Fallen Star Chap2

Chapter Two1

The week leading up to graduation went buy entirely too fast for everyone.  With so much to do and so little time to do it everyone was ready for the break.  Graduation was that Friday night at five.  By eight o clock the evening‘s affairs should be over and done with.  By nine they should be on their way to the lake and the beginning of a fun weekend.2

Brandi and Tate began to pack early in the week since they had so much to do but not enough time to do it. And it took them forever since they weren't exactly what to pack.  On the other hand Liam and Josh were slowly getting it together.  Everyday the girls went by the shop and everyday the guys tried to figure out why they hadn't done this earlier.3

Tuesday, the day after the news of Tateum's  record deal flew through school, Tate sat back and watched her whole world turn around.  People who never talked to her before began conversations with her.  The people who always said something negative towards her were nice to her.  Even the teachers doted on her.  All the girls could do was sit back and laugh.4

Wednesday was the last regular day of classes for the girls.  They received the test scores for all their finals, which they passed, and the rest of the day was spent saying goodbye to everyone who was being left behind.  Later that day the teachers threw a senior lunch for the whole class and they congratulated Tate on her achievement and made her promise that she would come back when she was became famous and do a concert.  She agreed happily and Brandi hugged her sister tightly.5

"You know I'm proud of you, don't you Tate?"   Brandi asked as they ate their lunch of country ham, green bean casserole, gravy and hot yeast rolls.6

Tate looked at her and smiled.   "You know you always have been and will always be my sister?" 7

"Good, then you'll let me have your mashed potato s right?"  Brandi smiled.  8

"No!"   But Tate was to late, Brandi had already taken a huge spoonful of her mashed potatoes.  "Hey you just can't take those off my plate!"   9

Brandi ate a bite.  "Hmm, so very good." 10

"Oh you little..."  Tate huffed.11

"No, no, no, you can't say that here?   Brandi smiled while wagging her finger.12

"Well I"ll just go..."  Tate was interrupted by a handful of mashed potato's connecting to her right cheek.  Brandi began to laugh as Tate sat their stunned.13

"Oh that s it."  Tate picked up her green bean casserole in her hand and flung it at Brandi hitting her right between the eyes.  "Two can play at that game." 14

As the two girls began smearing food all over each other the rest of the crowd began to laugh at the girls.  Alton, the photographer for the yearbook began snapping pictures of the girls.  Once they realized what they were doing the girls began to laugh. 15

"Hey Alton, take one more."  Brandi yelled across the room to the photographer.  "Here like this."  Directing Tate into a pose.16

"OK.  Ready?"  With a snap and a flash the crowed began to clap.   "That's gonna be a great photo to put in the yearbook.  Alton smiled. "And that was the last picture of the last roll on my last day in high school."  Smiling Alton picked up a surviving yeast roll and swiped it across Tate's face and ate it.  "Good gravy."  Alton winked.  Everyone began to laugh again as the girls went to clean up.17

That night the girls were too excited to sleep.  So they stayed up late eating popcorn and watching old movies.  After the last movie they decided to make a list of things to bring camping with them and talked about what they were going to do in California.  Even tho they had already packed a million times they packed one last final time.18

Thursday, was the day to end all days.  They were pushed through lines and formations to walk in and pre-graduation pictures, movies and anything else to fill up the day.  By the time the girls got home and ate dinner, they fell asleep on the couch watching TV.  A few hours later19

Brandi woke up leaving Tate to sleep Brandi went to her room and finished packing what she was going to bring camping with her.  She woke Tate who was upset she slept so much and they both went into Tate's room so she could finish packing.  After an hour or so both girls fell asleep on Tate's bed.20

The knocking in her head became louder and louder until Tate finally woke up.  Realizing the knocking wasn't just in her dream.  Tate flung her legs over the side of the bed and reluctantly walked to the door.21

"Hi daddy."  Tate yawned and lifted her eyebrows.  In her father's arms were a half dozen red carnations.   "You got me carnations?'22

"Morning sweetheart.  No these just came for you."  Paul said laughing.   "Wake your sister, lunch is ready.   Handing her the flowers her looked passed her at Brandi.23

