Not so Girlish tale

Chapter 5

     The next week passed a whole blur. Dopiness, stupidity and sarcasm. But all I looked forward to was the summer break. Wisconsin summers are really hot. I always visit my grandma in Vermont then. I really enjoyed spending time with her. My granddad passed away when I was just 1. Grandma is very caring. Just like the one you hear about in stories. 

     She called me the other night to see if I was coming to Vermont. I felt really bad denying her. She always looked forward to having me there. She lived there alone with the workers who helped her take care of the fruit orchards.

'Alexi, why aren't you coming baby?'she said in a meek voice.

'Nana, I would love to, you know that. But this is a once in a blue moon opportunity for me.'

'Okay, baby.'

'If you really want me there I'll cancel this, I will.'

'No, honey. Do what your heart wants. You can visit me next summer.'

'Thank you Nana, I'm sorry'

'Bye bye, my sweet child.'

'Love you Nana.'

Mixed feelings.

*goes to sleep*

*****

     I had kept my phone on silent mode. in the morning I realized I received 7 missed calls overnight. I checked on who it was. Unknown number. I Truecaller-ed it.

Truecaller id- Brooklyn J Flinn

Brooklyn? How? What? Why?

I called back but no one answered the phone. I planned on telling this to Joy at school, seemed she didn't attend that day. When i went to my locker, Brooklyn was walking through the corridor he waved and asked me, 'Do you know where Joyce is?'

'Nopes, Did you call last night?'

'Uh, yeah actually...'

'Do you think I'd be awake at 3am just to pick up your calls?',I cut him off. This bullshit enraged me.

'Whoa there dude, lemme explain.. I..' The bell rang.

'I'll catch up with you later.'

'Canteen, during lunch? I'll tell you everything.'

'Sounds good'. I probably sounded like a hyperventilating walrus, I was already mad at Joy for not showing up. We had so much to plan for our trip!

'See ya then' he said with a smile.

Eww, what an asshole.

*****

     I met Mark only after Bio. During bio we were paired up with random classmates to dissect a frog. My partner was Rin. Rin was an Asian. I never really talked to her all that much, she seemed to be a nice girl though. But she hardly ever spoke; which was fine with me, I really didn't have the mood. However, she helped me a lot in the procedure. Then out of nowhere, she asked me,'You seem mad, what is it?' I smiled.

'Oh nothing! Nothing to worry about.'

'You can share.'

I smiled.

'It's just that Joyce didn't show up.'

'Joyce; she's your best friend, isn't she?'

'Yeaah.'

'You know what, I admire you, I really do. The way you talk, the way you dress. It's so different, yet so authentic.'

'Haha, Oh really? Most people find me offensive and boyish.'

I liked Rin.

     Not because she said those good things about me, she was just really nice.We talked for the rest of the session about other stuff. I told her about the surprise and my summer plans.

      when the bell rang, I ran out to meet Mark. He was busy eating sausages. I asked him whether he knew about Joy. 

'Lno, I jon't.'

'Foodie'

'Moody'

'Greedy'

'Best buddy.' And he put his arm around my shoulder.

We laughed.

     It was lunch time. The canteen was teeming with hungry oafs. I looked around for Brooklyn. He called out, 'Hey Alex, here!'

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