Princess and Moron!

The next morning, Anna’s excitement got her up at 6 a.m. which led her into waking all of us after thirty minutes. We left for Montona at 9.

Andy was too sleepy and Anna’s energy drained so they both slept at the back while Ed drove and I kept him company. I was very tired but he was too so I decided to stay up.

“Go to sleep Lil, I know you’re worn-out. I’ll wake you when we get there,” he said. He saw right through me.

“I prefer annoying you more than sleeping so…” he smirked to that.

We got to the main highway.

I looked back to see Andy’s head atop Anna. They were sound asleep like babies. They looked really cute together. I was happy for Anna. She deserved a boyfriend like Andy and friends like Ed and the rest.

“So…I was wondering, did you ever felt lonely sleeping alone in the room. I mean did you feel left out or…?” I said cautiously, afraid that maybe they might hear me. Basically, I was trying to build a conversation.

“Well, not really. Uh…I like sleeping alone, having my privacy and all but sometimes I’d hear them laughing late at night so…I don’t know, I never really thought about it. I never felt ‘left out’ because I needed a room and Andy provided me with one and to that I’m grateful.” He nodded and continued, “Anyways, you’re here now. You can keep me company.” He winked.

My phone rang. It was an unknown number. I hesitated before picking up.

“Hello?”

“Hey, good to finally hear from you,”

That sounded like…I looked at Ed because I knew he was going to react to this.

“Jack,” he shot his eyes at me.

“You recognize my voice. Good to know,”

“How did you get my number?” I asked, trying not to sound rude.

“Oh right, I’m sorry, didn’t mean to be stalker but I asked Emily for it,” he apologized. “You at home?”

“No I…I’m actually on my way to Montona with Ed and the others.” It was funny he asked me because I remember Andy telling Ron that we were going to be leaving in the morning and Anna told Beth.

“Too bad, I was wondering if we could have coffee together. Perhaps some other time?

“Sure,”

“‘Kay, have fun.

“I will. Thanks. Bye”

I studied Ed’s expression. He was definitely mad. His grip tightened on the staring wheel and he clenched his jaw.

“Where did he get your number from?” he asked sternly.

“Uh…” I wasn’t really sure what to say. I wasn’t sure how he’ll react to anything I say.

“Damn it Lil, where did he get your number from?” he yelled this time.

I reflexively looked back to check if any of them got up and so did he from the rear view mirror. They didn’t. I got angry and snapped, “Why the hell are you getting mad at me? Why do you care?

“I don’t like him” I replied, through gritted teeth.

“So?”

“So stay AWAY from him” he glared at me.

I scoffed at his unfairness to which he replied, “Good”

I gave him glare and then looked out the window. “Is everything alright?” asked Andy.

“Go back to sleep Andy. I’ll wake you up when we get there?” I scolded.

We reached Montona after what seemed like weeks. I was thinking about ways I could have avoided that conversation. This was our first stupid fight. I don’t even know if I’m supposed to call this a fight. It was more of an argument. Hell, I never realized how much he gets on my nerves. Who does he think he is? I’ll talk to anyone who I want to. I was broken out of my reverie when his voice intruded, “Are you going to keep daydreaming princess, or do you intend on guiding me here?”

Princess?

That son of a gun!

“Not until you beg, moron?” I said with an innocent smile.

“You did not just call me ‘moron’?” he questioned, irately.

“Oh but I just did…because you are one”

After and intense stare from him he replied, “Fine, don’t blame me if we get lost,”

And we started bickering again which was interrupted by Anna screaming at us, “Shut up, both of you. God, what is up with you two? Just drive for God’s sake, I’ll guide you.”

I shifted my attention to Anna. “You still know the way?”

“This is technically my hometown so I ought to know at least my way through here. I have a good memory” She said calming down a bit. Anna was guiding the correct way. I have to say, I am impressed.

Grandma was gardening in the front veranda. I was relieved to finally see her. She seemed to have lost weight. She looked at our car. A smile appeared on her face as she saw me getting out. I rushed towards and hugged her.

“It’s so good to see you honey.”

“It’s good to see you too Grandma.”

She looked behind me and I took the opportunity to introduce her to them. “Grandma you remember Anna?”

“Ah of course.” She scanned Anna and then continued, “Look at you all grown up into a beautiful lady.” She examined her and then kissed her on the cheek, “Welcome back sweetie,”

“It’s good to see you Granny.”

With that said I moved onto Andy, “This is Andrew Smith. We all live at his place,”

“It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you,” he said, smiling.

“I heard about you too, Anna’s boyfriend?”

“Yes,” he was blushing.

Cute.

I opened my mouth to introduce Ed but I scoffed and looked away. He sighed, “We uh…we had an argument,”

“Oh yes, she can be very stubborn” she whispered.

“I can hear you, you know” I said with annoyance. 

