Love, Curly |M.J.|

Chapter 6

Sunday, Michael and I were too busy to hang out. I went shopping with my mother while he was at a "secret" place with his brothers and dad. He refused to tell me where and I that I'd "find out in coming time." Even after I begged him later that night, when we weren't busy.

Monday rolls around, leaving me surrounded by school work and Michael at an event his family had. School ended around 3, so I've been home alone for awhile. I sigh as I finish the last question on my worksheet. A few more years and then I'll be done. I couldn't wait to graduate.

I walk out of the office and down the hall, into the kitchen. I get a glass of water and check the time. Since it's only 4:48 and I completed all my work, I decide to watch TV until somebody gets home. I settle on re-runs of Bewitched.

Many episodes later, I hear banging on the front door. I get up and look out the window to see who it is. "Hurry up, I'm about to drop everything!" I rush to the door and open it. My brother tumbles inside.

"ALEX!" I tackle him. "You're back already? Does mom and dad know you're here?"

"Yeah. Can you get off? You're crushing me." He say, dramatically gasping for air. I roll my eyes and get up. Typical Alex. I hear a soft laugh come from the door.

I see a short, pretty girl standing in the doorway. I wipe my hand on my skirt and extend my arm. "I'm Jadie." She shakes my hand, "I'm Alexis, his girlfriend."

He's so full of himself. Of course, Alex would date a girl with almost the same name as him. She tells me I can call her Lexi. We all migrate to the living room. We sit down, "How long have you been together?"

"Three months." He answers. Wow, he never told me this information. Usually, he is with girls left and right. Glad to know he's not being a man-whore anymore.

We talk for awhile until they go out. Lexi wanted to explore because she has never been to California. I didn't want to be a third-wheel, so I declined their offer of tagging along.

They told me to not tell mom that they're here. As they wanted to surprise her.

I get bored and decide to take Sunny for a walk. Occasionally, she barks at random things. I hum the half-finished song Michael sang when he played the piano. It's been stuck in my head all day. It's so catchy, I wonder if he ever finished it. I'll have to ask him later.

A car with the top down comes around the corner. It's full with a group of guys being loud. They stop close by me.

"Hey, Jadelyn!" A voice yells. I furrow my eyebrows. I look to the where the voice comes from.

I smile and wave, "Hey, James!" It's the boy from the diner. Sunny starts barking. I shush her. "You going to the football game Friday?" He asks.

I shrug. I don't really care for football, unless Michael goes, I definitely don't plan on going. "Probably not."

"You should go. You can hang out with us. How about I come and get you?" The guys agree and say "yeah" and "you should come."

I think for a moment. I've never been to one before. "Sure, why not. I'll ask Michael later." I say. The group cheers. "I'll see you Friday." He says and waves. He drives off.

He doesn't even know where I live. I watch as the turn down another street. I start to walk back home.

All of the sudden, Sunny runs, making me lose grip on the leash. "No! Sunny, come back!" I run after her. Michael comes into view as Sunny sprints towards him. He laughs as the large dog jumps on him.

I slow to a jog until I get to them. When I get to them I lay onto the grass and try to catch my breath. Michael lays next to me with Sunny in his arms.

We are silent for a minute or two as I regulate my breathing again. Michael breaks the silence, "Sunny was excited to see me." I laugh.

I turn my head to face him, "She really likes you." "I like myself too," He says, jokingly. I like you too, I wanted to say.

I get up and grab the leash from him. Then I grab Michael's hand to help him up. "How was your day?" I ask.

We walk to my house. "It was boring. And yours?" "Alex came home and he brought a girlfriend. Also a couple minutes ago, James drove by with his group of friends."

"Oh? Did they say anything?" He looks surprised. "He invited me to a football game Friday. I told them I'd ask if you wanted to go too." I open the front door and let Sunny inside. I close the door and we sit on the steps. "No, you aren't going." He tells me.

"I don't remember asking you if I could go or not." I say. "Still, you aren't going. Expecially alone, when you don't know anyone else." He has a point. "Can you go with me then? That's why I asked you. I really want to go, I've never been to one before."

"Fine, but you have to stay by me the whole time." "Deal." We shake on it. My parents pull into the driveway. They get out and walk by us, "Hello, Michael, Jadie." They go inside. I pick a piece of grass off my shorts.

"Did you ever finish that one song you sang when you played the piano?" I question him. He nods, "Yeah. I'm writing others now."

Michael's dad walks out with his brothers. "Come on, boy. We'll be late if we don't leave now."

I give Michael a questioning look. "Where? You just got back from the thing earlier." He gets up and starts walking towards their car. He turns back, "Secret." He gets in. I stand up and huff, waving at them. What's so important that he can't tell me? I enter the house.

I sit in between my parents. "How was your day?" They both reply, "good."

The front door opens again. I totally forgot that Alex was here. My parents get up and rush towards him, surprised to see him. They smother him.

Lexi stands there awkwardly until mother turns and hugs her. "I've heard so much about you! It's nice to finally meet you." My dad shakes her hand.

I walk up stairs to my room, not wanting to be bothered. I sit on my bed and kick off my shoes. I walk to my bathroom and shower.

"We are going out to eat, do you want anything?" My mother calls through the door after she knocks.

"No, thanks." I call back. I finish up. The door echoes when it's shut, so they just left. I wrap my towel around me.

I walk out and head to my dresser, then my closet like usual. I dress and climb into my blankets.

Just as I was about to sleep, I hear music blare. I climb out of bed and sit on the window seat. I bring my knees to my chest and wrap my arms around my legs. I rest my head on the window.

Michael comes into view, dancing. I continue to watch him dance around his room, giggling at times he'd trip up. He glances at my window and turns the music down. He continues dancing. I wave at him.

Michael didn't wave back or anything, so I don't think he saw me. I get up and get back in bed, falling asleep to the quiet, muffled music.