"Lunch?"  Tate leaned against the wall.   "What time is it?"24

"It is..."  Looking at his watch.   "Twelve-thirty." 25

Tate dropped her head and sighed.  26

Paul patted her shoulder and kissed the top pf her head.  "So get up.  Big day today.  Tell Brandi she drools."  He said pointing at the snoring  bundle of blond hair.  Laughing he walked away.27

Tate walked back to the bed and double-checked the clock.  It was twelve thirty. Well, twelve-thirty five now on the Friday they were supposed to graduate.  Pulling the covers off of Brandi and shaking her.  Tate shook her head.  "Brandi.  Wake up.  We overslept its twelve thirty." 28

Brandi shot up and yelled the time.29

"Yeah Lunch is ready.  Look I got flowers." 30

Crossing her legs Brandi rubbed her hands on her face.  "From who?"   Brandi yawned.31

"Not sure.  There is no card." 32

Getting up Brandi went to the flowers to check for a card again.   "Hum.  Only five carnations?  Turning back to Tate Brandi shrugged. "Weird.  How did they know these were you favorite flowers?" 33

Tate Shrugged.  "Theirs only five?"   Sitting back down on the bed Tate grabbed her scrunchies and put her hair up.34

"Wow look who can't count?" 35

Tate threw a pillow at Brandi who threw it back at her knocking the clock and lamp off the end table.36

Covering her mouth to cover he giggle Brandi ran out of the room.37

The gym was hot' Tate's feet hurt and her cap and gown were getting on her nerves.  Sitting two rows behind her Brandi was feeling just about the same as Tate was.  Both girls couldn't wait to get out of that place and on with the nights activity.  Most of her classmates were off to parties.  Party's both the girls were invited to but declined because of their invitation to go camping.  To Brandi this was like any other date she has ever been on.  But for Tate is was something very new to her.  Her mind reeled at the possibilities.  Being so lost in her own thoughts Missy Lynbrook had to nudge her when her name was called.  Walking across the stage she chanced a glance at the large audience, searching for the faces of the people she cared about, and for Josh.  Tate's heart was racing she'd never been so happy in her life.  She had finally accomplished something even her mother could be proud of.   After receiving her diploma she sat back down and waited for Brandi's turn.38

Brandi had been waiting for this day since she was born.  She knew her parents were watching her from above and so was her adopted family.  She looked down at Tate and smiled.  Tears welling up in her eyes she took her diploma and pumped it into the air.  She wished her parents could be here to see her walk across the stage.  But just the fact Tate, the rock in her life was waiting for at the bottom of the steps filled her with the kind of love that no one but the two of them could understand.  The only person she looked for in the crowed was Tate.  When she found her she smiled and gave her a thumbs up as tears were falling down her cheeks.  Tate was also crying.  Brandi knew Tate understood why this was so important her.  After the tassels were switched and hats thrown up in celebration both girls found each other and hugged each other tightly.39

Crying Tate pushed Brandi's hair behind her ear and wiped her cheek.  "I know they would be proud of you and that they are somewhere watching you because I'm proud of you." 40

Wiping her tears Brandi nodded.  "I know everybody thinks it was so easy for me and I took my parents death so well.  I only did because of you."   Brandi hugged Tate and whispered.   I love you Tateum.  41

Smiling Tate said.  "I love you to you pain in the ass."42

"God, were mushy"    Brandi laughed.43

They both began to laugh and whipped their eyes.  Walking through the crowd they hugged many friends and teachers.  Brandi's aunt came with the rest of her family and Tate's Brothers Michael and Justin came.  Brandi had not seen her aunt in many years and had mixed feeling of why she was even there.  She didn't want her back then why bother now? 44

Justin and his wife Sara came all the way from Las Vegas both to congratulate her for graduating and the record deal.  They had both spoke to dad and they were proud of her.  Justin being in the music business and also and actor he gave her demo a nice push and Tate hugged him tightly.  Sara, Justin's former assistant now co-stars, insisted Tate and Brandi use the beach house in California while they were there and handed them the keys.  Tate tanked her and Justin kissed her on the cheek promising he would come to California while she is there to see her but they had to go catch a flight back to Las Vegas.  Giving Brandi a hug Justin waved goodbye to Michael saying need me call me, love you all.  Michael kissed the girls foreheads and promised he would call as soon as they got settled at the beach house.  Michael was the high schools math teacher, having both of the girls pass his class without his help and watching them graduate had made him proud to be not only his students but also his sisters.45

