DILEMMA - YOUNG LOVE

Ignoring Her

Three days has passed since then. And since then, I've been trying to avoid Ara. I didn't want to be associated with the village weird girl. But I just can't seem to get her off my head. Her lips were soft and smooth. Her neck was the sweetest thing. And she wasn't making it easy, forgetting her. She kept calling every frickin' hour. But all of which I successfully made up a reason. I asked my brother to pick up and make excuses. Might as well, her cousin was actually one of the few people I don't want to mess with. He's a good guy.

I headed to the basketball court that morning to practice for next day's game. As I was shooting hoops I see Emma, my childhood friend come in. I haven't seen her in a while since she went to school in the city.

"Your mom told me you'd be here. The court has always been your happy place", she exclaimed.

Emma was this girl next door type who is just too good for anybody. Guys would line up and end up crying as she gives them nothing but her scent as she walks away.

"How long will you be staying?", I asked her.

"Whole summer. My parents will stay in the city while I live with grandma here", she answered quite sadly.

We got to talking. About her school, her friends, hobbies - old and new, that time she flew off her bike because Anthony held her bike off, almost anything we could think of we talked about. Emma always brought out the innocent kid in me. We were just laughing about something when she started to kiss me. Softly. I close my eyes and sink in. Then...

"Daryl?"

I annoyingly open my eyes. It was Ara. Dammit.

"Hi", Emma said hesitantly. "We're a little busy."

Ara looked at me with her eyes tearing up. "Daryl, you never called. Is everything okay? I called your house many times. Your brother said you were either sleeping or out. I finally got a hold of your sister and she said you were here. Are you avoiding me?"

Ignoring her, I pulled Emma's arm and directed her out of the court. Ara in turn got hold of my free arm.

"Emma, could you wait outside. I'll be there in a minute", I spoke.

As Emma leaves the court gates I faced Ara. I angrily looked at her.

"What do you want!?"

"I just..."

"Just what?"

Before she could answer I grabbed her on both arms and said the worst things I could have possibly said.

"Look. You and I. Nothing. You were just an easy mini game I played to take my mind off things. I was bored. Never gonna happen again. So why don't do what you do best. Sit on the sidelines and leave me alone."

The tears she tried so hard not to let out just came bursting. At the time I felt regret. Shame. I wanted to take it all back, apologize and not let her go but she pulled away and just like that she was gone. I was caught up in the moment, I didn't realize that the things I were saying were empty words. I just wanted to get her to leave. Not make her cry. At this moment, I knew I screwed up.