All things denied….

A Gaby FanFic by PB

Chapter 21

Once the three teenagers took their seats, Miss Jackson, still seated at her desk, swept over the class with cold eyes and slowly started to speak in a quiet, calm, but deliberate voice. Her disappointment and disapproval was unmistakeable even to the most un-attentive student.

“For the last five weeks ... I could ... only ... observe ... the treatment given by this class … to a guest of this country ... and what I saw ... disgusted me ... to no end!” Once more, the temperature in the room plummeted when she stared at her students.

“The whole purpose of the exchange student program is to enrich the learning experience and education of not only the students directly involved in the program ... but to share that learning experience with the others in the school by letting other students ... you ... interact with the exchange student.”

Pausing just long enough to catch her breath, she continued her lecture.

“Who do you think you are? ... How dare you presume to be so superior to Gaby … that you can sit in judgement of her and make the decision to deny her the experience of seeing first hand what it is be a teenage girl in this country! ... Ironically ... all your efforts did ... was to ensure she learned something of the darker side of life in this country ... unbridled bigotry!”

Cathy knew it was a rhetorical question, but she had to ask, “Did anyone ... anyone at all ... at any time ... even think to put themselves in Gaby's shoes and imagine what they would feel like being in a foreign country ... away from home ... possibly for the first time ... and treated like you've treated her?” She noticed several students, with eyes downcast, slowly shaking their heads.

“As the ‘host' school … all of us were effectively US Ambassadors to the British exchange students ... it was our job to project a realistic … yet favourable image of this country ...put our best foot forward, so to speak. There's an old saying ... maybe you've heard it? ... ‘You don't get a second chance to make a first impression'? Now I ask you ... just what ‘first impression' of this country do you think you left with Gaby?”

Taking a calmer approach, Cathy rose from her chair and walked to the front of the classroom.

“Bet you never considered that you were also denying yourselves a unique learning experience, did you? ... I doubt most of you will ever venture beyond the confines of this country, let alone this State ... maybe even this county ... yet you passed up possibly your only chance to learn from one of your peers! .. Yes! ... Make no mistake, people ... SHE IS YOUR EQUAL!” Letting that sink in, Miss J paused briefly and then went on lecturing the class.

“You had a perfect chance to learn about her life ... what is it like to live in another part of the world? ... Never mind the fact that you passed up a chance to get to know a person like Gaby. Heaven forbid if you ever found out that she's just like you ... a typical teenage girl ... with one difference ... the one person she wants to be with … will be of her choosing ... not yours! … Or anyone else's! … Just hers … and the friend she's with!”

Taking a different approach, Miss Jackson continued in a voice that sounded for all the world as if she was teaching a class.

“Sports are a big thing in this school ... aren't they? For that matter … sport and the notion of competition is a big thing in this country ... wouldn't you say?” Her question brought more than a few nods of agreement from students, especially those involved with the school's various sport teams. “Besides Aidan and Britney … did anyone know we had a genuine international sports celebrity in our midst?”

Judging by the inquisitive looks and raised eyebrows from several in the class, Miss J knew she'd hit a nerve.

“You all heard about Gaby and Aidan's weekend race in Monday's morning announcements and you've probably seen Gaby on her bike ... and Britney didn't mention this in her talk ...but did you know Gaby currently holds no less than three British national titles for her age group in cycling and has raced in both Britain and on the continent?” Cathy paused for effect and then sarcastically continued, “If you talked to her ... you would've known that!”

Pausing to walk back to the blackboard to absently erase an empty space, she abruptly turned around to face the class.

“Did you also know her mother is the current Women's Cycling World Champion? ... No?” Pausing just long enough to glance at the class in silence, she mockingly added, “Another lost opportunity ... shame.”

When she finished, Cathy smartly turned and retook her seat behind her desk. Once she sat down, she looked over the class. By the sullen faces of the majority of her students, her message sunk in. Some of the boys, ones she knew were into sports, were whispering among themselves. Miss J felt her bringing up Gaby's sports achievements might've been a good idea. It seemed it was something many of the class could relate with.

Riiiinnnnggggg

“Ok, people ... time to go to your next class!”

As the kids silently filed out of the room, Gaby hung back before slowly joining the exodus. Once through the door, an apologetic Aidan descended upon her.

“You ... ok ... Gabs?” he softly asked.

