No Pads… No Helmets… Just Memories!

"It was so nice of you girls to offer help!" Doris, Alex's aunt said bashfully as she pulled up the step stool to hang a streamer.



I looked to Cass with a timid grin. "It was no problem at all." I told her before the three of us returned to our assigned tasks.


Today was Alex's younger cousin Jake's birthday. And as expected, a party was to be held by the turn of the hours. Isobel and Peter nearly always offer their home to parties which only seems fitting with the abundance of close family and the spacious grass and pool occupying their back yard. The sun was beating down on the aging March weekend well into the sixties. Though only a handful of the kids would probably be able to swim I couldn't help but notice the neon pink bikini peaking from Cass's draw string bag telling me we would be taking a dip later. After our jobs were done of course. Cass and I had offered a hand in the minor details of the bash, hanging streamers, setting out the bowls of chips and candies and it wouldn't have been a party without someone jumping at the opportunity to put tens and twenty twist ties on palm sized goodie bags. While we were doing the smaller things, the boys were well... Somewhere doing god knows what with Mr. Gaskarth and Jake's father -Alex's uncle- Rick.


When a Gaskarth gathering was held, they were always sure to go all out. Majority of the family still resides in England, but a surprisingly large handful had followed in the family's step and made the leap over the pond. Today would be one of those days where no one would be leaving till the beer was gone and the kids were slipping to sleep.


"It was still a nice offer, truly." Doris insisted. "You didn't have to!"


"It's the least we could do!" Cass answered this time as she dodges one of the first few kids who had arrived. The small child darting through the kitchen, presumably running for the birthday boy just through the sliding door in the back yard. My eyes followed the little girl's bouncing brown curls as she disappeared into the back yard, my eyes shifting through the glass to grin at Jack and Alex, each holding a child on their shoulders as they danced around the snack table. Alex sporting Jake and Jack holding Jake's his younger sister Abby. It wasn't an intentional train of thought, but as I watched the two boys, and my brother as he came into view, holding a little hand as he guided a small boy who seemed fearful of the rest, I couldn't help but smile and think of how cute they would all be with kids of their own.


"You know what gals; I think I got it from here!" Doris laughed as I was torn from my train of thought. "Why don't you guys just go and enjoy yourselves." Me and Cass exchanged a look, Cass’s more of an eager grin as she accepted Doris' offer and dropped what she had in her hands and bounded towards the staircase where I knew she had dropped her bag.


"Just let me know if you need anything..." I said softly as Doris smiled at me. Her soft brown eyes filled with an emotion I just couldn't quite match as she stepped down from the short step stool. The elder woman then doing something I would have never thought- without another word, Doris pulled me into a hug.


Her motherly arms wrapping tightly around me in a comforting way I hadn't felt in a really long time. There was something so special about a hug from a mother that could never be replaced. Not by Julie, not by my dad, not by Rian or Jack or Alex or anyone. It was soft and stable and comforting and wrapped me in safety as I stuttered to wrap my arms around her as well. Doris and I were never all that close, she wasn't like Alex's grandparents who threw themselves out there or like his parents who treated everyone as family. And she certainly was not like my aunt Helena who stuffed her nose in ever crack and crevice it could find, no. Doris often stood on the back-burner, minding her own business and never causing trouble. She never made an amazing impression on me, but in the same time never made a bad one, or one at all. She was just kind of there, and I had never expected her to change that around me.


At least not until she let out a deep sigh, her arms still tightly around my shoulders and softly said, "I lost my best friend in a car accident once too..." And it all made sense. I nodded my head silently, not feeling a need to add words of my own. "I know how much it hurts, and I admire how strong you are..."


"Thank you..." I whispered. My eyes slipping shut as I rested my head softly to her shoulder. Now fully welcoming her embrace. To be honest, I hadn't thought much about Marc's death since the incident. I had thought about Marc more often than not but never had I focused on the fact that he had died, because in my mind he was very much alive, and I thought everyone else thought that too.


"I can see now why my sister-in-law adores you so much!" She laughed softly in reference to Isobel, Alex's mother. "What you mother did was a terrible thing, but you are so strong because of it..." She said now as she pulled from the hug, her worn hands tightly gripping my biceps, but not in a way to cause pain. "I have never seen someone over come so much so young, you are a very special girl Jasey Dawson, I hope you know that."


