A/N: Hi everybody! Well, first off, I'm sorry because I'm updating later than usual. It's because I just finished watching AVPSY. And I have no idea how I'm gonna make this right now because I have too many feelings right now! I'll keep in mind that 'Okay is wonderful' and it was totally awesome! Besides that, I had a completely amazing day, so I'm very thrilled and so yeah, I just can't think too much! I'm just very happy and sad and thrilled and just a mess of feelings! But mostly good feelings! I'll just say 'What a day!' and I'll stop boring you with my personal stuff! Wait, just one more thing... I think I'm Hermione Granger! She said: 'My passion is Fanfiction'. Oh man! Thanks, Hermione! Okay, now... Back to this fanfic. I really don't have too much to say cause, as I already said, I can't think too much right now, so excuse my lack of formulating coherent and concise lines. With this little warning, I'll start answering you! So, here I go, motherfuckers (don't take this to heart, just thinking about Starkid):
amritsoomal: The chapter ended because I love the cliffhangers and I'm cruel! At least I don't kill people, cause killing people doesn't make them like you, it just makes them dead (of course quoting Starkid). Oh, they will talk eventually! The will, they will...Not yet, though. Meredith and Brian? Do you think they're gonna get together? Maybe yes and maybe not. And Joey and Mandy? Oh, that's interesting. I already know who Joey's hook up was, but I won't spoil it! But I did love the idea of a big happy family, tho! I really hope you can enjoy this new chapter and I hope it can be good as you mentioned!
alicegursk: What Dafuq, man?! What the devil is going on with Darren? Tell me what's wrong. What's the matter, Harry? I mean, Darren. (Sorry, too excited for avpsy!). I really loved the idea of Darren making her jealous! I love it, when Darren is jealous. Yes, everything is hard and don't get me started with my second thoughts, Alice! Do you think Brian likes Freckles? Well, after few chapters you'll know more about Brian and his relationship with Freckles! But I love when you start telling your assumptions! Darren will talk but not yet, or yes... It depends on my crazy little biatch mind, that motherfucker. I'll keep it in mind about Come What May and I'll definitely do it, one way or another! I love you like a love song baby! haha.
Guest: The cliffhangers are part of me! They took over my body! Please, call the wizard cops! Cliffhangers, they little shit! (so very into Starkid mood right now, sorry)
SamCollinsHolmes: I know you'll understand my Starkid and AVPSY feelings! Why, Gab, why? I cried like for hours! It is over! And it was totally awesome and okay is wonderful, but I'm not okay but at the same time I am. Ah! I know you understand me, I know, I know, I know. Just feelings. Okay, I'll stop freaking you out. Remind this: 'Joe Walker is dead.' He is not, bitches! Harry Potter taught him how to love. And he guesses that's what Harry Potter's all about. And I second this! You surely enjoyed Joe shirtless! Not water involved, though. That guy is amazing, he is totally awesome, all of him. I understand your point of view about dorks and I fully agree with you! That is what I meant and I couldn't explain! haha. I'll try not to scare you anymore, but you have to understand that I'm a bad, terrible, outrageous person and most of the time I'm joking... or not. Why do you hate Blaine? Why? No! Do not do that! Because I am a blainer and I don't want you to hate me! But I guess I'm a blainer because I love Darren; but I actually love Klaine mostly. Come on, Klaine is the only reason I watch Glee! Mostly. I understand about Chris, because I was in love with Chris before I fell in love with Darren! Chris is inspirational, and funny and clever. Yes, you better remember to tell me when they give you a response! I'm so excited for you and I really, but really hope they can accept you! Then you could go to all the places I mention in Ann Arbor and remember me somehow! Do not forget me, Gab! Am I in a new level of goddess-like? I didn't even know I was like a goddess! I feel like Venus. I won't opine about Mia because I don't know a damn shit about her, so I don't know if she's a good or bad person; I only know she blocked me on Twitter and I don't even know why because I never tweeted her. I knew you were going to love Brian, I love him too, but this is a secret. And I'm almost sure that you're gonna love him more and more and more when you get to read, I don't know, I think it's from chapter 40 on. Oh, yeah! Joey is a deep man behind the red wig! He wants love, cookies and also the blue headband! You wanna know a secret? I completely suck at giving advices in real life, like in person! I am terrible, I suck, someone should make me shut up when I do it. I only can write them, but somehow I cannot say them in person, like what the fuck is wrong with me? So I feel kind sad too. Hey, why have you had a shitty week? You know? Even if I'm a sucker and all of that, if you need someone to talk to, I'm right here! You just have to send me a letter with an owl; I mean a tweet or pm, and that's all! And yo! Who do you think Joey's hook up is? I'm intrigued to know what you think. I already know who is it, but I'd like to know what you think, my Sherlock! Giving you all the love from earth to Pigfarts via Rumbleroar, your Moriarty!
Vcriss: I'll give you the credit anyway because I'm a stubborn person and when I propose something, I do it! Even if it wasn't an idea for you, I took it such as that, so yeah, you do deserve the credit! And do not say anything else; it's a decision already made!
AnSofiekeeeh: Thank you a lot An Sofie! By the way, I love your name. You're gonna read more now and you're gonna read all this year long this story, only if you keep reading it, of course; something I will not force you to do; because even if I'm cruel and all with the drama, the cliffhangers and things like those; I'm a nice person; trust me! I'm so very glad that you love drama, even if it's secretly! Drama is like... I don't know! Like passion, haha. Me and my stupid analogies! Aw thank you for saying I'm awesome, and for saying that I think you are the awesome here!
caarolineboeira: What the hell is wrong with Darren? Sometimes I don't understand him. Sometimes I don't understand Freckles and sometimes I don't understand anything of what I write. But I write anyway. Oh! Freckles' secret! Maybe she doesn't have only one secret, maybe she has a lot of secrets, or maybe she has no secrets! So, I'll make you feel curious because I'm a bad person. Haha. Does Brian like Freckles or Meredith? Or is he gay? Or is he an alien? But Brian is sweet (or not?) and you'll find out soon, not so soon, more things about Brian! Brian becomes an important part of this story, just as Joey; just like Jen was. Yeah, Freckles is totally insane! I never ever in my entire life ate only a salad because I just can't! I don't like salads so much and I just eat too much. Oh jealousy! Jealousy, jealousy, jealousy; there will be a lot of jealousy in this second part! That's granted. Because I love when one of the is jealous, I don't know why. Yes I did write a note! I won't forget it, promise! I just love greeting people for their birthdays, I don't know why, but I love that!
Kaylacriss332: I totally, completely, certainly picture Brian as a very hot guy. Like, I'd totally go for him, kidnap him, tie him and rape him after his approval; or not. I know, like what the devil is wrong with Criss? Man, you gotta do something! At least come for her, just come for her. Don't worry about the dirty mind, I always try to control myself, because I'm really, but really perverted and I'm all the time saying things with double meanings. So your comment just made me laugh!
MeMi83: Yes, they'll get along... Sometimes. You know how I am and how my mind is! Will Darren discuss about what happened in high school? Yes, he will; but not yet. I don't know if he did something wrong; I know actually. But I'll let you read it instead, only that maybe you won't get it in this chapter precisely! The cliffhanger will be revealed in this chapter, but maybe you're gonna get another one in this chapter! I hope you can enjoy the chapter, though! Lots of warm fuzzies, jars of Nutella and smiley suns for you, Memi!
TeamBrian: Oh my wizard God! There's a Team Brian! Oh gosh! Can I fangirl? I love Brian. I'm also a sucker for boys like him! Charming, sweet, handsome and sexy. He'd be like the perfect boyfriend for me. And let me tell you something Rachel, if you already like Brian... Wait to see after a few chapters! Maybe you'll fall in love with him, just as I did. I don't know, your review made me smile, because I never thought there could be someone shipping 'Sunny' and Brian! But I do like that. And don't worry, because I'm planning to make this story really long, in average it'll have like 90 chapters! So yeah, you'll get a lot! I hope you don't get bored of it! Thank you very much for your nice words, Rachel! You really made me smile when you said I'm a good author! I wish I can be that and I hope not never disappoint you! And geez! Your comment about the Saturday being your new favorite day of the week made me grin like a fool! Thanks! xoxo.
