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B03C04: You Only Love Twice

2010-12-08T13:16:00.002+08:00

People say life imitates arts. But no matter how hard you try to believe, happy ending is only in the movies.

“Next thing you know I managed to kick their asses and controlled the situation. I think that old woman would die without me,” Aaron Gonzalez proudly told Geneva the story where he saved a dying—she actually died seven days after the incident due to heart attack—old woman in the store seized by three fully armed robbers. They were strolling down the park, when Geneva had to listen to all the stories of his past. He told her—almost—every past glories of his; the time he got his first kiss, the first ass that he kicked, the first date and—you get the whole picture, don’t you? He kept on mumbling about him. Aaron got this, Aaron got that, and Aaron won these and all. Geneva couldn’t do anything else but listened to his craps.

When you decided to take the role, you just married the whole crap of it.

When they were about to reach a bench to rest their feet, Geneva’s phone suddenly rang and interrupted the conversation. “Sorry honey, I have to pick it up!” Geneva excused herself and paced slowly leaving Aaron who had already set his butt on the bench. She reassured that he didn’t follow and stared at the screen. It was actually a fake phone call. She learnt the way to escape from a noisy boyfriend from the internet. She used many techniques on Aaron and it seemed to work on him.

Geneva had no idea what to do now. She needed someone else by her side so that she could talk about other passions than Aaron. Someone that could understand her.

Isn’t this the time where the Romeo comes to save his Juliet?

Aaron’s butt was already itching, He tried to peep on Geneva but the trees blocked his sight. “Geneva?” Aaron called but no one replied. He got anxious and started to search for her. He continued calling her name but never get a reply. As he making his way to where Geneva headed to, he saw her by the bushes and he presumed that she was texting somebody since the phone was in her hands. Aaron ignored his assumption and shouted for her name. Geneva turned to him with a mild smile stamped on her delicate face. Her bone structure implemented the smile so well that she looked like she was smiling without her trying.

“What’s the urgent? Somebody died?” Aaron wrapped his hands around her waist. He pulled her so close till she was literally could feel every single abs of his.

“No. Reborn actually,” She corrected him.

“and what makes you think that I want to know?” He sounded as if he was joking, but he was not. He pulled her to his right but still keeping his hand on her waist and marched on. “and about tonight, we are going to go to my favorite restaurant!”

Right. Where else could he bring her to? He and Geneva was the regular costumer of the restaurant. They were too expected by the restaurant. Aaron brought her there for every single date. The waiter could even remember their order because it is always the same since their first date.

“Sorry. I have errand to run tonight. It’s been piling up since like forever. I hope you understand,” Geneva released herself from his running hands which had been trying to grab her assets since they walked.

“Okay. I hope you don’t mind if I call somebody else to replace you. I reserved a table for us and I don’t want to waste,” Aaron acclaimed. He may look disappointed but he was glad that plan changed. He fancied hanging out with some hooker than slipping through another soundless night with Geneva.

“Alright, replace me all you want. I don’t mind,”

The happy couple laughed contentedly not knowing what’s beneath those words.

Looks like someone have to read through the script again.

…

Ely burst into the lobby of The Garden’s like a women on a mission, which was exactly what she was. With the tight jeans and the jacket from Dior on, she now could blend into the street of average without looking like a rich brat. The knit hat added to her edginess and she instantly looked like as if she was playing Assassin. She walked in suspiciously and the doorman was intimidated by her look. She dug for some money out from her pocket and plunked it into the doorman’s pocket before he could do anything.

“Shut up and tell me where Mr. Vasquez lives or I’ll charge you molesting,” She purposely dropped herself onto him.

The doorman was not supposed to tell any detail about the resident but he freaked out. He did not know what to react on this. He remained his lips locked.

“Hey, what are you doing?” Dylan shouted to the doorman. The panicking doorman quickly pushed Ely off him slowly.

“Penthouse madam,”

“Hmm... nothing. The floor was slippery. Thanks to him I survived,” Ely steadied and fixed her cloth

Dylan nodded and made his way to the lift. Ely followed his back like a total stranger, leaving the gasping doorman behind. The doorman was totally fooled by the two most genius-in-this-kind-of-game. As soon as the lift door closed, Ely and Dylan looked at each other with grins on both faces.

“And the Oscar goes to…” Dylan said under his breath.

“Us…”

In case you don’t know, there is no Best Duo honey.

“And what we get?” He sheepishly asked Ely who was fixing her hair next to him. She threw off the knit hat and got off the jacket, revealing more skin to Dylan. After realizing that Dylan was waiting for her answer, Ely’s brows furrowed.

“Dylan honey, you see. We will get that old man out of our lives. Natasha will be happy. I’m going to be happy and that will make the world happy too. That’s what we will get. And this would be the last time for me to wear these,” She passed the jacket to Dylan. “Can you hold it for me?”

Dylan nodded. The sexual tense overwhelmed the lift. Ely could sense Dylan staring at her since they got into the lift. She knew there were some kinds of attraction between them. She could feel it under her skin. On top of that, she wanted him so badly, too.

“Kiss me,” Ely pressed the emergency stop button and the elevator halted instantly at the second last floor. Both moved closer and Dylan pulled her onto his body. He pressed his lips against hers and the tongues began to tangle up in some sort of way. Ely pushed him to the wall but that did not make him stop but he paused.

“Ouch,” he groaned while setting his body to a better position. Then, again, their lips sealed while their hands mutually went all over the places, reaching out something to hold on to. Ignoring the fact that they were in the elevator, Dylan got three out of five buttons opened with a little help from Ely. The taste of her lips was like heroin, it pushed him to the edge. He was beyond control of himself. For Ely, it was the best ride ever. She never felt so great before and no one—in this state, so far—could drive her nuts this way. Suddenly, flashes came across into her tiny cells of brain and she realized that she was on an operation to save lives, including hers. Only then, she had the courage to pull herself away from Dylan’s suave promises of a bright warm future.

Good actresses follow the script but better ones tend to make their own.

“We should bring this on to a proper place,” she whispered slowly to his ears.

He looked devastated at first, but seeing that they were in a lift, he buttoned back his shirt and tried to iron it with his bare hand, as if it could make the pleats wears off. He maintained calm hoping for some logics in her words. Turning back to Ely—who had her jacket on back—, Dylan shifted to her side and combed her silky blonde hair. Dylan surely adores it.

“Promise me,”

Ely felt the blood rushed in her vein. The adrenaline was miraculous and she unquestionably wanted to keep it safe and sound with her. She wanted it to be real, for the very first time. Ely finally found the reason to love and she planted a life-worth-guarantee-kiss on his cheek. With that, Dylan smiled and believed, in both faith and art.

All you need for a movie is a gun and a girl.
…

Ryan Tedder slipped into a loft which smelled like dead people in it. His nose sneezed thousand times as he is not usual to this kind of stink odor. The living room was hectic with an old sofa upside down at the corner and broken TV set in the middle of the room. Maybe robbers had just set in five minutes ago or maybe the resident was a big stench rat. The sun light poured in the room and Ryan tried to ease himself at the counter. He believed by not moving another inch was the best way for him to get out from this place, alive.

“I’m sorry for the mess,” A bare-chested skinny man emerged out from the room. He was on his pleasant-looking boxers when he decided to sit on the sofa. He definitely needed a healthy inspector to check on his place and his filthy self. “What is wrong with you, young man? Like you never been here before. Make yourself like home,”

Ryan declined his offer and preferred to stay on his feet. Looking so bold in his Armani’s coat, he remained steady by the counter. He cleared his throats many time before taking out his chequebook. “This time I’ll give you extra but please, next time, could we meet at other place?”

“Oh why? You don’t like my place?” the ‘rat’ wandered. Later, he crooked down to grab a parcel under the sofa. Double checking the name on the parcel, he propped himself up and to Ryan who was signing the cheque.

“I hate it,” Ryan muttered. He assured and relieved to know that only he heard that since the ‘rat’ made no response. He exchanged the cheque with the parcel with the ‘rat’. So he wasn’t the most rich in the town but he surely has loads of cash in his big bank. The Tedder is known for a big business company which runs by his father. It genuinely built on Rob’s own sweats. He started from nothing and now he holds one of the affluent companies. He may have divorced with Cassie but he never turned his back on his boys. He promised them bright future and bright future is what they will get.

It looks like your boys have your wife’s gene more instead of yours in them. Insanity runs in their blood.

“Thanks Adam,”

Ryan hurriedly rushed out of the place. He was actually late for his father-to-be’s pre-wed party. He put on his aviator and marched to the lift and to his car. He paid no attention to all the people on his way. Luck wasn’t on his side; he jumped into a guy who was about—to save his life—his size when he clumsily stepped out from the building.

“Ryan Tedder?”

“Joseph Stanford. Glad to see you, again. What are you, stalking me?” Ryan giggled. After a whole day in school hanging out with Joe, he must have seen himself suffocating in Joe’s present. He tapped Joe’s shoulder and attempted to be friendly. “If you don’t mind, I don’t want to be late for George’s party tonight. My mom is getting married! I’ve got a boat to catch,”

“Oh. Your mom and Harold’s dad eh? Yeah. Go ahead,” Joe replied but Ryan was already on his way to his car. As he watching Ryan disappearing from his sight, he noticed something weird going on. Above all odds, he decided to ignore it. He continued his way into the building and opted to drop by his renter’s house to collect the debt.

When he dashed in, he saw a guy in a boxer holding a cheque and a phone in hands. He laughed at how silly he dressed. Pushing all the trash on the floor with his legs, he made to his stand next to the guy. He’s been so tolerant to this renter who owes him big money.

“So, Adam, do you have the money?”

Adam laughed at him. “I was about to call you and now you are here. It’s like you are destined to be here and I can’t run or hide from you my friend,” He handed the cheque to Joe and he jumped onto the sofa.

“You know dude dropping out from high school is not a good idea. Why don’t you get back to school?” Joe felt sorry for his friend who had lost his way. Adam decided to leave school when he found a better gang to hang out. He begun to ditch classes and gave up on studies. Joe couldn’t help Adam but to watch him turning to train-wrecked-young-man.

The first thing he did when he received the cheque was scanning for the signature, hoping it to be a real one this time. For a guy like Adam, Joe wouldn’t put much trust on him. And he was right all along. He shocked to see Tedder Corporation signature at the top of the cheque.

“What is this? Ryan gave you this check?”

Congratulation gentleman, you had just nominated for the best actor of the year.

Joe had nothing else in his mind other than…that.

He quickly set himself next to Adam and grabbed Adam’s body brutally. “Please tell me I’m wrong Adam!” He shouted at Adam’s ears. The eardrum was almost exploded with that high frequency of his. Suddenly, something caught his eyes. Something he wished it wasn’t there. It made him hoped that today was just another nightmare and he was going to wake up next to a sexy young brunette that he slept with last night.

Dream’s just a dream. But life is a nightmare and waking up in the morning is the sequel.
…

The marbled floor sparkled and the sunshine flooded into the house. The house looked spacious even though it is fully furnished. Complete with the set of sofa—probably from China because it looked like one—the house seemed to be more than you expected from an old man. Pricey vases were all around the house and there were pictures on the wall. He must have someone in his closet who helped him with these decorations.

But the question now is, who?

“May I help you?” a woman in a maid dress approached with an empty jug in her hand. She looked terrified.

“I’m Miss McQueen and he’s Mr. Vuitton and we are from the estate agency. We are told that Mr. Vasquez’s background seemed to be a problem here. Can we talk to him?”

Came to their surprise, a young—approximately ten years old—boy jumped and grabbed the maid’s legs. The jug felt down from her hand and the glasses were everywhere on the floor in a split of second. The kid then laughed and tried to hide himself at the back of Dylan, who is now Mr. Vuitton. The maid excused herself and disappeared into the kitchen and came back with cloth in her hands.

“Would you please excuse me and please wait for Mr. Vasquez at the living room. He will be here in any minute,” The maid bended down and picked every single big pieces of broken glasses. “And you, Sir Vasquez Junior, please lead them,”

Well look who’s there to help, little Vasquez?

The boy then pulled Dylan’s shirt and they followed him to the living room. He offered them to sit and smiled innocently. His dressing was mature than his look; a suit—probably from Chantal Thomas—and a pair of white leather’s shoes.

“So, my father sent me two babysitters this time?” he wondered. He eased himself on the chair next to Dylan. He seemed liking Dylan more than Ely who looked like a stern step mom. “And that makes you my new best friends,” he smiled contentedly.

“No, we are not…”

“Well. Sort of,” Ely interrupted Dylan. She signaled secretly to him indicating she got a better idea. “But before we can be best friend, we want to know more about you,”

Instantly, Dylan got her idea.

From Vuitton and McQueen to Hayden and Annie.

“I’m Johnny. Well, as you can see, I’m the only son. I live in this house with my father. Mom just left us a month ago with her new friend. She told me that she found prince charming but I’m too mature to believe that. I’m not dumb and don ‘t treats me like one,”

“We won’t,” Dylan finally had the chance to speak.

Then, they had a conversation about stuffs like American Idol, football, and surprisingly, fashion. They debated on Justin Bieber’s talent too. Dylan and Johnny became close and suddenly, Johnny brought a personal issue into the conversation.

“I’m not sure Mike; everything I do doesn’t work on her,”

Ely showed less interest in talking about man and women and how they should help each other in relationship and took the chance to walk around the house, to find evidence to proof Natasha wrong. Dylan purposely dragged Johnny into the deep conversation till that young boy didn’t even realize Ely was out of sight.

Ely escaped the busy maid, who was making drinks—perhaps—in the kitchen. On her way to the rooms, she saw many framed photo of a family on the wall, Vasquez’s to be exact. There was always this brunette lady in the pictures. The picture was arranged according to the years. Starting from the left where the lady holds a baby in her arms and a guy watched them delightfully by the side to the most right where the guy and the lady sandwiched Johnny like a hotdog. Ely assumed that the pictures were taken annually. She saw happiness in them and she knew she had to stop his ‘evil’ wrongdoing on Natasha. Ely somehow believed that Natasha deserved someone younger and single and richer.

Ely and Natasha always had a conversation about finding the right man who will stand by their side come shine or rain when they were much younger. These, brunette and blonde, girls shared a lot of dreams and they even talked about weddings when they were just eight. They knew each other far better than their parents and anybody else. Ely and Natasha were like twins and it was so hard to separate them both. But as time passes by, things change and so did their dreams.

—and attitudes.

“Camellia honey, we have to go now. I’ve an important event to attend tonight, don’t you remember?” Dylan shouted across the hall.

Ely quickly grabbed the latest photo and put it into her handbag. Fortunately and unexpectedly, it fit. She then marched to the living hall and met the maid on her way. She excused herself and explained to the maid regarding to the urgency. The maid apologized on behalf of Mr. Vasquez and Johnny escorted them to the lift. At first, Johnny had a heavy heart to say goodbye to Dylan but he knew he had to. In fact, he is used to it. Saying goodbye is like lunch to him.

“Promise me to visit me soon?” his light blue eyes were like drowning when Dylan caught his gaze.

Dylan didn’t reply him anything but all he did was smiling. Then, the lift door shut.

Be careful kids, you might love the new roles.

…

The spin chilling temperature made the night even brutally quixotic. The stars aligned beautifully on the empty dark sky. The moon was the only light that keep them accompany. The perfect night scent and the sound of the silent lake made it clear, that tonight was all theirs. While staring at the rear mirror blankly, he knew it was a mistake. But there’s a voice kept pushing him beyond his will and he couldn’t fight that.

“Harold… thank you for being here,”

The voice that disappeared months away from his ears was now singing back in his mind. The soundtrack of his summer, the beats for his heart. He knew he’d lie all winter to himself. He knew things would not be okay in any way.

“Glad that I help,” he replied. His voice was so calm, so undeniably cold.

“Harold, what happened?” Geneva turned to him and tried to catch his eyes but failed.

Harold darted his eyes elsewhere but at Geneva. If only he knew to answer, he would. While waiting for him to response, Geneva saw something sparkling hanging at the rear mirror. It was familiar. The necklace, shoot. Geneva thought guiltily. Only now she knew the rationale of the straight face and the silence.

Silence means security, silence means approval but how about this?

“You found the necklace,”

At least, Geneva didn’t wait for the answer this time. She was annoyed somehow by the silent treatment. “Alright,” she said under her breath. She opened the door and glided out from the car. “Next time, if you don’t want to see me, then don’t!”

Before she could even close the door, she heard a voice mumbling words. At first, she thought it was from outside but after double-checking the park, she knew it was the voice from inside. Well, she’s not stupid enough to believe that it was her inner voice since it was husky yet sullucent (that’s how her .mother described Aaron’s). She dug her head into the car to get into better audible range. “Pardon,”

Once again, Harold ignored her. He pulled the necklace and examined it in his palm. He felt a sudden contrite energy engulfed his whole body. His body began to shiver and he felt so heavy, as if the gravity hated him. “I said…” he paused, realizing the loudness of his voice might hurt the heart which he cared the most.

“What happened to us? We were so in love…”

“Until you sent me that stupid message,” she informed and sat back on her seat. Somewhere deep in her heart knew she was wrong too, for not confronting him but instead made a kissing scene behind the tree to piss him of. “Do you still believe in us?” her voice trailed. She hoped for a silent this time, somehow.

“Do you?” He asked her back. From the moment she got into the car, he had not really looked her into the eyes. He was scared to know the truth, he feared of being hurt, again. But as much as he wanted to protect his hard-rock-on-the-outside-and-fragile-on the-inside-self, he sought after the truth. “I sent the message to settle it down. I forgave you but I saw this on your yard and it tore me apart,” he spoke slowly while still staring at the necklace.

“well, I don’t know that ‘thanks for the memories and goodbye’ means settling down to you,”

Harold jerked. As far as he remembered, he sent ‘could we meet up honey, I miss you’. He braced himself to look at those eyes that once brought him up so high and cut him down so deep. By furrowing his brows, he said nothing. He assumed she would understand his body language. And she did.

“OMG. Who do you think?”

They finally realized that someone set them up. The stealth bond was broken by some sort of plot from outsider and they were fools for believing it. They both stared at each other blankly. Both faces were stunned like they’d just heard of death news.

“Could you wait for me?” Harold asked her, finally laid his eyes on hers. His hands grabbed hers and they felt the sparks again. Maybe not as vivid as before, but there were something for them to work on.

Geneva knew Harold have Chloe. She didn’t want to interrupt and be the third wheeler and destroy someone’s heart just to heal hers. After all, she really hated Aaron. She realized he was merely a rebound-lover. Being with him made her suffocates. She had to live in his shadows everyday and he never thought of sharing at all. She fixed her position so that she could see Harold’s eyes once more. From her position, she saw every inch of Harold that she missed. From head to toes (shoes actually).

“I will…”

Out of sudden, Harold locked the door before turning back to her. The night was too perfect for them to just sit in the car and revealing the truth. Harold jumped to the backseat and signaled her to do the same. At first she refused, but she could not resist him. Her boy that she loves all heart was alone with her, in the car, in a park, where there’s—maybe—no one at all. She pressed her body against him and relaxed her head on his neck. She could feel his heartbeat and his calming breath. In about a minute in that position, she began to feel like she used to, secured.

Harold pushed himself upward so that he could kiss her cheek. She allowed it as she enjoyed every second of it. Next thing she knew, his hands were combing her hair and running at her back at the same time. It took her five minutes to realize it was going to happen, so she stopped them and released herself from him.

“I’m sorry,” Harold said, sheepishly embarrassed.
“No. Don’t be. I want it as much as you do,”
“Then what?”
“I’m a…” she paused.

Then, it immediately struck Harold’s head. He never thought of it at all. He never knew.

Have you heard of Don’t ask, Don’t tell, Romeo?

“You and Aaron have not…”
“No,” She interrupted him.
“So, do you still..”
“Yes,” she answered him in a split of second.

My mom said;
You only love twice:
once when you look at her face for the first time.
And once when you have her on your bed.

..Or in this case, backseat of your car

He slowly pulled Geneva onto his body and…you know the rest.

B03C03 : The Kids Who Played With Fire

2010-11-29T02:28:00.003+08:00

The dial tone was horrifyingly boring but Ely couldn’t help herself other than wait. Before she could literally die from the bad tune, the call was answered.

‘Hey! Finally,’ she relieved. She cleared her throat as if she was going to talk to some important people in the modelling agency. Trying to be careful with her words, she stuttered.

‘Hmm… I… dylan,’

It has been so long since she spoke to him. She was too busy with her social agendas, self-made-up-issues and—maybe—studies. People like Dylan, most likely to be ignored by her since he fits in far below in the social pyramid. After he lost Comfort, Dylan quitted soccer. He gave up almost everything. He isolated himself from the society and lived in his own world.

“What’s up, Ely? Is there anything I can help?’” Dylan humbly offered a hand even though he knew he is—one of—the last people she would call for help.

“Indeed, yes”

Friend is like a rubbish bin labelled with a big sign saying ‘use me’.

“Yeah?”

It takes two flints to make a fire. Careful kids.
…

Ely emerged into a coffee shop and sat by the window. She wore blue wayfarer that almost covered half of her face. As usual, she was in fabulous attire. Maybe, she was a little bit overdressed for just a small tea-meeting with her—long ignored—friend. Louis Vuitton’s ombre bubble dress was her pick of the evening. The soft silk chiffon fabric and the mute color compliment each other beautifully and the baby blue creates an unexpected and interesting pop of color. The jewel detailing at the neckline adds some contrasting texture and the low back oozes understated sexiness. She’s as hot as ice. She wasn’t expecting Dylan to come early so she bought herself caramel ice blended to kill the time.

To her surprise, Dylan came into sight from a Kia Ray Hybrid. He looked like a rich stud from Hollywood movies. With the aviator on his face, Ely nearly could not recognize him. He walked into the coffee shop with eyes following him. When he reached Ely, many hearts in the shop were broken and the sound of it made him carved a small grin on his face.

“Why so surprised?” Dylan chuckled. He took a seat opposite to Ely and a waiter approached after him. He ordered the same drink as Ely. Then, he turned back before asking her the question again. She looked electrified as if she saw a ghost.

“Where’ve you been? You looked…”

“Different?” Dylan abruptly interrupted before she could even finish her sentence. He got that a lot, especially from the girls. “Thanks,”

“You looked better with than manly beard. Sexy to be honest,” Ely turned outside, sipped her drink, and turned back at Dylan, pretending she didn’t say anything. She dug out a picture out of her handbag and passed it to Dylan.

It was a photograph of Natasha and her newly-met boyfriend. The picture was secretly taken by Ely’s ‘spy’, literally. She hired an amateur photographer to stalk them. And he did his job, poorly. Only two or three photos could be use to drop charge of assaulting as the others are blur and some are just plainly nothing. After he scanned the photo, she handed a file to him.

Looks like someone is becoming a detective, and who’s the sidekick? Him?

“What is this? Don’t ell me you googled him!” Dylan flipped over the pages and saw many pictures of him with young girls in his arms. At first, he thought he knew this guy but something came into his mind and blew it all off. Thanks to the girl who stores her brain in her handbag who had just walked pass him by the window.

Ely snatched the file back from him and turned into a full—hand—written page. She passed it back to Dylan enthusiastically. It was not a letter Louie wrote for his past girlfriend, neither a letter he received from any of his mistress. It was a biography of him that Ely wrote by herself. Her printer broke down and she desperately needed to get a copy of that page. So, she used the traditional way, she wrote it down.

“Wiki to be exact…” Ely put on a straight face, trying to indicate the seriousness of her on solving the mystery of Louie Vasquez. She knew there was something behind him. Something stinks and she needed to get rid of that out of her best friend’s life. “I know he is up to something and I have to stop him!”

“Being an old, divorced, and rich and a nice guy at the same is an uncanny job. I don’t blame you though. But let’s not do anything yet. I think they are really into this. Look at this picture,” He passed it over to her. It was a picture of Louie holding Natasha in his arm. The eyes were as innocent as a child. “Let’s give this old man a chance. Once he blows things off, we’ll get our hands all over him!”

“You are right,” Ely muttered.

Liar, liar, pants on fire.

She was not satisfied, at all. She wanted to stop him no matter what everyone else has to say. She cares about her best friend. She doesn’t would do anything to protect Natasha from being hurt. She grabbed the filed and tossed it into her bag. “Let’s not talk about this!” Ely took a sip of her drink and eased herself on the chair.

Be careful Detective E, it seems like you pressed M… for murder.

“Yeah. Let’s talk about my beard,” Dylan joked.

…

Ryan hurried to Lily to check on her. He left to toilet and rushed back when he suddenly felt wrong for doing so. Being soon-to-be-dad made him more alert of the surrounding. The temperature must right, the noise must be at its minimum, and he must be always there in case of everything.

“Is there anything I can get for you?” Ryan asked ominously. “Or anything for little Tedder?” He set his butt next to Lily.

“Yes. We need you to stop worrying about us. Darling, I’m okay,” Lily placed her hands on his cheeks. She explored his eyes and it shone like an eager little puppy. Maybe he’s eager to taste those lips. “Kiss me,”

He budged closer to her face. He could smell her Vanilla scent running through his nose. “I love you with all my life and I promise you. Once we are done with our studies, I am going to marry you,” He then kissed her, tenderly, with all care.

“Was that a proposal? If yes, I think you should get me a wedding planner then!” she smiled at him. Getting all cosy in his embrace, she closed her eyes, trying to fall asleep with the smile on. She wished for this to stay forever.

Sorry honey, but could it be, the forever ends now?

Ryan’s hand ran to her stomach. He wanted to get closer to his child. He thought he could feel his heartbeat by doing so, but before he could even get a beat, lily pushed his hand away and she propped herself up. Her face changed. She went panic suddenly. She tried not to meet his gaze, so she turned to the ocean. Both of them were now silent. The tidal waves struck the shore and the sound was the only one could be heard. He stayed on the pier, confused, and lost.

“Sorry. That was his first kick,” Roxanne turned to him, with a huge smile on her face.

Her words changed the atmosphere. Ryan laughed and he was the happiest man of the day. He was never been so happy before. “This must be from his uncle Dylan,” he joked.

Yes, daddy, I learnt from the best.

…

The running kids around the lake reminded her of her childhood, with her best friends. She fished her cell phone out from her pocket and ran through her contact list. The first seven was always on her heart. She always had them on her mind. Suddenly, a tear flew down her cheek. She missed them, so much. She knew she had spent the last 6 months less with them. Before the tears started to burst out even more, she wiped it off with the back of her hand.

“Hey... It’s really you,” a voice called from the back.

Roxanne felt like there was a stab from the back. She dared not to turn. She was afraid to face the truth. Not anymore after what happened to her.

Once broken, consider sold.

“I saw you from … our tree and I decided to... You know, come over. I might need a companion right now. I’m a loner. But if you don’t want me here, then I’ll get my ass off before you could even… Never mind. Bye,” he turned back and stepped away, slowly.

“Stay,”

Ah. The magic word, the word that please anyone anywhere anytime.

“This place is too big for me alone,” Roxanne patted the land next to her. She turned and gave him a warm smile, the smile that he missed the most. She grabbed a stone and waved it at him. “Do you remember this game? You suck at it,” she laughed merrily, just like a five years old kid. “Let’s play. The loser has to buy the hotdogs. I’m starving… and broke,”

He smiled and grabbed a flat stone. “Let me throw it first,” he said, proudly. He threw the stone and it skipped thrice. “You’re right, I’m suck at this,” he laughed giddily.

“Nah, the bet is still on,” Roxanne threw hers and it skipped six times. She turned to him and laughed her head off. “Izzy, I want…”

“Cheese, extra mustard, no onion, and less chilli sauce! Be right back!” Izzy marched to the Hotdog stall hastily. He memorized the way Roxanne would want her hotdog, precisely. He never got it off his brain.

Five minutes after that, Izzy emerged with two hotdogs in his both hands. With a huge smirk, he looked five years younger. Roxanne could see the young him instead of the one that had messed up his life by choosing to be a complete opposite person. Roxanne extracted a hand to get her hotdog from Izzy and she thanked him for that. They both remained quiet and unfold the wrapper and ate it in silent.

After both had finished their hotdog, they looked at each other’s faces and both started laughing. “Never thought you would grow yellow beard,” Roxanne pondered a joke that made both went nuts. “And I never thought a girl could grow a moustache,” Izzy added and made things ‘worse’. They were out of their breath and could not stop laughing.

…Like they used to.

“Stop it, Izzy. Let me get it off for you,” she took a tissue out of her bag and wiped the mustard. She caught his gaze and she stunned. She was awed by the beauty of the eyes that she might have forgotten about. Out of sudden, she got the urge to kiss him and so she did. She pressed her lips against him and threw her body onto his.

Conversely, he pushed her off him and pulled himself away. He stared at her with thousands queries running riotously in his thought. She made him think for awhile. “What are you doing? Are you out of your mind? You got Keith!” he yelled. For some reason, he should not have did that.

Cheers for the douche bag!

“We broke up! And why? I thought you longed for this?” she asked in frustration. Her brows showed how disappointed she was at the time. She had no clue at all that this would happen. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have kiss you,” she grabbed her bag and quickly fastened her steps away from him. “So sorry,”

“Roxanne, stop! Hear me out!”

Roxanne ignored but stopped after she assured that she was far from Izzy, far from being hurt again. “What?” She shouted. “Speak now!”

When you trust someone, you are like a car which filled with fuel. You are vulnerable for the greatest combustion.

“I’m in love, with a guy and I thought we could be just friend, like we used to. Like five minutes ago!”

Roxanne felt another great stab, but this time, right through her chest. She heard him and tried to understand. Izzy paced forward and closer to her as she stayed on her feet. As he making his way to her, she saw his eyes. She saw his look. From that, a weird feeling clutched her and she realized. He moved on, and so must she.

“Great. Yes, we are friends. Can you forgive me? And forget?” Roxanne chuckled. She opened her arms and hugged him. She felt like she was a seven years old young girl hugging a seven years old friend in her arm. “Who’s that man?” she asked eagerly, as if she just met her friend. As if nothing happened between them. As if they were so naive.

“You wouldn’t believe me!” Dylan replied. He was so keen to tell. Like a kid waiting for his mom to tell him a bed time story as it is. He smiled contentedly.

“Try me,”

Try to erase this fire, if you can.

“His name starts with the letter D”

Oh my. Is there any fireman out there? The flames are getting wilder. Put it off A.S.A.P before somebody gets burnt.

…

“Damn!” Harold looked at himself in the mirror. He never thought he would be that man in tux. He scrutinized the figure from the toes to head. A sudden sensation ran through his skin and he felt great instantaneously. He cleared his throat and turned around to look for his girl friend. Chloe was nowhere to be found. Maybe she was trying the clothes herself or maybe she was hitting on the cashier. Harold stretched his head like a giraffe and attempted to peek over the shelves. Unfortunately, he saw no one. There was just the cashier alone in front. He went over the cashier and asked him. The cashier didn’t help that much. He told Harold that she left after a phone call. Harold thanked him and went back to the changing room. He felt like a dumb now.

“Oh my, I almost did not recognize you!” A voice shouted from the door. Harold turned back and he saw Ryan and his girlfriend and Chloe was at their back, appearing so small behind. Harold strutted proudly and tried to imitate some of David cook’s humorous moves; the cabbage patch and the running man.

“If you do it again, I will never declare you as my brother!”

Chloe laughed. She made her way to him with a pretty curved smile. It was so beautiful—to Harold. He opened up his arm for her and he kissed her. “And this wouldn’t be complete without that one accessory,” Harold explored deep into her eyes.

“And what is that? I thought they have everything here, don’t you?” Chloe stared mildly to the promoter who had been standing in between four of them. She was doing nothing but standing like a guard. The promoter clumsily walked over the shelves to grab the catalogue. She hit almost every thing that was one her way.

“They don’t sell it here and I have her already, in my arms,” Harold smirked. Guess, the promoter was scolded for nothing.

Thanks Romeo. Where did you learn it? Pick Up Line For Dummies?

Ryan asked for his tux from the promoter. She nodded and again, she walked to the back clumsily. She returned back with a white tux which look almost the same as Harold’s and a white bedazzling dress that matched well together with the tux. Both clothing implement each other magnificently, as if both are the wedding dress.

“Alright, all is on me,” Ryan told the cashier. Harold immediately glared at him. He patted his shoulder but Ryan didn’t care. In fact, he did not feel anything at all. His fat absorbed all the shock. “Harold, trust me. This is nothing compare to what you gave me, strength,” Ryan ignored him and handed over his platinum card.

“You know what, you are going to follow me to Dunkin’ and I’m going to treat you lots-of-doughnuts. Let add the fat to this!” Harold commanded while tapping Ryan’s belly. Ryan couldn’t help himself but nodded to what Harold said.

They say, there is no smoke without the fire. But who started it? You never know.

B03C02 : Infamous Last Word

2010-11-19T20:15:00.004+08:00

Bright day, scorching bedazzled pradas, and a not so fine ambience. That’s when the Chief Executive Officer—well sort of—of the school magazine publishing Department pranced through the esplanade and into the cafeteria. She wasn’t happy about something. Or maybe, about everything. She walked to the table, where she once belonged to, the 7teen table. It wasn’t marked, labeled or carved with their names but it seems like everyone is informed that they should stay away from the table. She saw somebody that could make her laugh sitting by the table. He was smiling when she caught his gaze.

“Roxy...” He called.

Roxanne replied with a big warm smiled. She laid her diminutive ass on the chair next to him and then she stared, as if waiting for something. A minute without any upshot, she sighed.

“What happened to ‘Roxy Pixie’?” She wondered.

Didn’t she realize she is too little to old to be called pixie?

Harold laughed. He knew she will react this way. He saw her sulky face and he decided to cheer things up. And he did. He sipped the coffee before turning to the young hot juniors that had just passed the table. They were acting like sluts. You know, one button down and so. He darted his eyes back on Roxanne, intensely.

“What’s up? PMS or something?” he laughed. He knows quite a lot of things about PMS since his girlfriend; Chloe is always on a mood swing. He picks up fast.

Roxanne snorted deeply. She had a lot in her mind. One of it is Keith. After the fight by the roadside, Keith became her boyfriend, still, but a nasty one. He started to piss her off every time they meet. He forgot the dates and quitted sending her flowers and stuffs. The last time she heard him saying “I love you” is when he was cuddling with his dog. How nice of him. She truly missed the old him.

“PIXIE!”

Harold shouted on the top of his lungs. Without realizing 5 minutes had passed, Roxanne jerked and set herself back into reality. She had a daydream of the best moments with Keith—the lake, the prom and his smile and everything else. She smiled. He smiled. And someone jumped and stunned them both. It was a girl in a boomed purple—white dotted—dress and she was Demetria.

Demetria is Harold’s—suddenly appeared—sister. She came into Harold’s house with their father and now, since it became inappropriate for her—as a girl—to live with three guys, she moved out and lived with her soon-to-be-mother in an apartment, rented by George. She afraid her feminine side will die off if she stays in the house full with uncivilized-mannered creatures. She misses Harold. The only time she could see him is in the school and that’s only when Harold is not busy. So now, she could have some quality time with Harold, since he’d finished his class early today.

“Hello my lovely brother,” she greeted. “And his beautiful friend,”

She smiled at them both. She shifted fast and sat next to her brother before they could even reply her. Something was shining out of her. Her face was literally sparkling.

“What’s up with that smile, hun? And why do you look so,” he paused. He scanned her for the second time around and pinned his eyes on hers. “FAT!”

“It’s the dress. Tons of my friends told me that. I am so not going to wear this anymore!” she giggled and blushing, shimmering, all at once. Then, she moved a little further from his brother so that he could not see her anymore. On the other side of the table, Roxanne dug her phone out of her pocket and fixed her eyes on the screen. She frowned for a second and excused herself out of the cafeteria. She left them both unnoticed. Harold did try to follow her but Demetria was even faster. She pulled him down back onto his seat and shook her head off. Harold knew he could not make anything better. So, he sat down worryingly.

“How’s your tux? The wedding is next week! You should be ready by now. You are the best man!” Demetria yelled, trying to change the subject. The wedding is going to be in a private island which was sponsored by Mrs. Tedder herself. Only few are invited; close friends and their friends.

Bear in mind that they have no other family other than themselves.

“Oh yeah. Ryan and I are going to hit the town—maybe—tonight, to hunt for THE tuxes. Don’t worry. We’ve got everything under control,” He eased himself. Emphasizing words is his style of lazy talking. Tux is all the same to him, he didn’t even bother to worry about it.

He never knew what is tux to Ryan.

“I invited Chloe and my friends. Hope dad is fine with that,” Harold informed. Somehow, he couldn’t picture the wedding without his friends in it. It would be empty. Considering the number of his father’s friend, which could be none, and few of Cassie’s officemate, he was thinking to put up a notice at the hallway so that everyone would attend and make the wedding merrier. But he didn’t. “You could have SOME of you’re friend along. I’m afraid you will die due to natural causes. Trust me, I’ve been in a wedding which choke the heck out of me,”

“I’m the co-planner. It won’t be like that. It will be the wedding of the year, or maybe of the month, at least,” Demetria brought out her small notebook and passed it to Harold. She commanded him to flip over the folded page and so he did. First thing he saw was a beautiful sketch of the bride’s dress. It was magnificent and a stunner. Then he saw a list of crossed themes and a circled one at the most bottom of the page. The theme is… fairytale.

Like, seriously? Who are you trying to fool? Your little sister or what?

“Don’t jump into any conclusion just yet! What it means is a white-themed occasion. Think of bouquets of white roses on the grass, the doves, the horses and all, it will be as if a prince’s wedding. Our prince!”

“Prince? You must be kidding. He’s too old for that! If it was mine, then it will be all fine. We are talking about two aged pigeon right now. They are not getting any younger with that theme. Trust me, I know your trick!” He garroted and tried to get away form this annoying little conversation. “Next time, if you want to talk about this, don’t find me. I’m bad at all this. I prefer they get it done in Vegas. Simple! A preacher, Elvis costume, and a damn ring! Done,” Harold exhaled out loud.

“Why are you against dad? This wedding? I thought you agreed to this?” Demetria puckered her thin brows. “You should be happy,”

“I AM happy for dad. It just… look around. Where are all my friends? They used to be here almost all of the time. But now, it seems like I’m the only one. Sorry, I’m just too worried about Roxanne and all. I’ll be okay. And Demi, deep in my heart, I do want to see dad happy. You’re not the only good child here,”

Demetria’s hand ran to Harold’s. She grabbed it softly and she wore a tiny smile on her glowing face. “It will be all fine,” she promised him.

