Allyson Marie

This story is about a girl who has an abusive mother and her escape is through soccer. While playing soccer she meets a nice guy who runs the local church and they help her out and all these crazy things happen and ladda ladda laddaa. Read the story :)

 

Alyson Marie

An Original Story By: Nichole Marie

 

 

 

             “Alyson Marie! Get your a*s down here!” My mother screamed. ‘Oh great what did I do this time?’ I thought to myself. It’s like a constant battle between my mom and me. She says that we are nothing a like, but I would say different. We both just have to have the last word in an argument, and we must argue until our point is proven, which is impossible so one of us normally gives up. The only difference between us when we fight, is my attitude and the in my voice. I always have to make a different pitch than I did before. I guess that’s why I’m in drama, probably the only positive side to my attitude ‘problem’ and voice expression.

 

             By the time I got to the living room my mom was already in position. Standing in the middle of the room, arms crossed and all of her weight shifted on one side of her body. Oh, and I can’t forget that face. You know that face where this is like the winning touchdown in the championships (if you haven’t guessed yet I’m talking about football.) And you ever so badly want to win, so you try to scare him and look intimidating. YES! That face. Only, if even possible, her face was worse. “Yes, mom?” I ask trying not to sound too sarcastic. “You forgot to wipe down the counter.” I stood there for a second with a blank face. ‘Wow mom, the counter, incase you haven’t noticed you made that mess, and if you loved me enough to pay attention you would know that I’m anorexic and don’t eat! Have been for the past few days now!’ I screamed inside of my head, but wouldn’t dare say that out loud, because my mom would try to do something crazy. So crazy that I’m not even sure that I know! “Alright mom, I’ll do that right now.” That was NOT what I wanted to stay as you can tell but who cares? What I really wanted to say would just start another crazy fight and I’m not even sure that I could handle another one right before a big game.

 

 

            I play on the soccer team for Chestnut High school. Left defense, my favorite position. It’s my favorite because…well I don’t know why, it’s just comfortable to me. So as I’m cleaning the counter and while I’m doing that, I’m also looking at the clock the whole time, not even looking away once. My friend Emily was going to call me at four and she did, right on the dot. “Hey” I said with excitement. I was just glad that she called; my mom never starts an argument with me when I’m on the phone. “Hey, we’re like thirty seconds away from your house. So be ready.” With that I said “ok” and hung up the phone. I grabbed my bag and started to head for the door. “Where do you think you’re going?” I stopped in my tracks. I couldn’t believe she had forgotten all about my game. This game would determine if we were going to state or not and I’ve been bragging about it all week. Sure it’s mid November but still. I know my mom well enough to know that even she wouldn’t forget this. “Soccer game, remember? It determines if we go to state.” My mom just stood there trying to recall it. She shook her head in approval and I walked out the door. Not to return until I came home three hours later at 8:00 p.m. with a bunch of confetti in my hair.

 

 

            As I got into the car to sit next to Emily and Caitlyn, Emily asks me the most random and most stupid question in all the land- ok maybe not that stupid but I hate it when she can tell when I am faking happiness. “Ok so what did you and your mom fight about this time?” I gave a quick glance at her and replied by saying “Nothing.” While putting my long silky blonde hair in a tight pony tale Emily continued with the conversation that I ever so much wish that weren’t having. “Alyson, I can see right through those Hazel eyes of yours, so don’t even try!” I sat there wondering if I should tell her. After all she is my best friend and I have known her since diapers. “Well it didn’t turn into anything…YET. But if I hadn’t had said yes and if you hadn’t have called to take me to the game, I would probably still be yelling at her.” Caitlyn was sitting in the middle and just switching glances back and forth between Emily and I. I do have to admit she did look pretty funny. “Bummer.” Was all that Caitlyn said, it’s pretty much all she could say, she’s not very good with confrontation stories. “I know.” I said replying to Caitlyn. “Well this year you’re sixteen and you can get annealed and come live with me. You know how much my parents love you.” “I know Emily, it’s just that I love my mom but at the same time I can’t stand her. It almost as if everyday she gets more abusive. Finding more ways to torture me and make me miserable. Ugh!” Emily just shook her head and was about to say something when we arrived at the field for the game. I put on my game face and got out of the car. Both Emily and Caitlyn know that once I’m on the field that I am in the zone and not to disturb me, because the field is where everything makes sense.

 

 

             The crowd was screaming and Emily was on fire. She had just chased down the middle forward on the opposite team and some how got them away from the ball so that I could send it flying down the sideline of the field. It was half time during the game and the couch had a few words with us, let us get some water and a few orange slices and then we were back out there. However instead of being left defense I was forward. I only play forward at practices, not actual games! What was wrong with Coach Beverly! Has somebody hit her over the head with a coconut? I think she’s gone bananas! I made my way down the field then got trapped so I had to pass the ball to Caitlyn. We were past the defense and they were just dying to catch up to us. Caitlyn passed the ball to me and with just seconds so spare I made the winning goal! The whole team came flying off of the benches and came running toward me. Jumping up and down we started cheering. It was crazy. I have never seen anything like it before or even came closing to feeling this amazing. The losing team looked bummed. They were still going to be going to state; they just wouldn’t be playing first. The team was so excited though. After state it’s the nationals. I was the junior who got us to state along with the help of her team. After a good ten minutes of cheering everyone started cleaning up and getting ready to leave for home. I called my mom and told her that I would be spending the night with Emily because it was a Friday and that we won. She said that it was ok and congratulated us.

 

 

            The stands were nearly empty, with twenty to thirty people left walking around, smiling, laughing, talking about the game, I wondered if I should stick around too, but I was tired. I grabbed my water bottle and sat down to take off my shin guards. “Hey” A guy who I have never met before had said to me. I looked up and saw that he had gorgeous dirty blonde hair, and was about 6 feet tall, his eyes were the color of, well; it was too dark to tell. I looked around for a second making sure that he was really referring to me and that he wasn’t making a mistake. I realized that it was me that he was talking to and that it would probably be smart if I answered back, so I smiled and said, “Hey” I put my head back down, and continued with taking off my gear. “That last shot you made was pretty cool. You’re really good.” I basked in the compliment. I mean I knew I was good but never had I heard it from a stranger. “Thanks, but I couldn’t have done it without my team mates.” I said while taking my right shin guard off and putting my normal sock on and a sneaker. “So what’s your name?” He asked, by then I had already gotten my left sock on and was tying my left shoelaces. “I don’t think I’m going to tell you.” I said kinda sorta flirting… HEY he was cute okay! To bad I wasn’t going to see him ever again though. “Awe! How come?” He asked looking a little disappointed. “Because I don’t know you.” He raised one of his eye brows and smirked just a bit. “Maybe you should get to know me then.” Ok I’ll admit it. I laughed. It was so corny and cute at the same time. How could you NOT laugh? “Ok” I said still giggling. He put his hand out and to go along with it said to me, “My name is Ryan” I grabbed his hand and shook it. “Hello Ryan, it’s very nice to meet you. I guess I’ll see you around sometime I guess.” I turned on my heel and started walking off. “I don’t get to know your name?” I stopped and laughed once again. “Nope, sorry.” I tied my sweatshirt around my waist and started walking again. “Ok, Alyson!” I stopped and turned around with a big question mark stamped on my head. How did he know my name? I think he read my mind because he pointed to my butt. I looked down and saw that the back of my sweater said Alyson because well as you know my sweatshirt was around my waist and I had my name printed on it, DUH! I smiled and rolled my eyes. “Bye Ryan.” He gave a small smile and waved. I met up with Emily who I guess was watching the whole thing.

 

 

           “Oh la, la! Who was that?” I grinned and gave her a weird little look. I tried to avoid it by changing the subject to me spending the night. “Thanks for letting me spend the night. I really appreciate it otherwise I would have to put up with my mom.” “Yeah, yeah, great I know, but what about the boy?” I just laughed. She sounded like a little girl asking if she got the puppy that she asked for on her birthday or not. “His name is Ryan and he thinks that I did a good job in the game and nice job on scoring that last goal. Then I told him that I couldn’t have done it without my team mates. That’s all.” Emily took a bow, and trying to sound like she had just won a Grammy said, “Well thank you, I do try.” I couldn’t say anything to that, so I rolled my eyes. We walked to the parking lot where Emily’s mom was waiting for us and got into the van and went to her place.

