Enter Romeo: Chapters 4-6

Chapter 3: The Party

No one liked World Civilizations. Not even the nerds in the front row. When we walked into class to see a substitute teacher writing his name on the board, there was a general feeling of relief and excitement throughout the students. It took the poor guy fifteen minutes to take attendance. By the time he got to my name, the class was totally oblivious.

“William…um…Johansen? Will Johansen?” he stammered out, trying in vain to be heard above the noise. Rather than waste my breathe trying to respond, I just raised my hand and waved.

The whole class was a buzz about the party that night. It seemed everyone had heard about it, but only the cool kids had actually been invited. Courtnee’s parties were like that, and if any ‘uncool’ kid tried to crash, they would be shunned and thrown out. Since I was friends with Saul, usually they were ok with me, but I always got dirty looks from the ‘popular’ kids. I could hear the kids next to me talking about the party.

“Did you hear? There’s going to be college kids at the party,”

“I heard her brother is bringing a whole van full of beer,”

“Last time she had a party, I heard some kid died, but her parents covered it up,”

“Why doesn’t she ever invite me to her parties? I sit behind her in Physics!”

Kids these days. Anyways, World Civ was the last class that day. When the bell rang, everyone ran out to their lockers. I was last out of the classroom, and I could hear a bunch of kids laughing around the corner. After stopping for a quick drink at the water fountain, I went to see what the fuss was all about.

Enter: The Little Sister

A large group of kids were huddled around a specific locker, and after pushing my way through the laughing throng, I saw a girl sitting on the floor in front of an open locker. Someone had filled the locker with whipped cream. It was pretty funny, but I stopped laughing when I looked closer at the girl on the floor. She had whipped cream on her face, and I could see a few tears as well. I was pretty sure the girl was Corina, Emmy’s little sister. Everyone was always making fun of her for her weight.

I walked away, and speak of the devil; I saw Emmy and D’Artagnan making out in a doorway. God I hate that guy. Douche.

I’m so glad Courtnee’s party is tonight. I need a drink.

 

The Girl:

After lunch, I left class and went to the nurse’s office. She’s gotten used to my daily visits and doesn’t make too much of a fuss when I lay on a bed till the school day is over. It’s not like I pay attention in class anyways.

Today I was txting my D and my girl Courtnee. I was talking to Courtnee about the party, and I was talking to D about, well, sex. That’s all we ever talk about

EmLa’Beau69: Sup grrlfriend!

C0urtn33: Namuch ;) Xcited 4 2nite?

EmLa’Beau69: Of course! Can’t wait ^_^

Biker4Lif3: Hey baby

EmLa’Beau69: Hey baby ;) I can’t stop thinking about what I’m gonna do to you tonight

Biker4Lif3: I miss the taste of you

EmLa’Beau69: I miss the taste of you. In my mouth, and on my skin

C0urtn33: What?

EmLa’Beau69: Srry, mistxt

C0urtn33: Talkn 2 ur boytoy 2?

EmLa’Beau69: Yep. He’s been really pissed lately. I hate it when he’s angry.

Biker4Lif3: What?!

EmLa’Beau69: Not you Baby, never you . My math teacher is pmsing again

Biker4Lif3: Oh

Before I could mix things up even more, the bell rang. School was out, thank God. I met my D out in the hallway for our daily makeout session. I had to cut it short today because of Courtnee’s party, so when D’s hands started moving under my shirt, I pulled away.

Before he could protest, I put a finger to his lips and said, “Just wait until you see what I have planned for you tonight.”

I kissed him once on the forehead, my little signature, and then ran out to my car. I had to get home and change and put on makeup before Courtnee’s party. Speeding down backroads, I got home in just under five minutes. Nice.

I ran in, and of course, who was waiting for me but my dad. I’d managed to avoid him the past two days by spending most of my time with D, but he was sitting at the kitchen table when I walked through the back door. I could smell beer on his breath. This was not going to be fun.

“Where’ve you been?” he growled.

“I’ve been at school, it is a school day,” I answered as I threw down my bookbag.

He got up angrily and said, “Don’t you talk to me like that young lady. You know what I mean. Where were you all weekend?”

I hung up my coat loosely on a hook and said, “I was with Courtnee, working on a project.”

He came up behind me as I rummaged in the practically empty fridge. I felt his rough hands grab my shoulders as he said, “Don’t think I don’t know about you. Everyone tells me about my little slut.”

“Hey!” I yelled, trying to break free from his hold, and failing.

I felt his hands move over me as he whispered in my ear, “Not that I didn’t know how much of a little slut you are.”

I finally broke free and ran out, grabbing my jacket and bag as I went. I hate it when my dad gets like this. Especially after Mom died.

Looks like I won’t be changing for Courtnee’s party after all. Maybe I can borrow something from her. I need a drink.

 

The Best Friend:

After school Eve and I went out to my car and, well, use your imagination. It was incredible. Almost as good as the last night was. I’m surprised no one heard us, the way she was screaming. Not that I was quiet either. Never before had I found someone who did so much for me.

