The Life and Lies of The How-To Manual
How to Forgive Jaime Preciado
Two Weeks Later….
“Jack, stop being an asschip.”
“Am not!”
“Are too!”
“Girls, girls, you’re both pretty!” Zack grumbled as we walked across the parking lot. I smirked at one of my best friends. He shoved his familiar crooked grin in my face. I rolled my eyes as we neared the bus.
The past three weeks had been…different. Ever since fighting with Jaime, I hadn’t seen him much. Actually, I don’t go out of my house much either. Autumn comes sometimes. Mike dropped by once. He brought three flasks with him. I downed one in a half hour as I cried out my couch. Mike just sat there, awkwardly patting my shoulder.
But none of them said what Jaime was hiding. They were all in on the secret. What was it? I’m not afraid to know. I’m not afraid of anything anymore. Being blind taught me that. When you’re blind and afraid, you go nowhere. I’m blind, but I want to go somewhere. I’m not afraid to learn what their hiding.
Despite still being furious at Jaime Preciado, I went on the tour anyways. For Jack.
Not for anyone else.
For Jack.
I mean, who else is going to keep him in line?
“Here, I got your bags.” Rian offered. I thanked him for helping me as the weight was removed from my stretched arm. I felt the beating rays of the sun pound on my back. The basic black top was light on my back, but still soaked up the rays. Autumn took my shoulder. I felt her familiar grip as she gently guided me to the stairs. I felt the familiar creak of them as I slowly maneuvered to the top. The ATL boys all yelled their goodbyes as they climbed into their own bus. They would be following us closely until we got to the rest stop in four hours.
The wave of air conditioning blasted my face. I bit my lip nervously and let my arms dangle at my sides. Walking slowly, I tried to kick out in front of me and see where I was going.
“There’s a seat here.” Vic quietly tapped on my shoulder. I smiled in his general direction and slowly lowered myself onto the couch. Tony was whining at Autumn again as I crossed my legs and leaned back against the couch.
I kind of felt awkward here. I might not be able to see Jaime, but I knew that he was close by. The tension in the air was as thick as the old stupid Olivia’s ego. Thank God she was gone.
But despite not wanting to be around Jaime right now and his cheating-ness (for lack of any other stupid word), I had a job to do. I was still Official Unofficial Assistant to the Bassist.
“No! Let me love you!” Tony whined. Autumn huffed and sat down next to me. I bounced a little on the couch.
“Turtle, stop being a butt!” She argued. I heard a flop and an oof as Tony jumped into Autumn’s lap and Autumn grunted. I giggled a little. Turtle and Autumn were pretty cute together.
That’s how Jaime and I used to be.
Were we still even dating? Three weeks and no words between us…what a relationship. I had every reason to believe he was cheating on me!
But why couldn’t I talk to him about it?
He was keeping secrets, they all were, but I was blind. Literally. I can’t see his cheating girlfriend so I felt weak. He was cheating, right? Why else why he be all secretive and nervous all the time.
I took out my pocket how-to manual and thumbed through the pages. I can’t see the words anymore. I can barely write in it. The things that I did write were probably not even legible. Oh well. I still kept it around. I would feel empty without it.
“Please!”
“No!” I was snapped out of my thoughts by the whining couple next to me. With another sigh, I settled in for the long four hours.
Four hours later…
“LET ME IN!” Jack screeched whilst banging on the door. I sighed, again. I seemed to be sighing a lot lately. It was just a day for that, I guess.
Everyone in the bus got up to see what it was.
“I WILL EAT YOU ALIVE!”
Woah, was that Zack? Was that our quiet little Zack Merrick?
“HELLLLP!” Jack screamed again. I sighed and fumbled for the door. Mike caught me.
“I got it.” Vic grumbled. Our bus halted at the rest stop. Thank goodness for a break! However, the ATL guys had caught up. Vic opened the door and I was nearly knocked over as Jack grabbed my shoulders and hid behind me. His chin was resting on my shoulder. I jumped, nearly screeching.
“YOU STOLE MY SHAMPOO!” Zack raged. Someone grabbed his shoulder. Jack did smell quiet…good.
“It was delicious!” The skunk haired man shrieked.
“IT WAS MY TROPICAL PARADISE SHAMPOO!” Zack yelled.