…

The green scenery of the garden was so beautiful. The blossoming flowers were breath-taking. The air perfumed with refreshing lavender-like smell and the wind blew steadily. Dylan was slackening at the tree when nearly everyone was heading back home. He wore a big headphone on his head which block the noise from entering his head. He put Taylor’s in his playlist—all of them. They were Comfort’s favorites. He stared far and out of nowhere, Izzy sat down next to him. This time, he looked far better than before.

“Alone, Again?”

Dylan nodded. He tried to look at Izzy right on his eyes but he couldn’t, knowing every thing was different now and then. There’s no more Fantastic Four, or the awesome four, or the four brothers or the quadruplet. It was now the separated four. He placed his hand on Izzy’s shoulder and smiled “Thank you. I won’t be here if it wasn’t you who bailed me out of the misery. I was lucky you were there. I know this sounds silly, but I love you man,”

“Urm,” Izzy didn’t know how to reply. He felt like a savior, for once.

“Let’s grab something to eat. I’m starving,” Dylan pulled Izzy up and over to the car. Then, he drove to a Chinese Restaurant not far from the school.

They took their seat at the last table of the restaurant by the window. They were—maybe—the first customer. The restaurant looked untouched, unlike its normal condition. The floor was white-marbled, spotless. The tables and chairs were arranged satisfactorily which made the room appeared more spacious. With an old Chinese song playing in the background, a waitress in a white tight top emerged out from the back. She sophisticatedly strutted towards the ravenous alpha males.

“Can I take you order please?” Her twang was so exotic. The scrumptiously sounded voice turned Dylan up. He was now awake than ever.

Izzy was clueless. He never had eaten in a Chinese restaurant before. He didn’t even know how to read the menu. Dylan giggled, being so different from he was ten minutes ago.

“Zha jiang mian for two and a pot of tea please,” he passed back the menu to the waitress and winked at her. The waitress smiled and bowed down to reach the pen on the table. From this vantage, Dylan could see something that he should've not. The waiteress bended inintentionly on purpose. Dylan’s eyes were locked and Izzy grined.

“Your chinese is good. Mind me helping to improve it?”

“Nah, I prefer to be gay now!” Dylan laughed histerically. He waited for this moment since Comfort left him. He wanted to make fun of the girls again and desired to be the old version of Dylan Andrew Bradshaw. The waiteress’ face flushed and she stomped back to the kitchen. Both friends then cackled feverishly.

“Look now, this is me showing my gratitude to you for being there for me when I need a hand and a shoulder to cry on. Well, not literally,” he laughed. “Thank you again. I’m now believed there is actually someone better than Comfort out there. I just have to look harder or maybe, stop searching and appreciate what I have. I have my friends, especially you. You gave me strength. I should not waste it on mourning over her. It is just not worth it anymore. She won’t come back,” Dylan changed into a brand new person. He learned a lesson from the past and it gave him power to move on.

He turned out to a better one, hopefully.

…

“How many time must I say for you guys to understand me?!” Roxanne pushed all the files on the table to the floor. With a little bit green color to be added to her skin, she will look exactly like a midget ogre. She grabbed a file labeled “Report of the week: Aaron Gonzalez in demand” and pointed it at Linda, one of the reporters. “You know what this is? Rubbish! And it belonged to the rubbish bin. You want me to throw it for you or you want to do it yourself? I’m sick of these!” she yelled like a mad psychopath. Then, she threw the files aiming for Linda’s head but it was saved by Keith.

“All of you, out, now!” Keith shouted.

In split of second, the room was cleared. Keith and Roxanne stared heatedly at each other. The temperature—possibly—rose by a Celsius. The heat was like woe. They can cook chicken in here; it’s like oven by now.

“You know what? You are so selfish. A little brat who thinks this world is only revolves around her, yeah, that’s you, Roxanne. Try to look around. Nobody actually likes you. Our juniors smile at you not because they respect but they are afraid of you. You never thanked them. You bossed around without giving any recognition. Who you think you are? You pay them? No,” Keith was out of his polite manners. He couldn’t carry the burden on his head anymore. He was so mad, so angry at his girlfriend.

Roxanne couldn’t accept the fact that it was from her boyfriend. She fell on the chair and broke down. The tears flowed down to her cheek, then to her blouse. Devastation after another, she was torn.

“Look now. When I need someone the most to be here with me, you threw me amber. You burnt me down. I am not sure why you are so against me. You left me unattended. Keith, tell me what you want? What I did so wrong?”

Keith ignored her.

Ignorance is your new best friend honey.

“Keith…”

Her voice was so low. No one could actually heard her, but there’s a small heart, somehow detected the sincerity of the voice. He turned and paced slowly towards her. He darted his eyes on hers. There’s a small line separating disgusted and sympathy look, and Keith’s gaze was precisely on the line. As he reached her, he kneed down. He held up her chin and pushed his face to hers. They could feel each other’s breath. Hers was unsteady, but his made her quiet. The heartbeats became like drum rolls. He closed his eyes for her to follow. They both stayed this way for more or less than three minutes.

“I loved you but I’m sorry, we have to end this now,”

And there goes the infamous last word.

Keith propped himself up and straighten like a soldier called for attention. “There’s no need any reason. It’s just it,” he planted a kiss on her wet cheek and disappeared out from the room. He left her stunned. He left her breathless. He left her hanging.

“Keithhh…” her voice trailed off.

Put your lighters up. And let’s mourn.

B03C01 : Is There Any Norm Out There?

2010-09-15T18:35:00.004+08:00

title from Secondhand Serenade, Is there anybody out there?

The sound of Ely’s stiletto was now like chirping birds in the morning. It is a must. On top of that, Ely and Nat won the Talent Show. They beat the rest in school. Well, if you mix the latte with the cream, wouldn’t it be nicer? The junior year was over and now, it was the time for them to rule the place and have their hands all over the freshmen. You bet, all hail the Queen E. This sorority is only rule by the single ladies, consequently, Chloe is out of the league. She’s with Harold. They made the most sophisticated couple in the school.

Fabulousity much? Not for long, kids.

“Emma… I want you to get me a cup of coffee. Don’t forget the creamer!” Ely ordered the girl. She settled down on the chair, facing the garden where shirtless guys were playing touch rugby. While she was waiting for her coffee, she looked through the crowds at the garden. She scanned the clothing and none of them fit her interest. The only that stick in her mind was the sweat of those guys. “Here you go,” Emma put two cup of coffee on the table and sat next to Ely. “So, are you ready girl?” Ely raised her brows. Emma smiled contentedly. “If you want to be like me, you have to date one of those. But listen,” Ely paused, expecting Emma to look at the guys at the garden. She knew, the boys were looking and talking about them since they both stepped into the cafeteria. Emma took a look at them and turned back at Ely, keeping it not too obvious. “You can’t talk cheap like Christine. You know what happened to her. She’s dating the ugliest man in school. She’s a desperado. Careful with your steps, you might trip over. Understood?” Ely taught Emma to be like her, the most gorgeous yet hottest chick in the school. “Alright, I have some fashion show to attend tonight with Nat. Don’t forget my assignments! Or else…” Ely stood up and walked away.

Did she say ‘fashion show…with Nat’?

She walked graciously out from the cafeteria and to her car. She dug into her Gucci for her phone before dialing Nat’s number. She waited for her to pick up anxiously in her Bentley.

“Babe, will be in your house at seven! I’m in the middle of something right now. Will call you back!” Nat said in less than three or four seconds before hang up on Ely. Ely shocked by the way Nat acted. No one would ever dare to hang up on her. “This must be something,” she murmured. She turned the key over and the engine started.

Vroon-vroon!!

...

“Do you know where she is? I’ve not seen her in awhile,” He begged for answer. He’d been searching for her for about six months now. She left nothing behind, just like that. She told no one about it. Comfort never turned out in school after the video of her got all over the school. Dylan searched for her ever since she left. He never stopped. “No, I’m sorry,” The brunette girl at the counter answered sorely. Dylan shifted to the table where comfort and he would spend the night chatting together. It was Comfort’s favorite restaurant. It was their table. It was the sweetest memory of his life.

“Alone? Can I join?” a familiar voice asked. Dylan recognized the voice. He nodded without turning back. “Are you okay, Dylan?” He asked, settling down on the seat. “Actually, Izzy… I am not,” Dylan broke down—literally. Izzy quickly budged next to Dylan and wrapped him up. Dylan’s tears fell on Izzy shirt. He was so upset that she left. He couldn’t accept the fact that she was gone… forever. “Dylan, I know you are strong. You can’t be like this for the rest of your life. You have to move on,” Izzy gave a piece of advice, a very basic one. Dylan freed himself from Izzy’s embrace and wiped his eyes with the back of his hands. He heaved a sigh. Izzy shifted back to his place and called the waiter. “It’s on me,”

They ordered diet coke each and the drinks arrived a minute later. Dylan quickly grabbed his and took a big sip to clear his dry throat. At the other side, Izzy was organizing his thought. He wanted to start a conversation but he didn’t know where to begin.

“Thanks,” Dylan broke the silence. Then, they met another one. It was full of awkwardness. Both of them hadn’t meet in awhile. “So,” Dylan paused. He tried to bring up the how-are-you issue but on the second thought, he knew he’d better not.

“I’m all ear,” Izzy said.

Dylan looked at him, then down to the floor, then to the girl with 5-inch heels at the corner of the restaurant, and then back to Izzy. He was trying not to answer that question. But the eager eyes of Izzy were pinned to his. “You know it’s personal,” his voice trailed off. He tried not to talk or even think about it, and his brows showed how miserable he was. Izzy was a pro in reading body language. He knew there was something wrong.

“Let’s get the hell out of here and hit the bar!” Izzy dropped some cash on the table before walking out from the restaurant. Dylan followed his back. They walked for about 3 blocks from the restaurant and slipped into a bar which was not even a quarter full. It was not even seven and they were in a bar.

Good timing, boy.

“Ok, let’s take a few shots,” Izzy grabbed two glass of red wine and passed one to Dylan. “You know I don’t drink,” Dylan refused to drink. He preferred Cosmo, but he kept that in mind. “When else?” Izzy said. He took a sip as if he were used to it. “Come on!”

Dylan pulled the glass closer and thought again about the consequence that may lead him to addiction. He could smell the grape and it urged him to take a sip. “Oh, what the heck!” He drank and felt absolutely great instantly. “Whoa!” He mumbled. His world began to spin around. He took another shot and this time, he felt greater. “That woman is a mess!” he blurted out. He leaned on the counter and look around the bar. It was still empty. Izzy on the hand was still okay—not as drunk as Dylan at least. He walked to the stereo and turned it on loud. The room was earsplitting but they didn’t care. Dylan got himself on the counter and sang along. He wasn’t actually singing, it was more to mumbling some lyrics which you can’t barely hear because the music was a noise.

“She left me alone! Screw that!” Dylan shouted, not knowing what he was saying.

He spent the rest of hours cursing in the bar with Izzy. He let all out, every single thing to Izzy and the rest in the bar. He couldn’t control himself. He’d gone wild.

Good guy gone bad?

...

It was so hot. Ely fanned herself with her hand. She was waiting for Natasha at the entrance of the club. It was Louie Vasquez, a new club in the town. All people who came dressed in either white or red, mostly white. Ely chose to wear Prada. The one-shoulder-red-little-lace-dress was a stunner. The color made her bared-shoulder looked silky and perfect. It fit her well. The dress was matched with Alexander McQueen sci-fi designed heels, which she bought at Paris. People would turn to her just to look at those futuristic edgy gears. She knew she will be talk about and that was her goal. But waiting for Natasha for almost half an hour wasn’t in the plan. She searched for her phone and dialed Natasha’s number.

“Hey, darling. Sorry I’m late!” Natasha called, emerging out from limousine. A middle-aged guy showed after her. “I was with him,” Natasha wrapped her arm around his. The guy was well suited. He looked rich and masculine for a man at his age. “He’s the owner. I met him at the beach and so we decided to go together. You okay with it?” Natasha asked. She looked so small next to him. “Cool,” Ely replied. She was mesmerized. It was either because Natasha was literally in a dude’s arms or he was too hot. “We got the VIP seats. Let’s go in,” Natasha pulled him and marched to the entrance. Ely followed them at the back. For a second there, Ely looked like a maid who was overdress her boss. Natasha was in a red cocktail dress. It was more suitable for a tea break than a fashion show, like seriously.

As they seated at the front of the stage, the man offered a hand. “I’m Louie... Vasquez,” His voice was husky enough to melt a girl down. Ely accepted his hand and gave him her sweetest smile, yet flirtatious. “Ely,” Ely kept it short. Louie was sandwiched between two young girls that looked like his daughters. Ely and Louie changed a few chat before the runway started. Natasha pretended not to mind them but she was peeping the whole time.

The runway was a blast. Prada new collection was something that Ely would wear, even to school. For the first time, Natasha showed a little interest on the fashion show. Her smile was like the spotlight, bright and dazing. The couple then walked out from the club in hands. Ely felt something on her heart. Something stabbing. Something clawing. She felt sad. She’d been single for so long and it is all because of Noah Snyder.

“We want to go to the beach for some fresh air. You want to join?” Louise asked Ely who was tagging them. “No. You guys need a time alone. So, go ahead. Have fun,” Ely wore a fake smile. She then disappeared back into the club.

...

The sound of the waves was the only thing that can be heard other than Natasha and Louie. They were hand in hand, enjoying the chilly breeze. There’s something about Louie that Natasha loves. Not just some pretty face with matured-look beard, or the dashy quiet eyes that could pierce through diamonds and captivate lost soul or his well-built body with incredible height. It was something inside that attracted her to get closer to him. “So tell me more about you. You married once, divorced and…” Natasha really wanted to know him more. She quitted her steps and put her arms around his waist.

“Well, it’s like you know everything about me already. Trust me. How about yours? I bet it’s far better than mine,” He assumed.

“No. I want to hear yours,”

“Fine. We were young when we got married. I was twenty-two and she was twenty. Our parents weren’t on the same page with us. So, we went Hawaii and settled down there. We invited only our friends. The first month, we were like the happiest couple in the world. Well, my father has big company. My money lasts. We bought car, house and every thing a couple should have. We were happy. We got every thing. But when a year past, we realized, that a family isn’t just about big house, fancy cars, and those material stuffs. We need children. We tried many times, in all sort of ways…and positions,” He stopped and chuckled. Natasha couldn’t help herself giggling with him. “But it didn’t happen. We got apart as time passed by, there were no jokes, laughter in the house anymore. She busied herself with works, trying not to think about it. I wanted to adopt but before I could even find one. She left me,”

“Why is she so stupid?” Natasha said in an angry tone.

“But you have to be grateful. If god didn’t take her away, you wouldn’t be in arms now,” Louie carved a little smile on his face. “Oh my god. I’m sorry. I didn’t know that she…” Natasha was really sorry to hear that from him. She thought his wife left him as in divorce or something other than Death.

“Nah, I’m fine,”

Natasha placed her head on his chest and she could feel his hand combing her hair. It was a perfect night. The moonlight shimmered and the shooting stars lightened up the night sky. There was no one at the beach. Just two of them, embracing. He laid down on the sand and Natasha followed. Her fingers ran to his face and their body brushed one another. “I love you,” He whispered. Natasha didn’t reply him. She kissed him instead. It was so passionate. Their hands were all over the place and they breathed unevenly.

“Tell me you love me,” Louie pulled his mouth away.

“With all my heart,”

Then they sail to the love ocean.

...

It was Saturday morning but he was already on the beach. He sat on the pier and gazed at the sea contentedly. The breeze brushed his face and the sky was painted all hue. It wasn’t in its best state. Usually, there’s bunch of kids from the town will come to surf the feral waves. It’s like their weekly routine. The beach will be stuffed with their noise. It’s like party every Saturday in here. He thought they were here. He was all wrong. Maybe the kids were enjoying themselves somewhere in the town. Or maybe, they all decided to rest today. Or there’s a big possibility that he was super early and everyone was still on their bed, in their dream.

The sea was so calming. He could feel himself shattering even though it was warm. Suddenly, something went into his mind. Something he wished that it never happened. Something from the past.

“Why don’t you try this one?”
“Does it worth?
“It is more than your money dude!”
He took the syringe and handed the guy hard cash worth hundred. He looked at the guy and the guy did the same. They were both staring for a minute before he injected it at his wrist. The earth started to spin fast. He started to get dizzy. He fell onto the ground and… blacked out.

“Hey!” a voice called. Very familiar, and it somehow made him smile. He knew the voice and he was actually expecting for the voice. He turned to his back and propped himself up. It was Lily. She was running to him just like a child chasing the ice cream truck. In this case, it is a big breathing teddy bear.
“Thanks for being here!” she quickly wrapped herself up around his massive arms. He held her in tight and out of sudden, he felt his shoulder soaked, with her tears. She sobbed. “What’s wrong, my dear?” He whispered, trying to calm her down. He failed to do so. She freed from him and looked down on his shoes. There’s a “Lily’s” mark on it, with a cute little heart. She began to speak, too slow to be heard. Ryan kept himself closer and focused on what she was trying to say. But nothing goes into his ears. He lifted her head up and stepped forward, trying to get her.

“I’m pregnant!” she shouted. He was shocked. Electrified. Traumatized. He began to feel his legs trembling down in any minute. But he saw her eyes and then, he realized. He should be stronger to make her feel better. He needs to be that man who holds her up. He strengthened his stand and embraced her. She tried to break free a few times, but then she stopped trying. She knew she will never get away from his arms. “Ryan… let go of me!” she pleaded. She’s out of breath, out of clear-cut mind. She floored to the ground. He followed her, still holding her in.

“No matter what happens, I’ll stay with you,” He promised. He knew that it was his entire fault. If they didn’t sneak out from Keith’s party that night, this thing won’t happen. “The baby is mine. I’ll take care of her,”

She listened. She heard him. Then, she cried, and cried. His shirt was soaked. His eyes then wet. The silence took over them. The waves hit the shores and it became, one of those days they will never forget. She was still in his arms, still keeping herself close to his heart. She listened to every single one of his heartbeat. They kept her alive.

Yesterday hurts, tomorrow lies, but today is a gift.

SOS7TEEN : Aftermath

2010-07-05T16:31:00.003+08:00

SOS7TEEN : Aftermath

The third instalment of SOS7TEEN.

Seven stories unfold and the tragedies continues.

Ass. Oh. Ass!

Chapter 15: Bond Voyage

2010-02-09T19:19:00.004+08:00

The bell rang and everybody was out in a split second, leaving Comfort alone in the class. She is always the last one to come out from the class. She loves to do everything slow and steady. She put her books into her bag weakly, even though, the book isn’t that heavy. “Comfort,” a voice called from the door. She turned to the person and sighed. She quickly walked to the door, as she doesn’t want to be with that guy in the class. “Move,” She shrugged. The person didn’t move an inch. He was blocking the only exit from the class. “You got to hear me, Comfort. I did that to save you from embarrassment,” He sounded so pathetic. “Save me from embarrassment, huh? Dylan, I believe the thing you did is much worse!” She pushed his shoulder and he let her out. Dylan sighed. Comfort walked away from him with a frown carved on her sweet innocent face.

“Comfort wait!” Dylan chased her. She started speeding when he called. He grabbed her hands and pulled her to him as soon as he got near her. He locked her tight in his hands. “Spit it out! I don’t have time for you anymore!” Comfort pushed him and fixed her half-long sleeves. Despite the fact that she hates him, she still let herself listen to his explanation. Oh, she surely hates that she loves him. “It’s Christine! She asked me to do so! She got the video of you… in the room, Valentine’s night,” He was being careful with his choice of words. “She what? You did that… for me? Proof?” She doubted him. Dylan placed his hand on his chest, and another one on her shoulder. “You stole my heart, Comfort. I never knew I needed you so much till I said those stupid words to you,” He said, feeling terribly sorry. Comfort felt terrible for treating him like a jackass. She quickly jumped to Dylan and grabbed him.

Is that how women say sorry?

She snuggled her head into Dylan’s ropy neck in front of many eyes. Some cameras flashing for a minute; they wanted to be the one to spread the news.

DYLAN IS CHEATING ON CHRISTINE. HE’S WITH COMFORT!

So, the news ran all over the school. There’s this thing called SMS which really helped the students to share their updates—well, there’s nobody who doesn’t have phone in this school, they were all spoiled kids. They need one to survive these modern days. All (Sort of) phone rang and they read the message. Some ignored and continued on their stuff. Some over-reacted, for instance; Christine. She shut her locker angrily and headed to the place where Comfort and her dear boyfriend were ‘making out’. She knew the place, as the picture spoke a thousand words.

Don’t they?

Across the hall, Comfort’s fingers were chafing Dylan’s including-today-it-makes-a-week-since-he-last-shave face. She was glad to know that Dylan was into her too. “Can we start all over again?” Dylan fell on his knee. Once again, the paparazzi took their phone out and caught the debut picture of him on his knee. “All from zero. Hello, I’m Comfort Walker,” She reached her hand out, expecting him to take and kiss it—maybe?—and smiled contentedly. Dylan took her hand and shook it.

“And I’m Dylan Bradshaw!” he said, rising to his feet. He ignored all the paparazzi. He imagined the hallway was absolutely empty. Only both of them standing in the middle there, introducing themselves to each other.

“And you are mine!” An annoying voice shouted. It belonged to the one and the only, Christine Foster. She paced quickly to her boyfriend—that’s what she thinks, at least—and took her phone out from her handbag. Her big and so-pink bag. She waved the phone to Dylan, keeping her steps smaller as she got closer. “Don’t be a bitch!” Dylan shouted angrily. Put the phone down or you die. He thought secretly. He stared at her for quite a long time. He was hoping she would not send the video to others. That would be another mess for him to clean up. “You made me a superbitch! And this makes your so-called girlfriend a porn star!” she pressed the send button. She grinned with her eyebrows furrowed. “NO!” Dylan shouted. He ran to her but he was too little too late.

COMFORT, BUCK AND THE GANG: THE V NITE SEX.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH.

This time, every student gave their fullest attention to the message given. The title sounds fun and they stopped every single thing they were doing and clicked here. Everyone was shocked to see the video. The boys took the chance to set them in the fantasy—boys will always be boys, no matter whom starring in the video—and the girls were actually terrified and disgusted by the full of terror video. Buck and the gang were in the canteen, laughing at the video. Noah Snyder was there too. In fact, he is one of the five who poked her. “I’m her first,” said Buck. He laughed so hard with his bunch of jerk friends.

So, it wasn’t three. It was five of them! O-mwa-God!

At the same time, Dylan was chasing the poor, Comfort. She ran as soon as everybody saw the video. They laughed at her. They thought she was playing DEAD in the video, but actually, she wasn’t acting, SHE WAS (HALF) DEAD. Dylan tried to catch up with her but the students made him hard to walk. They were crowding him, as Comfort gone out from sight. He knows he’d done better if he could talk and soothe her.

Kapoff. A new video star (sort of) is born!

…

“So, why you brought me here?” asked Roxanne, curious. She crossed her legs and eased herself on the chair, holding tasty-looking bread. She was feeling odd of Natasha bringing her for hanging out in Starbuck—just two of them.

“I’m sorry,” snorted Natasha. She dug her hand inside her handbag and took out Christian Dior sunglasses. She wore it on her head—looking like a spy—waving her palms on the air to somebody who had just entered the coffee house. “Sorry, don’t hate me,” she repeated.

“Roxy,” a familiar voice called. It was Izzy. He was in his black and purple checked shirts with black tight jeans, hair combed messily, and looking very . . . gay. He took over Natasha’s place as she walked away when he got to the table. Roxanne felt disgusted by just looking at his face. She grabbed her bag and rise on her feet unsteadily—her high heels were higher than before—and marched away from the table. She left a dollar bill on the table, next to her untouched coffee. “I thought we are friends!” Izzy pulled the chair back and tried not to grab everyone’s attention. He failed anyway. Roxanne stopped at the door. “We were friends!” She corrected him.

She’s right. Izzy have to work on his grammar. Past, present and future. We are, we were, we will.

“Stop right there,” Izzy ran to her, pushed her out from the shop as he felt many eyes on him. More or less hurting her fragile arms by his grips, he pushed her to the street’s wall and locked the position. He didn’t want her to get away this time. Roxanne could smell his vanilla fragrance—yeap, he wears fragrance! Not cologne!—and it somehow made her nose blocked.

“What are you doing!?” she shouted on top of her lungs. She felt the adrenaline rushing through her veins. Her heart was beating faster than usual; she’s afraid Izzy—her long lost love—will do something that might harm her physically and emotionally.

Emotion? CHECK!

“I just want to be with you. I don’t want lie to you and to myself anymore,” He tighten his grips, pushing himself onto her. His peewee body left no space between Roxanne and him. He moved his head closer to her face since they actually have the same height—maybe he’s taller by half an inch.

“Stop right there!” an indistinct voice warned. It’s so familiar. It’s the voice Roxanne wanted to hear since she saw the asshole’s face.

Here comes the hero… or the trouble?

“Fuck you!” Keith cursed at him. He pulled Izzy off her girlfriend and threw him down to the grey-potholed pavement. Izzy scratched his palm and found himself bleeding—both in and out. Keith wrapped Roxanne with his arm and she calmed herself in his embrace. For once since ten minutes with the Izzy-bastard, she felt secured. She let his finger rubbed her hair, pressing him tightly. Keith changed his path; he turned to Izzy and glared at him, holding Roxanne’s hands firmly in his palms.

“What are you doing here? You are just some begger and you do not suit her! Not at all!” Izzy rise to his feet. He swept all the dirt off him and got closer to Keith, trying to pick up on him. Keith gave him no time to duck his one big knuckle sandwich. Izzy immediately fell on his butt, as the impact was so strong. Roxanne ran to her boyfriend and pulled him back away from Izzy. She didn’t want it to turn into a fight which she would regret if any of them got hurt. She’s on nobody side—although, her boyfriend was defending her, he should not have engaged violence into his act and for Izzy; he should not ask Natasha to arrange a meeting with a person who loathe him—and she totally disagree for both of them to fight over her.

“Enough! Both of you!” Roxanne vividly sighed. Her nosh-up was clearly heard by both of the livid people. They stopped instantly and both quickly grabbed one hand each. “Let go of me!” she pulled both of her hands. The last time she ever did that was when Dylan and Harold pulled her to the roller coaster ride two years ago. The silent took over them for a while. She stared at them. They stared at her.

Awkkkkkwwwaarrrddddd!

“Go home,” She turned to her back. Her long hair hit Keith’s face and she paced swiftly across the road and hailed for cab. A cab pulled over and she got in without waving at any of them.

She left two young confused guys hanging gawkily on the pavement, staring at one another. They both walked the opposite direction and acted as if nothing happened there. Of course, some passerby from their school captured the scene and it went straight to the blogs.

They are just like the instant noodle. Hot for a second, cold the next.

…

“I need a room!” Harold commanded, rushing towards the hotel reception counter. The receptionist dropped her pen; she was so shocked by the sudden request. She pushed her half-blonde-half-brunette-hair to the back of her ears and tried to remain calm. “One night, sir?” she asked softly. Harold nodded and tossed a platinum credit card onto the counter, where it landed in the receptionist hands right before it almost reach the floor. She signed him up a suite for the night. She gave back Harold the credit card and Harold handed it to a girl in his arm. She was Chloe van Blake, in her WetSeal Kimono Sleeve Tunic Top, white legging that fit the perfect curve of her legs and BCBG bootie came to another perfection for the night.

They walked to the lift and to their room with dizzy heads. They were from the Fleur De Lys Lounge. People like them—older for sure; they were not allowed to get in at first, but with Chloe’s cunning brain, they managed to get in without getting caught—loves to spend their night hanging out in that pub. Both of them are just another two spoiled kids; they will get drunk and in the next morning, they will be asking their partner ; “Where are we?”

In this case, it’s the same. Drunk, overnight in a hotel, and “Chloe, where are we?” –vice versa.

Both of them looked for their room. There’s room 276 on their left, 278 on the other side. “Which is ours?” asked Chloe impatiently to get undress. Harold pulled her as he saw a room with a sign reads 277. He quickly slashed the card and opened the door, which made a loud bang sound. He pushed Chloe in; desperately need some entertainment to heat up the night. Or maybe something to remind him how good she was. He closed the door, pulled his shirt over his head, and let it fall to the marbled floor. Then, he unbuckled his belt, kicked off his shoes and pull down his jeans. It was hard to get rid of the last piece but with some help from Chloe, they got it off eventually. Harold got on the bed and rested his head on the pillow. She tumbled over him and laughed crazily and they live happily ever after.

Believe it or not, past can change the future. Who wants to guess what’s next? Going once, going twice. Wrong answer, it is worse than that.

Chapter 14: Forgetting Geneva Byron

2010-01-16T10:27:00.002+08:00

Title comes from a movie, Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

Everyone arrived at the beach sharp at 4 o’clock. They received Harold’s message and agreed to follow ‘cause they had no better thing to do. It’s not summer yet, what’s with Harold. Each of them wondered. Trying to push it aside, all of them greeted Harold who was playing with the sand, alone.

Dylan Bradshaw straight away took off his shirt—if you have muscle underneath your ugly shirt, wouldn’t you want to show it off?—and jumped next to Harold. Harold greeted him and thanked him for coming. “Lily and I are going to… I know you know,” Ryan pushed Lily away lightly, wanted to stroll around the beach, and have some sweet moment together. They both walked holding each other hands. First, hand. Second, waist. Next, figure it out yourself.

Chloe Van Blake grabbed Harold from his back. She missed the way they greeted each other. Harold would grab her so securely and kiss her at her smooth cheek. Things changed and she didn’t really like it. Harold acted normal when she did that. She moved to his side, and stared at the sea, frowning and regretted for coming. Ely saw her expression and shrugged to Dylan. “Let’s go.”

Dylan stood up slowly. He swept the sand off his jeans. “Where are you guys going?” Harold asked, looking at them oddly. Ely grinned and pulled Dylan. “Piggy back race!” Keith shouted giddily. Roxanne nodded and held his boyfriend’s arm. Dylan raised his shoulder and chuckled. He loves piggyback race. He grabbed Ely’s hand and Ely climbed his back. Roxanne jumped into Keith as well. Four of them looked so adorable in that arrangement; so immature. Natasha who didn’t have the pig to ride on ran mindlessly to nowhere. “I’m going to win if you guys decide to stay there!” She shouted. Dylan started his engine and ran towards Natasha. Ely was so happy till she shouted, “wooo!” like a mad child. Keith followed but he was slower than Dylan. He got no strength to carry Roxanne who is as big as him. No, not fat. Just as big as Keith is.

Harold stood up and grabbed Chloe’s hands. “Piggyback?” Harold smiled enthusiastically. His tone changed to a boring one to extremely happy tone. Chloe straight away jumped on Harold. She was so glad that Harold’s mood changed. Harold tried to chase Dylan and Keith but he was way too far at the back. Natasha was leading—of course—and followed by Dylan and Keith respectively.

Suddenly, Harold tripped and fell down on the sandy land. Chloe fell on his back and made him hard to breathe. They both laughed. Natasha, Dylan and Keith ignored both of them and continued running towards the happiness. Harold turned himself so he can breathe properly. He chuckled. Chloe loves the laughter so much. It had been her soundtrack for the whole winter without him. She rested her head on Harold’s chest, a cute smile carved sweetly on her face. It was like a man-made smile—like Picasso had just drawn a beautiful line to make it so perfect to bind with the lovely lips of hers. Harold stared at the blue sky. It was cloudless. The wind blew comfortable to his skin and turned him on. He was in a wild mode. He grabbed Chloe’s body, pushing it onto his hard chest. Chloe loves it. She could hear the heartbeat that had been gone for so long from her life. Her hands ran all over Harold’s shaved skin face. She rubbed it gently, like they used to do.

“Do you love me?” Harold asked in sudden. He grabbed Chloe’s hands and played them tenderly. Chloe carried herself up and felt back on his body. She was fixing the position so that she can answer him while looking at his eyes. Her finger twitched to his lips. Harold smiled and said, “So?” Chloe laughed. She got off him and sat on his lap. Harold had no choice but to sit on the sand. He let Chloe occupied his private space ‘cause he knew Chloe wouldn’t want to dirty her jeans. He held her tighter and didn’t want to let her go. She owed him an answer. Chloe leaned comfortably on Harold, resting her head. “Well, I thought you will wait for me to comeback, but you didn’t trust me and broke up the relationship,” said Chloe, sighing on his chest. “What are you talking about?” Harold didn’t remember he saying that to her. She left Harold without notifying and now, she was blaming Harold for the break-up. “You left me breathless and now, you are blaming me?” Harold said in an annoying tone but he couldn’t be mad at Chloe. She somehow got the ability to make Harold unable to hate her.

“Pardon? I left you? You said to me that the relationship is over. Do you know how hard to get over it? I couldn’t! You ended it. It hurts so badly. I couldn’t breathe and there’s you, twenty four seven, in my head!” Chloe shook her head. Harold quickly placed his finger on her lips. “Shh… why you kept saying I left you? Christine said I am just your toy for summer and you are not coming back. I went to your house, but you’d already left. I didn’t even have the chance to say goodbye. Technically, you left me, darling,” Harold told her, breathing calmly.

They were a happy couple last summer. They spend most of their time hanging out together. Sometimes, even Harold’s house can be a fun place for them. They were sweeter than Ryan and Lily, more lovely than Keith and Roxanne. They were perfect together. But distance wrecked them apart…. Or did it?

Summer love is always a summer love. It will come after the last flower blossoms and it will be gone right before the first leaf falls.

“That, eww!” Chloe pushed Harold’s chest. She stood up and ironed her blouse with her hand. She tied her hair with the hair band and walked away. “Wait a minute, what did I do?” Harold insisted to get up. He stayed down, looking so confused at her. He lost her for a second there. “It’s Christine. She came to you and told you that I want to end it, right?” Chloe turned back to Harold. Her eyebrows narrowed and she looked totally unhappy. “Uh huh,” said Harold softly, nodding to what she said. “She told me the same thing! Do you know what does that mean?” Chloe couldn’t control her temper. She shouted at the sea repeatedly. Harold got up and grabbed her from the back. “Shh..” He spoke to her ear, calming her down. He tightened his grip as she still couldn’t stop shouting. “I’ll talk to her,” He pushed Chloe around so that he can see Chloe’s eyes. Chloe put her head on his chest and cried. “How can I trust that bitch?” She grabbed Harold’s hand and pressed it hard. “Wait a minute, Chloe doesn’t cry,” She looked at Harold’s with her red eyes. “She’ll get my revenge,” She wiped her tears with the back of her hands.

Harold just nodded to what she said. He doesn’t feel angry at Christine at all. Somehow, He felt glad that she did so. If not, he wouldn’t have a sweet memory with Geneva. “Harold, can we…” Chloe grabbed his face and kissed his lips. Four lips touched but… there was no spark. Harold gently pushed her out and licked his lips. Even if there was no spark, he loves they way she taste. Yummy! Harold looked at her with his blue eyes and felt horrible. “Oh, I forgotten. You got that girl,” Chloe stepped a foot back. She turned away but Harold managed to grab her hand. She exhaled aloud and shook her head in disappointment. Harold released the hand and walked next to her guiltily. He felt bad to do so to her. He should have just accept her and forget about Geneva. But forgetting Geneva Byron is totally impossible for him. Even though, Chloe is thousands times better than her, Geneva is still unique to him. They walked on the slowly back to their car in silence.

On their way, Dylan ran and hit Harold’s shoulder. “I won!” he shouted at Harold’s ear. Harold faked a laugh. “Who’s second?” He asked reluctantly. Chloe smiled at Dylan and patted his shoulder, “Where’s Ely?” Dylan grinned and raised his eyebrows. “They left me. They are probably in the house already!” Dylan told the truth and laughed at himself. Harold and Chloe turned to each other. They didn’t realized any of their friends passing through them. “How?” Harold asked. Dylan looked at him and shook his head. “Ely cheated. She called Ryan to pick her up at the end of the shore. All of them followed. They said I’m a sportsman so I can walk back by myself. So, here I am. Talking to boring people,” Dylan laughed. He pushed Harold and continued walking. Chloe followed.

Three of them went back home by themselves. Despite the fact that Harold and Dylan live next to each other, they drove two different cars. It is so stupid of them because; #1 they are wasting the fuel, #2 they are polluting the air. How civilized people nowadays?

…

Dylan left Harold behind and speed back home. Harold was too slow for him to follow. Harold decided to savor the time in his car; he doesn’t want to get home early. He still got an issue with his father to solve. When he’d to stop for a red light at one of the junction, he suddenly remembered what Geneva told him at the school.

You are welcome and I’m moving on if you haven’t notice. He tried to put the words together to what happened but he ended up heading to Geneva’s house. He wants the truth.

Gaga oh-la-la! Truth kills remember?

He pressed the pedal, speeding (incase you didn’t know, he left his brain at the beach) and drove his wheel to Geneva’s residence. All the way there, he set his mind to blank. He eased himself onto his cozy leather seat—to be exact, Mrs. Tedder’s cozy leather seat. The sun was setting when he arrived at her house. He looked for Mr. and Mrs. Byron’s car but there’s no sign that they are possibly inside the house. He braced himself to walk to the entrance, planning to knock the door. After few minutes standing at the door, only he realized he left his balls at the beach as well. So, he decided to climbed the three which connected him to Geneva’s balcony. As he was walking to the tree, he saw a blinking object on the grass. Curiosity made him paced to the blinking object. Harold crouched to examine it and as soon as he got it on his middle-size palm, he fell on his butt. It was a pendant with a small tiny crown with sapphire attached on it. That is what made it blink like Mr. Abraham’s baldy head under the pendaflour.

“I am so over you, Geneva,” said Harold, rising to his feet. He held the pendant tightly in his hand. He shook his head whilst walking to his car. “Mom, I’m sorry. I think I gave it to the wrong girl,” Harold murmured. He looked into the car rear view mirror and hung the pendant on it. It was the pendant his mom gave him before she left, and it was also the pendant he gave Geneva on the rooftop, promising her that he’ll be her king forever. “I’ll be careful next time,”

Looks like the king is changing his queen. That makes a new whole beginning; a new chapter of a king seeking for his never-exist-true-love.

