Thomas came to stand next to me, and I instantly felt better.“She has her taste, you have yours. Did she break your player because she preferred other songs? No! Those brainless fucks did it!” my defender challenged.I swallowed, glancing from Thomas to Steven, wondering if another fight was going to take place here. A fight over my choice of music? Again? A situation resembling the gas station problem.“Anyway, we are not listening to this. Do you have a better idea?” My step-brother asked, annoyed, coming closer to Thomas with a macho walk.“I do! Let’s give everybody a choice to play their favorite song… by themselves. Let’s do karaoke, guys!” The famous boy yelled, cheers and whistles following. “I have all we need in my car.”“Karaoke?! This is not okay with our game theme.” Steven argued.“It’s a great idea!” Tina finally got involved. “Plus, we don’t have other options and our guests seem to love this.”“Do as you wish! This party was a bad idea from the start,” the boy-twin
I slammed the door shut behind me. He sat on the corner of my bed, looking around and then at me, while I was walking back and forth. My mind was racing, I could barely find words to tell him what had happened with the card game. I transferred some of my anger to him while speaking, but he was holding it together for me, only cursing under his breath while I was explaining it all.Thomas tapped the place next to him for me to sit, and I stared at him. I was feeling better, but sitting felt unnatural to me right now. I wanted to break something or run outside. Maybe the cool water of the ocean could calm me.“Come on,” he invited me next to him again. “Let me help, okay?”I let out an exasperated breath, but went to sit where he wanted. Surprisingly, his arm snaked around my back, pulling me towards him for a hug. I felt a fountain of emotions was boiling inside me, and something in me broke. I leaned in his embrace, swallowing back some tears before they could show my weakness.We sat
In the next few days, I was happy to work on the painting project instead of going to places with other people. Even if I was just sketching something, it was like a therapy. I needed to calm down from all recent events and just be myself.It was nice to know Thomas was near, in the same school or even in some of my classes. We casually talked a few times about music and school. Linda was missing the first half of the week, healing from the nasty flu.Tina was very happy to use me as her doll, dressing me up every morning. We went shopping again and bought a ton of clothes. She finally got the chance to change my hair, including a new long haircut, and… she dyed it red with some shampoo. Well, the woman in the beauty salon did it, but Tina made the decision. The good news was, it was going to wash away in a few days. She was excited for the weekend, and I wondered how the hell I was supposed to ask Emma--Steven’s girlfriend if she was interested in girls.It was the last day of school
I didn’t know how often my parents talked to each other, neither when nor where. It was beyond strange for me, how they had the same opinion about my camping thing and seemed to have planned things about my life, without me knowing it. I felt sick to my stomach from the thought that they have been connected like this whole time, all of those years… and I was left to think, I have a mother who doesn’t care about me. Were they really talking about me all this time?! Maybe I had a father with too much power and secrets. Whatever it was, I was feeling left behind, and they were conspiring behind my back.I was mostly silent while we drove towards Emma’s house. I just had to push all my thoughts out from my mouth, before we reached the peaceful nature where everyone could hear me yelling. Tina and Linda were just looking at their mobiles after I started the car, followed by my mom’s and then Thomas’. I guess it was easier for them to not speak of the awkward situation we found ourselves i
Thomas took a few steps away from the lake and plopped down under an old tree, his mind concentrated on a distant memory. I followed him and sat down near him, crossing my legs under me on the dirt ground."I went to watch ice hockey with my band. We were in a happy place, you know. Our song was played multiple times on the radio, and we had an amazing few days. So, we just went to celebrate with a game. It was something none of us ever did. We thought it might inspire us to write a new hit." Thomas smiled bitterly looking at his feet. "We were so wrong. It turned into a disaster.""What happened?" I questioned, dipping into his story."We were drinking. Mostly beer, but Adam--the guy who used to be in our band, he had family troubles that day, so he brought a whiskey his father was keeping for a special occasion. We watched the game, while he was getting drunk. Our team lost. We hung around at the exit of the building and one of the guys who played was just going to his car after chan
