Always And Forever by Caley Umiker at Inkitt

Gail’s POV

Chapter 1:

The wind blew harsh, as the rain fell hard from the dark grey pregnant clouds above, which was the usual harsh weather us citizens of Burlington,Vermont lived in during the November and December months.

As I walk down the sidewalks of town with two giant bags slung across my shoulder; I have to practice for football every Monday,Wednesday,and Friday, which really sucks. It's hard to try to balance classwork when I have to practice for four hours a week, ,and let's just say that it is quite hard to make up all that class work and maintain my grades at the same time.

While I walk, I can't help but notice all the stares that I attract carrying three huge, bulging bags on my shoulder. It's always like this on my practice days- the professional looking business men and women look at me with wide eyes,and disgusted looks on their faces, almost as though it was strange to see a football jock,chilled to the bone,and wetter than hell itself. I always do wonder how many of those professionals were sports athletes when they were in high school, I mean, not everyone answers " I want to be a business professional, working a desk job!!" in an excited tone when someone asks them what they want to be when they grow up, it just isn't common. And those who want to do those jobs must love work a lot to give up an awesome job like I have always wanted to do something that was going to push my boundaries; in other words, I don't want to hear about it, I want to be out there doing dangerous and fun stuff.

Though it was raining hard by now, ( the weather just seems to be getting crazier and crazier to me) with thunder dominating the skies with it's loud roars I trudged my way up the steps, to Memorial High, trying not to get my shoes nor socks any more wetter than they already are. Our school was one of those " open campus" ones, so during the winter and spring months, we students freeze our asses off, and get soaking wet at the same time. I honestly still wonder how the hell the girls in school can wear high heels,and not slide on their asses since it is so icy out at this time of year.I can't even try to walk on the icy grounds without slipping, and catching myself in some way so I don't look bad to the women....yeah, kind of a playboy if I'm being honest.

Usually by now, Crimson would be here, waiting for me, but not today. Crimson was the biggest nerd in school,already taking all AP classes in tenth grade, all but theatre, which we both love to take together. He was also the most practical. Unlike me,he actually thought ahead of time and would look at the weather ahead of time(unlike me), bringing the appropriate garments,so he did not freeze his ass of (unlike me). Honestly, without him,I don't think I would be able to function........properly at least.

Walking into the black gate, I find Crimson Waiting for me, out of his wheelchair he was forced to be in ( Paralyzed in one leg), sitting against one of the marble pillars that held up the veranda outside of the library. The school's design is really fucked up, if you ask me, it's like, who in their right mind would put a library at a school entrance of an open campus school??

Now in the winter months, the gardens are full of water, some of the dirt pouring over onto the white cement,and the leaves are now practically scattered, freckling the white pavement in luminous reds,golds,and oranges, so the campus does not look as well as it does in the spring and the summer months, but it is still a sight to marvel at.

I watch the way Crimson's olive green eyes, hidden by a pair of glasses, were concentrated on his glasses; a mere sign that someone is agitated......damn.

The phone's white screen was reflecting on his glasses, his golden, tanned skin glowing an angelic glow. He honestly looked like a god.

Crimson just naturally seemed to glow, a souvenier of being on the swim team since the age of 9. While I got toned muscles and thick abs, Crimson got a beautifully flat toned stomach, and curvy, golden skin, especially in the hips and thighs.......( a souvenier of not being able to run off the weight he gains)

His hair perfected his look, a beautiful blonde, which, combined with his body, made him look like a god; messy, wavy , and stark white.. what was not to love about it??

I love comparing myself to him....though you may be thinking....you gay?? Uh, well, i don't really know actually...yeah...I only love looking at Crimson, and him only. Other men don't turn me on at all. But when I look at Crimson? BOOM!! It's like a thousand fireworks explode in my heart, I don't really know how to describe it.

Getting an idea, i quietly walk over to the long marble column trying my hardest not to catch his attention. Once behind the pillar, I slide my long, muscular arms around the pillar, resting them one Percy's rounded hips, feeling his stomach suddenly jolt then contract as when I had established contact. Turning his head sharply, he looked at me with wide eyes, then sighed a breath of relief upon seeing it was only me.