I nodded softly as I bit my lip, honestly not wanting to get emotional in front of this woman. "Thank you..."


"Do not thank me..." She laughed as she patted my cheek with a feather like touch and blew out a breath. "I have done nothing but remind you of the good that has come from the bad in your life, I know I never say much or show much affection, but I can see the way my nephew cares for you, and now I understand why..."


"Your nephew is a really amazing guy..." I smiled as I looked over at the sliding glass door. The view making me grin as even more kids had spilled into the yard and it appeared that Rian had gotten all the kids to gang up on Jack and Alex and were now blasting them with plastic water guns as the large boys feigned pain. The smile fanning across my face. "He means a lot to me..."


Doris laughed loudly. My eyes slipping to her as she smiled at me. "Love, I watched him grow up, I know how amazing he is," she told me as I bit my lip, feeling foolish. "How amazing you are!" She laughed again as she spoke softly, leaning her face closer to mine. "How amazing you are, for each-other!"


I looked up at her. Her soft smile set on mine as I saw the sincerity in her orbs. "You have so much to say Doris," I smiled as she softened her eyes even more, "you should open up more..."


"That’s funny..." She whispered as she leaned in close and patted my cheek once again. Her voice soft and subtle, "Alex tells me the same thing." And with that last thought, she pulled away and disappeared from the kitchen. I had no idea what the hell had just happened. This woman who had hardly ever spoken a word in my presence just opened up and buttered me up to be this strong human being. I stood there for a moment, just trying to soak up and swallow all that had just happened. My mind running wild but before it could st-


"JASEY, JASEY, JASEY!" A small voice squealed as I looked down in time to see a mop of blonde locks spilling into the kitchen, and running right at me.


"Tilly!" I laughed as I crouched down. Her wide blue eyes twinkling at me as she fumbled her words on her thin little lips. Bouncing in excitement. "What are you doing in here!"


"RiRi's girly-friend said you were in here!" She piped as she hopped up and down. I smiled at her as she ran her little fingers on her lips and looked out at the back yard. "I WANNA PLAY WITH THE BIG KIDS TOO JASEY!" She squealed.


"You do!?" I asked, watching as she violently nodded her head. I thought for a moment, chewing on my lip as I scanned the back yard from my view till I thought of something. "Hey Tilly..." I whispered, gaining her attention. Her short little span of attention. "You want to play a prank on RiRi?" I asked with a wicked grin.


Tilly small lips soon mocking mine as she nodded her head. Some may have thought it to be evil to get a five year old in on tormenting a sibling, but I personally just found it all the much more amusing. I stood upright, popping my back as I stood before I reached out and took Tilly's small hand in mind and guided her to the front door of the house. I knew all too well that just to the left side of the Gaskarth's house, a large plastic bin was sat, holding only god knows how many water balloons that Cass and I had filled. I took Tilly around the side of the home, going around the front so not to be seen as I was careful not to let her step in mud in her white Mary-Janes.


"What's the pwank Jasey?" Tilly giggled as we got closer to the bucket. I could hear Jack's prominent laugh from the other side of the fence, the latch propped open for guests to spill through just a few feet away.


"You see these balloons?" I laughed as I squatted down beside the large plastic bin. Tilly nodding as she picked up a small balloon. "Well we are gonna take some of these, and toss 'em at Ri!" I watched a vast grin sweep across her face as she grabbed as many balloons as her little arms could carry whilst I stuttered to do the same.


I had only a few in my hands when Tilly ran for the fence. The small girl giggling as she ran saying, "come on Jasey, hurry!" I laughed at her rush and stumbled to chase after her, a few balloons in hand.


I stumbled through the back yard with an evil laugh as I heard Tilly scream 'CHARGE!' And began running at all the boys. The same boys that I had so foolishly forgotten had managed to get their hands on sets of super soakers and were armed and ready.


The small girl was over looked when her voice caught every soul’s attention and all eyes set in me as I stumbled around the side of the house. I looked four super soakers dead in the eye as I felt every water balloon I held pop against my feet. My hands instantly going to protect my ever precious face as I screamed.