Chapter 13: C for Catastrophe van Blake

2010-01-09T17:55:00.003+08:00

Title from the movie, V for Vendetta

“Mom doesn’t want to talk about,” Ryan patted Harold’ shoulder. They were leaning on their cars in the lot. Harold looked up at the sky and sighed. His brown plain shirt was signifying how blank his head is. He climbed on his car and laid on it. Ryan loosed his tie and sat next to Harold, trying to strike a pose like Harold but everybody knows, when it comes to poses, Harold is much better. He is one of those boys with good posture. Even though he is tall, he still can keep his body wide and straight. “We should try again,” Harold covered his face with his hands and heaved another sigh.

On the stairs, not far from the boys, Christine kept pulling Dylan closer to her. She smiled at everyone who was looking at them. She wants everybody to talk, to gossip, to admire, to adore and to blog about her. She loves her name to appear in any blog as long as it is saying, “The cheer captain is smoking hot” or “Christine is the bitchiest blonde!” or anything that please her. Dylan had no choice but to ‘play’ along with her drama. He had to—if he didn’t promised that miss-so-not-popular, Comfort, he wouldn’t care at all. Christine’s hands run to his pants and it tickled him. He liked it at first but on the second thought, he pushed it away and shook his head. “I’m your girlfriend, hello! What’s wrong with you?” said Christine, pushing herself to Dylan. Few phones captured their ‘free show’ and thevideo is definitely will be in youtube.

“She’s back,” A girl shouted in a sudden. All eyes then turned to the pink Volkswagen Bettle Cabriolet, which had just stopped at the parking lot. All of them at the lot were stunned to see the driver. “Harold,” Ryan hit Harold’s chest. Harold took his hands off his face and stunned. His jaw dropped at once. He got off his car and straightened up like a soldier called to attention. Ryan followed. The person opened the door, stepped out and again, dazed everyone at there. “Blair Waldorf is back!” a girl whispered to her friend and her friend whispered to her friend and so on. The news spread in a blink of an eye. Christine saw the Blair Waldorf and couldn’t believe her eyes at first. She rubbed her eye repeatedly so that she knows she’s not dreaming. Dylan was quite shocked to see her as well. The Blair Waldorf pranced; swinging her smooth blond hair and showing off her pretty smile—the one you might try to imitate, posing in the bathroom like an idiot—it was the prettiest smile in universe (sort of) which supermodels spend ages perfecting. But this girl, she can smile that way without even trying. She was the girl every boy wants and every girl wants to be.

Welcome home, tragedy!

Christine cleared her throat and pushed Dylan aside. “I’ll be back,” She mouthed. She was so afraid of losing her spotlight. She stood up and headed to the girl’s direction, thoughtlessly. Does she know who that girl is? Her chin lifted up, trying to tell the foe that she is not giving up. But that girl didn’t give a damn. She pushed her hair to the back and giggled as she saw Christine reacted that way. She was still heading to the school’s main door stubbornly.

“What are you doing here, Chloe Van Blake?” Christine stopped her. She put her hand on Chloe’s shoulder. She stared at the Chloe and felt uglier instantly—there’s no way Christine’s can beat those dark emerald eyes and those two finest thin lips she’d ever seen in her whole life. “Who are you to care anyway?” Chloe answered with her proudest voice. Everyone knows that she was perfectly perfect and deserved to say like that in Christine’s face. She’s the goddess of all bitches.

Chloe Van Blake was the cheer captain before Christine. She was the best among the best. Christine took over her position after she had to settle down some family business in Hollywood. Well, she is living two worlds; a student in the morning and an actress all the time. She never gets tired acting. She ignored Christine and climbed the stairs, giggling at the same time.

“Hey, Dylan!” She greeted Dylan as she walked pass by him. Dylan smiled and raised his hands. His face was shining, as he knows Chloe could help him out of this misery. Chloe continued walking to the door. “V!” a voice called her from the back. She smiled; she knew who that is already. She turned to her back and opened her arms, expecting a warm hug from the person who called her. “Ely, my dear!” Chloe shouted in an extremely happy tone. Well, there’s only two people on earth would ever dare to call her by middle name; one of them is Elizabeth Levy. Ely grabbed Chloe like a stuffed animal even though she is quite big to be one. Chloe held Ely’s hand and jumped on her heels but managed to balance herself from falling. “I’m back!” She was so excited.

She was the head of the supreme all blonde-plus-one-brunette gang, The V-ladies. This gang consist of the mastermind; Chloe Van Blake, the dare-devil; Elizabeth Maya LeVy, the wannabe; Christine Vienna Foster and the outcast, Natasha Diana Jones—well nobody cares whether she got V (in her name) or not. All of them were best friends. However, what does friend means without its drama? Christine kicked out from the group for snatching Chloe’s boyfriend. She caught red handed on the bed with the guy in Chloe’s sweet sixteen birthday bash. Since then, Chloe treated her like she does to others in school. There’s no room for apology and Christine became a mess after that. She started stabbing people’s back and believed the world only revolves around her. That’s how Ely and Christine grew to be enemies. The group became smaller after Chloe had to go to work on a short film directed by her father, Lewis Van Blake. She left the school in fall and now, she’s back.

“I know. He must be glad to see you too!” Ely was excited as Chloe. She pulled her to parking lot and she followed anxiously. She was thrilled to see her boyfriend she left last autumn. Oh, she left before anything changes upside down. Both of them laughed as they both reached at his car. “Hey, miss me?” said Chloe. Her face turned red. She faked a cough when he didn’t give any response. He was busy talking with his friend with a history book on his hand.

“Harold! Stop pretending!” Ely pulled Harold’s arm. Harold acted like he was so shock to see Chloe next to Ely. He smiled and grabbed Chloe. “Babe, you’re back!” his voice made Chloe so at the cloud nine. “Still handsome as I left you,” She joked. She put her hands on his face. She pinched his cheek and made him laugh. Ely and Ryan laughed too. Then, she turned to Ryan and hugged him. She held Ryan’s arms and wowed, “They got bigger huh?” She joked. Ryan grabbed Chloe’s hand and kissed it gently. “And you are still the old cliché Ryan!” She made the group laughed their ass off again. She pushed a stray of her blonde hair behind her ears—she looks so gorgeous till Ryan couldn’t stop staring.

“So, how’s life guys?” She wondered. She saw a different look of Ryan; he’s brighter, happier, and of course, charming-er. She knew that Ryan surely had changed his girlfriend and so, she asked, “and who’s your current girlfriend?” she patted Ryan’s shoulder. Ely laughed ‘cause she found it funny somehow. “He is dating one of your cheerleader, Lily!” Ely answered for Ryan. “No way! Lily Spencer?” Chloe chuckled. Out of sudden, Ely stepped on Harold’s converse shoe. Chloe and Ryan didn’t notice that as they were focusing on the conversation. “Talk to her, dummy!” She sounded so mad. She went to, grabbed Ryan, and pushed him away from Harold and Chloe. “We got works guys, tata!” Ely made a scene so that both Chloe and Harold could get the chance to talk.

As soon as both of them got out of sight, Harold felt awkward. He looked at her and she looked at him back in silent. “Garden?” Harold asked to shift the place, as he couldn’t bare the awkwardness. “Sure, but history book?” She pointed at the book Harold was holding. The one he held to act like he didn’t realize the Chloe’s superb entrance. “I’ve been studying lately,” He started walking. Chloe chortled, trying to believe Harold. “Harold Cruz is studying history? That surprises me. What happened to Harold who loves music, and the guitar! What it’s name again? Santa Claus?” She laughed. Harold made his stupid face. He looked at Chloe oddly and it annoyed her somehow. “Ok, to be honest, I missed that face! but please, don’t do it again, I’ll get nightmare!” She tapped his shoulder, walking next to him. “Santa Cruz,” Harold murmured. She nodded and grabbed his hands. “Harold, what happened to us?” Chloe couldn’t accept it anymore. Harold was treating her like a friend, not more than that. Harold sighed and tried to look away. Then his eyes caught something, very unpleasant for those pretty eyes to see. He saw Geneva and Aaron making out behind the tree. His hands were on the wrong place but Geneva seems to be okay with it. In fact, she was kissing him with more passion compare to the kiss she gave Harold. Harold felt disgusted. He let his hand free and walked to the tree. Chloe followed him, as she doesn’t know what was going on.

“Geneva, what are you doing?” Harold asked, furious. He tightened his fist and the veins popped out straight away. His arms muscle became hard and made Chloe felt like want to hug it. Geneva got off Aaron and fixed her dress. “You’re welcome and I’m moving on if you haven’t notice!” Geneva replied, irritate. Aaron grabbed her from the back and kissed her cheeks. “Let’s leave this skunk,” Aaron whispered to her ears. “Bye skunk and welcome back Chloe!” He turned around and walked away with Geneva. Harold was so confused. Why she said ‘you’re welcome’? He wondered. He tried to calm down but he failed to stop the F-bomb coming out from his mouth. Chloe shook her head, as confuse as Harold was. “Bloody whore!” Harold shouted. Geneva turned and rolled her eyes. She walked with Aaron hand in hand.

“Chloe, are you free this evening? Let’s go to the beach!” said Harold with a frowned carved on his sour face. Chloe nodded and said under her breath, “Still the old same Harold,”

Harold grabbed his phone and typed a message to his friends.

Let’s go to the beach! Love, H.
TO: Ryan, Dylan, Ely, Roxy, Nat, Keith, Lily.

MESSAGE SENT!

He put back his phone into his pocket and walked with Chloe. “I’m sorry, where are we, V?” Harold asked her, expecting for the answer impatiently. And he is the second person who dare to call her that. “Nothing, bring me to Roxy! I missed her!” said Chloe, frustrated somehow.

Someone from the past came to change the future. From triangle, love is now square in shape. Love is so confusing.

SOS! Play more love, gain more pain!

Chapter 12 and a half: Twist Of Fate

2010-01-04T19:44:00.006+08:00

Co-Written By Suzanne Ong

It was a glamorous night for two young kids who had just escaped from their humdrum dinner with their families. Rheon got an invitation from his new friend, Caleb, to the most exclusive party in his neighborhood.

“Isn’t it a welcome back party?” Demetria Cruz wondered. She poked Rheon’s shoulder. By looking at those people who were entering the house, she knew she were under-dressed. She channeled Armani strapless white dress with a gold belt on her waist, but still, the others were fancier than her. She pulled Rheon back to the car but failed. He is so much stronger. He laughed at how silly Demetria was and walked straight to the entrance. She followed unwillingly.

Rheon greeted a masked person at the front door. The guy were holding a basket which full with masks. He signaled Rheon to pick one and he immediately grabbed a black mask. He wore it instantly and turned to Demetria. “How do I look?” he asked contentedly. Demetria rolled her eyes and picked a mask randomly out from the basket. “You look better with the mask on!” she laughed at her own joke. She wore the feathery white mask and marched into the gigantic house.

The house is superb, gigantic and luxurious. Rheon and Demetria were surprised at how exquisite the decorations were. It’s as if they’d just stepped in a five star hotel! The white and gold theme really suited the place and made it even more grand. The women were all looking gorgeous even their true beauty were hidden behind the masquerade. There’s fountain in the middle of the house and what’s that for? Well, rich people love to waste, don’t they? Rheon and Demetria were like small ants in the big shell till a man with a black mask approached them.

“Hey, Rheon!” he called. He was slightly higher than Rheon. He stopped next to him with a punch in his hand. “And you must be the gorgeous Demi,” he added, smiling to Demetria. Demetria nodded sheepishly. He never seen me before, how does he knows? Demetria asked herself. She wouldn’t want to embarrass the well-suited guy and just stood there vacantly next to her one and the only link to those strangers. “Oh, sorry. Demi this is Caleb, my schoolmate,” He hesitated when it came to the ‘schoolmate’ word. He’d just met him this evening and thanks to accident, they met—like finally! After three months studying there, Rheon was a total idiot for not making friends in such place. “I’m Caleb Anderson,” He took out his smooth-looking hand and Demetria reached it gracefully. He rubbed those tiny hands of Demetria and smiled at her with his sparkling eyes, credit to the chandelier for such a great lightning for the night. “Demetria Cruz. Nice to meet you,” said Demetria with poise. “Shall we move to the fountain? I bet it’s cooler!” Caleb suggested and held his collar. He was burning in a full air-conditioned house somehow. He walked both of them to the fountain and greeted like everybody in his way there.

“Nice isn’t it?” Caleb pointed at the splashing fountain next to him. Rheon nodded and totally amazed with it. It was carved perfectly. “Very,” Rheon agreed. “God. You guys must be thirsty looking at those water flowing and the punch I’m holding. I’m sorry, let me grab some water for you guys,” he took a sip and cleared his throat. Ahh. The water sounded very appetizing indeed. “Please… let me take myself,” Rheon stopped Caleb and quickly paced to the punch counter not far from where they stood. “So, where are you studying?” Caleb tried to keep the situation calm and steady. Demetria stroke her hair, as she felt so awkward without Rheon standing next to her. “Camelot!” She answered with a weird smile carved on her face. People from miles away could be blind by looking at her white shining teeth. It surely pretty. “Nice teeth,” Caleb praised. He had no better topic, for sho!

“I’m back,” Rheon came with a coke on his right and shish kebab on his left. Since they’re underage, beer or wine isn’t the drink they should be holding. Plus, George and Cassie had already set the rule. No drinking till they reach 21; unless your name is Harold Cruz ‘cause if you are, you are born to be the rule breaker. “Shish kebab?” Rheon offered. Demetria shook her head and grabbed the coke from his hand. “Hey Caleb,” a voice called. The voice belonged to a tall guy with a broad shoulder. He was approaching from the back of the fountain. “Is this Aly?” he turned to Demetria and smiled. “No. She’s not here yet,” answered Caleb. He grabbed the guy and pulled him closer to Rheon. “This is my brother, Matt,” He introduced his brother proudly. “Dr. Anderson, this is my friend, Rheon and his girl, Demi,” he added, emphasizing the doctor and clouted his brother’s chest.

All of them shook hands like the corporate people, so formal. “Hey Matt,” a lady with a gold dress called. Matt excused himself and walked to her. The party needs him. So, he left Rheon, Demi and Caleb in a silent moment. “I must be a boring guy for you guys, isn’t it?” Caleb looked so sorry. “No, you are not. We are,” Demetria defended her title. All of them laughed and continued chatting. Caleb told a gist of his brother’s life and two of them listened intensely.

Out of sudden, a girl came out of the crowd. “You must be Caleb!” She said chirpily. She was in a gold dress as well, but shorter than the lady before her. It’s the best dress of the night yet with sparkles on its design. It’s shimmering like the disco ball, really good on that girl. She was perfectly dressed from head to toe. Speaking of toes, she was on a black gladiator from Nicola Finetti. A feathery masquerade looked exactly like Demetria covering her beautiful skin, her cheeks showed how smooth it is. She let her dark black hair flow to her right strapless shoulder. Must be another rich kid in the neighborhood.

“Aly?” Caleb answered her call. He opened his arm widely and hugged her in his massive arms. Rheon and Demetria stood there watching them thoughtlessly. Caleb turned to them and said, “Aly this is Rheon and Demi and you know…” he insisted to keep it short. “Nice to meet you, Aly,” Demetria smiled at her, reaching out her hand. Rheon did the same gesture too.

“We shall leave you two alone, excuse us,” Rheon felt awkward standing there. He grabbed Demetria’s hand and walked to the couple dancing under the spotlight. It was Matt and most probably, his girlfriend. She was hot too. It was like a prom for minutes there; dancing, smooching, hugging, cuddling but in an adult version.

The song When You Tell Me That You Love Me by Diana Ross was playing. Maybe it was for Matt, who was hosting this party, to have a chance to dance with his girl. Rheon grabbed Demetria’s waist and swayed smoothly. She locked herself in his arm and followed his lead. She is one good dancer.

Like brother, like sister.

“What are we doing here? Let’s go somewhere else. Only both of us… Let’s get up!” Rheon asked sheepishly. He blushed when she nodded. “Let me get to the rest room first, see you there in five” Demetria excused herself and looked for the rest room. Rheon was so pleased to know that his proposal—to be with her, alone for the night— was accepted. He fixed his shirt and tidied his hair.

“Excuse me, are you Rheon?” a girl approached. “Yes,” answered him impatiently. He wants to get to Demetria as soon as possible. “I’m Nadine, your classmate,” she told him, taking off her mask for awhile. She put it back on when Rheon nodded. Guess, I’ll be stuck in here for a little while. He sighed.

…

After pleasing herself in the rest room, Demetria headed straight upstairs. Even though, it’s a crime for doing so—invading a house, technically—she didn’t mind at all. For her, it’s an open house since there’s no “YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE HERE” sign. She was quite surprise to see a lot of rooms on the floor. She wondered what the third floor is for since there’s lot of rooms for a man to live in one oversize house.

Out of sudden, she heard a cough from one of those rooms. She tiptoed and looked into each and every room. Most of them were empty—Matt had just arrived here, what is she expecting? A fish tank?—and dark. She paced quietly to the last room and sneaked a quick look in. This time, it was different. It was fully furnished with a king-size bed in it. Plus, there’s a man sitting on it, staring out the window. But still, the room was so dark.

Wow. A bed and a guy in one dark room. What a fabulous offer!

She quickly got into the room, but the guy remained still. Oh, Rheon! Demetria thought giddily. She climbed the bed and walked on her knee to Rheon. She was like the tiger hunting the food. Rawr! When they were so close, Demetria quickly grabbed him from back, without hesitating ’cause she knows men will never make the first move. They only love to add the spices. Her feathery mask touched his skin and tickled him. A sweet smile carved on his face, looking so calm beneath the black mask. He turned 180degree and they stumbled over each other—blame the smooth silky bedspread—on the bed.

“Demi?” a voice called. It was so lovely but in a harsh tone. “And is that you, David?” a girl added. Both sounded so familiar to Demetria. She pushed Rheon off him and turned to the door. She was so shock to see a guy, who looked like Rheon, and Aly glaring at them at the door. She took off her mask and turned to Rheon, her hearts beating so fast because she was afraid. “Who are you?” Rheon jumped off the bed. He was shocked to see her somehow. His voice was so different than ususal. He quickly untied his mask and stared at Demetria. “You are not Rheon?” she yelled. “I’m Rheon!” the guy at the door spoke up. He cleared his throat and left the room. “Rheon!” Demetria shouted, climbing off the bed. She was stunned to know that the guy she hugged on the bed was not Rheon but a stranger. She quickly chased after Rheon and left Aly and the stranger in the room alone.

“What are you doing?” Demetria heard Aly shouted. She stopped at the staircase, feeling guilty for the cuddling. She placed her finger on her lips. “Luckily, I didn’t kiss him,” she regretted. That guy must be Aly’s boyfriend or somebody important to her. She sounded really angry. Demetria suddenly remembered Rheon and went after him. He was too fast for her to catch.

When Rheon got into his car, Demetria was at the entrance panting. She signaled at him to wait for her. If it wasn’t because of the transportation, he would have left her already. Demetria quickly ran to the car as he willing to wait for her by now. However, she stopped at the front of the car and shouted, “What’s with you?”

Rheon opened his door, got out and shut it angrily. “What’s with me? You are kissing him for goodness sake!” he answered her. “God. First, he fell on me. Second, why do you care if I kiss him?” She stomped to him. “Because…” He stopped and leaned on the car. “Because I like you!” he continued, still with yelling tone.

Demetria stunned. She tried believing her ears but she just couldn’t. “What..?” she murmured softly. Rheon shook his head and got into the car. Demetria followed, still in shock. She looked like she came from the Cullens of twilight; minus the fang and the edgy looks ‘cause she’s totally a mess right now. She got into the car too. Rheon didn’t move a bit and his hands were on the steering. Another pale face for the night; very spooky and eerie. Demetria bit her lips, trying to get Rheon’s word out of her mind. “You should send me home now,” She uttered and turned to the window next to her. Her breath fogged the window and she carved a heart with her index finger. “Just kiss me already!” Rheon grabbed her arms and leaned on her. His heavy body made Demetria felt hard to breathe. His lips got near to hers and his hands ran to her red velvety cheek. She immediately pulled his head closer to hers. She could smell the coke he drank at the party. Demetria’s lips touched his smoking-tasty-looking lips and their noses touched. “We can’t do this; we are soon going to be siblings,”

Isn’t a double-wedding sound good to you? What happened to the quote ‘the more the merrier’?

A little twist here and there makes everything strangle up in a one super massive trap. Watch the line where it separates safe and danger ‘cause when you got across, it’s very hard to find that one threadlike line.

Chapter 12: Viva la Gorilla

2010-01-04T19:39:00.003+08:00

Title comes from Green Day’s song, Viva la Gloria!

Both soon to be brothers slapped each other’s back, heading to the door to unveil the secret, the bad romance between their middle-aged parents. Harold and Ryan had always been like this; fight and the next day or even the next hour, they will be okay. Harold told his father about bringing Ryan home for a little talk about the wedding. George agreed to his son ‘cause he really doesn’t want to keep the relationship as a secret affair anymore.

George was in his white and black checked shorts, watching TV, resting his leg on the table, looking so messy when Harold and Ryan got into the house. It’s his day off. There’s a spilt coffee on the table and the cup was upside down. The house looked like it had just ransacked by I-don’t-want-any-clean-spot-robber. It’s all messy. If there were an award for the messiest house in the universe, Harold’s would have won it. “Dad, what’s wrong? Where’s Demi?” said Harold. He was so worried to see his father that way. He sat on the couch next to George. His eyes went all around the house. Ryan turned to Harold and raised his eyebrows. There is still no response from George. Harold shook him and asked him again. George straightened himself, exhaled out loud and turned off the TV. Then, he glared at his son.

“It’s all your faults! Thanks to you, she called it off!” His harsh voice is back in the house. The house had been so peaceful without it. Only Harold squeaking-not-harsh-at-all-voice cracked the silent sometimes. Harold was stunned. He didn’t know what was going on. He controlled his temper and managed not to shout at his father. “What I did?” Harold asked innocently. He was so confused. “You brought Ryan that night! She called it off after what happened to him!” George turned to Ryan who was on another couch. He took out a box out from his pocket and threw it onto the table. Ryan caught it before it felt down to the floor. Harold suddenly felt bad about it. He leaned back in his chair, pressing himself into the comfortable couch. He must be feeling totally guilty for this. Ryan opened the small box and sighed. He shook his head in disappointment. He had just wrecked two of most important people in his life, his mom and his uncle George. He put the box back on the table gently, trying to get George’s eyes off him. It was THE ring in the box. Cassie called it off and their small-private-wedding-on-the-beach was also canceled due to Ryan’s shitload attitude.

“Uncle George, I’ll talk to her. I’ll try my best,” Ryan changed his mind.

That quick?

He stood up and headed out from the house. His face looked so terrible; his face wasn’t as shining as before. “I’ll call you, bro,” He opened the door and yelled at Harold. He quickly ran to his car. He disappeared a minute later.

Harold and George stared up at the ceiling in silence. Both hated each other for some reason, but still need one another to live. Harold turned to his messy dad and got closer to him. “Dad…” His voice trailed off. He took a deep breath and got the closer to George –in matter of fact, this is the closest distant he ever get to his dad. “Son, you better settle down your thing before you get into mine. I can handle it by myself. You can’t. Call her, she probably waiting for your call,” George stood up, stretching his arms up. He was addressing Geneva. Harold turned himself and climbed the couch. “How do you know?” Curiosity got all over him. He was now like a little baby waiting for the mom to feed him. George paced to kitchen, ignoring his son. Harold grabbed a small pillow on the couch and threw to his dad who had reached the kitchen’s door. He really doesn’t like to wait. “Son, I can tell by just looking at your face. You are not happy, I know. It must be about that girl. You wouldn’t be sobbing over me, that’s how I know how,” George explained. He turned to his back, disappearing into the kitchen. “Thanks,” Harold murmured. He got to his favourite chair and rest his head. He rocked the chair back and forth, a smug look on his face. He hates someone that really cares about him. George changed 360degree. He’s a different man—hundreds time better than he used to be. Harold grabbed his phone and stared at the screen for a quite long time. He wasn’t sure what to say to Geneva. He put his phone down on the table and shouted for George’s name. George answered him from the kitchen—preferred to stay in the kitchen than walking to the living hall. “Where’s Demi?” Harold asked. He needed Demetria’s help on this kind of situation, the girlish stuff. “She’s with Rheon!” answered George, leaning on the kitchen’s counter.

My dad with Ryan’s mom and my sister is with Ryan’s brother. Harold thought giddily. “What a weird family,” he called. He heard George chuckled for a second. He felt relieved as heard the laughter. He took his phone and once again, stared at the screen. The wallpaper is a picture of Geneva lying on the bed with her lingerie—as if—it was actually a picture of Cameo and him when they were 13 and 21 respectively. He typed on the keypad impatiently. He wants Geneva to forgive him as soon as possible. He sent the message to her and smirked. There’s a huge relief as the word ‘sent’ popped out at the screen. He put down his phone and headed upstairs.

Oopps… Romeo’s note didn’t get to Juliet’s hand. It fell on the wrong hand.

“Geneva, you are not allowed to have your phone and your laptop till I forgive you. For now, mom is keeping it. The lane line is also not for you to use. I want you to have zero communication with that boy! How about school? It’s easy, I asked Aaron to keep his eye on you and I changed the whole schedule. That boy is no longer near you. As soon as you behave well, I’ll give back your phone, your laptop. I promised,” Mr. Byron said sternly. He left Geneva’s room heartlessly.

Geneva shut the door viciously. She jumped onto her bed and cried. Her tears soaked the pillow instantly. She shouted several times with her mouth covered with her pillow, so nobody can hear her. For about ten minutes of silent screaming, she threw the pillow off her. She sat on the bed; her posture was like a model striking a pose, and wiped her tears with her hands. “Enough!” She shouted. She walked to her door, heading to her father, wanted to speak up for herself.

When she was about to get out from her room, her mom stopped her. WHAT NOW! Her heart spoke. Her mom glared at her at the door. “Mom…” Geneva said, furious. She shook her head in disappointment. “Geneva, the boy sent you a message!” Her mom pushed her back into the room. When they both got in, she quickly shut the door. Geneva pulled a chair and sat on it. “Mom, please tell me what he said in the message,” She pleaded her mom. Her eyes looked like she was about to cry. She held on the tears and waited for her mom to answer. Mrs. Byron leaned on Geneva’s study table and sighed. She stroked her hair gently whilst looking into the mirror. She saw herself in a beautiful Chanel white dress and she smirked. “He said, thanks for the memories and goodbye,” said Mrs. Byron with a lot of sadness in her intonation. Geneva quickly grabbed her mom and cried, literally, on her shoulder. She couldn’t believe that Harold had just sent that to her. She grabbed the necklace Harold gave her on her and pulled it. Her heart just couldn’t take it anymore. She went to her balcony and threw the necklace away. Mrs. Byron got to her at the balcony and exhaled in satisfaction. She grabbed her daughter’s hand and held her cheek. “Don’t worry. He’s not the one for you. Aaron is; he’s waiting for you downstairs. Go. Have fun with him,” Geneva glad to hear Aaron’s name for the first time ever. “Thanks mom!” She wiped her tears and kissed her mom’s cheek. She quickly ran to downstairs to Aaron.

Aaron was so shocked to see Geneva who was running to him contentedly. She jumped to him and he grabbed her like the teddy bear. He was wearing a blue V-neck sweater Geneva had given him last winter. She took three hours in that shop in the la la land—they didn’t called Hollywood that for nothing—to pick that one special sweater. “What’s wrong, Baby G?” Aaron looked into her eyes. He put her hair to the back of her ears. He held her cheeks with a worry look on his face. “Don’t care about him. Let’s go,” She pulled his hands and ran to the car. She didn’t even waved at her parents. Aaron really liked the new Geneva. Viva la Gloria, Aaron! Inside, he was jumping in excitement. He didn’t want to show ‘cause it’s pretty not him to do so. He smiled at Geneva and shook his head. “I love you,” he said vividly. Geneva’s hand ran to his face and stopped right in front of the car. She looked back into her house and saw her parents still waving—spying actually—at them. Her dad was in his robe and her mom was in a pretty dress. The waving-till-you-gone shows that they want their daughter to leave faster so they can have a sex after that. What else would they do? Watch TV? They barely have private time together, so they had better treasure it while they can. Geneva ignored her parents and kissed Aaron on his lips. Her parents were shocked at first, but for a few seconds, they turned away and shut the door.

Trick or treat!

Aaron didn’t want to miss the opportunity to reply the kiss. He pressed her in, firmly onto his chest. He replied her with his wild enthusiasm. He had been waiting for that since they met and now he got it. But what about Harold?

Love is triangle in shape. Like it or not, live with it!

Chapter 11: Noah Snyder Must Die

2010-01-03T14:30:00.002+08:00

Title comes from a movie, John Tucker Must Die.

The awkwardness occurred when Ely and Natasha left the table. Ryan and Harold got issues, remember? The truth, the lie and everything within it. Although, there’s a guilty seed inside Ryan, he wanted Harold’s apology. He’s tired of being too kind. Lily kept on pushing him to talk to Harold but he didn’t care. Harold, on the other side of the table, was staring far away. He looked like he was sleeping with his eyes wide open. He is probably thinking on how to confront Geneva or maybe how to smack his brother’s ass for everything or maybe he’s finding a reason to escape his father’s wedding with Ryan’s mom. Snap! The wedding Harold set him back to reality and turned to Ryan with his blank face, no emotion attached. “You are going to be my brother,” Harold whispered. He doesn’t want to let the whole world knows about Ryan and him being step brothers. “What are you talking about?” Ryan whispered back. He was confused by Harold’s words. “Ok, let me say sorry first. I’m sorry dude, I should have told you when I found out about it,” He said, apologizing at the same time. What a way to say sorry. “Oh, about that, I’m sorry too. Now tell me, what do you meant by I’m going to be your brother? I thought we are already brothers,” He told him, exasperated. “Our parents are getting married this Monday!” Harold added the pressure in the air. “What the heck?” Ryan blurted out his thoughts. Both of them starred for quite a long time. “Let’s talk to them tonight,” Harold told Ryan. Ryan nodded. He couldn’t believe that he is going to be a part of the Cruzs. The family he thought his family won’t be; the wrecked apart family. The irresponsible father, drunk-and-now-dead-mom, and annoying siblings sound terrible to him, but now, he owns a worse one. “And about the what ever going on between you and Geneva, as a friend, I think you should be a man and say you’re sorry. I mean it, bro,” Ryan patted Harold’s shoulder and went off with Lily. Harold nodded and mind was still blank. He could not think of anything right now. He slumped his head on the table and hid it with his hands. He ignored all the noise by humming to his favourite song, You Know Me by Robbie Williams.

O Brother, what art thou thinking? Be a man, have some balls!

Harold released his head from his own clasp. He stood up and determined to find Geneva and talk to her. I’m a terrible boyfriend! He was angry with himself for being such a jerk. He walked out of the canteen, heading to the garden. Somehow, he knew his girlfriend would be there, sitting alone, reading her favourite novel ‘Summer’s Long Lost Love” which was borrowed from Roxanne, under the green-not-so-tall-but-shady-tree. Harold was right, but there’s a little bit addition from what he thought. Aaron was there as well, reading the book for her. She was smiling excessively happier than she ever was beside him. Harold’s jaw opened at once when he saw them both. Harold turned back and blasphemed under his breathe.

La vengeance oh la vengeance. What else is more powerful than that, Harold? Grab your stick and go seek for the famous witch of yours. Wait a minute; she is busy mixing the potions for her own pot of revenge.

Ely and Natasha were heading to the gent’s shower room. Ely was up to something that smells fishy, really stinks. She wanted to pay back for what Noah Snyder had done to her—bring to the hotel, have sex and dump her the next morning. Ely is one unstoppable child; there is no word ‘impossible’ in her dictionary. “So what are we going to do?” said Natasha in confusion. She’s not really into this kind of mission. She prefer ‘forget-and-move-on-and-be-happy’ method, which is a terrible idea for Ely who thirst for blood—in this case; it’s Noah’s pride she’s hunting for. “Noah Snyder must die,’ Ely grinned.

Speaking of Noah, he was heading to the shower room with Buck, his friend. Well, after the much swimming in the pool, he really needs a real fresh water to clean up his chlorined-body. He is one of the swimmers in school’s team. He has not won anything yet, he is just a normal swimmer with a hot body. The only reason he joined the team is that he can show off his muscles and his bulge. Well, he needs to wear a short and tight speedo to swim, right? He is also known as the after-sex-dumper. Natasha is one of the victims of his. He and Buck decided to take shower before the other crowds in. So, they were the first one to arrive in the shower room.

“Buck, can I use your shampoo? I ran out of mine,” said Noah, rubbing his hair gently. He took off his clothe and took a towel out of his locker. He wore it and marched to the shower room. Buck nodded and followed him to the shower, whistling to You Belong With Me by Taylor Swift. As they were enjoying the refreshing shower, Natasha and Ely sneaked into the room, to Noah’s locker. Ely didn’t know what the code is, but she is a professional in this kind of task. She opened the locker with a hairpin. How’d she done that, only she knows. She turned to Natasha at once when the locker opened. They both giggled. “So, you really want to take his smelly clothes?” Natasha giggled. She couldn’t believe that she is actually coping with Ely in her evil assignment. “Yes, and his jeans too,” spoke Ely giddily. “And not to forget, his batman underpants as well,” She grabbed it with her well-secured-from-germs-hands. She used the rubber hand glove ‘cause she’s pretty sure that she doesn’t want to touch any of Noah’s internal clothing. It’s like touching sweaty Noah if she do so. Furthermore, it’s his underpants. Eww. That’s so gross. “Let’s do like what we’d planned!” Ely whispered, laughing at the same time. Both of them went out quietly with Noah’s clothes.

Ten minutes after that, Noah got out from the shower room with Buck. “The Beverly kids are so easy to defeat. They are just like a piece of cake,” Noah joked. He walked to his locker with a big smile. “I heard you dumped that hot chick? Come on, it’s a waste! She’s hot. Her legs are so alluring, don’t you think?” Buck opened his locker and grabbed his shirt. He wiped his wet body with the towel and put on his “PEACE NO WAR” shirt. Noah stopped right away; his hands were holding the locker. He was about to open it. “She is good on bed too,” He laughed. He leaned on the locker and turned to Buck. “She’s very tight but do you think Noah Snyder will hook up with a girl more than a week? Who am I, Buck?” He pulled his towel and hit Buck with it. “Noah Snyder!” Buck giggled, shaking his head. “I can’t hear you!” said Noah. “Noah Snyder!” Buck shouted. Both laughed at themselves. Buck put on his jeans and closed his locker.

“Where’s my clothes?” Noah found himself in a shock once he saw his locker was empty. He turned to Buck with a big question mark on his face. Buck raised his shoulder. “I thought you put them inside the locker just now,” Buck tickled. “They’re with me, Noah!” Noah and Buck turned to the door. Ely was holding Noah’s clothes with her fingertips. She grinned, looking forward for the next plan. She quickly ran off as soon as Noah shouted her name. Noah wrapped himself back with the towel and chased after Ely. Buck tagged along too.

After Buck got out from the shower room, he saw Noah was covering his private belongings with his hands. Natasha swung the towel she got from Noah, laughing with Ely at him. Buck couldn’t help himself from laughing with them too. “I need you to stay out of our way. I will never mess with you, I promise,” Ely went near Buck, promising Buck that he’ll be safe. Buck nodded. “I’m sorry dude!” He went off and acted nothing happened there. “Chicken!” Noah shouted on top of his lungs at his friend, still hiding his buns and ‘little brother’ with his hands. “Come on girls, stop this,”

“I give you two choices; option a, you are going to dance ballet without any clothes on you or option b, you going to wear the underpants to cover your little things and do the shake-shake-banana-dance,” Ely spoke, swinging his clothes and laughing at him hardly.

“Crazy humanoids!”
“Oopps, there’s no such option. Please choose again,”

“Just give me the underpants, I’ll dance whatever banana you want,” Noah called, relieved as he is not going to be fully naked anymore. “Good choice… Natasha, give him what he wants,” said Ely. Natasha grabbed something out from her bag and threw it to Noah. Noah quickly bend over and grabbed it. He laughed for a second there. He took it and tried believing his eyes. “Are you kidding me?” He stretched the thong Natasha gave him. It was pink and a black trim thong; stretchable, extra thin strap, not-for-man, and definitely too sexy for Noah. Ely and Natasha burst into laughter when they saw Noah’s expression. “Wear it or you die,” Natasha warned him.

“Please Nat, don’t do this to me. You know I always love you,”
“Excuse me, look at who you’re talking to,”

“Amour? Vous n'a pas de droite pour parler de l'amour. You have no right at all!” Ely interrupted. Her French is really good, way too good for Ely to catch up. “Je suis désolé,” Noah still covering himself with his hands, insisted not to wear the thong Natasha gave him. “Sorry? Is that all you can say?” Natasha shook her head. Well, this time, she understood what Noah said cause ‘sorry’ is a basic word. “Well, I’m too busy poking the balloons, I have no time to save you, Noah,” Natasha added. Ely turned to her and gave her a high five. Both of them laughed. “Wear it and dance!”

“GOD!” Noah sighed. He wore the thong unwillingly. It was totally not cool for him to wear that—especially in front of two hot chicks. He quickly put it on and turned to Ely. “So, you want me to dance? Fine, but give me the pants, right away!” Noah said furiously. He moved his hips slowly, reluctantly, and he really doesn’t like it. “Put your hands behind the head. It’s going to be sexier,” Ely teased. Noah followed what she said and danced. He sang along after Ely and Natasha forced him to do so. “Shake… Shake…Banana,” His voice was too hilarious; he sounded like the chipmunks. Ely and Natasha laughed their ass off.

After he’d done dancing, he raised his shoulder, asking for the pants and shirt back. Ely gave him like she’d promised. “Just wait for your turn, Ely! Sooner or later you’ll be in my shoe!” He yelled, putting his jeans on. “Oh, I’m not finished. Can you decide for me, youtube or school’s blog?” Ely showed the phone screen to Noah who was busy tucking in his shirt. “You guys are nutty bitches!” Noah really stunned to see the video of him dancing in a thong. Ely recorded it with her phone, without Noah noticing it. Noah became so mad and left both of them. Ely gave him the evil smile and chuckled non-stop but Natasha seems to felt guilty for what she’d done.

An eye for an eye, that’s what, makes all of you blind.

