Trent's pov!
I was sitting in the hallway and beside me was my older brother Mike. Since it was always raining outside and couldn't find anything else to do but sit around and complain about it raining, we decided to make little toy cars and zoom them across the house. We set up little obstacle courses for them to go through and made noises that a car would make as we played. I accidentally ended up smashing my car in to pieces when I put a fire cracker on the back of it to see if it would go faster, but instead all the pieces of the car went flying in to the air. "That was actually pretty cool."I chuckled and Mike nodded in agreement. Even if I was 7 and he was 10, he thought I came up with the best but not totally safe ideas of having fun. So most of the time we found ourselves building cars over and over and blowing them up with fire crackers. This one time I bought this little colorful stick that shoots out those little fireworks and I sneaked up on Mike as he was cutting the grass and I shot him in the leg with one of them. "Ow.. you suck."He gripped his leg in pain but soon after he started to laugh when I did. It was easy to play pranks on him because he wouldn't try to smash my teeth in when I tried to. It was the middle of summer and it was those kinds of days where you would just wanna sit in front of the air conditioner all day, but if you're like me and your parents cant exactly afford air conditioning you basically find yourself laying in nothing but your under clothing on the floor. "It is too hot to do anything."I croaked, complaining about it every five seconds. "Well, at least it isn't winter time where we'd have to wear thousands of clothing to keep ourselves warm."He did have a point. I still couldn't believe my mother had the strength to even wash the dishes. The door suddenly slammed opened, startling both of us onto our feet to find our father stumbling in the door bottle of something brown in his hand. He completely ignored us and headed straight for the kitchen when a smash of something broke the silence. "You told me Mike was my son and I just met the dude you slept with at the bar and told me he was his son. How could you?"He screamed at the top of his lungs. Mike gestured his hand towards our room and we both crawled our way in there and under my bed. "I'm sorry, Wendall. I truly am."She cried out in a piercing scream followed by loud sobs. I only huddled even more under my bed. "That's not good enough!"He shouted and she cried out in pain again. "Trent, where are you boy.."He slurred and tumbled into our room. "Get away from my children!"She stormed in and punched him across the face. "You can keep the one that isn't mine. I'm taking Trent with me."He reached under the bed and I kicked his hand away. "Come on, buddy. let's go for a ride in the car."He spoke in a smooth, calm voice. "He's not going with you, so just get the hell out of my house now!"She screamed and pushed him out of our room and out the front door. I heard him screaming my name from outside asking me to come with him and a gun shot was heard. We scattered out from under the bed and peeked out the window to see her with a shot gun. She shot the air and aimed the gun at him, shouting "Go away or I'll splatter your brain all over the damn grass!" His eyes shifted over to me and he glared, shook his head and got into his truck and drove away. I walked into the kitchen and found pieces of shattered plates on every inch of the floor. We both carefully started to clean up the mess of a kitchen when she came back in with tears plummeting from her eyes and threw the shot gun down accidentally setting it off and almost hitting me. Mike and I just stood there watching as she shouted and cried, shooting each picture of him to pieces. She then noticed us standing there and collapsed to the floor, still not knowing what to do. I carried her back to her room and lied her out on her bed as Mike got a wet towel to rest upon her forehead. "Are you okay?"My voice cracked from the dryness of my throat from not drinking anything in awhile. "I-I'm fine.."She sniffed and wiped her tear filled eyes. "What's going to happen to daddy?"Mike questioned. "He's gone.. I don't know where he went, but he's gone. you probably won't ever see him again."She whispered, choking on her tears.
...
For the next few years my family grew even more poor than ever without my father around to help pay the bills and food to fill our bone revealing stomachs. My mother began getting these things called food stamps and they're from the government to help the people who was in poverty. I decided to save up our food stamps by secretly sneaking out at night and kicked down a door to our local grocery store and grabbed whatever I could. Mike soon found me late one night walking through the front door arms full of food. "How can you get that much food with so little food stamps we have..?"He raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you know.. they felt bad and-."He cut me off. "You stole this food, didn't you?"He sighed before rolling his eyes. "Well.. I wanted to save up our food stamps."I stammered and kind of felt guilty for doing that. "Fine, I'll give you on that one but what if you got caught? What then?"He was acting sort of like a father to me. "Climb out of the officer's arms and run away as fast as I could..?"I smiled and he frowned. "No. just tell me when you're going to do these things."He sighed. "Fine.."I sat the large amount of food down on the couch and went to go climb in bed. Sunlight was beaming into our room and I turned over on my back to see that Mike was out of bed and getting ready for school. 'Do you really think I'd wanna get out of bed at this our? Yeah, I don't see myself doing that.' I rolled over on my stomach and went back to sleep. "You're going to be late for school."Mike shook me slightly. "I don't care.."I murmured into my pillow. I heard him sigh and mumble something under his breath before walking out to get on the bus. The one old phone we had started ringing and I crawled out of bed to answer it. "Hello..?"I mumbled in a tired voice, scratching my head. "Trent, it's time for school."My cheery principal sang into my ear. "Can't I just sleep for a few more hours?"I chuckled. "No, besides your high school years are your most important school years of your life. it will depend on what kind of life you'll have-."I cut her off. "Alright, alright.. I'll come to school."I didn't want to hear her lecture on life for the thousandth time. I threw on some clothes and brushed my teeth, not bothering to do anything else. Everyone probably didn't know about my family being poor and continued to hate that I smelled like a rear end. I would've told them, but I didn't seem to mind. Despite me being called poor most of the time, I was more of the talkative people who loved to hang out and people still excepted me. Mike would sometimes tag along if he didn't have to do homework or help out mom with the house. I found an old maroon guitar in my mother's closet one day and in just a few days I taught myself to play the guitar. I would sometimes take it along with me to school seeing some heads turn as I jammed my guitar just casually walking through the hallway. What was best was that in study hall, you don't technically get grades. That is awesome. When I started to bring my guitar to school my study hall teacher wanted to hear me play and if I would make him laugh he'd give me an A. If I made him smile, he'd give me a B. "How was that..?"I looked up from the guitar glimmering in the light. "It was pretty good, actually. your best one all week. A+."He gave me a pat on the back before going to add the grade into the computer. I gave a victory 'yes' before going back to strumming my guitar. "Hey, dude, are you ready for tonight?"One of my buddies nudged me. "Next time, make it sound like you aren't a pedo."I laughed and watched him roll his eyes. "I'm serious. This is the only night the teachers won't stay in late."He hissed. "Yeah, Yeah.. I here ya. Are the other boys ready?"I questioned plucking strings of my guitar carelessly. He nodded, opened his mouth then closed it when the teacher walked by. "So, what are you boys up to?"Mr. Thomas sat on the desk in front of me. "Nothing. just, um..."I stammered. "Talking about the social studies test we took today. it was really tough, wasn't it, Trent?"John asked me in a fake tone. "Oh, yeah. I don't think I did very well."I tried to sound not as fake. "Sorry to hear that. maybe I could help you two study for your next test."He smiled. "That would be great."John smiled, laughing nervously. "Have a pleasant day."He smiled and walked off. "Where are you going?"Mike stood there in his pajamas with his arms crossed as I was about to climb out our bedroom window. "To the grocery store."I opened the window and he grabbed my shoulder to prevent me from jumping out. "I don't think you need a hammer, rope, and a crowbar to do that."He looked at me in a skeptical way. "Okay, fine. I'm going to break into the school."I sighed in defeat. "What? why the hell would you do that?"He whisper-yelled. "Because.. it seemed like a good idea?"I smiled. "I'm telling you it's a bad idea, but if you want to go get yourself in trouble go right ahead."He rubbed his forehead in annoyance. "You're an awesome brother."I chuckled and hopped out the window. "I didn't mean you should do it literally!"He yelled. Oh well, I was already there. "Did you bring the stuff?"Chad questioned and put on his black beanie. I nodded and dropped all the supplies on the ground. Some dog barked and it started to look around. I shoved all four of them into the bushes and I dived in afterwards. "Hello, is anyone there?"The security guard shouted and shined his flashlight in our direction. "Hand me your paintball gun."I whispered. "You'll get us caught you dumb fuck."Robert sneered. "This guy has an IQ of a toddler, now give me the gun."I snatched the gun out of his hand. I nodded my head to the windows and they threw the rope up over the flag pole and started to climb. I rolled out of the bushes and like in those action movies, I shot at him as I ran sideways. The guard and his dog got frightened and ran to his car and drove away. I chuckled and climbed up the rope and jumped in through the window. For the next couple of hours we trashed each classroom and broke all the windows. I turned on the intercom and screamed at the top of my lungs into it. "You're an idiot."Robert shook his head. "I don't give a fuck."I said in a sing song voice into the intercom. I grabbed two wheelie chairs and yardsticks taped them to the chair. "Why did you do that?"John questioned me. "Act like a retard first, ask questions later."I put him in the chair and rolled him to the other side of the hallway. I got onto my chair and stayed at the other end. "Tonight we will have a joust so bloody, so death defying, so-."I cut Richard off. "Shut up and say let the games begin already!"I shouted in annoyance. "Okay, okay.. let the games begin!"Richard announced. John and I started zooming towards each other on our chairs and the yardsticks slammed into each other tipping the chairs backwards. "That. Was. Fucking. Awesome!"I shouted in excitement and high- fived John. "Dude, we should totally keep doing this every week. this is the most fun I've ever had."Richard walked towards us as he slammed the crowbar on the lockers. "I agree-."I was cut off when I heard the emergency door open and adult voices filling the halls. "Run!"Robert whisper-yelled and we hauled ass out of the school. "Do you think we lost them?"Richard fell onto the ground gasping for air. "I think so."I bent over and put my hands on my knees. "We need to be more careful."Robert suggested. "Well, no shit."Chad glared at him as he continued taking deep breaths. "See you guys tomorrow.. I need to get some sleep."I stretched and walked back towards my house. "So.. how was it?"Mike sat up on his bed. "It was actually pretty fun. you should tag along next time."I lied down. "No, thanks. I like it here more than juvenile."He rolled his eyes and chuckled. "Whatever.."I laughed along with him and fell onto my pillow and went to bed.
