RE: Trailer Trash 17, No good deed goes unpunished. (Patreon)
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Well, what happened next? Alicia asked, leaning forward over the library table with interest. Inwardly, she was feeling pretty thrilled hearing about the way Tabitha got her first look at the photo shed snappedsharing a big moment with the people who were most affected by that whole incident like that was amazing.
That was... pretty much it, Tabitha shrugged, looking helplessly from Alicia to Elena. We went in and saw Mr. Macintire twice before we left, but he was conked out both times. No one wanted to wake him up or disturb his resthe still looked terrible.
What?! Alicia made an incredulous face. You didnt even get to talk to him?
What would I have even said? Tabitha chuckled. Still, Im glad I went. Hannahs adorable, and her mother Mrs. Macintire was really struggling to keep it together. They even invited me to have Thanksgiving with them!
Huh, Alicia huffed. Spending Thanksgiving with people who werent your family seemed surreal to her. But, then again, the Moores seemed to have a pretty tense relationship, and she felt a pang of sympathy for her friend.
While Tabitha had gone gallivanting off to Louisville over the past weekend, Alicia had been mulling over the rather spectacular art club meeting shed attended on Friday. Mr. Peterson introduced her by way of a giant print of her Tabitha in Motion picture, informing everyone that it was already being published in a paper. As if that hadnt wowed them enough, Alicia then revealed her portfolios of drawings, which managed to impress even more. General consensus was that her work as a freshman was on a college level, something only two other membersboth painterscould claim.
Casey and Matthew were the only art club people she knew so far, but typical meetings were ostensibly just free time in the art building to practice their craft rather than social get togethers. Later in the year, theyd supposedly run an art show, and at some point or another the Springton High administration was going to task them with painting a new school mural over the old one. Alicia wasnt the best at fitting in and making new friends, but she found herself surprisingly optimistic about the whole art club thing.
Thats not all you got invited to, though, is it Tabitha? Elena spoke up, giving Tabitha a look of challenge. Word through the grapevine is that yesterday, Matthew personally invited you to his big Halloween party on the lake.
Um. No, he didnt, Tabitha shook her head with a wry smile. Mrs. Williams tried to convince me I should go, during the drive up. Dont know if I will, though. Ive never been to that sort of thing.
His mom tried convincing you? Elena gave her a skeptical look. What about himwhat did he say, during the trip?
Matthew wasnt there, Tabitha explained. It was just his mother, Hannah and I.
...Huh, Elena frowned, narrowing her eyes in suspicion. Thats not how it went in the story I heard, at all.
Rumors spreading around again? Alicia remarked in amusement.
Maybe, Elena sighed. I spend one Saturday with her, and Im about to start spreading rumors already. I want to tell everyone, but I feel like no onell believe me.
Why? Alicia quirked an eyebrow. Saturday? What happened?
Nothing happened, Tabitha rolled her eyes. We were looking after my cousins.
Yeah, right, looking after your cousins, Elena retorted with a laugh. Tabbyyou know kung fu. I saw it with my own eyes.
Kung fu? Alicia turned an expectant smile towards Tabitha.
I dont know kung fu! Tabitha protested. Its taekwondo. Its not some mysterious, profound thing like in movies, eithertheres a taekwondo place in downtown Springton, for crying out loud.
You mean the dojo or whatever in the plaza across from Food Lion? Alicia asked. Sign says Martial Arts? I see it on the bus ride home.
You said you were self-taught, though, Tabitha, Elena remembered, tapping her lip. So, you didnt learn there?
No, that placeits, um. Expensive, Tabitha mumbled. For us, anyways. Even if we could afford it, theres a lot of more important things to put money towards, right now.
Like what, stock investments? Alicia gave Tabitha an appraising look. Hey, maybe she picked up taekwondo somewhere in the future, and just brought that knowledge back with her?
Alicias prior certainty that Tabithas time travel story had been completely made up was experiencing a slight crisis of faith. Tabitha had proven both imaginative and intelligent, so it was understandable if the redheads educated guesswork could paint a believable futureexcept when it came to Alicias private artwork.
Stashed in the gap between her bed and the wall, Alicia had a folder of borderline erotic drawings hidden, and absolute complete confidence that no one else knew about them. Even if someone were to discover them, they would remark on the boobsAlicia admittedly practiced drawing a lot of boobs in secret, because they needed to look just right. There was only a single drawing of a womans naked back.
