“Been some signs I shouldn't see

Hearts that I hurt needlessly

Some roads that I wish I could have one more chance to make"

Shortly after nine o’clock that night, Gavin and I made our way through the crowded dance club. We had been there almost thirty minutes and still hadn’t seen a sign of either Lia or Chloe. Figuring they probably had yet to arrive, we made our way to the bar and ordered our usual beers. No frilly girl drinks for us. Of course, Gav and I had our usual debate on which brand was better: my Budweiser, or his Miller Lite. It was going to be difficult being roommates with him, seeing as I would rather rot in Hell than be roomies with Zane again, if we didn’t share the same taste in beer. Oh well, I would just have to make sure my Bud took up more space in the refrigerator than his Miller Lite. As Gavin and I made small chat, we continued to wait, the sound of “Love Game”by Lady Gaga blasted from the surround sound system in the club. Now I wasn’t a big fan of Lady Gaga, but I definitely had to admit that the song was catchy.

“Dude, look at the guy over there, with the two girls grinding up on him,” Gavin said, nodding his head in the direction of the guy he was referring to.

I looked as I raised the bottle of beer to my lips, I stopped halfway to my mouth. I knew who those girls were. I was both furious and hurt as to why they were dancing with him. “Uh, dude? You do realize the two girls are Lia and Chloe, right?”

“What?!” he yelled. I knew he’d react that way, since he had talked non-stop about Chloe when we departed ways from the girls earlier in the day. I really thought that Chloe could be the one to stop his player ways. That is, if he ever convinced her to give him a shot. “Who the fuck is that guy?”

“No idea man,” I replied.

“Well, then let’s find out! Come on, were going to break up their little dance show out there,” he stated as he rose from his seat. Downing the rest of my beer, I sat the empty bottle on the counter, got up to play follow the leader with Gavin, and interrupt the semi provocative dancing the girls were participating in. To tell the truth, I wanted to get the guy away from Lia as soon as I could. She already meant a great deal to me, and jealousy was starting to take over in the short time span since I met her.

I reached Gavin’s side in time to see Chloe pour her drink all over him. That girl did not like my buddy. Her eyes were slits, and she turned around, grabbing a hold of the mystery guy’s hand, disappearing into the crowd. I turned to Gavin, examining his expression and trying to figure out if he was going to blow his top in the middle of the club. To my utter surprise, he had a far away look on his face, accompanied by a goofy looking grin. I had never seen him like that before. Had the bartender slipped something into his drink? Was he high? It was baffling me, and I honestly didn’t like it. In fact, it worried me.

“Dude,” I said as I shook his shoulder to grab his attention. When he finally looked at me, his eyes were still glazed over. “Are you okay? I’ve never seen you like this. What’s up with you?”

“Cal, man,” he turned his gaze back to the way Chloe left, “I think I just might be in love, bro.”

All I could do was stare, as I watched him walk away. That was my best friend. My womanizing, player, of a best friend. It was somewhat shocking that he possibly found the girl that could put an end to his uncommitted ways. My mind went blank with Gavin’s admission, and I felt like a zombie. I didn’t know how long I had been in that state until I heard someone speak from my side.

Lia. I forgot she was still standing there since her friend ran off with their dance partner. “Are you okay?” she asked.

Turning to face her, my jaw dropped to the floor, kind of like one would see in cartoons. She looked amazing. Her dark hair was in sultry curls, just tousled enough to not look too polished. The best way I could describe it was probably ‘sex hair’. Her chocolate eyes were enhanced with makeup, having the smoky look that drove me wild. I found it irresistible. Her lips, which I found myself dreaming of kissing, looked as if she only applied some clear gloss to them. The shine of them just made me wanting to kiss her even more. I moved my gaze downward and took in her choice of clothing.

The tight, gold, cheetah printed dress shown when the lights around the club hit it just right. One shoulder was completely bare, allowing me to see the creamy softness of her skin. Her other shoulder contained a sleeve that draped down, yet still gave her the mobility one would need for a night of dancing. The only thing I wasn’t quite happy with was the hemline of her dress. It barely came past her rear. That little detail was a love it, yet hate it deal for me. I loved it because it showed off her toned legs, which looked as if they went on for miles, along with the gold heels she was wearing. I hated it because I couldn’t help but notice many other hormonal males taking longer looks than necessary at her.