...
"We're sorry for the school being all trashed as it looks. the custodians are trying their best to get it cleaned up. have a nice day."The principal turned off the intercom. I looked at John with a devilish grin and he did the same. "I sure do wish who did all these things.."Chad gasped and we chuckled. We've been trashing the schools for the past month and I have to say it's been a real fun time. "So, what do you guys think we should do next time?"I picked up a fork full of food before dropping it again on my tray. "I don't know.."John mumbled with his face flat on the table. "How about-."I was cut off as I watched a girl walk from the lunch line to her table. "Wow.."I propped my head up with my hand and stared at her with the most goofy looking eyes. "Hey, Captain ADD, we're not done discussing our plan."Robert snapped his fingers in my face. "I'm sorry, I.. something caught my eye."I took a sip from my milk carton. "Yeah, right. someone was making googly eyes at the new girl."Chad started to laugh his head off and the guys joined in with him. "What about going onto Ms. Cooper? gross, you like old women?"I began to laugh. "Shut up, Trent. you're just trying to make an excuse to not admit you like her."Chad crossed his arms and smirked at me. "Excuse me, hottie, could you get that girl in front of you."John tapped on Heather's shoulder. "Shut up dirt face. Oh, and Gwen some idiot wants to talk to you."Heather turned back around and continued to talk to her friend. "Yes..?"The girl whispered and moved the hair out of her face. "Did you know this guy likes you?"John smirked and pointed at me. She blushed and looked down at the floor. "Would you guys just leave her alone?"I hissed. "Sure, Trent. sure."John shrugged. Gwen stood up and walked to another table far away from us. "You guys are dicks, you know that?"I snapped at them. "We are? you won't admit you like her."Chad laughed. "See you later, Trent."John waved and drove off in his truck. "Did you see the new girl today?'Mike ran up to me. "Yeah.. I did. why?"I kicked a can. "She got pushed around by some of the football jocks and she jumped over the fence-."I cut him off. "Is she okay?"I questioned anxiously. "I think so.."He shrugged. I ran across the football field and jumped over the fence and started calling out her name. I began to hear quiet sobs coming from in the pine forest. I pushed the trees out of my way and found her sitting up against a tree crying into her hands. "Are you alright?"I soothed and she jumped, startled. "I guess.."She sniffed and wiped her eyes with her sleeve. I knelt down beside her and noticed a little bit of a dark blue color on her cheek. I brushed a few strands of her black hair back to reveal that her eye was bruised and swollen. "It's nothing, really."she whispered. I scooped her up into my arms and carried her into the empty school. I sat her down on the bed in the nurse's office and handed her a bag of ice. "Should calm down the swelling."I smiled and she did the same. I was surprised on how pretty her smile was. "Thanks."She whispered and held the ice pack on her eye. I helped her off of the bed and walked her home. "Are you new here?"I broke the silence. "Yeah.. I've only been here for two weeks."She mumbled. "Do you like it here?"I questioned. "Well, yeah.. I suppose."Her cheeks turned red and I smiled at that. "Um.. well, this is my house. I guess I'll see you tomorrow?"She stopped and turned to face me, a few strands of her beautiful black hair waving in the gentle breeze. "Sounds cool."I smiled nervously. I watched her walk into her home before I started walking away. I've never seen a girl like her around here. "Why are you home late, sweetheart?"My mother called from in the kitchen. "I was.. staying after school for some program to help me with my learning."I thought up a good excuse. "Oh, well that's good. How did it go?"She questioned. "It went well, I suppose. I just hope I do better."I chuckled a little. I fell back onto my bed, folding my arms behind my head. I smiled and sighed, seeing her face before I closed my eyes and fell asleep.
You call to me... and I fall at your feet
How could anyone ask for more
and our time apart... like knives in my heart
How could anyone ask for more
But if there's a pill
to help me forget
God knows I haven't found it yet
but I'm dying to
God I'm trying to
Trying not to love you
Only goes so far
and trying not to need you
is tearing me apart
Can't see the silver lining
From down here on the floor
and I just keep on trying
But I don't know what for
'Cause trying not to love you
Only makes me love you more
"So, now that we know that E= mc2 we can multiply the mass by a square of the speed of light.."The teacher's boring words went through one ear and out the other as I continued to daydream. I had the stupidest looking smile on my face, eyes closed, chin held up by my hand and staring off into space. "Mr. Kroeger, do you think I'm to boring to listen to?"He stopped his endless talking and darted his eyes at me. "No, sir. Continue."I gave a friendly smile and he turned back to the board and I rolled my eyes. "You should've said yes."John chuckled. "Shut up."I growled. I stood at my locker door, my eyes shifting from one place to another looking for I think it was Gwen? I can't believe I forgot her name already. "Hey."A gentle voice came from behind me. "Oh, hey, Gwen."I smiled, giving her a little side hug. "So.. Um, what class do you go to next?"She asked as she pulled books and papers from her locker. "Social studies.. you?"I responded and shut my locker. "Same here."She giggled silently. "That's cool."I chuckled and walked with her to class. "Put away your notes and binders. Have only a pencil out on your desk-."John cut her off. "Can we put our arms on the desk?"He questioned sarcastically. "Yes, John, you can."She rolled her eyes and wrote on the board 'Social Studies exam.' "Dammit.."I cursed from under my breath. "What's wrong?"Gwen whispered softly. "I forgot to study."I face palmed myself in annoyance. "You can copy off of mine if you want."She smiled. "Nah, I'm good."I smiled. "Oh, okay. If you need to feel free to do so."She started writing away on the exam sheet. I finally gave in and started to scan her exam sheet, copying her work onto mine. "Trent Kroeger, trade seats with Chad Henderson."The teacher didn't look up from her book, easily seeing me turn my head back and forth to look at Gwen's paper. I growled under my breath and switched seats with Chad. He spit his tongue out at me and I flipped him off. "Sorry I got you in trouble."She told me outside in the hallway. "No, it's cool. I'm fine with it."I smiled and she did the same. Mike, myself, and Gwen sat outside the school to eat lunch. "So, where did you move here from, Gwen?"Mike asked. "I lived in Abottsford, B.C. before I came to live in Hanna, Alberta."She answered as she continued pulling strands of her hair out of her face. "Hey, cool. do you skateboard?"She grinned, picking up my skateboard that sat beside my backpack. "Yeah, sometimes."I chuckled at her excitement. She ran over to the sidewalk and I stared in awe as she skated for at least 15 minutes. "You're incredible!"I clapped for her. "Better than Trent when he skates."Mike chuckled and I hit him in the side. "Dude, we can't break into the school tonight."John walked up to me. "What? Why not?"I glared at him. "Because some of us have to make it look like we didn't break into the school for the past few months to our parents."Robert rolled his eyes. "You guys totally blow."I growled in annoyance. "What's wrong?"Gwen questioned before sitting back down beside me. "You promise you won't tell?"I asked. "Sure."She shrugged. "Me and a couple of friends have been breaking into the school for the past few months and for some reason they have to prove their innocence to their parents."I glared at my so called friends. "I'll come with."She smiled. "Really?"My eyes widened. "Yeah, sure. Why not? My parents work til late at night anyways."She laughed. "Have fun getting in trouble.."Mike mumbled. I stood front of the school under the darkness that surrounds me. I heard a twig snap and I quickly turned around. "Who's there?"I called out, ready to take off running. "It's only me, Trent."Gwen stepped out of a bush. "Alright, let's go in."I searched around for the security guard and began climbing up the rope that was tied around the flag pole. "I've always wanted to do this."She laughed and tossed desks one by one at the wall. I chuckled and just sat there on the window ceil and watched her trash the classroom. "So do you guys steal anything from the school?"She took the crowbar and smashed the trophy cases open. "Well, yeah. it's mostly cheat sheets for tests and money we find in the principals desk."I pulled down picture frames on the wall and stomped them to pieces. "Haha, sweet."She smiled. I sat my amp in front of the intercom speaker, plugging my guitar in and turning up the volume as loud as I could and began to jam hearing the solo throughout the school. When I finished, I broke the speaker with my guitar, surprisingly enough I didn't damage my instrument. She took a few cans of spray paint out of her backpack and began writing 'bad words' all over the hallway walls. "I thought you were the goody goody type."I chuckled and sprayed paint on the wall with her. "Hell no, I just act like that to seem okay to the teachers."She threw the empty spray paint container behind her and got another one. "Nice."I chuckled. "So, are you ever-."She cut herself off and I watched as her eyes widened. "What..?"I turned around and saw a few security guards standing at the end of the hall. "Get them!"One of the shouted. I spray painted them in the face to slow them down before taking off after Gwen. She tripped over a boulder and I quickly scooped her up into my arms and continued running. I stupidly fell over my own feet and we were both sent falling down a hill. From the top of the hill I could see red and blue flashing lights and I knew this was it. I think I twisted my ankle and I couldn't stand up. Gwen stood up, but the officers were already in front of us in a heartbeat. "Dad?"She gasped. "Gwendolyn, what are you doing hanging out with this criminal for?!"The security guard from the other night shouted in her face. "I-."He cut her off. "Get to the car now young lady."He ordered. She looked at me then at the ground before walking back up the hill. One of the officers slammed me onto the back of their car and handcuffed me before throwing me in the back seat. I glanced at Gwen and watched a tear fall from one of her ocean blue eyes. I looked down, feeling bad that I had gotten her into trouble. I saw my mother and Mike standing at the doorway of our home, Mike shaking his head and my mother just standing there. The officers threw me into a dark, cold jail cell and I sat there staring at the ceiling, knowing I would probably never see Gwen ever again.
