I'm Calling At Night

Roan was now walking through school every day in a sort of blissful happiness. She was getting used to the stares, the whispers, the rumors. They got easier and easier to deal with everyday. She didn’t expect that dating Asher Dorkas would be easy. Every time he kissed her or hugged her or held her hand in the hallways, whispers circulated like wildfire.

They had a date the Friday after he kissed her, and he kissed her even more fiercely, and with more longing. It still made her blush to even think of it.

A week and a half after Asher asked her to be his girlfriend, Roan smirked at the glares she was now getting. People (mostly girls) assumed she was pregnant, or that she had black mailed him somehow into going out with her. They just couldn’t accept the fact that he just liked her, and that she liked him. But she couldn’t blame them, really. Most people hated the thing they didn’t understand, and she didn’t even understand it herself. Even now she didn’t understand why he was so interested (although she wasn’t complaining). She just stuck to Alex and Zack’s theory for this: “You’re too smart to understand stuff like this.”

So, she just went with the flow of things. She was happy; her mother was avoiding her by working long hours, as was her father, Asher was her boyfriend, and Alex seemed happy with her new boyfriend. Everything was great.

But, the Valentine’s Day Dance was looming closer and closer every day, and she had yet to get a dress for it. She was pretty sure she wanted something pretty and yet untypical, but she had no idea where to find it or what to look for. She talked to Asher about it after school a week before the dance.

“I’ll take you shopping.” He said quickly before he started kissing her neck again. They were sitting on the couch in her living room.

“You can’t do that, Asher.” She said.

“Why not? There’s no rule that says I can’t buy my girlfriend things.” He said, smiling at her, charming her, convincing her. It almost worked. She smiled at the word “girlfriend”, and he took advantage of it and kissed her full on the lips.

“I’m giving you a rule right now.” She said a minute later.
Asher groaned. “You make things so difficult.” He said, sighing against her neck.

“Yeah, I know. But if I wasn’t like that, where would the interest be?” She said casually. He smirked and kissed her again, more passionately than the ones before.

“I can think of some reasons…” he mumbled. Roan felt the need to giggle out of bliss. Although she did hold back the giggle, she smiled goofily, and he laughed at her reaction. He pulled away from her slightly, and wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her gently against his chest. They lay there for a while, until, quite randomly, Asher said, “You mumble in your sleep, you know.”

Roan sat up. “What?”

“Yup. Nothing really coherent, but still adorable all the same. I noticed it the night you were at my house.” He said, smiling.

“Oh… well, that’s… embarrassing.” She said.

“Nah. It’s adorable, for real.” He said. One of his hands tangled itself in her hair and brought her to him. They happily kissed and talked until six o’clock, when Roan’s alarm on her phone went off, signaling that Roan’s mom would be home any time.

“Damn.” She muttered through kiss-swollen lips. “I was having fun, too.”

“Who says I have to leave?” Asher said.

“My father’s shot gun.” Roan laughed. She ran a hand through his hair, and noted joyfully how his eyes closed at her touch.

“I can hide upstairs.” He grinned. He wrapped his arms tightly around her and pushed her against the sofa’s arm so they were leaning sideways.

“And then have my father castrate you if he finds you.” She said, smiling. She pushed against him gently and stood up. “I care too much for you to have you shot or castrated.”

“That’s comforting.” He grinned, also standing up and walking with Roan to the door. “Will I see you tomorrow?”

She frowned. “No, I’m sorry. I work till six tomorrow and then Karrera and I will be going shopping for the dance.”

He sighed. “Okay.”

He pressed her against the front door and kissed her heatedly. After he pulled away, an out-of-breath Roan said, “That was nice.”

“Well, I had to make up for any loss of kissing time we’ll have tomorrow.” He grinned.”Bye.”
She said good bye and watching him walk down the pathway and get into his car.

“This one is pretty.” Karrera said, picking up a silky lavender dress. Roan looked at it for a while.

“No… I think it’ll make me look even more pale.” She said. Karrera looked at it again.

“Yeah, I think so too.” She put it away and sighed. “We’ve been shopping for two hours and haven’t found anything.”

Roan yawned and leaned against a stand of underwear. They were in one of the clothing stories in the mall that usually carried prom dresses. She felt as though she would fall asleep at any minute. It had been a long day at work.

“I was actually kind of leaning towards pink, you know? It is Valentine’s Day, after all.” Roan said, her mind on a blue raspberry slushie that was calling her name.

“Pink? Not very like you… What about red?” Karrera said, fingering a silky red dress.

“I think it’s too bold for me, you know? I’m too pale.” Roan said, leaning against a
mannequin. She felt the urge to yawn again, but fought it off.

Karrera sighed. “Well, I don’t know. I think we need to give it up for today.”

