CELEBRITY ??
FAVOURITISM ??
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BY RUTHIE LEE ??
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EPISODE 29
?? JUNE ??
My heart skipped a beat as Erick hugged me but I maintained my balance and rested my chin on his shoulder.
I could get used to this, this warmth, and comfort. My hands were slowly starting to rise up and hug him back but Augie’s happy voice ruined the moment.
“Erick!!!” he called happily, he and Ella running up to meet him, Erick let’s go of me and with a smile he walked passed me to meet my baby brother and his Ex dog.
I closed the door with a sigh and turned to the happy reunion in front of my eyes.
The door to my grandma’s room opened and of course, my grandma walked out.
“oh, Erick!” she exclaimed
“grandma!” Erick smiled and walked up to her to give her a hug.
“is it just me or you look more younger and prettier” Erick said and my grandma laughed hysterically pulling his cheeks.
“you’ll never change”.
“and why in the world, would I change?” Erick smiled.
“so what should I get you! Water? Juice—
“grandma, am fine and I also ate like a king during dinner, so it’s okay” Erick smiled and my grandma smiled.
My family surrounded Erick and bombered him with different kind of questions.
My grandma asking him about his new life, and Augie at the same time asking him why he dyed his hair blue and Ella barking and jumping around Erick asking him questions of her own, that no one understands.
I just sat still and watched Erick bring laughter to the whole house and I laughed too when he talked something funny, I kind of missed this atmosphere, I missed the days when dinner would be fun because Erick was there and I also missed the days chores became fun cause he was still there too.. He is such an influence.
*.
Finally Augie fell asleep and Ella fell asleep on his stomach, wrapping her small body to fit his small body.
Maltese dogs are just so small
My grandma retired to her room. Wishing us goodnight and I sighed as I slowly carried Ella from my baby brother’s stomach.
I was about to carry Augie up but Erick stopped me.
“it’s fine” I tell him.. “it’s not like it’s the first time I’ll be taking his sleeping body to bed”.
“still, you’re a girl and I’m a guy watching you carry him will just make me a complete useless Person” Erick said and picked up Augie carefully placing him on his shoulder.
I picked Ella up and trailed behind Erick as he walked to my room, the door was open. So we just walked in and I closed the door after dropping Ella on her d0ggy bed.
Augie was placed on his bed by Erick while I covered his body with the thick blanket.
“whoa” Erick said.
“what?” I asked as I watched him look at sleeping Augie.
“he looks so much like you!” he blurted and I laughed.
“his my brother you idiot! How can we not look alike” I rolled my eyes.
“but you know June, this feels weird” Erick whispered with a smile and he bit his bottom lip still smiling.
“what, feels weird?” I asked.
“it’s like we’re putting our ‘son’ off to bed” Erick said and I rolled my eyes and walked away from him.
“you’re unbelievable” I said as I got on my own bed and rummage through my drawer for a rubber band.
“what?. I am actually making a point, we both look like two young parents” Erick said walking up to me.
“sometimes you say the most stupidest thing ever” I huffed pushing the strands of hair in front of my face to go with my sudden pony tail.
“and sometimes, the most stupidest thing may be the most meaningful thing” Erick said as he got on my bed.
“hey take off your shoes” I warned him.
“what? It’s not like I’m sitting with my feet” he scoffed.
“I don’t care, take it off” I said and he sighed and pushed his shoes off his legs leaving a pair of black stockings on his feet.
“happy?” he mocked
“more than you think” I smiled.
He let out a small sigh and laid on the bed, removing my hands on my th!gh, he laid his head on my th!ghs, and placed my hands on his hair.
“what are you—
“can you please not complain and just let me stay like this for a while” he said with his eyes closed and my vocal chords clogged immediately.
We both remained quiet and my hands didn’t move from his hair, the air was cool and fine minutes ago but now, it seems hot and I feel like I’m gonna burst any minute.
“Say something” Erick said, his eyes still closed. “I hate silence”.
“wh–what do you want me to say?” I stutter.
“anything, you can sing if you want to.”
