A/N- REALLY IMPORTANT!
I AM AN IDIOT!
I ACCIDENTALLY UPDATED A COMPLETELY WRONG CHAPTER WHICH EXPLAINS WHY SOME OF YOU WERE TOTALLY CONFUSED. HALF OF YOU HAVE READ THE THIS AND HALF OF YOU HAVE A READ A CHAPTER FOR ONE OF MY OTHER STORIES TALES OF THE SEA AND I AM SO SORRY AND SO STUPID FOR CONFUSING YOU ALL! LOL THIS IS THE REAL CHAPTER FOR POSTED AND AGAIN I AM SO SORRY!
(FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT READ THIS BOFORE I SWITCHED TO THE WRONG CHAPTER AND THOUGHT THIS WAS A COMPLETELY NEVER BEFORE SEEN CHAPTER I APOLOGIZE TOO!)
Pink Turtles and Snowballs
I waited on the steps outside the school. The wind blew at my face, shoving the crisp scent of autumn up my nose and through my hair. It was the first of December and I was in that stage where I was singing Christmas songs, but clinging to the fall months. I didn't wan to let them go. All the gold, red and orange leaves with the candy apples were part of my favorite season and although I knew they were gone by now, I couldn't help but miss them. I wrapped my fluffy grey coat further around my body. My knees bumping together as I shivered in my knee socks that were pushed down to my ankles. I refused to pull them up, but it took all the effort I had not to string a long line of curses together as I waited outside. It wasn't snowing or anything, in fact I was sure it would warm up later when the sun was higher in the sky and it wasn't even going on seven o'clock in the morning. I had arrived early because… well I was waiting for someone.
The thought my made my stomach erupt into butterflies and I scanned the parking lot for his car even thought I knew he hadn't arrived yet.
Just the thought of Austen Cole had my lips tingling and warm with the memory of how he had brushed them against mine on Saturday. My cheeks warmed at the recollection and I closed my eyes.
Don't call me creepy.
It's not creepy to think about the boy who you went on a date with.
A shiver ran down my spine.
My date with Austen had been perfect.
After I had shaken Zach's Face Time call from my mind long enough to open the front door of my house.
Austen's golden eyes met mine and I was nearly knocked to my knees at the sheer amount of hotness that radiated from him.
Yes, I am going to use the word "hotness".
He wore a sleek (expensive looking) leather jacket and a pair of fancy jeans.
"Austen," I whispered a blush creeping up my neck.
"You look gorgeous." Austen said a grin spreading across his face as his eyes took me in.
"So do you." I breathed out and he laughed lightly and I couldn't even be embarrassed by the fact I had just called him gorgeous. I just giggled back at him.
Damn it girl, word giggle just sounds so cliché, but its true I giggled.
"I'm sorry if I'm late, my older brother called from college and my dad tried to get me on the phone with him." I shrugged
"No, you're not late." He took me in once more and his eyebrows furrowed.
"Do you think you'll be cold in that?" he asked I looked down at my outfit.
Actually…
I probably would.
"No, I'll be fine, let me just grab my coat." I said quickly ushering him into the house so I could shut the door. I didn't want to let all the warm air out of the house. I heard my mom, bustling about in the kitchen as I headed for the coat closet. Hopefully she wouldn't ambush my date, and grill him on all things parents do before first dates. I suppose the fact that Gabe wasn't here was a blessing. Didn't need the nurse in the house asking him about STDs. Not that Austen had any… Perhaps I was lucky I didn't have a dad around to threaten Austen with his baseball bat or shotgun. Goodness knows that would be a disaster. I plucked my heavy camel colored pea coat off the hanger and a hunter green scarf, knowing that I wouldn't get cold wearing that.
After I checked myself once more in the hall mirror I headed back to Austen. He smiled at me all bundled up for the chilly night, his golden eyes catching the light and weakening my knees.
"Ready?" he asked as I slipped my phone into my pocket and nodded. I told my mom I was leaving and that Liz was upstairs and then rushed out the door before she could reply.
Austen opened the passenger door to his car for me and I felt my heart beam. I watched him carefully as he rolled his shoulders slightly in the drivers seat and flexed his fingers before starting the car.
Was he nervous? I bit down on my lip to keep from grinning at the thought. Surely Austen Cole wasn't nervous around little ol' me.
