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“Hey! Don’t point that thing at me! Don’t you know how dangerous that is?? Use your head!” He quickly dodged the sparkler currently tossing yellow sparks everywhere and parried with his own as if it were a sword.
“Hey! Look who’s talking dude!”
He smirked and took a slow swipe for Chass’s head, having it blocked.
“Sweetheart, don’t be so violent!”
“Yea...SWEETHEART.”
He playfully scowled at Chass and took a faster swipe for his head before his sparkler burnt out, though not touching his skin.
He didn’t mind the pet name...but not where all his friends could make fun of him for it.
As they were currently doing...
But to be called violent... HIM? That was rather funny. He talked big, but everyone KNEW he wouldn’t hurt a fly. His martial arts training wasn’t the same thing and everyone else knew THAT too.
He did it more for a hobby than anything. For some reason...he disliked fighting a little bit...
As the light fizzled from his so-called weapon, he turned for the porch and dropped it in a wide, water-filled bucket. The wand sizzled and in no more danger of burning anyone.
He turned with a small smile upon feeling a soft touch on his wrist. Leaving the others to their fun in Kelar’s front yard, he plopped down on the concrete steps and idly took Cam’s hand in his.
“Having fun?” He asked, looking as Kelar and Chass teamed up against Robert with new sparklers.
Cam shrugged, leaning her head on his shoulder. She didn’t know whether or not he saw the motion, but it didn’t matter. “I’m glad you invited me to spend time with you at least. It seems we don’t get to spend that much time together anymore...”
He resisted the urge to sigh and look put out.
‘Here we go again...’
“What are you talking about Cam? We DO spend a lot of time together.”
Part of Cam’s mouth scrunched up as if to disagree, though she didn’t say anything. A thumb slowly rubbed over his skin.
“But why does it seem that we hang out more with your friends when we’re together? Are you ashamed to be alone with me?”
He pulled away and turned toward her, forcefully drawing her chin to keep her from looking away from him. “You know that’s not right. How many times have I told you that I like spending time with you either alone or with someone else? I just want my girlfriend to like my friends. That’s important to me. You know I don’t say these things when I hang with you and YOUR friends...”
Cam’s eyes closed, managing to avoid his eyes. He found it mildly annoying that she couldn’t even look him in the eye when they spoke. She did that on occasion and one would think he’d be used to it by now...
After a few seconds, Cameron slowly pulled her chin from his hold and looked to the guys still fooling around. Their playful jeers and taunts reached the short distance, though it seemed like a lot farther away.
“I...I don’t expect you to understand...” She whispered, eyes casting to the ground.
He felt like groaning. What was there to understand?? He didn’t understand THAT!
Why was she always fretting over the time they spent together?? They were young...they had YEARS to spend together.
He hoped.
Harshly biting his lip in the small bout of mild discomfort, an arm slowly snaked to the top of those slim shoulders. His head leaned against hers and he let the world speak as they were silent.
After a bit, feeling he HAD to say something...and might as well get it smoothed over, his arm squeezed in reassurance. “Hey...how long have we been going out Cameron?”
Those slightly dull eyes blinked, though Cam didn’t look up from the sidewalk. “Five months on the first.” She quietly answered.
He smiled and moved her head with a tiny nod. “Right. And in that time, how many times have I had to console these same fears?? And I’ve given you the same answer. Five months...five months Cameron. Have a little faith in me.”
Straight teeth bit her small lip. Cameron felt a small bit of worry prick at his reassurance.
A finger toyed with her shorts. “It’s just-“ She abruptly paused and pressed her lips together.
He heard her hesitancy and cast a look to her face.
She looked fretful over something...
“Just what?” He quietly asked, squeezing her shoulders again.
Though Cameron seemed a little fazed, she leaned into his embrace and he took that as a sign that her fears were mostly abated and she was just confiding in him now.
There was another small lapse of silence where Cameron fought to get the words out. She just hoped he wouldn’t be too mad when she said them...
