Chapter 12

“You guys are bad friends” I chuckle into the phone.

“How is it our fault?” Austin defends with a laugh.

“No need blame us because you embarrassed yourself in front of your girlfriend” Drew adds.

“Okay, I get a feeling that you enjoy it every single time I correct you and say she’s not my girlfriend so I’m not going to give you the satisfaction asshole.”

“Anyway, are you insane? How can you just drink some shit off a counter top? You don’t know how long it’s been there” Austin scolds.

He was right, I acted crazy and stupid, especially for someone who parties daily and sees this type of stuff. The drink was probably roofied to have that effect on me. I still don’t remember much from last night, but I know I made a fool of myself. And I’ve decided to just let last night go. Why stress over something I can’t change? Besides, Sparks never wanted to fuck with me to begin with. So, embarrassing myself didn’t change much.

“I don’t know why I did that” Sparks was in my vicinity, talking too much, and confusing me “What matters is I’m fine” I shrug though they can’t see me and Austin sighs an ‘okay’.

“Where are you? We’ll come after class” Drew asks.

“Nowhere you need to worry about” I smile looking into the aquarium.

“Okay” I can hear the suspicion laced in Drew’s voice as he drags his word.

“I’ll meet you at Austin’s after your classes” I tap the glass gently with my fore-finger.

“Fine, see you” Austin says and I hang up.

Watching fish swim around is oddly calming, I noticed that a few hours ago.

_

“You’re creeping my fish out, weirdo” Sparks laughed.

“Creeping them out? Are you kidding me? They love my face, I’m hot” I said back staring unblinkingly at her goldfish swimming around freely in the aquarium that was set up in her living room.

“Fine, but if I find them dead it’ll be on you” she said and I laughed.

“That’s harsh” I sighed and looked back at her; she was lying on the couch staring at me, eyebrows raised. “Why’d you get an aquarium?”

“Well, I love the ocean. Water is beautiful and peaceful, you know? But since I can’t move to a place near the ocean cause of school and all, I decided to bring the ocean here the only way I could” she smiled looking proud.

“Really?” I smiled “I hate water.”

“Then why are you staring at my fish like that?”

I looked back at the aquarium “I have to agree with you, it’s peaceful.”

“Why don’t you get one for your place?”

“I don’t want tiny goldfish; I want a shark” I confessed knowing how ridiculous it sounded.

“What?” she chuckled.

“What’s so funny? I’m serious.”

“You want a shark?” she asked putting her hand over her mouth to cover her grin.

“Yes” I Shrugged finding the humour in her eyes adorable as I approached her and sat on the tiny table next to the couch.

“Then why don’t you get one?” she asked and I looked back at the aquarium then her.
_

“Hey, are you going to buy something?” I’m brought back to the present by a man’s voice and I turn and look at the teenage boy behind the counter.

“Do you have a shark?” I raise my eyebrows.

“No” he answers and I can tell by his frown that he thinks I’m crazy. It wasn’t my fault people never came around asking for sharks when they should have.

“Then no” I smile at him and walk out of the tiny shop.

I light my phone and stare at the screen, it was 2 P.M. Why was the day moving by so slow? I get into my jeep and drive back to my house. I needed to shower and change before heading to Aus’.

This morning went by so fast it’s like it didn’t even exist; all I know is that this was the first time in a long time I’ve had breakfast like that.
_
“So you just sit and watch stars?” I watched as her smile widened and eyes lit up.

“Yeah… Wait, don’t you?” she sipped her coffee.

“Not on purpose, no” I shrugged “I mean you’ve just said that that’s your idea of a fun night, Sparks.”

“What? It’s peaceful. Look, picture this” she closed her eyes. “Close your eyes, Cain…” she instructed. “You are on a rooftop alone” I smiled and closed my eyes for her “It’s quiet, you can feel a gentle breeze, and when you open your eyes there’s nothing but you and a sky full of stars… So many stars.” Her voice was so gentle and dreamy it forced me to open my eyes just to look at her. “Or maybe if you prefer, you can have someone special with you.”

She was very interesting, very rare compared to the people I’ve known in my life. I mean who would find a night like that fun?

“Your eyes aren’t even closed.”

“Yeah, because I don’t want to picture stars when I can look at you” I winked at her trying to make light of my thoughts and she cringed.

“Disgusting, Cainine.” She pointed me with a fork before biting into her pancakes and I laughed.

