Reality For Real March 26, 2009

Last night i was watching the Bachelor episode i had TiVo-ed. That’s when Matt came over. He said his girlfriend had just dumped him. He said his girlfriend had felt unloved. He said he hadn’t seen it coming. I had. Everyone had. That is, everyone who saw her with Austin. But i didn’t tell Matt that. I couldn’t really talk. I mean, his now-ex girlfriend is my roommate. Not that I like her. I don’t. She was totally wrong for him. He was totally above her. Of course, I have to say that. Because he’s my best guy-friend. Actually, he’s my only guy-friend. Seems most guys won’t just be friends with you if your boyfriend is the quarterback. I thought that stuff ended with high school. It doesn’t.

But back to the guy-friend thing. Matt was my best friend from sophomore year in high school to sophomore year now. I think my boyfriend once threatened him. But Matt just laughed. That’s how he always is. But it’s kinda stupid to laugh at a quarterback. So I had to tell my boyfriend Matt was gay. And since he doesn’t really hang out with Matt’s crowd, he bought it. Funny how easy it was. I actually see Matt way more than said boyfriend. And, come to think of it, said boyfriend has plenty of girl friends. He always did have a double standard.

So, the reality show night. I was totally just watching the T.V. And Matt was sitting there, ragging on the ex when he suddenly shut up. I glanced over at the sudden silence and he was just staring off, mouth half-opened. I asked what his deal was and then he just looked at me and laughed. He always laughs, remember?

“I didn’t even love her.” He said, as if it was the epiphany of the year. But I’d so known that. It was a duh moment for me. I mean, him and her was like me and BF. It just…happened. And it didn’t matter. That’s when I put The Bachelor on mute. And I stared at him.

“I don’t love him.” I said. He smiled slyly. “Duh.” he said. Then I laughed.

“I just wasted a year.”

“And I wasted five.” he interjected, still sly.

“What?” I argued, “you were only with her for a few months!”

He just shrugged, leaning forward, obviously eager to get to a point. “Why were we such idiots, do you think?”

I shrugged, turning the volume back up. Conversations about my boyfriend always bored me. But, i guess, by that time he wasn’t really my boyfriend. Because of my not loving and not caring and all. Still, like I wanted to analyze my own stupidity when the Bachelor was handing out his final rose. Matt understood. Sort of. He leaned back on the couch, slouching to level himself with me. He always was tall. Massive torso. But he never ever slouched. So of course I glanced at him, wondering what he was up to. But he seemed pretty intent on The Bachelor as well. It was only after the commercial break that I realized he’d inched closer. Weird. I mean, he isn’t exactly the touchy type. Which, to me was one of the deciding factors in his recent break-up since the ex was very, very touchy. So I asked if he was cold. He laughed. But then the Bachelor was up and the first girl was getting out of the limo and I was so invested in the decision that my eyes were glued to the T.V and nothing else.

The girl was my favorite. Probably because she was a lot like me. Petite. Blonde. A little cynical but still sweet. Attitude with a little bit of shyness. I’d been rooting for her since the first night when she called the bachelor out on a stupid thing he’d said. And now I was watching the finale. They were perfect for each other. Like The Notebook couple. Totally get in each other’s faces but so perfectly romantic and complete opposite. And what does he do??? He lets her go! For some green-eyed brunette who laughs like a cow. And, no, cows DO NOT laugh. I got so angry! I leapt from the couch and screamed, kneeling up by the T.V. and cursing the day the Bachelor ever got accepted to be on national television.

Matt laughed at me. Which is NOT smart to do when I’m emotionally involved in a T.V. show. i turned on him. But he just knelt next to me, allowing me to be angry for a while before he interrupted.

“Didn’t you once say I was like him?”

Yes, I had. The second week it was on. They were almost clones. Except his eyes weren’t as blue as Matt’s. But that did not seem the best time to bring up a likeness. Especially since I wanted to destroy the one on T.V. Maybe i’d settle with the twin. But Matt didn’t seem scared. He just laughed again. “And aren’t you like her?”

“YES! And he just let her go! They were perfect and he was her SOULMATE and he just made her WALK AWAY!!! It was like the best couple in the universe and–BAM–now, it’s nothing. They were perfect and….”

I stopped. Because I realized–everything. The way he looked at me when he said he hadn’t loved the ex. The way he looked when I said I didn’t love my BF. The way he said Five Years–the time we’d known each other. The way he inched closer. The way he smiled. The way he was crawling closer to me. The way I was in his arms now. The way he pushed my hair out of my eyes. The way his thumb slid across my stressed brow, softening my scowl. And now I couldn’t breathe. The Bachelor was proposing behind me to the wrong girl . But I didn’t care. My eyes were locked on Matt’s. Which were laughing. Yes, eyes DO laugh. At least his do.

“Why was he such an idiot, do you think?” His voice was a whisper, surprising.

“Maybe he just didn’t realize what was right in front of him. And they just let it go because they couldn’t see….”

My last words melted away, hazy and unimportant. He was inching closer, his hand around my neck, warm, sure. He kissed me. I kissed him. Time stopped. Everything stopped. Except him and me. That was enough. I didn’t even care what happened on The Bachelor. Because it was happening to me–my own reality. Crazy how things work out, isn’t it?

The Break-up Conversation March 25, 2009

“Can you tell me what it’s like?”

“What?”

“Being the biggest JERK in the friggin’ world?!”

“Um…. What are you talking about?”

“YOU! Don’t play stupid. I saw you with her! No, correction: I saw you ON her. All over her. So you have about five seconds to answer the friggin’ question!”

“What question? What are you smoking? What is going on? Am I being punk’d? What are you talking about?”

