Armatage Shanx, chapter 5
I woke up the next morning still laid on Lewis's chest. I looked up at his pale profile, his chin slightly stubbly. His eyeliner had run under his eyes making him look slightly scary, yet he still looked peaceful. I adjusted the way I way laid and sat up on the uncomfortable couch. Lewis snored loudly which scared the shit out of me but made me laugh. I stood up and stumbled into the kitchen, my bare feet padding softly on the tiled floor. I opened the cupboards, moving the boxes rapidly looking for food. I found what I was looking for. A box of Pop Tarts. Come on, they kick ass. I put two in the toaster and switched on the boombox, Minority emitting from the speakers. I started dancing like I do because Im just strange like that. It's the only exercise I get, because Im such a lazy ass. I started to shake my booty as Destiny's Child said when I heard a cough.
I turned round to see Lewis with a grin on his face. I went bright red like a tomato which had a sunburn. The toaster popped making me jump a mile into the air. He started laughing and I grimaced. It wasn't funny; I was embarrassed twice as much now. I felt like a right idiot, really, really, really...Yeah You get it. I smiled and he smiled that gorgeous smile back. Keep control Shanx, You may have to hump that drainpipe clad leg if you don't. I grabbed my Chocmallow Pop Tart and shoved in my mouth sending crumbs down my dressing gown. He laughed and came up to me and wrapped his arms around my waist.
"Morning Beyonce" He smirked.
"Shut the fuck up it's my exercise and I need to go shopping for more pop t-" I stopped and looked at the clock "Oh shit I forgot I'm moving to America today. Shit, shit, SHIT!" I panicked and ran into my room and took off my pj's and was grabbing my Kerplunk t-shirt and my grey skater pants when Lewis walked in. Did I mention I was in my underwear? If I was red eairler he was maroon. He muttered sorry and ran out. I threw on my clothes and ran out holding my white and green Converse.
I walked up to Lewis and hit him on the head with my shoe. "Pervert" I muttered then sat down pulling on my shoe.
"Hey I didn't mean to walk in with you in your undies." He said laughing. I just gave him a glare which made him laugh more. Lisa walked in rubbing her eyes. She saw me desperately trying to pull on my shoe, which refused to stay on my foot, and she smiled.
"Shanx, why don't you untie the laces first? It may actually go on you foot then." I looked down. The laces were tightly done up and I blushed.
"Well...I was panicking. Look we have a really long flight ahead of us. We need to get to the airport in an hour and Natalie's still in bed!" I shouted. I was really scared now. Lewis saw how frightened I was and pulled me into a hug. I heard the front door slam and Nat walked in.
"Heylo peeps. I went to the shops to get some supplies like." She opened her bags and started to say what she had bought " Pop Tarts, prawn crackers, chocolate, coke, batteries and sleeping pills."
I looked at her confused "Sleeping pills?"
"Well how other way are we going to shut you up on the plane?" She laughed. "Joking nah I didn't get any pills."
I looked at her and Lisa. They bowed their heads. I looked down too. Lewis piped up.
"Did someone die or something?" He asked confused.
I stood up and went to my room. All the talk of pills made me feel sick. I didn't want to remember the old times. I looked around my empty room (removal men must have already took our stuff) and saw 'Poppy' in the corner. I walked over to her and picked her up. My black and red bass was my pride and joy. I plucked the E string and sighed. Armatage Shanx kept me going through bad times. Our band was the only thing that kept us all alive. I played bass and sung because apparently I can sing. Heh in your dreams pal, Lisa played guitar because she wanted to play that and Natalie played drums cos she is a female Tre Cool. Absolutely mental. I shook my head trying to erase the thoughts that were making tears fall silently down my face.
Flash Back
Armatage Shanx aged 17
"Come on Shanxy, Shorty is having a party. He said he wants his druggie buddy to come." Lisa asked whilst wrapping a rag around her upper arm. I lay there on the sofa throwing down my joint that was too small to carry on smoking. I loved Shortys parties. He always had a cocktail of the finest drugs and alcohol for everyone to enjoy. I sat up and grabbed my bag from the floor, took out my cigarettes, pulled one out,lit it and took a drag filling my lungs with smoke.
"Yeah I'll go. I always go to Shortys, he always gives me my fix you know that." I smiled at her as she injected some clear substance into her skin. "You pushed that in to hard. Your gonna get a bruise there you know?" I said to her as she placed a plaster over the microscopic hole in her pale skin.
"Yeah well, I'm not as experienced as you am I Shanx? You've been druggin it up since last year." She said taking of the rag, which tightly wrapped around her arm, making the veins visible.
"Nope and I only started because I was let down by my family and friends. They fucked me up big time. When you fall in love you expect everything to go smoothly. It never fucking does. He let me down and my family followed." I sighed scratching the back of my neck and sitting down on the beat up couch. Lisa smiled at me and sat down on the floor in front of a very depressed me.
