Date: Tue, 17 Dec 2013 01:22:28 -0500 (EST) From: Bunny Tsukino Subject: Dreamless sleep 6 Disclaimer: look at the first chapter. Sorry about the long wait..... Had a bit of an issue trying to get the chapter from my editor.... everyone say thank you to peter~ Well here you guys go! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Six Dreams are shattered Everyone was being good. Liam said hi to me a few times this week. Just hi. I liked the fact that he was talking to me. But I couldn't really enjoy it right now. At least not for now. Rehearsals were going as planned. They kept me busy and my mind focused. I was going to make grandma proud. No more tears until tomorrow. The week had gone by fast but today was long. Like all the time that passed by this week was focused on this day. School was already over but I was still in the auditorium. Steve was running a little late. I let him pick me up today since he was letting me drive my motorcycle. I ran my fingers on the stage floor. Mistress had went to a teachers conference and let me stay as long as I wanted. My friends were being really great; more than I could ask. When I thought I was going to break the deal they pulled me back up and made me have fun, even when I didn't want to. Ashley was always in charge of what we did. The things we did were related to what I used to do with grandma - getting ice cream, going to the park, getting lost in the mall (it was hard to do but we did it), and doing some weird ass baking. Grandma was a bad baker. She either forgot something or put something in that wasn't supposed to be in there. One time she was making Steve a birthday cake. He loved red velvet cake. So we decided instead of buying it we were going to make it. Bad idea. We ended up using salt instead of sugar, accidentally put in some cleaning solution, and setting the cake on fire before we put it in the oven. Don't ask me how we did it but it just happened. "You know you have some sort of death wish with me, don't you?" I looked up and saw Amber walking down the stars. I raised my eyebrow. What was she talking about? "Making people worry about you and not care about anything else." "I don't know what you are talking about," I said. She crossed her arms. "Eric, Tom, and-" She bit her lip. "They won't do anything but talk about you." "Can't I have friends?" Why was Tom talking about me? I only met him a few times and barely said a few things. She rolled her eyes. "You already have your weirdo friends. Keep your hands off," She paused. "My things. They shouldn't worry about some loser who can't act." "I'm pretty sure I can act." I crossed my arms. What was her issue? "I can act like I want to kiss you but all I want to do is scrub myself." She got a little mad. "You may be better than these no-talent hacks but you aren't what you used to be. There's something missing-" she stopped for a second, "like talent." "I see you're missing too but its not talent. You have that but you're missing something." Was I missing something that I had before? She looked to the side angry. "I'm not missing anything! You got that? Just keep your distance from my friends there all I...." Her voice got sadder. "Just don't ruin the show with your lack of skill." She turned and started walking back up. I sighed. "So what am I missing?" She stopped but didn't turn back. "Why should I tell you? Go find out for yourself." She kept walking. I watched her leave. Was she trying to help me out there or was she trying to get me angry? She was obviously upset with me for making friends with her friends but that wasn't the thing she was worried about. I took out a coin. "Why not take a risk and leave it to chance?" Heads she was worried about me tails she was being a bitch. It fell on my hand. Heads. "So you do care." I smiled. It was the day of grandma's funeral and I haven't even shed a tear yet. But I did wake up an hour ago. It was eight o'clock right now and we had to be at the church at ten. We don't go to church anymore but the minister was an old friend of grandma's. He wanted to do something special for her. My piercings were all taken out just for today. Grandma liked them but I wanted to be a little bit more formal than usual. Steve rented us both suits so I was changing into mine. A black suit with a stripped tie. I already had the pants, shirt, shoes, and was working on the tie. My hair was combed ever so neatly, not its usual wild self. I even wore the old necklace my grandma gave me. A tiny little cross she gave me years ago. It was faded and discolored but still good. I finally got the tie right after the tenth time and grabbed the jacket. Steve had gone with Mrs. Heart to the church just after I woke up. They wanted to make