Nicole: Nicole, you were my 300th review! YAY! Just because you were my 300th review, I'll let you ask me whatever you want and I'll answer you in the next chapter! It's like a sort of an award; it's not a big deal what I'm proposing you, but at least it's something! And I agree with you when you said that Adam will never beat Blaine! Like, I felt upset when Adam said that thing of the movie; it was cute, but no. He shouldn't mess around Kurt because Kurt belongs to Blaine forever and ever, come what may.
Vicky: It's okay that you didn't review the other chapter! Really, don't worry about it, I'm just glad that you're reading this story and I cannot ask for more! They will talk, not in this chapter, but soon. Maybe, actually, in this chapter you'll get something. Darren will confess Freckles about what happened that night, eventually. And Freckles... Well, she has changed, she's not the same girl than before, so her reaction could be very weird. You'll know also what happened to her since that night. But I do think this part has a lot of comings and goings!
So that was it all guys! And here you have a new chapter! I hope you can enjoy it! Oh, by the way, considering I got a review by 'TeamBrian' I'd like to ask you... What team are you? Vote for: "Team Darren", "Team Brian" or "Team go to hell Lucy I won't answer this". Now seriously I'll let you read! I wish you a week full of flying diaries (Journals), Felix Felicis potions, and Scarfy and Sorty love! Oh my wizard god, Scarfy! :'(. Okay, take it easy Hogwarts, it's been totally awesome! Goodbye!
Teenage Dream – Chapter 35 – Battle of songs.
"Umm... Sorry. I can't do that." Darren said.
You were there to finally talk to him. You got the guts to ask Meredith where Darren lived to go and talk about something you were avoiding since the time he left. You, after a long year that took you to overcome what he did; you, after days you spent thinking if talking to him was the best option; you, the one who was rejected before, was being rejected again. But this time, being rejected wasn't going to affect you as much as it affected you when he dumped you in high school. Yes, it was tough to hear he didn't want to talk. Yes, it hurt you. Yes, you were expecting something else. But this time you weren't going to fall apart as the last time; you had a year to learn it. You only looked at him in silence, only showing him through your eyes how disappointed you were feeling. At least, you tried to talk and that allowed you to have a clear conscience. You tried, he was the one who refused and you shouldn't feel bad for it. Yeah, that was what you wanted to convince to yourself; but the pain in the chest was still there.
"Alright..." You said looking away. "That was all I wanted. And if you don't want to do it; well, it was your choice." You said almost in a listless way, now looking at him. He only looked at you frowning. "I hope you have a good day, Darren."
Like that, you turned around to leave, decided to not try to do this again. This time you weren't going to be again the first to talk. And besides, you should have never been the first to talk; because he was the one who disappeared, leaving you helpless. However, you weren't going to feel angry; because, as Brian said, being angry would lead you nowhere. You weren't going to let anything overshadow your happiness, not even being rejected. But when you were about to walk to the door, Darren took you by your arm.
"Hey, wait..." Darren whispered.
You turned your face to look at him. He was still frowning, but frowning in confusion. You only looked at his hand touching your arm and then you looked at Darren again, serious. This made him feel nervous, so he let out your arm; but he kept looking into your eyes.
"I never said I didn't want to talk to you; I said that I can't. I can't right now, because my friends are waiting for me, we're going to Munising to spend the weekend and I'm already two hours later. And I don't want to talk about what happened to us in a shallow way, because this talk is important to me. I want to talk about this in a moment we both can sit and be quiet for hours, knowing that time isn't against us." Darren explained still frowning and looking into your eyes. Oh wow, maybe Brian was right, maybe you tended to overthink everything.
"Well... Look for me when you have the time to do it." You said still serious; because somehow you were still feeling kinda rejected. "I hope you can have a good time with your friends, then." You said and you turned around to leave again.
This time you walked to the door and you opened it, but then you noticed how Darren closed the door abruptly from behind you to prevent you from leaving. So then you turned around abruptly to look at him kind of bewildered. What was he doing? Now you were really close; he was just six inches away from you, he was extending his arm to keep the door closed and his arm was right above your shoulder and it was slightly touching it. You were face to face and Darren was looking deeply into your eyes. You remained looking into each other's eyes for a while. Like the old times, you thought; but you quickly dispelled that thought from your mind. Darren lowered his gaze to your lips and he stared at them for a little before looking into your eyes again. Why were you feeling nervous? Why were you feeling a tickling in your whole body? Not that you never had this feeling when you were with Darren; but it wasn't supposed to feel like that now.
"I propose you something." Darren whispered, still looking deeply into your eyes. You weren't able to talk and you hated it, you hated to have that feeling. "You can take it or leave it. But I do hope you can take it."
"What?" You asked weakly while you were still feeling how his arm was touching your shoulder.
"Why don't you come with us to Munising? We can talk there. We can find a quiet place where nobody is gonna interrupt us. I'd really like it." Darren said looking deeply, almost piercingly, into your eyes.
"I don't know, Darren... I don't wanna screw your trip, I'm not invited..." You replied looking away; even though, very inside your heart, you wanted to go.
"Yes, you're invited. I'm inviting you right now. And how come you can think that you're gonna screw our trip? Geez, that's stupid; you could never do it..." Darren exclaimed, frowning.
"You have to think about your friends, Darren. Maybe they won't like the idea of me, a random person, joining you." You said, still looking away.
"You're not a random person, Freckles. You'll never be a random person for me, not even if we're not the same as before." Darren whispered and you finally looked into his eyes. He was looking at you very fixedly and you could notice that he really meant it. Damn, why were you feeling so touchy? "And you know that my friends like you; as all the people who meet you, they always like you. Yeah, you always had that ability and you haven't lost it, I noticed." He said giggling softly, but not in an amused or mocking way, but in an adorable and kind way. "So, what do you say? Do you wanna come with me?" He asked, now placing the hand that closed the door on your shoulder. You shivered at his touch, but he didn't move his hand away.
"I... Even if I want to, I can't... Because I have nothing prepared to go there and I can't go with these clothes." You said uncomfortable, looking down.
"That's not a problem at all. We can go to your room and I can help you to pack some stuff." He said shrugging with a smile.
"I..." You babbled, not knowing what to do.
"You have no excuses, Freckles. You can either go or not if you want or not, there's not any other reason that can make you accept or deny my proposal. It's only if you want. So, what I'm asking you is if you want to come with me to Munising." Darren said smiling slightly and you looked into his eyes for a while. You knew that maybe you were going to regret but...
"Yes, I want." You answered, after taking a deep breathe. The only thing that made you feel less regretted was the way he smiled brightly.
"I'm so glad!" He exclaimed cheerfully, squeezing smoothly your shoulder. "Well, just... Just give me a second to finish packing my stuff and then we can go to your room. Okay?"
"Okay, fine." You replied grinning softly.
Darren didn't take so long to pack all of his stuff. He only grabbed a big bag and his guitar. Then, as he said, he accompanied you to your room. Meredith wasn't there because she left early in the morning, surely to go to that place you were going to go now. So it was only you and Darren. Once there, you really didn't know what you should pack because you didn't know how Munising was. Was this a good idea? Yeah, maybe it was; it wasn't time to regret now.
"This may sound very stupid... But what should I pack?" You asked awkwardly and Darren giggled.
"I think I can help you with that, if you don't mind..." He said and you shook your head. Of course you didn't mind, for that you asked him so. "Well, first of all, you'll need a bag. Do you have one?"
"Yes, yes I have one. But it's not as big as yours." You replied.
"Okay, show me it." Darren said and you nodded. You walked to your bedroom and he didn't follow you.
