I know, long wait AGAIN...No excuses as to why it took so long other then I had no idea how I wanted this chapter to play out...Personally I think it came out pretty good but, I'm biased so that doesn't count...

Awesome banner on the side made by AsRandomAsTheyGet...

Vote

Comment

Fan

************************

“I am done!” Jay huffed sprawling himself on the floor of Celeste's home dance studio. “Pretty sure my legs have fallen off, can you check?” He asked lifting his head just enough so he could see Celeste.

Rolling her eye’s Celeste looked at him from over her shoulder. Could he be any more dramatic? The answer to that was yes, he most definitely could be. Some time’s Celeste was certain that he was more dramatic then the twins and Hunter combined. Now that’s saying something.

“Don’t worry you’re pretty little head,” Celeste cooed “You’re legs are still there.”

“Are you sure?” Jay asked with a pout.

Rolling her eyes - again - at his theatrics she nodded. “Yes Jay, I am sure. Now if you ask me that question one more time, I will remove them from your body myself.” 

“How in the hell are you standing there all fine and dandy?” Jay questioned still unmoving from his spot. “We’ve been working our asses off all week and even harder today doing two out of five routines.”

“Unlike you Jay, I happen to keep up with my dancing.” Celeste replied pulling out two bottles of water from the tiny fridge in the corner of the room and tossing one to Jay. “It’s not my fault you let yourself go soft.”

Jay narrowed his eyes “I am not going soft.” he grumbled 

“Of course not, because your impeccable recovery skills are in top shape.” Celeste said sarcastically.

“It seem’s that your sarcasticness is in the best shape yet.” Jay shot back “I swear it gets worse every time I see you.” he said finally gaining back enough feeling in his legs to stand.

“Ugh, I know,” Celeste groaned she still wasn’t used to using so many sarcastic remarks. 

But, lately she just couldn’t help it. It was getting worse by the day, ever since Monday. Ever since Samantha decided to drop back into Hilton Valley. The only good thing to happen all week was Valentine’s Day. Since then everything seemed to just...she didn’t even know how to explain it. There was just so much going on. Between school, practicing with Jay everyday after school and helping Aaron out, Celeste barely had time to breathe. Then add Samantha into the mix and that just threw Celeste for a loop. 

It was already Friday and the only time that Celeste had been able to see Nate was in school and that was only for a few moments at a time. Something always came around to shorten their time together. They may be a couple now and have a senior project to work on but, they might as well be doing it alone since that’s what’s been happening. Celeste would be lying if she said that she didn’t miss Nate. Even if she got to see him everyday it just wasn’t the same. 

At least tonight would be different. Since they both hadn’t been able to spend a lot of time together with Nate working and Celeste practicing they had made plans for dinner and a movie tonight. Hunter and the twins were also coming along, as well as Jessica. Celeste couldn’t wait to be surrounded by the people she cared about most. It was too bad that Jay had to work tonight, if not she would have offered him to come along. 

“I hate that I have to work tonight,” Jay whined “You guys always do stuff when I have to work.”

“I’m sorry Jay.” Celeste said “But, the girls are planning a trip during spring break so you should totally request off so you can join us then.”

“What’s the destination?” Jay asked already plotting on places they could venture off too.

“For that answer you will have to consult with the twins. I’m just going with the flow, whatever they decided is solely up to them.” Celeste said.

In all honesty, Celeste didn’t really care all that much where they went. She just wanted to get the heck out of town for as long as she could before being stuck till graduation. Celeste didn’t even care if they spent the whole spring break in the town over as long as it wasn’t Hilton Valley.

“Okay then, I’ll give them call on the way to work.” Jay said grabbing his bag from the floor. “See you later,” he said kissing Celeste cheek and heading back upstairs to let himself out. 

Celeste watched from the front door as Jay got into his car and drove off. God, she felt so bad that he couldn’t hang out with them. Jay was right, every time they did something he had to work. Hopefully he would be able to join them for their spring break vacay. It wouldn’t be the same without him if he couldn’t make it. 

