Let Me In

Let Me In [Chapter Six: Complicated]

Chapter VI: Complicated

I was at a moment of my life where I seriously couldn’t figure out what the hell was going on. Let’s see: Damon Ferran apologized and has been acting weird all this week; Josh Callahan asked me on a date; my mom is daydreaming all the time and barely pays attention to me and Emily and Sheryl are going to try out for the cheerleading squad (I know, WTF?)

“What do you wanna dress up as? – D”

“Dk, nothing too slutty – N”

“I have an idea, can I come over? – D”

Now he wants to come over… Do I want him to come over? No. But I can’t tell him that. I am trying to be polite since he has apologized and all, but it’s hard, really hard, since I swore to hate him for all eternity.

“Sure – N”

“Mooooom!” I yelled staring at the stairs, “Mommy!” Okay, that sounded so two-year-old. “MOTHER!”

“What? Something wrong?” She finally answered coming to the land of the stairs with the phone pressed tightly against her chest.

“Someone on the phone?” I asked eying her confused.

“Um… yes, a…um, friend” She answered awkwardly.

“A male friend?” I was fighting to keep the smirk off my face.

“Maybe. Now what did you need?” She tried to change topic.

“Damon’s coming, can I order pizza?”

“Mmhh… You two are hanging out a lot lately…” Now was her time to tease me. I gave her a stern look, “Sure, I’ll be out for dinner so it’ll be just the two of you” I opened my eyes wide, was she suggesting… “C’mon, say it, I’m the coolest mother, I’m even giving you two privacy and all” she finished.

“That is so not like it!” I quickly answered. I don’t want her getting any ideas.

“Relax, I meant I’m giving you privacy to work on… what was it you had to work on?”

“Nothing, we’re discussing Halloween costumes, he’s my date”

“Umm… I see… Ok, I’ll go change” she sounded so cheery it made me want to gag.

Great. Now my mom thinks there’s something going on between us. I ordered the pizza and plopped on the couch and watched TV for a couple of minutes until the doorbell rang. I went to open just as my mom was coming down the stair wearing a beautiful blue strapless dress. I held the door open without taking my eyes off my mom.

“What?” She asked.

“You look beautiful, got a date?” I asked her. She didn’t need to answer; she blushed a deep shade of red. I smirked.

“Yes, I guess that makes two of us” she answered with a mischievous smile and looked behind me. I swear she acts like a sister sometimes. I turned around with a scowl.

“Please explain to my dear mother that there’s nothing going on between us” I more like ordered than ask.

“Mrs. Kingsley, unfortunately there’s nothing going on between Nicole and I” He said. What game is he playing? Cause I’m really not having fun here. My mom was grinning idiotically. “But don’t worry, I’m planning on changing that” He added. Oh no you didn’t.

“Ha, and I’m planning on going back to hate you guts without this stupid attempt on being civilized, how about that Ferran?”

“Guys don’t fight. I have to go now, but I’ll be back by midnight. Try not to kill each other” my mom said grabbing her coat and heading out, “And be safe!” She added quickly closing the door.

“MOM!” I screamed in frustration. I heard him chuckling on the coach. “You…” I said pointing my index at him, “What the hell is wrong with you? Why would you say that?” His amused expression turned dark in one second.

“Well maybe because is really what I want Nicole” he said through greeted teeth.

“What is it that you want?”

“You. I already told you. Isn’t it obvious enough?” He sighed. No, it isn’t obvious enough I thought to myself. I stared expectantly at him and he sighed again, this time louder. “I’m in love with you…” he said after a while.

“You’re kidding me right? I mean c’mon Damon, we’ve been hating each other for three years now, and you come here and say you’re in love with me!?” I was exasperated, “Why are guys so complicated!?” I asked to no one in particular.

“Guys are complicated? Are you crazy, we’re so simple! It’s you girls that complicate everything” he said getting up and closer to me.

“Oh really, you’re living proof of the contrary! You are not simple, at all, see what you just told me…”

“I love you, what’s complicated about that?” He repeated. I honestly couldn’t believe my ears. He was there, in front of me, bluntly telling me that he loved me.

“Why are you telling me this now?”

“Because… See, can’t you just take it? You’re the one complicating things”

“You made me hate you and now you expect me to love you all of the sudden?”

“I had a reason, and it was a good one!” he all but shouted.

“Then tell me the fucking reason”

“No” He said sharply. “I can’t talk about it right now, I… I just can’t” He looked torn between wanting and not wanting to tell me.

“Then I’m sorry but there’s nothing I can do to stop disliking you…” I sighed.

“I’ll tell you when I’m ready” He came closer and took my hand in his, “And I’ll do everything in my power to make you happy” he added determined.

“Even if that means you have to stay away from me?” I asked glaring at him, I didn’t like the fact that he wasn’t telling me now, I was really curious.

“No, sorry, that I can’t do” he said smiling sweetly, “I’ve been away from you for too long now and it was torture”

“I’m having a really hard time understanding you” I said honestly.

“Sorry, it’ll all clear out soon enough, just don’t push me away” he drew me to his arms and wrapped them gently around my waist.

“It’s going to be really hard”

“I know, but I’m willing to try, and try again, you won’t get rid of me that easily”

“I’m afraid I won’t” He laughed without humor.

“Don’t be such a party pooper” he said drawing circles in my back with his hand, it was soothing.

“Hey, about the party, what was your suggestion?” I asked remembering the Halloween party this Friday.

“I was thinking The Joker and Harley Quinn” he said. I pressed my cheek on his chest and listened to his heart, it was beating fast. He hugged me tighter.

“I love it” I said honestly. The Joker was our favorite character, we were never Batman fans, we were freaks when kids. And apparently, once a freak, always a freak.