Ready Set Go

That night, long after I had lain down, I sat up and glared at my alarm clock, cursing it for not moving. It was twelve midnight, and I still couldn't sleep. A frustrated sigh forced itself from my lips, and I punched my pillow a few times. My thoughts were keeping me awake and would not, for the life of me, leave me alone. I threw back my blankets and padded quietly down the hall to the kitchen. The light was already on, and I saw Gustav drinking a soda at the table.

"Couldn't sleep?" he asked quietly.

"No. You?"

"Obviously not. So how was your evening with Tom?"

"Definitely...eye-opening. What did you guys do?"

"What could we do?"

"Ah, played video games?"

He chuckled, "Basically. Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"How come you talk more to me than the others?"

"Damn it, Gustav. I'm trying to quit thinking. Not add to my list."

"Sorry. Well, I'm going to sleep."

"Alright. Wünschen Ihnen gute Träume."

I finally fell into unconsciousness around three in the morning; when Bill shook me awake, I was stunned to see ten hours had passed. I rubbed my eyes sleepily, before kicking him out of my room so I could dress. The forecast on the radio said it was a warm day, so I chose a pair of black skinny jeans, a black tube top with neon pink and lime green swirls and hearts, and a short-sleeved black button-up shirt; I pulled on my lime and pink Chuck Taylors Converse shoes. The guys all smiled when I entered the kitchen, and I sat next to Georg.

"So who am I going to be with tonight?"

"Me! Me! Choose me!"

I laughed quietly and nodded. "Okay, Bill. I'm gonna hang out with you tonight."

He smiled and clapped his hands excitedly. Tom caught my eye and shook his head at his twin's behaviour. I grabbed the car keys and went outside.

"Marie!" I turned to find Tom on the front stoop. "Where you going?"

"To clear my head."

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Tom's point of view

She looked tired. That's the first thing I noticed before her outfit. There were faint bags under her eyes, and that confused me. We had gotten back before ten-thirty the night before, yet she slept until one in the afternoon and still seemed extremely fatigued. I stared at her until she looked at me.

Once she left, I walked to my bedroom and shut the door. Flipping on the stereo, I flopped onto my mattress, pushed a dreadlock away, and let Samy Deluxe take over my mind. I stayed there for a few hours until she returned. She immediately went to her room, and I could hear the strumming of her guitar. I lit a fag and thought about the kiss that we had shared while we were out. I still couldn't believe I was her first kiss, but I understood what she meant about not wanting her dad to get involved with her boy issues.

Her lips had been soft, oh, so soft, and caressing, and her hair had looked so beautiful in the light from the moon. What was I saying? She always was gorgeous. She had smelled like apples and kiwi---her shampoo---and fresh Berlin air. When she had told me she thought she may like me, my heart had soared. Literally, it had left my chest, only to crash to the ground when she said "and possibly Bill..." I wondered if she knew the effect she had on me.

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Bill's point of view

I pulled Marie after me as we ran down the street, and her gentle laugh reached my ears. She grumbled when we stopped, and I watched from the corner of my eye as she fixed her top. I grinned widely and faced her fully.

"I have a surprise."

"Okay?"

"Close your eyes."

"Bill, I won't be able to see."

"I'll lead you."

She covered her eyes, defeated, and I gathered her hand in mine and dragged her into the building. I laughed at her reaction when I told her she could look. Her jaw dropped, and she stared around. Finally, she looked at me.

"Bill!"

"What?"

"A tattoo?"

"Why not?"

"Wow."

"Do you have what you want in mind yet?"

"Uh, not really."

A few moments later, the tattoo artist took her behind the screen since she had made her decision.

"So how is it being in a band with your twin brother?" she asked over the noise of the needle.

"Fun for the most part. Until I completely freak out, which I tend to do a lot."

"Arschloch."

"Yeah, I can be one."

"Bill?"

"Hmm?"

"Thank you."

"No problem."

"Are you paying for this?"

"Yes."

"But---"

"No buts."

"Fine."

I smiled. "Can I see it yet?"

She came from behind the obstacle and held out her arm. In an elegant purple script, her flesh read, "Zu schweigen ist zu erliegen, um Ihre Ängste." I touched the raw skin gently and allowed a grin to cover my face.

"It is beautiful."

"Thank you so much, Bill," she repeated for the thirtieth time since we'd began our walk back home.

"Marie, you're welcome."

"Well, don't get snippy."

"Then quit thanking me."

"But---"

"No buts."

"Bill, please."

"Damn it, Marie. Just accept that I paid, and enjoy the permanent ink."

"Fine. Thank you."

I growled and stopped her. "Marie, if you say 'thank you' one more time, I swear I'll get revenge."

"Thank you."

I pushed her against the wall of a store and put my face near hers. Before she could react, I pressed my lips to hers forcefully and tangled my hand in her hair. Her lips parted beneath mine, and my tongue darted in. My free hand grasped her waist and pulled her close; she moaned lightly, and I could feel her heart racing. My own was pounding a beat that caused me to become more excited. My main thought was that she was kissing back, and a refrain weaved through my mind.

Ich möchte, dass ihr Ich brauche sie, damit sie schmeckt verdammt gut sie treibt mich verrückt Ich möchte, dass ihr