A/N: All characters and events in the story are entirely fictional. Any character or incident that seems familiar are entirely co-incidental!
Ah. What a wonderful day. Fresh air, blue sky, sunny day. Wait, where are the birds chirping? Ah, there they are. Everything is perfect, I smile. What a peaceful morning. Good thing I woke up early today. I look at the view once again and admire it. The blue sky, the sunny day, the peaceful neighborhood and the water balloon flying straight at me.
Wait! What? A water balloon flying straight at me? No, that's not right. Okay, I know what to do. This is simple. Just duck. Now! Okay, why isn't my body moving? I said duck! Spelt as D-U-C-K. Wait, how can I even have the time to spell out when the balloon is getting closer and closer each second? Hello! Body, are you listening? Okay, now this is simple. Just bend your legs and then – SPLAT!
I scream at the impact the water balloon made. For starters, has anyone noticed the balloon has water in it? If you look at the word, it has the word 'water' in front of it! So obviously, I am wet, my face is wet and my pajamas are wet.
So now that you know what happened, you might be wondering who did it. If I was some one else, I might have thought it's just another prankster. But no, I'm not someone else. I'm me. And I have a very clear idea who did this. Jake Castle, the annoying boy-next-door.
Now when people hear of boys having the title boy-next-door, they think that person is charming, kind, a gentleman, etc, etc. Well unfortunately, mine isn't. Well it's not like he's 'mine'. No, not at all. But of course he has that title literally. Ever since I've moved here to Anstoncese Ville, he's been the bane of my existence.
When I first heard the name Anstoncese Ville, I thought it was quite a weird name for a city. I despised it. I had to leave all my new found friends in nursery and (oh yeah, I forgot to mention, I was only four) I had to get used to a new environment. When I first saw the place and our house, I loved it. It had a huge playground and the town was full of colors. I had the best childhood memories in that playground and I knew that the rest of my stay was going to be the best in my life. But of course, I was wrong.
It was my fourth day in the city and I was playing in the swings when a short, stout boy came up to me and tugged at my pony-tails and ran away. He tugged it quite often and it really hurt before that I once remember crying from the pain. And he didn't stop there. Whenever I used to go the swing (Who doesn't love swings? Okay, maybe a lot of people) he used to push me so hard that I felt like flying. But it wasn't the peaceful kind of flying. It was the scary one. It was like an airplane about to crash any second soon and you just have to watch and wait when. It was quite fast I thought I was going to fall. Fortunately, I never did.
But he didn't stop there. I thought I was going to feel better when I go to school and meet other people. But unfortunately, he just so happened to be in the same school as me. I seriously thought my first day there was going to be the best. But I was wrong. When I came, Jake immediately told everyone I had cooties so they stayed away from me and I ended up having no friends. What are cooties in the first place anyway and where do you get them? I had no idea. I still have no idea. And there was Jake, smiling at me as if to show triumph.
He still hasn't stopped even until now when we're already in high school. He isn't the short, stout little boy though. He's quite tall now and has a muscular build. He's the type of guy most girls in school go gaga about. But his attitude towards me hasn't changed and the incident that just happened a few seconds ago is proof. He distracts me a lot in class and I even get in trouble because of him. He smiles at me as he sees me wet. I immediately slam my window at him and walk to the bathroom to take a shower.
* * *
The prom is coming soon. I wonder who'll ask me. Well, I've never really cared that much before in the previous prom night, but I want to be able to answer people someday when they ask me "How was your prom like?" But wait. Speaking of asking, I wonder who'll ask me. Will anyone ever ask me in the first place? Well it's not like I'm the ugliest girl in school. But I'm not the type most guys would be asking. Sighing, I go to my locker.
"Shaine!" my best friend Jasmine calls me as she comes running in her heels. Jeez, how can one even manage that? Okay, well maybe a lot of people can do it. But I'm definitely not one of them.
"Hey, slow down" I tell her.
"Can you believe who just asked me to the prom?" she squeals as she says it out loud.
Before I can even reply, she immediately answers her own question.
"Drake! He's like the hottest guy in school" she says, half-screaming as she hugs me really tight that I can hardly breathe.
