I know it’s not a date, I know that I have a long way to go, but this is progress. I’m over the moon and I feel like dancing. She agreed to go out with me and honestly, it wasn’t even hard to convince her, which is something that gives me hope to an extent. I don’t know her well, but I’d like to believe that she at least tolerates me. I don’t think she was annoyed by my companionship today. If she didn’t like being around me, she wouldn’t have agreed to go to the gallery with me, right?
There are so many things I want to keep in mind if I want to impress her and keeping my addiction away from her is my number one priority. The girl doesn’t date at all, so even if I managed to convince her that dating isn’t a bad thing, she wouldn’t settle for an addict like me. She deserves better. This is something I’m certain about, but I’m also selfish and I want her.
I drive off after dropping her at her workplace with a stupid smile on my face. I have to make sure that everything will be perfect next Friday. I don’t want to mess up. There is no room for mistakes, literally. I wish I could bring her roses or anything, but if I did that, it would give her date vibes and I want to avoid this even if I secretly want it to be a date.
I hear my phone ringing and I quickly glance at it. My sister is calling me. I haven’t seen her in so long. She is studying graphic design at the University of San Diego.
“Hey, Avery,” I say with a cheery tone. It’s been almost two weeks since we last talked, and I miss her. Along with my mum, she decided not to give up on me. She saw something good in me. “How’s my baby sister doing?” She hates it when I call her that and I do it to get on her nerves.
“I’m just three years younger.” I can already see her rolling her eyes at me. I just love it when I get on her nerves and annoy her, but if somebody else did that, I’d never let it go. “Anyway, I’m all good. How about you? I miss you.”
The AirPods in my ear are giving me the privilege of driving and talking on the phone at the same time. It’s not like I didn’t talk on the phone while driving before purchasing them, but this is safer. At least I have both of my hands now on the steering wheel.
“I’m fine and I miss you too. Can’t you come anytime soon to visit me?” I wonder, hoping that she’d be able to do that. I haven’t seen her in three months or even more.
“I will try to visit you, I promise. I know this is early, but do you plan on coming home on Thanksgiving?” She already knows the answer to her question, but maybe she has some wishful thinking. I bring the gear stick on N as I come to a red spotlight.
“You know the answer to this question. If Evan is going to be there, I won’t be there,” I reply with the answer she already knows. I hear her sigh out in frustration.
“Can’t you guys forget the past? It’s been five years. You’re better now and we can all get over that dark part of our life together. We can be a happy family again.” I appreciate her attempts, I really do, but I hate to burst her bubble; what she wants can never happen.
I bring the gear stick back on D and start driving again once the red light turns green.
“Dad can’t even stand being in the same room as me, Evan takes advantage of every moment to act as the caring big brother and he doesn’t forget to remind mum and dad of what I’ve done!” I snap, but I don’t mean to snap at her. I’m snapping at the reality I loathe and the memories I want to bury. “What kind of happy family do you think we’re going to be?” I ask her with a calmer tone and her silence is proof that she, herself, doesn’t know the answer. “We can’t be a happy family again if they don’t let go of the past, because I wasn’t the only one at fault at some point.”
“I know that. I know you’re not the only one at fault, but you need to say something about this to fix up your image. Do that! What are you waiting for? What’s holding you back?” she argues. Her voice is full of questions and wonders. She doesn’t support the way I think and she believes that my parents deserve to know the truth. She thinks I deserve to reveal the truth; however, I’m scared of the consequences. Whenever we talk about this, I have to remind her that I do not want them to know because I know Avery. She cares so much about clearing up my image and she doesn’t think about anything else. I fear breaking this family by revealing another dark secret.
“I can’t tell you now, but I promise you, one day, I will tell you the truth. I will tell you everything you’ve always wanted to know. Right now isn’t the right time. Once I feel this time has come, I will reveal what I have been keeping from you.” I don’t make empty promises because I believe in promises. I will tell them one day. I will remove that heavy load off my chest. I will show them that there’s somebody else at fault other than me. I’m just not ready to do this now.
“I will try to visit you before Halloween, okay?” She changed the subject; it’s something I’m thankful for.
“You know you’re welcomed here at any time,” I say as I park the car in the driveway. I hang up after we said goodbye and I get out of the car. The roads today aren’t crowded which is something that is usually considered good, but I kind of wished they would be crowded today because that would have given me more time with Taleen.
I think Taleen and Avery might make good friends. I wish they would be friends. I brush the thought away once I realize how far my imagination has taken me. I’m already picturing Taleen with my family and getting to know them despite all the disagreements I have with them. Maybe one day my family and I would make up. Maybe one day I could introduce Taleen to them, even if the two of us are just friends.
