A Recollection of Ideas: A Series of One Shots

“JACK!” I yelled for him. He popped out from the kitchen, running down the stairs. I heard him slip and slide all the way down. We barely had three weeks of school left. Being a junior, all my finals were finished up and now I was “required” to be at school to watch movies and chill. My teachers were done teaching, but we still had to be here for Senior Week, which was really just one big party for the senior class, but all the other grades had to stay here as well.

“Ey, it’s Barakat!” he yelled as he leapt over my couch and landed next to me. I tossed him a remote controller. I rolled over and fell into his lap, pushing him to the floor as he whined for the black Xbox controller.

“Hey! You didn’t get popcorn!” I said, smacking his arm. He pushed me off and pressed the button on the game system to get it started up. I took the black remote and started it up. Jack pouted, leaning against my shoulder.

“Sorry! I got distracted by the gummi worms!” Jack whined. We started playing some shooter game, rolling over the floor in frustration. For some reason, when we stopped, Jack was on top of me, claiming that he was the winner, although the scores proved different.

“Jack, come on! We have school tomorrow.” I grumbled, shoving my best friend off my chest as I turned off the TV. Jack pouted, pulling on my arm to make me sit down again. I shrieked as I was forced to the floor and Barakat curled up on my chest.

“I am a Bara-kitten and this kitten says that you should stay here tonight.” Jack stated. I groaned from the weight until Jack rolled off of me. I caught my breath and stared at him.

“Oh yeah, school tomorrow. I’ll text my mom. She’ll say yes.” I relented. Jack cheered and scooped me up, taking me out of the room and throwing me out on his bed in the room next door.

“Stay here! I’ll get popcorn!”

“Finally!” I chuckled. As Jack left, I sent my mom a text, letting her know that I would be staying over at my friend’s house. She agreed and I threw my phone in my pocket. Jack would probably let me borrow a pair of jeans and a shirt for tomorrow so I wasn’t so gross.

Jack and I had a fun time at his house. We watched a movie until I passed out on the couch. He fell asleep soon after and when we woke up, both of us got ready, going to school for another useless day.

Jack drove to school, complaining about his guitar the entire way there. I just nodded and pretended I knew what I was talking about until we parked.

“Hey! Do you recognize that kid?” Jack asked me, pointing to this brown haired kid who clutched a book under his arm. I froze dead in my tracks. He was kind of cute.

“No. He couldn’t be new, could he? I mean, we only have three weeks of school left!” I responded quietly. Jack and I silently got out of the car and speedily walked towards the front of the school, anxious to keep up with the new guy. By the time we got into the crowd of rowdy students, we had lost him.

A few hours later…

It was lunch time, finally! Jack and I sat in our favorite corner of the school, a shaded little spot that was usually empty. I sat down, laying my backpack next to me. Jack sat opposite of me and started to nibble on a sandwich.

“So how was English?” I asked him. He shrugged.

“Okay. We finished up reading the Road and had a discussion on the book. It was a dark story, but I liked it alright.” Jack responded after he swallowed another bite. I sipped on a Gatorade, letting the silence consume us. My eyes wandered over the corridor, watching a couple students journey to the library, chatting quietly to one another. The door opened after they left, and a figure exited.

“Jack, guess what? I think that’s the new kid.” I muttered, nodding to the figure slowly walking down the hall, his eyes scanning a new book. Jack’s eyes widened.

“Friieeeend.” He muttered. I slapped his arm.

“Jack, that’s creepy.”

“Your face is creepy!”

“Your mom is creepy!”

“My mom is a very nice woman!” Jack defended. We both exploded and laughter and Jack stood up, brushing off his skinny jeans. I watched him walk away in curiosity.

“What are you doing?” I asked softly. He looked to me, a devious smile growing on his face.

“Inviting him to sit with us.” Jack said, and went off after the man at a fast pace. I waited, eating the rest of my sandwich and finishing off an apple. There was loud complaints….and racing footsteps?

Jack skidded around the corner, sliding into his backpack and regaining his composure. In his hands was a book that read Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pies. Well….wait….stop…isn’t that the book that the boy was reading!?

