GRAY AND PINK

GRAY 29

Okay, this is what I really hate -- my family talking to Margaux. Why can't they just mind their own business and leave the two of us alone?

"Hey Drake, Margaux has something to tell you," Xander said in a teasing voice.

He holds the shoulders of Margaux and leaned her in front of me.

"I guess, you both talk," and he ordered everyone to stay out of the living room for a while.

"Margaux, why are you here?"

"I'm here to ... say sorry."

"Don't be. I should be the one to --"

"Sorry because I acted like a child earlier," she said, not pausing her words.

"Don't worry. It's fine."

"Well, can you just say perhaps that I am forgiven?"

Sigh. "When I say, it's fine, it's fine, really."

"Sure?"

I nod and she hugged me and my heart . . . oh you know it!

"You still mad? Why aren't you hugging me back?"

I can't Margaux. Everyone is looking at us. Mom, Dad, annoying cousins and even mom's parents and even the furnitures in our house was staring at us. I saw them all smiled, like a teenage kid, believing in love.

I have no choice but to hug her back.

"Okay, I think that's enough."

Stupid mom! Can't she see I'm enjoying the moment?

Margaux let go of me and greeted my mom. "Good morning Drake's mother."

"Well, good morning Margaux. Why don't you eat here with us?"

Margaux looked at me in a "can-I-look" and I allowed her.

"Is that fine Ms. Anderson?"

"Why not?"

In the living room, there's this a very antique table made of narra that was from our two generations ago. Our living room has our so-called family clock which has our family picture on the center of it and I saw her, looking at it and she laughed a little inside.

Mom offered her to sit down and she did, and I sat beside her. My father break the ice suddenly by asking Margaux where she lives. Then I remember, she haven't told me either.

"Just few houses away form here," and she looked at me awkwardly.

"So where's your parents?"

"I don't know," she said, forming a lonely ambiance.

"We're sorry, how come you don't know where they are?"

She stopped for a moment and stood up.

"Sorry, I really have to go now. Thanks Drake for the lunch."

She went away, but of course, I ran after her.

"Margaux!" I shouted and she still doesn't look  back so I ran quickly and grabbed her arms.

"What?," she said, wiping the liquids from her eyes.

"Wait, are you in tears?," and another tear dropped.