The call never came. She waited for days. Days turned into weeks. She found herself grief-stricken, couldn't find it in her head what could've caused him not to call. She kept going over it in her mind, all the scenarios that lead to other possibilities and another and another, none of them resolved her anxiety, because the call just didn't come.
The simplest explanation would be that he had lost her number, but it wasn't what she chose to believe. If she was important enough to him, he wouldn't have lost her number, not on the first day he arrived in Goldstone. If she was important enough for him, he would've guard that number with his life. She believed that. So she concluded that she wasn't important enough to him. It wasn't the first time he had disappeared on her, he used to do that when they knew each other. But this time, it was plain cruel. Her grief turned to bitter resentment towards Tommy.
She was a mess, she cried, stared at the
Halloween in Bluebridge is a big thing, it's bigger than Christmas. People decorated the trees along the pathways, front lawns were turned into creepy pumpkin fields. All the street lights were turned off, the only lights were coming from candles, torches, and the stars. People turned on minimum lights in their houses so the essence of Halloween can be captured throughout the whole town. It was a tradition that's been passed on from generation to generation. Bluebridge turned into a murderous ghost town for one night, and Charlene loved it so much.People of all ages walked down the pathways, those who were too scared usually stayed home and slept the night away with all the lights off. It's their way of passively participating, it was an unspoken commitment amongst the townspeople. Those who roamed the streets were all wearing costumes and Halloween make-up. The Town Hall was open for a gloomy party, no music, no lights, just scary illustration sounds, black li
He looked at his reflection in the mirror, after a whole month of training at the gym, some of his features had changed. He gained weight, muscles, his waist slimmed. Bradley just told him that he was going to advance to the choreography training. It's been grueling, especially because he had to work nights as a bouncer at The Silver Tongue and spent the entire morning until the afternoon at the gym.The real work hadn't even started, he'd only watched the shows from the sidelines and learned what it was all about. He was not one who shied away from being in the nude, he doesn't mind to be completely naked and being displayed on a stage. The only thing that worries him was what Charlie might think about his new profession. People were not allowed to touch him, but some of them would want to. People were notallowed to offer him money to have a private session with him, but they tried."You'll be offered money ... more money than you've
Landon had been calling her every weekend since Halloween. He asked her how she was doing, what she's been doing, but mostly he talked about school and how much he had to study. He spent Thanksgiving with his family, a weekend away at their other vacation home near the mountains, doing all sorts of posh activities that he enjoyed so much. He said he wanted to go skiing for the Christmas holiday and asked Charlene if she would join him. She politely declined. Even after he had been nice to her, she didn't feel like Landon is someone she can be close to."Oh come on ... you'll love it, I'll teach you how to ski, you'll meet all my friends and family, we'll stay out at a villa in the mountains, drink eggnogs and other Christmas-y things," he tried to persuade her."I don't know, Landon, I feel like spending Christmas here with my family ... spend more time with Charlotte before I leave next year," she said."Fair enough ...
Everyone was excited for the show on New Year's Eve. Bill Ludlow had funded a full-blown Bluebridge entertainment at the Town Hall and the fireworks at the bridge. It was part of his campaign strategy. Being the richest member of the community, he wanted to sway the people with his money. The Mayor delivered the year-end recap before the show, a small town delight for everyone to see.Landon made his presence known. He never left Charlene's side the whole night they were at the Town Hall. He knew how small-town people talk, he wanted to make sure everyone saw him with Charlene. He sat among her school friends and befriended them, especially Mandy and Kayla. Tommy's friends watched from a distance, Landon was not the kind of guy who can blend in with their lot.They speculate who Landon was. Charlene always says 'My friend from Gastonburry' but even a blind man can see he wasn't there to be her friend. Charlene seemed to be out of reach now t
Working out six hours a day, every day, and working on an eight-hour shift every night, took it's toll on him very quickly. Ever since a colleague of his suggested enhancers to boost his energy, he was able to add more hours at the gym and more hours on his shifts, and could still hang out at bars afterward. Everyone else was using it, it was common for his line of work. They call it 'the helper', which leads to other kinds of helpers, for every different need. Even actors use them too.There really wasn't much to do after work, except for bar-hopping with the guys. Days were always dark for him because he spent mornings sleeping and practically woke up at the gym to train until it gets dark. The enhancers really helped him cope with his new routine. He watched as his friends snorted and shoved all kinds of pills every day, but he stuck to his beers and whiskey with an occasional weed when it was passed around. Simon had warned him about the drugs, how easy it w
"What are you doing on Valentine's day?" Landon asked on the phone."Nothing ... same as every other year," she laughed at herself."Oh ... don't sound so sad, I'm sure you'll find things to do with your friends?" he comforted her.She laid on her bed, pulled the telephone cords closer. "They all have their boyfriends this year, so I'll be staying home with Charlotte and my mom ... my dad's in Gastonburry," her voice sounded even gloomier."I'm sure he has business to attend to," he tried to instill reasonable doubt."Yeah, right, haven't you seen him yet? He's staying at your house, isn't he?"Landon doubted for a second, there was a commotion in the background, and then the sound of a car door slammed. "No, I haven't seen him actually, but yeah ... he's probably at my house already."Charlene sat up on the bed, "That's weird ... you mea
He was looking at a picture of Charlie that he kept amongst his belongings. It started to warn out after a while, it was folded, tucked in places, sometimes crumpled, but he kept it. Jeremy often teased him because he caught him so many times while he was looking at it. It's been over five months since he kissed her goodbye, he hadn't been with her longer than he was with her. He spent Valentine's day tucked in his bed in Jeremy's flat, hiding away from the lustful city, pretending to be sick.Everyone was out and about celebrating with friends and lovers. He was high on demand on Valentine's night, the women were lusting over him like little kids wanting their candies. He had to pass on Valentine's day bonuses, tips, and side money that he could've easily make just by showing up.Maxine Roberts had been on his tail constantly. He managed to avoid her proposal the first time. His contract with Bradley had saved him from a sexual transaction
There's nothing more important to a 17-year-old senior in high school than Prom Night. Even though she had to attend the event without a date, she was excited nevertheless. Kayla and her boyfriend, Brandon was going to pick her up. They asked Brandon's best friend, Dylan, to drive. Dylan had had a crush on Charlene since 10th grade, it was going to be a night he will never forget.She looked incredibly stunningin her pink champagne flower embroidered dress. The sleeveless transparent top fitted the outlines of her body, her medium cup sized breasts were enveloped under the flowers, almost naked in the corner of everyone's eyes. The wide cloaked skirt draped all the way to her ankle, right above her high heels shoes with a matching color. She made her hair into big wavy curls, and let them fall over her shoulders. She turned everyone's heads that night and almost made Dylan's heart stopped when he had the privilege to escort her into the venue.