Not Meant to Sit on Babies (Chapter 5)

Still unsure what to do about Dallas' weeping, Lizzie laid him down in his crib. She told Debra that she and her brother had to be gone before her parents arrived. Therefore, Debra let Leroy know and the two were on their way out.
"Thank you for coming over, Debbie," said Lizzie, following her friend towards the door. "I really appreciate it."
"Hey, that's what friends are for," smiled Debra.
"Baby stuff?"
"Baby stuff."
"Ugh, Debra," whined Leroy. "I don't want to ride the tandem bike."
"Do you want to walk home?"
"No."
"Then you're getting on the bike."
"Ugh! Fine."
"Are you sure you don't want me to stay a bit longer?" Debra asked Lizzie.
"No," answered Lizzie. "My parents said that they would be here by nine. They also said to put Dallas to sleep by eight but it's past eight. So I don't want you to be here when my parents do what Abraham did and murder me."
"They're not going to murder you."
"You're right. They'll probably poison me in my sleep."
"Well, I pray that you don't get into trouble, Lizzie. So I might as well get going."
"Good night, Debra."
Debra opened the door. "Good night, Lizzie." She walked out.
"Good night, honeycakes," said Leroy before walking out.
"Bye, Leroy," Lizzie giggled.
Debra tugged Leroy by the ear before Lizzie closed the door. She sighed before walking up the stairs. She made her way to Dallas' room, speaking softly.
"Look, Dallas, I love you very much but you need to go to sleep. I know you don't really sleep after eight, but please do so for me. I don't know why you're crying and I feel like a bad sister for not knowing what's wrong with you. However, I would appreciate it if you stop and get some shut-eye. That means to shut your eyes."
Lizzie entered the room and caught Dallas still in his crib with his eyes closed. He was very quiet. She leaned over the crib to make sure she was seeing him correctly.
"Dallas, are you alive?" she asked.
He was softly snoring, his chest moving up and down.
"Oh, thank God." Lizzie put her hand on her chest. She then picked up the blanket in the corner of the crib and flattened it out over Dallas' body.
Lizzie later heard the door from downstairs opening and her parents chattering. She didn't want to look guilty of any sort so she ran over to the bookshelf and grabbed a random book. She sat down in front of Dallas' crib and opened the book. Her parents walked into the open door of the room and caught Lizzie reading the book in her hands.
"And then the prince and the princess lived happily ever after," she uttered. She closed the book and looked up at her parents. "Oh, hey, mom and dad," she said softly. "I was just reading Dallas a long story."
"I can see," Lizzie's mother said, walking further into the room.
Lizzie stood up and hid the book behind her back.
Her mother peeked into the crib. "Was Dallas any trouble?" she asked.
"Oh, not at all," Lizzie answered, shaking her head. "We had tons of fun. We played around; it was good. I fed him and changed his diaper. It was easy, breezy, beautiful Cover Girl."
"Well, I'm glad that you handled everything, Lizzie."
Lizzie's father put his arm around his wife. "Yeah, I'm so proud of you," he said. "Maybe you should babysit more often."
Lizzie giggled. "Oh, you don't have to."
"No, I insist."
Lizzie frowned. "Well, don't."
"Okay... Well, I guess we should let our little boy sleep."
"I know I need some shut-eye," shared Lizzie's mom.
"Then let's go shut our eyes," suggested Lizzie.
Her parents smiled at her before walking out of the room. Lizzie slowly began exiting the room. When she was at the door, she turned around and whispered, "Good night, Dallas". She turned off the light and closed the door. As she walked through the hallway, she muttered to herself, "Now where are my car keys?"

Not Meant to Sit on Babies (Chapter 4)

Lizzie put Dallas in his high chair in the kitchen. She took out all of the food meant for Dallas and attempted to feed it to him. But he resisted the food as he continued to wail. His eyes were closed shut as tears streamed down his face. Lizzie tried to stick her spoon of baby food in his mouth but he just kept crying and crying and crying.
"Come on, Dallas," Lizzie begged. "You're a baby; you need to eat to live. Look at me; look at how yummy this food is." Lizzie dipped the spoon in her mouth, consuming all the mush on it. When she took the spoon out, she started to gag. She hastily looked for the trashcan and when she found it, she spit everything in her mouth into the can. She wiped her mouth with her arm and walked back to the crying Dallas. "See, it's good. That was good."
Dallas opened his eyes but he was still crying strongly.
Debra was on the other side of Dallas, witnessing Lizzie's failed attempts to feed her brother. "Lizzie, I don't think he wants to eat this," she said.
"I know, but he has got to stop crying," said Lizzie.
"He's crying because you dropped him on the floor."
"I didn't drop him on the floor. The couch dropped him on the floor. I was with you, 'member?"
"Look, maybe he hit his head." Debra began massaging Dallas' head with both hands. "Shhh," she hushed. "It's okay. Just relax. Shhh..."
It wasn't working; Dallas continued to cry.
"I don't think he likes that," Lizzie shared.
"Well, I don't know what's wrong with him."
"Maybe he wants his milk." Lizzie rushed over to the refrigerator and opened it right up. She grabbed the half-full pitcher of milk and set it on the table. She grabbed a glass from the cabinet and a straw from the drawer. She stuck the straw in the glass before pouring the milk in. "Ew, ew, ew, ew," she said while she poured the milk. Lizzie pushed the glass towards Dallas when she was done.
"Lizzie, he can't drink the milk like that," said Debra.
"You're right; he doesn't know straws work yet." She searched through the cabinets until she found a baby bottle. She took off the nipple and poured the milk from the glass into the bottle. "Ew, ew, ew, ew," she said as she poured the milk. She stuck the nipple back on and pushed the bottle in Dallas' direction.
Dallas kept crying so Lizzie pushed the bottle even closer. Debra snatched the bottle and tried to force it in Dallas' mouth.
"Come on, Dallas," she pleaded. "Drink the milk-y. Come on, you love milk, don't you?"
Dallas resisted from the bottle, still wailing.
"Why won't he drink it?" asked Debra.
"Because he's not hungry," responded Lizzie.
"I know that!"
Lizzie gasped. "Let's ask the kids if they know what to do."
"Lizzie, they're kids."
"But they're all we have!"
Lizzie lifted Dallas from his high chair and carried him out of the kitchen with Debra following them. They walked into the living room where the kids were spending their time. Leroy was sitting next to Linda on the couch while Krista was sitting in one of the chairs.
"Are you comfy, baby?" questioned Leroy, putting his arm around Linda.
"I'm not your baby," she said.
"So, baby, I was wondering if you want to be my date for the homecoming dance at my school."
"Um, no thanks. I'm not even allowed to date yet."
"Oh, that's okay. There will be chaperones there so they'll keep a good eye on us. But they'll never check the bathrooms."
He began to laugh but Linda pinched Leroy on his arm, making him fling it away from her shoulders.
"Ow!" he uttered, clutching his arm.
"Hey, guys," said Debra, coming closer to the kids. "Do you want to do us girls a favor?"
"Of course, if it involves being away from Leroy," responded Linda.
"That's nice. Um, we were wondering if you three know anything about making a baby stop crying."
"Uh, what do I look like?" asked Leroy. "The baby whisperer?"
"I heard if you sing to a baby, it calms it down," shared Krista.
"Oh, that makes sense," said Lizzie, bouncing Dallas in her grip. "But neither of us can sing."
"Hey, I can sing some Blackstreet," said Leroy while looking at Linda.
"I don't know who that is," she admitted.
"Listen, we are desperate to shut Dallas up," said Lizzie. "It's worth a try."
"I can try to sing to him," said Krista. "I love to sing."
"Oh, please, Krista." Lizzie walked over to her and handed the baby right over.
Krista held Dallas in her arms and began singing softly and sweetly to him.

