A/N: "YOU COULD BE THE J.R.R TOLKIEN OF OUR GENERATION."I died when i read those words. Thank you, , taht means so much to me. To the rest of you, keep being awesome. Thank you for the reviews! :D
Ecila404: That's actually what I want, to be a professional writer. I'm hoping that someday, my books will get published.
JojiBean: You can say that again. :D
Juzko Disco: Thank you. you never fail to make me feel really good with your reviews. And yes, this is a SkyTer chapter. :D
Potterjay all the Way: It won't be long now. Lester will be joining Camp Half-Blood soon, I just have to address some issues. :D
Percabeth37: Really? I'll take that as a compliment. Thank you. :D
schoolsucksass: You should always put your studies first. But I'm pretty sure you'll do good. :D
william. sperrazza: I know I mentioned you above, but I want to thank you again for your review. You should know, I stared at the computer screen for almost fifteen minutes when I read it. I'd been getting a lot of positive reviews but being called the "J.R.R TOLKIEN OF OUR GENERATION" and the "EMBODIMENT OF RICK RIORDAN" were really shocking, and heartwarming. It was also very pressuring, knowing that you guys expect the best from me and I will try my best not to disappoint you. And I want to say thank you, thank you, thank you for that amazing review. :D
Nickkay: I mean the picture in my profile. That's me. :D
You hid your skeletons when I had shown you mine
You woke the devil that I thought you'd left behind
I saw the evidence, the crimson soaking through
Ten thousand promises, ten thousand ways to lose
And you held it all but you were careless to let it fall
You held it all and I was by your side, powerless
I watched you fall apart and chased you to the end.
I'm left with emptiness that words cannot defend
You'll never know what I became because of you
Ten thousand promises, ten thousand ways to lose
And you held it all but you were careless to let it fall
You held it all and I was by your side, powerless
-(Powerless by Linkin Park)
WISE GIRL'S SEAWEED BRAIN 2.0:
DARKNESS ARISING
Chapter 7: THE TURNING POINT
LESTER
"Ow!" I protested. "Can't you at least be gentler?"
"You're too brave letting your Dad beat you but too scared having your wounds treated," said Skylar, dabbing a piece of cotton soaked with antiseptic on the corner of my mouth. "At least fight back next time."
"He's my Dad, Skye," I answered. "I can't beat him up, too; that would just be plain wrong. Besides, it's not going to change anything." I winced as took a bottle of Betadine and pressed it softly to my wound. "And you're a bad influence; advising me to punch my father," I joked.
"You know that's not what I meant," she said. Skylar shook her head and proceeded in treating the ones above my eyebrow.
We were sitting at our table. It was lunch, and the cafeteria was loud. This morning, I left the house thirty minutes earlier than usual, just so Skylar won't be able to pick me up. I didn't want her to see me. I tried avoiding her for the entire day. I succeeded until lunch when I went out of my classroom and saw her there standing, waiting for me. She looked a bit mad, but her eyes softened as soon as she saw me.
She took my hand and dragged me to the clinic. After borrowing a first aid kit, she lead me to the cafeteria, made me sit on our table, ordered our food, and began treating my wounds. She didn't ask what happened. I knew that she knew, and she didn't pry.
Skylar taped gauze on the left side of my forehead and sat back, looking at me. I couldn't meet her gaze, knowing that of I did, I won't be able to speak, so I let my eyes wander around the cafeteria. From across our table, I could see her friends talking and whispering and pointing to us. I knew they weren't happy with my stealing Skylar. I had told her that she didn't have to sit with me at lunch but she wasn't listening. Then I caught Clark's eyes. He was glaring at me. I knew he was still furious about what I did the last time we had a fight and he got even madder when he found out that Skylar. But he couldn't exactly do anything about it as the principal warned him that he was on probation, and getting in another fight would result to immediate expulsion.
"I would greatly appreciate it of my date takes care of himself so he won't have any bandages on him during the dance," said Skylar.
Oh. The dance.
I thought at first that Skylar was joking about going with me, but when she mentioned it, I knew that she was serious. It would happen in two short days and I still hadn't found a suit. I was starting to freak out thinking about it. I knew Skylar would look absolutely perfect and I wanted to look not awful, at least.
"Oh, by the way," said Skylar, pulling me back from my reverie. "You're accompanying me to the mall after school. We're going dress shopping."
"Can't," I said. "I have to work – "
"You don't have to work today," Skylar said, cutting me off. "I've talked to your boss earlier and he agreed to let you skip a day. He's actually pretty excited for you and said he would rent a limo for us. Can't you believe that?"