In bed, of course.

After one final, long scream, we sat back, panting, feeling the sweat drying off our skin. Eve rested her head against my bare chest, our arms wrapped around each other. It was, perfect.

Eve laughed and said, “I can hear your heartbeat. Sounds like I got you pretty excited.”

“Excited? I’ve never felt that good before.” I said as I kissed her lightly on the lips.

“You certainly knew some tricks yourself. Where’d you learn that think with your nose?” Eve said, playfully poking my nose.

I twisted her around, pulling her tightly against me as I said, “A magician never reveals his secrets.”

We laughed, and then we just lay in each other’s arms, happy. It was, in a word, perfect.

It was, love.

“I think I love you”

The words came out before I even knew it, before I could stop myself. I winced at the naiveté.

Eve sighed and looked up at me. It wasn’t a happy sigh, but it wasn’t a condescending sigh. It was sad. I looked down at her eyes, and I felt my heart stop.

“There’s something I need to tell you,” she said, before she sat up and turned to face me.

Eve looked away as she said, “I’m leaving for Paris. Tomorrow.”

“What? How long will you be gone?”

She sighed again, and answered, “I don’t know. My dad’s job got moved, and, well, you know.”

“No, I don’t know,” I said, getting a bit angry, “What was this? You just wanted a final fling before you left?”

I lit up a cigarette as she answered, “No, nothing like that. I’ve always had a crush on you, and I wanted to see what happened before I had to leave.”

“Just ‘see what happened’? What am I, the evening news?”

“No! I just didn’t want to leave without even talking to you”

“So you use me and then leave me like a used-“

“Don’t you dare say that! It’s not like that Saul”

“Then tell me what it’s like, cause from where I’m standing, that’s exactly what just went down”

“I thought you’d appreciate-“

“Appreciate what? Being used and abandoned? Not again.”

Eve grabbed her bag and left, slamming the car door. I sat there smoking another cigarette, fuming in every sense of the word. I slammed the gas pedal down and sped down Main Street, not caring about police or any other drivers. Thank god Courtnee was having a party. I needed a drink.

 

The Boy Friend:

I need a drink.

 

The Party:

Courtnee: Let’s play a game!

Random Guy: Spin the Bottle!

Another Random Guy: Here’s a bottle (burp)

Emmy: Come on D, let’s play!

D’Artagnan: Why can’t we just-

Emmy: Come on!

Saul: Let’s play

Will: Why?

Saul: It’s the closest you’ll ever come to a breathing female

Will: Hey!

Saul: Come on

Random Guy: Ha! Denise has to kiss Matt

Random Girl: Who’s Matt?

Another Random Guy: Your turn Emmy

Emmy: Please be D! (spins)

The bottle spins, slows, and comes to a stop, pointing directly at…Will.

Random Guy: Gasp!

Emmy: Ewwwwwwwwww

Will: (sigh) It’s ok, you can spin again

Courtnee: Come on, girl, it’s just a game. That’s the fun of it!

D’Artagnan: (growls)

Will: (whimpers)

Emmy: Fine. God. Come here

Cue: Cheesy Romantic Movie Music

Their lips touch for the briefest second, and Will’s heart almost stops.

Circle of Kids: (cheers)

Random Guy: Saul, it’s your turn

Saul: Cool (spins)

Courtnee: ‘Please oh please oh please oh please oh please’

The bottle spins, slows, and comes to a stop, pointing at…D’Artagnan.

D’Artagnan: No. No no no no no.

Courtnee: ‘Lucky’

Will: Ummm

Emmy: Ha!

D’Artagnan: No way in hell

Emmy: Aw, come on, it’s just a game (giggles)

Saul: Just…be quick about it

Will: Are you serious?

Cue: Cheesy Romantic Movie Music

Everyone holds their breath until their lips finally touch, then Saul and D’Artagnan fly backwards.

Emmy: Woo!

Courtnee: Woo!

Will: My head hurts…(crash)

Cue: Curtains

Fade to black

 

Chapter 4: One Week Later

“Wise, heh, Why smen s-s-say, only fools (hic) Russian, bu-bu-but, but I, I can’elp, fallin’ n’ n’ looooooooveh…wiiiiiiiiiiiiiit…chuuuuuuuuuuu” Saul sang, in a slightly off key but startlingly accurate rendition of the classic Elvis song.

I was cleaning up a beer can he had knocked over as I said, “You’ve been drinking for a whole week bro, you even missed practice last night. She’s gone. She’s never coming back.”

“That’s, now that’s, that’s where you’re wrong you, you, silly little boy,” he answered, before collapsing in a fit of the giggles.

Saul had been this way ever since Eve left him for Paris. He was a wreck. I’d been doing my best of take care of him, but I was starting to get worried. I watched him reach into his pocket for a cigarette, only to find that his pack was empty. He sighed, and tossed it to the side, next to a disturbingly large pile of similarly empty packs. I felt my own lungs wince at the sight.

“I am not (hic) drunk, I, I am, loose, man,” Saul said, “You, you’re the one’oos drunk.”

