#this book is so large compared to my scanner it's like a snake trying to swallow a deer

[autodiscipline]

カメラ・オブスキュラ ✁ Camera Obscura, 2005

[lolabean1998]

Ali-cat (Part 1)

Sweet pea fanfic 

The school was covered in graffiti, security checks at the door and gangs at every corner. Ali’s new school wasn’t looking very promising, she had just moved to Southside from her previous home in England, her Mum had been offered a job as a Lawyer in Riverdale and had spent all their money moving, so they could only afford a small house on the outskirts of Southside trailer park. Ali was an only child and with her father out of the picture it was just her and her mum. 

It was her first day at Southside high and she was already dreading it, rumours of a fight between the Northsiders and Southsiders had sent her stomach churning. She crept through the scanners avoiding all eye contact, her mousey brown hair tied in a loose scruffy bun and her already pale skin losing what little colour it had with every breath she took. This was the most terrifying school she had ever set eyes on, students taking drugs in broad daylight at school like it was no biggie. The heavily branded gang members grouped together at every turn made her thankful for all the martial arts classes she had taken back in England. Ali shuffled awkwardly towards her locker, her headphones in playing her favourite tunes from the recent chart toppers. ~If I avoid all forms of social interaction I’ll be grand~ she thought as she found her locker and attempted to unlock it but the lock was temperamental, her nerves already shaky she began to panic. Eventually punching her locker with frustration, it popped open pulling all attention to the new girl looking very nervous. ~Great now I look like a new chew toy for these thugs to throw around~ Ali thought as she shoved her unneeded books into her locker.

“Looks like fresh meat, 10 bucks says she doesn't last the day.” A pink haired girl commented from across the hall, a large leather jacket hung on her slim figure, a large double ended snake embossed proudly on the back. Her two accomplices smiling cruelly as they took her up on the bet. The one guy was short compared to the giant stood next to him, his dark eyes and tanned skin making him look very sharp but dangerous. The giant stood next to him was not only considerably taller but his black locks and threatening tattoo on his neck made him extremely intimidating, the dark angry look in his eyes only making things worse. Ali gulped as she watched from the corner of her eye, she had now become the days entertainment, great. She looked down at her timetable, turning up the volume for her headphones to drown out the sound of her future tormentors. English and Maths first, she heaved a sigh of relief as she made her way to her first class, zigging and zagging between her fellow students. 

“You must be the new girl, welcome to hell. Take a seat.” Her English teacher waved to the class before leaning back in their chair and going back to their newspaper.

“Thank you, If you could just give me the work for this week I’ll get on with it quietly on my own.” Ali smiled politely, her strong English countryside accent booming like a beacon as she spoke, she tried to hide it but there was no masking it. Her teacher looked up in surprise at her request but handed her a large textbook before waving her off like some kind of peasant. Ali found an empty seat by the window at the front of the class and decided to claim this as her own little corner, hoping that its ideal location for learning wouldn't cause too much trouble or draw any attention to her. She had just opened her textbook when the classroom door swung open and the three gangsters strode in laughing loudly, all three wearing matching snake branded leather jackets. Ali shuddered as they moved to the table next to her, sitting with there backs to her.

The morning had gone rather successfully, Ali had managed to gather her work for the week and begun working through it quietly on her own, so far only speaking to her teachers.

She wandered tentatively into the cafeteria, looking round at all the fenced off sections, she figured it was an attempt at lowering the potential for fights. Catching a glimpse of the food being served Ali decided against eating, instead she made her way out the cafeteria and towards the direction of the library. The next couple of days Ali managed to stay under the radar, spending her lunchtimes in the library studying and keeping her headphones in at all times. Gym class was easy to graze through, she changed out of her usual jeans and t-shirt into a pair of skimpy shorts and an old polo shirt in the girls changing room, which was empty except from the occasional group of JJ junky girls, and headed towards the small unloved track. After running laps for an hour she would have a quick shower before throwing her clothes back on and heading out. 

It was now over a week in and she had allowed herself to talk to a small group of kids that weren’t part of either of the gangs, instead grouping together for safety in numbers. Ali was sat in the cafeteria talking to her new friends about her obsessive need to constantly have her headphones in, laughing at there jokes about her accent. They began teasing her about how she would dance to herself during lesson whenever a good song came on.

