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Chapter 17 – High School, Never Ends

At the time, I was told high school would be the best years of my life. At the time, I didn't believe a word of it. Now, at this time, I know that I was completely correct. Yes I met my two best friends there but beyond that there really wasn't much. There was those bitchy girls and Marty Griffon. I am glad to say that I am all past that, all the drama, all the relationship issues, and all the hard work. Okay, well maybe not really.

***

Ben entered his apartment. He filmed his first appearance on Hillside today. The day elongated due to the fact he needed to hit his marks with precision and perfection. The scenes weren't difficult. They were film noir-esque and he stood behind his co-star talking to her. It didn't matter though, Ben was off, and he had the next few weeks free. Ben wasn't sure why, but he didn't mind it.

"How the hell could we have almost missed it," Colby came out of her bedroom with a suitcase. "Christmas is in three days, three…we don't have time."

"If only it just rushed us by, I could have been happy. I could have avoided all the drama and honestly said I forgot." Gwen lugged out a suitcase of her own. "Now I can't say I forgot, because it would be a lie…and I can't lie on Christmas, even though it doesn't really matter."

"You are only half-Jewish Gwen, you know you need to celebrate it, come on let's buy the tickets. Ben?" Colby looked up.

"Christmas? What? When was thanksgiving?" Ben gulped.

"They don't celebrate it here," Gwen shot back rushing to the laptop and looking up flights.

"That's the thing; my mom said she would send me one of her homemade pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving. It's not like her to forget." Colby tapped her chin.

Ben's mouth watered thinking of the pumpkin pie. He tasted Colby's mom's pumpkin pie before. She gave it to his family as a gift around Thanksgiving.

"Oh," Gwen stopped her frantic typing and looked up. "I ate it,"

"All…of…it?" Colby's eyes widened.

"It was after the wedding. I was in mourning…" Gwen retorted. "How was I supposed to know pie would fit the hole Howard left so marvelously?"

"Never mind that, find tickets now," Colby instructed. "Ben, go pack for the airport,"

"We don't even have a flight yet, and in case you forgot I don't have a home to go back to." Ben shrugged. "Remember, my mom and I…we kind of had a falling out."

"You can stay with me for Christmas, okay? I mean we all live in the same little town. Gwen and I both want you to come. I won't have you staying here alone." Colby put a hand on Ben's shoulder. She kept it there comforting him for a moment. Then with a swift push she put him on his way to his room.

"I found the tickets," Gwen confirmed. "Ordering them now,"

"Good, Ben are you done packing?" Colby shouted.

"Printing them now," Gwen clicked the print button. The wireless printer responded and beeped accordingly.

"Almost, let me grab my toiletries," Ben ran into the bathroom.

"Toiletries…how gay are you. Hurry, let me help." Colby ran into his room to help finish his packing.

Gwen stood up and grabbed the tickets from the printer. "Everyone ready?"

"Yes," Colby came out of Ben's room with a packed suitcase. "I have the passports let's go."

Gwen, Colby, and Ben filtered out into the hallway. Ben turned around and shut the door locking it. He felt the cold from the knob seep into his skin. Ben hoped he wouldn't miss anything by going away for Christmas.

***

The plane ride was long, flight attendants kind, and passengers grumpy. Flying over Canada, the snowy tundra of winter made the plane feel warmer. Night had long since fallen when the plane landed at San Francisco International Airport. They took a cab to their hometown of Cobalt. It was a peaceful community, low crime rate, upper middle class. The basic suburbia: a paradise for the old and prison for the young.

Colby stepped out of the cab and paid the driver. Gwen and Ben followed unloading their suitcases. Colby looked at her house and noticed smoke drifting out of the chimney.

"I will walk from here," Gwen pointed up the street. "I can hear my parent's shouting from here." She joked. "See you tomorrow, Christmas shopping."

"I forgot, I haven't gotten anyone gifts. Night Gwen," Colby waved and walked up the pathway to her house.

Ben followed Colby; it looked the same, the pale blue paint, the overgrown rose bush the bench on the porch. He wondered if his home looked the same. It probably did, except more Christmas lights. Colby's family hung icicles but his went all out with plastic snowmen and colorful lights wrapped around their bushes.

