Virtues, Sweet Briar

[Jesika (retired)]

Ok, I posted this story with §olara before, but I wanted to post the newly updated stuff with the old...so here it is!^^


Chapter 1


It was morning. I can always tell it's morning no matter how dark of curtains I hang in my bedroom. The soft light illuminates the entire room, and touches the dresser with that empty vase, resting peacefully in the dust it's collected. I generally sleep deeply, and I can't tell what time it is until a couple rays of sunlight flood my bed. Then I have to pull myself from the only warmth and comfort I receive, and greet the day, usually full of headaches, work and more work. Of course I can't say that I don't enjoy my life, because I do. Perhaps too much at times, when I find myself laughing at the mishaps of others. I'm Briar, simple as that. I was named after a thorn covered bush. My mom though it was a pretty name, who knows if she ever realized what it was like to grow up with a name like that. I still haven't lived up to my parents' expectations. I'm 25 and still without a decent career. Every Sunday I drive to Grand Haven to visit them in there retirement funded home they own. It's nice, really, they worked hard all their lives, and they can live like royalty now. They always greet me with plastic smiles, and fragile hugs until the welcome mode wears off. Soon after, they bring out the guilt inducers as well as bombard me with questions and unwanted advise.

"Sweetie, maybe you should try to find a new apartment in Detroit. Your brother says the employment there is thriving. And with his two children, I'm sure you'd be a great help to him and Katrina," my mother said as she lifted her blue china tea cup from it's matching saucer to her pursed, coral tinted lips. The living room had been the same color, had the same furniture, same curtains since they moved in. Nothing could be moved or touched. That's the way the elderly like it, unchanged. Comfortable.

"You know I could never live there, mom. I mean, nothing against Patrick, but I don't want to move just to be a convienent babysitter for him, and his wife."

"How could you say that? You know that Patrick only has your well being in mind. He's been good to you your whole life, Briar. You ought to be greatful that you have a brother like him to give you a chance to take up his offer," her stern, hazel eyes lowered back down to her cup, the chipped, gold rim of it resting on her lower lip.

Yes, it was an all to familiar scene. Mother, sitting there, throwing out a little 'preview', if you will, of what was to come. She didn't say all of it, not yet at least.

"What offer?"

"Oh, just to live with his family an--." I stopped her before she could say anymore, because I knew what it was she had hinted at.

"Exactly what I said before mother, I will not, and cannot become a babysitter for his children."

[Jesika (retired)]

I was being harsh,and I knew it. She just didn't understand that I still hadn't started my life. I was wandering around, working at one job for a few months, and then going on to another for usually an even shorter period of time. I was stuck, traped. College wasn't for me, I found myself in a studio apartment, hardly eating to pay for the classes. Finally, I gave that up. It was too much, just too much I couldn't handle at 19. So, I worked at a gas station, some real estate offices, a few retail stores, and then finally I came across the job I have now. I work at a restaurant/bakery, and I make a measly 7.15 per hour, even on holidays. I live in a one bedroom apartment located directly above a prostitute, and directly below a single mom with four children I'm not even joking when I say that it's non-stop noise from seven in the morning until well past midnight. I find myself awake all night, drinking soda, and watching Insomniac on my black and white tv. What else does my life hold for me? If you think I'm throwing myself a pity party every chance I get then your sadly mistaken. I really try, I do, but living here in Flint, Michigan is holding me back. I need a change. A long awaited change that will probably cost quite a bit. My friend Cameron suggested a trip. I told him he had to be crazy if he thought I'd work every weekend for a little extra cash to waste on a trip.

"I don't need a trip, Cameron. I need a new life. When I walk out this door I never want to come back," I said one day while I was talking to him on the phone.

"I understand, but how long is that going to take? You know your parents won't give you anymore. I'd help you but you know how well off I am at this moment."

We laughed. He was right thought. How long can I wait? I know I'm still in my 20's but what do I have to show for my past 25 years? Nothing. So what do I have to lose? Nothing.

"Hey Cameron, wanna leave the county? We could live like kings down in Mexico. You could have that house you always wanted and I'm sure I could find some interesting job down there and we cou--"

"Briar...leave the country? Honestly, do you think we'd be better off? I know I couldn't stand the heat down there, besides, you and I wouldn't mesh well. You know that."

