Velvet-Teal: I have a surprise for all of you… It surprised me too.. Anyways… What happened in the
PREVIOUS CHAPTER…
I stared closely at the picture. It was me, with my grandma. And that boy… No… Way… It couldn't be…
"Joshua?!"
The more and more I thought about how this was possible… The more and more I began to remember…
"I can't believe this… Thanks so much, grandma…" I said to no one as I also cried to myself.
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
"What… Is that?" I questioned, "And why is it still beeping?" I began looking for where this sound was coming from, "What in the world…?"
- (!#$&) - - - (&$#!) –
Chapter 11: Dealing with the Teenage Life
Okay. It was bad enough it was already 5 and that the dance would start in an hour. Oh well, if I were to come late it would be just fine. Really! Why? Well let's just say, I'm like the last performer before the DJ takes over for the rest of the night. Yeah, pretty much Joshua's band gets to play for like an hour. Speaking of Joshua… I began to think about the last time I saw grandma…
The last time I saw her, was the last time I saw Joshua. I couldn't believe I had forgotten about him. No wonder he knew my name when he knocked on the door during the time I just moved in. We've been friends for so long…
"Faith!" yelled a little boy from outside, "Please, come outside before you go back home!"
The door flew open with a girl in a pink dress. She had little pigtails and big round hazel eyes, "Okay, Josh. But we can only stay on the stairs. Mommy says we're going soon."
The girl held onto the rails as she walked to the bottom step, where Joshua had already sat down waiting for her. He began to cry.
"Why are you crying, Josh? You know if you start crying, I'm gonna cry too," she said as water began to build in her eyes.
"I'm sorry. Don't cry because of me… It's just… What if you don't come back? EVER!" he claimed.
Faith thought for a moment. She then held her friend's hand, "Then let's make a promise! Okay?"
"Okay, Faith," smiled Joshua.
"I promise to be Joshua's friend forever, no matter what. Even if I don't come back as much anymore," said Faith as she tighten her squeeze to show she cared.
Not being satisfied, Joshua also added, "Promise, you won't forget me either!"
"But you gotta promise that you'll wait for me to come back then!" replied Faith.
Happily Joshua said, "Okay!" The two held out their little pinkies and at the same time said, "Promise," as they stared at each other. What they didn't know was that, that would be the last time they'd see each other for a long time…
- (!#$&) - - - (&$#!) –
So, back to this beeping noise. I'm still looking for it. The closer I got, the louder I heard it. BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! Really, this is getting on my nerves…
A big smiled formed on my face, "FOUND IT!"
I stared at it curiously. Someone had set it at this time, so I'd find it for sure…
"But who—" then I noticed. Beside the little alarm, there was an envelope left with it.
I began to open the envelope to find a note and a CD. I read the note first.
Hello Faith,
By the time you read this, the beeper should be beeping like crazy. This was the only way I knew you'd get this and notice it for sure. And I'm sure I had to sneak it to you somehow as well. Anyways... Main purpose of this letter is that, I hope you can forgive me for the way I've acted towards you... Since that moment. I'm uncertain of my feelings towards you. But I can tell you honestly, that when I said I liked you that night... I meant it then. I hope you'll still go to the dance, no matter how you feel towards me. But then, you have to go since you're performing... However, if it ends up you don't show up for some odd reasonable reason, I'll understand. Anyways, included with this is a CD, which you should have noticed by now. It's a song I recorded about how I felt during the time we've... stopped talking.
- Joshua
I didn't know what to feel. Did he still have these feelings for me? I meant it then. What about now? But I did realize how he got it to me… When we bumped into each other, in the music hallway. Exactly when I felt his touch was the moment. I popped the CD into the stereo… Sweet sounds of the acoustic guitar began to play throughout the air… And then his voice sung.
"Love, life \\ One speaks for the other one, here \\ And love, life. One speaks for the other one now \\ We'll try to get by…
Did anyone try too hard \\ Well I guess I did \\ I guess I did alright \\ She'll break my heart \\ Did anyone try too hard \\ Well I guess I did \\ I guess I did alright \\ She'll break my heart \\ She'll break my heart…
Cause ever since the moment I saw your face \\ I knew I wanted to be in that place next to you \\ And now I'll spend my whole life trying \\ To be the one inside your arms \\ And I'll try to get by…
Did anyone try too hard \\ Well I guess I did \\ I guess I did alright \\ She'll break my heart \\ Did anyone try too hard \\ Well I guess I did \\ I guess I did alright \\ She'll break my heart \\ She'll break my heart \\ She'll break my heart…
Isn't it alright \\ Why can't it be \\ Just this once alright \\ It will be you and me…
Did anyone try too hard \\ Well I guess I did \\ I guess I did alright \\ She'll break my heart \\ Did anyone try too hard \\ Well I guess I did \\ I guess I did alright \\ She'll break my heart \\ She'll break my heart…"
I was touched by his song. Hopefully tonight, he'd be touch by mine too…
"Oh gosh! There's no time to think like this! I have to get ready!"
