A Recollection of Ideas: A Series of One Shots

I whistled a merry little tune. It was a beautiful day, gorgeous even. My calendar read July fourth. Nothing would be a better day to light off some good old fireworks in honor of Independence Day.

What’s the best part about today, besides it being the Fourth of July?

I could light of fireworks, anytime, any explosive, no laws.

Oh, and all my fireworks were for free!

But why was this?

I was alone. Not just in the I’m-single-lets-have-a-pity-party-alone, but the fact that I was ALONE. Alone, capital A. No one around me. Not in this city, or the next, or even the country.

I was the last one, the last human on Earth. I was that alone. But you might be wondering how I became he last human on Earth. Well, it started out with wars, then disease, and then people just dying off in millions, resulting into very limited nations, breaking down of barriers, and finally, the last few thousand people flying off into orbit.

However, I escaped the lines to the ship. While 3,399 people were stuck up in space, escaping the now-extinct disease and piles of non-existent war, I was left. I mean, once you remove the general population, you don’t get really anymore disease or war. It’s pretty awesome.

And may I say, the economy is doing much better as well!

All humor aside, I decided that I should celebrate liberty and life and etc. with some good old fashioned fireworks! I’ll probably climb to the top of the Verdant tower in the city and light them off from there. It would be a pretty place to light them off. Now that everyone had left, all the lights have been permanently turned off unless they’re on a switch. Basically, the city is dark all the time. It can be a little creepy on some nights, but otherwise, I loved it.

I went out back of my house, a little two story building on the edge of town, and grabbed my shopping cart train. I would need this to store of up fireworks. There was a tiny little shop across town that sold them, or at least they used to sell them, and I would be visiting that. As I gathered my chain of five shopping carts, I started out, grabbing the keys to my scooter and attaching the chain. Maybe I should stop by the local hottopic to pick up some shirts as a celebration…

An hour later, I had stopped by the firework store, called Bob’s Big Booms! My carts were all filled to the brim with so many explosives, it should be illegal. Thank goodness for no cops! I made sure to grab some matches, lighters, and fluid, just in case. While I passed by the store, I snagged some food for later tonight. The afternoon was already drawing to a close.

The empty streets whistled as a light wind skipped through it. I sure hoped the wind would die down by later tonight. Fireworks were okay in the wind, but they might go astray. I couldn’t have fireworks shattering windows tonight. I didn’t need to be on cleanup duty.

My little scooter puttered along, pulled the heavy carts full of food and explosives behind it. I made sure to go slow around the corners and occasionally had to get off and adjust the carts.

Eventually, I managed to make my way towards the mall area. Getting off, I took the keys, making sure it was parked in the front. I plugged in my headphones from my little phone and took off, grabbing a shopping cart from the inside of the large mall complex. You could never have enough shopping carts!

I scooted through the tiles blasting along with some music on my playlist. I was listening to Teenagers by MCR.

“THEY’RE GONNA CLEAN UP YOUR LOOKS, WITH ALL THE LIES IN THE BOOKS, TO MAKE A CITIZEN OUT OF YOU!” I belted out as loud as I could. The one advantage of being the last possible person on Earth is that you were allowed to do whatever the hell you wanted to. I could sing as loud or as off key as I wanted to. Today, I felt like just blasting as loud as I could.

I turned my shopping cart quickly over the side and went down the large hall towards Hottopic. The lights were all out except for the natural skylight that let in warm rays fall upon me.

I opened my eyes and grinned as I stopped the cart and dove into my favorite store. I grabbed an All Time Low, Of Mice and Men, and ADTR shirt, just to celebrate the holiday. I continued to whistle it as I threw the shirts over my shoulder and began to rummage through the button bin.

That’s when a shadow caught my attention.

I turned around, whipping to make sure that it was just a figure of my imagination. Ripping out my headphones, I stopped the music and listened closely.

I swore I heard voices.

No, no, I was just going insane. As much as I loved being alone, some nights, I longed to cuddle up with someone, just whiling away the hours talking. I never had a boyfriend before this, no I was constantly alone, whether it was relationship status or population, I had been alone.

Sometimes, I longed for someone to kiss me and say that they would keep me company.

My mind must be going crazy.

I still swore I heard voices.

I decided just to take the entire bowl home. Honestly, I’ll sort through them later. On my way out of the store, I grabbed a new pair of shoes and a jacket in case it gets cold later on. The PTV jacket fit around me nicely as I hopped on my shopping cart. I kept the shirts over my arm and just rolled around for the next hour, occupying my mind with careless thoughts.

I stopped at the wishing fountain. The pond was on a timer. It went on and off at a constant time. I smiled as the bubbles popped on the surface.

“Jack! Jack!”

“Zack attack, come on!”

