The Book Fight

CHAPTER 4: Unfamiliar Territory

ASTON

“Ladies, have you met Aston?” I recognize the How I Met Your Mother reference.

Buck is obsessed with the show. He made me promise to watch the 1st season over the weekend and I’m now on season 4.

What can I say? It’s a great sitcom.

“No. I don’t think we have been formally introduced.” The side kick elbows Sekani who pushes a curly strand behind her ear when the wind blows it in her face.

Up close, she looks even more perfect.

“Now that won’t do,” Buck swings his hand over my shoulder but I push it off. “This right here, is Aston Martin Parker also known as Parker.”

“Parker?” Sekani mouths to her friend in mock.

“Be nice ladies,” Buck points playfully. “He is not used to people or pretty girls.”

I scoff at that.

“Fine,” the sidekick steps up. “I’m Jeon Soon-Yi and this is Sekani Rivers.” She stretches out her hand and I shake it.

“Hi,” it’s a good thing I am in dark glasses because my eyes just don’t want to move away from Sekani.

“Hey” she connects her dainty hand next. “I like your shirt, is it new?”

Everyone looks at the plain white t-shirt over my torso.

“Thanks?” I look down too. “It’s new to me, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Well, I love your haircut.” Yi points at my head. “Now, I know that’s definitely new.”

“Yeah but too bad he is still ugly right?” Buck intercepts which makes Yi and Sekani titter.

Thankfully, the first bell rings cutting off any further conversation. Even Buck’s phone goes off and he walks away after giving me a “I’ll see you inside.”

“The first bell? s**t, Ryder is going to have a cow.” Yi walks to the front stairs but pauses when she realizes her friend is not following. “Sekani? Are you coming?”

“To watch you and Ryder make out?” Sekani actually cringes, “I think I’ll see you inside too.”

Yi gives me a look before saying, “okay” with a knowing smile.

“I’m guessing Ryder is the boyfriend?” I sip my coffee and for some reason that makes her brown eyes widen. “What?” Did I say something wrong?

“I think you’re the first person to ever ask that, sincerely too.” Sekani seems impressed. “But yes, Yi is dating Ryder Smith.”

“Let me guess, they are the school’s Brangelina?” I muse but Sekani nods seriously. “Huh,” impressive.

“Okay what are you drinking? You can’t seem to get enough of it,” Sekani snorts when I take my 4th sip.

“It just coffee, Buck brought it for me.” I point randomly and she actually deflates.

Jesus. It’s like I forgot to talk to girls. She can obviously see it’s coffee, it’s in a foam cup for heaven’s sake.

“Cool,” Sekani turns away clearly over me.

“Do you want to try it?” I call out to stop her, “I have no idea what it is but it tastes freaking amazing.”

I expect her to walk away but she takes the cup from my hand and connects it to her lips. I watch in awe as she licks her lips before taking a second sip as if to be sure.

Okay, now I am definitely impressed because it’s not easy to look sexy drinking coffee but Sekani Rivers just did it without batting an eyelash.

“You’re right,” she actually smiles. “It tastes amazing,” she returns the cup and I fight my smile.

To get an idea of her gloss, I take sip and feel the texture of it on my lips. Its apricot flavor with a touch of cherry scent.

“No way that’s the time.” She looks at her watch and like Yi, stops when she realizes I’m not behind her. “Aren’t you coming?.”

“I have to do something first,” I make a smoking gesture. “I literally can’t walk into that place sober, I tried and I walked right back out.”

That makes her giggle and my heart nearly jumps out of my chest.

“Well, then I’ll take this.” She grabs the foam cup. “Enjoy yourself Parker,” Sekani connects it to her lips and I watch her walk inside school.

My encounter with Sekani in the parking lot is the only one we have all week. I feel her eyes on me sometimes and don’t get me wrong, I stare at her too but we don’t talk.

Unlike Buck who finds me every morning and eats with me at lunch, even when I’m not in the cafeteria. He even texts me as much as my mother which is a lot.

After a whole week of seeing his face constantly, I finally asked why.

“We are building a bromance dumbass, now watch my left.” Buck said through the headset as we played Fortnite.

I didn’t question him further because I liked having him around, it seems Buck gets me.

Despite making so much progress, I’m still the same moody pot smoking loner I turned into when Peetah passed. Basic instructions said it’s important to take things slow or all progress could be undone if one tries to rush the process.

It’s the reason I make sure to take this at my pace, I make progress for a day and the rest of the week I am still loner stoner.

But Buck doesn’t seem to care if I’m progressive Parker or Aston the stoner.

I noticed it when I spent lunch in the field on Wednesday, he came along and just sat with me in silence. After the bell rang, he talked about nonsense and acted like I wasn’t being weird.

He actually reminded me of Peetah when did that and it made me feel safe around him.

“Hey honey,” my mother greets when I jump on the kitchen island and watch her add strawberries to a cake. “How was school?”

“Long,” I scoff. “My grades are picking up so the teachers actually call on me to answer stuff now.” I steal a strawberry, “what’s this for anyway?”

“Today is your father’s birthday.” I freeze as she adds, “I totally panicked on his gifts because of the pregnancy hormones but I did get him a good cake.”

“Mom I—” feel like s**t.

My father and I’s relationship went from us being best friends to us barely talking after Peetah’s death. Then to him losing his s**t when he saw my tattoo last year which we haven’t recovered from.

