February 6: (Saturday)
"Em," My mom called, trying to shake the sleepiness out of me. "Wake up, honey."
"What time is it?" I groggily asked without opening my eyes. Why is my mom waking me up on a Saturday morning?
"It's 9:30am and I'm already late for work so will you please wake up and clean the house before Andrew gets here." She told me with an underlying tone of demand.
"He's not supposed to be here until 12:30pm. What's the hurry?" I asked, still not opening my eyes.
She released an impatient sigh. "Because, I just got off the phone with him and he told me to tell you that there's been a change of plan and he's going to be here at 11am––instead of 12:30pm."
My eyes fluttered open, not completely registering her words. "What?"
"I said, instead of 12:30, Andrew's gonna be here at 11 so you should get yourself out of bed and start cleaning the house and preparing." She ordered.
I sat up from my oh-so comfy bed and rubbed the sleepiness off my eyes. "Seriously?"
My mom gave me a look. "Would I choose to be late just to be able to joke with you right now?"
"Yeesh! Okay, okay. I get it. I'm sorry, you can go to work now. I'm up." I gave her an apologetic smile.
"Good." She seemed pleased with herself. "Your breakfast is in the oven. I also left money at the upper drawer in the kitchen cabinet. I'll be arriving late tonight because Lynn and I are going to have dinner together. But don't think that you can stay out late too just because I won't be home. Anyways, I already told Andrew not to be out later than 10pm."
"Wait." I frowned. "I thought my curfew is 9pm...?"
Why do I get the feeling that my mom moved my curfew until 10 just for me to have more time with Andrew?
"Well it's 10 now." She curtly replied.
Is it just me or did she sound a bit defensive?
"You should be happy that I moved your curfew instead of questioning me." She walked over to my door and looked back. "But seriously, don't stay out too late honey."
I nodded. "Of course, mom. See you later."
"Have fun with Andrew." And with that, she left.
Yay! I can go back to sleeping. So I laid back down in bed and closed my eyes. After a few minutes or so, sleep still hasn't come so I got my phone out and played some music in the hope of being able to sleep again.
After a few minutes of tossing and turning and trying to find sleep, I finally gave up. I know that once I'm up, I can't go back to sleep again. Might as well do what my mom says and start cleaning. So I got up from bed, did my morning routine and chose to wear a gray statement shirt with "Cool kids don't dance" written on it and white denim shorts.
I started cleaning my room first since this is where I am right now. I was in the middle of organizing my study table when I came across something I haven't thought of for a while. The list.
I smiled upon reading it again. I wrote in when I was only 16. I wrote it after I just found out that my boyfriend for a year has been cheating on his girlfriend with me the whole time we're together. I was a third party and I didn't even know it. The list was supposed to help me avoid involving myself with dicks like him ever again. Sometime during those two years, I keep meeting guys who fit some of the descriptions on my list but then I kept thinking, I don't like them at all even if they fit my list.
But as I was reading this again, I was thinking of a certain person in my head.
4. Never fails to cheer me up whenever I'm feeling down.
This guy that I'm thinking of really has his own ways of cheering me up, no matter the cost.
5. Makes me laugh all the time.
This guy doesn't care if he'll look ridiculously embarrassing just to crack a smile out of me or make me laugh.
6. Is a gentleman.
Well, no doubt about that. He's like the most gentleman I've ever met in my life.
9. Would tease and mock me but when he sees I'm mad, he'll come chasing after me.
Yup, still describes him.
10. would come running to my side when I'm crying even if it's very late at night.
This is my favorite description of all. And even this, he's managed to do without knowing that this is what I'm waiting for guys to do for me.
This certain person that I'm thinking of right now is––yes, you've guessed it––my best friend, Andrew.
And that's the problem. He's the one who fits my list and yet he's not the one I'm hoping for to get it right. He's not the one that I enjoyed kissing last night. He's not the one whom I gave permission to court me.
He's just the one who's been there with me through thick and thin even when we've barely known each other. He's just the one who has acted––and still is acting––as my boyfriend just to defend and protect me. He's just the one my mom wants me to get together with.
But the problem is that he's my best friend.
Ugh, shit.
I'm back to feeling confused about him and Jake all over again.
Instead of stressing over these conflicted feelings of mine, I'd decided to add one more to my list.
