HOLY MONKEY! I have . . . returned? Everybody, confetti and streamers! No, seriously, I'm really here with a real update and everything. I have regained my will to write! C'mon, everybody - PAR-TAY! Heh heh, sorry, it's 2 AM and I'm on a sugar-soda high. I just can't get to sleep - don't know why. I was exhausted today. Insomnia can do wonders for my writing though, because I'm always more sappy romanticish and I know that's what you all want.
Meh, I don't care. This is going to be a long author's note. You missed me. High school stories really are a pain and I'm having some problems. I could really use some good ideas (besides the obvious graduation/spring break ones that always seem to pop up). Just, nice little fillers. And is there a couple I'm neglecting you want me to expand on? C'mon, people, I want input! You can leave it in a comment or, if you feel better about it, e- mail me at my happy little e-mail. [ crystallisleavesyahoo.com ]. Seriously, I'm really hurting for ideas. Help.
This chapter may seem a little overdramatic, but I wanted to explore Domon's feelings for Rain with a bit of a test. And it's believable anyway - happened to me. :)
(Hee hee, the title got a makeover)
. : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : .
[ T H E . B E S T . Y E A R S . O F . Y O U R . L I F E ]
by : Lady Rayne Rhiana
c h a p t e r . 11 : "C O M E . W H A T . M A Y "
. : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : .
Never knew I could feel like this / Like I've never seen the sky before / Want to find it inside your kiss / Every day I love you more and more
Listen to my heart - can you hear it sing? / Telling me to give you everything / Seasons may change, winter to spring / But I'll love you until the end of time
Come what may / Come what may / I will love you until my dying day
Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place / Suddenly he moves with such a perfect grace / Suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste / It all revolves around you
And there's no mountain too high, no river too wide / Sing out this song and I'll be there by your side / Storm clouds may gather and storms may collide / But I'll love you until the end of time
Come what may / Come what may / I will love you until my dying day
. : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : .
The days flew by. Christmas was an elaborate affair, hosted by George's parents. As it turned out, the uptight "de Sand French people" (as Chibodee so affectionately called them) really knew how to throw a Christmas party. The decorations ranged from holly and mistletoe sparkling with real silver sprinkles to the fifteen-foot-high tree in the front hall. There was eggnog and hot chocolate and a grand feast. They traded gifts at midnight when George's parents had retired to bed.
Chibodee had gotten Shirley a sterling silver charm bracelet with a music note, a cat, and a shopping bag on it (to name a few), symbolizing some of Shirley's favorite things. She squealed in delight and almost forgot to give him his present - an autographed football jersey from Chibodee's favorite player, Ray Hammond from the American football team. George presented Marie Louise with a ring that contained three small diamonds in a gold setting. She gave him tickets to a play they both wanted to see in the middle of January. Argo gave Nastasha a silver necklace with a single teardrop emerald hanging off of it. She played it down as no big deal but couldn't hide her blush when Argo hung it around her neck. She in turn gave him an autographed football from Argo's favorite Russian football player (who had an unpronouncable name - Shirley and Nastasha had teamed up on their gifts). Sai Saici blushed as Cecile opened her gift - earrings that had jewels in them that perfectly matched the color of her eyes. She gave him whole collection of CDs she knew he wanted.
As everyone was cuddling and marvelling over their gifts, Domon took Rain's hand. "Come with me, okay?" he asked, tugging at her arm.
Confused, she nodded. Domon had agreed earlier in the month that they wouldn't exchange gifts - in her and her father's present state, Rain couldn't afford a single extra thing and didn't want to feel guilty leaving him empty-handed. What could he possibly want?
He led her out onto the balcony where snow was softly falling. Bundled up in sweaters, they huddled close to keep warm. Rain looked up at Domon curiously. "What's this all about, Domon?" she asked, rubbing her arms with her hands.
He smiled guiltily. "Um, well, remember what we talked about before? About presents and stuff?" She nodded. "Well, I had kinda already bought yours. And it can't go back. So how about you accept it and that will be your gift to me?"
He pulled a long box out of his jacket pocket before she could say a word. He handed it to her and smiled.
