Chapter Three- It's A Private Emotion That Fills You Tonight
~Parker~ "So, what did you think about the assembly?" I asked Miranda as she rolled her eyes in response as we left the building. "I'm so glad we have early dismissal." "Me too." "So, are you going to the movies with us tonight?" I inquired. "I have things to do . homework and such."
"Jacob might be there?"
"So. You're the one with the crush on him. I can't believe that you've still have a crush on him. How long has it been . eight years?" She asked as I walked to my car. "Seven!"
"Like that's much better!" Miranda yelled back and hopped into her car. "See ya!" I shouted before she closed the door.
~Miranda~ 'See ya?' Yeah right. This is the last time you'll ever see me in this life Parker, so take a good look at me now. Later, they'll just be an empty space. Suddenly, someone knocked on my window. I started to down the window, thinking Gordo had finally come to his senses and dumped Lizzie. I instantly realized that I wrong. It was actually Jacob Underwood. Great. "What do you want?" I asked, crudely. "Can you give me a ride home? My brother already left with the car." He explained, trying to make me feel sorry for him. "Sorry, I have someplace to be." I lied, as I cranked up the car and started to reverse. "Please!" He begged as I immediately stopped the car. Jacob Underwood had just begged someone to do something for him. For a moment, his cockiness ceased to exist. "Get in." I whispered, in a defeated tone. If this wasn't the dumbest thing I've ever done . "It's right here." He said as I stopped the car. "You know, you should change your mind and go to the movies with us tonight. I hear the Scorpion King is gonna be good." Jacob uttered as I rolled my eyes. "Could you get out my car." I asked, growing tried of his false attempts to make amends and become my new best friend. Gordo was neglecting his duties. "I'll see you tomorrow at school then." He replied, closing the car door. I didn't even wait to make sure that he got in safely, which I normally did. That bastard had already made me late . off schedule. Now, I'd have to make a new plan within an hour. I just in the middle of an excellent plan, that just might work, and then my car phone started ringing. "Hello?" "Hey Randa. What you up? " Gordo asked, as I heard giggling in the background. A female giggling . Lizzie. I really hated her. "When are you getting rid of the dick-sucking ditz?" I asked, unable to hold my true abhor for her in any longer. "Randa, you did not say that. Forget what I was going to say to you . I can't believe that you're being such a jealous bitch!" He yelled back, defending Lizzie and leaving me out in the dark, like he had been doing too often lately. "Don't ever call me a bitch. You're just to blind and stupid to see it. If you were a true friend, you'd learn to listen, and manage your time equally. Ever since you and Lizzie got back together, you've been blowing off me, Parker, and everyone else. You're such a hypocrite. When I did that in Jr. High, you gave me a two-hour lecture of how superficial and selfish I was being and look who's doing what now." I calmly retorted, despite my urge to cut off his perfect golden locks and punch is face in a couple of times. "Randa, this is different. This is love. I love-" He began, but I hung up. Like I needed another speech on how much he loved her and wanted to marry her. According to him, Lizzie was his "soulmate." Doesn't that sound romantic.
~Jacob~ ON THE PHONE "So you'll meet us there then?" Erik-Michael asked me, over the phone as I began to think about the assembly we had today. Did I know anyone who had those symptoms? "Jacob." "Yeah, I'll be there . but I might be a little late. I've got stuff to do." I told him as the conversation ended and we both hung up. I know . Miranda had those symptoms, exactly, I thought, as I stopped looking at one of my old photo albums from Junior High. She use to be so happy, bright, and popular . everything she isn't now. And I use to be the opposite that I am now, otherwise I would've killed myself . I hope to God that's not what she's planning to do . she did say that she had plans after all. I took my car keys and walked to the door of my car, but decided against it. The Sandy Mountains, were just a few minutes from here . a ten minute walk or less. She probably wouldn't be here, but it's still worth a try.
~Miranda~ The Sandy Mountains . my place to feel safe, to be alone. No one ever goes there anymore, and if they do, I chase them away with one glance. That's the way it is when everyone around you has a small mind. 'The only thing I'll miss about this place is this place' I thought as I walked over the bridge and over to the mountains. First, I looked to make sure that the place was deserted, which it was, as usual. Good. The sooner I get this over with, the better.
