Bonfire: (noun) a big fire that you create from wood and a match; can be used to keep one cozy on a camping trip, but mostly used for parties on the beach where people shall gather around it, warm blankets wrapped around then like cocoons, beer in hand, pictures and other old and useless stuff being burned in the cackling fire, and to snuggle up to your mancandy who always seems to make everything better – especially a night used for making memories. (see also: fire, beach, burning)
Warmth: (noun) a feeling you can get in your body, by snuggling up in a blanket or drinking hot chocolate, and in your heart, by kisses (or any other PDA – public display of affection) or just the simple feeling of love; this simple sensation is easy to obtain and is greatly needed in every day life – whether you're in the middle of a snowstorm and you need some seriously fuzzy socks, or you're feeling loveless, and whether it's a big smooch from your boytoy, or a big hug from your bestie, it'll always get the job done. (see also: cozy, tenderness, love)
Memories: (noun) a recollection of things that happened during life (whether yours or someone else's) that are greatly cherished and are incredibly helpful throughout life; some can be of bad things, such as death or embarrassment, but some can be spectacular, like love, friendship, and the all-powerful old Nickelodeon shows, and these are exponentially precious, never to be lost in your mind or in the scrapbooks you keep to help you remember in your old age, for they make you who you are – and who you shall become. (see also: memoir, pictures, never forgotten)
A bonfire is that wonderful, cackling fire that makes every summer (and just regular life) worth living, for it is some great form of therapy that is free (minus the warm blankets and whatnot), it keeps you warm, and it is just plain fun.
Warmth is what I feel in my heart whenever Sasuke passes by, or As Told By Ginger comes on TV at 6:30 in the morning. It can be a cup of chai tea, a walk on the beach, a hug, or even the feel of your feet squishing between your toes – and the flip-flops you put them in, of course.
Memories are those wonderful things you remember from your childhood, or yesterday when you and your (really blonde) best friend got kicked out of Wal-Mart (just for knocking over some Barbie displays with our bouncy balls). They keep you going when you feel like your world's a mess and they always put a smile on your face – even the bad ones, because they are long and gone, and you realize the stupidity of them.
And a night like tonight just doesn't come often, so we're going to live it up.
We'll drink, we'll party, we'll make some new friends, we'll think of this summer, we'll think of last year – but the one thing we won't do is think about tomorrow.
Or the new school year.
Because we're living in the now, and that's all that seems to matter.
Because tomorrow (next year), we may not get to hang out. Tomorrow (next year), we will go to different schools. Tomorrow (next year), won't be summer.
Tomorrow (next year), there won't be love.
Well, there probably will be, but it really just won't be the same.
Because this is now, and now says that what we have is special. It doesn't say that long distance relationships won't work, since we live a few minutes from each other. It doesn't say that we really aren't boyfriend/girlfriend, since we do that kind of cliché dating things almost every day.
It doesn't say we weren't meant to be, because obviously we are.
It does say that today is a present, so we better take it, open it, let our sore eyes bask in glory, and use it like there was no tomorrow (seriously). It does say that all things are possible, like meeting David Cook and long distance relationships. It does say that you don't have to be dating in order for there to be love.
It does say that people are meant to be, for what are humans without the high hopes of the possibility of the impossible?
"A bonfire with the wood, matches, etc: 20 dollars."
The Nine and a Half Commandments
Chapter Eight:
mastercard memories
"A cozy blanket made of cotton: 10 dollars."
"A night under the stars, full of love, memories, and the ever-popular feeling of warmth: priceless."
The soft sound of the waves mixing with the catchy tune slowly draining on the radio was the perfect background music to the perfect evening. The wind lightly sprawled across the sky, creating a light breeze, but still a practical one. The blanket in my hand was butter-soft and the man sitting next to me was candy-sweet (but not as sweet as his kisses – which have not yet been received).
I placed my hand on his, playing with his fingers that have yet to even flinch from their position on my knee. He spared me a glance, a quick smirk gracing his lips as he noticed the playful look in my eyes.
He interlocked our fingers and pulled me closer, resting his head on my shoulder. I could feel his silky hairs tickle my neck as he dug his head in, trying to find warmth and comfort (I think, anyways) while also being incredibly cute.
I placed my head on top of his, nuzzling in. I thought I heard a chuckle, but that could have been part of the sound in the background, creating a quiet melody for us love-birds to snuggle up to.
"Mmm, Sakura?"
I nodded my head, urging him to continue, but still added a simple 'yes'.
He sighed. I think anyways. I heard a deep breath and a moving of the shoulders, either indicating happiness, or grief.
(I hoped it wasn't the latter)
"In a week or two, we go back to school. What are we going to do?"
I sighed now, recognizing that this was in fact a troubling situation. But then I realized his mistake, and mine as well. I quickly lifted my head up, and that must have slightly startled him, for he did as well. I looked him in the eye. "You can't say that Sasuke-kun! We can't talk about that tonight. Save it for later – later this summer, later this week, heck even tomorrow, but not now."
I definitely surprised him, but he shook his head, somehow understanding – or he just didn't want his ass kicked by his crazy girlfriend (which I'm still not even sure of).
"I didn't know it bothered you that much." He sortakindamaybe mumbled.
I ran my fingers through my hair, slightly embarrassed and slightly feeling empowerment. "It's not that. It's just, well, tonight is for reminiscing on old memories – and kinda destroying them – while at the same time creating new ones. And since you're my boyfriend, I just don't want to ruin that."
I stopped.
"Wait, am I your girlfriend?"
He gave me that look. You know – the look. The one as if saying 'you're some complete idiot for you haven't realized this'. Or worse, 'of course not'. I think he didn't use the aforementioned one though, for he really can't be that mean. "Of course. What do you think we've been doing for the past, like, summer?"
