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"Magnets To Metal" by Shawnsphoenix

Mia and Gabriel find love and security in one another. Though Mia wants nothing more than to stay by Gabriel's side, he knows there is better out there for her, and comforts her with the knowledge that they will always find one another...their story has no end, for they are like magnets to metal. *first draft, so please excuse the grammatical errors*

Category: Book: 1st Chapter

Tags: YA Fiction, Love, Friendship, dysfunctional family issues

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MAGNETS TO METAL

BY: D.R. PHILLIPS

 

 

CHAPTER1: CROSSFIRE

 

 

“I’m not your goddamn slave,” My mom reached down to pick up the dirty boots my dad kicked off on the floor. “Pick up your *****. You’re not the only one who works around here you know.”

“Oh poor thing, it must be so hard to wash a dish.” My dad put his feet up on the coffee table, a move he knew my mom despised.

“Screw you *****,” she threw the boots at his head and he barely had time to block the impact. “I do a lot around here, and do I get a thank you.”

“Stop throwing *****,” he stood up. “Yeah you do so much, what with Oprah, The View, Days of our pathetic lives, it’s amazing you get any time in for a two hour nap — thank you honey.” He grabbed the boots and threw them back at her, missing, but hitting the wall. The picture frame of our oh-so-happy family tilted to the side.

“I vacuum, do your disgusting dishes and ***** laundry on a daily basis, mow the lawn, dust, make your ungrateful ***** breakfast, lunch and dinner every miserable day of my miserable life, and do you notice any of it?” her voice lowered as she realized I hadn’t left the kitchen. I sat frozen to my chair, hoping they’d stop soon.

“Mia, take out the trash.” She bit out. I knew this was her way of telling me to get lost. I still couldn’t make my muscles move just yet.

“And I work twelve mother effen hours,” he glanced at me as he tried to watch his language. “Plus overtime, you wouldn’t last an hour doing what I do. So don’t talk to me about being ungrateful. You’ve got it good, and if anyone’s a slave it’s me.” My mom scoffed and rolled her eyes.

“Oh yeah, poor Shane has to work. Boo ***** hoo. You’re such a pathetic loser. I can’t even stand looking at your face.”

“If I’m such a loser than why don’t you do what we both know you want to do and divorce me?”

“Because you’ve kept me locked up in this hell hole and now I’ve been out of work for too long. You’ve ruined my life, and…” They kept on yelling, but I stopped listening. Instead, I made myself stand up and walk out of the house, not even bothering with the trash.

They were too absorbed with hurting one another; I’m sure they didn’t even notice I’d taken off.

I needed the twenty-minute walk to the beach in order to clear my mind. I walked along the river that flowed behind our house — we don’t touch the water. The musty smell warned anyone who might consider risking it and taking a dip. Here in Little River, South Carolina we had everything, but could use nothing. We have a river, but don’t dare touch it. We have a beach, but we’d die of hypothermia if we tried to go in. But it was my escape and I always welcomed the silence.

It was dark by now; I made my way over to the swing set that over looked the ocean. I sat on the swing watching the black wave’s crash against the shore. Tears streamed down my face — again. They never paid attention to anyone caught up in their crossfire, only the pain they caused one another — my feelings were irrelevant. They assumed I didn’t know what was going on. How could I not? Could I ignore the broken T.V. or the scratches on his face? Or the complete silence that enveloped the room anytime someone would walk in on their yelling match.

Staying together for the kids, now that’s the stupidest thing I’d ever heard. They could stay together all they wanted; because once this kid hit eighteen, she was breaking up with them. The only reason worth staying here at all was Gabriel.

I couldn’t hear him approaching, but I could feel him near. We pulled toward one another like magnets to metal. No matter where we were, we’d always find each other.

I don’t know if I ever believed in love at first sight, but the first time I saw him — over two years ago — a fire lit in my heart and something inside me changed. We didn’t say much, just sat on the beach side by side until the darkness of the night took over. And that’s how it’s been from day one.

With Gabriel, I didn’t need to fill the silence with empty words, because we somehow knew each other. He knew I didn’t care about his background, and he was always there to shield me from mine. He never bugged or pushed me, he just let me be. We connected on a level I didn’t know existed.