"Shanx, love is a bitch, life is a bitch that's why you need to let it ride." She sighed as she looked up at me with he dark eyes. She then lay back on the wooden floor and looked up at the ceiling. She started singing under her breath. I didn't know what she was singing until she sang louder.
"Give me a long kiss goodnight and everything will be alright." She sang. I smiled to myself. I couldn't help but sing along because that's what I'm like. I love to sing
"Tell me that I wont feel a thing, so give me novacaine" We sang in unison and let out a laugh. We kept singing until Natalie walked in. She had gone to visit her boyfriend and was going to stay there the night. I looked at her confused.
"Nat? What's a matter pumpkin?" I asked walking over to her. She had tears streaming down her face and her eyes were red. I put my hand on her shoulder. She sat down on the couch and let out a sob.
"He dumped me. He said I was a drug addict and that he never wanted to see me again." She cried as she put her head on my shoulder, drenching it with tears. Lisa looked at me and gave me a look that said. 'told you so'. Natalie sat up and wiped her eyes. She then smiled.
"Oh well. Life goes on. Gotta let it ride eh Lisa-Loco."She let out a low laugh "Who gives a flying fuck about him? Lets go get wasted and trashed" She stood up and got her bag. "Come on. Shorty text me and said there was a party. Like I can never say no to a partay!" She then literally ran out of the door, Lisa and me in follow. This was the life of three seventeen year old girls we once were. Boyfriends, Booze, Bongs and Bust Ups.
End of flash back
A knock on the door me back to my senses. Lewis poked his head through and smiled.
"Airport time." He said as he came and sat down next to me. "You ready?" He asked sliding in hand into mine. I looked at our hand and back up to his face. I nodded.
"Ready or not at all." He then pulled me up. We walked out of my room and saw Lisa and Natalie wearing the same expression. Happiness with a dash of excitement. We walked out the door and entered the elevator and said a goodbye to our old home as it descended downwards to the parking lot. We jumped in Lewis's Ford Fiesta and made our way to Norwich International Airport. All the way there my head was filled with regrets. Only two people knew where we were going apart from ourselves and it broke my heart. Jemma and Ali didn't even know and that killed me. I sat and stared out of the window as Lew, Nat and Lisa sang to All The Time by Green Day.
All the time, every time I need it.
What's the time?
I'd say the time is right.
Here's to me.
Let's find another reason.
Down the hatch and a bad attitude.
S'aright
Wasting time
Wasting time down a bum fuck road.
And I don't know where the hell it'll go.
Heirlooms and huffing fumes, and I'm picking up the pace
and I'm gonna smash straight into a wall.
All the time.
A "New Year's Resolution"
How soon that we forget.
Doing time.
Loving every minute.
Live it up on another let down.
S'alright
Promises, promises, it was all set in stone, cross my heart and hope to die.
Sugar fix, dirty tricks and a trick question.
Guess i should have read between the lines.
Having the time of my life, watching the clock tick.
Having the time of my life, watching the clock tick.
All the time, where did all the time go?
It's too late to say goodnight.
Time flies when you're having fun, yeah.
Time's up when you work like a dog.
Salud.
By the time the song had finished we were already there making my stomach do backflips and make me feel like my throat was constricted my a large rock. We walked into the large airport and I followed Lisa and Natalie. I had never been on a plane before so I trusted them to sort everything out. We sat there waiting for what seemed ages laughing at Natalie who was hitting Lewis on the head with her drumsticks.
"Hey guys! What song is this?" She played a drum beat on his head. Even with the 'oof fucks' and 'Jeez bitch what ya doing to me?' It was easy what song it was.
"Holiday" Me and Lisa said together as Natalie smiled and nodded whilst Lewis looked at us grouchy. Our ears peaked up as a flight was annouced.
"Flight 472-b is now boarding. Please make your way to the terminal." The flight woman tannoy said on the loud speaker. Natalie stood up.
"that's us." She said and we made our way over to the terminal. I stood there and looked at Lewis.
He looked like he was going to cry, so I flung my arms around his neck and hugged him tight.
"Don't forget me Shanxy" He said into my neck.
"Like I would forget Lewis my lil emo boy." I said pulling away. I then poked him in the nose with my finger. He smiled and sighed wiping away the tears I hadn't noticed roll down my face. I looked up at him and smiled.
"Come on we gotta go." Lisa said as she turned round noticing I was lagging behind. I turned and looked at her. She gave me a look that I knew what she was saying. Just so ya know. Lisa is sex mad. I smiled at her. It reminded me of year 8 A.K.A 7th or 8th grade for you American peeps.
Flash Back
Armatage Shanx aged 13
I sat down in music next to Lisa and Daniel. Me and Dan had been friends since we sat next to each other in science and Ashley had introduced me to Lisa and Dan. Lisa was really gothic then. All she wore was black eye-liner and studs and stuff. Daniel was a Goth but in our school uniform he didn't look any different. I was a Green Day fan and that's what got me to be friends with Lisa and Dan, Ashley loved Eminem and I liked him because it reminded me when I went out with him when we were 11.