I checked my watch as I said, “Practice starts in an hour, we need to get going.”

“No, what you need to do, is, is, is loosen…up.”

“Hey, that girl from physics called for you.”

He just stared at me from his new perch, in between the couch and the loveseat.

“You know, Emmy’s friend?”

Saul wriggled around till his body was no longer supported by either piece of worn leather furniture, sending his head crashing hard against the hardwood floor.

“Courtnee?”

Apparently the concussion sobered him up a bit.

“Yeah, Courtnee. She called like twice to check in on you. I think she likes you.”

I could see the spark coming back into his eyes.

“Really? You think so?”

“She’s always looking at you in class bro. You should call her back.”

Saul shakily got to his feet. I watched in awe as he proceeded to completely shake off the alcohol, straighten out his shirt, and comb his hair. It was like watching one of the impossibly drastic weight loss commercials. Before, a drunk slob, after, a dashing young gent. Damn Saul and his classic good looks.

“I think I will. Hey, Will?”

“Yeah?”

He clapped my shoulder and said, “Thanks for being here. I know how much of a burden I can be sometimes.”

“It’s no big-“

“Yes, it is. I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate this friendship. I wouldn’t give this up for anything.”

We stayed there for a second, not saying anything, his hand on my shoulder, until we finally pulled away and nervously laughed.

“Dude, you’re so gay.

Saul just grabbed his jacket and left. Left me to clean up after him. As always, I’m the one left picking up the pieces, while he’s the one who gets the girl.

I still hadn’t gotten over the party. That one moment, that one second, where our lips had touched, everything felt, perfect. It was so, right, just that one moment where Emmy and I kissed. It felt like no other kiss ever had. It was like all the cheesy songs and chick flicks made it. Did she feel it too? The way she had looked at me, for just a second, I thought I saw something in her eyes besides the usual snobby shield she puts up. Something almost, but not quite, like happiness. I was so surprised I didn’t even talk to her at all that night. Oh well, it’s not like that’ll ever happen again.

 

The girl:

“Ms. La’Beau! Would you come into my office please?”

The play director was mad at me again, just because I skipped practice last night. It was D’s and mine’s seven month anniversary, what did he expect? Like I was going to miss a night of hot, sweaty fun with my boo for the stupid class play? Yeah right.

“Now, Ms. La’Beau!”

Before I went in, I popped open another button on my blouse. Might as well have fun with this.

I stepped through the doorway, leaning with my chest against the door and arching my back to show off my curves as I said, “You wanted to, see, me?”

He blinked twice, and then stammered out, “Yes, yes, come in, please.”

“Anything you say, sir,” I said, walking slowly over to his desk. I could hear him audibly swallow as I leaned forward and put both elbows on the desk, drawing his eyes to my exposed cleavage.

“Miss, um, Ms. La’Beau, your attendance lately has been, well, um, subpar,” he said, pretending to straighten out some papers as he tried to not look at my breasts. Teachers are so easy.

I sat down into the chair behind me, making a big show of crossing my legs to give him a peek of the silky white skin of my thigh under my skirt. He dropped the pen he’d been fiddling with, and pulled at his shirt collar. This was going to be fun.

“With you being the female, um, female lead this year, you need to set a good, a good, exam…” he said, drifting off as I ‘yawned’, throwing my arms over my head and arching my back again. I could feel the bottom of my blouse come up, exposing my pierced belly button. It was clear he didn’t know whether to stare at my protruding breasts or my pierced navel.

I got up from the chair and sat down on the desk, twisting my shoulders to look at him as I softly said, “I’m so…so sorry. I’ve been such a bad…bad girl.”

He got up from the desk and backed up into some bookshelves, knocking over a ‘Teacher of the Year’ award in the process. His cheeks were as red as the apple on his desk. A bit old school for me.

I swiveled my long stocking-clad legs over the desk and walked up to him. He was trying to say something, but couldn’t find the words, so I put one finger on his lips to shush him.

His eyes went wide at my touch, but before he could say anything, I lowered my finger to his chest and said, “I’ll try to be a, good girl, for you. Would you like that?”

I lightly trailed my French manicured nails down his shirt, but before I hit his belt, I twirled them back up to his lips and whispered, “I promise I’ll be good.”

His body was literally starting to tremble, so I backed off and sat back on his desk. I held back a laugh as he fixed his tie and tried to straighten out his shirt.

“I guess, I guess, I can, um, let this one slide,” he stammered out, “Just make sure to come to practice tonight.”

I started walking out of his office, but before I closed the door behind me, I turned and licked my lips as I said, “It’ll be our…little…secret.”

He was reaching for a box of tissues as I walked away, and I managed to get all the way around the corner before breaking out into a fit of laughter. God teachers are easy. I couldn’t wait to tell Courtnee about this. She’d have a hoot.

 

The Best Friend:

Play practice was interesting. The director was staring at Emmy much more than usual, D’Artagnan was nowhere to be found, and Courtnee was sitting in the empty auditorium watching the whole thing. Or rather, she was watching me. Maybe there was something there after all.

