. . .

CHAPTER 4

-”Yeah right, cause I didn’t know.” .”Well no, you didn’t. Cause if you would, you wouldn’t be so angry right now.” . “So you’re saying that, if I would know before we wouldn’t be in this situation, so now it is my fault? Really?” -How can she? It’s been two weeks since that night when Cole came at me for dinner. Everything was going just fine for those two weeks. But then my dear friend Eva said that she had something important to tell me and I said okay. I told her to come with me at the dorm and as we were walking, Cole called me and asked me to help him in calculations cause he couldn’t understand some things. And me, as a nice friend told him that I’ll help him. So, when I got his address and showed it to Eva, she started screaming like a freak. “I’m not saying that it is your fault, it isn’t. Actually it’s nobodies fault. We just didn’t know that he was the Cole but I don’t think that it is a problem.” . “Wow, really. How didn’t I know?” -I asked more to myself. “You were going to tell me something Eva. What is it?” -in instant her face changed and she looked sad. “I, uh, my mom isn’t doing very well for the moment and I thought that I should go and stay one week with her. But the thing is that we just started school and I don’t want to be behind with the lessons.” . “Oh my God Eva. I hope that she will get well sooner. Don’t worry about the lessons, we can talk with the teachers about that and I can help you, so don’t worry, you will not be behind.” -I felt bad about her but I knew that she could do it. “Thank you Lissa. I’m really glad that I have you.” . “I’m grateful that I have you too.” -After that we did our homework and decided to watch some movies.
“I’m not going to choose your partners, so you can pair with whoever you want just do it fast.” -we had a project to do and the teacher said to choose whoever we want and here I am alone cause really there isn’t anyone who I want to pair with. In just that moment Cole came to me and asked “You don’t mind it if I want to work with you, do you?” -well, that was unexpected. “Yeah sure, why not.” -and just like that everyone paired with who they wanted and then the lesson got started.
“Now not that you have to help me in calculations but now we have the project too. I hope that it isn’t a problem.” -he said to me as we were going to the library. “We can do it. It isn’t the first time that we are doing projects like this.” -the thing that Eva told me one day before came in my mind. “Do you have plans for tomorrow at seven?” -he asked. “As I know, no I don’t.” -I answered. “Cool! Then tomorrow at seven, you have the address.” . “Yeah, I do.” -with that being said we just took some books, ate lunch and went to the other lessons. I texted Eva do look if she is ready and when she said yes I went at her apartment that she was using with her cousin, I helped her with her bags and decided to drink some coffee in our way to her home. When we went there her mom didn’t want to leave go back saying that it was late, but I declined her offer and went back at the dorm. I was glad that we didn’t have homework for tomorrow so I just ordered some food cause I was lazy to cook and went to sleep.
The other day I was feeling a little bit sad cause I knew that Eva wouldn’t be here for one week. But I just hope that her mom will be better. It was a little bit hard to ask the teachers to help us but in the end they decided to help us. The lessons were going really slow and I had five more to go. At least I have most of my classes with Cole.
After the lessons I went at the dorm, took a shower and spent one hour to find something to wear. Then I saw that there was no time so I just took some cash with me and the things that I needed and went at Cole’s house. When I arrived there I couldn’t believe my eyes at what was in front of me. I checked the address five times but I was in the right address. I called Cole and told him that I was in the front, he told me to wait until he comes out. “I’m glad that you came in time.” . “I’m sorry, I had some problems while I came here that’s why I came late.” -I tried to find a reason. Just tell him that you spent two hours in getting ready. It’s not a big deal. I didn’t spent two hours!! Okay, maybe I did.
At first he showed me a little bit of his house or should I say palace cause normal houses aren’t this big. After that we started with our work.
