10. Engaged
Day one in eighth grade Brenda, Susan, and I were going to class. I saw Chris and his new girlfriend; apparently they got together while I was away. He seemed happy and I really wasn't jealous, so I said hey to him as I continued to class. I was glad to have it be back to the way it was at the start of last year. Everything felt right. Everything was right; the rest of that year was pretty uneventful. My birthday was nice and low key, Halloween was fun even though I was still fifth wheel. Thanksgiving might as well have been a carbon copy of the previous year as was Christmas and New Year. The hardest part of the holidays was my grandma wasn't around and my mom took it hard, but Phil and I help as best we could. By the time Singles Awareness Day came around again I was happy with my life, for those of you in a relationship that would be Valentine's Day.
It was mid March before things took an unexpected turn. My mom made arrangements for me to stay at Brenda's who was single for the first time in a while, but I knew better; there was a guy she was looking at every day. I guess I was happy for the change it was actually for the whole weekend, Mrs. Greene was going to take me to her place after school and bring me back to school Monday, which was definitely new. My mom just smiled when I asked what was going on and she said she and Phil were going away for the weekend. OK, I could understand wanting to get away from the teenage daughter for awhile, so I didn't say anything more.
Brenda and I had a great time, although there were makeovers and pedicures involved, I still had fun. Though while I was there my monthly friend came calling. I was reminded of the first time I got it since I had to borrow a pad from Brenda. This was really stupid because I was like clockwork and am always prepared, or almost always I guess.
Thank god my first time happened with my mom, I was home minding my own business when Mother Nature let me know I was maturing. Luckily we have been taught all about it and was able to get a pad from my mom. She then took me to the store to buy a bunch of my own and got me tampons. Really didn't plan on using those, but she said if I was going to go to a pool I would be glad I had them. I relented and told her I would learn about them later. She was right of course I did learn how to use them and was glad to have them during the summer months.
Luckily that was the most eventful thing that happened over the weekend and it was back school Monday, which was the same as any other except it looked like Brenda found her new boyfriend. When my mom picked me up that afternoon she was glowing and practically bouncing in her seat.
Before I even had a chance to ask what was going on, "I'm Engaged!"
WHAT! What happened to marriage is bad and don't get married. "So that is what the long weekend was for, I'm so happy for you." I looked at the ring; it was simple, but lovely. She told me it was going to be a longer engagement, they were planning on late September of the next year as his baseball schedule would make it tough to plan something to quickly so he wanted to give her plenty of time to do it the way she wanted.
On our way home she was talking a mile a minute. Telling me all the plans she had about getting married. After her last wedding she was bound and determined to go somewhere sunny and warm. It was mostly sunny and warm in Phoenix, but she wasn't taking a chance on a freak rain storm, she was going to Mexico. I just nodded and said that would be a lot of fun, expensive, but fun. She was just too happy; I didn't really believe that we would end up there. I decided on the off chance that she followed through with the plans I was going to go ahead and start the process for getting my passport. Better to go ahead and get a passport when you don't need one than wait till you have to have it. You never know when you might have to take off on short notice for an impromptu vacation.
I could tell then it was beginning to be an issue with my always being around. Phil was with a new team and he was traveling a little more. They didn't have the free time they did when I had a boyfriend and was going out about every other weekend. Bonus though was they were going out and leaving me home alone, later than usual. Not that I did anything but read or watch a movie while they were gone. I really was a boring person.
By the end of the year I was actually glad I was going to be starting high school. It felt like I was going to be with an older more mature crowd. Maybe I would find a boyfriend, wasn't hopeful though. From what my mom always told me the only thing a high school guy wants from a girl is in her pants. I guess I would have to wait and see if I can find someone with morals. Though it seemed for the most part those died in the early 1900s. But all that would have to wait; I had a trip to San Diego, California to pack for.
After much back and forth with my mom and me, Charlie finally realized I was standing my ground and when he knew my mom was backing me, he caved. I was actually excited to see Charlie. Half because it was going to be somewhere warm and dry for the most part, but also because it would give my mom and her Fiancé some time alone. It would be a shorter trip, only two weeks, since it was going to be a real vacation for the both of us, but I was glad for it.
When he picked me up we checked into the hotel, I was so glad he got me my own room and by extension my own bathroom. That night we had dinner caught him up on what all was going on. He already knew about Renée and Phil so that was a conversation I didn't touch. Then we planned on what to do the rest of the time and what we wanted to see. For the next two weeks I enjoyed myself as much as possible, made sure we went to all the places on Charlie's list so he would have a good time too. It did rain one day so I joked with him, and told him Forks missed him and the rain came to remind him of home. He chuckled, and nodded. I jokingly asked if there was anything new and exciting, since I knew his reply would be no, same thing you've seen for the past 14 years.