Going back to her room Celeste took a nice long shower. She had an hour to meet up with everyone at the theater for a movie. They would all probably head over to Danny’s after the movie for a bite to eat. Celeste really hoped they did because she was starving and eating at the movies was definitely not going to sate the hunger she was feeling at the moment. 

Dressed in a pair of faded skinny jeans, a blue singlet and a black cardigan. Slipping on a pair of black ballet flats Celeste grabbed her purse, scribbled down a quick not for Aaron and bounded out of the house. After locking Celeste turned around and saw Nate leaning against the side of his truck at the end of her drive way. With a smile Celeste closed the distance between them, leaning up to give him a quick kiss.

“What are you doing here?” Celeste asked “I thought we were meeting up at the theater.”

“That was the plan but, lover boy here didn’t want to wait that long.” Jess said sticking her head out of the back seat window. 

“Shut up Jess,” Nate grumbled opening up the passenger side door.

“I just saw you a couple hours ago, you couldn’t have missed me that much.” Celeste teased climbing into the truck.

“Yes, I can.” Nate said closing the door and running around to the drivers side. 

Nate held on to Celeste’s hand as they drove over to the theater. Jess sat in the back chatting up a storm about anything and everything that happened this week. Celeste stifled her laugh behind her hand at the look that Nate had on his face. She didn’t know what it was like have a younger sibling since it was just her and Aaron. Nate did not look like he was enjoying the constant blabbering going on in the back seat compliments of his little sister. Celeste briefly wondered if Aaron ever felt annoyed with Celeste constant talking when she was younger. 

Pulling in the first stall Nate found he jumped of his truck and took a deep breath. There was only so much of his sisters talking he could take and being stuck in the same car as she went on and on was working his last nerve. He wondered how Hunter dealt with three girls all the time. Even though they weren’t related Hunter had to go through the same thing Nate did, right? A hand on his fore arm broke Nate out of his thoughts. Looking down he saw Celeste smiling face. His eyes narrowed at the laughter in her eyes.

“Don’t you laugh at me.” he grumbled 

“I’m not,” Celeste said covering her mouth with her hand again. 

Oh how she wanted to laugh. The way Nate rushed out of the truck made one think that the hounds of hell were after him. Celeste have never seen Nate move so fast since they met. It was pretty funny. Try as she may Celeste couldn’t stop the silent laughter that was wracking through her body. 

“You’re laughing.” Nate stated with narrowed eyes.

“N-no, I’m n-not.” Celeste stammered.

Without being able to hold it any longer Celeste let the laughter spill through her lips. 

“I-I’m s-s-sorry,” Celeste said attempting to calm herself.

Nate crossed his arms over his chest with a huff. He stood by silently, waiting for Celeste’s laughter to die down. Nate didn’t know why she found his situation so humorous. He knew damn well that she would be irritated if she had someone constantly talking her ear off. When Celeste’s laughter died down Nate titled his head to the side and raised and eyebrow.

“You done?” he asked 

“Yes,” Celeste nodded with a smile.

With a roll of his eye Nate wrapped an arm around Celeste shoulders and pulled her over to where their group of friends were waiting for them. As Celeste’s body snuggled into Nate’s embrace her body still shook softly with laughter. Nate’s arm tightened around Celeste’s shoulders as he shook his head. This girl was just too much. 

“Well if it isn’t the happy little couple,” someone sneered.

Both Celeste and Nate knew that it hadn’t been any of their friends since they were standing directly in front of them. By the shocked and confused looks on their friends faces Nate and Celeste’s knew that if they turned around they would not like what they would find, or rather WHO they would find. Nate felt Celeste’s body tense even more under his arm. He felt his temper rise as he already knew who was standing directly behind him.

“What? Nothing to say?” Sam hissed 

“Who the hell is that?” Nina asked raising an eyebrow and cocking her hip the side as her arms crossed under her breast.

“No one!” Nate spat, not making any move to turn around.

“Is that any way to talk about the mother of your child?” Sam questioned 

“THIS is Sam?” Maddie asked with a disgusted look on her face.

“Like I said, she’s no one.” Nate hissed “Let’s go.”

With a dirty look sent towards Sam, the twin, Hunter and Jessica turned to talk into the theater lobby. Celeste and Nate went to follow but, Samantha was obviously not having it. 

