by Rua Hasan
“But I really do want to tell her …”
“Then why don’t you?”
“Mom, I don’t want her in any of my personal issues.”
The guilt was rising and I could no longer stand listening to their conversation. I knew it was rude so I gathered all my courage, sucked up my wimpy side, and stepped out from behind the tree.
“Hi, Emma. Sorry I’m la—”
Tyler turned to look at me and all of the courage I had worn off. Great! What should I do next? Emma stepped towards me and patted my shoulder. I did my best to avoid Tyler’s eyes.
“It’s okay darling. Tyler was just leaving, weren’t you?” she said giving her son a pointed look.
I couldn’t help but drool silently. He looked so hot! Tyler gave me one last glance and walked away.
“Okay Crystal! Let’s get started with a couple stretches. This time, the goal is for you to run this perimeter in less than two minutes, okay?”
I nodded my head.
This is challenging but I’m sure I can do it.
I began to stretch my arms and legs, counting to twenty, followed by twenty jumping jacks. Emma took out her timer and started the timer. I immediately sprinted past the line and down the perimeter of the huge field. The field wasn’t larger than the gym, but wasn’t small enough either to run in less than wo minutes. But I knew I could do it. All those hours of hard work after school should pay off.
Well, at least, I hope …
I forced my legs to move even faster as I felt the speed of my heart increased. I made sure to avoid the stones on the ground where I previously tripped. Trust me, it wasn’t pretty. The world around me turned into a blur until I saw Emma, looking at the timer as her mouth moved up and down. She was probably counting the seconds left. I crossed my arms behind my head, letting my lungs expand and took a deep breath.
“D-did I-m-make it?” I took a series of breath as I sat down on the bench next to her.
Emma kept on looking at it with wide eyes.
“What’s wrong, Emma?”
She smiled and showed me the timer.
“One minute,” she spoke, pointing at the timer. “You did it in one minute.”
I was beaming for joy with my accomplishment and I had never been happier while on training. God, you know how much I wanted to win the competition.
Walked to the parking lot, I was about to take my keys out when I heard my phone rang and took it out of my bag. I saw an unknown number and declined the call. When I had finally taken my keys out, I started the car but got frustrated when I heard my phone rang again. I answered the call as I drove my way home but before I could even say ‘hello’, a low, grumbly voice spoke.
“B*tch! Why didn’t you answer my call, huh?”
I lifted an eyebrow. Did a random stranger just called me a b*tch?
“Um, who the hell are you!”
“Who the hell am I?” the guy changed his voice into a high pitch tone.
Am I talking to a drunkard?
“Listen, girl! I am so mad at you for not even calling! Not that I care or anything, but because of you, that little demon hasn’t left my trail!”
What the heck was he talking about. Little demon? Where did I hear that before.
“Listen big guy. I don’t know wha—”
“ANDY, PUT THE SPIDER DOWN BEFORE I CALL GRANDMA!” a little girl screamed on the other end followed by a moment of silence.
“No ma! Not the cane! I SAID NOT YOUR FREAKIN’ CANE!”
I took the phone away from my ear. What was that? As much as that seemed weird, it oddly sounded familiar. It seemed like someone was running around in the background and I was sure I heard a vase break.
“DAMNIT MA! LOOK WHAT YOU DID!” the stranger yelled.
“Did you take your medicine?”
“No! Not the bat! JERRY GIVE ME A HAND HERE!”
“Hello?” I said nervously as I parked my car in front of my house. I was afraid to get out.
“You see, Andy! This is what happens when you pick on others—No Ally! Go away! I’m busy!”
“Ethan, take these demons away from me. Jesus! I’m on the freakin’ phone!”
Andy. Ally. Ethan.
“Mr. Fatty? Is that you?”
“It’s Sam kiddo. I ain’t fat!”
“Okay. How did you get my number?” I asked, opening the car door and hopped out.