"GET HER!" I heard Jack scream as I yelped at the top of my lungs and took off, my bare feet grating against the poured concrete surrounding the bean shaped pool. I squealed as I felt a cold sting run up my side, the icy water scaring me clean out of my skin as I ran and jumped helplessly trying to avoid the water.


"JASEY!" I heard my name called as I looked up to see Tilly holding out a few water balloons to me. Running towards her, I snatched the first balloon I could reach and began tossing them back. The water filled rubber hardly doing justice to the boys super soakers. Soon my name was being called out. Hiding my face from the freezing water guns attack I saw Jake peep out from under a snack table, a super soaker in hand.


"DON'T LET HER GET THE GUN!" Matt was next to scream as he noticed me take off running. The pressure of the water increasing as the temperature of it seemed to drop with every leap and bound I took from concrete to grass. The boys coming in at every angle forcing me to stop in place.


"This ends here!"


I screamed as I held up my arms defensively, feeling the endless cold sting of the super soakers on my legs and stomach. The boys and kids all laughing till I felt an arm wrap securely around my neck, the plastic tip of a water gun kissing my temple a I heard the large figure now behind me crack their neck.


"HE'S GOT A HOSTAGE!" Rian yelled as he threw his gun up into the air, feigning an exasperated sigh. "HE'S GOT A LIVE ONE!"


"Put down the guns, and no one gets hurt..." I heard Matt say from behind me as I tried not to laugh.


"Sir please!?" Alex begged now as he held up his gun and his hand. Slowly squatting to place the gun on the grass like in every cop show he'd ever seen. "What do you want, we'll do anything. Just don't hurt her."


I could feel Matt try not to laugh as he adjusted the water gun. "I don't want to hurt anyone..." He said with a smirk.


The kids had all stepped aside as they sat in a circle around us. Watching with amused grins at the make believe scene. For their own enjoyment, I decided to play along. Sniffling as I said. "Boys, just give him what he wants!"


Alex smirked. "We'll give you anything," Rian said now as he stepped closer, the gun shifting towards him.


"You stay right there." Matt instructed before pressing the toy gun back to my head. "I want Jack to admit that I'm the better dancer!" He said matter-of-factly as Jack's jaw dropped open.


"No way!"


"Then I shoot the girl!"


"Noo!" Alex cried as he lunged a step forward only to have Matt's water gun pointed at his head as opposed to mine.


"Take another step and I spray all of you!" He muttered, gaining a gasp from the few kids invested in the draw. "Jack's confession, that's all I ask for."


"Jack!" I fake sobbed as Matt let out an audible laugh. "JUST DO WHAT HE ASKS!"


"No!" Jack protested, and I felt Matt shrug. His finger wrapping around the plastic trigger and pressing down hard.


"JASSEEY!" Alex screamed in a slow motion run as I dramatically fell to the wet grass. Groaning as I faked my wounds and rolled around in exaggerated agony making the kids all laugh, Matt and Jack included. "Jasey!" Alex hollered as he knelt beside me and winked. I shut my eyes making my body ridged as Alex began to make violent sobbing sounds. His eyes snapping to Matt. "YOU'RE A MONSTER!"


"Alex, do something!" My brother insisted as they all began to fail in concealing their grins. Alex choked a fake sob and hovered over me, pretending to start CPR of all things, the boy faking his tears as he pretended to pump my heart of blood.


"I'll have to do mouth to mouth!" Alex announced. Gaining 'ewes' and 'OH’s' from the bystanders. I heard Jack's laugh before Alex's hands were gone from my chest and a moment later his lips were sealed on mine. The act gaining a collective 'WOAH!' From the kids as though they had never seen anything like it before.


"YOU CAN'T GIVE HER MOUTH TO MOUTH!" Matt protested as Alex pulled his lips from mine and resorted back to the fake chest compressions. Bending his arms with every press so I never felt his weight. "I SHOT HER IN THE HEAD! THAT WOULD DO NOTHING!"


"COME ON JASEY!" Jack cheered Alex and I on as I felt his lips press back to mine. The second motionless kiss as he held a hand to my forehead instead of blocking my nose making the exchange more romantic then urgent as he wasn't vacuuming my mouth into his like one basically does when preforming CPR without a mask.