“JACK! YOU CAN’T JUST DO THESE THINGS!” I nearly screamed. I looked around and spotted the boy running down the hall, coming to a halt right next to us. His face was a mixture of fear and begging sadness.

“Please, can I have my book back!?” The kid asked. Jack held it up, almost taunting him with it. I blushed as the kid looked at me. Great. The cute new guy thinks I’m a total weirdo because I’m hanging out with the kid that stole his books. This is just great!

Pushing sarcasm aside, I glared at Jack.

“Only if you eat lunch with us!” Jack said. The kid sighed and sat down, seeing no other choice. Jack handed the boy his book back and resumed eating, as if nothing else happened.

“What’s your name?” Jack asked. The kid with chocolate brown eyes was staring at me. I looked back down to my lunch, blushing.

“I’m Alex Gaskarth. I just moved here from New York. I started here because my mom wanted me to ‘acclimate’ to the school here, whatever the hell she meant by that. I’ll be a senior next year.” He said. I looked up, getting lost in the pool of cocoa brown eyes. Jack nodded.

“I’m Jack Barakat. This is Kalista Iona. We’re both Juniors as well. Welcome to Baltimore.” Jack introduced. I half waved. The boy kept his eyes on me. Through lunch, Alex and Jack really hit it off. They seemed to have a lot in common. Both wanted to be in a band, both played guitar, and both seemed to be equally hilarious.

I kind of felt left out.

I played piano, does that count? I can’t sing, and I don’t want to be a band. I don’t think I’m really that funny. I’m just a third wheel in a newly formed bromance. We all compared schedules. Alex had the next two classes with Jack, who was going to show him around. I was….just left on the outside. I didn’t share any classes with him for the rest of the year. Next year, perhaps?

By the end of school, I met up with Jack at our usual spot under the tree by the side entrance to the school. I saw Alex hanging out with him. My face fell. I was rapidly being replaced.

“Hey, can we give Alex a ride home?” Jack asked. I nodded, shrugging. I mean, Alex is cute and adorable, nice and sweet….but Jack is my best friend first. Bros before hoes, right? Does that make any sense at all?

“It’s your car!” I tried to smile. Alex looked at me funny before thanking Jack. Alex rode shotgun….where I usually ride. I sat in the back, pretending to be interested in my phone, but secretly steaming.

Jack dropped me off at my place. I hugged him and ran up to my front door. I passed through the rooms, throwing my backpack angrily to the corner. It was barely even half a day and this stupid, cute, annoying, and adorable new kid named Alex was already ripping Jack away from my grasp! Jack and I had been best friends for five years, but nooooo! That meant nothing!

I sat down, picking up a pencil and starting to work on a list of things I needed to do. I calmed down a little.

I had to chill. It had literally been not even half a day. Things can’t change over the course of one day! Jack just saw a shiny new friend and had to go hang out with him. Give it a couple of days and things will be back to normal.

I just had to be patient.

Things will get better.


Two weeks later….

Things didn’t get better.

In fact, they got worse.

It had started out when Jack and I first saw Alex. It had gone downhill from there. The next day, Jack and Alex talked all through lunch. Alex tried to talk to me and I talked to him a little, but honestly, I think he cared more about Jack. I felt Alex constantly stare at me, like I was an alien. I constantly felt uncomfortable around him. I was ignored and left out.

The next day, Alex had to go talk to one of the counselors about next year’s classes. Jack went with him. I ate lunch alone.

A few days after that, Jack cancelled plans because he had some family stuff to do. That was okay. I mean, it was a Friday after all and I should have some family time as well! We could save a movie and video games for another day. That Friday night, I went out with my parent’s to a Chinese restaurant, one of our favorites on the corner of Main and 22nd. We had sat down at a booth, eating dumplings when something caught my eye.

Jack and Alex were walking down the opposite street, together. Jack’s parents weren’t insight. They had their hands in their jacket pockets. Alex had a beanie on. Jack had his hood up. It was dark, but I knew it was them. I had felt like crying at that point. Jack blew me off to hang out with Alex.

