Longest chapter yet! I'm so lame, I've already written the first kiss scene, even though it isn't for a few chapters.
Disclaimer: ...You're not still on this crap, are you? I don't really get what the disclaimer is supposed to be for. Why FF insists on it, I don't understand. OBVIOUSLY, we don't own anything here. Why the hell would we waste our time on this site if we actually owned it? Common sense, people. So you know what, I'm not even going to say it. And if my story gets deleted because of it, I've lost all hope.
I'm a little worried about this chapter...I think it might be a little rushed. -Que the big dramatic sigh-
Uh oh. Oh well. Too late now!
But before I say anything else, let me take a minute to stare blankly at the review counter. 59, 58, 57...
"And the role for Juliet will be played by Rachel Roth…" Ms. Kaywood calls out the parts, adjusting the glasses that are resting on the bridge of her nose. "Romeo, will be played by…" She pauses, squinting at the words, "Wally West. The role of Mertucio will be played by Garfield Logan. Capulet will be played by…"
I glare at the empty seat Wally usually sat in. It was empty; Wally had gone home early.
I was supposed to play Mertucio. Mertucio was the guy who told Romeo to stop acting like such a wimp about his ex-girlfriend and get over himself; he wasn't romantically connected to Juliet at all.
Not that he'd been hoping for that or anything…
"…and the Nurse to Juliet will be played by Jennifer Hexington…"
After she had finished reading off the parts, I see her scanning the audience. "Is Mr. West here today?"
Murmurs escaped the class, chattering about Wally's leave. I shrug my shoulders and raise a hand, "He went home sick, Ms. Kaywood."
She frowns but nods. "I was afraid of that. Ahh, Gar, why don't you sub in for Wally today?"
I had no objection.
---
And I thought Wally had been good at Romeo. Damn, Gar!
He's just supposed to be running lines with me right now since the first thing to do is know you lines before you start anything else. And although the point is just to get our lines learned, he's taking it extremely seriously. The most serious I've ever seen him…ever.
It didn't go unnoticed by Ms. Kaywood, either. She raises her eyebrow, taking notes. After we've gotten maybe ten minutes into rehearsing, she calls him over. I perk my ears to listen better.
"…So, should Wally not be available during our performance, you may take his place. How's that?"
I see him grin, striding back over to our seats. I cock my eyebrow at him, "What was that about?"
He just smiles, picking up the pamphlet casually and says, "A second chance."
---
The bell rings and I look up just in time to see Rachel heading for the door. I run to catch up with her, tapping the left side of her shoulder. As her head darts left, I jump to her right. "Hey Rach," I grin.
"My name is Rach-EL," Rachel says with a faint smile before she keeps walking. How much does this girl want me to run for her to get her attention?
"What are you doing after school today?" I ask casually. She stops walking and gives me a strange look, probably thinking I'm crazy. Which probably isn't that far off, with the way I've been feeling lately.
"I'm going home, doing homework, and then followed by a shower and bed."
"I've got a better idea," I say. Since when do I have better ideas? What am I doing? "You let me show you some fun."
Her eyes widen, in both shock and disgust, and she starts walking again. What did I do? Did I say something? Show some fun…damn it, Gar!
"Wait, Rachel! No, no, no, not like that!"
I've got her attention again; I might still have a chance. "Why?"
I double take, "What?"
"Why are you asking me? There are tons of girls who would kill for this," she looks somewhat hurt.
…Crap.
"Well…uh…" I rub the back of my neck as I struggle to choose my words. "Honestly?"
---
I nod; I want the truth. Why did he want to spend time with me? I'm nothing special. And on top of all that, we shouldn't even be talking. Oh Gar, the headaches you give me.
"Because…honestly, I'm not sure. It's like…I'm drawn to you. I just want to spend all my time with you, no matter what people will think."
I blink at him…was he serious? Or was this some practical joke he was forced into? But I look at his face; he looks completely serious. I don't know what look I was giving him, but it must've not been nice, because he looked to his feet in shame.
"Oh…" Is all I can muster, "In that case, what did you have in mind?"
He grins at me so widely, it's almost mischievous.
---
"…Percy? Will you tell my father I'm going out with a friend? You will? Thanks," I hear her say from the passenger seat, phone to her ear.
She turns to me, somewhat nervously and avoids eye contact, "What did you have in mind?"