“I have my ways, you little brat. Don’t ask.”
“Um … Okay then. I’ll just pretend that I gave you my number. Why are you calling and why does it seem like a battle is happening in a bathroom?” I asked walking to my front porch.
“Listen kid! How could you steal the heart of a spoiled brat and never return?”
I chuckled.
“Yeah whatever! The point is you have to come here for dinner tomorrow!” he said.
“Aw! You want me? To come over to dinner?” I asked teasingly as I placed my hand over my heart.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself, kiddo! I just want that little demon to shut up!”
“Well, I’ll see about that. I’m a busy woman.” I said looking at my nails.
“Damn it, kid! Just for one hour!”
I sighed.
“Will Ethan be there? Does he know?” I asked.
“He’s the one who told me to call you in the first place and Yeah of course he’s going to be there. There’s no way in hell I’ll let him leave me alone with his kid!”
“You really do love children, don’t you?”
“Yeah, I just adore those little devils.”
“Well, I don’t know Mr. Fatty. I’ll have to check my schedule.”
“Listen kid! If you don’t come over tomorrow, I will have Ethan come and throw you over his shoulders like the last time!” He threatened.
“Fine, fine. I’m coming. Happy?”
“Oka—HEY PUT THAT DOWN!”
“What’s wrong?”
“MA! HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU! BRINGING IN A CHILD FROM A NEIGHBOR DOES NOT MAKE YOU YOUNG AGAIN!”
I couldn’t help but laugh at this wonderful family.
“No, I don’t care! I’m not bailing you out of jail one more time! Now return him at once before I let Jerry call doctor Larry!”
I pressed the red button to end the call. I then placed my phone on the counter and dashed upstairs to my bedroom. Taking a pair of sweatpants and Tyler’s shirt with me, I walked into the bathroom and took a shower.
I was ready to watch a movie when the doorbell rang. Stomping down the stairs, I angrily yanked the door open.
“Wha—”
Tyler was standing in front of my door.
“Hey,” he said awkwardly.
I was clearly confused why he suddenly showed up.
“Hey …”
“Are you busy?”
I shook my head and blushed when he saw his shirt I was wearing. This must be so embarrassing!
“See! I told you it looks nice on you.”
“Why don’t you come in?” I asked.
“I was going to come in anyway but thanks for asking.”
He was such a weirdo! We sat on the couch and he wrapped his hands around my waist. I realized he was hugging me and it took me a moment to wrap my arms around him.
“I’m sorry.” I mumbled.
“I’m sorry for being such a jerk. I kissed you and ran away.”
I couldn’t help but blush when he talked about the kiss we shared.
“No, it’s not your fault. I kissed you back and I shouldn’t have asked such a personal question.”
“I’m such an idiot. I should have just told you. I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s okay! You don’t have to tell me anything.”
He pulled me back to his chest and smelled my scent.
“I missed you.”
I blushed.
“Me? Well, it’s feels odd without your bothersome annoying ass, too.”
I joked making him chuckle.
; “Sure you did.”
“I mean, it was so boring not having you around to make my life a living hell,” I said punching his shoulder.
There was a moment of awkward yet comforting silence.
“About that kiss …”
“Ugh, please, no!” I begged, covering my face.
“Come, Gem. I’m really sorry but we have to talk about it.”
Wait, what? Did you just call me, Gem?
“What about it?” I asked.
“Um, I don’t know? I was expecting you to tell me it was the best kiss in your entire life, duh!”
I grabbed the pillow on the couch and hit him his face with it.
“Get over! I only kissed back because I didn’t want to burst your ego.”
He chuckled.
“Yeah, Gem. Whatever.”
Her pulled me to sit on his lap and whispered in my ear.
“If I kiss you now, won’t you kiss me back?”
“No way! You’re crazy.” I yelled, hitting him with the pillow once again.
He laughed.
“You sure?”
