Tangled Strings

Chapter 12

Fred

Dinner was served on the dining table. I sat beside Lucy whereas Bill and Amy sat in front of us. I gathered the delicious lasagna on the fork. I could sense Bill's eyes on me from the moment I sat on the chair. I just didn't look at him. Sometimes I would look up to see Bill staring at me. And then I would continue eating.

"So Fred, what are your plans for your future?" Bill started.

"I-I want to major in automobile engineering."

"Oh, that's good."

"Yeah." I forced a smile but didn't get one in reply. The fork was about to enter my mouth when my phone buzzed. A message from Ashley, at this time?

Ashley: I need to talk to you. Something important. I'm calling you right now!!

I was about to reply to her when she called me. I wondered what it was that was that important to call me in between my meeting with the Forces (pun intended).

I got up from my seat.

"Excuse me, but I need to take this one." I said and went out to the porch and attended the call.

"Yeah, what?" I said, impatiently.

"Is Bryan with you?"

"Nopes. I'm at my girlfriend's house in a meeting with her parents, which you interrupted quite boldly."

"Umm...sorry. I didn't know. I wanted to ask you something important."

"Yeah, go on, now that you have interrupted my meeting."

"Stop rubbing it in my face and making me guilty, Fred!"

"Okay, go ahead. Tell me what you wanted to tell."

"Is Bryan angry with me?" she asked hesitantly.

"Urgh!! Of all the important things in the world you wanted to ask this?" I asked unbelievably.

"Stop with the speech, and tell me already, you dumbhead!"

"Well, yeah he was upset, that how could you just disappear without telling him anything. He said you never missed lunch with him so he was worried sick and was even going to dial 911. But I stopped him."

"What? This is too much. I'm not asking for your add-ons. Tell me the real deal."

"Okay. But yes he was worried very much. He said he had to meet that jerk, whatever his name is, Kite something."

"Mike"

"Yeah, that. Why didn't you tell him you were going on a date?"

"About that, well, I forgot. I wanted to tell him but Mike was too excited so I couldn't call or text him. What should I do, Fred?" she asked worriedly.

"Don't worry. He can't be angry with you for long. Just text him and apologize. He'll be more than okay."

"Yeah, right. Thanks, Fred. Good night."

"Umm... Listen Ash... Bryan is a good fella. He cares for you a lot. Don't let him down please."

"I know, Fred. I would never. Good night."

"Good night." And I hung up.

Well, the second clause of the deal for today was completed.

I went back inside the house to see that the dishes were being taken back to the kitchen. So, I joined the Forces in cleaning up the mess.

"You're such a sweetheart, Fred." Mrs. Force said.

"Just for you." I winked and tried to charm my hostess.