YAYEH…Here's your chapter. I wrote this in the middle of the night so I was a bit dead but I got through it. Sorry for any mistakes. Any way enjoy the story.
Chapter 11 – Chasing
After Her.
A night, star torn blanket was pulled across a crimson heaven, covering the beautiful but illusive sunset that burns the sky a fiery red. A crispy evening settles, the feeling cool and fresh. Every intake of breath was icy yet uplifting. The night of the dance has finally approach.
Tommy stares at the mirror located in his room, wearing a black tux with a white polo underneath and a black tie. He verifies the outfit one last time, fixing any loose end before being satisfied with his appearance. He smiles for a moment before sighing into a frown.
"Yo T…" came the familiar greeting of his brother as he enters the room, "What's up? Tonight's the dance. Don't people usually find excitement before it?" puzzled to his sibling, ill-content manner.
"No, I'm excited, it's just" pausing slightly scanning to find the right words. "I don't know actually." He slouches his body in discontent, confuse to what to believe.
"Okay…" Dil eyes him curiously; studying him, hoping Tommy's body language would assist him find an answer to his brother's unusual behavior.
"What are you staring at?" Tommy issues as he motions a tread back from the uncomfortable gawk.
Dil disregards the question. He squints his eyes, coming closer, becoming even more vigilant. After a minute, he quickly jerks back, eyes wide before liberating a burst of laughter. "That's some problem you have their bro."
Tommy watches Dil, mystified to his sudden statement. "What are you talking about?"
Dil crosses his arms, rising an eyebrow in mockery, "That you're going to the dance with Lil but a part of you wants to go with Kimi", finishing with a smirk.
Now Tommy's eyes went wide, shock by his speech. Not only was Dil somewhat teasing him, he was also precise about his dilemma. "How did you…I mean…what did you…I mean that's not true. I'm excited to go with Lil." He was hoping his younger sibling would drop the subject. "How does he do that?" He mentally sighs in irritation still bewildered. "I'll never understand how his mind works?"
Dil however, was unrelenting. "True, but you would be more excited if you were going with Kimi."
Tommy felt a slight blush emerge on his cheeks, his eyes sprawling half close in sadness with a frown outline across his lips. "Yeah, well, even if I did want to go with Kimi, it wouldn't be fair to Lil."
"Lil", Tommy gasps tossing his eyes towards his clock lynching from the wall. Five minutes to seven. "I better go Dil. I have to pick up Lil soon." He straightens himself up before shifting for the door.
"Words of advise T." Tommy abruptly stops just before the doorway, whirling his attention to his brother. "When you get a chance, don't mess up."
Tommy's face slightly wilts along with his eyes, depress and somewhat confuse by Dil's anomalous advice, not even saying thank you as he left the room.
Tommy walks across to the house next-door, motions for the door and rings the bell. The door swings with a creak, open by the mother of the DeVille twins. "Hey Tommy. Looking nice. Lil will be down in a minute. Come in." She moves out of the way gesturing him inside.
"Thanks Betty" slowly strolling in, as Betty closes the door behind him.
"Lil, Tommy is here", Betty shouted over the stairs.
"Thanks mom", Lil hollered from her room.
"Hey Tommy." Phil calls out to him as he comes down the stairs, wearing the equivalent as Tommy's ensemble except with a white blazer.
"Hey Phil. Nice suit." He was actually impressed by the style.
"Thanks. It was my dad's." Phil pulls the sleeve of his blazer; checks his watch strapped around his wrist and then sweeps pass his friend as he opens the door to the brittle night.
"Well, see you there".
"Where are you going?" he asks, a little curious.
"It's seven. I got to pick up Kimi from her house."
Tommy felt his face go pale, eyes widening, stunned by his last sentence. "You're taking Kimi to the dance?" He words were slightly stumbling but manage to regain composure.
"Yeah, it was a last minute thing so I didn't get to tell you guys. Anyways, we'll see you there" closing the door behind him as he left into the cold evening.