I didn't have much time, so if I didn't want to be late I'd better hurry... But I guess being late wouldn't hurt anyone? So, I did my hair. Put on a bit of make up. Not too much. If I felt uncomfortable, it was a sign that said too much was applied... Then I wore my dress and made my way down the stairs, to get my heels.
My mom saw me. She gave me that look, "Oh my, Faith… You're beautiful, hun!" she said as she rushed over to me.
I was wearing a white, flowy dress with thin white straps to hold it up. There was a little waist belt thingy that was wrapped around where my ribs were but was above my belly button by two inches or so. Then it fell about an inch or two below my knees. My hair was all wavy, but it wasn't messy or tangled. And tilted on the right side of my head, was a little crown.
My dad took a few pictures of my mom and I. Mom said it was for "memories." I felt like a princess. As I finished putting on my white heels, my parents wished me a fun night.
Mom gave me her sweet smiles, "Your father and I have some guests coming over, so just have a wonderful time."
I hugged her, "Thanks, mom." And I was off to the ball. As I walked down the steps, I saw two elders approaching me.
The old lady spoke, "My, oh my! She reminds me so much of her."
I stared at the sweet couple, having a feeling that I met them before. My mom must have seen them, because she opened the door with a big smile and said, "Come in! Come in! Make yourselves at home."
I continued walking with a satisfied smile on my face, "Tomoyo and Eriol."
- (!#$&) - - - (&$#!) –
There was a boy swirling his drum sticks, and one with his guitar.
"Yo… Dude… You soooo can not be serious…"
"Yes, dude, I'm serious."
"But dude… What about our bro, Josh?"
"Seriously, he shouldn't have treated her like that for so long. Have you not seen her these past months? If he can't treat her the way she should be treated, then I'm going to take over."
"Yo… Dude… I totally see where you're getting at… But are you totally sure this is what you should do? Like is it right bro?"
"I'm tired of being the 'nice guy.' Sorry man, but you can't change my mind. Josh isn't the only one trying to win her heart anymore," and he started to walk away but then paused.
"But dude… How could you fall for her, when we all know she's the one for our bro…?"
- (!#$&) - - - (&$#!) –
As I stepped into the gym, everyone was busy having a fun time. And man… It was loud. I looked at the front to see Arcane Affections playing. As I was making my way through the crowd, Brooke pulled me aside.
She grabbed my right hand as she pulled me through the crowd, "Faith! You look gorgeous! Oh my gosh, I'd love to just chat with you. But 30 minutes already past, and the student councils wants you to sing as soon as Arcane Affections finishes their song. They think a slow song should be good about now!"
As soon as she finished talking, I was right next to the stage and Arcane Affection had finished their song.
"Alright, hope you're all having a great time!" the crowd cheered as they responded to Joshua, "And with that, right now we're gonna slow things down a bit. So, please welcome Faith to the stage as she sings along to Travis' sweet guitar skills!"
Since the gym was already dimmed enough, they dimmed down the lights on the stage as I made my way. The people on the student committee bought out a chair for Travis. I took the mic, waiting to hear Travis playing. And when he began to play softly, people in the gym started to slow dance or finding somebody. I searched for Joshua, and there he was staring right at me.
"I was not beautiful, in anyone's eyes \\ got thrown in the water \\ with no goodbyes…
However, you found me \\ cause you jumped right in \\ and saved me \\ cause I didn't know how to swim \\ who would have thought \\ I'd be caught, in love with you
Told me it's okay \\ and not to be afraid \\ today was the day I learnt to glide \\ in the water, I was flying by \\ you smiled at the sight of me \\ and whispered soft words like you're pretty
However, you found me \\ cause you jumped right in \\ and saved me \\ cause I didn't know how to swim \\ who would have thought \\ I'd be caught, in love with you
Baby, baby when I jumped in \\ you caught me with your hands \\ baby, baby when I jumped in \\ we had an underwater kiss \\ baby, baby when I jumped in \\ you were always around \\ baby, baby when I jumped right in \\ you were nowhere to be found…
When you found me \\ you saved me \\ learnt how to \\ now I miss you \\ where did you go to \\ searching for you…"
As soon as I finished my song, and realized who this 'rumored girl' was all along… Travis kissed my cheek. Can you seriously say bad timing?! I think Brooke totally got the message, because you could hear her loud gasp from the crowd.