And this kind of pain... only time takes away
That's why it's harder to let you go
Nothing I can do... without thinking of you
That's why it's harder to let you go
But if there's a pill
To help me forget
God knows I haven't found it yet
But I'm dying to
God I'm trying to 'cause
Trying not to love you
Only goes so far
and trying not to need you
Is tearing me apart
Can't see the silver lining
From down here on the floor
and I'll just keep on trying
But I don't know what for
'Cause I'm trying not to love you
Only makes me love you more
I was finally let go after a couple of months but continued getting into trouble and went to prison for a few years. "Get up, your time is done."The officer turned on the blinding lights in my cell. I slowly got up to my feet and the officer lead me out of the prison and shoved me out. "Thanks for being gentle."I smiled and walked towards my house. "How was prison life?"The twenty year old Mike opened the door. "It actually wasn't that bad. We had great meals that came out of the garbage and very friendly people who tried slicing my throat open with a pocket knife."I chuckled. "Sounds like you had a blast."He walked back into the house and I followed. "Hello sweetheart."My mother croaked with a smile as she lied there in bed. "You don't sound too well. Are you okay?"I felt my heart sank a little. "I just have a little cancer is all.."She coughed and smiled weakly. I turned to Mike and he nodded. I looked down at the floor and felt my eyes whelm up with tears. "It's going to be alright, Trent. I'm fine."She lifted my chin and smiled. I gently hugged her and she kissed my cheek. "I'm gonna go for a walk."I sighed. "Be safe sweetheart."She smiled and I smiled back before dragging my feet outside. "I cant believe I've been gone for so long and to think she might not live much longer."I heard my voice cracking. "The doctor says she'll have almost a year left to live."Mike mumbled. "Man, that seriously sucks."I sat down on a bench and buried my forehead into my hand. "Yep.."He sat down beside me. "So is Gwen still here?"I sat upright. "Who's- Oh.. no, she and her family moved away years ago."Mike explained. "That's great."I growled. "Did you know she's a famous song writing now?"Mike questioned. "Really?"I raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Yeah, she's really good."He laughed slightly. He handed me his iPod and I searched for her name listening to her beautiful voice. "Wow.. she is fantastic!"I grinned from ear to ear. Even though most of her music is a little depressing, it was still the most.. there is just no words to describe how wonderful her voice is. I continued listening to her all day and night, thinking of the first time I saw her smile and the first time I saw her pretty face. "Mike, wake up."I shook his shoulder. "What..?"He groaned and threw his pillow on his head. "Do you know where she is?"I whispered. "Do I know where who is..?"He hissed into his mattress. "Don't be an idiot. I mean Gwen. Do you know where Gwen is?"I hissed. "No, I don't. Now leave me alone."He turned on his side. "Come on.. please help me find her."I begged. He pushed me aside and got onto his laptop and looked her up on facebook. "It seems like she is in Paris, dude. There is no way you can get there."He yawned. "I'll find a way to raise money and book a plane to get there."I began thinking of ways to raise money. "Yeah, good luck with that.."He mumbled before rolling back into bed. I pulled out my dusty maroon guitar that was stored in my closet for many years and strummed it gently. I walked into the basement with a few sheets of paper and a pencil and began to write some pretty catchy tunes. "That sounds actually cool. Did you write that?"Mike walked in with a cup of coffee. "Yeah, do you like them?"I questioned and he nodded. "You know.. maybe we could form a band, I don't know."He shrugged his shoulders. "What instrument do you play?"I asked. "I learned how to play bass while you were gone."He chuckled. "Sweet. But don't we need like a back up guitarist and drummer first?"I began to become annoyed that we'd have to do all this work. "Yeah.. Hey, why don't I call cousin Brandon. He's a drummer."He got out his cell phone. "Sounds cool. I remember that my friend Ryan can play the guitar."I got out my cell phone as well and dialed his number. "The guy from science class?"Mike asked and I nodded. "Great, now we just have to meet up in a few days and then start up a band."I grinned. "What is our band name gonna be..?"Ryan asked, taking a drink from his water bottle. "I forgot about that.."I face palmed myself. "Hmm.. how about the Village Idiot?"Brandon suggested. "That actually sounds like a good name."I high fived Brandon. "I have to agree on that."Mike crossed his arms and nodded with a smile, Ryan agreeing soon after. We worked independently as a band for a few years or so before signing up with Roadrunner Records to start to make our recordings sound a little better and get more noticed. I completely forgot about wanting to start a band for money to go find Gwen and just got brain washed by the love of being a rockstar. "Why did we start a band?"I laughed to Ryan as we were being interviewed by a reporter. "All I remember was that you called me up one day and said 'Hey, wanna join a band?' and I was all up for it. The band took a long time to process.. but, yeah I think it's been a pretty good gig for the past 10 years."Ryan smiled at the reporter. "I asked fans online to give me some questions to ask you guys and most of them were asking if Trent actually did sneak into his highschool hundreds of times."The reporter smirked at me. "Well, yeah I did but maybe not a hundred times."I laughed. "But you're saying you did break into your highschool?"The reporter chuckled. "Yeah, I did. Me and a couple of friends was just like you know there's this one day where the teachers don't stay after school late.."The three of us started to laugh. "Did you get caught?"The reporter asked. "I think twice. The first time I was with my friends and the second time.."I trailed off, my eyes widening and my mouth dropping slightly. "Trent..?"Ryan waved his hand in my face. "I just suddenly remembered something.. sorry."I mumbled into the microphone. "Alright then.. thanks to everyone for watching this interview and thanks to you guys for coming down to talk with me."The reporter shook our hands. "No problem."Ryan smiled. "What was up with you blacking out for a few seconds..?"Ryan asked as we sat in the back of the car as our manager drove back to the hotel. "Nothing.."I sighed. "You looked a little shocked."Mike pointed out. "Okay, okay. I remember now that the only reason I wanted to start up a band was to get enough money to get on a plane to go see a girl I knew back in highschool."I mumbled into the palm of my hand. "That was like about 15 years ago, dude. She's probably forgotten all about you."Brandon patted my shoulder. "Maybe.. but I still can't believe I just abandoned my thoughts about her all these years."I felt so stumped. ".. Gwen Hamiltion live in Cologne, Germany tomorrow on Saturday!"The radio blurred. "Wait.. aren't we in Cologne now?"I suddenly felt hope again. "Yes, but we have to start packing up our stuff to go to Greece."Ryan fiddled away on his cell phone. "Can we stay in Cologne for a couple days, Bradlee?"I asked our manager. "I guess so.. Why?"He looked at me through the mirror then back at the road. "Just to look at the sights.."I guessed. I looked up on the Roadrunner website to find her concert dates and got tickets and a backstage pass to her show tomorrow. I can't wait to catch up with her. "Backstage pass, please."The large security guard held out his hand and I showed him my pass and he let me in through the door. I just stood there, staring at her. "Hey.. aren't you the frontman from the band 'Village Idiot'?"She sounded so cheerful and sweet. "Yeah.."I mumbled. "That's so cool. I love your band!"She smiled and hugged me. "Thank you so much."I smiled back. "You look like someone I knew back from when I was in highschool."She looked at me skeptically. "I'm Trent Kroeger. I knew you from back in highschool as well."I laughed nervously. "Sweet. so how's life been for you and your band?"She sat down on a black leather couch and I sat beside her. "It's been alright I guess.."I mumbled once more. "You guess? You guys are like the biggest band in the world right now!"She smiled and nudged me in the arm. "I joined a band because for you."I stammered under my breath. "Pardon..?"She raised an eyebrow. "I joined a band because of you."I said clearly, feeling my face burn in embarrassment. "Interesting-."I cut her off. "You don't get it. You and I knew each other back in highschool, right? We broke into the highschool and we got caught and your dad sent me to prison."I blurted out. "Wait a minute.. you're that guy who- Oh my god.. it really is you."Her eyes filled up with tears. I held out my arms and she slammed herself into me, hugging me ever so tightly. "I missed you."She cried into my chest. "I missed you too, Gwen."I whispered as I rested my chin upon her head. "Babe, are you almost done with your meet and greets?"A guy about my age but with tattoos and piercings all over his arms and face walked in. "Yeah.. I guess."She pulled away from me and walked over to the guy. He kissed her on the cheek, wrapping his arm around her and they walked away. She turned her head to look at me and her eyes were filled with tears not of joy, but of guilt. I dragged my feet all the way back to the hotel and fell face first onto my bed. So is that it..? I did all of that for nothing? Whatever, I enjoy being a rockstar as a living and a woman's heart won't change it otherwise.
