Remember

Chapter 13

 I was too anxious to eat breakfast even though my mom had made us her famous homemade banana nut muffins and honey butter. The dream shook me, but I had bigger problems as it was the first day of school Casey was wearing short shorts and baby doll top. She had her hair in beach waves and did her make up like she always did with her long eye lashes and dark eye liner. I had also done my make up, but by the way the lady at Ulta had taught me and it came out looking very nice and simple. Casey had begged to do my hair and I allowed her to. She had some how managed to do two half dutch braid up top and had also did beach waves. My mom was emotional by the fact that her two daughters were turning into young ladies. Jake had gone to work already so it was just the three of us until I heard the roar of Ares truck pull up to the drive way. 

"Your boyfriend is here." Teased Casey 

I ignored her, but my mom gave her a warning look. He rang the doorbell and I went to go answer it. He looked like he too was ready for the first day of school. His hair was done and he wore a name brand skater shirt and loose black jeans with skater shoes. I could smell his cologne and wanted to melt into a puddle. My face disregarded my brain when it told it to stop smiling. He too was smiling and his green eyes sparkled with delight as he gave me a once over. 

"You look beautiful." He said in a low tone so low that only I could hear. 

"Thank you. You look handsome as well." 

"Morning Ares!" Called my mom from behind, "Why don't you come in and have a muffin." 

"Smells like banana." He replied as we walked into the house. I couldn't stop looking at him. Admiring him and worshiping him internally. 

"I made the girls muffin's they request them every year for the first day of school." 

"You are taking Emma to school?" Asked Casey 

"That is the plan." Said Ares 

"Jenna was going to give me a ride, but she couldn't. Can I catch one with you guys?" 

We both looked at each other. 

"Absolutely not Casey." Scolded my mom, "You start earlier then she does and are across town. You can ride the bus or I can take you on my way to work." 

Casey rolled her eyes, "Fine whatever." 

I gave my mom a silent thank you because I knew it would be the car ride from hell with Casey doing nothing but embarrassing me. My mom handed Ares a muffin wrapped in a napkin to go. 

"I need pictures!" She yelled 

"Oh mom please don't!" Whined Casey 

"No way am I going to miss this. My babies are growing up. Come outside so we can get the sunlight." 

We all followed her out. Casey and I knew it was a battle that would not be won so we just went along with it. 

Casey was first to pose because she loved being behind the camera. I was second and I absolutely hated it, but people have told me I was naturally photogenic. My mom got one of the both of us regardless of our differences we made a great picture together and finally. 

"Ok Emma and Ares your turn." 

"Seriously. For the two of them not being boyfriend and girlfriend they sure do act like it." 

I again I ignored her and Ares and I stood together with our arms around each other. I had to give Casey credit, because she was right and I hated her for it, but at the same time. Having his arm around me I couldn't help look up at him and smile. 

The parking lot of school was as I expected, busy, but we had arrived in time for us to get a decent parking spot. I wasn't ready to leave the comfort of his truck or the comfort of him. 

"You ready?" He asked me 

I couldn't say anything as I nodded no because deep down I hated school. It wasn't the school work or the teachers. It was the kids I had to be in class with. I was quiet and reserved. I didn't really fit in anywhere and I didn't exactly have best friends because of community we lived in was all high end expensive and most girls and guys didn't bother with a girl like me which was fine because I was content with my lonely social status. Occasionally I'd get to tag a long with Casey to a birthday party, but it was more out of pity. 

"I had a dream about you last night." 

"Oh yeah?" 

"As long as I can remember I've always had these dreams about a cottage and a field of wildflowers and playing with another girl. We would weave flowers into our hair and giggle." 

He continued to listen. 

"Last night was different. Last night you were there, but you were in purple and black armor." 

His expression changed.

"I think you suspected I was watching you, but you never said anything."

He didn't respond and I didn't push the topic. 

I could see the student body making their way into the red brick building of the school. It was time to go. My anxiety was rising because I'd be leaving my best friend. 

"It's going to be ok Emma. You have the diary." 

I nodded and opened up the truck door and got out. He took got out and went out the front and waited while I put on my backpack. I walked around to the front and he held out his hand. I didn't question it as I grabbed it and our hands intertwined with each other and we walked together across the parking lot. I wanted to keep holding his hand or have him turn me around and we make a run for the car, but at last we came to the side walk. 

"Come here." He said and pulled me to him. He held me and I was trying hard to hold back tears. I felt like a child on her first day of school ever who was being coddled. I took in his scent and the warmth of his arms and felt him kiss my forehead. I looked up at him and he smiled down at me. 

"I'll see you later ok. You will have a great first day Emma." He kissed my forehead again and let go. I watched him walk away and heard the warning bell so I too turned made my way into hell. 

I walked the halls toward my locker and opened it up. I placed my backpack inside so I wouldn't have to carry it and grabbed a notebook, a pen, and more importantly the diary. I went to close it and none other then Riley, the girl from the skate park was standing next to me.

"Hi Riley." I said clearly not thrilled 

"So you are dating Jenna's brother?" It was more of an accusation than a question. 

"We are just friends." I said, not that it was any of her business. 

"Friends don't hold hands and kiss each other." 

"Believe what you want Riley." 

"I know what I saw." 

I turned to face her, "What do you want?" I asked her point blank 

"You know what I wanted." 

I glared at her and something inside me wanted to snap, but I refrained. 

"Look Emma I know were aren't exactly friends." 

I snorted, "We aren't even close." 

"You and Ares would make a cute couple." 

I was shocked by her statement. 

"He seems to really like you. It is obvious you really like him." 

"I do." 

"So what is stopping you?" 

