A/N: Hello guys! How are you doing today? I hope that despite all the little daily problems, you're okay! Well, what can I say today? For some weird reason (it's really weird!) I'm out of words. I guess I'm kinda tired and all I want to do is to hit the bed! haha. So, about the previous chapter... It was a weird and different chapter, wasn't it? I'll confess you something: I shouldn't have written that chapter that way, because I wrote it only because that day was one of those days when I sit down to think about everything; and when I do this, nothing can stop me and that led me to write all of that; the debate was a sort of excuse for me to put in the story some of the things I was thinking, so... Sorry if it was boring! Besides, I wanted to give each character more personification, because I have a problem. Yes, I have a problem. Sometimes I feel like all the characters in the story are somehow very similar one another and I don't want that; I want to show they're different. Hopefully I'll improve that. Alright, I said I was out of words and I ended up talking too much and making it messy and confusing. I'll just start replying your reviews!
zahra auob: Oh, I'm actually very glad you liked the chapter, because I thought it was going to be boring to read! Was philosophy your favorite subject in high school? I liked it too, but in that moment I couldn't understand everything (it was a very heavy subject!); I guess it's because I wasn't very dedicated in high school, it changed when I started college and started appreciating this thing of learning new things all the time. I really understand you with that thing of debates; I always tend to raise my voice when debating and people who don't know me think I'm angry or something, so in that aspect I'm like Freckles too. It's interesting that you're on Freckles' side! I am too, but only about technology; about reality, well, that's more complicated, I'm like Joey! haha, just kidding; I don't know, I'm a mix of the different opinions, it's kind of messy! And it's also very interesting the way you felt related to Darren's feelings. I never thought about that way with a best friend, but now that you mentioned it, you're completely right! I remember I had a friend who was like you with your best friend; she always wanted me to stay and she always wanted me to be with her all the time, she was kinda possessive but because she loved me and she said I was the only true friend she had; unfortunately everything changed when she met a guy and started dating him. Yes, totally! Once Upon a Time is like a Disney song! Maybe that's why I loved it so much. And Words is such a wonderful and touching song, I think that's my second favorite one. And I also liked very much Any Of Those. And Pheromones reminded you of my story? That's funny! I didn't think about it, but maybe you're right... Especially in the first chapters of this second part when Darren meets Freckles again and he can't stop checking her out; or in high school, with his hormones exploding when being near Mandy (at first) or Freckles... haha, yes, maybe you're right! Oh god, you made me laugh! Of course I don't mind that you talked too much! Look at me! I love talking! haha. Alright, buona fortuna per il tuo esame di italiano! I know it may be late, so, instead I should say: Spero che hai fatto bene il tuo esame! Surely I have a lot of grammar mistakes because I forgot all I learned about Italian; such a shame because my father and my grandparents are Italian, from Sicily! I'm such a shame, I know, haha. And thank you a lot for the last you said! You never fail to make me smile, Zahra! It's really very beautiful to know such a big thing that I never thought could be possible. Thank you! :)
PotterHead62: haha yes! How on earth has that debate happened? It's crazy. And yes! I'm so frustrated that the link never worked! It was awesome and very cute! I think that I'd never be able to eat that cookie, because it should be some kind of crime to eat it because of its cuteness. Okay, I'm talking about a cookie as though it was a human with feelings, something is wrong with me. Oh yeah, maybe Darren is feeling something for her again, or maybe he isn't and he actually wants (or misses) something else; you'll see! Let's see what Chuck can do! After all, he's the older brother and the older brothers (sometimes) are the wiser. Oh! I just realized that Darren and Freckles haven't fought so much; well, actually that's a lie; but considering I'm writing the chapter 56, I can say that they won't have important fights (or yes?), so maybe not so many horrible things will happen, but I could be lying. And the horrible things about W... Well, with time, the horrible things about W will be horrible things squared. Oh, the cliffhangers! I really miss those; I mean, I always try to end the chapters in an intriguing way, so that would be more interesting; but they aren't as intriguing as they were in the first part. I need to work on that, so you'd enjoy the ending of each chapter even more!
alicegursk: I hate you! You know I hate you! Who is the evil woman now? Who? I'm suffering, suffering in my misery of not knowing what you're thinking! I think German surely is a very difficult language to learn! Not only to write it but also to speak it. The only word I know is: Guten Tag. I don't know why I know that word; I guess I heard it in some random movie or something. I forgot to ask, why are you in Berlin? For vacation? You surely went to the Berlin Wall and the Brandenburg Gate! Oh gosh, just... Berlin has so many places to visit! Someday I'll be a billionaire and I'm gonna travel all around the world. Fortunately I have internet connection and Google Earth, so I can imagine I'm on those places. That's what I do in my free time while eating cookies and drinking a coffee, haha, kidding... Kidding... Okay, who the fuck punches their faces without even caring about bleeding? You, only you! That's why I love you. Assuming the fact that you're some kind of crazy girl who enjoys having a broken and bleeding nose as way to demonstrate the happiness of seeing some people being cute, so crazy to compare you to Silas who practices severe corporal mortification in the Da Vinci code, I'll make sure to bring some cotton balls. Chuck, oh Chuck. What is Chuck capable of doing? What would he want to talk to Darren about? Would he understand everything? Oh, let's see what happens in the next two chapters! And what the hell is getting more realistic? What? What about? I don't even have a clue! Gimme a clue! Ah! You surely can hear me screaming in frustration! Don't be evil and insane! Do not learn from me, I'm a bad influence. I understand what you're doing... You're taking revenge for all those times I was cruel with the cliffhangers and all the shit! Oh no, fuck. I'm screwed, aren't I? You won't tell me a damn thing, will you? Not even if I kneel before you and I beg you to tell me? No? You're the one who's gonna sleep on the couch this time, missy! You're warned!
amritsoomal: Oh, Darren is feeling confused again! Why would he be confused? Is he gonna do something about? Just questions that are popping in my mind. Yes, sometimes I regret to have put an end to Jen and Chuck's relationship, but in real life Chuck is married to Lucy; so, since I want to make this a little bit realistic, I needed to finish the love affair between them! It was tragic to do. And to answer your question: No, Jen still hasn't talked to Freckles; but they will, eventually. I know, it was confusing to me to write too, you now know the mess that my mind is! haha. You loved so many things and I'm super glad for it, so in return I'll give you syrup to add to the virtual pancakes, and I'll also give you a big cup of hot chocolate! And I got a virtual jar of Nutella and a hug! And of course I'll enjoy the hug now that I won't get hugs so often! Okay, I'm gonna give you a virtual hug too, because that was super nice!