Oh god.
Barf.
Did I just refer to myself as "little ol' me"? What am I? 85 years old? Lord help me.
"You okay?" Austen asked me because of the way my face was cringing at my own inner thoughts. I blushed looked over at him.
"Yeah, yup I'm fine." I smiled at the end of that very convincing (just go with it) string of words. Austen's lips twitched slightly and I saw his eyes flicker in amusement before they shifted back to the road. There was silence for a moment after that before Austen spoke up.
"You know, I'm really glad you said yes." I sat up a little straighter at his words and he continued, "Honestly I really thought I had ruined it." He laughed and it sounded a little forced, but I found myself joining in.
"Honestly?" I echoed, "I thought you did too." I whispered and there was silence again. We both ended up speaking at the same time
"But your apology was-"
"But that kiss was-"
We both stopped and then laughed again and the tension instantly vanished after that. It was like were on our thirty first date instead of our first and of course that feeling only made it even better.
I gazed out the window, the ghost of my reflection staring back at me, grinning just as wide as I was.
He pulled up to a packed parking lot and the lights of the street fair blared, drowning out the stars and dulling the moon. My smile grew at the site of all the people mulling about the stalls and games. Little kids running around with balloons tied to their writes and mothers carrying large teddy bears as the fathers stepped up to the plate to win more. There was music playing from a couple venders, bubbles floating in the thick night air, laughter filled my ears and the comforting, mouth watering smell of sugared donuts drifted around. I had forgotten about the December fair. I wasn't surprised they had started it early this year because apparently we were going to have heavy soon later on in the month so it would have to shut a little early too.
I got yanked out of my daze as Austen's arms slipped around my waist and pressed me too his side. The night was chilly and I could see my breath coming out in little clouds. I looked up to see him smiling at me and I couldn't help but beam back up at him.
"Surprise?" he asked and I laughed.
"I love it, I can't remember the last time I managed to get to one of these." I pressed myself closer to him and started walking forward. .
"Okay good, I figured you would like it. I hoped you would." He said and I could hear the relief in his voice despite his earlier confidence.
"I see why you wanted me to bring a coat now." I said with a chuckle and he echoed it.
"Yeah I didn't need you shivering and shaking the whole time." I pouted my lips slightly and the gesture was foreign to me, I wasn't sure where it came from.
"You wouldn't have given me your jacket?" I asked and I felt the vibrations of his laugh being so close to him.
There was a pause before he said
"Nope, then I would have been shivering and shaking. I would have bought you some hot apple cider though." He said as we passed a stall for the drink. I slowed my walk,
"Just cause I wore a jacket doesn't mean that you still can't do that." I said and he looked down at me, his gold eyes bright.
"Alright then."
We got on the short line for the cider and I relished in the warmth the hot cup gave off as I clutched it in my hands. I held my face over the top of it, soaking up the steam it gave off and I heard Austen laugh next to me. My cheeks warmed at the sound, he was probably laughing at me. I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye and sure enough he was looking at me.
"Laughing at me?" I asked, my voice softer than I intended it to be and Austen shook his head, grin still plastered on his face.
"No, you just look so cute." He said and if my cheeks had been pink before, they were now as a red as a rose. The calmness I had somehow been channeling was slipping and butterflies were erupting in my stomach and chest. I was actually on a date with Austen Cole and it was going well. I turned my face away from his; hopefully he would credit my rose cheeks to the chill in the air.
"Thanks," I whispered and I wasn't even sure if he heard me.
I felt his hand slip into my free one and he threaded his fingers through mine. The sudden warmth and contact had my head snapping back in his direction.
I couldn't stop myself as my hand clamped around his and he only beamed at me when it did. My heart fluttered in my chest. He was the first to look away, still smiling as we walked through a cloud of bubbles that were coming from a hook-a-duck stall.
We walked around till Austen spotted a dart game and he dragged me over. He looked so excited and boyish as he scanned the different stuffed animals available.
"Which one do you want?" he asked. I looked at him and raised an eyebrow.
"You haven't even played yet, how do you know you'll win anything." I replied and he smirked at me.
"Maybe I won't, maybe I suck and I'm just trying to impress you and am about to fail miserably." He paused "So which one do you want?" he asked again with a beautiful, knee weakening smile and I sighed.
