The Marine

Chapter 7

APRIL

I was in a beautiful wonderland of animals, trees and bright colours. The wizard called Huma gave me a wonderful gift....he gave me a giraffe. He is only a baby with long stretched legs and cheeky eyes so I decided to call him Tinker.

"Aren't you so cute Tinker?" I cooed stoking his soft snout. He purred and I could tell he was happy like I was.

I had a giraffe!

I can't wait to see their faces at school. They will be jealous and try to steal him but I will protect him.

"Wake up." I pushed the velvet voice away and continued stroking Tinkers nose.

"April?" I was nudged but I ignored it with a groan and turned to my side.

The noise went away and I was once again back in this magical world with Huma and Tinker. Everything was beautifully changing colour in sync and I sighed with content.

"Oooohhmmpp!" My head of a hard surface and my eyes popped wide open. I was in my living room with a smirking Blake right in front of my face.

I wanted to yell but when I looked over to my Mum and she was still sleeping, what time is it?

"What time is it you jerk?" I whispered harshly as he smiled and leaned down in front of me pulling a strand of loose hair from my face.

"It's six o'clock." I glared at him with narrowed eyes, " Calm down and I am sorry I had to resort to this but you were being weird." He wakes me up at six o'clock I the morning and he thinks I'm weird?

"How am I weird? You get up at six in the morning." I stated rubbing my eyes trying to lose my sleepiness.

I looked up to see a massive smirk on his face and he bit his lip as though he was going to laugh any second. Please tell me I don't have anything on my face or I will die.

"Actually I get up at four." His eyes glistened like he was about to laugh any minute "W-who is T..Ti" He placed his hand over his mouth and his whole face turned red with laughter as his bottom hit the same floor I hit my head off.

I knew he was being quiet for my Mum so she can get some rest and I was honestly grateful for that but what I didn't understand was why he was laughing?

"Stop being immature." I kicked him with my foot and he soon regained seriousness.

"Um..who's Tinker?" He clasped his eyes tightly shut and I could tell he was trying not to laugh but my situation wasn't being helped right now.

I must have been talking in my sleep and he must have heard every little bit. I was beyond humiliated and I could feel my cheeks turn a deep shade of red.

"He was a giraffe given to me in my dream." I stood up throwing the blanket on the sofa, " Jerk." I muttered as my knee deliberately knocked into his shoulder on the way through to the kitchen.

I ran my hand through my long brown hair and sighed with frustration. I guess I could make my Mum some pancakes, bacon and egg for breakfast. She deserved to be treated for once and if she is going to get better she has to eat more to keep her energy up.

I reached in the cupboard and pulled out some flour, sugar and eggs. Then I went to the fridge and got the milk and bacon and placed them on the worktop.

"Hi." I heard a heavenly velvet voice say making me turn in the direction of the kitchen door.

He was still in his clothes from yesterday but he was looking very hot. His brown eyes were glazed from his laughter and his hair was all fluffy and messy due to his sleep. His shoulder leaned against the door frame and his arms were crossed showing visible muscles. I smiled at his fluffy hair as it remembered me of when he came out the shower in that motel we were at and his hair also became very fluffy.

"Um...hi." I replied noticing that I was staring at him for a very long time checking him out. He didn't seem to mind but he did smirk like he always does.

"Can I help?" He glided forward in a godly manner while pointing at the ingredients on the worktop.

"Sure you can help." I told him and he smiled at me warmly and slowly I felt my stomach doing flips.

I hate how when he smiles a certain way that happens.

We made the pancakes and put them on the plate for my Mum since we decided we weren't hungry and then cooked her bacon and egg. Once we were finished we set the dining table for her with a glass of cold fresh orange juice.

I took a step back and smiled at our masterpiece. It was beyond awesome and I was beginning if we should start a small business in this but then I realised working with Blake would be a no no.

"Finally I learned how to make pancakes." He smiled, " My version is way better though." He smiled again and I was intrigued to find out more about his version of pancakes.

"What version would that be?" I asked curiously and he smirked but then quickly frowned. What was up with him all of a sudden?

"Nothing, I'll tell you another day." He smiled again making me slightly smile.

We drifted into a silence as we just watched each others eyes intently. I felt so relaxed and comfortable I almost struggled to believe if myself.

Well until his mobile started to ring and ring.

He hesitantly lifted it out from his pocket and I watched his left fist clench. Did I do something or was it the person that was calling? He really is a roller coaster of personalities.

"It's Abby." He glanced at me then his phone again, " I need to answer it or she won't stop calling. My friends are having a 'Welcome Back' party for me at the 'Hugo' club tonight at seven...you wanna come?" I kept thinking about what my Mum would want me to do and I knew she would want me to go and I wanted to go but I didn't want to feel a burden.

