Chapter 2
2092 Words
I’m lying in my bed, quilt in a tight grip, while staring at the ceiling, counting every second that passed since Drew gone for his date. He could be here, with me, playing video game but he asked Melissa out instead, his girlfriend.
They started seeing each other for almost a month now and it’s also a month now that Drew and I didn’t hang out; we met, sure, but didn’t spend a long time together.
They met at our junior year end party. Going to party was so not my and Drew’s righteous deed but Simon (who hosts the party)—one of Drew’s basketball teammates—contends that lot of hot girls would be there. It was his obnoxious loud voice that made Drew coincide, of course, dragging me along.
The two of us are talking near the rowdy group of guys at the corner—the night was still early, yet it makes me want to go home already—when I noticed an auburn headed girl look at Drew. He didn’t notice her ‘cause he’s too focus on imbibing the contents of the two red cups in his hands.
“Remind me again why did I agree going here tonight?” he said.
He’s not much of a drinker, I know that, one more cup and he’ll losses in on his lethargic state of existence. Good thing I’m in charge of driving.
I know it’s silly to think that three cups of alcohol can fuddled a person’s consciousness, but, hey, it was the first time we had gone to a party with tons of burning liquor furnished everywhere.
“May I remind you as well that I told you, ditch this party, but you didn’t listen ‘cause you wanted to try going out like a normal teenager even though our parents were against with the idea of us partying?” I retorted.
That’s right, we did all the talking we can just for them to let us go to this lame party. It took us hour pleading before they give us the green-light with Cinderella-like rule, go home before 12 or they’ll be locking the door.
“Looks like someone’s not enjoying the night,” he said in a singsong.
“But I do.”
We both looked toward where the voice comes from. It’s a girl (the one I’m talking about with an auburn hair) extending her hand towards Drew, offering a drink. She’s pretty, sure, but I don’t like the purple lips she’s wearing.
I almost open my mouth, about to say Drew has had enough alcohol in his body, but he elbowed me and takes the drink from her hand.
“Thanks,” he said, cheeks burning.
They started talking and I don’t want to be intrusive, so I excused myself. Going to the kitchen, passing a grinding vast throng, to get a drink. Pop-rock music was blasting, smell of sweat, alcohol and cigarettes girdling around. I made it to the kitchen, good thing it wasn’t full of people, and open the fridge. Half of the fridge was occupied by beers and other alcoholic drinks, it’s a relief to see some space for soft drinks. I grab one and started drinking.
Half through my drink I felt my phone vibrated. I fished it out of my pocket and saw Drew’s text.
Let’s head home. I’m riding at Melissa.
I go outside, albeit, I didn’t know who’s this Melissa he’s talking. We got home that night, separately.
By morning after my early run I go to their house but got shocked when I saw the same girl from last night, wearing Drew’s shirt. They’re eating breakfast when I entered.
I declined Drew’s offer to eat with them and said I had a lot of things to do. He looked at me dubiously but didn’t question and let me leaved.
The truth was, I really don’t want to see them acting like a newly wed at breakfast. The girl didn’t leave his side ever since and got vexed when they let their relationship at the open, as boyfriend and girlfriend, good for them. Not me, though.
A knock on the door snapped me out of my thoughts. “Honey, your Dad and I will be doing groceries. You want us to buy something for you?”
“Vanilla ice cream, mom.”
“Is that all?”
“Yes, mom. Thanks.”
“Sure, honey.”
I heard her steps retreating. Maybe some vanilla ice cream can help me dissipate the doldrums I’m feeling. I can’t believe my summer would end up like this, alone.
What am I supposed to do? I inhaled sharply and grabbed the bolster then throw it away, it landed on my closet, the reason it opened.
Since Drew found himself a girlfriend, surely he’s going to spend the whole summer with his girl, why not? She’s his girlfriend after all.
He haven’t tell me of our plan yet or maybe there’s no plan at all and that leaves me here alone, with nothing to do. I need to create a plan, maybe read a book. Hell, no. I’m not going to sit my ass here for the whole summer reading my mother’s favorite book. Nope, not happening. God, that would be boring as hell.
I diverted my gaze towards my open closet and saw the blue short I always used everytime we gone swimming.
Abruptly, I stood and grab my gym bag and stuffed it inside and all the things that needed. Grabbing my phone, I texted mom and told her I will be gone for an hour and got out of my room.
Once outside, I strode towards my bicycle, checking if it’s in a good condition. It was almost a year the last time I used my bike. When Drew and I gone trailing on the wilderness mountain near his grandparents place.
I leapt on it and pedaled to the direction of the closest public swimming pool, where I practiced to swim. As soon as I arrived, I parked my bike and immediately got inside.
Drew never gone here yet. I mentally wrote and put it on the top list of things I wanted to do this summer, bringing him here.