13. When I run up to him, crying, the first thing he'd say is, "Whose ass am I going to kick, baby?"
Don't tell me Andrew's going to unconsciously fulfill that too...
***
"Hey, what up?" I picked up Andrew's call. I just finished cleaning the entire house and it took me like thirty minutes or so. It's a good thing it's not that dirty. Or else it would've taken me hours and I wouldn't be able to prepare myself before Andrew gets here.
"Hey, do you know why your mom asked me to come there earlier than 12:30?" He asked me.
Wait.
"What? She asked you?" I questioned, stressing every word. Is he serious?
Oh man, I think my mom's at it again...
"Well, yeah," He hesitantly replied. I can imagine him looking all confused right now. "I called earlier this morning to ask you if we're still on for today. She picked up and aggressively said yes for you. She asked what time I'm going to pick you up and I said 12:30. That's when she said, "Oh,can you come a little earlier? Say, 11 perhaps?" he imitated my mom's voice, making me laugh.
"And what did you say?" I asked him, trying to subdue my laughter.
"Of course I have no choice but to say yes because even if I say no, I'm sure she'll keep insisting. Besides, I don't have anything else to do before 12:30 so why not? But when I asked her why she wanted me to com as early as 11," He paused. "she hung up."
That's when I ended up laughing, him joining in. I can't help it! My mom's so bent on making Andrew and I together that she'd to such great lengths like lying to him just so she could fulfill her plan––which, by the way, is the topic that I'm choosing to avoid right now.
"I guess it's pretty obvious why she did that." I hinted once the laughter has died down.
"Oh, it is so obvious I kind of felt a little stupid from even asking her why." He replied. I can hear the smile in his voice, making me smile too. "You're never going to believe this but, my mom's actually worse than Krista when it comes to rooting for us."
My eyebrows shot up. "How? My mom's much worse than any teenage fangirls on a daily basis. So––I'm trying to put this in the nicest way possible, but––how can your mom compete with that?"
"Well, my mom's much worse than your mom on a daily basis." He joked, making me roll my eyes. "No, seriously, my mom knows that we're going out tonight and she told me that she's taking off my curfew every time I'm with you. Which is pretty much just saying I can stay out and not go home as long as I'm with you."
"Okay, I have to admit. Your mom does defeat mine. My mom only cut my curfew for about an hour later or so." I told him, still not believing what his mom told him.
But then, an idea started forming in my head.
"Wait, don't you think they planned this all up so you can stay the night over here?" I hesitantly suggested.
"Um," He seemed hesitant whether to agree or disagree. "I don't think they'd go to such great lengths as that, right?"
"I honestly don't know..." Was all I had to said.
"Our moms are crazy." He commented so casually it made me chuckle.
I checked the clock and saw that it's already 10:15am. "You know, you don't have to go early if you don't want to."
He snorted. "Who said I don't want to? Besides, like I said, I don't have anything else to do so why not just come to your house early and bang, right?"
"Ohmygosh!" I exclaimed. "Did you just say come to my house and bang?"
Of course, when it comes to talking about this things, he'd usually laugh hysterically. "Got a problem with that? I can use another word if you're bothered with that––how about shag?"
My jaw pretty much fell to the ground. I can't believe this guy––always telling me innuendos and stuff––is also the exact same guy who's been filling my list.
"Be serious for just one moment." I pleaded him.
He tried to stop his laughter first before saying, "I'm sorry," though he didn't sound like he was any way near feeling sorry. "And for the record, I actually said hang not bang. Get your mind out of the gutter, Em."
Wait, seriously?
"Are you sure? I perfectly heard you say bang instead of hang." I insisted, trying to defend myself.
"Why do you keep insisting that? I seriously said hang." He paused. "Unless you were fantasizing about something that's why you magically thought I said bang."
I scoffed. "As if. I would never fantasize about you."
Snickering, he wittily replied, "Who said anything about you fantasizing over me? Looks like I caught you red handed."
My eyes widened. He's right about the former part. Though I would not surrender to him. Never––especially when talking about these things.
"Please, you clearly implied it." I argued.
"No, I clearly said you were fantasizing about something." He countered.
"Well, you seem to be the expert on fantasies and stuff like that." I commented, smirking.
Of all things, he chuckled. "I am. About time you noticed." And he didn't even deny it... ugh.
