All things denied….

A Gaby FanFic by PB

Chapter 16

During the week preceding Valentine's, the school was consumed with dance fever. The girls were getting all excited over the event and the boys were trying to ignore its approach. On Tuesday, the only thing of note was a local trip to some place called the Grand Caverns. To the dismay of the exchange students, they were back at school for the late lunch, which meant they had to go to any afternoon classes.

Maddy continued to avoid Gaby as much as possible. According to Ally and Bernie, it wasn't out of hatred or anything like that, but more out of guilt as the full weight of the events surrounding the cheer competition started to sink in.

Wednesday's highlight for both of the Bond girls had to be the nightly call from the parents. From Gaby's point of view, it seemed unusual in that Jenny spent little time on the phone with her compared to that with her sister. Judging by the way Jules was carrying on, their mother was having a right good conversation with her, which left Gaby feeling like there was something going on between those two.

Valentines was actually on Saturday but since Friday was a day off from school due to a visit from one of the Presidential hopefuls, the dance was being held Thursday night.

"How many Gab?" Bernie asked as she met Gaby at her locker and craned over her shoulder for a peak.

"What?" Gaby sharply replied.

“Valentines, silly ... Duh!” Bernie shot back.

“One,” Gaby quietly admitted as she picked it up off the floor after it fell out when she opened her locker.

"One?” Ally asked in disbelief. “Who's it from then?"

"I dunno ... certainly not from Mad ... or you guys ... judging by the handwriting,” Gaby casually stated.

“How many?” Brit enthusiastically asked as she joined the small group at Gaby's locker. Gaby held up the solitary Valentine.

“I thought you'd get a lot more than that!” Brit coolly commented.

“And why's that?” Gaby asked. The sarcasm of her reply was not lost on Britney as she took a step back from the group.

“Sorry Gabs ... well ... at least someone thinks a lot of you ... why don't you open it?” Britney quietly replied.

"You open it! ... I couldn't care less!" Gaby turned and angrily slapped the pink envelope into her hand.

"Gaab!" Brit whined. Gaby slammed her locker shut and started towards Miss Johnson's homeroom, leaving a stunned Ally, Bernie and Britney standing at the locker.

“See you guys later!” Britney quickly remarked as she started to run after Gaby. “Gabs! ... Wait up!”

The whole school seemed to have gone Valentines crazy even if it was two days early. Everywhere you went groups of giggling girls were comparing notes and groups of boys were trying their best not to look interested. In addition, the school started sprouting a lot of hearts and ribbons.

Despite Miss C's requests, Gaby and Ally refused to join the three remaining Sherwood Forester's after late lunch to help the all the cheerleaders decorate the school gym for the dance that night. Ally conceded she might consider re-joining the squad at some point, but now was not the time. Gaby maintained she'd left the squad for good and was intent on keeping it that way. As a result, both girls had to attend afternoon classes while the others were decorating.

At final dismissal, Britney wandered into her homeroom where Gaby was gathering her books from her last class.

“How come you weren't with the other Sherwood Forester's, decorating?” Britney whispered.

“Quit the squad,” Gaby casually replied.

“Why?” Gaby ignored her until Britney asked a second time. “Why would you do something like that?”

“Why? ... Mad and I broke up ... that's why! ... Bet yer happy now... aren'tcha?” Gaby hissed as she stared menacingly at Britney.

In a more resigned voice, Gaby added, “Besides I told Miss C back in Warsop, I was leaving the squad after the competition.”

“Sorry....” Britney was going to say more but Miss Johnson walked up to the two girls and started to speak to Gaby.

“Gaby … Mrs. Pryce told me about your dress … will I get to see you in it at the dance tonight?” Miss J asked.

“I don't think I'll be going,” Gaby quietly replied.

“What do you mean … not going? ... Bet you'd look absolutely lovely! From what she said … I bet you'll knock all the boys dead … won't she Britney?” remarked a surprised Miss J.

“It's not the boys she's after!” Brit replied with a bit more enthusiasm than she intended.

“BRITNEY!”

“Sorry Miss Jackson,” Britney sheepishly replied.

