I Need Your Love

Chapter One

        I would like to consider myself a strong, confident, outgoing person, but I know that's not anywhere near the truth. I'm Alexandria but people call me Aj.

One more week. Just one more week and I'll be through with middle school. I thought to myself while putting up my long black hair. 

        I grab my bag and head out of the front door to walk to the bus stop. I start to get that uneasy feeling in my stomach as soon as I see the bus. Most of the people on my bus were idiots and don't have anything better to do with themselves other than harass people. Just as I suspected, as soon as I got on, this guy started yelling at me.

Don't let them get under your skin. You're fine. I tell myself.

"Hey! What's the matter? You depressed little peice of-" the bus driver cut him off.

"John! Grab your belongings and come sit up front!" she said.

Thank you Jesus! No more dealing with that anymore.

*skip bus ride*

When I walk in my homeroom, I see my teacher, my best friend and a couple of other students. I walk to go see my best friend, Carley.

"Hey Aj! Guess what?" Carley says jumping up and down.

"What," I ask.

"My brother is coming home today! I'm so excited! I haven't seen him in like three years, and neither have you. OOOHH," she squealed, " you should come over tonight! Ask your parents if you can come!"

"Okay," I said, "I'll ask."

*skipping the rest of the day because school is boring and nobody wants to read about it*

"Hey mom?" I asked, "Can I go over to Carley's house tonight? She said her brother's coming home, and she wants me to be there," I explained.

        After what seemed like forever, she finally said yes. I went upstairs to my room and texted Carley.

She said I can go. I'll be there at around five? I asked her.

yeah that's fine. We're having a welcoming party outside so wear shorts and sandals if. you can. She replied.

Okay! See you in about half an hour.

        I decided to wear a white tank top with the LINKINPARK logo on it and some cutoffs. I rummaged through my closet to find a pair of sandals and I put my hair up. I grabbed my phone, told my mom I was on my way, and told Carley I'd be there in five minutes. I sometimes wish that I could stay outside and not have a care in the world. No school, no bullies, no jerks that I would have to deal with, and most of all, no worries. Finally, I reached Carley's house and knocked on the front door. Greeted by Mrs. Shapiro, she welcomed me in and told me Carley was in her room. I ran upstairs and knocked on her door.

"I'm here," I said through the door, "open up."

        The handle juggled and the door was swung open. She was wearing a dark blue short sleeved shirt with a pair of shorts and some strappy sandals. Her dirty blonde hair was thrown in a messy bun.

"Hey," she greeted. "The party starts when he gets ho-" her words trailed off and her small grin turned into a giant one. I turned around to see a man standing in the doorway.

"Hello!" a tall strange man said in a familiar baritone voice.

"ERIC!" she quealed. Carley tackled him and I just stood there awkwardly.

"C'mon," he said, "I haven't seen you in years and you're still afraid to hug me?" he pushed his clinging sister off and walked towards me. He wrapped his big arms around my tiny frame and squeezed me tight. Needless to say I wasn't one for hugs. Soon, I wrapped my arms around him too and he pulled away.

"Am I seriously still a stranger?" he chuckled.

"What? No! I'm just not used to contact." I laughed nervously.

        He cocked his eyebrow at me and grinned. Putting my hands in my pockets, I followed Carley out to her backyard. Her dad had put out the grill and a big pile of branches and sticks. I'm guessing that's for a bonfire. Carley practically dragged me in her garage to find a lighter and lighter fluid. She squirted the mound with the fluid and I lit it. I've always loved fire. The beauty and warmth of it. The crackling sound it makes. I stared at it in awe as the pile burst into flames.

        Carley's dad made ribs and corn on the grill and motioned for us to come get some for our dinner.

        When we finished our meal, all of us were sitting on logs around the fire. I was sitting inbetween Eric and Carley and Carley's parents were sitting on the opposite side. Carley's mom went to go make lemonade, her dad went somewhere unknown and Carley said she had to go to the restroom. It was just me and Eric. It got pretty cold that night. I shivered.

"Are you cold?" Eric asked.

"Kinda," I replied.

        He started to take off his jacket, but before he could, I stopped him.

"You don't have to do that," I offered. "I don't want you to get cold."

"Please," he said. "I insist." he continued taking off his big hoodie  and handed it to me. I gave him one last asking look. He nodded, telling me to go ahead. I put it on and instantly felt his warmth.

He's so sweet. But what if he gets cold? I don't want to be here all cozy while he's suffering!

        He must have seen my contemplating face because he was giving me a weird look.

"I'll be fine," he said. "I'm not going to get cold." he assured me. He put his arm around me and I blushed, knowing that I looked like a fool. He jolted in surprise and quickly took his arm away causing me to jump as well. Carley came out of the house and saw us in this disgruntled state.

"What did I miss?" she asked. Of course, her question only made me blush more.

"It was nothing. Do you know if there's more ribs?" Eric asked. I saw the faint strip of pink forming on his cheeks.

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A/N~ I know...

its probably not all that great but please comment if you think I should go through with it.