Defying Love | Teen Ink

Defying Love MAG

May 24, 2009
By awesomeaugust GOLD, Boston, Massachusetts
awesomeaugust GOLD, Boston, Massachusetts
10 articles 0 photos 176 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground"
~Theordore Roosevelt


I didn't want to like him. He was just so charming.

This might sound like every other love story, and it may be, but it may not. If you don't read on, you'll never know.

My name is Emily Brown, which I've always been quite happy with. I think it makes me sound pleasant but ordinary, and I prefer to blend in. Now, I suppose it's only polite to tell you a bit about myself before I jump into my story. I am five feet, two inches, have brown hair that comes to my shoulders, and I am not talented in any special way. These are the basic facts of me, and I think these are all I ought to tell you.

His name was Andrew Rivers and he was perfectly wonderful in every way. When he first came to my school in twelfth grade, he was a bit eccentric and didn't fit in right away. He was into music and played the drums and the guitar, although he wasn't good at either. What he was good at was singing, and when he did, you wanted to cry and laugh and sing along with him all at once.

My name is Emily Brown and his was Andrew Rivers and I loved him.

About two months into my last year of high school, Andrew asked me out. I was surprised since I had hardly ever talked to him, but I didn't have a boyfriend, and I didn't know how to say no.

It may help you to know that at my school there were couples that were simply together for the name, and some that were together only to have a date for dances and for kissing and other such things. When Andrew asked me out I had no idea what his intentions were, and I didn't like having no idea. I'm by no means a confrontational person, but I was starting to feel offended that after I had said that I would date him, he hadn't said another word to me. So I went up to him and we had a little talk.

Me: “Hey, Andrew.”

Andrew: “Hey.”

Me: “So …”

Andrew: (annoyingly, nothing)

Me: “You asked me out.”

Andrew: (nothing again)

Me: “Why?”

Andrew: “Why'd I ask you out?”

Me: “Right.”

Andrew: “I felt like it.”

Me: (irritated) “You felt like it?”

Andrew: “That's what I said, isn't it?”

Me: (infuriated) “I'm sorry. Actually I'm not. I didn't realize you were such a jerk, and I don't want to go out with you anymore.” (I'd never dumped someone before, okay?)

Andrew: “Are you dumping me?”

Me: “What do you think?”

Andrew: “Why?”

Me: “I feel like it.”

Andrew: (smiling) “Do you like Chinese food?”

Me: “I hate it.”

Andrew: “You've never had it.”

Me: “How do you know?”

Andrew: (laughing) “I'm good at reading people.”

Me: “Well, obviously you suck, because I've had Chinese food a million times and I hated it every time.”

Andrew: “Would you like to go out with me tonight?”

Me: “You're asking me on a date?”

Andrew: “Yes.”

Me: “Read my answer.”

Andrew: “Wonderful! I'll see you tonight. Be ready by six. Ish. Sixish.”

I hated this strange boy who I'd only really talked to twice. He made me infuriated. The only problem was, I couldn't figure out if I liked that or not.

That night at sixish sharp, Andrew showed up at my doorstep. My parents have never been into meeting my boyfriends, but as I was stepping out, he stepped in. He walked right into the living room where my parents sat watching the baseball game.

When he came back out I asked, “What'd you say?”

“I told them I'd have you back by eight.”

“Ish?”

He laughed. “Nope. Just eight.”

We didn't talk much on the car ride. He had a CD playing that sounded kind of like Bob Marley, but I'd never heard the song before. It wasn't until we got there that I realized I didn't know where we were going. A small sign stood in front of the building but the name was too peeled away for me to be able to read it. What I could read was the sign beneath where the name should be, and it said, “The best Chinese cuisine for miles.”

“Chinese, huh?”

He smirked.

We walked inside and it was only then that I realized exactly how small the building was. There were little tables in the center of the room, about five of them, and a couch against one wall for sitting while you waited. As if. There was no waiting; we were the only customers. A sign read “PLEASE SEAT YOURSELF,” but I guess because of the lack of business, a waiter came over to seat us. He tried to show us to a table, but Andrew said, “Oh, no, thank you. We'll be sitting down here.”

He strolled over to the couch and at first I thought he wanted us to sit there, but then he grabbed two pillows and placed them on the ground a little way away from the tables.

I looked at him, baffled.

“Authenticity,” he said, smiling. He was always smiling.

I, personally, couldn't see how sitting on the floor was authentic.

***

There were many other dates, all very unusual. I was used to dances and movies, but with Andrew I got sunsets and local concerts. Once he took me to a bingo night that his aunt was hosting. Oddly enough, that was the night we first kissed.

I remember so clearly the day of graduation, the day I realized that Andrew and I wouldn't always be together. After we threw our hats and got our diplomas, he found me.

