Curing His Love Allergy

Chapter 19 - Lose You To Love Me

The dance was tomorrow, November 3rd.

I can't wait!!!

It seems this school hosts a lot of dances. I can't wait for the Christmas Gala for us seniors in December. It's actually the day after my birthday, December 1st. The dance is December 2nd, the last day of school before winter break.

Ale and I are supposed to go to some concert the day after, but I can't go because I have a flight to Texas. I had to find a way to tell him.

Today we had our final rehearsal before the dance, and it was fire.

Currently, I'm over at Mr. Persistent's house. We were just talking and watching Riverdale.

"Hey, a couple weeks ago I saw some bruises on your hand. Where'd you get them?" I asked, recalling his rough knuckles.

He finished chewing the chips in his mouth and said, "Well, sometimes at Hazards it gets bloody 'cause some guys don't wanna pay up when they lose. Full-out fist fights and guys getting knives and stuff. That's why Ale and Noah are always with me when I race."

He took out two Skittles from the bag and shoved them in his mouth, then said, "The night before, when you saw my knuckles, Dean—the guy I was telling you about—insisted I had cheated, and I guess I kinda threw the first punch. He brought his friends Duncan and Dax into the fight. The three of them attend Midway Public High, our rivals. They think we're spoiled brats who get everything handed to us. The fight got really bloody with Ale and Noah stepping in. Eventually, someone fired two shots into the air, and everybody scattered and went home, but it was business as usual the next week."

"Why do you go out with Malia?" I asked.

"This is your last question because I feel like I'm in an interrogation. Malia and I aren't together. We have a group project in visual arts. I guess I was lonely one of the long nights we were working together, and we slept together. Ever since then, even after the project was finished, I've been trying to get rid of her clingy self." He rolled his eyes as he said the last part.

"I can bet she's super clingy," I laughed.

"Where's your mom buried?" He asked, turning my laughter into a frown.

"Um, back in Texas."

"Do you ever miss her?" He asked, striking a nerve.

"Yeah, like all the time. I miss her smile, her cooking and baking, her laughter. I miss her bear hugs, her advice, her voice. I miss everything about her. I haven't visited her grave since she was buried. I really wanna go there and bring her flowers." I said, letting some tears fall from my eyes.

"So why don't you go visit?" He asked, eating some more chips.

I paused the TV show and then continued, "Well, I am going to visit her as soon as winter break hits. I booked a flight for December 3rd, the day after the gala. Her birthday. Two days after mine. My dad doesn't know yet, but I doubt he'd care. He probably has a business trip then. I'll be going back to investigate him too. I know he's up to something, and I'm going to find the truth." I said gingerly.

"Can I come?" He asked.

I looked out the window at the bright white moon looming through the clouds; it's probably 10 PM now. "Come where?"

"To Texas with you. I'd love to meet your mom." He said, leaving me with a slack jaw.

"What? Would your mom approve? How will you pay for it? Are you sure you wanna spend Christmas with my dysfunctional family?" I bombarded him with questions.

"I'm eighteen. My mom wouldn't have a problem with it. Plus, she likes you and trusts you to take care of her son. I have money saved up. And I'd love to meet your family and help you investigate your dad." He answered all of my questions except the one that hung over us heavily.