Adam's mind was completely fogged as he walked down the corridors of Eden Hall. He promised to meet Veronica outside of her last period class; he knew she'd be pissed if he were late. In truth she'd been getting increasingly annoying and clingy as time went on, the more time he spent with her the more he wanted Larissa back. But Adam was a man of morals; he couldn't just have a one-night stand and then cast the girl to the side like a piece of yesterday's garbage. Banks refused to break the hearts of two girls he really did care about one after another, despite the fact his feelings for Ronni were dwindling with every passing day. So instead he settled into his role as the male member of Eden Hall's power couple and feigned interest in everything she was involved in.
"There you are, I was beginning to think you forgot all about me." Ronni wrapped her arms around his neck and brought his mouth down to cover hers
"Sorry." He offered no explanation, simply took her books in one arm and her waist in the other and proceeded to escort her down the hallway.
"We are a shoe in for cutest couple in the year book." She began her babble yet another one of her many qualities Banksie didn't find endearing "I mean who else could they possible vote for, Billy Timmons and Jasmine Rice? So anyway what do you think you'll wear for the picture?"
"I don't know Ronni, maybe we should win first." He held the door open for her as they exited the English/History building
"What about for the banquet, have you gotten your tux yet?"
"Yeah we all went last night. Are you coming to my practice today?"
"I can't I have to go pick up my dress at the tailors. I won't have time to tomorrow before I have to start getting ready." They walked hand in hand like younger lovers do, on their stroll to the girls' dorms. Adam had a few minutes to spare before he needed to be at the rink and what better way to spend it then with his ebony haired, ivory skinned goddess? He could think of about a million.
"Alright, I'll see you at dinner then?" He smiled at her softly; she was such a beautiful girl to bad she was rotten inside.
"Of course, I'll be in my regular seat right next to you. You better get going or Orion's liable to suspend you." Veronica squeezed his hand then tipped up her chin in anticipation for a goodbye kiss. Adam tried to get away with just a simple peck on the lips, but she caught the sides of his head and held him in place for a bit further passionate one.
Their kisses were violent and steamy, dizzying and thrilling. Nothing compared to the ones he used to share with Larissa. With Larissa they had always been, delicate and teasing, sweet and innocent, most of all breathtaking. Everything that she was. But that was over, over a month ago. Over a month since she walked out of his life without so much as letting him explain. But then what kind of excuse is 'I was drunk' anyway? As much as he hated to admit it though, he missed her.
But his life would go on, hers had. Rumors were circulating that she was seeing someone else those days, though they were neither confirmed nor denied. To the untrained eye he had it all, to those who knew him, he even seemed to finally have all he could ever ask for. He'd received his scholarship, was MVP of the Ducks, got the new computers for the library like he promised in his student council campaign and he was sleeping with Veronica Broadbent. Every other guy in the school would've traded his right arm to be in that position.
"Have a good practice." Ronni blessed and blew him a kiss as she turned down the walkway
Banks smile again and as his new girlfriend entered the dorm, he caught sight or his old girlfriend coming out. Larissa's pretty face showed hurt and anger again, an anger she thought she'd never get rid of. Adam closed his eyes and took a deep breath as the girl detoured onto the grass to avoid coming into contact with him on the pavement.
"Larissa talk to me. Will you at least talk to me for five fucking minutes?"
"You don't wanna hear what I have to say." She snapped quickening her pace. That nonetheless was in vain, she knew Adam would catch her in no time flat, which he did grabbing her around the waist. "Get your hands off me right now!" Rissa screamed kicking and flailing trying to escape him vice like grasp.
"Not until you agree to talk to me."
"Why is talking to me so damned important? You have a freaking girlfriend Banks, go bother her." She kicked him hard in he shins and he allowed her to drop to the ground
"Would you stop please?" Adam reached for her arm this time getting her in a gentler hold "I just want to explain, that's all then you can go back to hating my guts."