“Yeah but I’ll bet you won’t dance on the table, 10 bucks says you’re too chicken.” One of the girls teased placing her bet on the table. Ali smirked, she wasn’t afraid to express herself, despite how she came across, she took the money before choosing her favourite song ‘Hey Mario’ and climbing onto the table. Singing along as the tunes played in her ears and dancing happily to the words. She was aware of the hundreds of pairs of eyes that had suddenly locked onto her sudden display but she ignored them and continued to dance until the song was over, bowing dramatically before climbing down and settling back in her seat. She glanced around the room and caught the tall dark haired boy she had seen on her first day staring at her, she watched curiously for a second when he caught her glance and locked eyes with her. She felt her stomach tie up in uneasy knots. He had been watching her for days now and had been watching her before her little performance. 

“He’s been checking you out for a while now Ali,” The ginger haired girl that had placed the Bet earlier commented. “He’s the top man for the serpents, scary kid too. Don’t think he knows what fear feels like.” Ali pulled her eyes back to her new friend, breaking eye contact with this dark and mysterious gangster making him smirk. 

“That’s not terrifying at all, every one is afraid of something.” Ali replied, glancing back one last time, there was something about him that Ali couldn’t help but want to know more. 

“Careful Ali, he goes through girls like fat kid does cake!” Her friend warned again, Ali smiled up at her green eyed friend picking up her sketch book.

“Come on Cas, You’re my model for the day and I want to get a good spot before the hooligans join us.” Ali grinned as the pair got to their feet, heading towards their art class.  They were just leaving the cafeteria when a tall, sickly looking boy grabbed Ali by the wrist pulling her to his side, Cas frozen in fear by the door.

“Well, if it isn’t the cute little English newbie, where’s the rush? come sit, join us hear for a bit...” The boy teased with a wicked grin pulling her close to his side. Ali smiled politely, pulling her limbs away from the creepy Ghoulie leaning on the table to face them all.

“With all do respect guys if I do decide to join a gang, it’s not going to be with some one who wears the logo of an angry shoe lace on their backs,” Ali gestured to the serpents still smiling sweetly to the group, “Or circus rejects such as yourselves. But thank you for the invitation it was very sweet.” She straightened up, giving the group an apologetic wave before heading off to save Cas from the panic attack she was about to have.

“Are you insane?” Cas hissed as they entered the art room, “That was the single most badass thing you could’ve done and also the dumbest. Your going to have both gangs on your back now!” Ali shrugged, setting up her canvas and pencils.

“Stop worrying and sit still, this has to be good for my portfolio.” She chirped, Cas sat cross legged on a table in front of her. “I’m sure they’ll get bored eventually, They don’t heckle you guys any more.” 

“Yes they do Ali, that's why we stick together, they only bother us when we’re on our own but they will always be recruiting.” Cas informed her oblivious friend. The door flew open as she finished and the group of Ghoulies Ali had spoken to earlier strolled arrogantly in. 

“You want to paint me next baby?” The creep from earlier sneered, sitting close to Cas and posing dramatically.

“Please let my friend go and leave us be.” Ali asked sweetly, trying to keep her relaxed and polite composure, but the Ghoulie ignored her request wrapping an arm around Cas’s waist. “Listen sweetheart, I really need you to let go of my friend, if you refuse I’ll be forced to cut your arm off with my scalpel and that could get very messy, since, I have no medical expertise.” She gave him a worried look picking up the scalpel from her sketch set.

“You threatening me baby?” He stood leaving Cas and making his way over to Ali, who was still the perfect embodiment of cool and collected. 

“Please don’t call me baby, I have mastered the art of walking and talking and not only can I use my cutlery without the need of assist but I am also very skilled in using chopsticks, all of which a baby would fail to do.” Ali informed him, her English accent growing thick with every word. “Now if you don't mind, I have a portfolio to finish and should you carry on, mugshots to draw up. I don’t think the sheriff is going to be too pleased to hear that his favourite sketch artist is being threatened, so if you please, the door is to your left.” Ali smiled politely, guiding her unwanted friends to the door, the groups faces dropped when she mentioned the Sheriff and left quietly, however Ali feared she had just jabbed the metaphorical Lion.

“Wait you know the Sheriff?” Cas asked scratching her head in confusion.

“Nope, never met him but they don't know that.” Ali laughed getting back to her canvas.