"Okay I want to the turtle, the pink one." I pointed to a giant pink turtle with a sparkly shell and large blue eyes.
Austen nodded "One hot pink turtle coming up." and he shot me a wink as was handed the darts by the old man behind the counter. Turning his attention back to the target he threw the first dark and it hit directly on the bull's-eye. My jaw dropped open and I couldn't help but laugh at the pained expression on the stall runner's face as he realized he would be giving away one of his big prizes.
It was no surprise after that first shot that I walked away with one arm looped through Austen's and one arm holding the giant pink turtle of every girl's dreams.
"I can't believe you doubted me." Austen said with an adorable pout on his face and I stifled a giggle as I tried to come off as nonchalant
"How was I supposed to know you had that good an arm?" I asked and he looked at me out of the corner of his eye, raising a single eyebrow.
"I'm on the football team."
"That doesn't mean you can hit the bull's-eye in darts." I scoffed and he shrugged.
"Alright, you caught me, my family used to have game night every Sunday till I was twelve."
"You have a brother?" I asked surprised and he nodded his head, his expression had lost its playful glint, as he seemed to be recalling something.
"Yeah my brother Cato is attending NYU as we speak. He's graduating this year, though. He attended our high school but left the year before we were freshmen."
I paused the name ringing a bell, Cato… as in Cato Ryder?
"Wait, is your brother Cato Ryder? The first ever freshmen quarterback for the Academy, who also lead us to the state championships all four years of his high school career? Are we talking about that Cato?" I asked and I couldn't keep the awe out of my voice. I watched a muscle ticked in Austen's jaw.
"I'm not sure if there are any other Cato's that have attended Gallagher, but yes that is my brother."
"Whoa." I whispered as we fell into a heavy silence. I just brushed it off and let it settle in. How come Austen never spoke about his brother? Surely having such a legacy in the family would be something he should be proud of… and why didn't Cato have Austen's last name? "Why do you and your brother have different last names?" I asked and Austen stiffened slightly, I had never seen his face so guarded as it was in that moment. For a second I wasn't even sure if he was going to answer my question or if he had heard me to begin with, just when I thought about trying to change the topic he spoke
"My parents got a divorce when I was twelve. Cato was sixteen. It was pretty nasty stuff at the time, still is I suppose since my parents haven't spoken to each other in six years."
Wait.
Austen's parents haven't spoken to each other in six years?
Talk about the ultimate silent treatment.
I was surprised when he took a deep breath and started to elaborate. I wasn't expecting him to add anything else.
"My parents were really young when they got married, they had been high school sweethearts, the ones most likely to get married in their year book- that kinda thing. My mother worked as a secretary for this big company and she got this promotion to work for the CEO of the company. My mom was a real neat freak; lists were always around the house, bathroom mirrors, and the fridge, everything, so it wasn't really a surprise. She started working late, saying the company was working on a big presentation to grab new investors."
I readjusted my hold on the giant pink turtle.
"I don't even know if that was the truth or not, maybe in the beginning it was, maybe she was lying the whole time, it doesn't really matter because it turned out she was having this huge affair with the CEO. They got caught out to dinner by the press and in the back seat of his big-shot Mercedes Benz. Front page news of the Sunday paper my dad read with coffee every morning."
"Holy shit." I whispered and Austen snorted
"I wouldn't exactly call that shit holy, but yeah shit was right. I remember that fight like it was yesterday. My dad calling my mom out, his throat sore before he even started to raise his voice. My mom was the one who really ended up screaming at the end. She threw a mug at his head and everything." He paused and took a deep breath "My brother had always been a real mama's boy and a bit of a dickhead so when she packed her bags and left that night he went with her. As if my dad wasn't broken enough that his wife left him, but his son too?"
"I'm so sorry, Austen." I whispered not knowing what else to say and blurting out the cliché line before I could stop myself.
He surprised me by looking at me and giving me a sad smile. He pulled us of to the side and up against his chest, the pink turtle squished between us.
"Its not your fault. My brother took my mom's maiden name after the divorce was finalized, that's why he has a different last name than I do." He said finally answering my original question. He had shared so much I had forgotten I had even asked that.