Will was up on stage stumbling through some lines with Emmy while trying not to look at her breasts poking out of her tube top, so I took the opportunity to go talk to Courtnee. She saw me coming down the aisle and she walked out into the hallway. Naturally, I followed her.

When I closed the door behind me, she was waiting, leaning against the lockers. She looked absolutely ravishing, in an understated way. Nothing fancy, she wore just jeans and a t-shirt, but good jeans and a fitted t-shirt that drew attention to her natural, assets.

“Hey! I’ve been worried about you, you haven’t been in school much,” Courtnee said, brushing a piece of lint off her chest.

I wasn’t about to give in to such simple teasing, so I kept my eyes level with hers as I answered, “I’ve been a bit under the weather, but I’m doing better now, thank you.”

She moved off the wall and closer to me as she said, “That’s good. I heard about Eve, I’m so sorry, Saul.”

Two can play at this game, and I can play it better. I stepped closer to Courtnee, now only a few inches apart, and said, “When one door closes, another, opens.”

Courtnee moved back against the wall and I moved forward with her, maintaining only a small distance between us. She looked at my eyes, then my lips, then down at the floor, and I knew it was on.

She started to say, “The play is so, so, interesting this,” but I cut her off with a kiss.

Her lips melted on mine like chocolate on a hot summer day, and she moaned softly as I pressed even closer to her.

I broke the kiss only for a second, and she managed to say, “The set is so well designed,” before I kissed her again.

She moved against me, and I could feel her heartbeat against mine as I pulled my lips off of hers to catch my breath.

“The costumes are, are,” she whispered before I grabbed her wrists, pushed her against the wall, and kissed her again. This time, she gave in to the kiss completely, succumbing to my control, and kissing back. The veracity of her affection surprised me, as she seemed to come alive under me and it was all I could do to hold her against the wall. At first I was confused, but it wasn’t resistance. She was giving in to the role, almost as if she had dreamt of this moment many nights before. It was so perfect, that kiss, that I only pulled away when I heard the director calling everyone back in for the final scene.

“Wow,” Courtnee said, “wow, wow, wow, wow.”

I don’t know why I did what I did next, but I couldn’t stop myself.

“Courtnee, will you be my girlfriend?”

She stared at me, unable to find words to express her happiness, and only nodded.

I smiled, kissed her lightly, and said, “Good. I’ll see you after practice.”

Courtnee nodded again, and we walked back to the auditorium. I felt her hand slip into mine, her fingers entwining with mine, and I didn’t stop it. It felt, right. It felt good.

 

The Boyfriend:

After Emmy got back from practice, she ran into my arms, and we didn’t even make it to the bedroom. Lying side by side on the floor as the sweat dried from our naked bodies, she turned on her side and looked at me.

She kissed my lightly on the forehead as she said, “Thanks D, I really needed that. I had to stay after to talk to the director today, and it got me so wet, I needed to come home and be filled by your-“

I cut her off and said, “What were you doing with the director?”

“Nothing, honey,” she said, sitting up, “He just was upset with me so I, got his mind off of it. That’s all.”

Emmy started stroking my bare chest, but I grabbed her hand and pushed her away. I got up and started getting dressed.

“What? What’s wrong, dear?” Emmy said, staring up at me.

“You know I hate it when you tease people like that,” I said, pulling on my belt, “They don’t have any right to even think about my girl.”

She got up slowly, still naked, and pressed up against me, “You know I’m always going to be yours, sweetie. How could I ever leave someone like you? You’re my big, strong, man.”

I pushed her away, and she fell roughly against a chair. I pulled on my jacket as I said, “I need a drink.”

As I left she angrily said, “Fine, leave! You’re looking a bit chubby around the waist anyways.”

That was too much. I threw an empty bottle at her, but she ducked and it smashed against the wall, showering the floor where we had previously had sex with broken glass. Emmy screamed when it broke, and I slammed the door behind me as I left to cut her off.

After I got on my bike, my baby, I pinched my waistline. Emmy was right. I had put on a few pounds. Maybe instead of going for a drink, I should go join a gym. I drove off towards a gym my friend Sam had told me about. How dare Emmy go out flaunting her goodies to any old Joe and then have the nerve to insult my weight? I’d show her.

 

Chapter 5: In-between

Cue: Spanish Class

“Tu necessitas pantalones.”

“Yo necessito pantalones.”

“Bueno William. Y tu, Corina?”

As Senora Martinez moved on to the next student, I resumed texting Saul under the desk. It wasn’t like I was the only one, everyone in class was texting. It’s not like anyone of us actually cared about Spanish. Well, except for Corina, but no one likes her so yeah.

Wi77iam: Wassup playa?

Sintastic91: Dude, you’re so white

Wi77iam: Look who’s talking wonder bread

Sintastic91: At least this bread is getting some butter

Wi77iam: Really? With Courtnee?

