Hello again readers!
As some of you know, I lost all my stories in progress on my computer a couple weeks ago. I took the steps in an effort to try to get the stories back, but I was unable to do so. So, in light of that, I have had to rewrite whole chapters for all of my stories, and now have backup plans in case this ever happens again.
Fortunately for this chapter, I hadn't gotten that far into writing it when the computer crashed, so I didn't have to rewrite a whole lot of it, and am able to post it today. I hope you all like it, and enjoy the story!
Heaven is a Place on Earth
Elijah Robbins and Amanda Ross had been good friends since Halloween night of 1996. They often studied together after school at the library or at the Robbins house, him helping her with her regular subjects while she helped him with choir. They sometimes worked on songs for chior, him playing the piano while she sang; she had a really good voice. She came by some nights in the early evening to hang out and sign with Brooklyn, and, after his Time Trip, with Nashville as well. Besides his uncle and June, Elijah considered Amanda to be one of his only human friends.
Nashville was like a stereotypical nine-year-old: energetic, mischievous, and could either be your best friend or worst enemy, depending on his current mood. Add the fact that he knew how to fight with a sword, and he was a force to be reckoned with. He was very smart, taking to Sign Language as quickly as his father had, and he even offered to teach them some Japanese, though he quickly gave up after one lesson, not having the patient to explain the grammar.
The young gargoyle was also interested in their time and everything that was ordinary to Elijah. After travelling through time and space for so long, Nashville was happy to have the time learn all he could about his new home. Elijah and Amanda were happy to teach him about television, public transportation, and restaurants. Amanda [who was working at Blockbuster once again], rented some movies to show him, and they spent a few nights watching classic and kids movies [despite the gargoyle being 18 years old in human years].
"He's quite an energetic one," Hudson commented, watching Nashville chase Bronx around the Robbins home, Elijah in pursuit. "I have no idea how ye an' Katana managed for eighteen years by yourselves."
"It wasn't easy," Brooklyn agreed. "How'd you think I lost this eye?"
"Somehow I find that hard to believe," Jeffrey said, scratching Gilly's head.
"Actually lost it in medieval Europe. Fortunately, I time travelled forward to a time with good medical supplies right after."
"Tryin' to copy me, eh lad," Hudson asked, smiling and motioning to the scar over his eye.
"You know me," the younger gargoyle said, still his joking and sarcastic self.
Meanwhile, Elijah had abandoned his chase and was back in the living room. Amanda was just finishing her math homework, and had given it to him to review.
"So remember the PEMDAS method when you have problems with multiple steps," he told her, pointing out the problems she missed. "And take your time; you got a few questions wrong because you didn't check your work."
She sighed. "I hate math," she complained.
"So do I."
"But it comes so easy for you."
"Well you're a great singer, so we both have our talents."
She blushed a little. "Thanks," she said. Elijah gave her a kind smile in return then checked his watch.
"It's nearly ten," he told her. "You should probably get going before your curfew hits."
"Okay." She started to pack up her books, then stopped, turning to him. "Are… you doing anything two weeks from tonight?"
"I dunno," the deaf teen replied, trying to do the quick math, since the first of February was tomorrow. "I guess… I'll be here like always. Why? Are you going out of town or something? We won't watch any movies without you."
"No," Amanda said quickly, brushing her hair back from over her ears. She stood up, walking closer to him. "I was just… wondering if you wanted to…" The teen hesitated, trying to steel herself to say what she needed to say. "So I don't know if you heard about this school dance that's coming up…"
"... Dance," Elijah asked, finally realizing that two weeks from now was the 14th of February, a deer-in-the-headlights look now on his face.
"Yeah," she agreed, trying not to be embarrassed. "It's like prom, but for everyone, and the girls ask the guys." She gave him a small smile. "It has music, food, and just about everyone in school goes."
"You're… asking me to a dance," Elijah asked, thrown off by the sudden proposal. "On Valentine's Day."
"... Yes."
"Say yes," Nashville yelled from the living room doorway, having abandoned his chase to listen to their conversation.
"NASHVILLE," Brooklyn yelled from the library, followed by an order in Japanese; he tended to use Katana's native language whenever he was upset.