"Actually yeah, a family is moving in town, might be there by now, a doctor, his wife and adopted kids there are 5 children actually."
"Wow, they wanted to move to Forks?"
"Well seems the wife was a small town girl most of her life and he was a big city doctor, she got fed up with it and he gave in." That was the about the longest conversation we had. Charlie was never one to talk your head off. A little small talk was a good conversation, any more was in excess.
By the end of my first real vacation, ever, with Charlie he dropped me off at the airport and told me he would love to have me back at Forks anytime. I smiled, 'not in this life time' I thought to myself, nodded and left. When my mom picked me up it was the standard script with only the intro changed, how was San Diego, not how was Forks. After all her questions I asked her if she had a good time, and she said she did, but I could tell she was a little sad. It turns out Phil was at a game, left yesterday wouldn't be back three more days.
Back to a summer at Phoenix with high school on the horizon, I jumped in feet first, I was taught always jump feet first the first time. So, I called Brenda to see what was going on and we made plans to have a sleepover the night Phil came back and go to the pool the next day. It seemed that Susan and Gary were joined at the hip now. Brenda never saw them apart. In fact since school ended Susan hadn't been seen without him. I think it is a little much that you have to be around someone 24/7. I think I would get sick of someone if they were around that much, but I guess if you are truly in love you would want to be with them forever.
Surprisingly Susan did agree to come over to Brenda's that night and I bet meet Gary at the pool the next day. Gary said there was a transfer student who was starting 9th grade with us and he was going to bring him along, I would guess it was for my benefit. So as we headed to the pool Brenda and Susan are adjusting each other's new bikinis that have gotten smaller. Me and my one piece are just fine thank you. We got out of the car and the guys were waiting at the gate.
I immediately see the new guy and he is cute, I dare say handsome. He was pretty tan with toned arms, legs and chest with nice abs, but nothing too much. With dark brown hair that is a mess, done on purpose and brown eyes, like mine but a little darker, and a pleasant smile. He was not to tall, 5'10" I would guess but had big hands and feet, I'm guessing he will be taller by the time school starts.
Gary introduces the new guy as Bobby. I smiled and shook his hand. His hand was warm and he gave me a firm hand shake. As we headed to our chairs, we started a little conversation of our own. The standard get to know you questions, guess it was easier to get those out of the way. After four hours of talking, swimming and applying sun block we were ready to leave. During that time I found that I actually did like this new guy. We had music and books in common, well some anyway. He was a nice guy, but he was into anime, sports, and video games, but I could overlook that since much of the male population seems to be.
As we were leaving he asked for my number and asked if it would be OK if he called me sometime to go out with him. I smiled, nodded, and gave him my number. It was sudden, but what the hell; he did seem like a nice guy. Once I got back home, I showered and found my PJs. They were really getting broken in so they are becoming the perfect lounge wear, might have a hole started on one of the knees, but that just means they are almost perfect. I made dinner for mom, Phil and I. He had an apartment, but he seemed to stay her most of the time, since their engagement. After dinner I headed up to bed.
The next day Bobby called. I was surprised; I thought there was a time frame for this sort of thing. We actually talked for hours on the phone and made plans to meet at the mall Thursday around lunch. So I had two full days to figure out what I was going to wear. I didn't want to call Brenda, she would be over the top and I wasn't sure I wanted to call Susan, first because she would be with Gary and second I wasn't sure about Bobby and didn't want anyone to start the gossip before I decided if I actually liked him liked him.
It was Thursday and I was ready, I hope. My mom dropped me off at the food court and I say him in shorts and a polo. Lucky from me I wore shorts and a baby doll tee instead of the skirt I was considering two days ago. We walked around for a little while, going in stores at random. I went in Limited just to pretend I was a girlie girl and we went to Brookstone, it was a fun store. Then we made our way back to the food court and ate lunch, he paid, put only after agreeing that I owed him lunch later. Then we headed up stairs and walked around some more. He went in Hot Topic and a few minutes later I was face to face with a vampire.
Complete with mask, cape and a cup-o-blood. I had to laugh, it was just too funny not too. He took off the mask and looking really mean, not really, but trying, "I am dangerous! I want to drink your blood and you laugh at me?" I giggled. "I bet you would run and hide if you meet a vampire, but here you are standing and laughing in the face of your doom."
"I would not run away from a vampire. A little garlic and holy water would keep them at bay and a cross would ensure my safety. Besides, they would think I was one of them."
Holding my arm up to the pale face mask, he looked at it and shrugged and nodded, "You got me there."
