Charlie: 14 years old
Ace: 15 years old
Charlie's POV:
CHAPTER 11: Meaningful
"Rise and shine, babydoll," that annoying voice echoed in my ear as someone snatched my blanky from me. I cried at the loss of warmth.
Ughhh.
I crawled into the bed sheet, wrapping it around me and melted into the warmth once again, only to be pushed off my bed.
I surrendered to the sweet, sweet slumber until I was attacked by a water cannon. My eyes shot open as the cold water connected with my face.
Ok, that's it!
I jumped up with my eyes still closed and kicked Mia on the shin before plopping on my bed. I squinted one eye when I heard Mia cry softly.
"Owie," Mia whimpered while clutching her ankle.
I opened both eyes to see her staring at her ankle, it looked fine to me.
Maybe I hurt her.
I rolled over to the end of the bed, falling down and Mia jumped up, brushing the invisible dust off her clothes before she said," Well, now that you're up, let's get you ready for the first day of your high school life!!!"
She dragged me off the floor and towards my bathroom.
Smartass bitch.
My eyes roamed towards my sweet, soft bed, giving it a wanton look.
Don't you worry baby. You and me, again tonight.
"Well, you look presentable," Mia put down the lip gloss that she caked on my lips.
I pushed her out of the way and looked into the mirror to see myself, it didn't look like I was wearing makeup.
"Where and when did you learn how to do magic?," I asked Mia, pointedly.
"When you were busy stuffing your face and sleeping." She mimicked my tone.
Bitch.
We walked down the rugged hallway of Richmond High. It felt like those movies. My very first day in high school. This is going to be the best day of my life. I fist-pumped the air.
I looked over to the locker number alloted to me and then to the one in Mia's hand.
Her locker was just one locker away from mine.
We stacked our books in our respective lockers before going to our first class which we had together. A guy smiled at Mia but she didn't notice.
"Freshmen," The girl beside him who I assumed was his girlfriend sneered at us, "Sluts looking for attention."
I look down at my clothes to check if what I was wearing can be considered to be inappropriate.
Nope. Just a plain blue tee and a pink skirt that was well until my knee.
Then I looked over to Mia, seeing her wearing the same pink tee and blue skirt as me that we bought together at the flea market.
Cheap but charming.
Mia stopped in her tracks to glare at the girl who bitched at us.
"What? No comeback?" She smirked at us.
"Honey, if I wanted a comeback, I'd just scrape it off the back of your throat," Mia spat out at her.
"You ugly bitch," she took a step towards Mia.
Mia took a step and hugged her before saying,"Oh, I'm so sorry for you. I know life is tough for the visually impaired."
"Bloody nerd," She pushed Mia back, "You think you're fucking above everyone here? You're wrong, you little attention-whore. "
"Wow, your ass must be really jealous of all that shit that comes out of your mouth," Mia glared at her.
"You go, girl!" I hollered, cheering Mia on before I looked around and noticed everyone giving me strange looks. I put my hands down and scratched my head.
Mia flipped her fair in the bitch's face before she grabbed my hand and pulled me away.
"Why the heck are you grinning! " Mia put her hands in the air, exaggerated.
"Because we had our first high school cat fight and we made an enemy. This is going to be the best day. " I put my hand out for a high five.
Mia slapped her hand against my forehead,"What are you doing?" I asked.
"Checking if you're sick or just being a dumbass," Mia shouted at me.
I pouted before walking to our classroom.
As I walked down to the second class, I realized I was alone.
Aw shucks.
No Mia, the best friend cheering me up.
No bitchy hoes trying to make my day worse.
No drama.
I need high school drama.
I sulked my way to the next class and slouched down on the first empty seat I saw.
"Aries Tizzard," The guy beside me spoke and put his hand towards me for a shake. I stared at his outstretched hand before taking it in mine.
"Tauras Wizard," I responded, taking his hand in mine.
He burst out laughing, "That's a first," he managed to speak in between gasps and I looked up at his face to see a pair of light green eyes lit with mischief, looking back at me and for a moment, I was hypnotized. My eyes trailed down to see him wearing a plain white t-shirt and a pair of rugged jeans. That's it. And he rocked them. For a guy so hot, he sure has a sexy name.
"Cute and funny." He spoke after he was finished laughing, pulling me out of my daze.
"What? I thought we were telling our sun signs followed by a rhyming word," I scratched my head.
He raised a perfectly arched brow at me, "Haven't we met before once? Or was it twice?," he started.
"Must've been once. I don't make the same mistake twice," I puckered my lips.
This is so exciting.
I remember John telling me that this the way high school students greet each other.
Yesterday he sent me a letter with these lines and taught me what to say when someone greets you.
I have all of them memorized by heart.
"Can I offer you something? Water? Food? My heart? Me? A whole life together?," He asked.
"Sorry, I don't accept cheap stuff," I flipped my hair to the other side.
"You're good." He smirked at me.
"Good morning students. My name's David Edwards and I'd very much appreciate it if you shut your mouths and pretended to listen to what I'm saying. Now shall we start? " The teacher greets the class.