"Why do you care?" I asked her 

She shrugged, "Maybe I am turning a new lease on life and want to maybe be friends." 

"Or you just trying to get in good to get closer to Ares. I know how you operate Riley. We've known each other since kindergarten." 

Her face turned sour, "Fine, but a guy like that isn't going to wait long before you decide to put out." 

"You don't know Ares." I snapped

"No, but I know men Emma. If you want advice." 

"I don't." 

"Just offering my informative info." 

"My advice Riley is to keep it to yourself. If I wanted to have s*x with Ares I would already be having s*x with him."

"Well don't wait too long or someone with experience might snatch him up." She said as she began to walk away. 

The blood in my veins began to boil and I wanted to push her down and start clawing her, but I refrained and went to class. 

I sat down near the back because I didn't want to be bothered with. I felt eyes watching me though as a few of the popular girls were watching me trying to figure me out. Normally I was under the radar, but because of Ares and my new not use outfit. I was making a statement and I wasn't sure how well it was going to benefit me. 

I pulled out the diary. 

People are staring I wrote 

And magically words appeared 

Of course you are beautiful 

Especially girls are staring. 

They want what you have. 

You?

Yes. 

The teacher began and it was the same routine every year where they talk about class expectations and handed out a syllabus. 

How is it so far besides the obvious He asked 

It only first period. I am more excited about first practice. 

I can't wait to see you in action. 

I couldn't help but smile, but tried not to give myself away. The day could not end fast enough. After first period I walked the halls to my next period and now it wasn't just the girls staring. It was guys too. Guys who I had know for ever who never game me the time of day until now by staring as if I was their next snack. On and on they stared and none of them said anything and that was how it was all day. As if I were a trophy they couldn't touch. Classes weren't much better, it was the same thing in every class of handing out text book, syllabuses, paper work for parents to sign, and the list went on. 

The end of the day finally came and I walked to the girls locker room to prepare for practice. I loved practice. I loved exercising and scrimmaging and that is exactly what we did today. 

"Oh man who is that guy?" I heard one of my teammates say. I turned around and there was Ares sitting on the bleachers. He waved and I waved back.

"That is Ares." I said 

"Girl he is fine!" 

I smiled, "Look at her she is blushing. Well.. so much for trying to get his number he is clearly taken." They teased me. 

"We are just friends." 

They all laughed and carried on with practice because the coach is yelling us to stop gossiping and being a bunch of girls even though we were. We started to scrimmage again and like soccer Lacrosse wasn't much different except we had sticks to carry the ball. I was a fast runner so I got handed the ball a lot. I was quite off the field, but lethal on the field. I had scored on my side and the couch yelled in excitement and I saw Ares clap. After we conditioned and did scrimmages with the new plays to prepare for our first game I was sweaty and desperately needed a shower. I walked over to Ares. 

"You looked great out there." He told me 

"Thanks sorry I smell terrible." 

"You are fine. You hungry?" He asked 

"Definitely." 

He grabbed my bag from my arm and we walked to his truck and got in. Ares took us to a local burger joint that was popular for their Zucchini fries and avocado bacon burgers. They also had delicious home made Mac and cheese with pepper jack cheese. We ordered our food and sat down outside since it was nice outside. 

"So how was your first day?" 

"Boring. Same stuff every year just different teachers and the same student body." 

"College will be better. Less non sense, more fun, and individuals who except you for who you are and not what you have." 

"I think I am going to try and graduate early." I said 

"Really why?" 

I shrugged, "Just not a fan of school. I would rather just push forward and try and be successful." 

"I suppose, but don't you want to enjoy the high school experience of homecoming and prom." 

"Why should I? No is going to ask me." 

"Do you want someone to ask you?" He asked taking a bite of his burger while I munched on fries. 

"No one I go to school with." I smirked

He gave me his devilish smile and I in turn gave mine. 

"When is your first game?" He asked 

"In two weeks. Its our rival school so we need to beat them just to have bragging rights." 

"Are you parents coming?" 

"My mom might come if she isn't too tired from working all week and Jake will probably be delivering pizzas." 

"Guess that means I'll be your fan club? What about Casey?" 

I snorted, "Casey hates sports unless it's with boys. She could careless." 

"You get sad about your family sometimes don't you?" He asked 

"We are close I suppose, but we aren't like that normal family where everyone supports everyone. I think if I ever have a family I'd want to be at my daughter or son's game no matter how tired I am and that is why I want to have a good education so I can have a good job that allows me the freedom to be able to be a good parent." 

"Fae aren't great at reproducing. I guess because we live long lives so Mother Nature will have it to where she controls our reproduction in procreating." 

"Wish we had that here. I'm sure we could use some procreating control that doesn't involve the government and clueless teenagers or individuals who aren't ready to be parents." 

"How many kids would you want?" 

I thought for a moment. 

"One time I had wanted 5, but now I think two is ok." 

"5 is a lot." 

"I was little. It wasn't until I babysat once and realized how hard it was to take care of kids and that was just baby sitting." 

He smiled, "Is your mom going to wonder where you are at?" He asked 

"I texted her on our way here and let her know. She wasn't too happy because she was eager to find out how my first day of school went, but I had to remind her that I am not in elementray or middle school anymore and that I am a cranky teenager that loathes school." 

Ares laughed, "She is still your mom. She will always wonder, worry, and love you no matter what." 

"I know. She is so use to me being a home body. Some times her and I would sit watching Lifetime and eating brownies on her days off while Casey was gone at some friends house." 

I wanted to ask him about his mom, but was worried that was going to open up an old wound. Eventually I will ask when the mood and timing is better. Talking about someone gone, but not forgotten shouldn't be talked about at a busy burger joint.