Sunnyside Up with Red Ketchup

by Andrews, Ashley

  Help her. It's probably your fault she’s injured. You tried to get her bullied. She was bullied. Now you feel guilty. Help her and you'll feel better.

  He nodded. He had wanted her to be bullied.

  And she was. Now she’s not going anywhere. She's Seth Cooper's girlfriend – who would dare mess with her?

  He gritted his teeth in frustration.

  Help her out, just this once. Imagine how grateful she’d be. She may even choose you over Seth.

  He stood up as fast as he could, smacking his head with his hand, as though that would knock the little angel inside his mind—out. He really hadn't thought that. He really hadn't. Then he remembered he wasn’t alone.

  Red was looking up at him blankly.

  He stared back. Letting out a groan of defeat, he leaned forward and tugged her arm, dragging her back towards the dorm.

  "Zane—"

  "Shut up," he barked, dragging her up the stairs noisily.

  She was quiet until they reached the top floor, where he opened the door to his room and jerked her inside.

  "Sit." He pointed at the bed.

  She looked at him, and then to the place he pointed, her eyes wide.

  He moved towards her and placed two hands on her shoulders, forcing her to sit on the edge.

  "Stay," he ordered again, like she was a dog. He went to the coffee table and picked up the first aid kit that Casper had used earlier.

  Red opened her mouth to say something.

  "Don't." He moved over to the bed and sat behind her. Suddenly, he regretted his decision. He'd see her back. Her bare back. Why was that so nerve wracking? Swallowing an invisible lump in his throat, he lifted a trembling hand to move her long t-shirt slowly up, revealing pale skin inch-by-inch. He pulled it back down, looking away with a strained expression on his face.

  He was Zane Noble. Zane Noble, whose dream was to become a singer, which would move people to tears. Zane Noble, whose mysterious personality was his most attractive feature.

  He would not get so fussy over a tomboy's bare skin.

  "Zane, you don't have to—"

  "Just shut up, will you?" he said, defeat in his voice. He lifted up the shirt, revealing the rim of her black shorts and the scratches on her back. And the strap of a black bra.

  Heat rushed to his neck and his face and he tugged uncomfortably at the collar of his shirt, swallowing again. As quickly as he could he ignored the smoothness of her skin, and then cleansed the cuts with a watery liquid containing something that helped with pain. Then he applied the antiseptic cream. When he was done he hurriedly pulled her shirt back down, letting out the breath he'd been holding.

  It really was hot in here.

  Red turned around on the bed, a restrained smile finally spreading across her face. He'd helped her. He'd helped her…He'd helped her. He'd fixed up the cuts on her back, without her having to ask. Zane Noble liked her. He cared for her.

  She was ecstatic. The first part of her mission was almost complete. She turned around on the bed, the smile she had been trying to hold spreading across her face. It felt like a weight had been lifted off of her chest.

  Zane Noble had helped her. Every time she said it to herself, she felt like jumping for joy.

  Zane didn't look mad either. Well, he didn't look happy. Actually, he looked really uncomfortable. He stood up and stormed over to the door, opening it. He lifted a hand rigidly and pointed out to the hall. "You can leave," he said bluntly, his voice deeper than usual.

  She pouted and got up off of the bed, dragging her feet slowly across the floor. It would have been nice to stay a little longer. Before she left, she lifted her head up to say thanks. But she found him staring down at her with such an intense expression, the words caught in her throat. She didn't know what it was about the way he looked at her that made her go quiet, but suddenly, the smile melted from her face and she found herself staring back.

  His gray eyes connected with hers and it was one of those rare moments where Zane actually looked at her.

  But yet this was so much more. Her breath had been blown away, her words dissolved in the strange connection that stunned her. His gleaming, silver eyes, long eyelashes, smooth skin, and silky hair — they looked even more incredible during this strange little moment.

  She swallowed past the lump in her throat. "Thank you," she whispered.

