Chasing Waves

Chapter 20

[Second Attempt]

I stood at his doorstep,

Fiddling with the handle of the basketful of brownies I made myself

While I waited for the door to open.

I licked my lips and stared at my slippers.

Then the door clicked open.

I looked up and there was Caine again.

‘Er… Caine… I bet you know why I’m here.

I’m really sorry.

Well—’

‘You can keep the brownies.’

Caine cut in humorously. ‘I understand how you felt and what you’re feeling now. I guess that’s all that matters. I don’t need brownies.’

I let out a huge breath which I had no idea I was holding.

‘So… Friends?’

Caine nodded and pulled me into a hug.

‘Yes, friends. Friends forever.’

Then after a while, he added,

‘I told you I’m so awesome you want to spend more time with me as teenagers.’

I chuckled and pulled away.

That was Caine for you,

Egoistic as ever.

[At Her House]

For the first time in weeks,

I was back in Syria’s house,

And in her room.

It felt totally foreign all over again-

Just like when I first stepped into the ornately furnished home.

She had invited me over to ‘hang out’ and because she pled so much,

I’d agreed.

I looked around at her room and felt all the memories flood back.

Pillow fights,

Watching movies,

Crazy gossip sessions,

Scheming about the next prank to play on someone unfortunate…

They all just flooded back.

I smiled and tuned myself back to the conversation Syria and her well, clique were having.

‘So he was like, so shy suddenly when he asked to prom and that was like, so cute!’

One of Joanna’s friends gushed, fanning herself with her perfectly manicured fingers.

I just placed a fake smile on my face and acted interested.

They should lay off with the likes, like now,

I mimicked them in my head,

Causing myself to stifle a laugh as a result.

Now, the conversation was on a chick flick which I had never heard of,

Or watched, for that matter.

I was not a big fan of chick flicks.

Feeling extremely out of place,

I stood and offered to get some drinks for everyone.

[Outside Her Room,]

Balancing a tray of drinks in my hands,

I overheard something and stayed rooted to the ground,

Straining to hear what they were talking about behind my back.

‘So when are you going to get rid of her again? She is like, so annoying with that smile of hers!’

Someone was saying.

‘Oh, we just need her to introduce us to that Caine person she’s so close to so we can have free cupcakes to give out during my prom queen campaign and well, we’ll say adieu to her.’

Syria replied.

 I was hurt, of course,

But I had prepared myself for this.

I just placed the tray of drinks on the floor and

Walked out of the house,

Back home,

Head held high,

And heart,

Unbroken.