To explain the featured image of this post, it is a Casio G-Shock very much like the one worn by my main character, Grady Arden. It is also a reference to a theme in this series about how precious and limited time can be.
I began writing these at some point in 2015, through 2016, then I lost all interest in them.
The series revolves around a 16 year old boy (Grady Arden) who keeps to himself and a 19 year old terminally ill girl (Kylie LaCroix.) They quickly develop a romance, then enduring love. I would like to continue the series someday and both of them come to Christ, then have God supernaturally heal Kylie of her illness then have her and Grady eventually get married.
Please pray that I am able to accomplish such a thing.
All in all, here are some excerpts from the series of which I am willing to share:
Wednesday, November 18, 2015:
Sophomore Grady Arden was walking into the locker room at the end of his P.E. period. After finding a spot to get dressed, he quickly did so, then waited for the bell to ring. While waiting, Grady removed an iPod Touch from his backpack and began to watch videos on Youtube.
Suddenly Ishmael Brown, his classmate, grabbed the device from him.
“Give it back right now, you idiot! My dad gave me that as a gift,” Grady shouted with anger.
“What you going to do about it?” Ishmael tauntingly asked.
“How about tell the Officer Vilmont and have him beat you to a pulp.”
“If you try that, I’m going get my boys to take you out.”
“Whatever,” Grady said, then tried to take it back.
Ishmael held it over his head until Coach Kidde intervened “Do you want me to cut your ass from the team?” He asked Ishmael with anger.
“No Coach,” Ishmael replied.
“Then give it back to him. You will also do suicides for the first half of practice this afternoon.”
Ishmael sulked, handed it back to Grady and said: “This ain’t over, boy.”
“Oh, it definitely is over if you know what’s good for you. Now step!”
Ishmael walked away.
Grady shook Coach Kidde’s and said: “Thank you, Coach, I don’t know what I ever did to that jerk.”
Coach Kidde replied “It’s just the mentality some people have. If he ever does something to you again, let me or Officer Vilmont know.”
Soon after the bell rang…
A few minutes later at recess:
Ishmael said [to Grady] with anger “It’s your fault I have to do suicides at practice today. I’m going to make it worth it!”
Instantly, he punched Grady in the stomach causing him to double over on the cement. He then proceeded to stomp on him.
Suddenly, a girl who had just witnessed the event came running and screaming “Stop! Stop! Leave him alone!”
“Bitch, get out of here!” Ishmael said, dismissingly.
“I will most certainly not! In fact, I will make a bigger scene until the SRO comes and deals with you.” The girl replied, then continued, “We need help. Please, someone. There is a student being assaulted.”
Not long after Sergeant Ryan Vilmont came out and pulled Ishmael off of Grady. He then held the teen to the ground and arrested him.
The girl walked up to Grady and asked him, “Are you okay?”
“Yes. I think I’ll be,” He replied.
There was a silence, but then Grady said, “Thank you for helping me.”
She sweetly hugged him and replied “Oh sure. No one deserves to be treated like that. I’m Kylie LaCroix, by the way.”
“I’m Grady Arden.”
Kylie giggled and said, “Pleased to meet you!”
“Likewise.”
The bell rang and Kylie said, “Why don’t you come eat with me during lunch. I’ll be by the entrance to the art building.”
“That would be awesome.”
“Great. I can’t wait to see you,” Kylie said with a wink. She hugged him once more and then they went to class.
Later into the day:
Grady began tapping a mechanical pencil against his desk. The teacher ordered him to stop. For a while, he stopped, but then unconsciously started tapping again. The teacher threatened to send him to the office if he did it one more time. Grady then picked up his writing instrument then looked at his G-Shock wristwatch. It was still half an hour until the period was over and the lunch recess began.
He lapsed into a trance daydreaming about Kylie. He also thought about the user created skits he enjoyed watching on YouTube. This made him wonder what Kylie would think of him when he told her that was what he spent all of his free time doing. He wondered if she would make fun of him like so many others did. He decided to give Kylie the benefit of the doubt and continued to daydream of her. He did so until the bell rang.
Grady walked to his locker and put his backpack away. He then retrieved his iPod along with his wallet and walked to the lunch line. Soon enough, Grady was served his food. It was a pork stew and rice with a garden salad, bread roll and marble cake for dessert. He also bought a pint carton of orange juice. Grady took his tray and walked to the art building.
Kylie was already sitting there, with her home-made lunch, smiling. He walked up to her and she hugged him.
