B03C04: You Only Love Twice

People say life imitates arts. But no matter how hard you try to believe, happy ending is only in the movies.

“Next thing you know I managed to kick their asses and controlled the situation. I think that old woman would die without me,” Aaron Gonzalez proudly told Geneva the story where he saved a dying—she actually died seven days after the incident due to heart attack—old woman in the store seized by three fully armed robbers. They were strolling down the park, when Geneva had to listen to all the stories of his past. He told her—almost—every past glories of his; the time he got his first kiss, the first ass that he kicked, the first date and—you get the whole picture, don’t you? He kept on mumbling about him. Aaron got this, Aaron got that, and Aaron won these and all. Geneva couldn’t do anything else but listened to his craps.

When you decided to take the role, you just married the whole crap of it.

When they were about to reach a bench to rest their feet, Geneva’s phone suddenly rang and interrupted the conversation. “Sorry honey, I have to pick it up!” Geneva excused herself and paced slowly leaving Aaron who had already set his butt on the bench. She reassured that he didn’t follow and stared at the screen. It was actually a fake phone call. She learnt the way to escape from a noisy boyfriend from the internet. She used many techniques on Aaron and it seemed to work on him.

Geneva had no idea what to do now. She needed someone else by her side so that she could talk about other passions than Aaron. Someone that could understand her.

Isn’t this the time where the Romeo comes to save his Juliet?

Aaron’s butt was already itching, He tried to peep on Geneva but the trees blocked his sight. “Geneva?” Aaron called but no one replied. He got anxious and started to search for her. He continued calling her name but never get a reply. As he making his way to where Geneva headed to, he saw her by the bushes and he presumed that she was texting somebody since the phone was in her hands. Aaron ignored his assumption and shouted for her name. Geneva turned to him with a mild smile stamped on her delicate face. Her bone structure implemented the smile so well that she looked like she was smiling without her trying.

“What’s the urgent? Somebody died?” Aaron wrapped his hands around her waist. He pulled her so close till she was literally could feel every single abs of his.

“No. Reborn actually,” She corrected him.

“and what makes you think that I want to know?” He sounded as if he was joking, but he was not. He pulled her to his right but still keeping his hand on her waist and marched on. “and about tonight, we are going to go to my favorite restaurant!”

Right. Where else could he bring her to? He and Geneva was the regular costumer of the restaurant. They were too expected by the restaurant. Aaron brought her there for every single date. The waiter could even remember their order because it is always the same since their first date.

“Sorry. I have errand to run tonight. It’s been piling up since like forever. I hope you understand,” Geneva released herself from his running hands which had been trying to grab her assets since they walked.

“Okay. I hope you don’t mind if I call somebody else to replace you. I reserved a table for us and I don’t want to waste,” Aaron acclaimed. He may look disappointed but he was glad that plan changed. He fancied hanging out with some hooker than slipping through another soundless night with Geneva.

“Alright, replace me all you want. I don’t mind,”

The happy couple laughed contentedly not knowing what’s beneath those words.

Looks like someone have to read through the script again.

…

Ely burst into the lobby of The Garden’s like a women on a mission, which was exactly what she was. With the tight jeans and the jacket from Dior on, she now could blend into the street of average without looking like a rich brat. The knit hat added to her edginess and she instantly looked like as if she was playing Assassin. She walked in suspiciously and the doorman was intimidated by her look. She dug for some money out from her pocket and plunked it into the doorman’s pocket before he could do anything.

“Shut up and tell me where Mr. Vasquez lives or I’ll charge you molesting,” She purposely dropped herself onto him.

The doorman was not supposed to tell any detail about the resident but he freaked out. He did not know what to react on this. He remained his lips locked.

“Hey, what are you doing?” Dylan shouted to the doorman. The panicking doorman quickly pushed Ely off him slowly.

“Penthouse madam,”

“Hmm... nothing. The floor was slippery. Thanks to him I survived,” Ely steadied and fixed her cloth

Dylan nodded and made his way to the lift. Ely followed his back like a total stranger, leaving the gasping doorman behind. The doorman was totally fooled by the two most genius-in-this-kind-of-game. As soon as the lift door closed, Ely and Dylan looked at each other with grins on both faces.

“And the Oscar goes to…” Dylan said under his breath.

“Us…”

In case you don’t know, there is no Best Duo honey.

“And what we get?” He sheepishly asked Ely who was fixing her hair next to him. She threw off the knit hat and got off the jacket, revealing more skin to Dylan. After realizing that Dylan was waiting for her answer, Ely’s brows furrowed.

“Dylan honey, you see. We will get that old man out of our lives. Natasha will be happy. I’m going to be happy and that will make the world happy too. That’s what we will get. And this would be the last time for me to wear these,” She passed the jacket to Dylan. “Can you hold it for me?”

Dylan nodded. The sexual tense overwhelmed the lift. Ely could sense Dylan staring at her since they got into the lift. She knew there were some kinds of attraction between them. She could feel it under her skin. On top of that, she wanted him so badly, too.

“Kiss me,” Ely pressed the emergency stop button and the elevator halted instantly at the second last floor. Both moved closer and Dylan pulled her onto his body. He pressed his lips against hers and the tongues began to tangle up in some sort of way. Ely pushed him to the wall but that did not make him stop but he paused.

“Ouch,” he groaned while setting his body to a better position. Then, again, their lips sealed while their hands mutually went all over the places, reaching out something to hold on to. Ignoring the fact that they were in the elevator, Dylan got three out of five buttons opened with a little help from Ely. The taste of her lips was like heroin, it pushed him to the edge. He was beyond control of himself. For Ely, it was the best ride ever. She never felt so great before and no one—in this state, so far—could drive her nuts this way. Suddenly, flashes came across into her tiny cells of brain and she realized that she was on an operation to save lives, including hers. Only then, she had the courage to pull herself away from Dylan’s suave promises of a bright warm future.

Good actresses follow the script but better ones tend to make their own.

“We should bring this on to a proper place,” she whispered slowly to his ears.

He looked devastated at first, but seeing that they were in a lift, he buttoned back his shirt and tried to iron it with his bare hand, as if it could make the pleats wears off. He maintained calm hoping for some logics in her words. Turning back to Ely—who had her jacket on back—, Dylan shifted to her side and combed her silky blonde hair. Dylan surely adores it.

“Promise me,”

Ely felt the blood rushed in her vein. The adrenaline was miraculous and she unquestionably wanted to keep it safe and sound with her. She wanted it to be real, for the very first time. Ely finally found the reason to love and she planted a life-worth-guarantee-kiss on his cheek. With that, Dylan smiled and believed, in both faith and art.

All you need for a movie is a gun and a girl.
…



Ryan Tedder slipped into a loft which smelled like dead people in it. His nose sneezed thousand times as he is not usual to this kind of stink odor. The living room was hectic with an old sofa upside down at the corner and broken TV set in the middle of the room. Maybe robbers had just set in five minutes ago or maybe the resident was a big stench rat. The sun light poured in the room and Ryan tried to ease himself at the counter. He believed by not moving another inch was the best way for him to get out from this place, alive.

“I’m sorry for the mess,” A bare-chested skinny man emerged out from the room. He was on his pleasant-looking boxers when he decided to sit on the sofa. He definitely needed a healthy inspector to check on his place and his filthy self. “What is wrong with you, young man? Like you never been here before. Make yourself like home,”

Ryan declined his offer and preferred to stay on his feet. Looking so bold in his Armani’s coat, he remained steady by the counter. He cleared his throats many time before taking out his chequebook. “This time I’ll give you extra but please, next time, could we meet at other place?”

“Oh why? You don’t like my place?” the ‘rat’ wandered. Later, he crooked down to grab a parcel under the sofa. Double checking the name on the parcel, he propped himself up and to Ryan who was signing the cheque.

“I hate it,” Ryan muttered. He assured and relieved to know that only he heard that since the ‘rat’ made no response. He exchanged the cheque with the parcel with the ‘rat’. So he wasn’t the most rich in the town but he surely has loads of cash in his big bank. The Tedder is known for a big business company which runs by his father. It genuinely built on Rob’s own sweats. He started from nothing and now he holds one of the affluent companies. He may have divorced with Cassie but he never turned his back on his boys. He promised them bright future and bright future is what they will get.

It looks like your boys have your wife’s gene more instead of yours in them. Insanity runs in their blood.

“Thanks Adam,”

Ryan hurriedly rushed out of the place. He was actually late for his father-to-be’s pre-wed party. He put on his aviator and marched to the lift and to his car. He paid no attention to all the people on his way. Luck wasn’t on his side; he jumped into a guy who was about—to save his life—his size when he clumsily stepped out from the building.

“Ryan Tedder?”

“Joseph Stanford. Glad to see you, again. What are you, stalking me?” Ryan giggled. After a whole day in school hanging out with Joe, he must have seen himself suffocating in Joe’s present. He tapped Joe’s shoulder and attempted to be friendly. “If you don’t mind, I don’t want to be late for George’s party tonight. My mom is getting married! I’ve got a boat to catch,”

“Oh. Your mom and Harold’s dad eh? Yeah. Go ahead,” Joe replied but Ryan was already on his way to his car. As he watching Ryan disappearing from his sight, he noticed something weird going on. Above all odds, he decided to ignore it. He continued his way into the building and opted to drop by his renter’s house to collect the debt.

When he dashed in, he saw a guy in a boxer holding a cheque and a phone in hands. He laughed at how silly he dressed. Pushing all the trash on the floor with his legs, he made to his stand next to the guy. He’s been so tolerant to this renter who owes him big money.

“So, Adam, do you have the money?”

Adam laughed at him. “I was about to call you and now you are here. It’s like you are destined to be here and I can’t run or hide from you my friend,” He handed the cheque to Joe and he jumped onto the sofa.

