Landon had been calling her every weekend since Halloween. He asked her how she was doing, what she's been doing, but mostly he talked about school and how much he had to study. He spent Thanksgiving with his family, a weekend away at their other vacation home near the mountains, doing all sorts of posh activities that he enjoyed so much. He said he wanted to go skiing for the Christmas holiday and asked Charlene if she would join him. She politely declined. Even after he had been nice to her, she didn't feel like Landon is someone she can be close to.
"Oh come on ... you'll love it, I'll teach you how to ski, you'll meet all my friends and family, we'll stay out at a villa in the mountains, drink eggnogs and other Christmas-y things," he tried to persuade her.
"I don't know, Landon, I feel like spending Christmas here with my family ... spend more time with Charlotte before I leave next year," she said.
"Fair enough ...
Everyone was excited for the show on New Year's Eve. Bill Ludlow had funded a full-blown Bluebridge entertainment at the Town Hall and the fireworks at the bridge. It was part of his campaign strategy. Being the richest member of the community, he wanted to sway the people with his money. The Mayor delivered the year-end recap before the show, a small town delight for everyone to see.Landon made his presence known. He never left Charlene's side the whole night they were at the Town Hall. He knew how small-town people talk, he wanted to make sure everyone saw him with Charlene. He sat among her school friends and befriended them, especially Mandy and Kayla. Tommy's friends watched from a distance, Landon was not the kind of guy who can blend in with their lot.They speculate who Landon was. Charlene always says 'My friend from Gastonburry' but even a blind man can see he wasn't there to be her friend. Charlene seemed to be out of reach now t
Working out six hours a day, every day, and working on an eight-hour shift every night, took it's toll on him very quickly. Ever since a colleague of his suggested enhancers to boost his energy, he was able to add more hours at the gym and more hours on his shifts, and could still hang out at bars afterward. Everyone else was using it, it was common for his line of work. They call it 'the helper', which leads to other kinds of helpers, for every different need. Even actors use them too.There really wasn't much to do after work, except for bar-hopping with the guys. Days were always dark for him because he spent mornings sleeping and practically woke up at the gym to train until it gets dark. The enhancers really helped him cope with his new routine. He watched as his friends snorted and shoved all kinds of pills every day, but he stuck to his beers and whiskey with an occasional weed when it was passed around. Simon had warned him about the drugs, how easy it w
"What are you doing on Valentine's day?" Landon asked on the phone."Nothing ... same as every other year," she laughed at herself."Oh ... don't sound so sad, I'm sure you'll find things to do with your friends?" he comforted her.She laid on her bed, pulled the telephone cords closer. "They all have their boyfriends this year, so I'll be staying home with Charlotte and my mom ... my dad's in Gastonburry," her voice sounded even gloomier."I'm sure he has business to attend to," he tried to instill reasonable doubt."Yeah, right, haven't you seen him yet? He's staying at your house, isn't he?"Landon doubted for a second, there was a commotion in the background, and then the sound of a car door slammed. "No, I haven't seen him actually, but yeah ... he's probably at my house already."Charlene sat up on the bed, "That's weird ... you mea
He was looking at a picture of Charlie that he kept amongst his belongings. It started to warn out after a while, it was folded, tucked in places, sometimes crumpled, but he kept it. Jeremy often teased him because he caught him so many times while he was looking at it. It's been over five months since he kissed her goodbye, he hadn't been with her longer than he was with her. He spent Valentine's day tucked in his bed in Jeremy's flat, hiding away from the lustful city, pretending to be sick.Everyone was out and about celebrating with friends and lovers. He was high on demand on Valentine's night, the women were lusting over him like little kids wanting their candies. He had to pass on Valentine's day bonuses, tips, and side money that he could've easily make just by showing up.Maxine Roberts had been on his tail constantly. He managed to avoid her proposal the first time. His contract with Bradley had saved him from a sexual transaction
There's nothing more important to a 17-year-old senior in high school than Prom Night. Even though she had to attend the event without a date, she was excited nevertheless. Kayla and her boyfriend, Brandon was going to pick her up. They asked Brandon's best friend, Dylan, to drive. Dylan had had a crush on Charlene since 10th grade, it was going to be a night he will never forget.She looked incredibly stunningin her pink champagne flower embroidered dress. The sleeveless transparent top fitted the outlines of her body, her medium cup sized breasts were enveloped under the flowers, almost naked in the corner of everyone's eyes. The wide cloaked skirt draped all the way to her ankle, right above her high heels shoes with a matching color. She made her hair into big wavy curls, and let them fall over her shoulders. She turned everyone's heads that night and almost made Dylan's heart stopped when he had the privilege to escort her into the venue. 