sure everything was perfect - flowers all inside the church and pictures around her casket. I touched the cross as I put the jacket on. I didn't know why but I felt a wave of sadness hit me. I closed my eyes and held the cross in my hands. "Grandma." I felt a tear slid down my cheek. Just one tear. There was a knock at the door. "Noah? Are you ready?" I raised my head and let the cross fall to my chest. I wiped the tear off my face. "Yeah. Is it time to go?" "Just waiting for you." I opened the door and saw Ashley. She had a black dress on. Her hair was actually tamed - something I thought would never happen - and she actually had heels on. She looked very pretty. She didn't even have her glasses on. I smiled before I leaned down to kiss her cheek. She blushed and touched her cheek. "What was that for?" I smiled. She didn't like wearing anything she was wearing. But today... she did it for grandma. "You really look pretty." She blushed even more. "Thanks for waiting for me." She put her arm through mine and led me to the stairs. "I'll always be here for you Noah." "As the rest of us." Schala waved from the bottom of the stairs with Erika. Schala was wearing a tight fitting dress. Black of course just like Erika. She had her hair in a ponytail. "Don't mind me tagging along, right?" I smiled and gave her a long hug. "No. Sorry I didn't ask." She didn't meet my grandmother so I didn't know if she would want to come. "She was something to you and you're something of me." She rubbed my back. "I convinced her to come actually. She didn't want to impose on you." Erika caught me in a hug. She had a loose fitting dress and similar heels to Ashley. "The guys are going to be a little late. They're doing me a favor." She had a little evil smile on her face. "Nothing crazy today, okay?" I looked at her seriously. She raised her right hand. "I promise it's nothing crazy." "Guys? More people are coming?" I asked. "Yup. Eric, Sam, and Tom will be joining us." Wow. Just like Schala, they didn't meet my grandma but they were still coming? "Nothing crazy." "Okay." I didn't need something crazy going on right now. "So how are you feeling?" Schala touched my arm. "I don't know." I felt empty. Aside from that wave of sadness a while ago I felt nothing. Just empty. Ashley got my hand and started pulling me to the door. "Let's go get the bouquet." We got the bouquet and reached the church just a little shy of nine. It was a pretty big church and it was going to look even bigger with a few people there. It was just going to be my friends and Mrs Heart. Grandma didn't have family and most of her friends had lost contact with her. "Oh Noah, you look so handsome!" Mrs. Heart walked over to me and have me a hug. Just like her daughter she was wearing a nice tasteful black dress. "The flowers are so beautiful. She would have loved them." Yeah, she would have. They were her favorites - lilies, tulips, baby's breath, and daisies. "We just have to wait, right?" I raised my eyebrow. "Just waiting for a few people." She turned to the girls. "Girls, can you please go check on Steve? He went off to the back of the church." Why did they all have to go? "Okay, mom." Erika left with the girls following behind. "The minister wants to see you, Noah." She put her arm around me and took me inside the church. There were white roses everywhere. It looked pretty. "Why does he want to see me?" "Just to tell you something. He talked to Steve about it and he said okay. But he wants to make sure its okay with you too." What was it about? The minister was right in front of a brown casket. Grandma. After a few seconds he turned around and walked towards us. "Good morning, Noah. How are you feeling?" Empty. "Okay." Short and sweet. Didn't really feel like talking. "Steve said it was alright but I want to know if it's okay with you." He reached over and touched my shoulder. "Would it be alright if your grandmother's old friends could pay their respects?" More people? "Really?" He nodded. "Your grandmother had many friends before your family left." I closed my eyes and smiled. She was still remembered by all the people she missed. "It's okay." I felt Mrs. Heart give me a squeeze. "That's great. Well, if you can excuse me I have to go tell the others they can come." I felt the air pass me as he left. "Is something wrong, Noah?" I shook my head. "Can you leave me alone with her?" "Of course, sweetheart." She kissed my cheek before she took her hand away. I waited till I couldn't hear her footfalls. I opened my eyes and started walking to the casket. It was left open per my request. Steve wasn't sure but I wanted to get one more look at her. I paused before I saw her and took a deep breath. It was really quiet. I