Forgotten Mentionables

cHaPtEr 2

Dragging my feet through the door after another tiring day at school, I couldn't help but let out a sigh. My thick sweater fought against most of the unseasonable cold weather, but my body still felt cold.

"MAA!".

There was nothing but the hissing of the radiator. I guess the super realized how cold it was for the beginning of October as well.

 Stripping off all of my things I walked through the quiet household. I pulled out my phone and texted my mom that I was home. Realizing I had very little homework to do, I decided to just take it with me when I was going downstairs to babysit little Jamie.

Jamie's mom is the strangest, perkiest, little lady you could meet. She's been in the building since I was little and always insists that I call her Rebecca. She is also the one who offered me a haven from my dad when "his job" required him to be up to his knees in alcohol. It's a shame to say, but she is the only one I let really touch me. She still even strokes my hair  even though I'm almost 16.

 I decided to take a quick shower before I left. Not only did I want to was off the smell of hormonal children, but despite all of the bad memories in there, I felt the most relaxed there. The warm water helped loosen all of my muscles and my mind was clear of any fear. I began wondering when my mom would get home. I hopped out the shower, swiftly wrapping the towel around me; hoping to preserve some of the warmth. As I finished wrapping the towel, I heard the door close. I heard faint conversation through the door. I was just glad that I brought my clothes with me into the bathroom.

Normally I would just leave the apartment, but something about the way my mom was talking struck a little strange. She would normally say she's home or something. Whatever. While dressing, I caught myself thinking about the funeral just over 2 months ago. My mind stay to the sexy boy sitting by the window. If only I wasn't such a punk when it came to guys I think I could have at least said something to Luke instead of inviting flies into my mouth.

 God!

If I wasn't such a punk around people maybe I wouldn't have made an ass of myself in front of Luke. When I got to the hallway by the door, the talking stopped. In the passage I saw my mom, but there was someone else. My heartbeat quickened a little as a tall blond mass came perfectly into view.

Normally, mom would tell me if we were having guest so that I could be the perfect anti- social child every parent wants, and lock myself in my room.

I approached the door only to see Mr. Handsome himself standing next to a mother whom I wasn't really sure I wanted any more. I tried to smile, but I probably looked like I was in pain. Truth be told, I wasn't too sure that I could hold the content of my stomach much longer. I shot my mother a death glare, which frankly, I didn't care if our guest saw.

Saving me the trouble of asking, my mom said, " Arieodiaonne, honey, you remember Luke Haveremore?"

Of course. Every muscly, god-like piece of him. I just nodded my head before I embarrassed myself any further. I glanced over at Luke who didn't seem to take a particular interest in our conversation. When he saw I was looking he flashed a dazzling toothy grin and winked at me. That made me feel all woozy inside, and not the good kind. The wink made my skin crawl. A stone formed in my stomach making me feeling the need to throw up. The wink sent me on a emotional roller coaster through hands that wouldn't stop touching and rubbing. Sweat broke on my brow as the smell of Jack Daniel's whiskey drifted in the air; his favourite. I looked away.

1....2....3....4...

I gulped down the bile that had risen in my throat and ignored the confused looks from the boy and concern from my mother.

I tried to sidestep my mom and the not-so-charming-prince-charming-anymore. Thanks to the fact that my mother wasn't a dumb ass, I was blocked from the nearest exit.

I mean if I really wanted to escape, I could easily overpower my mom. She was at least 2 inches under me and even though she was probably heavier by a good amount, she most likely wasn't as strong. The harsh stare mom was giving me though made me rethink knocking her over.

"As I was saying," she continued with a very stern look on her face, "This is Edgar's son. Because of his unfortunate passing, Luke will be living with us for a while."

I could tell by her voice that she still was getting over Mr. Edgar's death.

I guess that is the only reason I kept from running around the house and flinging things left and right. I 'm not too sure about how the boy with the amazing smile standing across from me felt, but I wasn't exactly okay with this arrangement.

I took a quick look at my watch and I realized that I was going to be late to babysit Jamie. Elation spread through me as I realized that I had an excuse to leave this awkward conversation. I quickly said while pushing my way to the door,

" I'm going to be late so can we finish this conversation some other time?".

Just as my mom looked like she was about to answer, I slammed the door. Letting out a sigh I glanced at my watch again. 8:13.

Shit. I was 3 minutes late. I rushed down 3 flights of stairs and caught Rebecca just in time opening the door. Trying my best to not look exactly like a smiling, sweaty, pile of irresponsible girl: I walked over to Rebecca. " Here I thought you bailed on us," she said with a smile. Her cheery demeanor was extremely contagious. Her smile was viral and spread viciously without a cure.

I broke out into a huge smile and hugged her very tightly. Her tiny body got lost in my bear hug. All my prior thoughts vanished behind a thick cloud of happiness.

"Sorry, there are.....things going on in my home right now," I tried to explain. No matter how much I felt like a fool, Rebecca always made me feel better.

"Arie, sweetie, don't worry about it. I'm glad you came late because I had to wrestle the munchkin to bed not to long ago." She replied with a grin.

"I guess I should get right on that then. Enjoy your classes." I yelled after her.

Once she had gone into the elevator, I promptly locked myself inside their little apartment. I always felt that it was smaller than the others, but it was just so cozy you practically forgot about the size. I dropped my bag in the kitchen and headed for Jamie's room. Before I could even break the corner, the tiny 6 year old crashed into my legs with full force.

"Awee!!"  she screamed in greeting. If I could love her smile and her little adorable face anymore it would be illegal.

I picked her up and wrapped my arms around her. Knots formed in my stomach, but I chose to ignore them. My father's hold on me only goes so far when it came to Jamie and Rebecca. They held such a special place in my heart that i wasn't sure if there was any room left for anything else.

Maybe for caramel and strawberry ice cream......

Jamie squealed as I tickled her senseless. When I put her down she grabbed my hand and led me to her perfectly pink room. I already knew what she was going to ask when she wiggled herself under the sheets.

"Awee, can you pweavf wead me a bedthime stowy?"

The giant space where her tooth was missing was very visible when she was speaking. IT was so freaking ADORABLE! I grabbed her giant bedtime story book ( or as she says " bedthime stowy book") off of the shelf and sat towards the end of her bed. She looked at me with anticipation as I flipped to a new story. " Once upon a time....."