"Oh, yeah?" I tried once more. "And what do you fantasize about?"
"You." He replied. "And your drop dead gorgeous body."
"I'm hanging up now." I threatened. Seriously, if we're not going to have a proper conversation, might as well hang up. But I hate the fact that his small joke made me blush.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." He quickly replied, actually sounding sincere this time. "I promise, no more talk about innuendos."
As if he can stop his mouth from speaking of another dirty comment. He'll have many British terms that have a dirty meaning but actually sounds innocent in English.
I sighed. "Are you still coming at 11?"
"Yeah," He confirmed. "And is it rude to ask if I can have lunch there with you?"
Catching me off guard, I couldn't help but smile at his genuine courtesy. "No, of course not. Sure, you can have lunch with me. What do you want me to cook?"
"Seriously? You cook?" Is it offending how surprised he was to hear me say that?
"Yeah, what made you think I can't?"
I imagined him shrugging. "I don't know. I never got to see you cooking, I guess."
"Well then, Mr. Garfy, be prepared to have the best lunch you've ever had." I told him, smirking.
"I'm counting on that." He replied.
"Okay then. See you later."
"See you." That's when I ended the call.
I walked towards our kitchen, put my hands on my hips and thought, "Alright, time to make Andrew the best lunch of his life." Then I cracked my knuckles for added effect.
***
Omg it's already 10:45am. Andrew might be here, any minute now. Good thing I'm almost done. I've made a simple but tasty lunch for the both of us. I've cooked steak with a side dish of chips and chocolate shake.
Perfect right?
I texted him, asking if he's already on his way. And he quickly replied,
From: Garfy ;)
Of course I am ;) quite frankly, I'm excited to eat and taste your so-called best lunch for me. I'm feeling so hungry already!
I smiled at his enthusiasm. I replied back,
To: Garfy ;)
Well then hurry up!
From: Garfy ;)
If I go any faster, I'd literally crash into the car in front of me.
Wow? He's seriously rushing to drive?
To: Garfy ;)
Hey, I'm only kidding! Slow down. Be careful.
From: Garfy ;)
Don't worry, I'm almost there.
Oh, crap.
I forgot to set up the table! I hurriedly cleared the table, the counter top, and the sink. Then I organized the table to look decent enough since we are eating a pretty decent lunch. I really did my best on this. I hope he likes it––at the very least.
Then a thought popped into my mind. This set up that we're having right now makes us look like a couple, yet again. In fact, I think we looked more than that. For goodness sakes, I'm cooking for him! I seriously don't know what to do now. We come up with fun things to do and I'd automatically doublethink them in my mind, whether it's appropriately clean for friendship in people's eyes or not. I just can't help it! The article really took its toll on me. Because of it, I'm feeling a little guarded whenever Andrew and I are going to hang out in school.
Of course I'm not distancing myself and avoiding him––I already did that the other day and it only made me miss him more––but I always second guess our actions and think if our schoolmates would think we're going out again and start making rumors about us.
As I was just stressing over these thoughts, our doorbell rang.
I just put the final touches in the table and walked over to the door. Andrew wasn't kidding. He was driving fast to get here.
"Wow, you weren't kidding when you said––" I cut myself short.
It wasn't Andrew who rang the doorbell.
It was Candy Hale.
"What are you doing here?" I couldn't help but ask coldly.
"I just wanted to let you know that I've already deleted the article and that I've made another one, saying my apologies." She informed me, but her head was bowed.
Wow, she's actually feeling guilty for this.
I was taken aback by what she said. I never really thought that she would do an apology article."Thank you so much, Candy." And I actually said that genuinely.
"Well, I'll be going now. I just came to tell you that." She turned her back and started walking away.
"Candy, wait." I called her. She looked back at me, clearly confused on why I was calling her when I've already thanked her.
"Wanna come inside and have a drink?" I offered. Her eyes visibly widened at my offer. "I have chocolate shake."
She smiled first before shaking her head. "You don't have to. I have been so horrible to you."
"Seriously, everything's fine." I assured her.
"What are you doing here?" Someone behind her asked with so much venom in their voice.
Candy and I both looked behind her and my eyes widened a fraction.
It was Andrew.
Oh, great. Perfect timing.