could hear people outside but didn't understand what they were saying. I took off my necklace and took the few steps to the casket. "Hi grandma." She looked unreal. Different but still the same grandmother I loved. "I hope you're doing okay and happy with grandpa." My eyes started watering. I sighed. "I miss you so much right now." So much I felt empty. A big part of who I was was thanks to her. Now some of it is gone. I closed my eyes and let a few tears fall. "I'm sorry for being such a baby... but I was your baby." I opened my eyes and looked at her. She didn't move, just lay still sleeping. "How I wish you could tell me how stubborn and a pain in the ass I was. The times when you spoke silently and I unjustly yelled at you. The times when I felt like you didn't care but you did. The endless love you gave me. Even when I didn't deserve it. How you put up with me those two years." The countless tears she shed as she watched her grandson try to make the pain go away. I got down to kneel. "Father of all," or mother. "We pray for those whom we love, but see no longer. Grant them your peace. Let light perpetually shine upon them, and in your loving wisdom and almighty power. Work in them the good purpose of your perfect will.... through Jesus Christ our lord. Amen." I kissed my cross. Grandma said that prayer for grandpa those many years ago. If anyone was going to say a prayer first, it was going to be me. I got up and placed the cross between her hands. She gave it to me all those years ago. It was one special thing she gave me. What better place to put it than with her. I sat down in the front and closed my eyes. If there was a lord he was probably mad at me for all the past sins I had done. I didn't regret them. They shaped what I am today. They made me into a stronger person. I didn't know how long I sat there in silence but I heard people start walking into the church. I heard my friends sit behind me. They didn't say anything to me but I knew it was them. I kept my eyes closed as I heard more people enter. I heard the sounds of kids and a baby. I heard Steve a bit away from me then it got closer. I felt tears forming in my eyes but I kept my eyes closed. I wanted to keep the picture of my grandma in my head. Steve didn't say anything and sat down next to me. A few seconds later the hints of perfume hit my nose before someone sat down on the side next to me. No one said anything. A few tears fell but I let them fall down my face. I smiled. "Pain.... pain... go away." I took a light breath. "Fly away... and..... stay away." I lowered my head slightly as I put my hand on my chest. I heard the people in the background start fading away. I focused on the darkness. "Noah, sweetheart.." I heard her voice echo in my head. "Grandma made some cookies for us to share." A few minutes passed as I focused on the emptiness. The noises were coming back. I rose my head back to the way it usually was and let my hand fall down to my lap. A few more minutes passed by. "Noah?" I opened my eyes and saw the Minister in front of me. "Would you like me to start?" I looked back down at my hands. Two hands, one from each side, took one of my hands. I nodded. I couldn't find my voice. I didn't take my eyes off the minister. I raised when he told me to raise. I sat when he said so. Each time he got us to stand up the hands let mine go but found them back when we sat down. I didn't even look at the owners. The prayers were very sweet. Even if I really didn't care for them, I knew they meant something to grandma. He finished the prayers and told everyone to go to the town cemetery for the burial. Steve got up but didn't let go of my hand. I got up and he pulled me down the aisle. I didn't look at anyone and focused on his shoes. "It's okay if you don't want to talk Noah." He said as we exited the church. "She knows what we are feeling." I sighed. I didn't know what to say. Even if I knew I couldn't talk. Steve left me in front of the church to get the car. My friends passed me by and told me they would see me at the cemetery. They gave me hugs but I couldn't really react to give them one back. Mrs. Heart kissed my forehead and said the same thing as her daughter. "See you in a bit." A few people came up to me to talk but got the hint I didn't want to talk. They apologized for my loss and left. Some said they were going to the cemetery. I looked down at the floor and noticed someone with a big foot stop in front of me. He didn't say anything, he was a guy since he was wearing a very nice suit. At least from what I could tell about his pants. "I know... we have issues but I want to say I'm very sorry Noah." I saw a hand come up with a rose. "You liked these a lot.... don't worry, I