Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 07:51:18 -0800 (PST)
From: afterglow <itsme_afterglow@yahoo.com>
Subject: stay chapter 5

Stay
Chapter 5
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.

***
I'm so sorry guys! I've been so busy lately that I completely forgot about
this. Urgh! Anyways, I hope this chapter is a consolation. So people here
it is, Stay chapter 5.
***

	Oh there you are. Look, I'm not really in a talking mood so can we
just cool it off? What? What did you say? What do you mean there's something
strange about me? Who's smiling? I'm not smiling. Okay, okay. Maybe I am.
Happy now? I can't stop smiling every time he's near. You know, HE. Jed!

	Oh don't you go mushy on me. I mean the guy is for Pat plus he's
super straight. And well, what are the chances that he would like me, huh?
See what I mean. But even though I have all of these in mind, I can't stop
thinking about Jed. And damn! I can't stop smiling.

	"And that's it for today. Don't forget your reports on Monday," Ms.
Jane dismissed the class and then called my attention, "Edo, I want to
talk to you." I walked calmly to her desk while she motions me to sit down.

	"So whiz up?" Ms. Jane asked.

	"What do you mean?" I answered back.

	"So do you have any problems, depressions, or something that you
could talk to me about?"

	"What makes you say that?"

	"Well, you've been awfully quiet the whole period. It seems like
you're in deep reverie."

	"Um... I was just thinking.... about the lesson."

	"Really, so how come you never wrote down anything since you came
here in the classroom. You just sit there at the back and stare at the
window. Look, I know this is not my business but I've known you for a
long time Edo that I'm aware when you're lying. So, who is it? Because
if that smile shows anything, its either you got laid or have a crush on
someone."

	"Um... I... I... didn't get laid," I answered shyly. And just
like that, her face turned into a wide grin.

	"So who's the lucky girl?" Oh no.

	"Um.. Umm... it's not really..." Oh jeez! Let there be a miracle.
Let there be a miracle! And then I paused too long. And you know what
that means? No? Well, I think she knows already cause her grin gets bigger
and bigger by the minute. That means I'm dead.

	"Oh, its Trish right?" Bam! And the gates of heaven opened.

	"Yeah... it's Trish," I said a little unsure.

	"Well, I guess I was right after all. She gave you that card
right? And those long stares, like you're a hot chocolate fudge or
something."

	"I'm glad you're enjoying this," I said to her flatly.

	"Oh, Edo don't you worry. Trish already likes you. Along with
half of the girls in school who saw your concert at the club activity."

	"So you think I'm hot?" I teased her.

	"No. Frankly, I don't. You're just cute. Like Kermit the frog.
Anyway, I still have a meeting to go to. So let's just continue this
some other time. Shall we?"

	"Sure," Thank God. So, I just hugged her then and whispered thank
you.

 	"By the way, I think your friend outside is waiting for you," I
turned around and saw Jed on the door, "So, is he your boyfriend?"

	I went red all the way. How? How did she?

	"Just teasing," she smiled.

***

	"Oh.. hi Jed," he then turned to me. Urgh! Why can't he stop
being beautiful for just a sec?

	"Oh, hi Edo." he said.

	"What are you doing here?"

	"Well... I just thought... um, about last night..." it looks
like he's having hard time; I guess I just have to take the lead.

	"What about last night?" I asked

	"Uhh... I know what you're thinking... and..." I cut him off

	"Look, Jed. Nothing happened last night. We were just doing
some work."

	"But... about the kiss... I'm so sorry..."

	I just smiled understandingly at him and said, "There's nothing
to be sorry about. It was a friendly kiss and we're friends right?"

	"Absolutely," he grinned. And then he added, "But I wish we
could be more than friends."

	What!? Did he just say what I think he said? "What do you mean?"

	"Um... I..." I think he's getting all red now, "You know... um,
not only friends... but as... best friends. Right, best friends. Cause I
really don't have much friends right now."

	"Yeah right. You? I mean for real you are one of the hottest guys
in school," errr.. That didn't sound right, "I mean what about the girls
that flank at you. And what about Jarod? Isn't he you're best friend or
something?"

	"We don't talk much anymore. He's so in love with Pat that I
think he forgot to give time to me. And the girls? Well, let's just say
they all want to get into my pants instead of talking about some kiddy
programs."

	"Well, I happen to like Sesame Street allot, okay? I spent my
childhood figuring out if Big Bird's a boy or a girl."

	He laughed. I like his laugh. Jeez! There's so much to like about
this guy. Can anyone be so perfect?

	"So um are you taking the bus? Cause if you want, we could take
my car," Like I said, perfect.

	"Sure. Um... And by the way, I'm Edo. Jed's best friend." I said,
as he's smile grew bigger.