“End of high school, huh?” he said.

“Yeah.”

“What do you want to do, Emily?”

“With my life?”

“Sure.”

“Be with you.”

He didn't smile like I wanted him to.

“Don't you want to go to college?”

I sighed. “Want to, or have to?”

Now he smiled. “You choose.”

“I should. Go to college, I mean. I found one that'll accept me.”

There was a long pause before I said, “Andrew, what about you?”

“What about me?”

“What are you gonna do?”

“I dunno. Do what I do best, I guess. Play my music.”

“Oh. Yeah. That's cool. See you later?”

“When would I see you?”

“I see what you mean.”

“Bye, Emily.”

“Bye.”

Thinking back, I wish I had said something better than bye. I wish I had told him that I loved him more than words could describe and that when he sang to me I felt like I was all that mattered in the world. I wanted to tell him that if he had just asked, I wouldn't have gone to college. I would have played his music with him.

I'm sitting at my computer right now, looking at a name on the screen on a website called “peoplefinder.” I want to call him and hear his voice, but I'm afraid. I'm afraid that he won't be my same Andrew.

I get a glass of cold water and sit on my couch. I picture myself having one last conversation with him.

Me: “Hey, Andrew.” (I say it so casually, just like old times.)

Andrew: “Hey, Emily.”

Me: “Why are you wearing a tie?”

Andrew: “Why shouldn't I be?”

Me: “I don't know.”

Andrew: “I have a job.”

Me: “Good.”

Andrew: “I'm a lawyer, Emily.”

Me: “That's great.”

Andrew: “You don't sound like that's great.”

Me: “Don't I?”

Andrew: “I live in an apartment in the city. I talk on the phone with other businesspeople.”

Me: “I'm proud of you.”

Andrew: “I have a diploma hanging up on the wall of my office. My office.”

Me: “Do you play music anymore, Andrew?”

Andrew: “Music.”

He looks at me as if he doesn't remember the word.

Andrew: “No, I don't play my music anymore.”

Me: “Oh.”

Me: “I loved you, Andrew.”

Andrew: “Loved? Past tense?”

Me: “I think so.”

Andrew: “I love you.”

Me: “Why'd you ask me out?”

Andrew: “I thought you were beautiful and smart, and I loved how shiny your dark brown hair was. I liked how you weren't too loud, and you didn't wear low-cut shirts like most other girls.”

Me: “I wish you'd said, ‘Because I felt like it.'”

Andrew: “Sorry.”

Me: “Me too.”

Andrew: “I have to be going.”

Me: “Yeah.”

Me: “Wait!”

Andrew: “Yes?”

Me: “I'd never had Chinese food before.”



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This article has 542 comments.


on Dec. 12 2011 at 9:09 am
MoonHeart SILVER, PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania
5 articles 0 photos 7 comments
Wow! I absoloutely lovethis! The ending is so sad, but is insanely good all at the same time! I wonder if you really could just walk away from the person you loved like that though. I mean wouldn't it be hard to do? WOuldn't you hang out with them that summer after highschool or something like that? Oh man I overhtink everything.

fireswatter said...
on Dec. 7 2011 at 4:01 pm
fireswatter, Denver, Colorado
0 articles 0 photos 16 comments

Favorite Quote:
“I cannot sleep unless I am surrounded by books.”
― Jorge Luis Borges

I cant say anything that will mean more than i absolutely loved it and wish there was more to it!

ILYx3 said...
on Dec. 5 2011 at 6:16 pm
ILYx3, Sydney, Other
0 articles 0 photos 13 comments
The ending was cute. He actually know what she was thinking, inside out. And she was lying cause she didn't want him to think he knows everything she is thinking. Really cute. Im drooling for the continuation of this story <3

sarawho382 said...
on Nov. 28 2011 at 11:26 pm
sarawho382, Del Mar, California
0 articles 0 photos 5 comments

it didn't flow for me, but I love the story

very cute

keep up your good work :)


on Nov. 28 2011 at 11:10 pm
Jellybeann BRONZE, La Jolla, California
1 article 0 photos 16 comments

Favorite Quote:
Never regret something that made you smile :)
Yesterday was histroy, tommorow is a mystery and today is a gift, that's why its called present.
I love you <3
Your face makes you pretty, your body makes you sexy, but your personality makes you beautiful

Oh My gosh, i love this. You are amazing at writing, how old r u? I want to strive to be this good when i am ur age. Keep up the good work, this is the first short story i have ever read. LOVE IT

on Nov. 28 2011 at 10:21 pm
midnitewanderer GOLD, West Des Moines, Iowa
11 articles 0 photos 50 comments

Favorite Quote:
Don't let what you can't do stop you from doing what you can do.
John Wooden
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
Eleanor Roosevelt

I am in love! It had the potentially to be cliche, BUT that cute little twist at the beginning was adorable! And then it turned out it wasn't like any other love story;) I haven't written a fiction article piece yet but any pointers?

