I turned off the TV after channel surfing through countless infomercials. I sighed, looking at the clock. I couldn't call Amanda. It was two am in New York, and she'd most likely be asleep. So, I did the next best thing. I picked up the one-subject notebook she had sent me. It contained one of her fanfic stories.
(flashback)
"So, did you read it?"
"Yup. Every word."
"And?"
"Relax, Amanda. I liked it."
"You liked it!?!"
"Yeah, I liked it. Why wouldn't I?"
"Well, because it sucks," she said laughing.
"No, it doesn't."
"Zac, be honest."
"Okay, so it wasn't the most original plot. But all things considered, it was well-written for a twelve-year-old."
"Geez, that was inspiring."
"Well, what do you want from me? I just read a story about a girl, whom I assume was modeled after Laura, and my brother falling in love ten minutes after the heroine moves to Tulsa. I mean, I had a few good wisecracks in there, but I didn't even rank as supporting actor."
"I'm sorry, but I was just the mere writer. Laura was executive producer." She giggled.
I laughed. "Actually, there's one thing about your story I can't believe."
"Oh? What's that?"
"That a twelve-year-old settled an age-old debate. Guess life does imitate art."
"Hardly. That was just a fantasy written out on paper. Laura just got, well, for lack of a better word, lucky."
"Oh, come on, Amanda Jean. Sometimes dreams do come true."
(end flashback)
My fingers traced the cover of the notebook and I smiled. Amanda called me from the airport as soon as the plane landed. I apologized profusely for not saying goodbye, but she told me not to worry about it and to expect a gift in the mail within the next few days. I couldn't believe SHE was sending ME a gift. It should've been the other way around. I told her so, multiple times, but she sent it anyway. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but to say I was surprised by the fanfic is an understatement. And at the same time, there was something great about it. Being this open with one another is just, well, there are no words for it.
I opened the tattered notebook and leafed through the pages, searching for my favorite section. I found it and began to read AJ's words, which to me, seemed magical.
Lara looked out her bedroom window of her new Tulsa home. She couldn't believe it was just two weeks ago her parents dropped the bombshell. Her dad got transferred, and the entire family was uprooted to Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Lara sighed and looked across the lawn and into the window of what appeared to be a bedroom. There was a set of bunk beds, dresser drawers, and two closets. Three blonde boys occupied the room, engrossed in a pillow fight. The middle one, who appeared to be thirteen, had Lara's undivided attention. The boys appeared to be happy, and she wondered why. They were, after all, in Oklahoma.
"This is SOOO cool! I can't believed we finally got signed!" said Taylor, his voice cracking, which it had been doing a lot lately.
"Yeah, neither can I! Who would want to sign us? You sound horrible, Tay," said Zac.
Taylor rolled his eyes. "Like I can help it. Go ahead. Poke fun. I'll remember this when YOUR voice changes."
"Hey, guys. Look. Someone moved in next door. She looks about your age, Tay," Ike said, breaking up the potential fight between his two younger brothers.
"Oh my God! She can see us!" Taylor turned off the lights and hit the deck.
"What do you care? You don't even know her." Zac was baffled by his brother's behavior. After all, girls had cooties.
"Yeah, but I want to. She's pretty," Taylor responded, his voice cracking on the word 'pretty.'
"So, tomorrow go over and introduce yourself," advised Ike, turning on the light and climbing up onto the top bunk.
"Yeah. Maybe the god of puberty will have pity on you and your voice won't crack," said Zac, bursting out with laughter.
"Ha ha! Very funny!"
Taylor chucked a pillow at his younger brother, and the pillow fight resumed.
I closed the notebook and my eyes. My thoughts drifted to Amanda. That seemed to be happening a lot lately. Well, at least more than usual. And if I concentrate real hard, I can smell the faint scent of her perfume. I sighed. She had totally captured my heart.