I added the pictures and a few banners for the cast! I also added new banners for a few of my other stories! Go check 'em out if you haven't seen them yet!!
If wasn't against drugs before, I was now. I was in bed for two days crying and shivering in the heat. Jack and bobby said something about it being a bad dose of whatever it was Mark got me with. And speaking of Mark, I saw him last week. He still had a black eye and broken nose. Troy and James did one hell of a job on him. They came over and brought me flowers. Said I was like their little sister now. Jack and I had agreed to forget that kiss, well two kisses, ever happened. If it was to happen then it would be while both of us were sober. And if it was going to happen at least now it would legal. Today was my 18th birthday.
"Wake up!" I yelled jumping on Jack still asleep in his bed. He groaned and put his pillow over his head.
"Em, it's too early." he whined. I stood up and yanked his covers off. I dropped back down on his stomach and pulled his pillow off.
"It's noon!" I squealed. He covered his face and pouted.
"Just another hour, please." he begged. I frowned and figured he forgot.
"Jack, tell me you didn't forget." I pleaded. He removed his hands and looked up at me.
"Forget what?" he asked thoroughly confused. I felt tears fill my eyes and got off him and stalked out his room. I stomped downstairs and walked into the kitchen.
"Did anyone else forget?!" I yelled to the old woman and two men at the table. I was pissed. They looked up from their plates and stared at me. "I can't believe this!" I exclaimed and turned around. I walked smack into a bare chest and looked up at Jack. He was smirking at me.
"Move!" I yelled. His smirk grew as he looked down at me.
"You're so cute when you're mad." he laughed. I dropped my jaw and pinched his stomach. He yelped and rubbed the red spot.
"You're an ass!" I snapped and pushed past him. I was about to walk upstairs when Jack grabbed me and lead me into the living room with my eyes covered.
"Stop being a bitch." he told me and uncovered my eyes. I looked around the room and bit my lip. On the coffee table were brightly wrapped boxes. I tilted my head up and looked at Jack.
"Oh." I said blushing a little. He smiled and looked down at me.
"Oh." he mocked bobbing his head. He pushed me to the boxes and called everyone into the room. "Open and be nice." he teased. I smiled at everyone and grabbed the first box. I felt bad that I had yelled at them for forgetting when they hadn't. But they didn't let me apologize.
Evelyn made me three homemade photo albums. One was for my family, one was for my friends and one was for those pictures who want to get rid of but you don't wanna loose that time in life. The third was for those pictures. The faded memories as Evelyn had called it. Bobby had bought me a brand new pair of white ice skates.
"I don't skate." I told him after I opened them. He grinned and lit his cigarette.
"Oh you will." he promised.
Angel bought me a huge U.S. Marine's hoodie that looked like his. He said now I wouldn't have to steal his and I'd have a piece of him while he was gone. I knew there was a heart somewhere in that big ol' Marine. Jerry and Camille had put money on various gift cards so I could buy new clothes for the approaching winter.
"Paisley said she'd give you her present tonight." Jack told me. I nodded and looked at him.
"Did you really forget? Or are you not a present type of guy?" I asked noticing there was no gift from him. He smirked and shook his head.
"I got you something. You'll get it later." he promised. What is all this about tonight?
"What's going on tonight?" I asked. Everyone smiled and stood up. "Hey! Tell me!" I laughed as they all walked out. I looked at the only remaining person and smiled sweetly.
"What, Emilie?" Jack asked smirking. I walked over and sat on his lap.
"Jackie, what's going on tonight?" I asked sweetly. He shook his head and kissed my cheek.
"Nothing." he said casually. I glared at him and he smiled. Before I could say anything he picked me up and carried me upstairs.
"Hey! Jack, what are you doing?" I asked as he carried me into his room and threw me on the bed.
"I'm giving you half of your birthday present." he grinned. I winked and sat up on his bed. "Get your mind outta the gutter." He laughed.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Close your eyes." he told me. I smiled and closed my eyes. I felt the bed move behind me and then felt something cold around my neck. I smiled and felt the necklace that he had put on me. I felt his hands drop down the bare part of my back and shivered.
"Open." he whispered. I opened my eyes and walked over to the mirror. The tears fell instantly when I saw the silver charm on my neck. In cursive lettering was the word 'Diddle.'
"Jack." I whispered. He walked up behind me and smiled.