 

             I had just gotten out of the shower and gotten dressed when Emily just had to bring up the guy I met at the field...again! “So do you know when you’re going to see him again?” I was towel drying my hair and when she asked me that it just made me a little upset. The one guy who tries talking to ME and I don’t even know if I’ll ever see him again. I looked at myself in the mirror still drying my hair and told her, “No” She jumped onto her bed and laid back. “Oh to bad, he was hot!” “Ha, I know, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he went to our opponents school.” I stood there. There could still be hope, I mean, we will be playing them again soon at state, he could be there, you never know. “Hey Emily?” “Yeah Aly?” She always calls me that whenever she thinks that I’ve concocted a plan or just because she feels like it, I could never fully tell, so I wasn’t sure on why she was saying Aly right now. “Tomorrow do you want to go for a morning jog and do some warm up practice?” “Uh, sure. You do know that we don’t have soccer practice tomorrow right?” I tossed the towel I was using in the dirty clothes hamper and turned around heading for the bed. “Yes Emily I know that, but the more practice the better, we’re going to state! And not to mention it’ll give us some time to talk and help me figure out what to do about my mom.” Emily was trying her best to understand everything but it was around ten ‘o clock and we haven’t eaten dinner yet. “…Yeah sure, lets just get some food.”

 

             I’ve only been anorexic for a few days, so if you think about it, I’m not really anorexic at all, I’m a nooby, and food was sounding really good at this point, so I decided to give myself a limit. We went down to the kitchen and got some food. Emily made herself a three coarse meal practically. She got a salad with some steak and A1 sauces with some steamed vegetables on the side and for dissert some pudding! I love pudding! So I guess it would be ok right? If I had too much I could always not eat anything for the next couple of days or just throw it back up. So for dinner I had a small salad some yogurt and pudding. “Dang Aly, what’s your problem?! You always get a lot of pudding whenever I have some. Are you ok?” Ha! Finally she can’t see through my hazel eyes! “I’m just not that hungry that’s all.” Emily gave me a questioning look and went back to eating. “Ok, what ever you say.” I finished eating my salad and then went to bed.

 I set the alarm for 7:00 a.m. and in the morning when it went off Emily did not want to get up, but some how I had managed to get her up and pumped. She got some breakfast and asked me if I wanted some but I told her I ate before I woke her up. Amazingly she believed me. I am such a good actress. We got to the track/field and there were about seven people there which was a big turn out on a Saturday this early in the morning. I had our bags with some soccer balls some cones and our water bottles. “Ok, let’s jog for twelve minutes.” I said as I started to jog. “Agh!” Emily was whining nearly the whole time, she hated working out early in the morning without having a perfectly good reason, and apparently practicing for state isn’t good enough. After going at a slow steady pace we stretched for ten minutes. After that we set up the cones and started doing some drills. It was 8:30 and Emily was already fed up with the exercises. She’s been fed up with it since we woke up, but I didn’t care. What a great friend I am. 

 

             We were doing some dribbling drills when Emily heard someone say my name. “Aly someone is calling for you.” I stopped dribbling and turned around to look at her. “Who could be calling for me? You’re the only one I invited to come with me.” Emily put her finger to her chin and was doing Albert Einstein impressions. “Hmm…maybe it’s Mr. Hot Buns over there that you met at the game last night.” I turned around. I couldn’t believe my own eyes. Or well I could but I didn’t want to. Ok well I did its just that…STOP its getting confusing. “Just keep on dribbling.” I said to Emily and she rolled her eyes. “Hey” Ryan said grabbing a soccer ball and dribbling with Emily and I. “Hey” I said huffing and puffing. Sweats dripping down my face. (Ewe.) “What are you doing here this early in the morning? Shouldn’t you two be running around the mall bragging about how you won the game and stuff like that?” Emily was on the other side of me dribbling and pointed to herself. “You see that’s what I wanted to do but Aly here wanted to work out. ‘Get prepared for state’ in her words.” “Can I help it that I want to win and not get out of shape?” “Aly, your fine the way you are, you are as small as a pole, not to mention you ate like nothing last night.” Oops, pressed on of Emily’s buttons. Darn. “Not true! I ate pudding!” Ryan laughed. “Pudding huh? That must be why you two are out here.” I stopped and picked up the cones. “Hey what are doing?” Ryan asked with curiosity obvious in his voice not even trying to hide it. “We’re done with this drill; we’re going to take shots at the goal now.” “I’ll be goalie!” Emily yelled. “No Emily you’re our forward you need to practice your shots.” “Then I’ll be goalie.” Ryan said putting on the gloves he had in his pocket. Clearly he came prepared, and I wasn’t really liking it. He was interfering with my thinking time.

 

            Ryan went to the goal and got ready. I was a good ten yards away and dribbled through the coarse I had set up and was maybe 4 yards to Ryan’s left and made the shot and he caught it!! I stood in disbelief. Hardly any one can catch the ball when I kick it. You saw me at the game! Well you know what I mean. “What?” Ryan asked like it was no big deal. “Dude! No one can catch the ball when Aly kicks it to the goal. How did you do that?” Emily was probably just as stunned as I was. However I think I went into shock. “I don’t know. I just… did?” I walked over to him, grabbed the ball from his arms and went back to where I was before. Maybe even further back by a yard or two. I dribbled again and took the shot. He caught it again. So I did that maybe six more times and every time he caught it! By then it was probably ten or ten thirty in the morning. I wasn’t really keeping track.

 

            “I’m taking a break.” Emily said walking to the bench that held her water bottle. She pulled out a protein bar from her bag and started to eat it. “Ok” I said back. I was standing there trying not to collapse from lack of energy, not to mention breakfast. “Are you ok Aly?” “That’s Alyson to you buck-o!” I said pointing my finger at Ryan with a bit of annoyed-now-more-than-ever in my voice. “Sorry, Alyson. It’s just that you look like your about to be black out or something.” “Ha! I’d like to see that happen.” I said trying to sound all tough. Then all of a sudden the field started spinning and my head felt like it was to explode in a really weird way. Then I guess I started to fall because Ryan caught me before I could hit the ground. “Whoa, Emily come help me with Alyson.” Emily ran over as fast as she could helping Ryan set me on the bench dabbing a wash cloth on my head until I woke up five minutes later. Since when did we have a wash cloth in our bag? “Ugh, what happened?” “You fainted.” Emily said point Blankley. “Oh, probably from working out so hard.” “Aly, we do these things almost every day of the week during practice and your fine.” “I know, I guess it’s just from not having enough water then, this was our first water break.” Emily took in a deep breath contemplating on weather or not to except my excuse or not. “I guess you have a point. But take it easy.” I shook my head. “Yes mommy.” I said trying to sound funny. “Besides” Ryan started to say. “We need you for state.” I gave him a sour smirk and got up. I started packing my bag and walking toward the library. “Where are you going Aly?” “Anywhere but here Emily, anywhere but here.”

 

           I called my mom to ask if I could spend the night again and Sunday then go to school with Emily. She said it was ok. I didn’t think that I would see Ryan after what happened on Saturday so I was kind of sad. But then a miracle happened, or more like an annoying miracle. I was sitting in Mr. Dyer’s classroom for science when the door opened. I thought it would be someone with the detention list so I didn’t pay much attention and continued with doing my work. Then someone sat next to me. No one was suppose to sit next to me because no one was assigned in that seat and you would get in major trouble if you changed seats with out permission. So I lifted my head up to see no one but Ryan, sitting there watching me as I was writing down ‘Think #4’. “Hey Aly.”

 “Its Alyson to you!” I said in a hushed tone.

“Alyson” He was trying to be a smart-a*s. I could tell.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“Well you see this is my class, and I come here to learn.” Ok now he was defiantly being a smart-a*s no doubt about it. I was just about to give Ryan a piece of my mind when Mr. Dyer so rudely interrupted me…ok I wasn’t suppose to be talking in the first place but you get my point right?

 “Alyson, would you like to share what you and Ryan were talking about or would you rather have detention?” Ok that was a hard one… ugh; I hate that Ryan guy right now. “Umm…detention?” 

