Misunderstanding

I walk up to him and ask him to come so we could leave. He gives me one last daring look before walking away. I tail behind him. We walk into the parking lot and then I walk up to his car. I get the door open and slide in.

He starts the car without even looking or talking to me or even asking how my day was like he usually does.

He drives real crazy and fast and it gets me real scared.

"Slow down Cam". I say to him and he stares at me with bloodshot eyes before focusing back on the screen.

"What's with you lately? You've been giving me real weird eye contacts and attitudes...what'd I do wrong?" I ask and he stops the car immediately.

"What you did wrong?" He asks.

"If it's about the new guy...I'm sorry okay. We're just friends and nothing more. Look here Cam...no one can replace your space in my heart. I see the way Marina stares at you...I see the way you stare at her too...I know she's your ex so I never take it to heart cos you two are just friends now. What's with you? You think I'mma be tripping for Dylan?" I ask. "Oh geez. Dylan's hot yeah...he's-". I was still speaking when he cut me short.

"You didn't just say that. See it? Exactly my point...you find the new guy hotter than I am. You're tripping Khel stop lying to me". He says.

"Fuck! Yes I'm tripping but I don't find him more attractive or hotter than you". I say.

"Save it Khel. Go home". He says.

I wasn't even aware he was parked in front of my house.

"Thanksgiving's next week. I want you to come and...we need to talk. How about we meet after school tomorrow?" I ask.

"I'd be out on Thanksgiving I won't make it. Talk after school...fine. Invite your new hottie to your Thanksgiving". He says.

"Why are you making a fuss of nothing?" I ask.

"You can lie to everyone Khel and they'd believe you but not me. I've known you since high school. You do this each time there's a new good-looking hot guy in school. I've always over looked it hoping you'd stop when we enter college...but nothing's changed. When you were a fresher...you were head over heels for Clovis. In your 3rd year...Jacob and now it's Dylan. Please just go home". Cam says.

"I wasn't head over heels for anyone. I'm not a fucking cheat or flirt or pervert Cam!" I say.

"Your words not mine. Suit yourself". He says.

"I'm out of here...you never see the odds and ends of things do you?" I ask.

"There are no odds and ends....nothing to understand when it's crystal clear. I can't put up with this. If you ever fall in love with that guy....feel free to breakup". I say to her after she leaves the car and then I turn it on and zoom off.

"Fuck!" I yell and rake my hands through my hair before walking into the house.

"Honey....you're back? You look all fucked up...what's it?" Mom asks.

"Nothing mom". I say to her while fixing myself a glass of water.

"I'm your mom. Talk to me. It's about Cam isn't it?" She asks.

"Yeah. How'd you know that?!" I ask.

"I've always known you two had a thing....the chemistry". She says smirking at me.

I grab a seat from the dining and sit on it.

"Mom... there's a new guy in school. He's hot and handsome too but he's nothing compared to Cam mom. But Cam caught me staring at him multiple times and it pissed him off. I invited him for Thanksgiving says he won't make it....he's got something to do says I should invite my new hottie. Mom....I'm only human. I trip okay...I'm a girl. I don't know what's going on and how to fix it". I say to her.

"Had similar problems when I was 18 like you Stace. Give him time...he'd get over it". Mom says.

"Not helping Mom". I say to her.

"Gerald was always jealous when I trip for another guy. Gerald was my boyfriend back then in college. I gave him time and he got over it. If it worked for me then it'd definitely work for you". She says.

I roll my eyes and sigh.

"Mom! This is 21st century! Whatever worked for you in the 90's won't definitely work for me mom. We don't think or operate like the 90's mom. Thanks. I'd be in my room". I say to her and grab my back pack from the table.

"Don't forget to have your bath honey". Mom says.

I turn around and give her judgy eyes.

"Once again mom....I'm 18!". I say and ascend the stairs.

I walk into my room and shut the door after me...locking it as well so Gayle wouldn't barge in annoyingly to talk about Peter. Peter's her crush. Gayle's a fresher at Berkeley.

I hang my bag on the wall where it usually stays. I kick off my leather heely boot from my legs and place it on the shoe rack. I take off my jacket too and hang it on the wall. I fall flat on my bed staring at the ceiling thinking about Cam when I suddenly remembered the new guy.

He's Miguel's friend and Miguel's our next door neighbor and that means that this guy's my neighbour too. I circle my fingers on the sides of my head and shut my eyes. I open it after a while and take off my clothes and accessories....changing to my bath towel. I clean the make up off my face before stepping into the bathroom.

*****************

"Khel! It's time to eat". I hear Gayle say.

She's got this really tiny but sweet voice you definitely can't miss or resist.

"It's cold cuts with-". She was still speaking when I cut her short.

"I don't eat cold foods". I snap back.

"Oh...so I can have it?" She asks.

"Mm". I say.

"There's cold slaw with rice and there's cheese burger too with Chablis". She says.

"Chablis?" I love Chablis. "Bring em all here except the cold cuts". I say to her.

Cold cuts are slices of cooked meats that are usually served cold. Cold slaw's pieces of raw cabbage, carrot onion etc mixed with mayonnaise usually eaten with meat or salad. Cheese Burger's hamburger with a slice of cheese on top the meat and Chablis is a type of dry white French wine.

Gayle shows up at my door without the food and I give her a puzzled look.

"Mom says you should come down to eat". She says.

"Yeah honey no eating privately today!" Mom yells from downstairs.

Sounds like she's mixing the cold slaw with mayonnaise.

"Don't mix mine mum!" I say.

I walk past Gayle and descend the stairs.

"Sister....I wanna talk. And it isn't about Peter this time around". She says.

"Gayle.... later". I say as we approach the dining.

There were bowls on the table with different contents. The Chablis was next to my food.

Pause!

"There's never Chablis without dad. Does this mean Dad's back?" I ask.

"Yeah Mom. Only dad brings Chablis to the table". Gayle says.

"I sense dad somewhere here". I say.

"Sniffer". Gayle says and both her and mom laughs and I narrow my eyes at her.

Dad works in an oil company and he usually doesn't return till months go by. Hard to tell when.

I get seated in front of the table.

"Dad....come out now. I know you're here. I'm drinking all this Chablis and I won't spare you some". I say taking the Chablis from the table. I was about to pop it open when dad pops up from behind me shouting "Aha!" making me to shake.

"Dad....I've told you to stop sneaking up on me. One day you're gonna kill me dad....with a heart attack". I say and hug him.

"Not possible baby. You come here now". Dad says to Gayle and she hugs him and he hugs us both and place a kiss on our foreheads.

"Why come home when you never stay. You're gonna be here for only 2 days then you leave and not show up till the next 3,4 months". Gayle says.

"Duty calls baby. I'm sorry". Dad says.

"Honey...dad won't be staying for 2 days this time. He'd be home for a month". Mom says.

"Did you get sacked from work?". Gayle asks.

"No. I told them I need time out to be with my family and also have Thanksgiving with them. It's been long since I observed Thanksgiving with you". Dad says.

"We're used to being only 4 at Thanksgiving with few outsiders". Gayle says.

"Gayle!" I yell. "I'm sorry dad...she's just upset because she misses you". I say to dad.

"I know baby. But she has every right to be upset". Dad says.

She stands up and leaves the dining.

"Gayle!". I call out.

"I'm not hungry". She says and walks into her room.

"I'm sorry mom. I'm sorry dad. I'd be right back". I say and exit the dining.