The snow glows white on the mountain tonight
Not a footprint to be seen
A kingdom of isolation
And it looks like I'm the queen

Suddenly, the baby started to calm down and listen to Krista's saccharine voice. He opened his bright, brown eyes and looked at Krista's flawless face. Lizzie and Debra looked at each other in amazement. When Krista wrapped up her singing, Lizzie carefully took Dallas from her arms. She began holding him and rocking him.
"Oh, my goodie!" said Lizzie. "He stopped crying."
"Wow, Krista, that was really good," commented Debra.
Krista scrunched her forehead. "Good?" She stood up. "What do you mean, good? I was amazing!" She started tearing up and her voice was quivering. "Why doesn't anyone love my singing?" She zipped past the girls and ran upstairs.
Lizzie motioned her eyes to Debra. "What was that about?" she asked in a low voice.
"She's very sensitive about her talent," explained Linda.
For some reason, Dallas started wailing again. Lizzie glanced at him and sighed. Everyone else started to get frustrated.

For an hour, Dallas did nothing but cry. Lizzie and Debra ran out of solutions to make him stop sobbing. They were too tired to even come up with more solutions. They just sat beside the stairs, leaning against the wall. Dallas was in Lizzie's hands, wailing his head off. They could hear Linda and Leroy arguing upstairs somewhere. They just looked like suicidal vagrants.
"Are we going to be bad parents?" asked Lizzie, almost in a mumble.
"I don't know, Lizzie," answered Debra.
"Well, do you think I'm a bad sister?"
"Of course not."
"Then why can't I stop Dallas from crying?"
"Because you're like Sugar Kane: you're not that bright."
"So because I'm not a light or a stick of sugar, Dallas won't stop crying?"
"Whatever you want, Lizzie."
"Thank you for helping me."
"I wish I wasn't."
"You're supposed to be good at calming people down."
"Well, I can't do everything!"
"Sorry."
"No, I'm sorry. Are you sure he doesn't have a pacifier?"
"He does; I just can't find it anywhere."
"At least I don't have a headache."
"Yeah, lucky you."
Ding-dong! The doorbell rang. Lizzie stood up and carried Dallas in her arms. She walked over to the door and opened it. At the door was Andrea, who took a step inside.
"Andrea, what are you doing here so early?" Lizzie questioned.
"My date was horrific," answered Andrea. "I threw up on him."
  "Oh, no! Were you sick?"
"No, I just felt throwing up on him. He was a complete nightmare. I guess I'll go back to fantasizing about Randall."
"You do that."
Andrea then noticed her other friend. "Oh, hey, Debra."
Debra stood up. "Hey, Andy." She waved at her.
"I didn't know Debra was here."
"Oh, yeah, she was helping me with Dallas," said Lizzie.
"Well, thank God for Debra. So I guess I'm going to take my sisters and head on out now."
Soon, Linda came running down the stairs, shown to be chased by Leroy.
"You are disgusting!" Linda said to him.
"It was only a joke," said Leroy.
"You," Andrea hissed at Leroy.
Leroy looked like a deer caught in headlights when Andrea darted after him. She was stopped by Lizzie; Debra shielded her brother. Linda stood back, really wanting Andrea to do something to him.
"I can't believe you're here!" Andrea shouted. "If I knew you were here, I would've left my sisters at home."
"Calm down, honey sauce," said Leroy.
"Oh, I'll show you honey sauce." Andrea struggled in Lizzie's one-arm grip.
"Guys!" Lizzie shouted. "Not in front of the baby."
"Krista, get down here!" called Andrea. She gave Leroy a threatening look while pointing at him.
Krista rushed down the stairs when she heard her sister's voice. Andrea grabbed Krista by the face.
"Did that boy hurt you?" asked Andrea.
"No," answered Krista, freeing herself.
"Let's go." Andrea put her arms around her little sisters and proceeded to go out the door. She turned her head at Leroy and said, "I better not catch you in the streets."
"I ain't do nothing," he said.
"I'm still gonna get you." She left the house with her siblings.

Not Meant to Sit on Babies (Chapter 3)

After Debra arrived, she and Lizzie decided to spend time with Dallas in the living room. Debra was holding Dallas, making him stand up on the couch cushions. While Lizzie was making funny faces and tickling Dallas, she heard the doorbell ring.
"Who could that be?" she asked.
"Did you order pizza or something?" asked Debra.
"No, I don't think so."
"How can you not remember?"
"I don't know. Look, just in case it is, can you go get my wallet from my room?"
"Sure." Debra got up and ran upstairs.
The doorbell rang again.
"Coming!" Lizzie shouted. She placed Dallas on the back corner of the seat so he wouldn't be too close to the edge.
She ran out of the living room into the lobby to get to the door. She opened it, revealing Andrea outside with her two younger sisters by her side.
"Hey, Andrea!"
"Hey, Lizzie," Andrea responded.
        "What are you doing here?"
"Oh, I got this date with Niles Hawkins from the gym where I box."
"I thought you like Randall."
"Uh, please, Randall is not going to ask me out for dinner, especially any time soon."
"I guess that's true. But why are you here?"
"See, my parents decided to go on a date on the same day as my date so I need somebody to watch Linda and Krista. And Linda recommended that we should go to you. Is that okay? I mean, do you think your parents will mind?"
"My parents aren't here."
"Fantastic." Andrea pushed her two sisters inside the house. "I'll be back in about two hours, girls. If I don't come back by then, that means I'm having a better time than I expected."
"Do you mean that sexually?" asked Krista, the thirteen-year-old sister.
"Goodbye, girls." Andrea closed the door as she left.
"Bye!" Lizzie screamed, being an inch away from the door. She then looked down at the girls, who looked like tiny clones of Andrea. "So how are you girls doing?" she grinned.
"Good," answered Krista.
"I'm passing math," Linda added, smiling and holding her hands from behind.
"Oh, terrific!" said Lizzie. "I can never undertake those triangles. Do they all have to be one-hundred-eighty degrees?"
Debra slowly walked down the steps with a red, patent wallet in her hand. She stopped in the middle. "Where's the pizza guy?" she asked.
"Oh, that wasn't a pizza guy. It was Andrea and she was dropping her sisters off. Ooh, I forgot to tell her you were here."
Debra giggled awkwardly as she continued to walk down the stairs. "Uh, Lizzie, are you sure you can take care of all these kids?"
"Of course, Debs. I'm a grown adult. Besides, these kids can take care of themselves and you're here with me so nothing can really go wrong."
Suddenly, a thud was heard. The four girls motioned their eyes to the living room and made their way towards it. On the floor by the couch was Dallas, on his back, crying. The girls gasped.
"That's a baby!" said Krista with raised eyebrows.
Lizzie moaned and picked up Dallas, bouncing him gently in her arms.
"Why did you leave the baby by himself?" asked Debra.
"I don't know," said Lizzie. "I didn't think he was going to fall off the couch."
"This is what I was afraid of." Debra took a good look at Dallas.
Leroy walked out of the kitchen with a sandwich on a plate. He entered the living room, stopping behind the girls. "What is all that noise?" he asked. He started to notice Linda, who happens to be his crush. "Oh, hey, sweet thing," he said to her.
Linda slowly turned around, not wanting to see Leroy. "Oh, no," she said.
"Oh, yeah."
Krista said, "Oh, God."
Debra said, "Oh, frick."
And Lizzie said, "Oh, baby!"