"You don't have to but I just thought it would be fun you know. It's total-"

"Yes I will come." He grinned and leaned forward giving me a small kiss on the cheek.

I blushed at how soft his lips were and the blush became even deeper when he lingered there for longer than expected. I can't believe he just kissed me on the cheek.

"I'll see you tonight and say hi to your Mum for me." He told me as he quickly rushed out the front door answering his phone call.

I wonder why his fist clenched at Abby calling him? Maybe there was trouble in paradise.

The did seem a little off when we went shopping the other day. Maybe they argued or something in the shop or had a disagreement on something. I thought for a second and realised Blake was totally fine when he was talking to me after acting like a child for no reason. I guess I could ask him tonight about it.

"Is this all for me?" My Mum asked walking in with a huge smile upon her face. I gave her a nod and she sighed sitting down at the table, " Honey you didn't have to go through all this trouble." She told me patting the seat next to her for me to sit down.

I walked over to the table and sat down next to her smiling when she put the food in her mouth.

"I didn't do it myself Blake helped me." I told her and she looked up to me with a grin on her face. I was happy to see her happy but why was she grinning?

"Blake seems like a very nice boy." She smiled, " A marine huh?" I furrowed my eye brows in confusion how did she know that Blake was a marine? I didn't even tell her that.

"How did you know that he's a marine?" I asked her as she chewed on her pancake savouring the taste.

"His haircut, his body build..." I still didn't understand how she knew he was a marine. I mean the hair put made it obvious but not that obvious right?

"You could tell he was a marine by his haircut?" I asked her doubtfully but she just kept chewing and grinning.

"Well that and the dog tags around his neck." Now I realised how she clicked on. Blake has never took his dog tags off once since I've known him.

"That explains that." I told her and she looked at my eyes then smiled again.

"You like him don't you?" I looked at her with wide eyes shocked at what she had just mentioned. I didn't like Blake...well I liked him but in a friend way. I think.

"Only as friends Mum, don't go chasing shadows." She shook her head with a small laugh and turned back to her plate picking up a bit of bacon.

"I really like him. He likes you to you know." She stated and I just shook my head rolling my eyes.

"How can you tell that?" I asked her while my hands played around with the clear glass salt dispenser in my hands.

"When I woke up last night to use the bathroom...he had you in a death grip cuddled into you." He did? I didn't feel no death grip I was just too tired and too comfortable.

"We are only friends." I told her and she hesitantly nodded her head, " I am going out tonight to a club called 'Hugo' with Blake and some of his friends." I told her and she smirked.

"First little get togethers and in two years time, I will be witnessing your wedding." I blushed and nudged her arm gently getting up from my seat.

"We are only friends Mum." I whined loudly walking up to my room.

I decided to go in the shower and quickly dry my hair putting in up into a high pony tail. I put on my pink yoga pants, white vest top and a grey hoodie with my running shoes deciding that today would be good for a run.

BLAKE

I was currently in our local park, walking up to a nearby bench where Abby is supposed to meet me. Apparently she wanted to talk so I figured that I would let her.

I felt great from my sleep last night so when I went home I had a quick shower and changed into a Armani sweats, a plain black shirt and just incase it became cold I brought my blue hoody.

Thinking about the movie night last night made me smile. I think I should recommend her Mum to have one every Friday and I would buy the movies.

It's the best fun I've had since I came back.

However, tonight should be fun having drinks with my friends. Colton and Scott are in the marine core with me and we have the same relaxation time of two and a half weeks but Mason and Drew are just childhood friends that I grew up with. Colton and Scott are more like my brothers than friends. When your watching each others back everyday and working as a team on assignments you just click and become family.

The only thing putting a dark cloud across my bright sky's was the fact that one of them may hit on April. Not that I care...I'm just looking out for her. Hell I might be making out with lots of girls tonight then crawl home naked or something.

"Being deep in thought is a good thing or bad?" I looked up to Abby and gave a small smile. I didn't want her to get the idea that we should get back the together because honestly we shouldn't...we're just too different and both want different things.

"I'm not sure." I told her as she took a seat next to me with a small sigh.

"Are we really over Blake?" She turned to look at me and I stopped looking at the ground and looked at her. She looked like she had been crying a lot but I honestly didn't feel a flinch.

"I keep thinking that I should be more devastated about this break up but honestly I'm not." I told her truthfully and she gave a slight smile.

"I have done nothing but cry." She said hoarsely dabbing the corners of her eyes with a tissue..yep she was crying.

"I just feel like we both want different things in life." I told her and she just continued to wipe her tears.

"I love you Blake." She quietly sobbed and I couldn't do nothing but feel guilty but it was now or never.

"I'm not sure I feel the same." She sobbed even more, " It not that I don't care about you because I do." She turned to me with tear glazed eyes.

