章節 3: CHAPTER 3: STILL DON'T LIKE YOU -PT 2
"Ooh! Come on!" Matt threw up his hands in frustration. "I almost had you this time" admitting defeat didn't come easy to him especially if it was someone younger than him.
"You surely almost did" Ivo scoffed. It was getting late and as much as Matt insisted they go for another round, Ivo wasn't planning on extending his welcome "As much as I am having fun, it was already past two in the morning and I have to meet up with some classmates for a group assignment by ten o'clock, so I better leave and catch up on some sleep before that" it was a lame excuse even Ivo himself thought that but that was the only one that sounded more believable. Matt " That's a shame coz I was ready for you in the next round" Nina scoffed before getting up and putting the game away with a disapproving look from her husband. She really was raising two kids.
" it's alright love, I will walk you to the door" Ivo nodded as he stood up to put on his coat. The couple walked him to the door and after exchanging several good nights, they waited out on their patio until Ivo was at his door before they went back in. Once in the comfort of his own home, did the tiredness of the day catch up to Ivo. He had had two lectures back to back in the morning with only a ten-minute break in between and a group assignment in the afternoon before joining the Davis couple for game night.
Ivo had contemplated canceling on the game night when he got home, but already having given his word he couldn't back out at the last minute especially knowing how Matt looked forward to their game night. After a well-needed bath, Ivo plopped on his bed finally letting his muscles rest. Recalling the last one year since he moved into the neighborhood and how the Davis couple had nicely treated him, Ivo couldn't help but wonder what they saw in him. He knew very well what kind of person he was and people around him did too. Ivo wasn't the kind of person you would smile and wave at happily as you walked by, or the kind you sit down with and have a chitchat over a warm nice cup of tea, he was the kind that seemed to be Waring a frown on their face whether in a happy occasion or a sad one. He was considered to be brutally honest which didn't sit well with a lot of people and would always end up in an argument to which Ivo would give a cold shoulder.
With this being his personality, Ivo found himself alone most of the time and not all the time due to his pretty face. Some people were such a sucker for pretty faces that they were willing to overlook his foul character just to get with him.
Within that one year, Ivo had expected Matt and Nina to be fed up with him, especially with half of the neighborhood having fallen into bad terms with him, but the couple seemed to not only not mind what others said but also seemed to truly enjoy his company apart from their son. Maybe Jian, unlike his parents, couldn't stand his personality and saw him for who he was a proud, snobbish, arrogant young man. It was three in the afternoon when Ivo finally woke up, he would have kept on sleeping if it wasn't for his growling stomach that threatened to eat itself if it wasn't fed. Ivo reached for a packet of frozen noodles emptied it into a bowl and shoved it in the microwave before going back to brush his teeth so it would be ready by the time he got back.
He sat down by the window enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun as he ate. Ivo was lost in thoughts staring at the birds outside his window when he caught a movement at the corner of his eye. Jian was jumping holding up a large twig towards the tree outside their house. It seemed as if he was trying to get something unstuck from the tree, but Jian being his height, couldn't reach it even with the aid of the large twig. Ivo leaned back on his chair and watched in amusement.
Jian was conscious of his height at his age so he would stop and pretend to be doing something else when someone walked by and resume his quest when they were out of sight. By now Jian was fourteen and had not grown an inch since he met him, even Ivo could remember being taller than that at fourteen and couldn't help feeling pity for the little guy.
Putting his bowl away Ivo decided to swoop in and save the day. Jian didn't see him cross the street towards him and got startled when Ivo spoke " That hasn't worked for the last thirty minutes, and still won't work for another" Knowing that he had been watching him for that long made Jian even more embarrassed. After gaining composure, Jian turned to face Ivo with his usual indifferent expression only for it to fall once he laid his eyes on the man in front of him. Now it was his turn to embarrass the older boy. Jian " And how would you know that sleeping beauty"
Ivo furrowed his eyebrows trying to gauge the meaning behind the boy's words. " I know because even a blind man can see that, that length of the twig and your height ain't ever gonna reach that high." Ivo smirked " And also unlike you teenagers, Adults like me wake up early coz we got important stuff to do not just sleep all day" This was a response to Jian's earlier insult.
Jian raised an eyebrow as he looked at Ivo lie through his teeth "Well tell that to your hair"
Ivo held his hands above his head only to be met with his hair sticking in all directions. He felt his cheeks flush in embarrassment as he was caught lying. He turned around running his fingers down his hair trying to fix his bed hair "For your information I was just from taking a nap due to all the work I had been doing the entire morning " Ivo cringed at his comeback but there was no way he was losing face to this kid. Deciding he didn't have time for him, Jian dismissed him with a chuckle "Whatever floats your boat"
Ivo stood there awkwardly as Jian went back to what he was doing before he interrupted him. Ivo's hopes of having this kid view him as a hero were ruined by his stupid bed hair.