It was terrible that he felt that way. For the longest time I could imagine him as more than a friend. Unfortunately it took me even longer to see that he would never be anything more. He was always distant, off in his future fantasys containing the family and house he always wanted. I could never make his dreams come true. I was born steril, I could never have children. He could never look at me with his large, and ensnaring hazel eyes and love me the way I wanted him to. We would always stay just friends, and after a while of crying and alot of thinking, I finally pushed the heartbreaking hope from thought.

"Yeah, your right, Mexico is poor and the violence is alot worse I hear," I said, dropping the idea.

"Don't worry about it, you'll find something that will work for you. You just have to be patient, Briar, even though that is a virtue that you have never had the honor of beholding."

"Kiss my ass, Cameron. Besides, when did you gain so much knowledge about virtues? For as long as I've known you, all you've had is arrogance, and a charming smile. And where has that gotten you?"

"In the hearts of many a fair lady, Briar," he said in that causal, but smooth tone.

I giggled, he probably would never realized how true that statement was.

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

[Jesika (retired)]

After talking Cameron's ear off about ideal plans and locations, I grew tired just thinking about how much time and money it would take. He said he had to be at work by 5:00 PM and I still had grocery shopping to do.

I returned the phone to it's charger, and then went to the kitchen to see what I needed to restock. I pulled the fridge door open, and rummaged through the few items on the top shelf. Just then, I noticed that I had a can of white frosting just sitting there. I drifted off in thought for a moment, and tried to remember why I had bought it in the first place. I picked it up, and suddenly it clicked. I ran over to the calendar and ran my finger along the dates until I came across today. There, in blue ink it was written: Cameron's B-Day.

"s***! I can't believe I forgot it! Damn, I went on and on about leaving and getting money when I spoke to him earlier. How could I be so thick!"

I felt completely idiotic. I slammed the can of frosting on the table and glanced at the clock above the kitchen doorway. 4:54 PM it read and I knew that he would already be on his way to work. I made a dash for the phone, but after dialing his number I just got the familiar sound of his voicemail greeting. Leaving a message won't do, no, not since I so rudely forgot his birthday. I pulled my purse from the oak coat rack that my dad gave me last Christmas, and left my appartment to go to the nearest store to get some ingredients. I had a plan, but I really had to get my ass in gear for it to work. I planned on going over to his appartment, and surprising him with a few gifts, and a cake (complete with white frosting) once he got off work. He usually got off around 9:30 and wouldn't get home until 10 or so. I hopped in my Impala and drove to the nearest store. You never really figure on the price of items especially when you are strapped with a crisis such as this. I made it to a little market and quickly walked through the stores' automatic entrance doors. I jogged to the aisle where all the cake batters where, and grabbed a cake boxed marked and illustrated 'chocolate.' I grabbed two boxes of candles and then ran to the check out. After paying exactly $7.21 I got back to my car and contemplated where I was going to get him a gift from. I decided to take a trip to the local mall and see what I could find for my dearest friend. I parked near the south entrance and walked to the doors. Once I got inside I realized that I hadn't been in a mall for at least six months. I shook the idea of buying a new pair of shoes for myself out of my head. This was Cameron's day, and I was the moron who didn't even remember it was his birthday. I clutched my checkbook and went to locate the nearest mall directory. I found one by the restrooms and proceeded to read the list of stores.

"Hrmm...maybe he would like some DVD's, I know how much he enjoy's movies." I said to myself as I saw the Suncoast store under Electronics. I sped through the mall and I'm pretty sure I got some strange stares as I did. I went directly into Suncoast and bought 5 DVD's, all of them were ones I knew Cameron didn't own, but liked and wanted. I had them gifted wrapped at a nearby cart and then I left the mall, and headed home to start on the whole plan.