“Very well Alyson.” Oh man. How was I going to explain this to my mom? Ryan raised his hand “Yes Ryan?” Mr. Dyer asked as if he was just as sick of him as I was. Ryan stood up and said “You dumb a*s!” What the hell was Ryan trying to do?! His first day at school and he’s already trying to get him self a detention I should just smack--Wait a second! Hold the phone! I see what he’s doing… 

“What did you call me?” Mr. Dyer knew what Ryan said, he just wanted to see if Ryan would stick to it…and he did.

“I called you a dumb a*s.” Mr. Dyer quirked his head to the side and tightened his jaw. He didn’t like being called names apparently.

“Looks like you will be joining Alyson in detention today Ryan.” Ryan sat down and I started giving him half of my mind.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“I’m trying to give us time to talk.”

‘Trying to make yourself look innocent won’t help you! You’re road kill already.’ I thought to myself and rolled my eyes.

“Besides Alyson, this is our last class and then it’s off to detention.” I gave a sigh and got my stuff together. Five minutes later the bell rang signaling that school was out for the day.

 

 

                        I walked out of the classroom, as fast as I could but unfortunately I don’t have long enough legs. “Where you headed to? We have detention.” The insanity never ends! I took in a deep breath while heading in the opposite direction of detention.

“I am aware of that Ryan, but if you don’t mind I’m going to put my stuff in my locker.” Ryan gave a nod, as if I needed his approval. ‘Ugh, I’m not a puppy.’

 I stopped in front of my locker taking my sweet time about putting my stuff away while Ryan fallowed behind me.

“I didn’t see you at lunch.” Ryan said trying to end the acquired silence between the hallway, and us, which was now empty. “Oh, I …Uh…don’t eat lunch in the cafeteria; I go to the restaurant down the road. I have a friend who works there and talk to her.” Lies, flat out lies.. “Oh cool, maybe I could join you--” “No!” I interrupted him oh my god now he’s suspicious. CRAP! “Why?” “Uh, well, because I’m not going tomorrow. I’m eating here at school.” He just gave me a weird look and stayed quiet. I don’t blame him, I just said I don’t eat at school and now I’m eating at school. I really need to work on my stories. They’ve become too stupid and contradicting. I closed my locker and walked to detention. Half way through Ryan passed me a note. Mrs. Neamen was sleeping and snoring like a pig, she really needs to retire. I’m getting sick of her running to the bathroom in the middle of a lesson. I opened the folded piece of paper and read the note, it said:

 

Are you okay? I hope you don’t mind but I want to ask you something. If it’s to personal you don’t have to answer it.

 

So I wrote back, stupid me, stupid old me….

 

Yeah, sure go ahead. Ask away.

 

Ok, are you anorexic?

 

I really must think highly of myself or something, to think that I thought I could get away with something like starving myself is sad. Someone I haven’t even known for a week had figured it out. And the fact that I’ve only been anorexic for a few days and have been discovered is just flat out sad.

 

*sigh* yes. How did you know?

 

I took a chance. I can’t believe I did that. Even my number one best friend didn’t even notice, or that I knew of anyway...

 

I knew because my older sister died from it. I saw all the signs and promised her that I wouldn’t tell anyone and I didn’t. I was eight at the time. Why would YOU be anorexic? You’re perfect the way you are.

 

HA! You’ve never met my mother. I guess I do it hoping that she’ll notice so that I can get some attention other than her yelling at me all the time for forgetting to do the dishes or something stupid like that.

 

Oh well you shouldn’t. Hey you want to come over to my place so we can talk some more?

 

Sure I guess that would be fine, I’ll just tell my mom that I’m at the library researching for a paper.

 

            And that was that. I was going to his place so that we could talk some more. I had no clue what we were going to talk about though. Ok I had an idea but it was still so weird. I mean this boy I met no longer than three days ago has already gotten me figured out like a childrens book and it annoyed the crap out of me. The timer went off telling everyone that detention was over and everyone scurried out of the room heading home. I grabbed my bag and slowly started walking out of the room. Hoping to never meet it again.

 “So which way to your house?” I asked, not even sure that it was me who actually said it.

“This way.” He signaled a direction and I followed it. We ended up standing outside of a church just down the road from the school.

 “Uh, I don’t mean to sound rude or anything, but this is a church not your home.” Ryan laughed. I honestly don’t know why though.

“I know. My dad works here, so I drop by whenever I can to say hi.”

“Oh.” I suddenly began to feel rather dumb, as if I was suppose to know, instead of feeling like I had the brain the size of a peanut and I.Q. of five.

“You don’t live with him?”

“No, my parents never married. My mom moved up here taking me along with her. They both thought it would be best if my dad came too so that I wouldn’t have to travel back and forth hundreds of miles away and still have my dad.”

 “Awe, that’s sweet. My dad got as far away from my mom as he could…bang c**k.” By then we had waked through the doors of ‘gods’ house’ It was kind of weird since I haven’t really been to church in over six months.

“Oh hey Ryan, who’s your friend.” I’m guessing Ryan’s dad, asked once we walked inside. He sounded really nice all ready. I could tell I was going to like him.

“This is Alyson. She’s in my science class.”

“Oh how very nice. I have some boxes down stairs can you go get them for me son?”

“Sure thing dad, uh I’ll be right back Alyson.” Ryan walked down the hall and turned right to get to the stairs. The church was huge and I was mesmerized by its beauty until Ryan’s father started talking to me.

“Ryan has told me an awful lot about you.” I looked up. What, how? Wait that might sound better if I asked that out loud.

“How, I’ve only known him since Friday night?” My curiosity was just eating me up inside within a matter of milliseconds.

“Yes and already he knows so much about you, like the fact that your nick name is Aly, you have hazel eyes which change color between brown, green and blue. You have dirty blonde hair. Your best friend is Emily Jacobs and you play left defense in soccer. Not to mention you go to chestnut high school.” Ok so that is either the sweetest thing I have ever heard or the freakiest. I mean, he's only known me for three days, either people he knows talk about me a lot or can we say stalker?! 

“All of that from three days?”

“Yeah I know, but he’s a great listener. And you’re all that everyone in this town talks about.” Oh, so that answers that thought I suppose.

“Oh, well...thank you?” I was really confused on weather or not it was a compliment.

“Your welcome. So what I’m wondering is what you said or done to make him have such an interest in you.” Yeah, so am I.

“Oh well I…”

“Don’t worry; you don’t need to tell me anything. I trust my son and I trust you.” I gave him a smile. I wonder when church starts. He sounds like a good pastor, if he is one. Might as well ask right?

“When-”

“Hey, what’s up?” Of course I would be interrupted by Ryan. Should have seen it coming, because nothing can ever go as planned, even trying to figure out what time to come to church. “Oh nothing, just talking about the game on Friday.” Ryan’s dad said before I could say anything. Hmm.

“Oh well ready to go Alyson?”

“You can call me Aly.” Ryan gave a big smile. I swear it went from ear to ear. Any bigger and I think his head might have blown off. “Yeah I’m ready to go.”

 

            We left the church and have been walking for about two minutes when Ryan broke the silence. “So what’s so bad about your mom?” Dun, dun, dun!!!!

“Oh ha! Beware, you have asked a question where the answer could go on for days.”

“Ok, I’m ready.” Wow, very patient person I can see.

 “Well I don’t know when it started but somewhere around when I was five years old my mom started yelling at me about the stupidest things. She would call me names and always try to be a ‘winner’. She judges me like I’m at a dog show or something. For example if I brought you over to my house for a party my mom would say ‘So is this your new boyfriend. I bet your sleeping with him. You’re such a s**t!’”

“Whoa."

"The sad thing is, is that I don’t even know why she started doing those things, I know it was around the time that my parents were getting a divorce, but SHE divorced HIM! She couldn’t stand him, it just doesn’t make sense." I was looking at my feet by the time I finished even saying that. I couldn’t stand looking at Ryan at this point.

"That’s pretty bad. And that’s why you went all anorexic?”

“I guess. I want attention other than arguing. I want her to feel bad for me. But I know that it’s never going to happen so I’m going to get annulled and move out, probably move in with Emily.” We stopped walking and Ryan held my hand. Once he did that, I felt that I had the power to look him in the eyes.