“Save the crap. Just tell me what it’s like being such a jacka–”

“I have NOT cheated on you. But, really, it’s starting to sound like a good idea. You are CRAZY!”

“Oh, so now it’s my fault you’re a philandering molester-of-women?? You’re such a son of a–”

“Okay, this has gotta be a joke. You are such a paranoid chick! I have never cheated on you. Never. So what do you want me to say to finish this conversation?”

“TELL ME THE TRUTH!”

“I have! I told you, I haven’t cheated on you! I mean, come ON! This is ridiculous. I don’t know where you’d even think I’d have time to do another girl: you are always on. my. BACK!”

“Don’t turn this on me. I’m not the one taking a stroll in another girl’s pants!”

“News flash: neither am I! I didn’t even see this coming! You are so insecure, It’s like you WANT an excuse to break up with me.”

“Who said anything about breaking up?”

“Ha! Okay, that’s it. You’ve lost it. Totally INSANE! I stuck around you for way too long, you clingy, little control freak!”

“Where are you going?”

“You tell me! Maybe I’m gonna take a stroll in your sister’s pants!”

“I knew it! You ARE cheating on me!!”

Twilight, condensed* … condensed again March 18, 2009

*As requested, it’s about a page and a half shorter. I wasn’t sure what was wanted, so sorry if this isn’t exactly it.*

It all started when I, like, moved up to Forks and my dad got me a piece-of-crap truck. Which I loved. Cuz I have this thing for really, really old, potentially dangerous things. Duh. At school, there was this super attractive family that nobody talked to cuz they are “weird”. Edward was the youngest and his eyeballs were so mesmerizing. I just stared and stared. But he thought I smelt which totally sucked cuz I so wanted him. So I did what any normal girl would do: I started stalking him. And I found out he was a really, really old, potentially dangerous vampire who happened to be stalking me as well. He told me I should never ever love him. Something about him wanting to eat me. Whatever. That’s way hot. So what did I do? I fell head over heels for him. And he totally HEARTS me too.

He showed me how he sparkles. It was so sexy. Too bad he’s like a slab of ice. I still can’t resist making out with him. I just want more and more, cuz he has perfect lips, of course. But he’s all, “No, I’ll eat you, Bella.” Which just makes me want more. I mean, right? I just try again and again and we’re always arguing as we kiss cuz he’s hungry and he can’t take any more and I’m hungry and all I want is HIM. It’s way precious.

Everything else was so perfect and wonderful. But then this other vampire clan came and they just weren’t nice. Ruined everything. Edward, who is so overprotective and smothering it’s cute, freaks and makes me hit the road. I end up at my mom’s cuz the evil vampire is stalking me. Kinda like Edward did. Except this guy wants to rip my heart out. I would be turned on, but I’m so smitten by Mr. Perfect-marble-god Edward that I can’t think about any other guys.

Well, I end up falling into the evil vampire’s trap cuz I’m so selfless I give myself up to save cool people I love so very much. So I go and practically serve myself up with gravy and potatoes. The evil vampire is so about to kill me when Edward comes from nowhere—he’s magic, you know—and they get into this enormous Vamp fight. It was so exciting: they were fighting over me! But I got bit, it seems. And it hurt. I was writhing on the floor and was all in and out of consciousness. Mostly I was worried about how I looked cuz I’m so scared Edward thinks I’m just an ugly human and me weeping on the floor, bleeding and foaming at the mouth wasn’t helping the matter. But I know, somehow, Edward saved me and ripped the evil vampire to shreds and burned those shreds in a great bonfire. That’s how it’s done.

Back at Forks, everything returned to normal. Except Edward made me go to prom with him which was totally lame but I couldn’t argue cuz I love him. Besides, whenever I look at his glittery perfection, I just melt. So he’s in charge. He loves me, so he knows what’s best for me. Always. And you’re jealous. I know it. Cuz he’s hot. Just get that into your head. He’s totally hot and he’s all mine. I mean, I’m all his. Which is perfect. Too bad that evil vampire’s girlfriend is going to kill me. I could have been so happy.

Twilight, condensed* March 17, 2009

* No copyright infringement is intended*

So, like, I was gonna die but I totally didn’t care cuz—guess what?—I had a hot boyfriend, so I’d die happy. Totally. But, rewind. Let me tell you ALL about my life with said boyfriend.

It all started when I, like, moved up to the little town called Forks—I know, right?—and my dad got me a truck which was a total piece of junk but, hey, it’s the thought that counts. Besides, I love really, really old, potentially dangerous things. Which is why I was so attracted to my boyfriend. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

In Forks, there was either something in the water or every high school student was smoking pot cuz they all thought I was hot. Weird. But there was this super attractive family that nobody talked to cuz they were “weird”. Edward was the youngest and his eyeballs were so mesmerizing, I just stared and stared. But he thought I smelt which totally sucked cuz I sooo wanted him. In fact, I pretty much started stalking him. And I found out he was a really, really old, potentially dangerous vampire who happened to be stalking me as well. He saved me from my own stupidity—sometimes I just don’t think—and then I found out he wanted to eat me which is such a turn on for me. Plus, he could read minds. Super cool! Except he couldn’t read mine cuz I’m magic. He once brought me home to meet his family. Jasper was super chill, like some crazy beach bum hippie who was always like “Bella, relaaaax.” Alice, she totally loves me and is like super in tune with the world cuz she, like, really sees the future. Then there’s Rosalie who just wishes she was hot like me and totally has prima donna issues. But she’s so beautiful, I still worship her. Her boyfriend, Emmet, is a hunk who’s totally funny. Like, so. Then his parents, Esme and Carlisle, are just totally Stepford. They were so much cooler than my family. Speaking of which, my dad totally did not trust Edward cuz I did a lousy job at communicating how we were soul mates and I trusted him with my life and that I’d be a vampire one day too so that Edward and I could be totally happy for all eternity. (Secret reason for wanting to be a vampire? I’d be perfectly hot, so Edward would really want me as bad as I wanted him. Being a vampire ROCKS.) But Dads just don’t understand.