“I haven't decided,” Gaby cynically replied after seemingly thinking about it for a brief moment, as they walked down the hall. She mentally noted that Britney had once again joined her cheerleader friends and gone on ahead.

“What you said ...you and Miss Jackson ... pulled no punches,” Aidan added.

“Six weeks of this ...I just said what I felt ... an' I had no idea Miss J felt like she did ... it kinda felt good to hear her say all those things … but ... why did they even have to be said? ... Why did I even feel I had to say what I did? ... Why were the kids so mean? ... Just because I don't fall all over myself for boys?”

It was clear Gaby was still trying to sort things out.

“C'mon … be fair, Gaby! ... Not all the kids felt like that!” Aidan pointed out. “A few of the girls wanted to know you a whole lot better.”

“You noticed that too, huh? ... I just thought I was imagining things...” Gaby's voice trailed off as she broke out in a quiet fit of giggles.

“You're laughing again,” Aidan coyly observed.

“Yer fault!” Gabs playfully spat out between giggles.

“Why my fault?” Aidan innocently asked.

‘Coz ... you know what to say to make a girl feel better?” Gaby coyly asked, not expecting a reply.

“I've heard that somewhere before,” Aidan replied, trying to be serious.

Upon reaching Jessica's History class, Gaby turned to Aidan and taking hold of his free hand, dejectedly commented, “The worst thing about homeroom this morning is ... I doubt it even sunk in to most if not all of the kids,” then softly added, “Well ... our last class together ... thanks for walking me ... an' thanks for making me laugh ... again.” She drew closer to him and kissed him on the cheek before the two entered the classroom.

As Gaby started towards her assigned seat, Miss Bell called the class to order and started the first of her last two classes with any of the exchange students.

In Gaby's own mind, since she vented her anger the previous period, everyone now knew where the other stood. No more posturing. She had confronted the rumours of her lesbianism, admitted them to her classmates and now felt strangely relaxed and content, something she hadn't really known for the duration of the trip.

“...For Friday, have chapter 15 read and be prepared to discuss it...” Miss Bell instructed as the class was dismissed. As Gaby started to walk past her, Jessica called out, “Gaby? ... Got a moment?”

“Miss?”

“I noticed you didn't seem to be on the same planet as the rest of us today ... any reason other than it being your last day?”

“Sorry.”

“I think whatever's on your mind was affecting the others as well ... they seemed ... well ... quiet!”

Gaby gave Jessica a nutshell summary of homeroom and awaited her verdict.

“I wish I was there to hear it ... that took real courage, you know ... I'm really gonna miss you!” Jessica whispered as she felt a tear escape her eye. She quickly dabbed it with a tissue and hugged Gaby. “Better run along now! ... You still have two more classes before lunch … I'll see you later.”

Gaby quickly headed for her locker to get the books she required before heading to her next class with only minutes to spare. At least with English, Gaby had some quiet time as they watched some taped documentary on Shakespeare. That left one more class to endure.

As Gaby walked to her final class, she couldn't help but notice that she was getting more than a few lingering glances from the kids. She was the subject of glances before, but these didn't strike Gaby as the same.

“Glad you could join us Gaby,” Bunny cheerfully greeted as she closed the classroom door after Gaby went inside.

Even though the gang was there, only Ally and Bernie had any welcoming look on their faces for Gaby. Both Maddy and Em looked like they had lost their best friend. When Gaby took her seat, Bunny started her class discussion but was interrupted when Casey raised her hand.

`Yes, Casey?”

With all eyes on Casey, she stated in a sombre tone, “Miss MacDonald ...may I say something? ... It has nothing to do with what you're teaching now ... but it does have everything to do with ... people's feelings ... and it'll be our ... my ... it'll be my last chance to say it.” Bunny nodded her approval.

Rising out of her seat to look at Gaby, Casey began, “Gaby? ... The other girl's in Miss Jackson's class asked me to speak for all of us ... and ... well ... each one of us thought we had our own reasons for shunning you as we did ... but listening to what you said in homeroom this morning ... we all realise now … how wrong we were … and the hurt you must've felt because of us ... we're ashamed at what we did ... we ... ( sniff ) ... I ... never thought ... I'm really sorry Gaby ...( sniff ) ... if it's not too late...”