We listened to Mr Muir as he droned on about minims and god knows what. When Terri leaned over to us.
"Daniel likes you, you know that right?." She said motioning to Dan. He immediately turned bright red and looked down. I looked at Terri like she was mad.
"Yeah right" I mumbled and looked down at my work.
They whispered like I wasn't there and I hated that. A person talking about me behind my back annoys me and upsets me. The Terri whispered a loud and audible 'yes' which made me look up.
"He said he will go out with you." She said. I looked at Dan who was looking bright red in the face at Ben who was looking at me. I looked at Terri and smirked.
"If he liked me and wanted to go out with me he would say it to my face" I said and looked back down at my work, which had something to do with crotchets and minims. But Lisa being sex mad she kept calling them 'crotches' and 'Kinky mini-skirts'. Terri moved back to me and poked me in the head getting my attention
"What?" She then looked at Daniel.
"Will you go out with Steph?" She smiled.
He looked at me and looked away again blushing.
"Yes" He whispered and I smiled widely, my heart beating fast.
"Steph will you go out with Dan?" She then asked me.
"Yeah." I said a little louder than Daniel did.
She then smirked and shouted." Daniel and Steph are together!!!"
Then all lesson I was bombarded with questions from Jordan and Ryan. Yeah it pissed me off but I was well happy.
***
Maths
Mr Mcabe always made us sit in different places so I sat next to Jemma and Lisa. Daniel sat on the other side of the room facing me. Every time I looked at him I got butterflies in my tummy. I tried to get on with my work but I couldn't concentrate. I never felt so much in love with anyone and I loved it.
***
English
I sat in front of Daniel and talked to him about Green Day and what our favorite songs were.
"Mine at the minute is Give me Novacaine. I can't get enough of that song" I said smiling at my new boyfriend.
"Mines St Jimmy. I love the 'and don't wear it out!' part. That kicks ass." Miss Howard walked by us and put my work in front of me. Terri who sat next to me whispered something to her. She then looked from me to Daniel and smirked. I gave Terri the 'look' and smiled at my teacher. I looked at Lisa and sighed. She smiled then made a action at me and Daniel, using her tongue and her hands.
"LISA YOU SICK FUCK!!" I laughed and screamed at my friend. She burst out laughing making Miss Howard mutter something about 'young love' as she sat at her desk.
End of flash back
I smiled at Lisa thinking of what perverts we used to be. Heh, we were still like that otherwise I wouldn't have thought of that. I looked up at Lewis. Friends since 14 we had always been close. He smiled down at me and ran his pale fingers through my long black wavy hair. He started to lower his head so the gap between our lips became shorter and shorter. Within seconds his lips brushed against mine making sparks fly in my head. I felt like I was on cloud 9 looking down onto us. It felt like we were there hours, his lips attached to mine but in the real world it was only seconds. He pulled away and smiled. Lisa marched up to me with that perverted smirk and pulled me by my wrists to where Natalie was stood grinning.
"Come on or California here we don't come" She said with that stupid smile on her face. I turned round and saw Lewis looking at me with a small smile. He mouthed 'Miss You' and turned to walk away. I had to say some thing back. I took in a deep and long intake of breath and shouted at the top of my lungs...
"MISS YOU TOO!!" He turned round and laughed. He blew me a kiss then carried on walking. I grinned and walked onto the huge jet plane. I took my seat next to the window. Unfortunately I had the crazy female drummer sat next to me. She sat down and smirked at me.
"Oooh getting all steamy with Lew Lew?" She giggled then played a steady drum beat on her knees with her sticks. I grimaced at her.
"He kissed me not the other way round" I growled then looked out of the window to see we were still on the ground. She screwed up her face trying to think of a witty come back. I sighed and looked at her and let out a stiffled laugh. Her face was completely screwed up in concentration. Then she smiled a big grin and looked at me.
"Well I didn't see you complaining. You didn't exactly pull away and go 'urgh!!' did ya?" She enquired. I knew she was right. She always was. I just smiled then sighed. I was going to miss Lewis. I had known him for ages but only got to be his friend when I was fourteen...
Flashback
Armatage Shanx aged 14
I walked around the mall. I saw all the chavs looking at me, well, staring at me. I gave them the death glare and walked towards Hot Topic. I had heard they had started selling the Adeline Street collection and me being the Green Day freak I was, I had to check that out and I dragged Jemma and Ali along with me. Jemma stood there looking at her phone, Probably Callum. Ali went to the Green Day shirts. I planned to join her after I had found the Adeline collection. I couldn't see them so I had to ask. The dude at the counter told me they are over there. Over-freakin-where? I had problems finding them in the first place now I was even more lost. I walked aimlessly for about 10 minutes till I found them. I stood looking at them and I knew I couldn't get them because I had no money. So I just looked at them. Well Jemma had to pull me away from them, Cos she said I was starting to drool.
