Hola! How is everyone doing? Well I gotta be honest with you, I had a hard time choosing what to do for my post. For those of you who don't know me (my guess is most of you), I'm Janine DeJesus. My most well known story on here is Ice Princess, a story about a girl named Sibyl who discovers her mother is missing the same day two new kids move into town. A big part of Ice Princess is the background story regarding Sibyl. Ice Princess finds her the center of constant bullying from her classmates who were once her friends. But why?

So while I contemplated what to do for my post, I remembered a current WIP of her back story. It's just a small bit and nothing is definite, but it gives us a taste of what Sibyl was like before things changed. You don't need to read Ice Princess to understand what's going on, but the good news is you can read Ice Princess on Wattpad. Though the ending isn't up anymore most of it is. So if you're up to it, check it out.

Without further ado, here is a look into this short story about Sibyl a little before she started high school.

XXX XXX XXX

"I think he likes you," Teresa said as she searched through the racks of cardigans. She wrinkled her nose at one and gave up, turning to Sibyl. "I mean did you see the way he was looking at you at the Wilson's party? Totally checking you out."

"Teresa he's a senior," Sibyl reminded. "We're not even in his league. Now what do you think of this skirt?" She held up a leather mini skirt to herself. Teresa made a face.

"Need I remind you you're a model? And hot? Oh and head cheerleader? And dump the skirt. It's too edgy for you." Sibyl put it back with a frown. She liked edgy but Teresa was right. She was head cheerleader. The model thing though?

"I'm not a model," she reminded. "I just modeled for my mom's photography class project and some local vendor wanted it for his store. A store that will never leave Montana and no one will ever care about. And it was one small picture. They just wanted me because I'm a fricken sky scraper."

"Details, details." Teresa waved her hand, her bracelets clinking against each other. "Greg doesn't need to know that."

"I just don't know. Greg is probably going to frat parties and making out with girls all the time," Sibyl continued, frowning at a pair of studded pants. Everyone wore them but she thought they were hideous.

"You could be one of those girls." Teresa shrugged. "You're basing your opinion of Greg on stuff you've seen on tv Sibs. That's not fair."

"Shh! Sylvia's calling." Sibyl waved her hand as she pulled out her phone.

"The devil's calling," Teresa shrieked, throwing her arms up and laughing. Shooting her a glare, Sibyl answered the phone.

"Sylvia my dear, how wonderful to hear from you again. We must have tea one of these days," Sibyl dramatized with a fake British accent. Teresa chortled.

"You're shopping with Teresa the she-devil aren't you?" Sylvia said on the other line.

"Don't say the Lord's name in vain Sylvia."

"What time are you coming home?"

She pretended to look at a watch that wasn't there. "Let me see.... Never."

"What if I made your favorite?"

"Don't tease me woman. You have a devious mind."

"I get it from my daughter. You should meet her. She's a lot like you."

"Is she devastatingly gorgeous?"

"Annoying – yes. Gorgeous? Eh. She's okay. Her mother's hot though."

"Don't tell me you named your daughter Stacy."

"I cannot tell a lie."

Sibyl laughed and Teresa moaned. Without warning she grabbed the phone from Sibyl. "Hello Mrs. Bix. Sibyl will be home in an hour. Do you need her to get anything? I'm trying to convince her that this scarf is just what I need to win the man of my dreams." She draped a purple scarf around herself and posed.

"She has a new man of her dreams every week," Sibyl shouted. But it did look good with her dark skin.

"Just tell her to get soy milk on the way back." That was code for: Stay out as long as you want, Robert's been drinking again. Teresa knew the first part. No one knew the second part, or at least how bad it got.

"Mrs. Bix sometimes I think you don't like me," Teresa sighed, wagging her brows at Sibyl. "I'll make sure she's not home too late. It's a school night after all."

"Remind her she has dance tomorrow."

