Date: Mon, 24 Jun 2013 03:28:36 -0700 (PDT)
From: Jake Austin <crazyturtule90@yahoo.com>
Subject: Life As I Knew It chapter 7

Disclaimers: Yeah, these aren't fun, but I guess they're necessary. If
you're under 18, or if gay love offends you, or if it's illegal to be
reading this where you are, you probably shouldn't be reading this. I
guess. Or you can, you know, you don't have to listen to me, lol.

This is fiction, so yeah, people and the events that occur are all fake. I
may use the names of real places, but other than that, this story is
completely made up.

And also, I'd appreciate it if you DIDN'T take this story and post it
somewhere else without my permission. That's called stealing, and it's not
cool, yo.

Please make sure to donate to Nifty also! They're awesome for letting us
share these stories with each other, let's support them!

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

Note to readers: Not really any excuse for my hiatus... other than
school. Will you guys take school as an excuse? I hope so. Aha, I'm pretty
sure everyone has forgotten about this story, but... I don't know. With the
free time that summer is finally bringing me, I feel compelled to continue
this story. I won't promise frequent updates, but I'll do my best to try
and finish this. I'LL FINISH IT GOD DAMMIT.

Anyways, comments, thoughts, or questions are welcomed at
crazyturtule90@yahoo.com I love hearing from you guys! :)
----------------------------------------------------

Life As I Knew It

Chapter 7: Misfortune ----------------------------------------------------

"Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies." –Aristotle

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

	The thing about my feud with Carter was that I now didn't have a
ride to school. Both Mom and Dad left for work about an hour before we
usually woke up, so my only options were to either ride with Carter or ride
the bus.

	And despite my absolute abhorrence of public transportation, I
didn't really have any other choice. I mean, I did, but I was still angry
at Carter. Our fights, aside from that one time in middle school, never
lasted longer than a few days. But for some reason, this was different. It
was so much more than some petty argument over whose cereal was whose, or
whose turn it was to do dishes. It was a personal affront that changed my
view of him entirely. I just wasn't ready to deal with it yet.

	Long story short, that's how I came to be standing at the bus
stop. And when the bus rolled to a stop in front of me, I mustered every
ounce of courage I could find beneath the pile of dread at the pit of my
stomach. I remembered having to ride the bus throughout elementary school,
and I always had a gruesome image of wild animals pouncing on each
other. And as I stepped onto the bus and looked around, I saw that it
was... just as I had remembered it to be.

	The more reserved kids were up front but towards the back, it was
pure chaos. They were throwing objects that ranged from the size of
spitballs to backpacks. Loud was the only volume. Pandemonium was their
nature. I actually feared for my life a little bit. The bus driver was
giving me a look of impatience, undoubtedly telling me to get a move on;
which I would have gladly done... if there were any seats to pick from.

	I immediately scaled the whole front row but to no avail. I inched
slowly, regretfully past each row, each filled with people who either
avoided eye contact completely or gave me an amused smirk. Just as I
thought I'd have to sit in the same row as the truly terrifying ones, I
spotted a place of solace in the row right before the one they were sitting
in. I sat down and claimed it for my own, probably faster than I'd ever
moved in my life. They were right behind me, but I thought that if I were
to just lay low, I could hopefully stay away from any trouble.

	Just as I was settling down, though, a snarky voice rang out from
behind me. "You can't sit there. It's reserved."

	I turned to see who spoke to me and felt fear the moment I made eye
contact... and for good reason. He was a herculean teen (if he was even
allowed to be called one) who seemed to be the king of the bus. He had
broad shoulders, spiky black hair, and a belittling grin. Not to mention he
had others flocked around him, watching the scene before them like a movie
they'd been waiting ages for.

	I did my best not to visibly shake in front of them, but I could
feel myself failing. "I—I'm sorry. There's just no other seat
available."

	I could hear some giddy laughter rising amongst the crowd, and the
guy's leer narrowed further, his smirk grew wider.

	"Sure there is," he said. "There's a seat right over there."

