by Karla Luna
Just a few days ago, she did this ‘parenting’ thing where, if I swore, I would have to put a dollar in this jar for every time I did. I’ve already put in a couple of bucks, but I’d get my money back later. If I actually learned not to swear, which won’t certainly happen anytime soon. I actually had a couple good bucks saved up from my drug dealing. But I didn’t want to have all of my money stacked up in a damn jar just for swearing.
“Good, you’re learning. Now make sure to keep that up,” Stormy said, as she gave me a small smile and continued to put plates and cups away in the cabinets. Yesterday, when I swore at Dickhead, she didn’t make me put money in the jar, because apparently, she swore, too. And that douche definitely deserved all of it. Hell yeah!
That guy really was a drag. I wanted to smash his head against a brick wall. Repeatedly.
“What have I told you about thinking violent things, Evelyn?”
I looked up at Stormy, who had her hand on her hip, her lips pursed up in a way that showed disappointment.
But I didn’t look the least bit guilty. Instead, I shifted my eyes from left to right, multiple times.
“Did I say that out loud?”
She deeply sighed and looked annoyed. I just gave her a small smile. “It’s the weekend, you should go out.”
That’s when I almost immediately hopped out of my seat and reached for my bike keys. “Great, I’ll go rob a bank.” I just started walking away, when she blocked my passage while holding her hands up. I inwardly laughed. Did she actually believe that?
Actually, I don’t think I was entirely kidding.
“No robbing, no hurting, no nothing of the sort,” she said, as she narrowed her eyes with a slightly disgusted look on her face. “Please, be a good girl.” At that, I pretend to make gagging noises but she ignored it and rolled her eyes. “Evelyn, please. Go out and have fun, but not too much fun. All right? I am your guardian. You remember every word I ever told you?”
I took in a deep breath and really thought about it. All right, fine. She has been teaching me a lot about how all actions have consequences. But it was really hard to get through to my roots. You can’t just change someone at the snap of a finger, and you definitely can’t change a bad person so easily.
Take Davne, for example. He’s been in jail for about six years, or so rumors say (I actually believe he’s been there for way more years). And he’s still bad. I can see him now, spending his time in juvie by gambling, fighting, trying to escape, or just having the best time with his jail buddies.
Man!
“Okay, I’ll go.” I bit my lip and thought of places I could go to. Bowling? Nah, people will be there. Restaurant? People will be there, too. But hey, I like food, so what the hell. Finally thinking of something, I snapped my fingers at Stormy, showing her I had a concept. “To that… yogurt, um, place, thing.”
“Yo-Yo My Yogurt?” she asked, as if it was the most obvious thing. She acted like a teenager sometimes, I swear (and it’s awesome). I couldn’t help but snort at the name though. Seriously, who came up with that for a yogurt place? I actually thought it was something more along the lines of ‘Yogurtz Palace.’ Or, at least that’s what they had back home.
“Sure, that place…”
Stormy shrugs. “All right, we don’t usually go there. It used to be very popular until it got competition from quite a few other places.”
“Well,” I started, as I grabbed my bike keys yet again and gave her a winning smile. “Let’s be nice for a day and go there instead.”
Well this place looked old. But if Stormy said their yogurt is good (even if they’re no longer popular), then it must be true. I believed that woman’s words as much as I believed in fried chicken. Damn, have I ever mentioned how much I love fried chicken? Because I do, I really do. Maybe I should go to KFC instead and… No, nope. I’m already here, so let’s do this.
But maybe I can go later.
As I entered the yogurt place, I heard the little bell ring, as well as a brief, catchy song playing in the back. It wasn’t very crowded. I was probably the only one here along with a grandma and her grandson. There was only a blond chick working at the counter, who was facing away from me, preparing a few things. I took that time to look up at the menu above her head and decided on a strawberry yogurt with many, many delicious toppings.
“Yo-Yo My Yogurt, how may I…” The girl stopped talking once she turned to look at me, and I must say, I was just as surprised – if not, way more – as her.
