by Raathi Chota
“I’m gonna miss you.” Lana pouted as she wrapped her arms around his torso.
“Me too, princess, but I’ll always be there when you need to talk or a shoulder to cry on.”
I had to resist the urge to gag at his nonsense.
“Thank you,” she mumbled into his chest as I walked to the car.
“Anytime. Love you,” he said as I froze and turned to their moment. She stared at him with that smile that I’ve seen one too many times. It wasn’t a happy smile or a sad smile; it was a mixed emotions smile. Her only smile I’d noticed.
“Love you too,” she said, then pulled away from him. “Levi, I need to tell you something about that guy and his guy that we saw in the cage they we’r—”
“Err…guys, we gotta go.” Keene cut off Lana as we heard a gang approach us. We rushed to the car. Keene drove while Axel sat in the passenger’s seat. Lana sat between Levi and me and leaned into his chest as he ran his fingers through her hair.
“Quick, get us out of here,” Levi said as Keene started the car. I watched the gang walk past us to the abandoned Toyota. They started to dismantle it.
“Where to now?” Axel asked as he ticked off street racing from the list.
“Head back downtown. We’re going to a paint party.” Levi smirked as he looked at Lana. She was half asleep as Keene turned on the radio. When I looked down, I saw Lana’s hand placed loosely on my thigh. I slipped my hand through hers and entwined our fingers together as we drove through downtown.
***
By the time we arrived at the party, it was two-thirty a.m. Levi called Jaden, and somehow, he talked the bouncer into letting us in, since we were underage except Axel. The place was packed with people, and their neon clothing, as well as the lights, stood out. Lana was off with Keene while Levi, Axel, and I stood away from the crowd.
“Listen, err…for what happened earlier, we keep it between us, right?” Levi asked as he looked at us.
“Yeah, we will, but you know Lana. She’ll tell her dad, and I think it’s right because he’s been looking for James for months now,” Axel said.
“I know. Something’s not right. I can see it her eyes. There’s something that she’s hiding,” he said as I rolled my eyes.
“Aren’t you hiding something from her too?” I asked. He glared at me.
“Look, man, you two and Keene are the only people I trust. I want you to take care of her,” Levi hissed.
“Why are you all so protective now?” I scrunched my nose up.
“Remember this.” He raised his sleeve where the tiny hole was. I remembered when he told us what happened. It scared me, but I didn’t think he told us everything. If Lana ever found out, she’d go nuts. We nodded in unison with confused looks. “How I got this…somehow involves her.”
“How?” Axel asked.
“I don’t know, but promise me that you won’t let anything happen to her. She’s already been through so much. I don’t want what happened earlier to happen again,” he mumbled as we followed his gaze to see Lana dancing. She looked so beautiful and free. Her head was thrown back as she danced while people surrounded her. No cares in the world of the things that surrounded her, that sort of look you barely saw on Lana Willson. “Well, I’m gonna find Keene,” Levi mumbled as he walked off. Axel handed me a drink and I thanked him. We stood there and drank the alcohol as I thought over what happened earlier. Levi seemed calm after what happened, while Lana was the complete opposite. It made me wonder what James whispered in Levi’s ear. Axel knew James, since Deputy Paul told him when I got arrested. Although I was suspicious of Keene.
“You really gonna let that guy put paint on her?” Axel nudged me as he pointed. I followed his finger and looked across the room. Lana took off her jacket, which exposed her glowing white crop top. I smirked at Axel as I drank up the cold liquor and gave the cup to him. I also took off my leather jacket and dumped it on his head, which made him groan. I walked toward Lana and looked at the guy who painted her back. He saw me, and I shooed him away as I took the brush and began. Her hair was moved to the side as I painted white stripes. I glanced down at her lower back as I thought about what to paint there. I shrugged as I began to use orange and yellow for the sun. Lana spun around with a startled look when she realized it was me. I grinned as I dropped the brush and dipped my fingertips into the pink paint. She stared at me as I placed my finger on her temples and brushed them down her jawline. She tugged on my shirt as she lifted it up and over my head. I stood shirtless as she ran her fingers over my tattoos, then picked up a brush. She painted dots around my eyes, then lines.
