Monsterstruck

CHAPTER XII: Invitation

      Craig was awoken by the ringing of the phone. As he stirred, he groggily picked up his phone but found nothing on the screen.

              “♫Looking at you,

        Holding my breath

      For once in my life, I’m scared to death♪

      Much to his surprise, it was not coming from his phone.

      “Wait! That’s my ringtone! Who could be else in this room that has the same ringtone as mine?” His eyes popped wide as he saw Vylet’s phone beside him… and it indicated ‘MOM’ calling.

      5 missed calls already!

      He shot a quick glance at her before answering the call. She was still sleeping. He didn’t know what to say. He cleared his throat as he pressed the receiver.

      “Hello Vylet! Where are you honey? We’ve been looking for you all day long! I’ve been calling you for almost four hours already!” Vylet’s mom was in hysterics from what he could tell.

     “Uhmm. Hi, Mrs. Amarillo. This is Craig Davis, Vylet’s friend. I rushed her to Mr. Bautista’s clinic when I found her over the shrubs earlier. She fell over with her bike. But you got nothing to worry because she’s fine now. Dr. Bautista took care of her. So sorry for not telling you earlier. I didn’t know how to contact you… and I don’t have any slightest idea that her phone is right beside my lap. I fell asleep and lost track of time. She’s sleeping right now.” That was the longest speech he had ever spoken to someone’s mom.

    “Craig Davis? Son of the late Mr. Samuel Davis?” Mrs. Amarillo asked delightedly.

   “Yes Mrs. Amarillo.” He replied awkwardly.

    “Oh. thank you for your kindness, Craig. I’m so madly worried about her since she’s not answering my calls. How is she? Did she sprain her arms?”

     Funny how Mrs. Amarillo didn’t bother to ask more queries about him.

    “Vylet is fine now mam, I’m sorry to say yes she did … and she also has gashes around her forehead. But as I said, she’s fine now.” Craig assured.

     “Oh, my child!  Let me know as soon as she woke up.” Mrs. Amarillo said.

    “No problem Mam. I’ll drive her home as soon as she woke up.” He assured modestly.

    “Thankyou. You could have a dinner with us later if you want,” the woman offered.

     “My pleasure Mrs. Amarillo,”

   “Okay. Gotta hung up now, I guess I’ll see you later. You take care of my daughter! Please extend my thanks to Dr. Bautista. Bye.”

   “I will Mam. Thanks for the invitation. I appreciate it.” 

     Then, they hung up. Craig was left flabbergasted. Wow that was so quick. He was about to meet Vylet’s mom tonight. He’d have a dinner with them.  But he couldn’t still shake off the fact that they have the same ringtone.

     Suddenly, he started to recount the day when he handed her a Lifehouse album.  Wistfully, he also recounted the night that they danced as the “First Time” song by Lifehouse in which they shared the same ringtone played in the background that one lovely night.

    Never in his whole life had he seen a girl with such a strong conviction about something she believed. Never did he meet someone who was as weird as her yet, she never failed to amuse him through and through. Never did he meet a girl who’d b***h in front of his face that his band sucks and he was such a scumbag. Who could be else in this city who will call him such names after saving her life from those unknown entities? Albeit that surly stare, all he could see was a beautiful purple haired lady whose personality stood out in the sea of faces.   He was beyond dazed about how concerned she was about the case of his father. He didn’t know if he used the right word ”concern” but  he felt the authenticity of  her words  that she had said at his party. Maybe she was just psyched, curious, fascinated or all the above in the peculiarity of the death of his father.  After all, who wasn’t?

     “You could use my car to drive her home.” Dr. Bautista offered, breaking his train of thoughts.

     “Uh... Yes, I was actually planning to ask you—”

     “I know boy, I know,” he said knowingly with a smile. “Is she your girlfriend?” He asked with a grin stretched across his face.

     “She’s not my girlfriend,” he replied matter-of-factly. But his heart wished otherwise.

      Dr. Bautista’s brows shot up.

    “But I really like her.” Craig clipped as his eyes flickered to the sleeping beauty.

     “Yes, you do,” the doctor beamed and patted his shoulders gently.

     “Man up Craig, if you really like her. Are you sure you just like her? Or are you already in love with her?” Dr. Bautista probed intensely.

     With that, Craig met the doctor’s probing eyes. Those questions struck him like a thunder bolt. He gulped and willed his thundered heart to speak. But his mouth seemed to run dry.

     Suddenly, a yawn broke off. Vylet’s eyes slowly flew open and saw them who seemed to be delighted upon her waking.

   “Err… what now?” Vylet asked consciously as her gaze darted between the two men.