“You know if you ever want to talk or need anything, you can come to me.” I smiled. I was now glad that I had gotten the guts to look him in the eyes, unfortunately the sun was shining way to bright so I couldn’t determine what the color of his eyes were....Darn! 

“Thanks. But that needing part won’t be happening any time soon. I barely even know you.” He laughed because he knew I was trying to sound as if he wanted ‘it’ and that I was joking all the way.

“You know what I meant…I hope. You did didn’t you?”

“Yes Ryan, I knew what you meant.” I started looking at the ground again and we started walking and then we were there.

“Here we are. Home sweet home. Or as close to it as you can get.” I looked up from the ground. The house I was looking at was white and surrounded by flowers of bright vibrant colors and ivy.

“Whoa, your house is so beautiful.” Way to go on speaking my mind right?

“And so is the girl who is about to walk in it believe it or not.” I could feel the blood rush into my cheeks and show me blushing, I couldn’t stand it so I looked down at my shoes. We walked into his house, which smelled like Apple pie. It’s been so long since I have had apple pie. 

“I smell apple pie.” Expressing my thoughts once again! Amazing right? “Oh that’s probably my mom baking dissert for dinner.” I took off my shoes and walked into the kitchen with Ryan. “Hey mom!”

“Hey honey, who’s your new friend?” 

“I’m Alyson, Aly for short.” I said before Ryan could get a word in. Ha! Payback.

“Oh well it’s very nice to meet you Alyson.”

“Same here.”

“Would you like a slice of apple pie?”

“Oh I don’t think I-”

“Yeah she would. We’ll share Aly.” Ryan’s Mom handed us a plate with a slice of pie and handed it to me.

“Thank you Ryan’s mom.”

“Oh please, call me Mrs. Powers.” Talk about an awesome name! No seriously, wouldn’t you just love to walk up to the teacher that you hated of all times and say ‘Step aside! I am MRS. POWERS! Hear me rawer!’?

“Oh thank you Mrs. Powers.”

“Your welcome darling.” Ryan took me up the stairs and into the attic.

"Your mom is really pretty. You’re lucky that she cares so much about you too." Ryan looked up at me once he sat down.

"Really?" I started to blush a bit and turned my head the other way so that I couldn’t see him. "Yeah, your mother is beautiful!" And it was true; his mother was maybe a few inches taller then me with light brown wavy hair that went maybe three inches past her shoulders. Her bone structure was incredible and I could defiantly see where Ryan got his good looks from. Not that his father wasn’t good looking either, its just that it was obvious that Ryan got most of his looks from his mother, almost as obvious as the hair on my head. I decided to change the subject so that I could finally look at him without blushing.

“I don’t want the pie Ryan.”

“Yes you do. Please?” Is he begging? That ridiculous. Begging a girl to eat a pie. Ha!

"No Ryan I really don’t want to." Ryan got a serious look on his face and I was....expressionless. "Aly, you may think that you aren’t beautiful and pretty and perfect the way you are, but I however do. And if you don’t eat some of this pie I will keep you here all night." I looked at him scared out of my mind. It was either eat the pie...or get yelled at by my mother. I think I'll go with the pie. “Fine.” I took the fork out of his hand and took a very small bite out of the pie. It was so good. The cinnamon screamed in my mouth, and the apples just made my mouth water and want an even bigger bite, but I refused to back down on my 'diet' plans this early in the game. “There, I ate some.” It killed me to refuse the rest of the pie, but I had to have some control. “Aly come on. I know you want to eat the rest.”

“Ok your right but I’ll get fat.”

“Aly! You are fine the way you are.” With that being said I took the plate out of his hands and started to finish the pie. When I was done Ryan’s eyes were slightly wide.

“What?” I asked seriously wondering if I had gained five pounds. I wanted to jump up and look in a mirror, but I didn’t want to look THAT paranoid.

“Nothing, I just have never seen anybody enjoy a piece of pie so much. But then again it’s probably been a while since you’ve had any.” I smiled and shook my head. We were talking about my dad when my cell phone started to ring. It was my mom.

“Hello?”

“Where the hell are you young lady?”

“Oh sorry mom, I have a report that’s due by the end of the week and I’m really into it. Is it okay if I stay the night at Emily’s for the rest of the week?” 

“Sure but next time call me.” Oh man I was relieved! I couldn’t possibly imagined how bad that would be if my mother had said no.

“I will. Bye.” After I hung up I called Emily.

“Hello?” “Hey Em. Do you think I could stay the night at your place for the rest of the week?” “Yeah sure. No problem. Where are you though? Its 7:00 you’re going to miss practice.”

“No I’m not I’ll meet you there in 15 minutes. Bye.” I hung up my phone and looked at Ryan with apologetic eyes.

“Soccer practice. Got to go.”

“I’ll walk you there.”

“No Ryan its ok you don’t have to.”

“But I want to.” I smiled and gave up. I had all of my soccer stuff with me so I didn’t need to be dropped off. The field was ten minutes away if you walked so it was all good. We got to the field and I see Emily off on the other side of the field.

“Thanks for walking me Ryan.”

“No problem.” We looked into each others eyes. And once again, I couldn’t determine what color they were, but I knew what he wanted to do. I wanted to do it to. We were getting closer and closer, but I couldn’t let him kiss me. I could see Emily was starting to walk toward us. Instead of kissing him, I hugged him and tilted my head up so that I could whisper in his ear. “Sorry but Emily doesn’t know about my problem and it’s moving too fast, thanks though.” I said whispering in his ear. “It’s ok, I understand.” I kissed him on his cheek and turned towards Emily.

 

 

             I walked past Emily as if nothing had happened and made my way towards middle field. “What happened?” Emily asked me.

“Huh, what do you mean?”

“Don’t play dumb. I saw you almost kiss. I saw you hug him and kiss his cheek too.”

“It was nothing. We just went to his house and-”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! You went to his house? And didn’t invite me?”

“Well it was after detention an-”

“You two had detention together?!”

“Yeah. And we went to church and-”

“Oh my god! What a day! So did you get his number or the other way around?”

“No, we’re just friends.”

“Alyson! Emily! Get over here!”Coach yelled at us. Man was she mad. Thank god I had put my gear on before we left Ryan’s house. Coach Beverly made us go an hour over time. So we didn’t get to Emily’s house until 9:00 p.m. and I was desperate for a hot shower.

“So tell me what you and Mr. Hot buns did today.”

“Will you stop calling Ryan that? It’s getting annoying.”

“Ok, oh you know what?”

“What Em?”

“You should look up his address in the phone book then call him and ask if he wants to go to the movies with us on Friday.” I told Emily no and how that was not needed. I hardly even knew him, and asking him to join us for a movie was far out of the line. After a half hour of arguing though I gave up by shaking my head and looked up his address in the phone book and called him. Ring, ring. When the phone stopped ringing, Mrs. Powers answered the phone. Since she is the only female presence in Ryan’s home I didn’t really understand why I was surprised. “Hello?”

“Hi Mrs. Powers, its Alyson, is Ryan there?”

“Yes dear hold on.” Gosh, she is so nice!

“Hello?” it was Ryan.

“Hey Ryan it’s me Aly.”

“Hey how did you get my number?” Ryan asked with a highly confused voice.

“Oh long story…well ok that’s a lie but don’t ask. So I was wondering if on Friday you would like to join Emily and I to the movies.” Ryan was quiet for a couple of seconds.

“Like a date?” he asked with a cheesy voice. I giggled, so sue me.

“Sure as a date…which would mean I asked you out. Oh my gosh that is totally against the rules!” Yes, I'll admit that I was being a dramatic little spaz monkey, but hey, its who I am. Ryan gave a small laugh. I do have to admit even if I was sounding like a spaz monkey I was sounding pretty darn funny.

“Then Aly, would you like to go to the movies with me on Friday?” ‘Oh my gosh honey! I am so proud of you!’ was all I heard in the background after that.

“Ha yeah.”

“See you at school tomorrow then.”

“Ok, bye.” Emily started jumping up and down.

“A date! OMG this is better than I had hoped!” Emily jumped around yelling about nonsense for about twenty minutes and I had finally decided that she was clinically insane and needed some serious medication.