Casey's voice failed her. Ashamed of herself, Casey's gaze shifted to the floor as the first tears rolled down her cheek, dropping onto her top. She was about to sit down when she heard shuffling in front of her. As she looked up she saw Gaby standing in front of her, offering her hand.

“No kiss?” Casey cautiously joked in an emotional voice as Gaby gently brushed a tear from Casey's cheek.

“Only if you want one,” Gaby softly countered.

“That's ok…” Casey tearfully whispered as she slowly shook her head while she opened her arms to accept the hug Gaby was offering. “I'm so sorry ... Gaby … forgive me for being so stupid … please.” Gaby closed her eyes to hide her own tears as she hugged Casey that much harder.

When they broke, Gaby looked around the class and saw expressions of approval from the other girls. With a lump in her throat and in an emotional voice, she managed a quiet ‘thank you' against a background of applause from the rest of the girl's from Gaby's homeroom.

Once Gaby and Casey had both resumed their seats, Casey blurted out, “Sorry, Miss MacDonald ... but it had to be said.”

“It's ok, Casey ... now anyone care to tell me what that was all about?” Bunny asked the class.

“No,” chorused several of the girls.

“Fine! ... Be like that,” Bunny jokingly replied. In a more serious tone, she continued, “Now where were we? ... Oh, yes...”

Lunch time turned out to be a ‘farewell fest' for the other kids. Some of the other girls did go up to Gaby and offer personal apologies but for the majority of the lunch hour Aidan and Gaby were alone, sitting on the steps in one of the school's more unfrequented stairwells.

“I'm really gonna miss you Gabs ... an' not just as someone to ride with,” Aidan softly revealed.

“Even though you're a boy ... I'll really miss you too ... you've been such a good friend to me … despite everyone else,” Gaby confided as she took hold of his hand.

“Gaby? ... Wou ... would it be ok ... if ... I ... ummm … had ... a last kiss?” he timidly asked as he moved his free arm behind her waist, for balance.

( sniff ) “I think I could manage that,” Gaby whispered, as the tears slowly started sliding down her face.

Following their kiss, the two teenagers silently sat on the steps, hugging each other until the bell signifying the end of the lunch period sounded.

“Guess we better go Gabs,” Aidan reluctantly suggested.

“Yeah ... I ( sniff ) ... guess ... when we get to the girl's ... ( sniff ) wait for me while I fix my makeup?” Gaby asked while dabbing the tear tracks with a tissue that she took out of her purse.

“Just don't be too long ... ol' man Roberts wants us in the gym … remember?” Aidan replied as Gaby nodded.

T he announced ‘pep' rally in the gym turned out to be a sort of official school farewell thing. Principal Roberts made a speech as did Sandy's mom, Mrs. Jones.

All she talked about was how the exchange visit had changed not just her own but others views through the British students' attitudes and stuff. Gaby felt that Mary had it all wrong. Sure, the visit changed attitudes, but in Gaby's mind it was unfortunately not those of the American kids as was implied.

Looking around at the other kids, Gaby noticed knowing smiles being exchanged between Sandy and Em as Mary spoke. She also smiled to herself when she noticed the few glances of disapproval that Em was now getting from some of her American friends.

It then came time for the escorts to say a few words. First up were the American escorts, Miss Bell and Mr. Fredericks. Each said a few words and then it was up to Miss Cowlishaw and Mr. Pilling to reply on behalf of ‘the visitors'. After that Principal Roberts officially brought the ‘rally' to an end, proclaiming, to a chorus of loud groans, that everyone was to return to class except those involved with the exchange program.

The British kids were led through the process of emptying their lockers and returning their textbooks to the office and closing their AHS school records. Final ‘official' pictures were taken of the entire group, including all the American hosts, the escorts and the British exchange students, at the school's main entrance before they were all set free to get ready for night's final get-together.

As Gaby and her sister left the school property with Jocelyn and her girls, she looked back at the school with a strange combination of mixed feelings. At least she and Aidan exchanged email addresses.

“I think I know how you feel, Sis...” Jules whispered as she wiped away a stray tear running down Gaby's cheek.

Back at the Walters, things verged on chaos. Donald stood back and shook his head in amusement. You'd think with two-and-a-half bathrooms, five women would be able to co-exist without raising their voice in panic while preparing for the evening's festivities!