"Um . . ."
Skylar rolled her eyes. "Come on, Lester, I told you to loosen up! Besides – and I don't mean anything by this – but I'm eighty percent sure that you don't have a suit yet." I blushed hearing that, knowing that it was true. Skylar took my hand. "It's okay. Dad gave me more than enough for my dress so I'm buying yours." I opened my mouth to protest but Skylar cut me off quickly. "No buts, no protests. Just shut up and let me do this. This isn't open for discussion."
I stared open-mouthed at her. I didn't know that Skylar could do that, speaking continuously without taking a breath. And I wasn't sure what to say about her offering to buy my clothes.
She smiled triumphantly at me. "Meet me at my car after school; you know where I park, right?" I nodded. "Good, I guess I'll see you later then." She stood up and walked back to her friends.
The bell rang and I gathered my things like I was in a trance and went to my next class.
I didn't want to leave my room.
I had been locked up inside for who know how long, wondering if I looked presentable enough for Skyalr. The limo that would drive us to the school was already parked in front of our house. I had told Al that it wasn't necessary. I mean, it wasn't like I was attending a prom, but he insisted.
I was wearing a black suit and black pants. My undershirt was dark blue and my tie was silver. Skylar hadn't seen me wearing them yet, saying that she wanted to be surprised. I guess he would be, seeing that her date wasn't someone she could flaunt around.
I sighed and checked my clock. It was half past six. I was supposed to pick Skylar up at 6:45, as the dance would begin at seven. I took one last look at myself and went out. Dad wasn't home, luckily, so I didn't have to worry about adding more to my bruises and wounds collection.
I went inside Mom's room first before leaving. She said she wanted to see me first. I peeked inside, careful not to mess my hair, which I spent quite some time styling. "Mom?" I called. She looked up from the book she was reading and her eyes widened. I exhaled. "I know, I look like a dork."
Mom shook her head. "Oh, honey. You look really handsome."
I blushed. "You think so?" I asked.
Mom nodded. Then she motioned for me to come closer to her. I sat on her bedside and she took my hand, rubbing circled on my knuckles. "Did you get her a corsage?" I nodded. "Orchids?"
I shrugged. "That's what you told me. Do you think she'd like it?" I asked, fetching the corsage from my jacket pocket. I wasn't nervous about the dance. I was totally freaking out. Just thinking about arriving at Skylar's place to pick her up and talking to her parents were making my heart leap to my throat.
Mom took the thing from me and inspected it under the light of her lamp. She looked back to me and smiled. "I'm sure she would."
I stood up and straightened my suit. "I should probably get going," I said. "I don't want to make Skye wait."
"Enjoy your night," she said.
I gave her one more smile before going out the door to the limo.
I was fidgeting the whole way, my ADHD kicking in. It had been so long that I felt this agitated. Usually, even with all those energy running in my body, it was mostly never enough, what with all the things I had to do. But now, sitting inside this car doing nothing, I began to really feel my condition.
It didn't really help that I kept thinking how Skylar would look like. Perfect, definitely. But my mind kept on supplying me with ideas on how perfect exactly she would be. I haven't seen the dress she would be wearing. We agreed not to show each other one another's clothes, just for the element of surprise.
The limo stopped a few feet away from Skylar's house. I took in a deep breath and stepped outside, holding the corsage tightly on my hand. I knocked on the door softly and waited for someone to answer it.
The door opened but there wasn't anybody behind it. "Who are you?" a small voice asked. I looked down and saw a small girl who looked like Skylar, except the kid was redhead.
I knelt in front of her and smiled. "Hey," I greeted. "My name is Lester. I'm Skylar's – "
"Boyfriend," the kid finished. "Yes, she told me."
"Oh," was all I could say.
"Carrie?" I heard a familiar voice call. "Who are you talking to?"
Then someone more radiant than the sun stepped in front of me. She was wearing a dark red dress, reaching just below her knees, the color complimenting her cream-colored skin nicely; her hair was done in an elaborate curl, framing her heart-shaped face and emphasizing her long eyelashes; her face looked like an angel's – perfect, timeless, and beautiful; her lips . . . oh, wow, her lips. It looked so soft and kissable.
"Oh, hi," she said, staring at me, her face red. "Um, who are you?" she asked.
"Uh, Lester Fleming, Ma'am," I answered stupidly.
Skylar's eyes widened. "You're my date Lester?" I nodded. "You're not some sort of gorgeous-looking alien evil replicant are you?"
"Uh . . . what?"
