Falling Capricorn Read online

  “This is so peaceful, huh?” Joey asked Christen, running a hand through his short hair. She looked over at him, his face shining with the lantern light. She nodded her head in agreement, turning back around to look at the sky.

  “Yeah it is. We never get to do this very often.” She took a deep breath of ocean air into her nose and mouth. It was salty, but oddly calming.

  “Well if we did this all the time, it would get boring and lose its effect.” That was true to Christen. She nodded in agreement. They were known for getting bored pretty quickly, so they were always doing new and exciting things. She turned to look at him suddenly as a question popped up in her head.

  “Hey, when we get older… do you think we will become boring?” she smiled as she asked the question, figuring she already knew the answer.

  “Hell no!We’ll be that old exciting couple that everyone likes visiting. We’ll be that oldsters that young couples look at, and will be like, 'Look at that, young love can last forever.'” He smiled from ear to ear looking at her. He pulled some of her hair back and kissed her forehead. She laughed at his comment. It was exactly what she expected to hear from him. He was always so happy, and in turn, she was always happy. His smile faded though, as he watched her laugh. She noticed, so her laughing disappeared with his smile.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked him. He sat up, getting onto his feet. He held a hand out to her, moving his head to show he wanted to walk down the beach. She took his hand, warily.

  “Hey man, we are going to go walk down the shore.” Joey called over to Eric who had just finished putting things away.

  “Sure, just don’t get lost. Go towards the light if you do.” Joey chuckled at Eric’s comment and nodded his head.

  “Shall we?” Joey held out his arm to Christen. She glanced at it, processing what to do. She slowly nodded her head and took his arm. They started down the beach. Soon only the moonlight and stars were the only light showing them where they were going. It was unusually quiet between them on the walk, but sometimes quiet was gorgeous to have. She hugged his arm softly, thinking about their future.

  “Hey Joey,” she said quietly. He looked down at her, humming a reply. “Never mind,” she said quickly. She didn’t want to talk about the future with him until she knew why his smile faded before.

  “Well then, I’ll talk now, if that’s okay with you,” he stated. She nodded and he started. “You hear that there might be a war starting. They predict it’s going to be world war three unless something's done about it.” He shut his eyes. She swallowed and nodded. They had been saying that in the news lately. There was talk about it all the time at the college, though she wanted to just dismiss it as a rumor, nothing more.

  “They have been saying that, haven’t they? I just assumed it was a rumor,” she said in an elegant tone to try and hide the sadness that tugged at her heart. She had a sinking feeling that she knew where this was going.

  “Well, I did too, actually. You know how the news makes things a lot more dramatic than they actually are. They love making people depressed and panicked. Well, I guess it’s more serious than we thought, though,” he told her. She winced a bit. She thought, "...please don’t tell me what I think you’re going to tell me," but it turned out to be exactly that. “I am being shipped off in a few days to the war front.” She felt her heart crack.

  “Y-you are?” She swallowed down the lump in her throat, shaking off the thought of tears. No way, there was just no way that this loving and compassionate boy was leaving for bloodshed.

  “Yes.” She felt a crack again, shutting her eyes tightly. She could not hold back the tears any longer. “Hey now, hey now. Don’t cry, Christen.” Joey's voice was a bit panicked. A few tears escaped her eyes and rolled down her cheeks for freedom. “No, no, no. Stop that!” Joey rubbed her cheeks with his sleeves quickly, fighting with the tears. The more he rubbed them away and tried to stop them, the more tears that fell.

  “I can’t help it,” she whispered, looking down. The tears now poured out, blurring her vision. Joey pulled her face up to look at him. “So that’s why we had such an awesome beach picnic?” she asked as he wiped away some more of her tears.

  “Oh no, we had this planned for months! You can even ask Eric. It was all the best for you, my darling!” Joey never did know how to react to a crying girl. He usually panicked which always seemed to work. But this was only because he was so clueless while fumbling to try making them feel better, it became comical. “This actually was supposed to be for something else!” His eyes seemed to widen as he said it. “Uh, you didn’t hear that did you?” She shook her head no, her tears faltering for a moment.

