Blacksburg

Whats done is done:

     After the incident in class the other day, people would come up randomly and try to test my patients.
"So Gertrude this or so Gertrude that."

  In English class Michael would try to apologize,  get me to talk to him but I just ignored it, he even invited me to one of his football games. But for some odd reason it seemed like it really hurt him and everything but lately I've seen Bethany, the cheerleader from the bathroom, hanging on his arm as if she was an accessory. But other than that everything's been pretty well, I actually have a few classes with Flan, so I guess it could be worse.... Right?

"Rudy?"
"Yes Aunt Viv?"
Walking up next to her I leaned on the counter.
"Can you watch the register while I use the bathroom."
I nodded.
"Yup."
As she scurried off I found myself playing with my hair, until the bell above the door rang, telling me someone just walked in.
"Hey there Rudy."
Looking up through my hair I saw Mr.Brady.
Straightening up.
"Hi Mr.Brady what can I get you?"
"Uhh, can I get one Blueberry Muffin with a medium size cup of joe, cream and sugar please."
"Coming right up."
Turning around muffin in hand and a cup of joe seconds later .
"Here you go."
"Thank you."
Ringing it up on the Register I handed him his change and receipt.
"Oh."
I heard a shocked voice from behind and Mr.Brady looked before I did.
"Vivian?"
"John?"
I hid a tiny smile
"Wow, how have you been?"
"I've been pretty good how about you?"
"Good, actually I just moved back and I'm working at the high school."
"He's my English teacher."
"It's a small world."
"It is isn't it..."
"Mhm, sure is."
I said crossing my arms looking at both of them.
"Well I better get going."
"It was good to see you."
"It was nice to see you too, Vivvy."
He smiled walking out.
"See you tomorrow Rudy."
"Bye, Mr.Brady."
As soon as he left aunt Viv took a deep breath.
"Vivvy?"
"Take the trash out."
I smiled.
Picking up the bags by the back door I carried them out to the dumpster, reaching up on my tippy toes I flipped the top of it up.
Walking back in I heard my aunt talking to someone.
"Yeah, she'll be right ."
"Aunt Viv is there -"
Walking to the counter I saw my aunt talking to Michael.
"There she is."
"You need to leave-"
"Please Rudy hear me out."
"Why should I you embarrassed me, now I have people walking up to me asking me questions and-"
I started walking out the back door taking out another bag of trash.
"I'm sorry, I really am, I thought it would be funny, I just wanted to get underneath your skin, mess around. Your name isn't ugly or stupid and who ever says it's a boys name is just lying. I mean my names Michael, Michael I wish I had an off the wall name, my parents gave me the most boring, basic not to mention common name ever, who ever names their child Michael is just down right stupid. And I'm sorry, I'm sorry for being an Ass, for calling you Gertie, for calling you Stiff. That's just me when I'm being an ass to you , that means I like you, you asked me why I wanted to get to know you, I wanted to get to know you because you seemed to be a funny person, someone with a lot of energy, some one I would love to get to know. Now I'm saying this one more time, I am sorry, now we don't have to be friends, you don't have to acknowledge me, speak to me. I just want you to know I'm sorry, okay, I'm a jerk. Just please except my apology , please Rudy."
"What does "sorry" really mean to you Michael?"
I looked him in the eyes.
"Sorry means I'm sorry, I regret calling you out In front of the class like that, that was a dick move. There's nothing wrong with your name and I'm sorry, I really am. I just hate the awkwardness, and I feel like doing what I did to you, ruined my chance of becoming a friend of yours. So sorry to me, means I have regret for those actions."
He was yelling, his fave was red and his fists clenched so together his whole hand was a pale white.
"Okay."
"Okay?"
"Okay."
"After all that all your going to say to me is okay, I mean I-"
"What do you want me to say, what's done is done, Michael.... I will forever be known as the girl who was embarrassed By you, Michael, there's always gonna be that one person who's gonna bring it up."
I felt a tear fall down my cheek. He stood there nodding his head.
"I get it, I do, but what I just did I wouldn't of done it-"
"Michael just save it, okay, I'm probably taking precious time away from your girlfriend"
"Girlfriend?"
With my back turned to him I chuckled.
"Don't act as if you don't know what I'm talking about."
"If your talking about Bethany, she's not my girlfriend-"
"Bye, Michaeal."
I walked inside leaving him in the alley, tears started streaming down my face.
"Rudy?"
My aunt turned the corner.
"Oh Rudy."
She hugged me.
"Come on, I'll take you home."
I nodded, walking out to the car we were home within a matter of minutes, dropping me off walking inside. I walked upstairs falling onto my bed, crying, why did it hurt me so much, why was it such a big deal to him?
Hugging my pillow I closed my eyes.

"Rudy....Rudy....Rudy?"
"Go away."
"Rudy it's me peaches."
"I said go away!"
"Rudy please."
Standing up I looked at my clock in green numbers it read. 2:00 AM.
Standing up, I walked over to the door opening it, to see peaches with a fly swatted in her hand.
"What?"
"You need to see this."
"Uhm, if it's a giant spider or fly, I think I'll pass."
Trying to shut my door, she stuck her foot in the door.
"Come on."
Walking down the stairs creeping past Aunt Vivs Door she walked me out back onto the patio.
"Seriously there will be no, earlier morning Fly swatting. I'm going to bed Peaches."
"Hmm."
"Look."
I turned looking into the yard.
"What the-"
"I assume he's yours because he's been whispering slash screeching your name for the past hour."
She said walking back insided.
Walking over I saw a very Drunk Michael.
"Gertie?"
Walking over I took the liquor bottle out of his hand.
"Michael, what in gods name are you doing?"
"I'm just having a little fun."
"Michael you need to leave."
"No."
"Michael you are going to wake my aunt up-"
"I don't care if I wake up the whole damn world, Gertrude, please forgive me because I have sinned. "
He fell down on his knees into praying position, looking up to me.
"Michael."
"No, Michael that, Michael this-"
Standing up.
"There's nothing there with Bethany, I told there's no chance."
"Now why would you do that?"
"Because I don't want her.
"Than who do you want."
I looked at him scanning his face.
"I want you."
"You want me?"
"Yes, I know we just met a few weeks ago, but I don't want anyone else Gertie, I want you."
Alcohol bottle in hand I wrapped my arms around his neck.
"I forgive you but you won't remember any of this in the morning ."
I said whispering into his ear as I hugged him.
"I'm tired Gertie."
"Okay, okay."
I felt his weight pushing on me as I walked him to a patio chair, I plopped him down.
Pulling over another chair I scooted it next his, curling up And eventually falling asleep.