Date: Sat, 4 Jan 2003 02:47:26 -0800 (PST)
From: afterglow <itsme_afterglow@yahoo.com>
Subject: stay chapter 4

Stay
Chapter 4
by afterglow

Disclaimer: This is not wonderland. This is serious stuff. So if you
feel that the tootsie fairy just whacked your butt in here, please
read something else. This contains love/sexual desires between teenagers.
Any similarities to certain persons are purely coincidental. And unless
this kind of material offends you're crude mind, I suggest you sit back,
relax and enjoy wonderland.

***
Oh, um if anybody out there who has suggestions how the story will turn
out, please e-mail me. My doors are always open. Anyway, the fourth chapter
is here.


***

	Oh, it's you again. Every time I open my eyes, I see you. It's like
you're my minee-me or something. Now get off me! Urgh! That's right, I have
to kick your scrawny little butt out of my bed. What's that? You don't have
a little butt? Yeah right. Oh jeez, now look at what you've done. It's six
in the morning and I'm already awake. Uhh, better get my ass working.

	No! You are not going to follow me in the showers. What are you, my
stalker or something? Just wait there, I'll be back in a sec.

	See. That wasn't so bad. What do you mean I look good? Hello? I mean
here, let's walk over to the mirror. Look. See that half-naked thin boy with
his hair all messed up? No, I don't smell good. You know, you're delirious.
Here come with me to the kitchen.

	"Morning grams," I said. I really like grandma. Although she's old
and stuff, she can be a lot cooler than other people in school. Like now,
she's reading that Harry Potter book which is odd because people of her age
just make pastries and stuff, or so what I thought. But she, well she likes
to try out new things. I guess she never had those when she was a child.

	"Well, someone's early today. I thought you had a party last night."
I went to the kitchen and drank some OJ.

	"It was just a school activity. Anyway, I guess you can't get yourself
out of that book."

	"Well, I'm not getting any younger, you know. I just like to enjoy
things before I die." Oh, grams. She always talks about her death. So I sat
down beside her in the dinner table and comforted her.

	"Grams, you've got to stop saying that, you know I won't leave you."
She then poured a tear on her eyes.

	"I'm sorry. I guess older people like me aren't supposed to be like
this. Okay, you're right, I guess I'm just tired that's all. But son, how
about you? How are you coping up with everything? I mean with your mother's
death." She sounded so concerned.

	"I'm fine grams. It just takes time but I'll get over it. So I guess
I'll be going now then. Bye."

	"Okay son but I'll be here when you need me."

	Yeah, I'm all right. It's just hard you know. But I'm getting used
to it. Now that I've mastered the art of keeping my emotions. I'll be just
fine.

	So what are you going to do, you ask? About what? Oh, Jed. I don't
know. I have no clue whatsoever on how to set him up with Pat. Because whenever
I think of him, I wanted it to be me and not her, you know? Urgh, here I go
again.

***

	Hey, where were you? God, I've been waiting for you here. Wait; let's
get under the table. Okay, now where safe. What do you mean you don't know
where we are? Where in the library, stupid. And don't look at me like that.
I think I'm being followed. Look, I'm not loosing my mind okay? See that
girl over there with the leather jacket? Yes, I know she's cute but... hello?
Hello? Are you even listening to me? Urgh!

	Okay, now she sees us. Get up quick! Okay, just walk over to that
next table and would you stop looking at her. Jeez! You're so obvious. Just
be quiet and look normal, okay?

	Here. Take a look. You don't know what's that? Do I have to explain
everything to you? Well, that's the yearbook and in it are some files of
Jed. Jed Peters. You know, my 'assignment' for Pat. Yeah, I know he looks
cute. And just look at his smile, uhhhh. Makes you feel in lov... blah!
Okay, so where were we? Oh yeah see this file, well it looks like he's a
retired jock. Says here that he had severe 'injuries', hmmm. Wonder what
that could mean. Anyway I'll look at these at home. Hello? There you go
again, staring at that stranger. Sometimes I wonder if you're really gay,
straight or just bi. What you're not attracted to her? Yeah right. Save it
for the court man. Come on let's go.

	"Ugh!" Well my so-called stalker bumps me, sending all my stuff up
like wedding confetti.

	"Oh, I'm so sorry." The girl said. "I was just um... uhhhh... um..."

