Waking Up.

Chapter 32: Romeo and Juliet.

I stared at myself in the mirror of the girls bathroom. I usually hate the school bathrooms, but I felt a need to be alone. Somewhat alone, at least. I don't care where you go to school or what time of year it is, there are always girls in the bathroom of the schools. Currently, it was just me, Marleen, and Samantha. Marleen was talking to Samantha about the party.
"Oh my god, Luke was amazing."
"I don't remember that much, except that Ashton and I came up with my nickname." I laughed and poked her.
"Sammy."
"Oh, shut up! It's a good nickname," she grinned deviously at me. I shrugged and asked,
"What?"
"Don't what me, I saw you and Aspen," she grinned wider. Marleen frowned and crossed her arms.
"What happened?"
"Nothing!" I exclaimed, feeling my cheeks getting redder. She smirked and looked at me.
"Trish, what happened?"
"Huh, fine, I'll tell you. Aspen and I...kinda kissed."
"YOU KISSED HIM?!??" She exclaimed, practically breaking the mirrors with her screech. I covered my ears and Samantha nodded.
"Yep, they were all, uuuuuu!" She imitated kissing someone while pretending to be holding someone. I punched her arm and she yelped.
"Ouch! What was that for?"
"Aspen wasn't like that!"
"Well, show us what he was like, then?" She asked, smirking. I opened my mouth to speak, but two girls walked in. One was the girl from the concert, and the other one was her friend. She scrunched up her nose when she saw me.
"Why're you here?"
"Um, it's the girls bathroom?"
"Exactly." She stated, smiling. Her friend snickered, and Marleen walked up to her.
"What's that suppose to mean?"
"She should have a bathroom with a picture of a warthog on it!" She laughed. Marleen balled up her fist and lurched her arm forward, making contact with the girls face. A couple teeth rolled out of her mouth, and she stumbled to the floor.
"My teeth!"
"Serves you right, bitch!" Samantha called as we ran down the hallway to our classes. After we had escaped to language, I turned to Samantha and Marleen.
"Thanks, Marleen."
"No problem," she stated, smiling. I looked out the door and asked,
"Do you know who she is?"
"I know her name is Brittany. That's it." She replied, sighing. I smiled and asked them,
"Hey, wanna go to the park with Cory and Roxie tomorrow? We're going to sled and have snowball fights!"
"Sure, I'm in." Samantha exclaimed, smiling. Marleen nodded in agreement and smiled.
"I can't wait to see you and Aspen later tonight." I paused and thought of the play. I smiled at the thought of it.

{transition to later that night! don don don!]}

The dress I was wearing was a little scratchy, but totally practical for the play. It was gold colored with sparkles around the waist. It had a dipped chest line that showed a little bit of cleavage, but not a whole ton. It was a school play, after all. I sat patiently as one of the assistant teachers braided my hair and tied it in a bun that was so tight, I thought my face was going to rip any second. Samantha and Eve were in the play, but they only had three lines. The teacher applied my stage make-up and I sighed as I looked in the mirror of the dressing room. Samantha came up to me, also wearing a dress, but hers was a dark blue with a gold rim around the chest line. I call it a chest line because it rested directly on our chests, not our necks. Her hair was in a high bun, and she looked totally uncomfortable.
"Uh, this isn't my style."
"I don't feel like it was Juliet's either," I stated, standing up. I twirled in the dress and all the fluff brushed against my legs. I sighed and crossed my arms.
"Where's Eve?" I asked. Just then, she came stumbling around the corner, knocking over a few hair dryers on the way. Her hair was down, but completely curly and radiant. Her make up was done, and she stood in a light pink dress with white pearls on.
"I can't believe I wanted to do this," she complained.
"It's too late to turn back now. Let's go see what they made the boys wear." They agreed and we walked into the hallway. We had to walk in a single file line or else our dresses would knock stuff down, creating mass destruction. I hadn't seen Mr. Field since that night. He'd taken a leave of absence. I guess I don't really blame him for that. Aspen can be pretty scary when he wants to be. We walked up to the boys dressing room and waited for them to appear. When they stepped out, we immediately fell over in hysterical laughter.
Hunter wasn't in the play, but Ashton was. He was wearing a skin tight black leotard with black tights over that and a rainbow colored shirt with enormous sleeves. He wore a green hat with a black feather on it. Aspen wore red tights with big silly golden shoes with a funny looking red shirt and a golden cape with a matching hat. I could feel my sides aching as Samantha tried to help me up. She could barely reach over the dress, and Aspen had to give me a hand. I stood up, still laughing.
"What?!" He asked, crossing his arms. Samantha pointed and giggled,
"Your outfit!" We both broke out in laughter again. He rolled his eyes and chimed,
"I wouldn't be one to talk."
