Ours To Tell

Chapter 2

I thought I heard a growl, but I shook my head, looking up to see Ty growling as Arlen wrapped his arm around my waist.

            I was cold. Inside and out. My mind was constantly on school work. I knew that this wouldn't last. That someone would try and get me to smile genuinely. It just stunned me when the person that did make me smile was my Grandmother.

            “You. Girl. Why you no smile?” I turned quizzically, my face still cold. “I smile.” I said slowly, turning the corners of my lips up. “You lie. That no smile. You no look pretty. You look petty.” I quickly threw on the mask. “Yes. I guess I do.” “Stop talk like zombie. You sound like Ghost in Buddha's temple!” “Grandmother-” “Girl you tell me what wrong so Grandmother can fix. Grandmother can fix anything. You tell me.” I almost let out a laugh. “Nothing. Just friends problems.” Or lack thereof. “What they do. I tell you before that that boy, what his name? Carl? He no good for young beautiful girl like you. Now, in Vietnam, there be young boy, he so nice. Ah! This summer, you come with Grandmother! You come with me home. Yes, you meet Grandmother friend and rest of your family!”

            “No-”

            “Don't you tell Grandmother no! You just Grandfather! He always say Grandmother no! You just like Grandfather!” She said, smiling wistfully.

            “I'll...go.” I said reluctantly.

            She smiled, and her cold front dropped. She stepped forward. “Do not be cold. You be cold you cannot find your Grandfather. He maybe in front of you all along. Sometimes being cold no good.” She reluctantly stepped forward and pulled me into her arms.

            “Grandmother. I do not like hugs.”

            “Oh thank God! I thought you like your father. He love to hug and kiss Grandmother!”

            This time I smiled.

            So. Like I said. The person I least expected to make me smile, made me smile.

            The next day, I went to school with a small smile on my face. And I spoke to Ty. Of course, Arlen was standing behind me, pushing me forwards, his hand still on the small of my back.

            “Ty?” He growled again and punched his locker. “What? I’m not funding anything.” I snickered. “I don’t want your money.” He whirled around, his face clouded, his eyes narrowing when he saw Arlen’s arm wrapped around me. “I’m sorry, Aspen. I didn’t mean what I said-“

            I took his arm and grinned. “It’s okay. Let’s go.”

            “Oh look! It's the Rich Kid and the Ice Queen!” I scoffed and called back, “What, really that dense that you couldn't make any better names?” The person sputtered and I heard squeaks. I laughed. “Wow. I haven't heard that sound in a long time.” Ty commented. I turned to him, frowning. “What sound?” He leaned over, in a flash his hands were tickling me. I laughed. “That sound.” He said.

            I almost blushed. Instead, I turned my head around and continued to blush, biting my lip. “So, what class do you have next?” I turned around and raised and eyebrow. “Uh. We have to go home now.” Ty stopped walking. “Whoa, seriously?” “Oh yeah. See? How the little hand is on the 2, and the big hand is on the 10...? See? 2:50...we get to go home now.” “I know how to read analog.” Ty muttered, running his hand through his hair. I turned and jogged towards the school's exit. “I gotta go meet my Grandmother at home- so, uh. Bye.”