	"Bumping me?" I said

	"Bumping you. No! I um, don't mean to bump you if that's what you
mean. But well, I just bumped you and that's what I did and..." Okay, this
girl is going to be shot any moment now.

	"And you're sorry."

	"Um, yes! I'm so sorry. Shit! It's just that... um... uh... I'm Trish.
Trish Payne." Huh?

	"So are you the one following me?" Well I just have to know, okay.
And yes, I heard her name. No, it does not sound erotic! Would you stop your
hormones for just a sec?

	"Me? No, yes, I mean no," Well, that does it. She has a multiple split
personality. Happy now? So I just picked all my things up and hers as well.

	I handed her things to her and said, "Here. I guess we'll see each
other around. Bye." Look, I hate to leave her like this but I've got another
class to go.

	"Wait. Um, can I just know your name?"

	I smiled at her and said, "Edo." And with that I heard her sigh.

***

	Do you know how eccentric this day is? I mean have you noticed the
odd glances I've been getting from people. They either want to say hi to me
or like they want my number. Hmmm. I think it was that performance I gave
yesterday. Jeez! They thought I was popular because I was with Jed! Just
like what Pat thought. One day you're the idiotic loser then next you're
up on the popular stage. Okay, so I'm not that popular and I don't believe
in those kinds of people. But hey, it's a change in my life. And changes
are good right?

	So anyway here I am in class with my favorite teacher. Ms. Jane.
She's black and short but her teaching styles are so different. She always
makes me feel special, like I'm her only student.

	"Hi class.... Whats up?" But her tendencies to be 'cool' are somewhat,
I don't know, lame.

	The class went on and on. I was just taking notes when something just
came to me. Hmmm, it's a card. And there's my name written on the cover. So I
opened the card and was stunned.

	There wasn't anything inside. But what shocked me was the familiar sound
that was coming from the card. My mind kept playing those tunes... hmmm...
"Your body is a wonderland. Your body is a wonderland (I'll use my hands)". Huh?
It's John Mayer. Geez, I think somebody's got it bad for me. So I looked
around trying to figure out some familiar faces. There's Pat Morkins.
Jarod. Jed. And um, oh. Oh! I guess that solves it. There at the far corner
is Trish Pain, I mean Payne, smiling broadly at me.

	"Edo. Would you like to turn that off? It's bothering the whole
class." I tuned around and I saw my favorite teacher looking pretty pissed.
"I was calling you three times."

	Well, she knows she can't get mad at me for that. So I just smiled
at her and closed the damn card.

	"Well, so as I was saying... we'll have a different project.
As you may well know, we have been discussing about the English love
poetry. Yes, the Shakespeare's and Romeo's and Juliet's."

	"Oh, I want to be Juliet," a girl with golden hair raised her hand.

	"That's what I'm about to say Mary. For the recent years we have
been staging Romeo and Juliet. But now it's going to be different because
there are no more scripts and plays. All of you are going to be you're
own leading actors and actresses. Now, tell me people what's the hardest
thing in the world?"

	"Diamond."

	"Metal."

	"Penile enlargement."

	"No, Trevor were talking about 'How do you say to a person you love
him/her?"

	"That's easy. You just kiss her and boom! She's off to heaven."

	"Trevor," Ms. Jane smiled, "Do you all know that in the early days
people weren't allowed to express their feelings. They just get married."

	"And have sex."

	"Yes, and have sex. But my point is that they where missing a lot in
their life. The excitement, the blood rush, the inevitable feeling of bliss,
and the words 'I love you'. Now people, it's just up to you how to perform it.
Anything goes. If you want to sing, dance or recite a poem, you could. It
would be held in the auditorium so practice well, okay? And um, before I forget,
it's by pairs so go find your partner."

	See why I love her. She's radical, not some crappy teachers I know.
Well now my only problem is getting a partner. I'm always being the one left
out. I guess that's the thing about being loners.

	I looked around and Jed was raising his hand, "Um, Ms. Jane? I don't
have any partner..."

	"Oh, so anyone else who doesn't have any partners yet?" Ms. Jane
inquired.

	From the corner of my eye I saw Pat Morkins lighten up, "Oh, I don't
have one."

	"But honey, where together?" Hah! Look at the poor Jarod.

	"Pat you're with Jarod," Pat just made a loud grunt, "So anyone
else?" Oh no. No! She's looking at me; she's looking at me. "Edo?" And I
looked up to her, "You're with Jed." And she scores!