"You can come over here, Darren." You yelled from the bedroom when you realized he probably didn't follow you because he thought it was inappropriate.
"Okay... Is that alright if I come in?" Darren asked from the door and you just looked at him, raising your eyebrows.
"Yes, it is; come on." You replied and chuckled softly. Then you pulled out your bag and you showed it to Darren. "This is the biggest bag I have."
"Oh well, yeah... It may be a problem..." Darren said frowning when he saw it. Yes, it wasn't so big. "Don't worry; you can put some of your stuff in my bag for now. But then remind me that I have to buy you a new bag." He said giggling.
"Okay, thanks." You said smiling kindly. "So... What should I bring?"
"Okay, let's see... Personal stuff you'll need is: a toothbrush, a comb, a deodorant, umm... I can lend you my insect repellent and sun block. That's the essential." He replied and you nodded as you started looking for all of that stuff.
"You can sit on my bed, Darren." You said when you noticed he didn't know what to do while you were searching all the things he mentioned. "Okay, I have it all... What else?"
"Clothes. It's still summer, but Munising tends to be cold at night. And we're going to go camping at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore; so you'll need comfortable clothes and coats. And you probably would want to change that dress you're wearing now." Darren said and you nodded.
"Good." You said and starting looking for some clothes. That was a problem, because most of the clothes you had were dresses, unlike the clothes you had in high school. "Umm... I don't know... Maybe this?" You asked unsure, showing Darren a pair of tight jeans and a short t-shirt.
"Er... no." He said frowning, looking at the clothes. "Don't you have something like... more loose?"
"I don't know." You answered frowning as you started to pull out all your clothes and drop them on the floor. Darren was just looking at you. "Would you help me to find something? Because I honestly don't know what to choose."
"Yeah, sure." Darren said standing up and he walked to you. He kneeled right next to the pile of clothes on the floor. "What about this?" Darren said showing you a pair of old jeans you had.
"No... Those don't fit on me anymore." You answered frowning.
"What are you saying?" He asked frowning, confused. "Freckles, I'm pretty sure these jeans fit on you."
"No..."
"Just try them on." He said kind of bossy, handing you the jeans.
"Alright." You sighed and you took off your dress to try on the jeans.
"Oh, umm..." Darren exclaimed kind of uncomfortable and then he turned his face to avoid looking at you.
You looked at him frowning, confused. Then you realized why he was uncomfortable and it was because you were in your underwear in front of him. Well, you didn't think it could be so inappropriate because you used to do this with Brian that was only your friend. Then you remembered that Darren and you weren't friends.
"Sorry, I didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable..." You apologized.
"No, it's okay." Darren answered, still looking away.
"You can see me, Darren. There's nothing you haven't seen before." You replied, putting on the old jeans.
"Fine..." He answered in a whisper and he looked at you again as you were still trying to put on the jeans. You noticed that he looked at your entire body surreptitiously; but for some reason he was frowning.
"Well, see? These jeans don't fit on me." You proved him and Darren kept looking at you frowning.
"Yeah, that's because those jeans are oversized big jeans for you. I remember you used to wear them in high school... You've lost too much weight, Freckles." Darren said serious, still frowning.
"Yes, maybe I've lost a little weight." You said shrugging; now looking away.
"Not just a little; too much weight. You're very slim, Freckles; you should eat a little more..." He opined, still serious.
"Whatever..." You said a bit upset. Was he scolding you? "That wasn't the point. The point is that I can't wear these jeans."
"You could if you just eat a little mor..."
"Stop it, Darren. I don't wanna talk about what I eat and what not." You interrupted him abruptly and he looked up at you, serious.
"Okay, fine..." Darren said sighing and looking away. "Then tell me which of these clothes aren't big for you..."
"All the dresses... And the tight jeans... And those long skirts; oh, the short jeans too." You replied, pointing him the clothes.
"Okay, umm... None of those clothes will be useful..." He said frowning. "But well, you could bring the jeans, but you won't be comfortable."
"Well, I never expected to go camping someday..." You answered sighing, taking off that old jean.
"That's alright..." Darren said looking away again. "Remind me to buy you also comfortable clothes."
"Yeah..." You replied putting on one of your new jeans and a simple white t-shirt. You were starting to think that maybe you shouldn't go.
"Hey wait..." Darren suddenly exclaimed. "Do you have a belt?"
"No, I'm not used to wear belts." You answered frowning.
"Okay..." Darren said standing up and taking off his belt. "Put on your old jeans again."
"What? No..." You refused when you realized what he was trying to do.
"Come on, Freckles. Just do it." He demanded kind of bossy and you sighed. But you did it. "Good, just let me try something."
Darren walked to you with his belt on his hand. You just looked at him frowning but resigned. He placed his hands on your hips and you shivered at his touch, but you did nothing. He took the end of the belt without the buckle and pulled it through the belt loops until the belt was all the way around your hips and then he pulled the non-buckle end through the buckle opening until he placed the metal notch into one of the holes on the belt. It was weird to see Darren doing this for you; but you let him for some reason. Somehow, you enjoyed being close to him and feel his touch; even if it was wrong to feel it. Then he stepped back and looked at you.
"See? Now you can wear those jeans." He said smiling satisfied.
"I don't know, this is your belt." You said a bit uncomfortable.
"Oh, come on. I don't need it; you can keep it. Just a simple and humble gift." He said smiling friendly.
"Okay, thank you." You said smiling just as friendly.
"You're welcome." He grinned. "Okay, let's get this shit done. Coats, make sure to bring a good one. Underwear... And you will also need blankets and a towel. Oh! And a sleeping bag."
"I don't have one..." You said frowning. How the hell were you supposed to have one?
"Really?" He asked frowning, surprised and concerned at the same time. "Oh man, you really need one. I know Joe had two sleeping bags, but he's already at downtown."
"I... See, Darren? Everything is like telling me that I shouldn't go." You said huffing, looking away.
"Hey no! Let's do something... Bring another blanket. I'll lend you my sleeping bag and I'll sleep on the blanket. Problem solved." He said grinning and you shook your head.
"I can't do that! That is your sleeping bag! How would you sleep in a blanket? No..." You refused strongly.
"Yes! I can sleep everywhere, you know? Even on the ground." Darren said convincingly, but he didn't get it.
You still refused to do it. He noticed it, so he held both of your hands and you looked at him frowning, kind of disgruntled for this. Not that you didn't like it, the problem actually was that you liked it and it was wrong. Anyway, you didn't move your hands away.
"Come on, Freckles. I really want you to go." He said looking deeply into your eyes and your body, your stupid body, started trembling. You couldn't say no after this.
"Okay, but only if you sleep in your sleeping bag and I sleep in the blanket." You said trying to avoid his intense gaze.
"We will see... But pretend I answered yes." Darren said giggling softly and then he kissed your hands. What the hell? Now you really moved your hands away and he noticed he shouldn't have done it. "Sorry..."
"It's okay." You answered looking away. "Well, so... Just let me pack that stuff."
"Yes. Do you want me to help you? You can put the blankets and towel in my bag." Darren said.
So Darren helped you to pack everything while looking amused some of your most extravagant clothes, telling you all the time that those were 'totally awesome' clothes. Once you were ready, you took a bus to go to downtown, where everybody was waiting for you two to arrive... Actually they were waiting only for Darren to arrive. The trip to there was quiet; you didn't talk too much and if you talked was about silly and random things, mostly jokes. Darren was the first to get out the bus.
"Darren, what the hell, man? We've been waiting for you for more than two hours!" You heard someone complaining while you were grabbing your bag to get out of the bus. This was surely your fault...
"Sorry, I swear that I have a logical explanation for that." Darren said giggling.
"Why are you laughing, Darren? This is not funny, you promised not to fall asleep!" Another person complained. And you finally walked to get out of the bus.
"Hi." You greeted shyly. Yes, it was awkward; they didn't know that you were coming and you didn't know if they were going to like it. A lot of friends of Darren were there, including Meredith.