“Calm down, Z! We’ll get you more!” Rian chuckled. Everyone was in hysterics. I turned around and smelled Jack’s shoulder. It was peach and pineapple scented. With a sigh, I shoved Jack to the enraged man.
“You deserve to get mauled for stealing a man’s shampoo!” I chuckled and fumbled my way towards the couch. I nearly tripped when a man caught my tumbling body. He hugged me close to his chest.
“Careful now, Ding.” He mumbled to me.
“Sorry.” I grumbled through the tension. Of course, I had to run into Himes. Fate hated me, didn’t it?
We all hung out on the bus. It was casual and fun. Jack kept whining that Alex was being clingy. Alex whined that Jack wasn’t cuddling him. I just whined that they were annoying the hell out of me. Shoving them out of my area with a grin, I chuckled lightly and got up, going towards the bunks for a moment of peace and quiet.
“Sorry.” I muttered as I bumped shoulders with someone.
“Willow, can we talk?” He whispered to me. I put on my bitch-no-don’t-even face and walked passed him.
“Not now.” I grumbled. I wanted peace and this is what I got!
“Please, I didn’t cheat! I swear! I love you and only you!” He begged, barely a whisper so no one but me would hear him. I kept on walking, but my face fell. I couldn’t let him see me weak.
“Then what’s your secret?” I asked back. He took a step towards me. I heard the heavy thump.
“I’ll tell you later, okay?” He finally gave up, defeated. I nodded, my heart dropping. He sounded so sad.
Okay, call me a weenie, but I still love this man. I hate to see him sad. No wonder I couldn’t talk to him about the secret-I loved him too much and didn’t want to believe he was cheating on me.
With my head spinning, I fumbled for my bunk and crawled in. As soon as my head hit the pillow, I passed out.
When I woke up, I was still in blackness. After waking, it’s always hard to tell if you’re dreaming or not. I pinched my wrist to make sure I was awake. Yep, I was.
As I yawned, I heard the loud snores of everyone on the bus. Alex and Jack were quietly talking outside in the front lounge. The bus wheels hummed softly on the pavement of the highway. I wonder who was driving.
Using my hand as a guide, I went towards the lounge. Once I got there, I sat down on a couch. It was empty. Jack and Alex were probably on the other couch. It should be serenity.
I didn’t get much peace for long (and the person who broke it wasn’t Jack asking Alex for cuddles). A weight bounced to my right. I sighed.
“Jaime?” I asked.
“Yeah.” I muttered. I tried to envision him. He would have his dark hair ruffled in a messy bunch. Himes would be wearing his usual dark blue and grey plaid stripped pj’s that were a little too long for him and bunched around his ankles when he walked. I almost cried at the usual picture of my beloved.
Where had our friendship gone?
There was uncomfortable silence until I heard Jaime sharply inhale. I blinked and hugged my knees to my chest.
“Willow, I’m really sorry. I don’t want to fight.” He whispered to me. I nodded, not speaking, just absorbing.
“Yeah.” I finally responded.
“Please, forgive me. I’m so sorry.” He whispered, near tears. I could feel my heart shatter at his words. I didn’t speak, couldn’t speak or I would be a puddle of tears.
Instead, I stood up. The pocket handbook felt light on my side. There was a little choking sob. He thought I was walking away from him.
Balancing lightly on my feet, I walked over to where he was. A radiant heat from his body warmed my skin. Leaning forward, I cupped his face in my hands. A single tear dripped from his eye to land on my right hand. I sighed.
Kissing his forehead, I could feel him catch his breath in surprise. With a small smile, I backed up, ruffling his hair as I went. Turning around, I walked to my bunk.
That was my usual sign of forgiveness. He knew that I wasn’t mad at him anymore.
How to forgive Jaime Preciado:
1.You can’t stay mad at him.
2.Don’t even try.
3.So go up to him.
4.Gently grab his face.
5.Kiss his forehead.
6.Ruffle his already messy hair.
7.Walk away.
8.It drives him crazy.
9.He’s forgiven.
10. Make him make you pancakes.
11. All will be well.
12. I promise.
“Jack, stop being an asschip.”
“Am not!”
“Are too!”