The young gargoyle winced, knowing he screwed up. "Uh oh. But you better say yes." He left, preparing himself for the short lecture he would receive from his father.
The two teens were stunned for a few seconds, both embarrassed and surprised by the turn of events. Eventually, Elijah cleared his throat, scratching the side of his head.
"So… this dance," he finally said.
"Yes," she answered, her cheeks red with humiliation; his own were flushed as well.
"It… sounds like a lot of fun."
Amanda gave him a glowing smile, and Elijah could not help but notice how nice she looked when she smiled.
"So you want to go," she asked. "I mean, if you can't that's fine-"
"I'd like to go," he interrupted, smiling a little now that they were both at ease. "I mean, it would be rude of me not to say yes, I think."
"Kind of," she agreed.
"Okay then… it's a date."
The word seemed to hang in the air for a few moments, the two teenagers looking at one another silently during that time. Finally, Amanda broke the spell, heading for the living room door. While Elijah didn't see her as she left, she had a smile on her face that remained on her face for the rest of the evening.
The deaf teen, was also smiling a little, walking towards the library, scratching Bronx behind the ear on his way there. He was in a sort of dream state, wondering if what had just happened… happened. He had never been on a date with anyone before, and he wondered why he hadn't gone on one sooner.
Brooklyn was chastising his son in Japanese, the young gargoyle silently taking it as Hudson and Jeffrey Robbins
"I take it Amanda went home," Uncle Jeffrey asked.
"Y-Yeah," Elijah said, sitting down at the table, wondering if he should keep this from them or not. However, the decision was shortly made for him.
"She finally asked ye out, didn't she," Hudson asked, as if he had been expecting it for some time.
Brooklyn abruptly stopped talking, tuning first to Hudson and then to Elijah, mouth slightly agape.
"What," he asked. "Why would she-"
"Valentine's Day dance," the deaf teen replied. "She just asked if I wanted to go, and I… said yes."
Some silence followed this statement, but then Brooklyn gave a whoop of celebration, jumping up from his seat and giving his friend a hug, not unlike a sports team member that just won the championship.
"FINALLY," he yelled, nearly lifting him out of his chair, acting like his old self and so unlike the responsible gargoyle he now was. Nashville watched his dad with shock, though he also seemed to be trying to hold in a laugh. "You're finally going out! We're both gonna have families!"
"WOAH, dude," Elijah said, managing to wriggle free, taking a few steps back. "It's just a dance, and we're just friends! It's not like we're gonna start dating or get married after this!"
"It's how your parents met," his uncle said, a small smile on his face. "If you need help with finding a suit, there's a rental place in town, though I think every young man should have their own suit by now for occasions like this."
"I told him to say yes," Nashville said proudly, his smile faltering as his dad gave him a harsh look, reminding him why he had gotten into trouble earlier. "Sorry, dad."
"How'd you know she'd ask me out," the deaf teen asked Hudson. "Don't tell me she told you first."
"When ye get to be my age," he said, picking up his mug of tea, "ye learn how to sense these things." And that was the only explanation he gave.
[][][]
The next two weeks was a roller coaster of various emotions for Elijah. Most of it fear, but there was also some excitement, anticipation, happiness, and doubt. Specifically, there was one worrisome fact that he couldn't shake, but he didn't let it stop him from preparing for the dance.
He and Amanda decided to go get something to eat before the dance at a local restaurant; nothing too fancy, but not someplace you shouldn't take a date. She told him that her dress would be green, and his uncle informed him that his tie and pocket square needed to be a color that matched her dress. He took Elijah the weekend before to a department store in the mall, verbally guiding him through the suit and tie purchases. They got him a nice, practical suit that would work for weddings, funerals, and school dances for the next couple years.
At school, posters advertising the dance were in every hall, and most that everyone was talking about was said dance, and there were even a few elaborate proposals from the more extroverted students. Word also got around that Amanda was going to the dance with him, the deaf kid, and he heard some whispering in the hallway, but got no other trouble. Most probably figured she was only going out with him because she pitied him, but he knew it wasn't the case; they were good friends, and knew she would never do something like that. She was a little shaken up by the rumors, and spent every day after school with him the week before the dance, focused solely on her homework and ASL practice.
