I kinda wanted to show off Gordie's point of view in this chapter, Jennifer will be back in the next one though :)

Thank you for the reviews on the previous chapter, and hope you all enjoy this one :D

Gordie's PoV

She wanted to come along with me! Jennifer Waters, the most beautiful girl I've ever seen before is wanting to come along with me. But, she's a Cobra, a friend of Eyeball the asshole Chambers, and Ace's girlfriend. Jennifer doesn't seem to content being around Merrill, the king of all jerks. No wait, the emperor of all jerks. When I saw Jennifer with this man who is blatantly making her feel discomfort in front of all his peers, treating her like she's nothing but a gleaming tropthy, a possession he uses to gloat until he grows weary of it, I knew something was wrong. He doesn't deserve someone as divine as Jennifer. She's so elegant, just the way her gentle voice speak from underneath all that misery she's been placed in, it intrigues me. Jennifer is someone my brother would have dated what with her radiant face, those thick locks gorging down to the middle of her back and all the astonishing characteristics she possesses. I miss him so much it is excruciating to even think about the fact that... he's gone.

My big brother, the man I esteemed so highly, is gone. I can't ever see him again. I want to so badly, but I can't. It's impossible, a fact of life, but I wish it didn't have to be. It makes me incensed when I think over it. Why did God steal my brother away? He had so much to gleefully anticipate in his future, why did God take it all away from him, from me? My parents worshipped him, and whilst I was being shunned all because I didn't care for sports and wasn't exactly the most idolized kid in school, he nurtured me, treated me like his own son.

"M – m –me?" I stagger, nerves climaxing inside of me. Great, that'll impress her. Gordie, the pitiable idiot who can't even talk to a girl without sounding like he's got permanent chills. " I mean, me?"

Damn it, I've really destroyed it this time. Of course she meant me, who else is here for her to address? Thankfully she doesn't ridicule me in the slightest, and only giggles, the two of us in a syncronised movement manouvering further to the cheap store situated near the junkyard.

"'Course I'm talking about you! Anyway, I've got some money with me. It'll be cool to talk as well" she says, the both of us approaching the store, almost there.

She wanted to talk with me? Jennifer Waters actually wants to converse with me? Gordie Lachance is authentically, in real life, not in dreams, talking to Jennifer Waters! I can't believe it! I inwardly cheer to myself, the figment of my imagination depicting myself thrusting its fist into the air out of congratulations. I'm pretty sure my facial features manifest my glee combined with surpise.

We walk into Quidchalo, being greeted by the glare of an elderly man, roughly in his late 50's with a receding hairline, like he has immediately came to the conclusion that Jennifer and I will attempt to filch some object. Snacks galore, stare at me, that churn in my stomach desperate for food. We have money though, money provided from each person in our friendship group.

Another thing I fret about in recent circumstances is losing my friends. Junior high is a time in our lives for new beginnings, pristine relationships, friends being replaced. I don't want to lose them, they're my best friends. Best friends stick together for life, or so I hope. I don't know what to do with my life. I want to write, to become a prestigious author who is renowned for composing great adventure books, thrilling the public with novels. My foremost plan though, is to write about Lardass, and his endevour for revenge! I can't wait to write that one story. Denny loved that story, so it will be dedicated to him. I can just imagine the rustic print inked onto the grains of that first page now: The Tale of Lardass, dedicated to Dennis a.k.a. Denny Lachance, a brother,a father, and a dear friend. Rest in Peace, Denny. I smile at this thought, I'm sure Denny would be grinning in heaven at the very notion of it. I want to make my big brother proud, he'll be the only one I'd be making proud. Sure, my mom will be proud, but she will be eternally grieving the loss of her son. That gleaming smile is soon presented to Jennifer, her cocoa brown eyes immersed in a teenage magazine where Marilyn Monroe blesses the front page.

"Thanks, not a lot of girls talk to me" I meekly say. Soon this broadcast of girl's lack of interest in me attracts her attention, my eyes still magnetized to her. Jennifer looks just as surprised as I did earlier, heightening an eyebrow at me.

"Really? Somehow, I don't believe you" she winks at me, then focusing on the potato chips in their large golden packets. "What flavour do you and the guys like?"

