I LOVE YOU, BUT. . .

CHAPTER 12A- I LOVE YOU, BUT. . .

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The ride to school was silent but in a comfortable way. We listened to a song as I tried to get my dream off my head. We finally made it to the school and proceeded to Math class. Four straight classes passed in a blur my friends decided to meet in the canteen.

“Have you met the substitute PE teacher for Mr. Ethan?” Ashley asked excitedly not bothering to wait to be seated first.

“Nope. Why?” I answered, raising my eyebrow.

“They said he’s hot. I mean hotter than Mr. Ethan!” Ash squealed with excitement earning a few weird glances form the students around us. i rolled my eyes. She’s always like that.

“Really? Too bad we have no PE class today.” Tania pouted disappointment obvious in her tone.

I shrugged, “Well, we’ll meet him tomorrow and I still like Mr. Ethan. I mean, he’s so kind.”

“But maybe this one’s better.” Ashley smirked while wiggling her eyebrows.

“Or worse.” I countered.

“Hey ladies, we’re still here.” Damon interjected causing us to look down in embarrassment. We girls can’t help it sometimes. Well, I can handle it but Tania and Ashley, it’s normal for them to talk about these things. “But I agree to that. We should wait until tomorrow.” He continued, Chuck, Richard and Tyler nodded.

“Hey Van.” Chuck called my attention. “Yeah?”

“We have dance practice later.”

“Oh yeah. I almost forgot about that. Uh, sure.” Then I turned to Tyler, “You go home first later. Chuck can give me a ride.”

“Uh, sure.” He nodded. I know he has no soccer practice today so he’ll go home early.

“Or I can just teach you the pendulum in physics, the dimension of-” Aiden offered sincerely but Ty cut him off.

“Uh, thanks but I really need to go home early. It’s so nice of you though.” Tyler said and we all laughed at their reaction.

****

Chuck gave me a ride home after our dance practice. I looked at Tyler’s house and saw that his car was already parked. I said goodbye to Chuck, kissed him on the cheeks and he drove off as I stepped inside our house. I saw mom and dad eating and my sister on the couch who doesn’t have a plan on tearing her gaze on the television.

“I’m home.”

“Hi honey.” Mom said as I kissed dad and her. “How’s school?” dad asked while mom prepares for the dinner.

“Same. As always. But we have this new teacher as substitute for Mr. Ethan. Remember? Chuck and Mr. Ethan?”

“Oh yeah.” Dad nodded in understanding.

“Hey. I heard he’s hot!” Linda interrupted. “Which one?” I asked.

“The substitute teacher.” She said as a matter-of-factly.

I chuckled as dad said, “I’m hotter than him.” Dad smirked at mom who was smiling like a teenager and said, “You sure are, sweetheart.”

“OKAAAY! I’m going before this ‘thing’ gets worse.” Ew. They’re so sweet but sometimes I get sick of it. I heard them laugh but ignored them and joined Linda on the couch.

“So what are your plans for tomorrow?” Linda asked as she popped a chocolate into her mouth.

“I’m gonna have a kiddie party!” I said sarcastically and we both laughed. It’s my eighteenth birthday already tomorrow. I’m old. Ugh. Silence creep in the air as I sat beside her until she broke it.

“my little sister is a big one and grown up now.” She smiled as she looked at me.

“Don’t start this drama.” I rolled my eyes as we both chuckled.

“You’re a big girl now. Decide and choose where you’re happy.” She started.

Okay. Maybe I should get along with it. “But?” I continued her sentence sensing a but in there.

“But make sure it’s right and you won’t regret it.”

“I know where is this going.” I sighed deeply and she gave me a concerned look.

“What happened in the past hurt you but it gives you the lesson and I know you learned it.” She continued, “Your past should be left behind. Don’t regret it because what you did is what you wanted but you should move on. Don’t stay in your past and learn your lesson. You can’t forget it because it’s part of your life now but you can do something about it.”

“Those words, are those based on your experience?” it’s too deep. I know there’s behind those words. Something deeper. She looked down but she managed to smile after.

“It doesn’t matter. Well, you should enjoy tomorrow. Whatever happens, always try to smile.” She said as she turned off the television and got up.

“Thank you so much, Linds. You mean so much to me.” I got up and hugged her and she hugged me back.

“Now now, who’s being dramatic?” she teased. “You started it.” I stuck my tongue out at her and she laughed at my childish act. “Well, I have to sleep now. You should go to sleep too, tomorrow will be a big day for you, for sure.”

“yeah.” I smiled as  we walked towards the stairs. “Night mom and dad!” we both said in unison and we laughed.

“Nighty, sleepyheads!” mom said and dad smiled at us. We went to our own rooms after kissing Linda on the cheeks and said goodnight.

I relaxed on my bed but Linda’s words started to sink in my mind. It’s like she based it on her experience. I saw it in her eyes. I saw pain, sadness, and love all at once. I love my sister and I don’t want seeing her like that. I wanted her to know that I’m always here for her. I’ll take care of her. I promise.

I remembered the big day tomorrow. I tensed. My dream taunting me again. Does he still remember my birthday? Will I see him? Will he show up? I’m.. I’m scared.

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first part. :)