MoonUnit - chapters 8 - 12

Mental Cases

Clatter. Freddie’s forkful of lasagne bounced on the tabletop, sending small showers of grease and tomato onto the Formica tabletop. His mouth hanging open and eyes wide, he looked like a zombie. "What?" asked Selbie beginning to blush, "what should I have done Freddie?". Freddie just shook his head, starting to get annoyed Selbie slammed her hand down on the table. "I barely even know them Freddie! Of course it is only logical to refuse their offer" slightly surprised at how dumb that sounded out loud Selbie sank lower into her seat. Freddie let out a half gasp half exasperated sigh, "You just probably got the offer of a lifetime, and you are thinking about LOGIC!?" he shouted. People were looking at them now, all around the cateen heads were turning.

"I cant believe you. Are you insane?" waving his arms around like a lunatic Freddie continued to shout, "This is not happening, no way I will let you do this Selbie" The anger and embarrasement rising up in Selbie broke free, jumping up she rounded on Freddie, "Who the hell asked you? Like its any of your business!"
"It is my business you stupid prick! I will not
le-". Freddie never finished his sentence; Selbie punched his shoulder so hard her knuckles cracked. All the stress, pain and anger over the last week came pouring out and Selbie burst into tears. She was so confused. "Just shut up Freddie!" She sobbed, "Leave me alone!" Some sort of emotion contorted Freddie’s face and he clenched his fists. "This isn’t over Selbie. You are not gonna get out of this" he stormed out of the canteen leaving her alone. Tears streamed down her face as she stood there. She was so confused, and it hurt. It hurt so much.

Even Selbie who had known him since he was four couldn’t even begin to fathom how serious Freddie was about this. It was Freddie’s dream to watch his best friend do something that wasn’t completely tame. It had taken every ounce of brains he had, but his plan was foolproof. Sitting on the wall outside the library where Selbie worked, he hoped; hoped that this would work. It was noon and the sun flashed brightly off the paint of a black sports car that cruised down the street and parked in front of the library doors. A smile split across Freddie’s nervous face. Across the road a tall woman with flaming red hair and spike heels floated out of the car, following her were three tall guys and a small dark haired Asian girl. All cool, all mysterious, and all in disguise. Sakura Kamijou winked at the lanky boy on the wall across the street. Freddie smirked and jumped off the wall. His work there was done.

Defeat on the battlefield

It was the shock of her life. It had been three days exactly since MoonUnit had last called her; it was also three days since her fight with Freddie. Selbie was more than slightly lonely, they hadn’t fought since they were kids, and they still weren’t talking. Seemed like MoonUnit had forgotton her too. No calls, no texts, no nothing. Wait! What did she care? Screw them, screw them all. Mentally telling herself off, Selbie continued to stack books on the library shelves.

Then it happened.

Selbie barely had time to acknowledge the fact that someone was standing right behind her before a hand quickly covered her mouth and she was pulled backwards. "Don’t scream" a low voice in her ear advised, her arms were forced behind her and she was handcuffed. What the hell was going on? Selbie was dragged backwards out of the rear exit of the library and blindfolded. "This is just like james bond!" giggled a familiar voice as Selbie was forced into what felt like a car. "Shut up you dumb-dora! You’ll blow our cover" That voice was definetly familiar. What was going on? Selbie, too shocked and frightened to move found herself pushed into a pair of strong arms. This person’s touch was weirdly comforting. Suddenly the car started and they sped quickly away.

They had been drving for what seemed like years. The jerky movements and the strangeness made her feel sick. Selbie knew she wasn’t the only one in the car, there were at least five people quietly whispering. Cold tears of anxiety stung her eyes but she was too afraid let them fall. She was sure she was going to faint when the car screeched to a halt. There were sounds of people getting out. Selbie was lifted gently out of the car and her blindfold was taken off. They were in the small walled courtyard of a mock Georgian building. Baskets of overpowering scented flowers hung from baskets all around. Georgian England meets the Amazon rainforest. Selbie was standing leaning against the side of a black sports car, watching her were MoonUnit and their crazy manager.

For the next five minutes Selbie screamed abuse at them until she could barely breathe and her throat was raw. Her mother would have a fit if she had heard some of the words she had used. "Are you quite done?" asked Katy, a bored look on her face. Selbie emotionally drained and tired rested her forehead on top of the car, "Just what do you want?". Sakura smiled fondly and gently poked the small of Selbie’s back with her lace gloved hand. "Chibi-chan is slow. Isn’t it obvious? We want you to model for us" she gestured around the courtyard, "This is Marvel Studios".

