CHAPTER EIGHT
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We laughed so hard that our stomach went in pain. I could feel tears streaming down my cheeks. It was tears of thousands and thousands of joy.
I never felt so happy and lively again after all those problems I was facing.
We went to the garden and sat at the dry grass ground. I lied down and rested.
The garden. Here where I am resting was the same place where I knelt down and cried.
Now, this is where I lay down and laugh my butt off. I just thought that things were all a little bit fine now. A little.
"How I wish you're just a man, Andee." I said, out of nowhere.
"What?" He blurted out, almost instantly.
"Calm your títs, woman." I chuckled before continuing, "Don’t make me repeat myself.” I hope he didn't take it another way. I just hoped not or else it'd be really awkward.
"I mean, what makes you say that?" He asked.
"Makes me say that I wish you're a guy than a gay?" I asked stupidly.
"Yup." He popped the end letter.
"I mean, you act so.... Manly, ideal, strong and very protective. Nothing in you shaped and molded into gay." I said.
He laughed. “My heart does.” He joked.
I laughed. “It is true. No wonder why lots of girls had been confessing to you. Now I see it.” I nodded my head.
"I'd take that as a compliment but nice try, Joey. If you think I'd forget about our agreement, talk to my hand but right now pay up." He said, opening his big hands.
I had forgotten on how many times I had hold his hands. But every time I hold it, my hands felt warmth that sent chill across my body.
"What?!" I sat up straight.
"40$. Hand it over!" He rolled his eyes and opened his hands again.
This time, I knew he was mocking me. I never should've said about the money agreement thing. Oh, whatever.
"This is so unbelievable." I sighed, grabbing some money out of my pocket.
He chuckled and I just grunted under my breath.
"Well, you made me do something unbelievable.” He got a point there. I did make him do something unlikely. But I had no regrets.
"Here. Eat that, you manwhòre." I retorted, slamming the money on his gigantic hand.
He laughed and pinched my cheeks. I groaned and punched his arm.
"Wanna come over for dinner? Ellis will be cooking for us. She told me to invite you over, so I am." I said.
She'd kill me if I forgot to tell Andee but asking him to dinner.
"Free dinner is good." Andee smiled. He was not looking at me but I knew he liked the idea of coming over.
"I guess." I shrugged, tucking some hair on to the back of my ears.
"Ellis is the best!" He said enthusiastically before smiling.
See? I told you, Andee liked Ellis cook.
Even I loved the foods she cooks. She was well experienced so I knew she'd just go grabbing some foods out of my fridge.
And then there was the silence. It was not awkward though. It was rather serene. Convenient.
We both stared at the people playing. I caught a glimpse of Beth running around the track field. I tapped Andee's shoulder and he looked at me in wonder.
"Ex- excuse me for a sec. I have to talk to someone."
"Alright. I'll just be here." He smiled, his white teeth showing.
I stood up quickly and brushed some dirt off my pants. He slapped my butt and I glared at him. He winked. “Catch ‘er, tiger.”
So I did tried running. I tried to cope up with Beth's pace. I ran and ran until I was halfway reaching her. I shouted her name but it was really hard for me to shout while running. I reached out my hand nearly touching her shoulder.
"Beth! Beth! Beth... Wait... Wait up!" I said between my lungs.
I sucked at running and too clumsy for any sports. I was not gifted with any sports. I know how to bike, and I think that's it. I couldn't run anymore. And felt my asthma attacking me. So I slew down. I slumped my hands on my knees for support and breathed some more.
Beth seemed to notice so she slowed down.
"What the hell are you doing, Joey?" She exclaimed. Her voice was filled with worry and anger. I really missed her voice - husky like Emma Stone's.
"I just... I just wanted to say how sorry I am..." I said while trying to get some more air.
"Don't be, Joey. I was just worried. But instead I got carried away and I got angry. I shouldn't have said something so rude." She tapped my shoulders. Her voice lowered into more calm voice.
"Don't be so ridiculous, Beth. I am ready to take all the blame." I stood up. I am fine now, especially after hearing Beth's words of comfort. She must have really forgiven me.
"But you really did nothing bad!" She said.
"I think, I did."
"Just... Just please forget about it. I don’t want to remember anything about it." Beth said, stretching her arms and then bend her knees some more. She was ready for another run.
"Friends?"
"Best friends." And we both hugged. I smiled as Beth drew her body away from me.
Now, everything was completely fine. It was just a small misunderstanding, that's all.
"You going to Mel's party?" She asked, tucking one earphone in her left ear.
"When?" I asked.
"This friday. She said it’s going to be another house party." She chuckled.
"What time?" I adjusted the polo on my waist.
"I don’t know. I’ll just text you." Beth tucked the other earphone before she gave one last hug.
"Alright then!" I tapped her back.
"I better get back now. My coach's gonna kill me if he knows I'm slacking off." She said jogging away, waving me goodbye.
"Alright. See you around." I shouted.
I returned back to Andee and he was grinning. I sat beside him and punched his arm. I couldn't get rid of my smile. Andee was gazing at me. I didn't look at him though but I knew he was happy as me.
"What?" I asked, pulling in my smile.
"Nothing. Good thing you had all your misunderstanding cleared up now." He said, shifting his look away.
"How'd you know that Beth and I got a fight?" I asked him, not looking away from the sky.
"I don’t know.... Instinct?" We both chuckled.
“Instict, my arse.” I said.
Andee was just really unpredictable. I could never read him of all people. And I guess it was better this way.
I lied down on his lap and covered my eyes.
Weird....
How badly I just wished Andee was a guy.
I felt really bad to those girls he had turned down, though. I felt regret after all his manliness inside because apparently, he could be your ideal boyfriend, to be honest.
We went silent as the breeze lazily hit our skin. Without me knowing, I fell asleep and ignored anything else in my mind.
Now, I could finally sleep with a peace of mind.
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-M xx