Not Meant to Sit on Babies (Chapter 2)

    As the evening approached, Lizzie's parents prepared themselves for dinner. Lizzie's mother put on a flowy, black dress that went down to her ankles with black booties and golden earrings. Lizzie's father put on a black suit with a blue shirt and tie underneath with black dress shoes. After her mother got her black crossbody purse, Lizzie followed her parents as they made their way towards the door.
    "All of Dallas' things are in his room," reminded Lizzie's mother, "so make sure you check the closet."
    "Okay," said Lizzie.
    "But his diapers are in the bathroom so make sure you check there, too."
    "Okay, mom."
    "And make sure he's in his crib asleep by eight because after eight, he's a disaster."
    "I'll make sure, mom."
    "But make sure he eats dinner. Only feed him the baby food and milk in the fridge. You know his teeth are still coming out."
    "Okay, mom. I think it's time for you to go to dinner now."
    "Oh, we're just a little worried, that's all," said Lizzie's father.
    "There's nothing to be worried about, dad."
    "Are you sure because you got caught in a fan once."
    "I eventually got out. Okay, you and mom need to go. Like, right now. I'm going to take good care of your child."
    "Huh, that's what someone says when they're about to kill them."
    "Okay, out. You two, out." Lizzie opened the door for her parents.
    "Alright," said Lizzie's mother. "Just don't forget to kiss him good night."
    "I won't. Goodbye, mom and dad."
    "Goodbye. We'll be back by nine."
    "Bye, Lizzie," said her dad.
    Once her parents stepped out the door, Lizzie closed it and locked it. She turned around and started dancing like a fool. She ran upstairs and went inside Dallas' room, who was up and smiling in his crib.
    "Hello, my beautiful bug," said Lizzie, leaning over the bed. "Mom and dad are out of the house which means we're going to have so much fun. Are you ready to have fun with me?" She bent down and looked at Dallas through the wooden bars of the crib.
    Dallas babbled with a smile and hit the bars as if he was trying to get her face.
    "Sounds good enough to me!"
    For a while, Lizzie watched Dallas, trying to play and communicate with him. She would take many pictures with him with her cell phone. Other times, she would hug and kiss him like a precious teddy bear. She enjoyed making Dallas laugh and stay interested in her.
    Eventually, she started to get a little bored. So she decided to make a call with one of her girlfriends. She picked Debra and started dialing her number. Lizzie took off her tan sweater while listening to the phone ring. Soon, Debra picked up.
    "Hello," her calm voice projected from the phone.
    "Hey, girlfriend," Lizzie said to her phone.
    "Hey. How are you?"
    "I'm good. I'm having an awesome time with my brother, Dallas."
    "That's wonderful."
    "And guess what: my parents are letting me babysit him."
    "Oh, are they sick?"
    "No, they're not sick. They wanted to go to a romantic dinner together so I told them that I'd be more than glad to watch Dallas for them."
    "Oh, that's nice."
    "Well, I'm a nice person. The fact that I'm watching Dallas means that I'm growing up. I can't wait to do more grown-up things like vote. I am so excited."
    "That's good for you, Liz'. Um, are you sure that you can handle watching Dallas all by yourself?"
    "Uh, yeah. That's why I asked to do so."
    "Yeah, I don't know. Do you want me to come over?"
    "Ooh, so we can hang out?"
    Debra paused. "Yeah."
    "Oh, perfect! Now Dallas will have two girls to play with. The more, the merrier!"
    "Sure, Lizzie. I'll see you in twenty minutes, okay?"
    "Okay. Byesies."
    "Byesies."
    Lizzie hung up and looked at Dallas, who was chewing on the red rubber toy he was holding.
    "Dallas, hammers are not food," she said.

    More than twenty minutes later, Debra arrived to Lizzie's house. She rang the doorbell so Lizzie could come down and answer the door. She took Dallas with her before opening the door to Debra and her younger brother, Leroy.
    "Hey, Debs," Lizzie smiled. "Hey, Leroy."
    "What's up, honeycakes?" Leroy greeted her before walking in.
    "Ooh, I'm honeycakes now." Lizzie closed the door after Debra came into the house. "What is Leroy doing here?"
    "Oh, when my dad heard I was going out, he wanted me to take Leroy with me," answered Debra.
    "We rode here on a tandem bike," noted Leroy.
    "I've always wanted to use that bike."
    "It was tiring."
    "It was saving the environment."
    "Well, I guess it's good that Leroy is here," said Lizzie. "The more people to play with Dallas, the better!"
    "Hey, I don't play with no babies," said Leroy. "I'm a grown man."
    "You won't be a man in, like, seven years," reminded Debra.
    "A boy can start! So, honeycakes, got any food?"
    "Use your manners and Lizzie has a name."
    "Fine! Lizzie, can I please have some food?"
    "Sure," replied Lizzie, "the kitchen is through the door by the stairs. And don't eat the baby food in the fridge or the milk."
    "Uh, that won't be a problem." Leroy made his way to the kitchen.
    "Thanks, Debra, but I don't mind being called 'honeycakes'. It's such a fun name!"

Not Meant to Sit on Babies (Chapter 1)

