Beauty & The Beast (A Shake It Up! Fanfic)

Jailed

I liked to think that people liked me. They were nice to me when I was out into town, but I knew what they were really thinking. I knew the only good thing people cared to notice was my looks. But that was it. They would stop their chittering about how lazy, stupid, and unfocused I was. It just made me want to scream.

Because of this, I spent most of my time in the local internet café. I wasn't good with people, but it wasn't completely my fault. I had lived in Chicago all my life, and nobody had ever bothered to try to get to know me. Nobody cared to give me a chance.

Today, the internet café was closed for maintenance. So, I decided to chill at home for the day with my Mother, Georgia Jones and my little brother Flynn. It wasn't anyone's ideal Saturday, but what choice did I have? Its not like I ever had any plans of my own.

"Hey, Mom?" I asked.

"Hey, what?"

"Do you think I'm weird?"

"What? Why would you ask that?"

"Because every person in Chicago seems to think so." I said, rolling my eyes.

She stopped unpacking the groceries (which contained nothing but microwavable meals) and frowned, "Honey, people can be mean, but don't let them get to you. That's the only way you can get through stuff like this."

"That's what everyone says, Mom. Care to pull some non-cliché advice out of that horrible hat you just bought last weekend?"

She laughed, "I'm sorry baby, I'm not a miracle worker. If I was, then we wouldn't be wasting our money on Chinese takeout."

I chuckled, "True." I got up and frowned, "Mom? Do you think anyone will ever like me?"

"CeCe, the people here are stupid for not seeing how great you are. But one day, you'll find someone that cares for you just as much as Flynn and I do." She said.

"A girlfriend?" I squealed.

Oh yeah, another reason nobody liked me. I was a lesbian. Luckily nobody outside of my family knew, or who knows what else they would say about me? I didn't even want to think about it.

My Mother laughed, "Maybe."

I smiled and sat back down on the kitchen stool. My brother walked in and took a seat beside me. He was staring at me with his head cocked to the side, and I was starting to get a little freaked out.

"What?" I shouted.

"I'm just trying to figure it out." He said, still staring at me.

"Figure out what?"

"Why everyone seems to hate my big sister."

I smiled at him gratefully and ruffled his hair, "Thanks, Flynn."

He fixed it up and stood up angrily, "Now I'm starting to see why. Nobody messes with a man's hair!"

I knew he was kidding, so his comment didn't even bother me. I crossed my arms and laughed as I watched him leave. My Mother slung her arm over my shoulder and hugged me close. Her phone buzzed, and she looked at it.

"Oh! Gotta go, it's a 211."

"There's been a robbery?" I asked.

"Yeah. Look after your little brother, okay? If its not that idiot Miller than I should be back by tonight." She kissed me on the forehead and left. I waved goodbye and walked into Flynn's room, where he was laying on his bed trying to fix his hair.

"Hey." I said, knocking on the open door.

He looked up at me and humphed, pretending to be mad at me. I rolled my eyes and sat down next to him.

"Mom just left." I told him, "She should be back by late tonight, after your bedtime. So, you can chill in here. I'll be out there watching TV, and I'll call you out here as soon as dinner's ready."

He nodded in response and I left.

Shake it Up, Chicago! Was on, which was my absolute favorite show. My whole life, I had dreamed of being a professional dancer. The show had had auditions last week for new background dancers, but I couldn't bring myself to go.

Sure, my Mom and brother said I was a good dancer, but what did they know? Weren't they supposed to say that because they were related to me?

A couple hours later when the clock struck six, I started up dinner. Unlike Mom, I could cook. I made two separate meals. For Flynn, I microwaved a can of Star Wars shaped lSpaghetti-O's. After all, they were his favorite. For me, I made a nice, fresh salad.

"Flynn, dinner!" I called, and he came running into the room.

He took a whiff of the air and smiled at me, "Did you make…?"

"Yup!" I held out the bowl and spoon.

He took it and made a B-line for his room, but I blocked him. He stared at me.

"What do you think you're doing?" I asked, hands on my hips, "You know Mom doesn't like it when you eat your pasta in your room."

"But, CeCe."

"Bup, bup, bup!" I said, silencing him, "You are going to be sitting in here with me. Here." I handed him the remote, "You can pick what we watch."

He nodded and flipped through channels. He ended up choosing Adventure Time! Which I admit was amusing. I made him help the clear the table. After everything was washed and back in its place, I tucked Flynn into bed and gave him a kiss goodnight.

I tucked myself into bed and feel asleep quickly. My Mom was probably on her way home now, and we would see her in the morning. She would give Flynn and I a ride to school in her squad car, which always made the kids in my brother's grade jealous.