	I then faced Jed who was now blushing deeply. Wow, he sure can blush.
It just makes him cuter. Cuter? Is there such a word? And, he's looking at
me. now it's my turn to blush. Jeez! What's happening to me?

	Then the bell rang. I packed my things and left the room and suddenly
HE joined me.

	"So... umm, how come you ditch me yesterday?" Oh.... oh is he
saying something? It's just that I like listening to his deep voice. Gosh!
I'm so falling in... an airplane.

	"Huh?"

	"How come you left last night?" He then whispered to me. God! That
same hot breathe. That soothing voice. That Jed. I'm going to blow in the
corridors!

	"I... uh..." God! Get a grip Edo! Frankly, I don't know what
he's talking about. I just see his lips go up and down but I really
can't figure out the words. Jeez! Why is this so hard for me? "So...
um... project... place... me... meet." What?! What did I just say?!

	"Relax Edo," And then he put his hands on my shoulders. Okay
somebody get an ambulance here! Somebody's burning! Suddenly I began
to sweat. And all things seem dark. No, Edo. You're not going to faint.
No! I'm doing this! "We'll meet at my place for the project."

	And then I left. The second time around.

***

	"See here? It says that he's a jock once." I said to Pat.

	"So?"

	Were now here in the cafeteria, in case you got lost again. Now
just keep quiet okay? I'm discussing business.

	"Well, you're into sports right?" I said.

	"Nope. I just date jocks I don't talk with them. You know how
dumb they are."

	"Ooookay, so um here are some info you might have use for," I handed
her the files.

	"Well, let's see. But there's only one page where there's picture
on it!" Urgh! This girl is hopeless.

	"I'll just call you, okay?"

	"Okay. Oh, and by the way..." she said.

	"Hi sweets." Jarod suddenly appeared and sat beside her.

	"Here's my part of the bargain..." she whispered to me and then
left.

	"Hey! Where are you going?" Jarod yelled. Sometimes I almost feel
sorry for him. "And what's this loser doing with you?" And sometimes I
just imagine myself throwing a whole bucket of water on his face...

	And there was silence in the air. No, not your usual silence like
after a war or something. It's more of a cold war and something. Something
to do with charging up my weapon systems. No, wait. Just a bit more.
A bit more. And.... go!

	"I'm leaving," I said.

	"Well it seems that's the only thing you're good at," Jarod fired.

	"Yeah... I... I guess you're right." Look, I've change plans. It's not
worth fighting anymore. What do you mean I'm losing the battle? No, okay? I'm
just... I just don't want to fight him.

	"Oh, that's right! I forgot. You don't like fights. Because you're
afraid. Because you don't want to stand for your pathetic little self. Because
you're a coward."

	I just smiled at him. Then I let a single tear run through my eyes
and left there.

	"But you know what Edo, the worst thing is not that you left, but
that you came back." His words pinned me like little needles through my heart.
That's it, just cry Edo. Don't let the world see. Your pain.

***

	"Um, Is Edo there?"

	"Edo, it's for you!" grams yelled.

	Oh God! I almost forgot. Jed! I quickly looked at the mirror and
fixed myself and all the stuff in my room. Then, with all my speed, I dashed
through the front door and greeted him.

	"Um... I thought you'd never come. I forgot to tell you where I live."

	"That's okay. Your friend told me." Friend? Gee, I don't remember
having an abundant supply of that.

	"Friend?"

	"Yeah. Trish Payne. She said you and her are pretty close." Huh?
Now this is creepy.

	"Let's just not talk about her.... So let's go to my room."

	Okay, so I admit. My room isn't you're actual palace type but hey,
I clean it every freakin' day. Besides, seeing the rooms of teens nowadays,
I should deserve an award.

	"Wow. This place is great. Pretty cozy." he then sat down to my bed.
Did you see that ass? Did you? "Um, so what do we do now?" Jed said,
breaking my reverie.

	"Oh... well let's see. Ms. Jane wants us to have like a performance
about love so I guess..." Look, this kind of assignment is really hard for
me. Considering my track record.

	"It's about..." well, somebody's delighted. Did you see those dark
green eyes? Uh... In my mind I snapped mental pictures of him just lying in
the bed. God did you ever see anything more beautiful? And then I stopped.
He just finished his last sentence and I knew he was asking me something.
Am I blushing?