"Open it."
She did so, slowly, and what she saw inside took her breath away. For a moment, she just stared, breathing, as she removed the top completely.
"Ohh . . ."
It was a breathtaking white gold bracelet with fire opals adorning it. It sat pristinely against red rose petals, their sweet fragrance irresistable and causing Rain to breathe in deeply to smell them. He watched expectantly as she carefully took the jewelry out of the box. She stared at it without speaking, blinking - barely breathing, almost.
"I, I um, talked to Marie Louise. She told me you were oogling this fire opal bracelet at the mall. Maybe . . . maybe she was wrong. I can't be refunded, but maybe it can be exchanged if you don't like it . . ."
Slowly, she shook her head. "It's . . ." She swallowed and a single tear slid down her cheek. "It's beautiful. I've never received a more beautiful gift."
Domon smiled in relief. "You like it? Really?"
Rain nodded, turning to look at him. "It's wonderful. You're wonderful." She threw herself into his arms, bursting into tears. He held her while she cried, stroking her hair.
"I love you, Rain Mikamura," he whispered into her ear. He didn't get a response. He didn't expect one.
. : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : .
As Rain was informed, New Years' Eve at Chibodee's house was somewhat of a tradition. His super-rich parents often were away on business on other colonies, so his parties were famous. But New Years' was a huge blowout - a bash that attracted every high-school kid in a one-hundred mile radius.
Domon and Rain arrived at Chibodee's, the former dressed in black jeans and a white T-shirt and the latter in a fire-colored dress that matched her fire opal bracelet. Once they got inside, Shirley grabbed them aside. She was dressed in a leather miniskirt and bare-all Playboy bunny mini-tank. Her hair was long and flowing down her back and her bunny ears poked out through the masses of red. She was giggling hysterically.
"I was waiting for you! He hasn't made his grand entrance yet - Cath, Bunny, Janet and I have been handling the guests. Chibodee said he had something special planned - something like a senior prank without the possible expulsion issue?"
Domon shrugged. "He didn't say anything to me."
Suddenly, there was a wild cheer from the crowd standing at the bottom of the stairs. Shirley turned around and burst into such hysterical laughter that she fell to the ground. Domon laughed uproariously as well, but Rain was in shock.
Chibodee Crockett was standing on the landing above the stairs wearing only a Speedo with a tuxedo pattern and a black feather boa. In his loud, who- cares-what-they-think voice, he yelled, "YOU ALL READY TO PARTY?!!"
The screams and cheers accepted Chibodee's odd choice of wardrobe, so he came downstairs and found Shirley. "Looking hot, hon," he said, scooping her off the ground and walking away unsteadily.
"Is he already drunk?" Rain asked, her eyes wide. Domon was still chuckling but managed a 'probably'.
They spent their first hour mingling, the second eating and watching a beer- drinking contest. Chibodee and Argo got drunk and then proceeded to get Sai smashed as well.
When they got bored of the drinking games, Domon and Rain headed out onto Chibodee's patio. It was much, much too cold for swimming but Domon and Rain hung around outside with a few other couples. They passed Greg Lucas and Ruth Shecterle making out on a pool lounge chair. Rain wished she could pull Ruth away - Greg was the biggest player in school and poor Ruth was a new student who didn't know any better.
Domon took care of the problem for her. He stepped up to Greg, grabbed his shoulder, and wrenched him away from the girl. Ruth was the only freshman at the party, having been invited by Greg. She had short black hair and brown eyes - very plain and easy to pass by. An easy target for Greg's conniving ways.
"Trying to mess with another girl's heart, are you Lucas?" Domon asked, angry as hell. Greg had played Shirley's friend Cath and Marie Louise as well. "Haven't you had enough yet?"
"Hey . . . thought this was a mature party," Greg said, shoving Domon back a step or two. "Didn't know little kids could come here whining about two kids having a good time."
Rain started towards Ruth. "Ruth, you don't understand how this guy is. I know him. He -"
"I don't want to hear it!" she cried. Like the scared, lonely new girl she was, Ruth clung to Greg's arm. "Greg said he loves me and I believe him!"
