Troubled

FORTY

KYLE GARCIA

I can't explain the disappointment I felt when she stuffs me into her closet like that, you and I both were expecting something else, you know, like a kiss? Cringe I know. But hey, I can dream right? Hope was abundant to everyone and anyone.

But she was Cora, Cora was Cora because she never did do anything that was predictable. She did things she wanted to do, not what you'd expect. Never what you would expect. I guess that's how I was kept on my toes any time I was around her.

I chuckle to myself as I sit alone in my car, and it doesn't smell like her, which is a let down. I like the smell of her around me. It made me feel some type of way.

My phone rang again, I know it was my mom and if I don't answer it, she will bring down the heavens.

"Hello mom." I put the phone on loud speaker as I continue to drive.

"Kyle, oh my god, are you okay?"

"Yes mom, I'm fine."

"Where have you been? I must have called you a billion times."

I want to roll my eyes but I stop myself, mom was worrying about me, I don't know how many people have their moms worrying about them, like Cora, her mom inflicted that kind of pain on her own daughter. I should be grateful that my mom wasn't like that.

"I was at a friend's house, we were busy, i didn't mean to worry you, I'm sorry."

"Your two friends are here Kyle, what other friends do you have?" Her voice sounded really confused.

I got defensive,

"Dawson and Ray aren't my only friends you know."

I hear Dawson snort.

"Yeah, and pigs are flying."

"What are you doing at my house anyway?"

"We never see you anymore, so we decided to come-- hey give me back the phone, I wasn't done talking."

I wince at how loud Dawson was.

"Come home immediately." Ray's voice left no room for argument.

I sigh, I really haven't been giving them any attention since the thing with Cora started, I really couldn't put my attention in two places at once.

"I was already on my way."

He doesn't answer, he only hangs up. I scoff, these boys must think my whole life revolves around them. Once I'm not with them, I shouldn't be anywhere else.

I drive up to the front gate in no time. I realize then that our houses aren't that far apart. The thought comforts me as I make my way into the house.

"Where have you been?" Dawson asked me as he munched on the cookies in front of him.

Mom heard the question and came out of her office, she was still dressed in her work clothes.

"Hey mom." I greet as I sink into the seats.

"Did you eat anything yet?"

I shake my head no,

"Okay, go heat up a box of pizza, or two boxes. We'll talk as soon as I finish what I'm working on, that okay?"

I smile at her, she smiles back before disappearing into her office again.

"Who is your new friend?" Dawson asked.

I head to the kitchen, I was really hungry and I needed to eat. Ray say on the dining table sipping an energy drink while peering at me from the rim of the can.

"None of your business Dawson."

"Really? Are you ditching us now? Your new friends cooler than us is that it?"

I roll my eyes at his dramatic guilt tripping antics,

"Maybe they are cooler."

"How is she?" Ray finally asked.

I fiddle with the microwave so I don't answer the question.

"Oh there's a she?" Dawson asked.

I don't answer any of them.

"Is she as troubled as they say?" Ray tried again.

The question irked me, I have heard her name and troubled in the same sentence, but for some reason I want to protect her from the world.

"She is not troubled." I say as calmly as I could.

"Oh now you speak."

The microwave dinged, telling me my pizza was hot enough and ready to be eaten. I take out the slices, my mouth watering from the sight of it.

"You want us to tell your parents about you ditching?" Dawson says.

I narrow my eyes at them,

"You wouldn't dare."

"I will dare, right now if you think I'm joking."

They knew my parents were big on getting into college, especially since I blew my chances at getting scouted, they want me to want to do something with my life, but what? I honestly don't know.

"What do you guys want?" I sigh.

"Tell us everything that has been going on with you."

"And you'll shut up about the skipping?"

Ray gives me a single nod.

"So you guys were willing to go that low? For a piece of information?"

Ray doesn't smile, his face was blank, reminding me of Cora. Was it bad that I missed her?

"We'll go as low as we need to, we don't know what is going on with you anymore, you don't talk to us, you missed the parties, you leave your car in school and go wherever you feel like? Does this remind you of something?"

I sigh, I don't know how to explain myself to them. I agree when the whole thing with the football came crashing down, I acted a little off. Disappearing, skipping school and meals, and basically everything I was doing right now.

"I'm okay, I'm not doing anything stupid."

They give me pointed looks. I said the exact thing and I smoked a pack of cigarettes in a row. I think that's why I'm saved on Dawson's phone as The Chainsmoker.

"Okay, I'm hanging out with Cora Philips more than you guys these days."

"The audacity of you." Dawson gasped.

"Do you like her?" Ray asked me.

I take a bite of my pizza as I mull over the question. Did I like Cora? I mean I liked her beauty. Her eyes mesmerized me, I did want to be with her all the time now. Infact, I want them to leave me alone so I can send her a text. Actually I want to call her so I can hear her voice.

"You actually do like her." Dawson says with bulging eyes like it was the worst thing to happen.

"I would not call it like. More like, she interests me, I don't know what to call it. She intrigues me so much that I want to be around her all the time, I want to know what she's thinking, because she is very unpredictable, and extremely funny. I don't want to miss anything she does because it leaves me speechless. She actually has more depth than the gossips gives her credit for." I tell them.

"Sounds like you're in love with her."

And I burst out laughing. Love? These people have got to be joking.

My phone dinged with a text, when I see it's from her, I cannot stop the maniac smile that takes over my facial muscles.