“no, I think I’ve had enough singing today,” I said and his eyes fluttered opened and it was staring at mine and I don’t know how foolish I’ve become that my eyes suddenly adverted to his lips but I quickly shifted them back to his eyes.
“what was that?” he asked with a teasing smile.
“what was what?” I asked looking away.
“I saw you, why did you look at my lips Like that?” he asked, and even though I’m not looking at him I know he’s holding the most teasing smile he could produce.
“I–I–i did not–
“do not lie to me June, I saw you” he interrupted me and sat up.
“You totally wanted to–
“can you just shut up” I yelled and he laughed, shook his head negatively and laid back on the bed with his hair on my thigh.
“June.” he called.
“what?” I barked.
“can you cool it, I was just joking okay” he laughed.
“well have I told you I never find your jokes funny” I asked looking down at him sternly.
“you wouldn’t cause my jokes always comes out as a joke and half the truth” he said and I rolled my eyes.
He breathed out a small sigh. While I looked away…
This feels weirdly comfotable, even though it shouldn’t. I am actually enjoying Erick’s company…
“Have you… Dated a guy before?” his voice echoed.
Why Is he suddenly asking “this” kind of question.
“why are you asking?”
“I don’t know…” he shrugged on my legs.
“you’re kind of acting like someone who got her heart broken big time” he said and I smiled.
“yeah, I did got my heart broken once!” I said and slowly looked down at him to see his reaction and he was staring straight at me, but he suddenly stood up.
“really?” he asked as he adjusted a little closer to me.
“yeah.” I said looking away to smile at the wall.
“well that explains why you’re like this.”
“like what?” I snapped.
“nothing” he replied with a grin “so tell me June, this guy that broke your heart, how did it start and how did it end”.
“well see I was in the Nineth grade when that happened” I said with a nod
“okay I’m all ears.” Erick smiled.
“you want me to narrate the whole story to you?” I asked.
“yep” he replied making the “p” pop.
Time for a whole story of lies.
“okay so there’s this guy Jus.. John… No.. Jared… Yes Jared! He’s tall—
“taller than me?” Erick caught me off with a smile.
“he’s– he’s height is just like yours”. I said and Erick nod.
“he has blonde hair, brown eyes, he’s a little bit slender, he’s got perfect nose and amazing lips he also has this smile that makes your heart melt and gosh he’s a smile addict—
“wait! Why do I feel like you’re talking about me?” Erick said and I glowered at him.
“Shut up I’m taking about John this is about John”. I yelled.
“but I thought you said his name was Jared?”
“I did?” God I am so bad at lying
“yeah,, wait are you making this all up?”
“what! No way he’s name is Jared and he’s got a baby brother names John, their names get me confused sometimes” I said with a nervous laugh “so Jared was the captain of the football club then and g0sh all the girls loved him cause you knows, he’s our handsome Jared and we always win whenever there’s a football game and whenever he’s around, so luckily out of all the whole girls in school he chose me!” I said and bat my lashes dramatically.
“I don’t see a reason for him not to” Erick said and I blushed.
“Anyways… He told me he liked me and I liked him too and we started to go out” I paused thinking of another lie.
“okay, why or how did he break your heart?” Erick asked inquisitively.
“he uhm… He… He stole… My pen and lied about… It, and then we broke up” I said and bit my lip hard, I am terrible at lies!.
“what? That is one cliché story! How can you guys break up because of a stupid pen, are you lying to me??” he asked narrowing his eyes.
“I am not! And did I say pen, that’s what actually happened to his brother, I caught him kissing another girl and he lied about it when I tried to confront him about it” I said and the look Erick gave me made me gulped hard.
“you’re lying” Erick breathed.
“and why would I?”
“cause somehow you think this is fun, telling me about some guy who you described as me and how he broke your heart by stealing your pen then kissing a girl”. I giggled a little when I listened to my story in my head and he grabbed my hand.
“okay, maybe, somehow I am making up stories or so but it doesn’t matter” I rolled my eyes.
“it does matter cause you’re keeping your heart isolated and it’s…” he sighed…
“you know I really like you June and–
“can we not talk about this now Erick” I said slipping my hand away from his and standing up.
