Chapter 7 part a

“Mum!! How can you just throw me out already?! I’m not even married yet!!” I groaned. I dropped my bag on the floor and grabbed my luggage from her.  She’d packed all my clothes and necessities while I was away.

 “Brenda says she’d like it if you stayed with them starting from now. You may want to get used to a lot of stuff, and also learn basic stuff you still don’t know. You don’t even know how to cook yet,” she said.

 “But you’re here! You can teach me.”

 “Clare!! Listen to me will you?!” her decision was final. It was obvious from her harsh tone but I still didn’t want to go. Although I would see dad more often since he would be just close by, but the fact that I’d be leaving my mum alone just made me feel bad. 

 “I’m not going!!” I insisted.

 “Yes you are…”

 I felt my heart skip a beat when I heard his voice. It surprised me. He was all around with Maya a while ago that he didn’t even offer to drive me home like he usually does. I turned to see him standing at the door which I’d forgotten to close because of the whole ‘leaving the house’ matter.

 “I’m not leaving my mum alone!!” I snapped after an awkward moment of silence.

 “Clarissa…I wish you’d give me some time alone instead of sticking to me every day worrying I’ll go crazy if I’m left alone. I’m going for a vacation…to Italy. Your aunt is going into labor soon and since she’d my only sister I want to be there for her. So, since Robin agreed to take care of you while I’m gone just go, ok?”

 My jaw dropped and I gave her a disapproving look. “So it’s not because you want me to learn ‘basics’ and get used to everything, is it?”

 No wander she’d been going around shopping for clothes and other things. She sighed as I leaned against the wall refusing to leave.

“I’ve leaving tonight, and I won’t feel good leaving you here alone so stop acting like a brat,” she said impatiently.

 “Mum!!” I exclaimed. I had no intention of leaving home right now. She gave me a look that shut up me up. “Fineee…I’ll go…tomorrow. I promise,” I muttered.

 “I’ll stay with her so don’t worry,” Robin said.

 My eyes widened and I glared at him. Is he serious, that idiot?! My mum didn’t think it was such a bad idea though. She left a few hours after that to my relief. Right after she left I blew up at Robin. He just stood there staring at me with amusement.

“I don’t want you to stay here!!” I snapped.

 “Why not? We can stay up late like before and play games, or eat ice-cream? Maybe a scary movie?”

 I actually considered that thought for a moment, then quickly shook my head. “No!”

 “What happened? Did I do something wrong? We were getting along just fine yesterday,” he raised an eyebrow, eying me curiously.

 “I want to be alone,” I turned away and walked upstairs but he followed me.

 “Do you like me?”

 That caught me off guard making me freeze in my place. Why would he ask something like that? I didn’t say anything or move but felt him gently take my hand in his. “Or is it hate?”

 “Fine…you can stay but you’re buying,” I groaned and turned to look at him, pulling my hand away from his. He just blinked then smiled impishly.

 “Why the sudden change of topic?”

 “Stop asking useless questions,” I snapped as I walked back downstairs. Honestly, I had no idea how to answer him. I didn’t hate him, but I don’t think I loved him that way yet either.

 “Ok, ok. Snacks?”

“Baskin robins chocolate ice-cream and chips…” I muttered.

 He smiled. What was he so happy about? I narrowed my eyes at him as he quickly wore his shoes. “I’ll be back soon so pick out a movie and let’s have a date here, ok?”

 He left before I could say anything else. I stood there with my mouth hanging open like an idiot. Date? I frowned. Why was he being all sweet and nice all of a sudden? Maybe he thinks I’m still angry? Now that I think about it, why was I angry at him in the first place?

 I looked into the CD-rack and tried to pick out a nice movie. I wasn’t going to watch anything romantic or scary with him, so I settled with a sitcom. I got everything ready, and jumped onto the couch taking up the whole place so he wouldn’t sit next to me.

 Once he got back he gave me the plastic bag filled with chips…ketchup flavor, salty, original, cheese, vinegar… and another that contained haagen dazs chocolate and strawberry flavor ice-cream with Baskin robins chocolate ice-cream.  

 He’d been running since he’d got back in 5 min. when the nearest shop was around 10 or 15 min. away, and right now he was lying down on the ground just beside me breathing heavily.

“You didn’t have to get all this…” I said. “Are you ok? Why on Earth were you running?”

He shrugged. “I didn’t know what you’d like better…besides, if I were to come late you’d fall asleep then I won’t be able to have a date with you.”

For a moment I felt the urge to hug him and run my hand through his light brown hair. Then out of nowhere I said it. “I’m not angry you know…stop trying to be nice.”

That caused him to sit up abruptly, his eyes looking at me blankly.

I did it…I said what I was thinking and then hugged him. “But thanks for trying.”

“Clarissa?” he was shocked…he had to be but he sounded indifferent…at least he was trying to sound normal. I quickly backed away though and just when I was about to get up he pulled me back for another tight hug.

“I wasn’t really trying to be nice. I just don’t like seeing you upset or angry, so tell me what’s annoying you and I’ll do my best to stop it.”

I just sat there close to him, feeling the warmth of his closeness. Hell, I don’t even know why I was being like that. “I’ll tell you when I know…”