Oh, definitely way more. Holy hell, did I want to laugh!
Who knew that the smartest girl in the entire school worked at a place like this? You guessed it, Little Miss Barbie doll was here, in a cute little cow shirt and hat while her face just turned quite like the color of milk itself. Was she all right? Or did I just find out her dirty little secret? I mean, come on, it’s a small town in New Jersey here and she worried about people finding out where she works? I bet there’s been many people coming and going from school. Or was it just me that she was afraid of?
Pfft, she’s all jolly and giddy back at school. Why was she so quiet now? I sort of, kind of, really wanted to just take my phone out and snap a picture. Man, this is gold!
“You were saying?” I asked with a smirk. Just looking at her brought back memories of Zavier and our little deal. She looked just like him at this very moment: frightened, innocent, very ironic and nice. Oh, that niceness vibe they both bring out.
I’ve wanted to talk to Zavier ever since his wonderful kiss that had definitely caught me by surprise. But guess what? He’s been avoiding me again. And this time, I decided to let it go until he felt comfortable enough. Wouldn’t want things awkward yet again, right? But anyway, am I really helping him get this girl? It’s not so hard, they seem very alike. Just like Davne and I get along.
Forget I said that.
“Um, E-Evelyn, w-what brings you here?” she stuttered, fixing her hat as if she was embarrassed to be wearing it. But I just gave her a sweet, sincere smile.
“I’m here to try out the yogurt, of course! I would like a strawberry with nuts, chocolate chips, sprinkles, whipped cream, and add some M&Ms.”
“Okay, okay, got it,” she said, as she started making it with a very nervous smile. She seemed to be very impatient and quite in a hurry. Why was that?
“I wasn’t done,” I snapped, and the look on her face told me she was terrified. But I just laughed it off and shook my head. “I’m kidding, don’t get so scared!” At that, I punched her in the arm very softly. Or it would be soft for me, but it looked like it really hurt since she rubbed her arm and gave me a painfully shy smile.
“It’ll be done in just a few… n-not to worry.”
“Oh, joy.”
Two minutes later, my awesomely delicious yogurt was done and I was pretty much drooling. Well, she did a great job, I must admit.
“Thanks Bar— I mean, Jocey.” I was just about to turn and walk away, when I heard her little nervous voice again. I froze, smirked, rolled my eyes, and turned around on the heels of my boots to look at her face to face. Her sapphire eyes glowed with something, but I couldn’t quite figure it out.
“Um, E-Evelyn? You’re not gonna tell Zavier about this, right?”
I cocked my head to the side in a confused way after she said that. Zavier? She didn’t care if other people find out? Why only him…?
Oh that’s right, there was this huge possibility that this chick was actually head over heels for him, although we were not really sure (but mostly Zavier himself). It seemed pretty true to me though, but how come she hadn’t done anything to ask him out? I think girls should go for the guy they like before they’re taken.
Because, Barbie, if you guys don’t work out so well, I’m going after my teddy bear. Or I might just steal him away before you guys even end up together.
I clicked my tongue against my lip and intensely looked at her. That way, I would most likely and easily get the truth out of her. “Now, why would
you care if I told little nerd boy?” I was laughing so hard on the inside. Really. I just have no idea why, but I had the urge to call Zavier ‘little nerd boy’ to make it sound like some sort of insult.
And I’m guessing it worked since her eyes went a bit wide.
“I-I just…” She paused to swallow hard. I raised my eyebrows at her, beckoning for her to continue on without possibly choking. “I never really told him about this. And I wouldn’t like rumors to spread around… um, he’s not the type for rumors, I’m guessing you know that already, but um, yeah… I just… oh God, please just don’t tell.”