Tommy remains motionless, feeling resentment burning within, urging him in anger but was calm by a genuine voice calling his name from behind. "Hey Tommy."
Tommy slowly revolves his head, finding himself overwhelm by the sight before him. Lil was descending gracefully down the stairs wearing a red strapless dress, which glints beautifully under reflection. Completing the outfit were low red heels and a thin silver chain that hugs around her neck nicely. It shimmers under the manifestation of light. "Wow, Lil. You ...look amazing" still astonished to how elegant she looks.
Lil quietly laughs, "Thanks. You're looking nice as well. Where's Phil?"
"He went to pick up Kimi." His tone was soft carrying sadness within. The sudden thought of Phil and Kimi together was slowly consuming him, feeling envious.
Lil heeds the melody of his voice, a frown forming, becoming worry, "You okay Tommy?"
Tommy smiles. He didn't want to ruin Lil's night by being upset. He wanted her to enjoy the evening. "Yeah. Everything's fine", hoping his words were reassuring. "Come on. We better get going," he said, embracing his hand around hers before opening the door.
"Bye Mom. Bye Dad", Lil calls out, before heading out with Tommy.
Kimi sits by her mirror surveying her reflection. She was dressed exactly the way she was in her dream. A black strapless dress with low black heels and the black opal shape jewel that hangs around her neck. Her head styled in a bun with red chopsticks holding them in place as the rest fall just below her shoulder. She heaves a sigh, the exhilaration for the night becoming absent.
The shouting of her dad coming from down stairs seeps through her room, becoming muffled by distance and her bedroom door. "Kimi. Phil's here."
Kimi slowly stands up, straightening her dress from wrinkles one last time before doing one final check up on other parts of her outfit. Once satisfied, she quietly leaves her room. As soon as she was before the flight of steps, she notices Phil seeming actually pretty sharp in his suit.
Phil looks up, at last seeing her for the first time in the night. His mouth slightly drops eyes open in surprise. She was looking gorgeous. Kimi steadily descends the stairs and situates herself before him. He found himself speechless. "Wow, Kimi… you… look… um…beautiful." He faintly blushes after his compliment.
Kimi lightly shakes her head at his way of being charming. "Thanks Phil. You don't look bad yourself."
"Shall we go then", offering his arm to her in a light bow.
Kimi giggles at his chivalry. She reached out placing her arm in his. "Bye mom. Bye dad."
"Have fun kids" Chas replies.
"Where's Chuckie?" he asks, as the two walk down the path of her house.
"He left earlier to pick up Angelica"
"Whoa, Chuckie is going with Angelica?" he asks, extremely shocked to the sudden revelation.
"Apparently they had some agreement or something."
"Hm…I wonder if it had something to do with me"
Kimi laughs; "Maybe" as they both continued walking.
Kimi felt her thoughts sliding away, a demoralizing grimace across her lips. Even though Phil was looking nice, even comments on her beauty, she still wishes it were Tommy that she was with at the moment. She erases the thought away turning her attention to the boy next to her. She notices him smiling with anticipation, "He's so excited to go to this dance. I shouldn't ruin it for him."
The dance held in the school gym was thriving with students dancing to the music. The court was brilliantly decorated with blue silk fabric dangling across the wall and swaying across the area above everyone. In one corner was a table that serves food and punch. In another was the DJ scanning through CDs, stereos blaring loudly on both ends. Completing the ornamentation was a disco ball, revolving near the ceiling, glimmering under illumination, reflecting scattered light.
Tommy enters the building holding Lil's hand, discovering a thrilling feeling within each individual that dance along the dance floor. From the corner of his eye, his detects Chuckie dancing with Angelica. The freckle face teen had his hair comb back. He was wearing a light blue polo with black pants. Angelica was looking graceful as well with her hair styled up. She was wearing a dark pink dress that drops to her knees. A lighter shade of pink fulfills the rest of the outfit ending just below her ankles. A sliver heart shape locket circles around her neck. A pair of pink heels ends her appearance for the night.
