I don’t care what people think or say about me. Perhaps I would care if all of this would’ve happened any time before last summer. But all I’m wondering now is whether the whole drama is even worth the cause.
“I just wish there was a way to make people see what a jerk Luke actually is,” says Stef. “There are girls who are actually jealous of you ‘cause Devon has stopped sleeping around ever since your fake game.”
“That’s because she has asked him to,” Josh pipes in, settling down across us with his coffee. “But Eleanor.” He turns to me. “I don’t think it is working, dude. Thomas is playing it cool about you and Parker being together.”
He is right. Luke hasn’t confronted or talked to me about the whole thing yet. But that somehow fails to bother me even though I know it should have gotten me anxious and worried. Because, technically, the whole plan was failing. So, I don’t know what I’m doing anymore.
Or maybe I know. I just don’t have it in me to face it.
***
Crawford Lane is a beautiful suburban neighborhood and quite picturesque as well. Each house is built as a mark of fine architecture and painted in exotic shades of different colors. The front steps leading to the lovely porches are as white and glittery as snow. The well-designed fences that border the houses are white too. Besides that, every street and every house in the neighborhood is flanked by an elegant green cover of trees, bushes, and grass.
There is a breathtaking garden area right at the heart of the lane where colorful and exquisite flowers blossom among the shrubbery during the spring season. During Christmas, the garden is all decked out in vibrant colors.
It’s in this garden that I now spot Jackson playing with a red ball all by himself. I haven’t really spoken to him but I’ve seen him around. He is a shy little boy with dark eyes shining with innocence, a round pink baby face, cute little nose and a smile on his baby lips that could light up anybody’s day. And you’d wanna pull his cheeks all day long!
I really don’t understand how Devon can be mean in any way to this little sunshine.
Jackson doesn’t see me approach him. He now slowly bounces the ball up and down when suddenly, tears flood his little eyes and gush down his cheeks.
I grow ashen faced seeing him cry in despair.
“Jackson!” I rush towards him. “What happened, baby? Why are you crying?” I get down on my knees in front of him.
“N―Nothing.” He hiccups, using his baby fists to rub his eyes.
“You can tell me, you know.” I mollify him. “Let me help you.”
“Did…did Devon send you here?” He looks up at me with two hopeful eyes.
“No, he didn’t,” I say softly and watch his face fall. “Did Devon come over and talk to you anytime today?” I ask. Devon had promised me he would.
“Yes, he did…a while ago…”
“What did he say?”
“He…he said that he hates me because I’m very, very bad…and he will never talk to me again…” he stammers, his gaze dropping to the ground.
I can’t believe my ears right now. I really can’t.
“No, no! That’s not true, honey!” I coax him. “You’re not bad, you’re amazing. Nobody hates you. Everybody in the world loves you!”
“Why did Devon say that he hates me…?” Jackson looks distressed. It pains me to see him so pale and sad. “Did I hurt him in some way? I know he loves me a lot…then why is he not talking to me…?”
“I’ll talk to Devon, I promise,” I tell him. “But first let us go get you some ice cream?” I beam at him.
“Yeah…I-I guess…”
“Great!” I chirp. “Where’s your mom?”
“I don’t know…” The little boy looks at me clueless. “But she won’t be back for long.”
“Oh, okay, come on then.” I smile at him warmly, stretching my hand out to him. “We’ll come back before your mom does.”
“Okay, Eleanor,” Jackson holds my hand and we head towards the ice cream parlor, The Icy Affair.
***
After cheering Jackson up and dropping him back home, I head to Mr. Miller’s construction site where I knew Devon would be found. And I did find him digging a trench. He was bare-chested as usual. And he was alone in that part of the site. Good. Because I can’t wait to give him a piece of my mind.
“Did you seriously tell a six-year-old kid that you hate him and don’t want to see him again?!” I ask critically, walking over to him. “Do you even know how hurt he is?!”
