I woke up with a raging pain in my cerebral cortex. I had that dream again, the one where I fall off a cliff into the rash sea thus shattering every bone in my body. That's gore. And I don't like it. Not one bit, but it feels real because I always wake up with a jolt and splitting head ache.
I'm just an ordinary Teenage *Mutant Ninja Turtle* known as "not one of the famous Artists/Sculptors" but as Dustin. Dustin Gabriel.
FYI : I'm not a ninja turtle, just the concept of turtles mutated by mistake and named after legendary artists and then trained in the high order of ninja skill, just creeps the living and non-living daylights outta me!
Getting back to the point, if there is one that is.
So like every morning, I picked myself up from bed, threw my alarm clock against the wall to make it STOP BEEPING! And continued to do my daily morning chores. Most importantly, breaking my mobile game high score while sitting on the pot. The best place to play a game.
So after I was done getting ready, I headed towards my bus stop to get to school. That's when I noticed her. The girl who changed the way I preview the world, the one who gave me a new outlook, a girl as never before. But I didn't know it at that point of time. So I walk up to her and said, "Hey! I've never seen you around, you new in these parts?" to which she replied, "Oh god! Not one of you cheese suckers again, piss off!" in a beautiful English accent. Who wouldn't fall for her? Anyway, being the pretentious person I am, "hey, I don't know about the other dudes, but I certainly aint one of 'em! I honestly am asking as a decent human being." And I could see her expression change, nailed it!
"I'm sorry, but it’s just that since I've moved here, every guy has tried to hit on me which is highly unacceptable and extremely humiliating! I mean, talk about humanity!" Now I was confused. Cause no one talks that way. But me. I talk in that weird way joining dots across humanity.
It then dawned on me. A perfect match! It truly was my lucky day (and I clearly forgot about my dream and excruciating head banging. Well, girls. What you gonna do? They have that amnesia effect on people).
Finally after an eternity of waiting, the tattered bus finally arrived at our stop. I kinda wanted to spend more time with her. Shit, I didn't know her name. Typical me.
So as the bus came to a halt, I climbed aboard and helped her up. A window seat caught my eye and I went and took the place. "Do you mind if I sit with you?"
"No, of course not", I said with a smile and scooted in.
"By the way, I'm Areena. Areena Wesley."
"I was just gonna ask you your name, I'm Dustin Gabriel, pleasure to meet you!”. With that we shook hands and continued to stare at the back of the seat ahead of us.
After a long awkward silence, she finally spoke up, "So..what course have you taken up in high school?"
"I've taken astrophysics and music, what about you?"
"Oh my god, me too! The slightest thought of someone else taking astrophysics never even crossed my mind. Its nice to not be the only one.", she replied as I drowned in her turquoise blue eyes.
No sooner had I looked away, our bus had reached its final destination; the dreaded school. Don't get me wrong, I love school. And when I say that, I mean I love my friends at school not the studies. Areena and I got of the "heavenly transportation mode" that got us to school in one piece, for today. Saying that our bus is falling to pieces is the understatement of the millennium. Sorry, I lose track easily.
So where was I?
Yeah, so we got off the bus and headed towards school.
"Hey Dustin, will you accompany me to the Principal’s office? I need to get my joining ID".
"It'd be my pleasure", I replied and led her to the head office. When we reached the doorway, I stood out, "Hey, why don't you get along with your paper work, I wait right here for you. Entering this office at my own will is not only shocking, I'd be breaking my only rule is life."
"Sure Dusty, wait right here", she laughed.
I'm not sure I liked that nickname, but she kept it so I can surely live with it.
So to pass time, I put on my earplugs and went on to listen to my favorite band; nickelback. Well one of my favorite. You see, I love listening to music, not the new pop stuff but I stick to all types of Rock and Metal. At least I can play along with that kind of stuff on the drums.
I was 3 songs down when she finally appeared like, Aphrodite. She looked up and gave me a sweet smile, "Hey Dusty, walk me to our class", she said taking me by the arm.
"Sooo, Areena where are you from?"