"My dance bag's all set up," Sibyl replied as she pulled out a red dress and displayed it against herself. Teresa grinned and gave her a thumbs up. "I feel pretty, oh so pretty!"

"Okay well we gotta go. Bye Mrs. Bix." Teresa hung up before Sylvia could get in another word, skipping over to Sibyl. "That's hot. You have to get it."

"I feel pretty and witty and gay," Sibyl sang in her out-of-tune voice.

"Gay?"

"It means happy in the song. You know, West Side Story? 1960s musical? It has that hot actor you loved when I forced you to watch it. Bernardo?" Sibyl twirled the skirt of the dress around. It was a skater dress, a deep maroon with flowers.

"I thought we talked about the show tunes," Teresa giggled.

"We did. And I pretended not to hear you." She flashed her a bright grin. "Well how about some hot chocolate since we've got time to kill?"

"I hate that place," Teresa moaned. "It has all those hideous kid drawings. Nothing of quality."

"I'll excuse that because you're a grade A artist but come on their chocolate's the best."

"Yeah but you're not gonna run into Greg there." A small smile graced her face as her brow arched. "I can think of somewhere fun. Somewhere we can meet people."

"We're at the mall. This is the hangout," Sibyl reminded, putting the dress back on the rack but her eyes lingered on it. She was a soft pinks and blues kind of girl. Her style was all preppy and fun bright colors. A dramatic dress like that would look wrong on her.

"Oh you naïve child." Teresa yanked her blonde hair. "There are better places than the mall."

Sibyl swatted her hand out of her hair. "I don't believe you."

"T'is true my dear, and we're going. But not until you buy that dress so you can look hot," Teresa replied, grabbing the skater dress. "Still a bit edgy but tonight you want to look sexy."

Sibyl snatched the dress. "I don't want to look sexy. I want to look sophisticated."

"Sometimes you worry me."

They laughed and walked to the dressing room so she could try it on. Her long legs were borderline gawky in the dress, but it made her boobs look bigger, so that was a plus. She fingered the large floral patter on the skirt of the dress. It almost had a Spanish feel to it. When she came out of the dressing room Sibyl shimmied and waved the skirt around in an attempt to look like a flamenco dancer. Teresa snorted a laugh and clutched her stomach. Sibyl clapped her hands in the air and posed.

"Dame burritos," she shouted. "Ahora!"

"Senorita Sibyl," Teresa announced gesturing to her with her arms stretched out. "Are you even Spanish?"

"Do I look Spanish?" Sibyl snorted, dropping the dramatic pose. "I have on idea what I am. But I'm going to take a guess that I'm white." She gestured to her pasty white skin.

"Nah. Definitely black," Teresa replied, looking her up and down. "You'll need red lipstick and the right shoes, but we can make it work for tonight."

"Where are we going? You didn't say."

"That's because it's a surprise. I know I said you aren't edgy at all but a leather jacket would look kick ass with this. But you wouldn't hurt a fly." She tapped her chin as she thought over Sibyl's outfit.

"What are you wearing to this mysterious destination?" Sibyl asked. Walking back into the dressing room, she contemplated what this dress would look like with black boots and a leather jacket. But Teresa was right. Sibyl was girly and preppy. Not edgy at all. And not sophisticated either.

"Um for your information I'm fabulous twenty-four seven." Teresa would have flipped her hair to make a point. She was in a jean jacket and a white cotton dress with leggings and brown booties to complete the look. Not to mention her signature dream catcher necklace.

Sibyl changed back into her clothes, a white button up with a cardigan and a handmade skirt that matched the turquoise statement necklace, and came out of the dressing room. "This is true. But where are we going and why again?" Not that she wanted to go home. Robert was drinking, and Sylvia made it clear she shouldn't come home until late. But she just wanted a chill night. Nothing crazy.

"Why ruin the fun of the surprise? Now buy the dress. You know you want to," Teresa said with a grin. It was true, she did want to, but she just wished she knew what it was for.