Colby's mother, Hilary, greeted them at the door. She had an apron on and a glass of white wine in one hand.

"How was your flight? Oh welcome, welcome," Hilary's plump face reminded Ben of Mrs. Claus.

After settling in and enjoying a generous amount of roast and potatoes Ben retired to Colby's room. Hilary took herself to the family room with her glass of wine and husband. They chatted by the fireplace and watched their favorite Christmas specials. Pink painted walls and glow-in-the-dark stars pasted on the ceiling indicated Colby's room.

Colby collapsed on her bed, full and content. She took a stuffed dolphin and held it close as she looked up at the pale stars.

"It hasn't changed," Ben passed his finger along a row of books. "Heh, look your diary."

"Ben, come lie next to me, let's look at the stars." Colby said from her bed.

***

The best place to shop in town was Star Street Shopping Plaza. The seven story outdoor mall held all the clothes stores, book stores, and coffee shops a shopper would need. Even the neighboring towns did their shopping there. This was not to say, that it was not expensive. Colby and Gwen sat on a bench with their bags. The three friends had an early start to get all their shopping done before tomorrow, before Christmas

"I forgot about this place, how much I loved it." Colby reminisced. "That's where I bought my prom dress…and over there, that's where I spilled my smoothie. So many good memories," She leaned over the banister to look at the first level. Children were taking pictures with Santa.

"Yeah, there was where I ran into Kelly Cummings when I was shopping with my mom," Gwen closed her eyes. It was an embarrassing time for her. She blinked them open and spotted Ben. "There he is,"

"Hey, I got my gift." Ben held up a shopping bag.

"What took you so long?" Colby inquired leaning forward. "I mean, we were waiting here for half-an-hour, not that I am complaining. You don't even shop that much."

"I ran into Natalie," Ben frowned.

"Your mom?" Gwen's eyebrows rose. "I suppose everyone has to shop, did she say anything?"

"Yeah, she came up to me and invited me to dinner. She gave me this big speech about how she has missed me and everything." Ben didn't sound enthusiastic about the invitation.

"Well, it is Christmas. This time of year does melt people's cold-cold hearts." Colby nodded. "Okay secret Santa time," Colby jumped off the bench and held up her bag.

"I can't believe we did this, I mean there are only three of us. If I have you then you have Gwen and Gwen has me." Ben explained and looked into Colby's eyes. "Okay, well, I had Colby," He lifted out a glimmering stuffed dolphin. "I thought yours needed a friend."

"Oh Ben, thank you," Colby ran forward and hugged her friend taking the gift. "Except, I had you Ben…" She pulled out a journal from her bag. "Here,"

"Thanks," Ben took it. Both Colby and he turned to Gwen.

"I had myself, so I treated myself to new pencils and a sketch pad." Gwen laughed. "Don't feel bad, I am such a picky shopper it was nice to get myself something."

"Good, let's all go get some coffee, it's cold out here." Colby instructed. The three walked towards the escalator to go to the lower level when they spotted familiar faces.

"Oh god," Colby ducked behind Ben as a reflex.

Ben turned and recognized the face, the boy his mom adored, Marty Griffon. The other face looked familiar. They both went to his high school along with Colby and Gwen. None of them were friends so Ben wouldn't be surprised if they passed each other with nothing more than a double take.

"Kelly Cummings," Gwen muttered with squinted eyes. "It looks like she hasn't changed much." Gwen gestured towards the sidekick Kelly held in her hands.

"Don't remind me Delmar High School, Kelly with her hoop earrings, frosted hair, and UGG boots, disgusting. Remember when she called Gwen a fat-tard after I shouted at her to stop making out with Marty in public." Colby realized how childish she was acting stopped using Ben as a hiding place.

"Fat-tard, thanks for brining up those traumatic high school memories. Yeah why did you care they were making out anyway." Gwen questioned. Colby nudged Gwen in the side shutting her friend up.

