16Edited: Jan.16.09
Project: Love?
Chapter 1 - New student, Old friend.
My morning ritual was disrupted.
It's quite annoying really, when the first thing you see in the morning is your little brother's demonic evil twisted sadistic spoiled face. You think I'm over-doing it with the adjectives, huh? Oh well.
Damien is the spawn of Satan… wait, he's my brother. That makes me … what? Scratch that. My little brother is just plain evil.
Act one of his malevolence. Unplug my alarm clock, making me late for the first day of school.
Act two - Pinching my face until I wake up.
Act three … run downstairs to escape my warpath, feigning innocence.
Ugh. Life's a bitch sometimes.
Walking in a zombie-like-state, I reached for my brush to untangle the mass of hair on my head that looked like a bird's nest. I looked at my face in the mirror. My hair was plastered to my red face with sweat and tears. The same old azure eyes stared back at me, bloodshot from the dream. Or nightmare. Whatever way you want to look at it.
I sighed, trying to tug the brush through my brown hair. Christy always said it was mahogany, but isn't that just another shade of brown, only called in a fancy name?
I sighed again. My hair, whether it was plain brown or fancy mahogany, was inconsolable. I might as well just take a shower. Anyways, the hot water would make me relax. I tried not to let the dream get to me.
"Best friend?"
Best friend my ass.
No.
I. Will. Forget. About. It.
I scrubbed my shampoo into my head a little harder in frustration, trying to forget the memories.
Let it go.
And I would let it go. I did.
I think.
One more look in the mirror.
Well, I looked presentable, at least. No time for makeup. It's not that I put it on much … but still, first day right?
I pulled the front part of my hair back into an amethyst beret. It matched my yellow top and purple high-top sneakers. I shoved my glasses on, surveying my room.
Damn. It was messy. Having a sleepover and not cleaning up after it was catching up on me. I snatched my bag from the corner where it had been deposited two weeks ago and dashed down the stairs.
Good morning, my dear family.
Of course that greeting was only murmured in my head.
"Ashley May Thompson; don't go thundering around the house like that." Now that was a greeting.
But Damien's okay to run amok?
I bit back the retort, apologizing quietly to my mother. I also tried not to cringe at my full name.
I glared at Damien. Huh, I actually thought he would've gone by now. What, my rampage doesn't scare him anymore? That sucks. Big time.
"Ashley. Don't be pulling faces like that at the breakfast table. Damien's going to get nervous getting to school."
Ah, of course. The 'mom-loves-me-and-she-doesn't-gives-a-damn-about-what-I-do-or-you' card.
"Sorry, mom," I said again, murmuring as I grabbed a piece of toast from the island counter. Well, at least they were thoughtful enough to leave me something. I didn't ask for French toast like Damien.
I bit the slightly burnt but cooling bread in my mouth as I slid into my car.
Junior Year part two, here I come.
"Woah. What the hell got your panties in such a twist?"
I glared at my so called friend, Christy as she leaned against the locker next to mine.
"Seriously, you look like you've got a scowl permanently etched on your face. And don't tell me it's because of 'first day at school' because I know you're a geek at heart and is jumping for joy at being back," she said, brushing her sandy brown hair with her hand. I shoved her away with my hand that wasn't currently stuffing books into my locker.
So true though, what she said. Well, the first part anyways. I am a geek at heart.
I continued to ignore Christy.
"Oh, so doing the silent treatment again? Ash, if you don't start talking to me right now I'm going to drag you to the girl's bathroom and make you spill. Every little detail."
I stiffened. This was her tough girl act. For someone as hippy-ish as her, she was good at stuff like this.
"Not now," I said, hissing.
"When then?" she asked with a hiss of her own.
I didn't bother to replay.
"Is this about your mom again? You know if you got a boyfriend or something maybe your mom would stop harping on about you." I looked at Christy drily, slamming my locker shut. Her electric blue eyes were serious.
"How in the world does that help?" I asked, stuffing my notebooks in my bag as we walked, occasionally nodding to random people.
