shieldslaveofjustice01220 well thanks for that lol.
It had been one of the worst weeks of her life. She had felt dead most of the time unless Jon was there but it wouldn't be long until her mom would tell him he had to leave. Then she would feel horrible whether guilt or sadness she couldn't tell. Luckily his mom had stayed away from home mostly so he was safe from her. She was getting to go back to school though so hopefully her mom would let him start staying longer. Or forever, she could live with that.
She was lying in bed watching music videos on MTV when she heard fighting coming from that direction. Snowie listened hearing what sounded like glass breaking or something hitting a wall between the yelling. She wanted to make it stop but tonight her mom had been called in to work an extra shift and Matt was gone, not that he probably would have done anything anyhow. The yelling continued for hours, she wanted to turn up the TV but the volume was already blaring, she wanted to stop hearing his name being cursed and screamed but she could even hear it in the kitchen as it echoing throughout the neighborhood. Her heart was breaking at each passing moment. She'd stop breathing at the sound of sirens praying that they would pass. The minutes ticked by as she waited her breathing hitched her pulse racing wanting to see him step out of that house.
Snowie decided to do laundry to occupy herself, if Jon knew she had basically heard the whole thing, unwillingly of course, he'd probably be mad to her or more upset than she sure he already was. She heard the front door slam and the dead bolt being thrown into place. She hadn't even realized the yelling had stopping until that moment. She slowly walked around the kitchen table, hoping it was him but ready to bolt if it was the guy that had been breaking into people's houses for the last few days. So call her paranoid she didn't care better safe than sorry. She took a breath and stepped into the doorway. Her breathing stopped all together when she seen him setting there against the door, blood and tears mangling his face.
"Jon?" She wanted to run to him but feared he'd spook easily so she stepped lightly.
He didn't look at her. He whispered, "Yeah?"
She fought to control her voice knowing he needed her strength. She fought to say the stupidest question a person could ask, 'are you okay?' of course he wasn't how could he be? To be honest she wasn't that okay and she'd only heard it. He looked up at her his eyes bluer yet darker somehow, it frightened her. Someone banged on the other side of the door. They both jumped. He whispered 'fuck'. But she had a plan. The banging continued.
"Police! Open up!" A voice called.
Jon stood and turned to the door. "No!" She whispered harshly. "Go hide Jon. I'll make them go away."
He looked at her strangely but quietly made his way up the stairs. He didn't go to her room though but headed in the opposite direction. She steeled her nerves and unlocked the door. The banging came again. She slid the chain lock into place though, buying him more time and her a little piece of mind. What if it isn't really the cops? She questioned. Her hands shook as she opened the door.
"Yes?" She said in a sweet yet frightened voice. She breathed a sigh of relief when she seen the cop car behind them. She didn't think someone would steal a cop car and uniform to break in to anyone's house.
"I'm sorry sweetie. Is your parents home?"
"No. And a boy just ran through the house. He knocked me over and…and…and…" She let her voice waver and let the tears Jon told her to never cry for him fall. "And he ran out the back door. I didn't see who it was but I think it was that horrible boy from across the street." She let her bottom lip quiver. "I just want my mom!" She wailed.
Jon could barely keep from laughing. Man was she selling it thick! He stood in the closet at the top of the stairs his hand covering his mouth. His body aching not only from the fight but trying to contain his laughter. She was good. He'd have never thought of that.
The cops stared at her as she had a meltdown. "Well there there, sweetie. Is your mom at work?"
"Don't call her! She'll get mad! And we have to have her pay check because my brother is sick and I've been sick and we need medicine! Please sir don't!" She was running out steam and hoped they leave.
"Okay okay. We won't call. Is your gate unlocked?"
"No." She lied.
"Well we're going to go around the back of your house and see if the boy is still there alright?" They walked away before she could say anything else.
She made a show of slamming the door. She didn't dare call Jon out of hiding yet. She ran to the backdoor and looked out the window. Sure enough the cops found the gate unlocked just like she'd planed. God, she was good at this. Maybe too good, she thought. It wasn't long until they were walking back around the corner of her house. She raced back in time to see them leaving. She started to go upstairs when there was another knock. She opened to find a very drunk Kathy.
"Um…hello?" Snowie said trying to sound like she couldn't think of why she'd be at her house for all the world.
"I know he's here." Thank God, she'd had the sense to leave the chain on the door.