“You know dude dropping out from high school is not a good idea. Why don’t you get back to school?” Joe felt sorry for his friend who had lost his way. Adam decided to leave school when he found a better gang to hang out. He begun to ditch classes and gave up on studies. Joe couldn’t help Adam but to watch him turning to train-wrecked-young-man.

The first thing he did when he received the cheque was scanning for the signature, hoping it to be a real one this time. For a guy like Adam, Joe wouldn’t put much trust on him. And he was right all along. He shocked to see Tedder Corporation signature at the top of the cheque.

“What is this? Ryan gave you this check?”

Congratulation gentleman, you had just nominated for the best actor of the year.

Joe had nothing else in his mind other than…that.

He quickly set himself next to Adam and grabbed Adam’s body brutally. “Please tell me I’m wrong Adam!” He shouted at Adam’s ears. The eardrum was almost exploded with that high frequency of his. Suddenly, something caught his eyes. Something he wished it wasn’t there. It made him hoped that today was just another nightmare and he was going to wake up next to a sexy young brunette that he slept with last night.

Dream’s just a dream. But life is a nightmare and waking up in the morning is the sequel.
…

The marbled floor sparkled and the sunshine flooded into the house. The house looked spacious even though it is fully furnished. Complete with the set of sofa—probably from China because it looked like one—the house seemed to be more than you expected from an old man. Pricey vases were all around the house and there were pictures on the wall. He must have someone in his closet who helped him with these decorations.

But the question now is, who?

“May I help you?” a woman in a maid dress approached with an empty jug in her hand. She looked terrified.

“I’m Miss McQueen and he’s Mr. Vuitton and we are from the estate agency. We are told that Mr. Vasquez’s background seemed to be a problem here. Can we talk to him?”

Came to their surprise, a young—approximately ten years old—boy jumped and grabbed the maid’s legs. The jug felt down from her hand and the glasses were everywhere on the floor in a split of second. The kid then laughed and tried to hide himself at the back of Dylan, who is now Mr. Vuitton. The maid excused herself and disappeared into the kitchen and came back with cloth in her hands.

“Would you please excuse me and please wait for Mr. Vasquez at the living room. He will be here in any minute,” The maid bended down and picked every single big pieces of broken glasses. “And you, Sir Vasquez Junior, please lead them,”

Well look who’s there to help, little Vasquez?

The boy then pulled Dylan’s shirt and they followed him to the living room. He offered them to sit and smiled innocently. His dressing was mature than his look; a suit—probably from Chantal Thomas—and a pair of white leather’s shoes.

“So, my father sent me two babysitters this time?” he wondered. He eased himself on the chair next to Dylan. He seemed liking Dylan more than Ely who looked like a stern step mom. “And that makes you my new best friends,” he smiled contentedly.

“No, we are not…”

“Well. Sort of,” Ely interrupted Dylan. She signaled secretly to him indicating she got a better idea. “But before we can be best friend, we want to know more about you,”

Instantly, Dylan got her idea.

From Vuitton and McQueen to Hayden and Annie.

“I’m Johnny. Well, as you can see, I’m the only son. I live in this house with my father. Mom just left us a month ago with her new friend. She told me that she found prince charming but I’m too mature to believe that. I’m not dumb and don ‘t treats me like one,”

“We won’t,” Dylan finally had the chance to speak.

Then, they had a conversation about stuffs like American Idol, football, and surprisingly, fashion. They debated on Justin Bieber’s talent too. Dylan and Johnny became close and suddenly, Johnny brought a personal issue into the conversation.

“I’m not sure Mike; everything I do doesn’t work on her,”

Ely showed less interest in talking about man and women and how they should help each other in relationship and took the chance to walk around the house, to find evidence to proof Natasha wrong. Dylan purposely dragged Johnny into the deep conversation till that young boy didn’t even realize Ely was out of sight.

Ely escaped the busy maid, who was making drinks—perhaps—in the kitchen. On her way to the rooms, she saw many framed photo of a family on the wall, Vasquez’s to be exact. There was always this brunette lady in the pictures. The picture was arranged according to the years. Starting from the left where the lady holds a baby in her arms and a guy watched them delightfully by the side to the most right where the guy and the lady sandwiched Johnny like a hotdog. Ely assumed that the pictures were taken annually. She saw happiness in them and she knew she had to stop his ‘evil’ wrongdoing on Natasha. Ely somehow believed that Natasha deserved someone younger and single and richer.

Ely and Natasha always had a conversation about finding the right man who will stand by their side come shine or rain when they were much younger. These, brunette and blonde, girls shared a lot of dreams and they even talked about weddings when they were just eight. They knew each other far better than their parents and anybody else. Ely and Natasha were like twins and it was so hard to separate them both. But as time passes by, things change and so did their dreams.

—and attitudes.

“Camellia honey, we have to go now. I’ve an important event to attend tonight, don’t you remember?” Dylan shouted across the hall.

Ely quickly grabbed the latest photo and put it into her handbag. Fortunately and unexpectedly, it fit. She then marched to the living hall and met the maid on her way. She excused herself and explained to the maid regarding to the urgency. The maid apologized on behalf of Mr. Vasquez and Johnny escorted them to the lift. At first, Johnny had a heavy heart to say goodbye to Dylan but he knew he had to. In fact, he is used to it. Saying goodbye is like lunch to him.

“Promise me to visit me soon?” his light blue eyes were like drowning when Dylan caught his gaze.

Dylan didn’t reply him anything but all he did was smiling. Then, the lift door shut.

Be careful kids, you might love the new roles.

…

The spin chilling temperature made the night even brutally quixotic. The stars aligned beautifully on the empty dark sky. The moon was the only light that keep them accompany. The perfect night scent and the sound of the silent lake made it clear, that tonight was all theirs. While staring at the rear mirror blankly, he knew it was a mistake. But there’s a voice kept pushing him beyond his will and he couldn’t fight that.

“Harold… thank you for being here,”

The voice that disappeared months away from his ears was now singing back in his mind. The soundtrack of his summer, the beats for his heart. He knew he’d lie all winter to himself. He knew things would not be okay in any way.

“Glad that I help,” he replied. His voice was so calm, so undeniably cold.

“Harold, what happened?” Geneva turned to him and tried to catch his eyes but failed.

Harold darted his eyes elsewhere but at Geneva. If only he knew to answer, he would. While waiting for him to response, Geneva saw something sparkling hanging at the rear mirror. It was familiar. The necklace, shoot. Geneva thought guiltily. Only now she knew the rationale of the straight face and the silence.

Silence means security, silence means approval but how about this?

“You found the necklace,”

At least, Geneva didn’t wait for the answer this time. She was annoyed somehow by the silent treatment. “Alright,” she said under her breath. She opened the door and glided out from the car. “Next time, if you don’t want to see me, then don’t!”

Before she could even close the door, she heard a voice mumbling words. At first, she thought it was from outside but after double-checking the park, she knew it was the voice from inside. Well, she’s not stupid enough to believe that it was her inner voice since it was husky yet sullucent (that’s how her .mother described Aaron’s). She dug her head into the car to get into better audible range. “Pardon,”

Once again, Harold ignored her. He pulled the necklace and examined it in his palm. He felt a sudden contrite energy engulfed his whole body. His body began to shiver and he felt so heavy, as if the gravity hated him. “I said…” he paused, realizing the loudness of his voice might hurt the heart which he cared the most.

“What happened to us? We were so in love…”

“Until you sent me that stupid message,” she informed and sat back on her seat. Somewhere deep in her heart knew she was wrong too, for not confronting him but instead made a kissing scene behind the tree to piss him of. “Do you still believe in us?” her voice trailed. She hoped for a silent this time, somehow.

“Do you?” He asked her back. From the moment she got into the car, he had not really looked her into the eyes. He was scared to know the truth, he feared of being hurt, again. But as much as he wanted to protect his hard-rock-on-the-outside-and-fragile-on the-inside-self, he sought after the truth. “I sent the message to settle it down. I forgave you but I saw this on your yard and it tore me apart,” he spoke slowly while still staring at the necklace.

“well, I don’t know that ‘thanks for the memories and goodbye’ means settling down to you,”

Harold jerked. As far as he remembered, he sent ‘could we meet up honey, I miss you’. He braced himself to look at those eyes that once brought him up so high and cut him down so deep. By furrowing his brows, he said nothing. He assumed she would understand his body language. And she did.

“OMG. Who do you think?”

They finally realized that someone set them up. The stealth bond was broken by some sort of plot from outsider and they were fools for believing it. They both stared at each other blankly. Both faces were stunned like they’d just heard of death news.

“Could you wait for me?” Harold asked her, finally laid his eyes on hers. His hands grabbed hers and they felt the sparks again. Maybe not as vivid as before, but there were something for them to work on.

Geneva knew Harold have Chloe. She didn’t want to interrupt and be the third wheeler and destroy someone’s heart just to heal hers. After all, she really hated Aaron. She realized he was merely a rebound-lover. Being with him made her suffocates. She had to live in his shadows everyday and he never thought of sharing at all. She fixed her position so that she could see Harold’s eyes once more. From her position, she saw every inch of Harold that she missed. From head to toes (shoes actually).

“I will…”

Out of sudden, Harold locked the door before turning back to her. The night was too perfect for them to just sit in the car and revealing the truth. Harold jumped to the backseat and signaled her to do the same. At first she refused, but she could not resist him. Her boy that she loves all heart was alone with her, in the car, in a park, where there’s—maybe—no one at all. She pressed her body against him and relaxed her head on his neck. She could feel his heartbeat and his calming breath. In about a minute in that position, she began to feel like she used to, secured.

