Hallmark Moments

The Fight

I didn't have time to think about what had happened when I arrived home because Tyler grabbed me at the door and rushed me to my room where he threw me to the bed and started dancing around silently. He did quite a lot of jumping as well before doing his very own victory dance, which consisted of the infamous Saturday Night Fever move and also some other complicated moves.

Everything that happened before this washed away from my mind as I laughed at his antics. He finally stopped and collapsed on the bed near my feet. 'I'm getting married in three weeks’ time, Camryn!' The news took me by surprise and it made me scream. 'Oh my God! Tyler! Congratulations!' I jumped off the bed and pulled Tyler with me and I hugged him and jumped around the room. 'Stage two in construction!' he laughed. I laughed at the reference to the “First comes love” rhyme.

I went to the window that overlooked Parker's bedroom and I shouted his name. When his confused face popped out, I yelled. 'Tyler's getting married!' Parker hit his neck on the window sill due to his surprise and he was gone. I could hear him yell throughout the house and I continued yelling with Tyler. In less than a minute, Parker was joining in on the fun.

This was exactly like the time Tyler got a full scholarship to Brown University when Parker and I were still in second or third grade!

Finally, our energy was sapped out from us and we collapsed on the floor tangled up in each other. I was sandwiched between my two best boys and I pulled them closer. 'Congrats, Ty.' Parker said breathlessly. 'Thanks man.' Tyler replied.

'Well, where's Nadia?' I asked after a moment's silence.

'Oh…she's in town. She's making a call to Singapore to inform her family and friends. I wanted you to be the first to know so I stayed home and waited for you.'

'See how sweet my brother is?' I grinned at Parker before turning to Tyler.

'I have to go get my bride to be before someone kidnaps her or something.' My brother ruffled my hair before getting up. When he made his exit, Parker and I stood up and sat on my bed.

'That's something huh?' Parker said with a smile. I nodded and turned my head towards him and saw that his face was flushed. I asked him about it and he told me that he was just excited about everything. I nodded and accepted it.

'Camryn,'

I nodded my head without turning to him. I swung my legs in the process.

'I don't mean to pry but is there something you're not telling me?' Parker asked, nudging me gently with his shoulders. I turned and saw that his eyes were closed. I needed to get over this anxiety. Parker was my best friend and I didn't need to turn into a paranoid freak just because it felt good when he kissed me.

I leaned my head on his shoulder. 'When have I not told you everything that's happening to me?' I couldn't help but lie. It was a lie to keep our friendship on track so it's not so bad. I think.

'There's always a first time for everything.' He stated as he opened his eyes, looking at me. I melted a bit under his intense gaze so I turned away from him.

'Then try making it the first time you told me something I didn't know about you.' I suggested with a smile. Parker roughly pushed me and tickled me on my sides, making me laugh uncontrollably. When he stopped, I punched him hard on the shoulder that he yelped. 'Ow! When did you become so strong?'

I stuck my tongue out. 'I've always been strong. You've just never provoked me enough to find out.'

'Cocky.'

'Shut up. I want ice-cream, Parka.'

So we got our ice cream from a street vendor in town and we went back to my house. We immediately went to my room where we sat on my bed

'Camryn…I wasn't mucking around when I asked you. Is there something you're not telling me?'

I shook my head defiantly. 'I would tell you if there was, Parker. Besides…what makes you think there's something wrong?'

'After that shocking performance which completely wowed everyone…you closed up.'

'I did not! If I wasn't mistaken, I was raving all about it until you started kissing me again.' I meant that out as a joke but Parker seemed to take it to heart when he turned his shoulder away from me. It was a show of defiance he started using a few years after we first met.

'I wanted a reaction out of you…I never get one.' His voice was muffled and I knew he was just voicing his thoughts, not actually talking to me. But I heard everything and I pulled him to face me. He was still frowning when he faced me and I took the opportunity and advantage to place my lips on his again.

What surprised me was how he grabbed me by the neck and deepened the kiss. And as soon it started, it ended. I felt like slapping him. 'Damn it, Camryn. Don't play with me like that!' Parker demanded, jumping up from bed.

'I'm playing with you?' I am outraged. What the hell did he mean by that? 'The fact that you stole my first kiss and the second and third doesn't tell you how you're playing with me?'

Parker whirled around hastily. 'That really was your first kiss?'

Yeah…open your big mouth again, Camryn.

He crouched down in front of me and forced me to look at him. 'Camryn?' I didn't like it that his eyes weren't showing any emotions at all. I didn't like that I couldn't read him. I didn't like that I was thinking about this all about my best friend! 'Camryn just tell me what the hell is wrong,'

'I'm entitled to not tell you stuff okay? You do it to me, why can't I do it to you?' I know I sound childish but at the moment, I couldn't think of anything else to say. I was stubborn and I really didn't want to tell him that I thought kissing him was amazing. The thought was revolting and it doesn't even seem right in my head.

'I…'

The last time Parker lost his ability to talk was when we were in the eighth grade, after he was insulted by a teacher, telling him that he acted like a girl and with his looks, he might as well be a girl. He went through a silent period for almost a month. I have no idea why that just came to my mind but Parker never just…let's just say that cats are too scared to even come close to him let alone get his tongue.

Then I realised my mistake. I had told him something that I denied earlier. He knew I lied to him then and now he had proof. That was why he was speechless. This is why I've never lied to him. He meant too much to me that I couldn't bear to hurt his feelings by doing something he hated the most. He hated liars and I just became the biggest one in his books even if it was a small thing.

When he stood up, I grabbed his hand. 'Don't touch me.' I dropped his hands hastily when I felt his disappointment and anger. I felt my heart skip a beat before sinking. I wanted to call out his name but by then, Parker was gone.

Why do I open my mouth? Why?