At that point, I knew I was replaced.

Today, it was another school day, but more importantly, it was lunch time. I started to walk to my normal spot for lunch, although I debated many times about just not showing up. Maybe Alex was sick? As much as he was sweet and kind, I really hoped he was sick. I just want a day back with my best friend.

I got to our usual alcove. It was empty. I sat there, waiting. Ten minutes…fifteen…twenty…a half hour passed by. There was twenty minutes left in lunch. Nope. No one showed up. I was the loner in the corner. The few people that passed me gave me odd looks. I swallowed tears that threatened to spill. Instead, I just plugged in my earphones, threw away my trash, and waited for the torture to end.

Ten minutes before the bell, I started walking around. I just needed to clear my head. Swinging my backpack over my shoulders, I started to walk towards the open commons area. I turned the corner, slowly making my way in the direction of my next class when I saw them.

Jack and Alex were sitting at one of the empty tables, joking and laughing with each other. I stood, frozen to the spot. It was like I was watching like a car crash. I know I should turn but I couldn’t look away. Alex must’ve felt me staring, tears welling up in my eyes, because he looked up. Alex’s face fell. Jack looked up, following his line of sight until it rested on me. I turned away, probably before his tiny brain could process what he had done!

I turned up the music, walking as fast as I dared to someplace safe. No, I was at school. It was all hurting, no relief. I held my breath, holding in the tears with it. I kept on walking, not hearing anything over my headphones.

“Hey!” Jack grabbed my shoulder. I turned around, scowling. His eyes were soft, pleading for me to listen. Alex hung behind him, barely a few feet away. I sent daggers in his direction.

“What’s your issue!?” I snarled. Jack backed off, hand dropping to my side. Time seemed to freeze.

“What?” He asked, slightly confused. Alex was silent.

“That’s cool, you made a new friend. Great! Awesome! That’s seriously cool! What’s not awesome, great, or seriously cool is you blowing me off for him!” I pointed to Alex, who seemed to shrink back. Jack looked slightly confused, but really hurt.

“I’m not blo-“

“Yes, you are!” I hissed to him. He shut up. “I have to walk home every day because you’re giving Alex a ride, or you two are hanging out! That’s cool and all, but remember Friday? How was going to the movies with your parents?” I snickered. His face fell. Alex lowered his gaze.

“Oh, that-“

“Just stop, Jack. I saw you and Alex walking down the street. I was at dinner at the Chinese restaurant with my family. I saw you two laughing your asses off. Cut the crap.” I growled. Jack looked ashamed. “If you didn’t want to hang out, you could’ve just said something instead of pushing me off and lying. I’m just soooo glad I could have a great friend like you, someone who’s never going to leave me alone, who’s supposed to always have my back.” I responded sarcastically and walked off, leaving those two idiots standing there. Who needs them? Not me.


Three days later….

I avoided the duo at all costs. I avoided places that they might possibly be. I ate lunch alone outside in a little secret place that I had found. It seemed like some days that I was so sick with longing for the way it used to be, that I might puke. The sickness in the heart is the worst kind.

It was a Friday night. I was home alone. My parents didn’t want to leave me alone, but I told them to go have fun and see a movie or something. They left me alone with farewell smiles and eyes.

When the doorbell rang, I was not inclined to answer it. The third ring made me take notice. Standing up, I took out my headphones and went to the front door. As soon as I opened it, I knew that this was a mistake.

Alex Gaskarth stood there with flowers in his hand. I just kind of stared at him with a stoic expression, waiting for him to say something. The boy looked dead scared. I sighed and started to close the door.

“Wait! Kalista!” he yelped. I turned around, raising my eyebrow slowly.

“What?” I said bluntly. A car was waiting in the driveway. Jack waved from the passenger’s seat. I glared. He ducked his head.

“I…um…do you…maybe...wanna…I don’t know…go hang out?” He asked, holding out flowers for me. I took them slowly. They were orchids. My favorite.

