Come Back Here

The next day, since Renae had to go to school, Andy and I decided to spend the day together. After explaining to his parents the real situation, they, just like my mom after I explained, were pissed off at the school, and not at him. He wasn’t totally out of the pit, he was still in trouble to a point for decking Brent, but he wasn’t restricted from seeing me. As you can imagine, I was relieved, because I don’t honestly know what I would do for these three days of suspension without him. Thursday had already been Hell waiting around for him, I wasn’t going to be bored out of my mind on a Friday, stuck in Renae’s room. Seeing that it was Friday, it was Gerard’s turn to drive, so when he was coming over to pick up Renae, he picked up Andy along the way, and dropped him off. But, seeing that it was also 7:34 in the morning, and both of us were going to enjoy our extra sleep, we passed out in Renae’s room after they left. I had made the suggestion of cuddling in Renae’s bed, because even though I didn’t mind the floor the other night, it sure as shit wasn’t as comfortable as a mattress. I finally woke up around tenish. Andy had his arm around me and was silently observing me. My first instinct was to shudder at the thought that someone had been watching me sleep, but it was Andy, and I didn’t know how to react. Do I melt inside, or freak the fuck out? “You’re really adorable when you sleep.” He said in a morning, husky voice that sent a familiar tingling throughout my whole body. “What and I’m not when I’m awake?” I joked, rubbing my eyes. “No.” He stated. “What?! I thought you were supposed to love me?!” I asked flabbergasted. “You’re not adorable, you’re beautiful.” “Oh.” I blushed, not knowing whether or not to look away from his gaze or meet it. “And I do love you.” He added. I bit the inside of my cheek. I know I said it to him once, but he was asleep and didn’t hear me. At the time it seemed like I was ready to say it, but maybe that was just because I was tired and I should have known he would be fast asleep. Not that it isn’t a prime time to say it; I just can’t bring myself to say it when I know he’ll hear me. Is that weird? “Well, Batman…” I saw him smirk, causing me to pause and smile, “what should we do with our ‘day off of school’? I noticed a tinge of disappointment flash through his eyes, but as soon as it arrived, it left, leaving his normal bright blue crystals staring back at me. I felt a little bad, because I had a feeling he was waiting for me to say the words back. I wonder if he actually heard me the other night and wonders why I just won’t say it when I know he’s awake. “Considering it isn’t even noon yet, I vote we eat ice cream for breakfast.” I let out a laugh, “So, are we pampering ourselves for getting suspended.” “Maaayyyybbbeeee.” “I know Renae has chocolate and strawberry, and I think she has cookie dough. Which sounds best to you?” “Cookie dough.” * Turns out the cookie dough was out, and the strawberry was on the low side, so we both stuck to chocolate. At first, it seemed weird that I was in my best friend’s kitchen eating ice cream for breakfast on a school day with my boyfriend, but after the first few bites, I adjusted to the idea. I could actually go as far and say that I wouldn’t mind doing this on Monday for our last day of suspension. After our ‘breakfast’ Andy brought up the idea to go see a movie in theaters. I don’t even know what we went to see, all I remember was it was a shitty horror movie, and Andy and I held hands the entire time, except for when we fought over who got to hold the popcorn—a little secret, it was me who won. The entire time I sat there, I was thinking about how ‘haha, Ree and Gee are stuck in Brit Lit,’ or ‘hehe, those losers are sitting in math class right now.’ The only down side of not sitting in class with them, is that I’ll miss all the excitement of foods class. (Can you sense my sarcasm?) Although, one time, one sophomore did set a wooden spoon on fire, and the funny part was that we weren’t even supposed to be using the stoves, he just sort of bumped it and it turned on. “Andy?” I asked, while we were exiting the theater, tossing the empty popcorn container in a trashcan as we walked by. “Yea?” “Can I show you something?” “Yea, what is it?” “That, my friend, would be a secret. Come on, it’s about two blocks from here.” I pulled Andy out of the theater doors. I was excited to show him a place that was my safe haven when I was littler. I don’t know why, but I felt like sharing it with him. It was as if I felt he should know the spot I spent most of my days in middle school and early high school hiding out in. While we were walking, I started talking about music, because let’s face it, I am a music addict. “What are some of your favorite bands?” I asked, still holding his hand. “KISS is pretty amazing, so is Motley Crüe. The Misfits, The Dammed, bands like that. What about you? What does the mighty Celeste Rose like best?” We came to a stop before an intersection, making sure it was okay to cross. As my feet hit the pavement, I replied, “Pierce the Veil is my all-time favorite. Sleeping with Sirens is pretty good, too. The Misfits is up there, but so is Green Day.” “OhmygodGreenDay.” He said in one quick beat. I laughed, “I take it you like them?” “Fucking love ‘em.” I don’t know why, but as we drew closer to the spot I was taking Andy to, the more comfortable I felt. I took the opportunity to start singing—horribly might I add. Brain Stew popped into my head, and I just started spouting out lyrics. “I’m having trouble trying to sleep. I’m counting sheep but running out.” Andy looked at me with a perplexed look on his face. For a moment I was self conscious that maybe he was confused about my voice, on why it was so bad. I should mention that this was one of those moments when I didn’t necessarily try to sing, I just did that thing where you yell out lyrics making it in tune of the song. “What?” I asked, blushing, hiding behind my hair a little. “What song was that?” He asked, taking a second to move my hair behind my ear, revealing my tragus piercing to the world. I stared at him with shock. “You don’t know Brain Stew?” He shook his head. “Oh my God, how do you love Green Day without knowing Brain Stew?! That’s it, we’re listening to this song the moment we get back to Renae’s.” It looked like Andy was about to comment, when we came up to a park. The plastic was faded, and the metal was chipping paint in some areas. This was the place(ish). To get to the place I wanted to show Andy, we’d have to go inside the park. “We’re heeeeeeeeerreee!” I squeaked. “Well, partially.” “An old playground?” He asked. “Like I said, partially. Come with me.” I pulled him along, past the faded blue plastic slide, and through the loathsome wood chips that scattered the ground all in and around the area. We went into a small area of trees, and walked until we found the right one. This was no ordinary tree, it was my tree. I technically don’t own it, but I spent so much time in it that I claimed it. It was wide, with low hanging branches. I grabbed onto one and started to climb up, telling Andy to follow. I’ve climbed this tree so many times over the years that I could do it in my sleep. I hoisted myself onto a tall and thick branch. I looked down to see Andy right behind me. My hands burned a little, but nothing that I couldn’t handle, so went up to the last branch, before moving aside the leaves that hid my secret spot. There was a small, but not too tiny, tree house hidden up here. I stumbled upon it when I was about eleven, and whenever I could, I’d spend my time in it. Anything to prevent being at home. Not even Gerard or Renae know about this spot. It was my spot, and it was a secret. The only other person that knows about it is the man that built it. Not far from the park, there was this guy named Hunter Hunters (yes, I’m not kidding) that made it for his little girl before she passes away. I noticed it once, and somehow he found out that I had been using it, and me being terrified, I started to apologize like crazy, but he cut me off and told me I could use it as much as I wanted, and that it could me mine. He even went as far to paint my name right under his daughter’s on the outside wall. I hoisted myself inside and reached down to help Andy up. It could be tricky to get in, and Andy already seems to be struggling. I crawled back more, to let him get in. The place was just big enough to fit about three teenagers in it, so long as they are on their knees. Andy hit the ceiling. “Ow.” He stated, rubbing his head. “Awe, did little Andy bonk his head?” “Yes.” “Do want Celeste to kiss it and make it all better.” “I wouldn’t say I’d mind it.” I chuckled and pulled his head down and kissed