“Okay, okay Sparks” I looked at my plate then back at her. “So, what else do you enjoy?” I don’t think it was about me finding her accent fascinating anymore, I actually wanted to hear her speak and say words to me. Well shit.

“Enough about me, why’d you dye your hair?” she pointed my head and I ruffled my short shaggy hair.

**
I park my jeep in the driveway and walk to my house fishing the keys from my pocket. You know the thing with never using your house is it always stays clean. I mean sure there’s a bit of dust here and there but it’s clean.

Dust isn’t dirt… Fun fact from yours truly.

I walk up to my room and open the drawer next to my bed; I needed to decompress first.

I take out a cigarette from the pack and tuck it between my lips as I plop back on my bed then light it taking a long drag before blowing the smoke away. I don’t really smoke cigarettes much, but theses are different… Let’s just say they gave me a nostalgic feeling and I’m masochistic like that.

I look up at my ceiling watching the smoke dance in the air as it makes its way up and when I close my eyes, I see a vision of a pretty smile and stars. Lots and lots of stars with an excited Sparks next to me.

My weird midday thoughts are interrupted by the vibration of my phone and I pull it out of my pocket and groan.

“Shit.”

I was definitely not going to let this old man ruin my chill day. I had no classes, my gym was under great supervision, no call from my dumb agency, and my hangover was cured by the smile of an angel… That sounds so stupid. Anyway, my point is my day was chill and I didn’t need any of his shit.

We go through the same exhausting cycle. He asks me to go home, I say no, he whines, and threatens me. He asks me to do something for him, I say no, he tracks me down, and tries to take away the only thing I legally own. He’s fucking exhausting, my old man.

There were days I wanted to impress him and make him proud of me. And then, I would do anything to earn a half praise from him. Steal, beat people up, run his dirty businesses.

But well… I guess I grew up. I want nothing to do with him; I don’t need to impress anyone least of all that bastard. I mean I’m amazing without even trying for fuck’s sake and if he can’t see that then he should go su-

My phone rings again for the third time interrupting my thoughts and I want to receive it and scream at him, but I won’t. “Fuck you, old man” I whisper and switch my phone off lying back down, and blowing the smoke out into the air. I watch as it goes up, up, and up then poof.

**

“Listen, girls like presents…” Austin slurs.

“Yeah, if you want her to be your girlfriend, get her a gift” Drew continues and I glare at both of them from my position on the couch.

“Yeah, I bet you two have gotten lots of gifts.”

“Okay, okay hot shot, I see what you did there but I am no one’s girlfriend” Austin defends and I throw my head back laughing.

“Listen… listen guys, what are we celebrating?” Drew asks and Austin and I shrug.

I believe you can guess we are all stoned… Very stoned. Austin is on his back on top of the counter, Drew is sprawled on the floor, and I’m on the couch.

“I’ll tell you what!” Austin suddenly yells “Our little girl here just found her soulmate.”

“Who’s little girl?” I groan.

“You’s little girl” he laughs.

“I’m happy for you little girl” Drew mumbles.

“I hate you two so much” I grumble before suddenly sit up as a light bulb lights up above my head. I had an idea… A golden idea “I need to get her a starfish.”

“What?” Austin asks.

“Starfish… She loves the ocean and stars” I explain.

“Yes, we’ll get her a starfish” Austin jumps from off the counter and I point him smiling as I nod my head.

Damn, I was coming up with really great ideas lately.

“I… I’m going to drive us” Drew announces and with brains switched off, we drive to the tiny shop I was in earlier hoping it wasn’t closed.

“You amaze me” I smile petting Drew’s hair. He could drive when stoned or drunk just as long as we didn’t speak or distract him.

“What can I say? I’m the responsible one” he shrugs seeming proud of himself. I turn to open the car door and fumble more than a few times seeing more than one of the handles and Drew ends up opening it for me.

Austin and I barge into the shop and I go straight to the counter with one thing in mind, being the cause of that pretty smile I saw earlier. I make strong eye contact with the boy behind it before saying “I know what I want” dramatic pause “A starfish.”

_

And that’s how I ended up in front of Sparks’ apartment door at 11 P.M. with a bowl in hand containing blue and green sea stars. Hopefully they’ll compliment her gold fish.

The door swings open and she stares at me eyes wide and eyebrows raised, “I Got you fish” I say blankly and stretch my arms out for her to see the starfish in the bowl.

“Umm” she snorts “thanks?” That smile makes an appearance and I feel my lips stretch too. I feel like I’m floating, and I don’t think it’s only because of the weed.

