That weird sensation I felt when I touched Kalvin's hair still lingered around my skin, and whenever it does, I just feel embarrass all over again. To me, it feels like a total blew off that I did a such a thing. I can still remember the exact puzzled expression his face made when I brushed his hair. I can't believe I was that careless.
And why did I even do it in the first place? Am I really getting use to him to that point I'm not even thinking anymore? Am I that comfortable, that relaxed to just reach out and touch him like we're close friends? No. Cause last time I checked, he was nowhere close to my comfort circle. If anything, he was really outside of it. He had always been the good looking fellow that given my skin a twichy feeling. The good looking dude that I've always been careful of, the guy that I thought I'd keep my distance with cause clearly; I can't handle how he always caught me off guard.
So...why am I acting like this now? I mean, I know how I've gotten use to him from the past months but comfortable? No.
I got to watch my steps from now on. Gotta be aware of my every move around him. Gotta do it.
Don't lose your cool, Penny, don't lose your cool.
I promise; that from now on, I will not touch Kalvin Beaumont. Ever.
---
It's saturday morning and I just woke up. I'm currently eating the breakfast I made for Skyler and I. Mom isn't around so instantly, it's my responsibility to feed my brother and myself.
Skyler isn't awake yet so I went a head in eating the waffles I've made in our dining table. I'm still wearing my PJs and I haven't brushed my hair. Normally, my mom wouldn't have let me sit down if I haven't dressed properly or washed yet. But since she wasn't around, might as well take advantage on the situation, right?
"Waffles?" I heard from upstairs. I looked up and saw Skyler, half awake and rubbing his left eye with his fist. He was wearing the T-shirt I borrowed last week, and boxers that was covered of gun cartoons.
Skyler might be a mature, serious, quiet fourteen year old boy but when it came to clothing? He doesn't care at all. He'd wear a flat out barbie shirt outside our house if he had to. He'd wear anything his closets has and anything our mom gives him. Skyler doesn't care about fasion; if he has something on, then he has something on. Doesn't really matter.
That's one of the things I like about Skyler; we have the same perspective about fasion; that we don't care about the modern in and out of our generation. Expect, mine is a little more picky since I do choose to wear men clothes cause it's much more comfortable but Skyler? He just couldn't care less.
And that, is one of the reasons why he doesn't mind lending me his clothes everyday.
Gotta love my baby brother.
"Yep," I answered as I swallowed a bite. "come eat with me, bro."
Skyler didn't say anything, he just nodded and began to walk down stairs.
Once he arrived at our table, he sat down infront of me and took a piece of waffle. His gaze was low as he chewed his waffle without looking up.
So here's the thing. Sometimes, Skyler worries me. And it's not because I'm not use to his quiet personality, it just concerns me sometimes that he's probably locking something in his mind that we need to take note on. Sometimes I wonder what he thinks about, what his opinions are and what he could possibly say. Skyler's attitude is definitely not the caring type, and is obviously the composed one. The mysterious, and the collected one.
"Do you have any plans today?" I asked, wanting to break the silence.
"No, the usual. Reading." He answered, not looking up.
"Whatcha reading?"
"The History of Allison Cage," he answered, voice giving away al ittle excitement.
I sighed and smiled, couldn't help but feel some bliss for my little brother and his personal likings. Skyler had always loved reading high leveled books; ones that contains deep, passionate words and to which kids like him usually wouldn't understand. Hey, don't look at me, sometimes I don't understand them myself in case you're wondering.
Like I said before, Skyler's the smart kid in this house. Not me.
"Sis," he spoke, snapping me out in staring at him.
"Yeah?"
"You shouldn't take it too hard when mom stresses you to improve your grades. I've seen your grades and I can honestly say you're smarter than some of the kids in Building A. It's just, French---"
"Yeah I know," I interrupted. "I suck at it but don't wory. I'm working on it."
"I'm not worrying about it." He finally looked up, his golden eyes looking at mine. "I know you're smart, and that's something I'm confident to describe about you."
A blissful air suddenly filled my chest. I couldn't help but gave a genuine smile.
"Thanks Sky," I said.
Skyler nodded. "It just, it worries me sometimes thinking you're probably pushing yourself way too hard than you should. You know...for this French thing."
"Well I need to Sky," My voice laced with little dignity. "For mom."
"I get it. I'm just saying you shouldn't really think about it too much."