Tommy couldn't help but be surprise by the two of them dancing with each other. The shocking thing was they actually didn't look bad together. Not bad at all. "There's Chuckie and Angelica", he smiles as he nudges Lil gently, nodding her in the direction of the dancing couple.
Lil sweeps the area Tommy was observing, at last finding them. She was momentarily astonished as well. It didn't seem as strange to her that they were with one another. She scans around the court once more. She discovers Susie wearing a nice yellow dress ending just above her ankle. Her hair styled in the usual fashion. White, sphere shape earrings were attached to the loaves of her ears. A white, pearl shape necklace was worn around her neck. She held a cup in her hand as she laughed along with Harold who was wearing a black tux with a white polo and a black bow tie. A red flower was budding from the pocket of his blazer. "I found Susie."
Tommy looks over and smiles at the two before turning his awareness back to the dance floor. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. "You want to dance?" he asks, signaling his hand across.
"Sure."
Tommy leads Lil across the court evading other dancing couples until they were besides Chuckie and Angelica. "Hey guys", Tommy and Lil greeted to the both of them before dancing to the song being played.
"Hey" Chuckie began. "You guys finally made it. Looking nice Lil" noticing the beautiful red dress she was wearing.
"Thanks Chuckie. You don't look bad yourself."
Where are Phil and Kimi?" he asks, still dancing.
Tommy turns his head away from the question.
Lil perceives his reaction before answering Chuckie, "Him and Kimi will get here soon."
Chuckie nods and continues dancing with Angelica.
Lil slowly motions her head at Tommy who was slightly frowning with his head bowed down. "You okay Tommy?"
Tommy calmly replaces the frown with a smile, bringing his eyes to find a concern looking friend. "I'm fine".
"Okay", she slowly said, unsure about he's answer but decides to let it go, and continues dancing with him.
A few minutes later, Kimi and Phil walk in, dazzled by the sight before them. They scan the room and find their friends dancing from across the dance floor. "There they are", Phil calls out over the music. Kimi frowns after sighting them. She felt a slight pang of envy at her friend dancing with Tommy.
Phil leads her across the dance floor avoiding other teenagers bustling roughly around them to the songs playing. As soon as they arrive near their friends, Tommy finds himself turning away once again. This time Chuckie catches the movement.
"Hey guys," Phil said.
"Hey" Lil replies. "You guys are finally here."
Phil whispers in Kimi's ear and nods once he pulls away. "Yeah, hey listen. Kimi and me are just going to get a drink. We'll be back."
"All right", Lil said.
"Hey Lil" Tommy begins, "I'm just going to the bathroom for a while."
"Sure. I'm just going to say hi to Susie."
Tommy nods before walking through towards the men's room, cautiously stepping around the lively dance floor.
Chuckie follows him with his gaze wondering if theirs something up again between Tommy and maybe his sister. "Hey Angelica. I need to go to the bathroom as well."
"All right. I'm going with Lil then."
Chuckie smiles before taking off after Tommy.
Tommy was washing his hands under a rushing flow of cold water. The bathroom was quieter compared to the active, noisy school gym outside beyond the doors. The booming speakers were all that could be heard leaking through, muted by the door. He sighs, the music screaming in full volume just as the door opens behind him followed by Chuckie. "Hey Chuckie."
The door slowly closes behind him, as the music died down becoming hushed once more. Chuckie stays silent. He remains motionless, a frown across his mouth.
"What's wrong?" Tommy questions, observing Chuckie's impression.
"What's going on now Tommy?"
"What do you…"
"Don't." He pause, glancing at the confuse expression highlighted across Tommy's face. " I saw your reaction as soon as Kimi and Phil came. It was the same reaction you gave me when I asked about you and my sister before."
Tommy lightly drops his head in indignity.
"What's going on Tommy?"
"To be honest, Chuckie, I don't even know myself." Tommy brushes pass his friend as he pulls the door open and leaves. Chuckie remains for a moment wondering. He's hiding something again". A depress and frustrated look dawning on his face. He lets out an annoyed sigh before also leaving.
