The End of Our Stars

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

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“Why did you dye your hair by the way?” I had that question in my mind for days now but I never really got to ask. We were on our way to the movie theater, just as he said to Mom a few minutes ago. Isaac was quiet and suddenly, he seemed embarrassed. “What?”

“Well…I thought, you know; new eyes, new dye.”

I suppressed a laugh and gave him a smirk. “Changing for the better, huh?”

“Yeah, I figured, might as well live a high life.”

“But don’t blondes have more fun?” I teased and Isaac’s cheeks heated up at this.

“Too much fun,” he said instead. “I am having fun now, aren’t you?”

There we go again. I don’t see why Isaac is always worried that I’m not okay or that I’m not happy. “I am. I’m like in a rollercoaster that only goes up, my friend.” I didn’t want to quote Gus but I couldn’t help myself.

Isaac caught it quickly. “You sound exactly like him.”

“Well, what can I say? I dated the guy, didn’t I?”

“Yes. Yes, you did.”

I needed a change of topic then or I might crawl under the covers and wait for Gus to pick me up. “So, what are we seeing exactly?”

“No pun intended,” this, I thought, is becoming an auto-response thing. “Well, I heard that there’s a new scary movie out.”

“Like Scary Movie-scary movie or just scary movie?”

“Just a scary movie,” he clarifies.

“Huh, that’s weird.” I pointed out and he looks me over, question in his eyes. “Don’t scary movies qualify for a date?”

Suddenly, Isaac slammed on the brakes and I braced myself for the dashboard. Luckily, I had a seat belt on. “Do you want this to be a date?”

Now it was my turn to blush. I didn’t mean it like that or to come out like that. I just—oh man, what was I thinking? Maybe I wasn’t thinking at all. Gee, now I’m in an awkward position and this is becoming more difficult. “I was kidding.”

“Oh.” And I felt the awkwardness hit Isaac alone. “Right,” he stepped on the gas a bit too hard now and we bypassed the movie theater a hundred yards. “Crap, sorry,”

We turned a corner to a parking lot and decided to walk from there—which became more awkward.

“Do you want me to carry Philip for you?” He offers and I bit my lip to say no. I kept dragging Philip and soon enough, we were looking for a good movie to watch. It got so awkward and weird that I had to remember what Isaac is going through.

“Let’s make this good because this is the first movie you’ll be seeing since you went blind!” I said with much enthusiasm to pick up the mood and that did it. We ended up choosing a comedy, which fits us perfectly, and even as we drove away, we were still laughing, enjoying the good night.

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Mom kept bugging me for the rest of the week about Isaac. Every shenanigan came out because I wanted to convince her that Isaac is not a bad influence.

“He just got to see again!” I countered. “Just be happy for the guy. He’s enjoying his life.” I pointed out—which was not a good move.

“Now what is that supposed to mean?” Mom demanded tiredly and I wanted to slap myself for it. “Hazel Grace Lancaster!”

“Nothing, okay?” I sighed. “I’m just…I’m tired. I need to rest.” That was my only escape and she let me. I went to my room and even though it was noon, I took a nap. After all, sleep fights cancer—and over protective, interrogating mothers.