So I sit here divided
just talkin' to myself
Was it something that I did?
Was there somebody else?
When a voice from behind me
that was fighting back tears
sat right down beside me
whispered right in my ear
said, "I've been dying to tell you..."
That trying not to love you
only went so far
and trying not to need you
was tearing me apart
More years have passed, I tried having feelings for another girl but that didn't work out and she sued me for some reason. I moved on and I'm still recording albums with my three band mates having a great time pleasing our fans. "Does it ever get old to bring the house down jamming some rock n roll?"An interviewer asked us. "Nope and it never will get old. I never want this crazy roller coaster to end because I'm just having a blast."I smiled at him. "I agree."Mike smiled. "Do you guys see yourselves playing still about 20 years down the road.. like AC/DC or Metallica?"He questioned. "I guess we would just like to see how far we can go. I do agree with Trent though, I never want this roller coaster to end. It's just so much fun."Daniel, our new drummer for about 7 years, smiled. After the interview we all went out to the bar to hang out for a couple of hours before going back to the hotel to continue the party. I decided to get some sleep since I didn't exactly get enough sleep the night before. I rolled onto my bed and watched a hockey game until my phone suddenly rang. "Hello?"I answered. "This is Roadrunner Records and a fellow artist was thinking about writing in the studio with you."The person explained. "Oh, sure. I'd love to."I responded with a smile "Super. meet with the artist in Vancouver B.C. tomorrow morning at 9 am sharp. Thank you and have a nice day."The guy hung up. I stumbled out of bed and I slowly got dressed and ready to go for the appointment. "Have fun."Mike waved before I drove off. "Gwen..?"I asked in disbelief. "Hi, Trent. Thanks for showing up."She walked up and hugged me. ".. I thought your husband hated me."I mumbled. "We divorced a couple of years ago."She looked at me weird. "I'm sorry about that."I apologized. "It's cool, I've gotten over it."She cracked open a soda before walking down stairs into her studio. "Wow.. you've really got something in here."I stared longingly at her studio gear, drums, guitars.. you name it! "Yeah, a few family members helped me construct the studio and well, it turned out like this."She sat in a chair in front of the recording buttons and sound editors. "So.. let's get to recording."I smiled and she gave me a high five. "He was a boy, she was a girl. Can I make it anymore obvious? He was a punk, she did ballet. What more can I say?"She sang so beautifully. We both written 11 songs in just a couple of months and the record was about to go out to the world in just a couple of days. "I can't tell you how much I thank you for helping me write this album."She wrapped her arms around me. "No problem at all."I grinned. We sat around for hours just playing on one of her game systems, drinking, and having loads of fun. "Haha, I shot you."I chuckled. ".. And I shot you, bitch."She laughed when her character came back to life. My phone buzzed and it was a text message from Bradlee saying that the band needed to rehearse. "Sorry, Gwen. I have to go rehearse with my band."I apologized, actually feeling bad that I was going to leave her alone. "Man, that sucks. I guess I'll see you later then dude."She nudged me in the side and giggled. "Later, dude."I laughed before hugging her and walking out the door.
...
"You can't catch me."She giggled as she ran across the park. "Bet you I can."I called out as I ran after her. She climbed up onto the playground set and stood in front of a slide, spitting her tongue out a me. "No fair, that's cheating."I laughed and climbed up after her and she slid down the slide. I quickly dived down the slide and slammed into her, sending us both onto the grass laughing. I lied out a blanket on the grass and placed the picnic basket upon it. "You're so sweet."She rolled her eyes and giggled before sitting down on the blanket. After we had lunch we lied there side by side on the blanket and stared up at the clouds guessing on what they looked like. She snuggled into my side, resting her head upon my chest and I tangled my fingers into her hair. "I love you."She whispered gently into my ear. "I love you too."I rubbed my nose onto hers, grinning from ear to ear. We continued to walk around the park, my hand intertwined in hers making each other laugh and smile. I picked up a flower and tucked in behind her ear, listening to her cute giggle. Thunder roared in the sky and it started to pour down rain and we both quickly ran inside a building and waited until the rain has stopped. She walked out of the store and tied her jacket around her waist before sitting down on a bench. I stood there with my cheeks so bright, hand rubbing my neck. "Something wrong, Trent?"She asked as she fixed her hair. "Remember how you said you loved to make photo albums..?"I stammered. "Yeah, why..?"She raised an eyebrow. "Well, I found one that you were working on the other day and I added a picture to it if you didn't mind.."I pulled out the thick photo album and gave it to her. She gasped and her eyes lit up. There was a picture of the ring I am going to give her and the four words that will change our life forever. "Will you marry me?"I got down on one knee and pulled out the ring in my pocket. "Yes, yes, of course I will!"She smiled and wrapped her arms around me. I kissed her passionately on the lips before sliding the ring onto her finger. I thought I had little feelings for her, but I guess my heart was telling me something more.
Now I see the silver lining
and what we're fighting for
If we just keep on trying
We could be much more
'Cause I'm trying not love you
Yeah, trying not to love you
Only makes me love you more
I was sitting in the hallway and beside me was my older brother Mike. Since it was always raining outside and couldn't find anything else to do but sit around and complain about it raining, we decided to make little toy cars and zoom them across the house. We set up little obstacle courses for them to go through and made noises that a car would make as we played. I accidentally ended up smashing my car in to pieces when I put a fire cracker on the back of it to see if it would go faster, but instead all the pieces of the car went flying in to the air. "That was actually pretty cool."I chuckled and Mike nodded in agreement. Even if I was 7 and he was 10, he thought I came up with the best but not totally safe ideas of having fun. So most of the time we found ourselves building cars over and over and blowing them up with fire crackers. This one time I bought this little colorful stick that shoots out those little fireworks and I sneaked up on Mike as he was cutting the grass and I shot him in the leg with one of them. "Ow.. you suck."He gripped his leg in pain but soon after he started to laugh when I did. It was easy to play pranks on him because he wouldn't try to smash my teeth in when I tried to. It was the middle of summer and it was those kinds of days where you would just wanna sit in front of the air conditioner all day, but if you're like me and your parents cant exactly afford air conditioning you basically find yourself laying in nothing but your under clothing on the floor. "It is too hot to do anything."I croaked, complaining about it every five seconds. "Well, at least it isn't winter time where we'd have to wear thousands of clothing to keep ourselves warm."He did have a point. I still couldn't believe my mother had the strength to even wash the dishes. The door suddenly slammed opened, startling both of us onto our feet to find our father stumbling in the door bottle of something brown in his hand. He completely ignored us and headed straight for the kitchen when a smash of something broke the silence. "You told me Mike was my son and I just met the dude you slept with at the bar and told me he was his son. How could you?"He screamed at the top of his lungs. Mike gestured his hand towards our room and we both crawled our way in there and under my bed. "I'm sorry, Wendall. I truly am."She cried out in a piercing scream followed by loud sobs. I only huddled even more under my bed. "That's not good enough!"He shouted and she cried out in pain again. "Trent, where are you boy.."He slurred and tumbled into our room. "Get away from my children!"She stormed in and punched him across the face. "You can keep the one that isn't mine. I'm taking Trent with me."He reached under the bed and I kicked his hand away. "Come on, buddy. let's go for a ride in the car."He spoke in a smooth, calm voice. "He's not going with you, so just get the hell out of my house now!"She screamed and pushed him out of our room and out the front door. I heard him screaming my name from outside asking me to come with him and a gun shot was heard. We scattered out from under the bed and peeked out the window to see her with a shot gun. She shot the air and aimed the gun at him, shouting "Go away or I'll splatter your brain all over the damn grass!" His eyes shifted over to me and he glared, shook his head and got into his truck and drove away. I walked into the kitchen and found pieces of shattered plates on every inch of the floor. We both carefully started to clean up the mess of a kitchen when she came back in with tears plummeting from her eyes and threw the shot gun down accidentally setting it off and almost hitting me. Mike and I just stood there watching as she shouted and cried, shooting each picture of him to pieces. She then noticed us standing there and collapsed to the floor, still not knowing what to do. I carried her back to her room and lied her out on her bed as Mike got a wet towel to rest upon her forehead. "Are you okay?"My voice cracked from the dryness of my throat from not drinking anything in awhile. "I-I'm fine.."She sniffed and wiped her tear filled eyes. "What's going to happen to daddy?"Mike questioned. "He's gone.. I don't know where he went, but he's gone. you probably won't ever see him again."She whispered, choking on her tears.
