Stand your ground

People loved to watch Janice dance and Janice loved to dance her favourite kind of dance was ballet but she was enthusiastic in all kinds of dance. Janice was friends with a boy called Toby who lived in her area. He was a shy boy and became friends with Janice when they were kids. He had short black wavy hair while Janice had long blonde thick hair. Janice always saw him as an older brother she never had. Janice was a quite pretty girl and her most distinct feature was her blue eyes. Today was a very important day for Janice as she was in the final of a dance contest. Her whole family is going to be there from her mum Louise a tall lady with long blonde hair to her dad an odd man who liked nothing but golf and had a thick black moustache who’s name was Fred. This really was a big day so she had to ask that one person she always wanted to come and watch her dance Toby. Janice knocked on the door of number 15 Solet road and to her luck he was in “Toby” cried Janice she had not seen him in a while so she was a little excited. “It’s good to see you” said Janice “and you” replied Toby “what have you been up too?” asked Janice “not much” said Toby and he invited her inside. Toby’s house is very clean except from Toby’s room which Janice had only been in there once because Toby’s mother Jill does not want anyone to go in there. They sat on the sofa together and Toby turned off the football on T.V “so why did you come and visit me today” said Toby. “Well you know I’m in the finial of Bazil city’s dance contest” said Janice “yes you told me over the phone” said Toby “well it would be great if you could come and watch me dance” said Janice “oh of course I will” said Toby “I’d be delighted to” he continued. “Just what I wanted to hear” said Janice “well I won’t hold you up any longer” said Janice “you’ve only just got here” explained Toby. “Yeah but I’ve got to practise so I’ll se you tonight” said Janice. Nine pm soon cropped up and the guests took there seats in the dance auditorium for the night which essentially was just a block around the corner of George street where Janice lived at number 105. Janice was wearing her purple aerobic outfit and her hair was in a bobble she was going to be dancing to her favourite song ‘move to the music’ by Michael Morris which was very hip hop. Janice opponent was the reigning champ Suzie Moore, a tall lady the same age as Janice (18). She had very alluring green eyes. Plus long wavy raven hair, she was wearing a yellow aerobic outfit which suited her very well. Neither of them had been given a chance to talk to one another which was just as well because they both wanted to win so badly they were bitter opponents. Soon Janice’s coach was telling her to just do her best her name was Julie-Anne Porter or Mrs porter and she wanted to win just as much as Janice. “You’ll be fine” said Mrs Porter encouragingly and before she knew it the lights dimmed down and Suzie Moore was called to perform. She was a natural she swooped jigged and jived to her up beat song it gave her a massive round of applause from the audience and especially her coach. It was very hard to out do a performance like that but somehow judging by the round of applause Janice had done just as well if not better once she had finished all was still to be revealed by the judge Ian Bates. He walked silently to the stage he was an old man with a beard that made him look like Father Christmas he eventually spoke into the microphone “and the winner is…” Janice had done it she had won the trophy for best dancer her tutor was over the moon and so was Janice’s family then Toby ran on to the stage to give Janice a big hug it had been the best night of Janice’s life, she felt sorry for Suzie though she looked lost when her name was not called. The sky grew dark and gloomy but today was another important day it was Toby’s birthday how could Janice forget. Janice had bought him a T-shirt that he was admiring in the shop Hittons. Janice knocked on the door of number 15 Solet Road. Toby was 19 today and Janice wanted to make him smile. Toby was in a strange mood that day even Janice could not make him happy but she did not think much of it as we all get down from time to time she gave him the T-shirt and eventually said goodbye to him after that Janice went back home in the next street number 105 and was greeted by her proud mum Louise “how are you love” she said kindly. “I’m good” she replied simply “well I’m okay but I don’t know about Toby” said Janice. “What about Toby” said Louise “I think he’s a bit down” said Janice “well don’t we all get down from time to time” said Louise “yes I suppose you’re right” said Janice and she thought nothing of it until the next day.