I lean back in my seat; I'd borrowed the Cadillac again. "I actually don't know. I hadn't planned this until about fifteen minutes ago," I pause, remembering the ad I saw in the paper this morning. "I've got it!
She frowns, "What?"
"You'll see." Without saying another word, I slide my keys into the ignition and start the engines. I see Vic watching me as we pull away; with a convertible, we don't exactly have secrecy. He's frowning.
Nothing I can do about it now, though.
---
We're driving down town. I'm sticking my head over the side of the door as I try to get where we're going.
"Gar, where are we going?" I demand for perhaps the fifth time.
"If you'd turn in your seat and face forward, maybe you'd see," he laughs.
I do so and nearly want to hit Gar over the backside of his head. "Ice skating? Gar, I can't skate!"
"So I'll teach you," he says, pulling to a stop in front of the newly built indoor ice skating rink.
"Gar, come on! No, I can't!" I plead, but he only comes around to the other side and drags me out of the car.
I wander off to a bench and watch people struggle to get their skates on, and on the ice, try to stay up. There's one couple who have the center of the ice, practicing. "What size are you?" He asks.
"Six," I reply, sighing. I hear him chuckling as though he finds it humorous. How is my shoe size funny? Ok, so I have small feet, but…
"And this is yours, milady." He hands me a pair of smaller white skates.
"Actually, Gar, I'm not feeling so well. Maybe you should just go on your own."
He laughs and grabs my foot. I'm shocked at first, but when he starts to slide the boot on, I relax. He smiles as he leans over my foot to lace them up. Once he's done my shoes, he moves onto his own.
---
I grab her hand, leading her onto the ice. She pulls back, and eventually I just pick her up bridal style and carry her to the edge of the ice. The expression on her face is priceless; a true Kodak moment.
"Come on Rachel, don't you trust me?"
"Sure, I trust you like I trust someone with Parkinsons Disease with a rusty chain saw," she says drolly, rolling her eyes at me.
"Oh, har-dee-har-har. Fine, if you won't skate with me, I'll just show off for all the other females in the room," I step onto the ice swiftly, immediately moving into skating backwards. I pass her once as I do my rounds, hands behind my back nonchalantly.
On the second lap, I stop at her entrance. "You see, I'm an expert. I won't let you fall."
She looks hesitant, but slowly offers me her hand.
---
This was a total mistake, I'm telling you know. The minute one foot hits the ice, instead of the other foot coming along; it's my bottom that takes its place. I let out a small scream as I hit the ice, rubbing my butt to soothe the pain.
Gar just laughs, leaning down to help me up. For a moment, I'm caught in his eyes. I warned myself about them; can't stare at them for too long if you enjoy living outside of a mental institution.
Then he blinks and I'm set free, steadying myself on the wall. "Come here," He says. I look at him; he has his arms spread out to me sort of like he wants a hug, but his face is completely serious.
"What?"
"Just come here," He laughs now, pulling me into him. My back is facing his chest as he slowly pushes me forward step by step. I tremble, but he's there to save me. He'll catch me if I fall.
Hmm, now that sounds somewhat poetic.
He wraps his arms around my stomach to keep me steady as we skate; I think we're on our third lap like this. I relax, leaning back somewhat so my head rests against his body. Oh, he's been working out.
Somewhat sleepily, I close my eyes and hum along to the music they're playing; You and I, by Jason Mraz.
Was it you who spoke the words that things would happen but not to me
Oh things are gonna happen naturally
Oh taking your advice I'm looking on the bright side
And balancing the whole thing
But often times those words get tangled up in lines
And the bright lights turn to night
Until the dawn it brings
Another day to sing about the magic that was you and me
Suddenly, my eyes fly open as a cry sounds not far from us. We stop skating for a moment long enough to see a girl on her own skates, arms waving wildly as she came closer and closer.
"Whoa!"
There are two other girls behind her laughing their head off. One is slapping her knee and one is hunched over to resist rolling around on the ice. We look back to the girl who lost control and she's only inches away…I'm gonna be feeling this in the morning.
---
We were so close to having a moment…
Damn it! I'm already up, giving Rachel my hand first. Then I offer the girl who knocked me over help up, laughing to hide my disappointment.
She stumbles up, knees wobbling as she rests on my arm. "I'm so, so sorry," she pleads, looking up at me with big eyes to add to the effect. "I lost control. They were supposed to be helping to steady me," she said, turning to glare at the two laughing girls.
