that was then*
chapter 01
********* The sun was shining on a fairly warm Monday morning in September of 1993. A somewhat iridescent glow was cast over the freshly cut blades of grass that filled the North Courtyard of Orlando High School.
The dreaded day had finally come. That fated morning when getting up at noon just wasn't an option anymore; when curfew was 9:30 instead of the overwhelmingly preferred midnight; when books would actually have to be opened, not used as foot stools, paper weights, targets, or what have you.
It was the first day of school.
A large sash hanging in front of the main entranceway read "Welcome Back Students" in the school's colors of red, black, and white. Every attendee of the school immediately felt queasy once setting their eyes on the pathetic display. The shared hatred of the patronizing institution was just about the only thing any of them had in common.
Every group of friends seemed to be divided by an iron curtain. One could easily tell a theme of separation and stereotyping was a prominent role in every student's life.
On the East end of the courtyard were the 'Goths.' They were all basically dressed in black on black outfits, their multicolored hair and numerous piercings adding life to the seemingly morbid bunch.
To the West you had your punks. A more lively and individualized crowd, with some wearing simple shorts and tee-shirts, while others wore full powder blue three-piece suits with worn out Converse sneakers.
The nervous freshmen gathered closest to the school, while the jock, football player, and all around 'popular' people chose to stay as far away as possible. They usually hung around in the senior parking lot across the main road until the very last second.
Bryce Landon (star line backer for the Orlando High Tigers, Junior Prom King, and almost definite Senior Prom King) sat on the hood of his brand new Mustang in the senior lot, surrounded by his friends and team mates. He stared across the way at the high school, praying his final year at the place would be a quick one.
"Baby, what are you thinking about?" his girlfriend, Amber Wardley (captain of the cheerleading squad, yearbook committee, and voted Most Likely To Kiss A Mirror three years in a row) asked as she paraded over to him from her car.
He gave her a quick peck on the lips, and shrugged. "I'm just thinking about how much I hate this place...and how much fun Penn State is gonna be next year." A smile stretched across his face at the thought of getting out of Florida.
"He's also thinkin' about how to explain to the nurse why all of her rubber gloves are missing!"
Bryce and Amber turned their heads simultaneously to see Josh Chasez (star quarterback and recipient of the acclaimed Best Looking award) approaching them.
Bryce hopped down off his car, and walked over to him. "Chasez, where the hell have you been all summer?"
"All over," he answered vaguely, hitting his friend's outstretched palm with his own.
"Hi, Josh," Amber said walking over to them. She swung her arm around her boyfriend's shoulders. "Ya know, we missed ya this summer. We rented this house on the beach for a few weeks back in August...Tiffany was there."
Josh cringed at the sound of his ex-girlfriend's name. "Then I'm glad I didn't go."
"Ya know she really misses you, right?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at him.
"Hey, you call me for a ride this morning? 'Cause if you did my mom didn't tell me," Bryce interjected. He didn't really pay that much attention to conversations that weren't about football or 'hot chicks'.
"No, I didn't. I finally got my own car a couple weeks ago." He pointed diagonally across the lot at a jet black Jeep Cherokee Sport. "Brand new."
"Well, let's go check it out," Bryce suggested, taking Amber's hand and walking with her and his friend over to the car.
When they reached their destination, Josh took his keys from the pocket of his jacket and opened up the car. He showed Bryce and Amber almost everything on the Jeep, even the power locks.
Without notice, a silver Suburban sped into an adjacent space, causing the three to look up.
A dark haired girl hopped out of the truck, seeming strangely tiny next to the machine. She slid a pair of sunglasses on her face, and shoved a throng of keys into her leather purse.
"What are you a janitor, or something?" Bryce shouted over at the girl, who was zipping up her bag after pulling a carton of cigarettes from the front compartment.
She looked up at him, and took out a much desired cigarette. "Actually, I prefer to be a called a professional cleanup engineer, but whatever." Her eyes fell back to the floor as she lit her cigarette, taking a long drag.
Josh couldn't help but crack a small smile.
"Smart ass," Amber mumbled under her breath.
The girl swung her bag over her left shoulder, looking back at the trio. "Now, if you fine people would be so kind as to excuse me." She began walking towards the school, a cloud of smoke circling over her head every few minutes.
Amber made a disgusted face. "God, who dresses like that anyway?" she spat, jumping down out of the front seat.
Josh's eyes followed the girl as she crossed the street, flipping off a speeding car that cut her off.
She was a little unorthodox for his taste, but she still surprisingly intrigued him. Usually, he would never have even given a girl like her a second look, but for some reason, he just couldn't help himself.
She was wearing loosely tied combat boots that stretched up to her knees. A small amount of black fishnet stockings was visible on her thighs, before being cut off by a pleated red and green plaid skirt, held up by a studded belt. A long sleeved black shirt matched her the color of her sunglasses, and she frequently combed her fingers through her dark brown locks. She didn't really fit into a category, but something about her made it clear that she didn't really care.
The sound of the bell echoed through the streets, and snapped Josh out of his daze.
"Shit," Bryce said in a defeated tone, and he closed the driver's side door in a huff. "I fucking hate school, man, I swear to God."