US?

1. Flashbacks!

After that fun filled day with Xey, it almost felt like i actually had a friend who didn't care about what brand my shirt was or if my jumper and shorts fit well together. Although he is shy and kind of a different person than i am, he's just perfect the way he is and i like him that way. He was funny and I knew I could rely on him for anything. Although it hasn't been long that I've known him, I can tell we'll stay friends. I stayed awake long in the tent thinking about us, I mean just as friend of course. It was just the first day of community camp and I already had so much fun with Xey. Was it actually possible for Xey and I to be friends? All these years of kindergarten, primary, secondary and high school in the same corridors and classes but he never seemed to notice me. I tried sitting at lunch with him but he'd just never make an attempt to talk and in 7th grade in Ms.Clovers english class when we were team partners and he just did the entire project by himself. I thought he hated me, actually I thought I used to scare him away because it was quite often that I'd wave or smile from a distance and he'd just hide behind his book or walk away. Although I liked Xey as a school stranger I was destined to make him my friend before we'd move into university but I didn't know how and this camp was just perfect, I'd say it was karma playing good with me.

The next morning Xey was still in his tent, i think he wasn't much of a early bird. His mom came out and gave me a gentle smile saying, “Xey honey, Its time to wake up.” He ran out of his tent, hugging his mom he said, “Mom i’m so glad to see you.” and kissed her forhead. Were all the guys so close to their mom? Were all the guys so sweet and nice? I don't remember James saying anything like that or ever hugging his mom. Maybe Xey was just different. 

I never had a mom; she passed away by cancer when I was only a year old. My dad would always talk to me and let me have everything I wanted just to let me know that he’d always be there for me. He never wanted me to feel like I wasn’t loved, but there was always that emptiness of not having a mom which could never be full filled with any other women. I think my dad knew that just as much as I did and he never thought of getting married again. Sometimes my dad sits in front of my mom photo and talks to her; I think that shows how much they were in love with each other. They met in Spain, they were in the same Spanish class and my dad said, “Te amo y nunca te dejaré ir” which meant “I love you and I’d never let you go” and I want the guy whoever asks me to ask me in Spanish saying the same lines.I’m going to take Spanish and do majors in University just so I can relate to my mom.Till now my dad and grandma were the only people who knew me well, they were the only people who actually knew how I felt or what I felt, when I wanted to eat ice cream and when I wanted to go shopping. All my friends would go shopping with themselves and their dad's credit card but I'd actually drag him along and make him wait outside every dressing room and only buy it if he was fine with it. He was just like a mom, he knew what bag, make up, clothes and shoes I had in my wardrobe.

"Good morning Xey!" I said, giving him one of those arm hugs. 

He just seemed to smile lost in thoughts, not responding. I thought it was just the morning ignorance and let go but at breakfast he was still quite and it looked like he was stuck in some other world. I sat next to him but he didn't realize or anything.

"How did you're sleep go last night? Was the tent fine for the first time camper?" 

"Yeah. It was crazy; I can't wait to tell you what happened."

"WOW! What was it? A bug?" I laughed slightly.

"No! It was more like a really long...”

"Zo, Get the pancakes please?" My dad shouted from the counter.

"Sure dad! I'm sorry. I'll be back to here you're really long bug." 

"Sure" he said laughing.

Getting the pancakes I was actually happy that Xey spoke back, maybe he just took time to adjust with people.

Later that evening we were there, that place, our place near the pond, where i got Xey scared. I love that place, that's where we sat for hours talking until his mom was worried about him. Just like the first time we were breathing in, breathing out and repeat. But this time Xey was just lost into something i couldn't really tell what it was. 

"Xey! Let me listen to your amazing story." I said looking excited just so close to distract him.

"Yeah, I can't believe it was a dream. it was so amazing." He said with his eyes wide open.

"That's cool."

"So i come to this same place and i sit here for a while and then i see a girl so i follow her ....." 

He was so excited and amused by his dream. I think the feeling of love carried him away. i bet it will take time for him to get back to normal from his dream. 

"It was amazing right? I didn't even know it was a dream unless i saw all of you." 

"Yep. Pretty cool." 

"I was so scared of losing Faith."

OMG! Faith, Faith, Faith that's the only thing he could talk about. i mean its just a stupid dream, its not like she's real.

We were quite for a moment and just to get away from his dream talk. i wanted to know how he was so close to his mom.

"Xey, How are you so close to your mom?"

"Ever since my dad passed away, she's been the only one i had. After dad i got quiter, i didn't like being out with people and the only friends i had were Jake and Josh; the twins. The only reason we were ever friends was because i kinda know my games right or i wouldn't even exist for them." 

"Didn't you ever want another father?" I know its pretty stupid but i just wanted to know how he felt.

"What? No way. Never. My dad left us when i was 5 and every memory before he left is still left in the back of my head and i think it will never leave me. And as for my mother, she says he was the only man she ever loved and no one could ever replace him so she never thought of looking for another man." 

"Same. My da.."

"What do you mean same?"

"Well, My mom passed away when i was a year old an.."

"I'm so sorry." He said with his lips put together and interrupting me.

I just smiled and continued, "and my dad could never think of any other women." 

"Well, i think im just perfect with my mom and i don't think my mom and i need another man in our life."

I just smiled looking at the fact of how we think alike. 

"So what are you planning to do after graduation? Any idea where you are going to?"

"Well, I'm planning to do majors in Spanish, computer tech and math."

"That's cool! I'm doing Computer tech and math too. But why Spanish? What are you gonna do with Spanish? No offence though."

"None taken. Spanish because that's how my mom and dad met and i wanna be close to her in some way so i'm taking spanish." 

"Ow! Cool. How did they meet?"

"Well, they were both exchange students in Spain doing majors in Spanish and they fell in love. My dad said, 'Te amo y nunca te dejaré ir' which meant 'i love you and i'll never let you go'. Ever after my dad told me this i want the guy i fall in love to do the same, say the same thing." 

"Awh! ZOE! You're so cute." 

I let a laugh out, it's always so cute when guys say, "Awh!"