Harold pushed himself upward so that he could kiss her cheek. She allowed it as she enjoyed every second of it. Next thing she knew, his hands were combing her hair and running at her back at the same time. It took her five minutes to realize it was going to happen, so she stopped them and released herself from him.

“I’m sorry,” Harold said, sheepishly embarrassed.
“No. Don’t be. I want it as much as you do,”
“Then what?”
“I’m a…” she paused.

Then, it immediately struck Harold’s head. He never thought of it at all. He never knew.

Have you heard of Don’t ask, Don’t tell, Romeo?

“You and Aaron have not…”
“No,” She interrupted him.
“So, do you still..”
“Yes,” she answered him in a split of second.

My mom said;
You only love twice:
once when you look at her face for the first time.
And once when you have her on your bed.

..Or in this case, backseat of your car

He slowly pulled Geneva onto his body and…you know the rest.

B03C03 : The Kids Who Played With Fire

The dial tone was horrifyingly boring but Ely couldn’t help herself other than wait. Before she could literally die from the bad tune, the call was answered.

‘Hey! Finally,’ she relieved. She cleared her throat as if she was going to talk to some important people in the modelling agency. Trying to be careful with her words, she stuttered.

‘Hmm… I… dylan,’

It has been so long since she spoke to him. She was too busy with her social agendas, self-made-up-issues and—maybe—studies. People like Dylan, most likely to be ignored by her since he fits in far below in the social pyramid. After he lost Comfort, Dylan quitted soccer. He gave up almost everything. He isolated himself from the society and lived in his own world.

“What’s up, Ely? Is there anything I can help?’” Dylan humbly offered a hand even though he knew he is—one of—the last people she would call for help.

“Indeed, yes”

Friend is like a rubbish bin labelled with a big sign saying ‘use me’.

“Yeah?”

It takes two flints to make a fire. Careful kids.
…


Ely emerged into a coffee shop and sat by the window. She wore blue wayfarer that almost covered half of her face. As usual, she was in fabulous attire. Maybe, she was a little bit overdressed for just a small tea-meeting with her—long ignored—friend. Louis Vuitton’s ombre bubble dress was her pick of the evening. The soft silk chiffon fabric and the mute color compliment each other beautifully and the baby blue creates an unexpected and interesting pop of color. The jewel detailing at the neckline adds some contrasting texture and the low back oozes understated sexiness. She’s as hot as ice. She wasn’t expecting Dylan to come early so she bought herself caramel ice blended to kill the time.

To her surprise, Dylan came into sight from a Kia Ray Hybrid. He looked like a rich stud from Hollywood movies. With the aviator on his face, Ely nearly could not recognize him. He walked into the coffee shop with eyes following him. When he reached Ely, many hearts in the shop were broken and the sound of it made him carved a small grin on his face.

“Why so surprised?” Dylan chuckled. He took a seat opposite to Ely and a waiter approached after him. He ordered the same drink as Ely. Then, he turned back before asking her the question again. She looked electrified as if she saw a ghost.

“Where’ve you been? You looked…”

“Different?” Dylan abruptly interrupted before she could even finish her sentence. He got that a lot, especially from the girls. “Thanks,”

“You looked better with than manly beard. Sexy to be honest,” Ely turned outside, sipped her drink, and turned back at Dylan, pretending she didn’t say anything. She dug out a picture out of her handbag and passed it to Dylan.

It was a photograph of Natasha and her newly-met boyfriend. The picture was secretly taken by Ely’s ‘spy’, literally. She hired an amateur photographer to stalk them. And he did his job, poorly. Only two or three photos could be use to drop charge of assaulting as the others are blur and some are just plainly nothing. After he scanned the photo, she handed a file to him.

Looks like someone is becoming a detective, and who’s the sidekick? Him?

“What is this? Don’t ell me you googled him!” Dylan flipped over the pages and saw many pictures of him with young girls in his arms. At first, he thought he knew this guy but something came into his mind and blew it all off. Thanks to the girl who stores her brain in her handbag who had just walked pass him by the window.

Ely snatched the file back from him and turned into a full—hand—written page. She passed it back to Dylan enthusiastically. It was not a letter Louie wrote for his past girlfriend, neither a letter he received from any of his mistress. It was a biography of him that Ely wrote by herself. Her printer broke down and she desperately needed to get a copy of that page. So, she used the traditional way, she wrote it down.

“Wiki to be exact…” Ely put on a straight face, trying to indicate the seriousness of her on solving the mystery of Louie Vasquez. She knew there was something behind him. Something stinks and she needed to get rid of that out of her best friend’s life. “I know he is up to something and I have to stop him!”

“Being an old, divorced, and rich and a nice guy at the same is an uncanny job. I don’t blame you though. But let’s not do anything yet. I think they are really into this. Look at this picture,” He passed it over to her. It was a picture of Louie holding Natasha in his arm. The eyes were as innocent as a child. “Let’s give this old man a chance. Once he blows things off, we’ll get our hands all over him!”

“You are right,” Ely muttered.

Liar, liar, pants on fire.

She was not satisfied, at all. She wanted to stop him no matter what everyone else has to say. She cares about her best friend. She doesn’t would do anything to protect Natasha from being hurt. She grabbed the filed and tossed it into her bag. “Let’s not talk about this!” Ely took a sip of her drink and eased herself on the chair.

Be careful Detective E, it seems like you pressed M… for murder.

“Yeah. Let’s talk about my beard,” Dylan joked.

…

Ryan hurried to Lily to check on her. He left to toilet and rushed back when he suddenly felt wrong for doing so. Being soon-to-be-dad made him more alert of the surrounding. The temperature must right, the noise must be at its minimum, and he must be always there in case of everything.

“Is there anything I can get for you?” Ryan asked ominously. “Or anything for little Tedder?” He set his butt next to Lily.

“Yes. We need you to stop worrying about us. Darling, I’m okay,” Lily placed her hands on his cheeks. She explored his eyes and it shone like an eager little puppy. Maybe he’s eager to taste those lips. “Kiss me,”

He budged closer to her face. He could smell her Vanilla scent running through his nose. “I love you with all my life and I promise you. Once we are done with our studies, I am going to marry you,” He then kissed her, tenderly, with all care.

“Was that a proposal? If yes, I think you should get me a wedding planner then!” she smiled at him. Getting all cosy in his embrace, she closed her eyes, trying to fall asleep with the smile on. She wished for this to stay forever.

Sorry honey, but could it be, the forever ends now?

Ryan’s hand ran to her stomach. He wanted to get closer to his child. He thought he could feel his heartbeat by doing so, but before he could even get a beat, lily pushed his hand away and she propped herself up. Her face changed. She went panic suddenly. She tried not to meet his gaze, so she turned to the ocean. Both of them were now silent. The tidal waves struck the shore and the sound was the only one could be heard. He stayed on the pier, confused, and lost.

“Sorry. That was his first kick,” Roxanne turned to him, with a huge smile on her face.

Her words changed the atmosphere. Ryan laughed and he was the happiest man of the day. He was never been so happy before. “This must be from his uncle Dylan,” he joked.

Yes, daddy, I learnt from the best.


…

The running kids around the lake reminded her of her childhood, with her best friends. She fished her cell phone out from her pocket and ran through her contact list. The first seven was always on her heart. She always had them on her mind. Suddenly, a tear flew down her cheek. She missed them, so much. She knew she had spent the last 6 months less with them. Before the tears started to burst out even more, she wiped it off with the back of her hand.

“Hey... It’s really you,” a voice called from the back.

Roxanne felt like there was a stab from the back. She dared not to turn. She was afraid to face the truth. Not anymore after what happened to her.

Once broken, consider sold.

“I saw you from … our tree and I decided to... You know, come over. I might need a companion right now. I’m a loner. But if you don’t want me here, then I’ll get my ass off before you could even… Never mind. Bye,” he turned back and stepped away, slowly.

“Stay,”

Ah. The magic word, the word that please anyone anywhere anytime.

“This place is too big for me alone,” Roxanne patted the land next to her. She turned and gave him a warm smile, the smile that he missed the most. She grabbed a stone and waved it at him. “Do you remember this game? You suck at it,” she laughed merrily, just like a five years old kid. “Let’s play. The loser has to buy the hotdogs. I’m starving… and broke,”

He smiled and grabbed a flat stone. “Let me throw it first,” he said, proudly. He threw the stone and it skipped thrice. “You’re right, I’m suck at this,” he laughed giddily.

“Nah, the bet is still on,” Roxanne threw hers and it skipped six times. She turned to him and laughed her head off. “Izzy, I want…”

“Cheese, extra mustard, no onion, and less chilli sauce! Be right back!” Izzy marched to the Hotdog stall hastily. He memorized the way Roxanne would want her hotdog, precisely. He never got it off his brain.

Five minutes after that, Izzy emerged with two hotdogs in his both hands. With a huge smirk, he looked five years younger. Roxanne could see the young him instead of the one that had messed up his life by choosing to be a complete opposite person. Roxanne extracted a hand to get her hotdog from Izzy and she thanked him for that. They both remained quiet and unfold the wrapper and ate it in silent.

After both had finished their hotdog, they looked at each other’s faces and both started laughing. “Never thought you would grow yellow beard,” Roxanne pondered a joke that made both went nuts. “And I never thought a girl could grow a moustache,” Izzy added and made things ‘worse’. They were out of their breath and could not stop laughing.

…Like they used to.

“Stop it, Izzy. Let me get it off for you,” she took a tissue out of her bag and wiped the mustard. She caught his gaze and she stunned. She was awed by the beauty of the eyes that she might have forgotten about. Out of sudden, she got the urge to kiss him and so she did. She pressed her lips against him and threw her body onto his.

Conversely, he pushed her off him and pulled himself away. He stared at her with thousands queries running riotously in his thought. She made him think for awhile. “What are you doing? Are you out of your mind? You got Keith!” he yelled. For some reason, he should not have did that.