“Don't apologize to me ... it's Ga...” Miss J started to say before she was interrupted.

“Please don't worry about it Miss ... I'm used to it,” Gaby interjected, trying to find a way to exit the conversation.

As the two girls left the classroom to go to their lockers, Brit went off to the office to pick up their reserved dance tickets despite Gab's objections. She on the other hand, continued on to get ready to go home. With her head stuck in her locker, arranging her books and getting her coat, Gaby overheard bits of a conversation obviously about her as several boys walked past her.

“You ok Gabs? … You look lost,” Britney observed as she walked up.

“Yeah ... let's just get outta here!” Gaby quickly suggested.

‘You're right ... quicker we're home … the more time we'll have to get ready!” Britney enthused.

“I just meant we don't want to miss our bus ... an' I told you I'm NOT going!”

“GABEEEEEEE!” Britney whined.

“No! ... End of discussion!” Gaby firmly replied.

While waiting to board the bus, Britney turned to Gaby and timidly started to say, “Ga...”

“No! ... Now please drop it?” Gaby pleaded. The bus ride back to their stop was quiet for the two girls. Both Jules and Debbie noticed there was something more than usual going on between the two younger girls and once in the house, Debbie was the first to re-open the debate.

“What's going on, you guys?”

“Gabs say's she's not going to the dance!” Britney appealed to her older sister.

“I ... AM ... NOT... GOING! … My decision is final!” an exasperated Gaby exclaimed before running up to her room, loudly closing the door behind her.

“Someone talk some sense into her?” Britney pleaded.

“I'll go talk to her,” Jules replied.

“For the last time … I'm not ... oh … it's you ... I thought you were Brit,” Gaby greeted Jules as she opened the door and climbed the few steps into their shared bedroom. Gaby was sitting cross-legged on her bed, with her gaze remaining firmly fixed to the wall in front of her. The single lamp on the table between their beds provided the only illumination.

“Brit's really upset you're not going …. from what Deb and Brit said the other night, this dance is pretty important for these kids ... what did Brit call it? ... Oh yeah ... THE social event of the year.”

“Well, it's not like I'm not stopping her from going! … I just wish she'd leave it alone! ... What's so important about me going?” Gaby solemnly offered.

“You've gone to dances before as Gaby … what's so different about this one?” Jules wondered.

“Well, let's start with this ... thanks to a certain someone … the school knows I'm a ‘lezzie' and because of that … I'm THE social outcast of the year ... which … I found out is the reason the kids haven't been talking to me ... now … why should I go to ‘THE social event of the year' if everyone is either going to ignore me or give me a hard time? … Either way all I'll end up doing is holding up a wall,” Gaby blurted out.

“Deb told me that each girl gets a boy depending on the number of her ticket … so at least you'll have a partner.”

“Excuse me if the idea of dancing with a strange boy doesn't excite me!” Gaby sarcastically spat out. “Can't you see I don't want to go? ... Why are you taking their side?”

“I guess it sounds like it ... but I'm not ... it's.... well ... it's just that we have to go ... it's on our schedule as a school function ... sorry, Sis.” Jules reminded her sister.

Gaby turned and briefly looked at her sister for the first time since Jules came into the room. Even in the light of the single lamp between their beds, Jules saw a fear in her sister's eyes.

“Gaby? ... don't look at me like that … somethin's wrong … innit?”

“Close the door, Sis...” Gaby quietly demanded as a tear rolled down her cheek.

Jules went back down the few steps that led up into their bedroom and closed the door. She then hurriedly returned to Gaby's side and sat on her bed, anxious to know what was so upsetting to her sister.

“C'mon, Gabs ... this isn't like you,” Jules quietly coaxed as she put her hand on top of Gaby's outstretched hand.

“I can't go ... they're waiting for me.”

“Who?”

“Some boys ... I think a couple of them are in my homeroom ... ( sniff ) I only heard them ... I didn't see them.”

“How'd you know? ... c'mon ... tell me ... it's ok … take it slow,” Jules quietly urged. She used her hand to gently wipe the tears that were streaming down Gaby's cheek. In a quiet, almost hushed voice, Gaby related the overheard conversation to Jules.