One that Tabitha had described in eerie detail last week.
There was just no way anyone would guess that it was Alicias favorite, her muse, something shed scrawled out in mesmerized a moment of inspiration, some accidentally amazing thing that filled her with powerful emotion each and every time she brought it out to admire. If there was any one concept that Alicia was absolutely determined to realize into a masterpiece someday in the futureit was exactly that one.
She once again found herself carefully watching Tabitha, the girl who was casually penciling out algebra equations while simultaneously engaging them in conversation. Is she filling out that worksheet suspiciously fast, or... do I just suck at math?
So, she leaps up into the air like the Karate Kid, and kicks this soda can right off the top my freaking head, Elena recounted. Tabithas likeshe was doing backflips and stuff during a game of tag with little kids.
Shes exaggerating, dont listen to her, Tabitha shook her head with a smile. It was a teeny bit of taekwondo, and then a couple hand-springs to show off for the boys. They love seeing anything remotely acrobatictheyre still in elementary.
Everyone loves acrobatics, Tabby, Elena insisted. You can make JV cheerleading with those moves easy, tryout season or not. I think you should.
Sorry, Tabitha winced. I just dont have the interestor the time. My mother has it in her head now that shes going to personally teach me how to act and model and whatever.
She what?! Elena demanded, planting both hands on the tabletop and dropping her voice to a grave whisper. Your Mom said that? Are you gonna switch to theater electives?
At the end of the semester I think, yeah, Tabitha sighed. Was hoping to take creative writing, instead.
Is this how things were supposed to go? Alicia asked, giving Tabitha a meaningful glance. If you know what I mean?
Supposed to go? Elena repeated, looking from Alicia to Tabitha for answers.
They Tabitha gave them a weak smile. No, it isnt. They were supposed to go poorly. The acting thing isnt what I thought I wanted, but my mothers really trying, and I want to see where this goes.
So, were off course, or ? Alicia looked surprised.
Way off course, Tabitha groaned, dropped her face into her hands. Just making it all up as I go, now. Shes gonna start teaching me today after school, Im pretty much dreading it.
Sure wish I wasnt excluded from whatever your plans are, Elena said, looking put out. So that, yknow, maybe I could be a part of them?
Yeah, nice try, Alicia playfully scoffed. Its a big secretand youve only known her for like, one week.
So, theres really a big secret? Elena perked up again almost immediately, presenting an interested smile.
For all of her talent and foresight, Tabitha was pretty terrible at guarding her expression, and Alicia couldnt help but grin, because the girls face gave everything away.
* * *
Hey, did you hear Matthew Williams asked that Tabitha girl out?
Umhe what? Tabitha had been busy adjusting the outline of the Goblina novel with some of her new ideas when she discovered her name once again seemed to be on everyones lips. That cabal of popular girls loosely grouped in the center of the class was putting on a show of speaking a little too loudly again, and the other surrounding students had already gone quiet.
Ew, Tubby Tabby? Why her?
Hes supposedly all head over heels for her now, its this whole big thing. Mrs. Albertson was going on and on about her, has this article clipping that makes it look all like Tabitha was running right in to the rescue, yeah, har har. So, Matthew drove her to up Louisville yesterday to see his dad, who I thinks one of those police officers who got shot? He asked her out and I think they kissed.
Kissed?! Matthew... never even asked me out, though? He didnt take me to Louisville, either! Tabithas pencil lead snapped at the pressure she was applying to the notebook page, and she swiped the broken lead away with the back of her hand in aggravation. I may have okay, like a tiny little crush on him. But, it was super evident the other day that he was just being polite with me. Where is all this even coming fromare they purposefully conflating Officer Macintire and Officer Williams?
Shes so fucking fake, a third voice insisted. I cant stand her. Like, Matthews dad almost died, right? Have some goddamn decency. Theres no way she did anything for that cop but spout bullshit way afterwards. Wed have known.
Yeah, did she really even do anything? One of the girls scoffed. She lives in that trailer park. Bet she hears sirens and then just happens to be right there when the news van pulls in. So that she can spin whatever story she wants. So sick of hearing everyone stuck on that whole stupid shooting thing, anyways. Like, yeah, okay, it happenednow, can we move on?