Eventually, they cease laughter long enough to skate over. The shorter one, a golden-blond with wavy hair pulled the girl to the middle of her and the other girl. "Sorry about that. We thought she might've been ready to skate on her own…guess not."
The other girl ran her eyes over us as though studying. With a flawless British accent, she gestured towards me. "Say, you're Gar Logan, aren't you?"
I freeze; no one could find out about this. "…Yes…" My voice squeaks, somewhat panicked. "…But I need you not to tell anyone, got it? I was never here." I wave my hands in front of my face.
She puts a finger to her lips before skating off, "Mums the word."
As they skate off, I see the two other girls exchange glances and motion towards the girl they were currently supporting. With an evil smile, they let go and watched mercilessly as the third girl went flying again.
We laugh and I'm only snapped out of it by from Rachel grabbing my arm for balance. "Kids these days," I say, smiling at her. She stares at me, then slips again, falling to the ice with a thud.
---
I am such an idiot. I fell! Again! I just…I don't know. I got lost in those eyes again. I'm never this clumsy! I don't understand what's happening to me. It's like, when I'm around him, I can't say the right thing or do anything right.
But he's by my side again, hoisting me up by slipping his arm at my waist. I think I might fall over again. But he's got me stable, grinning at me with those pearly whites with the sharper canines. "You up for another go?"
No. No, I'm not. I want to go back to the bench and watch him show off for me. I want to go home and put my feet up with a nice long bubble bath and rest my frozen butt. But I don't say this. Instead, I say, "Of course."
Shut up! Just stop talking, Rachel. After all, if you're quiet he'll think you don't like him and he'll go away, just like all the others. Except…I don't want him to go away. I don't want him to think I don't like him. Wait…but I don't like him…right?
"Okay," He instructs, handing his arm out to me. "Balance yourself on my arm like…good! Now, just take small baby steps forward, inching ahead."
I do as he says, and surprisingly, my ass hasn't hit the floor yet. "You see, you're a natural."
"Yeah, and I've got the bruises to prove it," I counter sarcastically, rubbing my leg. As I do so, I lose balance. Because I was holding onto Gar's arm so tightly, I bring him down with me. We both fall, luckily not hitting anyone because the floor has pretty much cleared out. When I open my eyes, Gar is right on top of me. His face flushes and he scrambles up, offering me a hand, all the while avoiding eye contact.
"Uh…yeah," is all he says, looking to his feet. Now my butt and feet are killing me. I don't care how much I want to hold onto his arm, I'm sitting down.
"I'm gonna sit down, Gar," I smile faintly, making my way over the exit of the ice. Amazingly, all limbs are not hitting the floor.
He nods and takes off across the ice, pulling a pair of headphones out of his jean pocket. He slips them in and kicks up the speed, often changing direction or whether he skates front or backwards. And I don't think he's trying to show off either, because his eyes are closed and his head is facing forward.
I've lost track of how long I've been watching him. I want to close my eyes and fall asleep on the bench right here, I'm so tired. I think it's already around nine o'clock. But I need to make sure not to fall…
---
I stop skating long enough to see Rachel fall down on the bench, eyes closed and asleep.
I chuckle and glance at my watch…Shit, how long have we been here? I'm the only one on the ice now and besides Rachel, the only other people here are the guy in room where you rent skates, flipping through his magazine and the ancient janitor who was probably around when the wheel was invented, moving at a pace slower than my dead grandmother would.
As I make my way off the ice, I see the man in the room finally look up from his magazine and roll his eyes at me. He hands me back my and Rachel's shoes, which we had exchanged for the skates so they could be sure we wouldn't steal them.
Once I return with Rachel's skates, which I slipped off her feet silently (she hadn't stirred), the man runs his eyes over me, then to Rachel. "She's pretty, your girl."
"Oh, she's not my—" I start, flipping through my wallet for the right amount.
As he takes the money, I swear I see his eyes laughing. "Sure, kid."
Rachel's shoes tucked under my arm, I scoop her up and carry her to the car. She doesn't wake.
---
I open my eyes with music blaring in my ears. The wind is ruffling my hair and my seat is leaned back. I peer over at Gar, tapping his fingers on the wheel as he bobs his head up and down with the rhythm of the music.
Can't explain all the feelings that you're making me feel
My heart's in overdrive and you're behind the steering wheel
"…Gar?" I whisper, sitting upright in my seat. He grins at me, all the while still swaying his head to the music.