One day, Edward took me away and showed me how he sparkled in the sunlight. Like a crystal. It was so sexy. He’s just so cold, but I can’t resist making out with him. I just want more and more, cuz he has perfect lips, of course. But he’s all, “No, I’ll eat you, Bella. I can’t resist.” Which just makes me want more. I mean, how sexy is that? So I try and seduce him, but, cuz I’m so awkward, I’m really super bad at it. But he doesn’t think so. He groans and I make out with him and then he chides me like I was some kid who needed reprimanding. But I’m so needy I just try again and again and we’re just always arguing as we kiss cuz he’s hungry and he can’t take any more and I’m hungry and ll I want is HIM. It’s way precious.

That was a huge portion of the year—my making out with him and him saying no. But then this other vampire clan came and they just weren’t nice. It was so rude. They really were gonna eat me—I just smell so good, you know. I can’t help it. So Edward, who is so overprotective and smothering it’s cute, freaks and makes me scream at my dad to get away. I end up at my mom’s cuz the bad vampire is stalking me. Kinda like Edward did. Except this guy wants to rip my heart out with his teeth. I would be turned on, but I’m so smitten by Mr. Perfect-marble-god Edward that I can’t think about any other guys. It’s them who don’t catch the hint. They all come on so strong. I guess I just smell too good to resist.

What happens next is me falling for the evil vampire’s trickery cuz I’m so selfless I’d give myself up to save those cool people I love so very much. So I go to the ballet studio and practically serve myself up with gravy and potatoes. Which is where we are now. Dying, remember?

The evil vampire cackles and is about to suck my blood when Edward comes from nowhere—he’s magic, you know—and they get into this enormous fight. It was so exciting: they were fighting over me! Who would have thought I was so popular? I mean, really, it is so romantic what they would do for me. But I got bit, it seems. And it hurt. I was writhing on the floor and I was all in and out of conscience. Mostly I was worried about how I looked cuz I’m so scared Edward thinks I’m ugly already and me weeping on the floor, bleeding and foaming at the mouth wasn’t helping the matter. But I know, somehow, Edward won and saved me and the rest of the cool family came and ripped the evil vampire to shreds and burn those shreds of evil vampire. It just so happens to be the only way to kill a vampire. Since they’re so perfect.

I woke up in the hospital and everyone believed some nonsense about me crashing down the stairs, through a window and onto a poisonous mine field and surviving. I was gonna get mad at Edward for making me look like such an idiot, when, really, I’d just been so selfless. But I saw him in all his glittery perfection and I just melted. I ended up back in Forks and Edward made me go to prom with him which was totally lame but I couldn’t argue cuz I love him. So he’s in charge. He loves me so he knows what’s best for me. Always. So I’m really happy. And you’re jealous. I know it. Cuz he’s hot. Just get that into your head. He’s totally hot and he’s all mine. I mean, I’m all his. Which is perfect. Too bad that evil vampire’s girlfriend is going to kill me. I could have been so happy.

Excerpt from “Sacrifice” March 2, 2009

I was just seventeen when I was chosen to die. My mother had always promised I was destined for greatness. But I was only fated for blood. My father had sworn, on my first birthday, to protect me. But it was on my seventeenth that he was to sacrifice me. I was princess, and I was meant to die.

Dragen was our world, Caledira was my Kingdom. Both were haunted by a great evil, and I was meant to dispel destruction in the 1327 year of our Kings. Time had been much longer than that, but our kings had not. Man had stumbled and fallen before, but they had survived. And, in the end of the Time of the People, they chose leaders to bless and protect. So the Time of the Kings had risen. But it was not the kings who protected. It was those who were sacrificed. It was those of innocent blood—untouched and unnecessary.

No one remembered how the Sacrifice had been chosen before the time of the Kings. Stories had never been written; people had long been forgotten. Perhaps they never had the darkness we had. Perhaps the evil never followed them. But it was there for us.

I often wondered what the other kingdoms of Dragen did—the Unmentionables. Did they too sacrifice their daughters? Were their nights plagued with nightmares as mine were? Was the blood drank and the words spoken?

Every twenty-seventh day of the thirteenth month, the first girl born was chosen to be sacrificed on their seventeenth year. It had been since the time of our Kings began, when the number seventeen was chosen as the holiest. Seventeen kingdoms, seventeen Kings. It was those seventeen that decided on the sacrifice. They said it was our only protection. And the ceremony was to be done in the thirteenth month—it was the unlucky month, when evil reigned. I always thought they chose it so, perhaps, a murder of a virgin did not seem so bad. And it had always been the twenty-seventh day, when the dawn broke across the mountains. No one ever did know why they chose that day. The number held no promise; no meaning. It was just a day—or it had been. Now it was the day of Sacrifice, and that alone made it the most remembered day of the year.

I had grown up celebrating a sacrifice each dawn of my birthday. I had worshipped the festivity and grown knowing of the glory of those selfless victims, as all children were taught. But, never, had I recognized that day as my birthday—and the promise that foretold. My mother, Queen Dumia, never mentioned it. She would stand at the balcony, she would drink the blood, and then she would smile at me, her golden child, and say to all the crowd, “This is a special day.”