"Andrew, she only came here to say that she's already deleted the article and that she's written a new one about her apology." I quickly informed before he lash out on Candy again––who, by the way, is looking guiltier by the second.
He gave Candy a glare while walking past her and coming over to me, standing in front of me protectively.
"Good." He spat. "Then why is she still here?"
"I just offered her to come inside and get a drink." I calmly informed him.
He gave me a crazed look. "Why would you do that? We're supposed to have lunch for fuck's sakes! And then you asked her to come on? What if she's planning on dropping poison on our food?"
I frowned at him. "Don't be so mean."
"Why are being so nice to her?" He asked me, his voice raising a bit. "Did you forget what she did to us––to you––just the other day?"
I sighed. "No, of course not." Sometimes, his temper and care for me isn't always likable.
"Then why are you being so nice to her?" He repeated, stressing every word.
"Because she actually cared to let me know that she's put the article down and openly apologized." I really feel flattered that he cares so much for me but sometimes, he's being so stubborn about things.
"Well, she's supposed to do that because we asked her to do so, didn't we?" He argued.
"I know, but at least she had the decency to––"
"Enough!" Candy cut me off short. "I don't want to see you arguing over me so please just, stop." She looked at me, looking genuinely sorry. " Sorry, Em. Guess I have something else to do so I better go now." And without another word, she walked away.
"Happy now?" I asked him, sarcastically.
"Would it be bad if I say very?" He asked with a smirk.
I just sighed, shaking my head at him and walked back to the kitchen with him following suit.
"Hey," He grabbed my arm. "Don't tell me you're mad at me."
I cocked an eyebrow at him. "Do you want to eat your steak or not?"
His eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You made steak?"
I nodded, smiling at little at his excitement. "Yeah, and chips plus chocolate shake."
He fist-pumped the air, howling. "Now, that's what I'm talking about!"
"Glad to know you're excited. See? I told you I can cook." I flaunted, smirking. We started walking back to the kitchen again and sat at the table.
"How did you know steak was my favorite?" He asked with disbelief and enthusiasm.
"I didn't." I told him, smiling. "I just thought you might like it."
"Well, you know me better than I thought you do." He eyed his steak the way and kid would look at a gigantic candy store. "Let's start eating!"
"Go ahead!"
***
"You were right." He told me once we're done eating.
"I usually am," I joked. "But about what are you pertaining to?"
He chuckled. "You did say that you're going to make the best lunch of my life. You're right. That was the best. But please don't tell my mom I said that."
I chuckled back. "Sure. So," I perked up. "What's our agenda for today?"
"Well, we're going to pick up my sister from our home first before we drive to an amusement park." He informed me while we're washing the dishes.
"Oh, I haven't met your sister, have I?" Then I suddenly remembered that I did talk to her the other day over the phone. "Her name's Patricia, right? Patricia Anne Garfield?"
"Oh, yeah. You talked to her the other day, right?" He recalled.
"Yup," I replied, popping the 'p'. "She seems like a very sweet girl."
"She is." Aw, what a sweet brother.
"How come she knows who I am?" I asked him. By this time, we're done with the dishes and we're coming out of the house and into his car.
"Well, you know my mom." Was his simple reply, yet explained a lot of things.
"Then let's go pick her up now. I want to officially meet her." I told him, once I've settled inside his car.
He chuckled before starting the engine. "Trish is more excited to see you."
Trish? What a cute nickname for a ten-year-old.
***
"Trish?" Andrew called to his sister, ringing their doorbell. "Baby, open up. It's me, Andrew."
I like how he calls his sister baby. So sweet.
After a few more seconds, the door opened with a cheery voice, "Andy!" and she ran to hug him.
"What took you so long? What were you doing there?" He asked her.
Trish pulled back saying, "I was watching spongebob and I didn't hear the doorbell ringing. Sorry." She apologized sheepishly.
Andrew sighed while smiling at his cute sister. I have to say, she's one pretty girl. She has the same shade of hazel eyes as Andrew. Her hair is a bit lighter than Andrew's, nearing the color of blonde hair. Her face are so gentle yet so cheerful. She's wearing a yellow floral dress to top off the look of a cute ten-year-old girl.
"Oh, by the way, Trish this is Emma––as if you didn't know already. And Em, this is my sister, Trish." Andrew introduced us to each other.
"Hi!" she also came up to me and hugged me. Surprising me.