I offered him my most gentle smile as I searched his golden eyes. They were darker than usual, more murky and brown with the memories of such an awful time.
"I see my brother on major holidays and he sends birthday cards, but we don't really talk. I do wear his fucking hand-me-down uniform though." He said and a smirk quirked at his lips.
"Well you can thank him for that at least, you look so devilishly rugged with your torn blazer pockets." I said with a playful grin, trying to get his smile more sincere. It worked too because he actually threw his head back and laughed.
"You noticed the holes in my school uniform?" he asked and I gave a sheepish shrug, which only caused him to laugh again.
"I was thinking about getting those patched up on their next trip to the dry cleaners, but if you think it makes me look 'devilishly rugged' as you so delicately put it, then I think I'll keep them the way they are."
I nodded.
"I think you should too. I don't want to be seen with anyone less than imperfect." I replied and Austen leaned in closer his nose brushing mine and causing my heart rate to increase.
"Is that because you don't want anyone to trump your perfection?" he breathed out and I felt my cheeks flush.
"N-no," I stuttered, intoxicated by his smell and close proximity. I could feel the warmth of his body seeping into mine. He smiled and his eyes lit up, reflecting the lights of the street fair that were becoming brighter in the darkening sky.
"Because you're perfect Cammie."
And then with words that would melt any girl's heart he pressed his lips against mine and the freaking pink turtle crushed between us.
So you could say that my date with Austen went well, so well in fact that I am standing in the cold waiting for him to arrive instead of just walking into the school building.
My chest warmed at the memory of that date, his lips, his eyes, his smile, and his laugh.
And when I saw him step out of his car I realized my memories didn't nearly do him justice.
His hair was messy and his backpack slung lazily across his chest, hands stuffed into his tattered blazer pockets. He spotted me on the steps and raised his hand in a wave. I hadn't even realized that Finn had gotten out of his passenger door until he stepped up next to him. His boyish face was unmistakable as he too raised his hand and waved like a mother sending her first child off to middle school for the first time. He shouted my name too and I laughed as I waved back at both of them.
Austen slipped his arm around my waist and leaned in to press a quick kiss to my lips when he reached me. It caught me off guard and I almost stumbled back from it. Almost.
I saw Finn flash a knowing grin and draped his arm over my shoulder, sandwiching me between the two boys.
"My, my my do you work quickly Cole. And here I was thinking I stood a chance." He chuckled when Austen tightened his hold on my waist causing Finn's to drop fall from my shoulders.
I blushed, but punched Finn in the arm teasingly.
"Shut up, would you?"
"I wouldn't." Finn replied and then laughed at his own lame joke.
"You just crack yourself up, don't you?" Austen said and Finn nodded.
"I do, its not like I can rely on any of your nonexistent wit to entertain me." The jab made Austen scoff and roll his eyes.
"Dude, I'm plenty funny you just don't get my jokes."
"Maybe because you're jokes are stupid."
"Cammie thinks they're funny."
"Cammie pity laughs. Have you ever heard her snort when she laughs? No? I have, that's when she's really laugh isn't that right, Tiny." Finn said turning to me with a knowing look.
I was mortified by his comment. I knew he was trying to tease me because of Austen kissing me when we saw each other, but he just told my almost-boyfriend that I snort when I laugh!
That- that could be a deal breaker!
When I peaked a look at Austen he was smirking at me.
"You snort when you laugh?" he asked and I only blushed deeper causing both boys to laugh at me. Austen suddenly paused "Wait, I actually haven't heard that. Why haven't a I heard that?"
"It's because you're not funny. Face it Cole I win in the making-girls-laugh- department." Finn raised his nose into the air like an aristocrat would in the 1800's. I snorted and both boys looked at me; Finn was grinning triumphantly while Austen was pouting.
"Do you really not think I'm funny?" he asked and I shrugged.
So it was true, I may have thought Finn was a tad funnier than Austen, but it wasn't Finn who I had gone on a date with and it wasn't Finn who I had kissed multiple times now.
Zach's funny.
Whoa.
Where the hell did that come from?
But he is.
Moving on brain, moving on.
Sparkling emeralds-
-No! Don't picture his green eyes!