  “Something…else?” she questioned him, sniffling. He laughed nervously, but her eyes were directly on his and they weren't going anywhere else. He sighed, and then finally gave in after a few moments of her silent gaze on him. He seemed a bit hesitant, but eventually spoke.

  “Yeah, something else being…” he trailed off, swallowing hard. What was it, she wondered moving a bit closer to him with curiosity written all over her face. He looked her in the eyes and then looked away, swallowing harder. “It’s very selfish of me to do, or even say but…” he trailed off again. She placed a hand on his shoulder.

  “Tell me,” she said with a very fragile tone. He stood up straight; her voice must have broken through and helped him.

  “Christen.” He fiddled with something in his pocket, before getting on one knee in front of her. She placed her hands to her mouth, gasping as he spoke. “Will you marry me? Well, when I get back from war, I mean,” he asked her. It was obvious to tell he was hoping to hear the word yes.

  “You ask me like it’s actually a question. Of course I will,” she said, tears crashing onto her hands. He got up, kissing one of the tears before putting the ring on her finger. The ring was shaped as a rose, tiny diamonds filling each petal. In the middle was a beautiful medium-sized gem. Even the band was covered in diamonds. “It’s gorgeous,” she whispered in awe.

  “As I said, only the best for you, love. I thought it was cruel to give it to you now before I get shipped out. I tried to make it up to you by getting a ring that compares to your beauty….or at least tries.” He winked at her, she rolled her eyes. It became very hard to cry now, so she wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

  “Make it up to me? Make it home alive,” she whispered to him. She felt his tense body grow relaxed as he hugged her right back.

  “Of course I will. I got someone like you waiting for me to return. I won't just die on you,” he whispered back to her. She held him tighter.

  “Thank you for being here for me, for loving me,” she whispered again, looking at him. He looked down at her, leaning down to bring his mouth to hers. This time there was no Eric to break them apart. The kiss felt like it lasted for hours, sparks rolling through her body from the connection of their lips. She interlocked her fingers with his. Their hands fit perfectly together. It was like the final piece to the puzzle. He was her true love, her soulmate, and no one would ever change that. No one would, not as long as she knew she had Joey. They finally broke the kiss, though by Joey’s face she knew he didn’t want it to end, just as she didn’t.

  “I’ll always love you Christen. No matter the distance or what happens,” he told her. She nodded her head. It was what she needed to hear. “Well let’s get back to Eric.”

  Once they headed back, Eric looked at the two of them, and then at the ring that sparkled from the little light that hit it. “You did it?” he asked.

  “Yes, and she said yes!” Joey yelled, grabbing her by the waist. He picked her up and spun her around. She just laughed in return with Eric.

  “Well I am happy to hear it,” he smiled. “You two are perfect together. If you two don’t last, then I don’t know anyone who will.”

  “Hell yeah, of course we are perfect for each other. We were both made in the eyes of each other; we radiate together.” Christen rolled her eyes at Joey. Now he wa
s going a little overboard, but she wasn’t going to come up and just say that to him, of course. She wasn’t that crazy.

  “Yeah, yeah, well let’s get going shall we? I have a big art gallery to go look at tomorrow and if I’m not mistaken, Christen here, has a big test to study for.” It was a bit creepy that Eric always knew Christen's school life and activities, but she didn’t let that bug her much.

  Eric was a known collector of art. That was one of the biggest things that made Christen and him get along. Christen was a painter and he loved to look at her work. Eric had shared with her multiple times, that he always wanted to be an artist but lacked the ability to do so. To get to the next best thing, he decided to be a collector. This did not just include paintings, though. Eric collected old war guns, ancient books and grimoires, sculptures; everything and anything.

  “Art gallery, that sounds fancy. Does everything you do have to be fancy?” Christen asked him.

  “You’ll see, eventually. I am not crazy for just wanting the finer things in life,” Eric mused, rolling up his mat.