Cheers for the douche bag!

“We broke up! And why? I thought you longed for this?” she asked in frustration. Her brows showed how disappointed she was at the time. She had no clue at all that this would happen. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have kiss you,” she grabbed her bag and quickly fastened her steps away from him. “So sorry,”

“Roxanne, stop! Hear me out!”

Roxanne ignored but stopped after she assured that she was far from Izzy, far from being hurt again. “What?” She shouted. “Speak now!”

When you trust someone, you are like a car which filled with fuel. You are vulnerable for the greatest combustion.

“I’m in love, with a guy and I thought we could be just friend, like we used to. Like five minutes ago!”

Roxanne felt another great stab, but this time, right through her chest. She heard him and tried to understand. Izzy paced forward and closer to her as she stayed on her feet. As he making his way to her, she saw his eyes. She saw his look. From that, a weird feeling clutched her and she realized. He moved on, and so must she.

“Great. Yes, we are friends. Can you forgive me? And forget?” Roxanne chuckled. She opened her arms and hugged him. She felt like she was a seven years old young girl hugging a seven years old friend in her arm. “Who’s that man?” she asked eagerly, as if she just met her friend. As if nothing happened between them. As if they were so naive.

“You wouldn’t believe me!” Dylan replied. He was so keen to tell. Like a kid waiting for his mom to tell him a bed time story as it is. He smiled contentedly.

“Try me,”

Try to erase this fire, if you can.

“His name starts with the letter D”

Oh my. Is there any fireman out there? The flames are getting wilder. Put it off A.S.A.P before somebody gets burnt.

…


“Damn!” Harold looked at himself in the mirror. He never thought he would be that man in tux. He scrutinized the figure from the toes to head. A sudden sensation ran through his skin and he felt great instantaneously. He cleared his throat and turned around to look for his girl friend. Chloe was nowhere to be found. Maybe she was trying the clothes herself or maybe she was hitting on the cashier. Harold stretched his head like a giraffe and attempted to peek over the shelves. Unfortunately, he saw no one. There was just the cashier alone in front. He went over the cashier and asked him. The cashier didn’t help that much. He told Harold that she left after a phone call. Harold thanked him and went back to the changing room. He felt like a dumb now.

“Oh my, I almost did not recognize you!” A voice shouted from the door. Harold turned back and he saw Ryan and his girlfriend and Chloe was at their back, appearing so small behind. Harold strutted proudly and tried to imitate some of David cook’s humorous moves; the cabbage patch and the running man.

“If you do it again, I will never declare you as my brother!”

Chloe laughed. She made her way to him with a pretty curved smile. It was so beautiful—to Harold. He opened up his arm for her and he kissed her. “And this wouldn’t be complete without that one accessory,” Harold explored deep into her eyes.

“And what is that? I thought they have everything here, don’t you?” Chloe stared mildly to the promoter who had been standing in between four of them. She was doing nothing but standing like a guard. The promoter clumsily walked over the shelves to grab the catalogue. She hit almost every thing that was one her way.

“They don’t sell it here and I have her already, in my arms,” Harold smirked. Guess, the promoter was scolded for nothing.

Thanks Romeo. Where did you learn it? Pick Up Line For Dummies?

Ryan asked for his tux from the promoter. She nodded and again, she walked to the back clumsily. She returned back with a white tux which look almost the same as Harold’s and a white bedazzling dress that matched well together with the tux. Both clothing implement each other magnificently, as if both are the wedding dress.

“Alright, all is on me,” Ryan told the cashier. Harold immediately glared at him. He patted his shoulder but Ryan didn’t care. In fact, he did not feel anything at all. His fat absorbed all the shock. “Harold, trust me. This is nothing compare to what you gave me, strength,” Ryan ignored him and handed over his platinum card.

“You know what, you are going to follow me to Dunkin’ and I’m going to treat you lots-of-doughnuts. Let add the fat to this!” Harold commanded while tapping Ryan’s belly. Ryan couldn’t help himself but nodded to what Harold said.


They say, there is no smoke without the fire. But who started it? You never know.

B03C02 : Infamous Last Word

Bright day, scorching bedazzled pradas, and a not so fine ambience. That’s when the Chief Executive Officer—well sort of—of the school magazine publishing Department pranced through the esplanade and into the cafeteria. She wasn’t happy about something. Or maybe, about everything. She walked to the table, where she once belonged to, the 7teen table. It wasn’t marked, labeled or carved with their names but it seems like everyone is informed that they should stay away from the table. She saw somebody that could make her laugh sitting by the table. He was smiling when she caught his gaze.

“Roxy...” He called.

Roxanne replied with a big warm smiled. She laid her diminutive ass on the chair next to him and then she stared, as if waiting for something. A minute without any upshot, she sighed.

“What happened to ‘Roxy Pixie’?” She wondered.

Didn’t she realize she is too little to old to be called pixie?

Harold laughed. He knew she will react this way. He saw her sulky face and he decided to cheer things up. And he did. He sipped the coffee before turning to the young hot juniors that had just passed the table. They were acting like sluts. You know, one button down and so. He darted his eyes back on Roxanne, intensely.

“What’s up? PMS or something?” he laughed. He knows quite a lot of things about PMS since his girlfriend; Chloe is always on a mood swing. He picks up fast.

Roxanne snorted deeply. She had a lot in her mind. One of it is Keith. After the fight by the roadside, Keith became her boyfriend, still, but a nasty one. He started to piss her off every time they meet. He forgot the dates and quitted sending her flowers and stuffs. The last time she heard him saying “I love you” is when he was cuddling with his dog. How nice of him. She truly missed the old him.

“PIXIE!”

Harold shouted on the top of his lungs. Without realizing 5 minutes had passed, Roxanne jerked and set herself back into reality. She had a daydream of the best moments with Keith—the lake, the prom and his smile and everything else. She smiled. He smiled. And someone jumped and stunned them both. It was a girl in a boomed purple—white dotted—dress and she was Demetria.

Demetria is Harold’s—suddenly appeared—sister. She came into Harold’s house with their father and now, since it became inappropriate for her—as a girl—to live with three guys, she moved out and lived with her soon-to-be-mother in an apartment, rented by George. She afraid her feminine side will die off if she stays in the house full with uncivilized-mannered creatures. She misses Harold. The only time she could see him is in the school and that’s only when Harold is not busy. So now, she could have some quality time with Harold, since he’d finished his class early today.

“Hello my lovely brother,” she greeted. “And his beautiful friend,”

She smiled at them both. She shifted fast and sat next to her brother before they could even reply her. Something was shining out of her. Her face was literally sparkling.

“What’s up with that smile, hun? And why do you look so,” he paused. He scanned her for the second time around and pinned his eyes on hers. “FAT!”

“It’s the dress. Tons of my friends told me that. I am so not going to wear this anymore!” she giggled and blushing, shimmering, all at once. Then, she moved a little further from his brother so that he could not see her anymore. On the other side of the table, Roxanne dug her phone out of her pocket and fixed her eyes on the screen. She frowned for a second and excused herself out of the cafeteria. She left them both unnoticed. Harold did try to follow her but Demetria was even faster. She pulled him down back onto his seat and shook her head off. Harold knew he could not make anything better. So, he sat down worryingly.

“How’s your tux? The wedding is next week! You should be ready by now. You are the best man!” Demetria yelled, trying to change the subject. The wedding is going to be in a private island which was sponsored by Mrs. Tedder herself. Only few are invited; close friends and their friends.

Bear in mind that they have no other family other than themselves.

“Oh yeah. Ryan and I are going to hit the town—maybe—tonight, to hunt for THE tuxes. Don’t worry. We’ve got everything under control,” He eased himself. Emphasizing words is his style of lazy talking. Tux is all the same to him, he didn’t even bother to worry about it.

He never knew what is tux to Ryan.

“I invited Chloe and my friends. Hope dad is fine with that,” Harold informed. Somehow, he couldn’t picture the wedding without his friends in it. It would be empty. Considering the number of his father’s friend, which could be none, and few of Cassie’s officemate, he was thinking to put up a notice at the hallway so that everyone would attend and make the wedding merrier. But he didn’t. “You could have SOME of you’re friend along. I’m afraid you will die due to natural causes. Trust me, I’ve been in a wedding which choke the heck out of me,”

“I’m the co-planner. It won’t be like that. It will be the wedding of the year, or maybe of the month, at least,” Demetria brought out her small notebook and passed it to Harold. She commanded him to flip over the folded page and so he did. First thing he saw was a beautiful sketch of the bride’s dress. It was magnificent and a stunner. Then he saw a list of crossed themes and a circled one at the most bottom of the page. The theme is… fairytale.

Like, seriously? Who are you trying to fool? Your little sister or what?

“Don’t jump into any conclusion just yet! What it means is a white-themed occasion. Think of bouquets of white roses on the grass, the doves, the horses and all, it will be as if a prince’s wedding. Our prince!”

“Prince? You must be kidding. He’s too old for that! If it was mine, then it will be all fine. We are talking about two aged pigeon right now. They are not getting any younger with that theme. Trust me, I know your trick!” He garroted and tried to get away form this annoying little conversation. “Next time, if you want to talk about this, don’t find me. I’m bad at all this. I prefer they get it done in Vegas. Simple! A preacher, Elvis costume, and a damn ring! Done,” Harold exhaled out loud.

“Why are you against dad? This wedding? I thought you agreed to this?” Demetria puckered her thin brows. “You should be happy,”

“I AM happy for dad. It just… look around. Where are all my friends? They used to be here almost all of the time. But now, it seems like I’m the only one. Sorry, I’m just too worried about Roxanne and all. I’ll be okay. And Demi, deep in my heart, I do want to see dad happy. You’re not the only good child here,”

Demetria’s hand ran to Harold’s. She grabbed it softly and she wore a tiny smile on her glowing face. “It will be all fine,” she promised him.