Monday, everyone was still talking about Prom Night and what a great after-party they had. Pictures of the event were displayed at the school board, some of them will definitely make it to the yearbook. Charlene was unofficially dubbed as the prom princess since they didn't have the traditional ceremony of Prom King and Queen. The school didn't believe in awarding students for being handsome or pretty nor they condone students in a small town like Bluebridge to compete in wearing extravagant outfits in any school events.Most students were talking about who was hooking up with whom at Prom, new couples emerged over the weekend. Mandy and Kayla wouldn't stop talking about the after-party and what their friends did that night. Charlene enjoyed the stories, even though she felt a bit left out. She said goodbye to them after school because they were going home with their boyfriends, and she was going to enjoy her walk back home alone.It was a f
They were right. It will never work out. She was leaving for college, he was keeping his job. Even if he took Landon out of the equation, it would never work out. How easy it was for her to forget him was what hurts the most, now he was left with nothing. He spent that night alone in the cabin, drank himself to sleep.He woke up on the floor with a massive headache. All his joints were soared, and all the parts that she punched him were bruised and aching. Someone was at the door, the knock on the door had woken him up."Hey! What's up, bro? I heard you were back!" Samuel shouted a bit too loud for his head that morning. They hugged. "Whoa ... you looked hammered, been partying without me?" he joked and looked around the cabin, bottles were all over the floor."I got back on Saturday ... sorry, I've been organizing some stuff in here, I haven't got time to come around," he lied. Samuel didn't think much about it, he was
He kept himself busy, tried to stay away from places that he might inadvertently bump into her. He stayed at the cabin most of the time, to be safe. She's with another, a hell of a lot better guy than him, with a shining future and the world to offer her. She would be better off with Landon than with a man-whore of Goldstone's Silver Tongue who's stripping his way to his dreams. She didn't even know about that yet, maybe it's better that she didn't know about it at all.He couldn't stop picturing her with him. The image of her naked body on another man's lips, his hands all over her, caressing her, tickling her the way she loved to be tickled. Her lips enveloped in another man's mouth, his tongue tasting her. It was poisoning him. He had to get it out of his head. The only way he knew how to do that was through a razor blade, sliced his skin, and let the blood dripped out from his body, taking away the venom that was killing him inside. It was an urge he could n
When he was a boy, he never really pictured how his life would be when he grows up. Throughout his adolescence, when he explored with girls and his sexuality, he never had an image of what his dream girl would be like. He never really thought about it.When he met Charlie, he just knew, it had to be her.She wasn't a light packer. She stuffed his Honda with three suitcases and three boxes of her belongings to last her for the whole summer. She sat on the passenger seat, lifted her lean legs on the dashboard, the sun reflected on her face and hair, he thought he must've been dreaming.He was moving to the city that he always said he would, he was going to start working where he always said he would, and he was accompanied by the girl of his dream. The girl who had pushed him to chase his own dreams.She was his reason for everything. Most importantly, she loves him."What?" Charli
Charlie was outside on the lawn, she was talking to Charlotte as they sat on the white bench. It was a typical afternoon in a small town like Bluebridge, where people spend their time together just talking, sipping tea, or take an afternoon walk along the pathways. Some spend it at the lake or on a picnic at the grassy field. He'd miss all those things, he'll remember it as his hometown. Bluebridge will be a place where he'll probably visit once a year and less often with each passing year.He was watching them from inside. Her smile was infectious, he smiled just looking at her smile. 'Cried for months' her mother said. She really did love him, something he still has a hard time believing. He was going to be better this time, he can't slip up again. Whatever it takes to keep her in his life, he will do it.He stepped out of the front door. Charlie waved at him to come and meet Charlotte. "This is my boyfriend Tom ... this is Charlotte, my s
To be back with Tommy was easy. It didn't need any getting used to, even after being apart longer than they've been together. Landon felt more like a strangerthan Tommy ever was. They were glued to each other. Leaving their friends shaking their heads because of how intensely they're drawn to each other. They've always known that, it was partly why they had teased the couple a lot when they were 'broken up' for a short period of time. There was a pull between them that was undeniable, no matter how hard they tried.She had been contemplating the idea for a few days. She wasn't ready to be parted from Tommy just yet. The thought of spending summer in Bluebridge without him was torture. She always wanted to go to Goldstone, now that she was old enough to experience the city, it was the best time than any for her to go. Although she knew that asking her parents for permission would be nearly impossible, she had to try, at least with her mom.
