Hi and welcome to my Valentine's showcase story for 2009.
Although it won't win any awards, I wrote it so that you'd have fun reading it.
That's what matters, right? :o)
Thanks for reading and I do hope you like it!

It was Valentine 's Day, February 14th, 2009.
It was the absolute worst day of my life.

You know the cliche tale of the poor girl who nabs the rich jock, stunning the entire high school body and robbing the glorious blonde cheerleader of her rank and status after she spent all of her time and effort chasing him?
Yeah, well, no one really cares about the blonde cheerleader afterwards, do they?
I'll answer for you - no, they don't.
I should know... I am that cheerleader.

As I stared at the one guy who I had tried to catch for the last couple of years since he had moved to Hillbury Estates, I could not help but wonder why. Why had it worked out like this? I had tried everything in my power to beguile him, to win him over.
And look how it ended up - they were dancing together.
He was dancing with her... not me!

"Well, that was a bust." Will's annoying voice filtered in my ear as we watched the couple get closer. No, don't even think what you are thinking! Will Watson was anything but the kind of guy I'd go out with! He was a goth creep who just happened to be my co-conspirator to win back the guy of my dreams - Teague Lewiston.

"What now, oh smart one?" Will's sarcastic tone usually brought me to my boiling point, but I merely shrugged as Teague pulled his date closer.

Natalie.

Even her name made me want to vomit. There was nothing special about her. Yeah, tonight she was pretty since she was all dolled up for the Valentine's Day Dance, but usually she was nothing. A nobody. Just a plain Jane who had the claim to fame that her father was our high school's janitor. Nice pedigree. *Snort*

"Shall I find some eggs to toss their way?" I could tell Will was joking, but the thought had merit. If he egged the girl, she would not be so pretty. But I knew it'd only serve to make Teague angry and defensive of her, once again foiling us and our plan.
"Nah, I don't think there's anything that can help us now." Was I giving up? Was I throwing in the towel? I had a chance still, right?

But I knew I did not. After all that Will and I had done to attempt to break the two up, all had failed. The things we had done only served to drive Natalie and Teague closer, much to my dismay and horror. I glanced over to my partner-in-crime and sighed softly. Will wasn't much to look at since he usually wore the typical ugly black clothes, but tonight he wasn't half bad. I knew he didn't have a chance with Natalie now, despite how dressed up he was.

"Where did we fail?" I muttered, wondering how all of what we had done to them over the last few months could have been a waste of our time.
"Well, I don't know, Sandra." Will's rue showed in the tone and I hated it when he called me by my formal name. Everyone else called me "Sissy" but not Will. It was almost as if he TRIED to get under my skin day by day!
"Maybe we tried too hard." I admitted, finally, more to myself than him.
I began to think back when it all had started. When was that?
Oh, yes, the day Natalie Coleman moved into town....

The school had been abuzz of a new girl who had just moved to the sleepy town of Hillbury Estates, but I did not care. I was on the track to be the most popular senior of Hill High. Ever. I had especially enjoyed being Homecoming queen to Teague's King.
And when I saw the newbie, Natalie, I knew I had nothing to fear.
She was ugly, dressed simple, and had neither style nor sophistication.
So I gave her no more thought; that was my first mistake.

When the big bug science project came around and we were assigned partners, Teague had been selected to be partnered with the new girl. I had attempted to pay the Science teacher off, but Mr. Sloan was immovable. That was the trouble with trying to bribe a rich teacher - they simply did not work for the money but for the 'joy of teaching'. Whatever. Fine and dandy.
And no, I did not get stuck with Will as he wasn't even in that class, fortunately for me.

After Teague turned me down for a date in order to work on the project with Natalie, I started giving her thought. Serious thought. At that point she was merely a 'two' on my Threat Scale. Not a big deal. Perhaps it was time to move her to a 'three' or 'four'.
When I saw Teague walk her to her locker on several occasions, I knew it was time to step up my game.

I set her up during lunch. I made sure my friends Ginny and Lana were in line behind Natalie as we moved slowly to the checkout.
"..from the Valley." Lana was saying as I joined them.
"She like probably like speaks like this. Fur shure, dude." I stated in a mocking tone loud enough that my target could hear me. Of course my little posse snickered and snorted.
But Natalie surprised me by turning to me and the girls.
"We haven't spoken that way since the 80's." Ouch. Nice one. Girl hath game.

