A/N
Yeah, I deleted my previous update on this chapter and added a few more things to it. Sorry for the inconvenience, I guess.
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"Hey, Clo, do you have a minute?"
"Hmmm?"
I didn't have to turn around to know who it was because I knew that the next thing that would happen is that he'd place his hands on my eyes.
"Rodrigo, that trick of yours needs to be stashed in the box now."
"What trick, my little ginger?"
"Goodness. You're too predictable, oh high and mighty blondie."
Oh no. I know that smirk. He is up to no good. This is bad.
"What did you just call me, ginger?"
"Uhhhhmmm, nothing?"
"Oh, I'm pretty sure I heard something that sounded like, ' oh high and mighty Blondie.'"
"Who said that?"
"Playing the innocent card, are we, my sweet Chloe Valentine?"
I gave him my best blank stare, but this only fueled him more, because his grin has beaten the grinning bobcat. He stepped closer to me, giving me his signature you-are-so-dead look.
I turned and ran for my dear life but fate is not on my side today 'cause he tackled me to the ground and tickled me breathless.
"Who's high and mighty now, shortie?"
"Stop... Rod... Can't breathe... Hahaha.. Need air."
"Say that Rod is the best person in the world."
"No....way!!!!"
I couldn't breathe now. He is tickling me in every part of my stomach and I can't stop myself from laughing hard.
"Say it, short stuff."
"No!!!!! Haha haha haha haha.. Stop. Okay! Okay!"
"What's okay?"
"I'll say it! Just stop tickling me, okay?'
"I'm not getting any younger here, Clo."
"Okay, okay. Fine."
I breathed heavily and composed my frantic heart. I am so unfit, aren't I?
"I grudgingly and forcefully say that Rod is the best person in his own little world of fantasy."
"What did you say?"
"That you are the best?"
"Oh, it's on, little red."
Oh my goodness. Run like the wind, little Chloe and never look back!
I scan the whole room. This is a new chapter in my life. Being a freshman in high school means being born again into a world full of mystery.
I am not usually a fan of school, but today, I feel happy and excited.
"Ginger!"
I look for that only familiar face in the room and there I saw him waving at me like there's no tomorrow at the back, last seat by the window. He immediately patted the seat next to him, saying that we sit together throughout the day.
I plop down the seat and arranged my things.
"Hey, blondie."
"How was your summer, little Clo?"
"Dude, we were hanging out with each other the whole summer."
"Trying to make conversation here, deal with it, short cake."
"Ssshhhh! The teacher's here. Pay attention, willow."
As a custom in every school, everyone has to say their names and what nots to introduce themselves to the class. This went on the whole day and man, am I bored. We learned nothing new today, except for the names of everyone in class in which I still have a trouble of recalling.
"Let's go home?"
"Just a minute, willow. I still need to fix my things."
"Let me help you with that."
"Thanks."
I smiled while he gathered some of my books and carried it. He tried to take my bag, but there is no way I am giving this to him. He might pull a prank and run away and I'd be broke as fast as lightning strikes. He already did this when we were younger and I am not dumb enough to let that happen again.
"Thanks again, blond."
"Nothing to it, red. See you tomorrow at school. Be careful, okay?"
"Like some nasty thing could happen to me at my own porch."
"You'll never know, shortie. I'll be next door if you'll ever need my ever enchanting presence."
"Of course you are. Have a great day, big head."
I turned and opened my front door, entering the house with a huge smile plastered on my face. This was a great way to start the year.
"What the actual fudge???!!!!! You little imbecile of a blond man! I'm gonna get you for this!"
I turned around, my nostrils flaming with utter annoyance and disbelief, and reached my hand out trying to strangle him, but that little crap-headed boy was quick in running.
"Talk to me when you aren't mad at me anymore, wet red!"
"You better run to your mom's skirt 'cause I'm skinning you alive!"
I ran after him trying to double my pace to match his, with his long legs and all while I am stuck with short ones for the rest of my sorry existence.
I felt like we circled the whole village, chasing, running and laughing. He turned around a corner while I was still catching up to him about ten paces back. He successfully veered himself out of my line of sight. I presume he hid himself, so I slowed my running and walked.
"Hey, Rod. Come out, come out wherever you are," I said in a sing-song voice like in any horror movie we'd seen.
We ended up in the center of our village, at the park. I kept my eyes open to have a clue as to where he was. He can't hide forever; I know this park like the back of my hand.
"Gotcha!"
I tackled him and he ended up face first on the grass.
"How did you know I'd hide under a child's play ground?"
"Because I'm the best finder in the whole wide world."
"Loud and proud, Valentine?"
"Of course, Montez."
We stood up and sat down on the swing set here. It's almost sunset, but we really didn't care that much. Our parents aren't really strict on curfews as long as we both were together.
"Clo?"
"Yeah?" I replied not taking my eyes off the beauty of the sunset's painting in the sky.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?"
"What is?"
"This," he raised his arms and gestured to everything around him.
I gave him a look of question and he went on explaining.
"I mean, the simple things in life. It's beautiful. It's breathtaking and it stirs up much happiness around you. I mean look at us, a while ago you were so pissed at me that there was a big bucket of water that splashed you on your front door, but you were laughing all the while you were chasing me down. You're now smiling at the beauty of this sunset. It's the simplest and littlest of things that you find beauty and joy in. You just have to open your eyes a little wider to see it."
"Wow. You really are something, Rodrigo. I love painting things but you can paint with a paintbrush and with your words."
