Silence is not Golden

Vol 2 Part 8

Cole

16 February 2017

Saturday 6:15 pm

Mother insisted she keep Jude.

Awkward.

"Is Sarah healthy for my brother?"

"Healthy, really? I don't know. I feel as if I should at least warn him about what I do know but I have really just been waiting for her to find the right guy. I think once she does, it will be set. Not that she has to at this age. And who know? Maybe she's changed."

"Maybe, hopefully actually."

"Protective younger brother, huh?"

"Yeah, just a little. He can be a frustrating mix of wise and naïve sometimes. So how many times did you perform at the showcase, anyway?" I ask.

"If you count modeling I have no idea. Actually I think it was 5 times."

"Five times? What did you do?"

"I was voted to read my centerpiece's poem, modeled, danced back-up for Fredrick, and the other two you know."

"So why did my dad say that thing about your outfit?"

"Oh, that? My hair and outfits were glowing in the dark. Very bright colors might I add." Ri says.

"Hmm, that's cool and very you."

"That's what I was telling everyone. Out of everyone we knew I was the one most likely to have my entire body glowing."

"Cool. Do you want to watch the rest of the movie?"

"Sure." She says.

About 5 minutes in, I realize I can't just ignore this.

"Wait, what does this mean? How do I say this without sounding 1800sy?, oh whatever, what are the intentions?" I ask, slightly on edge.

"The intentions are to date a guy I really like. I know it's somewhat childish but I still hope that the first guy I date is the only guy I date. So I guess the intentions are long- lasting."

Kind of sounds like marriage but I mean I'm 17. It's an understatement to say I didn't expect that now.

"It's not childish. I had always hoped for that too. High school sweethearts is so romantic after all."

"So the goal is high school sweethearts?" She asks, a little confused.

"Yeah I guess so. Wow, that sounds like marriage."

"It does. But we are in the best city for that. With the schools and our entire town pretty much raises high school sweethearts."

We smile and turn back to the movie.

"What about Jude?" She asks.

"Well he already seems to like you more than me." I joke.

"No. I think I'm just amazing with newness. He LOVES you."

"Thank goodness because I was starting to feel like he didn't appreciate all that I do for him. You were going to be a big part of his life already. Now it's just bigger."

"I like the sound of that."

"Me, too." I say, putting an arm around her.

"Hey, where do you keep the markers for that?" She asks, pointing to the doors.

"In the first drawer in my desk. Why?" I ask.

"Just wondering."

"Yeah, I don't really believe you."