Finally, the night of the dance, Valentine's Day, arrived. Around six in the afternoon, Elijah got into the back seat of the small limo, his uncle by the door wishing him good luck. Gilly seemed to agree, barking as Mason drove out of the driveway, heading towards Amanda's house.
"Nervous," the driver asked from the front seat.
"Yes," the teen said simply, a small plastic box with a corsage in it sitting next to him. He found that the less he thought about the specifics of the date, the less worried he would be. All he could do was hope that he wasn't wearing too much cologne and that he wasn't sweating. "You know where she lives, right?"
"Must be nervous," Mason joked. "This isn't the first time I've been to her house; I drop her off there at least once a week sometimes."
"Oh yeah… Any advice?"
"All I can say is be yourself, don't say anything rude, don't act rude, and let her know she looks nice. Girls like that."
"Got it."
They arrived at her house a few minutes later, and Elijah got out, making sure his tie was straight. The driver gave him a thumbs up through the window, and the teen slowly approached the front door, knocking on the door after some hesitation. To his horror, Mr. Ross answered, nearly making him drop the corsage.
"Uh… h-hi Mr. Ross," the deaf teen said, trying to keep his voice normal and look less pathetic. "I'm here to pick up Amanda."
"I know," he said, turning behind him as if to check on someone before turning back to him, holding out his hand for him to shake. "I'm George Ross, Amanda's father."
"Nice to meet you." He shook his hand, noting that her dad had a strong grip that nearly crushed his fingers. "I brought this," he said, holding out the flower.
"I think my daughter would prefer that more than me," Mr. Ross said, inviting him into the house. It was a lot smaller than his uncle's house, but looked more homey, with several family pictures on the wall. It was not his first time visiting here, but Amanda's dad was usually still a work during that time.
"So I think you know what's coming next," Mr. Ross continued, turning to the teen with a serious expression. "Her curfew is still the same, 10 pm, and if I find out you've done anything to her, you'll have me to answer to." Even though the teen figured he would say something like this, it was still scary, especially since her dad was several inches taller than him.
"Y-Yes sir," the deaf teen agreed, not doubting that her dad would come after him. "I don't plan on doing anything like that."
"Dad, don't scare him," a voice said from the top of the stairs, and Elijah turned to look up, all of his breath seeming to leave him at once.
Amanda stood at the top of the stairs, wearing a simple yet stunning forest green ankle-length dress. Her hair was brushed back and tied in an elegant knot on her head. She held a small handbag in her hand, and she smiled nervously as she walked down the stairs toward him. Elijah was momentarily speechless; she did not look nice...
"Wow… You look beautiful," he heard himself saying, blushing a little as he remembered that her dad was standing right there, and hoped he was not being too forward.
"Thank you," she said graciously, not a trace of pride in her voice; she seemed almost humble, as if she didn't deserve the praise she was receiving. She turned to her dad. "We'll be back by ten."
"Okay, sweetie," he said, giving his daughter a hug. "Stay safe, will you?"
"I will," she promised.
"Pictures," Mrs. Ross said in a sing-song voice, walking into the foyer at that moment with a small camera and a smile. "Both of you go over there, this'll only take a minute!"
[][][]
Pictures took more than five minutes, but the two teens finally made their way to the waiting car and then to the restaurant. Dinner was uneventful; they talked about school and asked each other how they were doing, ate, then walked over to the high school [which was fortunately not that far], allowing Mason a few hours off before he had to pick them up afterwards. Throughout the dinner, the old doubt kept creeping into Elijah's mind, but he ignored it, smiling and laughing at a funny story Amanda told him.
The gym had been decorated to fit the theme, which was a Night Under the Stars. Twinkling lights had been strung across the ceiling, with paper stars hanging from the ends of the bleachers. Tables were set up at one end of the gym with snacks and punch, though most of the students were on the dance floor as some song played from a DJ stand set up on the opposite end of the floor. Everyone was either laughing or singing along with the music, though some who wanted to talk were standing off to the side, trying to make one another head over the din. Several teachers and volunteer parents stood along the edges, making sure nothing went wrong.
"They did a good job with the decorations," Amanda said loudly, a few of the lights twinkling in her eyes. "Wanna start dancing?"