...
For the next few years my family grew even more poor than ever without my father around to help pay the bills and food to fill our bone revealing stomachs. My mother began getting these things called food stamps and they're from the government to help the people who was in poverty. I decided to save up our food stamps by secretly sneaking out at night and kicked down a door to our local grocery store and grabbed whatever I could. Mike soon found me late one night walking through the front door arms full of food. "How can you get that much food with so little food stamps we have..?"He raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you know.. they felt bad and-."He cut me off. "You stole this food, didn't you?"He sighed before rolling his eyes. "Well.. I wanted to save up our food stamps."I stammered and kind of felt guilty for doing that. "Fine, I'll give you on that one but what if you got caught? What then?"He was acting sort of like a father to me. "Climb out of the officer's arms and run away as fast as I could..?"I smiled and he frowned. "No. just tell me when you're going to do these things."He sighed. "Fine.."I sat the large amount of food down on the couch and went to go climb in bed. Sunlight was beaming into our room and I turned over on my back to see that Mike was out of bed and getting ready for school. 'Do you really think I'd wanna get out of bed at this our? Yeah, I don't see myself doing that.' I rolled over on my stomach and went back to sleep. "You're going to be late for school."Mike shook me slightly. "I don't care.."I murmured into my pillow. I heard him sigh and mumble something under his breath before walking out to get on the bus. The one old phone we had started ringing and I crawled out of bed to answer it. "Hello..?"I mumbled in a tired voice, scratching my head. "Trent, it's time for school."My cheery principal sang into my ear. "Can't I just sleep for a few more hours?"I chuckled. "No, besides your high school years are your most important school years of your life. it will depend on what kind of life you'll have-."I cut her off. "Alright, alright.. I'll come to school."I didn't want to hear her lecture on life for the thousandth time. I threw on some clothes and brushed my teeth, not bothering to do anything else. Everyone probably didn't know about my family being poor and continued to hate that I smelled like a rear end. I would've told them, but I didn't seem to mind. Despite me being called poor most of the time, I was more of the talkative people who loved to hang out and people still excepted me. Mike would sometimes tag along if he didn't have to do homework or help out mom with the house. I found an old maroon guitar in my mother's closet one day and in just a few days I taught myself to play the guitar. I would sometimes take it along with me to school seeing some heads turn as I jammed my guitar just casually walking through the hallway. What was best was that in study hall, you don't technically get grades. That is awesome. When I started to bring my guitar to school my study hall teacher wanted to hear me play and if I would make him laugh he'd give me an A. If I made him smile, he'd give me a B. "How was that..?"I looked up from the guitar glimmering in the light. "It was pretty good, actually. your best one all week. A+."He gave me a pat on the back before going to add the grade into the computer. I gave a victory 'yes' before going back to strumming my guitar. "Hey, dude, are you ready for tonight?"One of my buddies nudged me. "Next time, make it sound like you aren't a pedo."I laughed and watched him roll his eyes. "I'm serious. This is the only night the teachers won't stay in late."He hissed. "Yeah, Yeah.. I here ya. Are the other boys ready?"I questioned plucking strings of my guitar carelessly. He nodded, opened his mouth then closed it when the teacher walked by. "So, what are you boys up to?"Mr. Thomas sat on the desk in front of me. "Nothing. just, um..."I stammered. "Talking about the social studies test we took today. it was really tough, wasn't it, Trent?"John asked me in a fake tone. "Oh, yeah. I don't think I did very well."I tried to sound not as fake. "Sorry to hear that. maybe I could help you two study for your next test."He smiled. "That would be great."John smiled, laughing nervously. "Have a pleasant day."He smiled and walked off. "Where are you going?"Mike stood there in his pajamas with his arms crossed as I was about to climb out our bedroom window. "To the grocery store."I opened the window and he grabbed my shoulder to prevent me from jumping out. "I don't think you need a hammer, rope, and a crowbar to do that."He looked at me in a skeptical way. "Okay, fine. I'm going to break into the school."I sighed in defeat. "What? why the hell would you do that?"He whisper-yelled. "Because.. it seemed like a good idea?"I smiled. "I'm telling you it's a bad idea, but if you want to go get yourself in trouble go right ahead."He rubbed his forehead in annoyance. "You're an awesome brother."I chuckled and hopped out the window. "I didn't mean you should do it literally!"He yelled. Oh well, I was already there. "Did you bring the stuff?"Chad questioned and put on his black beanie. I nodded and dropped all the supplies on the ground. Some dog barked and it started to look around. I shoved all four of them into the bushes and I dived in afterwards. "Hello, is anyone there?"The security guard shouted and shined his flashlight in our direction. "Hand me your paintball gun."I whispered. "You'll get us caught you dumb fuck."Robert sneered. "This guy has an IQ of a toddler, now give me the gun."I snatched the gun out of his hand. I nodded my head to the windows and they threw the rope up over the flag pole and started to climb. I rolled out of the bushes and like in those action movies, I shot at him as I ran sideways. The guard and his dog got frightened and ran to his car and drove away. I chuckled and climbed up the rope and jumped in through the window. For the next couple of hours we trashed each classroom and broke all the windows. I turned on the intercom and screamed at the top of my lungs into it. "You're an idiot."Robert shook his head. "I don't give a fuck."I said in a sing song voice into the intercom. I grabbed two wheelie chairs and yardsticks taped them to the chair. "Why did you do that?"John questioned me. "Act like a retard first, ask questions later."I put him in the chair and rolled him to the other side of the hallway. I got onto my chair and stayed at the other end. "Tonight we will have a joust so bloody, so death defying, so-."I cut Richard off. "Shut up and say let the games begin already!"I shouted in annoyance. "Okay, okay.. let the games begin!"Richard announced. John and I started zooming towards each other on our chairs and the yardsticks slammed into each other tipping the chairs backwards. "That. Was. Fucking. Awesome!"I shouted in excitement and high- fived John. "Dude, we should totally keep doing this every week. this is the most fun I've ever had."Richard walked towards us as he slammed the crowbar on the lockers. "I agree-."I was cut off when I heard the emergency door open and adult voices filling the halls. "Run!"Robert whisper-yelled and we hauled ass out of the school. "Do you think we lost them?"Richard fell onto the ground gasping for air. "I think so."I bent over and put my hands on my knees. "We need to be more careful."Robert suggested. "Well, no shit."Chad glared at him as he continued taking deep breaths. "See you guys tomorrow.. I need to get some sleep."I stretched and walked back towards my house. "So.. how was it?"Mike sat up on his bed. "It was actually pretty fun. you should tag along next time."I lied down. "No, thanks. I like it here more than juvenile."He rolled his eyes and chuckled. "Whatever.."I laughed along with him and fell onto my pillow and went to bed.
...
