3TS: The Chances of Starting Again

Tears

Emotions arise, thoughts are created, and eyes turn when someone starts to cry. 

The week that just passed was challenging.

I can't tell you how much it hurt to see her like this. Alone. Separated from me.

Monday. She didn't go to school.

Tuesday. We bumped into the hall. After inviting her to eat with me at lunch, she just shook her head and walked away.

At lunch, Trent and his friends joined me at my table. I could look from the corner of my eye at Arlene at the corner of the cafeteria. Alone. And once in a while, looking over at us. I barely touched my food during that lunchtime. I felt like a traitor.

Wednesday. I tried to sit by her in class, but she ignored me as class went on.

Thursday. I tried to lift her spirits as I texted her a meaningful sorry (because she wouldn't even talk to me in person) and texted her about something funny that Leon had said.

Friday. Although she didn't text me back, she decided to sit with us at lunch. The boys kept on talking about the basketball tryouts and who was going to get onto the team (the results won't be out until next week), while I spoke to Arlene about her tutoring and school homework (you know, technical things that wouldn't even touch her personal side).

Saturday. We all hung out at our favorite water park. Leon and Arlene secretly had a water fight against each other. So whenever we were just sitting near a pool, Leon would push her in (I'm so glad, Journal, that Arlene knows how to swim). And even when we were eating lunch, she took her revenge by dunking a whole bucket of water just as he was finishing his sandwich. I would just laugh when I see them playing at each other (and seeing that Arlene looks good with Leon. Not saying that they should be together, Journal. But just...you know...if).

Yes, things were hopefully coming back to normal. 

**

Things were just coming back to normal, when a plane of destruction crashed down into our lives.

This happened next week, just today (friday). I can just remember Arlene's haunting face when...

Let me just start from the beginning, Journal.

There we were. At the bleachers. Our group of friends (except for Arlene, who we were waiting for from her tutoring lesson) were talking about the events of the day (about Trent's odd cough, Leon's entering of the basketball team, and Oliver's ruined science project), and the upcoming Valentines Ball that was coming next week.

Before I go on, I have to tell you. Within a meter radius, girl's will literally see everything you do. During that time, I literally saw Trent's eyes dart back and forth to his friends as though he was signalling. And for some reason, Trent kept patting my back, as if I was the one with the weird cough. I even saw the twitch of his hand at his friends' backs. And altogether, they left me.

Except Trent.

And within this radius, I saw Trent's knee bounce gently.

"Where are they going?" I asked, confused.

Coughing, Trent blurted, "Bathroom, I guess." After that brief statement, he coughed even harder. Shaking all over.

I was alarmed when I saw a drop of blood on his hand. "Are you okay? You should probably see a doctor."

He looked up at me, then smiled slyly as he shrugged his shoulders, "No money."

We laughed, with him going into a coughing fit. That ended the enjoyment of the joke.

"You should probably eat some garlic or something." I counselled.

He looked up at me, as he gulped, "What?"

I know I sounded crazy, Journal. But I found that garlic does take away my small coughs.

"Well, I learned it can help. And natural herbs." I said, trying to sound like I really meant it. Because I did.

"Thanks, science teacher." He said with a chuckle.

"I'm serious." I said sternly, as I turned to look at his eyes.

He turned to me, and his joking smile turned into a sincere one as he looked at me. "I'll try that."

After a moment, he said softly, "Hey, you got something on your back." He tugged at something, and pulled a paper-as if by magic- from off my back.

He handed it to me without reading it, as if not interested. But I could totally tell he was interested. By the way he looked at me from the corner of his eye.

See, Journal? Girls can see EVERYTHING.

"It says: Taken for the Valentines Ball." I blinked, then looked up at him. "I'm not taken. No one has asked me yet."

"So you're single still? Not taken?" He asked, jokingly.

I pushed at his shoulder gently, "Yes, of course I'm still single. Besides, it's just a guy bringing a girl to a dance. It's like just...two friends...going out." At two friends, a flashback struck me like lightning. The moment when Trent had "faked" a coughed up heart and asked me to go to the Valentines Ball with him.

And in a flash, the memory passed as Trent coughed again.

"Well, since you're still single. Could you be mine? I mean, my date to the dance?" Trent tried to ask it casually. He sounded casual.

But in my head, it was like the sound was echoed ten times more. And I was left looking like a shocked child that just was exposed to the loudest rock music in the world.

He asked. Me. ME!

I couldn't help but smile at him, "I'm going out...with you?"

"Is that a question or statement?" He asked quizzically.

My heart beat fast, like the sound of drums waiting for my own answer. My daring answer. Will I say yes?

"I just wanted to make sure that you asked me out." I blurted. What. Was. I saying, Journal? I sounded SO crazy.

But I guess that a-boy-just-asked-you-out moment does leave you a little delusional.

"Um, yes?" He just confirmed it. He asked me out.

So I exploded. "Then..YES!" I said as I threw my hands in the air.

His mouth slid into a great, big, smile. "Really?"

Smiling, I nodded.

And then, for one fleeting moment. He jumped into the air, then came to rest next to me again.

I will never forget that face of pure joy when he looked into my eyes and said, "Thanks for letting me be the one to take you to the Valentines Ball." Then, he hugged me. 

He actually hugged me! I didn't start it, but HE DID!

I couldn't help but smile.

But the moment ended with the twisting of events when I saw her.

At the corner of the building, peeking out. Just past Trent's ear. She was looking at me. With tears glistening in the evening sun as it fell down her cheeks.