Yea, sometimes I wonder why we're best friends. We don't really have much in common. Actually, we're total opposites. She's in the cheerleading squad. I'm in the science club. She loves shopping and doing her nails. I love soccer and reading. We don't even go to the same classes, but back in junior high we were classmates. But we didn't become fast friends. Our friendship actually surprises a lot of people, including me at times.
"Oh. That's nice," I tell her sounding less enthusiastic as she is.
"Aw, don't worry. I'm sure someone will ask you soon. You've still got a week anyway," she says, knowing that I'm not as enthusiastic as she is not because Drake asked her and not me, but because no one has asked me yet.
And in these moments, I don't doubt why she's why best friend. She's understanding, supportive, etc, etc. She's like the sister I never had. Okay, before this all gets too cheesy…
"Yeah," I tell her with a smile.
* * *
One of my favorite subjects other than science is gym. I love getting all hot and sweaty before I hit the showers. Who doesn't love that fresh feeling after an hour of high-speed action? Okay, maybe the 'high-speed' part was kind of an exaggeration. And what's best about my schedule is that it's the last class of the day, so I can go walk back home feeling fresh from school. Even the thought of Castle being there isn't as bad as it usually is. And all his disturbances of the day annoy me less compared to other days. I've never even gotten in trouble this day of the week.
But today, I don't feel so peaceful and calm as usual. I still feel fresh, but the lack of peacefulness and calmness is staining it… What if by the end of the week no one still asks me? What will I tell people in the future? "I couldn't go to the prom because no one asked me out." How pathetic! But why do I even care about this prom thing? Do I just want some one to ask me out? But last time, no one asked me out although no one knew (except Jasmine and my parents, of course) that I wasn't going to the prom. Being pessimistic sure can't do anything right.
"Whatever!" I say out loud as I sigh.
"Whatever what?" a masculine voice asks me. Whoa! Who said that? It seems to be coming from across me, not so far away. I'm currently walking with my head bowed down, looking at the ground (and sometimes at people's shoes) as usual. So yeah, that's why I don't see him. That voice sounds somewhat familiar… but it's not from someone I know so well. Oh whatever! Just look up and find out. Sheesh, it's not that hard you know?
Oh. Hot. He looks familiar. Well, obviously because he's in my school! Hmm…I think I remember who. Dylo? Dylie? Dyson? Huh? What? I'm not good with remembering names, remember mostly faces.
"Oh, nothing," I reply.
He suddenly flashes a gorgeous smile. Oh my gosh, why is my heart beating slightly faster than normal?
"So," he shyly begins as he scratches the back of his head "did anyone ask you to the prom yet?"
Oh, I think I know where this is going... Oh! Wait, I think I remember him. He's Dylan Anderson, one of the hottest guys in school! Why is he asking me? Oh wait, he's waiting for a response.
"No," I reply with a small, shy smile.
"Then, want to go with me?" he asks gently.
Huh? What? What did he just say? Did he just say what I think he did? You must be kidding me! Of all people… Oh wait, he's waiting for a response again. I've got to stop getting lost in my thoughts. What do you think I'll say? Well of course I'm not stupid!
"Sure," I say with a huge smile. Problem solved! I can go home peacefully once again.
* * *
Lalalala. Someone finally asked me to the prom and all I have to worry about is the dress. Actually I really don't have to worry about the dress. Jasmine will surely help me. I'm actually excited for the prom. Oh and do I actually have a crush on Dylan Anderson? Well, it's not wrong. I am a human being after all.
"Cool," I say out loud, unconsciously. Did I just say 'cool'? Ha. That's kind of lame. Maybe no one heard it. I'm almost home anyway.
"Cool what?" a familiar voice asks. Whoa! Are people going to ask that every time I speak out loud some random word or what? The voice came from right behind me. It's familiar as well, but this time, although I recognize the voice, I'm definitely far from close with this person. It's Jake Castle.
"Nothing," I reply with a smile.
"Hmm…with that blush on your face, let me guess… someone already asked you to the prom?" he asks playfully. What? Me? Blushing? No way! The only time I 'blush' is when I play soccer. But actually, that isn't blushing; my cheeks just naturally turn red due to the heat. How'd he guess anyway?
