Going back for love

21

dreamt about Stephen and his strong hands playing guitar and caressing my face. His soulful smile and delicious smell. I jerk in fright when I see a tall figure sitting on my desk chair. His hair is floppy on his forehead. Stephen. His eyes are closed and his face gently rests in the palm of his hand.

“What’re you doing.” I ask, remembering rushing away from him and my face turns red. He opens his eyes and lifts his shoulders. “How did you come in?” I change my question.

“Well there’s a key under the doormat.” he says with an obvious tone and I remember my dad’s agreement on where to put a key, if someone isn’t home.

“Oh.” I say and rub the sleep from my eyes. I stretch my arms high in the air and climb out of my bed.

“I brought you food.” he says and takes a burger king paper bag from my desk and holds it out for me. I can’t help but grin and graciously take it from him.

“Wow,” I look inside to see two wrapped burgers and french fries. I lick my lips feeling hunger in my stomach, “You didn’t have to.”

He shrugs and I walk out of the room,”Well you going to join me?” he follows me downstairs. I get plates from the kitchen and place them on the table. I put a burger and chips on each plate and gestures for Stephen to sit behind his plate.

“No I already ate, that’s for you.” he says uneasy and I can see him feeling bad. I purse my lips and sit on my chair.

“Well thanks.” I mutter. He nods and I open my burger. I take a big bite out of it not worrying of Stephen’s stare.

“This is so good.” I say my mouth full and I smile at Stephen’s satisfied look. I satisfy my hungry stomach with both burgers and fries.

“Wow you sure are hungry.” he says, folding his arms over his chest. I nod enthusiastically,

Both our eyes widen when we hear the front door creep open. It’s dad. My hopes falter when I see Lisa.

“Wow, you look really happy to see me.” she says sarcastically. She frowns seeing Stephen and he scratches his neck uncomfortable.

“No, I thought you were my dad.”

She gasps, “He’s still not home?”

I shake my lips and stand to give her a hug. She looks me up and down.

“I was wondering.” I raise my eyebrows, waiting for her to continue, “What happened to you amnesia.” I gulp. s**t. My eyes drift to Stephen knowing that he probably knows that I lied.

“I don’t know,” I try to say casually, “Went away I guess.”

She purse lips suspiciously but leaves it at that.

“What time is it?” I ask, still feeling tired.

“Just like, past four.” she says and I realize that I have slept for a long time. “How does your wrist feel.” she emphasises the ‘wrist’ in her sentence.

“Fine.” I say, which is the truth. I haven’t actually felt any pain since I fractured it.

“That’s good.” she says and slumbs down on the chair next to me. We both look at Stephen and I can feel the uncomfortable vibe.

I stand up, “Well what did I miss at school?”

“Well, nothing much. I only wrote history today. I know tomorrow is a biology test.”

“Damn it.” I say, knowing I can’t miss the test, now that I’m not playing hockey anymore. I don’t get good grades, but I’ve never tried hard, putting my effort in hockey. I look at my cast feeling sad. It feels as if my future is thrown in a dustbin.

I sigh, “Well, I better get studying.”

Lisa looks at me with sympathy and I give her a forced smile.

“I will help you.” Stephen says with enthusiasm and me and Lisa turn to him with wide eyes.

“Help me?” I ask.

He nods and lifts his shoulders to indicate that it will be nothing. I give him an impressed smile.

“How can you help her?” Lisa asks with a smirk and I can see jealousy in her eyes.

“I had biology in school and I was a top student.” he confronts Lisa and without wasting another minute I grab his hand and drag him towards my room.

“You really were?” I ask, closing the door behind us.

He nods, “Yes.”

I swallow, hoping that he will remember things. I take out my books out of my Nike bag, thankful that I didn’t leave it in my locker.

“Okay so I’m pretty dumb.” I hand him my book and he shakes his head with a perfect smile.

“You’re not dumb.”

“Well I tend to forget a lot,” I say and he clenches his teeth as if he’s thinking of something that is bothering him, “I’m a very forgetful person.” It almost seems as if he wants to cry. I pucker my lips at him and the emotions in his face quickly changes.

“Same.” he mutters and he starts to turn pages in my book. I nervously go sit on my bed, knowing that I’m going to do bad and embarrass myself. I hold my thumbs tightly in my hands, trying to concentrate when he starts to speak.

“Okay let’s start with the vagina.” I laugh uncomfortably but listen intently as he speaks.

---

I didn't want to run away but I did because it was the only thing keeping me sane.