	"You know, you're so cute when you blush." Okay, that sent my
cheeks way red.

	"What... what were you asking me?" I planned to change the topic.

	"Oh, yeah so um. I was wondering if we could just have something
to start with. Like a source of idea or something."

	"You mean watch a movie?"

	"Yeah, that would be perfect."

	"Well, I don't have much romantic movies here. Oh but wait. Grams. She
likes to watch those flicks."

	And then I practically ran through the hallway and borrowed all her
tapes.

	"Here. Sleepless in Seattle. While you were sleeping. Sleepwalkers."
I looked at Jed and we both smiled. Wow, I'm really enjoying his company.

	"How about this? The... um, wedding planner," he said while raising
the tape.

	And the moment he raised that thing, I remembered Pat. Shit. Just as
I was beginning to like this guy, Pat comes and steals him. Urgh! I have got
to remind myself, this is just work. Just pure work.

	"Hello? Earth to cute fellow," Huh? Did he just say I'm cute? Urgh!

	"Um, yeah that would be great."

	And for the past few hours we were just watching movies. Jed really
has some talent in commending these flicks. I mean he just adores old mushy
stuff. And every time when the man is about to say 'I love you' to his girl,
he squeezes my pillow so tight and then buries his face on it. Mental note:
don't ever clean that pillow again. Urgh!

	Grams bought us some popcorn and well; let's just say we overdid it
with that one. See, he cracked up this really lame joke and I put all my
popcorn on his head. Okay, not nice to do but well it ended up in a popcorn
fight which well lead to another thing. I was so angry with him that I threw
popcorn at him like bullets. But that guy just erotically opened his mouth
and caught all the popcorn. And boy, was I tuned on! Urgh!

	But yeah, we had some serious moments in which I took time to write
some notes.

	"What are you writing?"

	"Oh, some stuff. You know the lines before they say ILY." I said.

	"Edo, it's not the lines that makes those moments different. It's
the feeling." Huh?

	"How come you're suddenly the expert on all this?"

	"Well, I really like romantic movies you know." Hmmm. Time to push
the buttons.

	"So what else do you like? Favorite color?"

	"Red? You?"

	"Blue. Favorite TV program?"

	"Survivor."

	"What? You like that thing?"

	"Well, it keeps the blood pumping. How about you?"

	"Don't laugh okay? Sesame Street." There he laughed.

	"Sorry, I just can't contain myself. How about favorite song?"

	"Iris," we both said in unison. Ha! We both cracked at that one.

	"So do you have any girlfriend yet?" Okay, where did that come from?

	"Uh... no," Okay why is he fidgeting his hands?

	"Why? I mean you're cute... and popular. And..." Jeez he's blushing
already.

	"Well, I really can't find the one," There. I picture Pat sticking
her big white ass on Jed. Urgh! "Well, not until now." HUH?

	"What do you mean by that?" I said in a hurry.

	"Nothing. So, um... I guess it's late and well... I have to... um,
leave. Yeah that's right, leave."

	"Is everything all right?" I said worriedly as he then picks up his
jacket.

	"Yeah. It's just late and all." So I followed him downstairs and
through the door. Grams was sleeping again on the couch

	"So, I guess this is it." I said. And suddenly something familiar
comes into my mind.

	"Yeah, I'll keep in touch, okay?"

	"Sure."

	"Look Edo, you know how people spend their time with a person that
he feels like he knows him forever and he just can't say what he truly
feels and like..." So familiar.

	"Jed, what is it?"

	"All my life I've been finding the person to tell this..." He then
looked at me straight in the eyes, "I... love... y..."

	Then he just hugged me for a moment. And without knowing, he suddenly
kissed me in the cheek and left.

	There. With the door wide opened. My seventeen-year-old body stands
like everything else in my surrounding. I felt my heart beat once more. I felt
tears coming into me. Because I knew, I knew it was coming.

	Because I knew that that same words Jed said was those words I used
when I left Jarod.

***
Okay people. I guess this would be a little clincher for you. And no, I'm not
going to give clues okay? Just compare the lines in chapter one with this and
maybe you'll figure it out. So anyway, how am I going so far? Am I doing well
or is my grammar just that bad. And tell me what will happen next, I need
ideas people! Tell me what you think at itsme_afterglow@yahoo.com.
Stay cool guys!

