Book I
Juniper
I closed my eyes and ran I had no where to go and only one thing on my mind, get far away, fast. I had to get away from my house and ultimately my dysfunctional family. My mom and dad were fighting, yet again, and Stefano and Nickolas were drunk and high, a deadly combination with their attitudes. If I breathe in the wrong direction in my house, especially when things get like this, I'm in for a beating if not worse. Sad thing is, no matter how dysfunctional my family is most of the time I love them all. It's just times like these that are so hard, it's times like these when I just need to fly away. I always found a way.
My feet carried me on tufts of wind and placed me down on the highest cliff in town. I wouldn't jump, but there is a great view of Tulsa from here, and I was far away from my house. Here I could be alone and think and that's just what I did. It never failed to calm me down, being here that is.
Sighing I looked down from the horizon and read the time displayed on my beeper: 6:45 it glared back at me in harsh black numbers. I had to leave, find somewhere to go, 'cause I sure as hell couldn't spend my whole night out here, no matter how much I wanted to.
*~*~*~*
I found myself outside of my best-friend Mia's house not more than half an hour later. Rapping lightly on the door I took a step back and waited for an answer. There was no guarantee that she was home, there were always random parties that she could be at, and Mia always loved parties.
The door flew open and I was faced with a half-dressed Mia, "Juniper, you look like shit run over twice," her tone was dry and she was dead serious.
"Thanks so much, I love you too," I was quite aware of the fact that I looked like I'd recently been hit by a Mack Truck but at the moment it was the furthest thing from my mind.
"Just being honest with you, you now I love you anyway, Juni..." she trailed off a goofy grin on her face and she let me in, "bad time at home, huh?" she offered me a hug, something I truly needed at the moment. Mia had been there through it all, never once disowning me, and always supporting me no matter what. She never told a soul about it though, I made her seal her mouth, she knew I'd get help when I really needed it and just now I didn't think I did.
"As always...god, Mi, I've got to get away from them..." I quieted slowly thinking about totally leaving my family and quickly disregarding the thought, I couldn't just yet but a day or so away would never hurt.
"Look, stay here tonight. We'll finish getting ready and go out to one of the frat parties then we can crash here. You could use a good night of drinking and fun," again she smiled.
"Sounds good," and it truly did, Mia always knew just what I needed and a night to forget it all was just it. Mia had an innate partier kind of nature and it tended to rub off on me a bit. We always did have fun though.
*~*~*~*
There were people everywhere, the frat house was designated standing room only (or dancing), this had to be the biggest party this year and I was having a ball. I was totally free from all of the stress I'd felt earlier today, of course I was also working on my third beer and I had had al least 2 Jell-O shots, no wait maybe this was my fourth beer, I can't totally remember.
Guys were abundant and I'd danced with a few so far. None too appealing but they were always good to mess around with. I knew I had to watch myself or I may get carried away but I didn't want to ruin my fun yet.
I had just stepped off of the dance floor and my latest dance partner was left in my wake as I headed for the refreshment table when the most amazing man stopped me dead in my tracks. I didn't know his name, though he did look familiar, but one look from him was enough to render me lifeless and his smile made me weak in the knees.
*~*~*~*
Book II
Isaac
If Taylor kept whining about how he was going to miss out on the year's biggest party, I swear I was going to have to pound his pretty little head in. I was not in the mood to hear him whine, nor was I in the mood to spend my evening at some random party, surrounded by drunk guys, and girls I just couldn't have. To top that all off Taylor, my LITTLE brother would be getting more action than me, his little girlfriend, Isabella getting up on him and all.
"Come on I-ke! I promised Bella I'd take her out as soon as we got back from New York City. Anyway, you'll have a ton of fun, there'll be girls everywhere," he was just about on his knees now.
Suddenly I was hit with an inspiration, "So, Tay, how much does this party MEAN to you, buddy?"
"Name your price..." damn he was persistent.
"Dish Duty for the next month and dirty diaper disposal, plus you cover for me, no questions asked, whenever I want you to."
"That's a little steep don't you think, Ike?" he frowned.
"Take it or leave it," I would win no matter what here. Either I didn't go to the party or I had a little slave for a long time.
"Fine, we're picking up Bella at 7:00," we shook and he turned to get ready.
*~*~*~*
I could die right now; this 'great part' had really sucked so far. Up till now I'd seen Tay and Isabella get WAY too friendly for my liking and spent far too much time around vomiting drunken college guys and there had been no appealing girls in my sight. I was about to break up the happy couple when I saw her.
I stopped dead in my tracks, like a dear caught in headlights. She was just leaving the 'dance floor', her raven hair falling over her shoulders and her blue eyes piercing into mine. I smiled casually and nearly passed out when the goddess started toward me. This girl was gorgeous, amazing, perfect, and she hadn't even spoken a word.
"Hey, I'm Juniper. Who're you�I mean I've never seen you at any frat parties around here," she extended a hand and smiled flirtatiously.
"I'm Isaac, and I don't usually hang around here, my brother Taylor dragged me out here tonight."
"Oh..." we held hands a little too long for a casual handshake and my eyes traveled her petite frame, eating up every inch of her. "Well you look like you could use an dancing partner and I'm available so�" she trailed off and I willingly followed her onto the 'dance floor'. I liked the aggressiveness; it was sexy on her.
*~*~*~*
"Isaac, if we get Bella home late her parents'll get medieval on my ass, we've got to leave NOW!" Taylor insisted, whining again, he was bothering me.
"Tay. You should seriously stop whining, it's just not attractive on you," my tone was sardonic.
"Cute Ike, really you are, but this is not a time to mess around. You know Bella's parents already basically hate me and I don't need to give them any more reason. Just tear yourself away from what's-her-face over here and let's go," then he turned on the puppy dog eyes, "you don't want to ruin my life do you..."
I looked longingly into Juniper's eyes and she knew what I was feeling. She rummaged around finding a pen and snatched my hand, quickly scrawling her number on the back of it.
Juniper
565-8990 ~ beeper
686-7234 ~ home
Luv ya
I smiled and planted a kiss on her soft, full lips, before whispering a soft good-bye in her ear and turning, spitefully, to join my brother.
I swear I'm in love, Juniper is so perfect, and wonderful, I have to see her again. Ever since I smiled at her, we've been inseparable and I'd like to keep it that way. I actually had fun at the frat party, I guess I owe Tay one...
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