    On a Saturday night, the girls were over at their own homes. They found ways to chill by themselves, such as Lizzie spending time with her baby brother, Dallas. She hung out in his room, in her peasant-like clothing, leaning over the crib, talking to him. Dallas was almost a year old and knew how to take a few steps but did not know how to speak. He had big, brown eyes just like his sister and was growing out dark brown hair.
    Lizzie tickled Dallas's body, which was covered in a baby blue onesie, with her decoratively-manicured finger. Dallas giggled, bearing his toothless mouth. Lizzie babbled baby talk at him, which he didn't quite understand yet Lizzie thought he did.
    "You're such a cutie pie! Who's a cutie pie? You're a cutie pie! I could just eat you up... but that would be cannibalism. Can you say 'cannibalism'? Cannibalism! Oh, you're so cute. Yes, you are!"
    Lizzie's four-eyed parents walked in and witnessed their daughter communicating with their young son.
    "You are in love with him, Lizzie," said her mother.
    "I don't think I'll ever stop being in love with him," admitted Lizzie, not taking her eyes off of her brother. "He's just so adorable."
    "You know, one day, he's gonna grow up."
    "Oh, I know. I dread that day."
    "Who knows when that day will come?" asked Lizzie's dad. "He hasn't even said a word yet."
    "I know, right? That's why I always have conversations with him so he'll feel encouraged to talk back."
    "I don't think he knows what you've been saying, Lizzie."
    "Drats. At least I know what I've been saying."
    Lizzie's mother walked over to the crib, prompting Lizzie to move aside, and picked up the giggling baby. "Hello!" she said to him in a sweet voice. "Is your diaper messy?"
    "No, mom, I don't wear diapers anymore."
    "I wasn't talking to you," Lizzie's mother said in her normal voice. She went back to Dallas. "What will I feed you tonight?"
    "Well, I was kinda hoping that we go to dinner but by ourselves," said Lizzie's father.
    "I wasn't talking to you either."
    "No, I'm serious. There's this new restaurant a few blocks away and I was wondering if we could have dinner, just the two of us."
    "Oh, I don't know, Joseph. Ever since Dallas has been born, I was always by his side."
    "Come on, Marie. We haven't had any alone time in a while. Don't you think we should celebrate being such lovely parents?"
    "I suppose so. But how are we going to find a babysitter at a time like this?"
    "I can go on that website full of babysitters."
    "Or I could watch Dallas," suggested Lizzie.
    "No, I think the website would be fine."
    "Come on, mom and dad. I could totally watch Dallas while you two are gone."
    "Lizzie, dear Lizzie," started her mom. "How can I say this nicely? I... don't really trust... you to be alone... with the baby."
    "Saying that sentence slowly was being nice?"
    "Listen, sweetie, I know you're kinda an adult but I don't think you're responsible enough to take care of Dallas."
    "How can you say that? I spent many times alone with Dallas."
    "Yeah, but that happens when your dad and I are home." Lizzie's mother set Dallas gently back in his crib.
    "But sometimes, you're downstairs and me and Dallas would be upstairs. Do you know how far away this room is from the kitchen and living room?"
    "You're not convincing me, Lizzie."
    "Please, mom! I'll read those books on how to take care of a baby. And besides, I have watched a bunch of television that shows how to do it as well. I basically know how to change a diaper and put a baby to sleep without doing any of that."
    "What kind of T.V. shows have you been watching?"
    "Mom! Dad, don't you think I can take care of Dallas?"
    "Gee, I don't know, sweetie," said Lizzie's dad. "You're kind of forgetful."
    "Yeah, and you always can't find your car keys," agreed Lizzie's mom.
    "Mom, dad, that was the old me," said Lizzie. "That's the problem: you dwell on the past and can't let it go. But you guys got to trust me; I am so much more mature than I was like... five days ago. And besides, do you really think I would let anything happen to my baby brother?"
    "I don't believe so."
    "Then please give me a chance. Please! Pretty please."
    Lizzie's mother looked at her husband for reconciliation. He shrugged and she nodded.
    "Alright, we're gonna let you babysit Dallas tonight," decided Lizzie's mom.
    "Yay!" cheered Lizzie.
    "But if anything happens, this will be the last time you babysit Dallas. You understand me?"
    "Yes, I understand you. Loud and cuh-lear. Thank you!"
    "Alright," said Lizzie's father. "We've got ourselves a date." He wrapped his arm around his wife's shoulders and led her out the door.
    Lizzie squealed and smiled at Dallas over the crib. "Did you hear that, Dallas?" she asked. "I'm going to be babysitting you tonight! I am so excited. We're gonna have so much fun together. Oh, I have to find those baby books that mom owns. But before I do that, I got to go figure out where my car keys are."

The Skye is Falling (Part 2) (Chapter 5)

The next day, the girls were in the cafeteria, having lunch just like any other day at school. They were a bit sad that Skye was avoiding them but they somehow knew that she would come back. They were not sure when but they never gave up their thought. Besides, they were not wrong as Skye approached the table with a tray of food.
"Hey, guys," she said, catching their attention.
"You can't sit with us!" Lizzie spat.
"It's okay, Lizzie," said Madeline.
"Sorry."
"Is it alright if I sit here?" asked Skye.
"Why wouldn't it?" questioned Madeline. "You've always sat here."
"Right." Skye walked around the table and sat down at her usual spot, which was right next to Lizzie.
"Are you and Dom over?" asked Debra.
"Yeah." Skye played with the food on her tray with her spork.
"Do you want to talk about it?" asked Andrea.
"No."
"Are you gonna put the pink streak back in your hair?" asked Lizzie, noticing that Skye's hair was still black.
She snickered. "Yeah."
"Is there anything you would like to say to us?" asked Madeline.
"Yeah." Skye dropped her spork on her tray. "I wanna say that I'm sorry for yelling at you guys earlier. I didn't mean to call you the names I said. You guys were right; I was changing myself for Dom. However, it was my decision because I've been wanting to date somebody who was different from Jeffrey. I did and since that didn't work out, I have no excuse to act so catty. I really liked Dom and I lost myself a little bit. Maybe he was the one for me, maybe he wasn't. But whatever the case, I don't want him anymore and I don't need him. I need you guys and I didn't mean to make you all feel bad."
"Aw!" uttered Madeline.
"Zip it."
"We're glad to have you back, Skye."
"Me, too."
"You don't have to answer this but do you think you're gonna get back with Jeffrey?" questioned Debra.
"I don't know. I'm pretty sure that he hates me so I don't think he would want to talk to me."
"He doesn't hate you."
"Why wouldn't he? I left him for someone else. If he did that to me, I would hate him."
"Well, he doesn't hate you," said Madeline. "He actually came up to us one day."
"He did? What did he say?"
"He just asked us how you were doing. We told him that you were being a huge cow and a bunch of other words that weren't nice."
"I forgive you."
"But after that, we just said that you were suffering from a loss of identity. Jeffrey understood that and I could see in his face that the last time you guys talked wasn't going to be the last time."
"'Suffering from a loss of identity'? Who are you, Doctor Oz?"
"Um, I'm pretty much finer than Doctor Oz, okay?"
"Well, at least there's still hope for us."
"So you would get back together with him?" asked Debra.
"I don't know. I don't exactly love him. I don't mind being his friend."
"That's so sweet," Lizzie said.
"Well, it's a good thing that we have you back," commented Andrea. "I thought I had to pop you right in the mouth to correct you."
"Well... I'm glad you didn't," Skye admitted.
"Me, too. I hate having to hurt my friends."
"That is such a lie!" said Madeline.
"You wanna say that again?" Andrea balled her hand into a fist and waved it in front of Madeline's face.
"No, senorita."
"I thought so."
Debra reached over and, with one hand, slowly unraveled Andrea's fist. Skye couldn't help but burst into laughter. She buried her head into her arms on the table and began cracking up. Seeing her laugh made the other girls want to laugh.
"What's so funny?" asked Andrea, giggling.
Skye sat up straight. "Nothing," she said, wiping her left bottom eyelid.
        "Now since you're back," started Madeline, "you can change back your wardrobe, your room and take down that poster of that sweaty guy."
        "That's Dean Ambrose," said Skye.
        "Well, he's gross, Skye."
        "I actually like him," Skye muttered.