“I hope you didn’t mess on my back,” she said as I put yellow on my thumb, then dragged it down her chin.
“Nope, you look like an angel with wings,” I said, and she laughed. A chill kicked up my spine as she covered her whole hand in paint and stepped closer. She raised her head as she left orange handprints on my back.
“Guys, check it out,” Axel said as Lana and I backed away. We followed his gaze to see that Axel had painted a dick on Levi’s back.
“Not funny, dude,” Levi muttered as he looked at Lana and me.
“Yeah, you’re right. It’s fucking hilarious because it’s glowing!” Axel exclaimed as Lana and I laughed.
“What’s up, guys? That chick there just kissed me, and I feel fucking fantastic!” Keene slurred.
“What do you mean she kissed you?” I stepped closer and noticed the sweat run down his face.
“Dude, did you swallow anything?” Axel asked as he handed me my jacket. Keene breathed heavily as he pulled off his baseball tee.
“Yeah, when we kissed sh—”
“Shit. You swallowed an ecstasy pill,” Axel muttered as he ran off. My eyes widened as I thought of the symptoms an ecstasy pill had. Keene tripped, but I managed to catch him as my arm wrapped around his torso. I took him away from the crowd where Axel found us and handed him a bottle.
“Dude, we gotta get you out of here. It’s too congested,” Axel said as Keene leaned against the wall.
“How long do the effects last?” I asked.
“Probably about three hours or so, but we have to get him out of here or else…” Axel trailed off as he gave me a worried look.
“I wanna dance,” Keene slurred as he waved at the people who danced.
“Go get Lana and Levi. We have to go,” Axel said as I nodded. When I walked through the crowd, I spotted Lana and Levi. A blank look filled my face as I watched them. She sat on a chair and painted his back while he painted her thighs and legs. His hand went in between her legs, and she laughed, then pushed him away.
“Guys, we have to go,” I stated as I held my shirt and jacket.
“Why?” Lana pouted as Levi helped her up.
“Keene swallowed an ecstasy pill, so he can’t be here.”
“Oh, okay. Come on, princess, we’re going to our next stop.” Levi smirked as he took her hand in his. They walked past me, and I let out a sigh. I was glad that Levi wouldn’t see Lana after this night. I grabbed her jacket too and followed them as we walked out of the club.
I sat between Keene and Lana yet regretted it since she was wide awake and he sweated.
“Am I in the north pole? It’s fucking freezing!” Keene yelled out as he closed his window.
“You were sweating just a few minutes ago!” Levi said as he drove.
“You know I’m starting to think that everything we do on that bucket list has a consequence,” Axel pointed out as Lana ticked off paint party.
“What gave you that idea? Was it the guy who got shot or Keene getting drugged?” Lana sarcastically asked.
“I feel sick,” Keene mumbled as he rested his head on my shoulder.
“Dude, we’re almost there. Hold on,” Levi muttered as he drove faster. After a few more minutes, we finally arrived. We got out of the car, and I grinned as we read the sign.
“If you haven’t realized, Levi, it’s closed,” Lana stated as we looked at the i
ndoor pool.
“Oh, come on, princess. This is an old one, and the only security they have are gates.” Levi shrugged as he helped Keene.
“So we’re gonna break in?” Lana demanded.
“Sshh! Don’t say it like that. It’s just we’re visiting at the wrong time.” Axel grinned as he swung his arm around her shoulder.
“If we get caught, it’s all on you,” Lana said as she pointed at Levi.
“Oh please, princess, have you ever gotten caught?”
“Not really,” she mumbled as I smirked.
“Exactly.” Levi shrugged as we stopped at the entrance that only had a locked gate.
“Shit,” Axel muttered as he shook the gate. As my brother tried to pick the lock, Levi walked around the building. Keene leaned against the wall and sang a random song as Lana looked out for anyone. I watched as Levi ran back to us with a wicked look.
“There’s a ladder that leads up to the roof,” he said, then pointed inside and onto the ceiling where there was an opening.
