5*Chapter 1*
My head hurts like hell. Seriously it's like a mini bomb went off in there and made my brain bounce around in my skull like a basketball. Not to mention, I was starving from missing dinner and all the gang (including my totally hot, totally wasted boyfriend Dean) wanted to do was lie around on semi-wet grass and get high and plaster themselves. My best friend Mikayla wasn't really a big help either.
Mikki took a puff of her cigarette. "So yesterday Jake and I went down to the docks and stocked up."
My stomach growled as I pressed my manicured fingers to my temple. "You bought from a dealer?" I asked totally not up to scolding her about her and her drug issues.
"Yeah, whatever, we managed to get these sweet little joints right here," she reached in the pocket of her leather jacket and pulled out a plastic baggie of some skinny red pills.
I took the baggie from her and looked it over. "Are you sure these are safe?"
"Chill out Rox, there just painkillers or something, besides you should be thanking me right now, pop one of these things and poof! Bye bye headache," Mikki sucked in another gulp of smoke.
"I don't think so," I said stuffing the baggie back in her pocket. Mikki may have been my best friend, but to be honest she was seriously getting on my nerves with the getting-high-all-the-time crap. It makes her really hard to talk to. I mean, she didn't use to do drugs. Matter of fact she didn't use to do a lot of things…
She rolled her eyes. "Okay, whatever, but you know that once you step foot into that house you're gonna wanna start poppin' these suckers like candy."
I sighed, she was right. I was totally gonna get told off by the foster 'rentals as soon as I got home. It almost made me not want to go home, but when I looked around at the seriously trashed faces of my friends I thought, almost.
"Not likely. I mean, yeah my head is basically killing me, but not as much as those things would."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever we all know that you're little miss perfect and can't do anything wrong!" she said teasingly in a little-miss-innocent-voice.
I rolled my eyes at her, but laughed anyway. I sighed, leaning back looking up at the total lack of stars filled sky. It was night, but it wasn't really cold, just windy. So I wasn't wearing a jacket like everybody else who just wanted to show off the black leather so that they looked like some kind of biker gang.
Besides there was no way I was covering up my new red tube halter I had gotten from Kohl's yesterday. It was seriously cute, but covered up just enough of my back so that the crescent moon and star tattoo I had gotten a few months ago wasn't showing. If my foster 'rentals ever found out I'd be completely screwed. Plus, I hear that tattoo removal is really painful.
"Hey Roxy!" Dean called from down on the football field. "Come here babe!"
"Better go, your boys' calling," she said with I small hint of bitterness in her voice and more than a lot of sarcasm. Almost like a sneer.
I gave her a questioning look and then got up and hopped down the bleachers to where Dean, Jake, and Chase were standing.
"Heyyyy foxy Roxy," Chase said and it was probably the corniest line I had ever heard.
I ignored him and walked straight into Dean's waiting arms. I rested my head on his shoulder and sighed loving the way he felt so warm.
He took my chin in his and lifted my head up so that he could kiss me. One of the things I love about Dean is that he may act all bad and too-tough-to-care, but really he was so gentle. I liked to think of him as a grizzly bear. In real life wild bears are all big and scary, but at the same time they're the world's favorite stuffed animal.
Ignoring the fact that he tasted strongly of alcohol and smoke I slid my hand up his shoulders and around his neck. Instinctively I let my hands get tangled in his curly dark hair as he hugged me closer leaving no amount of space between us.
When his hands started to slide down my back I pinched the back of his neck, reminding him that this was not the place or time.
He pulled back to grin at me and I couldn't help but to smile back.
"Whoo hoo! Damn!" Jake started shouting. "Someone better turn on the A.C 'cause it's getting hot in here!" I guess he was too drunk to realize that we were outside so there was no A.C.
"Hey baby how 'bout spreadin' the love?" Chase asked.
"Fuck off," I said.
Suddenly Mikki appeared from behind Chase and sighed. "Can we go now? I so was not planning to spend all damn night here! Let's go find some trouble."
"Fine by me," Jake said.
"Yeah, let's go," Chase agreed tossing his cigarette to the ground and stomping it out.
I grimaced looking up at Dean.
He looked down at me and sighed understandingly. "You have to go home don't you?"
I nodded. "Sadly, yeah."
"Well that's okay," Mikki said perkily. "We'll just have to find some fun without you." She shrugged.