“if not now, then when?” he asked standing up.
“I don’t know—but can we please not talk about it now?” I said folding my hand, I’m suddenly feeling cold.
“you always do this, pushing me away or shunning me whenever I talk about my feelings with you, at least am honest and proud about it, how long do I have to wait?” he asked and I bit my lips and looked up at him.
“a little longer” I mumbled and I moved back a little cause he moved closer to me.
He remained quiet for a while and so did I. . .
Finally I heard his sigh and “fine” after that.
“I’ll wait! You don’t know but I’m pretty good at it” he said and I looked up at him to see his slightly disappointed face.
His phone suddenly ring and he brought it out from his pocket, he rolled his eyes and shoved it back in his pocket.
“I have to go” he announced
“oh!” I said and looked away,
Good… For me.
“I’ll escort you to the door” I said but he shook his head negatively.
“don’t! You might not like what I might do and besides, you might not come back too” he said calmly and my eyebrows flew up.
What is this dude saying, Just by escorting him to the door, I might not return home??.
“so… Uhm… Goodnight?” I shrugged
“no… It’s actually a bad night” he said making me flinch.
I’m sorry Erick I don’t know why I’m being like this towards you, I wanted to say so badly but I couldn’t bring myself too.
What is wrong with me.
He suddenly moved closer and gave me one of his comforting hugs,
and I hugged him back.
He said nothing as he let’s go of me and I couldn’t even look at him as he walked towards the door and opened it and walked out.
He did it!
That night I couldn’t sleep, I kept tossing and turning like never before,
My heart is still working and I know that… And I do know I like Erick but I don’t know, I don’t know what to even think.
I screamed in my pillow loudly and turned on my night light,
I hate this!!! Not being able to sleep.
I decided to listen to music, maybe it’ll help me fall asleep. But when I tried it, it didn’t work I just sang along and it’s Maria Li’s song, how can I not sing along.
I haven’t watched Erick’s video yet. I smiled at the recall of that, I head straight to YouTube, it’s been years since I’ve been to the Internet. Aside watching or downloading Maria Li’s song. I haven’t done anything.
I searched the name Erick and Erick-J suddenly popped on the search list and my eyes widen immediately. I tapped on the name and it took me to his music video.
“8.9million views” I gasped as I clicked on watch to watch the video.
*.
After re-watching Erick’s music video for the fifth time I was starting to feel a bit sleepy, but I couldn’t help the smile that made my lips stretch so widely as I watched as Erick gave the camera a breath taking gaze as the video ended.
This guy likes me! I thought as I dropped my phone on my drawer,
But what the hell is holding me back?!! I thought, thinking about that my eyes slowly starts to close and before I knew it, I fell asleep
*.
The rays of sunlight shone on my face and the amazing smell of burnt crust and butter filled my nostrils and I smiled and slowly opened my eyes.
It was twelve pm when I looked at the time and I slowly walked to the bathroom to brush my teeth.
As I brushed my teeth, I looked at myself in the wall mirror,
What the hell did Erick sees in me. I held my brush with my teeth and touched my face, I examined my huge round eyes and sighed, my eyes moved down to my lips, I’ve always wanted full lips but I got thin ones instead.
I stopped examining myself and continued to brush my teeth.
:
The house seemed quiet, I’ve eaten breakfast but still I feel empty, sitting outside staring at the empty street with Ella jumping around my leg.
“go play by yourself Ella. I’m not in the mood to play with you” I said and she let out a pitiful yelp.
“you just have to wait till Augie’s back from school”. I said and she suddenly jumped at the mention of Augie and ran inside.
I sighed as I stared at the blank sky, my chest feels heavy and I don’t know why.
Actually… I do know why..
I suddenly head inside and putting on my sandals, I yelled from the door.
“grandma, I’ll be back”.
“where are you going?” she yelled from inside.
“uhhh… To Erick’s?” I said truthfully
“okay be back before dinner” she announced
“I will.”
I hurried down the stairs of our building and the wind took over my hair. Today’s supposed to be my resting day for yesterday’s stress, but no! This is more important.
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