In my life time, I had seen my father kill sixteen people. Every time I stood on my toes expectantly, waiting as the Sacrifice waited, feeling the power of the heavy silence as the sword was drawn and raised. The victim, in her white gown, never moved. Nor did she cry. She was too pure; too perfect to be frightened. What she did was for all of us. It was her who gave us the bit of peace that made life bearable. So, as the sword fell and the blood flowed, we would break forth into cheers till our throats were rough. It was my father, the Great King Absalom—the twenty-second king of Caledira—who would wipe his bloodied hands across the white dress and say the Four Words: “The Sacrifice is received!” And I would clap with the rest. But now I was to be that girl. It would be his daughter he killed. It would be her blood they drank. I still remember the first day I realized what I was.

My morning had been spent riding on the western beaches, with my brother, Raghnall, just ahead.

“Liliana!” he had shouted over his shoulder as the waves crashed against his mount, “If you are to die, will you die remembering me?”

I had laughed, rearing in my horse as the water sprayed. “What a silly thing to wonder—are you to think of me as well?”

He had come closer then, his boyish grin fading to seriousness.

“I’ll think of you every day from the moment you die and on to my own end.”

“What makes you think I am to die before you? You’re older!”

He had stared then, and my hands had gone cold. Everything suddenly seemed to fit. My birthday pieced together with the day of the sacrifice and I realized I was the first baby girl born that day. And this was to be my seventeenth year. I couldn’t breathe for a moment. It was as if the waves were rushing through me, pulling at my heart and pushing it back—again and again.

We rode home in silence. I went up to my room and sat by the fire, letting my fingers linger just above the flames, so I didn’t get burned. Raghnall had taught me how. Sitting there, I realized he was the only thing I could ever miss. He was nearly ten years older than me, but he had loved me more than Father or Mother. He had been the one to sit by me in the library and read the stories of the early years of the Time of the Kings. He had been the one who pointed out handsome fellows from the balcony for me to tease. He had been the one to make sure I didn’t always live in fear. Each day I spent with him was one I smiled through and enjoyed. Every other day was misery in comparison. He had never married, nor had he ever left. I liked to think it was because of me—that I was the only woman he could ever love; that he could never leave me behind. But now I was to be the one to leave him. I was to die. And I could do nothing about it, because I was the Sacrifice.

That night, I went down for supper only to hear him arguing at the table—one with seventeen chairs—with my father. I hid in the shadows of the staircase, listening as he screamed for me. He told my father they should find another; that I was not ready for such a life—death. I listened as he shouted that evil and misery still reigned, even with the sacrifice. My heart pounded as he spoke of it as a farce, a lie. And I listened as my father hit him and the silence settled.

I didn’t dare move as the footsteps sounded. Father moved past me, but Raghnall laughed at my shadow. He pulled me out, holding me in his arms like I was a child. I didn’t mind. He only smiled as I wiped the blood from his jaw, where my father’s blow had fallen.

“Liliana, don’t you worry about me.”

That was the last thing I ever heard him say. He kissed my cheek, set me down, and walked away. The next day, on a fishing trip with his friend, he disappeared. Their boat was found crashed on some rocks of the southern reef, but their bodies were never discovered. Father claimed the sea monsters must have found them; mother thought, surely, the Unmentionables had captured them, held them as their own sacrifice. Either way, he was gone. And my father did not cry at the funeral. I had no doubt that he would not cry at my death, either. Nor would my mother.

That last night, lying in my bed, I remembered those past years. All those beautiful girls, dressed gaily, as if it were a celebration. And, to the world, it was. One drenched in blood and heavy with death. I remembered how I had cheered. I remembered how I had watched, jealousy hurting, as my parents drank from the silver cup. I had always been one of the few to watch the girl’s body be carried away, to be burned in the evening in the great bonfire. And, seeing the stars from my window, I suddenly wondered why.

All my life I had felt the darkness of the world. And all my life I had accepted the sacrifice as one necessary to our safety and our survival. It was my turn, now, to save my people.

Death can’t be all bad.

* all rights belong to Shelby Boyer *

Happiness Is… January 4, 2009

Writing on mirrors
Air hugs
Silent laughter
The smell of leather
Popping packing bubbles
Late nights
Singing in the car
Romantic comedies
a new pillow
Laughing till you can’t breathe, your sides hurt, and you’re crying
—Making someone laugh like that
The first time you wear something new
Ripping off wrapping paper
Erasing a mistake
Licking the spoon
Crying
Ogling over unavailable guys
A good hair day
Water fights
Crisp dollars
Permanent markers
Rain clouds
High heels
Coloring inside the lines
No homework
Quoting movies like nobody’s business
The color green
Sleeping in
Laughing with galpals
Sprawling
Holding hands
The scratch of a pen on paper
Watching snow fall
Slippers
Doodling
Heels clicking on tile
Your “doctor” signature
Hearing your favorite song on the radio
Ooing and Awing
Being told you’re beautiful
Making up words
Daydreaming
Trying something new and absolutely bombing
Spring blossoms
Cake batter
Speeding
Getting dressed up
Falling down with someone
Shouting out something random
Warm blankets
Roasted starbursts
Sunsets
Hearing a new joke
Watching people smile
Potatoes
Reading by a fire
Sitting on countertops
Dipping your toes in
Sounding awful but singing anyway
Trying on dresses
Old books
Walking into a home reeking with goodness
Loaded with paper bags
Using big words
Doing it when everybody says you can’t
Breaking something
Using words incorrectly
Warm food
Breathing in crisp, autumn air
Music
Laughing at your mistake
Eskimo kisses
Surprises
Making a difference and not being recognized for it
The smell of hairspray
Winning
–losing
Pretending life is a musical
Holidays
Standing up for something
The sound of typing
Slow dancing
Midnight showings
Basking in the sunlight
Countdowns
Shooting stars
Old books
Talking to yourself
Being crazy

Being yourself.