He stood still holding his breath. If she touched her he'd lose it. Hitting him around was one thing but putting her filthy whore hands on his girl was another thing. Like it was in the next state as far as was concerned. Then he heard Snowie.
"Jon isn't here. I haven't talked to him in a week." She used her anger for Kathy to her advantage. "He's a jerk and I hope I never see him again! Now will you please leave?" She didn't wait for a response just slammed the door. "Bitch." She mumbled.
She ran to her room and watched Kathy walk back across the street only to get in the car parked in the drive and leave. She breathed a sigh of relief. She stood there facing the window wondering if Jon was going to ever tell her what had happened. He put his arms around her and she jumped.
"Oh God! You scared the hell at of me." She turned so she could hug him back.
"Thanks for that. And by the way you are really good at acting." He said letting her go to fall back on her bed.
"Thanks but your bloody get off my bed." She laughed when he faked a hurt look.
"I'll go take a shower." He got up. "How are you feeling?" he asked rummaging in his bags.
About tonight or in general, she thought. "Fine." She'd settle for that.
She was finishing up what little homework he hadn't done when he came back in. His hair was still almost to the point of dripping wet and his eyes were almost back to their normal blue-grey. They reminded her of the summer rain clouds in Oklahoma. She looked at him and he smiled. She felt her heart literally stop as she realized she might actually be in love with her best friend. How? Why? She couldn't wrap her mind around it. They had agreed, so as to not ruin what they had, they'd only be friends. What was she thinking? She was only eleven about to be twelve but she wasn't supposed to have these thoughts about boys, not yet. And at that very moment she vowed he'd never know.
"Snow White? Earth to Snowie." Jon waved a hand in her face.
"Huh?" She felt like an idiot.
"I said did you have to turn me into a giant jerk?" Snowie was acting weird but he couldn't figure out why. Probably trying to distance herself from him, was his best guess.
"Sorry." Maybe he'd think she just didn't feel well. "It was that or they wouldn't have believed me. You hungry?"
He let it drop. Maybe she was feeling bad again. Resting and then bam action, he could see how that would make her tired or feel bad. "Sure but I'll cook and you can tell me if I'm doing it wrong."
He could actually cook her favorite food, goulash, really well. And that doesn't help, she thought. She had to find something about him that she didn't like. He talked about wrestling almost nonstop, so did she. He ate way too much but didn't get fat, she was fine with that she really didn't like fat guys. Oh God! Why was it so hard? She couldn't be falling for Jon. Not Jon. Not that she wouldn't mind it later when they were older but life was too complicated right now and they were just kids. She set there saying the right things when she was supposed to but she was still racking her brain. Okay! One thing she kinda hated his table manners almost sucked, she sighed no she found that adorable too. She was doomed.
The next week pasted pretty fast Jon never told her what happened that night and she doubted he would. But he'd grow almost quiet, she didn't know why but hoped he wasn't drawing away from her. She had managed to explain away her feelings, too, or so she thought. It had only been a weird hereon thing that was all. They were in the auditorium talking and going over their lines when Hanna came in. She was Juliet's nanny.
"Hey people!" She plopped down beside them. "So guess what I heard."
"No." Jon said almost rudely.
"Don't be an ass, Jon." Hanna said bluntly. She knew how to handle him. "Anyways. I heard we're doing the scene where you two have to kiss."
They had gone over their lines but each time that came up they would do the whole 'and we'll get to that later' thing and moved on. But Mrs. Williams insisted on it being perceived as real as possible and they were supposed to at least get close enough to make it look real, even in rehearsal. Snowie looked at Hanna wanting to ask if she just liked to torture her or had she really done something.
"Yeah I heard that too." She said.
Soon the place filled with the other actors so they dropped it. Hanna could feel the tension in the air and hoped they weren't fighting. She hadn't been around the last two weeks much because of the flu and Snowie hadn't said anything and Jon, well he never admitted to major problems. Role was called and they all took their places. Everything went over great until…
"Romeo, oh Romeo…"Snowie called from the makeshift balcony. She ran through the rest of her lines, wanting to get this day over with.
"Snowie. Please repeat and slow down." Mrs. Williams called.
She did as she was told and then it was Jon's turn he did great, of course, he could talk paint off a wall with ease. Then it came time for the dreaded kiss. He leaned in close.
"What's wrong Jon?" It just came out.