"I don't care!" I exclaimed, my sides aching. He sighed and Mr. Singer came running around the corner.
"There you are! We've been looking everywhere for you four! Come now, we must hurry, the show shall start in..." He paused, checking his watch,"ten minutes!" He ushered us all on stage and we took our spots. Aspen waved at me from his side of the stage and I waved back. After a short delay, the curtains fell back and the whole room was silent for about thirty seconds. The back stage crew started the music, and we all resumed our parts. In the middle of the play, during the dance sequence with Romeo, he twirled me and dipped me. Then, while holding me, he leaned in and whispered,
"Hey, wanna to to the beach after this?"
"Sure, let me tell my parents though," I replied, also whispering.
"Ok," he twirled me and we continued the play. During the last few scenes, I could see Marleen in the back of the room. She was smiling and silently wooing for Aspen and I. When the curtains closed a few minutes later, I sighed and ran to the dressing room so I could rip the dress off. It was already hot to begin with, but the stage lights didn't help me any. Several people were backstage clapping and congratulating me. I slipped past them and entered the dressing room. As soon as the door shut, I unzipped the zipper and threw the dress aside. I took five disinfectant wipes and cleansed my face of the sticky disaster. I untangled my hair and put it in a sloppy ponytail. Once situated, I took my miniature battery fan and practically stuffed it in my face. Samantha and Eve had got to change about twenty minutes ago, and they were waiting outside the door for me.
"C'mon, we're going to the beach."
"Who's coming?" I asked, savoring the fan. They giggled and replied,
"Us two, Ashton, Hunter, Marleen, Luke, and Aspen." They leaned against the wall, waiting for me to respond. I sighed and nodded.
"Perfect, let's get going." We all hoped in separate cars. Aspen and I took his car, Eve and Hunter took his car, and Samantha and Marleen and the boys took Marleen's RangeRover. We started heading out of town towards the beach.
"So, Romeo, why're we going to the beach?" He frowned and smiled at me.
"Well, Juliet, I just thought it'd be nice to go."
"But it's winter!" I exclaimed.
"It's always good to try new things, Juliet."
"Well, Romeo, I hope there's gonna be a fire or something."I sighed. He smirked and said,
"I brought an extra coat for you."
"You didn't have to do that, Aspen." I stated.
"You always forget to bring a coat, Trish. I don't want you to be cold." I smiled and kissed his cheek.
"Your sweet."
"I know," he stated, fake pointing to himself. I rolled my eyes and punched his arm. We pulled up to the beach just out of town. The sand was mixed with the snow in a beautiful blanket of perfection. There were hardly any trees, and the lake was frozen over. I slipped on the coat over my shirt and stepped out of the car. The night air was crisp and cold. I inhaled, the cold air filling my lungs. It felt very clean. Eve and Hunter ran over with a pile of sticks and a blow torch. Samantha and Ashton got devious looks in their eyes, and they ran to Marleen's car, where Luke was attacking her neck in kisses. Aspen opened the trunk and pulled out a huge model airplane. I frowned and asked,
"Won't that freeze?"
"Nope, it's got a built in heater!" He exclaimed, setting it on the ice of the lake. I've only ever walked on a lake one time, and I didn't even know I was on a lake until someone told me. Then, I ran until I reached the shore. Aspen pushed a button and the engine revved up. The little plane took off into the clear sky. He made it do backflips and spins and all sorts of cool tricks. I stood there, watching with my hands in my pockets. Aspen landed the plane and handed me the controller.
"Here, you try." I looked at in it horror.
"I can't fly this!"
"Why not?"
"I don't know how to work a remote controlled airplane!" I exclaimed, trying to put it back in his hands. He just smiled and stood behind me.
"Here, hold the controller," I know we've held hands at least ten times now, but tingles and happiness emanate from me whenever we do. He makes me feel like I matter. That's something I haven't felt in a long time.
"Ok, now, push that button and use this stick to steer it, got it?"
"I think so," I replied, worried. He stepped back and I did as he said. The air plane left the ground, turning up snow as it did. It flew straight up in the air. I shifted the stick to the right, and the plane followed.
"Yeah, your getting it!" He clapped. I smiled and continued flying it. Hunter and Eve whooped for me while they sat by the fire. It was all going smooth, until I realized something. Uh oh.
"Uh, Aspen?"
"Yeah?!" He asked, watching the plane.
"How do you land it?" I asked. He just waved his hands and said,
"You'll figure it out, just fly for now!" After about two minutes, I tried to land it. It went spewing into a groove of trees and became tangled in a frozen apple tree. Aspen, Marleen, Luke and I all ran to the crash sight. It was in the branches of a big tree.
