E.T. (A Neptune's Novel)

Chapter 10

  

     “But why, Mandy? You promised to me that tomorrow will be our bonding time!”

     Bethany exclaimed. I sighed. I know this will be her reaction. Stupid dance. I need to explain it to her. All this time the two of us have been waiting for this. But thinking of the dance ahead, I can’t concentrate on anything other than Justin and Neptune.

   “Yeah, I know that. I hate myself either, but I’ve got more important things to do. And it’s been invading my head since god knows when,” I answered her.

    I heard her sigh. Probably battling on which she’ll be angry or not. Her silence made my conscience go crazy again. I really hate myself, leaving her with nothing to do. But it gave me an idea to give her some surprise that will take her sadness away.

     “Okay. That’s alright. What can I do anyway? Just – just have some fun. Good night” and she hung up on me.

     Okay. My best friend got angry at me. And I hate Neptune and Justin right now. Good thing I have a great mind – yes, I know – I thought of an alternative plan. I’ll have to call Matthew and tell him to prepare a surprise for Bethany. I know he can do this, he’s got a lot of money with him. So, I quickly dialed Matthew’s number on my phone. It rang for 3 times before he picked it up. He’s driving I guess, since there’s an engine making noise in the background.

      “Hey, Matt! Where are you going?” I asked him.

     “To Beth’s of course. Why are you asking?” he answered me.

     “Well, since I can’t come today with her to our planned hang out, I thought that maybe you can give me a little favor. Can you buy me a cake for Beth? And please tell the baker to write Sorry on top. That’s all. Now can you make it?” I said, hoping he can. He’s my only chance. And this is the first and last favor he’ll get from me

     “Sure, I’ll do this for Beth though. Not for you,” he chuckled.

   Ugh. Here comes Mr. Annoying again. Anyways, it’s fine with me. At least he said yes to help me out. Now all I need to think of is how will I answer Justin and Neptune without hurting one of them. I can only go with one guy and I’m sure one of them will feel very upset. And I don’t want that to happen. I need their explanations. I need to listen to them carefully as they answer my questions which will help me dig deeper about Justin and Neptune. It’s not just about popularity or joining the football team or even giving me pranks.

    It’s about Justin, why he disappeared here and never came back. Why he suddenly changed. Why he left me over popularity which I know he doesn’t really like.

    It’s about Neptune too, why he kept saying there are how many months lefts. Why is he so desperate to ask me things that are even obvious?

     It’s hard to choose because I really want to know what’s going on about the two of them. It’s hard because I don’t want to hurt someone. I don’t to be selfish or self – centered. It scares me that if I didn’t attend to one’s party it’ll be unfair. They’re both important to me. Both of them have special place in my heart. And thinking that one of them won’t see me anymore is, just, devastating. I began pacing back and forth in my room. Uncertain, fidgeting, not – so – sure. Why does this have to be so hard!?

                                                          - +++ -

     “Justin, are you sure this is the only time you can tell me the story behind everything? I mean I could wait. Maybe after the dance?” I asked him, my voice uneven.

     “No, I can’t. Are you just saying this because you already said yes to that Neptune guy? You could tell me straightly, no need for those flowery words, Mandy,” he answered, voice with venom. I’m sure he is gritting the words through his teeth. The sound didn’t quite register to me, but it was clear enough to understand what he meant.

    “No, Justin. I haven’t agreed on any of you two yet. You see, I even canceled my date with Bethany today just to think about this upcoming dance.” I pleaded.

     “I’m sorry about that, honey. I – I could back out. You could go with Nepture to the dance if you really want to, but I think I can explain everything now. Meet me at the park. Now. I’ll be waiting for you there,” he said then hung up.

     I glanced up at the clock. 5:00 pm. I could still stay up outside until 6:30PM sharp. So I better get going if I want to arrive on time. I said goodbye to my mom, got my jacket, and started running to the park. I know that this is going to be a long talk. Remembering the years Justin had gone away. I saw him sitting along on a bench. His head rose and he looked at me, straight into the eyes and smiled. The smile that meant so much to me. The smile that made my heart melt the first time I ever saw it. The smile that made my heart jitter whenever I witnessed it. The true Justin is back. Hugging me tightly, lifting my off the ground.  

     “Mandy! My Mandy,” He exclaimed, both of us are laughing.

     “I missed this 'Justin'. Why do you have to go away from me?” I asked him.

    “It’s because – Look, I did that for your safety, Mandy. If I didn’t, he will kill you and everyone that you love. In order to save you from that, I have to lie. Even though it breaks my heart to,” he answered, with a croaked and broken voice.

     And that’s where the walls around my heart broke down. The every-steady tears started falling uncontrollably. That face of Justin is new to me. So much pain, endurance, and sadness. I wonder how he ignored all of this for the past years that I’m not with him, and now, just looking at him, breaking down. It’s just not him, but of course, behind that very ego... lies a heart of a soft man I always knew.

Author's Note:

   Hey, guys. Hope you're still tuning in to E.T.. Well, our quarterly exams are done today. So, as a bonus for all of you, I offer the latest and freshest chapter of  my story E.T. I kinda have a good mood today, so I think you all deserve some of this!

= pillowheart