 “Again?” he asked as he sat next to me. I nodded and swiped at the unwanted tears cascading down my face.

“They don’t deserve you,” he put his arm around my shoulders and drew me close. The scent of his cologne made my body hyperaware of his nearness.

“Mark my words; they will miss you when you’re gone. Two more years Mia and you’ll be out of this ***** town right?” He looked down at me. He secured his long dark hair in a ponytail at the base of his head, so his features were easy to see — especially those beautiful lips that I’ve kissed so much.

“I guess,” I whispered wondering where that left us. “But where will you be? Maybe if you’re going to a college out of state…” I let my words trail off, not sure where to go from there.

“I’ll be out of this town too, I’m not sure where,” he squared my shoulders so I faced him. “But you can’t decide your future on what I do.” He chuckled to himself, as though something just occurred to him. “I’m no one, but you,” he framed my face with his hands. “You are a gem that has yet to be discovered. Don’t let these people keep you hidden from the world. Whether I’m here or not should make no difference. You need to get out Mia.” I could see the conviction in his eyes, and I knew he believed what he said about me, but I couldn’t understand why he never included himself in my future.

“So in other words, I can’t depend on you either.” My head hung low and I wanted to fall apart and melt into the sand. He didn’t move to hug me or intrude on my space; he just remained next to me lost in thought.

“You’ll always have my heart,” he finally said. “You know that, but you need to learn to stand on your own two feet.” He tilted up my chin and I couldn’t help but notice that he tip toed around a straight answer. “Listen Mia, this world is hard and not for the weak. Your parents aren’t going to look out for you, so who will?” he let me think about this for a moment. I half expected him to offer, but he quickly killed those expectations.

“You will that’s who. It’s learning to survive and knowing what you want or need and making it happen. I can’t do that for you, and I wouldn’t cheat you of that life lesson.”

 This was classic Gabriel talk — all confusing. It was the basis of our relationship. He would throw out these random inspirational speeches then slip into some deep thoughtful silence. He never expected a response, and I never gave him one. I didn’t ask and he didn’t tell. He didn’t pry and I tried to forget.

“Tell me one thing,” he said after a moment of silence. “Why do you stay here? Don’t you have any other family?”

“Yeah,” I mumbled. “I guess.” I looked away.

I did have other places to go, but when Gabriel entered my life, I couldn’t bring myself to leave. I loved him and not just that stupid girl meets boy love, but he has a piece of my soul love.

“Then do what’s right for you and get out of here.” He held my hands in a firm grip. “This pathetic town isn’t good enough for you. You’re greater than this.”

“And what about you,” I asked. “I’m just supposed to forget you ever existed?” My eyes began to water because I hated the thought of life without my one best friend. Yeah, I had other friends, but they were fillers. They were the friends I had to see; Gabriel was the friend I loved to see.

“Do you really think that’s possible? We’ll never forget each other, you know that, and so do I.” He caught a tear as it slipped silently down my face. “We’re connected you and I. Distance isn’t going to change that. I know it in every fiber of my being. There will never be an end for us.” I smiled weakly allowing myself to fall for his beautiful words.

“Then why does it feel like you’re ending us?” I frowned.

“Because silly girl, you lean towards the dramatic side of life. I’m only opening your eyes to possibilities. You can’t stay here for me,” he saw the set determination in my eyes and seemed to change his tactics. “Who knows how long I’ll be around for anyways?” I felt him drawing away.

 “What do you mean by that?” A wave of concern took hold. “Are you like dying or something?” my voice faltered.

“We’re all dying; it’s part of our imperfections.” He smirked.

“Okay, let me be more specific. Are you dying of some incurable disease that is slowly destroying your immune system and you’re gonna have to seek some daily treatment for?” There that should cover the big ones.

“No love, I’m not dying. But I’m not doing you any favors keeping you here either. You need to get out.” He said flatly.

“I will,” I mumbled knowing it wasn’t the truth, and he knew it too.

“And you need to know that I tend to move around a lot.” His voice sounded detached as he looked out into the ocean. “I’ve never been good at staying in one spot for too long.” His eyes hardened as he let me register what he was saying. I knew he lived from place to place, but I never thought he’d leave me.