  He nodded and tilted his head toward the door, indicating that she should leave. There was a fizzling tension between the two of them before she finally turned and walked out.

  When he closed the door behind her, she stood against the door, her hand pressed to her chest. Her heart had sped up when Seth had hugged her, but this… this was different. This was so much more. She placed a hand to her forehead and dramatically stumbled back into Seth's room.

  She really must be getting sick.

  Chapter 15: Fuchsia

  It was awkwardness all around the next morning. The day before had been the first Free Day of a Free Weekend, which were apparently a time when you were allowed to do what you liked. Since she didn’t know what she liked, and didn’t feel like doing much of anything, that meant she planned on being a slug.

  Except that the other thing on the agenda was staying by Zane's side. Unfortunately she had a whole lot more on her platter. She was dealing with half of the female population of the camp, being bombarded constantly with their questions about her new relationship.

  When she opened the door of the dorm that morning, wanting to go on a stroll to clear her head, she was greeted with flashing lights, microphones, shouting and a whole lot of questions. She had no idea what was going on. Someone yanked her back into the building. She looked up to see who her savior was, a grin spreading across her face after she identified him. "Zane! What's happening out there?"

  "You really must be stupid," his bangs flopped forward over his face when he shook his head. He flipped his head, sending it back over one eye. "They're reporters."

  Huh. "Reporters?" she repeated in a questioning tone.

  He looked down at her, releasing the hold on the back of her dad's badly sewn up t-shirt.

  "You know what reporters are… right?" he said slowly.

  Why did he always speak to her like a child? Of course she knew what they were! She searched her mind for the answer. Where had she heard the term used before? Then it hit her. They were the people that reported the news, or asked famous people questions and then put them in newspapers. She smiled at her cleverness. Then she frowned and looked up at Zane, pointing towards the door. "Why are they here?"

  He folded his arms and leaned forward. "To interview you."

  She snorted. Yeah, of course. Because she was famous. She continued to stare at Zane, waiting for him to say it was a joke. He didn't. She pointed at herself. "Me?"

  Zane ignored her questioning tone and turned, starting to walk back to his room, sighing loudly.

  "Thanks to you, I can't leave the dorm today." He told her.

  She hurried after him. "Why do they want to interview me? I’m not famous," she protested, starting to run up the stairs beside Zane as he took two steps at a time. She really hated having short legs.

  He glanced at her from head to toe, and then stopped walking.

  She stopped too, looking down the stairs they had walked up, and then looking up at the stairs they still had to venture up. "Um, Zane—"

  "You're wearing the same clothes," he turned around fully to face her, his nose wrinkling up in disgust.

  She looked down at herself and laughed nervously. "Uh, yeah…"

  "You have clothes. Are you so attached to that t-shirt that you'd wear it for two days in a row?"

  She shook her head. "This t-shirt is important to me, but that's not the reason I’m wearing it for a second day…" She felt her cheeks warming up and she scratched the back of her head. "It's just the only clothes I have…"

  Zane started to walk again.

  She hurried after him. "Hey, did you hear what I sa
id?"

  "No. I’m not going to talk or listen to you until you change."

  She frowned at his back. What was wrong with wearing a t-shirt twice in two days? Hadn't he ever done that before? She looked down at what she was wearing and tugged at it. There was mud and dirt smudges across it and her white shorts were dusted with brown specks. Okay, so she did look pretty filthy.

  She rushed ahead of Zane, tearing up the second staircase as fast as she could. She made it to the third floor quickly, running into Seth's room. She ignored his alarmed expression.

  He opened his mouth to say something, but she just grabbed her shopping bag and ran into the bathroom, changing at an alarming rate. On went a black, tight vest top with a red corset type design on the front. Along with it, a black, netted skirt that stuck out. It reached just past mid-thigh, which seemed a little short. But she wouldn’t know and Vikki had picked it out.

  She slipped on a pair of plain, black Mary Jane shoes and sighed. She brushed her hair for the first time in what seemed forever and winced at the tangles.

