HANBUGER AND I ONLYYYYYY :3

I turned around, seeing Aspen bound around the corner, paint brush in hand. I couldn't help but grin slightly, but held my ground. Ready for war? She asked playfully, and I glanced over at her. I continued painting, raising an eyebrow. "Good morning, Aspen," I said quickly, then yanked my I-pod out of my pocket. I wasn't about ready to strike up a boring conversation about my lifeless night, and I wasn't going to listen to hers either. I unraveled the headphones, placing one in, and turning the music up all the way. I kept painting until I worked my way into the middle again, then went around the corner to get a new paint can. It was sitting on the newly built front porch, wood and all, the sawdust filling the air. I leaned down, opening the can with the handy tools, taking me a moment. "F*ck," I muttered as the task became harder.
"So you're Max," I heard a voice say faintly, and spun around. A girl stood there, young, about my age. She was pretty, curvy, nothing my taste.
"Huh?" I muttered, staring at her.
"You're Max. Aspen was telling me about me," She said quickly, smiling. "I'm Kristy. It's nice of you to volunteer, you know. And, being with Aspen. You guys, are so ... cute." She giggled, offering her hand.
I stared at it, her hand, and ignored it, raising an eyebrow, turned and finished with the paint. "Have a nice day, Kristy," I said before carrying the can to the back yard, filling up the tray. I knew I'd hurt Aspen, but I wasn't ready to let her into my life. I snuck a peek at her painting, and sighed. She was beautiful, perfect. Off limits, I thought.

"Cold greeting?" I repeated, staring at her. I shrugged, and put the paint can down, letting it hit the ground with a thud. "I said good morning, what more do you want? You're going to be selfish now?" I asked, slightly harsh. I re-wet a normal paintbrush, going over the corners of the walls. "Just because everyone else is a slave to you, Aspen, doesn't mean I'm going to be one of them. You drive me crazy," I snarled. I refused to make nice with Aspen, especially if she thought I was just going to be all over her now. Even if I wanted to be.. but that was against the point. I couldn't have a relationship right now, it was just out of the deal. I knew what I wanted, and how to get it. I needed to get out of here, off probation. Everything would go back to normal after. I stood tall again, painting under the roof, my shirt lifting slightly. I yanked it back down again, not wanting her to think I was being rude, or showing off. I looked over at her admiringly, but made myself stop. I stared at the stucco, irritatedly.

I could tell she was angry. But how could she be angry? The sunlight shone perfectly, reflecting off her hair, and highlighting her gorgeous features. It made my heart stop. I dropped my paintbrush by my feet, splashing onto my boots. Her words told me no, but everything else told me yes. Do you fight that? I stepped forward, grabbing her wrists, and pulling her close. "Aspen," I whispered, letting her name just roll off my tongue. My eyes searched over her face, stopping and meting hers. "Aspen," I smiled, kissing her forehead. I pushed her bangs behind her ears, and laughed once. This was right, despite what anyone or even myself was telling my mind. It felt right, everything was fine."Good morning," I whispered, and let my lips meet hers. She tasted sweeter than I had imagined, precious, soft, unique. I let my arms lace around her waist, pulling her closer, into me, and pulled my lips away, smiling at her. Once more, I brushed her cheek with the back of my hand, then let go, laughing, and picked up my paintbrush, re-painting the spot I had missed.

I glanced over at my shoulder, at Aspen, and held in more laughs. She was touching her lips, hesitant, and let out a small breath. Uh, she said softly. I just watched her, pursing my lips, then shook my head slowly, running a hand through my hair. "Aspen, I'd like to spend more time with you, despite what my true intentions are, except, I'm not sure how well that would go over. You make me insane, more like, drive me crazy. But, if I let you into my life, I won't know how to get you back out again," I mused, flicking dry paint of the tip of my paintbrush. I sighed, and stood back, letting my paintbrush fall back into the tray. I crossed my arms and inspected my paint job. I could have done better, but I was.. er, mildly distracted. "So, tell me," I said quietly, turning towards her, and stepping closer. I was slightly taller than her, almost looming over, my face inches from her. "What's on your mind?" I grinned, foolishly, then picked a piece of her hair, and twirled it with my fingertips.

