Chapter Twenty-Four:

I couldn’t sleep. Despite his offers, I told Brian that he should sleep at home for once. I’m sure his family was beginning to forget what he looked like. I gave up trying to sleep and grabbed my iPod. I put on my headphones and flipped on the lamp. I may as well sketch for class if I’m not getting any shut-eye tonight. I put my pencil to paper and listened to my music.

Putrid words from sharpened tongues are spewing from our mouths.
Without a translation, we’re just making sounds.
The pride of a lion is your disguise, but the fear of a coward’s in your eyes.

I started a new sketch of Brian. I tried to capture his kind heart and caring soul through his eyes. God, he has a great face.

You’re chasing the rapture – praying for a perfect disaster to save us from ourselves.
We need more than miracles.
We need to answer for the blood on our hands now and save us from ourselves.

It didn’t take me long to draw his face by memory. God knows I’ve spent more than enough time thinking about him. I can’t help it.

Out of sight and out of mind – make everything alright.
So let the sky and sea collide, just not in our lifetime.
The end is running late tonight.
The kingdom comes crashin’ down into ashes – careful what you ask for.

By the time inspiration left my system, I had sketches of Brian, Matt, my mother, Doug and Oliver. Matt looks handsome, like he always does… with a hint of deviousness. My mother looks beautiful, toxic, and malicious. Doug looks gallant and kind. Oliver looks wise and gracious.
I set almost all of the pictures in my bag. I kept the one of Brian out and traced it with my fingers. He’s so many things that I can’t put into words. My mother was right about one thing, he does seem older than his age. He has more compassion than most grown people I’ve known in my life. It’s one of the things I love about him.

---

I jerked awake when my alarm started screeching at me. I grumbled and threw it across the room. I buried my head under my pillow when the damn thing didn’t even turn off. For fucking real? Good God. I dragged myself out of bed and all but crawled across the room and turned off loud, annoying device. I picked it up and put it back on my nightstand.

You know, teenagers would be more willing to go to school if it wasn’t first thing in the freaking morning. Well, okay, maybe ‘willing’ isn’t the right term. Whatever. It’s too early.

I walked into my closet and leafed through the clothes I had hanging there. I wore a dress yesterday and it just seemed to complicate things. No dice. It’s supposed to be warmer out today than it has been. I could probably get away with something that didn’t cover me up completely, without freezing my ass off. I chose a gray, pleaded skirt, a white, lace crop top with thin straps, and a sheer, teal jacket. That’ll have to do.

I showered and went through my other morning rituals with a surprising lack of enthusiasm. I pulled on black, lace stockings and combat boots. I grabbed my school things and I bustled downstairs. I grunted a hello to the Baker men and guzzled down two cups of coffee.

“Feeling better?” Doug asked me, bemused. I nodded as I poured myself a third mug.

“I didn’t sleep much.” I explained.

“I couldn’t tell.” He retorted, amusement sparkling in his eyes.

“You’re so funny.” I told him, sarcastically.

“I think so, too.” He agreed. I rolled my eyes and placed my mug in the sink.

“Ready to go?” Zacky asked me. I nodded. I was anxious to see Brian. He offered to take me to school, but I didn’t want him to have to drive all the way here if Zacky could take me.

---

“Looking good!” Someone yelled from behind me. I turned to see Brian, smirking. I smiled and walked over to him. “Dressing up for me again, Ace?” He asked me.

“Who said it was for you?” I quipped. He looked at me with mock sadness. “Maybe I just wanted to?” I told him.

“Either way, I’m glad you did.” He grinned.

“So, have you talked to Matt?” I asked him. I don’t know how else to bring it up, other than to just ask. His face fell, just a little. He nodded.

“Yeah, for a minute,” he answered.

“What happened?”

“He tried to play it off like I was making a big deal out of nothing. I told him, you know, how I feel about you and that we’re together. I also said that if he cares about our friendship at all, he’ll respect it.”

“That’s what you said?” I asked, not quite believing him.

“I may have said something else about it violating bro code and some other shit… but you don’t need to know about that.” He smirked, again.

“Are you guys okay, then? I didn’t want to ruin things between you two.”

“For now, we are. I don’t think he’ll really give up that easily, but I can hope. We’ve never really fought over a girl before.”

“I could always get a sex change? That way you could fight over a guy?” I tried.

“Don’t you dare!”

“It’s my body. I can do what I want.” I quipped.

“I don’t think I could date a man.”

“Why’s that?”

“I like wearing the pants.” He complained.

“What if I want to wear the pants?”

“You’re wearing a skirt.”

“Technicalities.”

---

I probably could have sleep-walked through class, but I decided against it. I should give my teachers the allusion that I kind of care. I found myself looking forward to my classes with Tiffany. It’s nice to know another female. I didn’t realize how much I missed it, until I didn’t have any to talk to.

“Hey girl,” Tiffany sang. I looked over at her and smiled.

“Hey yourself Barbie,” I smiled. She laughed and took my jab in good fortune.

“Are you still down for getting pampered after school?” She asked me. I nodded.

“You had me at ‘pampered’.” I assured her. She smiled.

“Awesome. It’s totally therapeutic. Do you need a ride?” She asked me.