By the time I reached my appartment I was totally out of breath. I collasped on the couch for a few minutes to regain energy. After a moment, I pulled myself up and looked out the window at busy Grove St. below. I pushed a few stray locks of dark brown hair from my face and took a deep breath before I entered the kitchen. I was never really good at baking, but tonight I would have to be. It was already 7:02 PM, and I had until 10:00 PM to be over at his place and have everything ready. I ripped open the box of cake mix, and poured it into the largest bowl I had. I followed the directions carefully and after 2 hours I started icing the cake. I was lucky I had a tube of blue lettering frosting so I carefully wrote Happy Birthday Cameron on the cakes' smooth, creamy surface. I thought it looked great, especially for someone as clumsy as me. I moved it to the counter by the sink and gently placed it in a cake box I found in the cabinet above the microwave. I must of bought it when I bought the frosting 3 months ago. A sigh of relief escaped my mouth as I glanced up at the clock in the kitchen. It was 9:11 and I had just enough time to pack everything in my car and drive over there. I stopped myself from grabbing my keys though. I looked down at my shirt, which was covered in flour, and I knew I had to wear something decent. I ran to my closet and tore out a few outfits. None of them were really that nice, but I threw on my trusty black slacks and black sleeve-less turtle neck. It looked great on me but when I first wore it to my parents house my dad asked me if I was going to a funeral. I tossed that comment aside and I continue to wear it when I please. I brushed my long, dark brown hair, and pulled it into a sophisticated looking bun with a few strands of my bangs falling into my face. I splashed on a little lip gloss and grabbed the cake and gifts as I ran out the door. I put the cake in the front passenger seat so it won't be detroyed when I whipped around the corner. Driving to Cameron's was a breeze with my lead foot, and in 15 minutes I was there. I pulled from my purse the spare key he gave me ages ago when he went on vacation, and then entered the appartment complex. My heart skipped a beat when I glaced at my watch to see that it was already 9:52 and I only had minutes to set up everything. I started climbing the stairs when the gift bag slipped from my sweaty hand and fell a few steps. I stopped by I tripped on the edge of the stair and fell forward. I just barely caught myself with my knee and grabbed the railing to pull myself back up. I turned and picked up the gift bag I dropped and continued to head up the stairs. Finally, I made it to the door of his place. I inserted the key into the lock and pushed the door open. After flipping on a light or two I rushed over to the kitchen table with my armload of items and gently placed them. Uncovering the cake and sealing the birthday card where the last things I did at 10:05. I was just rearranging the gift bag when I heard someone in the hallway. There was someone talking and a woman laughing. It was probably just the neighbors so I continued to work. Suddenly the door was pushed open and I heard Cameron's voice.

"Briar!? What are doing here?"

I turned around with a large smile and started to yell.

"Happy Birthd---" I cut myself short when I saw something that stopped my heart from beating. There, clinging to Cameron's left arm was a woman. She was about his age and very beautiful. The woman was wearing a classy, strapless, burgundy dress with diamond earrings adorning her ears. Her hair cascaded down her shoulders in an auburn tint, but above all her flauless beauty, she had obviously won the prize I so desperately desired, Cameron's heart.

Cameron was in total shock, and I'm sure it wasn't all because of the cake. It was more so that, I had stumbled upon his secret.

"This is...such a surprise...I didn't think you remembered...ahh...Margo and I just came back from dinner an--"

"You just came back from dinner? I though you had to work tonight?" I exclaimed, but the room fell silent for a moment.

"I cancelled last minute. I didn't expect any of this, including your visit to my apartment."

Oh, the way he delievered those words told me exactly what he wasn't expecting, and what he was. He was expecting to have a wonderful, Briar-free evening with this Margo woman. And he wasn't expecting me to spoil his plans. It was painful.

"Well...umm I'll just be on m way." I plucked my purse from the table and walked toward the door.

"Now, Briar, you don't have to leave, I'm sure Mar--"

"Don't bother explaining, Cameron! There is no need to because I understand perfectly well. I hope you have a wonderful birthday with me out of you and your date's way." I said scornfully as I walked out, slamming the door behind me. I walked slowly, and I knew he wouldn't follow me to stop me from leaving. I hoped he would, but he didn't. I guess I deserved that treatment for acting so childish. Unfortunately, I couldn't get over the fact that he had found someone, through my thick skull. I blame my nieve heart for still cherishing him.

[Kezaa (retired)]

Awww, poor Briar! That's the trouble with women nowadays, is that they always go after the wrong guys.

*Shakes head sadly*

But you're doing magnificent, honey!^^ I had already read the first two posts before, and this was definitely a well written update. I feel so bad for Briar. -_-

[Jesika (retired)]

Awww I'm sorry babe! Don't worry though, things will turn out alright! ^^ I'm uber thrilled that you like it!!!!!!! ^o^

[Kezaa (retired)]

Really? Well I hope you get another post down soon.^^ *Smooches and glomps*

[Jesika (retired)]

I'll try my love! ^^ *Glomps and snogs. Squeals!*

[Sealla (Retired)]

One word seems to be the thing I say when I come into the Fanart board... and that's 'Wow'

But your story tops that... it's almost a true story, I could see that happening before my mind's eye.



In conclusion..






Wow....

[Jesika (retired)]

Thank ye, Sealla!^~