Good thing the place wasn’t full of people, I can stay here longer than I planned. There are still goers but not much, though. I marched along a course leading to the locker room and quickly changed into my swimwear.
I plunged on the cold water and did lap after lap. The only time I stopped was when I needed air, rising to the surface, and swam again. After a countless lap, my muscle started to protest so I took a break and sit at the edge of the pool.
“Nice swim.”
I looked at my side and saw a guy, same height and build as Drew, standing. His face wasn’t familiar, I assumed he’s new here. He’s smiling, gentle and friendly, not to be rude so I smiles back. My face turned red, I didn’t knew someone’s watching me swim, I’m not used to it.
“Thanks,” I said.
I study his face, strong features and reddish-brown irises highlights his great beauty. When I cast a glance in his eyes, I found it already staring at me. His intense penetrating scrutiny burrowed under my skin, making all the hair on my body erect.
I looked down and caught myself gaping in his taut abs, it was glistening with chlorined water. My flushed face turns even redder. Looking away, concerned lest being caught staring, to lessen the heat in my face. I heard him laugh and felt him sit beside me.
“Rhys,” he said, offering his right hand.
“Kyle,” I said and gladly accept it.
“Cute name. Suit you well.”
“Thanks.”
“Do you come here more often?”
“Sometimes, when I’m bored.”
We did a last lap and talked some more, nothing in particular. Just some random questions and answer like a normal stranger do.
“Do you live here?” I finally asked the question that keep bugging me the entire time we talk.
“Yup,” he said. I can see a sad emotion crosses his eyes when I asked him. “But I’m staying at my grandparents.”
I attests the emotion I saw when he smiles sadly at me. I didn’t pressed the matter, he doesn’t want to talked about it. I know, I can feel it.
“I haven’t seen you here before.”
“Oh, yeah. About that,” he laughed, rubbing his nape. “I go to Sta. Monica high school and obviously, it’s in a different city. I live there at my Aunt. I’m just here for the summer.”
I nodded my head but I noticed that he never mention his parents even once. I didn’t asked him about it, though, and just shrugged it off.
We said our goodbyes when it was time for us to go home and promised to meet here again but both laughed when we’re heading the same way.
Hauling and dragging my bike beside me, we traipsed the way towards our street. When we made it to our house, we bid each other goodbye, it was a real goodbye this time.
He gently held my shoulder and squeezes it before he walks away. I smiled, it looks like my summer wasn’t boring after all, I guess.
“Where have you been?”
I turned around and saw Drew sitting in our front porch steps. His expression spoke hostility.
“Gone swimming,” I scrupulously replied while lifting my gym bag to justify what I said. He trudge to my direction and stop right in front of my face.
“Without me?” he asked incredulously. My brows creased with the tone he’s using.
“But you’re in a date with Melissa," I argued.
“Yeah, right. ‘Cause a simple message would hurt. You should’ve texted me and I’ll be there in an instant. We swear to spend our summer together, remember?”
“Then what about Melissa?”
“We. We’ll be there in an instant.”
“But I don’t want to interrupt your date with her,” I almost shouted.
“Wait, are you upset I got myself a girlfriend and you didn’t.”
I hope he’s right. I hope I was upset because I haven’t got myself a girlfriend but that’s not the reason at all, never been the reason. I wanted to shout I’m jealous but I cant.
“Of course, not!” I said instead.
“Who’s that guy?”
“What guy, Drew?” I am spent and I don’t want to spend the remaining energy I had arguing with him, but I’ve known Drew, he’s stubborn as hell. He won’t let me slip everytime we had an argument.
“Don’t play dumb with me Kyle. The one who f*****g touch your shoulder like you’re some precious gem he’s scared to break. Is he your boyfriend?” If I didn’t known him that long, I would probably thought he’s jealous, but no, I knew him better to assume.
“No. Damn it, Drew. Can we please stop this?” I don’t want to finish this conversation and end up sleeping tonight knowing we’re not in good terms.
“Okay, fine," he said.
He stomped past me towards their house without looking back. He was always like this when we’re fighting and when I told him we need to stop. Stubborn and puerile was not enough to describe the way he acted.
I hastily followed him then grabs his arm.
“What now, Kyle.”
He paused but didn’t face me. I moved in front of him and looked him in the eye.
“I’m sorry, Drew.” I gave my very hardest to looked like I really am sorry. “I will bring you there next time. Promise.”
He cursed under his breath and met my gaze.
“Tomorrow at nine, brunch at Charlie’s,” he said.
His face broke into a smile. The smile I used to see and made my heart beats faster, faster than a running horse.
“And we’re good. Now move, you’re in my way," he added.
A deep chuckles escaped from his throat when he passes my side. I go back and entered our house still smiling, up until the safety of my room.
- Writer
