My Twisted Teenage Romance

''We could get out of here and just go someplace, you want to?''

''I don't think so. Not tonight, darling.''

''Come on, why not?''

''Wait a minute...''

''Wait a minute... why did you call me darling? I don't know you.''

''What's going on here? Am I supposed to know you?''

''Allie... Allie, sweetheart.''

''No, no, no!''

''Hey, Allie, I love you, stay with me, don't leave...''

I looked over at Jason, whose eyes were welling up with tears; he's such a girl. I smirked and passed him the box of tissues that was next to me.

Jason and Jenny had come over bright and early this morning to hear about last night with Jacob. After I told them what had happened more towards the end of the night, they both squealed like girls. Jenny had left around noon to go to work for the afternoon and Jason had stayed and insisted on watching The Notebook. I had watched it just the other day so the sad parts were lost on me, but he was crying like a baby.

''Aww baby.'' I giggled and gave him a sideways hug. He laughed and returned my hug.

''That's your phone.'' Jason said, and I could hear a faint ringing coming from the other room.

I jumped up and went to the kitchen in search of my phone. I eventually found it in the pocket of my jacket and flipped it open, without looking at the caller ID.

''Hello?'' I said.

''Hey Nikki, its Peter!'' he said cheerfully.

''Hey Pete.r'' I said, walking back into the living room and sitting down.

''Listen, I know its short notice but would you come to my 'end of summer party' tonight? I mean as my date?'' he asked, adding the last part rather suddenly. I knew his party was coming up, but I hadn't heard about a final date.

''Uh, can you hold on? Other line.'' I lied.

''Sure.'' he said and I hit the mute button on my phone.

''What?'' Jason asked.

''Peter asked me to go to his party.'' I said.

''So?'' he shrugged.

''As his date!'' I added and Jason looked like he was trying not to laugh.

''Shut up! I need excuse for not being his date cause I still want to go'' I told him.

''You're already going with Jacob.'' Jason said and my heart fluttered at the idea.

''But what if he's not going? I can't say I'm going with him and then find out he wasn't invited.'' I said, my hope starting to disappear.

''So make sure he's going.'' Jason said, rolling his eyes.

''And how do you propose I do that?'' I asked, glancing nervously at my phone.

''Ask him to go with you duh!'' Jason answered like I was an idiot.

''I love you.'' I said quickly before un-muting my phone.

''Hello?'' I said.

''Hey!''

''Sorry it was Jason, you know how he likes to talk.'' I said and Jason threw the tissue box at me.

''So?'' Peter asked, waiting for an answer.

''Actually I'm already going with Jacob.'' I said, hoping my excuse would stick. Peter was quiet for a minute and I held my breath.

''Oh ok.'' he finally said, sounding very put off.

''I guess I'll see you tonight then.'' I said, breathing a sigh of relief.

''Would you tell Jenny and Jason for me?'' he asked. He hadn't told either of my best friends about the party so that I wouldn't know either, which was his way of making sure I was dateless for his party.

''Sure I'll see you later.'' I said, now in a slightly better mood.

''Bye.'' he said and I hung up.

''You owe me.'' Jason said angelically.

''Yea yea, you're invited to Peter's party tonight, he wanted me to tell you.'' I said, starting to scroll through the contacts on my phone.

''I was going to show up anyway.'' he said and I laughed.

''Now quiet, I've gotta call Jacob.'' I said, dialing his number.

After about six rings someone picked up.

''Hello?''

''Hi, uh Sage?'' I asked.

''Yup, hi Nikki.'' he said.

''How is it that I can never get Jacob on his phone?' I asked and Sage laughed.

''Cause I'm faster.'' he said and I could hear the grin in his voice.

''Can I talk to him?''

''Yea I guess.'' he sighed and I laughed a bit.

''JACOB!'' Sage yelled and I held the phone and few inches away from my ear.

''Hello?'' Jacob said after a few seconds.

''Hey!'' I said.

''So what're you doing tonight?'' I asked, tempted to cross my fingers.

''Going to Peter's why?'' he asked and it sounded like he almost knew why I was calling.

''I was wondering if you'd uh- go with me?'' I asked, mumbling that last part.

''Actually there's this one thing.'' He said and my heart stopped. That was the line they give you right before they tell you they're married…or something like that.

''And that might be?'' I asked nervously.