Skylar laughed. "I was just teasing you, Lester." She then looked from my head to toe, no doubt inspecting whether I was worth bringing to the dance. "You look . . . wow. Really handsome."
I stared at her dumbly; my tongue seemed to have been frozen, as well as my brain. I couldn't say anything. My mouth then saved me, by moving on its own. "You look really beautiful, Skye," I said in an awed voice.
Skylar smiled sweetly at me. She then took my hand and lead me inside.
There house was three times bigger than us, and that excluded the second and third floor. The furniture inside was a mix from the Medieval and Renaissance period. I have no idea how Skylar's family managed to get their hands on them, but the one who designed the interior of their house definitely knew what he was doing. Just being inside gave me the feeling like I was inside a castle from England, during the fifth or sixteenth century.
If it was a castle, then I knew who the princess was. I was about to meet the king and queen and I looked like a freaking servant.
When we were at the living room, two very elegant and good-looking people walked in. The first one was a woman with shoulder-length brown hair. Her skin was flawless and looked so soft. She wasn't wearing any make-up but she didn't need it. Like her daughter, Mrs. Gray could pass as someone in her early thirties. From what Skylar told me, she was in her late forties. She was wearing a white robe with gold lacing, making her look that much sophisticated.
Mr. Gray on the other hand looked like someone who just walked out from a Wall Street magazine. Of course that was the case. Even in simple clothes, he projected power and elegance. He stood with such confidence that it made me hit my self-esteem. His salt and pepper hair was cut so short it was almost a buzz.
"Good evening," Mrs. Gray greeted. "So I take it that you're the friend Skylar had been talking so much about?"
I looked at Skylar, who was glaring at her Mom, her face red. I didn't get the chance to reply. Before I could, Mr. Gray asked, "How old are you, son?"
"Fourteen, sir," I answered.
He raised his eyebrows. Skylar's Mom smiled. "You're a cradle robber now, huh, Skylar?"
"Dad!" Skylar protested.
Her parents laughed. "You know you're Dad's only kidding," Mrs. Gray said. "Now, come on to the stairs and we're going to take pictures, then you guys can go."
Her parents lead to where the staircase was. Skylar was about to follow them but I stopped her. She looked at me quizzically. "I, uh, I got you something," I said, holding up the corsage.
Skylar smiled. "Aw, that's so sweet," she said. "You didn't have to get one, you know that, right? It's not a prom."
My face reddened. "Oh. I didn't know that. I'm sorry."
Skylar just kept on smiling sweetly at me. Then she held her right wrist, motioning for me to put the corsage on her. I did, with shaking fingers, while Skylar laughed at me. When I was done, she took my hand and led me to the staircase. Her parents were there, waiting for us. They smiled when they saw us, though her Dad raised his eyebrows when he saw our intertwined hands. I pulled mine back.
Mrs. Gray set us up at the last step of the staircase then went on to taking our pictures. I had no idea how many photos were taken, but when they were done, the muscles on my cheeks were complaining from overuse.
They watched us as I opened the door of the limo for Skylar. I thought her Dad would give me a hard time about taking his daughter to the dance but Skylar's parents were really nice and wished us a good night.
Inside the limo, I was trying really hard not to fidget. My ADHD, combined with the nerves I was feeling about showing up to the dance with Skylar, didn't actually help me.
And the fact that Skylar was still holding my hand.
"Carrie thinks you're my boyfriend," Skylar suddenly said.
I looked at her. "Yeah," I agreed. "Well, um, she said that you told her I am."
Skylar laughed, shaking her head. "I said that you might be, given time, I didn't say that you are." She then looked at me. "Will you be, if we give it a shot?"
My jaw fell open. Was Skylar Gray actually giving me the chance to be her boyfriend? I opened my mouth to reply but no words came out. I was saved when the driver announced that we were already at school.
I went out of the car and circled to Skylar's side, opening the door for her. She smiled at me as she took my hand. I took her arm after closing the door, leading her to the entrance.
The look of shock on my classmates faces were unanimous. They couldn't believe that the fourteen year-old freshman, who was the school's punching bag was actually attending the dance, with the most beautiful girl in school at his date.
When we got inside the gym, I couldn't help but be amazed. It had been converted into a dance floor. The walls were covered in red and white balloons, with banners announcing important events pinned on them; there were petals of red roses on the floor; there was a constant stream of red and white confetti falling from somewhere above.
Skylar led me to a table. When she was seated, I caught sight of a guy selling flowers. "I'll be right back," I told her and went to buy one red rose for her. The guy smiled at me and told me to enjoy my night. I went back to Skylar and gave her the rose. She looked touched as she received the flower from me.
