Truth In Trust

PART ONE Pages 5-9

4:45 P.M., SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20TH

How in this world could a perfect day have such an ugly turn of events? Earlier, exactly at 3:15, I went to Littel's Pizza Shoppe to meet up with Katara, as planned. We conversed while munching on great pizza, and caught up for the couple hours we weren't together(she's growing on me). Then, on my bus ride home, I ran into Noah. He was acting really weird, so that's a 50/50 chance of being good. It went something like this:

"Oh, hey Noah. How are you doing?" I cheerfully greeted him.

Oh, wait; scratch that. I was only planning what to say in my head. Sorry, my bad. THIS is how it really went:

Silence hung heavily over us as an atrocious awkward aura filled the space between us, fiercely preventing us from speaking a word.

Finally. . .

"So, Marisa. . . um. . . How have you been lately?"poor Noah tried to break the quietness.

"I've been good. You? You've seemed kind of stressed lately" I politely responded, although I meant what I had said.

THAT's when he started up with the weird behavior. He looked around nervously, like a wild cat in a cage, as if to avoid my inquiry. Which, if you think about it, didn't make sense, since he's the one who spoke first.

After a while, I saw that I was getting close to my house, so I said, "Well, um, I'll be getting off soon, so. . . See you later, I guess". I was somewhat disappointed about what just took place.
He just looked at me without an utterance. These were definitely strange vibes.

The bus came to an abrupt stop, and without sparing a glance, I walked off the bus, to my doorstep, and into my bedroom.

Before you jump to conclusions, let me tell you, this is not even what made today hideously horrible! So, when I reached home, I was so befuddled about everything that I started writing a poem, which is a hobby of mine. However, frustration took over as I hit writer's block over and over again. This never usually happens. Of course it doesn't! How could I even think straight at a time like this? Anyway, I decided to take a nice stroll, which is something my Grandpa, otherwise known as Pastor Vernon, taught me is good for relaxing and giving peace.

While I was enjoying the scenery of Edwardsville, Illinois, such as beautiful gardenias, roses, and pansies, I thought I heard Katara's voice. Only, she didn't at all sound like her normal upbeat self. A rare occurrence, I mused. Actually, right then as I keenly listened, I heard a hotly angry male's voice. That was a bit worrisome, since, now that I thought about it, she never even mentioned a love interest, though she seemed more boy crazy than Aphrodite, the goddess of love herself, according to Greek mythology. Not that I believed in that sort of thing, since I'm a Christian.

"I told you you've got to prioritize better! Do you even have a brain in that huge head of yours?!" he exclaimed with a furious glare on his face. I had gotten closer, and could now see things much more clearly, while they were in horrific action.

"Please, you have to understand, Car! My grandmother is seriously ill, and we don't have much time left with her! You couldn't seriously think I'm making all this up. . . Could you?!!"she pathetically attempted to defend her cause.
"Look, I couldn't care less about that silly old lady! All I want to know is that when I command, you obey. . . And don't keep calling me that terrible nickname you claim will build our bond! It's "Carden", or no name at all!!" he snapped at her.

I continued watching them, petrified yet mesmerized by the horror before my eyes. Was Katara. . . in an abusive relationship? 'Cause this guy, 'Carden' or whatever, sounded utterly heartless and hostile.

My mind clicked back into reality as I heard the harsh echo of a slap across somebody's face. Katara's, I was guessing!

"I. . . -th-thought we. . . had s-s-something special. . . Car-den" she stuttered with scarcely a breath of sound escaping her lips.

This was all just way too much for me to take in at the moment. That being said, instead of helping my wonderful, loyal, supportive angel of a friend, I bolted. I didn't even stop until I was at least within a distance of one foot of my refuge.