Chapter 11
810 Words
We were at the concert by one of the famous bands here in Morehead. There’s so much crowd, so much noise, and yet it doesn’t feel chaotic at all. In fact, this is what I was looking forward to; something loud and messy, but something fun. One song played after another. The crowds jumped on the ground screaming their lungs out through every song. Even before the song started, August held my hand and pulled me into the middle of the crowd. It was just a touch of both palms, yet magnified in something greater. He followed the rhythm of the song, sang the lyrics with the crowd. It was Adore You by Harry Styles, covered by the lead singer. I realized he loved the song so much that I could see a single vein on his neck going to explode as he screamed the lyrics when it got to its verse. The way he moves his hand is as if it was telling the story of the song itself. Of everything I noticed today, I never knew that I was just watching him the entire time.
Beyond him the crowd was restless, but it was only him I could see, it was as if it was only me and him. And hard truth, I only want to look at him, and not anything else.
…
“Hmmm...” I muttered, licking the vanilla ice cream with cheese in my hand. We couldn’t miss list number 2.
“Wait here,” August said as he took his steps away from me.
He came back with a bag of potato chips. I was puzzled. “Watch.” He opened the bag and grabbed a piece of chip. He slid it onto the ice cream and ate it. He looked very satisfied with the taste. I chuckled. “What are you doing?”
“Try it. It’s perfect.” Convincing me with his expression.
“Okay.” I followed what he did, and it was strangely good. “How did you come up with this combo?”
“I don’t know. I just discovered it when I was ten. I couldn’t stop eating it like that,” he said, giggling quietly. I also laughed at his response, although there’s nothing funny about it. Maybe it’s his laugh, so contagious, so persuading. I don’t know. I’m just happy being with him.
…
It was already dark when we made our way home. I instantly get ready for bed. I changed into my favorite pajamas, spent hours doing my skin care while Taylor Swift songs played. I danced on top of my bathroom sink like a crazy woman, and belted to my favorite verses, making everything I held in my hand like a microphone. There’s so much energy in me that I never felt for so long. A sprightly mood I couldn’t just waste.
As I got into bed, I kept staring at my phone waiting for it to ring. And it did.
“Hey?” I said, squealing with excitement. And I instantly paused, feeling a sudden humiliation. I didn’t mean it to happen. I heard him laugh on the other side.
“Miss me already, huh?” he said, giggling at every word.
“No!” I immediately responded.
“I do.” I was completely bedeviled by his response. Those two words fused into my bones, sending unfamiliar quakes across my system. It wasn’t entirely because of those two basic words, but the warmth behind them that pierced through me.
“Did you enjoy the concert?” he asked, changing the topic. Maybe it occurred to him—the humiliation that I am feeling.
“Yeah. It’s fun.”
“Me too. It’s fun watching it with you. It was my first time, actually.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I’ve never been to concerts. Or maybe, I just don’t want to be there.”
“But you seem so fond of watching them. Why just watch it now?”
“I don’t know. I guess I was just waiting, so I could watch it with you.”
He got me again. On the back of my phone, I couldn’t stop but quietly smile, but half of me also felt oddly guilty.
“I’m happy we watched it together, August,” I smiled softly. “I’ll be off now. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight Farah,” he whispered in his husky voice.
After that call, I’m starting to wonder if this is what teenage love feels like. Spending the whole day with each other? Midnight calls? Nonstop laughter? Everything feels so light, as if there’s nothing to worry about in life. When both your presence is all that matters. When you just wanted to look at him and not anything else? When thoughts aren’t thoughts anymore, if he’s not in it?
- Writer