…

The green scenery of the garden was so beautiful. The blossoming flowers were breath-taking. The air perfumed with refreshing lavender-like smell and the wind blew steadily. Dylan was slackening at the tree when nearly everyone was heading back home. He wore a big headphone on his head which block the noise from entering his head. He put Taylor’s in his playlist—all of them. They were Comfort’s favorites. He stared far and out of nowhere, Izzy sat down next to him. This time, he looked far better than before.

“Alone, Again?”

Dylan nodded. He tried to look at Izzy right on his eyes but he couldn’t, knowing every thing was different now and then. There’s no more Fantastic Four, or the awesome four, or the four brothers or the quadruplet. It was now the separated four. He placed his hand on Izzy’s shoulder and smiled “Thank you. I won’t be here if it wasn’t you who bailed me out of the misery. I was lucky you were there. I know this sounds silly, but I love you man,”

“Urm,” Izzy didn’t know how to reply. He felt like a savior, for once.

“Let’s grab something to eat. I’m starving,” Dylan pulled Izzy up and over to the car. Then, he drove to a Chinese Restaurant not far from the school.

They took their seat at the last table of the restaurant by the window. They were—maybe—the first customer. The restaurant looked untouched, unlike its normal condition. The floor was white-marbled, spotless. The tables and chairs were arranged satisfactorily which made the room appeared more spacious. With an old Chinese song playing in the background, a waitress in a white tight top emerged out from the back. She sophisticatedly strutted towards the ravenous alpha males.

“Can I take you order please?” Her twang was so exotic. The scrumptiously sounded voice turned Dylan up. He was now awake than ever.

Izzy was clueless. He never had eaten in a Chinese restaurant before. He didn’t even know how to read the menu. Dylan giggled, being so different from he was ten minutes ago.

“Zha jiang mian for two and a pot of tea please,” he passed back the menu to the waitress and winked at her. The waitress smiled and bowed down to reach the pen on the table. From this vantage, Dylan could see something that he should've not. The waiteress bended inintentionly on purpose. Dylan’s eyes were locked and Izzy grined.

“Your chinese is good. Mind me helping to improve it?”

“Nah, I prefer to be gay now!” Dylan laughed histerically. He waited for this moment since Comfort left him. He wanted to make fun of the girls again and desired to be the old version of Dylan Andrew Bradshaw. The waiteress’ face flushed and she stomped back to the kitchen. Both friends then cackled feverishly.

“Look now, this is me showing my gratitude to you for being there for me when I need a hand and a shoulder to cry on. Well, not literally,” he laughed. “Thank you again. I’m now believed there is actually someone better than Comfort out there. I just have to look harder or maybe, stop searching and appreciate what I have. I have my friends, especially you. You gave me strength. I should not waste it on mourning over her. It is just not worth it anymore. She won’t come back,” Dylan changed into a brand new person. He learned a lesson from the past and it gave him power to move on.

He turned out to a better one, hopefully.

…




“How many time must I say for you guys to understand me?!” Roxanne pushed all the files on the table to the floor. With a little bit green color to be added to her skin, she will look exactly like a midget ogre. She grabbed a file labeled “Report of the week: Aaron Gonzalez in demand” and pointed it at Linda, one of the reporters. “You know what this is? Rubbish! And it belonged to the rubbish bin. You want me to throw it for you or you want to do it yourself? I’m sick of these!” she yelled like a mad psychopath. Then, she threw the files aiming for Linda’s head but it was saved by Keith.

“All of you, out, now!” Keith shouted.

In split of second, the room was cleared. Keith and Roxanne stared heatedly at each other. The temperature—possibly—rose by a Celsius. The heat was like woe. They can cook chicken in here; it’s like oven by now.

“You know what? You are so selfish. A little brat who thinks this world is only revolves around her, yeah, that’s you, Roxanne. Try to look around. Nobody actually likes you. Our juniors smile at you not because they respect but they are afraid of you. You never thanked them. You bossed around without giving any recognition. Who you think you are? You pay them? No,” Keith was out of his polite manners. He couldn’t carry the burden on his head anymore. He was so mad, so angry at his girlfriend.

Roxanne couldn’t accept the fact that it was from her boyfriend. She fell on the chair and broke down. The tears flowed down to her cheek, then to her blouse. Devastation after another, she was torn.

“Look now. When I need someone the most to be here with me, you threw me amber. You burnt me down. I am not sure why you are so against me. You left me unattended. Keith, tell me what you want? What I did so wrong?”

Keith ignored her.

Ignorance is your new best friend honey.

“Keith…”

Her voice was so low. No one could actually heard her, but there’s a small heart, somehow detected the sincerity of the voice. He turned and paced slowly towards her. He darted his eyes on hers. There’s a small line separating disgusted and sympathy look, and Keith’s gaze was precisely on the line. As he reached her, he kneed down. He held up her chin and pushed his face to hers. They could feel each other’s breath. Hers was unsteady, but his made her quiet. The heartbeats became like drum rolls. He closed his eyes for her to follow. They both stayed this way for more or less than three minutes.

“I loved you but I’m sorry, we have to end this now,”

And there goes the infamous last word.

Keith propped himself up and straighten like a soldier called for attention. “There’s no need any reason. It’s just it,” he planted a kiss on her wet cheek and disappeared out from the room. He left her stunned. He left her breathless. He left her hanging.

“Keithhh…” her voice trailed off.


Put your lighters up. And let’s mourn.

B03C01 : Is There Any Norm Out There?

title from Secondhand Serenade, Is there anybody out there?

The sound of Ely’s stiletto was now like chirping birds in the morning. It is a must. On top of that, Ely and Nat won the Talent Show. They beat the rest in school. Well, if you mix the latte with the cream, wouldn’t it be nicer? The junior year was over and now, it was the time for them to rule the place and have their hands all over the freshmen. You bet, all hail the Queen E. This sorority is only rule by the single ladies, consequently, Chloe is out of the league. She’s with Harold. They made the most sophisticated couple in the school.

Fabulousity much? Not for long, kids.

“Emma… I want you to get me a cup of coffee. Don’t forget the creamer!” Ely ordered the girl. She settled down on the chair, facing the garden where shirtless guys were playing touch rugby. While she was waiting for her coffee, she looked through the crowds at the garden. She scanned the clothing and none of them fit her interest. The only that stick in her mind was the sweat of those guys. “Here you go,” Emma put two cup of coffee on the table and sat next to Ely. “So, are you ready girl?” Ely raised her brows. Emma smiled contentedly. “If you want to be like me, you have to date one of those. But listen,” Ely paused, expecting Emma to look at the guys at the garden. She knew, the boys were looking and talking about them since they both stepped into the cafeteria. Emma took a look at them and turned back at Ely, keeping it not too obvious. “You can’t talk cheap like Christine. You know what happened to her. She’s dating the ugliest man in school. She’s a desperado. Careful with your steps, you might trip over. Understood?” Ely taught Emma to be like her, the most gorgeous yet hottest chick in the school. “Alright, I have some fashion show to attend tonight with Nat. Don’t forget my assignments! Or else…” Ely stood up and walked away.

Did she say ‘fashion show…with Nat’?

She walked graciously out from the cafeteria and to her car. She dug into her Gucci for her phone before dialing Nat’s number. She waited for her to pick up anxiously in her Bentley.

“Babe, will be in your house at seven! I’m in the middle of something right now. Will call you back!” Nat said in less than three or four seconds before hang up on Ely. Ely shocked by the way Nat acted. No one would ever dare to hang up on her. “This must be something,” she murmured. She turned the key over and the engine started.

Vroon-vroon!!

...

“Do you know where she is? I’ve not seen her in awhile,” He begged for answer. He’d been searching for her for about six months now. She left nothing behind, just like that. She told no one about it. Comfort never turned out in school after the video of her got all over the school. Dylan searched for her ever since she left. He never stopped. “No, I’m sorry,” The brunette girl at the counter answered sorely. Dylan shifted to the table where comfort and he would spend the night chatting together. It was Comfort’s favorite restaurant. It was their table. It was the sweetest memory of his life.

“Alone? Can I join?” a familiar voice asked. Dylan recognized the voice. He nodded without turning back. “Are you okay, Dylan?” He asked, settling down on the seat. “Actually, Izzy… I am not,” Dylan broke down—literally. Izzy quickly budged next to Dylan and wrapped him up. Dylan’s tears fell on Izzy shirt. He was so upset that she left. He couldn’t accept the fact that she was gone… forever. “Dylan, I know you are strong. You can’t be like this for the rest of your life. You have to move on,” Izzy gave a piece of advice, a very basic one. Dylan freed himself from Izzy’s embrace and wiped his eyes with the back of his hands. He heaved a sigh. Izzy shifted back to his place and called the waiter. “It’s on me,”

They ordered diet coke each and the drinks arrived a minute later. Dylan quickly grabbed his and took a big sip to clear his dry throat. At the other side, Izzy was organizing his thought. He wanted to start a conversation but he didn’t know where to begin.

“Thanks,” Dylan broke the silence. Then, they met another one. It was full of awkwardness. Both of them hadn’t meet in awhile. “So,” Dylan paused. He tried to bring up the how-are-you issue but on the second thought, he knew he’d better not.

“I’m all ear,” Izzy said.

Dylan looked at him, then down to the floor, then to the girl with 5-inch heels at the corner of the restaurant, and then back to Izzy. He was trying not to answer that question. But the eager eyes of Izzy were pinned to his. “You know it’s personal,” his voice trailed off. He tried not to talk or even think about it, and his brows showed how miserable he was. Izzy was a pro in reading body language. He knew there was something wrong.