“When ( sniff ) Brit and I were getting ready to leave tonight ... ( sniff ) I was getting my stuff out of my locker when I heard several boys coming down the hall talking in loud whispers ... all excited like. ( sniff ) ... When they got closer to me I ( sob ) heard one or two trying to tell the others to shut-up but ( sniff ) at least one kept talking until, I guess, he saw me...”

“Take a deep breath Gabs, then slowly tell me what you heard,” Jules calmly instructed.

“I ... I ... ( sob )”

“Relax ... deep breath now,” Jules cautioned her sister.

After Gaby regained her composure, she continued, “I ... only heard bits … but I did hear something ‘bout ‘converting the lezzie' … at the dance … making her want a good man.”

“How'd you know they were talking about you?”

“Sis! ... Didn't you listen to what I just said? ... I'm the ‘lezzie' they're talking about! ... That's why they've been ignoring me! ... an' if they discover....”

“I won't even think about that,” Jules replied with a shudder. Both were aware of the homophobic attitudes openly displayed by some of the AHS students. “Be right back ... don't ... go anywhere!”

Leaving the room, she caught sight of Debbie going into her own room.

“Do me a favour Deb? ... Quietly ... an' I don't want anyone else to know about this right now … but ... call Jessica for me an' ask her to come over here an' talk to Gaby? ... I think we might have a real problem!” Jules whispered.

“Does it involve Brit? ... Those two were mighty quiet on the bus,” Debbie quietly asked.

“I don't think so … but you know your sister better than I do!” Jules replied in a hushed voice.

“That's the problem ... I do!” Debbie whispered as she went off to her room to make the call and Jules returned to Gaby's side.

“I really don't know how I'd cope if you weren't here with me ...” Gaby's voice trailed off as she leaned into her sister's shoulder.

Seemingly after a few minutes, Debbie came upstairs and with a soft knock on the door frame, entered and stood at the bottom of the steps leading up into their room. Looking through the wood railing that separated the bedroom from the steps, she announced, “Guys ... supper.”

“Why so early, Deb?” Jules asked as Gaby sat upright upon Debbie's intrusion.

“I guess mom figured we'd have an early supper so we could get ready for tonight,” Debbie quietly replied. “I think she's more excited than all of us put together!”

“What about Miss B?” Jules inquired.

“She said she'd be here in about an hour.”

“Feel like food, Sis?” Jules asked as she took Gaby's arm and pulled her up off the bed. “C'mon ... we've got nothing better to do until Miss B gets here ... so let's go!”

As the girls entered the dining room, Jocelyn was just setting the pork chops on the table. After Britney said Grace, the meal began in earnest. Unfortunately for Gaby, Mrs. W was intent on discussing the upcoming dance and Gaby. Gaby answered questions politely, but was clearly reluctant to participate in the discussion. Several times she tried to change topic but the discussion always returned to the dance.

Even though she loved Jocelyn's cooking, Gaby only picked at her supper. Finally, she had enough.

“May I be excused?”

“You've hardly touched your supper dear ... I made these for you … you kept asking me if we could have them again,” Mrs. W mentioned.

“You're right ... I love how you do these … b ut I guess I'm just not hungry … sorry.” With that, Gaby rose from the table and took her dishes to the kitchen then proceeded up to her room. Jules quickly excused herself and followed.

When Jules was out of earshot, Donald Walters turned to his wife and offered his take on what just happened.

“What is with you Jocelyn? ... You've been badgering that poor girl about this dance ever since the school announced it! ... It's very clear to me that Gaby's not excited about the dance nor having to go ... and I don't blame her ... if I were her I'd rather spend my time getting my bike ready for my trip to Atlanta!”

“You would ... you're a man! ... All girls her age love dances ... I don't know a girl who doesn't like to dress up … socialize with her friends and meet boys! ... She's a very pretty girl and I was just trying to bring her out of her shell!” Jocelyn replied with an air of authority on the subject. Deb noticed her sister looked just a little bit guilty when her mother mentioned friends and boys.