"So what?" I reply with a small smile. Yea, exactly! So what? What's it to him anyway?
"So who's the person and from which mental institution did he come from? Or did he just forget his glasses today?" he teases me.
"He's Dylan Anderson and he's perfectly normal. You're the one who should get your brains checked. Oh, wait! Is it even big enough to be called a brain? Or is it just a small bean that's been controlling you all this time?" I reply quite harshly. That's actually harsher than I intended it to be. Did I just take his teasing seriously? Wait, where are the footsteps following me? Did he just get abducted by aliens or something? Well, only one way to find out.
Well he didn't really get abducted by aliens or anything, he just stopped. Was I that harsh? His expression also seems different. Not that I really saw his expression earlier, but he always has this playful kind of expression.
"Did I offend you?" I say hesitantly.
"Shaine, listen," he tells me as he grabs my wrist. That kind of hurts. Whoa! Why is his stare so intense? "I've heard Dylan Anderson was dared to ask out someone he would never ask out."
Huh? What did he mean? It can't be. He's just playing with me again. Dylan doesn't seem to be that kind of person anyway. But I hardly know him. But still. I don't think he's that kind of person. He's just manipulating me. Stupid jerk.
"Whatever Castle!" I tell him harshly as I yank my hand away and walk away.
But what if I'm wrong?
* * *
"No way! Dylan asked you?" Jasmine screams as she squeals at the other end of the line. Boy can she scream! Good thing I put the phone far away from my ear. I knew she'd do that.
"Yeah," I reply less enthusiastic as I should be. What if what Jake said is really true?
"Hmm…you don't seem so excited," she remarks. She knows me really well. "What's bothering you?" she asks.
"Oh, nothing much. It's just that Jake told me Dylan was just dared to ask me," I weakly reply.
"That jerk. Why do you even believe him? He's just pulling some other prank or something. Maybe he likes you." She tells me, sounding playful at the end. Yeah, well it is true. He's a jerk. But Castle, liking me? Ha! What a joke. He can't like me because he's been bugging me for a looong time. Why would someone do that to someone they liked? And besides, if he likes me, what can he do? It's not like I like him. Not at all! So he can do…
"Shaine, you there?" she asks. "Lost in your own thoughts again?"
Oops. Here I go again. "Yeah, I'm here. Sorry."
"Oh so you'll need a dress and a make-over," she says in excitement.
"Yeah, I guess so," I reply less excited as her. But I'm still kind of excited. It actually is my first date in a week. And I'm glad it's with someone cute and hot!
* * *
Finally, this is it! The day I've been waiting for all week. The heels are quite uncomfortable, but I'll manage. Good luck, feet. Okay, so now where's Dylan? Jasmine's already gone with Drake and they're already dancing. Well that's what happens when you're late. Well it's not entirely my fault I had to walk halfway here because my dad's car broke down and I couldn't call Jasmine because she lives far from my place. Oh, there he is – with someone else.
"Hey," I tell him as I reach here. Ugh, my feet really hurt. Stupid heels.
"Oh," is all he says with a smile that looks hard to determine. It doesn't seem friendly. Playful perhaps? So, why isn't he talking? Do I look weird or something? This is awkward. So people are everywhere dancing and here we are at a corner with this other girl beside him. Oh, some people are coming and now he's laughing. Okay, why is he laughing?
"Hey - I'm - sorry," he manages to say out in between his laughter. "It – was – just – a – dare." A dare? Really? Oh my. Did he just say that? "I – thought – you – wouldn't – take – it – seriously. I – mean – come – on – you're – not – that – pretty." Yea, well I know that but…why is everyone around laughing?
"Dude - good – dare," one of them remarks.
Oh, so Jake is right. This is so stupid. I'm so stupid. Ugh. At least they left now. And I'm here all alone at the corner. Great. So when people ask me how the prom was, I'll say "Oh, it was great! I just stood at the corner and ate." This is pathetic. It would have been better if I never came at all. That's right. I'll just say in the future that I never came.
