Standing in the dark

Burning Up

'Now Sweetie, this will hurt a little.' Jennifer warned as she dabbed a cotton wool soaked in antiseptic on Samuel's fresh cuts.

So, while I sat quietly on the sofa with Tremor, Samuel was busy being mauled by Jennifer. I could tell he was irritated, but he could not do anything because he was in too much pain.

Ignoring them, I poked Tremor and then gestured to the kitchen, where Theresa was sulking away.

'Why's she so angry?'

'I don't know. I think it's cause she gave up her kiss with me tonight.' He shrugged.

I was shocked.

I remembered that on our way here, Theresa was saying that she had everything planned out, with what she was going to do. Leading up to the final perfect moment on the couch with Tremor, where she'll plant her first kiss on his lips.

That's right, Theresa still had her first kiss.

She wanted the most perfect night ever to end with a boom! But apparently, it didn't go that way.

'Why did she do that?!'

'She kept checking her phone for a reply from you. And before we kissed, she said,"Look. I just can't do this. I'm sorry." And then walked away.'

I felt my heart sink. Her perfect night, only to be ruined by yours truly. I felt the guilt well up inside of me, even though it was not really my fault at all. But I thought that if I had just even bothered to reply...

I apologised to Tremor, because I could tell he was really looking forward to the kiss too.

Then I braced myself as I walked into the kitchen. And there she was, stuffing her mouth with pudding.

She always ate when she was upset.

'Hey.' I glanced at her, she didn't even look at me.

'Hi.' She finally said, face stuffed with caramel

'Look, I'm sorry. I should've replied. But why would you do that? ' I threw my arms up in the air dramatically.

There was silence for awhile, as I stared at her and she stared at her pudding cup which was one spoon-ful away from being empty. She sighed and looked at me and then back at her pudding.

'Ish nawt yer fwalt.' She muffled as she shoved the last bit into her small mouth. I always wondered how she could stuff so much food in that tiny little mouth of hers.

'I actwally panicked sho i ushed you ash an eshcuse.' She was still chewing and talking. It was super disgusting and really hard to understand as chunks of chocolate jelly came flying out her mouth.

'Whaat?'

She swallowed hard, clearing her throat and looked at me again.

'I said it's not your fault. And I... I actually panicked so I used you as an excuse not to kiss Tremor.'

I was confused and asked why, kissing Tremor was all she ever thought about in Math class. And science class. And history... And basically all the time. And that if she knew it was not my fault, why did she get upset?

I crossed my arms,' So why were you mad at me?!'

'Because...! I wasn't... I was angry with myself. I thought it'll be easier to pin the blame on someone else, and that someone else happened to be you. Look, I'm so sorry. I was afraid I'd kiss him badly and he wouldn't like me anymore.' She blushed, feeling embarrassed.

And I made it worse by laughing.

She glared at me and whined,'I'm SERIOUS! And now my chance to kiss him is ruined. '