“You’re doing everything right. I don’t think that there is a problem. You’re doing just fine, actually I think that you’re way better than me.” -he didn’t have any problems with calculations. He solved one question faster than me. “I didn’t know that I could solve them. It’s all thanks to you.” . “Yeah, no problem. I didn’t do anything.” . “Why don’t we eat something and then we can talk about the project.” -we finished faster than we thought so we decided to eat. I was so hungry. “Well, I never don’t say no to food, so no problem for me.” -It’s really hard to understand him. At school he never doesn’t smile when there are people around us. But here he is, he is him. He smiles, makes joke. He does everything that he doesn’t do outside. “Should we order pizza or burgers.” . “Pizza!” -I yelled. “Hahah. Pizza it is.” -he made the order and then said to go downstairs. “Is it a problem if I looked at your room?” -we studied in his study condo and his room was in front of it so I don’t think that he would say no. Or did I? “Yeah, of course.” -He said after one minute or so. When we went inside I was shocked. “Wow. It’s...” . “It’s clean. Yeah I know. You thought that just because I was a man my room would be like every other men’s room. But you see, it isn’t.” . “You really surprise me Cole.” There were a lot of medals. He must be a really smart one. I didn’t want to seem like a creep so we decided to go in the living room. We had to wait a little bit for the food so we just started to talk a little bit about everything.
“You don’t live with your family, why?” -maybe that was a little bit to much. “Well you see, my dad wants me to take after our family’s business. But I didn’t want to. At least not now. He wanted for me to take over it this year. And after I told him that I didn’t want to, he got a little bit angry at me. So I told him that I wanted to finish the university first, you know, I wanted to have a degree. After I told him that, he sent me here.” . “But, shouldn’t have you take your degree until now? I mean, you do look a little bit old. Not that much but, you know what I mean.” -I told him. “Uh, well. Before, I did somethings that now I regret so much. And in that time I left the university. That’s why I just took some exams, passed them and came here. Let’s just say that I’m going to finish all the years in this year.” . “Wow. You really impress me.” -I’m glad that he started new and now he’s trying his best for the years that he spent for nothing. “About that. Why didn’t you tell me that you are Cole, like the Cole?” -I asked him. “Does it matter?” . “No, just. It’s not that I believe what the rumors say. I just never wouldn’t think that someone like you would help someone like me.” -Everyone one knows him as a cold, ruthless person. “There’s no thing as someone like me and someone like you. We all are the same. Just because I have money it doesn’t mean that I am some bigger than you. And yeah, they can think whatever they want. I don’t care. As for me, helping you. I already told you why I helped you.” -Yeah he told me that night when he came for dinner at me. “Except that, your relationship with your family is good right?” . “Not that good but it isn’t that bad too.” -He didn’t want to talk more about that so I didn’t ask more. Someone ringed the bell. “It must be our order.” -Cole went to take the pizza. Then we  started to eat and go on from were we left.

“How...Why?” -Cole asked while laughing at me. “I know, but what could I do? I was just a child.” -I tried to find a reason. “A very strict one. How can children be so strict?” -He was still laughing at me. “I don’t know. And it was their fault after all. They heard what mom said and again decided to do what we shouldn’t.” -We were talking about me when I was a child. I’ve done some things that normal children don’t usually do.  But dad always told me that that’s what made him love me more, so I never didn’t care about what others said to me. “I don’t want to be rude or anything but. Don’t you think that it’s better if try to smile more? Like, how should I say it? Just try to be more happy. I know that you have a really good reason to be like that, but still it doesn’t hurt if you try. At least if you do it for yourself. Not for your family but for yourself. I believe, no, I know that you can do it.” -I tried to make him think about himself more. He shouldn’t worry about what his family says. He loves them and I know that they love him too. But he should know that no matter what families always look after each other. He should know that his family doesn’t judge. I hope that they wouldn’t mind. They shouldn’t after all. They know that everything that he’s doing, he is doing it for them. I can’t even imagine what his family would say to him if he does something that they don’t like. No, I know that they wouldn’t. Which family would? “Trust me Lissa when I say this. They really don’t care. You don’t know what kind of people they are. I do love them. I just hate it when they try to control me. I hate it when they tell me what to do. I know that they’re doing it for me, but it’s not that good when they control your every move.” -I felt bad for him. “Well, I can’t say that I know how you’re feeling. Cause if I do that means that I’m lying. But I do know that that is a wrong thing for them to do. That’s why I think that first you should think about yourself, what makes you happy and then you can talk with them and tell them what you want, not them but you. I know that sooner or later they will understand you. Just try to talk to them.” -I don’t know how that came out of me. It just, it felt right to say that, to do that.