Sintastic 91: You know I don’t kiss and tell

“Yo no tengo, pantalones”

Wi77iam: Dam! That was quick

Sintastic 91: Yeah, we’re kinda a ‘thing’ now

Wi77iam: Wow. Saul Sinclair in a ‘thing’

Sintastic91: Don’t rub it in

Wi77iam: How did that happen?

Sintastic91: I kinda asked her

“Tu no tengas pantalones”

Wi77iam: Asked her what?

Sintastic91: To be my girl

Wi77iam: WOW. Saul Sinclair, a one girl man? Thought I’d never see the day

Sintastic91: I’m so going to hit you bro

Wi77iam: So are you guys going out now?

Sintastic91: I’m seeing her tonight

Wi77iam: The usual?

Sintastic91: The usual

“Senor William, are you paying attention?”

“Yes Senora. Um, me gusta, tus pantalones.”

Wi77iam: Chocolate?

Sintastic91: Yep

Wi77iam: Niccccccccccce

Sintastic91: Btw, I can’t chill after school today

Wi77iam: What’s up?

Sintastic91: Gotta go to work at the gym

“Cinco dinero para tus pantalones”

Wi77iam: Say hello to that hot trainer Chloe for me, I think she likes me

Sintastic91: Dude, she’s totally gay

Wi77iam: What? Not cool!

Sintastic91: She’s way out of your league anyways

Wi77iam: Punk

Sintastic91: Peace bro

The bell rang, signaling the end of Spanish class and the beginning of another long, lonely day for me. Oh joy.

 

The girl:

I hate fighting with D. I hate it.

Why does he do this to me?

After picking broken pieces of glass off my bag, I left. I slammed the door behind me, just for good measure. I couldn’t even remember what we were fighting about. All I knew was, I needed a drink.

My car stalled on the way home, so I ended up walking the last block in the rain. By the time I got home, my hair was ruined and my clothes were soaked. I saw my dad’s car in the driveway and almost turned around, but where could I go?

I walked through the door and hung my coat on a hanger. It was right next to my dad’s coat, which was completely dry. He must’ve been home all day. As I walked through the house, I could smell a fresh pot of coffee brewing. That was a good sign. Dad only drinks coffee when he’s run out of the stronger stuff.

He was sitting in the kitchen, reading the paper like it was six o’clock in the morning and not midnight. I put my bag down on the counter and he smiled at me.

“Morning sweetie,” he said, “Coffee’s almost done if you want some, it’s decaf.”

I sat down at the table across from him and reached for a bagel as I said, “Getting ready for work, Dad?”

“Yep honey, and I’m working two shifts again so I won’t be back till late. You gonna be ok all by your lonesome?”

He got up to get the coffee as I answered, “Yeah, I got some homework to do so I’ll be plenty busy.”

There were three mugs in the cabinet, and after pausing to look at the third one, he poured two full steaming cups and sat back down. He passed me a mug and asked, “How’s play practice going? I’ve been meaning to come visit, but you know how it is with work and all.”

Dad had been working an awful lot more to pay the bills, since Mom died.

He’d also been drinking more.

“Play’s been good, but I’m going to start practicing my lines more since we’re so close to opening night and all.” That was true; the director told me if I didn’t actually learn some of my lines soon he’d fail me. Maybe I’d practice with that Will kid.

He looked at his watch and said, “Dam girl, I’m sorry but I gotta run. Shift starts in thirty and you know traffic.”

I sat there sipping my cup as he got up, stretched a little, and then gave me a kiss on the forehead. For the first time in a long time, I didn’t smell any alcohol on his breath. It was nice.

But it probably wouldn’t last.

As he ran out the door, he stopped and said, “You know, ever since mom died, I know it’s been tough on you, but I want you to know I love you Emmy.”

“I love you too, Dad.”

I do, I really do.

That’s what kills me.

 

The Best Friend:

As I drove to Courtnee’s house for our date, I began to have second thoughts. I usually would date a few girls at once, and never have a girlfriend. It left me free to see any cute girl that walked my way, and I liked it like that. Why did I ask Courtnee? What made her so special? I just couldn’t put my finger on it.

I pulled into her driveway, and she was waiting for me on the front steps. She smiled when she saw me, and I smiled back. As Courtnee walked up to my car, I couldn’t help myself from looking over her rather attractive body. Courtnee opened the door and slid her body into passenger seat. When a girl gets into or out of a car, it makes you fully aware of her legs.

I drew my attention from her body for a second as she said, “Hi.”

“Hi”

We sat there in silence for a bit, not looking at each other, in that cutely awkward way of a young teen couple. Finally, we laughed and I pulled out of her driveway.

“Where are we going?” Courtnee asked.

I just smiled and said, “It a surprise.”

We drove on in silence, until I pulled in to a favorite ice cream shop of mine. I liked to take girls here for a first date, because it holds a sort of old-school charm for me, and frankly I am on a high school budget. Courtnee gave me an odd look, but she got out as I held open the door for her. I’ve been to this place so many times; they know what I’m going to order without me having to ask.