"That is useless!" Matt laughed with an evil smirk in his tone as Alex pulled away. His hands returning to my chest again as I listened to the kids watching on. I waited it out. Feeling Alex's hands leave my chest. Hearing him shift in the grass. A fake sniffle. His hand on my head. Then finally his lips on mine. I waited a second before I snapped my eyes open. My hands tangling into Alex's sopping wet hair as I finally kissed him back, the sight gaining a collection of cheers and gags from the boys and the kids alike.


"SHE LIVES!" Rian cheered excitedly as Alex and I pried our lips apart. Alex's hand cupping the back of my neck as mine held his face and he pulled me upright. A soft kiss exchanged before we pulled completely away and got to our feet.


"ISNT SOMEONE GOING TO ARREST THE EVIL GUY!?" A little boy protested as I laughed. Pulling myself away from Lex and strutting over to Matt, sending him a look to make this good.


"Hands behind your back." I muttered as a few kids laughed. Matt did as I said, dropping the water gun and turning his back to me. I grabbed both his wrists in my hand and smiled down at the birthday boy who sat cross legged just a few feet from me. I smirked at Matt's back before lifting my foot and kicking in the backs of his knees. The give forcing him to fall forward, the lack of use of his arms resulting in him slowly rolling from his knees to his stomach on the cool damp grass. "James Mathew Flyzik, you are under arrest for possession of a deadly weapon and attempt in murder of a girl!" I said, fighting off my smile as I took a hair tie from my wrist and twisted it to make shift handcuffs. "You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law." I recited as I grinned at the embedded rights from every Law & Order SVU episode I had ever watched as I stood and lightly stepped a foot on his back. "You have the right to an attorney, if you cannot afford one, one will be appointed for you." I finished as I looked over at Rian and Jack. "Lock 'em up boys!" I laughed as the two grinned and ran at their friend. Scooping him up by his arms and walking towards the fence to loop around the side of the house.


All the kids began to laugh and clap as Jake got to his feet and ran at his elder cousin. Throwing his arms around all he could reach screaming. "Thank you Alex! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" The elder laughing as he pulled away and bent down to his cousin’s height, ruffling his hair.


"Don't thank me little man, that wasn't planned, you have Matt to thank!"


"But that was SO COOL!" He exclaimed as everyone gathered around. "How did you all know to play along, like when he had her in that headlock?"


Alex looked to me with an amused grin as I stood aside. The boy shrugging, "I don't know little man, I guess me and my friends just know each-other well!"


"That was so cool though!" Jake exclaimed again as Alex laughed. "IT WAS LIKE WATCHING A COP MOVIE IN MY OWN BACK YARD!" He laughed excitedly.


"I'm glad you enjoyed that Jake!" Alex laughed. "Happy birthday kid!" He said next as he pulled Jake into a bear hug that was cut short by the birthday boy's mother appearing through the sliding glass door.


"Jake hunny, the bouncy house is all blown up in the front lawn if everyone is done with the balloons!" She informed him as the young boy's smile only grew. He and his friends darted for the door as you could hear Jake's mouth begin to run. "Mom you will never believe what Alex and his friends did..." He began, almost already out of breath. "Matt was the bad guy, and Alex and Rian, they, they were the good guys... And..."


"Thanks for that..." Alex muttered as he stood back to his full height. Brushing off his semi-soaked jeans before sauntering over to me.


"Don't thank me..." I giggled as Alex draped his arms over my shoulders, lightly locking his hands behind my head. "It wasn't like I had much of a choice!"


Alex shrugged. "You could have not played into it," he concluded as I smiled at him bashfully. "But I'm happy you did."


"Well okay Mr. Hero..." I grinned as Alex laughed, looking away as he bit his lip. "What does the good guy do after he saves the day and wins the girl?" I smirked as Alex looked back at me.


"I believe they ride off into the sunset and lock up the bad guy!" He grinned. His comment nearly being chopped by my yelp as he swept me up into a bridal hold, walking towards where Rian and Jack had disappeared with Matt.



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



"JASEY HURRY U-AHHP!" Cass squealed as she leaped into the Gaskarth's pool after Jack. Yelping loudly before her head was submerged in water.