SOS! Somebody needs an optician!

Chapter 10: The Devils Wear Jimmy Choo

2010-01-02T00:05:00.001+08:00

Title comes from a movie, The Devil Wears Prada

The atmosphere in the wards was getting tenser and tenser. The Levies and The Paynes were blaming one another’s daughter for the accident. It’s technically both fault. If it wasn’t The Paynes who hurt their child’s heart, Ely wouldn’t ask her to go to the party and crash into Ryan’s truck and a rusted car and ended up killing somebody innocent. Oh, that somebody is a twist of fate to be Izzy’s sweetheart, Herman. The accident happened when he was on his way back home from Izzy’s house, after soothing him. Well, faith isn’t with them. They were not meant to be together. Gay oh gay. None of them meant to be together. Enough about them. Still remember Mrs. Tedder and Ryan’s problem? It doesn’t end there. She made a visit with Rheon to check on Ryan. After accident, of course she wants to know how her son is doing.

However, she looked remorseful that morning. Ryan turned his face away from her as she got in the room. He really didn’t want to forget about it and move on. Rheon used to be his twenty-four seventh best friend. Nah, they don’t really communicate with each other. Although they are living under one roof, they barely speak to each other. Ryan preferred short text messages than talking to his brother. “I’m so sorry, I should’ve told you when I had decided to stay here,” Mrs. Tedder said, her voice is so soft, apologetic and everything in between. Her hands ran on the bed, reaching Ryan’s. “Ryan, all we got now is three of us. We have to forgive each other. You can’t treat us cold like this!” Rheon sounded annoyed with his brother’s attitude. “Why you can?” Ryan threw the pillow off him. He sat on the bed and tried to get off it. Mrs. Tedder held his hand, looking at him deeply into his eyes. She never knew that her son had such beautiful pair of eyes till she explored it in about a minute ago. What an awful mother she is. Ryan sighed. He’s way too kind to push his own mother’s hand. He kindly turned his face away from her. “Forgive sounds good… Forget, I’m not sure I could,” Ryan said under his breath. He is really too weak to fight with his own mother. He’s a good son. Mrs. Tedder smiled, way too happy that her son had forgiven her. Rheon on the other hand, isn’t really excited about it. He knew his brother would forgive them, somehow.

King or not, she’s still your mother, Lord R. Wherever she threw and pushed you to, you are still her son and you can never change that fact.

…
Two days later…

The 7teens are back to school. All of them plus Keith were discharged yesterday. No serious injuries occurred to them, maybe just little scratch on their arms or legs. Ely however manage to hide her flaw with her a top-notch blouse from Topshop and a skinny jeans that makes her legs looked really sexy. Luckily, it is not edible, if not; the guys from the football team would have eaten her as soon as she got out from her Porsche. Of course, she wore her red Jimmy Choo too. The one she bought –yesterday? She does shops everyday, so the heels might be the latest one in her wardrobe. She walked into the school proudly, as if nothing had happened to her. Natasha greeted her and walked with her in the hallway to the class. Natasha, in contrast with Ely the fashionista, she is a just-wear-it kind of girl. She threw anything on her as long as it is not something that exposed her body. Ely advised Natasha to catch up with the trend but Natasha didn’t really care about her looks. While walking to the class, Ely moved slower than she usual is. Maybe her handbag was heavier than before. No, it is not. Natasha stopped and turned back to her. “Ely, you don’t want to be late, do you?” She was like her reminder, always. Ely rolled her eyes and stroked her hair. “Look at this board, my dear. The Talent time postponed to….” She walked closer to the board. “The new date will be set next week, Love Santa Claus,” She continued and added some words into it. She smiled. She knew that she isn’t ready for the competition yet. Natasha was also relieved. She had been practicing without Ely since the beginning and now they had more time to make things back to the track. “Good to hear that, E!”

Ely felt sarcasm in Natasha’s words. She shook her head and continued walking. Natasha as well. When they were about three classes away, once again, Ely stopped. “What now?” Natasha whined. Ely grabbed her face powder from her handbag and fixed her make-ups. She really needs to work on her timing. Ely look into the mirror and bit her lips. She does that every time she got an evil idea popped out from her mind. “Nat, did you learn anything from the accident?” Her accent is marvelous. Sometimes, brainless people couldn’t get her because it is way too prestigious for them to understand. “Yes. How about you?” Natasha replied against her will. She didn’t like being late for class. “I do. It’s about one thing,” Ely threw her face powder into her handbag, gently. “And what is it?” Ely pulled her arms and walked to the class. “That life is too short!” Ely yelled. She pushed Natasha’s hands off her. “Good to hear that, so you going to repent, E?” Natasha raised her eyebrows and smiled at her best friend. She sounded happy to hear that her friend is about to change for good. “No. Life is too short. We might not have enough time to take our revenge on Noah Snyder,” Ely is still Ely. She hasn’t change –at all. “E, what are you thinking?” Natasha sighed.

Suddenly, a girl banged into them. She was running because she was late as well. Ely fell to the floor. Natasha managed to duck them and stood vacantly. Ely lifted herself up and fixed her blouse. She looked down to her Jimmy Choo and they were absolutely fine. But there is something wrong and Ely really didn’t like it at all. The girl a.k.a Christine is wearing the exact same high heels as her. As red as hers, as pretty as hers, as latest as hers. “What are you doing with my Choo-es?” Choo-es ‘cause it is rhymed with shoes and she’s completely nuts for creating such word. She frowned and looked at Christine furiously. She doesn’t like her peers to be as latest or more up-to-date than her. She takes it as a serious matter as if it is an economical crisis for the businessmen to overcome. “FYI. It is mine. Get off my way!” Christine pushed Ely’s shoulder. Natasha still kept herself away from the devils on The Jimmy Choo. They can be aggressive and wild sometimes, she’d rather butt off than hurt herself by pulling them apart. “Nobody pushes Elizabeth Maya Levy!” Ely pulled Christine’s blonde hair. “Ouch, stop it!” Christine shouted.

Out of nowhere, Dylan came to the rescue. He was late too. Why is everybody late for the class today? He was formally suited. For a second there, he looked like Arnold Schwarzenegger. “Hasta la vista baby!” That is not what exactly he said. Well, it’s close enough. “What are you doing baby?” He shouted on top of his lungs. He was holding the Math book on his hand. He threw it on the floor and broke Ely and Christine apart. With his muscles, he got them separated easily. “What are you guys thinking? Fighting over a lollipop?” Dylan joked. Natasha laughed at him. He’s totally right, fighting over heels is like kids battling to get the last lollipop on the shelf. Totally immature. Ely was pissed off with the words and went away. She pulled Natasha along with her. She stomped as loud as a woman could possibly stomp. Christine gave her the sinister smile as Ely turned to her right before she went into the class. “Christine, what were you thinking?” Dylan grabbed her shoulders. He’s a little bit rough. “Your babe pulled my hair first! Stop defending them! I’m your girlfriend remember?” She gave Dylan a wake up call. He had forgotten the deal with her. Dylan sighed, frowned, and turned his face away as well. “Well, today in the canteen. I want you to…” Christine sounded very sluttish. “I know what I am going to do. You don’t have to teach me!” Dylan took his book from the floor and walked to the class, ignoring that inglorious bitch.

The greatest wicked witches from all around the world are gathered. Take your spell book out and memorize it before they put the spell on you.

…

The canteen was packed with students. All of them couldn’t stop talking. Some were gossiping about the accident and some shocked to hear that. The 7teens table wasn’t as full as usual. Dylan, Izzy, Geneva weren’t there. Izzy was still not showing up in public, still under his shell. He dreadfully wants somebody to show him who Izzy really is. Geneva is another typical case. She rescheduled her timetable; she is no longer Harold’s classmate, tablemate, so on and so forth. She’s technically ignoring Harold for some reason. Harold didn’t like the idea of being apart, he treated her cold as well. They didn’t even wave or greet each other.

On the other corner of the canteen, Dylan sat with Comfort on a deserted table. Students isolate it for losers like Comfort. It’s for the geeks too. As usual, Dylan and his coolness broke the ice. They talked about science, animals, history, American idol, Chemistry, and all the lame stuffs that made Dylan uneasy. Those topics are really not his thing. “Can we don’t talk about Hydrogen and Abraham London, please?” He was being honest, too honest. “It’s Lincoln,” Comfort laughed. She shook her head and played with the food. The menu for today is a noodle with some greenly stuff on it. Dylan pushed his food away as he is an anti-vegetable person. He hates green. “Can we talk about us?” He spoke with a lot of coolness in it. His hands twitching around the table, wanting to grab something; well his balls is his underneath the jeans, if not, he will be holding it right here, right now. “Us?” Comfort blushed. She pretended to not know what Dylan was talking about. She was pushing it a little bit too far. Oh, for God’s sake. Get on his body; he wants it so badly. “Yes, us.” Dylan moved closer to her. “I… I like you, Comfort,” His eyes caught Comfort’s. “Dylan, it has been so long I’m keeping this from you, I like you too,” She pushed her food and turned to Dylan. She smiled beautifully like an innocent child. “I love everything about you. When I’m with you, you don’t treat me like I’m the football captain or the son of Derrick Bradshaw. You treat me like, I’m… me. Myself. I had been searching for it for so long but you, you bring him back to me,” Dylan let everything out. He’s expressing his love like he never did before. Usually, he will use, “Hey sweetie, can I give you a ride?” or “You must be from a hot place. I can feel the heat even you are miles away,” But this time, it is truly from the bottom of his stone heart. “I like you too, Dylan,” Comfort replied with full of blessing.

“But there is three things I hate about you,” Dylan stood up, pushing himself away from Comfort. “First, you stink!” He got his body a foot away from Comfort. Comfort was stunned to hear that. “Second, you are totally ugly,” Dylan shouted at her. “And third, you are not Christine Foster!” Dylan turned to Christine who was sitting a few tables away. Christine was shocked as Comfort was. She turned to Dylan with a lot of expression on her face. “Dylan, are you trying to say that you want to get back with you girlfriend?” Comfort stood up and knocked the table. “Yes, I am proposing if you haven’t notice,” Dylan answered evilly. This shows that Devils not only wear Jimmy Choo but, it wears sneakers as well. Christine strutted to Dylan. A lot of eye didn’t want to miss the chance to see the glamorous couple hooking back up. Some cheered and made Comfort’s heart melt to stone. “You are…” Comfort pulled Dylan’s shoulder. She couldn’t continued and gave Dylan a slap. It hurt greater than Christine’s. Christine got to Dylan and rubbed his cheek gently. “Go away, you idiot!” Christine pushed Comfort with her filthy hands. Comfort reflected the push and went out from the canteen, angrily. Christine laughed and turned back to Dylan. “It’s a yes, honey” She jumped into Dylan and kissed him.

“Hey you,” Ely approached Christine. She got off Dylan and put her hands on her waist. “That’s what you want isn’t it?” Dylan disgusted by Christine, he pushed her and smiled at Ely. Ely smiled back but was curious to know what he was thinking. “You owe me a story D!” She shouted. Dylan headed out and raised his hand. “And back to you,” Ely looked back at the mad Christine. “What’s with you, Dumpee? I heard Noah dumped you after that dream night of yours,” Christine giggled. She pushed her hair to the back and grinned. Ely really hates the bitchy attitude of hers. She grabbed someone’s plate on the table and threw it right to Christine’s yellow dress; she wore striking color just to seek attention, that’s for sure. Christine looked down on her dress and screamed. She sounded like Jennifer Carpenter in The Exorcism of Emily Rose or even worse than that. “One more thing…” Ely stopped and turned to the table next to her. “Are you finished with that coffee?” She said to some freshman. The freshman was so scared of her and just nodded. He gave the coffee to Ely and sat statically. Ely grabbed the coffee and walk back to Christine. She purposely spilled the coffee onto Christine’s high heels. “And now, your choo-es is bitter than mine,” She grinned. Ely quickly grabbed her phone and recorded the incident. “Smile for the paparazzi!” She yelled, laughing at the same time. It may be a bad thing to do in school, but for Ely, she rules the rule. She sets the trend; the others follow, not the other way around. She did quite the right thing to Christine. Someone needs to stand up and bring this fellow down and Ely just did it. “Urgh, wait for my revenge, Ely!” Christine covered the dirt on her dress and stomped to the rest room. She took off her heels and walked on her bare-feet. Everyone in the canteen laughed at Christine and gave a standing ovation to Ely. Ely marched back to 7teen table, sat and continued doing her things—touching up her make-ups is one of those things.

The C-witch fell from her broom. It looks like the E-witch won. But be careful witches, it won’t last long.

“What were you thinking sweetie?” Harold was in a shock. He didn’t interrupt the fight ‘cause he holds a Principe; never get in between when two girls are fighting. “Nothing much,” Ely smiled. Harold shook his head and giggled, frowning back after few minutes. He’d done something that makes him felt terrible, disgusted by himself. It was surely about Geneva changing her timetable. His egoistic mind-set pulled him back from saying sorry to Geneva. He wanted to apologize, but he has dignity to hold up high. She ignored me; I will ignore her too. As simple as that! He thought but deep inside his heart, he knew he couldn’t live without Geneva.

“E, stop grudging. It makes you old five times faster!” Natasha rolled her eyes. She couldn’t believe herself that she is still a friend of Elizabeth Levy. It is hard work to satisfy her needs; it’s tougher than the History test. “Makes me old? Really? I’ll retire as soon as I get Noah Snyder on his knees,” She bit her lower lips. It doesn’t need the lip gloss, it’s shining like the sunshine already. Natasha ignored Ely, she didn’t want to get into more troubles. “And you are going to come with me,” Ely grabbed her hands. “E,” Natasha said reluctantly. Ely placed a finger on her lips. “Shh.. I know you will help me, thanks Nat! Love you!”

Buckle up your seatbelt people, the road ain’t getting better. Prepare some spare tires; you might need them to get through this vigorous boulevard of broken hopes and dreams.

Chapter 9: Lie Hurts but Truth Worse

2009-12-31T14:23:00.003+08:00

Title comes from James Morrison’s song, Broken String.

Roxanne somehow felt unease about all the things happening in her house, in her birthday party, in her life. Her (almost the) brightest hazel eyes in school filled with tears. Some are joyful tears, but most of it was the tears of pain. Her boyfriend, Keith, was beside her all the time but he couldn’t see her suffering soul as she covered it quite well with her smile. Mr. and Mrs. Payne, on the other hand, were wondering what happened to her daughter and Izzy. The guy Roxanne should be in his arm right now was supposed to be Izzy, not Keith. The Paynes doesn’t even know who that kid is. Mrs. Payne pulled both of the kids to the kitchen, as she really needs the truth. Mr. Payne doesn’t really like the idea but have to cope anyways since he is the father. As Roxanne and Keith being pulled to the kitchen, the I-want-to-know-everything girl, Ely, saw them. She pulled Natasha’s hands and –as if Natasha had no other choice –she followed her.

“Roxanne, I want to know right now! What happened to you and Izzy,” Mrs. Payne raised her voice. If she raised it higher, it is as loud as the stereo in the living hall. Mr. Payne leaned on the cabinet; looking so pathetically sorry to Keith for doing this to him He couldn’t do anything other than listen to her spine-chilling wife. “Mom, he moved on. I moved on and met Keith. That’s what happened! We grew up, mom!” Roxanne said, breathing unsteadily. She really didn’t want to pick a fight with her mom especially in front of her sweetheart. “I meant, what happened till you both are not as close as before? And don’t tell me that both of you grew up. That is so absurd.You are still listening to Justin for god sake!” Mrs. Payne still doubted her daughter. Roxanne is also a die-hard fan of Justin Bieber. This makes her even more childish than her sister, Joan, who loves to stuff her ears with Lady Gaga’s songs.

“Izzy turned gay. Roxanne hurt. Keith came to the rescue,” Ely jumped to the kitchen door. Natasha stunned. The Paynes turned to her with glaring eyes. The Paynes had something in between, they are all tiny, blonde–even though Mr. Payne is half-bald, and they have such beautiful pair of hazel brown eyes. “Could you repeat my dear?” Mrs. Payne wanted to check what she heard before it’s the same as what Ely said. Natasha cleared her burning throat and got next to Ely. Both of them looked at each other, hoping someone will utter a word.

“The truth is yes, Izzy is gay now,” Keith spoke up and told the truth. He looked down to his shoes and Roxanne squeezed his hand. Mr. Payne straightened up himself and fixed his sleeves. “Be careful with the words you use, young man!” He didn’t like the way Keith speaks. He believes Izzy is somehow still naïve and an upright boy. “Mom, dad, someone is pissing in our pond,” Joan shouted, running to the kitchen. All of them shocked to hear that. Ely and Natasha couldn’t help themselves from laughing. “We’ll talk about this at night,” Mrs. Payne warned Roxanne and pulled Mr. Payne out to the pond.

Keith, Ely and Natasha turned to Roxanne. She looked so depressed. “Let’s go to the real party, this is such a tragedy,” Ely got to Roxanne and soothed her. All of them faced Ely with narrowed eyebrows. “Tonight, at the beach, there’s always a party over there. Let’s shake our sorrow off!” Roxanne looked at her for a second and smiled. “Let’s go!” Four of them ran out from the house using the backdoor. For Roxanne, it’s a big sin to sneak out to some random party but she doesn’t really care about it right now. She wants to get the heck out of the disaster.

But she will soon get caught into another mess. That’s for sure

…

“Now, you explain to me why you said that Geneva is your cousin?” Harold keened to know what does Dylan meant. Both of them were now in the car. Dylan sat at the passenger seat. He looked thrifty as he’s scared he will say a wrong statement. “Spit it out!” Harold really didn’t know what patient is. "Still remember the day, when you got to run to your brother ‘cause he got some problem? I shouted something didn’t I? I was about to tell you about Geneva but somehow, I forgotten to say it till I met her father just now,” Dylan attempted to stay calm and cool. He stroked his hair and tried not to look at Harold. “Yes,” Harold spoke under his breathe, so soft, so not in the mood. “I saw a picture of Geneva and I when we were four. I asked my father who is the girl but he said she was a cousin of mine who had passed away in an airplane crash. So, I sort of ignored the fact that Geneva and I are cousins. Few minutes ago, Mr. Byron a.k.a my Uncle Embry reminded of the picture and he said Geneva is his daughter. I can’t be wrong this time,” Dylan exhaled, relieved as soon as he finished his story, “But who cares anyway? I’m tired of all people lying to me, and I’m not going to lie to him anymore,” Harold sighed. He didn’t really listened to Dylan. “Him?” Dylan lost there. He wasn’t really sure what is Harold mumbling about. Harold nodded and refused to say the name. “I better get out now,” Dylan opened the door and got out. He sneaked his head back in before he left and said, “Don’t do any reckless stuff, Harold. You know I care. Bye for now,” He left Harold and went to his car.

Harold grabbed his phone and dialed a number. He seemed to be soulless in that car. Hopeless frown carved on his face. He waited for the person to pick it up mutedly.

“Hey, Harold. What’s up? How’s the party?” George Cruz was on the line. He tried to be friendly to his son. He really wanted Harold to forgive him. “George, I want you to get Aunt Cassie and Rheon in the house now. Let’s have a family dinner together,” Harold faked a chirpily voice. He was up to something. Something about the truth. “Son, are you being real?” His dad sounded so happy. He waited for today to come since he changed his irresponsible attitude. “Yes dad! I’ll be home in another 20 minutes,”

GOD! Harold just said the word DAD. He is really hiding something behind him.

He hung up the phone and went back into the house. He left something behind.

…

“Where’s Harold?” Mrs. Tedder was already in the house but Harold wasn’t there. She wore something motherly and almost all her skin covered with her embroidered cashmere cardigan. There’s golden jewel squares weaved on it’s edge which clearly giving a message: “I’m only supposed to be carried by Miss Rich.” This is her first time in such outfit. She usually let her top button unbutton for the guys to explore her asset but this time, for winning Harold’s heart sake, she dressed up like she is going to an old folk’s farewell party. Rheon was the same, looking like a rich kid from Beverly Hills. His turtleneck sweater matches his James Dean hair. In fact, he really did look like James Dean without the cigarette in his mouth, a bottle of whiskey in his hand and a little bit chubbier. Demetria sort of felt in love with Rheon’s appearance. She blushed every time Rheon turned to her.

“Harold will be back any time soon. He never breaks his promises. Trust me,” Cameo twitched his finger on the table, hoping what he said is true. Clock struck 7.30 but Harold’s car still hasn’t stop at the garage. Cameo stood up, headed to the living hall, grabbed his phone and dialed Harold’s number. He wouldn’t want to embarrass his father. When he was about to press the call button, he heard a car screeched and stopped at the house compound. He turned to the rest in the kitchen and smiled. “He’s back,” He went to the dining table and joined them.

“Hey, I’m back!” Harold shouted and opened the door. He straight away walked into the kitchen as he smelled something delicious coming out from there. When he saw all of them sitting and waiting for him, he grinned. “I’m sorry for being late,” He raised his eyebrows. “You better have a solid reason for this, son,” George spoke like a father. “I do, dad” Harold replied and made Cameo choked. Cameo was surprised to hear the word ‘dad’ coming out from his brother’s mouth. Cameo turned to Harold with his one eyebrow raised up. “And this family isn’t complete without…” Harold said.

“Hi.. Uncle…” Ryan stopped Harold, came out from his back, and stunned. He wasn’t expecting his mom to be there. He turned to Harold furiously. Aunt. Cassie and Rheon were shocked too. “Harold, what is this?” He asked with hatred snowed under his words. “A family gathering,” Harold pretended to be so excited about it. “Ryan, I can explain,” Mrs. Tedder stood up and hit the table. The glass of red whine fell on her luxurious cardigan. George quickly grabbed the cloth behind him and wiped the dirt on her clothe. “There’s nothing to be explain mom. You are just so Dad. You guys don’t really care about me! And you too, Rheon” He yelled. Rheon was render speechless as he was so innocent. He was not the one who asked for all this to happen. Ryan hurriedly ran out from the house, left the rest in shock in the house. Harold somehow relieved as he’s not in conspiracy anymore. He chased after Ryan who was heading to his truck.

Ryan started the engine and reversed the truck. “Ryan, wait for me!” Harold shouted. Ryan slid the window down. He wanted to say something to Harold as well. He got out from his truck and went to Harold. Before Harold could say a word, Ryan’s fist went right to his face. “What is that for?” Harold pushed Ryan. Ryan didn’t move an inch. He’s way too big for Harold to push. “For lying to me! You knew my mom is here but you kept it from me. What kind of friend are you?” He turned and walked to his truck. Harold ran out of words. He held his nose as it was about to explode. He regretted for telling Ryan. It’s the same if he keep it and wait till Mrs. Tedder tells Ryan herself. “But at least, I tell you isn’t it!?” he shouted. Ryan ignored him and drove away.

Ryan’s head was empty. He couldn’t find anyone to talk to already. Her mom, her brother and now, his friend lied to him. I should forget about them. He spoke to himself. He drove the truck heading to the west. He decided to go to the beach to release his anger to the tranquil ocean. “Ocean won’t harm me, will it?” He murmured. He held the steering wheel firmly. He drove as fast as his truck couldn’t reach any higher speed. He drove recklessly. He disobeyed some of the red lights and some slow drivers on his way. Suddenly, a familiar car crashed his truck.

In a blink of an eye, he was already on the road. He fled out from his truck and now, he couldn’t lift himself up. He was bleeding badly. He tried to lift his head up but failed. He was numbed. “Keith…” A familiar voice called. Ryan’s sight was blurring, he wanted to see who called but he couldn’t even move. He couldn’t see the beautiful dark sky anymore. “Let’s go, God is waiting for you…” A guy in dark cloak appeared a foot away from him. “I’m ready,” Ryan answered him, exhaled aloud, closed his eyes and …

…

“Is there anyone else want to say your last word for this noble young guy?” An old middle age man spoke. Many people had said their last regard and put the roses on the coffin. Harold stood still among the crowd who came for the funeral, for their last goodbyes. He was wearing his black tux, holding a white rose in his hand. He is not ready to say anything just yet. “Harold, go on,” A man put his hand on Harold’s shoulder. Harold turned to him and nodded. “Alright Izzy,” he said, breathing serenely. He stood up and the old man stepped back. “Come here, son. Say your words,” Harold nodded to what he said. On his way to the center, he tried to look at his friends but they wasn’t there, none of them was there. Dylan, Roxanne, Ely and Nat weren’t there to be with him, to stand a chance to say sorry with him. He got to the center and exhaled in dissatisfaction.

“I learned a lesson yesterday. A lesson, which I think, none of us ever experienced it before. I believe God wanted to tell me something; God wants me to change. I thought and I knew the lie hurts one’s heart. But yesterday, this accident taught me something that beyond human’s minds. I realized something you people won’t even can accept it or might think I’m crazy but I strongly believe that… truth is worse. May God be with you,” He looked at the coffin, releasing a big amount of air, which was full of regrets. He put the rose on the coffin. “I’m sorry, Herman,” He whispered and it was barely heard by the others. People who attend were confused. None of Harold’s words made sense at all, none of them connected to Herman.

Harold went back to where he stood. As he reached his place, Izzy tapped his shoulder again and Harold turned to him. “I’m sorry, Izzy. I’m really sorry,” His face looked so apologetic. “It’s not your fault. Let’s go visit them in the hospital. I bet Dylan is waiting for you,”

“Yes, we should go now,”

Harold is right this time. Lie hurts but truth worse. Because of lie, he hurt his best friend. Because of truth, he killed someone innocent.

SOS! Let’s lie even more!

Chapter 8: House Of Pain

2009-12-28T20:47:00.003+08:00

Title comes from a movie, House Of Wax

“Welcome to the house of Payne!” Mr. and Mrs. Payne greeted all the guests at the front door. They planned the party so well. It even has a dress code to obey. Mini skirts and all the inappropriate dresses were not allowed to get inside the house. The Payne really doesn’t like sluttish kids. Mr. Payne taught both of his daughters very well. That’s one of the reasons why Roxanne doesn’t really like to wear dress to school.

Harold came with Geneva. He drove his new car and made his friends wondered. He at first declined to use the car but Mrs. Tedder insisted. She said that she would be hurt if he doesn’t use the car. He got no choice but to drive it. “Hey nice wheel!” Dylan praised Harold’s car. Harold smiled and thanked him. “Cameo bought it?” Ryan asked him. Harold nodded and felt guilty. He really didn’t want to lie to his best friend but he had to. Geneva got to Lily and greeted each other. Not long after that, all of them marched to the pool. Roxanne was looking so beautiful in her pink dress, waiting for her friends to wish her. “Hey lookie here, Roxanne is in a dress! That is a one in a lifetime moment!” Dylan teased Roxanne. Everybody giggled. “Happy Birthday Roxy Pixie!” Dylan, Harold and Ryan wished at once. They hugged Roxanne one by one. Geneva and Lily pulled the guys to the back and approached Roxanne. “Happy Birthday Roxy. You look so beautiful today!” Geneva praised her. “You look good in dress. Why don’t you wear it in school?” Lily added, raising her eyebrows. “No way! I won’t!” Roxanne pulled her dress up uncomfortably and giggled.

“Gee! You wear the dress Ely bought for you!” Natasha shouted and ran to the gang. The guys look at each other awkwardly. “Girls…” Dylan whispered. All of them laughed. They wished Roxanne again and left the girls alone. “Happy birthday pretty!” Natasha wished her. Roxanne couldn’t stop smiling looking at her friends. “Hmm… Girls, enjoy the party. Keith is here already. Ciao!” Roxanne waved at them and walked slowly to Keith. The girls were shocked to hear that. “Roxy and Keith? No way!” Geneva giggled. “Let’s get some food,” Lily pulled Geneva and Natasha to the house, haunting for some food to munch.

“Happy Birthday Love!” Keith grabbed Roxanne. He smiled widely. He kissed Roxanne and she replied it this time. “Thanks,” Roxanne said, laughing at the same time.

“Roxy? Your boyfriend?” Joan, her sister, looked at her with a question mark on her face. “Shoo! Go away! This is my spotlight!” Roxanne signaled her to get lost. “Hmm.. Izzy, he wants to see you,” Joan added, voice lowed down. She was afraid of her sister. She knew about the relationship between Izzy and her sister and Roxanne will definitely be mad at her after the party.

“Roxy…” A voice came from Joan’s back. Joan left hurriedly. Roxanne shocked to see Izzy standing a meter away. “Let me get you a drink,” Keith kissed her and left both of them. He didn’t want to interfere them.

“What are you doing here? You weren’t invited,”
“Your parents did,”
“What?”
“They asked me to come,”
“But this is my party, my rules. Get lost,”
“You really don’t want to talk about it, do you?”

Izzy grabbed her hands. He face was so apologetic. He squeezed the hands tighter, desperately wants the forgiveness from Roxanne. Roxanne turned her face away. She couldn’t give what Izzy wants. “Let go of me, please. Go home,” Roxanne pleaded. She really wants him to go away. She tired of all the drama. And Keith came to the rescue. He brought two glass of cocktail with him. “Do you mind if steal her?” Keith didn’t know what happened to both of them. His voice was so innocent. “She’s all yours,” Izzy let Roxanne go and walked out from the house. He looked disappointed. He really regretted of what he had done.

History cannot be change. So change yourself to make a better tomorrow and it will never too late to do so.

“What happened?” Keith wondered as he saw Roxanne pulled a long face. “Nothing,” She sighed. She grabbed the cocktail from Keith and drank.

If a girl says ‘nothing’, there is always something beneath it.

While the gang is chatting inside the house, Natasha excused herself. She went out for some fresh air. She was actually wondering where her best friend, Ely is. Ely had never been late for a party before. She grabbed her phone and dialed the number. She waited for Ely to pick it up but it went to the voicemail. “Ely, please call me. I’m worried about you,” She felt uneasy, she felt something wrong happened to Ely. Suddenly, she saw Ely walking into the house. She felt relieved and headed back into the house. “Nat!” Ely shouted her name. Natasha turned to her back and saw Ely was running towards her on her high heels, crying. Her cheeks were wet. She hugged Natasha as soon as she got near her. Natasha stunned by Ely’s gesture.

“What’s wrong E?”
“I’m sorry Nat. I should have trust you!”
“What happened?”
“Noah dumped me. He said…”
“Do you think Noah Snyder wants to be with you for the rest of his life? Come on! There’s plenty of balloons have yet to be poke. He’s still young. He don’t want to be stuck with your boring life? Isn’t it?”

Those lines from Noah never faded from Natasha’s head. It’s the main reason Natasha is not hooking up with anybody right now.

“How do you know?”
“He said that to me too. After we slept together,”
“He did the same to me!” Ely grabbed Natasha tighter. Her tears fell on Natasha’s dress.
“Come on, E. I know you are strong,”
“Thanks Nat and I’m really sorry,” She released Nat and wiped her tears.
“Don’t be,”
“You are the greatest friend,”
“I’m glad you’d learnt your lesson, E,”

Eventually, both sank to the bottom of the sea.

Back in the house, the gang was chatting and laughing non-stop. The birthday girl and Keith had joined them. All together, they made a noisy crowd. Mr. and Mrs. Payne were also there, looking at her daughter’s friends and glad that they were perfectly fine. “What goes Zubb-Zubb?” Mr. Payne joked. Everyone lifted their shoulder up. They didn’t know the answer for the question. “It’s a bee flying backward!” Mr. Payne laughed. He told some pretty cold jokes of his to the gang and they have to fake a laugh to not hurt his feeling. “It was hilarious!” Dylan laughed sarcastically. Harold hit his head and everyone laughed at Dylan.

“Roxy dear, where is Izzy?” Roxanne’s mom wondered. Izzy wasn’t in the room with the gang. She suspected something was going between Roxanne and him. “He left early, he said he got a better work to do,” She lied. “Are you serious? He was so excited about today,” Mrs. Payne doubted her daughter. Everyone in the room became statues. They weren’t sure which side are they on. “Can we stop talking about Izzy and…”

“I don’t speak Spanish, Japanese or French, but the way…” Dylan’s phone rang. He picked it up and covered the phone with his hands. “I’m sorry, people. Phone call,” He got up and walked out from the room, as he wants privacy. Others nodded and Ryan brought up a new topic, “Kris or Adam?”

“Hey Ely,” Dylan greeted Ely and paced out quickly.

“Happy birthday Roxy Pixie! Sorry I’m late!” Ely jumped in excitement. She managed to hide her sorrow beneath her mask. Natasha smiled and greeted everyone. They joined the gang and they debated on who’s better between Adam and Kris. Roxanne delighted by the party.

Meanwhile,

“Dylan’s speaking? Who is this?”
“Hey boyfie!”
“What do you want Christine?”
“I’m waiting for you in front of Roxanne’s house now. Please come, I’m alone,”
“What do you want?”
“It’s about Comfort!”
“What about her?”

Christine hung up the phone. “Damn!” Dylan murmured. Dylan went outside the gate for Comfort’s sake. He wanted to know what Christine was up to. As he reached the house gate, he saw Christine waiting in her Bentley. He rolled his eyes and exhaled aloud.

“Hey, come here!” Christine said with her sluttish voice. Dylan walked to her, feeling disgusted. “What do you want? They all are waiting for me inside!” He said furiously. Christine grabbed her handbag and took out her phone. “There’s something you got to watch,” She gave Dylan the phone. Dylan shocked the heck out of him, as the video was the incident in the storeroom, starring COMFORT.

“Where did you get this and is that Buck in the video?”
“Yes. I was there with him, oops. Me and my big mouth,”

Dylan stopped the video and deleted the file. He turned to Christine with his I-am-so-relieved-look. “I have the file in my notebook, dumb dumb! I know you will delete it!” Christine laughed.

“Let me get this straight. You were behind this all along?”
“Unfortunately, yes! At first, I asked Buck and his gang to teach her some lesson for not listening to me. But now, since you are generously helping her and she’s definitely into you, I changed the plan. Luckily, I recorded the video. Now I can use it to get you, boyfie!”
“I know what are you trying to do! Please don’t!”
“It depends on you,”
“Please don’t send it to others, I’m begging you,”
“Wow. Dylan Andrew Bradshaw is pleading on his knee, well not exactly. That’s so not you, my dear, what happened to the Macho Dylan I knew?”
“You do know that she suffered a lot, don’t you?”
“I do? Who cares about that Comfort anyway? All I want is you and your fame.”
“What you want me to do? Name it! But promise me, you will delete the file,”
“Hurt her to the core and be with me. As simple as that,”
“You are so mean,”
“I will do anything to get you, Dylan. Ciao!”

Christine got into her car and left the house. Dylan couldn’t believe what had just happened. He had to choose between hurting his friend and hurting his friend. That’s a tough decision to make.

Looks like someone is in the middle of the road. If he moves, the cars will hit him. But if he don’t, he will get hit sooner or later. So, if you love somebody, let it free. She will come back to you if she’s really meant to be yours. But if she doesn’t, just snap your finger, there’s plenty more waiting in the line.

“Excuse me young man, is this Roxanne’s house?” A car stopped in front of the house gate. Dylan tried to peek who’s inside but it was tinted. It was too dark to see through. Dylan nodded and walked into the house, to get into what he left back.

The man got out from the car and went into the house. As Dylan saw his face, he was stunned. “Uncle Embry?” He asked in shock. The man turned to him and got a shock as well.

“Andrew, what are you doing here?”
“My friends party? How about you? You are not suppose to be in Nottingham,”
“I moved back here. Emma didn’t tell you that?”
“Geneva is your daughter?”
“And she’s in a big trouble,”

Mr. Byron went into the house furiously and left Dylan at the back with a puzzle to solve. He yelled Geneva’s name repeatedly. When he got in, Mr. Payne stopped him at the door. “Who are you and what do you want?”

“Dad!” Geneva ran to Mr. Byron. Mr. Payne moved to the side, giving way to Geneva. “You said you are doing homework with your friends!” Mr. Byron said angrily. Everybody was shocked to hear that. “I can explain it,” Geneva turned to Harold, her eyes filled with regret. “Let’s go home,” Mr. Byron dragged her out. She turned her face to Harold and mouthed, “I’m sorry,” and before both got into the car, Mr. Byron shouted, “You are strictly keeping yourself away from my daughter starting from now Harold!”

Mr. and Mrs. Payne both glared at Harold. “What! She told me, that her parents let her to go to the party! I pick her up from the house for god sake!” Harold stomped to his car. “Well, let’s continue the party… without them,” Roxanne didn’t want her party to turn out a day to remember because of it’s tragedies.

Dylan ran after Harold and shouted his name. Harold ignored him, as he really didn’t have the mood to talk. He had just got cheated by his girlfriend. Geneva used his name to attend the party. That’s so awful of her. “Harold, look at me!” Dylan fed up.

“What is it?” Harold turned reluctantly.
“I think Geneva is my cousin,”
“What?”

A recipe for a great party is one worthless blind friend, two friends that could accept each other’s flaw, one whore to turn a great man into a monster, a wonderful lie and a disastrous truth. Gather all of them under one roof; you will get a splendid magnificent day to remember for the rest of your life.

SOS! Show them way out from the house of pain before they got lost in it!

Chapter 7: Trouble Is Whose Friends?

2009-12-26T16:59:00.003+08:00

Title comes from Lenka’s song, Trouble is a friend.

Trouble is just a word. Or should we call it ‘a wanted haunted spirit’?

Ely was in the hotel room with her hunky heartthrob, Noah Snyder. He is charming sometimes but he’s a total jerk. In other words, he is Aaron Gonzalez the Second. Back then, he was Natasha’s boyfriend. But after that incident, both, Noah and Natasha became perfect strangers to each other.

“Noah, you can’t do this to me. You said you love me!” Natasha was out of her breath. She couldn’t think less than pleaded him to stay with her. “Nat, listen. Do you think Noah Snyder wants to be with you for the rest of his life? Oh come on! There’s plenty of … Balloons have to be poke. I’m still young. I don’t want to be stuck with your boring life!” Noah literally had just given her a tight slap after a tight sleep. He put his jeans and shirt on. He got into his fancy shoes and walked out of the hotel room, leaving Natasha crying alone on the bed.

“So honey, when you want to get on me?” Noah sounded desperate. He was lying on the bed with his shirt off. Ely giggled in the bathroom, fixing her make-up. She was surprisingly nervous to ride the tide. She exhaled. She inhaled. But still looking into the mirror. “Well, just enjoy the show Ely,” She murmured. Somehow, that sentence gave her strength to get out from the bathroom. She saw Noah smiled at her as soon as he saw her glimpse. “You’re hot in that, baby!” Noah praised her beauty. “Well, at least don’t wear your superman boxers next time!” Ely teased Noah.