"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!" I exclaimed, feeling terrible. Aspen shrugged and smiled.
"It's ok, Trish. I have a couple others at the house." He shook it out and it came crashing down. A chipmunk fell from the tree and landed in front of us.
"Oh my gosh, Trish's a chipmunk killer!" Luke giggled. Marleen gasped and Aspen tried not to laugh. I looked in horror at what I had done. I felt so sad. Alvin and the chipmunks were my favorite when I was a little kid. They would not be very happy with me right now.
"I'm sorry," I stated to the chipmunk. Aspen giggled and we all went back to the fire. Hunter, Eve, Samantha and Ashton were all standing about twelve feet away from the fire. As soon as we were all about ten away, they shouted,
"NOW!" I, knowing Samantha's nature, grabbed Aspen's hand and yelled,
"Run!" We took off, but not before they threw water bottles filled with gasoline at the fire. It exploded and flared up. I screeched and we ducked for cover under a big pine tree. Luke had picked up Marleen and they ran past us. After three more explosions, we all got up and went to the big fire. Eve and Hunter were roasting hot dogs, and Samantha was now laughing really hard with Ashton. Marleen walked up to her and punched her on the left arm.
"OWW, that was my arm, you stupid cunt!"
"Oh, that was an explosion you fucking hoe!" She laughed and took a seat next to her, Luke on the other side. Aspen and I sat next to Eve and Hunter. I grabbed a stick and shoved the hot dog on. Aspen smirked at me.
"What?"
"You gripped that hot dog hard," he laughed. I rolled my eyes and punched his arm.
"I'm hungry, you dirty minded freak!" He smiled and then sat up.
"Oh, I almost forgot!" He got up and went to his car. I stuck the hot dog in the fire and waited until the outside was blacker than the inside of a coffin. I love all my meat burnt except for fish. I like my fish medium. After a few minutes, Aspen returned with a Martin acoustic guitar and a pick. A smile crept on my lips as he took a seat next to me.
"So, what should I play?" He asked us all. Everyone started calling out different songs. Aspen flung up his hands,
"Ok, ok stop! Here, everyone write down one song they want, ok?"
"Ok!" Everyone agreed. We passed around a little slip of paper and wrote down some songs on it. He took it back and played Samantha's song, which was Sing by Ed Sheeran. All the boys sang along while we clapped along and made hot dogs. After that one was over, he played Marleen's song, which was good girls by 5 S.O.S. She sang it word for word with Luke and Samantha. Ashton played fake drums on a log and Eve and I just danced in our seats. Hunters song was Have you ever seen the Rain, and eves was Uptown Funk. I got up and danced with Samantha as we sang along.
"Say my name, you know who I am I'm too hot!" Ashton got up and hugged her around the hips. She giggled and kissed him. Luke and Ashton chose a couple of 5 S.O.S that I'd never heard of, so I just smiled and swayed to the beat. After that was over, Aspen looked at my request and frowned.
"Every rose has its Thorn?"
"I love that song!" I exclaimed. He smiled and asked Luke,
" you know how to play this?"
"Hell yeah!" He exclaimed, taking the expensive guitar. He stroked his fingers along the wood and took the pick.
"Ok Ashton, take the beat." He nodded and Samantha and him started a slow beat. Eve and Hunter got up and started dancing. Luke started playing while Marleen leaned on his side,
"We both lay silent still in the dead of the night..." Aspen held out his hand for me and asked,
"May I have this dance?" I blushed, bowed my head and replied,
"Why, yes you may!" I took his hand and he pulled me in a little closer by snaking an arm around my waist.
"Hands above the equator Aspen!" Marleen called, smiling. I giggled and he smiled and sang along.
"But I guess that's why they say, every rose has its thorn!" I smirked.
"How can someone as perfect as you like someone like me?"
"What do you mean?" He asked, giggling. I roll my eyes.
"Well, I'm just soo...and your soo.."
"Trish, I like you the way you are."
"Cliche much?" I asked, smiling. He rolled his eyes and continued,
"I just don't see how you can't see the beauty in yourself."
"Beauty in myself?" I asked, frowning. He dipped me and we continued dancing.
"It's easy for everyone to see the flaws in each other, that's human nature."
"Yeah?"
"Do you believe people have auras?" He asked. I frowned and shrugged.
"I guess."
"When I look at you, all I can see is rays of sunshine and happiness. No flaws at all. It's something...I-I can't explain how you make me feel," he states, smiling. I could feel my cheeks blushing.
"I feel the same about you, Aspen. But everyone has their flaws."
"Do you see flaws in other people?" He asked. I thought for a moment and shook my head.
"I try to only see the good things."