"Then what is it? I'll change I promise Blake just please give me a chance." She pleaded grabbing my hand in hers and as I looked down I realised that it didn't feel right anymore....I feel more when April grabs my hand.

"I don't want you to change because you are a beautiful amazing girl but you need someone right for you and that's not me. Please understand." She scoffed and turned her head in the opposite direction from me.

"Answer me this Blake." She turned to me again, " Are you still going to 'Hugo' tonight?" I turned to her in confusion, why wouldn't I be going to 'Hugo' tonight?

"Yeah..I'm still going." I told her and she looked at me in disgust for some strange reason.

"While my heart is breaking you want to go out with your friends and make out with a bunch of sluts! You honestly think that's appropriate?" I stood up from the bench not wanting to argue another day with her.

"Like I said we both want different things." With that I began to walk away and I could hear her screaming bloody murder behind me. She was a beautiful girl and I'm sure she can go chase someone who is much more consuming to her wants and needs.

APRIL

I crossed my fingers as the phone kept ringing. She better pick up or I will severely kick her ass into next week if she doesn't. I hear a muffled noise from the phone as she answered and sighed with relief.

"Marney?" I asked trying to gain the attention of my best friend.

We first seen each other when we were at a park when I was about three years old and ever since we have been joined at the hip. I'm thing1 and she's thing 2.

"April?" She asked surprised, "oh my gosh are you okay? I haven't seen you in forever!" She squealed through the phone making me pull it back from my ear.

"Yeah it's me and I'm fine." I told her sitting down on my bed, " How are you? I've missed you." I told her truthfully and I could tell she was smiling through the phone just like I was.

"I'm okay but I dumped Ryan. You were right he is far to immature for me." She told me with a depressed sigh but I. Couldn't help but smile.

Ryan Deans was the worse match ever for her. He's the biggest jerk to walk our school thinking he's royalty or something and watching that guy in pain would make me very happy.

"How about you come out with me tonight?" I asked hopefully incase she had other plans or something.

"Absolutely but where too?" She asked and by the sound of her voice, she was excited which was never a bad sign with her.

"I have this friend who's a marine and his friends are holding a welcome back party at 'Hugo'." I sighed, " You don't have to if you don't want too." I told her praying that she would accept my offer.

"Are you insane?" She squealed, " Of course I'm coming! What time will I have to be ready for?" The excitement was making it hard for me to understand her loud voice.

"Um...be at mine for seven." I told her heading through to my bathroom and turning the shower on.

"I'll see you then! Thank you!" She squealed happily down the phone and once again I held it away from my ear.

"Your welcome." I told her and instantly the phone was hanged up. She has two hours to get ready..I'm sure that's more than enough for her.

I stripped down taking a long relaxing shower calming my muscles from my run earlier. I used my vanilla shampoo and strawberry body wash which smelt so good it seemed almost edible to me. I dried myself with a towel as I turned the shower of and gave a short towel dry to my hair before brushing it and drying it with my red hairdryer.

I decided to add lots of more wild curls to my hair and pinned some of the top half back with bobby pins. Once I was fully satisfied I put some hairspray on it moved onto my make up.

I decided to put on some foundation, blusher and give myself black smokey eyes. I put on some eyeliner, mascara and a little pale lipgloss to my lips and that's all.

I then came out of my bathroom and picked the clothes up that I had chosen to wear. I decided to wear my leather hot pants with a pink blouse top that was sleeveless and pink with a black bow stitched on the front. I picked my black glossy heels that had black glitter around the actual heel itself.

I sprayed some body spray on with perfume and was all ready to go and according to my phone it was time to meet Marney out the front of the house. Apparently one of Blake's friends isn't really a drinker so he will be driving us there and back.

I made my way down stairs and lifted my purse, money and phone with a small smile. Tonight should be fun and its fun that I'm going to have.

"Mum I'm going!" I shouted from the front door catching sight of Marney looking as pretty as ever.

"Have fun sweetie! I love you!" She called back and I smiled even more.

"I love you too." I opened my front door and basically ran to Marney with a squeal holding her in a tight embrace...I haven't seen her in two weeks.

She looked beautiful with her long blonde hair straightened and past her chest, her make up was perfect as always with a little pink eyeshadow and lipgloss to go with her pink lace skater dress. Her heels were glittery silver and he legs were just as long as mine in heels but mines was more tanned that hers.

"So spill are these guys hot or not?" She asked looking at me with excitement.

The answer was yes. Blake was beautiful and since he's the only one I know out of all of them I could tell that Marney was his type of girl. Not that I would care if he hooked up with Marney but he is in a relationship with Abby.

"Why don't you see for yourself." I told her as I watched the black Cadillac pull up into my street.

Here we go.