"Me, I'm originally from New Jersey but I went to London when I was eight years old and stayed there for another eight years. Now here I am", she replied.
"Yes, here you are Areena, here you are", I said with a grin plastered on my face.
We reached class and I scuffled off to my usual place by the wall in the corner. You get the window and you get no attention from the teacher. Areena followed me and sat next to me. Was it my lucky day or what?
As the time passed, Mr. Macholm taught us astrophysics, should've been fun but he was the most boring teacher on the planet. I found passing notes to Areena more interesting. I was really starting to like that girl. We had a lot in common and we connected really well, it was that kind of friendship which instantaneously sparked.
The school bell finally rang and went over Areena's table, "So Areena, how was your first class?"
"To be honest, it sucked. I hoped it would get interesting but it didn't. I did enjoy talking to a certain individual though", she said winking at me.
"Uh huh, so who is that certain lucky individual?", I asked sarcastically. She just kept looking at me, drowning me in her eyes once again.
So days turned to weeks and weeks turned to months. Areena and I became really close. She used to stop by at my place every day to come meet me and I to hers. The relationship we developed was like no other. It felt different and oddly compelling.
I knew she liked me and I was pretty sure I was really into her.
We had planned to hang out after school at the theme park. Both of us freaked out on rides! We loved the thrill and the feeling of butterflies in the stomach before the great "fall".
School finally came to an end and I waited for Areena near the bus. I finally saw her in the distance and that queasy feeling coursed through my body. Just seeing her made my heart jump and made feel all warm and fuzzy. My heart did a somersault when she grabbed my arm and started pulling me away from the bus, "Hey, let's walk today! I like the weather."
"Walk 8 miles!?", I replied in sarcastic shock. "With you, I shall." and Areena blushed.
So we made are way to the gate (she still holding my arm) and started our long hike back home.
After a long silence, she finally spoke, "Hey Dusty, what are we?"
"Huh?", I said unexpectedly.
"I mean, what are we?" She asked motioning towards her and me. "Where are we heading? What path are we on? Still friends? Or more than that?".
"Areena, too many questions to follow, but only one reply to execute."
She looked at me in confusion.
I pulled her close to me, leaned in and kissed her gently on the lips. Luckily, she kissed back.
And I kid you not, it was the best kiss in my life.
We just stayed there, holding each other, not saying anything, but our silence saying everything.
To turn things more cliché, it started raining. We broke away and Areena started laughing and dancing in the rain. Her wet hair fell over her shoulder and her nose turned red, her clothes clung to her body and her feet splashing away in puddles. I was so much in love, I couldn't begin to describe what I felt at that point. I just stood there, paralyzed by her beauty and boldness. She was perfect in every way.
And she was mine.
"Hey you, what you starin at?", she shouted as she brushed her hair out of her face. She ran to me and pulled me close to her, I could smell her chocolaty perfume and I was drunk in love. I just smiled, as I wrapped my arms around her gave her a hearty kiss.
It was the best day of my life.
We have no idea how we reached home, but we did, unfortunately.
Her house was still a few blocks away, so both of us stumbled into my hall, dripping wet.
Then, out of nowhere, my mom shouts, "Dustin! Areena! Off the carpet! NOW!"
I looked around to see where my mom was standing. She was nowhere in site.
"Mom! How can you even see us? And how do you know Areena is over?"
I heard her voice boom again, "I'm your mom. That's all I have to say."
Areena laughed as we walked up to my room, our fingers entwined.
My mom brought us towels and kept it on my bed.
I gave Areena a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. She took the towel and head towards the bathroom.
I called after her, “Areena! Where you going? Stay here!
"I have to go dry myself, Dusty", she replied.
"So why do you need a bathroom for that, isn't my room enough?", I said with a cheeky look in my eye.
She stifled a laugh and shook her head, "Today is not your day Dustin" and she winked at me, continuing to the bathroom. I just stared after her, even after she entered the bathroom and closed the door behind her, I just stared.
It all felt surreal. If it was a dream, I'd never want to wake up.
I too dried myself and slipped into my jeans and converse T-shirt.