Ely is summoning trouble even though she couldn’t see what it will cost her.

…

At the same hotel, Ryan was eating dinner with Lily. Ryan kept it casual to not scare Lily away. He was thinking to bring Lily on a boat, under the shimmering moonlight but that will fright the heck out of Lily for sure. So, he chose his father’s hotel instead. He ordered the food as Lily totally could not pick a dish from the menu. They were too… delicious and mouth watering. Ryan picked its best dish as he eats dinner here for almost a quarter of his life. Lily couldn’t stop smiling the entire time.

“Well, why are you smiling?”
“Ryan Zachary Tedder is eating with me,”
“And what’s so funny about it?”
“A most wanted guy in school, well known, rich, kind and generous, is having his dinner with some plain girl. That’s a brand new expose for the kid in our school,”
“You are not plain. You are some girl. Very rare to be found in here,”
“We are eating in your father’s hotel for God’s sake and I don’t even know how to pronounce some of the food!”
“At least I can feel his presence here. I missed him,” He was out of the topic.
“Oh, that reminds me of… Can I ask you something? It’s about your parents,”
“What about them?”
“Why they… divorce? You know... all that?”

Ryan sighed. He took his spoon and played with it. Lily quickly covered her mouth. She thought he would be fine with that question.

“Well, if you want to know. I’ll tell you,” He smiled. “My father went to Paris to open a franchise over there. For the first month, we thought he really got loads of work to do. But after much waiting for his call, mom got worried. She flew to Paris to look after him herself. Unfortunately, mom came at the wrong time. She met dad with his mistress on the bed in his hotel. She got a nerve break down after that. Therefore, she took my brother, Rheon, to Spain to relax her mind. That case led me to…” He choked. “Drugs. Mom came back here to check on me in the hospital. Dad called her and still insisted to stay in Paris, so she asked for divorce. Dad agreed with her and now, here I am. Alone in the house,”

But in some case, trouble found you. You could not escape from it but have to get it through with lot of strength.

Lily listened to him intensely. She could even feel the sorrow in each word from his mouth. She placed her hand on his. She tried to smile but she felt so bad to do so. “Mr. Tedder, enjoy your meal!” Saved by the waiter. Every worker in the hotel knows his name. That made him goes red in the face. “Thank you…” He scanned the waiter’s nametag. “Jeremy!”

“Ouh, I’m sorry sir. This is not my name. I replaced a friend of mine. You know? Helping is caring,” The waiter joked. “It’s sharing is caring,” Lily corrected him. Three of them laughed. “My name is David, nice to meet you sir. I heard a lot about you in the kitchen!”

“You do? About what?”
“How generous you are,”
“Are you asking for extra tips?”
“God you’re good!”
“But do me a little favour,”
“Name it sir,”
“Could you please ask them to play my favourite song?” Ryan pointed at the violinist.
“And what song is that?”
“When you tell me that you love me,”
“By Diana Ross! My favourite too!” Lily added.
“Oh shut up! Don’t joke!”
“I grew up with that song!”
“I should go ask them now, excuse me,”

The waiter stepped back and went to the violinist. They played the song and made the atmosphere in the hotel even more romantic. Ryan and Lily delighted by the sound and had their dinner peacefully.

…

Harold came back home with satisfaction. He got want he wanted and he will not lose it this time. He whistled all the way to his house door, seems to be so happy than he usually was. There’s two cars parked in his house compound that made he wonder for little while. But he was too contented to give a damn about it. “Cameo! George! Demi! I’m home!” He greeted everyone as he got into the house. This is a totally different Harold. He smelled something delicious from the kitchen. He walked quickly, still yelling names.

“Ah, son! Glad that you’re home!” His dad was cooking supper for the family. That was definitely Cameo’s request. He’s the only one who can still stuff his stomach at night. “George, where are they?” Harold asked for his brother and sister.

“Harold, check this out!” Cameo shouted from the storeroom. Harold hurriedly ran and saw Demetria and Cameo putting all the things in the storeroom into boxes. He felt lost. “Dude, what is going on?” Cameo threw his Barney to Harold. He used to play with it when he was five. Harold owned one too but he lost it in the park.

“Harold, how are you?” A familiar voice greeted him. He turned his back and found himself in a half-deadly-shock. “Aunt Cassie, what are you doing here?” Harold narrowed his eyebrows, turning his head to his siblings. “You were supposed to be in Spain, aren’t you?” Demetria and Cameo ignored Harold. “Hey Harold, it has been so long!” A guy jumped to him out of sudden. He hugged Harold tightly. He was Harold’s size. Harold couldn’t see his face. He barely can’t breathe too. “Get off me buddy!”

The guy released his grip and hit Harold’s shoulder. “Rheon?” Harold was so surprised to see him. “You recognize me!” Rheon replied in a happy tone. Demetria walked out from the room with Mrs. Tedder and headed to the kitchen.

“What is going on here?” Harold asked Rheon. Rheon giggled. “The food is ready… Come down all!” Cameo pushed Rheon’s back and pulled him to the kitchen. Harold shook his head in disappointment. He needs someone to tell him what was going on. He followed his brother to the kitchen, seeking for the answer.

Everyone sat on the dining table and waited for George to serve them. Mrs. Tedder helped him with the drinks. Demetria sat innocently next to Harold, keeping her voice inside. Rheon and Cameo wouldn’t stop teasing and throwing stuffs to each other. They had been separated for quite a long time. “Grow up guys!” Harold annoyed. Rheon turned to him and grinned.

“Enough everybody. I got an announcement to make,” George stood up. He tapped his glass, which was filled with red wine with his fork. “So those cars are yours, Aunt Cassie?” Harold turned to her and raised his eyebrows. “First thing is; the blue car is yours Harold. It’s from my sweetheart,” George turned to Mrs. Tedder. He rose his glass and thanked her. “Wait a minute, can you repeat it George?” Cameo kicked Harold's legs under the table. Harold turned to him, glaring in confusion. “The second thing is; she is going to walk on the aisle this Monday!” Cameo and Rheon cheered. They drank the wine happily. Demetria looked at them with her green eyes. She can’t drink the wine. George won’t allow.

“That’s it! I’m not a wall! Hello! Answer me please! Car, Boxes, Aisle… By the way, congratulations, Aunt Cassie. Who’s that lucky man?” He changed his tone from angry to a polite kid tone. He is a well-mannered young guy. He stood up and drank a sip of wine. “Are you dumb or something Harold?” Rheon laughed.

“What?”
“Our parents are getting married!”

What! Harold turned to his father right away. He was so shocked to hear that. “But how?” Mrs. Tedder held George’s shoulder and giggled. “We met last three weeks in my workplace. He was seeking for a job and I hired him,”

“I thought you were in Spain?”
“No. After Rob declared that, we are officially divorced, I’ve decided to stay here. But not in this town. It’s miles away from here. I opened a small business and George came knocking my office door,”
“Ryan knows you are here?”
“Don’t tell him yet!” Rheon butted in.
“I got to call him now. I’m out of the conspiracy!”

Cameo jumped off his chair and stopped Harold from dialing the number. He pulled Harold to the living hall. “Ignore them, let’s eat,” George sat and everyone else followed.

“Harold, why are you throwing scenes? You have to be happy for dad! Not this!” Cameo lowed down his voice.
“Stop crapping Cameo! I wouldn’t mind if he wants to get married. The thing is, Ryan has the right to know that he’s mom is here! And she’s about to marry my father!” Harold emphasized the word FATHER.
“Please Harold. Let’s follow the flow,”

“Stop calling stop calling…” Harold’s phone rang. It was a text from Roxanne.

-You are invited to my birthday party tomorrow! XOXO- Roxy Pixie.

“Shoot! Roxy’s birthday!” Harold hit his head. He had totally forgotten about it. Cameo ignored him and went to the kitchen. When he reached the door, Harold called his name.

“Fine. But I don’t want to get involve in this trouble”

And sometimes, the trouble is meant to be your friend. Nothing else you can do other than get use to it.

SOS! Shoo trouble shoo!

Chapter 6: Three Is Bitter Than Two

2009-12-23T14:14:00.002+08:00

Title comes from Boys Like Girls’ song, Two Is Better Than One

Clock struck twelve. Everyone was dreaming in his or her sleep but Harold was still awake. He went to Geneva’s house to spend the night with her. One of the agenda he planned to do that night was, counting the stars. It has been his routine since his mom left him. He believes that his mom is one of those stars up there and she is watching over him. He climbed the tree next to Geneva’s house. The tree branches are strong enough to afford him. He jumped from the tree to Geneva’s balcony and managed to do it without making any sound. He peeked into the house and saw Geneva sleeping with poise on her bed. He fell in love with her again instantly. Harold smirked. He tapped the window with some rhythm; one of those songs that he composed. “She ain’t giving any response!” He murmured. Harold took his shoe off and used it to tap the window. BANG! Geneva woke up in a sudden. She turned to Harold and her mouth at once opened wide. “What are you doing here?” She mouthed. She threw her blanket off her and got up. She tiptoed to her window. Harold couldn’t believe what he was looking at. Geneva’s pajamas were too short, shorter than a micro mini skirt. That’s common thing for a girl like her to dress up like that to sleep.

Everybody wants to be pretty in their dreams, don’t they?

“What?” She mouthed. She didn’t want to wake her parents up. Harold pointed to her bottom, giggling under his breath. She looked down at herself and covered it quickly with her hands. She ran to her bed. She grabbed the blanket and wrapped herself with it. Her cheeks were turning red. She was in total embarrassment. She was blushing when she paced to the window. “This thing had never happened in your life!” She slid the window and let Harold in. Harold smiled at her. “You are looking so…” Geneva stopped him, placing her finger at his lips. “You don’t want to forget it, do you?” She whispered, still keeping her voice down.

“Let’s get to the rooftop. Let’s count the stars,” Harold suggested an idea. “There’s a way for us to get up there safely and …” He paused. He looked around and continued, “Silently,” He pulled Geneva to the balcony.

“Harold. Stop! You can’t do this,” She pushed Harold’s arm. She’s afraid her parents will wake up and catch both of them red handed. “They will kill me if they see us now. Go home honey. See you in school,” She felt guilty for chasing him out.

“Come on. Let’s get out from this hell. Let’s have fun, the night is still young!”
“Are you out of your mind! You are being totally absurd. It’s twelve for God sake!”
“So? What’s your point?”
“Dad and mom will get in anytime. Please…”
“Can we go out to dinner tomorrow?”
“You know I will try my best, right?”
“That sounds like a no to me,”
“Honey, as soon as my parents give me freedom. We will do anything we like, anywhere, anytime. But not now,”
“Promise me, my pineapple. As the moon witnesses both of us tonight, I want you to vow.”
“I’ll try my best, you know I will,”

“Please say you promise…” Harold held her shoulder. His face showed how dissatisfied he was. He exhaled aloud and closed his eyes. Geneva’s hands run to his cheeks. “Don’t move,” Geneva closed her eyes as well. Each second, they got closer and closer. Both could feel each other’s breathe on their skin. Head to head, chest to chest, they became one soul that moment. Harold kissed her mouth and she replied it. Both wouldn’t want to be apart that night but they have to. Geneva pulled herself out. “I’m sorry,” She was asking him to get home. Harold nodded and left the house.

The Midnight Romeo has to leave his Juliet with his heart broken into million, billion, trillion pieces. If you think you’re happy and you know it, think again, Romeo. Nothing meant to be constant, even the Luna changes.

…

The next day

The vibes in the Music class weren’t the same as before. Despite Harold got the chance to sit with Geneva the entire hour, he was looking furiously at Adam. Hatred snowed under his skin. If it wasn’t Adam who led Ryan to drugs, everything will not be the same as now. Few tables away from Harold, another ‘skirmish’ was going on between Ely and Natasha. They were ignoring and treating each other like walls. Both never speak to one another since the catfight in the garden.

While Mr. Abraham was lecturing, Noah took out his notebook and tore a piece of paper. He wrote something on it. He threw it to Ely and it hit her head. Ely held her head and turned to him. “Ouch!” She mouthed. She bended down and took the paper. She read it and smiled. “Ely, what are you doing?” Mr. Abraham glared at her. She shook her head and remained quiet. Mr. Abraham continued his lesson. Ely immediately threw the paper to the rubbish bin once Mr. Abraham got his eyes off her. Natasha who was there the entire time was curious to know what Noah wrote that made her smiled.

The minute the bell rang, everyone rushed out. Harold held Geneva’s hand tightly. He was controlling his temper. He’s afraid he will start a fight with Adam in the class. “Distract me please,” He whispered, heads looking down on the floor. Geneva nodded and pulled him away from the class. She truly understands her hot-pot boyfriend.

Conversely, Noah got to Ely and walked her out from the class. Natasha waited for everyone to get out, so she could read the note Noah gave Ely. As Mr. Abraham, the last person who was supposed to get out, was out of sight, Natasha quickly ran to the rubbish bin. She rummaged through the rubbish bin and took out the note. She wiped her hand with her cloth. She ran to her table and read the note. She was shocked as she finished scanning it.

Meet me at the hotel room tonight at nine

“She’s such an idiot!” Natasha murmured to herself. She left the classroom full of frustration.

On the other block of the school, Dylan was chasing Comfort. “You are just adding more trouble in my life!” Comfort really needs him to get lost. Dylan insisted to help. He is one stubborn man. “Please… One more chance,” He pleaded. Don’t make me fall on my knees, I don’t do that. Dylan was praying inside. Getting on his knees is one major move for him. “Alright. Don’t mess it up this time,” Comfort tried not to look at Dylan’s eyes. They are her favourite in the school. “Great. Thank you,” Dylan hugged her. He’s excited to help her out of her misery. Then, they both walked to the canteen for their lunch. Comfort is not alone anymore; she got Dylan from now on. Everybody on their way whispered to each other. They were quite shock to see Dylan was actually walking with Comfort. “What are you guys looking at? Like she’s the only one not virgin here!” He shouted on the top of his lungs. Comfort grabbed Dylan’s hand. Her head was looking down. She was afraid to look at those condemn people. Dylan pulled her all the way to the canteen, ignoring all the people who were staring at them.

Christine banged her locker as she heard Dylan. Not only because he’s walking with Comfort, it was also because Dylan didn’t notice her at all. Dylan used to kiss her cheek whenever they meet but now, even though she’s wearing a completely whore outfit, he didn’t even wave at her. “Wait till I get in between,” She whispered to herself. She took out her phone and grinned.

A game isn’t complete without the third player. Three is definitely bitter than two. The more the juicier. It will either spice it up or bring you down. Beware!

…

“You are so lucky Lily,”
“And why is that?”
“Ring a bell! Your boyfriend is waiting for you there!”
“He is?”
“He’s waving at you for God’s sake!”
“I better get him before he run away,”
“Yes, you better be. See you soon! Love ya!
“Ciao!”

Lily’s friend, Alexia, left her and walked into the school. Lily turned her back and acted like she was surprised to see Ryan. Ryan waved at her contentedly. “Ryan!” Her voice sounded so pleased. Ryan walked to her with his big smile.

“Great weather,”
“You came here just to say that?”
“To see my angel of course,”
“Angel doesn’t belong on earth,”
“What are you doing here then?”
“Well, waiting for somebody actually,”
“For me? That’s so sweet of you!”
“You are so wrong Mister!”
“Alright, alright. Cut this off. Are you free tonight?”
“Depends,”
“I was thinking to bring you out for dinner, but since you are…”
“Sure why not!”
“Now you are free?”
“I always am for you,”

They were standing in the middle of the garden when Harold walked pass by them with Geneva. She was blindfolded by a piece of black cloth and Harold was dragging her to the rooftop. Lily and Ryan giggled when they saw Harold. Harold placed his hand on his mouth, asking them to stop laughing. “What is it dear?” Geneva was so curious. “Lily and Ryan are having …” He stopped. “For real?” Geneva knew what he wanted to say. Harold ignored her and continued walking to the rooftop. Her heart pounded very fast, she couldn’t see where was she going to. Don’t worry Geneva, Harold is here. Geneva let herself calm and followed Harold.

When they reached the rooftop, Harold asked her to stand still at the door. She nodded. “When I say open, then you open. Alright sweetie?” Harold whispered to her ear. Geneva nodded again. She waited for the cue patiently. Suddenly, she heard someone strummed the guitar harmoniously.

You know I Can't Smile Without You,
I Can't Smile Without You,
I can't laugh
and I can't sing,
I'm findin' it hard to do anything.

It was Harold who was playing the guitar and singing I Can’t Smile Without You By Barry Manilow. There’s a table full with food next to him. There’s vase with white roses too. A candle were lit even though the sun was already enough to shine the whole rooftop.

“Open your eyes dear,”.

You see, I feel sad when you're sad,
I feel glad when you're glad,
If You only knew what I'm going through,
I just Can't Smile Without You

You came along just like a song
and brightened my day,
Who'd've believe that you were part of a dream
Now it all seems light years away.

Geneva couldn’t believe what she saw. A ‘candlelight’ lunch at school’s rooftop? She was out of words. She was so speechless to see Harold who was strumming his black guitar in front of her. Harold ignored her reaction and continued singing.

And now you know I Can't Smile WIthout You,
I Can't Smile Without You,
I can't laugh and I can't sing,
I'm finding it hard to do anything.
You see, I feel sad when you're sad,
I feel glad when you're glad,
If you only knew what I"m going through,
I just can't smile.

“Without you…”

Geneva was still in shock. Harold smiled at her and called her name. She walked slowly to him. She grabbed Harold hands, eyes lock to his. She ran out of words, all she could do was smiled back at him. “I can’t bring you out, so I bring out to you,” Harold’s tender voice melted her heart. He pulled the chair for her and let her sit. She rubbed her eyes as she thought she was daydreaming. “You are not dreaming, honey,” Harold teased her and smirked. “Dig in”

Her mouth locked tightly. Not even a word came out from her mouth yet. Harold somehow didn’t like the atmosphere. He took out his phone and played Thunder by boys like girls (acoustic version). He felt much comfortable with music around. He ate what’s on his plate and tried to ignore the speechless Geneva. I should say something now. Geneva just couldn’t utter a word. She wanted to thank him for all this but she can’t even open her mouth. She felt guilty to see Harold’s eyebrows narrowed. She took the food on her plate with her fork and bit it piece by piece.

“That’s it! We shall dance!”
“We should!” Geneva finally spoke up.

Harold smiled as he heard her voice. He played Living to love you by Sarah Connor. He pulled her in and they started dancing. At first, it was a little bit awkward than the dance they did before. They were dancing in some sort of geometrical shape. Both of them laughed, looking how silly they are.

“I’m sorry for the silence,”
“There’s nothing to be sorry about, pancake,”
“So, what led you to this?”
“Hmm… Just to flavor up my boring week,”
“I was shocked to see you with the guitar, the candle, the vase, the food. Everything was absurd!”
“Not in my world,”
“That’s the line from…”
“Ah, take it as my line now. Hold on,”

Harold ran to his bag and took a small box out of it. He got back to Geneva and grabbed her hands. She smiled. Harold opened the box and stunned her. There’s a beautiful necklace inside the box. He took it and put it on Geneva’s neck. She was again shocked by Harold’s weird manners. Harold couldn’t stop smiling; he loves the way Geneva reacted when she got the surprises.

“This is mom’s. She gave me when she was about to…” His voice trailed off. Melancholy plagued him. Geneva got closer to him, trying to calm him down. “But it’s alright, it’s yours now,” Geneva smiled when he said that with a big smile. Then, they continued dancing in an exquisite atmosphere.

“Well... Well… Well… Look who’s here,” Aaron appeared out of nowhere.

Romeo finally got the chance to have a private moment with Juliet. However, Paris positively wants to get them down. A person like him is the bad kind of third party. Cross his name out if you want to find a person to complete your threesome.

He dragged Mrs. Jenny, the discipline teacher, along with him. Mrs. Jenny wasn’t really happy to see Geneva and Harold who were intimating on the rooftop. “Tomorrow, I’ll see in you in detention class at three. Don’t be late, or you know what will happen!” She sounded so furious. But a detention class? Oh come on, Harold and Geneva would love it; especially when they can actually spend more time together.

“Clean up this… Well Harold, it’s very smart of you to do so but please next time, not on my rooftop,” She said firmly, walking to the door and heading to her office.

“Well alright Madam!” Harold giggled. Aaron stomped out from the place, leaving Harold and Geneva alone. He is certainly having some horrendous plan to bring them down to the core. He smirked all the way down to his Lacrosse practice.

“Well, that sounds like a good thing, isn’t it?” Harold’s nose touched Geneva’s. Both giggled.

SOS! Somebody has to stop the wacky Aaron Gonzalez!

Chapter 5: Love Drown

2009-12-20T10:09:00.002+08:00

Title form Boys Like Girls’ song, Love Drunk

Keith was holding a basket. He was wearing a v-neck plain grey shirt and black shorts. There was a shade on his head. He looked like he was going to a sunny place. He struck a pose and Roxanne laughed. He gave Roxanne his cutest smile and greeted her.

“So, what are you trying to do? Kill a bunny or something? Oh… oh… I know, you want to go to the market, right?” Roxanne teased his outfit. She was extremely happy, no one knows why. She went to Keith’s side and walked with him. She was still laughing at Keith. She wondered why on earth would Keith bring a basket to school.

“I was thinking to bring you to the lake. But killing a bunny sounds like a better plan,” He faked a smile and pushed himself to Roxanne. Both giggled. Keith put down the basket and grabbed Roxanne’s hands. “So, what do you think?”

“Well, I’m pretty free today. Why not?” She pressed his hands tighter. She’s excited, as the lake is her favourite place to hang out in Nottingham. She used to hang out with Izzy, but those days were history now.

“But how about my car?”
“Leave it here,”
“Can you fetch me tomorrow to school?”
“I never thought of that but that’s sounds good to me!”
“So, let’s go, shall we?”

Roxanne wrapped Keith’s arm and walked to his car. Keith left his basket and ran back to get them as soon as he realized he’d forgotten the rose. Roxanne chuckled in the car, waiting for Keith to come back. As Keith reached Roxanne’s door, he knocked the window. Roxanne pressed the button to slide it down.

“What now?” She opened her window.
“Roxanne Bianca Payne,” He was on his knee. Why do guys in this high school love to get to their knees?
“Will you… Go out with me today?”
“I thought I said yes already?”
“That was not the same with this time. I got rose now!”
“The answer is still the same, Mr. Cooper,”
“Well, how you know my surname?”
“If you haven’t notice I’m your boss. Now, get up and drive me to the lake.”
“Your wish is my command Madam!” He stood up and got into the car.

Roxanne held Keith’s hand while he drove the car. They really looked so cute together, in fact, they are cutter than Izzy-Roxy Incorporation.

…

The sun was up, shining magnificently in the sky. The cloud arranged itself layer-by-layer accordingly like it was made for the sweet ‘little’ couple. No one was at the lake except them. Keith somehow managed to ‘book’ the whole lake that evening for only two of them. Keith also brought homemade cookies that smelled so tempting.

“You brought something in there?” Roxanne pointed to the basket Keith was holding. Keith unrolled the mat and pulled her down. He looked at Roxanne with his not-so-wide smile. He laid down on the mat, looking so calm and cool with his hair blown away by the wind even though it is short. “Roxy, I got something to tell you,” He spoke softly. His tender voice made Roxanne’s lips curved upward a little bit at the edge.

“Spit it out, Keith,”
“There’s two things; One, my hobby is making cookies. I know this sounds silly but, I love it to the max!”
“Well, that’s cute!” Roxanne patted Keith’s shoulder and grabbed a cookie from the basket. She bit a small piece and licked her lips.
“So how is it?”
“You know something? You are better than me!” Both of them burst into laughter.
“Second thing is…” He paused.

Roxanne finished her first cookie and grabbed her second one. Keith shook his head, as he loves the way she eats it. She makes a crunchy noise while eating the cookies.

“Your Izzy is with that Herman over there,” he continued with a sighed. He pointed at both of the guys who were sitting under a shady tree.

As soon as she heard Izzy’s name, she frowned. She put her hand on her chest and pressed it securely. Keith felt guilty for bringing up the topic and went to her side. He took the hand off her chest and wrapped her with his arms from her back. He put his head next to her, breathing serenely. Roxanne felt her body getting warmer and she could feel the pain was not there already. She smiled. Keith kissed her cheek and whispered to her under his breath, “Sorry,” Roxanne’s heartbeat started speeding, she felt the sparkles as he left his lips off her cheek. She braced herself to look at Izzy. She was acting beyond idiotic. She should have replied Keith’s kiss. Looks like Rapunzel preferred a rotten green than the raped juicy red apple.

She turned her face to Izzy. She saw him talking with Herman at their favourite spot on the lake. The shady tree where they carved their name and where they vowed that they would look after each other was now owned by Izzy and his new sweetheart… Herman. She felt disgusted looking at them. Suddenly, Izzy caught her eyes. A current connected them somehow. Both minds were then flashing back those memories together.

“Izzy, stop it. Stop chasing me,” They were running around the tree naively. Chasing each other like little kids and laughing chirpily as if tomorrow will never come. They were 15 but still, acting like they are new born babies. “You ate my chocolate bar! I’m not letting you go this time,” He caught Roxanne and lifted her up. She giggled as the chocolate bar finished eaten by her. Izzy let her go and made funny faces. Roxanne laughed at each faces he was making. Out of the blue, Roxanne stopped and stared at the lake. “What if I fall into the lake and drown?” She got closer to Izzy and asked him. She raised her eyebrows and waited anxiously for the answer from Izzy.

“Easy. I’ll swim to you and save you,” Izzy smirked
“But, everybody knows that you don’t know how to swim,”
“For you, I will even swim the lava lake,”
“For real?”
“I will run to Mount Everest if you want me to. Anything, for our friendship,”
“Anything?”
“Yes, Roxy. Why? You don’t trust me?”
“I believe each and every word from you, Izzy,”

Roxanne set herself back in reality. She was still in Keith’s arms. She felt like it had been so long dreaming about the past but time paced slowly. Keith was smiling looking at Roxanne who was staring far to nowhere. “Let’s get to the bridge,” Roxanne got up and pulled Keith. Keith couldn’t stop her, he’s afraid he will be a dream-crasher if he do so. They ran to the bridge, holding one another’s hands.

As they reached the bridge, Roxanne tried to sit on the bridge but she was not strong enough to get herself up. She narrowed her eyebrows, signaling Keith to lift her up. “Oh…” Keith finally realized after much fake coughs from Roxanne. He got her up there and she was delighted by the view of the lake. She could see her own reflection under her. The water was not really crystal clear but the reflection was visibly seen. He will save me, like he promised. Roxanne was the stupidest girl in the town; she thought Izzy would save her. So, she jumped off the bridge. Keith was indeed in shock and couldn’t reach her hand to save her. Roxanne thought the water was not deep but she was wrong. She couldn’t reach the bottom. The water was cold and numbed Roxanne’s legs. She couldn’t swim back to the land. She was drowning and reaching out for help. Izzy who was looking at her deviously since he caught her eyes got shock too. He ran to the bridge and pushed Keith. “What were you thinking?” He thought Keith pushed her. Keith was speechless and empty-minded. Izzy shouted for help but no one was there. “Move aside,” Keith opened his shirt and pushed Izzy to the side. He jumped into the lake and swam to Roxanne. Izzy was flabbergasted to see Keith who barely knows Roxanne jumped to save her life. I’m the one who should be swimming to her right now, I promised her. His heart spoke and regret was all over his soul.

Ah. Rapunzel drowned herself to find her long lost love. She really needs someone to show her what long lost love really means. It’s gone Roxanne, dead and gone!

Keith swam to Roxanne and managed to pull her to the land. She was half past dead by then. “Breathe Roxanne, Breathe!” He shouted repeatedly as he giving her the CPR. He checked her nerve at every set of the CPR. All Izzy could do that time was looking angrily at Keith.

“Keith!” Roxanne threw up a big amount of water and grabbed Keith’s hands. Izzy pushed Keith’s hand away and held Roxanne’s. He got closer to her and hugged her. Keith stood up and turned away. He felt like she didn’t need him. He took his first step away from Roxanne, a small little tiny step. Suddenly…

“I want Keith, please,”
“But I’m Izzy,”
“You are not the one who saved my life, stranger! Keith, come back here!”

Keith smiled and turned back to Roxanne. Roxanne pushed Izzy off her. “Go, please…” Her voice sounded so desperate to get off Izzy and be in Keith’s arm. Izzy released her unwillingly and stood up. Keith pushed him and got to Roxanne. He hugged her as strong as he could. They both breathe rapidly at the same rate.

“Take my cloth, it will warm you up,” Keith grabbed his cloth and put it on Roxanne. “Do you need my pants?” He looked down at himself. He was bare-chested and was about to get fully naked. Roxanne laughed at him, sickly. She got a thunderstruck and felt so cold. She objected Keith’s idea on giving her his pants by shaking her head. “Well, let’s get back home,” He lifted her up. “Please stay,” her voice was too soft, too mesmerizing till Keith couldn’t reject her wish. Then, Keith brought Roxanne to her shady tree as she commanded him to. He put her down on the grass and leaned on the tree. Roxanne moved to Keith and placed her head on Keith’s chest. She felt warm on his no-string-attached chest. “Look dear, sunset,” Keith was excited as he saw the sun was going to set. This was his first time watching sunset with his lover. “But I love to look at you more,” Roxanne’s hand ran to Keith’s cheek. She blushed.

Finally, the wait is over. Rapunzel doesn’t need a Prince Charming to save her. An ogre, which is much better than Prince Charming, saved her instead. She’s loving someone she thought she never will. However, Prince Charming did come to save her but his timing is off. He should be faster than that. Oh Charming, didn’t your mom tell you that timing is really important? It looks like she didn’t taught you well. Time is what we want the most, but... what we use worst. Poor Charming.

On the other hand, Herman ran to Izzy who was pacing alone back to his car. “Let’s go. Leave them alone. They need more space,” Izzy’s voice was full of sadness. Herman followed him to the car. On their way, Herman curious was to know why he ran to her as if she’s something precious to him. “So, what are you guys actually? You guys were just friend isn’t it?” He asked Izzy, heads looking down on the pavement. “Yes, we are. Nothing more than that!” Izzy replied and sounded annoyed. Why am I not with her in this type of situation? Why do I leave her alone unsecured? Vulnerable? God, I’m such an idiot! Izzy looked at Herman pathetically. They got into the car and Izzy drove them back home.

In the car, both Herman and Izzy kept their mouth closed. They wouldn’t want to break the ice. Herman was so scared to speak up and Izzy really didn’t feel like talking at all. The atmosphere was extraordinary for both of them. They usually can’t stand a second not to talk to each other.

“Okay, that’s enough! You have to tell me why you brought me there?”
“Where? The lake? Isn’t it beautiful?”
“It’s for that girl, right?”
“No… it is for…” Izzy ran out of words.
“I knew it,”

Herman frowned and turned away from Izzy. He stared wretchedly outside the window. He didn’t say any words till reached his house.

Charming regretted of what he chose. He chose a new trend clothing but it didn’t fit his size. There’s a lovely but old one on the other shelf, but he’s too blind to see that the clothing was meant to be his. Now, the clothing is owned by somebody else. Crying is what he needs to get used to now.

S.O.S! Save his soul before it’s too late!!

Chapter 4: The Masked Liar

2009-12-16T14:22:00.016+08:00

Title comes from TV show, The Masked Rider

Harold and Ryan were sweating waiting for Dylan. He promised them to tell what happened on the Valentine’s night. Dylan was pretty late. He caught something in his way to the school.

“Mom~” He gave such a stupid reason for being late. His mom was back for couple of weeks. She took a rest after touring London. “Okay, let’s hear this,” Dylan managed to shut both Ryan and Harold’s mouth from saying anything about him being late. “That day, when you were busy dancing with Geneva,” He raised his eyebrows and looked at Harold. “And busy … I don’t know –staring? At Lily,” He hit Ryan’s chest and Harold laughed. “I got bored. So… I walked out of the room. You both were pathetic, I couldn’t stand it anymore,”

“Stop teasing and please tell us,” Harold annoyed. “Fine, then I met Christine and we … ,” His voice trailed off. “Skip that and then, I heard a voice asking for help and I ran like a mad person. Suddenly, I saw Comfort on the floor in the storeroom. She was bleeding,” Dylan told them, in a whispering tone. “What happened to her?” Harold was so curious. “Come here,” Dylan grabbed both head. He pulled them closer. “She got raped by a least three boys,” He whispered to their ears.

“AT LEAST!” Harold said, releasing his head off Dylan’s clasp. “In the storeroom? In the place you had sex with Adele?” Harold was shocked, but still managed to tease Dylan. “Dude, are you being real? You saw her naked then? How is she now?” Ryan pushed Dylan.

“Yes. Yes. Yes. And NO! She wasn’t naked and she should be here in the school now, she was released yesterday. Please, don’t tell anyone about this. I trust both of you. Things will get messy if this news is leaked! Only both of you, Comfort and I knew about this! Do not tell the others!” Dylan warned them. “Alright boss!” Harold and Ryan raised their hands and vowed. The school’s bell rang and interrupted them. Everyone rushed to their respective classes.

…

“Damn it!” Dylan shouted in the middle of the field. He was practicing with his team for the competition in March. He’s one great footballer, the best in the school. But something distracted him today, he couldn’t focus on the training. Comfort was sitting on the bleacher alone. Some students who were passing by teased her. The news about her getting rape was all around the school. All of them whispered to each other even in front of Comfort about it. Comfort looked depressed and Dylan was not easy about it. “I shouldn’t trust them,” Dylan whispered to himself.

It's good to trust others but, not to do so, is much better

“Dylan! Head on the game!” Coach Dane yelled, walking to the center of the field. He got to Dylan and held his shoulder. He pulled Dylan’ shirt, he was so mad. “What are you thinking? Screwing up the last minute huh? You are the captain. Everybody is counting on you. What’s your problem?”

“I’m sorry but for now, I don’t feel like playing” Dylan pushed himself away from Coach Dane. All the footballers stopped passing the ball and turned to him. Dylan ignored them and walked out of the field. “You get back here in three, Dylan!” Coach Dane shouted.

“Or?” Dylan replied and still heading out.

“You will be out from the team!” Dylan stopped. He didn’t want to lose his one and only thing he’s good at, besides on the bed. He turned his back and looked at Coach Dane. Coach Dane’s hands were on his waist, which shows how mad he is now. “Can you please, excuse me for today?” Dylan asked politely. Coach Dane exhaled a big amount of air. “Please coach…” Dylan begged, looking desperately for a rest. Coach Dane nodded and blew the whistle. “Boys, we have to continue without Dylan!” He shouted to his team and they started passing the ball. “Make sure tomorrow you will be better than ever!” He turned half his face to Dylan. Dylan nodded and paced quickly to the shower.

He took a quick shower and ran back to the field. He was looking for Comfort but she was already gone. Dylan is determined to find her in school as he owed her an explanation. He ran class-by-class, to the canteen and the rooftop but Comfort wasn’t there. “Garden!” He murmured to himself. He ran there as fast as he could. He didn’t want to lose her.

…

Comfort sat alone under the three in the garden. She clutched her head with her hands. She was trying to cover her ears; she couldn’t bare anymore words from the students’ mouths. They wouldn’t stop teasing her. Christine was there with her cheerleader friends, not far away from Comfort. They were also laughing and looking oddly at Comfort. Comfort reached her limit. “Shut up! All of you!” She stood up and shouted. Everyone laughed at her. Psycho! Cuckoo! Lunatic! The students called her repeatedly by those names. They seem to have no heart at all. Comfort ignored them and ran. Out of nowhere, Dylan appeared and glared at Christine. “See, what have you done?” He shouted to Christine. Christine and her friends were acting scared by Dylan’s words and teased him. Dylan ignored those spoiled brats and chased after Comfort.

“Comfort, I will be here with you to get through all this!” Dylan grabbed Comfort’s hand and pulled her closer to him. Comfort fell on his muscular body.
“Let me go! LIAR!” She tried to get off him but failed.
“You think I don’t know that you told all of them huh? I heard everything Dylan! Everything!” She sounded disappointed with Dylan.
“I shouldn’t trust you! I should have seen this coming,” She turned her face away from Dylan.
“God! You were there? You heard us?” Dylan had no idea how she heard the conversation.

Actually, back then, she was right behind them but the wall hid her. She heard everything and couldn't believe herself at first. Now, she learned her lesson. Never ever trust anyone else.

“Harold and Ryan won’t tell the others! They are good friends! They won’t do such thing!”
“Oh yeah? Why Ryan whispered something to Christine and she laughed in the canteen?”
“No way!”
“Yes way!”
“Please give me a chance to make it right,”
“Chances come once, and you had just missed it,” She pulled her body out and walked away.

Trust is like a vase... once it's broken, though you can fix it, the vase will never be same again.

Dylan terribly disgusted by his friends. He hurriedly went to the canteen, to the ‘7teen table’. The gang will be there and he got something to talk with Ryan. He ignored everything on his way, including his coach. For the first time, he also ignored all the pretty freshman who waved at him. He had no time to flirt; all he wanted was a great solid explanation about what happened from Harold and Ryan.

“Didn’t I tell you guys to shut your mouth!?” He went to the table and yelled. He ambushed the gang and all of them shocked. Ely was there with Harold and Ryan. Roxanne is the chief of editorial board; she had a meeting to run. Natasha was busy practicing for the Talent time without Ely in the music room. Both of them weren’t at the table and they are just so lucky not to be there. “What did you told Christine huh!? I thought I can trust you!” Dylan locked his eyes on Ryan, furiously.

“So do I,” Ryan was disappointed with Dylan. “If you are saying about the whispering incident here just now. It’s about me and Lily. It has nothing to do with Comfort!” Ryan shook his head. “What’s going on?” Ely was again lost. She was completely clueless. “If you can’t put your trust on us, then don’t,” Harold annoyed by the way Dylan treated them. Ryan got up and walked away from the table with Harold. Ely followed them pointlessly. Dylan felt regret for accusing his friends.

“I’m sorry! I thought it’s from you guys,” Dylan said, hands in the pocket with his face looked so apologetic. “I know you are, come on, let’s go!” Harold put his arm on Dylan’s shoulder and walked out from the canteen. “Go where? Tell me! Anyone!” Ely fed up being lost. Three of them laughed at her and ignored the question.