“You might want to close your mouth before you start salivating all over the floor,” she chuckled as she lifted her hand to my chin and closed my mouth.

“I need a drink,” I said, grabbing her hand and leading her over to the bar to order a drink for myself. I ordered a Captain and Coke, and was surprised when Lia ordered a Screwdriver for herself. She told me she was only eighteen, so how the hell was she able to get a drink from the bartender? After sending her a look of utter confusion, she mouthed the words ‘fake I.D.’ before turning back to the bartender and retrieving her drink. We thanked the bartender and headed off to find somewhere to sit and enjoy our drinks. Since I wanted to get to know her better, I was excited for some alone time.

We found a cozy, little, two person booth on the far side of the club and decided to play a small round of twenty questions as we relaxed and drank. The game started out innocent enough. I found out her favorite color was blue, her favorite animal was a wolf, she never wore animal skin or fur, and she was a chocoholic. I was told that if she were ever deprived of her beloved chocolate, she would have, what Chloe deemed “Hershey Rage”. Lia said it should be a sin to not like chocolate. I noticed that her, oddly enough, Hershey colored eyes shown with laughter when talking about her chocolate addiction. I couldn’t help but admit that I found it adorable.

“Alright. My turn again,” she said after her round of laughter subsided. “You seem like you could pull of the bad boy image. I don’t see any holes in your ears, so I’m assuming you don’t have any piercings. So what about tattoos?”

I shook my head. “Nope. Not a single one. My parents would disown me if I ever did something like that to myself.”

Okay, so I lied. My parents could care less if I went out and got a tattoo. My mom said that she was fine with it, as long as I didn’t come home with a Chinese symbol that was suppose to say ‘strength’ and really meant ‘fried rice’. That would be embarrassing, to say the least.

“Bullshit,” she countered. “You’re lying. Your mom and dad would not disown you.”

How the hell did she know? Am I that easy to read?

“How did you know?” I stammered, still wondering how in the world she could’ve seen through my little fib. No one, other than those that have known me forever, could tell when I wasn’t telling the truth.

“I just do,” she replied. “Now seriously, what is the real reason you don’t have one? And please don’t use the lame excuse of being afraid of needles.”

I didn’t say anything after her last comment. Instead, I chose to take a swig of my drink while turning my gaze to the sea of people on the dance floor. It didn’t take long for her to realize my silent answer.

“Oh… my…. God,” she breathed slowly. “You are afraid of needles! I’m right aren’t I?”

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, never answering her. I wasn’t used to people being able to see right through my fibs. I shut myself off from the entire female population after I ended my relationship with Naomi. I didn’t give anyone the chance to see through the walls I developed. Then Lia came along. I don’t know how it happened, nor why it did, but I felt like I could be myself around her. She had this aura that made me feel like everything would be alright.

So why not let her in? She’s already been able to tell when you lie, I reasoned. In less than twenty-four hours, I could already tell she was different from Naomi. Lia wouldn’t hurt me like Naomi did. I could give her the chance I desperately wanted to give her. I wanted to let her in. And the first step was to admit my little white lie. Even though it wasn’t a big lie, it was a lie nonetheless. And I hated when people lied.

“Alright, you caught me,” I conceded. “My parents are not the reason why I don’t have a tattoo. And yes, as a matter of fact, the real reason I haven’t gotten one, and most likely will never get one, is because I hate needles. They…scare me. It’s why I could never go into the medical field.”

“I can understand your reasons. But, honestly, it’s not really that bad.”

“Oh yeah?” I looked at her skeptically. “Tell me how having someone repeatedly stab you with a needle and inserting ink into your skin isn’t all that bad.”

“I guess, you just get used to it after a while,” she shrugged her shoulders. “Sure at first it’s kind of nerve wracking, but it passes.”

“You sound like you’ve had experience. So tell me, Lia, do you have any tattoos?” I questioned her. After all, it was my turn in twenty questions.

“As a matter of fact, I do,” she said, grabbing her drink and taking a long sip from the straw.

“How many?” I asked, curious as to how she could stand the procedure.

“Just one,” she replied, setting her drink back down on the table. She turned to me and pulled her hair over her shoulder to leave the back of her neck bare. “It was an eighteenth birthday present to myself.”