“Values have changed! ... Girls aren't only interested in pretty things and boys anymore ... she's a gifted athlete fer God's sake! ... It's obvious to all who care to look, that Gaby isn't the least bit interested in a dance ... leastways not with an important race comin' up! ... I wish you'd quit riding the child on what girls her age like ... she's her own person with her own likes and dislikes!” Donald flatly stated as he rose from the table and took his dishes into the kitchen.

Meanwhile, upstairs Jules sat on Gabs' bed waiting for Jessica and silently rocking her upset sister in her arms.

“Everything will be ok, Sis ... focus on the weekend and the fun you'll be having with your friends,” Jules softly whispered into Gaby's ear.

Ding, Dong ...

“Oh, hello Jessica ... and Maddy ... isn't it? ... What brings you here? Jocelyn asked when she answered the door.

Just as Jessica was going to answer, Debbie walked through the living room towards the front door. “It's ok mom … I asked Miss Bell to come ... they're upstairs ... I'll show you.”

With that, Jessica removed her boots and started for the stairs, letting Deb lead the way. As she put her foot on the first step, Jessica turned and flatly instructed Maddy to stay downstairs . This didn't sit well with Maddy at all, but she kept her opinion to herself. It never occurred to her that she might be excluded from anything involving her cousin.

Jocelyn was also taken aback by the abruptness of Jessica's departure with Debbie, without even a word of explanation from either of them. Through it all Jocelyn still urged Britney to get ready for the dance, fully expecting the other three would soon be doing the same.

Once Jessica entered the room, Deb followed and closed the door. First thing Miss B saw when she looked around the room was Jules holding Gaby.

“Gaby? ... Deb sounded upset when she called me ... mind telling me what's going on?” Miss B softly asked.

“Deb called?” a surprised Gaby asked.

“Ahhh … Jules asked me to call,” Debbie quickly confessed.

“Ok … we got that out of the way … now … what's going on?” Jessica calmly asked.

“I'm ... uh … not going to the dance,” Gaby slowly replied while staring at the floor.

“It's a school function for the exchange students, Gaby ... you're required to go unless you have a good reason.” Jess quietly replied. “Is that what this is about?”

“Miss ... she was threatened if she showed up!” Jules piped up catching both Jessica and Debbie by surprise.

“Gaby?” Debbie called out as she quickly turned her attention to the younger girl.

“Debbie ... I take it that this is the first you've heard of it?” Jessica asked as she turned to face Debbie. “I assume your parents don't know either … do they?”

“I...” Debbie started to speak, before Jules quickly interrupted.

“No one knows, Miss ... just us! … If Mrs. W were told … she'd have to know a few things about Gaby as well … an' I don't think anyone wants that,” Jules hurriedly pointed out.

“Quite right!” Jess softly agreed. Standing beside Gaby's bedside, Jessica hiked the hem of her dress slightly, and knelt down beside her. “Tell me what happened, honey ... do you know who threatened you?”

In a hushed, yet steady voice, Gaby related the story of how she came to be alone at her locker and hearing the boys as they passed behind her. Before Miss Bell even asked, Gaby told why she felt they were talking about her, including the conversation she and Brit had with Miss J.

“Any idea who they were? ... I know you said you kept looking in your locker …but … did you happen to see them at any time?” Miss B pressed.

“Kinda … I did look at them as they went down the corridor an' I think two of them are in my homeroom ... I mostly saw their backs an' they had their jackets on ... I've seen at least one of the others hanging around with them,” Gaby explained.

“Can you tell me their names or describe them?” a very concerned Jessica asked.

Gaby admitted to not meeting the boys, but she gave Miss B what she thought their names were, followed by a pretty fair description of each. Jessica developed a worried look on her face as Gaby passed the information to her.

“If these are the boys I think they are ... they can be bad news. Even if it is only an unsubstantiated threat, I think you've made a wise choice to stay away ... a school dance isn't worth it,” Jessica offered.

“Miss ... is it ok if I stay with my sister?” Jules quietly asked.

Before Jessica could reply, Debbie spoke up, “If Jules stays ... I'm staying ... with both of them!”

“Of course,” Jessica replied as she stood up. “I'm glad you girls told me.”

