Chapter Seven

That was on my mind for the rest of the day. I didn’t say a word all through dinner. My parents talked the whole time anyway and didn’t notice me picking at my food. I was so absorbed in my thoughts that I dropped a dish while bringing it to the sink. Boy, did they notice me then.
“Abebi! What are you trying to do? Ruin our set of dishes?” My dad asked leaping out of his seat.
“I’m sorry dad! I- I guess I wasn’t paying attention.” I said as I stooped to pick up the pieces of the broken dish.
My mom got up from the table and went to get the broom. When she came back she handed it to me then walked to the table to finish clearing it.
I finished cleaning up the mess and helped my mom load the dishwasher. When we finished I raced out of the kitchen and grabbed my coat.
 “I’m leaving, be back in about an hour!” I yelled and went outside, not wanting mom to ask me what was wrong.
I walked slowly down the street to the park. On the way I watched little kids playing in the dwindling sunlight, I heard birds singing and a few cars driving by. I sighed and imagined being at my old house and street. It didn’t sound any different but I knew everyone. Here I didn’t know a single person on this block besides Jerry.
 Jerry. Why did all my thought always go back to one of those boys? They’re distractions right? Things that just cause problems in life. I knew. My cousin had plenty of problems with her boyfriends. The first summer I had spent visiting her and her family when I was 12, she had broke up with her third one. Then by the time my family had left she was on her fifth already. I had decided right then and there that I wanted none of those troubles. I wanted a clean and simple life. If I had decided that so long ago and it had worked fine, then what was the problem now?
I reached my secret spot at the park and sat down on the bench and watched the sunset. A beautiful blend of colors swirled in the sky creating a wonderful picture.
“Beautiful isn’t it?” a voice asked behind me.
I jumped and turned around. My heart skipped a beat; leaning against one of the trees was Jerry. “Y-yes it is. It’s very beautiful.” I scrunched up my face. “How did you know I was here?”
“I didn’t, this a spot I visit once in awhile.” He said walking up and sitting beside me on the bench.
“Oh” I said quietly and looked towards the setting sun. A few minutes passed and neither of us said anything. I looked over at Jerry. I saw his head move back to the sky. I looked away and felt a blush rushing to my cheeks.
“Bebe?” Jerry said quietly.
I turned around and faced him. “Hm?”
 “About yesterday. I’m really sorry, I shouldn’t have jumped all over you like that.” he said, his face turning a light red.
“Oh no, I should be the one saying ‘sorry’. I shouldn’t have yelled at you, you were right, and I should have never pulled that stunt on Vadia. It just caused a lot of trouble.” I said squinting up at the sky.
“But I really am sorry. Please say you forgive me.”
I looked at Jerry, his face was creased with worry and hope. I melted as I looked into his green eyes. It reminded me of the first day we met, when I first stared into his eyes. I felt lost at sea. I smiled. “Of course I forgive you.” I gave him a hug without even thinking. I felt Jerry stiffen in surprise but then his arms went around me, returning the hug. I pulled away. “I’ve got to go,” I said, standing up. I wrapped my coat tight around my body and started for the street.

  It must have taken a few seconds for Jerry to realize what happened because he didn’t follow me right away.
“Abebi!” I melted when I heard him call me by my full name. I wanted to turn and run back into his arms, but I couldn’t. I had to keep walking. “Abebi wait!” I could hear his footsteps coming up behind me. “Bebe - what is it? Did I do something wrong?” he panted slightly as he fell in step with me.
“No,” I said slowly. “ I did.” I walked faster as Jerry stopped and watched me walk away. I sighed in frustration.
Why is this so complicated!
-Because, you just jumped right in and I warned you to just take it slow.-
But it all just happened!
-Okay first stop shouting before someone reports you as a lunatic.-
When I got home the lights were off, and the door locked. I dug out the spare key from under the planter on the porch and went inside. Walking into the kitchen I found a note on the fridge.
Bebe,
   Your father and I went to a movie. Be good, no parties
                    Mom
I crumpled up the note and threw it in the garbage.
Parties, yeah right. I don’t even have enough friends to make a good study group. Just a handful of distractions.
-Ha! Distractions...with that title it sounds like you wouldn’t get any work done anyway.-
I’m getting sick of you.
-Good! Good! That means you’ll get so sick of me you’ll decide to listen.-
I highly doubt it.
I opened the kitchen cupboard and took out a granola bar. I walked into the living room and flopped onto the couch. Finishing my bar I turned on the t.v. Nothing was on so I went to my room and got on the computer.

Shopper_girl has just signed in.
Shopper_girl: Hey Bea! What’s up?
Invisible_chick: Hi Cory. The usual.
Shopper_girl: uh oh, what’s up? Still with the “distractions” ;)
Invisible_chick: *rolls eyes* yes if you must know.
Shopper_girl: Really? Do tell!
Invisible_chick: fine.
I told Cory about all that I had done, and all the events that had taken place leading up to tonight with Jerry.
Shopper_girl: wow. I can’t believe you pulled that, and hugged Jerry!! That is so not like you. What are you gonna do now?
Invisible_chick: I don’t know...I was thinking about moving again :D
Shopper_girl: Ha, ha like your parents would go for that. I think I should be the one moving, that way I could be close to you and get to know a few “people” ;)
Invisible_chick: Oh sure, that would fix everything. You come along and then all the boys, excuse me distractions, can magnet onto you. Right?
Shopper_girl: :P  Right. Why not? *fixes hair* I think I like Kyle, he sound the coolest to me. Oh unless you like him?
Invisible_chick: I don’t know...after tonight I’m very confused. ~:-( Biff is sweet too, why don’t we just make it safe and you can take Seth.
Shopper_girl: *rolls eyes* nice...actually he doesn’t sound all that bad. Hey you know what? I’m gonna go ask my mom if I can visit you!
Shopper_girl is set to away
Country_chick: Huh!?  What? Cory get back here!
I looked at Cory’s words in shock. I don’t know why but I didn’t want her to come, I always thought I would be happy if she came but I wasn’t.
-Somebody’s jealous!-
What do I have to be jealous about?
-Your worried Cory might take one of those boys away from you. Preferably Jerry.-
Shopper_girl is set to online
Shopper_girl: Guess what?!!!
Invisible_chick: You can come.
Shopper_girl: Well don’t get too excited. I thought you wanted me to come..
Invisible_chick: I do, really! When??
Shopper_girl: Well my parental unit said that since spring break is coming up, I can come then, if it’s okay with your parental units. Go ask so I can start packing.
Invisible_chick: Sorry my parental units are gone. They went to the movies. But why don’t you pack anyway?
Shopper_girl: Really? They went to the movies without you? Oh wait you were with Jerry. *smirk*   Ooo not a bad idea, I’ll pack anyways so then you can give your parental units a sob story about me not getting to go to my grandma’s because she decided to leave with her girlfriends on a trip to Vegas. :P
Invisible_chick: lol sure that always works...
Shopper_girl: Oo, gotta go, Parental units have locked me in they’re sights. ;) talk to ya later. Bye
Invisible_chick: Ok lol ...bye Cory.
Shopper_girl is offline.

 I shut down my computer and just twirled around in my chair for a few seconds. Having Cory come wouldn’t be so bad... We wouldn’t have to worry about school, maybe I could even arrange it so that she met the boys then we just conveniently avoid them for the rest of her stay. I smiled at my plan as I got ready for bed. This would be a very interesting spring break.
 

Author's Note

Okay I don't know what people think of the whole instant messenger conversation so let me know! Should I remove it? or what! Tell me your thoughts!