“Let’s get the hell out of here and hit the bar!” Izzy dropped some cash on the table before walking out from the restaurant. Dylan followed his back. They walked for about 3 blocks from the restaurant and slipped into a bar which was not even a quarter full. It was not even seven and they were in a bar.

Good timing, boy.

“Ok, let’s take a few shots,” Izzy grabbed two glass of red wine and passed one to Dylan. “You know I don’t drink,” Dylan refused to drink. He preferred Cosmo, but he kept that in mind. “When else?” Izzy said. He took a sip as if he were used to it. “Come on!”

Dylan pulled the glass closer and thought again about the consequence that may lead him to addiction. He could smell the grape and it urged him to take a sip. “Oh, what the heck!” He drank and felt absolutely great instantly. “Whoa!” He mumbled. His world began to spin around. He took another shot and this time, he felt greater. “That woman is a mess!” he blurted out. He leaned on the counter and look around the bar. It was still empty. Izzy on the hand was still okay—not as drunk as Dylan at least. He walked to the stereo and turned it on loud. The room was earsplitting but they didn’t care. Dylan got himself on the counter and sang along. He wasn’t actually singing, it was more to mumbling some lyrics which you can’t barely hear because the music was a noise.

“She left me alone! Screw that!” Dylan shouted, not knowing what he was saying.

He spent the rest of hours cursing in the bar with Izzy. He let all out, every single thing to Izzy and the rest in the bar. He couldn’t control himself. He’d gone wild.

Good guy gone bad?

...

It was so hot. Ely fanned herself with her hand. She was waiting for Natasha at the entrance of the club. It was Louie Vasquez, a new club in the town. All people who came dressed in either white or red, mostly white. Ely chose to wear Prada. The one-shoulder-red-little-lace-dress was a stunner. The color made her bared-shoulder looked silky and perfect. It fit her well. The dress was matched with Alexander McQueen sci-fi designed heels, which she bought at Paris. People would turn to her just to look at those futuristic edgy gears. She knew she will be talk about and that was her goal. But waiting for Natasha for almost half an hour wasn’t in the plan. She searched for her phone and dialed Natasha’s number.

“Hey, darling. Sorry I’m late!” Natasha called, emerging out from limousine. A middle-aged guy showed after her. “I was with him,” Natasha wrapped her arm around his. The guy was well suited. He looked rich and masculine for a man at his age. “He’s the owner. I met him at the beach and so we decided to go together. You okay with it?” Natasha asked. She looked so small next to him. “Cool,” Ely replied. She was mesmerized. It was either because Natasha was literally in a dude’s arms or he was too hot. “We got the VIP seats. Let’s go in,” Natasha pulled him and marched to the entrance. Ely followed them at the back. For a second there, Ely looked like a maid who was overdress her boss. Natasha was in a red cocktail dress. It was more suitable for a tea break than a fashion show, like seriously.

As they seated at the front of the stage, the man offered a hand. “I’m Louie... Vasquez,” His voice was husky enough to melt a girl down. Ely accepted his hand and gave him her sweetest smile, yet flirtatious. “Ely,” Ely kept it short. Louie was sandwiched between two young girls that looked like his daughters. Ely and Louie changed a few chat before the runway started. Natasha pretended not to mind them but she was peeping the whole time.

The runway was a blast. Prada new collection was something that Ely would wear, even to school. For the first time, Natasha showed a little interest on the fashion show. Her smile was like the spotlight, bright and dazing. The couple then walked out from the club in hands. Ely felt something on her heart. Something stabbing. Something clawing. She felt sad. She’d been single for so long and it is all because of Noah Snyder.

“We want to go to the beach for some fresh air. You want to join?” Louise asked Ely who was tagging them. “No. You guys need a time alone. So, go ahead. Have fun,” Ely wore a fake smile. She then disappeared back into the club.

...

The sound of the waves was the only thing that can be heard other than Natasha and Louie. They were hand in hand, enjoying the chilly breeze. There’s something about Louie that Natasha loves. Not just some pretty face with matured-look beard, or the dashy quiet eyes that could pierce through diamonds and captivate lost soul or his well-built body with incredible height. It was something inside that attracted her to get closer to him. “So tell me more about you. You married once, divorced and…” Natasha really wanted to know him more. She quitted her steps and put her arms around his waist.

“Well, it’s like you know everything about me already. Trust me. How about yours? I bet it’s far better than mine,” He assumed.

“No. I want to hear yours,”

“Fine. We were young when we got married. I was twenty-two and she was twenty. Our parents weren’t on the same page with us. So, we went Hawaii and settled down there. We invited only our friends. The first month, we were like the happiest couple in the world. Well, my father has big company. My money lasts. We bought car, house and every thing a couple should have. We were happy. We got every thing. But when a year past, we realized, that a family isn’t just about big house, fancy cars, and those material stuffs. We need children. We tried many times, in all sort of ways…and positions,” He stopped and chuckled. Natasha couldn’t help herself giggling with him. “But it didn’t happen. We got apart as time passed by, there were no jokes, laughter in the house anymore. She busied herself with works, trying not to think about it. I wanted to adopt but before I could even find one. She left me,”

“Why is she so stupid?” Natasha said in an angry tone.

“But you have to be grateful. If god didn’t take her away, you wouldn’t be in arms now,” Louie carved a little smile on his face. “Oh my god. I’m sorry. I didn’t know that she…” Natasha was really sorry to hear that from him. She thought his wife left him as in divorce or something other than Death.

“Nah, I’m fine,”

Natasha placed her head on his chest and she could feel his hand combing her hair. It was a perfect night. The moonlight shimmered and the shooting stars lightened up the night sky. There was no one at the beach. Just two of them, embracing. He laid down on the sand and Natasha followed. Her fingers ran to his face and their body brushed one another. “I love you,” He whispered. Natasha didn’t reply him. She kissed him instead. It was so passionate. Their hands were all over the place and they breathed unevenly.

“Tell me you love me,” Louie pulled his mouth away.

“With all my heart,”

Then they sail to the love ocean.

...

It was Saturday morning but he was already on the beach. He sat on the pier and gazed at the sea contentedly. The breeze brushed his face and the sky was painted all hue. It wasn’t in its best state. Usually, there’s bunch of kids from the town will come to surf the feral waves. It’s like their weekly routine. The beach will be stuffed with their noise. It’s like party every Saturday in here. He thought they were here. He was all wrong. Maybe the kids were enjoying themselves somewhere in the town. Or maybe, they all decided to rest today. Or there’s a big possibility that he was super early and everyone was still on their bed, in their dream.

The sea was so calming. He could feel himself shattering even though it was warm. Suddenly, something went into his mind. Something he wished that it never happened. Something from the past.

“Why don’t you try this one?”
“Does it worth?
“It is more than your money dude!”
He took the syringe and handed the guy hard cash worth hundred. He looked at the guy and the guy did the same. They were both staring for a minute before he injected it at his wrist. The earth started to spin fast. He started to get dizzy. He fell onto the ground and… blacked out.

“Hey!” a voice called. Very familiar, and it somehow made him smile. He knew the voice and he was actually expecting for the voice. He turned to his back and propped himself up. It was Lily. She was running to him just like a child chasing the ice cream truck. In this case, it is a big breathing teddy bear.
“Thanks for being here!” she quickly wrapped herself up around his massive arms. He held her in tight and out of sudden, he felt his shoulder soaked, with her tears. She sobbed. “What’s wrong, my dear?” He whispered, trying to calm her down. He failed to do so. She freed from him and looked down on his shoes. There’s a “Lily’s” mark on it, with a cute little heart. She began to speak, too slow to be heard. Ryan kept himself closer and focused on what she was trying to say. But nothing goes into his ears. He lifted her head up and stepped forward, trying to get her.

“I’m pregnant!” she shouted. He was shocked. Electrified. Traumatized. He began to feel his legs trembling down in any minute. But he saw her eyes and then, he realized. He should be stronger to make her feel better. He needs to be that man who holds her up. He strengthened his stand and embraced her. She tried to break free a few times, but then she stopped trying. She knew she will never get away from his arms. “Ryan… let go of me!” she pleaded. She’s out of breath, out of clear-cut mind. She floored to the ground. He followed her, still holding her in.

“No matter what happens, I’ll stay with you,” He promised. He knew that it was his entire fault. If they didn’t sneak out from Keith’s party that night, this thing won’t happen. “The baby is mine. I’ll take care of her,”

She listened. She heard him. Then, she cried, and cried. His shirt was soaked. His eyes then wet. The silence took over them. The waves hit the shores and it became, one of those days they will never forget. She was still in his arms, still keeping herself close to his heart. She listened to every single one of his heartbeat. They kept her alive.

Yesterday hurts, tomorrow lies, but today is a gift.

SOS7TEEN : Aftermath

SOS7TEEN : Aftermath

The third instalment of SOS7TEEN.

Seven stories unfold and the tragedies continues.

Ass. Oh. Ass!

Chapter 15: Bond Voyage

The bell rang and everybody was out in a split second, leaving Comfort alone in the class. She is always the last one to come out from the class. She loves to do everything slow and steady. She put her books into her bag weakly, even though, the book isn’t that heavy. “Comfort,” a voice called from the door. She turned to the person and sighed. She quickly walked to the door, as she doesn’t want to be with that guy in the class. “Move,” She shrugged. The person didn’t move an inch. He was blocking the only exit from the class. “You got to hear me, Comfort. I did that to save you from embarrassment,” He sounded so pathetic. “Save me from embarrassment, huh? Dylan, I believe the thing you did is much worse!” She pushed his shoulder and he let her out. Dylan sighed. Comfort walked away from him with a frown carved on her sweet innocent face.

