Pretend

by Charlene Antrobus

  I did plan to listen to Aiden’s advice though. He was right, happy, confident April was in there somewhere and I wanted her back. I needed her back. It would be hard but I’d try. Who would have thought that Aiden Daniels would be the one to give out good advice?

  Once I was finished, I slid open the cabinet above the sink and removed my facial gel from the bottom shelf. I let a small amount slide into the palm of my hand, rubbed my two hands together and applied it to my face, in a circular motion.

  As the final splashes of water hit my face and all traces of the facial wash had vanished a refreshing feeling came over me. I slipped my pj bottoms down to my ankles, unbuttoned my top, took off my pants and threw them into the washing basin. I stepped into the shower, letting my toes test the temperature before immersing my entire body. As the sprays of water hit my skin, I smiled. A good shower always helped to wake me up after a long night.

  * * *

  It was my mom's voice, calling me from downstairs that signalled the end of my shower. I quickly flicked the switch off, grabbed my towel and stepped out. I took the moisturiser into my bedroom and closed the door behind me. After twenty minutes I was completely dressed in my black leggings and my pink, 'Keep Calm & Go Shopping' top that Crystal had bought me last Christmas. It wasn't something that I would have bought for myself but it looked ok on and it kept Crystal from accusing me of rejecting her presents. I didn't have time to straighten my wet hair and so I quickly threw it into a bun. I applied a thin layer of black eyeliner, slapped some clear lip gloss on my lips, packed my bag and headed downstairs.

  "Morning," I said as I walked into the kitchen.

  "Hey Kiddo," Bob said as he stuffed the remains of his bacon sandwich into his mouth.

  "Oh Bob, you've got red sauce everywhere. Morning honey," my mom said as she handed him a cloth to clean up his mess.

  "Sorry angel," he replied before kissing her cheek and wiping up the mess that he had made. This made her smile of course.

  "What do you want for breakfast sweetheart?" My mom asked.

  "I'm not really hungry right now, I'll just eat when we get to Grandma's," I replied.

  "Ok, if you're sure," she said, staring directly at me.

  "Positive," I replied as I took a seat on one of the stools, in front of the breakfast bar.

  I suddenly remembered that I had cut Crystal off and so I took my cell out of my purse. There were seven missed calls, she must be mad by now. I decided that it would be safer to text her at this point. As I unlocked my screen, a message from Kyle immediately popped up. I had forgotten all about his text from last night. My stomach dropped as I read the message that was written on my screen.

  You were a mistake. Move on. Kyle

  I felt sick, literally sick.

  "Honey, are you ok? You don't look too good," my mom asked, staring at my face. I couldn't began to explain what kind of expression she was faced with as I had never felt anything like this before, so I could only imagine the look that I had on my face.

  "Yeah, sorry I just have a slight headache," I lied.

  "Ok, well if it gets any worse then you just let me know," she said as she crinkled her forehead.

  "I will," I mumbled.

  I deleted the message and his number. I locked my phone and put it back into my purse. Crystal would have to wait. I needed a minute to understand how I was feeling. The closest I got to figuring out how I felt, was numb.

  * * *

  I was silent for most of the journey to Grandma's, just answering yes and no when asked a question. The sick feeling still hadn't left my stomach yet and I wasn't sure how much longer it would just remain a feeling.

  I suddenly saw a light flashing through the gap of my purse. I opened it up to find that my phone was ringing. It was the number that Crystal had called me from earlier. It was probably about time that I answered. I took a deep breath and hit the green button.

  "Do you know how many times I have called you? I thought something was wrong with you!" She squealed down the other end of the phone.

  "Sorry," I mumbled down the receiver.

  "Are you ok?" She asked in a softer tone.

  "Not really," I replied. There was no point in lying and to be quite honest I didn't want to.

  "What's up?" She asked.

  "Nothing.”

  "Oh, you can't talk?"