	He pointed to a seat a few rows in front of him, and before I even
turned my eyes to look at it, I already feared a catch was waiting. My
fears were confirmed. The seat was torn all over, but that was picayune
compared to the dozens, maybe even hundreds, of pieces of gum plastered all
over the seat. I'd grazed over it on the way to my seat, but I'd
immediately deemed it a trash heap. `Surely no one would even think to sit
there,' I thought. How wrong I was.

       I turned back to look at him and he had an assuming look on his
face. "Look-ey here," he drawled, "it's waiting just for you. Come on, have
a seat."

	I avoided eye contact, averting my eyes to the ground. "I really
didn't mean to cause trouble... If I could just sit here, if only for
today—"

	"Sorry, but I'm afraid it's policy on this bus. Newbies don't get
to pick and choose. Now get up."

       I could tell that every word was like paradise to him, like he'd
been waiting for this moment for ages. The look on his face was amused, but
I could see the command in his eyes. I didn't have much of an option. I
slowly gathered my things and stood up. As I trudged towards the seat, the
kids on the bus all seemed to find enjoyment in my misery. It truly was a
cruel place, this school bus.

	When I reached the gum-infested seat, I looked to the group of
vultures, seeing if maybe this wasn't a joke and that they'd soon tell me
to relax and go back to my seat. But as I searched each of their faces, I
could tell that this wasn't the case.

	I felt water starting to pool in my eyes, and before I could think
any differently, I sat down; if only to hide the tears falling down my
cheeks. I hurriedly swiped at them in embarrassment. How dare I let those
jerks get to me? How dare I let them have their way? I could have fought. I
could have done something. I was spineless. I was such a goddamn coward.

	I could feel the gum pressed against my backside and on the back of
my shirt. In a total state of misery, I pulled my legs into my chest and
hid my face between my knees. They may have made me cry, but I'd rather be
dead than have them see do it.

	As the bus pulled out and I was just preparing to brave the trek to
school, it pulled to a stop once again. I heard the doors whoosh open, and
I heard footsteps pounding down the walkway. I looked up at this figure, in
anger to have this tortuous journey prolonged even longer. I hoped to shoot
as much anger as I could at whoever it could possibly be.

	I reeled back in shock (and into even more of the gum on the seats)
when I saw it was Ethan. He stopped as well, at first giving me a
questioning look, and then an expression that I perceived as... concern. He
opened his mouth to speak but shut it again just as quick. He turned his
eyes to the ground and kept walking. He was welcomed amongst the pack of
hyenas like it was a celebration. I didn't know what I was expecting. Of
course he'd be buddies with all of them. He was no different than they
were.

	I could hear their leader relaying my humiliation to Ethan, and I
felt my ears burning. I returned my head to my knees and did my best to
ignore them, and to keep my sobbing quiet.

-----

	When the bus finally stopped in front of the school, I was the
first to leave. With a sweater tied around my waist to hide the majority of
the gum, I shouldered my bag and pushed through all of the other kids. I
jumped off the bus and ran into the school. I tried avoiding as much people
as possible until I finally got to where I could finally be alone. I walked
into the abandoned classroom Mason had shown me and Aaron a few days ago,
and I finally let loose on the tears.

	I cried tears of embarrassment, of betrayal, of anger; I cried over
how I was always crying. I cried until my eyes stung and until the sound of
hiccupping was as frequent as my own breathing. I cried until I couldn't
physically produce enough water to cry anymore. And so I cried over that,
as well. Soon after, I was left a dry-crying, hiccupping mess.

	Just as I was preparing myself for another cry-fest, I felt my
phone vibrating. It was a text from Aaron.


where are you, class is about to start


	Before I could even comprehend the text, I wanted to vomit just
from the grammar itself. But after reading it again, I thought of telling
him what happened. I didn't know what to expect—I mean, I did know, kind
of, but I didn't want to ruin other people's day just because my own wasn't
going well. The last few days with Aaron have been nothing short of
amazing, and I didn't want to break that streak.

	But something inside me, way deep down in god knows where, was
telling me that it would be even worse not telling him what I was
feeling. It was like I was back to not trusting him all over again. And I'd
be damned if I were to let something like that get in the way of our
relationship again. (God, I still couldn't believe that we were in an
`official' relationship.)