“Yeah. See, starfish cause you like stars and water” I explain and watch as her grin widens when she takes the bowl from my hand. I did that.

I nod, feeling fucking fulfilled in a way I’ve not in a while. I want to lie in bed and marinate in these floaty feelings. I turn to leave, the grin permanent on my face but find the car and my boys gone “Huh… I could have sworn I came with Austin and Drew” I mutter.

“Well…” I turn when Sparks speaks, the smile in her tone creating butterflies in my tummy. Fuck. “Want to come in?” she asks.

“Honestly, no… But my friends are assholes so I have no choice”. I wasn’t really on my right mind and had no control over my words and actions this wasn’t a good idea after last night. Besides, I came here to do one thing and it was done. There was no need to ruin it by staying.

“You’re on something, aren’t you?” she laughs letting me in her cozy fairy tale home.

“No, but I’d like to be” I chuckle “on you.” Turn it the fuck off Ali.

“You definitely are” she nods gracing me with that adorable cringe.

_
“So, are you going to tell me what you’re on?” Sparks asks setting the starfish on the table next to the aquarium.

“Aren’t you going to? -” I point the aquarium and the bowl.

“Not yet. I’m not sure they can be put together I’ll just have to do some research” she explains to me and I nod.

“Ooh.”

What the fuck was I thinking? I’ll tell you what, I wasn’t thinking at all. How can I just- Fuck. Think harder next time, Ali.

“Hey, thank you, they are perfect. It was very thoughtful of you, Cain” she reassures me, her tone soft, and I smile feeling all warm and accomplished again.

“Have you had dinner?” she asks and I shake my head mechanically, my eyes zoning in on her wallpaper. “Can I get you something to eat?”

“Hey, Sparks-” I whisper looking back at her “Want to watch stars with me?”.

I wanted to feel what she explained earlier. Peace. I wanted to feel peace with her; I wanted to be part of her peace.

“Umm…” she looks pretty unsure “Sure thing.” Sparks scoffs a laugh studying me closely.

“Hell yeah.” I walk to her and grab her small hand pulling her back outside with me. Honestly, I have no idea what Austin gave me, it has complete control over me. And it doesn’t feel so bad when I’m surrounded by Sparks’ warmth and softness instead of the usual pressure and cold.

I take off my jumper and lay it on the grass, lying down outside her two-story apartment building and waiting for Sparks to follow suit. She looks at me for a while, sighs, and plops next to me, lying her head so close to mine I can feel her cheek graze mine.

“Austin… He gave us these tiny pills that make me feel warm inside” I mutter.

“That explains it. Is that why you’re here?” she asks.

I look to my side at her and she’s still looking up at the open sky, her eyes dark and bright at the same time. I look back up and sigh. It was beautiful, the tiny glowing orbs so far from us, and so many, a reminder that we were insignificant, maybe nothing in the grand scheme of things. Was that what made Sparks feel at peace? Knowing she might be useless? That took so much pressure off me at the moment, maybe it was the same for her.

This actually might be peaceful but would it feel the same without her?

“I’ve been thinking about you all day” I tell her in all seriousness but she chuckles.

“Yeah right” she mocks and I chuckle along with her. How do you expect her to take you seriously, Ali?

“I don’t understand why I’m here” I whisper more to myself.

“Well… You are” she mutters and I look at her. Sparks has this secret smile on her face and the stars are reflecting in her eyes making her look… Magical. This whole thing feels magical and unreal.

“Stop staring at me.”

“You are beautiful” I blurt.

“You’ve made that clear several times” she shoots back.

“Maybe it’s because I don’t want you to forget that” I whisper and look back at the sky “You were right.”

“Hmm?”

“Watching stars is peaceful, but I don’t think I’d like it much without you” I mutter and feel her eyes on me.

“Really?” I can hear the smile in her tone again and I turn and look at her already grinning.

“Maybe it’s the whole reason I came here, I needed peace” I realize on my own.

I think I’m becoming smarter.

“Is it working?” she whispers softly and I feel the flutters again.

“You bet your sexy ass it is.”

“Ugh, please don’t start-” she cringes and I chuckle.

I don’t regret coming here one bit.

**

Soooo… Why do you think Cain went there?

Re-editing me here, I am tired I won’t lie butttttttttt we’re doing great so let’s go on doing great.

Revamper here and I absolutely love this chapter. It’s on of my favs in this book, its just so chill. I love chill.