Standing Still

Chapter 3: Am I in Love

I sit there for a few minutes working up the courage to do this. Calm down Antonio, just type in her number and say hello, it's no big deal. I have been telling myself this for an hour now but it doesn't seem to be doing any good. I don't get it! Why am I so nervous?! It's just a girl! After about another fifteen minutes I worked up the courage to text her and say

Antonio: Hey

I sat their for a few minutes and then came to the conclusion she wasn't going to answer back. I sat my phone down on my desk and laid in my bed. After about five minutes, I heard a chime come from my phone. I shot up and went to see who it was. It was a text message from Isabella.

Isabella: Hey Tony :)

What did she call me? Tony? I never had a nickname before but I guess this works. What do I say to her? Once again, I'm kind of a loner so I don't really know what to say.

Isabella: Do you have a question about Soc?

Honestly, the last thing I wanted to talk about was school. I really don't know what I wanted to talk about. . But of course, I won't tell her that, so I settled with:

Antonio: Idk

I know that sounds really stupid but that's all I could think of. I hope she doesn't think that was too stupid. I don't want to scare off my tutor. That's all she is, right?

Isabella: Oh, well what is your favorite color?

Antonio: What?

Isabella: Just a conversation starter :)

My favorite color? I never really thought about that. I like the color black, but that's only because it helps me blend into the background. Although I can't say I don't have one.

Antonio: Green

Isabella: why?

Why? Should I tell her the truth. I like green because her eyes are that color. NO! I can't tell her that, it would creep her out. Well, I can't lie either, that would be a bad first impression.

Antonio: Idk

Isabella: Oh, well mine is blue if you wanted to know

I couldn't help but smile at that. I was starting to get a little bolder as the conversation went on, so I said:

Antonio: My eyes are blue

I sat my phone on my stomach and sighed. I wonder what she's going to say at that. Does she like my eyes? Oh, that's ridiculous, I barely even know her and I'm assuming things. I was so convinced of this that what she texted next made my heart leap.

Isabella: your eyes are pretty and they go with your red hair

She likes my eyes too? I couldn't believe this, as far as things go I worked up the courage to say:

Antonio: your eyes are beautiful too

I still can't believe I said this. I barely even know this girl and I'm starting to practically pour my heart out to her. But, she doesn't seem to mind so, why not? The conversation goes good from there. We talk about all sorts of things. School, sports, favorite things, stuff like that. Things are going good until my, lovely father comes into my room. Great. He's wearing shorts and an undershirt which means he's heading to bed.

" Hey kid, I was just checking in to see if you were asleep," he says. I look over at the clock to see that it is almost 11:00.

" Okay, I'll be going to bed soon," I say.

" Oh, okay," he says.

" What?" I ask. He's giving me this skeptical look like I've committed a crime.

" Nothing, it's just..." he looks down as he tries to hide a grin that's slowly spreading across his face.

" What?" I say a little more forceful.

" Are you texting this... Isabella" he asks. He's not trying to hide his grin anymore, he's full out smirking at me. I give him a look before answering.

" Yes dad, but were just friends," I say allowing my annoyance to show.

" Okay, Okay, but just listen to me when I say this, Okay?" He says. He's being more serious now so I decide to listen.

" It's nothing to be ashamed of, son" he says. I look at him, regretting listening to this, knowing what he is going to say.

" What is?"

" Liking a girl," he says. " It's perfectly normal for a boy to-" I cut him off before anything more comes out of his mouth.

" Dad, stop. I know what you're going to say and I don't need that talk right now, Okay?"

" Okay, but if you have any questions, any at all, you can come to me, right?" he says.

" I will, now can you please leave," I say. I don't need him starting this conversation, again.

" Okay, don't forget to shower!" he yells before closing the door.

I sit there for a few seconds, processing what could have just happened. I flop into my bed and run my fingers through my hair. I realize that Isabella is probably wondering why I'm not texting. I text:

Antonio: I have been told to go to bed

Isabella: Okay, I'll see ya tomorrow, don't be late ;)

Antonio: see you

I throw my phone against my pillow, get up, stretch, grab my clothes and head to the shower. I get undressed and hop into the shower. I run the water through my hair and pause. Something just occured to me. Something my father said to me. Liking girls. What! That's crazy! I don't like Isabella, I mean , she's my tutor, I can't like her. Besides, after I pass this stupid social studies class, I'll probably never see her again. I barely even see her at school anyways. I get out of the shower get in my shorts and head to bed. I went into my room and saw that my phone was still in my bed. I went to pick it up and put it on my dresser when I saw that their was one last message from Isabella:

Isabella: Don't forget to smile Tony :)

I chuckled and set my phone down. She always found a way to make me laugh. I crawl into my bed and lay there with the light on. Thinking, looking at my mom's necklace. What If I do like her? I couldn't get that thought out of my head. I've never really loved anyone else besides my dad since my mom died. I never really have been bothered to even try, but that was another thing my mom always said. Though I never really understood it at the time. Falling in love is like jumping off a really tall building, your brain tells you it's not a good idea, but your heart tells you, you can fly. Is this right? But what if she doesn't like me back? What if this is all my imagination? I wish she was here to answer what this all meant.

I look at the clock and it's almost 11:30. I take off the necklace, turn off my light and settle into bed. I lie there wondering what my next move is. I groan loud. Why is life so complicated. I fall asleep with that thought in my head. Am I in love?