I sat patiently on my bed, waiting for something...anything to happen. I stared at the black and white painting hanging by my closet. I got the painting when I was only ten years old when we were still living in Iowa. It was of a guy and a girl holding hands. Wasn't anything special just a painting but yet it reminded me of Mark in so many ways. How could I leave my best friend on the most important summer of our lives?
As I sat there pondering in my own self pity, my phone started to ring. I didn't remove my eyes from the painting. I just sat there motionless. I wasn't even going to answer it, but it just kept ringing so I picked it up and answered.
"Hello?"
"Hi is this...Um...A...Aiyana?"
The woman's voice sounded young yet professional in a way.
"Yes it is May I ask who this is?" I tried as hard as I could not to have an edge to the answer but it didn't work.
"Oh of course, excuse my manners; this is Margaret from the Montana Community College. I recently received an application requesting more information on our programs that we are offering during the fall semester of 09'"
"What? I never..."
"Well it looks like someone filled one out for you; please allow me to recant this application if you wish?"
"Um...no it's ok I guess I can always keep my options open, can you send me some information please?"
"Most certainly, may I have your address please?"
I searched for the gift my dad sent and couldn't find the return address; I sat there thinking for a minute.
"Oh, what address is on the application if I may ask?"
"There is a 532 granting street Mon..."
"Ok you can send it there, that's my fathers address. Now I see who sent in the application" I let out a little laugh.
"Ok Miss Nobel have a fantastic day and I hope to see you in the future"
"Oh! My last name isn't..." she hung up before I could finish.
'Wow dad still thinks my last name is Nobel' I let out a laugh at the thought. After I put the phone back down onto the bed, I slowly got up and walked over to my closet where my new clothes were still in the bags. I got dressed and switched my heels for sneakers and took off my jewelry and just threw on my necklace that I got from my dad when I was 15.
The necklace was a tiny dream catcher that spelled out my name in red yarn a crossed it. I never really got why he got me a dream catcher, but it was beautiful. I pulled up my curls to see if I liked it up or down, but couldn't decide. I just let it go and grabbed my long black coat and shut my door behind me. Just before I got to the stairs, I remembered that I forgot my phone on my bed. I ran back to get it.
When I got back to the stairs I paused, I heard my mom on the phone with someone. I hated eavesdropping but I wanted to know what she was talking about. I tip-toed closer to her bedroom door to hear.
"Sam I know you are excited for her to come stay with you but, she had plans for this summer for Christ sakes Sam Mark and her have been planning this summer ever since Mark came out"
The shock set in as I listened to her. It really surprised me that she remembered that long ago. The phone hung up and I took off running towards the stairs. I got half way down before I turned around and yelled 'Mom! Are we leaving?" I tried to make it seem like I was down stairs already.
"Yes can you start the car please Aiyana?"
"Sure" I grabbed her keys and ran out the door.
I sat in the car and waited. When my mom got in the car she buckled up and stared at me.
"Aiyana what's wrong?"
"It's nothing mom I was just thinking of Mark, I told him that I was leaving next month and well he took it hard so yea I was just thinking of him" I let out a smile.
"Oh honey, if you truly don't want to go all we have to do is get the refund from the ticket and send the money back, you don't have to go Aiyana you have a choice"
"I know but I want to go"
"Aiyana"
"Mom I WANT to go"
"Ok"
she gave me one more look before she put the car into drive. We drove for awhile before we go to the community center. The parking lot was packed with cars. I sat up to look at everyone's cars, I noticed a lot of them but couldn't recognize some of them.
"Mom what is this?"
"This is for you Aiyana" she parked the car in a parking spot that had a sign saying 'her majesties' I had to laugh as I was unbuckling my seat belt. I jumped out of the car as fast as I could and ran to the driver side. I gave my mom a huge hug and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you mom this is fab"
"Don't think me dear I just went along with it, this is all Marks doing, plus you haven't seen the inside yet dear, come on" she grabbed my hand and dragged me inside.
There were streams galore and balloons everywhere. All the tables were covered in hot pink and purple table clothes and the chairs were spray painted all different colors. I let my mouth drop with amazement. Mark was the first one to run to my side.
"Oh my god Mark what have you done! This is WAY to much"
"No its not Aiyana, i know you would have done the same for me, plus you are only 18 once"
"Actually..."
"Don't even girl" he slapped my ass.
We both laughed as we walked through the crowd. The DJ started the music and everyone was wishing me a happy birthday. I couldn't believe all the people that were there. I was having so much fun that I totally forgot about the whole Montana ordeal and just had fun. At the end of the night, Mark gave me a ride home. We parked outside of my house.
"Aiyana I have to tell you something" mark slowly looked up from his lap.
"What is it?" I grabbed for his hand.
"I...I'm not really, you know I'm not really gay"
"What you mean your not really gay, what about that guy at the mall Rico or what ever his name is?"
"We hung out, I mean I tried that whole gay thing and trust me, its not the same" he let out a little HA.
"Ok and why are you telling me this now?"
"Because Aiyana I..."
"You what?"
all of a sudden, Mark threw himself acrossed the car and locked lips with me. I didn't know what to do. After a second went by I slowly realized what he was trying to say to me. I pushed mark away from me and started to gasp for air.
"Whoa! Hello! What in the world was THAT!" I looked at him.
"Aiyana, I love you with all my heart and I just...I don't know"
"I...I have to go" I opened up the door and got out.
"I'll call you tomorrow"
I ran to my house and quickly opened the front door and slammed it. I stood motionless against the door. I couldn't believe what just happened and I didn't want to believe what just happened. I slid down and sat on the floor. I closed my eyes as my head rested on the door.