"Because if you had someone to hang-out with at the weekends, she wouldn't be able lecture you on one thing or another," she said, as she tied her soft brown hair into a messy bun. She nodded at my beret, giggling slightly.
"Nice beret, by the way."
I sniffed. "Says the girl who wore a silk wrap to school … in winter."
I added "And hey, if you didn't have a boyfriend, I would have someone to hang-out with at the weekends.
Since she'd started dating Keith, my time with her had been limited.
"Dahling, it's not my fault I'm so gorgeous."
It's not like I don't have other friends. I do, but they usually have something else planned or have their own boyfriends.
"I'm not going to date someone just to get my mother off my back. And honestly, I think she'd start asking about the guy if I did. I'd hate to think of my mom getting wrapped up in my love life."
"Lack of, hun." She laughed at her own joke while I just looked one. She must be insane or something.
"But you love me."
"Did I just say that out loud?"
"You do have a tendency to do that, but this time you just had that look."
"Er, ok. I'll see you later. I see Principal Dawson wants to see me."
I turned my heel, approaching the principal's door. He had a big boyish smile on his face, as he leaned on his desk.
"Miss Thompson, how was your winter break?"
"Perfectly fine, thank you." Until this morning. I added mentally, sitting down on the chair in front of him.
"I wanted to discuss the … um, fundraising for this term. With all the economic downfall and such, we're not doing too well at things such as money. I wanted to ask you to double your efforts for this term. Spend less, gain more." I nodded in understanding. I thought as much.
"Yeah, I was thinking about that too. I haven't thought my ideas through and through but I'll run them by with the others." The other being the rest of the student council.
Yup, I was - er, am the student council president.
A wide grin spread through Dawson's face. "Great."
"I'm sure we'll have something figured out by the end of the week." How was that for business like?
His school telephone rang then. He motioned for me to stay quiet.
"Yes, Rita." Rita being Mrs. Carragher, our office receptionist.
"Who?" Dawson was saying.
"Oh yes, him. I'm sorry I forgot, I've been a little scatterbrain lately."
"See me? Oh alright."
"His father? Hmm … yes."
"What's his name again?"
"I told you -"
"Right." I listened to this side of the conversation with interest.
So there was a new person coming?
"Aston? Right."
I froze.
Aston?
It couldn't be.
No.
I shook my head.
No.
It's not true is it?
"Moving?"
Best friend?
Forever?
. . .
Jason.
"Miss Thompson?" I was brought back from my reverie by Dawson's large hand, waving in front of my face. I shook my head again. No, it couldn't be. Aston was a fairly common name… right? Right?
"Um … I just zoned out for a moment." I was breathing quite fast. I tried to calm myself, but I couldn't seem to breathe properly.
"I was just talking to Rita about the new student. He's in your senior class. We're just going to discuss his transfer here."
"Um, ok." My breaths were still coming quickly. Swoosh. Swoosh.
"Are you alright?" His apprehension was growing.
"Yeah, I'll be fi -" The door opened after a knock and my breath caught. Light green eyes stared back at me, incredulous.
"May?" My heart thumped unevenly at the so-longed-for nickname.
"Jason." I managed to choke out. Then I passed out.
Well, at least my dream had somehow been prophetic.
"Don't leave me, Jay."
"Is she going to be alright?" The voice was so melodic I wanted to fade back into unconsciousness. I felt a hand brush across mine, warm and soft. I almost sighed in contentment.
"Yes. I think she's just shocked or something. Her medical records don't suggest anything fatal," a more raspy voice answered. Mrs. Davit, the nurse, I'm guessing.
"She's been out an awfully long time."
"Hmm."
Jason.
I shifted a little. I felt some stiff mattress beneath me and a wall on my right side. The bed at the nurse's clinic, I decided. No duh. I shifted a little more, feeling self-conscious. Gah, they were probably staring. Time to drop the sleeping beauty act.
My eyes fluttered open, gazing into light green ones.
Well, damn.
I thought he left or something.
Must be 'or something', then.
"Shoot," I muttered under my breath.
"What's wrong? Are you okay?" Oh of course, he just had to hear. Must he be all … er, listening?