After a few more jokes, mostly at my expense, we continued our mall tour. As we walked around we talked about everything: family, friends, likes, dislikes, what we do in our free time, what our favorite food is. Then he asked how many guys I dated. That was an easy one for me and I took full advantage to see where he thought this would lead.
"One, if you could call it a boyfriend, the second half of my seventh grade year. All we did was hold hands and went to movies and dinner. I am not much of a physical relationship person so he broke it off before the summer."
"Wow, I thought after what Gary had said about Brenda you would have had more than one. I can see the appeal of being with someone because you like them for who they are and not get mixed up in physical relationships. I have had three girlfriends, one from early 5th to middle of that summer the next from 6th grade Christmas holidays till beginning of 7th and the last from early 7th until just before I moved here." He stated. It didn't seem like many to me especially now that I was thinking about how many 'boyfriends' Brenda has had.
I know she kisses boys; I've sent it, even though I could have done without seeing it, but not sure if they all break up with her or if she has broken up with any of them. "As far as being physical I haven't been past second base and am in no hurry. Things happen when they happen, there is no need to rush into it if you aren't ready for." OK I did like him now, nice, understanding, it sounded like he was a lot like Gary, and he talked about things before he broke up with two of the girls, one broke it off him.
I smiled "I agree, I have never thought a physical relationship was that important. By the way, what is second base?"
He laughed, "Umm, well it is when a guy would put his hand up your shirt."
"Oh. OH! No never done that, never kissed a guy either, to be honest."
He just smiled at me, "Well I must admit that I do like you, but not wanting to rush how about we be friends and go from there." He held out his hand, I took a step closer and took it, it felt nice, still warm, but it fit well.
"I suppose that would be a good idea, since we just meet. But please know I am what I am, I doubt I'll change anytime soon." I cautioned him.
"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it." And we continued around until we got back to the food court and I called my mom. As we sat on the bench holding hands I was thinking, this isn't so bad. Once my mom arrived we hugged, if felt right with him, not forced, just fitting myself in his embrace. I pulled back to leave and he told me he would call me tomorrow. I smiled nodded and got in the car.
True to his word he called, the next day and every few days thereafter. We would go to the movies, dinner, walk around the mall, and go to the water park, a museum or the pool. For the rest of the summer I was busy. He never tried to kiss me and I hated to admit this, but I did actually like the guy. It was nice having him around when he came over to watch a movie with me. I would actually try to make something a little special when he was coming over, if I ever admitted it, which I wouldn't, I was showing off. Soon we were getting ready for our ninth grade year.
Once school started things just shifted a little to make room for homework. Nothing else really changed. As my birthday approached I warned him I didn't like presents and to not make a big deal out of it. He agreed and we went to dinner with mom and Phil. True to his word he got me a card and little teddy bear. My mother had gotten me a pair of silk pajamas from Victoria Secret! I couldn't believe it and I was blushing because I opened them in front of Phil. It wasn't that they were inappropriate, it was just embarrassing. Of course I really didn't have any intention of wearing them, I like my sweatpants and shirt I bought a couple years ago, they were finally broken in, my shirt had a little hole on the right side, which is the only way to tell if clothes are properly worn in.
When we got back to the house Bobby and I sat outside for a little while. As we sat holding hands I was getting nervous. Finally not able to stand it any longer I turned my head a little to Bobby.
"I… umm there is something I want for my birthday."
"Oh, I thought you didn't like presents?"
"I don't, but this doesn't cost money." He looked at me intrigued. "I'd like you to kiss me."
He looked into my eyes and must have seen my sincerity because he turned toward me place his left hand behind my head as he was still holding my hand with his right. As he pulled me toward him his lips were closed so I kept mine the same and he gently pressed his lips to mine. Soft, it felt nice, not to rough, but had enough force to know there was passion behind it. After a few seconds I felt his lips part and his tongue on my lower lip. A second later I realized I had opened my mouth without thinking about it and his tongue was in my mouth massaging my tongue. It was wet as I used my tongue and mimic his movements. It was strange to say the least, but not uncomfortable. I am not sure how long we kissed, but I heard my mom's shoes on the floor and he pulled back.
It was then I realized I had closed my eyes. He kissed my lips again quickly and we both leaned back and wiped our mouths just before my mom stuck her head out. "Bobby your mom is on her way, she should be here in a few minutes."
"OK Ms. Swan, thank you." She shut the door and he looked at me, I guess to see if I liked it. I smiled and told him it was nice and I enjoyed it. Which I did, it was just in the books I read the first kiss was suppose to take your breath away. Like you have to force yourself to remember to breathe, you get lost in his eyes and forget your name. There is suppose to be this electrical spark between the two of you but there was nothing. I guess you can't always believe everything you read.