Charlena

'Assignment: write about the best day of your life'

You have to be kidding me... I sighed and leaned down the desk, beginning to write.

I wanna start saying that I find the point of this essay a little bit confusing and, why not, inaccurate. Our lives are still short, since the whole class is no older than thirteen years old, and we haven't even done anything remarkable that deserves to be put down in words.

This is a question I'd ask someone that is reaching their late thirties. Now, those people had lived half their lives and I bet anything they have some amazing stories to tell us about experience and stuff.

Being that said, I do have a best day of my life that is completely different from all other essays you'd be reading today. Why? Mine is not based on a simple 'I asked out the girl I have a crush on since first grade' or 'I made it into the team' or 'I did a prank on the History teacher' (to put an example, I'm not implying or admitting anything).

Mine is something a bit different.

It happen when I was ten. The summer was just starting and, during that time, my father was still married to my stepmother, or as I called her, the stepmonster. The woman was heartless and all that mattered to her (matters, since she's still alive. The fact that I have no contact with her doesn't mean she's dead) was things that were related to her. Otherwise, never tell her about your day, ask advise, or ask 'what's for dinner'.

My relationship with her had two sides, just like a coin: when my father was around, she was kind and helpful, but when he wasn't, she'd ignored me or worst, I was her butler and maid.

Sounds like the typical Cinderella story, uh? Is that even a word, Mrs. White? Anyway, the word is staying. Just wanted to make sure.

That particular day I'm talking about, I was reading in the porch of my house, hearing the cars and people pass by. Once in a while, someone I'd recognized, gets closer and greeted me, making small conversation, asking about school and my father. But, it was always back to the silent reading.

"Jayden!" my stepmom yelled at me from inside. I rolled my eyes, a bit relieved she stopped calling me 'Brat' or 'Punk', but I put my book down and looked inside, slowly making my way in. When I finally reached the kitchen, she was leaning in the counter, glaring at me "What took you so long?!"

"I was in the porch. Had to roll in and avoid your bags" I explained, looking down. I always was afraid of her reactions when she was glaring me, because I was ten and I was in a wheelchair.

"Whatever, I want coffee" she ordered me. I nodded and was about to head to the cupboards, when she stops me "I want coffee from a coffee shop, preferable Starbucks, with strawberry, chocolate and cream. Here" she placed 20 bucks in my hand and held it a bit long, watching me "If you keep the change, I'll know" Did I forget to mention this woman was- is the devil? I think not.

"Yes, stepmother" I replied, rolling down the house and heading out. Took me a good twenty minutes to reach the shop, since my stepmonster wouldn't even drive me there. I know you can imagine the dangers for a boy of ten from the suburbs, in a wheelchair.

When I reached the shop, I found another problem: it had no ramp, but a little couple of steps, so I couldn't roll my way in. I tried to control myself (after all, men don't cry) but I couldn't. I curled my hands into fists and started to tremble. A tear escaped my eyes before I groaned in frustration. The week was going from normal to bad in just two days. People who wanted to get inside the shop just passed by, not stopping to ask me if I needed help or anything.

Once I calmed myself down, I tried to stop people around me, so they could help me, but like I mentioned before, they didn't. I started to make signs to the coffee workers, but none seem to be looking my way (now that I think about it, they were looking my way. They just decided to ignore me).

Frustrated, I blinked hard to avoid the tears and I was starting to leave when the door opened and two people walked out. I'm sure you'd heard if the expression 'opposite attracts', right? Well, these two people were that expression come alive.

The boy was big and buff, Afro-American. He looked like he had 18 years old. Maybe he was a senior in highschool. His hands were calloused, like he loved to work with tools and stuff. He was wearing a simple orange T-shirt with jeans. He also had a tool belt, like he was Handy Manny, ready for action.

The girl was, in one sentence, the most beautiful being over the face of the Earth. Literally. She had silky black hair, perfect tan skin and a pair of changing color eyes. She was also wearing a T-shirt with jeans, but they were shorts, with simple black sneakers. She had no make up on or jewelry, making her more attractive.

"Hey, are you OK?" she asked me, looking concern. I simply gaped at her, starstruck with her appearance.

"Wow, Sil. Now, you leave them speechless" the guy chuckled at her. I thought it was an insult, but when I saw the girl blushing, I realized it was a complement "But, seriously, you OK there?" he repeated to me.

"Yeah, I'm OK" I lied, looking down. My voice was hoarse with the effort I was doing in not crying. But they saw right through my act.

"You need someone that listens to you, though" the girl noticed "C'mon, we invite you your coffee"

"No!" I blurted out, stopping her. Both stared at me, curious of my outburst "It-It's not my coffee... My stepmon- stepmom send me for hers"

"You were going to say something else" the guy recognized. I gulped, busted.