No, my mind. I laughed uneasily to myself. I must’ve been listening to a little too much All Time Low. I switched songs and started a quick walk back, abandoning my mode of transportation.

I swore I saw more shadows.

They flickered in and out of stores. I ran to get to my scooter outside. Hopefully, I could get home, take a nap, and clear my mind.

When I got outside, the wind had stopped. I took my keys out of my pocket and checked all the carts. Going to the food cart, I swore that I had a ham in there. Did I not pick it up? Maybe not. Perhaps I need a little rest….

The drive home was a straight shot to my house. At least I didn’t have to worry about turns. The carts stayed upright. It was…too perfect. I felt a little wrong about this.

My scooter descended a small hill until it evened out. I slowed down, parking on the street. There weren’t many other houses around, just a few down the road, but not too close to the city, like mine.

Whistling a small tune, I started to unload all my stuff. I moved the fireworks from the shopping carts to the truck. I had to carefully load all of them, like a game of Tetris in the silver Ram vehicle. When I got to the food, I squinted, making sure I counted everything correctly.

I detached that cart from the rest and pushed it up the ramp into my home. From there, I unloaded the food into the kitchen, whistling softly.

I could swear there was noise coming from down the street. I eyed the high powered bow I had in the corner. Ever since I was little, I had been obsessed with archery. I’d actually gotten pretty good at it as well. Now, I kept a high powered compound bow with tons of arrows I acquired from the Sports Authority just outside of town. I was never good at guns, that why I preferred a bow, that didn’t kick back. I would be prepared for anything that came my way.

More noises, more shadows.

I really was going crazy, but I had to be sure I was still safe.

I whistled a little louder, pushing my cart back outside. I closed the back of my truck and covered and locked my precious goods. Taking the keys, I parked my vehicle in the garage and then went back inside. I made sure to leave one spare jar of marshmallow fluff (one of my favorite treats!) out in the open.

I left my door unlocked.

Slyly grabbing my bow, I took those and the arrows to the second story balcony, hiding over the corner, just out of sight, but enough that I could see the kitchen counter.

I closed my eyes and honed in, listening for anything suspicious. My bow was constantly in my hand.

There was a small creak. The intruder had stepped on my squeaky board. I loved my squeaky board. It was like a warm greeting every time I walked back into the house.

“Mmm…fluff.” The voice murmured happily. That was enough. I snuck down the carpeted stairs and hid behind the corner. Taking a deep breath, I pulled back the bow, stepped out, and aimed.

It was a boy, one that I knew very well. Actually, not a boy, but a man. He was my age. He was decked out in his own AWG shirt and cap. His hands were clamped on my precious treat.

Alex William Gaskarth was standing in my kitchen, ready to steal from me. I didn’t take too kindly to him taking from me….although I was MORE than pleased to know I wasn’t alone.

“Put it down.” I commanded. Alex’s eyes widened, a grin breaking over his face, despite being at bow point.

“It’s you! I knew we’d find you! You were there in the mall, and at hottopic, and then Jack got hungry and I told him not to touch your food but-“

“What?” I stopped him, lowering my bow. He rushed up to me, engulfing me in a hug and then pressing his lips to mine. My eyes went wide at the extreme shock of affection. Shouldering him off me, I stepped back, glaring for a moment.

I mean, I’m seriously happy that I found out I wasn’t alone and I just got kissed by a super cute man, but what was happening!? Why was he this friendly!? It’s kind of freaking me out!

“Sorry, sorry.” He mumbled, looking down and blushing.

“It’s fine, just, what? Jack, as in Jack Barakat took my ham?” I asked. He nodded sheepishly. I went and rested my bow in the corner, trying to make sense of all of this.

“Yeah, and Zack and Rian wanted to play with your fireworks but I told them not to. They’re outside. Jack will be sad if he doesn’t get marshmallow fluff.” Alex bubbled over. I held my hand out.

I’ve gone from zero social interaction to two hundred in about four seconds. I mean, Alex Gaskarth just tried to make out with me.

What was this world anymore!?

“Well, good thing they didn’t.” I grumbled and snatched my marshmallow fluff off the counter. Without warning, three rowdy boys burst through the door, holding an assortment of crude weapons. I dropped the fluff and picked up my bow out of instinct, aiming it to Zack, who screeched and ducked under the table. Jack and Rian dropped their weapons immediately.

“Hello, boys. I assume you were here for my marshmallow fluff.” I sighed, pulling the bow down. Alex regained his composure and nodded.

“Is this the pretty girl you were talking about?” Zack whispered not so quietly to Alex, who just blushed.

“What’s your name?” Jack asked me. I shook his hand and smiled weakly. Wow, I get to meet some of the band members on my playlist.

“The name’s Oli.” I answered. Jack grinned.

“So what were you doing with the explosives?” Rian asked. I shrugged.