  They all walked to where the cars were parked. Joey and Eric said their good-byes. Christen gave Eric a hug, and kiss on the cheek. Eric grumbled under his breath. She could have sworn she saw a small blush on his face, though it could have just been her imagination. She got into the car with Joey, and they headed back towards her apartment.

  “Well, we are here,” Joey said, pulling up to Christen’s apartment complex. Christen just looked outside the window at the run-down apartment she called home. Her eyes wavered as she stared out the window. “Are you okay?” he asked her.

  “Would it be alright if I asked you to stay with me tonight?” she answered.

  “Of course, why wouldn’t it be? You are my future wife, aren’t you?” he laughed, pulling into a parking space. He looked at her as he turned off his car, giving her a childish smile.

  “Thank you,” she smiled back at him. They got out of the car and entered the complex. They climbed the stairs together, reaching her room. She unlocked the door and opened it, shuffling in. “Home sweet home,” she giggled. Joey trotted in after her, glancing around before looking back at Christen. She kicked off her shoes, falling back onto her couch sighing. “I don’t feel like studying anymore,” she breathed. Joey carefully walked over to her and sat down, leaning over her. Christen held her breath as his hand brushed the hair out of her face.

  “Then what do you feel like doing, lovely?” Joey asked softly, eyes locking with hers. She felt her breath get caught in her throat. She realized in that moment that she wouldn’t be able to be that close to him for a long time. A sweeping feeling came over her, pushing into her chest. In order to make it go away, she moved up swiftly, her lips locking with his. Joey seemed a bit surprised since she normally was always so coy when it came to anything sexual, but that didn’t stop him from kissing her back. They stayed embraced for a while before Joey broke the kiss. He stroked her cheek a few more times, looking in her eyes. “What are you thinking?” he wondered.

  “I’m going to miss you. I want you to take me away,” she breathed, her eyes a bit glassy. She still hadn’t been able to down the fact he was leaving. It hurt to even think about it. “I want to have you as close as I can; I want to feel you,” she added, looking away from him. He watched her gaze fall to the ground. His smile faded to a sad one. He tried to respond, but words escaped him. He sat up, sneaking his arm behind her. He lifted her so she was sitting up before slipping his hands underneath her summer dress. He pulled it off of her, leaving her in her worn-out blue undergarments. She looked to the ceiling, blushing crimson. He pulled off his own shirt and unbuttoned his pants, chuckling as she returned to that coy girl he knew.

  “I’ll be gentle, and we can hold each other afterwards, so you can be as close to me as you can be,” he whispered. She swallowed hard, nodding her head with her red cheeks. She reached around and undid her bra as he pulled his pants and boxers down in one swoop. Her bra fell into her lap, and Joey flicked it off onto the floor. He ran his hands up and down her sides as if sculpting her, getting to the last of her clothes. With another tug they were both naked. Joey looked her up and down in admiration. Her cheeks grew hot as he just stared at her, as though she was some grand monument.

  “W-what? W-what is i-it?” she stuttered awkwardly.

  “Just wondering how I discovered a goddess like you,” Joey whispered, nipping at her ears. Her breath shook at his comment, shutting her eyes to calm the animal inside that was pleading for Joey. He kissed down her neck to her breasts. He toyed with them, messing with them like a kitten would with balls of yarn. Christen gripped his hair softly, a soft moan escaping her lips. She squirmed, as the tantalizing sensations traveled deeper into her core.

  “Stooop teasing me,” she whined.

  “But it’s so fun,” he chuckled, and carried on. He entered her as deep as he could at a lightning speed, electrifying her with a sharp pain. She whimpered softly, the pulsing nearly shaking her like thunder. They stayed like that for a moment, Joey stroking her hair to soothe her. “Tell me when it stops hurting,” he said in a concerned and sweet way. It took a short while but the pain soon stopped. She could only feel the throbbing of his swollen member.

  “It stopped,” she said breathlessly.

