One Shots

Far Longer Than Forever (Ricky Horror)

Celeste's POV

 I pulled on my cheerleading uniform for the school day. I pulled my long curly black hair up in the high ponytail it is supposed to be. I drew on my eyebrows and did my pale makeup. I put on my black eyeliner and mascara. I looked at my many lipstick colors with the indecision of which one to wear. I decided on Homegirl by Kat Von D. I had just recently gotten in from Sephora. All my real friends think I'm ridiculous for being on cheerleading team. I'm a goth girl who cheerleads. I am friends with some girls on the team but others I despise. I put in my Monroe piercing and my pearl plugs. I grabbed my bag and headed downstairs. "Morning daddy." I said kissing his picture. My dad died in action last year over in Afghanistan but they weren't able to recover his body. "Morning mom." I said kissing her cheek. She handed me a plate of pancakes, eggs and strawberries. I dug in as she out my coffee in my travel mug. "Sweetie, I won't be able to make the game tonight. I had to pick up a late shift." She said. "That's fine mom. Just be careful tonight." I said kissing her cheek. I placed my dirty plates in the sink and headed to school. I put my coffee in the cup holder and drove to school. I pulled in next to my cousin and our friends. I saw Jessica with Ricky and groaned. Balz helped me out of my car. I thanked him and stood with them. "You think since we hang out with two cheerleaders we would be more popular." Chris said. "Ya, no Chris. I love you but no." I said kissing his cheek. "Oh shut up baby cousin." He said. I pouted and drank my coffee. Ricky and Jess just walked off. My best friend didn't give me my good morning hug. I sighed. Jess is changing him and I don't like it. I went through the whole day bored with class just looking forward to the game. I saw Ricky talking to Jessica's mom. Now that woman is a saint. "Hi Celeste, is your mom gonna be here tonight?" She asked. "No, she has to pick up an extra shift." I said. "Well do amazing tonight then." She said hugging me. She then left Ricky and I. "So what was with today? Do you not want to be my friend anymore?" I asked. He knew how fragile I am since I lost my dad plus today is the day I lost him. Tears threatened to spill but I wouldn't let them. "Celeste, you know I love you. I was just having a stressful day." He said hugging me. "Arms." I said. He rolled up his sleeves and all I saw were old scars. I smiled and kissed his cheek. "You're coming over after the game with everyone right?" I asked. We had been planning this night so I wouldn't be alone tonight. "Something has come up. I can't. I'm so sorry." He said with sorrow in his voice. I sighed. "Okay, I will see you tomorrow then." I said. He nodded. He hugged me and I headed to the locker room to meet with the girls. "Cellulite is here so now we can discuss the cheers for tonight." Jessica yelled. I frowned. I hate that she calls me that. We finished our meeting and headed out. It was nearing halftime and all the guys were here with their girlfriends. Ryan Ashley playfully mocked me and I flipped her off. She blew me a kiss and I blew one back. Ricky was with Jessica's mom. Halftime came and we went out to do our routine. We finished and the whole stadium went silent. I was confused. "We would now like to take this time to welcome home, lieutenant McCarthy for his service in Afghanistan." The man on the loud speaker said. Chris looked at me. I shrugged it off. I'm lucky my makeup was waterproof because I was crying. Jessica ran up to her dad wrapping her legs around him crying. I turned around to compose myself. I watched Ricky come down and shake the man's hand. We finished the game and we all headed to the locker room. I was in full-blown tears. "Aw is little Cellulite upset? Oh us your daddy isn't coming home. He's dead. I'm gonna go have dinner now with my dad." Jess said to me. I grabbed my things running out as the girls yelled that she went to far. I crashed into Ricky. "You knew." I said sobbing. "I'm so sorry. I wasn't allowed to tell." He said. "You could've told me to stay home so I wouldn't be so upset." I yelled at him. "I'm sorry." He said as Jess came out and wrapped her arms around him. "Come on Ricky." She said. "Not yet." He said. "No go, Richard. You're an asshole and I never want to see you again. I wish I never helped you because clearly you are never going help me. Go die you piece of shit." I yelled at him. I got in my car and sped off. I opened my mail finding I was accepted early to the University of Pittsburgh. I called up the admissions office and accepted. I went to my school in the morning and cleared out my locker. I said goodbye to the guys and ignored Ricky. He just looked down at his feet. I