CHAPTER 38
The way home was much cleaner than before. There were lesser trash and rotten leaves on the ground. The road hits our shoes much smoother. I haven’t seen anyone cleaning the way, maybe they are doing it when it’s 3 AM or 4 AM just like what we have in our previous place on Mondays.
I was a few inches behind Gelo. I could see his dazzling eyes and sun-slicked hair. I’ve said a lot of times before that he was gorgeous. Maybe I can say it one more time right now. It’s not his face why I liked him. It’s more than that.
“So… How are you?” he asked.
“What kind of question is that? We’re neighbors and you might know everything about me from this point. Am I not telling you that much?”
“You are. But I’ve never heard from you since yesterday. Nana told me you almost left the town, but she said it was your story to tell that’s why she wasn’t speaking to me about it. So I’m asking you what happened.”
“My brothers got mad at me transforming into a wolf and also us being so-called lovers.”
“Are we lovers? We’re not even dating! Aside from the time we went to the lake as friends. That doesn’t count as one right.” He looked cute when he was furrowing his brows.
“It counts as a friendly date, but that doesn’t mean anything special. It’s special in a sense that we’re friends and we’re spending quality time together.”
“What happened next?”
I sighed and placed my hands on my waist. “They got mad and I got mad too. We said words we regret afterward. I was guilty that I hurt both of my brothers for saying they weren’t feeling anything regarding the death of Mom and Dad. They were legitimate children and I was guilty of that. I don’t want to say those things anymore.”
“You what? Oh, God, Cath. I never thought you could say those kinds of words. Those are painful.”
“I know and please don’t hate me about that. I was just mad that they’re insisting that we’re lovers that’s why I don’t want to leave this town. I don’t want to leave this town for the truth about me. I don’t know the truth about my identity. That must be the reason why Mom and Dad wanted us here. They wanted me to find out the truth.”
My nose suddenly got scrunchy and annoying. I’ve always had that when it’s snowing or dusty outside. “But Nana saved the day. She suddenly appear from behind me and defended me from my brothers. Then we’re good again. That thing was just a misunderstanding.”
“Nana’s good at fixing things.”
“Every old person is since they have broader experiences in life for the years they stayed in this word. I’m jealous of that you know. They won’t be suffering from that many things when they’re old enough. While we younger ones will have to face challenges day by day or week by week.”
Gelo placed his hands on the back of my neck. It felt better and more comforting. “That’s our nature. That’s why we’re learning from our experiences. It’s because we face challenges.”
“How about you? Are there any updates on you? You checked on me and I should check on you too. Though I suck comforting other people.”
There was one time in my grade school when I saw a girl crying on her own. I asked her the problem and she told me it was because her parents were separating. I thought divorce and separation were magical back then because of the children's books I was reading. I gave her a piece of terrible advice and I fucked up because she cried harder the next day, saying she was planked on her butt. I told her to tell her parents she was going to be kidnapped.
I regret advising people. Especially during high school when someone’s asking me what can they do about their relationships. I told this woman to rest and sleep. It doesn’t make sense and that must be the reason why she despised me. We could’ve been friends if I told her better advice. That must also be the reason why I’m not making any friends since I was a child. Because I fucked up a lot.
“It’s a typical day for me. Nothing special. Sage and I fought.”
“You guys are fighting over something?” I reacted as if it wasn’t a scenario that was happening even though it always happens between me and Felix. In Gelo’s case, it’s a rare one since most of the time he’s doing the good thing as Nana does.
“Yes. I ate the food he kept for himself inside the refrigerator. He was in a rage when he found out it was me. That brownie must be that special for him. Sage doesn’t speak that much to us, but when he does it means he’s mad and you did something wrong. I apologized to him but my brother has too much pride so I don’t know when we’ll be reunited.”
“Your fight is kinda cute.”
Gelo frowned at me, confused by what I was saying. “What’s cute with that? That your brother hates you for the box of brownies you ate. I thought he brought it for me!”
“Small fights between brothers are cute, especially in the book. I didn’t know it’s happening in real life.”
“Earlier this morning, one of my classmates confessed to me. It is weird to have someone confess to you in front of twenty or more people. I thought she was joking but she’s too serious about me. She told me I was her type and I was so handsome. She wanted to date me. She even described my lips and how badly she wanted to kiss them. Weird but I let her.”
I didn’t speak. I don’t what I was feeling. I have a lot of thoughts inside my mind but I don’t know which is the right one to tell first.
“Why aren’t you speaking? Are you jealous?”
“Hey!” I hit his shoulders with my hand. “How can you think that I’m jealous? You confessed to me and, normally, someone might confess to you as well. You can date her. I’m not the one who’s going to decide for your life here.”
Gelo chuckled. “It’s a lie. I was just teasing you.” He pulled my hand, and swung me around until my eyes landed on his. “You looked cute when you’re jealous. When I told you I like you, I won’t like any other girl. So, are you going on a date with me?”
“Where?”
“It’s already afternoon and we don’t want the same thing to happen so let’s date in my room. Is it okay with you?”
I smirked. “I guess it was perfectly fine for me.”