While the three of us were walking back to our camp, the hottest kiss I ever had was messing with my head, preventing me from thinking about anything else. Of course, Linda was right next to me to point me in the right direction.“Will your mother allow this?” Linda questioned.“I don’t really see other options and who is she to tell me what to do?” I said with bitterness, feeling the rebel in me finding an act of revenge for my mother’s intrusion on our camping. “And I am not saying I will do it. I am only considering it. Let’s hope they solve this while we are away.”“Don’t worry, Alice. Josh is a heavy sleeper and I can keep you warm,” Thomas joked, walking behind me. I turned to shove him in the arm with my elbow, causing both of us to almost drop the wood we carried.“Oh, stop it, you lovebirds!” Linda teased and we laughed.When we reached the clearing, all tents were placed far from each other and a big lantern, powered by batteries, was hung on the walnut tree away from everyth
We stood like that at the entrance for a moment. Him - not stepping out, me not moving back inside, despite the fact that his tempting features were so close.“Of course I will move, I would do a lot for you, Alice.” Thomas finally said.I stared at his face, barely seeing his features with the flashlight of my phone, resting on my mattress behind me. His lips were as inviting as always in the lack of light and dipped into the shadows, they were even more irresistible for me.He moved forward, our faces a breath away, before I realized I had to move while he was entering the tent to plop on the inflatable bed in the middle. Feeling the blood rush to my cheeks, I escaped the warm, humid tent to welcome the cool forest air.I checked if Linda changed her mind about the sleeping arrangements, and said good night to her. Tina and Emma were already talking sweetly in their room of the tent. Under my mother’s worried expression, I walked in Thomas’s tent.He was laying on his back, scrolling
Shifting my attention from Thomas’s intense glare to my phone call, I remembered the never-fading grin of the gallery boy.“Um, yeah. A few days have passed since we met.” I finally spoke, knowing it was about two weeks already.“I want to see you. Where are you?” He asked, and I raised an eyebrow looking at the surrounding trees.“You can’t,” I responded.“Of course I can. Tell me the address,” he pushed, being his usual self.“No, I mean, I am in a forest. Camping with friends.”“And you didn’t invite me? That’s too bad. I am great at those things.” His cheery voice came through my phone.“Well, it wasn’t me who sent the invitations,” I excused myself, knowing Tina did that.“Yeah, we can do that another time. Maybe only two of us. Anyway, when are you coming back?” He said cockily, and I rolled my eyes.“Sometime tomorrow.” I calculated, strolling on the dirt road.“Okay, can I trust you to call me then, or I should do it again?”“Of course you can’t trust me. I don’t know you and y
I couldn’t help but gawk at her.What did I do to deserve that? This was our first time talking, after all.“I am not going to listen to your mean threats any longer. You better move away from my car and me.” I furrowed my brows at the demon in front of me and reached for my keys.“Stop right there, Alice! This should be enough. Do not unlock or enter the car!” Thomas ordered me, hastily approaching us with a worried expression.I took a step away from my Honda and smiled at him.Yeah, we had enough!“Hi there, stalker.” He said to the surprised girl, gazing at his features like he was her God.
Professor Mark Anderson was very excited to finally see some of my drawings. We talked and agreed I would start seeing him, so he could shape me into a diamond before I even started college, assuring me there wasn’t much to do because I really did breathe through my art. I had some sweet red tea in old expensive china with the wrinkled bald man, as we discussed what I could do and what painting materials would fit better to my style. He showed me his favorite teaching art books and some painting techniques, I was eager to try as soon as I could. I left his home feeling good about myself and proud of what I had in me without any special lessons. The professor was so kind and friendly, it made our meeting very pleasant. As soon as I had my life in line after the move, I was going to visit this old man and trust his skills to help me go to a great college.