I'm in the abandoned classroom. Please come. If you want to, that is.


	It wasn't even a full minute before I heard the door open and then
slam again, almost instantaneously. I looked up in shock at a wild-eyed
Aaron, who was coming straight towards me.

	"Hey, what's up? What's wrong? Are you... crying?"

       His breathing was just a little labored, and he had a bit of sweat
on his forehead. I didn't know why I was paying attention to those things
and not answering his question. He then placed his hand on my cheek, which
knocked me out of my stupor.

	"Oh, uh, yes. I was... crying. A while ago, I—" And before I
could finish, Aaron cut me off with a kiss. Holding my head with both of
his hands, he pressed his lips to mine, and immediately I felt at home.

	Also, I didn't know if cutting me off mid-sentence with kisses was
this reoccurring thing, but if it was, well... Who's complaining?

	We continued like that for a few minutes. He kissed me on the lips,
on the cheek, on my ears; all while caressing the back of my hair and then
trailing down my spine. I shivered whenever he did that, and so he did it
even more. His tongue slid alongside my own, seeming to trace the shape of
it. Our teeth clinked together as we got sloppier. I was lost in him. That
is, until I couldn't breathe any longer.

       I gently pulled myself off of him and tried to regain my breath. I
could see him looking at me with a glazed expression, and I could feel my
cheeks burning up at seeing him like this. The fact that I could affect him
just as much as he affected me was mind-boggling. And it also turned me on.

       His eyes trailed over my face, as if he were trying to memorize
every part of it all at once. I was about to hide myself in the sleeve of
my shirt when a voice of concern escaped his mouth.

       "Your eyes are puffy," he said, worry washing over his expression.

       "Yeah, I... had a bit of a rough morning."

       He looked down, ashamed. "I'm sorry. You have this problem, and all
I keep wanting to do is make out with you. I'm such a douchebag."

       I placed both hands on his face and turned his eyes to mine. "Hey,
now," I said, "You're anything but a... douchebag. It did make me feel
better. And I enjoy kissing you just as much, so..."

       The last part made me blush, and it was my turn to look down.

       "It's just—" He held my face in his hands. "Every time I see you,
it's like I want to be as close to you as physically possible. I can't get
enough."

       I laughed a little, embarrassed and wholly terrified and at a loss
for words at how to respond.

       He continued, "And it does make me selfish by wanting to have you to
myself, I know that. But... I can't help it."

	I just shook my head and pulled him into a hug, if only to hide my
face in his shoulder. I was blushing like crazy. We remained like that,
soaking up each other's scent, unmoving even when we heard the bell
ringing.

	Even after we both sort of eased out of each other's arms, we still
kept our hands locked together. He shifted a little to lean against the
wall, and I followed suit. We sat side by side, and I rested my head on his
shoulder. I could feel dust and chalk from the board behind us getting on
my clothes but, after this morning, I was just too far from caring.

	Aaron gently interrupted our calm silence. "Are you up to telling
me what happened this morning?"

	I kept my head on his shoulder as I nodded, and then began to
recount what happened.

	His reaction was as expected: rage at the idea of me being bullied;
helplessness at not being there; the need to kiss me multiple times
throughout my recounting (which I thoroughly did not mind at all). I was
relatively calm as I was telling him what happened, maybe because I'd
already cried my eyes out a while ago; but I like to believe that it was
because of Aaron's presence. (I was much too sentimental for my own good.)
When I'd finished, I looked at him to see if he was still paying attention,
since he'd been quiet towards the last bit of my rant.

	He had a look of concentration on his face, mixed in with a bunch
of other emotions I couldn't read. His eyes stared, bothered, towards the
floor. His eyebrows were furrowed and he was biting his lip. His grip on my
hand remained unyielding. I couldn't help myself; he looked so cute like
that. I leaned in, ducking awkwardly, and gave him a kiss. It seemed to
snap him out of his trance, and he turned to look at me.

	I gave him a smile. "Thank you for listening, and for even coming
here. You're the best."