But I was sharp; I hadn't clawed my way to the top by my beauty alone.
"Ahh. Is that how old your clothes are?" I laughed as I rolled my eyes, staring at her foppish clothing. They were totally out of style and completely ugly. I thought I had her as her face had pinked some.
"My clothes are in fact from a thrift store, because I have more important things to spend my money on than the latest Gucci bag." Once more I had to laugh at her.
"Gucci is so last week, dear. Grab a Cosmo some time, why don't you?" I shot back, feeling quite clever.

"I'll stick with good ole Sears and Roebuck, thankyouverymuch." And she walked away. The girl actually left her tray and walked away, turning her back on me. I shrugged, feeling victorious and continued on, cracking more nasty jokes about her clothes and hair and style as we ate our lunch.

One afternoon a few weeks later, I was hanging up posters for the Valentine's Day Dance, to be held in a month from that point. I felt someone at my back, staring at the poster so I glanced quickly behind me and then looked once more as it was Natalie. Time to continue my attack.
"I don't think you'll have much fun at one of these. They're called 'Dances' and usually you have a partner." I grinned sweetly at the girl and then turned back to fasten the last corner to the locker side.

"Oh, right." I heard Natalie's reply to my witty comment. "I've heard of these odd ritualistic ceremonies. I've always wanted to go just to do some research to see the natives in their indigenous habitats. Maybe I'll go to investigate this one." I blinked at her words. Why did she have to use such big ones? Was she a nerd? I nodded to myself. That had to be it - she was a nerd. Now I knew I had NOTHING to fear of her.

Wrong. Teague more and more began to put me off. First it was the project, and then it was the fact that Natalie was going to help him with his Calculus. Then it was that they were going to hang out and shoot some 'hoops'. Give me a break. Was she even a girl?
Seriously. I became alarmed as I saw them more and more frequently together. I bumped her to a seven on the Threat Scale. I had to start getting creative.

It was a few days later that I found myself with binoculars in hand, studying Teague from afar as he tossed a football with Natalie. He didn't even throw hard; what was the point? I growled angrily as they laughed together, and then stopped when I realized two things - first, growling was very unlady-like and secondly, I was no longer alone.

"So what are you doing? Spying? Hmm. Sandra Sunday-Morris spying." It was the goth loser, Will. The LAST person on earth I'd ever want near me. Gross. Hoping his weirdness did not rub off on me, I attempted to ignore him. But when he tugged on the binoculars, I had to complain.
"Stop it. What are you doing?"
He continued until I relinquished them, letting him stare at my targets intently.
"Spying on Teague? Or spying on Natalie?" What was he, the great Inquisitor or something?
"None of your biz. Give them back!"

He did, finally, relinquishing them to me, but I was too flustered to continue.
I eyed Will warily, wondering if it was dangerous to be alone with him. But then I decided probably not - his family was wealthier than my own. His father owned "Watson's", which was one of the most common convenience store chains on the West Coast. I turned to him, hands on my hips, and glared.
"What do you want, Watson?" And then I saw it: his eyes held the same glow as mine did. He was a man on a mission to win someone's heart.

I felt odd standing beside the creep who had a purpose almost identical to my own.
I wanted Teague. He wanted Natalie. Hmm...
"You know, as much as I hate to say this, I could use your help in winning Natalie. I have no chance against muscle head." Will shocked me by thinking the same thing I was thinking. "Perhaps we should join forces."
"So, with my brains and your brawn, maybe we can get our heart's desires if we worked together?" I tapped my chin, thinking furiously about working with such a scumball. But the idea had merit. Very much so.

And so "Operation Redirect" began.

I knew that it would be more difficult for Will to help me get Teague, so I opted to try and see if I couldn't redirect Natalie to my co-conspirator first. Then with her out of the picture, Teague would fall into my arms naturally. Despite my misgivings, I invited goth-boy over to work on our plan further. I made sure he avoided my family at all costs - no reason to start rumors within the Sunday-Morris household. He was ten minutes late to my door, which did not surprise me one bit.

"Your room is exactly how I pictured it to be." I couldn't tell if Will was being his normal sarcastic self, but of course I took offense. I was nervous already - boys were NOT allowed in my room so I was breaking rules. However, since he was who he was - a loser goth emo-head - would that rule even apply? Shrugging, I pushed him to the long mirror and took stock of the situation. Ugh. I did not have much to work with!

