Or So You Thought

Eye to Eye; Heart to... Something

Ari POV

What is happening? I feel like I just blacked out or something. I honestly don't know what's going on. "Did you hear me, Ari?" Melvin asked me. Did I? I think so. I'll go with no, just to be safe. "I'm sorry. I must've zoned or something. Once more please" I didn't hear him right. I couldn't have. "Will you go out with me?" he repeats with a chuckle. Damn. I did hear him. Think Ari. Think & think fast. "I-um..." Genius. Now, use actual words. "I don't know about that, Melvin" I say. I don't know what's keeping me from saying yes. That's a lie. I know EXACTLY what's keeping me from saying yes... Well, who; not what. "Did I say something wrong?" he asks. "No, you didn't do or say anything wrong. I just-I'm not sure about it at the moment" I honestly want to be class right now, which is saying a lot. As I start walking, Melvin blurts out "Its Brian, isn't it?" Okay. Woah. "What?" I ask. "Brian. He's the reason you won't say yes, isn't he? ... He's so insensitive & uncaring. A few back lashes & he's off running? I would never to do that to you" he continued. Is it bad that I'm mad? Because I am.  "I told you why I can't say yes. Now if you don't want to believe me, that's YOUR problem, not mine. Brian had nothing to do with my decision. Yes, we fought. And yeah, he ditched & I'm pissed but that made no impact whatsoever. I don't know if you have noticed, but I can make up my own mind. Please don't get it in your head that I'm stupid, or what have you, because you'll be sadly mistaken; every time" I manage to say in two short breaths. Hm. And now I feel better... Somewhat anyway. "I'm sorry Ari. I was WAY out of line." You're damn right. As I stored by the door, Melvin looked at me before walking away. I guess he thought I wouldn't want a hug. But I just stood there. Then I started thinking, maybe Melvin was right. Does Brian care? Clearly, he doesn't. If he did, he would be here. Or, at least, have the decency & respect to call or text me. But, nothing. That's clearly what he thinks of... Whatever you call what was going on with us-friendship. That's fine. Time waits for no man & neither do I. I turn my body towards Melvin's direction before shouting "Melvin, wait!" He stops dead in his tracks. Time waits for no man I repeatedly tell myself.

Brian POV

"Do you have to ask so many questions? I didn't call to fill out a questionnaire" I say. The longer I stay on this phone, the more pissed I become. "Well, excuse me. I've only seen my little brother four times in six years & haven't spoken to him in three. Sorry times a thousand" he says. Guilt trip. I see how the gameis played. Cover the trap so I get caught off guard. Too bad I'm not going for the bait. "I don't accept said apology. Now, the number please" I think I've asked five times since this phone call began. "Oh no lil bro. It's not that simple" he says with a chuckle. "I'm pretty sure it is. You pull it up, tell me the number, I write done, we hang up. It's straightforward really" I say. He just wants to egg this on. "You should come over. If you want the number, that is" I'm almost positive he has a dumbass smirk on his dumbass face right now. "Are you BRIBING me?" I ask. The nerve of some people. "No. You should come over anyway. Liz would want to see you again. And poor MJ hasn't seen you since his first birthday. He's 3 now" 3? Damn. Since when did that happen? "I think I'd rather not" I reply. Don't have time for that anyhow. "If I do this for you, you have to do something for me" he says after momentary silence. Of course I would have to. It wouldn't be Malcolm if I didn't. "I'm not coming over" I say before he even has the chance to ask. "Well... You would have to... Possibly" Somethings up. "What do you want Malcolm?" I ask. My patience with him is running very thin. "Well we have reservations for three at JiRaffe-" "No." I say interrupting. "Come on, it'll be like four hours at the most" Malcolm replies. "I don't. Do. Kids" I state. Kids don't like me, I don't like them. God made it that way & I'm cool with it. "It's not some kid. He's your nephew" he replies. "My nephew who is a kid. Look, why don't you just get a baby sitter or something?" I ask. That's a hell of a lot easier, for everyone. "Because Mom will bitch & I don't have the strength to do it today" Hm. Never had a problem before... But that's none of my business. "If you want one of us can stay home & you can go" he says. What? "With who?" I ask, referring to the other guest. "Mom" he states simply. Hell no. I'd rather be stuck in the Bermuda Triangle for four years than with that women for four hours. "So when do I need to be over there" I swear if this plan doesn't work...

Sorry it's been so long. You'd think transferring from a community college to a University would be a lot less time consuming. Anyway, I hope I made you guys proud.

Question: Were you guys able to see all of the other chapters? On my phone, it cuts off after a certain point. Let me know.

Thanks for reading! (: xx