Laughing, I ignored her and placed down the box of goodie bags on the glass table on the back deck. Dropping my drawstring bag to my feet and kicking it under the table by everyone else's. As all the kids moved inside for presents and cake, Mr. & Mrs. Gaskarth gave us elder kids fill reign of the pool. And though I was more than willing to shed of my sopping wet articles of clothing, I still felt as though I wanted to lend a hand. I kicked off my flip flops by the boys discarded socks and shoes as I made my way to the edge of the pool. Matt strutting over, hair dripping over having just pulled himself from the pool.


"Hey Jasey?" Matt called as he walked over to me. His swim trunks dripping from the seams as he pushed his black strands from his eyes. Looking up at him I lofted a cautious brow. "You got your phone on you?" He asked.


Furrowing my brows I patted my pockets. I was probably the worst teenage girl ever seeing as I almost never knew where my phone was, or like that moment, never had it on me. "No, why, you need one?" I asked as I shook my head.


"Oh, no, just curious so I could do this and not feel bad after..."


I looked at him. "Do wh-AAAHHHHH-" my scream instantly cut short due to the chlorinated water swallowing around me after Matt had lunged, wrapping his arms around my waist and plunging us both into the heated pool. Not seeing it coming I panicked as the water tickled to my lungs lightly from my inability to stop my scream before my head went under. The burn heightening my fear as I kicked and squirmed trying to get free. His grip vanished when he saw my panic and quickly the surface broke and air once again filled my lungs. Laughter swimming in my ear as I coughed and hacked and tried to get to the side of the pool.


Normally I would have been laughing along had my sinuses not been burning from the chlorinated chemicals making Matt's harmless joke quite painful. I gripped the flat of the concrete and pulled my upped body out of the water. Coughing violently as I tried to rid the water of my lungs. You know the burn when someone drags you under water and you get water up your nose. Imagine the same burn spread across your nose and throat, it throbs in your sinuses before trickling to your chest and expanding to a pinch like heart burn. I couched again as I doubled over the side of the pool. Feeling subconscious tears prick my eyes from struggle and hacking rather than pain or fear but I'm sure everyone else just thought I was being a baby.


"Shit, fuck, are you okay!?" Alex's voice asked as I felt his ice cold hands wrap around my biceps and pull me up onto the side of the pool. The crashing sound of warm pool water all around me lead to believe everyone else was getting out too.


"I-" cough, couch, "I-m F-Ine!" I struggled out while shaking my head, waving a hand away to tell them I was fine. I was sat on my knees, my back to the pool as I felt the beads of gravel in the cement below me.


"Shit, Jasey I'm sorry," Matt said now as he crouched beside Alex who had gotten to his knees, his hand rubbing my thigh. I hacked a few more times; my head turned away as I blinked the chlorinated tears and looked back.


"No- I'm fine..." I forced. My voice scratched and strained as I clearly tried to fight back my coughs. "Just- just some water up my nose!" I motioned to my face in efforts to help explain better than my hard to hear words.


Matt smiled as me from behind his bangs as I coughed softly; no longer feeling like my entire lung was going to surface from my throat. "So much for not feeling bad about doing that..." He said as I cracked a smile and chased it with a laugh.


"Don't feel bad, I just- didn't see it coming!" I pressed as he laughed. "Let’s just go swimming!" Matt smiled at me, patting my head before being dragged to the diving board by Jack, Cass and Rian in tow.


"You sure you’re okay?" Alex asked sweetly as I coughed one last hard cough and cleared my throat. My eyes finding his as I nodded and smiled.


"Just a little pool water Lex," I grinned as I placed a hand on his arm. "I'm not made of china!"


"Okay, sorry I got scared!" He laughed in a defensive tone as I giggled and slowly got to my feet. "Sue me for being a little worried when someone is hacking up a lung by my pool side!" He laughed.


"You worry too much!" I told him as I foolishly tried to ring out the last dry tee shirt I had. Water ran down my legs from the hem of my soaked jean shorts now as I shivered slightly. Alex rolled his eyes and pulled my hands from my shirt. "You're going to get worry lines..."


"Now who worries too much...? Arms up." Alex joked with a sly little grin as he rolled up my shirt. The clingy wet fabric being pulled from my body as I let him tug it over my head, my wet strands slapping my back as I was left in my bandeau styled bikini top and shorts. "And besides, my hair covers most of my face!" He laughed as his hands slid to my hips. His fingers trailing to the button of my jeans in an innocent manner. His eyes on the task as he popped the clasp and slid down the zipper. The sight usually accompanied with a sexual situation, and though I wouldn't deny he looked lip-bitingly good in that moment, it wasn't a sexual gesture.


