The walking cliche

The struggles of being clumsy

Tessa

I was worried.

Yes, I know, that's nothing new. But still. I was worried.

Jake hadn't called me last night.

He hadn't missed a call yet so I was allowed to be at least a little worried. What if something had happened to him? What if he was injured? Or dead?

I debated on calling him but chickened out at least eleven times. I even considered making a pros and cons list as to why I should or shouldn't call him. But that would be taking things a little too far.

Right?

If he wouldn't call me this night, I'd call him. That seemed like a good compromise.

Man, negotiating with myself was tough.

With a big sigh I decided to go downstairs and have some breakfast.

"You look like you've had a long night. How was the party?" Aunt Maggie joked. I hadn't been out at all.

"I didn't sleep that well." I explained. Had I mentioned I was worried?

"I can tell." She snorted. Mean. Very, very mean.

"Pancakes?" She asked. I decided maybe she wasn't that mean. She laughed when I nodded vigorously.

"Any plans for today?" Maggie asked when she put the plate of pancakes in front of my nose. It looked heavenly.

"No, not really." I said quickly so I could shove some food in my mouth.

"So good. Could you make one of those cake thingies with gooey stuff inside?" I asked in between bites.

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Tessa." Maggie said. She started cleaning Lils face. I think mine would be just as nasty after I'd finished my delicious breakfast.

"It's called moo... Moo-something. It's French." I tried to explain but failed miserably.

"Right." Maggie raised her eyebrow. "Anyway, as I was saying... Wait no, I didn't even get there." She scratched her hair.

"Hmm?" I said absentmindedly.

"We're going to Jessica!" Lily exclaimed.

"Yes, exactly what I was gonna say but more in a grown up manner." Maggie ruffled her daughter's hair.

"I'm lost here." I waved my fork around and dropped the piece of pancake on the floor. With a big sigh I leaned down and picked it up.

"I'm visiting a friend of mine today and I'm taking Lily. We'll probably stay there until tomorrow. You can come if you don't like being alone." Maggie explained.

Hmm, let's weigh the options here. Either I get the house to myself or I go with my aunt and be forced to socialise with strangers for an entire day.

"I don't mind being alone. I mean it's just for a day." I shrugged. This neighborhood seemed pretty safe. No burglars or anything. I hoped.

Oh I'm so not gonna be able to sleep tonight.

"My thoughts exactly. If you throw a party, make sure to clean everything before I get back." Maggie folded her arms across her chest.

"What? I'm not gonna throw a party!" I exclaimed. I didn't know that many people and parties weren't my thing anyway.

"Oh so you'll just have one person over? A boy maybe? One that's called Jake?" Aunt Maggie teased.

My cheeks took that as a sign to heat up.

"No!" I was glad I wasn't chewing on some pancake 'cause I would've choked on it otherwise. My aunt burst out in laughter.