Chapter 10: Seth
1245 Words
I woke up groggy and started the day by getting dressed, making breakfast, and getting ready for school. The address that Seth gave me was still safe in my pocket.
But for some reason, my phone keeps ringing. I checked to see that it was Cole texting me endless messages. As it turns out, it wasn't Cole; it was Ms. Caroline, my stupid social worker.
She promised that she was going to check and see if I am being taken care of. I rolled my eyes. "Are you kidding me?" I said aloud. This wasn't the first time she said that lie. Mom crawled out of her den and prepared to make coffee.
She didn't look at me or asked how I was doing. I lifted my backpack straps over my shoulder and head out the door. "Luke," Mom said impatiently. I stopped from what I was doing and looked at her.
"Ms. Caroline called me yesterday," Mom continued. "She wants to have a discussion with us. Is there something that you are not telling me?" For the first time, I was surprised that she even noticed me or talked at least ten words without screaming.
"Nothing," I lied. "That woman is a total nutcase." Mom lifted her gaze from the coffee pot and glared at me. "You better watch your tone," she rasped. "Why are you being like a mother all of a sudden?" I asked.
"You and your pig of a husband pretend like I don't even exist." Mom bit her lip then stared back onto her coffee pot. The pot was nearly filled with dark brown liquid. She ignored the pot spitting coffee and looked at me.
"What is this discussion going to be about?" Mom asked sharply. I shrugged then left the house. As I walked past Cole's house, I hear footsteps coming from behind me. I expected Cole stalking me or tapping on my shoulder.
I turned around and saw her in her blue winter sweater, khaki pants, and sneakers. Her hair was pulled into a ponytail, she was wearing small makeup, and lifted her bag onto her back.
She was carrying her favorite Sherlock Holmes novels. Just then, she tripped on something and fell on the ground. I immediately went up to her help her.
I scooped up the books and gave them to her. Cole pulled herself up to her feet and gave me an approving nod. She took the books out of my hands and left without a word.
It has been awhile since I have ever talked to her. "Hey Cole," I said nervously. She turned to look at me and said the same thing. "How are you holding up?" I asked. "Fine," she simply answered. "How are you doing?"
"Okay," I said. Things got awkward between us. "Luke," Cole began. "About the kiss.." I blushed fiercely. "I'm sorry I did that," I apologized. "It was stupid-" "No," she interrupted. "It was a lot nicer than the other one."
I knew what she had meant by that. During the Treasured case, Cole kissed me in order to save our butts. "You tasted like sugar cookies," I admitted. Cole blushed, but didn't look at me. "Luke, I have a boyfriend now." she sighed.
I stared at her for a moment. "Zach, right?" I guessed. Cole nodded very slowly. "He's sweet, funny, and very cool." Cole replied. "Are you okay with it?" "What?" I asked.
"Are you okay with him and me...dating?" Cole asked. I swallowed a gulp and nodded. "Yes, of course." I lied. Cole squinted at me as if she was studying something. "Are you sure?" Cole asked not convinced.
"Yeah," I lied again. "You go have fun with him." Cole took a step closer then told me something that made my heart drop. "You really hurt me back there, Luke." Cole said. "I don't understand, what kind of a friend would do that?"
I didn't say anything. "Be a jerk if you have to," Cole responded coldly. "But I forgive you." "For being ignorant?" I asked. "For being confused," she sighed. She took two steps back and resumed her trail.
She is right, I thought miserably. I allowed my jealousy to get the best of me. I walked up to her and tapped on her shoulder. Cole turned around and eyed me suspiciously. "I'm sorry," I said. "About what I-"
"Don't apologize," she snapped. "I want you to keep your distance away from me." I bit my lip hard then stared at Cole. She marched away and never looked back.
My day at school was suddenly back to the way it was: more people avoided me, more homework, and more reading during lunchtime. After history class, I grabbed my textbooks out of my locker and closed it.
That's when Seth appeared out of nowhere. "Hey bro," Seth greeted. I didn't look at him. "Seth," I said. "What are you doing here?" "I came here to tell you something," Seth replied. "I found the addresses of Alexander's neighbors."
My eyes twinkled. "That's great," I answered. "Anything else?" He shrugged and leaned against my back. "I am so tired," he groaned. "Want me to comfort you?" I asked. Seth nodded.
He wrapped his arms around me and let's me stroke his auburn hair. "How are things between you and Cole?" he asked. "We're not friends anymore," I sighed. "You guys have to be friends," Seth protested. "You're like Hazel Grace and Augustus, you practically deserve each other!"
I rolled my eyes at this. "Seth," I began. "Romance is just a word that people use to-" Cole and Zach walked passed us, holding hands and laughing. I cut my eyes at them when they pass me.
Much to my surprise, Seth ran up to them. "Seth," I whispered urgently. "What are you doing?" He ignored me as he tapped onto Cole's shoulder. She stopped talking to Zach for a moment and looked at Seth.
I seriously wanted to kill him. "Hey Seth," Cole beamed. "How are you doing-" "Luke is madly in love with you," Seth blurted. I stared at him in horror. Zach looks really confused.
"What?" Cole asked. "He totally loves you," Seth admitted. "I mean, he kissed you on the mouth." Zach gave her a questionable look. "You two kissed?" he asked. Cole blushed and twirled her hair.
I walked up to them, dragged Seth by the ear, and marched out of the school. "That hurts!" Seth whined. "Shut. Up." I hissed. After the endless whining, I stopped pinching Seth's ear.
Seth scowled as he rubbed his sore ear. "Ow," he moaned. "You are extremely lucky that I didn't give you a wet willy back there," I rasped. "We are in the middle of a case, yet you told her that I have some sort of crush on Cole."
Seth stuck his tongue at me. "At least I don't hide my feelings," he mumbled. I glared at him. "What?" I asked. He didn't repeat his taunt. We walked tirelessly on the sidewalk, not caring about the heat or the flies swarming around our eyes.
"Sorry," I said finally. "About what I said. It's just that girls are a total pain in the neck." "Not just girls," Seth replied. "But women too." I thought about for a moment. "Not all women are a pain in the neck," I explained. "When I grow up," Seth snorted. "I am never getting married."
Good luck with that, I thought.
- Writer