I just stared, and felt an immediate lock feeling around my throat. I get what Skyler is trying to say, I just can't grasp it as tightly as I should as it worries me that if I don't try my best, then I might just fail again in French. Which, leads to disappointing mom again. And in which, is one of the things I can't handle. Total neck gulping, man.
It took awhile, but I managed a nod to assure my brother that I'd atleast try.
Despite of Skyler's calm and compose self, I know my brother loves me as much as I love him. We're siblings and we look out for each other. The three of us, mom, Skyler and I had always faced the world together. And for that, we had always got each other's backs.
Skyler gave me a smile, the type that I'm sure people at our school wouldn't see in daily basis. Skyler's smiles are rare, and in return, their one of the best of the best. Definitely.
-----
It's afternoon and I was just washing the dishes. Skyler's probably upstairs reading the second book of Allison Cage or something.
Just when I was finished, our doorbell rang. It took a while before it processed in my head to walk up to it. When it did, I immediately figured tha it's probably mom. Smiling, I felt a sudden joy blooming inside my body. It's mom, and apparently I felt overjoyed by the thought.
Mom had always been late during saturdays, and coming home at this hour is such a rare event.
My steps towards our front door were quick, and as I held the doorknob, I planned to give her a warm hug as a greeting. I couldn't wait to welcome her home!
From the moment I opened the door, I closed my eyes and braced myself to hug her by the waist and welcome her. I wrapped my arms around and felt my cheek pressed agaisnt a soft fabric.
"Hey mom!" I welcomed her with a loving voice.
My embrace tighten, and for a moment, I didn't want to let go. Huh, it feels kind of new. Mom seemed to have gotten taller, firmer and a little unfamiliar for my feeling. I wiffed and felt odd for the sudden strong scent. It was men perfume, and for a moment, I felt disgusted cause why is she covered of men perfume?
"Mom, why do you--" I slightly pulled away and looked up. When I did, it didn't take too long before I realized that this person wasn't my mother.
No. Not even close. This person isn't even a woman, it's a man. It's Kalvin Beaumont.
"Hey Pey," his eyes held muse, while his lips had already formed a smirk.
"Wh-What the hell are you doing here?" I questioned, wanting to glare but when my voice came out raggedy I knew I couldn't pull it off.
He raised a brow, and his smirk widen. "You are aware you're still hugging me, right?"
I looked between us and found my arms completely wrapped around him. And an add up, my grip also tightened at his back.
Without a moment to lose, I swung my arms away and stepped back.
"I asked you a question!" I reminded, probably blushing from my former state. "What are you doing here?"
Kalvin snicked, still very much amuse which confused me alot.
"Your mom didn't inform you?" He asked, smiling and tilted his head at the side.
"Inform what?" I could taste the words in my mouth, couldn't help but feel confused; left out and helpless.
Kalvin gave me a full-set-of-teeth smile and answered; "I'll be teaching you during saturdays, Penny."
And like the whole world suddenly felt like a big sack of lie, I couldn't believe it at all. I was trying to grasp it with anything that was left in me and hoped for my acceptance to kick in. I tried to breath steadily but I clearly failed. My world spun around and around and the only thing that was still was Kalvin. His words went inside my ear and went out. Went in, went out, went in, went out and so the cycle continues until I already felt dizzy enough to knock myself back to reality.
"Say what?" I pushed my head, narrowed my eyes, and just felt lost.
Kalvin's smile didn't fade, but he lowered his head down and put both his hands in his pocket. He winced once before taking small steps towards me.
"Penny," he slowly, but to me suddenly, looked up. "Remember that little envelop you gave me?"
I nodded, not liking where this is going.
"Well, when I called your mom about it, she told me it was a bonus to teach you extra hours during saturdays if there'd be any following quizzes or anything due to next week. When I asked your french teacher if you do, he said yes so...here I am."
I stared, and just felt blank. All his words just felt like nails that were hammered against my skin as it sank deeper in my mind. I couldn't comprehend what I should react, say or even think. In the end, all I could manage was; "You're here..." out of loss of words.
"And you're in your PJs." He pointed out, looking at me from head to toe.
"Oh God," I sighed, then covered my face with my palm.
I am so not in the mood for this...
Author's Note:
Guys I love you! And you wanna know why? Because this story already reached 13k and I just can't believe it!! That is so awesome and I can't tell you how greatful I am :) This chapter wasn't edited so I want to apologize if any of you encountered wrong grammars and spellings, I just really wanted to update cause I'm just so grateful that I couldn't wait and re-read this :) hope you liked it :)