Adorkable Sherlock: Oh my wizard god you're back! Can you see my huge smile right now? Dammit, I missed you! Gosh, it's beautiful, Joey would say! Your dramatic entrance was... Masterful. Brilliant. Genius. Your travels seem to have been quite interesting, full of trials and tribulations of uncertainty and ultimate ambiguity; yet, as a complex paradox of this preposterous and sometimes nonsensical but incredibly marvelous life, behind the muddled and tangled complications, a world or thousands upon thousands worlds are hiding, in a context full of magical and illusory landscapes and creatures, in a place where the surreal is imposed on the real, creating, therefore, a parallel reality where only the cool people is allowed to visit, because only the eyes of cool people are able to perceive the brightness of gold dust that butterflies spread in their flight, which indicates the path they must follow to reach the Wonderland and Neverland. All in all, what does it all mean? You're back! And if you think you're not creative enough, compare your story about your travels to my story to explain how glad I am you're back, and I promise you'll feel good and super creative and original. And for sure I feel super flattered to know that you miss commenting here and all of it, and I felt even more flattered when you mentioned this is the only ff you comment with your heart! Ha! I have your heart in my hands! Muahaha! Whose birthday was it? I don't know what you're talking about, it wasn't my birthday cause I'm Dorian freaking Gray and I do not get older! Okay, that was terrible. I did not read those! Truth is I've been out of everything lately because the bitches of my professors in college decided to be assholes and wouldn't stop giving me things to do. Fuck that! I'll do it soon! Now I'm intrigued! Yeah, Twitter is a damn pain in the ass with its 140 characters, it gets on my nerves! I did spend a totally awesome birthday, my Sherlock! Nothing special, just a huge chocolate cake (needless to say it brought me too much joy) shared with my family and my boyfriend; I didn't even throw a party cause, you know, old people don't do that! haha (I just sounded like my granny. Fuck, I'm old!). Oh god, I can't believe you've been talking to Hook! How you dare! Has he hurt you with his hook? But, where's the hobbit? Maybe Hook found a crocodile in his way to find that troublesome hobbit kid. Do I write deep stuff in Facebook? Only in the days when I think too much and feel like the need of writing down all that pops in my mind; but I do feel flattered by your comment. I didn't know I could make work someone else's brain! That's like a huge power, I'll start practicing it and figure out if it's a power or not. Okay, am I rambling and saying nonsense things? Why did you read this on a Monday morning? That was a bad decision! I completely understand, my brain never works on mornings, no matter the day, but Monday is certainly the worst day. You say you didn't understand the shit I wrote, well, let me tell you something... I didn't understand it either. Well, I wrote it at full speed because in that moment my brain was working and thinking stuff and I wanted to write all I was thinking without forgetting anything; when I finally finished writing and I decided to read it, I said to myself: What the actual fuck, man? I had to correct many things because I couldn't understand what I tried to say, so nobody was going to understand it. It was tough. I just had so many ideas and it was chaotic interrelate and interconnect all ideas. I'm not smart, Freckles is the smart one! haha. Now that you mentioned you have written books, you are not safe. You gotta show me them! Bullshit if you think they're dumb! All of us tend to think that the things we do are dumb; I don't know why, but nowadays it's kind of a requirement to feel like all of our own things are less important or less great than they actually are, maybe because others one day made us believe that, which is a shame. It happened to me, hence why I'm saying that. For so long people made me believe I wasn't good at writing (Have I ever mentioned I was the worst in literature and creative writing in high school?) and I never dared to write, until I started writing for myself and one fine day I dared to publish my stories, just as a hobby or as a kind of game, never imagining that I'd ever get people read them. So, you see, writing wasn't always my passion, I hated writing because others always told me I was terrible at it; then it turned into a hobby when I started writing for myself, and it became a passion when I said: Screw those people, I want to know how it feels like to write down all I feel, all I dream, all I imagine and all I have in my mind; I'll give myself the chance to write again. With all of this, what I'm trying to say is that I want to read something of what you've written! Poor Mr. Fluffy! It was just an innocent teddy bear! But who knows? Maybe you were in the right thing, maybe Mr. Fluffy claims to be an inanimate object, but it's actually a spy for the FBI, or worse yet... for W. Maybe someday, while Darren is peacefully sleeping in his comfortable bed, Mr. Fluffy is gonna start moving and it's gonna stab Darren with a malicious face while laughing with its robotic voice; after that the creep will pretend to be a simple and adorable teddy bear again and no one will understand why Darren is covered in blood. Morbid too much? Chuck is back, motherfuckers! Yeah, well, maybe things between him and Freckles are less tense; maybe... Yes, I know! It was totally cruel to have broken Chuck and Jen's relationship! I know, I know! It's legit for you to call me evil. But you have to understand! Chuck is married to Lucy and well, I had to be strong and think... What would Ryan Murphy do? And Ryan whispered in the back of my head: 'You must break everybody's heart, make them suffer, break one of the best ships in the next episode, I mean chapter'. Oh! About Blaine proposing Kurt... I have this feeling... Kurt is not gonna accept, I mean, I love Klaine (duh, you know that), but it'd be kind of wrong if Kurt accepts; I love Blaine, but Kurt shouldn't accept. Then we can talk about this and I'll explain you why I think this. Please, don't aim me with the shotgun! The shotgun is only for the zombies and you must aim their brain! You should bring a white oak stake, just in case a vampire decides to appear, because, what if W is a vampire? I'll definitely be writing about Chris! You shouldn't forget that Chris was the reason why I watched Glee on the first seasons. Now, you don't have to worry because this story will probably end in December or something like that, it could even end next year! Are you part of the Model of the United Nations? I participated on that too! I had to represent Qatar and I was in the Economic and Social Council, such a great experience! And I got an inbox! I'll be checking it tomorrow in the morning! Now, good luck with the Model of UN! You'll have to tell me how it was! Love and fairy dust (I guess you need to keep it in reserve, just in case you have to travel again). Your Moriarty!
wujoka: Freckles is magical! Maybe she's from another world, a world we still don't know; and maybe she's gonna take Darren to that magical place and Darren will become magical too and we all will understand why Darren is currently magical and doesn't seem to be human. Am I saying nonsense things? But now that you said that, maybe all the things start to make sense; maybe the real sense of this story is that she's magical and all of what she lives is magical as well, so her love story with Darren will be magical. Wouldn't it be magical and nice? I think I said the word magical so much that now it sounds like a strange word. Oh! Are you waiting for the moment they hook up? I was always kind of unsure about writing (and describing) the part of hooking up, because sometimes I think people won't like to read that; but now that you tell me you're waiting for that moment, I feel more sure. That part will come, eventually! Maybe not in an expected way!
vicky: I'm so glad you liked the debates! Before posting that chapter I was like super worried i could bore you all with that because it was kind of... weird and different of all that I've written so far. I though it wasn't interesting! To be honest, just as you, I didn't know there were so many versions about what reality is, because I thought about all of that while writing (I was very thoughtful that day); that's why maybe it was kind of messy and muddled. Yes, Chuck is just worried about Darren getting hurt again, he's just very overprotective, just as older brothers sometimes tend to be; which is not cool but it's what happens, and then you realize they only wanted the best for you, only that they didn't do it in the most appropriate way. Yes, maybe Chuck liked her with this debate they had; but maybe it won't be that easy, you'll see what happens between them in the next two chapters! Brothers fight! haha, brothers always fight and they can be very cruel and rough, but at the end they always forgive each other and everything returns to normal as if nothing ever happened; that's why brothers are the best! Oh! You'll figure out in this chapter! Maybe you already have your suspicions!
nicole: I've been given the power of producing headaches! I can't tell if that is a good or bad thing. Ah! I'm really happy that you liked the chapter and the debate, because I was kinda worried about it, always thinking it would be boring and it had no sense and no one would like it! No, I'm not smart! The characters are the smart ones! I was just an external observant of the situation, trying to get what they were trying to say! Those crazy people! Huzzah! I'm a year totally awesome? How awesome is that? Look out world, for the dawn of the day when everyone will do whatever I say and that Potter won't be in my way, and then I'll be the one who is totally awesome! Oh wait! I think that was your part! My bad! Oh yes! His new girlfriend will be nice, let's see how this situation new girlfriend - Darren - ex-girlfriend (Freckles) is! That's the only I'm gonna say cause I don't wanna screw up anything! Oh Chuck, Chuck, Chuck, what are you gonna do now? What the hell do you want to talk about? Will Chuck make this harder or easier? It's time to know! Piano class? Oh girl, I'm so jealous! I always wanted to learn to play piano, but I never could and anyway I'd totally suck at that, I'm terrible, terrible when it comes to play instruments; such a shame, because all of my family is related to music and I'm like the black sheep. So, good luck with your piano class! Lots of hugs and butterfly kisses, my son-reviewer draco-nicole!