  “Good.” He smiled before biting her lip. His body moved to her heart beat which he could feel, moving in a smooth and wave-like motion. She gasped, shivering from the pleasure that roared through her body. She found herself pushing him back, and moving with him so she was now on top. She rode him, rocking and sliding on him. They both groaned and moaned. The longer they went the louder they got. Soon ecstasy was reached, both purring from becoming one with the release. Christen laid on top of him, shutting her eyes as he continued pulsing. “I love you,” Christen said airily.

  “I love you too,” Joey replied a bit hoarsely from earlier growls and groans. Joey wrapped his arms around Christen protectively, almost like a kid coddling a secret stash of candy. Christen rested her head on his chest. They soon both felt tired, passing out in each other’s arms, the connection remaining the whole time they slept.

  Chapter 2

  The few days that Christen had left with Joey were pretty much as fun-loving as normal. They promised that they wouldn't act any different just because he was leaving, and she did a pretty good job, for the most part. Though, the last day together she did have some issues, and she couldn’t help but voice them. Joey listened attentively.

  She told him that she was worried. Worried that he would die, stressed that she would not be able to talk to him or even see him for months, and the concern of his own state; since she honestly still could not see Joey killing anyone. He told her that she worried too much and that he would return as he promised. That soothed her. Eric, on the other hand, had a few sharp words of his own.

  “You’re going to fight a losing battle, Joey. It’s all about politics and the people with the money. You’re just going to be a puppet they are using for their own gain. Who are you helping by going? No one that NEEDS the help. Perhaps revenge for your dead brother… that is stupid. He would be ashamed of you,” Eric snapped at Joey. Eric drank a little bit too much that night, and wasn’t holding back what he had to say. Eric's words echoed for a moment in Joey's head.

  “Someone one needs to fight the battle, Eric. Besides, even if I wanted to stay, I can’t because I am already part of it. I am not getting revenge. I am finishing what my brother would have wanted to be finished,” Joey replied. Eric and Joey then started to argue until finally Eric was fed up.

  “Whatever! Go ahead and get yourself killed!” he shouted and stormed out the door. Joey just sat down, a hand to the side of his forehead. He was really shaken up by the argument. Christen sat next to him and massaged his shoulders, resting her head against his neck.

  “He doesn’t understand,” Joey murmured to her. She looked around at him, eyes softening when she saw a few lone tears streaming down h
is face. She kissed the back of his neck, soothing him.

  “He doesn’t, but he will with time. Eric is smart enough to do so. Don’t worry; do what you think is right. Do what you think you need to do,” she told him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. They sat in silence the rest of that night. Christen was disappointed that on Joey's last day, there had to be a fight between the two dear friends. Despite the heated words the night before, Eric was right there with her when they had to say their farewells, and give their best wishes to Joey.

  They all stood there together when it was time for Joey to go. Joey was dressed in his uniform, ready to get going. He turned to leave, but moved like a turtle. Eric and Christen were both giving him an encouraging smile, though Christen was absolutely sure Eric was feeling as she was; not wanting him to leave at all.

  “I’ll write to the both of you. Every time I get a chance to,” Joey promised them.

  “We know you will Joey. If you didn’t, misses over here would get mad.” Eric joked, looking at Christen. She glared at him.

  “I’m not the misses, at least not yet, Eric. Don’t say that, it makes me feel like I’m old,” she scolded him. The boys both nearly fell over with laughter.

  “Well I best be heading out, before they leave without me,” Joey joked, giving her a big kiss, full of passion and longing since he knew it would be the last time for a while.

  “Yeah, get out of here so I can steal your girl,” Eric joked when they broke the kiss.

  “Ha, ha, good luck with that, man,” Joey laughed, giving Eric a big hug. “Well wish me luck. See you guys in no time!” he called heading to the car with his bag.

  “Good luck,” they both stated after him. “And don’t you dare die. Remember, you promised,” Christen added with a jokingly angry tone. He laughed and waved at the both of them.

  “Good-bye,” they both waved back.