Chapter 7

~New Characters Introduced~

Nurse Joy and Unnamed girls of Shelly's gang

Original Date of Post: 08/26/2007

Narrator: It’s rather sad and heartbreaking when you have a friend in an unfortunate situation and you can’t do a damn thing about it.

Misty: (Sighs) New semester and new teacher!

Marisa: Thank the great, good Lord! I’m so glad that we’re getting a new teacher. From what I observed, all of the other teachers are pretty decent. Not including Coach Surge.

Misty: Yeah, he is a nut-case! Wouldn’t you agree, Sakura?

Sakura: Huh? (Sadly) Yeah.

Misty: Are you okay? You’ve been pretty lethargic for the last few weeks. (Flashback to a couple of months ago)

Shelly: For your own safety kid, I don’t want you coming anywhere near me ever again. (End of flashback)

Sakura: It’s nothing really. (The door opens)

Nurse Joy: Good morning students.

Marisa: You’re going to be our new English teacher, Nurse Joy?

Nurse Joy: It’s only going to be temporary. You see students, we’ve been suffering a big teacher shortage and the firing of Professor Elm didn’t help one bit. But not to worry, I’m qualified to be a substitute for a ninth grade English class.

Misty: But what if someone gets sick or needs medical attention?

Nurse Joy: Luckily, it's usually quiet during first period and normally no one comes by the Nurse’s office. In either event, I have a substitute there.

Narrator: Meanwhile, at the Nurse’s office…

Scott: Hmm…So far, so good. I can’t believe how quiet it is. I swear, Nurse Joy has the easiest job of the entire administration. (The door opens) Huh? What’s up boys?

Ash: Well, we were in the middle of a dodgeball game…

Brock: And one thing led to another and…

Drew: GET ME HELP!!!

Scott: Holy crap! How was he able to get his bone to stick through the skin like that?

Ash: You know, I asked myself that same question.

Drew: GET REAL HELP NOW!

Ash: Hey, does anybody else smell almonds? (Drew cries out in pain) Oh, would you shut up! We carried you all the way from the gym and the least you can do is be grateful. (At lunch)

Brock: Oh man, that was the creepiest thing I’ve ever seen.

Ash: I know! The bone was actually sticking right through the skin. That was so cool.

Misty: Do you boys mind? We’re eating and we girls really don’t want to hear any gross stories like that.

Marcus: Did you take any pictures?

Brock: Unfortunately not.

Ash: Well when he comes back to school, we'll ask him for x-ray shots.

Marisa: I sure hope that Drew is okay. Nurse Joy was in our class when you boys were in her office.

Brock: Drew will be fine. He’s at the hospital now where he will overdose on Valium and be ignored by doctors and hospital staff. (Sakura sighs)

Misty: Are you sure that everything is okay, Sakura?

Brock: Hey, if it’s Drew that you’re worried about, I’m sure he’s being well taken care of at the hospital. (Whispering to Ash) Not a chance.

Sakura: No, it’s nothing about Drew. It’s someone else I’m worried about.

Marisa: Who is it?

Sakura: It’s Shelly. I haven’t seen her since late last semester. I hope that she’s okay.

Misty: Maybe she moved.

Sakura: I just need some closure. I just have to know if she’s okay. I can’t really explain it, but I just have to make sure she’s okay for myself. Wait a sec! Marisa, you’re the school nark and gossiper! You have to tell me any information about Shelly.

Marcus: Uh-oh, you called her the "n" word! You better apolo...

Marisa: Don’t EVER call me a nark. I refuse to help anyone who calls me a God-damn nark.

Marcus: She didn't mean to, little buddy! Come on, she's one of your friends. You can spare her, right?

Sakura: I'm sorry Marisa, but could you please help me?

Marisa: (Sighs) Well since you are a friend, I will help you out. Last I heard of your friend was that she dropped out of school about a month ago. (Sakura gets up and leaves the table)

Misty: (Thinking) You better not be doing anything stupid, Sakura. (In the girl’s bathroom)

Sakura: I need to know if you’re alright Shelly. You’re a friend and I have to make sure that everything’s okay. I have to find her. (Toilet flushes) Huh?

