Vivid Memories

Chapter 17

New Year came about and I was staying again at Dante's place. His birthday was before that (on Boxing Day), but he didn't tell me about it until I came over. This guy...

Apparently, there will be people coming in to join us. Dante and I did things to past the time. Though we did have to do chores (I helped Dante despite the wishes of his parents. If I helped him, then we had more time to talk and hang out). During the afternoons, we messed around and played the guitar. Dante helped me play a bit, his fingers guiding mine on the strings. I never noticed how strong his hands were. They were slightly bigger than mine, but to be honest, I was five-six and he was five-nine, so I wasn't too surprised.

I need to stop Caitlyn from dating him, from destroying who he is, but I can't tell him about it. Not now. If he was damaged by her, he may think that he could fix again, or maybe just remember the good times with her and probably get back with her.

I don't know. I'm a bit paranoid. Whatever she has been saying implies she has a plan. Man, if I didn't know Dante, maybe I wouldn't know Caitlyn's menacing side. Ah, I'm just overthinking things.

"Hey, are you okay?" Dante asked as he shook me gently from my arm. We were blowing balloons up in his living room. "You seem to have a lot in your mind."

"Ah, I'm sorry," I chuckled, placing down the balloon pump down. "I'm just worried about a friend."

"You wanna spill the beans?" He asked, mimicking my action. "We have a lot of time before people start coming."

"Ugh, Dante, I... I have a friend who currently has relationship problems," I spoke, trying to be careful with my words as much as possible. "It's uh... Penny. You know, she has trouble with Tyler."

"Ah, so okay..." Dante was listening in well. "They seem to be okay?"

"Well, yeah in front of us, but like, she doesn't want to cause drama," God I am so sorry Penny. "Like... Tyler's ex is uh... trying to make moves on him and Penny is worried that uh, he'll cheat on her."

"Penny should have faith in Tyler," Dante smiled and picked his pump up again. "I know him. All he talks about when we play is either how good/shit the enemy is or how beautiful and pretty Penny is."

"Yeah, but like, apparently Tyler's ex knows him well, like what he likes and what he doesn't and probably what turns him on or something," I think Dante's still a virgin and I highly doubt Caitlyn knows his turn-ons but uh, I don't want to think about it. "And from what I've heard, Tyler might act on emotion than his own logical 'reasoning."

"Love is a hard thing. But I think they'll work. Someone may know what they like and what they dislike and sure maybe someone can use it against another, but what a person can't do is lie to themselves" Dante chuckled and shook his head. "Emotions are hard to control and even harder to predict, but... if his faith towards Penny is strong, then everything will be fine. If he is true to himself, then he'll pick the right decision."

"I hope you're right," I sighed and picked my pump up before continuing to help him out.

"I'll talk to Tyler," He said, smiling. "If you're that worried."

"N-No! I mean, it's fine,"

"It's not about Tyler or Penny is it?" He chuckled and blew air into my face using the pump. "I don't need to know who it is. But I personally don't think you should intervene with situations like these. Because you can say something to someone, but ultimately it's their decision to listen to you or not. And sure, what they decide might not be the greatest decision, but they need to learn it themselves. All humans are imperfect. By failing we learn."

"It'll be better if we never failed to begin with," I pouted at him. "Humanity would be so much better."

"You're thinking too much into it," He chuckled and placed his pump down. "I think we only need those last few balloons. I've gotta help dad and mom make some food. When you're done, you wanna join?"

"Yeah, totally,"

So after pumping up five more balloons, I joined Dante and his family for food. He and his family were actually pretty fun to make food with. Dante and his mom would sing often and we would all groan at his dad's jokes. Man, it felt like I was part of their family.

We were done prepping and cooking by around eight-thirty in the evening. Most of the food was placed on the table and Dante and I waited by the living room, playing the guitar.

Guests began to pour into the house. There weren't many people. They were people who I've been on campus grounds and some I didn't recognize.  Dante told me some of these people worked in the same port as he did, the other half were from mom's hospital and the latter were some of Dante's former friends. Former friends were key. His parents and their parents were still good friends.

The only I wasn't expecting was a thorn in my side.

"Welcome... Caitlyn?" I raised my eyebrow and looked at Dante. "What's she doing here?"

"I... I don't know..." He replied, also thinking this was awkward.

"Did Michelle not tell you anything?" Caitlyn sighed but smiled. "My dad was new to the hospital and worked in the same ward as her. She invited him here!"

God in heaven's Christ, why?

"Is Avalon staying over again?" She asked, somewhat curious.

"Yes," Dante replied. "She's staying in the spare room."

"You could always stay in my place Avalon," Caitlyn hugged me. To make things not awkward, I also hugged her back. "There's no reason to burden Dante."

"I personally asked her to stay here," Dante intervened. "And she's not a burden. She helps around here whenever she stays."

"In any case, I cannot wait until midnight," There was an excited squeal from her. "Fireworks will fly. If you excuse me, I'm going to eat something."

Dante smiled and bowed, before walking over towards me.

Well, this was going to be an interesting night.