"I was at the local jewelers and a woman had gotten a personalized necklace with 'Home Sweet, Home' on it. I asked if he could do 'Diddle' and he said yeah." he told me. I smiled and stared at it. "Maybe that can take you one step further away from your fear of singing." he said softly.
"You're not asking me to sing Hey Diddle, Diddle are you?" I laughed between tears. He smirked and wrapped an arm around my waist.
"No but I don't want you to be scared anymore." he whispered in my ear. I turned to face him and smiled. Without hesitation I leaned up and kissed him. He tightened his grip on my waist and pulled me into him. A knock jolted us from the moment.
Jack?" Evelyn called through his door.
"You can come in Ma." he laughed. She opened the door and smiled.
"You gave it to her." she smiled. I bit my lip and nodded.
"Yeah, I love it." I said more to Jack than to her. He smiled and laid down on his bed.
"Well, breakfast is done if you two are hungry." she smiled and walked out. I stood there and looked around.
"You hungry?" Jack asked from the bed. I smiled and walked over to him.
"A little." I whispered standing next to his bed. He pulled my legs down onto the bed and laid me next to him.
"Happy birthday." he whispered in my ear. I smiled and kissed his lips softly.
"Thank you." I whispered back. I stood up and pulled him up with me. "Now, I'm hungry." I smiled.
I wasn't sure where we were going but Paisley made me dress up nicely. She laid out my favorite ripped blue jean skirt and a black and silver halter top. She let me borrow a pair of knee high black boots. They were all being secretive about tonight but they promised I would like it.
"Hurry!" Paisley yelled. I sighed and ran downstairs.
"Sorry. Are you sure I look okay?" I asked. She smiled and grabbed my hand.
"Yes. Now let's go." she urged. We walked our to her car and drove to some kind of club.
"Jack's here?" I asked looking at the busy club.
"Yes. You're 18, you're having fun." she laughed and drug me into the building. We walked in and it was packed. People were dancing and jumping around. It was crazy. I felt Paisley pull me to one corner and finally saw familiar faces.
"Birthday girl!" Troy yelled. I smiled and hugged him. James handed me some fruity looking drink. I looked at it and him.
"I made it and it's alcohol free, per Jack's orders." he smiled. I nodded and took a sip.
"Strawberry." I laughed.
"He said that's what you'd like." he told me. I looked around and stood on my toes.
"Where is he anyways?" I asked. They looked around and shrugged.
"Said he'd be back in a few." Troy said casually. I nodded and sipped my drink. A little while later Jack was still missing and Troy and James had disappeared too.
"Where is everyone?" I asked Paisley. She smiled and kept sipping her drink. "Pais, what's going on?" I asked again. I heard the music stop and she pointed on stage.
"Tonight is a very special night. The upcoming band has played here many times but have been on hiatus recently. But tonight they are back and are performing for us!" the man yelled on stage. "But tonight is also a very special person's birthday. Will Emilie Ravin stand up?" he asked. My jaw dropped and Pasiley jumped up and pulled me with her. "There she is! Everyone Emilie is 18 today!" he smiled. Everyone cheered and I glared at Paisley.
I wasn't sure what he said next because I was too busy staring at Jack when he walked on stage with his guitar. He smiled at me and grabbed the microphone.
"This is for Emilie. Happy birthday." he winked. I sat back down and listened as him, Troy and James started to play.
Maybe it's intuition
But some things you just don't question
Like in your eyes
I see my future in an instant
and there it goes
I think I've found my best friend
I know that it might sound more than
a little crazy but I believe
I knew I loved you before I met you
I think I dreamed you into life
I knew I loved you before I met you
I have been waiting all my life
There's just no rhyme or reason
only this sense of completion
and in your eyes
I see the missing pieces
I'm searching for
I think I found my way homeI know that it might sound more than
a little crazy but I believe
I knew I loved you before I met you
I think I dreamed you into life
I knew I loved you before I met you
I have been waiting all my life
A thousand angels dance around you
I am complete now that I found you
His words floated through my mind and I couldn't help but smile. His eyes were on me the whole time, only me. There were at least a hundred other girls screaming and staring at him but he was looking at me. He was singing to me. I felt Paisley pat my shoulder and smile.
"He'll be down soon." she whispered. I nodded and listened as they played another song. This one was upbeat and got me out my seat to dance with Paisley.