“Comfort wait!” Dylan chased her. She started speeding when he called. He grabbed her hands and pulled her to him as soon as he got near her. He locked her tight in his hands. “Spit it out! I don’t have time for you anymore!” Comfort pushed him and fixed her half-long sleeves. Despite the fact that she hates him, she still let herself listen to his explanation. Oh, she surely hates that she loves him. “It’s Christine! She asked me to do so! She got the video of you… in the room, Valentine’s night,” He was being careful with his choice of words. “She what? You did that… for me? Proof?” She doubted him. Dylan placed his hand on his chest, and another one on her shoulder. “You stole my heart, Comfort. I never knew I needed you so much till I said those stupid words to you,” He said, feeling terribly sorry. Comfort felt terrible for treating him like a jackass. She quickly jumped to Dylan and grabbed him.

Is that how women say sorry?

She snuggled her head into Dylan’s ropy neck in front of many eyes. Some cameras flashing for a minute; they wanted to be the one to spread the news.


DYLAN IS CHEATING ON CHRISTINE. HE’S WITH COMFORT!

So, the news ran all over the school. There’s this thing called SMS which really helped the students to share their updates—well, there’s nobody who doesn’t have phone in this school, they were all spoiled kids. They need one to survive these modern days. All (Sort of) phone rang and they read the message. Some ignored and continued on their stuff. Some over-reacted, for instance; Christine. She shut her locker angrily and headed to the place where Comfort and her dear boyfriend were ‘making out’. She knew the place, as the picture spoke a thousand words.

Don’t they?

Across the hall, Comfort’s fingers were chafing Dylan’s including-today-it-makes-a-week-since-he-last-shave face. She was glad to know that Dylan was into her too. “Can we start all over again?” Dylan fell on his knee. Once again, the paparazzi took their phone out and caught the debut picture of him on his knee. “All from zero. Hello, I’m Comfort Walker,” She reached her hand out, expecting him to take and kiss it—maybe?—and smiled contentedly. Dylan took her hand and shook it.

“And I’m Dylan Bradshaw!” he said, rising to his feet. He ignored all the paparazzi. He imagined the hallway was absolutely empty. Only both of them standing in the middle there, introducing themselves to each other.

“And you are mine!” An annoying voice shouted. It belonged to the one and the only, Christine Foster. She paced quickly to her boyfriend—that’s what she thinks, at least—and took her phone out from her handbag. Her big and so-pink bag. She waved the phone to Dylan, keeping her steps smaller as she got closer. “Don’t be a bitch!” Dylan shouted angrily. Put the phone down or you die. He thought secretly. He stared at her for quite a long time. He was hoping she would not send the video to others. That would be another mess for him to clean up. “You made me a superbitch! And this makes your so-called girlfriend a porn star!” she pressed the send button. She grinned with her eyebrows furrowed. “NO!” Dylan shouted. He ran to her but he was too little too late.


COMFORT, BUCK AND THE GANG: THE V NITE SEX.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH.

This time, every student gave their fullest attention to the message given. The title sounds fun and they stopped every single thing they were doing and clicked here. Everyone was shocked to see the video. The boys took the chance to set them in the fantasy—boys will always be boys, no matter whom starring in the video—and the girls were actually terrified and disgusted by the full of terror video. Buck and the gang were in the canteen, laughing at the video. Noah Snyder was there too. In fact, he is one of the five who poked her. “I’m her first,” said Buck. He laughed so hard with his bunch of jerk friends.

So, it wasn’t three. It was five of them! O-mwa-God!

At the same time, Dylan was chasing the poor, Comfort. She ran as soon as everybody saw the video. They laughed at her. They thought she was playing DEAD in the video, but actually, she wasn’t acting, SHE WAS (HALF) DEAD. Dylan tried to catch up with her but the students made him hard to walk. They were crowding him, as Comfort gone out from sight. He knows he’d done better if he could talk and soothe her.

Kapoff. A new video star (sort of) is born!


…

“So, why you brought me here?” asked Roxanne, curious. She crossed her legs and eased herself on the chair, holding tasty-looking bread. She was feeling odd of Natasha bringing her for hanging out in Starbuck—just two of them.

“I’m sorry,” snorted Natasha. She dug her hand inside her handbag and took out Christian Dior sunglasses. She wore it on her head—looking like a spy—waving her palms on the air to somebody who had just entered the coffee house. “Sorry, don’t hate me,” she repeated.

“Roxy,” a familiar voice called. It was Izzy. He was in his black and purple checked shirts with black tight jeans, hair combed messily, and looking very . . . gay. He took over Natasha’s place as she walked away when he got to the table. Roxanne felt disgusted by just looking at his face. She grabbed her bag and rise on her feet unsteadily—her high heels were higher than before—and marched away from the table. She left a dollar bill on the table, next to her untouched coffee. “I thought we are friends!” Izzy pulled the chair back and tried not to grab everyone’s attention. He failed anyway. Roxanne stopped at the door. “We were friends!” She corrected him.

She’s right. Izzy have to work on his grammar. Past, present and future. We are, we were, we will.

“Stop right there,” Izzy ran to her, pushed her out from the shop as he felt many eyes on him. More or less hurting her fragile arms by his grips, he pushed her to the street’s wall and locked the position. He didn’t want her to get away this time. Roxanne could smell his vanilla fragrance—yeap, he wears fragrance! Not cologne!—and it somehow made her nose blocked.

“What are you doing!?” she shouted on top of her lungs. She felt the adrenaline rushing through her veins. Her heart was beating faster than usual; she’s afraid Izzy—her long lost love—will do something that might harm her physically and emotionally.

Emotion? CHECK!

“I just want to be with you. I don’t want lie to you and to myself anymore,” He tighten his grips, pushing himself onto her. His peewee body left no space between Roxanne and him. He moved his head closer to her face since they actually have the same height—maybe he’s taller by half an inch.

“Stop right there!” an indistinct voice warned. It’s so familiar. It’s the voice Roxanne wanted to hear since she saw the asshole’s face.

Here comes the hero… or the trouble?

“Fuck you!” Keith cursed at him. He pulled Izzy off her girlfriend and threw him down to the grey-potholed pavement. Izzy scratched his palm and found himself bleeding—both in and out. Keith wrapped Roxanne with his arm and she calmed herself in his embrace. For once since ten minutes with the Izzy-bastard, she felt secured. She let his finger rubbed her hair, pressing him tightly. Keith changed his path; he turned to Izzy and glared at him, holding Roxanne’s hands firmly in his palms.

“What are you doing here? You are just some begger and you do not suit her! Not at all!” Izzy rise to his feet. He swept all the dirt off him and got closer to Keith, trying to pick up on him. Keith gave him no time to duck his one big knuckle sandwich. Izzy immediately fell on his butt, as the impact was so strong. Roxanne ran to her boyfriend and pulled him back away from Izzy. She didn’t want it to turn into a fight which she would regret if any of them got hurt. She’s on nobody side—although, her boyfriend was defending her, he should not have engaged violence into his act and for Izzy; he should not ask Natasha to arrange a meeting with a person who loathe him—and she totally disagree for both of them to fight over her.

“Enough! Both of you!” Roxanne vividly sighed. Her nosh-up was clearly heard by both of the livid people. They stopped instantly and both quickly grabbed one hand each. “Let go of me!” she pulled both of her hands. The last time she ever did that was when Dylan and Harold pulled her to the roller coaster ride two years ago. The silent took over them for a while. She stared at them. They stared at her.

Awkkkkkwwwaarrrddddd!

“Go home,” She turned to her back. Her long hair hit Keith’s face and she paced swiftly across the road and hailed for cab. A cab pulled over and she got in without waving at any of them.

She left two young confused guys hanging gawkily on the pavement, staring at one another. They both walked the opposite direction and acted as if nothing happened there. Of course, some passerby from their school captured the scene and it went straight to the blogs.

They are just like the instant noodle. Hot for a second, cold the next.


…

“I need a room!” Harold commanded, rushing towards the hotel reception counter. The receptionist dropped her pen; she was so shocked by the sudden request. She pushed her half-blonde-half-brunette-hair to the back of her ears and tried to remain calm. “One night, sir?” she asked softly. Harold nodded and tossed a platinum credit card onto the counter, where it landed in the receptionist hands right before it almost reach the floor. She signed him up a suite for the night. She gave back Harold the credit card and Harold handed it to a girl in his arm. She was Chloe van Blake, in her WetSeal Kimono Sleeve Tunic Top, white legging that fit the perfect curve of her legs and BCBG bootie came to another perfection for the night.

They walked to the lift and to their room with dizzy heads. They were from the Fleur De Lys Lounge. People like them—older for sure; they were not allowed to get in at first, but with Chloe’s cunning brain, they managed to get in without getting caught—loves to spend their night hanging out in that pub. Both of them are just another two spoiled kids; they will get drunk and in the next morning, they will be asking their partner ; “Where are we?”

In this case, it’s the same. Drunk, overnight in a hotel, and “Chloe, where are we?” –vice versa.

Both of them looked for their room. There’s room 276 on their left, 278 on the other side. “Which is ours?” asked Chloe impatiently to get undress. Harold pulled her as he saw a room with a sign reads 277. He quickly slashed the card and opened the door, which made a loud bang sound. He pushed Chloe in; desperately need some entertainment to heat up the night. Or maybe something to remind him how good she was. He closed the door, pulled his shirt over his head, and let it fall to the marbled floor. Then, he unbuckled his belt, kicked off his shoes and pull down his jeans. It was hard to get rid of the last piece but with some help from Chloe, they got it off eventually. Harold got on the bed and rested his head on the pillow. She tumbled over him and laughed crazily and they live happily ever after.

Believe it or not, past can change the future. Who wants to guess what’s next? Going once, going twice. Wrong answer, it is worse than that.