took out the thorns." I looked at the thorn-less rose. Liam.... I reached out and took it. I brought it to my face and sniffed. I smiled but I didn't know if he could see it. "Would you mind if I went to the cemetery?" I shook my head. "Okay... I'll.... see you there." I looked up a few seconds after he left. Steve was a few feet away outside of the car with my door was open. I walked over to the car. I felt nothing. The bouquet was on top of the casket when we got there. My friends and a few people had already sat down. The front was left empty. Steve had to go talk to someone so I went up to the front. I still had the rose in my hand. I sat down and waited until it started. It was shorter than the church service. It was the part when people started talking about grandma. People said how she was always nice and caring. How she and her husband had helped them through rough times. How they felt sorry for the great loss her grandchildren being left alone. How the world lost someone great. Steve gave my leg a pat as he got up. He turned towards us and cleared his voice. "Grandmother was a very special person. She was there when I was born. She was with me for half of my life. She was able to take care of my brother when I couldn't. She was able to forgive the words of anger I spoke." He took a deep breath. "She gave my baby brother the care my mother didn't give my brother. She gave me a new start in life and I hope she knows how much I will miss her." He smiled and sat down. "Does someone have anything else to say?" The minister asked. No one said anything. I took a breath and stood up. "Noah has words he has to say." He sat down. I walked over to the middle and gave the rose a little kiss. "My." I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I gripped the rose. "Grandmother was a very special lady. Even after all the things I put her through. I was a really evil little guy." I smiled. "She would buy a cake and said it was for dinner. As soon as she left the room I had cake all over my face. She didn't get mad but offered me a glass of milk. "I." I bit my lip and looked at the rose. "I owe so much to her... and my brother... She never called me a burden. Even when I told her I hated her... she would come and hug me. Even when I came home late and acted funny she would give me a hug and said it was going to be okay. I never thought it was okay.... "But one day I got beat up really bad by a certain girl." I smiled. "Grandma cleaned me up and told me that I should take care of myself more. The person I am now... is the person she knew who I was going to be." I turned around to look at the closed casket. "She gave me what she could and more. I hope I did the same." I leaned over and kissed the casket before sitting down. Steve gave me a side hug. We stayed and watched them bury grandma. Waited until it was fully covered. Waited even after the guys left. Waited until the people came to pick up the chairs. When we got home Mrs. Heart had food all over the table. All my friends were there. Even Liam. Dinner was quiet but people still talked. Mrs. Heart would tell us stories about grandma. Eventually I excused myself and went to the backyard. I still had the rose. I couldn't let go of if. I was half expecting Ashley, Schala, or Erika to come over but they didn't. I needed someone right now. I kissed the floor and looked up at the sky. A few seconds I heard the door open and close. The grass crunched as someone walked over. They didn't say anything when they stopped so I didn't look back. "I'm glad the rose is helping." I was surprised it was Liam. "I didn't know if I should come or not but I'm glad I did." I smiled before I turned around. "I'm glad you could come." He blushed. I needed some up-lifting. Even if I had to do it. "To the funeral, you perv. She would be happy that you came." "She told me that." He stopped. "I hope you feel better." I smiled and turned my back to him. What did she tell him? When did he see her? "I am... I've been in my own little world today with her. I'm going to stop grieving and live the way she loved me living. Happily." "That'ts good." "Of course I'm going to still miss her. But... I'm going to keep going. She wanted me to keep doing that." He didn't say anything. I heard the grass start crunching. Was he going to leave? I felt two arms go around me as he hugged me from behind.. "She told me some things about you." He rested his head on top of mine. "A day before she died she called me. Told me to come on over." I didn't know what to say. "Told me what happened." He rubbed his head on mine. "I didn't know... I'm so sorry." I felt his breath on my neck. "I thought you left me without caring to tell me." I sighed. "I didn't know