Courtnee and I sat down, and a waiter brought us my usual, a tall chocolate milkshake and a basket of fries. I laughed at Courtnee’s confused look, dipped a fry into the milkshake and handed it to her. She was about to ask a question but I shook my head, and she ate the fry. Just like every other girl, I watched her face grow surprised and she reached for another.

I smiled and asked, “You like?”

She nodded, her mouth full of milkshake and fries. I laughed and said, “I thought I’d surprise you.”

Courtnee swallowed audibly and said, “Wow! I’ve honestly never thought of dipping fries in a milkshake. Thank you Saul.”

I helped myself to some fries and said, “Tell me about yourself, Courtnee. We’ve had math class together for the past few years but we haven’t gotten to know each other.”

“Well,” said Courtnee, “I’m seventeen, I like bubble baths long walks on the beach, and I’m a Sagittarius...”

We laughed and talked for the next few hours, until we were the only ones left in the shop and all that was left of the milkshake were a few chocolate drops. As we walked out of the shop, she slipped her arm around mine and I didn’t mind. Instead of going straight to the car, we walked down the road for a bit, just enjoying the setting sun filling the sky with pink and orange. On the way back, her fingers intertwined with mine and I squeezed her hand gently. Courtnee squeezed back.

I drove Courtnee home, and we stopped to talk outside her front door. The street light flickered on next to us, and the yellow glow framed her beautiful face like an angel’s halo. It started to rain lightly, so I decided not to waste time on small talk and leaned in for a kiss. She didn’t oppose it.

When our lips touched, a flash of lighting bathed the world in blue but we stayed there, her body against mine. I could feel her shaking against me, whether it was the chill of the rain or the excitement of the moment I didn’t know. All that matter was the feel of her lips against mine, their soft sweetness still carrying the lingering aftertaste of chocolate. Her chest was pressed against mine so hard that I couldn’t tell the difference between our two heartbeats. My arms were around her waist and hers were around my shoulder, and because I was taller than her she had to stand on her tiptoes to kiss me. It was adorable.

The light above the door flashed twice, her mother signaling that that was enough. I let go of Courtnee, and as I pulled away her hand clung to mine until I was out of her reach. I walked back to the car and started driving away as she stood on the step watching me go. The windows were down and some rain was getting in, but I didn’t care. I was too happy to care.

 

The Boyfriend:

I hadn’t talked to Emmy since our last fight. I’d been spending all of my free time at the gym; I even got a personal trainer. How dare she call me chubby? How dare she?

Well, she can’t say that to me anymore. My abs are looking great, and my biceps are huge. Let’s see what she has to say about me now. She’ll be begging for me to come back and do her on the kitchen floor again. That’s one thing I will say about Emmy, she really knows how to use that body of hers.

My mom was back in town this week. Ever since dad walked out she’s been in and out of the house because of her drug problem. She’s done more time in jail than I have and I hardly see her. Not that I miss her or anything, she just makes my life miserable when she’s back in town. She always wants money for drugs. She’s not even addicted to the hard stuff, when dad left the therapist prescribed her some stuff to call her down and she never stopped taking it.

I was on my way back from the gym when I saw her car in the driveway. I almost turned around to go back but I needed to get some stuff from home anyways. She must’ve heard me coming down the road, because she was waiting on the porch for me taking long drags from a stubby cigarette.

“Where’ve you been boy?” she growled.

I turned off my bike and said, “At the gym, mom.”

“Yeah right,” she said as she drew hard on the cigarette, “I’ll bet you were out with that slut again. Just like your dad, going out and screwing anything that’ll let you.”

Angrily, I said, “I am nothing like dad!”

She flipped her cigarette butt away, and then slapped me across the face. One of her rings cut my lip, and I could taste blood.

“How dare you talk to your mother like that! Go to your room!”

“I’m eighteen-“ I started to respond but she cut me off with another slap. This one caught me in the eye, and involuntary tears started to flow, mixing with the blood on my face.

“Look at you crying like a little boy. You’re worthless, you know that? Go to your room! Now!” she said, while lighting another cigarette.

I started to walk in the house, one hand covering my swelling eye. God I hate her. I hate her.

 

Chapter 6: Familiar Faces

Enter: Another Long Monday

What is it about a Monday that is so universally despised? Is it the worldwide groan of getting back to work after the weekend? Is it the fact that the cafeteria always serves tuna casserole with green beans every Monday? Probably both.

This Monday was no different. You could feel the gloominess settling over the school like a woolen blanket. But something didn’t feel right. I couldn’t put my finger on it; it was just a nagging feeling in the back of my gut. Or maybe that was the spicy rice from last night.

Either way, I wasn’t at all surprised when our teacher announced that we were getting a new student. Why the school would let someone in this late in the year was beyond me, but who knew what the monkeys that ran this place were thinking. I was surprised when I saw who it was.

“Hi Will!” said Jose Martinez, dropping his bag and sitting down in the seat next to mine.

Jose and I had been friends back in elementary school. His mother and mine had gone to the same hairdresser, so every Monday evening they would leave me and Jose at home to play with blocks and action figures. We both liked professional wrestling and monster trucks, but that was about it. Jose tended to be very annoying and a bit of a follower, so I wasn’t entirely upset when he moved away in sixth grade. I certainly hadn’t expected to see him again.