Someone is just so lucky to have such forgiving friends. They forgive and they will definitely forget it.

Nevertheless, the questions of the day are;

A) Who is the masked liar? Who spread the news?
~The answer might be Comfort herself. She got a great motive to do so. It will get her noticed by all the students in high school. Human is willing to do anything and Comfort is not an exception. A naïve person can be shameless, fearless and scary sometimes just to rise and be the star –or in simple English we call, THE BITCH.

And B) Will she or he take off the mask and show whom she or he really is?
~SOS! Let’s dig it out!

…

“Roxy…” Roxanne was stunned to see him waiting for her outside of the meeting room.

Chapter 3: So Close So Bad

2009-12-14T20:59:00.007+08:00

Title from Demi Lovato's song, So far so great.

It was another sunny day in Nottingham. It was a bright fine day for a great fight in the breath-taking landscape, the garden.

Natasha walked with her high heels, in a fast forward motion towards Ely who was enjoying her milkshake on the bench in the garden. Ely crossed her legs and put her Dolce & Gabbana handbag on her lap. She loves milkshake with whipped cream on it so much. She didn’t notice the big wave coming to her till Natasha yelled her name.

“Ely, we need to talk,” Natasha pulled Ely’s hand. The milkshake Ely was holding slumped on the grass. Even worse, her handbag fell on the dirt. Natasha showed no regret doing that. “You have to stay away from Noah,”

Ely was so surprise by the sudden attack from her best friend. She let her hand free and grabbed her bag on the grass. She wiped it with her hands. “Look what you have done to my bag, my fingernails… they are ugly now,” Ely frowned. She threw her bag on the bench. She fixed her blouse and put her hair to back of her ears. She wants to look pretty even in a fight.

“You have to end the relationship with Noah. He wants nothing from you. He just wants the one night stand and he will dump you like he did to the others,” Natasha explained with soft tone. She put her hands on her pocket. Her face looked remorseful.

“You said this because he dumped you, right?” Ely defended Noah. “You are just jealous of me. Jealous of what I got. You’ve always been unsupportive since… since forever! You don’t want to see my happy, do you?” Ely looked into Natasha’s eyes. “I want you to be happy…. Always. That is why I’m asking you to call it off. He will hurt you, like he did to me,” Natasha held Ely’s arm. Ely pushed it away and stepped a foot back.

“And… yes, I am jealous of you! You got everything you wished for but I have to work hard to make it real. You got an easy life; I don’t want you to make it hard,”
“Easy life huh?”
“I’ll always be here next to you. Helping you, all the time and today, I am stopping you from making a stupid decision,”
“Buzz off, Nat. I don’t need you to give me your pathetic advice. You, yourself are a failure in relationships,”
“E, please, listen to me,”
“Just… Go away,”
“What kind of best friend are you?” Natasha raised her voice.
“The one who didn’t stopped her friend from having a happy life. Now, get lost!”

Natasha was shocked by the words Ely used. The friendship between both of them cracked. They had been best friends since they entered the school. Now, because of Noah, the ship is sinking just like Titanic. So close but too bad, a small leak can sink a great ship. No matter how strong is the ship, someday it will sink to the bottom of the sea.

Natasha turned and walked away from Ely. She took small steps one by one; she didn’t want to lose her best friend. She was looking to the grass and hoping Ely will come and hug her from the back. “And silver is so last year!” Ely yelled at Natasha. Natasha stopped, she was stunned. She turned back and Ely was already making her way to the rest room, to clean up.

The 7teens are breaking apart, piece by piece.

Roxanne, on the other hand, waited for Keith in the parking lot. She wasn’t really sure whether she’s doing the right thing or it is just another step that will lead her to heartbreak. She was expecting Keith to appear at the front door, but unfortunately, God seems to hate her that day. Instead of Keith, Izzy came out from the door with Herman. They were holding hands, and heading to Izzy’s car. When they got to the car, Herman opened the door for Izzy. Izzy hugged Herman. Herman put his hands on Izzy’s waist and pulled Izzy in. Izzy’s hands ran to Herman’s hair and kissed him, mouth to mouth. Roxanne who was watching them, held her chest. There’s one massive impact hit her chest. She couldn’t breath. Izzy stole her heart and had just eaten it.

That boy is a monster.

Keith hugged Roxanne from back. “Are you okay, Roxy?” He noticed something was wrong with Roxanne. Roxanne released herself from Keith’s hands and nodded. Keith opened the door for Roxanne and let her in. She was still in shock. She couldn’t believe what she’d seen. She turned the radio on and tried not to start a conversation with Keith. Keith understood the situation and remained hushed.

And I'll never love again ,Oh boy you've left me speechless , You've left me speechless, so speechless. Lady Gaga’s song was on the radio. And the song was right, Izzy left Roxanne so speechless. She stared out from the window and ignored Keith. Keith turned to her every time he had to stop for the red lights. The mall was right in front of them, but Keith was fed up. He pulled his car to the side. Roxanne looked at him, pathetically.

“Do you want to go out with me or not?” Keith combed his hair with his finger. He looked disappointed with Roxanne’s cold treatment. He put his hand on Roxanne’s lap. Roxanne put hers on his. “I’m sorry… My head…” she said, she looked down to her converse shoes. “Hush now,” Keith stopped her. “Let’s watch Monsters Vs. Aliens. You will love it,” Keith added with smile carved on his face.

They planned to watch the romantic movie but Keith somehow managed to read her mind. He knew she was not in the mood for a romantic movie right now. So, he chose Monsters Vs. Aliens which will make Roxanne laugh out loud. So, he drove his car to the mall.

…

Keith went to the ticket counter and bought two tickets. Roxanne followed him, still can’t get over the incident in the parking lot. Keith was so excited about the ‘date’ but Roxanne was not. He got the ticket and pulled Roxanne to buy the popcorn, chirpily.

“So, Roxanne, Caramel or Light?”
“Light”
“Combo”
“Large” Roxanne’s mouth curved up a little bit.
“One please,”

Keith ordered the pop corn. He was glad to see Roxanne’s smile. He paid for the popcorn and walked to the theater. Roxanne followed his back. He turned to Roxanne and grinned. “You might need an oxygen tank. You will be laughing a lot in there,” he joked. Roxanne giggled and called his name. “Yes?” Keith looked at her. Keith wanted to take her hand but she kept it inside her pocket. So, he put his hand on her shoulder. “Thanks. If I were you, I will leave myself dead in the drain,” She took out her hands from the pocket and grabbed Keith’s hand. He smiled. She smiled. Both of them walked into the theater hand in hand.

During the movie, Roxanne couldn’t stop herself from laughing. She was the loudest in the theater. Keith smiled from the start till the end of the movie. He had watched it before, so now, he didn’t really focus on it. He was staring at Roxanne the whole time. He kept stretching his arms to the sky (the ceiling to be exact) and was about to put it on Roxanne but he dared not to do that. Roxanne did realize what he was trying to do but pretended she was giving hundred percent attention to the movie.

…

“So how’s the movie?” Keith asked Roxanne as they were going out from the theater. “It was hilarious, awesome, funny, great, entertaining .... funny, bizarre, hillarious. It was a fantastic movie!” Roxanne, answered him. She loves to repeat some words in her sentences and her cheeky voice was back. Keith loves the way she speaks. It is unique to him. “Told you, you would love it!” He said.

“Okay, genius, what else do you think I love?”
“Girl like you surely will love Archie! Don’t you?”
“Gosh! You are good. How you know?”
“Because I like him too,” He blushed.
“Really?”
“The best song from him is…”
“Zero Gravity!” Both of them said it at the same time. Roxanne giggled and clouted Keith’s chest.

Roxanne finally moved on. Did she? At least, she finally found a remedy for the wound Izzy left on her heart. Keith is a reflection of Izzy, perhaps, a better one. They have the same interests and one thing is for sure; they both know how to make Roxanne laugh non-stop.

…

“Hey Dy!” Harold was on the line with Dylan. Harold still wondered why Dylan left the dance early yesterday and he didn’t see Dylan around in school today. He was worried about his friend, of course. He treated them just like his own brothers, or even better. He dislikes his annoying brother Cameo. “Why you left…”

“I’ll tell you guys in school. One shot!” Dylan answered before Harold finished his sentence. He immediately hung up the phone. He was in the hospital. He went to visit Comfort. As what he promised to himself, he will be more concern. So, he decided to accompany Comfort in the ward. Rufus was with both of them. Mr. and Mrs. Walker had to be in their offices, they got something to settle down.

“Comfort, how are you?” Dylan finally found out her name as he saw it on the ward’s door. He sat next to her. His dashy eyes lock to Comfort’s. He brought some fruit along with him. “I brought you apple, and if you don’t like them, there’s grape, orange and strawberry in the basket,” He pointed his index finger to the basket on the table. “Thank you,” Comfort mouthed. She was glad to see Dylan by her side. She felt better knowing someone is holding her back.

Rufus ignored both of them and switched the TV on. He was a little bit happier than yesterday. The doctor had just told him that his sister was allowed to get back home tomorrow. But, is it really a good thing for her? Can she survive in the high school after what happened to her? Dylan’s heart kept wondering about tomorrow.

Can you put your trust on the sinking ship and hold on to what you have? Or, you rather let it sink and hop on the new one. But what if the new one isn’t good as the old? Life is about choices. You better choose the right one ‘cause it might change your whole destiny.

-credit to Suzanne for the picture

Chapter 2: New Leaf

2009-12-11T21:52:00.017+08:00

Titles from 2009 movie, New Moon.

“Your beauty is so mesmerizing. Even the sparkles on your dress, can’t beat those beautiful blue eyes of yours,” Harold whispered to Geneva’s ear, hands were on her waist. He was lifting her up halfway to paradise, to where he wished, he could bring her to, together and forever. Geneva laid her head pressing on his chest, firmly. She wouldn’t want to lift it up like she had to on the hill. There won’t be any rain in here, she spoke to herself, deep in her heart. Harold loves the scent of her hair, her black silky long hair. They were dancing like no one was watching them. But in reality, many green eyes were staring at them enviously.

On the other side of the room, at a dim light corner, Ryan was staring at Lily, emotionless. So did Lily. Both of their faces were sculpture-like. Despite Lily was shining brighter than the candle on the table, Ryan had not praised her beauty yet. They were completely keeping their mouth shut really tight. Kiss me. Ryan was keen to know what those red thin lips taste like. He dare not open his mouth and ask her, so he bit his lips. Lily’s soul was screaming inside. She wanted to be in his teddy bear’s arms so badly, so she hugged herself.

What a weird state of affairs between two of them.

Five miles away from the dance, Roxanne was sitting on the bed all alone. Her eyes were soaking wet. Sorrow overwhelmed her. She was indeed in pain that no one between seven of them could understand. She’d waited for him over three years and he just turned over a new leaf in a blink of an eye. She took her pillow and covered her face with it. She screamed out loud; she wished the whole could hear her but no one apparently does. She got off her bed and walked to her drawer. She took a letter out. She wiped her tears with the back of her hand and read the letter.

Dear Roxanne,

I’m Keith, one of your reporters. You might not noticed me ‘cause for a people like you, high class and rich, wouldn’t want to look at me. I have to be somebody to get noticed by you. I’ve been trying to get closer to you, but the only thing that you ever said to me was, “I need the report right now!” You were in a bad mood.
Let’s get to the point. I have been crushing on you since the first day I laid my eyes on you. You are cute, funny and unique. Your smile is so irresistible. But I got a problem with my self-confidence, I am afraid to confront you. Therefore, I wrote this letter. So, can you please give me a chance? 615-883-7893—call me or text me. ~~I love you.~~

p/s I’ll wait for your answer, no matter how long it takes.

Keith.

Roxanne grabbed her phone. She pressed the numbers one by one. I should give him a chance, I have to move on. Izzy doesn’t want me, what the heck am I still waiting for? Her heart spoke. She pressed the call button and waited for Keith to pick up.

“Hello, may I speak to Keith please?”
“Keith’s speaking, may I know who’s on the line?”
“Its…. Roxanne,”
“Finally! So, can we talk tomorrow?”
“Yeah, after school. Can you … go watch movie with me?”
“I would love to,”
“Great! Thanks,”
“Thanks? I’m the one who should say thanks,”
“See you tomorrow! Goodnight,”
“See you! Sweet dreams!”

Keith’s voice somehow brought Roxanne’s smile back.

Back to the ballroom, to the place where love is oozing out from ones’ hearts. Couples were dancing gracefully under the disco ball. The light in the room were out, the candles were lit, and Endless Love by Danny Gokey was on the stereo. The atmosphere annoyed Dylan who was dateless, still. He put down his drinks and got out from the ballroom.

“What am I doing here?” Dylan whispered to himself as he got out of the room. He pushed the door slowly; he doesn’t want to disturb the rest. He was so relieved to be outside the room. He put his hands on his head and walked like a drunk man. His memories with Christine were back in his mind. Her laughter kept ringing in his head. Out of the blue, he remembered how silly there were back then.

“What you want to be when we graduated?”
“Your housewife,” Christine said vividly. Both of them were under a shady apple tree. Those hugging, kissing moments with Christine were in Dylan’s mind every second since she left him

“Alone tonight?” A familiar voice greeted from Dylan’s back. Dylan turned his body 180 degrees and found himself in a shock. Christine was standing a foot away from him. She looked so red –her long red dress, her red lips and the hair band were eye aching.

“What are you doing here?” Dylan somehow annoyed, disgusted to see her although he really wants to be with her now. “I thought you are having fun with your new puppy?” Dylan teased her.

“Well, I went to the rest room,”
“He suck at kissing?”
“He is one terrible kisser!”
“He stinks?”

Christine got closer to Dylan. “I am sorry about what happened that night,” Her hand ran to his chest. She was trying to get him back. Dylan stepped forward, closer to her. She can feel his breath on her neck. Dylan’s nose ran to her ears. It’s her soft spot and she loves it when he does that. Christine’s lips crushed to his cheek. “Can we start all over again?” She whispered softly to Dylan’s ear.

“I still can’t get over you too,” Dylan said with passion.
“So, can we?”

“Go to hell!” He pushed her off him and laughed. “One more word from your mouth, and it will be your last,” Christine said, furiously. She pulled her long dress and stomped to the ballroom. Her high heels made such an annoying noise, really irritates the ears. “See you in hell, baby,” Dylan yelled under his breath.

“Au revoir bâtard,” she turned half of her face to Dylan and frowned.

Dylan who doesn’t understand French ignored her and turned around. He paced slowly away from her without making any sound. He laughed by himself. As if he were enjoying himself with total silence and his mind were running miles away from him, a noise set him back to reality.

“Help…” The voice was barely to be heard. It was too soft. Dylan ignored it. He thought he was dreaming. He paced forward leisurely. He yawned and exhaled aloud. “Please…” The voice is back. Dylan slapped his face twice and realized he was not dreaming. Then, he ran thoughtlessly, seeking for the voice. As he dashed pass by the storeroom, he saw a girl lying on the floor. He stopped and turned back. He went to the storeroom and found a girl bleeding profusely on the floor. He was rather speechless to see that girl. He went to her side and sat. He pulled her to his lap and held her arms tightly. Her purple dress torn into pieces, half of her was out in open. Dylan took off his shirt and put it on the girl. She pressed her legs and screeched. She was definitely in an enormous pain. Dylan wrapped her with his arms.

“What am I doing?” Dylan whispered to himself, he just realized how stupid he was. He lifted her up and ran to his car. He put her at the backseat, started the engine and drove to the hospital.

…

“So where is Dylan?” Harold asked. Ryan, Ely, Lily and Geneva raised their shoulder. All of them were leaning on Ryan’s big truck, they were waiting for Dylan. None of them knew what had happened to Dylan. Ely’s eyelid was already heavy. She could sleep on the road if she put her head down. Geneva held Harold’s hands tightly. She pressed it and put her head on Harold’s chest. Lily wanted to do the same but Ryan insisted her to get into the car.

“Sweetie, let me send you home,” Noah spoke to Ely as walking to them with his black suit. He hasn’t took it off yet. He went to Ely and combed her hair with his fingers. Ely put her head on him and breathed tiredly. “We should go, his car is not here,” Noah told them. He looked at his Rolex and sighed. It was already late. It is not an appropriate manner to send someone’s daughter by this time. Everybody had left except them. “Let’s go,” Ryan asked us to go back, indirectly. He grabbed his phone and texted Dylan. He looked worried. Harold pulled Geneva to his car and took off. Noah did the same too, he’s fetching Ely back home. The last car to get out from the school was Ryan’s.

…

It was shivering cold in the waiting room. Dylan rubbed himself to keep himself warm. Ruth Comfort Walker was in the ward with her parents. Mr., Mrs. Walker, and their son were soothing her. She screamed traumatically. The doctor said to them that she lost a lot of blood and she lost her ….. virginity too. “She got raped by at least three men,” The doctor explained. Comfort’s mom collapsed to the ground when she heard that. Her father shook his head; disappointment overwhelmed him. Their one and only daughter just got rape in the storeroom by AT LEAST three men. Comfort’s brother, Rufus, walked quickly to the waiting room. He was so mad. He got to Dylan and pushed him to the wall, roughly.

“Who else did this to my sister?” Rufus asked.
“I don’t know…” Dylan choked.
“You and how many more?”

“I think, there’s a misunderstanding here,” Dylan pushed Rufus’s hands off him. He grasped for oxygen before he continued. “I saw her laying there, her dress was… I gave her my shirt, and then I drove her here. I didn’t do anything to her,”

“Well son, what makes you think he did that? There’s no rapist that will send the girl he raped to the hospital, will they?” Mr. Walker stood up at the door. He threw a piece of cloth to Dylan. Dylan caught and wore it, “Thanks, Mr. Walker,” Dylan thanked Mr. Walker. Rufus nodded and stepped back. Mr. Walker got near both of them. “I’m sorry about your daughter,” Dylan felt sorry. “We will find who did this to her and chop their heads,” Dylan put his hand on Rufus. Rufus kindly pushed it away and walked out of the room. As he reached the door, he turned back and said, “Do not tell your friends about this!” What he meant by this was the incident happened to Comfort. “I’m sorry about Rufus. He is just… He got only one sister to take care of but now, she’s a mess,” Mr. Walker looked down to his Italian shoes. He felt guilty on what happened to Comfort too.

“Sir. It wasn’t totally your fault. If I were there, I could stop them. But I don’t even realize …” Dylan paused. He didn’t know Comfort’s name. He didn’t notice the existence of Comfort in his Chemistry class, the one who sat behind him. “I haven’t seen her around in school before, I should be more concerned,” Dylan confessed.

“She’s the quiet and shy type. Socializing isn’t her thing. Don’t put the blame on you,” Mr. Walker sat on the couch. “Thanks for sending her here,” He combed his short wavy hair. “It was very munificent and thoughtful of you to do so,” He looked at Dylan with his full of regret eyes. Dylan sat next to him and took a deep breath. He promised to himself, that he would lead a new life. And so, he turned over a new leaf. “I will take care of her in school,”

A beautiful romantic Valentine’s night can turn into such a bloody night. In a blink of an eye, anything could happen in Camelot High School. Beware; the sparkles you got, might be a big flame someday.

SOS! 7teens, remember to keep your eyes on each other, things will get a little bit muddier.

-Credit to Suzanne for the picture.

Chapter 1: Wake Up Slap

2009-12-09T20:08:00.012+08:00

title comes from maroon5' song, wake up call

Three week passed so quickly. It’s Valentine’s day already. All the students in the high school were excited, anxious waiting for the dance tonight. They seem to be delighted by the atmosphere, which was stuffed with love. I love you, Te Amo, Je t'adore, te quiero ; were the trending sentences for the day. But there’s one guy in his room, not as excited as the others.

Dylan had been stuck in his room for about three weeks. His phone, his car and his friends (besides in school) were kept away from him. Mr. Bradshaw asked Dylan to obey his command in order to break free from the ‘law’ he made for him. It was suffocating for Dylan but he deserved it, he should have not ambushed Adam’s workplace. He should have killed him silently in his room, in his sleep.

Harold went to Dylan’s house as usual. Dylan needs his ride to school. He knocked the door and Mr. Bradshaw welcomed him in. Harold is the only friend of Dylan who could enter the house ‘cause he had been Dylan’s best friend since they were in pre-school.

“Dylan! Harold’s here!” Mr. Bradshaw shouted. His voice was so loud.

Dylan was so excited once he heard Harold’s name. He quickly ran out of his room and brought his bag along with him. He ran down to Harold and pushed him to the door. Mr. Bradshaw chuckled looking at both of the kids he had raised till they are big men now.

“So, uncle, can Dylan go out tomorrow night?” Harold asked Mr. Bradshaw. Dylan patted Harold shoulder. He put his finger on his lips, asking Harold to shut his mouth. Harold ignored him and asked again. “Well, you do know that I’m grounded right?” Dylan blurted out aloud. Mr. Bradshaw’s face showed a little bit of sympathy at his one and only son. He walked to the drawer and grabbed Dylan’s car key.

“Son, you have been sitting in your room for the past three weeks… Go on and have fun tomorrow,” Mr. Bradshaw threw the car key to Dylan. “Promise me; there will be no fight this time,”

Harold grinned and raised his thick eyebrows. “We will not even harm the mosquitoes, sir,” He joked.

“Right… Your phone is in my room, go and get them. One more thing, tomorrow, I’ll be out with your mom, so I bet you know what to do,” Mr. Bradshaw walked to the TV and switched it on. “She’ll give you some allowance,”

Dylan was pleased to hear that. His mom is coming back from London. He ran to his father’s room and left Harold unaccompanied with Mr. Bradshaw in the living hall. There was an awkward silent between Harold and Mr. Bradshaw. Harold felt odd and walked out of the house. He preferred waiting in the car than standing any longer with the awkwardness with Mr. Bradshaw.

“Harold, keep your car in the garage! I’ll drive today,” Dylan shouted from his room. Like father, like son. Both voices are equally loud.

…

In high school, Ryan and Lily were awaiting for them in the canteen. They sat at the ‘7teens table’ – that is what the students called it. The table belonged to seven well-respected students, either in academic, sports, or both or in any specialty. Harold, Dylan, Ryan, Izzy, Roxanne, Ely and Natasha are the outstanding ones in the school.

We will get to that later.

One by one, the gang came and filled the table. First one to arrive was Roxanne, followed by Ely and Natasha. Then, Harold got into the canteen with Dylan and Geneva. All of them smiled at each other when everybody reached the table.

“So, why are we so happy today?” Harold asked curiously, he moved closer to his girlfriend. They looked cute together. “Geneva and I…” He paused and held Geneva’s hands. “… will set the dance floor on fire tonight,” He said it vivaciously. Geneva pinched his legs and blushed. Her face turned red.

“Anyone, dateless tonight?” Dylan somehow annoyed by the sweet doves. Everyone looked at each other. Ryan, Roxanne, Ely and Lily raised their hands. “Join the club,” Dylan joked. “Well, a pretty girl like you going to the dance alone?” Ryan teased Ely. He is quite right. Ely should already have tons of guys asking her out to dance. “Well, she rejected almost all the guys in school!” Natasha’s eyes were green. She was absolutely jealous of Ely. “They are not my cup of tea,” She said in a perfect British accent. All of them laughed, everybody knows that no one is her cup of tea. “How about you, Mr. Playboy?” Ely teased Ryan back.

She was mentioning Ryan. He is the playboy in school. Girls love to chase after him. That is probably because of his money, or perhaps his charming royalty look.

“I am afraid to ask her out,” Ryan’s eyes were looking at Lily. It is too obvious that he is crushing on Lily, conceivably, he just want to date-and-dump her. Lily was blushing next to Ely. “Come on, what are you waiting for?” Dylan patted Ryan’s shoulder. Harold and Geneva raised their eyebrows at the same time. Ely lost there, she had no idea what was going on.

Ryan pushed his chair back and stood up. He walked slowly to Lily. “Emily Gisele Spencer…” He was on his knee. “OMG!” Ely mouthed. “Will you be my valentine?” All ears heard those words that came out from Ryan’s mouth exploded. All of them –excluding Harold, Geneva and Dylan, were shocked to hear the proposal. “Yes, yes, yes!” Ely jumped excitedly. “Of course I do,” Lily answered Ryan’s proposal. Ryan got up and kissed her hands. Ely moved to Ryan’s place, which is next to Harold to give some space for them to “get along”.

All of them were so blissful but Roxanne seems to have a problem. She’s not as cheeky as she used to be. She frowned and stared far outside the canteen. Harold noticed the abnormal Roxanne. He has been looking at her time to time since they got in.

“So, Roxy pixie, who are you going with? Opss, stupid me, of course you are going with Izzy Pizzy,” Harold used all the nicknames that sounded really childish. He wants to cheer Roxanne up, but by those weird names, he could not even make her smile.

“That is what’s worrying me now,” Roxanne, heaved a sigh. “He is a completely different person, he is even a ……” She choked. She found it hard to utter the word gay.

Yes, Izzy had changed his orientation. He met a guy named Herman, some random person from his acting class. He made wrong choices that may lead to broken heart, horror, and despair.

First, he chose to ignore his best friends and now, he chose to be gay instead of having a fantastic relationship with Roxanne. That smells like a recipe for perfect disaster.

“He’s a what?” Geneva finally spoke. She had been cuddling with Harold and ignored the things surrounding her till now. “He is now… a gay,” Roxanne confessed. The situation became tenser, as Harold raised his voice irately. “What’s with him? First, ignore us. Second, became gay. Next what? Commit suicide? He is making a scene for us to see that he’s doing well, and we unquestionably know that, this is so not alright!” He emphasized the word alright. He felt disappointed with his friend, Izzy. He believed strongly that it was his fault. He regretted letting him go that day.

“Excuse me, are you Elizabeth Maya Levy?” A guy with a basket of flowers approached them, he managed to change the scenery of the table. Students in the high school called him ‘Cupid Guy’ as he works voluntarily to spread love in the school. “There’s a flower from you, Miss Eli…”

“Call me Ely,” Ely stopped him from mentioning her full name. “So it’s from who now? Is it from Brad Pitt? Because if not, the rose belongs to the rubbish bin,” Natasha stood up and said angrily. “Too much info spilling out in this table, I better run to the meeting,”

Natasha was treating Ely so cold. There is something behind this BFF relationship. Another flawless disaster is coming right to the town.

Everyone wished her goodbye and waved at her. She disappeared a minute after that. “And there’s one card for you from the same guy,” ‘Cupid Guy’ interrupted us. Ely grabbed the card and read it. She laughed when she found out that it was from Noah. The guy in her French class, who she had been crushing on since school started. “It’s from Noah!” She screamed in exhilaration. “Well, I got my girl, you got your guy!” Ryan said, his arm on Lily. Dylan who was still dateless stretched his arm up and yawned. “What a perfect day in the wrong timing,” Dylan rubbed his eyes. Everyone nodded and laughed at him.

“And for you Miss Geneva Emma…” ‘Cupid guy’ stopped for a second. “It’s Emmanuelle!” Harold raised his voice, annoyed. “Emmanuelle Byron, a rose from your boyfriend,” ‘Cupid guy’ continued innocently. Geneva took the flower and untied the small note that attached to it. She read it and smiled. “You can’t blame him, your handwriting is terrible!” She said, turning to Harold and wrapped him with her arms. “And one more flower to my beautiful, Lily,” Ryan stood up and grabbed a flower from the basket. “You gotta pay for that,” ‘Cupid Guy’ reminded him.

All of them laughed. Money isn’t a problem for Ryan, he got a lot of them in the bank and even in his safe. He gave the flower to Lily and kissed her cheek. Harold and Geneva, Ryan and Lily were too sweet.

A candy can be a murder if it is too sweet, right? This espresso love usually will not… Well, let’s cross our fingers and hope it will last long.

On the other hand, Dylan and Roxanne were depressed. Dylan was still seeking a date for tonight. Roxanne, she might stay at home and finish her school report works. For them, this year Valentine’s Day is like a normal day.

The flowers, cards, kisses, chocolates, hugs and everything in between were there in school. Love is certainly in the air, but there is a barrier surrounding Roxanne and Dylan, which against love and they were not that excited as last year today. Let’s just wait and see how the dance will change their perception about love.

S.O.S ! Three of them need a wake up slap!

Chapter 10: God, Zip It Boy!

2009-12-03T23:46:00.017+08:00

Title comes from Gossip Girl.

I tried to open my eyes, I was too exhausted. When I opened my lazy eyes, Geneva’s father was standing in front of me. Geneva was at his back. She was already awake. She pulled her father repeatedly. I was seeking for the answer to reply him. I turned to Geneva and saw her face, it was full of worries. She haven’t told him what happened just yet. Argh! Let me lie!

“I’m sorry Uncle,”
“It’s Mr. Byron!” He is one stern man.
“Pardon me, Mr. Byron, I brought your daughter to the park this morning,”
“You need a solid reason for that, young man!”
“She needed space. There’s a friendship problem in school. I was trying to help her, so I accompanied her to the park,” I lied. He listened to me intensely.
“And when we were talking in the park, someone banged us,” I added.
“He was so big. Bigger than you dad,” Geneva added.
“Yes, he is. Then, your daughter fell to the ground and blacked out,” I finished my lie.

“And why are you here? Slept on my couch?” He asked me.
“He brought me home, exhausted and slept,” Geneva annoyed by her father.
“You, get up to your room,” He scolded Geneva. Geneva was pissed off and stomped to her room. Her mother was looking at Geneva furiously and followed her to the room.
“I’m sorry for all the trouble, I should have stopped her,” I apologized.
“Yeah, you should. Now, can you please leave the house?”

What the heck. I saved her daughter life for God’s sake. He did not even say thank you at all. What a rude old man! I walked slowly to the door and heard Geneva crying upstairs. “Leave!” Geneva’s father pushed me out of the house. As he closed the front door, I heard him yelling. I was not sure what was it about, all I could hear was Geneva’s name mentioned continually.

I grabbed my phone and called Cameo.

“Bro, where are you? I was so worried!”
“Hello?! Where’s your manners?” I reminded him.
“My bad, good evening Mr. Cruz, Mr. Cruz is speaking here. I was wondering where on heaven did you went. Mind explains it to me?” He changed his accent.
“Can you fetch me now?”
“You haven’t answered my question! Why don’t you follow Dylan and his father just now?”
“Something happened!”
“That is not a good reason to skip school,”
“I’ll explain it later at home, can you please get here EH-ASS-EH-PEE!”
“English please? What ass, what pee?!” He is total a dumb.
“As soon as possible!” I hung up the phone.

I went to Geneva’s mailbox and looked for her address. I typed it in my phone and sent to my brother. He needs the address to get here, if not, I have to wait for 7 days for him to come.

…

To live our life, we eat death everyday till death become our flesh and bones.
It is inappropriate for us to disobey when death calls
Death had served us
Thus, we have to pay death and
There’s only one thing death wants from us –our lives

Izzy got down from the stage. The crowd applauded out loud. Mr. Abraham and Mrs. Darbus were inside the room. They gave him a standing ovation. Izzy is a good actor, he can act really well on the stage but when he’s off the stage, he is worse than a 5-year-old boy. I stood up and praised him, “Bravo!” He turned and gave a cold expression to me. He looked away and sat next to Roxanne.

What’s wrong with him? I did nothing to him! Is this because I’m a juvenile and it’s a shame to hang out with me? Right after bell rang, Izzy tried to run away from me. But I was faster than him. I stopped him at the door. Roxanne stopped as well. When everyone got out, I talked to him.

“Dude, come on!”
“Sorry, I can’t talk to you anymore!”
“Why? Because I’m a juvenile?”
“A part of it,”
“How about Dylan then?”
“I was told to keep myself away from him too,”
“Who? Your mother?”
“Yeap, you and him are in the list,”
“What list? The-handsome-hunks-in-the-school list?”
“The-human-Izzy-cannot-hang-out-with list!”
“Well, I’m not sure about you, but I will not do this to my friends,”
“I’m sorry, Harold. Choice had been made,”

He pushed my hands and walked away.

“Harold, I’m sorry about that,”
“What? You want to ignore me too?”
“No, I’m not! I will be here when you need me like I promised you, but not now; I got to calm him down,” I remembered she promised me that in class.
“Thank you, Roxy Pixie,”
“Got to go,” She went away.

I went to my locker. I got math class after recess. I grabbed my math book and shut the locker. I turned to my left and saw Geneva was doing the same thing. I fake a cough and she turned to me. She gave me no smile. She shut the locker and took a small step to me. “Hel…” I was about to greet her but she turned her back and walked away. Now what? I got fed up and turned around as well.

I paced to the canteen quickly. I wanted to talk to Dylan about Izzy’s weird behavior. When I reached the canteen, Ryan was talking to Dylan on our gang’s table. I walked to them hurriedly. I sat next to Dylan and faced Ryan.

“Hey what’s up? Bro…” Ryan Greeted me.
“You are not mad at me?” I was a little bit shocked.
“How can I mad at somebody who cares about me?”
“That’s so gay, Ryan!” Dylan teased him.
“Guys, did Izzy talked to any of you,” I interrupted them.
“He’s sort of ignoring me,” Dylan answered.
“Sort of is not a good word, buddy. He IS ignoring us!” I pressed the ‘IS’.
“Well, why?” Ryan asked.
“He told me that his mom made a the-human-Izzy-cannot-hang-out-with list. He has to obey it,”
“Well, that is so cool, can I have the-human-Dylan-had-sex-with list?” Ryan teased Dylan again.
“It would take ages to list it down,” I added. We both laughed.
“Just give him time to accept us back!” Dylan stopped us.

Silence took over the atmosphere for a minute.

“So, why didn’t you tell us that you, ya know, with Geneva yesterday?” Dylan broke the silence..
“What? I what, what?”
“That you slept with her yesterday,”
“Gee, who told you that, it’s a scam!”
“I knew it! You will never do such thing with such a wonderful woman!” Ryan teased me.
“Enough with the teasing Ryan. Who told you guys?”
“Aaron!”

I turned my face to him. He was sitting with a bunch of losers at the other corner. I stood up and walked to him. “Not again…” I heard Ryan murmured. I went to Aaron’s table and knocked it stalwartly.

“What on earth were you thinking?”
“Hi, skunk!” All his friends around the table laughed at me.
“Why you told them that I slept with Geneva?” I yelled. Geneva looked at me. Only then, I realized, she was sitting with Aaron.
“Well, that’s the truth!”
“What kind of boyfriend are you?”
“The one who did not sleep with people’s girlfriend!” He laughed and so did his friends.
“What are you?” Geneva stood up and slapped him.
“Now, you’re with him, girl?” Aaron held Geneva’s shoulder.

Now I got it. She ignored me because she thought I spread the news that I slept with her yesterday.

“Well, we are sort of having a relationship behind you, Godzilla!” She confessed. She used the nickname I gave Aaron.
“Means, it IS the truth that you slept with him! What a whore!”
“Ewww!” She slapped him again and walked to me. She grabbed my hand and marched away from the table.
“I’ll tell you father about this Baby G!” Aaron raised his voice.
“God,” She felt disgusted by Aaron’s words.
“Zip it boy!” She shouted at him.

We were now in the center of the canteen. Everyone was looking at us. “Great, honey, let me do something,” I whispered to her.

I climbed the table and shouted.

“GENEVA AND I HAD NOTHING IN BETWEEN! PLEASE FORGET WHAT AARON TOLD YOU GUYS!”

She looked at me and smiled. She got to me and climbed the table.

“HAROLD AND I ARE TOGETHER. PLEASE FORGET WHAT HE TOLD YOU JUST NOW!” she shouted.

Everyone in the room cheered and laughed. “KISS! KISS! KISS!” The students went wild. We ignored them and got down from the table. “BOOOOO!!” The crowd were disappointed. I put my arm on her shoulder for the first time and went out from the canteen. I walked with her proudly like what Dylan used to do with Christine.

As I was walking out from the canteen, I saw familiar faces smiled at me. It was Dylan, the dumper who is now a dumpee, Ryan, the gentleman who blames himself for the train wreck, Roxanne, the Rapunzel who is still waiting for the prince charming to save her and Izzy, the prince charming who is chasing after nobody but his own shadow.

But one guy in that room… glared at us. Aaron was certainly not happy with this. He was planning something evil, I can see through his black eyes.

Now, we had reached the ending. Who gets the happily-ever-after? No one does. S.O.S! The 7teens need help!

p/s: This is the end for the Harold's Story but not the end of S.O.S7teen.

Chapter 9: The Fuss & The Fur-Riot

2009-12-02T21:18:00.022+08:00

Title comes from the 2001 movie, The Fast and The Furious.

Dylan drove the car furiously. His face was so tight. He held the steering wheel so firmly; I can see his veins on his hands. He was cursing Adam’s name in the car. I was quite shocked with this situation ‘cause customarily, I’m the one who will be yelling and cursing. Dylan is the type who holds the situation calm and steady, but now, it’s different from the real him.

As we reached Berk’s, Dylan got out from the car without more ado and left the car engine on. He’s totally pissed with Adam. I switched to the driver seat and stopped the engine. I rushed out from the car and ran into the Berk’s.

Dylan was already pulling Adam’s shirt when I got in. Joe was staring at both of them. Once Joe saw a glimpse of me, he turned to me and mouthed, “Help,” I quickly ran to Dylan and pulled him back. He fell to the floor. Adam pushed my shoulder and my fist went right to his face. He fell on a customer who was sitting alone next to us. As he stood back up, Dylan gave him another punch. Dylan’s knuckle is much bigger than mine, I believe the impact is also much greater. Joe ran to us and pushed us apart.

“What the hell is happening to all of you?” Joe yelled at us. The customers in that restaurant turned to us.
“This fellow lead Ryan to drugs,” Dylan shouted.
“For your information, Mr. Wide Jaw, he came to me!”
“But why you asked him to take that shit!” I fought back.
“Adam… you?” Joe sounded shocked.
“He asked for it, not I introduce to him, you son of the bitch!” Adam cursed. Joe ran to the kitchen out of sudden.
“Can’t you tell us?” I asked him.
“Well, you guys are the ones who should get the blame, not me! When he needed you, you are busy making out with your girlfriend and flirting with the freshman!” Adam defended himself.

Despite the fact he is right, he should not have given the drugs to Ryan. He could have suggested him to the counselor or anything that does not involve drugs.