Roan gratefully agreed and the two walked into the food court where Roan got her desired slushie. Karrera got an iced latte.

“How has Alex reacted to Asher?” Karrera asked as they found a sticky soda-covered table to sit at.

“He’s been really cool about it. Always asking how things are and whether or not I’m happy.” Roan smiled and sipped at her drink. Karrera gave her a look of disbelief.

“And you believe that?” she said.

“Why not?” Roan said, puzzled.

“Rian said he’s been acting odd about the whole thing. Quiet and moody. Kinda mumbles whenever someone brings it up.” Karrera shrugged.

“Oh. That doesn’t make much sense.” Roan said. She brushed off what her friend said. It must have been something else that was bothering him so badly. She would talk about it with him tonight when he made his daily call.

“… sold five thousand dollars worth of merch! That’s insane!” Alex said. Roan smiled and congratulated him.

“Are you really surprised, though? People are really starting to love All Time Low.” She said into the phone.

She was laying on her bed in a pair Alex’s old boxers and a Beatles tee shirt. It was 10:51 PM.

“I know! It’s insane. I never, never, could have predicted this, babe.” Alex said. He sighed happily into the phone.

“Where’s your next gig?” she asked.

“Oakland. Just a small venue though.” Alex said. “How’s everything going in Charm City?”

“Really good. Snowed again last night. I thought of Jack the whole time. Karrera and I went shopping for the dance and I had dinner at your moms.”

“Cool. And how is lover boy?” Alex said.

“Good. I talked to him about an hour before you called.” She said, rubbing her eyes. She suddenly remembered she had something to ask Alex. “Are you truly okay with me going out with him?”

Alex hesitated for the slightest of moments. “Of course I’m okay with it. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“I don’t know… I just worry that you aren’t okay with him. I want it all to be good, you know?” She said.

Alex giggled. “Good in the hood.” He said, drawing out the word “hood”. She rolled her eyes at his immaturity but loved him for it all the same.

“I need to go, sweetness. We’re going to a diner across from the venue for a late-night grub fest.” Alex said.

They both said their goodbyes and hung up their separate phones.

Alex sighed, placed his phone down, and rubbed his eyes.

“Dude, you’re getting a crush on her.” Zack said, seeing his friend.

Alex couldn’t full-heartedly disagree, but he glared all the same. He didn’t know why, but he nearly loathed Asher, and yet, he didn’t know why. From what he got of Zack’s reports, Asher was really a pretty okay guy; not at all like his horny older brother, Dawson, whom Alex knew too well. Asher was Dawson’s complete opposite: Asher was a gentleman, he was soft-spoken, and urbane. Dawson, on the other hand, was loud, rude, and every bit of a slacker.
Perhaps the reason he loathed Asher was because he was a good guy for his best friend. He was a guy that would be an amazing boyfriend for Roan.

And, then again… perhaps the reason for his loathing was the subconscious thought he had pushed down from his mind, only to be thought upon late at night when everyone else was asleep. He missed her, badly. He thought of her when he should have been thinking of his own girlfriend at home. He missed her laugh, and her smell, and the way she felt against him when he hugged her. Once or twice even (and it was something he would never admit out loud to himself, or any of his friends), he dreamed of what it was like to kiss her. Lately he felt angry at himself for being so plastered when he first kissed her that he could barely remember it. And even more, he was angry at Asher, simply for his liberty of getting to kiss Roan any time he wanted.

These thoughts terrified him to the core. He had no clue why they had come on all of a sudden, but he couldn’t shove them from his mind, and, least of all, he couldn’t shove the ultimate rush of happiness he felt from thinking of her.

Roan grinned widely and smoothed the dress down.

“Roan… it’s beautiful!” Karrera breathed as she pulled the zipper up over Roan’s porcelain skin. Roan’s heart raced as she looked down at herself.

The dress was beautiful, like Karrera said. The two girls had gone shopping after school, a day before the Valentine’s Day Dance, in a panic to find the perfect dress; and they had found it in a small store.

It was strapless, and hot pink. From the bust to the hips there were black velvet Victorian-gothic flowers, and a thick black ribbon around the waist. The skirt was hot pink, like the top, and had a soft layer of tulle on top. It was a beautiful dress, to say the least, and Roan fell in love.

“Asher will be panting.” Karrera giggled. Roan smirked and ran her hands down the dress.

“You think so?” She said, turning so she could see the back better.

“Oh, yes. Not even that bitchy whore Katie could top this.” Karrera said. Roan grinned.

“I’m buying it. How much is it?” Roan said, closing her eyes in anticipation.

Karrera looked at the price tag. “It’s… $152! That’s not bad at all.”