Chapter 14: Forgetting Geneva Byron

Title comes from a movie, Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

Everyone arrived at the beach sharp at 4 o’clock. They received Harold’s message and agreed to follow ‘cause they had no better thing to do. It’s not summer yet, what’s with Harold. Each of them wondered. Trying to push it aside, all of them greeted Harold who was playing with the sand, alone.

Dylan Bradshaw straight away took off his shirt—if you have muscle underneath your ugly shirt, wouldn’t you want to show it off?—and jumped next to Harold. Harold greeted him and thanked him for coming. “Lily and I are going to… I know you know,” Ryan pushed Lily away lightly, wanted to stroll around the beach, and have some sweet moment together. They both walked holding each other hands. First, hand. Second, waist. Next, figure it out yourself.

Chloe Van Blake grabbed Harold from his back. She missed the way they greeted each other. Harold would grab her so securely and kiss her at her smooth cheek. Things changed and she didn’t really like it. Harold acted normal when she did that. She moved to his side, and stared at the sea, frowning and regretted for coming. Ely saw her expression and shrugged to Dylan. “Let’s go.”

Dylan stood up slowly. He swept the sand off his jeans. “Where are you guys going?” Harold asked, looking at them oddly. Ely grinned and pulled Dylan. “Piggy back race!” Keith shouted giddily. Roxanne nodded and held his boyfriend’s arm. Dylan raised his shoulder and chuckled. He loves piggyback race. He grabbed Ely’s hand and Ely climbed his back. Roxanne jumped into Keith as well. Four of them looked so adorable in that arrangement; so immature. Natasha who didn’t have the pig to ride on ran mindlessly to nowhere. “I’m going to win if you guys decide to stay there!” She shouted. Dylan started his engine and ran towards Natasha. Ely was so happy till she shouted, “wooo!” like a mad child. Keith followed but he was slower than Dylan. He got no strength to carry Roxanne who is as big as him. No, not fat. Just as big as Keith is.

Harold stood up and grabbed Chloe’s hands. “Piggyback?” Harold smiled enthusiastically. His tone changed to a boring one to extremely happy tone. Chloe straight away jumped on Harold. She was so glad that Harold’s mood changed. Harold tried to chase Dylan and Keith but he was way too far at the back. Natasha was leading—of course—and followed by Dylan and Keith respectively.

Suddenly, Harold tripped and fell down on the sandy land. Chloe fell on his back and made him hard to breathe. They both laughed. Natasha, Dylan and Keith ignored both of them and continued running towards the happiness. Harold turned himself so he can breathe properly. He chuckled. Chloe loves the laughter so much. It had been her soundtrack for the whole winter without him. She rested her head on Harold’s chest, a cute smile carved sweetly on her face. It was like a man-made smile—like Picasso had just drawn a beautiful line to make it so perfect to bind with the lovely lips of hers. Harold stared at the blue sky. It was cloudless. The wind blew comfortable to his skin and turned him on. He was in a wild mode. He grabbed Chloe’s body, pushing it onto his hard chest. Chloe loves it. She could hear the heartbeat that had been gone for so long from her life. Her hands ran all over Harold’s shaved skin face. She rubbed it gently, like they used to do.

“Do you love me?” Harold asked in sudden. He grabbed Chloe’s hands and played them tenderly. Chloe carried herself up and felt back on his body. She was fixing the position so that she can answer him while looking at his eyes. Her finger twitched to his lips. Harold smiled and said, “So?” Chloe laughed. She got off him and sat on his lap. Harold had no choice but to sit on the sand. He let Chloe occupied his private space ‘cause he knew Chloe wouldn’t want to dirty her jeans. He held her tighter and didn’t want to let her go. She owed him an answer. Chloe leaned comfortably on Harold, resting her head. “Well, I thought you will wait for me to comeback, but you didn’t trust me and broke up the relationship,” said Chloe, sighing on his chest. “What are you talking about?” Harold didn’t remember he saying that to her. She left Harold without notifying and now, she was blaming Harold for the break-up. “You left me breathless and now, you are blaming me?” Harold said in an annoying tone but he couldn’t be mad at Chloe. She somehow got the ability to make Harold unable to hate her.

“Pardon? I left you? You said to me that the relationship is over. Do you know how hard to get over it? I couldn’t! You ended it. It hurts so badly. I couldn’t breathe and there’s you, twenty four seven, in my head!” Chloe shook her head. Harold quickly placed his finger on her lips. “Shh… why you kept saying I left you? Christine said I am just your toy for summer and you are not coming back. I went to your house, but you’d already left. I didn’t even have the chance to say goodbye. Technically, you left me, darling,” Harold told her, breathing calmly.

They were a happy couple last summer. They spend most of their time hanging out together. Sometimes, even Harold’s house can be a fun place for them. They were sweeter than Ryan and Lily, more lovely than Keith and Roxanne. They were perfect together. But distance wrecked them apart…. Or did it?

Summer love is always a summer love. It will come after the last flower blossoms and it will be gone right before the first leaf falls.

“That, eww!” Chloe pushed Harold’s chest. She stood up and ironed her blouse with her hand. She tied her hair with the hair band and walked away. “Wait a minute, what did I do?” Harold insisted to get up. He stayed down, looking so confused at her. He lost her for a second there. “It’s Christine. She came to you and told you that I want to end it, right?” Chloe turned back to Harold. Her eyebrows narrowed and she looked totally unhappy. “Uh huh,” said Harold softly, nodding to what she said. “She told me the same thing! Do you know what does that mean?” Chloe couldn’t control her temper. She shouted at the sea repeatedly. Harold got up and grabbed her from the back. “Shh..” He spoke to her ear, calming her down. He tightened his grip as she still couldn’t stop shouting. “I’ll talk to her,” He pushed Chloe around so that he can see Chloe’s eyes. Chloe put her head on his chest and cried. “How can I trust that bitch?” She grabbed Harold’s hand and pressed it hard. “Wait a minute, Chloe doesn’t cry,” She looked at Harold’s with her red eyes. “She’ll get my revenge,” She wiped her tears with the back of her hands.

Harold just nodded to what she said. He doesn’t feel angry at Christine at all. Somehow, He felt glad that she did so. If not, he wouldn’t have a sweet memory with Geneva. “Harold, can we…” Chloe grabbed his face and kissed his lips. Four lips touched but… there was no spark. Harold gently pushed her out and licked his lips. Even if there was no spark, he loves they way she taste. Yummy! Harold looked at her with his blue eyes and felt horrible. “Oh, I forgotten. You got that girl,” Chloe stepped a foot back. She turned away but Harold managed to grab her hand. She exhaled aloud and shook her head in disappointment. Harold released the hand and walked next to her guiltily. He felt bad to do so to her. He should have just accept her and forget about Geneva. But forgetting Geneva Byron is totally impossible for him. Even though, Chloe is thousands times better than her, Geneva is still unique to him. They walked on the slowly back to their car in silence.

On their way, Dylan ran and hit Harold’s shoulder. “I won!” he shouted at Harold’s ear. Harold faked a laugh. “Who’s second?” He asked reluctantly. Chloe smiled at Dylan and patted his shoulder, “Where’s Ely?” Dylan grinned and raised his eyebrows. “They left me. They are probably in the house already!” Dylan told the truth and laughed at himself. Harold and Chloe turned to each other. They didn’t realized any of their friends passing through them. “How?” Harold asked. Dylan looked at him and shook his head. “Ely cheated. She called Ryan to pick her up at the end of the shore. All of them followed. They said I’m a sportsman so I can walk back by myself. So, here I am. Talking to boring people,” Dylan laughed. He pushed Harold and continued walking. Chloe followed.

Three of them went back home by themselves. Despite the fact that Harold and Dylan live next to each other, they drove two different cars. It is so stupid of them because; #1 they are wasting the fuel, #2 they are polluting the air. How civilized people nowadays?

…

Dylan left Harold behind and speed back home. Harold was too slow for him to follow. Harold decided to savor the time in his car; he doesn’t want to get home early. He still got an issue with his father to solve. When he’d to stop for a red light at one of the junction, he suddenly remembered what Geneva told him at the school.

You are welcome and I’m moving on if you haven’t notice. He tried to put the words together to what happened but he ended up heading to Geneva’s house. He wants the truth.

Gaga oh-la-la! Truth kills remember?

He pressed the pedal, speeding (incase you didn’t know, he left his brain at the beach) and drove his wheel to Geneva’s residence. All the way there, he set his mind to blank. He eased himself onto his cozy leather seat—to be exact, Mrs. Tedder’s cozy leather seat. The sun was setting when he arrived at her house. He looked for Mr. and Mrs. Byron’s car but there’s no sign that they are possibly inside the house. He braced himself to walk to the entrance, planning to knock the door. After few minutes standing at the door, only he realized he left his balls at the beach as well. So, he decided to climbed the three which connected him to Geneva’s balcony. As he was walking to the tree, he saw a blinking object on the grass. Curiosity made him paced to the blinking object. Harold crouched to examine it and as soon as he got it on his middle-size palm, he fell on his butt. It was a pendant with a small tiny crown with sapphire attached on it. That is what made it blink like Mr. Abraham’s baldy head under the pendaflour.

“I am so over you, Geneva,” said Harold, rising to his feet. He held the pendant tightly in his hand. He shook his head whilst walking to his car. “Mom, I’m sorry. I think I gave it to the wrong girl,” Harold murmured. He looked into the car rear view mirror and hung the pendant on it. It was the pendant his mom gave him before she left, and it was also the pendant he gave Geneva on the rooftop, promising her that he’ll be her king forever. “I’ll be careful next time,”

Looks like the king is changing his queen. That makes a new whole beginning; a new chapter of a king seeking for his never-exist-true-love.