"What the hell are you listening to?" This is far off from my Evanescence and classical.
He laughs; I would do if I'd been in his position. Groggily lain back in my seat and talking as though I'm half-drunk, I'm a sight to see.
"'I believe in a thing called love' by The Darkness."
"They're weird," I mumble, nestling back into my seat.
I wanna kiss you every minute, every hour, every day
You got me in a spin but everythin' is A.OK!
"But too right," he whispers, a soft sigh following. I pretend not to hear that.
I think my heart just stopped beating again. How many times does it need to do that before I'm hospitalized?
---
There's something wrong with me, I'm telling you. I hate love songs. Even if they aren't the mushy-gooey-lovey-dovey sappy girly crap the music industry tries to pass off as music, music relating to love isn't exactly my pastime. Well, I've hated love songs for the past few weeks, that is.
Probably starting after Tara and I broke up. It wasn't one or the other, who broke up with the other, we just kind of agreed on it. But I still miss what we had. I mean, she was my best friend for a long time. (Next to Vic, anyway)
We'd tried the 'just friends' thing, but I don't know what kind of shit the idiot who made that up was on. It just isn't possible. Have you ever been in a room with someone you've made out with out before and supposed to act like friends?
Think back to all those times when you're in elementary school and right now your brain is on overload with the thought of cooties, and you've just been paired up with someone of the opposite sex, so they're crawling with them. Yeah, this was about ten times as worse.
But in the past three or so days, I can't stop listening to this kind of thing. After all those times I've thought I've lost all sanity, this pretty much wins hands down. I only had this fix on this kind of music while I thought I was in love with Tara.
I snort; that's obviously not it. I've known the girl for three days, and I really shouldn't even be talking to her. Ugh, what is wrong with me?
---
I've tried to fall asleep again, but as I currently have control over my brain waves (Although I'm not so sure anymore), I think it's fairly obvious that sleep is being too stubborn and won't come.
It's probably for the better, anyway. We're nearing the suburban part of the city soon, anyway. And it might be hard to wake me up, and if he's stopped outside my house and…I'd rather not think about it.
Even though it's not even near the kind of music I listen to, I rather like this song.
I believe in a thing called love
Just listen to the rhythm of my heart
There's a chance we could make it now
We'll be rocking 'til the sun goes down
I believe in a thing called love
Ooh!
I didn't think I believed in a thing called love four days ago. Now, I'm not so sure.
No, no, no! Bad Rachel! May thy lie in the pits of hell that I was so forth conceived in and crawled out from to render pain and torture on the surface world!
We don't think this, not at all. You're too much out of character, this isn't who you are. You're cold, you're distant, you're unfeeling…Oh, jolly day. I'm like my father.
Then why do I feel so outgoing? So happy, and so in bliss? If I weren't pretending to be asleep right now, I'd be hitting my head against the dashboard. Please, o mighty one, smite me now before the unthinkable happens and I turn into the giddy school girl who stalks the popular boy in hopes of a valentine or even just a second glance.
I hear the car stop. He shakes me lightly. I can't help but get goose bumps as his hand touches my arm. Egads, it's too late! I've already submitted to my inner Kori. Just pull the trigger now.
"Rachel, you need to get out now. I can't stay outside your house any much longer," He says, forcefully but gently at the same time. Is that possible? I suppose with Gar, we could wake up in a world filled with magical pastries and talking animals, ruled by the all powerful tofu source from space.
He doesn't need to tell me twice. I scramble out of the car and dash towards the main gate. As I type in the pass code, he winks at me before driving off. Enough with the blushing, woman! We get it; you are part human after all and are capable of blushing. Now stop it!
I don't think he saw it, and I'm sure I'm only imaging things, but I could've sworn I saw a window curtain fill out, a hand removing itself from the side.
Longest chapter yet. I'm uber lame with the cameo of me, Katie, and Jess. Although it was fun to write, since me an' Katie torture Jess so.-and we all cackle-
Again, I think it might be a little rushed. But they say we do strange things when we're in love...
Ummmmm. Yeah. I don't know why I'm so frequent with updates, probably because I like to procrastinate with my real life and I like to write and type mega ultra fast. -shrugs-
And I think FF has a bug. Jess is yelling at me. She says my story is ruining FF's updater; it's too popular. Nay I say, nay!
And Gar is not Romeo for a reason! I'm sorry I forgot RobStar again...um. I'll just run away quickly now.