~Jacob~ I guess you can say that I have good timing . I've always had it. It had taken less than five minutes to get there, and I was extremely happy about that. From the distance, I could see a dark-haired girl moving really, really close to the edge of the cliff. The wind was blowing really hard too . to hard. "Miranda!!!" I yelled as I ran as fast as I could to the edge of the cliff. She stopped walking and looked at me. It was more like a glare. "Go away and leave me alone. Just pretend like you didn't see any of this!" She yelled back as she started walking closer towards the cliff. "No. I won't." I said as I grabbed her body and pulled her to safety. She started kicking and punching, but I didn't loosen my grip. "Get off me. You jackass! You have no idea what you're doing. Leave me alone Jacob!" She continued angrily. Right about now, I was wishing that I had brought my car. "Why would you be so stupid, huh Miranda? You have more going for you than our whole senior class combined." I explained as I slung her over my shoulder. She started pounding on my back. "Don't judge a book by it's cover. Everyone else has people that care in their lives. I don't even have my parents." She whispered a little while later, after she had stopped pounding on my back which was still throbbing. "You never stopped and looked around. All those people that were you friends in Jr. High still love you. You cut them off." "Sure, blame me. Everything that is wrong with the world is all my fault, mine single-handedly." She remarked sarcastically. "Miranda, would you get over your anger and hate long enough to realize that you have more than I could ever wish for. Sports and popularity can only take you so far. Don't throw away everything . not yet. You haven't even given life a chance." "Life hasn't given me a chance." "Are you telling me that after all this, you're still going to pull this bull shit tomorrow?" I inquired as she shrugged. I felt her tiny shoulders move. "I wish you would put me down." Miranda said as I stopped walking pulled her off my shoulders. She started to run and I chased her. "Miranda! Wait!" I yelled, following her into a cemetery. She stopped running. Good thing. I was out of breathe.
~Miranda~ "I miss you so much." I mumbled to my older brother who had been killed by a drunk driver. "I wish you were here." "Why did you stop?" Jacob asked, as he followed my gaze to Erik's grave. "I'm sorry." "You met him, didn't you?" I inquired, trying not to cry in front of Jacob. "No." "You missed out on a beautiful person." I began. "He was the glue that kept our family together. Neither one of us could stand our parents, but he made like bearable. He raised me . he was always there. And it cuts like a million knives to know that I should've been in that car instead of him:." I admitted to myself. "No. Everything happens for a reason. Obviously, he meant a lot to you, and he wouldn't want you to die with him, to be buried in that coffin." Jacob said harshly. Tears spilled over my eyes and I turned away. Damn it. He saw them. "Miranda ." Jacob began, but I turned away. Tears were a sign of weakness and I was being really weak right now. "Can you please go?" I questioned Jacob, after I had wiped away all my tears. "Do you promise not to try anything like that again, if I leave?" He inquired back as I nodded. "Oh, and Jacob." I began as he stopped and turned around. "Don't tell anyone about any of this or I swear you won't be around to watch me jump off the cliff." I threatened as he shook his head and walked away, quietly. Erik, I need you, I thought as tears started rolling down my cheeks again.
~Jacob~ It's amazing how a few minutes can change your life, how you feel about someone. I never knew that Miranda's brother died, or even that she had a brother. She must've really loved him because the only time I ever saw her cry . actually, I've never seen her cry. I use to hate her, think that she was a stupid bitch, but now, I know better. I know that she's struggling to find herself like the rest of us, but life's thrown her more obstacles than I've had. She just reached her limit, but I hope that she realizes that she's worth it. She's worth the gift of life. This is one of God's many gifts to us and we can't take it for granted, not even for a second. We that have survived eighteen years or more are lucky. Thousands die a day, but we're the few chosen ones that live, that get to see a new tomorrow. Now, thanks to me, Miranda will see a new tomorrow, and hopefully will have a new future. I want her to live happily ever after, like the do on Disney, if that exists.