Winona: I should have known. (Opens the door stall) Put an end to this nonsense, Sakura.

Sakura: I knew I shouldn't talk out loud without checking under the stalls. What do you want?

Winona: Sakura, its best that you don’t mess around with Shelly or try and get involved with her life. There’s really no hope for her right now.

Sakura: Take it back! I know her and I know that she wouldn’t give up so easily.

Winona: You have to know the truth Sakura. Shelly belongs in a gang. (Sakura gasps) I know it’s a shock, but it’s true. She joined a gang when she was in the eighth grade. After that, she started ditching class, getting low marks in school, got into numerous fights on campus, and that’s just her school record. The police record sings a different tune.

Sakura: I don’t care about her past! All I care about is her now.

Winona: Sakura, you’re a sweet, caring person. I know it’s in your nature to care for special cases like Shelly. I’m telling you this so that you don’t get caught up in this whole mess. I don’t want to see a nice girl like you getting trapped in Shelly’s life.

Sakura: It’s nice of you to be so concerned Winona. But with all due respect, stay the hell out of my business and mind your own.

Winona: Please, Sakura. (Comes closer) I’m just trying to look out for your…

Sakura: Get your hands off of me! (She slaps Winona in the face) Butt-out Winona! (She runs out of the bathroom) I'll prove to you that she can change for the best. (Runs out of the building) I'll find you, Shelly. I just hope you're okay. (A little later outside a classroom)

Winona: Where is she?

Misty: Where’s who?

Winona: Sakura. I know for a fact that she has the same fourth period class as you and now I’m asking where she is.

Misty: I don’t know. She didn’t show up to class. I haven’t seen her since lunch.

Winona: Great! That probably means she ditched class. (Groans)

Misty: Why are you so hell-bent on finding Sakura?

Winona: I confronted her in the bathroom because she was planning on finding Shelly. I told her not to interfere in Shelly’s life. So she slapped me in the face and left.

Misty: Oh great! She’s gone after her?

Winona: Well don’t worry, Misty. We can track Sakura down after school. (A little later around town)

Sakura: (Sighs) I guess I’m a fool for thinking she’d be somewhere nearby. She could be anywhere in this town! Maybe if I come back during the weekend, I can try to search for her again. If only I could see Shelly’s smiling face again!

Shelly: What would you do? (Sakura jumps)

Sakura: Shelly! I found you! (She hugs her) I thought I would never see you again. I know you told me not to hang around you, but I had to make sure you were okay.

Shelly: What are you doing here, kid? Don’t tell me you're getting in the habit of ditching.

Sakura: I was just worried about you. All of my friends told me that you dropped out of school. I didn’t know if I should have believed them or not. It’s just that for the past few weeks, I’ve been having a bad premonition about you. I had to make sure you were okay.

Shelly: It’s nice that you care so much kid. I don’t want you to get bothered with my own problems.

Sakura: Is that one of the reasons why you’re not going back to school?

Shelly: It’s not that simple kid. (Gasps) GET DOWN! (They run into a store) Damn it! I can’t believe these thugs would stalk me in the middle of the day like this.

Sakura: Who are you talking about?

Shelly: No one important. Listen kid, I wouldn’t hang around here. This isn’t one of the safest neighborhoods. (Sakura sighs) I’ll tell you what, kid. How would you like to hang at my apartment for a little while?

Sakura: Really?

Shelly: Yeah, it isn’t too far from here. Hey kid, while we’re in this convenient store, why don’t you get us some snacks?

Sakura: Cool. (Shelly goes outside)

Shelly: Hmm, it looks like those goons are gone. (A car pulls up) And then comes another...

Winona: Shelly!

Shelly: Winona. So what do I owe the pleasure?

Winona: I know she’s somewhere nearby so you better fess up.

Shelly: What the hell are you talking about?

Winona: Don’t play dumb! I know that Sakura left school early to try and find you. Something tells me that you’re hiding her somewhere.

