Exact Opposites

by Abby Osuna

  "I'll sit beside you, okay? Just bare with the slight movement." He moved toward me with the least movement possible. I still closed my eyes, unable to stare at the surroundings.

  "There. Done," he said, his voice very close to me now. I opened my eyes and turned to where I assumed he sat and he smiled at me. Shoot me. He looks so good up close. Very up close.

  "How do you feel?" he asked again.

  Melting! I shouted in my mind. "A bit dizzy. It'll go away," I smiled faintly.

  "I'll call Kristine so she can ask the operator to let us down," he tapped on his pockets and suddenly panicked.

  "Why?"

  "I left my phone in my coat," he sighed.

  "Mine's with Kristine," I told him with a nervous sigh.

  "No one can see us from up here," he said.

  "Why don't we call out, maybe somebody can hear us---" then the lights went out. Only the posts were lit.

  We exchanged worried looks.

  ***

  Chapter 5

  We sat awkwardly in the ferris wheel cab, the only light illuminating was from the post.

  I couldn't think of anything that would help our situation.

  Anthony cleared his throat, as he shifted in his seat beside me.

  "The people here usually leave by now. I think they're gone, with the blackout," Anthony

  sounded sorry.

  "I hope Kristine and Jonathan are okay," I replied.

  My eyes have already adjusted to the dim, and I could now make out the details of the empty

  seat in front of us.

  Anthony glanced at his watch. "If we're really stuck here, it won't be that long too. The Park usually opens by 8am," he said with an assuring tone.

  I nodded, not sure if he noticed it in the darkness.

  I yawned just to have something to do.

  "You could lean on my shoulder Drei, if you want to sleep," he offered. I was shocked. We were friends, but not that touchy though.

  I hesitated before answering. "I'm alright Anthony. I could use the seat," I stood up, causing the cab to shake uncontrollably.

  He caught my arm and assisted me as I took the seat in front of him. "Sorry if that made you

  uncomfortable."

  We were silent for the next few moments.

  I was beginning to doze off when I felt the cab move again.

  "Ooops, sorry that woke you up," he apoogized as he put his long-sleeved polo on me.

  "No Anthony, you'd get cold if you give this to me," I straightened up in my seat, and I saw that he was wearing a fit muscle sleeved undershirt. He looked so hot.

  I pushed the thought away and tried to get back to the present.

  "So will you Drei," I saw the sincerity in his eyes.

  I thought for a moment and got up, returning to his side again.

  I sat beside him closer than I was a while ago, but I was careful not to brush his arm. I was still fighting off that attraction to him.

  "We could share," I said as I put the polo over us.

  I looked at him and he smiled at me. Shoot me. I'm gonna die.

  I looked away, then leaned my head against the seat.

  I didn't remember when I fell asleep, but when I felt my arm numb from the position I was in, I

  found him leaning against my shoulder. He looked like he was in deep sleep.

  I was fighting the thought of watching him sleep, but I lost. I shifted in my seat, careful not to

  wake him. When I got a better view of him, I noticed how flawless and fair his skin was, and how

  soft his lips seemed. He looked like a little angel. I closed my eyes. What was I doing? I wasn't

  supposed to notice those details! What happened to my 'lessons about guys'?

  I scanned the cab while I was composing myself. I yawned, then I heard Anthony mumble under

  his breath. Sleep talk?

  I didn't exactly understand what he was saying, then he mumbled again.

  "Kristine..." I heard him say. My heart sank. Now that should make my growing attraction stop.

  I sighed. Why did I feel so sad?

  Then he mumbled again, this time in a clearer voice, "Where's Drei?"

  I gasped. No way!

  I was waiting if he would say my name again, but I suddenly saw a catterpillar crawling on the

  railing just in front of my face. I wasn't afraid of them, but I just can't stand crawling worms and anything that looked like it.

  I was trying my best not to freak out but it seemed like it was getting faster as it was nearing my face. I tried to move away from it, careful not to wake Anthony beside me, but it was really

  getting faster. It was just inches from my face.