 

 

 

 

After a while I started talking to Emily about my mom. “Emily, tomorrow do you think your mom and dad will help me get annulled from my mom?” Emily looked at me as if that question had no point of being asked, the answer should be dead obvious. “Oh, Ally, of coarse they will. And with out a doubt you can stay here.” She gave me a big bear hug and I started to cry. What I was doing was going to change my life forever.

 

            So in-between Tuesday and Friday, I was doing the usual. Well...except for planning to 'divorce' my mother. Other than that, everything was normal. I would wake up in the morning and Emily and I would get ready for school. I would talk to Ryan everyday at lunch and in science class. Occasionally when I had homework in science Emily would suggest that I go over to Ryan's to study for a test and to finish up assignments. I knew for a fact it was on purpose, but I couldn’t really complain. And its Emily, what can you do? It didn’t take long until Ryan seemed like my best friend. He couldn’t take the place of Emily of course, that just isn’t possible, and not to mention, they aren’t the same gender. So Emily is my best girl friend and Ryan is my best guy friend, it balances out.

      

            Before I knew it, it was Friday. Today I was going to tell Ryan that I was getting an annulment from my mom and filling out the papers with Emily’s parents, then go out on our big date. I sat at our usual lunch table waiting for him when someone’s hands covered my eyes. “Guess who?”

“Ryan.” Everyone at the table laughed.

“Darn! How did you guess?”

“Ha-ha, I have no idea. Can I talk to you for a second alone?”

“Yeah” I took Ryan’s hand and we started walking out of the cafeteria, and towards our science class.

“So was up?” I could tell Ryan was worried.

“It’s about my mom. Today I’m filling out the paper work to get an annulment from my her with Emily’s parents and was hoping you could come with us and then go to the movies.”

“I would love to Aly.” We stopped in front of our class room door and he hugged me. I’ve known him for a week and he’s already helping me with my semi anorexia and with my mom. Wow, what a guy.

 

            We went through science class pretty much quiet and went by faster than what I expected. Mr. Dyer had us write an essay about sexual organs and you can only imagine how disturbing that was.

 

Ryan and I got out of class nearly an hour early though because Emily’s parents came by to pick us up and go to the station to fill out the paper work. The whole time we were driving Ryan had his arm around my shoulder telling me that it was going to be okay as some tears were streaming down my cheek. Emily was just rubbing my back telling me the same thing, and that I was doing the right thing. We got to the station and Emily got out first. After Emily it was Ryan. Ryan turned around and held out his hand. I took it and never let go not even when we got inside. Emily’s mom and dad filled out the paper work as I was sitting in a chair holding onto Ryan’s hand as he sat right next to me. “Aly,” Emily’s mom started to say to me. “You have to sign a few lines and explain why you want the annulment."

“Ok.” I walked up to the desk and filled out everything that I was supposed to fill out. By the time I was done it was 4:30 p.m. We had gotten out of school at 1:45 p.m. and I was surprise that it took two and half-hours. When we were on our way to the Movie Theater Ryan said that we didn’t have to go to the movies that it could wait until some other time. “No Ryan, I want to. It’s ok.” He put his arm around me and I gave him a hug.

 

 

 

 

            When we got to the movies we decided to watch Pretty Woman. It was suppose to have bloopers and deleted scenes and a whole bunch of other special dohicky things. I was still a little teary about the whole ‘divorcing my mother thing’ and Ryan and Emily knew it. So I sat to the right of Emily and the left of Ryan. Emily had her arm around mine, as if she was walking me down the aisle of my wedding and had her head on my shoulder and I had my head on her head. Ryan just held my hand.

 

When the movie was over we decided to walk instead of being picked up. Ryan’s house was on the way to Emily’s but he insisted on making sure we made it home ok. The worst part is that my mom doesn’t know about the annulment or the fact that I’m not going home. I’m going to Emily’s which is soon to be my home now. The officer suggested that I don’t stay there, and that it would be best if I don’t get my stuff until I have an officer with me for when I get my things to move out. The other thing is that my mom was going to be given the papers in a few weeks and I have no clue what she is going to do. We were standing in front of Emily’s house when I gave Emily the look of ‘go away please’. Emily being the smart girl that she is, got the memo.

“I’ll leave you two alone. See you inside Aly.” Emily opened the door to the house and went inside. Once I knew she was gone I decided it was ok to start talking.

“Today was awesome Ryan, thank you. I really needed it.”

“No problem. I’m really proud of you Aly.”

“Surprisingly I am too.” I don’t know why but I just had to hug him. I had to feel safe. So there I was hugging him, never wanting to let go but I broke apart from him anyway. You want to know why? So that I could see what color his eyes were. Finally the lighting was perfect. It was good enough that I could see his beautiful eyes that I have been dying to see. They were brown, with the slightest touch of blue. They were the nicest eyes I have ever seen in my life.

“They’re pretty.” I said probably sounding really corny.

“What are?”

“Your eyes.” We both laughed. It was silly but oh so true.

“I like yours better.” I smiled. All of a sudden I heard a knock. Emily was trying to ease drop of course. I laughed. She can get so desperate to know things at times.

“I think she wants to see this.” Ryan said and I was confused.

“What does she want to see?” I asked with confusion written all over my face.

“This.” And BAM! There it was! He kissed me. It was the nicest kiss I have ever had. The ONLY kiss I have ever had. I could hear Emily squealing through the glass of the window and knew that she was on her way to tell her parents what happened. By the time we had broken our kiss I had forgotten all about my mom and me technically 'divorcing' her. “Sorry” Ryan started to say. “It’s ok.” I said. After I said that there seemed to be a sparkle in his eyes. I know that I’ve only known him for a week but honestly. It felt like it’s been longer. We’ve been talking all the time; he would walk me to soccer practice. We were constantly together.

“I’ll call you.” He said.

“You might want my cell phone number just in case.”

“Yeah, that might help a bit.” So I gave him my cell phone number, since I never really had given it to him and always used Emily's house phone to call him, and now soon to be my home phone number. I gave him a peck on the cheek and went inside.

 

             I had just walked through the door and closed it when Emily and her parents were standing right in front of me. “OMG! How was it!?” Emily asked me. “He is such a sweet boy.” Emily’s mom said. “I hope he’s taken an HIV/AIDS test” Emily’s dad said, being dead serious may I add. Wow. If my mom were here she would be yelling her head off. Time to get use to that not happening. The big game was in two weeks, and it was 8:00p.m. I needed to get as much rest as I could. “I don’t kiss and tell.” I said while I walked into the kitchen and put my purse down. I opened the refrigerator to get out some milk and poured myself a bowl of cereal. After I ate I took a shower got dressed in my pajamas and went to bed with the memories of my date in my dreams.

 

 

TWO WEEKS LATER!

           

 I woke up to Emily jumping up and down on my bed screaming “The big game is today! Come on Aly, wake up we need you to make us win! All of Chestnut High is depending on you…I mean.”

“Thanks, that really helps.” I said halfway asleep.

“Really?”

“NO!” I kicked her off the bed and started getting my outfit on. It was 7:00 a.m. and the game didn’t start until nine. Why were we waking up so early? So that we can get extra warmed up and pumped and a whole bunch of stuff. We decided to jog there. I grabbed a banana nut muffin and a Gatorade for my breakfast. Yes I’m eating again, not a whole lot but none the less I was eating. When we got there we were the only ones there. So we decided to do some warm ups on our own. Thirty minutes later the rest of the team arrived along with the coach. We were already running and sweating and a whole bunch of other nasty things when I saw Ryan. “Mrs. Beverly can we have a five minute water break?” Jennifer had asked.

“Yes you may.” Everyone ran to there water bottles except for me I already had my water bottle in my hand and was heading toward Ryan. “Hey, what’s up?” As if he didn’t know.

“Just getting ready to kick the other teams butt!”

“Cool when you win I want to take you somewhere ok?”

“Where is it?”

“It’s a surprise.”

“Ok, I’ll see you later.” I ran back to my team and the timing was perfect because it was time for the game to start. Before we started though Coach gave a few heart warming words… “Ok team, no matter what we are winners even if we loose. But it would be great if we could be winners and win the game. Ok Natives on three! ONE! TWO! THREE! NATIVES!” We all ran to our positions on the field. Emily passed the ball to Caitlyn who passed it to Britney as Emily ran up the field Britney was dribbling the ball the passed it to Emily who scored a goal.