"I don't hate you Adam, loath probably, despise definitely. But I'm way past hate already. You've got three minutes to spew whatever crap you have to say, I have to meet someone at your practice and I won't be late. Unlike you I don't let down people that I claim matter to me." She spat like venom
"Alright, look Larissa, I know I screwed up, I'm not gonna ask you for forgiveness. I don't deserve it for what I did. I mean, you gave up your father for me, Nicky too and I repay you by betraying you in the worst possible way. But I want you to know every time I told you I loved you, every time I said I'd never leave you I meant it. I'd still be with you right now if you'd let me. I know I hurt you; I didn't earn a second chance so I'm not going to beg you for one. All I can really say is I'm sorry. As a peace offering I'd still like to bring you to the banquet, Ronni's a senior she can get in on her own."
"Thanks but no thanks." Her dark gray eyes were almost black with fury
"You're going to miss out on this? You were so excited about it before."
"No I'm not missing out, I'm going just not with you. I have a date." She stopped herself from telling with whom; she didn't want to cause problems between him and Kenny until absolutely necessary.
'So the rumors are true, she does have a new guy in her life.' The thought made Adam feel cold inside. It finally hit him he'd probably never get her back.
"You do? Oh that's good. So ah, you said you were coming to watch our uh practice…"
"Yeah I did. Don't worry it's not for you. I do consider the Ducks my friends still, just because you're a jerk doesn't mean I can't be cool with them. Now if you'll excuse me." With that she stalked off
"You're talking who to the banquet?" Russ was the only one that could manage words as the rest of the team stared at Ken like he had sprouted a tail.
"Larissa, why is that a big deal? She wanted to go, I didn't have a date, and we're friends and I really like her. There's no reason I shouldn't take her." The figure skater proclaimed as he pulled on an elbow pad
"I'm surprised to hear you say that Kenny. What about Adam, isn't he a good enough reason? I'm mean friends first, Ducks fly together." Julie always the voice of reason
"Banks cheated on her, he broke her heart remember? Somebody has to pick up the pieces." Everyone went wide eyed at Charlie, from the sound of his sermon one would think Captain Duck wanted something that had the potential to pull the team apart to actually happen "Larissa is a really nice girl, she deserves better then what Banksie put her through."
"So you think it's okay for Ken to date her?" Guy asked shocked from the back of the locker room.
"It doesn't matter anyway guys, I like Larissa and she's going to be my date to the dinner either way. And as much as I don't want to make Adam made he'll have to get over it, he gave her up." Normally the team would have made a comment about how uncharacteristically assured Ken sounded, but they were all silent. He knew that wasn't good, when he turned around he was looking straight at Adam and the latter didn't look too pleased.
"Thanks a lot Kenny." Banksie chucked his hockey bag onto one of the benches and took off out of the locker room slamming the door in the process. His fist went hard against the wall out side the rink and he slumped to the floor at the bottom of the stairs near the Coke machines. There was no way he could ever win Rissa back from Ken. The two were so perfect for each other even Adam wondered how they'd managed not to notice for so long.
He never made it to practice that day; he just sat like a bump on a log in that same spot. He could hear the coach yelling and the sounds of skates on ice going on the floor above him, still he didn't move. In fact he was in the very same place when she came down the flight of stairs, her dark auburn hair pulled up in a messy button and a varsity jacket draped casually over her shoulders. This one conversely read KW 16 where the one she use to wear said AB 99.
"Oh, I didn't think you'd be down here." She mumbled quietly stepping past him to the vending machine.
"You're going with Wu?" Was his response
"Umm yeah. I didn't want you to find out like this." Larissa put her dollar in the slot and pressed the Mountain Dew button
"Since when do you drink Dew?"
"It's for Kenny."
"Oh. So are you guys like an item now or…"
"I don't know. I guess we are. Plus he's small enough that if he ever cheats on me I can kick his ass. Why the hell am I talking about this to you?" She barked, "If you weren't such a insensitive pig, we'd still be together. This is none of your business."
"Rissa, I can't argue with you okay. I don't want to fight about this."
