under his breath, still pretending to be mad about the seat thing.
I leaned back in my seat, and hit him on the knee. "Take that back." I pretended to threaten.
"No." Jim grinned, sarcastically.
"Ooooh." I said leaning back up in my seat. "You're so in for it now."
"I can take Scott Stapp any day." Jim grinned flexing a muscle.
Sarah & I cracked up at the thought.
"Okay, okay." Andy grinned. "Enough Jim bashing." He said, pulling onto 95.
Jim grinned at us.
"New York, New York!" Jim sang, a little off tune, for the 100th time, since we'd arrived in NY.
This time, Andy started harmonizing with him, as he looked for a parking spot, where the concert was being held.
Sarah & I smiled at eachother, as we watched Andy & Jim with amusement.
Andy parked, and killed the engine. "Were here!" He yelled loudly.
I opened my purse up and pulled out the tickets, and the special VIP passes on chains.
"Awesome." Jimmy grinned, slipping his around his neck. "These are like the ones the band has, right?" He asked.
"Exactly." I grinned. "We get to go in a different entrance, from everyone else too."
"Oooh really? Sarah asked, studying the tag.
"Cool!" Andy said sliding out of the van. "We know Creed and you don't!" He sang out, to the passing cars.
I got out, and slammed the door. "Andy that's mean." I grinned, as we headed toward the building.
Andy grinned sheepishly. "Sorry." He and Jim started running towards the building, calling out and yelling.
Sarah smiled at me, "It's gonna be a long night."
"I know." I grinned back.
(In progress.)
Jeremy closed his eyes, his breath coming rapidly. Opening his eyes, he stared into Zoe's face. Even in the darkness he could tell she had a huge scratch over one eyebrow, and it was bleeding. He switched on his bedside lamp, examining her in the light. Besides the scratch, she had a huge red welt on one arm, and several large bruises on her neck, like he'd put his arms around her throat. "Oh my God!" Jeremy cried, he jumped off the bed, and started pacing back and forth wildly. "Zoe, you have to call someone! How often does he hit you!?" Jeremy cried sinking onto his bedroom floor. He put his head in his hands, trying to make sense of everything. Fury was rising up inside him, against Mr. Rochat He wanted to go beat the pulp out of him, but he felt completely helpless. He didn't know how to stop this situation.
"Only when he's drunk..." she whispered.
"Zoe, he's always drunk." Jeremy replied loudly.
"Only when he's mad...."
"Zoe, he doesn't know what the hell he's doing!" Jeremy cried, taking a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. "He could end up killing you!"
A few minutes later Jeremy's mom appeared in the doorway. She took one look at Zoe, and closed her eyes for a brief second. "Come on Zoe, let's get you cleaned up."
Zoe took his mothers hand, and allowed herself to be led away.
Sitting there on the floor of his room he closed his eyes. He was angry at everyone. Angry at Mr. Rochat for hurting Zoe. Angry at Zoe, because she never did anything to change the situation. Angry at his mother, for pretending nothing was wrong. She pretended Zoe was some damn piece of furniture that needed to be polished and shined. Didn't she even see the marks? How could she be so blind. What was he supposed to do!?
A half hour later, his mother returned to his room. "Jeremy," She whispered, "Get up off the floor, it's cold."
He looked up, staring at her. She could be so unbelievable at times. "Where's Zoe?" He asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
"I put her on the sofa in the living room." Jeremy's mother replied, as if she was accustomed to having overnight guests at 4am. She walked over to the window, and closed it.
"Did you even look at her!?" Jeremy cried, his voice rising.
"Lower your voice, before you wake your father." She whispered. "Yes, I looked at her Jeremy. But it's none of our business."
"What the hell does that mean?" Jeremy scoffed. "Mr. Rochat beats the crap out of his daughters, and it's none of our business!?" He asked, trying to comprehend his mother's way of thinking.
Mrs. Massey closed her eyes. "There are things that we simply do not get involved with Jeremy. Leave it alone." She said firmly, turning to leave. "Get some sleep, you have school tomorrow, and you're going to be exhausted." She said before turning out his light.
Jeremy climbed off the floor, after she'd left and collapsed into his bed. He pulled the covers up over his head, trying to block everything out.
(Story about the Oregon Trail. In 1850)
As the family sat down to eat supper Mr. Creed said the blessing "Lord, we thank thee for this meal. May you bless it to our bodies. Amen." After everyone had been served Mr. Creed began to talk "Well, darling business has been very slow." He said somberly.
Mrs. Creed patted her husbands hand. "We will make do. God will provide for us." She said softly.