what was happening till it was too late." "The thing with your mom... your baby sister." His hands went on top of mine. "I've been trying to wrap my head around all the things she told me." "What did she tell you?" "Everything." I gulped. "Even how they died?" "No. She said it was something she didn't like talking about." He held me tighter. "I almost lost my husband?" I shook my head. "We were kids back then." "So you don't feel they way I feel about you?" His hands gripped mine. "I don't know. It's been years and.." I sighed. "I'm pretty dirty." All the things I did in the past. He kissed my neck. "No you aren't. Those were things you did to dull the pain. All those." He gripped my hands hard then softened them back up. ".Guys were just a coping mechanism to hide the pain." "I'm sorry I left you alone." "I'm sorry I thought you abandoned me." He held me in silence for a few minutes. "You are the most important person in my life. Even when I was angry... I still loved you." "You had every right to be angry. What your dad did... then it looked like I did the same thing." He shook his head. "I shouldn't have let you go so easily. Back then.... He rubbed the back of my head with his. "I apologized to Ashley about leaving her.... she hit me pretty hard but forgave me." "Why didn't you remain friends with her?" He hugged me tighter. "Everything that reminded me of you hurt... she was a constant reminder that I didn't have you anymore." "Yeah... how hard did she hit you?" Must have been brutal. "Well, it wasn't so bad. I was expecting worse.... she punched me in the gut... she can punch like a freaking pro... slapped me once... hard and then kneed me in the gut." Ouch. "She forgives with pain." "Yeah... by the way, she did that two days ago so I still have the bruises." I tried to pull away but he didn't let me. "It's okay.. I can handle the pain." "I know your dad hurt you.... leaving like that... not telling you... abandoning your mom." I leaned back slowly. "Then I left and you didn't hear anything from me." He kissed the back of my head. "You tried. Ashley tried to tell me... Erika tried to tell me... I wouldn't listen... if I did... maybe... we." "We could what, Liam?" "Have stayed together... we were kids but I loved you. We did that marriage thing as kids where Ashley 'married' us. We could have still had that." "You have Amber." "We broke up a while ago. Long before you were here. She just... I don't know." He hugged me tighter. "She was the only person after you... even so I couldn't forget you." Wow. But I can't. "We can't though Liam." "Why? Don't you...but...I" I stopped him. "It's not that I don't want to. It's just... not a good time right now... with grandma... and we grew up... we got to get to know each other again... but." He squeezed me. "But?" "You're still mostly the same guy I 'married' and fell for." I knew I would love this Liam too. He nuzzled my neck. "Okay. I can do that. You waited for me. I didn't; I owe you that and much more." He smelled my hair. "Can we be like this though? Sometimes at least? To make up for lost time." I chuckled. "Yeah. I can do that." He held me from behind for who knows how long. We didn't talk. Nothing needed to be said. He kissed my neck and kept telling me how he missed me. He didn't stop loving me even when he thought I abandoned him. He had forgiven me the very moment he had seen me, he told me after a while. It was just hard to see me and think I let him go. He just needed space. Grandma helped me out one last time. She helped me get back Liam. The person who meant the most to me. Aside from her and Steve. The person I wanted with so much, the one no person could ever make me forget. The one I thought wouldn't ever want me back. What I did.... was my own fault. Liam... Could my love for you be enough? I gave my grandma's portrait a kiss before I left my room. Spring was in the air. April was looking to be a good month. Grandma's funeral was two weeks ago. Spring break was over and done with too. Nothing really happened aside from Steve and I going to Vegas for a week to settle things from grandma's will. Grandma had left us some money to use in emergencies. A bit of it was used to pay for the funeral and hospital bills. It was nice of her but we could have paid the bills without the money. It was nice of her. We still had money left over for the company that we could use if we got into trouble. Dad's backup plan. It could only be used if Steve and I agreed to it. Dad loved his company. It was his first baby. He used to call it our older brother. His most expensive kid. Liam started hanging around us after school and would offer to pick me up from school from time to time. He would also offer to take me to