I sat at my desk to get some homework done, when she emerged from the bathroom tying her hair into a pony. She looked flushed (no pun intended) and so cute!
"Finally! The goddess has emerged after such a long time, Dombledore grew old and died a natural death!", I exclaimed.
She punched me playfully, "I didn't take that long, okay?"
"Sure you didn't. I believe you.", I answered sarcastically. She just rolled her eyes and sat on my bed with my P.G. Wodehouse. A brilliant read, I must say.
After an hour or so of me solving Algebra and she reading, Areena had to leave. I walked her home.
We stopped at her porch and looked at each other. I kissed her Goodnight and promised to text her. She just looked at me, smiled and hugged me really tight. My favorite kinda hug. She then whispered in my ear, "Dustin Gabriel. Today was the best day of my life. Thank You for being a part of it." She then ran up the porch and scrambled into her house. I just stared into empty space, wondering about the indefinite possibilities.
Areena and I had the best times when we were together. We were inseparable. A pack of wild horses couldn't pull us apart. Hell, even The Incredible Hulk couldn't do that. (Okay, that's a wee bit far fetched, but that how much I was in love.)
She was my best friend. She was my girlfriend. The best combination.
We never grew tired of each other, always talking always smiling.
At times we wouldn't sleep at night, just texting each other throughout.
Talking about music, about us and just about anything. We were once talking about which 'Cement' company is better. Yes. Cement Company. We never got bored! There was always something new to talk about.
6 months after she had arrived, I was walking down the school corridor with my best friend Maximus Roberto Carmine, in short "Maxie" talking about the Clippers beating Miami Heat 106-94 when the disaster bell rings and a ripple of panic spreads in the crowd. A few gunshots are heard and that does it, typical human instinct settles in and everyone goes haywire creating a stampede. Me, I just stood my ground thinking about where Areena would be and what exactly is happening around here. Either I am very stupid or just so in love with this girl that its made me blind. Which makes me stupid.
While I was contemplating my next move, Maxie gets knocked over twice so I help him up and that's when I see her running out of the life science lab getting swept away by the crowd. I call after her, "Hey Areena! This way!". She turns her head and tries to push her way towards me, I rush forward and grab her hand. That's when I get hold of my senses and pull her towards me. I hold her hand tight and run towards Maxie. The three of us head towards the back door when another BANG is heard and I feel Areena falling behind me. I wheel around and look at her, only to see her sprawled on the floor and blood gushing out of her. I couldn't really locate the wound but before panic could settle in I quickly picked her up and continued towards the door, Maxie held it open and we soon made it out. I gave Maxie my keys and asked him to get my car to the back. I finally wrapped my Mind around what was happening. Areena lay unconscious in my arms. Me covered in her blood. Tears streamed downed my cheeks and muttered a silent prayer, even though I'm not religious. I could feel Areena's life slipping from my hands. Maxie finally brings my car up and skids to a halt, I jump inside with Areena and lay her on the back seat with her head on my lap and that's when I notice the bullet wound gaping in her stomach. I knew chances of survival were slim because of the pints of blood she had lost, but I remained optimistic. I could hear police sirens off in a distance. I quickly shouted to Maxie, "Bro, get to St. John's Hospital now! Gun this machine and get us there. I'm not gonna lose her bro, I'm not." I could see Maxie was crying too, he floored the accelerator and drove off to the hospital. We reached there in ten minutes (thank god for light traffic) and rushed to the emergency room. They immediately got a stretcher and took of with Areena. I run after them but they stopped me outside the Operating Room. I sat down outside the door and put my head between my knees and started crying. The reality of the situation then Dawned upon me. Her parents must've gotten the news from Maxie, because they barged into the hospital teary eyed screaming for their daughter. They saw me sitting in the corner and approached me. I gave them a hug, " Mrs. And Mr. Wesley, its gonna be alright." They nodded in unison and sat with me outside the room, waiting for some news from the doctor. I checked my phone and it was flooded with notifications of the school shooting. 43 people were dead and 12 were injured. Apparently a few psychotic people had completely lost it and went on a rampage of killing for the fun of it. I checked Facebook to see the names of the deceased. Chuck and Bam were dead. My football mates. The 2 strikers of the team. Always seen together laughing and spreading that "laughness" around. We'd hung out every weekend and I loved their company. And now they were dead. I had this sudden surge of frustration gush through me. The doctor finally emerged from the operating theatre and looked glum. The anger left my body and a pit formed in my stomach. I found myself shaking. The doctor after giving us a long blank look he said, "The case is worse than we thought. She's lost a lot of blood and damaged her liver. A few pieces of shrapnel have even punctured her stomach. We've done all we could to save her, but the rest is upto her and the man above. She is in a chemically induced coma for recovery. We are shifting her to ICU but no one is allowed to stay apart from family." I nodded in agreement. Her parents followed the nurses to the Intensive Care Unit and sat by her bedside. I stayed out, looking through the hazy glass thinking about her and how I hadn't said I love you to her, though we both knew the feeling was mutual. I would never forgive myself if she didn't make. I knew the stakes were high and her life was a gamble as of now. But she was strong and I tried to be positive. I slumped down to the floor and didn't realize as I dozed off.