Kathleen watched her parents with curious eyes. Because childern were seen and not heard in those days. It had been known that many of the people in town had been packing up and moving west to start new lives. And there wasn't many left in town who needed a good carpenter. It was something called the "Oregon Trail"
Kathleen thought it must be quite exciting to start a new life. But, The stories told of it were terrifying. Sickness, death, weather conditions, thieves, and indians were among the tragedies that struck. Some people even starved to death! Kathleen didn't know why anyone would want to go through that for a new life when they all had perfectly good lives.
Looking around at her family Kathleen decided she liked her life. It was hard work with all the chores. But, she could bear them. She wouldn't want to leave their dear little cottage for anything, and it was nice to be sitting with her family, and even troublesome James, who stuck his tounge out at her just then.
"I don't know what I shall do if this keeps up. Mr. and Mrs. Sturbridge Left this afternoon with a wagon train headed for the Willamette vally." Mr. Creed said. "And they were my best customers."
"Oh Paul! Bette left?!" Mrs. Creed exclaimed, her eyes wide.
"Yes." Mr. Creed said, shaking his head.
Mrs. Creed looked down at her hands. "May God be with them." She said softly.
"You know darling, the profit must be wonderful out west. Think of all a carpenter could do. Why, I'd be needed for everything! This small town is too civilized already."
"Paul No!" Mrs. Creed said sharply. "I will not let you take us from our home to be cramped up in a wagon in the heat and snow and God only knows!"
"But, Martha think of it won't you?" He asked, looking at her.
"Paul don't be foolish. But, if it comes down to it and we have to go... I-" She said, not finishing her sentence.
That night Kathleen lay in her room, she shared with Celestia thinking. When Father got a notion in his head he couldn't shake it. Kathleen reached under her feather mattress, and pulled out her journel. Her bed was by the window, and a soft breeze was blowing in. She sat up and kneeled on her bed. The moonlight poured in the window just enough to let her see as she started a new entry
April,4th,1850
Dear Oak tree, I shan't know what to think of this! I know the Oregon trail has alot of people moving west. But, Father would never take us away from you. Would he?...
She stopped writing long enough to gaze out of her window at the big old oak tree. It was like her friend. She had many a happy days playing under its shade with her old doll Amelia, who sat on a shelf in her room now. She picked up her pencil as more words flowed into her head;
At least I don't think he would. I don't know what my life would be without you. You've comforted me from the first night I was born. And when I was smaller I would hear your rustling leaves, and I wouldn't be afraid of the night, because I knew you were protecting us from the winds and rains. And this dear old house. I could never leave it. Rose cottage is so dear to me. Father built it when Mother and him were courting, and I love it so. Well, My love I shall have to sleep now. I will see you when the sun shines.
And with that she shut her journel, blew a kiss into the dark sky towards her Oak tree and fell asleep with a smile on her face.
I practically flew into Sam's office the next afternoon. "Sam, I'm getting married!" I cried, dancing around his office.
He nearly choked on his coffee. "Julia, are you all right?" He gasped, giving me a strange look.
I laughed. "Of course I am silly! I've never been better!" I ran over to his desk, and hugged him. "Can you believe it?"
"Apparently not." He said, regaining his composure, he gave me a curious look. "Who are you marrying Jewel?"
"Alex." I sighed.
"Alex!" Sam exclaimed. "You've known the man six weeks!"
"Isn't that enough?" I smiled dreamily.
"Are you sure you got enough sleep last night Jewel? You don't seem to be in your right mind?" He said eyeing me.
"Sam I'm fine!" I smiled. "Alex and I were meant for eachother, Its fate."
"Its stupid."
"Sam," I chided. "Of course you wouldn't understand."
Sam raised his eyebrows, and got that look my father sometimes got, when I was out of line. "I wouldn't say that. I 'm far more wiser in my years. After all, I've been around longer than you Jewel."
I just smiled.
"Your head is in the clouds Jewel, and I have half a mind to come yank you down from them. Listen to me, you're young. Don't rush into things, you have your whole life ahead of you.What about your career?"
"Sam, "I'll still be acting." I sighed.
"You hardly know the man."
"I know him enough." I pointed out.
"You could do better, I have my doubts about Alex...something about him." He said seriously, "He's too good to be true, you don't find men like him nowadays."
"Could it be he's just nice?" I smiled.
Sam shook his head. "You're moving too fast."
"You sound like my parents." I groaned.
He laughed. "I'm just looking out for you." He sighed. "Well. I can see you've made up your mind Jewel. What more can I say? I wish you the best of luck." He smiled weakly.
"Thank you." I said, giving him a hug.
"I still think you could do better." He whispered in my ear.
"Sam," I smiled.
"How do you start this thing???" Christalena asked, trying to jam the key in the ignition. She leaned down to look at the steering wheel.
