10 Years • Joel Pimentel

Chapter 9

Once we got into his room, I did my daily routine: jump on his bed and lay facing down. "Tell me why your bed is more comfortable than mine." I said now looking straight at the ceiling.

"Because I actually sleep like a normal person?" He chuckled and sat on the rolling chair by his desk. I got up and leaned on the wall.

"Chistosito." I rolled my eyes and then smiled. Every time I'm with him, I can't help it but feel happy and all smiley.

"The smile on your face contradicted that eye roll." He chuckled. "I love people who try to act annoyed by me and fail miserably. I'm just that great."

"Damn. Conceited." I laughed. "So you love me although you say you hate me?" As the words escaped my mouth, I felt my heart beat faster. His eyes met mine and I felt my cheeks burn. "Ouch. So you don't?" I said in hopes that my cheeks will stop turning red.

"Melia, you already know the answer to that." He said half smiling. "But since you love to hear people say nice things about you," he paused and rolled his eyes. "I love you Amelia. You're very special to me." He said putting his hands on his left side chest and giving me a cheesy smile.

I threw a pillow at him making him lose his balance and fall off the chair. "Oh my god, Joel!" I got off his bed and helped him up. I always laugh at inappropriate times. But I tried my best not to laugh at the moment.

"Amelia please don't laugh." Joel said wincing in pain. "I hurt my back." I stopped laughing as guilt took over.

"Oh my god. I'm so sorry." I said bringing him into a hug. "I-I didn't mean to make you fall off." He wrapped his arms around me and squeezed me.

"Gotcha!" He said laughing. "I just wanted to trick you into hugging me." Since I was a bit shorter than him, I only saw his chest as I tried to look up at him.

"I hate you so much." I pull away and sat on his bed pretending to be mad. "I seriously thought you got hurt." But then I noticed I was actually mad.

Joel stared at me waiting for my next move. He was probably expecting me to laugh but the thing is, i didn't find this funny. I'm making a big deal out of this but he scared me thinking I hurt him and hurting him is the last thing I would want to do.

He sighed and sat down next to me realizing that my stubborn self wasn't going to say anything. He knows me too damn well.

"I'm not apologizing." I said crossing my arms in front of my chest. "I'm fine. Don't ask." Just like he knows me well enough, I know him too.

"Okay then why are you mad? It was a joke." He said a bit irritated. I was not expecting that.

"Because I thought I actually hurt you!" I felt my eyes get watery. Are you serious, Amelia? "But you didn't!" He said now mad at me. "Stop making a big deal."

"Hurting you is the last thing I'll do. I really thought I did okay? You mean a lot to me. And knowing that I caused you pain hurts me." I said as my eyes got watery. I looked away as anger started to build up inside me. I'm so sensitive wow.

Joel looked down guilty and pulled me into a hug. "It's okay. Don't worry about it." He said running his hand up and down my shoulder. "I'm sorry."

"Ugh. Why am I so weak?" I said mad at myself. "I was laughing and then I was crying and now I'm mad." I said pulling away. He looked at me worried but I knew he felt guilty.

"Stop feeling like that. I'm probably just getting my period soon." I said trying to lighting up the mood. He chuckled and got up and went over to his desk. "Well good thing I have some Ferrero Rochers."

"Wait. The original ones or?" He showed me the box full of chocolates. "Oh my god. They are!" I said running up to him and grabbing a few.

"Just take the box." He lightly laughed handing me the box. "Love you!" I said kissing his cheek. Okay. Why did I do that?

He was taken by surprised because he just looked at me and raised his eyebrow but then brushed it off. "Just go to sleep. That's what you always do when you come over."

"No i don't." I said opening another chocolate. "I lay down and close my eyes. Hours later, I open them."

"Same thing."

"Not on my book." I smiled at him through the mirror. He stuck out his tongue at me and then smiled.

"I'll be right back." I said grabbing my gloves and putting them on. "I realize I forgot something at home."

"Okay I'll be here or probably in the living room." Joel said as I walked out his room. I quickly left and opened the door to my house.

I walked in and noticed there was no sign of my mom or dad. I looked back and realized my parents' cars where here. I closed the door as my heart started to beat faster. I ran to the kitchen and saw that the table was set with food and everything. My breathing uneven as tears started to fall down.

"No. No. No." I broke down crying as I stood there realizing what just happened. The biggest fear of an immigrant, has become my reality.