Anytime I need to see your face
I just close my eyes
And I am taken to a place where
Your crystal mind and
Magenta feelings take up shelter
In the base of my spine
Sweet like a chic a cherry cola
I don't need to try and explain
I just hold on tight
And if it happens again I might move
So slightly
To the arms and the lips and the face
Of the human cannonball
That I need to I want to
Come stand a little bit closer
Breath in and get a bit higher
You'll never know what hit you
When I get to you
Ooh I want you
I don't know if I need you
But ooh I'd die to find out
Ooh I want you
I don't know if I need you
But ooh I'd die to find out
I'm the kind of person who endorses
A deep commitment
Getting comfy getting perfect
Is what I live for
But a look then a smell of perfume
Its like I'm down on the floor
And I don't know what I'm in for
Ooh I want you
I don't know if I need you
But ooh I'd die to find out
Ooh I want you
I don't know if I need you
But ooh I'd die to find out
Conversation has a time and place
In the interaction of a lover and
A mate
But the time of talking
Using symbols using words
Can be likened to a deep sea diver
Who is swimming with a raincoat
Come stand a little bit closer
Breathe in and get a bit higher
You'll never know what hit you
When I get to you
Everyone cheered and clapped as they jumped off stage. Jack made his way over and I jumped on him. I kissed his cheek and smiled at him.
"Thank you!" I whispered. He smiled and pulled me onto the dance floor. I laughed when Troy, James and Paisley joined us and started jumping around like mad men. We danced and sang at the top of our lungs all night. It was by far the best birthday.
We were laying on the roof late that night when I finally brought her up. I had tried to push her away for the majority of the day for one simple reason. If I thought about her, I'd cry. And I didn't want to cry. I knew she wouldn't want me to cry. I wanted her to have her own special time with me for when it was calm and I was ready to breakdown.
"I miss her." I whispered to Jack. He grabbed my hand and kissed it. "It's just not the same. I know it wouldn't be but it's so weird. Even now sometimes I wake up and think she's here." I told him tearing up.
"I know." he whispered back. I looked at the stars and teared up.
"The only dreams I remember are the ones of her and they are simple. Like me getting up to fix breakfast and her walking in and saying hello." I whispered.
"That's your way of keeping her alive." he told me. I nodded and looked over at him.
"You believe people can look down on you?" I asked. He looked over at me and sighed.
"I don't know." he said. I looked over at him and propped myself up on my elbow.
"What do you believe?" I asked. He looked back up at the stars and took a deep breath.
"I believe that whoever made this world has a reason for everything. They have a reason for brining people into the world and taking people from it. I believe they put us through tests in life to see how we manage. And I believe that one day we will see the ones we lost." he told me. I nodded and looked up at the sky again.
"Well, I think that is very wise. And I hope I'd get to see Abigail and my parents again." I said softly. He kissed my hand again and smiled. We stayed out there for a little longer and we finally went inside.
"We should get some sleep. Angel's leaving early tomorrow." Jack reminded me. I sighed and walked to his door.
"I'm gonna miss him." I said sadly. Jack nodded and smiled.
"He'll be back in no time." he promised. I smiled and walked over to my room. I laid in bed and smiled. Today had been the best day in almost forever. I had never felt so loved and cared for since Abigail. I looked over on my bedside dresser and grabbed the last picture I took of her.
"Thank you for taking care of me." I whispered to her face. Even after her death she made sure I was taken care of. She made sure I was okay. I'd could never thank her enough. But she sure did love me enough.
"I don't wanna do this." I mumbled and drug my feet across the floor to my door. There was a constant knocking and they made me get outta bed to open it. I swung the door open and saw a mellow looking Angel. I opened the door further and let him come in. He sat on my bed and sighed.
"Is it okay to be nervous?" he asked rubbing his hands together. I sat next to him and laid my head on his shoulder. Angel was closet to me next to Jack. He had been there since my first morning and he still reminded me of that. He was my rock and I was his pillow.
"Of course. I'd be afraid if you were okay." I told him. He sighed and dropped his head.
"I'm proud and excited to be going over there to help my country, but I'm scared. I don't wanna die. I wanna live." he mumbled. I rubbed his back.
"That's the risk though. You're strong, I believe in all of you." I told him. He lifted his head up and smiled.
"Thanks, Diddle." he said softly. I smiled at my new found nickname. It amazed me how they could turn something that was a bad memory into something special. Even as tiny as a new nickname. I hugged his neck and he returned it. "Umm one more thing." he laughed a little. I looked at him and smiled.