"I think you're funny, but I think Finn is just pee-myself-snort-while-laughing-funny." I responded after winning that inner battle, when I saw disappointment flash in Austen's eye I grinned "But I think you're droll-in-my-jello-trip-on-my-shoe-laces-handsome so there." I quipped and just like that Austen straightened up and grinned.
Zach is handsome and funny.
Yes, yes he is-
-Wait! No, stop it!
"Well if you guys are being so puke worthy cute, is it safe to assume he asked you to the Snowball?" Finn asked, genuine curiosity in his voice.
The Snowball a dance the school threw for the upper classmen every year around Christmas. But don't let the innocent, punny name fool you. The Snowball was not innocent. It was usually on the last night of school before we broke up so after everyone attended the actual dance at the school gym we legged it over to the after party and got puke-in-a-converse-drunk and hooked up with whoever was to the right of them when they took their sixth shot of vodka – regardless of their status or gender- and passed out for the next twenty four hours. Over all it was like homecoming on steroids.
Honestly though I had completely forgotten about the Snowball, I hadn't even attended last year, Liz had gone because she had a date, but I went home after school and snuggled up with hot chocolate and a candy cane to watch hallmark Christmas movies.
It didn't occur to me that Austen and I would go, but now I was curious to see what he would say.
After all we had no title or label as a couple.
He wasn't obligated to take me.
That was why I was shocked me he simple scoffed and said, "Of course we're going together, why wouldn't we be?"
It was shocking, thrilling to hear those words. If Austen wanted me to be his fate to the Snowball then that might mean he wanted me to be his girlfriend and if he wanted me to be his girlfriend than my crush of four years wouldn't have been a waste of time.
Surely I was living in a dream
Was God playing a joke on me?
Was this a movie? Or a cheesy teen fiction novel?
If so, Author, please write me a happy ending!
I couldn't really comprehend it if I'm being honest. If you have asked me a couple weeks ago if I would be attending the Snowball dance as Austen Cole's date then I would have laughed in your face and called the local insane asylum. I would have asked you if you had swine flu or even if you were PMSing. Any of those options seemed more logical than the one I was currently living. I couldn't keep the smile off my face any longer and leaned into Austen's side.
"Nothing I was just wondering because Cammie was gonna be my fallback-date." Finn replied and I jerked out of Austen's arms all of a sudden, chocking on my own spit.
"I was gonna be your what?!" I asked, my voice resembling more of a shriek than anything else.
Finn burst out laughing when he caught sight of my expression
"Relax Tiny I was only kidding!" he chocked out as he wiped a fake tear from his eye. "You should have seen your face, freaking priceless."
I scowled at Finn who was still trying to regain his breath.
"That was not funny nor flattering Finn Ocher." I snapped, trying to stay serious as the blonde boy straightened up and wiggled his eyebrows at me suggestively. I smirked though when I thought of the best way to knock him down "I think you just dropped a few pegs on the 'funny ladder'. Austen is now number one there and for looks." I added and Finn faked a heart attack.
"Oh Teeny-Tiny you hit me in my most vital organ! Oh my pride it truly bleeding out now!" And we all laughed at that.
I almost jumped out of my skin when I heard a familiar, gravelly voice speak out of nowhere.
"And what you are you three morons laughing about?" It didn't even take me a second to realize whom it was and I had to stifle a groan. It was too early in the morning to deal with Jerk Boy.
"What do you want, Debby Downer? Its only seven forty-five in the morning and you're already raining on people's parade." I snapped.
Man I was meaner to John that I was to anybody else.
I was meaner to John than I was to anybody else- ever.
John's grey eyes only supported my remark when they darkened like storm clouds.
"Shut up Morgan." Was his lame reply and I raised a challenging eyebrow.
"Is that all you got?" I snapped back.
"It's too early to deal with you." He responded vaguely, with my same thought process I had had a few moments earlier about him. I felt Austen's arm slink back around my waist and he pulled my back up against his chest. John's eyes turned to steel as he studied our position. I crossed my arms over my chest and raised my brow at him, a nervousness forming in the pit of my stomach under his scrutiny.
If he wanted to break Austen and I up, I was worried he would be able to do it. There was no hiding it either when Austen wrapped his arms around me either because as much as I mouth off about Jerk Boy, he wasn't stupid. I knew he knew from his clenched jaw and stiff posture.