She brushed her cheek against mine, electrifying, my whole body felt like it wanted to collapse. I felt weak in the knees when she pressed her lips to mine again. I closed my eyes, smiling against her kiss, and pulled her closer, yanking her body into mine. The summer sun had warmed her slightly, making this all the more enjoyable. Maybe if I got involved with Aspen, things wouldn't be so bad. I'd have her, after all. How bad could that be? I pulled my hands away from her waist, my fingers running through her auburn hair. Everything about her was perfect, her hair, her face, her everything. I pulled away, and smiled down at her, resting my chin on the top of her head. "You have to let me work. Or I'm going to get kicked out, babe." I whispered, chuckling slightly. I kissed her forehead, once more, then met her green eyes. They had a flash of hope, one I hadn't seen before. I bit my lip, placing my hands on either side of her face, gently on her cheeks. I kissed her again in the heat of the day, her lips perfectly parting and joining with mine, before turning back to the wall, nodding and heading around to the front of the building, Aspen still on my mind, her taste still on my tongue. Maybe I was.. being dazzled. This was not fair. I didn't come her to have a relationship. I started shaking my head, but I could see Kristy and Aspen's father working and talking away up ahead. I froze, slightly, wondering about what Kristy could be talking to him about. Suddenly, I was suspicious. Everyone was a critic, I thought quickly, narrowing my eyes.

I was soon informed that I was needed to paint the other side of the house too. Oh joy, were not my first words. In fact, my first words were, "Holy sh*t," And luckily, it was right in front of Aspen's father. In fact, he was the one I was talking to. I got off with a quick warning of my foul language, blushed, and walked off to find more paint. I stalked up the driveway to where all the paint was stacked at the end, rolling my eyes. Why did I want to be here on every scorching hot day of the summer? I know, Aspen was here, but really, I could find a girl like that anywhere, right? I wasn't so sure. I lagged my ass up, finally at the end, and grabbed a few cans of paint. I sighed and started walking back, a few cars coming up the drive towards the house to help too. I felt frustrated and anxious. How far was Aspen and I's relationship actually going to go? She couldn't possibly think it was really serious, did she? Did she know of my life's plans? I'd have to fill her in, I thought, shifting my weight easily as I reached the house once more. I filled up a paint tray, sloshing it around and sticking a roller in it, soaking it in the white paint. I stood back, glancing up at the wall, and felt immediate anger towards the house. So much work, so much time to be wasting. I just started working, instead, to get my mind off it, yanking my ipod out of my pocket and setting it on shuffle.

I revved the engine, placing the helmet over my hair, and taking off from the corner store. I had to pick up smokes, and the line up was terrible. After a long day of work, I was dying. I was buzzing down the roads, excited just to get home after this day, but as I passed the work house, which was the opposite of town than mine. I saw a seemingly familiar person walking down the road, arms crossed over her arms, the sun going down. She was wearing shorts, stupid girl. I whizzed past her, unable to put a face to the back of her body, shaking my head as I went by. But after a moment, I glanced back and noticed that it was exactly who I thought. What a coincidence. I pulled into the nearest drive way, pulling a tight curve and back out onto the road. I quickly pulled up ahead over her, and looked at her pretty face, twisted into a mask of worry, and she was clearly cold. I didn't have much for her, so I shrugged out of my leather jacket, and helmet, placing them on the back of the bike. "Get on, you shameless girl. I'm taking you home," I yelled over the engine, then smiled pleasingly at her. I winked, and revved it once, easing up. I'd have to tell her not to let her ankles touch the exhaust pipe on the motor bike, she'd burn her skin completely off. "I don't have all day. Let's go, babe,"

She walked over, casually putting on the gear I was making her wear. I shrugged, and glanced at the road, pretending not to admire her as she did so. But in all honesty, I liked her almost ten times more for even putting it on. I grinned at her, and revved it again as she swooped on, her arms around my waist. I was a little excited, actually overly, her strapped in behind me, her body close to mine. I kicked off, picking up speed quickly, and thoughts rapidly flowed through my mind. I should have probably taken her home, but why do that, when I had the advantage of taking her out? I was beginning to really like Aspen, against my own will. I arched my back slightly, forcing her to hold tighter, and picked up some more speed. As we went down the road, it was quiet, the sun setting peacefully ahead. She didn't say much, and neither did I, the silence not awkward. Instead, I had thoughts of kissing her stuck on replay in my mind. I couldn't get it out. Was that a good sign? No, I think not. Soon enough, I came upon the field I had always been to when I was younger. My abandoning and abrupt father had always taken me trailing here, before there were ever pathways. In the summer, we'd come swimming, and take the dogs for long hikes. That was before his son turned into what I was now. A coward, a liar, and a drug addict. I wasn't planning on changing, but who knew? I pulled up outside the field, the familiar brown pathway on the other side of a large drainage ditch, and turned the engine off. I sighed, and hopped off the bike, offering a hand to her. "Come on, Aspen," I said, smiling pleasingly, in hope that she wouldn't throw a fit that I wasn't taking her home. She had to come along. I'd make her day.

