What HE took from ME

Chapter 4-Make-up Turkey

Brenda

The river turned out to be therapeutic, although it came at a price; my dignity. I mean, I laughed while doing stupid stuff like sticking my leg into the mud, trying to sprint in that sticky- ground, which failed miserably. I ended up with mud all over me, and since I was enjoying myself too much, people started throwing me judging gazes. I bet they were thinking; she finally lost it. Well, I did not care. As long as I got to laugh like that and hear myself doing it, they could throw their eyeballs at me if they wanted to.

It had been a long time since I laughed like that.

I tried to avoid eye contact with Mart, a guy who had been nagging me for a chance but ended up catching a glimpse of a couple-an an older couple, making out. They were trying to be subtle, which was sweet, but I had already seen them.

They looked adorable, and I could not help but wish to be like that someday. I wanted to have what those people had and still keep my best friend. Yes, I meditated about my feelings for Edgar and concluded that it was just brotherly love and nothing more.

I was in love with Tim, And Tim loved me back. I just had to remember that. And maybe chant it every time Edgar was near me to avoid any confusion. I knew Tim had not said the three magic words yet, but that was just because I had not turned eighteen. I was sure that once the day came, he was going to shout at the top of his voice that he loved me.

Convinced by my crazy theory, I stood up and started hurrying back. I had to make things clear with Edgar. I knew I weirded him out with my behavior earlier, but it was never going to happen again. At some point, I was running.

I pushed myself through the dark streets. What time is it? How long did I take meditating? I wondered.

Damn, I wished I had carried my phone. I knew Tim must have looked for me, and maybe my phone had already melted from him calling constantly. Giselle probably already told him that she almost ran me over, making him worried sick. That bitch, she probably thought I did not love Tim, that I was using him to put food in my mouth. I mean, Giselle was his friend. She probably was thinking the same thing my friends were thinking.

Except, I never meant for anything to happen as they did. I wanted the opposite; I had gone over to that house to break up with him, but Tim ended up proposing.

I approached our old house and came to a sudden stop to compose myself. I needed my heartbeat rate to be regular before facing Edgar again. For the kind of talk he and I were about to have, I needed to focus. And that would not have been possible if I was to worry about my heart getting in the way.

After I was calm, I walked to the door. Softly, I pushed through the door, and a sweet aroma hit my nose. Is that turkey? Does that mean Edgar was not scouring the world looking for me? Man, things had changed around that house. Edgar had stopped caring about me completely, and it sucked.

I swallowed sadly, causing a rumble to erupt from my stomach. That reminded me that I had not eaten anything the entire day. I would have gone to the kitchen for something to eat, but It was my night to cook dinner, and I had not done that. Plus, I was afraid to run into Edgar. I removed my dirty shoes and started tiptoeing to my old room. I had decided to move back to avoid Edgar.

I only made it as far as the corridor when I heard a peal of laughter approaching. I turned and saw Stacey carrying a well-baked turkey on a tray. It looked juicy, and I could not wait to dig in. Smiling, I started walking to her. Until Edgar appeared, forcing me to hide behind the wall. Why did I hide? Why did my heart suddenly start humming against my chest?