"Freckles?" Meredith asked curiously, frowning but with a smile.
"Yeah, she's the explanation, Joe. So stop complaining." Darren said looking at you with a bright smile. "Let me help you, Freckles."
Darren walked to you and he extended his hand and you held it to make your way down the big steps at the front of the bus. Once you were outside, Darren didn't let out your hand. He kept holding it and you were aware of this, but you played dumb. It was just something very harmless, why would you let out his hand?
"She's coming with us, guys!" Darren exclaimed cheerfully, still holding your hand.
"Really?" Meredith asked excited. "That's amazing! I haven't invited you because you told me you had to study, but it's so great you could make it! You're gonna have so much fun, I promise!"
"Well, hello!" Joe greeted you with a flirty smile and you just smiled kindly. "Only because you brought her, you're forgiven, Darren."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever, Joe." Darren answered frowning. You noticed how Joey and Darren exchanged a look, but you couldn't tell what it was for.
"I hope you can be ready to have some crazy time with us!" Lauren said smiling amused.
"Yes, it's great you could come; now we'll have the chance to know you more." Julia said smiling friendly. Then she looked at your hands holding and then she exchanged a look with Darren, a confused kind of look. Well, it felt awkward; but still, you didn't let out his hand and he either.
"You really don't mind that I came, without saying anything? I mean... Umm, I don't wanna be a bother." You said politely, looking at them all. Everybody, including Darren, looked at you frowning.
"Of course not." Brian answered still frowning and with a smile. "You're always welcome, you should feel part of our team, you know? I already told you that you're like us." He said and that made you smile.
"I told you they like you, Freckles." Darren whispered in your ear and you chuckled, happily.
"Well, we should go or we're gonna arrive at night." A girl that you didn't know said. "I'm Bonnie, by the way."
"Oh yeah, right. She's Bonnie, that girl over there is Jaime; that guy over there is Dylan and that tiny guy is Joe Moses." Darren said pointing you each one of them as they made silly gestures to greet you, what made you laugh. They seemed to be a very funny group of people. "And where are Matt and Nick Lang? And Liam, Nico, Elona, Britney and the other guys?"
"They couldn't make it this weekend." Joe Moses said, shrugging.
"Oh too bad. Well, you'll meet them another day." Darren said looking at you while smiling friendly and you nodded.
"Well, let's move our ass, ladies!" Joe Walker exclaimed and everybody laughed.
So everybody started walking; you right next to Darren, still holding hands. Yes, this was weird but it felt good, like the old times. Not even with your ex-boyfriend, Ian, you felt so comfortable to hold hands while walking. You always thought that Darren's hand fit perfectly with yours. Some of his friends were looking at you both intrigued and then you remembered that it wasn't normal to hold hands with someone that wasn't your lover; but it was always different with Darren; even when Darren and you were only friends, you used to hold hands. Yeah, he wasn't your friend now and he was the guy who dumped you; but just for this moment you wanted to forget it; you were simply feeling good, somehow.
"Where are we going? I mean, how are we gonna get to that place we're going?" You asked in a whisper to Darren.
"Oh, haven't I told you?" Darren asked frowning, with a funny smile. "We're gonna go walking. Oh yeah, we all need to work-out." He said laughing as you nudged him playfully while giggling. "Just kidding, we're going to The Greyhound Bus Station to go to Munising and from there we're going to the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and there we're gonna camp in a backcountry campground along the North Country Trail."
"Oh, seems cool." You said smiling brightly as Darren looked into your eyes, also smiling brightly.
"I think you'll like that place. It's a spectacular place for hiking, you're gonna be rewarded with exhilarating views! I'm not kidding, that place is beautiful, man." Darren exclaimed excited.
"Have you gone already to that place?" You asked intrigued.
"Yeah, I have." He answered smiling softly.
"Oh, so it's not gonna be an adventure for you." You said.
"Who told you that? It's always an adventure to visit places, even if you know those places; you never do the same things twice. And besides... I never went there with you. So yeah, it'll be an adventure for me too." He said raising an eyebrow and looking at you amused as he squeezed your hand.
Well, you were going to be with Darren in apparently an exotic place in middle of nowhere... And you were going to spend the whole weekend with him. Yes, it was going to be an adventure; but you still didn't know if it was going to be a good or bad one.
"What a beautiful, wonderful, amazing place!" I heard Freckles exclaiming out loud once we were already pitching the tents.
Oh man, it was so wonderful to see her so cheerful, so bright, so beautiful... so lively. She was being completely different than she was the last days since I met her again. I loved seeing her smiling, laughing, making jokes, getting along with my friends, jumping and running to and fro. I really liked this new Freckles and I was so eager to start knowing her again, to start over and become something important to her again.
"Hey man, what happened? Have you talked to her already?" Joey asked while we were still pitching the tents.
"No, not yet." I answered quiet. Somehow I was relaxed and I was feeling happy. Well, it was obvious; seeing her like that was making me happy.
"So why is she here? Why were you holding hands, buddy? And why is she this happy and you're seeing her like that?" Joey asked so quickly.
"Hey, slow down." I said laughing. "I just convinced her to come here to talk; she wanted to talk, man. That's a good sign, I guess." I said smiling cheerfully. "And we were holding hands because... Well, because I took advantage of that moment that she didn't seem to mind. You know? Even when we were only friends in high school we used to hold hands; so it's not something too odd for us."
"Hey, Darren. What's up with you and Freckles?" Julia suddenly asked intrigued.
"I was just telling that to Joey."
"Does Julia also know about Freckles and you?" Joey asked.
"Yep. Only the two of you, guys." I answered honestly, still smiling like a fool.
"What about Meredith?" Julia asked intrigued.
"I think she doesn't know. Well, I didn't tell her anything, I don't know if Freckles did, but I don't think so." I answered shrugging and frowning slightly. The truth was that I wasn't sure about it.
"Darren! Hey, is that girl your girl or something? She's pretty." Joe Moses suddenly asked.
"I was wondering the same, you know?" Bonnie said next to Joe.
"Darren, what hell is going on with you and Freckles? As far as I know, you weren't close friends in high school. And now this? Why were you guys holding hands? I demand an explanation!" Meredith exclaimed curiously and also confused. Oh geez, why was everybody asking me about Freckles?
"Whoa! You are bombarding me with questions!" I exclaimed raising my eyebrows. "Freckles is... She was my friend in high school, okay? And just because we were holding hands doesn't mean that we're something more than friends. At least not for now..." I said with a saucy smile. Yeah, man... I wouldn't hide it any longer.
"What do you mean with 'at least not for now', eh? Do you like her? Do you want to be more than her friend?" Meredith asked really intrigued and almost suspiciously.
"Geez, Meredith!" I exclaimed loudly, laughing softly and still with that saucy smile. I didn't answer her questions and I wasn't going to do it.
"You're not answering, Criss." Meredith insisted.
"Hey, Dylan! Do you need help over there?" I yelled and I walked to Dylan, amused. Yeah, I didn't want to answer for now, so I played dumb.
"No, no, I'm fine." He answered.
"I'm pretty sure you need help. If not, you're gonna pretend that you need help." I said laughing and he looked at me frowning.
"How do I do this? I mean, what is this for?" I heard Freckles asking, looking at the Upright Pole.
"Oh my god. You've never gone camping, have you?" I asked laughing, walking to her.
"Are you making fun of me?" She asked frowning, smiling amused. "It's obvious, so the answer is needless."
"Let me help you, may I?" I said standing right next to her and taking the Upright Pole.
"Okay, thanks." She said smiling kindly and looking intently at me, as if she was waiting me to explain her how to do this.
"Well, this shit that I have now in my hands? This is an adjustable upright steel pole. It is useful for holding up tent doors to make awnings, creating washing lines and for supporting tarps." I answered, looking at her amused.
"Oh, I see..."
