Chatmates

Chapter 7: Chatmates

~ Era ~

Then

I was watching friends, a series of sitcoms, on the television in my room when my phone vibrated. Laying my chest on the silk white cover of my bed, I moved my arm to reach for it. Today is Friday, so I get to have a break from all the dilemmas of what school has brought to me.

I was expecting that it was Dad inviting me to have dinner on some cuisine, we both liked the meat from the Flaming Grill. Oh, how mouthwatering the smell of their steak can be. I swiped the screen only to be disappointed. It was not Dad's message.

Loki's name flashed on the screen. Suddenly, my forehead creased.

Loki:

Is it okay if we'll do the activity near my place on Monday?

He didn't want it to do at school, after class. Intrigued I asked.

Me:

You didn't want to do it after class?

After few seconds I received his message.

Loki:

I can't. I entered the basketball team. I have an allotted time for the practice.

He's an athlete? I would never guess that except that he has a bulky body figure. It suits him more now that I know he entered Princeton's basketball team. I don't know a lot about sports, but I assume that you really need a good body figure with well-trained muscles to get along. Now, I get it. Why he seems older at first glance.

It takes me a while to reply, thinking what I would reply. I sigh momentarily as I typed in.

Me:

Where exactly is your place?

Loki:

Euclid Avenue.

So, that's where he lives. It's just a few blocks away from our school. However, I live on central avenue far away from school and Euclid Avenue. It would take an hour's drive.

Surely, I'll just wait for him, I'll watch him while he's playing basketball. Besides I'm getting bored much more easily at the house.

I sat on the bed and paused the television, I'm on season 2 of friends. And as much as I want to focus on the series, I need to mind this first. The activity involves dancing, so we need to be prepared within a week. It is required for us to present something at the Princeton dance festival. It was traditional, every year before Christmas.

Thinking for a valid statement to decline and having to prompt a different solution for us, I lay down properly. Laying now my back at the foam and my head on the pillow.

I don't have a driver's license yet. I can't drive that far. And I don't want to ask Dad, he's too busy. If ever I would go home, it would take an hour or two, for me to commute.

Me:

I'll wait for you after class. I hope you don't mind if I'll watch you play.

Loki:

Not at all.

He replied fast. But not what I expected him to reply. I hope it was something more approachable or at least a question. How can I have a good conversation if he replies brusquely? He's so polished, we won't seem to mesh well.

I blinked twice.

I can see the three dots that are moving, hoping he would reply to something that is approachable than what he sent first. It stopped from moving. Three dots vanished. I waited for a minute silently contemplating if I should text back or not. I'm not satisfied with our little conversation.

But I refuse to text him back so, I resume watching friends. I sat again at my soft white bed to clearly see the moving pictures.

He seems not to be interested in me. I really hope I would make friends before this school year ends.

After I finished the second episode of season two, I heard a roaring engine. From the windowpane, I saw Dad parking the car in the garage.

"You look tired Dad," I said to him while I chomped my double cheeseburger. It's the double cheese for me.

We are currently having our dinner.

He looks at me and smiled. "But still handsome right?" He moved his face posing like there are lots of cameras trying to capture a shot from him. We both laugh.

"Sure Dad," I said in between our laughter.

We live in a very comfortable house. It is a lot bigger for us since there are only the two of us. There are 5 bedrooms, three upstairs and two guestrooms downstairs. Our kitchen is elegantly decorated even though the two of us don't really know how to cook.

Our table is a rectangular oakwood, fully furnished. Dad said it was made by my grandfather. It was big and has a classic look which is very chic for me.

"How about you, do you need anything? How is your class today?" He asked as he jugged down, all at once, his glass of water.

"I'm fine, the school is fine," I said carefully, not mentioning myself being late for the class. "In fact, I need to practice for the dance festival. So, Dad, this week, expect me to be late for dinner." I said it enthusiastically. Believing he would extend my curfew.

He glances at me before having that playful grin. "Okay, just not after the curfew, or else I won't give you your allowance." He eyed me. I know he's just playing around. He knows I'm a good girl because I never got to clubbing or anything illegal. Plus, I never tried to smoke.

"C'mon Dad, it's not like I will go clubbing or join a sorority." I reason out. Trying to protest on that 8 o'clock curfew. If I'm going to perform in front of many people, I'll make sure I'll do my best. In order for me to do that I need a lot of practice which requires a lot of time. Hence, my partner has already gotten his supposed time to practice.

I love myself. I don't want to appear dull-witted. Not this year at least.

I attempted to reason out more but I'm too afraid that I will stress him out.

Later I washed all the dishes and taken care of our mess, I walk upstairs only to see Dad who's waiting outside my door. He's now wearing his comfy clothes particularly, his white shirt and checkered pajamas.

"I'm just here to have an announcement." He simply said adjusting his position from leaning at my door to a standing position. He motions for me to open my door which I did. But not totally going inside my room.

"What announcement?" Bewildered I asked.

"An update for your curfew, it's now 10 o'clock." He said with his arms folded with each other. He smiled at me.

"Oh, really Dad? Thank you." I hugged him after, not long enough, we said our goodnights.

Now, everything is great. The performance will be excellent. I'm manifesting.

I sat on my bed while silently brushing my hair. I'm thinking of something brilliant and new for our performance. I can't help but to think of his muscular arms, I'm sure he can lift me so it would be great if we do something like that.

I'm ready to sleep so I stretch my arms to turn off the lampshade on my bedside table when my phone screen illuminated the room. Gladly, I switch it in a silent mode, it just vibrated.

Loki sent a message.

Loki:

I'm warning you. Our practice is different from an actual play of basketball, I hope you will not get bored. Though, I'll appreciate it if you'll watch. Goodnight.