Out of the Ordinary

Chapter 12: Pretend

Being all nice and goody-goody wasn't easy. I had to control my negative emotions and behavior to keep Dean liking me. At least, the good part about being nicer to him is that he didn't threaten me with his looks, and he didn't ask me any more annoying personal questions. But I wonder what's going on in his little secret head.

During school days, I would wait until Dean is out of the house first, so I can walk over to Kyle's to pick up Dainu without Dean noticing. We would eat our daily morning breakfast with chats about random subjects. Dean would usually start the conversations with "good morning", "how are you", and "did you sleep well". Then we start chatting about any subjects like food, school, the mall, or news gossip. It was totally weird, like chatting with a new best friend inside a man's body.

School was fine. The students didn't run after Dainu or crowded him like before. Everyone would greet him, and he will never miss a person's greetings without a smile. Carmen didn't bother us, which was good. Teachers and the principal would greet Dainu too, and ask him if he wanted to do any extracurricular. In his modesty, Dainu refused to do any for right now. But he was glad to help them out if they had a problem with something.

In Science, we were given a survey. I always thought surveys were from school committees or the neighborhood or something, but the questions on them were really weird and random. It wasn't even school related. It was asking about nationality, eye and hair color, and how long I lived on in the area. Why would a survey ask about that? I asked my science teacher why we have to do this and what the point is. Mr. Smith looked agitated about my questions (what the heck was his problem?). He said the survey was sent by an environmental organization called Earth 51, and they wanted to know the population on earth or something like that. But what kind of an organization is called Earth 51? I never heard of it. And why would they ask these weird questions? Who wants to know?

Everyday when I come home from school, Dean would be on the kitchen table, reading a newspaper, and he would greet me and ask me how was school. I would response nicely and casually to him and asked about his day. We were really starting to act like we were best friends to each other. It was getting weird. What really annoyed me was that Dean would call me cute nicknames like "sugarplum", "gummy bear", "sweet cheeks" and "cutie pie." It made me feel so gross and uncomfortable. But I didn't show any signs of that to him.

On Fridays and weekends, Dean would take me to the mall, and we would have milkshakes or snow cones. We mostly walked around the mall instead shop. Dean talked excessively about everything in his life, and gave no room for me to talk. But that was OK, it was better to remain quiet than to spill beans.

As for Dainu, I was really concerned about him. I was worried that he was lonely without me. I wanted to visit him and make sure he was OK, but I didn't want Dean to follow or spy on me. On Tuesday at school, I had to explain to him why I hadn't visited him often.

"It is not your fault. You are doing an excellent job in keeping me safe," Dainu said during lunch.

"Thanks," I said, "but this has been going on for, like, two weeks. I don't know when I'll be able to shake him off."

"I thought you were trying to get rid of him," Dainu said.

"Yeah, I am, that's just another way of saying getting rid of," I corrected.

"Do not be concerned about me too much," advised Dainu. "I am in a safe condition from harm, and you and your companions are doing everything in your power in protecting me. You have good friends who are worthy of trust. Keep your enemy close to you, and fear nothing."

"That's a problem," I sneered, "'keeping my enemy close.' I mean, the enemy is always the one who betrays you, and you should never, ever trust them. I know Dean will someday catch me hanging out with you and abduct you to his, like, secret headquarters. I really don't want anything to happen to you Dainu."

"I understand, Kaley. Do not let your fear control you. Sustain yourself in what you are doing, and someday, your enemy will surrender himself."

"You have the best advice than anyone I ever know," I commented. "You are like a Buddhist child or something."

Dainu smiled and bowed his head.

You would probably be flippin' out if a stranger stayed at your house and he would be creeping you out and then become automatically nice to you. Me, I continued my goody-goody act and proceed onto level 10. But I still kept my guard locked and checked over my shoulder. Dean started embracing me with bear hugs. I'm embraced back with caution and awareness. Dean was getting to close to me now, like my dad. I had to watch my affection before he starts thinking about proposing to my mom. The thought of it made my stomach turn like a butter churner. If that ever happen, I would hang myself in my room, or throw myself into the sewers so that the crocodile–no, alligator–can eat me.

On Friday, when I came home from school and worked on my homework, Dean put down his newspaper and asked me, "Wanna see a movie today?"

I almost choked on my saliva. "Sure, after I finish my homework."

"How about now?" he asked, almost demanding.

He was starting to get to me. Probably he wants to go to see a sci-fi movie or something. Fine, bring on level 11.

"Well," I said, "I usually finish my homework first on Fridays before I go out and have some fun, but....the heck with it, sure, I'll go to the movies with you now."

"Great!" said Dean and Mom in unison. They laughed with each other. I just smiled, but my cheeks blushed with embarrassment.

We arrived at the movies; I looked at the movie posters to decide what movie we should see. Dean let me choose the movie. Of course, I didn't want to choose a sci-fi like Aliens vs. Predators, bad move. So I chose a romantic comedy. Dean was more than happy to see it with me. I hope he wasn't thinking about watching Aliens vs. Predators.

We bought the popcorn and the coke, and took our seats in the theater. Dean started to chat with me.

"It's great we're at the movies together," he said.

"I know," I said flatly.

"Did you enjoy movies with your dad?"

That hit me like a laser gun burning right through me.

"Yeah," I said sadly. "We used to go a lot. He let me choose any movie I wanted to see. He'd pay for the tickets and the popcorn."

"That's nice," Dean said.

"Do me a favor and please don't mention about my dad again," I said.

"Oh, I'm sorry. It still pains you?"

I clenched my drink, "Yeah."

"I'm sorry, I won't mention him again."

"Thanks."

Dean's phone started buzzing. He took it out, gazed at the screen, and started texting. I wanted to peak at who he was replying to, but I was too afraid to get into his business. So I said, "Cell phones should be turned off before the movie starts."

"Right," he said. "Forgot I had it on. I just need to send this important text, and I'll be done."

He turned off his cell phone after texting, and the theater faded into darkness.

We walked out of the theater after the movie. Dean turned his cell phone back on, and started to text again. I really wanted to know what he was texting and to who. But I think I knew who he was texting to; maybe it was the military, the FBI, CIA, NASA? Whoever it was, I just hope it's not what I think it is.

I scanned at the text screen to see what Dean was texting on his cell phone. I didn't read all of it, but I did catch his text reply: on my way to work.

Dean closed his phone, and I quickly averted my eyes away from him.

"Looks like I got some more work to do, sweet cheeks," he told me. "I'll drop you off at your house, and then I'll be on my way."

Freedom, at last!

We drove back home, I got out of his car, and watched his car roam into the distance.