As Brit and Gaby stood in the living room, dressed and waiting for the others to appear, Brit turned to her and quietly remarked, “I seem to recall when you first arrived, you said no skirts ... now look at you ... I don't even see Drew!”

“Just trying to help you and Deb out ... I'm supposed to be a girl ...'member?” Gaby coyly answered. As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Gaby felt bad as she realised Brit's comment was made out of concern that she had changed Drew by her insistence he be a girl for six weeks.

“Come here!” Gaby ordered and she spread her arms. Britney melted in Gaby's arms, as the pair wrapped their arms around each other in a warm embrace. She was content to hold the hug longer, but abruptly released Gaby when she heard her mom coming down the stairs.

“Thank you ... ( sniff ),” Britney whispered into Gab's ear.

Minutes later, the four girls divided themselves among the Walters two cars for the ride to Prue's restaurant and the final official function of the exchange visit. When they arrived at their destination, the small parking lot was already starting to fill.

Once inside, they were each greeted by the four teachers that served as escorts for the exchange program. Once everybody was accounted for, Miss Bell walked to the centre of the room and began the evening with some casual remarks and fond recollections of the last six weeks.

After some additional comments by the other three, it was declared that the food was ready to be served. Gaby joined her sister and Deb at the buffet table that was set up. Once they loaded their plates, Jules and Debbie started to head off to join some of the older kids.

“Sit here Jules,” Debbie instructed as she watched Gaby pause to survey the room. Watching the unspoken interaction between Gabs and her peers, Deb finally went back to tell Gaby to sit with Jules and her at their table. She had also noticed that her sister wasted no time attaching herself to the other kids.

Gaby eventually resigned herself to being largely ignored by her former friends and somewhat reluctantly accepted Debbie's offer. The last thing she wanted to do was spoil the last evening for Jules and her new friends by hanging around with her sister.

“It doesn't seem to bother you that Brit walked off,” Debbie observed.

“It's been like this most of the visit ... so what else is new?” Gaby flatly replied. Jules nodded her head in agreement when a stunned Debbie looked at her young British friend.

After everyone finished eating they naturally split up into little groups. Gaby wandered around largely un-noticed until she eventually went over towards the main doors, grabbed her coat and then went outside onto the large veranda that made up the front of Prue's.

Despite the cool evening air, she took advantage of the lack of snow and smoothing her dress under her, she sat down on the wooden steps. Leaning against the stair's railing, Gaby stared up into the clear night sky.

“See anything exciting?” A voice softly inquired. Gaby quickly turned around to see Ally sitting down on the steps beside her.

“It's ok to sit here, innit? ... Or would you rather be alone?” Ally quietly continued.

“You're gonna get cold without your coat,” Gaby quietly replied.

“If I do … I got you to keep me warm...” Ally cooed as she snuggled against Gaby. “Whatcha doing out here? ... The party's inside.”

“I'm not missed,” Gaby whispered. Ally knew how her friend felt. She'd noticed how the others had changed towards Gaby over the visit and how she always seemed to be on the outside looking in when it came to mingling with the other kids.

“You don't see stars like this back ‘ome ... do ya?” Gaby thoughtfully asked while looking upwards. Ally nodded her agreement.

Shifting her own gaze to the night sky, Ally also took in the magnificent sight that Gaby had pointed out - the clear night sky was indeed something to look at. Her first thought was that under much different circumstances, it would've been very romantic.

“Gaby? ... Why now?” Ally wondered in a subdued voice after a lengthy period of silence.

“Why what now?” Gaby replied.

“This...” Ally made a sweeping motion with her hand over Gaby. “The hair ... the nails ... everything! ... Gaby … I can't see Drew anymore … just a pretty girl,” Ally quietly pointed out. Following a short silence, she softly asked, “Is there … still a Drew?” Gaby looked at her only to be met with a pair of pleading eyes.

“Drew will always be here,” Gaby whispered as she gently took Ally's hand to comfort her. “It's just that I'm tired of looking like Maddy … seeing her whenever I see my reflection … an' as long as I do … she … ( sigh ) I'm not her toy any more ... to do with as she pleases ... I have feelings, Ally … I'm me ... am I making any sense?”

“Is Drew coming back?” Ally softly asked.

Gaby shrugged her shoulders. “Depends...” She moved closer to Ally as she spoke her cryptic reply in hushed tones.