saw the gauze peeking out from his sleeve. I felt bad but he betrayed me. I began packing for college and headed out first thing on Saturday. I pulled into the parking lot and headed up to my room. I was staying with five other girls in a suite. I walked in and saw the girls. “You really think we were going to let you go alone.” Ryan Ashley said hugging me. I smiled and they hugged me tightly. I went and got my cheerleading uniform after we all finished moving in. We went through school years having fun and partying. I couldn’t find a best friend like Ricky. I was in love with that kid and I told him to go die. Chris called me a couple times saying Ricky did try to commit suicide on his sister’s birthday. I felt awful. Chris said he is better now but he misses me. Jessica left him for a football player. I was getting ready tonight’s rivalry game. I pulled on my uniform and curled my hair putting the bump in the front. I am a flyer now and I love it. It was halftime now and the lights went up on us. We did our routine flawlessly. The music was cut and a voice came over the speakers. It was Ricky. “We would like to welcome home Captain Hallowell. He served a noble service over seas and is finally home.” Ricky said. I started crying. I saw my dad walk out into the middle of the field. I screamed and ran over to him. He caught me in his arms and I wrapped my legs around him. “Daddy.” I sobbed. He rubbed my back. “I am home princess. I was just hurt badly.” He said. I just clung onto him crying. He walked off the field and the girls kept going. “If it wasn’t for Richard trying to find me, I wouldn’t be here.” He said. I heard someone clear his or her throat. I turned around to find Ricky. I hugged him tightly crying. “Thank you so much.” I said. “Can we please talk?” he asked. “I am going to see your mother at home. Are you fine driving home with Ricky for break?” he asked. I nodded and kissed my dad’s cheek. We headed up to the girls’ room and mine. They already headed home. “Ricky, I can’t explain how sorry I am for what I said to you. I was upset. I love you Ricky.” I said holding his hands. “You mean the world to me. You are my best friends. No one could ever replace you.” I said. “I am so sorry I never stood by you when I started dating Jessica. I should’ve protected you. I should’ve realized what I always wanted was right in front of me.” He said. The next thing I knew his lips were on mine. I melted in his arms and kissed back. “My Cellulite.” He said. I punched his shoulder. “Not funny.” I said. “Sorry.” He said kissing me. “Celeste Nova Hallowell, I love you so much.” He said moving my curls out of my face. “I love you too, Richard Allen Olson.” I said. I changed into my sweats and pulled on Ricky’s old hoodie that I kept. He helped me grabbed my bags and we headed to his car. He held my hand as he started driving home. He kissed my hand and I kissed his cheek.  “Hey Ricky, how long have you liked me?” I asked him. “Since elementary school.” He said blushing. “So we have been best friends since we were born and you’ve liked me for that long. I wish you told me. I would’ve stayed and changed my career. I would’ve taken up on my dreams of tattooing or photography to be with you. I think I want to come home and be with you.” I said. “Don’t, I want you to finish school then if you still feel the same way you feel now then we can come back to this.” He said. I nodded. We pulled into my driveway and headed inside. My mom already had dinner ready. We sat down for dinner. I started cleaning dishes with my dad. “I’m proud of you for going to college but drop out.” My dad said. “What?” I asked him. “Go with Ricky on tour. I know you always wanted to be with him and the band. Photography is your passion.” He said. I smiled and kissed his cheek. “I got you this.” He said handing me a brand new professional camera one like Adam Elmakias has. I smiled and thanked him. We joined my mom and Ricky in the living room. “Richard, I believe we found the band a new photographer.” My dad said rubbing my back. I chuckled and pointed my camera a Ricky capturing a goofy face. “Really? You sure about leaving school?” he asked. “The girls and I were thinking about it already.” I said. He smiled and kissed me. “Finally.” My parents said. “So wait about three years to give me grandkids.” My mom said. I blushed and buried my face in Ricky’s shoulder. “We can wait how ever long you want as long as you are mine forever.” He whispered in my ear. I nodded. We spent more time with my family before Ricky and I moved my stuff to his apartment. “So you really want to be with little old me forever?” I asked. “Even longer than that so much more than that.” He said. I smiled and kissed him. We just sat on his couch with him holding me.