 

            The score was 15 to 27. We were winning by twelve points. There was only ten minutes left in the game. We were going to win. If we could keep the ball away from the other team and score a few more goals we were on our way to nationals. “Aly?”

“Hold on a sec. Em.”

“No, Aly!”

“What? Can’t you see I’m in the zone?” Right them Emily pointed her finger to my mom walking right toward me. “You b***h!” With those words out in the open and her hand straight across my face it was clear that my mom got the annulment papers.

“I gave you a roof over your head, I made sure you were fed I did everything for you and this is what you give me?” Ryan came running to my side.

“Alyson, are you ok?!”

“I’m fine Ryan, stay out of it.” “

Awe, is this your boyfriend? You are such a s**t. How could you be so dumb? All he wants you for is sex and you know it! I knew I should have given you up for adoption. No I should have never had you! That's more like it!” Everyone at the field gasped. It was clear to everyone that I have been putting up with this almost my whole life. And I could tell that people who didn’t even know me, felt bad.

“Your right.”

“Aly!” Emily yelled at me. “You shouldn’t have. But you did. And I know somewhere inside of you that you know that this is for the best. And I know that you love me.” My mothers’ eyes were filled with fury. You could hear the pure hatred when she responded to my words.

“Shut up you b***h.” Once again, her hand was to my face followed by a punch in the jaw. Have you ever been punched in the jaw? Let me tell you. It hurts. After she punched me I fell. Hitting my head on the hard ground. I put my hand on where I had hit my head and saw blood...and a lot of it. Wait for it! 3…2…1…I’m knocked out.

 

 

             I woke up in a church, with a cloth on my head, and a splitting headache to go along with it. “Ugh.”

“You hit your head pretty hard there Aly.”

“Ugh…Ryan’s dad?” I asked, clearly still out of it.

“You can call me Mr. Kinkade.”

“Oh, Mr. Kinkade. Where’s Ryan?”

“Oh he’s talking to the authorities.” With that I jumped up in a sitting position.

“The authority’s!?”

“Yes, what your mom did was a crime.”

“What about the game?”

“After your little spat with your mother the other team forfeited because they knew there wasn’t a chance they would win. The drama was the other reason.” I laid down again and started crying.

“I wouldn’t want Ryan to see you so upset, he might change his mind.”

“About what?” I said slowly calming down.

“He was going to ask you if you would like to come to Canada with us for Christmas.”

“....Oh.”

“And if you would be his girlfriend. He knows that you two have only known each other for a few weeks and you’ve only been on a few dates, but he feels as if he’s known you much longer.”

“I feel the same.” I sounded so out of it I am sure but that still doesn’t mean I didn’t mean it and that I don’t remember saying it. Ryan walked into the room and sat down next to the little bed I was lying down on.

“So what was the surprise?” I asked trying to get him to go on with his plans. It was the second week of December and I was wondering why it hadn’t started to snow yet. Now I’m sure I was out of it by a lot, but I was aware of it, so that’s a good sign.

“Nothing now. It’s not important.”

“Ryan anything you have to say is important.” I gave him a smile and looked out the window. I slowly got up and started walking to the closest door that would lead outside that there was. “Aly, what are you doing?” I opened the door and saw snow. Thank god I still had my cleats on. I ran out into the snow with Ryan following not too far behind me. There was a thick blanket of snow on the ground and I started to make snow angels. I threw a snowball at Ryan causing a snow ball fight between the two of us, and started running as fast as I could, only to have Ryan tackle me while I was running down a small hill. We were laughing hysterically.

“Yes.” I said.

“Yes what?”

“I would love to go to Canada with you for Christmas. I would also love to be your girlfriend.” “Really?”

“Isn’t that what I just said? No wonder why you’re blonde.” There was no words left to be said except for a simple kiss, or two....You know what you are so nosy. It was more than two so just shove it.

 

 

            I stayed the night at Ryan’s house. “We are so glad that you could stay the night Aly.” “Thank you Mrs. Powers. I’m glad that you could have me.”

“No problem. You are welcome whenever you want.” I was in a pair of Ryan’s sweats and a T-shirt since I couldn’t go back to my mother’s house, and we didn’t want to bother Emily and her parents this late. I was holding a cup of hot chocolate in my hands, sitting in a chair next to the warm fire. Ryan was sprawled out on the couch fast asleep. This was so funny that I just had to take a picture of him. Mrs. Powers sat down in the chair across from me.

“I hope you have somewhere to stay so that you don’t have to go home after what your mother has done to you this morning.”

“Oh I’ve been staying with my friend Emily for the past month. I’m getting annulled from my mother so I’m pretty sure that’s why she attacked me at the game.”

“Oh I’m dearly sorry.” Mrs. Powers said apologetically.

“No it’s ok. I saw this coming. I was just hoping that I could avoid it.”

“Well just know that you made the right choice.” 

“Thanks.” After a few minutes Mrs. Powers went up to bed. I stayed up for a few more minutes before giving Ryan a kiss on the cheek and heading to the guest bedroom.

 

 

             On the way to the guest bedroom was Ryan’s room. And I have to say I was curious. His door was halfway open so it was a little inviting. I waked in and right away I saw posters all over his wall, of bands, singers, and movies. On the other side of his room was a desk with a computer. I walked over to it and saw a picture of his family from when he was younger. I picked it up to get a better look. I saw his older sister who had passed away from being anorexic. She was so beautiful, she looked perfect. I couldn’t understand why she would do something like that. And that’s how Ryan felt about me; I held the picture to my chest, wishing that I could see what it was like to have a family. I turned around looking at his bed still holding the picture close to my chest. His bed had little rockets as his bed spread. It was so cute. I never had princess sheets or flowers and I thought of him as lucky, and he was. He had everything that I wish I could have had. I sat down on his bed. Looking around his room. I looked up and saw little glow in the dark stars. I always wanted those, and even though I was sixteen I still thought they were pretty cool and laid down. I wondered if I could count how many stars were on his ceiling. So I tried. I tried so many times that eventually I fell asleep in his room.

 

           “Ok mom. I will!” I heard Ryan yell down stairs to his mom. What about I don’t know I was halfway asleep. I guess he was looking through his closet on what to wear to church that morning because he threw a shirt on his bed, a pair of pants, socks and fresh underwear. I guess it’s nice to know that he’s a boxer guy. (Laugh my a*s off) “Stop.” I mumbled. I was talking in my sleep…. Like you don’t either! “Aly?” Ryan walked over to me and took off the clothes that he had just thrown on top of me and put them at the other side of the bed.

“Aly wake up. It’s time to wake up.”

“Huh?”

“Time for church.”

“Oh ha! I knew that.”

“Why are you in here anyway?” He asked. Good question. If only I knew how to answer it.

“I don’t know. I guess since you’ve already got me figured out I would piece you together…. Does that even make sense?”

“Yeah, it does.” I smiled and started making my way to the guest bedroom.

“Oh my mom wants to see you.”

“Ok, where is she?”

“In the kitchen.” I made my way down to the kitchen where Ryan’s mother was waiting for me. “Ryan said you needed me?”

“Oh yes. If you don’t mind I picked something out for you to wear to church today.”

“That’s really great. Thanks.” She took me to the living room and showed me the dress that she had picked out. It was gorgeous.

 

One zipper, some blush and some mascara and I was ready for church. “You look great.” Ryan said with baby doll eyes. “Thanks you don’t look so bad yourself.” Ryan’s mom looked happier than ever, and I finally felt like part of a family. Not that I didn’t feel like a part of Emily’s family who of which was coming to church with us but it was a different vibe with Ryan’s family.

 

            When we got to the church the very first person to say hi to me was Emily. She jumped in front of me out of no where. Where is this girl from, no where land? Well that’s beside the point. Moving on. “Oh my gosh! Aly, you have some explaining to do.” She tried saying it in hushed tones but instead it came out as a loud whisper. “Ok I’ll tell you all about it once-”

“Uh, Emily, Alyson, Ryan. Would you mind being the chaperones for the kids upstairs?” asked Mr. Kinkade before I even had a chance to get out a full on sentence “Sure.” We all said in unison. I think Mr. Kinkade thought it would be less boring if we had something to do besides listen to adult stuff that Emily and I wouldn’t get. Not to mention give Ryan more time with me. His dad is so cool!