go see him run track. I declined the offer since it really wasn't my type of thing to watch.... and walk after.... if you catch my drift. He was really being himself. Not the person who wasn't himself since he thought I had abandoned him. We were still getting to know each other slowly. Kinda. Tom had become part of our group too. It was nice having more friends. For the longest time Ashley was my only friend. I wasn't the easiest kid to like back then. Tom sure did make an impact on our group though. Ashley started fixing her hair more and was a little bit more sweeter. At least until you did something to piss her off. Erika was in the middle of a project called 'Project Puppy.' She wanted a dog but her mom didn't want one. She was trying to win her mom over with good behavior but it was a hard thing to pull off. Eric was a part of our group but he didn't show up that much anymore. He had things to 'do.' So did Sam. They always had things to 'do' the same day. We didn't think much of it but they did have a rocky start so we are happy that they are trying to get along. He even found his brother. Schala was being more evil lately. Not to us but to a few people. She was always the same to us but she had this evil smile when someone had something bad happen to them. A girl would pick on Ashley? Her locker caught on fire. Schala would smile. Some random guy on the street smacked my ass. He 'accidentally' got attacked by a flying cat. Do something to Erika.... which no one did... well... I wont even mention it. It involved shaving cream, a razor, really good climbing skills, and breaking and entering skills. Draw your own conclusions. A hat was needed afterward, though. "You know what you need?" Liam asked as he leaned on the locker next to mine. I moved one of my books to the side to look for my homework assignment. I left it yesterday by accident and it was due fifth period. "A bigger locker?" He chuckled. He really forgot all the anger towards me and was focused on making me smile. "A kiss." I blushed. "But you're not." He put a big Hershey's kiss on top of my paper. "A sweet for my sweet." He smiled and gave me a wink. He hadn't mention the subject of us getting back together which I wasn't ready for yet. There was a few more things to deal with. "But I think my kisses are much more sweeter though." "I remember." I blushed and took the chocolate and closed my locker. "You used to eat candy right before we "practiced." He wanted me to get addicted to his kisses like I was with candy. He blushed and looked to the side. "We can probably use some 'practice' but." He stood up straight. "Now's not the time." He looked at me sideways and looked the other way. Someone was coming. "Liam! What is taking you forever? Your food is getting cold." Amber stopped right next to Liam and grabbed his hand. He let her hand go and gave a little stretch. Boy, he was tall and lick- I mean ho- I mean... blah. I really should just stop thinking all together. "I wanted to talk to Noah about the play. He says he is totally ready to blow my pants off." He smiled. "Oh really?" She wrapped her arm around his. "I can 'blow' your pants off better than he can." Oh Liam.... "We can blow pretty well Amber. It's not a competition." "But it is." She gave me a little weird smile. "Yeah, Noah it is." My heart sank a bit. "But you got her beat though. I haven't seen you blow yet but it seems like you can blow with the best of them." He got her arm away from him. Were we really talking about this? I sighed and rolled my eye. "Well I'll leave you two birds alone." I opened the kiss and took a bit of the tip. I left them alone not really up for more innuendos. Whatever Amber's problem was I didn't want to be a part of it. The fifth period teacher was a bit late which was great. For Eric. He didn't do his homework and needed to copy mine. Which was pretty funny since I didn't do mine either. He also told me Amber was strangely quiet at lunch when she came back with Liam. Which Liam made sure to sit with someone between them. aka Eric. My sixth period was usual just talking to the librarian about the 'immortal' jellyfish. It would be so cool to turn back into your baby stage and grow up all over again. Liam also made an unexpected visit too. He apologized about Amber and for throwing me under the bus. Kinda. With all those freaking innuendos. Liam didn't care who knew he liked me. He didn't refer himself to being gay or straight. It was just me who he ever had in his vision. I wish I could say it like him but I couldn't. If I never left him, my eyes would have never wavered. But technically they never did seeing as I used the guys I dated for sex and nothing much more than that. I didn't want Liam to