“How are you Toby” said Janice kindly “I’m fine why?” Toby replied. “Well on your birthday you didn’t talk much” said Janice. Toby hesitated for a moment and looked at Janice “if I tell you something will you promise to keep it a secret” said Toby “yes of Corse I’m your best friend” said Janice. “Well it’s just that my Mum is very ill and is actually dying” said Toby Grimly. Janice did not know what to say but did her best “I’ll be here for you Toby it’ll be okay” said Janice “Thanks Jan” said Toby. After a few weeks the illness took over and Toby’s mum Jill died in hospital with her family around her. Toby and Janice grew closer to each other after that and spent more time with one another being kind and listening to each others problems it was getting better and better for the pair of them as time went on. Toby and Janice even joined a Karate club and enjoyed it so much they went again and again. It nearly took over Janice’s dancing! “See you next week” said Derek there Karate teacher as he waved them away again. “How did it go dear” said Louise back home. “Great as always” said Janice happily. The next day Janice was feeling it was a little hard to reach Toby he was very ill with a bug. So she decided to leave him in peace. Janice was soon to know that a bug was not the only thing up with Toby. The following morning Toby phoned Janice to ask if she would come and visit him because he had something important to say to her. Janice went over to number 15 Solet road and wondered what on earth it could be. Toby was lying on the sofa as his dad Jack opened the door to let Janice in but then Toby asked if he could be left alone with Janice his dad did not question why and left the room to the kitchen. “Janice I just wanted to say I really care about you and…” said Toby “what is it” said Janice “that I love you” said Toby. whatever Janice was expecting to hear it was not that “um Toby are you sure” said Janice “I’m Positive Janice” said Toby This flu must have been worse than Janice thought “I really care about you” said Toby. “Me too but are you sure you love me that’s a strong word” said Janice “I’m more than sure” said Toby and he made a grab for Janice’s hand she pulled away quickly. “I’ll see you when your better Toby” said Janice “where are you going?” said Toby “come back” but it was too late Janice had gone. The following morning Janice did not see Toby because of what he had said to her. It had had a huge impact on her and she did not know what to do should she apologize for walking out like she did or should she just ignore him. Janice was starting to think that she had just dreamt it up by the afternoon but then came back into reality and was trying to forget about it. Toby knocked for Janice the next day because he was no longer sick and Louise let him in Janice could not hide any longer she had to face Toby at some point. Janice walks into the lounge and says nothing until Toby speaks “Janice I just wanted to apologize” he said “why?” said Janice “that I made you feel uncomfortable “said Toby “its fine” Janice manages to say. “Friends?” says Toby “yeah friends” says Janice relieved “so you going to go to karate tonight?” Says Toby “Yeah why not” says Janice “okay see you tonight” said Toby on his way out.