“I know honey.” My mother gives me an understating smile. “He is just glad you care enough to hide the pot from us.”

“You know?” My eyebrows shoot up in shock.

“Oh come Aston,” she looks offended. “I do your laundry and I know what weed smells like.”

Of course, she does.

“I forgot how cool you guys are,” I smile at the memories.

My parents had us young. There was an open-door policy on a lot of things, as long as we kept our grades up and stayed out of trouble but they truthfully let us do whatever we wanted.

If it was a party, all I had to do was ask and my father’s only condition was that we spend the following weekend with them. They were always there for us despite how busy they were.

And as a pediatrician and senior partner, my parents were busy a lot. I’m the one who pushed them away when we became a family of 3 but to miss my father’s birthday.

“Where are you going?” My mother questions when I jump off the counter and pull out my car keys. “We know about the pot but that doesn’t mean, I want to know about it.”

“Actually, I’m going out to get dad a gift.”

Tears pool her eyes immediately.

“Do you—do you want some money? I don’t have cash but I can give you my card.” She wipes her hands and searches her pockets probably for her wallet.

“Mom, I’ve been getting my allowance for 3years and have only been using 4% for you know.” I shrug not wanting to say weed. “I probably have more money than you right now.”

Fortunately, despite being a crap son my parents haven’t missed a single deposit of my monthly allowance into my account.

“Fine, don’t take too long. He’ll be home soon,” she fights happy tears.

Once in the mall, I skim through the stores mainly because I can’t believe how affordable it is compared to New York. I somehow end up in front of Sephora where Yi and Sekani are.

“Aston?” Yi is the first to spot me by the entrance.

“Hey,” I rub the back of my neck as I walk in reluctantly.

“Are you looking for something in particular?” Sekani looks around clearly amused. “I don’t think they have things you’re into here but—”

“Actually this is my first time at this mall.” I explain when Yi starts snickering. “I’m looking for any jewelry store, preferably one that sells male watches.”

“Oh, looking to invest?” Soon-Yi’s eyes move to my bare wrist.

“No, it’s my father’s birthday and I forgot to get him a gift.” Of course my buzz chooses now to wear off. “I just meant that—”

“Are you seriously trying to justify yourself to the girls that buy Christmas gifts the day before?” Sekani fortunately cuts me off.

I need a joint.

“Well, I still have to get a few things but Sekani can show you where to get all the good man stuff. She shops for her father all the time.” Yi offers surprising everyone.

“No, that’s okay” I protest. “I can find my way and—”

“Do you know where anything is?” Sekani jumps in again.

“I don’t even know what floor I’m in or how to get out of here.” I disclose and they smile at each other.

“Get out of here you crazy kids,” Yi faces her friend. “We’ll meet at the pizza place you like so much?”

“Mh hmm,” Sekani whispers something that makes Yi snort. “This way,” she points to the escalators.

“Bye,” I wave at Yi and follow Sekani out.

“Aren’t you going to say something?” I’m not sure who Sekani’s talking to till she says, “I guess not,” she looks away as we entire the floor above.

Today’s outfit is black denim shorts and a grey Gun’s and Roses t-shirt similar to the one I have, except hers is distressed and twice her size. Black strap Docs are on her feet and her hair is slicked up in a curly bun to show sparkly hoops.

Yellow lens sunglasses hang on her dainty necklace and like a weirdo, I count the number of piercings on her ears and they add up to 8.

“Robin’s clocks is this way,” Sekani directs. “He sells the best men stuff.”

“Stuff?” It’s my attempt to make conversation.

“Yeah, I get stuff for my dad there for Father’s Day, birthdays, Christmas…I’m going to continue listing holidays if you don’t jump in.” She turns to face me and her playful smile falls when I blink.

Not again.

I want to converse with her but I’m nearly sober and she’s looks so beautiful, its making me freeze. Which is weird considering that talking to a girl was like 2nd nature to me once upon a time.

“Okay,” she stops in front of an antique accessory store. “There’s a tailor shop, a BOSS store and a Men’s Warehouse if you want to get him clothes or ties. They are all in different floors but are easy to find from here.”

“You’re not coming with?” I blurt. “I—never mind” I decide against it. “Thanks for showing me this place.” I push the door of the store and a bell attached to the door rings.

A man similar to the grandpa on the KFC logo is standing behind a class counter in a three-piece suit. He gives me a look before a bright smile appears on his face.

“Hello.” I expect him to treat me like some mall rat who’s here to steal something but he extends his hand. “I’m Robin, how can I help you?”

“Aston,” I shake his hand. “It’s my father’s birthday, can you show me something?” I look over my shoulder and Sekani is texting on her phone.

“Of course but if you tell me more about him, I can recommend a gift suitable for his personality.” He ushers me to a glass display but my feet won’t move as my eyes stay on Sekani.

Why is she still there?

“How about you check on your friend while I finish doing the inventory.” Robin suggests and I’m about to object when he adds, “it’s best to get a lady’s opinion on gifts anyway.”

“I don’t know how to talk to her.” I confess. “I don’t mean to dump that on you, it’s just that she makes me…”

“Nervous?” Robin fills in and I nod. “Just try making her laugh, maybe do a face.”

“A face?” I question and to prove a point, he makes a silly one that makes me crack.

“Thanks Robin,” I turn for the door but pause. “And my dad’s just like you, so anything you’d want from you moody 17year old son is good.”

“So many options,” he exasperates playfully.