The Skye is Falling (Part 2) (Chapter 4)

For a couple of days, Skye avoided her girlfriends. She felt like they didn't understand her new personality so for that, she could not hang out with them anymore. Therefore, she spent most of her time being with Dom, who was the best boyfriend she ever had. She felt happy with him and no one could understood that except for her.
One day, Skye went to a cafe by herself. Her boyfriend told her to pick up some food for them to eat later in the day. The cafes near her home were closed due to health issues so she took the bus to a cafe uptown. After coming in, she ordered two pastrami sandwiches at a low price. After receiving her food, she made her way out of the shop. But when she was an inch away at the door, she noticed something strange. She took five steps backward and looked to her right. She saw an attractive girl -- a mini Naomi Campbell -- sitting at one of the tables, talking to a guy dressed in preppy clothes, who seemed like Dom.
"Dom?" Skye called out, seeing if the guy who turn his head.
He did. He was really surprised to see Skye. She took a good look at his face since he was wearing reading glasses and his hair was out and gelled to one side. He was exactly who she thought he was: Dominic Westwood.
"What are you doing here?" Skye asked.
"Skye, I didn't expect to see you," said Dom, leaning back into his chair.
"Well, you did tell me to get you some food."
"Yeah, but I thought you were gonna get some at one of the shops across from your place."
"I was but someone found a booger in their croissant so they shut down the whole cafe at my street. Who is she?"
Dom glanced at the girl, who was glaring without a blink at Skye. "Oh, um, that's my sister."
"She's black."
"That's my stepsister."
"I'm not your stepsister," the girl said to Dom.
"Then who are you?" asked Skye.
"I'm Dana, his date."
Skye then looked at Dom. "She's your date?"
Dom began to stutter. "I-- Um-- Uh--"
"And why are you dressed like this? You look like you came out of Caddyshack."
"It's laundry day?"
"It's not laundry day! I bet you're dressed like this because... that's how she wanted you to dress."
"Was it that obvious?"
"Yup."
"Fine, if you want the truth, Skye, then here it is: I asked out Dana and she said she only went out with preps so I decided to show the side of me that no one knows."
"But why would you ask her out if you have me?"
"I thought our relationship was open. But I wasn't going to pursue anything serious with her."
"You weren't?" asked Dana, glaring at Dom.
"No, that's not true."
"So you wanted to be in a relationship with her?" asked Skye.
"Well, I-- I, uh-- Alright, so what? I can't have the best of both worlds?"
"No, you can't because I gave up everything I liked just to be with you. Do you even want to be with me?"
"Of course, I do. You're an amazing kisser."
"That's all you like about me? You know what? Don't answer that. I thought I liked you because you were exactly like me. Now I don't want to be with you because I don't want to be with somebody who's anything like me."
"I was like you?"
"Screw you." Skye took one of the sandwiches from her plastic bag and unwrapped it. Without hesitating, she smashed the whole thing on top of Dom's head. She smeared the meats, cheeses and sauces in his hair until there was nothing left. Dom was utterly disgusted and shocked.
Inspired by what Skye did, Dana took the lid off of her coffee cup and splashed the coffee all over Dom's face. He closed his eyes shut as his glasses fell off into his lap. He screamed into his hands and his entire body shook.
"That coffee was hot, Dana!" he yelled.
"My bad," she said in singsong. She got up and faced Skye, holding onto the blue handbag on her shoulder.
"That was cool," Skye commented.
"Thank you. You wanna hang out?"
"No." Skye immediately left the cafe.
"That's fine," Dana muttered, still standing.

The Skye is Falling (Part 2) (Chapter 3)

Less than a week later, the girls had enough. Ever since Skye started dating Dom, she spent more time with him and less time with the girls. But the girls were almost afraid to spend time with her because she became a different person. Not only did Skye change her style, her taste in music and her room, she also dyed her short hair completely black. Seeing this new look frightened the girls. So, after school, they looked for Skye since they knew what class she had last. They eventually caught her in the hallway, pressed against the wall as Dom kissed her. They were utterly disgusted by that scene, not just because they were making out, but because they were always making out.
"Skye," called Madeline.
The couple kept kissing each other.
"Skye," she called again.
Nothing. They kept ignoring her.
"I know you can hear me."
"Let me try," said Andrea. She snatched Dom by his black and gray striped scarf and pulled him off like some Band-Aid.
Dom looked at Andrea in surprise. "Dang," he said. "You're so strong."
"I'm passing gym," explained Andrea, crossing her arms.
"Good for you. I guess I'll see you later, Skye."
"Call me," Skye ordered.
"For sure." Dom walked away, disappearing into a corner.
"What is your deal?" Skye asked Andrea. "Can't you see I was busy?"
"Yeah, busy sucking face," said Andrea.
"Don't get smart with me."
"What?!"
"Let me handle this, Andy," said Madeline, gently push her back so she could face Skye. "Skye, we've been worried about you."
"Why?" Skye questioned. "I'm not dying."
"We know that. It's just that... you changed."
"So?"
"So it's not right," Lizzie jumped in.
"I'm a person. Persons change all the time."
"Yeah, but ever since you started dating Dom," started Madeline, "you changed your appearance and interests."
"That was my choice."
"Was it?"
"Yes, princess. This has nothing to do with Dom."
"So if you weren't with Dom and still with Jeffrey, you would've changed anyway?"
"That's correct."
"I don't believe that."
"Oh, yeah, I forgot; liars can smell other liars."
"I am not a liar!"
"You can say that all you want, Madeline. It's always gonna be true."
"Skye, we support your changes," said Debra. "We're just concerned that it's not for the right reasons."
"You act like I can't take care of myself."
"But it seems like that Dom is influencing you. We're not crazy."
"Are you sure?"
"Do you get why we think that?"
"I mean, I like him so I'm just trying to be his type. That's all."
"His type?" repeated Madeline. "Skye, if he liked you before, then you were already his type."
"But he's different. He's a keeper."
"So, in order for you to keep him, you got to dress like him and do what he does?"
"Now you're getting it."
"Skye, that's corny. I thought you were the only person I knew you didn't subject to corniness."
"Who are you calling corny, Kristen Cavallari? Okay, I'm just doing what I want to do."
"Well, it sounds like you're doing what someone else wants you to do," said Andrea.
"What? Like I'm being brainwashed or something?"
"That's right, Heidi Montag."
"You guys need to chill before you get on my nerves. Do you want a smoke?" Skye reached into her bookbag.
"Excuse me?" said Madeline. "A-A-A-A smoke? Did you say a smoke?"
"Yeah, deafy." Skye pulled out a box of cigarettes.
"Put those away. Someone is going to see you."
Skye took out one cigarette and put away the box. "Will you pipe down? I need this; you're stressing me out."
Andrea swiped the cigarette from Skye's pale hand.
"Hey! Give that back!"
When Skye reached for the cigarette, Andrea crushed the whole thing in her hand.
"You are such a she-devil."
"Don't talk to Andrea like that," Madeline demanded.
"I'll say what I want. Thank you very much. You guys are the ones who don't understand me."
"You never smoked a cigarette in your entire life. How is that not understanding you?"
"You don't get it. You just don't get it. I'm the one who puts up with you. Heck, with all of you. Do you know how hard it is to be around a spoiled brat, a muscleman, and a hippie? You guys have nothing in common."
"Did she just call me a man?" asked Andrea, looking at Debra, who just shrugged.
"And Lizzie. Why do we hang out with Lizzie? You should be concerned for her. She doesn't even know what two plus two is."
"Hey, I know what two plus two is," said Lizzie. "It's four... right?"
Skye blinked multiple times. "Do I need to say more?"
"Skye, we're just trying to be good friends," said Madeline.
"Then try to be perfect friends. Can you do that for me? I don't think so." Skye rolled her eyes then walked away from her supposed friends.
"Give me a reason to not punch that girl in the face," requested Andrea.
"She's just going through a phase," replied Madeline. "It happens to all us."
"And it never happened until now," added Debra. "So let's just let her do her own thing."
"I just want you guys to know," started Lizzie, "is that I know what two plus two equals. I just thought she was asking a trick question."