“I’m glad you decided to meet me here for lunch,” She sweetly said.
“How could I not have?” Grady replied with a slight tremble in his voice.
Kylie giggled and winked at him.
Quickly they ate their meals together and afterward, they began conversing.
“What do you do for fun?”
“Well, I mostly watch videos on Youtube.” He replied with a bright blush.
She smiled and asked “What kind of videos?”
“Mostly skits that people perform. They’re something like short stories, just made into videos.”
“That’s neat.”
“You really think so? Most people make fun of me for watching them. I wish I could somehow prove them all wrong and write the scripts to some of those videos. Imagine the money I could make off of it.”
“I won’t make fun of you at all. In fact, I’m sure you could create some wonderful skits.”
Grady smiled and then asked her, “What do you like to do for fun?”
“I could spend hours listening to powerful music or reading a good book. I’ve tried visual art, but I’m no good at it. God how I wish I could be.”
“Is that why you like to sit by the art building?”
“Yes. When I think that of all the creative energy that has transitioned through this building over the years, I just wish that I could tap into it and use it.”
“That’s very profound,” Grady said.
“Thanks,” Kylie replied..
Kylie talking about her parents during lunch:
“They want me to focus on the math and science courses, but I much prefer the literature and arts.”
“My parents don’t push me that hard, they simply make me go to school only because I am legally required to. But, if I dropped out, they’d expect me to go to work full time and that can’t happen for another two years when I turn eighteen.”
“So you’re sixteen?”
“Yes.”
“I’m nineteen. I had to take time off for health reasons.”
“So you’re a senior?”
“Yes.”
“I hope you don’t think I’m too young to hang out with you.”
“Not at all.”
“Good because I think you’re wonderful.”
Kylie smiled brightly and then she said “Hey. I know this is off the topic, but why don’t you show me some of those skits you like to watch?”
Grady replied, pulling out his iPod, “If the WiFi signal is strong enough right here, we can watch them.”
“That would be nice.”
“All right, say no more.”
Grady pulled up the Youtube app and they watched several videos. Soon they saw the link to a short romantic skit.”
Kylie pointed to it and said, “Let’s watch it.”
“I don’t know, those romantic ones depress me.”
“Why is that?”
“Because I don’t have anyone.”
Kylie looked at him directly and asked, “Do you want someone?”
Grady blushed and replied “Sure, I do believe that no one should be alone. If only I had someone I could love and love me in return.”
She then placed her hands on his and smiled at him and then asked, “Do you really mean that?”
“Yes, of course.”
Kylie placed her hands on his face and asked: “Grady, How do you feel about me?”
“My God, Kylie, you are sweet and smart and not to mention beautiful. But what do you see in me?”
She hugged him tightly and said “I see plenty and I want you! Do you want me?”
“Yes.”
“Then ask me.”
“What do you want me to ask you?”
“If I can be your girlfriend, duh.”
“OK, Kylie LaCroix. Will you be my girlfriend?”
“Yes, of course, I will. Do you know why?”
“Why?”
“Because you’re sweet, you’re honest and you are as cute as a newborn Collie. That’s my answer as to what I see in you!”
She then threw her arms around him and their lips met.
After sharing their kiss they hugged tightly and Kylie asked, “So how now do you feel about watching one of those romantic skits?”
“Let’s watch ’em,” Grady replied.
“Good.”
Kylie then cradled Grady’s head in her lap while they held hands and watched. Unfortunately, the bell rang a seemingly short time after.
“I guess we better get to class,” Grady said.
“I suppose. Let’s meet up after school.”
“All right, that sounds awesome!”
“It’s a date!” Kylie said, kissed him and then they walked to their classes…
School Dismissal:
As Grady was walking through the halls, Kylie rushed up and hugged him.
She then asked, “What would you like to do this afternoon?”
“I’m up for anything,” Grady replied.
“Would you like to come over to my house?”
“What would your parents think?”
“They won’t be home until eight or nine tonight. What about yours?”
“Well my dad is out of state right now and my mom won’t be home until after seven o’clock tomorrow morning.”
“Then we could go to your house right?” Kylie asked with a wink and a bright smile.
“Sure, I guess,” Grady replied awkwardly.
“Awesome. I’ll just get on your bus instead of mine.”
“I wish I could drive you, but I never had the chance to get my license.”
“That’s alright. I cannot drive either, my doctors don’t want me to.”