Shelly: Hey look Winona; if the kid wants to see me, it’s her decision and not yours. Why don’t you stop being a pest and let Sakura make her own decisions? You are not her mother!

Winona: I may not be her mother, but I care for her like any mother would. Look, I don't have time to deal with the likes of you. I will just leave you off with this warning. If any kind of harm comes towards Sakura while she's with you, I will see to it that the police lock you up and throw away the key! (Winona goes into her car)

Shelly: Yeesh, what a pain in the ass! (Goes back into the store) Did you get everything you wanted kid?

Sakura: Sure did! What’s wrong?

Shelly: Let’s just say I had a nasty run-in with that goodie two-shoes, Winona.

Sakura: Winona’s here? Oh crap, she must have followed me.

Shelly: I take it you don’t want to see her right now.

Sakura: She told me not to find you, so I slapped her in the face and told her not to interfere with my decisions. I’m sure she’s pretty upset.

Shelly: Pissed off is more like it. Luckily, this place has a back exit. We can leave without Winona catching on. (In Winona’s car)

Misty: Are you sure she’s around here?

Winona: I asked around and people saw a young girl fitting Sakura’s description. I’m certain she’s around that thug, but Shelly’s trying to cover for her.

Misty: So what do we do now?

Winona: You’ll see when we get there!

Misty: Okay, I have another question. Am I going to die tonight? Because this looks like one rough neighborhood! (Minutes later at Shelly’s apartment)

Shelly: Here we are kid. You can hang out here for a little while. But once the sun begins to set, I want you to head on home.

Sakura: Okay. Oh yeah, I’ve got something for you. (Roams through backpack) Here!

Shelly: What is it?

Sakura: It’s a friendship bracelet. I want you to have it.

Shelly: Hmm…I haven’t seen one of these since I was in elementary school. I didn’t know girls your age were still making these. But it is the thought that counts! Thank you so much, Sakura. I feel ashamed that I don’t have anything to give you.

Sakura: Don’t think about it! You’ve done enough for me that I had to repay the favor somehow.

Shelly: You look like you've got something on your mind.

Sakura: Shelly, won't you quit the gang? (She gasps) And come back to Pallet High?

Shelly: Kid...You see...

Sakura: It's not easy to get out of a gang, right?

Shelly: Yeah...But, for you...I'd like to at least try. You're one of the very few who see me for more than a thug. (Sakura hugs her)

Sakura: Thank you Shelly. (Outside the apartment)

Misty: So that’s Shelly’s apartment?

Winona: Yup.

Misty: The place looks deserted. I don’t see any cars or any windows open. Are you sure they could be in there?

Winona: We just have to wait. While we do Misty, I have a few rules. Number one, stay in the car at all times. Number two, don’t open the door at any time. And three, do not fall asleep. We have to stay awake, no matter how long it takes.

Misty: I just hope that you’re okay, Sakura. (Later that night in the car)

Winona: Man, this stake-out is aggravating.

Misty: Maybe you were wrong and Sakura never met up with Shelly.

Winona: Maybe you're right. Let's drive by Sakura's place to see if she's...Hold on a sec! Someone's coming to the apartment. They look like Shelly's entourage. (Inside the apartment)

Shelly: Sakura, I can make you something to eat if you'd like. Huh? She's fast asleep. (She smiles) She's cute when she's asleep. (Knock on the door) Huh? (Opens the door) What's going on?

Henchmen 1: Get your gun, Shelly.

Shelly: (Groans) Guys...I'd rather not...

Henchmen 2: Don't back down, Shelly. This is war.

Shelly: (Sighs) Wait right there. (Goes into her bedroom and pulls out a gun in the drawer) Okay, let's get this over with. (Walks towards the couch) I promise to be back Sakura. (Pats her on the head) Okay girls, let's do this. (Back in the car)

Misty: Shelly and those girls are leaving the apartment. Looks like Sakura's not with them. (Winona walks out of the car) Huh? Wait, where are you going?

