The Ahn'Ger Stone: Chapter 2

“Hey, Bill!” Came a female voice, and Bill’s growing feeling of being angry dissipated somewhat in surprise…Though seeing who it was caused the rapidly cooling ember to glow once more. And with it, the strange glowing gemstone enclosed within his fist dimmed as well. Ugh, why was SHE here!?

“What do you want, Gloria?” Bill groaned as he watched the gorgeous raven haired queen of the school mince her way across the quiet sleep and onto his lawn, her stylish corked heels moving with confidence and purpose. The queen of Shermer High didn’t even wait for Bill’s permission as she made her way up the short flight of steps and moved to pin Bill against the far-enclosed side of the large front porch of the Strasserman abode.

Gloria Vanapolous. Bill had known her all his life, and had despised her for most of it. The only child of second generation of two Greek immigrant families, Gloria stood out in the predominantly generic Caucasian population of Shermer, Illinois though she lacked the slight accent that her parents, Ariadne and Roman, had. And sure, at one point he had been friends with the ridiculously attractive girl that stood in front of him now, wearing that white low cut blouse, those tight jeans and the pink cardigan, but those days had ended even BEFORE Bill decided he liked girls. Once she realized she could manipulate people, at first by spinning remarkably believable half-truths or outright lies (and then later, with her stunning exotic appearance), they’d gone from being friends to being bitter acquaintances. Bill would have been happy with Gloria out of his life completely, but they had one shared bond that forced the geeky teen to continually have to endure her presence; Tom Ackerton.

The two had been a power couple ever since the concept of dating had entered their heads. Tom was tall, strong, and handsome while Gloria was exotic, gorgeous, and an athlete in her own right (even if it was being captain of the cheerleaders). The two seemed made for each other, at least from a physical sense. Emotionally they were as incompatible as oil and water; Tom did his best to be kind and use his social position to help others, while Gloria was cruel, petty and controlling. Their relationship seemed to be built on inertia just as much as it was built on Gloria’s emotional manipulation of the good-natured all-star. But two months ago Gloria had publically dumped Tom and Bill had rejoiced at getting to spend his limited hangout time with Tom free of her corrupting influence…At least until the rumors about Tom had begun. Since then Bill had been forced to watch Tom slowly deflate as the emotional turmoil took a toll of the young man. And now here Gloria was, back in Bill’s life after two months of not even giving him a second glance. She clearly wanted something.

“What do I want? God, Billy, I didn’t know getting fat made people so rude” Gloria sneered back before she frowned and took a moment to compose herself, her left hand maybe a little loop as the semi-southpaw closed her eyes and seemed to collect herself even as Bill’s temper flared hotter. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that. It’s just been, like, really stressful, y’know? But I have good news!”

Bill could tell from Gloria’s tone that she was half-lying. Having to be around her so much, and being a fairly smart and observant individual (in his mind, anyway), Bill had picked up on her, well, bullshit. He squeezed the nearly forgotten gemstone in his hand tighter as Gloria fake-apologized for the insult and crossed his arms.

“Good news? Listen, I-“ Bill began, but the opening was all Gloria needed.

“Yes! But I just want to make it clear, I’m ONLY here because we can’t do this at school, understand? I can’t really be seen talking to someone well, like you” Gloria’s expression was both pleading and deadly serious, as if she was plotting a murder. Bill figured there was probably a good chance she actually was, but kept that to himself.

“Just say what you’re here to say, Gloria. Tom’s running late and-“ Bill grumbled as he bent down to collect his backpack, only to once again be interrupted.

“Right, I’m here to talk to you about Tom! See, I think I’m ALMOST ready to forgive him!” Gloria’s face was animated, and the learned tell that she was lying had vanished from her face. Did…was she serious!?

“…What?” Was the only thing Bill could say for a moment, “Wait, ‘forgive’ Tom? Gloria, YOU’RE the one that broke up with him!” The exasperated teen pointed a finger at Gloria’s substantial chest that had earned her the nickname ‘Titsopolous’ from those brave (or simply uncaring) enough to talk about Gloria behind her back.