	His expression softened. "Of course. I'd do anything for you."

	I reached towards him and used my fingers to relax the furrow in
his brow. "I know you're probably really angry, but I want you to promise
that you won't do anything, alright?"

	His eyes grew incredulous. "Wha— How can you expect me not to do
anything? After all that shit they put you through?"

	I sighed, as this was exactly how I feared he would react. "Please,
I just... I don't want to push this matter any further. If I keep letting
them get to me, they win."

	He looked so anxious. "I get that, but—"

	"And besides," I continued, "You said that you'd do anything for
me. So, please just do this one thing. I don't want any more trouble."

	He opened his mouth to speak, took another look at me, and then
sighed. "Jesus... Fine. But if they give you any more problems, it's open
season on their asses."

	I laughed and then playfully punched him in the arm. "Whatever you
say, Mr. Tough Boxer Guy."

	He pouted and proceeded to flex his arms. "Hey now, these muscles
are feared worldwide."

	"I bet," I grinned, and squeezed them with my own hands. They were
pretty impressive.

	"See?" he said, looking quite proud of himself.

	I tried to hide my smile. "Whatever. Anyways, we'd better get to
class." I got up and grabbed Aaron's hand to pull him up as well.

	"About that," he said, "I was wondering if... maybe we can just not
go."

	I looked at him quizzically. "Not go to Mrs. Higgins's class?"

	"Well, no... Like, not go to any class." He gave me an awkward
smile.

	I tried not to look so shocked, but I was probably failing
miserably. My inner scholar was aching. "You mean, like, skip school
altogether? I don't... really know about that. I mean, I've never really
done it before... Have you?"

	Looking a little embarrassed, he said, "A couple of times last
year... It wasn't too bad. I just said I got sick and went back home before
school started."

	"But we're already at school," I said quietly.

	"Yeah, I know," he sighed, "I was just thinking that maybe we could
sneak out and, you know, maybe go out on a... date." He said the last word
like a whisper.


	"A date?" I said, shocked and horrified all at once.

	His tanned cheeks were starting to burn. "Yeah, you know, since
everyone we know would be at school, no one would see us, and we could
actually... have some time to act like an actual couple and... You know
what? Never mind. I'm sorry for bringing it up, it was stupid—"

	"No!" I said sharply. I cleared my throat, trying to regain
composure. "Um, sorry, I mean... that sounds really nice."

	He looked at me in surprise. "Wait, really?"

	I nodded, still blushing at my thoughts of us escaping together; a
renegade couple eluding the strict rule of a sedimentary lifestyle in order
to be together.

	While in thought, I was pulled into yet another kiss, and this time
I wasted no time reciprocating. I kissed him back just as hard, if not
harder. I pushed my tongue into his mouth and wrestled his tongue with my
own. I traced over his gums, his teeth, his lips. I heard a guttural moan
escape his throat, which fueled me further.

       Remembering something from deep within my fantasies, I decided to
reenact it in real life. I retracted my tongue from his mouth, to which
Aaron tried to lean forward and keep it in his mouth. But I had other
plans. I leaned back into his lips and, instead of kissing them, began to
nibble and bite on them slowly. I tugged and pulled on his bottom lip with
my teeth, which Aaron must have really liked, because his moaning got even
louder.

	Some animalistic instinct began to take hold of me, and I began to
move from his lips to all over his face. I kissed and licked his cheek, and
then trailed to his ear. They were burning red at the tips. I ducked into
his left ear and traced my tongue around the edge, feeling the heat coming
off of his skin.

	"Holy shit, Riley," he groaned.

	Encouraged, and even a little proud that I was giving him this much
pleasure, I nipped at the lower lobe of his ear. With my hands wrapped
around his neck, I felt a shiver travel from up his spine to the base of
his neck. His eyes were closed and his mouth was drawn open just a little
bit, with labored breaths escaping his lips.

	He seemed to be getting even more worked up, because his hands were
soon trailing down my back and onto my butt. And it wasn't anything new; I
mean, he'd touched me there before. The real shock came when his hands
slipped beneath my jeans and under my briefs. He slid his hands down each
bare cheek, grabbing and squeezing.  Surprised, I ended up forgetting to
continue my kissing; and I instead remained still, trying to get used to
the feeling of someone grabbing me... there.