I pretended to think about it as she pleaded. I swear she almost got down on her knees and kissed my feet. “Your secret, or whatever, is safe with me,” I finally said, making her grin and stand up straight. But I had another little thing planned out. Fuck, I was going to hate myself so much for this, but it’s for Zavier. Remember, I’m helping him out and that’s what I’m willing to achieve here. “But, what would you say to a date with him?”
•Zavier•
I tapped my foot against the carpeted floor and drummed my pencil against the wooden table in beat to the music blaring in my ears. My eyes were skimming the book right in front of me but nothing stayed in my head. It’s like I was reading but didn’t remember anything at all, because something else was on my mind. Really, for some reason, I kept thinking and thinking about one person… and one person only.
Evelyn Jo.
My mind was so mixed up. One half was telling me that I like her, and not just as a person, if you could get where I’m going with that. But then, the other half was telling me that I’m crazy and this was just some sort of phase. That I don’t really like her, I’m just quite attracted to her. I quietly groaned to myself as I put my hands over my face in attempt to erase her from my mind somehow. But nope, she’s still in there and I’m kissing her and I just… I honestly don’t know what had gotten into me. I just wanted to kiss her, badly so I decided, what the hey!
Shaking my head, I gathered all of my books and put my backpack over my shoulders. As I was walking out of the library, I said my goodbyes to everyone. I spent so much time here, these people were like a second family to me. I walked over to Sherly Gibson, one of the elderly women working there that always says ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye’ to everyone coming in and out. She was one of my inspirations, especially since she was a cancer survivor. That means she was a great fighter, and on top of everything, she even spent some of her time working here. Books were her life and I remembered her also being a writer until she retired from it.
I crouched down in front of her and held her hands in mine while giving her a sweet smile. “How are you doing, Sherly?”
She cupped my cheek in her fragile hand and gave me an equally sweet smile. “I am doing very good, sweetheart. How about you? How are your studies going? Heading off to Harvard soon?”
I playfully rolled my eyes. “Yeah, I hope.”
“Well, have you applied to all three schools?” Three schools being Harvard, Yale, and Stanford. I always doubted I’d go to one of them, since they were some of the most prestigious schools in the world. But the good thing was that I have been offered many scholarships, so I didn’t really have much to worry about. “You’re a smart boy, I have so much faith in you. You will make it big, I can see it now.”
“Thanks,” I whispered to her. She always boosted up my self-esteem by telling me things like these and I appreciated it so much.
“Now,” she paused to sit straight and put on her playful smile, “who’s the lucky girl?”
What? “W-what?”
“Oh sweetie, you’re glowing. There must be somebody special out there! Who is she?”
I started shaking my head. I did not want to talk about this, especially with someone who has lived as long as she has. I’m sure she’s found so many wondrous and tragic lovers back in her day. “There’s no…”
“You’re not fooling me. Come on, I might just die tonight and you’re keeping this huge secret from me that I might never find out about,” she joked, but I wasn’t laughing at all.
“Don’t say that,” I said, with creased eyebrows. I didn’t like thinking about people dying, especially people I care so much about. I looked at Sherly and she still looked great and happy and… just, like she’s enjoying the world. Like she’s enjoying every little minute she has left. But she was at least 75, and it didn’t look like she was going anywhere any time soon, which I was glad about.
Deeply sighing, I nodded once and told her at least a little about the girl I really liked. “Well, she’s different. And I know that’s just saying the usual, but trust me, she really is. I don’t really know her all that well but she’s a great person. And people might just misunderstand her at times. She’s smart and beautiful…” I stopped talking once I realized something.
Sherly was just smiling at me, but I think I was the palest shade of white right now. But who did I just describe exactly? Because to me, it really sounded like Evelyn and Joss put together.
I turned back to Sherly when she lightly tapped my knuckles. I shook my head of all thoughts and took a look at her. “Two girls, huh?” She can read me so well, it was scary. “If you’re in love with either, or you’re just in love with one, then it’s all right. It’s okay to be in love, or in like, with two different people, sweetie. It’s not a crime.”