The Skye is Falling (Part 2) (Chapter 2)

The next day, Skye told her friends that right after school, she was going to hang out with Dom at a cafe. So Madeline and Lizzie decided to stop by Skye's place while she was gone. The two girls went to Madeline's house first then the two got into Madeline's car, which she drove. They entered the apartment building in which Skye resided and knocked on the door labeled "A". Skye's mother, a young, dark-haired, frail woman, opened the door.
"Hi, Madeline and Lizzie," she said in her soft voice. "What are you two doing here? Skye didn't come home yet."
"Oh, yeah, we know," said Madeline, nodding. "She said that she was going to spend time with her boyfriend, Dom."
Skye's mother scoffed. "Figures. Well, come in."
The girls stepped in, entering the living room.
"I don't know when Skye is going to come back." Her mother closed the door and locked it. "She's been really a monster lately."
"Aw," uttered Lizzie, "what did she do?"
"She's just being a brat, which should be normal for a teenage girl, but not for Skye."
"Yeah, she's been a real... you know," said Madeline. "We're just here to pick up some notes so we won't be here long."
"Okay. Well, then, help yourself."
"Thank you, Mrs. Carter."
"It's 'Miss'."
"Sorry, Miss."
Madeline and Lizzie entered the short hallway then made their way into Skye's open bedroom. Madeline closed the door before rummaging through the stacks of CDs on Skye's dresser.
"What are you doing?" asked Lizzie.
"You know what I'm doing," said Madeline, knocking over CD cases. "I'm looking for clues."
"You should've let me bring my magnifying class."
"I don't think so, Lizzie." Madeline picked up a few CDs and showed them to her friend. "Look at these; these are not what Skye usually listens to."
"What does she listen to?"
"You know, punk music, alternative rock, stupid stuff like that. But these are different." Madeline went through the CDs in her hands while reading the names of the bands. "Goatwhore? Cannabis Corpse? Hate Eternal?"
"Stabbing Westward? Why-- Why are they stabbing in a westward direction?"
"I don't know. Because that's where all the cannabis is?"
"These bands look horrifying. Should we listen to them?"
"And bleed through our ears? I don't think so."
"Skye's taste of music is not the only thing that changed. Look at those posters."
Madeline looked at the wall across from her and took a glimpse of the posters taped on it. Some of them were horror film related.
"Who's that over there?" Lizzie pointed to the left.
Madeline looked at the WWE poster of an angry, sweaty man in a white wifebeater. "I don't know," she answered. "But he definitely looks intimidating."
"This whole room is intimidating. It's giving me chills. I'm so itchy." Lizzie began scratching her arms.
Madeline put the CDs back and held Lizzie's arms. "Calm down. We can fix this."
"You mean redecorate?"
"No! I mean we can try to solve this problem before things get out of hand."
The girls began to hear muffled talking outside of the door. It sounded like some people were approaching the door as their voices grew louder and clearer.
"I can't believe my mom's is taking a break today," said Skye's voice.
"That's alright," said Dom's voice. "We can lock the door in your room and just chill in private."
"You're such a tomcat."
The girls began panicking.
"She's coming! She's coming!" warned Madeline.
"We got to act natural," said Lizzie.
The girls looked everywhere in the room until their eyes stopped on the bed, which was covered in a blanket with a spiderweb designed on it. They both jumped on the bed and sat down at the edge. Lizzie did a stiff pose as if she was trying to be a mannequin. Madeline notices that and smacks Lizzie on the leg so she could relax. The girls sat still until Skye opened the door. She walked in with Dom, confusion drawn all over her face.
"Uh, what are you two doing here?" Skye questioned.
"Oh, we just came here to see if you had any science notes for Lizzie to use," Madeline answered.
"Why didn't you just lend her your notes?"
"She can't understand them."
"Madeline writes in a smart language," Lizzie grinned.
"Okay," Skye said. "Well, I don't think I have any 'science notes' lying around. I might have some in my bookbag." She took off her bag and opened it up.
Dom put his hand on his girl's shoulder. "How are you gonna get anything when you're right under me?" he asked. Instantly, he picked up Skye, making her drop her bag, and plopped her on the bed beside the girls. He crawled on top of her and started kissing her neck.
Skye giggled. "You're such a tomcat."
Dom went from her neck to her lips and the couple started making out fiercely. Madeline and Lizzie uncomfortably watched them. Unable to handle it, Lizzie got up.
"Yeah, I don't need the notes anymore," she said before leaving the room.
Madeline tried to look away from the couple but it was hard for her to not look. She cleared her throat loudly multiple times until the couple stopped and looked at her.
"Hi," Madeline said. "Um, you do know you have company, don't you?"
"Oh, right," Dom said. "We're being rude."
"Thank you."
"Let's have a threesome. Right now."
Madeline made a face of disgust. "I'm not into three-anything!" she said, getting up then leaving.
Dom looked at Skye and smiled at her like a Cheshire cat.
"You are so gross," Skye said with a giggle.
"Eh."
The two continued to make out like animals on the bed.

The Skye is Falling (Part 2) (Chapter 1)