“Well … I'd better go downstairs and get to the school ... unless there's anything you'd like to add, Gaby ... I have one teenage girl who's probably wondering if she'll ever get to the dance and a principal who's probably frantic wondering where I am,” Jessica conveyed with a smile.

As they left the bedroom and started to descend the stairs, Jocelyn was visibly disappointed the girls weren't yet ready. Brit's expression conveyed her impatience with the other three. She wanted to leave for the dance! Gaby saw the frustration in Maddy's expression, probably wondering why she wasn't dressed. After all she was supposed to help Mad get revenge on Sam for spreading the lies about her.

“Girls! ... Go back upstairs and get ready ... Britney's ready to go and she's been down here patiently waiting for you all this time!” Mrs. W. instructed.

“We're not going Mom,” Debbie calmly replied.

“What do you mean you're not going ... of course you're going ... that's all you've talked about all week!” an exasperated Jocelyn countered.

Before Jocelyn could do or say anything else to the three girls, Jessica stepped in, “Britney ... I know the dance is listed as mandatory attendance for all the students in the exchange program … but … under the circumstances ... I have to agree with Debbie ... I think it would be far better for all concerned if they didn't attend the dance ... as Gaby's host … I'm giving you the option ... go or stay?”

Seeing Jocelyn was full of questions, Jessica turned her attention to her. “I know you've a question or two Mrs. Walters … but I'm not really at liberty to divulge what we discussed ... not at this time.”

Turning her attention back to the girls, Miss B instructed, “I don't think you girls should talk about it either ... not until we've looked into it further.” Jessica knew she didn't really have to tell the girls to keep it to themselves, but telling them in Jocelyn's presence would prevent her digging for answers.

“Britney? ... I understand you've been looking forward to this dance for a long time … but I need to know so I can properly inform Miss Cowlishaw,” Jessica pressed Brit for her answer. Maddy was clearly crestfallen that she couldn't have Gaby at the dance, but again, she wasn't in any position to object. After some thought, Britney reluctantly offered to stay.

As Jessica started out to the door, she told Maddy to wait in the car and then turning back to face the Walters, she asked, “Britney? ... Mind if I ask you a question in private? ... It's related to my discussion with the others. Britney nodded in agreement and the two stepped into the cool night air and onto the porch.

Once Miss B was sure they were out of earshot, she turned to Britney and quietly inquired, “I didn't think you'd want your mom to hear this right now … but … may I ask why you were so intent on getting Gaby to attend the dance ... especially since you're well aware of the rumours about her sexual orientation and the reactions of many of your friends and classmates ... not to mention ... DREW?”

When Brit hung her head and didn't immediately answer, Jessica softly continued, “It's ok, dear ... you don't have to answer ... for now.” Brit solemnly watched Miss B as she turned and walked to her car, before going back into the house.

As they pulled out of the Walter's driveway, Maddy turned to Jessica and asked, “What happened? ... Why's Gaby not coming?”

“You heard what I said back there about discussing it,” Jess coldly stated. She noticed the disappointed look on Maddy's face before she returned her attention to the road. The rest of the drive to the school was spent in silence.

Back inside the house, Brit found the others helping Gaby pack and prepare for her trip to Atlanta the following morning. By the time she'd changed and joined the others, they had finished packing and had just settled down for an evening of music and ‘girl talk' back in the bedroom shared by Jules and Gaby. Debbie made sure they were well supplied with soda and snacks.

“I really want to thank you guys for staying with me tonight.” Gaby told them as she gave all three a big hug.

“You going to bed, Sis?” Jules asked.

“I think so … if you guys don't mind … an' it's getting late. Erin wants everyone down at the store early to get everything packed up and ready to go by eight-thirty, nine at the latest,” explained Gaby.

“Well ... if we don't see you before you leave … have a great weekend!” Deb excitedly stated. Both the Walters girls bade good night as they exited the room, while Jules hung back at her sister's urging.

“Thank you, Jules!” Gaby whispered as she tightly hugged her sister.

“For what, Sis?”

“Just ... for being here,” Gabs softly replied and gave her sister a final squeeze before letting her join Debbie and Brit, downstairs.

(to be continued)

PB 01.06.08 © 2008
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