Tangled Strings

Chapter 10

Bryan

"Will you tell me now?" I actually begged.

"No." Ashley replied.

"Why not? You are giving me the creep, you know?!"

"Okay but you need to buy me a Lamborgini first." she laughed and it was music to my ears. I couldn't help but smile but I regained control and frowned at her.

"You know, I'll buy you a Lamborgini one day! But first you need to say those three magical words." I smirked.

"Okay!" she said seriously. I was shocked for a millisecond but then I was brimming with joy inside.

"I—" she began, "—met someone!"  she squealed.

"Who?" I blurted out. My face fell hearing her words but I composed myself as quickly. My insides were praying, hoping that she was joking. But she wasn't. I could see it. I had been nagging her to tell me what it was that had made her smile like an idiot. A big goofy smile. And when she told me she met someone, I wasn't prepared. I didn't think about it. How silly of me to think she was all mine and loved me back. She doesn't even know about me.

"His name is Mike and he's funny and adorable."

"But you've just met him, right?" I reasoned.

"Yeah, b-but he is so nice to me."

"Well, if you are so adamant. I would like to meet him."

"Yes, father." she mocked at me in a heavy voice.

My mind wasn't at peace the whole time til lunch. I couldn't concentrate on anything. I couldn't stop thinking about the guy who had made Ashley smile like this. Who could he be? Is he a bad boy? Or just another nerd? Or someone more...attractive.. I had to see for myself.

During calculus I couldn't concentrate, although it was my favourite subject. My head was on the table and I was looking at the board, but my mind was somewhere else.

"Mr. Harding! Mr. Harding!" I heard someone say but I didn't pay much heed to it.

"Mr. Harding!!" Mr. Wilkins yelled in my ears.

Horror-struck , I stood up. And to my surprise, I was made the subject of mockery for the whole class. Embarrassing, but still I didn't hear anything that Mr. Wilkins had to say.

Ultimately, the classes ended and lunch followed. I waited for Ashley in the canteen, when Fred entered grinning from ear to ear.

"Time to take my classes!" he said.

I sighed and gave in to his pleas.

"Okay. Lesson one: Never go to your girlfriend's house empty handed. At least not for the first time."

"Okay, so what should I take with me?" he enquired.

"Bouquet of flowers, sweets, anything to impress her mother. Remember, if the mother agrees, father cannot disagree. You got it?" I told him seriously.

"Yeah. Fathers are like slaves to mothers!" he laughed.

"Lesson two: Try to be as pleasing as possible to both specially to the mother. You know why. Give compliments to her looks, food, praise Lucy. You know, butter her. Even if her father is rude, you play your part well. 'Kay?"

"Yeah, got it." he said showing me thumbs up.

"I think that's enough." I said distractedly.

"No, give me more. I want more." and he began chanting 'I want more.'