"Yeah," Elijah agreed, holding out his hand to her. As soon as he did, he froze, wondering why he was offering to hold her hand. They were here as friends, and they both knew this; what if she got offended or thought he was trying to make a move.
She smiled. "Yes," she said, taking his hand as they walked onto the dance floor. They got a few looks as they walked onto the floor, but they quickly forgot that as they started to dance. They did not hold hands or anything like that; no one really did for faster songs like this. They simply moved and stepped to the music, no one judging the another's abilities.
Spinnin' N Reelin with love! Woah-oh!
Spinnin' N Reelin with love! Woah-oh!
Elijah could tell that Amanda was great at dancing, and loved to dance; the way she smiled as she moved, her dress twirling around her as she danced. Her smile and laugh also showed how much fun she was having. A few of her friends and their dates came to say hi, and they all danced in a group for a few songs. She looked more than pretty in that moment... she looked radiant. It was surprising that the kind, sweet girl he knew could somehow become more beautiful, and he felt like the luckiest guy in the world.
Amanda, meanwhile, thought that Elijah looked very handsome. She always thought he looked nice, but he somehow looked better with a suit on. His tie even matched her dress, and she thought green suited him very well. He wasn't that good of a dancer, like most of the guys at their school, but he was trying his best, and having fun. He smiled at her, and while most would probably focus on his hearing aids, she always focused on his face.
An hour later, the DJ went on another break, leaving his music playing on auto while everyone took the time to relax and talk with one another. Friends talked about whatever dinners they had before the dance, some praising their date's wallets while others had nothing but complaints.
"My date took me to the most romantic place," Sally Kinsley, one of Amanda's friend, informed them. "And expensive too; the whole meal probably cost $200 dollars!"
"Wow," Amanda said, trying to hide how much she did not want to be talking with her, a false smile on her face. "We had a nice meal -"
"Though he didn't match my outfit," her friend complained, oblivious to how everyone around her truly felt. "I mean, his tie's completely two shades off from mine! You're so lucky that Elijah knows his colors!"
"...Thanks," he said tentatively, unsure of what else to say, if he should have said anything at all.
"So you don't like him," Amanda asked.
"Oh no, he's super cute! He's getting us punch now." Fortunately, her date showed up at that moment, and Elijah and Amanda made their way to the side, probably so she could talk his ear off about how ties should match.
"I pity her date," Elijah said.
"Yeah, though I can only imagine what that dinner was like," Amanda said. The two friends exchanged a quick look, then laughed, both secretly thankful that their own meal went well.
"So... do you want some punch," he finally asked her, figuring she might be thirsty after all that dancing.
"I could use some," she agreed.
"Fine. I'll be right back." He made his way through the crowd, heading towards the snack table. There was no one at the punch bowl, so he was able to take two cups and take his time pouring the punch carefully so they didn't spill. As someone who rarely went to social events like this, he was having a great time. And Amanda seemed to be having fun too, and he was glad that nothing had gone wrong. After what happened on Halloween, he wanted her to have a normal night free of vengeful mutates and running for her life.
"Here," he said a few minutes later, handing her her cup of punch. They both took sips, right as the DJ returned, announcing a slow song. A slower song started to play, and most of the couples drifted back to the dance floor, putting their hands on each other's shoulders as they started to dance. A woman started singing, the lyrics being something about Heaven being a place on Earth.
"Wanna dance," she asked him, smiling a little. The doubt entered his mind, stronger than ever, but he did not want to say no. Everyone was going to dance, and he didn't want to ruin the moment.
"S-Sure," he stammered, both of them setting their cups on the bleachers as they walked onto the gym floor. He awkwardly put his hands on her shoulders, and she did the same,, the two of them a foot apart as they swayed with the music.
When you walk into the room
You pull me close and we start to move
And we're spinning with the stars above
And you lift me up in a wave of love
"Thanks for taking me," Amanda said to him, the music low enough for them to talk. "I wasn't sure you were gonna say yes when I asked you... I've had a great time so far."
"Me too," he answered honestly.
She looked at him. "Really?"
"Yeah... I mean... Dinner was nice," he said quickly, trying to think of something normal to say. "And this dance is pretty fun."
"I love this song," she said, smiling and closing her eyes for a few moments. "It's so... romantic."