“Hello to you too, Eleanor,” he responds nonchalantly.
My mouth thins in distaste. “Look, I know you’re painfully blunt and disrespectful to everyone around but to even do that to a kid? Are you frigging out of your mind?!” I snap, disturbed by his indifference. “I get that you have issues with your father and maybe even with his wife but in no way can you be so harsh on Jackson. Apologize to him!”
“Eleanor, if you haven’t noticed it yet, I work here. So, I pretty much don’t have the time for small talks. You can go now. Thanks for stopping by.”
I stare at Devon in shock and disbelief as he continues with his work as though nothing happened. He was right when he said he didn’t care. I was a fool to think he did.
I turn around and start to walk away in frustration.
“Eleanor, wait.”
I stop in my tracks but I don’t face him.
“You won’t talk to Jackson anymore,” he states.
I can’t believe my ears. Like seriously?
I turn to face him, feeling appalled. “How did you even find the nerve to say that to me? You’re no one to tell me what I should and should not be doing. If there is someone I need to stay away from, it’s you. Only you.”
I head out of the construction site, confusion and anguish clouding my mind. I have witnessed a new side to Devon today: his dark side. I know that he is blunt and conceited but is it possible that he is ruthless and cold-hearted too?
Chapter Seven
Luke has skipped school today, so I decide to give the whole pretending game a break. I would have done that anyway considering what went down between Devon and me at the construction site yesterday. But unfortunately, it’s just me who thinks we shouldn’t be talking to each other.
“You write like crap.”
I roll my eyes, having no trouble recognizing that cocky voice behind me. As expected, Devon sits down on the steps next to me in the school campus.
“Looks like the letters are trying out different sex positions with multiple partners,” he remarks, eyeing the essay I am working on.
I shoot him a cold look. “Can you ever think of anything else besides sex?”
“‘Course I can. I can think about myself too,” he says. “According to Psychology, a human mind has over sixty thousand thoughts a day. And it will be scientifically proven one day that all those thoughts can be only about me. Because I’m awesome.”
“And you know what awesome people do? They shut up.” I can be sassy. Hell yeah.
Devon smirks. “Liar, liar Sanchez on fire.”
This guy. Ugh!
“I’m doing something very important here. Care to leave?” I say rudely.
“This campus is not your private library. Care to remember?” he retorts snidely.
“What do you want, Devon?” I grit my teeth.
“On the contrary, I have something to give you,” he responds with a charming smile.
“Get out of my sight. That will be the most prized possession of the century.”
The edges of his lips curl into a smile. He takes out a beautiful red rose from his jacket pocket and presents it to me. Okay, my mouth is a perfect O shape.
“For you,” he says solemnly. And my stupid heart misses a beat.
“Why are you giving me that? I’m not a flowerpot.”
Devon chuckles. “After we marry, are you gonna talk like that to me in front of our kids?”
“After we what?!”
“Marry
, Eleanor,” he rolls his eyes. “Haven’t you heard of people marrying their high school sweethearts?”
“Nope. I’ve heard of people murdering the pests who troubled them in high school.”
Devon gives a roguish look. “Then in that case, you will land in prison and ultimately be hanged. Don’t worry, we’ll reunite in hell.”
I don’t understand why I even stay to listen to his poppycock. I get to my feet and start moving up the steps towards the hallways but he jogs ahead and blocks my way.
“I’ll speak to Jackson after school and apologize to him,” Devon says, looking serious. “This is…what I was trying to tell you the whole time,” he adds quietly, glancing sideways.
I let out a grim sigh. “I think you rather not speak to him ‘cause you might just say something worse to him instead of sorry,”
“No, I won’t do that,” he insists. “I’ve everything figured out this time. I won’t screw it up.”
“Okay, if you say so.” I nod.
Devon holds the rose in front of me one more time with hopeful eyes. But I don’t take it.
***
I’m glad I didn’t take the rose.