I pulled my hoodie up. I made sure my black and red stripy fingerless gloves were keeping me warm. I then adjusted my fringe in front of my eyes and pulled my drainpipes up. My belt was playing up. It never kept my trousers around my waist. I would soon be walking round with them round my ankles. Jemma kept talking on the phone and Ali had her iPod on. I just walked towards McDonald's. I would get fries and a coke since I was a veggie. I had been since I ate bad food. Heh bet you didn't wanna know that?
I kept walking toward the 'Mc D' as Ali called it. She kept singing 'Suffocate' and smiled at me. She knew that I loved that song. I scowled and looked away from her. She stopped the track then changed it. She mumbled under her breath until she pressed the button. She groaned.
"Fucking buttons fucked!!! Steph make it work" she said passing it over. I took the black iPod in my hands and jabbed the play button vigorously. The headphones blasted out 'All the Time' until the battery died.
"This iPods fucked," she mumbled putting it into her hoodie pocket. We walked into McDonalds and saw Lisa and Natalie in the corner.
"Lisa-Loco, Natre" I called causing babies to cry and children to look scared at me.
Lisa stood up. "Shanxy, Jemz and Ali-B?? Heylo. You all alright?" She asked as we sat at the same table as her. We nodded in unison
I ate in silence whilst the others talked about stuff from Green Day to for some strange reason, Hamsters.
"I think they're cute" Alison said as she shoved a handful of fries in her mouth. "wif ver ink nozez" I laughed at her.
"Didn't catch a word of that last bit." I grinned as she drank some of her Coke.
"I said, with their pink noses." we all said 'ahhh we get it now' and got engrossed in our conversation again. When we had finished our food we stood up and started to make our way to the cinema on the 5th floor of the mall. I stood outside the glass elevator and waited for it to descend when I felt someone poke me in the back. I turned round to see Lisa pointing to the shop across from us. I looked carefully to see the boy I didn't want to see looking a mess like I did. Lewis Jennerson the 16-year-old emo boy that I had had a crush since I lay eyes on him. I pulled down my hood and turned away so he didn't see me. We had talked before but only in passing. Lisa started laughing at my face because I was bright red in embarrassment. Then she laughed even more. I took my chance and looked behind me and to my horror he was walking straight towards us and looking at me! I squeaked and looked away. I didn't know what else to do, so I just pulled my hood down more. I felt someone stand next to me so I looked at the person who was making me squash against the wall and again to my horror I saw Lewis talking on his phone. I looked away. I was in absolute shock. If he were a mile away from me I would have screamed because he was so near. So now what was I going to do? Then I heard a 'ping', which meant the lift, had arrived. I literally ran in and stood at the back, Lewis following me. I looked at him and he caught my eye and smiled! OMG HE SMILED! Ok if I was red before I was white now. I felt ill. When we got to the 5th floor we went and bought our tickets to see Silent Hill. I was looking forward to it. I only wished Daniel would have come but he had to see his girlfriend today A.K.A not me seeing as we spilt up two years previous. We waited 10 minutes in the toilets for some reason then we went to the little shop and bought pop-corn and Coke for all of us. Finally it was time to go inside of the screening room thank god because my back was starting to ache. We quietly walked up the stairs and made our way to the back when I saw a familiar face. He was now probably thinking I was stalking him. Lewis was sat on the second from back row looking at me. I blushed then carried on up to the back.
When the film had finished and many toilet visits later I was scared to death. Yes I looked forward to the film but it was scarier than I expected. I stood outside the bathroom whilst the others relieved themselves and stared blankly into space thinking of the horrific scenes that I had just endured. When I felt a presence next to me and they said a low "Hi"
I practically flew a mile into the air and held a hand to my chest. "Holy shit you trying to kill me or something?" I screamed.
"Sorry, I was just saying hi" He laughed. I glared at him then it sunk in who I was talking to. Yep you guessed it. Lewis. Again. I blushed and muttered a small "Sorry"
"Hey don't apologize. I was the one who freaked you out. Note to self: Don't sneak up on Steph when she has just watched Silent Hill" He said. I stared at him and asked the first question I could think of.
"You know my name?"
He nodded. "Yeah, I talked to you when Micheala introduced us." Then he smiled at me.
"Oh yeah. I forgot but please call me Shanxy. I hate my real name." I sighed leaning back against the wall next to him.
"Okay well I gotta go now. My girlfriend is meeting me." Well that crushed me. " See you at school Shanx" Then he pushed himself off the wall and walked away, pulling out his phone on the way.