The doubt took over the deaf teen's mind, and he quickly removed his hands from her shoulders, as if he had been burned. Her eyes opened, and she gave him a confused look.
"Elijah, what's-"
"I'm so sorry," Elijah said quietly, figuring he should say something before he lost his nerve and left the dance. "I shouldn't have gone out with you."
Amanda looked at him, surprised and hurt. "Why?"
"Because... I know why you asked me to the dance. I've tried denying it for weeks, but I think it's unfair for both of us if I don't say anything."
"Elijah -"
"I know you... like me. I know you probably want to be more than normal friends, want us to be a couple and all that, and what I'm saying is that you deserve someone normal." She did not say anything, a shocked look on her face, so he continued. "I'm already black, but I'm also deaf, and I'll be deaf for the rest of my life. I know you're still learning about Deaf Culture, but most deaf people don't date anyone who can hear. Some try and it works out, but most hearing people don't want to be with someone who's disabled."
"Elijah..." she said gently, trying to take his hand, but he took a step back.
In this world we're just beginning
To understand the miracle of living
Baby, I was afraid before
But I'm not afraid anymore
"I'm already different from the majority of everyone on earth, and it's something I can't change. I..." He hesitated, but finally spoke his mind. "I like you too, but you deserve someone who won't bring any pain or trouble into your life… Someone who you don't have to defend in public or endure ridicule for because they're different from you or people think they deserve pity. You shouldn't waste years trying to become fluent in a language when you could be with someone normal and-"
Amanda stepped forward and kissed him, silencing his statement. He froze, his train of thought stopping in an instant. He had never kissed anyone before, but he quickly got over the unfamiliarity of it. It was like... a fire had suddenly been lit in his chest, burning like a blaze that would never go out.
Ooh, baby, do you know what that's worth?
Ooh, heaven is a place on earth!
They say in heaven love comes first
We'll make heaven a place on earth!
Seconds later, they broke apart, looking each other in the eye. His face was flushed, as was hers, but instead of being mad, he was as still as a statue, oblivious to the world around them.
"I don't care," she told him, her facial expression calm, but her voice was stern and adamant in her statement. "I don't care what color you are, I don't care that you can't hear what I'm saying right now without hearing aids, and I don't care what everyone else says about you or me. No one can tell us who we can and cannot be with, and if it means I have to make sacrifices to make it happen, then I'll do it. But I'm not gonna force you to like me or date me; we can just be friends if that's what you want… but I want you to know that I love you because I love who you are on the inside."
Elijah was unsure of how he should respond, repeating her words in his head. He could imagine her voice saying those words, telling him that she could care less about his race or disability… she just liked him. She reminded him of June, but this was different; June saw him as a fellow deaf friend, but Amanda was someone he would consider normal. And she liked him. Now the question remained: what would he do now? He looked back at Amanda, who was patiently waiting for him to respond.
"I… love you too," he finally said, and this time, he leaned in to kiss her. This one was somewhat better, since they were both expecting it, and Elijah was kind of sad when he broke away a few seconds later. Vaguely, he sensed some whispering around them, but for once, he didn't care. Let them talk about this, a deaf black dude kissing a white girl at the school dance.
All he could see was her.
"Thank you," he continued, "for telling me what I needed to hear."
Amanda smiled. "Always," she said, and putting their hands on each other's shoulders, they danced.
Wow. This was... a very important and interesting chapter to write.
Teenage romances are kind of cliché in today's world, and most people, especially writers struggle with writing accurate relationships. I myself tried to do my best to make this an accurate portrayal, showing that in the months following Halloween, both Elijah and Amanda spent a lot of time together, had become good friends, and occasionally said things that made the other blush, as well as having him notice her appearance. Know that this won't turn into an immediate full-blown relationship; real relationships, especially new ones, take time, and both of them are in unknown territory, which is something that will be the backdrop of the stories to come.
Feel free to follow or favorite this story to be updated on new chapters, and feel free to leave a review on this chapter or others if you want. And, as usual, have a safe and happy week/weekend!
-aggiefrogger
Note: I do NOT own Spinnin' N' Reelin', Creed Bratton, Heaven is a Place on Earth or Belinda Carlisle at all.