*afterglow*
Stay
Chapter 4
by afterglow

Disclaimer: This is not wonderland. This is serious stuff. So if you
feel that the tootsie fairy just whacked your butt in here, please
read something else. This contains love/sexual desires between teenagers.
Any similarities to certain persons are purely coincidental. And unless
this kind of material offends you're crude mind, I suggest you sit back,
relax and enjoy wonderland.

***
Oh, um if anybody out there who has suggestions how the story will turn
out, please e-mail me. My doors are always open. Anyway, the fourth chapter
is here.


***

	Oh, it's you again. Every time I open my eyes, I see you. It's like
you're my minee-me or something. Now get off me! Urgh! That's right, I have
to kick your scrawny little butt out of my bed. What's that? You don't have
a little butt? Yeah right. Oh jeez, now look at what you've done. It's six
in the morning and I'm already awake. Uhh, better get my ass working.

	No! You are not going to follow me in the showers. What are you, my
stalker or something? Just wait there, I'll be back in a sec.

	See. That wasn't so bad. What do you mean I look good? Hello? I mean
here, let's walk over to the mirror. Look. See that half-naked thin boy with
his hair all messed up? No, I don't smell good. You know, you're delirious.
Here come with me to the kitchen.

	"Morning grams," I said. I really like grandma. Although she's old
and stuff, she can be a lot cooler than other people in school. Like now,
she's reading that Harry Potter book which is odd because people of her age
just make pastries and stuff, or so what I thought. But she, well she likes
to try out new things. I guess she never had those when she was a child.

	"Well, someone's early today. I thought you had a party last night."
I went to the kitchen and drank some OJ.

	"It was just a school activity. Anyway, I guess you can't get yourself
out of that book."

	"Well, I'm not getting any younger, you know. I just like to enjoy
things before I die." Oh, grams. She always talks about her death. So I sat
down beside her in the dinner table and comforted her.

	"Grams, you've got to stop saying that, you know I won't leave you."
She then poured a tear on her eyes.

	"I'm sorry. I guess older people like me aren't supposed to be like
this. Okay, you're right, I guess I'm just tired that's all. But son, how
about you? How are you coping up with everything? I mean with your mother's
death." She sounded so concerned.

	"I'm fine grams. It just takes time but I'll get over it. So I guess
I'll be going now then. Bye."

	"Okay son but I'll be here when you need me."

	Yeah, I'm all right. It's just hard you know. But I'm getting used
to it. Now that I've mastered the art of keeping my emotions. I'll be just
fine.

	So what are you going to do, you ask? About what? Oh, Jed. I don't
know. I have no clue whatsoever on how to set him up with Pat. Because whenever
I think of him, I wanted it to be me and not her, you know? Urgh, here I go
again.

***

	Hey, where were you? God, I've been waiting for you here. Wait; let's
get under the table. Okay, now where safe. What do you mean you don't know
where we are? Where in the library, stupid. And don't look at me like that.
I think I'm being followed. Look, I'm not loosing my mind okay? See that
girl over there with the leather jacket? Yes, I know she's cute but... hello?
Hello? Are you even listening to me? Urgh!

	Okay, now she sees us. Get up quick! Okay, just walk over to that
next table and would you stop looking at her. Jeez! You're so obvious. Just
be quiet and look normal, okay?

	Here. Take a look. You don't know what's that? Do I have to explain
everything to you? Well, that's the yearbook and in it are some files of
Jed. Jed Peters. You know, my 'assignment' for Pat. Yeah, I know he looks
cute. And just look at his smile, uhhhh. Makes you feel in lov... blah!
Okay, so where were we? Oh yeah see this file, well it looks like he's a
retired jock. Says here that he had severe 'injuries', hmmm. Wonder what
that could mean. Anyway I'll look at these at home. Hello? There you go
again, staring at that stranger. Sometimes I wonder if you're really gay,
straight or just bi. What you're not attracted to her? Yeah right. Save it
for the court man. Come on let's go.

	"Ugh!" Well my so-called stalker bumps me, sending all my stuff up
like wedding confetti.

	"Oh, I'm so sorry." The girl said. "I was just um... uhhhh... um..."

	"Bumping me?" I said

	"Bumping you. No! I um, don't mean to bump you if that's what you
mean. But well, I just bumped you and that's what I did and..." Okay, this
girl is going to be shot any moment now.