	So we walked along together in the hallways. We never said anything
much to each other. I guess he was enjoying the silence as well as I do.
Then suddenly I felt his hand brush against mine. God, his hands are so
soft! No, it wasn't me okay? And I don't know if he noticed it. So I
just looked at him by the side and found out that he was staring at me.
He then pulled his eyes down, embarrassed by the whole situation.

***

	The whole ride was pure heaven. He kept talking about some of the
songs he likes and asks me what I'm into. So I told him I'm mostly pop
and R&B but I basically listen to the music that appeals to me most. The
whole time I was just listening to his voice. And in my mind I compared
the time when he sang "Iris". Wow, he really has that deep voice in him.
How I wish.

	Ouch! What are you smacking me for? Okay, okay. I got your point.
I'm sorry that I haven't paying much attention to you since Ms. Jane
called me. But look. Look at him. Have you ever seen more beautiful? Ouch!
Now what was that for? Urgh! Wait till I have my hands on Trish Payne,
HAHAHAHA! Ouch!

	"What did you say?" Jed's voice brought me to reality.

	"Um, nothing," I said embarrassed.

	"So um, we're here. I'll call you."

	"Sure. Thanks for the ride. And umm... uhhh... here," with my
heart pounding 100bps, I leaned forward to his side and kissed him on
the cheek, "Now we're even."

	I quickly left the door leaving him with an open mouth. I didn't
look after that. I just went straight to the door and heard someone about
to go through the other side. And guess who I saw? Yep, my Trishie. Ouch!
You better stop doing that!

	"Oh, hi honey!" Honey? "I just talked to your grandmother. She's
really nice. But as much as I would like to sit and chat, I still have to
go to the dermatologist to get my epidermis removed. So bye!"

	And then she left. Man, I tell you that is one weird girl! And
what on earth coerced her to come to my house. Urgh! What do you mean
she's just caring? The hell! I think she's a real loony. Well, hello?
What are you defending her for? I think you need a therapist. The both
of you. And tell me if it works out.

	Grams at the kitchen then greeted me, "Oh, there you are. Trish
Payne just left. You never told me you had a girlfriend?" Girlfriend?

	"What? Her? No, I'm not with her. What did she said about me?"
I asked angrily.

	"Well, she just came here to see you and me. Come to think of
it, why me? Anyway I believe you. And to tell you the truth, I don't
like her a bit. She seems to be overly arrogant." That makes the two
of us. 2-1 Ha! Ouch! I said stop it!

	"Anyway, here's a package addressed to you." Grams handed me a
wrapped CD. I thanked her and went upstairs. Wonder who's this from. No
name on the back and the front. Hmmm. Oh, no. This must be one of Trish's
stuff. Not again. So I opened the CD up and saw that there was no label.
Hmmm. I went over to my player and played it.

I think I've already lost you.
I think you're already gone
I think I'm finally scared now
You think I'm weak
But I think you're wrong
I think you're already leaving
Feels like your hand is on the door
I thought this place was an empire
But now I'm relaxed
I can't be sure


	Just then I realized, this couldn't be Trish's. It's... it's...
someone else.


I think you're so mean
I think we should try
I think I could need this in my life
I think I'm just scared
I think too much
I know this is wrong it's a problem I'm dealing

If you're gone maybe it's time to go home
There's an awful lot of breathing room
But I can hardly move
If you're gone baby you need to come home
Cause there's a little bit of something me
In everything in you

	Like someone so familiar. And then it struck me. It reminded me
of him. Jarod.

	Then suddenly I fell on my back and cried. God! Why do I always
have this pain every time I think of that damn Jarod! Why?! So I just
lied there and let the lyrics echoed through my mind.

I bet you're hard to get over
I bet the room just won't shine
I bet my hands I can stay here
I bet you need more than you mind

I think you're so mean
I think we should try
I think I could need this in my life
I think I'm just scared that I know too much
I can't relate and that's a problem
I'm feeling

If you're gone maybe it's time to go home
There's an awful lot of breathing room
But I can hardly move
If you're gone baby you need to come home
cuz there's a little bit of something me
In everything in you

	No Jarod, you're wrong. There's nothing more of you in here. Nothing.
Nothing. The more I keep saying that, the more I realize, I could never be
free of him.

***
	Well, people that's it. I hope I could post the next chapter by
next week. Thanks to all those who e-mailed me and said they liked the
story. Your responses are truly remarkable. By the way, the song that's
in here is 'If you're gone' by Matchbox20. I really like their music,
especially the lead singer. He's so damn hot! Anyways feel free to post
your comments at itsme_afterglow@yahoo.com. Stay cool guys!