Finding Tristan ✓

4: Reassurance

"One day you will learn to give and receive love like an open window, and it will feel like summer every day."

Kylie

"I still honestly don't see why you can't go up to him and talk to him! You're too shy!" Ashley scolded me while handing me the grocery bag. I frowned and took it into my hands willingly.

"It's not that I'm shy, Ashley! My main problem is that what if I get rejected?" Ashley fell into step with me as we exited Walmart. "And not only that, Tristan is around his friends half of the time. I would prefer to approach him when he's alone," I say dryly.

"He won't reject you like that, Kylie. He's a nice guy, and I bet his friends won't shame you for it if he does reject you."

"And how would you know that?" I snorted humorously and briskly walked across the parking lot. The humid atmosphere was for sure going to give me a heat stroke. Holding two bags in my right hand, I fanned myself with my free hand.

"Because I'll be making sure of it. Even though I hate his guts from time to time, I would rather see my best friend happy than see her being completely hopeless." I couldn't help but to smile at Ashley's response. I was really grateful to have her as my best friend. We set our bags in the seats behind us.

"So what is our plan going to be? Are you going to be playing as the Matchmaking Cupid?" I asked and propped up my legs on her dashboard. The red head sent me a small glare. I gave her a sheepish smile as she drove out of the parking lot.

"We can start with posting notes in his locker?" She said suggestively. I choked on my saliva.

"Are you kidding me? No! That would seem stalkerish!" I gave Ashley a flabbergasted look and sighed.

"How about a blind date? I can get Nick to help set Tristan up with you?" She asked half-heartedly this time. I rested my head against the window, crossing my arms.

"Well, at least it sounds better than the first option. Yeah, we can resort to that." I closed my eyes and allowed the air conditioner to cool me down.

"I mean what if it doesn't turn out well? It might turn out awkward because of the fact that you two never even once talked to each other before. I don't even think he knows that you exist, Kylie."

"Ashley, why do you think they call it a blind date? That boy doesn't know what he's missing," I retorted back confidently. I am fully aware that Tristan and I have never talked before. It was always the walking past each other in the hallways, and having those moments where we would smile back at each other kind of thing. And I am sure that Tristan would know my name from Nick; the guy who can never keep his mouth shut about me.

It was something that was constant and nerve-wracking at the same time. I honestly hope that Tristan would take the opportunity. "You sure as hell can count on me, Kylie. I've got your back. Tonight, I will contact Nick and talk to him about our plan."

"Keep me updated too. I want to know his response by tomorrow," I mumbled mindlessly. I felt a lot better knowing that my best friend was able to help me out with anything. From helping me heal the deep cuts on my knees from the rocks in the sand box, to trying to get me together with a high school jock, Ashley has always been there for me. And I am sure that she knows how much I appreciate that.

I chewed my mint gum and inhaled slowly. "Next stop is my house to drop my snacks off. Where are we going to film our project though?" Ashley made a right turn on North Shore Lane West.

"Preferably, I think we should make sure that Lynn and Ace are free tomorrow. And then we can decide who's house we can film at from there," I replied boredly. Ashley nodded in agreement with my statement.

"How about this, I can create a group chat on Kik and invite you all. I've got you people in my contacts. And then after that we can simply talk about it later tonight?"

"Sounds like a good idea then. The sooner we establish the filming area, we can go on about the script and more planning. But that's only if the majority of us don't have much homework to do tonight," I added cheerfully. Ashley decided to change routes and drop me off back home instead. I got out of the car, holding my own groceries.

I waved goodbye before unlocking the front door and stepping into the house. Anna was sitting in the living room watching TV. I went to the kitchen and stored the food in the fridge. "Hey Anna, how was school?" I greeted my little sister by softly running my fingers through her dark brown hair.

"School was okay, I guess." She answered quietly. My lips formed into a thin line and I decided to sit down in front of her on the couch. Anna gazed at me with discomfort evident in her eyes. I held her hands and gently caressed her palms with my thumbs.

"You can tell me anything sis. Did something bad happen today?" My little sister nodded slightly. Her small voice was quiet and sounded nervous.

"A boy in my class said that he liked me. And I thought he liked me as a friend, Kylie. I told him that I liked him too and held his hand. But then he kissed me. . . ." Anna trailed off embarrassingly.

"Where did he kiss you?"

"On the lips," She pouted.

I couldn't help but to let out a small laugh and smile. "Oh Anna, he was confused honey. He thought you liked him more than a friend too." I ruffled her hair and placed a kiss on her forehead.

"What should I do Kylie? I don't know what to do." She sniffled and I sucked in an intake of breath.

"Aww, hey. This isn't something to cry about. You can talk to him and tell him how you feel, Anna. Be honest with him, and maybe he will understand you, okay? How about that?"

"Okay." She smiled, showing me her pearly whites. My chest felt enlightened by her smile. Anna was such a sweet girl. I believed that she was capable speaking her mind.

"Now, I'm going to go upstairs to my room and start doing my homework, and maybe talk to my friends too. If you need anything let me know. Also, make sure you shower and everything before father gets home." I mentioned lightly as I head up stars. I opened my bed room door and blindly reached for the light switch.

I dropped my school bag on the floor beside my work desk. I stripped down to my ungarments and went to go take a quick shower. Once I came out, I dried myself with a towel and pulled an oversized t-shirt over my head. I slipped into a pair of black shorts and took out my Mac and binder from my school bag. I cracked my knuckles before starting the homework.

After about an hour, I was able to get all of the assignments done in one go. I didn't bother to take any breaks because I knew that it would only slow me down. It was seven o'clock and the sun was still out; the sky a color of orange mixed in with purple and pink. My phone dinged, notifying me that I had been added to a new group chat on Kik. I leaped face first onto the bed before shifting to lay on my side.

Anna had brought me a bowl filled with ice cream and brownie crumbles ontop about half an hour ago; I didn't even hesitate to say thank you to her and completely devoured the dessert. Phone in hand, I smiled as I saw the group chat being flowed with my friends' messages. They were really getting into this project. And Luke was there trying to catch up on what he missed at school today, since of course he was out sick. I decided to relax and join in on the chat.

And of course I didn't see the pair of eyes that were creepily staring at me through the bedroom window.