"I guess so," I whispered. "Mikki's right you guys. Don't let me ruin your fun, see you guys later," I started to walk away.
"Roxy wait up," Dean called behind me. "I meet up with you guys in a bit. First I'm gonna take Roxy home."
I half smiled up at him. "You don't have to do that you know- I'll be fine, go head."
"You heard her Dean, come on!" Mikki said in an almost whiny voice.
"Rox I'm your boyfriend so I really do have to," he kinda had a point there. "Besides I want to," he took my hand. "I'll meet up with you guys later."
Chase and Jake both nodded and with a "whateva" Mikki stomped after them turning around so fast that her long blonde hair whipped around her.
I frowned. What the hell was her problem? She had been acting snotty all night. If she was a stranger I would say that it was just some PMS or something, but I knew better.
The thing is Mikki had been a fairly nice person, never drunk, never smoked, and was practically a math genius. Ever since last year when her mother left her and her dad to run off with some guy, her grades went down, her detention slips went up, and she would get so moody sometimes, but even then she had never had a 'tude. Something must be wrong…
I climbed into the front seat of Dean's shiny black Volvo and buckled myself in. I squirmed in the seat a little trying to get comfy. I looked at Dean as he was adjusting the rearview mirror.
He sideways glanced at me and smiled that lopsided smile I always adored.
Damn, he was hot.
Hearing my stomach growling, Dean suggested that we stop by McDonalds on the way there. My face still flushed from the embarrassment of my grumbling tummy I ordered medium fries and bottled water. Dean being the perfect gentlemen as usual paid for me.
I ate in the car knowing that as soon I took one step in that house, after being yelled at for being 4 hours late for my curfew, I'd head straight up to bed not wanting to do anything else but sleep.
He parked in front of my house and said, "You better get in there. I can already see the steam comin up from the chimney."
Over my shoulder I glanced at the small sub-urban house and saw the seriously pissed off glares and you-are-in-so-much-trouble vibes aimed at me from the window.
"I think they can stand to wait a little longer." I grinned mischievously as I leaned toward him.
This kiss started slow as usual. My hands were tangled in his hair and his hand was rubbing my knee. Then something changed in him and things really started to get hot.
His hands slid all the way up my thigh to the edge of my jeans tugging at the hem. He pulled me closer then, totally ignoring the fact that I still had my seat belt on, and I felt his hand creep up my shirt to hold my boob. Then his bad ass fingers went to my back and fumbled to unclasp my bra
Totally not liking the current mindset he was in, I stiffened and pulled away. He looked at me confusedly "What wrong?"
"You know what's wrong," I said leaning back against the seat.
"Rox I-."
"Dean we've talked about the whole sex thing- I'm not ready," I said.
"Roxy I wasn't-."
"Besides," I whispered. "I thought you'd said you'd wait for me." There was sadness in my voice that you couldn't misplace. I knew all too well that most of Dean's other girlfriend's had given it up in the first week or so, and even though he's seemed to understand there was still part of me that was scared of losing him over it.
"I would- I will, I'll wait as long as you need me to," Dean said reaching over to stroke my dark hair. "But I am a guy Rox; there's only so much I can take."
"Well, I'm sorry this is so hard for you," I snapped unbuckling my seat belt and opening the door.
He reached over me and pulled it shut. "Rox, that's not what I meant."
"Then what did you mean?" I asked.
"It just that being around you, confident, smart, funny- it's hard not to want you," Then he grinned. "Face it Rox, you're too damn hot for your own good."
I tried, unsuccessfully, not to smile back. "I don't want you to not want me; I just don't want you to get the wrong idea."
He sighed finally understanding. "Alright, for now on, I'll be careful not to take it too far. As long as you promise to stop being so hot," he teased.
I laughed. "Now you and I both know that could never happen," I leaned over and planted one last kiss on his already too eager lips. "Nite."
Shutting the door behind me I started to walk toward the house, bracing myself for what was to come. Laura and Robert weren't glaring out the window anymore, so I found it easier to be brave. Not that I was scared of them or anything, I'm just concerned that there closed mindedness would cause my already aching head to explode.
Unsurprising the door wasn't locked (I guess they didn't want to delay the fireworks any longer then was necessary). I slowly opened the door and turned so that my back was to them. After the door clicked shut I finally faced them, but dorkishly all I could say was "hey."
