Chapter Twenty-Three: Good Bye Hugs
"You're here again?" Lance grunts, looking at me in distaste as he grips on the frame of his door, unwelcoming with my presence.
As if I'd visit him if I had a choice—which I don't. He acts as if he'd rather die on the island alone than be stranded with me.
I raise a brow, matching his attitude. I know I'm petty, but I hate it when brats like him think they can belittle me. "Excuse me? For your information, it's my job to babysit you. A miserable job I could say."
"Then quit," he provokes me.
I smugly grin, folding my arms. "Not unless I make you cry for mommy first."
"Whatever, just head in," he rolls his eyes and left the door gaping wide for me to enter. I swear, are kids so rude like him nowadays? It's like they don't have manners for elders.
As usual, his parents were out again for another date that would last until late evening and I would be bound to stay with this raging kid for a couple of hours. I stroll by his living room and the television is on, playing another one of his beloved 'animes'.
I hop in beside him without a word which earned me a snicker from him. I frown, lightly kicking his foot.
"I swear you're acting like you're on your period right now," I grumble, eyeing him in distaste. "—you want some pads with that, mate?"
"I'm not on my period," he snickers, narrowing his eyes as he remains fixated on the screen. "—you see, I don't have a growing vagi---"
"Don't even finish that," I threaten him. I don't need to hear a kid saying terms like that. Sheesh he's so moody.
"Sorry, okay?" he sighs, and he didn't even sound sorry at all. "—I'm just frustrated that I got a B+ on Physics."
I raise a brow, quite surprised. "Huh. I see."
Then I recline on my seat, placing both of my arms under my head. "I'll never understand smart kids like you. I get B's most of the time and I never complain about it."
"That's because you're stupid," he murmurs, as if launching a final blow to my ego.
"You're really getting on my nerves right now," I warn him. "—I might tie you up by the basement if you keep sassing me like this."
"Ha! You're just butthurt because it's true anyway," he smugly grins, shrugging his shoulders.
I give him a small smack on the head as a poor attempt to retain what little dignity I have for myself. Smart kid problems. It's not like I'm a genius to understand his struggles—not like I'd want to be a genius anyway.
"But I know one thing to make me better," he pipes up.
I give him an apathetic look, showing my concern. Oh wait. There's none. Nada. "Do I look like I care?"
He ignores my remark, proceeding to continue with his squeamish ramble like a boy transitioning because of puberty. "That girl.....Emily..."
I snigger, narrowing my eyes at him in mischief like the demoness I was as he glares at me. "Hmmm..you like Emily, huh?"
He turns bright red. You see those red signs by the street? Exactly the same colour as that. I snort, pointing at his red cheeks like a bully. "You're such a wimp."
"Well you're a weirdo!" he lamely retorts, the blush on his cheeks still present. "—she's cute alright? And she's cool."
"Pfft," I reply, holding back a laugh. "---you know, she'll end up in prison if you pursue her. You'd be like the modern Romeo and Juliet, except that it's the jail that separates you two."
"Shut up, Avery!" he screeches, looking at me in embarrassment. "—I just have a teensy-weensy crush on her. I'm not doing anything illegal!"
"Sure, sure," I look at him incredulously. If only I knew this earlier, then I would have been having a blast teasing him. "—so what do you want me to do?"
"Invite...her."
I raise a brow. "Why should I?"
"Just because!" he screeches, screaming like girl.
"Say please first," I smirk. "—then I'll reconsider it."
"Damn it!" he grits his teeth, looking like he's about to have an explosive diarrhea with the way he's overthinking about it. Saying please is an easy thing, you know? Unless when you say it to the most unbearable person you know. "—Please!"
"Fine," I huff, seeing that childish look on his face. I can't believe this brat would like Emily of all people. And I thought he was the type who likes nerdy girls or stayed loyal to his weird anime characters. But maybe it's just me who's judgmental.
I fish for my phone under the small pockets of my short and when I grasp it, I search for Emily's contact number before pressing the dial button. While it starts to ring, I could see from the peripheral of my eye, Lance fidget on his seat whilst he grips onto his shorts like he's going to crap himself.