They were laughing again Toby and Janice’s karate was bringing there friendship back to life. They thanked Derek the tutor for another great session and headed home. The next day it was truly forgotten about and Toby felt keen to keep it that way anyway there is no reason to ruin a friendship over something like that. Then it happened Janice was in the shopping centre with her mum when she saw Toby and he was with a girl, and then they were kissing and for some strange reason Janice felt envious of her. Why? Thought Janice If I just want to be friend’s why am I jealous but it was like this jealous feeling took over her. Janice chooses to leave Toby and whoever he was with in peace, Louise did not notice Toby so Janice did not tell her. Janice had decided to come see Toby that day to ask him some questions about who he was with so she went to number 15 Solet RD and Toby answered the door “hello” said Janice “Janice! Come in come in” said Toby. Janice went inside and was lead up the stairs to Toby’s room he shut the door behind him. “So what do you want to talk about” he says “well I just wanted to see how you were and…” said Janice “and what” said Toby. “And to ask you a question” said Janice. “Go ahead” said Toby “I’m all ears” he explained “well” Janice began “I was just wondering how you ended up with a girlfriend over the past week?” she finished “hold on now” said Toby “how do you know about Emma?” said Toby. “Well I just saw you kissing her in the shopping centre” said Janice “I thought it was best to leave you alone” said Janice. “I met her years ago we used to be neighbours” said Toby “I think your more than neighbours now” burst Janice. “Well is there something you would like to tell me Janice?” said Toby. “Well I can’t help but ask since you were telling me that you loved me one minute and then is with some girl later” said Janice “hold on Janice it was you who agreed to be friends” said Toby. Janice did not know what to say it
Was true she did agree to be friends with Toby “you know I think we should just leave it there” said Janice and she left Solet RD and went home. The next day Janice went to the fair with her mother it had dodgems and big rides and water slides it was six O’clock when Janice arrived there and she and her mother decided to go on the water slide they had a blast but Janice remembered she couldn’t ask Toby to come with her just in case he argues with her about Emma. No it was for the best that she remained scarce for a few days and anyway he probably does not have time for Janice if Emma was his girlfriend now. More surprises lay in store for Janice as she receives a letter saying because she won Bazil city’s dance contest she had been given an automatic place to a bigger harder contest at Bridge high’s annual dance contest that was not far from where Janice lived. What should Janice do? But after a while she decided to go for it as long as it was okay with her parents “Of Corse” said Louise “we’ll be rooting for you all the way through it Jan” said Fred. Toby had to know that Janice was in one of the biggest dance contests she’ll ever go to so she decided it was okay to see him and tell him that. “That’s great Jan” said Toby “thank you” said Janice. “Will you be going with me?” said Janice “sure” said Toby “great” said Janice. “can I bring Emma with me” said Toby “Okay” said Janice somewhat uneasy about the idea “she’s really nice” said Toby “I’m sure she is” Janice reassured herself.

The day of the contest had arrived and all the people Janice wanted to be there were going to be there Mum and Dad and Toby and Emma so the pressure was on. They arrived at the car park and met up with Toby who was already there with Emma. She looked like a model up close tall and pretty with ginger hair. “hello I’m Emma” said Emma nicely “I’m Janice” said Janice “I’ve heard a lot about you” said Emma “really” said Janice “yeah Toby says you’re an amazing dancer” said Emma. “Well you must be good to make it here” said Emma. Janice felt flattered that Emma was being so nice to her. A while later Janice meet up with Julie to go through her dance routine it was a real show stopper and eventually it was time to go on stage to perform it, the lights dimmed down and the music played Janice gave it her all, when she finished she felt it could not have gone better, she had a massive round of applause and Julie looked thrilled with her. The competition came second to Janice once again and Janice had won the trophy for first place. As the day went on Janice and her family celebrated. Emma seemed like such a nice girl Janice did not feel jealous at all and spoke very nice to her. The following day the leaves on the trees turned red and brown and started to fall off the wind was whistling in the air and Janice was over the moon telling family and friends about how she won her trophy. Toby and Emma were still together but she did not care less about that because her dreams were coming true. Janice’s mother Louise was going on a business trip to London and so she was going to be away for a week or so but Janice could manage that. It was also karate night at Arnold’s street. Toby this time had brought Emma with him to karate but of Corse Janice was as polite as ever. Derek the instructor invited her with open arms like anyone else who wants to join his classes. They actually came to like each other Emma and Janice got on like a house on fire. When they left Emma gave Janice a lift home in her car. On the way back Janice asked Emma if she had a job she said she worked at finches’ café so Janice went there the next day.

Emma served Janice and Toby their drinks “two cups of tea” said Emma. “Thanks” said Janice. Finches was a really popular café “so how long have you been with Emma now Toby?” said Janice “three weeks” said Toby. “Well I’m glad it’s working out for you” said Janice. Toby said nothing, when Janice and Toby got back to the car he opened up to Janice “I’m sorry Janice” said Toby “what about” said Janice confused “I have a confession” said Toby “well what is it” said Janice “me and Emma are not for real if you know what I mean” said Toby “come again” said Janice “I was only going out with her to try and make you jealous” said Toby. Shocked Janice was not prepared for that and was also not prepared for what happened next Toby leaned his face towards Janice and Janice surprisingly did not do anything to stop their lips from pressing together in fact they did not stop until Emma knocked on the car window and she did not look impressed. Toby felt guilty and got out of the car “I’m sorry Emma” said Toby “sorry how could you” shrieked Emma Janice got out of the car too. Emma looked furious “so how long has this been going on for Janice!” Emma bellowed “It was just a kiss please Emma don’t get upset” said Janice. “Don’t get upset!” said Emma “you know what I’m going and if you want him you can have him” she drove of in her mini not caring if she hit them on the way out. “Well now look what you’ve done Toby”. “You could have at least dumped her before you made a move on me” “oh but you hardly pushed me away Janice” said Toby “well just take me away from here” said Janice. They got into the car and drove home.