As Chuckie exits through into the active region leaving the silent room behind him, he discovers that Phil and Kimi were now dancing with Susie and Harold. Angelica was still talking to Lil and Tommy was just next to them drinking punch. Chuckie saunters himself over to Angelica.
"Hey. Welcome back Finster", Angelica welcomes.
Chuckie throws a smile at her; shifting his gaze to Tommy with a grimace carved on his mouth, becoming aware that he turned away again.
A more slower, melodic song suddenly replaced the ear piercing, blasting music. It soothingly radiated through the speakers, as couples close in, wrapping themselves around each other's arm, lightly swaying to the music being played. Some people got off the dance floor using the occasion to take a break. Tommy observes in sorrow as Phil and Kimi slowly came in together, Phil's arm around her waist with hers on his shoulders. Their other hands clasped around together in air as they gently sway across the dance floor. Lil turns her attention to Tommy, "Want to dance?"
Tommy calmly brings his gaze towards her. "Sure." His tone was soft and weak. He lends out his hand for hers as she gently takes it finding herself being led across the dance floor. As soon Tommy locates a place, a great distance from Kimi, they slowly dawn their bodies closer, both Tommy's arm around Lil's waist and hers around his neck. Slowly they dance to the gentle music.
Kimi watches from where she was dancing, feeling her eyes slightly overflowing. She couldn't take it. She couldn't watch them. The feeling of resentment was overwhelming, unbearable. She had to leave.
Phil becomes aware of her attention elsewhere, perceiving the dishearten expression visible across her face. "Are you all right Kimi?" he queries, worried for his friend.
Kimi turns her eyes back to Phil, which were now unconscientiously streaming tears. "I'm sorry Phil. I need to be alone right now." She breaks off from his hold, bringing her attention to the gym doors. Her pace were at first slow but quickens with every step.
"Wait…Kimi." yells out over the crowd but she was already out the door.
All his friend came over after seeing Kimi leave. "Phil, what happen? What's wrong with Kimi?" Chuckie began in a slight panic.
"I don't know. She was crying and then she said she wanted to be alone"
"What? Why?" Lil queries. She was bewildered by Kimi's request.
"I don't know," he said slightly unease, feeling the anxiety rising inside for his friend. "I better go after her." He takes off, making his way for the door following Kimi's trail.
The whole group of friends eye each other, confuse, anxious and fearful about what's going on with Kimi, a friend of whom they've knew since forever, except for a lone individual. Tommy continues to monitor the door for a moment where Phil and Kimi left a moment ago. He slightly drops his head, not knowing what to do. Susie detects his unexpected reaction, a recognition trickling through her thoughts. She couldn't help but sadly frown at him with wilted eyes. "What are you going to do Tommy?" she thought quietly to herself, hoping he'll make a right choice.
Kimi was sitting silently on the swing in a well-known park that held so many fond memories of her and her friends. Through their years as infants, this was where they always had their best adventure, where they laugh and cried together. The night was young, the wind calm and the sky radiating with magnificence. A flawless, pale moonlight was searing through the dancing stars. A glow of golden light exuded from fireflies soaring around the area adding depth to the beauty of the atmosphere.
Kimi was sorrowful; her tears flowing freely down her pale cheeks. Her eyes closed. She felt alone and empty deep inside and now she understands why. She never had the chance to ask him, never told him how she felt. It all slip away in one day from her grasp. She began shivering, completely absorb within her despairing emotions to even hear the faint rustling of grass drawing nearer. Her touch suddenly perks up to the feeling of the chains that she wrapped her fingers around lightly shake under the grip of her hands. Her teary eyes unhappily open, turning her gaze to her side widening in surprise, gasping at the sudden orbs that she was staring into.
To be continued…
ZZzzzZZZzz…I'm
getting tired. Any way, there's your chapter. Ohohoh, is it TK or
PK. I haven't decided but hey, you'll find out in the next
chapter. I'll post next one soon. Tell me what you think and if it
needs improvement. Thanks.