****

"You've got to be kidding me," Sibyl grumbled to Teresa when they arrived. Teresa grinned as they drove in to their surprise destination. Little Hawk Lake was more of a party destination, and pretty small for a lake. It was formed by nearby glaciers and froze over during the winter. Today there were bon fires and a bunch of people hanging out. And drinking. It made Sibyl gulp.

"Live a little," Teresa insisted as she got out of the car. Sibyl's hands clenched into fists. She was in her new red dress and black mary-janes. Teresa did her makeup and her hair was loose, grown halfway down her back.

When someone knocked on her window she jumped, but waved them off and smiled as she unbuckled. Once out, her nerves got worse. The scent of alcohol was strong. But she just smiled and followed Teresa to the bon fire.

"Well, well, well," Freddie said as he put one arm around her shoulder. "If it isn't my favorite lady. Teresa dragged you here, didn't she?"

"Are you surprised?"

"Nope. She's a regular in these here parts."

"I swear I'm the only person who doesn't come here," Sibyl grumbled.

"The only cool person who doesn't come here," Freddie corrected. "I mean isn't it your duty as head cheerleader to be a part of these things?"

"Friendly reminder: I was head cheerleader of the junior high squad," she pointed out.

"No one knows that here," he countered. Then he kissed her forehead. "Come on. Just let loose for once in your life."

Why did everyone have to act like she was such a bore? They didn't get it. She didn't drink because she didn't want to be like her father. Parties were kind of boring when she was the one person not drinking. And she didn't do drugs because of dance and cheerleading. Not to mention she took gymnastics to help with cheer. If her coach found out she did drugs she'd be kicked off the squad. What was wrong with having priorities?

Sibyl walked with Freddie to the bon fire. He ditched her to talk to a blonde at the other side and she sat alone. Someone offered her a drink but she turned them down. And she sat. Which was super duper fun. Later she was going to shoot Teresa later for this torture. Wherever she was.

"Sibyl, right?" someone asked.

Peeking up, she came face to face with Greg. He grinned down at her and she returned it. Greg sat with her, holding a stick with a marshmallow on it for her.

"S'mores?" she asked.

"I don't drink," he said with a shrug. He wasn't much taller than her, but he was stockier. It made her feel tiny, which was a nice feeling for once.

Her smile widened and she took the stick. "I thought I was alone."

"Nope. Besides, I want a clear mind so I can remember how you look tonight."

"Wow." She stared at the marshmallow. "Does that line ever work?"

He chuckled, licking his thick lips. "Not as well as I'd like. Ouch."

"Yeah sorry I'm not into corny lines."

"Got it. You like actual substance. I can work with that." So he was going to try? Where was Teresa when she needed her? Sibyl's marshmallow caught on fire and she blew it out. "So you're in orchestra right? What do you play?"

"Violin," she answered, reaching over him for the graham crackers and chocolate. Teresa said she had to act coy and like it wasn't a big deal that a senior was flirting with her. But holy crap a senior was flirting with her! "Do you play any instruments?" Bless her voice for staying even.

"Guitar," he replied, giving her a smoldering glance. She was supposed to swoon but after years of orchestra and being surrounded by guys who played it lost its magic.

"Oh cool. Are you in a band?" Like she didn't know. Which she did. Everyone knew about Greg. He was star quarter back. Colleges were watching his games, trying to outmatch each other for him. And he was in a band. It was a big local thing, half because the lead guitarist was in fact Greg. But she couldn't let him know she knew that. Then she'd seem too interested. And maybe even stalkerish.

"I am. We're not that big or anything but hey we have a gig this weekend. You should come see us," Greg replied. Was that a date? Like a date date?

"I have a dance thing this weekend in Billings." Which wasn't a lie, but the way she said it made it sound like one.

"Oh. Then maybe I can go see you." Silence followed, neither one knowing what to do as they made their s'mores. "So you're in orchestra and you're a dancer?"