 

When we got to the room with all the little kids I asked Ryan if he could go get us something to eat from the kitchen so that we could have snacks later on, once he left the room Emily was full on interrogation. “Ok so how did you end up spending the night at Ryan’s house?” “You mean my boyfriend? Well his mom asked me if I would like to and I said sure and so I called your mom and dad and they said it was alright.” I said being glad that I could finally finish a sentence and not be interrupted for once. “Whoa! Rewind and freeze! He’s your boyfriend now?” I shook my head telling her that it was true.

“Wow am I out of the loop.”

“Yes Emily, you are.” She rolled her eyes and then Ryan came into the room.

“So what are you going to do about your mom?” Ryan asked.

“I’m going to get the annulment and charge her with abuse. Get my stuff out of there, and after that win the nationals.”

“Sounds like you have everything planned out already.” I gave Emily a three-year-old look, I knew what she meant. She wanted to see if I would add anything about Ryan and me. She is so obnoxious at times I tell you. Just when I was about to retaliate a little girl was crying in a corner holding her hand. I got up as fast as I could and ran over to her.

“Are you ok sweet heart?”

“I- h-have a –boo-boo!”

“Oh you want me to make it all better?” She shook her head as if it was going to be the end of the world if it didn’t get better or at least have a band-aid. As if that at any moment the world would end. And I just wished that I could go back to that. When I was younger I hadn’t a clue that I would be doing what I am today. I went to the shelf with the first aid kit and got out a Band-Aid and put it over her scrape.

“Tank ou!” She said in the cutest voice imaginable. I walked back over to Emily and Ryan.

“Awe. You fixed her boo-boo!” Emily said in a horrible little girl’ voice. It was so bad that I almost slapped her. Ha-ha, not really. “That was really nice.” Ryan was kissing up, or maybe he meant it. Psh! Who knows! Except him. It was soon snack time so we handed out five animal crackers to everyone. Including us.

 

           When church was over me and Ryan walked out holding hands. “Awe, how adorable is that!” Emily’s mom said.

“I just hope he’s taken an HIV/AIDS test.” Once again said Emily's dad.

“Oh George don’t be silly. They aren’t going to be having sex. Alyson is more responsible than that.” Emily’s mom said teasing George about how easy she was when they first started going out. Not that he had aids or HIV but still.

“I’ll see you later, and I’ll try calling tonight.” Ryan said to me. “Ok.” I said and gave him a peck on the lips and then a hug. The hug seemed to last forever but I wasn’t complaining. I was actually surprised that the only mark on me from when my mom hit me was on my head where I hit the ground. Amazing I know! We broke apart from our hug and I got into the van with Emily and her parent’s off to my new home. I would see Ryan all of next week and then spend Christmas vacation with him and his family in Canada. I’ve never left the country before. None the less the state of Washington. So I was pretty excited. So excited that every night that Ryan would call me I would ask him what I should bring. Cause I had no clue. He would be so sarcastic though. 

“I don’t know Aly. How about some socks, underwear, and some hot pink bras.”

“You weirdo! I don’t wear hot pink bra’s…I wear teal.”

“Like that’s any better.” Emily would say filled with pure sarcasm. She loved it when she could get into the conversation and make things twisted and funny in the stupidest ways possible.

 

It was the night before I went to Ryan’s so that we could go celebrate Christmas when Emily just had to ask me something.

“Hey Aly?”

“What?” I asked. She said Aly in a serious tone; so I could tell that she had a major question coming up. I can feel it in my frozen toes.

“Are you in love? You know, with Ryan?” I TOLD YOU! What did I tell you? I knew it was going to be serious. I must be physics.

“Uh, why do you want to know? I mean we’ve only been going out for a few weeks and I’m a junior in high school so how would I know?” Oh, smart answer Aly, keep it up!

“I was just wondering because Ryan is good for you, I can tell. I think you guys could make it all the way.” I smiled. That’s probably the nicest thing I have ever heard…from Emily. Other people don’t count at this precious moment in time, if you couldn’t tell already.

“Thanks, I think that to Em.” I looked up at her ceiling. Wishing that I could count the stars on the ceiling of Ryan’s room over at his house again.

“Christmas won’t be the same without you Aly.”

“Don’t worry its just one Christmas and one New Year. I’ll bring him here with us next time.” I was wondering if she would say anything back. But she didn’t so eventually I fell asleep.

 

            It was time for me to leave to go to Canada. It was snowing outside and I was freezing. I finally gained some weight and look healthy and yet I’m still cold! I’m holding onto Ryan for dear life, as if I could be turned into ice without him, but he's not complaining. We packed my stuff into the car and drove off. I was cuddled up to Ryan with a wool blanket over us, and a cup of hot chocolate in my hands and I was still freezing.

“Oops sorry, I might want to turn on the heater.”

“No dad! You wouldn’t! Because freezing is what we want!" Ryan said to Mr. Kinkade with his tone drenched in sarcasm. By then my teeth were chattering like nobody’s business. After a while though I got warm and my teeth weren’t chattering anymore. It was a five hour drive to where we were going and I slept maybe for three hours with my feet on the cooler, my right arm around Ryan’s neck the other arms holding the blanket to my chin and my head on a pillow on Ryan’s shoulder. “Wakey, wakey! We’re here!” I woke up to Mr. Kinkade shaking me, and pulling the blanket off of me. Let me tell you Canada is SO much colder than Washington State. We helped put the bags in the cabin, then made a fire some, coffee, hot chocolate and sat in front of the fire telling stories. Just when things couldn’t have gotten any better, my cell phone starts ringing.

“Ugh, hello?”

“Aly, it’s me Emily.”

“Yes Emily?”

“Just wanted to call and make sure you’re alright.”

“Well as you can see I am alive and well.”

“Good, Merry Christmas.”

“You too.” I said before hanging up. Then I went back to cuddling up with Ryan on the couch. I looked out the window and saw snow falling. “Anyone want to come outside?” Nobody had to say a word because they were out of that door in their snow gear before you could say frosty the snowman. We had snowball fights made snow angels and tons of other fun things that you can do in the snow. Canada was awesome! I don’t want to sound mean when I say this but I’m glad that I no longer live with my mom. Otherwise I wouldn’t have Ryan as my boyfriend and I wouldn’t be here in Canada on Christmas vacation and having this opportunity to make my own decisions. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve and we were going to go into town and have dinner with the rest of Ryan’s family and friends. I was highly looking forward to it.

 

 

            We woke up on Christmas Eve and had breakfast. We go into the car and drove into town. We bought a turkey and some egg nog. Yuck I hate that stuff! So when we were in the store buying it I made a nasty face at it. “Don’t worry I don’t like it either.”

“Do your mom and dad?” I asked Ryan.

“No but my aunt Pearl does.” We both looked pretty discussed. When we got there it smelled great. I swear, if it wasn’t for the Christmas decorations and tree I would have thought it was thanksgiving. Everything that I ate was wonderful. MY personal favorite was the pudding! I ate like a whole gallon of that stuff that night. No joke! By the time we were done stuffing ourselves it was 10:00 p.m. Ryan and I decided that we would walk around for a bit once we got to the cabin so that we could loose some of the weight that we probably had automatically gained the second we took one bite of the food.

 

            When we go to the cabin Ryan’s mom and dad went inside and we started walking around the cabin holding hands. Never letting go. Not even for a second. “Race you inside.” I said starting to take off. I got inside first, took off my shoes and started running up the stairs heading for my room. Their cabin was pretty big it had three floors and was practically almost sound proof, but not fully. I was in the spare living room, yes I said spare living room, and was running by the couch when Ryan grabbed me by my waist and threw me (gently) on the couch. I was laughing so hard I thought I would never stop.

“You know your pretty fast.”

“Well I’m in soccer! Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Good point.”

“Shut up and kiss me.” He did and I think that was the best kiss in my life. Do I mean that? No. Every kiss with him is the greatest kiss of my life. After what seemed like forever when really it was only seven minutes I told Ryan that we should get to bed if we wanted ‘Santa Clause’ to bring us our presents.

“I already have what I want for Christmas, and its you.”