  Then she tore back out of the bathroom and out of the door, leaving a very shocked Seth sitting in his chair. The book he was reading fell out of his hands as she sprinted past.

  By the time she reached the top of the staircase, so had Zane. She stopped and grinned at him.

  "There, I changed. Will you speak to me now?"

  He stiffened; the superior expression he usually held on his face froze for a few moments, and then showed shock. His eyes slowly scanned her from head to toe. His arms slowly unfolded themselves and his eyes widened. She saw his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed.

  She tugged down on the skirt. Damn. She should have worn the shorts.

  Zane never cursed. He was too important and well-brought up to speak such foul words. He never liked using words that were religious when he was expressing feelings, like God. But holy hell, if he'd known that Red was wearing her clothes from the day before, because her bags held clothes like that, he would never have forced her to change. It was clear Icky Vikki had obviously picked them out for her because that was the only other person he'd seen wearing such outrageous styles.

  Who knew that Red had a figure like that or that it was possible for her to look remotely feminine or that she would look so… good. Her pale skin definitely stood out more when she wore dark clothing. But in this case, it was a good thing. Maybe that way no one would look at her body. Fat chance!

  Zane was filled with the unfamiliar urge to cover her up so that no one else could look at her. She did not belong in gothic type clothing. The blue streak in her hair had been enough.

  He stepped forward slowly, taking in Red's happy expression. He could see that she felt uncomfortable in the skirt. Her dainty hands were constantly pulling it down. He probably wasn't helping, what with not being able to tear his eyes away.

  He was like a groom on his wedding night, when the bride entered in her negligee.

  He shook out the image of Red in negligee. That was something he didn't want to think about.

  He didn't notice Seth open his door, obviously to exit, but then step back and watch as he grabbed Red by the wrist and pulled her all the way towards his own door, taking her inside.

  He shut the door behind him.

  "Don't go anywhere," he ordered her. He stepped over to a set of drawers and opening one, shuffled through the contents, finding a pile of black, long sports shorts that he had never worn. He bought them over to Red and thrust them into her arms.

  “I'll give you these if you go back into your room and take that off," he didn't have to point at the skirt, just look at it like it was the Devil.

  Her blue eyes stared at the skirt, then the shorts, and then back to Zane. "What's wrong with the skirt?" she asked him, innocently, her eyes shining.

  He inwardly sighed and crossed his arms over his chest, like he always did, and stared at a blank spot on the wall.

  “I don't think it suits you." He chewed the side of his cheek, struggling to keep his eyes on the wall. He couldn't look at her. He was such a liar. The skirt more than suited her. But he had to look at her when out of the corner of his eye; he saw her face light up.

  She looked down at the shorts, her eyes wide and a blinding smile on her face. "You'll really give me all of these?" She looked up suddenly, looking ecstatically happy.

  He just stared at her, unable to tear his eyes away from hers. What was it about her face and that happy expression that made him feel so pleased, yet so annoyed? Did she have to be so naïve? “I've given them to you already haven't I?" he swallowed, his assertive tone not as assertive as he wanted it to be. He turned his back on her. "You can go now."

  He knew she was staring at him for a while before she turned around to leave. When the door shut, he let out the breath he'd been holding. He swiped his sleeve across his forehead, wiping away sweat that wasn't there. It should have been. She was driving him insane.

  She hugged the pile of shorts tightly to her chest, biting her bottom lip to hide a smile. He'd given her his shorts. Zane Noble had given her his shorts. Why was it that every little gesture Zane made, had her acting so ridiculously happy?

  She bumped into somebody and looked up quickly. She'd been so far away; she hadn't even noticed there was someone in front of her.

  "Red? Red!" Arms were thrown around her neck. Her eyes were wide with surprise and it was only when the person withdrew that she noticed it was Casper. What was it with all the hugging? Not that she was complaining. She'd never received so much comfort in her entire life. Agents didn't hug. Even Uncle Agents.