"And in cheer," she added with a triumphant grin. Sibyl took a bite of her s'more and wagged her brows.

"Wow. And you have a social life?"

"I try to. It's not easy with school work too."

"All I'm hearing is that you're pretty amazing," Greg replied, eating his s'more.

"Naah. Just an overachiever. The way I see it if I work hard now and do all this stuff I can get out of here. Say goodbye to Montana and hello to..."

"New York? L.A.? Paris?" he tried.

"Somewhere. You know I've been dying to check out Norway," she finished.

"Norway?" He gave her a skeptical look.

"Or Russia."

"Seriously? I was expecting Paris or London. Isn't that where all girls dream of going?"

"They'll be pit stops. But no, not all girls want to go there. You shouldn't limit us like that." She chuckled and he smiled. Teresa would have thought that was a stupid comeback.

"Oh hey." He pointed to her face, making her straighten. "You have something on your cheek."

"I do?"

"It's some marshmallow. Hold on..." He grabbed her face and started wiping with his thumb. "Got it." And he let her go, but his hands drifted down her neck and made her hold her breath before he dropped his hands. "So... What do you want to do? I mean you have plenty of time to think about it but still."

"I hope so. I have no idea what I want to study. I'm pretty good at violin and dance, but I don't think I want to make a career out of them. There's no guarantees with that anyway. Who knows, maybe I'll figure it out in Norway."

"Maybe you'll find it in Montana," he countered, and they held each other's gaze. Greg broke it, staring at his hands with his s'more. "So... Can I have your number?"

"I... Are you sure?"

This made him laugh, and he flipped his black hair out of his face. "Yeah. I'm sure."

"Well you might regret it later. I might call you to make your ears bleed with my violin music," she teased. Again he laughed, and she decided she liked the sound of it.

"I'll take my chances."

****

"You owe me a thank you," Teresa sang over the phone later that night.

Sibyl was sitting in her nook, trying to keep down lest her step sister nag her. She was curled up against the wall Sylvia painted to look like the galaxy, biting her lip as she stared up at the galaxy stickers and recounted the events of the night. Greg drove her home when Sylvia sent her a text that it was safe. He was a perfect gentleman the whole time.

"I do," she confessed.

"He was all over you. He didn't talk to anyone else," Teresa squealed. "And did you see the way he was looking at you? Oh mama was he undressing you."

"Ew, Teresa." Sibyl shuddered.

"Oh like you didn't undress him with your eyes too."

She didn't but that didn't matter. Sibyl decided long ago sex would wait until college. What was the point of building up that sort of relationship now when she was planning to leave this place behind after graduation? Plus Sylvia liked to talk her ear off about waiting until marriage and blah blah blah. That wasn't on her mind now. Now was about doing everything in her power to get out of Montana. That didn't mean she couldn't kiss a guy here and there, which she did.

"Hello? You still there?" Teresa asked.

"Hmm? Yeah. Sorry. I'm just tired." She rubbed her eyes.

"Or imagining what his six pack looks like," Teresa giggled.

"Sure," Sibyl sighed. "Hey I'll talk to you tomorrow. My dance teacher's going to kill me if I doze off."

"Ew, responsibility. Fine. Be that way. But I want deets as soon as he kisses you."

"If he does."

"He will. Trust me."

"Night, Teresa."

"Adios." And she hung up.

Kissing. She stared at her ceiling. Sure she kissed people before, but not much. Who knew if she was any good at kissing in the first place. Greg was bound to be experienced. Oh gosh, why did he have to be interested in her? This was bound to end in embarrassment. Sibyl buried her face in her hands. The last thing she wanted to think about was kissing. Greg would dump her after they kissed and he realized she was just a kid in comparison. Oh gosh...