“...It’s just I’ve heard the stories about you from around the city. You’ve told me some of your dating history... One of your exes said she once thought your longest dating record was a year and then you became restless. Sometimes less than that.”
Dark brown looked to the light blue afternoon sky with minute irritation and helplessness.
Was it HIS fault he was talked about by teenage and twenty-year old girls in this town? Was it HIS fault he had a small reputation for his dating history? Was it HIS fault he sometimes felt like those he dated weren’t the ‘one’?
Wasn’t that what it was all about? Finding that ‘one’? So why pretend and drag out a sometimes meaningless relationship?
Instead of agreeing with his girlfriend, he smirked and gently turned her face toward his. “So...you’ve heard my reputation have you?” His grin slowly turned charming as he snailed his way closer to her face. “Did they talk about how I was in bed?”
A cute blush donned the slim girl’s face, but Cameron’s smile matched his. “You think I don’t know that for myself? Why would I need stories to back up the truth?”
His grin was positively wicked and he had to fight it as he gently kissed her.
He slowly kissed her a few times, almost unable to stop, and fought the urge to pull her close to his chest.
The world seemed so far away at the moment...
When he finally pulled back and rested his forehead on hers, he found a small, self-conscious smile on that small mouth. He ignored it, knowing she had a small self-esteem issue that he knew of.
It was something she couldn’t fully control. But not even a minute passed before it was slowly wiped away.
“You’re really sure though? I mean...”
His finger caught her chin in and pulled her to meet his eyes again. He gave her a disarming smile and gently kissed her again. “You worry too much...” He mumbled against her lips. He gave another brief kiss before pulling away. “I said don’t worry about it...”
“But-“
“Shinpai shinai.”
He kissed her again, before she could ask for a translation, with more force than last time. It was different and more possessive than the other batches were.
He soon registered Cameron’s hands slowly snaking up his chest...to rest at his shoulders...
“Hey you two! Get a room! Come on...the world is watching here and there’re good Christian kids who don’t need to learn about that shit yet!”
He was going to kill Kelar... Slowly and painfully.
Just when it was getting good too...
Cameron broke the remainder of the kiss by giggling at his friend’s words.
They locked eyes and he huffed and playfully scowled, giving her a tiny kiss in resistance to his audience.
Cameron turned to the front lawn with a smirk. “That doesn’t mean anything. I’m Christian and you don’t see ME with blinders on!”
“I never knew you WORE them!” Chass cracked, wolfishly grinning.
He pulled away with a small grin, trying not to crack up with his friends. They all picked on each other, as friends tended to do, but Cam’s honor had to be defended.
Wordlessly, and in the span of ten seconds, he grabbed an unused sparkler from the depleting box and swiftly lit it. As sparks started flying from the grey tip, he let go of Cam and stood on the ground.
“Excuse me while I go kill my friends...” He jovially answered. He didn’t wait for her response and whirled around, using his sparkler as a weapon and went after Chass again.
~*~*~
As night closed in and the sun set, the group of five settled in the large backyard of Kelar’s family’s house and started rummaging through the stash of fireworks. The barbeque was officially over and Kelar’s mom was inside loading the last of the dishes.
It was time for fun.
“Bottle rockets...let’s light small ones off and go upwards from there.”
“No way! Let’s set off the colored smoke bombs first! There’s a safety fence around this place...do you know how cool that’d be?”
“No way, that stuff stains and I don’t need my dad bitching me out. What about the snakes? We can use the ashes like war paint.”
Dark brown rolled. “Get real. Like I’m putting that shit on my face.” A lithe hand stuck in the box as he grabbed a palm-sized package of small firecrackers. “I’m going to start this night with a BANG.”
The others smirked and grabbed a few sets of their own.
“Besides, the night is still too bright for fireworks. You can only truly enjoy them when it’s dark out.”
“Says the Japanese who doesn’t even really CELEBRATE the fourth.”
He reached out and gave Robert a playful shove, seeing in satisfaction that his friend stumbled a few steps before recovering.