“Oh Billy” Gloria’s voice took on that sugary sweet tone that he had quickly learned to not trust, “I know it’s hard to understand because you’ve NEVER been in a relationship but sometimes girls have to make sure that their voice gets heard, y’know?”

“Oh please. I doubt there’s anyone left in the entire town that doesn’t hear your voice” Bill sneered back. God he hated Gloria. For everything that she’d done to Tom, to others, for just being an awful person! But Gloria didn’t seem to notice his snark as she continued on, caught up in her own little rant.

“So I decided that I’d forgive him for being so weak, y’know? But I need HIM to come to ME! So because you’re his best friend and we’ve all known each other since Kindergarten I figured you’d just understand and be willing to help because neither one of us likes seeing Tom miserable!” Gloria’s cardigan fluttered as she spoke, her arms waving in the air as they always did when she was excited about something. It almost looked as if she had a pair of pink pixie wings.

‘Or bat wings’ Bill thought as he let the dark haired diva in front of him rant out some elaborate plan on how HE was supposed to get Tom to apologize to Gloria in front of the whole school. He waited until the flapping of pink fabric had subsided and Gloria’s ruby-red lips had finally stopped flapping before he spoke again.

“Well, what do you think? You’ll do it, right? Oh, I knew you would Bill! I just-“ Gloria said with a winning smile that looked more like a grinning shark than an attractive, love-struck girl. She leaned in for one of her fake hugs before Bill reached out and stopped the queen of Shermer High.

“No. I’m not going to do it, and FUCK YOU Gloria for even TRYING to bring me into your stupid little scheme! You spend two months gaslighting Tom and making him feel like shit and then you do this!? No, you want Tom back so bad, YOU apologize to HIM and then YOU can get laughed at by the entire school when he says no!” Bill spat out the words like acid on his tongue. This had been SUCH a long time coming, and as he scrambled for more insults the ball of anger in his stomach churned and roiled…And the gemstone in his hand flared bright, green-gold light streaming through Bill’s clenched fist!

“In fact, Gloria, I wish you’d-“ Bill began as a deliciously cruel idea surfaced in his brain, but as he raised his fist at the exotic beauty in front of him, both of their eyes locked on the impossible to miss glow. “Oh shit, what’s that!?” He hissed, opening his fist and revealing the tear-shaped gemstone that had pressed a deeply red indentation into his flesh.

“Oh wow! Bill, it’s gorgeous!” Gloria, her own raging thoughts quieted for a moment as it was distracted by the strange stone in Bill’s flabby hand, “Where did you get that!? Can I see it?” Gloria, without waiting for Bill’s permission, reached outwards to pluck the gemstone away.

“Hey-“ Bill stammered, as equally concerned about the fact that he was holding a GLOWING green rock in his hand as he was about Gloria stealing it from him. He clenched his hand shut, but was a moment too late as Gloria’s pink nails plucked the gemstone from his palm and rolled into hers! Bill noticed the glow dimming as she backed out of his reach, Gloria’s own deeply green eyes glittering as they caught the reflection of the strange, almost ethereal glow.

“Wow…” Gloria said, entranced. This had to be the BEST piece of jewelry she’d ever seen! And that inner piece of gold! And the way it glowed, it had to be the sunlight, right? She wondered where Bill had gotten it; was it his mom’s? Some old family heirloom that he’d dragged out for some reason? Lord knew that Gloria’s own mother, Ariadne, had enough of THOSE neatly tucked away in the attic…

“Give it back, Gloria!” Bill demanded and took a threatening step towards her, pulling her attention back to the Strasserman’s porch. How dare he demand that she just DO what he said! How dare that fat little turd talk back to her like that, didn’t he know who she was!? And it was just like Bill to get in her way! Always with the scheming little mind of his, always thinking of a way to turn Tom against her, to be the thorn in everyone’s fucking palm! Maybe her life could have been better if Bill used that big brain of his to make HER life better! If only he’d been born someone that SHE could control instead of some meddling little dick!

“Bill, you little creep!” Gloria hissed, her pretty face hardening as she felt the words enter her mind, “Fuck you! I wish that-“

What happens next? Vote in the poll for how you’d like to see the next chapter go!