It takes a couple of seconds of ringing before the phone gets pick up, her calming voice resonating from my phone's speaker. "Hey, Avery. Do you need anything?"
"Yeah," I murmur, darting a gaze to Lance who stared intently at me like he was some serial killer. It's kind of looks creepy if you ask me. "----do you have time to hang out right now?"
She stifles a gasp. I roll my eyes instinctively. "Are you sure this is Avery? This is so not her! If you're out there, scream for help!"
"I've been stuck with this horrendous body for sixteen years, so yes, it's me you dork," I grumble. "—also, he asked me to call you since he likes y---"
"Gosh darn it!" I yelp in pain when Lance pinches my lap, probably more painful than the needles you get at the hospital. Does this kid have the nails of a witch? It's so damn sharp!
"What's the matter?" she asks from the other end; concern etches on her tone. "—are you in danger right now?"
"I would be if I don't keep my mouth shut," I retort, glaring at the midget. "—anyway, do you want to hang out right now? Lance needs some 'cheering up' since the genius got a failing B+ which is basically the end of the world for his egotistical brain."
Emily chuckles at my comment and I couldn't help but feel proud of it. I know, my humour is so lame, but whatever. "I'm down for it. Where shall we meet?"
"Would you be alright if we hang out at Lance's house?" I inquire, staring at the beige painted ceilings. "—I'm on a babysitting duty right now—even though this brat is way older for that."
"But I don't know your place."
"Let's meet by the park then," I answer, glancing at Lance who had his eyes twinkling like a child who sat at Santa's lap during Christmas. "—we could stop by for food and then head here."
"Sounds like a plan!" she beams, overly excited by the thought. "---by the way, is Tom coming?"
"Don't even bother with him," I frown, my mood turning damp. I'd rather not see him right now, especially when everywhere I go, he's there. It's called space people.
You'd be sick of him too if you see him almost every day.
"Aww, come on Avery!" she whines. "---the gang's not complete if Tom's not there."
I let air seep into my teeth before I resign to her whining as I rub my temple in the process. I feel like I'd age fifty by the time this day ends. "Fine. I'm going to barge in his darn house and kidnap him."
Was what I said.
"Hey," he grins, eyeing me and Lance with amusement and a bemused look on his face at the same time. "—what do you need, Avery? Also, it's rare for you to come to my house."
He outstretches his palm outside. "Is it going to snow next?"
"Har har, you amuse me, Tom," I bitterly cackle.
I cross my arms. "I don't need to go to your house anyway since you come by mine without asking."
"Touché."
"So, do you need something?" he asks, fixing his shirt that got wrinkles on the edges with his fingers. "—or did you just come here because you missed me?"
I choke on my spit, but composed myself nevertheless. "You know, you're going to be the death of me. Spare me with your egotistical statements, okay?"
"Anyways, Emily asked if you want to come with us at Lance's house," I eye him, trying with my outmost best to signal him that he says no. "—I take it that you're not joining, right?"
"Of course, I'd come!" he beams with jubilance, eyes sparkling.
I click my tongue. "Darn."
"I thought you two were friends now?" Lance interjects, glancing back and forth with a finger pointed at me. "—how come you're crude as usual?"
I would've been decent with him if he didn't kiss me out of a sudden. People might think that's oh, so romantic, but place yourself in my boots, okay? Now tell me if you'd appreciate someone stealing your first kiss.
As if I could tell him that. I brush his statement off with the wave of my palm. "It's none of your business."
"Alright. Just hurry up and get ready Tom because Emily might be waiting for too long," Lance taps his feet impatiently, a scowl evident on his lips.
I snicker, playfully nudging the kid's shoulder. "Yeah, Tom. Hurry up. Lover boy can't wait to see his la---"
"Lance!" I scowl, rubbing my sides when he struck it with his elbows. "—don't hit your elders, you brat."
"Can you just shut up, Avery?!" he narrows his eyes at me. "—no need to tell the whole world, okay?! Sheesh."
"What's this lover boy?" Tom pipes up, glancing at me and Lance with a knowing look. It doesn't take that much knowledge to guess it.