	"And you're sorry."

	"Um, yes! I'm so sorry. Shit! It's just that... um... uh... I'm Trish.
Trish Payne." Huh?

	"So are you the one following me?" Well I just have to know, okay.
And yes, I heard her name. No, it does not sound erotic! Would you stop your
hormones for just a sec?

	"Me? No, yes, I mean no," Well, that does it. She has a multiple split
personality. Happy now? So I just picked all my things up and hers as well.

	I handed her things to her and said, "Here. I guess we'll see each
other around. Bye." Look, I hate to leave her like this but I've got another
class to go.

	"Wait. Um, can I just know your name?"

	I smiled at her and said, "Edo." And with that I heard her sigh.

***

	Do you know how eccentric this day is? I mean have you noticed the
odd glances I've been getting from people. They either want to say hi to me
or like they want my number. Hmmm. I think it was that performance I gave
yesterday. Jeez! They thought I was popular because I was with Jed! Just
like what Pat thought. One day you're the idiotic loser then next you're
up on the popular stage. Okay, so I'm not that popular and I don't believe
in those kinds of people. But hey, it's a change in my life. And changes
are good right?

	So anyway here I am in class with my favorite teacher. Ms. Jane.
She's black and short but her teaching styles are so different. She always
makes me feel special, like I'm her only student.

	"Hi class.... Whats up?" But her tendencies to be 'cool' are somewhat,
I don't know, lame.

	The class went on and on. I was just taking notes when something just
came to me. Hmmm, it's a card. And there's my name written on the cover. So I
opened the card and was stunned.

	There wasn't anything inside. But what shocked me was the familiar sound
that was coming from the card. My mind kept playing those tunes... hmmm...
"Your body is a wonderland. Your body is a wonderland (I'll use my hands)". Huh?
It's John Mayer. Geez, I think somebody's got it bad for me. So I looked
around trying to figure out some familiar faces. There's Pat Morkins.
Jarod. Jed. And um, oh. Oh! I guess that solves it. There at the far corner
is Trish Pain, I mean Payne, smiling broadly at me.

	"Edo. Would you like to turn that off? It's bothering the whole
class." I tuned around and I saw my favorite teacher looking pretty pissed.
"I was calling you three times."

	Well, she knows she can't get mad at me for that. So I just smiled
at her and closed the damn card.

	"Well, so as I was saying... we'll have a different project.
As you may well know, we have been discussing about the English love
poetry. Yes, the Shakespeare's and Romeo's and Juliet's."

	"Oh, I want to be Juliet," a girl with golden hair raised her hand.

	"That's what I'm about to say Mary. For the recent years we have
been staging Romeo and Juliet. But now it's going to be different because
there are no more scripts and plays. All of you are going to be you're
own leading actors and actresses. Now, tell me people what's the hardest
thing in the world?"

	"Diamond."

	"Metal."

	"Penile enlargement."

	"No, Trevor were talking about 'How do you say to a person you love
him/her?"

	"That's easy. You just kiss her and boom! She's off to heaven."

	"Trevor," Ms. Jane smiled, "Do you all know that in the early days
people weren't allowed to express their feelings. They just get married."

	"And have sex."

	"Yes, and have sex. But my point is that they where missing a lot in
their life. The excitement, the blood rush, the inevitable feeling of bliss,
and the words 'I love you'. Now people, it's just up to you how to perform it.
Anything goes. If you want to sing, dance or recite a poem, you could. It
would be held in the auditorium so practice well, okay? And um, before I forget,
it's by pairs so go find your partner."

	See why I love her. She's radical, not some crappy teachers I know.
Well now my only problem is getting a partner. I'm always being the one left
out. I guess that's the thing about being loners.

	I looked around and Jed was raising his hand, "Um, Ms. Jane? I don't
have any partner..."

	"Oh, so anyone else who doesn't have any partners yet?" Ms. Jane
inquired.

	From the corner of my eye I saw Pat Morkins lighten up, "Oh, I don't
have one."

	"But honey, where together?" Hah! Look at the poor Jarod.

	"Pat you're with Jarod," Pat just made a loud grunt, "So anyone
else?" Oh no. No! She's looking at me; she's looking at me. "Edo?" And I
looked up to her, "You're with Jed." And she scores!