"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine," I said, mumbling. I tried to jump off the cot but apparently, my stupid feet wouldn't let me. I didn't know fainting makes you all wobbly.
I slipped, stumbling over. A felt a pair of strong pale hands grip me, holding me steady. Oh dear lord, will this never end? What did I do wrong? This is karma isn't it?
"Or not." I leaned against him as I tried to regain my balance, looking down at my purple sneakers.
"Ms. Thompson, you'd better sit down," Mrs. Davit said, not really looking at me as she sat behind her desk.
"Yeah."
"Er, no thanks. I'd better get to class. What time is it?" I cringed. I had probably missed Homeroom now. And, half of English, probably. I sighed, gaining balance and stepped away from Jason.
I thought I heard a quick breath of "Oh, for the love of all that is holy". But I didn't dare look up at his eyes.
"If you're sure you won't faint again." Mrs. Davit said this without an ounce of care in her voice. I tried to find my bag with my eyes. I was having quite a difficulty what with me trying to avoid Jason in the room. My bag was thrust into my face. I grabbed it, careful not to touch his skin, and practically ran away from the nurse's office. But of course luck eluded me. Again.
I knew he was going to stop me from running away from him before he even touched me. What I didn't know was that he was going to be so forceful about it.
I squealed as his hand touched my arm, a jolt of electricity running from my forearm to my heart.
Well, damn. Might as well
I wheeled around to face him. Something in my expression must've been amusing to him because he smiled. What the hell?
"What are you doing here?" I whispered, quite vehemently if I might say so myself.
He only chuckled.
"Well, what's so funny?"
"You look cute when you're pretending to be angry."
"I am not pretendi -, wait what?" I repeat my thoughts. What. The. Hell.
He shrugged. I wanted to smack him.
"Um, you didn't answer my question."
It was long enough that I thought I wouldn't get an answer, but he looked up at me, his face so masked I knew it took him a lot to keep his emotions from showing.
"My dad wanted to move back. It was getting too hard for us," he said, stuffing his hands in the big pockets of his hoodie. I saw something flash in his eyes as I heard the hint of great sadness in his voice.
I suddenly wanted to hug him.
I remembered his mother. She was an aunt to me.
He cleared his throat.
"I didn't expect to see you here," he continued, sounding accusatory. I glared at him.
"Well, I've practically only lived here all my life, I guess you wouldn't think to see me here." Sarcasm. Lovely. I started walking to English. He followed me. The nerve of some people.
He sighed.
I was starting to get anxious. I was not good with empty hallway silences.
"Do you have Ms. Cullen for English?"
Wait, does he have the same class? My face twisted as I thought of sharing a class together. He looked at me as if I were slow.
"Oh, uhm. Oh, .. yeah." Well, that proved it.
"Huh, you must be the slowest student body president ever," he said, looking at me intently.
"Right."
"You two, get to class."
Mr. Varner's head popped out of nowhere. He's a bat.
"Ms. Thompson, I expected better of you. Get to class and stop flirting in the hall."
I turned beet root are the words.
"Come on."
"Oh. My. Gosh. Ash, did you see that one hunk of a guy that just walked in."
I didn't turn around, I'd just get sadder. I'd been wallowing in misery and regret, slumping lower and lower in my seat all lunch hour. Misery for having to deal that every single girl was drooling over Mr. Jason Lee Aston and regret for not moving to Canada.
"Hmm, maybe that's too close. I'd better make it Germany. They don't speak much English there and he doesn't know German," I murmured to my sandwich.
"Ash? Ash! Are you even listening? You're talking to your sandwich. Again. Stop voicing your thoughts without meaning to," Christy shrieked in my ear. Ouch.
"Yes, I've bloody seen Jason already."
"Bloody? What are you English?"
"As a matter of fact, I am Eng-"
She stopped me, throwing her hands up as if she was directing traffic.
"Hold on. You mean you know this Jason dude?"
Sigh. "Yes."
'Well, damn. If I didn't have Keith, I'd be all over him." She whistled low. Damn indeed.