  “How are you feeling Vylet?” asked Dr. Bautista.

    “A whole lot better. Thanks Doctor Bautista,” she replied with a smile.

   “We must go now. I’ll drive you home.” Craig piped up.

   “Err…What? No. I’ll just text —” Wait text who? I can’t text Blaze to fetch me here. She sighed. And Skylar was still on her vacation in Ilocos.  Urghh being a loner is such a pain in the ass. I have few people to count on at times like this.

    “I’ll just text mom.” Her nose wrinkled. It was absurd knowing that her mom can’t drive.

     “Don’t be such a brat Vylet. Your mom called and I told her that you’re here and I made a promise to her that I’ll get you home safe.” Craig retorted.

   “What? Damn I’m screwed. She’s gonna have my butt!”

    “I don’t think so” Craig countered and helped her rose.

    “He was right Vylet. C’mon. And besides I offered him to use my car so he can drive you home. So, don’t worry hun. You’ll be fine,” the doctor chimed in with a wink.

    Without any choice, Vylet nodded and acquiesced to the offer.

    Darkness had pressed by the time that they have reached the clinic gate.

    “Thank you, Dr. Bautista, for everything.” Vylet mumbled whole heartedly.

     “You’re welcome Vylet. I know this will not be the last time we’ll see each other again,” he said as he slid a glance at Craig.

    Craig just grinned and pursed his lips. He ushered Vylet toward the black Savannah and opened the door for her.

    “Thanks, Dr. Bautista. I’ll swing by tomorrow.” Craig countered.

    In a matter of minute, he revved up the engine and drove.

    “I texted mom already. I said we’re on our way now.” Vylet piped up.

    Craig was humming the tune of Lifehouse’s “First Time” as he drove.

     Vylet glanced over herself. Why does klutziness have to break in at this moment?

    “We have the same ringtone. How cool is that?” he said casually and continued to hum.

    Vylet stared at him with wide eyes.

    “How did you—” Urghh yeah he heard it when mom called.

     “Relax. I can’t blame you for digging that song. ” He teased, flashing a crooked smile.

     “I’m gonna set another song as my ringtone. I’ll switch to Philia’s “Killer.” Vylet said, trying to sound smug. Craig just threw her a deflated look.

    “Go ahead. It’s your music preference, anyway.” He replied nonchalantly and stopped from humming. He then turned on the radio stereo and scanned for a good music station.

    Impulsively, Vylet whipped her gaze over the windowsill. In the gathering darkness, he caught a glimpse of a pair of ferocious reddish eyes, hovering around the shadows of the trees. It seemed like it was following them. With that, Vylet felt an icy fear pool down her stomach. No not now.

   “Vylet? What do you think?”  Craig’s voice snatched her away.

   “Huh… What?” She asked, puzzled. A curl of nausea started to form in the back of her head.

    Craig just looked at her bewildered.

     “Sorry. I think I just saw someone familiar in the street we passed by,” she lied.

   “Oh…Okay. I was asking you if this Fm station is fine with you. They’re the only radio station who plays hardcore and metal songs. Pretty cool, isn’t it?”  He continued to rave about the said station.

    Vylet tried to keep her fears at bay by paying attention to him. She nodded nonchalantly and bobbed her head to the music sending her in a musical trance.  Finally, the sight that she had saw was now a distant memory.

    “Monster radio is our jam!” Craig hooted and laughed at his fail attempt to headbang. Slipknot’s song was currently playing in the background.

   “Yeah!” Vylet hooted. “Horns up!” She crowed and gingerly headbanged and laughed at the same time.

    Craig just stared at her and couldn’t help himself to be awestruck. See that’s the girl she wanna be with driving at night, listening to their favorite radio station, goofing around.

    “You look cute when you’re laughing and headbanging at the same time.” He mused. It was the first time he heard her laughed out loud. She found her laughter spellbinding— it felt like he was hearing a new soulful song on the radio. It was eargasmic— the kind of sound you wanted to hear over and over again and ached for it more than you should. It has a soulful hook and punch at the right places, filling out the missing notes of a discordant tune.

     “You’re such a rotten liar Craig Davis. I know in the back of your mind you wanted to say that I look like a retarded seal.” Vylet said, grinning a playful smirk and continued to rock the f**k off.

    “Well, marginally,” he replied, flashing his rockstar grin and they both laughed out loud, even more.  It was funny how the sound of their laughter was louder than the metal music playing on the background. The sound of their laughter meshed well with the beating of their hearts, sending them in euphoria, tugging along with their heart strings.

      Finally, they were now nearing toward the Amarillo’s residence.