Dielive [ENGLISH]

EIGHT

THE sun was beating down so hard on my last two days in Chicago. Something that rarely happens. I never took it as a sign. It was actually good. I could spend a whole day with Jason.

I woke up and got ready for school. Yesterday I had a great time with Dad at the Navey Pier and that night we had a hotdog party at Wolfy's with Jason. I forced him to take two days off; yesterday and tomorrow for my birthday. And today, I was going to make a great day for Jason. It was nothing. I just wanted him to remember me as a good friend. Or more, I don't know.

We skateboarded around the corner of Chi-Town after school and Jason called it a "skateboard race". Just me and him. When we were thirsty, we drank cheap iced coffee sold at a sidewalk cafe.

On skateboards, we visited Ridge Park, a city park located near my house. It turned out Jason brought spray paint. He drew beautiful graffiti on our skateboards. Pictures of stars and flowers. I liked the lily flower he drew on my skateboard the most.

"Wow, Jason, this is beautiful," I said.

Jason just smiled. After that we continued our journey until the afternoon.

The rain fell in buckets, wetting the earth. We were stuck at the bus stop. Jason accidentally damaged the bus stop seat, finally because it was too wet, we scribbled on it with spray paint.

"We are criminals!" I shouted while laughing.

Jason laughed. During our friendship, in my entire life, I have never seen him this happy. I took green and red spray paint, wrote;

"NADYA AND JASON WERE HERE."

Jason screamed. "Criminals never leave traces!"

I blinked. "That's right!"

But damn, the paint couldn't be removed.

"Then, let's run away!" I said.

Jason followed while laughing. We rode through the rain on our skateboards while holding hands.

When we arrived in front of the house, the rain had stopped. Jason pedaled his skateboard fast and did a little floating action in the air. The crows on the wet branches of the black cherry tree were startled when Jason's skateboard hit the ground. The birds flew around my house, making a pitiful sound.

Mrs. Terresa's dog - a big brown bulldog - was watching us. I wasn't going to stay silent. After years of learning on YouTube, now it was time to show my skills.

I pedaled the skateboard, stepped on the back of it a little and jumped. The landing was perfect. The last time I tried it, I failed, but this time I did it amazingly. Jason smiled widely and clapped his hands.

"HEH! YOU'RE NOISY!"

We turned to Mrs. Terresa's house. The old woman was standing in front of her house with a face as messy as her hair. The distance from her house to the road was not too far, so our voices must have penetrated her walls.

"Oops..." Jason frowned. "She's going to kill us."

"You know what? That could happen," I whispered, then turned and bowed to Mrs. Terresa, "I'm sorry, Mrs. Terresa!"

Mrs. Terresa went back into the house, holding her back. The dog was still watching us, sitting at attention now – just in case if we made any more noise, he would attack.

I grabbed my skateboard and walked inside. "Okay. See you tomorrow!"

Jason pulled my parka instead. "Tomorrow's your birthday?"

"After being my friend for years, you still ask?"

"Just a friend?"

My smile disappeared. His face was serious. I cursed myself for suddenly being nervous. For the first time, my heart was pounding because of Jason's blue eyes.

I don't know, Jason. I don't know. When I see him I'm always happy, when I'm away from him I feel like something is missing. But I want to go. So why have a long-distance relationship? It's useless.

Honestly, I feel more sorry for Jason. I mean, with his good looks, his genius brain and his kindness, he could have had so much more than me. Me? I'm just Lady Jane's daughter. I'm just like Lady Jane. I don't deserve an inch from Jason.

"I'll go in first," I said finally. My voice was soft, just like talking to myself.

Jason didn't stop me, but I stopped myself and turned to face him again.

"You know what? You have to make friends with others too. I won't be with you forever, Jason."

I didn't wait for his answer and went straight into the house. I was soaked and my heart was in turmoil. Aunt May told me to take a warm shower immediately so I wouldn't get sick.

"Okay," I replied casually while taking off my bag. "Have you bought the fertilizer?"

"Yes, Miss," answered Aunt May. "I've bought the chewing gum too. I put it in your room, Miss."

I nodded. "Thank you."

I wanted to eat Retty-Tetty after taking a shower, but I was super duper sleepy. So I went straight to bed.