  "Casper. How have you been?" She smiled up at him. His cheeky grin always made her feel spectacular.

  "Fine. Have you seen the reporters outside? There's so many! Leo said he'd come throw them off site in a bit." Casper's grin dropped to a smile. "Looks like they want to interview you."

  She pulled a face and shook her head. “I don't want to be interviewed."

  The blonde boy ruffled her hair and sent her another mischievous grin. "It comes with the territory, as Seth's girlfriend…" he trailed off, his expression suddenly turning sad. He patted her on the shoulder, straightening up, and his face blank. It reminded her of Zane's sudden mood changes.

  “I'll see you around." He walked into his room, shutting the door slowly behind him.

  She stared after him. Everyone was acting so strangely. She entered Seth's room and closed the door behind her. Seth was sitting on the edge of his bed, looking extremely troubled. He hadn't even noticed her enter, his gaze focused on the floor. She placed the shorts on a nearby shelf, turned, and took a step forward.

  From where she was standing, his face looked beautiful in the sunlight that came in from the window. His complexion was flawless and the highlights in his hair shone. His eyes were shining with emotion, the long, thick lashes making them seem huge. When she took another step, he looked up.

  He realized it was her and straightened up, the troubled expression disappearing and a calm one settling back onto his face. He smiled at her. "Welcome back."

  She didn't smile back. She wandered over to him, standing a few feet away. She tilted her head questioningly.

  "You okay?" she asked, a light frown settling on her face.

  Seth looked back at her, slightly surprised. "Why wouldn't I be?" he replied, standing.

  She held his arm to stop him from walking towards the bathroom. "You didn't look okay a second ago." She folded her arms accusingly.

  He let out a light laugh and ruffled her hair. "I’m fine. Get changed while I’m in the bathroom." He nodded at the shorts.

  She jumped, remembering them suddenly. By the time she’d made her way over and grabbed a pair, he'd already closed the door behind him.

  * * * * *

  Damn it. Seth rested his head against the mirror.

  He'd thought he'd grown out of it. Stupid emotions like lust, arrogance and hatred – he didn't need them. He told himself he'd never get interested
in a girl, ever. They were trouble. They destroyed even the strongest of men.

  But he'd gone and done it.

  He lifted his head and stared at mirror that had misted up while he had been showering. He wiped it with his hand and then stared at his reflection.

  He'd been able to suppress it, deep inside him. But then she'd run out of the bathroom, wearing those clothes. It's not that he was the kind of person to fall for someone who had a nice body. It was just that seeing Red dressed like that seemed to brighten her personality, eyes, hair, smile… everything.

  He scrunched his eyes shut and rested his forehead against the mirror again, banging it gently as though trying to knock his feelings away. But they weren't going anywhere. With his eyes closed, her smile brightened the darkness. When he woke in the morning, the highlight of his day was seeing her eyes alight with happiness. When he saw other girls, he liked comparing them to her and how she was so much better.

  When she looked at him, smiled at him, laughed at him, his heart thumped against his ribcage. He ground his teeth together. The one thing he thought would never happen to him, had.

  Seth Cooper had fallen for Red Hart.

  Chapter 16: Cream

  The reporters had been shooed away by a very aggressive Leo, holding two very large water guns. It was funny how fast journalists would flee after having their equipment threatened.

  It was 10:30 at night, way past curfew, and Zane, Seth, and Casper still hadn't returned. No one had bothered to check if they were in the dorm or not. She was the only one that knew they were missing.

  She was worried sick and could do nothing but lay on Seth's bed, waiting for them to come back. She jumped when a loud vibrating snapped her out of her stupor and looked around hurriedly for her cell phone. She found it in the pocket of her dirty pair of white shorts.

  "Dexter?" she said when she answered.

  "Red, where's Zane?" he sounded worried. Very worried.

  "He went out. I didn't know they were planning anything. I came back from the cafeteria and they'd already left."