Bringing Down the House 35

9 bedrooms, minus 3. Mine, my father’s and Winter's. 6 bedrooms. 4 upstairs, 5 downstairs. 31 beds, minus 3. My father's, Winter's and mine. 28 beds, with an endless supply of inflatable mattresses, spread out among the empty rooms. My father was hoping for a rather large family; I suppose that ruined things when she arrived carrying another man’s child.

House was clean only to be smashed in a matter of hours. A supply was stocked. Beds were set. The food was intact. Better text my dad, just in case he got a call from the neighbors. Having a party for Spring Break, don't be mad. I can handle it. Don't call the cops! Smiley face. You would think a responsible parent would say Oh, have fun be careful, don't have too many people over. But, when I opened my text message it only read, No drugs, AJ and a number to a party cleanup crew. I shut it. Thanks Dad love you too.

Any stupid frisky girl looking to hook up with some fool of a jerk off would be the place and time to do it. The night was cold and the party was hot. Everyone from our senior class was there, and it seemed like everybody from anywhere was there as well. It didn't bother me. If you went outside, you couldn't tell there was a party, if it wasn't for all the cars parked in the small parking lot to the side of my house.

"Now, listen up, guys! Before we get this week-long party started, I just want to say a few things." Pushing my lips together, as if a sentimental moment was coming. "Ugh, this is so hard for me!" I fake tearing up a little; people don't get my joke, yet.

"Oh my gosh, AJ."

"Anyway, guys, please don't do dirty things or get all nasty with each other. If you’re going to, there is really comfortable green padding outside that you can use. Okay? Don't do drugs in my house and if you are going to, go outside or in your cars. If you’re going to be rude or start fights, go outside. That means you, Monique. You can drink whatever you want, how much ever you want to, but if you need to puke..."

"GO OUTSIDE! We got it AJ!" A couple people butted in.

"Alright then! Have fun and be safe! If you need anything, just ask Chai, Kami or me." I smiled and people cheered on.

Briggs came strolling in, music blaring and bass vibrating the bones of the house. All the girls turned with piqued interest as he made the way through the room, hand in hand with a peculiar beauty.

“AJ, this place looks lit, looks like everybody is having a great time.” Neck stretches out to search through all the partygoers. While the little mystery clutches both hands to his.

“Trae Lei.”

Eyes that are neither blue nor green, but iridescent, cause me to continue.

“Did you want a drink or food? There is plenty and more.” She doesn’t look to Briggs for permission or even cower; she reads the room. Testing her is not really fair when meeting new people, but just as I did with Laney I try to see what these girls are made of.

White lips purse as she considers her voice and when she finds it, I also find that different as Briggs described, was in a mythical sense.

“I don’t usually drink, but I would enjoy some peanut butter, if you have some available.” Gosh, is she a dream? I almost want to rub my eyes and blink to make sure there isn’t some strange hallucination I’m witnessing.

“Creamy or chunky?”

“Creamy, please, and thank you.” She carries herself with a quiet atmosphere.

When I come back from the cupboard with a spoon and a jar, she finds a stool to sit on next to Briggs, who is talking football to some guy from another school.

“Where’s your man at, AJ?” What I want to talk about is the intergalactic girl who is sitting perfectly poised in a room filled with strangers.

“Circus. You get used to people staring.” Not once looking up at me, just noticing my intrigued energy.

“I wasn’t staring.”

“AJ, right? There is little that Briggs leaves out about you. Don’t make our first encounter a common white lie.”

“Damn, you are something else.”

“I told you she was different.”

“Yeah, she’s pretty unique.”

“Where is he?”

“Hasn’t shown his face yet. It can’t be too long now. Are you guys coming back tomorrow night? We might be doing fireworks?”

“We’ll see how tonight goes.” Briggs bends to her head and kisses it, caressing her hair.

I sat outside on the side porch now, staring at the stars, wondering why Jenkins hadn't come yet. Maybe he wasn't going to. I sipped my raspberry lemonade; alcohol was no use to me. The sky was darker than it usually was. As I glanced over all the stars, one caught my wonder. It had a special sparkle; it wasn't the brightest, but it twinkled differently from all the rest. It was as if it engulfed me and my wounded mind to the point where it spoke to my soul, listening to my slumbering heart. The cold wind prickled at my skin, as I heard music being played behind me.

"I thought I would find you out here." Jenks was leaning against the door frame, looking innocently sexy as he grinned.

"Hey, Jenkins. Didn't think you’d be showing up. You know people usually make an appearance the day the party starts. The second day or even the third maybe but never heard of anyone coming on the last day. Thinking maybe you had run off with your little lover." I turned away from him, gulping down more of my fruity beverage.