  "Aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!!!"

  "What? What?" Anthony said as he got up from my shoulder and stared at me. I quickly moved away from the railing and got closer to him.

  "C-c-catter----" I pointed to the railing.

  He looked closely and sighed in relief. "It's just a catterpillar Drei. I'll just shake it off---"

  "NO!" I said a little too loud than intended.

  He blinked in surprise. "Why?"

  "The world would be one butterfly short if it dies," I said shyly.

  He laughed. I enjoyed the sound of it.

  "Okay, I won't. I'll just put it here on the floor, so it won't scare you again," he got the catterpillar and put it on the floor of the cab, then got his hanky from his pocket and wiped his hands.

  "Was I leaning on your shoulder?" he asked.

  I was in the middle of composing myself, and I was suddenly uncomfortable again. "Uhh, yea.

  But it's okay. You weren't that heavy though," I assured him as his face expression changed into a shameful one.

  We were silent as we settled into our seats, still side by side. He arranged the polo over us

  again, but this time pushing me forward as he put his arm around me. I looked at him

  questioningly.

  "I'm returning the favor, Drei. It'd be unfair if I made you my human pillow and I don't become yours," he said as he pulled me again, so that I was comfortably resting on his shoulder (more like his chest already) and his arm was around me. I felt my cheeks heat up with the position.

  Good thing it was dark.

  "But your arm, it'll grow numb," I said, trying to get up.

  "I'm okay Drei," he smiled. "And besides, you're not that heavy." He said, and he suddenly brushed my arm that was cold.

  "Your arm's cold. Sorry if I got more of the polo," he said, rubbing his hand along my arm, trying to warm it up.

  "I'm okay Anthony. Really," I assured him, but I was trying not to notice how close we were now.

  My head wasn't rested on his chest yet, so he pushed my head onto his chest with his free

  hand. "You should rest now."

  I nodded against his chest. Then I felt him rest his head against mine.

  We dozed off again. I was so comfortable that I didn't notice it was dawn already. I opened my

  eyes, but didn't get up from Anthony's chest. The sky was getting brighter, but the sun wasn't up

  yet.

  I looked up and was surprised to see Anthony staring back at me.

  "Oh. Good morning," I managed to fight the awkwardness and got up.

  "Good morning," he smiled.

  Best morning, I thought. He looked more attractive now. I didn't know why. Urgh. I hate myself.

  I stared out in the sky as I tried to comb my hair with my hand.

  "The view out here is great," Anthony said, straightening himself and putting on his polo again.

  "The sunrise is beautiful."

  I smiled. "Have you seen it from here before?" I asked him.

  "Yes. When I went here before the crack of dawn, since the operator told me about it. I was so excited to see it, and it didn't let me down," he smiled, engrossed with the memory.

  When the sun came out, Anthony was right. It was beautiful.

  "It's so beautiful," I said i
n amazement.

  He smiled, then someone from below was shouting our names.

  "Dreeeeeeeeeeeeeeiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii," I heard Jonathan calling out. I got up and looked down, and saw him and Kristine searching for us.

  Anthony and I called out to them too, and they saw us. Luckily the security guard had the keys

  to the controls and after several attempts to lower us, he finally did it. I was a bit dizzy when we got off the cab and Jonathan grabbed my arm, knowing I was afraid of heights.

  "You spent the night there?" Jonathan asked me.

  "Yea," I answered weakly.

  "You okay Drei?" Anthony asked me, as Kristine went to his side.

  I just nodded. He quickly approached me and looked at my face.

  "Your pale. We'll drop you off first," he said then turned to Kristine. "Where's Kris?"

  "I don't know. We didn't leave. We just stayed in the car, since I left my phone with Kris and Jonathan's phone was drained. We didn't want to leave you out here too."

  Kristine handed the keys to Anthony. Jonathan directed the way to our house. When I got out of

  the car, Jonathan suddenly said, "Will you be okay Drei? You still look unusually pale. I can't stay long, mom would kill me."