Roan smiled in relief, and dug out the last two hundred dollars she had from her last two months of pay at the coffee house. Karrera helped her out of the dress and placed it back on
its hanger as Roan pulled her jeans and sweater back on.

Roan paid for the dress, and happily took it home and placed it in her closet. Every few hours she would look at it, just to be sure it was real.

Alex sighed and walked into his room. He was home for a week and a half; a short break for this tour.

“Anything I can get you, baby?” Dianne asked, also walking into the dark room. She flipped the light switch on, and Alex’s eyes narrowed at the light.

“No. When’s Roan getting here?” he asked, his stomach giving the tiniest flip of nervousness.

“Not until seven. It’s only two.” Dianne said, “I’ll finally get to meet that boyfriend of hers.” Dianne giggled. “Karrera said he’s quite the looker.”

Alex rolled his eyes at his mother’s girlish antics.

“What do you know about him?” Dianne asked.

“He’s Greek. His older brother is good friends with Zack.” Alex said, looking around his room.

“Aw, cute. Well I’m sure they’ll be so cute together.”

Alex didn’t say anything. He just sat down on his bed.

“Something wrong, Alex?” Dianne asked, looking at her son with concern.

“Just… tired, I guess. From tour, you know.” He said.

“Oh, okay.” Dianne said, “Dinner will be meatloaf, love. Your favorite.”

Alex smiled at his mother, “Thanks, mom.”

Dianne smiled at her son and walked off. Alex fell back on his bed and stared up at his ceiling for a little while before he drifted off into sleep.

Karrera pushed the last bobby pin into place.

“There, it’s perfect. I am a true genius.” She said, moving aside so Roan could see herself in the mirror. Roan’s short white-blonde and black-streaked hair was pinned half up with a few elegant wisps falling into her eyes. Her large jade eyes were rimmed in black eyeliner, and Karrera had spent a good half-hour gluing fake eyelashes to Roan’s delicate eyelids.

“Wow, Karrera. I don’t even look like me! I like it, though.” Roan said, peering at herself in the mirror. “Dramatic and sexy, ha ha.”

Karrera smiled. “Yes, I know. It’s like I said, I’m a genius.”

“Yes, you are. Thank you!” Roan said, standing up and hugging her friend.

“Alright, alright. Now, let’s get you dressed.” Karrera said. She went to Roan’s closet and pulled out the beautiful black and pink dress. She helped Roan slip into the dress and zip it up in the back.

“You look so pretty, Roan.” Karrera said after she zipped the back up.

Roan grinned, not even bothering to disagree for once. She looked and felt pretty, and she was sure Asher would like it. After gazing at herself in the mirror for a few more moments, Roan slipped on her simple black high heels.

“What time is it?” she asked.

“Nearly five thirty. He should be here any second.” Karrera said, smoothing Roan’s dress down. “I put a condom in your purse, you know, just in case.”

Roan’s jaw fell open.
“Karrera! In no way am I going to be in need of using a condom!” Roan said as her porcelain cheeks become a rich red.

“Eh, you never know.” Karrera shrugged. “So just in case, it’s there.”
Roan just shook her head and grabbed her jacket.

“Alex would kill you if he found out you were expecting me to have sex.” She said, walking down the stairs with her friend behind her.

“It’s only a precaution, Ro.” Karrera said, “I’m not really expecting it, so much as I’m preventing a pregnancy.”

“That made no sense.”

“No, not really.” The older girl said, grinning. When the two girls stepped into the Yates’ family living room, Roan’s father looked at his daughter as though seeing another person completely.

“You look… nice.” He said, blinking. Roan smiled a silent thanks. From the kitchen doorway, her mother stood, one pale eyebrow cocked.

“Same bitchy girl, different dress.” She said, throwing down the last of her gin and turning around, to go into the depths of the kitchen. Roan pushed down the new flame of anger.

She heard Karrera’s gasp of shock.

“Anyway,” Roan said, an attempt to be calm, “what are you and Rian-poo planning on doing tonight?”

Karrera answered slowly, still awkward after Mrs. Yates’s insult. “We’re going to dinner, then to this ballet that’s in town.” She said, “I should be leaving now, actually.” She said, hugging the smaller, younger girl. “Love you, call me tomorrow! And have fun tonight.” Karrera left the small house with one last, knowing wink.

Roan smiled slightly and sat down next to her dad on the threadbare sofa. The two didn’t speak. Roan nervously picked at a faded piece of sofa.

The doorbell rang, and Roan jumped up. Her father slowly got up and walked to the door, smoothing his shirt down.

“Hello, Asher.” Bill Yates said in his gruff and hoarse voice, “Er… come in.”