“Edward Collin. It’s great to finally meet you” his pitch was so damn deep I looked to see if it was really him speaking.

Shit.

I think I’ve fallen in love with his voice.

“Likewise honey,” she opened the door, “Why don’t you all come inside?”

We unpacked our stuff and I went to check my room. Small as ever; I was worried about all of us fitting in there. We’ll manage. We talked and Grandma told them about my embarrassing experiences.

“And now my favorite,” she said, smiling, “after Anna moved out, a family shifted in almost immediately, they actually bought the house.”

No.   

“Grandma” I warned her. Actually I pleaded.

“There was this cute boy, same age as Lilly, Danny. They became really close friends”

“Please don’t,” I smirked and looked down at the table.

“Danny crushed on her. When they were twelve Danny had to go abroad. The day before his flight he kissed Lilly on the cheek. I had never seen her so happy before,”

“This is totally not embarrassing,” I said, sarcastically. Anna and Andy chuckled. Ed had a slight smile as if he was imagining it.

“He told her he liked her but Lilly said ‘if you love me, you will wait till I get 20 and then we can marry’” Grandma giggled at the memory. And I smiled sheepishly.

“What do you expect? I was in grade 6; I was stupid and so was he”

“Speaking of him, he came back two weeks ago” Grandma told me and I looked back up and smiled. “He is?” and then an idea popped in my head, “Why don’t I introduce you all to him?”

“Great”

“Sure”

Andy and Anna said in unison.

“Can I know where the market is?” asked Ed.

“It’s on the Green Lane honey. Three blocks away from here,” explained Grandma.

“Thank you. Please excuse me.” He got up. His eyes met mine before he blinked and looked away. Anna and Andy didn’t notice.

Anger!

His eyes were filled with anger but there was something else too.

I’m not apologizing to him. It was his fault.

“I’ll go set the bedrooms” I got up when Andy offered to help.

“Okay? What happened?” asked Andy once we were inside my room.

“Jack happened. He called me on my number and Ed just flipped out and yelled at me and I got mad and I just…” I let it all out.

“He has issues with Jack,” he was trying to reason with me.

“I know. I’m not…I just…I know he doesn’t like Jack…it was my fault too, I overreacted.” I explained.

“He cares for you”

“I know”

“No, he cares for you differently.” He said again.

“What are you trying to say, Andy?”

He sighed. “Anna and I’ve noticed that he acts differently in front of you. I don’t know how to explain but he’s very protective and I don’t know maybe even possessive about you.” he laughed nervously.

“Okay,” I said, registering what he said. “He’s like this with all of us”

“Maybe”

After we were finished with the rooms we walked to Danny’s place which was two houses away from ours. I rang the bell.

The door opened and there he was. He looked the same, only a little cuter.

“Lee?” I swear his eyes sparkled.

It had been ages since I’ve heard that name. He is the only one to call me that.

“Hey Dan,”

He came in for a hug and I hugged him back. He smelled nice.

“This is Anna and her boyfriend, Andy,” I introduced them. They shook hands and we went inside. Anna told Danny that she used to live here and that the house looks just the same.

Danny replied, “Yes I know, I heard a lot about you from Lee”

I tuned them out for a moment and thought about what Andy said earlier. Maybe I should stop being stubborn and make a move first. We both were at fault…I think.

“Still sweating about Ed?” asked Andy.

“Kind of, I guess,” I sighed.

“Don’t worry, I’ll kick his ass and straighten him up when we get back”

I laughed quietly when Danny shifted his attention to me and we started talking about…well everything. He came to see us off. I saw a car pass by the house and realized Ed was driving.

Go on, call him, I told myself.

I dialed his number as I watched the car stop. He got out and looked at his phone.

“Yeah?” he sounded serious and ignored that.

“Look to your left,” he looked and saw us. “We’re at Danny’s. Why don’t you come here?” I said, looking at him from a distance.

Pause.

“I got work to do. Sorry,” and hanged up.

That MORON!!!

I’m trying to patch things between us and he ignores me by lying to me. And what work does he have to do?

“What’d he say?” asked Anna and I replied looking at Andy with utter aggravation. “Grandma needed some help from him,” I looked at Dan with an apologetic smile, “Sorry Dan,”

“Nah. It’s okay” he said. “You’re so beautiful Lilly!” he exclaimed.

I blushed. “Thank you Dan. You’ve grown to be pretty…”

“Sexy? He finished for me.

I laughed, “I was going to say hot but yeah that too.” He gave me that toothed smile.

The house had three rooms. One was of Grandma’s, one was mine and one used to be his. Anna decided she’ll sleep in his room because she knew it was going to be hard for me. I was stuck with Edward in my room.

It was midnight. Anna and Andy had gone to sleep. Ed went out to the market again and I sat in the back veranda with Grandma.