Ivo " I could help if you want I, mean I am.."
Jian " No need"
Ivo huffed for being cut off and couldn't help but think 'How rude, maybe I should have minded my own business '
Ivo " Fine by me, am not the one who's gonna be here till dark hopping like a bunny"
Jian halted his movements tightly clutching the twig in his hand. He was pissed. Ivo was right he had been at it for almost an hour and it hadn't worked. Jian heated asking for help, whether from his parents or strangers. He was already looked down upon for his height asking for help would only make them look down on him more. Jian looked up helplessly, only if that stupid ball had not gotten stuck in a bunch of leaves on the tree. He could call Kim to help but he was out of town on a family weekend trip. Jian searched through his mind for any other solution but for the man behind him, but after some time he had to accept the reality unless he was willing to let his favorite ball sit on a tree the entire night or until his parents are back from their date.
Jian" Fine"
Ivo " Fine what?" He asked acting clueless
Jian rolled his eyes not in the mood to play games "Fine as in, I will take your stupid help" he threw the twig he was holding and stepped to the side leaving room for Ivo.
Ivo "Well that doesn't seem like the tone of someone asking for help"
Jian " Are you gonna fucking help or not?"
Ivo " Jezz come down! I will do it no need for that kind of language"
What took almost an entire hour for Jian only took ten minutes for Ivo to do it and it pissed him off
Ivo "Here you go" he smiled handing the ball over happy to have redeemed himself. He started at the kid when he didn't say something he cleared his throat to get his attention.
Jian " What?"
Ivo" What do you mean 'WHAT' I just helped you a thank you would be appropriate"
Jian "Oh yeah, thanks"
Ivo," That's it?"
Jian looked at him confused as he finished checking his ball for any damages "Yeah, what else do you want? A cup of tea?"
Ivo couldn't believe his ears, he just helped out this brat and all he got in return was sarcasm. Deciding it was best to go home before they started arguing and drawing attention to himself, Ivo turned and started walking towards the direction of his house may be where he can have a cup of tea that could not be potentially poisoned by a spiteful teenager.
Jian looked at the older boy leaving and for once knew he was in the wrong. If his mother knew how he was acting towards someone who helped him, she would pull him by the ear and make him apologize to them on his knees before grounding him for months. Before that became a reality, Jian had to fix it somehow if he offended the only neighbors that could put up with his parents, especially his dad, Jian would be left to fill their place which was more torturing than any other punishment.
Jian " Mr. Ivo wait" to Jian's relief he stopped and turned to face him.
"I am...am.. thanks for the ball and I could offer you some tea but am not good at making it, if there is anything you would like I could maybe get it for you?"
Ivo didn't know whether to smile or frown at this new gesture so he settled for half a smile and half a frown. "Umm...that's nice of you but am all good" Ivo decided not knowing the kid's intentions, it was better to stay safe and void ingesting anything offered.
Jian was not pleased with his kind gesture being rejected and Ivo's doubtful mannerisms and tone.
" Why are you acting as if I would put poison in your drink?" His tone was more hostile and demanding. Ivo nervously laughed, a little bit scared of the boy who was much smaller than him
Ivo " I would love a cup of tea except for the fact I took one after the nap I told you earlier about "
Jian could tell he was lying, but for whatever reason, he didn't care anymore if the man didn't want his nice gesture, Jian wasn't gonna force it upon him.
" you really suck at lying, but if you don't want it that badly suit yourself " Jian took his glove not paying Ivo any attention.
Ivo thought about taking that chance to leave but thinking about how this was the longest conversation they ever had, and if he leaves like this they will be back to where they started.
Ivo " How about you throw and I catch"
Ivo didn't wait for a response grabbing the glove out of Jian's hands and running a couple of feet away before shouting for him to throw the ball to which Jian did. They did take turns throwing and catching the ball while giving each other scores. Ivo was having more fun than he expected in the company of a fourteen your old. "You know you don't have to call me Mr. Ivo, I am not old am only twenty-three."
Jian " That's pretty old if you ask me"
Ivo couldn't hide the offended look on his face. " well it's a good thing no one is asking you, and if am old that means you're friends with an old man"
Jian "We are not friends" he was quick to avoid the allegations
Ivo " I think we are, or what do you call people you play ball with"
Jian took time to think about it, Ivo had pushed him into a corner with that question and there was no way for him to answer without falling into the trap. Giving up Jian could only glare " Well I still don't like you"
Ivo could only laugh at his childish response before the ball was thrown his way.
Ivo "Of course you don't buddy"
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