Can someone speak up to Matthew, though? A girl griped. As if the shooting thing wasnt bad enough. Now, its like shes totally just taking advantage of him, when hes in grief or whatever and isnt thinking straight.
Yall are full of shit, a tall boy spoke upthe one Tabitha mentally thought of as the redneck kid for his white shirt and tight blue jeans paired with cowboy boots. Matts dad was in my drive-thru late last night for coffeeseemed pretty fuckin healthy to me.
Shut the fuck up, Bobby, one of the girls spat back with vehemence. You dont even get what were talking about.
Were talking about Matthews dad, another girl retorted. Matthew Williams. Not one of the other Matts.
Yeahyoure talkin bout Officer Williams? I know him waaay bettern any of you bitches, Bobby boasted. Busted me an my brother with a joint back behind the Minit Mart, but he had us stand there and finish smoking the whole thing first fore he took us in. Aint never forgettin thatI always say whats up when I see him.
Mind your own damned business, Bobby, geez. The first girl glowered. This isnt even about you. Asshole.
* * *
Its an honor to meet you, Mr. Wilcott, thank you for coming in on such short notice, Mrs. Moore said from her seat on the sofa, picking up the half-dozen sheets of blank paper on the worn coffee table in front of her and aligning them together into a perfect stack with a crisp tap of the edges on her makeshift desk.
Please, call me John, Tabitha blurted out, speaking a little too quickly.
Directly after arriving home from school, her mother had taken her by the shoulders without a word and directed her into the living room, where they sat across from each other as if they were about to have another serious talk. Instead, by best guess it was a theatre exercisethe first of what would likely be many constituting this nervously anticipated mother-to-daughter crash course in becoming an actress.
She hadnt known what to expect, but to Tabitha, the current situation felt ridiculous to the point of becoming surreal.
Alright then, John, Mrs. Moore turned a disinterested glance from the blank papers in front of her back to Tabitha. We pulled your resume out of a rather large pool of candidates with better qualifications than youcan you guess why that is?
The reason for that is Tabithas paused to gather her thoughts. Resumeokay, so this is supposed to be a job interview. Im Mr. Wilcott, please call me John, and I really need this job.
Because the qualified candidates youve brought in havent met your expectations, Tabitha elaborated without missing a beat, deciding to punctuate her sentences with what she imagined were masculine gestures.
Apparently, her first acting lesson was being thrown in the deep end without warning. Improvisation exercises, and while Tabitha thought herself fairly adept at thinking on her feet, she struggled to stop thinking of the situation in terms of what her mother wanted from her in an acting lesson, and instead what this interviewer expected to hear from Mr. Wilcott.
Oh? Mrs. Mooreno, the human resources director at Employment Corporation challenged, arching an eyebrow. What makes you say that?
The only thing I can imagine setting me apart from my peershah, aside from lacking a degree, of courseis that I have some actual experience in the field, even if its not exactly related. I believe you need experience, connections, and hands-on know-how more than you need a fancy frame on the wall behind my desk, Ms?
Mr. Goldstein, Mrs. Moore introduced herself with a frown.
Mr. Goldstein, excuse me, Tabitha tried to cover her wince with an awkward smile. Yes, Im of the mind you chose me over candidates with better qualifications because you believe I can give you results, and I can.
Hmm, Mrs. Moore made a disapproving frown. I definitely dont agree with that.
The mock interview went on for almost ten rather excruciating minutes, with Tabitha choosing to plaster a rather uncharacteristic smarmy smile across her face for the whole thing. The point of the game seemed to be to act out a character under pressure, and Mrs. Moore playing the part of the stern interviewer was pulling no punches.
Moving on Mrs. Moore wrapped up the session with an attitude of scarcely concealed disdain, When we contacted your previous employer, we were informed of certain... circumstances regarding your termination. Would you care to elaborate on the nature of those circumstances?
That is, well, Tabitha finally frowned and adjusted the collar of the imaginary business attire Mr. Wilcott was wearing. Hah, you know how this industry is, Mr. Goldenstein. Its competitive. As soon as Im not working for them, Im working for someone else, working against them, do you understand? You see, when a man with my skills
Im disappointed, Mrs. Moore sighed and dropped the blank papers back onto the coffee table. Thats not what I wanted to hear, Mr. Wilcott.
Please, call me John, Tabitha insisted with a nervous laugh. Now, whatevers been said about me, surely theres
Yes, yes, well be in touch with you if we have any further questions, Mr. Wilcott, Mrs. Moore sighed, rising up from her seat on the sofa and offering her hand.
Of course, of course, Tabitha stood up with a strained expression and shook hands. Thank you for the opportunity.
You didnt freeze up, Tabitha, Mrs. Moore broke character and grinned at her daughter, not releasing her grip. Thought for sure you would. That please, call me John, came out right away. You pulled it off so fast, its like you already knew what we were going to be playing.
Thank you, Tabitha exhaled slowly, dropping the fake smile and working to relax the not-quite-feigned tension in her shoulders.
Lets talk bout how that interview went, Mrs. Moore dropped back down onto the sofa with a pleased smile. Im very impressed with your ad-libbing! You came up with great answers, out of nowhere.
Thank you, Tabitha nodded again, returning to her seat.
The gestures were a nice tryI didnt expect those eitherbut, you really need to practice them. I didnt think youd attempt any body language on a surprise first pop quiz, so it was a good effort, but they came off as very stiff and unpracticed.
For the record, Tabitha cleared her throat. A pop quiz is to determine how much knowledge Ive retained without any forewarning to study. As you havent actually started to teach me yet, I had nothing to retain. I recognize your criticism, but feel it is rather undeserved. There was no chance I would have known any of those things.
There you go talking like a robot again, Mrs. Moore rolled her eyes. Dont speak with proper diction anymore if youre not going to put some character into ityer flat delivery really isnt doin you any favors, Tabby.
Noted, Tabitha grunted, giving her mother a cool look and crossing her arms.
Moving on, your answers were surprisingly well-thought, but overall you were speaking too fast, Mrs. Moore explained. You never found your rhythm. That you can think everything up on the fly like that is impressive, but try to mind your pace a bit more. Put your speech into a cadence that fits the character and the situation.
...Okay, Tabitha said after a moment of reflection. Got it.
Now, what can you tell me about your character? Mrs. Moore mused, momentarily slipping back into her interviewing voice. Your impression of the role you took.
He really needed that job, Tabitha said. I could feel the sweat forming on his brow. I think there were consequences looming over him, and he was prepared to lie or cheat to try to land the position.
Then, why didnt you? Mrs. Moore gave Tabitha a curious glance.
Didnt I? Tabitha returned the look with a mystifying one of her own.
Touché! Mrs. Moore smiled, a beaming, proud smile that for a strange moment Tabitha connected to the lovely Shannon Moore shed seen in photos from the past. I was never, ever going to give you the job anyways. Of course.
Of course, Tabitha showed her mother a shy smile. Um. Are all of our lessons going to be like that? On the spot?
Not all of them, Mrs. Moore chuckled. Im gonna run you through all the exercises I remember helped me the most, though. I always hated the improv ones, but I see it turns out theyll be the easiest for you.
That makes sense, Tabitha nodded, feeling herself shrink up and shrivel inside. That came off as EASY?
I think its the emotional ones youll struggle with, Mrs. Moore tapped her lip, deep in thought. Channeling actual furious anger so you can shout and scream, breaking down into tears, and all the lovely things between. Butwell work up to those.
...Great, Tabitha deadpanned, unable to hide her lack of enthusiasm.
* * *
Yeah, apparently she already came out and admitted to making the whole thing up, a dark-haired teen in a Backstreet Boys tee said, rearranging a pile of textbooks in her open locker.
She admitted it herself? A short girl with her hair pulled up in a series of butterfly clips waiting beside her asked.
Yeah, the dark-haired girl affirmed. Guess she was afraid the police were gonna come down on her for all of her bullshit? Can you believe the newspaper actually put
What.
Heyare you talking about Tabitha? Elena interrupted, approaching the students with a frown. She wasnt feeling shy at all about inviting herself over to stand in their personal space along the busy locker-lined corridor. Tabitha Moore?
Yeah, why? The first girl paused, sizing Elena up.
Tabitha Moore admitted to making up the story about saving that cop? Elena pressed.
Yeah?
When? Elena challenged. To who?
I dunno, her friends, I guess? Then, after that word just spread?