I hugged her back. "Hi, Trish! Aw, you look so cute. I wonder why you're related to Andrew..."
She laughed, the sound is like Christmas bells ringing. "My mom keeps asking that too."
I actually laughed whole-heartedly at that. I didn't expect her to have a teasing sense of humor. "I know what? That's a mystery we'll never be able to solve."
"Alright, alright." Andrew raised his hands, getting both Trish and I's attention. He looked at his sister with fake disappointment. "Trish, I thought you promised to side with me no matter what."
"Sorry Andy," she apologized with a grin. "turns out I really like Emma."
"Alright, let's continue this inside my car." He led us back to his car.
Trish ran straight to the backseat, me following suit. When Andrew saw where I was going to seat,
"Why are seating in the backseat? You always seat shotgun in my car." He asked.
I shrugged, getting inside the backseat and leaving Andrew no choice but to just get inside the car and drive. "I wanted to sit with Trish, right Trish?"
"Great, now I feel like I'm your driver or something." He huffed like a child.
"Well, you sit in the driver's seat, and you drive us places, technically, you are our driver for today." I told him, smirking.
"Oh, really? We have a ten-year-old with us, there's you and then there's me, and we're going to a family amusement park with just the three of us, technically," He mimicked my tone from earlier. "we look like a family today."
Huh. He's right. We kind'a do. "Well, no one would think that. We both look young––well, I do. I don't know about you."
"Ha, ha. This cute face?" He pointed to his face. "You call this old?"
"I didn't say you look old." I reminded him, smirking.
"Yeah," he stalled by driving, probably thinking of a retort. "But you were implying it."
"No, I wasn't." I threw back.
"Yes, you were." He insisted. Then he looked at Trish and said, "Trish heard it too, right baby?"
Trish slyly winked at me first before saying, "Heard what Andy?"
"You know what, never mind." Andrew decided, chuckling at his sister.
I fist-pumped with Trish. "Ooh, two against one. Looks like the odds are not in your favor Andrew."
"Please," He snorted. "She's my sister. I know what she likes and I can easily bribe her to take my side again."
I gave Trish a sad and hopeful look saying, "You wouldn't take his side over me today, right?"
"Of course!" Trish replied, half-hugging me.
"We'll see about that." Andrew hinted, smirking.
"Whatever." I replied to him, sticking my tongue out, making him chuckle.
"Hey, Emmy?" Trish called, nudging my side.
I looked at her and saw her pleading face. Aw, so cute! "Yes baby?"
"Can I borrow your phone? Pleeeease?" She dragged on, putting a puppy-dog face for effect.
"Oh, of course." I took out my phone from my pocket. "Here."
I saw Andrew looking at us with a smile through the rear-view mirror. He saw me looking and said, "Wrong move, Em. You'll be surprised at what she can do with your phone."
I gave him a disbelieving look. "No way. Trish won't prank me through my phone."
He shrugged with smirk. "If you say so. But don't say I didn't warn you though."
I gave him a mocking face which he returned.
I was in the middle of giving Andrew a funny face when I felt Trish poking my side. "What is it, Trish?"
"Can you take a picture with me, please?" she pleaded with that adorable face of hers.
"Oh, of course!" I posed myself beside her. "Game."
She held up my phone, high enough so she can capture the both of us. "I'm taking many pictures okay?"
"Go ahead." I told her.
Then I made a funny face which she copied before taking the picture. Next, I asked Andrew for his phone and after a few seconds of fighting over it, I finally had my hands on it. I searched for a picture of him and showed it to the camera while I made a teasing face, pointing at his picture. And that's the second shot. Third shot, I pretended to eat Trish's head. Fourth shot, we made a cocky face while pointing a finger at each other. Fifth shot, I gave her a kiss on the cheek. We were about to bear-hug each other for the sixth shot when,
"Alright, enough, enough." Andrew told us. Huh, the car has stopped? And when did we park?
"What's wrong now?" I whined.
"If you haven't noticed, we're here." He told me with a mocking tone.
"We're here?" Trish asked, looking at the windows. "Yay, we're here!" She then returned my phone.
I gave Andrew a sheepish grin before saying, "Sorry we got too busy taking pictures."
We all got out of the car and fortunately, there weren't many people in the amusement park. Which is understandable since it's only February.
