Where Do We Go From Here?

Tony and I were venturing into the back yard as Jason, Cassandra, my mother, and father remained in the house. My mother had brought out some dessert wine to eat with their cake, but Tony and me decided to have some alone time—not that anything promiscuous was about to occur. However ever since my father’s question the other night, my mind kept on wandering to territories that I knew I wasn’t ready for. It seemed that the idea of sex would creep into my mind, making me blush deep crimson while trying my best to ignore it. I knew for a fact I wasn’t ready for that step since I couldn’t even cusp my mind to accept kissing in public.

“So, I’ve applied to a few colleges.” Tony began.

“Really?” I asked with a broad smile. “Where to?”

“Well SDSU of course, and well, I’ve applied to Albany State and Boston University.” He answered.

“What about Long Beach?” I asked.

He shrugged. “That one wasn’t really a serious option.”

“East coast? Really?” I questioned. “I thought you were a west coast kind of guy.” I commented while nudging his shoulder.

Tony was hesitant with his next answer. “I’m just thinking about my future, I guess. And well” He began while rubbing the back of his neck. “I kinda want you to be in it.” He said softly.

I smiled coyly. I swear Tony is the only person to ever elicit a hurricane of butterflies in my stomach. “I want you to be in my future too.” I murmured softly. “But I also want you to make decisions about your future for yourself.”

Tony nodded. “Verity when I’m with you, I feel like I’m actually putting my life in order. You’re good for me and I know if I do what I can to make this relationship to work then I’ll have no regrets.” He smiled at me.

I almost felt my heart turn into a puddle. I didn’t know what to say, so I intertwined our fingers as we walked to the edge of the backyard—it was where the fence stopped us from walking any further. We stood there until I finally allowed myself to sit on the grass. I felt my pudge of a stomach starting to tighten against my jeans, but I wasn’t in an insecure mood. I was content as I rested my body against Tony.

“Your brother and Cassandra seem really happy.” He commented as the darkness enveloped us.

“Yeah, she’s really sweet.” I smiled.

“So, what’d you need to tell me earlier? You know, before I came in.” He reminded me.

“Oh, that.” I said. Now that Tony seemed to be content with the idea of me heading east for college, I no longer felt like I needed to hide the good news. “Columbia’s Admissions officers are hosting a tour of the campus next month, and I’m thinking of going.”

I couldn’t see his reaction, but I could feel his heartbeat on my back. “For a whole weekend? That sounds a little odd.” His voice sounded off.

“Yeah, there’ll be lectures, activities, and we even get to stay in the dorms.” I smiled.

“But a whole weekend away. I’ll miss you.” Tony commented softly.

I smiled. “You’ll be fine without me. Besides, it’ll be a great opportunity for me to experience.”

“I know.” Tony replied while wrapping his arms around my waist. “I just don’t like the idea of you being away from me for a whole weekend.”

I laughed. “You survived 17 years without me.” I pointed out before adding “A brief weekend away from each other won’t ruin things.”

Tony chuckled. “I know. So, Columbia is your dream school?”

“Yeah, I mean I’ve been speaking with one of the mentors—her name is Lori—and she makes this place sound perfect.” I answered with an awestruck voice.

Tony didn’t say much after that other than murmuring into my hair that he really cares about me. I guess we were still a little hesitant with admitting anything deeper than that. We stayed like that; wrapped in each other’s arms until my father called us back into the house. I liked that me and Tony didn’t have to do anything to prove ourselves to one another. If anything our lack of sexual contact made me cherish our time together even more. We both walked back to the house with our arms linked together. Upon entering, Jason and Cassandra were on the couch, snuggling closely to each other while my mother sat on the leather recliner.

“We’re about to watch your favorite movie, V.” My father said with a warm smile on his face.

“Girl, Interrupted?” I asked almost immediately.

My father chuckled. “No, your other favorite.” He told me.

It took me a while to catch on. I turned to Tony with a huge smile on my face. “So Tony, are you a Hugo Weaving and Natalie Portman fan?” I asked him.

Tony looked back at me with confusion. “Uh, never heard of them.”