I tried to touch his hair, but he grasped my wrist tightly, glaring at me.
"Don't touch me." When Will snapped at me, I snapped right back.
"How am I supposed to get Natalie to like you if you won't let me do any work on your appearance? You can't walk around in all black all of the time! She's going to think you are a creep, which is not much of a stretch." I crossed my arms angrily after he released my wrist. The guy had to learn to be a little flexible!

"Fine." When he relented, I sighed in relief and began to get to work. He allowed me to trim his long, nappy hair - a good start. Then I borrowed my younger brother's clothes and had him change in the bathroom. When he stepped out, he looked better. I nodded my approval.
"That'll do." And so we began to scheme.

Whenever we could, we made sure the other was hanging out with their intended.
I tried to stick close to Teague, but he was slippery.
It seemed to be a little easier for Will, although his incredible shy streak hurt him.
Natalie was sweet and tolerated his silence or stuttering when he was near her. He was blowing it from him being a pure clutzoid.
Clearly it was up to me to show him how to flirt.

Once more, I had goth-guy over at my house.
"Lean in and smile, touch lightly." I instructed, showing him how. Of course, the action grossed us both out, but for the sake of the Operation, we put up with it.
He finally began to loosen up and feel more confident. And that's when it hit me why Natalie was making friends and had Teague hanging around her... the girl practically oozed with confidence. It was almost as if she did not care what others thought about her. Ridiculous!

And two weeks before the dance, the thing we had dreaded happened: Teague asked Natalie out on a date. I found out the time and place by using one of Teague's jock friends and so Will and I made plans to make certain their little 'date' crashed and burned.

Our attempt to destroy was to take place at the restaurant they were visiting. We met in the back of the building, watching from around the corner for the couple to arrive. When they did, I felt acid reflux. Teague looked so very handsome. The jealousy I felt threatened to overwhelm my senses as I cried out on the inside that it should be ME there with him. Not her.
Will's face revealed similar thoughts to mine and I felt a little better about it.

Once we made our way inside, hiding as best as we could by going to the women's restroom, we began to brainstorm of things to do to interrupt them. I was at a loss until I glanced up and noticed some fancy water sprinklers.
"Got a lighter?" I asked. He happened to not have one, which made me sigh. How could a goth not smoke?
"They're bad for you." I shrugged and when the door began to open, I shoved him into a stall. Fortunately, the woman who had entered graciously offered me a matchbook, no questions asked. I waited until she washed her hands and left before locking the door behind her.

"Let's do this." I grinned as Will let me climb upon his shoulders. I wobbled unsteadily for a few moments while lifting the match to the sprinkler. "Steady!" I groused angrily, frustrated with his wimped-ness. Finally the sprinkler began to gush water out of it's nozzle down upon us and I shrieked, realizing I was getting drenched!
"Ahhh I'm getting soaked!" I cried out, dashing for the door after he put me down.
"Der. What do you think happens when the sprinkler goes off - it squirts out flowers?' Will's snide comment was nearly washed away and I ignored him, straining to push open the door. But it would not budge. Uh oh!

"I can't open the door!" I was in a panic now, pushing furiously at the exit. I had to get us out before we were busted! Will shoved me aside and began to push as well, straining as best as he could to try and release us from the waterworks as well as a place he knew he should never have gone.
"It's stuck." His words were said without energy as if he were giving up. I pushed him out of the way and tried with all of my might, but I simply could not move it.
"Duh." When Will shoved me out of the way again, I was about to bite his head off, but grimaced when he pulled on the door, opening it into the emptied restaurant beyond.

The Police and Fire departments were on their way, so we dashed out of the back, running as fast as we could until we had to catch our breath. Will was making some odd noises and I wondered if he were hyperventilating. I rolled my eyes when I realized he was just laughing. His laughter became infectious though, and before long I was wheezing in laughter as well.

"Y-y-you look like a drowned rat!"
His words were meant to tease as he was laughing so hard he could barely breathe, but of course I took offense.
"Oh yeah well you look like a ... a... an idiot!" I felt lame for my retort, especially when he began to laugh harder. I shrugged and walked to my car to go home, uncertain if we had succeeded in foiling their date or failed in keeping ourselves from looking like fools. It was definitely a toss-up.