''I kind of wanted to be the one to ask.'' he said. I could hear the smile in his voice and I let out the huge breath I had been holding in.

''So Nikki, do you want to go to Peter's party with me?'' he asked and I couldn't help but smile.

''I guess I could.'' I said playfully.

''I'll pick you up at 7:45 then?'' he said.

''Alright.'' I said.

''Bye.''

''Bye.'' I said and hung up.

''So I take it you have a date?'' said Jason, who had been listening intently to my call and I felt like screaming with happiness.

''He wanted to ask me.'' I said, a smile still plastered to my face.

''Aww, now can we please finish this movie?'' he asked, picking up the DVD remote.

''Fine fine, don't share in my excitement.'' I said, rolling my eyes.

''I will share in your excitement later, but right now I'd like to-'' Jason was interrupted by a knock at the door.

''Some higher power must really not want me to finish this.'' Jason said, slouching and folding his arms. I laughed as I jumped off the couch and hurried to the door.

I opened the door and standing there in shorts and a green t-shirt, was none other then the ever-underestimated Michael.

''Hi.'' I said, standing in the doorway.

''Hey are you busy?'' he asked, glancing over my shoulder.

''Not really, shouldn't you be busy?'' I asked and he smiled.

''It’s my day off.'' he stated with a proud grin.

''Listen, I'm just gonna take this home and finish it, there are way too many interruptions at your house.'' Jason said, walking to the front door with the DVD in his hand.

''Jason you know Michael right?'' I said and Jason was suddenly very aware that our best friend's ''relatively good looking'' older brother was standing on my porch.

''Hi.'' Jason said, trying not to stare and busying himself with getting his shoes on.

''Nikki, if you're having people over I understand, I'll jus-''

''No no I was just leaving.'' Jason interrupted.

''Bye Jason.'' I said as he passed Michael on the way out.

''See ya.'' Jason said. He stopped behind Michael, pointed to him and then Jason started to fan himself like Michael was too hot and I tried desperately not to laugh.

''So what did you have in mind if I wasn't busy?'' I asked, remembering the reason he had come.

''Put on your bathing suit and meet me back here in fifteen minutes.'' he said with a grin and then quickly left my porch.

''What if I didn’t want to go swimming?'' I mumbled to myself as I closed the door.

I hurried up to my room in search of my bathing suit. I hadn't done much in the way of swimming this summer, only when Jason dragged Jenny and I to the beach. I found my bathing suit right where I had left it in my top drawer. I put in on and stood in front of my mirror. I was most definitely not flawless, but I looked alright.

I put on a t-shirt and a stray pair of shorts, grabbed a towel, stuffed it in a bag and went back downstairs. I was early but Michael was already back on my porch.

''I thought you said fifteen minutes.'' I said as I opened the door.

''Most girls take longer to get ready than that.'' he said, looking slightly surprised.

''What're you trying to say?'' I asked, pretending to be offended.

''Nikki, I hate to be the one to break it to you but, you're a freak.'' he said and I laughed.

''So where are we going?'' I asked and he grinned.

''You might wanna get your car keys.'' he said.

I grabbed my phone and put it in my bag, then got my keys and headed for the garage.

''So where are we going exactly?'' I asked again as we got in the car.

''Remember the lake by the lighthouse? Well it turns out that it's a pretty great swimming spot.'' he said. I was content that he'd told me, Jacob had a habit of keeping where we were going a secret.

''How'd you find out about that place anyways?'' I asked as I drove.
The original question that had come to mind was 'Why did you invite me instead of one of your friends?' but I decided that there were really only two answers, one of which was ' I don’t have any friends' and the second being something I didn't really want to consider.

''I just kind of found it one day, then I started spending more and more time there and before I knew it I was great friends with the owners.'' he explained.

As we drove to the lighthouse, along with giving me directions, Michael told me more about the little café and how it came to be, although he didn't talk a lot about why the lighthouse was on a body of water where there were no rocks, or boats for that matter.

''Here we are.'' I said as we pulled into the small, nearly empty parking lot. I looked out across the water to the other side. There was a cliff and it suddenly clicked what lake this was. It was the lake Jacob and I had gone swimming in the first night he took me to the cliff.

''Who could that be?'' Michael asked, referring to a red BMW in the lot.
We got out of the car and went into the lighthouse.

Inside there was a tall, slender woman with black hair and a bob that was longer on one side than the other and she was sitting at the bar talking to Tom.