"OW-OWWW, GASKARTH!" Jack whooped with a howling cat call as my shorts slid down my thighs. Alex's cheeks instantly tinting pink as he looked away, realizing what he had just done as I laughed and turned to flip Jack off.


"OH FUCK YOU!" I laughed as Jack shrugged and leaped into the pool. The splash washing over the edges and managing to catch Alex and I some nine or so yards away from Jack's point of impact with the water.


Yelping, I jumped up into Alex's arms as he doubled over, nearly pissing himself from laughing at my new fear of water. I scowled at him none the less as he backed away from the pool. I already knew he what he was going to do, so it was truly no huge shock when he placed my feet on the ground, the two of us facing the pool and tangled his fingers with mine. "Ready?" He laughed with a girl ass grin as I nodded my head. Giggling we both put one foot forward, getting in a lunge with our hands still entwined. "Set..." He giggled as I laughed and took off without him. "SHIT HEAD!"


I laughed as I reached the edge of the pool and leaped upright, pulling my knees into a cannon ball as I screamed a high pitched shrill mixed into my laugh. The water rushing around me as I went under, no water trickling in as I was prepared for it all this time as I swam to the top, breaking the surface. Screaming as Jack tackled me in the water.


"JACK! JACK!" I screamed laughing as he hugged his arms around me, the two of us treading water. "Jack, I'm so cold." I recited. Jack instantly smirking as he knew just what I was doing. Since the beginning of our friendship I would constantly egg on Jack with Titanic references. From the start it was simply just to piss him off, but over time, he joined in. By this point now I'm almost sure he has all of Jack's lines memorized if ever needing them.


"You’re going to get out of this..." Jack started as he fumbled a bit, as if trying to remember the speech as I tried not to laugh. "You’re going to go on," Jack found his voice as Alex and Matt swam closer to watch our act. "And you’re going to make babies and watch them grow and you’re going to die an old lady, warm in your bed." He recited as I heard Rian cough and tried not to laugh as his pure discomfort. "Not here...Not this night. Do you underst-"


"YEP OKAY- that’s enough!" Alex butts in as he pulled me away. Struggling a bit to fight Jack as he treaded lightly. "No babies will be being made by you two!" He laughed awkwardly as I bursted into giggles.


"Can you imagine that!?" Matt laughed as Alex shot him a glare.


"Come on Alex," Jack whined as he made grabby hands. "I didn't get to tell her to keep the ticket that brought us together yet!"


"Nope!" Alex popped with a cheerful tone as he wrapped his hands around me from behind. "She's all mine Jacko!"


Jack pouted as he crossed his arms over his chest, causing the water to ripple. "Well I still have the drawing..."


Alex narrowed his eyes at his friend. A smile pulling at his lips telling me he knew none of this was serious and just wanted to give one another a hard time as he pointed a finger at Jack. "You even think about drawing my girlfriend naked and I will break your hands Barakat!"


"She was our friend before she was your girlfriend!" Jack shot back as he splashed us.


"Then I would break your hands!" Rian spoke up with a serious tone as I laughed loudly.


"CAN WE STOP TALKING ABOUT DRAWING ME NAKED?" I whined in embarrassment before I pushed from Alex and dropped below the water with a deep breath. I heard the water rush by me as a hand touched my thigh. My eyes popped open to see Lex's cute little face behind bubbles as he smiled at me. Laughing as best I could while holding my breath I felt Alex cup a hand to my face. I shut my eyes as I felt him pull my body closer to his as his lips pressed to mine. The kiss was soft and gentle and didn't do much seeing as neither of us favored drowning over getting it on... But it was surprisingly nice.


Submerged in water with my stomach light and my hair free. I could feel his hands on me as he held my body flush to his own. It was weird to feel what I've been feeling all along. Like in the water was how I always felt. Nothing else to burst the bubble between Alex and me. Our friends just a foot or two away when we need a breath a fresh air in out lungs. I smiled as I broke his lips from mine, seconds from needing air as I felt a funny feeling in my belly. I was happy. For the first time since I knew what real sadness burdened this world, I didn't think it mattered.


I was happy.

Notes