Besides, who cares? Why did I even come up with this idea anyway? Or did I just want a date…or something? Whatever. It doesn't matter anymore. I'll just walk home and gosh my feet hurt. At least I'm out of there. I'll just break the heels; I hope Jasmine won't get mad. Or I can just walk barefoot. Whichever. Oh good, I'm almost out the gate
"Hey, Shaine!" someone calls from behind me. A familiar voice from someone I so do not want to deal with right now.
"What is it Castle? So you're right. Go ahead. Laugh all you want! Haha! So funny right? I bet you've been waiting for this all week! So here's your moment. Go ahead and" laugh. I scream at him halfway. But I never got a chance to finish the last sentence.
My head kind of hurts. Did I hit a wall? I think so. How? Why are my eyes closed? Wait, oh my! Did I just see what I saw? Did Jake just push me to a wall and kiss me? Wait, correction, he's still kissing me. Oh my gosh. There's no escape. His arms are on the wall on both sides. I can see it from the corner of my eyes.
So what is this now? Another dare? Kiss the loser? This is so pathetic. I've had enough of being humiliated tonight. Or is this just one of his pranks? To kiss me and then make me feel something then leave me hanging in the air. Well let me tell you, self, that he is definitely not going to get it his way this time! What does he think I am? A slut?
Okay, this is just wrong! It's so wrong and – Mmm – what the fish?! Did I actually just moan? Oh my gosh. This is horrible. Why am I even responding? His hands are actually leaving the wall. Okay, good. He's most probably going to stop and let me go. Whew.
No way! It's worse. He's actually putting his hands on my hips. Why haven't I stopped responding? This is awkward. He seems to be enjoying it. Ugh. How come I'm not shivering from this thought? What's wrong with my body? What has he done?
Maybe I can just push him away. So…where are my hands? Oh my! They're tangled up in his hair! This is not good. I've lost control of my body. Is my brain – no – this voice the only thing that's properly functioning?
Oh and what's that wet thing…oh gross! Is his tongue actually in my mouth? Uuhhm…did I just sigh? N-no way! Did his hands just move down to my ass?! This is really wrong! Just the thought of him kissing me makes me sick and now that he's actually doing it is…gross! So why am I responding?
Oh, I can finally feel my hands! Oh, his hair is soft. A-anyway, focus! I've got to push him away. Okay, my hands aren't in his hair anymore; I just have to push him away. Finally, I managed to push him off. He's still near me, but. Wait, I need to breathe. Ugh. I feel dizzy.
"What the f*c* was that Castle? Another dare from your friends? Or is it just another prank? Well it's gone too far and I've had enough tonight! So why don't you go back there and have fun with y-your triumphant smile and just – whatever!" I can't even speak continuously. What did that kiss do to my brain? Well, now's the best time to walk away.
"Shaine, wait," he tells me as he grabs my arm. Wait for what? Is he gonna have his laughing moment now? Jerk.
"What now?" I ask him fiercely.
"I love you," he tells me. What?! Did he just say what I think he did? 'I love you'. His joke is too much now! Why is he even playing with me and my emotions anyway?
"Yea right, Castle. Yeah right! All these years, ever since I came here to Anstoncese Ville you've been troubling me and now you tell me that! What kind of prank are you trying to pull now? Look, I've had too much already today okay? So just please, save it for another day." I tell him louder than the normal pitch of my voice, but not loud enough to be actually screaming. I don't think I've got enough strength for that. I feel so exhausted for some reason and I hardly even did a thing. How long have we kissed anyway? I shiver as I think of it.
So this is it: my walking out moment. But first I have to remove these heels. They're killing me! Finally, I'm out the gate and on my way home. How long will that take? This is insane. I'll just search for a cab. But I don't have enough money and my parents are gone for dinner. I can't disturb them.
What a night! What will I tell people in the future? "Prom was great. I was humiliated then someone I hate steals my first kiss." Oh yeah, my first kiss. Damn. "…Then heels killed my feet and I had to walk home barefoot." How…interestingly disastrous! Oh and what's that? A raindrop? Looks like it's going to rain. Oh that's something I should add and tell people in the future "…Heels killed my feet and I had to walk home barefoot – in the rain!"
And I thought tonight was going to be the best night of my life. I really must stop thinking of days being the best thing ever because it always ends up being the exact opposite. First my stay here in Anstoncese Ville then my first day in kindergarten and now the prom. Great.