He could see the hurt in her eyes and hated himself for causing it. "I'll tell you later. I swear Snow." He had to tell her he couldn't stand to see her hurt.
They finished up and school was let out. Hanna had a ride and once again they refused. They walked home not really saying anything. It was Friday there was bound to be something on they should be talking about what to watch. Or at least what to do for the rest of the weekend. But they didn't. She shivered and not because of the wind, but because of the distance between them.
"Are you cold?" He asked trying to lose the harshness in his voice. He was mad at himself not her.
She knew she could lie and say yes. He'd know she'd lied. "No just a cold chill."
"Liar. I'm hungry."
Okay fine she'd lied but how could she voice what she was feeling without sounding whinny or naggy? She couldn't she decided. He put his arm around her and she had to fight to not pull away. She didn't know why she just knew if he touched her for too long or even looked in her eyes he'd know what she was feeling. He always did. He pulled and she followed him into the diner. They set but didn't talk until they had to order.
"Snow about the other night." He started but for the life of him couldn't finish. He couldn't ask if she wanted him leave and never see her again. He didn't know why but he had a sneaking suspicion he was feeling more than friendship for her. He wouldn't act on it, no. That would be too hard and he loved their friendship and didn't want to ruin it.
"What about it?" She took a shaky breath he didn't miss.
"Um…Never mind."
The waitress came saving him for a while. They ate and he chewed slowly wanting to avoid the conversation he'd brought up. Snowie didn't miss the fact that he was stalling. Well there's one thing I hate, she thought taking a bite of fries. He stalled when he was afraid or really didn't want to talk about something. They finished and when he stood she stayed where she was seated.
"Spill it, Jon." She said.
He set back down, hard. "Fine. Do you want me to leave you alone? I'd understand, if you did. You have your own issues and don't need mine."
She stared at him. "Leave me alone? I thought that's what you were trying to tell me. That you wanted me to go away. Jon, no."
"What? So we've been acting like idiots this entire time because we both thought the same thing? Well isn't that just great."
"Yeah I guess so." She laughed.
They walked home and since he was happy again it wasn't hard to join in on the topic. They even made it down Horror Street as she had started calling it in one piece. Matt was pulling in when they got to her house.
"Oh great." She never knew if he'd be in a good mood or his normal asshole self.
Jon grabbed her hand and winked at her. "Let's see if we can just ignore him, shall we?"
She giggled and they ran past his truck before he could say anything. Was in her room she blared the music so he'd leave them alone. It worked they were free and clear. He only knocked once to remind her to do the laundry and to tell her he was leaving.
"The bad life of Cincinnati fits him. Don't you think?" She laughed.
One more week passed without any interesting things happening. Tonight was the big night not only was it Halloween, her birthday, but it was also the night of the play. Everyone was dressed and ready. The play only had one hitch.
"Romeo. Oh Romeo." Came the lines.
They ran through the words with ease. Jon scaled the fake wall with grace. He said his words and gave her a quick peck on the lips. There were little awes from the audience. She almost had a heart attack, which Juliet didn't do. The '"guards" came out shouting and she had time to refocus. But she was sure some people had noticed, like Hanna who was looking at her.
"What?" She mouthed as they set up for the next scene.
"Don't what me. I seen that. You like like Jon." Hanna whispered back stage.
"Oh Hanna. You seen nothing. I was just surprised is all." Snowie tried to reason with her friend as well as herself.
"Oh please I'm not stupid."
"Okay maybe I do." Hey she had to confess to someone. "But he doesn't like me that way. Plus we've talked about this and we both decided we value our friendship more than that."
"Whatever." Hanna hadn't told her she thought Jon liked her too. She had made him mad one time and he didn't talk to her for weeks no way was she going there now.
"Hanna, please don't tell him." She had managed to hide her feelings this long no freaking way could she let Hanna blab.
"I won't" Hanna said running for her cue.
The play ended on a high note considering they had to die, he thought. Jon set waiting on the steps for Hanna and Snowie to come out of the dressing room. Had he seriously kissed her? It was only a small peck no big deal, right? His mind was nonstop and he wanted it to shut up.
"Hey Jon. Great job!" Hope said coming to stand by him. "As Snowie came out yet?"
"No. I sent Lisa to see where she and Hanna were at though." Jon answered. "Are we all set?"
Hope smiled. "Yes. You had a great idea."
"And you're sure you don't want me to pay my own way. Since you know you've kinda been paying forever thing."
