HIM

CHAPTER 39

It was a Friday, and everything about it felt so great. I yawned, stretched, then rubbed my eyes before getting out of bed. I was humming a familiar tune as I made my way into the kitchen first obviously. I told you before that it's a habit and habits are so hard to break.
Found the packet I was looking for, then made my way to the living room, still humming.

There she was, seated on the sofa alone. She didn't even look back when I approached, but was the first to speak anyway.
"Someone is in very good mood today."
"Yes Mom, good morning to you," I answered back cheerfully then sat on the big couch. I felt something hard below where I was sitting, so I stood a little and picked it.
How on earth could someone forget their phone for a whole night?
I switched the screen on and found some really interesting number of missed calls and unread messages.
"What did you dream about last night? Could be the thing that activated you this morning," my mom interrupted.
"I can't even remember a single dream I had. Why are you up early anyway?"

There were 5 missed calls from Flen, my boyfriend. Thinking about that got me a stupid short grin...

"I was tired of sleeping, so I woke up and came here," she replied so casually.
"I thought you worked a lot so you should sleep a lot."

... and 3 missed calls from Gabby, then 1 more from May.

I noticed that Mom hadn't said anything about my early comment. I looked up at her for a moment, she was displaying a firm clear face, but also seemed to be in deep thoughts. As if she'd noticed I was watching her, she said something quick. I guess it was to distract me from reading too much into her.
"Not necessarily that way when you grow up. Sometimes you can't even fall asleep after a long day at work."

I wasn't just sure I wanted to dig deeper into that kind of conversation, not today.
"Let me get ready for school," I told her calmly as I did the last gulp of the milk.
With my phone in hand, I left the living room and made it to my room. But I headed for grandma's room, pushed it open. It was a bit dark still so I switched on the lights, she shifted a little.

" Arise and shine granny!" I shouted. She jolted awake then looked at me, "What has gotten into you this morning? Didn't someone tell you that if they wanted to be woken up they'd have set an alarm?"
"Oh. But remembering I've never seen you set one, I decided to act on its behalf."
I knew I was getting her angrier after taking her out of her sweet sleep.
"If I wanted you to be one I'd have told you," she yelled at me.
I didn't even stop, it was fun seeing her act like that.
"I think you mean to say thank you, isn't it?"
Now that upset her. She took a pillow and threw at me. I ducked.
Then she gently put aside the covers on top of her, and got out of bed.
I patiently waited for her until she got to where I was. She just gave me a light pat on my backside and mumbled something unintelligible as she walked away.
"I love you too grandma", I teased.
"I am scheduling a doctor appointment for you today," she shouted as she made for the corner to the sitting room.
I didn't say anything in return this time. Knowing that Mom would now have company, the mission was complete. I smiled a little victory and went back to my room.

'Hey'
'Am I not getting any love tonight?'
'Where are you?'
....
'I miss you'

Those were part of the 12 messages he'd left last night.
Seeing that gave me an odd feeling of satisfaction. Someone somewhere was thinking about me at least, and needed my attention.
Oh! Men needed my attention lately; Dad, Flen and Gabby.
That was new.
I didn't reply to any of the texts, I'd see him at school.

***
It was the second break period but I hadn't seen Flen yet. It was annoying but I kept cool about it. He'd show up eventually, I was sure he would.
The thoughts took up most of my thinking, I hadn't even realized the teacher had called out my name. It was May who pushed me gently on the arms and signaled me with her nose up ahead.
I walked hastily thinking perhaps I had messed up or something. It was neither.
He held out my paper to me. Oh! The test results! Above the page I saw a neat 37/40 in a circle and a scribbled Excellent below it. I smiled so broadly and genuinely at the teacher, and he gave back a smile too.
"Keep up the good work Linn," he congratulated.
"Thank you," I said walking away still smiling. I dismissed 'Flen thoughts' and decided to just enjoy my victory for a while.
Everyone in class seemed to be looking at me and whispering something to the other.
"If you'd all have the same reading attitude she has, you'd get better grades than these in your writings," the teacher advised.
Deep down most of them knew that no amount of reading could make them do better than me. Not proudly, but I had a great head for English really. It was all natural.

I kept the little shred of happiness till lunch time. The teacher of English had later called me into his office to encourage me on keeping up with the good scores. But he talked to me extensively about my writing competition. He mentioned that I would be in for another in two weeks time, so I needed to be ready. He offered to help whenever needed.
I don't know if that would still cause Leah's lips to itch today too. I didn't want to care about that anyway.

"I was calling you last night to tell you about my little evening date with Bill. It was beautiful."
May said as we walked to the cafe at lunch.
"You went on another date last evening?"
"That's what I said. It was random but sweet. You want details?"
I want details?
"No, just the good part only. The big good part."
"Ah! That's limiting, told you everything about it was beautiful."

Well, if she really wanted to talk about it, I'd have to let her speak.
"Spill everything," I said.
And that was all she needed before she could start mouthing every single thing they did.
I wasn't even happy for her. This boy was using her! Take her out on several dates to hide his true intentions. She had a right to know just how much of an idiot he was.
"May, we seriously need to talk!" I interrupted.
"Did I say something bad?"
"No, it's not what you said (I wasn't even listening), it's something else."
"OK, let's sit here and talk about it then."
"No, it's strictly private. I can't afford any listening here."
I think that magnified the intensity of its seriousness.
"How about in the evening after school?"
"That is if Bill doesn't steal you away you mean?"
"I'll try not to let him do it."
Then we sat and ate lunch. The other three joined in later, so chatty. But I didn't say much at lunch.
I still hoped to see one person.

I kept looking around then my eyes settled on a familiar face. He was smiling as usual and engaged in a conversation with someone. Instinctively he looked up and found me staring.
I think he excused himself because the next minute he was on our table.
"Hey ladies."
The reply was not uniform when it came out from them so I waited then replied happily, "Hello Gabby."
We left them at the table and walked away from the cafe.
"Where were you last night?" he asked.
"In my house of course."
"No Linn. I mean you weren't picking my call, didn't even reply my text."
"Sorry. It was a personal matter I had, I am sorry I didn't get to say it earlier."
"Oh! Personal scares me."
"It should, you don't want to know everything about me, do you?"
"Not exactly. Keep your monsters hidden. I am known to have a great fear for them still."

Then the chatting went on for a while before I saw the figure leaning on a post near the tuition block. His hands were in his pockets and his legs crossed. He stood there poised.

" Excuse me Gabby, " I said pointing at the figure he'd now noticed I was looking at.
"Sure. Bye, let's talk later." Then he walked away in the opposite direction.

I walked up to him. A great sigh of relief washed over me when he turned to look at me. I saw a gentle smile flicker on his lips.
"Hey," he said.
The voice gave my stomach a flutter.
"Hey," I said in return.
"Come here," he said, opening up his arms for me.
I walked into them, into him. Then he closed me in warmly and tightly.
"I missed you."