lose his friends. But taken by the fact Tom had seen Liam flirting with me, I doubted he would lose more friends. Eric didn't tell Tom yet but he said he was coming close to it. Seeing how Liam was basically gay and Tom didn't bat an eye. "Amber, Noah, you both are doing beautifully it makes me so proud." Mistress clapped as we got off stage. Even my classmates clapped for us. The death scene was done to perfection. Amber at first was glaring at me but as soon as we started acting it went away. We did a pretty great job. The class bell rang and most of the people started leaving. Schala waved to me, as did Sam, as I went to take off the costume. We did it in full gear, which smelled awful, so I had to change. Amber finished ahead of me and was waiting by the stairs. "Did yours smell as bad as mine or was I just lucky?" I asked when she turned to face me. "Cut the crap and tell me if you and Liam are dating." She looked at me with anger at full blast. I laughed, actually laughed. "Are you serious?" She didn't stop her glare. "Well no, we aren't dating. We are just friends." She laughed like I just told her I shit gold. "Like I believe that. The way you look at him and the... way.."" She shook her head. "Leave him alone. He is normal, unlike you." "I'd say he is pretty normal to me." We both looked up and saw Liam coming down the stairs. What the hell? Why did all the scenes happen here? It was the theater but come on. "We aren't dating." "Really?" Her voice got real happy. "Yes, but I want to be." I don't know who squeaked louder - her or me. Why the hell did he have to say that? "But you're not." She couldn't say it. "Gay." I rolled my eyes. It's not a death sentence. "I'm me and that's all that matters. Noah, he." He stopped right in front of us. "He's just the person who I l." He looked at me, "like so I can't change that." She shook her head and ran up the stairs, slamming the door behind her. "You know you probably just doomed yourself to the whole school?" I crossed my arms and smiled at him. I like you too, Liam. "You're out and no one bothers you." "True but I am a force to be reckoned with. Especially when you have a girl like Schala on your side." Not to mention the fact I ignore the name calls and record people taunting me. Blackmail can go a long long way. Expulsion is very scary to a few kids. "So Steve dropped you off, right?" He raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, my bike has a flat and my motorcycle is in for its tune up." The flat literally happened today. I had to go get a replacement this weekend. My motorcycle was probably already at the house by now. Mrs. Heart was going stop by to get the keys from the mechanic. "Well," he leaned in close and put an arm around my waist, "why don't I take you to Slushy Mountain for a little treat?" He smiled. "You really are bad you know." I bit my lip and I saw his eyes eyeing my lip. "Steve might be already here." He smiled and used his hand, the one not around my waist, to pull my lip from my teeth. "I asked him and he said it was alright... as long as I don't do... anything vulgar to you." He leaned his forehead against mine. Sneaky bastard. It must have run in the family. "Okay." "Good." His breath tickled my nose. It smelled like orange. "This is a theater not a place to show your love." Liam chuckled as he let me go. I blushed. "A fine love it is but this is sacred place you know that, Noah." Mistress said with a smile. "Sorry ma'am." I scratched the back of my head. "We'll be going now." I grabbed Liam's hand and pulled him quickly up the stairs. Once Liam was out of the auditorium I closed the door quickly. "Liam, you really are being reckless. We-" He pressed his lips against mine. He pinned me to the door. I closed my eyes to match his. Both his hands were in my hair. He backed up a bit and gave my lips a little lick before kissing me again. "I don't care. I finally have you." He rested his head on mine again. "I won't lose you again." I didn't know what to say. Liam had some pretty interesting taste in music. Right now he was singing along to a One Direction song, "Magic" or something like that. Mistress caught us in a weird situation again since she had to take care of something and we were in front of one of the exits. "If you're trying to woo me, you're doing a pretty bad job of it." While I didn't mind the song he couldn't sing that well. It was so adorable when he looked to me and sang a bit of the song for me. "Still not ready for me to be your man? Guess I can understand that. I am such a great guy." He smiled and gave me a a wink. "I loved you so much back then." It was true. Even now I.... "I loved you back then too. Like you a lot right now too." He stopped saying