his head. “Much better.” We both sat down before he continued, “So what is this place?” “It’s my secret hideout from middle school, and well, freshman year. I don’t come to it all that often anymore, but I wanted you to see it.” “It’s very tiny.” “Well, I’m a tiny person. You just happen to be a giraffe.” He laughed, throwing his head back, knocking it against the wall. “Ah, fuck!” he shouted out. “You’re secret hideout is injuring me.” “Sorry.” I looked around. Everything seemed like it had been left alone for the two years I hadn’t been inside. But, something caught my eye. I had to think about it a moment before I realized what it was. Oh God. “What is it? A leaf caught in my hair?” I adverted my attention back to Andy, “What? No. Nothing I can see.” “Then what were you zoned out about?” “…Nothing…” “Celeste…” I shook my head, but he turned around to see what I had been looking at. I had forgotten that I carved something into the wood by the opening. Even though I never brought anyone up here, I still marked it. In a carved out heart there was my name and my ex’s. I blushed bright red. “Well well well, looks like we have some carving to do.” “I never brought him up here, you know.” “Brought who?” He asked, turning back around. “Christian, the guy I ‘dated’. You’re the only one who knows about this place besides me and Mr. Hunters.” “I feel honored. I won’t tell a soul.” “Thanks.” “Should we get carving?” I nodded. Andy pulled out a pocket knife—how ironic, he magically has one. I crawled over to his side and sat next to him as he started to make another heart, this one bigger. He handed me the pocket knife and I carved my name inside of it, before handing it back to him, allowing him to carve his name and making the carving complete. He put the pocket knife away. “It’s much better now.” I stated. I love you I love you I love you. My heart was pounding in my eardrums. It felt like the right time to say it, but I didn’t know if my mouth would let me utter it. Andy faced me, smiling softly. He tucked my hair behind my ear. “Thank you for showing me your secret hideout.” I simply nodded. I feared if I said anything, it would come out wrong. Say it say it say it. Before I could actually speak, Andy lifted my chin and placed his warm lips on mine. My insides turned to an ooey-gooey mess. His lips traveled down to my jaw line. It occurred to me that this was heading toward a make-out session, and I didn’t feel comfortable doing it in this itty-bitty tree house. “We should head back to Renae’s. It’s probably about time for lunch.” * Renae’s mom came home for lunch every day of the week, around one in the afternoon. When Andy and I walked through the front door, I noticed her cooking in the kitchen. I haven’t actually spoken to her since staying here, which when you think about it, is kind of bad. Andy and I took a seat at the counter. She turned around with a steaming pan of chicken meatballs. “Oh, Celeste, I didn’t know when you’d be back. You must be Andy, right? I don’t think we’ve officially met, I’m Renae’s mother, Kelly. I’d shake your hand, but well, meatballs.” “Nice to meet you.” “I heard about your guy’s suspension, and I am absolutely fed up about it. There was no reason for that man to unjustly treat you. I’ve actually been thinking on firing him for a few years, and after this school year ends, it’s hasta lavista Thornburg. Meatballs anyone?” “Sure.” I responded. As Kelly went to grab plates, she kept talking. “So, Celeste, Renae’s filled me in on your situation. I’ve been looking through student files to find this Christian Coma she mentioned. I found one boy by that name, but it technically isn’t his last name, he’s in the process of changing it. I don’t know if he’s the guy you’re looking for, but I’m pretty positive, because his father is listed as Robert Coma.” She handed both Andy and I plates. I wasn’t focused on the food, I was just trying to intently listen. She may have found my brother. “I can’t give you an address by law, but, I can get away with minor infractions here and there. I think this is an exception. I advise you wait until you get back to school to try to visit him, though.” I nodded frantically, “Yes, I understand. Thank you so much, Kelly!” I almost squeaked again. I got right out of my seat and went up and hugged her really tight. She did it! “It’s no trouble, Celeste, you’re family.”

Notes