I stared at the area she exposed to me. Sure enough, there was a tattoo at the base of her neck. It was some type of flower, though I didn’t know the type. I wasn’t familiar with all the different varieties regarding flowers. I knew roses, daisies, and sunflowers. And that’s about it. Whatever flower it was, it was kind of pretty. The flower was pink, and on three of the five petals, it looked as if there were dew drops on them. Three small green leaves were placed in the right spots, looking as if the would connect into a triangle behind the flower. The backdrop for it was this blue color, which made the flower stand out that much more. The tattoo looked so real, it seemed as if someone had freshly picked the flower from a garden in the early morning, and planted it on her neck. Just below the flower was some type of saying, written in cursive. I knew it was in a language I didn’t know because as I couldn’t translate it.

I lifted my hand and gently traced my index finger along her tattoo, causing her skin to cover in goose bumps. I never found a girl with tattoos attractive before. But for some reason, it fit Lia. And after I saw it on her, I didn’t think she would be her without it. It added to her character. It proved to me that she had the balls to go through the act of sitting still for a long period of time, while someone drew on her with a needle. And that fact alone increased the growing list of things I admired about her.

“It’s beautiful,” I whispered, removing my finger from her skin. “What does the writing say though?”

“Dio ha risparmiato,” she said, turning back around to face me once again. “It means ‘God has spared‘ in Italian, and it just so happens to be the meaning of my name.”

“Interesting. I have to give you props. I would never have been able to go through with a tattoo. You have guts, Lia.”

“Thanks,” she smiled her breath hitching smile. “Now, for the final question of our little game. What’s your least favorite memory?”

I leaned back into my seat, deliberating which memory was my least favorite. Of course, the obvious memory I should choose was the day I discovered all of Naomi’s lies. But after meeting Lia, I was starting to look at it as it possibly being the best memory. If I hadn’t found out and ended things with Naomi, I might’ve never gotten the chance to pursue something with Lia. So, I decided to eliminate that memory from my mental list of possibilities. I thought about losing the state championship game for football my senior year. That was tough, especially since I was captain. Nah, that wouldn’t do. Not bad enough. I racked my brain a little more, digging into the deepest sections of my memory to find the right answer.

“Callum! Hey, Callum, wait up!”

I groaned at the sound of an annoying voice screeching my name from down the beach. I put a hand to cover my face, momentarily forgetting about the girl I had just been trying to flirt with. It was about the fiftieth time that happened since my summer started. And it only began the previous day. It must have been a new record: The Shortest Time Span to Annoy Callum Brookes. I figured if I ignored the voice long enough, it would go away and bother someone else; someone more willing to entertain her. Like my older brother, Landon, for example. He had more patience than I could ever hope, or want, to possess.

I was finally sixteen for Christ’s sake! All during the school year, I had counted down until I would be sixteen and could drive while spending the summer in Cape Cod. I could hook up with as many girls as I could, and take them out on dates without having to use my parents or brother as a taxi service. It just seemed to put a downer on the whole romantic atmosphere, in my opinion. I was just about to ask a really hot blonde out to a movie that night when the voice that reminded me of a cat clawing on a chalkboard, was right behind me. Oh, joy.

“Hey Callum! Want to hang out today?”

I slowly turned around, a death look taking residence upon my face, and glared down at my personal tormenter.

Azalia Emerson, and all her brown haired, brown eyed glory.

“Go away, Azalia,” I hissed through clenched teeth. “I’m in the middle of something right now. Something that doesn’t concern you.”

“You mean the girl that resembles a walking Barbie doll? And who’s captured the attention of the new lifeguard up the beach?” she asked. I spun around so fast, I was afraid I received whiplash, and saw my catch of the day flirting crazily with the lifeguard. He looked to be either an upperclassman in high school, or a younger college student. Once again, on account of Azalia’s very timely interruption, I lost a possible summer hook up.

Every damn summer, she followed me around like my own personal shadow. I felt my face redden in anger, and decided it was best to walk away before I did something I was sure to regret. A few heated words thrown her way might have done her some good in learning not to come in between me and the girls that caught my attention.

“Since things didn’t work out with Barbie, can I tag along with you?” she asked, following me even though I tried to walk away.