High school is so cool.
"Yo, wait!" The guy who was sitting beside me calls out as I dash for the door as soon as the bell rings.
"What?" I fold my arms across my chest, giving him a questioning look.
"We're having a senior party at my friend's house. Would you like to go with me, as my date? Or maybe as a friend? And don't give a smart reply."
My eyes widened.
Did I just get invited to MY FIRST HIGH SCHOOL PARTAYYYY!!!!!
"I-I can't," I tucked my hair behind my ear?
"Why? Exactly?" He leaned against the wall.
"Well, because you're clearly very popular here. Being popular means you have a lot of bitc-I mean-girls fighting to be with you. And I don't want to be tortured and bullied just cause we're friends. Then you're going to try and protect me and it'll only make the matters worse. Then you'll grow feelings for me and then my life's going to be miserable, a living hell. Like that girl from the K-drama I watched. Also, I already like someone else who has dibs on me. So, no." I shook my head.
By the time I was finished and looked up at him, he was grinning at me like crazy.
What? What did I do?
"You do know that I just asked you to a party and not to be the love of my life? I'll give you some time to think," he walked away.
As I started walking down to the cafeteria, I realized there's one thing that really sucks in high school.
Studying.
I looked around to see a lot of the people I knew from middle school. Well, it's good to see some old faces. Then my eyes landed on Cassidy.
Oops. Spoke too soon.
"Guess who?" Warm hands touched my eyes as someone sang in my ear.
I thought long and hard.
"Is it Santa Claus?," I guessed, putting my hands on my waist.
"Seriously? Ten minutes of thinking and that's the best you could come up with?" The voice replied.
Well, yes.
"Is it Col. Mustard in the Library with the candlestick?," I snapped my fingers.
He made a buzzer sound, implying I'm wrong again.
"The Easter bunny? Cupid? The spirit of Halloween? The evil clown?A rapist? Wait are you a rapist? AHHHHHHHHHH RAPIST. SAVE ME!!" I was about to scream and kick like dad taught me but he put a hand over my mouth.
"I'm not a rapist. Geez. Calm down. And don't you dare kick me. "
"Okay. Are you the unicorn with three horns made of pure chocalote that is on a mission to save the universe from aliens that plan to take over earth and make it into a giant fast food restraunt for other giant aliens?" That's it. I knew it. I knew unicorns are real.
"Okay, one last guess" He ruffled my hair.
"Ok, is it that the guy that has a knack for annoying the heck outta me, who always appears at the wrong time and who is poking me with his little di-"
"Dick?"
"I was about to say dictionary but I guess that you finally accepted that you have a small dick," I removed his hands from my eyes and turned around with a cheeky smile.
"You bi-" He started but I gave him a glare that stopped him in his track.
"I was about to say bite-sized munchkin... But I think you too know that you're a bitch," He tried to mimick my voice. Key word: tried. He ended up screaming his lungs out.
The students walking down gave us weird looks as they pass by us and I realized we were standing in the middle of the cafeteria.
I grabbed his collar and dragged him to a table in the corner of the room. I spotted Mia and waved her over to us. I looked back to see him staring at me with his chin rested against his palm with those big blue eyes.
She threw her books on the table and glared at it, hard.
"Looks like Mia accidentally swallowed grumpiness instead of her happy pill today," He poked.
"Oh wait, you don't have a happy pill, you're always grumpy," He commented and Mia ignored him.
"I hate him!" Mia shouted, abruptly after some time.
"Who?" I looked around, startled.
"That...that fucking...," Mia paused, "I don't know his bloody name," She frowned.
"Anyways, how was your day?," She looked at me expectantly.
I grinned at her before I started telling her about my day.
"What? No boy talk?," He exasperated," I was here for the juicy stuff."
"Well, there was this one guy who asked me if I wanted to go as his date to this senior party that his friend was hosting , but I said no," I acknowledged while subtly pointing to the table where a few guys that had nice bodies and a few girls who looked starved were sitting. Aries noticed and waved at me before getting up and walking my way. Every head in the cafeteria turned our way. I turned my head the other way.
Uh oh.
"Poof!" He waved his hands around, as if clearing the air.
"What the heck are you doing?," I asked.
"Well, here I am. What are your two other wishes?" He leaned into me, putting his elbow on the table and his chin over his palm.
I leaned in and puckered my lips," I want a boyfriend."
His expression was priceless as his eyes widened and his elbow slipped from the table and his chin made contact with the table.
Ouch.
"Well, I just made one of your wishes come true. What's your last wish?" He stood straighter as he waved his hands around himself.
"That he would be hot and charming," I responded,"But I guess not all wishes come true."
I finished and everyone in the cafeteria burst out laughing.
But his smile didn't falter instead he pointed to the seat beside me," Is this seat empty?"
"Yes, and this one will be too if you sit down," I smiled at him.
He sat down nonetheless," Well, I guess what you said wasn't true since you're still sitting."