Well guys, that was all for today. I really should stop writing right now, because, damn, it's so late in here and I need to get some sleep because tomorrow I'll have a strenuous day! So… This chapter… I don't what to say about this chapter! You maybe will get some action! Hell yeah, I need to add more action in this story! So, I hope you can enjoy it, and I promise you won't have to deal with debates and philosophical stuff this time! Now, it's time for me to say until next Saturday! Warm fuzzies and picture perfect BOYS or girls too. But, mostly, picture perfect Darren. Okay, I should stop. Enjoy!
Teenage Dream – Chapter 47 – You deserve the sun.
"What do you want to talk about now?" I asked while sighing, walking to the couch to lie down in there.
"What's going on here?" Chuck asked severely, walking to where I was.
"What do you even mean?" I asked frowning, starting to feel annoyed. I knew what he wanted to talk about, but I was playing fool.
"You know exactly what I mean. You told me some shit when we were outside right after I've arrived, you told me you and Freckles are nothing but only friends; but then you act in a weird way when she's around. Do you think I haven't noticed the way you were looking at her all this time?" Chuck asked frowning, looking fixedly at me.
"What are you saying, Chuck? Goddammit!" I exclaimed irked, turning around to give him my back.
"Don't you dare to do that, Everett!" Chuck exclaimed bossy, but I didn't move.
"Do what?" I asked irritated, still giving him my back.
"To play fool! I'm your brother, I know you since forever; I know exactly what you're doing." Chuck said firmly.
"Oh yeah? And may I know what the hell I'm doing then?" I asked annoyed, now looking at him again, frowning.
"This little game with Freckles; a not so innocent game." Chuck replied and I looked at him incredulous.
"What game, for fuck's sake?" I asked in disbelief.
"Well, guys... I think I'll go to sleep, so you can talk." Joey suddenly said and Chuck and I looked at him abruptly. Joey seemed to be uncomfortable about this. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight, buddy." I greeted him and so did Chuck.
Joey left and I looked at Chuck annoyed, frowning; as he was looking at me severely, as if he was about to scold me like a parent. I really didn't want to talk about this, he was misinterpreting everything.
"So what game, eh?" I asked looking at him fixedly.
"That game, 'hey I'm your friend and I tell everybody that we're only friends and this is so cool; but look at me, I don't consider you as my friend, so why don't we just play?' That game." Chuck started saying and I looked at him in disbelief and I couldn't help laughing at the ridiculous thing he was saying. This only made him be more annoyed. "Why are you laughing?"
"Because what you just said has no sense at all." I said firmly.
"You know it has sense. Stop this, stop playing dumb with me and just let's be mature here." Chuck said serious and I just looked away, not saying anything at all. "Sorry, but this all is just weird. The way she's here and she's nice, the way she is now; not that I didn't like it, but it's just weird. And it's also weird the way you are when she's here, the way you look at her, the things you say; you almost forced her to spend the night here! Do you have any idea of how creepy it sounded considering that you're just friends? So, just tell me what you really think about her; because I don't believe your story that you're only friends." Chuck said roundly, in a bossy way while I was still looking away.
"You're only picturing things that aren't only because of the fact that you don't like Freckles. If you don't like her, it's fine, it's up to you; but do not mix up what you feel for her with what I feel for her. You don't like her, but I do; and only because I like her doesn't mean I have feelings for her more than a friendship." I said quiet and serious.
"This is not about if I like her or not, so don't get me wrong. This is about you saying you consider her as a friend while you're aware that you may be feeling something more for her, but you don't wanna admit it." Chuck refuted me.
"It's not like that. You have no idea what I feel or not; and you and I, even if we're brothers, we're different. I'm aware of what I feel for her and it's something very different from liking her as more than a friend." I said firmly, looking fixedly at Chuck.
"Can I be honest with you?" Chuck suddenly asked.
"I thought we were already being honest." I replied, now looking away.
"I'll ignore your last comment." Chuck said almost coldly. "I'll start with the fact that Freckles was someone really important to you; she was your first girlfriend..."
"She wasn't." I interrupted him abruptly.
"You know what I mean, Darren. She was your first real love." Chuck said looking fixedly at me, serious and apparently annoyed because of the way I interrupted him. "I won't deny the fact that you and Freckles had a special connection and you shared a lot of things; when you were together, you both grew tremendously and you two were like the sane envy for all the couples. You were indeed the perfect couple and it was amazing to see you together. Everybody was happy for you two." Chuck admitted and I was looking at him blankly. What was his point? This wasn't helping me at all. "You really loved her, everybody could tell that. And she also loved you, she really loved you. But then this thing of Jim came to happen and you guys, unfortunately, grew apart. You tried to find her for a whole damn year, that's insane. But we all could understand you, because it's hard to find someone as important as Freckles was to you. So the reasons why I don't like her aren't because I think she's a bad person, but because of the way she made you feel in that year she was absent." Chuck said, speaking in a quiet way. I was still looking at him blankly; I really didn't know what his point was. "Anyway, point is she never tried to find you and that's understandable because she was still thinking you abandoned her. And now you got to see her again, after a year. I bet you were truly happy because of this. But there's a factor you haven't considered and that is that both you and Freckles have changed. You're not the same; your appearances have changed, your personalities have changed, your lifestyles have changed, your preferences have changed, your circle of friends have changed; everything has changed. Yet, she is still Freckles."
"Is she Freckles? I thought she was Hermione Granger." I commented sarcastically.
"I'm talking in all seriousness, Darren; so try to avoid those stupid sarcastic comments for now." Chuck said serious and severely; so I just kept my mouth shut, raising an eyebrow, thinking how moody he was being. "Now she's back and apparently you're used to spend a lot of time with her. And you're constantly saying you're only friends; but your actions contradict your words. I think you're trying to convince yourself that you don't feel anything for her, but deep down you're aware you do feel something for her; only because of the fact she meant everything to you in high school. But you try to convince yourself that you don't feel anything for her because you know you shouldn't feel anything for her, because she's not the same person she was in high school. And you're lying to yourself and this is sick." Chuck said frowning and I raised my eyebrows in disbelief.
"Are you saying I'm sick? Are you analyzing me?" I asked suspiciously and incredulous, frowning.
"Yes, I'm analyzing you; and no, I'm not saying you're sick. I'm saying this situation is sick because you don't even know what you want; you think you do, but when she's around, she unbalances you, making you do or say things you haven't planned." Chuck said quiet as I looked away. "I think you should think over what you want and stop lying to yourself. If you want her back because you still feel something for her; then just face it, go for her and talk to her about this; but know that probably this won't work the way you expect because your relationship is not going to be the same relationship you had with her in high school, because neither of you are the way you used to be. You could feel really disappointed if you think everything is going to be as it used to be." Chuck said soberly as I was still looking away, frowning and serious. I didn't want to hear all of this because this was making me feel confused right when I thought I had everything controlled. "And if what you want is really to be only her friend; then you need to work on your way of acting when she's around, because you're confusing her. And if you confuse her, she could misinterpret things and that could end in two ways. First option is she will like the way you flirt with her, the way you try to get closer to her to get something more than a friendship; and then when it comes the time to explain her that you really don't want it, you'll make her feel really bad and she's gonna walk away. Second option is she won't like the way you act with her because she feels uncomfortable, because she doesn't want it; then she's gonna walk away." Chuck explained and this made me feel even worse. So, was he saying all the options were bad? That everything, one way or another, was going to end in a bad way? "Think about what you want and work on it, but stop being with her the way you're being right now because things will end up in a bad way; and I'm pretty sure you don't want it, do you?"
