Sunset Under the Waterfall

Chapter 5: Parents (Freaking Parents)

The rest of the week was boring. The most interesting thing that happened was that on Friday, Mary and her girlfriend gave me pizza. Compensation for not being at the party. They missed out.

All throughout the week, I longed for the attention of Dylan. I wanted to have a moment with him. But of course, none of that happened.

Saturday started with this:

"Martin?" My mom poked her head into my room, at 3 am. "What goes on at 3 am in the morning that you are still up?"

" I don't really want to talk about it right now. I'm just a bit upset," I muttered, knowing that if I woke up either John or Clarissa, I would be so screwed.

" Okay sweety," my mom sighed. She closed the door. I returned to looking at a photo of me and Dylan at the party on my phone. I don't really remember taking the photo, but I'm glad I did.

I remember what he said that night though:

No. I can't keep going like this. My parents don't even know about me being here. They don't even know my color. My parents don't even care about me. They never wanted me.

How could he say that about himself? He was amazing. He was the best person in the whole world. Of course, I couldn't actually say that to his face.

All the sudden, my screen lit up with a text. From Dylan. Holy crap! He's up at this time? I looked at the text.

Dylan: You up?

Me: Yeah. What's up?

Dylan: I was wondering if you would like to come with me to The Falls today

Me: What time?

Dylan: Around 5 pm

Me: Ok

Dylan: Cool, I'll meet you there. Also, thanks for coming to the party

Me: You're welcome I guess

Dylan: No seriously, I didn't want to go originally, but, you made me want to go. You're easy to be with. Sorry if that sounded weird

At that, I melted. It made me feel good inside. I pulled my phone close to my chest. I replied:

Me: Thanks, and don't worry, it's not weird

Dylan: Can you FaceTime right now?

Oh shit! FaceTime? Now? I looked in the mirror, checking to see if I looked bad. I did. My hair was like a town victimized by a tornado, but oh well.

I sent the call. He responded almost immediately. His face popped on screen and I cried a bit.

"Hey," he began," So I can pick you up at about 4, leaving us a bit of time to hang out at my house until about, ugh... 4:45. Then we can go to The Falls. Do you have a swimsuit?"

"No, I just live in a town where it's always hot except for the winter and live by waterfalls where I'm allowed to swim there. Of course I have a swimsuit."

"Well fine, sass me bitch," He fumed. "I guess we're not going..."

"Okay! I'm sorry! I didn't mean it!"

"That's better. About the party... What I said... I don't actually mean it..."

"You're lying," I stammered. "Your parents do care about you, they love you, they want you. I care about you." I stopped myself right there. I basically just said that I liked him.

"Thanks Martin." He ended the call.

I threw my phone onto my bed and sat there in frustration. I creeped him out, didn't I? Oh fuck. I'm so screwed. I just sat on my bed and slept.

Oh boy, was that a mistake.

Have I ever mentioned I have bad nightmares? Frequently? Well, I do, and they suck.

I got the pleasure of watching Clarissa get beaten up by John. I ran over to her, tried to say something to her, but my mouth felt like it was filled with cement. she started pointing up towards me, saying,"Its all your fault."

I woke up without blankets or pillows. I was shivering in the cold. It was 6 in the morning. Instead of going back to sleep, I got out of bed and went to the living room to watch tv and eat Cookie Crisps.

Why was everything so easy in tv shows, but impossible in real life? Why can't life be like tv? Where I could tell Dylan how I felt and he would love me and kiss me.

But, no such luck found. All that was found was a mutated Cookie Crisp. I was watching cartoons when Clarissa walked out.

"Hey Mart," she groaned, rubbing her eyes, walking into a table. I suppressed a laugh. I decided to cheer her up. I ran over to her a bridal style carried her on top of the table.

"Doctor, she's dying!" I exclaimed, she started to giggle," We have to act fast. I need tickles!" I started tickling her and she just looked at me. "She's immune!!"

She smirked and jumped off, starting to tickle me. I was flailing for mercy, but as joyful and cheerful she is on the outside, she's a coldhearted killer.

She stopped after a while. Her phone buzzed in her pocket. " I have to take this." She ran off. I swear
I could've heard her say,"Hey babe." I think I might question her later.

My phone started ringing, it was Mary. I picked up the phone and answered.

"Hello?"

"Hey Martin, are you doing anything today?"

"Yeah, I'm going to The Falls with Dylan."

"Oh ok. Getting that sweet Dylan di-"

" Stop yourself right there Mary." I fumed. " None of that is happening today."

" Oh please, you probably moan in your sleep: "Oh Dylan. More. More!"

  " Could you please shut up?! My mom's gonna hear you!"

  "Sorry but not sorry."

  "I'm hanging up."

  "Wait no! I'm sorry!"

  I ended the call. I'm not dealing with that at about 7 in the morning.

"Martin!"

  John stepped out. I'm fucked.

  "Let me see your phone!" He snatched it out of my hands. He went through my texts. I could feel beads of sweat forming on my forehead.

"Who the fuck is Dylan Ramone? Are you two dating or something?"

  There is no better definition of fucked than this.

  " No! Why in hell would I ever date a guy?" I cried a little on the inside when I said that. "We were talking about the party on the first day of school," I argued.

  "You mean the party I told you not to go to?" He yelled. Shit, he did say that I wasn't supposed to go. And I went anyways.

  This isn't gonna end well.

"I have put up with your stupid jokes for far to long!" He threw a punch, but missed. I pushed him back. He tumbled onto the floor. I bolted for the door, grabbing my backpack, filled with a swimsuit and other things. I jumped into my car and pulled out of the driveway just as John came to the doorway. I drove off to The Falls...