The End. (Part 1)

Chapter 7

Fear - an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger ~ Webster Dictionary.

Fear is an absolute debilitating emotion. Whenever I felt fear when I was younger my response was always freeze.   

And that is what I did when I found a red envelope on my bed Sunday night...

From: MARCELO your Brother-in-law

To: Maranda Taylor-Black 

My hands shakily reached for the envelope and just before my hands could brush the envelope.

"Hey Mello" my mother's voice floated in the room severing the tension with her warm demeanor. 

I guess you're wondering where my crazy grandfather is... according to my mother he had some cocktail party to attend with the business executives of his new company. That was 2 weeks ago but boy am I glad. 

Mom came beside me wrapping her arms around me then she glanced down at the letter i reached for, "Where did you get that"  her voiced sounded shallow and out of breath. 

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"Hockey tryouts are next week," I said between snacking on my baby carrots. Alexzavier quizzed me, leaning in a little closer, his brow arched.

"And why are you telling me this?" he asked, amusement and intrigue dancing in his eyes. I could practically see the wheels turning in his head, wondering what had prompted this unexpected shift in my usual routine.

"I may or may not be interested in the game," I muttered softly, hoping he didn't hear, but alas, he did.

"Didn't you say you used to play hockey at your old school?" I hummed, deftly changing the subject away from myself as I refocused on the football match playing out before us.

"Yeah, but who says I want to try out?" he mused, stealing another carrot.

"Hey, quit it!" I laughed, snatching my carrots out of his grasp. And all he did was grin—oh, those dimples! For an uncomfortable few seconds, my attention lingered on his face, until a whistle blew, and the players began to head inside.

"You seem better," he hummed, glancing at the coach talking with who I assumed was the captain.

"Yeah, family issues..." Alexzavier shifted toward me so fast I thought he'd get whiplash.

"Are you opening up to me?" he gasped, mockingly shocked.

"Whatever," I said, standing up from the bleachers where I'd decided to eat while Alexzavier took it upon himself to follow along.

"This is a nice change in scenery," he hummed, rising to follow me.

"Yep," I replied, popping my 'p.' Sauntering onto the field, I called out to the sandy-blond figure who happened to be my cousin, Christopher.

"Hey, Chris!" I shouted, bouncing over to him.

"Hey, shortstack," he grinned, ruffling my hair. "Get away from my hair," I squirmed, pushing his hand away.

As I feebly attempted to flatten my now messy hair, Alexzavier's hands reached down to do it for me. A flurry of emotions bubbled up inside me. "Thanks," I mumbled, my voice barely audible.

His gaze lingered, and for a moment, it felt like we were the only two people on the field. "Anytime," he said softly.

Snapping my attention away from him, I returned my gaze to Chris, who gave me a look asking if something was going on between us. I almost laughed, but deep down, I knew something was happening—a shift, a connection. It was inevitable that we'd end up being much more than frenemies—well, if you could even call it that.

Clearing my throat, I said, "Umm, hockey tryout. Alexzavier here is a pro, and I'd like to try my hand at it too."

"Wow, you, hockey?" Chris rolled his eyes at my snarky comment, then turned to Alexzavier. "You're Alexzavier Charles—I've heard about you. Upcoming star on his way to an Ivy League guarantee."

"And your dad multi—" I watched as Alexzavier's eyes darkened a bit at the mention of his father. Taking the hint, I cut Chris off.

"I was just wondering if you could slip us on the list. You and the coach are cool like that, that and you would do anything for you darling cousin right" I smile as Chris glares at me for pulling the cousin card to get what I want. He rolls his eyes and proceeds to ruffle my hair again and finally sighing he agrees muttering a "Whatever M&M" I cringe at the nickname but at least I got what I wanted a small sacrifice.

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You know apart from the harrowing events of last night was pretty good.

I really and I mean really need to stop saying things like this and jinxing my self.

The bell had just ran signaling the end of school while Alexzavier had been following me to locker insisting on following me home and yammering about some literature assignment about King Lear when that worst thing I could imagine happened. 

I spied my grandfather heading towards the school door. 

No no no no noo. 

"Hey Alexzavier" I say successfully silencing his rant and all he does is hum "Do you wanna get outta here ice-cream maybe" I continue he sigh about to complain but i grab his hand before he can protest and sprint towards to opposite exit from my grandfather and I am grateful to the angels up above that he hadn't seen me. 

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A pack of cigarettes left on a counter, two empty drink glasses and two men standing side by side backs turned and facing towards a window in the middle of the room. 

A phone rings. then goes to voicemail.

'You have reached Marcelo, Leave a message if it is necessary.'

"Hello, it's it's Maranda I- I- why did you send me this. I thought. He said he was done with this life. I-"

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"So tell me again why we're eating ice-cream instead on focusing on our Lit assignment" Alexzavier grumbles as i tell the cashier to add gummy bears to his ice-cream. 

Rolling my eyes I turn to face him "Do know absolutely nothing about girls, when ever in crises eat ice-cream"