Memories

Chapter 1

March 29, 2004 L.A California, USA

“Wake up Gabby! Time to get ready for school!” Called the sweet voice of Sarah Winters.

“Give me about three more minutes!” Gabby rolled over on her twin sized bed, her blond hair coming out of the braid she had put in her hair the night before. She groaned when her Aunt had come into her room and pulled the covers from her body. “Christ woman don’t you know the meaning of sleep?” Gabby’s bright blue eyes fluttered open.

“Yes, that is why you should go to sleep at a decent hour of the night instead of 1:30 in the morning,” Sarah sighed. “ Your room is a mess!”

“For one I had tons of homework to complete and for two, How is my room a mess? Ok, ok maybe I have a few articles of clothing cluttering my floor, but hey you have absolutely no room to talk!” Gabby reluctantly sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. “What is today?”

“Monday,” Sarah sighed as she left the room.

Gabby got out of her bed and stretched, then slowly walked to her closet door, “What to wear, What to wear?” She grabbed a pair of green cargo hip hugger flair jeans, a tie die form fitting baby doll tee shirt, a pair of navy blue socks with monkeys printed on them and a pair of leather like sandals with two straps going across her foot. She walked to her vanity and sat down as she grabbed a brush to start at the tangles in her hair from the braid. “Curse thad fod forsaken woman,” Gabby muttered under her breath, “Aunt Sarah? Don’t you have to be at the court house, you know fhat hat divorce case you have been working on all month?” She hollered out of her room.

“That’s why I am getting you up now! Your Uncle is taking you to his house after he is done at the hospital today because I am going to San Francisco this afternoon for another case, I won’t be back for a couple weeks so be good” Her aunt had responded.

“Whatever, are you driving me to school today? You know my car is broke down.” Gabby said walking out of her room to meet Sarah face to face.

“Why do you always wear stuff like that?” Sarah sighed deeply. “You look like a damn hippie.”

“Really? Oh no I better go cleanse myself of all fashion mistakes,” Gabby said sarcastically, then put a serious look on her face, “Truthfully, I don’t care what I look like, just as long as I am comfortable.” She rushed downstairs and grabbed her book bag, “Come on I don’t want to be late for school, I am to meet, Jade and Audra at the front door and they don’t like to wait for hours and hours on end if you catch my drift.”

“Then take the school bus.” Sarah breathed out shooing Gabby out the door, “Behave in school, don’t get into anymore fights,”

Gabby put her hands on her slender hips and cocked her head to the side, “Now why would you think I would get into a fight? Look how scrawny I am,”

“I mean your mouth battles with your teachers.” Sarah rolled her eyes.

“Oh no wouldn’t want that on my record, n sen see it now, Orphaned girl housed by her goody good Lawyer aunt debates with her debate teacher, Please, that is why Mr. Smankis became a debate teacher, to debate!” Gabby walked out side her hips swayed gracefully with every step she took.

Sarah slightly shook her head as she watched Gabby get to the bus stop just as the bus arrived. “What am I to do with that Child?”

***

Gabby sat on the bus seat in the front of the bus half flirting with the bus driver. “ Why did you become a bus driver? Like kids? Or do you just like driving around to get paid?”

The bus driver smiled, “You know I love our morning chats but you are to young for me,” His green eyes had a glint of humor in them.

“What brang that up Jason?” Gabby smiled deviously. “It was just an innocent question, Come on you never ask about me.”

Jason looked to be about 24 years old, his hair was brown with blond highlights, and he was muscular. Jason chuckled under his breath. “Ok, What about you? What are you into?”

Gabby grinned wryly, “ That’s better, I like collecting secret pictures of you naked…”

Jason cocked an eyebrow through the bus mirror, “See I knew you couldn’t be serious,”

“Nope, I can’t sorry I tried, but seriously, I like Music, I like listening to it, singing it, making it, the whole works,” Gabby smiled.