They spent a great part of that day lying naked on the bed. Tangled between the sheets, tangled with each other. Curled up, on top of, head on lap, head on chest, in and out, lips locked, and some talking. She was resting her head on his stomach and caressing the inner of his thigh."Tell me ... how many people in Goldstone have seen you bare naked with nothing on you?" she was curious.He rubbed his head, embarrassed, "God ... a lot ... at least half of the city, excluding the tourists."She bit her lip while smiling, "That's a lot of people ... did they ever touch you?"His hand was stroking her breast. "They tried ... it wasn't allowed ... they tried to get me into private sessions, they slipped their phone numbers in my pocket after the show ... they grabbed my crotch, my ass ... it was degrading ... funny how people can be so demeaning when they think they have the right to do that, they would n
Her mom told her to be away from the house as she was going to have 'the talk' with her dad. The first place she thought of going was the cabin. She put on her buttoned shirt and short pants and took off half running in her flip flops. It was not even seven in the morning when she knocked on the door. It took a while until Tommy finally opened the door, shirtless, and was still drowsy from being woken up.His hair was messy, his eyes were barely opened, his thick red lips were plumped from just waking up. He rubbed his face as he opened the door. "Charlie? What are you doing here so early?" His chest hair was unshaven his six-pack was neat and clean. Clearly, he'd been keeping in shape even when he was not working. His boxer hung on his pelvis bones just enough to cover the top of his roots. He was drop-dead gorgeous.She pushed him inside, closed the door behind her. She looped her arms around his neck. In an instant, he knew, she was comin
Bill Ludlow enjoys his coffee at the dining table every morning, with his wife serving him breakfast and the fresh newspaper laid on the table for him. Catherine sat on the chair across from him, sipping her own cup of tea. She was exceptionally calm that morning. She had planned a plan of attack on her husband in regards of recent development about their daughter. She was holding herself from lashing out after hearing about his one-sided decision in the engagement of her daughter and his business partner's son."It's awfully quiet this morning ... where is everybody? Are they all still asleep?" he asked."No ... everyone's away ... it's just us," she said calmly.He put down his newspaper to peek at his wife, "Really? So early? Where did they go?"Catherine put down her cup. "Charlotte's at her swimming lesson, Charlene went to her friend's house and Landon ... well ... I sent him home last night af
He hadn't completely recovered from her words, 'It's over with him'. Something twisted in his stomach. He wanted more time with her. What happened? Did you break it off? Why? Do you know how much I still want you? She said she wanted to go to the screening with him, as friends? Can we go back to the way we were before? Can I kiss your mouth like the world is going to end?How he long to touch her when she said it, but then she walked away, crossed the lawn and someone came out from inside the house. It was him. He was staying at the house? He stood there in the dark and watched them interact."What the hell were you doing outside with that guy? It's him, isn't it?? The guy you were seeing last year?!" Landon was upset."It's none of your business, Landon," she dismissed him and walked past him.He grabbed her arm. "Damn it, Charlene!! Is that why you wanted to break up with me? Because he's back in y
Ever since her father became Mayor, things were a little different around the house. Security guards followed him around, it wasn't necessary, it was protocol. They were always seen standing around his official car with nothing to do. The house had become a regular venue for the officials' wives club every other week. And on her birthday, all the same, people came as guests, which didn't feel so special to her anymore.Landon came barring gifts and mingled with her parents and their guests. She tried to avoid him by sitting with her friends and always find a crowd whenever he tried to talk to her. She never wanted to be alone with him anymore.He was on his best behavior. Charming, witty, and engaged in smart conversations about finance, politics, and the world economy. All the boring stuff he always swayed the grownups with, until he asked her hand for the birthday dance, which she couldn't refuse given the circumstances.
She didn't come to the bonfire the next day, but she cameto the one on the weekend after that. She didn't want to put herself around Tommy too often, it was still hard for her too. They both still felt the jitters when they sat side by side with each other, it was the only spot their friends left for her that night, right next to Tommy.He can smell her soft cologne as she sat down. The sweet smell coming from the nape of her neck, the place where she most loves to be kissed. He cleared his throat, hugged his knees while nervously biting on the toothpick in the corner of his lips."Hi," she greeted him."Hey," he nodded.She wore a dress with the skirt just above the knee. The fabric was light and loose. It hiked up when she sat, showing parts of her skin, glowing as the bonfire reflected on them. He tried not to look. He can smell the scent of her body lotion when she moved around beside him.