“For the last time, this isn’t a date! Better help me find an outfit or shut up!” I roll my eyes as I throw myself on the bed after turning my closet upside down. I’m not sure why I care so much about the art gallery outing with Josh. This is going to be my first time going to an art gallery, so I’m definitely excited. I asked Josh yesterday what I should wear and he told me I should go for something formal yet cute; not really the easiest thing to find in my closet, but I’m sure I’ve something that would do. &nbs
I’ve never seen a piece of art admiring a piece of art before, yet here I am witnessing a once in a lifetime phenomenon. She looks fascinated by the colours and how they are intertwined, yet I’m fascinated by her. The paintings are great, I have to admit that, but she is more beautiful than all of them combined. The way her plump lips are parted, and her eyes are locked on the paintings is bewitching. She is amazed by everything around her in the gallery; however, I’m amazed by her and her beauty.
It’s been five days since the art gallery outing with Josh and I have to say, I really had fun. I enjoyed every single second of that day. I love hanging out with him; he brings out a joyful side in me. He makes me enjoy doing things that usually make me uncomfortable. Lisa was smiling from ear to ear when I came back from my outing with him. She didn’t let me go to sleep until I told her everything. Although she didn’t make any direct implications that my hangout wi
Currently, I’m in a lecture and I feel like my brain is fried. I’m mentally exhausted and I’m in terrible need of coffee and I just want to stretch my aching bones, but all that I can do is do half twists in my seat because I’m definitely not going to work out in the middle of the lectures. The way I keep rubbing my temples is adequate proof for the headache I suffer from.I look at my phone once it buzzes and I see a text from Josh, making the serotonin increase in my brain. We have been textin
“Are you sure you’re fine?” A frown appears on Lisa's face as she studies mine. I try to nod quickly, but it’s not a really smart move because I end up intensifying the pain on myself.“I’ll just ask Josh if he has any painkillers,” I mumble as I move my neck slowly in a circular motion, hoping that I could relieve the pain a bit. The pain in my muscles is unbearable and my head is throbbing with a killer headache. I should’ve stayed in the dorm room, but I told Josh I was coming and the last time I saw him, I cried like a baby. I want to make it up to him for being a cry baby.“Yeah, do that.” Lisa agrees with me and we both get out of her car. I’m buying my own car next week. I really can’t wait until I drive myself around and even give Lisa a few lifts here and there as a payback; she has been driving me around without complaining and she doesn’t even accept when I offer to fuel her car. &
The moment everybody left, I walk back to the living room with slumped shoulders and I look at Avery. My mind is about to explode. I want to scream or punch a wall. I need to let my anger out. I need to talk to Avery about what happened; I need to vent to her; maybe not her in particular, but I need somebody to talk to about this and since nobody knows except her and Owen, she’s the only one I can talk to right now. “Can you tell me what’s wrong? What happened between you and Taleen?” she asks as I sit down beside her on the couch. “She found out,” I whisper, rubbing my forehead with my fingers. I’m stressed and I have a strong headache. I should’ve probably locked my bedroom door. I should’ve been more careful. She found out too soon. I didn’t intend to completely hide this from her because as much as
“Hey, mama! I miss you so much!” I gush over the phone as I talk to my mum. “Hey, sweetie! I miss you too! I hope you’re doing okay,” she says; I can already feel her smiling. Just hearing her voice makes me feel homesick and makes my stomach grumble for her food. “I’m all good, no worries,” I assure her, not wanting to mention my headaches or the pain I’ve been experiencing lately in my muscles. “Are you free next Saturday? Because if you are, we’re thinking about visiting you,” she tells me, causing my mouth to turn into a wide smile. “I don’t have anything! You can definitely come and please, bring me tabbouleh, man’oucheh, and samosas with you.&rd
Throughout the whole week, Avery’s words kept replaying in the back of my mind, making me question every single detail about my friendship with Josh. Is it really worth it? Am I willing to put myself through this nerve-racking journey? Why am I even willing to do that? Billions of questions are rushing in my head and I don’t know how to answer any of them. I brush every single thought away and get up to get dressed. My parents are coming today along with my sister; this is the highlight of my day. After going through my closet for five minutes, I pick my denim jacket, a white top, and my black pants. After getting dressed, I leave my hair down, not doing anything with it but fixing my bangs. They’re supposed to be here in thirty minutes or less. I walk out of the dorms building and make my way to the yard. I pick my phone out of my pocket to m