he loved me and was up for us getting to know each other. But he still wanted us to be a couple. "I like being with you." Cheesy but true. "Same here. I'm still sorry for being a dick to you when you first got there. You know hurt feeling and all that." He rubbed the back of his head as he turned into the parking lot of Slushy Mountain. "Yeah don't think about that. We don't have time to regret the past and should focus on our future." A future that was going to be bright. "Our future? I like the sound of that." He turned off the car and smiled. I was about to get out of the car before he stopped me. "Wait, you have something on you." "What?" I looked around but didn't spot anything on me. "Lips." He leaned over and gave me a quick kiss. He backed up and smirked. "I can get addicted to kissing you." I blushed. "Shut up." I looked to the side. "I can't grant that request sorry." He opened the door for me and waited. I rolled my eyes and went out. It was nice, he did these things before too. Felt nice being taken care of... by him. Steve did a bit of taking care of where I was concerned. We got inside and waited in line. There were a few people here. Not a lot but pretty packed, usually people got their smoothies and left. "Welcome to Slushy Mountain, how can I help you?" A guy around our age asked. "Hi, yes, I would like a large banana strawberry slushy with fruit slices." I leaned over and looked at the cookies. Maybe I should get a cookie. "The fruit slices, which kind do you want?" "Strawberry, please." He nodded. "Anything else?" "A chocolate chip cookie, medium size." He nodded. "That's it-" Liam pushed me a little to the side. "Can I have a large kiwi strawberry slushy with whole gapes?" "Sure. Together, right?" Liam nodded. "That will be fifteen dollars and thirty seven scents." Liam gave him a twenty and got his change. "Names are Liam and Noah." When we got to the table I frowned. "You know I could pay for my own, right?" He smirked. "Me wooing you involves buying you things and making you very happy." I smiled. "Thank you Liam, that is very sweet of you." I leaned over and almost kissed him. He frowned. "Why did you stop?" "I didn't want to." I was stopped by him when he leaned over and kissed me. He was going to stop that sometime right? Not that I didn't like it but it was surprising. "I don't care about that, Noah. I know you aren't ashamed and that's a reason why I like you so much. You want to protect me which makes me like you even more." "I'll do my best to try and stop that." I rubbed my nose. "I was going to kiss your cheek, not your lips." "Then good thing you backed out. I like the taste of lips. Your lips." He smiled. His eyes bright with happiness. I loved his eyes. They told you everything. I was undeniably happy. I had Liam back. My Liam. He liked me and I liked him. There was no if, and, or buts. Just us. Wanting each other. He never stopped caring for me. Never. Even when he wanted to. Liam went to go get the slushies when I noticed something interesting. Very interesting. Across the store there was an interesting sight. Very interesting sight. Why was I saying interesting so much? Ashley and Tom were sitting across from each other. Ashley had her hair in a ponytail and didn't have her glasses on. Tom was leaning close to Ashley. She wasn't blushing madly but just smiling. So Tom was the guy. Not that shocking once you thought about it. "Hey babe, got our things." Liam sat down across for me and passed me my things. "Look over there Liam." Then it processed. "Babe?" He looked over where I was looking. "Aw, we caught them on a date." Then he looked at me. "What, did I say something wrong?" "We are still friends, Liam." He shrugged. "You know I do what I want. Can't stop me baby." He gave me a smile that dared me to challenge him. Oh I could but it was much better to just let him win. He was starting to be more evil than his sister. And that was saying something. But I liked it. "To us." He raised his slushy cup. I bumped his cup. "To us." He reached over and took a piece of my cookie. "Oh, thanks." He put it in his mouth and let it on his lips. He gave me a smile and raised an eyebrow. I leaned over and took the cookie from his lips. He pressed his lips against mine. Grandma was still taking care of me, wasn't she? I backed up and sat down. Liam smiled as he took a drink. She was. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twitter xXJNVXx if you want the updates. I don't really post so I won't spam you lol. If there are any mistakes or something like that im sorry.... It converted strange. Anyways~ sorry for that and hope you had a good turkey day. Wanted the chapter up before that but probs... anyway! I got engaged too!