Bad Girl

Author’s Note: Lyrics are in ‘ ‘. Song titles and artists will be listed at the end of the chapter in the order they appeared. Feedback is the stuff fluffy dreams are made of.


Michael entered the Crashdown at 7:00 and heading to where Max was sitting at a booth with Isabel.

“Hey.”

“Hi, what’s up?” Isabel asked.

“Did Max fill you in?”

“I did.”

“Well it seems Sarah has a job at Jetz.” Michael told them.

“That’s a club outside of town right?” Isabel asked.

Michael nodded. “She has to be there at 7:45. I’ll tell you the rest on the way there.”


*********


“So in other words we have to be really careful around her.” Max said.

“You got it. She notices every little detail and remembers it all like it happened a minute ago.”

“Michael, that’s not really that strange. I mean you used to do that when we were kids.” Isabel said.

“Yeah, I remember. I’m not saying it’s weird. I’m saying it’s dangerous. We’re here.”

The trio got out of the jeep and moved into the dim entry way of the club.

“What’s the time, Max?” Isabel asked as she grabbed her brother’s wrist and looked at his watch.

“It’s 5 ‘til 8.” Max said dryly.

“We’ll she’s here somewhere, we just have to find her.” Michael said when Max tapped his arm then
pointed to the stage.

“There.” Max said.

Michael turned his attention to the back of the building where the stage was set up and Sarah was standing off to the side tuning a guitar.

“Yeah,” Michael said. “That’s her.”

They sat down at a table as the band walked out onto the stage.

Sarah stood to the right, in front of a microphone with her guitar. A bassist, a shorter girl with neon pink hair, stood in the middle and a guy with another guitar stood to the left in front of mic, and the drummer behind them completed the band. The guy stepped forward and spoke into the mic.

“We are the Believers, the new house band here at Jetz. You can catch us here every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday night. I’m John, on bass we have Crystal, on Drums Darcy, and on lead guitar our singer and songwriter Sarah. This first song is called ‘Denial, Again’.” He looked over at Sarah and she started to play. The beat was slower and hypnotizing.


(Sarah starts the song. But John sings with her. I have the first letter of the name of the person who’s singing, just in case you care.)

‘S: So here we go, having the same old fight again.
J: Oh, there she goes, same old thing that never ends.
S: If I could say all the right words I know I could make you stay
J: If I could say all the right words things would work out all right
Both: And if you go I will believe that its forever and you can’t go, I’ll never leave. Cause its not
over.
S: Replay last night, talking it out don’t make it right.
J: I know she’s tried, my whole world is her and her alone
Both: And if you go I will believe that it’s forever, and I won’t go even if you say that it’s over. I know it will be different this time, if you’ll just stay. And we will love this story how did it end, it was you and me for all our lives. Come on don’t say it, we’ll try again. And if I could hold you we’d make it last.
J: But she cries softly, tears down her face.
S: He won’t admit this is the end and I’ve waited for you but there’s nothing now I can do, How did you know?
J: How did you know?
Both: How did you know? Finally.’


The room was roaring with applause as they continued into the next song. After a few sets the night was coming to an end and the band was getting ready to play the last song. John stepped up to the mic again and announced. “Thanks for coming guys, our last song is called ‘Want you Bad’. This is a personal favorite of mine Sarah wrote about a week ago.”

Sarah started a fast beat and stepped up to the microphone.


‘If you could only read my mind
You would know that things between us
Ain’t right.
I know your arms are open wide
But you’re a little on the straight side
I can’t lie.
Your one vice is you’re too nice
Come around now can’t you see

I want you, all tattooed
I want you bad
Completely, mistreat me
I want you to be bad, bad, bad, bad, bad

If you could only read my mind
You would know that I’ve been waiting so long
There’s a time I was like you
But now I’m through with waiting, so come on
Get out of clothes time, Put in those highlights
Come around now can’t you see

I want you, all tattooed
I want you bad
Complicated, X-rated
I want you bad, bad, bad, bad, bad

Don’t get me wrong, I know you’re only being good
But that’s what’s wrong I guess I just misunderstood.