“Hey...just because I don’t celebrate YOUR guys’ holiday doesn’t mean I don’t know fireworks. You think we don’t have them for Chichibuyo matsuri? I’ve heard stories about those festivals from my grandparents and great grandparents.” He flicked the lighter on and used the weak light to find the fuse. “A shame they don’t have them here anymore...”
As sparks flew, he tossed the small pack a few feet away and backed up for good measure. In mere seconds, the sizzling led to a dozen loud pops that echoed in the neighborhood when finished.
“Yea! Let’s do that again!”
“Dude...we using the brick this year??”
“Save that for last. We’ll end the night with it.”
“Works for me... Now...MY turn!”
Cameron sat on the small porch, and shook her head as the group started with more loud bangs.
After a while, fingers went in her ears as the noise started becoming unbearable. “Boys...” She muttered. As the tenth strand started, she got up and headed inside to watch where it was a little quieter.
~*~*~
“Hey K, outa the way!”
“Wha-AHH!!”
She screeched and quickly flattened herself to the ground to avoid becoming burnt and set on fire.
As a bang sounded in the yard, laughter followed.
“Very funny. Boys...” She mumbled, slowly getting off the ground with a wary look around.
“Sorry K...”
“Yea girl...lo siento for that...”
She glared at the smiling pair on the concrete steps and marched up to them, seeing it was safe to do so.
She was forced to look up as their tall height was accented with the bottom step. “Don’t you EVER scare me like that again!” She ordered, lightly smacking both on the shoulder.
“Hey! We SAID we were sorry!”
“Those stupid grins are telling me otherwise.”
“Really K...no harm was done. And if anyone beats up on my hermanos, it’ll be ME.”
She grinned and gave a mock bow, letting her best friend have at it.
She was given the satisfaction when Sam promptly whapped both Kevin AND Casey on the head with a batch of unopened bottle rockets.
“Next time get the trajectory right! I don’t need you killing K...she helps pay the rent!”
Her head shook in helpless amusement. “I feel so loved...” She muttered, slapping a hand to her forehead.
Samantha grinned and dropped the batch next to the small pile on the ground. “I know you do sweetie...now help me light a few sparklers and dim down their stash as penance.”
“Hey...who said we’d let you use some of OUR fireworks??”
Light blue sent a bored stare to Casey and Kevin. “Your punishment for screwing up and almost injuring my friend.” She responded, pulling four sparklers from the box.
Kevin scoffed in shock as his older sister started lighting two at once. “Not so many! We BOUGHT those you know.”
Sam swung the lit sparkler in his face, her index pointing at him as well.
“AH! Watch it with that thing!!” Kevin backed up a step and nearly tripped over the fireworks.
“Don’t start with me about who buys what around this place.” Sam responded, lighting the final two. With a happy smile, she handed them over.
Holding one in each hand, she and Sam ran to the center of the yard. She grinned like a carefree child and started spelling her name with one and trying to draw circles at the same time with the other.
Wasting sparklers on the fourth of July was a crime.
Samantha was trying to spell her name, only in cursive and with both on opposite sides of her body. After miserably trying and seeing the toy half gone, she carefully positioned both behind her back. “Look! I’m an angel!” She kidded, moving both as if she had wings.
She giggled and moved closer. “Then let me give you your halo.” She added, quickly swirling the half-burnt stick over that blond hair.
“Whoa!” Samantha quickly ducked and repositioned herself a few feet away. “Watch it with those things K...I’ve got enough split ends as it is!”
She gave a mock salute, mindful of the sparkler, and ran in circles with the sparklers encircling her in another.
It was so nice to just let go and be a child again... When had she felt this free?
Other than spending every fourth with Sam and her family and acting like this...
She couldn’t really complain though. It wasn’t like she was UNHAPPY in her life. There were plenty of joyous and gleeful moments she treasured gratefully...
Free time she spent with Samantha and every Sunday movie bash they had together since she moved in.