I had a feeling Jack Barakat had input on this. I eyed the boy from the car. He looked apologetic. I sighed and went back to staring at Alex.

“Hold on.” I said and closed the door, leaving him there. Slowly, I walked up to the kitchen, grabbing a vase and putting water in it. I let the flowers sit in the water on my table top. Running to my room, I grabbed a Blink-182 shirt and quickly changed.

I went back down to Alex. “Okay, what are we doing?” I asked him. Alex led me to the car, opening the door to the middle row for me, just like a gentleman. I smiled a little Jack turned around from the front seat. Alex jumped in…right next to me.

“Hi, Kalista.” He spoke quietly. I glared at him.

“I’m still mad at you, Jack.” I said flatly. He shrugged.

“I know, but I’ll make it up to you.”

“With what?”

“Food.”

“Okay, what kind of food?” I asked, a slow smile creeping on my lips. Jack grinned from the rearview mirror.

“Pasta and popcorn and energy drinks and such.” He shrugged, backing out. I nodded.

“I’m very okay with that.” I eventually relented. Jack wore the expression like he had just scored a touchdown in a Raven’s game. The car ride was quiet until we pulled up on a little hill overlooking a small park. It was beautiful in the dawning sunset.

“Jack told me you like parks, so here’s a park and food because Jack also explained that you like food.” Alex said quickly as he opened the door for me. I blushed and threw a sideways smile to my friend.

“I’ll be around. Call when you need me.” Jack said as he drove off. I raised my hand to a wave as Alex took my hand and led me to the blanket he had previously set out. There was a basket with food…and a beautiful acoustic guitar sitting next to it. Alex and I sat down and he passed out some drinks for us.

“Aw, this is wonderful, Alex.” I whispered, still in awe. All previous fights had been forgotten, all quims left behind. Alex looked at me thoughtfully. I ducked my head, staring at my shoes.

“What?” I asked.

“You just look really beautiful tonight.” He whispered. I bit my lip and took another sip of the soda. He took our trash and set it aside. We sat in quiet conversation, talking about our days, talking about what we liked…just talking. It was wonderful and easy, like we could fall into it again and again and never get bored.

“So you play guitar?” I asked, although I obviously knew the answer. Alex nodded and brought the guitar into his lap, crossing his legs. I leaned into his side, watching the sun go down over the edge of the world.

“Yeah, and I was working on this song with Jack. I wanted to make it perfect for you.” He responded. If I could blush any harder, I would be doing it right now. “That’s where I was all these weeks. I’m sorry that I was stealing Jack away from you. I didn’t mean to take away your best friend, I just wanted some advice on how to make this night perfect.” He whispered. I sighed, putting my head on his shoulder. He seemed to hum in happiness.

“It’s okay. I should really be a little less protective of Jack. We’ve just known each other for a while and I can be a little selfish.” I laughed humorlessly.

“You know Friday night?”

I nodded bitterly at the memory.

“We were going to the music shop nearby so I could by this guitar. When we moved, my old one got damaged and I needed a new one. I wanted to get the perfect sounding acoustic to use for tonight.” Alex beamed down at me. I closed my eye, covering my large smile with one hand. He nudged me gently, starting to strum on the guitar. His eyes never left mine.

“Tonight, we lie awake…remember how the coffee made us shake on those long drives? One more long night…” When the guitarist was finished, I had tears in my eyes. His voice was so beautiful. I felt like it was engraved in my mind forever.

“Alex, that was amazing.” I whispered. He wrapped on arm around me. The sun was already done kissing the horizon. I was collected myself and smiled at him.

“Kalista?”

“Yes, Alex?” I asked quietly.

“Will you be my girlfriend?” He asked softly. I nodded, wrapping both arms around him. He kissed my cheek, making my heart stop. We sat there, curled up next to each other until Jack came back to make sure we hadn’t been kidnapped.

I couldn’t ask for more.

Notes

So this is another one shot for I_Ship_KalanXD! I hope you enjoyed reading it :)

Don't forget to keep on requesting one shots! I'd be happy to do some more!