Notes and Kisses

Catorce

Catorce

I forced myself out of my room when I heard some moving trucks outside. I saw mom at the front door’s threashold, arms crossed over her chest. I asked, “Mom, what are you looking at?” I stood beside her. “Who’s dad talking to?” I asked her again.

                 “He’s Mr. Brown. They just moved in at the vacant house over there. He and his son,” mom answered. “And I asked your dad to invite them for lunch. We don’t want to be rude to new neighbors, and I also invited Aaron.”

                 I groaned, my shoulder sagging. “Mom… why include Aaron?”

                 “Carter, don’t be rude. He’s alone.”

                 “It’s his choice. He chose to be like that. No one told him to not join his family on their vacation,” I countered. I slumped on the couch with a huge frown on my face. My summer was completely ruined now.

                 Why don’t I just start over with them? Forget all the things that had happened? It was already in the past and they were really sincere with their sorry. It’s just me who was making this long. I knew I had to forgive them somehow and I think this was the right time.

                 I didn’t want to have any more complications with them, especially to Aaron because he’s my neighbour and I couldn’t ignore him for long. I would always see him. And also, I just wanted to move on now. If I wanted that to happen, I had to forgive and forget already.

                 I stood up and went out, crossing the street to get to Aaron’s. This ought to be good, or else…

                 “Ow!” I hissed when a ball had hit my head.

                 “Sorry!” It was a guy’s voice.

                 I turned to where I heard it, and I was right. It’s a guy. He came closer to me. The moment I saw his eyes, I think I was just swooned over by him. He had the most gorgeous eyelashes. Was he really a guy? His eyes were not blue or green, it was gray… dull gray but it had a lot of color. It was so lovely to look at, add to that the long eyelashes that he has.

                 He cleared his throat. “Are you okay?”

                 I averted my gaze as soon as he spoke up. I could already feel my cheeks heating up. Whoa right there. Was this some kind of like at first sight? Like literally at first sight? “Yeah,” I said but my voice was barely above whisper.

                 He chuckled, and his chuckle was the sweetest chuckle I have ever heard. Why was I complimenting this guy too much? Stop crushing on guys, Carter. You have something to do, remember? my mind taunted.

                 Oh, right. I almost forgot.

                 “I’m good, don’t worry about it,” I assured him before going to the Fletcher’s house. I knocked on the front door but my mind was off to nowhere. His face was popping in my head. What was happening to me? I didn’t want to like another guy.

                 The door opened. At first, Aaron had a surprised look on his face then it immediately turned into a bright mood. He was grinning from ear to ear and said with utmost cheerfulness, “Carter!” he pulled me into a hug, the tightest hug I ever got from him. “I’m so glad you visited me. I—”

                 I cut him off, “Shut up, jerkhead.” I couldn’t help but snap at him. It was like an impulse reaction I had to whenever I see him. “I’m here to… to say that…” I faltered. What was I supposed to say again?