Focused

Reconnecting

       I ended up falling asleep on the couch and next thing I knew it was 9:23 AM. I hopped up and walked to my room. I looked in the mirror and I looked like crap once again. I changed into a black sweater and jeans. It was officially 2 days before I turned 17. Cool I guess. I walked out into the kitchen and ate an apple. I need to gain some weight. It's crazy how underweight I am. I sat on the couch and looked at my phone. 1 new message. It said:

                     Hey Marley! I haven't talked to you in what seems like forever! Jay told me he saw you again. He missed you so much. He hasn't been himself ever since what happened. I missed you so much too. We should hang out today! If you aren''t busy! If you want too hang out lets meet at the mall at 12:00. Aw girl, I love ya <3

I responded with: I would love to. Missed you! I did miss her, but sometimes I just wanted to be alone. I got up and looked at another picture on another end table in the hall. It was Aimee and I in second grade. It was Halloween and we had both dressed as fairies. She was purple themed and I was pink themed. I remember we both had tiny bottles with some glitter in them and we thought it was fairy dust. I smiled at the thought. I had really missed her. She was like the sister I never had.

I walked into my room and opened my closet doors getting a whiff of my perfume. My clothes were adorable. I looked okay in my plain black sweater, but Aimee was so good at looking so good. I had to make myself look more presentable. I put on a dark pink infinity scarf with a plain white shirt, my skinny jeans, and black flats. I curled my tangled mess of hair and put on my makeup. I looked pretty good. It looked like hadn't even been in a crash. By the time I finished making myself look like a different person, it was 10:15 AM. I decided to walk to Jay's house.

I reached his front door and didn't know whether I should knock or go to the back door. I knocked 3 times and backed up from the door hoping it wasn't going to be his mom or dad to answer. That's when Jay's mom walked up to the door and gasped. 

"Marley?" Alice (Jay's mom) teared up and walked outside on the porch to where she was right across from me.

"Hi, Mrs. Stewart." I smiled and put my hands to my sides. 

"I can't believe it's you...honey." her expression was sour.  Then (Jay's dad) Roy walked up.

"Whats she doing here?" He looked annoyed and curious.

"Is Jay around?" I sounded scared but Jay's dad looked really strong and mean. He had so many gray hairs his hair was almost completely gray.

"Oh, he is upstairs." His mom gestured to the stairs and looked at her husband.

"Thanks." I walked in and went upstairs without asking his parents. I put my hand on his doorknob and knocked once.

"Yeah?" I heard Jay's voice sounding irritated.

"Uh it's Marley." I said trying to sound laid back and not nervous of seeing him again.

"Oh okay." His voice was overcome by pure joy.

I walked into his room and saw him standing by his mirror holding a bloody tissue under his nose. My mouth gaped and I put my hand on his shoulder.

"What's that from?" I said removing my hand from his shoulder.

"Oh nothing." His face was paler than normal.

"Jay, that is something." I said trying to sound stern.

"No... it's my own fault anyway." He shrugged and threw the soaked tissue in the trash.

"Jay, tell me what happened." I put my hand on his cheek.

"I fell on the stairs and my nose starting bleeding." He sounded annoyed and I could tell he didn't want to talk about it.

"Yeah okay." I didn't believe that at all. Jay was not clumsy. He was on the basketball team last year and this year, he will be again. i'm sure. He liked football and had played it in middle school, but he didn't like it anymore. I sat down on his bed looked out the window. I saw Vera Marcs, Jay's neighbor, outside typing on her laptop. She went to our school and was mildly popular. She was a cheerleader and was super pretty. She was really nice and had a good reputation. I always wondered if she liked Jay. She had sometimes glanced at him in school and she would smile. Jay half smiled and looked at me. I always rolled my eyes. Jay was so cute. I was always shocked that he chose me. Me. I wasn't popular or a cheerleader. Jay, on the other hand, was a basketball star and very popular. He had dated Della Pearson in 7th grade. Della was the most popular girl in the whole 7th grade. Their relationship lasted 2 months. Then, she moved at the end of 8th grade. I was happy she did. She was really mean to kids who weren't popular. I remember once she tripped me in the cafeteria and I fell and got chilli all over my new shirt. I hated her forever.

"You look great." Jay said taking me out of my trance.

"Thanks." I smiled and stood up walking up to him.

"You look... beautiful." He grabbed my hand and interlaced our fingers. I smiled at him and kissed him softly on the lips.

"I didn't know if you would remember me." He looked sad for a minute.

"How could I not remember you." I squeezed his hand.

"Well, when I first heard you were in a car accident I cried."He looked down.

"Aw, Jay." I let go of his hand and hugged him.

He held me in his arms and we just stood there. For about 10 minutes. Just hugging. Finally, we let go of each other and I looked at his clock. It was 11:00.

"I should go." I played with his hair for a second.

"okay, text me later." He smiled softly. I picked up my purse and he kissed me on my forehead and I walked out of his room. I tried to tip toe, but I was caught.

"Nice to see you Marley." I looked over and saw Roy looking at me. "Uh yeah, you too." I tried to smile. Then, I was shocked when Roy spoke again.

"Jay's better without you." He sounded so calm saying it. He didn't even act mad.

"Well, Jay thinks other wise." I sounded stern and strong. I wasn't feeling strong on the inside. Roy smiled suspiciously.

"Jay was happier because he didn't have to deal with you everyday." Roy started to look mad and he had a sour look on his face.

"Listen, Roy, I have to go." I walked down down the stairs and slammed the front door.

I got a taxi and rode to the mall in smack dab the middle of New York City. I walked into the mob of shoppers and finally found the food court. I walked around the tables and of people. No Aimee. I got my phone out and saw that it was 12:05. As soon as I put my phone up, I heard "Hey Marley!"