"Yeah, I'm sorry about that. I had a lot on my mind. Thinking about stuff." He stayed behind me as I leaned forward, starting to think about stuff.

"Must have hurt your brain all that thinking?” I put my head back, closing my eyes, so I wouldn't have to look upside down at him.

"What's that supposed to mean? I had some things I needed to handle before I came here." He sat down beside me, his arms on his knees.

"I believe you."

"I was thinking."

"You were thinking for three days? You don't have to explain anything." I adjusted my posture.

"Yes, I do."

"You make me so mad, sometimes. I never use to get angry."

"In a good way, though, right?" He pushed against me, making me fall off the porch steps.

"Thanks a lot, jerk." He gives his hand to help me up, but I already gained my balance.

"I'm sorry, AJ." He laughs, slightly.

I glared at him desperately, putting my focus back to the stars.

"As I was saying, I was thinking about everything." He spoke with such honesty and maturity.

"Like I said, you don’t have to explain anything to me if you don't want too." I waved off; it wasn’t a big deal.

"Yes, I do. You’re my girl and I should be honest with you."

"You don't have to tell me everything."

"Goodness, AUTUMN! I WANT TO TELL YOU! Can you just be inaudible for five minutes?" He smiled with his open mouth, I sealed my lips shut and threw away the key.

"I was thinking about you and me. What is going to happen after graduation and everything."

"Yes. What about it?" Shrugging away the serious mood he had set in.

"I love you, a lot more than I thought I did. I know for a fact you love me a whole lot more than you lead me to believe.” He started to perspire. “Maybe you are afraid of getting wounded. For instance, as long as you want this, I will try and keep this feeling alive in both of us." His words were familiar in my own train of thought.

We were looking at each other now, enthralled at the moment.

"What I'm trying to say is that I love you, Autumn Jazmine. We are a work in progress. I will kick myself if I don't do this right. I am going to prove to you that I don't care what people think, that I do love you!" He got off his step, called everyone out from the house and kneeled down in front of me.

"What are you doing? You’re going to get the dirt on your pants." Being my reasonable self, but he laughed anyway, even if he didn't think it was funny.

"AJ. Autumn Jazmine Moion. We have been through a lot together. What brought us together was nothing if not tragedy. The thing that brings us closer is the idea that we can share their memory with one another. That somewhere they can live on through us.” His words were more truth my heart could take. Tears began to swell, and a finale was coming to burst them from their cage. “We are still getting to know each other. I feel I know a part of you that you only share to a very few, a side that is your true self. Will you be my wife one day soon?" He took my hand, and in the other, he had a black velvet box, unopened. He smiled, happily.

"You sure you want to marry me?" I blurted out, not really wanting it verbal. His face changed, shocked. "I mean, yes, Jenks. I would love to marry you one day." He got up from his knee, kissed my cheek; he opened the box and placed on my finger a ring that said, LOVE YOU ALWAYS, Jenkins. It was a small diamond in the shape of a unique heart. The large crowd awed behind us.

“The fucker did not just propose to you.” Briggs’ arms are folded in a disapproving manner. Trae Lae doesn’t say anything; she merely tries to observe.

"Let me see it!" Chai and Kami pushed through the crowd, knocking Jenks out of the way. I stared up at Jenks, with sincerity in my smile; he nodded his head yes, as if he had accomplished a cure. His pals patted him on the back, way to go, man.

"Yeah, Jenks, way to go!" People passed by giving smiles and awesome congrats, going back to the party.

I headed into the kitchen to get a refill on my lemonade; Monique stood on the other side of the counter splashing up drinks.

"What'll you have?" she said with a trying smile.

"Nothing, I'm sticking with raspberry lemonade." I tapped the empty glass in my hand.

"Oh! Ha, probably a good idea, Autumn." Nodding her on, and slipped behind her to the fridge and got a drink.

"You know Jenks never kissed me, AJ." She was standing behind me, whispering now.

"I know, Monique." I whirled around to meet her oh so honest eyes.

"I was just making sure he wasn't lying to you like he led everybody to believe he was some big hotshot." She opened up her arms to make a big point. She made it, knocking over three bottles of pop on the floor.

"Oh my gosh! I am so sorry!" She got down beside me and helped me clean the mess up.

"I know his reputation, Monique. He's changed." I swiped up the rest of the soaked paper towels and placed them in the garbage.

"I hope so...for your sake." Pushing up against the counter, like whatever.

"He wouldn't do that. Because he has something you don’t; a freaking conscience." Glaring down her shallow eyes.