"No, of course not." I answered curtly, still looking away.
"So, what's what you really want? Be honest, Darren." Chuck asked intrigued.
"I don't know." I answered, still looking away, feeling confused. Then I sighed and looked at him. "On one hand, I like her way too much; and every time she acts the way she acted today, or every time I feel her touching, every time I look into her eyes or lips; I feel like I want her back. But then I think that maybe I feel that only because she was very important to me and she's the only girl who shows me affection; of all the girls I dated or had a sexual and intimate relationship, she is the only one who showed me affection, who showed me that she really cares about me. I haven't felt any kind of affection from a girl that attracted me in a long time and I kind of miss that feeling. You see, I can have fun with other girls, I can have sex with other girls and I can enjoy being with them; but Freckles is the only one who gives me something else that makes me feel... loved; even if it's in a friendly way. And that is what confuses me." I answered in all honesty, looking down, frowning because I was deep in thought thinking about Freckles and the way she made me feel. "But on the other hand, I know I'm not in love with her."
"How can you be so sure about it?" Chuck asked suspiciously and I stayed silent for a while. I needed to tell him.
"Because last night she kissed me."I finally admitted and I could see that Chuck was raising his eyebrows in surprise, apparently a bit disgruntled because of this; yet, he didn't say anything. "Yes, she kissed me and I didn't feel the same way I used to feel when we kissed in high school. This time I felt this wasn't right; it didn't feel right. I actually didn't feel anything at all but an uncomfortable feeling. And yes, maybe sometimes I have this desire of kissing her because she's very attractive; but then I remember the feeling I felt when she kissed me and I don't want it. I really didn't like that kiss; and that is why I know I'm not in love with her." I admitted, looking down and feeling bad for what I was saying, but that was the truth; that was the messy and confusing truth. "I fell in love with her when we were together, and then fell deeply in love with her in the year we were apart. But now it feels just different."
"Can I tell you something?" Chuck suddenly asked after a long silence. I just nodded, still looking down and feeling a bit crestfallen. "As you said, I think you only feel that way because Freckles is the only girl who shows you affection. But I don't think that Freckles is the only one who can show you affection. Yes, you said that none of the other girls with whom you've been involved have showed you affection and maybe this is correct. But I think they haven't showed you affection because they weren't the right girls; because they wanted only what you wanted that was to have fun or sex." Chuck said and I frowned and looked away, feeling uncomfortable. I was feeling like I was an asshole for wanting to have only sex with no feelings involved with a girl. "I don't think this is a bad thing; after all you're a human being and you have urges. But, anyway, I do think there's a bad thing; and that is that you only searched those girls with whom you can only have sex just because of the fact you didn't want to get involved into something deeper because you're still hurt for what happened with Freckles. You are denying yourself the chance to meet a worthwhile girl who can provide all the affection you need; only because of the fact that you're afraid of being hurt again. There are a lot of amazing girls and you're missing the chance to meet them only because of that stupid fear; therefore, you hang on to the things you know, and that's why you hang on to Freckles." Chuck said firmly while I was still looking away.
Maybe he was right about this, but I couldn't help it. Freckles meant everything to me and when we grew apart it destroyed me; I really didn't want to feel like that again. I didn't want to be hurt again and I was sure that if I dared to get involved with other girl in a deep way, this would happen sooner or later; so I preferred to stay distant and do not take anything in a deep and serious way. It was safer this way.
"Freckles was important to you and she'll always be important to you; but she's not the girl for you anymore. You have to stop seeing Freckles as the one and only for you because you don't feel the same for her anymore; you need to start seeing all the girls that are out there who can become just as important as Freckles was to you. Give them a chance, do not push them away; do not be afraid of falling for other girl again." Chuck said looking at me fixedly. He seemed to be kind of exasperated because he was noticing I couldn't be positive about this; even if I knew he was right. "And have fun if you want to have fun, have sex if you want to have sex; but do not push away the love of another girl who isn't Freckles if you want to feel affection; because who is to say that the girl would not become the new Freckles for you?" Chuck said shrugging and smiling slightly, as trying to encourage me.
"I don't know..." I replied with a sigh, running my fingers through my curls. "I don't think I'll ever find a girl as Freckles used to be."
"Of course no one is gonna be as Freckles was; because we all are different. But you could maybe meet a girl who's also gonna take your breath away; it'll be a different girl, with a different appearance and a different personality; but it's gonna be a girl who is gonna make you feel the way Freckles made you feel that is being in love with someone." Chuck replied encouragingly. "Don't give up on that, Darren."
"I don't wanna give up. But I'm just not ready to start a serious relationship with any kind of special attachment." I answered gloomy, looking down.
"Then just have fun, always respecting the other person. But if love appears again, do not push it away, Darren." Chuck said softly but firmly.
"Yeah, I'll try. For now, I don't wanna experience it." I replied.
"That's good. Just... Just try to act properly when Freckles is around; do not do or say things you'll later regret; because you don't want to hurt her and hurt yourself. If you're sure you aren't in love with her, just act as a friend, as a real friend." Chuck warned me and I nodded.
"Yes, I got that. I won't stop hugging her, or inviting her to hang out, or whatever. I do want to spend time with her because I always have a good time when she's around. But now I'll be careful not to make her misinterpret things. I got that." I affirmed firmly and secure.
"Yes, exactly like that. If you're sure about it; I really think you can be good friends. This new Freckles is cool, after all." Chuck said and I looked at him abruptly, surprised for what he said. He was smiling slightly.
"So, do you like her?" I asked curiously.
"Yeah, I like her. But still, I feel kind of resentful for the way she made you feel all this time when you were apart. I think I'll need time to start seeing her as my little sister again." Chuck clarified but I didn't care, I was feeling really glad because at least he liked her and he didn't hate her.
"You'll see... She's totally awesome." I said now smiling widely. Hopefully, Chuck was going to fully accept Freckles.
It was 8am and you were already training outside, in the Broadway Park, in the riverfront area of Ann Arbor. There was no one around, because, honestly, who would be up at 8am on a Sunday? You were running through the pathway along the Huron River with your earphones on, to enjoy music while working out. You really enjoyed doing this and this was good for your health; even if this was exhausting, you needed to work out at least one more hour than usual because the two last days you ate a lot and you ate junk food which wasn't good for your body. At one point you stopped to start doing crunches. It was really good to be doing this alone, even if you'd have preferred to do this with Brian as usual; but he was busy studying for some exams. He was being so hard on himself to get the best degrees so then he could get a better scholarship. When you stood up to keep running a little more before returning to your room, you saw a shadow behind some trees. Your frowned because you thought you were alone, but apparently there were more people as crazy as you were to work out in this cold morning on a Sunday.
"I'm glad to know I'm not the only crazy here." You giggled in your mind.