	Aaron noticed, of course. He didn't stop squeezing my butt as he
asked, "Is this alright?"

	My face was now pressed against his shoulder as I answered, "Mhm."

	Aaron gave my butt a final grope, eliciting a shriek from myself.

	He giggled and, using his fingers, guided my chin towards his
own. He kissed me once more and then said, "I'm sorry I got a little
carried away. It's just so damn hard keeping my hands off you."

	I looked to the ground, my whole body heating up. "It's fine, you
know... You're allowed to touch me..."

	Aaron's gentle expression turned into one of concern. "Do you want
me to touch you?"

	"What kind of a question is that?" I asked.

	"I'm just--" he sighed, "I'm just making sure I'm not like forcing
myself on you or anything."

	"Why would you think that you're forcing yourself onto me?" I
asked, my voice rising.

	His eyes widened at my change in tone. "W-well, um... It's just
that, you are like two years younger than I am, and—"

	"I am not a child!" I yelled, anger suddenly coursing through every
ounce of my body.

	Panic began to consume his demeanor. "O-of course you're not. I
know you're not. I'm just saying that I'm somewhat older and more
experienced, and I just want to make sure that I'm not rushing you into
things."

	"Well, I'm sorry I can't control my fucking age, alright?" I spat.

	"Wh-whoa, hey. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything by it."

       He pulled me into a hug and gently began to caress my hair. I
resisted at first but, after a minute, I began to cool down. Breathing more
calmly now, my anger started to subside. It was then that realization
dawned on me.

	"I'm so sorry," I said, still pressed against his shoulder.

	"It's fine," he replied, kissing me on the forehead. "I just didn't
know that it was such an issue for you."

	I sighed. "I guess it is... I don't know... it's like, whenever
people say that I'm too young to comprehend, or that it's too early for me
to know something, I feel like they think of me as an imbecile... Carter
does that a lot. He thinks I'm some little kid who still needs
protecting. I can handle things on my own, you know?"

	He nodded, sympathetically. "Sure, sure. I'm sorry that I get like
that, too. But it's not because I think you're not capable enough. It's
just that I don't want to see the one I love get hurt, okay?"

	My heart still seemed to skip a beat every time I heard him say the
word, `love.' This was no exception.

	I looked back up at him and, seeing the care and concern in his
eyes, pressed my lips once again against his. This kiss was softer than the
lustful ones a while ago, more grateful.

	"Thanks for putting up with me," I whispered.

	"Are you serious?" he asked me. "Every second with you is like the
happiest second I've ever lived."

	Feeling bashful at his words, I couldn't stop the playful grin
stretching across my face. "You sure do have a way with words,
Mr. Summers. Are you sure you're not trying to seduce me?"

	He began to laugh. "Seduce you? Please, I did that a long time
ago."

	"You asshole!" I shrieked, punching him in the arm.

	He laughed even harder. "Your recent use of curse words is quite
scandalous. Are you sure you're the same Riley I know?"

	I turned my head up indignantly. "I happen to enjoy them very much,
and believe them to be very sophisticated in their own ways. I do think
they conjure flair among the otherwise-dull redundancy of everyday
language."

	He rolled his eyes. "Whatever you say, potty mouth. Come on, let's
ditch this place. We have a date to go on."

	I smiled at him, grabbed his hand, and squeezed it. We both then
left the classroom and headed out to our very first official date.

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

HI, YAY I ACTUALLY GOT THROUGH IT. Wow, okay, that felt really good. And
I'm sorry this is relatively short-ish compared to the other chapters, but
I just got really excited that I finished. I'll try to make it up next
chapter! Damn, this feels so good :,)

Okay, yeah, I'm done celebrating now, lol. Anyways, yeah, please e-mail! If
you've emailed before, I want you to catch me up on your life! If you just
now found this story, well, introduce yourself!  Okay, yeah, I'm done now.
Bye! :)