  "Nope," I replied, happy that she had gotten the hint straight away. I've tried that with Jess a million times and she still can't grasp the whole phone code conversation.

  "Ok, well you've got to come and meet me later so that we can talk," she said in a sympathetic voice.

  "I can't, I'm going to my grandma's today," I replied, feeling rather disappointed. I loved seeing my grandma, but I just wasn't in the mood to put on a fake smile all day and pretend that I was ok, when I'm not.

  "Ok, so stay at your gran's for a few hours and them come and chill at the park later," she said as though it were the most logical thing that had ever been said.

  "Ok, I'll just ask my mom and text you after," I replied.

  "Yeah and just make sure that you do this time," she said before hanging up.

  "Mom, Crystal asked if I could go hang out with her later, is that ok?"

  "Yeah, that shouldn't be a problem sweetheart, you go and enjoy yourself," she said as she threw me a smile in the rear view mirror.

  "Thanks. Oh and Mrs Daniels invited me to dinner tomorrow, after school. Can I go?"

  "Yes, as long as you're not back too late, remember that it's a school night," she said in a more serious tone.

  "I won't," I added before jumping up and planting a kiss on her cheek.

  "Thanks Mom.”

  "I hope you've got your seatbelt on?" She asked.

  "Of course," I said as I quickly clipped myself in.

  The rest of the drive to Grandma’s was spent, pretty much in silence, apart from the odd time that Bob decided to burst into song.

  "Right, ladies we have arrived," Bob said as we pulled up outside of Grandma's house. Before leaving the car I quickly remembered to put my cell back onto vibrate in case Aiden or Crystal tried to call me again. I slipped my seatbelt off, ran up the path and rang the door bell. One of my favourite things was coming here, every Sunday. I remember when I was little and Grandma and Gramps would babysit me, Aiden, Crystal and Anthony, it was so much fun. Anthony was Aiden’s friend and was probably around just as much as I was he was like a big brother to me. There are three levels in the house and to a child that is a dream playhouse. The list of 'adventures' that we went on was enough to be able to write a whole book.

  "April," a shaky and rather excited voice said as the door gently, swung open.

  "Grandma," I said as I threw myself into her arms.

  "Oh it is good to see my favourite grandchild," she said before kissing my forehead.

  "Grandma, I'm your only grandchild," I said as I began to chuckle.

  "Exactly," she said as she touched my nose with her finger and winked.

  "Hi Mom," my mom said as she embraced Grandma for several minutes.

  "How's my beautiful daughter?" She asked, whilst looking lovingly into her eyes.

  "I'm good Mom, although you did see me yesterday," she said as she let out a gentle laugh.

  "Yes, well a lot can change in between now and then dear.”

  "Yes Mom.”

  "Oh and look at you Bob. I see that, that beer belly grows a little more between our visits," she said before pulling him in for a hug.

  "Oh you certainly know how to make a man feel special, don't you Moms," he said as he began to laugh and give her a gentle peck on the cheek.

  "What else are mother in laws for hey," she replied before shutting the front door and walking into the living room with us, all following closely behind her.

  It was funny that after all the years of my grandma and gramps living here, it still smelt exactly the same. I loved it though. It made me feel at home.

  "Gramps," I said as I sa
w him sat in front of the TV, in his wooden chair.

  "Oh look at you," he said, taking my hand and spinning me around the best that he could whilst still sitting down.

  "My little Kelsey bird has grown up so fast," he said as a tear filled the corner of his eye.

  "I'm April, Gramps, Kelsey's daughter. Remember I told you last week?" I said, gently as I stroked his hand.

  "Oh no dear you must be mistaken, I haven't seen you in years," he said before returning back to his TV show. It was a program called 'Touched By An Angel', in fact it was a recorded episode. It was the only thing that he would sit down and watch in complete silence if left alone.

  "Hello Dad," my mom said as she planted a soft, long kiss onto the top of his head.

  "Oh hello dear," he replied as he threw my mom a smile. As she walked back over to talk to Grandma, he whispered something in my ear.