Evalyn’s Memoirs … excerpt/preview July 11, 2008

To all my readers out there, I have been writing. I promise! But I know I’ve left you in the dark. So, I’m back. And I’m giving you a taste of the work that has distracted me! This is an excerpt from Evalyn’s Memoirs (the journal-type novel I had on one of my pages). It is just after her ball. At her ball she had been kissed and finally realized who she loved. And this is the next morning when…well, I’ll just let you read

*

I found myself outside, by the veranda. My breaths got short as I realized where I was—just outside the ballroom. I tell you, I never felt so foolish. But that didn’t stop me from letting my feet carry me down the path. I knew exactly where I was going. That’s why my blush deepened with each step. But I knew nothing could stop me. My mind was going crazy, re-imagining every moment on that path with detail. That’s why I wasn’t at all surprised to find myself in the very bit of the park where it had happened. And my memory was so vivid, I could see him standing there. He was standing with his back to me, his eyes staring off. That’s when I realized it wasn’t my imagination.

I couldn’t help but gasp, and the noise made him spin about, his entire self unkempt and rough looking. His shirt wasn’t tucked in, his jacket was unbuttoned and yet he still sent giggles down my spine. He quickly apologized for scaring me, his eyes falling to the ground as he played with one hand nervously. I bit down my smile, suddenly nervous myself.

“What are you doing here?” I asked softly, hoping on hope that I knew why; that it would coincide with why I was. He smiled, finally looking at me.

“You look beautiful, my princess.”

I paid no attention to it, I just took a small step forward, pulling back a bit of hair from my face. “Answer the question, good sir.”

He took a step forward also, staring at nothing but my eyes, speaking quickly and not at all nervously.

“After the ball, I could not let sleep. I was scared to wake and find everything to be a dream. I didn’t even try to sleep. I have been out here, standing, just hoping it wasn’t all a dream. And I don’t think it is. Your beauty haunts these paths. It’s almost as if each of my senses is completely enraptured by you and only you. These roses—I smell nothing sweet from them. And the sun. I have watched it rise and climb and fall, but it was nothing compared to your smile; your eyes. I have walked through these trees a thousand times, wondering if I could hear a birds song. But I couldn’t; I was completely entranced by your laugh. I almost went mad spending the day here, unsure of what was real or what I had imagined. Even now, I fear this is only a dream. That you, you will fade away again. It is you—your beauty—that has kept me here. I cannot leave. I am afraid it will all leave me. Nothing will ever be able to compare to your beauty ever again. I will never find joy in a rose, in a bird, in a sunset ever again. For you defy all.”

By now only his stare kept me standing. He was right in front of me, inches from my face. And then I realized his hand was grasping my face, pressing gently against my cheek. But still, all I could truly recognize were his eyes. They seemed to hold the passion of the world. The were scared and sure all at the same time. And they held me spellbound. He spoke again, more softly as I found his mouth was pressed to my ear.

“You have captured me and I will never be free. I don’t want to be. And that, my princess, is why I am here. I need you.”

I was absolutely breathless. My hand darted into his other one, the one that wasn’t holding me close. And then I smiled, looking at him. “I wish you’d call me Evalyn.”

He shook his head his eyes still serious. “No, you are my princess. You rule my heart, mind, strength. You are crowned above men and worth more than jewels. You, princess, can be known as nothing else.”

“Do you dare disobey me?” I whispered, teasing as best I could under the circumstances.

He smiled. A soft, small smile that made his eyes crinkle. “I do.”

And then he kissed me, sending that burst of magic through me. I was spinning again.

Broken Promises June 28, 2008

My foot started cramping as the minutes passed. It was tucked under my legs as I lounged on the couch, wishing everything away. He sat next to me; the piles of papers and books falling from his lap. It was near midnight. And that was when I sighed. We’d been there—same position—for over five hours. And I learned, like, nothing. At all.

“I hate English. Can we please call it quits? Please, I’m begging you.” I asked tiredly.

He laughed softly, stretching his back across the arm rest. “Lauren! You mean, you don’t find this fun?”

I rolled my eyes, “Oh yeah. No, Josh, sorry. Guess I don’t have the brain capacity of you cuz all this was in one ear and out the other.”

“Yeah, well, I guess if we don’t know it now, we’ll never know it. Might as well sleep.”

“Hallelujah.” I whispered, letting a relieved smile slide onto my face. But I didn’t move; I was too tired. I just closed my eyes and leaned my head back.

“So…should I go?”

He looked over at me awkwardly and I laughed.

“Sorry, I’m just tired.”

He nodded, biting his lip. “Ya, the drooling on the couch sorta gave that away.”

I hit him, laughing.

“Funny. At least I don’t keep looking at the kitchen as if I’m gonna die if I don’t get food this second.”

He chuckled. “That noticeable?”

I nodded, standing slowly and falling into a stretch. “Do you want something to eat?”

He stood, “Not to impose…but yes.”

I smiled, nudging him. “It’s fine. My mom would die if you left here hungry. She totally loves you.”

“Ah, yes. The only one in this house who does.”

“Well, can you really blame my dad? I mean, your family moves in, he goes over to say hi and you sick your bulldog on him.”

I could hardly say it without laughing. Josh just blushed.

“I seriously thought he was gonna kill me! He’s huge and he was practically charging at me. It was…instinctual.”

I just laughed, opening some cabinets and looking for any sort of munchies.