“I don’t think so, we aren’t done here.” Samantha said stepping around the couple. 

Stopping in front of them Sam crossed her arms over he chest. 

“Excuse us,” Celeste said calling on all the patients she could muster up. 

“I don’t think I will.” Sam declared 

Celeste closed her eyes and took a deep calming breath. She really did not a scene to be caused right here in the middle of the sideway. It was already getting crowded with people and she they didn’t need any attention being drawn to them. Celeste knew that, that was probably what Sam wanted - a scene. 

“This is not the time nor place for this conversation.” Celeste stated calmly.

“This is none of your business bitch,” Sam hissed “So stay the hell out of it.”

“Watch your tone,” Nate warned narrowing his eyes.

Nate did not like the way that Sam was speaking to Celeste. No one had the right to talk to her like that, especially in front of him. He was losing his cool and losing it fast. If Nate didn’t reel in his temper swiftly he would seriously reconsider his rule on not hitting girls. Sam was testing his restraint and Nate wasn’t sure if he could hold on much longer. Just standing here in her presence was hard enough.

“You know Nate, I liked you much better in the bedroom.” Sam said 

“Samantha, you need to leave.” Celeste said

Her patients was wearing thin. There was only so much a girl could take and Samantha was more than Celeste could take. In the few run-in’s that Celeste hand with Sam, it was more than she could take in a life time. But, the girl just wasn’t letting up. Why couldn’t she just leave them alone?

“I don’t believe I was talking to you,” Sam hissed 

“Well, I was talking to you.” Celeste said “Now, before you make yourself look even more pathetic than you already have, leave.”

“Who the fuck do you think you are to talk to me like that?!” Sam shouted “You think you’re all high and mighty since you’re dating Nate! Let me tell you something, as soon as you put out he’ll toss you out like yesterdays trash.”

“Seeing as how I am nothing like you and I don’t spread my legs to every thing that walks. I wont be having that particular problem.” Celeste said.

Sam was walking on a fine line when it came to Celeste. Growing up Celeste had always had a bit of a temper and it didn’t take much to set her off. In the seven years since her parents passing Celeste had managed to control it. It wasn’t all that hard since she kept to herself and no one bothered her. Right in that moment though Sam was going to see just how bad Celeste’s temper could be if she didn’t shut the hell up.

“Oh, I know you did not just say that to me.” Sam growled 

The look Sam’s face had taken on, had Celeste cringing with how mess up it made her look. Her expression changed into something smug when she saw how Celeste reacted. If only she knew it wasn’t because Celeste was scared. Celeste stomped down the urge to roll her eyes.

“I’m pretty sure I just did.” Celeste nodded 

“Sam, leave now!” Nate snapped 

His hands were itching to whack her one but, he knew his mother would have a fit if she found out he raised his hand to a girl. Nate would get a sound whooping if he slapped her. But, he didn’t really care because it would be worth it. 

Celeste could see from the corner of her eye Nate’s hands clenching and unclenching. She knew what he was thinking because she was thinking the same thing. Celeste wanted to just slap the girl and be done with it. But, she had never been a violent person no matter how bad her temper was. She didn’t want to turn into the person now all because of Samantha. Celeste was better then that and she knew it. She also knew that Nate was better then that as well and didn’t want him doing something that he would regret later. 

“Come on, let’s go.” Celeste said placing her hand on Nate’s forearm. “It isn’t worth it.”

Nate’s breathing was harsh. His blood had reached it’s boiling point. When Celeste placed her hand on him Nate almost instantly felt calmer. He knew though, that if he didn’t get away from Sam it would matter because he would lose it any way. Taking Celeste’s hand in his and interlocking their fingers he turned pushed pass Sam. 

“This is far from over you stupid bitch!” Sam shouted “If I ever see you around my daughter again you will fucking regret it!”

That right there had Celeste’s control snapping. How dare she bring Brooklyn into this! She didn’t want anything to do with that beautiful girl for over two years and now she wants to come back and play mommy. Maybe if she wasn’t such a cold hearted bitch she would have got the chance. But, no, she wanted to waltz in and demand everything. And now she had the nerve to threaten Celeste on top of that. 