“Dude, it’s the Fourth! I had an excuse to light them from the top of Verdant tower.” I nudged towards the city. The boys’ eyes lit up.

“C-can we join?” Zack asked timidly. I nodded, happy to have a little company. They all cheered and started to flop on the couch. I would object, but at this point, I really don’t care.

I turned to Alex. He was still blushing like mad from kissing me.

“Hey, why did you attempt to violate my tongue when you saw me?” I asked with a light laugh. He turned a darker shade of red and tapped his toe against his other shoe. I patiently waited for an answer.

“I haven’t seen another girl in a while, you know, hormones and stuff.” He muttered softly. I shook my head.

“It’s because he thought you were pretty and yeah, the hormones and Jack isn’t the best kisser!” Rian added in. Alex scowled, but the fact that he wouldn’t look me in the eyes confirmed it.

“Oli, can I eat your marshmallow fluff?” Jack asked innocently. I shook my head and snatched the jar, shoving it in the pantry.

“Not until tonight, silly.” I chuckled. Alex was still blushing in the corner. Alex looked over.

“Well, now that I’m not taking you by surprise, can I kiss you now?” He asked. I rolled my eyes with a crooked grin.

“Hold onto your pants, Gaskarth. Not yet.” I laughed.



Seven hours later….

The ATL boys had been hanging out at my house all afternoon. We talked a little bit about what had happened to us. They didn’t want to go on the ships to space either and be crowded with thousands of other people in a small space, so they skipped out. They said they didn’t seen anyone else, but there was a high possibility that there might be a couple other small groups still left.

They had gone to the mall and had hung out there since last week. They traveled a few miles from their hometown to this city for more supplies and to see if they could find anyone else.

We all piled into our trucks and drove to Verdant tower. Together, we loaded them onto the elevator while I found the switch to get it started. We traveled fifteen stories up to get to the top. From there, we laid out our supplies. I grinned as the beautiful masterpiece lay before us.

It was ten o’clock, sufficiently dark. The stars were brilliant gems in the sky. Fifteen minutes after we ate dinner together, all laughing and joking around, Zack and Rian were starting to launch brilliantly orange fireworks that screamed and shrieked. I jumped when one was lit behind me. Alex caught me before I tripped and fell.

“Don’t worry, dear. I’ve got you.” He chuckled in his deep voice. I smiled and pushed away from him.

“Not yet, silly.” I laughed again. Jack was digging into my jar of marshmallow fluff as he tossed a few exploding grenades off the side of the building. We leaned over the railing to see them explode on their way down.

“Nice, Barakat!” I high fived him. He smiled, whipped mallow on his nose.

“Thanks!” He cheered and tossed me a Roman Candle. I lit it and watched the sparks fall over the dark city.

We had gone at it four at least a couple of hours and now that it was midnight, we were ready to light the big ones. Apparently, Rian and Zack were our explosives technicians. Jack, Alex, and I all packed up and went to the opposite building, where we could see them better.

“READY?” Jack screamed. Rian lit off a tiny sparkler to single he was ready. We sat down in folding chairs to watch them go off. The booms vibrated in my mind.

A hand gripped mine. Alex pulled me to stand up, leading me to the railing. He wrapped an arm around my waist. To me it felt…comfortable, safe, and protective.

I hadn’t felt like this in a long, long time.

“Like the fireworks, Oli?” He asked. I looked up into his gentle eyes, dark hair falling over his face. I reached up and brushed it back. He smiled under the touch.

“I love them. They’re having fun.” I pointed to the two boys were where dancing under the high green and blue sparks. Alex pulled me closer to his chest as we both looked up. I saw the explosions reflected in his eyes. He smiled.

“It’s wonderful, not being alone.” He ducked against my ear and whispered to me. I nodded, feeling myself blush in turn.

“But you had the boys…”

“You know what I mean.” He chuckled softly. Jack was too entranced by the fireworks to notice us.

“I do.” I whispered, knowing exactly what he meant. His hands moved from my waist to reach up and cup my face, his thumbs stroking my cheeks gently.

“Can I kiss you now?” He asked hopefully. He was probably waiting for me to say not yet.

Another firework exploded high in the sky.

“You can.” I responded. He leaned down, immediately enveloping my lips in his. He gently grabbed the sides of my face, pulling me closer to him, like I could just melt into his chest.

Trust me, if I could, I would.

I looped my arms around his neck, smiling into our kiss. He hummed quietly in approval. His beanie I had leant to him earlier today brushed my face as he deepened the kiss. His fingers ran through my hair as I pressed up against him.

I always said that I didn’t mind being solo, being without anyone else. But things change.

It felt good not to be alone anymore.

Notes

This one is for the lovely Bands for Life, again! I hope you loved this one as much as the first! I enjoyed writing it!

Please don't forget to keep requesting one shots! Also, feel free to give it a vote while you're at it! :)