“Awe, thanks. Now get off of me.” With that being said I pushed him off of the couch and onto the floor. Got up and walked over him like he wasn’t even there and into my bedroom. I locked the door behind me and walked over to my bag that was holding all of the presents and made sure that they were all there. After ten minutes of being patient and making sure that Ryan was in bed, I went down stairs and put them under the tree. After that I went back up to my room got in my pajamas and went to bed.

 

             I woke up the next morning with Mrs. Powers knocking on my door asking me if I would like some pancakes for breakfast. “Sure, thank you.” I said loud enough so she could hear me through the door, and then got dressed and ready for presents. When I got down stairs it smelled like maple syrup. It smelled unbelievable. Ryan walked up to me and gave me a kiss and told me “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas to you too. Thank you all for having me.” I said even louder so that Mr. Kinkade and Mrs. Powers could hear me. 

“No problem darling.” Mrs. Powers was so nice. She reminds me of the moms you would see on television.

“You should really be thanking Ryan; it was his idea in the first place.” Mr. Kinkade was great too. He was the nicest man, besides Ryan, that I have ever known.

 

After breakfast we went to the tree to open presents. I picked up a present from under the tree and gave it to Mrs. Powers. “Mrs. Powers, I got this for you.” “Oh thank you Alyson.” She opened her present and I think I even saw a tear. I had gotten her a book where you can put in your own recipes because she loves to cook and bake and all that cool yummy stuff that she does. “I thought that you could put your recipes in there and hand them down to friends’, family, who ever you like.” “Thank you.” She got up and gave me a big bear hug. Next was Mr. Kinkade. “Here you go Mr. Kinkade.” He opened his present so fast I didn’t even have time to sit down. “An Old Testament Bible. Thank you Aly.” “I saw that you only had New Testament so I thought I would get you the old too.” That made everyone chuckle a little. He got up and gave me a nice little hug. “And last but not least, Ryan.” I gave him his present and sat down. He opened his present and slowly took out his nice looking watch. “Aly, you didn’t have to.” “I know, but I wanted too.” The whole room was smiling and I leaned in to give Ryan a kiss. Giving everybody presents and sharing and opening went on for a while until Mrs. Powers started to speak. “Ok, Aly.” Mrs. Powers started to say. “This is from all of us.” She handed me a little box with a card on top. I read the card first, it didn’t really say much because it was suppose to be a surprise. Then I started opening the box. Inside was a beautiful charm bracelet. With charms of what Ryan, Mrs. Powers and Mr. Kinkade thought I was. I knew this because on the back of each charm was their name. Ryan’s charm of what he thought I was was a rose. Most likely for beauty. The charm Mrs. Powers thought of me was a smiley face. And what Mr. Kinkade thought of me was an angel. That one had me stuck thinking about it for a couple of minutes. This was the greatest gift in the whole world. I sat up so that I could give everyone a hug and then started to cry just a little. It made me think of my mom. I wonder what my mom thought of me. It really makes you think. After a few hours I called Emily to see what she got. We talked for what seemed like days.

            

 

            When we got home it was 2011. And the next day we would start school and next Friday we went to nationals. I had no clue when I had to go to court but I figured it would be soon. Ring, ring, went the phone downstairs. “Alyson!” I ran downstairs just wondering what they wanted me for. Emily’s parents always have that affect on me. “Yes?” “You won’t be going to school tomorrow. That’s when court starts, and it should be over by the end of the day. They say that you can go get your stuff at your house then too.” I nodded then headed back up stairs to call Ryan.

 

             The next morning I dressed all nice to see my mom and hopefully see her with a nice new pair of bracelets around her wrists. I know that sounds mean but what my mom did was a crime. And I was not going to let it go unpunished. So long story short of what happened at court is that my mom is to be in jail for five years no bail. No visitation rights and is to have no contact with me what so ever. And to back that up I have a restraining order saying that she can’t be within spitting distance of me. Or in other words 100 yards.

 

            The next day I found out that the nationals was moved up to TODAY!!! YIKES! What on earth was I going to do? Play duh! I was pumped and excited. The Couch had us do a practice an hour after lunch so that we could be ready and be relaxed and stretched. When the game came around we were in a stadium. It was awesome! When the game started there was so much adrenaline. Our blood was pumping and we were waiting for the kill. I didn’t even notice how many people were in the crowds. The stadium was packed. They must have charged ten dollars per person to come see the game and I can only imagine how much money that would be added up together. Math isn’t really my strong point. It was 34 to 32. And I was on forward. Player number 12 tripped Emily causing her to twist her ankle. She passed the ball to player number 3 and they shot a goal making that change the score to 34 to 33. The coach called a time out. “Coach Beverly, you have to put me on defense! We only have one minute left and if I can cause them to kick the ball out so that it’s a field goal I can kick it to the other end of the field! We have to win this game.” “Ok Aly. You can switch with Caitlyn.” We were in our positions and ready to win. Caitlyn kicked the ball to mid field who passed it back up to Rachel one of our forwards. Somehow number 12 tripped her too but she didn’t get hurt. It was all up to me. I ran up to her and hip bumped her causing her to loose control of the ball and make it a field ball. I was at the goalie line waiting for the whistle to blow. Just waiting. The whistle was blown and it was up to me. I dropped the ball and kicked it with all of my frustration caused by my mom. It went all the way up to defense on the other end and I waited. 3…2…1…YES! We WIN!!! The stadium got louder than it could ever be. Teammates were jumping on other team mates backs and I, well I was running to Ryan. “Aly you did it!” “No my team did.” I gave him a big victory kiss. We were given the first place trophy and the coach said, “I think you all know who I think disserves this trophy more than any of us. Aly this belongs to you. Never have I seen a team member go through hell in front of the whole school and still stay strong. I hope to see you next year.” “I do to coach Beverly.” All of a sudden I was lifted onto somones shoulders. “WHO ARE WE?” I yelled to everyone that could hear me.

“NATIVES!”

“WHO ARE WE?”

“NATIVES!”

“GO NATIVES!” If only my mom could see me now.

 

            The rest of the week at school I was constantly congratulated. It was the best thing that could ever happen to me it seems, well...at school anyways. The very first thing I did when I got home from nationals was go into my room at my house. Yeah, it’s still a little weird to say. Emily's home being my home now, that will defiantly take a while to get use to. But the first thing I did was put that trophy in a special place. And not just any place, a place to make me feel proud of myself. I put it on my shelf next to my moms’ picture. Imagining her there watching me. As if she loved me and cared. I'm sure she did, but she didn’t show it very well. I wonder if she wanted to even watch me play. Was soccer the only reason why she didn't beat me as much? Because of the outfits and everything? So many questions that I want to ask but will never get a chance too.

 

            On a Sunday afternoon when I got home from church I found out that my mom had caused suicide and killed herself by a hanging. She left a letter behind…for me. It said:

 

            Dear Alyson Brook Marie,

I know that I haven’t been the best mother, but I want you to know that I love you. And that going to jail for harming my child is not something that I want to be put into jail for. I hope that one day that you can forgive me and understand that I never meant to harm you in that way. I never meant to create an argument over the dumbest things and I never meant to lay a finger on you that day at the game. If you win the Nationals just know that I am watching you and that I hope you never give up on your dreams. If not for me, then for you. I love you and I hope that you and Ryan are happy together. I may not be a great mom, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not your mom.

 

Love forever

 Your mother,

Lisa Lane Marie.

 

               

                At least I got one of my questions answered...about the nationals....she really did want to watch me win.

 

           

            I shed a tear. “I love you too mom and I forgive you.” I was in the privacy of my own room in Emily’s house all alone. Emily had a doctor’s appointment and her parents went along. An officer came to the house who was suppose to be watching my mother, to deliver the letter. I always knew that my mom loved me. However I never saw it. So that day when I won the nationals my mother was watching me. When I am a senior and playing soccer she will be watching me. And I will never forget that. I get to plan her funeral and memorial service. And I think it would be best if I have her buried next to her mom. So that she doesn’t have to feel the loss of her mother anymore like I do now. To bad she never really was one to me...... because I knew she could have been great.

Author's Note

Please keep in mind I wrote this when I was in 8th grade [I'm not in 10th] so the writing is a bit... off.... Comments on how to improve the story are great!