But when you started running again you felt noises coming from behind the trees and bushes, noises as if someone was following you. You turned your face while still running but you couldn't see anything and the noises stopped. Maybe you were just so tired that you were picturing non-existent things. You focused on the way again, turning off the music, just in case someone was actually following you. You couldn't hear the noises again, so you felt more relaxed. But after a while, you definitely heard noises coming from the trees, but you decided to play dumb, even if you were a bit nervous now. What if it was a thief? No way, you didn't have anything of value, except your iPod; you didn't even have your phone. Why would a thief want to steal you? You even looked indigent with your sportswear, a sweatband, wristband, trainer socks; and not to mention the way you were sweating. But you did hear noises really near you; so you tried to run even faster, not wanting to look back, just in case there was someone indeed who wanted to steal you or something. The faster you ran, the nearer the noises were. That person was indeed following you, was running beside you behind the trees. When you finally dared to look in the direction the noises were coming, you saw a shadow of a person very near you; but that person stopped abruptly and hid behind a bush. If the person was following you and hid when you looked at that direction only meant that this wasn't good. You didn't have anything to protect yourself, anything at all that you could use as self-defense. You kept running faster and the person started running again, next to you; you were now really nervous and you didn't know where to go; no one else was around and there was no place to hide besides few trees or bushes. You needed to arrive to the road again, where at least cars were circulating; but you were away. Anyway, you ran really fast and the person ran along with you; you knew that the person was now trying to run toward you; you knew that the person was going to try to attack you; anyway, you didn't look, you didn't want to look. You were really exasperated; you shouldn't have come alone; this was a terrible idea. At one point your gaze drifted to the direction where the person was and you could see that the person was indeed there, running beside you, looking at you fixedly. It was a man wearing black clothes, a black beanie and shadow sunglasses. When you looked at his face you felt panic-stricken. Was that...Jim? No fucking way. When he noticed you were looking at him terrified, he ran toward you, getting out from behind the trees. He was literally running toward you and his intentions were to catch you; so you ran with all your might. But you were tired because you've been working out for three hours already, so you didn't have much strength and endurance. Jim or not, that man was going to catch you and you were jittery and frightened. There was a curve in the pathway, and when you turned the curve; fortunately and thanks god there was a person in the distance; apparently also training and running towards you. You didn't care who that person was, but it was your only chance to be safe, so you ran straight to that person, screaming help. The guy who was training finally noticed something weird happening and, thank god, ran to you to help you. The man who wanted to attack you stopped abruptly and then ran away, disappearing in between the trees. Still, you kept running really scared and the guy who was training finally reached you, but you didn't look at him; you were feeling dizzy and you were seeing everything blurry because of the panic. The guy who was training placed his hands on your shoulders as you were looking down, panting and trying to recover your breath.
"Sweetie, are you okay?" The guy asked and you recognized the voice and more when he called you like that; he was the only one who called you like that.
You looked up to find Noah looking at you very worried with his ice blue eyes. You didn't answer and you couldn't think about anything; so you just hugged him as trying to find comfort and try to calm down. He wrapped his arms around you and rubbed your back slowly, trying to reassure you. You were trembling.
"Hey, sweetie, what's wrong? Who was that man next to you? Why were you screaming?" Noah asked still worried.
"I don't know! I just... That man was following me and... And... I don't know!" You replied still very jittery.
"Calm down, you're safe now." Noah said reassuringly, still rubbing your back.
"I know, but... I was so... Oh my god! I'm hugging you and I'm sweating, oh damn, this is gross. I'm so sorry!" You said with trembling voice, still very wrought and edgy; stepping back.
"Hey!" Noah said chuckling softly; looking at you with a grin. "Don't worry about that; I was also training so, I'm sweated myself. And that sounded gross, but oh well..." He said shrugging and chuckling while looking at you. You giggled softly and then looked down.
"At least you look good; I look terrible." You said while trying to calm now that you were with someone you knew.
"Bullshit. You look beautiful as always. I hardly think you could ever look terrible as you said." Noah said looking fixedly into your eyes with a kind smile and you smiled shyly at him. You didn't like so much the compliments, but anyway this was nice. "Hey, what do you think if I invite you for a coffee? It could be a good way to dissipate the bad moment you've just experienced."
"Like this?" You asked looking at yourself, wearing your sportswear, looking unpresentable.
"Yeah, like this. I've already told you that you look beautiful, so I don't see what the problem is; unless the real reason is that you don't want to do it with me, in which case I'll insist anyway." Noah said smiling flirty and you looked at him frowning and amused.
"It seems I don't have any options." You replied still amused.
"It seems you don't. So, let's go, shall we?" Noah said looking into your eyes while grinning.
So Noah and you walked to the nearest coffee shop that was around. The coffee shop was almost empty because it was still early in the morning. You sat on a table that was right next to a window. You ordered a non-fat coffee and he ordered a cappuccino coffee. You were very silent and the way Noah was looking at you, very fixedly and straight into your eye, was kind of uncomfortable.
"So, what were you doing so early on a Sunday at the Broadway Park?" You asked as trying to start a conversation.
"I'm used to train every day, very early in the morning. The Broadway Park is one of my favorite places to do it; it's always very quiet." Noah answered with a sassy smile. "What about you?"
"Oh, just the same. Only that this was the first time I trained there; just because I recently moved here, to the North Campus, so I didn't know much about places where I could train." You answered smiling slightly, taking a sip of your coffee.
"So that's the reason why I haven't seen you that much lately. I only could get to see you at class, but you always seem to be very concentrated." Noah said looking fixedly into your eyes. Wow, his ice blue eyes were really piercing; and mesmerizing. "I think the last time we had a fluent conversation was when we were at the Blind Pig and you had a dispute with a curly haired guy."
"Oh, you mean Darren. Yes, I think that was the last time." You answered quiet.
"Yeah, Darren. I forgot his name. Is that guy your boyfriend or something? Because I remember he kissed you and I remember pretty well that the first day I saw you, you were with another guy, a tall and muscular guy with green eyes." Noah asked very intrigued. You smiled a bit uncomfortable because this was kind of private and Noah and you weren't like really good friends. But he was nice all the times he was with you, so, why wouldn't you answer?
"No, Darren is not my boyfriend. He was, in high school; and that day he was out of himself for personal reasons. He's my friend and he is really a nice guy, despite the way he was that day. And the other guy, the tall guy, he's Brian, my best friend since years." You answered trying to feel comfortable.
"Is Brian your best friend? Isn't he your lover or something?" Noah asked really curious with a slight smile.
"Oh, not at all! Brian is just my best friend. There's no way he could ever be more than my best friend." You replied chuckling softly, thinking how weird and ridiculous it'd be to be more than best friends with Brian.
"And all this time thinking I couldn't compete with a guy like him." Noah said chuckling in a sassy way. His comment made you frown slightly and you felt a bit uncomfortable again. "But, do you have any boyfriend? I mean, a girl like you surely has a boyfriend." Noah said flirty, looking intensely into your eyes. You took a sip of coffee, looking down to avoid his piercing gaze.
"No, I'm single." You answered still avoiding his gaze.
"You're single? Oh well, well, well; that's very interesting and very good news for me." Noah said very flirty and when you looked up he was like devouring you with his eyes. He really wasn't ashamed of flirting and he was good at it with his sensual smile and gaze. "Yet, I can't believe you're single. You must be very demanding when it comes to accept a guy; with your beauty you're in position to do it." He said again very flirty with a sensual smile.
However, you didn't like so much that comment. Why should someone have to be pretty to be in position? In position for what, in any case? Everybody was in position to choose certain people with who to have a relationship and shouldn't be based on beauty but on feelings.
"I'm not demanding. If I'm with someone is because I know that someone, because I like his personality, because I consider he's the right for me because of the way he is and the way he makes me feel; something that has nothing to do with physical beauty." You answered without smiling, looking into his eyes. He didn't take it in a bad way, instead, he smiled.