“You’re a piece of work you know that?” Jason smiled at her.

“But aren’t I the best piece of work you’ve ever seen?” Gabby winked as he left all the high school kids off the bus including her. “bye Jason” Then she saw Jade standing by the school doors. “Where’s Audra?”

“She is sick,” Jade rolled her eyes, Jade was a Japanese American her parents moved to America before she was born, her eyes slanted gracefully and were the color of watery mud, her hair was in a L-shaped hair cut the longest pieces reaching her belly button and her shortest part just above the ears. “But whatever let’s go alright?”
Gabby nodded. They both started their way off school property and across the street to smoke a cigarette before school would start. Every dabby bby would look around and notice about half the schools population had done the same thing every day, well discluding the jocks and the goody goods. “Any news since yesterday? Good I hope,”

Jade shook her head, “No I couldn’t get any leavage off it, I guess you’re going to your homeland on your own.”

“England is boring though, and Uncle Robert is making me go so we can clean the rest of my old home,” Gabby said her English accent strong as ever.

“I don’t know maybe if I black male my pig father he’ll let me. But no promises.” Jade said taking the final drag from her cigarette then flicking it to the ground. WellWell I sure as bloody hell don’t want Audra to come, she’ll bitch and moan about ‘why should I help? I never even set foot in the area’” Gabby spat out. She threw her cigarette to the ground and crushed it with her foot, “Let’s go then.”

Both Gabby and Jade started their way back up to the school. Silence was all that was heard no cars were going by and neither were speaking. When they got back on school grounds students were seen walking into the school as the school bell rang signifying the beginning of a new school day.

***

Gabby sat in her home room not paying attention to the morning announcements she only thought about that night almost a whole 8 years ago. And now she is made to go back and face her worst memories all over again. Why is Uncle Robert waiting until now to go back to London? That question plagued her mind for the remainder of the home room period. She glanced around the hall ways of school and put a disgusted expression on her face. All illusions all of them all pretending that their lives are fine. But I know how they all feel I know them, their parents are usually addicted to drugs, or lazy bastards that can’t make anything of themselves. But what am I thinking, I am just keeping my mind off my problems I shouldn’t think this foolishness of my peers. She sighed when she walked into the guidance office.

“Ahh miss Gabby Feathers,” The secretary smiled her usually sweet smile that freaked Gabby out.

“Good day, Mrs. Kindas, How is your family?” Like I care… Gabby put her “fake” smile on.

“Thank you for asking, their all well,” She paused, “Miss Jantula is waiting in her office you you,”

Gabby nodded and walked across the room to Miss Jantula’s office then knocked. “Come on in Gabby,” Called the crackly voice that irritated Gabby so much that Gabby wanted to slap her.

Gabby opened the door to the office and rolled her eyes at the cigarette smoke she smelt in the office. “You know one day you’ll get caught and I will laugh at you.” Gabby sat down in a slouch position.

“That’s sweet but business is business, and this is my business, but to get on the subject as to why I invited you here is completely opposite as what you are going at.” Miss Jantula put her cigarette out then looked directly at Gabby. “So I hear you are going to London, where you used to live, How do you feel about this?”

Gabby put a mocking look on her face, “Business is business, and my trip to London is MY business.” Gabby rolled her eyes and stood up, “Am I done now?”

“No you are not,”

“Well I say I am good bye,” Gabby left the office and waved bye to the secretary. She walked out into the hall and ran into Jade.

“Shimmita, Baka atama!” Jade shouted until she saw is was Gabby, “Gomen nasai,”

Gabby held a blank expression on her face, “huh?”

“Never mind, what were you doing in there?” Jade started to walk with Gabby.

“Oh they got into my personal life as always but oh well…” Gabby started walking towards the school’s front doors. “Wanna ditch with me?”

Jade sighed, “You’re going to get caught one of these days,” Jade walked out of the school doors with Gabby.