"Colby," Marty said, surprised. He trotted over to the three. "Long time no see,"

"Yeah, it has been." Colby replied, her voice shook and cheeks turned red.

Gwen and Ben exchanged glances. They had no idea Colby had a prior relationship with Marty in high school. They were surprised that she kept something like this from them.

Kelly glanced up at Colby then returned to her sidekick occupying herself. She wore a designer jacket and her long dyed brown hair fell around her shoulders. Kelly gave off an air of a French supermodel.

"It's nice seeing you," Marty's eyes sparkled with childhood memories. "Kelly, do you remember Colby?"

Kelly looked up and gave her signature full tooth grin. Gwen remembered it from high school. She used to be scared that Kelly would eat her.

"Actually, this is so embarrassing, I don't." Kelly put a limp hand to her chest appearing helpless. "I am so, so sorry," Kelly bit her lip for a moment then returned to her text messages.

"It's alright," Colby straightened her posture and returned her gaze to Marty.

"I need to get back shopping but we are throwing a little Christmas party tonight, if you want to come." Marty announced. "It's alright if they come, right?"

Kelly looked at the three. "If they want," She said, unimpressed by the group. "Marty, can we get back shopping."

"Yeah, sure Kelly, it's at 300 Rosebud Court," Marty linked arm with Kelly and started to head off. "Hope I see you there."

***

300 Rosebud Court was one of the rich houses up on 'the hill' as Ben remembered. An ornate fountain was turned off in the front and rosebushes bloomed velvet red in the dark. Colby parked the car and eased out.

"Why are we here?" Gwen complained stepping out in one of her nicer white coats.

"I think it could be fun to see how everyone has changed." Colby stepped onto the cobblestone path which led to the front door. Her heart skipped beats with every step in anticipation.

"Personally, I have never been inside a mansion, I kind of want to explore." Ben chuckled and hurried to Colby's side.

"Great, into the den of the lion," Gwen shrugged. She sighed and could see her breath slip out in a mist. Gwen followed the mist with her eyes and noticed a cloudy night sky. "Colby, are you sure you don't have an ulterior motive to this?"

"Not at all, I just want to catch up. See how all our old friends are doing." Colby rang the doorbell.

"These people aren't our friends." Gwen rolled her eyes.

The door swung open and there stood Kelly, already a little buzzed, "Come on in," She held the door wider open. "Everyone is in the room over there." Kelly waited for the three to enter then shut the door.

"May I use your bathroom?" Ben inquired.

"Down the hall on the right, now you two girls follow me." Kelly led the way deeper into the house.

Colby and Gwen entered a large room. About twenty people stood around holding wine glasses or beer cans. Some small trays of store bought Christmas cookies were placed on the table. Colby instantly spotted Marty and bee lined for him.

Gwen was abandoned and Kelly insisted she sit down on the couch. A swarm of women Gwen recognized from Kelly's high school clique gathered around her, entrapping the poor woman.

"Hey Marty," Colby interrupted Marty and some other guy speaking.

"Hey Colby, excuse me," Marty stood up and leaned forward giving Colby a small peck on the cheek. "I'm glad you came."

"Me too," Colby said.

"How about we go somewhere private," Marty suggested.

"I would like that," Colby followed Marty out of the room and up the staircase.

She held the polished wooden banister and followed the broad shouldered man down a beige hallway. He led her to a medium sized room which, through glass doors, connected to a bedroom. A roaring fire burned in a fireplace.

"Wow, this is such a big place," Colby sat down on the couch.

"I know, it has always been," Marty stated collapsing in the seat next to her. "You know, I never got to thank you for all that tutoring in high school."

"It was really no problem," Colby blushed looking away.

"No, it was nice of you. I wouldn't have graduated if it wasn't for you." Marty stated. "And I never thanked you," Marty, if anything, represented the true tall, dark, and handsome American man. A tan was something lacking in England.

Colby chuckled nervously. "You know, I am surprised that you even noticed me today." Colby twiddled her thumbs. She felt stupid acting like a high school girl. The grown woman couldn't believe how Marty was stirring up all these feelings she thought she buried long ago.

