All Thanks To a Piece Of Paper (ForthBeam)

-21-

    "You're not allowed to see Tae ever again, Tee, do you understood?!" My mom yelled, as Dad stared down at me.

   My heart felt like it shattered. The tears that have been welled in my eyes finally just fell down my cheeks. How could Mom and Dad try to control what I do? Even though they're adults, it doesn't mean they can tell me what I can and cannot do. Why is it so wrong that Tae and I are in a relationship together? It's not like we're putting anything in jeopardy or any lives on the line. It's just a relationship. A lot of people are in them nowadays.

  "That isn't fair," I mutter below my breath, my voice slightly cracking.

 "Who said anything was fair?" My dad snorted and crossed his arms over his chest. "Be real, son. What's so great about dating Tae? Your own brother? There are plenty of girls out there you can get."

   I rise to my feet, the anger built up inside my petite body. "I don't want any girl! I want Tae! And he wants me!"

   Mom and Dad stared down at me, shock filled their eyes. That was probably a big mistake to say aloud. I felt myself slightly shrink down, but I kept standing. My heart pounds against my chest as my dad hardened eyes met with mine.

  "Give us your phone, then go to your room, now," Dad says sternly, holding out his hand, waiting for me to give him my phone.

   I stay standing, not making a move to hand them my phone or to go to my room. I don't understand why my parents are taking this so hard. They used to always say when Tae and I were young that they would always love us no matter what. What happened?

  "Tee Tanaphol Jarujitranon," Dad syas sternly again. I jump up slightly, and slowly take my phone out of my pocket, handing it to him. "Now go to your room."

   Trudging slowly to my room, I glance back at Mom and Dad, and they were quietly whispering and hugging. What is their problem? It's not like anyone is doing drugs or run away or killed themselves.

   Sighing, I finally walk into my room, closing the door gently behind me. Now there's nothign to do, I can't even contact Tae or anyone, really.. I can't do anything in this cooped up bedroom that's nearly empty, there's nothing to do. Seriously shit.

   Wait, there's a window, with a latch! I can just jump out and find my way to Tae's apartment. Why didn't I think of that earlier? That's probably the best plan I've thought pf all day.

   I walked over to the window and unhook the latch, open the window, hop out, and close the window behind me. Almost immediately, I ran, and ran, and ran until I knew I was out of sight. Breathlessly, I slow down into a jog, then end as walking. Hopefully Mom and Dad won't notice I'm gone for a while. I doubt they would since Mom was nearly in a crying mess when I was sent to my room.

   As I turn a corner with my head low, I bump into another body figure. Stepping back, I look and see who is it.

   Lolly!

  "Oh thank god, I'm glad to see you," I sigh and run my hands through my hair nervously. Why do I feel jittery around her? Oh, I just must be thinking about being paranoid again.

  "Well, it's nice to see you, too," She giggles and twirls a strand of hair in her fingers. "What brings you by?"

   Almost for second, I felt speechless. Just, looking at Lolly makes my stomach churn like how it feels when I'm with Tae. No, it shouldn't be like that. I just need to remember what the whole idea is, is to see and be with Tae, not to worry about Lolly.

  "I was going to see Tae, what about you?" I ask as we begin walking together on the sidewalk. What I noticed is that I'm just barely taller than her. Am I really that small?

  "I'm about too see Prae," Lolly slightly blushed at the name of Prae. Maybe Prae and Lolly really love each other like Tae and I do. But, I can't help but feel bad now that I feel like I'm crushing on Lolly almost against my will. "Would you like to walk with me, Tee?" She asks sweetly.

  "Might as well," I chuckle. We are walking in the same direction anyway; no harm no foul with walking together.

   While walking together, we talked about random topics as in what school we go to, what we like to do for fun, how we met our partners, stuff like that. And apparently, Prae and Lolly met by having to sit together in the same cart seat in a roller coaster at the state fair. How romantic is that?

   A few minutes went by, and we arrived at the apartment complex. In the parking lot, Tae's car was parked in a space along with Prae's Honda next to it. Good thing Tae's here, I just really want to be with him, in his arms, talking to him, everything. 

  "Thanks for walking with me, Lolly," I smile as she knocks on their door.

  "It was my pleasure," She giggles slightly.

   Soon after she knocked, the door opened, revealing Tae with tasseled hair, shirtless, wearing blue fitting jeans. At first he smile at Lolly and lets her in, and then he sees me.

  "Tee? What are you doing here?" He leans on the door frame, slightly fixing his hair, but not making much effort to do it.

   Instead of replying to him, I step forward quickly and wrap my arms around his bare torso. "I just really wanted to see you," I mumble in his chest, hugging him closer and closer to me.

   At first, he didn't make a move. He stayed standing with me squeezing the near life out of him. My heart pounded in my chest uncomfortably. Fear fills my body, making me wonder if Tae didn't want to see me. Does he really not want to see me?

   I feel arms snake their way across my shoulders. A smile creeps up my face as my fear dies down. Tae is fine with me being here!

  "Tee, something is wrong," he whispers as he pull me into the apartment without letting go of me. "If there wasn't, then you would have called me."

  "You're right," I whisper back to him. "But, can I just please stay in your arms, Tae? Please, that's all I want." Tears well in my eyes and bury my face into his smooth, soft chest. "That's all I ask for."

To be continued...