Asher’s tall and lean body stepped into the small living room, and Roan-as always- was mesmerized by how lucky she was. He was wearing and all black tux, complete with satin tie and vest, and dark pink corsage in hand. He shook hands with Roan’s father, and looked at his girlfriend. He smiled instantly, and she couldn’t help but smile back. He glided over to her, and instead of kissing her on the mouth, he kissed her on the forehead and hugged her.

“Happy Valentine’s Day!” he said, pulling away and looking down at her.

“Happy Valentine’s Day.” She said. She thought of the condom in her purse and she blushed insanely.

He fastened the corsage around her delicate wrist, and muttered a “You look lovely.” just loud enough for her to hear, and not her father who was standing a few feet away. She smiled at him. “You do too.” He grinned.

“Have her home by midnight.” Bill Yates said, opening the front door for the two star-crossed teenagers.

“Of course, sir.” Asher said, holding Roan’s hand. Roan hugged her father awkwardly, and the two raced out of the house and to Asher’s waiting car.

“Dinner, then Alex’s, then the dance.” Asher said, starting up the car. “Do I have that right?”

“Yup!” she said, smiling. “Dianne really wants to meet you, and she said she wants pictures of us.”

Asher grinned. “She’s not even your mother and she wants pictures. It’s cute.” He said, holding her hand. She smiled as well, and held his hand tight.

An hour and a half later, Asher’s car pulled up in front of the Gaskarth residence. There were three or four extra cars in the driveway, and nearly all the lights in the house were on. Roan smiled in pride.

Dianne greeted the couple at the door, and she beamed when she saw Asher’s hand wrapped tightly around Roan’s.

“Come in, come in!” Dianne said, hugging Roan quickly. “You must be Asher! I’m Dianne Gaskarth.”

Asher politely shook her hand and smiled. Will introduced himself as well.

In one quick motion, Roan found herself pulled away from Asher and being held tightly.
“ROAN! MY BABY GIRL!” Jack yelled, picking her up and twirling her. “I’ve missed you so much, pookie bear! There is so much I have to tell you.”

Roan laughed as Jack set her down. “I missed you to, Jack!” she said, hugging him back. “We’ll have to have a girl’s day out or something.”

Jack grinned and moved aside, revealing Roan’s best friend behind him.

Alex held out his arms. “I better be getting a hug too.” He said.

Roan nearly ran to his arms. Alex held her tight, smelling her vanilla-y scent and allowing himself to feel absolute glee at having her pressed against him. And she looked absolutely beautiful.

“I missed you.” He said softly, truly meaning it.
“I missed you too, Alex. A lot.” Roan said, hugging him quickly. “Come on, I want to properly introduce you.”

She grabbed both Jack and Alex and pulled them over to where Asher, Dianne and Will were talking.

“Alex, Jack, this is Asher Dorkas, my boyfriend.” She said. All three boys shook hands with one another. Alex forced a smile on his face. After forced small talk, Dianne took pictures of the couple before they happily excused themselves for the dance. Alex went back to his room immediately, stony faced. He called Katie and told her he was coming over.

The gym was packed with teenagers. Red and pink light flashed and mixed with the loud music pounding from the speakers from the DJ’s stand.

In a way, in reminded Roan of the time she first went to a club with her boys, the ATL crew: lights were flashing, music was loud, and everything one was dancing. Flyzik’s voice echoed in her head.
“Yeah, it could do that to you.”

Roan grinned, and she turned to Asher.

“Ready for a night of wild teenage shenanigans?” he said.

“As always.” Roan grinned.

Asher took her hand, and together they forced themselves through the mass of teenagers waiting for the festivities to begin. She saw a glimpse of Chris, who, she was happy to see, had Samantha sitting on his lap and playing with his hair. He looked extremely smug, and Roan couldn’t help but smile at him.

“ASHER!” someone yelled. Both Asher and Roan’s head whipped around at the call. Bill was standing there, waving frantically at the couple. “I got us a table!” He said, calling out over the noise. Asher would Roan close to him and pushed people out of the way.

“Hey guys!” Bill said as they got to the table. The table had a few people sitting at it, including Nicole Sandersburg and her boyfriend, Trent McCoy. Trent was on the basketball team and famous for the bragging about all the girls he had been with. Roan knew the only reason these two “A-Listers” of her high school were sitting at this table was because Asher would be there, and Asher was the heartthrob of most of the girls at school. Roan put on a big smile (despite her inner gloom of being with this group of people) and sat down next to Asher, his hand locked in hers.

Slutty little Nicole glared at her with a mix of disbelief and anger on her face, and Roan felt a mad rush of happiness at it. Nicole could go drown herself for all Roan cared. Not only did she have Asher (whom Nicole desperately wanted in her collection of pining boys), but she also had Alex. Oh my, had the tides turned....