Toby took Janice home and she did not say anything except for goodbye. The next day Toby went to call for Janice she answered and asked “what do you want?” “You can’t be like this forever” said Toby. “Can’t I?” questioned Janice “please Janice” said Toby “come on in then” said Janice they went into Janice’s lounge Fred was out shopping and Louise was still on her business trip. “So what can I do for you?” asked Janice. “I just wanted to ask if you were okay” said Toby. “I’m fine but shouldn’t you ask Emma if she’s okay?” asked Janice “why it is you I care about Janice” said Toby. “As sweet as that is I think we should apologise to Emma” said Janice. “What good will that do listen Janice I only care about you” said Toby. He takes her hand and leans in but Janice says “This does not fell right” and pulls away. But then Toby says “I love you Janice” and Janice answers him by a kiss. “Okay there is no way we are not going to be together now” says Toby smiling at Janice. She smiles in return. It was the happiest day of Toby’s life but Janice did not know why she was with him like this. “So where do you want to go now” asked Janice “how about finches” said Toby. Janice gasped “how can we go there it would be like rubbing it in Emma’s face Toby we can’t” said Janice “why are you scared of Emma Janice?” said Toby. “I’m not” said Janice “Then why not go to our favourite place to have a drink?” said Toby. To prove that she was not scared of Emma she agreed but it did feel all wrong but hopefully Emma was not going to be there Janice felt nervous but there was some happiness that she was with Toby. He seemed to mean what he was saying to Janice but was this a good idea to go to Finches café when Emma could be around and where she could tip the drinks over there heads. They arrived and Emma was behind the counter she saw Toby burst into tears and ran into the kitchen a woman who was probably her boss went after her after about five minutes Emma came out went up to Toby and said “It’s okay for you to like Janice, really we were never for real” said Emma. She stuck out her hand and Toby shaked it. “Now what can I get you two” said Emma afterwards Janice felt better knowing there were no hard feelings between her and Emma. When she got home her parents were back and Janice decided to tell them she was with Toby. “That’s great news” said Fred and her mum Louise was also happy “well we knew it was only a matter of time” she would say Janice was glad that they were happy. Toby called in the following morning to ask if Janice wanted to go the park so strictly speaking a date and Janice thought why not. They held hands and for a while Janice thought nothing could spoil it until they went back to Toby’s house and there was a knock at the door it was Emma “hi you okay?” she said “can I come in?” asks Emma “I don’t know if now’s the best time” says Toby “but if you insist” says Toby letting Emma inside “who is it Toby” says Janice and then her face drops it’s Emma but I suppose if she forgave them there was nothing to worry about “hi Emma how are you” says Janice “I’m doing great Janice” replied Emma “do you two want to come in my room to see my knew pet tortoise” says Toby “why not” said Emma they went upstairs and at the top of the stairs Toby decided to go to the bathroom then at the top of the stairs Emma phone goes off and she decided that she had to go home but she was so concentrating on the mobile she misses the step and falls downstairs “Emma are you alright” said Janice there was no reply she was unconscious Toby turns up because of the noise “Emma!” he shrieked “Janice what happened” said Toby “she fell Toby there was nothing I could do” said Janice “Toby get your dad to call and ambulance” said Janice. The ambulance arrives and takes Emma away with Toby’s dad and Toby and Janice come to visit her the next day she had come around and was talking Toby and Janice entered when she saw Janice and said “not her get her away” “but why?” said Toby “It’s her she pushed me down the stairs” shrieked Emma. “I never did that” said Janice “she’s lying” she continues. “I’m going to call the police says a man who must be Emma’s father. “You just wait for them It’ll be a lot worse if you don’t” he says Janice felt she had no choice but to wait for them. They arrived and took her into custody. Toby did not glance back at her. In the police station they took Janice into the interview room and questioned her “did you push Emma Lewis down the stairs” said a man “no I didn’t she’s lying” said Janice “then why would Emma say that you did” said the police officer “because she must be jealous of me and Toby” Said Janice. “why would she be jealous of you and Toby” he said “because she used to be with him and she saw me kissing him” said Janice “really” said the man “well I think we’ll end it there” said the officer and sent Janice to a cell. Janice was upset that she had been framed and Toby who was none the wiser was still with Emma. Eventually Toby and Emma were alone in the hospital “so she pushed you” said Toby flummoxed that was when Emma would say something that would shock Toby’s world. “Well maybe that’s not entirely true Toby” said Emma. “What on earth do you mean?” said Toby “do you really think harmless Janice would push me”.