“And now, you are making a fuss in my workplace! Shame on you people!”

Dylan got pissed off and grabbed Adam’s collar. His hands were shaking; the veins were clearly seen on his arms.

“You better shut it tight, or I’ll give you a BERK’S-SPECIAL-KNUCKLE-SANDWICH?,” Dylan warned him.
“Make me, bastard,” His mouth is full with filthy words.

Dylan gave him another punch. This time, his mouth bled. Dylan felt so relieved and threw him down. I got to Adam and lifted him up. I turned to Dylan and mouthed, “Enough!” Adam suddenly grabbed the plate on the table and hit me with it.

“What’s with you idiot!” I yelled at him. I pushed him away and Dylan got to me. Dylan held my head and asked, “Are you okay?” I was about to answer him but he instantly went to Adam and kicked him. This had now become a big fight. Dylan and Adam were punching and kicking each other. The customers were afraid and some of them left the restaurant. My head was aching, but I was lucky, it was not a glass plate. I fell on my knees and my hands were holding my head. It felt so heavy.

Suddenly, my eyes saw red and blue lights flashing. I focused at it and got shocked. IT WAS THE POLICE CAR. Who called them? I turned my face back to the restaurant and tried to look after Joe. He came out from the kitchen with a phone in his hand. DAMN. Joe called them here. Dylan and Adam stopped the fight and stared at each other. The police officers got out from the car and walked into the restaurant.

“Stop this war, young men!” His voice was so rough. I couldn’t scan the name as my head was going to explode.
“You both, get into the car!” Another officer spoke up. He took out his handcuff and arrested Dylan and Adam.
“I was in the fight too!” I confessed. I’m not letting Dylan get the punishment alone. We both started it, so we are going to end it together.
“Ahh, glad we have honest juveniles nowadays,” He teased me. He got to me and grabbed my hand.

The two officers pulled us to the car. They were so rough. As we got into the car, I saw a familiar truck stopped not far from us. It was Ryan’s. His window was tinted, I couldn’t see who was inside. But I can see somehow, behind the window, Ryan was blaming himself for all this. The fact is I had disappointed him. WE disappointed the person we tried to defend. Dylan and I looked at each other with eyes full with regrets.

…

“Get up, you guys are free!” An annoying officer’s voice woke me up. I can’t believe that I just slept in jail for a night. I opened my eyes and shook Dylan, “Rise and shine, buddy,” He woke up and yelled, “DAD!” I turned to my back and saw, Mr. Derrick glaring at us. And my head was already fine. I can think straight already.

We walked out from the cell with a fat officer escorting us. Mr. Bradshaw narrowed his eyebrows as his son, Dylan is now a juvenile. He was upset; I know what’s he feeling now.

“Adam, I’m sorry about my son and Harold’s behaviors, my bad,” He apologized. How does an old man could possibly apologize to a teenager?
“You should ground your son, Mr. Bradshaw,” Adam replied him. He turned to us and gave us a smirk.
“I will, definitely will,” He agreed.
“But dad…” Dylan spoke up.
“You’ll be grounded. No phone, no car, no hanging out!”
“Dad! How could you!”
“Let’s go, we’ll talk about this at home,” He pulled Dylan out from the police station and to the car.
“Dad, I’m seventeen…” Dylan pleaded.
“Harold, you want me to send you back?” He ignored Dylan.
“I’m fine, I’ll call Cameo,” I answered.

Mr. Bradshaw was mumbling to Dylan in the car. I bet he was listing all the things Dylan forbid to do as his punishment. I grabbed my phone and suddenly…

All the right friends in all the right places – My phone rang. This ring tone is for unsaved number. I picked up the phone and a girl was on the line.

“Harold... This is me, Geneva!” I was shocked. How she got my number?
“Yea? I thought you are having class right now?” I answered.
“You’re already out?”
“Yes. Dylan’s father got us out, where are you now?”
“I skipped school, got something more important than that,” I could hear she was breathing rapidly. The background was too noisy.
“Where are you?”
“That’s why I called you! I’m in the riot. We are against the new shop that sells leather and fur items! Can you please come over here?”
“Yes, where are you?” Am I a trouble magnet or something? Without thinking any longer, I answered her.

She gave me the address and I hung up the phone. I ran to the taxi stand. I stopped the taxi and he drove me to where the riot is going on.

As we reached there, I saw many signboards and a really, really big riot. The taxi driver refused to get closer to the crowd and stopped the car. “Son, I’m not going in there.” He turned to me. “Fine…” I grabbed my wallet and gave 10 dollars to him. “Keep the change” I got out and shut the door. “Animals need the fur to live!”
“We are Fur-less. You better shut the shop down,”
“FUR-RIOT is gonna bring you guys down”

Those signboards scared me somehow. They are doing this for the sake of animals. Well, I’m a part of it now. I dialed Geneva’s phone and she picked up.

“Where are you?” I asked her.
“Near a taxi stand,” She answered. I lifted my head up and looked for the taxi stand.
“I’ll be there, wait for me. Don’t walk into the crowd!” I hung up the phone.

I ran directionless. I looked for the taxi stands but failed. The chaos blinded me.

“Miss, do you know where is the nearest taxi stand?” I asked a lady holding a huge signboard.
“There!” She pointed at the taxi stand, which was not very, far from where I stood just now.
“Thank you!” I thanked her and ran to the taxi stand. I saw Geneva standing there.
“YOU ARE DEAD! GIVE BACK THE FUR TO THEM!” The lady yelled at my ears.

As I got to Geneva, she hugged me. She looked so happy. She smiled at me and pulled me into the mob. It was so hot. Our body clashed with the people and I hated it. How can they stand this just to save the animals? I bet Geneva is a big fan of the creatures. “SHUT IT DOWN!” she shouted over and over again. She’s a good at this. Is she used to this? She’s one complicated girl but yet it is part of her charm, I guess.

“The POLICE are here!” Someone yelled. Oh my god! Not again… I grabbed Geneva’s hands and ran. To run in the crowd, it is totally impossible. We have to push here and there. A big sized man next to us pushed me, and hit Geneva. She fell to the ground and another man trampled over her. She was static on the road. She’s not moving at all! I shouted for help but no one bothered to look at us.

I got to her and carried her up. Someone knocked into me and ran without saying sorry. “Where’s your manners!” I shouted and ran to the parking lot. I put her down and took the car key out of her purse. I pressed her car key and found out that her car was parked at the corner. I lifted her up and ran to the car. I put her down on the passenger seat and she was still unconscious. I started the engine and drove to her house.

She is still so white and pretty in her ‘sleep’. I should have stopped her from joining the mob. My heart was beating very fast. I was so afraid of losing her. I put my hand on her lap and calmed myself. I turned to her every five minutes to check her. At each turn, I was hoping she would open the eyes and be okay.

What should I tell her father? Should I lie to him? Geneva definitely didn’t tell him about the ‘fur-riot’ and if I do so, I’ll be in a big trouble.

When I reached her house, I parked the car at her garage. I got out from the car and took the house key out from her. I carried her into the house and put her on the couch. She was still oblivious. I decided to stay with her. I sat on the floor, next to her. I played with her hair and grabbed her hands. I put my head next to hers and fell asleep.

…

“What are you doing here!”

I tried to open my eyes, I was too exhausted. When I opened my lazy eyes, Geneva’s father was standing in front of me. Geneva was …

Credits to Suzanne for the grammar checking.

Chapter 8: Wife, Chauffeur and The Dead Meat

2009-12-01T21:01:00.021+08:00

Cameo fetched me to school today. He needed the car for something important at work. Therefore, I got to school early in the morning. I met Ely as I got out from my car. She was hot, as always.

“Hey sweetie,” I greeted her.
“Hello, hottie!” She seems flattered.
“So, what’s up?” I asked her with a big smile.
“Looks like someone’s happy today,”
“Indeed,” I nodded.
“What happened?” She was so curious.
“Full report, for the gorgeous gossip girl,” She continued.
“Nothing much, just had a delightful night yesterday,” I answered.
“Interesting, but I need more details,”
“Look who’s there,” I changed the topic. I pointed at Dylan’s car.
“Another McDreamy to light up my day,”

But, it was so odd. Usually, Dylan will open the door for Christine and walk with her proudly into the school. Today, he was all alone. All eyes were locked on him. I bet each and every of them was wondering why is he not with Christine. They were all whispering to each other but Dylan ignored them. “He broke up with Christine!” A girl from my back giggled. “We can have him now,” Her friend added. “I heard he is stallion on bed,” They both laughed. Ely turned to them and yelled, “Don’t you guys have a life?” Both of the girls turned away but still whispered to one another.

“Dylan!” I shouted his name. He walked toward us with his long face.
“Why didn’t I know about this,” Ely turned to me and spoke to my ears.
“I thought you already knew,” I mouthed.
“Hey guys,” Dylan greeted us and sounded so depressed.
“Dude, cheer up, you want to mourn over that skeleton cheerleader?” Ely tried to comfort him. Dylan ignored what she said.
“Ryan is already awake! He’ll come to school tomorrow,” I made the situation better.
“Izzy told me yesterday. Let’s visit him,” He suggested.
“After school!” Ely set the time.
“Great!” He sounded a little bit happier than he was.
“I’ll tell the others,”

…

I just finished my history class. It was so demoralizing to study about the past. I find this subject most ridiculous among all. We should not mourn the past; we should just focus on the future, the one we are heading. George had one philosophy about this past-future-thing. He always said that ‘Experience is the best teacher’. Despite the past had changed him, we will never bring mom back to life, can we? I ignored myself and walked to my locker. I put my thick and full-of-crap history book inside and locked it back. Aaron was still intimidating Geneva inside the class. Not exactly intimidate, I just liked to think of it that way. They were hugging and kissing the entire hour of the class. It was really annoying.

On the other side of the hallway, Roxanne and Izzy were laughing out loud. Roxanne kept clouting Izzy’s chest. Well of course, it is lovely punch type of punch. Why weren’t they holding hands? At this stage, they are supposed to be kissing already. Both of them approached me and invited me to join them in the canteen. I followed their back, and I was like a total stranger to them. They were chatting and laughing the whole way to the canteen and ignored me at the back. I heard some of their L to the A to the M to the E conversation.

“Archie did so great that day!” Izzy praised that… kid. He idolized him so much. He got so many posters of him in his bedroom.
“He always does,” Roxanne agreed to it. She is also another freak fan of that little singer from Utah.
“He is better than that old man with beard,” Roxanne purposely said it aloud.
“Yea, he doesn’t even know why shaver is created,” Izzy added and laughed.

I ignored those two little ‘immature’ kids who were criticizing my idol.
I will fight back with them both normally but now, I don’t feel like talking at all. I kept my mouth shut and my eyes were all around the school. We went to the canteen and it was full. The table at the corner which belonged to my gang were still empty. We walked there and sat. Izzy and Roxanne were still talking about lame stuffs. Dylan walked in with Ely a minute after that. I saw Ely’s mouth was mumbling something and Dylan’s face was still emotionless. As they were walking to us, Joe, Adam, and Natasha greeted us from back. Lily was with them too.

“Hello folks,” Joe hit my back.
“Hey,” I turned to him and raised my eyebrows.
“Where’s Ryan?” Lily asked me.
“Why are you so worried?” Natasha winked at her.
“Lily, why are you here?” I wondered. She is a friend of Christine but now she is hanging out with us.
“Christine has terrible mood swings nowadays, I decided to give her some space,” She answered.
“By hanging out with us?” Dylan annoyed. He pushed me aside and sat next to me.
“Come on, she did nothing to you,” Ely sat next to Lily and smiled at her. Everybody then sat down and stared at both kids who were still talking.
“I wondered, why are you guys not together,” Joe teased them.
“They are ‘blind’,” Natasha, emphasized the words.
“You mean Izzy?” I blurted it out. Roxanne turned to me and glared at me.
“What’s with Izzy?” Ely was so curious.
“Nothing is wrong with me! Silly. How can Roxy and I be together, look at us!” Izzy answered and Roxanne pulled a long face. I can feel how broken the heart is. I could hear the sound of it somehow.
“Yea, we are nothing more than friends,” Roxanne tried to cover it up but I still can see she was crying inside.
“Harold, did you tell them about the visit to Ryan’s?” Dylan changed the scene. Dylan did his job really well.
“Guys, let’s go to Ryan’s today!” I asked all of them.
“Count me in!” Lily replied in a split of second. Everyone nodded
“Hmm.. I don’t think Joe and I can make it this evening, will make a visit next time, we got work to do,” Adam interrupted them.
“We do?” Joe looked at him.
“Yes, we do,” He pressed.
“Can I come along?” Geneva appeared out of sudden in front of us.
“Are you kidding? Sure you can,” Izzy answered.

Why is Geneva here? Oh, I know, Aaron is having lacrosse practice now. Our love is like an affair between the Boss and the employee, the wife and her chauffeur. Whenever the other employee or the husband is busy, she’ll come to her love one. She sat in front of me, next to Roxanne. I glared at her the whole time in the canteen. I remained quiet. My soul wants to be with her like we did last night but I know this forbidden love should be kept secretly within us, or else something bad might happen. We stared at each other for quite a long time while the rest were chatting. I couldn’t get anything from the conversation. All I can hear was their laughter.

…

At five o’clock, all of us, Dylan, Izzy, Roxanne, Ely, Lily, Geneva and I were already in Ryan’s. He was wearing his boxers and black singlet and refused to change when we got into the house. “It’s my house, do I have to dress up?” He declined to change his ‘sexy’ outfit. He was preparing food for us. Well, he’s a good cook cause he loves food very much. While he was cooking in the kitchen, Lily went to help him. The rest decided to wait for the food in the living hall.

“Where is Nat? I thought she wants to come?” I looked outside the window and asked Ely.
“She’s not coming, something happened at her house,”

Both Dylan and Izzy got up and went to Ryan’s storeroom. They left me with the girls. For about five minutes in the room, they yelled each other’s full name. I have no idea what had just happened in the room.

“Izquierdo Ramirez Hernandez!” Dylan shouted from the room. The girls were all looking at each other.
“Who is that weirdo something something?” Roxanne asked. I laughed at her expression.
“Dylan Andrew ‘WIDE’ jaw!” Izzy shouted.
“But that’s not my name!” Dylan fought back.
“What is going on up there?” Roxanne stood up and went to the staircase.
“I’m afraid you will see something you don’t want to see!” Ely advised Roxanne. Dylan and Izzy were still yelling at one another.
“Such as?” She got a very clean mind. She stopped from going up to them.
“Dylan might be horsing around with Izzy,” I tried my best not to corrupt that kid’s mind.
“He’s a stallion!” Ely added.

Dylan got out of the room. He was sweating. A minute after that, Izzy followed. They both got to us and sat on the sofa. Roxanne’s eyes were so big looking at them. Ely and I could not stop laughing, yet Roxanne still could not get what was going on.

“What were you guys doing?” Lily came behind them and giggled.
“He punched my crotch!” Izzy revealed the ‘mysterious incident’ in that room.
“I did not!” Dylan denied.
“Stop acting like a child,” Ryan sounded like my father.
“Come and get your food, my children,” I pulled back my words. He’s more ‘father’ than my father.

Everyone sat at the table and Lily served us. Ryan and Lily now were like good parents serving their starving children. Dylan and Izzy, on the other side of the table, were fooling around and hitting each other’s hand. How silly my friends are? Geneva was trying to control herself from laughing out loud. She can’t stop smiling. Suddenly…

“Honey, they are so funny right?” I blurted out.

Roxanne, Izzy, Dylan, Ryan, Ely and Lily turned to us. Lily dropped the plate she was holding.

“What did you called her?” Ely was being too excited.
“Honey,” I answered her confidently.
“Woo~ something to write in my blog today!” She’s extremely excited. The others were still in shock.
“So, honeys,” I pulled the‘s’ sound longer than ever. “Let’s dig in,”

Lily took the broom and cleaned up the mess. Roxanne helped her to pick the glasses on the floor.

“Ryan, what happened to you?” Dylan brought up a topic to talk.
“Hmm…” Ryan paused.
“We were so worried about you,” I added.
“Why you touched the drugs,” Ely accidentally said the words. Ryan put down his fork and stood up. He looked at us with his glossy eyes.
“I’m sorry guys, I was stupid, I thought… Drugs can help me to get over it but I was wrong, it almost took my life away,”
“But why drugs? Why not…” I asked him.
“Shh… let me talk,” He stopped me. Lily and Roxanne stopped cleaning and turned to him.
“Dad decided to stay in France, with his new girl friend. Mom got upset and went overseas. That’s when my days became so dark and …”
“I understand you,” Lily went to his back and hugged him.
“Who brought you to drugs?” Geneva asked him.
“It’s not his fault,” He answered.
“Who is it?” I raised my voice.
“It’s Adam. He introduced me to the guy in…”
“Let’s go get him,” Dylan knocked the table and walked to the door.
“He’s dead meat,” I stood up and followed Dylan.
“Guys, please don’t do this,” Ryan tried to stop us.

The situation became tense. We ignored Ryan and got into the car. I asked Dylan to go to Adam’s workplace, Berk’s. Adam is working that night. We can ‘talk’ to him there.

I was so damn pissed off with that guy. How could he possibly do this to his friends? He’s a bastard! That’s it – he will no longer see the beautiful sky tomorrow.

Chapter 7: Guilty Pleasure

2009-11-30T20:10:00.030+08:00

It was so cold that night. I was shivering in the car, waiting for the clock to strike 10. I looked at the mirror and murmured to myself, “Harold, you look absolutely cool! You can do this!” “Oh my god, you are not cool at all!” The ‘girl’ appeared and sat on the passenger seat. “Oh, you again!” Surprisingly, I was not surprise at all. She’s like everywhere.

“Oh. Can you please tell me your name?” I was totally out of my mind.
“I’m your thought! I’m the one who should ask you this!” She answered.
“Gee, you’re weird,”
“Technically, I’m not the one who’s talking to my thought right now,”
“Oh whatever, Mandy!” I just gave her a name; I’m totally weird, freak and so forth.
“Mandy? Can’t you give me any other cute name? At least Bella, Sydney or something else?”
“NO!” I answered her.
“Fine,”
“Mandy, be honest, is my hair okay?”
“No, your hair looked worse than your grandfather’s!” She rolled her eyes.
“How’s my breath?” I asked her. She got closer to me and sniffed.
“Horrible, terrible, vegetable! Did you eat garlic?” She replied me and covered her nose. I knew she was kidding ‘cause I pissed her off.
“You better go now, it’s already ten!” She reminded me.
“Thanks Mandy!” I stopped the engine and got out of car.
“And please, give me some space tonight!” I added and closed the door.
“OK,” She replied me sarcastically.

I walked to Geneva’s house silently. As I reached her house, the lights were all out. I looked at the watch again and asked myself, “What are they? Don’t they have a life?” At this time, most human in this world will be watching their favourite TV show but they’d already slept. Geneva’s family is one of a kind. I walked to her back door and Geneva was already expecting me.

“Shh…” She put her fingers on her red lips.
“Hello, beauty,” I greeted her softly.
“I can’t do this, sneaking out at night is a serious crime for me” She replied me.
“Huh?” I sounded disappointed.
“Are you kidding me? You fell for that?” She giggled.
“Don’t do it again,” I was so relieved.
“I count till three and we run,” I added.
“Sure… “
“1… 2…3…” We counted down and ran hand in hand.

We were giggling as we were running. Even though it is a crime, to bring someone’s daughter out at night, I felt so right to do so. It is now one of my GUILTY PLEASURES. We got into the car and we were still laughing. I started the engine and drove to the ‘special’ place. I was heading to a hill, to the special hill near my house. Cameo loves to bring me to the hill and classified it as a ‘private property’. I promised him that I’ll never bring any human up there, or even talked about it but since, Geneva is now someone special in my heart, I should bring her there. Cameo wouldn’t mind at all ( I think )

…

“Geneva, we’re here,” I stopped the car and got out. I walked to the door and opened it for her. I pulled her out. She was amazed by the view. We could see the entire Nottingham from up here (NOTTINGHAM is the name of the small town we all live in).

“Harold, how on earth you know this place?”
“My brother brought me here. He said, we can talk to mom here,”
“Your mom?”
“Yea, she’s one of those stars at the sky,” I pointed at the sky. It was full with stars tonight.
“Which one am I?” She looked at me and smiled.
“There, the brightest one, next to mom,” I pointed to the brightest star.
“You are funny… but sweet,” She giggled.

Then, I lay down on the grass and she followed. She put her head on my chest.

“I like your heartbeats. It’s pounding very fast,”
“Only when I’m with you,” I added and she gave me the smile, the one I love the most.
“Let’s play a game,” I suggested her. “A game I used to play with Cameo,”
“Sure…” Her head was still on my chest.
“Since you don’t want to get up, we can play it like this, in this position,”
“What game is this?” She giggled again.
“Brother called it ‘I SPOT’,”
“Oh I know how to play this! Let me start,” She sounded excited.
“I SPOT something,” She paused a second. “shining,” she continued.
“The stars!” I answered.
“You’re fast!” She replied.
“My turn, I SPOT something blinking,”
“I know… The STARS,”
“You are fast too!” I praised her.
“Thank you, my turn, I SPOT…”
“STARS,” I interrupted her.
“How you know that? Are you psychic or something? Wait a minute. Are you a vampire? Like Edward Cullen?” She asked me.
“Honey, all we can see in this position is the stars,”
“Oh, you’re right!” We both laughed.

Suddenly I felt something touched my face. It was the raindrop.

“Shoot! It’s going to rain,” I shouted.
“Oh my, we should get into the car,” She lifted her head up and grabbed my hand. We ran to the car hurriedly. We don’t want to get wet.

We were lucky. We got into the car just before the rain.

“Pheww..” She felt so relieved. I smiled at her.
“Aww… That was so sweet of you,” Mandy was back!
“Give me a second,” I turned to the backseat and saw Mandy with her funny outfit. She was wearing a rain suit.
“What are you doing here?” I whispered,
“Honey, who are you talking to,” Geneva wondered.
“Hmm… There’s a fly inside the car!” I answered her. STUPID ME, I should have just ignored Mandy.
“And you are asking the fly to get out?”
“Yes,” I replied her. She laughed at me.
“You are one great charming funny guy,”
“Thank you,” I turned to her and saw Mandy dancing outside, in the rain.
“Shall we dance?” I asked Geneva. WHAT WAS I THINKING!
“Are you serious? It’s raining,”
“Are you scared?” I got out of the car and went to her door. I opened it and asked again, “Shall we?”
“Sure… You are already wet, so, why not,” She grabbed my hand and got out.

I put my left hand on her waist and my right hand was still holding hers. She put her hand on my shoulder and we started dancing. We were so close. I could feel our heartbeats beat as one. I took the lead and she followed every step of mine. I turned her around again and again and she smiled at me each turn. Despite the fact that we were soaking wet, we kept dancing to the sound made by mother nature, the crickets, and the chirping birds.

As I pulled her body closer to mine, she held my hands tighter. Then, I moved my face closer to her and stopped dancing. She stopped her steps as well. “KISS HER!” Mandy yelled at me. And so our lips touched. She replied my kiss. Our souls were like one, and I can’t feel my legs on the ground anymore. I was floating, we were DEFYING GRAVITY! I felt my body getting warmer and warmer every second when we were kissing. It’s like nothing else in the world matters anymore. The time passed slowly and the world seemed to be so wide and bright. AM I IN HEAVEN?
“I love you, Miss Byron,”
“I love you more, Mr. Cruz,”
“I love you more than a human could possibly love you,” I exaggerated.
“If you say so, means, my love is the greatest now,” She gave me a smile and kissed my cheek.
“How about Aaron?” I spoiled the romantic scene.
“Tonight, it’s all about you and me, can we just forget about him and…”
“We should,” I turned her around and we continued dancing.

That night, we danced as one. Four lips touched and our souls connected and became one. SHE IS THE ONE, I’m definitely right this time. She is greater than the gravity. She could push me out and lift me higher, she could pull me down and hold me tight in her arms. She’s the new version of Juliet, Rose from ‘Titanic’ and Talia from ‘The Notebook’. She is GENEVA.

Chapter 6: Ferris Wheel

2009-11-28T13:56:00.022+08:00

“Wake up,” Cameo shook me.
“What time is it now?” I yawned.
“It’s already 8 in the morning. You got class at 9 isn’t it?” He asked, sounded so not like him.
“Cameo, Wake up, what?” I looked at him.
“Dumbo!” He cracked a smile and hugged me.
“Have you taken your bath yet? You stink!” I teased and pushed him off me.
“No, its been three days I lived without taking a shower,”
“That explains why you don’t have a girlfriend,”
“Dad made breakfast for us, your favourite, pancake!” He changed the topic. His voice changed back to the way it used to be.
“Oh,” That is the best word I can reply him with now.

I got up and walked to the kitchen, it does smell good. The smell, that had been gone since mom left us, is back. I walked to the table and greeted Demetria,

“Morning!”
“Morning, Harold,” She put down her fork and grabbed a cup of water.
“There’s milk inside the refrigerator, you can have them, pancake tastes nothing with plain water!” I suggested her.
“Never mind,” she replied me.
“I insist,” I walked to the refrigerator, grabbed the milk carton and a cup from the cabinet. I poured some milk into the cup and gave her.
“Thanks!” She sounded so happy.
“Your pancake is ready,” George got to the table and put the pancake down.
“Thank you, George.” I thanked him.
“And I’m sorry about yesterday,” I added.
“Son, you can call me dad,” He looked at me.
“When the time comes, I will, George,” I replied him.

He faked a smile and turned around. He looked disappointed.

“Cameo, I need the car today,” I turned to Cameo in the living room, he was watching the news.
“Sure, you can have that freaking old car the whole day, I’m resting at home today,” He teased me; his eyes were still on the TV.
“Thanks Big bro!”
“You are welcome, Dumbo!”
“Hey, it’s rhymed!” Demetria added and everybody laughed.

...

I was the first one to be in math class. When the bell rang, everyone rushed in. I felt something was missing when I looked at Ryan and Dylan’s tables. Nobody was there. What happened to them, my mind started wondering till Geneva walked in and sat beside me. She was wearing polka dots, a very red one. There’s a big bloody red ribbon on her head. She looked like Snow White plus Cinderella and everything pretty, in her very own way. Polka dots? Who wears them nowadays? But she is so daring to wear them to school today.

Suddenly, someone got into the class and yelled, “Miss Hewitt is absent!” Everyone started cheering. The class is now like the night market. All of the students went out, as we got an hour to rest. WHAT THE HECK! I should stay with Ryan yesterday. I don’t want to waste my time in canteen with Izzy and Roxanne. I should give them some space.

Before Geneva got out from the class, I grabbed her hand I whispered to her, “We need to talk.” She nodded and followed behind me. We headed to the rooftop; I bet no one is there ‘cause they are having their classes right now. As we were rushing there, we saw Aaron. He was leaning on the wall, waiting for somebody (I guess). Geneva quickly hid her face with the books. I turned away and pulled Geneva. We decided to take the longer route to get there, which is through the garden, rather than facing that Godzilla.

There’s so many students from Miss Hewitt’s class hanging out in the garden. Ely was one of them. She was wearing a G.A.P shirt, Levi’s jeans and boots (I got good eyes though). She threw the can she was holding to the bush. I saw that and shouted at her, “E! Pick it up! And where are you going? Shopping mall or something?” “Shut up, you, Granny!” She replied me. She loves to call me that. She loves to call EVERYONE that. Geneva laughed at me. I grabbed her hand and continued our epic journey to the rooftop.

…

As we reached there, I turned to her and pulled her closer to me.

“I’m sorry about your hand,” I apologized, as I pulled her way too sturdy throughout the journey to get here. I grabbed her hand and kissed it.
“There’s nothing to be sorry about,” She seems to be easy with that.
“Now, why did you kiss me last night?” I asked her.
“I’m…” She was gasping for air.
“I’m sorry,” I moved a step backward.
“To tell you the truth, I hate Aaron so much! Everything must be about him; he gave me no space to talk at all.” She explained to me.
“So, what’s with the kiss?”
“Hello? Are you blind or something Mr. Harold Steven Cruz,”
“Miss Geneva Emmanuelle Byron, I can’t simply jump into conclusions, can I?” I asked her back.
“Pick me up tonight,” She suggested.
“At ten, I’ll bring you to somewhere special,”
“But don’t come with your noisy car. My dad will be in the house tonight,” OUCH! That hurts!
“I’ll park my car somewhere far from your house and walk,”
“I’ll be waiting at my backdoor,”
“That sounds like a plan to me!”
“Oh silly!” The girl from last night appeared out of sudden. She was wearing a light blue gown and one and a half inch heels. I ignored her.

We held hands and sat on the bench. We stared at each other for about more than 5 minutes. There’s nothing prettier than those beautiful eyes. Suddenly, my mind was humming my own song, Lullabee.

There’s nothing pretty as you my honey bee,
There’s nothing sweeter than you my honey bee,

The ‘girl’ was dancing and singing with me. Her voice was totally awful yet cute to me.

“No wonder I smelled a skunk on my way, there’s a dead one over here,” I looked around and saw Aaron standing at the door. His toad-like voice cracked the beautiful melody.

Geneva and I moved away from each other.

“So, Baby G, what are you doing here, with this skunk?”
“We were discussing about history, and now, we are done,” Geneva answered him as she walked to his side.
“We are having sex actually, have you heard of sex on the rooftop?” I stood up and raised my voice.
“How dare you to say that?!” He moved closer to me.
“Knock it off!” Geneva stopped both of us.
“Honey, let’s leave this skunk alone!” She put her hand on his cheek and kissed his lips.
“Let’s go,” He put his hands on her waist and walked her to the door.
“I’m sorry!” She turned to me and mouthed.

I thought she was being real. Phew, she’s a good actor. I should learn from her sometime.

“Ahh, you!” I turned to the ‘girl’.
“What!” She replied.
“You’re scaring me!” I rolled my eyes.
“I’m your imagination, why are you so scared?”
“The gown and the heels are too much!”
“Rooftop is the most romantic place in school. Why can’t I dress up nicely?”
“You‘re a ghost...”
“Your imagination!” She interrupted.
“Fine, whatever!” I closed my eyes. When I opened them back, she was not there.
“Boo!” She gave me a shock from my back.
“I hate you, what can I do to get rid of you?”
“Grow up!” She teased me again.

…

That fine evening, I visited Dylan at his house. He caught a high fever. He was sleeping when I visited him. I don’t want to wake him up, so I decided to visit Ryan in the hospital. I drove my car there. On my way, I texted Izzy to accompany me since Dylan could not make it.

…

I walked to the Ryan’s room and called Izzy. “The person you dialed had just passed away! Please leave him a message after the beep, - BEEP-” “Hope you will be happy in hell, Izzy! Pees on you!” I left the message. I laughed at how silly I was. I knocked the door and Izzy opened it. “I thought you’re dead!” I teased Izzy. “I know what you mean,” He laughed. I looked at Ryan, he was so pale and thin. The last time I saw him in this size was when he was a 3rd grader. He grew so much bigger since then. “It’s genetic,” He always gave that reason to whoever asked him about his size. I smiled when those days flashed back in my mind.

Suddenly I saw Ryan’s eyelid and fingers twitching.
“RYAN!” Izzy and I were shocked.
“You are awake, sleeping beauty!” Izzy and his timeless jokes.
“hmm..” Ryan was still groaning.
“Do you remember me?”
“Haa… Izquierdo Ramirez Hernandez…” he answered
“Izzy is much more easier to pronounce isn’t it?” Izzy replied.
“He remembered the weirdest name ever!” I was so happy.
“Harold Steven Cruz…” He grabbed my hand.
“Yes I am,” I hugged him.
“Dylan Andrew Bradshaw…” He lifted his head and looked for Dylan.
“He’s sick, Christine dumped him!” Izzy told Ryan.
“Is he okay now?”
“He will be okay,” I smiled at him.

I rang Ryan’s mother and told her that Ryan is awake. I could feel joy overwhelmed her on the line, as it had the same effect on me. She couldn’t even say anything at that time. All I could hear was sobbing. “I’ll tell Ryan you’re on your way.” I said as I hung up the phone.

Life is like a ferris wheel. There will be a time where we are on top, and there will be a time for us to come down and reach the bottom. The day before I was crying and about to lose somebody – or should I say, my life. But today, I’m on my knees, heads looking up and thanking God for the life he gave me. And so I believe in karma, what goes around comes around.

Chapter 5 (part 4): ... Monsters

2009-11-26T11:23:00.010+08:00

I parked the car in Dylan’s garage. His father was waiting for us at the front door. He was smiling. I woke Dylan up and he quickly got into the house. I guess he’s just tired of all the drama that happened today. “Thank you,” His father mouthed. He didn’t want to wake the entire neighborhood with his macho-and-loud voice. I nodded and walked to my house. I took the smallest steps ever to get there. At my house door, I stopped and grabbed my phone. This is the perfect time to read Cameo’s messages.

“Bro, dad is here already, please come back home. -your bro,”
“Where are you now? Dad is so worried! -your bro,”
“Dad is staying! -you-know-who,”

Damn it! I banged the door and shouted, “Why are you here?” That old man and Cameo were holding a bowl pop corn each and watching my favourite show, 90210. Something was wrong there. There’s a girl between them. “Who is she?” I asked them fiercely. “It’s your sister, son,” That old man replied me softly. “Son? I’m not your son. My father passed away a few years ago and I don’t have a sister!” I glared at him. I was seriously sick of him. “You, old man, and you, girl, please remove your filthy body away from my couch!” I yelled at them. Cameo stood up and got to me. He put the bowl down and punched me, on my face. I fell to the ground, as his hand was so strong. I bet he’d been waiting for this for ages. I got up and looked at him. “I’m sorry, bro. I don’t mean it,” He apologized. He moved closer to me and hugged me. I was on fire, I was about to yell at him but the girl, who is most likely a year younger than me, spoke up. “I’m sorry if my present here brings a lot of trouble to your family, I’ll move out, but can you please let me sleep here tonight? I have no other place to go,” I kindly pushed Cameo off me. “Yes, you can have my bedroom,” I felt so bad to the girl.

How can I turn into such a person in front of her? She barely knows me, and yet, she spoke to me nicely, despite the fact that I yelled at her. I was acting so dumb. Even though, that old man is really a MONSTER, I should have not treated him that way. That makes me a monster too.

“I’m sorry, girl, I just had a bad day,” I looked into her dashy blue eyes that looked exactly like my mom’s.
“I understand, the first thing tomorrow, I’ll be gone,”
“Don’t go anywhere, please stay,” I pleaded her. Cameo and that, old man, gave me a weird look.

“But that doesn’t change my feeling towards any of you, brother and …” I paused. I was finding the right title for that old man. “George!” I used his name instead of calling him, dad, cause he don’t deserve it. Cameo got to me and tried to hug me again, this time, I managed to push him away.

I walked to my room immediately. As I reached the stairs, I called the girl to follow me. I brought her to my room. Her hair, her eyes, her lips are definitely like my mom’s. She looks nothing like…that old man.

“What’s your name?” I grabbed my blanket and walked to my closet.
“Demetria Daphne Cruz,” She replied me with a smile. How can she even smile to the person who’d yelled at her father?
“You got a nice name,” I praised her name.
“Thank you, Mr. Cruz,”
“It’s Harold. Call me Harold,”
“Thank you, Harold,”

I smiled at her. I took out a new blanket and gave it to her. She reminds me a lot of my mother. “Goodnight,” I wished her and walked out of the room. “George, you are going to sleep with Cameo in his room, the couch is mine!” I shouted and I bet he could hear me from downstairs. I went to Cameo’s bathroom and took a shower. This was the first bath of mine for the day.

..

“What a tiring day,” I was on my couch. I rested my head on a pillow, which I grabbed from the store room. Of course, it is not as comfortable as mine. I couldn’t close my eyes. Suddenly, a girl appeared and sat on my chest.

"Hi, I’m your thought!" She greeted me.
"What the hell!" I replied her in shock.
"Don't worry, I will not harm you! Let's take a look at your best friends," The furniture in the room changed all of a sudden. I was in Dylan's room now! ODD ODD ODD, very ODD!
"Will he be okay when the sun comes up?" The 'girl' asked me. I choked, I can't even think of a word right now.
"Are you dumb? Never mind let's move on," The room changed into a ward now. I saw Ryan, he was lying there on the bed.
"Will he survive this battle?" The 'girl' asked me again.
"How would I know! But I think, he will, he's a strong boy," I replied her.
"Yada, Yada! Let's hop to Geneva's room!" everything went dark (BLACKOUT!) and now, I'm in Geneva's room!
"Can you tell me how you did that, girl?" I wondered.
"I'm your thought! Ring a bell! This is not Geneve's real room, I bet it's prettier!" She replied me.
"Why?" I asked her, my own mind. I'm officially a FREAK BABY!
"Oh for God’s sake, boys have shallow minds!" She teased me.
"Who are you to her?" She added.
"Hmm. I have no idea"
"Okok, let's get back to your house. Let's see how your father is doing! Hop hop and awaaayyyy!" she sounded like a five year old girl. AND I was in the Cameo's room now. I saw George sleeping next to Cameo.
"When will you forgive him?" the thought of mine pushed my shoulder.
"I don't know" I replied her.
“You are so so so… ‘I don’t know’, ‘I have no idea’ , don’t you have other things to say?” She sounded annoyed.
“By the way, who are you?”
“Oh, I’m your THOUGHT a.k.a your mind!”
“How did you do all that?”
“Bye bye, gotta go! See you tomorrow!”

“Wait.. wait..” Then, she was out of sight. How odd. I saw and talked to my mind. That was really pathetic of me. Though, ‘she’ is right;I don’t know anything about anything. What if Dylan won’t be OK, Will I lose my best friend? No one’s going to change the topic so frequently like Dylan does! And what if Ryan really couldn’t survive the battle, another best friend, gone? Just like that? And most importantly, Geneva. She’s driving me crazy! That kiss, that one kiss... Something tells me she owed me an explanation.

“Go ask her, you idiot!” The ‘girl' reappeared and yelled.
“I will!” I yelled back. Opps. I shouldn’t have shouted that loud. People might think I’m crazy. I grabbed my pillow and covered my face. I don’t want to get hallucinations again!