"You didn't understand a damn shit, did you?" I asked chuckling softly and she laughed.
"No, I didn't understand a damn shit." She admitted, still laughing.
"I figured!" I laughed out loud. "Alright, I'll tell you what we're gonna do." I said and she nodded energetically. "This is a two-man tent, so it's not so hard to pitch it. First we have to push the shock-corded poles through the sleeves at the front and back of the tent. Then, we have to fit a plastic pole joint onto the tops of the two tent poles at the front of the tent and we have to do it again for the pair at the back of the tent. The front and back of the tent then will have a rigid triangular frame, formed by the two tent poles and the ground. Below, we have to slide one end of the remaining tent pole into the hole in the top of the plastic pole joint on the front of the tent. Then, we'll bend it down so we can fit it into the matching slot on the other plastic pole joint at the back of the tent. The end result will turn the remaining pole into a rigid arch across the top of the tent. The tent will be then pitched enough that it can stand on its own. Can we do that for now?" I asked looking fixedly at her.
"Yeah, we can. But you'll have to help me, because when you explain something, it seems easy to do, even though I didn't understand anything; but when you put it into practice, it is a pain in the ass." She said smiling amused.
"A pain in the ass? Ha! That's a good phrase!" I said laughing out loud. "Okay, just help me to spread the shelter, that part isn't so hard."
It took us more time that it should have taken; but it was only because Freckles really seemed interested on learning how to do this, so she wanted to do everything by herself, and of course she was doing it wrong and I had to help her several times. I didn't mind to do it because I just loved spending time with her and I loved to explain her how to do certain things; usually she was the one who used to explain me everything, so I felt useful now. After we got it, we ran the nylon line through the small holes for it in the two plastic pole joints, tied the end at the back of the tent to a tent peg, and drove that peg into the ground; we attached the front end of the line to a tent peg, pulled the line taut, and drove that peg into the ground, too. We also pulled out the O-rings attached to the corners of the tent until they were taut, threaded a peg through the ring, and drove that peg into the ground. And finally, we threw the rain fly over the top of the tent and arranged it so that it was symmetrical.
"Alright! Look what you have done, Freckles! A damn perfect work! Look at your tent!" I exclaimed excited as she bounced, also excited.
"We got it! It was so much fun!" She exclaimed still excited and I looked deeply at her. It was adorable the way she could feel so happy for something so insignificant.
"Yay! Give me five!" I exclaimed loudly and cheerfully and she gave me a high-five while giggling.
"We're the best team ever!" She bounced excited.
"Oh well, well. I'm not sleeping in that tent. If Darren did it, I don't trust." Lauren said raising her eyebrows and laughing.
"Hey!" I exclaimed pretended to be offended. "We both did it and it's perfect."
"Yeah, sure! No one of us wants to die, so then only you two will sleep there, honey bunches of creamy pie." Lauren said looking at us amused and winking. She surely was also intrigued to know what was going on between us, but I played dumb again.
"No problem at all, we'll survive and I'll laugh in your face!" I said challenging, in a playful way.
"Hell yeah, you'll envy us because our tent is the best one!" Freckles said also challenging and laughing. I just looked at her amazed... So, did it mean that we were going to sleep together, only the two of us? I liked how it sounded, but I wasn't sure that Freckles was aware of that.
"I don't know if it's gonna be the best, but surely it'll be the warmest and hottest." Lauren said winking, talking with double meaning. I just shook my head amused, but I didn't laugh because surely Freckles didn't get what Lauren actually meant.
"And maybe it'll be also the noisiest. Like a movie live and direct, you won't have to pay to rent a porn movie." Freckles said mischievously, raising an eyebrow. I looked at her in shock. Was this Freckles saying something like that? Like, what the fuck? Lauren burst out laughing.
"Yes, girl. Definitely I like you!" Lauren said still laughing. "Oh my god, Darren. You've got a totally awesome girl."
"Yeah..." I said still frowning and Lauren turned around and left. "What was that?"
"What was what?" She asked amused, playing dumb.
"That thing of... Of the movie and all of that."
"Oh, the porn movie? Come on, Darren; we're not teens anymore, so don't be afraid to mention it." She said giggling and I looked at her stunned. Oh geez, she was definitely different now. "I was just joking, no need to be so serious."
"Yeah, right." I answered still stunned, but then I decided to be just as mischievous as her. Why not? I could have a little fun now. "But you know? I wouldn't mind at all to experiment that movie live and direct." I whispered sensually in her ear while placing a hand on her waist.
"That you wish, Criss." She said serious, softly pushing me away. Yeah, I shouldn't have done it.
"I was just kidding, Freckles." I said frowning when I realized it was a mistake.
"Okay, fine." She said looking away. "I'll see if someone needs some kind of help now that I know how to pitch a tent!" She exclaimed.
She quickly turned around and walked away as I just looked down, cursing myself for saying something as stupid as that. Damn, I couldn't do anything right, man. I knew that she wouldn't like it because I tried to flirt with her already and it didn't go well; but I did it anyway like an idiot. I needed to talk to her first; but no, all I did was to flirt. What a jerk! When we finished pitching the tents, it was already dark. While others were placing the bags on the tents, I walked alone to gather tinder, kindling and logs. Everybody seemed to be really busy to accompany me, even Freckles. I tried to look at her direction and ask her to come with me, I wanted to be with her, but she never looked at me; she was fooling around with Joe Walker; they really seemed to get along since that day we played tennis. Then I remembered what Meredith told me: Freckles liked Joe. Well, I tried not to think about it, so I just went alone to clear my mind. So I was gathering dead dry plants and grasses, dry needles from coniferous trees, wood shavings, and dry twigs and wood pieces, placing them all in a kindling sack; until I heard a sound, a crack of a branch. I turned around abruptly, lighting with a flashlight in the direction from which the sound came.
"Who's there?" I asked gingerly. I was alone there, no one saw me.
And I heard the same crack of a branch, but this time coming from another direction, so I turned abruptly again. I was lighting the way, but no one seemed to be there. Maybe it was just a barred owl, a skunk, a mink or a chipmunk. But what if it was a white-tailed deer or a moose? Or even worse, what if it was a black bear or a wolf? Oh damn shit; that was why I shouldn't have come alone. What the fuck was wrong with me? No, I tried to relax; it was really weird to see an animal where people used to be. No, animals don't go to where the visitors often are. But the truth was that we chose a non-touristic place to camp and we were deep in the forest.
"This is not funny! Get out of there, whoever you are!" I yelled, more frightened now.
No one answered and I heard the same sound, now even nearer. I lightened the place from which the sound came and there I saw it, a shadow running. But I couldn't tell if it was an animal or a person. Damn.
"Boo!" I heard a yell behind me and then laughs.
That scared the crap out of me. I turned around to find Joey and Julia laughing out loud at my face.
"What the fuck?" I exclaimed annoyed, while still panting because of the fear. My heart was still beating really fast. "That wasn't funny! I thought it was a wolf or a black bear. Fuck you."
"A wolf? Really, Darren?" Joey asked still laughing, making fun of me.
"Wolves aren't where people are. They're not so foolish, you know?" Julia said also laughing.
"Fuck you." I said annoying, trying to calm down now.
"Come on, buddy! No need to be mad!" Joey said still laughing as he placed a hand on my shoulder and I nudged him.
"What are you doing here, anyway?" I asked, still frowning.
"The question is what you are doing here alone." Julia pointed.
"I just came to gather kindling, for the campfire, you idiots." I said annoyed.
"Alone?" Julia asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, alone. Everybody was busy and it was going to get really dark. So yeah." I answered as I crouched to grab a log. "And you?"
"We saw you coming here alone, so we were intrigued why you would be here." Julia said shrugging.
"Well, now you know the reason." I answered, still gathering tinder.
"Yeah, but you really had to come alone? Is that the only reason?" Julia asked curiously.
"Yes, it is." I answered curtly.