Selbie stared, Marvel Studios was the home - and workplace - of the world famous photographer Victor Marvel. The most talented poster and album cover designer in the world. This had to be a dream. "Selbie" Rabbit’s calm voice invaded her reverie, "do you accept our offer?". Five pair’s nervous expectant eyes watched Selbie; even Olly was looking at her now. Selbie stared back into his green eyes, she hadn’t been able to get him out of her mind these past three days. It annoyed her, but it was a good annoyance. Letting out a deep sigh Selbie let her shoulders sag. "Yes" she whispered, "yes, I will". All things considered, sometimes it was best just to give in. The smiles that greeted this remark were bright enough to put the sun to shame.

Victor Marvel

Marvel studios were every bit as cool and strange as the papers told them to be. The walls were silver and neon blue; chandeliers made of green glass bottles gave the whole place an underwater feeling. "Canon in D major" hummed from the tiny white speakers dotted around the building. The walls of the large studio Selbie was lead into were covered floor to ceiling with posters and album covers: Victor’s life’s work. Victor himself sat in a high backed lavender blue leather chair next to his camera. He was no bigger than Selbie, and had shockingly black eyes and hair. He wore large wire framed glasses and tartan skinny jeans, with a ruffled shirt. He was younger than he photos looked in his photos, and quite handsome actually. He grinned when he saw them, picking up a foul tempered looking ginger cat off the top of the chair he came to greet them.

"Ducklings!" he cried letting the cat drop to the floor and embracing them all in a group hug. "My god! Look how tall you’ve all gotten! It is not fair!" He saw Selbie, and a look of someone who has just found buried treasure crossed his face, "Is this my new meat Kathryn?". Katy nodded and pushed Selbie forwards, "Look baby, we don’t have much time, and the launch is in nineteen hours"
"Eek so little time"
"You cant do it?" Victor looked up from examining Selbie’s nose. He cocked an eyebrow and placed his hands on his scarily feminine hips; "of course I can" turning to face the camera he picked up a fresh memory chip, "ladies and gentlman…lets get SHOOTING!"

Half an hour later Selbie Robinson hardly recognized herself. She was dressed up as what could only be described as a sexy alien. Neon green eyeshadow, purple tights and a silver star trek style leotard. It was a very kitsch look, but weirdly cute. Her hair had been dyed ultra violet - with wash out hair dye - then straightened. She had to admit she did suit the look. Stepping nervously out from behind the red changing curtains Selbie was greeted by a chorus gasps. "Is it really that bad?" adjusting the glittery antennae on her head she blushed. Sakura was the first to speak. She pounced on Selbie in a flurry of lace "KAWAII! Chibi-chan is so kawaii!". Everyone else agreed that Selbie was the epitome of cuteness. To Selbie, their compliments didn’t really matter, Olly was leaning broodingly against the wall his hair covering his eyes. Something passionate and untamed inside Selbie demanded his praise. She wanted him to look at her so badly.

Something inside him was tearing Olly apart. Ever since he had first laid eyes on that kid she was all he had been thinking about. It was drving him crazy. She was beautiful in purple, it suited her. He pushed himself off the wall and walked towards her. His hand reached up and cupped her chin, "pretty cute" he said quietly laughing at the way she blushed. "I guess you’ll do" then without thinking he kissed the end of nose. Her head jerked like a robot in his hand and a sharp intake of breath was audible. "Sorry to interrupt you Romeo, but Juliet and I have shoot to take" Victor lead a shocked Selbie from the room followed by his make up artists. It was just the band and Katy left now, they were all staring smugly at him. "What? It was just a kiss. The kid needed a confidence boost" Olly said, trying not to sound defensive, and failing. "Yeah sure, whatever" said Vince sarcastically leaving the room the two girls giggling behind him. Turning to face Rabbit, Olly was a bit non plussed at Rabbit’s taken aback face. "Olly be careful"
"What!?"
"Just be careful. You know "she" can hurt her. Selbie is still very young". Before Olly could protest Rabbit had left the room.

Purple rain

Never in her life had Selbie been to a photo shoot. It was such a strange and quick experience, postioned like a doll then flashing lights and clicks. Done. From what she saw it had come out pretty good, alien girl Selbie was sitting on a moon swinging her legs like a school girl. Her purple hair was windswept and she was smiling like a mischievous little kid, her hand was positioned away from her like she was holding something, but she wasn’t. It looked kind of werid, but overall the photo was amazing.

It was ten o’clock by the time Selbie got home. Rabbit and Katy had dropped her off the end of her street. She had fallen asleep in the car and was so tired she barely heard her Mother’s scolding. Lying on her bed Selbie wondered if she should watch the album lauch on the internet but fell asleep before she could turn on the computer.