''Michael!'' Tom said as we walked in and the woman turned around.

''Hi Tom. Natasha! I haven't seen you in so long!'' Michael said, walking over to the woman and giving her a hug.

''When did you get out?'' she asked and he shrugged.

''A while ago, when did you get back?'' he asked.

''A while ago.'' she answered and Tom chuckled.

''Ah, Michael I see you brought your friend back.'' Tom said, finally noticing me.

''Right! Natasha this is Nikki, a friend of mine and Nikki this is Natasha another friend of mine.'' he said, gesturing me towards them with his hand.

''Nice to meet you.'' she said, sticking out her hand.

''Likewise.'' I said, shaking her hand and noticing how strong she was.

''Well it's obvious you two are on your way to do something, don't let me interrupt.'' she said, getting up from her barstool.

''You could stay and join us if you want.'' Michael said.

Natasha glanced at me with eyes of steel and I hoped she would reject Michael's invitation. She looked to me like if she bit you, her poisonous venom would kill you in a matter of seconds, not the kind of person whose bad side I'd want to be on. She reached over to get her jacket and her shirt lifted ever so slightly to reveal a tattoo of a snake on her lower back. I couldn't help but think 'how appropriate'.

''I'll see you around.'' she said and then turned and left.

''I get a feeling she doesn't like me.'' I mumbled and Michael chuckled.

''She doesn't want anyone to steal her big tough man away.'' he said, sounding very cocky.

''If that's the case then she can have you!'' I laughed and then pushed him.

''You're it.'' he said and then ran for the door.

I chased him outside and down to the water where he threw off his shoes, pulled off his shirt and jumped in. when he resurfaced he flipped his hair out of his face, off to one side and I couldn't help but laugh.

''Get in already!'' he called as I started to take off my shoes.

''I'm coming, I'm coming!'' I yelled, pulling my shirt off.

Once I was down to my bathing suit, I canon-balled close to where Michael was treading water to be sure that I splashed him completely.

When I resurfaced, I didn't see Michael, leaving me with two possibilities. Either I had drowned him or he was behind me waiting to get me back. I turned around slowly and was instantly showered with water. I tried my best to splash back but it didn't do much, so instead I went for a surprise attack.
I went under water, deep enough that he couldn't see me under all his splashing, and then swam behind him.

''GOTCHA!'' I screamed as I jumped out of the water and onto Michael's back.

''Glarbm!'' was the noise he made as he went under water, but then came back up, all the while with me hanging off his neck.

''Do you want to drown me?'' he asked.

''Yes!'' I said, trying to push him back under water. He laughed and threw me off his back.

A few hours of swimming and talking later and Michael and I were locked in a vicious splash fight. Michael, being considerably bigger than me, was most definitely winning, so I decided to go for a sympathy attack.
I started to cough and choke, then let myself slip just under the water. The splashing stopped and Michael instantly pulled me out from under the water.

''Nikki?'' he asked, sounding rather panicked, but I didn't open my eyes.

He pulled me over to the edge of the water and then pulled me out. He leaned close to check my breathing and I shot the entire mouth full of water I had been holding at him.

''Ewww!'' he yelled, wiping his face and I burst out laughing.

''I win, I win, I win!'' I sang and he rolled his eyes.

''You're gross.'' he said, sitting next to me.

''Only for you.'' I said as I sat up and he laughed.

''And how did I achieve that honor?'' he asked sarcastically.

''To be honest, I don't know, I'm just strangely comfortable around you.'' I answered.

''I mean, except when you bring me around strange girls who hate me for no apparent reason.'' I added and he laughed.

''You know something Nikki. I think this is the most fun I've had and the most I've smiled since I've been home.'' he said.

''What our trip to the hospital wasn't fun?'' I asked and he laughed a bit.

I turned to look at him and he was staring back at me with a set of brown eyes I'd never really seen before. He inched closer to me and I knew what was coming. Half of me screamed ''What about Jacob!!'' but the other half was saying ''Just go for it!'' and I was stuck on that line between Jacob, my knight in shining armor, and Michael, my best friends 'relatively' attractive slash funny and rather charming older brother.

I was praying desperately for something to help me make a decision, or at least to intervene so that I would have to decide. That prayer was answered in the form of my phone ringing.

At once I pulled my gaze from Michael's eyes and he immediately moved away from my face. I got up to go get my phone and I saw him fall backwards and then his himself in the head.