~Parker~ "So, what did you think about the assembly?" I asked Miranda as she rolled her eyes in response as we left the building. "I'm so glad we have early dismissal." "Me too." "So, are you going to the movies with us tonight?" I inquired. "I have things to do . homework and such."
"Jacob might be there?"
"So. You're the one with the crush on him. I can't believe that you've still have a crush on him. How long has it been . eight years?" She asked as I walked to my car. "Seven!"
"Like that's much better!" Miranda yelled back and hopped into her car. "See ya!" I shouted before she closed the door.
~Miranda~ 'See ya?' Yeah right. This is the last time you'll ever see me in this life Parker, so take a good look at me now. Later, they'll just be an empty space. Suddenly, someone knocked on my window. I started to down the window, thinking Gordo had finally come to his senses and dumped Lizzie. I instantly realized that I wrong. It was actually Jacob Underwood. Great. "What do you want?" I asked, crudely. "Can you give me a ride home? My brother already left with the car." He explained, trying to make me feel sorry for him. "Sorry, I have someplace to be." I lied, as I cranked up the car and started to reverse. "Please!" He begged as I immediately stopped the car. Jacob Underwood had just begged someone to do something for him. For a moment, his cockiness ceased to exist. "Get in." I whispered, in a defeated tone. If this wasn't the dumbest thing I've ever done . "It's right here." He said as I stopped the car. "You know, you should change your mind and go to the movies with us tonight. I hear the Scorpion King is gonna be good." Jacob uttered as I rolled my eyes. "Could you get out my car." I asked, growing tried of his false attempts to make amends and become my new best friend. Gordo was neglecting his duties. "I'll see you tomorrow at school then." He replied, closing the car door. I didn't even wait to make sure that he got in safely, which I normally did. That bastard had already made me late . off schedule. Now, I'd have to make a new plan within an hour. I just in the middle of an excellent plan, that just might work, and then my car phone started ringing. "Hello?" "Hey Randa. What you up? " Gordo asked, as I heard giggling in the background. A female giggling . Lizzie. I really hated her. "When are you getting rid of the dick-sucking ditz?" I asked, unable to hold my true abhor for her in any longer. "Randa, you did not say that. Forget what I was going to say to you . I can't believe that you're being such a jealous bitch!" He yelled back, defending Lizzie and leaving me out in the dark, like he had been doing too often lately. "Don't ever call me a bitch. You're just to blind and stupid to see it. If you were a true friend, you'd learn to listen, and manage your time equally. Ever since you and Lizzie got back together, you've been blowing off me, Parker, and everyone else. You're such a hypocrite. When I did that in Jr. High, you gave me a two-hour lecture of how superficial and selfish I was being and look who's doing what now." I calmly retorted, despite my urge to cut off his perfect golden locks and punch is face in a couple of times. "Randa, this is different. This is love. I love-" He began, but I hung up. Like I needed another speech on how much he loved her and wanted to marry her. According to him, Lizzie was his "soulmate." Doesn't that sound romantic.
~Jacob~ ON THE PHONE "So you'll meet us there then?" Erik-Michael asked me, over the phone as I began to think about the assembly we had today. Did I know anyone who had those symptoms? "Jacob." "Yeah, I'll be there . but I might be a little late. I've got stuff to do." I told him as the conversation ended and we both hung up. I know . Miranda had those symptoms, exactly, I thought, as I stopped looking at one of my old photo albums from Junior High. She use to be so happy, bright, and popular . everything she isn't now. And I use to be the opposite that I am now, otherwise I would've killed myself . I hope to God that's not what she's planning to do . she did say that she had plans after all. I took my car keys and walked to the door of my car, but decided against it. The Sandy Mountains, were just a few minutes from here . a ten minute walk or less. She probably wouldn't be here, but it's still worth a try.
~Miranda~ The Sandy Mountains . my place to feel safe, to be alone. No one ever goes there anymore, and if they do, I chase them away with one glance. That's the way it is when everyone around you has a small mind. 'The only thing I'll miss about this place is this place' I thought as I walked over the bridge and over to the mountains. First, I looked to make sure that the place was deserted, which it was, as usual. Good. The sooner I get this over with, the better.