****

She noticed him halfway through her performance. This was her solo, her chance to get into a summer dance program. Her dance teacher was pretty confident in her chances, but last time she was on the short list. A month in sunny California to study dance sounded amazing. So she couldn't let Greg being there distract her.

Except it was kind of sort of crazy exciting.

Still, she pressed through. If anything she wanted to show off, making him gawk at her. But maybe he though she was lame for dancing ballet. Maybe he thought she looked stupid in a tutu, or that she was too childish. That was the last thing she wanted.

When she finished her performance people clapped and she went into a swift bow before departing from the stage. Dancing was such a thrill. It was also crazy labor and she was coated in sweat. Hands on her hips, she stopped to relax, her coach approaching her.

"You did great," she cheered, pulling her into a hug. Great wasn't amazing. Great wasn't perfect. She doubted great was enough.

"Thanks," she said through her breaths. Sylvia was bound to come around to congratulate her. She needed that too. Nothing stuck out to her as a bad mistake, but nothing stuck out to her as pure magic. There was something missing though.

Instead of Sylvia coming Greg came around with a bouquet of flowers and Sibyl froze.

"Hi," she stammered.

He hurried to her, brushing his glossy hair out of his face. "Hey." They stared at each other, and she was hyper aware of how sweaty she was, and that she was still in a sparkling tutu. "Oh um, these are for you." She took the bouquet of roses. Cliche but sweet.

"Thanks."

"Yeah. And uh... You were great. I mean I don't know a thing about ballet but it was pretty impressive anyway." He put his hands in his pockets, avoiding eye contact. It was the tutu. He was turned off by the tutu.

"I thought you had a gig," she said in a small voice.

"I did. Do. It's tonight. Actually I was kind of hoping you'd come with. After all this of course." He motioned around him, catching sight of a girl in a swan lake costume. "Lots of glitter, eh?"

"You get used to it. I like to think if David Bowie can wear glitter and make girls swoon there's nothing wrong with me wearing glitter," she said with a shrug. Oh gosh what if he thought she was lame for liking David Bowie. And she pretty much just admitted she thought he was weirdly attractive in Labyrinth...

"Well he is David Bowie. Cool. So do you want to go? I'm all for you coming in your tutu, by the way. Then I'll spot you in the crowd."

"I think my towering height would do the job. And I brought clothes with me, but they're more on the comfy side. Not my first choice for a date. Not even my second choice," she replied.

"So it's a date?" He said it in a high voice, bundled up with so much hope.

Well she set herself up with that one.

"As long as you don't mind me in sweats and actually sweating," she countered, trying to stay calm when inside all she could think was: I'M GOING ON A DATE WITH GREG. I'M GOING ON A DATE WITH GREG. A DATE WITH GREG.

"Oh please, you'll still be the best looking girl there. Except my mom will be there so you'll have stiff competition with her."

"Back with the corny lines. Nice."

"One day I'll sweep you off your feet with them," he assured with a wink. Sibyl giggled. Like a kid. Oh gosh she was such a dork.

"Alright. I just need to wait for the results and then we can go. Are you okay with waiting?"

"Well it is kind of a long drive..."

"Let me talk to my rents first. They should be okay with it." By rents she meant Sylvia. Robert stopped coming to these last year when he started drinking. And something told her Sylvia would be understanding. After all, she was going on a date with Greg.

****

The venue was a barn turned restaurant. She had a front row seat while his band played. They were okay. Country music wasn't her thing, but she smiled and bobbed her head to the music. Most of their songs were covers, which pleased the customers, but she didn't know any of them. Greg noticed, coming to join her, using a towel to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

"Didn't like the song selection?" he asked as he sat with her. Why did he make sweat look good? She almost hated him for it.

"Hmm?"

"You didn't sing along."

"Oh. I didn't know them. I don't listen to country."

He raised his brows. "What do you listen to? Orchestras?"

"Ha. Ha. Ha. For your information I'm a big jazz fan."

He took a sip of his water bottle. "You're kidding."