He pointed to my seat where I was still sitting.
John told me to say these lines but that dumbo didn't tell me what to do when someone retorts.
What to do?
"Guess I'm not the only guy who loves getting rejected by you," he paused," repeatedly."
For the first time in life, he saved my ass.
Aries ignored him,"So? What do you say? Would you like to come? You can even bring your friends. I promise there won't be any bitches bothering you."
I look behind him to see a few cheerleaders giving me glares.
Oh yes. Totally. No bitches after me.
"Yes. She'll love to go." Mia said before I could even open my mouth.
I will?
No. Mom and dad will be so mad.
And John?
He told me not to go to high school parties.
Well, technically he told me not to get in with the "wrong crowd" but I guess it's the same.
Mia pulled me to the side and gave me a look," I know what John wants. But what about you? What do you want?"
"I-I think I want to go."
"Then?"
"I will go." I fisted my hands and nodded my head, decisively.
"Works for me," Aries shouted behind me before walking away.
"We're going to our first high school party!!!" Mia and I shouted together while holding each other's hands and doing a little dance until someone cleared their throat.
"What?" We simultaneously turned to the cause of distraction.
"May I remind you that we're in the school cafeteria and you're making a fool out of yourself and me in front of everyone," he raised his eyebrows at us.
"Oh," I tucked my hair behind my ear and Mia removed the imaginary dust off her skirt before we both sat down.
"We're idiots," Mia pursed her lips into a thin line and I nodded with her.
A girl with cotton candy pink hair and hazel eyes walked towards us and plopped on the chair in front of me,"Do you know who he is?" She gave me an expectant smile.
"Umm, Aries?" I shrugged.
"He's in the football team," She screeched,"And if you haven't already figured it out, he likes you!! Take my advice, don't give in. Boys like girls who are hard to get. Thank me later."
She waved at me, stood up and walked back to her table.
What a weirdo.
"Wow, she's really beautiful," He wiped the drool from the side of his mouth.
"He's hot, you know" Mia commented and I raised my brow at her.
"Who? Him?" I pointed to the idiot beside me, shocked.
"Eww, no! I was talking about Aries," She pretended to puke which earned her a look.
"If I remember correctly which I do. You were all over me on my first day in my new middle school."
That's not a complete lie.
And I know Aries is hot but he's just not her type.
"It's not about you. Tell her, man." She huffed out at him after looking at my dumbfounded expression and stood up from the table, walking away.
He looked up at me with blue eyes full of concern and pity, pity for me and I already knew what he wanted to say.
"Let him go. You can't live your life like this. I see it in your eyes. You like that guy and you're way too young to be bound to a guy you have never met in your life. You should be able to go to a school party on your own without having to ask...him. You should be able to go out on dates, hangout with guys and life your life, in general. Can't you see that he's stopping you from doing that. You have to live your life now, you can't hold on to the future beacuse for all you know, it might never come true. You can't let this...this childish crush run your whole life."
I look away, unable to bear his intense stare. He doesn't understand. Nobody does. I shove my hand inside the pocket of my skirt, clutching on to the last letter he sent me.
Dear Jane,
You're going to high school, already? Why? Why do you have to go? My heart can't take it. It feels like yesterday that you were telling to be confident about my first day at highschool and asking me about my first period.( Still can't stop laughing at that).
And after rereading this, I just realized how much I sound like your mom. Anyways all I want to say to you is that never loose yourself. Show yourself as you are. The foody, book hating, love letter writing minion that you are and whom I love.
Great, now I sound like your grandmother.
However, there's one more thing I'd like to say, more like request? from you. That is please, please and I can't emphasize this enough, don't get with the wrong crowd. I really care about you a lot and I don't want you lying shitfaced in a high school washroom. Please don't do that. And stay away from bad boys!!! Most dangerous creatures in the world.
See? I'm your dad now.
I feel like your family influences me a great deal.
Ughh.
You remember Vivian? She got accepted to Harvard's summer programme and might get accepted early. Isn't that great? I'm happy for her but she doesn't want to go anymore and I think I know the reason. Should I tell her to go or maybe ask her to stay? I don't know what to do? That's why I'm asking for your opinion. What should I do???
Lastly, take care of yourself. For me? Okay?
I love you.
Your third parent,
J ❤
"Tell me... Tell me why? How? Make me understand. What's the meaning behind these...these childish letters? Tell me why does it have to be him?" He pleaded with his blue eyes, running a hand through his bronze hair, reminding me...of him.
"I can't, Aron" I spoke so softly I doubt he even heard me as he turned to walk away from me.
But how? How can I? How can I make him understand that between all of those childish letters. Those stupid names. Those idiotic advices. These normal chit-chats. Those unmeaningful I love yous started becoming so damn meaningful that I started falling. My breath grew a little quicker with every white envelope. My palms became sweatier with every blue sheet of paper. I turned a little bit greener with each new girls' name mentioned and my heart started beating a little faster with every new 'I love you' which seemed to mean more and more with each new letter.
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