He started kissing my neck and I felt the sensation running down my spine, but I made sure to hide it.
“You wish!” I hopped off his lap and glared at him. “The next time I kiss you is in your dreams.”
“Sure. We’ll see about that.” he winked.
I rolled my eyes and walked away.
“Hey where are you going?”
“To get food so I can get rid of your annoying face!” I yelled getting into the kitchen.
“Get me something while you’re at it!”
“Yeah, of course!”
“How about a Grim Reaper?” I yelled back, opening the fridge.
“I think a jar of Nutella will be better but thanks anyways!”
I couldn’t believe how things happened quickly. I just wished everything would be like this all the time.
Chapter 32
Running one more lap, I looked at my watch and realized I had an hour to get ready for school. I said goodbye to the grass in the park and the cold breeze blowing perfectly against my skin. The sun was barely up, but running in the morning was one of the best feeling in the world. Besides, I always brought with me a pocket knife or pepper spray to protect myself at this time of the day. I still couldn’t believe how my life had changed and be surrounded by people I cared about. Yet I still had a lot of questions in my mind.
I usually spent hours thinking about Tyler and how I met him. What could it be between him and Dan? What happened to his father? What could he had been doing while I was gone? All these questions demanded for answers but I knew I had to control it.
Of course, I wouldn’t say that the kiss was forgotten. We brought it up once but we didn’t talk much about it. Whatever that kiss meant; I wasn’t going to let it ruin the relationship we had created.
It only took me twenty-five minutes to finish my shower and get dressed. I braided my hair backwards into a dutch braid, ran down the stairs to the kitchen, and made a small plate of scrambled eggs. I was so hungry that I gulped it down in less than five minutes.
I was washing the dishes when the doorbell rang. Groaning to myself, I walked to the front door wondering who it could be. I told Matt not to pick me up today. I unlocked the door and was surprised to see Dan this early. The last time I saw him he wasn’t really in the best mood.
Dan gave me a smile as he scratched the back of his neck nervously.
“Hey,” he said.
“Um, hey… What are you doing here?”
“Well, you see you kinda dro—”
“And how did you know where I live?”
“As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted,” he said. “I saw you pass by this morning and was calling you but you had your headphones on.”
Dan handed me something. Sh*t! The bracelet! I would have been screwed if Dan hadn’t found it and Tyler would be very disappointed.
I immediately snatched it from Dan’s hand and wore it. How on earth did I not notice it missing?
“Thank you so much Dan. It means a lot.”
He smiled at me and nodded his head.
“Wait, what were you doing this early?”
He pointed to his clothes. I realized he was wearing basketball shorts and an orange t-shirt.
“I like to run in the morning, too. It’s refreshing!”
“So, you followed me home to give me back this bracelet when you could have just given it to me in school.”
He chuckled.
“I was running at the park and passed this road where you lived, so it was just a coincidence. I don’t think Tyler would be happy to see me with you.”
“But why not? I can hang out with whoever I want. I understand that you both have unsettled issues but I’m not part of it.”
“You are absolutely right, Crystal. But obviously, Tyler has a thing for you and cares a lot about you. I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t allow you to be hanging out with someone he doesn’t like.”
“A thing for me? Someone he doesn’t like? Why do you guys hate each other?”
“I’m sorry. It’s none of my business but I don’t think Tyler hates you Dan. He never told me he’s holding a grudge on you. He just said something about an accident, and you shutting out on him.”
Dan sighed.
“I guess you’re right. Sometimes I shut everyone out but I can’t help it. This is my way of dealing with it.”
“It’s fine. I get it. I hope you both could fix it, whatever it is.”
“Thanks. I got to go and get ready for school.”
“Okay. Thanks again.”
“Oh. I mentioned Tyler having a thing for you, right?”
“Yeoh…”
“He gave you his mom’s bracelet.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“Crystal, that bracelet is usually passed down within the family. If he gave it to you, then you’re special to him,” he said and walked away.