No. No. No, my inner voice cried. But, of course, my own Jiminy Cricket in my head kept telling me that I should do the right thing and let her tag along. Lord knows I didn’t want my mother and father lecturing me once I got back home.

“Why do you need to follow me around anyways? Don’t you have other friends that you can annoy? Seriously, why can’t you occupy yourself at your own house?”

“I can’t,” she whispered, looking down at the sand.

“You going to tell me why?” I asked her after a few minutes of silence between us.

“No. I’m not supposed to. So can I? Please? I promise I won’t be a pain,” she looked at me with sad, tear-filled eyes.

“Whatever,” I spat out, hoping she’d catch my lack of enthusiasm. If she did, she didn’t let on. Or else she didn’t catch it, which was a pity really. “But you have to stay a good 5 feet away from me at all times. Got it?”

I looked over my shoulder to see her nod quickly.

I was glad she kept her word and didn’t come within the five foot range. There was no way I was going to spend my day looking for chicks with a thirteen year old, Aaron Carter crazed, flat chested, brace-faced, one-piece swimsuit wearing girl cramping my style.

“Azalia Emerson,” I told Lia, finally finding the right memory to tell her.

Lia inhaled her drink at my answer, and starting coughing furiously. I patted her back lightly to try and help, then rubbed small circles around it as her coughing fit subsided. Grabbing a napkin off the table she dabbed underneath her eyes, wiping away the tears that leaked out due the lack of oxygen and force of her coughs.

“Excuse me?” she asked, looking up at me with surprised eyes. “What is your worst memory?”

“Azalia Emerson,” I repeated. “Any incident that involved Azalia around me is my least favorite memory.. She’s been a pain in my ass ever since she was born.”

“Why was she a pain?”

“You mean besides the fact that she ruined any chances I had with girls by following me around like some sad puppy? My family loved her. They thought she could do no wrong. My mom always wanted a daughter, but, she got stuck with two boys. Azalia is the daughter of some really good friends of my parents. So when Azalia was born, my mom saw her as the daughter she never had, but always wanted. She did all things girly with her that she couldn’t with me or Landon,” I told her. She had a small smile on her face as I explained how much the bane of my existence meant to my mom. “But all the time I was forced to spend with her was agonizing. You have no idea what it was like to want to hang out with my friends here during the summer, but bringing along Azalia just ruined all the fun for me.

I was about three the first time I met her. She was almost one, and my mom being the sentimental person she is, thought it would be ‘adorable’ to take a picture of me, Landon, and Azalia. She seemed alright as a baby. She didn’t talk or walk, so I was able to go do my own thing. Anyway, right as the picture was about to be taken, Azalia regurgitated her lunch all over me. She missed Landon completely! A feat I am still astonished at since he was the one holding her. Of course the flash from the camera went off, just as her lunch hit me. You could see the disgusted look on my face as I screamed. To this day I cannot stand the sight or smell of vomit.”

Lia chuckled slightly as I told the story of Azalia’s and my first meeting. People always said first impressions are lasting ones. I guess that was true in Azalia’s case. She barfed on me, and I hated her with a passion ever since.

“That wasn’t the only time she made my life hell,” I continued. “When she was seven and I was ten, she decided she wanted to bake a cake for a barbeque we were having later that night. Of course, my mother said she could make it at our beach house and just stay there since we were hosting the get together. Well, I thought it would be fun to bug her as much as she did me, so I dipped my finger into the batter and licked it. She wasn’t too happy about it, but I could care less. I dipped it in again, and again, and again.”

“How was that bad? You sound like you enjoyed it,” she asked curiously. “Well, kind of.”

“After about the tenth time I dipped my finger, she was fed up and flung the spoon at me. Only problem was the spoon was covered with batter. And it just so happened to land on my brand new Chicago Bulls jersey. I was furious, to say the least. So, in retaliation, I shoved my hand into the chocolate cake batter and smeared it all over her yellow summer dress. This led us into a huge food fight in the middle of the kitchen. Being the smarter older one, I got her worse than she got me. I won our little battle,” I grinned at the memory.