"How could Travis do that?!" said a crazy Brooke as she stood next to Allen and Sky.
"Dude… He was totally serious…"
Brooke tried choking Sky, but Allen held her back, "WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE WAS TOTALLY SERIOUS, SKY?!"
"Yo… Chillax, Brooke…"
"NO, I WILL NOT CHILLAX DUDE! WHAT ABOUT JOSHU—"
Speaking of Joshua… As soon as I realized what Travis had done, my eyes were filled with shock as I stared at him. Then, I stared out into the crowd searching for Joshua. It was simple to explain his current emotions. Hurt and anger.
The vice president got up to the mic, "Alright, everyone start cheering if we want the Dj to play some jams!"
- (!#$&) - - - (&$#!) –
Travis and I walked down the stage stairs towards our friends. When Travis approached we all felt the vibe from Joshua. Josh walked to Travis and pushed him.
"What the frig was that for man?!" exclaimed Travis.
Brooke held my arm to comfort me. Allen held Travis back while Sky held Joshua.
"You deserved that Travis. Some best friend you are. You knew how I felt towards Faith, and yet you had the nerve to kiss her!"
"Some best friend I am?! Hah! Some person you are for the way you've treated Faith after these past months! Did you not see that she was completely hurt?! That she cried her broken heart out?! She depended on you and you left her side, Joshua!"
"But we all knew Joshua liked Faith," pointed out Allen.
"Well I don't see Joshua's name all over Faith! I have every right to like, Faith as well!"
"Stop it! You guys are best friends!" I yelled with tears.
"Not anymore," said Joshua as he walked away.
With that I run back home away from this hell hold.
"Faith! Come back!" screamed Brooke, "Now looked what you did Travis! Nice job!" she walked away with Allen following her.
"Yo… Dude… I told you so…"
"Shut up, Sky."
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I run all the way home. Running with the wet mascara dipping down my face. My mom asked what happened. I told her I didn't want to talk about it. I slammed the door. My face landed into my pillow. Teenage life is tough on you.
I couldn't believe Travis liked me. This made everything harder. I know I like Joshua… But since I know the feeling of rejection, I don't think I can let anyone else go through rejection… I don't know what to do… I'm so confused. They're both nice guys. Why hurt them both?
"ARGH!" I knocked grandma's journal down. I picked it up and just began to read her entries.
"Today, I've given birth to a son. I still remember Syaoran being so happy about becoming a father. We named him Adrian."
"Dad…" I whispered as I flipped the page.
"Today, my daughter-in-law gave birth to a wonderful baby girl. I suggested the name Faith, so whenever they felt like they lost hope, they should look at their beautiful daughter. She'd give them the faith they needed."
I continued to cry and I stared at the next page.
"Here is a picture of my granddaughter, Faith and her new friend, Joshua. They are the cutest things ever. I love them both. I am so proud of Faith. I have a feeling she'll grow up just fine. I know she'll make it through everything. She's a tough little girl with a sweet heart. I pray the best for my son's daughter. Sooner or later, he'll realize how it feels to see your children grow up so fast. How there's so little time for everything. I only wish the best for everyone."
"Grandma… How will I make it through this?"
There was a knock on the door. It was Brooke. I was so glad to have a friend like her… She hugged me and then grabbed a tissue. She cleaned the mascara and tears off my fear, "You'll make it," she said, "You will."
I let go of her and we both stared out the window. I thought about what was going to happen. I began to realize that everything that happened so far, was almost like all the times that happened in my grandma's life. I began to understand all that she went through. Brooke was right. I was going to make it… Somehow.
The End
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That's right. This is the end. Goodbye Summer Essence! OH PLEASE DON'T KILL ME! I BEG OF YOU:S It truly is the end. OKAY. I LIED ALRIGHT! It's only just the end for NOW. There will be a sequel. But I might upload it on my fictionpress account since Sakura is now completely out of the picture. The whole idea of this was to show a bit of similarity between Sakura's and Faith's life. How close they were, even though they didn't spend a lot of time with each other. I just added a touch of teenage stuff. So just wait for the new sequel. You can hate me all you want. I kind of got "hurried" with this chapter because of Dexter! THAT'S RIGHT, YOU DEXTER! LOL. So don't mind any of the mistakes and grammar errors. I apologize if they bugged you. I'd like to thank all who have supported me. I appreciate it. Without you, I don't think I'd finish XD So until next time,
- Velvet Teal