"Awe, I would recognize that face anywhere. I think you look better with the natural look anyway."

Colby nodded and laughed again. "What really surprised me was that you were so quick to invite me to this thing. In high school you never invited me to any of these parties. Plus, I had this major crush on you. I felt I had to be your tutor just for you to notice me…" Colby went on in quick secession with her words.

Marty grabbed her chin and pulled forward planting a soft kiss on her lips to quiet his old tutor.

"Marty," Colby began. So many old memories rushed through her head and swirled mixing with new. He was a high school jock and she the nerd, all of her romantic fantasies swelled up.

Marty kissed her again even softer and sweeter. "Like I said, I wanted to thank you…for everything."

"But you have a girlfriend," Colby moved some hair out of her eyes. She was flustered by this whole occurrence.

"And I love her, just not exclusively." Marty revealed. That was all the two needed. Colby slid her hands around Marty's waist lifting up his shirt exposing a well toned body. He took control now pulling his shirt off and unbuttoning Colby's exposing her bra. They collapsed on the couch in kisses.

***

Gwen found it harder to breath, due to the fact a throng of girls clustered around her in the living room. Some even sat directly in front of her on the coffee table. Kelly found herself a nice large arm chair and leaned forward her signature smile large. They were all knee-deep in conversation of how they all changed so drastically since high school.

"I mean, I am practically a supermodel." Kelly joked, "No, seriously, I have only been on the runway twice,"

"Okay, so you have this amazing career, but what about you and Marty?" A bespectacled girl asked.

"Marty and I are amazing. Living in New York is just the best experience, especially when you have a friend." Kelly beamed.

"So you two are good? Oh my god, do you two live together?" She fixed her glasses and straightened her posture.

"Girl, I need my space," Kelly put on a faux ghetto accent.

Gwen couldn't help but laugh at the white…white Anglo-Saxon protestant suburban girl who spoke. Needless to say, this directed the gaggle's attention to Gwen.

"Basically after Marty and I left high school we became these completely different people, but how about you Gwen? Tell us all about your life?" Kelly inquired her grin at full glow.

"I live in England now," Gwen tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.

"Oh, in some small little backwater town? Oi lads," Kelly joked. She was full of faux accents tonight.

"Actually, in London, in an apartment," Gwen corrected lifting her head and looking Kelly in the eye.

"That must be expensive," Kelly stated. "I know New York is ridiculous. I can afford it though; I just make so much money I can throw it around."

"I have two roommates and I am the head manager at a four star hotel." Gwen explained, she felt more confident and put on a smile of her own on.

"Oh, what's the name?" Kelly questioned.

Gwen felt more like she was on trail and being interrogated. "It's The Garden Court Hotel."

"I have never heard of it. So, we have heard about your professional life; let's hear about your love life, any interesting boys?" Kelly adjusted her position in the chair but kept eye contact on Gwen the entire time.

"The guy I was dating, he cheated on…well he cheated on his fiancé with me and when I found out I told her. It was really sad, for both of us…the fiancé and I." Gwen said. She thought about Howard for a moment then shook the memories away.

Kelly burst out laughing, "If you don't want to tell us that's fine but don't make up such a pathetic lie about it."

"I'm not lying," Gwen bolted up, insulted. She felt it coming, the tempest. In high school this group of girls would pick on her mercilessly and she was always too scared to stand up to them.

"Honestly, oh and your going to tell me you lost the weight. Please, you got liposuction. Gwen, let's be honest here, you can take the girl away from the geek but you can't take the geek out of the girl."

Mortified, Gwen headed for the door grabbing her purse and pushing through the group of girls. She stopped at the doorway and turned around to face Kelly, who was already on her feet.

"You say you changed so much since high school. To me it looks like you're the same caddy bitch." Gwen blurted out fixing the purse on her shoulder. "And you know what, you're the fat-tard."

Kelly walked up to the woman and with an open palm slapped her across the face. "Get out of my house."

"I would be glad too," Gwen opened the front door and let herself out. Before the door closed she turned and looked Kelly in the eye one more time. "It's nice to see you so happy with Marty."