"We're sorry for the school being all trashed as it looks. the custodians are trying their best to get it cleaned up. have a nice day."The principal turned off the intercom. I looked at John with a devilish grin and he did the same. "I sure do wish who did all these things.."Chad gasped and we chuckled. We've been trashing the schools for the past month and I have to say it's been a real fun time. "So, what do you guys think we should do next time?"I picked up a fork full of food before dropping it again on my tray. "I don't know.."John mumbled with his face flat on the table. "How about-."I was cut off as I watched a girl walk from the lunch line to her table. "Wow.."I propped my head up with my hand and stared at her with the most goofy looking eyes. "Hey, Captain ADD, we're not done discussing our plan."Robert snapped his fingers in my face. "I'm sorry, I.. something caught my eye."I took a sip from my milk carton. "Yeah, right. someone was making googly eyes at the new girl."Chad started to laugh his head off and the guys joined in with him. "What about going onto Ms. Cooper? gross, you like old women?"I began to laugh. "Shut up, Trent. you're just trying to make an excuse to not admit you like her."Chad crossed his arms and smirked at me. "Excuse me, hottie, could you get that girl in front of you."John tapped on Heather's shoulder. "Shut up dirt face. Oh, and Gwen some idiot wants to talk to you."Heather turned back around and continued to talk to her friend. "Yes..?"The girl whispered and moved the hair out of her face. "Did you know this guy likes you?"John smirked and pointed at me. She blushed and looked down at the floor. "Would you guys just leave her alone?"I hissed. "Sure, Trent. sure."John shrugged. Gwen stood up and walked to another table far away from us. "You guys are dicks, you know that?"I snapped at them. "We are? you won't admit you like her."Chad laughed. "See you later, Trent."John waved and drove off in his truck. "Did you see the new girl today?'Mike ran up to me. "Yeah.. I did. why?"I kicked a can. "She got pushed around by some of the football jocks and she jumped over the fence-."I cut him off. "Is she okay?"I questioned anxiously. "I think so.."He shrugged. I ran across the football field and jumped over the fence and started calling out her name. I began to hear quiet sobs coming from in the pine forest. I pushed the trees out of my way and found her sitting up against a tree crying into her hands. "Are you alright?"I soothed and she jumped, startled. "I guess.."She sniffed and wiped her eyes with her sleeve. I knelt down beside her and noticed a little bit of a dark blue color on her cheek. I brushed a few strands of her black hair back to reveal that her eye was bruised and swollen. "It's nothing, really."she whispered. I scooped her up into my arms and carried her into the empty school. I sat her down on the bed in the nurse's office and handed her a bag of ice. "Should calm down the swelling."I smiled and she did the same. I was surprised on how pretty her smile was. "Thanks."She whispered and held the ice pack on her eye. I helped her off of the bed and walked her home. "Are you new here?"I broke the silence. "Yeah.. I've only been here for two weeks."She mumbled. "Do you like it here?"I questioned. "Well, yeah.. I suppose."Her cheeks turned red and I smiled at that. "Um.. well, this is my house. I guess I'll see you tomorrow?"She stopped and turned to face me, a few strands of her beautiful black hair waving in the gentle breeze. "Sounds cool."I smiled nervously. I watched her walk into her home before I started walking away. I've never seen a girl like her around here. "Why are you home late, sweetheart?"My mother called from in the kitchen. "I was.. staying after school for some program to help me with my learning."I thought up a good excuse. "Oh, well that's good. How did it go?"She questioned. "It went well, I suppose. I just hope I do better."I chuckled a little. I fell back onto my bed, folding my arms behind my head. I smiled and sighed, seeing her face before I closed my eyes and fell asleep.
You call to me... and I fall at your feet
How could anyone ask for more
and our time apart... like knives in my heart
How could anyone ask for more
But if there's a pill
to help me forget
God knows I haven't found it yet
but I'm dying to
God I'm trying to
Trying not to love you
Only goes so far
and trying not to need you
is tearing me apart
Can't see the silver lining
From down here on the floor
and I just keep on trying
But I don't know what for
'Cause trying not to love you
Only makes me love you more
"So, now that we know that E= mc2 we can multiply the mass by a square of the speed of light.."The teacher's boring words went through one ear and out the other as I continued to daydream. I had the stupidest looking smile on my face, eyes closed, chin held up by my hand and staring off into space. "Mr. Kroeger, do you think I'm to boring to listen to?"He stopped his endless talking and darted his eyes at me. "No, sir. Continue."I gave a friendly smile and he turned back to the board and I rolled my eyes. "You should've said yes."John chuckled. "Shut up."I growled. I stood at my locker door, my eyes shifting from one place to another looking for I think it was Gwen? I can't believe I forgot her name already. "Hey."A gentle voice came from behind me. "Oh, hey, Gwen."I smiled, giving her a little side hug. "So.. Um, what class do you go to next?"She asked as she pulled books and papers from her locker. "Social studies.. you?"I responded and shut my locker. "Same here."She giggled silently. "That's cool."I chuckled and walked with her to class. "Put away your notes and binders. Have only a pencil out on your desk-."John cut her off. "Can we put our arms on the desk?"He questioned sarcastically. "Yes, John, you can."She rolled her eyes and wrote on the board 'Social Studies exam.' "Dammit.."I cursed from under my breath. "What's wrong?"Gwen whispered softly. "I forgot to study."I face palmed myself in annoyance. "You can copy off of mine if you want."She smiled. "Nah, I'm good."I smiled. "Oh, okay. If you need to feel free to do so."She started writing away on the exam sheet. I finally gave in and started to scan her exam sheet, copying her work onto mine. "Trent Kroeger, trade seats with Chad Henderson."The teacher didn't look up from her book, easily seeing me turn my head back and forth to look at Gwen's paper. I growled under my breath and switched seats with Chad. He spit his tongue out at me and I flipped him off. "Sorry I got you in trouble."She told me outside in the hallway. "No, it's cool. I'm fine with it."I smiled and she did the same. Mike, myself, and Gwen sat outside the school to eat lunch. "So, where did you move here from, Gwen?"Mike asked. "I lived in Abottsford, B.C. before I came to live in Hanna, Alberta."She answered as she continued pulling strands of her hair out of her face. "Hey, cool. do you skateboard?"She grinned, picking up my skateboard that sat beside my backpack. "Yeah, sometimes."I chuckled at her excitement. She ran over to the sidewalk and I stared in awe as she skated for at least 15 minutes. "You're incredible!"I clapped for her. "Better than Trent when he skates."Mike chuckled and I hit him in the side. "Dude, we can't break into the school tonight."John walked up to me. "What? Why not?"I glared at him. "Because some of us have to make it look like we didn't break into the school for the past few months to our parents."Robert rolled his eyes. "You guys totally blow."I growled in annoyance. "What's wrong?"Gwen questioned before sitting back down beside me. "You promise you won't tell?"I asked. "Sure."She shrugged. "Me and a couple of friends have been breaking into the school for the past few months and for some reason they have to prove their innocence to their parents."I glared at my so called friends. "I'll come with."She smiled. "Really?"My eyes widened. "Yeah, sure. Why not? My parents work til late at night anyways."She laughed. "Have fun getting in trouble.."Mike mumbled. I stood front of the school under the darkness that surrounds me. I heard a twig snap and I quickly turned around. "Who's there?"I called out, ready to take off running. "It's only me, Trent."Gwen stepped out of a bush. "Alright, let's go in."I searched around for the security guard and began climbing up the rope that was tied around the flag pole. "I've always wanted to do this."She laughed and tossed desks one by one at the wall. I chuckled and just sat there on the window ceil and watched her trash the classroom. "So do you guys steal anything from the school?"She took the crowbar and smashed the trophy cases open. "Well, yeah. it's mostly cheat sheets for tests and money we find in the principals desk."I pulled down picture frames on the wall and stomped them to pieces. "Haha, sweet."She smiled. I sat my amp in front of the intercom speaker, plugging my guitar in and turning up the volume as loud as I could and began to jam hearing the solo throughout the school. When I finished, I broke the speaker with my guitar, surprisingly enough I didn't damage my instrument. She took a few cans of spray paint out of her backpack and began writing 'bad words' all over the hallway walls. "I thought you were the goody goody type."I chuckled and sprayed paint on the wall with her. "Hell no, I just act like that to seem okay to the teachers."She threw the empty spray paint container behind her and got another one. "Nice."I chuckled. "So, are you ever-."She cut herself off and I watched as her eyes widened. "What..?"I turned around and saw a few security guards standing at the end of the hall. "Get them!"One of the shouted. I spray painted them in the face to slow them down before taking off after Gwen. She tripped over a boulder and I quickly scooped her up into my arms and continued running. I stupidly fell over my own feet and we were both sent falling down a hill. From the top of the hill I could see red and blue flashing lights and I knew this was it. I think I twisted my ankle and I couldn't stand up. Gwen stood up, but the officers were already in front of us in a heartbeat. "Dad?"She gasped. "Gwendolyn, what are you doing hanging out with this criminal for?!"The security guard from the other night shouted in her face. "I-."He cut her off. "Get to the car now young lady."He ordered. She looked at me then at the ground before walking back up the hill. One of the officers slammed me onto the back of their car and handcuffed me before throwing me in the back seat. I glanced at Gwen and watched a tear fall from one of her ocean blue eyes. I looked down, feeling bad that I had gotten her into trouble. I saw my mother and Mike standing at the doorway of our home, Mike shaking his head and my mother just standing there. The officers threw me into a dark, cold jail cell and I sat there staring at the ceiling, knowing I would probably never see Gwen ever again.