“Actually, that would be great. I can’t really drive. I fell and got a concussion a few days ago.” I explained. She nodded, sympathetically.

“Do you wanna head out right after school?” She asked.

“That’s good with me.” I told her.

“Awe, that’s cute. You two making plans to go on a date later?” Mike jibed. I sighed.

“You again? Really? Aren’t there any other people for you to harass? Didn’t you say something about not being a jackass?” I griped. He chuckled and sat down in front of me. So much for talking with Jimmy this period. Damn.

“Maybe I decided this would be more fun,” he shrugged. I rolled my eyes.

“And we’re the ones who have to suffer for it.” I huffed. Tiffany giggled and filed her nails. Mike reached across my desk and pulled on my sleeve. “What?” I asked, irritatedly.

“Is that on your jacket?” He asked, vaguely.

“Is what on my jacket?”

“That,” he gestured to my arm.

“Do you know how to use your words, caveman?” I deadpanned. He glared at me for a second.

“You don’t actually have that many tattoos.”

“Oh, those? Yeah, they’re real.” I shrugged. “So?”

“Why would you do that to your body?”

“It’s art. It’s expression. And it’s also my body.” I told him.

“Didn’t it hurt?”

“Yeah, but it was worth it.” I defended myself. He didn’t say anything just stared at me. “If you’re done gawking at me, we do have class.” I reminded him. He turned around and didn’t say anything for the rest of the period. Well, that takes care of one problem. If only the rest were that easy.

---

“Hey Lyds,” Matt greeted me, as he walked over to my lunch table. I nodded in his direction and kept picking at the thing on my plate that was supposed to be pizza. “Listen, I’m sorry about yesterday.” He told me as he sat down across from me.

“Are you really?” I asked him, bored. He nodded. “No, you’re not.” I deflected his poor-ass apology. It’s not sincere. His mouth is saying one thing and his eyes are saying something else entirely.

“I’m sorry that I went about things the wrong way.” He corrected himself.

“And what would be the right way?” I asked him.

“To win your heart,” he sighed. I threw a piece of pepperoni at him.

“It’s not going to happen, Sanders.” I told him, completely serious. “I’m serious about Brian. We haven’t been together for that long, true. But, I can easily see us together for a long-ass while. He’s great. Don’t be that guy that craps all over his friendship for some stupid competition.” I tried. He chuckled.

“You’re really into him; aren’t you?”

“What gave it away?” I joked. “Yeah, I am. He’s a catch and a fucking good one at that. I’m not saying you’re not, but I don’t think I’m the girl for you.”

“We’ll see.”

“You’re impossible.” I sighed. Zacky and Johnny came waltzing up to the table. I was surprised when Tiffany followed them. She gave me a little wave. I motioned for her to sit down next to me.

“I just realized you didn’t have my number.” She explained. I nodded and handed her my phone. We exchanged numbers. “Thanks girl. Well, I gotta jet. But I’ll see you soon, yeah?” She told me. I nodded.

“Sure thing,” I smiled. She gave me a quick hug.

“He’s so cute!” She whispered. I turned and saw she was talking about Zacky. I smiled.

“I’ll put in a good word for you.” I promised and she walked away. As she left, Brian and Jimmy came over. Brian sat next to me. “Hey stranger,” I greeted him with a kiss.

“Stranger? You should know me by now.” He laughed. I shrugged and took off my jacket. “Hot?” He asked. I nodded.

“It’s hot as balls out here.” I complained. It’s one of the down-falls of eating outside… no air conditioning.

“You’re the only thing hot out here.” He whispered. I blushed and pushed his side with my shoulder.

“They’re so cute together, it’s disgusting.” Jimmy announced. We all laughed at that.

“Nice ink,” Mike called out as he passed our table. I made a face at him and finished what was edible of my lunch.

“Are you guys friends?” Johnny asked. I shook my head.

“Not even close,” I told him.

“Good. That guy’s a bigger douche than Bieber.” Johnny told me, shaking his head. I spewed water all over the grass next to our table, I was laughing so hard.

“God, give me warning next time you’re about to say something funny.”

“What fun would that be?”

---

I leaned against my locker and kissed Brian. He gripped my waist and pulled me closer to him.
“Do you want to do something after school?” He asked me. I shook my head.

“I can’t. I’m getting my nails done with Tiffany.” I told him. He smirked. “Don’t even say it. I’m sure my mother will try and harp on whatever plans for dinner tonight. I’ll text you and let you know.”

“Do that.” He told me, before kissing me again. My phone vibrated.

“And that’s my ride. I gotta go, Bri.” I sighed.

“I hate to see you go, but love to watch you leave.”

“You didn’t just say that.”

“Yes – yes, I did.” He winked at me. I shut my locker and went to go find Tiffany. It amazes me that I can still find normal people to hang out with through all of the crazy shit that goes on.

“Lydia, you ready to go?” Tiffany asked me. I nodded and got into her car.

“Yes, let’s.”

Notes

Music Credit:
"Chasing the Rapture" -- 10 Years

So much drama next chapter! Thank you for all the awesome comments. You all are amazeballs.

Love,
Katie