''Hello?'' I said once I had gotten to my phone.

''Hey Nikki, it's Jacob.'' he said. There was my sign.

''Hey what's up?'' I asked.

''I was wondering if I could pick you up a bit earlier. Peter asked me if I could pick up some stuff for him on the way.'' Jacob explained.

''How early is a bit?'' I asked, wanting to know how much time I hadleft with Michael to get ready.

''Seven?'' he said.

''Sounds good.'' I said. It was four thirty now so that would leave enough time to get home and ready.

''I'll see you later.'' he said.

''Bye.'' I said and closed my phone.

I went back over and sat next to Michael. He was still lying down and he looked up at me with a mix of apology and slight embarrassment in his eyes.

''Who was that?'' he asked, obviously trying to avoid what almost happened before.

''My ride to Peter's party.'' I told him, leaving out the word 'date'.

''Oh.'' was all he said.

''I think we should head home soon, it takes me a good hour and a half to get ready'' I said playfully and he smiled.

He got up and went to the edge of the water and I went and stood beside him.

''What're you doing?'' I asked.

''You said you needed and hour and a half right? And your ride is coming at what seven?'' he asked and I nodded.

''That gives us another forty-five minutes.'' he said with a grin.

''And what do you propose we do for that time?'' I asked. He rolled his eyes and then made a quick movement, trying to push me into the water but I ducked. I laughed and pushed him into the water instead. When he resurfaced he was laughing. He swam to the edge and tried to pull me into the water, but I jumped in before he had the chance.

''That's cheating.'' he said as I came back up to the surface.

''So is this.'' I said and then dunked his head under water and swam for shore.

He was right behind me but I quickly got out of the water and moved away from the edge.

''Game over I win.'' I declared as I grabbed my towel.

''Not even close.'' he said, also getting out of the water.

I laid back on my towel and looked at the abnormally clear sky.

''It's been a while since I've actually just looked at the sky.'' Michael said, lying next to me.

''Me to, well the day sky anyway. The other night I watched the most amazing comet shower with- my friend'' I said, severely hesitating on the last word. Who I watched with, I don’t know why but, felt like something Michael didn't want to hear.

He was quiet after that, right up until we got into my car.

''Listen, I'm uh- sorry about what happened down by the water.'' Michael said once we were in the car. I figured something like this was coming, I mean he almost kissed his little sister's best friend, if he even thought of me that way anymore. Maybe now he thought of me as his friend and not just hers. Either way, it would have been awkward.

''Don't worry about it, it's not like no ones ever been absolutely mesmerized by me.'' I said playfully and he laughed. After that the tension was gone, but the topic wasn't exactly dinner conversation so I decided to change it.

''So do you plan on going back to school next week?'' I asked.

''I don't think they want me back.'' he said.

''Well they didn't expel you, so that's gotta count for something.'' I said and the mood lightened a bit.

''My mom was talking about going to the school and finding out what was going on, but I don't know if its going to happen, she's been really busy and I don’t think 'get delinquent son back in school' ranks very high on her 'to do' list.'' he said, sounding disappointed.

''So why don't you do it?'' I said.

''What do you mean?'' he asked and I looked at him like he was an idiot.

''You could go down to the school and talk to them.'' I answered. It would probably look better on his part if he was there, asking about going back and not his mom.

''Me?'' he asked, gesturing to himself.

''Well we might have to clean you up a bit, but yea, it could work.'' I replied, a slight smirk making its way to my face.

''Would you help me?'' he asked, sounding hopeful.

''Well I guess I could, I mean I have a very busy schedule you know.'' I said and he laughed.

''Of course I'd help.'' I said.

''I don't think I'll make it for the first week though.'' he said.

''Well obviously, but you should still try.'' I told him.

As we drove home Michael and I talked about what he would do if he got back into school, or even if he graduated. Before the whole 'prison thing' had happened, he actually had big plans for his life. He wanted to be a pilot and see the world.

When we finally pulled into my driveway, Michael looked disappointed that we had to go our separate ways.

''Thanks for inviting me, I had fun.'' I said as we walked up the driveway.

''Thanks for saying yes and saving me from an afternoon of wandering aimlessly around the strip.'' he said and I chuckled.

We had gotten all the way to my door and we were standing there rather awkwardly. Then out of nowhere, Michael grabbed my hand and kissed it softly. I felt my face go red and one corner of his mouth was turned up in a half grin.