When I caught wind of another date to make up for the failed one, I became incensed. How could Natalie be so addicting that Teague would need a 'makeup date'? Agh!
They were going to the Skateworld rink and so I planned with Will on how to destroy that date. No more sprinklers. I had ruled that OUT!
We met in the parking lot and I grimaced as he drove up in his ugly, loud-motored car. Patting the hood he joined me nearby and we were silent for a few moments, trying to come up with a solid plan.

"This has to work." Will mumbled and I agreed. If not, the dance was looming way too close for comfort.
"What's the plan then?" I asked him.
"How should I know. You are the brains of the operation, remember?" His surly attitude bugged me and I wanted to smack him, but refrained.
"Fine then. How about you make a fool of yourself. Go in and fall all over the place." I began to walk to the door, but he stopped me, grasping my elbow to turn me back to face him.

"Wait, why do *I* have to fall? I'm a good skater. Why don't you fall?'
I blinked at him as if he had just said the stupidest comment in the world.
"I am a girl. Hello?" I sniffed, nose in the air. "And besides, I bruise easy." I did not want to tell him that I was too proud to do that. I had way too much pride to fall on purpose.
"Fine." He sighed angrily and together we went inside. I watched for our targets, finally seeing them on the floor, skating beside each other. At least they weren't holding hands! Yet.

I noticed that many Hill High students seemed to be at the rink, which would be even better. More distractions for the two. We waited until Teague pulled aside, perhaps going to the bathroom or getting some water, before sending Will in. The goth skated easily onto the center, locating his prey and then began to mock-skate poorly until he made it to just in front of her. When he fell so that she had to stop else fall on him, I felt like applauding his acting. It was brilliant!

I took that moment to locate Teague. He was heading back and so I knew I had to hurry and run interference.
"Hi Teague." I batted my eyelashes at him and watched his smile fill up his face. I ignored the fact that it did not quite reach his eyes, indicating it was slightly forced.
"Hey Sissy. How goes it?" I felt as if there was a large gulf between us, so hurried to make small talk.

"Good. Having fun skating. Love this place." I told him, despite not coming often due to the annoying and clueless people that hung around it. "Oh look at that loser." I pointed to Will as he fell again and smiled mentally when Natalie laughed along with him, helping him to his feet. Their hands connected a little longer than normal, which pleased me to no end.
"Looks like Natalie and Will are enjoying themselves." I leaned near the railing, making a great display of studying the two on the skatefloor. "Hmm, did they come together?"
I knew it would make it seem as if they were closer than they were. All part of the plan.

"Nah, I don't think so." Teague's reply was not un-expected and he stared at them with a hurt look on his handsome face. I took no joy in his pain of course, but was jumping with glee on the inside at the thought of him seeing that Natalie was NOT for him.
"I'm hungry for more than this cheap stuff." I tugged at Teague's arm lightly. "Want to join me at the diner and grab something?" I crossed my mental fingers.
But I was to be disappointed as he shook his head and turned to me.
"Look, Sissy, I like you. You are a friend. But I'm here with Natalie."

I felt as if someone drove a stake through my heart and I felt my bottom lip stick out, pouting. I knew Teague hated to see me sad and so I was going to use that to the best of my abilities. But as I did, I watched with severe disappointment as he left me to go on the skate floor, zinging over to where Natalie and Will were talking. When Teague butted in, I could see Will's face turn red. He began to glower at the bigger guy and I wondered if he would fight the jock. It was time for me to intercede. Especially since there was a group of students forming, hoping for a good scrap.

As soon as I got to them, I butted in.
"Oh, what's the matter Natalie? Is goth boy here not good enough for you? Are you so petty you can't see that he likes you?" I knew I was throwing Will under the bus, but figured he'd thank me for it later. I heard murmurs of the crowd and felt Will's angry glare. Instead of giving Natalie time to reply to my questions, Will turned on me.
"And you don't like Teague? Why don't you tell him that you like him, instead of attacking me, Sandra?"

Our plan was quickly disintegrating and spiraling out of control! I had to figure out how to get us back on track before we made complete fools of ourselves in front of everyone!
I looked to Ginny and Lana, who happened to be standing nearby. But they shrugged at me. Traitors!