I watched her hit the water, and rub the water out of her eyes. I grinned at her, as she asked me to help her out. I debated it, then shrugged, laughing. I leaned down and took her hand, trying to pull her out. However, I didn't think too hard, and she yanked me in, head first. I went right under, getting water up my nose. Damn her, I thought. I re-surfaced, and stared at her, after rubbing my eyes. I ran a hand through my now somewhat wet hair, and narrowed my eyes. "You trader," I laughed, pushing her back slightly and splashing her. I waited until she cleared off her face once more, giggling, and I crossed my arms. I admired her as the sunset hit her features perfectly, her red hair shining in the light. I grabbed her hands, wet, and pulled her into my chest. I ran a hand through her hair, my fingertips winding around the tips of her hair. I leaned down and kissed her, water droplets on her lips and mine. I tasted her sweet breath, hot on mine, and I smiled into the kiss. I pulled away, kissing her forehead, holding my lips there, closing my eyes. How long would I want to stay here, with Aspen? How long would this whole affair go on for? I wasn't even sure what today would bring. I gently pushed her shoulders back, so she fell into the water, and laughed, kindly.

I wasn't exactly sure what I was getting myself into, what with this entire Aspen thing, but I decided I'd just have to go with it. No matter how many times my head said no, my heart just kept on saying yes. It was fine. I could dump her at the end of summer. She tackled me, and I laughed, wading down to my knees, and bringing her with me. "You're killing me, Aspen, mind, body, and soul," I muttered, laughing as my entire shirt got wet, my torso soaked up to my shoulders. Hey, she was already wet too, a little water couldn't hurt. I shook my shoulders, loosely, letting her fall back into the water, and laughed, turning towards her, standing out of the murky pond water. I grinned at her, spreading my hands and sending a huge splash her way, hesitant of splashing her too much, because God only knew I hated when I had water in my eyes. Besides, for some reason, I just didn't want to shake this girl. I didn't want her off my plate, I wanted her to stick around. At least for a while. I wasn't about to sent her storming off because I stung her eyes, or pushed her a little too hard. I could be gently. I sent another small wave towards her, childishly playing the water game. How familiar this was, from my childhood, playing with my dad. It kind of creeped me out a little. Except Aspen, who was now completely drenched, still looked pretty, happy, flawless as she sat back in the water. I was amused with this.

I cleared my throat when she asked how she was going to dry off. My mind automatically shifted to one thing, and then to another. "Uh," I started, then looked down. She splashed me, and I grinned up at her, running a hand through my damp hair. She was closer now, I could feel her warmth, even against her being cold. I bit my lip, then laughed. "Come on," I grabbed her waist quickly, and pushed her up onto the bank, all in one swift movement, then pulled myself out. It wasn't much of a pull, really, but I wanted her out before myself. I stood up, running a hand down my wet shirt, water droplets falling to the ground, and I sighed. I offered a hand to her, pulling her up to stand also, and draped an arm loosely around her waist, tugging her towards my bike. I handed her the helmet, watching until she put it on, then my leather jacket over top. That would keep her warm until we got back to my place. It strange, that I wasn't bringing her back to my house for any other reason than just to make her warm. It wasn't to rip on her, or scam her. I actually felt something for the girl. I waited till she was on the bike to hop on too, starting, revving the engine, and going back down the winding road, straight to my place. I knew my Mom wasn't home, thankfully, I wouldn't have to explain anything to her. I wasn't good with introductions. As soon as we pulled up front of my old, friendly house, I hopped off, taking her hand to do the same. "I'm in the basement," I murmured, pulling her in close to me for a moment. I reached into the pocket of my jacket, yanking out my lighter and pack of smokes. I felt almost tense, considering I hadn't smoked the entire time that I'd been working today, and I usually was a chain smoker. I lit up quickly, then took her hand, leading her towards the back door, which led to the basement, my own special place.