I'd like to start off saying I own nothing from this chapter. The characters belong to Psych. Some of the characters and overall plot belong to Jason Robert, Dan Elish and Robert Horn.
Alright, I'll tell you. But remember…
Everything Charlotte says is a lie
It's a lie, it's a lie, it's a lie
Everything Charlotte says is a lie
You better not believe her…
Holy macaroni
No, it can't be true
No, you can't repeat a single word I'm telling you!
-It Can't Be True from "13" The musical
Santa Barbara: 1990
Shawn watched as another pair of girls walked passed his table giggling. Looking around Shawn noticed the school cafeteria was in its usual uproar of whispers and pairs of people leaning in close together as they talked.
"What's going on Lucy?" Shawn asked stopping Lucy who was walking past. Lucy was the popular cheerleader and yet was a friend of his.
"Charlotte just told me the nastiest thing about Mary." She shifted the tray in her hands.
"Mary? What about her?" Shawn shrugged. Lucy looked around before sitting across from Shawn and leaning in close.
"Fine I'll tell you. But remember everything Charlotte says is a lie."
"Yeah." Shawn nodded eagerly listening.
"Charlotte said she saw Mary and Chris at the mall letting Chris get to first base." Lucy told him.
"What? No way! Mary wouldn't do that!" Shawn protested. Mary was one of his close friends, she was also head cheerleader- he knew her well and was surprised to hear this.
"Better not believe her, everything Charlotte says is a lie." Lucy stood up and walked away from the table leaving Shawn to watch her. There was no way Mary would be hanging out with Chris; she had recently gotten together with Drake, the most popular guy in school who was the school's quarterback. Shawn shook his head knowing this was just some silly rumor.
The Next Day
Shawn walked down the hall listening as everyone talked about Mary, Chris and Drake.
"I just heard that she said she saw Mary and Chris down at the pond getting to third base." One girl said.
"What?!" The other girl shrieked.
"Totally! But don't tell anyone I told you…"
Shawn rolled his eyes. He couldn't believe the rumor had spread this fast. But high school was full of gossip and Shawn wasn't entirely surprised that it had happened in fact. Walking inside the locker room Shawn saw two boys, Drake's best friends talking quietly.
"Everything Mary said is a lie. It's a lie, it's a lie." Todd said.
Dylan shook his head, "Tonguing another guy…"
"You guys really believe that?" Shawn spoke joining them in the corner.
"Uh yeah!" Todd shouted.
"Why wouldn't we?" Dylan looked at Shawn.
"Charlotte started this whole thing. And she's nothing but a liar." Shawn pointed out. The two other boys looked at each other considering the possibility.
"Someone has to tell Drake." Todd poked Dylan on the shoulder.
"I'm not telling him!" Dylan pushed Todd away. Shawn left as the two started pushing each other into the lockers. Shawn couldn't wait for his father to pull him in his cruiser and whisk him away.
"You alright?" Henry asked his son as Shawn got into the car.
"There's this rumor going around that Mary and Chris are having this secret relationship… its dumb really." Shawn looked out the window.
Henry chuckled, "Middle school is full of rumors Shawn. Be careful about what you believe, it could affect you one day."
Santa Barbara: 2015
Shawn walked down the hallway of his house and was stopped by the voice of his daughter, "Kendra? No way! What would Brett do if he heard this kind of rumor?" Shawn stopped his wife as she tried to walk passed him.
"What?" Juliet whispered.
"Shhh." He held his finger to his lips.
"I can't believe it." Ally said, "Who told you this?... Charlotte? Everything she says is a lie anyways…"
Shawn grabbed Juliet's hand and pulled her into their room. "I can't believe it. Rumors are still just as bad." Shawn sat down onto the bed.
"They used to spread like wildfire in my middle school." Juliet sat next to him.
"Ally better be careful," Shawn looked at Juliet, "I don't want her getting messed up in this."
"You and me both…" Juliet sighed knowing that was practically impossible. "They're thirteen Shawn, they live for this stuff. We can tell her what we want, it won't stop anything."
Shawn nodded showing that she was right, "I hated middle school." Shawn laid back into the bed.
"Me too." Juliet rested her head on his chest.
My school recently did the production "13" which I saw and loved! I've been listening to the soundtrack since, especially the track this story is based off of. For those who don't know the show I recommend looking into it.
At one point I said this story wouldn't have Shawn's kids... I lied. It was getting kind of boring and I kept getting ideas that involved children. So that happened.