No, she didntthats bullshit, Elena scowled. Im one of her friendsshe really saved that cops life.
Thats not what everybodys saying, the dark-haired girl laughed, shrugging it off.
So, what, that picture in the papers fake? Elena retorted.
Pssh, uh yeah. Obviously. All newspapers and tabloids have programs that can doctor stuff like that, easy. Corel PaintShop Pro, or Adobe Fireworks. Yknow?
Then, her calling it in over the police dispatch, that was fake too?
What police dispatch? the girl gave her a doubtful look. Umm, probably? I dont think theyre even allowed to release those. Like, legally.
It was all over the news last week, though, Elena refuted. Waaay before that new article with the photo came out.
Yeah okay, if you say so? the dark-haired teen snorted. I didnt hear anything about it. Couldnt have been very big news?
So... youre saying Matthew Williams dad is a liar?
What?
He was the officer first responding to the scene. Apparently he thinks Tabitha was there saving the other cops life.
Who told you that?
Matthew Williams himself.
I didnt say anyone was a liarIm just tellin what I heard, the girl groused, looking to her short friend for a helping word in frustration. Matthews like, biased now anyways if him and her are a thing now, right? And, if Tabithas not guilty, whyd she tell her friends she made it all up, then. Huh?
Oh, well you see, Elena smiled through gritted teeth. She didnt. Im one of Tabithas friends, and thats not what she told us, at all. Im Matthews friend, toohe never asked her out. Id just love to hear where you bitches got your fucking story from.
Excuse me?
Maybe dont run your mouths if you dont know what youre talking about? Elena suggested cheerfully, reaching between them to slam the girls locker closed and then brushing past them. Makes you all sound pretty fucking stupid, in my opinion.
Jesus Elena let out a slow breath of frustration as she strode down the hallway.
She was exhausted, repeatedly throwing herself onto the front lines to hotly contest every single false word about Tabitha she overheard. It was only Tuesday, but the amount of conversations shed forced her way into already was dizzying. She couldnt be everywhere at onceshe didnt even have time to chill with Tabitha and Alicia at lunch todaybut in broad strokes, a bigger picture was forming.
The Tabitha gossip disseminating throughout Springton High wasnt random, and it always seemed to originate from sophomores, rather than their fellow freshman. Elena didnt know many tenth-grade girlsthat was Carries crowd, now. But the narrative, from the sophomores responses, was definitely evolving in specific reaction to Elenas own efforts to stamp out the rumors everywhere.
Yeah? Elena smirked. Well, bring it.
Shed taken a firm side on this and was adamant in her stance, blood running hot as she went from each conversation and verbal spat with fistfuls of facts and counter arguments. Her immediate reputation was battered and beatenmore than half of the girls in her classes were pissed at her, to say nothing of everyone else but that was going to be a temporary thing.
Probably.
* * *
Do you think thats one of the girls talking shit about you? Alicia asked in a low voice, leaning in towards Tabitha so that no one else would overhear. Though the school seemed divided on the Tabitha issue, several of the art club people had voiced their support.
Despite Elena finally convincing them to stop spending their lunch periods in the library, their friend was nowhere to be found today. Regardless, their attempt at staking their claim on a good location in the quad area was turning a lot of heads. Though they were getting a lot of stares, Tabitha seemed particularly distracted, her gaze consistently turning towards a particular table of girls across from them.
They definitely looked over here when we sat downare they talking about her?
What? Tabitha asked with a distracted laugh. What? No, That girl keeps moving her hands when she talks.
Moving her hands ? Alicia peered over towards the other table.
Im supposed to practice my gestures, Tabitha explained, turning towards Alicia and raising one hand. But, soon as I start keeping an eye out for people with expressive body language, its like theyre nowhere to be found. That girl over theres the best one Ive seen yet today.
Best at what? Alicia arched an eyebrow.
Physical expressions. Its like shes physically grasping onto the conversation, Tabitha said. She does these little pantomiming waves to illustrate the flow of whatever shes sayingat least, thats how I think of it. Then, when she wants someones response, she indicates it with this gesture like shes actually passing the reins of the conversation to them.
Tabitha splayed out her hand open-palmed towards Alicia to demonstrate, putting her on the spot.