Did he just say Tyler has a thing for me? I knew I should hear it from Tyler himself but I would never ask him about that. I closed my front door and walked back into the kitchen to grab a glass of water. I couldn’t help but laugh at the thought as it seemed impossible.
I was ready for school when the doorbell rang again. This time, it was Tyler.
“This is awkward.”
“You don’t say!”
“What are you doing here?”
“What does it look like?” he pointed to his car.
“I didn’t ask for I ride.”
“I know.”
“I was planning on walking.”
“I know.”
“If I wanted a ride, I would have just used my car.”
“Yeoh, I know.”
I glared at him as he gave me his damn cute smile.
“Then, why are you here?” I asked placing my hand on my hip.
“To give you a ride.”
“But I told you I don’t need one.”
“Are you done?”
I narrowed my eyes. What was he doing?
“Um … I guess so–”
“Great! Let’s get going then!” he said dragging me to his car.
“But I said—”
“Sorry Gem. I’m not taking ‘no’ for an answer.”
“Stubborn.” I muttered to myself as I got into the passenger’s seat.
“Only for you.”
He sat in the driver’s seat and winked. I punched his shoulder as he laughed. I made myself comfortable as he started the car.
Everything was great at school. Tyler started to hang out with me and my friends like he used to. I saw Dan when walking in the hall way and thought of thanking him for returning the bracelet but decided not to when I saw him with Sydney pinned against the locker. Dan was whispering something that made her blush and she kicked him in the leg. Sydney gave him an innocent smile and stumped away. I wonder what was happening between them?
Mr.
Fatty invited me for dinner. I asked him to give me the address but Ethan insisted on picking me up. I couldn’t help but admire his crazy family. I got so excited to see Ally and the others. I know I only met them once but we were able to get along quickly.
Unlike mine, Ethan’s house was chaotic. It was so loud and energetic; it could get a little bit overwhelming. My parents weren’t loud and I grew up that way.
Half an hour later, I was dressed into jeans and a black blouse and had my wavy, braided hair down. I grabbed my white hand bag and shoved a box of Oreos I bought yesterday, knowing that Ally would want something sweet.
I waited for Ethan at the porch. I took the lotion out from my bag and applied some on my hands. As I put it away, I heard someone calling my name who turned out to be Tyler. He waved at me, locked his door, and walked over to me. He shoved his hands into his pockets and gave me a dazzling smile.
“What’s up?” I asked.
“I was actually going to check up on my uncle.”
“Oh, what was his name? Yeah, Paul.”
“What about you? Where are you going?”
“I was actually invited for dinner.”
“By whom?”
Just then my phone rang and saw it was Ethan. I gave Tyler an apologetic smile and answered the call.
“Hey Ethan.”
“Hey kid. Are you ready? I’m a minute away.”
“Yeoh, I’m waiting outside.”
“Okay, see you then.”
“Okay bye.”
Tyler was tensed and confused.
“Is he the same person who kidnapped you?” he asked, making me laugh.
“What’s so funny?”
“Ethan didn’t kidnap me. He just has a weird way of introducing himself.”
Tyler rolled his eyes.
“Are you sure it’s a good idea going back with him?” he asked, crossing his arms under his chest.
“You don’t have to worry about me, Tyler. Ethan and his family are pretty good people.”
A rusty truck slowed down on the road with a broken glass window.
“I don’t give a f*ck Lucas. You’re paying for this damage Andy has made!” I heard Ethan yell. My lips twitched upwards.
“The next time you decide to teach him how to play baseball, make sure to use a real baseball and not a freakin’ rock!”
“Yup, very good people,” Tyler said as he patted my back. I shoved him with my elbow and glared at him, ignoring his hiss of pain. Ethan hopped out of the truck and smiled as he walked over to me. He gave me a hug but Tyler pulled me back. I looked up at him and stepped on his foot.