That's another thing I like about her, she's kind, solicitous about my welfare. Why I don't know, but I feel like I've heard about her before, or seen a picture of her somewhere. Sure, I'd seen her around Castle Rock plenty of times throughout my twelve years, but she just seems like she has been previously more involved in my personal life. Maybe that's why I've taken to Jennifer, her positive traits and a pretty face. Obviously, be being twelve and her being seventeen means I will never get her as my girl, but I can still look at her and hope. Less than hope in fact, just dream about it. She's already a companion to me, even if I only have known her a day. I snap out of my thoughts after realising she asked a question on our preferences.

"Well, Chris likes sea salt along with me, Teddy likes onion and garlic, and Vern, well, Vern will eat anything" I inform her, being entirely critical on Vern's choice of food. With all the food in the world, it still amazes me how Vern can keep such a love for Cherry Flavoured Pez. I'm not too keen on it, but Vern might as well be married to it. Suddenly, a flash of storylines bolt my mind – another idea for a story. I can just imagine that, a marriage between Vern and Cherry Pez, who would soon turn into Mrs Cherry Pez-Tessio. Where they would place the everlasting ring is another matter though, one I will have to figure out soon as I can see this story being humourous. "Why can't you believe me?"

Is it because of who my brother is? Denny was worshipped by half the girls of Castle Rock, but according to him, only one had been the victor when it came to winning his heart. He never revealed her identity, but I know he was dating her at the time of his death. I only know this information because the day before he died, I heard Denny talking to her on the phone and calling her endearing nicknames like 'Cutie-Pie' and 'Sweetheart'. He was a great boyfriend, any girl would be lucky having as her own. Whilst my prying ears listened intently, I couldn't help but smile to myself each time he told the anoymous girl he loved her and always would. That wasn't the most compassionate thing he said to her though. He told her: 'I spend all day thinking about you, being with you, and then I get to see you in my dreams. I'm the luckiest man in the universe for that' I feel for that girl wherever she is for losing someone as benevolent as Denny. Hopefully, we can meet one day. I pray that we can.

"Because you're a kind guy. Trust me, it'll win a girl's heart one day" she tells me, her sights soon converging onto the array of food again. How much money does Jennifer have on her? Most importantly, why does she want to spend it on four boys who she has only known for about seven hours? Still, I disregard the questions spiralling in my head and pencil a smile on my lips. "So, what do you wanna do one day? Like, when you're older?"

At first, I don't know what to say. What do I say to a girl who I'm interested in? Do I tell her something completely fabricated to enhance my overall being, or do I just be honest? From her own demenour, I have been assured that there is no reason not to be sincere. Anyway, I don't like decieving people, especially girls, a nice girl.

"I bet he wants to be a football player. Your brother is Denny Lachance, isn't he?" the man at the kiosk asks, scrutinizing me as I collect the bag of sea salt potato chips from Jennifer so she doesn't have to carry a lot. "Your brother Denny Lachance, kid?" Looks like it wasn't just my father who expected me to be like Denny, but the public, too. It's not moral at all how people can just have these prospects for my future, basing all achievements and failures on my brother. Why can't people just expect me to be myself?

"Yeah, I'm his brother" I reply. Almost instantaneously, I cast my sights down to examine what else there is to offer in this store other than brick hard bubblegum, curdled milk and judgements.

"Wanna be a football player like your brother, kid?" This man is beginning to enrage me what with his questions, and it's making me far from clement. Like your brother, I've recieved that comparison or wish to compare from so many people. Classmates, even my goddamn parents! It seems like the only people who are humble enough to accept me for who I am are my friends and Denny. Denny's gone now, and because of that, only my friends understand me.

"Just because his brother was a football star, doesn't mean Gordie has to be" Jennifer abruptly declares, chaperoning me to the other side of the store with her hand gingerly touching my back. She stood up for me, she understands me – she accepts me. The man at the kiosk snorts at her, which only causes my anger to gather more heat. Nobody should be disrespectful to a woman, especially a graceful woman like Jennifer. "So, what do you wanna be?"