“Thank you, but I don’t think that they will ever understand.” . “Okay. From tomorrow we will start the WCDI mission.” -I was already excited. “What does that thing mean?” . “We Can Do It , it means that I will help you to find your lost dreams, I will help you to find what you like to do and then we will try to talk with your parents. Okay?” . “Are you sure that we can do it? I mean, it will be hard for you to help me.” -trust me Cole there more hard things than helping you. “Well, everything is hard in this life. And I wasn’t waiting for it to be easy. I know that we can do it and we will.” -I already had some plans for what to do so I can help him. “Are you in?” -I asked him. “Uh, okay. I mean why not? I’m in.” -I smiled at him. I was really happy. “Okay then.” -We chatted a little bit more when I decided to go back. Cole insisted to take me back and who was I to say no to him. He wouldn’t listen to me after all.
In our way back, I opened some music and then started singing. It’s been a long time since I didn’t sing and it was nice to be able to do it again. When we went at the dorm I turned the radio off and went out.
“You can draw, you can sing, you’re even smart, do you have any other hidden talents to show, or should I find them?” . “Hahah, well who knows? Maybe I do have more, maybe I don’t. And as for that, I took my voice from mom and my drawing skills from dad.” -I told him. “I don’t why but to me it seems that there are a lot of things about you that I should know. But it’s no problem to me. One think that I know that I’m good at is figuring people out. I will figure you out too.” . “Good luck with that then, Mr. Cole.” -Oh, I almost forgot. “Tomorrow at ten in the morning I will wait for you in here. So you better come and don’t make me wait.” -He looked confused at me. “What? Why?” . “Did you forget what we said before? I’m going to help you. And tomorrow is going to be our first class.” -I really got him there. “Don’t take a lot of time to come. You know, I hate people who are late at their first class.” -I told him and went inside. Wow, it was nice to be able to smile again. Now I have more hope that dad will wake up. And when he does I’m going to show him all my drawings and I’ll sing his song to him. For now I have to pray that he will wake up sooner.
As for now, I have to make some plans for tomorrow. I have a lot of ideas in my list and we are going to do all of them. And after we finish I hope that he will find out what he wants and then he will talk with his parents.

I woke up at the sound of the alarm. I got dressed and took my bag with some supplies that we were going to use today. I was so glad that the weather was sunny, that means that I don’t need a plan B for today. I went in front of the dorm and saw Cole waiting there. He came in time. “You came.” -I told him. “Why shouldn’t I? Didn’t you tell me to come?” -He had a point there. “Okay, we have a lot of things to do so let’s hurry and go to our first destination.” -I said while I opened the car’s door. “Where to, my lady?” . “Here.” -I gave him the destination of our first stop. It was one hour far from here. While we were on the road I decided to call mom. “It’s not a problem if I call someone, right?” -I asked Cole. “Yeah, yeah, of course. No need to ask.” . “Thanks.” -I told him and then made my call. After ringing for some time she opened it. “Hello Lissa.” -yelled Ben. I missed him. “Hello Lissa!!” -Angela and Julie yelled. Hahahha I’ve missed them too. “Hello guys. How are you?” -I asked them. “We’re fine. What about you?” -They were yelling so much that I had to cover y ear if I didn’t want to be a deaf. I opened the speaker while looking through the window. “I’m doing just fine. How’s mom? Where is she by the way and why did you open the phone?” -I was waiting for her open it. “She went to dad, but she forgot the phone at home. Nanny said that later we can go see dad and give to mom the phone.” . “Oh, okay. Did you eat breakfast yet?” -I got used with cooking for them and now I’m scared if they eat or don’t. “Of course, we ate pancakes.” . “What did you do?” . “I got the first in class for this month too so nanny said that she will do pancake with strawberry.” -Ben answered me. Every time when they win something we celebrate in the morning with pancake. It all started when Ben first started to go at school. He always cried before going, saying that he hates school. So dad told hi if he goes and studies then we will always celebrate and do something that he wants. “Wow, you’re smarter than me. I never was the first in the class. Bravo Ben, I’m proud of you. Did you eat all of the pancakes?” . “Not all of them. We decided to save some for mom. And Lissa I know what I want from you guys.” . “You’ve decided what you want?” -He always took a long time to decide, so I was a little bit shocked to know that he decided in such a short time. “Yeah, I did.” -He answered me. “Okay, what do you want?” -I asked and then looked at Cole, he was listening too. “I want dad to wake up.” -What?