“Well as soon as I can get my license, I’ll take you everywhere you want and need.”
“Kylie kissed Grady and said, “You’re so sweet!”
So hand in hand they sat and waited for Grady’s bus to arrive. When it came, they entered just as quickly as the doors opened. Quickly, they found a seat.
“The ride takes a while to get to my house,” Grady said.
“It’s fine. All that means is that we can hold each other until we arrive. Then we can do even more!” Kylie said rubbing his face.
Grady sat by the window so he could see when they were near his stop and Kylie leaned against him, resting her head on his chest. Nervously he kissed her forehead.
She smiled from ear to ear and told him, “I like when you kiss me.”
They faced each other and their lips met. Awkwardly there was a meeting and pressing of each others’ mouths.
“That was wonderful! I hope there is more to come!” Kylie said.
“There is much more, as long as you’re okay with it. If you ever want me to stop, just say so.” Grady replied.
“I’ll never want you to stop any affections towards me!” Kylie said kissing him once more.
The bus driver then shouted, “Um, Grady Arden and whoever that girl you brought on my bus is, cut it out right now or I’ll the cops on y’all.”
“Jeez, sorry Miss Dolores. We didn’t mean any harm,” Grady said.
Kylie pouted and whispered to Grady, asking, “Why did you apologize?”
“Because this is my only ride to and from school.”
“I guess you’re right. But, I cannot wait until we get to your house.”
Grady smiled and simply held her hand.
“Get in separate seats now!” The bus driver shouted.
“But why?” Kylie asked in distress.
“Don’t question me, little girl, just do as I say or I will call the cops and you will be charged with engaging in lewd conduct.”
Kylie sulked then moved to a different seat, catercorner to Grady’s. They stared at each other in distress.
The bus ride was going seemingly fast up until that point. Now it seemed to drag on since Grady and Kylie’s affections were cruelly and abruptly halted.
Finally, the bus stopped at Grady’s house and both he and Kylie got off.
The driver looked at Kylie and said: “Just remember your actions have consequences, you little brat.”
“Lay off of her Miss Dolores, she’s the only one in the whole school who is nice to me.”
“Shut your mouth, Grady. Furthermore, don’t bring her on my bus again, if you’re going to act like that with her.”
Grady and Kylie stepped off the bus…
Grady and Kylie alone for at least a brief moment:
“At least we’re alone now,” Grady said as he retrieved his house key from the lanyard around his neck and unlocked the front door. Little did they know they were being watched by Grady’s hateful neighbor, Lester Ewing…
Grady and Kylie entered the house together alone. There was, at first, an awkward silence, until their hormones began to get the better of them.
“Finally, we’re all alone!” Kylie said with excitement as she teasingly lifted up her uniform skirt in front of Grady.
“I’m all yours; Your wish is my command!” Grady answered as his voice shook a little.
Kylie giggled then began to undo Grady’s belt and unzip his uniform pants.
They lovingly began to remove each others’ clothing until Kylie paused said in distress, “I do have very deep feelings for you and I only hope and pray that they are mutual. And, yes, I do want to make love to you, Grady Arden, but I must first tell you something important.”
Grady paused from unfastening the buttons on Kylie’s oxford uniform shirt, held her hands and said, gently “We don’t have to sleep together, but I definitely would if you indeed wanted me to. If something is bothering you, then please tell me; what is it?
“It’s about my health and it is serious. I only hope and pray that you will still want me.”
“I doubt there is anything that can change how I feel about you, especially any health condition.”
“Well, here goes:” Kylie said with a slight reluctance.
Suddenly there was a banging on the back door.
Both hurriedly fixed up their clothes.
“Grady, open this door now. I know you’re alone in there with a girl and if you don’t answer, I’ll call the cops on both of you.”
“Durn it, busybody Lester Ewing is here.”
“Who’s that?” Kylie asked.
“My jerk of a neighbor.”
“If he calls the cops, they’ll find out our age difference and I’ll get in so much trouble,” Kylie said with great anxiety.
“What should I do?”
“Stall him I guess.”
“Okay, I’ll try.”
Grady then walked to the door and said: “Don’t you have anything better to do Lester?”
“I do, but I don’t want my tax dollars supporting any children you produce.”
“But that is none of your business.”
“I’m making it my business and it will also be the cops’ business if you don’t send her home right now.”
“Please don’t call the cops; if you do I’ll never be able to see her again.”
“Not my problem, so I suggest you make her leave right now.”