"I wouldn't do what?" Jenks smiled sweetly like he was on the top of the world.

"Oh, nothing, Jenkins!" Hopping off the counter and gracefully grazing her hand on his right bicep. He gave me a look, but I just shook my head.

"Really?" Squaring his eyes to mine.

"Really, Jenky Poo!" Faking my smile and being pertinacious.

I kissed him on his cheek and gave him a playful smile. We were listening to everyone tell ghost stories about every place they had ever been.

"You tired, Jenks?"

"No...I mean yes. You know I woke up early and all that thinking has made me tired." Winking his way through a little white lie.

"Well, then let's go to bed, JENKY POO!" Rolling his eyes he took my hand as I led him the desired way.

By the time we reached my bedroom, there had already been thousands of passionate kisses between the two of us. Hot heat coiled around our bodies. Our breath short, but quick to catch up. The room was dark and cold, about to be warmed up. I led him to the bed, kicking off my cowboy boots.

"Baby, I love you, Autumn Jazmine." His body ached for my touch. Pulling off his gray T-shirt, he let my fingers feel the indentions and firmness that powerfully stood upon his skin. My eyes connected with his; biting my lip, he saw my weakness. He yanked at my damp clothing, wanting more. His gaze was sufficient and craved my intake. I rolled my head back, pulling on my black long hair. His hands fumbled with my shirt; playing a game with his grip. I inched back to the bed, propping the upper half of my perky body, ready for a challenge. His eyes were hungry, lingering towards me; they followed the curves of my lengthy body with the help of his hands. He slowly pulls himself over my form, making sure he doesn't crush me. I feel no pain; I am numb to the negative feelings surrounding us. There we were, in the moment and all my heart was circulating out is one emotion and one only; pure bliss.

"I love you too, Jenkins." I pressed a kiss on his soft sweet lips; it was like tasting my favorite candy.

He lifted my body up, and placed it over his, swaying me around like I was weightless, what a feeling that was. He had love and desire twinkling in his eyes; mine mirrored the same back to him. I create kisses on his neck; he holds me close. I lick his ear, making him ache deeper inside.

“Jenks,” I breathe, “take me away,”

He sighed gorgeously, making adjustments of his weight around me. He began kissing further down my chest, leading down to where my belly button hid. His hands gripping at my legs tightly, never wanting this to end. I catch his eyes as my tongue plays with my gentle lips. He grabs me, tighter, shaking his head in pleasure. My fingers run through his hair, pulling as he gets more enthralled at the moment.

"You want to..." I persisted.

"So...badly." His hands-on my waist, I liked him there at that moment, so vulnerable, lost in my control.

"Well, do you got the goods?" Jokes and smiles mix my message.

"Huh?" He grins; his smile was so perfect.

"Protection, Jenks?" Shrugging away, building tension.

"Oh you mean, oh, no. No, no, no!" Yelling in my face, pushing himself off of my torso.

"I'm sorry, I thought you were aiming toward that?" Sitting up against my headboard, arms folded.

"Oh, no. AJ. I want to so much that it hurts. I just think we should wait..." Explaining, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Wait? For what?" I was definitely confused.

"Don’t you feel like we rushed it the first time around? It seemed like we did it just to feel something. Until we are both prepared to take on that level of maturity in our relationship, I think we should wait." His heartbeat steady to normal, mine was declining, back to immoral.

"I am committed to you, Jenks."

"I know you are, and I am totally, completely, wholeheartedly devoted to you. You are everything I have ever wanted and dreamed about. I just don't want this to happen and lead to something else that we regret." His eyes were on the pictures of me and Winter when we were kids.

"Oh, you mean, me getting pregnant? Come on, Jenks, We would be careful." Dangling my legs over the side of the bed next to him.

"That's probably what my parents thought when they had their one night stand almost eighteen years ago."

"Jenks, your parents love you, and they are happy." I rubbed his back, warm.

"I know they do, I just can't help thinking that they both got trapped into each other." He stood up, frustration struck him.

"We aren't trapped, though. We love each other. But, I understand what you mean. We don't have to, we can wait. Especially with my cousin Noah and his girl having their baby recently. We do need to be more on the responsible side of things. Speaking of, I should probably get on birth control." I got up to hug him.

"Great! I knew you would understand! Can't wait until our wedding night!" Picking me up and giving us a twirl.

"Wedding night? We’re waiting until we're married to perform the act of coitus?" Upset as I may have been but when he pulled me away from him, he smiled and honestly who can be furious at a guy who has standards to admire.

Don’t worry, maybe in a month or two, he will change his mind. I can be very convincing.