''See you later Nikki.'' he said and then went around the bush and over to his house.

''Bye.'' I called after him after managing to get over my initial shock.

I went in the house and looked at the clock, it was 5:30 and I was just in time to start getting ready. It was Saturday and my parents had already left for my aunt's house for the weekend, so I was home alone. I hurried upstairs to take a shower. After swimming in the lake all day I definitely didn’t not smell like a basket of roses.

When I got out of the shower it was ten to six and I still needed to put together an outfit.

After half an hour I managed to pull together and outfit worthy of a party. It consisted of black skinny jeans, red converse, and a red, long sleeved shirt I found buried in my closet.

By the time I had done by hair and makeup, it was ten to seven so I went down stairs and nibbled on some grapes my mom had left on the counter.
There was a knock at the door and I jumped with excitement, even if we were just going to pick up some stuff for Peter, it was that much more time I got to spend with Jacob.
I did one last quick check of myself in the mirror and then practically ran to the door.

''Hey!'' I said happily as I opened the door.

''You look great.'' he said with a smile.

''As do you.'' I replied. He was wearing dark skinny jeans with a black MCR t-shirt under a black and white checkerboard sweater. His hair was hanging over his left eye and he had studs in his lip as opposed to his usual rings.

''So what do you need to pick up?'' I asked as we walked to his car.

''Actually I got the stuff Peter wanted this afternoon, I just didn't know if you would say yes if I had flat out asked you to come to my house.'' he said with a slight grin. At first I was surprised at where we were going, but that was quickly replaced with pure excitement, although I did my best to hide it.

''And why would I say no?'' I asked as we got in the car.

''Maybe because last time we forced you out of your clothes. Oh and you found out about the bodies in the basement.'' he said and I laughed.

We pulled out of the driveway and started down the street. I had never driven straight from my house to Jacob's so I didn't know where we were going. Come to think of it, I didn't even know what part of town Jacob lived in.

''So why do you want me back over? Are you trying to get arrested?'' I asked, rolling my eyes playfully and he laughed.

''Mayb.e'' he said, wiggling his eyebrows a bit and I laughed.

''So how long is it to your house from here?'' I asked.

''Not long.'' he replied.

''Oh that’s specific.'' I said, rolling my eyes.

''Can I ask you something totally random?'' I asked.

''Anything.'' he said with a smile.

''Well you know ou- the cliff you take me to?'' I asked, almost calling it our cliff and he nodded.

''Why is there a lighthouse on that lake? I never see any boats and I don't think there are any rocks.'' I said and he was silent for a minute.

''I dunno.'' he answered and I furrowed my eyebrows in frustration

''Jeeze, no one tells me anything.'' I sighed and he chuckled

''Maybe you're too nosey.'' he said and I gave a silent sigh of relief.

''I ask too many questions right?'' I said.

''Exactly.'' he laughed.

Jacob turned on the radio and drummed on the steering wheel along with the music until we pulled into his long driveway, which was a surprisingly short trip.
We pulled up next to Sage's yellow sports car, which was parked in front of the house. On the other side of it was a silver expensive looking car that I assumed to be Andrew's.

''So do you think you'll be able to get out on your own this time, or should I escort you?'' Jacob asked with a grin.

''I think I can manage.'' I said as I opened my door.

We walked up to the front door and Jacob started to rummage for his house key.

''Maybe it's open.'' I said, watching Jacob trying to find his key.

''Didn't your parents ever teach you to lock the door when you're home alone?'' he retorted playfully. I sighed and rolled my eyes as he went back to checking in every pocket for his key and I started to think he didn't have it. I reached forward and turned the knob and, as I thought, the door clicked open. I grinned at Jacob and he rolled his eyes.

''Don't let it go to your head.'' he said and I laughed.

''GUYS WE'RE HERE!'' Jacob called as we stepped in the door but no one answered.

''Maybe they're upstairs.'' I suggested and almost as if on cue, Sage came rushing down the stairs to meet us.

''Hi.'' he said, more to me then Jacob.

''Hi.'' I said with a smile.

''Where's Andrew?'' Jacob asked.

''Last I saw he was in the living room.'' Sage answered.

We headed to the living room, but stopped in the doorway when we saw Andrew almost on top of someone, her hands laced in his hair, his arms tightly around her waist, and both locked at the lips.