And this kind of pain... only time takes away
That's why it's harder to let you go
Nothing I can do... without thinking of you
That's why it's harder to let you go
But if there's a pill
To help me forget
God knows I haven't found it yet
But I'm dying to
God I'm trying to 'cause
Trying not to love you
Only goes so far
and trying not to need you
Is tearing me apart
Can't see the silver lining
From down here on the floor
and I'll just keep on trying
But I don't know what for
'Cause I'm trying not to love you
Only makes me love you more
I was finally let go after a couple of months but continued getting into trouble and went to prison for a few years. "Get up, your time is done."The officer turned on the blinding lights in my cell. I slowly got up to my feet and the officer lead me out of the prison and shoved me out. "Thanks for being gentle."I smiled and walked towards my house. "How was prison life?"The twenty year old Mike opened the door. "It actually wasn't that bad. We had great meals that came out of the garbage and very friendly people who tried slicing my throat open with a pocket knife."I chuckled. "Sounds like you had a blast."He walked back into the house and I followed. "Hello sweetheart."My mother croaked with a smile as she lied there in bed. "You don't sound too well. Are you okay?"I felt my heart sank a little. "I just have a little cancer is all.."She coughed and smiled weakly. I turned to Mike and he nodded. I looked down at the floor and felt my eyes whelm up with tears. "It's going to be alright, Trent. I'm fine."She lifted my chin and smiled. I gently hugged her and she kissed my cheek. "I'm gonna go for a walk."I sighed. "Be safe sweetheart."She smiled and I smiled back before dragging my feet outside. "I cant believe I've been gone for so long and to think she might not live much longer."I heard my voice cracking. "The doctor says she'll have almost a year left to live."Mike mumbled. "Man, that seriously sucks."I sat down on a bench and buried my forehead into my hand. "Yep.."He sat down beside me. "So is Gwen still here?"I sat upright. "Who's- Oh.. no, she and her family moved away years ago."Mike explained. "That's great."I growled. "Did you know she's a famous song writing now?"Mike questioned. "Really?"I raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Yeah, she's really good."He laughed slightly. He handed me his iPod and I searched for her name listening to her beautiful voice. "Wow.. she is fantastic!"I grinned from ear to ear. Even though most of her music is a little depressing, it was still the most.. there is just no words to describe how wonderful her voice is. I continued listening to her all day and night, thinking of the first time I saw her smile and the first time I saw her pretty face. "Mike, wake up."I shook his shoulder. "What..?"He groaned and threw his pillow on his head. "Do you know where she is?"I whispered. "Do I know where who is..?"He hissed into his mattress. "Don't be an idiot. I mean Gwen. Do you know where Gwen is?"I hissed. "No, I don't. Now leave me alone."He turned on his side. "Come on.. please help me find her."I begged. He pushed me aside and got onto his laptop and looked her up on facebook. "It seems like she is in Paris, dude. There is no way you can get there."He yawned. "I'll find a way to raise money and book a plane to get there."I began thinking of ways to raise money. "Yeah, good luck with that.."He mumbled before rolling back into bed. I pulled out my dusty maroon guitar that was stored in my closet for many years and strummed it gently. I walked into the basement with a few sheets of paper and a pencil and began to write some pretty catchy tunes. "That sounds actually cool. Did you write that?"Mike walked in with a cup of coffee. "Yeah, do you like them?"I questioned and he nodded. "You know.. maybe we could form a band, I don't know."He shrugged his shoulders. "What instrument do you play?"I asked. "I learned how to play bass while you were gone."He chuckled. "Sweet. But don't we need like a back up guitarist and drummer first?"I began to become annoyed that we'd have to do all this work. "Yeah.. Hey, why don't I call cousin Brandon. He's a drummer."He got out his cell phone. "Sounds cool. I remember that my friend Ryan can play the guitar."I got out my cell phone as well and dialed his number. "The guy from science class?"Mike asked and I nodded. "Great, now we just have to meet up in a few days and then start up a band."I grinned. "What is our band name gonna be..?"Ryan asked, taking a drink from his water bottle. "I forgot about that.."I face palmed myself. "Hmm.. how about the Village Idiot?"Brandon suggested. "That actually sounds like a good name."I high fived Brandon. "I have to agree on that."Mike crossed his arms and nodded with a smile, Ryan agreeing soon after. We worked independently as a band for a few years or so before signing up with Roadrunner Records to start to make our recordings sound a little better and get more noticed. I completely forgot about wanting to start a band for money to go find Gwen and just got brain washed by the love of being a rockstar. "Why did we start a band?"I laughed to Ryan as we were being interviewed by a reporter. "All I remember was that you called me up one day and said 'Hey, wanna join a band?' and I was all up for it. The band took a long time to process.. but, yeah I think it's been a pretty good gig for the past 10 years."Ryan smiled at the reporter. "I asked fans online to give me some questions to ask you guys and most of them were asking if Trent actually did sneak into his highschool hundreds of times."The reporter smirked at me. "Well, yeah I did but maybe not a hundred times."I laughed. "But you're saying you did break into your highschool?"The reporter chuckled. "Yeah, I did. Me and a couple of friends was just like you know there's this one day where the teachers don't stay after school late.."The three of us started to laugh. "Did you get caught?"The reporter asked. "I think twice. The first time I was with my friends and the second time.."I trailed off, my eyes widening and my mouth dropping slightly. "Trent..?"Ryan waved his hand in my face. "I just suddenly remembered something.. sorry."I mumbled into the microphone. "Alright then.. thanks to everyone for watching this interview and thanks to you guys for coming down to talk with me."The reporter shook our hands. "No problem."Ryan smiled. "What was up with you blacking out for a few seconds..?"Ryan asked as we sat in the back of the car as our manager drove back to the hotel. "Nothing.."I sighed. "You looked a little shocked."Mike pointed out. "Okay, okay. I remember now that the only reason I wanted to start up a band was to get enough money to get on a plane to go see a girl I knew back in highschool."I mumbled into the palm of my hand. "That was like about 15 years ago, dude. She's probably forgotten all about you."Brandon patted my shoulder. "Maybe.. but I still can't believe I just abandoned my thoughts about her all these years."I felt so stumped. ".. Gwen Hamiltion live in Cologne, Germany tomorrow on Saturday!"The radio blurred. "Wait.. aren't we in Cologne now?"I suddenly felt hope again. "Yes, but we have to start packing up our stuff to go to Greece."Ryan fiddled away on his cell phone. "Can we stay in Cologne for a couple days, Bradlee?"I asked our manager. "I guess so.. Why?"He looked at me through the mirror then back at the road. "Just to look at the sights.."I guessed. I looked up on the Roadrunner website to find her concert dates and got tickets and a backstage pass to her show tomorrow. I can't wait to catch up with her. "Backstage pass, please."The large security guard held out his hand and I showed him my pass and he let me in through the door. I just stood there, staring at her. "Hey.. aren't you the frontman from the band 'Village Idiot'?"She sounded so cheerful and sweet. "Yeah.."I mumbled. "That's so cool. I love your band!"She smiled and hugged me. "Thank you so much."I smiled back. "You look like someone I knew back from when I was in highschool."She looked at me skeptically. "I'm Trent Kroeger. I knew you from back in highschool as well."I laughed nervously. "Sweet. so how's life been for you and your band?"She sat down on a black leather couch and I sat beside her. "It's been alright I guess.."I mumbled once more. "You guess? You guys are like the biggest band in the world right now!"She smiled and nudged me in the arm. "I joined a band because for you."I stammered under my breath. "Pardon..?"She raised an eyebrow. "I joined a band because of you."I said clearly, feeling my face burn in embarrassment. "Interesting-."I cut her off. "You don't get it. You and I knew each other back in highschool, right? We broke into the highschool and we got caught and your dad sent me to prison."I blurted out. "Wait a minute.. you're that guy who- Oh my god.. it really is you."Her eyes filled up with tears. I held out my arms and she slammed herself into me, hugging me ever so tightly. "I missed you."She cried into my chest. "I missed you too, Gwen."I whispered as I rested my chin upon her head. "Babe, are you almost done with your meet and greets?"A guy about my age but with tattoos and piercings all over his arms and face walked in. "Yeah.. I guess."She pulled away from me and walked over to the guy. He kissed her on the cheek, wrapping his arm around her and they walked away. She turned her head to look at me and her eyes were filled with tears not of joy, but of guilt. I dragged my feet all the way back to the hotel and fell face first onto my bed. So is that it..? I did all of that for nothing? Whatever, I enjoy being a rockstar as a living and a woman's heart won't change it otherwise.
So I sit here divided
just talkin' to myself
Was it something that I did?
Was there somebody else?
When a voice from behind me
that was fighting back tears
sat right down beside me
whispered right in my ear
said, "I've been dying to tell you..."