Also how did you come up with this idea and how long did it take you to write and edit it?

Thanks and Write On!


on Nov. 28 2011 at 9:32 pm
meadowood BRONZE, Sterling, Virginia
4 articles 3 photos 9 comments

Favorite Quote:
"For by grace you have been saved through faith." -Ephesians 2:8a

Wow, I love it! The dialogue was perfect and I hated and loved the ending. Wonderful. :)

on Nov. 28 2011 at 8:11 pm
alwayssunshine PLATINUM, Charlotte, North Carolina
24 articles 5 photos 147 comments
This was great! I wish I knew what he looked like though...

on Nov. 28 2011 at 6:57 pm
countrygirl28 GOLD, Colleyville, Texas
15 articles 137 photos 74 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Expose yourself to your deepest fear. After that, fear has no power, and the fear of freedom shrinks and vanishes. You are free." -Jim Morrison
"Don't think or judge. Just listen." -Sarah Dessen

I loved how Andrew was mysterious, yet intruging. The story was very forward and cute. I love how this wasn't just a 'typical' high school couple. Great work!!

byebye said...
on Nov. 28 2011 at 5:04 pm
byebye, Nevermore, Other
0 articles 0 photos 250 comments

I loved this because of the fact that it was truly a very good story. Although, you could have developed your characters more....I had no idea what Andrew even looked like. Even though it could be added onto, I just loved this piece. You're a great writer, don't forget it! :)

By the way - I really need feedback on my stuff. I'm new here and have only gotten one comment so far. I'd love it if you'd check out my work! :)

 


on Nov. 28 2011 at 3:39 pm
Writer_Jordan GOLD, Ellicott City, Maryland
15 articles 0 photos 182 comments

Favorite Quote:
All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.

this was very cute and showed the progress of a relationship in a very short story (:

on Nov. 28 2011 at 2:43 pm
I really enjoyed this! I liked how the story blended in smoothly with the characters, but I would have liked to read a little bit more of a descritption with the characters. Otherwise, you are truely talented!

srw1496 SILVER said...
on Nov. 28 2011 at 1:26 pm
srw1496 SILVER, Chillicothe, Ohio
5 articles 2 photos 3 comments

Favorite Quote:
Everyone is perfect, it just depends who's eyes your looking at them through.

That was amazing, it brought a tear to my eye. I loved it (: Your a fantastic writer.

on Nov. 28 2011 at 12:29 pm
jordiebell555 BRONZE, Mauston, Wisconsin
1 article 0 photos 7 comments

Favorite Quote:
dont do anything you will have to take back or apoligize for in the future

to the world you are one, but to one u r the world

i loved it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

on Nov. 28 2011 at 12:29 pm
jordiebell555 BRONZE, Mauston, Wisconsin
1 article 0 photos 7 comments

Favorite Quote:
dont do anything you will have to take back or apoligize for in the future

to the world you are one, but to one u r the world

i loved it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BadGirl GOLD said...
on Nov. 28 2011 at 12:02 pm
BadGirl GOLD, Dacula, Georgia
13 articles 10 photos 56 comments

Favorite Quote:
I'd rather be HATED for who I am
then be LOVED for who I'm not.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
All I need is for someone to say "I believe in you."

There should have been more of a description of the charaters, but I liked it. Better than the other articles I've read on here, so far. :)

on Nov. 27 2011 at 11:37 am
PhilosophicalLinx BRONZE, Upper Marlboro, Maryland
3 articles 0 photos 11 comments

Favorite Quote:
" I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing."
-socrates

I LIKE HOW THE STORY tied itself together with the things you introduce in your prolougue it looks like.. and you sound like a professional with your developing writers voice 8.5 out of 10

on Nov. 26 2011 at 11:50 pm
RaveFire PLATINUM, Vancouver, Washington
32 articles 1 photo 217 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Sometimes You Have To Give Up Your Life To Save It." ~some book that i don't remember the name of

"Live Life Like There's No Yesterday" ~ random billboard

"If No One Can Hurt You, Then Nobody Loves You" ` ~ Kerli?

its depressing!!! like my stuff is depressing too but this is real and depressing

on Nov. 24 2011 at 5:53 pm
animaleana BRONZE, Gresham, Oregon
3 articles 0 photos 11 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Life's too short so run naked."

I couldn't really picture the characters. I wish you'd put more showing details in then just telling us but it's a great story.

on Nov. 21 2011 at 12:14 am
MarissaWhitecloud SILVER, Oskaloosa, Iowa
7 articles 0 photos 84 comments
Loved this story!!!!