Chapter 1
I finally came home from a long day at school. Oh, I cant wait until I graduate from Summerhill. After that, its nothing but the big time. Shane, Kian, and I are planning to go to Dublin after school is over in a couple of weeks. Our dreams of becoming the next Boyzone is on our grasp. I know Im going to miss it here when Im famous. What will mum and da feel when Im away? Will Barry take my room? Is Colin going to go through my stuff? Theres one real thing Im going to miss, my lovely girlfriend. Gemma and I have been together for the past 3 months and it couldnt be any better. Wow, the girl can give me a great blow job. Actually, shes too good in bed. How in the world does she get those moves? Too bad we didnt get together earlier.
As I reached to my room, I found my answering machine blinking. Everybody knows Im in school at this hour. I do hope however its Gemma. I pressed the button and hear a familiar, feminine voice.
"Hiya Mark! Its me, Dee!" That is Shanes girlfriend, Deidre. I knew her since we were about 10 years old. Shes very funny and sweet. Thank goodness that she and Shane are finally together. "Listen, did your heard the news? Mia is back! She said for us to meet up at the Carlton at 8 tonight. Dont worry, I told Kian and Shane to come too. Well, see you tonight."
Mia is back? Oh gosh. Its been almost 5 years since weve seen each other. Mia and I have been best friends since we were 5 years old. We always admired how fearless she really is. This girl is so implusive. She was such a tomboy and a rebel against her fellow uppermiddle class girls living near to her. Sadly, she moved when she was 13 to New York. We kept in touch, but in the last couple of years, she was busy with that bloody stiffy private school she went to. Sometimes, I wish I could go back when we were 13 and....nevermind.
I went to the bathroom and took a quick shower. Then I looked for a nice shirt and found this green sweater. I put that and black trousers on and ran to my mums Fiesta. Then, the car just wouldnt start.
"Arrrrgh! Feckin Fiesta!" I shouted to myself as I kicked the car. I opened the bonnet to look at the motor. It seems something is really wrong at the engine. "Da! Da, can you please come out here and jump start this old banger?!" I shouted again, but this time to get me das attention. Finally, me da finally came out.
"Whats wrong, son?" Da asked.
"Cant ye see this car wont start!"
"Hold on for a moment, son." My dad went to the Fiesta and fixed the engine of the car. "So, where you off to?"
"Carltons. You heard that Mias back home?" I asked as I got in the car.
"She is, eh? Thats great. Well have a good time." My da put the bonnet down as I turned the engine one more time. "Dont stay out too late, like you did the other night!"
"I will, da!" I rolled my eyes before driving off to Carltons. I looked at the clock and saw that Im already late. "Crap, Im running late. Oh well, not like there are anywhere else they could go on a Monday night here. Really, Ill be there when Im there." I speed down the road, going 60 mph. Then I heard a siren from behind. I checked through the rear mirror and saw a police car. "Oh for feck sake, thats all I needed now. Ill be even later!" I pulled over to the side of the road and waited for the police to clear me.
Chapter 2
I finally made it to Carltons. It has been the place where we all hang out since we were kids. Now that Shane, Kian, and I are about to persue this music career, Im going to miss this place. As for the road incident, just a warning. Thank gosh because mam wouldnt be glad if I got meself a ticket. Finally I made it to the door and went in, breathless. Carltons on a Monday night is somewhat dead, but tonight was a bit busy. I went to the table that we all used to sit at, but I see a few people taking that booth. Then I saw her, a goddess. Her beautiful long brown hair flowing through her lovely face. She was wearing a navy blue halter top and kakki trousers. That outfit fit perfectly to her body, not too tight, not too loose. I walked closer and closer to the table. I can smell the scent of Tommy Girl getting stronger and stronger as I approach her. Then she turned around and faced me. All of a sudden, a harsh realization hit me. Is that the same girl I grew up with?
"Mia, is that you?" I asked her. Then I saw the expression of her face. She seemed very stunned.
"Mark?!" She shouted.
"Oh my gosh, its you!" It is her, the same girl I befriended when I was a child who now turned into this beautiful young lady. She got up and gave me this huge hug to me. Im so happy that she remembers me because its been years since we last saw each other. "Its been years, hows ye darlin?"
"Wow!" She pulled away from out embrace. "Im feeling fine. I thought no one was going to be here. Ive been here for the past hour. I even ate dinner." She finally sat down. Whoa, her accent changed. It sounds more American, but its a cute accent.
"Sorry, luv. That banger wouldnt start."
"What?"
"Thats mams Fiesta out there." I pointed at the car outside.
"What happened to it?" Mia asked.
"Nothing really, except that its just old and well.....crappy." I told her about the car and how I got stopped by the police. She was forgiving and just smiled. "So hows life in New York?"
"Its alright. Just graduated from high school 3 days ago." She explained to me. "And as a graduation gift, they gave a ticket to come here for 2 weeks."