“But is he the only one? Who hates me, I mean?”

I glanced over at him, my forehead crinkling. “Well, there’s Balderdash. But he hates everyone.”

“Oh yes, the dog.” He said with a twinkle. His eyes always twinkled—even when he was mad.

“But is that it?” He continued, keeping his eyes on me, “Do you hate me like your dad…or do you love me—like your mom?”

I blushed, turning quickly away.

“Not in a weird way or anything.” he added quickly. “Just curious.”

I chuckled nervously. “Always curious, huh?”

He didn’t laugh. In fact, he didn’t do anything but look at me; his eyes twinkling. I didn’t know why.

We stood for a moment; him just staring, and me, blushing.

“So, what’s on the menu?” he asked finally, slipping onto one of the barstools.

I stuttered, confused and…flustered. “Well, we have peanut butter and…peanut butter.”

He laughed, “Okay then. I’m good with that. As long as it’s chunky.”

I gasped, “Of course! Only real peanut butter.”

“Isn’t that a bit of an oxymoron?”

I scowled, “No more English, kay? And you’re the one who asked for it.”

“I know, I know. I was just…quoting something. I’m surprised you don’t remember. …Sara’s pool party.”

I stared at him for a moment, then burst out laughing. “Duh! That little five year old after the food fight. He told your mom that he had oxymoron goo all over him. How could I forget? It was you who got the peanut butter out, huh? And you pretty much threw it all over him when he said he didn’t like it cuz you can’t have chunky butter.” I laughed, digging my spoon into the peanut butter. Sara was his little sister; we had been baby-sitting.

“Yeah,” he said, smiling, “You swore you’d never forget.”

I rolled my eyes, “Well that was nearly three years ago. We were like, what, fifteen. Hey—that was the same day your swimsuit flew off as you jumped from the diving board!”

He groaned, blushing under my laugh. “That, however, you swore you’d never mention.”

“Right.” I laughed. “Well, what good are promises if you can’t break them.”

“Ooo! deep!” he laughed, licking his spoon clean. “Sure your parents appreciate that theory.”

I nodded. And it went strangely quiet. Both of us were focused on swallowing.

“So,” josh said after a moment, “What are more promises we can or have broken?”

I thought for a moment. “How ‘bout how you promised me you’d pay me back for those concert tickets.”

“Oh!” he groaned, “Low blow, Lauren! Geez! well, what about you? You promised me you’d never kiss Jake. And—boom—first date, he got you.”

I gasped, “Man, josh. You are ruthless. Besides, I told you, he’s the one who kissed me. I nearly killed myself after. Pity date gone horribly wrong, remember.”

He just laughed, his eyes twinkling like mad. “Yes, well, I still think it’s funny.”

“Besides, why did it matter so much to you? You pretty much made me write in my own blood that I wouldn’t kiss him.”

He didn’t respond, just quickly thrust his spoon in his mouth. I watched him for a moment, surprised by his silence. He was never quiet; and never without a comeback.

“Well what about ones we still have to break?” he asked, avoiding my eyes. He put the spoon down, pushing the jar of peanut butter away.

I looked at him, surprised at how he totally avoiding what I’d said. but he just waited for me to respond.

“Well, we promised we would pass this test.”

He laughed, “Good one. Totally positive, too.”

I rolled my eyes. “What about you? You’ve got a promise you’re dying to break?”

He looked down, and then straight at me. It took me back; surprised me. And I found I couldn’t breathe. That’s when I realized just how close we were. Our knees were touching under the counter; his hand just by mine on the counter. I could almost smell the peanut butter on his breath.

“How ‘bout when I promised I’d never kiss a girl I didn’t absolutely love?”

I stared at him, suddenly nervous. Especially since he leaned closer.

“Well, who you got in mind, cowboy?” I asked, trying desperately to laugh. But he ignored me.

“Or, how we’d just be friends?”

Suddenly his face was hardly an inch away from mine; his eyes were sparkling again. I still couldn’t breathe. My eyes even closed. And his voice turned to a whisper. A spine tingling, total breathtaking whisper.

“How do those sound?”

I swallowed, my eyes still closed. “Good.” I whispered, losing all control as he sunk closer.

I could feel him—it was the only sense that was working. I could feel his hand slip gently around my neck, pulling me closer. I felt his thumb slowly graze my cheek, his other hand reaching my other one. I could feel his breath dance across my face. I felt my heart stop; I felt myself shiver. And then he kissed me. And I felt that.

It was as if the whole world started to twinkle and I finally felt at home. Everything seemed to be right; everything was as it should be. It was as if, in that tiny moment, years of being friends finally made sense. It was all for that single kiss. That one, beautiful tirade of broken promises. And all I could do was smile. But it was enough, because he still kissed me.

Good Morning, Sunshine – prt. 15 May 15, 2008

By Monday I was smiling again; life seemed a bit brighter. Cadence seemed relieved my random-emotional-over-kill moments were over. So was I. And school seemed good and nearly normal. I was used to it—most of it—now. Except the food. I don’t think anyone could ever get used to that.

I actually backed off Jason a bit. Not in a bad way, though. We were still together. In fact, we were number one on the Best Valentine’s Ever list. Someone had posted a picture of me sobbing as he had handed me the roses. That sort of made me cringe, because I remembered why I had been crying. But it was still sweet. And Jason looked good. We both seemed better. He had given me a ride and not mentioned anything about what we had talked about. Surprisingly, that just added pressure to my obligation to talk to Todd. Which turned out to be an awful experience—no surprise. But I’m getting ahead of myself. And that was probably the understatement of the year.