That was one weird yet cool day
End of flashback
I sighed and closed my eyes. If I was gonna stay calm I needed to sleep. If only Nat did get sleeping pills
***
I woke up to feel a continuous tapping on my skull. I opened my eyes to see Natalie and Lisa with a drumstick each whacking me on the head telling me to wake up. I looked out of the window to see that we were on land. I stood up suddenly causing me to hit my head on the low ceiling. Lisa grabbed my hand and pulled me off the plane and dragged me into a cab. Then he took off. I pushed my face up against the window to see palm trees and clear blue sky. I smiled. I was finally where I wanted to be. I was in California.
I turned round to see Lewis with a grin on his face. I went bright red like a tomato which had a sunburn. The toaster popped making me jump a mile into the air. He started laughing and I grimaced. It wasn't funny; I was embarrassed twice as much now. I felt like a right idiot, really, really, really...Yeah You get it. I smiled and he smiled that gorgeous smile back. Keep control Shanx, You may have to hump that drainpipe clad leg if you don't. I grabbed my Chocmallow Pop Tart and shoved in my mouth sending crumbs down my dressing gown. He laughed and came up to me and wrapped his arms around my waist.
"Morning Beyonce" He smirked.
"Shut the fuck up it's my exercise and I need to go shopping for more pop t-" I stopped and looked at the clock "Oh shit I forgot I'm moving to America today. Shit, shit, SHIT!" I panicked and ran into my room and took off my pj's and was grabbing my Kerplunk t-shirt and my grey skater pants when Lewis walked in. Did I mention I was in my underwear? If I was red eairler he was maroon. He muttered sorry and ran out. I threw on my clothes and ran out holding my white and green Converse.
I walked up to Lewis and hit him on the head with my shoe. "Pervert" I muttered then sat down pulling on my shoe.
"Hey I didn't mean to walk in with you in your undies." He said laughing. I just gave him a glare which made him laugh more. Lisa walked in rubbing her eyes. She saw me desperately trying to pull on my shoe, which refused to stay on my foot, and she smiled.
"Shanx, why don't you untie the laces first? It may actually go on you foot then." I looked down. The laces were tightly done up and I blushed.
"Well...I was panicking. Look we have a really long flight ahead of us. We need to get to the airport in an hour and Natalie's still in bed!" I shouted. I was really scared now. Lewis saw how frightened I was and pulled me into a hug. I heard the front door slam and Nat walked in.
"Heylo peeps. I went to the shops to get some supplies like." She opened her bags and started to say what she had bought " Pop Tarts, prawn crackers, chocolate, coke, batteries and sleeping pills."
I looked at her confused "Sleeping pills?"
"Well how other way are we going to shut you up on the plane?" She laughed. "Joking nah I didn't get any pills."
I looked at her and Lisa. They bowed their heads. I looked down too. Lewis piped up.
"Did someone die or something?" He asked confused.
I stood up and went to my room. All the talk of pills made me feel sick. I didn't want to remember the old times. I looked around my empty room (removal men must have already took our stuff) and saw 'Poppy' in the corner. I walked over to her and picked her up. My black and red bass was my pride and joy. I plucked the E string and sighed. Armatage Shanx kept me going through bad times. Our band was the only thing that kept us all alive. I played bass and sung because apparently I can sing. Heh in your dreams pal, Lisa played guitar because she wanted to play that and Natalie played drums cos she is a female Tre Cool. Absolutely mental. I shook my head trying to erase the thoughts that were making tears fall silently down my face.
Flash Back
Armatage Shanx aged 17
"Come on Shanxy, Shorty is having a party. He said he wants his druggie buddy to come." Lisa asked whilst wrapping a rag around her upper arm. I lay there on the sofa throwing down my joint that was too small to carry on smoking. I loved Shortys parties. He always had a cocktail of the finest drugs and alcohol for everyone to enjoy. I sat up and grabbed my bag from the floor, took out my cigarettes, pulled one out,lit it and took a drag filling my lungs with smoke.
"Yeah I'll go. I always go to Shortys, he always gives me my fix you know that." I smiled at her as she injected some clear substance into her skin. "You pushed that in to hard. Your gonna get a bruise there you know?" I said to her as she placed a plaster over the microscopic hole in her pale skin.
"Yeah well, I'm not as experienced as you am I Shanx? You've been druggin it up since last year." She said taking of the rag, which tightly wrapped around her arm, making the veins visible.
"Nope and I only started because I was let down by my family and friends. They fucked me up big time. When you fall in love you expect everything to go smoothly. It never fucking does. He let me down and my family followed." I sighed scratching the back of my neck and sitting down on the beat up couch. Lisa smiled at me and sat down on the floor in front of a very depressed me.
"Shanx, love is a bitch, life is a bitch that's why you need to let it ride." She sighed as she looked up at me with he dark eyes. She then lay back on the wooden floor and looked up at the ceiling. She started singing under her breath. I didn't know what she was singing until she sang louder.