Dropping Nate’s hand Celeste swung around and laid on open hand right across Samantha’s face. 

“Do not ever threaten me.” Celeste whispered harshly. “You may be Brooklyn’s biological mother but, you will never and I mean NEVER have anything to do with her. I may have no say in the matter but, I can guarantee you that neither Nate nor his parents will allow it. You gave her up over two years ago and have absolutely no right whatsoever when it comes to that little girl. So why don’t you go back to wherever the hell you came from and let her live her life in peace and away from the likes of you.”

“I hope you know that you have just started something that you will not be able to win.” Sam hissed cupping her stinging cheek. “You better watch your back.”

“Bring it on.” Celeste said 

Celeste stood there and watched as Sam turned around and walked away. The shock of what she had just done finally sunk in and she gasped. She - Celeste Taylor - just hit someone. Yes, she may have deserved it but, she never raised her hand to anyone. Her friends didn’t could because it wasn’t in anger, they were all messing around when something like that happened. Celeste’s hand flew up to cover her mouth, she just couldn’t believe that she had just done something like that. 

Turning around she came face to face with Nate and her friends. They all had their mouths dropped open and eyes wide. Sure Hunter and the twin knew that Celeste had a temper before but, never have they ever seen her raise her hand to someone, let alone actually hit them. 

Nina got over her shock first and blinked a couple of time. 

“Holy shit...that...that was freaking awesome!” she exclaimed 

“Oh...em...gee...wow.” Maddie said 

“You really showed her.” Jess giggled 

Hunter and Nate just stood there not uttering a single word. They both shared a looked and burst out laughing. Innocent little Cece had just bitched slapped the crap out of Sam. No longer wanting to watch a movie Celeste just wanted to go and get something to eat. She knew there was no way she would be able to sit through two hours of a movie that she wouldn’t pay any attention to. 

“Can we just go and eat?” Celeste asked softly.

She was trying to come to terms with what she had done and it wasn’t easy. Celeste could still feel the sting of the slap on her palm. For it to still be hurting it must have been one hell of a slap. Flexing her fingers and shaking out her hand Celeste tried to rid herself of the feeling.

“Girl, that was one major ass bitch slap.” Maddie chuckled 

“Even I flinched when it happened, I swear I could feel it.” Nina said shaking her head. 

“Remind me to NEVER get on your bad side.” Jess muttered 

“Let’s go eat.” Nate chuckled wrapping Celeste up in his arms. 

The group walked the short distance from the theater to Danny’s. The girls were recapping step by step everything that had happened. If Celeste wasn’t still in shock she would probably be laughing right along with the girls. But, that would have to wait. When she sorted everything out then maybe she could laugh about it later. Then came the problem of Aaron finding out and she was certain that he would. If one of her friends didn’t spill to him, Celeste was positive that anyone that had witnessed the encounter no doubt would tell him. Aaron was going to chew her ass out when he found out. That was something that Celeste was not looking forward to at all. 

Reaching Danny’s Nate pulled Celeste to a stop, nodding for the rest of the group to go on ahead. He knew that Celeste was freaking out about her behavior and he just wanted to make sure that she was okay. 

“Hey, you okay?” Nate asked cupping Celeste chin in his hands.

“Yeah,” Celeste replied with a sigh. “I’ve just never hit someone before. Not out of anger anyway and it kind of caught me off guard.”

“No one can blame you though, she did say some pretty nasty stuff to you.” he said caressing her cheek with his free hand. 

“I know but, it still doesn’t make it right now matter how much she deserved it.” Celeste sighed 

“You’re right but, what’s done is done. How about we get in there, have dinner with our friends and make sure the rest of the night goes better then it started.” Nate suggested

“That sound like a damn good idea.” Celeste smiled 

“Good, cause I am starving.” Nate said.

Nate swooped in and placed a swift kiss on Celeste’s lips. Celeste cleared her mind of everything that had happened not to long ago. She was determined to enjoy the rest of her night out with her friends. She would not let Sam ruin it anymore then she already had. Rolling her shoulders Celeste let Nate lead her into the diner. It was time to have some fun.