This is so frustrating and pathetic. Oh gosh, am I actually crying? Whatever. At least the rain can conceal it. Ugh. I hate this.
"Hey, Shaine!" that annoying Castle calls from behind me.
"What?" I ask him, not bothering to even sound angry and letting my voice break.
"I can give you a ride home," he offers politely. How can he sound so polite and nice? I hate it when he plays with me like this.
"No thanks. Stop playing with me!" I reply shouting less loudly than I usually do with my voice breaking halfway. I just want to go home, take a shower and go to bed. I don't even care about getting sick. I'm going to be stubborn like it or not!
"But you're going to be sick," he reasons with me.
"Who cares?" I scream out loud. "Who the f*c* cares?"
"I do," he replies coming closer.
"No, you don't. All these years you never did," That's true. I never felt like he ever did. So why is he telling me this? And why is my heart beating faster than usual?
"Look, I love you. All these years I've liked you! It all started with a crush, but as time passed my feelings grew even more until I realized I love you!" he replies sounding completely honest. Why? Why the fish is he playing with my feelings?! Ugh. I hate this all. And I'm soaking wet and I'm not even halfway home! Not even half of that halfway!
"Yeah right. Do you honestly expect me to believe you?" I reply as my voice breaks towards the end. I actually thought I could say that smoothly…
"Listen," he says half-screaming as he grabs my wrist, twisting me around to face him. That hurt! "The first day you came here you were just a 'neighbor' to me. The next day I saw you in the playground and I thought you were really cute with your pig-tails, but I was quite shy to approach you and introduce myself. The third day I was going to approach you, but this kid said I was too fat and ugly for you.
So I decided I'm not worthy enough. Then the next day I decided to pull your hair since I thought that was the only way I could touch it. Then every time I tried to push you off the swings and I went in front to watch you, I did that that only because I hoped you'd fall off and I'd catch you. So I can be your hero. Then I'd be worthy enough to be your friend. But you never fell. When you then came to school, the only reason I told everyone you had cooties was so that no one would be your friend. Selfish yes, but I did that so that I can finally introduce myself, but you were really angry that you didn't return my smile and I lost the confidence to introduce myself and be your friend.
So I did my best to lose weight and stay fit so I can one day be worthy enough. Then when I finally was, I was – well, uh – shy and embarrassed to tell you how I feel so I still went on with my silly tactics. Every time I distracted you in class was so you'd lose concentration so we can go on a study date. When I threw a water balloon that morning was a way of uh, saying good morning. I also wanted to see how hot you'd look wet," he explains every single thing, slightly whispering the last part.
Wow. All that. Just because he likes me? That is so, sweet. And all this time I was angry at him.
"You're stupid you know," I tell him as I start to cry again. I'm actually crying because I'm happy. How pathetic. But I don't care. It feels so…so…I don't know. I have no idea what to say. It's like…wow.
"Th-then why'd you tell me just now? Why tonight?" I ask him out of curiosity. What gave him the courage to actually confess?
"Well, I saw what Dylan did to you. I was going to somehow trick you into letting me drive you home, but uh, I ended up doing something else and got carried away," he chuckles at the end, slightly blushing. So this is how he looks like when he's blushing. He looks kind of gay and adorable. But what if this is just another trick? But he really sounds sincere… Those words were the most beautiful ones I've ever heard. I don't think he's kidding. I hope he's not kidding…
"What if you're just kidding?" I cross my arms, wishing I can raise an eyebrow. But I can't.
"What kind of jerk would just play you? You're the most amazing person I've met, inside and out. I'd give anything just to have you. Anyone who doesn't notice you is just blind. Our school is blind." He replies seriously at the start, sounding playful towards the end.
Awww. Tonight is the most amazing night of my life so far. It's actually the best and for once I'm right. Who knew that the one who ruined all the days that I thought were going to be the best ones would end up making the best night of my life? Who knew that the annoying boy next door is actually going to end up as my boy-next-door?
A/N: I just finished this story last night (it took me about three days to finish this). I wrote this just to take a break from this other story I've been writing (currently in chapter eight). Anyway I hope you enjoyed my story! It had fun writing this. Comments and critisms are very much appreciated.