"Good. Damn it they're out of Root Beer." Larissa kicked the machine and dropped to the floor with an exasperated groan
"I think you're over reacting, it's only a soda."
"You know as well as I do, it's not the soda."
"Yeah. Rissa, when did everything go wrong?"
"I don't know. I mean, we weren't exactly happy before Veronica were we?"
"No, but I loved you still. How did we lose it?"
"You have your hopes and dreams and they don't include a 15 year old girlfriend."
"I love you just as much now as I ever did."
"I love you too Adam but that's not enough. Ken, he makes me feel special, like I was put here on this Earth to be with him. You haven't made me feel that way in a long time."
"I know. I guess this is for the best isn't it?"
Larissa smiled very unnatural smile and looked him in the eyes. She blinked a few times as he put one hand on her cheek.
"One last kiss?"
Rissa nodded and leaned her head forward and brought her lips to his, lingering in the sensation she'd missed.
"Rissa, what's taking so lon-" Ken was standing at the top of the staircase, his jaw open "I…I…I…" He stuttered then spun on his heels and took off
"Oh god!" Larissa shot up from her spot on the ground "Kenny wait!"
She chased him up the stairs, out of the rink and across the lawn. Her short legs pumping as fast as they could.
"Kenny would you stop please!"
The Korean boy whipped around his dark hair flying in every direction.
"I'm not upset that you have feelings for Banks still, but why are you with me then? That's all I want to know."
"It's not like that between Adam and I anymore." She panted out of breath from the chase
"You don't love him anymore?"
"Yeah, Ken I do. A part me always will he's the first guy I've ever loved. He made me feel like a princess until Veronica came along, I'll always remember that But I'm not with him, I'm with you. Banks hurt me, he broke my heart and I can't forgive him for that. You, I know you'll never do that to me. You're so sweet and kind and I'm not going to give that up for someone who's already crushed me one. I'm not a glutton for punishment. I'm not Adam's girl any more, I'm yours. At least I'd like to be." She shifted her smoldering eyes to the ground.
Ken sighed wrapping his arm around her and pulling her to him.
"Are you sure?"
Larissa lifted her head to look him in the face and smiled
"Very sure."
The boy dropped a kiss on her lips, which she parted allowing the kiss to deepen to an eye closing, foot popping kiss. A kiss like which Larissa had never experienced. Yet her mind refused to get off of Adam.
"There you are, I was beginning to think you forgot all about me." Ronni wrapped her arms around his neck and brought his mouth down to cover hers
"Sorry." He offered no explanation, simply took her books in one arm and her waist in the other and proceeded to escort her down the hallway.
"We are a shoe in for cutest couple in the year book." She began her babble yet another one of her many qualities Banksie didn't find endearing "I mean who else could they possible vote for, Billy Timmons and Jasmine Rice? So anyway what do you think you'll wear for the picture?"
"I don't know Ronni, maybe we should win first." He held the door open for her as they exited the English/History building
"What about for the banquet, have you gotten your tux yet?"
"Yeah we all went last night. Are you coming to my practice today?"
"I can't I have to go pick up my dress at the tailors. I won't have time to tomorrow before I have to start getting ready." They walked hand in hand like younger lovers do, on their stroll to the girls' dorms. Adam had a few minutes to spare before he needed to be at the rink and what better way to spend it then with his ebony haired, ivory skinned goddess? He could think of about a million.
"Alright, I'll see you at dinner then?" He smiled at her softly; she was such a beautiful girl to bad she was rotten inside.
"Of course, I'll be in my regular seat right next to you. You better get going or Orion's liable to suspend you." Veronica squeezed his hand then tipped up her chin in anticipation for a goodbye kiss. Adam tried to get away with just a simple peck on the lips, but she caught the sides of his head and held him in place for a bit further passionate one.
Their kisses were violent and steamy, dizzying and thrilling. Nothing compared to the ones he used to share with Larissa. With Larissa they had always been, delicate and teasing, sweet and innocent, most of all breathtaking. Everything that she was. But that was over, over a month ago. Over a month since she walked out of his life without so much as letting him explain. But then what kind of excuse is 'I was drunk' anyway? As much as he hated to admit it though, he missed her.