With widened eyes, our group listened at the offensive mad girl. I had a feeling this was the key to figuring out my problem. “Chill, Sarah! You can’t control everybody. You tried, maybe you just need to give up.” I recognized Olivia’s voice. “Chill?! Give up?! You are retarded, aren’t you!” The angry one screamed and there were some rustling sounds. “Don’t push me! It’s not my fault they got together.” Olivia complained. “Oh, God!” Linda exclaimed, but Steven placed his pointer finger on his lips to keep her from talking. "But I thought Sarah had a different surname..." “I don’t know why I keep you around. I will make her pay, I will separate them. How can I make him see she is not the girl for him?” Sarah kept on yelli
The place was decorated like a frozen forest, welcoming the season outside. Leafless trees were spread around us with crystallized branches. Snowflakes were hanging from the ceiling on invisible strings, some of them almost reaching our heads. Fake snow just hung at our feet, lifting a bit from the air when we walked near it. Dim blue and white lights were making me feel like I was really outside in the forest at night, but despite the cold decorations, I was warm and could enjoy my stay without my nose turning red. Tina and her people had made an amazing snow night dance atmosphere. She knew it and was proudly standing on one of the silver tables near the entrance. Linda looked stunning, laughing and proudly holding my step-sister’s hand. I complimented them on their look-alike dresses, and for the next twenty minutes, we just chilled while watching
“Get away from me, you bitches!” Jane yelled, as we pinned her like a butterfly, holding her hands up to her head before she could respond to Barbie's slap. “Do you think you can offend my sister in front of me and get away with it?” Tina growled, and I blinked at her, almost losing my rage from surprise. “Who do you think you are? You might be rich and pretty, but I don’t give a damn.” Jane spit, her eyes narrowed from hatred. “She is the most popular girl at the school where you are about to play tomorrow night. If I was you, I would think twice before messing with her. She is the frickin’ queen.” I hissed at her. “What queen, let go of me!” She struggled in a futile try to free herself. “What is going on here? Should
Afraid of the answer, I still asked Linda what had made her incapable of talking. “It’s amazing, Al. I have a girlfriend. Can you believe it?!” She yelled in my ear. I sighed in relief, allowing the air to enter my lungs again. “Lin, you almost gave me a heart attack,” I scolded her. “I thought the mental jealous fan of Thomas had done something again.” “Didn’t you hear what I just said? Um, and yeah! My girlfriend said your shoebox became very popular today--receiving messages every few hours.” Linda announced, clouding my mind. “Messages? Your girlfriend?” I gaped at her, adjusting a family portrait on the wall in front of me, but the answers came at the same time I figured them out. “Tina!” Linda and I said in unison.
The night was warm…even hot. Thomas’s skin was like the werewolf’s in the movies - like a cozy fire. When we went to sleep, there was some addictive tension between us. As we laid on our backs, I wondered if I should make a slight move to touch his hand or maybe trace his cheekbone with my fingers. He seemed to be deep in thought, too, seeming careful to not touch me without an invitation. It was a long naive game we played until he finally gave in to his desires and leaned over me to kiss me. We were making out for half an hour and I swear my lips felt swollen before I closed my eyes, giving in to the exhaustion of the day, resting my head on Thomas’s shoulder. I loved it when it was just the two of us. I was getting too attached to this boy, who now seemed to have become a lot more than some crush. I was deeply falling for him and no stalker or other force
“I believe you,” I said truthfully, and something lifted from my chest like I needed to say this for years. “I guess the signs were always there, but I just ignored them…refused to pay attention to them. It was easier this way. Father is a force that a kid could not go against.”By the way Annabeth looked at me, I could see the relief and joy my words created. She leaned forward from her place on the sofa and kneeled in front of me to hug me, squeezing tight, incapable of showing her deep emotions in any other way. I responded by snuggling in with her and trying not to become a crybaby.“Oh, Alice! My sweet girl…you have grown so wise. Of course, you could not fight Robert--even I couldn’t back then.” She cried again in the hair behind my shoulder.“Did h
The village was small and lush streets led us to the center; the shops from Annabeth’s photo present. The sun painted the buildings in yellow-orange, and even if it wasn’t hiding behind the clouds, it was pretty cold outside. Thomas and I got out of the car and walked a few meters to reach the main street. The pressure was eating me from the inside until my eyes landed on the shop line from the photo. “Yes!” I jumped on my place, glad I had found the right village. “Now let’s go and ask someone about her.” Impatiently, I started walking towards the local grocery store in front of us. When I didn’t hear Thomas’s steps following behind me, I turned to stare at him with confusion all over my face. “Why do you think they would know about her?” he scratched his head, look