“How do you expect me to do that? Neither of us drives a car.”
“Then you tell her to get on the phone and have someone pick her up.”
“This really isn’t fair.”
“I’ll tell you what isn’t fair, you getting her pregnant and having us taxpayers support the child.”
“Okay. I’ll go talk to her.”
“You better make it quick.”
Grady walked back to his room where Kylie was sitting on his bed. In distress, he asked her, “Is there anyone that could pick you up and take you home?”
Kylie sobbed, asking, “Why? I want to make love to you.”
“And I want to be intimate with you just as much, but busybody Lester will call the police if you don’t leave. I can’t risk you going to jail because then I’ll never see you again.”…
A few moments later:
Kylie then introduced Dylan to Grady.
Dylan said sternly, “I hope you’re not trying to use my baby cousin and then dump her because she already has plenty of pain in her life.”
Kylie interjected, “He isn’t trying to use me. Coming here was my idea. Anyway, I think he’s a virgin.”
Dylan looked at Grady in the eye and said: “I want to hear it from you.”
Grady replied “She’s right, I’m a virgin. And I truly mean her no harm. Yes, we were about to sleep together. But I want you to know I would have waited however long for her. I have deep feelings for her and I can only pray that she has the same feelings for me.”
Dylan looked at Grady and asked with great seriousness “Will you be committed to her and her only?”
Grady nodded and said “You have my word. I’ve known no other and want no other. I only want Kylie, period.”
“You seem to be telling the truth. I can tell when someone is lying and I’m almost sure you’re not.”
“I’m honest as a robin.”
“Then, I want you to know that there’s something you must know about her.”
“I’ll tell him. I was about to tell him anyway.” Kylie interjected.
She then held Grady’s hands, looked directly into his eyes and said with a heavy heart, “I am terminally ill. The doctors tell me that I have at best three or four years to live.”
Grady broke down and tears filled his eyes as he spoke “My God, Kylie, I’m so sorry and there are no words that can express it. It’s just not fair. It’s not fair to anyone. You are beautiful both body and soul and I was truly hoping we could have been together forever.”
“Do you still want me now that you know this?”
“Of course I still want you, nothing will ever change that. I just now want to pray for the ability to always make you happy and comfortable.”
“Oh, I love you, Grady! Do you love me too?”
“Yes, Kylie, I love you! And I am greatly honored that you have chosen me to live out your last years with.”…
Grady and Kylie ride to the park:
As they were riding in the bed of Dylan’s truck, Grady asked Kylie “Could you tell me the time on your phone?”
“Sure.” Kylie looked at her phone and said: “It’s 4:14.”
“Great. That’s what my watch says too. It keeps time really well.”
“Why did you need to know that?”
“Because we need to know when 6 o’clock gets here so we can catch the bus and I don’t want to bother you to keep looking at your phone.”
“That’s thoughtful of you, Grady.”
“Yes, I can set my alarm for five fifty. That way we can have enough time to walk to the bus stop by the park.”
“Good idea.”
Grady began to set his alarm and Kylie watched him smiling.
She then said, “That’s a manly looking watch you have.”
“It’s a Casio G-Shock. My dad gave it to me. He also gave me my iPod Touch.”
“My parents only give me gifts for Christmas and my birthday.”
“Well, I guess my dad gives me gifts year round because he is always working and never gets to spend time with me. He usually only gets one day off during the week and he sleeps most of that day. He tells me that when he retires he’ll spend time with me.”
“Money isn’t everything.”
“You’re right. What’s money if you never have time for anything else?”
“Speaking of time, come hug me and give me a kiss. We’ve only got a little while together.”
Grady crawled across the truck bed and came to Kylie. She then playfully grabbed him and held him as they lay down on their sides. They looked deeply into each other’s eyes smiling but then Grady became distressed. Soon he was fighting back tears.
Kylie wiped his eyes with her shirt and asked, “What’s the matter?”
Grady replied “It just cuts me like a razor blade that we won’t have a long life together. God, I love you so much, Kylie.”
“I love you too. Just try not to think about it and instead let’s focus on making each other as happy as possible.”
“You’re very brave, Kylie.”
“I may seem brave but I’m actually scared to death.”
“I wish there was something I could do.”
“There is, just hold me closer.”…
I have slightly more of it written but I am not willing to share it as of yet, because I want to keep, you, the reader, in suspense. I hope that what I have shared so far is interesting enough.
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