Bab 41: Chapter 39
I was shaken. And I willingly shifted and returned to my earlier position. Trying to think of something to do to get rid of that tension which lingered around us. I risked glancing at him, and it was to find him staring at the empty space straight ahead. His eyes unblinking and his hand on his neck, touching that spot lightly. Then he brought it down and scooted away from me a little before he asked me to pass over the remote. I did so, and I turned towards the direction of the TV because no ideas came to mind on how I could lighten up the mood.
He increased the volume, and we pretended to be busy focusing on that stupid show because it was all we could do at that point.
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" I'm serious, " he whispered again. His lips an inch away from the fry.
" Do anything crazy and I won't talk to you. "
He had such little faith in me,but I couldn't blame him since I hadn't done a good job at keeping most of my promises. I was facing the window to his left, and I saw a couple that looked like potential customers. They pointed at the store as they walked before nodding and smiling.
Kyle's hand somehow settled on my thigh. A conscious act which he wouldn't ever admit to. Just drawing attention to the fact that he had placed it there would have been a bad idea on my part. I would have been pushing him back into his shell.
But he was taking too long, maybe he felt nervous and was calculating all the reasons why it was weird for him to be doing such a thing. In the end, the customers walked in. He turned to them as they did so, and then he quickly looked at me and without warning, he bit the fry and stood. Only the tiniest fraction remained. And after he did that, he casually stood and acted as if nothing had happened, saying hi to the customers and asking if they needed help.
I felt his hand on my back, the hold strong and sure. And when I attempted to turn and look at him he walked around the counter and left me there.
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I eventually left the store. I had stayed there for the entire two hours as promised. And I decided to go home and take my bike because I had somewhere urgent I needed to be. But I could confidently say that I had my Stevens back. The one I had been scared was gone for good. He was the same as always, and I was sure that in a couple more weeks, we would go back to how we used to be. Although I didn't want things to be exactly the same.
We were older.
In a few months, we'd both be turning seventeen...that was old enough in my book. And now that we weren't ten anymore, I didn't have to feel guilty or strange about saying or doing certain things.
Kyle was naturally a shy person, it was just his nature. He had become more headstrong in the five years we'd been apart but the timidness was still there. Meaning that if I wanted any progress, I would have to initiate it. But I also knew that once he got comfortable around me, I wouldn't have to think about such things.
It was quite a significant distance from the store to the neighborhood where I lived. But I didn't mind walking, and I had my thoughts to keep me company. I should have thought things through earlier and asked Miles to just take my bike to our rendezvous point instead of taking it home. It felt like a wasted trip.
I looked around as I walked, it was already nighttime, and there were a number of people walking around. A few groups of friends laughing wildly as they told their stories and inside jokes. I spotted an elderly couple walking into the candy shop, bright smiles on their aged faces which didn't look as old when they were in that joyful mood.
Some minutes into my walk, I got a text.
Stevens.
I stopped walking and tapped on it, then I smiled because when it came to him, the smallest and most basic things made me happy. And him texting me meant that I was in his mind.
" Today was fun. Now forget I said that and get home safe. "
I glanced back at the direction of the store as if I could see it from that distance. Then I typed my reply before I continued walking.
" I had fun too, but that fry was a barrier..next time it won't be there. Goodnight Stevens. "
His reply was an eye roll emoji, but then he wished me goodnight as well.
It took a while,but I finally got home. And that must have been the first time I smiled while walking into that illogically large house. Not even the fact that my dad's car was parked out front managed to dampen my good mood. I was full, so if they were having supper they'd have to exclude me. Even if he tried to force me into eating with them again. But he was nowhere around and I assumed they were in their bedroom. I quickly made my way to my own. Not even knowing what I was going to do there because all I needed was my bike. I threw my backpack on the bed before I decided to switch out my shoes for another more suitable pair.
My room seemed neater than I had left it and I assumed I had Khloe to thank for that. But I was one of those people who found it easier to find things when they were in a mess. I got confused when everything was well arranged so in her attempt to help, she had just inconvenienced me. But give it a couple of days and everything would be as untidy as it had originally been. I was in the process of tying the combat boots I had picked when the door was unlocked and my dad casually walked in. Dressed in his suit minus the jacket and tie. His sleeves rolled up and a very displeased look on. his face. But then again, he always looked displeased so it was no big deal.
I did what I always did whenever we were in the same room..Ignored the hell out of him. I pretended I hadn't even noticed his presence.
" Where are you going?" He asked after I was done with the laces and stood.
" Out. "
" Out where?"
" Not here, that's for sure. "
He shot me a warning glare, shaking his head to mean he didn't appreciate either my tone or words. I couldn't care less.
" Later, " I mumbled as I started making my way to the door, but then he moved and stood in my way.
" You're not going anywhere, " were his next words.
I had been in a good mood,but with those words I felt that anger which had been dormant begin to rise. He was always set on ensuring I was angry.
" Starting today, you'll be expected to be home by eight. It's already eight. "
I visibly frowned at him. Eight? I wasn't some eight year old child. And there was no way I was going to let him give me a curfew, not after all the shit he'd made me go through with the move to another fucking state.
" Yeah, I don't think I'm okay with that, " I seriously informed him before attempting to walk around him and leave. I never liked being in the same space as him for too long because things ways escalated too quickly. But he held my arm and kept me in place. He wasn't even looking at me, all his focus was on the wall.
" Where were you?"
What was up with those questions? I sighed and pulled my arm away from his hold.
" I was with a friend. "
His darted his gaze around, seeming deep in thought.
" Is it that kid I saw you with the other day? " He was talking about Miles. He had seen us coming back home late the previous week. And because I didn't want to explain anything to him, I nodded and told him it was.
" Wow, I must be insane then. Because I could have sworn I saw him and his dad at a restaurant in town..and you were definitely not with them. "
I shook my head. He was clearly begging for an argument, but I wasn't in the mood for one and if I didn't leave,I was going to be late. And I couldn't miss out on what I was intending to do.
" Look, can we just do this after I get back? I swear I'll even snap at you just so your tender heart can be satisfied. "
I suppose that wasn't the best way to approach things, but he always made me go mad. he didn't even have to do or say anything. Just the sight of him looking at me like that was enough to rile me up. He ground his teeth, then he narrowed his gaze in that most threatening manner.
" I'm giving you two minutes to be seated on that chair studying, otherwise you can forget all about that crazy bike of yours!"
He definitely knew how to hit me where it hurt most, but so did I.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone