Time Is The Hero

Ch-5 Goo-goo Eyes

" How can a person be so pathetic?"

"Chill Jenna, it's just a movie" I try to calm down her outburst.

"However, he is mind-blowing at acting; throughout the movie, you could not tell that he is the Edward Wilkinson but only a deadly  qnd dangerous serial killer". I tell her picking up the bowls of popcorn that went empty as soon as the movie started, and go down to the kitchen.

By the time I come up, she is already talking to someone over the phone. She mouths "Julia" even without me asking her.

"What?"
"Really ?"
"Fine I'll ask her"
I listen to the one-sided conversation.

She finishes the call and keeping the phone down asks me "Hey do you think you can take part in Julia's periodic drama?"
"Yes," I answer instantly as an instinct.
Surprised  by my sudden enthusiasm she questions "Are you sure?"

I scoff and say "Duh! Did you forget that I have done a workshop on theatre acting? "

"Yes, when you were in grade 3. " She states with a sarcastic smile.

"Oh please, I want to do it. But wait Julia's drama?" I start to get confused.

"Yeah, Julia is doing a period drama with a bunch of her classmates from history for college fest.

Apparently the one who was playing the role went MIA and has probably left the state without telling anyone"

" Oh! But why are you not doing it? I think Julia trusts me more than you." A smirk appears on my face.

"She trusts me fine. It's just I don't have much time for rehearsals and kinds of stuff. School, homework, job at a bakery, photography classes; I barely have time for myself. Besides Juls said the girl who left is almost like you in appearance and complexion and you will fit the role." Jenna explains.

She would have enough time for this if she really wanted  to participate.

"I'll tell Julia to have a talk with you later in details about this drama thing... Hey, Austin won't come home?" Jenna asks me.

"No, he is at his friend's" I start making the bed for our sleepover at mine.
"Okay whatever, give me your banana pajamas" She tells me yawning.

***

Julia calls me in the morning. 

"Linda, you don't have to come regularly  for rehearsals. You just have a short but very salient monologue in the play. Just practice at home; by heart the lines. We will call you in at the dress rehersal directly. I'll be sending you your dialogue by this evening. Text me your email address ." She takes a brief pause and says " I can trust you right, you won't ditch me?

" Never. I'm eager to do this." I say confidently to elevate her trust on me . There is a child-like keenness in my voice which astounds me.

Driving back from school I stop at Boby's before going to the Garage. Boby is not at his usual counter. I give my order to the waiter. I decide on to do my homework here as I was sure of not getting time later. Earlier Mom used to scold me for doing multitasking; always asked to eat first and do all other affairs later.

I am surprised a little when Boby himself appears with my order. He places it on the table and looks at my eyes questioningly. I nodded and he sits on the opposite chair.

"You know I'm really heartbroken my child. But you and I or anyone can not do anything." He is pitting me.

I nod and give him a reassuring smile telling that I'm okay. We sit in silence  for a while.  He breaks the silence asking about the new boy Jayson.

"I don't see much of him around the Garage. He goes by the time I'm there in the evening. But Joshua was telling that he learned all the things very fast."

"Oh, that's  good. I'll let my child eat now." He pats my head and goes to his counter.

I almost finish my homework when a familiar  voice alarms me. "Hey" the voice comes from the table on my right. I looked at the direction to find the one and only Aiden with his toothy smile. And with him sits Mrs McCartney, who happens to be our school's headmistress, on his opposite. A little boy with a goofy face is there too.

Confusion runs in my head and the only thing I'm able to do is to give a smile. Though I try it to be as generous as it can be, I'm afraid it comes as an awkward grin.

Before I can bang my head to come off with an excuse to leave, Aiden is already standing and coming towards me. And then he opens his mouth.

" Would you like to have coffee with us"  he gestures towards the table they are seated.
"Ah..actually I'm stuffed. Next time?" I grin showing my fake apology.

"Meet my family at least then?"
Processing proper words in mind to kindly decline the offer gets difficult for me. And to not meet a person who is sitting with eyes laced on you only will be rude.

I start walking towards their table; Mrs. McCartney keeps my glance. I greet her as soon as I am standing at an audible distance from her.

Aiden introduces Mrs McCartney as his mother and the toddler as his younger brother.

From that point a whole bunch of questions appears in my head.

"She is the girl who was watching me in the library with goo-goo eyes" Aiden introduces me to his mother who is apparently also my headmistress.

Aiden then asks me "Wait, what's your name?".