“Someone climb, get in there, and open for the rest of us,” he said as Lana snorted.
“You do realize whoever opens that window will land in the pool.”
“Uh-huh.”
“I’ll go.” Axel grinned as he took off his clothes.
“Are you sure?” I raised a brow at him.
“Yes, brother, it’s not like I’m jumping off a cliff.” He laughed, then tossed his clothes to me. I let out a sigh as we watched him walk off and around the corner. We looked inside and above by the center of the pool as we waited for him. Two minutes later, we saw someone drop into the pool with a big splash. I bit my lip as I watched him come up for air and out of the pool. Axel pushed the button, and the gate unlocked. Levi and I opened it as we rushed inside. Keene was clearly happy since he jumped in with his clothes on. I took out my phone and checked the time to see that it was three a.m. I glanced up and saw Axel and Keene in the pool while Lana stood a few feet away from the pool. Her jacket was off as well as her shoes, which displayed the paint on her body. I slowly bit my lip as I took a picture of her. She turned to me as I held the phone up and blocked her face. I laughed as I continued to take photos of her.
“Aren’t you getting in?” I asked as I took off my clothes.
“I don’t know,” she whispered as I unbuckled my belt.
“Come on, princess!” Levi yelled behind her. I watched as he ran toward her, picked her up, and dived into the pool with her. Lana glared at Levi as he splashed water on her. Keene came up behind Levi and jumped on him. Lana turned to me and gestured me to come in. I playfully rolled my eyes as I jumped in and swam toward her.
We played in the pool for the next ten minutes, and my thoughts drifted off to when Lana and I were in the park and had a little picnic before Homecoming. I remembered when she told me she loved to swim. The guys jumped in the pool while Lana swam back and forth. I rested in the center as I watched her. She stopped and floated on her back, and I took the chance to swim toward her. Her clothes were off by now; all she wore was her black lingerie. Her eyes were closed as her hair spread out. I managed to get off all the paint on my body, but Lana still had hers. I cautiously placed my hands on her back to keep her up.
“Is this that Troy and Gabriella moment when they were in the pool?” Lana asked as she opened her eyes.
“If you want it to be.” I laughed as I put my one arm around her waist.
“How come all of your paint is gone?” She looked at my face and chest. I shrugged as my eyes diverted to her painted thighs. “Can you help with mine?”
“Sure,” I mumbled as I moved down and poured water on her thighs, then wiped off the paint while she did her arms. My eyes lingered up her body to her underwear. I swallowed the lump in my throat and continued. After that, she stood up and faced me. She placed her hands on my cheeks and stroked them with her thumbs.
“You still have some on your nose.” She chuckled as I looked at her face.
“You too…everywhere, actually.” I laughed as my hands cupped her cheeks. I wiped the paint with my thumbs as I swam closer. She looked up at me as her hands went to my shoulders. I ran my fingers through her wet hair as the palm of her hands touched my chest. My hands traveled down to her neck as I closed my eyes and leaned in.
“Oh, fuck,” Levi exclaimed as Lana pushed me away. I looked at her only to see her look at Levi and Axel, who got out of the pool.
“Cops,” Axel said as I turned back to Lana. I helped her out of the pool and looked back to see Keene float like there’s no tomorrow. I cursed under my breath as I swam and supported him.
“Come on, dude!” Levi demanded as he stood at the edge of the pool and held a hand out. I pulled Keene toward Levi, and he helped Keene out of the water. I quickly got out and grabbed my clothes.
“This way!” Axel called out as we followed him with our clothes in our hands. We ran into the changing room, and Levi immediately shut the door behind him. Axel spotted a window and ran toward it, then opened it. I helped him while Lana got dressed.
“We know you’re here!” someone called out from the pool as we opened the window.
“Quickly,” Axel whispered as we made way for Lana to go first. A panicked look filled her eyes as I took her hand and helped her up and out of the window. She only wore her shorts as she held her top and shoes. Once everyone was helped to the window, I went through. Just in time, too, as a police officer came through. The changing rooms were in the back, so we had to run all the way around to get to the car. As we ran into a random street, I looked ahead to see Lana slowed down.
