Chapter 1:

Blissful Denial

Castle Rock, Maine

September, 1962

I looked at myself in the cracked mirror over the sink. I had pulled my thick brown hair into a high ponytail and had my long bangs pushed back with a pink and black plastic headband. I reached for my tube of new lipstick and ran the dark red colour over my lips, thinking that my fourteen-year-old former tomboyish self would be cringing in horror at my girlish attempts. I looked down at my beanpole long legs, which were clad in a pair of Ace's old holy faded blue jeans. At least I wasn't wearing a skirt. I hadn't gone that far over to the dark side yet.

I smoothed down the front of my short-sleeved pink blouse and grabbed my pocketbook off the counter and went to meet Vern by the back door to walk to school. Vern had gotten his hair cut short for school like he did every year. The only thing different about my twin brother was his new glasses, which were taking a bit of getting used to. The thick black frames kept sliding down his pudgy nose. Our friend Teddy hadn't seen him with them on yet. Teddy had Coke-bottle thick glasses and was literally blind without them.

"OK," said Vern, pushing up his glasses with a thick finger. "The guys wanted to get to school early today, so i guess we're not going to see them until lunch."

I shrugged. "That's alright. That means I can stop by and see Ace before first bell."

"I...what? Oh, Alice, come on," Vern pleaded. Ace and I had been dating not quite exclusively for over two years, and Vern still got a bit anxious and nervous around him.

"Vern, he's my boyfriend," I said, stressing the last word. Vern looked away pointedly and shuddered. I sighed and grabbed him by the elbow, hitching up my pocketbook and leather school satchel.

****

After saying goodbye to Ace on the front steps of Castle Rock High, I watched him saunter away slowly, turning back to glance at me one last time. I grinned at him. He winked back, walking down the corner to his empty shoebox he called a house. He hadn't seen hide-nor-hair of his mother in almost a year.

One of my best girlfriends, Rosemary Schaffer, was waiting for me inside the large double doors. She linked arms with me as we walked towards twelfth grade homeroom, Mr. Harrison.

"So," she said, grinning, shaking her perfectly curled-under blonde hair. "How's your summer been with Ace?" Rosemary had been spending the summer with her mom in Portland after her parents divorce in June.

"Umhmmm...Okayyyy.." I said, waving to Chris and Gordie by the lockers. "But I wonder..."

Rosemary gave me a surprised look. "Is something going on with you guys?" she asked as we walked into the buzzing homeroom already filled with students. We took two seats in the back so it would be easier to pass notes.

"I...not really. But..." I hesitated. "He's been a little distant lately. I think he misses his Mom more than he lets on and..." I sighed. Ace never really revealed his feelings about anything, except about us(which was a success in itself), but it was really starting to get on my nerves lately. Did I tell him that though? Are alligators purple?

"Hang in there." Rosemary patted my shoulder. "It must suck for him too that you still have a year left of school, so he doesn't get to see you as much."

I looked at her. I'd never even thought of that. He would probably be feeling lonely the next few months. I would have to think of something fun to do for him.

Chris's cheery face suddenly bent down in front of mine. "Hey, Tessio!" he said, grinning that infectious grin of his. He gave me a shoulder punch, at which Rosemary gave him a dirty look.

"How's Spencer doing?"

I laughed. If Ace had just heard that, he'd knock Chris's block off. I stuck my tounge out at him. "Ace is fine." Chris took the seat on my left and we waited for Mr. Harrison to take roll call.

I soon fell into the familiar routine of school: homeroom, English, gym, Math, lunch, study hall and History. I was also taking SAT classes to start preparing for college. I had started filling out forms for scholarships in the summer and had already been accepted to Brown, Sarah Lawrence and Wellesley Colleges. Now I only had to choose, and keep my straight A average. And I still had to tell Ace. My friends all knew, and were all being extremely supportive. Gordie had been accepted to Yale on an English scholarship.

Chris...Chris was trying so hard. He wanted to get the hell out of Castle Rock like the rest of us, but he had more of a past than all of us combined. I still got a migrane in the spot from where his bastard father whalloped me two years before. Mr. Chambers didn't live in Castle Rock anymore, but his shadow still did, and Chris saw it more than anyone.

I left History with Gordie and my other good girlfriends Diana Austen and Connie Moore. My leather satchel was already full of notebooks written with assignments and term papers to write. I caught sight of Teddy with a couple of guys I didn't know and waved to him. He saluted back, winking.

"Mrs. Sutton is such a bitch!" Diana moaned, hefting her school bag to her left shoulder. "I already have three assignments, and one term paper due in a week!" Connie nodded in agreement.

I patted Di on the shoulder and pointed to my buldging satchel. "I know the feeling," I said.

"Yeah, but you've already got a free ride to college!" said Diana, making a face.

I put my hands on my hips. "I still have to work really hard to keep that free ride, Di," I said, wrinkling my nose at her. She ignored me and pointed to the oak tree just past the teacher's parking lot in the back of the school.

"Lover Boy's here," she grinned. Gordie made a slight gagging noise. I gave him the finger and hopped off the last step.

Ace raised his head in acknowledgement of my friends. Gordie nodded to him nervously. I still couldn't blame him for not being best friends with the guy. He had beat the shit out of him three years ago.

"You ready?" he said quietly, in that gravely voice that made my insides flop over. I nodded. He wrapped one long arm around my waist and we headed towards town.