Ali was on her way home when she noticed a job advertisement in the window of a bar named the ‘Whyte Wyrm’, she knew they could use the extra cash so decided to go in and apply. She pushed open the heavy door and was greeted by a bar full of snake branded leather jackets, gulping hard she took a step inside and made her way calmly towards the barman who was stood talking to an older man with long combed back hair and a well grown beard. Ali stood politely by the bar waiting for them to finish their conversation, but they had soon fallen silent and were now staring at her in disbelief at the strange girl beside them.

“Hi I’m really sorry to interrupt but I noticed the job advertisement outside and I was hoping to apply. I’ve worked in a pub before, clearing tables, taking orders and making cocktails. I am still in school but I can work after school, on the weekends and of course full time during the holidays. if your worried about me listening to things I ought not too, I am more than happy to work with my headphones in and avoid all forms of social interaction, but I really need this job.” She introduced using her sweetest smile and best puppy dog eyes. “Please, I promise I won’t cause any trouble.” she gave her best innocent smile. The tall man stood next to her smiled, reaching out his hand for her to shake.

“What’s your name kid?” The man asked, giving her an impressed look.

“Oh right, Ali, my names Ali, I should’ve led with that.” She laughed nervously, shaking the guys hand and turning to the man behind the bar to shake his hand too.

“Well Ali, I’m Tall Boy and this here is Hog Eye, he runs the bar.” Tall boy smiled, “You’ve got gumption kid I’ll give you that, you sure you know what you’re getting yourself into?” he asked gesturing to the crowd of branded gang members.

“I believe I’ve just applied for a job as a waitress in what appears to be the main hub for a group of people sporting logos of angry shoelaces and going by the name of Serpents. Correct me if I'm wrong.” Ali gave a friendly laugh, combing her hand nervously through her long hair, Hog Eye and Tall Boy laughed at her honest answer.

“Close kid, maybe keep the angry shoelace comment to yourself though yeah. Take it you’re not scared of snakes then.” Hog Eye chuckled leaning on the bar.

“I’ll bare that in mind thank you and as for snakes, I see no reason to be afraid of something that can be defeated by tying it in a knot, besides they are too cute to be scary. If you were called the spiders however, I would be moving country and praying you didn't find me. Too many legs.” Ali gave a disgusted shiver at the thought. Tall boy and Hog Eye laughed at her response, giving each other a quick nod before Hog Eye handed her a short black apron. 

“You can start tomorrow I take it? 5- 9pm see how you manage that for a bit, I’ll give you time to adjust before piling on the Hours.” Hog Eye smiled giving her a friendly nod, Ali smiled accepting the apron.

“Thank you so much, you won’t regret it.” She thanked Hog Eye before heading towards the door.

“Oh and Kid, you may want to rethink your choice in clothing, try to blend in a bit.” Tall Boy called, she raised her thumb to acknowledge his advice before disappearing out the door.

“Hey mum, you’ll never guess what I got today!” Ali called throwing her shoes on the shoe rack by the door and dumping her school bag on the kitchen table.

“A boyfriend?!” Her mum guessed, standing up from looking wishfully into the oven at the lasagne she had just finished putting together. Ali raised her eyebrows giving her mum a stern glare before giggling.

“Try less optimism and more reality.” Ali joked pouring her and her mum a large glass of orange juice each.

“Ok, soo... a job?” her mum guessed, looking at her daughters proud face.

“Yep, working in a bar called the Whyte Wyrm. the spelling bugs me but it was the only place close by that was advertising. I start tomorrow at 5.” Ali reported taking a large sip of her drink. Her mums face dropped and Ali could’ve sworn her pale blonde hair turned a shade greyer. 

“That’s serpent central Ali, I hope you know what you’re doing. I’ve heard an awful lot of stories about those guys, If I think its getting out of hand you’re leaving immediately understand.” Her mum stressed giving her a worried stare, Ali smiled placing a comforting hand on her mums shoulder. 

“It’s ok mum, Hog Eye said that I can work with my headphones in and I don’t have to talk to any one besides him and Tall Boy.” Ali soothed sitting at the table and starting on her homework. Her mum shook her head at the ridiculous names these serpents gave themselves but she put her trust in the fact that Ali knew how to handle herself and usually survived throwing herself into situations like this.

“Ok if you say its safe I believe you. So what homework are we doing tonight?” Her mum asked sitting beside Ali to look at the text book she was now pouring over. Ali loved doing her homework with her mum, she made everything seem so simple and she had yet to come across something her mum didn't know.

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