Impossible to Love {Ki Hong Lee}

Chapter 13

I listen intently to the dial as Olivia's voice breaks through..

"What is it?" She snaps.
"I.. I wanted to talk to you." My voice sounds like crumpled paper.
"About what?"
"I'm sorry."
"You're sorry."
"Yeah I am."
"Did Tiffany tell you to do this?"
"No."
"Well is that all you wanted to tell me Thomas?"
"No,do you want to hang out with me later."
"What time should I knock?"
"About 4:30,it's that okay?"
"That's fine. See you soon."
"Okay,bye."

I walk over to the mirror and stare at my reflection,smoothing my hair into a decent quiff,my outfit is okay,I'm just wearing an Oasis tee-shirt,blue ripped jeans and my favourite pair of Converse.

"Who was that?" Ki asks walking into the hallway,
"Olivia."
"You going out with her?"
"Yeah,I mean we'll probably just hang out,you know,play sports or something."
"Do you want me to go?"
"You can stay and revise if you want."
"Not particularly how I'd like to spend Saturday evening but I've got nothing better to do."
"I won't be long."
"What if Tiffany and that guy come home?"
"Bring her in and chuck him out,I could tell from the moment I met him he's bad news."
"He seems to make her happy."
"She's probably just pretending."
"Give her a chance Tommy."
"I don't know who to trust,I don't even know who I am anymore."
"Look,you're the smartest person I've ever met in my entire life,you'll get all the grades you want. I'm not lying,I know it more than I know about Magnets,Shakespeare or any of the other junk they teach me at school."
"Thanks... Look,Ki,what time is it?"
"4:18,why?"
"I've got 12 minutes until she comes round."
"Look who's fussing."
"Well yeah,first dates are everything."
"So it's a date then?"
"Shut up. And I don't know yet... Does my hair look okay?"
"You look fine,like 100 bucks."
"Cheers. Now screw off before she comes."
"Where do I go?"
"Dad's office upstairs."
"Right."

He grabs a bunch of books then heads upstairs,leaving me alone to wait by the door. Once I hear the bell I breathe in deep then open the door to see her standing there.

"Hey." I say,my voice plain like it was before.
"Hi."

She walks in and follows me outside.

"What are we doing?"
"You like Basketball?"
"Course."
"That's good then."

I pick up the ball then toss it into her arms as she starts to dribble it quickly,tossing it into the net as she throws it back to me. It builds into a pretty good game. No one bothers keeping score,I'm too lost in all my stress melting itself away like candle wax.

"Do you want a drink?" I ask her.
"Okay."

I dash into the kitchen and grab two cans then walk back outside and hand one to her as we sit on the grass,soaked up in the sun.

"Can you forgive me?" I ask.
"Yes I can."
"But I guess I shouldn't of been so rude."
"You weren't rude.. It's only because I really like you."
"I like you too.. I need to ask you a question."
"What is it?"
"Do you know that guy.. Who Tiffany knows?"
"Who?"
"Jacob."
"I've never heard of him,is everything okay?"
"I don't think so."