“So you and I were never anything but a temporary fling?” I barely got the words out.

“I don’t know what to call us, but I know what’s between us could never be mistaken as a fling. Temporary, however is a possibility. Since everything in my life is temporary. Couldn’t you tell?” he stood up and began to walk towards the shore.

“How could I tell?” my voice began to rise. “You never tell me anything. I thought you appreciated the fact that I didn’t bug you. Now I’m starting to realize it was just convenient.” I cut him off and stood in front of him.

“No it wasn’t like that and you know it. It was easy with you, we never had to explain things to each other, but now I’m seeing that this was a mistake.” His words were like a knife to the heart. “No love, you weren’t the mistake. Keeping each other in the dark was the mistake. I just don’t do permanence well, and to be honest you are the closest I’ve gotten to anyone in a very long time, and that worries me on an entirely different level.” Even though Gabriel was only two years old than I, it felt as though we were eons apart right now. We were both silent for a while, until he whispered, “I don’t expect much from anyone, and you shouldn’t either.”

“Fine, don’t worry about it. I don’t need anyone anyways.” I looked away and couldn’t stop my body from shaking. I don’t know if it was from the cold or my emotional state. Gabriel noticed and took off his hoodie wrapping it tightly around my shoulders. It smelled of him, and I felt comforted and sad all at the same time. “So is this it? Are you breaking up with me?”

“I don’t do goodbyes if that’s what you’re asking,” he stood close and held onto my shoulders. “But I do know that you and I have this moment to be together, and I for one don’t want to waste it thinking about tomorrow.” He smiled and I saw that mischievous sparkle in his dark brown eyes. That look was impossible to resist. He leaned down and cupped my face in his strong lean hands bringing my lips up to meet his. He kissed away my worries and erased my memories with each touch of his lips. My hands wrapped around his neck as I pulled him closer to my body. He held my waist tightly and we remained locked in one another’s embrace until the first light of dawn began to creep above the skies.

We didn’t talk anymore that night, and we never said goodbye, though I wish I had. That would be the last night I spent with my love and my best friend. He left the next day. I’d never been so alone.


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1. MAGNETS TO METAL

2. BY: D.R. PHILLIPS

3.  

4.  

5. CHAPTER1: CROSSFIRE

6.  

7.  

8. “I’m not your goddamn slave,” My mom reached down to pick up the dirty boots my dad kicked off on the floor. “Pick up your *****. You’re not the only one who works around here you know.”

9. “Oh poor thing, it must be so hard to wash a dish.” My dad put his feet up on the coffee table, a move he knew my mom despised.

10. “Screw you *****,” she threw the boots at his head and he barely had time to block the impact. “I do a lot around here, and do I get a thank you.”

11. “Stop throwing *****,” he stood up. “Yeah you do so much, what with Oprah, The View, Days of our pathetic lives, it’s amazing you get any time in for a two hour nap — thank you honey.” He grabbed the boots and threw them back at her, missing, but hitting the wall. The picture frame of our oh-so-happy family tilted to the side.

12. “I vacuum, do your disgusting dishes and ***** laundry on a daily basis, mow the lawn, dust, make your ungrateful ***** breakfast, lunch and dinner every miserable day of my miserable life, and do you notice any of it?” her voice lowered as she realized I hadn’t left the kitchen. I sat frozen to my chair, hoping they’d stop soon.

13. “Mia, take out the trash.” She bit out. I knew this was her way of telling me to get lost. I still couldn’t make my muscles move just yet.

14. “And I work twelve mother effen hours,” he glanced at me as he tried to watch his language. “Plus overtime, you wouldn’t last an hour doing what I do. So don’t talk to me about being ungrateful. You’ve got it good, and if anyone’s a slave it’s me.” My mom scoffed and rolled her eyes.

15. “Oh yeah, poor Shane has to work. Boo ***** hoo. You’re such a pathetic loser. I can’t even stand looking at your face.”

16. “If I’m such a loser than why don’t you do what we both know you want to do and divorce me?”