“What! You lied” cried Toby. “You should have seen your face” she snarled “how could you” said Toby “yeah well now you’ll think twice before you mess with me” she snapped “well you’ve confessed now” said Toby. “Only to you and are the police really going believe her protective boyfriend or the poor victim?” said Emma “well I suppose there is one thing you could do to save her” said Emma “what’s that” said Toby “be with me” said Emma “never!” cried Toby “well then I guess your girlfriend will be dancing all the way to prison” said Emma “Okay I’ll be with you” burst Toby. “Great then give me a kiss and I’ll drop the charges lover boy” Toby unwillingly obliged.

Janice the next day was sent home as she was told Emma dropped the charges. Janice thought she must have come to her senses. But when she got home she went straight to Toby’s house and he said that he was back with Emma. “But you do realise I never pushed her” said Janice “I do Janice” said Toby “how?” said Janice “she confessed everything to me but no one else so it’s our word against hers” said Toby “she said she would drop the charges if I got with her and became her boyfriend” said Toby “no she can’t be serious!” said Janice “well she is “ said Toby “but it’s worth it to get you off the hook” said Toby. “I should never have been on the hook she tripped” said Janice “Oh Toby what are we going to do” said Janice “I have an idea” said Toby “what?” said Janice “it’s not going to be easy but I think I know how to end this”.

The next day Toby visited Emma in hospital “hey it’s my boyfriend” she says with a giggle and a broken leg. “How about a kiss” she says Toby leans in and freezes “I’m sorry I can’t do it” he pleads. “Well then I better bring the charges back on Janice” said Emma “you can’t” pleads Toby “I can and I will, what you’ve got to understand is that I’ve got nothing to loose” said Emma “but blackmailing is a bad thing Emma” said Toby “well what do you know about blackmailing Toby” said Emma “what you know is that if you don’t do what I say you will loose not only Janice but me as well” she declared “you fell down the stairs but you were never pushed” said Toby “so what if she never pushed me” said Emma “It’s my word against hers and yours for that matter” said Emma. “Not for long” said Toby pulling out his phone. “What have you done” said Emma Toby went out of the room and brought in Janice “what’s she doing here get out or I’ll call the police” said Emma “that’s not going to do you any good now I’ve recorded you” said Toby “so you better come clean” said Janice “never” said Emma “it’ll be a lot worse if you don’t” said Toby “well I um.. I’m sorry” cried Emma “What” said Janice flummoxed “you can’t be sorry for what you’ve done” said Toby “well you don’t understand” said Emma “It’s the same old story I meet a guy who I think is nice and he turns out to be interested in someone else” cried Emma tears streaming down her face “well you still shouldn’t have used blackmail to solve you’re problems” said Janice but Toby seemed sorry for her. “You know I am sorry for what I did it was wrong” said Toby. “Really how about we start again” said Emma “okay” said Toby. Janice was happy about all the honesty and apologized to Emma about what had happened she also apologised.

So the three Teens learned that there is nothing to stop honesty and listening from solving your problems.