"I like the way you think. Most people are superficial when it comes to be with a partner; you aren't. I really appreciate it since it's something remarkable." Noah said smiling friendly this time and you frowned slightly. Maybe you judged him, something you shouldn't have done. "I hate when girls want to be with me for my appearance, not for the way I am. I always feel as if they're objectifying me and that's an awful feeling, isn't it?" Noah said now looking at some random point of the table, frowning as if he was thoughtful; while you were listening to him intently. "Like sometimes I feel as if no one is really interested in getting to know how I am and that makes me feel kinda bad because with those girls I never have anything to talk about because they're only interested in getting in my pants instead having an actual fruitful conversation. It's like a lonely life." Noah said still frowning and thoughtful and then he looked up to you with his mesmerizing eyes. It was as if he just described yourself there. You definitely judged him.
"I feel exactly the same." You said sighing, taking a sip of your coffee.
"Yeah, but then there are people like you, beautiful outside and inside, who's willing to talk to me... In a friendly way, of course. Then you realize it's only a matter of time to find the right person with who hang out." He said smiling with his sexy smile. Of course you smiled back at him. He was really handsome, and he wasn't just a guy who loved to boast of his beauty, he was also nice.
"Well, thank you, I guess." You said smiling softly, feeling flattered, maybe.
"You're very welcome." He said smiling sensually and looking piercingly into your eyes. You couldn't avoid feeling a bit nervous whenever he looked at you that way; his gaze was very intense. "So, now that I know you're single and considering you don't have to respect certain schedules that a relationship would demand, what about if I invite you for lunch and then to the movies? I've heard about a good film that is currently in the cinema called The Prestige, starring Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman. And after that we could go to some coffee shop and keep talking to get to know each other a bit more." Noah said smiling widely and looking at you in a very flirty way. You felt kind of overwhelmed for all he proposed.
"Oh!" You exclaimed still feeling overwhelmed. "I'd like that. But, unfortunately, I already have plans for today. Maybe another time." You replied smiling very slightly, trying to sound polite. But Noah looked at you kind of disappointed.
"Well, if you don't want, you should just tell me; I won't feel offended." Noah said looking deeply into your eyes and you had to look away because again, his gaze was making you feel uncomfortable.
"No, it's not that I don't want. Trust me, if I didn't want it, I'd have just let you know and I wouldn't have told you maybe another time; I'd have made it pretty clear that I don't want. I tend to be kind of harsh and determined when it comes to say no to something I don't want." You said now looking at him serious, being honest and he smiled sensually again. "I really have plans for today."
"Does your plan involve a guy?" He asked intrigued, looking piercingly into your eyes. Why was he asking those things? You were going to take it in a good way; you didn't want to think he was flirting with you and he wanted to get into your life, like forcing it.
"Not only one guy but four guys, and I'm the only girl. I guess I'm like their bro." You answered chuckling softly, trying to make it as a joke. Noah raised his eyebrows in surprise and smiled mischievously.
"So, you like fivesome." He said raising an eyebrow mischievously. You looked at him squinting, thinking how wanky and inappropriate it sounded. You really didn't know what to think about this guy.
"I'll just ignore your comment." You said looking away and taking a sip of your coffee.
"You know I was joking, don't you?" Noah said after a while and you looked at him again. He was looking at you intently, not smiling now.
"I hope so; otherwise I'll just kick your ass and kick it so hard that you won't be able to walk to me again. I can be funny and nice and all, but there's something called respect that when people decide to mess with it, I can turn into a real bitch. I won't let anyone disrespect me." You said very serious, looking at him as Noah was raising his eyebrows, looking intensely into your eyes.
"A girl with strong temperament and confidence; one of the most appealing things in a woman." He said smiling in a flirty way and you just remained serious. "It's really good to know you make people respect you. World needs more women like you." He said now smiling friendly. What was up with this guy? How could he be flirty and friendly at the same time? Was he a flirty guy or was he actually nice and friendly? He was weird.
"Are you always this flirt with everybody?" You finally asked intrigued, looking at him straight in his eye. Noah looked at you surprised by the question and he chuckled softly.
"No, only with the people that interest me, like you." Noah answered very, but very flirty this time. You looked at him serious, uncomfortable and a bit annoyed; he shouldn't act with you like this, he didn't know you. "And that was another joke." He cleared up and you looked at him frowning. "I've been told I was flirty; truth is I'm not flirty; I don't even know how to flirt. People tend to confuse my kindness with flirtation. Maybe it's something I have in my face or in my voice, I don't quite understand; but sometimes it's pretty annoying or exasperating, because people always misinterpret me and they call me rude things like asshole when actually all I'm trying to do is to talk or joke. I'm trying to find out why people think all the time I'm flirty, so I can change that, because it's really not a cool thing when you try to make new friends." Noah answered frowning slightly, looking at his coffee mug.
"Well yeah, maybe it's just the way you say things; and the intense way you look at people with your piercing eyes and the sensual way you smile." You answered without being aware of what you were saying. When you realized it and looked at him, he was looking at you frowning amused.
"I don't know if I should feel flattered or if I should feel as though someone stabbed me because of the way I look." Noah said and you looked away, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Just forget what I said." You said while taking a sip of your coffee.
"Deal." Noah said smiling amused, taking a sip of his own coffee while looking at you straight in your eye. "To avoid the uncomfortable situation, I'll ask you something..." He said mysteriously and amused and you looked at him suspiciously. "How's your project of Figure Painting going so far?"
"Oh!" You exclaimed relieved for the kind of question that was. And then you smiled slightly because it was a good topic of conversation. "It's really bad. I haven't even started it because I haven't found a model yet. I guess nowadays no one wants to pose for you, I have no idea why." You said frowning and thoughtful. "I have time, I guess. What about you?"
"Oh, mine is going pretty well, actually. I've found a female model and she's nice and she's willing to pose for me all the time I need; I guess it's only because of the payment. And I guess it's going well because I love that course." Noah replied with a nice smile. "What's your favorite course?"
"Umm, well, I'm not sure. I love so many courses such as Acting, Public Art and Urban Intervention, Visual Storytelling and Playwriting. It's a mix of art, writing and acting. I love that all." You replied.
"Good choices. What about Photography? Do you still hate it?" He asked with a soft chuckle.
"Ugh, yeah. Not so much, though. I think I'm starting to like it, but it'll never be one of my favorite courses." You answered in all honesty.
"Come on! That's such a great course! It's very interesting because you can combine art and writing with a photo. It's pretty amazing." Noah exclaimed cheerfully and you giggled and shook your head. "Give it a chance. Besides, I don't know why complain about it if you're the best in the course. The professor admires your talent, so do I, and so does everybody." Noah said complimenting you and you just looked down with a shy smile, feeling very flattered.
"I guess it's only luck. I'm not very dedicated to that course. And just because I get good scores doesn't mean I like it. I just don't know why I get good scores." You answered shrugging.
"Maybe the professor has a crush on you." Noah said jokingly while winking and laughing.
You laughed softly, looking down while remembering how weird your professor acted around you; more after you asked him if he was Jim's relative. Damn. You've just realized something that made you feel a bit frightened and also confused and suspicious. Jim hasn't appeared in your life during last year; and right after you found out that your Photography professor had his same last name, right after Darren told you that Jim was the one who forced him to leave you, and right after you asked Brian to get information about it; Jim appeared again to mess in your life and Brian's life, but fortunately, at least, not in Darren's life. Oh damn, oh damn. What if the professor was acting weird with you because he was indeed a Jim's relative and he was telling Jim things about you? This couldn't be just a coincidence. Shit, you needed to get more information about Jim to end with all of this shit, mainly to stop him hurting Brian even more.
"Are you okay? You seem to be very thoughtful and concerned." Noah asked gingerly. "Is that something I said that bothered you?"