"See? You're a great person because you refuse to believe anyone is bad," he stated. I frowned and replied,
" I think it's just that I've had too much bad in my life. I don't need anymore," he smiled and nodded. We danced along in silence for a minute or so.
"Aspen?"
"Yes Trish?" He asked, looking down at me. The fire light shined in his eyes, making them glow. I smiled and whispered,
"Can I call you my official boyfriend?" The words came out like syrup in my mouth. He smiled and leaned his forehead on mine.
"Only if I can call you my official girlfriend," I smiled and nodded.
"I'd like that." He smirked and our lips made contact. Fireworks in my stomach went off as he wrapped both his arms around my waist and lifted me off the ground. I slung my arms around his neck and moved my lips to his the pace he set. Our tongues touched for a few moments, making me giggle in the kiss. We heard a few throats clear.
"Umm, the songs been over for two minutes," Samantha laughed, staring at us. I smiled and Aspen set me on the ground. We sat down on a log and I set my head on his shoulder as he set an arm around my shoulder.
"Well...who wants to play sheraids?!?" Ashton called out. Everyone whooped and Luke went first.
"A dog?!?" Marleen called. He shook his head.
"A dying seal?" Eve asked. Another head shake.
"I don't know, a lemur set on fire?" Ashton guessed.
"No! It's a damn penguin!" He shouted. Samantha frowned.
"That's the worst impression ever!"
"Whatever, Hunter you go." He stated, sitting grumpily next to Marleen. We stayed at the beach until 11:45, at which time Eve told me she'd be staying at hunters place that night.
"Tell dad I'm at Samantha's ok?"
"Ok, see ya tomorrow."
"Bye!" She ran off to hunters car and they disappeared. Aspen drove me home and walked me to the porch. I smiled and leaned against the column.
"I'm taking Roxie and Cory to the park tomorrow to have snowball fights and stuff, wanna come?"
"I wish, but I promised Trevor I'd take him to see the Minnesota wild game tomorrow."
"That's ok." I sighed. He smirked and rubbed his hand slowly across my cheek.
"Thanks for understanding." I smiled and kissed him. He kissed back. I loved the suction our lips made as they pulled apart, and the feeling when they touched again. His hand rubbed the length of my spine, sending shivers. The door suddenly flew opened and dad stepped out. I pulled away, hoping he didn't see. But, as always, dad saw it all.
"Hi dad." No answer.
"Um, eves staying at Samantha's house," I stated. He balled up a fist and said,
"That's nice." I pushed Aspen's chest lightly and mouthed go. He obliged as I pushed dad inside. Once in, I locked the door and awkwardly smiled.
"How was your day?"
"Trish, did he touch you anywhere?" He asked, looking around my body. Like he could tell. I frowned and said,
"No dad."
"Are you sure?" He asked, concern in his eyes. I sarcastically laughed,
"Uh yeah, I think I'd notice."
"This isn't funny Trish, you could catch an STD..."
"Daaad! He didn't touch me, I swear!" He stopped, looked at me, and sighed.
"Ok, I believe you."
"Ok," I sighed, turning to get an apple out of the fridge. He called after me,
"Beautiful play this evening!" I smiled and sat at the counter to eat the apple. Dad. Jade came barreling down the stairs, practically sliding around the corner as she approached me. I smiled and said,
"Hey Jade, how are you today?!?" She wagged her tail furiously and barked. I laughed and petted her small head. I gave her a piece of leftover pork chop and we did our nightly ritual. Once I laid down in bed, I began to dream.
I was sitting next to giant gold balance scale. One end had a skull and cross bones, and the other had an image of a sun. I looked around the room. It was all plain white, with nothing except for the scale. All of a sudden, I saw a giant figure appear; my dad.
"Hello sweetheart," I heard a whisper on my side. I looked over to see my mom standing in a white robe. My dad picked both of us up in his hands. He placed me on the sun side with a long rope. He placed my mother on the skull end, with nothing. All of a sudden, her end started tilting down, filling her side with black blood. She screamed for help. I tossed her my rope, but it didn't go far enough.
"Trisha!" She yelled, pleading. My dad just watched, not moving. I stepped on the edge of my scale and threw the rope. It made it there, but the blood started to corrode it. My mom started dissolving, but I could still hear her screams.
"Help me!" She cried. Tears stung my eyes as I tried again and again. Eventually, she disappeared completely. I sat there hugging my knees, crying. After a few minutes, I looked up. My dad was gone, and I was left alone in the room. A big flash came speeding by me, and I screamed.
I jolted up in the bed, arousing Jade as I did. She came and sat next to me. I hugged her and breathed. If I'd known what would happen the next day, I would've stayed in the bed all day.

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Thanks everyone who's reading! Hope you liked it, I'll see you next time, bye! :3