Two weeks have gone by quickly. I'm out of my neck braces and the stitches on my forehead are slowly healing. Although I still go around with my wheelchair, I try to walk with a walker sometimes to exercise my legs, because if I don't, I might forget how my legs work.
"Can you stay still?" I said as I held his hair in front of me.
"You're hurting my scalp." He said as he tried to touch his head and comfort his scalp.
"You know, it won't hurt if you stay still, Chase." I replied as I tried to hold him down. I can feel him pouting. We're at the rooftop again and he's sitting down on the floor in front of me as I try to braid his hair while enjoying the view.
"You know I'm not a girl Ciara. Why are you so obsessed with tying my hair?" He said and I can feel a smile forming on his lips. He's teasing me. This guy really knows how to irritate and embarrass me!
These all started two nights ago. As a casual fan of The Wildes, I watch their videos and performances from time to time. Now that I have a new phone, I decided to scroll through social media and stalk their sites for a bit. It has become my habit to leave comments on their videos online.
Smiling from ear to ear and nearly screaming while watching their performance, when the door to my hospital room suddenly opened and Chase appeared. Startled, I accidentally dropped my phone on the floor. Chase walked towards me and I froze in place, acting like I’ve just been caught doing a crime.
“W-what are you doing here? I, uh, I thought you went home.”
“Ah, I forgot my jacket here so I came back to get it.” I nodded my head at his response and avoided looking him in the eye. I’m so embarrassed. “Are you okay? You seem flustered and your face is turning red? Do you have a fever?”
Chase reached out to touch my forehead but I slapped his hand away. I’m so embarrassed that I’m turning into a tomato. I didn’t expect him to suddenly barge into my room while I’m watching a performance of his band and adoring them. I don’t want him to think that I am so into them or obsessed. Who knows what will happen if he finds out that I’m a fan. He might think that I’m taking advantage of him, which I’m not.
“I-i’m okay. Just get your jacket. I’m about to sleep when you barged in.”
Chase nodded, his lips turning into a pout. He took his jacket from the couch.
“Oh! Your phone’s on the floor.” He said, upon noticing that my phone is on the floor.
I couldn’t answer him because of nervousness. What if he sees what I was watching? Was I able to turn my phone off?
“Really? I didn’t notice that it fell. Just let it be, I’ll pick it up later.”
I noticed a frown in his face but I told him to just go home. He was about to leave when the worst thing that could ever happen, happened.
Their song started playing loudly on my phone. Chase stopped walking and looked at me. I quickly avoided his gaze, acting innocently. Chase walked towards my phone and picked it up from the floor. He looked at the screen.
“You guys are so amazing. I think I’m falling.” He said and chuckled. “Nice comment. I’ll make sure I’ll reply to that later.”
My eyes widened. I can already feel my face heating up. I immediately snatche my phone from him.
“Just go home already! You’re disturbing my sleep.”
He tries to hold back his laughter, but an amused smile is plastered on his face.
“Sorry for disturbing you. Good night, Ciara.” He said and left.
I sank slowly to my bed, still cannot believe what just happened. Did I just get exposed? Why do I feel like a criminal right now? This is so embarrassing. Why didn’t I just wear my earphones? But who would’ve thought that he’d come back?
Since that day on, Chase always took his chance to tease me. Although he would not say direct words to me, he would put different meanings on his remarks and sometimes he would look at me and laugh amusingly.
"I'm not obsessed with anyone!" I said as I pulled his hair tighter.
"Ouch! That hurts!" He said as he tried to hold his hair down.
"Hmm you know what, your hair is so long already maybe we should cut it." I said as I started to measure his hair and pretended to mark where I should cut it. He immediately stood up and moved away from me.
"Don’t, Ciara." He warned.
"What did I do? Stop overreacting. I don't even have scissors with me! Sit down!" I said as I pulled him down to sit on the floor again.
"Why don't I tie your hair instead?" He bargained. "You've been playing with my hair for almost an hour now. Let's style yours!"
I looked at his hair and started to feel sorry for it. Some of his hair is flying upwards while some of it is adorned with colorful hair clips.