"Oh Father, please protect us!" Jim prayed loudly, snapping his seatbelt on. "I promise I'll read my bible every night before I go to sleep- and even when I wake up.." Jim droned on and on...
"Be quiet I can't think!" Christalena cried, turning the key, the engine started up loudly.
Jim pointed to Christalena, "Your seatbelts not on."
She turned to him and gave him a look. "You can tell I don't have my seatbelt on, but you can't even walk to a door by yourself???"
"Hey!" Jim cried, "Don't insult a man in his own car! Just drive!" He ordered, leaning back in his seat, and turning the radio on. Heavy metal came blasting out of the speakers.
Christalena opened her mouth to make a comment back, but instead shut it grinding her teeth. She switched gears, and pulled out of the parking spot. "Which way do I go?" She yelled, over the loud music.
"Huh?" Jim asked obnoxiously, pounding on the door, like a drum, and moving his head to the music.
"Which way?" She asked again, turning the headlights on.
"Huh?" Jim asked again, obviously enjoying the music, that was so grating on her nerves. How could Sierra stand this stuff?!?!
"Which way DO I GO???" She practically screeched. "That's it!" She reached over, and snapped the radio off.
"HEY!" Jim cried, "Turn that back on!!!" He said reaching for the radio
She batted his hand away. "No! Not until you tell me which way to go!" Christalena said, her teeth clenched. "I can't drive with that racket!"
Jim sat back in his seat, and put on a pout, "That way," He pointed, giving Christalena a dirty look.
She went to give him one back, nearly forgetting to stop at the stop sign, She screeched loudly on the brakes.
"AAAAH! You're goin' kill my car!!!" Wailed Jim from the passenger seat.
Christalena sighed loudly, turning to Jim again... "Look, I don't know how you EVER expect me to be a safe driver with you blasting that- that noise, ignoring me when I have important questions- conveniently forgetting to give me directions so that 'I' look like a fool, and SCREAMING at me when I mess up because of you!!!" Christalena shrieked, (loudly enough to make a dog go permanently deaf), "Brian would NEVER have treated me like this-" she started, and then clasped her hand over her mouth, only to
quickly remove it at the risk of looking suspicious.
"WELL," began Jim smirking, "Someone is slowly coming back to her senses- but why must 'I' be to blame for all YOUR mistakes?!? I think you need a chill pill- no wait, better yet, a midol." he said sarcastically.
"I do NOT have PM-" she began before being rudely interrupted by him once again.
"And my music is NOT noise mind you. I'll bet you listen to opera or some crap like that. Actually, you know what, you kinda look like a Britney Spears fan to me... " He laughed.
"That's it!" said Christalena, "Look, do me a huge favor- and just shut up. You are one of,
no... come to think of it. You are THE most frustrating and exasperating person that I've ever met in my life. Are you trying to get us into an accident?" she barely spit out the last word as a car came swerving out in front of them...
Sierra was tapping her foot impatiently, as she stood outside the chapel looking around for Jim,where could he be? She wondered. She'd told him to meet her back here in 10 minutes, so they could brainstorm some more about where Christalena could be. She checked her watching the streetlight. She'd wandered over to the cafeteria to se if he was over there, but she didn't see him. And now looking down in to the parking lot, she didn't see his gorgeous silver sebring. Where was he? The concert was going to start in half hour! How could they start without the drummer!?
"OH MY GOSH WE'RE GONNA DIE!" Jim screamed, covering his head in his hands. He started praying earnestly, while Christalena, jammed on the brakes as hard as she could. She closed her eyes when the car had come to a complete stop. Her knuckles were white on the steering wheel.
Jim was still praying, his arms covering his head, as Christalena opened on eye, and looked. The car that had nearly hit them- was now speeding down the road in the opposite direction. Jims' car was safely stopped at the stoplight. Christalena let out a long loud sigh, and grabbed Jim's elbow, and shook him. "We're alive, stop!" She said nervously, still shaken up a little.
Jim peeked out from under one arm. He sighed. "This- is- the last- time- I- let you drive my car!!!" He started out each word shakily, until he ended loudly, clenching his teeth, and giving Christalena a look of death with his dark eyes.
Christalena gave him a weak smile. "You've got yourself a deal there mister." She replied, as the light turned green, and she hit the gas again. Christalena glanced at the clock on Jim's car stereo "We better hurry, it's already 8:45!!! We have 15 minutes to get back to PBU!" She cried.
"Just- drive- carefully." Jim said gritting his teeth, and holding tightly onto the handle above the passenger side door, as Christalena hit the gas again.
She nearly swerved into a parking spot on Jim's tiny leaf strewn street. She turned off the car, and Jim grabbed it out of the ignition giving her a serious look with his dark eyes, "I'm driving back."