    "You broke up with Jeffrey?" asked Madeline.
    "Uh-huh," Skye responded, eating the beef stew on her lunch tray with a plastic fork.
    "For Dom?" asked Andrea.
    "That's right."
    "And you're okay with that?" asked Debra.
    "Yes, ma'am."
    "But that's not okay," said Lizzie.
    "Can you all stop doggin' me?" Skye dropped her fork on her tray. "It was my decision and I am happy with it. I suggest you do the same. Thank you." She picked her fork back up.
    "But you've been with Jeffrey for a year," Madeline reminded. "Breakups after six months aren't easy."
    "It wasn't that easy to tell him. Trust me."
    "The way you described it made it sound easy," mentioned Andrea. "You just told him straight up then walked away."
    "Well, what did you expect me to do? Just linger awkwardly?"
    "Sometimes, it's best to spend as much time with someone as you can," said Lizzie.
    "What?"
    "Skye, are you sure it was the right decision?" questioned Debra. "I mean, I know you didn't quite love Jeffrey but it's not like you didn't love him on purpose."
    "I know but I wanted him to be with someone who does love him. I didn't want him to die waiting for me to tell him that I loved him back. That could've took forever. So I thought it was best to let him go."
    "I understand wanting to let him go," said Andrea. "But you're dating Dom. Are you sure that's not  why you broke up with Jeffrey?"
    "Okay, maybe I wasn't going to break up with Jeff if I didn't make out with Dom the night before. But to be honest, I was thinking about breaking up with him anyway."
    "Wait a second, wait a second," said Madeline, holding her index finger up. "Hold the phone."
    "What phone should we hold?" asked Lizzie.
    "You didn't say anything about making out with Dom before you broke up with Jeffrey."
    "Oh, yeah," said Skye, "I guess I forgot."
    Madeline scrunched her forehead. "How could you forget? Basically, you cheated on Jeffrey then dumped him for Dom."
    "What does that make me? A cheater?"
    "Yeah," Lizzie replied.
    "I wasn't talking to you, Lizzie. Don't forget, Andrea cheated on her boyfriend, too."
    "Oh, stop," said Andrea. "That was a hundred-forty years ago, okay?"
    "I thought it was five months ago," said Lizzie.
    "I wasn't talking to you, Lizzie."
    "We're not accusing of you of being a bad person, Skye," said Madeline. "We're just making sure that you acknowledge that you did a bad person thing."
    "I get what I did was wrong," Skye said. "But how I look at it, it was for the right reasons."
    "What right reasons?" asked Andrea.
    "I freed Jeffrey so he can be with whoever he deserves. And now I'm dating someone who is exactly like me. So I don't have to worry about anything."
    "Like Jeffrey killing you in your sleep?"
    Skye frowned. "Funny."
    "That's not funny," said Lizzie. "That's serious. What if Jeffrey is driven by love madness?"
    "There's no such thing as love madness. I'm not going to lie: Jeffrey did seem hurt when I broke up with him. That hurt me a bit because I just want him to be happy. But he's going to be fine. I know that because I know him. He will heal and I believe that. Besides, he should be happy that I'm with Dom because he makes me happy. In the end, it's all about making decisions for yourself and I made my decision not just for me but for Jeffrey. Now will you excuse me? I need to buy some Honey Buns; I am craving badly for them." Skye got up and walked away from the table, making way to the far vending machines in the cafeteria.
    "Has anyone seen anything different about Skye?" asked Madeline.
    "I do," Lizzie answered. "She's so rude."
    "She's always been rude, Lizzie. There's something else about her."
    Debra gasped. "Her streak is gone."
    "Her what?"
    "The pink streak in her hair. She washed it out."
    Andrea gasped, too. "Su racha se ha ido. Es que no hay más."
    "Oh, my potato skins," said Madeline. "I can't believe she took her streak out."
    "Potato skins?" repeated Debra.
    "And Skye's outfit is all black," Lizzie mentioned.
    "Dios mio, I noticed that," said Andrea.
    Madeline gasped. "You don't think she's changing her wardrobe?"
    "Why would she change it in the first place?" asked Lizzie.
    "Because of Dom. Dom dresses almost goth-like so Skye is dressing like him."
    "But that doesn't explain the missing pink streak," said Debra.
    "Maybe Dom likes girls who wear their hair naturally."
    "That's dumb," Andrea commented. "Why would Dom make out with Skye if he didn't like all of Skye?"
    "I don't know. But this is sick, alright? This is a sick situation. Skye can't be changing, not for some guy. We need more proof."
    "Are we going to become sleuths?" Lizzie questioned. "I've always wanted to be a sleuth. Just strut around with a big magnifying glass. And I still have my pipe which blows bubbles. I've been dying to blow bubbles while solving a crime."
    Madeline stared at her best friend. "I wasn't talking to you, Lizzie."

The Skye is Falling (Part 1) (Chapter 5)

"Jeffrey, we need to break up," Skye spilled.
Jeffrey scrunched his forehead. "What?"
"We need to break up."
Jeffrey awkwardly chuckled. "Are you serious?"
"Is there another way to break up with you seriously?"
Jeffrey lost his smile. One could look into his eyes through his big glasses and tell that he was crushed. "You're breaking up with me?"
"Yeah. But don't worry; it's not you, it's me."
"How so?"
"Well, I don't love you the way you love me."
"You don't love me?"
"Is that really much of a surprise?"
"Not really but I didn't think you would ever admit it."
"Me, neither but last night, I realized that I couldn't be with you if I didn't love you back."
"Skye, it's okay if you don't love me. I know you care about me and that's all I want from you."
"Is it, Jeffrey? Is it?"
No sound came out of Jeffrey's mouth.
"Look, you deserve a girl who's gonna love you back. I'm just not that type of girl."
"But I love you, Skye."
"Stop saying that! Don't say that to me when you know I can't say it to you."
"But... it's true."
"I know it's true. I'm very aware of that. I just can't be around that truth. I'm doing it for your own good, Jeffrey. So no if's, and's, or but's, I'm breaking up with you."
Jeffrey sighed and looked up at the fluorescent-lighted ceiling. "Okay."
"If it will make you feel better, you can tell your friends that you broke up with me."
"No, it's fine. I have nothing to hide."
"I'm so glad that you understand. I guess this is goodbye."
"I guess."
Skye turned around and walked away without looking back at Jeffrey. He soon turned around and walked the other way. As Skye was about to exit the hall, Dom came out of corner and was surprised to see her.
"Hey, you!" he smiled.
"Hey, Dom," Skye smiled back.
Jeffrey heard the commotion and stopped walking. He turned around and saw Dom put his arm around Skye's shoulders.
"So I know something that'll make you happy," said Dom.
"What?" Skye asked.
"I got two tickets to see Twenty One Pilots."
"Oh! I love that band."
"Who doesn't?"
As the couple walked away together, they started singing:

I'm falling so I'm taking my time
On my ri-i-ide
Oh-whoa-oh

Jeffrey watched the couple disappear from the hallway in shock and disbelief. He shook his head and continued walking the other way. How could he have let the one he loved go into someone else's arms?

The Skye is Falling (Part 1) (Chapter 4)

On Friday, the day the essay was due, most of the students in Skye's English class turned in their papers. Skye turned in the paper with only her name on it so Dom would not get any credit. A few days later, the students received a grade for their essays. Skye got an A-, which made her happy. However, she learned that Dom got the A as well since they were supposed to be partners of the essay. Skye's happiness turned into anger and she realized that she absolutely hated Dom.
The next night, while Skye was sleeping, she heard constant tapping on her window. She woke up, all groggy, and clumsily got out of bed. She walked over to the window and grabbed the string of the blinds. She pulled on it, ascending the blinds, revealing Dom outside of her window. She was obviously not happy about that. She unlocked the window and pushed it up.
"Hey," Dom said.
"Dom, what are you doing here?" Skye asked, almost screaming.
"Shh! I wanted to talk to you."
"Couldn't you have talked to me earlier today or yesterday?"
"I didn't think you'd have wanted to talk to me."
"So you thought if I was tired and dazed, I'd be easier to talk to?"
"Yeah."
"Well, you're wrong." Skye reached for the window but Dom got in her way by sitting on the sill.
"Wait, wait, wait a minute," he pleaded. "Just hear me out. I know you're mad that I got an A on our essay."
"My essay."
"Your essay. And you have every right to be mad. I didn't deserve that A. I don't deserve that A."
"I know you don't."
"So because of that, I'm gonna tell Mrs. Woodbridge that you wrote the entire essay."
"Yeah, right."
"I'm serious. You deserve more than an A minus. Like you said, I'm just a loser who doesn't know how to do anything."
"I wasn't lying."
"Yeah. So I'm gonna confess to her about my lack of provision and take the F. I'm used to failing anyway."
"You would actually do that for me?"
"Of course."
Skye slightly smiled. "Thanks."
"No problem. I just don't want you to hate me."
"Why?"
"Because you're cool. You're different than any other girl I've met. I want to get to know you."
"You do?"
"Yeah, you're fearless, you're stern, you got a great fashion sense."
Skye snickered.
"You're perfect."
"I'm not perfect."
"Well, you are to me."
Suddenly yet slowly, Dom closed his eyes and started leaning towards Skye. She just stood there with eyes as wide as the Sun. Then, eventually, Dom pressed his lips on Skye's lips. After a couple of seconds, he pulled away. He opened his eyes and saw Skye's reaction, which was pretty much the same.
"Oh, I'm sorry," he regretted. "I didn't mean to do that. Maybe I should leave--"
Skye interrupted Dom by grabbing his face and kissing him back. Dom got off the window sill and entered Skye's bedroom as they kept necking. The two sat down on the bed, still making out. Then Skye pulled away.
"You really think I got a great fashion sense?" she asked.
"Yeah, it's rad," Dom smiled.
"Don't I know it."
The two went back to making out, embracing each other.