But I got no such wish. As soon as my alarm beeped, I got dressed as slowly as possible. I found it funny that I didn't hear my Mom's voice yelling at me from the other room to hurry it up. All I heard was quiet. Sweet, unsettling silence. I pulled my top over my head and ran out of my room, searching every nook and cranny for my Mother.

Oh, no.

She wasn't here. I ran to Flynn's room and saw him getting ready in the bathroom. I ran to him and forced him to change faster, practically choking him as I yanked a t-shirt over his head.

"Hey, what gives?" He shouted. I forcefully began to brush his teeth and shoved his head down and ordered him to spit (which he did).

"CeCe, what's going on?"

I grabbed him and carried him into my car.

"Buckle." I ordered.

"CeCe, what's wrong? You do realize it's school we are late for, not a new fashion trend." He said.

"I know. I'm just worried about something."

He leaned in, "What do you mean?"

"Mom isn't home. She was supposed to come back last night."

"Oh…"

I nodded and screeched to a halt in the Elementary School parking lot. I unlocked the doors and walked him to school.

"Now listen," I said, getting down on one knee, "I'm going to find Mom."

He seemed shocked, "But-"

"No buts, Flynn."

"Let me come with you!"

"No. I have to do this, you have to stay in school."

"But, CeCe…"

"I told you, no buts." I handed him my old phone, "It should still work. Mom's number is in there, so if you text her and receive anything promise you'll text me. Okay?"

"Okay." He said, tucking the phone into his pocket. I gave him a hug and a kiss on the forehead.

"Just promise to be careful?" He asked.

"I will, Flynn. Now, go." I pointed to the school and ran away.

I got back in the car and powered up the tracking app on my phone. We were both equally afraid of one of us getting lost, so we installed a tracker in each of our phones.

I zoomed out of the parking lot and followed the GPS to the edge of time. I parked my car in front of a dusty old house and entered nervously.

"Hello?" I called through the darkness.

I heard a rattle from behind me and spun around. But nobody was there. There was a scream upstairs, and I quickened my pace. Through a hole in a door, I saw my Mom locked inside. The sight was absolutely horrifying.

I got out my ATM card and picked the lock open. Sure, I wasn't smart. But when you ride in Mom's squad car and stop for a robbery, you'd learn a thing or two.

I quietly opened the door and ran inside. I kneeled beside her, "Mom?" I said, tapping her on the arm. She whipped her head around and unintentionally smacked me in the face.

"Hey!" I said, holding a hand against my throbbing head.

She looked at me, "Oh my goodness CeCe! It is so good to see you, baby." She hugged me close, "Now get out."

"What?"

"Listen, this house is dangerous. I want you to go home and take care of your brother."

"Are you crazy? I'm not leaving you here, Mom." I said, "what makes this place so dangerous anyway?'

The door creaked open and I saw a person-shaped shadow through the darkness.

"Who are you?" I asked, stepping in front of my mother.

"Do as the Mother says. Go home." Said a female voice.

I turned on the flashlight app on my phone and pointed it in the direction of the voice. It illuminated a girl about the height of 5' 10". She had long, wavy brown hair, and this creepy look on her face like she was about to kill someone.

"I'm not going anywhere!" I shouted, "Release my Mom, now!"

"A'ight." She said and held the door open for us. I helped my Mom up and we walked to the exit, only to have the door slammed in my face.

"Well, that was mean." I said, "It's like you did that on purpose."

"Look, girl. You can either take your Mama's place, or she stays her forever. Or you could both stay, honestly I couldn't care less."

"Fine." I said, brushing off my skirt, "I'll stay. Just let her go, please."

"CeCe, no! I won't allow you to be jailed in here all alone."

"Yeah, well I allow it." I looked at the brunette, "Let her go."

The girl shrugged and opened the door. She pushed my Mom out the door then closed it with a loud slam.

"So, stretch. Who exactly are you?" I inquired, sitting down criss-cross applesauce.

"That, my friend, is none of your business."

I snickered, "Really? Your name is 'Nonya Buisness?'"

"No, ding head! My name is none of your business!"

"Oh, ouch. What horrible parent would choose that name?"

"No! I'm telling you my name is none- my name is Raquel, okay?"

"I'm going to call you…Rocky."

"But my name's Raquel!"

"Rocky's better." I insisted.

She rolled her eyes and exited the room, slamming the door shut behind her. A slid down against the wall and let out a long, desperate sigh. All my thoughts revolved around my family, and if I was ever going to see them again.

.