End Game: Happy

Chapter 2

Corey Fogelmanis as Mitch

My mother cleared her throat setting a bright blue bowl of noodles in front of me. "The summer is almost over Mitchell, you can eat them they don't bite." She spoke as her green eyes met mine. I looked up at her messy brown curly hair then down at her tan well kept athletic body. I could never look or even feel as good as her.

"Can I take it up to my room?" I asked not wanting to eat dinner with my family. My mom let out a sigh placing another blue bowl on the table. "Please?" I asked once more.

"Only if you promise to eat it all." She spoke her green eyes connecting with mine again. I nodded even knowing I wouldn't be able to keep the promise. At least I would be away from them for the night. I stood up with my bowl walking out of the kitchen and towards our wooden stairs. Stepping upstairs I walked left down the hall passing by pictures and achievements of my siblings.

I had one older stepsister, one younger sister, and one younger brother. They were all athletic and excelled at sports. My older stepsister, Marley, didn't live with us but my mom hung pictures of her anyways. Marley is a volleyball star and the center of attention in my stepdad's eyes. My younger sister, Kyleigh, loves track and regularly runs the mile with my mom. She's also won about a dozen awards which were proudly hung all over the hallway to our rooms. Connor is my youngest brother and even though he was only in third grade he is a star at soccer. I am the last piece of the puzzle that has been deformed or morphed and doesn't fit. I am not athletic and if anything all skin and bones with little muscle.

I wrapped my hand around the bronze knob pushing open my door. Stepping inside my small but simplistic room looking from left to right. Inside sat two closets, a long wooden desk, a small bedside table, and my full sized bed. I breathed out of relief to be away from my family once again.

My family is a good family don't get me wrong. They just love to boast about their achievements and how amazing their lives and days were. Then when they stop boasting about themselves they ask me how I am. Then my stepfather always goes I don't care anyways don't bother.

I felt myself start to get irritated and overheated, I needed to get some fresh air. Walking across my room I unlatched and pushed up my window. The cool breeze hit my warm face as I felt myself begin to cool down. I placed my hand on my dark blue bedsheets looking at my bowl of noodles.

They smelled wonderful and I bet they tasted amazing. I lifted up my fork bringing them up to my mouth. As the noodles hit my taste buds I couldn't help but enjoy the satisfying taste, I closed my eyes enjoying the taste more.

The wind picked up shooting a cool breeze through my room. Breathing in I could smell the stench of cigarette smoke coming from next door. I grabbed ahold of my noodles walking to my window frame. It was then I saw her.

She had long messy blonde brown hair paired with an oversized grey sweatshirt. Her long skinny pale legs sat stretched out on the top of her first story roof. She couldn't have been much older than me yet a cigarette sat in her left hand.

"It's rude to stare." I was taken out of my thoughts hearing her voice. I pushed my window up further stepping out onto my rooftop setting my bowl down.

"Sorry." I apologized taking another bite of my noodles. I watched her beautiful emerald green eyes study me before laughing.

"I don't usually have company, what's the occasion?" I watched her take another puff of her cigarette.

I wanted to know who she was and why I've never seen her before.

"I was honestly just drawn to you." I instantly regretted my words.

Who is attracted to young women smoking on a rooftop? Real smooth Mitch. 

I nervously took another bite of my noodles.

"Yea sure, you're attracted to someone with damaged goods. You're not my type." I watched her tap her cigarette against the rooftop before bringing it up to her pale pink lips.

How could she even know I wasn't her type if she just met me? She didn't even know my name or a single thing about me.

"Can I at least get your name I've never seen you around the school." The wind blew again causing her to grab her long hair so it didn't blow into her face.

"That's because I don't do well in public. I don't like public school." Her eyes traveled down to my bowl of noodles. "That smells amazing." I nodded.

"My mom loves making noodles, tonight it's just a plain noodle. You can have some if you tell me your name." I watched as she threw the cigarette bud off her rooftop before releasing a heavy breath.

"My name is Chloe." Chloe extended her arms out for the bowl. I lived in a close neighborhood and our rooftops were almost touching. I carefully handled her what was left of my noodles.

"I'm Mitch." I spoke watching her eyes light up chewing on the pasta.

"Mmmmh! This is so good!" Chloe exclaimed and I smiled.

"Better than your dinner?" I questioned as her chewing stopped, almost like I had asked the wrong question. Her green eyes met mine as she breathed out once more.

"I don't eat." I looked at her holding the noodles dumbfounded. Wasn't she eating now? Am I imagining this all in my head?

"I don't follow." I spoke lightly as she once again chewed on more noodles.

"I don't eat. I fast for days on end usually. I have vitamins that I take with all my nutrients so I don't have to eat."

I could tell I looked completely dumbfounded to her. I couldn't imagine not eating let alone taking vitamins as a substitute.

"But you love the noodles?" I questioned watching her almost inhale another forkful. Her head nodded up and down quickly before opening her mouth again.

"Yes, I don't know or have anyone to cook this delicious of a meal for me." She broke our stare her eyes looking off the roof.

"I could bring you them every night if you want. My mom loves making anything with pasta. I can only eat so much in a day. You could help me and I could help you." She lifted her head looking at me handing the empty bowl back.

"I suppose." Her pale pink lips paused "But it's not a date so wipe that stupid smile off your face."

I didn't even realize I was smiling.

"Okay. Not a date I got it." I watched her climb back into her window as she waved her left hand my way.

"See you tomorrow." She spoke as I waved back to her.

I didn't know what it was about Chloe but, I wanted to tell her everything. I felt so comfortable with her even though I had just met her. I never have felt this way about anyone, not even my own family.