Chapter Four: Not everything has a special meaning, does it?

Are you comfortable?-said Steve sitting on the bed, next to the red head.

Yeah.

So, what do you want to talk about?

Don't know. And you?

Nothing special, maybe Madison, Pearson.

Whatever.

You don't have to play tough, you know? I won't judge you.

It's just a bit weird to be here talking these things with you.

But that's the thing, we get each other and we can help each other.

Oh yeah?

Yeah. I was devastated when Madison left me. I thought I'd never meet anyone else.

Totally get you.

See? The point is that now I know that it is possible.

Really? Who did you meet?

Funny you ask Josie…

The boy got nearer and whispered:

Actually, you.

Me? Gotta be kidding me!

Don't you see it Josie? We're perfect for each other, we've both been betrayed by the most popular kids, in a rebound.

Rebound? I'm not looking for a rebound.

Well, I am.

Steve tried to kiss her and she pushed him away.

What do you think you're doing?

I thought that was obvious. That's why you came into my room, you know exactly what I want.

Josie stood up and tried to get to the door with a disgust look on her face.

I came here to talk nothing more you creep!

Oh! C'mon! You don't have to fake with me. You know you want it.

Get away from me!

He took her by the waist and forced her against the wall.

Let me go! Get off! Help!

No one is gonna hear your little scream. They're all too busy having fun at their petty party.

I wouldn't count on it.

Steve stopped and he and Josie turn to see whose was the voice they've heard. Josie didn't need to. She recognized that voice perfectly and it was the only thing she wanted to hear in that moment.

Vaughn!-said the girl without hiding her enthusiasm.

Pearson? What on earth are you doing in here?

He let Josie out and she ran to her rescuer's arms. The blonde kid was a bit impressed but he just waited until she let him go and asked her if she was fine in the most paternal tone possible.

I'm fine but that pig was trying to…

Hey, you're not that innocent yourself- defended the other boy.

Shut up Steve.

Uuuuh! I'm so scared! What's Mr. popular going to do with me? Maybe call his daddy…-mocked Steven.

Don't push me, you're not worthy.

Vaughn, who was protecting Josie behind him, turned back and took her by the shoulders.

Let's go Josie.

I always knew you were nothing but a big coward. But you're not running away from this one Pearson, I won't let you.

The shorter boy walked rapidly to Vaughn and punched him on the mouth. The taller kid touched his lip and observed a drop of blood. Josie was so furious and tried to go punch Steven herself but Vaughn was faster. He looked at him directly in the eyes and gave him a black eye that knocked the boy to the point to send him to bed.

Jerk.

Are you OK Vaughn?

Yeah, it's just a scratch.

Let me see.

No, I'll be fine. You'd better go to your dorm.

Where are you going?

Back home. I don't really feel like partying now.

Oh.

See you.

Yeah, sure.

Vaughn couldn't believe what had just happened. Why did he go over there? He'd just defended the girl he was supposed to hate, he'd taken a punch for her and given someone a black eye. He'd never done that not even when they were together. They'd talked, quietly. That girl was driving him insane. The only thing he could do was to admit that he…

Can I come in?

Who is it?

Josie. I came too see if everything was all right.

(Go away!) Come in.

The girl entered quietly into the room looking at it as it were the first time she was in there.

It all looks so cold, empty.

Well, that's what happen when you take out everything but the bed.

Right.

So, what are you doing here?

I wanted to make sure you were fine.

I am.

You got blood on your upper lip.

It doesn't hurt.

I bring cotton and some antiseptic to clean it.

It's fine, really.

Stop being such a stubborn ass Vaughn and just let me heal you!

The boy stopped a laugh. That was the Josie he knew and he must had done something because she blushed. With the straightest face he could put he spoke again.

Fine.

Ok, let me see.

Josie leaned towards him and carefully lifted his chin. She put the cotton on his lip as softly as she could but he jumped and so did she.

Sorry, did that hurt too much?

No, it's my fault. Apparently, I'm a coward.

They both laughed at this reminder. Suddenly, Josie put a really serious face and said

Vaughn?

Yes Josie?

What made you go upstairs?

Well- without an exit, the boy decide to tell her the truth- Madison told me you were with him and then she sort of implied that he was the kind of guy that dates a girl only for one thing.

How did she know I was with him?

She said you'd taken him from her.

What? Is she nuts?

You're not with him?

No! We'd never spoken until tonight.

What happened tonight?

Erm…

In that instant, he notice what she was wearing. Natural make up, a necklace, earrings, the loveliest perfume, her hair down, sky blue sandals and the most beautiful dress he'd ever seen, light, no sleeves, cut diagonally up her knee and with a incredible stamped dress. She looks like a goddess, he thought, just perfect.

And, what are you wearing?

The girl blushed realizing that she still was wearing her party dress, and she got even more embarrassed when she noticed the surprised look on her friend's face.

Oh, this? Is nothing, just a… simple dress.