I was walking to my next class alone and I saw him—alone. He caught my eye and with a bug-eyed sigh, spun around and started walking the other way. That made me agitated and I ran to his side, determined to get it over with.

“Todd,” I said, coming to a slow stop, “We have to talk.”

He scowled at me, looking ready to bite. “About what, Brooke? Your point was clear—and I’ll have you know my jaw was bruised because of it.”

I rolled my eyes. “That’s exactly it—why don’t you just grow up?”

He barked a short laugh. “Yeah, look who’s talking? You are such a friggin’ hypocrite, you know that?”

I stared at him, my jaw dropping. “Excuse me? All I said was that we need to talk; not get in some screaming fight.”

“Well, see if I care about your shallow antics! You think cuz you come and say ‘we have to talk’ that makes you the mature one?”

“Mature—you think you are mature? Like, serious?”

“’Like, serious?’” He mimicked, staring icily at me, “You know what Brooke, how ‘bout you go stick your tongue down my brothers throat and get out of my life?”

I stared, an angry laugh slipping into my words, “Now that is real maturity.”

“Do you really think I care? You think you’ve changed; that because you had your perfect life ripped away from you, you are a new person. You’re not. You are the same snotty bimbo who—”

“How can you even stand there and act as if you know me! You don’t—never will. Todd—just leave me alone and GROW UP.” I spun around, giving up and desperate to get to class; to get away. But he made me turn around.

“There you go again; pretending you’re queen of the world! You’re just this Manhattan prep who’s going for Jason because of his money, his style; even his so-called ‘drive’! You are nothing more than a teenage gold digger.”

That was too much. I shoved him back a step, silencing him immediately. “Don’t you dare accuse me! I am no gold digger.”

“Oh yeah?” he screamed, coming back a step closer, “Then what’s his middle name? How about his favorite color? Do you even know what things he likes to do—I mean, except making out with you.”

“You jealous?” I bit, getting in his face, “Todd, I know Jason. So why don’t you save face and shut up.”

He laughed, still screaming, “If what you know of Jason is considered knowing people, no wonder you have such a shallow existence! I bet you couldn’t list five things about him; what he likes or wants. Yeah—you know he’s going to college, you know he’s hot. But you don’t know him.”

Suddenly I was no longer bold. A growing crowd was surrounding us and I just realized it. My cheeks flushed; I was red and steaming. “That’s not true.” I whispered, willing it all to go away. But Todd wasn’t done.

“No, but its okay; he’s doesn’t know you either.” His words were quieter too, but they still cut at me. And I started to cry; silent, hot tears that made my skin flush more. The silence from the crowd was almost deafening. But not as much as Todd’s quiet accusations.

“You two…you don’t care. You just take. He can’t even say he knows you; listens to you—sees you. You guys just use each other. And I guess that works for you, but, just know, there’s nothing there. And one day that’s gonna hurt.”

“Who do you even think you are?” The words were slow and deep. I was angry. “You think you know me better—Jason told me about you; how you don’t even have your own life! And now you’re telling me that you know more about mine than he does; than I do?”

His eyes fell to the floor. I was fuming, my breaths short and tight. I hoped it was over, that I could turn and run; but he spoke. And it hurt.

“Well, I know he can’t see how beautiful you are. No, he see’s the colors and shapes. But he doesn’t know how, when you’re bored, you start to play with the tips of your hair. He doesn’t see that there’s a face you make for every kind of emotion. Your eyebrows sink just to the left when you’re thinking. And, when you smile, your nose sort of crinkles. There’s a dimple on your right cheek that only shows up when you bite your lip. And I know how you like it when your hair falls across your eyes—it means you can finally breathe; you don’t have to put on a face for everyone.” Every word made me blush. It was making me sick. He didn’t even seem to notice. I don’t think he knew there was a crowd around us. His eyes were on me and me alone.

“I know that you want to be held close—even in a dance. You—you look great in teal; it’s your favorite color. I know you’d rather have PB and J’s than caviar or…quail. You want to be more than a rich snob; you want to get out of this stereotype of fashion and…snootiness! You want to go to prom! You wanna climb a tree—wear jeans that cost less than a three digit number. There’s something in your eyes that tells—everyone—that you want to be you; not the rich girl from Manhattan.”

Now I was tired and officially pissed off. “You are a jerk. A total, bitter jerk who thinks he knows everything. But you don’t. And you just proved it.” My voice started to rise; my stance straightened and I was ready to punch something. Preferably him. “How can you think that, for one second, I would ever want to be with someone who thinks he knows me better than I do? I would never want you; you’re just a little boy making guess work about me. You don’t know me. You, Todd, are an absolute as—”

“What’s going on here?”

It was the principal. He pushed himself through the crowd and into the circle where Todd and I stood. People started to talk and the choking silence around us finally stopped. I could breathe. But then Jason pushed his way through, right next to the principal. His eyes were wide and not at all humored.

“Yeah—what is this, Todd?” His voice was almost malicious. And Todd suddenly looked sheepish.

“I—we…were just…talking.” He stuttered, not daring to look anywhere in particular. I snorted, hot tears still falling down my face. Jason wrapped his arms around me and the principal stared sternly about.

“Todd, you just need to grow up.” Jason said, his voice bringing the silence back.

Todd laughed; it was almost a cruel laugh. “Yeah—I’ve heard that a lot today—”

“That’s because you do. I can’t believe…just…go to hell.”

The principal raised his hands to calm the crowd. Even Todd seemed close to tears. But then it turned ugly. His eyes got venomous and he nearly spat at us.

“Oh, just take your whore and have a happy life.”
Those words by themselves would have been shocking enough, but what happened next blew it overboard.