"You're so sweet," she said. She then placed her head on my shoulder and I had to breathe deeply to calm myself.
A few minutes later, Skylar's friends joined us, together with their dates. All of them looked at me like I was an alien. "Who's your date, Skye?" asked one I recognized as Sarah.
Skylar laughed. "Don't be silly, Sarah; this is Lester."
They looked at me in disbelief. I didn't know why they didn't recognize me. I mean, I didn't think I could look more awful than I already did, right?
The school principal, Ms. Argent stepped into the stage and formally opened the event. "Welcome, students of Christopher Columbus High, to our annual Valentine's Day dance. Give me a moment to wish you a beautiful and romantic night with your respective dates." She then changed her playful tone into a tight one. "But don't have too much fun, if you know what I mean." Everyone laughed at her. "With that aside, I'm formally opening the dance floor for you."
Around us came the sounds of girls trying to persuade their dates to dance with them. My heart jumped to my throat when Skylar grabbed my hand and dragged me to the middle. There were whistles from the jocks' table, no doubt thinking that I'd make a fool out of myself.
A soft music started playing on the background. I recognized it. Ed Sheeran's Give Me Love.
"I thought you will back down," said Skylar through the intro. "Most guys aren't brave enough to dance with a partner."
"I would never pass the opportunity to dance with you," I said truthfully.
Skylar's eyes seemed to turn to liquid before me. She reached out and wrapped her arms around my neck. I did the natural thing. I wrapped mine around her waist. Then we started dancing to the tune.
Give me love like her,
'cause lately I've been waking up alone,
Paint splattered teardrops on my shirt,
Told you I'd let them go,
And that I'll fight my corner,
Maybe tonight I'll call ya,
After my blood turns into alcohol,
No, I just wanna hold ya.
I must say, even when I was so nervous, dancing with Skylar was like having a piece of perfection with me. She was staring in my eyes as we waltz around. I actually know waltz, as Mom taught me when I was a kid.
Skyalr smiled in satisfaction. "I didn't know you can dance," she said, combing her fingers through my hair.
"Yeah, well, there's a whole lot of side of me you're about to meet," I joked.
Give a little time to me or burn this out,
We'll play hide and seek to turn this around,
All I want is the taste that your lips allow,
My, my, my, my, oh give me love,
My, my, my, my, oh give me love,
My, my, my, my, oh give me love,
My, my, my, my, oh give me love,
My, my, my, my, oh give me love.
Give me love like never before,
'cause lately I've been craving more,
And it's been a while but I still feel the same,
Maybe I should let you go,
You know I'll fight my corner,
And that tonight I'll call ya,
After my blood is drowning in alcohol,
No I just wanna hold ya.
Give a little time to me or burn this out,
We'll play hide and seek to turn this around,
All I want is the taste that your lips allow,
My, my, my, my, oh give me love,
Give a little time to me, or burn this out,
We'll play hide and seek to turn this around,
All I want is the taste that your lips allow,
My, my, my, my, oh give me love,
My, my, my, my, oh give me love,
My, my, my, my, oh give me love,
My, my, my, my, oh give me love,
My my, my, my, oh give me love.
I tucked a lock of hair behind Skylar's ear, earning one of her smiles yet again. I thought I could never be more happy with what was going on, but I was wrong.
Skylar stared into my eyes and I stared back at her this time. She leaned closer to me and leaned closer to her, our faces inches apart. I started hyperventilating as Skylar touched my face with her right hand and closed her eyes. I was having trouble breathing.
Then our lips met.
Back when I was a kid, whenever I thought about my first kiss, I'd always assume that I would be able to feel everything, be aware of everything. But that wasn't the case. All I was aware of was how soft and sweet Skylar's lips were, and how her left hand was at the back of my neck, pulling me closer.
I felt Skylar biting softly on my lower lip. That's when I pulled away.
Skylar frowned. "What's wrong?"
I was aware of everyone around us watching. "I-I can't," I stammered, walking away. I heard Skylar running up to catch up to me, calling my name. I wanted to stop, but my feet kept on going. I only halted when I reached the door of the gym.
I felt a hand on my shoulder and I turned around. Skylar was looking at me, obviously hurt. "What's wrong, Lester?" I didn't answer. Or rather, I couldn't. "I'm sorry if I kissed you. I thought – I-I thought you might like it."
"That's the problem," I said. "I liked it too much."
Confusion made its way to her eyes. "I don't get it."
