No Love Allowed

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

 

The guy with red hair

Charles' Point of View

                It was later on that Saturday that I walked back out my house, going for a stroll in the park. I wanted to just escape… get away from reality. My parents had another argument with Charlene and she broke down in tears.

                I couldn’t help her either. I felt so horrible, like… what kind of big brother am I if I can’t even help my little sister? A pathetic one, that’s the kind. She looked at me with those soft watery eyes after my dad told her to go to her room and I had to look away before I broke down with some of my own tears. Sometimes people say silence is the key… but the key to what? Because I’m not feeling all that good right now from keeping quiet.

                After that, I told my mom that I was going to take out the trash. She looked at me skeptically, and squinted her eyes, nodding her yes. I walked so fast out that house; I just had to get away. Placing the trash bag inside the green bin, I closed it and walked away towards the park. I spotted a bench, lit up under the street lights and walked over to sit down.  

                With my mind running away to my fantasy world, I thought about what my life could be. Derek and I all grown up and married in one of those states that allow gay marriage… Why am I thinking this? Because I still have that massive crush on him, I think it’s so much more though. I mean, it’s like I can’t stop thinking about him. Even during these four months with Jennifer, he was on my mind. I tried to forget about him but it was no use. He always found his way back into my dreams and thoughts.

                Jennifer. Lately I’ve been tugging on the strings of regret. I don’t know if I never noticed it before or I was just so determined to get a girlfriend and make my parents happy, but she is such a nag. The other day when I didn’t reply to her text fast enough, she called me! I was like… What the hell you calling me for? It was only 5 minutes ago that you texted me! Give me some time to respond!! But I didn’t say that, her feelings are too sensitive.

                If I ever said something like that to her, she would stop talking to me for a while and cry. Don’t get me wrong, I care about her but sometimes too much is just too much!

                I felt a presence, like a gust of wind or something and glanced around.

                “You Charles McGrow?” I heard from behind me. I turned around and found a boy looking at me, waiting for the confirmation of who I am. He looked around my age or older with red streaks in his black hair. It was…..different.

                “Yes, who’s asking?”

                In return, he just smiled and sized me up and down, looking at my face longer than needed. I grew uncomfortable and stood up from the bench, not liking him to look down on me. I wanted to be equal and eye level if possible. He was in fact taller than me, but not by much. Probably an inch or two… three or four…

                “Don’t worry about it, young one. But I have heard a lot about you.” He started to say. I frowned and he cleared his throat. “How much of a friend are you to…. Derek? Derek Matterwood?”

                This question caused my mind to stop functioning. A smile tried to make its way on my face but I forced it away, not knowing if it was a good idea in front of this mysterious guy. Something told me that this guy was trouble, the way his red hair seemed to glow when he mentioned Derek’s name caught me off guard but I made no move to comment on it.