Waiting For Summers

CHAPTER 12

The first few months of our junior year fleeted so fast.

It's sad to think that in a few months, junior year will be done. Everyone is trying to create memories. Parties here, overnights there.

Laura and I become closer than ever. We walk to school together and if we are not car pooling with Paco and Monica, we walk home together too. Hanging out in the tree house becomes more often. That's where we do our projects or assignments. When school becomes too stressful for us, that is where we find solace.
"Thank you for letting me in your tree house, Red," Laura says. We are lying down looking at the leave rustle as the gentle breeze of fall gushes.
"It is a pleasure. Besides, you were my hero that day. You are like Wonder Woman saving the life of the poor young man," I reply.
"Haha, stop! I just did what is right. I just did what is needed to do,"
"And I thank you for that,"
"Hey, Red, I'm just wondering, what if we never met? What if my parents decided to get another house across town?"
I do not say anything. "It would be so different for me. Life wouldn't be as lively and sweet as this," she goes on.
"I'm just happy that I finally have a friend. One I can do risky and stupid adventures with," I say. That is actually true. If she did not move here, who would I be falling head over heels with? Who will be saving me from the bullies like I'm the damoiseau-in-distress and she's the lady-knight-in-shining-armour? "I'm thankful, L. I really am," I think out loud.

She doesn't say anything. She smiles and leans her head on my shoulder. I lean back to her.

*****

The four of us spend our time after school hanging out in each other's houses. Today, we decide to head out to an ice cream parlor. It is Friday anyway. We might have some take home school work but they are not much of a big deal. We go straight to Pop's Parlour.

"So, what are we doing this weekend?" Paco starts the conversation. A waitress comes in her short red-striped dress and red-striped button shirt. Her dress is very sexy, Paco is distracted.
"Uh, kids, what's your order?" Sasha asks. Her name is written in her name tag that is so small you look like you are staring at her breasts if you really strive to read her name. She is chewing a gum that she constantly blows and pops.
"Uhmm.. I am not a kid, I am already a year older than the legal age. He-he," Paco flirts, "Ow-ow!" as Monica pulls his ear. "We'll need more time," Monica comes back. Sasha looks at her and raises her eyebrow. Monica does the same.
"Whatever," as Sasha walks away while popping a balloon of gum again. Monica looks back to Paco annoyed.
"Okay, drop it, you two," I interfere, "what are we doing this weekend?"
"We can Netflix and chill at your house, Jared," Paco suggests as he tries to embrace Monica. Monica struggles to get out of that embrace and rolls her eyes.
"Or we can go to the nearest library and do some take home school works," Monica suggests, "I wanna look for William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet."
We all look confused. "Uh, why?" Laura asks.
"Mrs. Gibbins is having a school play before winter break," Monica says with glee.
"And you wanna join?" Paco's tone suggests he can't believe what Monica is up to.
"Ahhh.. thanks but no thanks," Laura makes a face.
"No! We will all join! You and you!" she points at Laura and me. I look at Laura surprised. "And you, Paco! Or else!" she says in demanding tone. With her tone like of an Iron Lady, we nod.

Thank God Sasha, the waitress, comes back to ask about our order. "Four banana splits with a cherry on top," I say.

*****

This friendship causes me to become known and active in school. Since the school's play practices start, schoolmates start nodding me as a greeting. It feels weird. Mostly because I'm with the famous people.

Paco is an elite, Monica is a part of the cheerleading squad — and they are both characters of the play. Monica and Paco is casted as Romeo and Juliet. While Laura is just plain gorgeous. I guess it's easy to be popular when you have angst and a pretty face. Laura decides to be a part of the stage design while I will portray Mercutio, Romeo's friend.

It is a Friday night when Laura and I are doing a group project in our Language class at home. We have cookies all over and root beer.
"I told you, you'll be able to get in," Laura suddenly starts talking. I realize she is talking about the school play.
"I know. But pushing me in front of the judges during audition is unacceptable."
"Ha-ha, you've been helping Paco for only a few days in Romeo's lines and you already know it by heart it than he does," she insists, "you know, throw me a line."
"From Mercutio?" I wonder.
"No, dumdum! From Romeo! I'll bet you'll throw it better."

I stop and think. I take a deep breath and look Laura straight in her eyes.  I start to recite Romeo's lines.
"Love is a smoke raised with the fume of sighs; Being purged, a fire sparkling in lover's eyes. Being vexed, a sea nourished with loving tears." I clench the papers for our group project. I can feel the room getting warm. I stare directly to her eyes and hold her hands while she anticipates my next line. "What is it else? A madness most discreet, a choking gall and a preserving sweet. Farewell, my coz."

I turn my gaze away. Laura blinks as if she is back to reality after being hypnotized. I can feel her hands letting go. Should I grab it back? And continue to rehearse some lines? I let it go.

"You know what? We should be doing our group project," Laura blurts out, "we can't afford to lose time. But you're great, you're great. You sure will do great for your Mercutio part."
"Thanks," I smile faintly.
"Better yet, use that to Allison," she adds. I scoff.

I look at her as she bows to the group project we are finishing. Strands of her pink hair falls on her forehead. She looks smart and sassy with that. I smile again.

Indeed, parting with you will be such a sweet sorrow, Laura. And thus, with your kiss, I died.