The Richardsons

Video #15

"Do you wish your life is a storybook? Or maybe, some cringy story where you are in a love triangle? It doesn't really hurt to imagine some things sometimes. Live out your imagination while you're bored at class or a family event or whatever. If I ever get in a storybook situation, I'll let you know and follow up with you."

I've been getting more close with Detroit now. And I want to introduce him to Adrian and Cassie, but every time I want to introduce him to them, he refuses to budge and takes me someplace else. Somewhere isolated and where nobody else could be seen other than us.

We also have science together, and I've noticed some things about him.

Whenever he looks at me, he smiles. It's always a slight smile, but it seems to have so many meanings beneath it.

We're having lunch together one day when he suddenly looks at me.

"You know, you seem like the type of girl that is a mystery. It's like you're hiding something. Like a secret. Are you part of the mafia?" He joker with me.

I look back at him and I notice his cheeks are pink, like a blush.

"I don't think I'm a mystery, what's there to know about me anyway?" I look at the school grounds from our hangout space.

"Something. Everybody hides something." I see Detroit stand up. I follow suit.

Suddenly, he grabs my hand.

"Do you know what it's like to fall for someone you just met?"

Oh no.

No.

No.

No.

Kat, Katherine, why?

You are 15, don't think about this.

"I'm just kidding! Do you think I was serious?" Detroit laughed it off as a joke.

But, I don't think it was a joke. He sounded serious, but who knows?

After school, I met Adrian and Cassie at the school library.

"No Detroit?" Adrian slammed his book shut.

I shook my head "no".

"Do you even have a picture of this dude? I could sketch him." Cassie said to me.

I shook my head no again.

"Why does he not want to meet us?" Cassie asked.

"I don't know. I'm guessing that he can be a little bit shy." I sugarcoat it.

"Don't beat around the bush. That's something you always do." Adrian said to me.

I'll admit, I can often sugarcoat things and make them seem like nothing. Normally, when I sugarcoat things, that means something is up.

"Does he have social anxiety?" Adrian asked, but he sounded a little bit off.

"I don't think so." I look away.

"What's this Detroit boy even like anyway?" Cassie looks at me.

"He's somewhat tall, blond hair, glasses, satchel, shy. His real name is Dez, but he lets me call him Detroit."

"Ooh." Cassie smirks. "Like a pet name."

"It's nothing like that." I brush it off.

While Cassie was constantly asking me questions about Detroit, Adrian is surprisingly silent, not even a word comes out of his mouth. He seems tense and off.

"Adrian, what's up?" I ask him.

"Nothing." Adrian starts to pack up his things.

"Hey! Where are you going?" Cassie stops him.

"Nana is making dinner extra early tonight. I have to go and help her." He sounded like he wanted to leave.

Cassie didn't say anything and let Adrian leave.

Cassie smirked at me once he left.

"I think Adrian likes you."

"Why me? He should be interested in you more." I say modestly.

"I'll admit, I did have a crush on him in elementary school, but that was in kindergarten and he would always pick his nose." Cassie laughed.

"Oh, you."

Cassie quickly checked her phone.

"Oh! I should start to get going! Would you like to come with me and walk back home?"

"Of course!"

Normally, the three of us walk together, but Adrian has been acting a little bit off, so it's just Cassie and I. We walk to our homes together, and we have some girl talk, something we can do without Adrian being around.

About 5 hours later, I'm just wrapping up my homework for the day when my phone buzzes.

Detroit
Hey, are you available to talk? I need somebody to vent to.

Me
Of course, vent away.

Something is up, first off, how did I get his number? Or, how did he get mine?

Second off, this isn't good. I don't have a good feeling about this.

Detroit
Things have been getting worse over the course of my life. I thought things were getting better, they're not. My childhood flashbacks are haunting me again. The bullies, the abuse. It's all turning on me.

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Thesis is the only way that i can feel any better in any way. You're the only person that knows this.

The images were scarring in my mind. This is why Detroit always covers himself up. The scars and the blood. His arms, his chest, even his legs were covered in cuts and scars. What really happened over the course of his life? I wanted to ask, but I didn't want to be insensitive about things.

Me
This is.....

Detroit
You don't have to say anything, I know I might be a monster in your eyes.

This has been happening since I could remember.

I'm sorry that you have to see all of this. I just couldn't keep it bottled up forever.

Me
I never knew about any of this. If I would have Known.....

Detroit
You're lucky, you never had any flaws in your life. Two parents that never separated, food on the table, happiness wherever you went, a decision in your life for what to do. I never had any of that. And I hate myself because I feel like I don't get to live my life the way I want.

This might be the last thing that you might hear from me, if I ever survive the night. Good night and I'll see you tomorrow, or maybe this will be the last time you'll ever remember of me....