"Nope. I'm not. My mom got me into it. I mean I listen to modern stuff too. But I just like jazz." She tried not to laugh as he forced back his own laughter. "It's not funny!"

He cracked. "It kind of is."

"How is that funny? It's a great genre."

"Yeah but how many teens do you know who listen to that stuff? You have to be the weirdest girl I've ever met."

She put her fists on her hips. "I take that as a compliment."

"You should. You're beautiful, talented, and weird. It's a good combo," he said. The laughing stopped and the moment fell to silence. Again they just stared. She studied his straight nose and soft brown eyes. Then her eyes fell on his lips. They were full, demanding to be kissed. Sibyl turned away. Not here. It was too public.

"Corny line number three," Sibyl said under her breath.

"You're keeping track?"

"I want to see how many it takes you before I swoon." She made a swooning gesture with her hand. "So far you've gotten to three."

"Am I that bad?"

"I'll be worried if you make it to five without any luck," she confessed.

"I'll work on it. Are you hungry?"

"Starving. And not on purpose."

"I'd hope not. You'd kill yourself with all that dancing and cheerleading." He straightened and wiped more sweat from his face and neck. "The food here is eh. Plus I'd rather we had some alone time. My band's watching us." She didn't follow his gaze but felt their gaze on her back. "How about we leave this place? I have an idea of where to go."

"It's not Little Hawk lake, is it?"

He laughed. "No. Not at all."

****

It was Subway. She arched a brow at him and he shrugged. They ordered and sat down to talk. And talked. And talked. They talked until they were asked to leave the store and they realized it was eleven at night.

"Now would be a good time to tell me if you have a curfew," Greg mumbled as he grabbed their trays.

"Nope. My parents trust me."

"Perks of having a perfect child, I guess."

"Was that another swoon attempt?" She laughed, waiting for him by the door. He rolled his eyes, checking his phone as he fought a smile.

"No. Don't add it to your count," he warned, pointing at her with a suspicious look.

"Deal. Shall we?" she motioned to the door and he opened it for her. Gentleman points! As they walked to his car, she stared up at the stars. "You know what's the one thing I'll miss about Montana?"

"Me?"

"Nice try. No. The stars. You know how light pollution gets in the way of all this?" She gestured up to the sky and the starry milky way which winked down at them. "I'll miss that. It's something else."

"It's beautiful." He wasn't looking at the stars. Sibyl stared at him with her head cocked to the side, then snorted a laugh. "Still bad?"

"So corny. You need to stop watching Nicholas Sparks movies." Again her eyes returned to the stars, but her body warmed with his gaze lingering on her. She wondered back at Teresa's accusations that he was undressing her with his eyes.

"You got me, I'm a sucker for them. Don't tell anyone."

"I'll judge in silence."

Again they didn't speak. Gulping, Sibyl dared to look at him. There was no mistaking the look in his eyes. Greg took a step closer and her breath hitched. This was just the first date. He was bound to forget about her after this. Sibyl let out a shaky breath as he cupped her face with one hand. "Is this better?" he asked in a soft voice.

"It's too early to judge," she replied, giving a mental high five to Teresa for that smooth line.

Greg leaned down and brushed his lips against her. She opened her mouth, daring to take it further. He tilted his head to the side to deepen the kiss and she sighed, grabbing his sweaty shirt. Though she was new to this it was thrilling, and she mirrored his movements. But she wanted more. So much more. His arms wrapped around her waist and he held her closer. Sure she kissed boys before, but never like this.

When he pulled away his breath tickled her skin. "Sibyl," he whispered. "Your lips are cold."

"It's cause I'm a vampire," was her response. Teresa would have high fived her face for that.

Greg couldn't stop laughing.

XXX XXX XXX

And so ends this little snippet from Sibyl's back story. I hope you enjoyed and continue to enjoy more of the Wattpad Block Party!

Janine

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