“Uh.., I...What?” . “I don’t want to go anywhere like before. I want dad to wake up. We always did what I wanted right? So now I want dad to wake up.” -I was lost. I couldn’t say anything. “Ben, you know that, uh, wow I wasn’t waiting for that.” -Why? It’s really hard to tell him that he can’t make wishes like that. “Don’t worry Lissa, I know that he will get up. He has to. He always kept his promises.” . “Ben, you know that that isn’t a wish that we can make it true. Why don’t you, why don’t you think about something else?” . “But, that isn’t something just I want. Angela and Julie want that too, and I know that you and mom want that too.” -When did he become so smart? “We do, we all do, but only God decides when he can wake up. That’s not something that we can do. We just have to pray and work, so when dad gets up we can tell him everything that he missed. So why don’t you think about something that you want to do with dad after he wakes up?” . “Can we all be together then? You know when dad finally wakes up, can we all do something together?” . “Of course we can. You just have to think what you want and then we will.” -I am so lucky to have them in my life. “Okay then, after I decide I will tell you what I want.” -He told me. “Okay.” -I told him. “Lissa, when will you come?” -That was Angela asking. “I don’t know. I will talk with the principal, maybe I can come after the exams. But I can’t come now, cause I just started the lessons.” -It’s been like two or three weeks since we started. “Okay, we will wait for you.” . “Until then you have to study hard and help mom and nanny, okay?” . “Of course we will.” -Julie said to me. “Okay then, I have to go now. Bye and say hello to mom from me. Love you.” . “We love you too!” -They said and then I closed the call. I was still thinking about what Ben said before. I felt really bad for saying that to him and I knew that he got a little bit hurt but. “They’re really lucky to have you as their sister.” -Cole said to me. “I’m lucky to have them too.” -I said to him. I didn’t want to talk and I was glad that Cole understand. He just opened some light music and went to our destination. I have to help him so I will not be sad in front of him. He has enough of problems. “Be ready Mr. Cole, cause a lot of things are waiting for you.” -I said to him after some minutes. “I’m ready Miss Lissa. Bring it on.” -I was glad that he was in the mood. Let’s just hope that he will keep that smile until the end of this day. “Don’t be so sure of yourself.” -I wanted to scare him a little bit. “What do you mean?” -Confusion clear in his voice. “That’s for me to know and for you to find out.” -I told him while we went at our first stop. The Beach.