Jason’s arm was suddenly no longer around my shoulders. In a split second, his fist was thrown forcefully into Todd’s face and he was knocked to the ground. Then the principal was grabbing Jason and holding him back, shoving him into the wall of people that now started freaking out. Todd tried to stand, his hand covering his mouth where blood sputtered out.

Chaos ricocheted through the crowd—people were talking, some were laughing, the principal was yelling at everyone and more teachers showed up; half of them wondering where their students were and the other were curious as to what the noise was. One of the teachers helped Todd up, pulling him to the nurses. Jason was carted off by the principal and the crowd was told to get to class. I just stood, more surprised than anyone. I couldn’t move.

Eventually someone told me to get to class—I don’t remember who. But I wasn’t there for long. Soon I got a note calling me to the principal’s. I was surprised to see a cop; they asked me to tell them what had happened. I didn’t really want to. I avoided the topic of conversation and just explained that we had gotten in a fight. They told me I had to go home; that I was suspended for the rest of the day. Some bull crap about how I had impeded on the education and peace of the school. I was forced to call Cadence; some sort of try at an emotional punishment. But I didn’t really care. Home sounded good to me. So Cadence came—I did feel bad though; she had to leave work—and I left. I didn’t know where Jason was or what his punishment was. But I didn’t really care. I still just wanted to disappear. Cadence wouldn’t let me. She asked what had happened and I knew I had to tell her. It took me so long, we were sitting in the garage for a while. And afterwards she just looked at me and then she whistled. Made a joke about how my life was a soap opera. I didn’t find it funny. She got that and let me get out and go inside. But first she told me I would have to make dinner; that she had to work late because of me. I didn’t really mind. I just went inside and lied down, desperate to forget it all.

Good Morning, Sunshine – prt. 14 May 13, 2008

Life was tense for the next week. And Jason seemed to get that. Of course, it wasn’t hard to catch on. Every time I saw Todd, heard his name, or even thought of Todd, I’d hug tighter to Jason. Randomly, in the middle of classes, I’d kiss him. Just willing myself to get Todd out of my head. English was the worst. Jason just thought I was completely in to him, which I was. But even I knew that wasn’t why I would hold tight.

On Saturday night he got it out of me. We were sitting outside on my porch swing and I wasn’t really talking. Jason just held my hand and, sighing deeply, asked me what was wrong. At first I tried to veer the conversation in another direction, but I couldn’t resist those eyes and—slowly—I told him everything. About that one time Todd had given me a ride, about the stares, about the screaming fight, and even about the kiss. I was scared to tell it, afraid Jason would stand up and go shoot his brother. But he just laughed; a slow, sad sort of laugh. I sat back, staring at him and asking what on earth his deal was.

He just shook his head, “That’s just…my brother.”

“Just your brother? Oh, so what, he can just go around kissing your girlfriend and you won’t care?” I pushed myself out of his arms, totally pissed, and scooted across the bench.

His eyes got wide. “No, that’s not what I mean! It’s just…. Todd, he….” He sighed, pulling me back over and forcing hand in his. “Todd has a habit of…wanting to be me. I know that sounds weird, but it’s true. Everything I have, he wants. He just…never really was his own self. Like, my classes—he has almost the same exact schedule, but he hates half the stuff. He asks my mom for the same stuff I ask for. He’s like some sort of…leech living off of somebody else’s life.”

“So you mean to say he really doesn’t like me?” It wasn’t a sad question, or even mad. I was just asking, really curious.

He looked at me for a second, a sort of laugh in his eyes, “Who wouldn’t like you?”

I hit him, trying to keep the situation serious.

“I don’t know,” he sighed, “I can’t really say I’m surprised. He did it before. With my last girlfriend.” His voice went all quiet and I didn’t dare breathe. “He just…can’t think for himself. And, yeah, it gets annoying, but it’s him. And I didn’t think he liked you. It was just at lunch that first day that he pointed you out, said you were a nut case—but a gorgeous one. I had laughed, but I was curious. Especially when I saw you. And I told him—I told him he could go for you. And, when he didn’t, I even asked him if I could. And he said yeah—that you weren’t some cow to be bought and paid for. That all is fair in love and that he didn’t even want to try for you. That you were high maintenance and a pain. But I didn’t see that, or at least I didn’t mind it, so I went for it.”

I just watched him, different emotions coming with every word. A cow? High maintenance? Go for it? Nut case? Didn’t mind it? But I didn’t bring any of it up. I just looked down, petting his knuckles and breathing slowly. But he wasn’t done.

He laughed softly, leaning his chin on my head. “So, I just have one question for you….”

I looked up; his sparkling eyes surprisingly close and completely mischievous.

“Who’s the better kisser?”

And finally, I laughed. And he kissed me. And the night finally felt warm again.

We sat there for a while more, listening to nothing more than our own breathing. His hands still clasped mine, his arms wrapped tightly around me. I felt safe and comfortable. I could have slept, right there, but he had a curfew. So I walked him to his car and we stood there for a while more, sharing a kiss and then he told me something. He said I didn’t have to be awkward around Todd, that eventually Todd would get over himself. I snorted, saying that seemed a lofty hope. But Jason was serious. He told me that Todd really was a nice guy, just slightly immature. But then again, no one could blame him for falling for a girl like me–least of all Jason. He also said that I should talk to Todd, that he trusted me. I didn’t know what he expected me to say, so I just nodded, saying I’d keep it in mind. He chuckled and then, with one last hug, kissed me goodnight and left.

So I went to bed and finally felt normal again, as if the world was righted or the worries were gone. Todd still haunted the corner of my mind, but now it was a little less threatening. Especially since I could still feel Jason. And it felt…good.