"She doesn't like me very much. She's very..."

"Conceded?" the girl completed for me. I nodded, looking down "How about this? You let us buy her coffee and then, we'll walk you to your house" she offered me. I shook my head.

"I don't wanna ruin your date" I shut my mouth close instantly, while I felt my eyes were about to get out of my head. Date?! They obviously like each other, but I bet they're just friends.

"Don't worry, actually we were leaving" the guy acknowledged "I'm Charlie Beckendorf, but everyone calls me by my last name" he introduced himself.

"Everyone but me" the girl pointed out, smiling "I'm Silena Beauregard, but you can call me Silena" she said, pulling her hand out.

"Jayden" I breathed out my name, like if I was hurry, shaking it.

"OK, Jay. Why don't you tell Charlie the order and we'll wait here?" Silena proposed. She didn't stop smiling and that made me relax.

"Sure" I told Char- Beckendorf what kind of coffee my stepmom wanted and placed a little further from the doors, Silena by my side "I really sorry I said that thing about the 'date'" I apologized to her, but she shook her head.

"Don't worry. We were actually in a date" she emphasized, winking at me. I blushed and looked away "Why don't you tell me about yourself?" she invited me to talk.

While waiting, I told her everything about my life. My mom, my dad, my accident... everything. Silena's personality made me trust her with my darkest and deepest secrets and embarrassments. And she only listened. She never interrupted me. She never pry. She never asked out of curiosity. She simply was there, rubbing my back and holding my hand, wiping the tears that would fell down, eventually.

(I apologize, Mrs. White, for my girl-like rant about my emotions)

When Beckendorf came back, with the coffee and a cookie, I was caught crying. To say I was embarrassed was nothing: I wanted to dig a hole in the center of the Earth and let the magma burn me.

"Did he let it all out?" he questioned Silena, who nodded "Here, this is for you" he handed me the cookie and the coffee.

"You good to head home?" Silena's concern was making my heart fill with gratitude. I nodded "OK, lead the way, captain!" she joked, saluting me. I chuckled and guided them to my house. The walk was silent, but I heard how Silena was talking in whispers with Beckendorf. I suppose it was fair, considering I was a mere strange to them.

"Jayden" he called me, a few blocks before we arrived "I hope you don't mind, but Silena told me about your accident" I looked at Silena, who looked a bit guilty.

"I shouldn't told him without your permission, sorry" she stated. But I shook my head.

"It's OK. Really" I tried to comfort her.

"Anyway, I was thinking that maybe I can help you with your recovery" It took all my effort, but I couldn't not gap at him. A eighteen-year-old boy, who I just met, told me he can help me walk again?!

"No offence, but... I can't accept your money" I admitted. He shook his head.

"Not money, cause I have the feeling someone would waste it..." he trailed off "How about a pair of crutches?" I looked at him, between amazed, perplex and suspicious.

"I don't wanna abuse. I don't need that" I stopped in my house, were I noticed my stepmom was gone "Would you like to come in?" I invited them.

"If it isn't too much trouble" Silena replied. I shook my head and guided them in to the living room, but they insisted in helping me make the snacks.

I spent the afternoon talking with Silena, while Beckendorf was looking around the house, like measuring it. After a while, they both had to leave.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, Jay" Silena hugged me goodbye "Would you remember what I told you?" she reminded me. I nodded, giving her a smile. She smiled back and ruffled my hair, making me chuckle.

"Jayden" Beckendorf kneeled in front of me, placing a hand in my shoulder "I'm gonna work in a way for you to walk again. Not any time soon, but I'm sure you'll hear from us" he promised me. I nodded again, giving him a small hug.

"Thanks for everything, guys!" I waved them goodbye from the porch, watching them leave.

I never saw Silena or Beckendorf again. But I never forgot them.

Beckendorf did kept his promise. I heard from them again. I did walk again.

But that would qualify as 'the worst day of my life', meaning 'it's not the topic of this assignment'. That's a story for another day.

Jayden Speckles

Hey! Here's the very requested Charlena chapter! You know what to do!

P.S. I'm considering doing a second part with Jake (from Cabin 9) and Lacy or Mitchel (from Cabin 10), like the closest to Silena and Beckendorf, but I'm not sure that I want to depress you guys or anything... But if you want it, I'll do my best to make you cry :)

P.P.S. I have some comments about how NOT to do any Percico or Jasico or anything like that. UNLESS someone request it as a couple, I'LL DO IT AS A BROTHER RELATIONSHIP. Is that clear? Just in case I start to get requests and people start complaining and stuff... I'm a mediator! :) ;)