“The beach? Why here?” -Cole asked me. “You will find it later why.” -I answered him. We walked a little bit until we find a nice spot to sit. I took the food out of the basket that I prepared in the morning. After everything was settled we sat down and started to eat. “That’s why you said to come in the morning. I have to accept it, it’s a really nice idea.” . “Thank you. Now lets it before it gets late.” -I could see that he didn’t have a normal breakfast for a long time. He was enjoying it. “I didn’t know what you would eat so I made a little from some of the things that I can do.” . “No no, it’s really good, I like it. Thank you for trying.” -After we finished we cleaned a little bit and just spent some minutes in silence thinking. “Come, let’s play.” -I said after I took out the ball. “Play?” -Cole asked. “You’re asking a lot of questions these last times. Haven’t you ever played with a ball before?” . “I did but.” . “Okay then come and play. You’re a man, you should know how to play better than me.” . “Oh trust me when I say that I can win in the first minute.” . “Let’s see it Mr. Cole.” -I told him and then we started our game. We played for two hours or so. I was happy to see Cole smiling like that, to see him being carefree and not worrying, at least for a short time. We got a little bit tired so we decided to sit and rest for a bit. “As we rest we can read some books so, here you go.” -I told him and then gave him one of my favorite books. “You will love it, trust me.” . “I hope that I will.” -He told me. It was about a boy who didn’t have anyone. He was alone and didn’t have a place where to stay. When day a man sees him and then decides to adopt him and gives him everything. He shows him the games of the world. He taught him what life is like, and how he should be ready for everything that fate brings him. He knew that the boy didn’t believe in himself, so he makes it as his priority to help him and teach him. I like one of the words that he says to him.”You shouldn’t wait from the world to love you if you don’t love yourself.” That’s what I was trying to show to Cole. While he started to read I decided to draw a little bit. I started drawing the view in front of me. The clean blue ocean water, the yellow sun, Cole reading and people passing by. Some eating, some playing and some sleeping. I would like to show this to dad.
I was still drawing when I looked at Cole. I have a very long way to make, to figure him out and then help him, but I know that in the same time I would be helping myself too. Let’s just hope that in the end everything is going to be fine.
After one hour or so I told Cole to go at the aquarium. We took our belongings and went. “You know that I can pay for myself right? You always pay when I’m with you.” -Just as I was about to pay for the tickets Cole came and didn’t let me to. He always does this. “What kind of a gentleman lets the woman to pay?” . “Oh please.” -We went inside and I was surprised with the view that was waiting for me to go and explore it. For one moment I forgot that we came here for Cole but, it’s the first time for me too, after a long time, after what happened to dad. I never thought to go to an aquarium anymore, but I was glad that now I did. It was so good. “Wow, I love it. Look at these sharks. Like please they’re so cute.” -I was so excited. “Do you think that they have dolphins here? I would like to see them if they do.” . “I think that they do. Let’s look around, maybe we can see them later.” . “Okay.” -I answered and went on from where we left. I’m not a person who likes to take a lot of pictures, I just like to take some as memories. I took out my camera and took some pictures. “Look there.” -Cole told me. When I looked ahead of me I saw some cute dolphins. I gave my camera to Cole and ran to them. “Oh, My, God. Why should they be so cute? Do you see them? Even the worlds most bad people would fall in love with them.” -I don’t care if I look like a freak right now. “Do you know that they can’t breathe inside of water?” -I asked Cole. “I think that they can.” -He answered me. “Well you were thinking wrong. Actually they have to come out of the water so they can breathe. That’s the reason why they keep surfacing out of the water. I bet you didn’t know this.” -I told him. “You’re right, I didn’t. How do you know?” -he asked me. ”Well let’s just say that I know someone who owns an aquarium back at home. And I’ve spent most of my time there.” -I told him. “You had? Why, you don’t go there anymore?” . “Well, after some things happened I couldn’t go there. I didn’t have time to.” -I told him. As I was looking at the dolphins I forgot to take pictures of them. I was looking for it but I couldn’t find it. “Are you looking for this?” -I forgot that I gave it to Cole when I freaked out about the dolphins. “Yeah, thanks.” I took some other pictures. “Come, let’s take some selfies here.” -I told Cole. He was hesitant but I just took his hand and drag him next to me and took some photos. “In our way back I have to stop somewhere to do something. It will not take long. I hope that you don’t mind.” . “No problem for me.” . “Okay.” -After we looked around a little bit more. While we were going out from there I wanted to buy something, so I bought two key chains and gave one to Cole.