"You too look rather cozy." He bit out after a moment of silence and Finn slapped him on the back, ever the mood lightener. Although when I looked at him and Austen neither of them seemed to mind or care about John's behavior. Maybe they were so used to his moods they didn't even notice them anymore?
"They should be," Finn started "They got their freak on this weekend." He said and my eyes widened.
"Finn!" I squeaked, "We did not get our freak on. You idiot, keep your voice down too." Finn only smiled his boyish smile and slapped John on the back again.
"Only trying to lighten this guys mood."
"I don't need my mood lightened, Ocher." John said looking at his friend, though his frown was less prominent as it had been a moment before.
Maybe John is PMSing.
I almost laughed at the thought.
"Whatever you say, boi." Finn said and this time I noticed John bite back a smile for a passing moment before saying
"Don't call me 'boi'."
"Alright whatever you say," Finn repeated and then turned to me "Don't worry Cam, I'm sure the others will be more excited to hear about this than Mr. Sourpuss here."
Oh and boy was he right because by the end of the day the whole school seemed to be abuzz with the news that I had gone on a date with Austen Cole.
A/N- AUTHOR SLOWLY CREEPS FORWARD TO PEER INTO A BLACK HOLE HELLO? ANYONE THERE? I KNOW I'VE BEEN GONE FOR MORE THAN THREE MONTHS BUT IS ANYONE STILL AROUND?
YES, YES THIS IS REAL. I AM ACTUALLY UPDATING. I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW THIS IS POSSIBLE, I'M JUST AS FLABBERGHASTED AS YOU GUYS ARE.
FIRST LET ME ANSWER SOME QUESTIONS I'M SURE YOU'RE ALL WONDERING:
NO I DID NOT GET HIT BY AN ICECREAM TRUCK.
NO I DID NOT FALL OFF A CLIFF.
NO I DID NOT ALMOST DIE OF A PEANUT ALLERGY.
NO I AM NOT DEAD.
WELL, LOVEWORDS IF YOU DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY OF THE ABOVE WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?!
… I DON'T REALLY HAVE AN ANSWER.
I AM SO SORRY GUYS FOR NOT BEING AROUND AT ALL RECENTLY AND YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN SO AMAZING, LEAVING REVIEWS AND ENCOURAGING ME TO UPDATE WHILE I WAS MIA AN DIT REALLY MEANS A LOT.
SO TODAY I GOT OFF SCHOOL FOR CHRISTMAS BREAK (WOOOOHOOOOO) AND I WAS FEELING UP TO POSTING A CHAPTER AND SO HERE IT IS! YAY!
IF THERE ARE ANY PEOPLE WHO ARE STILL INTERESTED IN THIS STORY THEN PLEASE TELL ME WHAT YOU THOUGHT OF THIS CHAPTER! I THOUGHT IT WAS KINDA CUTE… IDK
IF ANYONE FOUND IT CONFUSING, THE CHAPTER STARTS THE MONDAY AFTER CAMMIE'S DATE WITH AUSTEN AND CAMMIE IS FLASHING BACK TO HER DATE AND HOW IT WENT, THEN SHE COMES BACK TO THE PRESENT AND STUFF YADA-YADA-YADA.
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WAS MORE CONFUSING OR WHAT BUT WHO CARES!
I WILL NOT BE DOING REPLIES THIS CHAPTER BECAUSE, WELL BECAUSE I THINK THE REVIEWS ARE SLIGHTLY OUT OF DATE LOL AND MOST OF YOU PROBABLY CAN'T REMEMBER WHO I AM LET ALONE WHAT YOU COMMENTED ON THE LAST CHAPTER, BUT HOPEFULLY YOU ARE ALL WELL AND GETTING READY FOR THE HOLIDAYS, WHICHEVER HOLIDAY YOU CELEBRATE. IF CELEBRATE NONE THEN SIMPLY HAVE A GOOD BREAK OFF OF SCHOOL AND MAYBE ENJOY SOME SNOW!
LOVE YOU ALL!
REVIEW THE WORD ICICLE IF YOU ARE STILL INTERESTED IN THIS STORY AND ENJOYED THIS CHAPTER!
P.S. I GOT AUSTEN'S BROTHER NAME FROM ONE OF MY FAV CHARACTERS IN THE HUNGER GAMES XD