"Bullshit." Joey exclaimed loudly, looking at me fixedly. "I know there's something else."
"And we're pretty sure that Freckles has something to do." Julia added.
"Definitely." Joey agreed, nodding.
"Ugh, why do you relate everything that happens to me to Freckles? It's not like that, you know." I replied frowning, a bit annoyed; even if I knew they were right.
"Umm, let me see... Because since you saw Freckles for the first time this year you've been acting weird and kind of dull and cheerless." Joey said. "Maybe because Freckles was your first real girlfriend and you were forced to leave her and you spent a whole damn year searching for her to get her back."
"Maybe because when you finally found her again, she was different and nothing was the same, she acted kind of distant with you and it made you feel confused, troubled and down." Julia added. "Maybe because you're still in love with her, but you can't do anything because she's not the same girl with whom you fell in love in high school, so it makes you feel impotent and you have to pretend all the time that you don't feel like that."
"But mostly, because she keeps ignoring you while you try constantly to get closer. Maybe because of all of that." Joey said shrugging and Julia nodded in agreement as I looked at them bewildered, frowning.
"Well, thanks guys. That was an amazing summary." I exclaimed, shaking my head and looking down.
"Darren, we're just trying to help." Julia said softly.
"Yeah, what a way to help!" I exclaimed ironically.
"Don't be a jerk, Darren." Joey said serious. "What we're trying to say is that you won't stop feeling like that as long as you don't talk to her. You really need to get the guts to go and just talk to her, goddammit!"
"Yeah, and how the fuck do you expect me to go and talk to her if every time I try to get closer to talk to her she finds a stupid damn excuse to walk away from me? How?" I exclaimed angrily because I was feeling really impotent. When I saw Joey and Julia's faces, I noticed that I spoke in a really loudly and harshly way, so I sighed to calm down. "I tried it. And it's ironic, because she was the one who told me that she wanted to talk; but now it seems she wants to be as far as possible from me, she only wants to be there, fooling around with Joe. And you heard Meredith that day, Joey. Freckles likes him. And at times she acts very nice to me, she lets me hold her hand, she lets me be near her, she jokes and is funny and lovely; but at times she's the coldest person ever, she ignores me, she acts distant and she walks away from me. I don't fucking understand her, damn it. What can I do, eh?" I asked distressed as they looked down. Neither of them said something. I looked at them for a while and then I sighed, resigned; I knew they didn't know what to say. "Whatever... We came here to have fun, not to have a crappy weekend. So I'll go out there and I'll put my best happy face and I'll smile, and laugh and talk, sing and joke. Like the guy I used to be before Freckles came."
"You can't pretend it, Darren; because it'll hurt you in the end." Julia said in a whisper.
"Well, I think that maybe if I pretend it too much, I'll believe it and I'll be that guy again. Do you think that I like what I am now? No, it sucks. It sucks to be me right now. I just want to have fun, like last year. And I think I can do it, regardless of what Freckles does; now that isn't something of my business. She's free, and I'm free; we can do the shit we want. And what I want right now is to have a blast, so I won't care if Freckles wants to talk to me or not, if she wants to be with me or not; it won't affect me." I said trying to convince myself as Joey and Julia were looking at me frowning. "And change those faces, or I'm gonna kick your ass." I said trying to joke and I laughed, but it was more like a bitter laugh. "Come on, let's go. We have to make that stupid campfire."
"Yeah, okay..." Joey said sighing.
So we came back to the camp and Joey and Julia helped me to make the campfire. While I was building a ring of rocks and then piling the kindling loosely in the fire ring, I was looking at Freckles who didn't notice I was there. She was playing a game with Joe, Meredith, Brian and Bonnie; I didn't know what kind of game, though. Yeah, I felt bad when she ignored me like that, but I tried to ignore that feeling. I needed to have fun and for that I shouldn't care about what Freckles was doing or not. So I focused on the campfire. We placed the tinder on the pile of kindling and then we lightened the fire with my lighter and we gradually added more kindling while we slowly blew air on the igniting fire to build heat and intensity. After a while, we got a great campfire.
"I am the king of campfires!" I exclaimed loudly while laughing and I exclaimed it so loudly that everybody finally noticed us.
"Hey, you got our help." Joey said frowning but amused.
"I bet he did. As far as I remember, Darren couldn't do a campfire." Freckles suddenly said giggling while she was walking with Joe to where we were.
"That was a long time ago, honey. Now I'm an absolute beast when it comes to campfires." I said in a sassy way, with an amused smile. "Be right back, I'll bring the marshmallows." I said winking.
"Marshmallows! You brought marshmallows! I love that!" Meredith exclaimed excited. "I'm so hungry that I'd eat them all alone."
I went to my tent to look for the marshmallows in my bag and when I was there, I didn't see Freckles' bag there. Oh well, that left me thinking for a while. Why wouldn't it be there if we were going to sleep in the same tent? Maybe she regretted to sleep in the same tent than me after what I said. But, where would she sleep? With who? Maybe with Joe? No, man, I needed to stop thinking about it; I really needed to have fun and wondering things like those were making me feel bitter. I grabbed the marshmallows and walked outside. Everybody was already sitting around the campfire; the first person I saw was Freckles, who was sitting next to Joe and Meredith. I walked slowly to there and I sat next to Joey and Julia, right in front of Freckles.
"Well, everybody please grab a marshmallow and melt it on a stick. It's fucking delicious." I exclaimed trying to sound cheerful as I passed the pack of marshmallows.
Like that we all started eating and telling random stories. It was pretty fun, for real; I didn't have to pretend that I was having fun. The only thing I didn't like so much was how Freckles and Joe were making physical contact all the time, like touching hands or arms, even legs and hair; and whenever they talked they laughed. Yeah man, I couldn't compete with Joe; he was way much sexier and charismatic than me; no doubts why Freckles liked him; and he was also a good and funny guy. Damn, he was my friend; I shouldn't think bad things about him only because he was getting along with Freckles. He never did something to hurt me. I didn't take my eyes off Freckles in any moment and, contradictorily, Freckles took her eyes off me all the time. Yeah, she didn't glance at me not even once, not even when it was me the one who was talking or telling a joke.
"Hey Darren, bring your guitar! I think it's time to sing some shit." Dylan suddenly exclaimed.
"Yeah, go ahead! We all want to hear your adorable annoying voice singing, Darren!" Joe Moses joked.
"Annoying?" Freckles suddenly asked looking at Joe Moses, frowning, apparently confused.
"Yeah, haven't you heard him? He sings his butt off all the time and he makes all of those expressive faces while singing. It's annoying." Joe Moses joked again and Freckles was still frowning.
"Yeah, I've heard him... But I don't think it's annoying." She replied, still looking at Joe and that made me smile slightly.
"You only say it because you're afraid to hurt his feelings, poor little Darren." Joe Moses answered, making fun of me but in a playful way.
"No, really, I don't think..."
"Freckles, Joe is joking. Everybody here wants to be like Darren freakin' Criss!" Jaime exclaimed laughing.
"Oh, I see... What a fool!" Freckles exclaimed, now laughing of herself as I was looking at her amused.
"Alright, I'll bring my guitar then. But, hey, everybody has to sing!" I exclaimed while standing up.
It didn't take me so long to look for my guitar and come back. I loved this part of the camp, when everybody is sitting around a campfire and singing. When I sat again next to Joey and Julia, Brian and Bonnie were writing something.
"What are you doing, guys?" I asked frowning curiously.
"Oh, we decided we're gonna play a game." Brian answered.
"I thought we were going to sing?" I asked confused.
"Yeah, well; it's a game that involves singing." Bonnie replied.
"Oh, I like how it sounds." I said smiling cheerfully.
Then Brian and Bonnie cut the papers and put them in two little sacks. Then they mixed the sacks and they handed one sack to Jaime and she looked at them confused as everybody was.