"You're both unfair, you know that?" He told us while we're walking towards the entrance––well, Andrew and I are walking. Trish is pretty much skipping her way to the entrance.
I frowned. "Why? What did we do?"
"You didn't include me in your photoshoot," he air-quoted the last part. "earlier."
"Oh, sorry. We can do another later. No biggie." I assured him which he seemed happy about.
"So, let's go and have fun!" He told his sister before paying for all of our entrance tickets.
***
We're done with the carousel, the roller coaster, the horror train pretty much every ride that's good for a ten-year-old when Trish said she's feeling hungry so we're currently eating our snacks in the park's food area.
"Wow, someone's a bit hungry." Andrew commented with a faint smile while looking at his sister munching down her spaghetti.
I smiled at the sight. I can see that Andrew really adores his sister with the way he's looking at her and I can also tell that Trish loves his brother so much too. Earlier when we we're walking around the amusement park, these group of teenage boys bumped into Trish, sending her sitting on the floor. Andrews saw what happened so he picked up his sister, got mad at the group even after they've repeatedly apologized to Trish––even before Andrew told them to apologize. He's very protective over his sister. Wow, Lynn really knows how to raise her kids.
"Hey, I just remembered something." Andrew suddenly said, breaking me out of my reverie.
"What is it?" I asked him with a small smile.
"You told me we're going to take a picture, the three of us." He reminded me.
"Now?" I asked with raised eyebrows. "While eating?"
He shrugged, uncaring. "So? It'd be cute, right?"
I chuckled at what he said, making him give me a questioning look with smile. I don't know why but hearing him say that made me crack up.
"Alright, alright." He brought out his phone. "I'll take the picture. Trish, come on, baby. Sit beside us." He told his sister since she's sitting across Andrew and I.
When we're all in position, the three of us made a crazy fun for the first shot. Second shot, Trish and Andrew made a laughing face while pointing at me. Third shot, Andrew and I pinched both of Trish's cheeks. Fourth shot, Andrew and I kissed both of Trish's cheeks. For the fifth shot, Trish hooked both her arms at Andrew and I's necks so our faces were so close with each other. I don't know who looked first but I found myself staring at his eyes and him looking back at mine. I'm not sure how long we were like that but when someone cleared her throat, we both pulled away and looked at that person.
"Aw, what a cute family! Right, honey?" It was a middle-aged woman with her husband. "And what a cute child." Trish heard her so she said with a shy voice, "Hi."
Andrew and I looked at each other and I can tell we're both thinking of the same thing––play along.
"Thanks," Andrew replied with a smile. "But she clearly got her looks from my lovely wife here." He pointed at me so I gave the couple a proud smile.
The woman adjusted her glasses and said, "I know. They look so alike. Oh, honey," she cooed to her husband. "So nice to see such a young and happy family."
"I know, honey." He replied to her smiling.
"Well, we better go now." She told us before walking away. We heard her say, "Oh what a cute family!"
And that's when Andrew and I cracked up with hysterical laughter. Trish joining in.
"Well that was weird." I commented once we've sobered up.
"And funny." Trish and Andrew added at the same time, making me smile at them.
"Hey, I forgot to tell you this earlier but," Andrew started. "My mom asked me to ask you to have dinner with us tomorrow. Well, you and your mom."
"Really?" I asked, suddenly feeling shy about his parents. Well, I've never actually met them so...
"Come on, Em." Trish urged. "It'll be fun. Please? Please? Pleeease?"
I looked at both Andrew and Trish before deciding, "Of course we'll go." What choice do I have? Besides, I kind'a want to meet their parents already, anyway.
"Yay!" Trish cheered.
"Alright then. Let's finish these so we can go home." Andrew said, referring to the food.
***
At around 8pm, we arrived back to their house. We were supposed to go home after we've eaten our snacks but Trish insisted we try a few more rides first before going home. Of course, Andrew couldn't resist his sister so he agreed. But since we just ate, we had to walk around first before going on rides, unless we want our food to reappear afterwards.
On the ride home, Trish fell asleep. Her head's laying on my lap so when we got to their house,
"I'll just carry her. She's probably tired." Andrew told me. "Can you carry her bag for me?"
"Oh, of course." I replied immediately.