Then he jumped out of the car, nearly slipping on some wet leaves,as he ran up the porch,and unlocked the front door. Christalena got out, and went to sit in the passenger seat, waiting for Jim to come back out.
He was out in less then 5 minutes, running like he was in a marathon, he slammed the front door, and flung the car door open, sliding into his seat. He stopped in the midst of shoving the key in the ignition to look over at Christalena. "You- moved- my seat!" He cried.
Christialena raised both of her eyebrows, "Excuse me?"
"You can never touch a man's seat!" He cried gesturing crazily with his hands. "Don't you know that!?"
"She crossed her arms, leaning back in the passenger seat. "Well- excuse me Mr. Complex." She huffed. "But a REAL gentlemen wouldn't care!!!" She turned away from Jim, her breath turning white on the cold window.
She heard Jim sigh, obviously biting back, what he had been going to say. He sat there and adjusted the seat for a few minutes, before starting the car up.
Christalena glanced over at him, as he pulled out of the parking spot. She could hardly believe Sierra & Jim were engaged. Was Sierra in her right mind? Christalena thought,watching Jim speed down the street, narrowly missing a red light. He was biting one of his nails nervously. "We've gotta get back there, we're ever gonna make it, "He mumbled frantically. He reached over for the radio, giving Christalena a devious grin. Loud heavy metal came blasting through the speakers, grating on Christalena's ears. Jim started bobbing his head to the music, and beating on the steering wheel as he drove.
She flung her hands over her ears, and held onto the door handle for dear life. She didn't know how much more she could take of this, she thought feeling queasy.
"What the-" Jim exclaimed, turning onto the small road that led into PBU. "I can't believe this." He groaned, sitting back in his seat, his foot on the brake.
Christalena surveyed the road. It had been pretty jammed, when they left, but now the traffic wasn't even moving. It was completely backed up. "Great.." Christalena sighed.
"I expected it to be packed tonight, but this is ridiculous!" Jim said, getting exasperated. He started honking the horn. "Move, move move! I'm the drummmmmer!!!" He cried, hitting the horn longer each time.
"Stop it!" Christalena cried, putting her hands over her ears. Between the heavy metal that was blasting through the cars speakers, and Jim- she was going to have a nervous break down. "They're NOT going to move, face it!"
Jim sat back in his seat, groaning loudly. He had both of his hands over his face. Finally he looked up, and turned to Christalena, his dark brown eyes filled with annoyance. "None of this would have happened..." He began loudly.
"If it weren't for ME!" She yelled. "Fine!!! I get it Jim! You've made it quite obvious!" Christalena, slunk back into her seat and looked out the window, vowing never ever to go anywhere with Jim ever again.
He leaned over, and turned the volume down the radio, then sat staring out the front windshield. "What the heck am I going to do?" He mumbled frantically, biting his nails in between each word. He honked the car horn again. "MOVE! The concert isn't going to be any good without ME!!!!!!" He tried flashing his headlights and honking at the same time. But the traffic didn't move.
"They can't hear you- alright!!!!" Christalena shouted. Exasperated with, Jim, Brian, and every other male specie in the world!
Jim gripped the steering wheel his knuckles white, and sat very rigid and stiff in his seat, he turned his head very slowly, looking at Christalena, with obvious anger. "Then- I'll- make- them-" He said, his teeth clenched.
"What?" Christalena asked, wondering just what Jim was capable of doing next. Jim undid his seat belt, and opened the car door. Christalena watched her eyes wide. She'd heard of road rage, and she didn't really want to see it tonight. She watched, crouched down in her seat, as Jim walked to the front of his car, "MOOOOOOOVE PLEASE!" He yelled as loud as he could, she watched him, jump up and down, and wave his arms in the air. "I'M THE DRUMMMMMER!" He cried.
Despite the situation, Christalena couldn't help cracking up hysterically as she watched Jim through the windshield.
Finally giving up, Jim slid back into the car, and slammed the door. "Don't say a thing." He said, quietly.
Christalena bit her tongue to keep from cracking up again, then looked down at the cup holder. "JIM!" She exclaimed.
"What NOW?" He asked grumpily, obviously aggravated with her.
"Your cell phone!" She cried.
"My- cell-" Jim asked looking over at her. "Your right, my phone!" He cried, reaching over to pick it up, He flipped it open, "I'll call Sierra and let her know that I-" He stopped, in mid dial, looking at the phone closely. "CRAP!" He cried, "It's dead! I forgot to recharge it!!!!" He let out an especially loud groan, and put his head on the steering wheel, "What are we going to do?" He cried, his arm was leaning on the horn, letting out a sickly cry.
