After Meeting You

Chapter 2

Jared POV

   The next morning, my mom handed me some money and told me to spend it as I please. Everything was so different than before, but my mom was not herself. I was wondering what may have come to her and at same moment my phone buzzed. My best friend Kevin called me. ‘Hey bro!’ I said as I looked towards my mom who would till yesterday be criticizing me for taking his call but today she looked like nothing happened. ‘Earth to Jared’ Kevin literally shouted in my ear. ‘Hey Kev what’s up?’ ‘Are you busy today?’ ‘Nope, Why?’ ‘Let’s meet Jar.’ ‘Okay.’

       ‘Mom, can I go to Kevin’s?’ I asked looking half into her eyes while preparing myself for no. ‘Sure. Why do even ask me? Didn’t your father told you to do whatever you want to?’ ‘Are you sure Mom? Should I go?’ I still asked feeling something was amiss. ‘You are not a baby anymore who needs his mother to go to his friend’s house. Just go and leave me alone for some time.’ My mom said with a damn cold voice. ‘Okay. Bye Mom. I will be back by 4.’ I left the home even though I felt I should ask her if she was okay, uhm but she is always like this. I was just excited to see Kevin whom I have not seen for a month.

      Kevin Addison, he is the best friend that I could ever imagine! When we moved here, he was very warm and considerate. He invited me into his group and made sure I was never left out. He would listen to my Mom’s taunting without giving her any reaction. He would recharge my phone so that I would stay connected to them. He is just best friend. All along my thoughts, I didn’t realize that I reached to Kevin’s home. His home has a very homely nature. A front yard with lovely garden having bright flowers, a white fence and a small coffee table with some chairs in the porch. His parents are school teachers, even being teachers they are very warm at heart. His mom would tell some wonderful story while his dad would bake some delicious cookies. His family is so perfect! I always adore his family. They always had new family portrait every year with all smiling faces. I don’t even remember if my parents ever took a picture.

     I knocked on the door, while waiting for door to be open. ‘Hey bro come on in!’ here comes Kevin. Kevin had blonde hair with built up physique as he plays football. He is heart robber of many girls in the school but he is so faithful towards his girlfriend Mia. Mia also goes to the same school as us, just one year junior to us. She is nice girl, I think. ‘Hi Kev, you look lovesick!’ I said while looking at Kevin’s dull face which looks like he hasn’t washed in years. ‘He is definitely not!’ Gina commented from behind. Gina is Kevin’s little sister who is 6 years younger than us. She is also like a younger sister to me. She is cute girl who is also quite twirky. ‘What to do know by lovesick?’ Kevin roared. ‘Don’t get fussy Kevin, Mia’s still here. Hi Jared, I missed you so much! ’Gina said while hugging me and giving funny face to Kevin. ‘I missed you to baby bear. This is for you.’ ‘Wow chocolate!!! You are best brother ever!’ Gina shouted and went upstairs. After a moment of silence Kevin added, ‘She has become noisier.’ ‘Come on Kevin, she is just a small girl!’ ‘Yeah, yeah after all you are her favorite brother!’ ‘Kev you are so fussy!’ Looking with angry face Kevin said with sigh, ‘Let’s go in, Mia’s been waiting.’ ‘Mia’s here?’ I asked with a big question mark as I don’t know her that well to hold conversation and I knida felt like third wheel.

       ‘Sky to Jared, what the hell are you thinking bro?’ Kevin said while looking little amused. ‘Nothing bro! Just curious, why you want me to be your third wheel?’ Kevin gave me a weird face while laughing said to me, ‘I am not. I just thought to introduce you to someone, so we can double date.’ ‘You knew that I can’t date! My parents will kill me if I do.’ Sighing and giving me a mocking smile, Kevin said, ‘Come on bro, it’s not like that she will be your girlfriend right away. Also I don’t understand your parents, man they are so weird! Anyway she is Mia’s friend and she just dropped by so we invited her for a movie. She is good you can think of her.’ Giving him a disdainful look I said, ‘Oh please!’ ‘Anyway let’s go in.’ Kevin said while putting his hand on his hand and strolling away. I followed his line in and saw Mia and a girl in baby pink dress. Oh how childish!

   After coming to living room, we saw Mia’s big brown eyes questioning us why what we were doing out for so long. For courtesy, I gave Mia a tight smile and said, ‘Hi Mia. How are you doing?’ ‘I am good Jared.’ While taking a small pause she said again, ‘Oh meet my friend and my classmate Anika. Anika this is Jared the infamous heartbreaker of school. Jared, this is Anika who has huge crush on me.’ Hearing this Anika blushed and with small voice she said hi. I don’t know how to react to her; I just said hi in response and sat far away from her. Don’t know why she seems a little weird to me. It’s better to keep distance than unnecessary trouble. After a crappy movie that Kevin got for us we moved to dining area to have some delicious mac n cheese that Kevin’ mom got for us. I noticed that this Anika kept glancing at me from time to time, making the atmosphere weird for me.

    It was almost 4 o’clock my time Cinderella time to return home! Looking around I saw Kevin and Maria were to comfortable with each other so taking my eyes off their affection I got up and announced, ‘Hey I shall be going now. See you guys another time.’ I started to leave when Kevin stopped me and said with pitiful eyes, ‘Hey please send Anika home. Otherwise she may not leave and I want to spend some quality time with Mia’ with that he winked! ‘Not going to happen bro! She seems to little weird to me and she is definitely not a kid to get lost.’ ‘Please man be a gentleman and drop her to bus stop, which along your way. Please I request. Please!’ Seeing him so I don’t want to say pitiful but drama queen, I held my breath and regretfully said, ‘Ok. But you are trying to set me up with her, I shall kick your ass!’ ‘Thanks bro. And I swear upon my life I am not setting you up with that weirdo!’ With that we both laughed and looked up for Mia and and that weirdo! ‘Anika, Jared will send you to the bus stop. And please texts Mia after you reach home.’ Anika looked little baffled and I weirdly sensed she was acting even more weird. But she only responded with little hum and hugged Mia while leading the way to the door. I followed her suite and gave last glaring eyes to Kevin.