Driving - a little too fast - in the dark towards the hotel where the launch was held Rabbit Rowlands watched his manager. "Is he in love with her?" he asked quietly. Katy sighed massaging the steering wheel, "Honey, I don’t know. I hope not though" she sighed again, "it could get ugly...again". Rabbit nodded if he knew anything about Georgia Spicer, it was her tendency to volatile jealousy. "I like her, she is sweet" he said seriously, "I don’t want her hurt". Regarding him out of the corner of her eye Katy nodded, "me too". Rabbit leaned his head against the leather headrest, inwardly he smiled. He would protect her, he knew that. He had always loved purple.

Girls on film

Grounded for a week seemed unfair punishment for staying out a few hours late. Not only that but Selbie was being forced to accompany her mother shoe shopping, Ellen Robinson was so indecisive shoe shopping could take years. They were heading down Bell Street, the busiest high street in the city to the millionth shoe shop they had visited. Her mother loaded Selbie with the bags while she talked to one of the sales assistants. This was gonna take forever. Feeling slightly merciful Ellen let her daughter leave the shop as long as she promised to stay at least three shops away. Selbie promised and ran.

Looking in the window of a bookshop Selbie caught sight of herself in the glass. She looked good today. A vain thing to think, but she did, her violet hair windswept and lovely. WAIT! VIOLET HAIR? Selbie had washed all the dye out. Her purple framed face was a reflection from the window of the music shop across the road. She spun round, the bags slipped from her hands and she gasped. Sexy-alien-girl Selbie grinned back at her from a giant blow up of the new album cover. Only it wasn’t the same. Alien Selbie had flawess skin and perfect white teeth. In her once weirdly positioned hand four tiny figures stood posing. Mini versions of Rabbit, Vince, Sakura and Olly holding there instruments while cupped in her hand. Someone had also photoshopped knee high socks and Converse boots onto her feet. Sexy alien meets school girl.

Ellen Robinson spotted her daughter on the other side of the street outside a music shop. She was gazing at a huge poster of some album cover. "Honestly" sighed Ellen joining her, "you would think they could afford some clothes for her, these bigshot rockstars". Selbie jumped about a mile high and screamed. "Oh god! Mum, I’m so sorry, I wasn’t thinking straight, I swear!". Taken aback, Ellen stared at her daughter, "what are you talking about Selbie? What have you done?". Selbie looked confused, then realization and relief washed over her face. "Sorry, I just dropped the bags" she giggled picking them up. Ellen laughed "Honestly Selbie, you are a bizarre child" taking her daughter’s arm, "lets make a move before the shops shut". Selbie Robinson had never been so happy to have an unobservant Mother before in her life.

"You have no idea how scared I was Freddie" Selbie told him, the phone cupped fondly against her ear. An apology to Freddie was long overdue and it was good to be talking again, Selbie really missed him when he wasn’t talking to her. "Man, I told you it would be cool" shouted Freddie triumphantly, "you owe me big time!". Freddie had confessed to his part in the "kidnap Chibi-chan plan" as Sakura had named it. It had been two days since Selbie had heard from them, they were probably busy, but it would at least be nice to call. "Anyway Freddie, I have got to go, I’m still trying to stay on my mum’s good side". Freddie made a remark about not knowing Selbie’s mum had a good side. Then they hung up.

Five minutes later the phone rang again. Only this time it was her mobile. "Hello?" Selbie said trying not to sound expectant. A hoarse voice down the other end of the line made her heart skip, "End of your road. Ten minutes. Don’t make me wait" before he hung up Olly paused, "make sure you wear underwear".

Selbie had to tell her mum it was an emergency at Freddie’s house before she let her go. Almost wild with excitement the once tame Selbie hurtled down her street. The night air was cold and made her feel giddy. At the end of the road Olly leant against his Mercedes. He looked sophisticated, skinny jeans and black jacket hanging just right on his wonderfully skinny frame. Blonde hair teased by the breeze, he truly was handsome. Looking up his green eyes lit up, "hello mystery girl" he whispered warmly, still hoarse. Selbie blushed hugging her coat around her. "What are you wearing?" Olly asked looking her up and down, "...I suppose it doesn’t matter, just get in the car". The coldness in his voice was back, with every syllable Selbie felt her heart sinking.

Watching her walk round to the passenger side the desire Olly had hidden - so well over the past few days - demanded to be let out. Something about this girl pushed every button he had, he had to have her, claim her. Before he could stop himself Olly had caught Selbie’s hand before she opened the door. Confused she looked up at him. Olly caught her head in his hands and kissed her.