"I like kissing you," I said. "I like you, Skylar, so much, but I'm not someone you'd want to be your boyfriend. I have so many inner problems I have to face first before I start something else with someone. I'm sorry but we can't go there. I-I have my Mom to look after to. I have to take care of her and I can't exactly deal with a relationship right now. Besides, I have no idea how to and I might just end up hurting you. I don't want that."
"You're not going to hurt me," Skylar said, holding my hand, but I pulled away.
"You don't know that," I insisted. "I don't want to be unfair to you, Skye. You're the first person besides my Mom that actually care about me. I'm scared that if we go there, I might just end up messing things up. I don't want to do that. I don't want to lose you because I'm too much of a coward. I'm sorry. Can we please stick with being friends?"
Skylar nodded, biting her lower lip. "I understand." She then smiled softly at me. "I never knew how special you are until this moment, Lester." She took my hand again. "I will be here for you. Always and forever. Remember that, okay?"
"I'm sorry," I said, unable to meet her gaze.
"Stop that," she said. "It's okay. I'm not mad. I understand why. Just don't stop me from doing this, okay?" She then pulled me down and kissed me again. This time, I kissed her back, scolding myself for disappointing her. If it was up to me, I would've been her boyfriend the moment we kissed without any shred of doubt. But it wasn't just about me. There was still my Mom, who was depending on me.
Then there was the person staring back at me in the mirror. I have to deal with him first.
Skylar was the one who pulled away this time. "Your lipstick is messed up," I said stupidly.
She laughed. "I guess I have to reapply it." She looked down and giggled. "But then I left my purse in the limo."
"Let me get it," I said. "I'll be back."
"Be sure about that," she joked.
I smiled and walked away, my thoughts focused on what just happened. Beneath all the fear I was feeling, I couldn't explain how happy I was. I'd admired Skylar from a distance for some time and for her to actually notice me was a dream come true. And she didn't just notice me, she kissed me.
My lips felt like they were burning as I exited the school's premises. I was too occupied with my thoughts that I didn't notice two teenagers standing in front of me until one of them tackled me, sending me rolling on the grass.
Is at up quickly, my ADHD kicking in. One of them, the one who attacked me was a burly-looking girl with a bandana on, covering her hair. The other one was a guy, younger than the girl. He had messy black hair and was wearing an aviator's jacket and a skull ring on his finger. They looked like the kind who would be members of a gang.
"Clarisse," said the guy. "That's not what Chiron said."
The girl, Clarisse smirked. "He said to test the kid and that's what I'm doing." She then extended her hands on either sides of her and muttered something I thought sounded like Ancient Greek.
Then things got weirder.
A crevice opened before her and three skeletons worked their way up from the hole until they were standing on the ground. I was too stunned to move, as I watched them being filled with gray flesh like someone was pouring jelly on them. Then gray skin started growing, covering the gray flesh.
I didn't know if what I was seeing was true or if I was still high from the kiss I shared with Skylar earlier.
The guy shook his head. "Showing off again."
"Shut up Death Boy," said Clarisse. She then nodded her head and all three gray men rushed forward to me.
I took a step back as one of them reached in his chest and pulled out a rib. I was horrified, my heart beating like crazy, as I started running back to the school. My eyes were trained on the closed door, hoping that someone would open it.
And it did.
It was blasted off of its hinges, throwing burning pieces to where I was. I ducked as I heard the air screaming behind me. Is aw the rib fly past me, hitting one of the windows. The glass shattered into a thousand pieces.
I looked back and saw the three gray men still sauntering forward to where I was. When they were a few feet away from me, a voice suddenly appeared in my head and whispered, "Destroy them."
Things got weirder, if that was possible.
My right hand moved on its own and pointed to the oncoming assault. A word escaped my lips without my permission: "Die." The voice didn't sound like my own. It was deep, powerful, and deadly.
Right before my eyes, the three gray men was lifted off of their feet, hovering a meter away from the ground. Then one by one, they exploded into black fire, leaving the sound of dying screeches in the wind.
For a while, the two teenagers didn't move. Then the guy spoke, "He's powerful, I'll give him that."
"You rat!" the girl yelled.
The girl was drawing something from her back when someone else spoke. "Clarisse, enough."
I looked to the direction where the voice came and saw a middle-aged guy with trimmed beard in a wheelchair. "I told you to test him, not provoke his powers."
"Chiron!" the girl protested. "Did you see what he can do?"
"I did," he said, turning to me.
"Wh-who are you people?" I asked in fear.
The guy in the wheelchair bowed his head. "My greetings, young hero. My name is Chiron."
[Next - Chapter 8: FOOL ME ONCE]