	I then faced Jed who was now blushing deeply. Wow, he sure can blush.
It just makes him cuter. Cuter? Is there such a word? And, he's looking at
me. now it's my turn to blush. Jeez! What's happening to me?

	Then the bell rang. I packed my things and left the room and suddenly
HE joined me.

	"So... umm, how come you ditch me yesterday?" Oh.... oh is he
saying something? It's just that I like listening to his deep voice. Gosh!
I'm so falling in... an airplane.

	"Huh?"

	"How come you left last night?" He then whispered to me. God! That
same hot breathe. That soothing voice. That Jed. I'm going to blow in the
corridors!

	"I... uh..." God! Get a grip Edo! Frankly, I don't know what
he's talking about. I just see his lips go up and down but I really
can't figure out the words. Jeez! Why is this so hard for me? "So...
um... project... place... me... meet." What?! What did I just say?!

	"Relax Edo," And then he put his hands on my shoulders. Okay
somebody get an ambulance here! Somebody's burning! Suddenly I began
to sweat. And all things seem dark. No, Edo. You're not going to faint.
No! I'm doing this! "We'll meet at my place for the project."

	And then I left. The second time around.

***

	"See here? It says that he's a jock once." I said to Pat.

	"So?"

	Were now here in the cafeteria, in case you got lost again. Now
just keep quiet okay? I'm discussing business.

	"Well, you're into sports right?" I said.

	"Nope. I just date jocks I don't talk with them. You know how
dumb they are."

	"Ooookay, so um here are some info you might have use for," I handed
her the files.

	"Well, let's see. But there's only one page where there's picture
on it!" Urgh! This girl is hopeless.

	"I'll just call you, okay?"

	"Okay. Oh, and by the way..." she said.

	"Hi sweets." Jarod suddenly appeared and sat beside her.

	"Here's my part of the bargain..." she whispered to me and then
left.

	"Hey! Where are you going?" Jarod yelled. Sometimes I almost feel
sorry for him. "And what's this loser doing with you?" And sometimes I
just imagine myself throwing a whole bucket of water on his face...

	And there was silence in the air. No, not your usual silence like
after a war or something. It's more of a cold war and something. Something
to do with charging up my weapon systems. No, wait. Just a bit more.
A bit more. And.... go!

	"I'm leaving," I said.

	"Well it seems that's the only thing you're good at," Jarod fired.

	"Yeah... I... I guess you're right." Look, I've change plans. It's not
worth fighting anymore. What do you mean I'm losing the battle? No, okay? I'm
just... I just don't want to fight him.

	"Oh, that's right! I forgot. You don't like fights. Because you're
afraid. Because you don't want to stand for your pathetic little self. Because
you're a coward."

	I just smiled at him. Then I let a single tear run through my eyes
and left there.

	"But you know what Edo, the worst thing is not that you left, but
that you came back." His words pinned me like little needles through my heart.
That's it, just cry Edo. Don't let the world see. Your pain.

***

	"Um, Is Edo there?"

	"Edo, it's for you!" grams yelled.

	Oh God! I almost forgot. Jed! I quickly looked at the mirror and
fixed myself and all the stuff in my room. Then, with all my speed, I dashed
through the front door and greeted him.

	"Um... I thought you'd never come. I forgot to tell you where I live."

	"That's okay. Your friend told me." Friend? Gee, I don't remember
having an abundant supply of that.

	"Friend?"

	"Yeah. Trish Payne. She said you and her are pretty close." Huh?
Now this is creepy.

	"Let's just not talk about her.... So let's go to my room."

	Okay, so I admit. My room isn't you're actual palace type but hey,
I clean it every freakin' day. Besides, seeing the rooms of teens nowadays,
I should deserve an award.

	"Wow. This place is great. Pretty cozy." he then sat down to my bed.
Did you see that ass? Did you? "Um, so what do we do now?" Jed said,
breaking my reverie.

	"Oh... well let's see. Ms. Jane wants us to have like a performance
about love so I guess..." Look, this kind of assignment is really hard for
me. Considering my track record.

	"It's about..." well, somebody's delighted. Did you see those dark
green eyes? Uh... In my mind I snapped mental pictures of him just lying in
the bed. God did you ever see anything more beautiful? And then I stopped.
He just finished his last sentence and I knew he was asking me something.
Am I blushing?