"No, Jon. I asked. It might have been your idea but it's my daughter's birthday and it's also my way of thanking you for being there for her. Don't say any more about it, you understand?"
Jon had told Hope, when she'd asked what Snowie wanted for her birthday, that she had seen a flyer and wanted to go to an Indy match, after explaining what that was and that her daughter actually loved wrestling she agreed it would be a nice surprise. She had invited Jon to invite anyone Snowie was friends with to dinner. Hope hadn't been surprised to find out the only people she really talked to was Jon, Hanna, Toby and Lisa. But she and Lisa were more like oil and water and Snowie only dealt with her for Hanna's sake. In the end it was only Hanna, Jon and Snowie with Hope tagging along. He knew better than to ask Lisa, Snowie would have killed him and Toby had managed to get himself in trouble again.
"Hi Mom!" Snowie and Hanna ran toward them.
"Hi! Are you to ready to go to dinner?" Hope answered and shared a secret wink with Jon.
They had set the whole thing to look like they were just going to dinner and a midnight horror fest. Jon knew Snow would have a fit if she had to miss the horror fest so he'd rented very video old and new the day before and he had plans to throw his own party for her tomorrow. Which was mostly crashing the slumber party the two girls had planned.
It being Halloween there were a lot more spooks out than normal. Hope had to keep slamming on the brakes to keep from hitting people. Snowie was getting time to think about where they were going and he seen the wheels turning.
"Um…mom are you sure you remember how to get to Rouso's?" She thought her mother had made planes for them to go one of her favorite restaurants.
"They over booked and you know those places first come first serve." Hope saved the moment. "So I called a place they recommended. It's not far."
Jon had given her directions to the Heartland Wrestling complex last night. He took out a bandana when they got down the street and wrapped her face. Hanna giggled and Hoped tried not to laugh. Jon shot Hanna a look that shut her up.
"Jon?" Snowie put her hands up to make him stop.
"You're alright trust me."
"I don't see why I have to be blindfolded to go eat."
"You'll see." Hope replied. Winking in the mirror at Jon. He returned with a smile.
Hope pulled into a parking spot in front of the complex. "Can I take it off now? And I'm assuming we aren't eating any time soon are we?"
"You're whine too much. And no you can't" Jon scolded her.
They got out of the car Jon and Hanna guiding her. Hanna yelling at Jon to be careful and to watch out for that step, was all she heard over the music. Music? Why is there that type of music at a restaurant? She trusted them but not the city. She watched the news and had heard enough awful stories and sirens to know it could be a dangerous place. She started to panic.
"Calm down, Snow White." Jon whispered. Apparently he was the only one that knew her heart was racing besides her.
They walked into a cool but not cold place. Snowie heard loud laughter and other things but couldn't make out where they were. They kept walking Jon's voice keeping her from freaking out. Hanna's excitement was emanate in the way she grasped her arm. Breath, she told herself. They set down on hard metal chairs yep they were so not at a nice restaurant that was for sure.
"Okay, you take it off now!" Her mother exclaimed.
"Happy Birthday!" They all exclaimed together.
Snowie pushed the bandana down her face. It took her eyes a few moments to adjust to what she was seeing. A wrestling ring the letters HWA hanging off its sides. A room full of men, women, and a few children younger than she were everywhere. The smell was of stale beer, dried blood, sweat, and excitement. She love it! She looked at Hanna, Jon and her mom, they waited for her to figure it out.
"Oh! My! God!" The light went off in her head. "Mom how did you know?"
"Jon told me you had been wanting to come for a while now." Jon had the biggest smile.
"Jon!" She wrapped her arms around his neck and he returned her hug. "Hanna?"
"I only came along for the free ticket." She joked.
The lights dimmed a few times to tell everyone the show was about to start. She almost couldn't sit still. She noticed Jon was about the same way and she smiled. They had talked about saving their money and then talking her mom or Annie into taking them but had never got around to it.
He looked at her with the cheesiest grin on his face. "So you actually like it?"
"Have we not met? Like it? I love it! Thank you for telling her."
By the last match she was tired but no less excited she decided she'd have to convince Hope this was something she wanted…no, needed to come to all the time. The last match was amazing Cody Hawk and some guy she couldn't pronounce had a hard-hitting fight and it electric. Cody won and stood in the middle of the ring. After he celebrated he asked for a mic.
"God he's hot!" Hanna whispered.