“Girls, girls, you’re both pretty!” Zack grumbled as we walked across the parking lot. I smirked at one of my best friends. He shoved his familiar crooked grin in my face. I rolled my eyes as we neared the bus.
The past three weeks had been…different. Ever since fighting with Jaime, I hadn’t seen him much. Actually, I don’t go out of my house much either. Autumn comes sometimes. Mike dropped by once. He brought three flasks with him. I downed one in a half hour as I cried out my couch. Mike just sat there, awkwardly patting my shoulder.
But none of them said what Jaime was hiding. They were all in on the secret. What was it? I’m not afraid to know. I’m not afraid of anything anymore. Being blind taught me that. When you’re blind and afraid, you go nowhere. I’m blind, but I want to go somewhere. I’m not afraid to learn what their hiding.
Despite still being furious at Jaime Preciado, I went on the tour anyways. For Jack.
Not for anyone else.
For Jack.
I mean, who else is going to keep him in line?
“Here, I got your bags.” Rian offered. I thanked him for helping me as the weight was removed from my stretched arm. I felt the beating rays of the sun pound on my back. The basic black top was light on my back, but still soaked up the rays. Autumn took my shoulder. I felt her familiar grip as she gently guided me to the stairs. I felt the familiar creak of them as I slowly maneuvered to the top. The ATL boys all yelled their goodbyes as they climbed into their own bus. They would be following us closely until we got to the rest stop in four hours.
The wave of air conditioning blasted my face. I bit my lip nervously and let my arms dangle at my sides. Walking slowly, I tried to kick out in front of me and see where I was going.
“There’s a seat here.” Vic quietly tapped on my shoulder. I smiled in his general direction and slowly lowered myself onto the couch. Tony was whining at Autumn again as I crossed my legs and leaned back against the couch.
I kind of felt awkward here. I might not be able to see Jaime, but I knew that he was close by. The tension in the air was as thick as the old stupid Olivia’s ego. Thank God she was gone.
But despite not wanting to be around Jaime right now and his cheating-ness (for lack of any other stupid word), I had a job to do. I was still Official Unofficial Assistant to the Bassist.
“No! Let me love you!” Tony whined. Autumn huffed and sat down next to me. I bounced a little on the couch.
“Turtle, stop being a butt!” She argued. I heard a flop and an oof as Tony jumped into Autumn’s lap and Autumn grunted. I giggled a little. Turtle and Autumn were pretty cute together.
That’s how Jaime and I used to be.
Were we still even dating? Three weeks and no words between us…what a relationship. I had every reason to believe he was cheating on me!
But why couldn’t I talk to him about it?
He was keeping secrets, they all were, but I was blind. Literally. I can’t see his cheating girlfriend so I felt weak. He was cheating, right? Why else why he be all secretive and nervous all the time.
I took out my pocket how-to manual and thumbed through the pages. I can’t see the words anymore. I can barely write in it. The things that I did write were probably not even legible. Oh well. I still kept it around. I would feel empty without it.
“Please!”
“No!” I was snapped out of my thoughts by the whining couple next to me. With another sigh, I settled in for the long four hours.
Four hours later…
“LET ME IN!” Jack screeched whilst banging on the door. I sighed, again. I seemed to be sighing a lot lately. It was just a day for that, I guess.
Everyone in the bus got up to see what it was.
“I WILL EAT YOU ALIVE!”
Woah, was that Zack? Was that our quiet little Zack Merrick?
“HELLLLP!” Jack screamed again. I sighed and fumbled for the door. Mike caught me.
“I got it.” Vic grumbled. Our bus halted at the rest stop. Thank goodness for a break! However, the ATL guys had caught up. Vic opened the door and I was nearly knocked over as Jack grabbed my shoulders and hid behind me. His chin was resting on my shoulder. I jumped, nearly screeching.
“YOU STOLE MY SHAMPOO!” Zack raged. Someone grabbed his shoulder. Jack did smell quiet…good.
“It was delicious!” The skunk haired man shrieked.
“IT WAS MY TROPICAL PARADISE SHAMPOO!” Zack yelled.
“Calm down, Z! We’ll get you more!” Rian chuckled. Everyone was in hysterics. I turned around and smelled Jack’s shoulder. It was peach and pineapple scented. With a sigh, I shoved Jack to the enraged man.