17. “Because you’ve kept me locked up in this hell hole and now I’ve been out of work for too long. You’ve ruined my life, and…” They kept on yelling, but I stopped listening. Instead, I made myself stand up and walk out of the house, not even bothering with the trash.

18. They were too absorbed with hurting one another; I’m sure they didn’t even notice I’d taken off.

19. I needed the twenty-minute walk to the beach in order to clear my mind. I walked along the river that flowed behind our house — we don’t touch the water. The musty smell warned anyone who might consider risking it and taking a dip. Here in Little River, South Carolina we had everything, but could use nothing. We have a river, but don’t dare touch it. We have a beach, but we’d die of hypothermia if we tried to go in. But it was my escape and I always welcomed the silence.

20. It was dark by now; I made my way over to the swing set that over looked the ocean. I sat on the swing watching the black wave’s crash against the shore. Tears streamed down my face — again. They never paid attention to anyone caught up in their crossfire, only the pain they caused one another — my feelings were irrelevant. They assumed I didn’t know what was going on. How could I not? Could I ignore the broken T.V. or the scratches on his face? Or the complete silence that enveloped the room anytime someone would walk in on their yelling match.

21. Staying together for the kids, now that’s the stupidest thing I’d ever heard. They could stay together all they wanted; because once this kid hit eighteen, she was breaking up with them. The only reason worth staying here at all was Gabriel.

22. I couldn’t hear him approaching, but I could feel him near. We pulled toward one another like magnets to metal. No matter where we were, we’d always find each other.

23. I don’t know if I ever believed in love at first sight, but the first time I saw him — over two years ago — a fire lit in my heart and something inside me changed. We didn’t say much, just sat on the beach side by side until the darkness of the night took over. And that’s how it’s been from day one.

24. With Gabriel, I didn’t need to fill the silence with empty words, because we somehow knew each other. He knew I didn’t care about his background, and he was always there to shield me from mine. He never bugged or pushed me, he just let me be. We connected on a level I didn’t know existed.

25.  “Again?” he asked as he sat next to me. I nodded and swiped at the unwanted tears cascading down my face.

26. “They don’t deserve you,” he put his arm around my shoulders and drew me close. The scent of his cologne made my body hyperaware of his nearness.

27. “Mark my words; they will miss you when you’re gone. Two more years Mia and you’ll be out of this ***** town right?” He looked down at me. He secured his long dark hair in a ponytail at the base of his head, so his features were easy to see — especially those beautiful lips that I’ve kissed so much.

28. “I guess,” I whispered wondering where that left us. “But where will you be? Maybe if you’re going to a college out of state…” I let my words trail off, not sure where to go from there.

29. “I’ll be out of this town too, I’m not sure where,” he squared my shoulders so I faced him. “But you can’t decide your future on what I do.” He chuckled to himself, as though something just occurred to him. “I’m no one, but you,” he framed my face with his hands. “You are a gem that has yet to be discovered. Don’t let these people keep you hidden from the world. Whether I’m here or not should make no difference. You need to get out Mia.” I could see the conviction in his eyes, and I knew he believed what he said about me, but I couldn’t understand why he never included himself in my future.

30. “So in other words, I can’t depend on you either.” My head hung low and I wanted to fall apart and melt into the sand. He didn’t move to hug me or intrude on my space; he just remained next to me lost in thought.

31. “You’ll always have my heart,” he finally said. “You know that, but you need to learn to stand on your own two feet.” He tilted up my chin and I couldn’t help but notice that he tip toed around a straight answer. “Listen Mia, this world is hard and not for the weak. Your parents aren’t going to look out for you, so who will?” he let me think about this for a moment. I half expected him to offer, but he quickly killed those expectations.

32. “You will that’s who. It’s learning to survive and knowing what you want or need and making it happen. I can’t do that for you, and I wouldn’t cheat you of that life lesson.”

33.  This was classic Gabriel talk — all confusing. It was the basis of our relationship. He would throw out these random inspirational speeches then slip into some deep thoughtful silence. He never expected a response, and I never gave him one. I didn’t ask and he didn’t tell. He didn’t pry and I tried to forget.

34. “Tell me one thing,” he said after a moment of silence. “Why do you stay here? Don’t you have any other family?”

