What sort of a question was, 'Is there a problem?' but I knew all too well what he meant. He obviously doesn't realise how well I know him. His creases in his face indicating pain, the harshness laced into his every word showing searing loss.
I was like chocolate in the sun, melting in his hands.
I finally spoke, "Well, no, I mean, what do you mean? I'm just trying to find the...-"
"Chicken & Mushroom Pot Noodle? I know..." He picked one up and briefly looked at it while stretching his arm outwards towards me.
I went to grab it and my fingers traced his, I flinched. He did the same, fortunately I caught the Pot Noodle.
"Um, thanks, I guess?" I half questioned.
"Tonight, the hill, 6pm, wear a coat this time." He said in a harsh, rushed voice.
"Wait, wha-" I began.
"JUST DO THIS ONE THING FOR ME!" He shouted and stormed off.
My mum came rushing around the corner of the aisle.
"Honey! What was the shouting about? Come on, you look like you've seen a ghost. Let's pay and talk in the car, yeah?" My Mum looked worried.
"Yeah." I squawked.
The next five minutes blurred. I was so... shocked? Annoyed? And in some odd way, excited.
I blurted out some rubbish about stepping on a lady's foot in the store, I don't think my mum was convinced but she dropped it.
***
I looked at the clock which still read 5:09 P.M.
I've been glancing at that exact time for what felt like hours.
I sighed and rose from my comfy bed.
I guess I should sort of make an effort... maybe not. The not option seemed easier but then do I look rubbish, will my argument come accross better if I look decent? Wait... I mentally slapped myself. We were NOT going to argue. End of story.
I slapped on some light makeup, jeans, tank top, hoodie and some semi old converse. Good enough I thought.
I was about to leave when Ryan's words flooded my head. "... wear a coat this time."
I turned on my heel and headed for my wardrobe, I lifted a dark blue rain voat and stuffed it in my bag.
I once again looked at the clock and was pleasantly surprised when it didn't read 5:09 P.M. instead it said, 5:34 P.M.
Better go.
What is this meeting going to end with? Friendship? I doubt it. Hatred? Quite possibly.
I ran down the stairs hugging my Mum as I went. I had explained to her earlier that I was just going for a walk, the big travel had gotten to me and I had a migraine coming along. LIES! Ah well.
***
It was 6:04 P.M.
Why wasn't he here? For once, I was here on time.
A ruffle of some grass came from the base of the hill I jolted. I was him. Or not...
Just a rabbit, great.
Then suddenly someone plopped onto the long grass beside me and I let my eyes wander towards the person. Yes, it was Ryan.
"Hi." He said.
"You were 5 minutes late."
"Sorry, lil' sis' wanted me to tuck her into bed." He said.
"You have a sister?" I asked.
He twisted his neck lazily towards me and simply said, "Yeah. Guess you left before she was born, huh?"
"Must have, tell me about her." I told him.
"Okay, she's about 3 years 4 months, she loves pink, she loves me, she's is very clever, beautiful, cheeky, artisitc and is very observant for her age." He listed.
"Wow, sounds as if i'd like her! And, your Mum?" I asked nervously.
"She didn't make it through the pregnancy..." He trailed off.
"Oh my goodness! I am so sorry, I didn't realise! Was it the cancer or just a hard birth?"
"What's with you?! Prying into my business! She's dead, okay! It's me, my lil' sis and older sister now." He shouted.
"I- I'm sorry. I'm going to go now..." I said while pushing myself off the ground. I began to run down the hill and let tears flow from my eyes.
"Katie! Wait!" He begged.
I kept running.
Until I felt his warm hand on my shoulder, he turned me around and gave me a brief look of love and then he crashed his lips onto mine. Yes, finally, the lips I loved so much were finally on mine once again.
He deepened the kiss and I wrapped my legs around his waist. He laid me onto the ground and hovered above me without breaking the kiss.
After a few more minutes he rolled to the side and I smiled. That was perfect.
***
We were drawing near to my house, and I wish we weren't, this night was amazing.
The walk home was filled with catch up questions. Nothing too deep, just about school, his house, job and other day to day things. He asked me some things too and one thing really surprised me.
He had said, "So... what about your Dad? What's up with him? Is he good?"
It wasn't the question, it was the tone. It was sarcastic and uninterested.
I had replied, "In what context? If you mean his alcohol problem then no, he's not alright..."
He snapped his head at me, "Alcoh- oh yeah, sorry I had forgotten... I was actually talking about his health."
Oh so now he wanted to get right in and wanted to know about my Dad's health condition?! Yes, he had had a heart attack, an almost liver transplant and depression and stress problems.
"His health? Well, I mean he's had a heart attack, an almost liver transplant and depression and stress problems, if that's what you mean and no, he's not too great."
He gulped, "I'm sorry Kate." He looked down at me and he locked his eyes with mine. Electric blue beautiful eyes.
I must have zoned out because next thing I knew Ryan was standing in front of me saying my name over and over again. I was lost in that conversation about my father, Katie, it's in the past! I mentally screamed at myself.
I offered Ryan a small smile and continued to walk on. My house stood tall and proud in front of us, the starry sky lighting our path. Ryan knew he should leave now because if my mum saw him again she might flip.
He tilted his head back and softly said, "Beautiful, isn't it?"
I too looked up and nodded, "Yes, it really is, I missed the dark skies lined with little fairy lights."
He smiled and looked at me, "You always know how to say things so beautifully..."
I blushed and grabbed his hands. I leaned in and rested my forehead on his and whispered, "I also missed something else" I paused just for effect.
I lifted my head and looked right into his eyes and said even more quietly, "You."
He lifted my head and answered me with a perfect kiss.
Crunch. Crunch. Grass and twigs snapped. Silence. Our lips parted.
"Dad?" I said, my voice shaking.
