Eden (Re-write in Progress)

Chapter 1

Where do I begin…?I suppose I should start with the only, or one of the few, constant figures in my high school life, whom has now become a symbol for all I want but cannot obtain.Well, at least what I speak of cannot be acquired without destroying all that I have (without any guarantee of success, too).I am speaking, of course, of the first object of my affection, the first key that unlocked my heart to love.I would have done anything, however dangerous or stupid, if there was even a fleeting chance that I would be acknowledged and rewarded for my pursuit.I was acknowledged, but not rewarded.

To fully understand the circumstances I now find myself in, I will begin with the epiphany that started it all.

It was the last day of freshman year when I saw him and my heart awakened to the warming rays of infatuation.It was actually the previous day that his presence intrigued me.I had always seen him and heard of his name, but he was just another face in the crowd.Something about that day, the penultimate day of school, put his mark on my heart.I can remember him sitting on a table, alone, and in the rain.The darkness and mystery that exuded front him stood out like no other.At the beginning of the year I would have laughed at the notion of falling for a guy whose appearance was darkness personified, whose eyes were framed in thick black with Alice Cooper style triangles bleeding down.The utter aura of loneliness and solitude perhaps attracted me the most; for I have a great respect for both solitude and independence.No feelings, though, at this point had come to light.I drew him though, out of curiosity.This level of individualism likened him to a character already; he was waiting to be drawn, or so it seemed to me.He became one of my most often drawn subjects to this day.So, needless to say, my artistic experiment was a success.The more I thought about him, the more I wondered about him.The way I felt when I was merely around him was unlike anything I had previously experienced.It was a high that I had become addicted to.I asked my friends about him that day, and they more than graciously supplied me with information.Strangely, with each fact or comment about him, my curiosity only deepened.Apparently there was a time when he was happy, when his eyes were not filled with pain and hate and sadness.There was a time when he radiated light, not darkness.That time was only a mere year ago.It was with this, and more, that I came to fall under his spell.It wasn’t a secret either, unfortunately.Everyone knew about my sudden and deep infatuation.

That night I had the dream, the epiphany, which truly started it all.In the dream I was at some kind of field trip with my friends, he was there.Nothing significant happened until it was time to go.I was boarding the bus when he called out to me.I hesitated, with the same logic as in my waking life, and then got off the bus to go to him.We walked for a while and then sat down on some steps.He came from behind me and whispered things into my ear.I don't know what he said, but it made me blush.I knew that the words he spoke were some of the kindest, sweetest words that any mortal could ever speak.Upon waking I could feel that familiar sensation as I recalled the dream; my heart seemed to skip a beat, I could feel the adrenaline rush.Even the simple thought of his name would bring about these euphoric symptoms.

That day, the last day of school, was an end, but it was also a beginning.We all got together after school, and he was there also.I suppose by now I can disclose his name; Daemon.He walked with us over to Safeway, though he walked much faster than the rest of us.I was the most nervous I had ever been in my life.Beyond the effects of my own mind, if I got near enough to him my hands would begin to shake uncontrollably; every glance of his would make me blush.I had my sketchbook with me, which quickly was used against me; I had my drawing of Daemon and myself in it.My friends quickly confiscated the picture and presented it to him… much to my anguish and embarrassment.He, too, appeared embarrassed, but handled things more tactfully.I don’t think I even spoke to him at all that day; I was too afraid.There’s one thing you must understand; when it comes to matters of the spoken word, no feat proves great enough to scare me into silence.Yet, around him I was speechless… Needless to say, my friends took every opportunity to point out that I had missed my chance…