Hanging out with Chance in college, at class, and timing her pool laps and hanging out in the hot tub and steam rooms.
Spending time with Roger, Chester, and Tommy every night at Coffee Works...people who came more to talk to her and kid around than get a cup of coffee or whatnot.
Talking with her mother and getting her caught up on the small changes that happened at college or how she and Samantha were doing.
And the many holidays she spent with Kevin, Casey, Carl, and Missy Merth. They always made her welcome and a part of the family...with all the sibling rivalry that went with having brothers.
It was a small pain that Kevin and Casey were both boys, and also her age too. But she tolerated it...and appreciated it as only a single child would.
Her sparklers finally wore down and she walked to the front with Sam to put them aside someplace safe to keep from getting stepped on.
She idly listened while Kevin and Casey argued about what to light off next and was given another sparkler by Sam, despite her brothers’ protests.
Just to annoy them more, Sam took a lighter and the remainder of the box with her to the center of the yard. Once there, her friend stuck her tongue out at her brothers...which the two copied full force.
She half-heartedly smiled and watched a circle she made with her newest toy.
She so wished to have all the pains her friend went through...so badly. The burden of being an only child was lonely...but to have only yourself in a broken family didn’t help either.
Her jaw clenched as she eyed Samantha being her natural, silly self. A more genuine smile appeared as the girl started making stars with the yellow sparks.
Samantha was more like an older sister than friend. Even one year difference, it seemed like Samantha was both younger and older sister. There were times when she acted like a kid, like now...well half the time really... But during those few shaky times with her past, Sam was like actual family and wiser than her years with comfort and condolences.
She was glad to’ve met the girl. She didn’t know what she would’ve done if she never met Samantha Merth.
‘Answering that ad was the best thing that EVER happened to us.’ She fondly mused, fighting the urge to give the girl a sudden hug.
All that was shoved aside as she cried out and jerked her head away when a burst of light was shoved in her face.
“Watch it Sammy!” She cried out, waving a hand between her and the ‘weapon’.
Samantha grinned, but didn’t bother feigning innocence. “No zoning out K. I FORBID it!”
She smirked and took a challenging step forward. “And what do you intend to do about it chica? You can’t stop me and my thoughts from locking your nasal voice out.”
Light blue playfully narrowed as a sparkler was thrust near that chubby face with the precision of a fencing sword.
“On guard.”
She copied the movement and swiftly moved the ‘sword’ to her side as she’d seen in action movies.
“On guard...”
~*~*~
It was late by the time everything was shot off and promised to be picked up with the sun tomorrow. She and Sam cradled pop cans in their hands, using the caffeine to keep awake.
Sam’s head suddenly dropped to the table and faked a loud snore.
She smiled and took a sip of pop. “You are so overly dramatic.” She muttered over the rim.
That blond head didn’t move, but an amused snort answered. “I’m tired and mildly BORED. Can we go HOME yet??”
Her lips twitched as she stretched tired muscles. “Despite the fact that this WAS once your home...we can’t leave yet. You know that.”
“Can’t you just call HER this once?? I’m sure she would like that more...”
“You know she has odd hours. I don’t even know if she’s home right now.”
“Or awake... Like I’m NOT.”
Dark green rolled with a smile. “You are such a BABY. It’s barely eleven! We’ll be fine. At least we don’t have to travel cross a different city or anything.”
“Just this one. One I hate driving in with traffic. I don’t want the battery wearing down. We’d be screwed till morning.”
She sighed and resisted to urge to slap either her forehead or Sam’s. “That car has been charging in full sunlight all day long. Don’t make me explain the simplicity of solar-powered cars. Again.”
“Yea don’t. I really WILL fall asleep.”
“If it weren’t so late I’d go drag you to the living room, but everyone else is in bed and your mom wanted us to keep it down.”
“Madre lives with eighteen and nineteen-year-old boys. I’m mild in comparison.” That chubby head finally moved and propped up with hands, elbows, and the thick oak table.
She quietly chuckled.