Kelly shut the door on Gwen and returned to her party. There was a bit more tension, until she pulled out another three bottles of wine. Kelly then took it upon herself to find her boyfriend Marty.

The long haired dyed brunette dashed up the staircase peaking into every room in search of Marty. She came to a nearly closed door and pushed it open. Her eyes discovered Colby and Marty lip locked in a passionate kiss.

Marty heard a creak in the door and looked up. He broke his hold on Colby and stood up. "Kelly, I…" Marty began but was cut off.

"You said it would never happen again," Kelly cried and ran from the doorway into the dark hallway.

"Marty…" Colby tried to speak to the man. Before she could get any words out he grabbed his shirt and jeans. "I'm…" as the second word left her mouth he was out the door and in the hallway.

Colby stared around the empty room and picked up her white button top. She let out a sigh; her high school fantasy had come true. Was it all worth it?

***

Marty burst through a set of glass doors out onto the cold balcony on the second floor. It looked off into a glowing pool with steam rising off its surface. He took a breath and noticed Ben leaning over the stone railing looking at the water lap against the side.

"Hey, aren't you Colby's friend," Marty questioned coming to Ben's side and leaned against the railing.

"Yes, you needed some air too?" Ben asked still looking at the pool.

"Yeah, thinking about relationships and messing them up," Marty laughed staring up at the sky.

"I know the feeling," Ben replied. His mind dwelled on the guy from the gym, the one who knew him and Ben and no-idea who he was. They were both quiet for a minute and then Ben broke the silence. "I'm sorry, but I just have to get this off my chest. Do you even know who I am?"

"Nope, sorry, should I? Don't tell me you went to Delmar High." Marty looked shocked.

"Yes, I did, and I know all about you through my mother. She always tells me how great your mother says you are. The amazing Marty Griffon, I have been living in your shadow all my life." Ben announced a smile of amusement danced on his lips.

"Really? My mom always talks about how her friend says her son Ben is just the best. My mom always says: why aren't you as great as Mrs. Howe's son."

"You mean, my mom really said that?" Ben thought for a moment looking back out at the pool. He never knew his mom spoke so dearly about him. In a way, it made him want to accept that invitation to Christmas dinner she offered him.

"You're Ben Howe," Marty let out a large laugh and shook his head. "I always pictured you taller, like this omnipotent force of greatness. I am so glad I got to finally see you. It must have been nice knowing what you were competing with."

Ben shook his head. "It wasn't, because every time you would do something bad…I would think…how much worse am I if he is like a god compared to me." Ben remembered those high school days. His eyes concentrated on the pool and the steam swirling into the cool night sky.

"Well, now we know, our mom's just like to brag about us." Marty laughed. "I need to go deal with something, talk to you later okay man."

"Okay," Ben replied staring at the water. He knew that he would never talk to Marty again.

***

Kelly lit her cigarette and walked out to the street. She was cold and tired. Kelly didn't want to be in that house, Marty made her sick now. The girl shivered as she came to the sidewalk and leaned against a car taking a long drag to calm her nerves.

"Don't you have a party to be at?" Gwen growled as she came from the other side of the car.

"Marty cheated on me with your friend okay. I think you owe it to me to lean against your car." Kelly shouted in spite.

"I don't owe you a damn thing," Gwen argued. She balled her fist and gritted her teeth.

"Yeah, you're right," Kelly said her persona flipping. "I deserved it." Kelly took another drag then threw her cigarette to the ground stomping it out with her high heel. "I deserved all of it," She said, remorseful.

"No one deserves to be cheated on," Gwen replied, noticing the change in attitude.

"I'm not like this you know. In New York I don't act like a caddy bitch. I am kind and sociable…and I don't model." Kelly cried. Tears streamed down her face. "The closest I have been to a runway was backstage fashion week…after the show. I didn't even get invited to the after party. I am a secretary." Kelly sobbed some more then took a big breath. "I am just sick of dealing with Marty, he has cheated on me before and I took him back."

"Then don't, stand up and be an adult. If something isn't right in your life make it right." Gwen advised putting a hand on Kelly's shoulder. She still hated Kelly, but they shared something in common now. They both knew what it was like to have their hearts ripped out.