I want you, all tattooed
I want you bad
Complicated, X-rated
I want you bad
I mean it, I need it
Want you to be bad, bad, bad, bad, bad
Bad, really really bad.’


As they finished the song the whole club got to it’s feet and applauded, including Max, Michael, and Isabel. They watched as Sarah walked off the stage to a table where Jess was waiting for her. Max started to walk toward them and motioned for Isabel and Michael to follow. When they reached the table Max tapped Sarah on the shoulder, she turned and her eyes lit up.

“Hey, Max, right? What’s up?” She asked brightly, totally missing Michael’s look of annoyance.

So much for not being a people person. Michael thought crossly.

“Sarah. Awesome performance.” He said.

“Yeah.” Isabel agreed. “You’re really good.”

“Thank you, um…I’m sorry, I don’t believe we’ve met.” Sarah said.

“Oh, I’m Max’s sister, Isabel.” She said as she held out her hand.

“I’m Sarah Crawford.” She said as she shook the proffered hand. Then she threw a sideways glance at Michael and said softly, “Hi Michael.”

“Would you like to sit?” Jess asked.

Max looked at the others and when they nodded said, “Sure.”

Michael smiled to himself when Isabel and Max sat on each side of Jess leaving the only open seat between Sarah and Max.

He smiled again when Isabel went to dance with some random guy and Jess asked Max to dance with her. He didn’t miss the wink Jess threw Sarah.

“How do you like Roswell? Did you miss it?” Michael asked.

“I did, I really did. Roswell is home. I just feel… I don’t know. Right here. Like I belong here.” She said softly.

Michael nodded. “So do you have a boyfriend waiting for you to call back in New York?”

“Of course not, why would you think I had a boyfriend?” She asked.

“Why not?” Michael countered. “I see no reason an intelligent, attractive girl like you wouldn’t.”

He watched as her eyes widened in disbelief and then a slow smile crept to her lips. She looked like she was about to say something but at that moment Isabel flopped into her chair.

“So, Sarah. Are you busy tomorrow night?” She asked.

“Uh, no.” Sarah said after a moment of thought.

“Cool. Do you want to come to my place for dinner? Our parents are out of town and me and Max decided to have a few friends over for food and a movie. You in?”

“Not a lot of people right?”

“Right. Only 7 or 8 at most.”

“Okay. What time?” Sarah asked

“6:30. Max and I have to get going. I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

“Ok, Isabel. Bye.”

“Sarah, I’m gonna catch a ride with Max and Isabel, my mom demands I come home at least once a week.” Jess said with a grin. “Will you be alright walking alone?”

“I’ll walk her. We do live in the same building after all.” Michael said.

“Cool. Bye guys.” Jess said.

“You don’t have to walk me. I’ll be fine. Trust me, I know how to take care of my self.” Sarah said after their friends had left.

“It’s not a matter of you taking care of yourself, it’s a matter of me feeling better about myself by doing something nice for you. Come on.” He said as he grabbed her hand and began to lead her out of the club. Sarah smiled to herself when he didn’t drop her hand. They were just out the door when someone called Michael’s name. He turned back toward the club and saw Kyle jogging toward him.

“Michael, I really need to talk to you. Like now.” Kyle said.

“I’ll leave you two alone.” Sarah said moving away from the two boys.

“What is it?” Michael asked.

“It’s about Sarah. My dad has a cop friend in New York, he looked her up and got a good bit of info about her and get this she has an arrest record. She’s been emancipated since she was around 14, apparently she was really popular in the club circuit so she didn’t have to worry about money. She moved back here because she was kicked out of school last month for fighting and in the past three years she’s been arrested twice for assault and battery but the charges were dropped both times.”

“Why were the charges dropped?” Michael asked.