The phone suddenly rang and startled both awake, but her hand shot out and grabbed the cordless purposely resting on the table before it finished its first ring.
“You’re sure late this year...” She pleasantly answered, skipping introductions.
She already knew who it was...
“Hello Kalie sweetie. I know I’m late, but I didn’t finish at the office till late.”
“Mom, you know better than to work even THIS late!” She scolded, being totally hypocritical. “Not when you can leave early.”
“Don’t talk to me about working late missy. Isn’t that calling the kettle black?”
“Naw...just a sooty grey.”
Dark green shot to her friend on the other side of the room, leaning against the kitchen counter. Sam waved with a grin and plopped up on the surface.
“Will you get off the phone??” She retorted into the device.
“Hello Samantha dear.”
“Hello Ms. Himmen.” Sam replied, ignoring her friend. Her tongue stuck out across the distance. “Working yourself to the bone again I hear.”
“I’ve got enough free time on my hands you two and I don’t mind the work. So you leave this poor old woman alone.”
She smiled at her mother’s banter. “Mom you are hardly old...”
“Let alone poor.” Sam protectively finished.
“So how are my two daughters doing?”
“Your surrogate had a blast today madre-”
“As did I.” She butted in. Why did Sam have to pick up? This was time spent with her mother, even over a phone. It wasn’t like she could just drive over and see her mother whenever she wanted... Both didn’t have the TIME for that.
At least it was Sam bursting in on her conversation and nobody else. She really would be offended in that case. Her mom treated Sammy the same way the Merths’ treated her.
Like family.
The mindless banter actually included events of today and spanning time since the last call on Memorial Day.
After exchanging pleasantries and stories about their lives, the three women regrettably called it quits for tonight...seeing as it was going on eleven thirty and both girls had hotel work bright and early.
“Oh and sweetie...are you still going to spend a few weeks here like you were thinking of?” Ms. Himmen asked.
Teeth bit her lip. The summer semester was almost over and she had ending tests coming up. She was more worried about those than the time spent with her mother.
Still...
“I have to see what I can do at the hotel and Coffee Works mom.” She answered, chewing on a nail. “They don’t exactly give paid time off for part timers, but I could see if I can plead with someone to take my schedules for those times.”
“You do that and then get back to me within a week before you plan on coming over. I’ll see if I can talk to the boss and get my paid vacation set up and going so I can spend a few full days with you.”
“Can do mom.”
“See ya mom.”
“Take care you two and have a safe trip home.”
Light blue met dark green across the way and a knowing, humorous look was shared.
“We will mom, bye.”
Both sets of electronic beeps sounded as the phones were off and then put away.
“NOW can we go??” Sam beseeched.
“Whining is not attractive.” She idly muttered, going for her pop. She downed the rest and put the can in a bag to be recycled. “But yea, I’m ready.”
“GOOD. I just might let you drive since I’m so tired.”
A wicked grin appeared. “If I do that, I get your pop for the sugar.” A slim hand reached for the solitary can and picked it up.
“HEY.” Sam quickly crossed the distance, but she already took a swig from it. A playful glare met her eyes as a chubby hand took the drink away. “You’re so disgusting. I’m going to have your germs now!”
She smirked and headed for the front door. “Then don’t drink it and give it to me. I already have YOURS at least.”
Samantha ignored her and took a drink. “No way, this is my favorite. You’re not hogging it all.”
Her head shook in amusement as she locked the door with Sam’s keys behind them.
**I am a BEGINNER Japanese learner...so if these are not 100% correct...please let me know if you care to do so. I only have a web page to learn from, a dictionary, and a few months experience to work with.
Translations: Shinpai shinai-Don't worry
Chichibuyo Matsuri-Chichibu Festival during night of December 2-3 in the Chichibu Shrine in Saitama Prefecture with floats and fireworks
Spanish language will be translated underneath when it appears together. This language will be correct, as I have half put half a decade into learning.**
Translations: Lo siento-Sorry Hermanos-Brothers Madre-Mother/mom
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