"Give me a long kiss goodnight and everything will be alright." She sang. I smiled to myself. I couldn't help but sing along because that's what I'm like. I love to sing
"Tell me that I wont feel a thing, so give me novacaine" We sang in unison and let out a laugh. We kept singing until Natalie walked in. She had gone to visit her boyfriend and was going to stay there the night. I looked at her confused.
"Nat? What's a matter pumpkin?" I asked walking over to her. She had tears streaming down her face and her eyes were red. I put my hand on her shoulder. She sat down on the couch and let out a sob.
"He dumped me. He said I was a drug addict and that he never wanted to see me again." She cried as she put her head on my shoulder, drenching it with tears. Lisa looked at me and gave me a look that said. 'told you so'. Natalie sat up and wiped her eyes. She then smiled.
"Oh well. Life goes on. Gotta let it ride eh Lisa-Loco."She let out a low laugh "Who gives a flying fuck about him? Lets go get wasted and trashed" She stood up and got her bag. "Come on. Shorty text me and said there was a party. Like I can never say no to a partay!" She then literally ran out of the door, Lisa and me in follow. This was the life of three seventeen year old girls we once were. Boyfriends, Booze, Bongs and Bust Ups.
End of flash back
A knock on the door me back to my senses. Lewis poked his head through and smiled.
"Airport time." He said as he came and sat down next to me. "You ready?" He asked sliding in hand into mine. I looked at our hand and back up to his face. I nodded.
"Ready or not at all." He then pulled me up. We walked out of my room and saw Lisa and Natalie wearing the same expression. Happiness with a dash of excitement. We walked out the door and entered the elevator and said a goodbye to our old home as it descended downwards to the parking lot. We jumped in Lewis's Ford Fiesta and made our way to Norwich International Airport. All the way there my head was filled with regrets. Only two people knew where we were going apart from ourselves and it broke my heart. Jemma and Ali didn't even know and that killed me. I sat and stared out of the window as Lew, Nat and Lisa sang to All The Time by Green Day.
All the time, every time I need it.
What's the time?
I'd say the time is right.
Here's to me.
Let's find another reason.
Down the hatch and a bad attitude.
S'aright
Wasting time
Wasting time down a bum fuck road.
And I don't know where the hell it'll go.
Heirlooms and huffing fumes, and I'm picking up the pace
and I'm gonna smash straight into a wall.
All the time.
A "New Year's Resolution"
How soon that we forget.
Doing time.
Loving every minute.
Live it up on another let down.
S'alright
Promises, promises, it was all set in stone, cross my heart and hope to die.
Sugar fix, dirty tricks and a trick question.
Guess i should have read between the lines.
Having the time of my life, watching the clock tick.
Having the time of my life, watching the clock tick.
All the time, where did all the time go?
It's too late to say goodnight.
Time flies when you're having fun, yeah.
Time's up when you work like a dog.
Salud.
By the time the song had finished we were already there making my stomach do backflips and make me feel like my throat was constricted my a large rock. We walked into the large airport and I followed Lisa and Natalie. I had never been on a plane before so I trusted them to sort everything out. We sat there waiting for what seemed ages laughing at Natalie who was hitting Lewis on the head with her drumsticks.
"Hey guys! What song is this?" She played a drum beat on his head. Even with the 'oof fucks' and 'Jeez bitch what ya doing to me?' It was easy what song it was.
"Holiday" Me and Lisa said together as Natalie smiled and nodded whilst Lewis looked at us grouchy. Our ears peaked up as a flight was annouced.
"Flight 472-b is now boarding. Please make your way to the terminal." The flight woman tannoy said on the loud speaker. Natalie stood up.
"that's us." She said and we made our way over to the terminal. I stood there and looked at Lewis.
He looked like he was going to cry, so I flung my arms around his neck and hugged him tight.
"Don't forget me Shanxy" He said into my neck.
"Like I would forget Lewis my lil emo boy." I said pulling away. I then poked him in the nose with my finger. He smiled and sighed wiping away the tears I hadn't noticed roll down my face. I looked up at him and smiled.
"Come on we gotta go." Lisa said as she turned round noticing I was lagging behind. I turned and looked at her. She gave me a look that I knew what she was saying. Just so ya know. Lisa is sex mad. I smiled at her. It reminded me of year 8 A.K.A 7th or 8th grade for you American peeps.
Flash Back
Armatage Shanx aged 13
I sat down in music next to Lisa and Daniel. Me and Dan had been friends since we sat next to each other in science and Ashley had introduced me to Lisa and Dan. Lisa was really gothic then. All she wore was black eye-liner and studs and stuff. Daniel was a Goth but in our school uniform he didn't look any different. I was a Green Day fan and that's what got me to be friends with Lisa and Dan, Ashley loved Eminem and I liked him because it reminded me when I went out with him when we were 11.
We listened to Mr Muir as he droned on about minims and god knows what. When Terri leaned over to us.
"Daniel likes you, you know that right?." She said motioning to Dan. He immediately turned bright red and looked down. I looked at Terri like she was mad.