"Not at all; it's not you." You answered frowning, looking down, still feeling very suspiciously. "I'm so sorry, Noah. I was having a really good time with you, but I gotta go." You said standing up and you finally looked at Noah. He seemed to be very puzzled, frowning in confusion and not getting what was happening.
"I'm really sorry if I said or did something to make you feel so hasty to go." Noah said looking into your eyes and this time it wasn't one of his flirty looks; it was just a little bit sad look.
"No, really, this isn't about you; you were nice. I just have things to do and... I really gotta go." You said apologetically and Noah looked down, apparently sadly and still guilty.
"Okay, I get it. I'm used to people coming up with excuses to go away while talking to me; surely because of all this thing that they think I'm flirting with them when I'm not. I'm so sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable." Noah said still looking down and very different than the way he has been talking. You looked at him feeling very guilty. "Don't worry; I guess I'll see you around, at class." He said now looking up with a bright smile. "Thank you for taking time to have a coffee with me. Have a nice day, sweetie." He said smiling friendly.
"I'm really sorry, Noah. I don't want you to think this is an excuse to go away, because it's not. I really have to go, but I'm glad I had a coffee with you, I hope we can make this again." You said smiling friendly to let him know it wasn't that you didn't want to talk to him. He just smiled and nodded. "Have a nice day, Noah." You said friendly and kissed his cheek. "See you around!" You greeted waving your hand once you were walking to leave the coffee shop.
You walked to your room, always checking if there was someone following you; if Jim, or whoever that person at the park was, was following you. It was only when you got inside your room when you felt safe. Brian wasn't in the living room or kitchen; he was surely in the bedroom, studying as he said he would do. You needed to tell him what happened this morning. When you walked into the bedroom, you found Brian in his bed, but he wasn't studying, he was sleeping with a lot of newspapers around him and a highlighter. You walked towards him very slowly, cautious not to wake him, and you kneeled next to his bed. You looked at him very intently. He seemed to be really tired, he had dark circles and his hair was all disheveled; he didn't have a peaceful face while sleeping as he used to have months ago before all that happened with his dad and the break-in; he had a sad and concerned face, not to mention a very exhausted expression; yet he was still beautiful. You tried to see why he had a lot of newspapers around him and you found out the reason. He has been looking for jobs and he has highlighted the possible places he could send a CV; even if he already had a distance job that Mandy has offered. Next to the newspapers there was a book he had to read for college. You looked at him again feeling really sad for him; he was being very hard on himself and he wouldn't listen to you whenever you tried to convince him to take at least a little break. You looked at him while thinking how unfair all of this was. He was only 20 years old and he already had to take so many responsibilities that any other guy his age didn't have: get high scores in college to get a better scholarship that University kept rejecting despite his hard effort; have a part-time job to earn the enough money to afford all the expenses of college and medicines for his dad, and not content with this, he was looking for a second job; he had to take care of his dad in the distance because as time passed his dad's disease was getting worse and worse, so he also had to pay a nurse to take care of him because apparently there were certain simple tasks he couldn't do alone anymore; deal with the fact that the doctors told him that the medicines for his dad definitely weren't having effect so he had to undergo surgery that was very expensive and he couldn't get the money to afford it; deal with the fact that the doctors told him that his dad's health was worsening and there weren't many hopes for him, fact that was devastating for Brian because he couldn't do anything about it but he didn't want to give up hopes and he wasn't even able to go visit him because he had no money for the flight to San Francisco and he wouldn't accept your help to afford it; and besides all of that he kept receiving threats from W that was surely Jim, telling him terrible things about his dad and the risk he was running by being alone in San Francisco, so Brian wouldn't stop checking all the time if his dad was alright, and this was insane. And there was also the fact that Brian kept feeling lonely even if he wouldn't admit it again since that time you talked to him in US Virgin Islands. He wouldn't talk to you about the girl he mentioned and he wouldn't want to date anyone; and now that you were living with him, you were sure he wasn't with any girl. And he mentioned he hasn't kissed any girl since high school and it was still like that. Why would happen it all to him? It rains hardest on the people who deserve the sun, you thought while tears started to stream down your face in silence while looking at Brian sleeping. You took all the newspapers, the book and the highlighter and you put them aside. Brian didn't even notice, he was surely very tired since lately he hasn't slept the enough. Once that you put it all aside, you lay down in bed next to him trying not to wake him; he needed to sleep. You remained looking at him while shedding tears and then you started caressing his hair very softly. If only you could do something else for him and relieve the burden he was carrying. You definitely shouldn't tell him what happened in the morning, you didn't want to worry him with something else, and this was already too much for him to endure. You held his hand and took it to your cheek while still looking at his face and silently shedding tears. This was when he opened his eyes very slowly and frowned slightly before looking at you with sleepy and tired eyes.
"Hi." You whispered sweetly with a warm smile despite the tears, still holding his hand.
"Hi." He whispered back with a kind smile.
How could he keep smiling with all the terrible things that were happening to him? How could he always be so nice, sweet, and cheery if you knew he was in pain? Because you heard him sometimes, late at night when he thought you were sleeping, crying in silence. But he would never stop smiling at you. He was doing this for you and you just couldn't stand the fact you couldn't do anything else to help him with his troubles. This made you sob even more. You wanted him to be truly happy. Brian finally noticed you were sobbing and he frowned worried.
"Hey, what's wrong, Sunny?" Brian asked softly, caressing your hand with his thumbs.
"Nothing." You said smiling affectionately at him.
You couldn't tell him what was in your mind, because he hated whenever you were feeling sad for him because he wouldn't stop saying he wanted to see you smiling as always, he wanted to see you happy and cheerful as you deserved; he wouldn't stop saying he was fine because he's got an amazing best friend who was always supporting him, and that was you; he wouldn't stop saying he was sure things were going to get better so he was going to be definitely fine, so you didn't have to worry about anything. Despite all the shit he was going through, he was still positive about everything.
"I admire you, Brian; you know that, right?" You said still smiling at him. Brian looked deeply into your eyes and he smiled warmly.
"And I admire you, so I think this is fair enough." He replied, letting out his hand to caress your cheek very smoothly. You moved closer to him and wrapped your arms around him while burying your head in his chest, as he held you in his arms. "It seems that someone woke up in an affectionate way today." He said giggling softly and you giggled along with him.
"Shut up and just cuddle with me." You said moving even closer, nuzzling your nose in his chest, something that made him shiver, maybe because of the tickle.
"Aren't we already doing that?" He asked again with a giggle.
"Yes, but you're not doing right your part." You replied softly.
"And how would it be to do right my part, may I know?" He asked amused, while still holding you in his arms.
"You have to caress me." You said in a whisper while still burying your head on his chest. He kept holding you in his arms but he didn't do anything else. "Brian? Caress me." You repeated when after waiting for a long time he didn't do anything at all. Then he started rubbing your back very slowly.
"Is that fine now?" He asked.
"Yeah, it's better; but try to add affection to your caresses; you seem like a robot rubbing my back." You tried to joke and it worked because he chuckled.