But his life would go on, hers had. Rumors were circulating that she was seeing someone else those days, though they were neither confirmed nor denied. To the untrained eye he had it all, to those who knew him, he even seemed to finally have all he could ever ask for. He'd received his scholarship, was MVP of the Ducks, got the new computers for the library like he promised in his student council campaign and he was sleeping with Veronica Broadbent. Every other guy in the school would've traded his right arm to be in that position.
"Have a good practice." Ronni blessed and blew him a kiss as she turned down the walkway
Banks smile again and as his new girlfriend entered the dorm, he caught sight or his old girlfriend coming out. Larissa's pretty face showed hurt and anger again, an anger she thought she'd never get rid of. Adam closed his eyes and took a deep breath as the girl detoured onto the grass to avoid coming into contact with him on the pavement.
"Larissa talk to me. Will you at least talk to me for five fucking minutes?"
"You don't wanna hear what I have to say." She snapped quickening her pace. That nonetheless was in vain, she knew Adam would catch her in no time flat, which he did grabbing her around the waist. "Get your hands off me right now!" Rissa screamed kicking and flailing trying to escape him vice like grasp.
"Not until you agree to talk to me."
"Why is talking to me so damned important? You have a freaking girlfriend Banks, go bother her." She kicked him hard in he shins and he allowed her to drop to the ground
"Would you stop please?" Adam reached for her arm this time getting her in a gentler hold "I just want to explain, that's all then you can go back to hating my guts."
"I don't hate you Adam, loath probably, despise definitely. But I'm way past hate already. You've got three minutes to spew whatever crap you have to say, I have to meet someone at your practice and I won't be late. Unlike you I don't let down people that I claim matter to me." She spat like venom
"Alright, look Larissa, I know I screwed up, I'm not gonna ask you for forgiveness. I don't deserve it for what I did. I mean, you gave up your father for me, Nicky too and I repay you by betraying you in the worst possible way. But I want you to know every time I told you I loved you, every time I said I'd never leave you I meant it. I'd still be with you right now if you'd let me. I know I hurt you; I didn't earn a second chance so I'm not going to beg you for one. All I can really say is I'm sorry. As a peace offering I'd still like to bring you to the banquet, Ronni's a senior she can get in on her own."
"Thanks but no thanks." Her dark gray eyes were almost black with fury
"You're going to miss out on this? You were so excited about it before."
"No I'm not missing out, I'm going just not with you. I have a date." She stopped herself from telling with whom; she didn't want to cause problems between him and Kenny until absolutely necessary.
'So the rumors are true, she does have a new guy in her life.' The thought made Adam feel cold inside. It finally hit him he'd probably never get her back.
"You do? Oh that's good. So ah, you said you were coming to watch our uh practice…"
"Yeah I did. Don't worry it's not for you. I do consider the Ducks my friends still, just because you're a jerk doesn't mean I can't be cool with them. Now if you'll excuse me." With that she stalked off
"You're talking who to the banquet?" Russ was the only one that could manage words as the rest of the team stared at Ken like he had sprouted a tail.
"Larissa, why is that a big deal? She wanted to go, I didn't have a date, and we're friends and I really like her. There's no reason I shouldn't take her." The figure skater proclaimed as he pulled on an elbow pad
"I'm surprised to hear you say that Kenny. What about Adam, isn't he a good enough reason? I'm mean friends first, Ducks fly together." Julie always the voice of reason
"Banks cheated on her, he broke her heart remember? Somebody has to pick up the pieces." Everyone went wide eyed at Charlie, from the sound of his sermon one would think Captain Duck wanted something that had the potential to pull the team apart to actually happen "Larissa is a really nice girl, she deserves better then what Banksie put her through."
"So you think it's okay for Ken to date her?" Guy asked shocked from the back of the locker room.