“Why are you slowing down?” I yelled in a whisper.
“My feet hurt because of these heels! I think I’m gonna get a blister,” she mumbled as I ran next to her.
“Hold on tight,” Axel piped up as he stopped behind Lana and picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. I smiled at him as we continued to run, then looked up ahead. A flash of light was seen, followed by a person. My eyes widened since Levi and Keene were already ahead of us. I ran forward and warned them about the people up ahead.
“We’re almost to the car, though,” Keene slurred, and I almost forgot that he was still a bit intoxicated.
“Freeze! You have the rig—” The female officer cut herself off as she lowered her gun and gaped at us. “Not you again.” Officer Jackson motioned us to follow her. We followed in silence as she walked in front of us. I gritted my teeth as a cold breeze swept through and onto our chests. Officer Jackson only had one set of handcuffs on her. We arrived at her car, and Levi leaned against it as she took out more handcuffs.
“You finally got caught, princess.” Levi smirked as Officer Jackson put the cuffs on him.
“Who you calling princess, Radcliff?” she demanded as Levi, Keene, and I raised a brow, then spun around to see that it was only the three of us.
“Damn.” I bit my lip because Lana didn’t get caught—neither did my brother.
***
I stared at Officer Jackson outside of the jail cell as I went over the last event because no one else was in this cell except us. I glanced to the side to see Keene asleep on the bench. I watched as Officer Jackson got up and walked down the hall and into another room. Levi sat next to me on the floor and leaned against the wall. We’ve been in here for almost an hour, and I wondered what Lana and Axel were doing. She’s still a bit drunk, and well he’s…Axel, so anything could happen.
“Do you remember that day we watched all the Shrek movies with Lana?” Levi asked.
“Yeah,” I mumbled as I remembered how we watched movies a few days before Christmas.
“We watch it every year, and every year I tried to figure out why she liked it so much…” He trailed off as I squinted my eyes. “She says because there’s always a happy ending. Even now. Coming here and seeing what she’s been through, I finally understand. She’s waiting for her happy ending,” he whispered.
“Well, this is reality. Not everything has a
happy ending.” I closed my eyes and leaned my head against the wall.
“Yeah, and when I arrived here, I thought it’d be like every other year, just her and me. When we were growing up, everyone in the neighborhood knew us as the best friends Lana and Levi,” he mumbled. “Now seeing how everything has changed…how she has changed and moved on…”
“She hasn’t changed. You just didn’t grow up, dude.” Keene yawned.
“Well, it takes time to get used to the fact that she has so many new friends. Not to mention that half of them bullied her!” Levi snapped as I opened my eyes.
“Now she’s dating one of them too,” Keene added as Levi cursed under his breath.
“Yeah, and him of all people. Like, what the fuck? He doesn’t deserve her,” Levi snarled.
“Then who does?” I asked, because I deserved her; I wanted her.
“Not me. I love her. She’s my other half, but look at me. I can’t give her anything.” He stared at me with a panicked look. “As much as I love her, I’ve learned to control it and only see her as a best friend. I’m not independent, and for that, there’s never gonna be an us. There’s never gonna be the same Levi and Lana that everyone knew,” he whispered.
“Blake deserves her,” Keene spoke up as my eyes widened.
“What?” Levi asked as he turned to me.
“Yeah, the dude’s whipped. Can’t you see it? They have a lot in common,” Keene said.
“Whoa. I’ve been so busy trying to not hate Benny that I didn’t realize that you liked Lana,” Levi confessed as I sighed. “I’m suddenly intrigued. What do you like about her?”
“What’s not to like about her?” I asked. “She’s funny, caring, beautiful. I mean, have you seen her eyes? Those electric, mesmerizing blue eyes that always draw me back and are mysterious, which only makes me want her more. I want to figure her out, the real Lana Willson. It’s in there somewhere.”
“Whoa,” Levi commented.
“Told you he’s whipped as fuck.” Keene giggled as he pointed at me.
“What’s the closest encounter you’ve had with her?” Levi asked.