“Nah they don’t care just as long as you are here till lunch so they don’t lose their preciooneyoney.” Gabby said pulling out a cigarette, then another one for Jade. “Need a light?”

Jade nodded as she put the cigarette in her mouth. Gabby lit both of their cigarettes then Jade took a drag, “So where we going today?”

“Where we always go…” Gabby grinned then both the girls started to walk faster as they smoked their cigarettes.

About five minutes later they reached their destination. “Hey girls we thought you forgot about us,” A handsome man smiled as Gabby and Jade walked through the doors of Nights heart saloon.

“Oh Jeff you know we would never forget you,” Gabby grinned and sat at the bar next to another man who always dressed in black, his hair was black and he even bought black contacts. “Hey Kris, miss us?” Gabby smiled at the dark man.

“As I always do.” Kris looked over at Jade, “What afraid to sit down?”

Jade put a glare on her face. “I am not afraid of any thing baka!”

Jeff laughed a little even his laugh was handsome, he was just 21 and stood a full 6 foot his hair was dark blond and his eyes were an ash gray. “Can’t you at least insult him once in English?”

“Fine, Kris…” She walked up beside him then sat down, “I think you are the most pathetic ass wipe, fuck head on this side of the world.”

“That’s better,” Jeff smiled and sat next to Gabby.

“Jade that was an interesting mixed use of insulting words.” Gabby giggled.

“So what are your beverages going to be today girls?” Jeff asked as he stood up and walked behind the bar.

“Fuzzy navel,” Gabby said.

“99 banana mixed with 7 up,” Jade said moving from her seat by Kris and sitting next to Gabby.

“Coming right up.” Jeff handed Gabby her fuzzy navel and started mixing Jade’s drink.

Gabby took a drink of her drink and smiled, “it is amazing you know how old we are and yet you serve us.” Gabby again smiled at Jeff.

“Well don’t stress it, you know you two are my favorite foreign girls in this country,” Jeff handed Jade her drink and leaned on the bar close to Gabby, “And besides you are irresistible.”

“Yea and I am 16, you’re 21, doesn’t that scare you to even think of making a move on me?” Gabby used her accent to her advantage, making her more irresistible to Jeff.

“Nope,” Jeff kissed her forehead “fortunately I have a girlfriend, so you don’t have to get your thong in a bunch.” Jeff laughed.

Kris chuckled as well and nudged Gabby, “I’m single though,” He grinned.

“I can see why,” Jade hissed.

“That wasn’t nice,” Kris said wrapping his arm around Gabby, “You know I like you as well,”

“Get your limbs away from her before they become missing, and I mean it!” Jade pushed Kris away from Gabby.

Gabby finished her drink then laughed, “Jade you almost done with that, I gotta get to my house,”

“Yea I’m done,” Jade said in a hurry.

Both the girls said their farewells then left the bar. They walked in silence for about ten minutes before Gabby reached her door, “Wanna come in for ttlettle?” Gabby asked Jade.

“Iie,” Jade said then realized she spoke Japanese again so she cleared her throat then said, “No,”

“That’s fine, well, I’ll see you later, bye Jade,” Gabby smiled and shut the door. She walked up the stairs to her room and flopped on her bed. She looked at her arm where she had written Jason’s number on thanks to her friend Shane. Thank you so much! She reached for her phone beside her bed then dialed the number. She let it ring three times then a male voice answered.

“Hello?”

“Jason?” Gabby asked not able to hide her accent from him.

“Gabby? How did you get this number?” Jason sounded pleased.

“Your little brother.” Gabby grinned evilly knowing Jason couldn’t see her smile.

“Which one?”

“Shane,” Gabby laid on her back on her bed her legs crossed and her finger curling her hair as she smiled wider.

“Hey, I need to run but I can come pick you up I am heading to the mall to grab a bite to eat, so are you hungry?”

