Awkwardness. We all sat down and got our food, which was mac-n-cheese. It’s Chrissy’s favorite, but we try to avoid having it all the time. Hunter must have fallen for her perfected puppy dog eyes.
We all sat in silence for the first five minutes until I turned to Chrissy and asked her about her day. Which produced a huge smile to spread across her face and led into a long, detailed explanation about everything that happened today. We heard about her exciting adventure of riding the school bus for the first time and how she sat on a seat by herself until the next stop when a girl sat down next to her. Her name was Tina and they hit it off on the bus. Much to Chrissy’s excitement, Tina happened to be in the same class as her.
Chrissy went on about her day for another 15 minutes before she finally decided she had said all she could about it. Surprisingly, throughout her whole rant, Trenton appeared to be intently listening.
Hunter shifted his attention to me when Chrissy finished and I knew immediately what was coming. “So, how do you two know each other again?” he asked, going into overprotective parental-brother mode. “We have math together and I was asked to tutor him,” I responded before Trenton could say anything. Hunter just nodded before turning to Trenton and speaking up again. “And why exactly do you need tutoring in math? I would have thought you would have already passed this level.” “Hunter!” I exclaimed appalled at how rude he was being.
“No, it’s okay. I struggled with it last year. There was a lot going on in my life. My grandfather was living with us so we could help take care of him, until half way through last year when he passed away. So, I missed quite a bit of school to help take care of him and after that help take care of my family while my mother grieved,” Trenton replied without flinching. I looked over at him shocked. For one, he just opened up a little about his personal life. And to people he just met today! Also, I guess without any mention of his family ever, I forgot that he might have siblings and family problems too, as insensitive and incompetent as that sounds.
Hunter just nodded at his answer and replied with an, “I’m sorry for your loss.” After that, we proceeded with dinner in silence aside from the scrapping of spoons on the bowls every now and then.
After dinner, we all hung out in the living room and watched some football. Chrissy pretty much immediately warmed up to Trenton. They played around together and Trenton held her in his lap as he tried explaining football in simply terms to her. He was surprisingly good with her; I mean I never really expected the school’s biggest bad boy and player to be so good with little kids.
Hunter and Cole didn’t warm up to Trenton quite as fast, but they did begin loosening up around him. They began discussing sports and favorite teams and players, such boys.
I rolled my eyes at them and got up saying I was going to get a drink and asked if anyone else wanted anything. They all told me what they wanted to drink and Trenton stood up saying he’d help me carry them.
I walked into the kitchen and pulled out five cups. Turning I handed two of them to Trenton. “Can you put ice and water in these?” He nodded and started putting ice in them. I sighed and opened the fridge, pulling out juice. I started pouring the juice before I decided to speak up. Turning around, I said, “Look, I’m sorry for my brother being so nosey and for pretty much pressuring you into this dinner and-“ A hand covering my mouth to stop me from continuing my rant cut me off. “Annabella, stop. You don’t have to apologize for him. It’s okay. And you didn’t pressure me. I was happy to join you guys for dinner.” I looked at the hand, as best I could, trailing my eyes up to meet his perfect smirk and gorgeous sky blue eyes that made me weak… Whoa! Hold up! No! I am not starting to fall for him. I refuse to be another one of those girls who falls for him only to be left in the dust.
Taking a step back, causing his hand fell from my face. I cast my gaze down to the floor before turning around and continuing to pour juice in the cups. “Can you go take the waters out to Chrissy and Cole?” He sighed and muttered a quiet ‘yes’ before I heard his footsteps walking out of the kitchen. When they were far enough away, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding in.
I cannot be falling for the school’s bad boy and biggest player. I’m only going to be played like every other girl and left heartbroken. I refuse to have that happen. I am sure this is all part of an act. Everything will go back to normal at school and I can forget about this. Sadly, I have to tutor him about 2-3 times a week.
I shook my head to try and clear all my thoughts as I picked up the three cups and took them to the living room. I handed Hunter his and then turned to where Trenton had been before only to see him absent. “Hunt, where did Trenton go?” “Upstairs to put Chrissy to bed,” Hunter replied with his eyes never leaving the TV screen as to not miss a second of the football game. I furrowed my eyes in confusion as I headed for the stairs.
When I got to Chrissy’s door it was slightly cracked open enough for me to hear them without being seen. “-The end.” “That was the best story ever!” Chrissy exclaimed, sleepily. “Tell me-“ she yawned, “-another one?” Trenton laughed lightly. “I think it’s probably time for you to get some sleep. What do you think?” “Mhm.” “Good, now get some sleep.” “Hug?” Chrissy asked. There was a moment of silence and then I heard Trenton reply saying, “Okay.” After a moment, I heard his footsteps going over and then begin heading for the door again. “Good night, Chrissy.” “Wait!” She said, abruptly. “Yes?” “I have two questions before you leave. Do you like Bella?” “I haven’t known her for long, but she seems like a nice person. What’s your other question?” “Promise you’ll come back and hang out with me again?” “I promise. Good night.” “Good night.”
With that I heard Trenton’s footsteps coming closer to the door. I jumped away and went down two or three steps. When he exited her room, I walked up them to make it look like I was just now coming up the stairs. When he closed her door and turned around he froze when he saw me. “Hey,” I said trying to start a conversation. “Hey,” he replied. “Thanks for.. Ya know.. Helping get her to bed.” He nodded, “Yeah, of course. It was the least I could do after you guys let me eat with you.” “Oh, we were happy to have you.” We stood there awkwardly for a minute or two. Finally, Trenton spoke up saying, “Well, I should probably get home. It’s getting late.” I just nodded and we headed downstairs.
“Hey, I’m gonna head out, Trenton said going up to my brothers. “Alright, well, it was nice meeting you,” Hunter said, doing a bro hug with him. “You too. See you guys around,” he said. With that, he headed for the door where I was. I opened the door and let him out, with me going outside and closing the door behind me. We just stood there in yet another awkward silence before I decided to say something.
“Hey, look-“ “So, thanks-“ We both started at the same time. “You go first,” Trenton said. “Alright, look, thanks again for helping with Chrissy. She really seems to like you. And my brothers seem to like you as well, even if they don’t show it much.” “Well, I was happy to help out with Chrissy, again. She’s a really sweet girl. I’ve always wanted a little sister and hanging out with her tonight, she felt like the little sister I never had,” he laughed a light awkward laugh before continuing. “Your brothers are really cool too. It was fun hanging out and talking sports with them tonight, as well. Thanks for tutor me; I know there are probably a million other things you would have rather done this afternoon. And thanks again for dinner.” I nodded, “Of course, and I spent my afternoon almost the same as I would have spent it, just minus tutoring you. If you ever want to come over for dinner again you’re more than welcome to. I’m sure Chrissy would love to see you again.”
“Thanks. Well, I’ll see you around school,” he said. With that, he went down our front steps, got in his car, and drove off. This has been one interesting evening.
YOU ARE READING
Things Change & People Change
Romansa"Labels. Jock, popular, drama geek, bully, nerd. In high school, there is really no way to escape them." Annabella Parker is known as the oddball with an outgoing and bubbly personality. She has always been labeled, but she didn't really mind. Her f...