"Yeah, you and the rest of the female population."
"Why are you like this today? What happened?" Why are you so bitchy?" She split the words into three syllables.
"Big whoop."
"Are you trying to say that you want him too?"
"What? NO!"
"U-huh. You're probably having little dirty fantasies about him already. For all I know you're secretly dating Jason."
"Christy. Stop."
She grinned at me. "No."
I snapped. "I am not dating Jason!"
Oh, guess what. The whole cafeteria heard me. Except maybe the Goths in the corner. I didn't even dare to look at Jason, who was sitting with some skaters.
"What are you, PMSing?" Christy continued, unaffected by my outburst.
I shook my head.
"Stand up."
'What?" Now, I was bewildered. She pulled me up and hugged me.
"Hugs help on shitty days."
"Um, thanks." And it did help. Just a little.
"Then what is it?"
"Nothing."
"You are such a great liar. Not."
"Leave me alone, Christine." Ha!
She growled.
Next thing I knew, I was being dragged through the lunchroom to the girls toilets.
"Now spill," Christy threatened. She's one scary cat, man.
I leaned against the sinks.
Christy had scared all the girls away before she bolted the door. Apparently, this was serious business. Told you she was scary.
"We've got nothing to talk about." I looked at my watch. Five minutes till the bell rings.
"You're not getting out of this. I'm keeping you here until you tell what's up."
Crap. Christy looked at me intently. Okay, so maybe this is serious. Whatever.
"Christy, I don't know if I can talk about it."
"Just try. Maybe I can help."
"Alright."
I took a deep breath.
"It's him."
"May?"
Shit. Why did Christine have to have that art thing today?
I looked up at Jason's face. Who else? His bag was slung over his shoulder, his curled moppy auburn hair falling short of his eyes. He skated over to me, flipping his skateboard onto his hand as he stopped in front of the bleachers.
"Hey. Um, what are you doing here?"
"Just finished this thing for the music teacher."
"Oh."
"Then I saw a lonely figure on the stands looking sad. That's you, by the way."
"Thanks."
"No, seriously, what are you doing here?"
"Waiting for Christy. My brother just stole my car."
"What?"
"Never mind."
He sat down beside me, picking lint from his hoodie.
I coughed. Might as well get this over with.
"Er, I'm sorry about the … uh, you know. Cafeteria thing today."
I chanced a glance at him. He wasn't looked at me, but was staring into the field. Something flashed in his eyes. Was it just me or was that a trademark of his?
"Yeah, ok. What did happen back there? I didn't know people thought we were dating," he said.
"I really have no idea. I was just so confused by Christy and you suddenly popping back into existence. I guess I just lost it."
"You make it seem like I disappeared in an underwater voyage." He chuckled while I stayed silent.
It seemed that way.
Great, she's here. Go away consciousness.
You're me too.
Please insert 'me trying to beat the voice in my head dead' here.
"Are you okay?" Jason turned to look at me, peering at me intently.
"Yeah - uh. Yeah. Just trying to tune out the voices."
"Ah, I almost forgot that you were crazy." Jerk.
We sat in silence for a minute.
"How was your first day? Minus the crazy incidents with me?"
He shrugged. I sighed.
More awkward silence.
Cue internal screaming.
My phone beeped, then the intro of 'Your Guardian Angel' started in my pocket. I flipped my phone open and groaned.
"What?"
"Christy ditched me." Screw her. And Keith. And Damien. They really should finalize their plans and not leave me alone.
"You want a ride?"
No, no no no no no! This will just lead to terrible consequences! You will get embarrassed! Remember your karma and bad luck!
The voice was back.
"Sure."
To hell with karma. It's just a ride home, right?
Right.
A/N: So, yeah the scenes are quite short and choppy and chaotic and grammatically incorrect in some places( I know, I know). But oh well. I at least got this out there.
This version isn't good. I rushed it. SORRiieeee. I'll edit it next weekend. I need to go to mass now.
R&R?
Lub,
Epic-Dreamer
Inspired By: "So Beautiful" by Dashboard Confessional