“Jose,” I said, “You look, wow, it’s been a while.” He hadn’t changed much over the past six years, the doctors never really figured out why he had a full mustache back in sixth grade and Jose had apparently kept it ever since. He’d also put on a little weight, which was a nice way of saying he had like three chins.

He smiled, oblivious as always to my dislike, and asked, “How’ve you been Will? Still having problems with that rash?”

Everyone in class turned to stare at us, and it was all I could do to keep myself from hitting him. I tried to laugh it off, and said, “That was like six years ago, Jose.”

“Oh yeah,” Jose replied, “I’d hope you took care of that by now.”

The bell rang and it was time for class to begin, thank god. All through class I could feel his presence next to me, bringing back memories of how annoying his laugh was and how he used to follow me all around the school. I could only pray that he’d outgrown that.

I was wrong.

As soon as class was over, he was on me like a remora on a shark. Jose followed me over to the water fountain, my locker, and even the men’s room. He couldn’t stop babbling about everything that had happened the past six years. Everything. Every bruised knee, every failed test, every pimple, and even every time he threw up. Jose was killing me.

Finally, it was time for Civics, a class Jose wasn’t taking. He actually followed me to the door of the classroom before leaving me alone. The guy was freaking ridiculous.

Civics I liked. Not because it was a sleeper class, not because the teacher was partially crazy and would spend most of class ranting about the Nazis or the Commies. I liked Civics because for fifty four glorious minutes I got to sit behind Emmy. Her perfume would drift in the air back to me, and I would soak in its sweet fruity essence all class. Some days her long blonde hair would carry the scent of her jasmine perfume and I would daydream about running my fingers through her silky golden tresses.

Today I was surprised to find that Emmy had gotten some blue streaks in her hair. It brought out the deep blue of her eyes, and it was extremely attractive in an emo punk sort of way. Emmy always looked beautiful to me.

As always, the teacher invariably got off on a tangent and started ranting about how the Commies were taking over the stock market. Everyone in class allowed him a few minutes to really get into it, and then we all started talking to each other.

Adding to a day full of surprises, Emmy turned around and actually smiled. I was too shocked to respond when she said, “Hey, Will right?”

She didn’t break a beat as she continued, “The director says I need to start practicing my lines more, and I thought I could practice them with you. What are you doing after school?”

“Today?”

“Yeah, today,” Emmy said, laughing a little.

I stuttered a little as I answered, “Um, Sure, I guess, I can, when should I meet you?”

“I need to get out of the house. Let’s meet at the park right after school, ok?”

It felt like a dream, but I knew it had to be real because Emmy suddenly reached over and squeezed my hand. “See you later,” she said, before turning to talk to her friend.

What just happened?

 

The Girl:

I don’t know why I squeezed Will’s hand after I asked for his help. He just was so awkward it was kind of cute.

What the hell am I talking about?

D and I haven’t spoken since our fight, and that was a week ago. He isn’t usually this stubborn, but I heard his mother is back in town. It’s always been rough between them; I just hope D was doing ok.

I hadn’t seen Courtnee much either. Now that she and Saul were a thing, they spent every waking moment together. Courtnee did tell me that they hadn’t slept together yet, but she was thinking it was almost the right time. She was always more of a prude than me, but I respect her for it. I know if I were dating Saul, I wouldn’t have lasted this long. Those abs make me shiver.

Still, I had asked Will to stay after school and help me with my lines. As much as I’d never admit it to anyone, I was enjoying being in the spotlight in front of everyone. It makes me feel so loved.

I guess I do have to learn the lines sometime.

After the bell rang signaling the end of school and the start of freedom, I met Will at the front entrance. He asked, “Can I, um, carry your, uh, books…for you?”

Will was so tongue-tied, I just smiled and handed him my books. I never use a backpack, I’ve never found one that matches my shoes. We walked all the way to the park in silence. Occasionally he would turn his head as if to speak, but he would always stop himself and just keep walking. Once a little noise came out, like a bird squawk, and from then on he was too embarrassed to even look at me. It was adorable. He was like a frightened little puppy.

We found a bench in a secluded area of the park and sat down. Will pulled out both of our scripts, and said, “Where do you wanna begin?”

“Anywhere you want to. I need to learn all of it, or the director is gonna kill me.”

Will flipped through the book and asked, “Let’s start on act 4, line 2-“

“So D and I had a fight again,” I cut him off, “and I just don’t know what to do.”

He looked surprised and said, “Well, I-“

“He should’ve known I was just kidding. I’d never seriously cheat on him.”

Will tried to say, “Um, you said we’d rehearse-“

“I just like to have a little fun sometimes. Is that so bad?”

He coughed and said, “I dunno-“

“That’s just the way I am. If he really loved me, he’d accept that, right?”

“Well-“

“I hate it when he gets like this. I didn’t even do anything wrong, really.”