	"You know, you're so cute when you blush." Okay, that sent my
cheeks way red.

	"What... what were you asking me?" I planned to change the topic.

	"Oh, yeah so um. I was wondering if we could just have something
to start with. Like a source of idea or something."

	"You mean watch a movie?"

	"Yeah, that would be perfect."

	"Well, I don't have much romantic movies here. Oh but wait. Grams. She
likes to watch those flicks."

	And then I practically ran through the hallway and borrowed all her
tapes.

	"Here. Sleepless in Seattle. While you were sleeping. Sleepwalkers."
I looked at Jed and we both smiled. Wow, I'm really enjoying his company.

	"How about this? The... um, wedding planner," he said while raising
the tape.

	And the moment he raised that thing, I remembered Pat. Shit. Just as
I was beginning to like this guy, Pat comes and steals him. Urgh! I have got
to remind myself, this is just work. Just pure work.

	"Hello? Earth to cute fellow," Huh? Did he just say I'm cute? Urgh!

	"Um, yeah that would be great."

	And for the past few hours we were just watching movies. Jed really
has some talent in commending these flicks. I mean he just adores old mushy
stuff. And every time when the man is about to say 'I love you' to his girl,
he squeezes my pillow so tight and then buries his face on it. Mental note:
don't ever clean that pillow again. Urgh!

	Grams bought us some popcorn and well; let's just say we overdid it
with that one. See, he cracked up this really lame joke and I put all my
popcorn on his head. Okay, not nice to do but well it ended up in a popcorn
fight which well lead to another thing. I was so angry with him that I threw
popcorn at him like bullets. But that guy just erotically opened his mouth
and caught all the popcorn. And boy, was I tuned on! Urgh!

	But yeah, we had some serious moments in which I took time to write
some notes.

	"What are you writing?"

	"Oh, some stuff. You know the lines before they say ILY." I said.

	"Edo, it's not the lines that makes those moments different. It's
the feeling." Huh?

	"How come you're suddenly the expert on all this?"

	"Well, I really like romantic movies you know." Hmmm. Time to push
the buttons.

	"So what else do you like? Favorite color?"

	"Red? You?"

	"Blue. Favorite TV program?"

	"Survivor."

	"What? You like that thing?"

	"Well, it keeps the blood pumping. How about you?"

	"Don't laugh okay? Sesame Street." There he laughed.

	"Sorry, I just can't contain myself. How about favorite song?"

	"Iris," we both said in unison. Ha! We both cracked at that one.

	"So do you have any girlfriend yet?" Okay, where did that come from?

	"Uh... no," Okay why is he fidgeting his hands?

	"Why? I mean you're cute... and popular. And..." Jeez he's blushing
already.

	"Well, I really can't find the one," There. I picture Pat sticking
her big white ass on Jed. Urgh! "Well, not until now." HUH?

	"What do you mean by that?" I said in a hurry.

	"Nothing. So, um... I guess it's late and well... I have to... um,
leave. Yeah that's right, leave."

	"Is everything all right?" I said worriedly as he then picks up his
jacket.

	"Yeah. It's just late and all." So I followed him downstairs and
through the door. Grams was sleeping again on the couch

	"So, I guess this is it." I said. And suddenly something familiar
comes into my mind.

	"Yeah, I'll keep in touch, okay?"

	"Sure."

	"Look Edo, you know how people spend their time with a person that
he feels like he knows him forever and he just can't say what he truly
feels and like..." So familiar.

	"Jed, what is it?"

	"All my life I've been finding the person to tell this..." He then
looked at me straight in the eyes, "I... love... y..."

	Then he just hugged me for a moment. And without knowing, he suddenly
kissed me in the cheek and left.

	There. With the door wide opened. My seventeen-year-old body stands
like everything else in my surrounding. I felt my heart beat once more. I felt
tears coming into me. Because I knew, I knew it was coming.

	Because I knew that that same words Jed said was those words I used
when I left Jarod.

***
Okay people. I guess this would be a little clincher for you. And no, I'm not
going to give clues okay? Just compare the lines in chapter one with this and
maybe you'll figure it out. So anyway, how am I going so far? Am I doing well
or is my grammar just that bad. And tell me what will happen next, I need
ideas people! Tell me what you think at itsme_afterglow@yahoo.com.
Stay cool guys!

*afterglow*