"Arggh!!! Enough!" Lance screeches like a banshee, his cheeks flush red. "---damn you Avery! Now even Tom knows!"
I pull my tongue out as a counter back, watching Lance rips his hair out to the point he might bald himself. Tom glances at me and I return the gesture, pursing my lips. "What?"
He grins, quite mockingly. "You're really something, Avery."
I gave him a bewildered look for him to explain what the hell he just said, but he adamantly shuts his lip close and I'm left with more questions about him.
. . .
"Cole is better," I argue, returning the liter of Pep back to its shelf when Tom stops me, clutching on my wrist as he persists with his awful taste in beverages.
Who likes Pep anyway? It's basically just a watered-down version of Cole with its strength only sweeter and less acidic than Cole. Where's the fun in that? It is in this moment that I realize that Tom and I could never be friends.
"No. It's Pep," he persists, eyeing me competitively like a child trying to win the star for the best student.
"Cole is better," I glare at him, trying to yank my hand from him. "—you're basically a girl if you like Pep."
"But you're a girl," he flatly points out. "—so are you implying that you're a gu—"
"Ow! I was joking, Avery," he winches when I lightly hit his head with the bottom of the soda. What a drama queen. I didn't even hit him that hard.
"Come on, Avery!" he wails, tugging the Pep from my grasp and tries to put it on the cart. "---I can't have my junk food without Pep."
I snicker. "Then buy one for yourself."
"I would've if I wasn't short on cash."
I nonchalantly shrug, successfully placing the Pep soda back to its shelves once Tom had a moment of vulnerability.
"You're fighting about that?" Emily glances at us in amusement, Lais and Doritacos stack on her chest. "---how about we just settle for Sprinkle?"
Me and Tom both scrunch in disgust. I pull out my tongue, speaking in behalf of the Cole fandom. "Sprinkle? That tastes just like sparkling water."
"Whatd'ya say, Lance?" Emily peers over her shoulder to Lance who smiles at her.
"Yeah, I think Sprinkle would be better," he smiles dreamily at her.
I click my tongue. "Simp."
And since Emily and Lance won in majority, we ended up with Sprinkle as I grumble under my breath about how Pep is just a rip-off of Cole and how they almost taste the same, just the former tasting bland sweetness.
We finally arrive in front of Lance's house with a plastic bag slung on my fingers. We had bought so many junk foods and beverages that would be too much to finish, even for the four of us. I'd rather not get UTI though, so I'll minimize on the junk.
Emily roams around the interior of Lance's house, watching in awe as her eyes trail back and forth like she was inside a museum. I immediately plop on the couch with the plastic bag on my side.
"Wanna watch a movie?" Lance suggests, heading over to the rack of CDs. Lance's father is a DVD collector, so it's not a surprise to see their shelves filled with CDs.
"That sounds good," Emily smiles and follows pursuit, both leaning towards the CD shelves as they rack the shelves for movies to watch.
I close my eyes, leaning back on the couch as I feel exhaustion wash over me. Today is tiring. I'm not much of an on-going person and too much interaction tires me—like right now.
Not a second later, I feel the couch sink a bit when someone sits beside me. I didn't need to open my eyes to know who he was. His perfume is a dead give-away.
"Tired?" he asks.
"Is it obvious?" I grumble, my eyes still shut closed.
My eyes immediately flicker open when a pair of hand suddenly pulls my head close to something warm and hard. I try to squirm off Tom's hold but he just places his hand on my eyes, blinding me shut.
"Let me go!" I struggle, my head still resting on his chest. "---this is harassment!"
"You're tired, aren't you?" he asks and I could feel the fast pace of his heart beat. "---sleepy people need something comfy to sleep with."
"And you think your chest is good?" I reply.
"I think so," he pipes up. "---so just trust me and let me be of use to you."
I wanted to argue with him, but I realize that would be futile. It's not like he's doing this with malice, and I..I don't feel anything for him...so it's not like this is something. This is just him and his overly considerate demeanor.
"Any suggestions on what to watch?" I could hear Lance from not far away ask.
I reply. "Let's watch Silent Revolution!"