35. “Yeah,” I mumbled. “I guess.” I looked away.

36. I did have other places to go, but when Gabriel entered my life, I couldn’t bring myself to leave. I loved him and not just that stupid girl meets boy love, but he has a piece of my soul love.

37. “Then do what’s right for you and get out of here.” He held my hands in a firm grip. “This pathetic town isn’t good enough for you. You’re greater than this.”

38. “And what about you,” I asked. “I’m just supposed to forget you ever existed?” My eyes began to water because I hated the thought of life without my one best friend. Yeah, I had other friends, but they were fillers. They were the friends I had to see; Gabriel was the friend I loved to see.

39. “Do you really think that’s possible? We’ll never forget each other, you know that, and so do I.” He caught a tear as it slipped silently down my face. “We’re connected you and I. Distance isn’t going to change that. I know it in every fiber of my being. There will never be an end for us.” I smiled weakly allowing myself to fall for his beautiful words.

40. “Then why does it feel like you’re ending us?” I frowned.

41. “Because silly girl, you lean towards the dramatic side of life. I’m only opening your eyes to possibilities. You can’t stay here for me,” he saw the set determination in my eyes and seemed to change his tactics. “Who knows how long I’ll be around for anyways?” I felt him drawing away.

42.  “What do you mean by that?” A wave of concern took hold. “Are you like dying or something?” my voice faltered.

43. “We’re all dying; it’s part of our imperfections.” He smirked.

44. “Okay, let me be more specific. Are you dying of some incurable disease that is slowly destroying your immune system and you’re gonna have to seek some daily treatment for?” There that should cover the big ones.

45. “No love, I’m not dying. But I’m not doing you any favors keeping you here either. You need to get out.” He said flatly.

46. “I will,” I mumbled knowing it wasn’t the truth, and he knew it too.

47. “And you need to know that I tend to move around a lot.” His voice sounded detached as he looked out into the ocean. “I’ve never been good at staying in one spot for too long.” His eyes hardened as he let me register what he was saying. I knew he lived from place to place, but I never thought he’d leave me.

48. “So you and I were never anything but a temporary fling?” I barely got the words out.

49. “I don’t know what to call us, but I know what’s between us could never be mistaken as a fling. Temporary, however is a possibility. Since everything in my life is temporary. Couldn’t you tell?” he stood up and began to walk towards the shore.

50. “How could I tell?” my voice began to rise. “You never tell me anything. I thought you appreciated the fact that I didn’t bug you. Now I’m starting to realize it was just convenient.” I cut him off and stood in front of him.

51. “No it wasn’t like that and you know it. It was easy with you, we never had to explain things to each other, but now I’m seeing that this was a mistake.” His words were like a knife to the heart. “No love, you weren’t the mistake. Keeping each other in the dark was the mistake. I just don’t do permanence well, and to be honest you are the closest I’ve gotten to anyone in a very long time, and that worries me on an entirely different level.” Even though Gabriel was only two years old than I, it felt as though we were eons apart right now. We were both silent for a while, until he whispered, “I don’t expect much from anyone, and you shouldn’t either.”

52. “Fine, don’t worry about it. I don’t need anyone anyways.” I looked away and couldn’t stop my body from shaking. I don’t know if it was from the cold or my emotional state. Gabriel noticed and took off his hoodie wrapping it tightly around my shoulders. It smelled of him, and I felt comforted and sad all at the same time. “So is this it? Are you breaking up with me?”

53. “I don’t do goodbyes if that’s what you’re asking,” he stood close and held onto my shoulders. “But I do know that you and I have this moment to be together, and I for one don’t want to waste it thinking about tomorrow.” He smiled and I saw that mischievous sparkle in his dark brown eyes. That look was impossible to resist. He leaned down and cupped my face in his strong lean hands bringing my lips up to meet his. He kissed away my worries and erased my memories with each touch of his lips. My hands wrapped around his neck as I pulled him closer to my body. He held my waist tightly and we remained locked in one another’s embrace until the first light of dawn began to creep above the skies.

54. We didn’t talk anymore that night, and we never said goodbye, though I wish I had. That would be the last night I spent with my love and my best friend. He left the next day. I’d never been so alone.

55.

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