“Well, you’re in for a treat.” I said while pulling him into the living area.

My father sat on the reclining chair adjacent to my mother while I pulled Tony to the floor with me. We sat on the oversized pillows on the floor, holding each other’s hands while using the coffee table to support our backs. The flat screen TV was black before it commenced to the opening credits. Pulling my knees to me chest, I leaned my head against Tony’s shoulder. I hadn’t told him what movie we were watching on purpose, since I wanted his cinematic adventure to resemble a revelation.

“Is it a chick flick?” Tony whispered.

I silently giggled. “No, it’s definitely an action film.”

After that we resorted to silence as the beginnings of V for Vendetta started. I was smiling broadly as Tony looked up at the screen, and when it came to my favorite part of the movie I recited every line with as much fervor as V himself had.

“Voila! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a visage of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. However, this valorous visitation of a bygone vexation stands vivified, and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin vanguarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition.” I paused, just as V did since he was slicing away at the sign.

“The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous.” I giggled just as he did. The entire time I was reciting this, Tony’s eyes were glued onto me.

“Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose, so let me simply add that it’s my very good honor to meet you and you may call me V.” By the end of it everyone was applauding me.

Tony stared at me in shock. “Holy crap! You actually memorized that entire thing?” He asked incredulously.

“When this movie first came out, Verity couldn’t stop watching it. It’s the reason why we all call her V now.” Jason piped up.

“Actually, Callie was the first to call me V.” I cut in. “We were in junior high when she decided to cut my name down.” I explained to Tony.

Tony shook his head. “That was amazing!”

I laughed. “I watched it enough times to memorize this entire script.”

After being hushed by both my mother and father, Tony and I sunk back into silence. We watched the rest of the movie, all the while snagging glances at each other occasionally. I could feel a certain electricity buzzing around us, making me snuggle closer to Tony’s side. In return, Tony draped an arm around me while placing a quick yet innocent kiss on top of my head. When the film ended Tony let out a low whistle.

“That was amazing!” He exclaimed before adding “Remember, remember the fifth of November.”

I continued after him. “The gunpowder treason and plot.”

Tony smiled at me. “So I’m guessing Natalie Portman was the girl?”

“Yes.” I answered.

“And Hugo Weaving, was he V?”

“Yup.”

“But you never see his face.” Tony remarked.

“So?” I challenged.

“So, how do we know what he looks like?” He questioned.

“You’re not supposed to.”

Tony rolled his eyes. “What does Hugo Weaving look like, that way I can put a face to his voice.”

I thought for a while before stumbling upon another movie he’s acted in. “Have you ever watched Lord of the Rings?”

“No.” Tony replied bluntly.

I stared at him with a blank expression. “You’ve never watched any of them?” I asked hesitantly.

In my peripherals, I could see my father and Jason chuckling while my mother rolled her eyes at me.

“No, I’m not into elves and dwarves.” Tony commented with a shrug.

My mouth dropped open. “Oh my, it’s freaking Lord of the Rings! It’s probably the most acclaimed trilogy known to mankind.” I practically shouted.

Tony stared at me blankly.

“I can’t.” I said in an exasperated tone while standing up from my seated position. “Nàtyë necindo!” I exclaimed in the elvish language.

“What?” Tony stifled his laughter.

“If you watched Lord of the Rings then you’d know that I’m speaking elvish.” I smirked, lightly teasing him.

Tony rolled his eyes at me. He looked as if he were about to say something to me then closed his mouth. Tony glanced at my parent; a question lurking behind his lips. “Mr. and Mrs. Abraham, I was wondering if I may come by tomorrow so your daughter can show me the exciting trilogy of Lord of the Rings.” Tony teased.

My mother smiled then looked at my father to answer. I thought he’d say no since I was still grounded. However, a genuine smile tugged at my father’s lips.

“You may.” My father answered.

Notes

That small bit if Elvish language means "You are insane."

Are you fans of Lord of the Rings and V for Vendetta? Totally okay if you're not, but I will be incorporating some of their references in future chapters.

Let me know what you think of the story! I may just upload another chapter, but that all depends on the amount of feedback I get :)

Thanks for reading! <3