  Kristine was sleeping while Anthony hesitated and offered,"I can check up on her after I drop off Kristine to their house. I'll just tell the people in my place about what happened and I'll drive up here. Is that okay Drei, Jonathan?"

  "No need Anthony, Nanny's inside and she knows how to handle me when I get dizzy. I'm fine.

  Thanks anyway." I turned to Jonathan. "You better get going."

  He climbed out of the car and started walking toward their house.

  "Where's their house?" Anthony asked.

  "Just around the corner," I answered weakly. "You better get going too, Kris is probably worried sick."

  "Now look who's using the word 'sick'." He chuckled. "You enter the house first, before we go. I'll call you later to check if you're okay," he smiled.

  "Okay. Drive carefully," I answered before I could stop myself. We sounded so... intimate. I shoved the thought away as I started toward the house, and finally entered it.

  I was surprised that it was empty. Nanny Helena was nowhere in sight.

  I called out but still no one answered. I found a note on the table beside the phone.

  Andrea,

  Call your mom as soon as you read this.

  I obeyed the note, and mom picked up on the first ring.

  "Drei, where were you? Were you with Jonathan last night?" her voice sounded hysterical.

  "Yes mom, and I'm fine. Sorry if I didn't call Nanny Helena," I said, still feeling unusually dizzy."By the way, where is she?"

  "I asked her to do something for me. Drew's busy so I didn't have any choice but to ask her

  instead," she explained. "Will you be okay until tomorrow? She will be back by then."

  I blinked. Tomorrow? Great. I'm feeling bad and Nanny's away. Making my voice sound a lot

  better than I was feeling, I said, "Sure mom. Take care, okay?"

  "I will. You too," then we hung up.

  How will I ever make it through, with this sick feeling making it worse?

  I stepped forward, thinking I could feel better if I lie down first. But my knees gave me away.

  They almost melted. I got hold of the wall beside me, but I didn't remember if I got a hold on it or not. Everything went black.

  I think I heard a phone ringing in the distance. Anthony, I thought. As much as I wanted to

  answer it,my eyes just won't open.

  ***

  Chapter 6

  I didn't remember what happened after I passed out, which wasn't a surprise. I woke up on my

  bed, which puzzled me. Did I crawl my way upstairs? Or did Nanny get home early and carry

  me here? Nanny!

  I got up from the bed, still feeling a little dizzy. But I could feel it was because of the long sleep. I glanced at the clock on my bedside table. 5pm. Five in the afternoon?

  I made my way out of my room, careful with each step. I had no intention of passing out again. I

  started down the stairs when someone from the kitchen emerged. I was so shocked I almost

  tripped on the step I was taking.

  "You shouldn't get up from the bed yet," Anthony said, looking worried.

  "What are you doing here?" I asked, wide-eyed.

  "I called your telephone this morning when I got home and you didn't answer so I drove up here and saw you unconscious on the floor," he said, placing the tray on the table.

  "I'm okay now. Thanks," I said, holding the handrail tight.

  "You have more color on your face now, but that doesn't mean you're totally okay," he said as he came to my side, assisting me down the remaining steps.

  I let him hold my arm until the last step, and I wriggled from his grasp and stared at the table.

  He noticed what I was staring at and said,"Oh. Dinner's ready," sounding like he was my

  husband. I was hating my thoughts lately.

  "You shouldn't have. That's too much already," I said, feeling ashamed as I sat on a chair.

  "It's okay Drei. No problem," he said as he took the seat in front of me.

  I served two bowls of the soup he made, and handed him one.

  "No, I'm not hungry," he said.

  "Eat. Or I won't."

  He stared at me, shocked at how demanding I sounded.

  I smiled. "Please?"

  He looked relieved and got the bowl. His features were younger for his age.

  We ate in silence. I broke it by saying,"Have you been here all day?"

  He nodded, his mouth full of the soup.