~Jacob~ I guess you can say that I have good timing . I've always had it. It had taken less than five minutes to get there, and I was extremely happy about that. From the distance, I could see a dark-haired girl moving really, really close to the edge of the cliff. The wind was blowing really hard too . to hard. "Miranda!!!" I yelled as I ran as fast as I could to the edge of the cliff. She stopped walking and looked at me. It was more like a glare. "Go away and leave me alone. Just pretend like you didn't see any of this!" She yelled back as she started walking closer towards the cliff. "No. I won't." I said as I grabbed her body and pulled her to safety. She started kicking and punching, but I didn't loosen my grip. "Get off me. You jackass! You have no idea what you're doing. Leave me alone Jacob!" She continued angrily. Right about now, I was wishing that I had brought my car. "Why would you be so stupid, huh Miranda? You have more going for you than our whole senior class combined." I explained as I slung her over my shoulder. She started pounding on my back. "Don't judge a book by it's cover. Everyone else has people that care in their lives. I don't even have my parents." She whispered a little while later, after she had stopped pounding on my back which was still throbbing. "You never stopped and looked around. All those people that were you friends in Jr. High still love you. You cut them off." "Sure, blame me. Everything that is wrong with the world is all my fault, mine single-handedly." She remarked sarcastically. "Miranda, would you get over your anger and hate long enough to realize that you have more than I could ever wish for. Sports and popularity can only take you so far. Don't throw away everything . not yet. You haven't even given life a chance." "Life hasn't given me a chance." "Are you telling me that after all this, you're still going to pull this bull shit tomorrow?" I inquired as she shrugged. I felt her tiny shoulders move. "I wish you would put me down." Miranda said as I stopped walking pulled her off my shoulders. She started to run and I chased her. "Miranda! Wait!" I yelled, following her into a cemetery. She stopped running. Good thing. I was out of breathe.
~Miranda~ "I miss you so much." I mumbled to my older brother who had been killed by a drunk driver. "I wish you were here." "Why did you stop?" Jacob asked, as he followed my gaze to Erik's grave. "I'm sorry." "You met him, didn't you?" I inquired, trying not to cry in front of Jacob. "No." "You missed out on a beautiful person." I began. "He was the glue that kept our family together. Neither one of us could stand our parents, but he made like bearable. He raised me . he was always there. And it cuts like a million knives to know that I should've been in that car instead of him:." I admitted to myself. "No. Everything happens for a reason. Obviously, he meant a lot to you, and he wouldn't want you to die with him, to be buried in that coffin." Jacob said harshly. Tears spilled over my eyes and I turned away. Damn it. He saw them. "Miranda ." Jacob began, but I turned away. Tears were a sign of weakness and I was being really weak right now. "Can you please go?" I questioned Jacob, after I had wiped away all my tears. "Do you promise not to try anything like that again, if I leave?" He inquired back as I nodded. "Oh, and Jacob." I began as he stopped and turned around. "Don't tell anyone about any of this or I swear you won't be around to watch me jump off the cliff." I threatened as he shook his head and walked away, quietly. Erik, I need you, I thought as tears started rolling down my cheeks again.
~Jacob~ It's amazing how a few minutes can change your life, how you feel about someone. I never knew that Miranda's brother died, or even that she had a brother. She must've really loved him because the only time I ever saw her cry . actually, I've never seen her cry. I use to hate her, think that she was a stupid bitch, but now, I know better. I know that she's struggling to find herself like the rest of us, but life's thrown her more obstacles than I've had. She just reached her limit, but I hope that she realizes that she's worth it. She's worth the gift of life. This is one of God's many gifts to us and we can't take it for granted, not even for a second. We that have survived eighteen years or more are lucky. Thousands die a day, but we're the few chosen ones that live, that get to see a new tomorrow. Now, thanks to me, Miranda will see a new tomorrow, and hopefully will have a new future. I want her to live happily ever after, like the do on Disney, if that exists.