Rain was frustrated but Domon was beyond furious. "What do you do to girls, Lucas?!" he demanded, causing quite a few people to look over at them. "You brainwash them into thinking they're different from every other girl you've screwed with. And then you do the same thing over and over again. Damn it, Greg, this one isn't even believable. Going out with a fucking freshman?"
Rain tried again. "Ruth, Greg played my best friend, Marie Louise. I could go get her and have her tell you everything. You just have to trust me. I'm sick of seeing Greg get away with this." She reached out to grab Ruth, succeeded, and pulled her back.
"Let go of me, you prissy bitch!" Ruth snapped, yanking her arm from Rain's grasp and shoving her back.
Unfortunately, Rain weighed less than Domon and didn't simply step back slightly. She lost her balance and fell backwards into the shallow end of Chibodee's pool, smacking her head soundly on the bottom and watching as her world turned black.
. : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : .
It was Christmas and she was six. Her mom was smiling, handing her another present to join the new bike, dollhouse, and stuffed animals. She took pride in her pretty daughter with the gorgeously unusual name. 'Rain'.
It was two years later and they were standing in a graveyard. She was holding her father's hand. They were staring at a black box in the ground. She didn't understand why they kept referring to her mom because her mom wasn't even there. She'd gone to the store one day in her car and never come back. The car never returned either.
It was her, fifteen and just entering high school, feeling scared and alone. Clinging to a few lonely friendships.
It was Domon, saying he loved her. It was her, panicking and running away. It was them, kissing in the park and again on George's balcony while she wore the fiery bracelet.
So this was death? She'd heard people talk about their lives passing before their eyes, but this was a bit too literal. She couldn't open her eyes. She couldn't move.
Death wasn't so bad. Death was . . . peaceful . . . She could feel a light caressing against her skin, could feel her hair floating out behind her, could feel cold everywhere. She was going to answer the age-old question of death.
Domon . . . I love you . . .
. : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : .
Slightly shorter chapter, but my computer is having issues right now so I might be losing it for a time and I wanted to post this. Be glad I'm finally back! :) Besides, cliffhangers - even crappy ones - are nifty.
Go me. I have returned. Reviews, anyone?
Rayne
Meh, I don't care. This is going to be a long author's note. You missed me. High school stories really are a pain and I'm having some problems. I could really use some good ideas (besides the obvious graduation/spring break ones that always seem to pop up). Just, nice little fillers. And is there a couple I'm neglecting you want me to expand on? C'mon, people, I want input! You can leave it in a comment or, if you feel better about it, e- mail me at my happy little e-mail. [ crystallisleavesyahoo.com ]. Seriously, I'm really hurting for ideas. Help.
This chapter may seem a little overdramatic, but I wanted to explore Domon's feelings for Rain with a bit of a test. And it's believable anyway - happened to me. :)
(Hee hee, the title got a makeover)
. : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : .
[ T H E . B E S T . Y E A R S . O F . Y O U R . L I F E ]
by : Lady Rayne Rhiana
c h a p t e r . 11 : "C O M E . W H A T . M A Y "
. : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : .
Never knew I could feel like this / Like I've never seen the sky before / Want to find it inside your kiss / Every day I love you more and more
Listen to my heart - can you hear it sing? / Telling me to give you everything / Seasons may change, winter to spring / But I'll love you until the end of time
Come what may / Come what may / I will love you until my dying day
Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place / Suddenly he moves with such a perfect grace / Suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste / It all revolves around you
And there's no mountain too high, no river too wide / Sing out this song and I'll be there by your side / Storm clouds may gather and storms may collide / But I'll love you until the end of time
Come what may / Come what may / I will love you until my dying day
. : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : .
The days flew by. Christmas was an elaborate affair, hosted by George's parents. As it turned out, the uptight "de Sand French people" (as Chibodee so affectionately called them) really knew how to throw a Christmas party. The decorations ranged from holly and mistletoe sparkling with real silver sprinkles to the fifteen-foot-high tree in the front hall. There was eggnog and hot chocolate and a grand feast. They traded gifts at midnight when George's parents had retired to bed.
