These Dreams

The Coopers

STEF POV

Night was the best and maybe it was because I was a vampire. Nah, it was because things were quiet and I could think for the most part especially once my parents went to bed. Most nights around this time I'd sit on my roof sometimes with Tess while the record player blasted, Flashdance. Sometimes she would act silly and try to do the dance moves from the movie and I would laugh my head off. Little did she know I wasn't really watching her dance I was more watching her body and the way it moved and how it was shaped. Once she attempted to show me how to slow dance and I couldn't breath. I really couldn't and my body shook as I placed my hands on her waist and almost died. But I had controlled my urge to kiss her and laughed it off saying slow dancing was dumb. She would just shake her head and plop on my bed with one of my long tee shirts exposing her legs and I would try my hardest not to stare at her. But it was hard and she had no clue. Other times  she laid her head in my lap looking into my eyes and just talking. Talking about anything to me as I affectionately ran my fingers through her hair that was so soft and smelled so good that most of the time I couldn't take it. Why were my senses so damm heightened when she was close to me I didn't know. But they were as I was almost in love with her smile.

Other nights  we would laugh and joke and smoke cigarettes at the beach that we usually bummed from Mike who stole them from his dad. A few times we got so wasted and tried so hard to pretend that we weren't and Tess would pass out on my bed while in the middle of the night she would end up barfing all over. I was pretty sure my mother knew but if she did she never said anything about it. My mom was like that and let most things slide unlike my father. Maybe it was because he was a cop or had a hard time with me growing older but for whatever reason he was a pain in my ass and most days I avoided him. Occasionally he was in a good mood and those were the days I loved the most for we would sit and chat or go play ball or even watch a Padres game.  It didn't happen often for he was pretty overwork I believed and sometimes my mouth got the best of me. I definitely wasn't shy, nor would I hold my tongue. I'd rather face the consequences then not speak my mind. Tonight had been no different for we had bumped heads as soon as he walked in the door and neither of us would let up.  Eventually I just bailed to my room soon hearing him and my mother argue over useless crap. Sometimes I wondered why in the hell they even married if they hated each other so damm much. Separate they were fine, together it was like a bomb went off. Some nights it got to be so much that I snuck to Tess' place or met up with Mike at the arcade until I would sneak back in and it would blow over.

However running to her place probably wasn't an option tonight for she was freaking pissed at me as usual. Sneaking a cigarette that I nabbed from Mike I looked down about two houses seeing the lights on in her house. Maybe I should go over and talk to her and clear this mess up. I hated messy shit and I didn't get why she was so pissy anyway for it wasn't like I broke plans with her to go hang with Lena. Infact she was cool with all my friends even Mike as much as we hung out and crazy to suggest that he liked me. Fuck, anything but that because I didn't want to think about it for Mike was cool and always had been and I didn't want it to get weird with us. I talked to him like a dude, he said I was basically one of the guys so why in the hell would he wanna go to some dorky prom with me. There was no way I was wearing some puffy, frilly shit but my mother would never let me go in jeans. The best choice was to not go at all for I really didn't want to see Tess dance with Eddie or whoever she was dating at the time. It would kill me and most likely break my heart.

But now my brain was  fucked for I knew if I was going to run to Tess's now it would be to see Lena too. Shit I couldn't get her out of my head and had been daydreaming about her all through dinner. Get a grip Stef for not only do you like Tess but you like her cousin. Shit.

"Stefanie?" 

"Shit." I said hearing my mother come in my room and I quickly put my cigarette out. Climbing back inside I knew I smelled of smoke as she stood there with my  laundry shaking her head and placing my clothes on the bed.

"Baby you are going to kill yours lungs."

"With what ma?" 

"Honey I wasn't born yesterday. Come on now." Shaking her head she began to put my clothes away. "Your lungs are barely 17 and you are killing them. Treat your body right baby you only get one."

"Yeah I guess."Throwing myself on the bed and staring at the ceiling I let out a sigh.

"What's wrong babydoll?"

"Nothing."

"Doesn't seem like it. Talk to me sugar." As my mother took a seat on my bed I sat up leaning against the headboard.

"Tess is being a pain in the ass."

"Well that is nothing knew honey. You both are like oil and water sometimes. Then other times not. What happened?"

"I don't know she's been so annoying since her cousin came to live with her. Her cousin Lena from Ohio."

"Well do they get along?"

"Nope. She's super shy and I was helping her around school and stuff and Tess got all weird about it."

"My suspicion she doesn't want you hanging out with Lena too much. Maybe she feels threatened honey especially since you say she doesn't like Lena."

"Why? Tess knows she's my best friend."

"Of course you are honey. Even if I don't think she is always very nice to you."

"Ma don't start that again. Tess is an awesome friend she just has a hard time sometimes." I said rolling my eyes and playing with the rip in my jeans. 

"Well people can but still honey. Sometimes I feel like she uses you."

"Ma! She doesn't. I didn't tell you this for you to tell me how much you don't like Tess."

"Babygirl, I never said I don't like her. I just don't always like how she treats you. But if you want to remain friends with her there are certain behaviors you will have to put up with."

Letting out a sigh my mother gently cupped my cheek as her face softened.

"You're a good person baby with a big heart and I love how you always welcome new people and make them feel included. You are very kind that way."

"I try. Lena is really nice ma. Super shy but I couldn't just leave her out to dry. She doesn't know anyway. So I invited her to the movies with me and Mike."

"That's what I mean. A kind person you are baby. It will get you far in life. Just stay that way and please for the love of god stop killing your lungs."

"Ok, ok ma. I will." I laughed as she pulled me in for hug and I hugged her back warmly.

"I love you too much my little girl. I love you too much for anything to happen to you. And so does your father."

Pulling away I rolled my eyes yet again.

"He does baby." Gently stroking my cheek she let out a soft smile as my father soon appeared in my doorway. Glancing in his eyes he stood there awkwardly.

"Stef hey um I just, just wanted you to know I picked up this new record for you. You know to add to your collection. I know you like Wham and figured  you and Tess might listen to it or your other friends." He said placing the 45 on my dresser as I looked back to my mother who smiled. 

"Dad?" I said getting up as he turned around still dressed in his uniform and looking pretty tired. I knew our fight didn't help and I also knew this was his way of saying sorry.

"Or we could listen to it?" I suggested as he cracked a smile himself. "

"That sounds nice Stef."

--------------

In this story I wanted Stef to have a good relationship with both her parents. Yes they bump heads but they still care.