"Well, thats great. You dont understand how much we all missed you." Then my phone rang. Just when I really getting into the conversation, my mum calls up. "Hang on a tick." After a few minutes, my full attention is to Mia. "Back, sorry about that. That was me mam on the phone." She accepted my apology. "She just wanted to know if I got here ok in that car. Women, always worrying."
"You told her that Im here?" Mia asked.
"Yeh I did. She says hello and please stop by soon." I smiled at her and continued to talk. We waited for a few minutes for the others. Mia told me that Dee and Shane couldnt make it because she have to babysit her younger brother and couldnt leave the house. Meanwhile, just when I was about to talk about Kian, he walked in.
"Hey Mark." Kian waved to me. Then he stopped for a moment and was in awe when he saw Mia. "Wow, Mia!" He went over and gave her a hug.
"Oh hi Ki!" She said with a smile. I kinda figured that she always fancied him.
"Long time, no see." He sat on the chair between myself and Mia. "So wot ya been doing with your good self over the states?"
She and Kian continued to talk about their lives as I look out the window. How did the rich tomboy became a proper beautiful young woman? I really miss Gemma. I know shes busy tonight with work but it would be nice to have her like the other night. But as I look at Mia, shes really beautiful. If I wasnt with Gemma, maybe...then maybe....nevermind. I have Gem.
"Mark?" Mia called me.
My mind went back to normal. "Errr yeh?"
"You okay?"
"Sorry luv. I was just miles away there for a moment."
"So, didnt your boyfriend mind you going here for 2 weeks?" Kian asked Mia.
"Actually, Im single....very single." She said with a smile. Shes not dating anyone? This could be interesting. No wait, Ive got Gemma. I better not. Thinking about it, I shouldve worn that black tee if I found it.
"Mark, Mia, Ill be right back. Gonna get some drinks at the bar." Kian got up and went to the bar. Wait, Ki! Dont leave me alone with her.
Chapter 3
Its been 2 minutes since Kian went to the bar to get some drinks, but its been an enternity as I look at Mia. Should I tell her about Gemma? Its not going to bother her.
"So dating someone, Mark?" Mia asked.
"As a matter of fact, yeh." I feel a bit embarrassed telling her. "Her name is Gemma. Weve been seeing each other for about 3 months." All of a sudden, I noticed a frown on Mias face. Bugger, wish Id dumped Gemma. Ive wouldve if I knew she was looking like that. "But dont worry Mia. It doesnt mean we still cant be friends does it?"
"Weve been friends, Mark." Mia said. She sounded a bit hurt. "I mean, nothing really changed between us."
"No thats what I hoped. Youll really like Gemma, Im sure."
"Of course, Mark." Mia said, softly. "Any friend of yours is a friend of mine."
"Well, Im glad you feel that way. Just worried things would be really awkward. But shes more that a friend, you know." Whoa, I really blew it. Immediately, she got up and went to the bar. "Where are you going, Mee?"
"See if Kian got his drink. I might as well get one as well." She left the table and went to him. Oh no, what should I do? She walked away when I talking about Gemma. I wonder what shes thinking.
(meanwhile at the bar)
Kian was taking another shot of tequila when Mia joined him there. "Ahhh, reality is an illusion caused by the lack of alchol! Do you not agree?" Mia put her head down on the bar. "Seemed a bit upset, dear?"
"Nah, just thristy." She picked up her head and shouted to the bartender. "Virgin Piņa, please?"
"Virgin Piņa? Hello, this is Ireland, not Mexico."
"Listen Egan, Im not in the mood for liquior, ok?" Mia got her drink.
"Well excuse me." He chuckled for a moment and they just talk about the band.
I continued to look at them as they talked about things. I just wonder why does it have to be so hard. Gemma looks good, but what an arse Mias got. I just cant help looking at her, talking and laughing with Kian. Then I noticed her, taking a glimpse of me. Somehow, there was a sad look on her face. And there I felt something as our eyes locked, something I never felt before. Then Kian took that away. Oh, I have to call Gemma up. Shes probably worried.
"Hiya, this is Gemma. Leave a message after the tone and Ill get back at you." Thats Gemmas answering machine.
"Hello Gem." I started saying my message. "Its me love....dunno where you are or why yer phones not on but anyway just wanted to say thanks for Saturday night. It was fab and I loved yer thong darlin. Anyway, best to go right now. Im at the Carlton with Kian and an old friend. Hope to talk to ya soon." I hung up and see Kian and Mia walking back to the table. "How long can it take to get some drinks?"
"Sorry, just taking some shots." Kian explained as he sat down. "So who were you talking to one the phone?"
"Oh, thats Gemma. Shes probably at work." Then I saw Mias face, again feeling sad. Damn, why do I have a girlfriend?
"Listen, guys. I have to make a pit stop to the ladies. Be right back." Mia headed to the ladies as Im left all alone with Kian. Maybe he knows whats going on.