Umm, Alicia blinked. Yeah I mean, I get it? One of the how to draw books I have has a thing on gestures, if you wanna check it out. Seems super weird when you do it, though.
Sorry, Tabitha laughed. Its justits not something that I ever do myself naturally, so when I try to practice it, it feels incredibly silly? Exaggerated? Some people are just naturally very animated when theyre speaking. Its something Im supposed to be able to imitate.
Its definitely a little weird on you, Alicia admitted. I dont think it works with your serious expression. You gotta pair it with like, one of those big, fake smiles that they do.
I think it goes just as well with a serious expression, Tabitha frowned, imitating a flap of the hand as she watched the other table. But then, I need to slow down the movements to match the mood?
One of the girls over there caught sight Tabithas hand movement and immediately scowled, hunching in towards the other girls at that table to whisper something.
Uhh, or peoplell think youre mocking them? Alicia struggled to hide a grin with the back of her hand.
I-Im not, though! Tabitha immediately dropped both of her hands to the table and quickly hid her face. I was just
Like, wooow, Alicia shook her head in amusement. As if you needed to stir up any more drama than you already have?
Alicia, th-thats not funny!
* * *
Ohhh my goodness. Elena thought giddily to herself. Hes way too hot!
Shed stoically planted herself right in the path of Matthew Williams himself, and she was struggling to maintain her disapproving frown. Final bell had rung and the school day was over, but while Matthew had his own car, she had a narrow window of time to take care of this before she had to make a dash for the bus loop.
Hey, Lena, Matthew smiled, pausing in the hall with one thumb hooked casually into the backpack strap at his shoulder. Whats up?
Yeah, hi, Elena scowled, crossing her arms. Were you talking about Tabitha to anyone yesterday morning?
Uhh, yeah? Those dreamy eyes of his looked perplexed. Why?
Dont know what you actually said, but words going around everywhere that you asked her out when you drove her to Louisville on Sunday.
Thats... not true, Matthew blanched. Think all I said was, like, how my Mom was trying to embarrass me to her. I didnt even go with
I heard the real story from Tabitha, already, Elena interrupted impatiently. But, you need to fix this. Whoevers been spreading all the dumb rumors about her all this time has to be someone close to you. Like, one of the sophomores.
Hey, Matthew protested. I dont think it means
Youre making things awkward for Tabitha, Elena talked over him, giving him a disappointed look along with an ultimatum. Either figure out who the problem is, or just dont ever bring up Tabitha at all. Kay? Thanks.
She brushed past him without giving him a chance to speak, storming away in apparent anger. Several surprised students turned heads in the hallway at the dramatic departure, watching the long-legged freshman girl who dared to chew out Matthew Williams.
Adopting the overprotective friend approach and keeping him on the back foot, however, made everything a breeze! Elena thought to herself in satisfaction. The best-looking sophomore guy was intimidating to talk to, even for a girl of her caliber. Now their encounter would be memorable, itd make him subconsciously want to appease her, and even more importantly, establish her in his mind as someone who was loyal to a fault.
Her mother had been eager to reminisce about her own high school days over a few glasses of wine this past weekend, so she couldnt take full credit for the idea, of course. Even just a few months ago, those old stories had bored Elena to deathnow, though, she was fully realizing just how incredible her moms insight and social savvy really was.
Elenas anger wasnt exactly a total charade, eitherit was more obvious now than ever that the talk flying around about Tabitha was intentionally fabricated, and Matthew was going to help her get to the bottom of it. SomeoneElena was now confident it was one of the sophomoreswas hurrying to smear Tabithas name in light of the all the new buzz about her from that photo making front page.
Springton Teen Saves Life of Police Officer. Almost everyone was talking about it now, with several teachers even proudly showing off the paper to their classes. That someone, whoever they were, felt forced to try and suppress the rise of Tabithas reputation with manufactured drama. The difference is that now IM in Tabbys cornerand Im not gonna just smile and turn the other cheek.
Tabitha, Alicia and I? Were the real deal, Elena decided, stalking through the bustling school corridor with a predatory glint in her eyes. Whoever you are, all you have is talk... and eventually, all those loose lips are gonna lead us right to you.
You REALLY dont know who youre fucking with.
( 16, Trip to Louisville. | RE: Trailer Trash | 18, Catching an unexpected break. )