  "Poor girl seems confused, seems to think I'm her father," he said as he began to giggle quietly, so that Mom wouldn't hear him.

  I stared into his eyes and smiled. It had been a year since Gramps was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. I didn't understand how it would be possible to be around him if he didn't remember me but then I realised that he would always be here, no matter what because I have all of my memories. Some days are better than others and sometimes he doesn't even remember me at all.

  "Where's Harry?" My mom asked Grandma.

  "Oh he's out there playing with that damn dog. April go and fetch your uncle and tell him that I want him please.”

  "Yes Grandma," I replied, before heading towards the sliding patio doors in the kitchen.

  "Uncle Harry!" I shouted before being jumped on by Tilly.

  "Down girl, down," I said as I stroked her big, floppy ears. She let out a small bark before running back outside into the garden and chasing her own tail.

  "How's my favourite little niece?" Uncle Harry beamed as he picked me up and started to spin me around in the air. I screamed with excitement and began to laugh.

  "Don't you think that I'm a little old for that now?" I asked as I lifted one eyebrow up in the air and smiled at him.

  "Too old? Don't swear at me, here in Neverland we never get old," he said, in a rather bad pirate accent, causing us both to burst into laughter.

  "I see you're still mature," my mom suddenly interrupted as she appeared from around the corner.

  "Hey, big sis!" He said as he pulled her into a tight embrace.

  As they continued to talk I turned to watch Tilly playing freely in the garden with her squeaky, mouse toy. I suddenly felt the vibration of my phone. My stomach dropped as I wondered whether or not Kyle had anything else left to say to me.

  It was a message from Aiden's phone, from Crystal.

  So?

  As I read the message, I remembered that I had forgotten to let her know whether I was going to meet her later.

  Mom said yes. Oh and she said yes to tomorrow too.

  xX April Xx

  As soon as I sent it, she sent one back.

  Tomorrow?

  I had forgotten that Crystal was upstairs when her mom had phoned and invited me to dinner.

  Ask Aiden

  I sent back, not really in the mood to explain everything right now.

  Ok. Aiden said he'll pick you up at 5! xxxxx

  Dinner seemed to come and go really quickly and before I knew it, it was quarter past four. Gramps was sat still in his wooden chair watching another recording of 'Touched By An Angel' whilst we were deep into a game of charades.

  "Three words, first word...The! Second word...Lion!" Everyone began shouting at the same time. My family are extremely competitive and I have to admit that I am no exception to that.

  "The Lion King!" I screamed as I jumped up, off of the chair and started to do my happy dance.

  "What's that now Uncle Harry? Four, one!" I said feeling rather happy by how close we were to winning.

  "We're just warming up ladies! Aren't we Bob?" He said, nudging his arm.

  "That's right and you've got an advantage, you have one extra team member," Bob added.

  "Oh be quiet Bob, surely that beer belly counts as an extra member," Grandma replied as me and Mom burst into laughter.

  "Ohh you've got jokes Moms, we'll see who's laughing soon!" Bob said as a smile spread across his face.

  I suddenly felt my phone vibrate, it was Aiden.

  "Hey," I said moving a little away from the noise.

  "Hey, I had to come into the area to pick something up, so I'm two minutes away. If you want me to pick you up earlier, then I can?" He asked.

  My eyes flashed to the clock which now read four, twenty-five.

  "Yeah, I'll come now if you're already here," I said, a little disappointed that I would be missing my teams final triumphant to victory.

  "Oh, no way! Is that Aiden?" Bob shouted from across the room.

  "Yeah," I replied, slightly covering the receiver with my hand.

  "Tell him that he can't take you until we win, if he wants to come early then he'll have to come and play first," Bob shouted, loud enough for Aiden to hear.

  "Did you catch that?" I giggled down the phone.

  "Yep, what are you playing?" He asked.

  "Charades," I replied.