If I thought Devon would keep his word, he did not. He lands himself in detention after school. And I know how this is gonna be like. He is likely to do everything it takes to avoid the talk with his little brother.
I see Jackson sitting on the front porch of his house when I get back to his neighborhood that evening.
“Hey, how are you, honey?” I walk over to him with a bright smile on my face.
“Hi, Eleanor!” The boy beams. “I’m good. You?”
“I’m happy now that I saw you,” I tell him. “Why are you sitting here alone?”
“Mommy said that she will take me to the park to play soccer but now she has to go somewhere else.”
“Okay, well.” I sit down next to him. “I’ve got a little something for you,” I say as I unzip my bag and pull out a children’s novel. “I’ve seen you going through picture books in the library the other day. Thought you might like this one?”
“Charlie and The Chocolate Factory.” He takes the book and reads out the name. “Yeah, it sounds really cool.”
“It is! I’m sure you’ll love it. I’ll help you read it if you want to.”
But Jackson looks hesitant. “I don’t read books because Devon told me never to read any book unless you need to for good grades.”
I am not expecting to hear that. “Did he tell you why?”
“He says that books tell a lot of bad lies like every thing’s gonna be fine but life is never good. He says life is hard, and reading books makes you weak.” He shrugs.
I’m kind of speechless right now.
“Devon might have his own reasons,” I respond. “But I think reading great stuff gives you hope. Hope leads to miracles. And miracles can make life good.” I sound convincing enough although I don’t quite believe in what I just tell him. But he doesn’t needs to know that. Jackson is just a kid and believing in something is important as he grows up.
“Wow, I didn’t know that.” Jackson blinks. “I’ll tell Devon what you told me. That is if he ever talks to me again.” The little boy sighs.
Right then, the door behind us opens and Jackson’s mother walks out.
Cheryl Parker looks ravishing in a deep V-neck orange sheath dress with stilettos and a Gucci bag to match. She had on drop earrings for accent and great makeup. Cheryl has perfect blonde curls, dusky eyes, and high cheekbones. Of course, let’s not forget her olive skin tone and her hourglass figure—something every young woman like me could only hope for.
But she doesn’t give me a cordial look. I don’t really get a good vibe out of her.
“Mrs. Parker, nice to meet you,” I greet her with a smile. “I’m Eleanor.”
“I know that.” She gives me a deadpanned look.
“Oh…um, I was wondering if you’d let me watch Jackson while you’re away.”
“No need. The nanny’s on the way.”
“I’d do it for free,” I say at once. Nanny help is quite expensive around here.
“I don’t trust you.” Cheryl gives me a critical look. “I don’t trust teenagers.”
“Mommy, please! Eleanor is very nice to me,” Jackson insists. “I don’t want Mrs. Hill. She is a boring sleepyhead.”
Cheryl is about to say no again but then her phone buzzes. “Fine.” She gives me a brief nod, before striding over to her car.
Well, obviously, Cheryl doesn’t like me. But why though?
“Let’s go, Jack.” I turn to the little boy after Cheryl drives off. “I know the exact place where we can hang out.”
***
I break into Devon’s trailer. It is pretty much easy because the door isn’t fixed yet. He’s not around but he will be. And once he walks in through the door and sees Jackson, there’s no way I’m gonna let him avoid the little boy.
“Why are we in Devon’s trailer?” Jackson looks up at me with round anxious eyes.
“He asked me to bring you here so that he can talk to you.” I do hate lying to a kid―telling lies in general, and I hope it doesn’t backfire. I know Devon said he will talk to Jackson, but I also know he can change his mind and given how unpredictable he is, I’m taking a big risk by bringing Jackson in.
“That’s cool! You’re the best, Eleanor. Thanks!” Jackson is thrilled. “I can’t wait for him to be here! But…why did we have to break in then?”
The kid is smart.
“Devon forgot to give me his keys,” I reply. “Shall we read while we wait?”