“Well the first time the girl was over eighteen so she would’ve gotten busted too for fighting with a minor. I don’t know about the second time.”

“Thanks man, tell your dad the same.”

“No problem, be careful with her, okay?”

Michael nodded and made his way over to where Sarah was standing.

“Ready?” He asked.

“Are you sure this is cool, I mean I can walk alone.” Sarah said noticing some apprehension in Michael’s eyes.

“I’m sure.” He said a little too quickly.

“Fine.” She said knowing that he wasn’t going to tell her what was on his mind.

“So, how long have you been emancipated?” Michael asked once they were a few blocks away.

“Since I was 15.” She said.

“Mind if I ask why?” He asked her.

She was silent for a moment and he thought she would refuse, he was relieved when she began speaking.

“My parents died when I was young and I was shipped off to live with my grandmother. She was the type of woman who believed you could beat the evil out of a child. I got sick of it and bailed. The courts agreed it was the right decision. What about you?”

“My parents abandoned me when I was a kid and my foster father was a violent drunk.” He threw her a smile. “I got sick of it and bailed. The courts agreed it was the right decision.”

“How long ago?” She asked.

“Just a few months.” He told her. “Thanks for telling me what happened. I guess it nice to know I’m not alone.”

“Yeah, I just wish I would’ve met you two years ago. I had the cash to make it on my own but I didn’t have anyone to help me with the emotional stuff. I mean Max and Isabel seem like good people. I take it they were there for you.”

He nodded. “Yeah, before I got a job and a place to live I was staying with them. I wouldn’t have had anywhere to go if it wasn’t for them.”

“If you ever need to talk I’m right down the hall. I mean for me the first few months were hell, especially with no one to talk to. I know you’ve got your friends but sometimes, no matter how close you are and no matter how well they know you, you think they just won’t understand because they haven’t been where you were.” She said and then gave him a confused look. “That made sense, right?”

“Yeah, perfect sense.” He said.

“Do you have the nightmares?” she asked quietly. “Not really nightmares, more like flashbacks?”

He just nodded not trusting his voice.

“Those were the worst. After I finally thought I was rid of her, there she was in my dreams and it felt like no time had passed at all. Like I was still there and I could never escape…” She trailed off.

Michael glanced over and saw that she was just staring ahead of them. The rest of the walk was in silence. When they arrived, Sarah said a quick thank you and goodnight then retreated to her apartment. Michael stood outside for a moment and just as he was about to walk down the hall he heard Sarah’s voice.

“Jess? It’s me.” Pause. “No, I’m not alright.” Pause. “I’m a fucking idiot! That’s what’s wrong!” Pause. “I practically just spilled my guts to neighbor boy! I can’t believe it, I almost completely broke down right in front of him!” Pause. “Why? I don’t know. There’s just something about him that makes me want to talk to him, to tell him everything. And I mean EVERYTHING!” Pause. “Yeah, well, DUH!” Pause. “No I will not calm down! He doesn’t trust me as it is.” Pause. “Yeah. I’m sure. There was something in his eyes, he doesn’t trust me.” Pause. “No, I didn’t have a flashback but I damn near came close!” Pause. “No, you don’t need to come over, I think I’m okay now, I just needed to vent and see what you had to say about this fine mess I’ve managed to get my self into.” Pause. “Of course it’s serious! You don’t know how close I was to…” Pause. “Yeah.” Pause. “ Okay.” Pause. “ I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Pause. “Okay. Love you too.” Pause. “Bye.”

Michael walked down the hall and went inside his apartment. His mind reviewed what he’d heard and their conversation on the walk home. He knew how she felt. He had almost told her everything too including that the flashbacks were getting closer together and harder to ignore. He had wanted to tell her that he could still hear his foster father screaming and smell the liquor on his breath. He quickly stripped down to his boxers and flopped onto his bed hoping tonight he would sleep in peace and taking comfort in the fact that even though she was right and he didn’t completely trust her she was close by and that there was someone who knew how he felt.