I shrugged, feeling really stupid right now. "Shamelessly flirting?" I tried.
Again came the look. "Stop talking about Naruto and Ino."
I smiled while looking over at the two. Ino was on his lap, whispering in his ear and whatever it was, it must have been funny, or just really dirty, because Naruto was giggling (seriously, like, not even laughing – just his regular, girlish chuckles) and blushing as well.
Next to her was Tenten, a girl we had met on the beach this summer. She goes to Cloud High, but she's pretty cool. Her hair was actually down tonight, probably to attract Lee, this other kid we met who proclaims me his youthful cherry blossom.
Let's just say that Sasuke doesn't like him.
This couple Shikamaru and Temari were on a piece of wood only a few feet away from us. I'm pretty sure the nerdy, lazy-ass was sleeping while the blonde was chugging down her beer, probably greatly troubled as to why she paired up with her complete opposite.
And with all this love around me, I couldn't help but feel at home.
I had a man next to me, and he just screamed love, or 'I'm super smexy and am your boyfriend – a total bonus'. I had couples around me, sharing the love that I'd always dreamed of – always wanted.
And now I have it.
Okay, kinda.
Do we have love?
Probably not.
Will we one day?
Hellz yeah!
"And there the picture goes."
I tossed the retched memory into the fire, so happy that I've finally gotten over him. So happy that I can be free from all pain and heartbreak.
So happy that I've finally found my glue gun and its owner.
"And what was that?" I looked over at my night in shining armor (sweatshirt and smexy jeans), equipped with a glue gun (sweet words and even sweeter gestures). He raised a questioning eyebrow at my burning of the photo and the accomplished smile on my face.
I shrugged. "Just a picture of Sai shirtless."
"And it was so painful to give it away?"
"It was actually. I mean, I'm over him and everything, but man was he hott. Especially without a shirt."
Sasuke frowned. "I bet I'm hotter."
"What is with guys and their huge egos?"
Sasuke smirked. "You love it. Don't even try to deny it."
"I never did."
I sat down next to him, a large smile on my face, as I planted a soft kiss on his cheek. I looked to see that he his cheeks were slightly flushing a crimson red, but he quickly paled when the (not uncommon) smug smirk came upon his face as he took something out of his pocket.
He handed it to me, the grin still in place.
My mouth almost flung open, for in my hand was a picture of Sasuke shirtless, smirking that same smirk that is currently taking its place on his lips.
"How did you…?"
He shrugged. "You were talking about it yesterday to Ino. I thought it was only necessary."
I quickly smiled while hugging the living daylights out of him because one, it was a ridiculously sweet gesture, two, he is much, much hotter, and three, I get to have a picture of my boyfriend (that's right bitches!), shirtless, for the rest of my pathetic life.
Two words.
Freaking. Awesome.
…yeah.
After the hugging stopped, Sasuke uttered, "Don't I at least get a reward for this?"
I eyed him sneakily. "And what kind of reward would you like?" I inched closer to him and my breath hitched in my throat when I felt his hot breath dance across my lips.
"I think you already know."
And that's when our lips met.
He slowly started kissing my bottom lip as I wrapped my arms around his neck, quickly being pulled onto his lap. I reveled in the fact that we finally got our second kiss; the second chance.
His lips tasted like honey, and on the inside, the flavor was a mix of the alcohol we had earlier and peppermint, due to the breath mint I saw him pop into his mouth about ten minutes ago.
He tasted like perfection.
But not really, since, as the great Jon Bon Jovi once stated, mediocrity is nobody's goal, but neither is perfection; we will never be perfect.
And his lack of perfection (but, again, not really, since, well, just look at him) made it all the more perfect.
He tasted like love.
Not just the love you throw around to your best friend or your Barbie dolls, not the love you share with the affair you constantly have with the computer, and not even summer love.
Just love.
He tasted like forever.
(and ever, and ever, and ever)
I feel like I'm making Neji cry and Hinata die (haha – rhyme!). But I'm just branching out, so NaruIno and LeeTen are just gonna have to do at the moment. And branching out is kinda fun. It's just like Meg suggested (and if anyone's mad for the tiny delay (an hour here people, it's not that terrible), please blame her. she's the one who is NOT snappy (haha, bitch!) and stayed at my house so she could win Apples to Apples while reading my new issue of Seventeen magazine and mooching of all the white cheddar popcorn in my house – love ya, sweetums!)
I absolutely LOVE this chapter with all my heart, but, well, what ELSE is new? I say that about every chapter, but it's true. Whatever I'm working on is my favorite. My drama teacher always says that when he's asked what play is his favorite, he says the one he's working on. Same with me. And just out of curiosity, what was your guy's favorite chapter?
Okay, so, in all sincerity (haha – take that Meg) this was a little late (an hour – I'm guilty), but I did have a busy schedule yesterday and today. I had camp and shopping at Target and buying Barbie dolls (Beach-Party Ken and Top-Model Barbie) and playing with them and youth group and going to friendly's and going in my friend's pool (I got a sunburn if that makes anyone feel better), and playing board games. But I still haven't had a real conversation with my Ali-chian (so when you read this, call me bitch! :) – our song is on and it's making me really sad;
YOU GOTTA LOVE YOURSELF IF YOU COULD EVER LOVE ME!!)
Next chapter out…soon.
No promises, and as a few reviewers said (and Meg pointed out after me freaking about this being late), that's cool, since, well, I write when I feel like it, and that's just what I should do. 'Cause I write to please myself, not others. It's your choice to read it.
peace out, cub scout!
(new favorite saying – for serious)