Chibodee had gotten Shirley a sterling silver charm bracelet with a music note, a cat, and a shopping bag on it (to name a few), symbolizing some of Shirley's favorite things. She squealed in delight and almost forgot to give him his present - an autographed football jersey from Chibodee's favorite player, Ray Hammond from the American football team. George presented Marie Louise with a ring that contained three small diamonds in a gold setting. She gave him tickets to a play they both wanted to see in the middle of January. Argo gave Nastasha a silver necklace with a single teardrop emerald hanging off of it. She played it down as no big deal but couldn't hide her blush when Argo hung it around her neck. She in turn gave him an autographed football from Argo's favorite Russian football player (who had an unpronouncable name - Shirley and Nastasha had teamed up on their gifts). Sai Saici blushed as Cecile opened her gift - earrings that had jewels in them that perfectly matched the color of her eyes. She gave him whole collection of CDs she knew he wanted.
As everyone was cuddling and marvelling over their gifts, Domon took Rain's hand. "Come with me, okay?" he asked, tugging at her arm.
Confused, she nodded. Domon had agreed earlier in the month that they wouldn't exchange gifts - in her and her father's present state, Rain couldn't afford a single extra thing and didn't want to feel guilty leaving him empty-handed. What could he possibly want?
He led her out onto the balcony where snow was softly falling. Bundled up in sweaters, they huddled close to keep warm. Rain looked up at Domon curiously. "What's this all about, Domon?" she asked, rubbing her arms with her hands.
He smiled guiltily. "Um, well, remember what we talked about before? About presents and stuff?" She nodded. "Well, I had kinda already bought yours. And it can't go back. So how about you accept it and that will be your gift to me?"
He pulled a long box out of his jacket pocket before she could say a word. He handed it to her and smiled.
"Open it."
She did so, slowly, and what she saw inside took her breath away. For a moment, she just stared, breathing, as she removed the top completely.
"Ohh . . ."
It was a breathtaking white gold bracelet with fire opals adorning it. It sat pristinely against red rose petals, their sweet fragrance irresistable and causing Rain to breathe in deeply to smell them. He watched expectantly as she carefully took the jewelry out of the box. She stared at it without speaking, blinking - barely breathing, almost.
"I, I um, talked to Marie Louise. She told me you were oogling this fire opal bracelet at the mall. Maybe . . . maybe she was wrong. I can't be refunded, but maybe it can be exchanged if you don't like it . . ."
Slowly, she shook her head. "It's . . ." She swallowed and a single tear slid down her cheek. "It's beautiful. I've never received a more beautiful gift."
Domon smiled in relief. "You like it? Really?"
Rain nodded, turning to look at him. "It's wonderful. You're wonderful." She threw herself into his arms, bursting into tears. He held her while she cried, stroking her hair.
"I love you, Rain Mikamura," he whispered into her ear. He didn't get a response. He didn't expect one.
. : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : .
As Rain was informed, New Years' Eve at Chibodee's house was somewhat of a tradition. His super-rich parents often were away on business on other colonies, so his parties were famous. But New Years' was a huge blowout - a bash that attracted every high-school kid in a one-hundred mile radius.
Domon and Rain arrived at Chibodee's, the former dressed in black jeans and a white T-shirt and the latter in a fire-colored dress that matched her fire opal bracelet. Once they got inside, Shirley grabbed them aside. She was dressed in a leather miniskirt and bare-all Playboy bunny mini-tank. Her hair was long and flowing down her back and her bunny ears poked out through the masses of red. She was giggling hysterically.
"I was waiting for you! He hasn't made his grand entrance yet - Cath, Bunny, Janet and I have been handling the guests. Chibodee said he had something special planned - something like a senior prank without the possible expulsion issue?"
Domon shrugged. "He didn't say anything to me."
Suddenly, there was a wild cheer from the crowd standing at the bottom of the stairs. Shirley turned around and burst into such hysterical laughter that she fell to the ground. Domon laughed uproariously as well, but Rain was in shock.