Let me see what's wrong with that. Josie Trent on a dress. Yeah, plain simple.

You're so funny.

Both smile.

Seriously, if you weren't on a date with Thomson, the why are YOU all dressed up?

Actually, I sort of was going to the party.

Oh- trying not to sound surprised- I didn't see you there.

Well I was going to but that's when I found Steve and…

Went to talk

Exactly

And what did you talk about? if you don't mind the question

No, just dumb stuff

I see.

The girl stood up and started walking around the room, avoiding the eyes of the boy on the bed, who now was watching her curiously.

He told me he understood how weird it was to see someone after breaking up.- she spoke slowly and carefully

Ah- now looking at the wall

And he told me about he and Madison.

Oh that's right. She told me they'd been dating.

Aha. –even more awkwardly- And he also told me about you and Madison.

What? Me and Madison?- he said this both surprised and careless

He told me you two were…

We aren't nor weren't

Then why did he say that?

Maybe he wanted you to think that you could trust on the little rat.

He so deserved that punch!

Vaughn smiled. He glanced at the girl sitting next to him. She was smiling too, looking so peaceful, so happy, so close and yet so far away. I have to tell her how perfect she is, tell her how much I would like things to be like they used to. We're laughing, sitting on my bed talking as if the last four months would've been a terrible dream, but only that, a dream.

Vaughn? Thank you.

Why?

For tonight, I never said thanks for helping with that ass.

That's what friends are for.

Are you my friend Vaughn?- looking serious

I don't know-he said honestly.-Maybe one day we'll be.

I really hope so.

Silence, looks, silence.

Hey, I found something today

What?

This- said the boy showing a packet of cards

Oh! I remember those. I gave them to you that night when we were playing and I was winning every hand.

Yeah. You told me I should keep them to practice so next time you wouldn't kick my ass so easily.

Hahahaha. Where did you find this?

They were on a box on my closet. I had forgotten it was there.

Cool, can I see?-she said standing and getting the box before he could say no.

Well, actually…

I remember this CD! And the tape and…

Josie, maybe you want to let that…on the box

Too late. The girl had already taken out the smallest box and the expression on her face had become shocked.

Vaughn, is this what I think it is?

Yeah-said the hopeless kid

You never returned it?

Well, no. I tried once but I felt like such an idiot.

Oh my God.

Sorry Josie. I didn't mean for you to see that.

I don't know what to say.

You don't have to say nothing.

Yes, I have to cause I never told you how sorry I was.

Stop it.-said the boy in a bit of an angry tone

No Vaughn, listen to me!

No Josie, I don't wanna talk about it ok?

It's not Ok Vaughn I need to tell you, I have to explain you once in for all…

What? What are you gonna say? What do you want to explain that I don't already know? Why you left me? I know Why you left me.

I didn't left you! You left me!

Oh, sure! It's my fault now! Sorry if I didn't feel like staying next to a girl that didn't love me!

That's what you think? That I didn't love you?

Why else would you turn me down then?

Cause we were too young Vaughn! You wanted to marry me to escape from our parents and that was wrong!

Whatever Josie

No Vaughn, I won't let you.

You won't let me what?

To think that the reason why we broke up was that I didn't love you!

Does it really matter now?

Of course it does! I love you Vaughn, I loved you then and I love you now! Don't you get it?

NO! You're lying! Stop!

I'm not lying Vaughn! Why else do you think I spent these last months like a zombie, locked in my room crying like a stupid girl, staying awake until dawn, feeling like crap every time I saw you in class or in the halls, getting sick every time you didn't talk to me.

You were sick? I was miserable! I wondered around as if nothing was worthy, I couldn't smile, I couldn't sleep, I couldn't eat, I couldn't concentrate and all I could think about was you. Everyday you were there, hurting me. I should hate you!

Of course you should hate me, I hurt you and made us both unhappy…

But I couldn't. I wanted to forget about the pain and the suffering and hug you and kiss you and stay with you forever and tell you how much I need you, tell you I love you.

They stopped screaming and looked at each other, trying to understand what they'd just said. All the harm, misery that had caused all those unspoken words, feelings they'd been hiding for too long, desires that they couldn't repress, everything was out now, all of it.

Vaughn took her hand and joined their fingers. He leaned closer and softly put his arms around her waist, pulling her nearer. Their hearts were beating faster, faster. Josie put her arms around his neck, her skin rousing his. They were closer now, their faces getting near. They closed their eyes. Nearer. He could almost feel her breath. She touched the air between their lips. They touched softly, like rose petals. Their lips feeling each other, emotions on their skins. Warmth. They deepen the kiss, trying to avoid the inevitable end. Finally, they opened their eyes. They watched reality in front of them, speaking with no words, showing how much they'd been missing, so little time they had and there was nothing they could do about it but to try extending it as much as they could.

Josie looked through the window. The sky was completely black and the only light standing was coming from the moon. Josie was watching it so deeply that, for a second, she thought it was smiling…