So he started to rub your back in a very smooth and sweet way with one hand and he started caressing your shoulder and arm with his other hand in a very comforting way. He rested his head on yours and he started nuzzling his nose on your head, very slowly. You tangled your legs with his as you also started caressing him. Then he moved the hand that was rubbing your back right to the nape of your neck and he moved it up to start running his fingers through your hair, as massaging your head with his fingertips while still nuzzling his nose on the top of your head and rubbing your shoulder and arm, caressing them with his thumb. It was such the silence in the bedroom that you could hear his heavy breathing and his heart beating fast. He was really good at this; he was really sweet and affectionate and he really knew how to caress someone, even though he hasn't done something like this with someone in a long. He kissed softly your temple and you moved your head to look at him. He had his eyes closed and he seemed to be enjoying this, he had a facial expression as though he was longing for some kind of affection for so long and never anyone gave it to him. Then you moved your head closer to him to kiss fondly his cheek. He opened his eyes and stared into your eyes in a very intense way with his deep green eyes. You didn't take your eyes off him and you started caressing his cheek very smoothly, smiling affectionately. He smiled back at you still staring into your eyes and then he kissed your hand.
"This is certainly a good way to wake up." He whispered while still smiling and looking deeply into your eyes. You chuckled softly while still caressing his cheek with your thumb as he held your wrist and caressed it with his thumb. "Is this for a specific reason?"
"No reason, just a way to remind you that I love you." You answered kindly and Brian's eyes twinkled. This made you wonder for how long he would still feel lonely, if just a nice and simple gesture like this could make his eyes twinkle like that.
"I love you too and I hope I did right my part this time." He said giggling softly, with bright eyes. His eyes looked really beautiful with that twinkle.
"Oh, you undoubtedly did." You replied with a warm smile. "You have really precious eyes, Brian." You whispered and he looked at you surprised, letting out a short and shy chuckle.
"Thank you, I guess." He answered shyly, blushing slightly.
You couldn't help smiling because of how cute this was. You held his hand and intertwined your fingers with his, as you both looked at your hands and then looked into each other's eyes again. You thought that the girl who could ever get to be with him was going to be a very lucky girl. Brian was really a sweet and warm-hearted person if you knew him as well as you did. Your best friend really deserved to be with the most kind-hearted girl in the world; Brian truly deserved the sun.
"So, what are the plans for today?" Chuck asked while we were having lunch without a previous breakfast because we all woke up at noon.
"We could just stay here and be lazy." Joey said yawning.
"You slept like ten hours, Joey. How can you be sleepy?" Chuck asked looking at him disturbed, frowning.
"I have troubles, okay?" Joey said serious, widening his eyes; then he chuckled amused.
"You suck, Joey." Chuck said chuckling amused. "Darren, what are we up to today?"
"I don't know." I said also yawning and shrugging. "Freckles hasn't texted me, so I guess she and Brian aren't coming. We could go to the North Campus and meet some of the guys and just fool around."
"Isn't there really anything you can do in Ann Arbor? Definitely next time you're coming to NYC." Chuck said while taking a sip of water.
"Actually there are a lot of things you can do; after all this is a college city. But you have to understand the fact we're lazy." I replied while yawning again. "You didn't have to deal with the fatigue of moving."
"You just sounded like a grumpy old man, bro." Chuck said laughing and I laughed along with him, rubbing my eyes.
"Next time, you'll help us with the moving; then you'll be another grumpy old man and you won't feel excluded." I replied with a comeback.
"Or next time, you could buy one of those pills for pain for old men and take one of them; so you'll feel revitalized. That would be way better than me helping you with the moving." Chuck said while eating his sandwich.
"You suck." I replied while also eating my sandwich.
Then Joey and Chuck started talking about the things you could do in Ann Arbor while I was only listening to them, eating my sandwich because I was really starving. This was until my phone buzzed and I grabbed it to read the text message while taking a sip of water. It was from Freckles. I smiled when I saw it was a text message from her, because she hasn't forgotten to text me as she said she would do.
From Freckles: Do you already have plans for today?
To Freckles: None; unless if you consider as a plan Chuck saying I'm a grumpy old man who needs to get a pill. So, please save me from this.
From Freckles: What if we get you a pill at downtown? I bring the stick for you, so you'd be able to walk, grumpy old man.
When I read her response I couldn't help laughing out loud. She was also mocking me! Man, this was funny and she was really funny. I looked up to find Chuck and Joey looking at me because of my rowdy laughter.
"Who are you texting?" Joey asked intrigued.
"Freckles." I answered while eating a bite of my sandwich, reading her text message again, amused.
"Cool, what does she say?" Joey asked.
"Also that I'm a grumpy old man and she'll get me a pill at downtown. It seems we have a plan now." I answered smiling amused and excited.
"And you seem to be young again. Interesting what a lady can do." Chuck mocked me and I just looked at him amused.
"Do not complain, at least Freckles has a plan to do today, so you won't have to deal with grumpy old men." I answered.
"Hey, hold on, buddy! Do not count me as a grumpy old man; you're the only grumpy old man; I'm a cool old man." Joey corrected me and I laughed as I threw him a piece of my sandwich on his face.
"Whatever, I'll reply Freckles to see what's on her mind." I said and grabbed my phone again.
To Freckles: Spare me the stick and bring me a candy, then I'll be able to forgive your comment about the grumpy old man. What are you up to?
From Freckles: We'll see about the candy, I don't want to take my words back. My mom taught me to tell the truth. Downtown, 4pm, Beezy's Cafe. I do have plans, but everything will be a surprise. Bring comfortable clothes.
To Freckles: You got me with the surprise thing and the comfortable clothes. Is that okay if I wear baggy sweatpants and a baggy UM hoodie?
From Freckles: Bring comfortable clothes but look presentable. You wouldn't like to wait outside if we go to certain place. See you soon, old man.
"So? What are our plans now?" Joey asked and I looked at him.
"I don't know. We have to be at Beezy's Cafe at 4pm and wear comfortable but presentable clothes." I replied excited.
"So that's it? We're gonna go out only for a coffee or drink? Why are you so excited about it? It's not like we're gonna do something extravagant and funny." Chuck said frowning, looking at me as if I were crazy.
"Chuck, you shouldn't underestimate the ability of Freckles when it comes to plans." Joey said amused, he was also excited and Chuck looked at him frowning.
"What? Are you excited too?" Chuck asked in disbelief.
"Of course I am, and so should you." Joey answered while chuckling amused.
"Why? Because of a simple coffee?" Chuck asked still in disbelief.
"You see, Chuck... It's not gonna be a simple coffee because Freckles is the one who has a plan." I said with a really amused smile.
"So?" Chuck asked frowning, confused and bewildered.
"If Freckles is the one who has a plan, then it'll start with something very simple as drinking a coffee; but what will happen next is a huge mystery and she won't say a damn word of what she has planned; so the hang out is just a constant surprise. One thing is assured; you'll have a blast, bro." I answered really excited and Joey nodded enthusiastically.
"That's why we all love Freckles and her plans." Joey added and I nodded in agreement.
"Oh, man! What is Freckles? A super girl?" Chuck asked really amused while shaking his head.
"She really is." Joey replied.
"Hell yeah. You'll see, bro. You'll love her." I said smiling widely.
"Yeah, I doubt it, but whatever. Let's see how Freckles surprises us, if she ever gets that." Chuck answered shrugging indifferently, but with a slight smile.
I didn't worry about his answer, because I was sure he was going to have a blast and I knew he was going to love Freckles again, eventually. So, after having our hearty lunch, we all got ready to hang out. I decided to wear a pair of blue jeans that were really comfortable, a white t-shirt and a red jogging jacket. Comfortable and presentable enough. I really had no idea what could be in Freckles' mind; but I was really excited. We were almost ready until I heard someone knocking the door. Weird, we weren't expecting anyone. I was the one to walk to the door because Joey and Chuck were still getting ready. I opened the door and my excited face turned into a disgruntled face when I saw the person standing there.
"What the hell are you doing here?" I asked harshly while Kelly was looking fixedly into my eyes.