Laura was standing in her robe with her frizzy red her pulled back into a ponytail. Her arms crossed and her green eyes looking like they wanted to shoot laser beams. She was standing by the couch were Robert sat looking angry but drowsy at the same time. He lifted a hand to cover a yawn then scratched his grayish black hair before he went back to frowning at me.
"Where. Have. You. Been?" she asked putting emphasis on each word like I was a retard or something.
"Out, obviously." I took off my jacket and threw it over on the chair. "But I'm back now so no big deal."
"No big deal! Roxana Hughes it is 2 in the morning! We specifically asked you to be home no later than ten. You know better than to be out there," she said out there like it was a war zone or something. In a way she was right. "At this time of night."
I sighed and lifted a hand to rub at my temple. "I know, I'm sorry," I lied. "But it's not like we were hanging out by the Docks or somethin' we were just at the football field."
"That's not the point," Robert said obviously suppressing a yawn. "It's dangerous out there- anything could have happened."
I tried my hardest not to roll my eyes. Parents; they're always so overdramatic. Did it not matter that I was literally standing right in front of them and still in one piece? No, it only mattered that I had broken one of their ever so important rules. I mean, it's not like I didn't realize that something could have happened. I could have been attacked by a bear, or ran over by a car, or had an unfortunate encounter with one of those…
Laura's voice interrupted my inner babbling. "You said you were out with friends," I nodded. "I assume that meant Dean and his band of Hooligans."
A bubble of laughter escaped from me at the word hooligan. "Hey," I said meaning for my voice to sound strong and defensive. Instead it sounded like I was recovering from a joke. "I'm one of those 'hooligans' and so is Mikki. You remember Mikki right?"
Laura calmed a little. "Of course I remember Mikayla, and can understand what she's going through, but if her mother was here I can assure you that she would not approve of her behavior," then she added "as I do not approve of yours."
I looked over at Robert who was half asleep, but still nodding with agreement.
"So what are you trying to say?" I asked knowing that she wasn't finished.
She straightened up and in a total I'm-the-parent-and-your-gonna-do-what-I-say voice said. "I forbid you to see them any longer."
I blinked at her. "You can't forbid me from doing anything," I took a real effort to keep my temper under control. Both hands flew to my head in an automatic effort to soothe its aching.
"I think I can," Laura said.
"Then that's the difference between you and me; you think and I know. And I'm pretty damn certain that you can't keep me from seeing my friends."
"Roxana do not talk to your mother like that," he said the reprimand weak in his voice.
I didn't even bother to point out that she wasn't my real mother just like he wasn't my real father because the truth was that I was so over this conversation. Besides in truth they were the closest thing to parents I'd ever had. My birth parents had died when I was just a baby so really Laura and Robert were the only parents I'd ever known.
Anyways, all I wanted to do now was gulp down a couple Advil's and go to bed. "Fine. Whatever. Sorry." I started to walk past her toward the stairs.
"Do not walk away from me young lady! We are not finished here!" She yelled pathetically needing to have the last word.
I rolled my eyes. "Well, can you rap it up I have a serious headah-." I fell to my knees, my head overloading with pain. It was like I got hit in the face a zillion times during dodge ball, but instead of balls they threw bricks. Ugh, the pain was so much that I wanted to puke my guts up or at least faint so that I could take a short break from it.
Then suddenly like they were right next to me, I heard someone whisper, "Just bear it a little longer, honey, and you'll see what I've been trying to tell you."
Like a switch had been flipped, Laura and Robert went from anger to total concern. "Roxy, sweetie, are you okay," she started to rush toward me.
"Stay away from me," I yelled and my hand flew up to stop her. And then so suddenly that I wasn't really sure it happened actual flames flew straight from my palms.
Laura staggered back and fell smack on her butt. Robert gawked speechless.
I gasped, but all I could think to say was. "Oops…"
Okay, here's the first chapter rewritten. Really hope you like it! Oh, and just so you no this isn't gonna be one of those stories where the boy meets girl and they practically fall inlove in the first chapter. No, i'm not gonna rush my story like that so please be patient. And PRETTY PLEASE leave a review. I mean, it's hard to continue a story if you have no one to encourage you or give you feedback. So if you could just leave a little comment that would be great! thanx!