“But, I lost the war. My mother walked in and saw the mess and blamed it all on me. Man, she was furious. I don’t think she had ever yelled so much at me in my life. Granted I may have aggravated the situation, but in my defense, Azalia made the first toss. She was the one who started it, and I get the wrath of my mother. I ended up having to clean the kitchen until it shone, apologize to Azalia, and then my mom got the brilliant idea that I could be her personal babysitter for the next three weeks. Which meant no friends for me,” I took another swig of my drink.

“Then, when I was a teenager trying my luck with girls during the summer, she was everywhere I went. She was like some stray dog that you gave food to once and then wouldn’t leave you alone. You have no idea how many girls took one look at her and then blew me off! I wanted to wring her neck for the amount of times she interrupted my flirting just by being her annoying self. Whenever I complained about her to my parents, they told me I should be nice to her and let her tag along. I prayed and prayed that she would leave me alone in the next summers I was sure to see her.

My wishes must’ve been granted because ever since the summer I was seventeen, her and her family didn’t come back. It’s been almost five years since I’ve had to see her face. And let me tell you, they have been the best five years. Summer is, once again, my favorite time of year,” I finished, looking down at Lia. I noticed her skin had gone a pale color, and it worried me. “Hey, you okay? You don’t look too good.”

“Did you mean it when you said she made your life hell? Was she really that bad to be around?” she asked, sadness clouding her eyes.

“Yeah, I did. I despised her so much. Why?” I questioned. “Wait a minute…You said you and your family spent your summers here too. Oh crap, you knew Azalia didn’t you?”

“You could say that,” she said softly, looking down into her empty glass.

“Shit. You two were probably close then. You two are about the same age. Fuck, you probably think I’m this huge jerk now,” I told her, rubbing the back of my neck nervously. I probably lost my chance with Lia if I had just bashed a good friend of hers. But, she asked what my least favorite memory was, and I replied honestly.

“I suppose you could say I was close to her,” she replied, then moved her gaze so she was looking me directly in the eye. “She’s changed though. Honest. She isn’t the same girl who you said ruined your summers. And I don’t think she knew she was ruining them in the first place.”

I pondered her words for a second, thinking it could have been possible. But, what’s done was done. There wasn’t any way I could change the past. “Maybe. Who knows, I haven’t seen or heard about her since. So, no offense to you, but I could care less.”

She nodded slowly. I knew I must have hurt her, unintentionally, by bashing someone she was close to. I had to do something to lift her spirits. I thought of all the possibilities while sitting in the awkward silence that had overtaken us. Then I remembered one of the answers she had given to my question during our game of Twenty Questions. After telling her I would be back, I walked up to the disc jockey stand and requested a song, asking him to dedicate it to her. After slipping him a twenty to make sure it came on next, I made my way back to where Lia was sitting.

The song that had been playing came to an end as I stopped in front of her and held out my right hand.

“I do believe I owe you a dance,” I said to her, just as “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith came through the speakers. Lia’s favorite slow tempo song.

She smiled, putting her hand into mine, and let me lead her onto the crowded dance floor. Because of the large amount of bodies around us, Lia and I were chest to chest while dancing. I settled my hands on her waist, while she wrapped her arms around my neck in return. Our bodies moved together smoothly, so fluidly, it was as if we were made for each other. I leaned down and inhaled her flowery scent, as she rested her head on my shoulder and turned her face into my neck. It felt so right having her in my arms.

“What’s your favorite summer memory?” I blurted, still dancing slowly with Lia.

I felt her take a deep breathe and hold it in, as if she was debating what to tell me. I waited patiently, knowing that she would answer me in the end. Soon enough, she raised her head off my shoulder and stood on her tip toes. She pressed her lips against my ear and said, “The summer I met you.”

I lifted my head and looked into her eyes. They showed complete honesty, and I knew what she said wasn’t some line to stroke my ego. She really, truly meant those five words.

It was that statement, and the honesty behind it, that tore down any remaining walls I might’ve had up. Before I could give a second thought about my actions, I brought my lips down to meet hers. She was surprised at first, but she soon gave in and moved her mouth against mine. It was the softest, most gentle, most sensual kiss I ever experienced.

It was the best God damn kiss of my life.

Thanks to those who reviewed : nichloe, jessnutsss, All Over You, and Midnightfantasy7860!

And a big THANK YOU to All Over You for editing! She did amazing!