"Um, you first" I mumble, my shyness peaking at this very moment. Jennifer hesitates for a moment whilst picking up some bacon and eggs. This bewilders me as I'm certain nobody brought along a frying pan. "I don't think we have a frying pan, or oil"

"I do, brought one along. Ace has one in the back of his car just in case someone annoys him. As for oil, you can buy some here. If we're going to be camping out tonight, you're gonna need a good breakfast in the morning" This would shut Teddy up, knowing Jennifer has been educated the basics of cooking. According to Teddy, she wouldn't even know how to fry an egg. I highly doubt this personally as she seems like a fairly intelligent person. "Anyway, I'm thinking of becoming an English teacher. I don't see myself being a housewife, I wanna live a little, earn my own living, not depend on a husband to do it for me. Sure, I wanna get married and have kids, but I enjoy English and teacher. Plus, a little bit of independency never did anyone harm" She has a good scheme for the future, one I'm sure she'll follow out and succeed in. One day, maybe I'll have a prearranged idea for myself just like she does. "What about you?"

"I'm not sure yet" I soon pause. In order to obtain a bond of trust, I'll have to tell her the truth. With any luck, she won't make fun of me because of my aspiration. "I kinda wanna be a writer though"

"I reckon you'll make a great writer! You'll have to tell me one some day" Jennifer smiles, a real pretty smile pressed against her rosy cheeks. I'm so glad she's approved of it, it's an important milestone for me. Acception is motivation.

So far, our groceries consist of: sea salt potato chips in a golden packet, fresh bacon that thankfully doesn't have the horrid scent informing me it's out of date, eggs I hope will be fried at breakfast tomorrow, delectable buns to make a sandwich, bottles of tasty root beer for everyone one of us, various pieces of fruit to benefit our diet, and as a special treat we rarely indulge in, excluding Vern, small tubs of peppermint ice-cream, a true delicacy on a roasting summer's day. Jennifer bundles up some sausages for our dinner from the meat section, finding some cocoa powder nearby for hot beverages just before bedtime. This is going to be the best trip ever. I'm just praying Ace and his snakes don't find Jennifer again and steal her from us. Though she's a Cobra's girl, I feel like she belongs here. Even Teddy thinks that, but keeps it silent.

"Thanks, I've got one already. I'll tell it to everyone when we settle down for the night" I snicker, my anticipation being clearly displayed.

"A writer, huh? Not what your brother was?" the old man asks, his voice being a sneer more than anything. "That'll be $4.80" My secret is free, and I can't help but feel almost ashamed of it. I don't want to do what my brother desired to do in life, but should I? I remain silent, my mind swirling with vertigo from all the questions. Unexpectedly, I flinch from Jennifer slamming the money down on the wooden counter, both hers and the man's face seething red from fury.

"He can be whatever he damn well wants to be. Just because Denny was a football star, doesn't mean Gordie has to be. Denny said he wanted Gordie to do whatever he wanted" Jennifer snaps. How does she know Denny's inner thoughts? Unless, she knew him. That's plausible as Denny was an incredibly popular student in high school, and continued his legacy into college. He tended to converse and hang out with those in his grade though, so it still bemuses me as Jennifer is seventeen and Denny was in his first year of college when he died. The old man leans forward, ensuring he is proximate with Jennifer's face, intimidating her in a loathsome method.

"And how would you know what Denny said?" he spits, encouraging Jennifer's rage to amplify rapidly.

"Because I was his last girlfriend, that's why!"

Shock. All I can feel is shock. She was Denny's Cutie-Pie, the girl he professed everlasting love to. In Denny's mind whilst he was alive, Jennifer's face was there. When dreaming, she was there. Her beautiful face never abandoned his mind. He loved her, and from the strength in her voice, she loved him, and persists to in the present. Now it all makes sense, why she is protecting me, why she wants to know me. I only have one enquiry though, why didn't she tell me previously? That doesn't matter now, she's my friend.

Jennifer snatches the change, pennies scraping along the wooden surface. The man gazes at Jennifer in amazement, like this revelation is something of a miracle. With a gentle tug at my striped t-shirt sleeve, I know the indications meaning, and I soon begin to walk out with Jennifer, my leaving gift being a furious glower at the man who has cowered in stupefaction. The sun's rays bolt us, blinding me for a second until I adjust to the sudden light. Before I can say anything I hear three words, dread vibrating throughout my bones.

"Chopper, sic' balls!" That's what they screamed just as the door slammed behind us. We are leaving this place in either two ways. One way is dead and in a coffin. Two is alive and in a blissful heaven consumed with relief. From the legend of Chopper, my mind tells me the first option is the most realistic one.