"What?" I asked. He grabbed the hoodie he bought me and held it to his chest.
"You keep my jacket. I wanna take your's." he told me. I smiled and looked at the hoodie.
"It smells like a girl but okay." I laughed. He nodded and smiled sadly.
"It smells like you. That's why I want it. They said it's good to have something to remind you of home. More than just a picture." he said sadly. I bit my lip and held back my tears.
"I like that." I whispered. He kissed my head and left with my jacket. I stayed on my bed until Bobby came in.
"Hey Diddle. Time to go." he called. I looked up and wiped a tear away. He patted my back and sighed.
"It's okay. He'll be back in no time." he assured me. I laughed and remembered Jack telling me that last night.
"Jack said that to me last night." I smiled. He bit his lip and looked down at me.
"Yeah, he told me that this morning. But don't tell Angel." he whispered. I nodded knowing Bobby's emotional side was not to be spoke of. He loved his brothers but he wasn't going to get all 'girly' on them, as he called it.
The ride to the airport was quiet. Evelyn sat in the passenger seat stiffling her cries while Bobby drove slowly puffing on his cigarette. I sat in the back between a very melancholy Jack and a fidgety Angel. By the time we got there both had grabbed a hold of one of my hands. It was the moment we were dreading for months. Angel was finally leaving to go overseas. He'd be gone for a long and worrisome 18 months.
"You be safe and write me whenever you can." Evelyn cried hugging him. He buried his face in her shoulder and kissed her cheek when he pulled back.
"I'll see you when I get back, Ma." he promised. Something didn't feel right when he said that. Those simple promising words cut through me like a knife. I wasn't sure what it was but it wasn't good.
"Take care bro." Bobby said hugging him. "Show them how the Mercer's do business." Angel laughed and looked at Jack.
"Take care, Jackie Poo." he smiled widely. Jack laughed and hugged him. "Make sure you keep a close eye on Diddle for me." he winked. Jack smiled and pulled back as Angel walked over to me.
"Hey Diddle. You help my Ma keep there maniac's in line. They can be a handful." he smiled. I blinked back tears and hugged the tall handsome Marine. "Aww now don't cry on me now." he laughed. I smiled and wipe my eyes.
"Just don't give me a reason to cry. Come home, please." I begged him. "I don't wanna loose anybody else." I whispered. He kissed my forehead. He gave us one last gleaming smile and walked to his terminal. "Just come home soon." I whispered to myself.
Angel leaving was one of the big changes that life was bringing me. About two weeks after he left I got Camille to take me to the local community college. I filled out an application and got accepted. The money Abigail saved for this very reason came in handy. I started in early September and made my major early childhood development. I wanted to be a teacher. Jack started playing more gigs and the band was quiet the buzz around town. Everything was great.
"Jack!" I yelled as I walked into the house. Today had been horrible. My heel broke on my shoe, I had forgotten my midterm and I missed my last class by accident.
"He's out." Evelyn called to me. I set my books down on the counter and sighed. "Long day?" she smiled.
"Horrible. Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong." I told her. She smiled and handed me a letter.
"Angel sent you a letter." she smiled. I eagerly grabbed the letter and read it. "He says it's pretty calm where he is."
"That's good. More of a chance he'll be okay." I smiled. It wasn't a long letter but just one that said hello and I miss you. I folded it and put it in my notebook. "So where'd Jack go?" I asked.
"Troy called and asked him to go down to the practice hall." she informed me. I nodded and looked around. "You can help me cook?" she offered. I smiled and grabbed my books.
"I got work to do. Catch Jack when he gets home." I laughed. I walked into the hallway and the door burst open. Jack ran in and pushed me back into the kitchen with Evelyn. He was wearing a huge smile and looked like a kid in a candy store.
"I have the best news in the world!" he exclaimed
"Really, what's that?" I asked. He grabbed my arms and surprised me when he pulled me in for a hard kiss. He pulled back and looked between me and Evelyn.
"I'm moving to Los Angeles. We got a record deal!" he yelled. Evelyn gasped and I dropped my books. Moving? To LA? All the way across the country? That was the good news...? I knew it would happen. For once something is going right. I got into college. Angel is safe. Jack and I had slowly been progressing in out relationship and now I have to loose him. This is unbelievable. Not only does my life crash but damn it to add injury to insult, it's crashes then burns!
I Knew I Loved You & I Want You by Savage Garden