“Yes!” Jackson smiles widely. “And then I will tell Devon all about Charlie’s Chocolate Factory!”
So we settle down on the couch and he starts reading. I am amazed by how much he can read on his own. The absolute wonder in his eyes as he reads page after page makes me happy. Honestly, I was not even half as good as him when I was his age. Not that I was a dumb kid or anything but you get the point, right?
Speaking of the trailer, it looks better now than it did the last time I was here. Hard to believe but Devon did do an impressive job on it. The windows are not broken anymore and he managed to get rid of all the rust. There are certain holes and cracks on the walls and ceilings yet to be fixed but the lights are good. He has also got some decent furniture around like a couch, the small coffee table, a bed that takes up the middle area of the trailer and beyond the bed, is the small kitchen space with a few hanging cabinets.
“Now you read.” Jackson’s eager voice draws my attention back to him.
As I begin to read out to him, I wonder at the back of my mind what’s taking Devon so long. He should have been back from work by now. Unless he’s with a girl somewhere. Not that I care. I just want him to get back here solo for Jackson’s sake.
As Jackson and I become pretty much absorbed in what he’s reading, I notice a shadow on the floorboards. I turn my head and see Devon standing at the entrance of the trailer.
I stand up at once from the couch.
“Devon!” Jackson jumps to his feet and runs over to the older boy to hug his legs.
Devon is totally zapped finding us in his trailer. In the next few seconds, nobody speaks. My heart thumps hard in my chest. Hope Devon doesn’t say or do anything stupid. But he does indeed do something stupid. He distances himself from Jackson and walks inside, his manner cold and aloof.
“What are you doing here?” he asks, poker-faced, looking from Jackson to me.
“Remember we had a little talk earlier today about you talking it out with Jackson?” I give him a disapproving look, crossing my arms. “Well, I’m here to grace that moment with my presence.”
Devon remained unfazed. “Except that I have nothing to say to either of you, but thanks for breaking my door, Eleanor. Both of you can leave now.”
What the hell?!
Jackson’s head hangs low. My hearts melts at how crushed he looks. How can Devon be such a jerk to a little ba
by? I guess I just made it worse for Jackson by assuming that Devon will act better than he did awhile back.
“Says the one who had lectured me for running away,” I say dryly. To Jackson I say, “Devon is acting like Lord Voldemort right now. Let’s leave him be and go somewhere happy.”
I walk past Devon and take the little boy gently by the hand. I don’t bother to spare Devon another glance. He’s got me so mad with what he just said to his own little brother.
“No, wait,” Devon calls out from behind as we are about to leave. Jackson and I stop and turn around to him. But Devon still has his back to us. He doesn’t move. I see his hands form into tight fists at his sides.
Devon turns around to look at us with dark somber eyes. I can feel the conflict plaguing him as though it was an invisible monster in the room. I’m intrigued as well as anxious. He steps closer to Jackson and gets down on his knees to level himself with the little boy.
“H-Hey, champ,” he stutters a little as he gives him a sad smile. “I’m sorry for being so bad to you, I really am…do you think we can be buddies again?”
“Do you hate me…?” Jackson looks at him with troubled eyes.
“No, I don’t.” Devon shakes his head. “Nobody can ever hate you.”
“So…will you be angry if I ask you to read a book with me?”
“Let’s read the book, shall we?” Devon smiles.
“Yes!” Jackson beams and gives him a hug.
I smile too. All is well now.
Jackson then grabs his brother’s hand and guides him over to sit on the couch. I watch them bond over the book. It’s a heartwarming sight. It’s so obvious that Devon is equally fond of his little brother. I don’t know what went wrong between the two of them but I just hope Jackson won’t feel hurt again.
After reading, we decide to go outside to play soccer, which turns out to be a lot of fun. I laugh out loud at the boys’ antics. And we wind up having sandwiches by the riverside just before the sun dips into the horizon.
Again: A Young Adult Romance Page 6