“Gaby … I know real hair doesn't grow that much in a weekend an' I've been around Sylv enough to know extensions aren't meant to come on-an'-off like a wig, “ Ally observed in a quiet voice and then added, “... and your eyebrows!”

“What ‘bout my eyebrows?” asked a modest Gaby.

“C'mon Gabs ... they're way too feminine for a boy … you could be a fashion model … an' they're not gonna grow back over night!” Ally firmly stated. Even in the soft backlight of Prue's, Ally could see that Gaby was blushing.

In a much softer voice, she added, “Gaby was pretty before ... we all knew that ... but now she's ... beautiful ... I feel so plain just sitting beside you.” Gaby put her arm around Ally's shoulders and pulled her even closer.

“Don't ever say that about yourself, Ally ... you're very pretty ... an' best of all … it's all you…” Gaby's soft spoken reassurance trailed off as Ally rested her head on Gaby's shoulder.

“So ... is Drew coming back after we leave here?” Ally timidly repeated her question in a soft whisper.

“Me and Jules have thought about it,” Gaby replied after a brief pause. Ally's intuition told her a much different answer as she continued to cuddle with Gaby.

Neither teenager was ready for another relationship so soon, but both were enjoying each other's company as the end to the Virginia trip was in sight. After some more star gazing, Ally broke the silence.

“I wish we never came,” she softly offered.

“Why?” Gaby whispered.

“Because if we didn't ... you'd still be on the cheer team ... ( sniff ) the gang would still be friends ... an' you and Maddy would still be together,” Ally replied in an unsteady voice. Gaby gently wiped a couple of tears off Ally's cheeks, with her hand.

“What's done ... is done. We just have to live with what we have left ... somehow,” Gaby quietly replied. Ally looked into Gaby's eyes and squeezed her hand.

( sniff ) “I know,” Ally whispered as she put her head down on Gaby's shoulder.

From the warmth of the restaurant, Em and Maddy were watching Gaby and Ally cuddling on the front steps.

“It's our own fault Mad ... we pushed ‘em! We didn't know when to stop … we just kept pushing … we forgot who they are ... and that they both meant something special to us! Now … they're gone,” a remorseful Em whispered. All the time she stood beside Maddy, Em heard her quietly crying.

“If you still like Gaby … why don't you just ... like ... tell her an' apologize?”

“I can't, Em ... I can't ... it's not that simple,“ a saddened Maddy confided as she turned away from the window. “How do I tell Drew that I've fallen in love with Gaby and not him?”

“Gabs ... let's go in?” Ally asked after a silent pause.

“Getting a little cold?” Gaby quietly asked.

“Uh huh … do you mind?” Ally questioned.

As Gaby stood and helped Ally to her feet, she noticed the two figures looking through the large windows of the main door's and concluded they'd been there for awhile. She motioned Ally to quickly take a look, then turning back to face her, mischievously asked, “Want to have a bit of fun with those two?”

Ally nodded her agreement. “I think they more than deserve it!”

“Follow my lead,” Gaby implored. She gave Ally a light kiss on the lips then took her by the hand and walked towards the restaurant. After she opened the front door, Gaby allowed Ally to enter first.

“Ugh! ... Gross! ... We saw you two! ... Get a room!” Maddy exclaimed with feigned disgust as Gaby walked past her.

Without missing a beat, Gaby turned and replied in a calm voice, “Funny ... that's just what Ally suggested ... innit?”

“I'm sure we can find some place to be alone ... when we're in Washington!” Ally cooed with her most seductive voice. As they walked hand-in-hand out of earshot, Ally couldn't contain herself any longer and finally broke out in a contagious fit of giggles that quickly spread to Gaby.

“Did you see their faces?” Gaby managed to get out.

Their merriment was subsiding when Darla approached Ally. “Where've you been, Ally? ... C'mon!” Ally went silent and for a brief moment turned and looked solemnly at Gaby.

“G'wan Ally ... I'll be ok,” Gaby whispered.

“You sure?” Ally softly asked.

“Yeah ... I'm sure ... we'll catch up later,” Gabs solemnly replied as Darla dragged Ally away. After watching them re-join the others, Gaby found a quiet table in a corner of the dining area and plopped down onto one of the lavishly cushioned seats.

PB 09.07.08 © 2008
Want to Comment? click here to Email me