"You are a pure ass, you know that?" Crimson asked, his natural tan aflame with patches of red.

Smiling, I retract my hands from his body, and I drop my bags with a loud thump beside Crimson's old leather shoulder bag that he used for a backpack so he didn't kill his back. Oh, did I mention that Crimson is a humongous nerd? He carries so many books with him, it makes me wonder how he doesn't break his shoulders.

Coming out of hiding, I walk in front of Crimson,a smug smile racking my lips, as I give him a daunting look.

"You poor thing. Did you die of shock?" I ask, in mock concern.

Rolling his eyes, Crimson went back to his phone, and completely ignored me.He's been in such a bad mood lately. He usually gets that way when finals comes around. I don't really see how finals are such a big deal, but then again, I usually score C's and B's on my report cards. Crimson's grades? Straight A's all around.

He also seems to forget that I just love playing with people, especially him; he's so unpredictable, but he's cute when he is surprised. And yet, he is somehow still my best friend, which is amazing considering all the reckless things that I have pulled over the years. Is he crazy? Honestly, I think he has to be crazy to still like me. What nerd in their right mind would?

"What! It's only a joke, you've been mad at me for everything lately...Crimson?"

And he just ignores me

Though I did get his mouth to form a thin line

He was somewhat listening to me.

"Always have to be the reckless one don't you? Can't you ever grow up?" Crimson protested, glaring at me.

Shocked and hurt, I take a few steps back, my grin now fading.

"Fine, guess it's another day of you not talking to me. Been going on for a while now...how much longer?" I snap back at him, a little more harsh than I wanted, but oh well, he's in a bad mood.

And I start off hard on the football field.

My only haven

Let him get back in his wheelchair by himself

Everyone knows he needs someone to help him back into it

He can't get in by himself

Let him get to class late

He deserved it

As I headed towards the field, Crimson began shouting "WAIT!" to me, as if I was going to help him.

I'm usually not that mean

but, again, he deserved it

The football field was a little ways away, right next to the theater. Us jocks got to play with the theatre students on their way to class. My favorite game.

They couldn't touch me or Crimson .

Yes, a jock is taking theatre?

Weird right?

Well, it's a rather fun game

After all, if they want to go to theater, they have to go across the football field.

Which is our territory.

Don't worry. We don't hurt them, of course not.

We just throw footballs at them. Just to taunt them.

How evil do you think I am? But, it's hilarious fun to see all the tactics they come up with to try to beat us.

And to this day, they have not been able to beat us at our own game.

Not once

As I approached the flock of jocks that was accumulated at the center of the field, to see that they were starting the game as large clusters of students were already making their way to the giant theatre fortress. Why a fortress?? It is a big, square brick cladded building that was as tall as the empire state building almost. Floors upon floors made up the building, the main theatre being on the ground floor. So, yes, it is an fortress, a big one.

As I approached them, they all wait- like a bunch of dogs waiting for the alpha to come. Once I got to them, I grabbed a football as a new wave of students started to come, treading carefully as they went, as though they were not aware of what was going to happen to them when they moved another step.

Again, I'm not mean

I'm just one that loves to play around

that's it

We don't hit them anyways

Just scare and taunt them

And it's fun. Good fun.

I throw my ball at a small group of theater students, watching with mischievous eyes as they all stopped when they saw me poise the ball and scatter like a flock of scared chickens when I throw it at them.

The others watch wearily, they've had this type of torture done on them before. They always are cautious about the possibility of a ball coming their way. But, they never do know when we're going to throw the ball now, do they.

Nope

Not a clue

That's what makes the game fun

Makes it interesting

Worth playing

The other two groups of theater students had stopped, including Crimson, who was back in his wheelchair, talking to our friend Tyler.

Damn, he must've helped him back in. Did I mention that Crimson's practically friends with everyone in school? Even the staff. That's how big hearted and kind he is. (though stubborn to me.)

Crimson looked right at me, with stern eyes, and I knew what he was telling me: Don't let them hit me.