"Okay, the game is about a battle of songs. First, you'll take a paper from this sack. The papers from this sack will tell you with who you have to sing and compete." Bonnie explained. "This other sack contains names of some bands. So, once you already know with who you're gonna compete, that person is gonna take a paper from this sack and you'll know what band you have to perform. For example. I take one of these papers and it turns out that I have to sing with Brian." Bonnie started explaining.
"Yeah, so then I take one of these papers and we'll see what band we have to perform. For example, I choose one and I get Queen. Then Bonnie is gonna start singing a song by Queen, for example 'You're My Best Friend'. Then, when she finishes singing the song, she first has to tell a little imaginary story to give me a rise to what song by Queen I have to sing." Brian said.
"Let's suppose that after singing that song I say something like 'we were best friends, yeah, but what we didn't know was that there was something else; a new kind of feeling; but we didn't want to admit it, we weren't ready'. Then Brian could sing 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love'." Bonnie continued.
"Exactly, and then I'm the one who has to tell another part of the story and Bonnie has to pick another song by Queen. But everything has to have coherent correlativity. Like this, the game continues until one of the competitors doesn't know how to keep going." Brian said with a cheerful smile.
"Oh dude! That's a totally awesome game!" I exclaimed really excited. This was for sure funnier than just singing. "How did you come up with this idea?"
"We're creative people, Darren." Brian said laughing. "No, not really. It wasn't our idea, actually."
"It was Freckles' idea." Bonnie admitted and Freckles smiled proudly, but not looking at me.
"Oh cool. That's a cool idea, Freckles." I said looking at her, but she didn't look at me, she only smiled.
"Okay, Jaime, take a paper!" Bonnie exclaimed.
"Well, I have to compete with... Dylan!" She exclaimed joyfully.
"Good, now, Dylan, take one of these papers!" Brian said handing him the sack.
"Well, well... We have to perform... Aerosmith!" Dylan exclaimed amused. "Great, I'm gonna beat you, Jaime!"
And like that the game started and they started performing songs by Aerosmith. It was so much fun to see them competing and making up silly stories. This game was really good and entertained. Then Joey had to sing with Lauren songs by The Rolling Stones; Meredith with Brian songs by The Beatles; and Julia with Joe Moses songs by Pink Floyd. Well, now only Bonnie, Freckles, Joe Walker and me had to sing and at this point of the night we were a bit tipsy because we've been drinking some beers and eating some snacks. No one was drunk, though, because we didn't drink so much. Now it was Freckles' turn to take a paper. I really, really wished that it could be me the one.
"Well, I have to sing with..." Freckles said mysteriously and amused while opening the little paper. I was eager to know it. She finally read it and her amused smile faded. "With Darren." She said looking down and then she put aside the paper, now looking away.
Oh man, that was harsh; the way she stopped smiling and looked away when she read my name. What did I do to her anyway? I didn't deserve it, no, I really didn't deserve to be treated in that way, as if I was a piece of shit or something. As far as I know, since I met her again, she was the one who treated me in a bad way while all I tried to do was to be nice to her. She was always the one who was making me feel confused with her sudden changes of mood and her sudden changes of the way she acted with me. I simply couldn't understand her and I didn't know which her real personality was; I didn't know if she was now the funny and adorable girl she was with everybody or if she was the cold and distant girl she was with me sometimes. Yeah, I knew she was still thinking that I dumped her like an asshole, but still. She could try to understand me as well; she could at least notice that I was trying to be nice to her, that I was trying to get close to her again. This wasn't so fair. Anyway, I wouldn't let this to screw my mood and my amusement.
"Come on, Darren; pick a paper." Brian told me, handing me the sack.
"Good." I said trying to sound joyful, taking a paper and reading it. "Well, we have to perform Coldplay. Should I start?"
"Yes, yes! Come on, pick a song and just sing it! We all want to hear you, Criss!" Jaime exclaimed excited.
"Good, well... I'll play my guitar as well." I said and I focused on tuning my guitar while thinking what song by Coldplay I could sing. I looked up and I saw Freckles; she was still avoiding my gaze. "Alright, I got it..." I said looking fixedly at Freckles, who was looking down, playing with her fingers.
"Cool, just sing it, Criss!" Lauren exclaimed loudly.
And yeah, I started singing the perfect song for the moment, while Freckles was looking away, serious.
"So I look in your direction,
But you pay me no attention, do you?
I know you don't listen to me.
'cause you say you see straight through me, don't you?
And on and on from the moment I wake,
To the moment I sleep,
I'll be there by your side,
Just you try and stop me,
I'll be waiting in line,
Just to see if you care.
Did you want me to change?
Well I changed for good
And I want you to know.
That you'll always get your way
I wanted to say,
Don't you Shiver?
Shiver
Sing it loud and clear.
I'll always be waiting for you,
So you know how much I need you,
But you never even see me, do you?
And is this my final chance of getting you?
And on and on from the moment I wake,
To the moment I sleep,
I'll be there by your side,
Just you try and stop me,
I'll be waiting in line,
Just to see if you care.
Oh, oh, oh, oh.
Did you want me to change?
Well I changed for good
And I want you to know.
That you'll always get your way
I wanted to say,
Don't you Shiver?
Don't you Shiver?
Sing it loud and clear.
I'll always be waiting for you.
Yeah I'll always be waiting for you.
Yeah I'll always be waiting for you.
Yeah I'll always be waiting for you.
For you,
I will always be waiting.
And it's you I see, but you don't see me.
And it's you I hear, so loud and so clear
I sing it loud and clear.
And I'll always be waiting for you.
So I look in your direction,
But you pay me no attention,
And you know how much I need you,
But you never even see me."
I finished singing and I sang all the song looking fixedly at Freckles as she only glanced at me few times, always serious. Well, it was time to think about something to say as a story; but I was going to tell her something I really meant, I was going to take advantage of it.
"And that was the song that the guy sang to the girl. He wanted to let her know how he really felt, and he didn't know how to express his feelings in any other way. The saddest part was when, even when the song was already sung, the girl didn't look at him. It was as if she didn't care at all about his true love feelings for her. The guy never knew why she was acting like that; he was confused, really confused. So the girl, finally, decided to tell him what she thought and felt deep inside her heart about the guy. She did it with a song." I said looking fixedly at Freckles, who was also looking at me fixedly and serious.
She knew what I was doing, she wasn't a fool; she knew that I was trying to turn our real situation into a story, and nobody was going to suspect anything. In the meantime, everybody was looking at us intrigued and amused. No one suspected; no one except Joey and Julia who knew for what I was going through; they were the only who were looking at me agape, knowing how risky this could be.
"Good, give me the guitar." Freckles said kind of bossy. "I wanna play the song with a guitar as well."
"You can't play the guitar." I said frowning. She told me she could never learn it, that she gave up.
"Yes, I can, Criss. You don't know everything. I learned; I'm not so good, but I can play some songs." Freckles said coldly and I looked at her stunned.
"Okay." I said in a whisper and I passed my guitar, so my friends were going to give it to her. I observed Freckles very intently while she was tuning the guitar; she actually knew how to do it. And when she started playing the first chords, I was truly amazed.
"And the hardest part
Was letting go, not taking part
Was the hardest part.
And the strangest thing
Was waiting for that bell to ring
It was the strangest start.
I could feel it go down
Bittersweet, I could taste in my mouth
Silver lining the cloud
Oh and I
I wish that I could work it out.
And the hardest part
Was letting go, not taking part
You really broke my heart.
And I tried to sing
But I couldn't think of anything
And that was the hardest part.
I could feel it go down
You left the sweetest taste in my mouth
You're a silver lining the clouds
Oh and I
Oh and I
I wonder what it's all about
I wonder what it's all about.
Everything I know is wrong
Everything I do, it's just comes undone
And everything is torn apart.
Oh and it's the hardest part
That's the hardest part
Yeah that's the hardest part
That's the hardest part."
