A Series of Hankering Events (ON HOLD)

Chapter 5

August 2011, Monday 

11th Grade

How exciting.

Starting out 11th grade was amazing. I had a boyfriend. A very attractive one, but sadly enough he didn't go to my same school anymore. It was ok though. At least that's what I always kept telling myself. The truth was that MD and I were not exactly the most love involved couple. We barely saw each other during the summer after we got together. The phone conversations were always so dull as well as short. The times we did spend together, we spent them with friends. We never went on a proper date. Now, I sat in the passenger srat of my mom's car. I was trying not to catch her attention, but of course that failed. 

"What's wrong, Liza?" Mom asked.

"Nothing. I'm just thinking."

"Alright."

Mom was never one to push. I loved that about her but I hated when I couldn't tell her something. Not because it was wrong but because I just knew she would give me some lecture on how I'm too young. That's not what I needed right now. The first day of school was boring. My new teachers seemed like they were all pretty harsh, but this time I was lucky enough to be placed in the same classroom as Jomy. We spent the day talking secretively when the teachers weren't looking and scribbling in my notebook, in my case. Math was still a hell born class. The end of the day couldn't come any sooner. I was so wrong. Everyone hurried out of class when the last bell rang and the buses were filled instantly. I climbed into the number 3 and we were off. 

11th grade was no walk in the park but it was not half bad. The days went by slowly and the hours even slower. But none of this matters. What matters is what happened on September. 

September 2011, Monday

I left school that day. I wouldn't leave on the bus this time. Mom piked me up after I walked down the hill that let to the front gate of the school. I climbed in the car and just as mom pulled into the road MD texted me. 

MD: Where are you?

Me: On my way home. 

MD: I was gonna go see you at school.

My disappointment was undeniable as well as impossible to hide. I could see mom turn to look at me from the corner of my eye. She wanted to ask but didn't. Bless this woman for she knows better. 

Me: A little late. Maybe tomorrow.

MD: I'm leaving tomorrow.

Me: What? 

MD: I leave for the US tomorrow. My grandparents are making me.

You could say that my heart sank. It sank beep into the ocean and no amount of water could possibly have softened the impact. So when it reached the depths it crashed against the ocean floor and shattered.

Me: ... I can't see you today. Mother won't let me. When do you leave? I'll go see you before you go.

No reply. 

I talked to Rob and he corrected that MD was leaving on Wednesday. Not tomorrow. I knew Rob could drive so I asked him, as a favor, to bring MD to my place so that I could say goodbye. He was hesitant and I knew why. Either way he said he'd try. After that I got no update and I was sure Rob wouldn't bring MD around. The next day when I got home from school I sat down at the dinner table, alone while my mom worked on some papers for her work. My grandmother always brought food for me every day so that mom wouldn't have to cook. So I sat there eating and thinking. More thinking than eating when my phone rang. The caller ID said it was Rob and I answered at the third ring. 

"Hello?" I said. 

"Look outside your window." I heard him say.

"What?"

"Look outside." 

I ran to my room, jumping over the mess of obstacles in my room. I opened a window and saw Rob's car outside with him out of it and... MD sliding out the back seat. I gasped into the phone and I watched Rob smile a sad kind of smile. I ran to my mother and told her that MD was here and she yelled at me to at least fix my hair. I let it loose and combed it with my fingers before forcing my feet into my tied shoes. Not an easy task, I'm sure most of you know. I was still in my school uniform but I had no time to change, so I hurried down the steps that were outside my house until I reached the bottom. I played it cool. As cool as I could. 

"Hey guys." I noticed a third guy coming out of the car. Mark. He had developed feelings for me so it's safe to say that this was the must awkward situation ever. But putting that aside, MD and I talked. We laughed a lot too, and I gave him an early Valentine's Day card. 

"Just don't open it until Valentine's Day." I said to him.

"Ok."

We talked some more and I could feel Rob and Mark looking at us. By this time MD had stolen my phone from the pocket of my uniform vest and I was trying my best to take it back. He blackmailed me. He would return the phone in exchange for a kiss. Fair exchange, I know,  but I've never kissed a guy before so please level with me. I was nervous but also daring. My arms wrapped around his neck and I got as close as I dared to get. His hands held my waist and I still remembered what I had said to him next.

"Do you promise you'll come back?" I was being selfish but he answered.

"Yes. I promise."

I had my first kiss that day. His lips were soft and so gentle. I felt like I knew what I was doing and I knew I was doing it pretty darn well since his hands squeezed my sides tightly and he pulled me closer to him. We shared a few more kisses before he had to go but as my forehead rested against his we stood there, holding each other and I said to him.

"You will be back."

"I promise."

"I'm going to hold you to that." Was the last thing I said to him before giving him a quick peck and then he left. 

He didn't keep his promise.