“You deserve to get mauled for stealing a man’s shampoo!” I chuckled and fumbled my way towards the couch. I nearly tripped when a man caught my tumbling body. He hugged me close to his chest.
“Careful now, Ding.” He mumbled to me.
“Sorry.” I grumbled through the tension. Of course, I had to run into Himes. Fate hated me, didn’t it?
We all hung out on the bus. It was casual and fun. Jack kept whining that Alex was being clingy. Alex whined that Jack wasn’t cuddling him. I just whined that they were annoying the hell out of me. Shoving them out of my area with a grin, I chuckled lightly and got up, going towards the bunks for a moment of peace and quiet.
“Sorry.” I muttered as I bumped shoulders with someone.
“Willow, can we talk?” He whispered to me. I put on my bitch-no-don’t-even face and walked passed him.
“Not now.” I grumbled. I wanted peace and this is what I got!
“Please, I didn’t cheat! I swear! I love you and only you!” He begged, barely a whisper so no one but me would hear him. I kept on walking, but my face fell. I couldn’t let him see me weak.
“Then what’s your secret?” I asked back. He took a step towards me. I heard the heavy thump.
“I’ll tell you later, okay?” He finally gave up, defeated. I nodded, my heart dropping. He sounded so sad.
Okay, call me a weenie, but I still love this man. I hate to see him sad. No wonder I couldn’t talk to him about the secret-I loved him too much and didn’t want to believe he was cheating on me.
With my head spinning, I fumbled for my bunk and crawled in. As soon as my head hit the pillow, I passed out.
When I woke up, I was still in blackness. After waking, it’s always hard to tell if you’re dreaming or not. I pinched my wrist to make sure I was awake. Yep, I was.
As I yawned, I heard the loud snores of everyone on the bus. Alex and Jack were quietly talking outside in the front lounge. The bus wheels hummed softly on the pavement of the highway. I wonder who was driving.
Using my hand as a guide, I went towards the lounge. Once I got there, I sat down on a couch. It was empty. Jack and Alex were probably on the other couch. It should be serenity.
I didn’t get much peace for long (and the person who broke it wasn’t Jack asking Alex for cuddles). A weight bounced to my right. I sighed.
“Jaime?” I asked.
“Yeah.” I muttered. I tried to envision him. He would have his dark hair ruffled in a messy bunch. Himes would be wearing his usual dark blue and grey plaid stripped pj’s that were a little too long for him and bunched around his ankles when he walked. I almost cried at the usual picture of my beloved.
Where had our friendship gone?
There was uncomfortable silence until I heard Jaime sharply inhale. I blinked and hugged my knees to my chest.
“Willow, I’m really sorry. I don’t want to fight.” He whispered to me. I nodded, not speaking, just absorbing.
“Yeah.” I finally responded.
“Please, forgive me. I’m so sorry.” He whispered, near tears. I could feel my heart shatter at his words. I didn’t speak, couldn’t speak or I would be a puddle of tears.
Instead, I stood up. The pocket handbook felt light on my side. There was a little choking sob. He thought I was walking away from him.
Balancing lightly on my feet, I walked over to where he was. A radiant heat from his body warmed my skin. Leaning forward, I cupped his face in my hands. A single tear dripped from his eye to land on my right hand. I sighed.
Kissing his forehead, I could feel him catch his breath in surprise. With a small smile, I backed up, ruffling his hair as I went. Turning around, I walked to my bunk.
That was my usual sign of forgiveness. He knew that I wasn’t mad at him anymore.
How to forgive Jaime Preciado:
1.You can’t stay mad at him.
2.Don’t even try.
3.So go up to him.
4.Gently grab his face.
5.Kiss his forehead.
6.Ruffle his already messy hair.
7.Walk away.
8.It drives him crazy.
9.He’s forgiven.
10. Make him make you pancakes.
11. All will be well.
12. I promise.
Notes
Hello everyone! Sorry I haven't posted in a while! My laptop broke! ARRRRG! Oh well. Until I get it fixed, I won't be posting much. Sorry!
Love you all! Don't forget to comment!
Oh my god ;-; As I was reading the ending, like her dying and the funeral and all, i'm listening to pandora. And See You Again by Wiz Khalifa started playing and now my feels are broken :.c
7/20/15