the art of faking a smile. (under-construction)

36. Loving is Easy

CHRIS POV

"I'm home." I call out lazily.

"Chrissy!!" I hear a little boy yell excitedly, jumping in my arms.

I laugh and carry him in my arms. "Hello to you too Alex. Have you been good today?" The 4 year old nods.

"Oh! Chris you're home! Could you help me out with the cooking, I need to take Colin to Judo and Coleen to gymnastics. Also! Nathan's coming home early too with his girlfriend so he'll help you out." My aunt is scurrying around the room, getting ready and packing up the kids' mess.

Now before you all get confused as to why so many characters are being introduced, just don't bother at all for these people are side characters who will most likely never appear again. There are a lot more to introduce in this household for your information.

I help my aunt out around the household, changing babies' diapers - which is disgusting as fuck - preparing dinner, chasing little kids around and packing up their mess, etc etc. Once we're done with most of the work around the house, we sit ourselves down on the couch, Alex comfortably snuggles on my lap. You've probably already guessed that this toddler is really fond of me and I'm fond of him.

"Thanks for the help, we'll just get your dad to do the rest of the work because I am dead tired. Work was especially chaotic too." Aunt Alice sighs, laughing. The word 'dad' makes me cringe. I get she wants me to genuinely feel like we're a family but it's hard. I don't want to be left alone feeling betrayed again.

"So, let's talk, we've never got the chance to seeing how I'm busy with work and the other kids." Aunt Alice shifts to me with a smile on her face.

"What do you want to know Aunt Alice?" I glance at her, caressing Alex's soft hair.

"Mum you mean," she coughs in which I roll my eyes to. "How's school? You doing okay? Making new friends?"

"Yeah I have..."

"Well that's great! I knew this school would be way better." Actually no, it's not 'way' better, but I guess it's not half as bad as my old school since I have friends here.

"Find a girl you're interested?" She winks.

I cringe. "No."

"Come on, I'm sure there is. Ever since you moved to this school you seem to have become a brighter boy, so it's either your friends are that great or there is a girl on your mind."

My mind races to Cassie and I blush at the thought. "M-Maybe... but how do you even know you like someone? I just don't understand it."

Aunt Alice laughs. "Chris, you don't have to understand love to know you are in love. It's something that's so confusing yet you're able to know how it feels."

"Still don't get."

"Well, let me just tell you, if that person is capable enough to change you or make you feel something different, something  you've never felt in awhile; If that person is constantly on your mind and you always feel different around them compared to when you're around others, then that's more than enough to realise you like them a lot."

I think about Cassie again, she does make me feel so many things I've never felt before. She makes me laugh and smile and do things I've never done in awhile. The things she does, the jokes she cracks, just her in general, I found it... beautiful. Oh... so is this what it is to like someone?

I guess I understand now. Why I felt so anxious and disheartened when I thought she spread the rumours. Or why I wanted to comfort her and make her feel better about herself. I guess this is also partly the reason why I'm too pussy to confront her when she's feeling down.