“Yea sure I’ll wait outside my door,” Gabby said then they said their goodbyes and hung up the phone. Gabby sat straight up and shouted “YES!!” She hopped off her bed then quickly changed into black faired bottom pants that the bottoms some what dragged on the floor from being to long, and a black tight tank top that showed just a little bit of her lower tummy. She brushed her hair and slipped on a pair of black flip flops. She put a little bit of dark gray eye shadow on and lip gloss. She lit up a cigarette as she stepped out side. She sat on her front porch until she saw Jason’s red 87 convertible Corvette pull in her driveway.

Gabby threw her cigarette to her side as she got up and walked to his car. “Hey Jason, miss me?”

Jason smiled, “Nope,” He turned to face her and instantly she knew she was kidding.

Gabby got in the passenger side and shut the door. “You look nice,” Gabby grinned at him as he backed out of her driveway.

“So do you,” Jason then noticed how tight Gabby’s shirt was on her. Nice!

“Jason I was wondering… How old are you?” Gabby changed the subject.

“20 years young,” Jason glanced over at Gabby and smiled.

“Wow younger than I thought,” Gabby said lightly.

“Whoa, how old did you think I was?” Jason started to laugh.

“24, but not so much now, get you off that bus and you look really, really…uh nice?” Gabby blushed, “You shouldn’t be a bus driver, leave that job for all the old people who have nothing better to do,”

“Can’t I need to pay the rent but soon here I’ll be going to college to become a journalist.” Jason looked ahead at the road as Gabby gazed at his handsome features.

“You write?” Gabby smiled.

“All the time, a lot of stuff about you,” Jason answered as he parked in the mall parking lot “C”

“What stuff about me?” Gabby grew really interested in the subject.

“About how you have amazing features and your accent,” Jason smiled then got out of the car.

Gabby got out as well, catching up to Jason who was walking a little bit ahead of her. “So where you taking me to eat?”

“Yang’s Chinese Cuisines” Jason smiled. “Gotta love them egg rolls”

Gabby smiled as she finally got to walk next to him. From any direction someone looked the two seemed like a couple and Gabby knew it. She liked the feeling, she liked Jason point blank. In all her life she had many crushes but one day she got on the bus to go to school and saw Jason, from then on she couldn’t stop thinking about him.

Jason smiled at Gabby’s response as they entered the mall. They got stares from every one like a light around them glowed brighter than any star. “What’s going on Gabby?” Jason whispered in her ear.

“I have no clue,” Gabby whispered back. She then looked at an old woman staring at them and glared. “Stop staring!” She turned to Jason, “I thought old people are big on politeness?”

Jason shrugged, “That’s what I thought…”

They both laughed then walked into the restaurant. They took a seat and waited for a waiter or waitress. One finally came up to them. “Welcome how may I help you?” The Chinese woman asked in mutilated English.

“I would like to order the sea food special with a chicken egg roll, and Mountain Dew thank you,” Jason said then looked at Gabby waiting for her to order.

“Chicken and broccoli over steamed rice, egg drop soup and Dr. Pepper please,” Gabby smiled sweetly.

“Will be right up,” The waitress bowed and walked away.

For a moment or two there was an awkward moment between Jason and Gabby. Then Gabby spoke up, “So where are you going to College?”

“Well that I haven’t decided yet, I might go to Pennsylvania to Penn State University or stay here in LA and go to California State.” Jason said. Then saw Gabby’s frown and smiled and tilted her chin up with his index finger and thumb to look at her, “Don’t worry, You’ll still see me, I won’t forget about you,”

Gabby put a fake smile on. Yes you will forget me, you’ll meet a gorgeous girl your own age and get together with her. “Ok, is that a promise?”

Jason leaned in close to Gabby so their faces were an inch apart and he whispered, “I promise,” He started getting closer to her then…

“Food is here,” The Chinese woman came to the table and sat their food down.

“Thank you,” Jason said politely and smiled at Gabby who had bright red cheeks.