The next morning, a nurse shook me awake. I woke up in a daze and for a moment I thought I was back home in my bed. I looked around and saw I was still on the floor, sitting outside the ICU.
I stood up and the reality of the situation hit me with a jolt. Just then, the ICU door opened and the Doctor came through. I jumped at him and asked, "How is she!?"
"Who are you, son?"
"A friend, please tell me! How is she?", I cried in desperation. Tears starting to pool up in my eyes.
"I can see you were really close to her", replied the doctor. "You were the one who brought her here, right?"
He appeared to be unusually calm.
"What do you mean 'were' close? We still are! And Yes! I brought her here. Now. Please. Tell. Me. Is she gonna be alright?", I shouted out loud.
"Son, you better head home."
I was breaking down. I was loosing my grip on the real world.
"Doc. Please tell me!", I asked with tears streaming down my cheeks.
He looked at me and shook his head.
I lost it. A pit formed in my stomach and I felt nauseous. My knees gave away and I fell to the floor. The doctor put a reassuring hand on my shoulder. I pushed it away.
I stopped crying and looked up. Hollowness in my eyes.
"Where are her parents? Do they know?"
"I was just headed there to break it to them"
"Before you break it to them, they will break. I don't know how they will take it", I said blankly.
I couldn't think straight. I just couldn't wrap the fact around my head that Areena, my Areena was no more! The thought was driving me crazy. I ran. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. I ran past everyone. Got out of the hospital where I bumped into Maxie. He tried to stop me but I pushed passed him and sprinted towards my car. I brushed the tears from my face and throttled the engine. I skidded out of the parking lot and drove out on the highway. I connected my Ipod and played Black Veil Brides on full.
With windows rolled down and music blaring I just sped away into the distance, not really knowing where I was headed and not really caring.
I just drove on for an hour, not realizing how far I had gone nor what time it was.
Life at that moment was a blur. I closed my eyes and visions of the previous days events replayed themselves.
I could feel Areena holding my hand and then the gunshot.
The gunshot reverberated inside my head and I was lost in the echo. Tears had started falling once again. As Bullet For My Valentine sang, Tears don't fall, they crash around me. I could feel that now.
A screeching honk interrupted my thoughts and I jerked my eyes open. I was headed straight towards a cliff and my velocity was too much to make the turn. I pushed my brake pedal to the metal and the car spun out of control. Instead of gripping the steering well and applying brakes, I left it all. I just let go and I slipped into a void. I reached the edge of the cliff and a second later I plunged towards my death from the 50ft drop.
I could feel myself being lifted and the only thing preventing me from leaving my seat was my seat belt. Air rushed into my face and swept at my hair.
My brain wasn't analyzing my situation, it had gone into apocalyptic shock. I could see the ground coming nearer, faster every passing second.
I wasn't scared.
I wasn't panicky.
I was calm.
I was happy.
I closed my eyes as I finally hit the ground.
My head jerked and hit the steering wheel.
I blacked out.