I look at the captain, Jordan, expecting him to not throw the ball, unless he wanted a piece of Crimson's fighter head. See, Crimson doesn't get mad. Or try to get revenge. He just fights for others and what is right.

He just shrugged at me, giving me one of those 'what can I do about it?' looks. Well, you're the captain of this ruddy team. You can do lots of things.lots

You'd have to be a total jerk to hit a guy in a wheelchair

And yet, I'm letting it happen

Not that mean guys

Slowly, I see the new jock grab a ball, and start taking aim. All of it was in slow motion- Poisoning of the ball, then taking aim, I was just standing there in shock. Am I the only one that doesn't want this to happen?

Out of instinct, I start running towards Crimson, darting in and out of the various crowds that gather when we play the game.

Get to Crimson

My mind would not let me stop, my breathing was getting heavier and heavier, but, I couldn't stop

I knew the others were watching me, and I didn't care; I'm the only one that was helping him. I'm the only one that wanted to help the disabled.

Several footballs were flying towards their destined target as I ran.

Damn,I didn't look at the other newbies to the team. They reminded me of torpedoes. The way they shot through the air at high speed, only barely outrunning me.

When I finally reach Crimson, I knocked into him, my brain immediately registered pain as I knocked him out of his wheelchair, and onto the muddy ground.

We rolled in the mud and the grass, as several of the torpedoes finally met their target, crashing into the wheelchair with a loud thud, knocking the wheelchair onto its side.

Crimson allowed me to bear hug him on the ground, holding him tightly, as if I were an protective parent and he was my child.

Everything was quiet.

Every one was watching us

I could feel their eyes burning into my back, but didn't care.

After a few moments, Crimson began to squirm underneath me, and I slowly got up and loosened my tight grip that I had on him. Slowly,he tried to get up, but found that getting up with a bad leg was almost impossible, as he could barely keep himself upright.

Getting up, I dusted the dirt off of me, which proved to be quite a strenuous task. Layers of mud was caked on my jeans,and even on my shirt,making it look like I shit myself, Well...I didn't but, still...

Looking up , I see Tyler yelling at the new guys, his voice amplifying throughout the field. Well, if he would have done that in the first place, then none of this would've happened.

Honestly, never will understand people

Why tell me there's nothing you can do about something

When in reality you can?

And when it's over you play all innocent captain

Honestly?

"You planning on helping me up?" A voice called, or rather croaked behind me.

I look down to see Crimson covered in mud, with bits of twigs stuck in his oversized sweater.

"A thanks would be nice."

"Thanks. I'm covered in mud.Thanks for getting me all dirty."

"Welcome." I say with a smile, before heading back towards my team

Again, he deserved it

No thank you whatsoever

Just pure sarcasm

"Where do you think you're going? Gail! You're supposed to help me up."

"I don't help moody people."

Crimson is quite stubborn, but luckily, I'm the only one that knows how to tame him.

As I continue walking, silence follows me. Usually Crimson gave in by now

but he wasn't

not a single pit

Scared, I look over my shoulder to see what he was doing.

He was lying in the grass, eyes closed. He had a look of pure annoyance on his face. He still had a glowing look to him. Weird.

"Hold on" I mumble, grabbing Crimson and picking him up to put him in his wheelchair once again.

Crimson may be well known for his big heart, good looks, brains, and good nature, but he is practically famous for his stubborn, yet playful demeanor. It came as no surprise to me when, as I picked him up, Crimson grinned a winning smile. one that looked downright dangerous. and mischievous.

"Hurry up or we'll be late." Crimson said, as I helped him back on even ground.

Not the thank you I was expecting

"I'll take full blame."

"Oh right....Mr. Always on time. I forgot.But if I get in trouble..."

"You'll what" I interject

let him do his worst

"I'll make your life a misery."

Completely zoned out, I hear myself say, " Not if you plan on snogging me to death."

"What?" Percy laughed, laughing his head off.

which took me out of my trance.

Real smooth Gail, real smooth

"What?" I ask, trying to sound casual