That trying not to love you
only went so far
and trying not to need you
was tearing me apart
More years have passed, I tried having feelings for another girl but that didn't work out and she sued me for some reason. I moved on and I'm still recording albums with my three band mates having a great time pleasing our fans. "Does it ever get old to bring the house down jamming some rock n roll?"An interviewer asked us. "Nope and it never will get old. I never want this crazy roller coaster to end because I'm just having a blast."I smiled at him. "I agree."Mike smiled. "Do you guys see yourselves playing still about 20 years down the road.. like AC/DC or Metallica?"He questioned. "I guess we would just like to see how far we can go. I do agree with Trent though, I never want this roller coaster to end. It's just so much fun."Daniel, our new drummer for about 7 years, smiled. After the interview we all went out to the bar to hang out for a couple of hours before going back to the hotel to continue the party. I decided to get some sleep since I didn't exactly get enough sleep the night before. I rolled onto my bed and watched a hockey game until my phone suddenly rang. "Hello?"I answered. "This is Roadrunner Records and a fellow artist was thinking about writing in the studio with you."The person explained. "Oh, sure. I'd love to."I responded with a smile "Super. meet with the artist in Vancouver B.C. tomorrow morning at 9 am sharp. Thank you and have a nice day."The guy hung up. I stumbled out of bed and I slowly got dressed and ready to go for the appointment. "Have fun."Mike waved before I drove off. "Gwen..?"I asked in disbelief. "Hi, Trent. Thanks for showing up."She walked up and hugged me. ".. I thought your husband hated me."I mumbled. "We divorced a couple of years ago."She looked at me weird. "I'm sorry about that."I apologized. "It's cool, I've gotten over it."She cracked open a soda before walking down stairs into her studio. "Wow.. you've really got something in here."I stared longingly at her studio gear, drums, guitars.. you name it! "Yeah, a few family members helped me construct the studio and well, it turned out like this."She sat in a chair in front of the recording buttons and sound editors. "So.. let's get to recording."I smiled and she gave me a high five. "He was a boy, she was a girl. Can I make it anymore obvious? He was a punk, she did ballet. What more can I say?"She sang so beautifully. We both written 11 songs in just a couple of months and the record was about to go out to the world in just a couple of days. "I can't tell you how much I thank you for helping me write this album."She wrapped her arms around me. "No problem at all."I grinned. We sat around for hours just playing on one of her game systems, drinking, and having loads of fun. "Haha, I shot you."I chuckled. ".. And I shot you, bitch."She laughed when her character came back to life. My phone buzzed and it was a text message from Bradlee saying that the band needed to rehearse. "Sorry, Gwen. I have to go rehearse with my band."I apologized, actually feeling bad that I was going to leave her alone. "Man, that sucks. I guess I'll see you later then dude."She nudged me in the side and giggled. "Later, dude."I laughed before hugging her and walking out the door.
...
"You can't catch me."She giggled as she ran across the park. "Bet you I can."I called out as I ran after her. She climbed up onto the playground set and stood in front of a slide, spitting her tongue out a me. "No fair, that's cheating."I laughed and climbed up after her and she slid down the slide. I quickly dived down the slide and slammed into her, sending us both onto the grass laughing. I lied out a blanket on the grass and placed the picnic basket upon it. "You're so sweet."She rolled her eyes and giggled before sitting down on the blanket. After we had lunch we lied there side by side on the blanket and stared up at the clouds guessing on what they looked like. She snuggled into my side, resting her head upon my chest and I tangled my fingers into her hair. "I love you."She whispered gently into my ear. "I love you too."I rubbed my nose onto hers, grinning from ear to ear. We continued to walk around the park, my hand intertwined in hers making each other laugh and smile. I picked up a flower and tucked in behind her ear, listening to her cute giggle. Thunder roared in the sky and it started to pour down rain and we both quickly ran inside a building and waited until the rain has stopped. She walked out of the store and tied her jacket around her waist before sitting down on a bench. I stood there with my cheeks so bright, hand rubbing my neck. "Something wrong, Trent?"She asked as she fixed her hair. "Remember how you said you loved to make photo albums..?"I stammered. "Yeah, why..?"She raised an eyebrow. "Well, I found one that you were working on the other day and I added a picture to it if you didn't mind.."I pulled out the thick photo album and gave it to her. She gasped and her eyes lit up. There was a picture of the ring I am going to give her and the four words that will change our life forever. "Will you marry me?"I got down on one knee and pulled out the ring in my pocket. "Yes, yes, of course I will!"She smiled and wrapped her arms around me. I kissed her passionately on the lips before sliding the ring onto her finger. I thought I had little feelings for her, but I guess my heart was telling me something more.
Now I see the silver lining
and what we're fighting for
If we just keep on trying
We could be much more
'Cause I'm trying not love you
Yeah, trying not to love you
Only makes me love you more
gwen: trent what are you doing
trent:*scraches her foot
gwen:ow trent stop it your screing me stop
trent:accentenly kills gwen*
trent:*wakes up*NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
gwen:trent whats wrong
trent:nothing it was just a bad dream
gwen:ok*kisses trent*
*the next morning
duncan:*knocks on their door*
trent:what are you doing here
duncan:gwens mom told me to take gwen somewhere and it is pivate*
trent:for how long??
duncan:a few months
trent:ok but don't do anything to gwen or i swaer you will regreat it
duncan:geez dude you sound like her dad
gwen:trent who is at the door
trent:duncan he said he needs to take you somewhere for a couple of months
gwen:o...k by trent*kisses him*
trent:by
trents p.o.v.
i don't know whats going on but i trust gwen and i love her.
trent:*scraches her foot
gwen:ow trent stop it your screing me stop
trent:accentenly kills gwen*
trent:*wakes up*NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
gwen:trent whats wrong
trent:nothing it was just a bad dream
gwen:ok*kisses trent*
*the next morning
duncan:*knocks on their door*
trent:what are you doing here
duncan:gwens mom told me to take gwen somewhere and it is pivate*
trent:for how long??
duncan:a few months
trent:ok but don't do anything to gwen or i swaer you will regreat it
duncan:geez dude you sound like her dad
gwen:trent who is at the door
trent:duncan he said he needs to take you somewhere for a couple of months
gwen:o...k by trent*kisses him*
trent:by
trents p.o.v.
i don't know whats going on but i trust gwen and i love her.
Mom:gwen i'm not going to hrut you but we are going to paris tomorrow well just you and james NOT TRENT!
gwen:ok*comfusesed*trent
trent:yes babe
gwen: i have to go somewhere for a couple weeks ok
trent:ok i'll miss you
gwen:i'll miss yoou to
*gwen and james get on the plan*(and james is her brother)
james:why do you think mom wanted us to go here
gwen: i don't know
james:you know she hates us
gwen:yes i do know that
*they get off the plan and get in their hotel rooms*
carlos:ok their in the hotel
mom: good now take them
carlos:how like wicth from
mom: the wrost you can think of
carlos:fine!*gose to james hotle room
gwen*calls trent*
trent: hey babe
gwen: hey babe hows baylor
trent:he is good whats going on in paris
gwen:noth ing right mow
trent:gwen gwen whats wrong
gwen: trent come quick hurry
carlose:*graps gwen and strangle her
gwen:AHHH HELP!
trent:gwen i'm comein
carlose*cooks gwen and throws her in the caar
gwen:ok*comfusesed*trent
trent:yes babe
gwen: i have to go somewhere for a couple weeks ok
trent:ok i'll miss you
gwen:i'll miss yoou to
*gwen and james get on the plan*(and james is her brother)
james:why do you think mom wanted us to go here
gwen: i don't know
james:you know she hates us
gwen:yes i do know that
*they get off the plan and get in their hotel rooms*
carlos:ok their in the hotel
mom: good now take them
carlos:how like wicth from
mom: the wrost you can think of
carlos:fine!*gose to james hotle room
gwen*calls trent*
trent: hey babe
gwen: hey babe hows baylor
trent:he is good whats going on in paris
gwen:noth ing right mow
trent:gwen gwen whats wrong
gwen: trent come quick hurry
carlose:*graps gwen and strangle her
gwen:AHHH HELP!
trent:gwen i'm comein
carlose*cooks gwen and throws her in the caar
gwen *crying* trent
A BIG CRAHS BUMPS INTO THE WALL AND THE NOTE SAYS I AM TIRED OF BOTH OF U AND THAT WELL END TONIGHT GWEN GOSE AND FINDS TRENT
A BIG PERSON STANGLES HER
BOB oh your going 2 die now
gwen let me go!
BOB *punches gwen out in a coma*
12 hrs later
trent gwen gwen gwen
gwen trent is that u
trent yes
gwen how r we going 2 get out
chris u can't
trent uh was she talking 2 u
chris sute up
gwen don't tell him 2 sute up
chis bite me!
trent *takes his pocket knife and cutes himself out of the wires
chis oh not u don't *takles trent *
gwen stop!
chirs nails trent down and pushes trent's head into the fire*
gwen TRENT!*staps chris*
chis NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A BIG CRAHS BUMPS INTO THE WALL AND THE NOTE SAYS I AM TIRED OF BOTH OF U AND THAT WELL END TONIGHT GWEN GOSE AND FINDS TRENT
A BIG PERSON STANGLES HER
BOB oh your going 2 die now
gwen let me go!
BOB *punches gwen out in a coma*
12 hrs later
trent gwen gwen gwen
gwen trent is that u
trent yes
gwen how r we going 2 get out
chris u can't
trent uh was she talking 2 u
chris sute up
gwen don't tell him 2 sute up
chis bite me!
trent *takes his pocket knife and cutes himself out of the wires
chis oh not u don't *takles trent *
gwen stop!
chirs nails trent down and pushes trent's head into the fire*
gwen TRENT!*staps chris*
chis NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To all the Trent & Gwen fans, I say don't despair. For you see, there is still hope for all you fans. Incase you forgot or didn't care about watching TDAS, Gwen broke up with Duncan & didn't want him back. So now everybody can write stories about Gwen & Trent life together if they want to even though it's a mystery to why she acted so strange before she broke up with him. Maybe she got tired of the way he treated her and decided to go back to Trent for friendship, compassion, and true love. Which she couldn't get from Duncan anymore, you never know? And to all the gwuncan fans. All I can say is sorry but that 's the way they wrote it. But don't worry, you can still write your articls about Duncan and Gwen getting back together. Even though I doubt that'll happen, who knows.