And she finished singing. Oh geez, she was way better at singing; and she actually could play the guitar. When did she learn to do it all? How come was she good now? Her voice was simply amazing, and so sweet and melodic. She made some mistakes with the guitar and I noticed she was still learning, but she could do it. Well, maybe indeed I didn't know so many things about her, but things like these made me want to know her again. She also looked at me fixedly while singing and I paid attention to every single line of the song. I knew she also meant it. Now it was time to hear how she was going to continue with the story.
"So the girl finally told him how she was feeling. Anyway, she didn't say everything with the song; so she opened up her heart and told to the guy more things. The girl said that she truly loved him sometime, she told him that some time ago, she let him to stand by her and she gave him the chance to know that she really cared about him. But the guy, instead..." Freckles said and her voice cracked as she looked down frowning; but then she looked up to me again, serious. "Instead, the guy dumped her, the guy left her all by herself; the guy made her feel like shit, worthless and miserable. He disappeared of her life with no explanations, leaving the girl with a broken heart that took a year to heal. He left her and she was lost; and right when she could move on and be happy again, he appeared again, acting as if nothing ever has happened; acting as if he was actually a nice guy; but the girl knew it was a lie, as everything of what they had was a damn big lie." Freckles said looking at me coldly as I was feeling terrible, looking at her anguished. Joey and Julia were looking at us stunned and aghast; and the rest was looking at us entertained, they still didn't know this was actually a true story. "The guy answered with another song..." She said coldly, passing the guitar and looking away while I was still looking at her distressed. Geez, I never thought she could actually continue with this I started. Was this a really good idea?
"This is being the best story so far. You two are good at telling stories, especially you, Freckles." Joe Walker exclaimed amazed.
"Well, I like reading, so I learned something." Freckles answered shrugging with a faint smile as I looked deeply into her eyes.
"Okay..." I said clearing my throat before starting to sing again. I knew perfectly what song I should sing now. I looked at Freckles straight in the eye, still feeling an affliction in my chest.
"Now I never meant,
To do you wrong,
That's what I came here to say.
But if I was wrong,
Then I'm sorry,
I don't let it stand in our way.
As my head just aches,
When I think of,
The things that I shouldn't have done.
But, life is for living,
We all know,
And I don't wanna live it alone.
Sing,
Ah, ah, oh,
Ah, ah, oh,
And just think,
Ah, ah, oh."
I finished singing while still looking deeply into her eyes, feeling distressed. The song finished, but I wanted to sing something else; something that I really needed to sing, so I kept playing my guitar, even if it was a song that I should have played with a piano. Everybody looked at me frowning and some started complaining because of the confusion because I wasn't supposed to sing another song; but then they let me do it; even Freckles let me do it.
"When you try your best, but you don't succeed
When you get what you want, but not what you need
When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse.
And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone, but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you.
And high up above or down below
When you're too in love to let it go
But if you never try you'll never know
Just what you're worth.
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you.
Tears stream down your face
When you lose something you cannot replace
Tears stream down your face
And I...
Tears stream down your face
I promise you I will learn from my mistakes
Tears stream down your face
And I...
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you."
When I finished singing the song, my voice cracked, but I dissimulated it. I couldn't stop staring at Freckles and she looked at me while I was singing, but now she was looking down, frowning. Man, this wasn't a good idea at all, I was feeling vulnerable. I needed to continue with the story, I was aware of it. But I took a while to do it, because I couldn't talk. I noticed how Joey and Julia were also looking down, apparently feeling bad.
"The guy..." I said with cracked voice and I had to take a time to look down and clear my throat before looking at Freckles again. "The guy was really sorry for what he did; he didn't spend even a damn single day without regretting about what he did to the girl. But he had reasons for having done what he has done; and for sure, one of the reasons wasn't to do her wrong. He made a mistake and he hurt the girl, something that he never wanted to do. He knew that the girl was feeling bad, but the guy also was feeling bad. He knew that the only way they could get better was only if they could talk for once and all; maybe that way she was going to understand him; maybe that way they were going to get back together again. Maybe that way the girl was going to realize that the guy never ever stopped loving that beautiful and lovely girl. The guy only wanted to fix her, to fix them." I said with choked voice, looking at Freckles deeply into her eyes. I knew I had teary eyes, but I wasn't going to cry in front of everybody, but the truth was that it was really hard to hold the tears back. Freckles was also looking at me with teary eyes; and Joey and Julia were still looking down, biting their lower lip. "The girl... Maybe the girl had something to tell to the guy. And the guy was really interested on knowing her opinion."
Then I looked down and I frowned when I was trying hard to hold back the damn tears. Why the hell was I feeling like this? So sad. I shouldn't feel like this in front of everybody. And Freckles... What would Freckles say? I wasn't ready to hear a negative response from her.
"Hey, this story is so cool. Not only you're picking the perfect songs and making up that enthralling story; but you guys are also acting it! It feels so real, I love it!" Meredith exclaimed happily.
"Yeah, guys. It seems we're watching a romantic movie or something like that. This is what I call angst." Brian said nodding, amazed.
"You're gonna make me cry with that stupid story! And I never cry." Joe Walker said.
I was just looking down, biting my lower lip. Yeah, definitely no one noticed it was a true story. I just couldn't answer; that stupid annoying lump in the throat and that awful pain in the chest. I was also feeling eager to know her response; I needed to hear it. I looked up when I heard Freckles playing the guitar.
"You know you made me cry
I see no use in wondering why
I cry for you.
And now you've changed your mind
I see no reason to change mine
I cry it's through, oh.
You're giving me the same old line
I'm wondering why
You hurt me then
You're back again
No, no, no, not a second time.
You know you made me cry
I see no use in wondering why
I cry for you, yeah.
And now you've changed your mind
I see no reason to change mine
I cry it's through, oh.
You're giving me the same old line
I'm wondering why
You hurt me then
You're back again
No, no, no, not a second time
Not a second time
Not the second time
No, no, no, no, no
No, no no."
I just looked at Freckles very intensely and frowning. I couldn't believe that was her response. Why? Why would she sing that after all I tried to tell her? Why would she be like this? It made me feel really bad, man. I was trying my best, and she still refused to give me a chance.
"That isn't even a song by Coldplay. That is a song by The Beatles." I whispered, looking away, still feeling really bad.
"Whatever, Darren. It was the best song to sing." Freckles said sighing. "But hey, congratulations, you won!" She exclaimed bitterly looking at me in a tough way as I looked at her kind of hurt.
Now there was an uncomfortable silence. Maybe everyone finally noticed that this wasn't a simple story; or maybe not, maybe they were just expectant to keep hearing the story. Joey and Julia kept avoiding my gaze. Freckles looked away and then she sighed and stood up.
"The girl went for a walk and she wanted to be alone; away from that guy." She said looking at me fixedly and then she started walking away as I was just still sitting there, feeling so bad to do something.
I knew that the best option would be to follow her, to try to talk to her in a quiet place. To really talk about everything. But I didn't move and Freckles went away very quickly with a flashlight; quickly getting lost in the forest. I was feeling how everybody was staring at me fixedly and agape, confused and stunned. Yeah, Freckles made it clear who the girl and the guy of the story were.
"So, the girl of the story is actually Freckles and the guy of the story is you, Darren. And this was actually a true story, wasn't it?" Meredith asked gingerly and I just sighed, looking down and biting my lower lip. I really didn't want to explain anything.
"Yeah..." I whispered.
"What the hell man?" Joe Walker asked bewildered.
I didn't answer. My head was aching, I was still feeling a pain in my chest, I still wanted to cry like an idiot, I was still feeling terrible. I didn't want to give any damn explanation. I just wanted to be alone; I didn't want them to look at me that way. Everything was out of control now and I didn't even know what I wanted now. I just wanted to find Freckles. I needed to find her. I really needed to talk to her. And then I thought... Damn, she was alone in the dark forest and she didn't know this place, it wasn't safe. She was completely alone, only with a flashlight. Shit. A yell, I heard a yell coming from the forest. It was her.