"Ugh fine." I replied then he took the comb from my hands and started to comb my hair. He grew quiet. He's so focused when he's doing something.
We’re alone again in the rooftop garden. For the past weeks, we already made it a habit to go up here after breakfast. There’s no people during this time so we’re more comfortable. Chase has been visiting me constantly for the three weeks that I’ve been here. He’s always here every day. Arriving in the morning and leaving at night. I wonder if he’s not busy with his schedule and work, but after all, he’s on hiatus, so maybe that’s why he’s got a lot of time on his hand.
Sometimes I wonder if the accident has taken a toll on him.
The silence was broken by my ringing phone. I answered my phone.
“Hello? Are you here already?” Chase looked at me and raised his eyebrow as if asking a question. “Okay, we’ll go down now. See you.” I ended the call. “Jeanny’s here already. Let’s go down.”
Jeanny called and told me that she’s already in my room. She promised to visit me today.
After eating lunch, the three of us decided to play UNO. Jeanny brought the cards. Only the two of us planned to play but I didn’t want Chase to feel left out so I asked him to play with us.
“Okay, it’s my turn.” Jeanny said as she looked for a card to put down.
“Wait, it’s mine.” I interrupted. “Chase put down a reverse.”
Jeanny rolled her eyes and smirked. Chase and I laughed. Jeanny’s losing the game. She has so many cards with her. “You two are so alike.” She said while looking at Chase.
“Who?” Chase asked.
“Jace. After all, your cousins.” Jeanny answered.
Chase looks confused.
“Jace would always do that when it’s almost my turn. He turns things around in favor of him and Eunice, then I would end up losing the game and buying them ice cream and bread.” Jeanny continued acting annoyed. I laughed more.
Chase looked at me, wanting to know if it’s true. I shrugged at him.
“You’re so unfair, Eunice.” Jeanny whines. “I’ve never won any of these games with you and Jace, and now with Jonathan.” She pouts, trying to look sad and pitiful. Chase and I laughed.
“Okay, okay. No alliances, let’s play fair this time.” I said and raised an eyebrow at Chase. Chase raises both of his hands in surrender.
“Yay!” Jeanny exclaimed and we continued to play.
The three of us were so focused on the game but we tease and laugh at each other from time to time. I wish Jace could be here too. He enjoys this game as much as we do and we used to play it with him when there were no customers in the restaurant.
My attention was redirected to the television when news about The Wildes appeared. The sound of the TV isn’t very loud because we’re playing but it was still loud enough to be heard by the three of us. I tore my eyes off my cards and looked at the news.
Their concert tour was about to end. They’ll be holding the last one next month here in New York. But the sad thing is, they’re not complete.
I looked at Chase to see his reaction but he never showed any. He was just studying his cards.
“UNO!” He shouted. “I won, fair and square!”
Jeanny and I were both startled by his voice. He seemed so happy that he won.
“Now, give me your foreheads. It’s flick time!” He announced. Both Jeanny and I sighed.
Before the game started earlier, we agreed that the losers would get a flick in the forehead by the winner.
Chase gestured for Jeanny to come closer. I saw Jeanny blush. She must have been holding her fangirling self since she came here. I chuckled.
“Ouch!” Jeanny shouted. “I’m still a girl, you know. Why did you have to flick so hard?” She massaged her forehead with a pout on her face.
Chase then looked at me. I rolled my eyes and sighed. He gestured for me to move towards him, so I did. I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the impact.
1…2…3…
“Hey, that’s unfair!” Jeanny pointed out. I opened my eyes and saw Chase laughing. I touched my forehead, still feeling the impact of his finger, but it didn’t hurt much.
“What’s unfair? I flicked her forehead.” Chase reasoned out.
“Yeah, but it was so soft, I doubt it even hurt.” Jeany answered.
“She’s injured.” Chase said while laughing. Jeanny rolled her eyes at him.
“You’re not included in the next game. I don’t like playing with you and Jace.” Jeanny said. She massaged her forehead once again and sat closer to me. She brought out another set of card games and tried pushing Chase away so he couldn't join us.
I smiled at the sight of them. I feel like I’m gaining a friend.