Kelly looked at Gwen, her smile less menacing now. "I'm sorry I was so mean to you in high school. You know I kind of envied you."

"…okay, let's not lie here, not after we just went through this epiphany." Gwen turned and noticed the front doors open.

Marty ran out first, stopping halfway between the door and the car. Ben and Colby stepped outside next, staying at the porch. The lights from the house glimmered in the cold silhouetting them.

"Now's your chance," Gwen gave Kelly a slight push forward.

"Kelly I," Marty began. He held his hands out to her.

"You know what," Kelly took out her sidekick. "I am blocking your number; please don't call me when we get back to New York." She pressed a few buttons and returned her sidekick to its proper place in her pocket. "We're done Marty, we are so done."

Marty let out a sigh, there would be no reasoning, but he didn't appear that disappointed. Kelly ran into the house and Ben headed for the car. Gwen and he both got into the car and waited for Colby to take the position behind the steering wheel.

Colby stopped Marty before he went inside. She didn't want this to be over quite yet. The woman didn't want her fantasy to end yet, her real life dream.

"Marty, I know we will never speak again, but I was wondering if you wanted to exchange phone..." Colby said eagerly. She stood on the tip of her toes.

"Colby, you just saw me cheat on supposedly the girl of my dreams. I think we both know how ready I am for commitment right now." Marty walked past the girl. "Plus, it's like you just said, we will never speak again." Marty entered the house and the door shut.

Ben and Gwen watched the event unfold from the car. Colby took her place at the driver's seat and clutched the wheel. She let out a small squeak then burst into tears. All the emotion and tension since high school finally released and let go.

***

Colby pulled into the driveway of her home and sat in the car looking at the garage door. The two dropped Gwen off at the top of the street before returning to their current home away from home.

"Are you going to be okay?" Ben asked.

"Yeah, it was high school; we are done with high school. I am done with high school. I just, needed to finally let it go." They both came a long way from the high school jock and nerd. "I mean, there are worst things than guy troubles right. If anything it made me feel bad for Barkley." Colby explained. She opened the car door and stepped out.

Ben followed her into the house.

"Hilary, we're home," Colby greeted her mother, noticing a light in the kitchen.

"Oh how wonderful for you to arrive." Hilary said her words slurred.

"Mom," Colby noticed the liquor and wine bottles on the counter. Her face became worried. "Did you drink all of these?"

"I don't need my own child interrogating me in my house," Hilary shouted, drunk. "I don't need it. I let you back in here and I can take you out."

"Mom, you're too drunk to do anything now. Just let me help you get to bed before you pass out and hurt yourself.

"I am old enough to make my own des…" Hilary closed her eyes for a minute to think. "Decisions,"

"Mom, I will clean up now, it's time for bed." Colby helped Hilary to the bed room and let her pass out next to her husband.

Colby returned to the kitchen and found Ben working on dishes. He gave a sympathetic look as she entered the kitchen.

"Now you see it, my mom's a drunk," Colby explained. "Now you see what I was so glad to get away from. What made the dream of running away with Marty so tantalizing." Colby lifted up a dishtowel to help dry.

***

Peter Cosgrave stood outside the door to Ben, Colby, and Gwen's apartment in London, England. It was Christmas day and he wanted to speak to Ben. He wanted to wish Ben a happy Christmas. There was more than one thing Peter wanted to tell the man he left in the elevator that fateful day. Peter lifted his hand and knocked the door for a third time. The third time was supposed to be the charm. No one answered.

The blond British man pushed his lips together in thought. Peter put his hand on the cold door knob and closed his eyes. He imagined Ben once holding the door handle and he felt warmth with the thought. His hand felt a little warmer too.

***

Okay, so we are never truly done with the bitchy girls and the muscle bound guys. I think that it prepares us though. We face the worst in high school but discover that life holds more of the same. Once outside those hallowed halls we can deal. We can grow and become ourselves and work with the problems. As adults, we gather all the experiences and grow from them. My only regret would be missing a special moment and having an experience pass me by.

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