Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2006 20:50:04 +0000 From: Confidential Confidential Subject: Just Life Series Chapter 3 Author's Note: Thanks for feedback. All feedback can be sent to quistis15646@hotmail.com. Don't forget to check out my story "Night of the Ceremony" in the Sci-Fi and Fiction section. Chapter 3 The sun was starting to set. I knew I should call Zack. I had to call him, but the place we were going was a large barn and Taylor was talking how they needed generators to power everything so I figured there weren't any phones I could just pick up and use. Zack and I didn't have cell phone because we can't afford to have them. I'd have to find a phone somehow. Several people had already arrived and it seemed the party was really getting started. I hear the music clearly over the music and noise of the car. This place really was in the middle of no where. I started to get nervous, starting to regret coming along. Taylor pulled the car up next to someone else's and we got out. I could see people all around, talking or dancing. Some were even playing hacky sack or card games. Well, maybe it wouldn't so bad after all. We met with Jay and other `Jock Lackeys' I had come to call this little group because they always seemed to be hanging out. A few spilt off and went to do other things. Taylor and I made our way inside the bar. It wasn't packed or crowded, but there were a lot of people around. Unlike most teen parties you see or hear about, this one seemed calm and under control but knowing teen parties, there was alcohol and drugs somewhere. There were refreshment tables set up and Taylor got himself a Budlight from a cooler on the ground. He grabbed another one and offered it to me. "No thanks, I don't drink," I declined. He shrugged before dropping the Budlight can back into the cooler and grabbing a Pepsi. I took the Pepsi and opened it, taking a big gulp. Not knowing anyone that was around, I was quiet and followed Taylor around as he made his way around to everyone he knew. I spent most of my time looking around. I found someone had set up a few dart boards and two pool tables. I noticed someone familiar at one the pool tables and made my way over. He was just setting up the balls for a round when I picked up a cue and stood across from him. "Need a partner?" I asked. Axel looked up and grinned. "Yeah, sure, you can kick Leo and Josh's asses." The other two guys at the table scoffed and rolled their eyes in a typical male fashion when someone said they were better than them. I grinned and twirled the cue in my hand as Axel positioned to take a shot. I heard the smack of the white ball collide with the solids and strips and watched as they raced around the table. He sunk a stripe and it was my turn to hit. I surveyed the table, looking at what stripe ball I could hit with the white one and sink it. I lined up my cue and smashed the white ball into a stripe and smiled when it when in the pocket. The game continued at a close match. It seemed the four of us all had equal talent for the game. Axel and I won by only one point because of the other guys sunk the eight ball and white ball at the same time. I was around at the beginning when they had placed bets and we won a hundred dollars. Axel offered all the money to me, but I said we should split it fifty-fifty but he still insisted, saying he didn't really need it anyway and that it was a friendly gift. I was still reluctant to take it, but I did with a smile and thank you. We were starting a second round of pool against two new people when Taylor came on by, looking for me. "What are you doing here?" he asked me like I had been told not to be around here. "Just playing pool," I said with a slight shrug of my shoulders. "Well, come on, there's better things to do," he said, taking my arm but I didn't budge. "What's wrong with me simply playing pool, it's not gonna kill anyone," I told him, putting my free hand on my hip. "Yeah Caid, fuck off, he's not your bitch," Axel said and a few people around us laughed. I watched as Taylor became enraged. "You're walking on thin ice West; better watch your back," Taylor threatened, pointing at him before storming off. I watched him as he went before rolling my eyes and turning back to the game. "What did he shove up his ass that died?" I asked to no one in particular. People giggled as I lined up my next shot and sunk the ball. I didn't see Taylor or the `Jock Lackeys' the rest of night. Without having a ride from Taylor, I asked Axel if he could give me ride home. He said that he didn't have an extra helmet but was able to get one from one of his buddies for me. With the sun setting so early during this time of year, I checked my watch to see it was only 7:00 and figured I could stick around here for at least a half hour before I had to head home. Axel and I ended up challenging each other at poker. We also did a little Black Jack and I ended up winning. Zack always said I had a knack for winning at poker games. When 7:30 rolled around, Axel and I left the barn and walked to his bike. I thanked him again for being able to give me ride home and he said it was no problem. He mounted his motorcycle and started the engine before putting his helmet on. I slid on my helmet and mounted the motorcycle behind him. "Hold on!" he yelled and I wrapped my arms around his waist as he took off. I slid off the bike and took the helmet off. "Wow; that was a fast ride. I've never been on a motorcycle before," I stated as Axel turned off the engine. "Really? You've never been on a motorcycle before at all?" he asked, looking strangely at me for moment. I felt my cheeks blush. "No, there are lots of things I haven't done yet," I told him, handing him the helmet I used. He took it and laid it in his lap. "Really, what kind of things?" he asked, a twinkle in his eyes. "Ha, ha, wise guy. Well, thanks again for the ride, I'll se you tomorrow." As I turned to leave, Axel grabbed my arm and pulled me to him for a kiss. My eyes drifted shut as his lips moved against mine. "There's something you can check off the list," he said softly. I laughed lightly at his comment before slowly pulling away. "See you tomorrow then," he said before he started his motorcycle and drove off. I stood on the sidewalk, running a finger over my lips before I smiled and turned to go inside the apartment complex.