The Skye is Falling (Part 1) (Chapter 3)

    A couple days later, Skye continued to try to write the required essay with her partner, Dom, for English. However, he never contributed to the writing. Every time they were together, he just slacked off. But this day, Skye had had it. She wasn't going to be walked all over; she was going to take this assignment seriously. Dom drove Skye to her apartment so they could work on the essay in her living room. Her mother wasn't home so the two sat in the room in silence as Skye got out her laptop and began typing on a Word document. Dom got off the couch and entered the close-by kitchen.
    "What are you doing?" asked Skye, watching Dom.
    "Do you have any more Honey Buns?" he asked, looking in the high cabinets.
    "No, you ate them all. Remember?"
    "Oh. Well, your mom should get some more."
    "So you could keep eating all them up? I don't think so."
    Dom plopped down on the brown couch, sitting next to Skye.
    "So what do you think our thesis statement should be?" she asked.
    "What the heck is a thesis statement?"
    "Don't you pay attention in class?"
    "I haven't paid attention in class since '04."
    "That's fine because I was thinking about changing the topic anyway. I think it should be about how people don't murder enough boys who are lazy and wear black, fingerless gloves."
    Dom held his hands. "Vicious, aren't you?"
    "I bite a little."
    "Ooh, where?" He scooted closer to Skye.
    "Ew!" She pushed him, making fall over and rest on the arm of the couch.
    "How many times are you going to say, 'ew'?"
    "Until you seem less gross to me."
    Dom sat up. "Now I'm ugly?"
    "Oh, you were always ugly."
    "That type of talk won't make me help you with this essay."
    "You never once tried to help me!"
    "But I've always been there. That counts, right?"
    "No because if you're not making any contributions, then you're worthless to me."
    "You sound just like my mom."
    "Good!"
    "That's not good. I hate my mom."
    "Why do you hate your mom? Because she's always telling you to do your work?"
    "No, because she treats me like a piece of garbage."
    Skye paused. "Well, that's no excuse."
    "So what? If I want to work with you, I will work with you."
    "But if you don't, I will take all the credit for this project. All of it."
    "Is that a threat?"
    "I don't know. Is it?!"
    "I don't think you will."
    "You know what? Think how you want to think. But just know this: you're a loser and you'll always be a loser. You can make people do all the work for you all you want but you're never gonna know how to do anything. The world doesn't need you. Heck, I don't need you."
    Dom stared hard into Skye's eyes. "You know, you're very hot when you get angry." He put his hand on her thigh.
    Skye smacked it away. "Ew!"
    "Can you stop saying, 'ew'?"
    "No! I don't like you."
    "Not even a little bit?"
    "I rather eat my own puke then touch you."
    "Really?"
    "Really. Chunks and all."
    "Well, if you feel that way, then I'll leave."
    "Nothing would make me happier."
    Dom picked up his black backpack from the floor and left the apartment. Skye sighed, putting all of her focus into the document. Then her cell phone vibrated. She took it out of her jeans' pocket and turned it on. Dom sent a winky face to her by text message. Angrily, she typed, "STOP IT!!!" and sent it to him. She threw her phone on the coffee table in front of the couch then lied on her back with the laptop on her stomach.

The Skye is Falling (Part 1) (Chapter 2)

"So did you hear about the--" Madeline started before getting interrupted by a loud pllbbt! sound.
The girls looked at Lizzie, who was nonstop giggling as her boyfriend, DeMarcus, blew a raspberry on her cheek multiple times for almost a minute.
Andrea banged both of her hands on the table. "Stop that!"
Lizzie and DeMarcus got startled and simmered down.
"Are you mad because you don't have a boyfriend, Andrea?" Lizzie asked sincerely.
Andrea stood up with a menacing look on her face.
"Don't," Madeline commanded.
Andrea immediately sat back down.
"Why are you so mad?" Lizzie asked.
"Because I don't have a boyfriend," Andrea responded, crossing her arms.
"You don't need one," said Skye. "Trust me."
"Oh, Skye, are you and Jeffrey having relationship problems?" asked Debra.
"No, he just keeps saying the 'L' word to me."
"Lesbian?" guessed Lizzie.
Skye scrunched her forehead. "No. Why does everybody-- Never mind. I meant 'love', Lizzie. He's always like, 'I love you' and I just can't say it. And I think he knows I can't say it but he doesn't talk about it and he keeps on saying it to me."
"Why don't you give him what he wants and just say, 'I love you'?" asked Andrea.
"Because I don't know if I love him. But if I knew that I didn't, I wouldn't want to lie to him."
"Do you know that you don't love him?" asked Debra.
"I don't know. I really like him. He's my boyfriend. I defy every guy that hits on me, like Dom."
"Dominic Westwood?" questioned Andrea.
"Guys, I was going to talk about something!" reminded Madeline.
"Well, now I'm talking," said Skye. "Yes, Dominic Westwood. He's in my English class and we have to write a stupid essay together. But instead of helping me with it, he constantly cracks dirty jokes and plays on his PSP."
"Ugh, he sounds just like Donald," said Debra, reminded of her boyfriend's best friend.
"But less druggy, right? I might as well write the essay by myself and let the teacher know that I did it all by myself."
"You shouldn't do all the work," said Madeline. "You and Dom are all in this together."
"You're all in this together," sang Lizzie.
"Yeah, I know but he's always distracted," said Skye. "He's just some immature boy who was practically born as a monkey."
"Weren't we all born monkeys?" asked Lizzie.
"No, babe, our ancestors were monkeys," DeMarcus clarified.
Lizzie nodded. "Oh, right!"
"Just whip him into shape," suggested Andrea.
"Can't you just come by and whip him?" asked Skye.
"Dominic's coming over your house?" asked Debra.
"Been over my house. But it's all been a waste of time because all he does is fart on the couch and send me winky faces in text messages."
"He has your number, too?" asked Madeline.
"Yeah, but I didn't want him to. I thought it was important to keep in contact. I get dumber by the minute."
"No, you don't," said Debra. "You just want to get an A on your paper. Just be patient and maybe he'll provide to the assignment."
"And if that doesn't work," started Andrea, "smack the crap out of him."