"Yeah right" I mumbled and looked down at my work.
They whispered like I wasn't there and I hated that. A person talking about me behind my back annoys me and upsets me. The Terri whispered a loud and audible 'yes' which made me look up.
"He said he will go out with you." She said. I looked at Dan who was looking bright red in the face at Ben who was looking at me. I looked at Terri and smirked.
"If he liked me and wanted to go out with me he would say it to my face" I said and looked back down at my work, which had something to do with crotchets and minims. But Lisa being sex mad she kept calling them 'crotches' and 'Kinky mini-skirts'. Terri moved back to me and poked me in the head getting my attention
"What?" She then looked at Daniel.
"Will you go out with Steph?" She smiled.
He looked at me and looked away again blushing.
"Yes" He whispered and I smiled widely, my heart beating fast.
"Steph will you go out with Dan?" She then asked me.
"Yeah." I said a little louder than Daniel did.
She then smirked and shouted." Daniel and Steph are together!!!"
Then all lesson I was bombarded with questions from Jordan and Ryan. Yeah it pissed me off but I was well happy.
***
Maths
Mr Mcabe always made us sit in different places so I sat next to Jemma and Lisa. Daniel sat on the other side of the room facing me. Every time I looked at him I got butterflies in my tummy. I tried to get on with my work but I couldn't concentrate. I never felt so much in love with anyone and I loved it.
***
English
I sat in front of Daniel and talked to him about Green Day and what our favorite songs were.
"Mine at the minute is Give me Novacaine. I can't get enough of that song" I said smiling at my new boyfriend.
"Mines St Jimmy. I love the 'and don't wear it out!' part. That kicks ass." Miss Howard walked by us and put my work in front of me. Terri who sat next to me whispered something to her. She then looked from me to Daniel and smirked. I gave Terri the 'look' and smiled at my teacher. I looked at Lisa and sighed. She smiled then made a action at me and Daniel, using her tongue and her hands.
"LISA YOU SICK FUCK!!" I laughed and screamed at my friend. She burst out laughing making Miss Howard mutter something about 'young love' as she sat at her desk.
End of flash back
I smiled at Lisa thinking of what perverts we used to be. Heh, we were still like that otherwise I wouldn't have thought of that. I looked up at Lewis. Friends since 14 we had always been close. He smiled down at me and ran his pale fingers through my long black wavy hair. He started to lower his head so the gap between our lips became shorter and shorter. Within seconds his lips brushed against mine making sparks fly in my head. I felt like I was on cloud 9 looking down onto us. It felt like we were there hours, his lips attached to mine but in the real world it was only seconds. He pulled away and smiled. Lisa marched up to me with that perverted smirk and pulled me by my wrists to where Natalie was stood grinning.
"Come on or California here we don't come" She said with that stupid smile on her face. I turned round and saw Lewis looking at me with a small smile. He mouthed 'Miss You' and turned to walk away. I had to say some thing back. I took in a deep and long intake of breath and shouted at the top of my lungs...
"MISS YOU TOO!!" He turned round and laughed. He blew me a kiss then carried on walking. I grinned and walked onto the huge jet plane. I took my seat next to the window. Unfortunately I had the crazy female drummer sat next to me. She sat down and smirked at me.
"Oooh getting all steamy with Lew Lew?" She giggled then played a steady drum beat on her knees with her sticks. I grimaced at her.
"He kissed me not the other way round" I growled then looked out of the window to see we were still on the ground. She screwed up her face trying to think of a witty come back. I sighed and looked at her and let out a stiffled laugh. Her face was completely screwed up in concentration. Then she smiled a big grin and looked at me.
"Well I didn't see you complaining. You didn't exactly pull away and go 'urgh!!' did ya?" She enquired. I knew she was right. She always was. I just smiled then sighed. I was going to miss Lewis. I had known him for ages but only got to be his friend when I was fourteen...
Flashback
Armatage Shanx aged 14
I walked around the mall. I saw all the chavs looking at me, well, staring at me. I gave them the death glare and walked towards Hot Topic. I had heard they had started selling the Adeline Street collection and me being the Green Day freak I was, I had to check that out and I dragged Jemma and Ali along with me. Jemma stood there looking at her phone, Probably Callum. Ali went to the Green Day shirts. I planned to join her after I had found the Adeline collection. I couldn't see them so I had to ask. The dude at the counter told me they are over there. Over-freakin-where? I had problems finding them in the first place now I was even more lost. I walked aimlessly for about 10 minutes till I found them. I stood looking at them and I knew I couldn't get them because I had no money. So I just looked at them. Well Jemma had to pull me away from them, Cos she said I was starting to drool.
I pulled my hoodie up. I made sure my black and red stripy fingerless gloves were keeping me warm. I then adjusted my fringe in front of my eyes and pulled my drainpipes up. My belt was playing up. It never kept my trousers around my waist. I would soon be walking round with them round my ankles. Jemma kept talking on the phone and Ali had her iPod on. I just walked towards McDonald's. I would get fries and a coke since I was a veggie. I had been since I ate bad food. Heh bet you didn't wanna know that?