I couldn't help but blush secretly when Andrew's hands brush into my bare legs when he picked up his sister. I think he didn't notice because his face didn't change. But I just stayed quiet, not wanting to embarrass myself.
After I've picked up Trish's bag and started walking to their house, I saw Andrew carrying his sister to the door and couldn't help but stare and admire how much he cares for her. I didn't even notice myself smile once I saw him kiss his sister's forehead. Like I said before, I'm more of a kiss-in-the-forehead type of girl. And I couldn't help but think how sweet Andrew is. There really is something about a guy when he cares for his younger sister.
His parents still hasn't arrived so I decided to give him company. We watched a few movies and at around 11pm, they called Andrew saying they couldn't make it home until tomorrow morning so I decided to just go home. I know that my mom's curfew is a bit loose right now because I'm with Andrew but still, it's getting really late and I'm really tired.
"Let me drive you. Not that far anyway." He offered, already making his way out the door.
"Wait, who's going to be here with Trish while you're gone?" I asked him.
"No worries. I'll just ask our neighbor to stay in the house for a while first." He assured me while walking to the house on the left.
I followed him, saying, "Aren't we bothering them? It's 11 in the evening."
My question was answered when a middle-aged woman opened the door. "Andrew, honey. What can I do for you?"
"Mrs. Greenwald, do you mind staying in the house for a few minutes while I'm gone? No one's going to be left with Trish while she's sleeping while I drive my friend home." He pointed at me and I offered her a smile.
"Oh, no worries dear." She smiled back. "I'll just grab my coat then I'll be there."
"Thank you so much, Mrs. Greenwald." He thanked her, flashing a very charming smile. "I promise I won't take long."
"No need to thank me honey." She told him. "After all your family has done for my family, it's the least I could do."
So when that's settled. Andrew drove me home.
When my mom saw me coming out of his car, she didn't even ask what took us so long. In fact, she even asked him to stay the night! We're inside the kitchen because my mom insisted to at least give us coffee and a midnight snack. He had to say no to the offer since Trish will be left alone in their house so my mom looked so disappointed more than I hoped her to be.
"Well at least walk him back to his car, Em." My mom told me.
"Oh, no need, Krista." Andrew spoke for me. "It's pretty late and I don't like her going out alone at this hour."
My mom gave me a sly look after Andrew said that and I couldn't help but shake my head at my mom's antics.
"No, it's fine. I'll quickly go inside afterwards." I told him.
So after my mom said goodbye to him, we both walked back to his car. "Hey, can you send me those pictures we took while having snacks earlier?"
"Right now?" He asked with a chuckle. "Outside?"
"Yeah," I shrugged. "What's wrong? I'm with you anyway."
He shook his head at me with a smile while bringing out his phone. After a few seconds, "Done."
"I really had fun today." I told him, smiling after he made his way inside his car. "Your sister's the cutest."
"I had fun too." He replied, returning the smile with a wink. "We should do it again sometime."
"Definitely." I agreed. "Well I guess this is goodbye. Drive safely. Be careful."
"Yes, boss. I will. Goodbye, see you tomorrow." He started the engine. "Get inside now. I'm not driving unless you get inside."
Smiling, I said, "Yes, boss." I imitated him. "Goodnight." And with that, I walked back inside. And that's when I heard him drive away.
Inside, I checked my phone to see the pictures. There were nine of them. Five from me and Trish and four from the three of us. It was also now when I realized that Jake has been calling and texting me for the past three hours or so. I was just too busy spending time with Andrew and Trish to notice.
From: Jake :)
Wanna go out tomorrow?
I was about to reply yes but then I remembered that I'm having dinner with Andrew and his family.
To: Jake :)
Can't. Sorry :( Me and my mom are having dinner with Andrew's family.
From: Jake :)
Oh. Alright then. I'll just ask someone else to be my date since you're not free. ;)
To: Jake :)
Seriously?
From: Jake :)
What? You're not free and I really wanna go out tomorrow so I'll just ask another girl.
What?
What the fuck?
Am I being played with?
Okay, I'm starting to doubt whether he's serious about courting me or not. And I seriously hate it when I felt a single tear fall.
So, instead of replying to Jake and fighting over this thing, I just texted Andrew.
To: Garfy ;)
Can't wait for tomorrow! :D
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Quote of The Day:
Sad fact
Butterflies can't celebrate their birthdays because they only live 47 days.