It was already five o’clock when we went out, then I told Cole where we should go and that’s where we are right now. “Hello, how may I help you?” -asked the girl who was working there. I think that she’s new here cause I’ve never seen her before. “Hi. I wanted to make two photo albums.” -I told her. “Of course, the photos?” . “Here.” -I gave her my chip. “I think that it will take about ten minutes, until then can you wait at one of our sits? I’m going to bring you some coffee if you want.” . “Yeah no problem. Thanks.” -I told her and sat with Cole. “You really surprise me.” . “I think that this is the third or fourth time that I’ve surprised you. Right?” . “I like it that you want to keep memories like this.” . “Well now you’re going to start doing it too.” -I told him. “Why should I?” . “Because one time when you feel down you can take the albums and watch them. Plus you can show them to your children too. You know, in the future.” . “Hahahaha. You’re quite funny.” . “Trust me, you’re not the only one who says that to me.” -We drank our coffees and after some minutes the albums were ready. I was so excited to look at the photos. “Now where to? Do you want to go somewhere else too, or what about going somewhere to eat dinner?” -Cole asked me. “I was going to ask you to eat at mines today.” . “Okay then. Should we, my lady?” . “Oh, what a gentleman you are.” -I told him and then we were in our way back. “There is this dish that my dad loves so much, it includes a lot of ingredients. You don’t have any allergy to some foods right?” . “No I don’t. Feel free to do whatever you want, but I would like to help this time.” . “Okay. Should we start then?” -Cole nodded at me while smiling and then we started dinner. I told him to cook the meat while I make the other dish. I was nervous, I didn’t know if he would like it or not. Let’s just hope that he will not laugh at my cooking skills. He liked it last time but, everything can change. “I never thought that I would be cooking with boy in my kitchen.” . “Why? Any problems with boys?” . “No. It’s just, I never didn’t care that much. You know, my only priority was to study. I never thought about other things. I didn’t need friends too. Eva was just enough for me.” -I told him. “I understand. I’ve never thought that I would actually like going to the University. I never thought that I would be excited about the next day. But now I am. And I think that now I know the reason why I feel like this.” . “Why?” -I asked, but he didn’t answer. “I’ll tell you one day but not now. I think it’s too soon to tell you right now.” . “Okay, no problem for me. Just don’t forget to tell me.” . “I will not.” -After that we put the dishes in the table and started to eat. I first waited for Cole until he he tried a little bit from what I did. After he tried it, at first he didn’t say anything. That’s where I thought that I would be screwed. Oh, I think that he didn’t like it. I thought to myself. “Wow, it’s…, Now I know why your dad loves it. It’s incredible, I love it.” . “Really? You’re not just saying right?” . “Really, I love it. You have to show me how you do it.” . “Okay I will.” -I liked the way how he cooked the meat too. It was just how I liked it to be. Let’s just say that we literally ate everything, and now I couldn’t breathe.
“Should we look at the pictures now? Come sit.” -I told Cole after we washed the dishes. He came and sit in the couch next to me and I opened the album. They came out nice. I loved them. “When did you take this?” . “That? While you were reading the book. By the way you have to finish it until next time that we go out. I’m going to ask you about it, so you better read it.” . “Okay, I will.” -We chatted more about the things that we did today and when it became a little bit late Cole decided to go back. Before he went to his car I called him. “Cole.” . “Yeah?” . “Uh, I wanted to thank you for today. Maybe you had other things to do today, I’m sorry if I spent your time.” . “No no, I didn’t have any important thing to do today, you shouldn’t worry about that. Actually I am the one who should thank you. I’m glad that you’re trying to help me. And I’m surprised to say this but, I can say that now I have something that I like to do. So Lissa we can do whatever you want to. Just tell me the date and time.” . “We have a long way to make but I know that we can do it. And you have to find more than one thing that you like to do.” -I was glad that today’s trip was a success. “By the way. I think that this is yours.” -I told him while taking out the other album. “Congratulations on making your own first album. I hope that you’re going to make more of them.” . “I will. Thank you.” -I gave him a soft smile and waved at him. Today I  understood that I liked looking at Cole smiling. He deserved to be happy. Everyone does. And was happy to. It’s been a long time since I didn’t have fun. And because of Cole I got a chance to relax my mind too.
I was happy that tomorrow was Sunday. That means that I can sleep more and I don’t have to worry about school.I fell asleep with a happy smile, while thinking about today’s activities. And lets just say that it was the first time that a got I nice nap since a long time