Chibodee Crockett was standing on the landing above the stairs wearing only a Speedo with a tuxedo pattern and a black feather boa. In his loud, who- cares-what-they-think voice, he yelled, "YOU ALL READY TO PARTY?!!"
The screams and cheers accepted Chibodee's odd choice of wardrobe, so he came downstairs and found Shirley. "Looking hot, hon," he said, scooping her off the ground and walking away unsteadily.
"Is he already drunk?" Rain asked, her eyes wide. Domon was still chuckling but managed a 'probably'.
They spent their first hour mingling, the second eating and watching a beer- drinking contest. Chibodee and Argo got drunk and then proceeded to get Sai smashed as well.
When they got bored of the drinking games, Domon and Rain headed out onto Chibodee's patio. It was much, much too cold for swimming but Domon and Rain hung around outside with a few other couples. They passed Greg Lucas and Ruth Shecterle making out on a pool lounge chair. Rain wished she could pull Ruth away - Greg was the biggest player in school and poor Ruth was a new student who didn't know any better.
Domon took care of the problem for her. He stepped up to Greg, grabbed his shoulder, and wrenched him away from the girl. Ruth was the only freshman at the party, having been invited by Greg. She had short black hair and brown eyes - very plain and easy to pass by. An easy target for Greg's conniving ways.
"Trying to mess with another girl's heart, are you Lucas?" Domon asked, angry as hell. Greg had played Shirley's friend Cath and Marie Louise as well. "Haven't you had enough yet?"
"Hey . . . thought this was a mature party," Greg said, shoving Domon back a step or two. "Didn't know little kids could come here whining about two kids having a good time."
Rain started towards Ruth. "Ruth, you don't understand how this guy is. I know him. He -"
"I don't want to hear it!" she cried. Like the scared, lonely new girl she was, Ruth clung to Greg's arm. "Greg said he loves me and I believe him!"
Rain was frustrated but Domon was beyond furious. "What do you do to girls, Lucas?!" he demanded, causing quite a few people to look over at them. "You brainwash them into thinking they're different from every other girl you've screwed with. And then you do the same thing over and over again. Damn it, Greg, this one isn't even believable. Going out with a fucking freshman?"
Rain tried again. "Ruth, Greg played my best friend, Marie Louise. I could go get her and have her tell you everything. You just have to trust me. I'm sick of seeing Greg get away with this." She reached out to grab Ruth, succeeded, and pulled her back.
"Let go of me, you prissy bitch!" Ruth snapped, yanking her arm from Rain's grasp and shoving her back.
Unfortunately, Rain weighed less than Domon and didn't simply step back slightly. She lost her balance and fell backwards into the shallow end of Chibodee's pool, smacking her head soundly on the bottom and watching as her world turned black.
. : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : .
It was Christmas and she was six. Her mom was smiling, handing her another present to join the new bike, dollhouse, and stuffed animals. She took pride in her pretty daughter with the gorgeously unusual name. 'Rain'.
It was two years later and they were standing in a graveyard. She was holding her father's hand. They were staring at a black box in the ground. She didn't understand why they kept referring to her mom because her mom wasn't even there. She'd gone to the store one day in her car and never come back. The car never returned either.
It was her, fifteen and just entering high school, feeling scared and alone. Clinging to a few lonely friendships.
It was Domon, saying he loved her. It was her, panicking and running away. It was them, kissing in the park and again on George's balcony while she wore the fiery bracelet.
So this was death? She'd heard people talk about their lives passing before their eyes, but this was a bit too literal. She couldn't open her eyes. She couldn't move.
Death wasn't so bad. Death was . . . peaceful . . . She could feel a light caressing against her skin, could feel her hair floating out behind her, could feel cold everywhere. She was going to answer the age-old question of death.
Domon . . . I love you . . .
. : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : .
Slightly shorter chapter, but my computer is having issues right now so I might be losing it for a time and I wanted to post this. Be glad I'm finally back! :) Besides, cliffhangers - even crappy ones - are nifty.
Go me. I have returned. Reviews, anyone?
Rayne