“Are we gonna-“

“Especially after sex, I mean, how can he go from that to throwing a bottle at me?”

“Wow, um, this is-“

“I even let him be on top this time. He knows how much I like top!”

Will just stared at me as I continued.

“And now he’s not even talking to me. What the hell?”

“I, um, I-“

“I am a great girlfriend! He does not deserve a girl as good as me!”

“Well, I-“

“He’s the lucky one here, not me! So what if he’s the best lay I’ve ever had?”

“Wow, um-“

“I can find someone else. Someone better than him! He’ll never do better than this!”

“Ok, so Shakespeare-“

“That’s it! I’m going to break up with him! You’re so right Will!”

“What? I-“

“Thank you for listening, I gotta go,” I said, picking up my stuff.

Will stood up next to me, and before he could say anything I kissed him lightly on the cheek and started to walk away.

“What just happened?”

I turned and called over my shoulder, “See you tomorrow!” 



The Best Friend:

“Where’ve you been? I’ve been waiting for you for an hour!”

Courtnee was mad because I was a little late to our date.”

I leaned forward and gave her a quick kiss as I replied, “I was at the gym. I’ve been pretty busy lately with helping people train.”

Courtnee pulled away but didn’t say anything more so I pulled her to me and hugged her tightly. I said, “You know I only work this hard so I can treat you to all the nice things you deserve”

She looked down as she softly said, “I’d rather just have you. I don’t need much.”

“I know,” I said, “but I love to give you presents.”

“I like the presents, but I love you.”

I smiled and said, “What would you like to do tonight? We could go see a movie, and not watch the movie.”

She pulled away from me and sat down on a bench.

“We could go for a walk in the park and watch the sun set behind the mountains.”

Courtnee looked away and said, “Maybe you should just go.”

“We could just sit here and hold each other the way you like.”

She didn’t even bother answering this time. Courtnee got up and started to walk away.

“What’s wrong baby?”

I followed her for a bit before saying, “Tell me, you know you can tell me anything.”

After a pause, Courtnee turned around and said, “What did I tell you today?”

“When?”

“When you said you love to give me presents.”

“You said you like my presents.”

Courtnee laughed a little, a sad laugh. Then she kept walking. I ran up to her and grabbed her shoulder to make her stop. She jerked out of my grip before she finally said, “I told you I love you, and you said we should go see a movie.”

“What’s wrong with that?”

“I told you I love you.”

“Yeah, and?”

“You are absolutely clueless, you know that?”

I stood there, speechless, watching her walk away. I was too confused to enjoy the sight of her in skinny jeans. What was her problem? I was trying to be nice to her, I really was. I took every extra shift at the gym that I could to keep taking her on extravagant dates. I showered her in presents, we always hold hands in the school hallways, what more does she want? I even follow her boundaries, and that’s tough. Someone with a body like that not letting you enjoy it, that’s just not right. But I know I’m pretty close to cracking her. Well, not counting tonight’s fight. We have been fighting more recently.

Suddenly my phone vibrated in my pocket. I got a txt. I fished out of phone and flipped open the screen. My heart stopped for a second as I read the glowing words on the screen. It had to be a joke. There was no way it was serious.

The txt read, “Guess who’s back, Eve”

 

The Boyfriend:

After a week of putting up with my mother’s insanity, I couldn’t take it anymore. It was time I talked to Emmy again. By now she would be aching for my rock hard body. She probably was in bed thinking of me right now. I should call and find out.

The phone rang twice before her light perky voice answered, “Hello?”

“It’s D, I’ve-“

I was cut off by the rest of the answering machine message, “This is Emmy La’Beau’s phone, I can’t answer right now because I’m too busy screaming “Oh D’Artagnan!”

At least she hadn’t changed that. The message continued, “Please leave a message after the-“

I hung up, I didn’t need to leave her a message, I needed to talk to her in person. Next I called Courtnee to see if she knew where Emmy was, but Courtnee was too upset to tell me much. I finally got her to tell me that Emmy was going to the park with someone to rehearse lines for the play. Courtnee tried to keep me on the line to talk about her boy problems but I hung up on her. I didn’t have time to listen to her whine, if I wanted to hear a woman whine about boys I’d be at home with my mom.

I threw on a pair of ripped jeans and put on a leather jacket over my bare chest. I’d been at the gym a lot this week, so I earned the right to show off my abs. My baby was waiting for me about, all curves and warm leather. My bike is the most important thing to me. She comes first.

I drove down the road just in time to see Emmy walking out the front gate of the park. She was alone, which was probably a good thing. I parked my bike at the corner by a fire hydrant and started walking to her. Emmy saw me coming, and instead of the usual smile and wink, she frowned and stopped walking. That was weird.

Emmy stared at me and said two little words, “Its. Over.”

“What?!”

“You and me, its over.”

“What the-“

“I’m tired of putting up with your mood swings. I’m leaving.”

As I stood there speechless, she took off the ring that I gave her and dropped it onto the sidewalk. Emmy turned and started walking away, and I was honestly too stunned to chase after her or say anything. What just happened?