I'm Sorry (Not Really)

Chapter Nine

Pressure.

Pressure is what makes the diamond.

Pressure is what changes us.

Pressure. Pressure.

Crushed.

~A. F.

          "Vanessa, do you want to go out with me? The mall or maybe lunch?" I asked, smiling politely.

          She blushed under the many carefully applied layers of makeup she had on, "Sure! When will we go?" I grinned more, looking up at her through my lashes as I took her hand and kissed it just barely. She blushed more furiously and watched me closer, enjoying all the attention.

          I spoke lowly so only she could hear me, "Right now." Her smile faltered slightly, though her eyes were still downcast towards her hand, where I had kissed it (more like pecked).

          "But... But we have school..?" She asked, unsure.

          "Vanessa, my dear, don't tell me you've never skipped a day of school for shopping or such," I raised an eyebrow challengingly.

          She raised her head defiantly, "Of course I have! You just caught me off guard."

          I smiled again, "Great! Then you'll have no problem coming along with me?" She nodded a little too quickly.

          By the time we made it to the mall Vanessa had relaxed and was happily walking around with me. I took her into one of the mall restaurants (of her choice) and paid for lunch. We then walked around for two or three hours, her shopping and me just following around. Fake smiling and joking and flirting the whole time. All in all, it was a boring day. I would rather have spent it at school or hulled up in my room.

          "I had a great time today..." Vanessa commented as I pulled back into the school parking lot for her to get her car and go home. I parked my car and looked over at her, she was looking down at her lap fiddling with her thumbs slightly and blushing. Internally I sighed, knowing that I'll have to take her out on another date.

          I smiled at her, "Me too, we'll have to do it again." Internally I cringed at the lie. She nodded ecstatically and looked up at me, her eyes shining.

          "I'd love that, Thomas!" I leaned over the center console and kissed her cheek.

          "Good, now hurry home before your parents worry." She blushed and nodded, leaving the car and dashing over to her own. I waited until she had pulled out of the lot before wiping my lips. I swear I got foundation and blush on them, I never understood why women wore makeup. Each to their own I guess.

          When I was about halfway home my phone dinged, indicating a text message. My heart leaped at the possibility of it being Sam. By the time I pulled into the driveway my heart was pounding with anticipation and my mind was racing with different scenarios. I turned the car off and picked up my phone, putting in the familiar numbers, 13, 3, 19, 47, unlocking it, and reading the text before doing anything else.

          Samuel Ryan: If you want to talk then meet me at Blindwoods Park tonight. One hour from now. Sent 10 minutes ago

          It was short and blunt, most likely due to him not being the best at writing in English yet.

          You: I'll be there. See you soon. Read zero minutes ago

          I didn't even have a chance to exit off the app before it showed that he read it, had he been waiting for my reply this entire time? Whatever.

          I put it out of my mind and grabbed my school bag before heading inside. The garage door leads straight into the kitchen, which is where I was met with my sister, Taylor. She was eating a brownie while scrolling through something on her phone, when I walked in she glanced up at me and stood from her stool.

         "Moms real mad at you y'know." She shoved the rest of the brownie in her mouth and reached for another one.

          I shrugged and dropped my bag on the floor, smacking her hand away from the brownie and taking it for myself, "You're going to make yourself sick." She glared at me but backed off. "And why's she mad this time?" I asked only mildly interested.

          "The principal called and told her you skipped school with another student," she paused for dramatic effect I assume, "A girl." She gave me a look that said she wanted details. I pretended to think for a moment, gnawing at my brownie. They were quite rich and chocolaty, so I wandered over to the fridge for a cup of milk. I made sure to draw out the time I spent getting a drink for as long as possible, making Taylor antsier and antsier.

          I hopped onto the counter and sat my cup down, "Her name is Vanessa."

          Taylor grinned happily, "Did it go well? Is there going to be a second date? Can I see a picture of her?" She got closer with each question until she was right in front of my face.

          "Okay, Okay!" I gave in. "But first you have to back up and give me some space to breathe!" She took two steps back and leaned against the island so she was facing me, I could see the eagerness written across her face. I huffed slightly but went online to the school's website to look up a picture of her.

          "Here," I handed her my phone for her to look.

          She took it and squealed, "Cheer captain?! I didn't realize you were so popular! You actually landed a hot girl!" I rolled my eyes and snatched my phone back from her causing her to pout.

          "Of course I landed a hot girl. Have you looked at me?" I gestured to my body and face lazily.

         Taylor snickered, "Yeah, you're covered in brownie crumbs and have a milk mustache. Careful Mr. hot! You'll make every girl within a three-mile radius of you swoon." She pretended to faint and slid to the floor fanning herself. I got off the counter and acted like I was going to step on her, causing her to yelp and jump up, hitting her head on the edge of the counter in her haste to get up.

          "Shit," she hissed, grabbing her head.

          "Watch your language young lady!" Our mother snapped from the doorway, making both of us jump, "And you," she glared at me, "we need to have a talk." Taylor looked between us before grabbing the pan of brownies and slipping out the other doorway in the kitchen, leading to one of the many hallways in the house. As she left she gave me an 'I'm praying for you' glance.