I nodded, looking down. Was what she was saying true? Was I falling in love with both?
No, I can’t be.
“Or maybe, just maybe, you’re in love with the thought of them. Maybe you want an intelligent, beautiful girl with a dark past. Though, when we have two crushes, one of them always makes our heart beat just a tad bit faster than the other. Now, I may sound like a little cliché grandmother here, Zavier Coin, but listen to your heart. And listen to it right. It has all the answers.”
As I drove home, I really took in Sherly’s words. That woman knew almost everything, especially about love. Throughout the past few days, I admit, I’ve thought more about Evelyn than Joss. But I kept repeating to myself that it’s never going to happen. Evelyn likes bad boys, and I wasn’t willing to change myself just so that she could like me. Now, about Joss, I have no idea what her ideal guy is, but it’s definitely not bad boys… or is it? Gosh, where did I even stand?!
All of my thoughts flew out the window the second I stepped foot inside my house. It was dead silent, and my mother was probably in her office. The best way for her to work was to blast some music. She can really be a teenager sometimes.
But off in the distance, I heard something awful.
Once I finally realized what it was, I immediately dropped all of my belongings and ran up the stairs like a lightning bolt. The sound was coming from Evelyn’s room and it wasn’t pleasant at all.
“Evelyn! Evelyn!” I tumbled inside her room and then looked at her bathroom door, which was only a few centimeters open. I rushed in and stopped once I saw her crouched down next to the toilet, a scowl etched on her face.
“No, go away Zavier, this is disgusting,” she ordered, but I stayed put. She continued to empty her stomach down the toilet and I softly sighed before going over to her and pulling her hair away from her face. I rubbed the back of her neck, massaging her there a bit to soothe her down.
“There are disgusting things but we just have to deal with them,” I told her, as I stroked my hand over her shoulder and down her arm. It may sound sensual, but I just wanted her to calm down and breathe. I’d hate it if she got extremely sick, even after getting rid of the bad contents that had filled her stomach.
Once she was done a few minutes later, she brushed her teeth and we both went to her room to sit down on the floor. I was still playing with the smooth, soft strands of her delicate hair. I loved the way it felt on my fingers and I wanted nothing more than to continue playing with it and softly tug at it as I…
All right, let’s not get too overboard here, she’s sick right now and you’re
thinking these things!?
“Before you ask, no, I’m not pregnant,” she said, almost making me choke on my own saliva. I wasn’t even thinking that! But she was experienced, I’m sure. Wasn’t it possible for her to be? No. Just the thought of her doing those sorts of things with guys got me angry all of a sudden.
Oh, don’t be stupid, Zavier. She’s not yours. She can be with any guy she wants. Except for Davne… I wouldn’t approve of that, no matter how possessive it might made me sound. She likes bad boys, but I can never forget what that guy did to me.
“No, that’s crazy. I was thinking it was something you ate. What have you eaten?” I asked.
“Just… well, your mother’s food is delicious and has never gotten me sick so…” She paused and gaped at me, meaning something had possibly and suddenly popped into her head. She looked up at me with those adorable light eyes. Catching me by surprise, she suddenly gripped my shoulders and looked me in the eyes. I admit, I was pretty scared at that moment. “Joss,” she hissed, as she stood up and went over to her mini garbage can.
Joss? What about her? Did she do this? If so, I can’t believe it. I can’t believe it at all. How would it even happen?
Answering my question, Evelyn dug into her garbage can and took out what seemed to be a yogurt cup from Yo-Yo My Yogurt. I frowned at her as she came over to me and showed me the small cup. I grabbed it and looked it over as she stood up, paced the room, and pointed at the cup as if it was some demonic contraption. “That fucking yogurt was what made me sick!”
“I… well, maybe but…”
“The bitch,” she whispered, and I just felt so confused that I stood up and grabbed her shoulders to calm her down again, so that I could understand exactly what she was telling me, or trying to tell me. “Joss, she poisoned it or something. I…”