Because of drugs, the gentleman fell down to the darkest hole. A voice spoke to my ears and Ryan’s face is all I could see.
Because of sex, he lost the one he loves. This time, Dylan’s laughter was ringing in my head.
Because of love, she had to lie. I saw a glimpse of Geneva’s smile.
Because of your ego, you will not forget the past. All the memory with dad is flashing back.
Drugs… Sex… and Love… Monsters… the voice faded.

Chapter 5 (part 3): And Love...

2009-11-26T11:10:00.008+08:00

The atmosphere in the car that night was so one of a kind. For the first time ever, Dylan ignored me. Dylan had just broken up with his hot girlfriend. He needs time and space to heal. I understand his feeling right now. It’s gonna hurt when it heals to, it will all get better in time- Better In Time was on air. I smiled cause this song it’s definitely suits Dylan’s condition right now. “What are you smiling at? This is so out dated!” He hit me and changed the channel. I just can’t believe you’re gone – another song from Leona Lewis; Yesterday. I looked at him and laughed again. “Is today break-up song day?” He wondered. “Nahh, I asked the radio guy to play them,” Geneva finally spoke up. “Funny…” He hit the off button. “Come on, I was just joking,” Geneva switched it on back. Why is loves always feel like a battlefield?! – Battlefield by Jordin Sparks was playing. “One of my favourite songs,” I teased Dylan. “Cut it off!” He switched it off. “Fine,” I replied him.

The situation went back to being awkward. Nobody spoke a word. I looked at the mirror and saw Geneva playing with her hair at the back; she rolled and rolled and rolled it. That’s when Harold the Silent Breaker broke the silence.

“You love to play with your hair, huh?”
“Who? Me?” She answered me.
“Who else is playing their hair right now? Right Dy?” I shoved his shoulder. Dylan ignored me, still.
“It is just a habit of mine,”
“You look cute when you do that,”
“Thank you.” She gave me her warmest smile.
“Mind if I ask you something?”
“Depends,”
“Why are you with Aaron?” I’ve been wondering about this since she told me.
“You really want to know? It’s a long story,”
“Dylan? Is it okay with you?” I looked at Dylan and he nodded. HE IS STILL IGNORING ME.
“Hmmm, it’s family stuff. Our fathers had been best friends since pre-school. They grew up together in the same neighborhood,”
“So they are gays?” I stopped her.
“Excuse me, you are talking about my father,”
“I’m sorry,”
“My father loves Aaron just like his own son,”
“So why don’t he marry him?” Dylan spiced up the conversation.
“Nice one, bro,” Dylan and I high-fived.
“Guys, please, stop it. You want to listen to me or what?” She sounded annoyed.
“Yeah. Sorry,”
“He sort of planned my future already. I’m going to marry Aaron in about 10 more years,”
“Do you love him?” Once again, I stopped her.
“Hmmm…” She paused there. She’s like seeking for the right answer. It seemed so hard for her to find one.
“Yes… No?” I was keen to know.

She remained quiet. Did I say something that hurt her feelings? Should I say something to her right now? I looked around to find another topic to talk. I got it!

“You love Gaga?” That’s the best I can get right now.
“Uh huh, who doesn’t?”
“I love Bad Romance, Speechless..”
“Hey, my house is at the corner, You can stop me here,” She stopped me from listing all of Lady GaGa’s songs.
“Are you sure?”I asked and she nodded.

I pulled the car to the side. I got out from the car and opened the door for her.

“It’s very sweet of you to do so,” She smiled at me.
“My pleasure,” I used the words Roxanne loves to use, she taught me this.
“Goodnight,” She kissed my cheek and turned away. She quickly walked to her door.

Goodnight kiss? Heaven should’ve sent me a warning about this beautiful angel. I stood there for about a minute and I was like on cloud nine. I walked to the car and got in.

“You saw that, Mr. Bradshaw?” I teased him. I looked at him as he’s not responding to me. He was sleeping. “Oh My God, you heavy head!” I murmured. As I drove practically ‘alone’ back home, I was smiling all the way. How nice if Dylan witnessed that moment. My mind wasn’t on the road. I kept asking myself; why did she kiss me? Is that her routine? Kiss all the guys who send her back home? Or she was saying thank you to me? But, for what? I did nothing. It was odd, really odd. I put it aside and turned on the radio. Hey, you got me lovestruck! – V Factory was on the radio. I think, nowadays, radios can detect someone’s feelings and play the song that suited them. I laughed by myself and sang all the way back home.

LOVE – The most addictive of all. At least to me, it is. Maybe because I never experienced great sex and I’m pretty sure, I never take any drugs (except for medicine of course) before. People can change when they are in love. Like Dylan, he wasn’t that responsible before he met Christine. Another great example is Izzy; he’s different when he’s with his so-called-friend, Roxanne. In short, Love does change people.

…

Chapter 5 (part 2): Sex..

2009-11-25T23:17:00.001+08:00

How am I going to reach home? I don’t even have a car. Should I call Cameo now? Nah. I’d rather take a cab. So, I walked to the taxi stand. As my eyes focusing on the steps I’m taking, I overheard a conversation. There’s two people talking behind the tree.

“You cheated on me!”
“I didn’t! How many time must I say?” his voice sounds so familiar to me.
“They’ve told me everything about you!”
“Everything like?”
“You had sex with them in so many places, even in the store room in school!” She yelled at him.
“Who told you that?”
“Adele!”

Oh my, that name is so familiar. I tried to look at both faces but failed cause the tree is blocking my view. I moved nearer, I was so eager to know who are they and I saw a car. DAB10- the car plate looks so familiar. DYLAN ANDREW BRADSHAW and his favourite number, 10! “Oh My God!” I shouted. It’s Dylan’s! No wonder he’s not in the room with me and Ryan, he’s arguing with his girlfriend, right in front of the hospital. Good timing, Christine!

“I’m breaking up with you!”
“It was before I’m with you honey!”
“Eww. Don’t call me that!” She felt disgusted by Dylan’s choice of words.
“Send us back!”

US? What does she mean by ‘us’? I looked inside the car and again, I was electrocuted. (Including this, technically, I was electrocuted 5 times today!) Geneva was inside the car, at the backseat. She gave me strength to approach them right now. So, I ran to the car and greeted them.

“Hey, guys!” I was trying to be innocent.
“What’s up?” Dylan replied me like nothing happened.
“Harold, what you doing here?” Geneva got out from the car and went by my side.
“You’re not mad at me?” I asked Geneva.
“I forgave you, but you have to know, Aaron has the right to put his hand on my shoulder,”
“And why is that?”
“He’s my boyfriend!” Including this, I electrocuted six times today.
“Can we go and visit Ryan now?” Christine annoyed by our conversation.
“Honey, there’s a thing called ‘excuse me’” Dylan raised his voice.
“ ‘Excuse me’ for being rude. But you and me, it’s now..” She stopped.
“Say it!” Dylan was pushing her way too far. I held his shoulder and tried to calm him down.
“We are over! I’m taking a cab!” She slapped Dylan and walked away.

Geneva and I was ‘lucky’ to be there. We had just witnessed a break-up ‘scene’ between the cool-soccer-captain and the hot-cheer-captain. We looked at each other and the situation was so so so( 90 times more than that) awkward.

“Chill, bro,” I tried to comfort him.
“She’s just the type of girl that comes and goes in my life,” Dylan murmured.
“She just wants the fame, not love,” He added.
“Let me drive you guys home,” I went into his car, to the driver seat. For the first time ever, I changed the topic like he always does.
“Thank you, I might hit a tree or even that old lady, if I drive,” He pointed at an old lady walking at the pavement. Even though he was in pain, he certainly knows how to make people laugh. Geneva cracked a smile and I laughed out loud.
“So, is it true you had sex in the store room? With Adele?” I asked him.
“She pulled me in. I couldn’t resist her. You know how hot that chick is right?” he replied me.
“In the store room?” I emphasized the words.
“Dude, come on, I’m seventeen!”
“Is it nice?” I sarcastically asked him. Geneva can’t control herself, and burst into laughter.

SEX – is this more addictive than drugs? Nah. If you have a great will power, you can resist this, like Dylan himself, he should’ve control his sexual desire. If I were him, school’s store room would be the last place I want to have sex with somebody I love.

…

TO BE CONTINUE

Chapter 5 (part 1): Drugs...

2009-11-25T16:04:00.000+08:00

Watching Ryan unconscious on the bed is making me worried. I felt like I had just lost a friend. RYAN ZACHARY TEDDER is always there by my side. He helped me a lot. He’s the kindest humankind. He’ll offer his hand if he sees you sobbing at the corner. He’ll put you out of your misery and throw you to the land where everything’s fine. Now, I have to be here alone keeping my eyes on him, although I know this is nothing compared to what he had done to me-giving me life. “I’ll be here, Ryan,” I whispered to him. Even though he is not cognizant, I felt like he is listening to me and replying me by smiling.

“Bbzz.. Bbzz..” My phone vibrated. I took my phone out from my pocket and saw 5 unread messages.
“Bro, I’m coming right away! -Dy”
“Is he okay now? -Rox”
and three others are from my brother and I ignored them.

“Bbzz.. Bbzz..” This time it was a call from Ryan’s father.
“Hii, Uncle Rob,”
“How’s my son? Is he doing okay? What happened to him?”
“He’s still unconscious. The doctor said he needs some rest.”
“Harold, can you do me a big favor? I can’t come back home right now, I’m in a middle of something important, it’s dead and live matter,”
“You want me to be here with him?”
“Hmm… Well, can you skip your class for tomorrow?” He begged me.
“Yes, tomorrow is math, Miss Hewitt will understand this,”
“Thanks a lot son, alright I got to go, boss is yelling at me,”
“Uncle rob..”
“tut… tut… tut…” Why do they love to hang up on me?

Dead and live matter, huh? Your son is battling with death over here and you still there chasing the paper. Sometimes, I’m so glad to have no father. For me it is much better than hoping your father will stop making money and be there for you, to guide you when you need him the most. “Where’s Aunt Cassie? Isn’t she worry about his son? Or she haven’t got the news? I better call her now,” I murmured to myself. I was feeling odd, what kind of mother doesn’t care about his son? I looked for her number in my phonebook and she was right below cameo.

“Harold!”
“Aunt Cassie, I was just about to call you,” I was so surprised.
“Oh boy, what happened to him?” She went to Ryan’s side.
“He fainted in school, and it was all…”

“Knock knock,” Someone knocked the door and went in. It was the doctor, Dr. Theodore.
“What happened to my son?” Aunt Cassie asked him worriedly.
“He had an overdose,” Doctor replied her.
“He drank only a few sip that night,” I blurted out and Aunt Cassie glared at me.
“No. it’s drugs!” the doctor pressed.

“WHAT!” Aunt Cassie and I looked at each other. Both of us were like electrocuted. It is so impossible; Ryan won’t even touch the cigarette. “Are you sure, Doc?” I was still in shock. “I’m a doctor and I’ve been facing this problem for 20 years, do not question me!” He sounded annoyed by my question and went out. “20 years? How old are you now? 70?” I said behind his back. My voice is too soft, I was lucky that he didn’t hear me. Pheww, I should control my temper.

“Son, go home! I’ll take care of him from here,” Aunt. Cassie sounded so disappointed.
“But I promised him,”
“You have class tomorrow don’t you?”
“I do, but I’m willing to..”
“To skip? Don’t be stupid,” I bet her feeling now is mixed up. I’d better go now.
“Alright, make sure I’m the first one to know when he wakes up,” She nodded. I grabbed my bag and walked out of the room.

DRUGS - people say it is so addictive, but, I think it is more to seductive. Even someone like Ryan fell for it, I bet drug has some kind of power. Even so, what on earth was Ryan thinking? Why he chose drugs? There’s must be something behind this.

…

To be continue...

Chapter 4: Godzilla

2009-11-24T20:08:00.000+08:00

I opened my eyes and yawned. “What a great weather!” I whispered to myself. WAIT A MINUTE, where’s Ryan? He was supposed to wake me up. I tried to find a clock in the room, but the wall was full of his art and none of them can tell me what is the time now. So, I grabbed my phone and I was shocked. IT IS ALREADY NINE O’CLOCK, we are having biology class in five minutes! I jumped off the bed and ran to Ryan’s room. I knocked the door but nobody answered me. I opened the door and saw Ryan, still sleeping. He was snoring like a pig. I went to the bedside and shook him. Still, no response. “Wake up sunshine,” I whispered to his ear. This works with my brother, as he would chase me after that. Ryan is still not giving any reaction. And so, I slapped him.

“Ouch!” He shouted.
“Thanks for waking me up, Ryan!” I teased him.
“No problem. Can I get back to sleep now? I had a wonderful dream with Li…”
“We are late you imbecile! It’s already nine,” I stopped him.

“WHAT?” He was as shocked as I was. He looked at his alarm clock next to him. He threw his blanket off of him and walked to his closet. “What are you still waiting for? Put on your clothes!” He yelled at me. I ran to “my” room and grabbed my shirt and jeans. I put them on and combed my messy hair. “There’s no time for you to be a metrosexual now!” He shouted from downstairs (he knows me too well). That was fast, he usually takes 15 minutes on his already-bloody-cool hair. I grabbed my bag and went downstairs.

“Ryan...”
“Now what?! We have no time for breakfast already; we’ll take brunch in school,”
“Ryan…”
“What?” He raised his voice and stopped at the front door.
“Are you aware that… you are still in your boxers?” Now, that explained how he got ready that fast. He looked down and quickly ran upstairs. “Wait for me in the car, Steve!” “Don’t call me by middle name!” I replied him, I really hate my middle name. Stevie, Steve, Steven; they sounds like STOVE to me. I got out from his house and laughed by myself.

…

We reached the school 20 minutes after the class started. Ryan and I ran to the lab, we know we will get a detention class if we don’t have a solid reason for all this. When we got into the class, we got a shock from hell again. It was empty, only then Ryan hit my back and shouted, “Today is Wednesday! It is literature you, smart ass!” I was so innocent. I was not the one who lead the way just now. We hurriedly ran to the other building, to where Mrs. Darbus a.k.a Darbuspeare teaches us some of the dull poems written by the well-known William Shakespeare. On the way to the room, I kept thinking whether William is really a gay or not. I believe only girls can write such poem, the romantic one. Should I compare thee to the summer…- this is the main reason why I think he is definitely a gay.

When we had reached the classroom, everyone had already started reading one Shakespeare’s poems. That’s when Mrs. Darbus shouted at both of us, “Why are you both late? Your cat died or something?” Everyone in the class laughed at us. “No! They were busy making out in the lab!” Aaron added. Once again, everyone laughed.

AARON GARRICK GONZALEZ – another human in my burn book. He’s always proud of his macho name which meant SPEAR KING or something knightly. He’s the smartest in the class but yet the dumbest of all! Both of us cannot get along since the first day we were here. He’s the fire (the lame one) and I’m the ice (the cool one). We can’t barely communicate with each other because of his PROUD-OF-HIMSELF-ACCENT. He thinks he is better than I am, which he truly isn’t. He spent most of his time on flirting with girls, and dumping them. WHAT AN ASS!

“Shut it!” I replied him. Suddenly, my eyes caught something unpleasant. Geneva is sitting next to him, next to the LAME KING. I mouthed, “Watch out!” and he purposely put his filthy hand on the angel’s holy shoulder. “Put your dirty hands away from my lady!” I blurted out. “Guys, stop this war! I don’t want my classroom to be a battlefield between The Gonzalez and The Cruz!” Darbuspeare stood up and shouted at us. “Both of you stay here after the class!” She added. Ryan was so relieved because he could escape detention class. “And you, Mr. Tedder!” and there goes Ryan’s happiness.

…

The school bell rang and everyone was out in a split second. “I am not your lady!” Geneva looked at me and walked away. Damn it! Thanks to the Godzilla, now she officially hates me.

“What’s with both of you?”
“He started it first,” Aaron pushed the blame to me.
“He teased me! You were there, Mrs. Darbus!” I fought back.
“Aaron, it’s your fault!” Ryan added from the back.
“All of you, SHUT IT!” She once again yelled at my ears. I could feel my eardrum exploding in any second.
“Do you mind?” The words suddenly came out from my mouth.

She glared at me for a second.
“All of you are punished to clean up the school’s garden everyday till the end of this month!”

SCHOOL GARDEN? Is she kidding me? Does she know how many people litter in that place? There’s a lot, including my own litters.

…

It was already three o’clock. I was still picking up the litters. Ryan’s face turned red, as he can’t really be exposed to the sun. I felt so guilty, it was my entire fault. I shouldn’t have brought him in. Our plan to go to Berk’s now canceled due to my ego. I’m a selfish friend.

“Dude, I’m really..”
“Sorry? Nah, it wasn’t your fault,” he was being nice again. He smiled at me.
“That’s really nice of you, buddy. But can I make it up to you? Just name it bro!”
“Can you stay in my house again today?” I was about to ask him this.
“Why not?” I answered him.

“Stop calling… stop calling…” My phone rang.

“You changed your ringtone already?” Ryan asked me.
“Yeap. But it is still from GaGa!”
“She rocks like hell! Why don’t you pick it up?”
“Nah, it’s my bro. Let him die over there,”
“Are you both fighting or something?”
“No we are not. We’re cool,” I lied ‘cause I don’t like to talk about my misery to anybody.
“Okay then,”
“Ryan, are you okay? You seem to be so sick.” I wondered. His face now isn’t red. It’s like tomato already.
“I’m fine... Thanks for asking…” He looked at me.

Five seconds after that, he collapsed to the ground. He fainted. I started panicking; I have no idea what to do! “What’s wrong?” Aaron ran to us and asked me. “What do you think, smart Godzilla?” I answered him. It was so stupid of him to ask me that. “I’m trying to be nice here!” He replied me. I ignored him ‘cause Ryan was still lying on the ground. I lifted him up, even though he’s quite heavy, and ran to his car. I took out his car key and drove to the nearest medical center, which was 10 minutes away from school. I texted Dylan, Izzy and Roxanne; only these three names I can come out with right now. This is just like another drama that I love to watch, my favourtie one, 90210.

Chapter 3: Mr. Tequila

2009-11-23T18:34:00.000+08:00

WHAT DOES HE WANT FROM ME. Should I trust him this time? Is this another false alarm from him? What if he’s being real? Cameo Alexander Cruz was never REAL before. Arrggghhh.

“Guys, I gotta go, brother needs me!”

I ran to my car. Dylan said something but I don’t get him. Got into my car and immediately started the engine. I turned on the radio to calm myself. The Last Song by Rihanna was on air. LAST SONG! – could it be… that… he… The last time he ever speaks like that was when dad left us.

“Dad, why? I know you hate mom so much but… Why you have to leave us?” He pleaded
“Son, marrying your mother is the best thing that happened in my life but it is the one and only thing I ever regretted doing,” Dad explained.

Those words never faded from my mind. It’s like it had just happened yesterday. I was five at that time and didn’t get what they were saying, but after 13 years, I truly understand his feeling. Maybe that is why Cameo was fooling around all the time. He’s trying to forget the past by annoying me every day. My mind totally wasn’t on the road. 70km/h… 85km/h… 120km/h... I drove recklessly ‘cause brother might be in trouble. I pay no heed to the red light. I’M WORRIED SOMEHOW.

Knock knock.

“Bro!” I shouted. He opened the door and hugged me. His eyes were red and… wet!
“Thank you, dumbo!”
“What happened? Look at me! What happened? How you get home?”
“A friend of mine sent me back”
“Can you tell me what happened? And why are you crying?”
“Dad...” He pulled me in.
“What’s with dad?”
“Dad added me in Facebook!”
“WHAT THE?!”
“Dumbo, do you know how happy I am?”
“Huh? You … You called me for ..?”
“Yeah, he asked me to upload a photo, but I couldn’t. This thing is so complicated!”
“Do you know that… Old man, leave us when I was not even a teenager!”
“The past is the past”
“He is an irresponsible old hag! He left us with mom.”

Cameo ran to his laptop.

“Click photo…” He ignored me.
“Do you hear me? Because of him, mom is dead…“
“He got nothing to do with mom! He didn’t ask mom to drink, did he?” He defended his father
“I know. But because of him, mom… Wait a minute… Are you defending him now?”
“Upload photo… Harold, then what?”
“I hate you so much right now!”
“And by the way, he’s coming tomorrow”
“Send my regards to him… cause I won’t be here tomorrow!” I stomped to my room
“Where are you going…”
“Anywhere but here!”

…

I went to pack my bag. I’m going to Ryan’s. His parents are at overseas. He wouldn’t mind at all, he will be glad to have me there. Plus, the gang will be in the house… there’s a slumber party!

“Don’t come and find me!” I yelled at my brother
“I need the car!”
“You know what, take this! I don’t need that freaking old car!” I threw the car key at him.

I got out from the house and walked to Dylan’s, which is next to my house. He gave me a ride to Ryan’s. His car is so much better than mine. I’m so jealous of him. He got hot girlfriend, cool car, happy family and BEAUTIFUL LIFE.

Let me tell you about his life. He was born on 9th September and named, Dylan Andrew Bradshaw, He is the only son to Mr. Derrick Bradshaw, the famous retired actor. His mom, Mrs. Kelly Bradshaw – a model who travels a lot – gives him a minimum five hundred every week. He got no siblings who will annoy him like MINE.

How I wish I was him

…

“What’s up brothers!” Ryan opened the door with a big smile on his face
“Why are you smiling?” Dylan asked him.
“I invited some girls; one of them is your beloved Christine!”
“Oh~ she told me!”
“Who else did you called?” I interrupted them.
“Roxy… Ely… Nat… Alexia… Jo..”
“How about Geneva?”
“Oh... That new girl. She said she can’t make it,”
“And why is that?”
“Mr-want-to-know-it-all, how the hell I know!”
“Harold, what’s with your brother just now?” Dylan looked at me with his weird expression. Once again, he managed to change the scene.

I promised myself that I won’t talk about the “argument” to my friends. So, I created stories in case they will ask me, and Dylan IS asking me now. Should I use: He tripped and broke his leg or he broke up with his girlfriend and need me there to cheer him up?

“He lost his key,” I answered him. What a lie!
“Cheh, I thought he tripped and broke his legs!”
“How I wish that to happen...”

Ryan walked to his stereo. He turned it on and played my favourite song. Down Down Down Down Down everybody’s falling down. The living hall is now like a disco-, which will be filled with drunk teenagers.

The doorbell rang. Ryan opened the door and greeted Izzy. They were talking about something but I don’t want to know. I prefer Space Cowboy than Izzy’s nonsense. He kept talking and talking till Roxanne pushed him in. Roxanne brought along Izzy’s favourite drink, Mr. Tequila. About a minute after that, Christine came in with her friend, Lily, another sexy brunette. Dylan kissed Christine and brought her to the sofa as Lily walked to the rest room. Ryan and Izzy were busy watching the hot scene when Joe, Adam, Natasha, Ely and Alexia came in.

“Guys, get a room!” Alexia felt disgusted.
“Shut up, we are trying to watch over here, right guys?” Ryan replied her
“Ely, Nat, Let’s make a scene! Let’s show them who is hotter? Us or them,”
“Come on guys! Stop it. This is not gang-bang party!” I stopped them.
“Let’s watch porn!” Izzy suggested.
“You are right Christine, He IS a sex maniac,” Lily added from the back

Everybody in the room nodded and laughed.

“So, you guys talked about me?” Izzy asked Lily.
“Let’s play ‘I NEVER’!” Dylan changed the topic. He is very good at it.
“Count me in!”
“Me too”
“Me four”
“Me five!”
“What should I say , Me six?”

“Lemme start! I NEVER DATED A GIRL!” Izzy started the game
“Oh come one! Everybody knows that!” Adam teased him
All the guys drank a sip.

“My turn, My turn, I NEVER DATED A GUY” Roxy Pixie giggled.
“Sad to say, I DATED A GUY,” Izzy confessed.
Everybody laughed, and all the girls plus Izzy drank a sip.

“This is so fun! My turn, I NEVER …”

and the game went on and on and on. Izzy was the drunkest of all. He did so many things that most of us never do, for example picked his nose with his finger and LICKED it. He’s so funny.

While all of them busy playing the game, I stood up and went to the guest room. I was too tired to continue. I opened my shirt and went into the bathroom. I took a shower cause my body was so sticky. And when I came out…

“Wow!” Roxanne was there sitting on the bed, staring at me.
“What are you doing here?” I was blushing, I’m wearing only towel right now.
“I’m sorry! I just want to… ”
“Just let me grab my clothes first, can I?” Both of us laughed.

I put on my singlet and …

“Can you help me?” She asked.
“Name it. I’ll try my best to help,”
“He’s blind!”
“Who are you referring to?”
“Your best friend!”
“Which? Ryan? Dylan or Izzy?”
“Promise me you’ll never tell any breathing human, PINKY SWEAR?”
“Pinky swearrr?? Fine fine!”
“I’m talking about Izzy!”
“Are you serious? I’m going to tell him this!”
“You promised!”
“He is not a breathing human, He’s an animal!” We both laughed
“I’ve been trying to show him, how much I loved him for about 3 years already!”
“Pixie, look at me, we are talking about a serious mental problem guy over here, what do you expect?”
“So, you are asking me to tell him?”
“You want ME to tell him? Pixie, you are a cute little funny girl, he surely likes you,”
“Did he ever mention my name?!”
“Hell ya. LIKE A LOT! Wait a second, this evening, he was about to tell us who is his crush… but then my brother called!”

“Harold, Pixie, what are you guys doing here?” Ryan was standing at the door with a weird look.
“We are …” Pixie paused for about five seconds. “We are talking about math,”
“Math?! Harold is half naked for God’s sake!” Ryan raised his voice.
“Dude, come on! I’m half naked, not NAKED!” I spoke up.
“Alright alright, as long as you guys didn’t do THAT in my house,”
“Do what?” Pixie looked at me with eyes wide open. SHE IS WAY TOO INNOCENT to understand us.
“All of them had left, their parents picked them up,”
“So fast?” I asked Ryan.
“Pixie, your parents are on their way.”
“Thank you for calling them. I’ll wait downstairs,” She walked out of the room.

Ryan stared at me.
“What?!” I asked him.
“You can sleep in this room, and tomorrow I’m gonna wake you up!” He replied me.
“Thank you, Bro!”

Ahh.. Another good friend. I never thought there is such humankind living on earth. RYAN ZACHARY TEDDER is one of the kinds.

…

p/s-ALL CHARACTERS ARE BASED ON NOBODY-

Chapter 2: Happier than Happy

2009-11-22T21:52:00.000+08:00

ELY, JOE AND NATASHA were already inside the class, like always. They are my music classmate. Ely is a British girl, who is very good at playing guitar, she is even better than I am sometimes. She is drop dead gorgeous with those up-to-date fashion styles. I cannot even count how many men are watching her when she walks by the canteen. The girls’ jaws will drop on the floor when she got out from her car-Porsche. In short, SHE’S ANOTHER HOT CHICK IN SCHOOL. Joe is another cool drummer. What I meant by another is, this school has many students who loves to play drum and I don’t even know why! Natasha is the best pianist in the school, simply the best!

“Harold, how are you and your brother? I bet you guys are getting along,” Natasha greeted me. I forgot to mention earlier that HER LIFE IS FULL OF SARCASM.
“Yes, we are. By the way, I love him more than ever” I said, trying to be as sarcastic as she is.
“How do I look today?” Ely interrupted.
“As gorgeous as always!” Joe answered.
“You got your answer!” I added.
“Class, I want all of you to sit at your own seat! Oh my, oh my, oh my!!” Mr. Abraham rushed into the classroom and got out immediately.
“What’s with that Santa?” Joe stood up and asked the class
“His big red nose Rudolph is running away!” Ely replied him and laughed.
“Mrs. Clause wants to give birth to Santa Jr. That’s why he needs Rudolph,” someone from back added
“What are you guys crapping? Oh my, oh my! You, come in!”

Everybody stunned as Mr. Abraham, appeared out of nowhere and he brought a guest… who could it be? David Cook? Lady Gaga? Or that kid, Archie?

“Hey, everybody, I’m Geneva Emmanuelle Byron. I’m from France. I’m a …”
“Penis?” Jacky stopped her
“It’s pianist you dummy!” Natasha stood up and threw a book to him
“Oh my, Oh my! Let her finish!”
“I play violin, and I’m a…”
“Can you play with me tonight?” Adam interrupted her.
“Eww..”
“Guys, stop it! You want her to get out of this class?” I shouted loudly

Everybody turned their heads facing me. For a second there, it felt like I was in a Britney spears music video. All eyes on me in the center of the ring just like the circus – but this time it is even scarier because Santa was staring at me.

“I’m sorry”
“Nahh, you were just trying to be good, good boy,”
I smiled at Mr. Abraham and looked at her. She was smiling at me, my heart was beating fast, and I could feel the blood rushing in my vein.

“Ginny, you can sit with Stevie...”
“It’s Harold sir.” I corrected him as he always calls his students funny names
“With Harry over there!”
“I’m Geneva not Ginny, and which Hairy. It looks like everyone is…” she’s confused
“That Harry!” Mr. Abraham pointed at me
“IT’S HAROLD SIR, HAIR-ROLD!”

She laughed and so did the others. She was smiling as she was walking towards me. I was so happy at that time, so happy I could die!

“So guys, this year, the Talent Time is in March” Talent time- the biggest event for the year for us, the musicians. I turned to the back and saw Natasha’s evil smile. She was smiling because she was the two-times-in-a-row –winner. I’M GONNA TAKE THE TITLE FROM HER, as what I promised my buddies last year.

“YOU and YOU!”
“WHAT?!” we both answered. Geneva and I looked at each other.

I was lost there ‘cause I was busy looking at Natasha till I missed what Santa’s trying to say about the Talent Time.

“This year, I want to make it special. As I said just now, there will be no more singles, it’s pairs only this year.” He explained back

There isn’t any word that can describe my feeling at that time. I was happier than happy. Playing guitar is fun, but playing guitar with GENEVA is so much better. I’ll make a song and she will sing it, what a good plan.

“Girl, are you okay with that” I was trying to be sure if she was okay with being my partner.
“Yeah. Why not?! We can have fun together,” Ahh, she shot my brain!
“I’ll write a song and you’re going to sing it. Is that okay?”
“I’ve got a better idea. Why don’t we both sing?”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes I am. I heard you singing at math class yesterday, and it wasn’t that bad”
“Thank you”
“So both of you are gonna compete with us?” Ely jumped into us
“Us?” Geneva asked her.
“Nat and I. We are going to kick some ass!” Ely said proudly.
“You have to be kidding me? Are you telling me you guys are going to win? Joe and Adam are going to take over the night!”
“Bullshit!” Mr. Abraham shouted and everybody laughed at both monkeys-Joe and Adam.

…

After the music class, I went to my gang’s favourite spot, which is next to the lab. We spent most of our time in school there, besides in class. Sometimes, I’ll bring my guitar, sometimes, Ryan will bring his PSP and sometimes, Dylan will invite us to play football at the field with his team.

“So, you are going to wear a tutu?” Izzy asked.
“Izzy, what are you crapping?! He’s gonna wear leotard!” Dylan was trying to make me laugh but he failed.
“Cut it off guys! Talent time doesn’t mean I have to wear those things, it’s all about talent.”
“Is flirting a talent?” Ryan trying to show off
“I know you got a lot of ex-girlfriends, but do you have to be that mean to Izzy? He doesn’t even have one,”
“You are right, Dy!”
“Well, I got a crush!”
“Who is it, Izzy?”

"can't read my.. can't read my, no he can't ree-" My phone rang. I picked it up and brother was on the line.

"Wassup?!"
"DUMBO! Come home now! I need you right now!"
"I'm hanging with my.."
"tut... tut... tut..." He hang up the phone.

…

Chapter 1 : Bad Day Goes Good

2009-11-22T15:03:00.000+08:00

“Wake up, Dumbo!”
“Can you… Can you stop calling me that?” I opened my eyes and yawn
“It’s your first day of school bro!”
“At last, you…”
“DUMBO!!”
“Arrgghh!”

I got up from bed and threw a pillow at him, on his face. Well, I did not play baseball every evening for nothing. I walked to the bathroom with only one eye open. I did not realize that I was wearing my boxers till my brother, Cameo, snapped a photo and laughed at me.

“I’m gonna post it in Facebook!”
“I’m gonna post the video we took last month. The one that you acted as batman!”
“Nahh.. You’re a good brother, you won’t do that”
“I hate it when you say that!”

I ignored my brother, dashed into the bathroom and took a quick shower. The water was so damn cold! The heater is always on my brother’s side, which is AGAINST me. I put on the coolest shirt ever and my favourite jeans on and marched to the living hall.

“Dude, you look like you are going to a cemetery!”
“Can you just shut up and give me the key! I’ll drive today.”

I’m so glad that he’d shut it. Only God knows how annoying he is. We both got into the car SILENTLY for the very first time. I started the engine and drove OUR car. The situation remains awkward for a few minutes as he was still keeping his mouth shut. “Bro, I’m really…” I murmured. “HAH! I knew you’ll miss my golden voice!” he answered in a split second, or even faster than that. “You need a doctor!” I replied him. He laughed and took out his phone and dialed a number “Doctor James, my brother, Harold, wants to see you today.” He paused for a second, “uh huh”, another pause, “Okay, that would be great! See you this evening then!” He looked at me with his evil smile.

That was one of his old tricks. Doctor James a.k.a Ramos James Wilson, his best friend, who works as a mechanic in the town, always helped him in his mission; his one and only mission, which is to get me out of the house. I promised my late mother to stay in the house till I reach 21 and that’s the only reason why I’m still living in that old eerie freaky creepy and so on house.

“Brother, can I ask you something?” I was trying to ask him something in a well mannered way, David Cook’s Avalanche was on the radio. “I hate this person.” He shouted. I stopped the car, which was 10 meter away from the school’s compound and got out. I grabbed my bag at the back seat and shouted “Go to hell” at him.

I walked to the school’s compound as many eyes watching me. I never thought my first day in school for this year would be this much… FUN.

“Hola dude! How are you ?” Ryan jumped out of nowhere. He is the kindest humankind I have ever ever ever known. I knew him since we were 5.
“I’m doing… Besides that damn cold water, stupid old brother’s joke and walking ten meters to the school compound, I’m doing absolutely fine!”
“That’s sounds so freakkkk-ing awww-some!” He and his kiddy accent.
“Bonjour!” Dylan approached us. He is another friend of mine, the closest one because he lives next to my house.
“What’s with you guys today? Hola, Bonjour and next what? Konichiwa?”
“Kon-niic-chiwa!” Izzy came and slapped my back. The weird one, is finally here. I thought I’d avoid him but I just couldn’t.
“Ouch… That hurts!”
“Why? You changed your name to Hilary already?”
“Let’s go to the canteen” Dylan said, trying to change the scene
“We better be” I pushed Izzy to the side and walked with Dylan.

As we walk through the room, I noticed something beautiful sitting with a bunch of cheerleaders. SHE’S THE NEW GIRL with straight black hair, thin red lips that attract me somehow, and not to forget her hot body figure (oh well, boys will be boys). I kept on walking and…

“Harold, this is Christine” Dylan introduced his hot cheer captain girlfriend
“Christine, Harold” But my eyes were still on the new girl. She’s just a meter away from me.
“Oh, I almost had forgotten about you Geneva! This is my Bee-Eff, Dylan. Dylan, this is my new friend, Geneva” Dylan smiled at her. Ryan, Izzy and I were fake coughing at his back.
“Meet my friends, Izzy, the clumsiest” He winked at Geneva.
“Ryan, the kind one” He kissed her soft, white hand.
“And the hot-pot, Harold”
I grabbed her hand and say,
“I’m Harold Steven Cruz and you are so hot!”
“Pardon me…”
“Hmm. I mean, I’m not, hot.. hot-pot.”
“You are funny”
“You are sexy”
“Excuse me?”
“Did I said sexy? I mean, Iz…Izzy. Let’s go!” I pulled Izzy away to cover it up

The crowds were all laughing at me but I still manage to walk alone out of the room without cursing at anybody. Once I stepped out from that room, I heard a giggling voice at my back, and I turned. “Bahhh!” It was Roxanne. Another weird person I met. SHE IS IZZY THE SECOND. She loves to laugh. She was born to laugh! “What do you want?” I asked her. “Yesterday, I did some research about my lovely angel, you-know-who, and he is doing much better than your cookie!” She emphasized on the word “better” and trying to bring the who-is-better-issue up. “Well I know what are you trying to do, Roxy pixie!” and yeah, she is small, and that’s how she got her nickname, Roxy Pixie. “You are trying to say David is better than David! And I’m pretty much agreeing on that!” She giggled and walked away. “This girl will never stop picking up on me! Well, everybody knows COOK is better than ARCHIE” and so I walked to my class.

...

“Ryan Zachary Tedder”
“Yes, Miss Hewitt”

She is excessively old to be called “Miss”. I wonder why is she still single. I just couldn’t get what are they talking about next, I guess it’s about algebra. My mind, my soul is hundred percent on the girl sitting next to Christine, the new girl, Geneva. I love the way she plays with her hair, she will roll it as if it is spaghetti. Suddenly, words popped out on my mind. I grabbed a piece of paper from my bag and wrote it down.

Butterfly flies from the tree,
Showing of her beauty spreading the wings

“Harold”

But everything…

“Harold Steven Cruz! What is the answer?!”
“Huh?” Oh my, why did she ask me?
“Look at the board!” She pointed at the blackboard with some numbers on it.
“Miss Hewitt, I know this maybe sounds rude but your hand writing is way too small for my eyes to see.” I gave her a stupid excuse to run away from it.
“I’ll move you to the front! Christine, do you mind sit at the back? I bet you have healthy eyes, don’t you?”
“Yeah, sure!” She sounded so happy and glad to move to the back because one thing for sure, Dylan is here, next to me.

For a second, my heart stops beating. I AM GOING TO SIT NEXT TO GENEVA. I brought my bag to the front and sat next to her.

“Hai” What an old pick up line!
“Hai, Harold right?”
“Harold! You haven’t answered my question!”
“It is 23xy square, Miss Hewitt,” Geneva answered for me.
“Thank you, Mrs. Cruz,” She teased her
“Thanks” I whispered to her.

She smiled at me. She is not only pretty and hot, she is smart too. SHE IS PERFECT. For the first time in 3 years, I am so glad to be here, in Miss Hewitt’s class. Now, Kris Allen’s Can’t Stay Away is playing in my head . And I don’t know what you did to me, and I don’t care what the doctors say, cause no matter what you do, I can’t stay away from you. What a great ending for a pathetic start!