Standing at the top of the steps the girls searched the remainder of the crowed looking for Josh and Liam.46

"They said they would be here."   Brandi frowned, linking arm and arm with Tate.47

Scanning the crowed Tate saw them standing by the bleachers.   "There." Tate pointed  "By the bleachers."   48

"Look who has one...Single...Carnation?" Brandi smiled. 49

"No."  Tate stared at the flower from across the room.  "How did he know?" 50

Brandi shrugged.  "Guess a little Blondie, I mean little birdie told him." 51

Stopping mid-stride Tate punched Brandi in the shoulder.  "You bitch, you knew and didn't tell me!" 52

"Well, what was I supposed to do.  He made me promise."  Brandi   scoffed as she rubbed her arm. 53

Walking back towards the guys Brandi waved.  "Let's go.  Time to get the night started."  Brandi walked towards Josh and hugged him.   "Hey Josh thanks for coming."  Brandi smiled.  She loved them. 54

"Josh smiled and nodded."  We wouldn't have missed this for the world."55

While Brandi talked to Josh. Tate hugged Liam and thanked him for coming.  "We didn"t think you guys came." 56

"Why wouldn't we?"   Liam asked.57

"You came to ours."   Josh smiled.58

Tate turned towards Josh and raised her eyebrow.  "You."  59

Smiling Josh held his hand out for Tate to take and the other held the single red carnation.  "Me."  60

Brandi linked arms with Liam and smiled up at him.   "Hey you. 61

"Hey."   Liam winked.62

"What took you so long?"   Brandi asked.63

Liam laughed.  "I don t know  we have been asking ourselves that same question all week.  Maybe I was afraid you were gonna beat the crap out of me." 64

"Me?"   Brandi looked at Tate who she hoped to get the answer from but Tate was off in conversation with Josh.  Brandi had never seen Tate that happy in a long time.  It made her smile.   "Well I ll ask her later." 65

Liam nodded and waved to Josh.   Let's go we got a long night ahead." 66

Walking toward the car hand and hand with Josh she couldn't help but smile.  She couldn't t imagine how long she had wanted this to happen.  Maybe even before she knew him.  She didn't know.  But she knew for sure it didn't feel one bit real.67

This can t be happening to me.  Can I be this happy?  Looking at Brandi, Tate smiled.  She's happy, it s been a long time since she has been that happy.  Hopefully if everything works out well tonight can be a new beginning for both of us.  Maybe we can both be happy?68

Stopping at the truck they made plans to meet at Tate and Brandi's house in a half-hour, where they would load the truck and be on their way.  But just before getting into the truck Tate turned to Josh.  69

"Ok, why send me only five carnations then give me this one tonight?"   Tate asked while looking down at her feet embarrassed.70

"Placing his index finger under her chin, he raised her head and looked into her eyes.  "Five, for the years we have known each other and one for the number of days it took me to realize that I can't live without you."  Pulling her closer to him, he softly kissed her lips.71

The softness of the kiss and the power in it surprised Tate.  She had never known a kiss like this existed.  It made her head spin and her toes curl.  Before she knew it she was on her tiptoes with her arms around his neck to kiss him again.  She couldn't believe how soft his lips were as the kiss deepened.  Breaking away Tate took a deep breath and looked up into his deep blue eyes.  Realizing what had just happened inside she started to freak and slowly pulled away smiling.72

Wow.  A whole day?  What about a half a second?73

 Her head was spinning, her heart was pounding, she hoped she wouldn't fall when she turned back to the truck.  When she finally spoke it came out a small whisper.74

"A whole day huh?" she said 75

Josh smiled.   "That's what I was just thinking." 76

The sound of a horn honking broke her gaze from his.  Turning she found Brandi waiting in the truck for her tapping her watch.77

Clasping Josh's shoulder Liam smiled.  "Come one bro, we got to go back to the house real quick." 78

We'll see you guys soon.   Josh waved.79

Tate nodded as she got in the truck.  The look on her face was all Brandi need to see to know her best friend was in love.80

"Some kiss huh?"   She asked Tate.81

"Some kiss."   Tate smiled as she drove home.82