Winona: I'm covering my bases. Sakura might be in there! (Inside the apartment)

Sakura: Huh? (Looks at the clock) It’s 7:00pm already? Oh God, I overslept! Shelly, I’m going to go home now. Shelly? I wonder where she could be. (Goes into her room) She’s not in here! She must have stepped out! (Door banging) Huh?

Winona: Sakura! Sakura! Are you in there?

Sakura: (Thinking) Damn that persistent Winona! She found me!

Winona: Sakura, it’s me and Misty!

Sakura: (Thinking) And you had to drag Misty into this too? Hmm! I can go out the back window and down the fire escape. (She goes out the window)

Winona: Damn it! Answer this door! (Banging) Sakura! (Misty runs towards her)

Misty: Maybe she didn’t come here with Shelly.

Winona: Perhaps you’re right. (Misty gasps) What’s the matter?

Misty: I could swear I saw her at the corner of my eye! (They run to another side of the building) It is her!

Winona: Sakura, come down now! (Up above)

Sakura: Oh, God damn it! Huh? I can see quite a lot from this height. Hey, there’s Shelly!

Winona: Get down here right now before you get hurt! (Sakura quickly climbs down and runs off) HEY! GET BACK HERE! Misty, get back in the car. We have to follow her. (A couple of blocks down)

Sakura: (Panting) Something doesn't feel right! Shelly, don't do something you'll regret. (In another area)

Courtney: There you are, you cow.

Shelly: Courtney...

Courtney: This ends tonight. (Sakura runs towards them) Huh?

Sakura: (Gasps) Oh no! SHELLY! (Winona's car pulls up)

Misty: (Gasps) Oh no, Sakura!

Shelly: Huh? STAY OUT OF THIS KID! (Runs towards Sakura)

Courtney: DIE SHELLY! (Gunshot)

Sakura: She-Shelly? (Shelly falls down) SHELLY! (Police sirens)

Courtney: Shit, the cops are here. (They all leave)

Sakura: Shelly! (Holds her) Please, please Shelly. You can’t die! (Misty and Winona get out of the car) What do you guys want? Get an ambulance!

Winona: Uh, right! (Shelly coughs)

Sakura: Shelly?

Shelly: Hey kid. (Coughs) Listen, I may not be here for much longer. I just want you to know that you’re a... (Coughs) ...great kid. Never, has anyone, treated me... (Inhales)... like a...friend. (Closes her eyes)

Sakura: Shelly? Shelly, please wake up. The ambulance is coming; you’re going to be fine. (Tears up) Remember, you'd say you were going to return to Pallet High and leave the gang? You said you would try...Shelly? SHELLY! PLEASE DON'T DIE!

Narrator: Soon enough, the police arrived and asked Winona and Misty to come with them back to the station. Sakura went to the hospital with Shelly. It was there that the doctors declared her dead. Back at the police station, Winona told the police the whole story that would ultimately clear her, Sakura, and Misty. After giving their report, Winona and Misty were free to go. Winona drove to the hospital to meet up with Sakura. They went inside the waiting room and saw Sakura sitting and crying.

Misty: There she is! Sakura?

Sakura: (Sobbing) She’s dead. Shelly is dead!

Misty: It’s okay! (She embraces her) Everything is going to be okay.

Winona: (Sighs) Sakura. (Slaps Sakura in the face) Have you lost your God-damn mind? You could have been killed tonight! I told you that messing with that girl would only lead to trouble. My God, if Shelly didn’t step in front of you, who knows what would have happened!

Misty: Winona, not now! (Sakura continues crying)

Sakura: (Sobbing) I'm sorry Shelly...I'm sorry.

~*Preview*~

Misty: Wake up, breakfast, swim practice, school, cheerleading practice, homework, bed. Wake up, breakfast, swim practice, school, cheerleading practice, homework, homework, homework... (Yawns) Just a little snooze...WHAT?! It's 6am already?! Shoot, I'm late for practice! This is nuts! Next time on Romance 101, Chapter 8...See you next time!