  "Oh, I always win in that game, I'm a master," he said. It sounds crazy but I could actually hear him smirking.

  "Oh, is that right," I replied with a smirk on my face.

  "Yup," he answered with a sound of confidence resounding in his voice.

  "Prove it," I said.

  "I'm already outside," he replied, before I hung up the phone and ran over to let him in.

  "Welcome to the madness," I said as I smiled at him.

  He just about managed to smile back as the eager crowd, also known as my family, grabbed him and prepped him for the game.

  * * *

  Since Aiden had arrived, the score had evened up to four, four. It was the last go and it was my turn to go up. Aiden's eyes were fixated on me. He looked like a warrior ready to go to battle, which made me laugh. I began to focus, knowing that this was the point that would determine our victory or our demise.

  I began to act out my four word, long, film.

  "Four words?" Mom shouted from her seat as I nodded my head to confirm that she was correct.

  "Second word....And!" Aiden shouted as I pretended to ignore him.

  "Third word...The!" Grandma shouted. I smiled over at Aiden, letting him know that he hadn't won yet.

  I began to act out my fourth word when suddenly Aiden jumped out of his seat.

  "Alvin and the Chipmunks!" He roared as my face told him that he was right.

  "Wohhh that's my boy!" Bob shouted as he ruffled his hand through Aiden's hair.

  "See that? Men’s team comes out on top!" Uncle Harry said as the three of them ran around the room, singing songs and doing happy dances. We all began laughing.

  As Aiden passed me, he whispered something in my ear whilst everyone else was laughing and talking.

  "I told you that this was my game, I never lose something that I want to win," he said with a smirk on his lips.

  "Did I ever mention how modest you are?" I said as I hit him playfully in the arm.

  I suddenly heard Gramps trying to talk over the noise that we were all making.

  "Ssssh!" I shouted to the others.

  When the room became silent I went and knelt down next to Gramps, placing my hand gently on top of his.

  "Sorry Gramps I didn't hear what you said," I told him in a gentle voice.

  "Well it would be a miracle to hear anything over this racket that you're making, Kelsey," he exclaimed, making us all giggle.

  "I was just saying that I can't believe that Aiden has turned into such a handsome young man," he said before turning back to face the TV. All of our laughs suddenly turned into a distant memory as we stood in utter shock and disbelief.

  "Well ain't that something, he never remembers anyone outside of the family
and he forgets us, most of the time," Uncle Harry said as he patted Aiden on the back.

  Suddenly Tilly came running in and jumped on Aiden as she tried to lick his face. She seemed to like him too.

  "I see you have another fan," my mom said as she smiled at Aiden. He smiled back and then turned back to face me.

  "Well he must be special," Grandma said as she stared at a very surprised looking Aiden.

  As he stood there, staring at only me as I crouched down beside Gramps, I looked back up at him.

  "Yes, he is," I finally answered with a smile on my face.

  "Thanks," I said as Aiden held the car door open for me.

  I watched as he walked around to the driver’s side with a permanent smile spread across his face. As he opened the car door, I wanted to know why.

  "What are you smiling at?" I asked.

  "Oh nothing," he replied as he started up the engine.

  "Aiden Daniels, how long have you known me for?"

  "A hell of a long time," he replied, keeping his eyes on the road but smiling at all times.

  "Ok and in that 'hell of long time', have you not yet realised that an answer like that won't suffice?"

  He let out a small laugh but continued to keep his eyes fixated on the road ahead.

  "Exactly, so once again, what are you smiling at?" I asked, now with a smile on my face too.

  "Well, I won charades, didn't I," he said as he burst out laughing.

  "Oh my gosh, you're still happy about that? You just got lucky," I replied as I kept my eyes on him.

  "I don't get lucky, I told you," he said as he threw me another smile.

  "Yeah ok," I replied, sarcastically.

  "Yeah, yeah don't hate the player, hate the game, now put your seatbelt on," he said with a big grin, plastered across his not so modest face.