"I don't care what either of you feel or think, Natalie and I are on a date together. With each other. And that's how we want it to be." Without saying anything further, Teague gently grasped Natalie's wrist and pulled her to the floor, skating with their hands together as if we did not exist. The crowd began to dissipate, staring and laughing at Will and me whenever they thought we weren't looking. I had never been so embarrassed or demoralized in my life.

And that led us to this point... the point where they were dancing together at the Valentine's Day Dance. Despite it all, they were holding each other, dancing to the soft music filtering from the school's speakers. It made me want to be physically sick!
All of our effort. All of our work.
For what? Nothing!

And then it happened...
The moment I had been dreading.
I felt my eyes fill up as I watched Teague lean in slightly and Natalie do the same...

"Noooooo!" I groaned softly to myself as their lips touched. I imagined a million fireworks rattling off as they kissed. It was agony. Pure agony!
I had been trying to prevent their first kiss for the duration and now I knew I had truly failed. They had just shared that special first kiss.

As Teague clasped Natalie's hand tightly and began to lead her back inside, both faces absolutely glowing with happiness and full of blushes, I sat on the bench in numb defeat.
I barely noticed when Will sat next to me. I was grateful to not be alone, but would have rather swapped places with Natalie, of course.
Neither of us could speak, our disappointment ran deep.

We were silent for a long time, uncertain of what to do now that we had failed in our mission. It was at that point that I realized something. Without a plan to join us together, I would be freed of Will's impertinence. No more being called "Sandra". No more annoying habits that made me want to scream. I would be free! As I studied his face without truly looking at the guy beside me, I thought perhaps we had formed some sort of friendship during the course of our endeavor together. But he was well below my station.

"Well," Will stated softly as he stood, turning to go. "I guess I'll go drown my tears in a root beer." He scooted his booted foot a few times before stopping and turning back just as I was about to say something to make him pause.
"Don't suppose you want to join me?"
I shrugged and stood, walking slowly beside him as we approached the parking lot and his hideous 'beast' car.

Once we were at the diner, the silence continued as we sat in complete disappointment. Neither of us had the energy to order the root beer we had come for, so we just sat sulking.
"I don't know what we could have done differently, Sandra." Will finally stated.
"Eh."
"It was just meant to be." When he said the words, I felt myself explode.
"No! That's not it! We missed something. Didn't try hard enough or something."

Will shook his head and leaned in.
"It was meant to be. I was obviously not meant to be with Natalie and you weren't meant to be with Teague. Face the truth, girl." His words made me want to slap him! Ohhh the guy could be SO frustrating at times. I stood swiftly, grasping the edge of the table to steady myself on my high heels.
"I am facing the truth. You obviously did not try hard enough at the skating rink!"
"It's so typical of you, Sandra, to blame others." He had slid out of the booth and stood facing me, so close I could feel his warm breath on my face.

I was infuriated, but a lot of it was from the frustration of losing.
"Look, we tried. Stop blaming me. I did my best." Will's words were a little less venomous, but it didn't help my blown temper.
"Our best just wasn't good enough! You fail at life!" No! I could not admit defeat! Sissy Sunday-Morris did not admit defeat! The volcano was erupting within me and it was not stopping for anything.
"You LOSER! It's your fault we lost them!" I shrieked at the exact same time he snarled,
"Spoiled brat! You couldn't win a man even if he was brain-dead!" Oohhh, my blood was truly boiling now!

.....

Hmmm. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad Valentine's day after all....

The End

El finito! Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed it :o)
Hugglez to the readers and to the CC makers!
You all are the best!
T-girl
(one more slide >>>>)

Credits for CC:
Simmesdale high - ModtheSims2.com - Spongeeh
Clothings - ModtheSims2.com, LianaSims, Parsimonious, All About Style, Maxis and more!
Misc, Hair etc. - ModtheSims2.com, The Sims Resource, Parsimonious, Decogirl, Fresh Prince, Pronupsims, Peggysims, Rosesims, XMsims, Jaydee, two places that shall not be named and more!
Sims - Created from bits from all over mostly from the listed on this page
Teague's sim - Created by Panschi_72
Will's sim - Created by Vetavet
(Thanks to you all for your fabulous effort and work!!)

If you'd like to read another Valentine's story with a different twist, (longer too), feel free to check out last year's attempt....
"A Valentine's Story"

http://thesims2.ea.com/exchange/story_detail.php?asset_id=206150

(Thanks for reading if you do!) :o)