Snowie laughed. "Uh huh!"
"So I heard we had a birthday girl here tonight." Cody said into the crowd. Oh someone else has the same birthday as me, she thought. "And this was her birthday gift from her mom and best friend."
The crowd cheered but she was looking a little horrified there was no way he wasn't talking about her. Oh God! She thought. Then he said it, "Snowie would you come to the ring please?" He was looking right at her.
"Oh God!" She whispered and looked at Jon.
"Come on bring your friends and mom too." Jon and Hanna basically dragged her to the ring. Cody held the ropes for them. "So did you guys enjoy yourselves?" They all answered yes. Jon looked like he was about to mark out he was almost bouncing. "Well birthday girl why don't you introduce yourself?"
Cody handed her the microphone. "Uh…I'm Snowie. This is my mom, Hope, and my best friends Jon and Hanna."
Cody had gotten another mic. "And I heard this is your first time here?"
"Yes." She wasn't so nervous anymore. In fact she kind of liked being in the ring.
"Who's the friend that helped get you here tonight? I want to talk to them."
"Jon." She handed the microphone to him and he looked like he'd went to heaven.
"Hi Jon." Cody greeted him.
"Hi."
"So what made you think she'd want to come to a show?" Jon recanted the story with ease. Once again she found herself thinking he could talk paint off a wall. "Well how would the four of you like to meet some of the other wrestlers?" Hanna, Jon and Snowie couldn't say yes fast enough. "How does that sound, Mom?"
Hope giggled some. "Fine with me."
The crowd started to dismantle and Cody led them to a back area. There was a table with food and drinks. Her stomach growled and she hoped no one heard. She forced herself to look away. But when she did she caught Jon licking his lips staring at the table too. She giggled he was always thinking about food.
"Man I'm starved." He whispered.
"Me too." Hanna agreed.
An older man around the corner. "Let's see what we can do do fix that."
Jon about lost it. "Oh my God! You're…you're Les Thatcher!"
"Yes I am. And you are?"
"Jon…Jon Good." He answered.
They had dinner with a bunch of the wrestlers. When asked if she wanted to take a picture she didn't hesitate but insisted her friends and mom were in it. By the end of the night she and mainly Jon were flying high. They talked nonstop about the entire night the way back to Hanna's house.
"See you tomorrow!" Hanna called running to her door.
"See ya!"
Once they were on their way home Hope cut in. "So I probably shouldn't have to ask but did you enjoy yourselves?"
"Mom this was the best birthday ever! Way better than last year's pool party." Snowie bent over the seat hugging her mom's neck.
"Jon?"
"I loved it. In fact I'm one hundred percent sure it's what I want to do for the rest of my life."
"Wrestle?" Snowie asked.
"Yeah. That feeling of being in the ring. I can't explain it."
"I know what you mean." Snowie had hoped he'd felt the same thing she had. "It was like sticking your tongue to a 9-volt! But different somehow."
"Yeah!" Jon smiled. Someone else understood.
They fell into her bed laughing and talking about one day being wrestlers and tag teaming. Ruling the world of wrestling! Jon had no idea in only a few years that's exactly what he would be doing. They talked until dawn and finally fell asleep.
Hope woke them up sometime around noon. "Guys? Are y'all hungry? If so Matt and I are leaving in a few so you better hurry up and get ready."
"Why does he have to go?" Snowie asked from her closet.
"Come on maybe today he won't be so bad." Jon tried to lift her sprites. Really he knew guys like Matt were just assholes in general and was never nice for long.
They were ready before Matt so Snowie kind of shoved that in his face. Jon elbowed her and on the walk to the car whispered, "Don't give him a reason. Remember?"
"He doesn't need one."
They drove to a small dinner where every person there knew Matt. Jon and Snowie slid into one side of a booth, ignored, while her mom and Matt said hi to people.
"Well I didn't know you had kids." A pretty blonde commented.
"He doesn't. I'm only his stepdaughter no real relation. And Jon's my friend." Snowie answered coolly.
"Snowie!" Matt almost shouted.
Good, she thought, yell at me in a place where you have friends. Where they can see the fact that you're not a good guy but a total asshole! She kept her mouth closed and Hope only gave her a disapproving look. Oh of course she wouldn't say anything in public. Snowie knew she probably shouldn't have either but to be known as his daughter was just too much. They ate and left headed for the mall. She didn't think even Jon could talk her way out of this silent treatment.