  "I'm so sorry Anthony. How can I ever repay you?" I asked, feeling indebt.

  "It's really no problem Drei. Don't worry," he smiled.

  Again, we fell silent.

  "The soup's great, by the way," I said,smiling at him.

  "I think I might ask one thing," he said, suddenly changing the topic.

  I blinked. "Sure. Anything," I offered, feeling a little regret at the last word. Anything?

  "Could you... watch me play?" he asked shyly.

  I sighed in relief. "Sure. When?"

  "We're in the playoffs now, and I was wondering if you'd watch until our last game. Sorry if it's too much, it's just that I'm graduating already, and it's my last year in the college league," he explained, trailing off at the last word. He looked like a little boy asking for a favor.

  I smiled at him, amused at this shyness. He met my gaze and I said,"It's not too much, Anthony.

  It's nothing compared to what you've done for me. I won't count that as my repayment. I'm still

  indebted to you. But I assure you I'll watch until your last game. That would be..." I thought for a moment. "The finals." I smiled.

  "Thanks Drei!" he smiled broadly. I wanted to take a picture of him wearing that same smile, but I know I couldn't.

  "That's nothing. Again, I'm still indebted. So you could ask me any other favor in the future, don't forget that okay?" I said, feeling bad that I can't do anything big for him.

  He didn't respond and his expression didn't change.

  "Why?" I asked.

  "Are you sure you still want me to ask you a favor in the future?" he asked, hesitating.

  "Yea. A hundred percent sure," I said confidently.

  He thought for a moment. "I'll keep that in mind."

  ~

  I took care of the dishes and he sat on the living room, watching tv. I spent a little more time in the kitchen than I usually do, still unable to believe what was happening. My growing attraction

  to him was a bit uncontrollable, and he has a share of the blame too. He was so kind to me. But

  his personality was like that, even to strangers. So I know I shouldn't get so excited when he

  does kind things to me. I sighed, feeling a little down.

  I tidied up th
e kitchen and wiped my hands. I entered the living room, and I found him watching

  one movie which was my favorite too. It was Coach Carter.

  "I love that movie," I said, taking a seat on the chair beside the sofa he was in.

  "Same here," he said, smiling.

  "You could become a good coach too someday," I opened up.

  "You think so?" he asked.

  "Sure. You're good player and a good motivator too," I said.

  He thought for a moment. "Oh. Your things are here. And your phone," he handed them to me.

  "Thanks. How'd you get it?"

  "Kris dropped it off earlier. Kristine was asleep all day too, and Kris went to practice."

  "How about you, did you get some sleep?" I asked him.

  "Yea. I slept here on the couch, waiting for you to wake up," he smiled again. Shoot me. I really want to take a picture of that smile.

  I nodded. "Wait, did you say Kris went to practice? How about you? Aren't you supposed to be

  there too?"

  "I excused myself. Coach agreed," he assured me.

  "Oh. Good thing he gave you permission," I smiled in relief.

  I saw his phone on the couch beside him and began wondering what his phone number was. He

  had called me many times before, but not using his own number. I was pushing away the

  thought that maybe he knows my number by memory when he suddenly spoke up.

  "Your number's still not on my phone. Care to save it?" he handed me his phone as he stood up. "By the way, where's the restroom?"

  "It's on the end of that hallway," I pointed.

  "Thanks," and he walked toward the direction I pointed out.

  I pressed his phone and was shocked when I saw his wallpaper.

  It was a picture of me, taken earlier when I was asleep in my bed. I looked like I was in deep

  sleep, tucked under the blanket.

  I just saved my phone number, quite disturbed with what I saw.

  He entered the room again. I was fighting with my emotions and tried hard to look composed.

  "Where's your Nanny Drei? I thought she was here," he asked getting the phone from me.

  "Uhh. Mom asked her to do something for her. But she'll be here tomorrow," I said.

  Just then the phone rang.

  I answered it, and Nanny spoke on the other line.

  She told me she'd be home early next morning, and after a few questions about each other, we