Stephen and Sharpies ~ Watty Awards 2012

Chapter Twenty-Two

-Alec

    Sharpie twenty-two is called passion fruit, but ignore the fruit part. Focus more on the passion. I chose this color because I have a true hate for Alley Cornwall. I hate her with a passion. Ah, you see how I did that? I played with the words to create a color that describes her perfectly. It’s not that she isn’t a nice person, she may be, but she was a brat to me. She changed you, not many saw what she did to you, but I did. Alley killed your spirit, your smile had faded, and yet you fell in love with her. Maybe it was the aftermath that was bad, but I swear it was during the relationship. Or it could be that I was jealous.

    Why did she have to make a Sharpie for Alley Cornwall? She was my longest and most serious girlfriend I had and I regret it all. Alley Cornwall loved me and I loved her, but she was a brat and the ‘It’ girl. I couldn’t keep up with her and her social outings, it was horrible. We did anything and everything she wanted to do and nothing I did. We dated for five months. Alley Cornwall had me wrapped around her finger.

    You and Alley started dating in September last year. You were the two most popular people in the whole school. Everyone knew your name and everyone was or at least wanted to be your friend. She had the beach blonde hair, full red lips, big blue eyes, and the perfect attitude. You feel right into her web, every guy did. Once she spun the web it was only a matter of time before she caught her prey. Alley was the best predator, it’s a shame though how many guys she destroyed.

    Great, I was Alley’s prey.

    After the first initial month things began to get weird. I saw you rarely ever. Maybe once every two weeks. You acted happy, but distant from everyone else. Alley was by your side almost 24/7, like super glue. I could see it in your eyes and even the devil’s eyes, you two were falling in love. It got me mad, I won’t lie, I wanted you and she got you. Stupid teenage love. By the end of the second month you were head over heels in love.

    Then it all started crumbling. The third month was fine. You followed her around like a lost puppy dog and she flirted with other guys. Yet you two stayed in love, I even heard you exchange the three little words, “I love you.” It was great that month, but that was the last good month.

    Fourth month I didn’t see you at all. I saw you in the halls occasionally, I think. Anyways, Alley started to yell at you for no reason and tell you to buy her things. I heard about going to parties and you were supposed to stay at her side no matter what. You couldn’t leave to grab a drink or even say hi to some friends. You were stuck to her.  She acted like a psycho and she really started showing her true colors. She had issues and it showed. Alley was terrified of you leaving her so she bullied you into staying. I think she caught on for a few days that she was acting stupid because she calmed down and you had fun with friends. Not me, but other people.

    The fifth month wasn’t even a month, not even close. It was February and like a week before Valentine’s Day. Everyone was outside and waiting for the buses, a ride, or hoping for the rain to quit. Well as we stood outside you walked up to be and said hi. It was nice and not barely any words. Well Ms. You-are-not-allowed-any-friends-that-aren’t-guys freaked on you. Alley and you both walked around the edge of the school and started arguing. After a few minutes I saw Alley storm away with tears running down her face and you were sad. Though I could see in your eyes you had a small gleam of happiness. You were finally free and you knew it. I don’t think you ever got over the break up, but somewhere in your heart you know it was a good thing.

    Alec even though I was jealous and all, but you did the right thing. I mean if you hadn’t broken up with Alley, you wouldn’t have taken me out to eat on Valentine’s Day. You wouldn’t probably be reading through this box. I might have gotten over you or decided not to waste anymore time hiding. I could have told you I liked you by now, but none of it turned out that way. It turned out the way it should. Without Alley Cornwall and Alec Casey’s breakup, today wouldn’t be the same.

    That’s for sure.

    Alec I really like you and I was glad that you broke up with her. I saw that gleam. I started seeing your face around school more and you ate lunch with me again. Everything went back to normal and you were normal. Not quite the same, she left marks on your heart and probably a hole. Over time, though I’ve noticed that it is getting smaller and smaller. Alec, she was your first love and no one forgets their first love, but everyone heals after a first love.

    I’m in love with you and you’re my first love. I don’t want a second or third or fourth, but I will. I know that all wounds heal over time and that if you aren’t my one and only I will find him someday. I get it, you want the first love to be the only one. You don’t want the pain, but you have to take it if you want the person of your dreams. You have to embrace as much pain as possible, because that’s the only way. I hate telling you this, but it’s true.

    I’m in love with you and I would love to see how it would all work out if you were in love with me. I wonder if we would be one of the few to make it through high school and marry one day. I want to experience something like that, true love. I want that and a fairytale ending. There aren’t very many anymore. I want it all, you, true love, a fairytale story, a family and a happily ever after. If it doesn’t turn out exactly the way I want it to then oh well. Surprises and change are life’s two greatest treasures.

    Now I hope I didn’t open old wounds for you Alec. I just wanted to tell you that I get it. True love exist, but not with Alley and probably not me either, but it’s worth a shot. Alec I can’t wait to see your reaction to all of these Sharpies whether you are in love with me, if your freaked out, or if you just am neutral. Maybe you’ll want to stay friends or you want to date or the less fun choice. Stop being friends all together. I don’t care what your choice is, I do, but I don’t want to influence your life with a decision like this. I will know your decision by the way you look at me. Eyes give everything away if you haven’t noticed.

-Stephen

    I can’t believe there are only three more Sharpies left. That is crazy. I still am amazed by this Sharpie. Why did she have to write about Alley, she’s the past and I don’t want to think about her. I want to think about Stephen and how I love her. I want to be her true love and hers to be mine. I want to kiss her and tell her I love her. I just want to be able to hold her in my arms and let her rely on me and not worry about what other’s think. I want to be Stephen’s everything, just like she’s mine right this very moment. I need her with me and I want her to hold, but I can't. She’s in a hospital room by herself, scared and she’s being transported. I have no idea what I am supposed to do, but I have a feeling I need to finish the Sharpies before anything more happens.

       I look around the room. Taylor and Abigail are sitting in the chairs and talking. Ma is taking a nap. The nurse is playing with her fingers. No one else is in the waiting room and the halls are silent. I can hear only the breathing of the four other people in the room. I get off the hard, uncomfortable chair and sit on the floor. I pull the box closer to me and stare at the rainbow of colors. I have to finish the letters and I have to see Stephen, all before she’s transported. She sounds like a package. She is being sent from one place to another. I take a moment to clear my head and then pick up a lime Sharpie and a letter. One last breath and I begin to read the twenty-third Sharpie.