"It doesn't matter anyway guys, I like Larissa and she's going to be my date to the dinner either way. And as much as I don't want to make Adam made he'll have to get over it, he gave her up." Normally the team would have made a comment about how uncharacteristically assured Ken sounded, but they were all silent. He knew that wasn't good, when he turned around he was looking straight at Adam and the latter didn't look too pleased.
"Thanks a lot Kenny." Banksie chucked his hockey bag onto one of the benches and took off out of the locker room slamming the door in the process. His fist went hard against the wall out side the rink and he slumped to the floor at the bottom of the stairs near the Coke machines. There was no way he could ever win Rissa back from Ken. The two were so perfect for each other even Adam wondered how they'd managed not to notice for so long.
He never made it to practice that day; he just sat like a bump on a log in that same spot. He could hear the coach yelling and the sounds of skates on ice going on the floor above him, still he didn't move. In fact he was in the very same place when she came down the flight of stairs, her dark auburn hair pulled up in a messy button and a varsity jacket draped casually over her shoulders. This one conversely read KW 16 where the one she use to wear said AB 99.
"Oh, I didn't think you'd be down here." She mumbled quietly stepping past him to the vending machine.
"You're going with Wu?" Was his response
"Umm yeah. I didn't want you to find out like this." Larissa put her dollar in the slot and pressed the Mountain Dew button
"Since when do you drink Dew?"
"It's for Kenny."
"Oh. So are you guys like an item now or…"
"I don't know. I guess we are. Plus he's small enough that if he ever cheats on me I can kick his ass. Why the hell am I talking about this to you?" She barked, "If you weren't such a insensitive pig, we'd still be together. This is none of your business."
"Rissa, I can't argue with you okay. I don't want to fight about this."
"Good. Damn it they're out of Root Beer." Larissa kicked the machine and dropped to the floor with an exasperated groan
"I think you're over reacting, it's only a soda."
"You know as well as I do, it's not the soda."
"Yeah. Rissa, when did everything go wrong?"
"I don't know. I mean, we weren't exactly happy before Veronica were we?"
"No, but I loved you still. How did we lose it?"
"You have your hopes and dreams and they don't include a 15 year old girlfriend."
"I love you just as much now as I ever did."
"I love you too Adam but that's not enough. Ken, he makes me feel special, like I was put here on this Earth to be with him. You haven't made me feel that way in a long time."
"I know. I guess this is for the best isn't it?"
Larissa smiled very unnatural smile and looked him in the eyes. She blinked a few times as he put one hand on her cheek.
"One last kiss?"
Rissa nodded and leaned her head forward and brought her lips to his, lingering in the sensation she'd missed.
"Rissa, what's taking so lon-" Ken was standing at the top of the staircase, his jaw open "I…I…I…" He stuttered then spun on his heels and took off
"Oh god!" Larissa shot up from her spot on the ground "Kenny wait!"
She chased him up the stairs, out of the rink and across the lawn. Her short legs pumping as fast as they could.
"Kenny would you stop please!"
The Korean boy whipped around his dark hair flying in every direction.
"I'm not upset that you have feelings for Banks still, but why are you with me then? That's all I want to know."
"It's not like that between Adam and I anymore." She panted out of breath from the chase
"You don't love him anymore?"
"Yeah, Ken I do. A part me always will he's the first guy I've ever loved. He made me feel like a princess until Veronica came along, I'll always remember that But I'm not with him, I'm with you. Banks hurt me, he broke my heart and I can't forgive him for that. You, I know you'll never do that to me. You're so sweet and kind and I'm not going to give that up for someone who's already crushed me one. I'm not a glutton for punishment. I'm not Adam's girl any more, I'm yours. At least I'd like to be." She shifted her smoldering eyes to the ground.
Ken sighed wrapping his arm around her and pulling her to him.
"Are you sure?"
Larissa lifted her head to look him in the face and smiled
"Very sure."
The boy dropped a kiss on her lips, which she parted allowing the kiss to deepen to an eye closing, foot popping kiss. A kiss like which Larissa had never experienced. Yet her mind refused to get off of Adam.