"Is that another horror movie?" he grunts. "---we can't watch any horror movie; Emily is afraid of horror stuff."
I click my tongue. "Darn. Never mind."
"How about we watch Nether Land?" Emily chimes in.
"Sure. Let me check if I have the CD."
Darn Lance and his stupid crush with Emily. He's over the heels for her that he's acting like a mindless slave; it's pathetic and hilarious.
Well, I guess I'll take Tom's offer and go into a deep slumber. I'm not fond of romance movies and I cringe at their corny lines. I nudge Tom by the side. "Wake me up when the chick flick ends."
Was what I reminded him. But it ended up with him falling asleep as well with his head leaning on mine. I carefully tilt his head to the other side and remove his arm that now slung on my shoulder.
I stood up from my seat, letting out a yawn as I stretch my limbs. That felt good. I really needed that sleep. I glance around and see Emily munching on the chips she bought while Lance was gazing at her from time to time with a stupid puppy look.
"What's the time?" I let out another yawn.
Lance turns around to face me and retracts his gaze back to the screen. "It's six-thirty."
"Darn," I curse. "—six already? I must've slept for at least two hours."
"I see you were getting comfy with Tom by the couch," Emily faces me, wriggling her eyebrows up and down in a teasing manner with a smirk on her lips. "—was it nice, Avery?"
I groan, rolling my eyes as I step forward and bent down, helping myself to some chips on the table as I outstretch my palm. "I don't see why you're so worked up about it. I mean sleeping is a normal occurrence, is it not?"
I plop a chip on my mouth, savoring the salty taste that lingered on my mouth as I help myself to another one. "Aren't you two getting comfy yourselves? You two are the only ones awake so I'm not certain what you've been doing while we were asleep."
"We were not doing anything!" Emily defends, crossing her arms.
"Yeah, yeah," I shake her off, heading back to where the blonde hair boy slept peacefully. His long lashes were shut close, lips pursed into a thin line and hair ruffled.
He still looked good, even if he was sleeping—whereas I would be a wreck if I was in his position. Curse good looking people.
I raise my hand and tapped on his face gently, muttering. "Wake up."
His eyes were still shut closed, even when I gently tapped his face. I sigh, eventually clutching to his shoulders and shook him with force.
His eyes flicker open, still in a daze as he looked like he was still figuring where he was. His eyes then cast on mine. "I fell asleep?" he murmurs in a rather gruff and raspy tone.
I nod. "Now get up. It's time to head home."
"Already?" he says in a sigh as he struggles to stand up from his seat, body wobbling as he reaches out and places his hands on my shoulder.
"And you need to walk Emily home," I add, staring at his tired and sleepy eyes. "—at least to the nearest bus station."
"Alright."
The four of us stood by the front porch as Tom and Emily were heading to the nearest bus station. Lance glances at Emily and sheepishly smiles. "I hope I'll see you soon."
Emily grins, nodding as she let out a thumbs up. "I had fun. Thanks for inviting me, Lance."
"Avery," I faced Tom as he smiles at me.
"What?" I grumble, narrowing my eyes at him.
He took a step close and opened his arms wide. I only stared at him in confusion as he beams wide like a child. "Give me a hug."
"No."
"Come on," he whined, his arms still out wide. "---don't be a sour puss and just give me a good bye hug."
"Why should I?" I look at him in distaste. Who does he think he is? A kid?
"One hug won't hurt, right?" he pleads, his eyes looking at me like a dog begging for treats.
I wouldn't have obliged if Emily wasn't constantly pressuring me and Lance grumbling at me for being a stick and wasting time.
I roll my eyes as I mutter curses under my breath, watching as he smiles so wide as I sigh, standing in front of him.
He wraps his arms around me, pulling me close as I stood there without doing anything. When I realize he wasn't going to move away, I mutter. "Let go."
"This isn't considered a hug if you don't hug me too," he mutters on my ear, making my ear tingle.
"Darn it," I snarl as I reluctantly lift my hands and slowly wrap them around his waist. "—you're so demanding."
"Much better," he murmurs, a triumphant grin was what I could imagine tugging on his lips.