I kept walking toward the 'Mc D' as Ali called it. She kept singing 'Suffocate' and smiled at me. She knew that I loved that song. I scowled and looked away from her. She stopped the track then changed it. She mumbled under her breath until she pressed the button. She groaned.
"Fucking buttons fucked!!! Steph make it work" she said passing it over. I took the black iPod in my hands and jabbed the play button vigorously. The headphones blasted out 'All the Time' until the battery died.
"This iPods fucked," she mumbled putting it into her hoodie pocket. We walked into McDonalds and saw Lisa and Natalie in the corner.
"Lisa-Loco, Natre" I called causing babies to cry and children to look scared at me.
Lisa stood up. "Shanxy, Jemz and Ali-B?? Heylo. You all alright?" She asked as we sat at the same table as her. We nodded in unison
I ate in silence whilst the others talked about stuff from Green Day to for some strange reason, Hamsters.
"I think they're cute" Alison said as she shoved a handful of fries in her mouth. "wif ver ink nozez" I laughed at her.
"Didn't catch a word of that last bit." I grinned as she drank some of her Coke.
"I said, with their pink noses." we all said 'ahhh we get it now' and got engrossed in our conversation again. When we had finished our food we stood up and started to make our way to the cinema on the 5th floor of the mall. I stood outside the glass elevator and waited for it to descend when I felt someone poke me in the back. I turned round to see Lisa pointing to the shop across from us. I looked carefully to see the boy I didn't want to see looking a mess like I did. Lewis Jennerson the 16-year-old emo boy that I had had a crush since I lay eyes on him. I pulled down my hood and turned away so he didn't see me. We had talked before but only in passing. Lisa started laughing at my face because I was bright red in embarrassment. Then she laughed even more. I took my chance and looked behind me and to my horror he was walking straight towards us and looking at me! I squeaked and looked away. I didn't know what else to do, so I just pulled my hood down more. I felt someone stand next to me so I looked at the person who was making me squash against the wall and again to my horror I saw Lewis talking on his phone. I looked away. I was in absolute shock. If he were a mile away from me I would have screamed because he was so near. So now what was I going to do? Then I heard a 'ping', which meant the lift, had arrived. I literally ran in and stood at the back, Lewis following me. I looked at him and he caught my eye and smiled! OMG HE SMILED! Ok if I was red before I was white now. I felt ill. When we got to the 5th floor we went and bought our tickets to see Silent Hill. I was looking forward to it. I only wished Daniel would have come but he had to see his girlfriend today A.K.A not me seeing as we spilt up two years previous. We waited 10 minutes in the toilets for some reason then we went to the little shop and bought pop-corn and Coke for all of us. Finally it was time to go inside of the screening room thank god because my back was starting to ache. We quietly walked up the stairs and made our way to the back when I saw a familiar face. He was now probably thinking I was stalking him. Lewis was sat on the second from back row looking at me. I blushed then carried on up to the back.
When the film had finished and many toilet visits later I was scared to death. Yes I looked forward to the film but it was scarier than I expected. I stood outside the bathroom whilst the others relieved themselves and stared blankly into space thinking of the horrific scenes that I had just endured. When I felt a presence next to me and they said a low "Hi"
I practically flew a mile into the air and held a hand to my chest. "Holy shit you trying to kill me or something?" I screamed.
"Sorry, I was just saying hi" He laughed. I glared at him then it sunk in who I was talking to. Yep you guessed it. Lewis. Again. I blushed and muttered a small "Sorry"
"Hey don't apologize. I was the one who freaked you out. Note to self: Don't sneak up on Steph when she has just watched Silent Hill" He said. I stared at him and asked the first question I could think of.
"You know my name?"
He nodded. "Yeah, I talked to you when Micheala introduced us." Then he smiled at me.
"Oh yeah. I forgot but please call me Shanxy. I hate my real name." I sighed leaning back against the wall next to him.
"Okay well I gotta go now. My girlfriend is meeting me." Well that crushed me. " See you at school Shanx" Then he pushed himself off the wall and walked away, pulling out his phone on the way.
That was one weird yet cool day
End of flashback
I sighed and closed my eyes. If I was gonna stay calm I needed to sleep. If only Nat did get sleeping pills
***
I woke up to feel a continuous tapping on my skull. I opened my eyes to see Natalie and Lisa with a drumstick each whacking me on the head telling me to wake up. I looked out of the window to see that we were on land. I stood up suddenly causing me to hit my head on the low ceiling. Lisa grabbed my hand and pulled me off the plane and dragged me into a cab. Then he took off. I pushed my face up against the window to see palm trees and clear blue sky. I smiled. I was finally where I wanted to be. I was in California.
