Break the Distance

Chapter 22

Saturday 3rd of September, 2016Toronto, Canada

Noah Williams

"Noah put your phone away!" my mom says sternly. "Onesecond," I say not looking up from my phone. 'Angry mother have to go,' Itype fast and press send. I lock my screen just in time before my mom grabs myphone out of my hands. "Mom!" I say indignantly, "give itback!"

"No," she says putting MY phone in HER pocket, "no phonesduring supper." "But we weren't even eating yet!" I say,"Matthew isn't even here yet." "Yes I am," Matthew saysthen suddenly just walking into the dining room. I sigh and sit back in mychair. I lost.

"Who where you even texting?" my dad asks teasingly. "Iwasn't texting someone," I say. "Yea you were," Michael says,"there's no other reason to why your thumbs moved so fast." "Iwas playing don't tap the white," I lie. My dad, Michael and Matthew laughat me. "Do you even believe it yourself?" Matthew asks. Okay nexttime I have to come up with better arguments.

"So what's her name?" my mom asks starting to place plates offood in front of everyone. "What?" I say, "her name?""Yea," my dad says. "I wasn't talking to a girl!" I saydefensive. "Oh, Noah is getting red," Matthew laughs.

"Do you finally have a girlfriend?!" my mother says hopeful."NO," I say clearly, getting a little angry. "But you're textinga lot lately," she says. "No," I repeat myself. "Yeaseriously guys," Michael says defending me. Wait is he standing up for me,that's new!

"There's no chance Noah has a girlfriend," he adds then, "henever had so why now suddenly?" I knew there was a catch. "What'sthat supposed to mean?!" I snap. "So you have a girlfriend," mydad says and he grins. "No I don't!" I say angrily.

"Feel free to invite her for supper someday," my mom says with asmile. "Jeez seriously," I say and stand up, "if you all aregoing to be like this I'm going to go." I don't wait for a reaction andstart walking towards the stairs. In my room I want to pull out my phone, butthen I realize that my mom took it away.

I groan and walk back downstairs. Besides that I have no idea what I haveto do without my phone on this evening, I actually am pretty hungry.

When I walk into the dining room my family stops talking until I sit down.Then they start talking again, thankfully not beginning about who I was textingagain. "Don't worry," Marylou, who sits next to me, whispers then inmy ear, "I'm on your side."

After diner I go to my room and as soon as I arrive in my room, I go backdown again. Forgot my phone again. "Can I have my phone back?" I askmy mom. "Of course," she says, "but you've to admit, you'retexting a lot lately."

I sigh. "Am I allowed?" I ask. "Of course," she saysquickly, "but not during supper or other family times." "Yesmom," I say and grab my phone out of her hand.

I open the chat with Richelle. 'Haha, bye,' she sent.

'People like to irritate me lately,' I send. Okay maybe I've been differentlately, but it isn't a crime to talk to someone right? 'Why that?' Richelle responsesafter a few seconds. 'Normally I don't text so much as I did lately,' I send.

'Sorry,' Richelle sends. 'No need!' I type quickly.

'Next subject,' she starts and I chuckle slightly, 'looking forward totour?' 'Yea,' I send, 'you can't even imagine.' 'Good, are things differentthis show?' Richelle asks. 'Just a few dances,' I say, 'and I have a solo.''Really? That's so cool, looking forward to see it,' she sends.

'So you're coming to the show?' I ask and smile as I type it. 'Of course,'she says, 'I've almost enough money.' 'Great,' I send and my smile widens.Don't tell anyone, but I'm really looking forward to meeting her.

We have been texting for a while now and I know her a lot better than Idid, but she's still a mystery. She isn't just a normal common girl, she'ssomething special.

'My lunchbreak is over,' Richelle sends then suddenly. 'Okay, good luck,' Isend. 'Thank you,' she sends.

I'm staring into nowhere thinking about nothing when suddenly my mom walksin. "Hi," I say, "what's up?" "Your dad, Matthew,Michael and I are going to visit grandma," she says, "Marylou isstaying home, do I have to call a babysitter or do you stay home."

"I'm staying home," I say and my mom nods thankfully."Great," she says, "see you probably tomorrow.""Okay," I say and smile. "She's in her room by the way," mymom adds. "Okay," I say, "have fun."

A few minutes later they're gone and it's silent in house. I lay on my bedand enjoy the silence for a while until Marylou storms into my room."They're gone," she exclaims excited, she's already wearing herpajamas. "Yea I heard," I say. "So what are we going todo?" Marylou asks hopeful.

"You know," I start, "I really wonder why you think that I'msuch a rascal." Marylou giggles. "Really," I continue and fronsmy eyebrows, "where comes that idea from."

"Don't know," Marylou shrugs, "think I just wish you were,think it would be way more fun." "What did you just say?!" I askher standing up. "Nothing," Marylou giggles. "Did you just saythat I'm boring?" I ask and cross my arms jokingly. "I didn't say itbut I for sure meant it," Marylou says. I take a step towards her and Marylouruns squalling away.

"Watch out!" I yell her behind, but it's already too late. I hearMarylou scream followed by a few hard bangs.

I quickly run to the stairs and see Marylou laying at the bottom.Seriously, yesterday my dad removed the stair gate and Marylou already fell. Ialmost jump downstairs and kneel besides her. "Marylou?" I sayworried, "are you okay."

Marylou cries loud and hugs her knee. "It hurts," she sobs."Come," I say carefully picking her up and walking over to the couch."Let me see," I say and strip up her pajama pants. "Oh," Isay, "that doesn't look good." Marylou's knee is all purple and blue.

"I'm going to get something for on your knee," I say and kiss thetop of her head. I grab a cold pack and a bucket of ice cream with two spoons.Back in the living room Marylou is still crying, but her eyes light a little upas soon as she sees the bucket of ice cream.

"I should fall of the stairs more often," Marylou says after Ilaid the cold pack on her knee and opened the bucket. "No you don't,"I say worried, "you've been very lucky, it could've been much worse."brace. "I like you," he says and looks nervously down.